Helmetless Boy and Santa

After wearing a helmet for 12 months, Peyton finally got it off! We go back in January and have his head scanned and if everything still looks good, we are done with the helmet FOREVER. But Peyton still has to visit the plastic surgeon once a year until he is ten. Other than that, everything is going well. It's so weird to have a child who's head doesn't stink all the time. It's more fun to cuddle with him too!

Peyton with the cereal that is supposed to be in the diaper bag!

Before we left the house to get the helmet off!

It's off...Finally!
Tonight we went to see Santa at Kids On The Move. They had craft tables set up and snack foods. Then, Santa came in while the kids sang songs and then everybody got to sit on Santa's lap...and as far as we know, our kids were the only ones that screamed when we took them to Santa. Mason wouldn't even let me know put him down. But it was still fun and we had a great time! Santa even gave them lots of prizes...a blanket, candy canes, pencils, a truck, and a coloring book!




Peyton's first time seeing Santa since he was in the hospital last year!
We also brushed Peyton's teeth for the first time the other night.


Peyton's OT came today and brought him a reverse walker to help him walk. Here is a picture of him in it.

And here are a few more cute pictures of him.

15 Month Check-up/Cardiology

This past week Peyton has had three doctors appointments so I thought I'd send an update as well as a couple of pictures. He went in last week for his 15 month check-up. Everything looked good except that he is still small for his age. But his height and weight are proportionate so there's really nothing to worry about. He continues to gain weight but in small increments. He weighed just over 20 lbs last week. I talked to his doctor about switching his formula because he doesn't like the taste of it. He told me to try PediaSure and he was going to see if we could switch him to that if he likes it. Also, the doctor was going to call a dietician and see if we could put the PediaSure through his tube instead of the formula until he can take everything by mouth. Well, we tried the PediaSure and Peyton loves it! He will take it from a cup...one sip at a time but he likes it. For the tube to come out, Peyton needs to have 1000 calories and 16-24 oz of liquid in a 24 hour period. Well, it took us 3 1/2 days to get one 8 oz bottle of PediaSure in him. So, it's gonna take time and practice but we should get there eventually! Peyton also went back to his Pediatrician yesterday to get his first Synagis shot. The shot is very expensive and is only for certain kids that were premature or have a chronic medical condition. And it helps prevent them from getting RSV. Our insurance authorized Peyton to get it again this year! He got his first dose yesterday and now we go in to get the shot every four weeks! Peyton also went to the Cardiologist on Tuesday and she said he looks awesome. His oxygen levels are in the high 80's and the Card thinks his next surgery will still be sometime betweeen the ages of 3 and 5. His EKG and chest X-ray both looked amazing and his blood pressure, heart rate, etc. looked good too! We will see her again in 6 months! Next Tuesday we take Peyton to the helmet specialist and the plastic surgeon and his HELMET SHOULD COME OFF! We have been looking forward to this day for the past year and I can't believe that the time has already come. It's amazing to look at how far Peyton has come in the last 15 months. We were looking at pictures from Peyton's first 5 months of life and I never would have thought that he would look as good as he does now. So, since he is doing so well, I took a picture of him and one of him and Mason (although Mason thought the TV was more interesting than the camera!). Enjoy!

Peyton - post Glenn last December - 4 months old

Peyton - healthy 15 month old

Promised Pictures

The tree on top of the van!

The wreath I made!

Mason decorating the tree!

Peyton eating the ornaments!

The Finished Product!

Thanksgiving/Christmas

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving that was spent with my mom's family and my family in Ogden. We had yummy food and great company. My mom and I even faced the crowds of people on Friday morning to get presents! It was a blast! And I'm still tired from all the running. Today we decided to decorate for Christmas. We went and got a tree and decorated it and we decorated the house. Here are some pictures of our adventures!

Montana and Eric enjoying their dinner!

Peyton

Mason eating!
We hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving! More pictures will follow if I can get blogger to work!

Happy Halloween!

So, I'm posting this before Halloween because we had our Ward Halloween Party on Saturday night. I had to have the costumes done before this so last week was really crazy. Montana wanted to be an "old school" Oompa Loompa to try and win the contest at work on Halloween. I have told him now that this is the LAST costume I am making for him. It wasn't very difficult...just time consuming. (And NO, I'm not making costumes for anybody...but I'll tell you how to do it!)


I went as a doctor since my mom had a costume I could wear.

Mason wanted to be an elephant and thanks to my mom, his turned out so darling cute!

Peyton had three choices this year since he still fits in his pumpkin costume from last year, can fit in the bee costume that Mason wore when he was 5 months old, and he could be the cow that Mason was when he was 1! We decided to put him in the bee costume for the Halloween party.

This other picture is of Peyton crawling on the floor at the church. I love the little stinger sticking up in the middle!

Both of the boys have a party on Thursday at Kids On The Move (Peyton's therapy group) and Peyton might be a cow since that costume is not so hot. We hope that everybody has a wonderful Halloween and enjoys the Trick-or-Treating. (Mason can't wait!)

I've Been Tagged...

....5 things I was doing 10 years ago....
1- Living in Phoenix, AZ
2- Taking piano lessons
3- A sophmore in high school
4- Getting ready to take my driving test
5- Playing in the Marching Band

....5 things on my To-Do list today....
1- Sleep
2- Go to a viewing
3- Clean the house
4- Pack
5- Quail Ridge

.....5 snacks I enjoy....
1- Ice cream
2- Brownies
3- Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
4- Snickers
5- Sting Cheese

....5 things I'd do if I were a Millionaire....
1- Pay off stuff
2- Buy a house
3- Put money away for the boys
4- Furnish my new house
5- Save the rest

.....5 places I've lived....
1- Johannesburg, South Africa
2- Denver, CO
3- Phoenix, AZ
4- Rocklin, CA
5- Dubuque, IA

....5 jobs I've had....
1- Ice Cream Scooper at BYU
2- Intern for a consulting firm
3- Piano Teacher
4- Cashier at RC Willey
5- A Mom

....5 people I tag....
1- Shelise
2- Aubrey
3- Lisa
4- Ariana
5- Ashley

Rules: Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you’ve answered the questions on your blog.

It's About Time...

So, I've really been slacking lately about posting. But when all you have is dial-up, it makes it a little more difficult to post and put pictures on cause it takes forever. So, I take advantage of my wonderful neighbor's high-speed and post when I can...which is now. And since I've been getting some slack from my lovely sister-in-law (I still love you, Scottee!), I guess I need to do something about it.

We have been quite busy lately. Mason started Preschool yesterday and he really didn't know the difference since it was at our house. But he still enjoyed having his friends over and learning. Next week, he will go to somebody else's house and then he will really get a taste of the Preschool thing. And I will be able to get things done...hopefully!

Peyton turned one in August! It is a big milestone for us since we didn't know if he would even make it this far when he was born. He is getting so big and growing up so fast. He is clapping his hands now and tries to play pat-a-cake. We are starting to do sign language with him and he is catching on really fast. He knows "food" and "all done". He is just so cute and fun to have around!




We are doing well and staying busy. We had an awesome trip to Phoenix a couple of weeks ago...minus the heat. Hopefully I will update again soon, but we never know! Enjoy the pictures!

Fun in the Sun...at Grandma and Grandpa's!

We spent the day at Willard Bay yesterday with my dad and brothers. Montana and I wakeboarded and Mason, Montana, and I went on the tube. Peyton stayed home with Grandma and it made the trip so much more fun! Montana wrecked over and over again but the pictures are all of him jumping...before the fall.





We also let the boys swing this morning and ride the 4-wheelers. Mason kept asking to go on more rides!




And here's a video of Montana on the tube. He falls off at the end but he's behind the pole so you can't see it really well! Enjoy!

Life With The Pages

As you can tell, life has been pretty busy lately...hence the reason there are no new posts! Montana hurt his back at work and had to find a new job since he couldn't do his with the back problem. So, I had him home all the time for about a month. The meds he was on made him drowsy so I had to take him to all the doctors appointments, physical therapy appointments, job interviews and anywhere else he had to go. He finally got a new job at Provo Canyon School that works with troubled teens. He started on Monday and so far he really enjoys it. He has also decided to go back to school! He is starting in August at Provo College where he will pursue a Nursing Degree. It will take him about three years! Mason and Peyton are continuing to grow. Mason celebrated his third birthday on May 20 and he had a great day. He even got to pick where his birthday dinner would be...kinda! We helped him a little. We took him to Max and Cheese in Lindon and he had a blast. It is a really cool place for kids and the food isn't that bad either! Mason has really enjoyed the warmer weather and he has been playing outside and in the pool a lot with his friend Ty. Peyton is continuing to put on weight. He doesn't even look like anything is wrong. I took him to the Cardiologist yesterday and everything looks really good. His next surgery will be when he is three or four, depending on where his oxygen levels are at by then. The levels usually get between 70 and 75 before they do the next surgery. Yesterday, Peyton's oxygen level was at 92! They expect these little heart babies to be between 75 and 85 and he is way above that! He is doing wonderfully well and we have so much fun with him. He lays on the floor and rolls around so that he can see Mason running around and then he just laughs at Mason. He is started to make different sounds and we are hoping that he will be sitting on his own soon! As for me, I just watch my boys grow up and I try to play with them as much as possible. My parents moved to Utah from Iowa at the end of May and they have settled in for the most part. It is so fun to have them close and to see them often! Well, I think I have said enough for now! Our computer isn't letting me post pictures so I will do it when I can!

Mason's Been Tagged!

All About My Mommy:

Here are Mason's answers to this new game of tag.

1. What is something mom always says to you? Yes

2. What makes mom happy? when I play with my toys

3. What makes mom sad? when I hit you

4. How does mom make you laugh? tickle me

5. What was mom like as a child? I don't know

6. How old is your mom? three

7. How tall is your mom? way big

8. What is her favorite thing to do? play darts

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? find me

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? because

11. What is your mom really good at? playing darts (He was looking around the room as he answered this one)

12. What is your mom not very good at? I don't know

13. What does your mom do for her job? work

14. What is your mom's favorite food? grapes

15. What makes you proud of your mom? she tickles me and I laugh

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Sally

17. What do you and your mom do together? play a game

18. How are you and your mom the same? we're big

19. How are you and your mom different? I play with my toys and you turn the lights on and off

20. How do you know your mom loves you? cause you be on the computer

Mason tags: Ty, Chloie, Brandon

Potty Training 101

I got an email from Pull-Ups saying they had a free Potty Training DVD. So, I ordered it and received it in the mail this week. If you want to get it, click here. When we got it, Mason immediately wanted to watch it. It is now his favorite movie. In fact, he is holding it in his hand as I type this! After watching the movie, Mason got excited about using the potty so we took him to the store to pick out some rewards and some Pull-Ups. He insisted on getting a potty chair because "the big potty hurts me"...as he says. We found this one at WalMart

and it was less than $10! It even converts to a step stool and a potty seat that fits on top of the toilet. Then Mason picked out Skittles and JujyFruits


and a reward/sticker chart. We came home and got the potty set up, the candy in a tupperware, and the sticker chart on the fridge. We put the Lightning McQueen Pull-Ups on Mason and explained to him that he didn't want to get Lightning McQueen wet. He did really well for awhile and then we went outside for a little bit. Before I knew it, he was wet! We came inside and put a real diaper on him. Right before bed, he came running to me saying that he had to go. So, we ran to the potty chair, tore off the diaper, and he sat down. The next thing we know, there's poop in the potty! Mason got so excited that he was clapping for himself and saying Yay!!! We all went to bed with high hopes of potty training today. When we woke up this morning, we immediately put Mason on the potty chair and told him to try to go. He didn't so we put on big boy underwear. He ran around and played for about 1 1/2 hours. I continually asked him if he needed to go and he always said no. I left the room for a couple of minutes to get Peyton his food and Mason came in and was soaked. I asked him if he was wet and he didn't even realize that he was. So, we put him in the shower, cleaned up the pee spot on the carpet, and put a Pull-Up on him. A couple hours later, Mason had peed in the Pull-Ups. I then made an executive decision that he would run around naked and hopefully then he would know what it feels like to pee. It only took about 30 minutes before he came running to me saying that he had peed on the rug by the front door while he was trying to go see his friend Ty, who was outside! So, the rug went in the washer with the rest of the clothes that had pee on them. At this point, I thought, maybe we should wait to train him...maybe he's just not ready. As I was thinking about this, Mason sat down on his potty chair and pooped without being asked to try. So, we got excited and he got candy and a sticker. I cleaned up the potty and then called Montana. As I was talking to him, I was watching Mason. Mason all of a sudden, stood up and walked to the potty and sat down. The next thing I know, Mason has peed in the potty!!! I think he is finally getting it. He got excited about that too and continues to run around naked in hopes that he will go in the potty chair again. So, if you feel like potty training after this synopsis, go ahead. If you get any better ideas, where you're not running the washer all day long, let me know!

Peyton Graduated!

Yesterday, I decided to move Peyton out of our bedroom and into the crib in Mason's room. I have been hesitant because he is on continuous feeds at night and I'm worried that something might happen and I won't hear it. I thought, I don't have anything the next day so if I don't sleep well, then I can rest throughout the day. I woke up once cause I heard something in the monitor and realized it was Peyton breathing. And then I woke up to two little boys talking to each other at 7:00 this morning. I didn't even hear Peyton's food beeping at 5:30! But, Montana did and got up and took care of it. Hopefully I will hear it so that he doesn't have to get up every morning that early. I hope every night goes as well as the last. Here are some pictures of Peyton in his crib!


For some good news, Peyton is finally rolling everywhere! It's so fun to watch him. He rolls everywhere and hits his head on everything. It's a good thing he wears his helmet!

Here are some more pictures of the boys sleeping today. Mason fell asleep wrapped in his blankets...and of course, he was hugging his "blue blankie". Peyton fell asleep in the bouncer and they both looked so cute that I couldn't resist a couple of pictures!