Happy Birthday Travis!

His birthday is actually tomorrow, but we decided to visit today. This is who baby M is partly named after- his middle name. He's my mom's little boy from her first marriage. He left this world when he was only 20 months old- it was before my Mom even met my Dad. We stopped by to wish him a Happy Birthday, and to get some pictures of Baby M by his uncles grave.





Craig found this katydid. The boys had fun playing with it- don't worry it survived.




Happy Birthday dear brother! I look forward to meeting you one day.

Dear Mother how I love thee
and wish that I could stay
I wish those tears weren't falling
because I go away

My father calls me home now
to do his work up there
but I promise to be with you
whenever time can spare

I know that you can't see me
or hold me close at heart
I know that makes things harder
while we are a part

But so you will not miss me
so much, this I pray
I'll bless your life with little boys
I'll send them all your way

And as you look upon them
I pray you'll think of me
and all the wonders I am doing
while I wait for thee

Hold me in you heart dear mother
for we know one day
you'll raise me from the babe I was
because I'm yours eternally

My mom has 7 grandsons now. I thought this was a nice way to look at our blessing of boys.

Just a Little Update!

Does this count as slave labor?

Firefox isn't letting us view videos, and it's also disabling some picture up loaders. If you can't see the video try a different browser.



The boys went to nursery for the first time this week. It didn't work out so well. They were having a hard time, so they came and asked if one of us could go up to nursery with them. Turns out our nursery doesn't have toys. I don't know if our boys are going to stay interested for two hours without toys. Especially so close to nap
time.



Baby M went to the doctor again. We've been having trouble with feedings and we just can't find the right formula- that has two meanings here- that will help him be calm and happy. We've tried the sensitive formulas and we've tried the soy formula- he spit up a lot that day. We even switched to a brand called Nutrimigen as suggested by the doctor. The results weren't outstanding, but he did seem a little better so we decided to stick with it. We'd have good days, and on those days I was hopeful that it was all over, but we still haven't solved the problem.

We've tried different bottles, different binkies, different sleeping positions, you name it. We've tried rotating his hips and rubbing his belly. We tried offering him more to eat, giving him gas drops and gripe water, but most days still end up the same: He takes an hour to eat, an hour to sleep and then he's up again, fussy and uncomfortable.

We took him back to the doctor because his thrush had not gone away yet, and I told Craig to ask and tell him everything about feedings. The doctor said because of his low weight gain we needed to switch him back to regular formula. This was not good news for me.

Craig and my Dad gave him a blessing that he may respond well to the normal formula and it wouldn't cause him pain. Today was a monster of a day though. He was fussy and unhappy. Even worse then usual. We even ventured out and bought the Canadian Gripe Water to see if that would help, but to no avail.

I finally drove him down to the local insta-care because I just didn't feel like I was getting any answers to this problem. There's a doctor there I really like, and I just covered everything I could think of. He suggested putting him on a medication for heart burn to see how he does.

Lets cross our fingers!

Baby M was put on Gerber's website. I don't know if every baby is chosen, but I also submitted a picture of Big H, and so far they've only put Baby M's picture up.

Andreason Family Pictures 2010

Location: Hobble Creek Canyon, Jolley's Ranch





Photographer: Craig









Editor: Craig's Lovely Wife














Thanks to everyone for helping us capture these wonderful moments.

Little Helpers!

This is what the boys have been working on at home. The last video is cut short because the batteries died, but you still get the idea.

The Edited Version

So shortly after making my last post I decided to download a photo editing program. I have spent all day editing photos- I'm sure my husband is delighted that I have found one more thing on the computer to sap up my time :).

Anyway. . .here are baby M's photo's edited.

And I went through our family pictures, that we took in September, too.

1 month!

At times it doesn't feel like it has been that long. Then on the other hand it feels like it's been an eternity!



















But we love him and we're happy he has joined our family. I just wish his little life was getting off to bit of an easier start.

Cascade Springs in the Fall

The first fall Craig and I spent married we discovered that Cascade Springs was the most beautiful, picturesque, nearly perfect location to visit when the leaves start to turn. I couldn't wait to make our, now, annual trip up there. Though the canyon road is small, windy and a bit scary it is so worth the, nerve racking, trip to take in the scenery.



We began our climb to the sound of some crying children in the back. Big H and Baby M were having a competition of sorts. The crying continued as we drew nearer to the Cascade Springs turn off. We finally reached it! Now only 7 more miles and we could park and get everyone happy again. Craig felt an urgency so he drove as fast as he dared down the winding rode. This wild ride was apparently Big H's limit. He soon threw up all over himself causing Craig and I to feel horrible for thinking he was just being fussy poop.



Well we reached the parking lot and managed to get every one cleaned up and decently happy. Next was the trek down to the springs. It was just too bad we had forgotten a stroller, and a baby carrier.

We now marched one grumpy child and one fairly happy child down the trail. The baby rode the trip out in the diaper bag.

Signs and rock walls, just a few of the many distractions that made walking two kids along the trail so fun!




I guess they're our reminder to stop and smell the flowers. Though smelling the flowers is harder when you have limited time between feedings and fussiness.

We tried to enjoy ourselves anyway- even with the two 18 month old children straining our arms and shoulders.



Big H continued to grump, so we parked him on this bench and walked a little ahead. Little H said, "Uh Oh!" and went back to get his brother. Look at him holding his arms out telling Big H to "Come on"!



Though the scenery was beautiful it did not seem to meet it's usual standard of fall splendor.





We did manage to survive our little family outing which I guess is saying something. I'd still say it was somewhat enjoyable even though there were a lot of miserable factors involved.