Thanksgiving Fun

This year we were happy to have many of our Dastrup family members come to join us for Thanksgiving. We all had a wonderful time together. Thanksgiving day started off with a 5k Turkey Trot that Brigham designed for us. We didn't think that Benjamin would be able to run the whole thing, but we assigned him to stay with his aunt and do as much as he could. We were shocked when he was keeping up with us until we forbid him to continue because he was leaving his aunt in the dust. He surprised us not only by running the whole thing, but by finishing off with an 8:00 mile when Brigham went back for him after he was done! We wonder what he could have done if he had been allowed to run as fast as he wanted to the whole time! As it was, he finished the 3.1 miles in 33 minutes and took 3rd place in the race! We were very proud of him! After a breakfast of cinnamon rolls and eggs, we headed out for the Dastrup family football game. Benjamin was a lot better this year, and both teams wanted him, so he took turns playing on both. It was a great game and a lot of fun. The feast that afternoon was delicious, and the company was better. We had a great day. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Dastrup, Aunt Lizzie, Aunt Annie and Uncle Tyson and baby April for making the trip and for all your help in making it a Thanksigiving to remember!

Announcement

Yes, in case you haven't heard already, we have an announcement to make. I realize that it has only been just shy of ten months since we had our last addition to the family, but I guess when it's time, it's time. The latest addition to the Dastrup family arrived today at 11:23 am by FedEx. Weighing in at less than a pound, Brigham's new iPhone 3GS has made it's debut! Poor Brigham was not here for the happy event since he is still doing his rotation in Gallup, but he was giddy with joy just talking about the pending arrival. He claims that his giddiness is due to the financial responsibility that comes along with our new arrival (which is nothing since his department bought it for him and is paying for the increase on our monthly bill with "educational money" until we move to Utah and St. Marks kindly takes over the payments), but I suspect the true joy comes from the anticipation of hours of one-on-one time with his new baby and helping it to acquire new tricks. I'll try to post some pictures after this weekend when we can finally spend time together as an entire family unit!

Swined

As much as we love having visitors, I recommend that everyone stay as far away from our place as possible for awhile. Although Benjamin had a day when he felt better, he is very sick again. Yesterday I spent from 3:30-7:30 pm at the pediatric clinic (with all 3 little boys-- can I just say how excited I am that we are moving to Utah so I never have to have such harrowing experiences as that ever again??) while they did chest x-rays on Benjamin and gave him IV fluids. I was sick myself, but fortunately I didn't start vomiting until after we got home. Then I called Brigham in Gallup and asked if he could please come home. Fortunately, he is able to switch his Saturday shift to next week and is here taking care of all of us. Ty woke up with a fever this morning (which could just be a reaction to the 2 flu shots he got yesterday), but poor Benjamin is the one we are still very concerned about. He threw up all night long and still can't drink. Brigham's currently gone to get him an anti-nausea prescription, but unless that works, he'll be back in the hospital by later today. As my sister Cambrie put it when she had her bout with this nastiness, "H1N1 NE1?"

Dastrup Daily

Benjamin and I are reading the second Harry Potter book together, and I've decided that it is a great idea. Benjamin got over his crush on me awhile ago, and while I realize that this is a good thing, I have to admit that I miss his expressions of undying love and even his marriage proposals. The last few days, however, Benjamin has said to me on several occasions, "Mom, you are the greatest mom in the whole world. I'm so glad that you are my mom. Thank you for not being like Harry's Aunt and Uncle... Thanks for being nice to me and not locking me up." Voila! Once again I am the worlds greatest mom! Thank you, J.K.!

For those of you wondering how Jacob's potty training is going, the answer is very slowly. He did go potty in the toilet once yesterday and once again today, but it certainly wasn't voluntary. I can tell that he hasn't made the connection in his mind yet that excreting in the toilet is the reason I'm making him sit there. I know he'll get it, but I do think it will be a LONG project! Last night as I listened to Ty crying for about an hour in the middle of the night, I decided that I must like to torture myself-- potty training Jacob and sleep training a teething Ty at the same time-- while Brigham is gone to Gallup four days a week. Tonight I've decided to pull out my leg hairs with tweezers just to keep it real around here.

Breaking News Flash...

Ty's first upper tooth was spotted peeking out of his gums just moments ago! My baby is growing up so fast, and there's nothing I can do about it!

Super Ty

Scales slides with ease...

Potty Training: Day 1

Success! Jacob goes #1 in the potty twice and #2 once at school!!! (Large amounts of juice + no escape from the potty = success.) A huge accomplishment! Mom, however, is unable to recreate the success due to her need to take care of other children instead of hanging out in the bathroom endlessly. Attempted to potty several times without luck for about 20 minutes each time. Jacob had two accidents before Mom abandoned the effort during the dinner/get kids ready for bed hour. Effort would be easier and quite possibly more successful if husband were not in Gallup until Sunday. Currently seeking guidance from teacher as to how to proceed.