Tis the Season

The boys had an awesome time this holiday season. On Christmas Eve Craig took Payton and Brooks to "The Barn" Christmas Eve church service... Brooks thought it was absolutely hilarious as the cow kept on "mooing" through the entire service. Braxton and I attended the Danebod Church Service with my Mom and Dad. I couldn't tell you if I have EVER missed a Christmas Eve Church Service at Danebod - I have always really enjoyed them. After the church services we had an AWESOME supper at Doug and Bev's. The kids kept themselves entertained with balloons, the Wii Fit, wrestling, and of course the new gifts once they were opened. As you can see from Braxton's picture above he was crashed and ready for bed. He was an awesome baby that night considering all of the running here and there and the chaos from the older kids. We got home in time to put the boys to bed... who were super excited that Santa was coming and I think it took about 2 seconds for them to fall asleep. Braxton was the first to awake which in turn came Payton and then Brooks. They looked for their stockings right away... Santa was good to them and gave them pj's, under-roos, toothbrushes, slippers, a movie, and Payton's new 'blow-up ball' (that he asked Santa for). He always asks for the hardest things to find - last year was an orange whistle. When they were done with their Santa gifts they opened their presents from us which was the Wii. Payton loves playing that... and can beat his Dad in baseball and golf. Craig got me an apple ipod and a new pair of tennis shoes - both of which will come in very handy. I finally broke down and bought Craig the tools that he has been wanting... forever.

We then had to get things packed up for my Mom and Dads. Once again an awesome meal prepared by Gma Peggy and Gpa Brad. Of course us kids usually help out and bring a dish to share as well... but nothing ever seems to beat the main course (or the many Christmas goodies that she bakes). And for the last time this season was the gift opening... I don't think that anyone left without a car load. I thoroughly enjoy the time spent with the family especially those that we don't see very often. It always seems that Christmas sneaks up on us and that there is a ton of planning and all of a sudden it's over. I am very greatful for the 3 Wonderful Adorable Boys that I have along with 1 Awesome Husband. I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and I wish you all the best in 2009.

BAER Hearing Test

When Braxton was in the NICU at Sanford he was put on a gas (Nitric) which was forced into his lungs to help him with his breathing. When small children are on this it has the potential to cause some hearing loss. The doctors informed us that he wasn't on this for very long so he should be okay however they would like to run the test just to be sure. If I remember right he was only on the nitric gas for a couple of days. So this past Friday was the day for the test and we are happy to know that Braxton has no hearing impairments. Since he was "moderately" sedated he was not to have anything to eat or drink up to 6 hours before the procedure (except clear liquids up to 2 hours before). We went with pedialyte so he wasn't starving or crying all the way to Sioux Falls. Everything went smooth... we got there, got checked in, met with the nurse, the anesthesiologist came to visit us, the nurse came back and gave Braxton the sedation medicine (chloral hydrate), and Braxton was off to jammy land (taking what they call an "exaggerated nap"), the gal came to do the test and 1/2 hour later he was done and awake... and STARVING. I have posted a couple pics of Braxton hooked up to the machine that was testing his hearing. The BAER hearing test puts sound into his ears and the "pads" that were stuck to his head measures the amount of brain activity based on the sound put into his ears. It's a hearing test that the child does not have to cooperate with. We were pretty sure that Braxton had no hearing problems but felt that it would be nice to know now if there were any slight impairments. He was pretty sleepy the rest of the day which was really nice... so we could finish up our Christmas shopping. Once again another awesome experience with the doctors, nurses, and staff at Sanford.

Potty Training Complete...

Well I am so happy to say that Brooks is completely potty trained. He has been wearing underwear for 2 weeks now. He had a couple accidents the first week other than that the only other accidents that he has had are when he goes in to use the bathroom and he can't get his pants and undies down fast enough or if he "shoots" over the toilet seat and hits his undies. We are so very proud of him and new that he could do it. I am not sure what really made him become potty trained but I am definitely loving it. For being trained at 2 years 3 months he does an awesome job. I know some people say that boys are harder to train however I beg to differ. Both of my older boys were the exact same age. The accidents that he did have we would still have him clean up his undies which he was not too fond of so maybe that played a part in the training. I guess it doesn't really matter now as long as he continues to be a BIG BOY!!!

1st Grade Letters...

Payton was so proud that he was able to fill a "full" piece of paper with sentences. I have taken pictures of those sentences... see if you can read what he wrote. I remember looking back at my papers from grade school and laughing at our beginner level spelling. He really does an awesome job. At conferences we found out that he is reading at a 1st grade 8th month level. At the time of testing they were only at 1st grade 2nd month. We are VERY VERY pround of Payton and hope that he continues to succeed in his schooling.

I never thought I would but I couldn't resist...

No offense to those who put their children in the same outfits for pictures, holidays, etc... (I think it's cute when people dress their children the same). I just never thought I would do it - let alone with 3 boys. I have always bought the boys new sweaters to wear for Christmas and ended up finding the same sweater in 3 different sizes for the boys. I will probably never be able to do this again. I can't wait to put the sweaters on the boys and take their picture.

He's Rolling Rolling Rolling...

Braxton has started rolling over from his belly to his back. The first time he did this was Nov. 20th (2 1/2 months old) and is now doing it on a pretty regular basis. It's amazing how fast they really do grow and change. About every time I do laundry I find myself putting away more baby clothes as he is out growing them - it really makes me sad. Sad to know that "I" will never dress another one of my babies in these adorable baby boy clothes.

Family Buck Hunting Experience...

Saturday Nov. 15th the entire family went out just to look for deer. Instead of switching car seats over to the pick-up we took the Denali instead. Obviously by the looks of the pictures we should have taken the pick-up. As we came up over a hill Craig spotted a doe... I look in the binoculars and spot a buck. Craig decides that he is going to shoot it so climbs out of the vehicle. I am trying to keep the 2 older boys quiet so we don't spook the deer as we are waiting to hear the gun shot. Craig jumps down and tells me to get in the driver seat as he is going to walk around the back side and see if he can sneak up on them. I back down the road that we were coming down and he is sneaking around the other side. The doe stands up and walks away... the buck stands up and... BAM... he runs into the corn field. I am trying to keep watching the deer in the binoculars and come across Craig motioning me (like an airplane stewardess) to go this way and that and drive (my vehicle) into the field to come and get him. So across the fields we go... bouncing all the way. (ha ha ha) As we come up on Craig he asks Payton to jump out and help him track the deer as he saw blood on the corn stalks. I thought he had missed the deer and that he ran away. Payton was so excited as he kept telling Craig... "yep, here's some blood... here's some more... THERE HE IS... YES I FOUND THE BUCK!!!" It was so awesome. That is the first time in 29 years that I have ever seen a dead deer before being gutted as well as the first time ever to see anyone ever gut a deer. The 'buck deer' was a 6-pointer but had a good size body to him. Craig said that he was very hesitant on whether he wanted to shoot him beings he wasn't so big... but since he had his family as his audience he thought he better. It was an awesome experience and I am glad that the boys got to be a part of it.