Fun with Grandma and Jacob

The boys had way too much fun while Grandma and Uncle Jacob were here!  While Rich and I were in the hospital Jacob had the boys earn "money" by helping around the house, trying new foods, etc.  With their money they could then "buy" things from Jacob's store.  In those few days they learned some great habits--like trying new food.  James is an awesome food taster now--and most of the time he likes what he tries!

They also had a blast dressing up in costumes.  My mom told me that one day they all played Star Wars for 4 hours together!

Alex suddenly decided he doesn't like clothes.  He's doing a little better now... but some days he went around in just a diaper.

Since we've had record breaking temperatures (112!) here we had to find a lot of things to do indoors.  My mom always brings lots of fun crafts for the boys to do.

One of the days when I was feeling up for an outing we took everyone bowling (since kids bowl free all summer!)  Even Alex had a fun time (once we could get a shirt on him and get him inside!)

Every week my mom took the boys to the library for a craft and some books. 

Alex was extra tired this week and fell asleep on the floor.

Jacob enjoyed catching up on reading in the best seat in the library

On one of the last days that they were here I got a package in the mail... It was my pirate playhouse that I won!  The boys had a great time in the new hideout.  Jacob even sent the boys on an awesome treasure hunt with a special prize at the end (donuts, superhero popsicles, and a movie to watch--thanks Rachelle!)

On occasion they ventured out into the sweltering heat.  They went to the park and the sprayground.

And one day they even went to the zoo.

Note: Alex wouldn't get dressed this day and instead wore his jammies to the zoo... at least he was clothed.

Several days the boys headed out into the back yard to play in the water.  My mom gave them some little frogs that squirted water and they had a blast trying to get Uncle Jacob.

We were so blessed to have my mom and Jacob come out.  Jacob was so patient with his nephews and it was fun to see them all get along so well. Not only did they keep my (often whiney) boys entertained but Mom cleaned, cooked, shopped, and stocked the freezer with numerous meals for after she was gone.  Plus, it was nice to have some adult conversation during the day!  And in the evening we always enjoyed a game and dessert after the boys were in bed. I don't think I could survive without her help!

Splish Splash

Henry's umbilical cord fell off Tuesday afternoon.  My mom left for the airport a few hours later.  While Rich was gone to the airport Henry decided to pee (on his face) while I was changing his diaper.  Awesome.  So I went to give him a bath where he decided to pee again (and poop!) in the sink.  At that point I gave up on the idea of a bath and just washed his face.

But then my mom came back that night!  Since she was here an extra day she was able to give Henry his first bath.  I'm pretty sure my mom has given all of my boys their first bath.  I'm pretty sure that's why she had to be here an extra day :)

He wasn't so sure about it at first...

But then he decided it really wasn't so bad after all!

Baby Henry

My mom and brother went home yesterday.  They was supposed to leave Tuesday but due to some flight delays they got to stay with us for another day.  So now we get to adjust to our new "normal."

Henry's birth was fairly uneventful--which is what we were hoping for.  No emergency c-sections, no trips to the NICU.  The only thing different was on my part.  I chose to have an epidural this time because I get a nasty headache from spinals.  When they say that epidurals aren't as deep they aren't kidding!  I was actually in pain this time... until I got a little more medicine.  But the pain was totally worth not having a headache for a day or two!

Later in the evening my mom brought the boys to meet their new brother.  William and James loved him... Alex didn't even want to look at Henry!

He preferred to stay on the other side of the room and eat potato chips.

And all of the boys enjoyed eating some enormous chocolate chip cookies.

Since we had such an 'uneventful' birth this time we even got the opportunity to go home early!  Hooray.  It was nice being able to leave when we were ready instead of waiting for our baby to be released!

We came home to some great signs made by the boys.

Henry is such a good baby.  He sleeps most of the day

and when he is awake he just lays there and takes everything in.

He is so content and happy.  (As a side note... we thought that James was the same way but he was on some serious drugs!  Henry is just naturally this way.)  He is always getting the hiccups--which are just too cute.

His brothers can't get enough of him.  William is always wanting to hold Henry or lay down by him.

James loves to talk to him and kiss him on the head.

And even Alexander is coming around.  He'll even occasionally give him a kiss.

My brother, Jacob, was great with Henry (as well as the rest of the boys!)  I asked Jacob one night to watch Henry while I did some other stuff.  I caught a glance every once in a while and saw him telling Henry all his body parts ("Here are your hands" etc) and singing songs to him.  It was very sweet.

I am so glad that my mom and Jacob were able to come out and help.  I don't know what I would have done without them!  We miss them already!

Stay tuned for several catch-up posts!!!

guest blogger

My parents live in California and have been campaigning for Prop 8. Recently they wrote an editorial which was published in their local paper.

An Education in Tolerance

by Sharon Kaye Fisher

I am trying to figure out what tolerance means with regard to Proposition 8.

My good friend has a cousin who is lesbian. Her cousin is invited to all the family activities and continues to be an active part of the family. Another friend’s father is gay. This friend visited with his father growing up and his father often “hangs out” at his own family's house now. My husband hires and employs gay and lesbian individuals who also serve in some of the highest management positions in the company. These actions exemplify tolerance to me. All of these friends are supporters of Proposition 8.But all I read about in the newspaper and hear about on TV interviews from those opposed to Prop 8 is that its supporters are “intolerant”, “hateful”, and “discriminatory”.

Yet those same three words describe recent experiences from the opposition: (1) A friend’s car was spray painted because she had a “YES on Prop 8” bumper sticker; (2) “YES on Prop 8” signs were stolen from yards; (3) There was verbal abuse, name calling, and swearing to those making Prop 8 phone call surveys; (4) Because of the opposition in their work place, some of my friends are fearful of discussing Prop 8 or putting “Yes on 8” bumper stickers on their cars.

Why is the opposition intolerant of an open discussion? Why is the opposition intolerant of visible support by an overwhelming number of Californians in favor of Prop 8? Why would the opposition create an environment of intolerance, fear, and intimidation?

I can’t help but think that Mayor Gavin Newsom gave us the answer to all of these questions when he said, “It’s gonna happen, whether you like it or not,” regarding same-gender marriage. There doesn’t appear to be any tolerance by the opposition for the discussion of Prop 8. Even though 61% of Californians voted to support traditional marriage in 2000, there seems to be an intolerant attitude for an open democratic discussion as well as a democratic vote. Instead, there is much effort to suppress both. To me that doesn’t sound like the tolerance for debate necessary in a democracy.

Tolerance is a two way street. Four Justices were intolerant of California voters and threw out a law similar to that found constitutional by four other State Supreme Courts. Let’s stop the intolerance to those trying to inform voters of Prop 8. Let's not jump to unfair conclusions about how Prop 8 supporters treat those who chose a same-gender lifestyle. Prop 8 is not anti-gay. Prop 8 is protective of children and supportive of traditional marriage and family--which is the fundamental unit of every society. Let’s be tolerant to at least discussing the perspective of Prop 8 supporters.

(Editorial written by Brent and Sharon Kaye Fisher sent to Press-Enterprise Newspaper, Oct 12, 2008)

my mother

My mother says she doesn't care

About the color of my hair

Or if my eyes are blue or brown

Or if my nose turns up or down.

It really doesn't matter.

My mother says she doesn't care

If I am dark or I am fair

Or if I'm thin or if I'm fat,

She doesn't fret over things like that.

It really doesn't matter.

But if I cheat or tell a lie

Or do mean things to make folks cry

Or if I'm rude or impolite

And do not try to do what's right,

Then that really matters.

It isn't looks that makes one great,

It's character that seals your fate.

It's what's within your heart you see

That makes or mars your destiny.

And that does really matter.

My mom taught us that poem when I was 9 or 10. She taught us everyday by her example the message of that poem. My mother is wonderful because:

*She is a great teacher and is wonderful at recognizing teaching moments. For example, I remember taking baths when I was little and she would tell us scripture stories about water--Noah's ark, Gideon's army (where they drank the water), etc.

*She is very knowledgeable about gospel topics and the scriptures. I think my love for the Old Testament came from her telling me the wonderful stories in it when I was very young.

*She's great at making even mundane tasks fun.

*She has a fabulous laugh (it's even more fun to hear when she's laughing with her sisters.)

*When I was younger I was pretty sure that my mom liked everyone and only thought good of people because I never heard her speak an unkind word about others.

*She's super organized and likes to plan ahead. (Have you seen Meet the Parents? Do you remember that they had a schedule for the wedding? So did we... I still have a copy in my scrapbook.) I wish I was as organized as she is.

*When she finds good info she passes it on. I love that she's introduced me to the wonder of essential oils...

*She always has good advice... whether it's how to teach a particular lesson at church or help with my boys she always knows. She's a wealth of knowledge.

*She's really talented both musically and as a seamstress. I don't know how many formal dresses she's made but they are each beautiful. And she used to accompany us on piano all the time. I wish I could do those things.

*She's frugal... but not to a fault. When my dad went back to school (I was in 4th grade) I guess he thought he'd save some money by pulling the dandelions in the yard and having us eat the greens. My mom refused to cook them and when my dad finally did it himself she told us that we didn't have to eat them until he did. Let's just say that my dad was the only one to ever taste the dandelion greens.
*She's not only a great mom but a wonderful grandma. It's sad for me that my kids don't get to spend very much time with my mom... but the time that they do spend it great. William is always telling me things about Grandma Fisher!

I love you Mom!

Happy Mother's Day!