MY NEW JOB!

This is my new job:

Yes, I am staying home with the boys now! :) What a great feeling to be able to be home each day with these two boys... I should've done it years ago. I'm also going to be watching a few kids during the days, so if you're looking for someone reliable and fun to watch your kiddos; let me know! Yay for being a MOMMY!

breathing treatments and more...

Landen and Graden have both had a rough winter! The picture above shows Graden doing "the mask" as the boys call it... which is a breathing treatment. Graden got diagnosed with atypical pneumonia (we caught it when it was just starting) the first of April and Landen followed behind him getting pneumonia for real. The poor kids can't catch a break! Pneumonia isn't even contagious, but apparently the boys both started with the same strand of cold/cough that turned into something more serious. This was the "crossing the line" according to our doctor!

Graden went in to see an ENT this past Monday. He had two types of hearing tests performed. Our fears were confirmed, yet we were pleased. Graden can hear, but he has trouble hearing certain tones. This is ok, and should be fixable... We will be going in for "tubes" on May 14th. He has fluid in his ears constantly and even though his ears are red/sore inside, they don't always get infected. This should be treatable and is a normal, common procedure. We are not worried and trust our Doctor very much. This ENT is the same doctor who took out Landen's tonsils and adnoids not so long ago. He's wonderful with kids and gets straight to the point when he speaks to us about the boys. Throughout the time Graden has his tubes, we'll perform more hearing tests to be sure he's improving. Most likely, tubes will be all he needs... but there is still a concern that the "drainage tubes" beyond his ear drums may have an issue. Right now, though, that doctor thinks that is a small possibility. All of this is a side effect (after effect) from when Graden was so seriously sick with RSV (when he was 3 weeks old). Apparently, breathing with the support for so long can hurt your ears... They did tell us there were several side effects/concerns when Graden was in the PICU, but at that point - we just wanted Grado to BREATHE! Look at him now... thank goodness for wonderful doctors and FAITH.

Now, Landen... dear Landen. My little red-faced stinker! :) Landen took medicine for pneumonia for one week. It was a rough week! It's hard to keep such a busy boy down, but he did just what he was supposed to do and took his medicine without any compliants! During that time we also started taking one Singular pill before bed each night. He's going to continue this medicine for one month. On May 20th, we'll be going back into our doctor so she can report how he has done (I'm keeping a journal on when he takes his meds and his activity). She then plans to send us to an Allergy/Asthma doctor that she's worked with in the past. She believes that Landen will in fact have asthma, but wants to eliminate that he also has "allergies". Of course, this can change... sometimes kids grow out of this and sometimes adults gain them later, too. Landen may also develop an allergy to something even after we do all the testing... Either way, we know for sure that his breathing affects Landen's life drastically. I'm happy to report that I have already noticed a difference with this medicine! He still needs to take breaks to catch his breath, but it's better overall. We watch him closely and he's really good at knowing when enough is enough! This process for Landen will take time... lots of tests, medicine trials and visits. Most importantly = patience. This is harder for Mommy than it is for Landen. We do our breathing treatments on a regular basis... the boys are so good at them. Again, we are thankful to have great doctors and strong faith.

Of course, there are days I don't understand why both my boys have to have breathing issues. Somedays I wonder why both boys have had such a tough time - I mean, who can say they've had 5 hosptial visits in 16 months? :) (Three of which were by way of EMS?) Graden is better each day and shouldn't have near the problems Landen does... but it still hurts me to see them struggle. I'm telling you, there is nothing worse than seeing Landen GASP for air. Nothing. I know their illnesses could be worse, I do... so, I squeeze them daily (more than once!) and thank God constantly for bringing them to me and for watching over them as they go through this up and down ride. I know it may be awhile until we find out what exactly we need to do to make them comfortable... and I am okay with that. In the meantime, I will just keep enjoying them and doing what I can to keep them healthy in all other aspects. Thank goodness they're strong little guys! I know I shouldn't complain, but there are days when I just want my kids to be healthy... how selfish of me when there are kids that have it much worse. It breaks my heart... for my kids and others! Why should ANY kid have to suffer at all? Sometimes, I just don't understand.

My thoughts and prayers go out to our friend, Carley (4 years old)... who battles neuroblastoma (cancer) daily. I read her Mommy & Daddy's blog/Caringbridge website daily and I say a little prayer for her. I admire Carley's strength and courage... and I find it heart-warming just how tough an innocent little girl can be! I'm proud to say that I know her and her family. It's girls like Carley who keep me moving forward... who remind me that my life is good and that God is good, too! Carley's parents are amazing in my eyes and I love that they are so open and share their personal story... thank you Joel & Christina!

Visit Carley's page:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/carleyhoffman

FiShY LiPs!

Graden and his fishy lips...

EASTER

Izzie, Graden, Emma, and Landen...
Posing for an Easter picture!
It's hard getting them to all sit still
long enough for a picture! Ha!


Mommy and her handsome boys!
(Yes, you too, Phil!)


Graden is trying to make sure
that Landen got the same things
from the Easter bunny!



COLORING EASTER EGGS!

LET THE EASTER EGG

HUNT BEGIN!!!

Missing Savanna...

Dear Savanna (Grace, Grant, and Dylan, too!),
We miss you so much and hope that you are enjoying the warm Florida weather! We can't wait to see you sometime this summer, hopefully!
Lots of love,
Landen and Graden

LIBRARY!

Landen, Graden, and I got to take our first library visit during Spring Break! We went to the downtown library to meet our friends Emily and Joey. Landen was so excited to see the building and was overwhelmed with joy when we went into the "Children's Section". We've already had to go to the Georgetown Library to get a "quick visit" in and get new books to read! What a great idea, Em! Thanks for inviting us to meet you and Joey there. We can't wait to do it again soon. The only compliant I have: I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES!? I can't believe it. :)

Can you spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E?

Two peas in a pod...

They wore each other out and were ready for naps...

Landen and Baby Rian!

Ut-Oh! Party in the bathtub!

Rae wasn't sure of Landen at first, but that didn't last long! They played together a few minutes and remembered how much fun they have when they're together.

Graden is quite the character these days... His personality shines through more and more each day. He loves his big brother and learns everything from him. Graden enjoys showing his muscles and knows that it makes people laugh; so of course he continues to show them off! Note the scratch on his forehead: he decided to 'slide' into the corner of our computer desk. Darn matchbox car jumped into his way and made him fall. :) Mommy was more upset than he was...

Look at all of those toys in the background... yet, they chose to play with the empty box. Oh, wait... Landen informed me it was a truck, not just a box. Silly Mommy!

Landen and Andrew

This is Landen and his bud, Andrew on their 1st (of many) playdates. Landen absolutely loved playing with Andrew and called him his "bud"! Graden was too busy checking Andrew's toys out to play with him, but I'm sure they'll become good pals, too! Thanks Karen for letting us come visit you and Andrew during Spring Break! We can't wait to see you again soon.

America's Best Dance Crew!

Here is Landen with his friend Rae, performing in Rae's kitchen. Mommy especially loves their unique moves! We had a wonderful time during our visit to the David home. Mommy was happy holding Rian and the boys were thrilled to play with Rae. Mommy could've videotaped the entire visit, because these kids together made many laughs and memories. Thank you, Rae for being such a special friend to us! We love you! xoxo, Landen and Graden

Landen wants a motorcycle!?!

Landen has been telling me for the past few days that he wants a motorcycle. I keep telling him that maybe he'll get a "big boy bike" for the summer, but he insists that he is big enough for a motorcycle. He tells me that his "Aunt Derek" (yes, he calls him "aunt", ha ha!) will teach him how to ride it! I told him today that his Aunt Rachael and Uncle Derek will have to keep it at their house, too! I decided to get the camera out as proof that it wasn't my idea... Landen thought of it all on his own, and sure enough - he brought it up when I asked him about the "big boy bike"! My goodness... a motorcycle? This Mommy is NOT ready for a motorcycle! Ha ha! And, do they even make Diego Motorcycles? :) Oh Landen! We love you Aunt Rachael & Aunt Derek! :)