Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Oh Yeah....

I forgot! Sunday morning, I guess Caleb had gotten up and told him brothers he was getting baptized. So, Isaac comes out to Papa and says "Papa, is Caleb singing today or taking a bath at church?"

Then Bryce kept saying that Caleb was getting "bathtized"

Proud Parents...and Son!

Caleb got baptized on Sunday. He has been so excited about doing it! It is neat because he has gotten shy lately, especially in crowds. He was able to get up in front of a packed church and answer why he got saved and what he did to get saved. He had no problems at all answering it!

He had Daddy and I both stand in the back at the baptism, so we had FRONT ROW seats!

They did his baptism first thing in the service. At the end of the service we did the Lord's Supper. Not only did Caleb get baptized, but he also got participate in his first Lord's Supper. It was a VERY proud day!

We had sat up front, third or fourth row, so we could see the baptism. Since the Lord's Supper is handed out in front of the stage, the pastor was right in front of us. He commented at the end of the service when we were being dismissed how neat it was to baptize a child and then get to watch him participate in his first Lord's Supper just a little while later. He also told Caleb to take his small cup from it home.

What a special day!




More pictures (from the Papa) to come as soon as I get them.

Saturday, December 22, 2007

The CHRISTmas Card

I think the kids are getting a bigger kick out of the CHRISTmas card than anyone else. Bryce saw it yesterday afternoon when I was doing it. He kept asking me to watch it over and over and over.... Even Andrew loved it. He was crying so I turned it on. He started dancing and laughing.

Last night, while we were making dinner, I turned it on again so Isaac and Caleb could watch it. Oh, I have not heard such giggling in such a long time. It was so fun! All of the boys lined up around the computer just DYING LAUGHING!!

Friday, December 21, 2007

2007 CHRISTmas Card

Merry CHRISTmas from the all of us. Copy and Paste the address below to see your card. Make sure your volume is up, and be prepared to LAUGH!!!!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1658696289

CHRISTmas Cards

Because there has been so much going on, between traveling, drs, hospitals, etc. I am doing a 2007 CHRISTmas Card - on the blog! I know that is horrible, and not as personal and friendly, but I missed the deadline to get pictures in to have the cards made, and if I sat down to fill out cards now - you would not get them by CHRISTmas - so....instead of including the card with the explanation - which is even worse than the fact that you are getting your cards via the blog - I will do a seperate post for your CHRISTmas card!

I made it just for YOU!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY ISAAC!!!


I can't believe you are already 6 years old!!! How time flys!


I am so proud of how far you have come. You are a very sweet, loving, affectionate little boy. I love watching you grow up and change, but still stay the same too! I hope you had a great birthday and that you have a great next year! I love you!

Isaac's Birthday

I know I am a day late, but yesterday was a pretty crazy day. I spent the day trying to finish errands so we did not have to get out in the last-minute shopping crowd - not even for groceries! We had actually already celebrated him birthday, but I had picked up some small cupcakes and we had those last night and sang Happy Birthday to him.

I was going to take cupcakes to the school yesterday for their snacktime. I called the school to leave a message for the teacher. I was telling the secretary that I was needing his teacher to call me and tell me what time they had snack so I could bring the cupcakes. She told me I was not allowed to bring cupcakes. She said it was a federal law that they can only have sweets on certain days of the year and that since they were having a party tomorrow (today) I could not bring sweets for his birthday!

Since I had already told him I was going to bring them before I talked to the secretary - Andrew, Bryce, Lilah and I went and had lunch with him. I did not want him to think I had forgotten about him.

Santa at School

Santa was at the kids school this morning. He was helping the kids out of their cars. We pull up and Caleb and Isaac jump out of the car. I turned around to say goodbye and Bryce was at the door trying to jump out too. I grabbed him by the shirt to keep him in! Luckily, Santa saw him and came over and talked to him. Bryce once again told Santa what he wanted for CHRISTmas this year - I guess a last chance attempt to remind him!

Santa drove his motorcycle though. I guess it was too foggy for the reindeer to bring him today - or maybe they are resting up for their VERY busy night in a few days!

I was honestly kind of shocked that they allowed Santa to visit the school. I guess I figured that since not everyone celebrated CHRISTmas, they would not allow it. But then, Tuesday the third grade had their presentation. They not only sang Silent Night, but they sang it TWICE and had the audience sing with them the second time around. They did not even change any of the words. I was shocked and amazed!! I immediately turned to Paul and pointed out that the PUBLIC school was singing a song about Jesus! What a nice surprise (and sad that it is surprising).

Non-Functioning Brain

Caleb was having some problems yesterday. First off, he goes out to feed the dogs after school. Trip came in the house and was muddy. Instead of going and getting the dog to put him back outside, he stood at the door and yelled at him. When the dog did not come, he yells (with the back door open) "Trip get you dick back out here."

I could not do anything at this point but send him to his room. When I regained my composure and called his Daddy to see what he had been teaching him while I was gone (which his response was "NOT THAT!!!") I went to his room to talk to him. I asked him where he learned that and he said he learned it from a boy in his class. We discussed the whole 'you don't have to do or say something just because someone else does' talk and told him maybe he did not need to be around this kid if the pressure was too much.

This was the first of MANY times I will have this talk - I am sure! That is why I was so blown away!

Then, while he was in his room, he decided to stand on the back of an open foot locker. It closed on him. I was in the office and heard screaming like someone was in major pain. I tripped on four kids running to the scream and found Caleb with his leg stuck in the box and him hanging from the top bunk (he was holding on to the rail on the top bunk). He has a pretty good bruise on his ankle! When I asked him why he thought he could stand on an open box like that - his only response was "I don't know."

The whole night was like that. He turned in a little early - seemed to need some beauty sleep or something!

ONE Great Thing About Having Boys:

I can hide things in the open and they are oblivious!!

Their bikes are sitting on the back porch. There is a tarp thrown over them, but Caleb goes out there DAILY to feed the dogs and has not even noticed the huge tarp that suddenly appeared.

They are just like their Daddy! I ALWAYS hide his gifts in the open - he NEVER finds them!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

OH YES!!

I need to add that when I came home from Colorado, the house was spotless, the laundry was done and put away and dinner was cooking! He also went grocery shopping! What a GREAT way to come home!

I have the MOST AWESOME husband EVER!!!

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

AJ Goes to the Hospital

Andrew went to the hospital this morning for his scope. He ate last at 9:30 Tuesday night and the procedure was not until 8 (actually it didn't happen until 8:30). He was great, as normal. He talked and flirted with the nurses and we played until he finally passed out in my arms. After all of the drs, etc. had come in and talked with me, the nurse had me carry him to the room they were doing the procedure in. I layed him down and went to the waiting room.

After the procedure they took us to a consult room where the dr came in and told us what she found. She took four different pictures of the scope (they went down his esophagus, stomach and part of his small intestines. She did find something that concerned her. This is a picture of some irritation on his stomach lining:
She said it could be because he has not had his Prevacid this week or it could be from an allergy or something like that. They are doing a biopsy on it and we should know something on the 2nd or 3rd. (I left the other three pictures off - I know they are not that lovely to look at!)

She talked about some future plans of action, if the biopsy comes back showing that the irritation is just from not having his Prevacid. Number one, she will change him to Pediasure. I am not sure if we would go off formula and on to Pediasure or just ADD pediasure. Hopefully we would just add it, otherwise it will cost me about $10 a DAY to feed him just that!

The other thing is she said something about having a surgeon look at his films from his upper gi we had a while back. She is still a little concerned about that ligament that might have been in the wrong place. She said that even though they watched it and it seemed to be fine, it could be causing problems that they did not catch. If the surgeon feels that it is necessary, it might mean a laparoscopic surgery to go in and get a closer look at the ligament and fix it if necessary. Worst case - he might eventually have to have his stomach completely opened up!

Of course, we will just wait and see what the biopsy shows and hope for the best!

Here are a couple of pictures of him before the procedure. Still smiling!!!


The nurses said he laughed himself back to sleep before the procedure and woke up with a smile after. While in recovery he had nurses all around him - and he LOVED it. There was some MAJOR flirting going on in there! He got a little fussy when he tried to take his bottle because his throat was sore (a breathing tube and scope tend to do that to the best of us!). A little Tylenol cured that and he has been happy since.

When they were getting him prepped one of the nurses told me to get some of the caps that volunteers made. I got one, and she started digging through the bag and told me I had to take more than one. I stopped her at four!!

Then as we were leaving Bryce was given one!

As we were leaving the surgery area, a male nurse walked me out and carried my diaper bag. He said he was kind of uncomfortable carrying one of "these" then looked at Andrew and said that if he was guaranteed to have one like Andrew, he would have one today. I told him it took four tries to get one this calm and quiet. I am not sure if I encouraged him or discouraged him. He wasn't too sure of the 1 in 4 odds!!

As we were walking out of the hospital the nurse that took him to the procedure room stopped us. She remembered Andrew's name and was telling us how great he did and how sweet he was. Everyone was asking if they could take him home.

I hope he is not just soaking it all in and one day we wake up to a WILD MAN!! I love that he is so calm and quiet and easy! I guess I can always read back on these and remember when...

As for now, Andrew seems fine. He has been eating and playing with no problems!

Andrew's Newest Nickname



Does this remind you of anyone? I have been calling him Linus lately, because if you hand him a blanket, he IMMEDIATELY goes into this pose. If he is going to sleep, he grabs his blanket to his face and puts his thumb in his mouth. He looks like Linus, except that Linus sucks on his right thumb and Andrew sucks on his left. So far, Andrew is not picky about the blanket - he just needs one to hold!

A Great Traveler



I was concerned about flying with Andrew by myself. I am not sure why! He was great. We left for the airport at 4:30 Friday morning and did not get to Denver until 10:30. Each time we got on a plane, he was asleep before we were in the air. He would either fall asleep while we were waiting for everyone to board or while we were taxing to the runway. The few times he woke up in flight, he quietly talked to me or the people around us. Then he would go back to sleep. If you ever have a child that just won't sleep - take him on an airplane! I guess the constant engine noise hums them right to sleep!!

Everyone stopped and talked to him. We had all of the flight attendents coming over to talk to him when he was awake. Everyone was commenting on how well behaved he was. From Houston to Denver and Denver to Houston I was upgraded to first class. I am sure that all of those business people wondered why there was a baby in first class and did not look forward to the flight when they saw him. I got many comments from them about how quiet he was!

The above picture was taken on our way home. We had a three hour layover in Houston. I dreaded it, but it turned out for the best! I left my front carrier on the airplane. I got all the way to my next gate (which required quite a hike and a train)before I realized I did not have it. I had someone call the gate and see if it was there - and it was. But I had to hike all the way back to my original gate, pushing the stroller, carrying our carry-ons, jackets, etc. and then go back to my departing gate. Since I had such a long layover I was able to do all of that, get lunch and change Andrew and get some bottles made. Then we still had time to sit and chat. The picture was during the time we were chatting. After all of the running around and flying, he was still ALL smiles!

He was more than ready to get home and crawl around! He was not going to sit in anything that meant he was strapped down though.

Andrew Enjoying a Milkshake

Andrew enjoyed a milkshake for dinner one night while we were in Colorado. He was enjoying so much that if I tried to take a bite of my dinner - he would scream! I was trying to go slow so he didn't get a brain freeze, but he wasn't going for that!


As Close to Heaven....

While my family was sleeping through the rain, thunder and lightening - I was 28,000 feet up in the air. I was above the clouds watching the MOST AWESOME sunrise I have ever seen! I felt like I was right there with it - oh wait - I WAS!!

I have only flown once before in my life. I didn't sit by the window and DID NOT look outside. I don't know why I decided I could handle it this time, but I am SO glad that I did. Four flights in four days - window seats for all but one. WOW!! I took some pictures for the boys, but had no idea they would turn out so good. Enjoy!













Packing for Colorado

Maybe I should have told him he was going with me a little earlier - then he would not have thought he had to stow away in my suitcase!!

Pebbles and BamBam

Gingerbread Cookies

Last week we babysat a friends kids so they could go to their Christmas Party for work (then they babysat for us the next night!! :)) We made gingerbread cookies and each one of the kids got to decorate them. Here they are watching the cookies bake and then the finished product.

Isaac's Birthday Cake

I got this cake a couple of weeks ago and Isaac asked if it could be his birthday cake, so it was! It was YUMMY too! If you don't believe me - ask Andrew. This was his first time to feed himself cake.



Santa's Computer Virus

When the boys got home from school today, I was wrapping gifts. We finished our Christmas shopping today - with Bryce and Andrew with us! Isaac was going through all of the gifts to see whose names were on them. Daddy told him that he knew what Santa was bringing them for Christmas. He said that Santa's computer had a virus and his list was lost. Santa was calling all of the parents to double check what they were getting their kids, so that Santa did not bring something that the parents had bought.

Isaac bought it. He thinks we know what they are getting and that we talked to Santa this morning. He also asked if HE could talk to Santa. Daddy told him he was REALLY busy - especially because of the computer virus!

The "New" Coal

It has long been said that if you are not good throughout the year, Santa brings you coal. The boys have not had their greatest year so far! So, this year they are getting "coal".

We have always had to be creative with "Santa". We try not to over-emphasize Santa, but still want the kids to have fun with him. Caleb has always doubted his existence. He thinks to logically. "How can Santa deliver gifts to everyone in one night?" We have had "Santa" gifts out early, and told them that Santa dropped them off and asked us to wrap them to save him time (we have never had anyplace to store gifts in the past), we have put out oats and glitter to feed the reindeer, etc. I think this year is the best idea yet!

Daddy and I got the idea to wrap some of the boys stuff...stuff they already have! As if that is not bad enough, we are not giving their toys back to them - we are giving them to one of their brothers. They trophy that has Caleb's name on it is going to Isaac. Bryce's firetruck sign is going to Caleb, the remote to Caleb's Robosapien is going to Bryce, etc.

These gifts are all wrapped and signed by Santa. With these gifts will also sit a note that says something to the effect of Santa always knows what the boys do, and to please behave better next year.

After the boys open ALL of their other gifts, someone will sneak out and ring the doorbell. When the other one of us can FINALLY unlock the door, the boys will find three new bikes sitting outside.

I know - WE ARE MEAN!!! It is so much fun though!! The boys think that Santa will bring what they want - just because he is Santa! As much as the boys tease us, we will tease back!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Christmas Pictures

I thought trying to get three boys to cooperate long enough to take a GOOD picture was hard! Try getting FOUR boys to cooperate - especially when one is an on-the-move baby!!!

Somehow, it ALWAYS works out that I have to take the pictures when Paul is out of town! HMMM, somehow I think that might be his plan!!

Last year everyone loved that I put ALL of the pictures I took on the blog, so I am doing it again this year. I am going to take some tomorrow of Andrew in his Santa hat and his light-up reindeer antlers, and I will add those soon. Enjoy the picture story!!





Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Andrew's drs appt

I wanted to update about Andrew real quick. For those who do not know what is going on, we went for our check-up with the GI dr yesterday. The weight I thought Andrew had gained - he either never gained (they weighed him with his clothes, shoes, etc. on) or he lost weight. He is pretty close to the same weight as he was 6 weeks ago at our last visit.

She is concerned because of the amount he eats and the fact that he is not gaining anything. She sent us to Children's today for a Sweat test. This test for cystic fibrosis. She is basically trying to start with the least painful, nicest test - and start ruling things out. We are not overly concerned with him actually testing positive for it, even though it is not something you want to hear about even be a possibility! I have purposely not read much on it. I researched what to expect with todays test, and what cystic fibrosis was (on a basic level). I am on a need to know basis - that is all I need to know for now!

We got there, and they washed Andrew's arm with soap and water really well. Then they used acetone to get the oils off. THen they held these wire things (great medical terms here!!) on his arm for five minutes. This did something to stimulate his sweat glands. Then they take those off and covered his arm with a piece of plastic. They had gauze between his arm and the plastic. THen they wrap it in an ace bandage type thing. Then we were free to do whatever we wanted to for 30 minutes.

We went back, they took off the bandage and plastic, weighed the gauze to make sure they had enough sweat and we were done. In and out in less than an hour (of a CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL - AMAZING)! He never as much as fussed the entire time. He flirted the whole time, played with his hammer and talked. We get the results tomorrow afternoon.

He goes next Wednesday for a scope. We originally had it scheduled for Jan 2, but I called and talked to the nurse and explained that I would have to pay $2200 out of pocket if I do it after the 31st. They are working us in next week. This one will be a long day! They actually put him to sleep, so we have to get there several hours early for prep, then do the scope, then wait for him to wake up and everything to wear off. We should get those results pretty quick too.

I will keep you all posted on him!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Andrew Choked (So Did Mama)!!

This afternoon Andrew and I were sharing some chicken. A while after we finished Andrew started choking. At first, I thought he was just gagging on some left over chicken or whatever. Then he started turning red! He finally threw up and I thought we were okay, but then it started again. This time he was closer to purple.

I had the phone in my hand! I have had infant CPR and first aid, but I wanted some back up - just in case. Just as I was about to start dialing, he threw up again. This time - he threw up ribbon. A piece about an inch and a half by an inch and a half. It probably would have just gone down if he did not have reflux so bad, but he was trying to swallow and gag at the same time.

I had just vacummed this morning, but if you have or have had kids, you know they are much better vacuums (especially at his age) than the vacuum. They see more and fit in more places than the vacuum (or Mom)!! I don't know where he found the ribbon - but he did.

It was such an ordeal for him that about five minutes after this happened, he just fell asleep in my arms! He wore himself out, poor guy.

I am not sure who it was most traumatic for - me or him!!!

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Caleb and Cheerleaders

Yesterday we were at Walmart getting some gag gifts for a party last night. I was looking at some gift bags and Caleb walked up to me and whispered "LSU cheerleaders are HOT!!"

I don't know why he said LSU - since we LISTENED to that game, we did not watch it. I also don't know where that came from - I saw no cheerleaders, but I thought it was pretty funny!

Bryce Gets a Dog for Christmas

Daddy and Bryce went and "built" Bryce's Christmas present yesterday. We had gone to the mall in search of some red shoes for me. Bryce said he wanted to go in to Build-A-Bear Workshop as we walked by. He says this all the time, we always say no. Yesterday, though, Daddy took him in.

Together they built a Husky. They named him Avalanche. He got a bed, carrier, food bowl, and toys (the dog has a small magnet in his mouth and they toys have small magnet in them so he can actually carry his toys). He also put a sound chip in him so he barks (HOORAY - MORE NOISE!!)

I wanted Daddy to be the one to do this with him because Bryce has been having such a hard time lately with Daddy being gone all the time. This way, when he hugs Avalanche as he goes to sleep at night, maybe he will feel a LITTLE closer to Daddy.

Bryce took him EVERYWHERE yesterday while we were out running errands. He was pretty upset that he had to give him up last night. We told him all day that Avalanche was getting wrapped up when we got home and would have to stay under the tree until Christmas. That was okay with him to start with, but as the day went on, he started making more and more excuses why he could not let Avalanche sit under the tree.

Avalanche gets wrapped today. I hid him last night so we did not have to go through all the drama again. Unfortunatly, I did not know we were going, so I did not have the camera with me. But here are some pictures of Avalanche and his "stuff"





I did tell Bryce he was COMPLETELY responsible for his dog. That means he has to feed him, clean his poop, etc. Bryce said he could handle it!

He Has Become One of THEM

at least for this morning! Paul went duck hunting this morning. I have never wanted to be a hunting widow - which in Arkansas is what you become if you are married to someone that hunts! I have many friends who become one every year this time of year. I am already a single mom 99 percent of the time - don't need ANYTHING else pulling him out when he IS home!

He is on his way home. He did not shoot a duck - but did shoot a black bird! Let me clarify - he was aiming in the air because they were getting pooped on by a huge group of birds and shot the bird. He was NOT aiming for a duck when he shot the black bird.

That is HIS story...he is sticking to it!

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Volunteering...with Kids!!

Andrew enjoyed my wrapping gifts today!!

I wrapped 55 presents today! Thank you Bryce for helping me out with the little kids and letting me do this today! You were awesome!

Our church has a Food Pantry for needy families. Every month they give food to families who can't afford to get their own. Every year at Christmas they do a full Christmas lunch. There is always a HUGE response. This year (Saturday) they are doing the lunch, but EVERY child that comes is getting a game and a personal hygeine packet. We had 55 presents left to wrap this morning. I went and picked some of them up - not knowing how much I could really get done with three kids 4 and under with me. Thanks to Bryce's cooperation (and Andrew's LONG naps) I was able to contribute by wrapping the presents.

I have taken the kids with me to work the Food Pantry. They are put to work, too, when we go. They help unpack food and then put the food into boxes to hand out. It is a GREAT experience for them. They, especially Caleb, really learned a lot about how good they have it and how not everyone has as much as they do.

Last year, I volunteered at the Christmas lunch. I learned so much! We catered to everyone. We fixed their plates, we fixed their drinks, we gave refills, we gave seconds and thirds and fixed plates to take home. We gave these families one day of GOOD food, laughter and a small chance to forget their problems. I was half way through my pregnancy when I did this - and spent the day running, transporting food, waiting on a gym FULL of people. I never once thought about my problems, my aches and pains. I also never felt like I was doing enough. I could have gone all day! The smiles on these peoples faces - ESPECIALLY the children made it all worth it!

It is amazing what you can learn if you just slow down and take time out of your life to help others. I loved taking my kids and watching them learn through the experience. If you ever have a chance to volunteer with your kids, JUMP AT THE CHANCE! Go with your eyes wide open, and your heart. Watch you kids get excited about helping others. But most importantly - learn by watching your kids learn. It is amazing

Unfortunately, I can't go this year. I do not feel right going with the amount of colds, ear infections, pnemonia, etc., that we have going through our house right now. I don't think these families need that! I wish I could do MORE than wrap presents, but that is what I can contribute this year!

BAM! BAM!





Andrew is able to hold things in his hands forever!! I hope that does not mean he is unable to relax! It is amazing though. Yesterday he held onto a ball almost ALL day! We went through stores, eating, etc. and kept that ball in his hand. This evening, Andrew was playing - until he could not play anymore. He crawled up to me, I picked him up and he was out. I got up to put him in bed and when I went through his doorway something hit the door. I thought I hit his head or something - but it was his hammer in his hand behind my back.

He cracks me up with this hammer. The blue side is springy. So, it doesn't really hurt too bad - which is good because he is constantly hitting himself (and anything or anyone that gets inbetween him and the hammer)in the head with it!

The hammer is in a different position in the two pictures because I tried to take it. He woke up, sat up and took his hammer back - then laid back down and went to right back to sleep.

The moral: DON'T MESS WITH BAM BAM'S HAMMER!!!!