Since Kyle has been born I have been required to do a great many things that cause me to have severe anxiety attacks. You know, really difficult things like taking phone calls from complete strangers (I sound sarcastic but this is something I struggle immensely with). One of my coping mechanisms that I have come up with over the past few years is to make something with my hands; sewing or scrap booking or drawing for example. Needless to say I have completed several projects over the last few months just to keep my sanity slightly under check. These are my latest creations, little shoes for Kyle! They are made with wool felt innards, cotton duck, corduroy and dark brown upholstery outers. The monkey and puppy faces are cotton and felt respectably and the details are hand embroidered. I've already gotten several compliments and terms of disbelief when people find out I made them.Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sometimes too much stress can be a good thing...
Since Kyle has been born I have been required to do a great many things that cause me to have severe anxiety attacks. You know, really difficult things like taking phone calls from complete strangers (I sound sarcastic but this is something I struggle immensely with). One of my coping mechanisms that I have come up with over the past few years is to make something with my hands; sewing or scrap booking or drawing for example. Needless to say I have completed several projects over the last few months just to keep my sanity slightly under check. These are my latest creations, little shoes for Kyle! They are made with wool felt innards, cotton duck, corduroy and dark brown upholstery outers. The monkey and puppy faces are cotton and felt respectably and the details are hand embroidered. I've already gotten several compliments and terms of disbelief when people find out I made them.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I have been waiting for this moment
At 10 1/2weeks old I got my first social smile. I fall in love with this little boy all over again every time I am blessed with this.Kyle's Blessing
Kyle was blessed the first Sunday in December. I made his outfit, like I've made all of my baby's blessing outfits. Here he is next to it, on the blanket my Mom crocheted for Sara, it was too beautiful to use only once...
Presto...
Change-o!!! All dressed up and ready to go!
Kyle's name was announced for the records of the church as Kyle James Anthony Anderson. In the circle with his Daddy was his Grandpa (my Dad) Big Red, and Kevin's best friends: John Alder, Alan Taylor and Keven Connelly, and our Bishop: David Ragar. My favorite part of the blessing was when he was blessed with "Strength to be able to run and not be weary" and Kevin's favorite part was when he was blessed that he would have special understanding of the spirit and that it would be clear to him.
I put a lot of work into making his outfit extra special and am very proud of how it turned out. I used men's shirting material because it was the look I wanted but also because it was washable :). The main body suit and the cap was of white pinstriped shirting and the jacket was made with plain white shirting. (My Mom made the shoes for him. She has actually made or purchased the shoes for all four of my children's blessing outfits. They fit him perfectly and matched beautifully.)
I designed and hand embroidered the jacket using white embroidery floss (so it was white on white)...
The design down the front/middle was of a frog and snail climbing up with ivy growing.
and facing each other each pocket held a "Poky Little Puppy"
I have to admit I was inspired by the beautiful hand work that my cousin, Missy, does, and I am very thankful to my Mom for teaching me when I was a girl how to sew and embroider so that I can make beautiful things like this for my children.
Presto...
Change-o!!! All dressed up and ready to go!
Kyle's name was announced for the records of the church as Kyle James Anthony Anderson. In the circle with his Daddy was his Grandpa (my Dad) Big Red, and Kevin's best friends: John Alder, Alan Taylor and Keven Connelly, and our Bishop: David Ragar. My favorite part of the blessing was when he was blessed with "Strength to be able to run and not be weary" and Kevin's favorite part was when he was blessed that he would have special understanding of the spirit and that it would be clear to him.
I put a lot of work into making his outfit extra special and am very proud of how it turned out. I used men's shirting material because it was the look I wanted but also because it was washable :). The main body suit and the cap was of white pinstriped shirting and the jacket was made with plain white shirting. (My Mom made the shoes for him. She has actually made or purchased the shoes for all four of my children's blessing outfits. They fit him perfectly and matched beautifully.)
I designed and hand embroidered the jacket using white embroidery floss (so it was white on white)...
"Frogs and Snails
and Puppy Dog Tails
That's What Little Boys are Made of!"
The design down the front/middle was of a frog and snail climbing up with ivy growing.and facing each other each pocket held a "Poky Little Puppy"
I have to admit I was inspired by the beautiful hand work that my cousin, Missy, does, and I am very thankful to my Mom for teaching me when I was a girl how to sew and embroider so that I can make beautiful things like this for my children.Christmas Party at Rocking R Ranch
We have been thrust into a wonderful new community. An organization that we have been welcomed with open arms into is called "Sharing Down syndrome of Arizona". They put on several big family events each year for people who love someone with Down syndrome and this was their annual Breakfast with Santa.
Sara isn't a big chocolate lover but manages to get it all over her face whenever she wants a piece.
MaryKate refused to go near Santa Clause but willingly accepted the present that was handed her.
This is my favorite photo of the day! Santa's elf is a real little-person. He was as tall as Sara and managed to totally freak her out when he innocently asked her if she wanted a piece of candy. She was not expecting such a deep voice out of a small body.
Sara calmed right as soon as she was handed a present and she could focus on that instead of big scary Santa Clause!
Sara isn't a big chocolate lover but manages to get it all over her face whenever she wants a piece.
MaryKate refused to go near Santa Clause but willingly accepted the present that was handed her.
This is my favorite photo of the day! Santa's elf is a real little-person. He was as tall as Sara and managed to totally freak her out when he innocently asked her if she wanted a piece of candy. She was not expecting such a deep voice out of a small body.
Sara calmed right as soon as she was handed a present and she could focus on that instead of big scary Santa Clause!
Both of my brave boys had no qualms whatsoever sitting on Santa's lap.
Amy and Mike and their kids joined us since I was nervous about attending an event where we knew no one. It was an amazing party. Each child went home with a present. There was breakfast and crafts and dancing with bubbles. I'm thinking this is going to be a fun yearly family tradition.
Chesley, Santa Nikolai holding Kyle, Colin, Snowman MaryKate, Emma, Zach, and Sara was off on the end and got cut out :(... waiting in line to meet Santa.
Amy and Mike and their kids joined us since I was nervous about attending an event where we knew no one. It was an amazing party. Each child went home with a present. There was breakfast and crafts and dancing with bubbles. I'm thinking this is going to be a fun yearly family tradition.
Chesley, Santa Nikolai holding Kyle, Colin, Snowman MaryKate, Emma, Zach, and Sara was off on the end and got cut out :(... waiting in line to meet Santa.November Cuteness
Sara wants to be just like her big brother and sister which includes playing the piano. Her aimless plunking has gotten remarkably better over the past year and actually sounds musical now.
MaryKate drew this picture of her baby sister, Sara, portraying an almost daily occurrence at our house... Sara watching Blue's Clue's, and not just ANY Blue's Clue's but the dinosaur special where shovel is scared of the dinosaur footprints he and pail found in their backyard. If you've seen this episode as often as we have in our house you could tell exactly what MaryKate drew.
And this picture is worth displaying because it is the first time Sara EVER colored in nursery. Usually she is too upset to do anything as enjoyable as this so it was a huge breakthrough for us that she relaxed enough to participate.
Nikolai is loving his art class at school. They made these 3-D parrots a few weeks back. He loves carrying his around on his shoulder or arm.
MaryKate drew this picture of her baby sister, Sara, portraying an almost daily occurrence at our house... Sara watching Blue's Clue's, and not just ANY Blue's Clue's but the dinosaur special where shovel is scared of the dinosaur footprints he and pail found in their backyard. If you've seen this episode as often as we have in our house you could tell exactly what MaryKate drew.
And this picture is worth displaying because it is the first time Sara EVER colored in nursery. Usually she is too upset to do anything as enjoyable as this so it was a huge breakthrough for us that she relaxed enough to participate.
Nikolai is loving his art class at school. They made these 3-D parrots a few weeks back. He loves carrying his around on his shoulder or arm.
Best of all, the four kids all dressed up in their Sunday garb, freezing outside before church.
Happy Birthday Haydan!
Haydan's 2nd birthday was the beginning of November. We had him and his parents over to celebrate with a lemon/M&M cake...
And outdoor fun
Including riding on his new train with his aunt, Sara, and her riding car.
Big sister Haleigh loving on baby Kyle.
And outdoor fun
Including riding on his new train with his aunt, Sara, and her riding car.
Big sister Haleigh loving on baby Kyle.
MaryKate rehearsed a Happy Birthday dance for Haydan but was too shy to perform once he got there. At least I got a photo before.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Can I rent your Dog?
While we were preparing to visit my Mom up in Showlow MaryKate was inquiring whether their dog would still be there... "Do they own their dog or were they just renting her?"
Sorry I haven't posted pictures in a while there is a problem with connecting our flash card to the computer. As soon as I can convince Kevin how important it really is to me for him to fix it I will post blessing photos of Kyle and everything else that has happened since Halloween! In the mean time, does anyone know where you can go to rent a dog?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Protective Big Sister
Kyle had his 2 month doctor visit today which meant his first round of shots. When Sara saw me put him down on the examination table and the nurse walk up to him she quickly crowded in between me and the nurse and tried to push her away and asking to get "Up!" next to her "Baby!". She does not like anyone to get too near him. I had to pick her up to keep her out of the nurses way and as soon as she was done I put Sara down and picked wailing Kyle back up. Sara was so mad! She glared while shaking her finger at the nurse and gave her a severe lecture... "NO Owie! My Baby!!! Don't Don't DON'T!!!" When the nurse left she kept the door open for us to follow her out. Sara slammed the door shut behind her loudly declaring... "BYE! My Baby!!! Don't, my baby! Bye!!!"This months stats: Kyle now weighs 9 lbs 9 oz and is still following the same 10-25% curve. He is almost 22 inches long and dropped off his length curve dramatically but the doctor explained that it is so hard to get an accurate height reading at his age that they don't really worry about it. Otherwise he is a happy and healthy 2 month old baby!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Kyle update
Kyle is 7 weeks old today. He is big enough to start wearing his 0-3 month size clothes along with his newborn sizes. He grows stronger every day and is starting to hold his head up at times. He has also smiled a couple of times at us so far. He has such a melting smile. He doesn't do it consistent enough to have gotten a photo yet unfortunately. This last week he has begun sleeping 4-6 hours every night which means I'm not such a zombie anymore. He loves watching the kids run around him. If I put him on a blanket in the middle of the floor Sara will run circles around him and both stay happy playing like this for quite some time. He also stays awake for longer periods during the day, usually an hour three times a day.I've started the process of getting him set up with DDD. Everyone I've met so far has been very nice. The best part about it is that they come to me. I have to get my house cleaned but I don't have to worry about loading up both baby's and getting somewhere on time. He has a development assessment at the end of this month and will start any needed therapies after that.
Random Moments in October at the Anderson House
It finally got cold enough to wear long sleeves! Which meant wearing new winter clothes. This is Sara with her ever present finger in the belly button when her blankie is not around.
Sara loves her Daddy and falls asleep at night a lot like this.
My Dad came over on Halloween to visit and see the kids off in their costumes.
MaryKate loves holding and taking care of her baby brother. 
Sara tucked one of her baby dolls in to cuddle with Kyle.
Sara loves copying everything anyone does. Including dragging the baby bathtub out to give her baby doll a bath.
The first fire of the year was after Trunk-or-Treat at Marilee's ward. It was COLD that night!!!
The girls love playing with the baby dolls I made them before Kyle was born. While I was holding Kyle wrapped up in his blanket I made they brought their dolls over wrapped up in their coordinating blankets.
Sara LOVES shoes... especially her Daddy's shiny black Sunday shoes. This is the last picture of her with a bottle. She had the stomach flu and threw up for three days. Every time she drank a bottle after that she'd throw it up so it necessitated weaning her off of them. She can now drink milk again with no problem but we are done with the bottles!!! I wouldn't recommend a bout of stomach flu to wean from a bottle but it was very effective for us. 
Sara loves her Daddy and falls asleep at night a lot like this.
My Dad came over on Halloween to visit and see the kids off in their costumes.
MaryKate loves holding and taking care of her baby brother. 
Sara learned how to kneel down to pray. She always says "Amen" at the end.
Sara tucked one of her baby dolls in to cuddle with Kyle.
Sara loves copying everything anyone does. Including dragging the baby bathtub out to give her baby doll a bath.
The first fire of the year was after Trunk-or-Treat at Marilee's ward. It was COLD that night!!!
The girls love playing with the baby dolls I made them before Kyle was born. While I was holding Kyle wrapped up in his blanket I made they brought their dolls over wrapped up in their coordinating blankets.
Sara LOVES shoes... especially her Daddy's shiny black Sunday shoes. This is the last picture of her with a bottle. She had the stomach flu and threw up for three days. Every time she drank a bottle after that she'd throw it up so it necessitated weaning her off of them. She can now drink milk again with no problem but we are done with the bottles!!! I wouldn't recommend a bout of stomach flu to wean from a bottle but it was very effective for us. 
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
That's My Boy!
On Sunday my neighbor across the street was talking to Nikolai during primary about his new baby brother. She asked him if he got to hold him and help feed him. "No?!" Nikolai replied, "I don't have breasts!"
I guess that's what I get for being very open and honest with my children.
I guess that's what I get for being very open and honest with my children.
My Top Ten...
Top Ten Signs You are Sleep Deprived...
#10 You are making a Top Ten list of signs you are Sleep Deprived at 4 AM.
#9 If you go to the grocery store for milk and only milk you still have to make a list because you will stand in the aisle forever trying to remember what you were coming to get.
#8 The depth of your intellectual conversations are limited to the plot of today's Blue's Clue's, that's if you were able to actually stay awake for the full 20 minutes.
#7 You don't remember if you had that shower today, yesterday, or was it last week?
#6 You try to read a book and after repeating the first page 10 times and still not remembering what you just read, you put it down.
#5 You forget what you are saying while you are in the middle of the sentence, saying it.
#4 You not only forget what day it is but also the month and the year.
#3 In the process of standing up to do something you forget what you were standing up to do.
#2 You sleep through the 45 straight minutes of Star Wars theme alarm trying to wake you up (yet wake up at the first snuffle of your baby).
...and #1 You drive away from the gas pump with the hose still attached.
#10 You are making a Top Ten list of signs you are Sleep Deprived at 4 AM.
#9 If you go to the grocery store for milk and only milk you still have to make a list because you will stand in the aisle forever trying to remember what you were coming to get.
#8 The depth of your intellectual conversations are limited to the plot of today's Blue's Clue's, that's if you were able to actually stay awake for the full 20 minutes.
#7 You don't remember if you had that shower today, yesterday, or was it last week?
#6 You try to read a book and after repeating the first page 10 times and still not remembering what you just read, you put it down.
#5 You forget what you are saying while you are in the middle of the sentence, saying it.
#4 You not only forget what day it is but also the month and the year.
#3 In the process of standing up to do something you forget what you were standing up to do.
#2 You sleep through the 45 straight minutes of Star Wars theme alarm trying to wake you up (yet wake up at the first snuffle of your baby).
...and #1 You drive away from the gas pump with the hose still attached.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Kyle is 2 weeks Old
Kyle's umbilical cord stump fell off when he was exactly 1 week old. He celebrated by having his first bath! Then this week he slept for 5 hours in a row at night then the next night for 4 hours. I like big chunks like that :).
Yes, I agree, they are too cute...
Nikolai created this diorama for a school project. It's his representation of what the elf town in the book "Afternoon of the Elves" looked like. He created a working well, a Ferris wheel, and a rock house with a leaf roof along with the road leading into town and the swimming pool.
MaryKate showing off her mad scooter skills.
MaryKate drew this picture during General Conference this year. It's me sitting on the floor holding Sara in my lap with Kyle in his bouncy seat and Sara's new rocking horse in the front (her welcome the new baby home from the hospital gift).
Sara really isn't mad in this picture, this was her "posing" face for quite some time, every time you'd point the camera at her and tell her to "Say Cheese!" This is the face she'd make until the flash went off, then she'd laugh and laugh.
And there is nothing quite as cute as a tiny girl in a pink skirt and pig-tails sporting a giant water gun as big as she is. I'm thinking of sending this one into the NRA. 
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