How about more pics than post? I like that plan.
Here's some that Annie took for us on their way out of town. She spoiled us with her photography skills:

 Colton and Eden, 2 weeks apart.

Maybe we should have uncovered Colton face a little-oh well, a family pic at this point is a family pic!

 2 Days Old. LOVE this little guy!



Grama and I, (especially me) are not photographers, but we always have at least a phone camera in my guys faces. Maybe someday I'll learn to edit photos but for now, it is what it is, but there's something about that I kind of like too. 

Colton 8 days old.

 

 



From the phones...

My mom is like our live in maid. Its great. She cooks, she cleans, She does laundry. AND she even claims to like it. ~crazy~ but I'm just so happy she's here and happy my boys are getting lots of good Grama time. I can do 2 kids with her around...without??? Well, luckily I don't have to find out yet. Isaac has been great too.

 

Cannon loved the catchers mask Colton gave him but life got even better when we sent dad on a diaper run to Wal-Mart and they announced over the intercom that all the baseball gear was 75% off. We'd mentioned a batting helmet but I'm so happy I didn't buy one since dad scored this one for $4. He takes it off to give high fives because "that's what the players do" like when we watch highlights and they'd hit a home run or something. Anyway, he's cute. He's been into soccer lately too.

 



 

 

Of  course there is so much more, Colton's a good little baby but definitely has a more sensitive stomach than Cannon had. So we're figuring that out. ~Sigh~ (Maybe I forgot how much you get peed pooped and puked on with the little  guys...but it seems like Colton's got me more in a week than Cann did in 2 years) They days seem to be flying by but they are good and enjoyable so I'm happy. Isaac headed back to school this week. He's getting his schedule all ironed out. I'm glad its him and not me but he seems to be "excited" is not the right word but good with all his classes so far and the track he's on for what he wants to accomplish so all in all-we'll take it.

The week our little brother came...

I don't think I'm supposed to be able to remember much from the week until Wed right? We stayed busy though- Cannon got his new dozer from Grama that he saved his dollars from pooping in the potty for- it was ultra fun and exciting! Monday it was back to the Dr. and we decided to go for it on Wed. Oh the other thing that happened is we were FaceTime'n Grampa Chip and I got a glimpse of my hair from the top. Ahhhhhhhh-all of the sudden getting my hair fixed became a pretty high priority! I l liked the blonde streaks but the leopard spots had to go!! Luckily a guy in our ward and his mom have a Salon and they were able get me in on Tues. I'm WAY blonde now but it was the only way to fix it, it's nice-until the regrowth shows up, and I don't feel like its me when I look in the mirror. Oh well. We'll fix it as we go :)

Just last week I was saying how I'm not a detail person when it comes to pregnancy labor delivery etc... And now I write out this part- I'm a liar!!!- cuz here come the details but I had ended up without real journal paper so I had to type little hints in my phone and then try to piece it back together so this is pretty much the only journal I have of Colton's birth:
Wednesday we had to be at the hospital at 5am, the Dr. came at 8 he broke my water to get things going. It was an induction/but really I was far enough along by time he got there that they didn't have to classify it as that, and really hallelujah he came when he did (2 weeks early) he was big enough!! He peed all over me and the Dr when he came out or he might have been those 2 more ounces and a full 9 lbs. anyway back to the story, they started pitocin to regulate my labor and get a good pattern and shortly thereafter I was telling them to bring on the epidural. Once that was in they cranked up the pitocin but Colt Buddy didn't like it and his heart rate dipped so they turned it off  but I kept my good labor pattern and made it the whole rest of the way without it. I was happy about that, I just think that stuff is rough on us. Anyway He arrived at 1:33pm

 

Things went a million times smoother --and quicker--than with Cannon! The Dr. asked how it had gone with Cannon, and I told him it took forever so he went back to the lounge to get comfortable and it was like not even ten min and we were ready for him to be back! I was proud of my body-is that weird? But it had done the hardest thing- and I felt like it was so efficient this time. He still had to do an episiotomy but no big deal. So there's those details.

Now here I go with the aftermath/worst few hours of my life: when the dust settled and I tried to get up. Lets call it my first "at bat" a ...fly out at best. I had most of the feeling back in my legs but was still just numb enough to not know I was killing myself. Disaster, I made it to the restroom, but not back-passed out (luckily Dad and Cannon had gone to see our new brother in the nursery-I passed out after Cann was born too and Isaac was more scared than mad but I definitely got in big trouble by him for not being more careful) back to this go around...2 hours later and some drugs on board I was great! So while my mom went to tell them we were golden as far as moving rooms I started to text people the good news. I set my phone down but then sat up to look at a response strike one! I was hurt and I knew it but now they were coming to move rooms so sitting up to get in the wheel chair needed to happen and I didn't want to back out, plus I hadn't connected all the sit up disaster dots at that point, so I sat up and got in the wheel chair. Strike 2, but they just wheeled me to the recovery room cuz I didn't say anything. I didn't really like the nurse in the new room (the L&D one was awesome!!!!! But prego and due only one day after me-poor girl) anyway, what happened was I wanted some ibuprofen and basically the new nurse told me to go jump in a lake- I had gotten meds but nothing for cramps- punk nurse! Apparently they ONLY give that medicine at 2:00 so if you have a baby at 1:33 then have to get sewn up and all that crud your just toast. So stupid. And really she ended up looking and seeing that I hadn't had any and bringing some but she made a big stink about how I couldn't  have more until the next morning anyway it was dumb and all over an anti-inflammatory for cramps. But  that was the trouble because that's what I had wanted medicine for --cramping-then they switched nurses and that's what got relayed. So then my strike 3 was me trying to get up to go to the restroom again I didn't even get sat up, it was a huge strikeout! I felt like all of my organs, parts, whatever down in that sit up zone had been folded like an accordion then smashed in a vice grip! And the new nurse thought I just had cramps. Nooooo, Not just cramps-cramps were nothing! Anyway the slowly tightening vice grip HELL (sorry but it was) went on for almost 2 hours. I sweat, and cried, and thrashed around, and bit the sheets, and wiped cold wet rags on my head and anything else we could think of but it did not get better. (So much for being "proud" of my body right?)  Cannon was there and so tough while mom was "sick" I tried to have him distract me as much as I could, and Colton just slept like a champ, while my mom worried and tried to help. I'd sent Isaac to his church mtg earlier assuring him I was fine. I had been, once upon a time. One of the nurse assistants (whom Cannon asked if she was an angel when she came in-so cute) told me the next day she had never seen anyone hurt like that and that she had thought something was "really wrong" she was way too old and nice to straight up be calling me a wuss- but I thought about that statement after, but I'll get back to that. Basically they couldn't get ahold of the Dr. so their hands were tied, I ended up texting Isaac and he and our Bishop left the meeting (with a member of the seventy...I tried so hard to let him stay) and came and gave me a blessing. I'm so thankful, but might I add- the above described state is not how I wanted to be seen by the bishop-or anyone- but he was so nice, nice to come, offered to take Cannon, assured me it was fine they left the meeting etc. So nice! My pain did not go away immediately but I was able to stop thrashing/crying which was huge. And shortly after they got approval from the on call Dr. to give me some shot then my Dr. actually ended up calling and getting me a series of more shots and explaining what it could have been and that it was likely related to how big Colton was and how fast he came (none of which seemed like a big enough deal for how much pain I had but...he knows more than I do and point is he was taking care of me) anyway I later reflected on the "really wrong" comment, I know something was Really Wrong, but I also know there was healing power in that priesthood blessing and I am so thankful to Isaac for being a worthy priesthood holder and that he makes it a priority in his life. We don't see eye to eye on everything! When I ask him to stay close to Cannon in the hospital and he says "I am" but Cannon is 30 yards away gleefully running and screaming down the hall-I want to ring his neck!!!!!  But on other things he's the best, he had a long drive so I took a few minutes but he was and is Jonny on the Spot when I needed a blessing, I married a good guy!! And it was easily the worst two hours of my life but its pretty cool how even that strengthened my testimony of the priesthood. Oh and same cute old nurse helper lady that Cann asked if was an angel later wondered if Isaac was a mormon missionary because of how he was dressed and "there was just something about him" it was a cute compliment but funny to me that she knew that mormon missionaries weren't supposed to date but didn't conclude that would mean they also weren't supposed to have children haha I just thought it was funny. Anyway, that little episode put the kibosh on getting out of the hospital after one night but it also made two nights more understandable. So rough on Cann though. Colton and I stayed Thurs night by ourselves and did good, he's a cutie and I love him more and more every time I hold or look at him! I love the special bond I get to have with my boys! I have been worried sick about Cannon for weeks as I have never spent a night away from him, he did SO GOOD THOUGH all day Wednesday and for about half of Thurs but then he'd had it and wanted things back to normal. He wanted us ALL to go home. He made himself sick-broke my heart! He even told Grama he wanted a broken arm so he could go to the Hospital, and wrapped his arm in his silky like a cast. But did so much better today when Grama assured him they were going to get me today and things were going to be normal.
I was really impressed with the hospital and the staff (maybe punk nurse was having a bad day because she totally didn't fit in there, EVERYONE else was WONDERFUL!!) Hospital food...bad enough! but southern hospital food-even worse. Yay for being home and little delicacies like salt...you'd have thought I was a heart patient.

And now it's Friday and we're HOME, welcome Colton, we love you and are SO HAPPY you came to our little family!

Grama and Cannon planted me some flowers and Baby Colton brought Cannon some presents that he's had fun with, he is always wanting to be by "My Brudder" or knowing what he's doing.



He got a couple other things but you can see the catcher mask was the favorite.



Love this one cuz is shows Colton's hair...
We do cut Cannon's but head to head Colton's got more right now!

What else? This is so long how could there be more?... But the Nielson's move today :( They stopped by to meet Colton on their way out of town and it was a fun visit, but I am so sad too. Cannon and Ayla just played and played and we just visited and visit-just like its supposed to be right? ...

 



But I've got to wrap up. Cann was in the sand when I started this project-and he's not now so Isaacs got his hands full. And I shouldn't have typed that sentence because Colton just got hit. Dangit.  

Little Bro made it TODAY

Name...? Probably Colton Isaac Ison, if not someone's going to have to convince Cannon its different, he's been sold on it since May--and hey, he's been to heaven more recently than I have

8lbs 14oz 

20.5 inches long

And I think Big Bro likes him!

And he shares his birthday with President Monson-that's kinda fun.

No Bro Yet....

No little bro yet--and yea they're worried about him being big, the fact that I eat every 10 minutes can't be helping that, it's ridiculous, but it's reality for me right now and it's ugly if I don't so Eat Eat Eat it is.  Saturday Cannon and Ayla got to go to the water park with their dads, Cann had a blast and it was nice for me to just relax. Sunday we had some friends over for dinner, I really think that is one of Isaac's favorite things-to have people over. I get pretty wound up sometimes, he says I complicate it, but I come by it naturally I'm Jeannette's daughter :) Once everything is ready though we always have fun and Sunday was no different, we had a great visit.

Monday... Just another day of sitting abound the house for us, it rained again though so we made the FHE activity another walk/frog hunt.

Monday was also Day 1 in the MTC for Grandma and Grandpa Ison! And we started a little mission blog for them that will be fun.

Tuesday was back to the Dr. so anticipated but...just scheduled me another appointment for next week. I'm not real into labor and delivery -I seriously have a friend who told me she was "hooked" on it one time CRAZY- and really pregnancy either, I have pretty much one word for it, it starts with H and rhymes with Well :) so anyway I'm not real into saying a lot. (The results TOTALLY worth it though I do love being a mom!!!) But anyway funny Isaac story we were talking about dilation and such and he was just shaking his head, saying "no way, how can they tell, that's too small" and things like that but Mr Mechanic was totally thinking millimeters -sizes of wrenches and such- instead of centimeters! I thought it was pretty funny and no wonder he was baffled. 

Wednesday my mom got into town :) yeah!!!! SO FUN, but I probably did more that day than I've been doing in a week! So tired! Oh well, she's here now so little bro can come any time. Isaac was so cute that night we were laying in bed and he said "It's really good to have your mom here huh?" and it is and was just really sweet of him to say that too!

I'm worried about little Cann Man and his world changing but I also think he's doing really well. 

This week he's into singing "I am a child of God"  All if the time, when we're playing baseball, in the car, when he's in trouble... Its super cute and effective at melting my heart whether I was frustrated or not. And he really loves the bible videos, the Good Samaritan and Samuel the Lamanite are his favorite :) 

We're just loving having Grama here-thankful Grampa Chip let us steal her, and feel bad for him. Oh and when we were going to pick her up from the airport Cannon said "No Grama ride airplane, just us, just mom and Tann Man, I wanna go to Grama's house."

And...we'll blame this little project on little brother for not being here yet. I totally talked my mom into dying my hair-we both know better but I was just persuasive enough. She was saying "I'm not a hair dresser" the whole time and I was saying "I don't care."

It definitely looks like one of those "Home Jobs" HAHA (Extra ironic because of the conversation she had with my Aunt -an excellent hair dresser- on the way down to Vegas.) But in the words of Grampa Cottam "Good enough for who its for!" We have a few splotches and I need to part it on the other side, but I'm just so happy its blonde. Brother better hurry up though, cuz who knows what we'll try next...

So this week marks a year of living in Mississippi for us, kind of crazy to think about. By time Cannon and I went home in Sept, for Grama Frei's funeral in Oct, for Christmas in Dec, Grama came to Shreveport in Feb, then our spontaneous trip the end of March, in April for his birthday, and in July, we've survived living so far from family...but I just don't know if 6 trips a year is sustainable :( We'll do our best though!!
So the week:

 

Saturday was Home Depot Day! YEA, and Isaac's last day of work, YEA!!!! It was great when Cannon would say "No Daddy doe work." This week to be able to tell him he wouldn't have to. They've needed and had some male bonding this week. Isaac's been talking to him about being a big boy and not being the baby, I think its super cute. And he loves helping!

Helping Dad cook breakfast, and do visits!

Sunday we had the Nielson's over for dinner and Cann Man set the table, we had a great time and fun visit but life really got good for Cann man when we decided to go for a walk and it turned into a "frog hunt" **in his underwear, he does have clothes I promise...oh well.

 

I've been pretty lazy this week and Isaac's been great to help, its been nice. Its definitely weird though because he hasn't been around and we have different parenting styles on some things that have definitely shown up. Oh well, I'm sure we'll settle in to a routine soon, as the week's gone on its got better...
Oh Wednesday Ayla got a new baby sister so we got to help out a little and Cannon got some good friend time. Both times he woke up from his nap and asked "Where Aya bug at?" So fun for him...so sad they are leaving. Thursday night we went to the baseball game with Isaac's new Brazilian friends from school, and we've hit the pool a few times.

I told him he could "lick the bowl" whoops...I needed to explain.

I complained last week about the power going out, this week it was an afternoon and all night with out AC. UGGGG, it was awful, and the fans just don't cut it. Its so sweaty and sticky and gross. Anyway. I taught sharing time and it was fun and went well but, dang, the next week comes quick. Little brother's coming along, I didn't get a commitment out of the Dr. as far as next week but I'm good with that too, I don't want to rush him! I'm all for him getting any last minute instructions he needs I'm just hoping he gets those instructions before he's the size of a toddler! Its way crazy for me to think he could be here before I did another "Friday post" Am I ready?... Is there such thing as ready?

And today's goose egg from "running the bases" in the house but not picking up the coloring book off the floor first, which led to a wipe out into the couch. Bummer. Thank Goodness for those silkies, they make everything feel better.

Happy to report a better week of potty training, not perfect! Some frustrating accidents, like when he went clear in the bathroom climbed up on the stool-then peed all over (not 20 min after I'd cleaned the bathroom) but we are plugging along :) actually this morning after dry all night!!! he wanted to watch the tablet, so he got up and used the potty then got his dad up to watch it with him, and since dad grabbed his glasses, Cannon had to have his glasses too, I loved it. So cute.

Saturday we ventured over to Clinton to the stake pioneer day activities. I wasn't sure I wanted to make the trek but when Cannon found out Ayla was there he was sold. The activities were set up around the gym leaving the middle wide open, upon arrival Cannon did not stop running for at least 20 minutes...so maybe we don't get out much :)  Blake said "he's a wild man" and boy do I know it! Speaking of Blake, check out this cute pic he sent Sunday when he got stuck with a little baby sitting job out in the foyer.

 (I can't get pics that I load from my phone to center-its driving me crazy)
But anyway, back to Blake, its good news bad news. I've known for a while but Annie put it on their blog this week so I'm safe to put it here. They are moving too! Sad enough for me but I'm old enough to get it, poor little Cann Man still thinks he's going to get to see Henry and Asher at church and now Ayla is leaving too!!! Its a bummer. A while ago on one of our visits back home a good friend of mine (knowing Blake and Isaac are...exceptionally...good friends -there's a reason I occasionally refer to him as the first wife) asked me if I liked or got along with Annie, I answered that we were friends before we moved to Mississippi but when followed them out here it was like an instant best friend. So as the Nielson's depart, we all lose a best friend :(!! The good news in all of this is that Blake has a job after only 3 years (and one summer) in the program. So that is totally silver lining! Even though I still think we have 3 years left, its still a good thing. And we are very happy for them, just bummed for us.
On Tuesday Isaac and Cann Man came to the Dr. with me so they could "see" little brother. Cannon was so cute about saying "see brudder, TV" anyway they are watching little bro pretty close because he's not so little. I'm 35 weeks and if that ultrasound is accurate (which is no guarantee) he's already 7lbs 10 oz. UG, so when the Dr. saw that he said we'll shoot for the 37 week mark instead of 40. That's great news but AHHHH its so soon, only 2 weeks away. So looking fwd to NOT being pregnant though-oh please-can I not wake up a billion times a night sweaty? Here's to hoping! I started making sure all the little baby clothes/blankets and such that were in storage are washed, oh wait when I run our dryer it shuts our power off. TWICE this week, and seriously the hot/humid mugginess is unbearable without the AC and when the power goes out I can't even turn a fan on. It wasn't fun. They replaced the breaker and I'm hoping its fixed!
Wednesday the YW (leaders) threw Annie and I a baby shower, it was so fun and the BEST BEST treats oh my goodness, they were to die for! Good times and tons of people came and they were very generous, so nice! I didn't get the best pics, but it was great!

Cannon was sure people gave us diapers just so he could build towers with them, then try to climb on them.

Throughout the week he'd say things and I would think-oh I've got to blog that but most of them I don't remember. However, the cutest thing he said this week was after being a wild man and throwing a fit about getting dressed (just for fun)  exasperated I gave up and sat on the couch...30 seconds later he came over and said "Sorry mom, made you upset" melted my heart! I laughed and talked him out of a hug and we moved on. Cute little man. I learn a lot from him too.
Thursday we made it to a Braves game, yea!!! He sat there pretty good for 6 1/2 innings, its fun because he loves it and we talk about whats happening. He only tried to be wild once, I think he could have made the whole game but my fat belly and I with him on my lap, we were done! Plus I see all those people drinking and I'm happy to leave a couple innings early just to make sure I'm not on the road with them in case they don't have their designated drivers :)
Bout it.

AHHHHHHHHHHH I have had it with stupid potty training! Last week, even with our struggles I would have still said we were probably about 70% there, after yesterday-How about a big fat 0% and why did I even try this stupid game. I'm back to being the worlds biggest fan of diapers. Really it started Wednesday with "Mom, I pee underwears." and I answer "No, NO. Buddy STOP, lets run to the potty." So we run in the bathroom...Nothing. 3 minutes later. REPEAT. Exact thing. 3 more minutes later same start-but by time I got in there he had peed in his underwear and all over the floor. I decided when I knew he needed to go I wasn't going to let leaving the bathroom without going be an option. Move on right? WRONG! It just got worse worse worse. Apparently Isaac's ridiculously stubbornness is hereditary, oh and it turns out I can be a little stubborn myself. So the next morning when the jig, and all other signs, were going on, it was seriously 30 minutes in the bathroom tears and carrying on before I finally won. But I haven't won at all, I just wasn't about to let him think he could throw a fit like that and get out of it. But seriously, it just sucks, we're back to square 1. I'm at the end of my rope, and Isaac does just put a diaper on him, which I feel like is totally conceding. Whatever. Seriously in 2 days,  all the work, totally down the toilet-too bad the work is not what I want down the toilet!!!
So lets see, what else this week.

Sunday, I went to my first day of my new Primary calling. YIKES, its been a while! But it should be fun too. Then the Takishita's invited us over for dinner, it was really fun and Richard let Cannon drive his little lawn mower "tractor" Cannon thought he was pretty cool but then said "I wanna go to Grama's house, go feed yard, drive big tractor, drive big mini!" Sorry buddy. That also made it into his prayers this week, it was so stink'n cute. I was trying to help him but I just get "No Mom say it!" So I said "Okay well tell Heavenly Father what we're thankful for then." And he said "Thankful go feed yard with Poppa, drive big tractor drive big mini" Anyway Monday Isaac fixed Bro Blalock's van, Cannon wanted to "Help" so we hung out at the church where it had stopped. Sometimes I forget to be thankful for just how handy Isaac is (with the help of his dad) on that kind of stuff. Isaac was so tired when he came home from work Cannon just wanted to play baseball but as soon as Isaac ate dinner he was out on the couch-basically in a coma, it was so sad but funny too. Cannon would wake him up between every pitch. "Here dad, Batter!" I tried and tried to figure out how I was going to get a picture of it but never did cuz ya really needed a movie to see the whole interaction. 
Tuesday we snuck over to the Water park in the morning then Isaac just worked in the evening. It was sheer delight for Cann Man. He had so much fun. Isaac was as sport to do all the chasing, I pretty much just sat there.

That's pretty much all I can think of for the week though...then Wednesday  the demise of potty began. UG UG UG.
But I must admit after I originally typed it out and vented a little, he did okay-while his dad was still home, even with the diaper on, took it off to go!! And one time after he'd gone to work. (It was almost like he forgot to throw the "I don't want to" fit, just went like it was no big deal.) But its with me he's struggling. I think it has a lot to do with little brother being right around the corner and my little man knowing and sensing that our days with just the two of us are limited. Hopefully we'll survive it!
As much as I hate some of the things Cannon's been saying lately i.e., "I pee underwears." "I don't want to!" "don't like it" "Because." "No" "No" and "NOOOOO" just to name a few he's also says a lot of cute things too, I love it when he says "My favorite" he's been saying it a lot lately, his favorite plate, or animal, or anything. He definitely has a favorite on little brother's name too. Other cute things he says are "Looking Good" "Be awesome!" (we were building towers together) and an excited "I do it!" sometimes we get a  "I did it" or "We did it!" too.
A few pics from the week, this first one was before potty training fell apart, its a look we see a lot around here, just underwear a baseball glove and maybe a hat, if his hat's on backwards like this its his "Catcher Mask" Usually Isaac or I have the football helmet on and its the "Umpire Mask" and we are supposed to sit behind him! 

And we get food in him anyway we can!