Dr. Jekyl and Miss Hyde

Here are some shots to prove that she can smile and be happy! The days are so good, and nights?? Not so much.

Like my mohawk?

She is filling out quite nicely, don't you think?

The Experiment Begins

We took a trip to the doctor today to see if we were doing all we can do to help Erin. I have read alot on milk protein sensitivity and so just as I was ready to cut all dairy out of my diet, the doctor suggested we try this Nutramigen formula. Luckily he gave me samples and we are trying it for 3 or 4 days to see if she gets any better. Tonight is the first night and it is much like any other night so far...lots of screaming except now I feel bad giving her this gross smelling formula and depriving her of nursing, which she keeps trying to do. It is emotional torture. Tune in next time when Erin is still screaming and we still din't know what to do about it. I hope 3 months comes soon and she outgrows it on her own.

My Little Corn Schuckers

I had a little help in the kitchen Sunday morning. They were all too excited to schuck corn and put the ears in the pot. I remember Mom giving me this job many a time! I was so ready to sink my teeth into some sweet crunchy corn but it so wasn't! Maybe I didn't cook it long enough, or too long but it was bad! I even tried to cook it longer and it was still hard! Maybe the farmers picked it too soon. It couldn't possibly have been
my fault:)

Where Have I Been?

What? Oh, no, I haven't been out of town. Why haven't I posted anything in a while? Oh because my baby hasn't stopped crying for a week straight! I'm on no sleep, the days are a blur, and when I look at Erin I have mad thoughts like, "Why did I get a crying machine for my 4th kid?" The kids ask what's wrong with her and, trying not to break into tears, I say I don't freaking know!!!! Now she has a stuffy nose, slight fever, and is choking and throwing up and mad because she swallows more air than milk when she nurses! When her eyes lock on mine all I get is a furrowed brow and wimpering as if she is telling me just how miserable she is.

My back is burning my muscles hurt so bad and my kids think my new eye color is red. I caught Cameron today with his hands on her head. She was crying of course and when I was about to scold him for bugging her he said, "I was just trying to give her a little blessing." Poor kid. He just wants peace and quiet too. It has to end soon right? It doesn't help that my other three kids didn't have colic and all were sleeping through most of the night by this age. I know, I had it comin'. Well, the deal is sealed..this is IT! NO MORE KIDS EVER!!! (Friends, please remind me of this entry when and if I ever talk of having another child! Thank you.)

More gifts!!

I have to post these fantastic quilts my sister-in-laws both made me. They are so cute! I was so happy to get them. They are so well done and little Erin will have a hard time picking a favorite. My brother Stephen's wife, Jenny, made the purple and green one. She also knitted some darling booties with cute little beads. I have gotten so may complements on them! My brother Cory's wife, Jennelle made the pink and brown one. I love the fabric choices and how you put it all together! Thanks for all the hard work! I love them ladies! Thanks!

You got to go MOD!

I have the most talented friend. Her name is Joni Gardine. Her link is on my list of friends. She has a great website modernmyrtle.com She made me a diaper bag for Erin but she has lots of great stuff. Check it out! Thank you, joni! I love my bag and make women jealous everywhere I go!

"It's an Emergency Mom"

For a long strech, most naps and mornings for me have been interrupted by Cameron or Sarah coming to my bedside and asking some silly question, or tattling or whining. This morning, however, I hear, "Mom, mom...this really is an emergency." So, I jolt awake in a stupor of having been woken up every two hours to nurse the night before. "Mom, water is just running and running out of the toilet." Oh crap! I realize I really do have to get up and 1st - unplug the toilet, GROSS, 2nd - create a dam so the water doesn't reach the carpet, and 3rd - figure out a way to soak up all the water. Enter, the shop vac. I thanked myself profusely for getting it for Darren for his birthday 3 months ago and started sucking up the inch of water on the bathroom floor. Then I gave Cameron a lesson in plunging so that this hopefully, won't happen again. Guess I'll need a nap for sure this afternoon. Can't wait.

More from Layton...

Picnic at Aunt Elaine's

Water balloon toss...watch out, here it comes.....

Twin Rides...The Skipper and Gilligan finally realize their dream!

Happy Birthday Ashley!!! The big 20!

Best Buds...until someone threw someone else in the lake..wonder who got thrown in?

Layton Preview

Andrew and Darren

Watching Fireworks from the deck

Kevin & Ash, Mom and Dad, and Brandon and Gina

Mom and Dad Ashton

Our Trax train ride into SLC

Blair, Wendy and their cute kids, Grayden and Kiryauna

Happy 4th of July!

More to Come...

Stay tuned for our week in Layton and 4th of July! A thunderstorm made me lose the slide show I had almost completed for this week at Ashton's. I'll have to redo it all. Don't know when...baby's cying...gotta go.

Road Trippin' It

After 6 days at home with Erin we packed up and all got in our car, hooked on the boat and slowly made our way up to Utah. It was a fine trip and I don't think Erin opened her eyes the entire way. It was painful, however, seeing us get half the gas mileage we usually get towing that boat! Was it worth it? Oh, Yeah!! We had so much fun out on Bear Lake. Chad put forth a stellar effort and finally got up on the wakeboard! Way to go! His core body temperature was so low when he was done his lips were blue for the rest of the day. Cory also got up on the wakeboard and quite easily I might add due to his snowboarding and skateboarding skills.

I think Craig and Tammy knew who the true Karaoke Champs were at the end of that competition. Or do we need a rematch??? The week at the cabin had more in store than just boating and karaoke. Lauren got to horseback ride for the first time. The kids and Dad explored a cave. There was sock wrestling, tug of war, playing in the sand and swimming, golf, star gazing through Scott's telescope (we actually saw the rings around Saturn!), mosquitoes galore, learning to kayak, a week of fantastic food and treats too. Thanks for the Coffee Crisp Auntie Gail!

Seeing my cousins and catching up was so fun. It was a joy to see each family and how they'd grown and meet new cousins we hadn't even seen before! We definitely missed Auntie Carol and wish her the best on her mission in Fiji. Can't wait until we do it again!!

Bear Lake Reunion 2008

More on Erin

I went into labor with her 2 weeks and 5 days early. It was Friday the 13th but luckily she came at 1 a.m. on Saturday morning, June 14th. She made a very loud entrance into the world and didn't settle down for a long time. She wouldn't have been so mad if she hadn't come sunny side up and rubbed off her eyebrows on the way out! It must have hurt!

She has been a very sweet baby so far. She already weighs a hefty 9 1/2 lbs. She is still getting the sleeping thing down at night and the hard part so far is deciding which one of the kids is going to hold her. Really, it's Lauren who is totally in love with taking care of her and Cameron and Sarah see her and think they need a piece of the babysitting pie. Lauren has been a HUGE help to me and has cute little names she calls the baby. I would have 10 more if I knew 10 good families that would take them after they turned a year old. We are blessed to have her and look forward to getting to love her into our family!

"Get that #%#@#* camera out of my face! Haven't I posed enough for you crazy people?"

My First Bath