Haircuts and Blood Draws

Here is a before picture of the kids, just hanging out at home.

Joel has decided we will save money if he can learn to cut the boys hair, so last week, using his sister's clippers and with the help of a friend in the business, he attempted to cut their hair.
Josh who is our wiggly one wasn't too thrilled. Nathaniel the 2 year old, on the other hand, sat perfectly still.

Here are some after shots.

As you can see, it didn't work too well, somehow their hair got longer and curly?





Actually this is one of my Grandma's old wigs that the kids were playing around with. Thought these were funny pictures that would make my sisters laugh.

Here are some actual after pictures of them. Nathaniel's ended up a little short and Josiah's is still a little long, but all it all it was a success. I'm sure Joel will get better with practice, and with 3 growing boys he'll get plenty of practice.


Naomi was pretty upset that she didn't get her hair cut, but all I really focus on is her bangs and neither Joel nor I wanted to attempt those.


Now for the Blood Draw part. Rebekah is part of a research study called the TEDDY study it stands for The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young. When she was born they tested her blood and found the genetically she is predisposed to Type 1 or juvenile diabetes. She does not have diabetes yet and only has a 3% chance of ever getting diabetes, but because of her genetic predisposition, she is enrolled in a study where they draw her blood once every 3 months for testing to see if she is developing the antibodies which could lead to diabetes.

The staff is amazing and they actually use a numbing cream on her arm so she can't feel the needle poke. The last two draws had to be done in her hand because her veins in her arms were too little for the needle and the amount they drew was very small. Yesterday was her 3rd appointment and it went very well! They were able to draw a full amount from her arm and she just laid there quietly on my lap drinking her bottle during the procedure. They also weighed her yesterday and she is 17 lbs 8 oz. By far the biggest 9 month old we've had. So, here is a cute picture of her. She is so happy now that she can crawl around the house and "keep up" with her brothers and sister.
We are all doing well. No new news on Joel's job, no new car, just a full happy life with the 7 of us. We are starting to look at 12-15 passenger vans, but not in any hurry as we have until the end of the summer before we need that big of a vehicle. We are still trusting that God has our best in mind when it comes to work/finances. My mom and her husband come home from China/Australia today and we will have to give her car back that we have been borrowing for a month and be down to only one car, but we will survive. Everyone is looking forward to having Grandma back home. My next doctor's appointment for the baby is next Tuesday, I'm not really expecting any exciting news, but if so I will share next Wednesday.