A Moment of Euphoria

There is no denying that child bearing is hard on the body. Since I had my first c-section with Gavin I have been unable to do even one sit up. I had never really dedicated myself to strengthening my abdominal muscles but somehow doubted that I even could. Time, energy, guilt and childcare have all been big road blocks for me when it comes to physical fitness.

After having my tubal ligation, I felt kind of liberated by the knowledge that I would not be bearing anymore children. I was also really struck by the fact that I needed to start taking better care of my body. You could say Landon was the baby that finally broke the Mama's back. During my pregnancy with him and after having him I pretty much had constant lower back pain. I couldn't stand for very long or sit for very long. Sitting in straight backed chairs was out of the question. Sometimes my back was so stiff from muscle spasms that I couldn't move well. I was pretty sure this was due to the fact that my abdominal muscles were so weak but I went to the doctor just to be sure. Xrays were taken and it was confirmed that I was having muscle spasms. Chris has been great about helping/motivating/nagging me into doing abdominal exercises. My attitude was often very poor. Once in awhile it does pay off to be married to a fitness fanatic. Just don't tell him I said so.

This morning as he was leaving for work he reminded me that I needed to do my exercises. I was strongly tempted to skip it altogether but I didn't. I decided to see if I could do a sit up and to my utter amazement and euphoria I did one!!!!!! I literally could not believe it. I even looked around as if to see if anyone else had witnessed this miracle and could confirm what had just happened for me. Then I started yelling for Chris. I just caught him in the garage to share my joyous news. Then I made him come in and see if I could do another. I did 12 more!!!!!! It was such a great feeling!!! And some much needed motivation to keep up my hard work. It might not seem like much but it was huge for me. Thank you Chris! I would never have done it without you.

Lost Then Found!

I didn't think I would ever see my high school class ring again but I was wrong. I guess it was a good thing I chose a design with my name on it! After I graduated I loaned this beauty to my sister Wendy. She wore it until she graduated in 1997. It was then passed on to my youngest sister Hollee who graduated in 2002. She was so upset when she lost it! She had taken it off at the St. George Kmart to wash her hands and then left it. By the time she realized her mistake it was already gone. I have to say those St. George Kmart employees are some honest folks! In their efforts to return it to the rightful owner they called my alma mater, Virgin Valley High School (always good for a laugh), to ask how many Heathers graduated in 1994? Answer: just me! When she went to Kmart to pick it up no one could find it or knew anything about it. Apparently, it kicked around Kmart for years until some industrious and honest employee once again tried to return it to its rightful owner. It is made of real gold so is not completely without worth. This person knew Chris's best friend Jeremy's Mom Rita (did you follow that one?) and asked her if she knew who this ring might belong to? Rita had it for a year or so and kept telling Jeremy he needed to tell Chris that she had my class ring. One of the things I love best about this whole story is that Chris thinks this stroke of luck can all be attributed to my having the wonderful fortune of being married to him! Not sure I am quite following his logic on this one. As Rita would have known it was mine even if I hadn't had the fabulous fortune of being Chris Weaver's wife! I liked Hollee's response much better. She said, "Heather you must have good karma". Seriously though, it reaffirms my belief that this world is still full of honest and good people.

The Piercer 2

Tuesday night was Pinewood Derby night for Gavin's den. This was Gavin's second Pinewood Derby. Back in January of 2008 was his first Pinewood Derby. Chris helped our friend's son and Gavin's best bud Preston craft his car while his Dad was at SERE school. Preston chose to do an arrow shaped car which he christened "The Piercer". Preston took home 1st place for their age group and for the whole den! Gavin took home 2nd place for their age group. There was just a fraction of a decimal or something between their two times. Gavin was 6 at the time and he did ask Chris if he liked Preston more than him. It was a little bittersweet for him.

This year there was no question of what kind of car he wanted to make! Many hours were spent crafting the Piercer 2 into a lean fightin' machine! Thankfully he took home the "Fastest Award" for our ward's derby with a best time of 2.803. I have yet to unearth his scrapbook but I think that was the original Piercer's best time too.

Family Time

All the grand kids on my side of the family. They are almost in order of oldest to youngest. Left to right: Carlos (11), Zaylee (2), Whitney (11), Landon (8 months), Gavin (8), Rocky (5), Ashlyn (4) and Zoee (4). We made a really quick trip to Mesquite over the Martin Luther King holiday. It was too short but so good to see everyone!

Landon at 8 Months

I never realize how huge he is until I see someone else holding him! Ashlyn wanted to feed him but it only lasted a few minutes. He is so wildly active and strong she cannot contain him.

Landon is 8 1/2 months and I am just now getting around to posting about it. I am beginning to despair of ever catching up on my blogging. From 7 to 8 months had a lot of exciting firsts. He started saying his first word which is Mama! Good boy Landon! He also met a lot of his extended family for the first time. I have begun to wonder what the earliest diagnosis is for hyperactivity? Landon has taken fighting sleep to a new level. He has started eating just enough to take the edge off (around 4 oz) but not enough to really feel full and thus give in to sleep. He also flails and kicks around like a wild animal in his efforts to stay awake. This actually causes people to stare and ask what is wrong with him. On the positive side it is a nice workout for me. He will be utterly exhausted but will pop up like a demented jack-in-the-box right as you think he has lost the fight. He tries to drink his bottle while sitting up which does not work very well at all. He surely has Chris's high energy level. I have had to start just laying him down in his crib and letting him cry for a few minutes. I hate hearing him scream even though I know it is just for a few minutes.
This shot makes me laugh. He looks like he is standing up with some contraption stuck to his back but he really is sitting.

This was a mini miracle. He actually fell sleep in John's arms while at the bowling alley!!! And he stayed that way for a good 40 minutes!!! He never sleeps in our arms or in such a stimulating environment. Whitney and Gavin wouldn't either. Though I have wondered if it is because Chris is too high energy and I am too high anxiety. =D

Landon with Aunt Heidi

Grandpa Glen and Landon Glen

He actually gave Grandma Michele is first kisses! They were open mouthed and slobbery but he gave it the old college try.

Zoee Elysse

My niece Zoee turned 4 on January 16th. Officially ending a roughly month long season of 6 birthdays on my side of the family! That is a lot of cake! Not only is she absolutely gorgeous but she is one smart cookie too! The future looks awfully bright for her! We made something of a last minute decision to travel to Mesquite so we could join in the birthday festivities.
Making a wish!

Princess Zoee ripping into her gifts.

Hollee

January 11, 1984 was a very good day for me. That was the day my baby sister Hollee was born. My other siblings and I were staying with my Aunt Coleen & Uncle Jay while my Mom was at the hospital. I still remember the phone call from my Dad calling to say we had a sister. My cousin Jenny (the oldest of 4 brothers) was green with envy. She said, "You guys are so lucky to get another sister!" Despite the fact that she had her own room full of treasures, I secretly had to agree with her. I was a fan of Holly Hobby back then. Holly Hobby's best friend was named Heather. I took this as an omen that we were sure to be great friends. The day my Dad was going to bring them home from the hospital, I refused to go to school. I made the excuse that there was no one to fix my hair and hence I could not go. I do have a small stubborn streak in me. It rarely comes out but when it does I am immovable. My Dad tried his best to talk me into going to school. I was going with him he just didn't realize it quite yet. I was determined to go in part because I missed my Mom and also because I could not wait to meet Hollee. My Mom had told me on the phone that she looked just like me when I was born and weighed exactly the same amount, 7 pounds 11 ounces, which as everyone knows, is very lucky! I took this as further proof that we were meant to share a special bond. It was love at first sight!

Hollee is even more beautiful on the inside than she is on the outside. She has more integrity and decency in her than your average 10 people combined. She is hardworking and extremely creative. To know her is to love her. She is an amazing Mother! One of the most patient and fun Mom's I have ever known. I am so thankful that I got to celebrate her birthday with her this year. And also to have her and the her cute girlies stay with us for 23 whole days. Even though I now have to pay the price of missing her terribly.

I remember asking my Mom to take this picture of us after church one Sunday. I thought she was the cutest thing ever with her little shoes, bow and pink rose bud dress.

What would a birthday be without the required embarrassing-restaurant-Happy-Birthday- moment? Texas Roadhouse brings out a saddle for birthday boys and girls! Good thing she had her boots on otherwise she might have looked silly.

Eleven Excellent Years

My baby girl is 11 now! She has grown and developed so quickly that I feel cheated at times. I wish I could live in denial like Chris and believe that she will never leave home. I was just looking at last year's birthday blog and could not get over how much older she looks. She has been chastising me for being so behind on my blogging (her birthday was on the 8th). I told her, "I know! I am a big fat failure"! To which she replied "No, you are a tall skinny failure!" Way to soften the blow Whitney! Just a few days before her birthday I was moved to tears as she was playing the piano and I marveled at the wonder that is Whitney. At her parent teacher conference this past fall her teacher thanked me for sending her such a wonderful girl to teach she then went on to extol her many virtues. I got a little teary eyed at the time but all I could say was she came this way. Sometimes I feel like people give me way more credit than I could ever claim. One of the things that amazes me the most about her is that she has the rare quality of knowing her true worth without being at all conceited. Wouldn't the world be so much better if we could all feel that way? I don't deserve her but I am so grateful that I have the honor of being her Mother. She has been an absolute joy to raise.

As the birthday girl decreed we woke up at 6 a.m. so we could start the day off with her chosen breakfast of cake and bacon. She was so pleased with her cake! She wanted her cake to come from the same bakery Chris got mine from so she could have raspberry mousse filling. Next she opened her gifts. Once she and Gavin got home from school we loaded up to go see the new Chipmunks movie. It was a hit with all the kids from ages 2 to 11! Then we had dinner at Olive Garden where they really went above and beyond to treat her extra special.

Chris got Whitney this mountain bike.

Wit and her male mini-me.

The birthday girl enjoyed some pampering. I painted her nails turquoise the night before and her Aunt Hollee styled her hair. I was thrilled to find that her hair now holds curl!!! I'm guessing it has something to do with those surging hormones. =)

Another little birthday surprise was that she received an award at school on her special day. We knew she was getting it but she did not. She got it for "settling into a new school so quickly and well".

Chris Another Year Older/Welcome 2010!!!!

The birthday boy with his ice cream cake.

Gloating because they were in the lead.

Our dear and wonderful friends the Pierces drove down to visit with us for the last days of December. They arrived late on the night of the 28th. I had not been feeling so hot for the past few days. That night I alternated heavy sweating with teeth chattering chills. I had told Chris I wasn't feeling well but when I disturbed his sleep it reached a critical point. The next morning he got up and called to get me a doctor's appointment. While I was at the doctor's office everyone else went to the Air Museum. Turned out I had my first bladder infection. I have to say that is the worst I have felt outside of pregnancy since I had pneumonia when I was first married. I have been kicking myself because I hardly took any pictures while they were here. You know I'm feeling bad when I don't take photos! On the 31st (Chris's birthday) we went to the Desert Museum which is more like a zoo. When we came home Chris cooked himself up a shrimp boil just like last year. Then we got so caught up in our game of Battle of the Sexes that we did not realize the new year was here until around 12:30. The time went way too fast but we loved having ya'll here!

Christmas 2009

All the menfolk except Gavin enjoyed a little Christmas day nap on the sofa.
My brother is around 6'3" but doesn't seem to know it. He always curls himself up on the love seat for naps. I guess he finds it comfy - though I don't know how!

Gavin got this plane for Landon to hang over his crib.

With 11 people in the house there was quite the pile of presents! At our house we take turns opening the gifts one at a time starting with the youngest. We were opening presents for a long time!!! I decided we would wait to open Landon's gifts last since he is so young and babies always seem more interested in the paper than the actual gift.

He managed to open this toy all on his own! And he was more interested in the toy than the paper!!! Unbelievable, I know!

Landon got this plane for Gavin's collection of airplanes. Zaylee loved it too! I think she was more interested in Gavin's gifts than her own! Gavin wasn't quite sure how to handle the situation.

Chris got Zaylee this Smart Cycle and it was a big hit with all the little girls.

This princess castle was #1 on Zoee's wish list! When she went to visit Santa and he asked her what she wanted she said, "a house with food and a bathroom". Santa was a little alarmed by this request. Hollee was quick to explain that she wanted this doll house but got the impression Santa wasn't too sure. =D

This little girl knows how to strike a pose!

Whoopsie Doo was #1 on Ashlyn's wish list. You know how sometimes that most wanted item turns out to be not so great in reality? This was not the case with Whoopsie Doo! Ashlyn wasn't too interested in any of her other gifts. She only had eyes for Whoopsie Doo! She went through about 6 diapers. Not the most environmentally friendly toy.

Getting some sisterly love.

Hollee got Gavin his first set of dog tags and they were a big hit! Instead of his social security number she put our home's latitude and longitude. She always comes up with the best ideas!

John got Gavin this safe and it has also been a big hit! You get to set your own combination. He was so disturbed when Wendy opened it by using his birth date! He quickly changed the combination so no one could get his chocolate.

Grandma Susan is one talented lady and made this cute hat for Wit! Ashlyn, Gavin and Landon all got one too. The scarf was courtesy of Uncle John.

This cheetah Webkinz is probably the closet Whitney will ever come to her dream of having a pet cheetah.

Christmas Eve 2009

All the girls!

This was the best group shot of the kids that I could get. =) Zaylee was feeling under the weather, Landon was tired and the rest of the kids were just too wound up for posing. Much of Christmas Eve day was spent preparing a feast. Chris fried a turkey and we had lots of trimmings to go with it. Hollee and I made pies since I felt so cheated this Thanksgiving. Our apple pies bubbled over and started a little fire in the oven! We had a moment of panic but it put itself out quickly.

Last year Gavin said his Christmas jammies were too babyish and then this year seemed a little disappointed that his jammies weren't more festive.

I got all my siblings Christmas jammies (a first for all of them)! We felt like we were in an Old Navy commercial. =) My brother wasn't too thrilled with his Mr. Grinch PJ's. I'm pretty sure he will never wear them again. Totally worth the $15 I spent though, as the look on his face was priceless and made the rest of us laugh all night long!

Awww!!! Baby St. Nick and his big sissy!

The W Girls!
I always say that I had to give Whitney a W name so Wendy would have company. My other two sisters and I all have H names.

Zoee, Hollee and Zaylee ready for Santa!

Ho, ho,ho!!! Look who came to visit our house! Chris loves playing Santa Claus! He starts buying early and keeps it up till Christmas Eve every year. He just needs a belly that jiggles like a bowl full of jelly.