2 Years Already?!

Eliza had her birthday January and I can't believe how fast the year went. I feel like we were just celebrating her first birthday. In my defense, A lot did happen in 2016!! She really didn't get that it was her birthday at all and since it was just after Christmas it was like a continual flow of presents. She didn't complain though. I hadn't planned anything big, but like all of my kids birthday, as soon as it comes I go out and buy everything imaginal for a "party". So long story short, she got spoiled... She loved opening presents and loved everything she received.

This last year was an exciting one for her and her development. First she got off that retched medication and I can only bet she was finally able to see clearly. She became a big sister! It took some getting used to, and one on one lessons of softness, but she is a great sister and she loves Nora to the max. She started to walk!! A little late, but she did it and that was a huge relief. She is now sleeping in a big girl bed, since climbing out of her crib and falling to the ground. So now she has mastered playing during nap time. By playing I obviously mean, emptying every drawer, diaper holder, wipe container, closet, toy box, she can reach. I spent a good while putting everything back. It did help me to organize though!!

She is still working on talking. She says a few words (they don't actually sound like the real word but mimic them), Momma, hello, bowl, Nora, sorry, and will do a few animal sounds. Mostly meow (which sounds more like maauu, rar, ssssss (for snake), she will also stick her tongue out for dog. She understands everything and will follow instructions, she just can't get words out I guess. She will also "ask" by making the "huh" sound in a higher pitch while cocking her head. It makes me so happy to see that, because I know she is capable of trying. We  have been meeting with a speech therapist for a few months now and I'm not sure if anything is working. It's more like play time for Eliza, the therapist wants to see her trying and hopefully make some sounds to help diagnose her. But Eliza is stubborn and will not make a peep for her, which is very frustrating. Tomorrow is her last visit for now. I think we decided to take a small break to let her mature a little and hopefully just start talking. This is definitely a hurdle I am anxiously waiting to be over.  We have started learning sign language more seriously and when I see her communicate in that way I am elated! One way or another this child will be heard.

Her Neurologist moved and now we have a new one that I'm not sure about yet. He pretty much wants to research everything all over to get a clearer picture. So in a few weeks Eliza will have another MRI and hopefully that will give her Dr. what he wants. 

 Every year around this time I am reminded of how Eliza started her mortal journey here. It was a short 2 weeks of our lives in the hospital, but it seemed like it was an eternity and it consumed me in every physical, emotional, and spiritual way. And today there are some unknowns that still consume me. Eliza is progressing and that's all that matters, but in the stillness I worry. I just know how life can be hard, and I want it to be easy for her. Haha. I also worry if I will be the mother that she needs. We are perfect for each other in many ways, but as her caregiver I can't help but feel that I need to give her more. I'll work it out and it will work out the way my Heavenly Father has intended.

Lately everyone in the house has been sick (like for months). I don't know if this is why, but she has been sooooo snuggly. She has to be on top of me all the time, and I LOVE it! She is my sweet precious girl and I'm not so sure I deserve her.

Hyrum Porter Haroldsen

"My name is, HiNumb Poto Haaolsen"

This is how Hyrum addresses himself and it's just about my favorite thing that comes out of his mouth. There are plenty more too. A few months ago, he loved to say "nope" only whatever he was saying he would say like Yoda. "I like you, NOPE". Haha the BEST. He went through a stage where he would say, "AH man!". Now he says, "Are you kidding me?", He says begot for forgot. I love that. When he is upset with me or doesn't get what he wants he'll say to me, "Momma, you know I never need a momma again.", a few things he has said that made us laugh enough to write them down are:

Dad to Hyrum, "Joseph didn't mean to trip you buddy, it was an accident."
Hyrum in response, "Well accident's are NOT ok!"

Hyrum to Mom, "Why do you have cracks in your eyes?" Referring to the red veins in our eyes.

Hyrum to Dad, "I think you're getting too much medicine...your belly is getting bigger and bigger and bigger." Referring to his insulin pump medicine.

Hyrum is probably one of the goofiest kids around. He literally thinks everything is funny. There is a toy in our house that sings a little "skat" and he cracks up EVERY time! Oh and there is a song in Aladdin that has a part that says "and all the monkeys, and all the monkeys" he things that's hilarious and sings it ALL day long. Haha. He really is just awesome! He is very silly, but also very serious and is known for his evil eye. But mostly he and Joseph just like to make up silly names for things and laugh all day.

Hyrum is a lover of life, he loves playing, going outside and getting dirty, loves to sing and dance, he loves LOVES LOVES his siblings, he loves nursery at church, he loves learning new things, loves books, and of course TV shows. When we go for walks I have to stop at every dandylion so that he can blow the seed everywhere (most of the time they end up in his mouth or someone's hair). Oh!! And he loves to clean (vacuum especially) and I couldn't be happier about that!! He seriously loves everything.

I am socked in the gut when he reminds me everyday that he is getting bigger and stronger. I know and recognize this and I wish it didn't have to happen so fast. He gets bigger, smarter, and stronger everyday and it kills me!

The last two years have been busy. With welcoming two new babies he has adjusted so well, as if he were never without his sisters. Even though it has been a struggle for my mind and body to have three babies in under 4 years, I am so glad that they are close and have each other. They will never know life without one another and I feel like that is such a blessing.

2016 has been full of excitement and joy and Hyrum has the perfect face to describe all of it!

I'm sure glad we have Hyrum in our family! He is a perfect fit and an essential piece to our family puzzle. I honestly look forward to all the joy he brings to our everyday life. Life is so much fun with him around.

Joseph

Joseph is now a first grader and will be six  years old in just 3 more days! I know this because he reminds me every 10 min. He loved school and can't wait to go back in a week. We are excited because his kindergarten teacher moved up to first grade and Joseph will have her again. We love her lots and lots, because she is firm and loving...Just what a busy, rowdy, tender boy needs.

Joseph and Hyrum got baby chicks and they have been a source of great joy to these boys, Joseph in particular. Even now, that they are grown, he loves them. He checks for eggs every day and tries to pet and hold them (I have even caught him in the coop a few times). I'm sure if I let him he would sleep out there with them.

Right before Eleanora was born we went to the beach and let me tell you this boy LOVES the ocean. He kept telling me, "this day is so fun! He loved running in the water and then running from it before it swept him out to sea. I only had minor panic attacks the whole time, but tried my best to just let him have fun. There was a family that dug a gigantic hole and when they left, Joseph and Hyrum took turns jumping into it, getting sand in every pore on their body. It really was a wonderful day, I love to see my babies so happy.

And in contrast we went up to the Sequoias, while there was still snow on the ground. That was another "Best day of my life" days for Joseph. He had so much fun exploring and making snow angels. He really is just a fun boy to be around (unless we are shopping or going somewhere "boring"... then I have to fight the urge to drop him off at an orphanage).

We have had so much fun this summer, even with the summer including a bout of the stomach bug. We went to the zoo, slash parks, library activities, camping in the backyard, fire pits, trip to the ice cream store, swimming, friends, and even crafts at home.

He has been such a joy to have around this summer and I am seriously dreading school starting. He is excited though. He loves being the big brother and is the biggest help and I am so grateful. Sometimes he will get frustrated, but he still tries to be helpful. He'll say things like, "I didn't ask for a sister like this!" after Eliza has destroyed his legos for the 1000 time that day, or he is quick to tell me if one of his siblings is being "rotten". He makes me laugh and I know I will always be loved by him, even in moments that he tells me that he hates my guts and that he wants a new mom. HAHA. He is a very passionate boy, a quality I am so happy about. He never backs down on things he thinks are right (even if he really is wrong). He will always be my loyal, tender, loving boy even after he turns 6.

Eliza

We are officially half way through the 8th month of the year and I obviously should have been updating more because SOOOO much has happened... AND people are starting to hound me for updates.

 Eliza is officially medication free as of February and doing perfect! It is so nice not to have to worry about that any more. We met with her neurologist one last time before he moves to a different hospital in Dallas. He released her from care, unless she has any other episodes. We are especially grateful for Dr. Katayan, and know that he was nothing short of a miracle in Eliza's first year of life. Had she come a month earlier or even a week later, he would not have been her doctor and we are very aware of how Eliza's care could have been had he not been her doctor. It is hard not to get emotional while thinking of how things could have been, but aren't because of our Heavenly Father's plan. It was so hard to think clearly enough to recognize that He had it all figured out and that I just needed to have a little more faith. Amazing His plan truly is! There are still some unknowns, but we are ok with that. As for now she just had a therapy evaluation, where she was completely evaluated to make note of any delays early in her life. She is right on track for everything other than her actual speech, which is at about a 12 month level. Right now she really just makes a few noises, and so there is cause for concern. Chances are she is just a little behind, because she was pretty much asleep her first year. Haha. So we will set her up with speech therapy and hopefully she can get caught up quickly. Again nothing to really be concerned about, she knows and understands everything and if I need to just teach her sign language so that there is some form of communication, seems like an easy enough solution. She is finally walking as month ago, so that's one less thing to worry about!! She is just about the cutest thing in this entire universe!

Eliza is very tender and a loves to please us. If she gets frustrated with one of the boys or even myself, she will scream and begin to lash out, but quickly turns her tune and will come in for a hug or a pat. I can imagine life is difficult for toddlers, especially ones that simply just don't talk. I think she is just about as graceful a toddler can be. Lately she has found a little independence and attitude that goes with it. She is quick to let her opinions known. 

Eliza is a natural born nurturer, she loves anything fluffy or baby like. She gravitates towards dolls, or stuffed animals...even pillows, to hug and take care of. Today I found her trying to feed Eleanora a bottle in the eye. Haha. She wants to be a momma so bad. I have to watch her close though, because she is also a beast and could smash her baby sister with just her thumb. Haha. 

 

Right before Eleanora came, we took a quick trip to the beach and she LOVED it. She must be a beach babe at heat because she was so happy with the wind and the sand. I am so glad that we got to go, even if it did cause me a back injury that lasted several unbearable weeks. She loves to take pictures of herself, so we got quiet a few of her being her happy, silly self.

Did I mention that she is silly? Well she is! She loves to laugh, and dance, and play. I am so grateful to have a girl like her because she is so fun to have around.

I went thru a box of my keepsakes and I found an outfit that I wore when I was a baby and I was on top of it enough to remember to have Eliza's picture taken in it. I hope I remember to do the same with Eleanora.

Well that's my little red head in a nutshell! She is such a miracle and a joy to our family and I'm so grateful my Heavenly Father entrusted her to us.

Farewell 2015!

What a ride it's been! 2015 has brought so much of everything, honestly it has been full to the brim. I can honestly say I had no idea going into 2015 the growth that our family would experience. This year will be one for the books for sure! I am so grateful of all the many miracles that took place in 2015 and will continue to take place in 2016. I look forward to the New Year as I say goodbye to a worry-some year and go into a year with new exciting things...Like a new and exciting BABY girl! AHHHH. Another baby?!?! Thank goodness I have some loving kids and husband, because I will surely become even crazier than I am now. Haha.

(Picture of the boys finding out there will be a new baby!)

Joseph started Kindergarten this year and he loves it! He loves learning and making new friends. He is a very active five year old and we are so grateful to have a huge backyard to get all of his energy out. He recently lost his two bottom teeth and we are enjoying the hole in his mouth. He continues to be the most loving tender boy I have ever met (even with his new found teenage attitude).

Hyrum is a sweet boy and is growing like a weed! I wish we could slow down time and keep him little forever. He loves to be helpful, play hard, and make everyone laugh. He misses his dad while he is at work and his brother while he is at school, but loves having Eliza to himself. When Eliza gets sad or hurt he will sit next to her and sing her a song until she is happy again (which doesn’t take long).

Eliza has been nothing short of a joy and a miracle to our family. The boys love her and pretty much our world revolves around her. Her health issues continue to be a thing of the past, and we look forward to getting her off of the seizure medication in January. From there she will have a few more tests just to see how her brain reacts to the change. But so far there has been no indication that she even needs the medication. She is hitting all of her milestone right on que and continues to be the happiest child, for that we are so grateful! We look forward to celebrating her on her first birthday on the 10th!

 Jason recently welcomed a new baby of his very own this month, a new truck! He is in love. Haha. The kids can’t wait until he gets home from work every day and when he does he spends the rest of the night under a bunch of crazy kids. He is Eliza’s best friend, she is the happiest when he is home holding her. We are so grateful for his unconditional love and never ending service to our family.