The Larson Family

I know, I know...

2009-09-15T05:54:00.003-06:00

I am not good at posting. So here is the latest. We had a busy summer full of Family Reunions, Young Women events, and trips! I enjoyed them all and was so glad to visit with my family and friends. I was especially glad to be able to visit with my Grandparents. Shortly after we were there my Grandpa passed away. He was a great man and I will miss him. I was able to return to attend the funeral and will always be greatful for that. Thank you Keith!

Emma started school the beginning of August and I am glad to finally be getting into a routine again. Emma has started taking Ballet at British Ballet. She is really liking it! Also, Trent turned on September 11th! He started walking about 4 weeks ago and he is into EVERYTHING!!! Trey is his normal happy self. Our yard is in the process of being landscaped and Trey is so excited to finally have grass in the backyard so he can go out and play! He asks me everyday when they will be done.

Finally, here are some of our more recent pics from the summer. Thanks for a great summer everyone!!

Still no camera

2009-04-17T15:47:00.007-06:00

My camera is still missing so I have resorted to using the old one. Here are a few highlights of the last couple months.

This is from Trey's birthday. I can't believe he is 4 years old. However, he refused to be 4 until we sang Happy Birthday and he blew out the candles on his cake. Funny kid!

These are a few pictures I took on Easter Sunday. Keith was already at work when the kids got ready for church. So these were for his benefit.

My sweet Emma.

Trey insisted on holding the basketball he got in his Easter basket.

Of course there is slober on Trent's shirt! He even had a bib on until just before I took the pictures.

Trey's trip to the Emergency Room

2009-04-17T15:37:00.002-06:00

Last week we were at Keith's Mom and Dad's trying to plan our trip to Rudd's wedding with Alice and Trey was running around as usual. He was barefoot and slipped on the tile and did a Superman dive into the leg of the barstool. He of course cried, I picked him up and I thought everything was okay until he moved his hand away from his eye and he had a gaping wound over his eyebrow that immediately started gushing blood. Alice's nursing instincts took over and we got pressure on it long enough to slow the bleeding and Keith and I left Emma and the baby with Alice so we could take Trey to get it stitched up. I wasn't looking forward to that, but I lucked out and they were able to glue the wound shut with Dermabond. It is awesome!! I guess I need to get used to it. It's my understanding that boys are pretty rough and this kind of thing is bound to happen again. Trey took this picture of himself. I thought it was funny, but it showed his cut pretty well.

Kudos to Emma!!

2009-04-17T15:27:00.003-06:00

Emma has excelled in her new school this year and I am so proud of her. First of all, Emma competed in a district wide writing contest. The students were given a choice of 2 topics and then they were given 2 hours to write a story. Emma recieved 4th place for her age level in the entire district. Pretty awesome for a girl who complained and cried everytime she was given a writing assignment!

And Emma is going to have a poem she and a couple of other classmates wrote, published in a book this year. Their poem was sent in by the school and was selected by the publication to have their poem included. What an awesome opportunity for her!

I am so glad to have a daughter! I Love You Emma!

Presidential Inauguration

2009-01-20T10:23:00.002-07:00

I've been watching the inaugration this morning. What a great country we live in! As I watch it I am reminded of how greatful I am to be born an American.

Busy!

2009-01-20T09:54:00.003-07:00

We've been busy since Thanksgiving and I will post pictures when I can locate my camera that Emma has misplaced, but until then here is a quick update on us. Emma is starting to do some baking on her own. She does pretty well and I think she will develop into a really good cook as she grows up. Trey is a Sunbeam at church now and the other day he came home singing, "I am a Child of Gone..." instead of "I am a Child of God". Too funny!! Trent has been free of oxygen since Halloween and the doctors are thrilled with how well he is growing (15 lbs. now!). He smiles and laughs and loves to stand. I am really enjoying every minute of him.

Trey/Tray/carry on thing

2008-10-26T10:12:00.004-06:00

Last week, we stopped at Whataburger after a doctor's appointment for lunch. Keith has just left to make it to work and I was cleaning up the table with Trey, who was still eating. Our conversation went something like this.

Me: When you are finished eating put your trash on the tray so we can put it in the garbage on

the way out.

Trey: (smiling) Did you say Trey?

Me: (smiling back) Yes, this orange thing is a tray.

Trey: (laughing now) No its not mom. I'm Trey. That's not Trey.

Me: (laughing too) Yes, you are Trey, but that is called a tray too.

Trey: No, it's a carry on thing.

Too Funny!!!

So I thought I would include this picture that Keith took of Trey a couple of years ago in Whataburger of Trey on a tray.

He's growing like a weed!!!

2008-10-17T16:20:00.002-06:00

When Trent came home fom the hospital on September 29th, he weighed 5 lbs 15 oz. A week later we took him for his first Pediatrician appointment and he weighed 6 lbs 6 ozs. I just took him back on the 15th and he weighed 7 lbs 11 oz.!!! We are still working on weaning him from the oxygen. He's just not ready to do it yet. If you think about it he still shouldn't be born, so for being so early his is doing fabulous!!!

These pictures were taken when he was 4 weeks old.

Trey sure loves his baby brother!

Trent was almost 5 weeks old in the following pictures.

Trent Collins Larson

2008-10-08T20:08:00.007-06:00

Trent Collins Larson
Born September 11, 2008
8:47 pm
5 lbs. 12 oz.
18 inches long
This picture was taken on September 13th. The first time I got to see him since his birth.

He's here! And he's finally home! Most of you know what happened, but here is the full story. On, Thursday, September 11th, I had my biweekly doctors appointment to monitor the baby and any contractions. Everything was fine and Keith and my doc decided that I should deliver at the closest hospital and that we needed to go register. So we did that on our way home before lunch, and Keith left for work. I had a noneventful rest of the day until about 6pm. I was laying on the bed watching the memorial for Don Haskins and rolled out of bed to use the bathroom and I noticed a slight pain. I had started bleeding again, so my mom and I loaded up the kids and went to the hospital again. I figured I would be in and out yet again, but that was not to be. My bleeding worsened and it was decided that it was time to get the baby out. I called Keith about about 8pm to let him know he needed to get to the hospital as soon as he could and in the mean time I was bombarded by nurses trying to start IVs and have me sign paperwork and such. I can imagine that it was a little scary for my kids to see this going on. Thank goodness my mom was here! Keith showed up as they were wheeling me out to go to the OR and by 8:47 pm Trent Collins Larson made his debut. He was born at 31 weeks, so 9 weeks premature, and was taken to the NICU where he was intubated to help him breathe. I was rolled to recovery where everything was looking good at first. After about an hour of continuous bleeding the doctor was called back and I was taken back to the OR and given an emergency hysterectemy. Apparently, I was bleeding profusely and ended up with 6 units of blood, 2 units of plasma, and 1 unit of red blood cells. I was in ICU until Saturday the 13th. I am very blessed to have had a great team of doctors and nurses not only for me, but for Trent as well. He is amazing and after only 2 weeks in the hospital we were able to bring him home. He is still on oxygen, but we are working on weaning him from it. Here are some of the pictures we have from our journey to get our Trent here safely.

Yea!! He's off the ventilator.

No oxygen! We were so excited, but he ultimately went back on and is now home with portable oxygen.

We're going home!!

A ride in LaLa's car!! (Keith had to work early!)

Trey's first look at his baby brother!

Emma was able to see Trent in the hospital, Lucky girl!

Thank you to everyone for all your thoughts and prayers! I truly appreciate all that was done to help us get Trent here safe! ~ We love you!!!

Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-03T08:45:00.002-06:00

My family came Thursday evening to visit over the holiday weekend, which I was looking forward to. But, it turns out that I didn't get to spend much time with them while they were here. Friday, Keith and I closed on our house finally! And that took most of the morning. When we got home, Keith went to work and I reclined on the couch visiting. Around 4pm everyone decided they had places to go, which would have left me home alone. So I opted to ride with my sister and her family (and Emma) to Justice to let the girls look at clothes since my niece's birthday was the 2nd. While I was sitting in Justice I started spotting so off we went to the hospital. I thought I would only be there a few hours until they determined that I was fine and could go home. However, while I was there I started having contractions and ended up admitted with all sorts of IVs and meds to stop contractions and Steroid shots to help develop the babies lungs. They finally let me go home on Sunday after I was giving a blood transfusion. I did okay and the baby looks great, but my gut feeling tells me this baby is coming soon. Luckily, my doctor is in agreement and I now have appointments 2 times a week to monitor everything so we can be ahead of the game. I was greatful that Alice was working all weekend. It was nice to see her peeking in to check on me. I really appreciate all the help everyone has given me. And I was so glad to have family in town, although I didn't get to see them much, it was so nice not to worry about my kids having fun and being distracted. So I am now on STRICT bedrest until this baby is born. Lucky me! I CAN DO IT!

Appointment Update

2008-08-12T15:28:00.003-06:00

I had my 27 week appointment today. I think that Heavenly Father is trying to make sure that I am okay with being done having kids after this one arrives. So now besides having placenta previa, I failed the 1 hour glucose test so I have to have the 3 hour test done. And I am measuring 37 weeks instead of 27 weeks and the baby is breech!!! The only good I have to report is that I have good blood pressure still and I am not gaining a ton of weight. On top of it, we won't be eligible for new insurance with Walgreen's until around September 6th. So i really need to make it past that date. And my doctor keeps reiterating the fact that we probablly should not try to make it to Providence and that Del Sol is really ok, but I just can't get past the fact that Trevor was born and died at Del Sol and I think the memories alone would put me into a panic attack. I am afraid of history repeating itself there, and I just don't want to take the chance. On top of it, the Doctor's that took care of Trey when he was born are from Providence Memorial Hospital and I really trust their abilities after they took care of Trey. (And Alice is there!) So that's where we're at now. I really need to keep this baby in for another 4 weeks at least (7 would be ideal) so keep us in your prayers!!

Flice Water

2008-08-11T16:01:00.002-06:00

This morning while I was trying to dry my hair after my quick shower Trey and I noticed a fly buzzing around the bathroom. He told me he wanted to get it so I sent him out to get the fly swatter from my mom. He came back a few minutes later, but without the fly swatter. I asked him where it was. He told me he couldn't get it from Grandma. Mom mom following into the bathroom told me he wanted water in a cup, or in other words "flice water". He couldn't understand what a fly swatter was, but he had in his mind exactly what flice water was. He wanted a cup of water thinking the the fly would buzz around the cup and land in the water and he would be able to catch it that way.

Keith is Official!!!

2008-08-10T12:59:00.002-06:00

I am proud to say that Keith is finally and officially a licensed Pharmacist!!!! He did it! And we made it through 5 years of school so he could say, " I get to go to work today!" instead of "I have to go to work today!"

Way to go Keith!!!!

Trey

2008-08-10T12:50:00.002-06:00

Here is a quick story for you. Jenni you will appreciate this!

Last night I was laying in bed with Keith. Trey was having a real had time settling down so we were letting him run around for a few minutes. At one point he climbed on the bed with us and started kicking his feet. I scolded him telling him he needed to not kick because he could accidentally kick my tummy and hurt the baby. When he didn't stop, Keith got after him, threatening to spank him. Trey turned to Keith and said, " I'm going to kick you in the eye and then you won't be able to see me!" Keith and I looked at each other and started laughing. He had it all figured out, if his dad couldn't see him he couldn't get a spanking. I know laughing isn't right, but it was one of those times we just couldn't help it. Anyway, when we laughed Trey quit kicking and eventually settled down.

August Update

2008-08-10T12:40:00.002-06:00

Most of you know, but some may not that back in mid June I was diagnosed with Placenta previa. Basically meaning the placenta has grown over the cervix which puts me at risk for bleeding and other complications. And I will have a c-section which I already had planned on anyway since that is how my babies are born. On July 16th I had my first bleeding episode which put me in the hospital for the day. And I am now on bedrest for the duration of my pregnancy. I am blessed to have a dad who sent my mom down to stay with me until this baby is born. I don't know how I would do it with out her. She is doing everything including getting Emma to school everyday and taking care of Trey's needs that I just can't do right now. I feel fine, but as Alice says I am a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off. Hopefully I can make it another 5 weeks which will put me at 32 weeks gestation. I'm trying to stay down, but it is easier said than done. I'm lucky to have a family who gives me such support when I need it.

Only My Kids!

2008-06-30T13:44:00.003-06:00

Yesterday evening was really nice so Keith and I decided to sit out on the driveway and watch the kids ride their bikes around our culdasac. There were several other families out and Emma is so friendly and outgoing she made friends with a little girl across the street. Keith and I decided we should go introduce ourselves to them and we all sat talking while the kids played. While doing this we turn to look at the kids and Trey has his pants down to his ankles PEEING in the neighbors rocks! I was mortified!!! Keith ran over and pulled up his pants, but everyone saw so we couldn't pretend like it didn't happen. I apologized profusely and they all laughed and said at least he was potty trained. It was humiliating! After we got home Keith and I were talking and we decided it wasn't as bad as Emma's escapade in Albuquerque. Emma was 2. We had been invited to a family's house for dinner. They were a very nice, proper family from our ward with 4 little girls. We were having a good time and then all of a sudden Emma runs out from the girls room STARK NAKED! She had stripped off all her clothes and was running around the house laughing. Talk about embarassing! So although Trey's peeing in the neighbor's yard was bad, Emma still takes the cake!!

I'm Back!!

2008-06-30T13:31:00.003-06:00

Apart from me just not keeping up with this blogging I have had a crazy few months and have just not had time to sit down and even think about it. So, he is a short recap of what has gone on since my last post. In mid may we moved to a new house. YEA!! 4 days later Keith left for Las Vegas to finish school. The kids and I were home for a week and a half by ourselves and then we flew out to Vegas for Keith's graduation. We were there for about a week and we drove home with Keith. We arrived home late Sunday night and then Monday afternoon we put Keith on a plane to Dallas for a review for the National boards he still has to take. He got home Friday night and the following Thursday we began the Larson Family Reunion in El Paso. Which I think turned out to be a great sucess!!! Also, in the midst of all this I had a doctors appointment and ultrasound with confirmed my suspisions that we are having a boy and we also found out that I have placenta previa which now puts me on restricted activity. So I have been home for a little over a week now trying to get things done, but still take it easy, and I figured I'd better start my blogging again before I get to far behind. I have several pictures to add, but I will do that in their own posts.

Thanks!

2008-03-25T19:36:00.002-06:00

Thanks for all the warm wishes!! Everyone was surprised that I have a blog. Well, that was kind of on purpose. I have a hard time putting myself out there for everyone to see. If I suck at blogging, everyone will know. So anyway, we were with Alice talking to Jenni on the phone and Emma blabbed that I had one, so that was the end of my secret blogging. And now that the word is out I will have to do a better job. I'm going to have to get the rest of you to give me lessons in blogging, because I have no idea how to add half the stuff you have on yours!!!

It's Official!

2008-03-21T13:21:00.004-06:00

We are expecting a new member of Team Larson in early November!! I know the word has been slowly getting out, but I didn't want to jinx anything until I actually saw that little heart beating in an ultrasound. Plus, it's still early. I am only 7 weeks pregnant, so I still have at least 5 weeks to go until I feel relatively safe that this pregnancy is going to last. Anyway, we are cautiously excited and are happy to share our news with everyone! The picture doesn't do the ultrasound justice, but the little white blob above the word "Here" is the baby. Have fun trying to see anything!!!

Bedtime prayers

2008-03-04T08:03:00.002-07:00

When you have little kids it's really hard to get a good bedtime prayer in. For example, last night, we were saying prayers and Trey really felt like it was his turn. However, he refused any help from me. So his prayer went something like this:

"Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the house, thank you for our family, thank you for Daddy, thank you for our house, thank you for nomen (snowmen)"...at which point Emma started laughing uncontrollably. Then Trey started laughing and I'm trying not to laugh so we can get through this and I tried to help Trey finish. Of course he was still refusing my help so I told him to go ahead. When he would start again, instead of just finishing the prayer he would start "Thank you for the house" which would send Emma into bigger hysterics and this encouraged Trey to laugh and do it again. After about 3 minutes of this we finally got the prayer finished and everyone in bed. Whew!

We made it through another day!

Dinner prayer

2008-03-04T07:52:00.003-07:00

Let me preface this a little. You all know how Keith is and when he finds some word or phrase he likes he says it over and over until he more than wears it out. Well, when Trey was taking his first steps we videoed it and to start the video Keith said "Go ahead Emma" which led into her saying "This is Trey's first video, he's going to be walking today". Lately, Keith has been saying that phrase to Emma and then she has to follow with her line from the video.

So, Keith asked Emma to say the prayer for dinner on Sunday. After we go Trey to fold his arms, Keith said," Go ahead Emma". She Closed her eyes to begin the prayer and said "This is Trey's..." and then she opened her eyes as Keith and I started laughing. She laughed and was flustered, but managed to finish the prayer with a little help.

We really can get through a prayer without incident. (I think!)

Trey's Dream

2008-02-29T09:03:00.004-07:00

Sunday Morning I was getting ready for church and Trey was asleep on my bed with Keith. I heard him start to cry and saw him hit the pillows. I was holding him and giving him a little comfort and he looked at me and said. " Emma colored on my bwanket! Supposed to color on papers." Apparently, Trey was dreaming that Emma had colored on his blanket and he was really upset about it. He was a little put out with Emma all day telling her every once in a while that she's supposed to color on papers not his blanket. Funny kid!

Funny kids!

2008-02-08T16:59:00.000-07:00

Last night I made a casserole consisting of chicken, stuffing, and broccoli. It's one of Emma's favorites. And both kids usually eat it really well. But for some reason last night when I served some to Trey. He took one look at it and refused it. I asked him why he didn't want it. He looked me in the eye and said, " It will make me sick mama." The stinker! Also, a few weeks ago I took the kids with me to the grocery store. I stopped to get some fresh green beans because they were on sale 10 for 10 and Emma is such a good helper she started picking them out one bean at a time counting one, two, three, etc. She thought they were 10 beans for 10 dollars, not 10 lbs. for $10. Funny girl! We laughed the rest of the time we were shopping.

2007-09-04T10:46:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I have decided to get on the blogging bandwagon. I'm not very good at journaling, so I thought that this might force me to do it. We have been in El Paso for about 3 months now and I am finally starting to feel a little settled. Emma started school last week so that definately helps me to get the routine going that we lacked this summer. Keith is working hard in his rotations and working at Walgreen's. I am so proud of the hard work he as done to get this far! Only a few more month's and he will graduate from pharmacy school! He is awesome!