i know, i know

I have a lot of explaining to do. It has been over 3 months since I posted on here and I'm sorry. Needless to say, a lot has been happening in these past 3 months but, yeah, I should have put down the Bon-Bons and turned off the soaps to update everyone. Ha!

Our little Piper Aren (Ar--from Matthew's Grandpa's middle name, Arnold; En--from my Grandpa's middle name, Warren) was born December 20 at 7:06 PM weighing 9 pounds 1.5 ounces!


You can seen his clubfoot in this picture. It hurts me just to see the pictures now.


My parents got here Friday night at about 11:30 and I started having contractions Sunday morning at 2:00. They had a full day to see our routine with Finn so they could take over when we went in. It worked out perfectly! Here's Nana with Piper.


Grandma with Piper.


Papa Morken with Piper.


Papa Stabley with Piper.


We were discharged from the hospital on the morning of the 22, had a pediatric orthopedic appointment half an hour later and were home with a cast on Piper's clubfoot in the afternoon.


Matthew and Piper.


One of the many sweet moments of Finn loving on Piper. He will go up to him randomly throughout the day, get really close to Piper's face and say "Hi, Poo-Poo"! He's never been able to say Piper's name correctly.


Another one of those moments.


Finn holding Piper in his hospital outfit. The nurses brought him into the room one time wearing a Christmas hat and a big Christmas stocking. He looked just like a Christmas gift.


After a month of casting this is what his foot looked like. He ended up having the cast for 2 months in all.


Finn just HAD to be in this picture. He wouldn't let me take a picture of Piper alone so I told him I would take a picture of his feet. He was pleased with this compromise. =)


Sarah (Aunt Deah) came to visit at the end of January. She helped out the most organizing the kitchen for me and playing with Finley. We also just had a great time hanging out with the kids. She learned very quickly that if she squat down, sat down or even bent over too far Finley would come up behind her and ask for a "roy peese" which means "ride please". Most of the time she would just give him a ride because he asked nicely. He loved all the piggy-back rides, games on the floor, rough-housing and "nomas"--snowman building with Aunt Deah.


Piper in a tired daze.


Here we are at the hospital waiting for Piper to have his surgery to release his heel cord. It was a quick surgery and his heel came down perfectly!


Finn and Piper hanging out on the couch.


His cast was removed February 15 at 11:00 and 30 minutes later he had his Ponsetti brace fitted and on. We all then went out and had a celebratory dinner thankful for the first chapter of this healing process to be over with. He's had the brace for 1 month now and we have no problems with it. He has it off for about an hour every day and doesn't care if it's on or off and actually prefers to sleep with it on. One night I had just changed him and swaddled him when he 'let me know' that I had forgotten something. It took me a few minutes to realize that he didn't have his brace on. As soon as he had it on, he settled right down.


Finn in his Sunday School class for the first time. I had tears in my eyes as he walked down the hall to the classroom. He looked so small going back there on his own. He had a great time though and was so proud of himself for coloring pictures and making crafts. I hear from his teacher that he's a pro at singing VeggieTale songs and praying. A couple of weeks ago, he wanted to pray for his food. He squeezed his eyes shut, folded his hands and bowed his head as he said "mesus, kee-kee. Maymen"--Jesus, thank you. Amen.


Alyssa, one of Finn's teachers sitting with him coloring.


Putting on his boots, getting ready to go outside.


Out with the dogs.


Finley still likes to be chased and he sometimes asks for "poo-poo go, go, go" or poo-poo geetle"--Piper tickle. This all means that he wants Piper to chase him and tickle him. Matthew or I will then chase Finley around the house holding Piper down so it looks like Piper is going to catch him. It's actually a very tiring game and Piper isn't a big fan yet.


My guys...they all have very interesting expressions in this picture.



This video was taken a couple of days ago. Piper will smile now pretty much anytime you look at him. He's a very happy baby and we are getting a great schedule down...evenings are still up in the air, but he's a relatively good sleeper and loves to eat. Here's a tiny bit of a smile from Poo-Poo.