Myringotomy and Insertion of Typanostomy Tubes

This is the name of the surgery Maxwell had on Monday. Even though it doesn't sound like it, it was a very simple and quick surgery. The Dr. cleaned out a lot of fluid and gunk from behind Maxwell's ear drums and then inserted tubes so that fluid will drain from his ears better. His right ear was worse than his left so that's why it started bleeding once he put the tubes in. The Dr. said his speech should improve now that he is not listening through so much fluid and gross mucus.


I know this picture looks post surgery because he looks like he is on drugs but it's actually before the surgery, we had to wake him up pretty early in the morning. I thought he looked so cute in this little gown.
Little Max did such a good job. He is still kind of out of it in this picture from the anesthesia but he handled everything so well and he never even cried. The Dr. and nurses kept telling me to prepare myself for when he wakes up because most of the time children his age wake up screaming and really mad. But he woke up with a big smile on his face. The nurses were loving it as much as I was, they sent him home with a doll, a dog and a blanket. I am so glad we decided to do this surgery and I am already noticing a happier Maxwell-if that's possible.

A Peek at Life

Today I had a peek at the little life that is growing inside of me. It was only a routine visit but then I started a conversation that went like this: Me: So would we be able to tell what I am having by now? Dr.: Probably if we were to get the right angle, do you want to take a quick peek? Me: Are you serious? YES! I would love that! (feeling a little guilty that Beetle was not there, but not that guilty).
We were in the room for probably about four short minutes. I saw a cute little head, and then a spine and then a little bum-bum facing the Screen perfectly, with scrunched up little legs on the side. It made these first few months of not feeling like I had control over my own body, so worth it- It felt real now. So then we had a conversation like this: Dr: Well, if you want to know my guess, I am pretty sure, it is a BOY. Me: Are you sure? Dr: I am about 80% sure, do you see that little thing in between those legs?Me: Wow, I was wrong.Dr: Well tell your daughter she will enjoy having her own room.Me(thinking): Not Really
So there you have it, we are having a boy. I never pictured to be a mother of a few boys, but I am excited. I love him already, it was so fun to see his little body moving around. Annabelle will be a great big sister to three brothers, maybe this is the reason she is more in to bugs than princesses.

Hiking with swords

Beetle made swords for all the kids this weekend, they love them, one child in particular. We went on a little hike on Saturday morning and the swords came with us.

Maxwell running downhill with sword in hand made me a little nervous so Beetle took it over for a while.

Waiting for Benson to get over being tired.
Pirate Beetle
I loved the weather on Saturday! It was so nice to get out, all of us are getting so excited for Spring.

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Another year marching in the St.Patricks Day Parade. I am not Irish, but I married in to a family that has some Irish blood in them(I think). I was a little reluctant going into the parade this year, mainly because I was mocked by the parade viewers last year. I ended up having a really good time though.There is no way you can ever be bored in an irish parade-so much to see.
Just waiting to hand out all that candy, it went fast.
Grandpa Ricker is the main reason our children can pretend to be a little Irish at least for one day in the year.
The Irish parade is kind of like a dog show, almost everyone has a dog on a leash. Our group had two dogs on leashes, a little less than this group.
Beetle decorating the stroller, I know the blanket looks really out of place but it was well used, just as the parade began it started to rain and then as the parade went on it began to pour. Beetle was sliding all over the place in his flip-flops, and he was pushing our three kids in the stroller -all huddled under the blanket trying to stay warm and dry. Thats a heavy stroller, about 130 pounds plus the stroller and the wet blanket weight!
Jamie, this one is for you.
It was not sunglasses weather, but Annabelle woke up with one bad eye infection, her eye was completely shut, when she woke up and she couldn't open it. Poor girl, she wasn't having the best day-but she was tough, and she wasn't going to let an eye infection get in the way of all this Irish fun!

The Pop Girl Club

Today I woke up to Annabelle tapping me on the shoulder trying to wake me up, I was surprised because I am usually the one waking her up. It was also early. She was completely dressed, in something she had chose ALL by herself. I took one look at her and she said "Please, I have to wear this, I'm in the Pop Girl Club and Fiora said we need to wear a skirt that waves, boots, leggings and no socks. Also I need you to put my hair in a pony tail." I was pretty impressed at how the outfit actually matched except for the spring shirt, skirt and she was wearing winter fur boots.
As I was combing her hair into a ponytail I asked her how she was able to be in the club. She said "well if you wear cheetah your IN or if you have been on T.V. your IN."

---Thankyou Master Fiora for finding a way to include my daughter in your club.

Good Things

Annabelle was on the morning talk show Good Things Utah on Monday, she was so excited and for the first time in her cute lifetime, she was nervous. She was modeling this dance outfit for The Glass Slipper, a dance shop where Grandma Cher works. We were so proud of her!
Posing in the waiting room.

We tried getting a picture with her cousin, but it did not work, cousin moves around A LOT. They were such pretty little models. When we were leaving the studio Annabelle had a huge smile and said "Mom, now I'm pop-ula".

St. George

We had a very quick vacation this weekend. Our activities included swimming, a little shopping, indulging in Bubble Gum ice cream, a very good lunch at Brick Oven, and just hanging out talking. Roman and Beetle were able to go on a three hour bike ride, but I don't know how much of that ride they actually biked. We had a great time!

I don't think you can ever go swimming with Rachel or Roxanne without them practicing stunting on your children. The kids loved it.
Max, Aunt Michelle, and Millie.