One Tough Cookie

 Manning has officially earned the title of The first Harris boy to break a bone. The night of Memorial Day he was playing with Mattix and Carter and they were jumping off the couch and landing on the bean bag. This is a stunt that they do quite often and it seems innocent enough. At least until they started jumping from the back of the couch to the bean bag chair. After seeing how much fun it looked when the other two did it, Manning decided he had to try it. It didn't turn out the way he was probably planning, because he couldn't get up and was screaming. Everyone examined it and we tried to ice it. It swelled and bruised. But it looked like a good sprain. And with a lot of family stuff going on the next few days he started walking on it with a limp and we didn't think anything of it, but it was a bad sprain.Well after about a week or so we noticed he was running and walking but his foot was starting to turn to help him compinsate for the pain. Matt and I both agreed, this isn't normal, it was time to take him in. Yeah the x-rays confirmed it was broken. So the doctor sent us to Primary Children's Hospital the next day. They too confirmed it and gave him a cast. 

We thought for sure he would not be a happy camper. But they gave him permission to walk on it and even gave him a special shoe to wear. They said the type of break he had was a lucky one. The bone didn't shift it had stayed in place and even started to heal. (Even with him walking, running and jumping on it for 8 days.)

 Let's just say that this did not hold him back in any way. And even gave him a sense of confidence.

 He got creative and started using it as a break when he rode his bike. The doctor urged me to keep it clean. (Have they met my child?) I tried to put a sock over it to keep the dirt and stuff out.

They also said I had to keep it dry. This kid LOVES water. I tried so hard to keep him out of the water. I bathed him with a wash rag over the sink. We even had to shut off all the valves to the outside because he kept sneaking the water on. When we were close to the end of the 2 weeks they said he had to wear it we went to a family BBQ. The kids were going to be having water balloons and squirt guns. We did not want to torture the poor kid. So Daddy duct taped a garbage bag over the cast and we crossed our fingers that the cast wouldn't get wet. It got a little wet but nothing like the night he decided enough was enough and climbed into the ice cooler on the back porch to play in the water. Nana and I sat with the blow dryer trying to dry it out as good as we could.

 One of the cool parts of having a cast is letting everyone sign it. He loved that part. And even kept signing it himself. (I think he was more excited about the idea of being able to color on himself and not get in trouble than the writing on his cast part)

 2 weeks later we went back to the orthopedic to get it off. We met with a different doctor than the one we saw the first time. She had gone over his x-rays to get familiar with his chart and found a second break on the top of his foot. This was a second one to the one they found initially near the bottom of the fibula. She was worried about the way the break looked. It was kind of off. So she sent us to get a couple different angles of x-rays. She had him pick a new color of cast. I was so disappointed. I can't imagine longer than 2 weeks with that thing on. And she was saying this break could take another 3 weeks. Surprisingly she came back with another doctor to get his opinion. His bone healed on it's own correctly in the time he had the cast on already. That was awesome! We walked out of there cast free and very happy. We picked up the other boys and celebrated by going swimming. Than he took a long 45 minute bath.

 They cut this thing off and I do have to say, it was stinky, dirty and some how full of dirt and wood chips. I promise I tried to keep it clean and stuff out of it. 

I'd like to say that I hope this doesn't happen again but with a house full of boys I am afraid I have a long road ahead of me.

20 weeks... Half way there!

 I thought in honor of reaching the 20 week mark, I would do an official "We're having another baby (#4)" post. 

It all started with this, the image above. One I am sure many are very familiar with. And yes the answer to everyone's burning question, "did I think I was having a girl?" Yes I did kind of think this one might be a girl. But I can honestly say I would of loved this baby, boy or girl and I do. And the answer to the burning question #2, "will we be trying for a girl?" Well my answer to that is... Let me get through this pregnancy and we will talk. But as far as "trying for a girl," in my opinion there is no reason to "try," Heavenly Father will give me what is perfect for my family. 

"

 8 weeks I have no clue what they see. But apparently he's in there. 

The one below is 12 weeks. My boys loved this picture. We hung it on the fridge and they showed everyone that came over for the next week or so. I can't believe he already looks like a baby in this picture. The +'s with the line connecting them show the measurements from head to bum. That might help you see it better.

 

16 weeks. Precious tiny foot!!

 16 weeks we were lucky and got a sneak peak and found out we are having another boy. Yep that's 4 Harris boys. Daddy was very proud. (And I got the happy realization that I don't have to find a new blog name!!)) His brothers are very excited to have another brother.

20 weeks he wowed the ultrasound tech with his amazing stretching abilities. He showed off his kick mommy in the bladder skill.  During the ultrasound I got a glimpse into some personality and a little bit of attitude. In fact I think the words the tech used were "stubborn, not cooperative, naughty, and a stinker." Let's just say it worries me a little. I already have 3 others that could be classified in those same departments. Oh well. I am sure he will fit right in. Look at that face. I am thinking he might look like Mason with Mattix and Manning's lips? Whatever he looks like I can't wait to meet him.

See his hand by his forehead? I swear he's saying "oh just leave me alone."

20 week bump. 

A few things about this little guy:

• We have already picked out a name for him and it already feels so perfect. Maxton Andrew
• The first 16 weeks of being pregnant I puked 1-7 times a day. And nothing tasted good. Not even Dr. Pepper. And it still doesn't hit the spot.
• He's now decided that he has a love for Red Cream Soda and peanut butter and honey sandwiches.
• He does not like being bugged or pushed on. (ultra sound wands and seat belts in particular)
• He is a major wiggler. He wiggles so much daddy has already felt him. 

 

Not just rocks in a jar. :)

 If you are lost when you read this post. Click HERE. 

I am not sure if it was perfect timing or what. But I drove by one day after I found out that the Holiday was being torn down.. That day happened to be the day they were tearing it down and in the process of doing so. So I pulled over and snapped picture and cried for a min. (Gotta love prego hormones.) But it's officially gone.

 My mom had this great idea. She gave me a gift for Mother's day and inside was this jar.As I turned it around and around wondering what it was. It took a second to click and the yellow colored rocks in there to realize that this was a jar of more than just rocks. It was a jar of memories.

 My mom who I absolutely adore and is crazy just like me. Or maybe I get my craziness from her? Thought it was would be sneaky to wait until the construction guys left and go fill a bag up with pieces of the Holiday. (Yes this is something I probably would of done. And I am surprised I didn't think of it myself.)

My sister helped her type up and make a label for the jar which reads:

It all started with the both of you meeting here at the Holiday. Than you became the mother of 3 and one on the way... Happy Mother's day 2012.

I couldn't of said it better. I love it!!

Smiles and Trophies too

The baseball season has finally come to an end.

 It's a little bitter sweet. I loved seeing my boys learn and all the little successes they had all season.But at the same time the two games a week and trying to keep uniforms clean and all the pieces of the uniform for the boys was a little bit of a challenge.And than there's the crying and fits my boys are very good at throwing when they strike out or all the other reason my children show their emotions.

 Last Saturday was closing ceremonies. It was hot and kind of long, but the team all sat like champs and waited to be called up for their trophies.

 Matt was very lucky to be able to have a lot of help coaching. Which was very good. Trying to keep track of his work schedule and all the boys, than give them the attention they all needed would of been a challenge without the help. It worked out perfectly.

 They called the team up, they lined up and called each player by their name to get their trophy. I thought that was pretty special. 

Carter coming up for his.

 Mason( at least the top of his head) receiving his too.

 I barely caught Mattix as he went up.

 They all lined up for a picture. I unfortunately was on the wrong side. I missed the front view.

 I tried again but they had already started scattering.

 Carter proudly holding his trophy.

 Mattix with his.

 Mason is certain that their team was #1. Goes to show it doesn't matter what the stats say. (They did come in last #5. I think) All that matters is that they had fun and they feel good about playing.

)

Matt had each player and the coaches sign 12 balls and he passed them out to all the team. The cool thing was, without him knowing the trophies were shaped like a mitt and the ball fit perfect inside. It was pretty awesome.

Go Angels!! You did great this season.

Graduate #3!!

Between having a dead battery on my video camera and trying to chase around a crazy very busy 2 year old, I got a couple pictures of Mason's special day. 

Mason did awesome in kindergarten. We loved his teacher and we're crossing our fingers that Mattix get's her next year. Mason ended the school year with a 4.0. He totally rocked it. He loved math, art, music, recess, science and all of it he says. He is reading very well and amazes me with his awesome spelling skills. He is so ready for 1st grade and can't wait to be a big kid that gets to eat lunch at school. 

Congratulation's Mason!!

Just my Mattix and Me.

Mattix and one of his best buddies. Posing by the real (or real looking) astronaut.

 Mattix's class had their end of the year final field trip. They got to go to the planetarium and check out a cool movie there too. I was going to send him without me but at the last minute we found out that daddy would be home and I would get to go and have a "Mattix/Mommy only day." This doesn't happen very often.

 We got to touch water vapor and see what a real cloud would feel like.

 Walking like an alien on the moon.

 Climbing moon rocks.

 Walking like an astronaut.

 I told Mattix he was camo'd when I took his picture on Mars. He laid down and said "try to find me."

 Cutest picture ever.

 Trying not to make the earth collide with other planets is tough work. It takes 2.

 Take me to your leader.

Yep I got to take the cutest space creature home with me.

My Preschool Graduate!

 We had a few very exciting graduations this year. Mattix graduated preschool a couple weeks ago and will be on his way to kindergarten at the end of August. I think I am having a harder time grasping this idea than I did with Mason. Mattix is my mama's boy and has been since day one. We are both just a little attached to one another. But I am sure he is going to do just fine. He's very excited to go to the big school just like his big brother.

 Mrs. Sandy's preschool put on a wonderful performance at their graduation. Despite a minor set back involving a someone's finger accidentally poking him in the eye he did awesome. He is not the biggest fan of getting up in front of people. But he sang and was even a big part of the caterpiller in their little play they did.

 We love Sandy she is an awesome teacher and has done great with my boys. I hope Manning can be our next Sandy's Preschool graduate. (In a few years. I need some time to get over my other baby graduating.)

Introducing the Harris Family's newest almost kindergartner! 

Way to go Mattix!!