Frustration Everywhere...

So our last post talked about Jovin sharing a cold with Mayer. Well last Saturday Mayer had a fever of 101.2 along with the stuffy nose and a horrible cough. So I called his doctor and they said to take him to the ER. So I did. They ran a bunch of test on urine, blood, a spinal tap, and did a chest x-ray. Everything came back normal. So at 12:30am they sent us home and chalked it up to a bad cold. At 4am I tried feeding Mayer and he threw up what I had fed him and bile. This continued for a couple of hours. I then could not wake him up to eat. So Sunday I ventured out to a different ER to get him re-hydrated or so I thought.
As the nurse in ER was getting his vitals she stated that he needed to see a doctor right away. The doctor came in and immediately ushered us to a "special" ER room for infants. As soon as I laid him down on the bed to be examined about 12 doctors, nurses and specialists surrouned Mayer. I was left in the corner of the room scared, and very confused. As it turns out Mayer was having some major breathing problems so they sedated him and put a breathing tube in him. This ER did a bunch more tests and x-rays and could not figure out what was wrong. I was then told that they were going to life flight Mayer to the Children's Hospital in Phoenix.
So Sunday afternoon Mayer gets to be the first one in our family to fly in a helicopter. (I think Cory is jealous.) We got to the Phoenix Children's Hospital and they put him in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit or PICU. They end up running some tests and it turns out that Mayer had RSV. CRAP! So Mayer ends up getting a feeding tube put in too cause of the breathing tube. Hence the picture below.



Mayer got the tubes taken out Tuesday and started eating better but was put on oxygen. We (Mayer and I) were transferred to out of the PICU in the middle of the night to the regular floor rooms. And there we stayed until this morning. Mayer finally did well throughout the night with no oxygen helping him. I was so BORED being in the hospital all week long. See even Mayer was bored...



It is so good to have Mayer better, finally eat good food, and to be home with Cory and Jovin. Also, Mum (Cory's mom Dianne) flew in last night to help us out for a few days.
You know it really sucks when your child gets sick!

Why is it...

that the first thing Jovin learns to share with his brother is a cold.

that after delivery the only shorts you can wear are your husbands shorts that are too big for him.

that men can look older with facial hair, but then shave it off and look 10 years younger.

that a family of 4 can go through 4 gallons of milk in 4 days.


that you can live in one of the hottest cities in America and catch a cold when it is 90 degrees outside.

that the moment you give attention to one child, the other either gets into something they shouldn't, or is having a mental breakdown.

that you can somehow function on 2 quality hours of sleep, when a few weeks before you were atleast getting 8.

These are the just some of the off the wall wonderings I have had while adjusting to life with two kids...

What You Lookin' At?

Lights Out

I will never forget the Christmas that Jenny opened her last present to find pet food dishes. I was laughing hysterically in my head thinking of all the humor that kind of present implied (ah yes, precious material for a little brother!) when Mom and Dad directed our attention upstairs to their bedroom. They had gotten a cat...
He needed a name but first we needed to figure out if it was a boy or a girl. Consensus was drawn among the family - "it's a girl" had to be. Dad liked the name Suzie Q, and for the first few weeks that's what we called him. Until the Vet corrected us, "no, it's a boy". So we changed his name to KC (which was the second choice - a more sex-neutral name). But as I recall someone was enrolled in Spanish class and made the connection that KC could also be spelled QUE-SI (meaning WHAT-YES). Well it stuck.

Quesi grew up, and I think we all have fond memories of this little fur ball. Snuggle ball on anyone's bed, the tin foil paws, Chad's squiggle pen, blowing in his ear and hitting his brain, the arch-enemy window cat, dive bomb magpies, and my personal favorite "commando-kitty!" More recently, as Quesi got older he finally took his retirement fund and moved down to Phoenix to live with us. We enjoyed having him, though I think he was bummed that our house is so small compared to his last one. Jovin learned how to pet him "softly" and was tickled pink every time he got to pet the kitty.
As we just had another addition come to our house, Quesi decided it was his turn to go. I can only imagine that he is running free where he is unencumbered by his age any more. We'll miss him.

Introducing Mayer Tyler Killpack...

Monday, March 26th, after 12 hours of labor, at 6:58pm, little Mayer decided to join the world. He was 7lbs 8oz, and 20 3/4 inches long. We are home now and adjusting to life with two kids. :^)

It's A Hot One...

Well we have officially reached the 90-degree period time of the year. I'm still not used to this yet. I mean it is the middle of March for crying out loud. I know I'm pregnant and I'm like an oven, but even Cory drives with the a/c on in the van. I have been on bed-rest for about a month now and I still have 2 weeks to go. Well with it so hot outside, it in essence is hot inside too. So today after my doctor's appointment I picked Jovin up from my friends house and we stopped off and got a kiddie pool to play in. I figure I can relax and play with Jovin in the pool just as much as lying on the couch and playing with him.
Here he is playing with the pool toys.

Here he is trying to water our brown/green grass with the fish toy.

Splash, splash, splash. It was a lot of fun.

Oh no...

Here's a little experience that I just have to share. Those with kids, you've probably been there. Those expecting, you will be there. And those who never will, this is why...

We’ve off and on been trying to potty train Jovin. He’s pooped on the big boy potty 5 or 6 times by now, but it’s mostly when he can’t hold it any longer and we’re holding him from getting down. We’ve got a ways to go still. So the other day I heard him start grunting and showing signs of needing to go. Ang had just gotten into the shower, so I was on my own. I grabbed his hand and walked him into the bathroom. Though this time he seem particularly aggravated when we got to the toilet. He was fighting and yelling but I was determined to get him to go on the toilet. So I got his pants off and started on the diaper, which isn’t easy when he doesn’t cooperate.

As I took off the diaper and was putting him up, I noticed that there was a little runny poop in it already and saw more drops hit the ground and side of the toilet. My mind was slow to process what this would mean and then I began to panic. It didn’t help that Jovin completely arched his back and was screaming by now. At least though, in my panic, I thought to take off his shirt as well. But as I was contemplating my next move Jovin got out of my hands and ran to the other side of the bathroom. I was surveying the mess already made when the noise at the other end of the bathroom caught my attention. I uttered, “oh, noooo..” just in time to see my screaming son propped up against the wall, as if ready for a frisking, suddenly blast out the rest of what was causing him grief. What distance!

By this time, Ang was annoyed that we had intruded on her alone time and she popped her head out to ask, “What is it?” “The runs!” I replied. My first action after returning to reality was to turn Jovin towards the mess and exclaim, “See this!? THIS is why I was trying to get you to sit on the potty!” Though I soon came to the realization that it was not going to stick in his mind as the lesson he was going to take from the experience. Luckily Ang was done with her shower, so I grabbed him and handed him over. Ang cleaned him and it sounded like they were having a grand ol’ time, while I cleaned the bathroom.

After the impromptu shower, Jovin was the happiest little boy I have ever met. Poor kid. But I laugh and I joke to myself, “See this!? THIS is why I should have just let you go in your diaper!” Poor daddy. What an experience.

Many faces of Jovin

Jovin has started some new things lately. Cory taught him how to say "Oh No". So now a lot of things are either "no" or "oh no". But the confusing thing is he says "no" for yes too. If I know he wants more milk and I ask him he will say no. It's pretty funny. Also, Jovin is a HUGE Wiggle fan. He will do all the actions to the songs and in his own cute language sing the songs too. It's very entertaining.
Here are some of the many cute faces of Jovin...

It's just a number...

Well I have finally hit 26. (And Joe is right it kind of does feel like 25, and 24...) Last year I freaked out at turning 25. This year I think I handled 26 pretty well. Wow, maybe I am actually growing up! I always wondered where I would be in my life when I turned 26 on my birthday, January 26th. I never thought that I would be living in Arizona and pregnant with baby #2 that's for sure. I didn't really have anything in particular or in mind when I thought about it. No lofty goals or anything I always just wondered. Well now I know and I just wanted to share how I feel about my life right now being 26!

I am grateful to have a wonderful husband. He's very kind, smart, loving, honest, forgiving, understanding, and VERY handsome!! He truly understands me and loves me for the crazy person I am. He works really hard to provide for our little family, and so that I can stay home with Jovin. He makes everyday a true blessing to me.
I have a son who makes everyday full of entertainment, laughter, and adventure. He puts a little bit of sunshine in my days. He is also the cutest kid EVER!! :^) (I know I'm bias, but he's my kid!)
I have two families that are wonderful. They love my family and me and they are always there for me when me and/or my family need them.

I have the gospel in my life and with the knowledge that we have of it I know that I can be with my family forever. That in and of itself is a great present.

So 26... isn't so bad after all...

Phoenix & Ice??

It got below freezing here in Phoenix last night and when we got to church this morning this was what we saw. Hopefully you may have come to the same conclusion as we did... Phoenicians DO NOT know what to do with ice... They had salt down, but evidently that is not enough... we need cones here to warn you of where to walk. Even the missionaries were out front herding people into the front door so people would not walk on the ice. Yeah we got a good laugh out of it too. :^)

Movin' On Up...

Well Jovin is moving on up to "Big Boy" status. For Christmas we got a bunk bed for him. We got it at IKEA!! (And as we found out when they say assembly required they aren't kidding... it took Cory 4 hours to put together... but it was worth it.) Jovin really likes his new "Big Boy" bed. He has not had any huge problems with it except for the one night he somehow got his head stuck under the bottom rung on the latter and the bed. We have since fixed the problem. We don't have a picture of it either because it was 3am and that would just be cruel... :^)

We also came home from our Utah holiday trip with a new member to our little family. Quesi! (Cory's family cat.) The trip home was very interesting with Jovin and Quesi in the back seat. It made for an even longer ride home. Quesi does seem to like it here. We are still trying to teach Jovin to be soft with the kitty and to not pull his tail. Quesi likes to curl up with me on the couch and on our bed. (yes, that is my big tummy that Quesi is laying against in the picture below.) He is quite fun to have around the house.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Well we had a wonderful holiday season and we hope you did too. We spent the past week in Utah for Christmas to visit with family and friends. We tried to visit with everyone we could, but if we missed you sorry. We came home New Years Eve. It was a fun trip and since I am tired and I don't want to get into all the details I'll just make comments along with some pictures to highlight the trip.

This picture is actually our Christmas in our new home before we left on the trip...


Here is Jovin's real first experience with snow... He really liked it...


Us at the top of the Joseph Smith Building in down town Salt Lake to look at the pretty lights


One of the many things I miss about Utah... Snow, trees, and sunsets behind actual mountains. :^)

A New Adventure...

So it's been a while since we have posted... There is something that most of you know but not all of you. It is one of the main reasons why it has been a while since a post has been done.
Cory and I are homeowners now. We found a home not too far from out apartment. But it is just outside of our ward boundaries. It is a 3 bedroom 1 bath with a great front and back yard. We actually closed on the house the beginning of November, but we have been working on the house before we move in. Our lease isn't up on our apartment until the end of January so since we don't have to rush and move we can actually make the house look the way we would like. Which means, Ang hates the colors of the walls and decided it would be a GREAT idea to paint pretty much the whole house. (That last sentence is to be read with much sarcasm...) Cory has spent a lot of time scrapping off the popcorn ceiling and re-texture the ceiling and the walls. We are now onto actually painting the rooms. Ironically the paint color we chose for the ceiling is called "popped corn"... Weird huh? But now I'm realizing what A LOT of work that it is to get it all painted.
We could probably get it done quicker if it was easier to get babysitters for Jovin. We have great friends that have been taking him a lot and one of our friends daughter has been making quite a bundle of Christmas money off us on the weekends to tend Jovin. During the week though we have to take turns as to who goes and works on the house. Cory and Jovin recently have gotten sick which has slowed the process of things down a little too. Luckily I haven't gotten sick, and I hope it stays that way.
Next week we hope to actually start moving stuff over and be in the house before Christmas.
Once it is all done we'll post some before and after pictures. I'm hoping some of you will justify for me that it was a good idea to paint the rooms different colors. Anyway that is the latest and greatest with what is happening in our little world.

Savor the Moment - Day 3

Well here is the last day that we were at Disneyland. We were all up early and ready to hit the park and get as many rides and do as much as we could before everyone had to head for the airport or for us start our 5 1/2 hour drive home.
First here is a picture of the whole family in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle. I wanted this picture at the top of the post cause it is so cute...Well we didn't know that the "early entry" days were Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Since our last day was Wednesday we got into the park early but only as far as the shops. They had it roped off so you couldn't get to any of the rides... Hence the huge mob we were standing in for 20 minutes until it was 10am. Jovin didn't want to wait... He wanted in right away as you can see.



Oh here is one of the only pictures of Cory and I together in the same photo...



As soon as it was 10am wonderful music plays and they FINALLY let you into the rest of the park. We did Small World and other fun rides in Fantasyland. We didn't count on it being hot so I had put Jovin in a long sleeve shirt and well it was about in the 80's. Since everything was packed already and in the car we had to buy him a shirt. We got him a Pirates of the Caribbean shirt that he will be able to grow into for the next couple of years... :^) On our way to find him a shirt we came across Woody and Jesse from Toy Story 2... Jovin was SO excited that he couldn't decide on which one to look at.We caught up with the whole family and had lunch at the Orleans Cafe. I highly recommend the Monte' Cristo Sandwich!! (I'm pretty sure that is what it was called.) We then headed over to Tomorrowland and the adults did Space Mountain or Star Tours. Cory took Jovin on Astro Orbitor which he LOVED!Jovin FINALLY took a nap in the stroller and Cory, and I got to do Splash Mountain again with Tyler, Jenny, Tasha, and Orson. In the picture you only see Orson, Tasha and Me... Cory is behind me, then Jenny, then Tyler. Mom, Tash, Chad, Angie, Kip Kristin and their kids had to bolt off to the airport to make their flight. We had bought Jovin Mickey ears and we then bought some Santa Mickey ears for us and had our picture taken in front of the huge Christmas Tree they had up near the front of the park. We then went to Downtown Disney and did some souvenir shopping and got some dinner and headed on our long trip home. It was a lot of fun to 1) go to Disneyland FINALLY, but 2) to share that experience with the Killpack family. Those are memories that we can all share together forever.

Oh, and if you ask Cory, I am already bugging him TO GO BACK TO DISNEYLAND! :^)

Disney Day 2

With Day 1 under our belts, we crashed hard that night at the hotel... well I did, Ang still couldn't sleep from the excitement and Jovin woke up early (as if it were Christmas) but as he was sneaking a peak to see if mommy and daddy were awake, I snapped this one and caught him by surprise -

We headed off to DCA which we had never been to. We liked the Soaring over California, and tried Bugs Land (which put Jovin to sleep)

so we went to the rapids which turned out to be a hit. After lunch be broke up and I did the screamer roller coaster and Ang and Jovin went to Toon Town with the rest of the family.

Then we closed off the day with a few more rides in Fantasy Land and Tomorrow land and Dinner at Naples Italian in Downtown Disney.