Ultra-difference

At my 20 week ultrasound our baby girl looked fine, but like all her siblings, they noted that there was fluid on her kidneys. And it was enough that they wanted me to do a follow-up ultrasound which I did. I was excited - which may seem wrong since there was something that needed to be checked out with my baby, but with the other three it never amounted to anything so I knew not to worry - and I love getting ultrasounds. Only I had it done at the Radiology department at the base hospital and the lady was NOT NICE. She obviously had never been pregnant before because she didn't let me see her screen, she didn't show me my baby, didn't give me a picture, nothing! When I half sarcasticaly and have seriously asked her if it was still a baby girl her response was, "I don't know I didn't bother to look." So I left that appointment rather bummed and told PJ that he'd have to work me into his schedule one day so he could do a quick ultrasound to show me my baby (which he never got around to). But as it turns out the fluid was still there, and right at the upper-limit. So my doctor decided to refer me to the specialist at the hospital just to get a better look.
I had that appointment today and it was a world of difference. They were very thorough, it was a 2 hour appointment! For the actual ultrasound there was a monitor on the wall infront of me so I could see everything she was doing and not even have to stretch my neck. And she pointed out the smallest details - like how the baby is starting to get hair on her head. She stopped when she saw a cute shot and was so nice. Here are some pictures from today:

Apparently the kidneys are just barely back in to the normal range so they aren't worried about them. But I am going in for a follow-up ultrasound in 4 weeks. But mainly because he noted that she was slightly on the small size. Today, being at 32 weeks and 1 day, she weighed 4lbs 5oz which put her in the 31st% for size. Which isn't too worrysome except that he notice how my other babies were all at the other end of the specturm - Dylan for example weighing 8lbs 8oz 2 weeks early, and them inducing me 2 weeks early with Tyler because they thought he was measuring large. So he told me to rest more (yeah right?!?) and come back in 4 weeks so they could see how she was growing. It was a little frustrating to hear she was small and that only 4lbs of all the weight I gained was due to her ;) But things are fine and I'm looking forward to my ultrasound in 4 weeks.

Vacation Bible School

Last week Brynn and Tyler got to spend each morning at the Shiloh United Methodist Church, with their friends Ali and Anya, attending Vacation Bible School. The program was wonderfully done and had a High Seas Expedition theme... which Tyler loved. Tyler was also especially brave because, while Brynn got to be in a group with Anya, Tyler had to be in a group all by himself with no one he knew - but that kind of thing doesn't bother him and he never seemed to notice.

(Brynn & Tyler) (Anya and Brynn)

They did all sorts of fun crafts including coloring pillowcases, wooden snakes, sailor hats, etc.

They marched up all proud one day to tell me they even got to use the markers that I never let them use (Sharpies).

And even with all the fun and creative snacks and bible lessons and outdoor waterfun, Tyler's favorite part had to be the singing and dancing. Brynn was ready to go the minute she saw me walk in the door - not because she wasn't enjoying herself because she was sad to see it end - but because she didn't really get into the music part and could be found just standing or sitting with everyone else having a great time around her...

...Tyler on the other hand wouldn't leave until the last song was done...

This isn't really all that surprising since every day after preschool this last year the first thing out of his mouth would be, "I payed outside!!!" and then, "I sing songs!!!!".

But they each enjoyed it in their own way and it was a great week!... and I loved running errands without them :)

6 Year Stats

Brynn had her 6 year well check today. She was not happy that I was making her go to the doctor when she was "fine". And she was very concerned that she was going to need a shot. She doesn't like hospitals or anything of the like. So she needed to be brave today. And she did just great and no, she didn't need any shots.

• She weighed in at 49.6 pounds which put her in the 75% for weight.
• She measured 46.14 inches which put her in the 50-75% for height.

She looked perfectly healthy in every way!
And I don't normally take pictures of my kids in the doctors office; however, we had a little bit of a wait this time so what else was I to do?!? And when the nice doctor finally did come in the room Tyler ever so matter of factly informed her that she "was late and he was getting tired of waiting". GEEZ! She apologized to him for running behind and on the way out told me my kids were very well behaved?!...

Their Relationship

My mother and daughter have a uh... unique relationship. I guess it could be considered hot/cold or love/hate. When its just the two of them, they bond and talk and have a great old time. But when there are other people around Brynn tends to get an attitude and my mom loves to give it right back - which only fires Brynn up more.
As I was going through some things I came across a picture from our Easter weekend together as a family that highlights this dynamic.
Brynn very sweetly colored this drawing for Gramma Peper and gave it to her while we were all sitting together out in the living room...
Upon seeing Grampa also sitting there she ran back into the kitchen and came back with an identical picture for him. Or so we thought... After thanking Brynn for the picture he turned to mom and asked her (very seriously) what hers said on the back. And she replied "I love the rabbits, why, isn't that what yours says?" And he smiled his big smile and said, "No, mine says, I love YOU!" And he couldn't stop laughing, and mom couldn't stop laughing. My daughter... she didn't mean to make Gramma feel bad and thankfully we all saw the humor in the drawings :)

Maybe you had to be there, maybe you have to see them in action to understand, but really it was hillarious...and my mother and daughter really do love eachother very much.

the Fruits of my Labors

Remember my Topsy Turvy garden? The one my husband told me for forever not to do because they wouldn't work. The one my husband didn't want me spending money on because it would be a waste. Well in six weeks time it went from looking like this...
to this...

This... to this...

And this... to this...
A beautiful sight isn't it?!

And this week I picked the first fruits of my labors (except for the lettuce and cilantro I've been using for a while now)...

Totally worth every penny honey :)

Tylers Scripture

Last Sunday Tyler got assigned to give the scripture and prayer for the first time in Primary at church. He came home so proud to show us the paper that had his assignment on it (and got quite upset when his cute little brother tore it up moments later). So I told PJ my challenge for that week was to help Tyler memorize his scripture... only it wasn't that much of a challenge. Tyler had it memorized within ten minutes that very same day. He was so cute and practiced all week long. And went from telling me he would need help, to telling me I could stay in my chair becuase he was brave and could do it all by himself without help. And sure enough he did. Only sadly, they didn't realy understand what he was saying and after he said the scripture they said "amen" because I guess they thought he had just given the prayer first instead. But despite the confusion I was a very proud mother standing in the back of that primary room today. Here is a video of him practicing...

Got that?!... :) He said, Moroni 10:5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Brynn also got to give a talk in Primary last Sunday. Only I can't go into the Primary room when she is doing something like that because something about my presence makes her get needy and clingy and unable to perform without my help. So daddy went in and he said she did great. She only needed help with a few words as she read her talk all by herself. What brave strong kiddos I have!

Daddy's Day

We all know that fatherhood is not an easy assignment, but it ranks among the most imperative ever given, in time or eternity. We must not pull away from our children. We must keep trying, keep reaching, keep praying, keep listening. We must keep them 'within the clasp of our arms'. -Jeffrey R Holland

Fatherhood is leadership - the most important kind of leadership. It has always been so; it always will be so. Father, with the assistance and counsel and encouragement of your eternal companion, you preside in the home. It is not a matter of whether you are the most worthy or best qualified, but it is a matter of law and appointment. As a leader in your home, you plan and sacrifice to achieve the blessings of a unified and happy family. To do all of this requires that you live a family-centered life. -Spencer W Kimball

We are thankful for the leader of our home who makes us feel like we are the center of his world and who keeps us in his arms of love. My kids are daddy's kids, they always have been, and I have no doubt that they always will be. Their world revolves around daddy.

So today it was sweet to see the excitement in Brynn's face when she made that realization that PJ got to be home with us all day today and she said "really, daddy gets to be home and he doesn't even have to work or be on call?!"...('on call' meaning he wouldn't be coming home at night). Or it was touching to hear Tyler pray at dinner that "daddy could get to go golfing and come see us at the froggy pool."... oh they know their dad all too well.

Of course all their sentiments weren't so sweet. For example, on the way home from church Brynn presented the picture she had drawn for daddy. Then she said, "mom look at it! I even drew daddy WITH hair!!"...and then proceeded to bust up laughing.

So for his special day we had a few presents for him...

And we made him a yummy "Cafe Rio" or "Chipotle" type dinner...

Complete with a moist homemade yellow cake with "none of that heavy store bought frosting" but instead a light whipped topping - just like he likes.

And even though it was his special day he still got up and did his usual clean up. But we all helped...

Happy Father's Day! We love you!

Super Duper Pasta Salad

I came across this family favorite recipe years ago when I was working at BYU. One of my coworkers, Tammy Miner, brought it in for some potluck we were doing and I fell in love. It is awesome because it makes a TON, so its great for larger parties/gatherings or having plenty of leftovers (which is what PJ and Brynn really enjoy).

Super Duper Pasta Salad:

• 12 oz Bowtie Pasta, cooked and cooled
• 12 oz Corkscrew Pasta, cooked and cooled
• 20 oz can Pineapple Tidbits
• 2 cups Celery, chopped
• 2 cups Grapes
• 9 1/2 oz Cashews or Almonds
• 6 oz Craisins
• 2 - 11 oz cans Mandarin Oranges
• 4 Chicken Breasts, cooked and diced
• 16 oz Coleslaw Dressing (I usually have the Kraft brand in my pantry)
• 1 cup Mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Peper

In a LARGE bowl, mix all ingredients together and refrigerate!

***I don't usually put the celery in and only sometimes the nuts. And then of course I just put as much of everything else as I feel like. If I go too crazy adding stuff then I have to add more Coleslaw dressing cause I love having the flavor. And I like to do different/fun pasta shapes for the kids.

Brynn's Baby Doll Birthday

My baby girl turned 6 today! And a while ago, she and her dad decided that she needed to have a baby doll party - so I went with it.
The invitation:

The Guests:

Neighbor Katherine, kindergarten classmate Annabella, bus friend Haven, church friend Ashlynn, and friends Anya and Ali.

The Cake:

The Birthday Morning:

Brynn loves wearing "pretty" clothes. So I bought her a new birthday outfit and had it ready and waiting outside her door for her when she woke up. Oh and wake up she did... at 4:50am!!!! And no, she would not go back to sleep. So by the time we lounged around, ate breakfast, showered and got ready she crashed on my bed at 8:30...but only for about 20 minutes and then she was refreshed and ready to go!
The Decorations:

The Activities:

When they arrived they got to decorate their diaper bags...

Then we played games to fill them up with prizes.

The first game was like a 'cake walk' - they pushed their babies in a circle to lullabye music and when their spot was drawn they got to pick a homemade baby blanket...all the fabric was specialy picked out by Brynn...

Then we had a bottle race to see who could drink their bottle the fastest (it was hard)! They got to keep their bottles and won a candy one...

And there was a dirty diaper dunk - when they made a basket they won a package of diapers.

And there was of course playtime...

The Lunch:

Brynn got to decide the menu and she choose "baby pizzas" (aka bagel bites), baby carrots & cucumbers with ranch, cheeseballs and watermelon.

The Presents:

She was in heaven and loved everything! Big thank you's were deserved!
The rest of the day:

It consisted of playing, watching her new movie, playing with more new stuff, a picnic dinner and of course she HAD to go swimming! And now she is peacefully sleeping a very content and happy 6 year old girl....MY 6 year old girl...