The past 72 hours

Here are some pictures from the last 72 hours of our lives. Not the most fun.

Davis is in the hospital with some sort of infection. He ended up in the Pediatric ER with a high fever Friday night. Tests including a spinal tap were performed and he was admitted. We expect him to stay until at least Wednesday of this week as he is on IV antibiotics.

Both my sisters came to Vegas to help out. Tonight they took the night shift and I just slept for 6 hours straight. I so needed that sleep!

It's a Boy!!!

On Monday, August 24 at 7:02 PM our second child was born. To our great surprise, he was a boy. We didn't actually find out the gender beforehand, but I was as sure as could be that the baby was a girl, and managed to bamboozle my lovely wife into thinking the same thing.

As such, we were much better prepared to name a little girl than we were to name a little boy. We weren't wholly unprepared to name a boy, but we found out that what we thought was 'our' short list of boy names was really just a combination of the 'Bryce list' of boy names and the 'Karen list' of boy names, and that there was exactly zero overlap of the two lists when it actually came time to name the child.

In the midst of welcoming the beautiful new baby into our lives, then, we went through what turned out to be the fairly painful process of naming him. As a matter of fact, it took us the better part of two days to realize that we could not agree on any of the boy names on our short list. I'll put it to you this way, if you asked Karen whether it was harder to bring the baby into this world or to name him, she'd probably say that it was harder to bring him into the world, but she'd probably take a few moments to think about it.

Literally ten minutes before we were to check out of the hospital we had all the paperwork that we needed to leave the hospital filled out except for the boy's first and middle names. It wasn't until that point that we realized completely that none of the names on our short list would work. So--with ten minutes to H-hour--we decided to widen the scope a bit, and to take another look at a few names that we'd previously passed over.

A few minutes later we agreed to name the baby Davis Bram. Since we'd had a couple of close calls before--with Karen agreeing to a name and then changing her mind 10 minutes later, and before I had filled in the form for the birth certificate--I wrote Davis Bram down on the form (in ink) the instant that she gave it the green light. Shortly after that we were in the car taking the baby home for the first time and thinking about what a wonderful and crazy few days it had been.

Since we've had a few questions about the name itself, I'll take a moment to explain it. Davis is just a name that we like. It isnt' a family name of any kind, at least as far as we know. We like it because--like Jack--it is a classic name that has been around a long time and will--presumably--be around for a long time to come. We also liked the idea that that name isn't so uncommon that he will be the only Davis he ever knows in his life, and yet that it isn't so common that he will be one of five boys named Davis in his kindergarten class.

Bram is actually short for Abraham, at least in Holland (and the fact that neither Karen nor I are Dutch doesn't bother us in the least). I zeroed in on it because I thought it went well with Davis and our last name, but was really sold when I realized that it had some substance as well as style. We also like it because we think that the name has just a tiny little bit of edge, but that it isn't too 'out there' (and if you happen to disagree then we don't care anyway).

Suffice it to say we are absolutely thrilled with the little boy who has just joined our lives and are very happy with the name we chose for him (notwithstanding the adventure it was to name him).

This is our first picture as a family of 4.

Jack absolutely LOVES being a big brother.

As Jack would say, this picture is one of my "new favorites"--an instant classic to be sure.

Doesn't Karen look fantastic? I just can't get over how well she looks after just having given birth. She says the second time has been much easier than the first for her.

Apologies again

So it turns out I took a blogging break for a longer period of time than I anticipated. First it was morning sickness...then it was quilt retreat...then it was buying a house and deciding to remodel it...and finally it was moving. Now I've got about 10 days before Baby #2 arrives. Hopefully, another blogging break won't sneak up again. :)

[By the way, I'm not sure why Bryce hasn't blogged. He wasn't sick, pregnant, or managing the remodel. He didn't forget about the blog either because he'd often say to me, "We need to update our blog." In this case, "we" was being used as the singular "we". It often happens in our marriage. You too?]

We've now moved and are really enjoying our new home. Here's a sneak peek of before and after photos. If you can't tell which photo is before and which photo is after don't even bother asking...I'll just start crying.

Happy Birthday, Jack!

There's no better way to celebrate your 2nd birthday than by moving to a new home.

Don't believe me? Just look at the list Jack made of pros and cons:

Pros:

• Grandma Madsen, Grandpa & Grandma Wisan, Aunt Jann, and Uncle Doug all came to town to help with the big move. They also all brought presents!
• I got to ride on a dolly, play in boxes, and color with marker on the boxes.
• Grandma Jean brought homemade cookies. Since my dad ate them for breakfast, I did too.
• My mom managed to set aside the wrapped gifts, candles, party hats, and camera in a box that could be found easily when needed. The party hats were my request and I wore my all day.
• I didn't have to stay home all day. I got to visit Syd's house where she made me cupcakes and let me swim in her pool. I got to visit Emma's house where she played with me and painted my toe nails.
• I got to eat out for lunch and dinner. My request for Cafe Rio was heard.

Cons:

• My mom was a little preoccupied and tired. She even cried over some mistake with the kitchen cabinets.
• My mom didn't have time to make a cake or plan a cute themed party. She said maybe next year.

The party started early....cookies from Grandma Jean for breakfast and a birthday hat.

My new ride from Grandma Madsen.

Blowing out candles. Cupcakes made and decorated earlier that day at Syd's house.

Apologies

My brother commented the other day our blog is going downhill.  (I think he was joking. But isn't there some truth behind every joke?) I apologize.  

Actually, Bryce would say I don't need to apologize.  So for him, I take back the apology.  I won't apologize.  I'll just acknowledge the truth.  

The truth is:

1) I was busy working on a small book for my Grandma's 95th Birthday.  I compiled beautiful memories written by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  The book was titled "95 reasons we love you."  We had a great party for her (complete with lunch and a carnival) and presented her with the book.  

2) I've been working on some quilts.  Shocker, I know. I'm way behind on our family round robin projects.  I currently have 2 quilts needing my attention which means someone in the rotation doesn't have a quilt. 

Two weeks ago I drove to St. George to my mom's house to quilt.  Driving 2 hours sounded way easier than hauling all of my sewing supplies out of boxes and trying to make a sewing area on my kitchen table.  Plus, my mom was kind enough to help watch Jack and help me sew.  I would post pictures of the quilt but that would ruin the surprise.  The quilts will be revealed in April at our families annual quilt retreat.  Pictures will come in April.

3) I'm way behind on laundry, house cleaning, and opening mail.  Sad.  It drives me crazy too. I wish a snap of the fingers could take care of it.

4) I've been sick.  I don't have the flu, just the normal tiredness and vomiting that comes with pregnancy territory.  Baby Wisan will arrive Aug. 25th.  We know (not just feel) this baby is a miracle in our lives. 

My thought last night as I vomited after a Primary dinner was I really should clean my toilets just to make vomiting more pleasant.  If only I had the energy...

Renaissance Man

This year for Christmas Karen, to my surprise, convinced my siblings and their spouses that we should spice up the sibling gift exchange by requiring that at least a portion of the gift be handmade. That actually ended up being a good thing for those of us who were given gifts by spouses, but not necessarily such a good thing for those who were given gifts by the siblings (except by Nat, that is). 

I actually tried to get out of doing the 'homemade' portion of my gift, but Karen was insistent that I fully participate in the activity. She suggested that I make my sister-in-law Brianne a headband. After much convincing and the use of much leverage, Karen got me in front of the sewing machine. Let's just say that it took a lot of supervision to get me from start to finish. 

I just thought this needed to be documented as evidence that I actually did do the work (not that the workmanship of the headband I made isn't evidence enough that I did it). 

The Renaissance Man at work. There isn't anything I can't do. 

Although I did have to do a substantial amount of unpicking for such a small project. 

The one I made is the red one on the end. 

Paper Airplanes

One activity that Jack really enjoys with daddy is making and flying paper airplanes. But he--apparently--has learned that he doesn't actually need me around to do it. 

Yesterday afternoon Karen watched Jack get into the computer cabinet, grab a piece of paper from the printer, 'fold' (I use the term loosely in this case) it into an airplane, and then throw it and chase it around the front room. Karen says that he was having the time of his life. 

This is the first paper airplane Jack ever made all by himself. 

Shapes

Jack with his favorite 'shapes' toys

For the last several months, Jack has really enjoyed playing with his shapes. In the last few weeks, however, he has gotten very good at identifying what goes where. In fact, I can hold up a shape and ask him where it goes, and he will immediately point to the correct slot. 

I am amazed at how quickly these little ones learn and discover the world around them, and I sit in awe at how much joy there is in helping it happen. Jack is very lucky to have a mom who constantly provides him with new opportunities and experiences. 

Mommy & Bryce

Two of Jack's first five or so words were "ma-ma" and "da-da." Since then his vocabulary has increased quite a bit, and he has become able to verbalize more complex phrases and thoughts. 

For instance, now Jack can say "mom," "mommy," and "mommy's" (possessive) in addition to ma-ma. 

He has taken it a step further with me and now calls me by my first name--Bryce--about half the time. Is that a sign of sophistication? Respect? Does it have anything to do with the fact that for years I have called my own mother, whose given name is Jean, Jeannie? 

Photo of the Day

What happens when you skip your morning nap and then eat lunch? 

The Tease

Another thing that Jack has recently started doing is teasing me. What he does is hold out a piece of food in his hands like his is going to give it to me. But when I open my mouth and move towards him so that he can put the food in my mouth, he pulls the food away, shakes his head 'no', smiles and laughs at me, and--the kicker is--he says "tease". He just thinks it is the funniest thing ever. 

I took this picture this morning just after Jack teased me with some of the cereal that you see him eating on his tray. I get a kick out of the fact that the kid just cracks himself up. That being said, I am aware of one other person in the family who also laughs at his own jokes. Once again I must conclude that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 

PS Jack got his second haircut yesterday. He didn't have much to cut in the first place, but I guess his mother is attracted to men who keep it high and tight. 

The First...

Since this is the first post of the new year, I thought I'd share some firsts with you.

Tonight, we had our first Family Home Evening with Jack as an actual participant (yes, I am a derelict parent for having waited this long, but those of you who know me already know that I am a derelict parent, so you aren't the least bit surprised at this revelation). Karen went to the store and bought the new nursery manual, which she heard was a good resource for FHE with young kids (those of you who know Karen are not the least bit surprised that she was the driving force behind this event).

Anyway, we started FHE by having a song. That song happened to be, "If You're Happy and You Know it Clap Your Hands." That may be the first line of the song, or it may be the title of the song, or both, I'm not sure. Anyway, Jack was absolutely in hog heaven. He just couldn't get enough of the song. He would smile from ear to ear and clap to his heart's content when we started to sing.

When we would finish the song, Jack would say, "again", and would make the hand sign for 'more'. I bet we ended up singing that song a dozen times, and it was as much fun for him the last time as it was the first.

We also sang a song about a snowman melting, but I don't remember the name of it (believe it or not, primary songs have never been my forte). Jack liked it as well, but it wasn't as special to him as "If You're Happy..." Suffice it to say the music portion of FHE was Jack's favorite part by a long shot.

The other 'first' that we have to share with you is that Jack did his first somersault today. For the last month or so Jack has--from a standing position--bent forward and put is head and hands on the floor while still keeping his feet on the ground (kind of in the shape of an upside-down "V"). When Jack started doing this, Karen and I wondered what he was trying to do. As time went on, we realized that he was trying to do a somersault.

Well, tonight was the big time because he went up and over (or at least he went mostly up and over). He was as proud of himself as could be, and came up smiling and clapping for himself. It was quite a performance. We'll have to get him doing it on film.

Today was a really great day for us. Jack is a source of pure joy for Karen and me. Every day he seems to learn something new, and it is rejuvenating for me to see him discover the world.

PS We know that we need to post pictures on our holiday adventures, but will have to do that another day.