The Fair

Edmund sent me this picture from the State Fair. David was enjoying a view from a skid steer loader.

Gleaning

We have some friends who are farmers, and they have a field across the street from our subdivision. They invited the ward to go glean potatoes after they had finished harvesting. We got some gems like Jonathan is showing here, but also some big bakers. They were beautiful and white and fresh. Best potatoes I've ever had!

Car Show

We took the boys to a car show on the greenbelt this summer. Edmund took pictures with his phone, he emailed them to me just recently, so here they are! The hot rods were loud, but they were whispers compared to the boats! Cars and trucks are David's favorite thing. He wants to race cars all day long. Jonathan like them too, but he is more of a trains and space boy.

Gymnastics

 Jonathan did gymnastics this summer. He loved it! It is too bad they don't have any good times this Fall. We will probably start again next Spring. He is in red in the foam pit. Too bad it is blurry. He is always proud of his canon balls into the foam pit.

Grandma Leemhuis and Uncle Jon

Edmund's mom and his brother and a little later his sister came to help me after the stroke, and to meet the new baby of course! I guess the recovery from a stroke is mostly feeling like your head is in outer space, so I don't remember too much of the visit. I remember I was glad to have them. After a while I came back to Earth, but I'm not sure when that was. It is a gradual process. I do know it was great to get a nap everyday and have help with dinner!

 We visited the temple. Since Edmund had to work, Uncle Jon helped me load up and unload the kids. People thought he was my husband. :)

 Happy Birthday Jon!

They went to the fair and gave me a day by myself with Caleb. It was pretty amazing.

One Month

 I cannot believe how big he got so fast!

Baby Blessing

 Our friends had a baby one month before Caleb. They are practically matching. What cute little babies!

 It is pretty much impossible to get a good picture with a 1, 2, 4 and new born babies. We had a good effort though.

Thanks to Grandma Leemhuis and Jonathan and our friends and their cute kids for coming to darling Caleb's baby blessing!

Sunday Morning

 Jonathan got a new bike!

Jonathan went outside to ride his bike one morning, and David came following after. It was super chilly. Jonathan was in a warm sweatshirt. David just cruised around in his diaper. He even went through the neighbor's sprinklers.

Heart Surgery

To be totally honest, it wasn't really surgery. It was a procedure. I got to the hospital at 6:30 in the morning where I was instructed to put on the backless hospital gown and take a pregnancy test. I wanted to assure them that I was definitely not pregnant after having a baby just two months ago, but I did as I was told. A nurse came in and asked me a million questions and how much I weighed and how tall I was. Then a muscle man nurse came in and gave me an IV asked the same questions and how much I weighed and how tall I was. Then, the anesthesiologist came in and asked me how much I weighed and how tall I was. He also told me that I could keep breast feeding. Then a couple other nurses came in and asked me how tall I was and how much I weighed. (This is no exaggeration. I counted 5 times I was asked how tall I was and how much I weighed.) Then I was given Benadryl (I can't remember why) and Valium to make me groggy. Then I was wheeled away down the hall to the operating room which looked like an office with lots of computers. I didn't get a very good look around because I was staring at the ceiling.

Then, a different anesthesiologist said, "I'm Dr. Reed, and I'm giving you something in your IV to make you sleepy before we give you general anesthetic and stick the probe down your throat."

 I said, "OK." Then, everyone got funny. I was told to scoot on to the operating table which was very narrow. I felt this laugh start in my belly and start flowing up my throat. I tried to stop it, but I just couldn't. The nurses asked, "How are you feeling?" I wanted to say, "This stuff is making me dizzy," but I just laughed. Then, I tried to stop laughing because I was feeling like a crazy lady, but I couldn't. I guess I fell asleep laughing because the next thing I remember was being back in the room where I was prepped and they asked if I wanted anything. "Tea!"  I said. "Herbal tea." My throat was hurting. They gave me some tea in a spoon, and I fell asleep.

Then, I heard David in the hall. I tried so hard to wake up, but I don't think I did a good job because the next thing I remember is Edmund saying he'd put the boys down for naps and come get me. Next, I heard Edmund come in to get me. They sat my bed up and I tried to wake up. I actually did wake up this time. I drank my tea which tasted like the best thing I'd ever had in my life. Then I went home. Easy as pie! I looked at the puncture in my leg the next morning. Imagine a BIC pen being stabbed into your groin right where you bend. It hurt, but it was awesome to be home. My very sweet mom came and held a crying Caleb who wouldn't take a bottle all morning. It was great to nurse. Thank you, Thank you Mom and Edmund for taking care of all the boys and me too! I couldn't have done it without them. Recovery was pretty quick, but with a 10 lb weight restriction, I definitely needed help.

Caleb

Caleb is a very sweet easy going happy baby! I feel lucky every day to have him in our family. He is constantly surrounded by his brothers, and it is a challenge to keep him safe. Jonathan absolutely adores him. David either ignores him except for the occasional "noses kisses" and "he smiled!" He also will lie at my feet and say, "Caleb done eating!" every time I nurse. He is still adjusting to having a little brother. I can't believe what a gift Caleb is. His poofy dark hair makes him the center of attention at church and other outings.