September Days before D-Day

During the final countdown for a new baby, the goal is to cram as much into life as possible. We were quite successful, including getting Matthew through the biggest deadline of the year. This particular season, Matthew had the entire Denver office working on his client to get them past the deadline. I really am not exaggerating, and it means that Matthew worked A LOT of hours the first two weeks of September. Once he hit the deadline, the following days were loaded with all the to-do's of someone who has been pushing off to-do's for a few months. It was busy! Matthew competed in the EQ pinewood derby, using Jay's car from our race a couple years ago. Matthew placed third! Needless to say, there were only three entries. Hugh saw the picture, which included Matthew, Ben Dahl, and Sean Self, and said, "Brother Self is a man." When I asked him what that made Dad and Ben, he said, "they're kids." 

Sunday Survival - that's truly what our lives have looked like for the past year. Our one day with Dad.

We had a few fun outings over the month, so I'll briefly recap. I went to the temple with Katie Dahl one Saturday morning. It was a beautiful day and Katey watched the boys for me since Matthew was working. It was great to get to the temple one last time before baby boy arrived! My friend Sam came over one evening and brought all the ingredients to make some freezer meals. I loved getting to chat with her and we got taquitos and pasta frozen for after baby. Such a gift and I am so grateful! The boys got invited to a friend's birthday party, and I convinced the Dahls to come with me since Matthew had to work. Jay had a blast playing in the water and Hugh dug in the dirt. I couldn't have done the party without the Dahl's extra hands. 

Jay enjoying the pool and slide! 

Hugh's favorite place was the sandbox!

After Matthew was totally done with busy season, we did get to have some fun. We spent one morning down in Littleton at the Jones's house. They had their bubble machine set up, tons of balls everywhere, magna tiles, and a few other toys all ready for the boys. We had fun visiting with Rachel and Chris, and Matthew was back to full-time Dad duty because Jay was VERY excited about everything! I couldn't help much as my speed has gotten much slower as we're nearing full-term pregnancy. Rachel and Chris actually met with the missionaries one time, and I hope they'll continue to meet with them. They'd be AMAZING members, because when they commit to something, they are all in. I hope someday they will see the light and joy the Gospel can bring. I had fun answering some of her questions and need to do better at following up with her about things. 

Matthew cleaning up the mess off the driveway. I can't believe this is the only picture I got of their whole day of fun with the Jones's.

We also got to go on a double date with the Dahls, one last night out before baby boy. We had a little girl, Madison, babysit for us and the boys loved her. We went to dinner at Lupitas in Brighton. It was soooo yummy! Then, we came home and played Castle Panic, after we put the boys to bed. The Dahls are fun, easy to talk to, and we had a great evening. We also found out she's going to have a baby, and we are sooooo excited for them! 

September also means Fall Break. Jay got a full week off and we enjoyed having Shelby (ABA) come to our home everyday instead of school. Hugh was grateful for some extra people to play with and we had a great time driving around to parks and playing. We even met up with one of my ministering sisters for a park date. The boys love her little one year old boy, so they had a great time. We've got to soak up all the good weather while we can! We also got a visit from Katey, which was so fun! She stopped by for dinner on her way home from Hope's surgery. The boys were so confused why she didn't have kids but of course loved every minute playing with her and having 100% of her attention. We also had a "birthday party" for Shelby and Katie the last day of Fall break. It was Shelby's birthday and Katie's the following week, so we enjoyed big cookies and giving them a small gift. 

Jay and Hugh swinging

Hugh driving the tractor! 

Katey chatting with Hope on the phone so Jay and Hugh could see she was at the hospital

Birthday card for Katie Dahl

This was for Shelby.

Baking cookies for Shelby and Katie

Hugh had a follow up with dermatology where we got some stronger steroids for his hands and feet and will check up on things in a couple months. He loves helping in my garden and will pick and eat ALL the peas before anyone else gets some. He also loves reading books and looking at the pictures, describing everything he sees. Hugh also loves the sunshine and noticing when it's light and when it's dark. 

Harvester Hugh

Hugh reading a book

Woohoo for Hugh!

He's working on dressing himself, and often gets his holes crossed

Hugh looked out the window and said, "The sun is up!" and was soooo happy! 

I wish I was so excited when the sun came up, so sweet.

Sleeping kids are my FAVORITE

Jay is tolerating school. We had a big meeting with the school about ABA support and their support. The principal and the special education teacher were less than kind to our therapists who are supporting Jay and it was a very hard meeting. Matthew attended with me and tried to get them to share how they were going to work with Jay on curriculum at his level and they said they can't do that and he just works on what the class is working on. We tried to explain to them how he can't skip learning milestones, but they would not listen. They also want to extend his day and he is not ready. It took us a few days to recover from the meeting, but we're doing okay with it. Mr. Anderson, Jay's teacher, is amazing and seems to be very much on Jay's team and that's a huge blessing. 

Me and Jay working on tracing lines

Jay loves playing with the trashcans, and sometimes ends up inside...which is stinky ;)

Cool Jay on his bike

Jay LOVES his swing and it's the best

Jay working with Miss Elena, the PT

Extra photos to help us remember some small memories. 

Kirra Self brought me this huge delicious peanut butter chocolate GF cookie

Jay was "reading" this book to his animals and Hugh and it was so cute

The boys love "helping" each other, so this was Hugh, helping Jay wake up

Whenever Hugh feels sad, Jay brings him a stuffy. Here, Hugh was returning the favor. 

Can you tell why Dad is the favorite? I don't know how he does it!

We went to a new park in Brighton and then bought pizza to celebrate Dad's first Friday evening off busy season.

Jay loved these mirrors

Climbing to new heights!

This zucchini grew without my knowledge. Which was bigger, the baby of the zucchini?  

Chalk and water, entertained the boys for a few days in the afternoon and allowed me to read. It was an odd sensation to be able to do anything other than parent while the kids were awake. 

We tried out some hand art for different birthdays this year. This was for Grandpa-Great.

Jay and Hugh were making tunnels for each other and going down the slide. The squealing and laughter was so fun!

Matthew slaving away, the boys are around here somewhere and I'm trying to walk this baby out!