Jack turns 2!

Saturday the littlest monkey turned 2. We spent the day hanging out with our cousins and going to the park. We took him to dinner at Red Robin where they sang to him and he got a treat. He's talking so much now. He's really into building things and handles small pieces really well. He's totally obsessed with anything Mike from Monsters Inc, minions and anything superhero. He's especially into the Hulk. He has a Hulk guy that he crashes into other toys and says "HULK SMASH!" It's pretty cute.

Sunday we had a pool party at mom's clubhouse. It was low-key, but I think everyone had a good time. We just had a few treats and then headed outside to swim. It was a HOT day and perfect pool weather!

His favorite thing to do in the pool was go "surfing". We caught it on video....

Did I mention that he was so excited for his party- that he didn't nap? So after playing in the pool for an hour or so he crashed. I got this super sweet photo of him and big brother. I just love it!

And then yesterday I ended up having the day off. It was a blessing b/c they were not ready to leave the new toys Jack got for his birthday. So after a lazy morning of playing with new toys, a brief trip to mom's work and nap time- we spent the afternoon at Rivercrest (oregon city park) in the Spray Park. At first Jack was timid, but then he really got into it. He was by far the youngest and smallest, but that didn't stop him. He had a BLAST. I had to bribe them with milkshakes to get them out!

After dinner it was still too hot, so we wandered down to the river to keep cool. Jack stuck close by me and wanted to just throw rocks in. Luke was a little more adventuresome. It was really great to have an extra day off to snuggle and love on my littles. I think they needed it too!

T&T Visit

Yesterday I got my girls back!

Loooong ago when Taylie was born, I was in college. For a brief few months my cousin Shannon and I lived in the same city and just minutes from each other. She had just had the most beautiful baby girl ever and when she had to run errands- I got to snuggle and watch the munchkin. BEST EVER. Then a few years ago, Shannon lived around the corner with her now TWO lovely ladies and they would watch Luke for me while I worked. Luke actually started CRAWLING one day Shan was watching him! Then they moved. :( and every summer they come back out here, but it wasn't until THIS summer that Nana and I finally were able to snag them for the day. I seriously can't get over how TALL they both were. And polite. And helpful. And funny. And sweet!! The day went too fast, and even tho we didn't do anything fancy, it was fun to just all be together. They had never met Jack and the last time they saw Luke he was Jack's age! They were best friends within 5 minutes, which was awesome. I miss them both so much already!! Here's a few cute photos I took of our trip down to the river. LOVE YOU T&T!

5 and a HALF!

i know it's been forever. sorry. lots has been going on in our world- but i'll save that for a different post...

Luke is officially 5 and a HALF today! He has been anxiously awaiting this BIG DAY for several weeks. I am blessed to have had a mom who was really into half birthdays. We used to always get a special dinner that night and when i was in college she'd send me a care package with a birthday card cut in half. She's just super thoughtful like that!

I still can't believe he's 5 and a half. He's smart, sensitive and a thoughtful little boy. We have had some great late night giggles and chats. He has a great imagination that i hope he never loses. He's usually pretty sweet with his brother too. Jack looks up to him so much. He always tries to do what "duke" does (that's how jack says luke- cracks me up).

Here's a few pics from the past week...

we had a date and saw Despicable Me 2!

Park shot! love Jack's CHEESE face.

Luke showing Jack how to dig in the sand

new ears

Jacks doctor called me one saturday (after the whole allergic reaction nightmare featured in my last post) to see how he was doing on a different antibiotic b/c he had yet another ear infection. It was then that she gently suggested that he might need tubes. My first reaction was NO WAY! But he had had 6 ear infections in less that 6 months, and those were just documented ones. So I set up an apt with a wonderful ear, nose & throat doctor- Dr Murray Joe. On our first visit Jack had yet another ear infection (#7) so he put us on a different antibiotic and said he'd see us in 2 weeks. In two weeks, we went in and he looked better, but all the testing still showed signs of fluid, so that's when we made the call to have the surgery. Scheduling was a few weeks out and of course the week before the surgery Jack got sick yet again with another ear infection (#8). Clearly a sign that we were doing the right thing.

The night before surgery I met up with some of my FABULOUS family for dinner and to hand Luke off to my momma so he didn't have to wake up early and wait it out at the hospital. We called it "Jacks last day of bad ears dinner". :) We pretty much took over Wu's Open Kitchen with our loudness and the kids running around. We had a great time trying new things (or i tried some new things!) and drinking yummy drinks!

My lovely grandparents and their "volcano" drink

all those who came out!

Luke got this 'stache in the vending machine. we think he looks like uncle steve!

After dinner was all said and done- we parted ways. Mom took home Luke for a slumber party and I took the littlest home to bed. We had to be up and at the hospital at 6am. OUCH. So I had everything ready to go the night before- the iPad to keep him entertained and snacks for once he woke up from the surgery. I hardly slept! I was so nervous. 530am came quickly. I got everything in the car and the car warmed up and at 545am I swooped in and grabbed him from his bed, wrapped him in a blanket and stuck him in the car. He didn't know what was going on, and thankfully fell back to sleep in the car quickly. Chris followed behind in his car so he could go to work once Jack was in the clear. We had to wait in the waiting room for them to call us back. They put one of those bracelets on all of us (jack HATED his and kept trying to take it off) and then we waited. Jack made fast friends with some of the other people in the waiting room (all waiting to be called back into day surgery).

keeping busy on the iPad- round 1

Soon they called us back. They had to take his blood pressure and pulse and all that good stuff. And he had to put on the cutest tiny gown ever!! Then we pretty much had to wait. There was another little boy ahead of him, so it looked like Jack would be going in around 8am. So we played on the iPad and roamed the halls. He charmed all the nurses with his blue eyes and smile. He was being the best boy!

Keeping busy on the iPad - round 2

so cute!

Watching cartoons with Daddy

Before I knew it they were taking him away. As soon as he was out of my sight I burst into tears. Like hot mess SOBBING tears. It was awesome. But I barely had time to take a sip of my coffee when the AMAZING Dr Joe was in the waiting room letting us know he was done. He said Jack was the best boy and didn't cry one bit! And that the liquid in his ears was the consistency of snot, which meant that it had been there a while! He also said that his speech will drastically improve from here on out (although I didn't think it was that bad to begin with). Dr Joe said he'd been in recovery for a bit and then they'd let us see him! 15 minutes later we were given the all clear and I basically RAN to his room. He was sitting there with big tears in his eyes and the biggest pouty lips ever! He started bawling the second he saw us. I scooped him up and loved all over my brave little monkey. I handed him off to Dad so I could get some instructions and other info. But i snapped this one sad face pic...

sad baby!

Shortly after this he realized that I had a breakfast sandwich (chris grabbed me one from downstairs while we were waiting). He ate about half of it while waiting for them to get him some juice. He then downed 2 things of juice and lots of his other snacks while we waited to get discharged.

my favorite pic of him in the hospital!

Finally we started roaming the halls and they got the drift that we were ready to roll. So they let us go home! He was a total chatterbox the rest of the day (and continues to be). He took a serious 3 hour nap (i had to wake him up!) but then he got to play outside in the sun. I am blessed to have this amazing little guy (and his handsome brother) as my kids. Thanks to everyone, especially my momma for all her help, thru all of this. All your texts and prayers and emails meant so much! Hope you all have a great weekend! XO

Rockin' his PJ's in the sunshine!

19 months

taken on sunday- the kid loves baths!

 I forgot to post on Sunday that Jack was 19 months. I don't even know how that has happened. Right now we are battling our third double ear infection. Last round of antibiotics this happened:

taken at the hospital

So I'm hoping that this sulfa-meds they gave him this round help. Poor kid.

However- at 19 months he's quite the character. He certainly has his opinions and will tell you no! He's stingy on hugs and loves unless he's tired or sick. I have started calling bedtime "naptime" just so that he'll go down without a screaming fight. woooweee- I'm in for it with this one. BUT he always kisses me goodbye when I drop him off at daycare, and he runs and hugs my legs when I go to pick him up. He loves to share his foods with me and loves to learn new things from his big brother. Jack James is a blessing, ear infections and all.

Luke is 5

Okay so it's been forever since I wrote on here- I'm sorry!! We have had rounds and rounds of sickness, work has been busy and my Zumba schedule got a little crazy! But here is the long awaited interview with Luke!


INTERVIEW TIME:
I am starting a new tradition of asking Luke every year on his birthday these same questions (thanks Lisa for the idea!). It will be fun to see his answers over the years!
Here's a link to his 4 year old interview CLICK HERE

1. What is your favorite color? Red

2. What is your favorite toy? GI Joes

3. What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries

4. What is your favorite tv show? Ninja Turtles

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Mac n Cheese

6. What is your favorite outfit? My comfy pants {sweatpants my mom got him}

7. What is your favorite game? Sorry! the board game with Mah-Mah

8. What is your favorite snack? Goldfish crackers

9. What is your favorite animal? Vulture

10. What is your favorite song? Michael Jackson "Bad"

11. What is your favorite book? My new BOB books especially the Mat one

12. Who is your best friend? Magnes, Harley & Kenny

13. What is your favorite cereal? Cinnamon Toast Crunch

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? play at the park

15. What is your favorite drink? Chocolate Milk {and sprite when my tummy hurts}

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Woofie {his stuffed dog from aunt e}

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Daddy's bacon and eggs

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Red Robin

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? a paleontologist {and yes he totally knows what that is and how to pronounce it}

"i'm fake 5- right?"

This past weekend we had 2- yes TWO- parties for our almost-5-year-old. We're at the age with Luke in preschool that he wants to party with friends, and yet the families still want to celebrate. So this year- and this year ONLY- we did 2 parties. His friends all celebrated with him at the Portland Children's Museum, and then Sunday we had a lasagna dinner feed (thanks to Costco!) with all our family. It was madness, but fun was had by all. But the best thing was something he said to me Sunday before his second party.

Luke: "Hey mom? Since yesterday was my birthday party and we celebrated my fake birthday- that means I'm fake 5- right?"

LOVE that boy.

here's some photos from the events:

his real birthday is friday- so stay tuned for his yearly interview. Click here to find out what he said last year! LUKE YEAR 4