Cletus' debut

Here is Cletus (it's a fetus)! We are on round two and Zeb is going to be a big brother. I think I'm a little more excited to be having another baby. The thought of having to start all over again with the night time feedings, burpings, dirty spit-up rags, crying for no reason buisness is a little much for Leisy. She would much rather it be in than out, but give Cletus a sex, a name and maybe three or four months and Leisy will be good to go! We are not finding out what we are having (it's so much more fun that way)!

(Sidenote: I had strep throat. Dang those quick strep tests that only work 30% of the time! I'm feeling much better after the antibiotic.)

A Random Shout-out

I just wanted to thank a few people for helping me get through this crazy weekend:

• The makers of Excedrin, Advil and Tylenol. I couldn't have done it without you guys.
• A competent physician who prescribed an antibiotic when the "virus" kept getting worse. (This was the worst sore throat I've yet experienced. I would wake up at night not being able to swallow! My tonsils look ridiculously huge with white spots all over them and red spots all over my palate - I took a picture but I don't want to subject you all to a look down my throat. I think my mother-in-law would stop reading our blog).
• My family for all the prayers they made to help get me through my test.
• The makers of this CVS pharmacy commercial that Zeb will stop whatever he's doing to watch. It helped with a few breathing treatments this week.
• My incredibly patient wife who loves me even when I am completely miserable and mean. Zeb was not a good sleeper this weekend and I couldn't (wouldn't) get up with him! Leisy is extraordinary and does so much everyday it amazes me. She's carrying Cletus the fetus, not sleeping at night, teaching early morning seminary, and still finds time to train for and run a 5k!! She makes me dinner and always reminds me to eat (when I'm stressed I forget), she keeps the boy entertained and teaches him new tricks everyday. She is the best wife I've ever had! Probably the best I'll ever have, and definitely the best in the world! Thank you Leis - I LOVE you!!

Halloween

We're trying to decide what Zeb should be for Halloween - I'm guessing it won't be the pumpkin. Leisy thinks if she tries it on him everyday this month he will love it come Oct. 31; I'm thinking we need to look for a new costume. What do you think?

Happy General Conference Saturday. I love conference weekend! although it is one of the few times during the year that gets me a little homesick. This morning's (afternoon for us) session was wonderful. I must say, however, that Zeb has a lot to work on during sacrament meetings to reach Elder Oaks' standard.

And speaking of the rugrat being inappropriate, he did NOT sleep well again last night. At least he got up at five instead of three. And I guess I cannot complain because he is very healthy besides the coughing attacks and subsequent vomiting sessions. His breathing is still wonderful and he's running around like usual. I cannot say enough how grateful I am that he's on his daily steroids and that they are working so well.

Kent is the best husband ever and, even though he's still ill and has a giant test Monday, got up to run our race this morning with me :) We ran the "Race for Victory 5k". We didn't get a picture of all three of us- and this one is ridiculous of me- but I had just 30 seconds prior come across the finish line. It's the only one we got with Zeb's eyes open too.






It was perfect running weather (48 degrees with ample sunshine) and Zeb even got to play around at the park for awhile afterwards.

It's always in the wee hours of the morning that I question Kent and my decision to ever have children. Are they even worth it?! Zeb woke up at three this morning- for good. He ran up and down the hallway- dumped out his basket of toys- and giggled every time he ran into our bedroom and saw Kent sleeping. Kent has a test on Monday and has a terrible fever and sore throat so I was the lucky parent to deal with our dilemma this time. I'd leave him in his crib to scream for a few hours- but I feel so guilty when I hear the neighbors upstairs wake up because of him (his bedroom is directly below theirs and they have a newborn baby). Luckily last night there were very few tears-it was just his asthmatic cough and spurts of laughter. I brought him to the front room to entertain himself while I attempted to zonk on the couch. Everytime I'd fall asleep he'd come, lay his head next to mine, tap my head with his little pointer finger, and then give me the cheesiest smile ever. It's hard to not smile and be so irritated all at the same time.
He happily welcomed my seminary students at six and sat with us throughout our scripture mastery/apostle trashcan basketball game. At 7:15 he zonked sitting up while watching some of his favorite music videos on youtube. I sent kent off to school and as soon as I decided to catch up on sleep at 8:15, he woke up ready to go. Needless to say, it has been a very very long day for us.
Sidenote: I should add that little Zeb is worth the tiredness and shenanigans-It's just really difficult to remember that in the middle of the night.

It was sooooo cold today.

We were in one of the coldest cities in the country today!
I wish that I would have recorded the Z man shivering. It was adorable. He wanted to play so badly- but cheered when we finally got into the car. He did wonderfully while I ran- just sat all bundled up and smiled at passerbys. During walking group, however, he repeatedly attempted to wiggle out of the stroller and succeeded in throwing off his layers. We stayed to swing and play on the slide for a bit but he (along with all the other kidlets) started turning blue.
We got home and I warmed up his apple juice to get him all toasty. He loved it. I think he loves fall as much as I do.

I thought of three more reasons I adore this season so much!

#1 This evening we had homemade hot potato rolls and potato soup for dinner. Eating warm soup and bread when it's chilly outside just makes me happy.

#2 The new fall premieres! I get so excited about my favorite shows. I love sitting down with a cup of hot cocoa and snuggling next to Kent (even if he's studying) on the couch to watch a great tv show. I'm an addict. It's euphoric.
#3 Halloween decorations!!!!!! Zeb loves the giant rat. It's disgusting and has layers of nipples on its chest. The rugrat thinks that they are all belly buttons. He holds it, pets it, hugs and kisses it all day.

six unspectacular quirks. cyndi tagged me not too long ago to list some unspectacular quirks about myself. For those of you who know me well- none of these should come as a surprise.

1. I think showering and going to the bathroom are a waste of time. It irritates me that I have to take time out of my day to do these things. I feel like I am going to miss something important. Oftentimes I'll only pee right when I wake up or right before bed- no times during the day. Growing up we weren't allowed to make stops on road trips to use the bathroom unless we were out of gas- so I have a bladder of steel. Also, in order to make the most out of my shower time, I brush my teeth and floss while my conditioner sits. You'll often find floss hanging from our shower caddy.

2. Several people with whom I have lived have pointed out that they always know when I've been in the kitchen. Apparently I open all the cupboards (even if I don't take anything out of them) and leave them open. I do the same thing with drawers and dressers. It makes Kent crazy :)

3. I have an obsession with being busy/productive/helpful. Because of this I will volunteer or say yes to just about anything. I actually love to help set up and cleanup activities. I love to be involved in the planning and carryout of everything I do. It drives me crazy to just go to an event and sit while other people are busy doing things.

4. I am very NON obsessive compulsive about everything that I do except running. I like to run the same park route everyday- and I even know exactly where I'll be on the trail during specific lyrics in my running songs.

5. I can actually find things more easily when all of my clothes are in piles (not folded or hung) in my closet and drawers. I am a closet disaster-and totally fine with that. My purse is the same way. Kent refuses to put his hand in it.

6. Falling asleep is really hard for me regardless of how tired I am. I never nap and I have to have my back tickled to put me to sleep at night or I get all flustered and toss and turn for hours. Kent has spoiled me rotten.

I'll tag mum, janna banana, and amy S.