A day of firsts

Wednesday was a day of firsts. It was Cooper's first day of 1st grad and the boys and I walked him over to school in the morning. I could tell he was a little nervous, but also really excited. He found his teacher, Ms. Char, when it was time to line up and after that he was fine. He waved goodbye to me and off he went. It was a little easier to leave him this year, but I still waited anxiously all day for him to come home and tell me about his day. I asked him how it went and he just shrugged and told me "ok." I think he enjoyed it more than he lets on. :-)

Another first - our first trip to the ER for stitches.  That same day the boys were playing at the neighbors after school and Hudson took a header down their basement stairs. He face planted into the corner of their wall and received a nice gash on the right side of his chin. I took a look at it after the neighbor came to get me and it was obvious he would need stitches - the skin was gaping open. It was pretty gruesome. I drove him to the ER, where we had to wait 2 1/2 hours for him to receive 16 stitches. He was a brave little trooper. After the initial hysteria wore off, he just sat on the bed watching cartoons and playing on my phone, totally chill. He had a hard time during the actual stitching, but for all intents and purposes he was a rock. Literally. He would not smile or laugh no matter how hard I tried - he was a stone. My boys have already locked in that false tough guy act. ;-) I'm just glad the stitches dissolve so we don't have to go back to have them removed.

This is the 2nd time I've had to take him to Cardin Children's Hospital at Banner Desert (the first time was when he was 18 months old and swallowed a lithium battery) and I have to say I wasn't impressed either time. Unfortunately, it's the closest hospital to our house, so while I would like to say it will be our last trip there I'm not that naive. I'm raising 3 boys - its kind of inevitable that one will get hurt again. I just hope there's a long stretch before our next visit.

Summer 2013

Wow. I've been really bad about journaling, so maybe I'll start updating my blog again. That counts as journaling, right? :-)

This summer has flown by. We had a McDowell family reunion up in Heber, AZ. It was so fun to see all the aunts and uncles and even some cousins! We've spent a couple of great weekends in Thatcher, AZ with the Conrads and had an amazing trip to San Diego, CA.

The pics in this post are from our trip to San Diego. It was so much fun! We went for Randy's birthday. It was the boys' first time at the beach and watching them step into the ocean for the first time was such a fun and joyful experience. That sounds corny, but its honestly the best way I can think to describe it. They absolutely loved it. It was hard not to share their excitement and enthusiasm. We were also able to visit the San Diego Temple (gorgeous! ) and the Mormon Battalion Historic center. It was such a neat tour and afterwards the boys got to pan for gold, see how bricks we made, pump water and view the area from the tower on top of the building. The best part though, was probably seeing Cooper and Hudson dress up as soldiers.

We've had such a fun summer, but I think we're all ready for school to start. Cooper will be in 1st grade and Hudson starts preschool this year. For a few short hours it will just be me and Emmet. Ahhh, I do love fall.... :-)

First day of school

Cooper had his first day of kindergarten a few weeks ago. It was a bittersweet day. My sisters knew I was a little sad, so they came and took me to lunch and that made the day go by faster. :) I've since learned how quiet my house is when Cooper is at school and now sending him to school is no longer a problem. I walked him to and from school the first couple of days and ever since then he walks with his friends. He's so grown up! His teacher is Ms. Reeves and he really seems to enjoy school. He comes home everyday and empties his backpack to show me what he did in school that day. He made me laugh the other day, though because I told him the next day was Friday and then he was done with school this week. His eyes got big and he looked up at me and asked, "I'm done with school forever?" How do I explain that this is just the beginning . . . . :)

We're Alive!

I haven't posted for a year and a lot has changed. We're still in Mesa, but we have a new addition to our family. Emmet Taylor Conrad was born May 3rd, 2012. He was 7lbs 9oz and he came fast! My labor was a whole 2 1/2 hours. The epidural didn't have time to take effect before it was time to push, so it was a pretty intense labor. Fast, but intense. He's such a sweet baby - so easy going. Which is good because my other 2 boys are crazy!

Randy has a new job. He's been working at Banner Gateway Medical Center for the past 9 months or so and he loves it. His boss is really great and his co-workers are really friendly and helpful. One time I had to run by Randy's work and when I stopped by I noticed our car was leaking fluid. I told Randy and when I pulled up to the hospital Randy came walking out with 3 of his co-workers who had come outside to take a look at the car and see if they could help. I was really impressed with how willing they were to help us, since they didn't even really know us that well at the time.

Cooper start Kindergarten in a couple weeks. It's full day, so I'm a little worried - more about me than him. He'll love it. He really enjoyed Orange Patch Preschool last year and he's excited to start school at Emerson Elementary this year. I told him when we get back from our vacation in Utah we'll pick him out a backpack for school. He's already told me he wants and Avenger backpack. :)

Hudson is the same crazy kid. He never stops making me laugh. The other day he told me he was going on a mission when he grows up and when I mentioned I would miss him terribly he told me I could go with him. He also said he wants to be a Bishop like Pop Pop when he grows up. The kid is one big ball of non-stop energy. I have a hard time keeping up with him - especially in grocery stores (but that's another story).

I'm adjusting to being the mother of 3 energetic boys. My neighbors and friends have been really great. We have such a great ward here in Mesa. They've done everything from making us dinner to giving me a ride to the hospital when my water broke. They really went above and beyond for us and I'm so grateful, especially since my parents were in Japan visiting my sister and her baby when I went into labor with Emmet. If I couldn't have my mom, I'm glad I have the Westwood Ward and my mother-in-law, who also really stepped up and helped me out. I couldn't have done it with out them. :)

Kids say the darndest things

Last week for Mother's Day the kids filled out a survey about their moms in primary. I just found Cooper's and learned some interesting things about myself. Apparently, my eyes are brown - not blue. My birthday is June 30th - not October 5th. I weigh '20 weights' (thank you, Cooper). And last but not least, I was born in Jerusalem. I read it to Randy and we both got a good laugh out of it.

And my other son . . . we went for a walk the other day and passed by this man who didn't have a shirt on. Hudson pointed at the man and yelled, "Mom! Naked!" The man didn't hear him, but I got a good laugh.

Old News

I've been pretty bad about updating my blog (sorry, Bre & Chris), so I'm doing it now even though most of this stuff is old news. Still . . .

Hudson turned 2 on the 25th of March. A ball is his favorite thing to play with - any kind, he's not picky - so a lot of his gifts involved some kind of ball. He's really into airplanes, too. Everytime he sees one he yells 'bear-plane, bear-plane!', so Randy and I got him a little people airplane which he flies all over the house. He's getting so big and he has such personality. Everyday he makes me laugh, he's such a character. In fact, as I'm typing this he's walking around in my church heels.

Cooper is playing Tball. Practices are over and they are playing 'games' now. I write 'games' because they don't keep score and there really is no fielding whatsoever, but everyone gets to run the bases and bat twice. It's pretty fun to watch these little kids run while holding onto their batting helmets for dear life. Cooper seems to really enjoy it.

Anyway, that's my update. Enjoy the pics!

These pics are from the Zoo a couple weeks ago and bubble beards in the bathtub.

Fun with legos (and the treadmill)

This is what the boys did this morning after I finished my run. They love to play with the treadmill. Cooper loves to run on it; Hudson likes to put toys in it. You wouldn't believe the things I find in there.

I think I wanna marry you

Brooke and Keith are officially married as of February 12th. Yea! It was so much fun to have the whole family together. I wish everyone could have stayed longer, but that's life. Welcome to the McDowell Family, Keith. :)

Saturdays

So this is how I spent last Saturday morning - building a bulldozer and jackhammer out of kinex/legos. My boys begged and begged for me to build it until I finally gave in. I think it lasted all of 12 minutes before the boys started taking it apart, but I learned that I have a talent for building toys out of legos. I think I missed my calling in life - I should've been a professional lego builder. :)

I'll say a little prayer for you

Lately when I make the boys lunch, Hudson looks at me, folds his arms and scrunches up his little face. That's how he tells me he's ready to say a prayer. It melts my heart. :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

When we were at the store the other day we had to walk by the holiday section (okay, I had to) and the boys found these singing Christmas hats. They wouldn't take them off until the hat was done singing Jingle Bell Rock. It was pretty funny.

In other news, my husband and I just celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary on Saturday. My terrific parents took the boys for a night and Randy and I were able to stay at the 3 Palms hotel in Scottsdale. It was very nice. Thank you to my sweet husband for arranging that! :) And thank you to my parents for watching my crazy boys! :)

I'm so excited for the holidays! I can't wait to see my sister and brother-in-law for Thanksgiving! We'll have most of the McDowell side of the family together - so game on! My family is big on playing games, especially on the holidays, so I'm excited.

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Halloween 2010

This year Cooper was the Incredible Hulk and Hudson was a skunk for Halloween.

Birthdays

October is the birthday month for our family. Cooper turned 4 on September 30th. My mom's birthday was yesterday and my birthday is today. We have more later this month, too. It's crazy, but I love it. Cooper made out pretty good this year in the gift department.

He had 2 parties - one in Thatcher and one here in Mesa. His grand gift was the Batman Castle that Randy and I got him. He's been talking about it non-stop for the past few weeks, so he was pretty excited when we brought it out. He's also been having a blast with the nerf guns my sister Brooke and her fiance Keith got him. (In all honesty, I think the adults had just as much fun with them, if not more -- see the picture of my mom below) :)

Grandma and Grandpa Conrad got him some spiffy new Toy Story underwear that he loves. He told me the other day he was on his last pair of Toy Story underwear, so I had to do the laundry so he would have a clean pair for tomorrow. His drawer was filled with clean underwear, but he didn't want to wear any of them. Only the Toy Story ones would do. :) And thanks to Grandma McDowell & PopPop for the fishing puzzle. Poor Coop hasn't really gotten to play with it too much, because his brother thinks it's the best thing in the world and won't give it up. :) Anyway, thanks to everyone for the gifts and phone calls and cards. We love you all!

Sneaky Snacker

This is what my 18 month old does while I'm in the shower. I came out this morning and found him like this. He cracks me up. :)

1st Haircut

Yesterday both the boys got their hair cut, but it was Hudson's first official haircut. (I trimmed the back myself a couple months ago, but I don't count that). Hudson was so good! Granted, he was really tired, but he did so well. He sat in the chair and played with the bracelet they gave him and ate an animal cookie. He watched in the mirror as the stylist cut his hair and smiled. It was really cute. I remember the first time I took Cooper was completely different. He cried and wiggled so much I thought he'd come out of the store bald. Anyway, pictures below . . .

Car accident photos

Last Thursday, my husband, Randy, was in a car accident. Luckily, he wasn't hurt and the boys and myself weren't with him, so everyone is fine. Our car, on the other hand, is another story. . .

Our insurance declared the car a total loss. Looking at our car and the fact that my husband was able to walk away from that with hardly a scratch (seriously, hardly a scratch) I know that there were angels watching over him. I'm so grateful that he is ok and that Heavenly Father watches over his children. I'm also very grateful for airbags. :)

Diamondbacks Game

For Randy's birthday this year I got him Diamondbacks tickets (thanks to Keith for the tip about StubHub) and we went to the game against the Giants this past Friday. Randy and I had a pretty good time watching the Diamondbacks lose. The seats were pretty close to the field - I think it's the closest I've ever sat. We had a good laugh at the vendors calling out their crazy sales pitches - one guy offered free stuff to the next person who raised their hand and then told them the 'free stuff' was ice. People put their hands down pretty quickly when he offered to start throwing ice to them. I also learned that if you want to catch a foul ball to sit one section over. Three foul balls landed in the section next to us. It was a lot of fun. Happy Birthday, Randy! :)

Latest video

Here is the latest video of Hudson. I was in my bedroom when I heard Hudson yelling "mum-ma! mum-ma!" I hurried into Cooper's bedroom and found him on top of the toy box. I grabbed my camera and recorded this video. He's such a character. :)

Also, here's a shot of Cooper with his new haircut in his new shirt & tie for church.

Happy Independence Day!

The other day I was watching the news and the newscaster commented on Chelsea Clinton's upcoming wedding. That got me thinking about her dad when he was President and about all the other Presidents we've had through-out history. So, in honor of the 4th of July I spent some time learning about our Presidents. These are a few of the fun things I learned:

1. The President with the shortest term in office was William Henry Harrison. He served for 1 month before dying of complications from a cold.

2. Our 11th President was named Polk. (Just say President Polk a few times, it's funny) :)

3. Zachary Taylor was our 12th President and the only President never to have held any previous elected office. He only served for 16 months as President when he died from gastroenteritis.

4. President Teddy Roosevelt was the youngest President, taking office at the age of 42 after President McKinley was shot and killed.

5. President Grover Cleveland is the only one to serve 2 non-consecutive terms. He served as the 22nd President from 1885 - 1889 and then again as the 24th President from 1893 - 1897.

6. Apparently, President Taft was the heaviest President (avg of 300lbs) and also the last President to have facial hair in office. (Random, I know).


Anyway, I hope you all have a great 4th of July weekend!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband and my super dad and father-in-law! Love you guys!