Do you have any Christmas Spirit?

Click on the link, http://tamaramezabenefitfund.blogspot.com/, and read a women's story who needs your help. We all can spare five or so dollars to help a mother. She is a friend of a friend of mine from High School. If you're feeling really charitable, post her link on your blog as well.

I Love my little Sugar Plum Fairies!

So it saddens me that this is my last year doing my dance classes here in University Housing. I have had the sweetest girls come through my classes. I look forward to Wednesdays when i get to spend an hour with them, they light up my day. I love to hear my name called, "Miss Celeste, Miss Celeste!" and hear all about their week. 4 year old girls have a lot to say, all I've learned about princesses--I've learned from them. It's all trucks and basketball at my house, so the change of pace is refreshing. I love my sons, boys are so much fun, but what ever will I do if I don't have a little ballerina someday? :)

Anyway, last week, my little dancers danced at our church Christmas Party and they did fantastic. And yes, that is my son Logan next to me. He has been doing the class for the last 6 weeks, so, I let him perform! Jake wasn't sure how he felt about that, but I convinced him otherwise! And don't worry, he sat out during the routine with the princess wands! :)

100th POST!!!

Hey, leave a comment and be entered in a drawing to win a little something to celebrate our 100th post! :)

Go Blue Eagles!

Tanner's soccer season came to an end and we are very sad that we won't have Coach Chryssa again next year. We've had her for two years and she has taught Tan-man so much.

All though we don't technically keep score at this age...they did have a perfect season!

Party of 13 with 4 booster seats and 2 high chairs...

Just thought this was a fun picture...I don't ever recommend going to dinner when the kids almost out number the adults! Thanks to the Lees and Youngs for playing "mom and dad" for a night!

My FAVORITE favorite thing...

Dec14:

The years that Jake (so kindly) dressed up as a certain man in a big red suit for my family or Dance Attack Parties!

(I have pictures somewhere, I'll find one and post it)

Jake: "You haven't been blogging much lately."

Celeste: "I know, I've been too busy. I've just been posting some of my 'favorite holiday things'"

Jake: "What number am I?"

Celeste: "Ummmm...just a minute I need to go add a post."

**See above post! :)

Fav thing...

Dec 13:

When the house is lit by just Christmas lights

Favorite things...

Dec 8:

Receiving christmas pictures from friends and families

Favorite things...

Dec 5:

getting coordinating holiday clothes for the boys

Do you hear what I hear?...

Yesterday, Logan's world changed. He is hearing! We went in this morning to have his cochlear implant turned on. They first, hooked the device up to a computer to activate it and he was just hearing clicks and beeps. It was a great experience to see his little eyebrows raise when that first little bit of sound entered in. Once the audiologist turned it on she told us to go ahead and speak. I was slightly emotional and motioned to Jake to go first. He called Logan's name and his head turned towards Jake. After a while he began to ignore the noise and our voices. To Logan, it was no big deal and he just continued on playing with his puzzle. What?! That was it? Just a simple turn of the head? What about jumping up & down with excitement, asking for more sound, running into my arms? Well, I guess he is only 2 1/2, and actually, all that noise is probably not as pleasant as you might think.

So, he kept the implant on until about 2:00 (only because we were consistently bribing him to do so). He was playing in his room when I went in to check on him and noticed that he was not wearing it. I gave him a look and he signed, "Where? Where? I don't know." He was obviously guilty. So after 20 minutes of searching the playroom, I found it hidden under his mattress in his bedroom! He signed that he was all done with it and didn't like his new ear. I started to cry and left the room. He didn't like it? He didn't want to hear all these wonderful sounds? It broke my heart. My husband had to remind me that this is going to be a marathon, not a sprint and that it's okay to take it slow. I want so much for him to say "Mommy" that I guess I may be pushing him too much. All in all it was a good day. This device is pretty complex for such a little guy, but I'm sure he'll adjust. He watched a movie today and started dancing when he heard the music...loved it! Sorry for all the video, it's a lot of us yelling Logan's name and his turning his head--i'ts mainly for the grandparents! :) (to view the video, you may want to pause the music by scrolling down until you get to the red music box on the right and clicking on the pause symbol)

CLICK ON PICTURE TO WATCH VIDEO

Logan's activation day

Favorite things...

Dec 4th:

My kids' excitement with doing the advent calendar. (I'm running out of fun ideas to fill the little doors up...any ideas?)

Favorite things #3

Dec. 3:

Staying under our christmas budget!

More of my favorite things...

Dec. 2:

finding creative places to hide the kids' (and Jake's) gifts in this small apartment.

I love my Birthday Gifts...Wade is cuter close up!

So, I turned 29 last week (although last year I thought I celebrated my 27th, so I don't quite understand how that works), anyway, I received great gifts ever this year. First I got a -much needed- navigation system for my car from my hubby (My in-laws also contributed to this one). I don't know how many times I have called Jake to help me find a new place or check the traffic for me, I guess he has had enough! It'll be nice when we get to Florida.

And secondly, my mom and husband sent me to the Pulse Dance Convention in Las Vegas. My mom paid for the convention and Jake bought my plane ticket and (most importantly) stayed home with all three boys while I enjoyed myself for the entire weekend! It was one of the most amazing things I've done. The staff was made up of all the choreographers from the TV show, "So You Think You Can Dance". It was a dream to work with people who are the best at what they do. I hadn't danced like that since college and it made me feel 19 again! My mom and sister were there with me, so it made the weekend more fun.

Thanks to everyone who called, sent cards and gave me gifts. It feels good to have friends remember your day!

*

These are a few of my favorite things...

Dec 1st:

I love Hot Chocolate in big Christmas mugs!

We survived another year of family pictures!

It's fun to see how we've grown...

2003

2005

2007

Hey, I just made a total elf of myself. Check it out by clicking the link below.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9619549000

Turkey Day!

We had a great Thanksgiving. We loved having the Martins over and felt bad that they were required to wear homemade pilgrim hats, done by Tanner. Jen and I both pitched in with the dinner. After dinner we went to see "The Bee Movie" and came home for some pie.

Black Friday!

I hate that it's called Black Friday. That makes it sound so scary! Well, I guess trying to fight the crowds is a bit intimidating, but I go every year and I love it. I don't think I really go for the sales, but more for the excitement! I love getting up early, popping in a Christmas CD and enjoying all of the Holiday decorations in the stores. Thursday night I tried to figure out my route by which stores opened first and which ones may be the most crowded. The deals that I go for are never that amazing. This year I mainly ended up with "free gift with your purchase of $50. or more" from most of the stores. Black Friday always starts the Holiday Season for me. I can now put up the tree and change my cell phone ring to "Jingle Bells". Total savings this year...about $120.00! Not bad.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I look back at our year and realize all we have to be thankful for, big or small. My list really could go on and on, but here are a few, OK maybe a little more than a few, things I wanted to share:

I am thankful for (in no particular order)...

1. a husband who not only loves me, but is in love with me. Who thinks I am the best mother in the world (next to Kell-Kell) and tells me often that I am the most beautiful girl he knows!

2. three little boys who have enriched my life more than I ever thought someone in diapers could.

3. coming from a family who is so much fun and entertaining that we could probably have our own reality show...right, Taeya?

4. Modern Medicine!! Without it, Chase would not have survived and Logan would not have a future of hearing.

5. a knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father and his marvelous plan.

6. Clorox wipes, antibacterial gel, the Swifter, and most importantly...Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser!

7. a friend who calls me every day to see how I am doing and listens to me ramble on and on, when I sometimes, so rudely, forget to ask about her day first. Thanks, Jackie, love you.

8. a loving and gracious church ward (and visiting teachers) who have brought more meals and given more selfless service, than I have deserved.

9. fantastic in laws who take such good care of us and who have made me feel like a true Cragun.

10. a five year old son who has had to deal with more than his fair share, with his two younger brothers, and who has been more than understanding and loving towards them. These are my favorite stories about Tanner...

The night of Logan's surgery, I felt like we had ignored Tanner all day, so I went in to rub him until he fell asleep. After about 30 sec. he said, "Mom, Logan is probably scared and hurting. You can go sleep with him. I'll be fine."

Last year when chase was in the hospital, he told me, "It doesn't really feel like I have another brother 'cause I can't hold him. I don't really like to feel like that. I miss my new baby."

And lastly, once Tanner was trying to explain to Logan how to play a board game, but didn't know all the necessary signs. After the frustration built, Tanner pounded his fists on the ground and began to slightly cry, "It's not fair, Mom, it's not fair. I wish Logan could hear and talk like me. He will never get to play real games."

11. to be able to teach what I love to a bunch of eager little girls in pink tu-tus every week.

12. my double stroller

13. Target

14. the good health of my family

15. a husband who is a hard worker and determined to be successful endodontist one day (2 1/2 years to be exact) :)

16. to live in a country where I am free.

17. to have a temple so close by

18. that my husband doesn't mind when I need to go to the grocery store by myself for some "quiet Mommy time"

19. Signing Time television show

20. that my children all sleep through the night.

21. laughter, real milk-come-out-of-my-nose laughter. Like the kind I have when I am with my two sisters and it's a little past our bedtime!

22. my DVR

23. the internet.

24. all the love I get from those that comment on my blog. It really makes my day, thank you.

25. hand-me-downs for my boys

26. two wonderful brothers who are perfect examples for my sons.

27. The chance that I have to be a stay-at-home-mom

...Happy Turkey day!

I need some help...

Hey...I need addresses from you, all of you. Even if you've given it to me before or if you think you're not normally on my Christmas list, I need your address! :) You don't need to leave it on my blog, just e-mail it to me, jakeandceleste@gmail.com . Sorry for the lazy way of asking!

Second thing, I am getting a new hair dryer for my birthday. Any of you have a good one that you would recommend. This is my 4th one in a year and a half. I especially need one that can dry FAST! I waste too much time drying my hair everyday! :) Kind of a silly question, I know! Thanks for helping.

What is that smell?

After 4 days...I found the culprit! ROTTEN, CURDLED, MILK under the kitchen sink!! I had opened the cupboard several times and just never noticed it! I guess it just blended in with the cleaning supplies. Tanner said that Baby Chase was trying to drink it so he hid it from him. He also admitted that he couldn't remember where he had put it!

Chase's Birthday Party!

Happy B-Day, Big Boy!!

3 days old

4 months

My baby boy has turned one (November 5th...I'm a little late). Who knew my little NICU baby would grow to be my biggest baby at this age. I think back to my sleepless nights at the hospital thinking that it would never end. I look at him now and it's he's a completely different baby. How blessed we are to have 3 strong boys who have probably been through more than any child should have to. We love you, Chase! Happy Birthday!

9 months

1 YEAR

The Morning of Surgery...

(sorry they're sideways)

We made it through the day!

Well, It is now almost 11:00 and we think Logan is out for the night and since so many of you have called inquiring about our day (thanks so much), I thought I'd give a brief summary of today's events before getting some much needed sleep myself. He was awesome at the hospital before the surgery. All of the preparing, that we thought wouldn't do much good, was a big help. We have been using "Donkey" as the patient and Logan as the doctor to show Logan what would happen the day of surgery--don't worry, we left out the details of the actual surgery! :) The nurses said that when it was time to put on the oxygen mask, to put him to sleep, he knew just what to do and wasn't scared. The surgery went great but when he woke up, he was quite upset with everyone who came within 5 feet of him! He proceeded to rip off anything that was attached to his body including his IV in his hand, which left Dad in a shirt covered in blood! I had a weak moment as a mother and couldn't take the sight of my brave little boy in so much pain and had to leave. I felt like I had just done this with Chase and wasn't ready to do it again. I had a quick meltdown in the elevator, got my composure back and went back to be with Jake and Logan. He came home around 3:00 and it has been a rough night, but he is doing well. I have been thinking about the end result of all of this and can hardly tame my excitement. He will be hooked up on December 4th--that is when the hearing will begin. I have made a list of all the things I want my baby boy to hear; the voices of his family, me telling him I love him, an airplane, a train, the beach, music, Disneyland rides, making his baby brother laugh...the list goes on and on. I know I'll need to take it slow and not expose him to all those things at once, how frightening, don't you think? :) Anyway, sorry for the long post tonight and for all of the photos. We are very proud and excited of our strong little boy. Thanks for sharing our excitement.

This is Logan and his WONDERFUL speech therapist, Jessica, practicing for the surgery.

This is "Dr. Logan" and his "patient", Donkey. He has his head bandaged and the oxygen mask on!

...checking his heartbeat.


Logan and Donkey ready for surgery.

The aftermath...

Donkey got to go into surgery with Logan and the nurses dressed him up like the doctors.

Finally at home.

After having two doses of his medication, he laid like this for about 30 minutes determined to not let any more medicine get in!

He gets very dizzy when he walks around, so he crawls around instead!

Good Night!
P.S. I know that Chase just had his big one year birthday on Monday...I will post on that soon. Being the third kid is tough! :)