My Little DareDevils

My boys amaze me every day!
Today, when I got home from work, Jackson, Cole and I went to the pool.  Dad headed to the golf course.   Jackson found some older kids to play with and went off with them to go off the board and play games in the deep end.  Cole and I stayed in the shallow end, but do not be deceived, we were getting very wet.  Cole's favorite things in the shallow end of the pool are the mushroom, and the carwash.  He loves getting his hair and face wet, and will stick his face in the water.  He just keeps walking as the water gets deeper until finally his face starts going under.  Only when he is as high on his tiptoes as he can go without going under does he finally reach for me.  Today, he was loving jumping off the side and going underwater. He would come up with this huge grin on his face.  Then, he started pointing to the slide-he has seen Jackson go down it a hundred times.  -I thought there is no way he is going to like it, because I can barely touch at the end of it, so we both would go under when we came out of the slide.  Up the stairs we went, and down the slide!  Cole LOVED it!!!  He was pointing to the top again before we were even out of the water.  We went down one more time, and he would have done it over and over.
I am so excited that he likes it-that both my boys are not afraid of the water and love going to the pool.
Yeah!
Something new Cole is doing recently is being able to identify his body parts.  Some of his favorites to point out are his nose, toes, feet, tummy, ears, tongue, and hair. 

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt

"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Well, another amazing Lake weekend with the Heeren's and Brown's is over and gone.  Already looking forward to the next one.  They are my therapy. 
While we went to the Lake of The Ozarks last weekend, the boys stayed at Nana and Papa's.  We dropped them off Thursday evening, and I am pretty sure they noticed we were gone sometime on Saturday.  They had an absolutely fabulous time, and Cole got a new word-"Uh-Oh".  Yeah, Cole!!
Jackson had a great time playing with Kendall Searles (who was here from California with her grandma, Connie's sister, Pat).  On Friday, they went to one of Jackson's favorite places, Monkey Cove at Ramada Inn, because it was so hot outside.  Then on Sunday, they went mini golfing and for ice cream at Dairy Queen, where Jax got his usual, a mini M&M blizzard.  We missed the boys like crazy, but as they say, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder".
We met David and Jana for dinner on Thursday evening, and then headed back to their house.  The boys left for the lake pretty quick, and Jana and I put Emmy and Lincoln to bed.  In the morning, when everyone was ready, we dropped off the kids and headed to the Lake.  We got there about 1pm, and went to the pool to wait for Matt and Amanda.  When they got there at 3:30, we went out on the boat.  After a little while on the water, we headed back in, got cleaned up, and went across the Lake for a little shopping and some dinner.  Jana and I had wanted to have a little impromptu baby shower for Amanda, so we were able to get away from her to do some shopping, but we could not find anywhere with baby neutral stuff, and after running around to 5 different stores, we finally found some, and into the store walks Amanda.  But, we were good, I distracted while Jana puchased.  Out to dinner, then back to the condo.
Saturday brought lots of boat time, good food at JB Hooks, and custard.  And, of course, some quality time with our best friends.  
Sunday we squeezed in a little more shopping, then ate lunch and headed home.  We all decided next year needs to be a little longer.
Denny was a great Papa and sent lots of video of the boys all weekend, whether it was playing in the sprinkler or eating dinner or just having fun, we got to see it.  It helped me feel not so far from the kids. 

Strep Pharyngitis

Jackson, my healthy little monster, has strep throat.  Monday, when we picked him up from daycare (TJ and I went to Schlitterbahn for the day), he was crying and just wanted Mommy.  Finally we coaxed it out of him that he did not feel well.  He came home, napped, watched a movie, then went to bed.  Not a typical evening for the usually rambunctious young man.  We even went and got Dairy Queen ice cream, and he only ate 4 bites.  I was figuring heat exhaustion, but when he woke up on Tuesday with a fever of 101 and would not get out of bed, I called Dr. Veligati right away.  TJ took him to the office and I met them down there on my morning break.  Rapid strep positive.  I went back to work, and Jax and Dad picked up a prescription for amoxicillin and then went home.  He was good most of the day, just lounging, but when I got home at about 4pm, he got kind of lethargic, and by 6pm his fever was up to almost 104, and I was resorting to cool baths and wet washcloths on his neck and back.  Poor baby just wanted to sleep and would hardly drink or eat anything.  Got the fever down to about 101 by bedtime.

On Wednesday morning, he was definitely feeling better, and even had some breakfast-1 PB&J waffle.
I had my phone when Cole and I came downstairs on Wednesday morning, but then could not find it the rest of the day.  I was searching frantically for over 30 minutes, when I finally heard it vibrating in the basement-but it sounded like it was above me.  Up and down the stairs we went. I could not even hear it upstairs, but it definitely was not downstairs.  Last ditch effort, I looked in the dishwasher (which I had already done once), and there it was, in the utensil compartment.  Cole apparently thought it needed cleaned.
By Wednesday evening, Jax' fever was above 103 again, and by the time Mom and Dad got home from KC, Jax was lying in bed, lethargic, not wanting to do anything but sleep.  I finally talked him into a cool shower, and after that, since he had not eaten any dinner, he ate 3 plain waffles, drank lots, and went to bed. 

Thursday morning, feeling better once again, Jax had breakfast and we were hopeful about a trip to the park.  by 2 pm, he was lethargic again, and his fever was back up to almost 104.  And he was having epithelial sloughing of his upper inner eyelid (apparently part of the viral eye infection). It was gross.  Wrapped in a cold, wet towel for about ten minutes, and we were back in business, and he was willing to eat a little for me.  We were able to keep the fever down the rest of the day, and so far we are just amazed Cole has not come down with this.  Praying that he doesn't.

Friday morning, fever only about 102, but eye looks better, and he feels better.  Hopefully we are on the mend.

One day this week (they are kind of running together), Jax asked Cole if he liked the Missouri Tigers, and when Cole shook his head "No", Jackson yelled "Dad, we need a different baby.  Cole doesn't like the Tigers".  It was too funny.

Cole is making kissy noises now, and I think he is saying "Down" (for downstairs).

Only one more week until TJ and I are at the lake with Heeren's and Brown's.  The boys will be staying at Nana and Papa's.  I am looking forward to it so much.

When one of my little guys is not feeling well, it makes me think how much I would do for them, and how much it physically hurts me to see one of them in pain.  This week has been no different.  The following song reminds me of what I would do to ensure that my children know how much I love them.

To Make You Feel My Love

"When the rain
Is blowing in your face
And the whole world
Is on your case
I could offer you
A warm embrace
To make you feel my love

When the evening shadows
And the stars appear
And there is no one there
To dry your tears
I could hold you
For a million years
To make you feel my love
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/a/adele/make_you_feel_my_love.html ]
I know you
Haven't made
Your mind up yet
But I would never
Do you wrong
I've known it
From the moment
That we met
No doubt in my mind
Where you belong

I'd go hungry
I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawling
Down the avenue
No, there's nothing
That I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love

The storms are raging
On the rolling sea
And on the highway of regret
Though winds of change
Are throwing wild and free
You ain't seen nothing
Like me yet

I could make you happy
Make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends
Of the Earth for you
To make you feel my love"


Bob Dylan

Memories

I was reading a book recently, and it talked about how we do not remember everyday things, but the things that are out of the ordinary.  I guess that is why I am writing this.  I want to remember everyday occurences.  I want to recall events in our lives that may seem mundane at the time, but looking back, years from now, may seem much more momentous. 
I want to remember how Jackson loves to play cars, and how Cole would push the same toy around the house in circles for 20 minutes, and not seem at all bored by it.  Until he sees Mom, and notices she is not paying attention to him, but doing laundry or dishes, and then his fun comes to a dead standstill. 
I want to remember how Jax likes to blow bubbles in his chocolate milk, and even though it drives TJ and me crazy, we let him do it, because he gets such a kick out of it. 
I want to remember how Cole plays peek-a-boo at breakfast.  He covers his eyes and I say "Where's Cole", and he pulls his hands away fast so he can see me, and I say "There he is", and he erupts into a fit of giggles.  Repeat...
I want to remember how Jax asks for "HIS" IPhone (Dad's hand-me-down), then proceeds to know way more about it than I ever will, playing games and watching cartoons on You-Tube.

These are not a big deal around here because they happen every day, but they fun and important in our lives now, so I want to remember them. 

We all remember the big events like birthdays, what the kids wore for Halloween, and who was at holiday gatherings (there is always picture proof).  I am hoping each time I write here, I will create a memory.  It may not have a picture attached, and my kids might not remember it, but I can forever tell them stories of things they did as children.
Yesterday was my birthday, and I had a fun-filled day.  The boys and I went to the pool, I got lots of birthday wishes (via phone and Facebook, and some in person), and then we had a cookout at Denny and Connie's.  There were a few pictures, so I might remember some of it, but what I will know for sure is that I spent it having fun with my family.

And even if you were in some prison,
the walls of which let none of the sounds of the world come to your senses -
would you not then still have your childhood,
that precious, kingly possession,
that treasure-house of memories? 
~Rainer Maria Rilke

A Few Little Notes

Just a few new developments in our little world.
Cole has added a new word to his repertoire.  Nana!  Yeah for word #5!!
Cole has also started letting us know when he wants his diaper changed, i.e, when he is dirty, not wet, he starts pointing at and pulling on his diaper, like "get this thing off of me".  I have high hopes that this could mean another early potty-trainer. 
Cole also requires the singing of the Mizzou fight song before he goes to bed at night.  If you forget, he lets you know by not laying down in his crib and pointing at his rocking chair until someone sings it to him.  Good Luck, babysitters.
Cole is becoming a bit of a picky eater, which is very difficult for me because Jax has always been such a good eater.

TJ and I took Jackson to see "Cars 2 " yesterday.  It was really good, and he definitely enjoyed it. 
Today, he is on a field trip to the Conservation Department with his daycare class.  Hopefully he does not bring home anything live-bugs, frogs, etc...
Next week, more swim lessons and another field trip.  He has had a very busy summer, not a single week has he been home every day.  August is looking calm so far, but school starts August 16th.

Independence Weekend!

Time to catch up.
Last Thursday, we drove down to the Lake of the Ozarks to spend the weekend with Nana and Papa, Uncle Bill and Aunt Cheri, and Mackenzie.  On our way to the lake, we stopped in Platte City to drop off dinner for a friend, Leah Johnson, who is on bedrest (they will find out in about a week whether the baby's lungs are mature, and she can go ahead and deliver), then met David and Jana (with Lincoln and Emmy, of course) for lunch at Planet Sub (Cole loves Planet Sub-go figure) in Blue Springs.  It is always so nice to get together with them, and the kids have a great time talking and playing.  Somehow, Cole had stayed awake until this point in our trip, so we were hoping for a long nap to get us the rest of the way to the lake.  Well, he fell asleep (along with Jax) just outside of KC, but there was construction in Sedalia, so they both woke up, and we had to entertain the rest of the way.  Thankfully, Jax is helpful in this regard.  We got to the lake at about 4pm, and the boys immediately set about playing with Nana and Papa-one of their favorite pasttimes.  Connie and I took a quick trip over to the mall and stopped in BabyGap and Coach.  That night, Papa took Jax on a night boat ride-he was so excited to ride the boat, he couldn't wait until the next day.

Friday, July 1st.
We had a lazy morning, punctuated by Cole's nap, and then headed out on the boat before noon.  Jackson could not wait to jump in the water, and Cole hated his lifejacket at first, but did pretty well considering how uncomfortable it looks.  Cole really liked getting in the water (just being dipped up to his shoulders was his favorite), but he also loved pushing buttons on the boat and opening and closing all the doors. Ah, the things that amuse a 1-year-old.  Cole would even sit in one of the floaty cushions by himself.  He looked so cute and funny, lounging in the lake.   After about 2 hours, Cole was ready to go in, so he and Nana went back to the condo. Jackson, on the other hand, did no lounging. He is a go-kid when it comes to being on the boat.  I am pretty sure he jumped off the boat 100 times, and that is probably a conservative estimate.  We tied up to another boat and Jax and a couple of other kids had jumping contests and were playing catch off the boat.  We came in about 5:30pm.  TJ and I went to Transformers 3 in Laurie, the little town closest to the condo.  When we got back the kids were asleep, so the adults played some Catch Phrase, and the girls won, of course. 

Saturday, July 2nd.
Waiting for Cole's nap to end again!  Then, out to the boat.  Cole did not last as long today. Only about an hour and a half.  I came back to the condo with him, and they headed back out on the lake.  Cole and I had a fun day watching boats and looking out on the lake.  He had acted tired on the boat, but he was not interested in taking a nap, so we played a lot.  The crew came in a little after 6, and I went to the pool for some quiet time.  We had dinner, laid around for a bit, then a few people went on another boat ride-prompted by Jax, of course.  They got to see a great fireworks display, and got home at about 10pm.  Somehow, Jax has morphed into this little night owl.  He has been staying up until 10:00 for the last week or so, and still going strong.

Sunday, July 3rd.
The dreaded drive home.  It went better than expected.  Cole fell asleep before we were on the road five minutes.  We stopped at, you guessed it, Planet Sub, on the way home to eat.  More entertaining for the last hour or more.  When we got home, the neighborhood was getting fired up for their big Independence Day celebration.  It started at the Smith's house at about 5:30.  They have a pool in their backyard and are kind enough to let everyone come over to swim.  Then over to Culver's for dinner-Potluck style.  Yummy!  At this point, I took the kids out to my parents house for the night.  We were told it would be unlikely our children would get any sleep here at home.  Then back over to our side of the neighborhood for fireworks.  Ryan and Jeana came over to watch, too.  It was an awesome fireworks show, lasting about 40 minutes, NONSTOP.  There were about 50-75 people in Thrasher's driveway to watch it.  Then, social time.  I came in at about 11:30, and TJ came in sometime after midnight. 

Monday, July 4th. Independence Day.
I went out to pick up the boys in Easton about 9:30.
Jackson rode his bike in a bike parade at 10 over in Twelve Oaks, then back home for nap.  After nap, we had lunch and headed to Moila Country Club Pool.  After about an hour, TJ finished his golf round and took Cole home, and Jackson and I stayed at the pool playing games and playing with friends.  Ireland Robertson, Alex, and Jackson Camp were there and he had a great time.  Last year, Jax won Biggest Splash.  This year he was too busy going down the slide and playing to be bothered with games.  We finally came home around 4:30.  After a little down time, Jax headed over to Robertson's to swim until time for more fireworks.  With Cole in bed at 8:30, we all enjoyed fireworks until about 10 and everybody headed in for bed.

What an amazing, outstanding, exhausting, fun weekend.
Excited to repeat it every year.  What a great neighborhood we have chosen to live in.

While the spirit of neighborliness was important
on the frontier because neighbors were so few,
it is even more important now because our
neighbors are so many.  ~Lady Bird Johnson