First Break

On June 13, we had quite the exciting adventure to the Emergency Room. Richard and Shirley were playing Ring Around the Rosie while Daddy washed the dishes when he heard a crash and then a moan of pain and whimpering crying. Rich dropped what he was doing and ran into the living room to find RJ curled up on the floor. He picked him up and realized RJ was holding his arm very close to his body. Rich tried to remove his shirt to see if there was any damage, but the baby couldn't lift his hand or arm away from his body so Rich cut his shirt off (his only Nebraska Huskers shirt, bytheway...) to try to discern any damage. When he couldn't see anything wrong he called me at work and said, "You need to clock out and come home right now." That is NOT the kind of call any mother looks forward to getting at work. I could hear the baby crying in the background and I knew it was serious...you can tell by your children's cries when something is seriously wrong, and I knew something was seriously wrong!I raced out of work without closing up shop, raced home trying not to panic the whole way and walked in the door to find a completely dejected little boy. He had stopped crying until he saw me, when his sobs started again. We were discussing what to do when my sister walked in. I had called her on my way home to keep her "on call" in case we needed to go to the Emergency Room. She decided she'd rather turn around and go home if we didn't need her than make us wait for her to get there (are we blessed, or what?!).
So, we loaded up and rode to the hospital. I couldn't believe it--there was only one other family in the waiting room and we got right in to see the doctors. Both doctors assumed it was a dislocated shoulder or elbow, which I'll admit I thought, too, though they couldn't find any evidence. When the doctor finally crawled her fingers up his arm and he shrunk away from her touch she said, "I think we are going to have to do x-rays...this looks like a broken collar bone." It was what Rich and I suspected all along, but I guess we were hoping for something less traumatic.
In the end, our boy came home with codeine and an arm bandage and a broken collar bone. I was convinced our summer was over. RJ spent three days on the couch with his arm wrapped in a codeine stupor. We watched Cars, Cars2 and more CARS! A week later we made a trip to our regular doctor for a follow up. She took his bandage off, tossed it in my purse and told us to have a nice summer. Can you believe that?! She said there is almost nothing you can do to keep a two-year-old's collar bone from healing perfectly and that by the time he is ready for organized sports this injury will be a distant memory. We are so relieved and thankful!!
God protected us from something much worse and answered so many of our prayers along the way--too many to count.
Our summer has gone on undisturbed and RJ is completely back to normal now, eight short weeks later.

First morning after the break. A sad boy watching movies.

R&R and TLC

Swing time--trying to get out of the house a little bit.

Chocolate frosting makes everything better.

You can take my clavicle but you can't take my style!
On our way to the doctor for his follow up visit.

THE BREAK.

Last Day of School!

Shirley's last day of school was bittersweet for many reasons, not the least of which is that it closed at the end of this year. After many years as a part of our community, Roseville Nursery Group has closed its doors. Shirley learned and grew so much in her year at RNG--I am so happy and proud of her.

Richard wanted to get in on the "Last Day" photo action.

 

Such a big girl...she has changed so much.

 

Remember this? What a difference nine months makes!

Mrs. Bonnie and Mrs. Janie just realized that Shirley's lips are blue from candy.

So thankful for these lovely ladies.

We are so thankful Shirley had the opportunity to spend a year with these wonderful people. God's blessings on you, Mrs. Bonnie and Mrs. Janie as you pursue what God has next in store for both of you. We miss you already!

First Shave...

Let it be known that on May 24, 2012, Richard Joseph cut himself shaving for the very first time. I still don't know how he got ahold of a razor. I mean, I didn't realize he'd even hit puberty yet.
Of course, every little boy wants to shave just like daddy... I am thankful he is ok!

He didn't even know he had hurt himself.

"QUIT TAKING MY PICTURE!!! Mom! You're so embarrassing!"

Cool dude, Mr. Tough Guy. Don't be fooled...the bandaid lasted about hirty seconds before he ripped it off.

Preschool Program!

It's the post you've all been waiting for! On May 23, Shirley had her preschool program celebrating the end of her first year of preschool. Of course, I cried all morning. Didn't she JUST START preschool? How can she already be done with her first year?! We are so proud of our girl.
Now, you are in for a long haul with these TEN videos. I only expect you to watch all ten if you are directly related to our girl. :) Otherwise, I recommend watching "Peter Hammers," "We are the Dinosaurs," "The Fruit Song," and "Superman."

Richard's First Haircut!

I finally broke down and took Richard to get his hair cut this morning. Since his sister completely freaked out, I expected the same from him, but he did great! He only tried to shrink away from the stylist when she combed his hair, and giggled and giggled when she pulled out the clippers. I am so proud of my big kid! He is truly not a baby anymore!

Not too sure about this big chair...

A nice shot of the hockey hair.

He kept leaning forward to get away from that comb of hers!

Such a good boy!

Hairy lollies!

Are we almost done?

What a handsome boy!!

I love you!

If this doesn't make you smile...

School Girl!

Shirley Jean had her first day of school this week. She is attending preschool near our home. It was hard to leave her there because it was clear that she was nervous once we got there, but we forced ourselves to walk away.
I was so relieved to return two hours later to learn that she absolutely loved it! She didn't want to leave!
Here are some pictures from our preparation leading up to school and her first day.

Getting acquainted at the preschool open house.



Modeling her new school haircut.

This is the picture we chose for SJ's cubby bucket.

"Mama, I need to take a picture for my journal."
I couldn't have been more proud!

The finished cubby bucket!

The morning of the first day.
Yes, she is eating a cookie after breakfast.
SJ was very nervous and didn't want her photo taken.

All ready for school!

Very proud of her bucket!

Outside the school!

Shirley and one of her teachers, Mrs. B.

You may notice that Shirley is wearing a silver heart necklace with her special "First Day" dress. We went shopping together and picked out the necklace and matching earrings. I wore the earrings and Shirley wore the necklace. The necklace is to remind her that no matter where she is, how she is feeling or what she is doing, she is loved by her Mama and Daddy. I told her to touch it and remember we are at home loving her if she felt nervous during her first day at school.

He walks!

Richard actually took his first steps several months ago, but has refused to walk all this time. We have been waiting and waiting for him to take the plunge and last week he finally did!
He's started getting very brave and actually walking more than he crawls. These milestones are so bittersweet. I just love the "drunk Frankenstein" baby steps, though. I will miss them (next week) when he is running around chasing his sister with sticks.


Sorry for my lame video commentary. Am I ever going to learn?

First Crush

"Mama! There's Peter Pan!" Shirley sighed, "Oh, Mama, I YUFF him. He FLIES."

He's into everything!

I have been taking photos of what Richard gets in to for the last three days. Three days, three projects.

Wednesday.

Thursday.

Friday.

ABC's

Shirley sings all the time these days. I often hear, "Twinkle, twinkle little star! How I thank you. You're welcome." I'm still trying to get that one on video. Along with "The Wheels on the Bus." (As you can imagine the wipers going "swish, swish, swish" is pert-near the cutest thing EVER.) Tonight I managed to get some great footage of Shirley singing the alphabet song.

Enjoy:

He crawls!

Going...

Going...

Going...

Gone!

To be fair, Richard has been "crawling" for a couple of weeks, but as of November 18, he really had the army crawl mastered.

Teeth!

Two weeks ago, Richard cut his first tooth. Two days later, tooth number two came through.

Imagine my surprise when I suddenly had a very happy baby! Hooray for teeth!

Well. He was happer after this.

11-12-10

Major Milestone

Well...It's happened. My children have successfully transitioned into their "big beds." This milestone was really difficult for me (again). Richard stayed in the bassinet beside my bed much longer than Shirley ever did, despite his enormity, because I didn't want to have to battle Shirley to stay in bed when she may not--ahem--want to go to bed. So far, it hasn't really been a problem.
Well, one night comes to mind... Our bedrooms are connected by French doors. Richard put Shirley in her big bed, and came out her bedroom door. Moments later, she emerged from our bedroom door. He circled back around and put her back in her bed and came out through our room. She followed through her own bedroom door. It went on like this for a few more minutes until Richard had had enough and made his point clear. I watched the whole thing from the couch--it was like watching "Laurel and Hardy Go to Bed."
Overall, however, the whole transition has gone very well. I still have the bassinet at my bedside, though, because I miss my little boy. Isn't that silly?

I think it's important to note that SJ sleeps with her head at the wrong end of the bed--in the same direction as when she was in her crib. I think her feng shui is off, otherwise.Woke him up with the flash...oops.

He Sits!

Well, mostly. :) Also, if you would kindly note: his hair has started growing in. Really.

9/14/10

Baby Richard's First Bites

Two days ago, Richard got to try his first bites of rice cereal. He was NOT impressed, but I will not be thwarted. I have been unable to keep him full with breast feeding alone, and as a result, we've been sleeping in two-hour spurts through the night. Unacceptable. :)

What a big boy!

"Are you kidding me, Mom??"

Unimpressed. Unenthused.

For the record, night two went a lot better than night one. I see a lot of big meals in Richard's future.