{New Blogs}

I have set up two new blogs for our family-- one for each of the boys. The main reason I am doing this is that I am always wanting to post so much about my boys to document their lives. My goal is to capture all of the small moments for them so they can one day look back on memories that might otherwise have been forgotten. Another purpose for the blogs is that I want to turn them into blog books so eventually the boys will have a book for each year of their lives. While I LOVE scrapbooking and will definitely keep up with it, this offers an easy alternative for me to post about the small everyday happenings. I will of course still post about the boys on the family blog and if you check their blogs you will most likely find repetition. The blogs are for my boys and not for the pleasure of an audience. Feel free to check out their blogs http://carsonbirch.blogspot.com/ and http://jonasbirch.blogspot.com/ . You will find that they are fairly similar. I am just using the lovely blogger templates as I haven't had time yet to customize the backgrounds...that'll come later when I am not a sleep deprived momma of a newborn. Also, I will most likely make the blogs invite only so let me know if you want to be invited.

{Family Reunion, Hair Woes, and Looking to the Future}

Today we went out near Heise for the Beck Family Reunion (Jeff's side of the family). The kids had a ton of fun running around outside, painting on quilt blocks, and "fishing" for prizes (the lovely glasses in the picture below). It was great to meet a bunch of new people and to spend sometime just hanging out with family. We learned some neat things about family history such as Jeff is a descendant of a polygamist and one of his great-great-great-grandfathers gave Orson Hyde (one of the first 12 apostles) some gold to fund his trip to the Holy Land. It was a fun, long day and we are all exhausted tonight. Here is a picture of our little family from today. Jonas was rooting on my arm so you can't really see his cute face. As you may notice my hair is darker. Last night Maria dyed it for me because I was so sick of the brassy blonde. And yes, it looks way different than my Facebook picture. To me it looks darker than my natural color, but I am guessing it'll wash out and tone down. I like to do just a few highlights in my hair to give it dimension but it got waaaaay too blonde for my liking...I felt like a fake bleached blonde. I'll probably highlight it again in a while just because I can't stand one dimensional, flat looking hair. But for now I'll enjoy my new look.
Here is Jonas chillin' on the grass outside today. Look at those chubby little thighs! It definately has been a different experience having a big baby this time around. He is wearing a 3-6 month outfit and he is only 1 month old. I feel so bad for him, he has been screaming tonight because he is very gassy--probably outside too much today.
We've finally heard a back from Jacobsen's on if they are going to transfer Jeff or not. We still have some praying to do but we'll know within the next few days if we are moving or not. NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE YET. I am full of trepidation on the thought of moving. I'd love to get out of Idaho for awhile, but I want my kids to be with their family and get to know them. Plus, over the past 6 years I've grown to love Rexburg and the people in it and would be so sad to leave. Who knows, we may be staying--it'll be an interesting next few days as we decide what is best for our family. This I know, it is time for us to move on in one way or another.

Acid Reflux

Jonas tested positive for acid reflux about two weeks ago. The doctor put him on Zantac and Metoclopram to help with it...and so far it hasn't. For those of you who don't know, Carson also had acid reflux and once we put him on the medicine it was like he was a completely different baby because he felt so much better. Not the case with Jonas--he is still having problems. So we went back into the doctor today for a reevaluation. The diagnosis: he'll eventually grow out of it and sometimes the medicine doesn't help. In other words, just tough out the screaming and puking. The doctor thinks he is fine since he is gaining weight very well. In fact he is now 10 lbs 12 oz, a whopping 2 pound weight gain in four weeks. I was told that I might be overfeeding him. I'd prefer to think I just have very rich breast milk. Oh well, so I guess I'll "tough it out" until he grows out of it...it only took Carson 6 months to, so I guess that means I have 5 more months of screaming ahead of me. The joys of motherhood--but I wouldn't trade it for anything!!

Pictures

I have been spending some time playing around with my camera and taking pictures of the boys. The object was to try to get a picture for Jonas' birth announcment. Here is what I ended up with...better luck next time. I really want to try to find some photography classes so I can learn to take better pictures!

Using the wide angle option...

Carson's expression in this picture reminds me so much of Jeff.
The birth announcment: a picture of a picture, that is why there is a glare.

Last Play Date

Today we had our last playdate with Chandler before the Snedakers move to Utah. When I told Carson that Chandler was moving away he said, "Mommy, I want to move to Utah too!" We'll see, Jeff might be able to transfer there with Jacobsen's but we'll have to find out if they have any open jobs down there. We sure will miss the Snedakers but are glad they are moving on with their lives! Here are some pictures from today.

Carson's first time in a hot tub!

The boys playing in the pool.
Jonas chillin' in the stroller.

What's in a name?

I saw this on my friend Deanna's blog and thought it was way fun. Now ya'll will know how we got our names!

Jeffrey Wynn Birch: Jeff's parents had his name picked out way before he was even born. Jeff said his mom had told him they always wanted a little boy named Jeffrey Wynn. Wynn is Jeff's dad's name and I guess they just really liked the name Jeffrey. Interesting fact: Jeff refuses to name one of his sons after himself, even though he carries his father's name...weird??

Sara Jane (Butler) Birch: I was named after my great-grandmother: Sarah Jane Humble Butler. My dad had always wanted to name a daughter after his grandmother and my mother had always liked the name. Anyways, I guess my Grandma and Grandpa Butler got upset with my parents for dropping the 'h' off of the name. A few years ago I took a family history research class up on campus and went to the cemetery out in Archer and found my great-grandmother's headstone. Come to find out she went by "Jane" and the Sarah part isn't even on her headstone! I was able to talk with my Grandpa Butler shortly before he passed away and I asked him why his mother went by Jane and he didn't know why either (of course he was really sick and medicated...so the name thing is now a mystery to me, lost with that generation). I was a little disappointed that the woman I was named after didn't even go by "Sarah"!

Carson Andrew Birch: Carson is my mom's parents last name. I had a really close relationship with both my Grandma and Grandpa Carson and loved being in their home. My Grandma Carson passed away about a month before I found out I was pregnant and so when we found out we were having a boy we thought it would be a great way to honor my grandparents. Andrew is my dad's name.

Jonas Jack Birch: I'll be honest here, we got Jonas' name from a Weezer song. Sorry son, no noble family name for you. I suggested the name one day partly joking and Jeff LOVED it. He was most insistent that we use the name. Jack was Jeff's Grandpa Birch's name.

This Week

Another week with Jeff gone to Yellowstone. They are making him work a bunch of overtime right now so they can get the project done and it is really frustrating. The company wouldn't let him work overtime earlier and kept him to a strict 40 hours a week. Now that they are at the end of the project they are pretty much making him work longer hours which is frustrating because I am home all week with a two year old and a newborn and am recovering from major surgery. Its not that I can't handle the boys...I just want my husband here to be part of our family!!!

OK, I am done ranting. Tuesday was my birthday and Jeff sent me this beautiful arrangement of daisies (my favorite!) and it really made my day. My dad drove all the way up to Rexburg to bring me a cake and a card with $100!! Thank you Dad! Also, my mom was here all day and helped me out with the boys so I could rest--a blessing! That day Jonas had his two week well baby visit. He is now 9 lbs 2 oz and same in height. It is so weird to have a big baby because Carson was so small--he was only 7lbs 7 oz at his two week appointment.

On Wednesday I took Jonas up to the hospital to have him tested for acid reflux, and YES he has it. The radiologist told me that he definitely had it when he was taking the x-rays and the doctors office called a few hours later to confirm it. So we now have him on medicine. Congratulations Jeff, you have now passed acid reflux on to both of your sons!

Today I actually ventured out to do some shopping. I went and got a few things I wanted at Porters with my birthday money. I even got ambitious and cleaned out my refrigerator this morning! Although now I am in a lot of pain and paying for it.

Jeff should be home tomorrow night. One more day. I will be home all day tomorrow alone with the boys so if anyone wants to come and visit you are more than welcome to!

Two Weeks and More...

It has already been two weeks since Jonas joined our family. I can't believe how slow the few weeks before you give birth go and then how fast time seems to fly once your baby is here. He is growing so much and tomorrow has his two week appointment so I'll find out how much he weighs. He is a fairly calm baby, but I think he has a mild case of acid reflux. He is starting to be awake more of the time and loves to look around and explore the world. He is starting to sleep longer--he did a four hour stretch this afternoon. He is also starting to get more of his own look and each day I think he looks more like his daddy.Here is a picture I took of the boys today. I love my boys so much! They definitely have their own looks, although if you look at Carson's baby pictures, Jonas still looks a lot like him. Sorry about the orientation, I couldn't get it to load up the right way. Today my mom and I took Carson over to Porter Park to ride on the Carousel. I am trying to get us back into our routine but think I am pushing too hard as I am having a lot of pain tonight. I was hoping to be able to make a library run this week, but we'll see how I am feeling. I am usually pretty good about sticking to a routine of park time, play dates, and library time and I think it would help Carson to have some consistency back in his life.

Birthday Party

Yesterday my amazing husband threw me a birthday party. My birthday is on the 10th, (tomorrow!) but since he was going to be gone to Yellowstone he decided to do something special for me. Jeff invited a bunch of family and friends over for dinner and cake. It was a great time and one of the best birthday parties I've had in years. I am so thankful for awesome family and friends and the opportunity to spend an evening with them! Thank you Jeff, for being so amazing and wonderful--I love you!

And to top it off, he took me shopping Saturday and let me pick out a brand new digital camera. Its a Canon Power Shot and has 8 mega pixels. I love taking pictures and really need to take some classes so I can do it more professionally. Here is a picture of my camera...and yes, it is blue.

His Name is Jonas

OK, so I know I've been posting a lot lately but I have one more post: this time to rant. I don't understand why people think they have the right to call your child by whatever name they want to. Since Jonas has been born people have called him Jack, Jo, and the absolute worst...JJ. Hello people, we named him Jonas and would ask that you respect our decision to name our child whatever we want to. I'm sorry if you don't like the name but it isn't your child or your decision. I knew when we decided on the name that this would happen, I just thought people would have more decency. Honestly, all of the people our age thought it was a cool name...its just convincing the older generation. And now for your listening pleasure, you get to hear Weezer's "My Name is Jonas" every time you log onto our blog!

Jogging Stroller

Here is a picture of the jogging stroller that I am getting. I just ordered it today from Amazon.com and got an awesome deal--about $70 cheaper than I was planning on. I wanted to get the chocolate brown, blue, and orange one, but decided to go with something that would be more gender neutral in case we ever have daughters. I can't wait to get out and go walking to get rid of the lovely baby fat. Actually, I only have 8 pounds left to go to my pre-pregnancy weight. But I have about 60 pounds to go to my pre-pregnancy weight with Carson. Yes, I gained way too much with him and never lost it, but I am very happy that I did A LOT better with Jonas. Anyways, I am also looking forward to going on a bike ride with Jeff and Carson, but obviously it'll be a few weeks before I can join them. And even then I am not sure of how to put Jonas in the bike trailer... of course in his car seat, but I am not sure if that'll be secure enough. Anyways, none of this is going to happen if we don't get rid of this stupid 50 degree weather and get real summer temperatures!!

How Embarrasing!

So my lovely two almost three year old has picked up a new habit---peeing off of the balcony!!!!!! Please understand that I have NOT encouraged this and don't know where he got the idea. Today he was out on the balcony and I couldn't see what he was doing from where I was at. So I called for him and he came walking over to the door with his underwear and pants down around his ankles and he proudly announced, "Mom, I peed off of the balcony!" This is the third time I have caught him doing it and I am so embarrassed. My big concern is that people can see our balcony from the highway and I don't want someone calling to report us or anything. Also, I am afraid for our downstairs neighbors who might accidentally be in the way when Carson decides to relieve himself. My mom was here today and told me to look on the bright side-at least he isn't having any accidents! Oh, how do you explain to a little boy that what he is doing is indecent, especially when he is so proud of it???!!

Out and About

Today was our first excursion from the apartment since we came home from the hospital last Thursday. I took Jonas to the Pediatrician for his well baby check up. He is now 8lbs 8 oz and 21 inches long. This boy sure does have an appetite...I feel like I am feeding him all of the time! The doctor wants me to monitor him for another week with the acid reflux and if he's still having problems they'll test him. He doesn't think it is a serious situation because Jonas has gained some weight. After the doctors office we went up to the hospital to do the second metabolic screening. It made me so sad to hear Jonas screaming while they were trying to squeeze blood out of his foot. It seemed like it took forever!
While I was out running Jonas around, Carson went over to see TyLee. He didn't want to leave since he loves playing in their backyard. When we got home he insisted on bringing some rocks upstairs from the planting beds in front of the apartment. Instead of fighting him I decided it would be a great opportunity for craft time and we painted his rocks and then he named them after Toy Story characters (surprise, surprise).

I think I am finally starting to feel better. Tomorrow I have a doctor appointment to check my incision and see how it is healing, so it will be another busy day for us.