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Sunday, April 10, 2011
Family Photo Shoot
One of my dearest friends, Lisa, did a family photo shoot for us in early October. To see most of the photos she took click on the link and the end of the post to view them on Facebook. Here are a few of my very favorites:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=221576&id=826999563&l=c784122bab
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=221576&id=826999563&l=c784122bab
Courtney's Bridal Shower
I wanted to share some photos from my sister's bridal shower back on October 9th at Veritas Vineyard. My sister, Lynley, really did a great job planning a fun and special day for Courtney and many of her friends and family members. First we had an elegant wine tasting (where I discovered I love Port!), and then we enjoyed lunch on the veranda. Lynley also had everyone bring their favorite cookies, and the recipe, as part of the shower. The bag lunches included a gourmet sandwich (either turkey or veggie), orzo pasta salad, Route 11 chips, an apple, a chocolate truffle, and a souvenir wine glass. (For anyone that is interested the $21 tour and lunch is well worth the cost!) It was a beautiful setting and we all had a great time.
The wine list
My mom, me, Courtney, Lynley, and Dawn
The whole group
Enjoying lunch on the veranda.
The wine list
My mom and my cousin's wife playing with string and passing time.
My mom, me, Courtney, Lynley, and Dawn
The whole group
Bridgewater Carnival
Back in September (on the 6th, to be exact) we took the boys to the town of Bridgewater's anniversary celebrations. There were fireworks and even a parade, but here are some photos from the carnival at Oakdale Park.
Surveying the carnival atop Tom's shoulders.
Riding the carousel with Mommy.
Raleigh's first taste of funnel cake, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Watching the JMU Marching Band perform before the fireworks.
Daddy and Sweet Boy going down the slide
You can tell just by that smile that Tennyson loved it!
Surveying the carnival atop Tom's shoulders.
Riding the carousel with Mommy.
Raleigh's first taste of funnel cake, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
Watching the JMU Marching Band perform before the fireworks.
Embarrassingly Late
Okay, so I kinda never got around to posting about the boys' birthdays.....LAST July!! Groan, I have got to get back on track with this blogging thing! Does it make me a bad mom because I can't seem to keep up with documenting our busy lives? (Don't worry, I don't actually base my mothering skills or worth on whether or not I keep up with my blog. hee hee) I am taking the "better late than never" motto to heart here.
So before their birthdays roll around again in less than 4 months, I thought I'd do some catching up. It's amazing how little my boys look in these photos and yet they weren't taken all that long ago. It's amazing, yet sad. My how the time is flying by.
Tennyson enjoying the slide (though he preferred the adult slides)
Raleigh just couldn't stay awake anymore.
(Notice how curly his hair got because of the humidity.)
Tennyson listening to "Happy Birthday."
Mmmm, sugary cupcakes
So before their birthdays roll around again in less than 4 months, I thought I'd do some catching up. It's amazing how little my boys look in these photos and yet they weren't taken all that long ago. It's amazing, yet sad. My how the time is flying by.
Waiting patiently to go downstairs to the waterpark
Tennyson enjoying the slide (though he preferred the adult slides)
Raleigh just couldn't stay awake anymore.
(Notice how curly his hair got because of the humidity.)
Tennyson wanted to go to El Charros for quesadilla and rice for his birthday lunch.
The tower of Mickey Mouse cupcakes
Tennyson listening to "Happy Birthday."
Raleigh enjoyed hearing my family sing "Happy Birthday" while he sat in Nana's lap.
Mmmm, sugary cupcakes
Love this photo! (Taken right before his 3rd birthday)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
This Time Last Year
Hard to believe this is what my boys looked like one year ago. They look so little!
(taken 1.6.2009)
(taken 1.6.2009)Thursday, January 13, 2011
Documenting October ~ Raleigh's Stay in the Hospital
Tom's mom, sister, and niece came to visit for a few days! My mother-in-law hadn't seen us for a year, so needless to say, it was good to see her and for her to see her youngest grandbabies! A highlight of their visit was going to Lohr's Pumpkin Patch so the boys could pick their own pumpkin.
I love this one!
Getting the wagon.
Tennyson was proud of his pumpkin.
The week Tom's family came to visit Tennyson and Raleigh caught a cold from the little boy I babysit. Within a week Tennyson's had turned in to croup and a week later so did Raleigh's. Tennyson responded well to the steroids and was healthy in a few days. However, Raleigh's croup went from bad to much, much worse. On Monday, October 25th, I took Raleigh in to the ER because he woke up in the middle of the night with that unforgettable, awful barking cough and he was definitely distressed. They gave him an oral steroid, but he only worsened during the next 24 hours.
First thing the next morning I took Raleigh in to the pediatrician's office (via my brother because on top of all this our car wasn't working). The doctor was obviously concerned. Raleigh had a high fever, he couldn't even breathe in without "barking," and his little tummy was going in and out (a bad sign to watch for). He tried giving Raleigh a breathing treatment, but in the 20 minutes or so we were in the office his condition worsened. So the doctor came back in and said something to the effect of, "We need to make sure it's not epiglottitis. He has to stay calm until we're sure, because his throat could close up. I've called the hospital. Do not stop at the front desk. Go straight up to the 4th floor and right to room 4164." Okay, then I really started to worry. I called Tom in tears and I am surprised I could even get out, "They are admitting Raleigh to the hospital. Can you leave school?" By the time I had called the pediatrician's office to the time we found ourselves at RMH it was only about 90 minutes.
When I got to the hospital and up to the room, the nurses swarmed on Raleigh. (They later told me that when they got the call that he was coming in they stopped everything because he was priority.) They tagged him with ID bracelets. The respiratory therapists gave him a breathing treatment. Then they wheeled he and I down to get an x-ray of Raleigh's throat so they could determine whether or not it was epiglottitis. The best way for him to stay calm was if he could stay on Mommy's lap, and he did really well! We were relieved to learn he just had a severe case of croup and not something way more serious.
It was unsettling to find out a few hours later that the emergency ENT box in his room was in case he got agitated and/or he couldn't breathe and they needed to do a tracheotomy. It was really a good thing I didn't know THAT was a possibility!
The IV was a nightmare. The nurses couldn't find a vein on his forearm so they turned his arm over and did it on the other side. I was crying. He was screaming. Not a pretty sight. Poor Raleigh had an IV (to give him more steroids), a heart monitor, an oxygen monitor, and a respiratory monitor. So needless to say his movement was very restricted. He was placed on "close observation" and whether or not we got to go home was largely dependent on how he did that night.
I had asked the first nurse for a bed instead of a crib because I knew there was NO way Raleigh was going to sleep in that. She said she couldn't do that and blabbered something about hospital rules. Tom is such a great Daddy and really wanted to stay that night, (My older sister stepped in and took Tennyson overnight.) but without a bed that was going to impossible. So I figured I would just sleep on the pull-out bed with Raleigh. The second nurse was awesome and I had barley mentioned how a bed would really be better before she had rolled out the crib cage and brought in a real bed! What a blessing!
So that day we just tried to keep Raleigh happy. He didn't eat much, so I was SO thankful for breastfeeding. All he wanted to do was nurse, so at least he was getting a little something. Our wonderful church sent a great balloon bouquet, and the principal of Tom's school came by to check on our little guy and brought a HUGE firetruck balloon! Sylvia M. from church came and prayed for him. And my parents came by and brought a singing, light-up dog. What a lifesaver! Raleigh loves that puppy! (And it's as close as he'll get to a real pet! Haha!) My sister and her then fiance (now husband) came and visited for a long time. Despite the circumstances it was nice to have a long visit with them without interruption. Raleigh loved having Aunt Courtney all to himself, too! We also had several friends call or text to say they were praying! It's times like that I am so grateful for the Body of Christ!
That night Raleigh slept in bed with me. I was able to keep his head elevated because of the automatic bed and that really helped his breathing. He only "barked" once during the night and none of his monitors went off! So the doctor came in early, early the next morning and checked him out and discharged us. (For some reason it took them another 4 hours and me asking to finally get us discharge papers. Ugh!)
You can tell he feels much better!
So that was it! Our scary, harrowing croup experience. Raleigh actually got it again 10 days before Christmas, but thankfully it's was just a mild case. If your child ever gets croup don't wait, get him/her to the doctor ASAP! Raleigh's was unusually severe, but it's not something to mess around with on any level.
Next, documenting a VERY busy November!
Tennyson took Raleigh's hand all on his own as they walked across the field.
I love this one!
Getting the wagon.
Finally found the right one.
Tennyson was proud of his pumpkin.
First thing the next morning I took Raleigh in to the pediatrician's office (via my brother because on top of all this our car wasn't working). The doctor was obviously concerned. Raleigh had a high fever, he couldn't even breathe in without "barking," and his little tummy was going in and out (a bad sign to watch for). He tried giving Raleigh a breathing treatment, but in the 20 minutes or so we were in the office his condition worsened. So the doctor came back in and said something to the effect of, "We need to make sure it's not epiglottitis. He has to stay calm until we're sure, because his throat could close up. I've called the hospital. Do not stop at the front desk. Go straight up to the 4th floor and right to room 4164." Okay, then I really started to worry. I called Tom in tears and I am surprised I could even get out, "They are admitting Raleigh to the hospital. Can you leave school?" By the time I had called the pediatrician's office to the time we found ourselves at RMH it was only about 90 minutes.
When I got to the hospital and up to the room, the nurses swarmed on Raleigh. (They later told me that when they got the call that he was coming in they stopped everything because he was priority.) They tagged him with ID bracelets. The respiratory therapists gave him a breathing treatment. Then they wheeled he and I down to get an x-ray of Raleigh's throat so they could determine whether or not it was epiglottitis. The best way for him to stay calm was if he could stay on Mommy's lap, and he did really well! We were relieved to learn he just had a severe case of croup and not something way more serious.
It was unsettling to find out a few hours later that the emergency ENT box in his room was in case he got agitated and/or he couldn't breathe and they needed to do a tracheotomy. It was really a good thing I didn't know THAT was a possibility!
The IV was a nightmare. The nurses couldn't find a vein on his forearm so they turned his arm over and did it on the other side. I was crying. He was screaming. Not a pretty sight. Poor Raleigh had an IV (to give him more steroids), a heart monitor, an oxygen monitor, and a respiratory monitor. So needless to say his movement was very restricted. He was placed on "close observation" and whether or not we got to go home was largely dependent on how he did that night.
I had asked the first nurse for a bed instead of a crib because I knew there was NO way Raleigh was going to sleep in that. She said she couldn't do that and blabbered something about hospital rules. Tom is such a great Daddy and really wanted to stay that night, (My older sister stepped in and took Tennyson overnight.) but without a bed that was going to impossible. So I figured I would just sleep on the pull-out bed with Raleigh. The second nurse was awesome and I had barley mentioned how a bed would really be better before she had rolled out the crib cage and brought in a real bed! What a blessing!
So that day we just tried to keep Raleigh happy. He didn't eat much, so I was SO thankful for breastfeeding. All he wanted to do was nurse, so at least he was getting a little something. Our wonderful church sent a great balloon bouquet, and the principal of Tom's school came by to check on our little guy and brought a HUGE firetruck balloon! Sylvia M. from church came and prayed for him. And my parents came by and brought a singing, light-up dog. What a lifesaver! Raleigh loves that puppy! (And it's as close as he'll get to a real pet! Haha!) My sister and her then fiance (now husband) came and visited for a long time. Despite the circumstances it was nice to have a long visit with them without interruption. Raleigh loved having Aunt Courtney all to himself, too! We also had several friends call or text to say they were praying! It's times like that I am so grateful for the Body of Christ!
Doesn't he look so pathetic?!
This photo isn't the clearest and Raleigh's expression is so sad. :(
The puppy my parents brought him.
Notice how much stuff is on his arm. It was so heavy!
The neat balloons he got!
Napping while we wait to be discharged.
Telling Daddy about the trucks below.
You can tell he feels much better!
He liked to sit in the windowsill and watch the cars and trucks in the lot.
So that was it! Our scary, harrowing croup experience. Raleigh actually got it again 10 days before Christmas, but thankfully it's was just a mild case. If your child ever gets croup don't wait, get him/her to the doctor ASAP! Raleigh's was unusually severe, but it's not something to mess around with on any level.
Next, documenting a VERY busy November!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Looking Ahead to the New Year
How can it be 2011 already?! It's been 10 years since I graduated college. 8 years since Tom and I started dating, 6 1/2 years since we got married, and nearly 4 years since Tennyson was born. Why couldn't time go this quickly when I was in school? Why do I look at my boys and think, "Didn't we just bring you home from the hospital?" *sigh*
And here I find myself months and months later and still not much closer to catching up on my blog. I was doing so well when I just had one, but with two (and a 3-year old that no longer naps) my free time is very limited. When Raleigh is napping Tennyson wants all of my attention. Somehow he's lost that blessed ability to play by himself. So we're working on that. Part of me thinks, "Oh, it will be so nice when Tennyson goes to preschool 3 mornings a week in the fall. I'll get so much done!" But then the thought of being without him for 10 or so hours a week makes me want to cry!
I am not a New Years Resolution maker (Hmm, perhaps I should make one though - to keep up with my blog?), but I do have a few things I'd like to accomplish and there is so much to look forward to in 2011: Disney World (March), celebrating 7 awesome years of marriage (June), the boys turning 2 and 4 (July), and Tennyson starting preschool (August). My major "goal" is to make Team Leader (or get close to it) with Wildtree. If I put my mind to it (and become a master at time management) I think I can do it!
So yes, there's much to be excited about this year, and I'm sure before I know it, I'll be writing about how I can't believe it's 2012 already!
And here I find myself months and months later and still not much closer to catching up on my blog. I was doing so well when I just had one, but with two (and a 3-year old that no longer naps) my free time is very limited. When Raleigh is napping Tennyson wants all of my attention. Somehow he's lost that blessed ability to play by himself. So we're working on that. Part of me thinks, "Oh, it will be so nice when Tennyson goes to preschool 3 mornings a week in the fall. I'll get so much done!" But then the thought of being without him for 10 or so hours a week makes me want to cry!
I am not a New Years Resolution maker (Hmm, perhaps I should make one though - to keep up with my blog?), but I do have a few things I'd like to accomplish and there is so much to look forward to in 2011: Disney World (March), celebrating 7 awesome years of marriage (June), the boys turning 2 and 4 (July), and Tennyson starting preschool (August). My major "goal" is to make Team Leader (or get close to it) with Wildtree. If I put my mind to it (and become a master at time management) I think I can do it!
So yes, there's much to be excited about this year, and I'm sure before I know it, I'll be writing about how I can't believe it's 2012 already!
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