My Funny Valentines

Marcus made this Valentine at school.

Kjell and I at our ward Valentine's Party

Check out the decorations!  Our friends the Jolleys, Cisneros, and Toblers

McCords, Norrises, Schauers, and Judds.  After a delicious dinner we played the Newlywed Game.

Kjell and I had a quiet dinner at home for Valentine’s Day.  I made chicken curry and Kjell made mousse with brownies and gnoche. Of course we watched Jeopardy! too.  Go Ken.  Kjell wrote me a funny poem and Marcus came home wearing his Valentine for me. 

The Green-Eyed Monster

Sleeping baby in a cute outfit from Aunt Darcy.

He's growing so fast.  I love it when they get chubby!

Holden made a hat out of underwear.

As soon as Wether was out of the laundry basket, Holden jumped in and started doing similar poses.  I guess Port isn't the only little brother to envy.

Holden wrapped in a blanket "like a baby".

With 4 boys including a newborn baby, competition for mommy and daddy’s attention has gotten steep! Actually, the older boys are probably getting more attention then ever, especially from Kjell, nevertheless there is no doubt some jealously and subsequently some regression in the McCord household.



Port is an even-tempered little boy who eats and sleeps well, although his cold causes breathing problems at night (I. Am. Tired). He loves to be held and certainly gets toted around a lot as I drive his brothers to and from school and swim lessons, the grocery store, book group, etc. He doesn’t mind. It brings me great joy to hold him each day, even as the laundry pile grows.



Wether likes to help me burp, aka hit, the baby. He’s probably adjusting the best, mostly because he’s now one of the big boys and is included in whatever Marcus and Holden are doing. He’s also getting more daddy time. We’ll see what happens when Port takes over his crib….



Holden requests to be wrapped in a blanket like a baby and be carried around. Enough said.



Marcus is having the hardest time. He being a child that thrives on attention and praise, Port is like Kjell bringing home a younger, cuter wife in my eyes. That is the analogy my pediatrician used and I tell myself daily when I struggle with the patience needed to deal with Marcus wetting his pants! Regression abounds. He was also acting up a bit in school so that his teacher Mrs. Sumsion started sending home notes about how he behaved that day. That was enough motivation for Marcus to be a “good boy” and he hasn’t brought home a negative note yet (it’s been 2 weeks). In fact, he was picked as student of the month and got to eat lunch with the principal yesterday. Marcus is doing extremely well in reading and other academic areas.

Kjell and I are transitioning to a family of 6 as well.  Often Kjell returns from work to find his day has only just begun!  What a hard-working husband and father he is who rarely complains.  Besides, the additional messes and lack of sleep, I am working on losing my post-baby weight.  It's harder the older I get.  And I love chocolate.  Mmmmm...chocolate...well, I digress.  Fortunately, every day our adjustment lessens. Now, if only I get some more rest….

WWII

William Wetherill is 2! We celebrated by going to daddy’s office where each boy chose a treat out of the vending machine. Later that evening we skyped with Grandma and Grandpa Love and had an impromptu celebration with neighbors that included two chocolate birthday cakes (Wether demands chocolate several times a day), some gifts, and a dance party.

At his 2 year appointment, Wether measured about average height and weight. He enjoys coloring and can be found several times a day with crayons and a coloring book. Lately, he’s been following Kjell or me around with a crayon and demanding that we draw him a circle or other shapes, a snowman, a helicopter, a choo choo train, or whatever else he can come up with. He’s very demanding so that no matter how busy we are we always end up drawing him a few pictures, which he colors in. The nursery song leader from our church pulled me aside and told me that Wether joins in singing with all of the older kids and knows most of the words. He’s very playful and adores being tickled or chased. He joins right in the frequent wrestling matches at our house. WW likes to play outside, go in the stroller, kick and throw balls, and play at the playground. He makes us laugh daily and seems to be the least effected by the birth of Port.

Enjoying a birthday treat at daddy's office

A football birthday cake by Pam

Digging into his cake and ice cream

Jordyn holding baby Port

Holden, Marcus, Mason, Wether, and Bailey.  Wether loves to be included with the big kids.

Opening gifts.  A book is the perfect present for Wether since he looks through them for prolonged periods each day.

Playful boy.  His favorite pants are the frog pants sewn by Pam.

"Head".  Right you are.

Tickled by mommy.

2 Weeks Notice

Today Port is 3 weeks old and Wetherill is 2 years old! They grow up so fast!  Just kidding...it's been a long 3 weeks:)

My friend Erin took some photos of Port when he was 2 weeks old. Isn't he precious? 

In Grandma's arms

Post Port

WW playing in the basement - what a train track!  He's quite self-entertaining these days.

A very cold day up the canyon.  Wether wanted to wear sunglasses so his brothers did too of course. Sometimes he is the leader.

Marcus by the Provo River

Silly Holden

Kjell washing Wether's hair in the kitchen sink before giving him a haircut.

Port Nordmark at 6 days old.

Grandma Love's birthday cake.  Marcus and Holden helped blow out the candles.

Mom and Ron and Kathy Christensen.  Kathy is an old friend from New Canaan.

Port had lots of time in Grandma's arms.

Port's bath at 2 weeks old.

When Port was just a few days old we needed to get out of the house so we drove up the canyon for a short walk….but it was frigid! We ended up leaving Port in the car while the older boys ran around for a bit. It was a brief trip but refreshing as well.

My mom came when Port was a week old to help – what a difference an extra set of hands make! Throughout the week I was able to come and go with ease as I drove Marcus and Holden to school and swim lessons, since mom stayed home with WW and Port. It’s quite the process getting all of the kids in and out of the car (and bundled up!) so it was welcome aid. Of course we did have once instance when Wether took off running into the parking lot with my mom frantically chasing him…it was scary at the time but I’m sure we’ll look back and laugh! OK, lets be honest, I laughed while it was happening. 

Port weighed in at 9 lbs 6 oz. at his 2 week appointment. His jaundice no longer requires lights but the doctor did notice that his collarbone was broken! This probably happened during birth and fortunately causes him no pain (if I am careful not to lift him the wrong way) and will heal completely on its own. Port has a calm disposition and usually fusses only in the evening but is almost always content if he’s held.

Wether seems unaffected by Port’s birth although Marcus has regressed in some areas and Holden is on a constant quest for my attention. I am overwhelmed and disorganized, but everyday these feelings fade. I’m becoming accustomed to more chaos in my life. Port brings such joy that overall I’m hanging in there! I’ve also started to watch my diet and exercise more in hopes of losing close to 20 pounds (again).