This morning, Landen taught himself how to plug in Daddy's playstation (that was hidden in a cabinet). After asking Daddy to get the game set up, it was RACE time! He was talking to his car about how they were going to win... "Come on, Dude!"... Hilarious. Graden wanted in on the fun, so he just grabbed a controller (that wasn't even plugged in) and began yelling at the cars on the screen, too! What a pair! :)

Growing again...

The boys continue to grow! Graden had his 15 month 'well-baby' check up this past Friday... Doc says he's finally getting taller! He's up to 8 teeth and must be getting more, because he wants to chew on everything! The boys have both been feeling much better and we've stopped the breathing treatments for the time being.

Landen and Graden are becoming the best of buddies! They play together all of the time and make Phil and I laugh daily. Late in the evenings, after dinner, the boys are usually fired up... Phil and I sit down to relax and talk about our days only to end up sneaking around the corner to peek into their bedrooms because we hear all these giggles and loud noises. We usually find the boys building houses with their blocks or crashing cars together. They laugh at each other all of the time ... it's quite a contagious laugh, too.

We've told the boys we're going to see 'Mickey Mouse' in a few weeks... Landen can hardly stand the wait. Last night, after Graden went to bed, Landen and I made a "paper ring" strand of 12 circles... that way Landen knew how many days until we leave. He gets to rip on of the circles of paper off each night before bed! :) He thought it was pretty cool. My dad used to let me do them before Christmas each year. I think it's a great visual activity for Landen; plus, he can stop bugging me with "are we going to Mickey Mouse tomorrow, mom?" !! Ha, ha, ha!

Grad-O and the "big boy underwear"!

Graden is a stinker! Landen has been working diligently on going potty on the "big boy potty" and is getting good at it...

Today, however, Landen's "potty procedure" took a slight turn of events when Grad-O (his new nickname given to him by his Mommy because she can never finish getting his name out of her mouth when she's trying to get him to do something before he runs away!) took Landen's "big boy underwear" and TOSSED THEM into the "big boy potty" while Landen was peeing. Graden was very happy; clapping and pointing at both Landen and the underwear, while he laughed and walked away to plot his next move. He left Landen sitting on the "big boy potty" in shock. Landen, of course, yelled for Mom and Dad, who came running... When we arrived in the bathroom, Landen said, "It was an accident, Mom." Ha, yea right. That Grad-O knew JUST what he was doing.

Already, they are covering each other's tracks. Great for them. Trouble for Mom and Dad! :)

Landen's Hospital Visit.

Last Tuesday (the 10th), I had to take Landen into the ER. After being sick for a few days, he wasn't getting any better and on Tuesday morning, he was having trouble breathing. His doctor advised me to just take him there so they could do some x-rays and tests. Good thing we got there, because his oxygen counts were down and he was gasping for air. Turned out, his entire chest was seriously inflammed and this was causing him to work very hard to get breaths.

To make a long story short, we were transported from Dupont Hospital (after several tests) out to Lutheran on Tuesday evening and stayed there until Thursday evening. We had some "ups and downs" while we were there; but, after the first night, overall things progressed well. Landen was a good patient and did exactly as the doctors asked. They were impressed by his "breathing treatment skills" - of course, he's familiar with them because we've done them since he's been born! :) The only thing he didn't like was the oxygen tube that was placed into his nose! It "hurt" his nose because it dried it out and it was scary to him.

We are home now and we're working toward a full recovery. His chest isn't as inflammed, but he still has "congestion" in his lungs that is causing him to cough pretty badly. We've been doing breathing treatments around the clock and he's also taking an antiobiotic for a double ear infection (a side affect from the congestion). He's a little leary about going to bed at night - he thinks "they" are going to come and poke at him. I've tried explaining that he's getting better and "they" are only at hospitals and doctors' offices.... and "they" make little kids better. He understands and knows when he's done something great - like eat all his food to make him "stronger" and "drink all his juice" because it helps his cough! :) He even knows when he's played too hard and tells me when he needs a "break to rest". He's a pretty smart kid! :) Ha!

It's been a roller coaster of a week, but I couldn't be happier. A little tired, but still smiling... My boys keep me on my toes! We've had three hospital visits in the past YEAR (two for Graden and now one for Landen)... I really hope they don't think this is some sort of "fun" competition! Mommy is going to have gray hair soon! :) Deep down, I always know it could be worse, but let me tell you how hard it is to remember that when you're going through something and you're not sure what's going to happen. I'm just so thankful for my family and friends... I know it's such a cliche - but they're amazing and they are always there for me and for my family. I'm not sure where I would be if I didn't have them in my life. It's everyone else's prayers, thoughts, emails and phone calls that help us get through something like this... because somedays I'm just not as strong as I'd like to be when it comes to praying... I try though, and I'm sure that is truly all that matters to Him.

Remember to hug your kids, your pets, your significant others... whoever is important to you today. You really don't know what tomorrow will bring. Thanks again for your support and your patience and YOUR LOVE. My boys and I love each of you on this Valentine's Day! xoxoxo

Brothers!

I've been blessed to have
A brother like you.
You're my pal, my buddy,
And my best friend, too.
-Dana Roberts Clark -

Hard work really does pay off...

FINALLY. Phil got "the call"... He's accepted a teaching position for 8th grade math at middle school here in Fort Wayne. It's an overwhelming feeling. He worked so hard for the past two years. His hard work has finally paid off! We are so proud of him! He's starting tomorrow, as a sub, until his contract is made. It makes our bumps from the past two years totally worth it. Thank you to each of you who have supported us while Phil was back in school and while I worked two jobs. Thankfully are boys never noticed these "bumps" from our past. They will only know the end result: Daddy is a teacher! Woo hoo! :)