Dad's Birthday

December 2nd marked the 60th anniversary of the day my dad was born, and it was just as I would have asked if I did indeed ask for things like that. It snowed all day... and not just any snow. It snowed BIG, FAT snowflakes just like dad loved. I will always think of him when it dumps like that because he really thought it was cool. He loved to just sit at the window and watch it snow. Kind of how some people like to look at a fish tank.

We had a birthday cake, and Kailyn made him a picture that we attached to a helium balloon in hopes that it might make it up to heaven. You just never know... But I hope that somehow, he does know. I hope he knows how much he is missed and loved by this entire family.

This pretty much sums up how Aiden feels about not knowing my dad. I agree.

Charlie & the Spoon

He is offically feeding himself! Yeah!!

It's a little messy, I'll admit, but we have two dogs, so really, it's a win-win situation. Everyone's happy here!

All Alaska Girl

Two feet of snow in an afternoon can't keep this girl from playing!!!

Gotta love this kid...

... and his hair! God bless him!!

Aiden

First Day on Our Own - Nov 16th

Our first day without Mema went amazingly well. The boys even took a nap at the same time... I definitely couldn't have asked for a more mellow and easygoing day to get me on my feet. I was able to get my kitchen cleaned and laundry done, as well as log onto facebook twice in one day. I don't think that's happened since =), but it was nice to be eased into taking care of the kiddos all alone!

Here's a quick pic of the boys all bundled up for the walk to Kailyn's school. Aiden slept so great we even got to walk a little extra, too!

Nothing

I was given this beautiful picture one day after Brian and I went to dinner together sans kids. Kailyn missed us alot, and expressed her love through her art. She does this often, and one day I will take a picture of my home so you can see all the art work literally hung all over. As in on every door, every shelf, most every drawer & window... this girl is an artist!

If you notice the detail in the picture above, you can understand why I questioned what this picture was. Me: "Is it a donut?" Kailyn, arms crossed, faced frowned: "NO." Sensing that I was missing something, I tried really hard to guess correctly... me: "a person standing sideways?" Kailyn: "NO. It's not, MOM." Such attitude packed into a four-year old!!! Me, now squatting down as I sensed there was more to the picture: "What is it, honey?" Kailyn: "It's nothing, mom." Me: "Well, it looks like it means something to you, and that's important to me. Please tell me what it is." Kailyn: "It's nothing, mom. Nothing. I drew you a picture of nothing."

-

That's when I realized. She was punishing me through her artwork. I did not receive my normal beautiful picture because I had placed Kailyn in time-out earlier for not putting her toys away when I asked. Apparently she gets it: there are consequences to your actions.

I was waiting for her to end it with a flick of the hair and a sassy "duh, mom." I wonder when that begins?

-

I was not sure how to react, so I told her that made me very sad and I hope that I got more beautiful pictures later when she felt better. Luckily, the tears that came to my eyes as I tried with all I had to suppress my laughter were taken into consideration as legitimate sadness, and she quickly went to work drawing me a new, prettier picture. Phew!!

Trick-or-Treat

Halloween was a two-day affair this year - we went trick-or-treating at the local businesses on Friday, then Saturday was spent at the Elementary School Carnival, then trick-or-treating at the houses with Hailey & Justin. Then we ended the very chilly evening with some yummy hot chocolate and a piece of candy (or two!).

Carving Pumpkins

This one looks like my boys...

And this one looks like Kailyn...
Can you see the resemblance??

Whitney Noelle Major

Look at this sweet baby! I am excited that Whitney & Aiden are just 9 days apart - it should be an adventure to raise them together and compare notes.

The Major Family

The Big Sisters with their babies.

A Very Proud Big Sister

In case you didn't get the bulletin, Kailyn was really hoping for a little sister. She even went so far as to let the doctor know that he should keep the baby if it's a boy - we "already had one of those." We talked about it quite a bit, but she never really settled with the simple fact that whatever came out of mommy's tummy was coming home with us. So you can imagine my curiosity when Brian announced to me that I was getting ready to have a baby boy placed on my chest. What would Kailyn think, I wondered.
To answer my question, she ran into our hospital room with a smile I had only seen once before just over a year ago... she was once again a proud big sister. She loves this baby as much as I do! Can you see how sweet she is cradling his little head, and she often sings to him, especially when he is fussy. And, usually, it works.


When I think of moms that I admire, is it weird that my 4-year old daughter often comes to mind?

Aiden's First Bath

So he didn't like it.

Until I had him snuggled up in the towel after. Then he was happy.

Aiden Matthew Beauvais!

Almost three weeks early, Aiden made his debut on October 4, 2009, weighing in at 8 pounds, 1/2 ounce. Labor was pretty quick again; I woke up around 4am with some contractions but wasn't sure if they were the real thing since I'd been having them for so long. I went downstairs and unloaded the dishwasher and picked up a little, which should have been clue enough for me!! I never want to clean! About 4:30, I decided we should probably go ahead to the hospital and get checked since Charlie's labor went so quickly. I woke Brian up and he took a shower while I packed a little bag, and then we woke Peggy up to tell her we were going in and would call when things got started. Ha!

We got to the hospital around 5am, got the labor room (YEAH!!!) and settled in. The nurse wanted to do a fifteen minute "strip" which is a belt that they put around your belly to monitor contractions and baby's heartbeat, and all was calm and smooth. Until the strip was over and the nurse checked me... I was dilated to an eight, completely effaced, and baby was ready to come! Anyways, that was the last we really saw of the nurse - she was off to call the doctor and get the baby bed and all the stuff that nurses get when a baby comes along.

Which made the labor way different than my others. It was just Brian and I, and that was so sweet. He was wonderful, even when I inquired about a C-section, a club for the head.... anything to make the contractions stop... I honestly thought that I had several more hours! Not to be, though, because after just a few minutes, it was time to push. At 5:30, I told Brian that I couldn't hold off much longer, he had better call his mom and tell her to hurry! Well, Peggy never made it, which made me sad. I thought that it would be neat for her to be there, but she stayed back with Kailyn and Charlie and brought them up to meet their new brother shortly after the birth.

It was amazing to have only Brian by my side. He offered gently reassurance that this was all natural and that I was helping our baby to come out. He helped me pace my contractions, and I couldn't have asked for a better "coach" - not that I have any complaints with all the nurses, my mom, and Merreley there with the other two children, but there was something very special to me about having only Brian to help me through labor.

So, from being woken up at 4am with contractions to having a baby in my arms at 6:20, I would say that I was blessed!

Dessert

Not that we are encouraging sweets, but we finally found something that Charlie likes!

Kailyn on the other hand, has never had a problem with them!

Charlie's First Haircut

Well, I finally broke down and took Charlie for his first hair cut. I was so worried that he wouldn't look like a baby anymore, but Brian, who was ready to give him a haircut in the delivery room, ever so gently reminded me that I have another baby coming any day... so I decided it would be OK to let this one grow up... just a little... doesn't he look so handsome!!

Well, he started off happy, but later became annoyed with the hole process. As I am quickly learning, it's unfortuante for him that he will need to get one about once a month!

Can you tell he's brushing her hand away here?

So the end result wasn't SO BAD!!! He still looks like my Charlie!

Kailyn had one, too, but this was old hat to her!

Alaska State Firefighter Conference

The guys getting ready to run the ladder...

And they're off!

Brian tying the knot...

Justin ringing the bell & winning FIRST PLACE!!

The fun event; two firefighters from each team had to enter the "house" and find the baby & it's box of diapers, then bring it outside and change her. Oh, and they had masks over their eyes to simulate a smoke-filled room. We got a great laugh at Matt Smelcer and Brian, especially changing the baby blindfolded. They actually did quite well... maybe Brian should be the new designate in our home??

Changing the baby...

Kailyn and Tyler making sure all is correct (it is).

Charlie loving some time with his Memere! He spent the night at their house for the weekend - his first time away from Mama!

Brandy and Bella...

Shannon's Baby Shower

Look at those sweet girls! It seems that Addison & Hailey will follow in Bella & Kailyn's footsteps =).
Kailyn made a special picture for the new parents-to-be.

Beware if you drink our water! Here's a small sample of some of the ladies in Valdez.

4th Annual Blueberry Bash

Silly me didn't get any pictures of our friends, but we had such a great time with the Weber's and the Gildersleeve's, plus all the fun people that came through for the day. Andrew & Stephen cut us some firewood, we had an awesome game of spoons, the kids got lots of blueberries (I opted out with my big belly), and the four wheelers were put to the test for sure!

A Day at the Park

I just LUUUUUURRRVE these kids!

2009 Alaska State Fair

For some reason it was on this day that the realization of having a family set in. Mind you I was nine months pregnant, but I actually cried as I watched Kailyn and Brian whirling around on the rides, heads thrown back in laughter and hope that picture stays with me forever. It is such a blessing to have a family, especially one like ours =).

Kailyn's First Day of School

Walking in on a rainy day (of course!)
Checking out the new locker...

Charlie wishing he could play with all those big kids!

Charlie getting to play with all the big
kids!

We just LOVE Mrs. Stock and wish she would
save retirement until all the kiddos have gone through her fabulous
program!

Mema heads home for a few weeks

For a quick dose of sunshine before Aiden arrives!