Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Before and after
Big boy bed style!
As you can see he liked to have a TON of stuff in his crib!
Look at that face!! Is he thrilled or what? He got bunk beds, new bedding, bed rails, and his room moved all around. He's up there right now for his first nap in his big boy bed... so far so good!
Madeleine also got new bedding which she loves! I can't believe we have two kids in big kid beds, and can't believe we have bunk beds in our house!!
As you can see he liked to have a TON of stuff in his crib!
Madeleine also got new bedding which she loves! I can't believe we have two kids in big kid beds, and can't believe we have bunk beds in our house!!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Mommy daughter day didn't happen
Well we were supposed to fly to Philly for the day on Saturday to visit our good friends. Ken got home from his gig at 2:30 and said the roads were terrible and he thought maybe we shouldn't go. I got up at 4am and looked at the roads outside, and decided to try it anyway. So I got ready, got Madeleine up, went to the airport, got breakfast, got on the plane, and sat there. And sat there. And sat there. We got de-iced and then the captain came on and said that there was something wrong at the Philly airport and they were working on fixing it. They said they weren't planning on leaving for another hour and 50 minutes. We were already pushed back from the gate, but I decided then that if we got back to the gate we were getting off the plane. Since we were flying standby, if there were cancellations there is no way we'd get back on a plane in Philly. About half an hour later I was really HOPING we were going to go back to the gate. We finally did, so we got off the plane. Whew! Later we found out that our flight home, which was supposed to land at 10 something, didn't get here until 1am something. That is if we even GOT on that flight. I could not imagine leaving Leo for longer than a day, especially because I only have a 2 day supply of milk at any given time. We might try again next weekend ;)
Madeleine was SUPER on the plane and in the airport, and I had a great time with her. I think we need to do more things like this since so much attention goes to her brothers.
Anyway, it's a good thing we got home because today Leo and John Paul woke up with colds. John Paul kept looking worse and worse through the day, we gave him two breathing treatments and he was still wheezing and had a barking cough and a fever so I took him to the ER. (Our favorite ER in town, we've been to all 3 multiple times.) He got another breathing treatment, steroids, a big stuffed snake, a homemade fleece blanket, about 50 stickers and 4 red popsicles. He was having a great time (except for the rectal thermometer!) Also a doctor and a nurse both said he talked better than their 3 year olds! They all loved him. He was feeling much better by the time we left a few hours later. Whew! If y'all need me I'll be laying on the couch.
Madeleine was SUPER on the plane and in the airport, and I had a great time with her. I think we need to do more things like this since so much attention goes to her brothers.
Anyway, it's a good thing we got home because today Leo and John Paul woke up with colds. John Paul kept looking worse and worse through the day, we gave him two breathing treatments and he was still wheezing and had a barking cough and a fever so I took him to the ER. (Our favorite ER in town, we've been to all 3 multiple times.) He got another breathing treatment, steroids, a big stuffed snake, a homemade fleece blanket, about 50 stickers and 4 red popsicles. He was having a great time (except for the rectal thermometer!) Also a doctor and a nurse both said he talked better than their 3 year olds! They all loved him. He was feeling much better by the time we left a few hours later. Whew! If y'all need me I'll be laying on the couch.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Big week for Leo
Leo had a surgeon appointment on Monday. We got the date for his surgery, March 12. Also, Dr. S told us that we needed to get rid of his paci, because if we try to do everything at once (surgery, no more bottle, no more paci) it would be traumatic for him. So I came home that day and threw them all away. I had been dreading getting rid of it and putting it off, because he had NEVER gone to sleep without it. He is such a great sleeper, I was terrified he wouldn't sleep and start waking up at night again. He probably cried for 3 minutes that day before his nap, and then slept for 2 hours! Then that night he laid right down in his crib with NO crying! It's been 4 days and he is still a wonderful sleeper and the best baby who ever lived! I cannot BELIEVE it. People must have been praying for him because it was so easy.
Leo also took his first steps this week! He has taken about 4 or 5 steps and practices and gets better every day. He still crawls super fast! He is eating so well. He turned a corner with his cup too, and his speech therapist was really happy with his progress this week. She said two weeks ago she didn't think he was quite ready for surgery (with drinking from a cup being the goal) but now he is! If they called me next week and said they had an opening, and everyone could get time off work, I would go for it. I actually think it would be easier for me if we had little notice, than if I have to wait almost 2 more months.
In the waiting room at the surgeon, there were several kids there with their parents who had cleft lip repairs. There was a 20ish girl, a teenage boy, about an 8 year old boy and also a sibling set adopted from China who both had cleft lips and palates (adopted siblings.) The older boy had already had his repairs, and looked great. The younger girl they JUST adopted a week ago, and this was her first appointment with Dr. S. She had just turned 3. I talked to her mom just for a minute before the nurse called us back. I asked her how the surgery was. She said that there was a lot of blood coming out of his nose and mouth, she wasn't expecting it to be that bad. But she said her son was ready to go home that day! And that he bounced back so quick. It was really neat to see a young boy and a teenage boy with Leo's same issue, being totally normal kids. He is going to be fine! That made me feel good.
So, best case scenario, Leo will go home the next morning if he is eating and drinking. If he refuses to eat and drink, they'll have to keep him there til he does. So everyone pray that he does! He will eat soft foods for 4 weeks, and wear arm restraints for 2-3 weeks, then gradually add more foods. The arm restraints are padded and wrap around his arms so he can't bend them and put things in his mouth. He won't be happy about it but we'll just have to try to make him as happy as possible for those few weeks.
On another note, Madeleine and I are having a girls day out tomorrow, and Ken is having a boys day in. More details later on that :)
Leo also took his first steps this week! He has taken about 4 or 5 steps and practices and gets better every day. He still crawls super fast! He is eating so well. He turned a corner with his cup too, and his speech therapist was really happy with his progress this week. She said two weeks ago she didn't think he was quite ready for surgery (with drinking from a cup being the goal) but now he is! If they called me next week and said they had an opening, and everyone could get time off work, I would go for it. I actually think it would be easier for me if we had little notice, than if I have to wait almost 2 more months.
In the waiting room at the surgeon, there were several kids there with their parents who had cleft lip repairs. There was a 20ish girl, a teenage boy, about an 8 year old boy and also a sibling set adopted from China who both had cleft lips and palates (adopted siblings.) The older boy had already had his repairs, and looked great. The younger girl they JUST adopted a week ago, and this was her first appointment with Dr. S. She had just turned 3. I talked to her mom just for a minute before the nurse called us back. I asked her how the surgery was. She said that there was a lot of blood coming out of his nose and mouth, she wasn't expecting it to be that bad. But she said her son was ready to go home that day! And that he bounced back so quick. It was really neat to see a young boy and a teenage boy with Leo's same issue, being totally normal kids. He is going to be fine! That made me feel good.
So, best case scenario, Leo will go home the next morning if he is eating and drinking. If he refuses to eat and drink, they'll have to keep him there til he does. So everyone pray that he does! He will eat soft foods for 4 weeks, and wear arm restraints for 2-3 weeks, then gradually add more foods. The arm restraints are padded and wrap around his arms so he can't bend them and put things in his mouth. He won't be happy about it but we'll just have to try to make him as happy as possible for those few weeks.
On another note, Madeleine and I are having a girls day out tomorrow, and Ken is having a boys day in. More details later on that :)
Sunday, January 15, 2012
He always hugs me when I get him out of his crib
Also, please check out my new favorite blog, Sugar Pie Blessings, on my sidebar. She's one of my oldest and dearest friends and has amazing writing talent!
Monday, January 09, 2012
Surgery
I know it's coming up. Most of the time I try not to think about it. But it is NEXT month. It will be here before we know it.
Leo went to the ENT this week to see if she recommended ear tubes at the same time as his cleft repair. While we were there she diagnosed an ear infection (I had NO IDEA!) and recommended tubes. It only takes 10 minutes during his other surgery, and anesthesia is the biggest risk. He'll already be under so it is fine with me.
The nurse practitioner came in and asked when his surgery was, I said February (that's all I know so far and it's making me annoyed they haven't called me yet). She said, "Are you excited??" I was like.... "Uh, I am excited to get it over with, but not looking forward to that day and the recovery." She said, "Oh he'll breeze right through it."
I don't quite believe that, but it was nice to hear a medical professional say it.
The truth is, he has to get the top of his mouth peeled like a banana, bone, muscle and skin stitched together, anesthesia, arm restraints for 3 weeks, soft foods for 4 weeks, and no more bottle and paci afterwards. He doesn't even know anything is wrong, yet one day he'll wake up and go to the hospital and everything will be different, he'll be in pain, and he won't get two of the most comforting things ever again. This makes me very sad and scared. I'm actually having some anxiety about it.
However, when it's over and he's healed, he will be able to eat so much more food, he'll be able to drink out of a cup, learn how to suck, learn how to talk, and start his normal life.
Sometimes I wonder WHY WHY WHY did this have to happen to him (to us?) But, then I think, what an honor it was to be chosen by God to be his mother! He trusted me enough to give me a child who needs some extra care. I will always do my very best to take care of him. He's changed all our lives for the better. I'm so happy we have him, cleft and all.
So everyone, please pray us through this. I know that Grandma will be praying for him up in heaven too, and that definitely gives me comfort. I'm hoping we get this thing scheduled soon.
Leo went to the ENT this week to see if she recommended ear tubes at the same time as his cleft repair. While we were there she diagnosed an ear infection (I had NO IDEA!) and recommended tubes. It only takes 10 minutes during his other surgery, and anesthesia is the biggest risk. He'll already be under so it is fine with me.
The nurse practitioner came in and asked when his surgery was, I said February (that's all I know so far and it's making me annoyed they haven't called me yet). She said, "Are you excited??" I was like.... "Uh, I am excited to get it over with, but not looking forward to that day and the recovery." She said, "Oh he'll breeze right through it."
I don't quite believe that, but it was nice to hear a medical professional say it.
The truth is, he has to get the top of his mouth peeled like a banana, bone, muscle and skin stitched together, anesthesia, arm restraints for 3 weeks, soft foods for 4 weeks, and no more bottle and paci afterwards. He doesn't even know anything is wrong, yet one day he'll wake up and go to the hospital and everything will be different, he'll be in pain, and he won't get two of the most comforting things ever again. This makes me very sad and scared. I'm actually having some anxiety about it.
However, when it's over and he's healed, he will be able to eat so much more food, he'll be able to drink out of a cup, learn how to suck, learn how to talk, and start his normal life.
Sometimes I wonder WHY WHY WHY did this have to happen to him (to us?) But, then I think, what an honor it was to be chosen by God to be his mother! He trusted me enough to give me a child who needs some extra care. I will always do my very best to take care of him. He's changed all our lives for the better. I'm so happy we have him, cleft and all.
So everyone, please pray us through this. I know that Grandma will be praying for him up in heaven too, and that definitely gives me comfort. I'm hoping we get this thing scheduled soon.
Thursday, January 05, 2012
And I was worried about the third kid getting attention
Madeleine: Mommy, Baby Leo is the most wonderfulest baby in the world.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Madeleine reading on my new kindle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peEYj7Zd9dc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
Robin hood
I'll write about the trip to Alabama and Grandmas funeral soon but right now I'm exhausted. So here's a picture of John Paul's Christmas present I made for your viewing pleasure.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Seriously.
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Sunday, December 25, 2011
May the souls of the faithful departed
Through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
What a day to enter heaven, Grandma. We sure will miss you.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
I guess we're going couch shopping .
Her: We don't REALLY need new couches.
Him: You're not the one who has to prop it back up on the paint can every night!
Him: You're not the one who has to prop it back up on the paint can every night!
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Set your DVRs!
My good friends Cathy and Joe will be on the TODAY SHOW tomorrow because of this awesome story!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Letdown.
I was thinking Awwww, What's she going to write??
:)
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Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Big boy bed???
So, John Paul will be 3 in April. He's climbed out of his crib a few times now. Last night Ken heard him crying and went to his room, started opening the door and John Paul opened it before him. A few days ago he climbed out of his crib and hurt his knee and got a big bruise on his head (right before Christmas pictures.) I was hoping to keep him in the crib as long as possible, but I don't want to hurt himself. What age do you move your kids into big kid beds? We moved Madeleine about 3 months before she turned 3. (She was potty trained then, and one day she climbed out of her crib, went potty, and climbed back in!) So we moved her to my old daybed. At first we put a rail up but after awhile we put it down. She also got out of her bed quite a bit when we first moved her, and she'd get into a lot of things in her room. She took things off the wall, got into her closet, climbed up on the dresser, etc. So I instituted a rule - if you get out of your bed, no tv the next day. Took about 3 days of zero TV before she decided she'd stay in bed. And really, they only watch 2 shows a day so I didn't think it was that bad of a punishment - obviously it was! I'm not sure that'll work for John Paul... and I'm also afraid he will wander the house at night. He can get through the gate at the top of the stairs.
We don't have another bed for him, so I really want my dad and Ken to build this for him, and eventually Leo. They LOVE bunk beds. I'm not ready for this! He's been potty trained since June but wears a diaper to bed. Decisions, decisions....
We don't have another bed for him, so I really want my dad and Ken to build this for him, and eventually Leo. They LOVE bunk beds. I'm not ready for this! He's been potty trained since June but wears a diaper to bed. Decisions, decisions....
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Thursday, December 08, 2011
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Slacker!
Me that is!
I was hoping to have some first birthday party pics to share today, but Leo woke up crying all last night (of course Ken was gone at a gig) and then had a fever this morning so we postponed his party til next week.
I can't believe my baby boy is going to be one is just a few days. With the other two kids I was sad when they turned one. With Leo, I'm not sad one bit! I'm so proud and happy with how healthy and chunky and happy he is. And I'm SO happy I've been pumping for almost a year, and he has never had to be supplemented. That was a huge personal goal of mine, and I honestly can't believe I did it!
Last weekend we went down to see the big tree on the Soldiers and Sailors monument in downtown Indy. Ken and I got engaged there 10 years ago exactly - no pictures then, but here we are now.... we've multiplied :)
The one picture I got of the kids in their Thanksgiving turkey shirts I made - John Paul looks thrilled.
For Leo's birthday I wanted to make him something special. Madeleine and John Paul are getting one homemade Christmas gift each but I didn't have an idea for Leo, until his speech therapist said something. She wants him to be really good at pointing at things, and suggested books with one picture on each page to practice pointing. I decided to make him an "I spy" quilt - each square on the front has a different picture so we can play "I spy" and find all the pictures and he can practice how to point. I seriously thought of buying one on etsy.com but then decided to make it myself. I wanted to make the back flannel so he would like sleeping with it. I'm also kind of hoping he gets attached to it like John Paul and his "kiki" so giving up the paci will be easier! I was extremely happy with how it came out!
We got our tree up this weekend, and Nativity Set and stockings, and advent wreath and calendar. The kids are enjoying watching Christmas movies and I'm spending most of my time keeping John Paul away from the tree. Leo's been pretty good with it so far! It looks very Christmasy around here, I love it!
I was hoping to have some first birthday party pics to share today, but Leo woke up crying all last night (of course Ken was gone at a gig) and then had a fever this morning so we postponed his party til next week.
I can't believe my baby boy is going to be one is just a few days. With the other two kids I was sad when they turned one. With Leo, I'm not sad one bit! I'm so proud and happy with how healthy and chunky and happy he is. And I'm SO happy I've been pumping for almost a year, and he has never had to be supplemented. That was a huge personal goal of mine, and I honestly can't believe I did it!
Last weekend we went down to see the big tree on the Soldiers and Sailors monument in downtown Indy. Ken and I got engaged there 10 years ago exactly - no pictures then, but here we are now.... we've multiplied :)
The one picture I got of the kids in their Thanksgiving turkey shirts I made - John Paul looks thrilled.
For Leo's birthday I wanted to make him something special. Madeleine and John Paul are getting one homemade Christmas gift each but I didn't have an idea for Leo, until his speech therapist said something. She wants him to be really good at pointing at things, and suggested books with one picture on each page to practice pointing. I decided to make him an "I spy" quilt - each square on the front has a different picture so we can play "I spy" and find all the pictures and he can practice how to point. I seriously thought of buying one on etsy.com but then decided to make it myself. I wanted to make the back flannel so he would like sleeping with it. I'm also kind of hoping he gets attached to it like John Paul and his "kiki" so giving up the paci will be easier! I was extremely happy with how it came out!
We got our tree up this weekend, and Nativity Set and stockings, and advent wreath and calendar. The kids are enjoying watching Christmas movies and I'm spending most of my time keeping John Paul away from the tree. Leo's been pretty good with it so far! It looks very Christmasy around here, I love it!
Friday, November 25, 2011
Our trip to St. Francis
Today Leo and I traveled to my alma mater to attend Brian's funeral. We got there early and were able to see some old friends, see the campus, my old dorm and house I lived in for two years, the Newman Center, and I even took Leo on a date to the MT Cup, my favorite coffee house where I used to go on dates with Ken! Leo was very well behaved considering it was a LONG day and several hours in the car.
Here's the cottage right next door to the Newman Center where we lived. First year, 4 girls, second year, 5 girls. 1 and a half baths. It was fabulous :)
I'm so glad we went! May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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Here's the cottage right next door to the Newman Center where we lived. First year, 4 girls, second year, 5 girls. 1 and a half baths. It was fabulous :)
I'm so glad we went! May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Brian
My friend from college, Brian Eckstein, died suddenly on Monday. I lived at the Newman center at Ball State for 2 years, and played guitar and piano with him every Sunday. He was legally blind, but one of the most amazing musicians I've ever met. He was kind and loving and hilarious. I got to see him a few months ago when I went up for the music minister's last mass at that parish. I got to hear him lead the music and play piano, then a bunch of old friends got pizza together. I am SO glad I got to see him that last time. One of my best memories is of him playing one of my favorite songs, Let the Peace of God Reign. He would always play that for me and told me that song always reminded me of him. I'll write more after the funeral, but someone took a video of him leading the recessional hymn on Sunday, the day before he died. Here are the lyrics of the song he sang:
John tells us of city so high up above
LIGHTS OF THE CITY
John tells us of city so high up above
Where we'll be in a Spirit of Love
We'll meet over yonder in that heavenly place
There, we'll see each other face to face
I can almost see the Lights of The City
Shinin' down on me
I can almost see the Lights of The City
Forever Lord, I shall be free
John tells us of a time when time will be no more
In the day when the trumpet shall blow
We'll meet over yonder in that heavenly place
There, we'll see each other face to face
(chorus)
John tells us of a water which will bring us to life
For when we drink, we will thirst no more
For when we're born in that water, a heavenly place
There we'll see each other face to face
And here is the video: Brian is the one in the blue shirt in the middle
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Leo's surgeon appointment
First of all, another view of this boy standing. He stands constantly now! He just got it. He's trying to cruise around furniture already, and standing straight up even holding on with just one hand. He's already causing destruction! The other day Madeleine was eating a bowl of grapes on the couch and he came over, stood up, and threw the bowl on the ground, scattering grapes everywhere. And now he can get the small box of little, miscellaneous toys off the toy box and scatter it everywhere! Silly boy!
So the surgeon said that we could do the surgery in February. He'll be 14 months. He is going to see an ENT in January to evaluate whether to do ear tubes at the same time, while he's already under. Even though he has only had 2 ear infections in his life (VERY good for a cleft baby!) they might do it to prevent future ear infections - apparently the eustacian tubes are attached to the muscles they pull together during the surgery, causing them to flatten out, so kids can have trouble with ear infections afterwards. He's also going back to the surgeon in January, and they'll tell us everything we need to know. I do know that he will have to stay in the hospital probably one or two nights, until he starts eating there. He said some kids refuse to eat or drink and then they have to stay longer. He'll have to wear arm restraints for THREE WEEKS to prevent him from putting anything in his mouth. And he also has to eat very soft foods for 4 weeks - off the side of a spoon.
This is all really scary, especially thinking about him being in pain and recovery being hard on the whole family. But after it's over, he'll be able to start making lots more sounds, learn words, and eat a LOT more different kinds of food than he can now. I'm definitely looking forward to that. I'm trying to focus on that instead of thinking of him being scared and in pain. Poor baby. :(
So the surgeon said that we could do the surgery in February. He'll be 14 months. He is going to see an ENT in January to evaluate whether to do ear tubes at the same time, while he's already under. Even though he has only had 2 ear infections in his life (VERY good for a cleft baby!) they might do it to prevent future ear infections - apparently the eustacian tubes are attached to the muscles they pull together during the surgery, causing them to flatten out, so kids can have trouble with ear infections afterwards. He's also going back to the surgeon in January, and they'll tell us everything we need to know. I do know that he will have to stay in the hospital probably one or two nights, until he starts eating there. He said some kids refuse to eat or drink and then they have to stay longer. He'll have to wear arm restraints for THREE WEEKS to prevent him from putting anything in his mouth. And he also has to eat very soft foods for 4 weeks - off the side of a spoon.
This is all really scary, especially thinking about him being in pain and recovery being hard on the whole family. But after it's over, he'll be able to start making lots more sounds, learn words, and eat a LOT more different kinds of food than he can now. I'm definitely looking forward to that. I'm trying to focus on that instead of thinking of him being scared and in pain. Poor baby. :(
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Our trip to St. Louis
I packed the car to the brim for my first trip alone with these three lil Hooligans. Books, toys, snacks, diapers, pack n play, double stroller, books on tape, CDs, new surprises and my camera which I never took out of the car. These pictures are all from my phone so the quality is not so great. The drive took about 5-6 hours with stops.
I'm not kidding, my kids are AMAZING travelers! They were absolutely no trouble at all in the car. Not even Leo. Of course I let him have his paci, which he usually only gets in his bed. A few times I felt the need to check and see if he was still there! I never heard a peep!
We stopped at McDonalds for lunch, and my kids LOVED playing "Robin Hood" in this awesome playland.
Soon we saw this view and knew we were close....
We had a great time visiting with D and kids, although the first night was extremely rough. John Paul and Madeleine woke Leo up and he ended up not going back to sleep until 1:30 am, finally, in the bed with Madeleine and me. When Madeleine FINALLY fell asleep, she was so tired she didn't even notice Leo screaming and hitting her in the face with his paci!
John Paul LOVED Lucy - and she loved him since he shared his grapes with her! (or as she says, "Apples" - so cute!)
The next day we hit the St. Louis zoo. It was quite amazing! The animals were all so close, much closer to us than the Indianapolis zoo. This Chimp kept following Madeleine around, we called him her "old friend." He followed her from window to window and then sat right next to her! She LOVED it!
Later that day, and the next day before we left, we went to the Magic House, which is their awesome Children's museum. Here are my kids trying to climb IN the water table.
There was a nice baby area, Leo loved looking at the "other" chubby baby in the mirror. He gave him a high five and even kissed him!
John Paul and Lucy riding in the car together.
Hanging out in the Ergo with mama.
They even had little baby seats so the babies could play in the water! Such a great idea and Leo loved it!
More chubby baby in the mirror...
Splashing himself in the face...
Leo and Cecilia enjoying the water. CC is so sweet and cute!
The second night was MUCH better since we wore everyone out! The kids were all asleep in the same room by 8:30. And Madeleine and John Paul slept over 11 hours :) We went back to the magic house the next morning, then left from there. I thought we'd be home around 6, but as soon as we crossed the Indiana state line, we were completely stopped on I70. For HOURS. In the pitch black. There is NOTHING around. M and JP both had to go potty at one point and we barely made it to a gas station. I fed Leo a pouch of baby food and tried to feed him a bottle sitting in the gas station, he was not interested. Then I went through a drive through for us and said we were NOT stopping again. I got back on 70 thinking for sure the construction/ one lane would be over soon. Not so much. I think we went about 2 miles in 45 minutes. Finally Ken told me a different way to go and we were able to get off that road. We didn't make it home until after 9 and everyone went right to bed. Wow that was rough. But my kids were absolute troopers! Even with it getting dark at 4pm, even in horrible traffic, they never complained. Leo even fell asleep for the last hour.
So, even though the first night was awful and the drive home was awful (NOT b/c of the kids H! lol) I am really glad we went. We took a little break from school, got to spend a little time with D and her kids, and got to see a different city. My kids had a fantastic time and have been asking when we can go back.
Thank you D for hosting us and all the wonderful food! We had a great time!
I'm not kidding, my kids are AMAZING travelers! They were absolutely no trouble at all in the car. Not even Leo. Of course I let him have his paci, which he usually only gets in his bed. A few times I felt the need to check and see if he was still there! I never heard a peep!
We stopped at McDonalds for lunch, and my kids LOVED playing "Robin Hood" in this awesome playland.
Soon we saw this view and knew we were close....
We had a great time visiting with D and kids, although the first night was extremely rough. John Paul and Madeleine woke Leo up and he ended up not going back to sleep until 1:30 am, finally, in the bed with Madeleine and me. When Madeleine FINALLY fell asleep, she was so tired she didn't even notice Leo screaming and hitting her in the face with his paci!
John Paul LOVED Lucy - and she loved him since he shared his grapes with her! (or as she says, "Apples" - so cute!)
The next day we hit the St. Louis zoo. It was quite amazing! The animals were all so close, much closer to us than the Indianapolis zoo. This Chimp kept following Madeleine around, we called him her "old friend." He followed her from window to window and then sat right next to her! She LOVED it!
Later that day, and the next day before we left, we went to the Magic House, which is their awesome Children's museum. Here are my kids trying to climb IN the water table. 
There was a nice baby area, Leo loved looking at the "other" chubby baby in the mirror. He gave him a high five and even kissed him!
John Paul and Lucy riding in the car together.
Hanging out in the Ergo with mama.
They even had little baby seats so the babies could play in the water! Such a great idea and Leo loved it!
More chubby baby in the mirror...
Splashing himself in the face...
Leo and Cecilia enjoying the water. CC is so sweet and cute!
The second night was MUCH better since we wore everyone out! The kids were all asleep in the same room by 8:30. And Madeleine and John Paul slept over 11 hours :) We went back to the magic house the next morning, then left from there. I thought we'd be home around 6, but as soon as we crossed the Indiana state line, we were completely stopped on I70. For HOURS. In the pitch black. There is NOTHING around. M and JP both had to go potty at one point and we barely made it to a gas station. I fed Leo a pouch of baby food and tried to feed him a bottle sitting in the gas station, he was not interested. Then I went through a drive through for us and said we were NOT stopping again. I got back on 70 thinking for sure the construction/ one lane would be over soon. Not so much. I think we went about 2 miles in 45 minutes. Finally Ken told me a different way to go and we were able to get off that road. We didn't make it home until after 9 and everyone went right to bed. Wow that was rough. But my kids were absolute troopers! Even with it getting dark at 4pm, even in horrible traffic, they never complained. Leo even fell asleep for the last hour.
So, even though the first night was awful and the drive home was awful (NOT b/c of the kids H! lol) I am really glad we went. We took a little break from school, got to spend a little time with D and her kids, and got to see a different city. My kids had a fantastic time and have been asking when we can go back.
Thank you D for hosting us and all the wonderful food! We had a great time!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Proud Mama
I have a lot to write about, our trip to St. Louis, Leo's surgeon appointment, the hellish drive home from St. Louis, but I wanted to share one quick story.
A few months ago, I made Madeleine and John Paul memorize my cell phone number. They both memorized it easily, and remembered correctly even weeks later. We talked about that if they were to ever get separated in a store or something, to go up to someone with a name tag, who looks like they work there, and tell them their name and that they lost their mommy. Then they could tell them my phone number and they could call me and I would come right away.
So in St. Louis this week we went to The Magic House which is an amazing Children's Museum. There was a toddler area with a sand table, water table, tubes to climb in, slides, dollhouses, and all kinds of stuff to play with and all kinds of tiny rooms to explore in a big enclosed area. Madeleine and John Paul were kind of running all over the place and exploring it all. There was a baby area too with a little ball pit and some other things for babies under 24 months. I took Leo in there and Madeleine didn't know where I was. So she went to a worker and told them my phone number! They didn't call it but instead looked around for me for a minute before they found me. I told her I was so proud of her and she did the exact right thing! And the workers were SO impressed that a 4 year old would know that and know exactly what to do.
She actually didn't know the area code, but on the way home she memorized the first 3 numbers, so now she knows the whole thing. I'm so proud of her!
A few months ago, I made Madeleine and John Paul memorize my cell phone number. They both memorized it easily, and remembered correctly even weeks later. We talked about that if they were to ever get separated in a store or something, to go up to someone with a name tag, who looks like they work there, and tell them their name and that they lost their mommy. Then they could tell them my phone number and they could call me and I would come right away.
So in St. Louis this week we went to The Magic House which is an amazing Children's Museum. There was a toddler area with a sand table, water table, tubes to climb in, slides, dollhouses, and all kinds of stuff to play with and all kinds of tiny rooms to explore in a big enclosed area. Madeleine and John Paul were kind of running all over the place and exploring it all. There was a baby area too with a little ball pit and some other things for babies under 24 months. I took Leo in there and Madeleine didn't know where I was. So she went to a worker and told them my phone number! They didn't call it but instead looked around for me for a minute before they found me. I told her I was so proud of her and she did the exact right thing! And the workers were SO impressed that a 4 year old would know that and know exactly what to do.
She actually didn't know the area code, but on the way home she memorized the first 3 numbers, so now she knows the whole thing. I'm so proud of her!
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Halloween Pics
My camera died right when we were going trick or treating but it worked out since my sister in law takes way better pictures than I do anyway! Thank you Jenni!
Love my little frog. And my ergo.
So my blog has been totally boring lately, but we have some interesting things coming up. We have an appointment with Leo's surgeon on Monday, and I'm hoping we schedule the surgery. And, we are leaving right from the appointment to go visit John Paul's godmother in St. Louis! All 4 of us will be staying in one room (me and the kids) so say a lot of prayers! We might be leaving the next day!
Love my little frog. And my ergo.
So my blog has been totally boring lately, but we have some interesting things coming up. We have an appointment with Leo's surgeon on Monday, and I'm hoping we schedule the surgery. And, we are leaving right from the appointment to go visit John Paul's godmother in St. Louis! All 4 of us will be staying in one room (me and the kids) so say a lot of prayers! We might be leaving the next day!
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