Another surgery

We have another surgery scheduled. Reese will get both tear ducts probed on May 21st. We are both very ready for this. His eye is crusty, goopy and red ALL THE TIME. He cries as soon as I start running water for the wash cloth because he knows what is coming. Sometimes he can't even open his eye after a nap because it's crusted together.

Three surgeries in two years. One per child. All different. But all very minor procedures. For that, I am extremely thankful. Grady was first back in August 2008. Elle came next in September 2009. Now, our caboose in May 2010.

The Lord was gracious even in providing the doctor. Back at the first of the year, we visited a developing church plant a few times. I met a guy there who is an opthamologist and we were talking about Reese possibly having to have surgery. A couple weeks ago, I called the pediatrician's office to get the referral for the opthamologist. She gave me two names at a practice where they refer their patients. I looked on the website and one of the doctors was the guy I met! Even though I don't really know him, it somehow feels better to at least have met him outside of the office, and know he has a heart for the Lord.

Pray for Reese, if you think about us. For safety with the anesthesia. For a speedy recovery. And for success--no more crust, goop, redness or unnecessary tears!

It was a zoo

Elle's school took a field trip to the zoo yesterday, along with at least 25 other schools:). She had a really fun time despite the crowds. The only animal-related highlight was feeding the giraffes. And let me just have a quick rant here. It was $2 per child to feed the giraffe {and 3 girls went up there together}. There was a wooden platform for her to walk up, get instructions from the zoo employee and have her fun. She got two pieces of food and it took a total of 2 minutes. Here's the kicker: they also charged the parents to walk up there with the kids. And because I felt that was enitrely ridiculous, Elle marched up there on her own. I mean, really? I have to pay to walk up there and stand behind her? Anyway...

Probably her most favorite thing was walking through all the bamboo.

And playing in the dirt.

And hanging out with friends.

Thomas

Our little town doesn't have much, but once a year we get on the map with a two week visit from Thomas the Tank Engine. The museum really is great and they have several fun outings throughout the year. However, Thomas and Sir Topham really know how to bring in the crowds.

One fun part is that the train tracks run through our neighborhood {but not close to our house!} by the pool, so every year we go down there and wave to Thomas and his passengers... multiple times. Steven took Elle and Grady for a ride last Friday. Mom, Reese and I went down to the pool so we could wave to them as they passed. For some reason, he felt the need to hold them up by their waists to get a picture.

Then, we met them at the museum to play with trains, get tattoos, dance to some live music, jump in an inflatable bouncer, browse the merchandise and take pictures without paying for the professional ones. Because I'm sure this dad (in the lower left corner) is regretting paying for this picture.

As always, Reese was just along for the ride. And happy to be there.

Still Catching Up

I didn't even know Elle could swing all by herself until last weekend. Dad and Sandi have just the right size swing set for solo swinging. She spent a lot of time out there swinging, and swinging, and swinging.

She got a new bicycle. She picked the one with the most shiny, sparkly decor and accessories. I'll admit, it's hard to resist streamers from the handle bars.

Grady has developed a new obsession. And I mean OBSESSION. He got the movie for Easter and has asked every day since, at least 45 times a day, to watch it. Specifically "tractor tipping". He and Elle think it is hilarious. They have so much fun playing "Cars" together. It's fun to see him so excited about something not involving a dress, tiara or tutu.

And this is all Reese wants to do.

Because those teeth still have not come through. But you can see white just beneath his gums. He is also standing without holding on to anything and has attempted a step or two!

We had a really wonderful weekend and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Steven and I went out to dinner with friends Friday night {and laughed really hard and had really great conversation} while the kids enjoyed a night in with my Mom. We did some much needed yard work Saturday afternoon and spent a good portion of today at Oak Mountain eating, playing, singing, hanging out and just being outside. Elle and Grady even rode a horse for the first time! We had the camera and Steven started trying to snap pictures. He couldn't get it to work and then we realized the memory card was not in there?! Oh well... we'll be better prepared next time. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Catch Up

We have had a way more busier than usual week but it's been lots of fun too. It started last Thursday with dental check-ups for Elle and Grady. It was Grady's first time and he did great! Of course, he and Elle went back there together so I'm sure big sister helped ease any fears he might have had. I'm a little more concerned about his teeth from his thumb-sucking, but the dentist assured me I didn't have anything to worry about... yet. They take a picture of the patient at the first visit. He looks a little crazed. Maybe it was the flavored toothpaste. He also wore his dress-up policeman jacket to the check-up.

That afternoon, we drove to Dothan to spend an extended Easter weekend with family and friends. We stopped on the way for a quick visit on the patio with my Grandmother. And the kids cleaned up all the pollen on the patio with their clothes, hands and feet.

It always seems like there is never enough time in the short visits to see all the people and do all the things we want to do. We did manage to have some great time with friends without kids as well as lots of time for the kids to play with friends' children, and their cousins. I have no pictures to document, but it was the first time all four kids (my brother, me and my two step-brothers), our spouses, and all eight grandchildren have been together. After church Sunday morning, everybody came over to Dad and Sandi's for lunch, egg hunting, and candy eating. I didn't get a single picture of our immediate family together either. This was the best I could do.

We came home Sunday night and my mom got in around midnight. She's been here for the week (her Spring Break) and we've had a week consisting of doctor's appointments, eye doctor appointments, McWane Center, and we are going to see Thomas the Train in less than two hours! I also had some kind of "death" virus on Tuesday and was literally unable to get out of the bed all day. There were a few rounds of vomiting involved. Thankfully, since mom was here, the kids were taken care of and Steven came home for lunch and a little earlier than usual at the end of the day. That's all I have for now. Much more to write about and more pictures to share...

Pieces

For the third in line, he sure gets a lot of love and attention. But he definitely doesn't get the face time on blog posts like the other two got. This is Reese's {two week late} 9 month post. He had a check up last Wednesday. Unfortunately, some vaccines were recalled and the office did not have the ones he needed so we had to go back today just for shots. Nice.

He is growing wonderfully well. He was 20 pounds, 3 ounces and 28 1/2 inches long. His eye is still constantly teary, goopy, and gunky which means we will more than likely be having surgery to open up the blocked duct sometime in June. I was telling a friend of mine today that I've just kind of assumed all along that we'd have to do this. I haven't even really prayed and asked God to heal him. After realizing that, I decided that I will pray. And ask God to heal him. Because He can do that if He wants to. And I'm going to pray, believing that He can... if He wants to.

Reese has mastered crawling. He can pull up on anything and is attempting to stand without holding on to anything. We have to be diligent about closing the door to the playroom upstairs because as soon as he hears the door open, he makes a mad dash to the stairs. Both Elle and Grady do a great job of trying to keep him safe:). He, like his brother, would much rather have your food than baby food. He seems to like most things, although I don't think I have offered him quite the variety the others got. Elle and Grady were drinking at least one "bottle" of formula from a cup by now. Reese, not so much. We're just in the chew-on-it-and-throw-it-on-the-floor stage now. He is trying to wave and sometimes it sounds like he's saying, "Haaay DaDa". He has two bottom teeth and the top four are still on the horizon. It won't be much longer now. Maybe.

He is such a happy baby. He makes me smile. I love to hold him up in the air and watch him kick both legs straight out over and over. I even love wiping his eye with a warm washcloth 5 times a day. He doesn't like it. He made our family complete. Little Reeses pieces.

Something's got to be done about that hair. It's a mix between the joker and Johnny Depp's Madhatter?! Nice ear wings Reese.

The Same Team

Yesterday, Grady and I were in the backyard, having a little mid-morning snack, enjoying the sunshine, and having a deep discussion about the meaning of Easter:

Me: Yes, we do have eggs at Easter, but it's really a celebration of Jesus' death for our sins and that he didn't stay dead but came back to life! And He's alive now!

Grady: No!

Me: Yes, He did. And it's great that He did, because it means that if we believe He died for us, we get to live with Him in heaven.

Grady: No! I not go to heaven.

Me, trying very hard not to laugh: You don't want to be in heaven with me and Daddy?

Grady, standing by the fence with his best pouty face: No!

Today, in continuing our great understanding of the gospel, I was reading an Easter book to Elle and Grady.

Grady: Turn back to the soldiers! {After his request is met, he hurries to put on his knight armor to be a soldier.}

Grady, with sword pointing at my face: I going to fight heaven!

Me: I'm not really sure you want to try and fight heaven.

Grady: I going to fight Jesus!

Me: I really don't think you need to fight Jesus. We want to be on the same team as Jesus.

Needless to say, I think I have a long way to go in my sweet little 2 year old soldier's understanding of the gospel. But I guess sometimes, in some ways, we adults are still trying to "fight" Jesus instead of being on His same team.