Friday the 13th

WARNING: THIS IS A LONG POST, but it just happened, and its all very fresh in my mind.

Well, this Friday the 13th we had a little bad luck. I met up at South Towne Mall with Jenn, Talitha, and their kids to play at Dino Land, or whatever you call that cute little place. Its a fun little playground type thing that's free. Anyway, we decided to head upstairs to the food court for some lunch, and about 2 bites into my corn dog from Hot Dog on a Stick Nixon fell and split his chin open. He had been standing backwards on his chair looking at Jace and Mila who got to sit at the cute kid table with chairs 1 foot off the ground wishing he could sit there too. Can you tell that I am kind of beating myself up for this one? How many times did I think to myself, "Just let him sit down there with the other kids. Who cares if he eats his lunch." But no, I wanted to be sitting by him so I could make sure he ate enough of his corn dog. Anyway, he must have slammed his chin so hard into the ground that was practically cement, because when I lifted him up blood was just dripping non-stop. Someone handed me a napkin (sorry, Jenn and Talitha, I don't know what was going on around me) and it quickly filled with blood. When I went to replace it with a wipe, it was still just gushing. I started to get really scared. I got a small look at the cut, or should I say gash, and just started saying how bad it was. Jace overheard me, and came over asking what I had said. I told him that it was really bad, and he looked at me so concerned and asked, "Is Nixon going to die?" I almost started crying. I had been so wrapped up in Nixon, that I made Jace really scared. I told him no, and he went right on eating his corn dog (which he finished before we left, by the way). Nixon was crying this whole time, and I could see blood inside his mouth too, so now I was worried about his teeth. They all seemed to be okay, but he did have a cut in his lower lip. When the blood finally stopped coming, I looked at the cut and it was awful. It was like the force of landing on the ground had just popped it right open. Oh, I wanted to cry. Jenn went to the first aid place and got a band aid, and offered to drive me to the hospital so that I could make sure he didn't start bleeding again, and Talitha was going to take Jace with her to her house, and then it ended up that Jace wanted to come with me, and with the bleeding stopped, and Nixon looking exhausted (it is now 1:00 and nap time) I told them to go, and I would just take them both. They were so sweet, and I am so glad they were there. Anyway, I called Brock and he was able to meet me at Alta View's ER, and boy am I glad he did. It was the worst thing I have ever had to watch. I can't even imagine the pain Nixon was in. They had to have a doctor holding his head still, another one holding his legs down, and Brock and I each holding a hand, while another doctor stitched him up. First though, he had to stick a needle right into the cut to numb it. I thought I was going to start bawling, but I surprised even myself and stayed really strong throughout. Nixon was shaking, and screaming so badly. Then started the stitching. I feel like he wasn't completely numb when they got started because he kept saying ow the whole time. Then, about 10 minutes into it, he calmed down, looked me in the eyes, and we just stared at each other while the doctor kept going. I asked him if he wanted to sing a song and he said yes. So right there in the middle of all these people I don't know I started singing to him. He never took his eyes off me. Then I sang another song, and at the end he started crying OW again. I think the numbing medicine must not have gotten to the last corner. I asked if he wanted another song and he yelled at the top of his lungs "NO! Hold you! Hold you!" That was hard. I wanted to hold him so bad. Anyway, it lasted about 15 minutes and then I did, I held him. Brock came over to us and held us both. I was so glad it was over. He seemed to perk right up from that point on, and then fell asleep on the drive home. He had sure been through a lot. We gave him some Tylenol around 4:00, and since then we haven't had to give him anything. He slept through the night, and besides pointing at his chin and saying "Owie" a couple of times today, he has been completely normal. I am just so glad that he is okay. Last night as I was laying him in his bed I just completely broke down and started sobbing. I guess I had been trying all day to be so strong for him, but now I could just let it out. I cried and cried for about 15 minutes. I couldn't help but to think that if I had just been watching him closer, or let him sit by the other kids, or this, or that, blah blah blah. You know how moms are. I felt like it was my fault that he had to endure all that horrible pain. Brock of course consoled me and told me everything I wanted to hear, but I will feel guilty about this for a long time. I love my little guy, and never want anything bad to happen to him!

Here are a couple of pictures.

Here are some of his shirt. Gross and weird, I know.




And here is the happy boy today. When I ask him to smile he closes his eyes really tight! It bled quite a bit after they put the stitches in and bandages on, and they told us not to get it too wet, so it looks kind of gross. Sorry.

Halloween Festivities...Finally!

The week of Halloween is always a busy one around here. Especially this week, since my parents left on Wednesday I wanted to spend every spare moment I had with them. Monday night we carved pumpkins at their house. I always get so excited about it because the kids are so excited. Leah and Jace were talking about it all day, and kept asking when we were going to do it. Then, when it was finally time, they lasted all of 10 seconds before they were on to bigger and better things (like fighting over a toy or something equally enticing). It ended up just being my dad, my sister, and me. And, I must warn you that Jace took most of the pictures, so they are kind of dark.






Then, Thursday we went to Jace's preschool to trick or treat around the school. His preschool is held at Woods Cross High School, so every year they get to walk around from class to class in their costumes. Just one more way to get free candy! I took Nixon around too, and they had lots of fun. This year Jace was Optimus Prime, the transformer. Nixon was the cutest skunk I have ever seen. And Beckett, their cousin (who just happens to be obsessed with cars right now) was a racecar driver. When they were all done trick-or-treating they went back to their class room and got to pick 2 treats to eat. Really cute kids!









Then came Halloween day. Brock took the boys around our street, and they got some more yummy candy. Then they went with Brock's parents to the Utah game. I thought it was such a dumb idea to have a night game on Halloween, but whatever. Anyway, Brock and I had been invited to a surprise Halloween wedding. That's right, the groom didn't know he was getting married! It was really fun. Everyone was dressed up in costume (Brock a Roman Soldier, and me a Greek Goddess). It was very sweet and ended up being a lot of fun. The couple getting married was Steve, one of Brock's best friends that he used to live with before we got married, and Brittany. They have been engaged for like 5 years, and living together almost as long, so it wasn't a huge shock that they got married. Although he was pretty surprised.



This is us with Lance and Mikki (The Madhatter and Alice)


And here is the happy couple dancing.

Nixon Has Something to Say...

That's right! If you don't keep up with me on Facebook, and if I haven't told you in person, its true. I'm pregnant...again. I am 15 weeks, and due April 20, 2010. That is my sister-in-law's birthday, so hopefully this baby comes a little early, and doesn't steal her day away!

Family Pictures 2009

We got our annual October family pictures taken a few weeks ago, but I haven't wanted to post them until everyone knew that I was pregnant in the pictures. Yeah, its pretty obvious, and I hadn't told my whole family until Friday, so now I can post them. My friend Stephanie West did them, and did such a great job. Now if only I could learn to stop getting pictures taken when I am pregnant! I always look like such a cow! The empire dress doesn't help much. Oh, and Nixon pretty much refused to smile the whole time. What can you do? Anyway, thanks Steph, and I will definitely be coming back to you in 10 years or whenever you're ready to pick it up again!

Black Island Farms

Jace's preschool class got to go on a field trip to Black Island Farms last week. I went along, and brought Nixon. It was freezing, but the kids didn't let that stop them from having a BLAST! They got to go on a "Hay Ride" which didn't have any hay around the farm, and look at all the things they grow. Then they stopped at the pumpkin patch, and each got to pick one pumpkin to keep. Jace got to pick 2 since Nixon didn't really get what was going on. It was so funny because all the kids got off the trailer and ran as far away as they could searching for the perfect pumpkin. Jace got off, walked right up to the first one he saw, and picked it right off the vine. Then he needed one for Nix, so he found the one right next to his and got that one. We were the first ones back. Then it was off to the fun play area. They had a bouncy house, a cow train, slides, and even some musical instruments. The kids all had so much fun. We were supposed to eat lunch out there on the picnic tables, but it was so dang cold that we decided to eat on the bus. All in all it was a really fun field trip!

Go Utes...in Las Vegas!

We decided to go to the Utah game against UNLV in Vegas this year with Brock's family. It was a lot of fun. We shopped, ate, walked the strip, went to the football game, and saw lots of things, but I mostly just got pictures of us swimming. It was a beautiful 80-90 degrees the whole time we were there, and we took full advantage! Pictures below.

More Parties for Jace

Jace is one spoiled little, excuse me, BIG boy! After his party with his friends we had a party with Brock's side of the family, and then my parents came in from Kuala Lumpur so we had a party with my side of the family for him, and two of his cousins Leah who will turn 5, and Giada who just turned 1. Here are some pictures.

Jace's 4th Birthday!

I can not believe that I have a 4 year old! Jace is such a big boy, and such a blessing to our family. I am so glad to be his mother. He woke up yesterday and got to eat J-A-C-E pancakes, yes unfortunately, that is as creative as I get! We then got ready during conference and had a bunch of his friends over between sessions for a fun pirate party. They had pizza, played in the backyard, took turns pinning the treasure on the map, hitting the pinata, and then it was inside for presents and cupcakes. I tried to have order during the present opening, but while each present was being opened the kids would jump off their seats to try to help Jace to see what it was. Then they all wanted to play with the toy before the next one was opened. After each present, I had to tell them all to sit back down, and then it would start over again. It was so funny. Then we had cupcakes. The kids all had a blast, and Jace really is so glad that they all got to come. He thought it was so fun to have all of his friends at his house to play with him. I look forward to many more birthdays to come!

This is a funny picture. Jace was napping upstairs, and I was downstairs. I had to come up to do something, and I found him like this. He is so cute!


And here are the pictures from the party.

Lake Powell 2009

We were invited by some of Brock's best friends to go to Lake Powell a couple of weeks ago. They have a time share on a beautiful houseboat, and we had such a great time. We were a little too stressed out about bringing an almost 4-year-old, and an 18 month old on a boat, so we left them at home with Brock's parents. Brett and Lisa brought 3 of their 4 kids, and Lance (who is Brett's twin brother) and Mikki brought their 4 year old son Boston. I know Jace would have had such a blast with all the kids, but I would have felt even worse if Nixon had to be all alone. Anyway, after a little vehicular delay (the tire flew off the boat trailer in the middle of nowhere and it took about an extra 4 hours to get there)we made it. We spent a fun filled week sun bathing, wake boarding, knee boarding, tubing, hiking, exploring, mouse killing, game playing, eating, reading, and enjoying each other's company. We were so sore after the week was over though. I guess we need to do more boating than once a year or so! Thanks so much to the Bradshaws! We'll be expecting an invite yearly now!

Preschool

Jace started his second year of preschool on Monday, and was so excited to go back and see all of his friends he has missed this summer. One of his very best friends, Cole, was gone though having graduated and started kindergarten this year. He still talks about him, but he didn't seem too upset when he got there and didn't see Cole. It was really cute that morning while getting ready, he asked where Nixon and I were going to go while he was at school. I told him that we were just going home. I continued getting Nixon ready and when I looked back at Jace his eyes were watering, and his chin was quivering. I asked what was wrong, and he started crying. He said he really wanted Nixon to stay with him at school. I tried to explain that Nixon isn't old enough. You have to be 3 years old, and Nixon is only 1. He was pretty upset about it. That is, until we got to school and he saw all of his old friends and totally forgot about Nixon. I guess I was glad. I set Nixon down so that I could take pictures and he started crying. He thought I was going to leave him. This is the same place that he had daycare for 9 months, so he figured I was leaving him too. I was happy to be able to console him, and take him home with me. Jace, on the other hand, couldn't have been happier to see me go, and only broke down when I picked him up to take him home. He did NOT want to go! School is way more fun than mommy and Nixon at home! Well, that may be true, but sorry! Gotta go. He was screaming! He has school now on Mondays and Thursdays, so I guess we'll see how it goes tomorrow. Here are some pictures.

Putting on his own "pack-pack". "Is this right mom?"


He is so cute, if I do say so myself! Every day when I finish getting him ready I tell him how handsome he is. This day, he grabbed my handheld mirror, looked at it for a while, and said, "I AM a handsome boy!" He's so funny.



Here is Nixon, looking up to his big brother.


And walking in. I love how their backpacks are almost as big as them at this age!


And here he is inside. It was like they had never been apart! As soon as Jace walked in, they all came running to him yelling his name. It was really fun.