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Noah's big day

Today my baby is 5 years old. Wow, where has the time gone? It feels like yesterday I was laying in the hospital for 4 days waiting to welcome him into this world.

Dear Noah,

I am so thankful that God has blessed me with the opportunity to be your mother. Since your birth, you have brought unending joy into so many people's lives. It has been so much fun to watch you grow and mature into the big boy that you are. You have such a compassionate heart for your friends and family. I love that you are always thinking of other peoples feelings first. Your love of learning keeps me in awe. Your mind is like a sponge soaking in everything around you and then at a drop of hat, pulling that knowledge out and using it.

Noah, you are a great big brother to Camden and I am so proud that you are my son. May all your wishes come true today. Happy 5th Birthday to my little "pumpkin eater". I love you.

Love,
Mommy

Noah and his friends went bumper bowling today for his birthday. They all had such a great time. It was too cute to watch them huddle around the ball return, very possessive of every ball. Daddy made a Lightning McQueen and TowMater cake, complete with mud tracks behind TowMater and Lightning's number in sprinkles. After opening presents and playing a few video games, we headed home and crashed. Here are a few pics. from the day.





This picture cracks me up! While Noah was opening his presents, Camden was confiscating them behind his back!





Opening a present from Tutu and Ross!




Bowling with friends from school.





Daddy's cake creation.




Happy Birthday, Noah!

My little Turkey

Isn't he just the cutest little turkey you've every seen?

One year ago today, on November 17, 2005 we were introduced to ECI (speech therapist). A year later on November 17, 2006, Camden has been released from speech.

We have had many challenges over the last year with Camden's speech. We faced each challenge head on and I am so proud of how far he has come. When we first started speech he was 19 months old and was talking on the same level as a 9-12 month old child. Today, Camden is 30 months old and he is talking on the level of a 34 month old. We were also told that he is "smart as a whip" and ahead of his peers in intellect as well. Since he is now able to communicate and be understood, he is truly a happier child! We are so proud of you Camden!!!

We have had a busy week. Thursday, Brian was able to join me at the boys pre-school for their Thanksgiving dinner. The teachers made the turkey and the parents each brought a side and about 100 parents and kids sat down and had dinner. It was wonderful!

Friday, Noah celebrated his 5th birthday at school. He brought cupcakes and juice boxes and we all sang Happy Birthday and ate!!!

Tomorrow is the big day. I can't believe Noah will be 5! We are all ready to go bumper bowling and have a big time. I will post more on this later.

Congratulations, Mark & Tiffany!

I am bursting with pride to announce the engagement of my brother Mark to his fiance, Tiffany. Their patience and obedience to God has brought them together and we couldn't be happier for the two of them.

Mark and Tiffany make a wonderful team together. Along with their love for God, they share a passion for kids that includes the youth at their church. They enjoy running together and never turn down an opportunity to socialize with friends and family.

A spring wedding is being planned. I will keep everyone posted in the coming months.

Congratulation, Mark & Tiffany! We love you!!!

Dinner is served!

This is one of "those moments" that happened today. This picture doesn't really do the damage justice. Spagetti-0's were on the wall, floor, table, 2 chairs, window, window-sill and the plant in the corner (not pictured). This is one moment I wish everything in my kitchen wasn't white. Not really sure what happened... dinner was going great until I turned my back. I won't mention which child it was, but you can probably guess!

Just go on and help yourself to a little bit of candy!

I couldn't resist this one last picture from Halloween. I didn't notice until today what Gracie (the dog) is doing in the picture.

Feeling better and looking ahead.

Tuesday brought back our routine. The kids both went to school and I returned to work. Noah is finally over his virus and Camden is so much better but still has a lingering cough. As it would happen, I don't feel that great. My ultrasound came back clear and now I am waiting to see if I need to have a lower bowel series done.

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I can't believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Next week the kids have a Thanksgiving dinner at school and then we have the real thing a week later! I have some wonderful memories growing up of all getting together at my grandparents house and having a wonderful turkey dinner. Of course, I had to sit at the kids table but it didn't matter we were all together. After dinner, most of us would fall asleep in front of the t.v. watching "the football" game of choice. Not much has changed from when I was little. I still look forward getting together with relatives and just spending the day together.

What are your favorite memories or traditions on Thanksgiving?

Monday morning news

Noah is on his way to recovery. He still has a lingering cough that will go away with time.

Camden, I am happy to say has been fever free since Saturday. However, his sinuses are very congested and now he has the nasty cough. He feels pretty yucky as evidenced by his lack of eating and not torturing his brother. He would rather lay on the couch or look at a book.

I had an ultrasound this morning and am waiting for the doctor to call with the results.

Not much else to report here. We are happy for the rain we had last night and this morning. I am also looking forward to getting out this evening and being with other adults at book club. I need some "me" time.

Updates

Thursday was just plain bad. Enough said.

Friday... Camden seems to be keeping his fever around 101 at the most. He has actually been running and playing. He still is not eating much and stops and lays down quite often. He is currently down for a nap. He has awaken the last two days from his nap with a fever of at least 103. I pray today will be different.

Noah is a mystery. No fever, no outward signs of being sick except for his cough. So, we are just continuing breathing treatments.

I went to see a Gastro Dr. yesterday about my pain in my right abdomen. He actually felt a "pea-sized" begnin tumor in a fatty area. He said it wasn't anything to be concerned about. I am scheduled for an Ultrasound on Monday to take another look at my Gall bladder and Colon. After that, I will have a small bowel series done to explore my colon further. The CT scan would have picked up any tumors or cancers so no need to worry in that area. A colonoscopy is not necessary and I am also glad for that!!!

As if we don't already have enough on our plate with sick kids, Brian is working and we are also dog sitting this weekend. So, if you find the time today to say a prayer for our family we would be grateful.

Can we go back to October?

November has been ushered in at our house with high fevers and unstoppable coughing spells. Camden has been hovering around 102-104 all day and dipping down to 100-101 with Tylenol. A trip to the doctor brought no relief because he didn't have enough symptoms to warrant an antibiotic except for fever and tight chest.

Noah had been trying to catch a cold for about a week and it finally took hold of him last Friday night. We have had several all nighters in a row and the "cloud machine"a.k.a. nebulizer has been dusted off and is running non-stop between both kids.

Brian and I are keeping up the best we can between having little sleep and the anxiety that comes with having children sick. We are doing our best to stay healthy, but I am not optimistic that we will get through this without catching it ourselves.

Please keep us in your prayers.