crew update

I took Crew in for his one year check up (only a month late).  He's my fourth child, what do you expect?  Anyway...he's still looking great and doing well.  He weighed in at 21 lbs which puts him in the 25th percentile for weight and he is 30 inches long which puts him in the 55th percentile for height.  Dr. says it sounds like he does have "reactive airway" (blah, hate that term) so we need to give him the inhaler when necessary.  We gave him a breathing treatment already and it worked great.  I hate it when the Doctor is right!  Here are some fun "shots" (no pun intended) I got of Crew while we sat patiently waiting.

All I have to say is, "Where is Crew?" and he puts the blanket over his head and begins playing peek-a-boo with me.  Too cute.

Check out this smile.  It was cracking me up.  Every time I pointed the camera at him, he would do this silly grin.  What a silly boy.  As Tim would say, a "fish head."  Not sure what that means, but I can just hear Tim saying, "What a fish head!"

Another silly grin...seriously, this is his version of "cheese!"  Look at those two front teeth.  He has 7 teeth now and 2 more molars making their way in right now.  My other boys never had this many teeth so early.

Caught him with his eyes open because he was snacking.  He really does have the prettiest blue eyes.  And, he really does constantly make the silliest faces!  Love those little fingers too.  I want to snack on them.  And that blond hair...where does it come from?

Crew is ALL OVER the place.  He goes up and down our stairs all day long.  He does really well with them and (so far) has never fallen.  He was kicked down the stairs one time and was totally fine, so that's good news.  He gets into every single drawer and isn't content until every item is cleared out of the drawer.  I'm sure he knows how much I love to organize so he thinks he's doing me a favor.  I do get the chance to reorganize most of our house daily.  Thanks for that, Crew!    

Here's one more of his silly smile face.  Too funny!  I love that Crew is understanding us.  He loves to shake his head "no" or "yes" and he definitely knows what he wants.  He's getting an awesome high pitched scream just like his older brother, Parker.  He says, "mama" and "dada" sometimes, but mostly just babbles a lot.  He does say "oh" a lot or "uh-oh."  He gets very excited and hits whatever he is excited about...many times it's another little human.  We've got to figure that one out.  He also loves to clap.   He loves to dance to music.  He loves the water and splashes like crazy in the bathtub or swimming pool.  He also loves taking a shower and letting the water run all over him.  He loves cars and will make car sounds while driving the car around.  He is at such a fun and crazy stage.  We love our little, Crewser, Crew!

you belong

As most Mothers do, I have an innate desire to instill in my children how important they are to our family.  When we found out we were having our fourth boy we received lots of disappointed sighs.  Lots of well intended people felt sorry for us.  We never felt sorry for ourselves.  Honestly, not even for one second was I disappointed.  I always felt like Crew belonged.  I hope he will never feel like just "another" boy in our family.  I hope he will always understand that he belongs with us and we wouldn't have it any other way!

crew's first birthday

Where did the past year go?  How is my baby already one?  It seems like just yesterday he was born.  I'm not going to use any of those ridiculous cliches about how my baby has grown up so fast, but seriously?!?!!  Today we celebrated this sweet baby's birthday and all I felt was love, gratitude and happiness (plus a little exhaustion from staying up way too late the night before).  So much nostalgia, so much reflection and so much fun with family!

No, I didn't make a mistake with the candles.  We also celebrated my nephew Corbin's birthday tonight too.

Yes, I take pictures of the paper products.  They make me happy!

Crew had a fun night, I think.  He enjoyed his new toys and had lots and lots and lots of little hands helping unwrap.  Our home was filled with craziness in honor of Crew's big day.  We were left with a mess and lots of cleaning up, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  I love the noise.  I love the people.  I love looking at these pictures of our home overflowing with people we love.

Yes, I'm feeling extremely nostalgic and grateful.  I love family.  I love my family.  I love our friends who have become family.  We have such an awesome support system.  While family is usually chaotic and sometimes difficult to deal with, they truly are the greatest joy in our lives.  I love that they are also the greatest joy in my children's lives as well.  

Crew took some time playing around with the frosting on his cake.  He seemed to think it was a toy and not a food.  Until I started feeding him and then he couldn't get enough.  He shoveled the cake in his mouth and all over himself until he was full.  Then he threw my ceramic plate on the floor.  It only chipped a little, which secretly made me smile.  Yes, a piece of history in the making.  I pictured myself going to use the plate in a year or so and remembering the origin of the chip.  Instead of being mad I would be so happy and continue to use my plate with pride!  Seriously, what is wrong with me?  I'm an emotional wreck.  What will I do when this boy goes to preschool, elementary or even worse leaves the house?  Every day this child is a reminder of the amazing chapter in my life that will be closing before I know it.  I love that he (along with his brothers) are helping me enjoy this crazy journey.  I hope he forgives me later on for indulging myself at every single milestone he has.  Poor kid, Happy Birthday Crew!  

one year

What a difference one year can make.  

On August 11, 2011 I was enduring one of the longest, scariest nights of my life.  Anticipating the birth of my pre-term baby kept me tossing and turning in the hospital all night long; not to mention, the painful contractions were intense.  The last news we had received from the doctor before telling us he would be back in the morning, was that they were not sure what to do next.  They were considering keeping me in the hospital for a couple weeks until they were sure this baby was ready to come.  The thought made me sick, but the welfare of my baby was most important.  The feelings and emotions were terrifying.

2011

On August 11, 2012 I sat in my family room piecing together a photo banner from the last 12 months of my baby's life.  Reflecting, I tried to stir up the emotions from just one year ago.  They felt so real and so strong, but were over powered this time by immense gratitude.  Gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who allowed our baby to come to our family healthy and without incident.  Gratitude for four incredible babies who fill my life with purpose and joy.  Gratitude for a husband who loves and supports our family so well.  Gratitude for health, strength and happiness. 

2012

I know that life is constantly changing.  I see how drastically (for the better) our home has changed in a year.  I continually thank my Heavenly Father for my many blessings because I know that life is not always perfect.  I know that we are asked to face certain trials and discomforts.  I know that pregnancy and bringing babies here is definitely a trial in my life.  I also know that enduring these trials does bring happiness.  Our family is a testament to that happiness.

Happy Birthday Eve Baby Crew!

seven months old

five months old

In spite of all the grief Crew gave us this past month, we still love him! The Eve of New Year's Eve (did you get that) Crew was sick. He had a cold all week and wasn't feeling well. His breathing had also been a little scary, but we've dealt with Reactive Airway before and knew what to look for. Tim took the boys to the Annual Cliche Party and I stayed home with Crew. I thought I might need to take him to be suctioned, but he ended up sleeping really well. Tim got home with the boys, we put them to bed and then we started watching a movie. Suddenly, Crew woke up and had stridor breathing.  If you've never heard it before, be very grateful.  It's scary.  One second he was sleeping peacefully and the next minute he was gasping for air.  I threw him in his car seat so fast and rushed off to the ER.  Tim called me and asked if Crew was alive still.  I scared Tim half to death!  I got to the ER and sure enough they took him immediately back in, had a pediatrician look at him, and then administered racemic epinephrine, which is only used in severe cases of croup or stridor.  He had to be monitored all night in the hospital and then we got to go home in the early morning hours. 

Although he was pretty sick for awhile, this little baby was still just happy and content as ever.  He is such a good boy!  He loves to sit up.  We put him in the high chair and give him his toys.  He can sit there for awhile just taking in everything around him.  My boys are still the best helpers with their little brother.  His little buddy Mack is still just rolling circles around Crew.  He loves to show off all his new tricks, while Crew just lays around and stares at him!
 

four months old

Our little Crew is four months old.  He's 25 1/2 inches long and weighs 14 lbs.  He is 75th percentile for height and 45th percentile for weight.  He is such a happy and easy baby.  He sleeps all night long!  He hates to be on his stomach so we're sure he's not going to be rolling around much.  Whenever, he rolls to his stomach he just gets mad.  He has the best older brothers in the whole world, who still adore him to pieces.  This kid doesn't get a moment to himself because he's always being loved on.