The Past Week
We have been busy.
First my parents anticipated arrival on the 22nd was postponed due to the unusually heavy snow in the Pacific Northwest this year. The earliest they could get a new flight was Christmas night, the same time Brad’s parents arrived. So we planned for a nice quiet Christmas at home. Forest woke Brad and I on Christmas Eve at around 12:30 AM screaming. A fever showed up at around 4 AM. We had our first sick child. Forest had an ear infection. We made it two years before our first sick baby. It was an awful experience to hold him as he screamed with no idea how to help him. As kids will do, Forest played with the train table we got the boys and the toys Dusty got for them in between extra naps and lots of cuddles.
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| From xmas 08 |
Christmas morning with the train table.
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| From xmas 08 |
Not able to put down the sick baby even though my arm was asleep. Reminded me too much of having an infant again and for some reason that was a good feeling.
By this point the boys had participated in three Christmases; the Trammell’s, at our home, and at Dusty’s home. Friday morning Brad’s parents had Christmas with us and Sunday afternoon my parents did their Christmas with us. Yes, the boys made out well. Actually, we were all very blessed with wonderful gifts. We got in family time with Brad’s extended family on Saturday and Sunday and lots of time with my parents before they left on New Year’s Eve. Forest got better and better with each day and aside from some cold and allergy symptoms and teething agitation, is fit as a fiddle again.
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| From xmas 08 |
Little Builders
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| From xmas 08 |
No ear infection can keep Forest down!
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| From xmas 08 |
Logan loved the pies.
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| From xmas 08 |
The new rope swing with Dusty, aka “Green Daddy”.
Dusty took the boys New Year’s Eve afternoon and Brad and I had the opportunity to participate in Austin’s First Night Parade with our friend’s belly dance troupe. Brad played the djimbe and I was on tambourine with a group of about 8 other “band” members. We watched the amazing clock tower burn down at Auditorium shores, ate some good street food, and made it just in time to watch and hear the Tesla coils play music. Talk about an amazing New Years. Unfortunately, now Dusty is having ear trouble and I suspect a sinus infection. Oh, and did I mention that Brad’s dad came down with an ear infection the day before leaving to go back to California?
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| From xmas 08 |
Logan checks on Grandpa Warren to make sure his ear is ok. The past few weeks have been a lesson is the boys understanding of emotion and empathy. It’s precious.
Oh yeah, did I also mention that we bought training pottys for the boys earlier this week, too? Yes, it’s THAT time!
I found out this afternoon that a special friend’s father passed away after a two year battle with aggressive cancer. I find myself reflective this evening, New Year’s Day 2009, about mortality in general, but specifically the mortality of our parents as I near my 36th year of life. Aging is a strange experience. I find myself not understanding how I suddenly am now a mom who cares for sick children, who’s parents come to visit for the holidays when I remember so (perceived) clearly my own Christmas experiences of childhood. We were very blessed to spend the holidays with our families and know all the comforts of warmth, food, and shelter. To have health insurance, no debt, and savings that is still worth something despite the economy. It feels a bit more like Thanksgiving again to me.
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| From xmas 08 |
Drawing
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| From xmas 08 |
Logan wearing his New Year’s Eve seahorse while trying to draw an “A”.
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i know it wasn’t THAT long ago that we saw the boys, but they look so much bigger…older. like boys, not even little. it’s scary how fast they are maturing now. like overnight – in looks, emotions, affection, understanding. such a wonderful, crazy time. happy new year guys!