Bronchoscopy

Austin had a rough week. He had another bronchoscopy performed on Thursday (7th time under general anesthesia in 2 years) only to find out that his chronic cough and tracheamalacia is due to worsening bronchi. But we're still pressing forth and figuring things out slowly. He's such a trouper! We love him so much. Every time he goes into the hopsital, we read the Curious George story about George going to the hospital and the trouble he gets into there. Austin then loves to make the similarities in the hospital and what George did in the book.

Austin's given us a giggle this week as he's been asking questions like 'how are swords made?' 'why does outer darkness exist?' and making statements to me such as "if you don't give me dessert, I'll have to put you in time out." I think my favorite this week was in a prayer he said just after he got in trouble he says, "Please, please help mommy be nice to me. Because I know that if she's not, you'll give her swats too. You can do anything" I had to chuckle during that prayer.

Austin also has an alter ego. His name is Brucie. This name was taken after his Uncle Chris. When Austin does something bad, it really wasn't him. It was Brucie. So we've been working at distinguishing Brucie's actions and Austin's. He's so great at manipulating at 4!Austin also got "married" this week to his best little girlfriend Madeleine. They have so much fun together and we are really close to our dear friends Cecilia and Derek and their baby Roman.

Ashley is so funny. She's starting to get a little vicious. Partly as self-defense from her brother taking things out of her hands, and partly because she's second child. To put it lightly, I definitely think she'll be able to hold her own when she goes into nursery next month at church. Her beloved items are her pacifiers. She must hold 2 at once all the time. We've taken them away during the daytime, but at nighttime she loves her "baby's" as she calls them. Must have her babys!

Also, Ash had Christmas in May when my sweet friend Cheri gave Ashley a Cinderella vanity and play kitchen. Ash is all girl and loves to dress up already! Cheri is moving and is purging through her stuff and I'm reaping the benefits as her girls get older, Ash is getting the good stuff. I'm going to miss you Cheri! Sniff Sniff.

Duane went to Spain for the next little while and the kids and I are going to New York City! Yes, I was just there on a girls trip, but we're meeting up with Mom and Dad and my brother Grant. Besides, who can get enough of Central Park?

Have a wonderful Memorial Day!
Angie
ps-a few of you have asked what exactly happened this time to Austin in the bronchoscopy: The day of the surgery, he did great. But the Dr. came out and told me that his bronchi are getting worse. His floppy trachea is the same but now down lower, his bronchi are getting inflamed and floppy. So he did biopies in his lungs, bronchi and trachea and sinus cavities. He said that when the results come back we'll talk about what we need to do next. It's like we get one step forward with Austin and all of his medical things and then one step back. Also, I was told his acid reflux is getting worse. (Which is so hard to believe because we've been giving him an adult dosages of reflux prescription medicine the past 2 years). He's not in any pain, but he doesn't feel it because its all down in the trachea near his belly. But fat was found in his lungs which means food is going up and into his lungs. Not good. So along with his asthma and sinus problems, and a floppy trachea (extremely narrow and soft airways. Acid is coming up his trachea and nasal secretions come down and it makes him cough. His narrow trachea makes this cough sound croupy and barky. All his life he's been like that. We're just trying to fix it. And it sounds like Ashley has the same thing as she coughs she sounds like a little 80 year old man with emphysema....

Preschool Program

Lots of good news this week! One bit of great news-my brother Aaron in L.A. who works for Deloitte and Touche just got accpeted into Duke's MBA program which he'll start this summer! Aaron has always been so goal oriented and he knew he wanted to go to Duke as a teenager and he's accomplished his goal! GREAT JOB AARON!

Another bit of great news is I had my dear friend Lynn out here in DC this week and we had so much fun playing! Lynn and I originally met in Nairobi. Her husband is going through the State Dept's GSO training and Lynn came out to visit him, but I think she and I spent more time together than her and her husband. We shopped while Duane watched the kiddos (including her sweet baby girl Anna). We also had lunch and dinners together including the infamous "5 Guys". We had a blast together. Get out here soon Lynn!

I was also so touched and emotional at Austin's adorable patriotic preschool graduation on Thursday. He had a speaking part and they sang wonderful patriotic songs. Then at the end they sang a song about how to 'take a look at me now and enjoy me while I'm young because I will be big someday'. That sent me over the edge.
Tears were flowing as Duane is laughing at me. The video camera was shaking as I'm desperately trying to get every move of Austin on camera. I just want to keep both my kids ages 4 and 1 forever! Austin then jumped over a big line to show that he's done with the 3 yr old preschool program and he's heading into the 4's program next year. It was extremely special.


Duane and Austin had a ball this week as they watched Spider Man 3 together. It was "so cool!" Austin said! He's wants to go back to the theater with Daddy everyday. Duane also came back from Russia this week.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to do Entrees Made Easy and I have to say I love it! No chopping, cleaning, etc. Just put your meals together and take them home. Makes sense!
My older brother Christian had his 35th birthday on Thursday. Happy Birthday Chris! Have a great week!

Mother's Day 07'

Happy Mother's Day! This week was a great week and this weekened was even better. Although Duane does travel extensively, I must say that when he is home, he spoils me. My mother's day weekend started Saturday night on a date (sans the kiddos) at Ruth's Chris steakhouse with a dozen roses. Then Duane had to speak in church about mothers and was very publicly thankful for all of my efforts (always nice to hear). Then the mother's day dinner was all made for me. Tuscan chicken, sweet potatos, cinnmon apples, and complete with a mother's day cake. I then took a long nap (I don't remember my last nap) and he cleaned the entire house. I woke up and he was packed for Moscow and left. My mother's day was completely relaxing, spoiling and all about me. I loved it!


Austin made me a very special mother's day gift at his preschool. A little pot he fingerpainted with beans and a little flower candle inside. He was so proud to give me the gift. He then dumped all the beans out and wanted to plant the magic beans in our yard to see if a beanstalk would come up. Austin also started his "advanced beginner" swim lessons this week. He's doing great! Learning strokes, holding his breath, etc. He also has started asking me questions at the ripe old age of 4 that I don't know answers to. Such as, 'how do you make toothpaste?' and 'how do sharks get from the ocean or one aquarium to another?' He's already corrected me a few times.



Ashley is a ham! She's getting so vocal, saying 'love you' and 'thank you' and has increased the demands. Does that sound surprising? She's so much fun. She loves getting her white patent leather shoes out of her drawer every single morning and puts them on and grabs a makeup brush and tots around like she owns the place. She's also the welcoming committee for the gym nursery. As kids come and go, Ash yells "HI!" and "Bye!" She also has noticed when she passes gas-she says "toots!" Austin really likes that. In fact, that might be the coolest thing his sister has ever done up to this point.


Duane is off to Moscow and another location this week. He did a magnificent job for Mother's Day and I so appreciate him! I also love being a mom. My dear friend Abby is a tremendous mother and she sent me the lyrics to the song Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with revised words to sing to your little ones. Austin loves the song and Ash tries to sing along too. Here they are:
Twinkle, twinkle little Star
What a wonderful child you are!
Big bright eyes and rosy cheeks
A talented person from head to feet
Twinkle, twinkle little Star
What a wonderful child you are!

Have a great Mom's Day.
Love,
Angie

New York City

This week was SO MUCH FUN! First, Grandpa and Grandma from Charleston, SC came up on Monday to stay for a week. Austin and Ash were so excited! They call them the "Myrtle Beach" Grandma and Grandpa. We had a wonderful time together-soccer practices, games, preschool, etc. They saw the routine and did a GREAT job while I went out of town. As you can see, Ashley and Grandpa really connected. We love them and really appreciated them watching the kiddos!




I had a fabulous time in Manhattan with my dear friends/bridesmaids from college. We did about everything you could do in New York City. We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria on Park and Lexington and enjoyed lots of fine-dining (kid free!), We also had a cameo on the Today show on Friday morning where Amy announced that she's having a girl by holding a banner up and we got on camera! We did a tour of the city on a double decker bus which was phenomenal to ride because we were so tired! We toured Greenwich, Soho, Little Italy and ate outdoors at a cozy little restaurant called Il Pilazzo. We then went to Chinatown and of course did the knockoff shopping on the infamous Canal street where I've never seen more Prada, Gucci and Dolce. Too bad it all looked too fake. Although, we did buy some Coco Chanel sunglasses...


We then saw a Broadway show "Hairspray". It was really cute. The next day we took the subway down to the World Trade Center and that was very sobering. We then went to the Statue of Liberty. To finish out our final day, we had to celebrate Cinco de Mayo by eating at Rosa Mexicano (amazing guacamole!) and that was just the beginning of our night! We then hit a number of clubs. We all laughed the next morning because we were so not used to staying up so late (the ones with kids-we were all feeling it!) but we had a blast being together-reminiscing, joking, etc. Nothing can beat a girls trip!

When I came back (I started missing the rugrats as soon as I got to the airport to depart) I was thankful to be home. The first thing Austin said was, "Mommy, you're on my bad-guy list. You were gone too long!"


Ashley and Austin are starting to play together more. As long as Austin can manipulate his way so that things work out in his favor, he always lets Ashley think she has the upper-hand. She's saying thank-you, bubbles, baby, names lots of animals and is starting short sentenes, "Bye baby!" "Hi woof-woof." She's now 17 months old. Where is the time going?

Earlier this week, Duane tiled another bathroom floor. He's quite the handyman! He got to spend some time at the White House during the Queen's visit here in DC. Lucky Dog.

Enjoy the spring that's finally here!
Love,
Angie