Lucas' Birth Story

Lucas Chatfield Miller

April 29, 2016

1:17 PM

9 lbs 6 oz 21 in

I had been guessing how his birth would play out, trying to prepare my mind for the big event of child birth.  I wrongly guessed he would come before his due date, and that made the nearly week afterward even harder.  In hind sight, I'm glad the timing worked out that way.  My mom and I had some time to go and have adventures, and she was able to watch the kids for my whole stay at the hospital.  But the idea of being induced scared me.  

On Friday morning, April 29, I got up a bit before seven after a fitful night's sleep. It was a result of being uncomfortable from being pregnant, and anxious but excited for the day to come. Corbin and I got ready, said a prayer with our family and said goodbye. On my way out the door, my mom said in a happy song sing voice, "have fun!" It reminded me of leaving for the hospital when it was time to have Ruby. Ramona had said that, then back tracked a bit because pushing a baby out isn't exactly fun. I thought it was sweet.

I drove us to the hospital, since I wasn't in labor and have a tenancy to get car sick when not in control.  This was a decidedly marked difference between natural and induced labor, and I didn't mind.  I was still feeling the anxiety and excitement welling up inside me as we drove. I had heard some discouraging things about inductions: the added pain from pitocin, the typically longer labor, the extra interventions. But I kept telling myself that everything was going to work out the way it was meant to, and that comforted me. And the thought of done being pregnant helped center my focus.

We checked in at the hospital at about 8.  I changed into a gown and got on the monitors for a while. The lovely nurse said I was contacting every few minutes already, but chalked it up to Braxton Hicks that I'd mentioned I'd been having for weeks. I was a bit more hopeful that these were the real deal, since I only had them with regularity at night.

The midwife Lisa and the student midwife Arianna came to talk with me about how I wanted the labor to go, and what steps I'd like to take to get things started. I wanted to go as low intervention as possible, avoid pitocin if I could, and do without pain medication.  

My motivation for going natural came from the big differences between Theo and Ruby's birth's, and the moment of first seeing them. Without an epidural with Ruby, I felt a huge rush of every positive emotion, and I wanted to have that with Lucas.  Would a natural labor be worth that again?  

After discussing options for induction, I decided to have her break my water and wait. Lisa gave me a little exam and said I was at about a 2, but 90% effaced. A good candidate for water breaking. After I gave the go ahead, Arianna tried her hand at examining me. It took a bit of doing on her part, a bit of breathing through discomfort on my part, but she was finally able to feel what she needed to. I'm glad I could be a helper in her learning process.

They left and returned at about 9:15 with the good old crochet hook. As Lisa broke my water, she told me how she had just broken the water of a sweet teenage girl who was worried that the whole 12" handle would need to go in. I was sorry she was freaked out, but glad for the little laugh. Lisa stood and said her intuition told her that would do the trick, and thank goodness her intuition was right! After they broke my water, they left Corbin and me to our own devices. 

He got on his computer to do research while he waited for things to get started, and I walked around and read my book. Painless contractions were coming consistently, but I wanted to keep moving for fear that they weren't real yet.

I started having Corbin put some counter pressure on my lower back during a contraction. Was it because of the discomfort of the squeeze or because my back just constantly hurt from carrying around a 9.5 pound baby?

Corbin made a playlist for me while I walked around, adding all my favorite musicians. It was nice having that playing, but I think Corbin appreciated it more than I as labor progressed, and I became more focused on my coping methods.

Once they got legitimately uncomfortable, I decided it was safe to take a rest. My body didn't need any more encouragement to get started having this baby. Between contractions, I was beginning to yawn. The bad sleep was catching up with me. I got a bit worried since I didn't know how long the day would last, and I knew I would need all the energy I could muster. Spoiler alert, it wasn't a long day, thankfully.

I reclined on the bed and read my book. Eventually I had to put it down whenever a contraction hit, so I could close my eyes and focus on breathing through the tightness.

It was getting to be lunch time, so the nurse took my order for lunch, and I ate a granola bar while I waited. I had to time my bites carefully so I didn't breath in delicious granola dust. This is the first time I felt like eating during labor, and it was a little strange. 

While lying in the bed, I had Corbin support my back when a contraction hit. It helped a bit, and Corbin liked the hugs he got to give me.

I wanted to wait till after the food came to get in the bath, but it was becoming evident that my time of benefiting from a bath was getting limited.

Corbin turned it on, and as it filled, Kate, the midwife who was now on call came to check in. "Good, you waited for me. You look pretty uncomfortable. I'll go get on my jammies (scrubs) and be right back."

I got in the tub at about noon.The warm water felt so nice, and got things moving even faster. Simply breathing through wasn't enough anymore. I started saying aaahhhh on my breaths out. Sometimes I'd have Corbin reach in the water and rub my back.

The food came, and I ate a bite of French fry here, contraction, a bite of chicken sandwich there, contraction, and Corbin got the rest. Things started getting intense, and he thought, I'd better eat this food quick before a baby shows up. Another spoiler, he came twenty minutes after this.

Corbin could obviously tell that things were getting real. He started suggesting that I get out if the bath and move to the bed. But I didn't think it was necessary yet. I'd only been in labor a few hours, I couldn't be that close already. But my aaahhs were getting louder with each contraction as I tried to maintain control. I had heard that keeping it low helped, instead of letting the sounds get high pitched, so that was my goal. Between contractions I'd been saying in my mind, each one does it's job, pushes the baby down lower, and goes. But now that they were getting painful, I had coached myself beforehand to take the transitional ones and say, these are the ones that will push him out, that will put him in my arms. I should have taken that as a sign that the end was near when I moved to that mantra, but I still couldn't believe that the end was so close.

Finally Corbin said I should probably get out. I asked him to lower the bed down to laying position, get out a towel and clean gown for me, and I'd get out after the next contraction. But I wasn't exactly in my right mind, and forgot to calculate the buoyancy of the water leaving me as my body left the water. Gravity stopped me in my tracks, and as I kneeled in the tub the baby dropped down and I said, "it's time to push." I had Corbin push the call button by the toilet, and Kate, Arianna, and a bunch of nurses ran in. Kate asked if I could get out, but as she watched me stand and cling to Corbin through a contraction, feet still in the water, my body pushing that baby without my trying, she said, "okay get back in the water." She helped me down, but another contraction hit and I suspend myself above the tub floor.

The sounds I was making were no longer low aahhs. They became higher and more like gasps as I lost control of them and my body simply took over. Kate looked me in the face and took charge. "No more sounds. Just push." I don't know how well I followed the command, but I pushed and his head popped out. Then in a tone that spoke authority, she said, "get her out of the water." The sides of the tub were too high for her to reach me and the baby properly, and I assume she saw the cord wrapped around his neck.  Three nurses lifted me straight up, and as I hung just above the water, Kate told me to push, and I did. Out came the shoulders, and the rest of him snaked out. The cord had wrapped around his neck pretty tightly, but Kate unwrapped him quickly and put him on my chest for a moment. I was in the water again, looking at this very purple baby. They cut the cord, and swept him into the other room. Corbin was standing behind me, touching my shoulder and saying encouraging things. Or so he says. Honestly, I wasn't aware of him.

That whole thing was a wild and intense couple minutes. I wasn't scared for myself or for the baby in the moment. I was completely checked out, my body having taken control. But looking back, it could have been a scary little stretch of time. It seems weird to be scared of a moment that has already passed, one that I didn't feel fear in at the time. But as I have replayed this moment, it makes me anxious. Corbin said there was a bit of scrambling from the team, because they try to avoid births in the bath, seeing as the mother is so low down and hard to reach. But because they are professionals, they knew what to do and did what needed to be done. I'm thankful for that.

As Kate ordered someone to drain the bath and called for an aid, the whole thing hit me. I was so surprised that it had ended so suddenly, that he was out, that it was over, that I had done it, that my baby was in the world. I burst into tears. I think Kate thought I was worried for Lucas, because she started saying, "hear him crying? He's okay." I hadn't been worried, but it was wonderful to hear his sweet cries and know he was a part of the world now. Corbin took my hand and I kissed it and cried. I think I said something like, "he's here, he's here" through my tears. 

Arianna was at the side of the tub now. I think she had taken a back seat during the action, probably happy to just watch the craziness, but now she was there saying I'd done a great job and being so sweet. Corbin asked her what time it was. 1:17. Our first daytime baby.

After Kate had tended my end of the cord, the nurse helped me to the bed, and they laid Lucas across my chest. Seeing him clearly now brought on another wave of uncontrolled tears and joy. He was so beautiful and perfect, his body already gaining color. His poor face was still purple and bruised from being shot out of a canon. But I got to see his hair, his nose, his little mouth.

Kate checked me out down there, coached me through a push to expel the placenta (which felt like a very satisfying poop), pushed on my belly to get rid of blood clots (which did not feel as satisfying).  I hadn't torn, booya!
Finally the midwives stepped away to look at and discuss the placenta. They asked if I wanted it, and I said no. Rita, our lovely nurse, said, "so we can sell it on eBay?"

I was completely exhausted. After the initial euphoria wore off, all I wanted to do was lay still and close my eyes. Corbin took a few pictures of us. One where I had a dull smile and one where it looks like I'm already asleep. I like the latter best, because it was so true to reality.

After a few minutes, Lucas started rooting around, and I helped him to a nipple. He latched right in like a pro, and the familiar feeling of a little person eating from me made me cry afresh. I loved nursing my other babies, and I love it with this guy too.

From breaking my water at 9:15 to popping a baby out at 1:17. A 4 hour whirlwind labor, fast and furious. I had been so worried that the process would stretch into the next day. I'm so thankful it ended up being a quick and smooth process.

It was so weird to have the rest of the day stretching out in front of us. We texted and Facebooked the news. Ate food. After I had a power nap snuggling my new baby, I felt energized.  I even put on some makeup.  The kids and grandma came to meet him only hours after Lucas arrived.  Corbin and I were in awe of how beautiful our new baby was, and how great I felt so soon after.  

Lucas fits right into our family, right into our home.  We all love him more than we could imagine.  I mean, I knew I would love my new baby, but I love my new baby.  I'm so thankful he's finally here!

Ruby Turns One!

One year ago today, this beautiful little gem joined our family.  My heart was bursting with joy to finally meet her.  And the joy has only grown since then.

Ruby Rose Miller

July 29, 2014

11:15 PM

9 lb. 7 oz. 20 in.

one month

 Her first smile was at five weeks.  I was singing to her, probably some tune from the Taffetas, when she started contorting her mouth and squinting one eye.  Finally it settled into a smile, and she hasn't stopped smiling since.

two months

 At four months she rolled over for the first time.  I missed it, because I was apologizing to Theo for being impatient with him. When I noticed Ruby was not how I left her, I flipped her back over.  She was so mad about it, she rolled again!

three months

 When she was four and a half months, Corbin was letting her chew on his finger.  With surprise in his voice, he said, "teeth?!"  Her first two came on the bottom, and I was a little sad to see the gummy smile go.  But a toothy grin is pretty darn cute, too.

four months

 She had her first taste of rice cereal on January 10, and she loved it.  She is such a fabulous eater, willing to try new things and acting very passionate about the foods she likes.

five months

 Her poor cheeks kept getting hives and looking so uncomfortable, that after a few months of wondering, we had her tested and realized she is allergic to eggs and dairy.  The complete transformation of her skin (and diapers) is well worth the inconvenience of cutting those foods out.  But even through the difficult months, she was a happy girl.

six months

 She was more or less able to crawl for a month or more before deciding to use it as a mode of transportation.  Around nine months, she was crawling all around the town.  I appreciate her willingness to stay close by, and her ability to play and entertain herself.

seven months

 Her first steps were between Mommy and Daddy on July 19, but she still needs to build up a bit more confidence and balance to become a walker.  She stands by herself really well, and has taken a few tentative steps once in a while.  But I know before long, she will be running around, trying to keep up with Theo.  No small task.

eight months

 When Teri came to visit in October, our sweet nine week old baby began sleeping through the night.  We moved her from the bassinet to the crib in Theo's room, and they did wonderfully. But Teri's magic wore off at about five months, because she began waking up once or twice a night.  Despite my fear of the Universe hearing me and jinxing us, I'll say it.  Ruby has been sleeping through the night for the past week (the longest stretch in six months), and it's glorious.

nine months

 Ruby can say words.  Actual words that I understand.  In order of when she first said them: Mama and Dada (now she says Daddy), uh-oh, more, bye, bath, hi, birdie, doggie. 

I have tried teaching her a few baby signs, but she prefers to just say the word instead.  Cut out that pesky middle man.

ten months

 Ruby is such a sweet baby.  She is so amicable, so happy to be around other people.  She is social, without being insistent that she be with others. 

eleven months (don't be fooled, same outfit as before, one month older and wiser)

 

 

twelve months!

 Ruby absolutely loves her daddy.  She talks about him most often (although I've noticed she calls Theo daddy too.)  She lights up and laughs whenever Corbin walks into the room or comes home from school.

 She loves her best buddy, Theo.  They are such good friends.  He is a wonderful big brother.  He loves to roll around with her, comfort her when she cries, and gives her food and toys when she needs a pick me up. I just know the older she gets, the better friends they will become.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, we met with a bunch of friends at the park and shared some Crazy Cake.  It was Ruby's first taste of a treat, and she enjoyed every bite!

 I love my baby girl more than I could have ever dreamed.  I'm so glad she decided to join our family.  I hope I can be the kind of mommy this sweet little spirit deserves, and I'm excited to see how she grows in many more birthdays to come!

The Old Testament: marathon complete

On February 27, 2015 I finished reading the Old Testament.  I began this journey about two years ago (taking breaks to study other materials intermittently), and it has been an uphill battle all the way.  In my copy, the Old Testament is 1184 pages long, and I read the last 526 pages in about 60 days.  I wrote this post, followed by this one.  The frustrations I posed in those posts aren't gone, but I have learned some things about the Bible, and about myself and my faith, as I've read.

When I got to Psalms, I was excited to enjoy the beautiful poetic language and faithful sentiments of the book.  But 150 chapters of roughly the same thing got tedious.  Proverbs follows directly after, and I jived way better with the life lessons that Solomon spells out.  After thinking about why I was able to enjoy one more than the other, I came to the conclusion that it was the culture of our church.  As Latter-day Saints, we are heavily focused on becoming more Christ-like, which means we constantly look for the lessons that life and God can teach us to change from our natural man selves into the Christ-centered person that He wants us to be.  I'm glad this is the case, but I feel like we don't do enough pure and simple praise to God, which is what Psalms is all about.  He is amazing, not because of what He does or can do for us, but because of what He is- an incredible, perfect Being.  I'm glad Psalms gave me a chance to ponder that.

And then a few books later came Isaiah.  It's sort of a running gag that Isaiah is difficult to read and understand.  "A missionary was walking down the street, when a shady man sticks a gun in his chest and says, 'give me your wallet.' When the missionary doesn't move fast enough, the man shoots him and runs.  The missionary gets up unharmed, and pulls the pocket Bible from his jacket.  The bullet had hit the book.  The missionary opens it up to see where the bullet stopped.  'Ah-ha, Isaiah,' he said.  'Nothing gets through Isaiah.'"

It's a terrible joke terribly told, but I couldn't resist.  Despite the stigma, I loved Isaiah.  The footnotes are amazing, and the chapter headings were invaluable. I'm excited to dive back into that book and really study it instead of speed read. 

Daniel is probably my favorite book.  There are several well known stories in that book, and no one does anything too crazy.  I was surprised at how many times unexpected things happened in the Old Testament.  Good guys doing bad things, people getting punished for things I didn't think were sins, people getting blessed even though they were jerks,

When I began this project of reading the Old Testament, I wanted to figure out what was so great about it, and why so many people across the world take such stock in it.  I have said that I believe in the Bible, but I felt hypocritical saying it, because I had never read it through completely.  Yes, I believed the truthfulness of the passages that people would quote on Sunday, or the applicable one's I would find in topical studies, but how could I say I believed in the Bible if I'd never experienced it as a whole? 

Now I can honestly say I have read the whole thing.  But as I read, the thought kept popping into my mind, "these stories are crazy!  How can I have a testimony in what is happening in this story?"But now that I've reached the end, and I can look at it as a whole, it's easier for me to swallow.  The stories in the Old Testament were from a time so different from now, and meant for a people so long ago, that I don't feel bad shrugging off a lot of the stuff I think is weird.  And for the hundreds of pages of prophesy telling of destruction of peoples and cities that have already happened, I try to glean the message behind it:  keep the commandments.

Reading the Bible has made me so much more thankful for other revelation handed down from God.  If I have a question and can't find my answer in the Bible, I have the Book of Mormon to look to, plus modern revelation from our current prophets.   And it's exciting to know that God will bless me with my own revelation to questions I have, and influence me with the Holy Ghost.

So the conclusion I draw from reading the Old Testament is: I believe it is of God.  I don't think there was a time that I read it and thought, God had no part in this.  There were definitely times where I thought, I don't understand how God has a part in this, but I always tried to puzzle it out.  And as a whole, I know the Bible has been so important to Christianity, and has been a building block in so much good in the world.  I would feel so lost if all I had was the Bible,and people's interpretations of it, but I'm glad that it's a part of my arsenal of scriptures.

I achieved my goal!

I haven't written on my blog in two months, but after you read this post, I hope you'll understand why.  I was just writing in my journal, but I decided to post my entry here.  I hope you all had a Merry Christmas yesterday, and remember that Jesus Christ was the first gift to us.  If you have any questions about anything I wrote below, I would love to answer them!

December 26, 2014

I accepted a challenge from my Relief Society president (who was challenged in stake conference) to read the Book of Mormon by Christmas.  This was the weekend of October 25 and 26. I wondered if I would be able to accomplish my goal, because I also had a goal to write 50,000 words of a novel in the month of November. I’m happy to say, I achieved both goals.

When I started reading the Book of Mormon, I had two things in mind.  I wanted a stronger testimony of the truthfulness of that book, and of God and the Gospel.  I have experienced this.  I gained new insights about the nature of God, and his love for me and all his children. 

I also asked Heavenly Father to bless me with a stronger testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet.  Joseph Smith is still not a passionate part of my testimony of the Gospel, but I’ve come to accept him as the prophet of the restoration.  I whole heartedly believe that the Book of Mormon is scripture handed down from God to his servants anciently.  I believe Joseph Smith’s account of receiving the plates and translating them.  I guess there are still things about Joseph Smith the man that I find rocky, but I have a testimony in Joseph Smith the Prophet. 

I also had an unexpected blessing from reading for half an hour a day.  In November, the only writing time I had consistently was nap time.  That was about two hours every day, which I had learned from the previous year’s NaNoWriMo experience is how long it takes to write my daily quota.  But I was determined to read, too.  I asked God to bless me for making the sacrifice of my time.  He truly did.  I was faster in writing, more creative than I’m sure I would have been. It was amazing that I met my writing goal without so much as a frenzied cram time at the end of the month.  With a toddler and a new baby, that is nothing short of miraculous.  I chalk it up to reading the scriptures every day before I wrote, and trusting God. 

I learned so much from reading the Book of Mormon so quickly.  The storyline flowed so well, and I was able to understand how the Jaredites fit into everything.  The numerous times the Nephites went through the pride cycle blew my mind.  Couldn’t they see the pattern, historically, and change their ways? But I saw so much of what they did in my own life, as well as the world around me.  It was scary.  I also saw how contentions within the Church can be such a detriment to the spiritual wellbeing of its members.  I learned that I must repent more often, more fervently.  I need to be more accepting of those around me, and learn to be more willing to serve. 

I have decided to repent and ask God’s forgiveness like I’m teaching Theo how to ask for mine.  When I pray, I will say,

I’m sorry for…

It was wrong because…

In the future I will…

Do you forgive me?

This is maybe the biggest lesson I came away with.  I desperately want Christ to accept me on the judgment day, and I want to do everything I can to be in good standing with him.  I know I’m not perfect, but he doesn’t expect that of me in this stage of my eternal life.  But he does want me to give him my heart and trust in him. 

It was cool seeing more similarities between the Book of Mormon and the Bible than I’ve ever seen.  They are very different, but I can better see now how one culture grew from the other. 

The way I studied the scriptures as I read was underlining the names and titles of the Godhead as I went along.  It was wonderful seeing all the references they make to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

There are so many powerful stories from the Book of Mormon.  So many people who’s faith was so strong, and who worked amazing miracles in their own and other’s lives.  But my favorite part was when Christ appeared to them.  I loved trying to imagine myself in his presence.  How incredible it must have been.  And his teachings are so simple, but powerful.  I know that if I follow those teachings, I will be happy.

I have a testimony of Jesus Christ, and his Atonement.  I have a testimony of his role in my life, and that if I repent and come to him, he will save me.  It is only through his mercy that I will be able to stand in front of God the Eternal Father with confidence, and not be ashamed.  I want that so badly, and I hope that I can do the things that will keep me in good standing with Christ.

I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon.  Reading it helped me feel closer to my Heavenly Father.  I hope that I can pass down this love of the scriptures to my children, and teach them how to be faithful to the Lord.

Photo Dump, Anecdotes, Crazy October

October has been a crazy month for the Miller household. We had the wonderful delight of hosting Teri and Marie on the first week (which has already been blog documented), the Gully family the second week (which will be bogged here), and the third week I had a stomach bug (which will not be documented, but it still knocked a whole week out).  Now we have a week of Halloween activities to look forward to.

So much has gone on, and I haven't had time to write about it.  So here is a dump of lots of cute pictures and stories.  I wonder if I'll ever catch up with the events, and be able to write about my thoughts.  The world may never know.

These little cuties were friends before they knew how to walk...

And here they are years later, still so cute and such good friends!

Of course, they are not as easily kept in place, now that they can jump off and run away, voicing their opinions on sitting still.  

We absolutely loved having the Gully ladies here. Leslie was a brave woman, and drove a six hour day with two adults and three kids under three in the car.  The second day, she did six hours with only her and her cuties.  I feel so honored that she would make that sacrifice to come visit us here in Ithaca!

We had such fun times together. It blew my mind to hear Ava so articulate and silly.  And it was great to meet Savannah, and share Ruby with them. It was party USA for four days!

We went to the Sciencenter, berry picking, and the park.  The Gullys ventured off to visit old friends.

Leslie and Ruby were instant friends.  Savannah is 11 months, Ruby is 2 months, and they were only a few pounds different in weight.  I think Leslie enjoyed snuggling this "stack of baby marshmallows," to use her own words.

I loved how relaxed it was, even with all the chaos of children running around.  It was like no time had passed at all since they were last in our presence. While I'm happy that the Gullys are grown ups with a house of their own, etc, I miss having them just upstairs to commiserate with and pawn off crying children.  It was great having her here to share in poopy diaper messes and have an extra adult around when one of us wanted to shower.

These kids got along famously together.  Theo loved having constant playmates. We loved having them here, and we miss them!!

The day after they left, we were pinch hitter babysitters for this little lady.  Miya is hilarious, and such a fun girl.  She didn't cry or fuss (even though it was her first babysitting experience), she didn't get into trouble, and she was so sweet to Ruby.

While Theo was off somewhere getting into trouble, Miya was busy "feeding" Ruby with our little play spoon and pot.  Miya has an American daddy, and a Chinese mommy, and they mostly speak Chinese at home.   There were times when I couldn't tell if she was just toddler babbling, or speaking Chinese. Either way, I couldn't understand her.  But I know she loves monkeys!

We finally got rid of Theo's pacifiers.  He only had them for naps, and I meant to get rid of them all-together in December.  But being pregnant, then having a newborn, I needed insurance to make sure Theo would sleep during the day, so that I could too.  But now that Ruby sleeps through the night, the need for insurance was gone.  So I cut the nubs off his "papass" and let him discover them.  He threw them away himself, and hasn't asked for them since.

However, nap time has been rough.  The second day, I put him in his room and shut the door like always.  Instead of screaming and crying, he started cleaning his room. He put all his stuffed animals in the bin, and would open the door a crack just to stick his hand out holding a toy.  He'd call for me until I came to get the toy so I could put it away in the living room, then close the door again.

When he was done cleaning, he decided to build a beautiful tower with his blocks.  That stinker never took a nap, but his room looked great.

He was eating his sandwich, and he stood by Ruby and said, "take mine picture, Mommy!  Get your cwamwa."

Sometimes he'll go next to Ruby and request a picture.  And could I ever say no?

Theo has taken to playing a trick on us.  When we go to unbuckle him from his car seat, he'll rest his head on the side and pretend to be "asleep."  Of course, after Corbin and I voice plenty of shock at his falling asleep, and talk of having to carry him to his bed, he looks up and screams as loud as he can with a huge smile on his face.  It usually wakes up his sleeping sister, but I find it totally worth how cute it is.

We have a pool noodle that was cut into thirds that we use as swords.  They're a much better alternative to the wooden sword he would play with before.  Corbin, Theo and I each had one, and we were pummeling Theo.  As he was screaming and laughing, he paused and said, "I love you guys," and got back into the fray. 

We went to a play group at the Tot Spot, where there are riding toys and climbing structures.  A little boy was pulling around this wagon.  Theo took the liberty of filling the little caboose with balls, then jumped in while it was still moving.  The little boy pulling didn't even slow down.  Theo somehow got several little boys and a mommy to take turns pulling him.  What a love.

This week we had a Visiting Teaching dinner, and it was wonderful to meet with lots of the lovely ladies from Church. I love getting together with these fine women, talking about Jesus Christ and sharing the glow of the Spirit.  The food wasn't bad either.  And I always love an opportunity to take a break from being Mom.  Granted, Ruby was there, but the only time I was holding her was while I fed her.

I'll never get over this Y bum!  Fourth BYU baby!

Theo likes to wake up at 6 for some reason, and it feels like the middle of the night because it's still so dark.  He's usually in a bad mood too, because he's still tired. But one thing works ever time- Scooby Doo cereal.  It's a cereal that is litterally called Scooby Doo Cereal, which is pretty much Kix shaped like dog bones.  Theo LOVES it.  And he insists on eating it out of a bowl like a doggie does, pictured above.

Flimming Plool = swimming pool
Blue Fish Blue Fish I Love You= One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Big Bad Full= Big Bad Wolf
Mickey Clubhouse Clubhouse= Mickey Mouse (He took the name of the show Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to mean that his name was Mickey Clubhouse. We tried to clerify that it was Mickey Mouse, and the show was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  So now he calls him Mickey Clubhouse Clubhouse, because he knows there are three words to be said)

We had a play date at our house with Bekah and Baby E.  He and Ruby are officially BFF.

Look at this beautiful baby socialization.  We were dying of cuteness. 

 Transition time!!! Theo moved out of his crib/toddler bed and into a big boy bed!  Well, it's only a bed frame with a foam mat until we get a real mattress, but it's a start!  He was so excited about his Spiderman sheets!  I was worried he would be sad about Ruby moving into the crib, so I was going to wait a while to convert it back into a crib and put her in.  But Theo was so excited to share a room with her! We fixed it all up and Ruby slept in it only a couple days after Theo's first night in the big boy bed.  I'm so glad he loves his baby so much.

Bonus pics of Grandma Teri's visit