Boppin' Along

It's been a very long couple of weeks full of pain, medications, resting, new sleeping positions and my new best friend, the boppy pillow. Usually used to breastfeed Babies, this pillow is a soft crescent shape and has worked perfectly for sitting on and wedging between my knees for comfort during my healing phase. This thing has been everywhere with me! At the dinner table, car trips, visits to friends, the futon, in bed, Easter dinner, watching the boy's egg hunt, and even at church. The one place I wish I didn't need to take it is to bed. It really limits my sleeping positions and I just want to sleep how I choose again. I tried to lay down without it wedged in my legs last night, but I couldn't even fall asleep without it. So back to bed it came.

Bending over to pick up the house is extremely limited. I can only squat down a few times before I've had it and the floors are still covered in toys. It's better than the first week though! I used to not be able to bend at all, and walking was slow going. I'm finally sitting more, as opposed to laying on my side. Oh, and get this! A whole week after the fall, a bruise showed up? My doctor said it's completely normal for these types of injuries and the contusion took so long to surface because of how deep it is.

I'm mainly doing activities that are waist level and up. And of course whatever the kiddos need. I've been cheating and started holding my sweet W again, and as sore as I am it feels so great in my heart! The first time I picked him up after a whole week, he hugged me tight and buried his sweet little face in my shoulder for what felt like forever.

Here's what I got bored and did this week:

Ice Ice Baby

Our concrete stairs, they are the devil. We were on our way out to run a couple errands and just as I got to the last step two things happened at once - Brother Bear proudly announced he was going to get the mail and began booking it down the driveway, and I yelled, "No!" trying to hurry and stop him when W and I fell together on the icy concrete step. I fell straight down onto my bottom in order to avoid dropping W. Oddly enough I didn't spill a drop of my Pepsi - talented I know. Buuut not quite talented enough to not break my coccyx.

The immense pain was a dead giveaway that I had broken it. So instead of a trip to the local grocery store, I was in the ER. Before I received the pain meds I told Dan this hurt worse than labor pains. And that's definitely saying something. Up until yesterday I had never broken a bone in my life. This is something I could have went without experiencing! No excitement over here. Dan got me a foam donut to sit on but I swear the thing is harder than a rock and has more of a slit than a hole in the center. Suffice it to say I'm more comfortable sitting on the toilet all day. A big thank you to our loving church family for the meal train this week. You guys are a huge help - thank you!

Dental Win

The last time we left a dentist office I was just about in tears. Everything that could have went awry had and I was made to feel like I was the sole reason W's teeth were falling apart. Friday morning I left a new dentist office in tears...of joy! This office wasn't labeled as pediatric dentistry but let me tell you, they sure took the cake! From the moment we walked in (the wrong door) they warmly welcomed us all and made us feel important. W was in hysterics because I was busy filling out his paperwork. The staff took notice right away and blew up two helium balloons. One for W and one for Brother Bear. They never left anyone feeling unimportant. And when that didn't do the trick for little W, they let him and I go back to one of their cubicles to get started. (Even though the papers weren't completed yet.)

The kind assistant tried calming W with a musical stuffed animal. Which worked for a few seconds. I think he already decided these people in white coats were plotting to give him shots! There was no distracting him until another assistant stopped by and smiled, revealing green flashing teeth! He was amazed by the little glow stick in her mouth, and I was amazed by their bedside manner. I half expected a juggling clown to come traipsing down the aisle!

Soon the Dentist came in with a big smile and warm greetings, as if we were long lost friends. He didn't even make W lay his head in his lap, instead having me lay him back in my lap for the exam. Without me saying a word about my opinion or our last experience, he immediately announced that W has a dental deformity that could be genetic. I swear at that moment the heavens opened up and we had our hallelujah moment! He said it needs to be looked into with x-rays and such by a specialist. And also mentioned that none of the teeth are cavities, he simply has no enamel. The only reason any teeth would need to be pulled is if they were causing him great pain. And it would have to be in a hospital setting with W sedated. (Again, Hallelujah!)

He was going to refer us to the same pediatric dentist we had just had our horrible experience with until I filled him in on her opinions and the awful time we had with her. His eyes got huge and he was quite shocked and visibly upset that had happened. He said he was going to get a list of phone numbers together for me and do some research to make sure W gets the care he needs, and not just a quick "solution". The dentist is referring W to a specialist at the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

The staff were chatting it up with Brother Bear at the desk when we came back to the waiting room and although it appeared he was telling them his life story, neither lady was bothered at all by his babbling. They were all smiles for him and even let both boys come back in and pick a toy from their treasure chest. I was told not to worry about W's paperwork today and to drop it off the next time we're in town. I do believe we have found ourselves an awesome family dentist! Now back to the waiting game which hopefully won't be that long.

Whirlwind

From Thanksgiving all the way up to Brother Bear's 3rd Birthday, it has been nonstop go-go-go for this household! I think it's def. time for some relaxation - but Motherhood has informed me that's not gonna happen! Soon after lunch I noticed W had a runny nose and immediately knew where he got sick from. Now why some people are blithering idiots and tote their sick Baby around a Birthday party of all things, is beyond me.

I knew it when I seen it and attempted to keep my kiddos far from the sick Baby...buuut that apparently didn't quite do the trick. My poor little man is in bed next to me struggling to breathe and cannot nurse without pulling off and gasping for air. Please pray this is nothing serious like RSV, etc.

I'm not sure what's going on lately but Brother Bear has had me rolling with laughter these days! Here are the latest Brother Bear-isms:

- I told him, "You're driving me nuts!" He says, "No your driving MY nuts!" In attempt to correct his misunderstanding I said, "No. Say 'you're driving ME nuts.' " to which he replies, "I'm driving YOUR nuts." I drop to me knees rolling with laughter and he says, "Can I help you?" Yes, yes you can sweet son...remind me not to say such things to you!!

- I asked him if my necklace was pretty and he said, "yeauh ur noggin's purty!"

- He asked for chips, I said it's almost time to eat dinner, and he said "I want Griff eat it."

- I whispered in his ear, and asked him to tell me a secret and he whispers, "Its'a secrrrret!"

- I stood up from fixing the wood stove and he hit my bottom and said, "Fly away!"

- He got a bagel out of the fridge and came running saying, "Look! It's a MONSTER cookie!!"

We'll top it off with one from W:

- I heard a lot of grunting and found W under the table, holding onto the leg for support... pooping.

Yup...I love my crazy, funny life! W also has a new party trick. I say, "I work out!" then with a big grin he adds the, "Ahhhh!!" We had been watching the 'I'm a Daddy and I Know it' video a lot that week and somehow he caught onto it. If you haven't seen it you HAVE to go to http://www.godfruits.com/im-a-daddy-and-i-know-it-funny-spoof-with-serious-message-kudos-to-dad-of-five-11765.php and watch it!

The time change really has me messed up! I could really deal with a spring BACK right about now...I better go to bed and get ready for errand day tomorrow. It's always interesting with two kiddos. But I've gotta say - I sure couldn't imagine my life without 'em. They are without a doubt my everything.

Say Grace

Dogs Saying Grace Before Meals.mp4 - YouTube

This is the video that helped David learn to pray at the dinner table with. He watched it...and then he watched it again...and I think he must have watched it 7 times that day (and 2 times today)! He is so stinkin cute! The other night I asked him to say grace, and he said, "Grace!" :)

Now every meal we pray together and hold hands (if Walter will let me) David absolutely loves it. After we finish praying he asks for our hands so he can say grace again. He repeats, "Dear God.....dear God...grace..dear God, Amen!" ...and only then will he let us eat. :)

Ambidexterous- aka "Mom"

I know all of my Mommy friends can relate whenever I say, "I never knew I could do so many things one handed, until I became a Momma." I was holding a teething, exhausted Walter, while getting my pajama bottoms on, as I said this to Dan. Then thought, "How fun would it be to type out a list and blog about it to share for a good laugh?" That brings me here...ready? :)

My Ongoing One Handed List:

-Get dressed
-Dress a child
-Cook
-Apply make-up (including eyeliner)
-Style hair
-Sweep the floors (and get it into the dust pan!)
-Go to the restroom
-Bag the groceries
-Get David out of his carseat
-Write an e-mail
-Bathe David
-Putting shoes on self & David
-Cleaning the house
-Putting away toys
-Eating
-Making my breakfast drink
-Putting a movie in
-Pedicure
-Nursing W
-Locking/unlocking the house
-Shopping
-Unbutton David's shirt
-Tweeze my eyebrows
-Opening packages
-Re-kindling the woodstove
-Loading/unloading the dishwasher
-Folding/Putting away laundry
-Brushing mine & David's teeth
-Clipping my nails
-Q-Tip for ears
-David's hair
-Reading a book (turning the pages)
-Giving David his meds
-Straightening up the bed
-Connecting cell phone to charger
-Getting the dog on/off his chain
-Feeding the dog
-Washing off the booster seat & tray
-Making a plate of food for self or others

Are you still with me? :) I know I'm probably forgetting some, so feel free to comment with some of your own one handed Mommy adventures. (or Daddy!)

Ready...Set...Go!!!

The party planning is running full tilt! Our sweet "Dabid" is turning 3!!! We have the date picked, the time set, our place reserved & I even managed to make what my Hubby refers to as a "freaking awesome!" party invite. (pictured below)

David is addicted to Lightning McQueen and (much to my surprise) he actually understood and answered me when I asked him, "David, what kind of a party do you want hun?" He instantly (on more than one occasion) told me, "Cars!" And with that sweet, super adorable smile of his.

We will be giving most of his party guests their "ticket" by hand delivery. If you live too far for us to do this, let us know and we can still get you your ticket, via snail mail or e-mail. Your choice, just ask.

What an emotional event this is turning out to be! Just typing the title got me choked up. My firstborn son is already going on his third year of life. He has brought us so. much. joy! I can only hope we bring even a fraction of that to his. Anyone who knows David, knows how sweet, loving, silly, creative, and smart he really is. God has blessed us with one of His beautiful children and we have had the honor to get to be his parents and know him at a heart to heart level. I once thought we would have a hard time adjusting to our lives when the time came for David to be born. That was shattered the moment the doctors laid him on my chest and he very deliberately locked eyes with me. As his Momma, I know I will never forget that, and many other precious memories. (more on that on the Birth Day post later!)

I am having SO much fun planning this and am really greatful for Pinterest, Google, and my Picsart android app! I still have things to draw, games to plan, and a menu of yummy food to buy, but I am relieved already, just to have a majority of these things ironed out and ready to go.  I know as the day nears closer I am going to be one mushy Momma! How is David already going on 3? I SWEAR we just brought our tiny blue bundle home a few months ago... :)