Going for Great

Master Harrison is now 5 months old.  Yea, he can sit up and yep, he is pretty impressive.  He also likes to roll both ways and has recently been getting on all fours.  I kind of want to push him down when he does that because I really don't want another premature mover, like Brenna! 

It has been a rough month for baby Harrison (again!).  We have had to take him in for weight checks because he wasn't gaining weight, and then he was losing weight.  I don't supply the sustenance he needs and we tried 3 different formulas to supplement, but that just caused all sorts of tummy trouble.  I cut that out (haven't told the dr that yet, hope his weight check is ok!) and now we are just diving into all solid foods with my low milk supply!  I think things are going better....

 I also had a birthday last week-yay for me! The kids (and Dave) were super excited all week and that made it fun.  Dave took the baby in the basement so I wouldn't hear him cry all night, as a gift to me.  In theory, it was so thoughtful.  However, my body really needed to feed that kid, so I kept waking up, hoping it was nursing time!  I got to spend some time at the spa for a massage and pedicure.  Again, in theory, it was just what I needed.  However, my therapist may have been trying to kill me.  She could have pushed me through the massage table with the force of her arms.  I kept telling myself that I have been through childbirth, I can handle the hour massage, I must need that pressure because my knots were terrible.  We had a yummy dinner out and then cake and ice cream with the kids, my parents and Paige and Jason.  Dave had every detail worked out.  He was very thoughtful!

And so, I start another year of life, and with January, we start another year in the world.  This year our family theme we chose is Phillipans 4:13 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.' So glad we picked this before my massage!  Ha! 

I have been thinking a lot about "greatness."  A blog I came across a girl said she knew she was destined for it because they were packing up their family and moving to a big city and a prestigious career.  I have since thought, what about my greatness?  I have only ever lived in Utah, I chose to stay home with my kids after I finished my undergraduate program, I am insignificant in the eyes of the world...and yet...the best example of greatness I know of is not anyone who sought fame or acknowledgement...it is our Savior who lived the ultimate life of greatness.  I want to be that kind of 'great.'  I want to serve and bring others happiness and to the truth.  I want my kids to know that they are great not strictly because of what they accomplish but because of who they are.  So, that's what we are going for here, and truthfully, a night of great sleep is the greatness that we seem to be most concerned with at the moment!! 

Holiday Recap

 The holiday season zoomed in and out and we had a great time!  Harrison had lots of Christmas outfits that needed to be documented (thanks for the hand me downs Kelsey!).  So, please note the cute red and green seasonal appropriate baby clothes in each picture! 





Christmas Eve was highly anticipated by the kids.  Brenna has asked over and over what time Santa and 'his goats' were gonna come to our house.  She really wanted Santa's mother with glasses (I'm thinking Mrs Claus) could come too.  It was fun to point out when it was Christmas Eve that it was the night we'd all been waiting for.  We had our Petrick family Christmas party at grandma's.  Harry wanted in on the game too, obviously.  The kids were fast asleep in our house by 9:30pm.  Last year, Dave changed our clocks so he would get an extra hour of sleep Christmas morning.  I told him this was not to be done to my clock this year, but he still did it to the kids!  They couldn't figure out why they were so awake and the clock still said 6:00!  Harrison showed everyone his new trick of standing (propped against the couch).  He looks so fetching in his Christmas jammies!

 

We read our scriptures, opened presents and stayed in jammies pretty much the entire day of Christmas...and it was wonderful!  Grandma and Grandpa and Shannon came over for our traditional quiche breakfast and to see the loot. 

 

 

 

This year was perfect for the ages of our kids.  They all found Christmas to be very magical and both Dave and I made mention of it.  Harrison finds everyday magical, if it consists of eating at all hours and keeping his mommy up. 

 





 

Later in the day, Aunt Amy and Evan came over.  Brandon, Malia and baby Jack came too to have food and play games.  It was a laid back, fabulous day. 

 

 

 The week after Christmas, someone in our family always gets sick.  True to that tradition, Grant contracted strep and croup and Brenna came down with croup too.  So, New Years we were quarantined, no family or friends dared be in our presence!  But, we had the party of a lifetime.  We had a Just Dance dance off- which Dave took very seriously, as can be noted in this pic...

Sorry guys, I'm still the reigning champion.  Maybe next year you can beat me!  Katelee got a new Headbandz game for Christmas where you act out the card on your head, yep, pretty much Charades.  Harry even joined in.  He never guessed any of his cards correctly!  ;)

  We watched Holes-Dave and Brenna fell asleep and the big kids and I frantically woke them for the final countdown.  Our individual Martinelli's were toasted and we welcomed in 2014.  Now the kids are back to school. 

 

 While I love the routine, I miss getting that extra few min of sleep and I really miss how they kept the baby entertained so much throughout the Christmas break.  Katelee even can soothe her baby brother to sleep sometimes.  We enjoyed most of the break and the kids loved having time with their cousins and adorable baby Harrison!