Thursday, June 28, 2012

....rockin' the ear tubes......

.....my little man is such a champ.....

....when he woke up at 5am, he was quite displeased that his bottle was not warm milk, but rather, luke warm apple juice......I tried to urge him to take it with the enthusiasm and appreciation of one who understood it was still 30 minutes before the deadline of not being allowed to consume a clear liquid......he wasn't buying it......he doesn't even drink juice......we played some games and danced to some Yo Gabba Gabba as we held the girls off from eating breakfast until Brody and I left.... ...it wouldn't have been very nice to throw it in his face that not only could he not have his warm bottle of milk, but that he couldn't eat either.....

.....Brody and Momma were both very happy for the distraction of cabbing it to the hospital.....it's not very fun when a litte one's schedule is totally thrown out the window, but he did okay.....not great, but okay.....It made me realize how much Brody loves his bottle.....


.....and leave it to my little man that when he gets around some pretty girls, his whole demeanor changes.......he had a few nurses that gave him some special attention.......he got his own toys, his own see saw rocker, his own private bubble show, a warm blanket and a giraffe gown that made him chuckle......the hospital was so much more fun than home.....and a great distraction to the fact he hadn't eaten or had anything to drink since 7pm the night before......


.....Daddy arrived as soon as the girls were passed off to the sitter, who took the girls on an all day NYC expedition of the zoo, three playground parks and a trip to choose their favorite flavor ice cream.....


.....being put under anesthesia was scary for him, but I was lucky tht they allowed me to stay until he was out.....although, it is tough to have to leave your baby in someone else's care when they are in such a vulnerable state.....but all went well and coming out of anesthesia was just as scary for him as going under......but we are thankful that all of the fluid that was putting pressure on his ears is gone, his hearing has improved tremendously, his lowgrade constant fever is nonexistent and his balance is already looking more like a new walker, opposed to a staggering drunk.....

.....I think we are going to embrace the benefits of these new tubes......

....and if minor surgery isn't an excuse to feel loved by friends, I don't know what is......

.....fact is, we have amazing friends and we felt very loved......



.....and we are grateful to be safe, cozy and well.....

.....snug as a bug in his own bed......


....now we're ready to start the easy, breezy summer days.....


Wednesday, June 27, 2012

.....let's roll.....

.....I am waiting for easy, breezy and lazy to begin this summer because so far, it's been fast and furious.....don't get me wrong, we had a small taste of lazy days right after school let out and again when we took a detour to the midwest, but since then, it's been full of appointments, doctors visits, apartment showings, and house hunting......other than the later start for our mornings, there hasn't been much of a break in the craziness of it all......I am crashing into bed each night wondering where my day disappeared to and trying to determine how I can take control of the pace our family seems to be taking.....I am hopeful, however that the race will slow down soon......there are a few variables that are coming to a close that will bring changes to our life, but will also draw many things to a halt......for the time being.....and then we can get back to easy breezy, just the way our summer started two weeks ago.....




.....my sweet boy has ear tube surgery tomorrow and when that is said and done, my trips to and from the doctor will cease.....in two days, we have had three pre-op appointments as our doctors have debated whether or not the surgery was necessary.....we have collectively decided to move forward with it and not only will we soon be appointment free for the next week ahead, but my little man will finally be able to hear clearly and his ability to balance will improve tremendously.....


......it is hard to imagine that he will be a happier little person with the ability to hear at a 100% and not experience any discomfort.....there are days I can not imagine how having a happier, sweeter baby boy is even possible.....


....it's safe to say that Stefan and I are both smitten with him and we are praying for an easy and safe procedure for our little guy......




.....Brody isn't the only one who has had his fair share of appointments......outside of his three visits in two days, the girls also had their long awaited trip to the dentist......Elsie, who has already been once promised to be the good example for Callie who was scared out of her mind.....

.....let's just say that Elsie wasn't making the experience look very desirable.....


....although once the dentist arrived with his smooth talk and funny jokes, the mood of the room quickly changed......


....so overall, Elsie did a fine job as the brave big sister and gently encouraged Callie to climb into the chair....and although my youngest girl hesitated, only slightly; she fearlessly told the dentist with her wide, blue intent eyes that she was ready.....and she did so well......seriously obeying the instruction and requests of turning this way or that or opening wider when needed......


....and when asked, Callie also insisted that she was old enough to handle a minute of the fluoride soak......


.....I was so impressed and thrilled with the girls' behavior and dental courage, that we popped into Rockafeller Center for ice cream and a visit to our favorite fountains......





.....and for a few minutes it felt like easy breezy.......until I took a look at the time an realized we had only a few minutes to get home to relieve our babysitter who stayed back to play with Brody while we ladies sat at the dentist's office for three hours.....

.....and then it was his turn for ice cream because we are big about keeping it fair around this place.....

....and he certainly appreciates when we include him in ice cream runs....



.....apartment showings or trips to CT to find a house have both taken a toll on our free time.....and although both are temporary, they have certainly limited our mobility and freedom so far this summer......so when we can find even small moments to squeeze in some fun in the midst of the rat race, we always take the opportunity to do so......





....and we know the spontaneous text messages of, hey, want to get the kids together for pizza in the playroom? are short lived......

....so we always say yes....



....because it's a treat for the Momma's just as much as it's a treat for our little ones..... 


.....and we are savoring every opportunity to relish in togetherness with our NYC family......


....because we know there is a house in our future that will take us away from this place we call home.....

.....and Elsie has drawn out exactly what she has in mind for our family.....she clearly pointed out that the top left window is Callie and Brody's room, as she thinks it's time she has her own room.....

....think again, sweet girl.....sisters in this house share......

.....although, we are impressed with our four year old's art work and vision for our family......so her drawing has been taped to our front door and I think we will keep it there for a while for inspiration......


.....looking forward to relishing in some good family time ahead, less appointments around town, a happier little man in our home and more spontaneous play dates.....


.....and some road trips that include strawberry picking, beaches and poolside fun..... 


.....ready to roll into July and truly celebrate summer......

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

....the show me state......

.....why, hello blog.....it sure has been a while.....

.....I've been taking some much needed time off to savor and enjoy the small and significant moments with my extended family.....


.....nothing fills up my empty tank more than being with the ones I long for......

......busy and hectic can be draining.....and our last several weeks have been blurry......so the best way to replenish is to take your husband and your babies and hop on a plane to a place that screams home......

......this was a last minute, special occasion decision to pack up spontaneously (somewhat) and stay at my brother's beautiful new home, allow the cousins to play in the presence of their Bambi and spend two days with my aunt and uncle.....


.....they are two of the most God loving people I have ever known.....they have intertwined their marriage with God' love and grace.....their spirits are drenched with the ability to faithfully love one another, show mercy and compassion for others, accept each day as a gift, and they truly find contentment whether they live in plenty or in want......I am encouraged and uplifted simply by being in their presence and our next reunion can not arrive soon enough......

......and although the whole family enjoys time together, we ladies always congregate anywhere and everywhere......and we don't miss a second of catching up on anything......




.....and the youngest ladies of the family are learning at an early age that there is nothing like good conversations with the ones you love.....



.....and sometimes words don't need to be spoken to share what is in our hearts.....actually, not talking can sometimes have more of an impact..... 




.....but the unspoken moments were few and far between......

.....five little cousins all under the ripe age of four and a half have a lot to say.......there were many opinions, several requests, exciting new ideas, and our babes provided quite the entertainment for all of us......



.....summer has also brought some hearty appetites.....





....and for those who know me well know that the show me state is my birthplace.....although I consider myself a Floridian at heart, I can not miss an opportunity to pay tribute to the state that welcomed me into this beautiful world.....so my sister in law, Erica, found two sitters who accepted the challenge of five children under the age of five and we took an opportunity to show the show me state that we can still rock it out as the couples we were before we became parents......

....and, that outside of our children; we are still fun and interesting people.....sometimes we need that reminder when we are in the trenches of raising babies......


....I also jump at the chance for a date night with my love......my husband, who, as each day passes; takes a little bit more of my heart captive.....


.....and then add my brother and his wife in the mix and I am smitten.....happy, chatty, giddy and having the time of my life......and sorry Cardinals, but I had no idea what was happening during the game......I was too busy catching up and cherishing my company.....but congrats, because apparently you won......




....and in my old life when I used to run an office of people who worked hard, yet played hard; I always reminded them that if you hoot with the owls, then you best be ready to chirp with the birds.....and we did just that after our adult night out.....groggy eyed and fueled on coffee, yet bushy tailed and ready for a new adventure.....



.....we may have lagged behind for a short time, but eventually, we caught up......



......and in my experience, the end of a journey always has a pot of gold.....it may take a while to find it, but it's there......you just need to look for it......or in our case, walk for it.....

.....I couldn't help but pop in an abandoned hanger that hosts a flea market on the weekends.....I found so many treasured left overs just browsing on a weekday that I was tempted to camp out and wait for the next weekend sale because I have a feeling there are some steals to be had in that part of the midwest...... 




.....I eventually found my way back to the family.....we played, hid in the shade every so often to take reprieve from the blazing sun and kicked back and enjoyed.....we really embraced the time together and it was so nice to inhale the sweet smell of summer......

.....with a sprinkle of family.....











.....and because today is officially the first day of summer.....

.....Happy Summer to you.....

....find your red, white and blue.....


.....enjoy the ones you love......



.....and take a lazy siesta......



......get your hands dirty and savor every minute of it.....


.....we certainly are.....