Frye Fam Happenings

I don't normally make new year's resolutions, mainly because I'm pretty skeptical that I'll follow through...and who wants that disappointment?:) This year, though, I've decided to try it. I'm going to keep my list short in the hopes that I won't feel overwhelmed, and I might actually be able to accomplish what I set out to accomplish! I'm putting it out there for all (2:)) of you to see. Feel free to check in with me in 2009 to see how I'm holding up! 1. Many people think we're a healthy family. Maybe it's the chiropractic school thing, maybe it's the green/"crunchiness" in us...I don't know. Let me tell you, though, we most certainly do not eat as healthy as we should! We don't give our kids a lot of cake, candy, and ice cream, but I definitely feed them plenty of "empty" meals and snacks. So...resolution #1: Eat healthier. I've already been practicing for this one. Justus is pretty good about trying thi...

We started Christmas celebrations with dinner and a gift exchange with Derek's brother, Jack on the 23rd. The boys got a Spiderman punching bag:) It's one of those big blow up things that pop back up after you knock them over. (a huge hit in our house right now...they love it.) On Christmas Eve, the boys all put on their new Christmas pajamas, we took pictures, and they each got to open a gift. Derek and I put Justus and Titus to bed, wrapped the rest of the gifts, and played our new Family Feud DVD game (one of my gifts to Derek.) On Christmas morning, we got Titus out of bed and all went into Justus' room with bells, singing "Jingle Bells." We all opened our stockings, and Derek fed J and T their breakfast while I made my and Derek's breakfast. (The boys have eaten this one certain cereal and/or oatmeal every morning for the past YEAR....so they're pretty into that routine and don't like it when that changes!) Next, we let J and T open one gift, so...

Okay, I had to post this.....if Justus is not absolutely a mirror image of Derek.... hahahahaha:):):) (They're painting the living room...Titus' room is next!!!)

Eli on Titus' changing table...just being happy:) You know a kid doesn't feel well when they lay down on the floor to watch "Barney." (Titus has a cold.) Eli in (Titus' old) "I'm the Little Brother" t-shirt:) Justus holding Eli on the couch. I must say, I am blessed with an extra pair of hands for this...Eli definitely likes to be held:) Thankfully, Justus LOVES to hold him!!

Justus has been stuttering off and on for a few months now, but lately it had gotten a lot worse. We thought he was going through that normal stuttering phase that so many kids go through, but when he started getting really frustrated and telling us that he just couldn't say what he was trying to say, we asked a chiropractor at Derek's school about it. He told Derek about an adjustment that might help. I'm going to give you an explanation in simple terms. Derek can explain it much better:) Derek was to measure Justus' head...comparing the left side to the right side. If one side was bigger, it would mean Justus had intercranial pressure, which could be causing the stuttering. (I might be coming back to edit this if I find out I haven't been using all the right words:)) It turns out that one side of Justus' head was in fact bigger than the other, so Derek began the adjustments. It is hard to explain, but it's 3 simple motions Derek does with his thumbs on the...

First of all, can I say how wonderful it is when all 3 of your kids are napping at the same time??!!!! This is the 2nd day in a row this has happened, and I am enjoying it thoroughly! The strange noise (quiet!) is a little weird, though:) Anyway, Justus' friend came over this morning and we made Gingerbread houses...or Graham Cracker shacks to be more specific:) Here are some pics:

Here's Justus and Eli on the couch hanging out together...... Here's Justus and Titus putting on a puppet show for us. (Justus was a seal, and Titus was an elephant.) After Derek, Eli, and I sat and watched and realized not much "puppet showing" was going on, Derek went back behind the "curtain" and took over while the boys and I watched. Aaah, memories:) .....

I certainly have not kept up with the Advent Calendar on a daily basis, BUT the cookie decorating day was very important to me. I know it's a lot of fun to do, it's a family tradition, and well...the cookies just taste good:) SO Day 13 was Cookie Decorating day:) Justus was thrilled to decorate and eat the cookies, and Titus was just happy to eat them:) I loved having a few minutes to make memories with the boys, keep up with a family tradition, and of course, take pictures!!.........

Titus didn't get to participate in this one:) Here's Justus painting his ornaments...these will be gifts for teachers, etc. He had a lot of fun!! And here's a picture of Eli sucking his thumb... ...and hanging out with Daddy:)

Wow, has my life changed. It officially takes us at least double the time to get everyone fed and dressed, teeth brushed, and out the door for any kind of outing. Here is what today looked like... 8:30 Derek leaves for school (Today is his first day of his pediatric certification. He will do this once a month on the weekends...not sure how many months!) I nurse Eli and get out of bed and see that Derek has made Justus and Titus eggs and english muffins for breakfast...what a great Daddy:) Change Eli and Titus' diaper and throw in the diaper pail. Grab Eli's diapers and wipes from last night and toss all in the washer to rinse. 9:00 Get breakfast for myself, check email. 9:30 Realize that we are going to HAVE to get out of this house today. Nurse Eli so he will be happy while I get everyone dressed and ready to go. Justus and Titus are asking for a snack, so I promise them one as soon as I finish feeding Eli. 10:00 Snacktime. I fix the food and gather up my clothes and the boys...

I started the Advent envelopes with the boys yesterday. I still don't have every day planned yet, but we'll just plan those as they come:) I'm not going to post every day, but this first day was putting up the Christmas tree(s). We have one in our living room and one on Justus' dresser...it has 25 drawers of tiny ornaments that he will put on the tree before bed each night. I'm looking forward to this whole Christmas season and hope you all are, too!!!

After having Braxton Hicks contractions over the past month (and praying that my water would break when I went into labor to avoid having to guess if it was true labor:)), I started having pretty painful contractions at around 1am Wednesday morning. I tried to time them, but some seemed like they were right on top of each other. Derek and I got up, got our stuff together, and left for the birth center. We called my midwife (Betty), and she said to call her back when they were 5 minutes apart and ALL at least a minute long. (She said that the 30 second contractions would not actually be dilating my cervix.) The birth center is 30 minutes from our house, so we decided to go ahead and drive there. We walked in the birth center at 3am. Betty listened to Eli's heartbeat, checked my vitals, and checked to see if I was dilated. I was at 3cm and 80% effaced. I birthed mostly on the floor, with the birthing ball, and leaning on the bed for awhile. Once I got into the birth tub, I stayed! Si...

Not really, but here's my problem. I'm doing an Advent "Calendar" with Justus this year for the first time, and I'm trying to start many traditions with him and Titus (and Derek and Eli, too of course:)) Basically, I'm filling 24 envelopes with fun things to do/eat/see/experience during the Christmas season. Here's what I have so far.....please let me know of any of your personal family traditions (that you don't mind passing on:)) that I could add to our list or other random ideas I could add here:) Thanks!! (You can leave a comment or email me at annacfrye@yahoo.com) Oh, and don't forget, we will have a newborn baby around, so no crazy ideas!! haha 1. Put up Christmas tree with ornaments and lights 2. Decorate house for Christmas (just the random decorations inside, nothing fancy:)) 3. Tell/read Christmas story, go and buy little Nativity Scene and set up without baby Jesus 4. Make Christmas tree ornaments for school teachers, Bible study teacher...

I don't know why, but I have a passion for car seat safety. I wanted to share the information I have learned with you all. Maybe God has a plan in using this information in someone's life to protect their child...I don't know. I do know that I felt very convicted to look up all of these websites and articles and type up all of this information. You may think I'm crazy, but for some reason, I felt God tugging at my heart to do this. There are so many "little" details involved in correctly installing a car seat and correctly buckling your child in his or her car seat. Some of these things are easy to do, but many people just don't know about them. If you are a parent and have ever installed your child's car seat, you know it can be a hassle. Whenever we have to move a car seat or two from one car to the other, I cannot help but let out an audible "UGH!!!" Please take the time to do it correctly, though. Your child's safety is determined by ...

I had an appt. with my midwife today. Eli has moved UP to zero station...but she said that could change easily and often. I am 80% effaced, but that also doesn't mean much to me. I remember being 80% effaced with one of the boys and not going into labor anytime soon!! Everything seems like random information at this point to me. I think it all can just change and happen pretty quickly, but I was certainly hoping for a little more hope of him coming sooner than later:) Oh well, all in due time!!!! I definitely don't want him to come before he's ready! Due "dates" are kind of silly anyway. Maybe I'm just trying to talk myself out of expecting anything at a certain moment:) Labor will probably begin when I least expect it,and all of a sudden, I will be having a baby:) haha I AM a fingertip dilated, so I'll hang onto that for now! Meanwhile, here's a picture of Justus with his newfound hobby...catching caterpillars:) (Gotta love boys!!)

A friend of mine gave Justus his first pair of shin guards. (Thank you, Dawn!!!!!) He was so excited when he saw them this morning. He wore them all day, playing soccer in the backyard with Derek and even when we went to play tennis later this afternoon. He loves them and thinks he is a true soccer player now. I told Dawn the shin guards must have brought out the testosterone in him, because he even answered "nature's call" for the first time in our backyard...haha, the fun begins! He is growing up so fast. He is into Knock-Knock jokes, helping around the house, and learning about, watching, and playing any and every sport possible. He makes us laugh constantly and is such a sweet big brother (well, usually:)) I have to say, though...I'm a little bit worried about the possible struggle tomorrow morning when we tell him he can't wear his shin guards to church! haha

As of last Thursday, I am 36 weeks. Eli is engaged in my pelvis at a "Plus 1" (Plus 4 meaning he's out of there!! Here's a picture about that.) I've had a few Braxton Hicks contractions, and sometimes I feel like he's about to fall out of me!! SOOO, I'm just praying he doesn't come too early! Here's some pics to see my/his progression. We did the clothes/pictures the same way everytime so the change would be even cooler to look at...but I didn't realize how tight and silly my shirt would look at the end:) haha Anyway, here they are! 12 Weeks 20 Weeks 23 Weeks 27 Weeks 36 Weeks

Well, snotty noses and all, we trekked over to the mall to do a quick run around for candy. Justus and Titus were both sick with a cold and cough, but we had been talking about trick or treating for some time now...and you know Justus wasn't going to just let that go!! Justus was Spiderman, and Titus was (of course) Superman...since that's the costume Justus wore LAST year!! They were a cute pair, and I actually saw a couple other Spiderman/Superman duos trick or treating together. The boys had fun looking at the other kids' costumes, and were a little overwhelmed by the crowd and craziness. We didn't stay that long, but we made it around to most of the stores handing out candy and took a few minutes to sit and people-watch while Justus ate a sucker:) We made it home for an almost on-time bedtime, so that was good! Here's some pics of the boys....