They're done!

Here are the wood boards Joe made for Logan's room (with a little help from my dad and yours truly). I think they look so great!  I can't wait for Logan to open them and then to hang them in his room! I haven't decided if I will lay them out like this, or split it into two arrangements.  What do you think?

A Christmas Tale

We've been getting ready for Christmas: attending Christmas parties, sitting on Santa's lap, ice skating, building gingerbread houses (from a kit).  But most importantly, we've been trying to teach our children about Christ's entrance into the world.  We do that by telling it as a story, learning songs, looking at pictures, watching the LDS Nativity, tomorrow we'll do THE skit.  The kids are catching on. They both know, for instance, that an inn is a hotel, that shepherds take care of sheep, and that the sign was a big star in the sky.  Today we read a picture book about the birth of Christ. When Logan saw the star shining brightly in the sky, he commented, "Look mom, there's the sign that Jesus was born." I kinda' started to feel emotional at my 5-year-old's simple testimony.  Then he said, "But mom, who's holding the sign." Stop, What?(me) "It's a star." (Logan) "Yeah, I see the star, but who's holding it?" Um, (me) "Heavenly Father put the star in sky so everyone would know Jesus was born." (Logan) "Yeah, but you said it's a sign.  Who's holding it?"  

Merry Christmas ya'll!  In trying to keep up with laundry, I failed to send out Christmas cards to everyone this year.  May we all feel Christ's love this holiday and throughout the new year.

Joe's firm party for the kids. He had a nice dress-uppy one that night that I got to go to (all dressed up!) but we failed to take pics. They all (happily) sat on Santa's lap, and they printed out pics, but we don't have a scanner.  Sorry.

Madison hated it.

Logan loved it.  We loved the walker.

Logan and the Hairy Nevus

The SURGERY story:

Logan had surgery in November to have an umbilical hernia repaired (new belly pics to come). While his surgeon (Dr. Stallion) was fixing Logan, he noticed the birthmark Logan has on his left hip and suggested (after the surgery, of course) that he have it removed ASAP, as it was likely to one day be cancerous.  Obviously, we knew about the birthmark since day 1 of Logan's life and had heard the opinion of the 5 doctors we have had in the past 5 years.  We had been told to measure it every year, which we've been doing, and it has grown about .5 cm per year. Never had anyone suggested we remove it. Plus, Dr. Stallion warned that if it got much bigger (which also means thicker), we would most likely need to do a skin graft. Too bad he didn't just do it at the same time as the bellybutton.

Since we've used up our health insurance deductible (baby+surgery 1=$$$), we decided to go ahead and get it done before the new year (=free).  Lucky Logan has been a good sport about wearing hospital gowns and blowing in the "space-man" mask.  Waking up from surgery is no fun, although recovery was much easier this time (no muscles were touched). He even went to school the next day--his request. We'll take off the bandage tomorrow and see his "new" hip.

It's been hard for me to explain to him why he needs to have these things done.  I have a funny fingernail, and I never understood why my parents and doctor asked me if I wanted to have it removed and replaced with a fake fingernail.  Of course now I know it was so that I wouldn't feel different--isn't that what we parents worry about for our kids? I want Logan to understand that we love him and his body just the way he is--funny belly-button or large birthmark. I'm pretty sure I care more about it than he does. (OK, funny story: a few days after removing the bandages from his "new" bellybutton, he came home from school with some exciting news: some other kids in his class had surgery too!--their bellybuttons didn't poke out either! I laughed and explained that most people's bellybuttons were like that.) Anyway, he's been a good sport.  I overheard him explaining to Madison what surgery was like... the gas mask, the doctor cutting the skin, waking up.  Madison has been begging me to not let the doctor give her surgery. I, too, hope our surgery days are done.

We tried to keep the pics modest.  We had to say goodbye to his birthmark.  I will miss it.

Post 100

Today Logan had his second surgery in just over a month.  We will post pictures and details soon, but right now I am home missing him and impatiently waiting for him and Joe to return home. We were scheduled to have the surgery at 1:30 p.m., but the world is against us and he didn't actually go into surgery until almost 6:00 p.m. Let's just say I have been a little grumpy today.  But we have much for which to be thankful: a wonderful friend with a small baby of her own came over and watched Madison and Grant (for much longer than planned). I called the hospital a bit ago and learned that Logan was out of surgery and in recovery and VERY hungry (he couldn't eat anything before the surgery). Grant went to bed a little early and I got to spend some alone time with Madison.  We ate leftovers, she took a bath, we played Candy Land, drank hot chocolate, and read a book.  We probably read 5-6 books a day, and often Madison asks silly questions like, "Where's the dog?" or "What is she doing?" Usually I find her questions silly and annoying (she knows where the dog is!).  Tonight I cuddled with her and actually looked at the pictures and talked about what the characters were doing, etc. We both had fun.  I often get caught up in getting things done--instead of savoring every minute, even if it takes 5 minutes more. The five minutes are much more rewarding than the saving of that time.  Now she's asleep, and the house is quiet, and I am waiting (impatiently) for my son and husband to come home. 

If You Lead Him.... He Will Come

In case you couldn't tell: that is a line of Cheerios that Logan made in the hopes that Grant would follow him to the playroom.

p.s. it worked

Thanksgiving 2008

We went to PA for Thanksgiving weekend.  We ate yummy, yummy food (seriously the moistest turkey EVER), spent quality time with family, went Black Friday shopping, had a date, and worked on some projects that require tools that we don't have--Joe (and Grandpa) cut some wood blocks to make CARS pictures for Logan and Jenny (and Grandma) made some awesome super-hero capes for the kids.  We will post pictures after Christmas.  As usual, we failed to take adequate pictures--I think these are the only 2 we got. But Grandma did spend a lot of time reading to the kids and Grandpa did spend a lot of time holding Grant.  Fun was had by all. 

The Wisdom of a 5-yr. Old

"All boys are men.  All girls are ladies.  But we are all usually people."

--Logan

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

We pulled out the snow boots and built our first snowman of the year.  Actually, my first ever--I usually let Joe or my super-brothers do that with the kids.  Apparently I need more practice because it was so pathetic that it fell over a few hours later.  Not to mention it needed some facial features, arms, etc.  The kids thought it was cool. :)

Also, Joe and I went to our first professional basketball game--the Cleveland Cavs. vs. Utah Jazz.  When my brother, Dennis, found out someone had given us tickets, he claimed we were "the luckiest people he knew."  The Cavs won, LeBron James IS good, and Joe and I enjoyed some time together--we are the luckiest people, after all!  

These pictures are for our family in Texas: Grant wearing a Longhorn beanie that Lola gave to Logan when he was a little guy.  We get lots of comments here in Ohio about the kids' Texas wardrobe.  I think he's pretty cute.

  

WOW!

I just marathon-blogged.  Read on!

Logan has Surgery

Logan has had an umbilical hernia since he was born.  We were hopeful that it would heal on its own, but after 5 years we decided to have it surgically repaired.  Logan was a little nervous, but prepared and ok with the idea of cutting his tummy, pushing his intestines in, and sewing it back up so he could have a normal belly-button.  We said good-bye to it that morning and took some pictures to remember it.  Grandma was able to come down and watch Madison and Grant while Joe and I were at the Cleveland Clinic with Logan.  (We were worried about Grant, but Grandma claims he never cried and took 3 bottles without hesitation.  What a blessing!)  The dr's and nurses were terrific.  As you can see, he wasn't too worried.  A counselor came in and talked to Logan about the gas mask--he was actually excited to breath through the "astronaut" mask.  I (Jenny) was able to go in with him to the operating room while they put him to sleep (which was a little scary) and then Joe and I waited for a few hours while the dr. did his magic. Logan was quite sore, but able to walk to the bathroom by himself by the end of the day.  It's been four days and he's doing great. He's sore, but that doesn't keep him from playing--he just holds his tummy and kind of walks bent-over, like and old man. How do you explain to a 5-yr-old that he really needs to take it easy for 3 weeks? Thanks to everyone who has called to see how he is doing. Mom, thanks for using your time to take care of us.  We love you!

Leaves

Last Friday, which may have been the last nice day of the year, we raked up our leaves.  The kids were sorta' helpers... well, they tried, anyway... and they had fun.  Well, Grant had fun for about .1 second before Logan and Madison thought they would have fun dropping itchy leaves on him. We started out with jackets but raking apparently burns some calories.  I also discovered it's easiest to rake the leaves into a pile then push, instead of pull, them to the street. Something cool about this place: we leave the leaves on the tree-lawn and this cute, Dr. Seuss-like truck (thanks for the imagery, Melinda) comes by and sucks up the leaves.  

Joe Ages

He is a husband, a father, a son, a grandson, a brother, a lawyer, and our favorite guy ever.  He turned a secret number (if you ask I'll tell) on Nov. 4.  He had a busy day: ate breakfast burritos in the morning, voted, visited the dentist, worked, gobbled lasagna and cheesecake, and spent an evening with his lovely family.  WE LOVE YOU!!!

Witch Problems

We have a witch problem.  Or actually, our witch has a problem.  She can't fly.  Oh, don't worry, she tries.  Over and over again.  That's right.  Mom thinks her little baby girl is taking a nap.  All of a sudden she hears a thump and some crying for help.  *Sigh*  Mom takes her time wiping off the counter and drags her tired body upstairs and finds:

the ceiling fan turning, a broom lying on the floor, and Madison HANGING from the bed post by her shirt.  

That's right folks.  I didn't need her to explain (but she did) that her attempt to fly off the bed FAILED.

But what do witches do?  Try, try again.  This time I caught her right before she attempted to fly down the stairs.

I'm pretty sure it's time to explain that the witches in the Halloween books Grandma gave her are not real.

Outlet Mall and Ducks

We found some GREAT deals at The Children's Place.  Shopping was even fun with the kids because they have DUCKS and a PLAYGROUND.

Robin Hood, Maid Marion, and King Richard

It was a warm night to trick-or-treat, the kids came away with lots of compliments and way too much candy.  Grant got to watch from the stroller.  

Logan's Halloween Parade

Logan's class made bear costumes and invited us to watch their class parade.  They then sang a few songs in front of the school.  Madison was invited to eat a snack with Logan and one of the teachers commented that she looked like she belonged there.  I'm pretty sure she agrees.  Maybe next year.

Pumpkin Carving

Election Results

I drafted a lengthy post in response to some who asked who we voted for, and why.

I'm not going to post it.

Politics is so divisive. There' so much to understand about our society and our legal system that no one, I'm quite confident, has the intellect and time to fully comprehend it. That's why politicians have scores of advisers--and still make mistakes. But for some reason we all think we have some angle that is more enlightened than the person next to us. And rather than run the risk of my muddy writing trespassing the sensitivities of certain friends, or initiating an endless volley of point counterpoint, I will quietly toss my manifesto in the electronic waste basket . . . forever.

I'm just happy to live in a country that almost respects the democratic process.

Cheers.

Today

Today I tried a recipe that used curry.  I don't think I'll try that again.

Also, you know you've done something right when your children argue over who gets to share their Halloween candy with you... 

Mom: Who wants to give mom a piece of candy?

Logan and Madi: Me!

Logan: You did for lunch.  It's my turn.

Madi: Here mom, you can have a piece of mine, too.

Mom: Oh...well...mmm....OK!

p.s.  I promise to post Halloween pics.  Soon.

I voted

And so did Jenny. In fact, we canceled each other's votes. Fifty tax credits if you can guess who voted for whom.


In other birthday news, I had some more dental work done--a crown this time. While digging around the dentist noticed some other issues. Personally, I think that dude is full of crap.




Alright, alright. Jenny insists that I clarify that these are not my teeth.

Have you ever wondered....

What it's like to take three kids to the doctor's office to get shots?

First, you pull the paper off the of "bed" and lay it on the floor so the baby can sit in a semi-clean area while you hold child #2 (Madison).  Next you notice that child #2 is hiding behind the shelves, so you have to get up and get her.  Then you hold her on your lap, trapping her left leg between your legs, her left arm under your left arm, while both hands hold her right arm into place.  Finally, you close your eyes while the doctor stabs the needle into her arm... but not before you see child #1 (Logan) quietly open the door and run down the hall.  (Child number #3 starts crying because of the loud screaming coming from child #2.)

You set child #2 down and look out the door.  You then start running after the child who is halfway down the hall.  (A doctor comes out of a door, sees the chase, then continues on her way.)  You catch #1 and carry the 45 pound boy, who is trying very hard to get down, back into the room.  You then hold down his arms and legs (in manner already described), and wince while he screams because he is receiving not one, not two, but FIVE shots (flu and 5 yr).  

Oh wait, I forgot to mention that before getting the shots we had to start off with blood drawing.  From child 1 and 2.  Lovely.

Birthday Boy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOGAN!

Today we:

•  opened presents. (You got a bookshelf with some baskets in it, a Superman watch, a Batman figure from Madison, and a WallE book from Grant).
  
• told stories about Logan's birth, and looked at pictures from the last 5 years
• played games, colored, had lots of fun
• got ready for friends to come over (James Peterson and Sam Bills)
• ate yummy food (you wanted pancakes, pb&j's, and pizza and pop, and a chocolate WallE cake that dad made)
• played with friends
• went to watch WallE

A few things about YOU:

• are such a great helper and good big brother
• reason and bargain with us (try to, anyway)
• perfected making your bed and can clean a room pretty well by yourself
• started preschool
• learned how to zip and button
• started sounding out words and can spell with help
• love playing with friends
• started to be afraid of the unknown--strangers, the dark, closets, closed shower curtains, etc.
• Madi is your best friend and worst enemy
• have such a great sense of humor... definitely from your dad
• worry a lot... definitely from your mom
• like to watch Sid the Science Kid and Super Why
• like to build things with Legos, play with action figures, and play outside

We love you Logan!  We are so happy that Heavenly Father sent you to us. 

For journal purpose: We told Logan that he would not be getting toys for his birthday because we already have so many and mom ends up picking them up anyway.  Logan was totally fine with this and on his own came up with ideas of things he would like that were not toys.  He asked for a bookshelf for his room, a watch, and a book.  Don't feel too bad... he got a toy from Madison (Batman) and grandparents always save the day!  I think he was very satisfied with his birthday gifts.