2 years of Franklin

Before you realize that you’re not quite caught up with the time flying by, reality takes a check. Franklin turned 2 on Friday the 7th. Of course it was only 2 years ago he was born, but I remember it vividly. Franklin was born 11 days early and after 6 hours of being in the hospital, 2 of those hours spent on pushing alone, he was born at 4:58 p.m. 6 lbs. 10 oz. and 19 ¼” long. He has been the perfect child; easy to please, and highly entertaining all on his own.

Of course I now realize that birthday’s are more for mothers for the early birthdays than for the children. We had family here for Lisettes’ blessing so the night before we did a little birthday celebration. He loved being the center of attention with both sets of grandparents, and Heidi and her family there.

Franklin is a very intelligent boy, and extremely lovable. He has been stealing hearts left and right since the day he was born. It’s amazing how easy it is to love him, and he is addictive to be around. He understands so much that we tell/ask him, and he has very many words he knows. However, he still only wants to speak his language; it adds to his ability to steal your heart. He is so animated when he talks, and has great inflection to his voice and many expressions in his face.

We love our son, and are so grateful for the love and joy he brings to our life, and to everyone who knows him. Enjoy these photos of 2 years of Franklin!

One Crazy Month

Sorry about the last post, the program I was using wasn't allowing me to correct pictures, or put captions, so I deleted it and went with Picasa. Yes, you may click on the title of this blog to access the album if you like to see the pictures better. Enjoy!

Adding up the math

I have been taking some pictures but as I'm sitting here typing I know this blog will not be written at this time if I have to spend more time trying to upload pictures. I'm sorry, but my patience is thin, and time has been shorter than I ever could have imagine.

So Lisette, poor thing, has been having the worst time. If some of you are wondering, allow me to set the record straight; Lisette is formula fed, and I will openly admit that nursing has emotionally taken its toll on me, and it is most likely due to post-partum. Never had it before, but I suddenly feel the need to be very open about how things are for us in all ways. Since we moved here Lisette has been getting worse. All babies tend to have gas/fussyness problems, at least as far as I knew, but this was unbarable for all in this home. We all were experiencing something that was making us all sluggish, and not feeling well; aside from lack of sleep. My brother's son, Ian, had many problems due to colic so Christian had lots of advice for me. I know I didn't need to plead to get his advice, but I did anyway. I suppose pleading is a form of letting others see your desperation.

We haven't tried everything he has suggested (just because you have to play the elimination game) and my sister-in-law, Jamie also recommended a different formula. I had recently been given a sample of a pre-made formula, so we decided to try that, along with one of my brother's suggestions; keeping her verticle for 30 minutes after feeding. Things aren't 100%, but compared to how they were, we are very happy with these results. The thing that I had been trying on my own, and I will keep giving it to her, is prune juice. Its not much, and I'm sure many of you are thinking she's too young, but unfortunately for Lisette, she has inherited her mothers digestive system, or so it seems. Poor thing is having way too much trouble, so 1 - 2 tsp. of Prune juice, daily is helping in just the smallest way so far. We can't miss a day or we have to start over.

We also bought a case of water, and since we all began drinking it, we have noticed a small change. Stephen's theory is that our water is abnormally hard. I think I'll have it tested at Sears (literally, that thought just occurred to me, and yes, its free, I used to do it for others when I worked there). We have an on-sink filter, but we don't think its working as well here as it did in Springville. We are thinking about getting those huge jugs that you take into walmart and fill it from one of those water stations.

Today we attended our own ward, and so far we love it. I had the craziest 3 hours of non-stop de ja vou. I honestly kept thinking I must of know someone from somewhere, then as Relief Society was ending I realized I had way too many people I thought I knew in one room, at the same time for it not to be de ja vou (I hope I'm spelling that right). Franklin has been having the craziest runny nose, without other cold symptoms, so apart from getting allergy medicine this morning, he spent church with Stephen. Obviously Lisette was with me. Afterward both kids were ready to crash, and I'm wishing so much that we did too. I don't believe a person can ever "catch up"on sleep but it sure never hurts to get more when you haven't had enough. That's how Stephen and I have been. Little sleep = loss of patience + loss of time.

I know this heat is taking its toll. Its been dancing around 100 degrees all week. We are roasting, and very grateful to have a/c in our new place. With my own hot flashes even the fans need to be running. For those of you who doubt that anything north of the desert can be just as hot as the desert, come visit us, right now! We actually saw a commercial about our local aquarium, and how its known as the aquarium in the desert. Though I fail to see the desert, I certainly feel its heat. Things are of course picking up for Stephen because of this heat. This next week he will be on-call, so I believe we won't see much of him thoughout.

Because I feared that walking away to take care of some parental duties would prevent me from finishing this blog, I am finding myself at its end so that I can get Franklin in a nice cool shower. I may put on my swimmie and join him. He finds that more fun anyway. This week I will upload the pictures and hopefully next weekend I will post them. Please have patience with me, and if you can, share some of it with me; I could use a little. I do promise you though, things are getting better.

Rearranging the Moon

Our move is over, and the house is almost in order. I am 2 weeks behind on blogging, and I had thought to add pictures, but, as usual, they will have to come on a later post.

Things went smoothly, enough, for our move. Some women from our Springville ward assisted us by holding Lisette while we packed. Our home teacher helped us pack and load. At night, after all the cleaning was done, my brother-in-law, Adam, and two of his brothers whose families were visiting helped us unload. One of our neighbors assisted us until re-enforcements came. Jodi, one of the brothers, told me I needed to take a picture of when we are done putting things away, just to show that all our stuff fit. I'm almost done getting things where they need to be and its amazing how well if all fit, and how much room we still have.

We have met a few neighbors, and on Sunday we ended up attending the wrong ward. The complex is split, by buildings, into the 4different wards for this neighborhood. We did meet with someone from our wards' bishopric before we walked home to request our records. Of the few people we met that we know are in our ward we really like already. We are very happy here so far!

On July 4th we moved a little into the apartment, and brought the cats with us. They irritated us with their whining, and meowing for 3 days, but they are obsessed with being able to see out the windows at the world. Franklin has enjoyed living here very much. The complex playground is right outside our door, and Franklin is thrilled with that! We have been stunned every morning with how much light comes in, as our place faces east.

Lisette is having problems with constipation, and is also near impossible to burp after feedings. Franklin had these problems too when he was an infant, but no where near as bad. These problems have robbed us of sleep and sanity. That's where the title of my blog comes in. I've been so sleepy all the time that aparently I'm talking in my sleep. Sunday morning I told Stephen that I had been up all night rearranging the moon.

All the anti-gas meds only make it worse, we've tried them all! We are trying something else, and will let you know if its working. Lisette is also a very demanding, spoiled little girl. She wants to be held; ALL the time!! Last night, and the night before have been a little better, but I don't want to say more so I don't speak ahead of myself.

We love our new location, and it has been easier on Stephen with work, and traveling. I do miss Springville, a little, but the benefits of being here far out weigh the things I miss. There are tons of children Franklins age here, and many babies as well. Our stake is full of younger families, so we know we will finally make some friends.

We are still on for Lisette's blessing on August 2nd. We are looking forward to seeing all who will be able to make it, and excited for you to meet our daughter.