Outer Banks Vaca-COROLLA

We started our 3 week long Southeast vacation in Corolla with the LaBarbera family (my fam) for our first week.  Corolla is one of the more quiet outer banks islands off the coast of North Carolina.  

We rented a huge, very well taken care of  7 bedroom 5 bath home and we had a wonderful time.  There was a private pool, hot tub, pool table, foosball, playstation/xbox, all bedrooms had flatscreen  tv's, the works.  We had beach cruiser bikes we daily cruised around on, played tennis, and the access to the beach was only 300 yds away.  

The kids played on the sand dunes, flew kites, and in the evenings we took turns cooking dinners and playing games.  There will be wagers next year for Cranium. 

During the day we saw the Wright Brothers museum, went to Duck, the Corolla light house, and Nags Head and other islands.  We ran down huge sand dunes and pretended we were in the desert. Good job Ryan!

 Pop took the kids (Ryan, Ashley and Austin) on nature hikes where (each kid had to have their own nature walking stick) and found turtles, eggs, and even a hog snake. The nature hikes were one of the major highlights for the kiddos.   

We had so much fun with one another just relaxing, and of course the week ended with a grand fireworks display given by none other than Chris and Grant.  

Can't wait for LaBarbera Family Vacation 2009!  We had a ball with you guys.

Vaction!

Today we're leaving on our summer family vacation!  The OBX islands in NC, Miami then Myrtle Beach.  I'm obviously too excited because we're leaving today and I can't sleep seeing as its 4:20 a.m. and I'm blogging!

A few things to note this week.  We went to the opening of our pool this week.  The weather was nice but the water temp was 55.  Brrrrr.  But the kids had fun, and do did I on the lounge chair.

Austin:  Whenever he sees or hears something nice, he'll let it be known.  If there's a pretty lady we know or even total stranger, if she's attractive, he'll say, "Excuse me, you're beautiful."  Oh dear is it starting already?  What a  little lady's man.  At the same time, if he likes a name he'll tell people too.  For example his Italian friend Alessandro.  Austin said "Alessandro, that's a handsome name you have."  Paying it forward.

We ate yesterday at Cracker Barrel (one of our family's favorite spots).  As it's one of our favorite restaurants, we've always noted there are lots of elderly folks there enjoying their pancakes and eggs as well.  After we were almost done eating Austin said "Let's get out of here.  I can't stand that old person smell for one more second."  I ignored his comment and when again he explained that "old smell" is making him sick, I first hid my giggle that he even knew the "old" smell.  Then I explained we don't talk like that about people.  Although it was sooo true.  I could smell the Gold Bond lotion, Mennen aftershave, and Chantilly powder oh so clearly as our table was surrounded.  Austin's been telling it how it is.

Didn't you hear that Disney has added a new princess to their line? Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White and  Ashley Toler!  Ash is in princess-mania.  I didn't think this would hit till she was like 5 or 6! But from the first time she watched Cinderella and Little Mermaid, the girl is hooked.  She now brushes he sparse little hair on top of her head with 'relly brushes and sings the "relly" song about dreams coming true.  She'll sweep around the house and pretend the stepsisters are making her do all these chores and calling her by suddenly yelling out "cinderelllllaaaaaa!"  She'll be in complete imaginary play in this little princess world.  But at the end, she said he prince has come and they live "happily eva afta" as she puts on a frilly tutu or dress and gracefully dances around her room (and closes her door!)  She sings Ariel runs all day long too.  So funny!  We love it. 

Duane got to meet/take pictures with all the old school singers of the band KISS (think Jean Simmons i.e. tongue) on his last trip to Stockholm.  Gross.  But he came home yesterday and is going with us on our vacation the whole week!  Yeah!  Finally some good time off for the fam.

Austin and Ashley love their new John Deere Gator.  It goes 4mph and Austin's already learning how to peel out and spin around in it.  Beware Cecilia when he's 16 and picks up Madeleine on a date!  He's getting comfortable behind the wheel.  A little Ricky Robby. But Ashley loves to drive along with him for the thrill of the ride.  This little motorized vehicle has been the best yard sale buy yet!  Other than my $50 treadmill.  That was my steal.

We'll see some of you soon, others of you we'll see along the way and in between our trek. Much love to everyone and we want you know that your friendship to  our family is what makes our Toler-family  go around.  The love from our family, friends and other loved ones.  Thanks for letting us into your lives as our lives have been blessed by this.

So Hasta la vista, Hasta luego, Bon Voyage and Ciao for Now!  

We're going on VACATION 2008!

Love,

Angie

Great Wolf Lodge

This week we took a 2 day trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in  Williamsburg, VA.  We were so happy that it lived up to our expectations and all the wonderful things people had said about it!  Including the 66,000 sq foot warm indoor water park, and the MagiQuest game that Austin and Ashley could point their magic wands at things around the hotel and magic would happen.  We knew the lodge had a lot to offer, but we were floored when we found out there was an arcade, an Aveda salon, a 12 and under little salon called "Scoops" for little girls, mini golf, a teen club at night, 5 eateries there, and scheduled daily activities for kids of all ages.  Unbelievable.  From story time to their own little kiddie camp bunk beds in the guest rooms, the Great Wolf Lodge will definitely be revisited by the Toler clan again!  Talk about a kid get-away.  Did I mention I went down the 6 story water tornado over 7 times???  SO FUN!

Just yesterday, our neighborhood Piedmont had its bi-annual yard sale.  And can I just tell you that there's nothing more fun than getting a deal.  Anyone can shop and buy something they want.  But it's a far better feeling to shop and get something you wanted for one sixteenth the price!  My deals:  A $50 treadmill, (great shape!) orig over $1500, and a $70 motorized John Deere 2 seat truck for the kids (orig over $399)!!!  I'm so proud of my bargains and so are the kids!

Duane is in Palo Alto CA this past week (where the Sec State lives) and comes home tomorrow, to only leave again tomorrow for Stockholm and other overseas locations.  As for the kids and I, we've already BBQ'ed a few times this weekend and plan on taking advantage of the opening of the outdoor pool tomorrow!  I don't know who's more excited.  Me or the kids!

Happy Memorial Day.  God bless our soldiers and their families.

Angie

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.