Notice a pattern?

Has anyone else noticed that the kids always get sick when Steve is in Florida? How does he plan that?!

Luckily, he's coming home tonight. I need a nap!

My first call to the emergency line

That's right. Yesterday was supposed to be a nice, quiet day since the boys were sick. It was a beautiful day, so after lunch, I proposed a walk to the totlot. We loaded Wes into our jogger and were off. We got to the totlot, and happily played on the rocking horses and swings. And the boys asked me to push them (well... Carson wanted to be pushed. Wes just happliy swung.)

Higher and higher and suddenly, Carson's swing was going off to the side and as he swung back the back of his head slammed into the wooden pole on the side of the swing. I mean SLAMMED. It was awful. Like slow motion, but there was nothing I could do until it was over. As soon as I could, I grabbed him and pulled him off the swing. He screamed immediately, then the dreaded, long silent scream. Finally, he jumped out of my arms and ran like crazy in circles... as I chased him. He wanted to go back on the swing and up the ladder, but I knew not to let him. When I was finally able to pick him up again, he started telling me that his throat hurt. So, of course, he vomited--projectile and all over both of us. Which really upset him. When he was able to sit, next to Wes' swing, I called the ped.

Of course, we walked to the totlot, so I needed a ride home. I was so fortunate that a friend was home. We got to her house and her older son (5) stayed home with her younger son (2) who was napping. Deb drove us home, twice (I realized when we were home the first time that my keys were in the stroller in her garage.)

Went to the doctor and he checked out Carson. Everything was fine. We were really lucky. No sign of concussion, etc.

All night, everytime I closed my eyes I envisioned the slam. It was awful.

We're really lucky.

And, of course, this happens when Steve is away!

3 down, 4 to go

That's what I said when the pediatrician told me, Thursday, that the boys have Coxsackie, or Hand Foot Mouth, again! There are 7 strains, so we're almost halfway there.

Its a very common childhood virus. Spreads really easily. The kids are fine, actually they're doing much better. Carson took the day off from school yesterday. He could have gone, the virus is so common and he's not officially contagious as you're contagious 2 days before through 2 days after the fever. (They had fevers a week ago Thursday and Friday).

Just little blisters are left on their hands, feet, and inside the mouth. Actually, Wes has hardly any blisters. Carson had a bigger case this time. It was all over his bottom, as well as his legs and back.

More zoo pictures

There were baby lemurs, I'm not sure if they were 3 weeks or 3 months. We were able to sit within 3 feet and watch them play and play. They were so fun as they tumbled and jumped. The kids and I loved them! Adorable!!

To the zoo...

Yesterday was the perfect day for a trip to the zoo! The weather wasn't too hot, so the animals were playful and the kids lasted a while. It was also empty--since school has started and its the beginning of the school year, ie there was only 1 school bus there!, it was midweek also midweek--meaning locals only. A spur of the moment day trip. We enjoyed no lines or crowds, and docents and keepers who wanted to talk and entertain! This time, we did 2 houses we've never ventured in before: Reptiles and Amphibians and Big Cats!

Carson reported his favorite animal of the day were the penguins. They were fun to watch. It was interesting to see how they move in packs. Wesley loved it all... he waved to every animal. My favorite was the baby primates (lemurs.) They were so playful and the kids sat within 2-3 feet of them to watch.

Visiting with the elephants--who were friendlier than ever before. Sadly, their neighbors, the hippos, were sleeping. Carson really wanted to visit them. But the elephants did so much--I loved how they're ears flapped, and they were a great introduction to the zoo.

Did you know...

that a handicapped sign is really a person on the potty?

Take off!

Steve took the boys to the local airport tonight--and we hear it was an exciting night there. Not only was there a medivac with an ambulance and police cars, but a girl from a PITT atheletic team who was going home with an injury as well as a lot of other action. In the background of the picture (behind the sunglare) you can see the nose of a plane. According to Carson, "the golfclubs were in the noses. That's so funny." The second picture shows Wes standing--apparently he didn't want to touch the fence.


Oh, and Carson went "peepee on the grass."

Milestones: Standing and first steps: Look at me!!

I'm standing!! Wes has been standing for about a week or two. He doesn't usually like to do it... for a while as soon as he noticed it he would sit down. But you can see here he's getting more comfortable.

He's also beginning to take steps. About 3 at a time. He'll be running circles around us soon!

A week of first days

Carson is back at school now. He's in the same class as last year, with the same teacher, and happy as can be. 3 days a week is very exciting for him. Every other night when I tell him he has school tomorrow, he says, "again!?" Here he is on his first day.

He also started his second session of gymnastics last week. He BEGGED to attend. Even if he could only do one activity, he chose gymnastics. Last Sunday, while Steve was flipping through the stations during halftime, he came across the world championships for Mens' Gymnastics. Carson started trying to do everything they were doing. Steve, being a fantastic father, kept the championships on so that he could watch.

So, on Thursday I took him to class. The ratio was fantastic. There are 8 children, 7 of whom were there. With 2 coaches, Carson's group had only 3 children and one coach. He's in the "older" group, which one of the parents in the waiting room explained as more advanced... or taller? After the 45 minute class, Carson came out SO excited, exhausted and sweaty. He had an amazing time.

The rest of the day (and week) Carson has been showing us his somersaults. Know what? They're REALLY good! The night before he went he would get in the "ready position" and fall to the side. After just 45 minutes of class, he pushes off his feet and rolls straight ahead.

Welcome Home, Heidi!

We're so happy to have you back in the states--miss you dearly! Take some time... relax... enjoy your adoring husband.

Then come visit!!!

We'll miss you Uncle David!

We're all so happy that Uncle David and Aunt Heidi will be reunited in Tennessee this month. Its been a long time that Heidi's been deployed in Iraq and everyone's so glad to have her home.

Last night, we celebrated Dave's relocation to Tennessee.

Wesley's First Birthday Party

We can't believe he's one already!! What a fantastic party!

Carson's Birthday Party

Lots of pictures!! I'm not editing them and am posting a lot.
The party was wonderful... at our community pool. Most of Carson's classmates attended, as well as many neighborhood friends. Enjoy!

All over Mommy!

As many of you know, both boys had Hand Foot Mouth disease a few weeks ago. Carson was left with a dreadful case of blisters on his feet that dried out as peeling skin. Of course, never having experienced peeling skin before, this could have become a great sport. Instead, I took to giving him pedicures... yes, pedicures.

No... I didn't paint his toenails, but I took out my Peppermint Foot Exfoliant and Lotion, as well as "special" sponges and went to town. He loved it and it became a fun ritual during Wes' morning naps.

So after a bath about a week later, his feet still peeling, I forgot to put Carson on the potty and started the "pedicure" before getting him ready for bed. Sitting in my pretty skirt, I put Carson on my lap and began massaging his feet with the lotion. A few minutes later, he was finished and got off my lap. After a few seconds, he starts laughing... really hard.

Wanting to be in on the joke, Steve asked what was so funny? "I peed!" He said, "all over Mommy!" Yep, my skirt was all wet... and I thought it was just water not absorbed by the towel!

Wes is starting to say a little more

Don't push him for it, but recently we've heard "bye-bye", "more" (spoken as "war" with almost the sign--though its a mix of more, clapping and the sign for ball), "ball" (spoken as "ba"), and "book" (in Wes' language, that's without the "k".)

But the best was on Sunday night. He wasn't feeling well at all, so we brought him into our room. After a while he started putting his hand on his belly and looking up at me with a really sad look. I asked him if it hurt by signing "hurt" and saying the word several times. Wes half smiled, rubbed his belly and said "urt" a few times.

Happiest little guy in the world!

In the tub last night...

"Hey Mom! Wow! Look! Wesley has the same p---- as me!"

Saturday night= Date night

We had a wonderful time on Saturday night at the Goshen Country Fair. And we're talking a real country fair--livestock judging and everything. We went with friends, and Carson and Leah had a wonderful time. The two of them are just so cute together. They went on all sorts of rides together--the DRAGON (kiddie roller coaster) and their Daddies were cool enough to take them on the Ferris Wheel (while Mommies stayed back with Wes and happily chatted away.)

BTW, they were telling secrets over pizza.

Hand Foot Mouth... again

Yesterday, Wes surprised us spiking a fever of 102.9. It continued to go up and down all day and night, generally between 100 and 102.5. There were times when he was completely lethargic as well. Today, it seemed to subside and he was much more himself. But at 6:00, his fever was still 100.5.

Carson, who never had a fever, began to show signs of a foot rash yesterday. I noticed it but it didn't concern me -- he had been walking barefoot on the hot hot deck during the day and I assumed (wrongly) that that's what had caused it.

The rash got worse and we took both boys to the doctor tonight. Carson's HFM is on his feet only and not contagious as he doesn't have a fever. Wes, since he still has a fever, is contagious. And his sores are in his mouth--extremely painful.

Its going to be a long night.

Opening Party

The opening party at The Homestead was held on The Great Lawn--an open area perfect for a Southern BBQ--with Volleyball, parachute play, sack races, Bocce Ball--even a band and a frisbee (courtesy of Carson!) Of course, nothing was as wonderful for the kids as rolling down the huge hill. And for Steve and Dad, nothing was as wonderful as the yummy ribs!

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