Birthday to Remember

Today I turned 32, not 25 as I tried to pass for. Ryan promptly told everyone that I was indeed 32 not 25. Thanks Ryan!

I have really enjoyed my birthday this year. Aunt Jill took me out for lunch at the Bee Hive and we had today's special, loaded baked potato soup, a prime rib sandwich with au jus dip, and these tiny shredded potatoes. It was wonderful and I always enjoy hanging out with Jill. We had Italian cream cake at the office this afternoon and I was surprised how many people actually liked the cake. One of our print vendors sent us an Italian Cream Cake about 10 or 11 years ago and I was instantly hooked.

My grandparents had us over for dinner (fantastic meatloaf, potatoes, peas, and strawberry shortcake). My mom, Aunt Jill, Tyler, Jesse, and Zoey all came to join in the celebration and start a new family event. Tyler wants us to get together more often so we are going to start sharing a meal together as a family (or as many of us as can get there) every couple of weeks. I think it is a great idea and I am really looking forward to the next dinner. Ryan had a good time entertaining both the babies. Zoey would smile at him and squeal with delight. I sat with both the little ones at a wagon full of Mega Blocks. I was really surprised when Emerson handed the legos to Zoey and even gave her the prized Mega Blocks boy who says "Mega Blocks" when you push his tummy. What a sacrafice.

My Aunt Cindy just got a new Flip Video camcorder for her upcoming trip and just knew that I would love one too. So, my grandparents, Aunt Cindy, and Aunt Jill got one for my birthday. It is the coolest little camcorder and I love it! It is very compact, shoots 60 minutes of video, and has software that I can actually use. I shot a couple little videos tonight and can't wait to shoot more. My mom got me a really great gift card to Kohl's which I cannot wait to go and use!

I am really looking forward to this weekend. Brad is off and I have asked mom to watch the kids so that Brad and I can go see a movie. I am a huge Nicholas Cage fan and he has a new movie out (well, new to me anyway) that I really want to see. It will be so nice to spend a couple of hours alone with my hubby.

Did I mention Costa Rica?

This post is part of "Hi/Lo Thursday" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to read everyone else's "Hi/Lo" posts and get your link on their site.

Hi--
I am so thankful that all of my family has been healthy this week after 5 solid months of doctor's appointments right and left
My sister was offered the big job in Costa Rica for the next year
Brad brought home a new kitten that has really livened up our house

Lo
My sister was offered the big job in Costa Rica for the next year (did I mention it was in Costa Rica and it is for at least a year)
My mom's air conditioning went out at her house
Brad is working all weekend at the hospital
Really struggling with the reality May 31st would have been Madeline's 3rd birthday

I put Emerson to bed tonight and got a few minutes to check out my favorite blogs. On Kelly's Korner she linked a video from Hootie aka Darius Rucker. It was so moving and hits home just show short a time our kids are little. I look back at pictures of Ryan from just a couple of years ago when my dad was alive and I can't believe how small he was. Emerson is only 15 months old and it feels like she was born yesterday but now she is running and putting together little sentences. I know that I will blink and she will be heading off to kindergarten. I want to treasure every day with my kids and relish each stage that they are in. I love that nothing in the world makes Emerson happy like her mommy. I love when she runs up to me with her arms straight up and can't wait for me to hold her tight. I love nursing her to sleep every night and singing You are my Sunshine over & over. I love how she climbs in my lap so I can read her book after book after book. I love to dress her in pretty little dresses with frilly socks and matching headbands. I feel so privileged to be a mom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6JHXHWZLpU

Praying for Stellan

Today Stellan will be having surgery to try and map the pathways to his heart so that they can keep him out of SVT. We have been following MckMama for quite some time now and have fallen deeply in love with Stellan. They have asked people to wear orange today to support Stellan and to send in their pictures for the website. Here is the picture that we sent. Ryan's signature color was always been orange so it wasn't a problem to find an orange shirt in his closet.

How does your garden grow?

Today was the last performance of the 2009 Children's Performing Arts Series at the Paramount. I took Ryan to see Dr. Dolittle. This play had an interesting twist and the story was also told using sign language. It was great to see sign language in action as I have been using it with Emerson for about 7 months. Of course, our communication is very limited and not at all like we saw today. Ryan really liked seeing signs that he knew and the performers were great.

My mom was gracious to watch Emerson this afternoon while Ryan and I hung out at the Paramount. Mom told her that she had to wear her hat if she wanted to go outside and lo and behold she had a hat on when I got there. Mom helped me plant 8 pots with various herbs and vegetables. Our ground is so terrible that I can't imagine how much work it would take to have a real garden. My idea is to grow the vegetables in pots so they can have actual soil. Emerson came and helped us too while Ryan looked for sticks to put across the pots to keep the cats out. Oh the joys of country living! I wish that I had my camera with me to show just how dirty Emerson was by the time we came home. We put the pots out in the yard and we will cross our fingers that we will have actual food late next month. For starters we are growing zucchini, squash, egg plant, cucumbers, red bell peppers, banana peppers, flat leaf parsley, & cilantro.

On a side note, Brad brought home a tiny kitten early last night. She is orange with little while feet. She slept with us last night and was quite well behaved. Ryan got up at 6:30 this morning and played with her for two solid hours. Emerson is absolutely in love and wants to carry the kitty everywhere. We keep reminding her only pat pat (not grab by the neck). I will try and get a picture tomorrow (of the kitten) so you can fall in love too.

Soccer Season Begins

Ryan had his first Upward Soccer game today as a part of the Earthquakes. There are only 6 kids on his team now that they are playing 4x4 soccer. It is a different format where there are only four players from each team on the field and no goalie. It is supposed to give the kids a lot more time with the ball and allow them to improve their skills. He had a great time and assisted with the only goal of the game.
Grammy game to watch the game and we all took turns keeping Emerson off the field and feeding her baby cheddar puffs (aka baby Cheetos). Emerson wore her hat today and we were so excited. We have tried working with her to keep it on her head more than 1.5 seconds. She is so fair and we do not want her to get a sunburn. She loved cheering on both teams and spent a good portion of the morning clapping and saying Yeah!

15 Month Check Up--A Little Late

April 16, 2009

Emerson was finally able to get her 15-month check up today with Dr. Maslanka. She has been too under the weather until now to get her shots. Dr. Maslanka said that she looked wonderful and is ahead on her milestones. She is signing more and more and every day picks up new words. She weighs 26 pounds 2 ounces, 31 inches long and her head circumference is 18 3/4".


She received two shots and you can tell from these pictures that it did not make her happy.