It was such good luck that spring break lined up with Finn's birthday! The dental office is closed for the week, Kimberlea is off work, so Delwyn and I are spending some time in Utah. Finn's birthday was on Friday and Britta had planned a little party with pizza and cupcakes. Kade's family was there, Denya, Cody, and Ryan, and some of Britta and Kade's friends.
We got there in the afternoon and I gave Finn this ball. He patted on it and pushed it, and it was fun to play with him.
Calista saw our suitcases in the car and wanted to know where we were going. I told her we were going to Utah to celebrate Finn's birthday, and she asked if she could come too. So sweet! When I told her not this time, it's just too far away, she wanted to give him a crown she got from Burger King. I took a picture so I can show her when I get home.
Britta had such cute decorations! A picture from each month since he was born! Some of my favorites were:
Water baby!! Such a lucky boy to have grandparents with a pool in their backyard!
How cute is pumpkin Finn??
Wearing his Dad's hoodie because it's cold!
Balloons and a cute drape for the front of the high chair finished off the decorations.
I sure love this birthday boy!
Lots of love from Aunt Denya! I was surprised that Finn would leave his party hat on.
The Levers get life-sized cut outs of their boys when they go on missions. Cobb is in serving in California right now and Kade put a party hat on him so he could join the fun. Looks like Finn was happy to have his picture taken with Elder Lever.
We had cheese pizza from Costco. Britta and Kade were raving about how good it is, and I had a hard time believing them, because cheese pizza is so plain and boring! But it was amazing and I had take back my opinion. Haha. It's extra cheesey and has a tasty crust and I'd eat that cheese pizza any day!
Time for cupcakes! Finn wasn't sure what to think at first and touched it so gently and softly.
But he figured it out fast and was soon chowing down,
and decided it was pretty good! I was impressed he didn't make a very big mess!
Cody was so thoughtful to bring a gift. Finn is so sweet about everything, he patted the present and didn't have any desire to rip into it, he was happy just to pat it.
Britta helped get it unwrapped.
Little boys and fire trucks are the perfect combination.
Finn was pretty intrigued with the ribbon on this present from Grandpa and I. It was so fun to pull on it, and
it made him laugh.
A balance trike! Emma has one and really loves it.
A few weeks ago Finn had cotton candy for the first time and Britta thought it would be so fun to have some at his birthday party. I borrowed Wade's cotton candy machine, Christie got some jolly ranchers, and we were in business! It took a few tries to figure it out,
and Kade had it mastered in no time! Such a fun addition to the party!
Watermelon was one of our favorite flavors.
After the party there was a little bit of lemonade left in the dispenser, so a game began to see who could drink it up. The jar has a really wide lip, so it's hard to pour out the lemonade without getting it all down the front of you.
Denya put it up to her lips several times and then started laughing so hard that she had to put it back down. After a hand full of times she got brave and was able to drink some. By then we had all laughed so hard our stomachs were hurting.
Ryan was the champion guzzler!
Happy Birthday to our sweet Finn boy!!
Denya has been wanting Delwyn to see a play at the Hale Theater for a LONG time! The Prince of Eqypt is playing right now and so we went. It was amazing, of course! Everything at the Hale is incredible. I wasn't familiar with the music, which is what makes a play so outstanding, but it was still really good.
Delwyn went to Malad to help Blair with some wiring in his basement and I am spending the week at Britta's. Wade needs a copy of his birth certificate, so Britta and I made a day trip to Logan. We visited Ryan and Adrienne, and went to Bliss, a dress store that I love. We also met up with Gordon and his family for dinner. It's been so fun to do that, and it's a little sad to think that this is Ryan's last semester and there might not be many more chances left.
We went to El Toro Viejo, which is one of my favorite places in Logan.
Britta invited Lexie and Giancarlo, and it was fun to see them again. They have been such good friends to Britta and Kade, and he was Ryan's roommate one year.
Gordon and Julie are some pretty proud grandparents! As they should be!
I was so happy Tanner and Charly came and brought Tatum. She isn't even a month old yet, and it can be challenging to go out in public with such a little newborn. She is so adorable!
Gordon practicing his grandpa technique so he'll be ready for Tatum when she's older.
Delwyn knitted so many stockings last year that he was a little forlorn without any knitting projects when Christmas was over. As soon as Tatum was born and we knew her name, Delwyn started knitting and had it done in less than a week! I gave it to them when we went to dinner and they were so surprised, excited, and appreciative. The next day they send me this sweet, which was so sweet of them.
Finn is always such a happy boy!
He sneaked into his parents bed one night and made himself so comfortable.
Finn's got a great ride!
On Wednesday, March 19, Finn had an MRI and he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which means that he had a stroke sometime while still in the womb. He has always favored his left hand and his right just kind of hangs down and he doesn't use it much. He curls his fingers into a loose fist. My dad is left handed and there are a few other kids in the extended family that are left handed, so we didn't think too much about it. Britta noticed when he started trying to crawl that he couldn't support himself on his right side. He has been going to physical therapy and the therapist told Britta about a study at the University of Utah that she thought Finn might qualify for. Britta took him for an evaluation and they suggested he get an MRI.
We are heart broken and so devastated. It is such a heavy diagnosis. There is a big range of how cerebral palsy affects the body, the doctors are optimistic that he will be high functioning, but it will definitely be a big challenge with years of therapy. We love this sweet boy with all our hearts and he is a huge blessing in our lives. Praying so hard that he can overcome the challenges. The next couple of days were of kind of grim as we accepted this situation, but I was thankful I was there to give my support and love in person at such a difficult time.
Denya came over one night and we got frozen yogurt. I had green apple with caramel sauce and it was seriously one of the best things I have ever tasted!
We had planned to stop at Mom's for a couple of days on our way home. Britta decided she wanted to see Grandma too, so I rode with her on the way from South Jordan to Roosevelt. Grandma was very happy to see Finn, as she doesn't get to see him very often.
Playing with toys I think Grandma has had since Austin was a baby!
Look at that Grandpa smile! I swear Finn makes Delwyn smile more than anybody else can.
Britta went home Saturday early evening, we stayed for Sacrament Meeting and then headed home. I realized a few years ago I don't have very many pictures with my Mom, so I try to take one now every time I see her.
So happy I had this week to run away from home and see my Utah family!
