New kicks!

Sarah and I went shopping today and got her first pair of Stride Rite shoes. I know they are over priced but I am paranoid about ill fitting shoes and it is one of the few stores left that have folks that measure feet and make sure they are the right shoes for the child.

They really are helping her stand up better. It won't be long until she is walking on her own; watch out!

A look back.

Look at our babies sleeping. These were both taken when they were about 8 weeks old.

Merry Christmas to all!

Simon and Sarah prior to Christmas Eve mass. They made it through communion. Not bad for a holiday!

First morning impression after Santa's arrival. I think Simon's face says it all.

A remote control helicopter for Simon for Santa but I think it is really more of a gift for Daddy. What do you think?

Sarah got really sleepy toward the end of gift opening in the morning. I was happy to cuddle with her though.

Joseph reading instructions. Where do those batteries go in this toy?

We had a wonderful Christmas at home. My parents along with Joseph Mom joined us on Christmas Eve through this evening for a holiday to remember. It was great to have Simon is the full spirit of the season this year and really understand what Christmas is all about and we loved having Sarah share in the joy with her first Christmas.

She's up!

I thought that Sarah would be an early walker based on her earlier milestones but I think she will fall right in line with when Simon walked. She is starting to use her walking toy fairly well though. Trust me, I am not rushing her. This year has flown by way to fast in my book.

A couple of shots from the Christmas program at Simon's preschool

He actually sang all of the songs with his class this year.

Simon and Ella.

Why do they make it look so easy on the box?

We had a tornado come through and destroy our gingerbread house.

This is the third one that Simon and I have made together but this year, it just didn't work out. He wanted the entire roof covered with snow like in the picture but I think it was a bit much for the roof to handle. Maybe next year.

Simon didn't mind because he got to eat the gingerbread man after I had explained why he couldn't eat it since it was going to be a decoration.

A Visit With Santa

Dear Joseph surprised me and took Simon and Sarah to see Santa after work. I was getting a little worried we were running out of time before the lines were two hours long. He read my mind.

A Milestone Reached!

At Simon's preschool, you have to be buzzed into the building. There is a button to push and it is considered out of reach of the kiddos so they won't hit it over and over. It has been the mission of Simon's for over a year to push the button himself. Every morning, with Joseph, his stretches as far as he can and month after month has gotten closer. Well, this morning he did it. Needless to say, he is excited.

We promised him we would celebrate when he met this milestone so tonight it was off to Chuck E Cheese.

By the way, it was great incentive to get him to drink his milk and eat his vegatables since we told him that was the way he would get tall enough to reach. I am not sure how we are going to convince him now...

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

My sister Melissa and brothers David and Mike busy preparing the turkey.

Simon in front of Lake Michigan. Burr! Cold!

Simon and I at the top of the Sears Tower. Sarah and Joseph stayed below but I don't think Joseph minded since he hates heights.

10 months today

Sarah loves to swing so a trip to Home Depot and 15 minutes later, Joseph made her a frame so she could swing inside.

She is so happy with it.

Sarah is also fighting a pretty nasty cold. It started as croop and now it is just a nasty deep cough. She is being quite a trooper. Hopefully it will pass soon.

Happy Halloween!

Joseph and Sarah. What a great shot.

Simon, Sarah, and Kaylee

What are the chances that there are two Buzz Lightyear's in the same classroom?

We had a great time at Simon's school party and then trick or treating. The Fields' joined us for the evening as well. It was great to have them join us!

Soccer picture

Will we look back at this picture and smile when Simon starts for Manchester United?

End of a great season

Yesterday afternoon was Simon's last soccer game for the season. It was a very chilly, raining afternoon but Simon was so excited to get his trophy at the end of the game!

Halloween Party

Lightening McQueen-AKA David, Buzz Lightyear-AKA Simon, and the little pumpkin Sarah

Sarah and Grandma the angel (what a appropriate costume!)

Our neighbor friends Ben the lion and Owen the monkey

Simon and his friend Ella

Kaylee the lion. What a cutie!

Enjoying cupcakes way too close to bedtime!

We had a halloween party Friday night at our house. Simon has asked me for weeks if we could have a "Halloween birthday party." He said it is a party without presents. We enjoyed pizza, lots of chocolate goodies, a game, and a halloween art project. Enjoy the pictures.

Fun from Melissa

http://www.jibjab.com/starring_you/receipt/1967200

We had a great time, Aunt Melissa

fishing at Totter Otterville

My little helper

My sister, Melissa, came to visit Wednesday-Saturday evening. We had a great time. We went to Totter Otterville in Covington. Simon went there several months ago with his preschool and he has talked about it ever since and I was curious about this, "really cool place."

Melissa also enjoyed watch Simon play soccer on Saturday and him score his first goal!

Nurse Maid's Elbow?

Am I the only person that never has heard of this, that is prior to midnight on Tues/Wed.

I received a call from Sarah's babysitter on Tuesday morning and Alma said that Sarah had fallen between the couch and the chair and when she picked her up, she felt and heard a pop. Sarah cried for a few seconds and then seemed fine but she would not use her right arm. Alma called me and I came over at lunch. Sarah was her usual happy self but still would not use her arm. Joseph and I decided to call and make an appt for the next morning with Dr. Latham to get it checked out. By the time dinner rolled around, I still couldn't believe she would not use her arm. I decided to call the after hours nurse and explain the situation. She called the MD on call and he said it sounded like nurse maid's elbow a.k.a. a dislocated elbow. He stated the less time the better for reduction (popping back into place) The nurse said the peds twilight clinic was full and she said we would have to go the ER. I couldn't believe it, I was headed to the ER for an injury to my baby who has never been sick, not even an ear infection and God only knows what we virus or illness she would acquire while we were there.
After three hours, two MD's, they were stumped. Sarah showed zero sign of pain with manipulation. So after x-rays, another doctor was in to see us and he was convinced it was dislocated. He wanted to dose her up with Motrin, wait 45 min and reduce the dislocation. So, about 1:30am, and 30 second scream, Sarah was back to normal. We were home by 2am and I was wired so I didn't hit the sack until 3am.
We went to see Dr. Latham on Wednesday morning and he said this is common and he showed me how to reduce it myself because she is at risk, especially the next few weeks, that it may happen again.

Lafayette advances to Regionals!

http://www.kentucky.com/312/story/198563.html

Can I reminisce for just a moment...

My parents were in town today for a doctor's appt and my mom gave me a disc of the pictures she has taken over the last year. Grandpa and Sarah with Waldo watching every move. Both Maggie and Waldo are very watchful of Sarah and Simon.

Here is the work of art that my mom did for Simon's birthday party.

Our angel at about 8 weeks old

Sarah only about one hour old. I am so glad I got this picture because I didn't think I had any in the nursery at the hospital.

My sister and brother hard at work on Simon room. Melissa designed and drew the trains but David helped paint. He refuses to take any credit but he put in several hours of work that weekend.

A very prego Mommy to be at Thanksgiving. I should have known then that I was desided for another 9+ pound baby.

Happy Birthday Ella!

We had a great time on Saturday at Ella's birthday party. It was at build-a-bear and then a picnic lunch at the park. Here is Ella with Simon and another friend from school, Lilly.

Father/Son Trip

photography by Simon (he wanted me to see the hotel room)

It has taken me a few days to get them posted but last Wednesday and Thursday Joseph and I Simon went on their first father son overnight trip. They went to Mammoth Cave, stayed overnight in a hotel and then went to the Patton Museum at Fort Knox the next day.

Simon's highlight was "eating pizza in the bed and eating Fruit Loops and Cheetos for breakfast." In defense of Joseph, Simon found and ate the Cheetos while Joseph was in the shower or that is the story they planned together and told me.

Joseph's highlight was the fact that Simon loved the Patton Museum. I have learned to accept that my children will likely be soldiers.

KET Day at the KY Railway Museum

Simon enjoyed the day at the KY Railway Musuem with Grandma W. on Saturday. Sarah and I also enjoyed our day at home without the boys since Joseph was out coaching a LHS soccer game.

Soccer-Week 2 of games

Thanks Stacy, Bo, and Kaylee for coming to Simon's first game. Sorry he didn't have a good week.

You may have noticed I didn't post a thing after Simon's first ever soccer game. That is because there were no highlights unless you count laying down on the field, wanting "just one more drink of water" or wanting to give Mommy a hug. He also cried every time he was knocked down or fell down. It drove Joseph crazy to say the least.

This past Saturday, Grandma W. and I were to only spectators so the pressure was off. He did great and only came off the field when he was supposed to. That was a big step.

MLS, here we come.