TRAUMA!

We had quite the traumatic experience the other day here at our house. Koen and I were in the laundry room where I was switching the laundry. He wanted me to put his jacket on him so he could go outside with Austin. I told him I would as soon as I was done. Koen headed out of the laundry room ahead of me and I closed the door behind me. All of a sudden Koen started screaming and I looked over and he was holding his hand and there was blood dripping off his hands. I immediately grabbed him and ran into the bathroom where I rinsed the blood off his hand so I could see what happened. I then realized that his pinky was missing the tip. I hurried and called Scott at work and then loaded the boys in the car to head over to his office. Scott took a look at it and said to take him to the ER. Koen and I headed over there to see what they could do for him. Scott went home to look for the tip of his finger and found it stuck in the door still (Sorry - that's kind of gross) and brought it to the ER. They called in an orthopedic surgeon to see what he could do. He told us we could try and sew the tip back on and see if it would live, but there wasn't too much of a chance that it would. We thought we would try mostly for the fact that we could tell Koen later in life that we tried and also for all we knew it could possibly work.

 Koen was so tough. He only cried for seriously about 5 minutes and then was pretty calm. He cried again when the doctor numbed his finger, but hasn't complained one bit since. He is a trooper. It's amazing the pain tolerance these little guys have.

It cut the finger down to the bottom of his nail and it was on the side of the door with the hinges. After the doctor sewed it back on, he proceeded to tell Koen that there were spiders on his finger. He was not so sure about that. Who tells a little kid that there are bugs on them? Every time he looks at his bandage he says that the bugs are gone.

He was so brave to look at it and let daddy switch the bandage. We went into the doctor on Saturday night to have him check it and he wasn't sure the finger tip would take. He wanted to give it a couple more days, so we go back today to see for sure. If it doesn't take, they will take the tip back off and let the open finger scar over on its own along with a few stitches.

Koen is doing really good and it doesn't seem to phase him too bad. It definitely hasn't slowed him down. I think it affected me and Scott more than it did him. He is a trooper and being such a big boy. We are so grateful that it wasn't any worse. Hopefully I can learn from this and be a little more careful. It was definitely a day of a rollercoaster of emotions. It just makes me sick to think about. It's terrible to watch your kids be in pain (especially when you were the cause). I know it was an accident, but it's just the fact that it happened. Hopefully the doctor will have good news for us today - if so, it will be a miracle. We'll see!

Batter Up!!!

It's that time of year when all the summer sports begin. Scott is part of a city league softball team along with those that he works with and a few others. He loves it and it is a good way for him and his fellow employees to get out and have some fun after work. This particular game he was asked to be pitcher and was a little nervous.

He did a great job. In fact he hit his 1st homerun and also had an awesome double play that ended up winning the game. It was so fun to go and watch and the boys ate it up.

All the employees at the office got their spouses and kids t-shirts to wear at the game and they even have the same number as the players. Austin and Koen were so excited to have a shirt just like dad and also to have the same number as him as well. Austin loved sitting in the dug-out with all the players.

Koen wanted to play so bad. He kept trying to run out on the field. He just wanted to play catch with his dad.

We had a great time watching their team and look forward to it every week. (Can you tell I love to have excuses to get out of the house?) :)

Jaxon is 2 1/2 months old!

It's crazy to think that Jaxon is 2 1/2months old already. It has gone by so fast. Here are a few things about him now:

He loves to suck on his hands. He actually prefers them over his binki sometimes. It's so fun to watch them discover things.

This is a look that I get quite a bit. "What family did I get sent to?"

Jaxon has figured out that in order to get any sleep whatsoever during the day, he has to cover his ears because his older brothers are way too loud.

He started smiling which is so rewarding. We all get so excited when he does it, including Koen & Austin.

He is now enjoying the bath more & not minding so much when he is naked.

He is now starting to lay down & be content for a change.

He is a happier baby now. He had kind of a rough start. He is colicky and has reflux, but he is slowly growing out of it. He gets a little bit better every day. It is so rewarding for me as a mother when he is happy and smiling and just all around a happy little boy. It's pretty crazy with 3 boys, but fun! At his 2 month appointment, he weighed in at 10 lbs and is 23 inches long. He's growing slowly, but surely. We love having him in our family. What a joy!

How Embarrassing!!!

For Mother's Day, Scott was so thoughtful and got me a membership to World Gym. And yes it is something that I asked for. I was so excited to finally have somewhere I can go to work out where I don't have to worry about the boys, and I feel a lot more pressure to work hard because there are people everywhere whether they are watching or not.

The very first time I went, I started out on the treadmill. I was doing really good running and then walking and going back and forth. I had my headphones in and was having a good time listening to my music and really enjoying myself. The place was packed -  in fact almost all the treadmills were full (and there are a lot of them), the bikes were full, and there were tons of people doing weight lifting. In other words, there were people everywhere.

It had been about 30 minutes or so and all of a sudden I accidentally hit the cord of my headphones and they came ripping out of my ears and the headphones and mp3 player fell on the treadmill and quickly sped off. Not even thinking, I stopped running and stayed on the treadmill as it was still going. I followed the treadmill to the edge and fell on my rear and then on my arm and fell to the ground. Mind you - the treadmill was going a good 6 mph. I immediately jumped up and looked around and no one even turned their heads to make sure I was ok or anything (which I was kind of glad). I got back on the treadmill and acted as if nothing had happened.

After that, I got off and got on one of the bikes. I went to put my headphones on and realized that I was missing the piece that you put in your ear. I looked up and saw it right as an older guy was walking up on it. He bent over and picked it up and immediately brought it to me knowing that it was probably mine. The conversation went as follows:

Man: "Is this yours?"

Me: Yes, thank you!"

Man: "Are you ok from your fall?"

Me: "Yes, I'm fine."

Man: "Wow - I'll bet that was embarrassing?"

Me: "Yep, it was."

Who has a conversation like that - well I do! Well, I do have two nice black and blue battle wounds. Needless to say, I HAVE gone back since and no one has said anything. Hopefully they have all forgotten who it was that fell off the treadmill. Austin reminds me every time I go not to fall off the treadmill and get another bruise. It's great when your kids are looking out for you. To imagine the incident a little better . . . those of you who watch Biggest Loser - think of Ashley on week 1 when she fell off. I'm sure it looked similar to that. Talk about embarrassing.

Jaxon's Blessing!!!

We had the opportunity of blessing Jaxon this past Sunday, and what a neat day it was. We were lucky enough to have almost all of both of our families there. We were just missing two siblings and their families due to being too far away - we missed you guys! Scott did a great job with the blessing. He always does! It's always so amazing to me how intune with the spirit he is and how well he handles such a responsibility of holding the priesthood. Well done, Scott!!! Scott also shared a beautiful testimony during fast and testimony meeting. I have to say that I am the luckiest girl in the world to have such a wonderful husband who is such an awesome example for our boys!

Sacrament meeting was quite pleasant for a change. Koen slept through the whole thing (which NEVER happens) and Austin sat really good with some of his cousins (which RARELY happens as well!)

Koen before church. He is always so excited to wear his tie.

Austin before church. I bought this suit over a year ago and it finally fits him. He was so excited to be twins with his dad. Matching ties and all.

The boys being silly. They love being together (most of the time)!

The "boys" . . . Jordan, Katie's dad, Ty, Brett, Scott's dad, Scott, Jaxon, Chris, Mike, Bryce, and Uncle Cleon. Not pictured: Landon & Brady

A proud daddy!

Why is it with three boys, you never get everyone to look at the camera at the same time. Maybe someday huh?

The man of honor!

We are so grateful to have Jaxon in our family. He is a great addition and we are so blessed to have three wonderful boys. Thank you to all that came to the blessing and for you love and support. We are so blessed to have such great families! Love you all!!!

Jaxon - 1 month???

Wow - how time has flown!!! Jaxon is now one month and a week old (ok - almost 6 weeks). It is crazy to think that it has been that long already. It seems like just yesterday that I had him. He is doing great though. About a week and a half ago we had to go to the doctor to have his skin tag removed and he weighed 8 lbs. 12 oz. That means he has gained a pound and a half since birth.

Here are some things about Jaxon:

• He LOVES to be held
• He loves to sleep with his hands by his face
• He loves to be cuddled
• He loves to eat, sleep, & poop
• He loves his binki (most of the time)
• He loves his carseat
• He loves motion (the vibration on his bouncer and bed, the swing, etc.)
• He DOESN'T LIKE to be naked
• He doesn't like to have his bum changed
• He doesn't like to be bathed

He is so much fun to have in our house and in our family. The other boys love him and love to hold him. He's a great baby!

The Wait Is Over . . .

Ok - we are about to leave the hospital and we had to make a decision. We sat up for hours last night looking at names and ended up coming back to the original name that we liked from the very beginning. The name is . . .

JAXON CHARLES ULRICH

He's a pretty cute Jaxon. Glad that decision is over with. :)