A Few Things

Yesterday in pictures.....

Jadon loves the birds that come to the window feeder.  He starts screaming in delight. 

Jadon and John used tongs to move pom poms from one container to another.  They love this activity!

 I finished my first scarf yesterday.  Here is Shelby modeling it.  Here is the tutorial. 

Jadon loved riding the horse at Meijer last night.  It was his first time.  He was watching the kids at the claw machine when I took the picture.

We did not see Mason last night but I had to share this picture.  He is so stinkin' cute and I think he is going to look just like his Momma.

Looking forward to Thanksgiving tomorrow! 

Look What I Made!!

 I just finished my first purse/bag...whatever you would like to use it for!  I am very happy with how it turned out.  The tutorial I used complete with pictures was so easy to follow!  I am putting it along with a scarf I am working on now in my family's gift exchange next week.  I really hope they like it! 

It even has pockets on the inside.

Is This Week Over Yet?

I am still feeling worn out today. It is funny how a day of doing absolutely nothing but sitting in various waiting rooms in a hospital can be absolutely exhausting. However, there is no rest for the weary! Today was therapy. I was a little worried about how therapy would go after such a long day yesterday, but Jadon had a great therapy session. He played and worked really hard. We came home with our own e-stim unit today. It may be only temporary. We will see. If our insurance is not going to pay for the unit them we can send it back no charge even though we have already been using it. Dr. Kozin says that he has a neutral position when it comes to e-stim. He has not seen a lot of benefits come from it but it does not do any harm either. Since each child is different and may benefit he lets parents try it if they would like to. Since Dr. Kozin feels that way we decided we are not going to stress about not doing e-stim if insurance say no.

Therapy was about the most exciting part of our day today. The evening was pretty low key. This picture of Shelby lounging with the dogs is proof of that. I though this was pretty cute. She said they were a little heavy but so, so warm.

I saw this on a blog today.  Just thought I would share. 

Always rejoice,
constantly pray,
in everything give thanks.

For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

What A Trooper!

I was a little nervous about how today was going to go.  They told me that Jadon could not have anything to eat or drink for 8 hrs. prior to having his MRI.  They told us to be there by 11 am so I figured he would not be able to have anything after he went to bed for the night.  However, for some reason he woke up around 1 am and could not fall back to sleep.  I decided since it was before the cut off time I would go ahead and get him up, rock him, and give him a milk tippy.  Maybe keep him from being so hungry in the morning.  It took me about an hour to get him back to sleep.  The whole time I was rocking him I was praying to God to please let the NOT be the flu!  One of my daycare kids did not come yesterday because he was vomiting.  I was worried that Jadon was up in the night because his tummy hurt.  I prayed over and over, asking for God to please keep Jadon healthy so he could get his test done today!!  Once he fell back to sleep I went to bed and crossed my fingers that he would not get sick and would sleep in a little!

My prayers were answered!  Jadon never got sick and he slept until 9 am.  When he did wake up he was in a good mood.  Yes!!!  We cuddled for awhile.  We played with the dog.  Then I put in his favorite music DVD to watch while I finished rounding up everything I needed to keep him entertained while we waited.  Anyone who takes a child in for a test with no toys because they don't believe they will have to wait is setting themselves up for torture!  If there is anything I have learned through all of this is that things will not be running on time and you had better be prepared!  By the time the DVD was over I was ready to go.

Jadon and I picked up Daddy at work then made our way to the hospital.  We were signed in and then a nurse took us back to our own little waiting room.  Thankfully there was a little tv on a cart.  The cart underneath the TV was full of kids videos!  I knew they were going to be a lifesaver when the nurse said that the scan in front of Jadon's was running about an hour behind.  Fantastic!

Luckily Jadon loves Sesame Street and Blue's Clues.  He was so happy for a kid who had nothing to eat or drink for hours.  He played with some of the toys I brought but for the most part he just relaxed on one of our laps and watched videos.  He never cried.  We ended up waiting for three hours in that little room and Jadon never fussed.  I am being totally honest.  I was amazed.   I just love this kid!

He finally went to be put under general anesthesia for his scan at 2 pm.  They told us that the scan itself would be about an hour and a half.   The first thing we did after getting our beeper from the waiting room was hunt down some food!  We could not eat in front of Jadon so we were starving!!   At about 4:15 the pager went off to let us know that Jadon was in the recovery area.  One of us was aloud to go back to see him at this time.  Since I did when Jadon had his hernia surgery in July I told Matt it was his turn.  Finally at about 5:00 they paged me to say that I could join both of them.  When I got back to the room he was still groggy but was chugging apple juice.  He was draining the last little bit of is second tippy when I arrived.  They were trying to get him to eat some animal crackers but he was not interested.  Matt said that the first thing Jadon said when he woke up and saw the tape on his left hand that was holding his IV in was "Uh Oh".  LOL!  Once they check his vitals a few more times we were allowed to get him dressed and take him home.  We arrived at home around 6 pm!  Ugh!

 Cuddling with Daddy and trying to figure out what happened!

 So sleepy still!

Dinner was waiting for us!  Jadon fell asleep on the way home and slept right through it.  The last time he had surgery he slept for a long time afterwards.  He woke up around 7:30.  This time he was ready to eat!  He finished the animal crackers from the hospital,  some yogurt, grapes, and cheese.  Then he downed 2 tippys of milk.  Grandma let us borrow Toy Story 3 and we all relaxed and watched that together.  After it was over we did get Jadon in bed.  I was worried he would be to wound up.  We will see if he sleeps through the night.

Jadon enjoying some of his favorites after not eating anything ALL day!

The hospital sent us home with a copy of the scan.  We saved a copy on our computer and tomorrow will mail the disc off to Philadelphia. 

Hello!

Hello!  I am not keeping up with this blog very well!  Oh well.  No one is perfect.  Here are just a few things....

Just had to show off Daddy's first kinesio taping job.  When Ellen asked us last week at therapy who was going to learn I designated Matt as the official kinesio taper.  I think he did a great job!

 Today I found some cardboard to make ramps for the hot wheels cars that Jadon has been playing with a lot lately.  He really thought that was fun!

 Here is what we have on our table this week.  A musical toy that also teaches sizes.  You have to put the correct size bear in the right place or the bear does not play his instrumental part of the song (or light up).  Then of course the See N' Say.  Then a collection of simple foam puzzles.  Finally lacing spools. 

 We got outside today.  Jadon asked for his hood to be up.  His ears must have been getting a little chilly. 

 Today I busted out the window bird feeder.  Now that we will not be opening the sliding door anymore I could hang it.  Hopefully, the birds will find it and the kids can see some birds up close through the one way mirror.  The birds see their reflection and don't know we are looking at them.   I am just hoping the suction cups hold.  They are getting a little old.

We kept Jadon up a little later tonight.  He has an MRI of both shoulder at 11 am.  The MRI is with anesthesia so he can't eat or drink for 8 hrs. before the test.  So I decided to try and keep him up a little later tonight hoping that he will sleep in tomorrow.  The less time he is up begging for his milk tippy in the morning the better.  Hoping things go smoothly in the morning!

Toddler Talk Thursday

Last week I missed Toddler Talk Thursday last week because we were traveling but I wanted to join back in this week.  This week Family and Life In Las Vegas, Life Of A Sippy Cup Mom, and Crazy About My Baybah are asking everyone to show off their four favorite pics of their toddlers.  Jeez....this was hard!  I take photos almost everyday.  So I decided to pic four of my favorite pics from our summer.

I love this!  He looks so silly with his brother's hat on backwards!

Look at that "I am so innocent" face.  NOT!!  One of my favorite shirts also!

I love this because he looks so confident.  He is unstoppable!

 Mommy's silly monkey!

I think all these picks are a good representation of what a sweet, silly, goofy child Jadon is.  He is so much fun!  I am so blessed to be his mom!  Where is the time going!  He is growing up so fast! 

Owie!!

Owie came to play today!  The boys had a lot of fun.  It has been awhile since the boys have spent time together.  We spent most of the morning outside again.  Here are a few pics from our day.

Don't they look like they are so happy and getting along?  In reality I had to sit there and make sure they did not take each others toys.

 Owen really liked this activity.  I saved a spice jar with a flip lid and put some poker chips in it.  They love to shake them out and put them back in.

 Stringing spools is another table time activity out this week.  Only Kale has shown an interest in it however.

 Owen and Kale both played at the table for quite awhile.

 The boys playing in the sandbox.

 Cruisin' down the sidewalk.

 I started calling Owen "Crash" because he kept tipping his ride on toy over on purpose.  He thought is was a blast.  I was just hoping he did not get hurt!

Today I am thankful that Jadon has a cousin close in age to him.  I am thankful that I get the opportunity to spend time with, and get to know my brother's boys.  I am thankful that Owen looks forward to coming to play at our house.  We sure do look forward to him coming to play! 

Until tomorrow....

What We Have Been Up To...

I know, I know....I have been quiet for a few days.  I have been a bad, bad blogger.  I have several days worth of giving thanks to post!  I guess you could say I was recharging my battery.  These trips to Philadelphia are pretty stressful for me.  I am pretty sure Matt would say the same thing.  Heck!  Jadon would probably agree.  I start getting stressed about a week leading up to our appointment, and it just gets worse the closer we get.  Then you add a stressful, long car ride through the mountains in the rain, a few misadventures thanks to an insane Garmin, Philadelphia aka "the city from hell", a toddler that does not want the doctor we just drove for two days to see touch him, news that another surgery is in the near future, and another trip back through the mountains to get home, and well.....I am pretty much toast for a few days. 

By the time we get back all I want is to spend some time in my home with my family doing things that are just normal.  I just want to cook for my family, play with Jadon, hang out with Shelbers and Jacob, and just chill.  I want to enjoy silence, or the absence of police sirens, people yelling, horns honking.  I really am not made for the big city.  I am totally out of my element there.  I guess I would say I was just getting back into my routine.  Getting back into my comfort zone.  I was talking to someone the other day and called it decompressing.  I start to physically relax again.  Every part of my body that was tied in knots just starts to let go.  Ahhh....I love my little home in the country.  So that would be one thing that I am definitely thankful for.  My sweet little house in the woods.  I gives me peace, comfort, and joy to live here.  Even though we are busting at the seams I love it!

Jadon was happy to be home too.  He squealed when we pulled in the driveway.  He was even happier when Monday came around and his friends were back!   I am so glad he enjoys having the other boys around.  His face just lights up when they come in the door.  I am thankful that Jadon enjoys sharing his space, his toys, and his Mommy each day.

Jadon and John playing with the castle I got out "new" for this week.

 Jadon missed his puppy vacuum.

 He missed the basket of blankets too!  He loves to get them all out and......

 Bury himself in them.

The absolute icing on the cake of being home has been this amazing weather!!  Wow!  I don't remember ever having my windows open in November before.  We have been spending a lot of our mornings outside playing.  Yesterday we even took a long walk.  We took some bags and were hunting for pinecones.  I want to try a craft project I saw on another blog.  I will post pics if I ever get to it!  

Here are a few more pics of the last two days. 

So let's see.....I already named two things I am thankful for.  First, was my cozy little home.  Second, was that Jadon loves sharing his life with other kids.  So I think I still have three more days including today to make up for.  No problem....I am thankful for this gift of great weather before winter starts to set in.  I am thankful that we had a safe trip to Philadelphia and back.  I am thankful for the yummy meal my mother-in-law cooked for us tonight.  It was really nice not to have to cook tonight.  I got to stay outside and play with the boys until it got dark!  Awesome!

I promise I will be a better blogger from now on!  Until tomorrow....

So Many Things.....

Today I can list several things I am thankful for.  Hopefully this will make up for not being able to post yesterday.  Traveling is so hectic!

Last night we stayed at my cousin, Angie's place, in Ohio.  It is always nice to visit with her family.  She always makes these delicious meals for us also!  Last night she made us a yummy chili mac.  So I am definitely thankful for family and good home cooked meals!  Eating fast food all the time just does not sit well with my tummy.

This morning we got an early start (7:30) so we could stop by the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium on our way to Philly.  We figured Jadon deserved some fun after being so good on the first part of the trip.  The bonus is that we get in FREE with our Miller Park Zoo pass!  How cool it that??!!!  So we got an early start but not long after getting on the Ohio Turnpike we realized that we needed fuel.  Matt had Mrs. Garmin search for the closest fuel and the next thing we know we are getting right back off the turnpike.  When we exited the turnpike we had 30 plus miles until empty.  We start to follow the directions Mrs. Garmin is giving us and start to get annoyed because she is taking us further and further away from the turnpike.  We probably drove about 6 miles only to turn on a road in the middle of the country with nothing but farm houses around and here her say  "Arriving at destination".  Oh we were so mad.  By the time we wound around in the country to finally find a gas station that was real we had only ten miles of fuel left and had wasted about 45 minutes.  Talk about frustrating! 

We finally made it to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium.  Jadon really loved the shark tunnel.  Some other favorites were the penguins, polar bears, and gorillas.  As usual he growled at everything.  It cracks me up! 

The shark tunnel

 Big sharks!

 The polar bear.

 We only had about an hour to see the zoo and aquarium before we had to hit the road again.  We wanted to make it to the Ronald McDonald House by dinner time so we could enjoy another home cooked meal.  Each night a group of volunteers bring in a home cooked meal for everyone staying at the house.  It is always very good.  So here are two more things I am thankful for.  First that we had a room at the Ronald McDonald House.  Second that there are wonderful people out there who make meals to bring in for families that are traveling! 

Jadon was really good in the car again today.

Our trip across Pennsylvania was very nerve wracking today.  It was raining the whole trip from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia.  It had just started to rain when we were leaving the zoo.  Driving through the mountains in the rain is no fun.  Matt was getting pretty tense so it only mad matters worse when Mrs. Garmin decided to screw up once again as we were heading into Philadelphia.  We got off on the exact number/letter exit she told us to and as soon as we exited we heard...."recalculating"....Ugh!  The worst part about this was that is was rush hour and the roads were packed.  She told us to go on a route for 2.5 miles.  The 2.5 miles took us about 20 minutes off stop and go.  Then we get back onto 76 East.  She gives us directions to take an exit and then at the very last minute she changes her directions to stay on 76.  Well, by that point it was too late.  So we were back in bumper to bumper stop and go traffic.  The whole trip from Pittsburgh the Garmin had been telling us we would arrive at 5 pm.  We finally arrived at RMH at 6:30.  We were so glad to have arrived and still in time for dinner!!  So here is the next thing I am thankful for.  I am thankful that we made it to Philadelphia safely.  It was a little tense there at the end of the journey.  Mrs. Garmin is not on Matt's good side right now.  He says one more mistake from her on this trip and he is throwing her out the window.


We checked into RMH and then went to have dinner.  During dinner they announced that two therapy dogs were in the living room area for a visit with the kids.  I was so excited to see them!  I had already seen pictures of them from a friend that had been staying here on night when the therapy dogs came for a visit.  I thought the two dogs were adorable.  Jadon was not interested.  He was pretty annoyed with us for taking him away from the play area.  He had been in the car most of the day.  He was ready to roam! 

The therapy dogs.  One boxer and one mastiff.

He loved this Radio Flyer ride on airplane.

 And he just loved the play door that lead from the grocery store to the kitchen.

Now we are settled into our room for the night.  Jadon has taken a tubby and is all clean.  He has his milk.  We are hoping he is ready to settle down soon.  We will see.  That is the biggest problem with this long trip.  After all that time in the car Jadon is pretty wound up.  Last night we could not get him to sleep until about midnight. 

Our appointment is at 8:45 tomorrow morning.  After that we need to come back to RMH, clean our room, and load up the car (again).  Then we will be heading back home.  Our plan is to find a hotel with a pool tomorrow night so that Jadon can go swimming.  Hopefully at some point tomorrow night I will be able to update you!