Christmas card preview

My talented photographer friend Kristie is training her cousin in the 'biz, and asked if we'd be willing to be studio subjects. Uh, yes, because that will save me a serious headache trying to get shots ourselves this year, which was the plan. It was nearly impossible to get a good one of all three kiddos, but this works. Thank you Kristie! It took M&Ms, singing, dancing, jingling keys, jumping and and down, playing peek-a-boo, and various other tricks, but we got a shot. Whew! That's hard work!

They also snapped some individuals of each kid (OK, I could not decide which pic of Lucas I liked best, so he has 2 on here):

Gymnastics update

Isabel is halfway through her first gymnastics class, and Monday was parent observation day. Isabel is slowly warming up to gymnastics; she loves some aspects of it, and is not so into other parts (mainly being told what to do). They rotate between the beam, bars, floor and jumping stations each class. She definitely prefers floor and jumping. I can't even get her to sit on the beam, much less walk on it. So Brian, who was there for observation day and wanted something to observe, took matters into his own hands and placed her on the beam and helped her walk.

She was fine for a few moments, until she realized she'd been duped. Then, she REALLY let him (and all of us) have it. I mean, she really had a lovely little tantrum. The teacher, who is fantastic, is on to her tactics and knows she can be distracted with the hand stamps, which are usually reserved for the end of each class. They really are Isabel's favorite part of class.

She eventually got happy and did perform a few "tricks," including "jumping" over these colored cones, one of her favorite activities.



She's pretty much infamous in her class - everyone knows when she loves something, and when she doesn't. :)

Mohawk madness

Brian decided to give Connor a little mohawk after a shower the other day, and then showed him how to "rock out." Connor really got into the spirit of things. You never know what's going to happen when Brian and Connor get going...

I spoke

Today was my advocacy speech at Children's. I'm relieved it's done, and I think it went great. I was one of 3 parents on the parent panel. There was also a mom who had a preemie baby who continues to have lots of health problems; the mom has taken on insurance fights, testified in front of the Legislature, is very involved with community organizations, etc. The other parent was a dad who, along with his wife, adopted a meth baby who ended up having severe CP. He has done a TON of advocacy.

I think our stories all worked together to highlight the many ways parents can advocate for their children's health care needs, and speak up for larger issues. The room was packed, and the audience was quite engaged. After we each shared our story, there was a question-answer session, and there were actually lots of questions.

I felt very comfortable speaking, and made a point about how the best way to speak up is to know your own talents and abilities and put those to good use, that it takes all levels working together. That seemed to be a very well received comment.

I must have done an OK job, because afterwards, the chair of Children's Family Advisory Council said she'd love for me to be on the Council, would I be interested in joining? I said send me an e-mail and we'll see :) (According to the Children's website, "The Family Advisory Council is composed of family members of patients and hospital staff to provide feedback, guidance and creativity for the hospital staff, ensuring that the voice of families is heard in decisions that can impact them. Over the years, The Family Advisory Council has offered valuable insights and advice on the design and delivery of services, including the new Children’s Hospital. The Family Advisory Council meets regularly and provides input to help ensure that patients and families have as good an experience at The Children’s Hospital as possible."

How do I get roped into these things? If I actually receive an e-mail, I'll make a decision.

Anyways, it was a great event, and I'm happy to have been a part of it.

The 'S' Factor

"S" is for spacey. A friend of mine, who is expecting her third child, recently asked if you get crazier with each pregnancy. I don't know if I got crazier, but I can sadly, but definitely, say I've gotten spacier. For years I gave my mom a hard time about being spacey and losing things, forgetting simple things, etc. My favorite was what I used to call the "where's my purse" game. My mom was the best at setting her purse somewhere, and within a few brief moments, panicking because she couldn't find it. It actually used to drive me nuts. Well, now, I've developed some understanding, and even some sympathy. If I'm losing it after three kids, imagine what five did to her!

Just the other day, I was talking to my brother. I had just gotten out of the shower when he called, and I told him I needed to set the phone down for a minute while I threw on a shirt. And, in that 10 seconds, I completely forgot that I was talking to him and started to clean the bathroom. After a few moments, I saw the phone sitting there and realized my brother was still on it. He was roaring with laughter when I explained that I forgot we'd been talking. It wasn't as funny to me - it's just another sad example of my failing brain function.

And I don't even know how many times a day I walk into a room for something, and upon arrival, I have absolutely no idea what I went there for. It sometimes drives me out of my ever-lovin' mind (what's left of it, anyway). And one more example: I was talking to someone last month about something that happens in November, and for some reason I started talking as though it was February, and November was months ago. Am I going crazy???

I don't think I've completely lost it. I do have moments of clarity from time to time, and I can remember long-term details with the best of them (like phone numbers from friends in high school!) But that short-term memory thing? Out the window, along with my single-digit-sized jeans and carefree days. Hope my kids inherited all the brain power I've lost.

On a side note, my advocacy speech is tomorrow (if I remember to show up). Brian helped me put the finishing touches on it last night, and today I bought a cute new pair of pants to wear, so I should be all set!

All the way from Vegas

My dear friend Wendie was in town this weekend. We were able to get together tonight for a girls' dinner, along with friends Brittany and Janae. Wendie and I met here in Denver 7 1/2 years ago (and subsequently met Brittany and Janae), and have had many great times. Then, in April, Wendie got married, and moved to Las Vegas in June, a few days after Lucas was born.

It was a crazy time when she left, so it was nice to have a relaxing dinner and catch up on all the craziness (or at least fill in the gaps not covered on blogs!) I believe the sign of a true friend is when you can pick up right where you left off, regardless of time and distance.

Great to see you Wendie! Miss ya!

A new bundle of joy to be thankful for

Welcome Nolan Edison Jones! My sister Kristina had a baby boy in the wee hours of this Thanksgiving morning. This is her first baby, and she had the exact same experience that I had with Connor. Apparently, the women in our family DO NOT dilate. It's crazy!

Kristina and I both labored with our firsts for 16 or 17 hours and never dilated fully, even with pitocin. Then the babies went into distress with periods of dangerously low heart rates and oxygen levels. We both ended up with emergency C-sections, and found out our babies both had the cords wrapped around their necks - twice. Deja vu! (and my mom and other sister, Lara, both had problems going into labor and dilating). Clearly runs in the family. When my water broke with Connor and I was having heavy contractions, I was a zero (eventually made it to a 9 before the c-section). I never even remotely went into labor and never got past a zero with Isabel, even though I went past my due date. She came C-section. And I went into hard labor with Lucas, and was a zero. He came C-section, too.

Anyways, I am happy my new nephew is happy and healthy! And Lara, who is due in April, just found out on Monday that she's having a girl. So, in my family, with Lara's baby in April, there will be 4 boys and 3 girls. That's 7 babies in 5 years for my sisters and I. Busy, busy! Neither of my brothers is married yet, so they won't be contributing to the craziness for a while.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!