Bye-Bye Tonsils

Jackson got his tonsils out last Friday. We had been reading books about it for weeks and spent several days the previous week buying cold treats, picking out movies to watch and Bn & I had been preparing ourselves for the worst.
The week prior, we had a "Mommy/Jackson Date" and went to Build-A-Bear to make a "brave buddy" to keep him company during surgery. We had the best time just the two of us...which is few and far between these days!









{Back at the ranch, this little turkey was playing choo-choos with Daddy.}



The night before the surgery, we made homemade chocolate cake for our "Bye-Bye Tonsil" celebration. Don't mind the powdered sugar tonsils I tried to stencil on the cake.



And one last look at those monsters:



The morning of the surgery, Jackson wasn't so keen on getting out of bed. It was 8am and he did not want to be woken up. Poor Westie, I think he thought we were going to go have another baby...the last time we took a family picture out front like this was when I was going to the hospital to have Colton.



Let me start by saying that I never in my wildest dreams imagined how EASY it would go. Jackson is typically a little over dramatic with boo-boos and so I could only imagine how awful the proceeding week was going to be.
We got checked in and taken back to pre-op and Jackson was cool as a cucumber. No tears, just brave faces and smiles.









They took him back to the OR wide awake and the doctor came out in less than 30 minutes telling us that it went great. And his tonsils were pretty definitely pretty big.



He was awake and talking within minutes and this picture was taken about 1 hour post surgery:



Yes. He was smiling. Not a single tear. Seriously, not a single tear the entire time. He sucked down 2 popsicles and a frosty before we were discharged. He was given the choice of a wagon or a piggy-back ride down to the car and he chose "a wheelchair". He was pretty psyched that they obliged.



We got home around 2 and after eating about 4 cups of ice cream, Jackson fell asleep sitting up, ice cream in hand.



After his disco nap, Jackson woke up ready to ride his bike. We wouldn't let him and it was all we could do to keep him from over-doing it by running around the house and acting all hyper.
Saturday, he woke up around 9am after sleeping for 12 consecutive hours and DID NOT MENTION his throat at all. No complaining, no hoarseness, nothing. He did request pudding for breakfast and after wolfing that down, he decided that he wanted to go swimming that day. And so we did. He jumped off the diving board, swam under water and acted 100% normal.
And on Sunday, our church had a picnic after the service. After eating a hotdog, a bag of chips and 3 cookies, Jackson jumped in the bounce house for 20 minutes. Once again, no complaints or even so much as a mention of feeling bad.
And now, 10 days post-op, we are still doing awesome. We've had a handful of nights where he has woken up with throat pain (which is normal) and I've definitely caught him playing the sick card to get ice cream instead of the meal the rest of the family is eating. But seriously, this was a cinch.
We are so thankful for a sucessful surgery and a hopefully healthier and quieter child!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Summer 2013 Recap: Part Dos

Weston has really needed extra time with Mommy recently so I've made an effort to sneak away with him whenever I get a chance. Last week we went to Target and had the best time letting him try on hats. He would definitely be content as an only child.










This was a first...I literally had to cut the onesie off of Colt. His blowout was so extreme that I could not pull it over his head without getting it all over him. Ugh.


Jackson's really into dressing up. He wore this police costume for 3 consecutive days.




This is something I found that I am tempted to get Ben for his bday in October, from West. And it's sold out, what a shame. Really!?!



Lots of warm evenings spent hanging out in the driveway.




A little finger...or foot...or body painting.




The search for a new pair of sunglasses...mission impossible!! I have bought and returned 3 pairs so far. I am a retailer's worst nightmare.




Popsicles after a day of "swimming."




We've made lots of tents this summer thanks to the wet weather. I've had to step it up a notch to keep these two entertained. So we've added globe lighting...then moved on up to the tent "bubble" using a queen size duvet and a fan. LOVED IT!







I recently got a laminator...and have pretty much laminated any and all flat items in our house. Personalized ABC flash cards, a hand-drawn story-improvised 3 Little Pigs Book, number books, caricature puppets...you name it!








Last week Poppy came to hang out for a day and we had the best time running, swimming, wrestling, chasing and hanging out with him. The highlight of the day was when Poppy let them ride around the cul-de-sac in his Z4 with the top down {think beauty queens in a small-town parade}






We have had an awesome summer and I am absolutely loving being a mom to my three boys. And even though Ben always seems to play second fiddle to the boys out here in the blog world, he is still #1 in my heart and I am so very grateful and thankful for such a loving, strong, hardworking husband to lead our family. There is never order, quiet or cleanliness in my house in this season but with it comes pure joy and love for the wonderful gifts God has given us.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Summer 2013 Recap: Part Uno

So its finally taking its toll...there is just no way to keep my blog up to date and manage 3 little boys. There are simply not enough hours in the day, and its pretty freeing admitting that.... and taking the pressure off of myself to document every little tidbit.

So here's a little (picture-heavy) recap of our last several weeks:
Swimming with fun friends












Lots of brotherly love, seriously they are so sweet to each other 98% of the time. It makes my heart so happy to see them love each other so much












Ice cream (lots of ice cream) with friends






A fun morning at the zoo




Jackson's outfit of choice for pre-school. The bike shorts have crotch pad for biking comfort, oh so practical. Go Lance! Complete with the light up shoes that GiGi & Poppy bought him.



{Note to self: be sure to explain that light up shoes DO NOT work if you put them under water.} Thankfully they dried out and are back in action. Sheew!

My high school BFF Sally visited with her three sweeties. We had the BEST time. J & W think Jay & Betsy hung the moon and they all played so well together (girl drama aside :) ) Sweet Lucy & Colton were fast friends too!












Westie is obsessed with Mickey...all of our drawings, paintings, chalkings, etc MUST have Mickey ears.




We've been watching videos from my childhood and Jackson absolutely loves watching. Its so funny to see myself at his age, this has been one of our favorite activities lately.



Yes, that is 3-year-old me riding on the front of Mike's trike...backwards & barefoot. No helmet. And Dad is pushing us. And yes, that is Weston & Jackson riding double, too. And he looks terrified.

Here's me at my 2nd birthday party...Weston looks JUST like me.



And here's Ben when he was 4. Am I the only one who thinks he looks just like Jackson?!?




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad