So much for all the rain Oregon promised. Yes, it has drizzled here and there to be fair, but there has also been quite an amount of beautiful sunny days here. Like light-jacket-but-maybe-not-even-one kind of beautiful sunny days. It felt like going out on a crisp fall day to be honest, or maybe a hint of spring. But, quite unexpectedly, we woke up Sunday morning to snow! It immediately turned to slush, but snow nonetheless. We thought it would be gone by the next day, but it stuck around. We had our fingers crossed that Steve would get a snow day, but it didn't work out...so we crossed them again for today...and it didn't work out again. Well it did for the afternoon, but Steve stayed - like the good student he is - and studied all afternoon. It was a good thing he didn't tell me too, because I am not known for being the great encourager of him staying at school when it's optional to be home. :) We have also decided that Steve cannot study at home. I somehow always justify him helping out with Ross while studying or chatting away to him about my random thoughts or opinions. He's too nice to tell me to leave him alone too. So - for the benefit of society - at least the one in our home - he stays at school to study. Ross has been doing everything in his power to get more mobile. Pushups, log rolls, attempted situps, and minutes on end in the johnny jump up. He is definitely our work out boy! He's slowly been realizing he can do the army crawl instead of the roll and pitch act he's been doing lately. He likes to pull himself halfway up as well and get stuck in that position before falling back on his bum. He gets more and more character every day - and he is loving eating real people food. He loves cheese and really enjoys a good quesadilla. He is quite pleased with himself chomping away at his food. He's a professional cheerio eater now - and still just enjoys chewing on his sippy cup instead of drinking from it. Correction - he'll chew then take a swallow I squirt in his mouth and then push it away. I wonder if he's trying to wean himself now, because he really isn't as interested in nursing anymore - the stink. He's got his real people food to fill him up. Ross is great at sharing his toys with you and then taking them back afterwards. He will put his toys in a bucket if you tell him too as well. Then he dumps them out and chews on the bucket. I think he's in love with his johnny jump up because he can turn where he wants when he wants and go up and down at his leisure. He smacks his legs when he gets really excited and has sort of evolved to clapping while going down to smack his legs. He still loves having yelling wars and will fake cry when you're not paying attention to him; then, when you turn to look at him, he gives you the biggest smirk of your life. He still laughs like crazy and hands out smiles like free penny candy. I have a feeling I'm going to be chasing that kid everywhere very shortly. Maybe I should start working out more to get ready. Well - there's the update - I was quite proud of myself looking back on what I've blogged since last year (it being my New Year goal and everything). We printed it off and now I have it in a nice binder - that's my version of scrapbooking. ;) So life continues. Gosh - we have a great one! :)
So Steve's brother Michael is on his mission in England and sent home this soccer outfit for Ross before he was born.
Practicing kicking.
Soccer heaven!
Loving the uniform...so comfy and shows off his nice belly. ;)
So cute!
So gets motivated to move when towers are built for him to destroy. I was quite proud of this ensemble I put together...
The aftermath...
The snow! I love Ross's face in this one. He loved it.
Well the odds are on as to whether Ross will crawl or walk first. He usually pulls himself to standing about halfway and then gets stuck....and of course gets mad at me like it's my fault he's in that position. We like to play the balancing act with him when he's standing and wobbling everywhere. As for crawling, Ross is amazing at doing 360's on his belly and a professional at tickling the floor. Here is a visual of what I mean:
When he gets a lot of energy he likes to try and roll his little body into some crazy positions attempting to get where he wants to go. Usually he ends up going backwards and away from the object of his desire. He's pretty good and rolling to the side though and pushing off his toes to launch himself forward. So - you better put in the vote now. Do you think Ross will crawl or walk first??
Well we have made it back to Oregon after our deliciously long break. We quite enjoyed ourselves back home in Utah - though we were disappointed not having any snow - and of course it snowed a few days after we left! We had a great time nonetheless. Christmas Eve was spent, as tradition holds, having a party at the White's and a little devotional given by Steve's dad. We love that tradition - writing down what gift we are giving to Christ at the end of the devotional each year has a wonderful spirit about it. We keep all the "gifts" in a little stocking and can read through them every year.
Christmas morning was one that will go down in history for years to come. Ross woke us up at 4 - not because he was so excited and thrilled that Santa had come - but because he had thrown up all over his bed. Steve picked him up only to get his first Christmas present from Ross all over his own pajamas. I tried to nurse him after that episode and Ross decided to shower me with his gift to me on the bed. So - to say the least - we started off Christmas with the stripping of sheets and clothes and a nice cleansing bath for Ross. Steve and his dad then went and scoured the streets trying to find a place open to get some pedialyte for Ross - of course this would happen on Christmas when EVERYTHING is closed. They learned a lot of what goes on at Christmas outside of the home that day. Thankfully our good friends, The Youngs, had some to loan us along with a few other remedies that worked for them. Ross fell straight asleep on me while we waited for the boys to get back and slept through most of Christmas morning. After some napping and relaxing, we talked to Steve's brother Michael who's serving in London (totally has picked up the British intonations (he denies it)), and headed over to my parents to have Christmas there. Ross was a happy little camper all throughout being sick. Aside from being tired and weak he had no problems playing as soon as he was done throwing up. He loved all his presents and got some doozies from his Uncle Dallas and Grandma Staheli - that unfortunately had to stay back in Utah since we couldn't very well pack an electric car and rocking horse with us on an airplane! I think it's been so long since there's been a little baby around - everyone got real excited to get him some fun toys. :) He loved it all. We all had to throw in the towel that night and get some sleep. The next day we relaxed some and let Ross recuperate and had a game night later on.
I think Ross wanted to keep celebrating Christmas, because that night Steve went to bed with the plague. He curled up to me with a fever complaining about being cold as he breathed into my face sealing my own fate because the very next day I was practically wishing for death myself! It seemed to become the gift that kept on giving. The next morning after I started feeling better my father-in-law, brother-in-law, AND sister-in-law all concocted the disease! I was surprised how quickly it came and went - a thorough and complete 24 hour flu. I've decided Steve's family are the most hilarious when they are sick. They would cheer each other on when one would make a break for the bathroom and then wander around the house like zombies. My favorite was Thomas kneeling with his head on the floor and bum sticking straight up as he moaned in agony - or Meghan who had a look of sheer horror on her face as she'd plug her ears and cover her mouth while listening to someone throwing up in the bathroom - or even Don who would seem perfectly normal standing there talking with you and then bolt from the room scrambling for a bucket. Everyone had their own personalized bucket too - we should have decorated them I think. It was quite the plague house for the week. It even spread to my family. Both my mom and dad got sick too! The only one who seemed to survive untouched was Steve's mom - she toyed with the idea of throwing herself in the line of fire just to get it over with, but decided to take her chances. Her health - she accredited - to her righteousness. ;) We were reminded continuously of that. I think it was a heavenly mercy to her with all the havoc her kids have probably put her through over the years. We'll never truly know though how she averted the disease - it was a definite miracle. As we finally rose from our deathbeds - we realized our trip was almost over. We had to do some serious partying before we left which included shopping and dining, miniature croquet, more games, and more visits. We got to see the new MI and Sherlock Holmes (twice) while we were there - both overwhelmingly great. We just love a good movie. We celebrated New Year's with games of course and food and fake celebrating at 11:30 because we couldn't make it to midnight...only to actually make it to midnight before parting ways and crashing. We did get in sparklers, New Year kisses, and toasts though. It was loads of fun and we already miss our family and friends. Here are some picture highlights:
Christmas Eve devotional - being reminded of the real meaning of Christmas. :)
Ross enjoying a hat
A Christmas Eve present from Uncle Dallas
His very own stocking!
Merry Christmas morning - mommy looks like she's on drugs, and Ross is just so sleepy.
A weak little smile from Ross
Oh my Christmas!
Steve enjoying his stocking
Mom looks a little mroe with it here.
What in the world could this be??
Oh my goodness! His very own car! Now he'll just have to wait 15 years till he can get his license.
Since we all know Steve is an obsessed Twilight fan - my mom and sis pitched in to get him what he always has wanted for Christmas - a Breaking Dawn t-shirt!
So I threw together some Christmas pj pants for all of us. We managed to get barf on all of them, wash them, and still get to wear them throughout Christmas. :)
Putting his car together...
Who let this kid behind the wheel?? He looks a little too comfortable in this thing!
So this is Ross's betrothed. Ally Jane - cutest name ever right? This was the first time they met at her baby blessing. Ross just couldn't keep his hands off her. He especially loved her headband. You can tell he's thrilled his future has already been decided for him. He couldn't be more happy with the pick of a wife. What a pretty mother-in-law too!
The future in-laws :)
The happy couple. Ross is wowed at her beauty, and Ross was so handsome - it completely swept Ally right off her feet.
The dads doing their duty. My favorite is how exhausted Addi and Ross look - it was way past their bedtimes.
I couldn't get enough of this adorable look Addison would give everyone when you would try to talk to her. She is such a cutie!
Another developed face of Ross's - the puffed lip.
Getting ready to celebrate New Year's early...
Rachel can't wait!
My mom's ready to hit the sack. ;)
Happy New Year!!
I love this video of everyone celebrating - we are just ridiculous aren't we. :)
I know...this is the most romantic looking New Year's kiss you've ever seen!
Toasting for a great 2012!
Wearing the Eternal Fame and Glory crowns for the games.
Waiting for our delicious Cheesecake Factory experience.
We've got to be buzzed anytime now!
So Meghan pretty much talked about the Cheesecake Factory Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich - no lettuce or onion with extra chipotle sauce in her sleep until we actually went. We postponed going because she was sick that day. She made us promise to bring her back the sandwich if we would have gone. Luckily she recovered and was able to enjoy it just as she had dreamed. :)
Pure pleasure
Quite satisfied
Oh yes - our food was delish too. They had these avocado egg rolls that were so good I almost passed out. I could have licked that plate clean!
I quite enjoyed my chicken bellagio myself. I had their chocolate coconut cheesecake which is apparently the Samoa girlscout cookie replica. I live for those cookies so I of course got the cheesecake and enjoyed every bite! Good ol' sisters enjoying their food.
Back to Meghan - detoxing after her heavenly entree.
She fell into a happy sleep... :)
We went and played mini croquet at the Provo Beach Resort for Rachel's birthday. I did horrible, but had a great time nontheless.
Dallas did so well he won a free game! He's super excited here!
Enjoying some ice cream after.
Ross and gramps had fun walking around and looking at everyone having fun.
Going on a carousel ride with Auntie Rach
Our little hobbit.
Or an elf?
So Ross likes to cross his feet while he's sitting up playing with toys...I have no idea where this came from.
It's totally normal to him though.
And super cute...just look at those feet. :)
So...when we got back to Oregon - I don't think the plague was done with us yet - our car battery had died and fried the computer info connected to the engine - which all got fixed thankfully, and then Ross developed the croup - which was NOT funny. He had just had his wellness check up and was perfectly healthy, and then two days later woke up with a horrendous barking cough. We were up most of the night with him when we finally called the on-call nurse at our pediatric clinic. She told us to head to the ER because his breathing didn't sound so great. I had never been to the ER myself (other than a time when my sister split open her chin at an Arby's - which she still blames on me. She had tripped over my foot running for the lego table she was attempting to get to - she's convinced I had stuck my foot out to trip her on purpose - which is absurd!) - ANYWAY - that's all besides the point. The ER wasn't as intense and traumatizing as I had always imagined. I think it might have to do with the fact that we live in a small community. It was pretty empty when we showed up and the nurse was very relaxed and helpful. Ross got a dose of dexamethasone to help open up his throat a little more. We went home and it didn't get any worse, but it also didn't get any better, so we called the on-call doctor (who happened to be Ross's pediatrician anyway) who told us to head back to the ER if it didn't get any better. Of course all this is happening on the weekend when the clinic isn't open so the ER is the only option. The doctor had some x-rays done on Ross's throat to make sure it wasn't something else. Ross was NOT happy to say the least. I think all the yelling and crying actually helped his breathing a bit more after that though, because he sounded much better when we left. Everyone was super nice and helpful there. It made me so grateful to all those doctors and nurses who give so much of their time to help others. So now we've just been bundling Ross up every so often and going for a walk out in the cool air to relax his breathing a little bit and living on humidifiers and steamy showers. Ross is still his same happy self with a bit of a raspy laugh and cough. He really is a good sport when he's sick. I don't like having a sick baby EVER. Ross is still growing like crazy in spite of everything. At his nine month check up he weighed in at 22lbs .2oz - after the flu his weight progress went on strike for a bit, 29 inches long (a growth spurt making it from the 30th percentile to 50-70th percentile) and a nice sized noggin in the 90th percentile - 18 1/2 inches. He still makes the "oh" face along with the scrunchy nose smile to follow making him even cuter than ever. He rocks and balances on his knees when he's in the sitting position and reaching forward to grab something. He rolls around like crazy. He's developed this crazy rolley reaching crawl as well where he'll roll to the side and then push off one leg which scoots himself forward a couple inches and then he'll reach as far as he can with his fingers. He'll still tickle the ground and tense up on his belly when he sees something he wants. He laughs all the time and reaches for you when he wants to go to you. He's just started pulling himself up a bit - mostly when he wants to come up to me from the floor. He'll give you what he's holding if you hold our your arms and ask for it and he loves to eat people's faces with big slobbery kisses. He loves to chomp on his food - especially bread pieces and cottage cheese. He puts everything in his mouth - except little bits of food - it has to put in his mouth for him. He'll pick those up and just play with them instead of put them in his mouth...we're still practicing. He loves to drink out of different things - not so much into the sippy cups, but the real deal cups. We just love playing with him, snuggling him, reading to him, or anything else we can think of. Ross really just gets more and more fun to have around. We are such a blessed little family. Steve is getting ready to start his next set of classes tomorrow and I'm mentally preparing for him not being around as much anymore. We're excited for what this semester will bring though - we really have a great life.
