Looking back....

 

 

 

 

I just thought you might like to see some old photos of my cute little girl!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! Daniel came home wearing a red/white striped "hat" he had colored at school and he was passionate that we have green eggs and ham for dinner. So we did. Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! (I also served guacamole)

Update

Patrick will be 4 months in 10 days. Time is just flying. He couldn't be any cuter. I had a nephew born on Saturday, and he's cute and darling, but I wouldn't trade Patrick's smiles for the world. He smiles all the time. He's starting to blow raspberries (maybe I said that in a previous post?) and he's drooling a LOT. Holy. Cow.

Our closing date has been pushed back, but we're still set to get the house. The kids are counting down (so are mom & dad). :) We are so grateful to have had a lovely, comfortable place to stay, but we are missing our "things" and our "family time". I'm missing my bed.

Update

Kenneth competed at the district level (280 science projects) yesterday afternoon/evening, and his project was ranked in the top 100. Yay Kenneth! He got a medal and a certificate. He was sad I made him wear his suit, but he looked fabulous and, as it turns out, many other boys were dressed up as well.

We should close on our new home in the next 2 weeks. We are very excited!

Patrick is changing every day. He's a very peaceful baby and has a happy spirit. He smiles a LOT now, and laughs occaisonally. He has severe reflux, and we can definitely tell when he doesn't get his medicine, but he's so easy going, as soon as I give it to him he is happy again.

Winner

Kenneth's science project was chosen as a winner and he was asked to compete on the district level. Way to go, Kenneth!

.25 birthday

Patrick is 3 months old today. The time has really gone fast, and he's still the angel baby of the world. He is so sweet and easy going. He is very smiley and he rarely fusses. He is still getting up twice in the night, but he just eats and goes right back to sleep (sometimes getting his diaper changed as well). He is truly a blessing, and we are grateful for him every day.

Solar Powered Desalination

Kenneth's science project this year was on Solar Powered Desalination. Here is a photo of his presentation board. Tomorrow he practices his oral report, and the science fair is on the 11th. Good Luck, Kenneth! You did a great job, bud.

Weekend Update

We sent our 2 nieces back to California on Saturday. We also had a basketball game, 2 ice hockey games, and family in town! It was busy and fun. Steve made some incredible meals, as only he can - thanks, babe. We made another offer on another house, and Steve & I both came down with colds. It was an eventful weekend. I am feeling better; Steve is still battling.

Happy Birthday to me

Yesterday was my 33rd birthday, and although it started out like any other day, it ended splendidly. I enjoyed going out to both lunch & dinner, and I appreciate all the special calls and emails I received to make my day great. Thanks for remembering me. Here's to another wonderful year!

Patrick Growth Statistics

I took Patrick in on January 13, 2010 for his 2 month check up. He weighed in at 12 lb. 12 oz (72%), and his head circ. was 41 cm (73%), and his length was 22.5 in (30%). I'm not convinced the length is accurate, but we'll see how he measures up in a couple of months.

Update

Our hearts are heavy as we've lost a member of our family. Our brother-in-law passed away very unexpectedly last Saturday. He was just here visiting Utah and we were blessed to spend some fun time with him and his family 2 weeks ago. Steve has gone to CA for the services, and he took Patrick with him. So, I am holding down the fort here with 2 of our neices who are visiting for 2 weeks while their brother has a major surgery. Milo is doing well, and if you'd like to check on him, you can visit his site here. I was in Southern CA last week for 2 days and 2 nights catching up with a client, and I had a wonderful time. Every time I visit I wonder why we don't live there. It is just so lovely - especially in January when it is so cold most other places. I'm glad I missed the crazy rain!!

Busy season is definitely living up to its name, as it does every year. We continue to house hunt, amidst the craziness of life. We've made offers on 2 homes and we're still looking.

Thankfully, we are all healthy.

Steve's mom is back in her home after a lengthy stint in a rehab facility following her leg surgery. She is glad to be home, but she's fighting an infection at the incision site.

Obviously these days we're praying for many, including those people suffering so much loss in Haiti.

What a great play!

Daniel is the one who has the ball at the beginning of the clip.

Update

Well, this week was our first week "on schedule" in Utah. The older boys both opted to enroll in Elementary School here, so they are both students at Saratoga Shores Elementary School. So far they are both enjoying it. The principal is extraordinarily nice. Kenneth is in the A.L.L. (accelerated learning lab) class. His teacher is out having twins, so he arrived the same day as the substitute and had a great day since he knew just as much as the teacher! Daniel was very frustrated that he didn't know everyone else's names the first day, but he has set a goal to learn one person's name each day and he is keeping up with his goal. Caitlin started pre-school at a house down the street on Wednesday and she is loving it. Both boys had basketball practice this week and a game, and it was fun to see them play. Daniel's game wasn't much more advanced than last year (lots of un-called traveling, etc.), but Kenneth's game was really exciting. He surprised us with his shooting skills and he is still able to run down anybody on the court. He scored 4 baskets (8 points) and his team won 22-10. It is nice to start out with a win. Every boy on his team made a basket except one, and they played really well together considering they had only had one practice.

I got to attend a "girl's night out" with a couple of girls from high school and I had a great time. Steve took us all to a movie yesterday afternoon - the 2nd Chipmonk's movie - and that was great fun. Then we went to Ben's ice hockey game. It always amazes me how physical that game is. Ben is 6 feet tall and not a small boy, and they body check him like he weighs 20 pounds! Wowee.

The baby had a milestone last night - he only woke up twice! Once at 1am and once at 5am. The unfortunate thing was that after the 5am feeding, he thought it would be good to be awake for the day. :( Steve was a champ and got him back to sleep after I wrestled with him for 45 minutes. He's just so darned cute, though, it's impossible to get mad at him when he's smiling at you!

We are all doing well, despite the FREEZING weather.

Patrick's Blessing

Patrick's Blessing will be at 9am next week at Centennial Blvd. and Redwood Road.

Merry Christmas!

We have all safely arrived in Utah, except our boat. It had a mishap outside of LaGrande, OR, and is still there until they find a new axle for the trailer. At which point, we'll drive back up to get it. Other than that, the move has gone smoothly so far. The movers were great, and it was such a blessing to have our good friends, the Griffiths, willing to host us for a few days before we left town. They did a lot more than host us, actually.....

We are settling into my folks' basement, and today we got all the clothes taken out of boxes and suit cases, so I can actually vacuum now. Yay. It is so close to Christmas, it feels like when we come to visit in the summer - no schedule, lots of hanging around up stairs with family, etc. Once the holiday passes, we'll have to settle into more of a routine.

We have looked at several homes, but I'm taking a few days off to celebrate Christmas. Last night Steve & I got to go Christmas shopping and it was so nice. Tonight we vanquished all the kids to the basement and all the adults wrapped presents and so that project is done, too. Happy day. (I'm sure some of you can appreciate how grateful I was to have help wrapping presents). Angela and her family arrived this evening, so we've got a full house and LOTS of presents under the tree.

The kids are LOVING the snow. They've played in it every day and they've made a snow man and they've gone sledding.

Steve is off for the weekend now, and we're all looking forward to some daddy time.

I hope everyone has a safe, wonderful, happy Christmas.

Patrick's Blessing

Patrick's Blessing is scheduled for Sunday, January 3rd, at 11am in Saratoga Springs. If you'd like to come, please call me for directions. We'd love to have all of our Utah friends and family attend.

We're moving!

Well, Steve is now employed at a company in Utah, and we are moving. We'll be there in time for Christmas. Watch out Utah - here we come!

More amazing photos

Handsome Boy

Ang took this photo while she was here.

More photos - look soon

While I was in the hospital, a photographer came and took some photos of Patrick. In the flier it says we can only order for 2 weeks, so look soon. Go to:

www.bellababyphotography.com

Click on "View Photos" and the password is 1110patricklayton

Enjoy.

First Photos of Patrick Russell

From Steve...

Joy got to the hospital early (5:20ish) and received her Pitocin drip around 6:30 am....Around that time I was still comfy in bed snoozing......

I finally meandered into the hospital around 7:30, about the time the doctor 'broke the water'.....Things progressed quickly after that and she was deemed to be in full active labor at about 9:00am.

At exactly 12:16pm, after a fair amount of pushing, Patrick Russell Layton was born, although he came out kicking and screaming all the way! (No, really, ask Joy! He was kicking inside all the way out!)

He measured 21.25 inches long (as per the official measurement), 9.00 lbs, and with a head circumference of 14.5 inches. (Ouch!)

Both mom and baby are doing well, and are resting.

We'll get pictures posted as soon as possible.

Steve & Joy

 

Family Photos

 

 

 

 

School Photos

 

 

 

 

Still 3 and Long

No progress on the baby front. The induction is set for the 10th. We're just counting down and trying to get through the long "to do" list. :)

Happy Birthday, Daniel

7 years. Can you believe it? I can't. It's crazy to think that 7 years ago there were 17 people in my hospital room welcoming our new addition into the world. Sean Buckley brought me a chocolate shake from Burger King (A TRUE FRIEND). He came on a Friday afternoon and it was a rainy weekend. I remember that. I loved having so many visitors.

Daniel is really changing a lot these days. He's growing taller and leaner, he is athletic as ever, and he is a good brother. He is a sweet friend to our neighbor's little boy, Nathan, who is 2. It is really fun to watch them play together. I can't wait to see him interact with our new little one. He chose out 2 small pumpkins this year (he always seems to go for the little ones), and he wanted to save his smaller one for the baby. He is very thoughtful and he's a good problem-solver. We went around the table at dinner saying what we love about Daniel and he started by saying that he loves when people feel his hair (he has a really short buzz, and you can't resist rubbing it when it's freshly cut). Caitlin said she loves how he shares with him when she asks nicely. I said that I love that he solves problems and gets the solution all by himself (for instance: He's cold. That's the problem. Instead of whining or complaining or walking around in shorts and a t-shirt, he dresses warmly and gets socks on and gets his jacket on all by himself - without asking for help.) Steve said that Daniel gives the best hugs, and Kenneth said that he loves how Daniel is easy to please.

Daniel is a good boy and a wonderful addition to our family. He is sensitive and tender and a caretaker.

We talked about the big decision he has coming up (choosing whether or not to be baptized - he can make that choice at 8), and he decided he would like to memorize all the Articles of Faith (there are 13 of them) before he turns 8. Kenneth is trying to learn them right now, too, so I guess we'll work on it as a family. What a cool goal for him to set.

It was a wonderful birthday for our boy, and I'm relieved that he doesn't have to share it with baby #4. Now that we got through today I'll be fine whenever this baby chooses to make his entrance.

As a note: Daniel's favorite food is crab, he loves soccer, and his favorite cartoons are Scooby Doo and Phineus and Ferb.

Dilated to a 3!!

I am now dilated to a 3. So, my body is doing something. We'll keep you posted.

Update on Baby #4 (still yet to be named)

I had my first pelvic exam this morning, and we learned that I am 2 cm dilated, and 0% effaced (sp?). My cervix is still long, she said. This is no surprise as it's exactly what I was told at this point with Daniel. My blood pressure was really good (114/60), and I learned that I've only gained 14 lbs with this pregnancy...which was really good news for me.

3 more weeks!!!

Speaking of growing up.....

Who gave them permission?

 

This was taken 2 months before we moved to Seattle. Who gave them permission to grow up??? Holy cow!

First Day of Preschool

Oh yeah! She's ready!

Mom did a great job on the hair, as you can see!

Is the hair flipping thing just a natural extension of being a girl, or what?

Such a Glamour-Girl

The Many Faces of 5th Grade...

This is one good looking kid!

"EW! Dad just hugged me in front of the WHOLE school"

Yes, son, you really DO have homework tonight!

"Dad! Don't you DARE come over and give me another hug!"

1st Graders Rule!

"Just follow my lead...I'll get us through this" he says!

He's growing up folks!

Ummmm...I'm reading "Class Clown" in our future!

A picture's worth a thousand words.

First Day of School

Welcome to the first day of school 2009. 1st and 5th grades will never be the same again!

General Update

Steve took the kids to CA for almost 2 weeks in August, and we're so happy to be reunited. Well, I'm so happy to have them home. I was very lonely without them. Even though the vacuum lines stayed in the carpet for 5 days straight, I'll trade the quiet for the noise and the mess any day.

We are deep into soccer practices and Steve is playing, too, so we have soccer on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. We love it, though.

Suzanne has been visiting us for a week, so we've eaten REALLY well, and we went for a drive to deception pass last Friday. The weather has been rainy this weekend, so we're having a low-key holiday weekend.

School resumes on Wednesday, and I think we have mixed feelings. It will be good to get back on a schedule and I'm sure the kids will enjoy seeing their friends again, but I've really loved spending time as an entire family this summer. I know our world is going to rock come November, but we made lots and lots of great memories this summer.

11-10-09

That's a cool birthday, don't you think? 11-10-09? Well, that'll be the birthday for the Layton baby #4 in a little less than 3 months. I went to the OB this morning, and after another discussion about my previous births and the issues, etc., she said, "Well, I feel good about inducing at 39 weeks - how about you?" I told her that I think 11-10-09 would be a cool birthday, and it's a done deal. The only thing that would change it is if I go into labor on my own (which has never happened before, so I'm not holding my breath). So - let the planning begin!

New Nephew!!

I have a new nephew born about a half hour ago.

Samuel Richardson Clay

10 lbs. 6 oz.

23 inches long

born in CT at 10:07 pm August 22, 2009 with NO PAIN KILLERS. Missy - you are a REAL woman!!

Welcome to the world, buddy. You officially hold the record for the largest baby delivered in our family. I think you deserve a little spanking for all you put your mother through, but we're so glad you're here, healthy and strong.

Fun in the Sun!

 

 

 

 

The group photo is missing one child - Sami's baby is not pictured.

They had a great time at the beach.

Separate Vacations

Steve says people are going to start to wonder about us if we keep taking separate vacations, but oh well. Steve took the kids to CA early on Wed. morning and they arrived safely in Fremont late Wed. afternoon. They went to the beach yesterday with their cousins, and today they're just playing the day away. Tomorrow is a special baptism, then Steve will probably move on to Sacramento - then to Fresno later next week. They will get to see all of Steve's family in CA and I'm sure they'll all have a great time. Steve says he got a really cool shot at the beach yesterday, so I can't wait to see it. This blog is overdue for some photos.

Home at last

We arrived home safely on Friday late afternoon. We arrived to a visitor from our good ol' days in Texas! It was so fun to see Aaron and visit with him. We shared a wonderful crab dinner, and proceeded to make plans for boating on Saturday. We put the boat into Lake Stevens for the first time - and we hooked up with the Allen Family - also Texas friends. What a fun time! It was just fabulous. We stayed longer than we ever planned, but time seems to stand still when you're out on the lake. It was a great day! We had Caitlin's birthday party after arriving home and we were thoroughly exhausted by the time our heads hit the pillows. We awoke early this morning to have hair cuts before our 9am church. Crazy, I know. Anyway, we got it done, and the boys look so much better. Well, if you ask Kenneth, I RUINED his hair and he was so mad at me he ripped off the cape and cried and cried. I THOUGHT I did what I always do, but apparently it's a little shorter than normal. Well, it looks good to me. I had no idea he was so sensative about his hair. I was very sorry to ruin his day. Elder Wickman was in our ward this morning, and it was so good to see him. He's a good friend of my folks' and Danny & Amanda. He's provided invaluable counsel to Danny through his many army decisions, and he even sealed Danny & Amanda in the temple. This afternoon we went for a walk (we took 4 soccer balls as everyone except me is enrolled in soccer this fall, including Steve). The weather was lovely and it is so nice to be together as a family again in Seattle. We get 2 days together before Steve takes off with the kiddos and they have a grand adventure in California. I'm not even bothering to unpack their suitcases!

On the road....again.....

And we're off.

We're headed to Boise today, and Utah tomorrow. We'll be back next Friday. Steve is still off with the scouts on their high adventure and he'll return this Saturday. We can't wait to see Elise and her family (especially little Luke) in Utah, and Angela's going to be there, too! What a fun week we'll have. Meanwhile, Missy is due in 3 days with her baby, so we'll probably get some fun news while we're there as well!