It's Back!

Oh, the snow was gone. We could see grass. All the nasty gray snow along the sides of the road melted away. The birds were singing. The sun was shinning. We stopped wearing "heavy" winter coats. Spring was coming...it really truly was! I was SO happy! Then "IT" happened today. Not just a little, but A LOT! I think about 6-8 inches. I tried to be happy and make the best of it. So I took advantage of Isaac taking a good nap, Ben being home early, and it still being above 30 degrees outside. We played!

The ER and Prune Jucie

Poor little Natali spent 9 hours yesterday in the ER. It started around 2:20 pm yesterday when she started screaming and writhing in pain on her bed. She said her stomach hurt. Instantly Ben prompted for her to go use the restroom. Nothing. No fever, no vomiting, ate earlier in the day, but was screaming and nothing we did seemed to calm her down. After about 30-40 minutes of this we decided something must be wrong and called the 24 hour nurse. She could hear Natali in the background and suggested/urged us to take he into the ER. So we all loaded into the car and Ben dropped us off at the front doors of the Mercy ER while he went back home and made arangements for Isaac. Natali had fallen asleep in the car, and now was relatively calm.

We got called back and I explained what was going on and felt pretty stupid. Natali was now popping jokes to the nurses, talking non-stop, and seemed normal although she said her stomach still hurt. Then we were taken back to the Children's wing of the ER. More nurses, forms, questions, a relatively healthy looking child, forms, more nurses, and finally "the" doctor. He was ready to pass it all off to some stomach bug until he had her walk. Instantly she doubled over in pain, wouldn't walk, complained of pain, and wouldn't let him come close to touching her stomach. He instantly became concerned about possible appendicitis. He ordered an IV, x-rays, blood work, urine sample (that was fun), and eventually a CT scan. We had multiple specialists come poke and prod her stomach. In the end the final ruling was no appendicitis, but lots of backed up...poop . Natali thought it was pretty silly that we kept talking about poop and if she needed to go poopies. After a little thing we like to call an enema (now that was really fun), Natali was jumping up and down and walking pain free. Seriously...all of this because of a constipation?

Poor little girl! The whole thing was quiet a long process. She screamed bloody murder during the x-rays. She was literally thrashing in the bed while they tried to get her IV in. She had to drink contrast for the CT scan, which she drank like a champ. She was forced to go "wetties" in a cup. But, she watched about 8 hours of movies while laying in bed, being 100% loved, and taken care of. She got a bunch of stickers, a stuffed animal to take home, and a new sparkle Sleeping Beauty Barbie. All in all, she was a trooper and even loved having the CT scan done. All the staff was great and made it such a positive good experience for her.

We were finally discharged around 12:10 am and advised to add 4oz. of prune juice to her diet. We were so grateful that it wasn't appendicitis, but couldn't help look at each other as we were walking out and say, "9 hours in the ER for an enema and prune juice!" What a day. Thankfully we had some friends take care of Isaac and Ben could be there with me. Especially since I couldn't go into any of the x-rays and CT scan with her because of being pregnant. Natali was such a brave little girl and did so well. We were so proud of her and felt so blessed that we were all able to come home together!

Isaac Roger 18 months

Sweet little Isaac is now 18 months! Let me just say that getting his picture taken is no simple task. He won't hold still, he won't smile at the camera, he tries to run out of the room, he touches everything he is not suppose to, and today he biffed it on the backdrop cutting his upper lip and getting a fat lip. Let's just say picture time was officially over after that. Isaac is constantly tripping and busting up his mouth! Is this normal? Natali never did. I blame it on the fact that he is a boy and extremely clumsy.

Isaac is growing up too fast. Last week was his first week of nursery in church. Being the paranoid mother that I am I went in and checked on him half way through. BIG mistake. I know, I know, I should have known better. But of course he clung to me and cried when I left. Sorry nursery people!

Isaac has such a sweet personality. He is down to one long afternoon nap, he will eat almost anything we put in front of him, and he loves to read books. Two of his favorites are, Goodnight Moon, and Goodnight Gorilla. He says so much: book, cookie, gorilla, Savannah, drink, mommy, daddy, quack quack, ruff ruff, yellow, up, no, apple, more, and all done. He loves climbing up and down the stairs and can not get enough of being in the bathroom. He is a riot to watch in the bath tub with his sister, and is starting to get the hang of "holding his own" around big sister. I've seen a few good pushes and hair pulls. She usually deserves it!

We sure love our little man and are blessed to have him in our family!

29th Birthday

On the 23rd of this month we celebrated Ben turning 29! It was a great day and Ben was a trooper and went along with all celebration that a birthday brings. Ben had the day off, which was much more of a present to me than him I think. Natali helped me make a German chocolate cake and was surprisingly patient while Ben opened his gifts. Later than night Ben and I went on a date (HALLELUJAH)! We dropped off both kids (which was a first with Isaac), and went out for an evening on the town (thank you fabulous babysitters). We even went to one of those restaurants where I'm sure kids are not allowed. It was magical...sitting by the fireplace, adult conversation, and eating food I did not prepare nor would be cleaning up. Yeah for birthdays, and a super duper yeah for dates!!!

Outside Fun Time

We haven't been able to really play in the snow much this winter. I mean, lets be honest, who wants to go out when it physically hurts to breath or blink your eyes. But on this day it it actually warmed up to a pleasant 35 degrees. After all the time we have spent inside I decided to bundle the kids up and let them go have some fun in the snow. It was pretty cute, and I think we all benefited from the sunshine and fresh air.

I think Isaac wasn't to happy with the snowball Natali threw at his head!

Cold Cold Days

We've had a few days this January that were too cold to even attempt leaving the house. I'm talking -25 with the windchill! So we kept our comfy cozy clothes on all day, watched movies, made forts, colored, played with play dough, and counted the minutes (and seconds) until Daddy came home from school.

We discovered that unlike Natali, Isaac is what we call a "dipper". He loves to dip his fries in the ketchup or Dad's homemade fry sauce. At times he doesn't even need a fry. He'll just stick his chubby little fingers in it and lick it right off. We're pretty amused!

January also brought Natali a day of the "sickies"! She sipped on pedialyte (she won't do carbonation) and dinned on dry toast and saltines. Thankfully it was only 24 hours!
WThe boys relaxing!

Cute kiddos playing picnic on the lion rug! I love it when Isaac crouches down in front of the lion and roars back at it!

Christmas Crew

The best thing about going out to Utah, besides Cafe Rio...Roberts...Betos...& Tucanos, is getting to be with all our loved ones that we are currently so far away from! These nieces and nephews are growing up so fast I feel like we are missing out on so much. But, the bright side is that we do get to come out and spend time, laugh, and eat lots of good food. Here are some random shots through out our trip.

Christmas Day, all the family finally gathered together (although not all in the photo).

Isaac, Grace, and Sadie

Bubba trying to use someone else's present as his personal stepping stool.

Nattles watching a show in a dress up. She would not take this off.
Even when we went to visit Great Grandma.

This girl was in HEAVEN helping Grandma in the kitchen.

Our Bubba!

Isaac and Uncle Chuck. Isaac loved sitting in this chair and
watching all the action in the kitchen.

Christmas Day

Christmas day! It was so cute to see Natali get so excited. There were a lot of presents under the tree, and we were DESPERATELY trying to tell her they weren't all ours (by that I mean HERS). They were for all the other aunts, uncles, and cousins that would be coming during the day. We felt spoiled as always by Grandma and Grandpa, and the kids loved their treasures.

Natali trying to restrain herself!

Dad & kids! Oh how I love that group of people!

Natali showing off her new princess dress ups. Seriously I don't think she
could have smiled any bigger!

Bubba and his lion rug! He just started doing his little cackle when he saw it.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve ended up being a quiet evening after our big skating party. So Grandma decided to try and use the few grandkids left to do a nativity. With the group consiting of primarily 3 year olds and babies it was very simple and short. Costumes were imediatly ditched and tossed to the side. And baby Jesus was called "baby Jesus" and tended to our entire time in Utah. Natali was Mary, Oliver was Joseph, and anyone else who wandered over was considered a wiseman.

Isaac coming and bearing gifs...is that a spittoon ?

Joseph (Oliver) being oh so gentle

Mary (Natali) doting over her baby.

Isaac and cousin Charlie...don't they look so wise!

2008 Skating Party

Every year there is an annual Hayes family skating party. Grandma & Grandpa rent out a skating rink for the 100+ aunts, uncles, grandkids, and great grandkids. There's plenty of food, door prizes, skating, and inflatable toys to be enjoyed. Not to mention walking around and socializing with people who you have no idea who they are. Ben honestly can not even come close to naming all his cousins, he finally has mastered his aunts and uncles! The kids had a blast and I look forward to it every year we are out there.

Do you think he is having fun yet?

Everyone lining up on the rink to do "The Hokey Poky" (it's quite the sight to see)

Ben and Isaac joined in from the side lines. It was a little intense for Isaac.This year we had a surprise visitor join us! Man, Santa can do one mean Hokey Poky.

Natali and Grace taking FULL advantage of the inflatable slides.

Confession: I started crying during the hokey poky. No it wasn't my sciatic nerve acting up. But as I stood there on the rink looking at all these people (95% of whom I don't even know their names and am related to by marriage) I just got a little choked up. It was amazing to know that all of these people were family and connected just because of two people. It was just one of those moments. I totally blame it on these dang pregnancy hormones, and felt pretty lame trying to hold back the flood gates during the Hokey Poky! For the LOVE!

Iowa Christmas

Due to traveling during the holidays, the last couple of years we have had two Christmases. We have an Iowa Christmas and then usually a Utah Christmas. Maybe that's cheating, but I refuse to buy gifts in Iowa fly with them to Utah, open them in Utah, and then fly them back to Iowa. This year was so much fun with the kids. Isaac participated much more than last year, but still could really care less (still more interested in the paper and boxes). He was however very interested in the M&M's he found in his stocking.

Natali and her stocking

Isaac and his cars
Homemade Tutu

The Bubba

"Seriously...ANOTHER picture"