October 2011

We took a quick trip to Alton, Utah for Grand-Pa Heaton's funeral. We got to meet lots of cousins, and spend time thinking about how happy Joshua's great-grandparents were to be reunited on the other side of the veil.

Caleb met his second cousin, Kaleb Heaton (son of Brent, son of Ray, brother of Terry, father of Benjamin). I hope these boys will get to know each other better someday.

Caleb starts to smile big and beautiful, and we had some fun with cousins. We got to spend lots of time with Amber (pronounced "Hamer" by Joshua), Brooklyn and Lydia when they came to visit. We went for a weekend in Elijay, GA with the Wombles and Heatons. We also got to visit the Georgia Aquarium with Grandma Heaton and the girls.

We took Caleb on his first camp out with the Mullins crowd, and Joshua had fun dressing up in his Halloween costume for "tent-treating." Joshua and Isaac were both dragons, Niklas was Micky Mouse. Levi was an awesome pirate (but I don't have a picture of him!!).

For Halloween, we wandered the neighborhood with some friends, and had a great time. Joshua was a dragon, Caleb - peas in a pod. Benjamin and I were hippies this year.

This is me...trying harder

In harmony with one of my goals for myself, I am going to keep better record of the events in our home. So I will be posting highlights of our recent holidays when I get the chance during the month of January. Hang on tight, it might be a quick ride. While you wait, here's a family picture we took this afternoon after church:

a change

I finally took the initiative and made a change. I have been considering doing this for a while, and I'm so glad that I did!!

I've only made such a drastic change in my hair once before, as a missionary. I donated 14 inches to "Locks for Love" while in Colorado. And this time, I have 10 inches. All packaged up and ready to go.

It's wonderful. I look like I planned to look like this, instead of just being overgrown and tired. What a nice change.

Caleb is 6 weeks:

A gal in my ward took some pictures, and I can't begin to describe how excited about the pictures I am. She did a fabulous job!!! If you are looking for a photographer for a great price, let me know, I'll share her info!

Caleb is 6 weeks old, and was nearly 12 lbs at his one month appointment. He is continuing to round out and is still a cuddly little boy. I've carried him a few times in the baby sling, and he is quite content to sleep against my front for a few hours at a time. He eats well, and is getting better about sleeping when I want to sleep. I'm generally getting up once to feed him during the night, although there are often exceptions to that. It may also help that Caleb likes to be very awake and alert until midnight, so our nights start later than I'd prefer.

Caleb is starting to smile at us more often when we interact with him. He also is getting stronger as he lifts his head off my shoulder.

Joshua is settling into a routine with having a baby brother at home. He is a big help and is always getting better.

Who needs sleep?

Remember that song by the Barenaked Ladies? I find myself singing it in my head pretty often these days:

"Who needs sleep?

Well you're never gonna get it!

Who needs sleep?

Tell me what's that for?

Who needs sleep?

Be happy with what you're getting...."

Sometimes I feel like a zombie. Sometimes I even act like one...I'm so hopeful that Joshua will forget how short my temper is if I keep trying every day to be better. Someday, I'll get enough sleep again...

On a similar note, Joshua has been testing his sleeping boundaries, too. He's moved into his new room, and often elects to play with his toys rather than sleeping at nap time. Which is ok, he is still having quiet time. But while dinner is being prepared, it is always apparent that little Joshua still needs to have a nap. I am trying to brainstorm ways to achieve a nap from where we are now. I think if I were to put him into his crib or into a pack'n'play, he would climb out, and start climbing in other ways, too. But in the meantime, I have a growing collection of crazy positions I find Joshua in when he does happen to nap. Please enjoy, and give advice if you have any.

Welcome Home!

Our family was blessed with the happy and healthy arrival of Caleb Riley Heaton last week.

He arrived 7.5 hours after parents were admitted into the hospital.

Caleb weighed in at 8 lbs 8 oz. and 20.5 inches long. He has dark hair and dark eyes and is eating well.

A top priority for Benjamin is to play hard with Joshua and to help Emily rest. Joshua's new job is to have gentle hands with baby, and to give his mom hugs. Emily's number one is to keep Joshua and Caleb filled with food during the day and to rest when all is quiet.

By popular demand:

Not too different from usual, right?

WRONG!!

Ever feel like you have an inflated beach ball strapped to your middle? That's what I feel like. Not much obvious growth anywhere, except right in the middle.