Go UTES!!

I have not been able to get a good picture of all of the kids in their Utah gear this year...but don't worry because I will for sure!  I was able to get this darling picture of Isaac and Kate together on opening day.  Cutest little UTAH fans ever!

This little UTAH cheerleader has my heart.  

We took Benny with us to the first Utah game of the year and he was SO good!  He slept the entire time!  He's welcome to come to all the games with us if he is this well behaved ;).

Each and every one of my babes has worn this shirt when they were little, and I just can't get enough of this sweet face!  I love him!

First Day...

I think that this has been the first year where I was actually looking forward to school starting.  The children have missed their friends and were so looking forward to seeing them, plus, lets be honest, I haven't had any down time since the baby came, so I was looking forward to resting a bit.  

The Sunday before school started (2 days prior), Leah came down with a terrible fever and was so sick.  We waited it out on Monday, but she was still sick, so we made the decision that she would miss her first day of school.  So so sad!  She had been looking forward to her first day of first grade all summer long...and now she was too sick to go.  I'm just glad that she was understanding about it and I reassured her that her real first day would be extra special.

So...it was just Noah who was to go on the first day.  He, of course, woke up very early and I made him a yummy pancake breakfast.  I love how boys are so easy to get ready, so he was ready pretty quickly...maybe too quickly!  We went outside and I was able to take some shots of my THIRD grader!  Wasn't he just going to kindergarten yesterday?  Waa!!

And here's my first school lunch for Noah this year...that boy is pretty easy to please :).  

It was raining like crazy that morning, so we drove him to school because I didn't want to leave Leah...and I was NOT going to miss out on taking him on his first day.  After all, it is pretty much the only day during the year that I actually go with him.  I was able to snap one last photo before he took of to be with his class.  I'm so thankful for Noah's teacher this year...after meeting her I just know that she is going to be a great fit for Noah!  So excited for a wonderful year for my boy!

This is how Leah spent the first day of school...so sick.  My poor girl.

BUT, once that evening came, she felt so much better!  I kept my fingers crossed that she'd feel good to go to school the next day, and she did!  She woke up so excited to tackle her first day as a first grader!  I was so happy that she felt so much better!  Here's my girl all ready for her big day...

Isn't she just the most adorable first grader that you ever did see?!?!  Love that little gal! 

It was raining, again, so I drove them to school once again.  I was honestly a little nervous that she would cry, but she didn't at all!  She was so ready and just so dang excited to go to school...and that is was just warmed my heart!  I wasn't sad for her to go this year, but it just touched me to see how confident she was to go.  And that, my friends, is what made me tear up.  She's growing up way, WAY, too fast for my liking!  And honestly, I miss her like crazy when she's not home.  Just like I miss Noah.  The moment that 3:30 rolls around every day is my favorite time of day...when my littles come back home to me and hug me and tell me about their day...that is what I live for.  

And I'm just so thankful for the school that they go to and how wonderful it is.  I feel safe having them there with such great teachers.  

Here is to another great school year, which I'm sure will fly by in a blink of an eye.  

Paramore!

I have been waiting 10 years to see Paramore in concert, so when I heard that they were coming to town, I was SO excited!  The show was one month after I had Ben, but I was determined to go!  My mom came to watch the four older kids, and Alli was SO kind to watch our little guy.  I'm so thankful for amazing family that help out when needed.  Plus I really needed a night out after being housebound for a month with a newborn.  Needless to say, I was very excited once the day of the concert arrived.  

Doug's sisters, Andrea and Steffanie, came as well, so it made for a very fun night!  I absolutely LOVE going to concerts, and this one did not disappoint, especially since one of Doug's favorite bands, Fall Out Boy, performed as well.  I didn't know much of their music, but their performance was amazing!  It was definitely a great night out!

Ben ~ 1 month

Why must a babies first month fly by so fast?  I blinked and Ben was one month old!  It's crazy how fast time goes by when there is a newborn in the house.  But, let me just say that we have soaked in as much as we could of Ben this past month as possible, since we are all well aware that it doesn't last long.

I'm not going to lie...five kids has totally kicked me in the butt!  I think the fact that he was born in July, right in the dead of summer when all of the kids are home, was the main contributor to the craziness this past month.  Obviously, my main focus has been on Ben, but I, of course, have to be there for Noah, Leah, Isaac, and Kate as well.  Kate has been the hardest, which I expected.  She's always been pretty attached, so I wasn't at all surprised when she wanted to be by my side 24/7.  And, of course, she wanted me most when I was tied down to feeding Benjamin.  Lets just say that Kate has had her fair share of iPad use this past month...and I'm not going to feel bad about it one bit.  It's just the way it is right now.  PLUS, watching Daniel Tiger has taught her some good manners and other life lessons!  Ha!

At one month old, Ben...

...is as cute as a button.  I pat myself on the back for all of the cuteness that Ben graces us with.  All of his features are just as perfect as can be and I could just stare at him for hours.  And I do...a lot!  He's definitely some good eye candy!

...eats like a champ!  Not gonna lie, nursing a baby during those first 2 weeks is torture for me!  I honestly didn't look forward to feeding him at first, but now all is well and we are both enjoying our bonding time.  And he is such a good eater, and he will for sure let me know when he is hungry.  Missing a meal is NOT on his agenda.  My little ladies were so mellow when it came to eating...but my little men, no sir!  When they're hungry, they want to eat now!  As soon as his belly is full he is so content.

...spits up all . of . the . time!  I've never had a spitter before!  I had no idea that a baby could spit up this often!  He and I go through a few outfits a day.  It's just crazy to me that he can spit up that much!  I'm now in the mode, and am usually prepared with 3 burp clothes for his eruptions after every feeding.  Oh the joy.

...is somewhat of a fussy baby.  He is usually fussy for a little while after he eats and in the evening.  I've never had a baby with reflux, so I'm beginning to wonder if that is what he has.  If things don't change soon, I'll probably take him to the doctor to see what's going on.  Sometimes his cries are as if he's in pain, which breaks my heart.  We'll figure it out soon enough.

...absolutely loves taking a bath!  His umbilical cord fell off when he was a week and a half old, and up until that point he did not like his sponge baths.  I was SO looking forward to giving him a real tubby.  When the day finally came, we filled up his bath and as we started to put him in it he started to sob.  I think that he was expecting another torturous sponge bath...but then all of a sudden he stopped crying and started to look around and was completely content.  It was adorable watching him sit there soaking in his little tubby.  Naked babies in tubs getting all clean and stuff makes me so happy!  Although, he didn't like getting out.  Can't win them all.

...is totally and completely adored by his siblings.  They all argue over who gets to hold Ben next...blah blah blah.  I'm always telling them that he isn't going anywhere and that they'll all get a turn.  And when they do, it's just as cute as can be to watch.  Noah and Leah would hold him forever if they could...that is until he starts fussing, then they want me to take him.

...is not a fan of his carseat...at all!  The moment that we put him in his seat, he starts to sob.  We have spent a lot of time at home because of this.

...is a classic newborn and sleeps majority of the day.  He can sleep really good stretches at night as well, just depends on the night.  I really enjoy those nights when he decides to sleep 4 hours straight!

...has earned the nick names Benny and Bubba.  I'm sure that there will be many more to come!

...loves to snuggle and prefers to be in someones arms.  I don't mind this one bit!

...is still wearing newborn clothes and we just pulled out some that are 0-3 months.  He's definitely growing and I'm sure I'll be pulling out 3-6 month clothes before I know it (sniff sniff).

We sure do love this little man and he has enriched our lives during this past month.  Love you to the moon and back little man.