Who knew?

Dear Journal

I've always considered myself to be an educated person. I finished high school with fabulous grades, went on to college where I proceeded to study hard for the next for years resulting in what they tell me is a Bachelors degree. (They say that this peice of paper gives me the right to claim I have brains). So I'm wondering, in all my years of classes and after the what seemed like hundreds of classes that I've taken, how come no one ever told me??????

Two year olds rule the world!!!!!!

I didn't realize how much I don't know. I had no idea that my skills as a learned individual were so heavily rusted. All of these things, I am quickly being brought up to date on.

Currently my two year is helping me brush up on my reading skills. Yes, you heard me right, my Reading Skills. In fact, I must be a horrendous reader, because every time we sit down to read a book, I'll finish and she tells me to "Read it again!" What a wonderful child I have, so patient and willing to help me strengthen this weakness I never knew existed. She's even willing to sit through the easy books, so I can practice and hopefully be able to move up to the chapter books someday!

She's also teaching me about Nutrition, Yes, I also desperately need to change our diet around here. This just in, but actually the latest in dietary news is that we're all suppose to live off of Chocolate now. (I know, this was news to me too!!) Isn't she such a dear to correct me every time I try to get her to eat a sandwich for lunch, or at least have some fruit? And Dinner? It's just a useless meal that adults think is necessary because they're too weak to wait until breakfast (which should be the only meal of the day). Lunch is just an occasional snack if in need of a quick pick me up.

The best part is how she is really encouraging me to manage my time better. I've realized that now with a 2 year old and a 6 week old baby that idle, unimportant errands like, lets say, grocery shopping really are pointless, and going to play with "friends" is a much better use of our time (I'd have to agree with you on that one kid). Rumor also has it that hanging up laundry to dry is also better done wadded up and thrown back into the basket, or better yet, we should just put it back in the washer and do it all over again, things can never get too clean. It's also a good idea not to even bother trying to accomplish a personal goal, like sewing, playing the piano, cooking for longer then 5 minutes, making a craft, heck, even just showering. I've started listening to books on tape while I work, so as not to seem unavailable if my said two year old needs me (or the baby needs to be saved from her constant adoration). But really, it's all pointless, and I need to stop trying- she claims I'll be loads happier, and have lot's more time for more important things like playing blocks with her.

Other lessons I've learned are: Sandals are a winter shoe, 2 year olds are way too young to give up their binky's, and definitely too young for potty training ("No thanks Mommy" she tells me with a very sweet smile on her face) Naps are optional, and pens, which are much better then pencils, can be used on any surface imaginable! (No kidding!! :) The only shows on TV worth watching are Sesame Street, Curious George, and Angelina Ballerina? And the current movies blowing out the box office include Winnie the Pooh and Signing Time. Don't bother with the rest, they're duds anyway. Did you also know that two year old girls come programed knowing how to apply their own make-up? And their skills are out of this world!

Seriously, what would I do without her? I've learned so much! I feel so enlighten and indebted to my two year old to have been gracious enough to have taught me these things! What a waste my 4 year education was! How pointless were the countless hours of nonprofit sibling watching I was required to do as a teen! (10 siblings and a Minor doesn't hold a candle to her knowledge of child development) And how utterly useless my own motherly intuition is- to think I might possibly know something different about life that my sweet darling 2 year old does not.

I owe her so much. Bless you child, bless you.

The sad sad tale of a second child

I feel for this kid, I truly do. I know how he feels, because I too am a child #2. The first one gets all the attention, all the new toys, all the laughs, and amazed reactions. #2 is lucky enough to get noticed. Poor kid already has less pictures and blog posts then his sister did at this age, how could I have done this to my own child when I too am a child #2? :)

That's what I was thinking about today. So I figured it was time to give the cutest little chubby baby boy on the planet a little spotlight time.

Once upon a time,

I started out small, I weighed only 8 lbs here

What's a guy to do? I'm so little they don't notice me!

Gotta think,...but first a nap...

and maybe another one.

I've got to think of a way to get them to notice me,...

I know I'll grow bigger then Alaina!

I realize I'm only 4 weeks right here but you know, I'm planning on outgrowing my big sister in the very near future so I'm measuring my progress.

That might take a year or two, until then, I'll just work on bulking up.

Weight at birth 7lbs 14 oz.

Weight at 1 Month 10lbs 11oz

*Today he's 6 weeks old and I swear he's probably 12lbs. He has fat rolls that Alaina couldn't dream of having! Way to go champ!

Weddings...

So whilst I was a little preoccupied welcoming Garrett into this world, I missed a few what I would consider MAJOR family events. I missed the weddings of my dear cousin Ashley on Oct. 10th to Matt Stapleton. And my little brother Eric's wedding on Nov. 14th to Ariane Manwaring. (Wahoo! I now have a Gibson sister in law! We need a little more female influence in our very male dominated family ;) These are some of the pictures I've managed to get my way.

Matt, interestingly enough is 1st cousins to Ryan Allen, a 3rd year dental student at NYU who also happens to be in our ward in Staten Island. Small world.

Ariane and Eric are high school sweethearts (*sigh-don't you love it when those work out?) So they've been dating forever :) We're happy they decided to take the plunge! While they were visiting us in August, Eric proposed at the top of the Empire State Building! How's that for memorable?

This is a picture of my Grandpa, Ronald Hall. He's a big reason I'm sad I missed these weddings. Currently, he and my Grandma are living in Monterrey, Mexico serving as part of the temple presidency. So not only did I miss a chance to see them, but these were the first two weddings he was able to preform for family members, and I wasn't there. How lucky are they to be sealed by someone who's known them their whole lives? Unless he dies before sealing my last and youngest cousin (whoever that might be-they're probably not born yet) I'll be the only grandchild not having this privilege (I was the first grandchild married, Ashley and Eric were second and third--only 60+ to go...). I have to admit I'm jealous of my brother and cousin, why he couldn't have been called just a few years earlier so he'd be able to preform my wedding, I don't know -I'll have to bring that up with the guy in charge someday :)

Happy Eternities!!!

WHY OUR MEDICINE IN AMERICA STINKS!!!!!

Sorry if the title is a little negative, but I just experienced somthing that opened my eyes to the current medical situation in our Country. I came into school this morning early at 7 am for a presentation on invisalign and implants. We got done at 8 and I had a few hours before my lab course so I decided to head up the street a few blocks to the NYU med school library were I like to study. Right in between the NYU dental and Medical schools is the famous Bellevue Hospital. This hospital is famous for it's treatment during 9/11, as well as the insane. as I walked in front of the hospital on the opposite side of the street I walked right into a group of people standing around. I noticed they were looking at a lady that was on the ground in excruciating pain. Having just studied the night before on how to properly react in a medical emergency I asked does someone need to call 911. A gentlemen that seemed to be in control said "NO" "someone is heading into the hospital to get emergency help". I thought ok this is undercontrol, I should walk away. Then I got the impression, no I need to make sure medical help is really coming. so I went straight through the front doors to the receptionist of the hospital and told her about the problem. She said go tell the Emergency Room and pointed down the hall. So I ran about 35 yards down the hall to the Emergency Room. I ran up to two ladies behind a glass counter and told them they said "go tell that guy over there", and pointed to a man behind a podium talking to people in a line. I went straight up to the man and he gave me a hand in my face like don't talk to me. That wasn't going to stop me, so I told the man there's a lady having a medical emergency out on the street and she needs assistance immediatly. The man looked at me and said "We can't help her you need to call 911". I said you can't send anyone out to help her. He said no is she right in front of the building I said Yes on the other side of the street. He said unless she's right in front of the building we can't help and you need to call 911. This lady was positioned exactly 15 yards in front of the front doors of one of Americas "Greatest Hospitals" and no one was willing to walk out and get her and bring her in to receive medical assistance. Maybe this is my problem maybe it's something I don't understand. Heres this facility designed to save lives and yet they don't have the ability to walk out there front door go directly across a 4 lane street and give someone medical assistance. 100's of doctors and nurses trained and primed for saving lives, believe me I know I hear about it all day long in my classes from doctors trying to prepare us for medical emergencies, and not one can go 15 yards to help someone. I went alot farther to try and find help for this person I don't even know, and I'm only trained to save teeth. To make a long story longer I ran out of the emergency room calling 911, and they sent an ambulance to the scene, just to pick her up and take her across the street. She laid there on the concrete in excruciating pain while all those Doctors and Nurses on the inside of that hospital walked by drinking there morning Lattes and talking about the Yankees or the Knicks. I'm glad I ran into that hospital, I learned that there was nobody in the hospital trying to get help for this lady as the man at the scene stated, and I learned how screwed up our Countries Medical System truly is!

Becoming a Bronco's Fan

Ever wonder how people pick which sport team they're going to be a lifelong diehard fan of their entire lives? Well I couldn't tell you because apparently I missed the Sports Fan for Life class, but I tell you what, Grant will see to it that our kids do not. So if your interested, I hear there's always room for more in the...

Bronco's Fan club

Accepting new members ages newborn to nearly dead.

How did we ever live without him?

Well I have to admit it, there's a new man in my life. Not to replace Grant, but another little man to share a piece of my heart. I never knew my life could be so full.

Well life is moving on at our house. My mom came out for a week and we were so grateful for her help!! Alaina loved the attention and I was so grateful to be able to rest and relax. Things have gone so smoothly so far, I really am so blessed. I took him into his first doctors appointment today and he's already gained everything he lost after being born, plus six ounces. He's now 8 lbs. 4 oz. and they also said he grew a half an inch (sometimes I wonder how accurate that measurement is). I really can't believe how big he is! After having a petite little 6 pound baby the first time, a nearly 8 pounder seems HUGE! I feel like I learned so much of what not to do after having a baby, that I was a lot smarter this time around and have been able to make things work a lot better. I guess I probably should set the record straight about having no drugs, yes I did do it naturally and am darn proud of myself (I don't know if that's legal, but yes-I'm proud of myself). I ended up being induced again- erg!! (so I guess my poll was rigged-but unintentionally). We decided to go that route because my labors seem to be short and I was afraid of Grant being in the city and not being able to get back. I really REALLY didn't want to do that again, but Someone let me know it was what needed to happen. I didn't really do anything special to prepare for an unmedicated birth, (I think lamaze breathing is just a good way to end up hyperventilating --for me anyway). But if I have to be completely and totally honest--I really thought I was going to chicken out! But then I ran out of time and so it was a good thing I was open minded about it to begin with, looking back I don't think I would have had much of a choice anyway. But, if you were only in labor for an hour and 15 min. and only had to push for 3 min, it probably would be pretty doable for anyone! So really you can look at it two ways; it was my choice, or I had no choice. My nurse was really impressed with me and said "It's been many moons since someone's done it naturally around here, I'm glad to see that it still works!" (I think she meant people who actually want to do it w/o drugs) My Dr. just said "it's a good thing you were okay with that, because getting an epidural probably wouldn't have worked anyways." She was out in the hall talking to the anesthesiologist telling him to wait a few more minutes and see if I'd give in -3 minutes before he was born! Anywho--sorry if you didn't want all the details, but maybe you did. Here's our adorable kiddos! Now that the swelling has gone down in his face, we're starting to see who this little guy really is---He's SO CUTE!

These are just some pictures from today. Alaina wasn't very interested in him which was surprising because she talks about all the other babies in our ward non stop. I guess she didn't know how handle her mother being occupied by another child, this will be a big adjustment for her. Aleisha calls him the man child they brought him to her this morning with his hair parted and nicely combed, she said he looked like a little man. Poor kid has my hair line as you can tell, and I still haven't seen his eyes, he does not like to open them, but Aleisha says they look like Alaina's did so we'll see if he ends up with blue eyes or not. But both Aleisha and Garrett are doing well today, and he seams to be a very docile baby, he doesn't cry much and when he does he kind of growls.

Garrett Dee Petersen

He finally came!!!!!!!!! Everything went really well. Our experience with Alaina in Rexburg was horrible, and so we were a little terrified about how this one was going to go, but keeping our fingers crossed it has gone great so far. The nurses were awesome, and did a great job monitoring Aleisha and the baby, and everything went so smooth, and even our doctor was right there with us monitoring and keeping tabs on us. Garrett weighs 7 lbs 14 oz and is 20 inches long and he looks just like Alaina did except chunkier, and a little bit more hair. One of the nurses said he needs his first hair cut which is funny because that's what the doctor said when I was born. Aleisha did the whole thing without any drugs, no epidural nothing, and she did really well. Here's a few pictures it's really late, and I have to get to bed, but I'll post more as I take Alaina in for the first time tomorrow.

With his big thighs, he's destined to be our next running back.

VOTE ON MY POLL!!!

This is a limited time offer so we'll see who's right! My mom fly's in on Tuesday night so quite frankly we really hope it doesn't take that long.

This kid should have been born 2 weeks ago according to my Dr,-- Don't ever believe it if they say you'll have them any day, I've obviously proved that wrong. Cross your fingers for us!

Hellow...Grandma? This is 'Laina

Yesterday I got this funny email from my my mom...

Alaina called us twice this morning.

I thought maybe you had given her the phone to tell us she was a big sister, but from what I was able to understand, you were in the shower at the time.

I asked her if Daddy was home; I think she said yes, so I told her to give him the phone, but no one else ever came on the line.

I finally said goodbye and hung up. She called right back, Scott answered and she said "Hi, Daddy". He told her he wasn't Daddy and she said goodbye.

This was only the 2nd time I've ever dared take a shower when she was awake, I wondered why she wasn't banging on the bathroom door crying for me to come out this time. I can't believe she actually scrolled down through all my contacts and randomly hit "Home".  Grant was actually at school at the time, so she must have been confused at who to give it too, but I can imagine how excited she must have been when she called back and heard a deep voice thinking it was daddy and not knowing it was actually her Uncle Scott! Silly kid.