Rollercoaster Week

This week has definitely been a rollercoaster week full of emotions. Monday one of my really good friends Sara had her baby. We were able to go visit them at the hospital and their new little boy Jonas is adorable. It's amazing to see a new little life and contemplate how they just came from Heavenly Father. (I took this pic from Sara's blog of little Jonas, I hope that's ok Sara!)

On Wednesday we had family start arriving for my grandma's viewing. It was hard to see grandma that night as she didn't look too much like herself but my sister Jeralee made an interesting point. She told me she thought of it as grandma's shell....it's not really her as her spirit has left her body. I had never thought of it in that way before. Thursday morning more family came and 5 of us 6 kids were able to be here. It was nice to visit with my grandma's sisters and some cousins and family that I don't see often. The service was beautiful and I learned some wonderful things about my grandma that I didn't know. I didn't even think to take my camera so hopefully I will be able to get some pictures from one of my sisters to post.

Looking back on the week there have been things to make me smile and laugh as well as cry and mourn. I held a newborn baby which put a smile on my face. I cried and mourned as I said goodbye to my grandma. As for laughter - there was much as our family sat around and enjoyed each other's company. And to complete that laughter - Chandler & Maeli doing the oompa loompa dance to "Agustus Gloop" (from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory)

Falling Asleep

I love it when babies do things like this. Rowan was playing with his toys and fell asleep holding it. When the toy would start moving again, it'd startle him but he'd fall back asleep anyways.

Grandma

So as I mentioned in a post last week, my Grandma Nielson was not doing well. She passed away on Saturday May 24, 2008 at around 12:20 pm. I had been at the assisted living where she was on and off last week and was sad I wasn't there when she passed. I had worked Friday night and came home Saturday morning to sleep. I guess my mom came home around 11:30 and thought about waking me up to come help dress Grandma in some cooler clothes as they were going to give her a bath. She decided not to wake me up and by the time I did wake up at around 1:30 my sister Avry called me to let me know what had happened. I later realized my mom had tried calling earlier and I also had voice mail from my brother Jason.
It was a bittersweet moment walking in after grandma had died. I realized how she was free from a body that was failing her and I'm sure was welcomed by my grandfather and other loved ones. However, it's hard on this side to see her go. She has definitely left a legacy here on earth.

Jason, Grandma, Charlise

My mom found a letter the other day that my grandma had written at her 50th anniversary for my grandpa - it was a small life story and it was interesting for me to read as I did not know some of the things about her life.
Here are some interesting facts or things that I remember about grandma.

* She was always very active in the church and in this letter wrote down every church calling she ever had. It makes me realize how much her faith played in her life.

* She had 6 children, but lost 3 at birth. Her oldest, Edgar was born 2 months premature and only lived 7 hours. Dolores was born next 2 1/2 months premature. The next was a baby boy who only lived a few minutes and they did not name him. She went on to have 3 more children, Tamara, Scott (my dad), & Nick. I can't imagine losing 3 babies at birth, she really was a strong woman.

* She always had hard doublemint gum in her purse and offered it as a treat.

* I remember seeing grandma at the grocery store in high school while on lunch break. She was buying groceries and ripped open a bag of chocolate chips for my friends & me. Kind of a funny memory, not sure why it sticks out so much in my mind.

* She was an amazing seamstress and made my baptism dress as well as other dresses, jumpsuits, clothing, and stuffed animals. I remember well the care bear & fluffy dog she made for me. She was also great when it came to crocheting and I have a beautiful afghan she made me as well as a doll with a nice crocheted dress.

* She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing to all of the grandchildren. There was a time after grandpa passed that I would come sit with her at my parents house about 3 days out of the week. She loved to hold Chandler and would sing songs like, "Bushel & a peck" & "Be happy"

Grandma with Chandler April 2006

* She would always have frozen chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream for us to eat when we came to visit.

* Grandma was an excellent cook and always made cream peas and potatoes for family gatherings. (Which happens to be my favorite food)

* She was only 17 when she got married and eloped with my grandpa who was 24 at the time.

I'm thankful to my grandma and for the role she has played in my life. She has really taught me a lot in these last few years of her life and it's amazing to look at all of my extended family and see how great her posterity is. I really love her and look up to the person she was and the life she led. Her funeral is going to be held on Thursday. Here is a link to her obituary.

What to do...

Not a whole lot is new here.  Seems like I often have people asking how the job hunting is going.  I think both Marshall and I are feeling restless and are ready to get on with our lives.  Nothing came of Marshall's interview he had in Boise so that one is out.  I think it's funny how employers try to tell you nicely when they don't want you for a job.  Just a few of the examples:  

"We've got other candidates that will better match our needs."  

 "There were others that were more qualified."  

Why can't they just say, "We decided not to hire you, but here are the reasons....."  Plain and simple.  

I don't really get the "more qualified" excuse that they give when it comes to entry level positions. Marshall has been working really hard to build his resume the last 4 years and personally I think it is pretty impressive, especially when he is up against other college grads.  (Not that I am biased or anything because I'm super proud of my hubby.)  :)    I had to post his resume in pieces because it was in a pdf format - so you'll probably have to click on them to be able to read them.  



 

Anyways, we've been waiting to hear back from Young & Rubicam who is just outside of Detroit. Marshall would really love to work for an advertising agency and this is one that is definitely at the top of his list. We were supposed to find

out a week ago if he got the job which is for an entry level Account Coordinator. They were still doing interviews until yesterday I guess, so he's supposed to know by mid next week if he got it. So here we sit, itching to get out of Rigby and waiting for our opportunity....

And for your viewing enjoyment, a random video of Chandler dancing.

4 months and more

Today was Rowan's 4 month well baby. He was 15 lbs 11 oz, 26 inches & 16 & 3/4 for his head. The ped was a little surprised to see those two little teeth in there but then again made the point that every baby is different. I think that is one thing that has been hard this time around is trying not to compare Rowan to Chandler at this age or even to other babies his age. He also got all of the lovely shots but hasn't seemed to irritable so far today.
He really has grown a lot in the last 4 months.

After his appointment, we went over to see Grandma Nielson (my dad's mom) She has been living in an assisted living center for about a year and a half. She has taken a turn for the worse these last few days and can't even get out of bed. I wasn't prepared to see her and lost all control when I walked into her room. Seeing her there so vulnerable and so close to death was hard to see. Grandma woke up for a few minutes and reached for my hand. I just sat there and held her hand and let her hold little Rowan's hand too. Grandma adores babies and I couldn't help but thing about life long and hard while watched Rowan clutching onto a couple of her fingers. It was eye opening to see someone who just came into the world a few months ago and someone who doesn't have much time left in this world. Part of me wants to see her go so she can be with my grandpa who passed in December 2005. She has sleep apnea episodes where she won't breathe for 30 seconds and just looks past you when she is awake. My mom was reading to me a pamphlet the hospice nurse had given her last night and grandma's body is clearly shutting down. I know I don't often get too serious with my posts but I am really very grateful for the knowledge we have in this life and know today was a testimony builder for me.
When I came home Marshall had dressed Chandler in this little red gingham cowboy shirt that was his as a little boy. I've seen pictures of Marshall in it when he was little - his grandma made it for him. I'm surprised at what good condition it is in after 22 years. I'll have to try to scan a pic of Marshall in when he has this little shirt on.

The Zoo

In an effort to keep the cookie monster/monkey boy entertained we decided to go to the zoo in Idaho Falls today. We met up with Natalie & Claire and had a great time. Chan and Claire weren't too fond of riding in the strollers the whole time so we told them to hold hands and they did for a little while. It was pretty cute.
We couldn't find Chandler's hat before we left so he insisted on wearing Rowan's hat. It really didn't fit that well (of course because it is a size 6-12 months) but he wanted to wear it anyways. Guess we need to get him some more hats. Rowan was great and slept most of the time!

Feeding the goats

Cookie Monster

I think someone has been watching a little too much Sesame Street lately...

Climbing the tree

Boy or monkey?

The Weekend

Seemed like we did quite a bit this weekend, or so it seems when I look back at the pictures. Rowan has started sitting in the exersaucer and likes it quite a bit - I think because he can look around.

Chandler also likes sitting in it, although he is a little to big. He loves the baby toys - thinks they are new toys for him.

Saturday we took Chandler to the Riot Zone to play on the inflatable toys. When we bought Chandler's wristband the girl told us the toys we "A little wet" due to the weather we'd been having. A little wet was an understatement. We were only there 45 minutes and Chandler was soaked before we left.





 You'd think they'd build some sort of shelter over them to help them last longer and not get weathered and wet.  He was a pretty happy boy but we had to strip him down to get him in the car.

I was supposed to work all weekend and on Saturday realized Rowan hadn't had a bottle for 3 weeks.  Marsh & I fought him all day to try to take one and he wouldn't.  We went out and bought some rice cereal to see if he would eat that.  He did pretty well with it so we figured Marsh would give him cereal once while I was gone and then bring him up at the hospital at midnight to have me feed him.  Well at about 11:30 a very triumphant Marshall called me and told me he got Rowan to take a bottle.  He's been on a pacifier strike as well because he is teething.  Marshall said he finally got him to take his pacifier and then switched it out for the bottle and he drank the whole thing.  Yay!  Speaking of the teething - his bottom two teeth popped through yesterday.  He's not even 4 months!  Seems a little early to me.  I tried to get a good picture of them but I couldn't so maybe I will soon.

Mother's day was nice.  I got a refurbished 2G Zen MP3 player  that hasn't come yet.  Marshall also got me a card, a $15 itunes gift card and some WONDERFUL Lindt chocolate :)  Chandler made me a crown in nursery and I wanted to cry when he gave it to me as it is the first of many little crafts he will make growing up I'm sure.

 When I went to put it on though Chandler threw a fit and just kept saying, "No!  Don't!"  There was this cute poem to go with it too.

  I got put on call last night so I didn't have to go into work.  Nice.  I also just wanted to tell my mom Happy Mother's Day!  I have a great mom who does so much for me!  I also have a wonderful MIL!  Happy Mother's Day to both of you.

Twilight Trailer

I saw this on Steph Hill's blog and was so excited I wanted to post! December seems like a LOOONG ways away!

Someone needs a haircut...

So if you remember this post a few months ago we cut Chandler's hair a LITTLE too short. So he's in need of a haircut again and I almost don't want to do it. (Not like I do it, Marshall does.) Maybe we'll wait until he's not so pale to cut it really short. We went for a playdate today with Sara and Carson to the park. Chandler's summer clothes are in storage right now, (guess we need to dig them out) so between his hot clothes, the warm weather, sweat, and his hat - his hair looked like this all afternoon :)

Boise

Marshall ended up getting  a few job interviews in Boise this week.  I didn't want to stay home with the kids by myself, so we decided to make a trip of it.  We went over Wednesday, stayed 2 nights and came home Friday because I had to work.  I got put on call tonight so I probably won't have to go into work at all unless it gets really busy.  It was fun to get away for a few days even if it was only to Boise.  We headed out at about 9 am on Wednesday.  I had to give Chan some medicine before we went as it seems like is getting another cold, but I half wonder if he has allergies?  Sometimes he will rub his eyes and say "Ouch, eyes!"  He has also been really congested and has a dry cough.  I think I may call the ped's office this week and try to get him in.  Anyways -  we got over halfway and decided to stop in Twin Falls to get lunch.  We decided to just stop at a grocery store to get some things and I stayed in the car for a bit to feed Rowan while Marshall took Chandler inside.  When Rowan was done eating, he decided to throw up half of it on me.  It wasn't just a little spit up, as I had to completely change my shirt and he was covered in it as well.  The rest of us ate and then we decided to get on the road again.  Chandler didn't eat a whole lot but we figured maybe he would eat more as we got going again.  I offered Chandler some ice cream once we were on the freeway.  He just held it but wouldn't eat it.  His face started getting pale and I took the ice cream away from him.  Less than a minute later, he threw up everywhere.  We were about 10 minutes from another exit so I started cleaning it up as best I could.  I was gagging the whole time  - I guess you could say I have a pretty weak stomach :(  I had to stop as I didn't want to contribute my lunch too.  It's one of those "mom duties"  that I knew I would always dread. Cleaning up after your kids when they get sick - blech!   We stopped at a Subway in Wendell and I changed Chandler while Marshall cleaned out the seat as best he could.  On the road again we went.  A half hour later we realized we were low on gas and had to stop again.  We finally made it to Boise after 3 stops and 5  1/2 hours.  

We had made plans to go to the Discovery Museum of Idaho .  It is a math/science hands on museum and was really very interesting.  It was not only geared towards kids but adults as well.

Chandler on a bed of nails.

 We spent a couple of hours there and headed to our hotel.  We got checked in and decided to venture out to find dinner.  We don't know our way around Boise very well so after about an hour of wandering/driving around we found the mall.  We got some dinner and decided to try to find me a swim suit as our hotel had a pool and I didn't have a swimsuit that fit.  I'm still about 8 lbs from my pre-preggo weight, (I wasn't going to get a new swimsuit until I reached my goal weight) but I decided to look for one anyway.  Any woman who has had a baby knows that your body is NEVER the same after having a baby.  I must have tried on 10 different swimsuits and didn't really like any of them.  Marshall was really patient with the boys and trying to make me feel good about some of the suits I tried on but I eventually just got frustrated and the mall was closing.  I did find one I liked but couldn't justify spending $70 on a swimsuit.  We finally headed over to good old Walmart and I found a swimsuit that would do.  Then back to the hotel to sleep.

Thursday we went swimming in the morning and then headed downtown to drop Marshall off for his 2 interviews.  One was with Balihoo  and the other was with Stratus.  The Stratus interview was more a networking one.  Marshall met the CEO of the company while at AAF competition on Portland.   The Balihoo one was for an actual position - he is supposed to hear back on that one by next Friday.  While Marshall was interviewing, I took the boys to ZooBoise.  I expected the Zoo to be bigger than what it is - seemed to be about the same size as Tautphus Park in Idaho Falls.  They did have a few fun hands on things for kids, like animals they could climb on, a few different slides, and a carousel. Chandler's favorite exhibit was the penguins and thankfully Rowan slept the whole time we were there.

.  

We went swimming again that night and Chandler LOVED it.

 We stayed at the Holiday Inn as we got a really good rate on the room.  We actually got the room through Hotwire for $39 a night plus tax.  The bad thing about hotwire - you don't know what hotel you have booked until it's all said an done.  It was a nice hotel though and definitely worth it - just under $100 for 2 nights.   

Our trip home today was a little less eventful than the trip there. We made good time and only had to stop once.   I decided I really wouldn't mind living in Boise but then again I'm not too picky at this point!  I keep telling Marshall he needs to post about how they did at their competition on Portland last week but he hasn't done it yet.  Hopefully soon.