Finally Festive

It's taken us a while this year to get the Christmas decorating, Christmas baking, and Christmas shopping done. But we are finally festive!

This kid loves to be scared!

Wyatt is so funny, he absolutely loves to be scared, he loves the anticipation of being scared. In this video he is watching the scene in CARS where Lightning McQueen and Mater are tractor tipping. Lightning McQueen makes a loud sound when he revs up his engine, then the tractor wakes up and tips over. Wyatt wanted to watch it over and over and over again and had the same reaction every time. So funny!

Thanksgiving Point

Had a fun evening at the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. I think the erosion table was the biggest hit! This was right up Wyatt's alley....sand, water, splashing, making a mess...he was in heaven.

More Thanksgiving Picts

The kids had a great time playing in Grandma's backyard, there were several days that were warm enough to be out without coats on which gave everyone time to burn off energy. One of their favorite things was to play in the leaves, they even helped grandma bag up a few.

We spent some time exploring Provo Canyon and other scenic areas.

We also saw the lights at Temple Square. It looks so pretty this time of year. We attempted to take a nice picture for our christmas card while there, but it is nearly impossible to get all 4 kids looking at the camera at the same time in 15 degree weather, amidst a crowd of thousands of people, and all have a smile on their face. Didn't happen. Gave up. I'm not sure I'll get Christmas cards out anyway. :)

Thanksgiving at Daniel Summit Lodge

We were in Utah for Thanksgiving and spend Thanksgiving day at the Daniel Summit Lodge near Strawberry Reservoir. They had a fantastic holiday lunch and beautiful scenery! The kids had fun playing in the snow and swimming in a pool all in the same day!

Wyatt loved playing on the deck, we saw lots of deer tracks in the snow, but never saw any deer. It was beautiful to be up in the mountain and so close to nature.

Dear Blog: I have ignored you long enough...here goes nothing....

Wyatt is adjusting well to his new schedule in school. He is going between two schools now, which means still lots of driving for me, but he has such great teachers! We are truly blessed to have wonderful teachers and therapists helping him gain new skills all the time. However, this is what he looks like at the end of the day....

Totally exhausted! He has about 6 hours of therapy/classroom time every day monday through friday, so he has been falling asleep on the bus ride home with some regularity these days.

Let's get it done this year!

http://www.ksdk.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=54038142001#/Health/State+lawmakers+considering+bill+requiring+autism+coverage/48541678001/48340612001/54038142001

Autism bills have been "pre-filed" in both the Missouri House and Senate this year. Let's get it passed this year! Of the 12 most common neurologic disorders, Autism is the ONLY one that insurance is allowed to deny coverage for both the diagnosis and treatment. This is a real problem, affecting real families. One in 100 children born today will be diagnosed with Autism. ABA therapy makes a huge difference in the development of these children, but it costs between $60,000 and $100,000 per year. These bills will go a long way to helping these kids lead meaningful lives. ABA therapy in the preschool years can make the difference between having a self sufficient adult, or having one who will rely on government assistance for their entire life. Doesn't it make sense to spend a little money now, to save a lot later? Not to mention that these kids deserve to receive the therapy they need!

Deep thoughts today

The grass is not greener on the other side....the grass is greener where you water it.

It finally happened!

Finally, finally, finally!

Early on after Wyatt was diagnosed, John made a comment about how Saige at about 18 months would run back and forth between us giving us big hugs every night before she went to bed. I had forgotten about that night time routine from days gone by. The comment he made was something to the effect that he was sad Wyatt wasn't doing the same.

Then.....it finally.....happened!!! Last night Saige, John and I were sitting in a circle on the floor. I would say, "Wyatt, give mama hugs." He would run to me and give me a big bear hug. John would say, "Wyatt, give dada hugs." Again, big bear hugs for dada. Then Saige, "Wyatt, give sissy hugs." Big bear hugs for Saige. It was an AWESOME moment. A milestone. Not the kind the doctor writes down in the chart....It truly is the small things that count.

I remember a line from one of Jenny McCarthy's books about her son that always stuck with me. (Probably because I cried like a baby when I read it). She said that the love her son gives her is "Louder than words".

It is true.

Belated Halloween pictures

I'm only two weeks late...


I think the girls loved handing out the candy more than getting it!

A bumblebee, a princess, superman, and a baseball player!

Couldn't resist posting these picts

Three years! No way...

November 1st:
I know everyone says this, but time really does fly by so fast! I can't believe my baby has turned three! I remember very vividly Halloween night three years ago. I was FED UP with bedrest, I decided for myself that three weeks was enough and if I delivered at 35 weeks, this baby would be okay. So I took Saige trick or treating to 4 or 5 houses, then let John do the rest, and the next morning we said hello to a healthy, perfect baby boy! The past three years have certainly been an adventure, boys are so very different than girls. But what a sweet boy we have! Wyatt's has been learning the "Happy Birthday" song at school and learning to fill in the blank when his teacher stops singing (Happy birthday to _____). So when our family began to sing Happy Birthday to Wyatt, Ben, and John it was so fun to hear Wyatt trying to fill in the word "you" as they sang. The look on his face was so sweet because I think he kind of understood what was going on. He even tried to blow out his candles.
He also enjoyed opening his presents for the first time, I think his Hoops and Yoyo card was his favorite (thanks mom)!


Picture of the family birthday party for Wyatt, Ben, and John

Wyatt with his Hoops and Yoyo card (who needs toys anyway)

Wyatt at only a few hours old! Yes, he came out smiling!

Saige, proudly holding her new baby brother!