Miss V's First Dental Visit

Miss V, Mommy, and Daddy have been brushing V's teeth for a while, but we finally decided the time had come for her to visit the dentist. I found a pediatric dentist who takes our insurance, and he and his staff turned out to be very friendly and helpful. V wore a smiley face lead vest for the x-ray, and the dental assistant explained the process as she proceeded. Miss V is a thumb-sucker, but she knew not to put her hand near her mouth. The hygienist told her to put her hands on her tummy or by her side, but every once in a while she'd get nervous and raise her arms as if to do jazz hands. I held her hand a couple times to comfort. She got to watch Tom & Jerry on the flat screen mounted on the ceiling. The whole time she listened to the staff, and opened her mouth nice and wide or whispered, "Aahh." In the end she chose a bouncy ball as her prize.

The dentist voiced that Miss V has a beautiful smile and set of teeth. They're a little tight, so we get to start flossing in the front now, but they are in great condition. The dentist recommended we not worry about the thumb-sucking, and just use some positive reinforcement when we see her not sucking her thumb for a fair length of time. 

While they cleaned and examined her teeth, I couldn't help but have one of those moments of realization. She is not a baby anymore. She lay on the chair, answering questions and doing as the dentist requested. She is growing up, and is farther along in some ways than I realized. Oh boy, I'm going to have older kids some day, then teenagers, and someday not that far in the future my little babies will be adult children. Whoa.

My Little Superheroes

 

We inherited some adorable superhero onesies, which Mr C wears with dignity. Miss V likes to create her own super persona, as she adds utility belts, made of either her headphones or my headbands, to her pajamas.

Robin and Mommy

Using headphones as her superhero utility belt

New Baby C

Our second little miracle baby has arrived. Zak and Dad lay their hands on my head and gave me a priesthood blessing a few days before he came, promising that there would still be some concerns, but everything would be all right.

The Porters came into town the night before we decided o be induced, so they took care of Miss V during the day, and then the Hoopers had a sleepover with her the next couple nights.

It turned out, many of the labor and delivery concerns were much the same as they were with Miss V, because rather than the cord being wrapped around her ankle, it was wrapped around his neck.  Because of this, I diligently breathed through my oxygen mask as deeply as I could, and did just as the nurses directed, letting them know how I felt along the way. I gratefully accepted an epidural, just at the right time. I had some tearing, but not as much as last time, so my recovery was much faster and easier. My babies have been the exact same size, and both came more than a week past due, thus the induction. I think I'll just plan on that timeline in the future. Little C was born six-and-a-half hours after we checked into the hospital, with the help of medicine, excellent nursing staff, an experienced doctor, and Zak's support. He has his own look, but definitely shares the family resemblance with Miss V.

Zak was alongside me almost our entire stay at the hospital, and we had many family members come to the hospital and neighbors provide service at home. Aunt Niki even decorated our home with "It's a Boy!" balloons, streamers, and other decor. Miss V likes having "her baby" at home, as well as giving him hugs and kisses. She wants to be held while I'm trying to feed him sometimes, which doesn't always work, but she's been very helpful and loving. We try to give her attention. I'm so grateful to have a supportive spouse who is such an involved parent. He changes diapers, holds Miss V when she's obviously very tired, brings items to me I can't reach while I'm nursing, and helping clean and prepare meals. Then again, he's helped with many of those things throughout our marriage. I'm very blessed. We are very blessed.

Girl Time in SLC

Jenny enjoying Godiva chocolate

Cousin Jenny organized a bit of a girls' weekend in Salt Lake City. We had some family, friends, and husbands join us for some of the activities, which started at Smashburger, and then moved to the high school for Michael McLean's "The Forgotten Carols." I had been warned about the hand-holding and "We can be together forever someday" sing-along, but it worked out since our group had the row just for us. I've loved the story and music, and was interested in the changes they made for the play. Afterward, Jenny, sister Trena, and I stayed at a hotel and slept until the pregnant lady woke up early for the continental breakfast.

Zak took good care of Miss V while I was gone, complicated by her being sick. He's a very good Daddy.

Saturday morning, after my third time in the breakfast lounge, we met up with Trena's husband, Dallas, and my other brother-in-law, Nate, to window-shop and Christmas shop at City Creek Center. Without difficulty, Dallas convinced us to eat at Trolley Square's Rodizio Grill (definitely worth going again). Our last stop was Trader Joe's which did add to my delicious Christmas treat collection, before meeting up with Zak and Miss V at my Dad's sibling Christmas party. I had such a wonderful time, and was very grateful for a "girls' weekend." Thanks, Jenny.

Dallas and Trena at City Creek

Showing off our bellies

Nate appreciating City Creek

How Dallas feels about Rodizio Grill

Hooper Christmas party

2016 Calendar for LDS Youth

I serve in my church congregation as the secretary for our Young Women, and made some custom 2016 calendars with major holidays and church events. It also includes the annual theme "Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ" and the monthly Come, Follow Me theme. Merry Christmas to all of you leaders and youth preparing for the New Year.

2016 YW/YM Calendar

Thanksgiving 2015

At the Porter's house this year, Niki really stepped up and prepared several Thanksgiving staples, since Mom recently had surgery. I brought a few things, and everyone enjoyed delicious food. I don't mind that I'm one of the few people in the family who enjoys yams, because it means I get to make them exactly how I like (covered in brown sugar and butter), and eat a large chunk of them. Cohen got roof duty this time when the boys and Miss V went outside to put up the Christmas lights. Afterward, Cohen showed us his recently-purchased massive truck that he's fixing and customizing at the diesel shop where he works. Niki and Miss V put up the Christmas tree and ornaments.

Wreck-It Ralph Halloween

This year Miss V has really enjoyed the movie "Wreck-It Ralph," so I decided to make it our Halloween costume theme. Zak become Ralph, little Miss V was his Vanellope von Schweetz, and I went as Fix-It Felix, Jr. We even got a family recognition award at our church party.

Earlier in the month, we spent time with Jenny and her kids at the North Logan Pumpkin Walk, and my parents at their neighbor's maze and raspberry farm. Zak even carved a scary pumpkin to put on our porch.