Not a blogger

My last post asked what happened to October, well now I am asking what happened to November and December. Looks like blogging is not my cup of tea. We are all happy and healthy so that about sums everything up. Here is a picture of Kris and I!!! We had a night out for my staff Christmas party at DePonte Cellars in Dundee. Papa Craig watched the boys for us and had an easy time since AJ slept the whole time. My goal for the new year is for us to go out at least once a month, even though our main topic when we are away is the kids.

We are officially on Winter break which means I get lots of time with the boys. They are so much fun right now and all enjoy different things. I need to get back to Christmas cards so hopefully I will post again before January is upon us.

What happened to October?

Wow, my last post was on September 19th! Only excuse I can come up with is I am a working mother of 3 boys and Kris goes to school. To recap the month of October it would take a while so I will hit the highlights.

Ian is enjoying kindergarten and learns so much everday. He has been playing soccer every Thursday and Saturday. He went as Optimus Primer for Halloween this year. Cole loves being back at the YMCA daycare and enjoyed playing soccer on Saturdays. He was Batman for Halloween. A.J. is 4-months old already and enjoys to sleep! He was a baby skeleton for Halloween. More to come later....

Kindergarten

Where have the last 5 years gone? How can we have a kindergartner already? The pictures below show Ian on his first day at Dundee Elementary School. He was very excited, but Cole was very sad. Ian and Cole have not been a part from each other very often in the 3 years Cole has been around. So when Ian was going to a different school then Cole he had a tough time, but he had some special bonding time with Papa Steve for a couple days. Ian loves riding the bus!YMCA mini bus takes him to school and then picks him up when AM kinder is over. Then he gets to hang out with his brothers and cousins the rest of the day. It has been fun watching him learn so much already and his handwriting is getting pretty good too!

The Big Pumpkin

Ian and Cole entered their prized pumpkin into the Sandy Oktoberfest FFA contest again this year. After receiving 3rd place last year Ian told us he wanted to get 2nd this year. Well he was happy to find out that they did better then that: 1st place and BEST in Show. Craig and Jean also won for there HUGE green beans.

Summer 2010 Pictures

Ian, Cole, & Kris on the big slide

Yamhill County Fair

Ian got up close with the scuba diver

Ian and Cole exploring at the aquarium

At the "D" River

Boys playing in the shortest river

A.J. at 2 months
My 3 sons

Ian starts soccer

Aquarium

Since we don't have vacations planned for the summer we are trying to get away for day trips on the weekend. However, we are not the only ones that are doing this I think. The last weekend we went to the Newport Aquarium. Ian and Cole had a great time, along with AJ because he just likes being outside. Unfortunately Kris lets other people and crowds bug him too much to have a good time. I will post pics soon.
We also made a quick stop at the beach in Lincoln City where the boys played in the shortest river in the world, "D" River.

Weight Watchers

Starting in October my health insurance will be providing coverage for joining Weight Watchers, but only for 13-weeks. Until then I am hoping to get started on my own with the program from what I know already and what I can gather from friends. If you have any information that would help please send it my way :-) Overall I am happy with my weight loss (1lb away from pre-preg weight) so far which has happened without even trying too hard....just chasing a few boys around and eating better.

Under Construction

For those of you that know my husband you know that he doesn't like to sit around and do nothing for very long....or ever. Currently, he has about 4 different projects that are going on around the property. Most of them I can help him with or he can do on his own. The one I am not that helpful with is getting the retaining wall started which means concrete work. I hope he can get this started soon because that means we are another step closer to tearing down the shop and building a garage/shop that doesn't LEAK!

Storage Shed

In hopes of finding some more space and organization to our house we purchased a 10 x 10 storage shed this weekend. It was a lot of fun watching Ian work side-by-side with Kris to build the shed. When we didn't finish it on Sunday Ian was very sad and when he got up on Monday he was ready to work on it again. He is definitely Kris' son! Ian was sad again when I told him we had to wait until daddy got home from work, but came up with a great idea "Mommy, you can read the directions to me and when daddy gets home I can tell him what to do next." So cute! And smart! I will post pictures soon.

Garden Update

Here is a picture of AJ at 6-weeks old. He is ready to help us in the garden with his John Deere hat, which may fit him for another week if he doesn't grow too much.

So far the garden has produced ONE red tomato! All of the 17 plants have tomatoes on them but they are very green still. Once they start to turn we are going to need some help picking them and eating them. The boys want to put a vegetable stand at the end of the driveway which we might do because are going to have a good pumpkin patch too. The garden has also produced cucumbers, zucchini(green and yellow), TONS of lettuce, and some yellow string beans.

On a sad note....the deer got to the pepper plants. They preferred the green plants over the red pepper plants so we may still get some. The boys and I went to Wilco yesterday and they still had some pepper plants, we came home with 9 plants since they were 75% off. We planted them today and are crossing our fingers they will thrive and produce.

Detroit Lake

We are very lucky to have such involved grandparents on both sides of the family. Ian and Cole get to vacation even when Kris and I are not able to. The latest adventure took them to Detroit Lake with Grandma Jean and Papa Craig (Thomas). Kris, AJ, and I joined them for a night at the lake where we stayed all together at Ray/Sheila and Jim/Tami's camping area that they have on the lake. The boys had a great time playing with counsin Breanne catching tiny fish and salamanders in nets. AJ jad a great time sleeping on the dock and taking his first boat ride.

We helped move the camping over to the state park on Sunday where they would be staying until Thursday with Jean and Craig. From what the boys have shared they went to several educational programs including one on bears, volcanoes, and osprey birds. Thay had a blast going swimming in the lake and on boat rides. Below is a picture of the bird houses they made.

Getting Ready for the Wedding

The boys had the honor of being ring bearers for Dave and Patty Kohnhorst's wedding this summer. Below are some pictures of them getting ready with the help of Uncle Matt, Grandma Nancy, Aunt Marilyn, and Liz...Kris was a little busy at the hospital and I was getting pictures taken in my broken dress.

Pericarditis/Myocarditis & Wedding Story

Since the weekend is a very long story I thought I would write it out for people that wanted to know. We were all in CA for my family reunion on July 3, all was good and the reunion was perfect (except for the heat). Ian, Cole, Aaron, and I were going to stay for another week while Kris flew back to Oregon with Craig and Jean on July 5. On a side note that was anniversary #7 for Kris and I, which we still need to celebrate. Everything was going good in Sonoma and back in Newberg, the Thomas family up in Newberg even went boating on the 6th. On Wednesday July 7th Kris started to feel body aches and a bad headache, he even took a nap after work. He still went to work on Thursday and Friday but wasn't feeling right still. Alright so that is the back story.
On Friday, July 9 Ian, Cole, Aaron, my dad, and I attended the wedding rehearsal and dinner for Dave and Patty's wedding. Everything was going as planned and the boys did great practicing their ring bearer duties. Kris was flying in to Sacramento so mom and dad went to pick him up at about 10pm while I stayed behind with sleeping boys. When they arrived in Sonoma Kris went straight to bed so I knew something was not right.
In the morning (July 10/Wedding day) Kris woke up with chest pain to go along with his body aches and headache. He decided it was time to go to the ER. Thankfully my dad was able to take him and Kris insisted the boys and I carry on with our wedding duties for now. We were now down two adults though to try and get everything done in time for the wedding but we knew we could call in for backup. I arrived to get my hair fixed up at about noon but as I was walking in the house I got a call from Kris. He sounded a little nervous and thats when he told me that they think he was having a heart attack or had already had one. That was quite the shock! The reason behind this diagnosis was because of the blood test, it showed a high level of a certain enzyme that means something is going on with the heart. Since Sonoma Valley Hospital is not equipped to deal with Cardiac patients other then the basics they transferred Kris by ambulance to Marin General.
Meanwhile....mom has been home with the three boys but has help from Liz and Marilyn thank goodness. I have my hair and makeup finished and get back home around 3pm to try and compose myself and gather items needed for the wedding that night. I left the house again at 3:30 so I could get to the wedding site by 4 for pictures. I left the ring bearers in good hands to get their tuxes on and be ready for the wedding at 6, thanks Uncle Matt!!! However, I was the one that really needed help. As I was being zipped into the bridesmaid dress the zipper BROKE. I was stuck in the dress, zipper was too far up and we couldn't get it down so I had no where to go. With several attempts of different pins, Mrs. Gibson x 2 (Regina and Andriana) came to my rescue with safety pins and a shawl(sp).
Matt arrived at the wedding with Ian and Cole looking sharp! He also had an update on Kris! The doctors ran more tests: ultrasound of heart, EKG, blood tests, and an angiogram. His heart was not showing signs of a heart attack but it was showing that there was an infection that was causing the lining to be inflamed probably caused by a virus. With the new information from Matt it became easier to participate in the wedding. Also, my dad stayed with Kris through all of this which made me feel better as well.
The wedding was great and I even managed to give a toast, but most important the boys didn't lose the rings and did their job. Dave and Patty were very happy which was great to see, but they did keep track of how Kris was doing. I checked in with family and friends one last time for the night with the recent news about the virus but thats all I knew because Kris needed to sleep. On Sunday I went down to the hospital with Ian and Cole around 11:30am and that seemed to cheer Kris up. However, at about 1:30pm Kris started to feel the chest pain again so the boys and I had to leave the room. I drove the boys back to my parents house (about 35 minute drive) then went back to be with Kris. All three boys attended the Schell-Vista BBQ with mom and dad at uncle Matt's firehouse.
When I got back to the hospital Kris was resting because they gave him some pain meds. Nothing much happened the rest of the day, just some blood pressure checks and hospital food. The next morning Kris saw the doctor who reassured him that is was just a virus but they would run another EKG and ultrasound to make sure nothing had changed. They also started him on some medications to send him home with. He had to stay for lunch and dinner to see how eating and walking around made him feel. He was discharged around 630pm and we headed back to Sonoma. So this is the weekend as I remember it, I am sure Kris had a different version so when you see him you can ask him.

Pictures of A.J.

Happy Grandma Nancy

Proud Papa Steve Ian says, "I am the big, big brother"

Cole really loves his brother

Mommy & the proud big brothers

The Thomas Boys

A.J. & Mommy ready to go home!

Aaron James Thomas

Alright so here is the story of how Aaron James Thomas came into the world. I figured I could write the long version on the blog and if you want the short version give Kris a call. So here we go....
On June 18, 2010 around 9:00am I decided to call the doctor because the baby wasn't as active as he usually was at night and I didn't want to worry about it over the weekend. The doctor suggested I come in for a non-stress test just to check everything out.
@ 10:00am I arrived at the doctors office to get hooked up to the monitors while Kris stayed home with Ian and Cole. The boys were home from daycare since I was done with school and it worked out that Kris was not working that day too. As I was hooked up to the monitor I was watching the contractions come and go about every 5-minutes but I wasn't feeling them. The doctor came in and said the baby looked great so nothing to worry about there and then she checked to see if I had dilated more since Monday when I was 3cm. Sure enough, I was now a solid 4cm. If you go by the baby books this means I was in labor! She said since I was feeling good and not having pain with contractions that I should go home and then come back around 3pm for another check.
@11:00am I started on my way home but stopped at the store for a few things just in case I did go into labor. I wanted to make sure Ian and Cole had milk, snacks, and I wanted cheesecake. So I stopped at Safeway and then a few garage sales on my way home since I knew if I went home right away I would go crazy sitting around.
@Noon I arrived back home to find the boys having a great time with Kris outside so I headed in to fix lunch. We all sat down to eat lunch together and talked about the possibility that little brother might be arriving sometime soon. Ian and Cole were super excited about the idea of going to hang out with cousin Tyler and Griffin that I think they forgot that I was going in to maybe have the baby later. After playing and walking around outside for a while it was finally time to drop off the boys and head to the doctors again.
@2:30pm Kris and I took the boys to Ryan and Ashley's house, but only Ashley was there so she was a mommy to 4 children for a while until Ryan got home. I OWE HER big time. It was a nice day so they were outside in the pool and bounce house the entire time so that was relief.
@3:15pm I was hooked up to the monitors again and this time Kris was with me, but he was bored of course. After 20-minutes the doctor came in to discuss what she was seeing. My contractions had stopped but I was definitely progressing with labor because I was now 5cm so there was a change since the morning. The doctor asked if we were packed and ready to go, which of course we had been for weeks. She checked us into the "Providence Hotel" as Kris calls it at the birth center room 260.
@4:30pm Kris and I brought our stuff into the room and were given "free" rein of what to do next with a suggestion that we walk A LOT. We walked the hallways, walked around the hospital outside, then we walked into the cafeteria so Kris could get some dinner. We brought his dinner up to the birth center and I got hooked up to the monitor. We made phone calls at this point to tell mom and dad to get on the road, check on the boys, and arrange for the boys to be taken care of through the night.
@6:30-9:00pm it was a lot of waiting and walking, waiting and walking.....
@9:15pm the doctor arrived to see how I was progressing and I was nervous because I had not felt anything strong as far as contractions. However, something was happening because I was now 6cm! I am loving labor this time around....then without wasting time she broke my water and there was no turning back at this point.
@9:30pm the nurse came in and finished check me in then it was time to get the IV in position just in case I needed fluids later. Usually there is no problems getting an IV started but for some reason my veins were not cooperating. It took about an hour, 10 sticks, and 3 different nurses to finally get one started but believe it or not I was kind of glad because it kept me distracted from the contractions.
@10:30pm contractions started to pick-up intensity and I was feeling them....finally :-) So I decided to take a shower to try and relax. It did help but the contractions were really starting to become strong and close together.
@11:00pm checked to see how I was progressing and I was at 8cm, which was a surprise to everyone because it had been an intense hour. At this point I started to talk about pain management and since I had never had an epidural with the first two boys I didn't know how long the process really takes. When the nurse said from the time they page the epidural it takes about 45-minutes, so I said okay lets get the process started. Well that thought didn't last too long....
@11:15 I was feeling the strong urge to push even when told not too...do they really think that a woman in labor wants to stop pushing? Anyways, I was moved from my left side to my back and gave about 5-7 good pushes and we welcomes Aaron James Thomas into the world at 11:30 pm.

Garden Accomplished

After waiting to some good weather we finally found it this past weekend, for a few hours anyways. Kris has had the area tilled and ready for the garden to go in for over a month but mother nature has had other ideas. On Saturday we were determined to get something in the ground and we did. Ian was a great help and Cole just enjoyed being outside in the dirt doing whatever he wanted to do. In the garden we have corn, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, peppers, basil, green beans, zucchini and pumpkins. The boys are excited to it to grow and make a veggie stand at the top of the driveway for neighbors to get free veggies from, so cute! I will post a picture soon or you can check it out on facebook.
Only 3 more weeks!!! (or less)

New Thomas Boy

We are excited to have a new Thomas boy in the family, our nephew! Griffin Nicholas Thomas was born Monday, May 17, 2010 at 11:38 pm. He missed sharing a birthday with Ian by 20 minutes. He was a big boy weighing in at 9lbs. 3oz. and arrived via a c-section. Here are a few pictures from his first week. Only 5 more weeks until we meet another Thomas boy.

31 Weeks and couting

Its hard to believe that my due date is only 9-weeks away. I took a break from being stressed out about baby #3 arriving and now it is starting to cause some stress again. Honestly I don't know how we are going to afford 3 kids, especially when they are teenage boys!!! My grocery bill is already outrageous. It wouldn't be so bad right now but Kris has gone a couple of weeks without working again. I hate the economy! Ian and Cole are doing great and are just doing what boys do- play in the dirt, finding bugs, falling down, etc....

Just a few more photos from our Spring break in CA. It has been a long time since we took a family photo and I am so excited with how they all turned out.

Family Picture

Vernon Family, March 2010

Spring Break Pictures

Cole's 3rd Birthday- Part 2

We traveled down to Sonoma for Spring break and to celebrate Cole's 3rd birthday with the family. The boys are currently still in Sonoma while Kris and I are back in Oregon for work and a little quiet. The internet is slow right now so I will post pictures soon.

Cole's 3rd Birthday- Part 1

Cole won't be 3 until March 24th but we celebrated early with family and friends this past weekend. Cole really wanted a football birthday at the Ye Ol' Pizza Shoppe in town, so thats what he had. It was the easiest birthday party I have had to put together so far. All I had to do was make cupcakes and order pizza, along with a few decorations and party bags of course. It was great not to have to clean up before or after the party. The kids were entertained by the arcade games and a small ride...for only a quarter a turn! Here are a few pictures:

Baby Update

I am now 24-weeks and today I had another ultrasound to see if the placenta had moved out of the way. According to the ultrasound technician it had moved clear out of the way and everything looked great. I am hoping to get the same good news tomorrow from the doctor. It was such a relief today to know that I would still have the option not to have a c-section.

Baseball

As most of you know I used to keep myself busy with athletics as a kid, however I am thankful to my parents for not starting me too early. I am hearing stories already of some kids Ian's age going to the batting cages at 4 years old! I just think that is crazy. Today Ian had the opportunity to play a little t-ball and I was very proud of him. He hit the ball really well, attempted to field the ball, and was patient in taking his turn. Of course it was hard not to try and coach him through it all, but for the most part Kris and I just let him play with the other kids. Cole didn't have the attention span to play so he rode his bike ALL around.

YMCA Daycare

Of course I would love to be a stay at home mom but I do love my job. We are very lucky that the boys love going to their daycare/preschool at the YMCA. It's not a big gym and workout facility, only daycare/preschool which is really nice. Of course with any type of childcare there is a price but I really feel like we get our moneys worth. The boys are in a safe, clean environment that supplies USDA approved meals three times a day. They provide preschool curriculum prior to the normal preschool age of three and the teachers are very loving.
Today the boys shared their school with cousin Tyler, it was her first day there. Cole enjoyed showing her around and stayed in her room with her all day. They enjoyed nap time together and she managed to steal some of his snack away from him. He may stay in the toddler room because he had so much fun. Ian on the other hand said good morning and then was off to his "big boy" classroom. As much as I love having them there I really do wish Grandma and Papa Garner lived closer since they are retired and would LOVE to babysit I'm sure.

Last Weekend in February

Where did the month of February go? We didn't do anything "big" this weekend but we got a lot accomplished, at least I think so (Kris never thinks we do). On Friday we went out to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant and the boys enjoyed the Mariachi band that was playing. When we got home we had a movie night, but in separate rooms. Kris and I watching "Couples Retreat" and the boys watched "G-Force." We spent Saturday morning moving the boys officially into the back bedroom to make room for baby brother. We also removed all the toys from the living room into their bedroom, its amazing how many toys two little boys can acquire. Next weekend I think we need to purge!
The boys (and Kris) were getting bored of being inside so we took a trip to Home Depot for some roofing. When we got back Kris decided that instead of doing that project he was going to cut down a tree, so he did. The boys watched from inside the house but as soon as it was down they were climbing all over it. They also helped take the limbs to the burn pile, while I watched.
Today we had another busy day working outside, roofing the woodshed, laundry, and exploring for deer prints. Grandma Jean and Papa Craig came over to help finish up the bunk beds, now they are off to Rome for a week!!! Well tomorrow is March which means its even closer to Cole turning 3! I should probably get something planned....

Zoo Day

As promised we took Cole to the zoo for a reward for being potty trained. Both Ian and Cole were very excited for the day. The pictures below are out of order so start at the end of the 5. The weather was great and the crowd was manageable. It was nice not to have a stroller to maneuver through everyone and the boys did great walking together. Ian says his favorite animals were the mountain goals and the swamp monkeys. Cole likes the penguins(because they smell) and the new Lion exhibit. If you have been to the Portland zoo you know they have been working on the primate exhibit...they still are, but the new Lion area is amazing. My favorite picture is Cole sleeping on the couch, that NEVER happens.

Portland Zoo Pictures