Thankful Thursday

Reed, today is your 5th birthday and I wanted to list a few of the many reasons we are so thankful for you and enjoy you so much.

• You are a funny, funny kid. You constantly have me, your Daddy and your grandparents in stitches. You have a great sense of humor and are always keeping us on our toes with your funny sayings and come-backs!
  
• You are a great big brother. You are so sweet to Hudson - with your hugs, how you share your toys with him and how you watch out for him. You are helpful, sweet and truly a protector for him!
  
• You have a tender heart. Things affect you in a way that show me how sensitive you are. You care about others and how they are feeling and you love very sweetly.
  
• You are smart. You pick things up quickly, want to figure out how things work and I know you will love all the learning that you'll do at school.
  
• You make good choices. Of course you make some bad ones too, but the good FAR outweigh the bad. You're going to grow up to be a very good man.
  

Your Dad and I are so very thankful for you! We love you so much and wish you a very, very Happy Birthday!

(I know there are a lot of pictures, but trust me, these are pared down!)

Sometimes he's not the brightest crayon in the box...

...but I love him to pieces.  :)  I heard crying coming from our dining area earlier today.  It was the type of cry that said "I need some help and I need it NOW!"  I run in and come upon this little scene:

After watching me laugh for quite a bit, he decided that I wasn't going to help him and that he would just duck down and watch the TV under the table and through the chairs.
He soon decided that he would go ahead and cry about it until I did something.  So I pulled him out of the box, walked away and the crying began again in about 15 seconds...Yep, you guessed it...

Reed's 5th Birthday Party

Reed's birthday is on Thursday, but we celebrated this morning at Chuck E. Cheese. The party started at 10:00. (Ten o'clock in the morning? Isn't that early for pizza, you ask? Well, yes, but if I booked the party at 10:00, each party guest got 20 extra game tokens and when it comes down to it, it's ALL about the tokens, right? And we really didn't eat until about 11:00 which is our lunch time anyway, so it worked out great.) Reed is really into planets and the solar system right now, so we decided to go with that theme (well, as much as you can have a "theme" at Chuck E. Cheese.) They supplied all the stuff we needed for lunch, so I just got a few extras like rocket napkins and outerspace/alien themed favors. I made his cake to look like a planet with a little alien on the border. The inside of the cake was a fun rainbow color - the kids (and adults) loved it. Reed had a great time and is already planning his "Six Birthday" as he calls it. Here some fun shots from the day...

Reed trying his luck at ski-ball

Even Uncle Eric, Aunt Sara and Grace joined in for game time!

Cousin Sarah & the boys

Our little "Birthday Star"
Reed with his cake

Getting ready to blow out the candles

The inside of the cake - it's colorific!

Opening one of the many awesome presents

Reed and the cousins - he was so glad they came!

Thankful Thursday

This morning I had a root canal, so you wouldn't think this title would fit with this post, but it does!  Today I am thankful for...

• Drugs!  Numbing medication, pain medication and the like - all VERY awesome.
• A great dentist.  As I have mentioned before, I DO NOT care to be in the dentist's chair.  The process is much easier when I have a good dentist like Dr. Martin - very patient, very gentle and always asking me how I'm feeling and if I'm doing okay.  He even called me tonight to see how I was - a GREAT dentist.
• Grandparents.  One set kept the kids today while I had my tooth done and the other set is watching them tomorrow while I work on Reed's birthday cake.  
• Netflix.  I was able to catch up on some movies today while I laid in bed resting.  Grown up movies without any talking animals, aliens, characters with super powers or sponges who live in pineapples under the sea.
• Weight loss.  I am on Week 7 of my couch potato to 5k. This morning when I ran, it was a little harder than usual for some reason, but I'm still so proud I've stuck with it.  Did I think I would make it this far?  Not really.  Am I proud of my self? You bet.  The best part?  I've shed another 7 pounds because of the running  for a grand total of 22 pounds. Woo-hoo! 

Ear Update

I have had inquiries as to how Hudson is doing after having his tubes.  It has by no means been a "saga", but this could be a SUPER long post if I let it, so I'll give you the Reader's Digest version.

Friday: Drainage from the left ear...it was the most infected, so not unexpected.

Friday night: Still drainage from left ear.

Saturday morning: Crusty left ear when waking...followed by oozing.  Ewwww.

Saturday afternoon: Left ear ceases oozing.  Yay!

Saturday night: Crying around 10:30...get him out of bed...drainage running down his cheek from left ear.  EWWWW.  Give tylenol, clean up ear, goes back to sleep.

Sunday morning: Crusty left ear, but no drainage.

Sunday afternoon: Left ear is great!  Uh oh...drainage from right ear. 

Monday morning: Left ear still just fine..right ear crusty. Figures.

Monday: Right ear drains a little.

Tuesday Morning: Right ear crusty - no drainage!  We must be finished!  Yay!

Wednesday Morning: Right ear a tiny bit crusty...looking good!

Wednesday afternoon:  Call doctor because right ear resumes oozing. They call in some $35 ear drops and I am instructed to put in right ear (also in left if drainage resumes) until our check-up.

Wednesday evening: Pick up drops and put in ears because they are now BOTH draining.

Thursday morning: Both ears crusty, left ear draining.  

Check-up a week from Monday.  Expensive ear drops better last that long...

Surgery Day

Today Hudson had his tubes put in.  His surgery was set for 9:10, but the nurse said that the doctor is almost always running ahead, so we should be there at 7:10.  We left the house a little after 6:00 (yikes!) to head to the hospital.  Hudson was super tired but he stayed awake and watched WALL-E all the way. He started to get fussy around 8:45 or so - I'm sure because of hunger and thirst. He finally went in at 9:15 and they doctor came out at 9:20 and said he did great.  He said there was a lot of fluid in both ears and there may be more leakage over the weekend.  He also told us not to worry about swimming or baths, that water won't go through the tubes.  All I can say is YAY!!  I was not looking forward to all that with the summer coming up and all the swimming we are planning on doing!  :)  It was a full morning, but not much crying and a fairly happy baby most of the time.  God is good!

Running Update

Yesterday morning my alarm went off and I got up, pulled on my running clothes and walked out the front door.  I took approximately three steps, turned, went back in the house and got back in bed.  The temperature was in the 30's and I don't do the 30's.  So when Brian got home last night, dinner was already in the oven, so I threw on my running clothes and headed out the door.  (Little backstory- I am still on the end of week 5 because I missed one day last week.  The routine had been as such - Day One - 5 minute runs with a couple of minutes rests in between, Day Two - 8 minutes runs with a couple of minute rests between and Day Three - a twenty minute run.  Ummm, WHAT?  I'm very curious how we skipped from 8 minutes to 20 minutes!  The whole week was on one podcast, so my "running boss" would tell me when to run, when to walk depending on the day I was on. So I left the house thinking that I would go for at least 10 minutes for the first running increment and play it by ear from there.) So I'm cruising on getting to almost the 10 minutes mark, fully thinking that I'm going to take a break to walk.  A car approaches and the driver is an older lady - I would guess in her 60's.  As she gets closer, I see a huge smile on her face and she begins to pump her fist in the air as to say "You go girl!"  I cracked up laughing because it was really funny, but at the same time, it lit a fire under me.  I forgot all about my plan and decided that I was going to run until I couldn't anymore.  Low and behold, I made it the whole 20 minutes.  So to the lady in the tan car - You made my day!!

Bouncy Birthday Party

Tonight we attended a fun birthday party for one of Reed's sweet friends, Grae.  It was at the bounce house and Reed had a blast.  He spent most of his time on the big slide and even Hudson took a couple of turns (he wasn't too fond of it, but it was quite funny to see his face on the way down.) They had a little area for kids 2 and under - Hudson stayed only a few minutes and then had to get out where the action was.  And yes, I made the cake.  It is by far my favorite one I've done so far.  Here are a few pictures from the party...

First Teeth Cleaning

Today I took Reed to the dentist to get his teeth cleaned.  Yes, he is almost five and this was his first trip to the dentist.  I'm sure the reason I have put it off is because of my hate of dental appointments and the pain that I associate with them.  I know that all dental appointments do not involve pain, but I inadvertently associate the dentist chair with discomfort/pain. Because of all the drama I have had lately because of my teeth, I knew that I needed to get Reed on a good cleaning schedule and show him that if he goes to the dentist when he should, things won't get out of hand like in my situation.  About three weeks ago, Reed said "My tooth hurts."  Uh-oh. I asked him to open up and sure enough one of his molars had a tiny piece out of it.  I called right then and scheduled today's appointment.  We went in this morning and they did a couple of X-rays and started to clean his teeth. Some of the things were a little weird and uncomfortable to him in the beginning, but he ended up saying "That wasn't that bad!"  Turns out, he does have to go back to have that tooth fixed (hopefully a filling, but possibly a "pulpotomy" which is fancy talk for a root canal on a baby tooth.  Sweet deal.)  The good news is that he didn't have any other cavities or issues. He was a very brave boy and I was so proud of him!  

Thankful Thursday

• I am thankful for the rain yesterday.
• I am thankful for our new window that was installed yesterday and that there were no major "body slamming" episodes over the last week.  Hooray.
• I am thankful for STILL being able to run and enjoy it. 
• I am thankful that Hudson's one year checkup went well today.  (Yes, he is almost 14 months - I am a bad mom.)  He got two shots and didn't even cry.  What a trooper!  
• I am thankful for our girls dinner with Nancie on Tuesday night and that she ran with me yesterday morning.  I've missed her and it was so good to have a great visit - it was just way too short!

New Do's

Before bible study on Friday morning, I gave the boys a bath and made Hudson's hair into a "faux hawk". I've been doing this to his hair for a while, that is, when I actually remember to "fix" his hair. I think if I would've had a girl instead, she woulda been nicknamed "The Ragamuffin" because I would rarely have the strength, time or desire to create a hairstyle.  The bows, clips, barrettes - it boggles the mind.  Trying to hold a wriggling toddler still while trying to put baby fine hair into a ponytail or pigtails is not my idea of fun.  To all the moms out there with girls who have cute hair - I salute you.  Anyway, after the bath, Reed saw Hudson's hair and said "I like that...will you make mine look that way?" I thought to myself..."Well, sure buddy! Come on over to my barber chair and let's see what we can do!" I'm a little embarrassed to admit how long it took me to do it....and I would venture to say it's not done well. Nevertheless, here are my little "punks"...

They sure are a couple of cuties though!
Speaking of new hair, I got a little trim the other day...a nine inch trim!! I was getting tired of the long, long hair so I decided to do something new. Here I am in all my shorter length cuteness. (Here's a big shout out to Reed and his awesome photography skills - and mom's cropping skills)  :)

Granbury Inaugural Road Race 5K/10K

This morning I participated in my first ever 5K. I ran/walked with Cami and Amy and it turned out to be a great time. None of us were in a hurry to or make a great "time" - we weren't even going to get our time chips, but finally decided to a little before we started. The weather was a perfect 60 degrees and I ended up finishing in 45 minutes. I was very pleased with how I did (especially with my "I'd rather puke than run" type of attitude of the past). Maybe there is a runner in me trying to get out... :)

My Blue Eyed Boy

I was playing with my camera today and took quite a few pictures of the boys and as I downloaded them on my computer, I came across this one of Reed.  Quite the handsome little devil, isn't he?

Broken Glass and Barbeque Grills

After breakfast this morning, Hudson was wandering around the house trying to find something to mess with (as usual) and I soon heard an unfamiliar, yet alarming, noise that sounded like something akin to breaking glass.  Upon closer inspection, I found this in the dining room-

Sweet.

Hudson had pulled over a dining chair, causing it to not only crack him in the head, but break one of the dining room windows. Fortunately, he was fine, but the window was not.  

The glass guy came and measured and said that he would have to order a new pane and it would arrive in 7-10 days. He could either put in a temporary pane of glass for $35 or tape it up for me which would save me some money. Yes, I would always like to save money, but I wanted to make sure the cracked, taped up glass would be safe. He said that it should be just fine until the new window comes in as long as no one "body slams" the window.  (Yes, that is a quote.)  So here's the temporary fix...

Now I'm super disappointed that I'm not hosting any type of party or activity this week to show off my new window bling.  What a shame.

On another note, last night Brian and Reed brought me home some little flowering plants for my pots on the back porch.  They planted them for me which I think is super sweet and so cute! Brian got a new grill on Saturday, so after they planted the flowers, Brian grilled us up some hamburgers.  Hudson absolutely loves being outside, so he and Reed did some "yard work" while Dad grilled.  Reed was using his pint sized shovel to help fill the ginormous hole previously dug by our huge but mostly useless (in the way of being protective at least) dogs. And by filling the hole, I mean getting the "fill" dirt by digging a new hole just inches from the giant hole.  Hudson, while toddling around with the yellow dog comb and randomly swatting the newly planted flower pots, spent most of his time supervising Reed's work with his baby babble.

And in the mean time, while we're waiting for a new window to arrive, I'll let you know if I was able to keep the body slamming episodes to a minimum...

Thankful Thursday

• I am thankful that we have an availability to doctors, medications and medical procedures. 
• I am thankful for the rain.
• I am thankful for Cinnamon Bun coffee from Target.
• I am thankful for nap time.
• I am thankful for my continued motivation to run.  My dad came over at a time yesterday when it wasn't pouring so I took the free babysitting and ran in the cold and drizzle.  If you would've asked me a month ago if that would be something I'd even consider, I would've laughed at you.  Hard.