Lizzie Boo

My middle munchkin kind of got lost in the blogging of February, so here is a shout out to her! Liz is in a play group that we just started with some kids in our ward and she LOVES it! She begs to go every day, even though we just started and it only happens once a week.
She is a great sister! She loves to share with both of her siblings and help them however she can. (That is assuming that they ask nicely, of course. She is very particular about how she is asked.)
Lizzie can find a way to make any activity into a mess, whether it be eating, playing, or crafting, she WILL be a mess when she is done. I am so glad that she is the second child to wear everything. Then I don't feel as bad when I have to throw things out due to the irreparable damage she causes.
She takes VERY short naps, and she will either wake up EXTREMELY happy, or EXTREMELY sad. There is NO middle ground.
All in all she is my princess, and even though she doesn't get her special birthday tribute for five more months, I am glad that she is here and that she is ours!

2 out of 3

Two of my three little ones had birthdays this month, which means that two of my three little ones needed visits with the doctor, and of course some shots too.
Tori was 37.2 lbs (30%) and 42 1/2 inches (50%). That is quite a breakthrough for this little munchkin. She has always been pretty little, so being that close to average is quite an accomplishment! She also had four shots, which, apparently, she went straight to school and told everyone about. Her friend Noah got right in the car with his dad and told him the whole saga. She was totally limping all day! What a drama queen!
Owen was not so big. He is still dropping in his growth curve, so in addition to his three shots they drew blood (after several fishing attempts). My poor little guy. He is only 19 lbs 3.5 oz (5%). Keep in mind that Tori had not even hit 18 1/2 lbs by this point--which I think was the 10% for girls, but because he is a boy, I guess he is supposed to be bigger. He is 28 inches tall which only puts him in the 10% for height. I knew he wasn't huge, but I didn't think that he was tiny either! His head is still big, but somehow I feel like I must revoke his title of "Jimmy Fatman." Sorry Soph--I don't know that she will have any idea what to call him...

Joint Birthday Party

Last weekend we had a "family" birthday party for my two February babies. Thanks to all who were able to come (I am so sorry--no thank you notes, 'cause I didn't see much of what they got, so just know that we appreciated everything!). It was crazy, and chaotic, but we are so thankful to be surrounded by so many people with so much love!

Owen wasn't feeling well, and he doesn't do well with big groups of people anyway, so this was what we got for his birthday cake demolition attempt.

We tried again the next day with fewer people, and a slightly healthier baby. The results were much better. He liked the cake, but the real winner was the cookies and cream ice cream dropped straight onto his tray for him to shove in his mouth at will. Enjoy little man...this doesn't happen every year!

Happy Birthday, My Prince!

HOLY COW! I am really struggling with my little man turning one. He still seems so young! I love him so much, and he has changed so dramatically! I do remember quite clearly the day that he was born.

I remember going out to dinner with Grandma and my moms (mom and mother in law) the night before (Jim and Nick's YUM!!). I remember sleeping really well (not like the sleepless anticipation before Tori). I ate a good breakfast (remember, no missed meals here!) Tom and I drove to the hospital, parked, tried to find our way through the construction and into the right entrance. While we were walking I told Tom that I felt like even if I weren't scheduled to be induced, I would have the baby that day. Finally we found the admission desk, and she informed me that I was not in their schedule. Luckily she admitted me anyway when I admitted that I felt like I could be trying to start labor on my own (*Note--remember how I mentioned that my body doesn't know how to contract?!?). Once I got to my room and they checked me (a little after 7:00 AM), I was fully effaced and dilated to a little over a SIX! (Yeah, no contractions to at least warn me!) Grammy had taken the girls to the zoo, so we called her and told her that it probably wouldn't be that long. My mom came straight from work. The nurses said that my doctor was in an emergency procedure and would come in to break my water when she was finished, but they didn't want to start the pitocin until she got there since I was already so far along. THREE HOURS LATER--my body is STILL not contracting, and the doctor is JUST getting to my room. I played sudoku, walked around, got annoyed at the tardiness of the doctor, etc. Finally I begged the nurse to start the pitocin. She got it going on a low setting...nothing...a little more...a few contractions...a little more...OH MY GOSH! I think I am going to die! GIVE ME DRUGS! I was dilated to about 8 1/2. GIVE ME DRUGS NOW! Too late. No drugs, lots of pressure, my knee caps felt like they would pop off, and I honestly thought that I might die. I actually screamed a couple of times (and was SO embarrassed that I did). Finally my man came. It was time to give him a name. Throughout the entire pregnancy I had pushed for Gavin. That day though, I was really leaning toward Isaac. When they handed him to me, Tom said that I got to name him after what I had gone through. He was going to let me pick anything I wanted. We had so many options we had talked about, but we never agreed on anything. I remember so vividly looking into his sweet little face, and knowing immediately that he wasn't Isaac. I tried Gavin. That wasn't right either. I looked up at Tom and asked him if he had an idea of what this baby's name was supposed to be. He said that he did. I knew too. It was like he came with a name already attached. I asked him if the name that he thought of was Owen...it was. There you have it! Thanks to his Grampy, he was not named after Great Grandpa Peterson (they had a nick name picked out that I wasn't going to let fly). So he became Owen Thomas Peterson.

I remember worrying about the girls' names so often after they were born, but I never had that with Owen. I always knew it was right. I still don't know why that had to be his name, but I know that it was chosen for him, whether by me or by someone else.

I am so thankful for the hard times that we had with him for the first many months of his life, because now I value the smiles that much more. I am grateful for his smile, his funny noises, and all his little quirks.

One year later, he is fun, stubborn, aggressive, and very curious! He is my little man, and I ADORE him!

Seven years!!!

I have been thinking about this post for so long, that I can't believe that it is a day late. There is so much that the world should know about how blessed I have been in my life, and especially over the last seven years! When I met the love of my life on December 5, 1998 I was immediately attracted to him (even though we were both dating other people). We flirted like crazy and finally found our way out of other relationships and into a relationship together. We dated for several months. On September 1, 1999 I thought my life was over. He left me for two years. I have NEVER been dependent on another person, but at that point I felt more alone than I had ever been. I realized that he was more a part of me than I could have ever imagined. Those were two VERY long years (as my family and roommates will attest) but on September 5, 2001 everything was back just the way it had been...only better. I am thankful that he served a mission. I am thankful for what we both learned during those two years. Even though there were some very painful times, I will be forever grateful for the friends, family, and my Savior that watched over me and comforted me.
On October 12, 2001 he proposed...in a pumpkin. On February 16, 2002 we were married in the Denver Temple. So much of that day was a blur, and yet there are several VERY vivid memories. I remember being completely calm the night before, and even getting ready that morning. I remember being nervous that I would mess something up, but not second guessing our decision at all. I remember being so in love that I could not be bothered with little things, I didn't care what we ate, where we were, whatever. All that mattered was that I was with this man that would accompany me through eternity. One of my most vivid memories is actually sleeping in the same bed....being together over night. I had been at BYU, so there was a strict 12:00 AM curfew to follow. No being together (at least not indoors) after midnight. Being able to fall asleep together, feeling that safety, peace, and bliss was so wonderful.
Seven years and three kids later our anniversaries are celebrated much differently (Sam's Club vs The Anniversary Inn), but the love is only stronger. Now I have trouble sleeping when he isn't there...I just need him to hold me so that I can sleep. I am so thankful to have a worthy priesthood holder, an amazing husband, a true companion in my life that loves me...ALL of me! I am thankful to have someone who helps me with house work, kids, and, if I beg he will even give his opinion on crafting matters! I have been incredibly blessed! Happy anniversary to the most perfect man for me! We both have our faults, but even those tend to fit perfectly! I love you so much!
ILYFTCP!

Paying it forward...

Just for kicks, and to give me another excuse to craft, here you go...the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or be lazy and copy and past like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play by commenting on the post! Remember that only the first 3 comments will receive a gift from me, so be quick!

I am a total thief Erika! Thanks for the fun idea though!

My Baby Turns FIVE!

I can hardly believe that she is already five. Time really does fly, and I am trying so hard to savor every moment! I am stealing this idea from a friend (again), but I want my kids to be able to look back and know the story of their birth, so here is Tori's.
I found out that I was pregnant when I couldn't possibly stand the heart burn any more. I took several tests (I had taken two that both came back negative, so I had to take three tests that turned out positive before I believed them). I was also served with legal papers the same day...the universe always finds a way to make sure that the balance is never too far off. Anyway--I was horribly sick every single day of the pregnancy! None of this first trimester bliss. I was due on February 3, 2004. I was teaching first grade at Draper Elementary School, and we were going on a field trip on February 3. I was sure that if by some odd chance I hadn't had the baby by then, the bus would knock her right out of me. I hadn't had her, and the bus only made me HORRIBLY nauseaus. I was induced on February 9. Tom and I were unable to sleep at all, so we were up watching a movie of my nephew, Hunter, when the hospital called just before 6 AM to tell us that we could come in if we came fast. We were already wide awake, so that was no problem! I ate some breakfast, because I knew that once I got to the hospital they wouldn't feed me, and I do NOT like to miss a meal. I told the nurses when I arrived that I didn't plan to miss any meals...they giggled. MY BODY CAN'T CONTRACT WITHOUT HELP! Seriously, (you will find out after the other kids have their bdays) no drugs=no contractions! At about 7:30 they start my IV, break my water, and shortly after that came the epidural. At about 12:30 I was at a 5...ONE HOUR LATER they check again, I am at a 10 and totally ready to push. As the doctor was getting ready he realized that my baby's heart was having lots of trouble bouncing back after a contraction. He said that the cord must be wrapped and we needed to use forceps. He left the room...when he got back, there wasn't time. She was crowning...three contractions later she was crying in the warmer. She had wrapped herself up three times--once around her chest, once around her upper arm, and once around her little neck. She was struggling a little, so I didn't get to hold her for the first couple of minutes. We knew that she would either be Emma or Victoria. Emma was too mild for a child that can cause so much trouble before she even arrives, so Victoria it was. At 1:50 PM she was there, healthy, happy, and I was HUNGRY! Lunch is served until 2...told you I don't like to miss a meal!

Now, a little about who she is five years later. She is starting to read and sound words out when she tries to write. She LOVES school and learning and can't wait for kindergarten. She is smart, funny, creative, stubborn, and a little moody. She is a performer and holds regular concerts! She is a clean little thing that likes to stay neat, but will play (carefully) in the dirt. Her favorite color recently changed from blue to pink. Her favorite movie is Wizard of Oz, favorite book is Junie B. Jones. My favorite things about her are her willingness to help (especially with Owen), and her motherly nature. She is so sweet, and is gaining confidence and personality by the truck load!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGEL FACE!

Over the Rainbow

Today was the big day! Tori has been waiting so anxiously for her birthday party, and it finally arrived. Pictures are way better for telling the stories...

The dress wasn't perfect, and will need some adjustments before the family party, but she was so happy to have it, and I was pretty proud of myself for making it!
Grammy sent a jacket so that I could dress the theme...thanks...

Poppy field, yellow brick road, emerald city, 100% edible!

Since a lot of the kids don't know the story of The Wizard of Oz, Glinda stopped by to tell them!

(Taegan, Noah, Abigail, Logan, Jhohaivis, Brianna H, Lily, Shane, Tori, Brooke, Brianna E, and Liz)

Gingham lined party "baskets" filled with a diploma (their coloring sheets), "Glinda's Bubble Boutique" bubbles, "Lions & Tigers & Bears, Oh my!" Animal crackers, tin man hearts, and "Over the Rainbow Candy Co" candy (skittles).

One Big Day!

Within the last 24 hours Owen has said his first word and taken his first step.
Last night Tom said that he saw Owen step (without holding anything) toward him. I wasn't sure it counted, but this morning he took a couple to get to me.
At breakfast this morning I asked Owen "Do you want a banana?"
He responded by VERY clearly saying "ba-na-na"
While I stood shocked and delighted, he said it several more times. He had another banana at lunch, just so we could show off for Daddy.
He has said mamamama and dadadada for a while, but we are counting this as his first word, because we still aren't sure if he means to say (or knows what he is saying) our names.

A Fabulous Afternoon

When Lily was unsuccessful in her Super Bowl ventures, I promised her an afternoon of PINK proportions, and I must say...I DELIVERED! A little lunch, some cartoons, then Liz and O went to bed and the real fun began!

Pink cupcakes...while those were baking we moved on to pink nailpolish...topped with iridescent sparkles (the fingernails, not the cupcakes)

...then pink frosting (mostly for the cupcakes, not the fingers)...last but not least came the sprinkles! They had so much fun, and they were so fun to be with! I love you little princesses!

Behind

I made a goal at the beginning of 2008 that I would blog at least once a week. Since I don't keep a regular journal, that would have to do. Well, I made it through 2008 with well more than one blog post a week, so on we march to 2009 where I am barely through January and PAINFULLY behind. I am a slacker. Why? In the last few weeks I have prepared over 115 greeting cards, sewn (almost completely) a Dorothy costume--at least partially without pattern or instructions (and I DO NOT sew!), participated in a scrapbooking layout exchange, hosted a party, fed the missionaries, and reorganized two rooms in the house. All this in addition to my normal wife/mother duties. I know that there are a lot of super moms out there that can do all this in one day with an arm tied behind your back, while wearing a blind fold. I, on the other hand, have felt quite proud of my accomplishments, and will vow to be a better blogger from this time forth.