I fell off the wagon...

The blogging wagon, that is!

Due to the increased demands of school starting and juggling 5 munchkins, along with a more rigorous work schedule, I have had "blogger's falling behind" syndrome.

I plan to resume more regular updates when stuff calms down after the holidays...and I also smell a new camera in my future...maybe Santa will be good to me this year? We shall see!

In the meantime, updates will be trickling in...

Back to your regularly scheduled program.

Oh my goodness, she's already TWO!!!

It seems like just yesterday when Miss Alyssa Claire was born - she grew into a little girl so quickly...

Alyssa is a fun little girl to have around. She is very independent - dresses herself, tries to change her own diaper (not so fun), changes shoes often, does little chores, chatters incessantly, watches Mamma Mia! (it is actually her favorite movie, and she dances to the songs, too!), nurtures anything smaller than she is.

I am really enjoying watching her cute personality emerge - some days are more enjoyable than others!

We had a family party for her birthday last Sunday evening. I made a ladybug cake - turned out good, but it was really a pain in the neck to do! She got a new scooter (to grow into, it is a bit big), pajamas from Aunt Kristen, a puppy dog from Aunt Karen, and a little cd player (fake) from Grandma and Grandpa...

Tonight, on her actual birthday, we let the kids decorate their own cupcakes.
She got another pair of pajamas (a girl can't have too many, you know!) and a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD - she thought it was great that she got her very own movie...nearly took it to bed with her! As soon as she opened the jammies, she wanted to put them on - we've got a little clotheshorse on our hands!

I can't imagine our family without our sweet little Alyssa! She constantly has us in amazement and hysterics over her various antics!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Alyssa Claire! We love you so much....
P.S. This is a picture of Emma's cupcakes (bleck)...have a little bit of cupcake with your decorations, right? We had a blast!

"I'm Gonna Die..." Poor Little Guy...

On September 3rd, we took Reagan to Vanderbilt (again) to have surgery on his throat. He has never been able to form his words correctly because of a submucous cleft palate (repaired last year) and his uvula not being long enough to close properly. This caused most of his words to come through his nose, which made it nearly impossible to understand him.

The surgery wasn't until 3:30 pm, which was pretty crummy because that meant that he could not eat all day long. He was allowed to drink juice until 10:30 am, though, so that helped a bit. We also bribed him with a trip to Target and let him pick out a few GI Joe action figures.

When we got to Vandy, he was scared. He remembered his last surgery and was not cooperative about getting his vital signs taken, etc. so they decided to do all of that after he had his "happy juice" medication that calmed him down and readied him for the surgery.

A child life specialist came in to talk to him - she had a bag of medical equipment so that she could explain things to him. She pulled out a blood pressure cuff and asked him if he knew what it was for. "I'm gonna die..." he exclaimed. "I don't want to die..." She was a bit taken aback and we pretended to take his Mickey Mouse's vital signs.

After that, they gave him his medication and he started to get a bit strange. Reagan on a normal day can be funny, but Reagan on Happy Juice is hysterical! He gets very silly, laughs a lot, and says weird things. When it really kicked in, he couldn't walk a straight line without falling over, so we put him in the bed with the rails up.

The surgery went well, it was so sad after he came out, though. He was in extreme pain and I left him about 9 pm with Clay. We expected him to be in the hospital for days like last time, but he was able to come out of it more quickly and we got him home two days later.

The day that we went to pick him up, Emma went up to him and said, "Talk to us, Reagan...Can you talk normal now, like us?" Funny thing is, Emma's concept of normal and our concept of normal are completely different! Go figure!

Happy Anniversary!

I guess this is another "time flies when you're having fun" post...On August 23rd, we celebrated our 13th Anniversary! It doesn't feel like it has been that long at all, but if you look at our wedding pics and how young we were (20 and 21) and our pics now and how old we are (you do the math, LOL!) it definitely looks like we've been married a while.

Clay brought me some beautiful coral roses. We each gave each other a trip - he got to go white water rafting with some of the other guys in the ward, and I get to go to Lexington, KY with my mom and sister next weekend to see some historical sites. I know, lame that we gave each other the gift of getting away, but whatever works, right?

This year, we were going to go to a movie, but there wasn't anything really good playing. At the last minute, we decided to go miniature golfing - it has been eons since either of us went, and we have never actually gone together. We ended up having a really good time! It was a beautiful, cool, August night and we talked (instead of watching a movie and not talking). Afterward, we went to Steak and Shake and shared a small meal (and a mint, chocolate cookie shake) MMMMMMmmmmm!

1st Day of School...

Summer came and went quickly this year...the baby really helped to make it fly!

I can't believe that Zach is already in 3rd grade and the twins are finally in Kindergarten, time flies when you're having fun!

Here are our obligatory 1st day of school pictures...

Zach's first day:

Emma and Reagan's first day:
Don't they all look big???

I didn't take pictures of the celebration lunches (yes, plural!) that Kristen and I did in order to commemorate our renewed sense of freedom! Yes, we still have little kids at home, but it is SO much easier to go and run errands, shop, etc. when you don't have ALL of them with you!

Have a great school year, kiddos!

A Baptism and A Blessing...

Forgive me for being a bit late in posting this...life has been crazy the past few months!

On August 1st, we baptized our oldest child (Zach) and blessed our youngest child (Ashleigh). We combined the events because we have out of state family and they wanted to come to both. Zach turned eight in January, but waited for this reason to be baptized.

We chose to bless Ashleigh on a Saturday because she was so little, we didn't want to bring her to church where she could potentially be exposed to a lot of extra germs.

Zach was baptized first. We had a simple little program where my BIL, Adam, sang a beautiful song and my sister (Kristen) and Dad both spoke. Of course, there were a few little snags - Clay baptized Zach in the shirt that was meant to be for him to wear afterward, the baby messed her pants right before being blessed (so she gassed the guys out), Zach's hand came up out of the water so he had to be dunked twice, etc. Actually, very minor issues to have happen - nothing we couldn't deal with!

All in all, it was a wonderful morning. Family and friends gathered together to support us in the occasion and we all had a great time!

This blog has been interrupted...

This blog has been interrupted because a lot of LIFE has been happening here!

Stay tuned....we have a baptism/blessing, an anniversary, school starting...all sorts of episodes to add.

Also, it doesn't help that the author of this blog is seriously lacking in sleep. Rumor has it that she actually went blank and stuttered at the drive through of Taco Bell today...I know, lame - huh?

More to come...

A Day in the Life of a BUSY almost 2 year old...

7 am - Wake up (on the wrong side of the bed) dragging all blankets to the living room - there are 4

7:05 am - flush toilet for no reason, opening bathroom door even though there are childproof knobs that my 5 yr old siblings can't open...what a joke!

7:15 am - Have all blankets stolen by mom to wash

7:30 am - Eat breakfast, spilling most of the sticky cereal down front, under chin, and on the tray

8:00 am - get dressed and ready to leave

8:30 am - get crammed into the stroller with baby sister in the back, have bag full of m&m's thrown at you, go into the school for kindergarten assessment

9:15 am - home from K assessment

9:17 am - strip all clothing off of back, keeps the diaper on just to humor mom, run around the house like a maniac.

9:18 am - flush toilet for no reason

9:18.5 am - flush toilet again - just because

9:19 am - flush it again, just for good measure...

9:25 am - have clothes put back on by mom

9:30 am - put sister's new school socks on, pulled up to knees - and add brother's transformers sneakers to the beautiful ensemble...amazingly, the white bow is still intact in the ponytail...What Not to Wear - watch out!

9:45 am - take off all clothes because mom is nursing the baby and can't stop me.

10:00 am - find sister's shorts in the drawer and try to put them on upside down...

10:05 am - flush toilet

10:15 am - run around the house - after having diaper re-applied to body

10:30 am - beg for root beer - and get it, because mom is so tired she doesn't care anymore

10:45 am - flush toilet

11:00 am - dressed again, and put back in the car for shopping trip - WHOOOPEEEE!

11:30 am - arrive at Target

12:30 pm - get tangled up in seatbelt of Cadillac cart at Target during the process of trying to escape.

12:32 pm - scream "I stuck, I stuck"

12:33 pm - Mom caves and carries me, while pushing Cadillac cart and checking out.

1:00 pm - arrive at Burger King for lunch

1:10 pm - get lunch

1:12 pm - pass lunch to little cousin, who eats most of it - except for the root beer

2:30 pm - arrive home ---- with NO NAP for the day

2:32 pm - go upstairs and drag MORE toys downstairs

2:35 pm - flush toilet

2:45 pm - try to climb in pack and play to get baby wipes

2:46 pm - Mom notices a huge blowout diaper

2:47 pm - Dad changes diaper and starts the bath while I scream the entire time

2:55 pm - Dad puts my pajamas on and retrieves the now clean blankets

3:05 pm - Pajamas are now off

3:30 pm - Find mom's new bottle of shampoo and rub it all over body like lotion

3:35 pm - Get another bath, with new pajamas

3:55 pm - Remove top of nightgown, pulling it down to waist - an improvement over the previous, Lady Godiva type ensemble with only the diaper

4:00 pm - try to scale kitchen counter for drink - fall

4:10 pm - cuddle with dad on couch for about 30 seconds

4:44 pm - run around screaming because of no nap and no lunch

4:55 pm - hit chin on edge of pack and play while trying to climb the side, again

5:04 pm - climb up on kitchen chair behind mom, crying - fall off chair

5:05 pm - climb back up and give mom kiss, while crying, with a snotty nose

6:00 pm - eat dinner - feeling happier

6:30 pm - fall asleep in high chair, put to bed

Sound familiar anyone???

A week ago....

A week ago, we were waiting to meet this little angel. We wondered if she would be blond, bald, and how big she would be? How would we feel when we saw her? How would the c-section go?

It has already been a week and we are all completely in love. She has a full head of dark hair - something we didn't expect...her temperament is perfect. All of the kids, except Alyssa (who is having a hard time understanding, but still adores her) have been great. They are excited right along with us about the most mundane, precious things that she does. Our home is truly blessed by this little spirit who was meant to come directly to live with us.

The surgery went okay...we had a major problem getting the spinal in - it took them 4 tries - during which I almost begged them to just put me out. I have a huge bruise from the 16 shots (4 each try) that it took. Not a good way to start off! The surgery itself went well - normal c-section stuff...they pulled her out and she was so quiet compared to Alyssa! Alyssa came out and was like a siren...Ashleigh was quieter, more dignified, I guess!

Clay got to cut the cord this time - the only time he has been able to do it - he thought that was pretty cool...I was a little surprised he went for it - but glad. When he brought her around to see me, he whispered, "Look, she has lots of dark hair!" I was so excited...years ago, when we were first married, I had a dream about a little dark haired girl jumping on our bed. Every time we have had a child, we have thought it would be that little girl...I had given up hope and figured that she wasn't really supposed to be ours - but she finally came to us! Clay knew about this and was tickled to death to be the one to tell me.

The hospital stay went pretty well - pain control was better than the last time, but I was still in quite a bit - we figured out why a few days later. I kept her in my room most of the time - dressed her up in little onesies and sleepers and had a ball with her. She is quite a good little companion! I would go on the laptop and she would fall asleep in a little cocoon on the bed with me...the perfect little buddy! She also learned quickly that I was the one to look for when she was hungry! Amazing how quickly that happens!

There was a drawback - I was supposed to go home on Saturday morning, was all ready and excited to go - but they found that I have an infection in the skin above my c-section incision called cellulitis. It is pretty painful, which is why I was in more pain at this point than expected. I was pretty sad about it - ready to go home and the kids were depressed. I had Clay make the most of it though, he took them to the park and McDonald's, they had a good time and it took their minds off of it.

On Sunday afternoon, I was able to come home after 24 hours on the IV antibiotics. It is still pretty painful, and with the swollen skin, I resemble the female wooly mammoth on Ice Age. I know, not very flattering, but that is how I feel right now. It is amazing how much better the belly looks stretched out with a baby inside! You won't be seeing pics of this phenomenon, by the way!

All is going pretty well at home, except Zach did sprain his ankle badly last night and is in a removable cast and on crutches...let's just say it slows him down a bit! ;o)

Clay is home with us - thank goodness - for this week...don't know what I would do without him.

We will update you later!

She is here!!!

Introducing Miss Ashleigh Kate Turner....

We got to the hospital at 5:30 am for the scheduled c-section...after a rough time with the spinal (they tried 4 times to get it in). Ashleigh was born at 8:41 am. She is 6 lbs, 11 ounces and 18 1/2 inches long. She has a full head of dark hair!

I'm in pain, but managing...and totally in love with our newest princess. I'll blog more later - but wanted to get some pictures up for your viewing pleasure...

Blueberries Everywhere!!!

Well, after reading Becky's blog recently, I started to get a hankering for some fresh blueberries. We have been trying to spend some fun time with the kids before the baby comes next week, so I researched where the blueberry patch was located and the hours, and we decided to make an outing!

At 8:30 am, we piled into the car and turned up the Neil Sedaka cd...Emma was especially excited, because she had recently seen an episode of Special Agent Oso where they picked blueberries.

We arrived at the patch and were all given buckets. We wandered down the rows, and explained which berries to pick and which to leave. Reagan really got into it - he was an awesome little blueberry picker! He took the job very seriously...the others thought it was fun, but he didn't want to stop! Once he looked at me and said "I make a blueberry pie!" Then he started asking for blueberry waffles and pancakes...My work is cut out for me for the next few days! Emma put orders in for muffins - Zach doesn't really care, he just wants some good stuff!

Alyssa was pretty funny, she kept picking the unripe berries and throwing them into everyone's buckets. They would get upset with her "Mom, Alyssa put ANOTHER yellow one in my bucket! Alyssa - stop that!" She had a blast!

After we picked over 5 lbs of berries, we let them play on the playground that was on the premises. They had a ball - ran lots of energy out and we watched...

Since this is the last Saturday before the baby, we had a lot of errands to run today - but I am very glad we took the time to enjoy ourselves too!

Top 12 Indicators that the Economy is Bad...

12. CEOs are now playing miniature golf.

11. I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

10. I went to buy a toaster oven and they gave me a bank.

9. Hot wheels and Matchbox cars are trading higher than GM in the stock market.

8. Obama met with small businesses - GE, Pfizer, Chrysler, Citigroup and GM, to discuss the Stimulus Package.

7. McDonalds is selling the 1/4 ouncer.

6 People in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and are learning their children's names.

5. The most highly-paid job is now jury duty.

4. People in Africa are donating money to Americans. Mothers in Ethiopia are telling their kids, "finish your plate; do you know how many kids are starving in America?"

3. Motel Six won't leave the lights on.

2. The Mafia is laying off judges.


And my most favorite indicator of all.


1. If the bank returns your check marked as "insufficient funds," you have to call them and ask if they meant you or them.

"Guys can paint their toenails too..."

On the morning of the 4th of July, I had a little pedicure session with my girls. Emma wanted red toenails and fingernails like me - so that she was patriotic. Alyssa came in while we were dolling ourselves up and stuck her little piggies in my face, so she has red toenails too...

We came out of the bathroom, transformed! Zach saw our toes and said, "Some guys paint their toenails, too..." Clay and I looked at each other and I said, "No, most guys don't paint their nails, Zach..."

He insisted that it was an "okay" thing to do...I then said, "Zach, only sissy guys paint their nails...ask your dad if he has ever painted his nails before."

He turned to Clay and Clay said, "I can promise you I have never painted my nails before, Zach..."

Then Emma piped in..."Yes, 'cause Daddy is NOT a sissy guy!"

Random Pictures...

Alyssa enjoying a HUGE chocolate bunny from Easter. This girl loooovvveeees her chocolate!

Alyssa and Reagan fell asleep on the couch one night...if he had been awake, there is no way she would have been laying on him! Aren't they cute?
My impish little nephew, Campbell...he is getting so big!
Emma asleep in a very weird position. Notice the boo-boo bunny in her hand - she probably bumped something again...also the remotes are strategically placed!

Alyssa's Big Girl Bed

A few months ago, we got the girls a bed from Craigslist. It is a single bed, with a drawer-like trundle that you push underneath at night.

With the new baby coming, we moved her over to the big bed several weeks ago. She did very well - really seems to like having more space.

It is funny...sometimes at night when she is tired - she puts herself to bed. One night, she put herself to bed in our teepee and we couldn't find her for a few minutes! The girl likes her sleep!

Here are a few pics...