9-months (or 6?)

Has it been this long? Yes. Zachary is now 9-months-old by the calendar, but by his adjusted age (from his original due date) he is 6-months. He is a chunky, solid boy now....eating solid foods and trying to manage his limbs. He can roll from tummy to back and is working on the reverse. Still pretty unsteady in the sitting position, but also getting better every day.

This little guy is 16 lbs. 14 oz. now, wearing 6 - 9 month clothes and is the happiest little thing you have ever seen. He really is so cheerful.

Poor guy had an illness last week - fever for a few days and lots of congestion - after a trip to the doctor we're still working through it. Waiting for a culture to come back on Monday to determine what he had/has.

My house is consumed by baby equipment: bumbo, swing, infant chair, jump-chair, exersaucer, play mobile toy. He loves them all (and so do his siblings)! We're excited about his continual progression and meeting milestones. As long as he's moving forward it is good news for him and us! We love you little Zach-attack.

(special thank you to Aunt Mehr for the "sexy" onesie)

30 Things You May Not Know About Me

1. My favorite color is blue

2. I prefer cats to dogs

3. I like vanilla ice cream over choc. (but all ice cream is good)

4. I have 4 kids

5. I graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism (emphasis in PR and a minor in marketing)

6. I worked for 5 years at a private bus manufacturing company as a Marketing-Communications Manger

7. I am an avid recreational runner

8. I have climbed to the top of Mt. Rainier (in WA. state) with my Dad when I was 17

9. I was born in England

10. I have been to 13 countries outside the U.S.

11. I was on swim team for about 3 years - and was never very good - but it was fun

12. I have run 2 1/2-marathons, 1 10-K, and several 5-Ks

13. I did a study-abroad in college and lived in the UK for about 5 months

14. My favorite children's book (lately) is Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson

15. I know most the lines to the movie Dirty Dancing

16. I was homecoming princess in high school, and homecoming queen in college

17. I had a 4-year full-tuition scholarship to Utah State

18. I love to do art projects/craft projects, especially with my kids

19. I married Aaron because he is my best friend and I love him more than anything

20. One of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon is Mormon 9:21

21. I do not like salsa or spicy food

22. I have two fake teeth

23. My favorite book series is Anne of Green Gables (as a kid), Harry Potter (now)

24. I would love to learn how to sew

25. I played softball, volleyball and was on drill team in high school (yes, over-achiever)

26. The hardest moment in my life was last year in April when I sat helplessly watching my body go into labor and deliver my twin boys at 25-weeks gestation

27. The best moment since then was when we brought Zachary home from the hospital and our family was together under one roof (except Grant, who was there in spirit)

28. My favorite times of day are when everyone wakes up in the morning (if we are all happy that is)...and full of energy, and of course the end of the day when everyone is back in bed

29. I like any meal - especially ones I don't have to cook

30. I am 30 today! Boo...Hooray...not quite sure how to feel. Thanks to all my friends and family who have helped me get here. Love you all.

2009 - Quite a Year

{family photo generously taken by R Seely}

As the year is wrapping up I thought it might be nice to give a little update on everyone.

Aaron - Studious. Hard-working. Fun. Teaser.

Aaron is mid-3rd year at dental school and is treating patients about 3 days a week. He is becoming very skilled at oral examinations and dental cleanings. On the side, he finds time to wrestle with the kids and tease them into a frenzy. Aaron exercises at every opportunity, and spends a great deal of time in his volunteer position of ward executive secretary at our church.

Brianne - Organizer of chaos. Spit-up cleaning machine. Dish washer. Dedicated.

Busy with 3 kids and all their needs, rarely is there spare time to do anything else. Enjoys running/exercising when time permits, dabbling in painting/artwork again, occasional blogging, creative felt projects and reading. Brianne ran a 10K this year, and plans to run a few more races next year - maybe even another 1/2 marathon if feeling ambitious enough. Honestly, just happy to have all the family under one roof and generally healthy at this time.

Marcus {4} - Devoted. Obedient. Tender-hearted. Caring.

Started pre-school full-time and is loving it. Can sound out words, write his own name and draw excellent pictures of his family. Loves reading, playing with legos, using his imagination, practicing acrobatics on our furniture, and being a big brother. He is very helpful with new baby Zachary and also trying to guide a sometimes-less-than-obedient sister into doing the right thing.

Brooklyn {2} - Spunky. Vibrant. Giggly. Willful.

Turned 2 and is fully embracing her independence. She picks out her own clothes, dresses herself, goes potty all by herself on the big toilet, and even tries to pour her own cereal and milk (some days more successfully than others). Brooke loves singing and dancing and playing with Marcus.

Zachary {range of 4-8 months - if going by birth date or gestational age} - Smiley. Sleeper. Easy-going. Most-improved.

Zach is 8-months old, corrected age about 4-months-old. He is a mellow, roll-with-the-punches (literally) kind of kid. He admires and carefully analyzes Marcus and Brooklyn's busy activities around the house. Zachary loves to be part of the action. He likes sitting in the Bumbo chair and jumping in his bouncy chair (which attaches to the doorway). Recently, Zach began to eat solid foods, no clear favorites yet, but Butternut Squash is definitely one to spit out! He can roll from tummy to back and has now discovered that putting toys in his mouth is fun. Zach can also find his toes with his hands - fun new skill.

Grant - Always in our hearts.

We felt his sweet spirit touch us, especially this Christmas season as we spent a quiet morning with Grant at his burial site. The kids wanted to sing him some Christmas songs, so amid snow, we softly sang Silent Night and Angels We Have Heard on High. I know he felt us. We are grateful for the strength he adds to our family, even if only in spirit.

Many ups and downs this year for our family. We believe in miracles. We believe in families. We believe in the strength and power of God.

We are looking forward to a hopefully uneventful 2010.

We're Excited for Christmas....are you? : )

How Sweet Is Marcus?

Last Sunday our whole house woke up sick...blah! I was awakened by Brooklyn's usual plea "Mom, I have to go pee". Still rubbing my eyes I walked into the kitchen to find Marcus making breakfast for the whole family. Sticky table/chairs/jelly jar aside, it was pretty magnificent. He had toasted bagels and spread jam on each for every family member (that can eat solids) and he even set the table. What a sweet example he is to me. I learn from his tender heart and service every day!

We love you Marcus!!

Superheroes Unite!

Hope your Halloween was as super and spooky as ours. We enjoyed a ward Halloween party and some trick-or-treating with friends. The kids liked wearing the capes and pretending to have super powers (like super jumping abilities, invisibility, flying and running super fast). : )

And a funny quote from the evening. All the kids with costumes were asked to stand in front of the party to receive a special prize (sticker). The woman in charge said, "All the superheroes step forward. Are you guys the Incredibles?" Marcus responds without hesitation, "No, we're just generic superheroes"...apparently he had overheard me saying that to a family earlier when they were asking which superheroes we were. I'm so glad he felt the need to announce it to all the party-goers.

(I needed to throw a picture of Zach in there as he isn't really part of the trick-or-treat action...I forget to take pics of him when he's in the stroller).

6-Months-Old...sort of

Yesterday marked Zachary's 6-month-out-of-the-womb date. Adjusted age, he is really only about 2 1/2 - 3 months. The past two weeks have been filled with appointments, but I'm happy to report that it appears (for now) that he has no major heart or neurological issues. We are working with an occupational therapist (through an Early Intervention program) on a weekly basis to manage his tone and muscular deficiencies. Our next follow-up appointment with neurology is in 6-months and with cardiology in 1-year.

Zach weighs 12 lb. 7 oz. and is 23" long. That may not seem like a lot, but starting from 1 lb. 11 oz. and 13.5" long--I consider this to be excellent progress!! In fact, this week I'm bringing out the 3-6 month size clothes. Huge milestone. : )

He sleeps A LOT. He smiles now, and has started to follow his siblings with his eyes. I can tell he's ready to play.

His personality is pretty chill. He's a mellow kid. Rarely cries (aside from when he needs something), tolerates occasional bonks on his head from older siblings quite well, loves to cuddle/be held and will fall asleep instantly if you put him upright over your shoulder. He smiles when you kiss his face or neck and makes "caaa" "gaaaa" "ohhhhh" sounds. We're so pleased with his progress and so thankful everyday for the miracle he is.

We're working on holding his head up--almost there.

Of course Zachary's progress is thrilling, but I can't help but think of Grant in all this and wonder if he is watching over his brother and certainly cheering on his every progression. Some days I just wish I had two babies to hold and to love instead of one. Knowing that when I look at Zachary I am seeing Grant is some days reassuring and comforting, giving me some connection; other days it is painful and bittersweet.

I am grateful for the blessings we have and for each of my children individually.