We Heart Rafe!

We Rafe!
A week ago we took our newborn for his 2 week check up. And the pediatrician recommended we take Rafe to a cardiologist as he heard a louder heart murmur. I suppose lots of babies have murmurs but he felt his was louder than he's used to.

So back to Primary Children's we go. The Dr. there did lots of listening and then they did an echocardiogram. To discover that Rafe does have a murmur, in fact he has 3!

1- Is a PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) Is just a small pinhole, which 30% of the population has this because when the baby is born, and the blood pressure transfers to the lungs it closes up between the left and right Atrium and sometimes leaves a tiny hole.

2- Is a Doming Pulmonary Valve, the valve is making a "clicking" noise because it doesn't lay flat against the artery wall when it pumps open, it curves (like a dome) and makes the noise as the blood pushes by.

3- Is some turbulence between the arteries going to the lungs.

So for now, all is good and safe. No immediate action or surgery. Phew! But we have to have him checked every 3 months the first year or two of his life to make sure they all continue to work and don't change for the worse.

Greg and I are so relieved, first with Creed last week and then Rafe as well. I was so worried it might be something more serious. Hopefully it never develops that way.

It has been a stressful worrisome week for a parent. And Bodie and Greg have been sick, we have a new baby, and aren't getting enough rest, due to all the the above mentioned.
I am so grateful for modern technology and medicine. We feel so blessed to be home at the end of the day and have 4 healthy strong children.

Rafe is my little cutie boy. That's what I call him. He is a good eater and gaining weight and is one healthy little guy.

Transient

Spring Break was no break. Last Monday Creed would periodically complain that his leg hurt. By early Tuesday morning Creed was in bed crying that his leg hurt. And he couldn't and wouldn't move it. He would point up near his hip. I know 2 little boys that have had knee/hip infections, required hospitalization and surgery and months of recovery. Ugh! So I called our pediatrician. But realized he'll probably need an x-ray. So instead took him down to insta-care. I had my dad come and go with me to help carry the baby while I carried Creed. The Dr. there didn't do a thing but say to take him to Primary Children's Hospital, let them diagnose it.

So off we go to Primary's. Again, luckily my dad came with me to help carry and watch Creed or the baby as Creed couldn't walk.. The Dr. wanted to get an x-ray and run some tests. They wanted to draw blood and put in an IV. Greg realized it might be serious, so my dad left, and Greg came, my parents watched all the other boys at home - thanks for that!

Poor Creed, they had to try 3 times to get the picc line in. He cried and cried. His x-ray showed nothing. I would post a picture of that, it's a neat one. But good grief. It would be our 3rd x-ray I've put on the blog. Really boys?!

So luckily they ruled out an infection, no fever, no swelling or any topical signs. All the blood tests showed normal everything, so no problems there.

Hours later, a starving whining Creed, they decide he has Transient synovitis. They say it's usually males ages 3-8 that get it. It's basically a pain/swelling of the hip joint. And can be treated with an anti-inflammatory. They thought of admitting him to watch him and make sure it's not anything more serious that might be developing, because only time will tell if it's really TS. After numerous doses and days of Motrin, he is doing so much better. Moving and playing. Just a little limp that's getting better every day. By the end of this last week, he was a happy boy during spring break as you see below.

Phew! What a relief. And what an odd sickness. But it was a worry some week. Because we were worried about a loud murmur the pediatrician heard on the Monday at Rafe's 2 week check up, more on that later.

Got Hitched

My older sister Amy tied the knot! I knew her day would come and we are so happy for the couple! It was a nice day at the Jordan River Temple. There were some nice photos, good job Laura (Greg's sister, the photographer) - she could go into business.

Amy and Karl with a popcorn tree ;) I love the blue sky on this one. Well the clouds and mountains too. Gosh we live in a pretty place.
With her princess dress, this looks like they could be on top of a wedding cake.

She opted to not have a reception, but did have quite a wedding luncheon. Food, lots of yummy cakes, pretty decor. Some entertainment was the photo booth.
Greg wanted us to have new baby Rafe join us in the booth, good thing we didn't. We probably would have dropped him. The rest of us crammed in and tried to get some fun pictures. It was crazy funny! I think my head made it in one shot. Good laughs!

And I could just kick myself. I really wanted to get a new picture of our family with Rafe at the wedding festivities, but forgot. Although maybe that's a good thing because after just having a baby my body and complexion aren't exactly how I want to be seen.

How nice for me, that our cute little Rafe slept the afternoon away.

Rafe has arrived!

Meet our new little baby, Rafe Alexander. He was born at 1:20pm . His delivery was nice and quick. He is healthy and strong. He's my biggest baby at 8 lbs. 14 oz. Might as well say 9 pounds right?

He's a sucker. He loves the binki, and loves his fist.

Are there 4 boys in this picture?!?! Holy cow! 4 kids! How did that happen? We had to all go somewhere on Saturday. And we piled the whole fam in the car. 6 people. We were full. I wanted to get a picture. It's just so weird having a family of 6. The boys were so happy to meet their new baby. Jax was concerned that I was ok and if it hurt to have the baby. And Creed was telling me that the baby came out of the "male" potty part. So innocent. And Bodie can be found always trying to get to the baby, or give the baby his things, like the binki, blanket, or bottle.

Rafe certainly doesn't look like any of this brothers, or parents, we can't figure out who he looks like? Where did he come from?

His hair is thinner and lighter than any of my other children. It'll be interesting to see how he changes over the next little while.Here's brief run down of the labor. I was scheduled to be induced. I am picky about it. I wanted to go into the hospital in the morning, have the baby before noon and have it all happen the way I want. The night before it wasn't looking like I'd get in early like I wanted. So I went to bed discouraged. Then at 2:30am I woke up with a painful "Braxton Hicks", at least that's what I thought it was. At 6am I had called the hospital to bug them about when I can come in. Then I figured I'd shower and see if that starts or stops the contractions. They certainly didn't stop. Greg pointed out that I must be in labor and we should get to the hospital. I was kinda hesitant because I didn't want to be the impatient woman who was supposed to be called to come in for induction and then just shows up. I kept telling Greg I didn't think I was in labor. And I've had false labor one time in a different pregnancy. But what do I know, I've never gone into labor on my own. All of my pregnancies I have been induced, that's just the way I roll.

I had to finish getting ready and do my hair, all while having painful contractions.

So at 9am we are there at the hospital and the nurse checks me and I had dilated from a 3 on Monday and was now at a 6. My Dr. showed up at noon or so and broke my water, then at 1pm they briefly put me on Pitosin to move me along. I knew my Dr. was going back to his office after his lunch break at 1:30. So he came in at 1pm and sat and chatted with Greg and I. Then at 1:15 he checked me and said ok, let's do this. And one push/contraction, well I guess it was like 3 pushes because I had to take 2 breaths, out he came.

Everyone says how funny that I went into labor the morning I was supposed to be induced. Which is ironic, but I just figure, hey I wasn't getting my way by being able to go into the hospital in the morning like I wanted, but things worked out so I could do it my way after all.

And now, that baby is here safe and sound and yeah - I'm not pregnant anymore!

Kick'n Creed

Creed has been doing indoor soccer this spring - again we're trying to get sports out of the way before the baby comes. He loves it. He is all over chasing the ball, kicking, and even scoring. Huge difference from last year as a 3 year old who we had to constantly remind to stay on the field and bribe with the treat. He is so proud of himself when he gets the ball. I have a picture of him jumping up in joy after he kicked the ball in the goal. And it doesn't matter that 2 of his 3 goals were for the other team, right?!

And little Bodie sure loves to play around the gym during the games. And I love that it's inside and contained so that Bodie can explore. Jax has a good time yelling and cheering Creed on. It's kinda funny, the things he says. We have to teach him sportsmanship and to not say bad things about the other team.

Are we ready to have a baby or what?!?! What, baby? When? Huh? That's the way I feel. So not mentally ready for this. No fool'n. Less than a week and baby boy Lorenzon #4 will be here. Aahhhh! I just washed all the newborn clothes. And as I was folding them, the thought came that I am so sick of these same clothes, looking at them. 6 1/2 years, and now 4 babies will all have worn the same onesies. I'm not about to buy new clothes for one last baby. So oh well. At least he won't be naked.

Ball Belly

I've been told by numerous people that it looks like I have a basketball in my shirt. So for fun to document the prego belly. I got a basket ball, but it was way small compared to me. So I got the boys big red ball and took this fun photo.

After my pregnancy with Creed, it just about killed me. I was nervous about getting pregnant again and thought we might stop with 3 kids. But after some precautions and "help" my pregnancy with Bodie was much better then the previous. The main reason: See below

Greg took this picture last night. I'm 38 weeks or so, and yes, I always carry very low.

This maternity support belt has been my life saver. Truly! It holds up the basketball belly. It helps relieve my ligaments, torn abs, helps lift, helps my back, my sciatic. You name it. It has been the best. I wear it all day everyday. In fact in the mornings before I put it on, I totally notice and am dying until I put it on. I purchased a few of them, and tried them all on. And the moment I put this one on, I knew it was the one!

And yes, I only wear it under my clothes. It is annoying to undo and remove all my layers to go to the bathroom. It has 3 Velcro straps to attach. But it's just part of the price one pays I guess.

So there you have it. The secret to my success! ha ha. I am miserable being pregnant and have to take it easy and can't do anything. But I owe the belt for me not having to be on bed rest or something. Although my boys would tell you I'm on "rest".

So I've sacrificed my body to have children. Another price to pay. But worth it. I am grateful that I can be pregnant and have children, don't get me wrong. I'll just be glad when these pregnancy days are over. Although, I can't say I'm ready to have a newborn again. Oh boy.

Holy Crepe

So we had a shower for my sister and we did a crepe bar. I made sure to make some extra to bring back home. I am proud of myself for doing them. They turned out great, soooo yummy. And really are quite easy. I had a great system going. I sat myself on a stool, because I can't stand for long. And was doing 2 different pan sizes. Pouring, rotating the pans, flipping.

Then Bon Appetite!

Tumbling Green

For Jax's "spring" sport I signed him up for a tumbling class at the high school. He calls it gymnastics. I knew with the baby coming, we wouldn't have week nights and Saturday's for soccer games or whatever the sport of choice would be. And he is always trying cart-wheels, hand stands, and thinks he can do back flips (with landing on the couch on his bum) so I thought he'd better learn the correct way to do things. He is obsessed with doing hand stands. It scares me, because his balance and he doesn't land "properly".

Jax seems to love it. Although he complains that it hurts his muscles. He does get quite the work out. Jax has also been so excited for St. Patrick's Day. He's mad that I don't have more decorations, and mad that he didn't catch a leprechaun with his trap last night. And he was mad that at school they went on a "gold" hunt and it was just candy! He wanted to pinch someone who wasn't wearing green. Greg had to protect himself this morning by putting the green plastic ring from the lid of the milk carton on his collar. It was funny. My dad stopped by, wearing all blue, and he quickly grabbed a green toy dinosaur tree to put on his pocket, that Bodie continued to grab from him during the visit. For me, I don't think much of the holiday. I guess it's fun to wear green, but all the other hoopla? I say, where's Easter?!

Life in Fegu-ary

Creed has a hard time saying the month February. Bodie calls Greg and brothers all daddy. We'll say, "say Jaxon" and Bodie will say "Dad-dy", "say Creed" -and he says "Dad-dy". Cute kid.

Anyways, back to February. Here are some pictures from the month. We took the boys to Jungle Jims. They had a blast. That place is great. Small, never seems to be busy so no waiting and it's indoors. I love it, I just laugh. By the end of Bumper Cars, Bodie had slid down in his seat. We kept trying to tell Jax to help him up, but he couldn't figure out how. It's just a little dangerous right?

The older two boys were able to have their first "sleep over". Well it was the 2 of them on the family room floor. Greg was on the couch. But they've never slept out of their beds at home. Greg said when it was late, Creed was crying and wanted to go to his bed. After the movie, he didn't understand that they were sleeping in their sleeping bags on the floor. We did have air cushions for them. Jaxon loved it. Creed was up late and slept like a log. But they were both so tired the rest of the weekend.The older 2 boys (I say that a lot) were being cheesy for the camera I had out and wanted me to take their pictures. So I went to get one of Bodie, and this is the face he pulled. Eye's shut, mouth open. His version of being a big cheese ball. I don't know where it started, but some nick names we call Bodie are... "Bodie Bodie" - by me, "Bo", by Greg, and now there's "Bobo"- I started that as well. Now we all use them and call him by what ever name.

*Hot Topics

*"Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it." I thought that was funny, and when it comes to parenting... Let's just say too many times I feel like I do the wrong thing. I wish I knew the right way to get my children to obey, eat their dinner, not fight, clean up, the list goes on and on. Being big and pregnant I sure can't get after them physically, so I end up yelling. And they just tune me out. That gets me even more angry, it's a vicious cycle. Will they ever get better? Will I? Being parents sure can be scary knowing all that's riding on us.
I want to be such a good mom. And I am so not perfect, I have good days and bad like anybody I guess.

*I must be pregnant, because I actually cried after I had physically struggled to clean my kitchen a little, and swept the floor, wiped the counters and had it looking decent for the first time all week. I just don't move well in my 8th month. And within an hour Jax was eating Ritz crackers with crumbs EVERYWHERE. I was so mad, but kept my cool and told him what a mess that he is going to clean up. Then I went and had my little cry so he didn't see. How pathetic am I? I laugh at myself at least.

*Hormones are crazy during pregnancy. My complexion is another sign of that. And now the belly is itching. I had a painful Charlie horse this morning trying to get out of bed. I have to do the dishes a little at a time. I can't stand and lean over the dishwasher for very long. I have to lift my right leg into the car with my hands.

*My latest thing, which I thought was genius, is I take a sippy cup to bed now. I'm always so dang thirsty. And I can't reach my glass of water on my night stand unless I get up and out, which takes me a long while. And I haven't made it to the store to get a water bottle. And the other's we have leak. But sippy cups don't. And it's been great the last few nights getting a drink when I want. I do at least unscrew the lid. I don't want the sucking noise to wake Greg up. He laughs at me.

*Um, what else has been happening? I called and made a complaint to Huggies. You see I've been using them for over 6 years. And love the diapers. For me, they have been the best. I know everyone has their favorite kinds. And my are Huggies. But they have recently changed their tabs and it seems their coverage is not as good now. And Bodie leaks EVERY TIME he wears them at night. And I have to change him twice as often in the day or else he will leak. Ugh!!! It's awful. I miss the good old diapers!! I guess they are doing a worldwide/universal tab on all brands all diapers. It make me sad. But they are going to send me some coupons. So perhaps I'll get some newborn diapers for this next little guy.

*Speaking of this next little guy, I think we've found a name. I won't tell yet though. Let's just say it is not so common.

*I am getting worried about having a little baby to take care of again. I almost don't want April to come, yet. So not ready. I will have my hands full with Bodie and a newborn. Bodie finally starting to climb on things. Chairs, the fireplace, stuff he shouldn't be up on. He is a little tornado. He can single handed destroy the clean house. Everyday he just goes from thing to thing, pulling, throwing, and full on making a disaster of a house. That's been fun. His favorite is to throw stuff down the stairs over the railing. So watch your step at our house.

*Bodie keeps closing the heat vent in his room. So at night he'll cry out and I'll notice his room is kinda cold. But I certainly can't get under his crib to open it. So I'll send Greg or one of the boys to fix it. And last about Bodie, we took away his bottle. He was only having one right before bed, but he loved it. He called it his "body". So cute. But I knew with this baby coming it would be a problem and then we'd never be able to wean him. One week, so far so good.

*Jax has been skiing with Greg some last year and a little this year. And on Saturday Jax went down the mountain all by himself. Woohoo!

*Creed loves, loves, loves video games. Too bad we have to keep taking away his privileges because he is so naughty. What to do with a 4 year old? But he has been doing so much better with his speech. His weekly speech class is doing wonders.

*Greg cut his hair. I have been bugging him for a long time to do it. Not that it was really long, but it was longer and Italian flowy on top. So not it's a regular clean cut. I don't know a better way to describe it.

Well, that's all the news for now.