Sleep Deprivation!

"Sleep deprivation is a general lack of the necessary amount of sleep. This may occur as a result of sleep disorders, active choice or deliberate inducement such as in interrogation or for torture." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/)


Colton, actively decided, that he no longer needed to sleep.

(Quick Background - since 5 months of age Colton has gone to bed at 7pm and sleeps until 7am or later, with only a few occurences a month - of needing to get up in the middle of the night, usually for a quick sippy cup of milk before he'd go back to bed)

So, last Monday night we found it a little odd that he cried and wouldn't go to sleep until around 8 or 8:15... must just be a freak thing. Tuesday same thing, only he cried until 8:30... maybe he's just needing it darker in his room. Wednesday (put a blanket over his window) still didn't fall asleep until closer to 9. Thursday around 8:30 Seth went into the room to calm him down and he threw up all over Seth and himself. Aahaa! This must be it, this is the reason he's not sleeping, he's sick... Friday morning comes and of course he acts totally well and fine, but since he's done this before I know better and he only gets toast and white grape juice mixed with water for the whole day. And, my mom comes out to visit to keep us company so that we don't go crazy being stuck inside all day. Friday night he again does not fall asleep until 9 or so. However, this night he wakes up again at 1am and stays up until 3:30. I'm exhausted, at this point. He seems to be eating normal again, having his milk and keeping everything down so why won't he sleep! Seth was gone all morning on Saturday so I took Colton to the library to see if we could get some "Curious George" DVD's (the only thing he'll watch on tv - stay tuned for a seperate post regarding the TV). On the way home he fell asleep so I took him straight from the car to his crib and he slept for 3 hours! Allright, this must be it now, he must be willing to sleep again, right? WRONG! Saturday night was the longest night... he never even went to sleep at all until 3 in the morning (we tried everything - things we swore we'd never do like letting him sleep with us and taking him for a drive to get him to fall asleep - but nothing worked!) and then he promptly woke up at 7am! You've got to be kidding me!? At this point I felt like I was losing my mind (I don't do well without sleep) -- THANK HEAVENS FOR MOTHERS! My darling mother came and "kidnapped" Colton so that Seth and I could get a break. She took him until Monday afternoon. In the 24 hours that she had him I got about 18 hours of much needed sleep!

Seth and I (with the clarity that comes from sleep) decided that as much as we hated to do it, it was time to get a "big boy bed" (or at least a "big boy mattress") since his crib could no longer contain him and it was getting dangerous with him climbing out all of the time (or just hanging out on the railing). We also realized that our little boy was testing us big time and we were failing - so we needed to go back and pretend like he was 5 months old all over again and start from the beginning. I took the rest of the week off from work so that we could do this together and so that I wouldn't be stressed out from lack of sleep. I also took him to the doctor this morning and they confirmed that he is just fine - no ear infections, strep throat or new teeth trying to come through!

So, here we are, the second night and I'm happy to report that he only cried for 15 min before falling asleep (it took him over an hour last night and an hour today for his nap). He's not in his bed though, but on the floor by the door (I can see his little hand under the door still) - but we'll take what we can get!

We are so grateful to my mom for coming and taking him (even though I was reluctant) and for my Dad and Emily for helping out. Sunday night they emailed us this picture so that we would know he was allright and doing just fine.


Isn't he such a cutie?

Easter

We had a great Easter! The weather was perfect and it was so nice to be with family. Here are some photos... Thanks to my friend, Jen, for trying to get Colton to stand for the group picture at Thunderkids. You know Colton, if everyone else is doing it, then he definitely doesn't want to be doing it! (Thunderkids is a group we go to each week. This group is made up of parents whose spouse or significant other is attending Thunderbird). This week's activity was an Easter Egg hunt. So while the older kids were learning about the ocean, Colton and I went outside to hide the eggs. Colton, however thought he should pick them up after me, so it made hiding them a little harder. I think I really confused him when I then tried to get him to "find" them and put them in his basket... I'm sure if he could talk he'd say, "Sheesh mom! Make up your mind. Can I pick them up or not?"
On Thursday, we met Emily and her kids, along with my mom, at the zoo! We had a blast... but we didn't see too many animals (except for the ones we were toting around). We walked around a lot and tired out our kids though - it was great!

Colton is really starting to enjoy hanging out with his cousins. He loved being in the stroller with Maddie and he loves following Austin around to see what kind of trouble they can get into together. As you can also see, Colton was pooped and promptly fell asleep before we even made it to the freeway! (I took this picture while I was driving - that's why it's not centered!)

Here is Seth and Colton at our Ward Easter Picnic - we didn't even attempt the easter egg hunt here.

On Sunday, we went over to Nanny and Papa's (my grandparents) and Colton finally (3rd time) started to figure out the whole "egg hunt" thing. It definitely helped when he realized that there was chocolate in the eggs!

Colton and his cousin Zane were the only two doing the easter egg hunt at Nanny and Papa's since the next oldest cousin is 8 (I think) I don't think they minded it one bit!

After Nanny and Papa's we went over to Oma's and Opa's (ha ha - that sounds funny) But for some reason I didn't take any pics, but we had a GREAT time over there too! The food was delicious and we had plenty of leftovers to take home!

It is so great to be with family for the holidays!

Our Funny Boy!

Last week, Colton woke up about 11 or so and we could tell by his cry that he wasn't going to go back to sleep without some help. This usually happens about once every 2 weeks - he usually just needs some milk and a diaper change. So Seth got him some milk and went to get him out of his crib. I could hear Seth laughing when he went into Colton's room, so of course I had to find out what was so funny...

Oh, wait, here's a little background first: We have this pink/white gingham check blanket that used to be my mom and dad's (wedding gift - so it's over 30 years old). When Emily (my sis) and I went away to college it was starting to rip (almost down the center) so we thought it would be cool to cut the rest of it and she could take half and I could take half. So, I've had this half the whole time and never sewed it up. When Colton was around 6 months he seemed to like it so I put it in his crib with him. A while later we realized he was pulling out the batting and playing with it in his hands (we guess for comfort). Since then he's carried "fuzz" around almost everywhere he goes. Even friends have said that they've found fuzz at their place after Colton has visited.

Ok, now that you have the background, when Seth went to get him out of the crib, this is what he found:

Yes, that is FUZZ coming out of both of his ears! I started laughing hard too and so Colton started crying louder... once he got his milk though he let us take the picture!

This same week, I was giving Colton a bath. Once he's all cleaned up I let him play (for as long as he wants) while I go and clean up his dinner mess. I hadn't been gone too long when I heard some splashing and went to check on him and this is what I found:

Actually, I found him standing up on the stool completely with a big grin on his face, but by the time I got back with the camera he had gotten down so I had to have him get back on for the pic! I'm still not sure what he was trying to do - this is why I can't wait for him to talk - I'm sure he's going to have a great reason for doing all of these things!

FINALLY...

Yes, this all happened in the same week... Colton and I had gone swimming. When we got home I changed him and left him on the couch watching "Curious George" and decided I could hop in the shower really quick and wash my hair. I was not gone more than 7 min (at the most). I walked back into the family room and smelled a poopy diaper, but I didn't see Colton. I closed the bedroom door and to my shock and dismay found that Colton had gone out to the patio and retrieved one of his poopy diapers (from that morning) - he got it out of the plastic bag and smeared it all over my bedroom door! I thought I was going to throw up! Thank heavens for spray cleaners with bleach and antibacterial soap for Colton! So, if you come over to my apartment and notice a poopy diaper by the front door, just know that it's because Colton can open the sliding glass door but not the front door! (oh and I was so disgusted, I just couldn't take a picture - I'm sure you can picture it in your head just fine!)

McCleve & Hoban - Together Again!

My MTC companion, Robin Davis was in town for the week visiting her family for Easter so we thought it'd be fun to get together with our kiddos... It was so good to see her and all of her kids. Last time I saw her, her oldest was just a baby - Things can sure change in 6 years! ha ha We had fun catching up, although I think next time we'll figure out a way to do it without the kids... here's why:

Colton & I were less than 5 min from her parents house when I hear a funny noise from Colton. I take a quick glance at him and realize he's thrown up all over himself. He proceeded to throw up everything else as I pull up to her house. So, I leave Colton strapped in and run up to the front door. I give Robin a big hug and then ask for some cleaning supplies. We get Colton bathed and his clothes in the wash and take a big sigh since the worst seems to be over. (Colton had just got car sick)

About 30 min later, Robin is holding her youngest, Kevin, when he throws up all over her and himself. So she rushes to get him a bath and clean herself up and start another load of laundry. I decide that this is a good time to finish cleaing out his carseat. I took Colton out to the car so he wouldn't scream the whole time I was gone, plus he enjoys playing in the front seat and pretending he's driving.

I'm almost done cleaning when out of the corner of my eye I see Colton about to fall out (yeah, I didn't close the door - What kind of a mother am I!?) I rushed to grab him, but it was too late he hit the asphault! I felt so bad, I couldn't tell what hit first, his hands or his head... I just kept looking for blood and holding him trying to get him to calm down (and calm myself down). As we're walking back into the house I realize I have blood on my shoulder and that his mouth is bleeding. (See Picture Above) He had bit through the end of his tongue! Luckily, though, it didn't bleed too much and he seemed to calm down once the shock of it wore off...

Needless to say we only stayed about 30 min longer since it was now naptime and the kids were getting restless. We're going to try and get together again before she has to leave (maybe this time without the kiddies!)

I swear these things only happen to me... I wonder why we ever leave the house somedays!? Ha Ha

Remember The A-Team?

"I just love it when a plan comes together!"

Lately, our plans always seem to get sidetracked, but not this time! We went to my parents house in Queen Creek for an early weekend getaway. Seth took a midterm on Wednesday night and had the next 2 days off from school so we loaded up our car (I am always amazed at how much stuff we have to take for Colton :) and headed out to Queen Creek for a few days.

My dad watched Colton Friday morning so that we could go to the Temple. We made the 6am session! Yeah, I know early! BUT it was great - especially knowing that Colton was still sleeping at that time.

Later that day my sister, Emily, and I took our kids (my 1 and her 4!) to the park and it was so fun to watch Colton playing with his cousins. He is finally enjoying the park with the slides, sand, swings and all of the other amenities that the park offers. While we were at the park, Seth and my dad went to the driving range at the local golf course.

I got to go running that afternoon (4 miles walk/run) and then later that night, after Colton was asleep, Seth and I went to see a movie. We watched "Vantage Point." I liked it, Seth thought it was so-so. I can't believe how much we fit into one day!

On Saturday we went to Parker's B-Day party and then on our way home we stopped to see Oma and Opa in Gilbert. It was a great weekend! Here are some of our pics:

Oh, and this probably deserves it own post, but my little niece, Kinsley born in November has RED HAIR! Yeah, finally another red head! You can't really see it in this picture, but she's making her Aunt Becky proud nonetheless!

Way to go Cory!

Cory you did great! Personally I think that the Sterns' Sean Elliot was much touger on you than that other guy... but way to represent Westwood and ASU! Summer must be so proud :) Oh and I bet Annika loved her 15 min (sec) of fame too! She looked so cute!







Side Note: Cory is a friend from High School who was on the reality tv show "Pro's vs. Joes"... See his site here.

Happy Birthday Parker!

Happy Birthday Paker! I can't believe you're 6 years old already! I was so excited when you were born - you were my first nephew! You have always been so cute and funny - some of the things you can come up with just make all of us laugh! Thank you for being such a great cousin to Colton. You are so patient and kind to him. We love you Parker - can't wait to see you today!