Merry Christmas

You really enjoyed Christmas this year. You loved opening presents and got excited even before you found out what was in the gift.


You got to play with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents for 4 days straight (that was including Great-Grandpa Hardcastle's funeral).

Santa Clause brought you an awesome balance bike. You seemed pretty excited about the bike AND the helmet that Mimi and Papa got for you. Mimi also have you a sock monkey that she made herself, which was pretty impressive.

But, your favorite... had to be all of the Thomas the Train stuff you got. Grandma and Grandpa Hardcastle AND Lafeen hooked you up, and I can barely get you to eat and sleep these days. It's becoming impossible to tear you away from your trains.

You sat on Santa's lap at a ward Christmas party, and you seemed pretty excited about Santa, Christmas tree's, Snow men, and Rudolph. You're just such a happy kid, and everyone loves being around you, and this holiday season was no exception!

A Bike! from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

Little sister

Well, she's here.

And you'll never even remember what life was like without her.

Katherine, or Baby Kate, as you call her, was born December 8th, 2010. She weighed 7 pounds 3 oz and was 20 inches long. At first sight I didn't think she looked anything like you, then a little while later I thought she looked JUST like you. She's starting to get her own little look, but there are a lot of similarities.The night before she was born you spent at Mimi and Papa's. When Mimi had to go to work you got to hang out with your favorite cousins, Laila and Nolan for a few hours. Then Jodi showed up and let you come home for a nap. By the time that was over, Grandma Hardcastle had joined the two of you and you all got to wait for Kate to arrive.

She got a little later than most of us expected, but you still came up to the hospital with Grandma and Jodi. You were a little anxious, probably just being in a hospital setting, and I'm not sure you liked seeing mom in the hospital bed.

But, you LOVED your baby Kate. You didn't stay long, but you did get to hold her, and decided she was yours. When we tried to take her back, you would say, "No, mine!".

You came up the next day with Grandma and acted the same way. You want to see and touch Baby Kate all of the time. You don't like it when she cries, and tells me that she's 'happy' when she's sleeping. And, let me tell you, we're ALL pretty happy when she's sleeping!

Your adjusting quite well, I think. You're pretty emotional, and get frustrated super easy. Although, we were seeing a lot of that before your sister arrived too. I think you'll hit your 'terrible two's' AND deal with a new siblings all at once. I guess that's okay, just get it all over with at once.

We're trying our best to give you a lot of attention and have a lot of patience with you. You're having a REALLY hard time leaving the baby stuff alone (the crib, bassinet, swing and bouncy chair). We've had a lot of visitors and they always play with you for a while, which you always like.

You got your uncle Gordon to get you a second drink the other night when they were visiting, and you tried to drink both at the same time.

Having a newborn is pretty tough, even the second time around, and it's even harder trying to entertain you at the same time. So far, I've had about every other day where you both take a nap at the same time, which will probably be my sanity over the next few months.

In other news (I know, we HAVE other news other than Kate??) you met Santa for the first time. You and dad went to our ward party on Saturday and he was there! Dad said you were pretty good with him, didn't get too scared, just super shy. You asked (with dad's help) for Thomas the Train and a bike for Christmas, so we'll see how that goes.

I love you, Hyrum. I think you're going to be a great big brother, and I'll miss having some much time to spend with just you, but you love your sister already and I think we'll all get the hang of each other soon!

A letter to my first born

We have a lot in common, me and you. We're both the oldest. We both spent time being an 'only child', although we don't (or won't) remember it. We both changed our parents lives probably more than any other child will. We both have (had) NO idea what was in store for us when our mom and dad would talk about another baby coming to our house.

I have been feeling a little bit guilty these last few days. Your life is going to change so much this week, and I'm responsible for that. I hope you will always know how much I have enjoyed spending my days with you, and only you. I hope that you will have a good relationship with your new brother or sister. You probably won't always feel that way, I didn't, but I am grateful for all of my siblings for different reasons.

It's a big responsibility, being the oldest. You'll probably feel a sense of responsibility over any and all of your siblings that will come. Which is good, you're the oldest, and I think you should feel that way. They will most likely look up to you and watch how you live your life and the choices that you make, good and bad.

We're going to try and spend some time together tomorrow, just you, me and dad. We might take you swimming or to a children's museum. We won't have too many opportunities to do this again, with just the three of us. I know you won't be able to remember it, but I promise that I will.

Love,
Your mom

Nursery

As much as I'd love to save every scrap of paper you color or write on for the next 20 year or so... I'm not going to. Your dad would, if given the chance, but we won't go there. Here is one of the first pictures you actually colored in Nursery.

Toddlers Creed

I saw this on another blog today... I agree.

Toddler's Creed

If it is on, I must turn it off.
If it is off, I must turn it on.
If it is folded, I must unfold it.
If it is a liquid, it must be shaken, then spilled.
If it a solid, it must be crumbled, chewed or smeared.
If it is high, it must be reached.
If it is shelved, it must be unshelved.
If it is pointed, it must be run with at top speed.
If it has leaves, they must be picked.
If it is plugged, it must be unplugged.
If it is not trash, it must be thrown away.
If it is in the trash, it must be removed, inspected, and thrown on the floor.
If it is closed, it must be opened.
If it does not open, it must be screamed at.
If it has drawers, they must be rifled.
If it is a pencil, it must write on the refrigerator, monitor, or table.
If it is full, it will be more interesting emptied.
If it is empty, it will be more interesting full.
If it is a pile of dirt, it must be laid upon.
If it is stroller, it must under no circumstances be ridden in without protest. It must be pushed by me instead.
If it has a flat surface, it must be banged upon.
If Mommy's hands are full, I must be carried.
If Mommy is in a hurry and wants to carry me, I must walk alone.
If it is paper, it must be torn.
If it has buttons, they must be pressed.
If the volume is low, it must go high.
If it is toilet paper, it must be unrolled on the floor.
If it is a drawer, it must be pulled upon.
If it is a toothbrush, it must be inserted into my mouth.
If it has a faucet, it must be turned on at full force.
If it is a phone, I must talk to it.
If it is a bug, it must be swallowed.
If it doesn't stay on my spoon, it must be dropped on the floor.
If it is not food, it must be tasted.
If it is food, it must not be tasted.
If it is dry, it must be made wet with drool, milk, or toilet water.
If it is a carseat, it must be protested with an arched back.

If it is Mommy (or Daddy), it must be hugged...

I am toddler!

You love a good song

Happy Birthday to YOU from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

2 year stats and a video

We just got home from your 2 year check up.

Weight 29lbs (62nd %)
Height: 36 inches (85th %)
Head: 19inches (37th %)

I've heard that if you double their height as a 2 year old, it's a good estimate of how tall they'll be as an adult, which would be around 6 feet. Not too bad, especially given your dad's family (that's a bit on the short side for my family).

You're right on target (or ahead) in all of the developmental milestones, except for verbal. Which is to say, our doctor didn't even ask me any of those questions, because she already knew you are pretty advanced for your age when it comes to that area. I feel bad that you hate the doctor so much. You get so anxious and sad, even when she's looking over me. I hope you grow out of that soon. You're all caught up on vaccinations until school, so if we can keep you from any more accidents, you shouldn't have any reason to dislike doctors for at least a couple of years.

Untitled from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

Look who's TWO!

I can't believe you're two years old! On the other hand, I've been referring to you as our 2 year old for so long, it doesn't seem that strange.

You are still so much fun and full of life. You learn new things everyday, and I just being around for all of it.You say 4-5 word sentences on a regular basis and it's almost like we have little conversations. You always want to 'come too'... whenever anyone leaves, or even looks like they're leaving. You love to get the mail with dad, talk to (and hang up on) family on the phone, and play with your toys. You've started lining up your toys, which I just get a kick out of. Especially when you line them up, just to knock them down with one of your bigger trucks.

You still are a great sleeper, despite a week where we had to play around with your nap time. You love saying your prayers at night and wake up happy, saying "Good Morning" every morning. You also love getting and giving hugs and kisses, and can't have one without the other.

You're in love with Thomas the Train, but still like watching Super Why, Curious George, and Elmo. You love playing the piano, and helping me cook -even when I don't want or need the help. We still go on walks everyday, but we're stuck in the mall now because the weather.

You're quite vocal about your likes and dislikes, "I happy now", "No hitting me", "No pushing me", "Too scary", "No kissing me", "Cookies", "Peaches", and "Eggs and Pancakes", and everyone's favorite, "That's MY mom". Your dad likes to aggravate you with this one, which will probably come back to haunt us once you really do have to share your mom.

I hope that you do well with this huge transition that is coming up. We're so glad that you're in our lives and excited to see how you take on your new role as "Big Brother".

Happy Halloween Party

Those are your words, not mine. You were SO excited for your Happy Halloween Party today, I could hardly get you to go to bed last night. I'm not sure how much you understood what a Halloween Party was, but I'm guessing you've been to enough birthday parties that you understood there would be kids and treats. Which there was.

Here's a few pictures from the party...

Not quite ready

So... we gave potty training a go this past weekend.

I'm not ashamed to say, you're still in diapers today.

I gave it my best effort, read half a dozen books, tried a few different things, and came to conclusion, this just isn't the right time.

I was grateful that it was pretty obvious that you weren't going to understand it, since it was a fairly stressful couple of days for the both of us. We started on a Friday, and you could just see it in your face when you woke up on Saturday and we were still 'talking potty' that you weren't thrilled.

You did have a few successes, but I think they scared you, more than made you excited. Your dad and I decided that you're just to verbal for your own good. You have a great memory and love learning and saying new words, which made us think you actually understood a bit more than you do.

So, for now, we're content with the fact that you know the entire alphabet, learn new words and get better at pronouncing your words every day, can count to ten, and you know most of your colors. I think we're going to try and kick you of your morning bottle habit instead. You're going to be a little upset, since its so much apart of our routine, but I think it's time for that step forward at least.

You're so much fun right now, by the way. Grandma and Grandpa Hardcastle came over for dinner last night and you were just so excited to see them. You tried to get Grandma to take you home to her house, and we probably would have let her, but she had to work today.

Sometimes I can't believe you're not actually two years old yet, you're just so big and smart. I'm excited (and just a little nervous) to see how things change in the next couple of months, baby number 2 is due in 10 weeks now). But for now, I'm happy that it's just the two of us (and dad).

At your cousin Nolan's first birthday party. You loved all of the yummy treats your aunt Shondel made and the pinata!

Pinata from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

ABC's

You're almost 22 months old. Not that I usually tell people that, I've given up on how many months you are, I usually refer to you as my two year old, or that you'll be two in November.

You love corn on the cob

You just love life right now and love learning new things. I think the few tv shows you like watching have really paid off, because you can now recognize ALL of your letters, and can count to 10 with a bit of help. We really didn't even teach you that, I'm thinking Super Why and Sesame Street did most of it, but now we work on it. We actually don't have a choice, you LOVE picking out letters, even when we're driving in the car. You have your 'favorite letters', like B, O, P, Q, and Y, but you know all of them.

With Gordon at the cabin

Your love of buttons hasn't diminished at all. In fact, you insist on opening and closing the garage door, you've learned how to push the buttons on the dishwasher (which drives me CRAZY) and still can't stay away from mom's computer.

Family portrait on a dinosaur

I think we might try toilet training at the end of the month. I'm not sure you're quite ready, but you've shown a few signs that you might be ready, and it's very appealing to try it before you're really in your 'terrible twos'. We're working on the new vocabulary you'll need, and reading a few books for some ideas. With a bit of luck, we might have you out of diapers (at least during the day) before the baby comes. But if not, we'll give it a go sometime next year.

With Grandpa Hardcastle at the Dinosaur Park

Some of your other favorite things to say is "What happened?" I need to get this on a video, because it sounds so cute, except that you say it ALL of the time. If you fall, if something else falls, if something looks different or wrong, if something happens on the tv. It's a question we get at LEAST 100 times a day.

You also love "Hyrum's turn", and you really understand what it means too. Mama's turn, Hyrum's turn, Daddy's turn... even when you're playing with other kids, you try to get their toy by saying it's "Hyrum's turn".

Big Matt at the Dinosaur Park

Speaking of other kids, you've done great in nursery ever since we stopped being out of town so much during the summer. The last two weeks I've helped in there because one of the nursery leaders hasn't been there, but even before that, you'll cry for a minute or two, and then I guess you do great.

You've also moved to a Big Boy bed. Well, an even Bigger Boy Bed and a new room. I haven't taken any pictures because the move happened a little sooner than I had planned (thanks to your dad) and I'd like to decorate it just a bit and get some new sheets to go with the Red Sox theme I have planned. Hopefully soon.

With Grandma Lafeen in her backyard.

I think that's all for now. I'm excited for Halloween and your second birthday, Christmas, and of course, your new baby brother or sister. I'm sure this fall/winter will go by quickly for the Lafeens.

Your new favorite game, Hiding.

What our life is like...

Hi Buddy from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

21 months

I feel like I've posted quite a bit lately, mostly because you've been sick and accident prone.

But, ever since you started feeling better from the stomach bug, I can't believe how much fun you've been. I thought that was worth documenting.

You've started putting 2 words together, and your language is becoming quite possessive. (You haven't learned this trait yet, although I'm sure it will follow shortly, right now you're still great with sharing and not minding when other kids take your stuff).

Everything is "Mom's pants, Dad's phone, Hyrum's house", etc. You ask to go to Laila's house, drink your Elmo juice (a sippy cup with Elmo on the side), and use Grandma's water (Grandma left her water bottle in our car).

Carb-loading and hyrdrating before your big race.

You still love climbing and really enjoy climbing on me. I'm sure you don't know why you're calling your mom's stomach a baby, but you do it often now. We keep asking you if you're having a baby sister or brother, but you're not letting on if you know already.




You can also count to 10, with some help. If we start you out with 1, you say every other number all the way up to 10. Sometimes we can get you to say a couple of numbers in row, but you prefer every other one. We have NO idea where you picked it up either, it wasn't something I've been working with you on. I guess all of the hours of watching Sesame Street while you were sick must have done some good.



We went to the zoo yesterday with Grandma Hardcastle and you couldn't have been more excited. You love seeing animals -either at the zoo or Wheeler Farm, which we go to a lot too.

On the merry-go-round with Grandma at the Zoo, and watching a goat at Wheeler Farm.

It's been just me and you this week (dad has been gone to a training for the 2nd week this month), but it's gone a lot smoother than the last time he was gone. I'm sure it's because you're happy and healthy and you're back to taking naps -all things that your mom appreciates. I actually get a break at the end of next week, and dad get's you all to himself for a day a half while I have a girls weekend. I hope you're just as happy with dad that you've been with me.

We have to get your staples out of your head today, which I'm not looking forward to, but I'll be glad to have them gone. Plus, we'll finally be able to go swimming again next week.

First Race

Today you ran in your first race, and you LOVED it!

Dad did a 5K for Davis County (along with most of our family, Jess was in charge of it), and you enjoyed clapping for the runners.

About an hour after the 5K started they had a kids race. You were by far the youngest kid running. You lined up with dad, and were off!

Luckily, you didn't trip or get trampled like a few of the kids near the starting point. You ran with dad and then me and got really excited for your medal at the end.

Dad's already looking forward to your next race in April of next year.

New Hardware

Well... we almost made it the whole summer without stitches, and only a near miss over Memorial Day. Despite all of our camping trips.

Who knew 2 hours at girls camp would break our streak.

You did great during dinner, and after you ate, probably 10 minutes before we were going to leave the campground you fell from the table. -We were sitting on a bench, and you actually hit your back first and then your head fell backwards, so no real head (or brain) trauma.

I think you just knocked into a sharp rock on the ground, which cut your head. Lucky for us, one of the ward leaders up there works in a family clinic, she cleaned it up a bit, and took a look. You needed stitches. Lucky for you, she had some lidocaine cream, so the hour long trip to the insta-care was nearly pain free.

They were great at the insta-care, and we were out of the there an hour after we got there. With 4 staples in the back of your head.

A slow recovery

You're still not quite yourself yet, little man. I haven't had to tell you stop climbing or to get out of stuff all week -it's kind of sad. You're a bit more active than the average toddler, but I guess I prefer that to you looking like a ghost, moving from the couch, to a pillow, to simply laying on the floor.

We went back to see your doctor on Thursday, because you started throwing up again on Wednesday. Just in the evening, and only a couple of times, but it still made us nervous. You had lost about a pound from the ER visit, and threw up Wednesday and Thursday evening, but since then you've kept everything down.

The diarrhea hasn't stopped (or even slowed down at this point). We've had a few problems (thank goodness for hardwood floors and carpet cleaners), but you seem to slowly be getting some energy back, which is good. I feel bad that you'll miss you last (and second to last, since you were in the hospital) swimming lesson, but we don't want to share any of this in the pool.

I can feel and see your ribs in the front and the back, and hope that when your appetite comes back, it comes back with a vengeance. You have a lot of make up for. You want to eat (you ask to eat all of the time) but when you're sitting in your high chair nothing we offer (which is pretty much anything we have in the house) seems to be what you're looking for.

Pretty much for the first time in your life, we've developed some bad sleeping habits. I'm not sure if it was sleeping with mom and dad in the hospital bed, wanting to be around one of us at all times, falling asleep in our bed during your morning bottle, or the fact that when it's bed time you're really not that tired since you've been sleeping all day, but we have some bad habits to break once you're feeling better. It's most likely a combination of all of those issues this week. You prefer to fall asleep downstairs in front of the TV (don't even get me started on the amount of TV you've watched this week), and if you wake up in your bed, you SCREAM to get out. As in, angry, mad, terrifying screaming. Which is probably why you've grown accustomed to falling asleep in front of the TV. Dad's going out of town this week, so lucky me, I get to try and get you back to a regular sleeping schedule and habits.

I hope we don't have to do any of this again anytime soon (or ever), but for now, I'll take my super cuddly and mellow kid. I'm sure it won't last for long!

All done

You've had quite a weekend. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

BEST of times:

Camping. You really love being outside, so camping is right up your alley. We went with the Robison's (Braxton) the first night, packed up and then drove 5 miles down the canyon to the ward campsite, which is where we spent the 2nd night. You loved playing with Braxton, even though he's not always interested in playing with you (I'm sure he'll come around when you're a bit older). The weather was better then we expected and it wasn't too cold either night.

Saturday we went to Big Matt and Jenny's wedding. It was another outdoor event, which you fully took advantage of. Lucky for us I have a couple of younger cousins (Jacey, Nacole and Paige) who had the energy to chase you around all night. Which is exactly what you did. All night long! By the time I got you in the car seat to go to Grandma and Grandpa Hardcastles, you were beyond tired!

WORST of times:

We went to half of church because you were acting tired (more than usual) and started to feel warm. You fell asleep around 11 and didn't wake up until almost 3! Which NEVER happens, I knew you'd be sick for sure when you finally woke up. You had a pretty high fever, but it broke 30 minutes after some medicine. You were actually great, super happy and content, all afternoon until about 10 minutes before we were going to get you in the car to go home.

We were SO lucky to not be on the freeway when it started, because once it started, it wouldn't stop on its own. The only thing in your poor stomach (which ended up ALL over me and the floor more than once) was cottage cheese. You threw up every 15-20 minutes for almost 2 hours, until it was just bile. We finally called the on call doctor because you were almost unresponsive at times you were so weak and sick.

The on call doctor told us to go to Primary Children's. I was surprised, but right after we got off the phone with him you threw up again, so we were on our way. It took almost an hour to get there, but I'm glad we took the extra time to go there instead of a regular hospital. It took the nurse and even the IV team 4 attempts to get your IV in, which was not easy for you or your dad and me. I just felt so bad that we kept having to poke your hands over and over. You begged us for juice. The first time we tried, you threw it up, which probably felt better than throwing up nothing, which you were still doing every 15 or 20 minutes. After they pushed one IV bag and gave your some anti-nausea medicine they moved us to another unit to stay overnight.

We tried juice again, and you had stopped throwing up by then, so you kept it down. You were pretty miserable, but slept on and off. Same with me and Dad. We thought we'd be getting out around 10 am, but it was pretty apparent once we met the doctor in the morning we'd be there all day.

Through-out everything, the IV's, checking his temperature, having to stay in bed all day, all you'd say was "All done, all done, all done". We were so happy when it was finally ALL DONE. I was worried when we finally left that you wouldn't drink enough or eat anything once we were home, but I think you were almost as glad to get out of there as I was. (I was in the same room with you from 2 am until 5 pm. No breaks. I needed real air in the worst way). You were pretty happy tonight, and I think after a low-key day tomorrow, you'll be back to normal, wearing me out as usual.