Preschool Graduation

This week Austin graduated from Pre-k.  It was a very bittersweet day for me!  It was a wild west graduation and Austin had the opening line.  The program was great and ended with the traditional graduation Pomp and Circumstance and grad hats.  

I must admit, I did not hold back the tears and swore to myself when he's graduating college, I would always remember this day he graduated from pre-k!  I know I know, he's my first.  Cut me some slack.

I also had the opportunity to volunteer on his last day of school for a water party.  I gave Austin preferential treatment the whole time (he was first to get snack, go under the limbo stick, hula and ride a surfboard) and he loved every second of it.  

Ashley loves to put things in my hair.  In fact, I'm seriously contemplating chopping my hair all off.  Like, literally  12 inches.  But I stopped myself yet again this week when Ashley every day, many times a day would take a brush and 
sit behind me and brush my hair.  She loves to feel my hair, brush it, put ribbons in it.  But forget about it if I try to do her hair!  I can't put a ribbon, bow, or anything on her head or she'll rip it off.  I seriously have SO many cute, girly little bows and barrettes for girls hair and she wants nothing to do with them.  

Speaking of hair, I think I need to get my roots touched up sooner than later because today at church, Austin looked at me and announced, "Mommy you're beautiful.  But your hair is black near your head." 

Austin had a "funny" this week.  We were at a consignment kids store (near Walmart) and a beat up old van was parked right next to us.  There were two men putting a crib and other things inside.  When we came out of the store, Austin spotted the men and yelled with his finger pointed, "Mom!  Look!  They're stealing!"  We were just stared at.  I tried to explain or just said "Kids" or something like that I was still stared at until I drove off.

Ashley has enjoyed a week full of playing with neighbors and their dogs.  She ADORES dogs.  "Woof-Woofs".  Any type, size, shape.  We are seriously considering a Bischon Frise due to their hypo-allergenic hair/dander, temperament, size, personality.  We've been doing our dog research for 5 years now and still haven't gotten one.  Who knows if this will play out.

Much love and my heart goes out to my other friends whose kids will graduate from pre-k the next few weeks.  The only other day that will be harder for me will be his first day of Kindergarten.  Getting on the bus.  Then prom, graduation, college, wedding.......I know, I'm a sap.

Angie

  

 

Mother's Day 2008

This is my 5th year of being a Mom.

I have to say, even though being a mom is truly the toughest job ever, it's so rewarding. Especially when you get lots of sweet kisses, hugs, long afternoon naps, and homemade preschool goodies for Mother's Day!

I got the breakfast in bed and grilled steaks for lunch.  A mother's day tradition.  

This is Austin's last week of preschool.  He's so sad about it, but he gets this huge eager grin whenever we talk about elementary school and riding the bus.  

Bunko was especially fun this week, because everyone was there.  There were 3 little babies there and I told Duane how fun it was holding them.  He said, you're not catching that fever.  Instead, HE picked up a fever of some sort/stomach bug somewhere overseas.  It seems each time he returns from Jerusalem, he is sick with something.  3 trips ago, he got ghirardia!  But we've quarantined him and all of us are safe so far.  Thank goodness too, because Austin would be in bad shape if he got this.  After his surgery he's not able to vomit or belch.  So this would be miserable for him!  Duane's been super cautious and we're hoping this will pass sooner than later.  It's hard for the kids because Ashley will say "my daddy!" and tries to open his door.  

Austin wanted to learn how to sew this week.  We cut a brown bag and he's getting very good at making even stitches back and forth.  He does it everyday!  This scares Duane.  But Austin will probably end up being a doctor or dentist.  He is just working on his dexterity and is learning how to do stitches!  

Ash loves to blow out candles now during dessert time.  Like a birthday a few times a week! 

Ashley only naps about twice a week now, (ugh) and by 3:30-5pm life is just not tolerable for her.  Luckily then I'll put her down at 6pm and the kids as usual wake up at 6am.  The sun is staying out later and later....here comes the summertime.

Happy Mother's Day to all my strong, brave, loving, sweet moms I know.

Angie

  

Mother's Day Tea

This week Austin's preschool had a beautiful Mother's Day Tea.  I was so pleasantly surprised when I got there!  There were place setting cards, beautiful china set tables, and adorable tear-jerking gifts the kids had made us.  A towel and a mug and vase of flowers with Austin's handprints on them.  We had a little luncheon and the kids sang mothers day songs that made my tears flow.  It was very touching and made me so thankful for my job of being mom to two wonderful children.  I felt very spoiled and very appreciated.  Just what every mom needs!

Also this week Austin and Ash got gifts from their Aunt Terrie and Uncle Scott.  Perfect pirate and doggy gifts for the kiddos!  We can't wait to see you guys to do 'Myrtle Beach 2008'!!

Ash had over her little friends Coleman and Gavin this week.  It's so cute to see them play together!  I'm trying to do a science experiment per week.  Austin loves these types of things and Grandma Toler gave us a science experiment kit that we can't wait to dabble in!  This week we did the infamous baking soda/vinegar volcano outside.  It amazed the kids and myself, so we did it like 5 times.  Very cool.  And thanks Pop and Grandma for our fun Disney Shirts!  Our favorites!  Perfect for our little pirate and princess.

Austin said that Ashley was a "hottie" this week.  Too funny.  

Austin also said, "You remind me of all of Grandmas.  They give great hugs just like you."  

This was our first full week back to school and church since Austin's recuperation.  It's so nice to be back in the routine of things. Austin is doing better and better each day.  He's now eating solid foods and remembering very well on his own to chew extremely well, and drink each little bit with water.  It's truly amazing, he's beeing weened off of his medicines each month.  We're hoping by July he'll be off all meds altogether.  Amazing.  Since his surgery, he hasn't coughed once.  (A chronic cough was his major symptom of the stomach acid going into his lungs by aspiration).  He's a brave, tough, strong little boy.  We're so blessed!  Austin bore his testimony at church to share his appreciation for Heavenly Father for making him so brave during his surgery.

Ashley is still EXTREMELY into princesses.  Mostly Ariel and Cinderella and Sleeping 'Booty'.   I try to tell her she'd look just like Cinderella if she'd only let me put bows in her hair.  Still a negatory.  One ribbon/barrette in her hair and it is flung right off!

The weather is GORGEOUS here!  Wherever you are around the world, know that we appreciate your friendship and hope its as nice there as it is here.

Much love,

Angie

 

Terrific Two's

Yes, the terrific two's are here.  I actually think they start at 18 month and continue till 3 1/2. Ashley is doing a lot better.  No more visitors, she's staying in her bed at night, and potty training is done.  It took a mere 3 days and she's done a great job.  She loves being a big girl.  She even got a princess little scooter to celebrate her success!  Ash also loves to climb.  The little monkey uses stepping stools to climb on top of the trash can, then to climb on top of the counter then shimmies all the way around the counter tops to the candy cabinet.  She works quite stealthily.  

Her loves of the week:  watching Little Bear, Barney, the freaky Teletubbies and the even freakier Booh-bah, singing the song from Dumbo "Baby Mine", "I Love You" from Barney and "5 Little Monkeys".  She loves staring out our window and watching the "alligators" in the pond in front of the golf course.  

Austin got to start playing outside this week.  He loved enjoying the sunshine.  We've even had our first few outings since his surgery.  He's doing great.  If he's not drinking his meal, we're on soft foods and he'll sometimes get food stuck in his esophagus.  He feels panicky because he can't swallow his own saliva and he beats on his chest and says, "I'm having a heart attack!"  It's scary, but slowly he'll gag and drink water and things go down.  We just have to be so careful with him.  Poor guy's gone from 59lbs to 51lbs and has lost 15% of his body weight.  He still is our little husky guy!

Austin's preschool teacher Mrs. Burch came by this week to do a little home-schooling and to make sure he wasn't left out of any crafts/activities.  I was so touched by this!  Again, we're so thankful for all the love and support we've received for Austin and his recovery.

Jonathan came back from Kuwait this week.  He's been busy finishing up what seems like 1000 employee evaluation reviews (EER's) for his staff which has taken all his time.  We did go to Gravelly Park and watched the planes fly overhead.  My good friend Cheri and her girls came to visit from Florida this week and we had a lovely day together (of course we ate at Chipotle!)  I miss you Cheri! You need to  come back.  I also had a farewell lunch with my sweet friend Lynn and her kiddos who are moving to Moldova.  I'm so sad she's leaving VA.  Good luck Lynn!  I miss you already.

I love it that May is almost here and the grass is getting so green.  I love the sunshine!

Have a great week!

Angie

 

Poop

This week Ashley has been acting out in a big, bad way.  Grandma was still here, Austin was getting SO much attention and Mommy and Daddy have been in and out.  What about Ashley?  So she thought negative attention was better than none.  So 4 days in a row, during nap time, she took off her diaper and pooped on the floor.  She did try to clean herself up, but then smeared it ALL OVER!  On dolls, ground into the cream carpet, etc.  We had to replace our steam vac for this job.  Poor Ash.  Now things are getting somewhat back to normal again, she's calmed down a bit and there haven't been anymore violations.  

Because of the previous crime scenes, today I started potty training Ash.  She's doing great.  Phew.  Today I did give tons of attention to Ash as every 15 minutes I put her on the potty.  We even dressed up as a princess and put sparkles on!  I think princess undies are a great motivator for Ash as well.  We made fruit loop necklaces and homemade orange playdough (thanks Erika for the recipe!)  Things were great till Austin came up and rained on our parade.  Ash thought it was just a mommy and me day.  She looked at Austin and screamed at the top of her lungs OUT!  Needless to say, Austin joined the fun despite her objections.

We had so much fun with Grandma and we miss her so much.  Having mom here during such a turbulent time was not only helpful to watch Ash so we could dote upon Austin and help him eat/recuperate, etc, but moms are such a source of emotional strength.  I'm so blessed that she came up to help.  I love you Mom.  Pictured is G-ma making tapioca pudding with Austin!  Or as Austin calls it, "taffy-oka" pudding.

Austin is doing a bit better each day.  He still hasn't been able to go outside and play.  The weather's been beautiful too.  I felt so bad as the neighborhood kids were playing outside, and Austin was looking out the window and said, "It's okay that I can't go out yet.  Slow and steady wins the race."  And he has been slow and steady and healing great because of it.

Poor Austin has been eating a diet of very soft, liquidy/bland foods.  It shocked us when he pronounced to everyone, "I need something greasy and sweet."

Finally, Austin said he wanted to use "spicy" toothpaste (mint).  I told him great.  I put Crest on his brush and after he spit it out and took a big inhale in, his face looked surprised.  I asked if he was okay and if it was too strong.  He said nonchalantly, 'No mom, now the girls will think I'm spicy and hot'.  Too funny!

I hope the rest of the week's potty training is as good as it was today!  Wish me luck!  Jonathan's in the middle east.  Why does it always seem while potty training a kid the hubby is always out of town?!?? 

 

Have a great week!

Angie

We're Home!

Austin came home from the hospital on Friday night.  He stayed there from Tuesday till Friday and that's a day or two shorter than what we'd thought he stay!  Austin was doing so well and doing all the things that he should have been doing and more to go home.  So we made it home and it's so nice recuperating at home, as a family.  Austin is recuperating very well.  He's slowly eating a soft diet and moving around.  He's very slow, but he's moving.

Grandma is doing great with Ashley.  She's keeping up just fine and cooking, etc.  It's so nice to have Mom here.  She's here as an emotional strength for me and to hold down the fort and watch Ash. Both kids have loved having Grandma here.  Ash's favorite is to wake G-ma up every morning!

Ashley however is not doing too well.  She's acting out because Mom and Dad have been in and out of the hospital, Austin's bee gone, we just don't know what's going on.  So Ash has been a little out of sorts.  Not napping, taking her diapers off and smearing poop all over her room, and waking up at night.  Not good.  But we're trying to give her lots of attention now that we are home.

Jonathan and I are hanging in there.  We're just so thankful for Austin's surgery going well.  And again thankful for our family and friends that have supported us!  THANKS GUYS!  We feel strengthened by all your love.

Angie

ps-Austin told us today that there's  a special place he wants to go for summer vacation called "Chanukah"  He said "it's very magical."  Also, he's all into Ben 10 (a cartoon superhero kid) and Ashley gave him a Ben 10 watch as a welcome home gift.  He wears it all the time.  Now, they're new best friends! 

Successful Surgery

Austin's surgery went perfect.  Thank you all so much for your prayers.  What a blessing.

It lasted 4 hours and he first had a bronchoscopy.  The ENT said his trachea was in bad shape and that it was so inflamed due to chronic/severe stomach acid always in there.  The good thing is, it was being fixed as we spoke by a group of different surgeons!  By tying off his belly, it'll stop the acid from coming up and destroying his trachea/esophagus.  He said there could be scar tissue damage in his trachea so he still may always sound a little "gravely" but a lot of it is reversible.

Then the stomach surgeons came out and said that the surgery went great.  He had a large hiatial gap that they sewed up as well as tying the upper stomach around the esophagus to close off the stomach from any more acid coming up.  They put a tiny tube in his esophagus so they wouldn't sew it too tight, then removed the tube.  He will not be able to belch or vomit so there will be some life-changing things we'll have to get used to, but it's worth it.  

Austin came out of anesthesia fine.  He's on morphine but still is in pain.  He says, "it feels like I'm bleeding and having a heart attack" :(  But he's such a fighter!  That's all he knows and he's so brave to go through all of this.  Jonathan and I have been extremely emotional throughout all this!  You never want to see your child in pain.  But mostly we've been so overcome by gratitude that we feel for how wonderful the procedures have gone.  

Children's Hospital has impeccable Doctors, but isn't in the best part of DC.  We shared a room in ICU last night with 3 other kids and their parents (a 6 month old crying baby being one of them).  Lights on all night, loud doctors, etc.  But we received excellent surgical care by nationally reknowned surgeons.  

Austin goes to the pediatric unit today and will stay there the next 4 days and nights.  Jonathan and I are doing shift work.  We relieve each other every day at 7pm.  Grandma LaBarbera and Ashley are having a blast here at home together.  Ash misses Austin and always asks where he is.

Thanks again for the love, thoughts, prayers from all of you.  We felt them and are overwhelmed with gratitude for this successful outcome.  

Surgery

I can't believe that TOMORROW Austin has his fundoplication stomach surgery!  My nerves are beginning to set in.  At a bright 5:45 am we'll be at DC Children's Hospital.  The procedure is 4 1/2 hours long and we'll be with Austin 5 nights and will come home Sunday.  We know that he is being watched out over and that the surgery will go just fine and that this is something that needs to be done so he can just concentrate on having fun and being a kid!

We want to THANK all of you for your prayers, thoughts, emails, calls and love that we've felt from you.  It's times like this that we feel strengthened and buoyed by the support and strength of our family and dear friends. 

I'll keep you posted on how things go.  Please continue the prayers!  

Spring Break '08

There haven't been any posts for a few weeks because we spent 3 weeks in Charleston, SC and Gainesville FL.  We had a great time visiting our Uncles, friends and Grandparents!!  Our adventures included: going to a hockey game, getting Brusters ice cream, Krispy Kreme, Charleston Outlet malls, yummy steak, the zoo, UF Baseball game, Aveda salon, singing in sacrament, BBQ, going fishing, cookouts, and southern Blue Bell ice cream.  Ashley loved playing with Buddy and Happy and Austin loved playing with the hose and squirt guns.  They both loved playing toys with Uncle Ray and Uncle Grant!  

We had a wonderful time and enjoy our spring breaks each year immensely!  It's sad that this is the last year that Austin's in preschool and that we can take off weeks at a time to play with our grandparents!  

We made the 13 hour trip up from Florida on Friday the 4th.  I drove the entire way in one day.  Ouch.  Thank goodness for DVD's in the car.  Mom drove up with me and is taking care of Ashley this week while Austin is in the hospital.  

Kenya Sisters

I've nicknamed my group of buds that I met at the Embassy in Nairobi my "Kenya Sisters."  We had the opportunity to meet up this weekend (thanks Abby for flying down from Cananda and Kendra for driving up from S.C.!)  We enjoyed great food, funny stories, games and enjoyed each other immensely.  Every time we all make it a point to get together, there are always unforgettable times.  It was wonderful.  

This week Jonathan was in Brussels.  He brought back some delicious Belgium chocolates!  Also this week, we celebrated Easter with the kids today since Jonathan was home and we wouldn't be together for Easter.  We colored eggs and had a hunt.  Austin did ask the infamous question while opening eggs filled with goodies, "Why eggs?  Bunnies don't lay eggs."  He also informed me that the Easter Bunny that appeared at our church Easter Egg Hunt was not the real Easter bunny-it was just a costume.  Oh no...my heart panged a bit in fear that Santa and other fictional holiday icons might not have a chance in a much shorter time than I'm ready for!

This week Austin's school had a book fair. Now, I know most schools have book fairs, but I just don't think they're right.  I LOVE Austin's preschool, but he'll come home and have this "wish list" filled out of his first, second and third choice book picks.  Each book is marked up since the preschool gets a cut.  So Austin comes home with the notion that he's going to get one of his books he's picked out and is on his wish-list.  I've bought into this for awhile now, but this time, I gently explained that I would rather take him out to ice cream and he can choose a book at the bookstore when we go sometime.  I just don't think its right that kids can walk around almost like in a toy store and have a wish list, and if they can't/don't get a book due to whatever reason, they're upset because they just don't understand--the book fair does such a good job getting the kids so excited about the products.  Austin took it very well that we don't always have to buy what's on his wish list and that the school does this to raise money.  

Ashley is so funny.  She's starting to do this "tooshie" dance, where she'll spread her legs when music comes on, put her toosh real low to the ground and shake it really quick back and forth.  So funny!  She's also very much in the "I do it" stage.  I could turn a page of a book and she'll stop me and want to turn it for herself.   Or comb her own hair or put on her own clothes/socks/shoes.  If I try to change them because she's dressed like a ragamuffin, I am the one that doesn't win.

I have been what Oprah calls a "Schlumpadinka" this past winter.  I used to wear jeans or slacks, skirts, each morning after I'd shower.  But ever since Christmas ended, the weather's gotten colder and to stay warm I wear a velour track suit about everyday of the week.  Or I keep my workout clothes on from the morning.  Why dress to impress?  I never thought I'd feel this way.  But really the only places I go during the day is to the gym and to take Austin to and from preschool.  So that's what I dress for.  To impress no one and to only be warm in this cold weather and be comfortable.  I must note too that since my hubby is gone most the time I don't feel like I have to get all ready all the time...I guess I might change that if he were home to see me in my clothing slump he'd probably be sicked out.  Anyways, Oprah had a show where women considered themselves as schlumpadinkas and I was fully expecting it to be women who wanted a makeover because they were still wearing clothes from college or wear 'mom' jeans or just weren't in the year 2008.  NO!  Much to my horror, I could have been on the schlumpadinka makeover show.  They re-clothed women that wore hats, and workout clothes just like me! 

A few funnies this week:

Austin: Our home teacher has really blonde long hair and pulls it nicely back in a ponytail.  He came over and delivered a beautiful message with his son and asked Austin many questions and I was so impressed with how much Austin knew about the resurrection and many staples of the early days of Jesus.  (Thanks Primary!)  So our home teachers complimented Austin and that made him feel great.  So I was combing Austin's hair tonight after his shower and I told Austin that this week we had to get him a  haircut and he replied back, "No, I want to grow my hair long like my home teacher.  It's so nice."

Austin: I've been teaching Austin to stop eating when you're full and to "listen to your body", not to eat just because something tastes good.  Well, we were eating pizza and I admit I went back for more than I should and as Austin is patiently waiting at the table to be excused I tell him to wait until everyone's done eating, he saw me grab another piece and his eyes got huge and said, "now Mommy, are you listening to your body?  Are you eating just because it tastes good or are you truly hungry?"  I put that piece back.

Ashley:  "Teletubbies Mama!  So 'cited!"  My daughter has hit the freaky teletubby faze.  She giggles to herself as she watches the little farting creatures.  

Ashley: The difference in emotions between girls and boys-its incredible.  When I read stories to Austin when he was 2, he just followed along.  When I read them to Ash she looks at the pictures and takes note of emotions on the expressions of the characters faces.  Before I can even read what's going on, she'll say, 'Oh no' or 'so scary' or 'so happy'.  I know adult men that can't read body language or expressions on females faces and they're 32.....  

Happy Easter!

Angie

It's March!

This week everyone was free of illness!  Knock on wood.  It was great.  I'm just thankful one day at a time.  Eureka!

Jonathan:  He came back from China this week!  He'd been gone all week and endured the 13 hr time change by working the very next day.  Ugh.  Although he did bring me some beautiful black pearls.  Jonathan surprised the kids that he was home by disguising his voice like a character on Spiderwick through Austin's door.  There was silence then a very nervous Austin swung the door open and tackled Dada in pure joy.  Ashley was stunned for a second then very quickly wanted to be in Daddy's arms every second.  She brings books to him to read to her, and booboos are much worse because Dada gives them a ton of attention.   We then went to IHOP together!

Angie: I had the opportunity to go to the temple this week on ward temple day.  It was so nice going.  The feeling I get there, the promises made.  Thanks Robyn and Erika for making the child care so friendly!  I also had so much fun making yummy banana bread with Austin and Ash.  I'm trying really hard to let them help me out whenever they volunteer.  They have so much fun and it teaches me some patience!  I have so many friends that let their kids help them cook, stir, mix, paint, do crafts....thanks for my great examples!  It really is more rewarding when they help.

Austin:  Austin has a trio of sailboat pictures on his wall.  One night I walked in and one sailboat frame was replaced with a picture of Jesus and a boy that I'd had in his closet.  Austin had found it, hung it up himself and put a heart sticker on Jesus.  He was so proud of his new wall-hanging.  He said, "This way, Jesus is looking over me when I sleep."  It will be a permanent fixture in his room.  

On Thursday of this week, the wind was blowing so hard and the temperature was in the teens.  It was so cold!  I had just put Ash down for a nap and I was just about to take a snooze myself (I was so warm and snug under the covers) when the phone rang and it was Austin's preschool.  My heart stopped, because normally when they call, it's because of some sort of breathing problem.  But this time I answered and the lady said, "Austin's breathing fine, but there's been an accident."  I thought he fell and chipped his front tooth or something.

She says, "He went to pass gas, but something more came out.  So he probably needs a new pair of underwear."

"Oh," I say.  Now you have to realize Austin gets so upset at the tiniest little mark on his undies and I just imagined Austin with a tiny millimeter skid and making it into this huge deal. I waited about 30 minutes and belabored my getting up into the harsh elements, waking up Ash 30 min into her 2 hr nap just to give Austin fresh undies.  Isn't that horrible?  I felt like if he didn't have a good sized hershey squirt, I'd be upset!  By then it was 2:30 and I pick him up for the day at 3:30 anyway, he's going underwear-less for the past little while (its not like he's never done that at home) why not wait another hour?  Bad, I know, but true.  I did wake Ash and myself and deliver the skivvies.  The skid was decent, but not worthy of the trouble.  However, I am glad about the school calling me instead of having my child waller around in dirty undies all afternoon.  Sorry Austin.

Ashley: Ash still runs away.  She flees from the scene.  Any chance, she escapes.  This week it was hiding in Target circulars in the clothing section, and running out of Coldstone about 20 feet ahead of me and 20 feet from a parking lot.  She thinks its a fun game and that nothing can happen.  If I can see her face, while I'm running to get her, a couple times I've giggled too because her face is SO excited!  If she only knew how dangerous it was.  I don't giggle when we're near parking lots.  It's when she's running through a Target store, I leave my cart to chase her and her pink little moon boots are carrying her as fast as possible as her fine wispy hair is gathering wind and is in every which direction and her face is just screaming FREEDOM!!!!  

Ash is also all girl in the sense that she hates having her hands dirty, won't eat "finger" food, rather has to eat with a fork or spoon all the time.  She screams when she gets something on her clothes or spills food on the table.  No messes!

One last cute moment:  After the delivery of the underwear, I did have an hour to kill so I got the car washed and let Ash pick a treat inside the gas station.  She picked up a lollipop for herself and then picked one out for Austin.  She said, "me and Autee."  It warmed my heart to know that she's already thinking of her big brother.  I don't remember ever picking out any candy for any of my brothers when I'd go into convenience stores with my dad to get a treat.  I'm glad Ash does that!

Happy First week of March!

Angie