Great Grandma's and Grandpa

I've decided that Lucas and Ty are lucky boys. I have a friend who has three boys and they don't have one grandma or grandpa still living. Our boys not only have Grandma and Grandpa Garner, and Grandma and Grandpa Jeppsen, but they also have Great Grandma Otteson and Great Grandma and Grandpa Cray. Plus, Lucas got to meet his Great Grandpa Otteson and his Great Grandma Garner before they died. I don't know that they will remember knowing these grandparents but we have pictures of them with each and it's special for Bryan and I to see our grandparents holding our children.

Lucas and Ty

Lucas is doing great as a big brother. He loves Ty. He loves to hold him, play with him, and wake him up so that he can play with him. One of Lucas' favorite things is when Bryan brings Ty to his room at bedtime to say goodnight. Ty then turns into Spiderbaby for Lucas. Ty swings around the room and sticks to the walls. Lucas loves it and begs for Spiderbaby every night. Sometimes Lucas is a little too rough with Ty but he is learning. I'm so happy when I see them together and so grateful that Lucas and Ty have this blessing of being brothers.

Hanging in There

That's how I feel right now. Like I'm hanging in there and I wish that I could do more. I wish my house was clean (like it is on Mondays when I used to spend three or four hours on it), that I could play more games with Lucas, that I could get back into Relief Society, that I could start working again, and that I could fit back into my pants. Then I tell myself that it's only been three weeks and that I need to relax a little and not start stressing out already. But that is me. I think I like to stress out and when I don't have something to stress about I must not be happy. That's why Bryan and I go together so well because he always calms me down and tells me how great I'm doing even when I think he really can't be telling me the truth.
Bryan has been great. He takes Ty every night so I can be in bed before 10 and then he makes sure I can sleep in until 8 or nine. He works from home on Mon, Wed, and Fri, and still leaves for work a little later on Tues and Thurs so I can get that extra sleep. What a great guy.
Lucas is doing fine too except that the change has been a lot for him. He doesn't deal well with change and is very schedule oriented. The smallest change can destroy his day. Every day is an adventure with him and I love him. Ty is a good baby and I feel very blessed to have him here. So I'm hanging in there and reminding myself that Ty will only be a newborn for a short time and Lucas will only be five for six more months so it's okay if there are dishes in the sink and laundry in the wash. It's okay that I'm not working and that my counselors can pick up the slack. It's all okay and I just need to relax a little longer. (And by the way, I'm not really complaining. I know most of you have dealt with much more than this and I am truly grateful for what I'm going through. I wouldn't change it for anything.)

Happy 37th

Happy birthday to Bryan! We had a little party for him last night. He got an ice cream maker from Grandma and Grandpa Jeppsen, a reading light from Lucas (because Lucas broke Bryan's last one), and a camera from me. The camera is really a combined birthday/Father's Day present that he has had for a month now. He is loving it and taking lots of fun pictures. He may also be getting a flash for the camera. He has sold his old golf walking cart and is saving up Secret Shopper money so that he can get it soon. I'm so happy he's been able to finally have the camera he's always wanted. If you notice, Lucas is really sad in this picture. It is because he started opening Bryan's presents and Bryan told him to stop. Lucas was holding his gift to Bryan, said, "Here's your gift from me, " and then started opening it! Bryan explained that you only get to open gifts if it's your birthday. So Lucas started crying and this is him trying to be happy for the picture. He is so funny sometimes. Last night he was crying over everything. I think he is still adjusting to having Ty around and although he is doing great he sometimes gets very sensitive to what we say and do. We still managed to have a fun time and I think Lucas did too. For dessert we had peach pie and ice cream. Happy birthday Bryan. We love you!!

Tyger

Ty is doing great. He is a good baby and we are enjoying having him in our home. He is even letting me have six or more hours of sleep a night! We have always called Lucas Bud or our Buddy and we have been trying to think of a nickname for this baby so that Lucas is still our Buddy. Lucas has given us a few looks when he has heard Bryan or me call Ty Bud. At first we told Lucas that we had a big Buddy and a little Buddy but then thought that it would be better for Ty to have his own nickname. There were lots of suggestions and at first I didn't like Tiger but then I realized how cute it was because spelled T-Y-G-E-R it became a play on his name. So we love our Bud and we love our Tyger.

Lucas Graduates from Preschool

Last week Lucas graduated from pre-school. It was so cute how they had all the kids in caps and gowns. They all had a part to recite and Lucas did great on his. He remembered it all. It was amazing how most the children knew their parts. I think there were only two or three that needed any help from the teachers.





Lucas is sooo excited because now he knows that kindergarten is only a little ways away. I don't know what he is more excited about though, going to kindergarten or getting new shoes because he is going to kindergarten! We are proud of him and love him.

Mom and Ty are home

Mom and Ty are finally home! Checkout from the hospital was easy, and when we got home we found lots of blue balloons and a beautiful sign.

Kellie and Julie had snuck over while we were gone and they decorated the house to welcome us home.

Ty rode home quietly, and Mom really loves his "bring-the-baby-home" outfit. We are so happy to be home, and thanks to all you who helped us through this experience.