Gearing up

Each year I do a birthday announcement... I started when Ry was little.. It includes a letter and a photo of the child having the birthday.. For the most part it is for the grandparents and the "grapes" to have a picture of the kids as they get older... and for the other reasons.. to be an birthday party invitation and also for me... to be able to make the cards.. It is pretty fun... So anyway.. I got started on the photo shoot with Ry and let me tell you this is one of the many I guess I am going to take... I need just the right shot... I thought we would see how it goes.. I shot these in the garage..I think I will try a location.. or maybe a prop or something.. If you have any good Ideas.. let me know..

Two quick things...

I thought I better write these down before I forget.. I know I will too, seeing as I have "some timers".

Ry-mom what is that?
M-(remember I am trying to teach tolerance and acceptance) She is smoking a cigarette.
R-Do we like those mom?
M-No honey, they are not good for our bodies. I don't like those.
R-I don't like them either, does our daddy like those?
M-No our daddy does not like those.
R- Some big boys like those "pogo sticks" Don't they mom?
M-(hysterically laughing) Yes Ry some big boys do like Cigarettes....

R-Do you want some of my candy?
M-No thanks honey, I am trying to be better and quit eating so much sugar.
R- Not me, sugar is my favorite!!!!!

Mom you look sleepy, you should take a nap. (don't I wish I could)

This is what it's like being a little boy

Play'in peek a boo with the gate
Finding "Rolly Polly" bugs that tickle and taste BAD!
Stink bug crawling on the grass...
blowing dandilion seeds....

TROUBLE!!!

Julie is one of our favorite people.. She always has such encouraging things to say and helpful ways to help get Gator to "catch up".. The crazy thing is Ry loves her sooo much too... Julie thinks about both of my kids in her visits and knows that Ry will vie for her attention. She packs special toys for Ry.. We all need our own Julie's and Suzanne (our other therapists in our lives...) I wish I could clone these women and hand them out to people who need these kinds of services... They did extra research to help Gator better and to be able to recognize signs of fatigue in a single vent kid... They have both been amazing...
Anyway.. back to today... Julie came for her visit and was very impressed with Gator; to say the least... She threw out everything we WERE going to work on because he has already surpassed those things... Way to go DUDE! So she said that we could start the process of walking... One of the many ways to do that, is to get him a walker toy... well we just had it out of the box and gator was in 7th heaven... He picked it up so fast... He gets a little frustrated when he gets stuck in a corner... We are in trouble, he is going to be running in no time.... Any suggestions on keeping him busy and happy this winter? Maybe lots of playing at bounce houses and wrestling with dad.... We also visited the Dr. today... With so many poopies I get on high alert... I don't even take my chances and have him checked out.. it seems like it is just some little bug... He is still only twenty pounds and hasn't gained in a while... it has me only slightly worried because he must burn off everything with how fast the boy crawls.... Anyway... this is way too long a post for me... Enjoy the walking footage...

The good life

My sisters came to stay with my us for a couple of days so they could tend..THANKS.... they did some pretty fun things with the kids... like painting... This is the paint set ry earned with her marbles this go around. Very exciting.. Gator decided he wanted to paint and to taste it... good thing it was non-toxic.
We just got back from the Annual Groesbeck family reunion... It was super fun.. I only got my camera out once, too much fun with cousins + one nap time from Gator = no more pictures...
Ry picked out her entire outfit today.. do you love the socks? Those were my favorite part. They are really ladies socks, but she loves them.
A better view of just the socks...
Ry has been so funny lately.. so here are a few of the funny things she says...

Ry-Mom can I watch my own movie? (meaning and children's program)

Mom can i have some pine-a-papple? (pineapple)

Ry-Daddy do you have to go to work today?
Dad- nope i get to stay home with you all day?
Ry- WOHOO, Oh I am so sighted!!!!

mom-Ry it's time to get up... (it's 10:30 am)
Ry- Nooooo i am still so sleepy

Ry is stealing Gators food or treat of any kind....and says..."He wanted to share with me!"

Angel Max

I just wanted to tell Max how often we think about you! You where our first experience with HLHS and your family has been so amazing in sharing your journey with us .. He is forever our little heart Friend and we know he spent many moments by our Alex's side as he underwent his surgeries and procedures... Max's 4th (sorry if that is wrong) angel anniversary was yesterday. We know how many lives he touched for the good and still continues to do so... Thanks Kathy and Rob for sharing him with our family. I wonder sometimes why things turned out the way they did... But I do know that our "hearts" are forever touched by your sweet boy!

weather warning

We had a little severe weather... This is a picture of the water gathering on the gravel and on the patio.
This is a picture on the neighbors tramp. It decided that it wanted to visit... It made it through one section of fencing by squeezing ... It also took out all our patio furniture. No persons where harmed...Whew!
This is what was under the tramp....