Is this a kissing puzzle?

There's something about how any port in a storm is a good port, right? Well, I'm here to tell you that any post during a pregnancy is a good post. This post while different will include two topics. Baby kisses and puzzles.

Anyone who knows Will understands that his brain works a little differently than most. This is not a bad thing, but he likes to have challenges in ways that most of us think are impossible and maybe even pointless. But, he likes them. And because he likes them, I purchase them. For $4 or $5 at Albertsons.

You see, this is the puzzle that is sitting on a table in front of our Christmas tree. It's a picture of the box, but if you'll look closely, there are 2 polar bears walking on snow/ice in front of a wall of snow/ice. Sounds like a REALLY fun puzzle, I don't think. I was in charge of the polar bears, since there are some distinguishing traits about them. They aren't pure white!

This is my finished product of the mama polar bear.

Baby bear is also done. And currently, they are both standing on ice with only a few pieces missing still. But, this is a thousand piecer puzzle. I think the bears make up maybe about 300 pieces of that 1000. Will is crazy...and this is what he's doing while watching his Jazz play (or BYU or any college football game, or history channel but I'm usually joining him for that).

In other news. The little guy has grown SO much. He's giving fantastic kisses, but all video and pictures of such make it look like we're the ones kissing him, not him kissing us. It's unfortunate. I mean, who doesn't want to kiss this adorable face?

Drool picture chosen on purpose. Totally not the same thing if you're not completely covered in drool by the end.

See? Totally looks like I'm "leaning" but really, I'm just trying to keep him from ripping my face off. He grabs REALLY tightly the skin on my jaw and won't let go. I'll admit it though. I love those kisses. He is also becoming a pretty jealous kid. If Mom and Dad kiss, he needs his turn too. With each of us, although he's more likely to kiss Will if he has shaved recently. Marcus is particular in his dislike for facial hair.

What!?!

How in the world could it possibly be 5 weeks from when I last posted? And 3 months since I did a Marcus post? Well, the camera is downstairs and I'm too lazy to go down and get it, so an awesome picture-less post is on its way.

Updates on the family:

Marcus is now 10 months old. He is growing bigger and bigger, but is still our sweet sweet baby boy. At his 9 month appointment, he was in the 50% or 60% for everything. So, he looks huge, but is still normal. I weighed him in at my doctor's on Tuesday and he was 21.6 pounds...and we think he's about 30 inches tall.

He is doing some very cute things like:
clapping - as of yesterday. Will came home and clapped to see if Marcus would. Marky did once and turned towards me in the shy "I did it Mom" kind of way after doing it.
holding hands - with anyone he can. Particularly babies and Nicki
kissing - me, babies, Will, little Mishka (my belly)
squinty eyed smiles
taking awesome naps that he lets me join him on
and is getting closer and closer to thinking he wants to be mobile, but hasn't gotten all the way there. He also doesn't put things into his mouth, which means I have a few more days/weeks not having to be COMPLETELY baby-proof.

I am doing very well indeed. 20 weeks and can't believe it's going by so quickly. I am feeling good, except for random sciatica that keeps coming and not leaving. I am NOT a fan of the p17 (progesterone) shots that I get to have weekly and therefore the weekly weight checks. But, if they will keep Mishka in longer and to full term, then I suppose I'll keep going. Seriously though, no wonder babies cry at their shots. They hurt man!

Mishka, in case you were wondering, is a nickname of our little GIRL's nickname. That is if I can keep Will from changing his mind. Please, convince him the name we've chosen is cute! Doesn't matter that you don't know it. It is cute! She's growing right on track. At our 16 week ultrasound (we get extra to make sure she's not going to be a runt like Marcus and making sure my body is keeping her in as well), her legs were measuring over a week ahead of her belly and head. Looks like she's taking after me...poor thing.

Will is working hard. Loves to watch the basketball and football seasons at the same time. There is almost no night that doesn't include some sport or another. If there is a rare day, you'll catch us playing games in front of the History channel or Science channel or some other show. Or maybe the Wii, but usually just board games.

A meme

I like these things. I don't exactly know why I like them so much, but I do.

The ABCs of Alisha

A – ADVOCATE FOR: taking medicine when you hurt. I've been anti-doctor for long enough. I believe God has given us modern medicine for a reason and if it will help and not hurt you more...DO IT!

B – BEST FEATURE: Probably those insanely long legs of mine

C – COULD DO WITHOUT: laundry and blow-outs/leak-throughs. I am so over blow-outs. And cleaning my house, but everyone knows that already.

D – DREAMS & DESIRES: To raise my children to be happy and productive. To be able to take a real vacation every few years. To like cleaning and keeping a clean house.

E – ESSENTIAL ITEMS: Mainly, Diet Coke. And now that winter is arriving, cushy socks

F – FAVORITE PAST TIME: I love to read, watch tv, make my little guy giggle.

G – GOOD AT: Making my little guy giggle, Bejewelled (what? it's important!), keeping a decent perspective on things, being contented, making chocolate chip cookies and cornbread.

H – HAVE NEVER TRIED: anything really exciting or terrifying. Going green.

I – IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS: Pay off our house and landscape the yard, pay off the car and get a maid. Seriously.

J – JUNKIE FOR: Diet Coke and currently anything that is sweet or salty or yummy.

K – KINDRED SPIRIT: I have a few and obviously love them dearly

L – LITTLE KNOWN FACT: Well at least until today...we're expecting again in April.

M – MEMORABLE MOMENT: My wedding day, having Marcus, finding out our current surprise, moving into our house.

N – NEVER AGAIN WILL I: Oh goodness. Everytime I say something like this, it ends up happening again. The only thing that comes to mind right now is go shopping without a stroller (at least it feels like it)

O – OCCASIONAL INDULGENCE: a great hair cut. I finally got mine cut about a month ago, and before that it was March of 2008 so a good 18 months. No one should have hair that ugly...but it looks loads better. When it's clean.

P – PROFESSION: Mom, Wife

Q – QUOTE: I'll put this one in later...I can't find my copy of Anne of Avonlea and it's at the end of that one, at least the quote I want to use is.

R – REASON TO SMILE: baby smiles and smells after baths. Feeling little baby flutters once in a great while. A wonderful husband who forgives me for being a bear. Warm house. Good food. Chocolate. Marcus and his raspberries.

S – SORRY ABOUT: being a bear. Not responding enough. Never sending out packages I have ready. Forgetting almost everything all the time. Not having the right words to say. Being a bad blogger

T -THINGS THAT ARE WORRYING YOU RIGHT NOW: getting my house clean before Marcus' Occupational Therapist comes tomorrow, looking decent for our family pictures this Saturday, finding my make-up (I'd love to find it and not re-purchase everything), figuring out life with 2 under 15 months old.

U – UNINTERESTED IN: BYU football or basketball. I'll watch with Will, but I couldn't care less.

V – VERY SCARED OF: another preemie (please let them be at least 15 months apart!), not being good enough, being lonely

W – WORST HABITS: I swear a little too often, but I think Will says things that he knows will bring out some bad words. Not picking up dirty clothes. Forgetting to do what I said I would. **I don't swear AT Will. I swear because of him. And they aren't the bad bad words, just ones you find in the bible. Nah...that sounds just as bad. Forget the edit**

X – X MARKS MY IDEAL VACATION SPOT: Sadly, I'll still take Disney World over just about anything right now, or at least when I can finally ride rides again. For now I just want to go on road trips and see the US.

Y – YUMMIEST DESSERT: The sizzing Apple Crisp from On The Border. It's heavenly....maybe for our anniversary.

Z – ZODIAC SIGN: Pisces, but I don't know what exactly that entails except I'm a water sign.

WHAT ARE THE ABC’S OF YOU?

Bet ya can't guess what this is about!

Or, maybe you can. Yes, my dear son is 7 months old. In fact, he's been so for 9 days. Silly, I know. My updating is right on target, right?

New things about Marcus this month.

Rolls over, both ways (meaning, he sleeps on his stomach)

starting to grab his foot

eating "solid" foods

giggling up a storm

out-growing his infant carseat (too long)

finally being a little bit fussy

drooling like no tomorrow

mastered the road trip

First, I think I promised this months ago, but this is how tired Marcus was of the drive. I happened to burp and he giggled. Since I can't burp on demand (I know, I know) the fake ones were all I could manage. I don't think Marcus minded.

Marcus got to meet his Great Grandma Morrell this last weekend. Grandma Great has now met 6 of the 7 "William Morrell"s that Marcus is in the long line of. That's pretty impressive, and we wanted to make sure she got her chance to meet the 7th. She doesn't think she'll be around to meet the 8th.

While in the country, Marcus got his first taste of a horse-ride. I think he liked it.

This pic was just too cute to pass up. I love the 3-D foot coming at you!

We had the chance to have Aunt Nicki stay with us a couple of times in the last month too. And, it was nice. Even more fun that I got such an involved picture from them. Marcus looks drunk. Oh, this is why he is almost ALWAYS in a bib.

The 7 month picture. Not too excited, but very long.


And this one, because I think this shows what he'll look like as a little boy and not a baby.

6 months

Marcus is no longer the baby of the family. I mean the extended family. He's got younger cousins on each side. My sister had her little girl on June 24th and Will's sister had her baby boy on July 6th. They are very cute, both of them. We love them so. And, since I finally found the camera again after the trip, I am fully planning on taking pictures of said new cousins.

The exciting part of our story is that Marcus is now 6 months old. I am pretty sure that every new mother says this, but I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. It seems like he's always been around. And, somehow, I can't remember being pregnant. This has been true for the past 2 months or so. Seven months of being sick? Completely gone from my memory. That's kinda scary.

But, the kid just keeps getting cuter and cuter. I mean, who can say no to this face?

The best part? He's getting huge! His stats for his 6 month check up are:

Weight: 16 lbs 10 oz (25-50%)

Height: 27 inches (75%)

Head: 45 cm (75-90%)

He's got this new thing though, where he sucks in his bottom lip, and somehow the upper lip stays curvy. This is the best attempt I have to capture said curvy lip. (Don't you hate it when it won't turn? I kept trying and trying to get it to go and no banana.)

We discovered that he LOVES the song Popcorn Popping, and I'm going to get a video of the kid laughing to it. Simply adorable. Instead, I offer this. A video of him being fussy. And yes, this is about as fussy as he gets. He got frustrated and wanted off of the tummy time.

I think this might be my favorite picture yet. Seriously.

California - super cool to the homeless

I don't know why I ever started this blogging thing. For one, I simply forget to find the camera when cool things are happening. We went to California for 5 days. I packed the camera and even knew where it was. But, did I take a single picture? No. I didn't. If I can't remember to take pictures of my first kid, how am I ever going to take any of the prospective future children?

This will be a post without pictures.

We did go to California and had the best time just chillaxing. And eating. There was lots and lots of eating. Megan and Tim were great hosts and took Will to a Dodgers game (I'm pretty sure they won), ate at In-N-Out more times than is good for us. Had awesome ribs twice (once at a restaurant and the other Megan made herself.

I was a bit concerned about the flight from San Diego to Denver as Will and I weren't sitting together. But, my amazingly easy baby just slept the entire time. From take off to landing and beyond. He's definitely made it way too easy on me.

We totally enjoyed our trip to California and will plan on visiting again, as soon as the family is done being sick of us.

5 months

Don'cha love the big open mouth?

Most people would realize that 5 months comes shortly after reaching the 20 week mark. Me? I get dumbfounded by the idea. Has it really been 5 months since my little guy decided it was his time to come?

The 5 month picture

I was watching my niece and nephew that live just a couple of miles away on Tuesday (when he actually hit the 5 month mark) and he was weighed by my brother-in-law. With a hefty diaper, the kid was right around 16 pounds. What? I can't believe it. Seriously. 16? I won't believe it.

Please to be noting his arms (and his smile)

The kid though? He's funny. He's beginning to giggle at me more during the day simply because I sing him songs. Marcus also is discovering his hands. He plays with his frog that is attached to his carseat all the time. He likes to suck on his hands and see how much of his fist can fit into his mouth.

Play time with mommy

Marcus has also become the world's droolingiest (that's totally a word) baby. We typically go through 3 bibs a day. You know, the thick towel type ones. It would be more, but I get lazy and don't want to wash more of them.

See? I told ya.

In other unrelated news. Yes, there was a tornado near my house on Sunday. By near I mean less than a half mile away. We weren't here to witness it, and only got to see the very last remnants of the hail storm that came along as well. We have no damage, and I'm almost sorry that I missed the whole thing. While I would have been scared to death (more of the thought of going into the basement where the spiders live than of the tornado itself), it is hopefully a once in a lifetime event and I missed it.

20 weeks

Just so stinkin' cute!

Did you see that? That was a twenty. I honestly can't believe that I've been a mom for so long. Yet time has flown so quickly by me.

3 of the 7 Williams

Marcus continues to be the sweetest baby ever. Case in point? I went to a movie tonight with the little guy. He was asleep for maybe 20 minutes before the noise of the theatre woke him up. Did my sweet bugsy make any noise? No. He didn't. Was he happy? Yes, he was. Was I able to pay attention to the movie? Again, yes.

Blessing day, just waking up smiles

He is a silly little man as well. He absolutely loves his diaper to be changed. He grins like no other time when that is happening. Same for the bath. He must be part Anderson, knowing that if you're naked, you must be happy. He'll do us all proud!

4 month old picture

Also, he's just recently started to laugh on occasion. It makes my heart leap with glee. Seriously, it's cute. He's beginning to notice his hands and sometimes will try to touch things with them. I am so excited for this, and somewhat scared. He'll be into everything before I know it!

It had been a long day for all of us. Look at those eyes! (Put me to bed Mama!)

4 months!

The weekend went very well. The Cafe Rio was so yummy, there was plenty of food and I exaggerated a little bit. There only ended up being 55 people at the blessing (which technically includes Will, Marcus and me, but we were sure there!)


My brother Spencer was able to be released from the rehab hospital that day, and was able to be there. It was amazing to see him walking up the aisle with only a cane in so short an amount of time. He's been remarkably blessed, and therefore so have the rest of us who love him. There's still a bit of rehabilitation left, but he's come so far. He has taken the engineering GRE and passed it with an accuracy of about 92%. Somehow, I think he'll be just fine.


Marcus is now 4 months old. He seems to be so big and long. I think he is anyway. Or, I thought he was. His stats are:


Height: 24 inches (10%)
Weight: 12 lbs 10 oz (10%)
Head : 41 1/2 cm? (30%)

I've been told that he's not big. I guess I just remember my tiny little guy. He's so big and strong now though. Love that kid, lots.

Alright, that's it for now, but I'll post pics really soon.

what will be an eventful weekend

It's Thursday, and already, I'm certain that this will be one of the busiest weekends I have ever experienced. You see, we are finally blessing Marcus this week! Hooray!

I found him a very cute outfit at Gymboree this week (all on sale, and none of it is supposed to go together). I might just have to have his first professional pictures taken in it. And if blessing outfits are supposed to be all white, I'm in trouble. I didn't see the point in spending that much money on something he'll only wear once, and any other boys I might have might not fit in it. We'll definitely take a picture on Sunday.

I may or may not have also bought myself a dress as well. If a dress was purchased, it may or may not be here in time for me to wear it to the blessing. I really would like it to be, but who knows. I'll leave that up to the UPS guy. This has everything to do with the picture being taken on Sunday.

I'm hoping he'll make this face at least once. Don't you just want to kiss those cheeks?

Anyway, back to the events of this weekend, I should say that it is mainly Sunday that will be stressful, although I'm sure some Saturday preparations will pretty much send me into a dither as well. For you see, between Will and I, we have 12 siblings. Of those 12, only 2 will not be there. Also some cousins and I think an Aunt and Uncle. And both sets of grandparents. I am not sad that any of the people that are coming to the blessing are coming. In fact, I'm delighted that so much of my loved family is going to be here for it.

Currently the number that I total is 56 at the luncheon afterwards. That's a FIVE-SIX. Seriously. Seriously! That stresses me out. Anyone have an idea of how much sweet pork a person needs to make for 30 adults and 26 children? I'm only getting 15 lbs, so I hope that's enough. Plus, it's supposed to be rainy this Sunday. Oh help.

To make matters better though, I get to dress up this sweet boy and have people tell me he's cute. That may help a little bit. I just hope he's over his fever and cough by then. The poor kid. Oh, and yes, that's us. Yesterday. (That's a pillow on my lap, not my leg. I was concerned for a minute, but no. My leg is NOT that squishy)

Finally, I bring you this:

I know I'm biased, but this picture is typical Marcus. No need to say that I think he's adorable. I've decided to keep him. This contented look is on his face most of the day. This picture makes me want to pick the kid up and just cuddle him for a while.

He smiles!

Isn't he the cutest?

Okay, fine. He's been smiling for 2 weeks now. I get it.

For anyone who is wondering about my last three weeks, they have been as follows.

Spencer fell. Marcus smiled. Marcus and I went to Grand Junction to be with Spencer for a few days (with my awesome sisters who helped me so I didn't have to be a single parent all alone). Spencer loved Marcus. Marcus and I came back. (Did anyone know that babies need TONS of things in order to go on road trips where you don't have family?) Spencer moved to a rehablilitation hospital in Aurora. (Spence is doing better than we originally thought, but it is going to be a long road for him to travel in order to get back to "normal.")

Thats all.

What a difference a day makes

I am still in shock. I'm in tears much of the day and there isn't anything I can do to help, which makes matters worse.

What am I talking about? This story http://www.nbc11news.com/home/headlines/42056217.html is about my older brother, Spencer. He was hiking with friends when they realized that they were no longer on the path they wanted to be on. They were turning around, when the other three men heard a slip and there was no Spencer with them. They looked down the ridge, and there was my brother (the one on the left) just lying there.

Almost all my siblings made it to be by his side that night, and I didn't. I feel guilty and sad and ache that we didn't drive over that night. I hope he and his wife know we wanted to be there.

Spence is fighting in a Grand Junction hospital. Spence landed (they think) first on his left wrist, which was completely shattered (doctor's have pieced it back together as best they can) then the left side of his head. His eye is currently in stable condition, but it may have to be taken later. He is heavily sedated, but when they lower the amounts, he has "appropriate responses." Doctors are optimistic that he will recover almost completely, but that he will remain unconscious for the next two weeks. He is not paralysed, thank heavens.

Please include Spencer in your prayers. Every little bit helps.

10 weeks

I can hardly believe that my little guy is in the double digits. I don't even really remember life before him and I can certainly say that he is very sweet. He was able to receive the RSV "vacination" this week and so we got to get him weighed. He is now a plump 10 lbs and only fits in a few newborn things.

Marcus has this new thing where he is beginning to control his head, but it usually falls against my collarbone. This is basically the only time he cries other than being hungry. Since my mom asked, here are new pictures. One from each week of life.

Yep. That's my son alright.

more pictures

It's been over a week since the last update of pictures.

The little tyke is now around 8 pounds! I just have to do comparisons, since he has doubled his birth weight. He is still on oxygen, which is why we take the majority of his pictures when he has a bath, and his face is unencumbered by annoying plastic things.

Marcus is wearing Newborn clothes, and getting too long for a lot of those. Also this last week, we were informed that he is on the charts for his age. He is in the 3rd percentile, and we couldn't be more proud.

This first picture is from right after birth.

This one is from last night's bath. See, he's gotten HUGE!
oh, and I had to do his hair up into a spiky mohawk. It's his best look!

whoa!

It's a well known fact that I can't ever think of creative titles to my posts. Or at least it shoudl be a well known fact. Sometimes, I get ready to update and don't have a title so I switch and don't update at all.

It's been a big week in the Morrell household. Marcus turned 1 month old, and I forgot to get a "size picture" of that day. So, we'll do one today, the day I kept thinking was my due date (the doctors always said it was the 18th). That will kind of work. Here is a picture from that day though.

Marcus was tested to see if he could get off oxygen on Monday. Unfortunately, he still has desaturations when eating. He is perfectly fine when sleeping and awake, but since it drops below 90 during feedings, we've got another week (or 2 or 3) on oxygen. It makes taking him anywhere (read doctor's offices) much more difficult. Especially by myself.

We went to the hospital Tuesday for an ultrasound to see if Marcus has an inguinal hernia. He did very well and was exceptionally calm while there. He pooped a LOT though so I am very glad that I brought lots of extra clothes. Marcus does have a hernia and will have to have it surgically repaired, we just don't know when yet. He has another appointment for it on March 5.

This week we've had lots of baby boy clothes donated/given to us. Will dressed him in this outfit to show his Utah Jazz pride. I just think he's cute. His poor head is tilted a lot though.

I think that's all for now. This a picture right after his bath. I know he's little, but man, he makes my head look HUGE.