Happy Birthday Tyler!

What could I do for the most wonderful man in the world on his Birthday???

I started by putting him to work: painting the "new" base boards (from when we replaced the flooring...about a year ago).Then I let the little ones show him their gift. (This way he spent a few hours keeping them fully entertained.)But, at least he is getting a little bit of playtime, right?Because after lunch, I put him right back to work! Beckett found that watching daddy work from the back porch was extrememly exhausting.And these two would only tag along for the "play" time...they weren't too interested when daddy started pulling weeds and planting seeds, so, they painted his Birthday cards instead!Thank goodness for wonderful church friends who brought chicken enchiladas for dinner!!! (I'm sure that's what he had requested.) I did manage to make some apple crisp so that we could sing Happy Birthday and let him blow out a few candles!Present time! I found this AWESOME airplane in the closet that we bought for him a while back (actually, I think his parents were the ones who paid for it, but it gave him something to open, right?) AND, we bought him a storm door to install all by himself!All this celebrating was beginning to wipe out the little one again...Nana and Papa sent a great book in the mail, so there was at least one "surprise" for him to open.But, honestly, I worked really, REALLY hard to give my FAVORITE man this little snuggler by his Birthday...which should compensate for everything else the day was lacking and make it the BEST Birthday ever!Because by the end of the day, the most wonderful man in the world definitely deserved a really good snuggle!

Purim

Significance: Commemorates a time when the Jewish people living in Persia were saved from extermination due to the faith and courage of Esther and the Jewish people. Observances: Public reading of the book of Esther while blotting out (with lots of noise and commotion) the name of the "villian" Haman. Customs: costume parties; eating Hamantaschen (triangular, fruit-filled ookies) For family night last week (it was the day after Purim) the Turvavilles brought their Purim celebration to us! Erika told the story of Esther, and everyone was at the ready with their noise makers to blot out Haman's name. Beckett didn't seem to mind the extra noise too much...he paid close attention to the story-telling as well, obiously. We had several Esthers at our party and one cousin Mordecai. Everyone enjoyed making Hamantaschen...and then REALLY enjoyed eating them. While Beckett enjoyed the wonderful taste of his thumb.

little Beckett

is sooo TINY! He gets engulfed by his car seat. (headed out to see his Dr and he passed all the tests. he was even back to his 7lb 6oz)

Always holding his face and pulling his legs up to his chest (it's no wonder the Dr was so impressed by his tight abs),

this little monkey loves hanging out in the sun and listening to the piano by his crib.

A better view of his beautiful brown locks.

Not only did Ty's work let him use some of his "sick" days to stay home and take care of us, but they also sent beautiful flowers to say congratulations!

ALL are HAPPY

Makinzie lost her other front tooth! We let out all of our energy on the MOUNTAIN of wood chips at the park. Spend lots of time smiling at our new brother. Becoming a pro at PBS kids. Making sure Beckett NEVER cries. Reading LOTS of books to pass the time.
And playing outside with the neighbors (that's the high squeaky voice in the background :)), Coleson discovered that if he twisted until his feet lifted off the ground it would take him on a very fun ride!

still PATHETIC

Apparently I spoke WAY too soon about my incredible recovery. I had to spend one night and morning on THIS bed (that very Saturday night after I blogged)...up and down between my "new towel bed" and the throne. I did the same thing a few days after getting home from the hospital with Coleson. I guess my body likes to FULLY cleanse itself and lose a quick 10lbs right after delivery...if it had asked for my opinion, I would have kept the 10lbs and not spent a few days feeling horrible, but that's just me.

So, the next day, I was incredibly USELESS. But, luckily Beckett is definitely still perfect and he didn't seem to mind...

And luckily Ty is still perfect too and he took control of EVERYTHING!

perfect

We have been spending a lot of time sleeping, eating, sleeping, LOVEing, cuddling, sleeping and soaking in the 80 degree sunshine (usually while sleeping). He is practically PERFECT in every way.

in LOVE

This little man has easliy won his way into my heart.

The last few minutes, hours, okay, even days, weeks (maybe even months) before he came seemed like they might absolutely break me...

especially those final few hours---horrible head cold (meaning I could not breath and was already wiped out)+bad hernia/hip/swollen vessel issues+utter exhaustion+being told he would litterally fall out as soon as labor started, so don't wait long at all to come in, and then still being in labor 12 hours later and thus, water already broken, being in need of some definitely not anticipated, even more pain inducing, pitocin=pretty rough and not ideal delivery.

BUT... Beckett and Heavenly Father must have had a little talk before he entered this world, because he has been so wonderful and sweet!

Life has definitely turned completely up hill for me, I haven't felt this good in a long time!

He has such a peacful demeanor and has allowed me many hours (at a time) of much needed rest (in my very own bed). He is a pro nurser (from the minute he arrived)--which makes a huge difference! Plus, he is just SO beautiful and always snuggling in...I can't get enough!

The newest Gass-ling

Though I will let Andrea give a full account of the last 18 hours in all their glorious detail when she deems appropriate, I was entrusted with putting a few pictures of our newest addition on the worldwide web for all to see. So, without further ado, may I proudly present (drum roll please), straight from our third floor hospital room (the one with the broken thermostat), Tanner Beckett Gasser: The first extra-corporeal (at least Mom's corpo) meeting of my beautiful Andrea and the man cub. Gotta love the erythromycin eye drops!

The littlest buddy stretching out after living in cramped quarters for a good long while. The whole flock of Gass-lings fawning over Beckett. They were all getting rather impatient with him and yelled at him several times a day for the past week that it was time to come out.

Makinzie loving her role as the biggest sister. And just in case you missed it, she is really growing into a beautiful girl.

Addellyn was very concerned about her holding technique, but was really excited about finally seeing baby brother.Coleson was more concerned about showing everyone, including the near blind 8-hour old, the Robin (as in Batman's sidekick) toy he just got at McD's. He wasn't too worried about sitting still long enough to hold a little lumpy bundle. And here are some of the details the omission of which would bring down the wrath of all posessors of the double-X chromosome pair:

Born March 14, 2011 at 8:09 a.m.

Tipped the scales at 7 lbs. 6.1 oz.

Stretching those legs to 21.5 inches

He came out ready to eat. The other kids took a little while (at least a good 12 hours) to figure out how to best get something to eat. Not this little man. Before the eye goo even settled in, he had mastered the art of sucking his own fingers. Baby breakfast was not too far behind.

oh BOY!

This kid is ALL personality, ALL the time! It makes us wonder what this next little boy might be like??
A few days ago Coleson was struggling to get out the back door (he couldn't figure out the lock). He started to throw a HUGE fit about how his muscles weren't strong enough. So dad said: Coleson, just calm down, sometimes "Super Coleson" can't just use his muscles, you have to use your head. Coleson: My head can't open the door! Dad: Just think about it, use your brain to figure out what you need to do. Coleson: Like, cut open my head and pull my brain out with my hands???
WOW!

And can you tell who the "ham" is at preschool?? (this is MAD face)

If not, then this picture should clue you in... (this is HAPPY)

He came home the other day and started giggling to himself when I asked him how preschool was. I asked what was so funny? And he said: Well, Paul's mom wanted us to close our eyes and just use our ears, but I peek-did. She said, what was that sound? And I saided it was peanut butter, but it was really a whistle...HAhaHAhaha (he laughed pretty hard) then he said: and everyone else laughed-ed. (at the end he gave me his HUGE, I am so proud of myself look). Nice! Sorry Paul's mom!
I'm pretty sure this shirt fits...Especially if that brown patty that the monkey is eating happens to be made of chocolate like this s'more!

This is his "usual" look, no matter where we are. Well, either the boots, sword and shield, the superman or batman cape, or ALL of the above. And yes, that is Iron Man on his boots. He has become obsessed with super heros of all kinds.

This particular shield HAD to be made after Addellyn came home from her preschool with a card board shield. And he was so thrilled to be making a shield of his own, he took quite a bit of time on the design. However, after I cut it out and put a band on the back like Addellyn's, he was pretty upset (screaming and crying--he's either one extreme or another these days) because it needed a handle for his hand, like a REAL shield!

(I had only put an arm band on the back, like Addellyn's, however, his definitely needed another smaller band of cardboard for his hand to grasp on to...SILLY me!)And, every once in awhile he becomes quite the helper. He really likes to follow me around the kitchen, ALL the time, helping to unload dishes (especially large utensils that can be used as swords), but mainly just talking, sweet talking especially. Like yesterday...Coleson: Mom, do you wear flowers on your dresses because then everyone will think you are beautiful? Me: Yeah, I usually try really hard to make everyone think I am beautiful (with my sarcastic smirk). Coleson: Well, I think you ARE beautiful. --Melt my heart, as he looks up at me with his huge brown eyes---but then, Coleson: So, can I please have some apple juice with a straw? (super huge grin on his face).