Failure to thrive

I took Jaedyn in last week for her well-child check only to discover that she has only gained close to 3 pounds since she was born. Her weight at birth was 8 lbs 10 oz and on Friday she only weighed 11 lbs 6 oz. We have always gotten comments on how small Jaedyn is, and have ourselves been concerned with how small she is, but nothing scares you more than when the pediatrician diagnoses your child with "Failure to thrive". It's not that Jaedyn doesn't eat - because she does - a lot. Our biggest problem is that she refuses to drink from a bottle or sippy cup. She is fine to eat baby food, and really prefers to eat "big people" food from the table, but will only get her liquids from nursing. So, yesterday we spent the day up at Primary Children's Hospital drawing blood, doing a sweat test and trying to get Jaedyn to "go" on demand for a urinalysis. The doctor is running a bunch of tests to see if there is something else going on. Otherwise, Jaedyn is VERY active, reaching her milestones (she started waving "bye-bye" 2 weeks ago - so very cute) and is an alert and happy baby. She is also VERY stubborn (I think she got this from her Dad). I have an appointment this Friday to follow up on the test results and in the meantime am trying to feed her as much as she will eat and trying to coax her to drink from a bottle or sippy cup. As a mother I am feeling very guilty that this is all my fault. I hope that there is a logical explanation for her "failure to thrive" and that it is not a life-long issue she will have to deal with. I love my little Jadybug and hope all turns out o.k. with her - my fingers are crossed and my faith is in my Heavenly Father.

Happy Birthday Grandma Honey!

Today is my mom's birthday! I just want the world to know what an amazing person I think my mom is. She is such a giving person and would do anything for her friends or family! She is such a hard worker and tries to please everyone. I admire her talents in gardening, crocheting & sewing, decorating, cooking, budgeting, mothering & grand mothering and so much more. I have learned so much from my mom and know that I am who I am today because of all she taught me and the love and support she has given me. I am certain that raising 4 kids was difficult at times, but she always did the best with what she had. I also know that going from 1 Grandchild to 10 Grandchildren in less than 4 years has been a rewarding challenge, but she always manages to make each child feel special, no wonder they call her Grandma Honey! I love you Mom - Happy Birthday - May all your wishes come true!

Yuma Arizona Trip 2008

We took our annual (ok it's only the second time, but will soon become annual) trip to Yuma Arizona over the Christmas break to visit Mary and Fred who are now retired and have become "SnowBirds". We had such a great time and can't wait to go again next year!

We left bright and early the day after Christmas - 4:00 am to be exact! Scott and Michelle and their kids took the trek with us and made for an extra fun time! The drive down took 12 hours with only a few potty breaks and one Highway patrol stop (Slow down Scott!) Once we were in Yuma we began our adventures by hitting the large indoor Swapmeet. We all found "treasures" to buy and spent a lot of money.

Over the next two days we went to Los Alagadones Mexico to barter for some more "treasures". I think I got ripped off a couple times, but I guess that's ok - I got a lot of fun stuff. In Mexico we also enjoyed Nachos and Margaritas at the beer garden and eating at Mary & Fred's favorite mexican restaurant. We enjoyed the first day in Mexico so much that we decided to go back another day, which turned out to be an adventure. After spending the day spending our money we got in the looooooong line to get out of Mexico - 2 1/2 hours waiting in line with a 2 year old and 7 month old is not recommended. Dallin had found a couple of knives that he bought and wanted to bring them home. Grandpa Fred volunteered to take them across the border "just in case they give us any trouble". Well if trouble is what we were looking for- we found it! The border patrol did not take too kindly to the knives and gave Fred a lecture on California law prohibiting such items from crossing the border. After detaining Fred they sent him back in to Mexico to dispose of the items and a pass to get to the front of the line. Needless to say, all the rest of us left waiting and wondering what was going on was a little scary. Luckily everything turned out ok and we were able to get Fred back!

After spending the day in Mexico the kids wanted to go swimming, so we spent some time out by the pool. It is sure nice to see some 70 degree weather in the middle of winter! Mary and Fred also took us to their favorite restaurant LUTES so the kids could play the video games. Angie and Michelle really got in to playing the bingo lottery and even won a couple of bucks. Paul and Angie took Scott & Michelle (and Bryce - but don't tell security) over to the CocoPah Casino one night, where we lost a couple of bucks, but still had a good time.

Scott and Michelle made the trip so much fun and were were sad when they left a few days before we did, but we were able to spend a few days with Mary and Fred visiting the old prison and the Quartermaster park in old Historic Downtown Yuma. We also went out to an old mining Ghost Town. We spent New Years Eve with Mary & Fred grilling some steaks, eating shrimp and blowing our horns. We went back to our hideous hotel room early and none of us saw midnight, oh well, I guess that's how you know you are getting old! The whole trip we had been driving around town seeing signs for a "Date Shake" - so Paul made me promise to get him one. As we were heading out of town we stopped and got a Date Shake - they were really yummy!

After leaving Arizona we drove a few hours to Boulder Nevada (Just outside of Las Vegas) to see my Grandma and Grandpa Lundeen (the kids' Great Grandparents). We drove over the dam for the first time and it was quite a sight - they are building an amazing bridge! We visited with my Grandparents and then they took us to dinner at the Railroad Pass Casino. I think they were as excited to see us as we were to see them. We then spent the night at the Virgin River Casino in Mesquite - this room was a lot nicer and quieter than the room in Yuma! But alas all good things must come to an end ... and so we are home again - catching up on laundry, taking down the Christmas decorations, fighting the cold, shoveling snow and back to work. Well, at least we have next year to look forward to!

Christmas 2008

Christmas came and went really fast this year! I don't feel like I got to do everything I wanted to do this Christmas, but we were able to enjoy the holiday season. Carson really started to understand what Christmas was this year. He was so excited any time he saw Santa Claus, he enjoyed saying "Merry Christmas....hohoho!" and he knew which presents were his under the Christmas tree. Carson was also able to recognize Baby Jesus and got so excited about the lights and everything to do with Christmas. This was Jaedyn's first Christmas and she didn't really care to much about everything going on, but did like eating the wrapping paper Christmas morning. Kelsi was so excited this Christmas and kept adding items to her list almost every day up until Christmas. Kelsi earned money this year and was so thoughtful about buying gifts for her friends and family. We also enjoyed some holiday fun by going to the Larry Miller Carol sing along - Angie wasn't too sure about this at first, but once we got there it was REALLY fun. Larry Miller's dream is to fill the Delta Center (it will always be the Delta Center to me) with carolers. He provided free soft drinks, Hot Dogs, passes for the Speedway, and a ticket for free popcorn at his movie theatre. Santa Claus and the Jazz Bear were there also. Next year I hope we can plan a little sooner and get some more members of my family there.

We also went up to This is the Place Heritage Park for their Candlelight Christmas. We always enjoy going up there, and even though it was so cold, we enjoyed all the crafts and displays they had. We got to see Kris Kringle and his reindeer and enjoy a train ride.

We didn't make it to see the Temple lights exactly. We did drive around downtown and see the lights - so I guess it sort of counts. We also drove around to some of the neighborhoods around town to see some lights.

We also went to a live Nativity in Alpine. All the Swanson family went together. It was such a bitter cold night that we had to bundle every one up. The nativity had a camel, donkey, street vendors, sheep, goats and of course Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. The Navtivity display is very neat to see and gets you into the Christmas spirit.

Christmas morning didn't get started too early at our house. Kelsi isn't a morning person (I think I have had to wake her up every Christmas morning since she was born) and the two little kids didn't really understand what morning it was, so we got to sleep in. I guess we better enjoy it while we can because I am sure in just a few years Carson and Jaedyn will be getting up bright and early Christmas morning! The kids opened their presents, we ate breakfast casserole and sweet rolls and then tried to tame the pile of wrapping paper. Grandma Honey and Papa came over with gifts for the kids. My Dad was so sweet and on his own got charm bracelets for all the girls. He is such a sweet Dad! We went over to my mom and dad's house for Christmas dinner. Everyone was there and the kids had so much fun playing with each other. We decided to do a gift exchange just for the kids and that turned out really well, since Christmas is all about the kids. I got spoiled this year for Christmas and got my new car (a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica) and Paul's present was to go to Yuma Arizona (well - that was really a present for us all). Next year I hope to be more on top of things and start some new family traditions as well as keep some of our old traditions alive- I am still trying to get a hang of all of this! Some of the traditions we were able to do was the baking of the Christmas cookies for Santa Claus, a book and Pajamas from Mom and Dad on Christmas eve. As our kids get older I hope that they will enjoy their Holidays as much as I enjoyed mine when I was growing up.

Kelsi Lynn Craven

Kelsi is 11 years old and such a sweet girl. The move to the new house has been so wonderful for her! She has made two best friends: Madison and Katie. They are always hanging out together, which is good, but does make for some 11-year-old drama. Kelsi is such a big help with the two little ones and just adores Jaedyn and Carson. She is almost like their second mom. Kelsi is doing really well in the 6th grade, and can't wait for Junior High. Her teacher says she is the highest reader in her class. She is currently trying to read the Twilight books, but keeps getting the last book revealed to her by her mom - sorry! Kelsi is always trying to earn money and has become quite the little shopper. He favorite store is still Build-a-Bear and her and Madison now have boy and girl Reindeer's that are "married". If you ever need a babysitter Kelsi is the one to call, she loves little ones and is always helping "Grandma Honey" out and keeps the kids entertained when we are out to Grandma and Grandpas. She loves to scrapbook, do crafts, decorate her room, bake/cook, dance, sing, draw, sew, etc. She is so talented and is turning out to be such a crafty girl! Kelsi has such a sweet spirit and is always so willing to help out! We love you Kelsi!!

Carson David Evans

Carson is now almost 2 1/2 and is such a funny little kid! He is still our "little monkey man" and is always so busy climbing and rough-housing. He is starting to talk so well, which is nice, but also makes me miss some of the sayings he is outgrowing. He has gone from calling himself "TiTi" to now calling himself Carson, but is as so typical of two-year olds refers to himself in the third person. It's always "Carson do it". He has also gone from calling us "Mommy" and "Daddy" to calling us "Angie" and "Uncle Paul" - it's kind of cute. He is also now able to say Kelsi's name. He is REALLY into cars, truck, motorcycles and anything with wheels. He loves Ducati motorcycles, Jeeps and any other older cars that he refers to as "Uncle Troy" cars. Carson still loves to cage fight and will now say that Carson is the toughest when asked. He is still attached to his "buddies" and gets very concerned when he cannot find one of them, or if he is upset he always wants his blankets. He is becoming quite the trickster on his Scuttle bug bike and will pop wheelies and likes to stand on it. He also LOVES driving his sand-rail that Aunt Michelle gave him. He looks like a miniature adult when he throws it into reverse and puts his arm on the back of the seat to look behind him. He is getting good at recognizing if people are boys or girls, he knows his colors and will tell you them if he isn't thinking too much about it, but if Mom or Dad ask him straight out what a color is he will pretend he doesn't know, he is also starting to sing! Twinkle Twinkle little star, ABC song, Happy Birthday and Pink's "Rock Star" are his favorites - it is sooo cute to hear him sing!! He likes to color, but has been grounded from it because of coloring on mommy's kitchen chairs, the walls and pretty much any flat surface around the house. He is getting so excited about the Holidays! He was so much fun at Halloween - he knew that he was "Frankenstein" for Halloween and is still saying "Happy Halloween....ahahahaha", but has also moved on to saying "Merry Christmas...hohohoho". He loves to see peoples houses that have been decorated and every time we would drive by a house with Halloween decorations out he would get so excited, and is now doing the same with the Christmas decorations. I think this will be such a fun Christmas with him. He still loves Wall-E and I can't wait for Christmas morning so he can open his Wall-E DVD. He comes up with the funnies sayings. He now says "ok, just a second" when you ask him to do something, and he also has started saying "I can't" - such a boy!! He is such a cute little boy and is such a fun two-year old, on the good days and the bad!

Jaedyn Michelle Evans

Jaedyn is almost 7 months old now! I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. I thought I would share some of the things she is now doing. She is now able to sit by herself (although she would much rather have mommy hold her). She is such a Mommy's girl!!! She will only let someone else hold her if she is in a very good mood, or if mommy is nowhere in sight. She is also starting to eat solid foods. She likes baby food o.k., but would much rather have "grown-up" food, which only poses a problem because we have discovered that she has allergies to milk and some spices. Her eyes will swell up, her ears turn red and she gets hives all over her body. This is very scary to her mom. She is mastering control of her hands and is able to clasp them together, reach for things, she likes to "feel" things such as soft surfaces by rubbing her hand over them, and she also likes to shake things. She still isn't used to Carson being in her face all the time and cries when he gets too rough, but I think she secretly likes him. She has the cutest laugh and is very ticklish. She talks by saying "dahdah", blows raspberries with her mouth and has the busiest tongue I have ever seen. She has the Swanson tongue that is ALWAYS moving around and she loves to have it sticking out! Her eyes are still very shiny and we can't tell what color they will finally be. She is still a skinny little thing and we are trying very hard to fatten her up! She will not take a bottle, and isn't too sure about a sippy cup either. I would definitely say she knows what she likes and doesn't like. Her little personality is really starting to come out and she is going to be just as stubborn as the rest of those Evans boys!

Thanksgiving

I would be so ungrateful if I did not tell my Heavenly Father how thankful I am for all that I have. This past year has been filled with so many answered prayers. We started the year off in our beautiful new home. I didn't think we would be able to upgrade to a better home until at least 2009, we were so blessed to be inspired to purchase our home when we did, and definitely guided to this home in this neighborhood. We have so many wonderful neighbors and our ward is great too. Kelsi has made so many new friends and is thriving! In March Paul & I were so blessed to celebrate our 2nd year of marriage! I am so grateful for my husband, and although we have our share of struggles and challenges, I would not want to share them with anyone else! We were also so very blessed to finally sell our old house (granted it was 5 months after we were supposed to), but it sold when the housing market took a dive and a lot of other houses are still on the market. We were able to make double house payments during the winter (I don't know how, but we managed) and were even able to take a trip down to Yuma Arizona to see Mary & Fred. In May we were so blessed to have a safe delivery for our healthy & beautiful baby girl Jaedyn Michelle Evans! As Paul puts it he "waited 23 years for this little girl". She is the first baby girl this generation on the Evans' side - Mary has 14 grandsons and finally added that baby girl (along with Kelsi of course). She is such a joy and we were so grateful everything went so well with the delivery. The Sunday before we had Jaedyn we were so blessed, with the help of our loving Bishop, to be restored to the church and therefore Paul was able to bless Carson and Jaedyn. We now have callings: Angie is the visiting teaching coordinator and Paul is the first counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency. Once we had Jaedyn we decided that it was time for me to stay home and raise the kids. With A LOT of faith I quit my job of ten years at Ultradent and became a stay-at-home mommy. Even though this job is A LOT harder than I imagined, I am so grateful that we were able to work it out financially and that I have such a supportive husband. I am able to be home to watch Kelsi, Carson and Jaedyn grow up! Paul was also recently blessed with a job change. He had been struggling with Pepsi for several months and didn't know what to do, once again the Lord guided us and Paul was able to land a new job as a business unit leader for Womack Machine/Interstate Hydraulic. This was a long awaited for job change and has come at a time when a lot of other people are out of work. This past year we were also able to become good friends with some pretty incredible people: Nick & Heidi Galieti. Nick and Paul have so much in common and we are so thankful for their friendship. We have had a lot of wonderful things happen this past year, but we were also blessed during the bad times: We survived a summer with a newborn baby, a teenage son, a teenage house guest, a two year old and two eleven year old's. Yes there were a lot of sleepless nights, but we survived it. We also survived helping Mary & Fred sell their shop, hauling stuff up to Heber, meeting with their accountant and sending them on their way down to Yuma for some retirement bliss. It was really hard for Paul to see his parents go, but we will look forward to going down to see them at Christmas time. The Lord has strengthened us, tested us, blessed us, protected us, has been merciful towards us, guided us, answered us and loved us. This is what I am thankful for.

Halloween 2008

There is no more appropriate way to start this blog than by sharing our Halloween Holiday! Halloween is Angie's favorite holiday and she looks forward to it every year. The Swanson's have had the tradition of making home-made Chili, breadsticks and Rootbeer as far as I can remember. Grandma Swanson used to host the festitives until she no longer could and then I took over! It is so much fun decorating the house, making Chili, putting the dry-ice into a big pot of bubbly rootbeer, making and decorating sugar cookies, trick-or-treating, carving pumpkins, putting scarey music on and enjoying all the fun! This year we spent the weekends leading up to Halloween going up to This is the Place Heritage Park, Trick-or-Treat street, and Boo at the Zoo. This is the Place Heritage Park is always one of our favorite places to go and their Little Haunts celebration was no exception. They had trick-or-treating, Paul and Kelsi made corn-husk dolls, Carson got some burnt taffy from the candy cannon and we all enjoyed dipping candles. If you haven't ever been to This is the Place, you really ought to go. I can't wait for their Holiday Lights this December. Paul, Angie, Carson and Jaedyn went to Trick-or-treat street and Carson really got into the whole knocking on doors and saying "trick-or-treat" to get bags full of candy! Most of the candy was the rejects from the candy companies, but that's ok, we still had fun! We also went to Boo at the Zoo (along with everyone else in the Salt Lake Valley). It was really crowded, but was a BEAUTIFUL day and we really enjoyed being outside! We really got good use out of the over-priced Halloween costumes this year! Last, but not least, we hosted Chili and Breadsticks at our house on Halloween night. We had a great time with Mary and Fred, Scott and Michelle, Mike and Ashley, and Nick and Heidi. It was so fun to see Frankenstein (Carson), the Good Witch (Jaedyn), Hobo Clown (Tavin), Tiger (Daxton), Dead prisoner (Rykley), Hannah Montana (Katelyn) and Sleeping Beauty (Kara). The kids make it so fun, even though they were all hopped up on sugar! Next year we will be adding to our decorations, maybe even getting a strobe light!! I think Carson's favorite part of this Halloween with the pumpkin that Paul carved. The pumpkin was "throwing-up" his guts! Paul's seemed to really enjoyed imitating my mom's talking pumpkin by saying "HAPPY HALLOWEEEN...AHAHAHAHAHA" and my favorite part was seeing all the cute kids in the costumes, and spending time with my family! I only hope next year that Mom and Dad don't schedule their Florida trip on Halloween!!