Will's trip to the ER

On Friday evening, Ben, Will and Andy were having fun playing in the rain. They were laughing and really enjoying themselves. It was time to come in and I wanted the boys to dry off at the door (as I'd just cleaned the floors to get ready for Andy's party the following day). Will was coming inside naked w/a very long towel wrapped around him. He tripped on the towel and fell on the hardwood floors. He hit his eye on the floor and it split just above his eyebrow. The verdict: 7 stitches.

First photo after the fall. My boys know if there's blood .... we must take a photo before we clean up. Have to document these memories....


Cleaned up a little.....


In the ER. When we first walked up to the doors, Will bolted in the opposite direction. He remembered having to get an IV for lung related issues. Luckily there were 3 policemen outside helping another lady to their car. One of them caught him before he ran into the street and the other showed him his scar from a injury he had in the same place. It helped to get Will through the doors.

Then - he had to talk to everyone, explaining how he and his brother were playing pretend pac-man and he fell and broke his head.


They put a bandage on his head w/numbing medicine, and then gave him a little something extra to drink b/c I told them Will was anxious and would be very difficult otherwise.


A pulse-ox on his toe.... he wanted me to get it glowing.


The doctor beginning to stitch him up. They gave him shots of numbing medicine in the cut. It hurt him pretty bad. But the doctor said "count to 10 and it won't hurt." it didn't take till 10 and Will was saying "this doesn't hurt. hey - it's ok - it doesn't hurt."


a close-up....


another....


After he was stitched up. I took this photo and showed it to Will. He said "Awwweesssssoooommmmeee. Thank you doctor." The doctor, still in the room had a big smile and said "wow, that's the first time I've ever been thanked for stitches." Will of course thought he resembled that of a super-hero.


All -done and enjoying a popsicle while we wait on paperwork....


The medicine that they gave him by mouth made him sorta act as though he was 'drunk.' He was so funny. He couldn't walk well - he was stumbling; his speech was slurred; and he was cracking me up. He kept asking why he was walking funny. Then on the way home he said "can we go back there again. that was so much fun. i want to go everyday! can we go back now?" i wish i would of gotten that on tape....

he goes back in 5-6 days (Thursday) to get the stitches removed.

andy's 2nd birthday party invitation

andy's invite was actually very late going out. i sent out emails to our friends to remind them and give info about the party. we had many photo shoots with him trying to get the right picture, but nothing worked out. we got this photo by accident (as you can see he's wearing his drolled on bib).

david stayed up long hours - making this work.... that husband of mine - is certainly creative. i never doubt his abilities on the computer - he's awesome.

here's the finished result....




i had a banner made up as well....

Kate's headers

David has been designing the headers for the blog, b/c I don't really have the time and frankly he rocks at photoshop and I am still finding my way through it. I can do somethings, but he knows how to work photoshop and use it to it's elaborate ability.

This month (for April) I decided to change the header in honor of Andy. His birthday is April 23 so I wanted to spotlight that. My baby is turning 2! I can't even believe that 2 years has gone by already. He's the most wonderful little person.

So - here's my header I made.... simple, but sweet!

Mommy is getting braces - at 34!

Some of you know that soon - I will be getting braces. In fact, in just over a week I will get my top braces put on. I went last week and my orthodontist put the separators in my back, top molars - to basically stretch them out. Yes - I mean stretch. They told me the pain is worse for adults ... thank you mom! Today is actually the 6th day and my teeth still hurt.

The reason for the braces is because - I have a baby tooth that is not yet fallen out and a permanent tooth that grew in the wrong spot. My baby tooth has recently become loose and so therefore my dentist thinks I should be pro-active about taking care of it (would hate to be walking around toothless - definitely not pretty). After much thought, freaking out, more thought, more freaking out, lots of conversations with anyone who would listen - I decided to get braces.

I go into my dentist on Wednesday of this week to get 2 filings that I need, a wisdom tooth pulled and my baby tooth pulled (all on the top). I have been concerned about getting my baby tooth pulled and having lots of time being toothless. I know, I know - probably doesn't seem like a big deal ... but it really is. It's in the front of my smile and will definitely be noticeable. Luckily, I am a SAHM, don't see many people and can skate through the week before I get my top braces put on. My orthodontist said he would like a week in between the extractions and when he puts the braces on. So - on April 9, I will get my top braces put on. And then hopefully, soon after I will get the bottom. He says I shouldn't have to wait long and I'm counting on that. The quicker I get them on - the quicker I get them off.

I think I am excited about the end result of braces. It will be nice to have straight teeth - but I never thought at my age, I would get them. I guess I figured that baby tooth would stay in forever. After all it's been 34 years. I realized (in all my conversations w/myself and everyone else) that it's better to get them now - then have braces when I'm 50 or when one or all three of my son's get them. The orthodontist says that my overlapping permanent tooth is hereditary, so one or all could have the same problem.

My orthodontist says my treatment should be about 24 months or less. I'm counting on the less. I hope all goes well and it's not too painful for me.

Spring Break Staycation!

The boys had a week out of school - David still had to work, so going away on a vacation wasn't really an option. Unless I wanted to take them alone - which I didn't.

My BFF, Angie, and I decided we would plan fun activities everyday to keep the kids busy. She, too, has 3 kids. Two of which are Ben and Will's age - and her middle one happens to be Ben's BFF. So it worked out great for a fun week.

Day 1: The zoo

I had Ben and Will (Andy was at home w/our babysitter, Jamie). Angie had her 2 boys, her teengae daughter and 2 of her friends. So ... we had a full house. We packed a lunch and headed to the zoo. We decided to go the first day of spring break hoping it wouldn't be that crowded. We were right. It was a great day (crowd wise) for the zoo. It had rained the week before - all week, so it was still alittle chilly out in the morning. It warmed up and turned into a great day.

Below: Will, Brayden, Jared, and Ben

The boys got to an animal encounter. They got to choose between the snake and this huge lizard. They chose the lizard.

Me, Ben and Will. An attempt to get a photo of us. You see Will didn't want to cooperate.

Ben and his BFF, Jared

I always have to bring somethign for Will to ride in. B/c of his lungs - he gets pretty tired quickly.


After it warmed up - the boys (and girls) decided to play in the water.


Here's Will enjoying himself in the water. He was the first one in and kinda the reason the rest of them were in. That's my boy. No fear Will!

Here he is - realizing he's all wet and hates to be all wet.

We had to check out the penquins before we left. Can see the one standing behind them through the glass? He came right up w/them standing there.


Ben, his BFF, Jared and the penquin.


Here's all of us for a quick group shot. The girls met up with us after lunch. They were exploring on their own for the first part of the day. From left to right: ____, Mariah, Me, Will, Callie, Brayden, Ben, Angie and Jared


This is us trying to get the boys out. After a long day - we were exhausted. In the very front, Angie's pushing the empty stroller; Callie and her friend are swinging Brayden, and Mariah is pulling Ben, Will and Jared in the stroller.


Day 2: Joe's Crab Shack

Ben and Will had dentist appointments in the afternoon so we decided to meet in the morning and play until I had to leave to go to the dentist. This time I had all 3 of my boys and Angie had just her 2 boys. Her daughter and friends were at the mall. We had a great time. Angie and I got an appetizer to share and the boys got kids meals - which were only $2 each. Great deal!

Below: Ben, Will, Brayden, Jared

Ben

Andy - he had a great time. Much more than I thought he would. At first he was upset about the sand touching his feet and getting all dirty. Then he surrendered and just jumped right in.


Will putting sand on the slide.

Day 3: Arboretum

I have a membership so I thought it would be a great (cheap) day for us. We again packed a lunch and headed for the Arboretum. I had all 3 of my boys again, and she had her 2 boys, her daughter and 1 of her friends. It's Dallas Blooms right now - so it was packed. I have never been before when it's been that crowded. Luckily, my membership saved us alot of time. There was no line for us - so we got to just go in. The blooms were beautiful and we got some great photos. The kids were able to play in the storybook playhouses that they have on display. It was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed our day.

Day 4: Mall and Ben's first sleepover

We decided to do something low-key since we had done big field trips a few times already. Angie and I were pretty worn out. We met at the mall. I had Ben and Will (Andy was w/our babysitter, Jamie), and Angie had her 2 boys, her daughter and one of her daughters friends. We let the boys play in the playarea and we ate lunch in the food court. We had a good day.

This was a special day for Ben because he was going to have his first sleepover without me. He's actually had 2 previous ones, but both times I was with him sleeping over as well. He spent the night w/Angie and his, BFF, Jared. They had a lot of fun. Ben went to soccer practice w/Jared and got to play also. Ben really enjoyed himself and said he may even want to play next season (which is awesome!). They played xbox, club penquin and really had a great time. I picked Ben up on Friday afternoon and he was ready to have Jared spend the night with us. He can't wait.

andy and I enjoying a beautiful day at the arboretum!

Andy and I decided to go out to the Arboretum b/c we were about to get a really bad rain storm. It was a beautiful day - and we took advantage of it. Ben and Will were both in school. We had a great time. He really was excited to be able to run around. His favorite thing was to chase the birds. He loves birds and there were plenty for him to chase.

We were there alittle while and then it started to lightly rain. He wanted his shoes off so he could walk in the little puddles.

We had a great day and I was able to get a few good shots of him.

i love taking shots of his little parts. my girlfriend, dena, gave andy these shoes. i just love them and wanted to snap a shot of them.

andy running after the birds.....

he really did love the rain! he had a great time playing in it.



our last picture of the day. as you can see he was ..... DONE! Funny, even crying he's cute : )

andy's first sentence

yesterday david and i were in the office (he was working, i was on the computer) and andy came in (he was watching word world - his favorite show). he's on david's side - pointing to a book and says "dada you see book." david and i looked at each other with much excitement. he's been talking really well - more and more everyday, increasing his vocabulary each day as well. he's put 2 words and on occassion three words together. but this was his first time to form a sentence. we were so happy with him and he knew it. he got tickeled and was really proud of himself. he's 23 months now - almost 2! we are excited that he's progressing so well and are really thankful for his tender spirit.

andy's first haircut

both ben and will had their first haircut from one of my great friends, michelle. i really wanted her to cut andy's hair - b/c it's tradition. i held out as long as i could. she lives in austin, has 3 children of her own and so coming to dallas to cut andy's hair hasn't really been an option. although i knew she wanted to.

after i was told by many people that it was time for a haircut for him i decided to take andy to cool cuts. he did quite well. i gave him a sucker and that really helped him.

here's a few pictures from his first haircut.....

he got alittle unhappy towards the end. poor little guy!

his hair! my sweet boy!

my handsome boy after his haircut!

the things andy comes up with....

ben and will were in school and andy wanted some juice. we don't give him juice boxes or the packs b/c he squeezes too hard and makes a mess. sometimes he's good. we've taught him to hold it at the top, and he'll do it - but i'm certain it's more fun to squeeze all the juice out.

since he couldn't have juice - he asked for an orange. he loves the small cutie oranges. he had been drinking a smoothie earlier and was using a straw.

i had left the room for a moment, came back and he had created his own way to get juice.....

Girls Night Out / Ben's Sleepover

My BFF's (angie) husband was out of town, so Ben and I went over and spent the night w/them. Ben and her son, Jared, are really good friends. It worked out great b/c she and I got to have some quality time together and Ben got to have big fun w/Jared. David was at home w/Andy and Will (thank you hunny!).

Angie and I grabbed some dinner at Blue Mesa (yum! yum!), and then headed over to a local bar. We had a great time. It was so fun to hang out and be adults and be able to relax with my BFF and an adult beverage.

Back at the house, Ben and Jared were having big fun as well (angie's daughter was babysitting for us!). They played xbox, club penguin, legos.... they really enjoyed themselves.

These pictures were posed .... I forgot to take them until we were leaving on Sunday.

I love my boys and my husband is the best in the world - but it's so great to get away and have just one on one time with a friend (and the same for Ben).