RSV

There has been a bit of a lull in my blog writing lately because I have been preoccupied in taking care of sickness at our house. Changing the sheets, and then changing the sheets again, to prevent reexposing ourselves to our own germs. Four days after everyone left our house from Jack's blessing, Haken came down with a cold. I swear he had this exact same cold only a month before. It had a terrible runny nose and hacking cough that wouldn't stop. Luckily his only lasted a few days, unluckily he got Jack and I both sick. I handled it well since I just overdosed on airbourne everyday but Jack ended up with RSV. I was a little worried at first, but after seeing the doctor I felt better knowing that he was actually doing quite well through it all. He never really had a hard time breathing, which is what they watch for with babies this small. I could just tell that he was super uncomfortable all the time. It made me sad to listen to his little cough and his wheezing. He also had a double ear infection, so we just finished the antibiotic for that today (Yeah!). He was not too fond of the thick pink stuff that made him cough and throw up (neither was mommy). Anyway...I am here to say that we got through it and from now on I want to have summer babies, if I can help it.

This month's projects

Looking back now, I think I was a little bit ambitious to get all of this stuff done in the last month with a newborn...but I really wanted it done for when all of our family came into town for Jack's blessing.

Over Christmas break Shad built me a toy bench to go in my family room. Click here to see all of the work that went into it. After he finished that, it was my turn to put the finishing touches on it. I covered foam cushions and made pillows to make the bench more comfortable. It was a great addition to the party, allowing lots of extra seating and storage for all of the toys the kids were playing with. I also made a roman shade for the window in the family room. I have ended up doing shades throughout most of the rooms in my house because our blinds are really crappy and don't block out hardly any light. Now we can watch a movie in the middle of the day without a huge reflection on the t.v.

My other big project was Jack's blessing outfit. This HAD to be finished before Jack's blessing, so I did this first. I was going to buy him a blessing outfit, but thought I would save money and make him one myself. Ha ha ha, if anyone knows how expensive fabric has become you will know that I only ended up saving $15 and still had to make it myself. I could have made it cheaper, but decided to line the entire thing making it nicer and warmer. However, I guess the sentimental value is priceless. I would have just used Haken's blessing outfit that my mom made, but it was short sleeved with shorts. Not very conducive to the freezing temperatures lately. In the end though, I'm glad that they each have an outfit that they can keep and use for their own children one day.

I think our next big project will be finishing our bedroom and bathroom downstairs. That is one that I am both excited about and dreading at the same time.

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With Jacket

Jack's Blessing Day

This last weekend was a busy and special weekend for our family. What started as a few of our family coming into town for the weekend, ended up as a Anderson family reunion. I am so glad it did! It was fun to have family in from Arizona, Idaho, and even Arkansas that we don't get to see very often. I am glad that we have special events like a baby blessing that gives us an excuse to get together.

Shad's brother Ryan flew in from Arkansas on Friday followed by Shad's brother Ricky and his family and his dad and stepmom from Arizona. His brother Marc and his family from Idaho made it here on Saturday night, followed by his brother Brent and his family from Spanish Fork. If you have lost count, that makes 5 boys with only one unaccounted for, Scott, his brother in North Carolina. It is not very often anymore that they all get together, maybe only once or twice a year. Shad's grandma Baumgarten also came up from Orem whom most of us had not seen in 2 years or more. Jack was named after her husband, Shad's grandpa. These, and many other reasons, were why this weekend was so special.

At any given time we had at least 2 of the families staying over night with us. It was a bit crowded, but overall I think it worked out pretty well. After this weekend though, Shad and I decided that our next house needs to be at least a 5-6 bedroom house so that we can accommodate all of our family so that no one needs to get a hotel room. We would love to be elected as the Anderson family headquarters where everyone can get together.

Sunday was Jack's baby blessing in church. There were 2 other baby blessings that day, so the chapel was super crowded, especially since our family took up 1/4 of the chapel. I really appreciated all of the family that drove distances to come up and see us. All of my family is about an hour away, so it did take some time. Shad gave a beautiful father's blessing. I am proud to have a husband who holds and honors his priesthood and can give my children blessings. It truly brings a spirit into our home.

After church everyone headed to our 3 bedroom 2 bath house. We ended up squeezing in about 30-35 people. Overall I didn't think it wasn't too crowded though. Our house is set up in such a way that everyone could sit and relax in different areas of the house and still feel part of the party. There definitely wasn't a shortage of food either thanks to all that helped out (my mom and dad especially, I couldn't have done it without them :) It was fun to have a little superbowl party afterwards, although I didn't watch a second of it, just enjoyed the company and played games with the girls.

When Monday morning rolled around I was sad to see our family leave, but glad to get my house back into order. I love living in a clean house where I have the control. Although, I would gladly sacrifice that control for a weekend to have my family surrounding me. Thanks to all who came. We love you!

Sweet 2-yr-old Abi holding Jack who weighs almost as much as her!

Crazy Anderson cousins

My cousin Amelia and baby Jack

Jack with Grandma Evans

Tantrum

Today Haken got up at 6:00 AM. He usually gets up at 7:30 or 8:00, but lately he has seemed to wake up with the sun for some reason. I knew that since he got up so early he would probably go down for a nap today. He did, but woke up after only an hour (his naps usually range from 1 1/2 to 2 hours). He seemed happy for about 5 minutes after getting up until he decided he wanted some fruit snacks for a snack. I went to the pantry to get them for him and then came the tantrum... Since he has discovered that he can push the barstool anywhere in our kitchen and get things for himself he always wants to do everything himself. As I pulled the fruit snacks out he just burst out screaming and crying because he wanted to do it. At this point I decided that he didn't deserve the fruit snacks acting like this so....I ate them. (I know I'm mean) However, I did tell him that if he stopped crying and acting better he could have his own. I sent him to his room and he had a good cry but was too stubborn to quit crying and say he was sorry. Anyway....as I talked things out with him in his room and he apologized, I realized that he hasn't had a real tantrum in months. I honestly can't remember the last time that he acted up like this. I couldn't help but compare him to hormonal women...let me explain.... I have found with myself (hopefully I am like the average woman) that I have to have a good cry every few months. It is usually over something stupid that I'm not really that passionate about and usually directed at Shad (poor guy). I make something into a big deal that isn't and I just feel like I need to cry. I think that Haken was just having one of these moments. I think he was a little bit tired, but in the end he just needed to let out a little steam. I think I can relate....

Brigham City Temple Walk

I used to wonder before I was a blogger why some people didn't keep their blog updated all the time. Now I know! It is hard to stay up on it with two kids! However, I have made the time to share some of the pictures that I took of Haken in Brigham City today. We went into Brigham to get the windshield on our car replaced because we have to register it this month and it won't pass. So, I decided that while we waited for them to fix it we would take a walk. I usually don't bring my camera with me everywhere, but packed it at the last minute. We walked around Brigham for about 45 minutes with Jack in the stroller and Haken walking. His poor little legs were tired and we took a lot of breaks. I think it was a good thing for him to walk because he was tired enough for a nap today. It was a nice day, a little chilly, but not too bad.
Right across the street from the glass place was the construction site of the new Brigham City temple. We walked all the way around it and took some pictures in the viewing area. Haken was fascinated by the big cranes and machinery. Right now you can see the walls of the 4 corners up. We are so excited to have this new temple close by. Every penny that Haken finds goes towards building the Brigham City temple, after paying his tithing of course. Although he has only put about $2 towards it, I hope that it gets him excited for the completion of the temple. Although we already have 2 temples only 30 minutes away from us (yes, we are spoiled). It will be nice to have one 15 minutes away that we can run to in a hurry. We shouldn't have any excuses now for not going. What a blessing this will be!

If you want to watch the building of the Brigham City temple you can go to www.brighamcitytemple.info and see construction pictures.

Yes, he is licking the fence. I'm not sure why he has to have his tongue out all the time lately. Licking fences...picking his nose with it....


A view of the 4 corner walls that are already up


My cute little boy. I can't get enough of that smile sometimes...even when he is a stinker



Content little Jack in his warm suit. He stayed asleep the whole time all nice and cozy in the stroller.

Our New Toy

This year we finally got the Mac computer we have been waiting for. I think Haken has been just as excited about it as we have been. It has been fun trying out all the new programs and figuring out how it all works. Today we discovered the "photobooth" where we can take pictures and make videos of ourselves. Haken wanted to share this video with you all...

Shad's Christmas Break Project

I think I would be ungrateful if I didn't share with everyone what my husband did for me during his Christmas break from school. I have been wanting a toy storage/bench in the back of my family room since we moved into this house over four years ago. Our family room is kind of an awkward long skinny room and the space hasn't been utilized in the best way. We have been using the back of the room as a toy room for Haken. However, in the past year it has started to get a little out of control with all of the toys that he has been acquiring. With all of the money I have been making doing curtains for people I decided that I wanted to makeover our family room. I mentioned the bench to Shad last week and I have to say that he got more into it than I thought he would. He drew precise plans on graph paper, researched the best wood, and took two whole days building me a bench that was truly professionally made ("Amish quality" as he says). It fits perfect in our little corner and has more than enough space for all of Haken's many toys. I am so glad that space is actually being utilized now. I can sit on the bench instead of the floor while I play with Haken (this really would have been helpful while I was pregnant, but at least it is done now.) I still need to cover the foam cushions and make a few pillows to add some color, but it will still be used until then. I thought about leaving it as a "built in" if we ever move, but after all of the work that he put into it, it will definitely be coming with us to our next home. Now we need to add beadboard to the walls, curtains in the windows, and pillows on the couches to make the room complete. I will have to post pictures again when the entire room is complete. I'm glad that I have a husband who is not only an artist, but is an up-and-coming carpenter as well.


Bench with the lovely green foam cushions. Don't worry, they will be covered soon.


The toy chest with a lid in the corner with tons of storage for all the sports toys Haken has.




Haken enjoyed the "male bonding" as well