Best Week EVER

So this week was unlike any week since the inception of our household. This week, Steve took the whole week off...well, it was suppose to be the whole week. He actually had to go into work Tuesday, but lets not split hairs...My point is that he took the week off and we did NOTHING! OK, also not entirely true. We did a lot actually, but nothing of consequence. We didn't travel or have company. We just spent the week as a family. AMAZING!

This week we did a few things worth mentioning. We planted flowers, put up and took down a shed (long story - ask me about it sometime, but only if you want an ear full), did yard work, visited the fire station, went shopping, went to the doctor (twice), got x-rays (more to follow), and today we went to the zoo.

So, I totally failed as a mom on the fire station thing. Cade love firetrucks ("whoo whoo" - the sound effect he makes every time he says the word), so we made a trip up there. They were so, so nice. They gave him a hat, badge, stickers and coloring book. They turned on the lights and let him sit in the truck. It was amazing - and I don't have a single picture of it. I know, I know - I totally dropped the ball. I have no idea what I was (or wasn't) thinking, but I forgot my camera. Please don't dwell on it. I can't believe I failed so miserably. Live and learn.

Steve also took Cade to the mall one morning without me. No, seriously...my Steve...went to the mall...voluntarily...without me...no lie. He took Cade to buy a baseball cap. It's so cute - his little curls sticking out from underneath. He looks so grown up. Only the sippy cup reminds me that he's still my baby.

And today we went to the zoo. It was laid back and fun and just the best to see all my boys together. Cole pretty much slept the whole time as he had a long morning. He had to get his hips x-rayed this morning per his pediatrician. She has some concerns about his feet/hips. We don't know much yet, but we have an appointment with a pediatric orthopedic...no, no...not Cade's - that would be too easy...another one. I'll update when we know more. But for now, just Zoo pics.

Broken Boy

So we slammed head first into a parenting milestone this past Friday. At precisely 5:30pm, my big boy flipped himself over the arm of the couch and broke his sweet little arm. It's been quite the experience, but we are all doing remarkably well.

So the most common question (other than what happened) is "how did you know it was broken"? The answer is - I really didn't. He cried his normal "I fell" cry, but it lasted longer this time. When I asked him what hurt, he kept saying "elbow" and reaching for him arm. He cried when I took his shirt off and on and he was not as active as usual. He was, however still smiling and laughing, so we did what any stellar parents would do - we gave him Tylenol and put him to bed.

The next morning he again had issues with his shirt and was still saying "elbow". He was also having trouble getting himself off the floor (with only one arm) and just wasn't himself. I called the pediatrician and they suggested I take him to the after hours clinic, but after much internal debate, I opted for the ER. All of us went - yes, all 4 of us. We got there about 8:30 and by 9:30 we had a diagnosis: a spiral fracture of the Humerus bone (between the elbow and shoulder). When they showed me the x-ray of his little arm with that so obviously broken bone I lost it. My sweet baby was broken and in pain and there it was - right in front of my face. Horrifying. My heart was completely broken.

It was a full but clean break. They doped him up, gave him a splint and told us to call the pediatric orthopedic on Monday. We got a 10:00am appointment on Monday. They told us that this was an "interesting" break because it was so big - stretched a good portion of the bone. Also surprising that it occurred from such a seemingly benign fall. They assured us that these things happen and he probably just tried to catch himself with that arm, then twisted and "presto"!

Jennifer put on his cast. She was great. She let him pick his color and was super sweet. She also informed me that the hospital didn't do a very good job with the splint since it was much too short and was hitting him directly in the break. My poor baby! He's such a trooper. So, they built in a "loop" which allows for a sling that is connected to the cast that he has to wear all the time. It's kind of funny looking and makes dressing even more difficult, but it serves it's purpose. Dr. Capelo (who we also loved) says he will wear this for approximately 5 weeks then hopefully we will be free again - just in time for swim season.

Everyone has been so wonderful. KK came right away from Houston (even though she was just here last weekend). Papa came on Sunday to check in. Aunt Brenda and family sent a cookie bouquet that he is LOVING and for those if you that have seen the video from a few blogs back...mom made him CAKE!

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. He's doing absolutely fantastic. He doesn't seem to mind the cast much at all. He's not in pain and he's getting back up to his normal speed very quickly.

One? Two!

I just don't even have words...We've been having this conversation for at least two months. He's not budging! Regardless, I could eat him up!

Cake

When I watch TV, I mostly watch TLC and HGTV. This means that I often get "inspired" to take on home decorating and home improvement projects. Lately I've gotten the itch to try something new - cakes. Too many Cake Boss episodes I guess, but regardless, the itch has taken hold so I had to run with it. I'm dragging Amy down with me, so we went to the store this week, bought some new supplies and embarked on our cake masterpiece.

First, we decided to try homemade fondant. The first batch went horribly awry, but a different recipe proved to be a wild success. Who knew? Next came the actual cake baking. So...did you know that if you have a pan deeper than 2" that you need a heat core so the center of the cake will cook correctly? Neither did we.

So two batches of fondant and a couple of salvaged cakes and a ridiculously delicious bowl of chocolate buttercream later, it was time to create our masterpiece. How hard can it be? Looks easy enough on TV.

OK, so it wasn't as easy as I had though. In fact, the cake was fairly unattractive. I did, however learn a lot, have a super fun time with my sister and challenge myself to try again. Hope you all like cake - because there are going to be a lot.

Oh, but have no doubt...ugly or not, it was DELICIOUS - and isn't that what matters most?

Bubba

His real name is Truman, but since Cade started talking, he's usually referred to as "Bubba". For 6 years he was our baby - before we had babies. He went everywhere and did everything with us. He lived like a king and we saw nothing wrong with that. But sadly (for him), things change. Since the boys were born, sweet Truman has taken a back seat. He no longer travels with us. Heck, he hardly even gets walked. He gets yelled at a lot more and appreciated a lot less. I'm the most guilty. And I feel badly about it. He doesn't love us any less though. He's still always there, tail wagging when we get home. Still sleeps by our bed. Still watches over our babies. His babies.

I knew Truman would be good with the kids. He's so gentle and kind. I never doubted. When Cade was 2 weeks old, Amber took this:

Now I could understand - I mean anyone will sit still for a sleeping baby. It's not like it was really disturbing him...Then when Cole was born:

But today I was getting ready, heard some "rustling" and...

(here's a reason to keep your camera with you in the bathroom)...

So, evidently, a 20 month old using him as a jungle gym is ok in his book. Love this dog. Cade loves him too. Good Bubba.

Cole

So I haven't done many blogs about my sweet baby Cole. Our first month was a little rough until we discovered that he had a dairy intolerance. That basically meant that he felt bad all the time. Now that we've got this worked out (mom has cut out dairy...now that's love), he's an unspeakable joy. He's calmer, he sleeps great, he's happy. He's not as smiley as Cade was (and still is), but when he does smile it's intoxicating. He's the miraculously perfect follow up to precious Cade.

This is also a test of my new video function on my new camera. I think the quality is pretty good - and this is at the lowest setting. I'll try to do a higher resolution one, but I'm having a problem with upload time, so we'll see. I also stretched this one to be bigger so I think I distorted the quality a bit. Oh well, I'll figure it out eventually.

New Toy

No, No...not for the boys - you know how I feel about kids toys. This one is for Mommy! Steve got me the BEST birthday gift - a new camera. This means lots of pictures. One might think that would translate into more frequent blogs - I have the best of intentions, but I make no promises...but today you can enjoy lunch with us....mmm, yogurt!