SUMMERHAYS

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Catch up

I LOVE SUMMER.

Majorly. Big Time. Huge Crush. Twitter-pated. Seriously. I LOVE summer.

I used to not be like this.

I used to get sick of summer.

I used to miss school and all my friends.

Summer was dull.

NOT ANYMORE.

I LOVE having my husband feel stress-free from school! I LOVE the bright mornings and still-lit nights. I LOVE being able to play outside and have all sorts of adventures. Mostly, though, I LOVE having my best friend feel stress-free and ABLE to play!

So- here's a few things we've been up to.

The evening we got back from our fabulous camping trip (see previous post), Our dear friends and siblings, Jon and Alyson, invited us to go to 7 peaks with them. Hmm... or maybe it was the next weekend. Nuts, I forget. At any rate, we went to 7 Peaks. Shanners watched Channing for us, and we took Christian. IT WAS SO FUN!!! J&A were awesome enough to trade off watching Bubbies so we could all go on the slides. I was a huge fan. It was my first time there, and I loved it!
Afterwards, we came back to our house were we had delicious restaurant style mexican dinner that J&A brought over. We played games and ate brownies, and I lamely fell asleep during our extremely rousing game of Skip-bo, and then everybody left. Oops. :) But major thanks guys for SUCH A STINKING FUN AFTERNOON. Wooot!
(no pictures, but rest assured, Christian was the CUTEST creature on the planet (over the age of 2 weeks).

The next weekend I really wanted some watery fun, so we made a giant slip-n-slide out in our yard. It was a blast.

The funniest part: Patrick had me lay down on my tummy and had Christian straddle my back. He then picked up my legs and was going to try to push me along so Christian could get a good ride. It didn't work. I didn't move. Try to picture this, people. It looked pretty darn hilarious. Then our civilized neighbors from upstairs came walking out- they didn't get to witness the actual slipping and sliding, just me on my stomach, Patrick holding my legs try to shove me along a giant tarp with Christian on my back. We are official lunatics. Patrick's note: There was too much friction on the front of the slip-n-slide and not enough water. Once we got to the water it turned out to be a great idea and a lot of fun for Christian.

But we had FUN!

We did figure out that we could hold Christian's hands and run along the tarp and he would slide along nicely on his tooshie. As we would slide along the tarp, we'd say, "Weee!" and Christian started to crawl around the tarp saying "Wee!" It was super cute.

Later that night..

Patrick took me on a hot date (thanks, Stewarts, for watching our kids!) to McGrath's Fish House. It was super delicious. We got Italian sodas and accidentally slurped up all the syrup in the first drink... so we had to get new ones. :) Patrick's Note: Why in the lame-sauce did they not stir them up for us? That definitely put a ding in our server's tip.
Thanks babes for such an awesome night!

Can you tell I'm a happy girl?

Monday, July 7, 2008

Camping? You must be Crazy!

I am fed up with our computer/internet.
More pictures soon.
Blah.

In anticipation of the Summerhays' River Running Trip in July, we decided to test the camping waters with two kiddos to reassure ourselves (okay, mostly everyone else- we were pretty confident in our kids' camping abilities) of the plausibility of said river trip.

I am pleased to report a raging success.

June 27, Fri., we spent packing and purchasing final camping items. Then, right after Channing's biblical surgery, we headed out to Hope Campground up provo canyon.

We had a Total Blast. Seriously. We sent up our almost embarassingly large tent (and by 'we' I mean patrick) got a fire going, and started cooking our delicious Hobo dinners. After dinner we went for a walk around the campground and returned for one of the celestial desserts- Smores. Oh yes. Let me not fail to mention- the camping was made official in the first 10 min when christian totally face-planted in the dirt and rocks.

Christian went to sleep like a champ, and the patrick and I stayed up reading our book and enjoying smore smores.

Channing woke up around 4 am for food and Patrick changed his diaper on the little changing station of the playpen where Christian was sleeping. The commotion woke up Christian who was quite delighted to find his little brother in such close proximity. And to find that everyone was sleeping in a tent. He was so perky and happy. It was a bit ridiculous. Thankfully he went back to sleep like a charm.

The morning found us enjoying hashbrowns and eggs and a few marshmellows for good measure.

It was an AMAZING trip. one of the best parts? Getting home in like 15 min. Ah, yes. Gotta love Provo.

And so, we ask ourselves as Erma Bombeck did:
What Kind of a Mother....
-Goes camping 2 weeks after passing a watermelon through her body?
-Takes said infantile watermelon camping at a mere 2 weeks of life?
-After his hopefully most traumatic man-surgery of his life?
-Gives her 18 month old a year's supply of marshmellows?
-For breakfast?
-And thinks the whole thing is wonderful?

Insanity? Possibly.
Wonderful? Yes
Being able to say within our hearts: "i told you so"? Priceless.

Channing most of the trip:

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Post 100!!

Okay. This is our "big 100th Post"-which apparently is supposed to have quite a celebratory and special theme to it. However, rather than continue prolonging creating said 100th post in an effort to come up with said celebratoriness and creativity, I am going to simply post what I am starting to forget.

I had quite a story about my first day alone with the two kiddos (yes, this is old) but as I tried to retell it to a friend today, i realized i have forgotten much of it. So! Before it all slips my mind completely... Without further ado, I present:

The First Day Alone.

The Monday after Channing was born, Patrick went back to work. He was only going to go until 12:30, then we would take Channing to his Dr. appt. together. Okay. 4.5 hours. I can handle this.

Feeling ambitious, I got Channing dressed. The ambition continued. I got christian dressed. Wow. Its only 9am and I have both kids dressed. I impress even myself! What an Awesome and super stellar mom I am!

59 minutes later....

IT"S ONLY 10 O CLOCK!?!/!/!?!? I'm. going. nuts.

Christian NEEDS a nap. Christian doesnt want to nap. Not when there is such a fun new novelty that breathes and squirms and moves around. Mom says Christian must nap.
Channing is napping in the crib ('why can't you be more like your brother?? HE's taking a nap. HE doesnt jump out of bed..') Christian gets sleeping while mama rocks him. Channing makes a squeak. Christian, suddenly alert, belts out his new word: BAAAYYYYYBEEEEE!!! BAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYBEEEEEEE!!! Clearly, Christian can't go to sleep if channing is already in the room. I remove channing. Place him safely in the middle of our ginormous bed. Return to Christian. After 2 more failed attempts, I finally decide with Channing safe in our room, if I shut Christian's door tight, even if he Does get out of bed, there's nothing in his room that can either a)endager him or b)be endagered BY him. So, I shower.

Ah. Relaxation. halfway through shaving my legs:
BOOM TICK BOOM BOOM TICK BOOOM TICK BOOOM BOOM TICK.

Our electric keyboard. rhythms. Full Volume. Im half-deaf. In a seperate room. In the shower. And it still almost hurts my ears. ear. Lovely.

Christian is standing on keyboard bench, jamming to the pulsing beat. Smiling like a Crazy. Channing, angel, is still sleeping on the bed.

later...

Im in the kitchen. I dont remember doing what. Christian comes out with the toilet brush, 'helping' scrub the floor. Not too bad. after all, he's trying to help, Im sure. "Thank you christian for helping mama! now, lets go put this back!'-
Enter bathroom. The ENTIRE toilet is COVERED in red marker. Look at the Crazy. Marker covering his arms, hands, chin, and even in his ears. 'Oh my! were you coloring in here?" (note- all this really was said in a pleasant, high, soft voice. This is the one aspect of the day that I am proud of.) Take a picture as proof.

Finally. it 12:15. 15 more minutes to go.

Channing messes his pants. No biggie. Go to change him. Patrick calls. I answer. He's only blocks away. Hallelujah! Still pleasantly chatting.
Changing diaper. get everything wiped up. Reach for new diaper.

I never knew poop could shoot out like a water fountain. For 10 seconds straight. Covering a very large distance and surface area. Of brand-newly washed items.

I just love learning.

"Honey. Come Home. Fast. Run."

4.5 hours down. 1 lifetime to go.

-The Beginning.

Moral of the story:
It has been reconfirmed to me that one thing for sure I was blessed with is a 'sense of humor' in these situations. Rather than get stressed, I laugh. (this is both a blessing and a curse). I never once lost my cool. That day, at least. I saw the humor in it all, and paused to take a picture of the toilet. (something patrick did not understand.)

Yes, Life is Crazy. and an adventure. and wonderful. A great big crazy, wonderful adventure. and I am Loving it! :)

Happy 100th.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Birthday! Birthday!

Today is a wonderful day full of reasons to celebrate!

Today is Channing's 2-week birthday. WOOOOOOT! Happy 2 week birthday to youuuu, happy 2 week birthday to youuuu!

I cant believe its only and already been 2 weeks. On the one hand, MY BABY IS GROWING UP!! I cried about this every day for the first week (lovely hormones), but now I seem to be okay with this. Maybe it's mostly because I'm excited for the two kiddos to wear matching outfits.

On the other hand, I feel like this sweet boy has been a part of our family for much, much longer than 2 weeks. It just seems so natural and so right to have him here in our family. I had quite a bit of apprehension in my ability to love another child as intensely as I love Christian, but no longer. I now know the meaning of the saying that you don't have a limited amount of love, but that your heart and the love it contains just continues to expand.

Christian is our Angel Boy. There have been a couple of instances now where we have truly witnessed the hand of the Lord in protecting him. He has some special mission here on earth I am certain. His obsession with balls is greater than ever and he seems to have found his mischievous streak now he has a little brother to teach. He has a very large vocabulary--of first syllables.

We love our boys so ridiculously much!

We went to a WIC appointment today where both boys got weighed and measured.
Christian: 24lbs 13 oz, 33.5 in? (this one we don't remember exactly)
He's in the 75th for height and now almost 50th percentile for weight. Woot! :)

Channing: TEN RIDICULOUS POUNDS. TEN. The boy is 2 weeks old. He has gained 1lb 5 oz in 2 weeks. He is 1lb 5 oz over what they 'like to see' by two weeks. Babies need to gain back to their birth weight by 2 weeks. This kid was at 9lbs by 4 days. I tell you people, he EATS.
-21.75ish in. (bah! I cant remember!)
He hits between 75th and 90th for weight and head is in the 50th. (compared to big brother's 10th percentile head at that age...)

Okay, this post is CLEARLY more for our records than for any reader's personal enjoyment. :) Too bad I didn't mention that before you started reading all this! :P

Now for some Ridiculously cute pictures documenting the day. (Apparently 'ridiculous' is the word of the day)
-There are a LOT of pictures--given their cuteness, who can blame us?
We have fun in our house. (the loveliness of my hair is due to our playing hide-mama's-head-under-the-blanket-then-yank-off-said-blanket earlier.)

What Handsome Guys!! What a lucky woman I am. :)

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Patrick's Post: Happy Father's Day to Me!

First off, let me thank all of you family and friends who continue supporting us with your prayers. We are grateful for your faith expressed on Channing's behalf. Also, thanks to our friends and family of the 29th ward who make us feel like someone is always at our beck and call.

Today was a great Father's day. Let me be honest in saying that it was not the typical mirror image of Mother's day where mom gets roses and breakfast in bed. I spent the day working to keep Tawna off her feet and from lifting anything (especially Christian) at all costs. This meant that it was a day of work, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I even found some measure of satisfaction from doing the chore I hate the most: dishes. Knowing that I was serving my Babes and helping her recover made me feel good.

Besides making sure Tawna didn't overdo it, I spent the day loving my boys and cherishing the moments of the two of them getting acquainted. We managed to capture some pretty stellar pictures.

Tawna was in no position to get me a gift this past week, but she did something that is more typical behavior of me than of her--she planned ahead. :) She bought me the extended versions of the Lord of the Rings on DVD! WOOOT! On top of that Christian made me a card and Tawna wrote me a loving letter. What more could a father ask for.

An update on Channing: After 48 hours on antibiotics via IV, and numerous blood cultures and chest x-rays, the only thing the doctors could find was a small opening in Channing's heart that is very common among newborns. It should close on its own in the next couple of weeks. They will continue to pay close attention to that at his wellness check-ups in the coming weeks.

As an appendage to the health issues with Channing, when he was first born, I noticed his tongue was connected with the underside of his mouth pretty close to the tip. We took Channing to the doctor on Monday and he checked out okay (it was a follow up to all of this mess to make sure he made it through the weekend okay). While we were there, we mentioned his tongue to Dr. Hafen (great man, that Dr. Hafen) and he decided to give it a little snip. The procedure is pretty painless and the skin is so thin that it didn't even bleed. Now he will hopefully be able to eat better (he didn't have much problem before surprisingly) and to gag and spit up less.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Channing, Cont.

An update on our newest sweetie-

Wednesday afternoon the nurses noted that Channing's breathing was super fast, which was a concern. We thought things had improved, but later than night we noticed his breathing was still super fast, so we notified the nurses. They took Channing out to be monitored. About 2 am the nurse and the on-call pediatrician updated us on the situation. Channing's breathing was a major concern--it indicated his body was having to work hard elsewhere, likely trying to fight off an infection. He is hooked up to an IV in NICU, receiving antibiotics for at least 48 hours. They took a chest X-ray, which the nurse frankly told us looked bad. On top of everything, this morning they heard a heart murmur.

Patrick and Dad Summerhays gave Channing a blessing Thursday morning just before the second Echo (heart ultrasound)- I watched the whole Echo and the technician guy said everything looked terrific- nothing to indicate any reason for a murmur. Later this afternoon there was another chest x-ray which looked much, much better. We've been witnessing all sorts of little miracles today.

Channing's breathing is still a cause of concern- the cultures come back tomorrow so we'll know more then.