Thursday, May 24, 2012

Three Years Old

Paton's birth was a miracle altogether. I didn't know it at the the time, but three days before my due date my placenta was separating from the uterine wall resulting in Paton's drop in heart rate (placenta abruptio). I thought I was just having contractions and going into labor. Upon being hooked up to many machines, they quickly suspected the problem and sent me into emergency c-section. Even now, everything was such a blur right up to the moment of his birth.



When they took him out of me, he was discolored and not crying. That was the scariest part for me. They proclaimed that he was out yet I couldn't hear him nor did they show him to me. It was as if time froze for a bit. Soon though I did hear his faint little squeak, and my first glimpse of him was on the scale. I was shocked at how little he was--4 lb. 12 oz--and was certain they'd have him hooked up to machines to keep him alive.

But God was gracious in giving us a very healthy little boy who didn't need any assistance to live (aside from the c-section). The doctors told me that my condition was so severe that if we had waited but 15 more minutes to come into the hospital, he would have suffocated in the womb and been still born. The thought of that at the time and even now makes me sick to my stomach.

Paton turned 1 while we lived in Missouri. Since Greg was the youth pastor, we invited the entire youth group plus several others from church. I remember that I had to stick his hands into his cake in order to get him going. He really doesn't like messes...even at 1.


Paton turned 2 right after we moved into our new home in Utah. Since we had just moved in, we didn't have much planned for his party. We had an open house so that the church folks could come over, and I ordered a cake from our local market. Normally I like to make the cake, but since we just moved in and since I was headed to NH in a few days, a pre-made cake was fine with me!


Paton turned 3 just a few days ago. We had all of the toddlers from our church over (plus their parents), and Paton was thrilled to have so many friends around. I thought it was going to be difficult managing that many kids, but it was so easy! I was thankful to have my parents around to help. His birthday theme this year was Mickey Mouse.


I'm very thankful that God has given us three years with this little guy.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Marathon & Paton turns 3


This past weekend was filled was exciting events! First, my parents drove here from CO in order to be with us for Paton's 3rd birthday. As it happened, Greg and I were running the Ogden Marathon/Half Marathon that same weekend. It really helped having them here for such a busy few days.

Dad got a new, very nice camera, and he practiced on his grandchildren all weekend! Charlotte has been much more vocal lately, and he enjoyed shooting her many expressions.



Greg took Dad up to Powder Mountain Ski Area. During the winter, Powder has some of the best powder around! Regardless of the season, it has some of the best views.




Greg found a beaver dam and brought me home one of the gnawed off sticks.


Friends of mine are on an Alaskan cruise, so we're watching their golden-doodle while they're away. I couldn't possibly ask for a better dog for the children. Sasha and Paton are great friends, and she adores Charlotte and guards her when we're at the park.


On Saturday, I ran a half marathon while, at the same time, Greg ran a marathon. What a great experience it was! This was Greg's second marathon and my first half. Even today I'm still feeling the pain of that run!


We all love to dress Charlotte up for church!


Paton's birthday is officially today, but we celebrated it on Sunday. It was a Mickey Mouse theme since he absolutely loves Mickey!






Since there were 11 toddlers at my house, we decided to make our porch the eating area.

One of the games was for the children to find a mouse with their name on it. Parents helped those who couldn't read.


Bubbles are always a hit!


Paton got a bike from my parents! We're still practicing the whole pedaling part.

A wonderful weekend....and now I need to recover from it all!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

So far in May....

We're half way through May and have been quite busy already! Paton's friend Jonathan had his 2nd birthday. I got a lot of good ideas from this party to use for Paton's party.


Paton loved talking to and sitting next to Jonathan's grammy.

Uncle Dom held Charlotte

Tape the trunk on the elephant

For a prize after one of the games the kids got animal balloons


The pinata did not involve a bat (for obvious reasons). So each kiddo would pull on a streamer. One of the streamers was attached to a removable bottom.


We fed the horses down the street one day

Our church's ladies' tea "In the Bag"


Mommy and Charlotte's first ladies' event

Charlotte's first time in the Bumbo!


The Foot Book, by Dr. Seuss







The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
Read by Daddy and Paton

Left foot, left foot, right foot, right
Feet in the morning, feet at night
Left foot, left foot, left foot, right
Wet foot, dry foot
Low foot, high foot
Front feet, back feet
Red feet, black feet
Left foot, right foot, feet, feet, feet
How many, many feet you meet
Slow feet, quick feet
Trick feet, (aw) sick feet
Up feet, down feet
Here come clown feet
Small feet, big feet
(snort, snort) Here come pig feet
His feet, her feet
Fuzzy fur feet
In the house, and on the street,
How many, many feet you meet
Up in the air feet
Over a chair feet
More and more feet, twenty-four feet
Here come more and more..............and more feet!
Left foot. Right foot. Feet. Feet. Feet.
Oh, how many feet you meet!