Merry Christmas!!

Dear… Everyone!

This year as got me feeling so far behind with everything, Brandon and I thought that this would be better than nothing!

This year has been wonderful. Aren’t they all? I mean, even when we have a terrible year, we’re still alive and kicking. Plus, if we’re trusting in the Lord, then we’re being blessed, and that makes it good.

It started out with a pregnancy (those are always tough), and ended (almost) with a ten year anniversary. In between, we got a beautiful baby, didn’t get to spend enough time with everyone, and watched our crazies grow. Our house, that seemed so big when we moved in, is starting to feel pretty small. We’re trying figure out how and where we can bump it out a little.

Brandon is working for the same State Agency he started with when we moved back. It has been a great job, and we are grateful for it. Just this month he applied for and got a new position in the department that will help him be more upwardly mobile.

He’s also still the Elder’s Quorum President. That keeps us very busy. Him because he’s gone doing service or at meetings, and me because that means extra time trying to keep the house from falling down around me (sometimes with success)!! Boys are nuts!

I’m enjoying my time at home. Earlier this year I was fantasizing about getting out of the house to work, but I was reminded that this is such an important time for me to be with the kids and teach them correct principles. Although it requires lots of prayers for patience, I know it’s where I need to be.

I also just got called to the Relief Society Presidency at church. I’m so sad to not be working with the little ones any more. Isn’t it funny how that works? You get an assignment and feel overwhelmed by it and then you cry when you get a new assignment? I don’t feel like I belong in RS anymore! I just want to sing Primary songs all day!

Sterling started public school this year and is loving it. He has a friend that was recently baptized in his class and I really feel like they are going to be great friends and help each other make the right choices. He is still taking piano lessons, and we beam every time he plays. His Christmas recital was at the beginning of the month and he played “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” with a big group. It was fabulous. He had some knee issues this summer, which was diagnosed as a meniscal tear, but with rest and physical therapy (all the way up in Seattle), he’s avoided surgery. Yay!

Hyrum is busy. All the time, busy! He is in Brandon’s mom’s preschool and really loves it. He is artistic and rambunctious. He’s already sounding out and writing words. He’ll be another avid reader. He’s also totally in love with James. If James fusses the tiniest bit, Hyrum is right there to kiss and hug him. Lately Hyrum has had a cold and has had a hard time being told that he can’t be around the baby! He and Jonah are at the “trying to assert dominance” phase, so sometimes they are best friends and others worst enemies, but they really love playing together.

Jonah has taken the spot of family clown. It must be a two-year-old thing. He is a crack-up and is always in the middle of the playing trying to keep up with the big boys.

And James is just a little slice of heaven!! I know in just a short time he’ll join in all the mayhem, so I just snuggle him a lot. Brandon calls him “Jimmer” because of the star basketball player Jimmer Fredette, and it drives me nuts! But he does it in a loving way, so…

With all the wrestling, running, jumping, and yelling, we are amazed at our blessings. I decided that at some point we need to install a locker-room shower, but that will be a few years away…. In the meantime, our bed is the wrestling mat and we have runways in the house. It is a wonderful life, and even though we might want to trade them to the highest bidder some days, we love our boys and all the fun that comes with them.

I never could have imagined we could be where we are today. I always dreamed it, but to have it be a reality is really unfathomable. Our home is full of love and laughter, and we spend every minute we can together.

We wish you the same and more.

Love, Sarah Chapman [and Brandon, Sterling, Hyrum, Jonah, Jimmer and Jadyn (dog)]

10 years

seven moves
nine jobs
four vehicles
3 1/2 years of school
twenty-nine callings
five wards
nine Christmases
four rambunctious, crazy boys
thirty-one birthdays
five hospital stays
one miscarriage
one death
vomit
sweat
blood
tears
lots and lots of laughter
a love we could never have understood

Here's to ten amazing, heartbreaking, fulfilling, trying, successful, beautiful years.

James blessing (six weeks later)

What is it about the more children you have, the longer it takes to get things done???

Somehow I forgot about taking pictures on his actual blessing day, and I've been thinking that I needed to do it for six weeks. Nice. Well, this afternoon I just decided to do it. I was going to try to get all the kids dressed for it, but there was an after-school meltdown and I just figured if someone wanted to participate, they would. Hyrum was the only willing participant.

So, anyway, some photos of a baby in his almost-too-small blessing outfit.

Hyrum loves, loves, loves his baby brother. He is constantly hugging and kissing him. If James makes the smallest little fuss, Hyrum is right there to pat James' belly and tell him it's ok.

The last one I had to take with the flash because it was getting too dark, but what a cute smile!! I'm gonna see if I can sneak in a few minutes tomorrow for a couple more smiley ones.

There's a funny story about his blessing that I need to write down so I'll remember.

I had asked Brandon sort-of jokingly if there were going to be 20 guys in the circle again and he said no. He was going to keep it to family this time. Well, I thought about the size of that circle, and it was a pretty sad number. My step-dad, his dad, his sister's husband, my uncle, and my cousin's husband. Maybe that's not such a bad size, after all, but in my head, it just looked small.

So I said I liked how big the circle was last time, so Brandon began making some calls. When the men were invited up, it was a figure-eight shaped circle because there were so many. I think it was one shy of 20 men.

Brandon was a little embarrassed, but I thought it was incredible. It drew a few chuckles, but it also touched a lot of people, including me. Seeing all those wonderful priesthood holders who love our family and were honored to share in that ordinance was amazing.

The primary president at the time, who I was a counselor to, and one of my good friends sent me this email because she didn't feel like she was completely eloquent when she bore her testimony that day.

My thoughts on seeing so many priesthood holders going to support and participate in the blessing for James, and thereby the Chapman family, were heartwarming. James will never remember but I kept thinking that this group represented ALL the priesthood holders who would bless his life and support him. Yes, names may change, but the Priesthood will not change. What a good start to his life. The majority of the blessing I was thinking about that. (then it turned to all the priesthood holder's who bless my life & then throw in my gratitude to your family for letting my brother use his Priesthood to help with the blessing & I could have left church for the day feeling spiritually gratified).

Another of my friends, the bishop's wife, who I can't recall seeing bare her testimony in the three years we've been here, got up that day, too.

And Brandon was very overcome. He had sit for a few minutes to gain his composure when it was done.

Our James is very, very special and we know it. We feel very blessed to have him in our home and a part of our family.

Confession

Pie and an amazing flourless chocolate cake have made up the majority of my meals the last two days.

This is a problem.

Fortunately, said desserts are almost gone, so then I can go back to my regularly scheduled meals....

And by the way, you must, must, must try this. You'll just die.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/flourless-chocolate-cake-i/detail.aspx

(Try it with 1 bag of semisweet morsels and two bars of Ghirardelli Bittersweet chocolate. Ohhhh, yum.)

Halloween and pumpkin patch fun

There is a great pumpkin patch we visit every year. I'm sure in a few years Sterling will outgrow the fun of it, but we'll still force him to go, because we're really nice parents that way.

In the meantime, Brandon will take pictures of my cute boys while they still think it's fun. Isn't this a great one of Sterling? He's at that self-aware phase where he smiles a goofy, but I think we caught him off guard with this.
What a cute couple! That must be their first baby. Certainly they're not old enough to be parents of four kids.

My parents love watching the kids play at the farm. This hay jump is where the boys would spend all their time, if they could.

But we force them to do other not-so-fun things, like corn mazes and tractor rides. I know, we're awful.

How about a photo op with Mater!! Yes, please.

And now to the Halloween par-tay! I bet you didn't recognize Jonah, Sterling, and Hyrum in their disguises. You'd never know that's not actually Buzz, Ben 10, and Indiana Jones, huh?

Oh, and the totally humiliating cow. Compete with udders. If you're thinking inappropriate and disturbing, you'd be correct.

Somehow we didn't get a pic of me as my go-to witch and James as my overgrown spider, but we were cute.

Hope you had a happy halloween!

My baby!

I'm very, very in love with my baby. We love to take a nap together on the couch. This was a nap day. Isn't he cute?!?

You'll never believe it

So, guess what happened to me. Go ahead, take a guess.

OK, I'll tell you.

My water broke at Walmart. No kidding. I thought I was having major bladder control issues because I never had the big gush, just little trickles. But by the time I got home, my pants were pretty wet.

OK, now guess what else. You'll never get it.

I didn't even have to push. My doctor came in at 5:30 and asked what time I thought the baby would be born and I said 7. I was between a 4 and 5 and she thought maybe I was a little optimistic, but if the nurse would have checked me at 7, I would have been at 10. Instead, she checked me at about 7:20 after I got a bolus for my epidural because it wasn't complete and she freaked out that I was complete!! Because my epidural was partial, I was throwing up with the contractions (normal for me). The nurse ran out to get the doctor, came back in, put my legs up, I had a contraction and puked the baby out! Fun times. Good thing the nurse came back in or Brandon would have been the one catching the baby because the doctor came in about two minutes after he was born.

It's a good story, right?

And now, what you've all been waiting for.... The pictures!!

James Byron Chapman, September 15, 2011. 8 lbs 0 oz, 20 inches long.

He's super sweet. He had the same reaction to my blood that Jonah did, so we spent a few extra days in the hospital for photo therapy.

He gets tons of kisses and hugs and everyone seems to be pretty ok with him. Even Mama's-boy Jonah is happy to sit next to me with James is eating, as long as Jonah can suck his thumb and run his fingers through my hair.

We love him.

A question for you all

So, my doctors have been concerned that in the last month I'm not measuring as big as I should be, like pubis to fundus today was 34 weeks and I'm 37 weeks. Has anyone else ever had that? They told me today I shouldn't me concerned as long as the baby keeps growing, but that is not much comfort. One doc even ordered an ultrasound to measure the baby. According to that I was two weeks ahead AND the baby measured at 6 1/2 lbs! But then in the office they tell me the baby is small and I'm measuring way behind. It's very confusing.

Anyway, if you've ever experienced this, please chime in and let me know how things turned out for you. I know the whole thing is a guessing game anyway, but a mama can't help but be concerned.

Thanks!!

Things I really don't like:

• blinding sciatic pain
• laundry
• feeling like my pelvic and uterine ligaments are at their breaking point and therefore my pelvis is being pulled apart
• ironing
• people who like laundry or being pregnant

I'm sorry, but if you qualify under the last statement, we can no longer be friends.

But I'll still love you.

Thanks for listening.

For your viewing pleasure

For some strange reason, one of my friends wants to see a picture of me prego. I can't figure out why, but I figured I humor her with a bathing suit picture!! Truthfully I was just going to email it to her, but then another friend said I'm neglecting my blog, so why not put a picture of me pregnant in a bathing suit on the internet?

And that's as close as I'll allow!!!!! I'm 29 weeks here, by the way.

It was the opening day of my parents pool. It was a very warm day here, and the water was still a little on the chilly side, but we had a lot of fun.

Handsome Sterling, who turned 7 today. I wish my kids would quit making me older.

Me and Hyrum playing "All Around the Mulberry Bush." I jump in a circle with a kid in my arms and at "pop goes the weasel" we jump really high in the air, or, if it's Sterling, I throw them.

They want me to play all day, but at some point, my legs beg for mercy.

And Jonah wanted nothing to do with the water. No way, Jose. He just sat in a swing the whole time. And loved it.

Brandon's brother has been in town this last week, so we've been busy! Of course I didn't have a camera or would have even thought to take pictures, but we've had a lot of fun at the beach, hosting all the Chapman siblings and the parents for the 4th of July, swimming, and playing with cousins (six boys and two girls!). Our summer is going great and we are so excited to play in the sun more!

Hope you are having a blast too!

What's New

Life just doesn't seem to slow down! And I have a hard time keeping up with the day to day, much less blogging, but this morning Sterling is spending some time with grandparents, so I get a "teacher work day!"

Sterling started t-ball, with his daddy as his coach. The first game was Saturday and it was really cute to watch the entire team run after the ball when someone got a hit. Then, when it was our turn to bat, every time one of the kids hit, everyone in the stands would yell "Run!" because, as all curious kids would, they would stand there and watch where their hit went! It was a lot of fun, as long as you remembered they are kids who've never played ball before.

Jonah's 2nd birthday was yesterday. Is it terrible that we haven't done anything yet? We are going to have cake and presents on Sunday. Yesterday was busy. But he got to go to one of his favorite places... Grandpa's! So much spoiling happens there. Candy and toys and TV and swinging and playing ball and wrestling and stories and four-wheelers... really, how can I compete?

We got Sterling some cleats for t-ball the other day and Jonah has worn them every moment of every day he possible can! It is pretty hilarious.

Yesterday was crazy busy because I spent the day running back and forth to the doctor. Regular check-up and 20 week ultrasound. Are you curious now? Well, there was a funny-ish story to the whole thing. As the tech was looking around I thought I saw some distinguishing parts and asked if that was what we were seeing. She said no but she'd let us know when she got there. My mom came with because she'd never seen a u/s before and she was much better company than my sweet hub, who gets bored with it pretty quickly. Anyway, the tech got all the upper measurements she needed and thought for a second she saw girl parts and said so. The room exploded! Brandon was jumping around, my mom was bawling, and then the tech says, "Oops." Yeah, she was wrong. Boy again!

I'm pretty excited. I'm good with boys. My poor husband, on the other hand, was really hoping for a pretty little girl who would wrap him around her finger. I know there is a special bond between a daddy and daughter. I had and have that, so I can sympathize. We were talking about it last night and I told him not to count his chickens yet, and he swore to me I'd never carry another child. I didn't have the heart to remind him he said that two years ago!

Plus, I think Hyrum needs a brother a little more spaced in age. Two years to each one now is a little too close. Four years seems to bring a lot of improvement in patience and kindness. And if there is a little girl someday, you know everyone will dote on her!

Oh, this baby's name will be James, for my brother, who would have been 27 on Wednesday.

Some randomness

Here's a little recap of the first trimester.

-Refill nausea medication four or five times.
-Get nausea medication dose upped.
-Visit Urgent Care twice for IV rehydration and extra meds.

-Get the very basics for homeschool done.

-Make very few meals.

-Do very little housework.

-Nap everyday.

-Call in for reinforcements three times.

Overall, not the worst first trimester I've ever had, but not my best either. We all survived.

And on a totally unrelated subject, and at the risk of causing a huge ruckus since all my in-laws read this on occasion, I wish my husband would quit commenting on his siblings' Facebook comments. Truthfully, sometimes I just wish he'd keep all his FB comments to himself. What he thinks is witty banter almost always can be taken offensively. And there is some tension in the sibling relationships already, so really anything he says gets an immediate reaction by someone. It's getting ugly.

Finally, have you heard about the school teacher that ate school lunches for a year and blogged about it? I wandered over there yesterday, and it has given me renewed conviction to be better about what I feed my kids here for lunch. Especially when something like chicken nuggets has been on our menu, which is not normal. Plus, if Hyrum had his choice, we'd eat candy and crackers all day. He does eat a carrot if I tell him fruit and veggies are the only option, but he'd much prefer to bypass that part. Today he ate half a banana with his half egg salad sandwich, but only because Grandpa had brought over some mini Oreos that he really wanted.

Anyway, onward and upward! I've woken up feeling fabulous the last 6 mornings out of 7, my house got a complete cleaning the other day, I'm making dinner again, (and eating it!!), and spending more time with my kids and less time in bed with them watching TV. We're gonna make it!!

The Nitty Gritty

I agree I missed a few key points in my last post. So here's the details. I'm due the end of September. We did plan this, although after the first time I prayed to the porcelain god, I wasn't so sure why. I'm on my medication and it is working, for the most part. We're hoping for whatever comes along, and that the baby and I are healthy through the whole thing.

When I was pregnant with Jonah, I made an antibody in my blood. Antibodies, as you know, are what your body makes to fight off things, like colds and whatnot. Well, your blood making antibodies when you're pregnant is not such a good thing. My doctor told me no one knows why we make them, but our body thinks it needs to fight something. And once an antibody is made, it doesn't go away, so I have to be monitored with a monthly blood draw. If my antibody level starts to rise, I'll have to have more extensive testing to make sure it's not attacking the baby.

If the level doesn't rise, I just have to tell the pediatrician so they can test the baby's bilirubin levels right away. Jonah was so jaundiced because of his blood having to break down my blood with the antibody.

The best part of all this is I'm finally getting the questions answered I had when I was pregnant and when Jonah was born. Two years later seems like the perfect amount of time.

In the meantime, I'm just trying to get my normal, daily things done, which is not as easy as it used to be. I'm pretty exhausted and I have to have a protein-heavy something to eat every two-three hours or I'm tossing cookies. On the other hand, if I eat to much, I'm tossing cookies. It's a pain!! And sweets have absolutely no appeal. I never really crave them anyway, but right now they are totally revolting.

Did I miss anything?

Mmmm, words are yummy!

Yep, this is current. From Thursday. I'm never ever making official declarations again! Wait, that was one....

SNOW!!!!

How can you possibly say no to your kids when they ask to go play in the snow? Even if it is 9:00 at night!!! We're feeling the effects today, two days later, of little boys making snow angels, throwing snowballs, and attempting to make a snow fort until almost ten at night, but it was a good thing they got to enjoy it, because it was gone the next morning.

We love snow!! We are going to have to make a trip to the mountains to play very soon. But first I have to find Hyrum some decent snow gloves. Those little stretchy knit gloves are a sorry excuse for hand coverings. His poor little fingers were red!

I think they had a pretty great night with all the outside fun and hot chocolate to warm their little fingers, toes, and bellies when they came in.

I love my crazies!