The Boulton Blog: Celebrate Good Times

This week has inolved a lot of tears, but we've gotten to do a lot of fun, happy things as well, so I'll try to fill you in the best I can.

David: He's growing so fast! His 0-3 month clothes are starting to fit a little snug, so I'll start putting him in the next size pretty soon, and I'm so in love with him. Miraculously he's managed to stay healthy after being exposed to strep and croup. He got a 7 hour stretch of sleep in 2 nights this week, loves being in his baby swing, and eats more and more every day.

Caleb: This week has been a little rough on him with early mornings Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and waking up with croup Friday morning. I was unaware he had it until much later in the afternoon though when he developed a barking cough during naptime. When I got him up he was wheezing really hard so I called the pediatrician's office and they sent me to Dayton Children's Urgent Care. As soon as I got him through the doors and signed in a nurse came out to check his vitals while I signed paperwork. They got him into a room as soon as they had his chart and started giving him a breathing treatment. He started to sound a bit better after that so they called transport and told me he would be going to the emergency room at Dayton Children's hospital. They were great about trying to keep him calm since crying only made things worse, and I called Byron and he got a ride from Bill when he got off work so he could go with Caleb and I could take David home. I packed an overnight bag for the 2 of them since there was a "90% chance" he would be kept overnight for observation, and headed to my parents house so I could take them with me when I went over to see him. It took us long enough to head over there that Byron called while we were driving to let me know that after 2 more breathing treatments, a couple slushies, and an x-ray we could bring him home. I was thrilled. I missed both of them and wasn't looking forward to David and I being home alone that night. Outside of being sick he's being his regularly cute, ornery self. He's starting to converse with you instead of just repeating whatever you say, and is working hard to figure out which words get him what he wants.

Byron: He is such an incredible husband. Tuesday night was his first court of honor as scout master. He forgot the merit badges at home when he switched bags last minute so he stalled long enough for me to go home and grab them before having to start the meeting, but I got them there just in time and got to sit with the families as they watched the awesome slide-show my mom helped me make from the pictures of the boys at scout camp. It went well, and a mom from the troop helped with refreshments that night. He's doing great with work, keeping busy and loving (almost) every minute of it. :) Thursday night he let me stay home with the boys while taking Chandler to soccer practice because it was cold and rainy.

Arielle: I got to work with my mom this week at one of her preschools. I can't believe how much the kids have grown - just since we last saw them before Easter - and had fun seeing all their cute outfits and smiles. Caleb and David stayed with my friend while I was away and I think Caleb really enjoyed it. I know Heather loved having David and was disappointed when I got back early on Thursday because she hadn't had a chance to give him a bath yet. (I was dropping them off at 7 am and left David in his pajamas Wednesday and Thursday). Tuesday I got my first shipment after becoming a Disney Movie Club member and Caleb has spent some time this week learning who Wall-E, Lightening McQueen, and Mr. Incredible are. The most exciting thing for me this week was enjoying our first fire in the fireplace. I love the smell of woodsmoke and we have a blower on ours so it heats up the entire downstairs really well. To the point that even when the rest of the house is freezing it's nice and cozy where we like to play and spend time together. Thursday Caleb and I took Granny out for lunch since her birthday was this weekend and enjoyed a scrumptious Chinese lunch.

In General: Monday Byron had the day off work so we tried to make it fun. We went to a Thrift store in Kettering and Byron got to poke around a bit while I found some things for Caleb ($2 snow pants woo hoo!) and David. We went out for lunch because Byron loves me and afterward went home for naptime. When the boys woke up we went mattress shopping. Ours was broken enough (springs poking through and totally sagging in the middle) we finally decided it was time for a new one. We found the one we wanted but didn't buy it that night since we weren't sure we wanted to pay for the delivery. Wednesday night we had Bill (our neighbor/Byron's co-worker) and our new missionaries for dinner. They helped us get our new box-spring and mattress and I was really glad they were here when Byron sprained his ankle taking a turn too fast after coming downstairs. After getting everything taken care of we broke out dessert and the missionaries took the initiative to share a message with Bill and challenged him to read the Book of Mormon. I was surprised, since I was just expecting them to share a regular message before leaving, but pleased and we're supposed to have dinner again this Wednesday so Bill can have the first discussion. They also gave Byron a blessing before going, and I was grateful for their willingness to do that. Thursday evening Byron helped me get some things together for a needy family in our Spanish Branch. They moved here from Southern California with almost nothing, so we gathered together what we could and a sister from my parents ward came by to pick things up and took them to the sister who was making a trip to their house that night. Saturday was the first in almost 2 months that Byron didn't have to go to a soccer game so he stayed home with Caleb while I did some grocery shopping. He helped get a few chores done around the house and my mom and Aunt Wendy dropped by after dinner to lend me a pot for today's dinner. Since Caleb is still sick, we kept him home and Byron and I went to seperate sacrament meetings today. Byron went to our ward this morning, and I went to my parents ward and got to see Mia, Roger, and Amber in their primary program. It was beautiful and I was so glad to be able to go. This weekend was her birthday so for her birthday dinner I made homemade chicken'n'noodles and homemade bread. I've only tried to make chicken'n'noodles 2 other times before and they were both a bust, so I was nervous, but I successfully made them all by myself (well, I had some verbal guidance when I got nervous) and it was pretty awesome. My mom always made them when I lived at home and I must admit - I'm pretty proud of myself for mastering one of the best dishes ever. We topped it all off by watching Up, since my mom had never seen it before and celebrated with an ice-cream cake. I'm not cool enough to put sparklers on my cakes though, so she had to blow out ordinary candles instead :) They all helped clean up and after they left we walked a loaf of bread over to Bill as a thank you for helping us so much this week.

We're looking forward to seeing Mom and Dad Boulton, as well as Grandma and Grandpa Wilson in 2 weeks and I can't wait to hear from each of you. Have a great week!