Nauvoo Part I

May 22nd we loaded up the car, picked up Tom's parents and started our drive to Iowa.

Round Trip: 54 Hours in the car.
Stops: Denver, Clinton Missouri (to see Adam & Susan!!), Nauvoo Illinois, Des Moines, Denver & Home.

Sadly I didn't take any pictures with Adam & Susan and their cute kids. We only stayed for a day where Caleb managed to traumatize their little Emma more than once (sorry!). Once again proving that he's no lover and all fighter.

From their home we drove to Nauvoo and went immediately to the visitor's center and walked through the Women's Garden. This is my absolute favorite part of Nauvoo. I love the statues and I love the peaceful feeling you get walking through the garden.

Caleb loved the statues too.

A Lot.

Trying to keep these three reverent was impossible after the three days in the car getting here.
My cute boys!

Towards the end the statue loving got a little weird.

Nauvoo Temple

Headed over to the temple afterwards and took some pictures.

Kraig, Karen, me, Tom, Talin & Caleb.

(Collin's photographer)

The boys.

We also went on a wagon ride. It was so beautiful and the boys loved the horses.

Here I am

I sat down in March.
I didn't get up until June.

Okay, maybe that's not completely true, but it's how I feel.
Throughout all my crippled months life hasn't slowed.
Two surgeries.
Two birthdays.
One baptism.
Lot's of puking.
One hell of a road trip.
One BIG graduation.
One surprise party.
A whole lot of doctor's appointments.
Two hospital visits. One failed. One successful g-tube placement.
One big move.
And a family reunion.

For the first time I feel like blogging about it all.
Pics to come soon.

My New Norm

Having a baby like Caleb has changed my viewpoint on what's normal. I don't think I would even know what to do if I had another baby without any "problems". It would be weird.

For instance I never have to spoon food into my child's mouth or insist that he eats, or fret over him not eating. Actually, never mind, I do a lot of the last two things.

I know every ounce that goes into his tummy every three hours five times a day at a rate of 400 on our pump and a dosage of 140 cc's. I'm almost becoming a little math savvy these past two years.

It's become completely normal to be on the phone with doctors. I used to feel privileged to talk with an actual doctor on the phone and not the nurse, but now I just feel like it's my right.

Six doctors appointments in the week is not unusual. This next week alone we have feeding therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, cardiologist, gastrointerologist, and even a podiatry appointment (but that's for me!).

Cleaning up vomit is a regular occurrence. Even Caleb has become quite handy at cleaning up his own vomit. If he vomits on the floor it's not unusual for him to run to the cupboard with all the designated vomit clean-up rags and start cleaning up his own mess. So while being a complete pain with reflux he's quite helpful with the clean up. Sometimes....

Last week Jo and I sat on the couch and watched another regular occurrence. Caleb and his falling out g-tube. We looked out the window to see Tom walking around the yard checking each sprinkler. Walking behind him was Caleb with his g-tube out, holding his t-shirt up around his chest, and yelling at his father while following him around the yard. We were in hysterics. At least he knows it's suppose to be in and not out.

It's also become quite normal around here to feel a quiet gratitude for hearing loss. I mean you NEVER wish it on anyone, but once it's in your life, you might as well see the positives, right? Like the boys leaving for school this morning. Caleb has no idea, he can't hear the garage open or the door slam. No tears, just an effortless search around the house and acceptance. He also sleeps well through screaming cousins, loud parents and a horrible echoing house. And besides, is there anything cuter than his little tiny hearing aides? All the old snowbirds love him at Wal-Mart too!

Talin Milestones

April 22nd Talin turned 8.

Which means he is now officially a CubScout.

And he also got baptized last Saturday.
Aren't they cute?
It was such a special day for Talin and for us. We were so excited for him and the Bishop had some pretty amazing things to say about our little boy. We're both humbled and blessed to be raising him.

Talin and best friend/cousin Wesley.

Talin & Collin

The Family

Talin with his dad & Grandpa Chambers.

I'll probably post more photos because Amy made a fabulous cake that she took pictures of, and she took some family pics of us that probably turned out better than mine.



And finally I'm concerned about Caleb.

At church yesterday I looked at him and realized he had huge bags under his eyes and dark red-rimmed lines. Do you think he's turning into Benjamin Button??

Eight

Happy Birthday Talin

Talin has decided to be baptised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Saturday, May 8th @ 1:00 pm

3025 S. Hawes Rd., Mesa AZ

We are so proud and excited for him and this big step in his life, he truly is the most amazing kid ever.

We love you Tal!

Caleb turns 2!

I can hardly believe it's been two years with this boy. Wow! Caleb has been such a blessing in our lives. He has turned our world upside down, and we'll never be the same, we'll always be better for having him. We're grateful to have his big spirit in our home and to have the privilege to watch him grow. There have been so many times I've questioned the Lord's reasoning in sending him to me, but I wouldn't have it any other way. He's a perfect fit for our imperfect family.

In honor of turning two I attempted a fondant St. Patrick's Day cake.

It was much more work than what I originally thought it might be.

But it was all worth it when Caleb saw it for the first time and lit up.

3-17-10

To celebrate we went to the park and had pizza and cake and a good time visiting with family.

Klayton sitting guard over the cake.

Cousin Time! Klayton, Reagan & Caleb.

My gum paste rainbow fell apart on the way to the park. It was bound to happen. Caleb getting excited as everyone sang to him.

He definitely knew it was his special day.

He's my first two-year-old to even attempt to blow out the candles.

It was so cute.

Cutting the cake.

Caleb & Grandpa Chambers

Amy managed to catch Caleb drinking a Hi-C. Hey, maybe he's on his way to a future without a g-tube! Fingers crossed.

And here it is, properly named by Amy as Frankenfoot.

I am healing, I'm still horrified by my cut and bruising and pain. But it gets better little by little. I never imagined surgery would be this difficult and I live in fear of having the right foot done next month. But it will all be worth it in the end. At least that's what I keep telling myself as I sit around the house in my lazy-boy and turn into a marshmallow.

!!NEWS!!

I was operated on Monday morning for Paul (my bunion). It was surreal, and I don't like being put under. But it's done! Now six weeks of healing and I can get back to my yoga love.

Super fabulous Amy watched my babies early in the morning. Surgery was at 7:30, so she got there in time for Cyndee to go to work, and got the kids on the bus for me. Don't these boys look like they're ready for a little sister? (or we'll just steal Azure and save me the trouble)

Drugged. Home. Sleepy.

And the exciting news???!!!!

We're going to Tucson for residency! We're very happy!

This was Tom most of yesterday, planning our move, looking at homes, and deciding the big decisions, like do you buy or do you rent? And realizing how little money we're going to have to live off of. It should be wonderfully challenging! Yeah, I'm still a little stoned.

We Are The Coolest Parents EVER

One week ago on Thursday morning I checked my email when I woke up to discover that my Disneyland vouchers had been sent to me. I was super excited. So I turned to Tom and suggested that we pull the kids out of school and head to Disneyland.

So we did.

Got there Thursday night. Had a restless four hours of sleep in a crusty hotel. Got up Friday morning and headed to the park.

We ran to New Orleans first and encountered Tarzan's Tree House. Oh how full of energy we were that morning, trust me, it did not last.

Tom doing his best Tarzan interpretation.

Collin and Talin attempting one as well.

Friendly stranger taking the family picture.

Emerging from New Orleans and the ease with which we walked onto Indiana Jones and Splash Mountain and The Haunted Mansion, we were shocked to find the streets filling with people, and strollers and more strollers and strollers lining the sidewalk everywhere!

So we went and watched the amazing Captain EO. Collin loved it, we all know his devotion to anything Michael, and Tom cringed the entire time. It was great.

Afterwards we chased down the Red Queen and Rabbit while Talin had an emotional breakdown. That's why he would be absent in this picture.

TEA CUP TIME

Our attempt to cheer Talin up (no one should be unhappy at Disneyland) we rode the amazing tea cups.
Tom getting sicker and sicker. Until he discovered he could turn the wheel the opposite direction and bring sanity back.

Talin was still not 100%, so we jumped off the cups and headed immediately to the Mad Hatter.

And that's where we decked ourselves out in some awesome hats for the day.

Toon Town was next.

Crazy crowds, who needs to wait an hour to see Mickey anyways?

So we headed back to Tomorrow Land to attempt space mountain (my to die for favorite ride).

Once again the crowds were overwhelming and so we learned how to use a fast pass and decided to wait a few hours more. Then headed to Autotopia.

The kids realized they could drive. It was the most spastic and bumpiest ride EVER.
But we were all having a fabulous time and got to enjoy Space Mountain. The boys LOVED the ride.

Then we headed to Main Street for some ice cream and ran into Pluto & Goofy.
Aren't they cute?


Tried to attempt Space Mountain again, but the crowds put a real damper on the attempt, so we rode this fun ride, whatever it's called.
Then it was time for the fireworks, which were canceled due to wind. So we sat on a bench, for lack of standing room, and watched the crowds file out for over an hour. Here is proof of how crowded it was, below is a picture of Main Street. Unreal.
Overall we had a super time and I'm so glad we got to take the boys and leave the baby at home with Mandi and Cyndee, but I strongly suggest NEVER going on a weekend!
Driving back to the hotel at 11:30. It was a long fifteen hours at Disneyland. Until next time!