Another Pinspirational Photo

Saw a super sweet photo on Pinterest (HERE) that yet again inspired to capture this moment with B.  He still has some baby qualities to him that won't last for long.

Ironically, he hasn't been sleeping through the whole night for a couple of weeks now.  I don't know what is going on other than it's now a habit.  Makes for one cranky mama!

Video of Bray's Christmas Wants

He's in a Power Ranger phase, can ya tell?

B Turned 3!

This past Sunday B turned 3 years old!  My mom came down for the weekend to help us celebrate.  He had a special day at home enjoying a big birthday breakfast, playing outside, opening gifts, and eating cake.  What more could a toddler ask for?! It was a perfect day. 

 

 

 Beach themed for our Hawaiian boy

 I don't know who is more excited!

 A special tent from his Neena!

 

 Happy campers!

 The box is always the best toy

Little of This, Little of That

This is why I haven't been updating my blog.

Whenever I leave B's view, (to get on the computer, do laundry, etc) this is what I come back to.  Pillow hoarding and toy dumping.  And those who know me know I can't stand a mess!  He's such an ornery child, but he sure does lighten me up and make me laugh.  Hey at least he keeps me busy, right?! Noone can stay mad at him for long, he can be a sweetie and leaves a soft spot on my heart.

C is doing awesome in Kindgarten so far! I got a call last week from his teacher informing me that his classmates voted him "Caring Coyote of the Month"!  The trait they were learning in August was responsibility and they had to chose someone that they felt exhibited this trait.  C is who they chose.  She also told me how great he has been doing in school.  I was surprised (well, not really because I know how terrific of a kid he is) because I have to pry out of him what they've done in school.  I knew he was doing well but had no idea how exceptionally well!  We are so proud of him!!

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We've been in our home for 20 months now, hard to believe.  And the generic contractor flat paint is getting annoying to look at.  We've been wanting to repaint the interior for some time now but I have a hard time picking a color!  Who knew there were so many shades of grey, beige, greige, etc.  I want to keep it neutral but a little more dramatic without overpowering.  Oh and I'm afraid of change.  So this has been a difficult process for me.  I wish I could just hire Jeffrey Lewis of JEFF LEWIS DESIGN.  I absolutely adore his work!  He has a couple shows on Bravo, one of which is "Flipping Out". 

So the other day I pulled out my 50+ paint swatches of beige to narrow it down to a main color for the house.  I want a greyish beige or a warm grey or a cooler beige, dark but not too dark, etc.  I thought I finally found "the one".  Mr A was gung ho and ready to do the living room (which has 12 ft ceiling) but I wanted to do a baby step and do our bathroom.  Of all the rooms in the house it needed it the most.  The painters never put a second coat on so the cut ins were terribly noticeable and they caulked after painting which looked like crap (learning experience: if we ever buy a brand new home again, Jer will paint the drywall himself).  Sidenote: Mr A was a professional painter before the Army.  Some of his work includes: schools, hotels, and University of KY's hospital. 

Anyways, I chose Valspar's Oatbran in satin finish.  Stepping outside of the box: uncheck.  It was basically the same color we had, less peachiness.  Mr A was not impressed.  And I was relieved we didn't do the living room! 

Needless to say, no matter the color it looks way better!  (you can kind of see the outline of where they cut-in in the before)  And it's not flat paint any more. 2 pluses to 1 negative.  As for the rest of interior painting, it's time to pull out those 50+ paint swatches again and work some nerve for change.

Stirring Up Some Creativity

With newly found downtime during the days, my creativity is itching to come out.  Basically, I need to find a hobby.  I really enjoy taking photos and have been lacking using the camera lately.  I prefer to capture "in the moment" photos.  Ones that look good not being planned out and ones that don't necessarily following "photography guidelines". 

However, I did find this cute photo on Pinterest HERE and I couldn't help but be inspired. 

So I convinced the almost 3 year to be my test subject.  I showed him the photo first which made him a lot more cooperative.  We gathered up some cars and trains and went to work. 

2012 School Year

We did it!  And by "we" I mean me too because it was a big first for Mommy as well. Today was a half day and parent/student orientation.  We sat in his classroom and learned the rules and what to expect from his teacher.  He goes back Friday for a full school day of testing with just a handful of classmates.  Then the 17th will be his official first full day and that is also the day he will start riding the bus.  Big boy!

B started his second year of preschool last week by moving up to the 3 to 4 years old room. He will continue to attend on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 3 hours. We have been working on potty training more at home so that he will be a real big boy soon. His birthday is right around the corner!  

I am so excited for my boys in this new school year.  They are both going to learn so many new and interesting things.  I love watching them learn, explore, grow, and develop their own personalities!

Adios Golfballs

6 days ago B had his tonsils and adenoids removed.  Like his big bro, his tonsils were severely enlarged and caused sleep apnea due to airway obstruction.  Although his consult was done by the same dr as C, she referred him to the children's hospital because of his age.  This type of surgery is not recommended for children under three for a few reasons.  But his doctors and us, his parents, felt the pros outweighed the cons. 

He did exceptionly well right after the procedure.  In the recovery room, he was contently sleeping and cooperative in taking in fluids.  When a 6 year old was rolled into the area next to him screaming and crying, the reality of how well he was doing sank in.  During transport to his overnight room, he woke up and was calm as can be.  The nurse couldn't believe it, she said he was the best patient she had ever seen after a tonsillectomy.  It was kind of creepy how good he was.  Especially after experiencing C 7 months prior.  It was night and day.

The doctor put him on a regular diet, which meant he could eat anything.  Again, a change from C's.  C was put on a mushy diet for 2 weeks.  One of the major differences in their surgeries was the technique.  C's were burnt out at 600 degrees, where B's were done at 85 degrees thanks to a newer technology.  Just hours after surgery, B ate like a champ!  2 cups of ice cream, 1 1/2 popsicles, apple juice, 1 cup of mac & cheese, 3 bites of a soft taco, and a slice of angel food cake. 

We were put on a floor for our overnight stay with hematology and oncology pediatric patients. My heart broke the whole time and it showed us how much we have to be thankful for.  I did a lot of praying staying on that floor. 

During our stay we had many volunteers come in to visit B.  Bless their hearts!  One guy came in with a guitar and asked us for any song requests.  We told him we like country and he could do any he would like.  He sang Rodney Atkins, "Take the Back Road".  I always get very uncomfortable when someone sings very close to me.  B must feel the same way because he closed his eyes and hid his face the whole time but he was enjoying it; he would swing his leg with the music and even sang along for a short bit. Another volunteer came in with some toys and played with him. The next day we spent some time in a big play room filled with toys.  B loved that!

The first few days at home went very smoothly.  B was happy to be with his big bro again.  Around day 3 is when things started to get a little bumpy. One of the concerns post surgery was lack of ability to reason with a 2 year old.  And boy oh boy is that the truth!  He's been on a medication that needs to be taken every 4 hours, which has caused some sleepless nights for the two of us.  He would fight and refuse to take the meds.  Unfortunately it has alcohol in it that burns and with an already sore throat, causes major discomfort.  The pictures above show his expressions when I have to tell him it's time for more medicine.  Also, getting him to eat and drink as been very difficult as the days go by.  He's been very emotional; crying, anger, and whining. 

Overall this experience has been a rollercoaster.  I am keeping hopeful that perhaps the next day is when it becomes smooth sailing.  The light at the end of the tunnel is starting to shine through!

Just Another Obstacle

My youngest B has always seemed to have set backs.  In the womb he had to deal with a 2 vessel umbilical cord (aka "single umbilical artery").  As a newborn we found out he had a milk protein allergy, acid reflux, and colic (finding and diagnosing problems like these on a baby who cannot communicate their pain is a very difficult and frustrating process to go through).  This past year I took him to an ENT for a consultation on his extremely large tonsils (that are causing him sleep apnea) and during a routine hearing test we found he had a lot of fluid behind his ear drums that had caused some hearing loss (without this test we would have had no idea!  He never once had an ear infection).  Tubes were put in and immediately fixed the hearing loss.  Last week we had our consult to another ENT at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and scheduled his surgery next month for his adenoids and tonsils to be removed.  Today he had a speech evaluation and didn't pass.  He will be having therapy twice a week now. All of this and he's 2. 

(I know this is miniscule compared to other parents out there dealing with a lot worse and I feel guilty even writing about all of this in a way that seems like I'm complaining.)

When I found out today that he will need speech therapy I was upset.  I knew his speech wasn't as up to par as it should be at his age.  I wasn't quite sure what the "norm" was by experience because his older brother spoke at a very early age.  For whatever reason, I thought he would pass.  Afterall, he passed a state speech eval in Jan.  Since his tube insertions, his vocabulary has doubled (maybe even tripled!).  We can actually have a conversation with him and he can express his wants.  But, unfortunately, there are still a few times we cannot distinguish what he is communicating due to poor pronunciation.  He was tested on his comprehension today (which he did excellent) and articulation (which was not so good). Therefore, the therapist recommended he go to sessions twice a week. 

Like I mentioned, I was upset.  I cried.  I had a lot of emotions.  I was even grateful that he will get the help he needs.  One of my concerns is that I don't want him to be labeled.  He is an extremely bright little boy.  He and his brother are so different from one another but where one slacks in one area the other makes up for it.  For example, C talks A LOT and obviously B isn't as strong in that area.  B is very handy (meaning he is great with his hands), C couldn't use a fork until almost 4.  Both boys are very advanced, just in different ways.  Unfortunately, just because B isn't great with communication, I don't want him to be viewed any different and I want him to have the same opportunties and experiences as his older bro whom he adores. 

Despite his minor set backs and oblivious to them, B is just a happy, carefree little boy.  I know he will get through this.  I know he will succeed.  He's so precious to me and stronger than he will ever know! 

Can I Just Say...

They make me want to be a better me.   Love these two with all of my heart, they complete me!

Only the Face A Mother Could Love

The other day was warm enough to expose the arms, so naturally I wanted to get a photo of the boys with a little less cloth material covering their bodies.  I went to edit them and this is what I found...

B's face.  Everytime I look at it, I laugh.  Little Stinker!  He quickly reminded me of this age and when C went through the phase of making weird/silly faces each time I'd want to snap his picture. 

B is doing something awkward in almost every photo I took that day.  Then I found a decent one of him but looked to my left and saw C's face. 

It may be a while until I get some decent shots of my boys together. :) 

Beginnings of Braydenisms & More

It's so hard to believe this is our baby just 5 hours after being in an operating room:

Granted, it was a minor surgery, but still...I know if I were him, I'd be milking the whole surgery thing all day!  B had tubes put in his ears yesterday morning.  Once we got home, he had a little lunch and a nap, then he was good to go!  He did have some pain that made him cranky but he really wanted to get to playing.  We watched him of course and made sure he didn't overdo anything.  Our little champ.  He never had an ear infection and went into the ENT for a tonsil consult, it was when they performed a hearing test that they discovered fluid behind his eardrums.  After the surgery, the doctor was very pleased with her decision to do the tubes because she said based on the fluid consistency, he definitely needed them.  During a walk yesterday afternoon, he cupped his ear and asked, "what's that sound?"  It was an airplane with a low frequency sound that he otherwise wouldn't have been able to hear.  Bless his heart. 



Now that he is getting older and talking more, we are finding humor in some of the things he says.  The other day he kept asking me, "Up in the sky?  Up in the sky?"  (meaning he wanted me to throw him up and catch him.  Tired, I replied with, "Why don't you put Mommy up in the sky?"  Grunting and grabbing my leg, he said, "Too Heavy!"  

B's New Girlfriend & Other Miscellaneous

A recap of our Valentine's...  We didn't do anything fancy, just showered one another with our love.  There were some gifts, but the best part of the day was an evening spent together as a family around the dinner table playing with Play-Doh. 

The other day Mr A called me into the living room, "Amy, come quick! You've got to see this."  This is what I found:

Apparently, B has his first girlfriend, Barbie.  He's been dragging her around the house lately.  And he prefers her to be au natural.  As many times as I dress her when I put her away, when I find her again she's a nudist.  At one point I asked B, "where is your girlfriend?"  He left the room and reappeared with Barbie in tow.  Oh dear.


This weekend was a 4 day for Mr A.  We were itching to get out of the house and start prepping for spring.  He rented an aerator and riding lawn mower and pierced through the dormant grass.  The boys enjoyed going for a ride.  We also added new mulch to the front yard along with fertilizing the grass. 

Never Too Early for Love

Our family wishes you a Valentine's day filled with love, laughter, and lots of chocolate!!

B's 2nd Bday

We don't really do birthday parties in our house.  They are usually spent together as a family eating cake and opening gifts.  That's what our tradition has consisted of since we're a military family and live far from extended family.  Plus since we won't always know when we're moving, it's easier that way then having to explain to a child we can't have a friend party because we don't know many people due to a recent move.  However, since C will be turning 5 and that's quite a milestone, we'll be doing an exception this year.  And poor B will have to wait til he's 5 to have his first big party too.  He didn't seem to mind anyways this year, being so young.  He had a blast on his special day! 

It started by being waken up with singing by Mommy and big brother C.

Breakfast consisted of a muffin and a candle.

Spent the morning at the doctor's office for B's 2 year well baby check up.  Yeah, I'm a cruel Mom.

We had to wait all day for Daddy to come from work to enjoy this:



Once he came home we rushed him to shower so B could open his gifts!

Then it was off to Chik Fil A for dinner and to play on their playground.



To end the day's celebration we had cake!