Man we're busy !

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and daddy said something about getting a 'new' year sometime soon. I can't keep up !

I found a new play mate...

fall fun outside

Sid's doing very well now that the casts are off. Spent yesterday playing in the yard. Marie brought Jack over, what a blast ! Hopefully those fingers will heal fast and we can get on with the rough housin ! :)

From fall fun

You -really- have to keep an eye on Jack. One second he's playing on the bike, next he's climbing the house !

From fall fun

From fall fun

From fall fun

From fall fun

Orange

It's that time of year again :)

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

From Pumpkin Patch 2008

You know that feeling-

like you've been gone on vacation, and now you're home ? Well, we skipped the vacation part, and are home. Great to be here.

Pictures !

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

We tried a different approach to pain management, and it's working very well. Christie asked for and was given a prescription for something a little different. Apparently it's working. :)

We've been home a little over an hour, our fridge is full, the house was warm, the dog fed and happy. Thanks you guys, it's so nice to be home !

(See Sophies' blog for a treat) ;)

Ten and Ten !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sidney, losing the battle with Goofy Juice:

Send em all

all your prayers, wishes, and hopes for healing without pain.

Sid will begin his second syndactily release tomorrow morning. We're enjoying him today, tomorrow will not be fun for any of us.

Thanks First Baptist, you pray every week for us, thanks friends, family, strangers that send your best.

- Sid's family. :)

Fun places

We sure did have fun in Mississippi. Good food, good animals to watch, good animals to touch (they didn't move much though) and lots and lots of play time.

Rainy days and BBQ

Today Jack came over to play. We had fresh peaches, apples, and awesome bbq. There is a rumor I have a little sister, but daddy doesn't take many pictures, something about changing diapers, chasing kids, and falling asleep getting in the way.

Had a blast today, need more Saturdays like this !

Firsts again

Sophie sent ya here, I know. I slept through my first Sunday service, really good sleepin at that place. I like it !

Then we went to Oak Mountain State Park. Daddy used to race bikes there, it's pretty cool... all except life preservers. I don't care for them at all !





Anyone recognize these people ? Ya, figured you would. Thanks for stopping by Jack & Jack's mum, we had a blast ! We'll stock extra SANKA for mum next time ! ;)

eight, thirty one, two thousand eight - TWO!

Apparently waking up to a flaming piece of cake doesn't bother toddlers to much. Eventually they come around to the idea, cram some in their pie hole, and smile a little.

Tradition started :)

Happy BIrthday Sid, love ya son.

Pay attention dads...

Take a good look at this picture, then we'll get started (you can click it for a bigger version):


Nana does so much for us. She watches Sid, helps, cleans, helps, advises sometimes (always correctly), and has been helping with all the family/friends coming to town. Today she got to finally stay with her new granddaughter for a while at the hospital, and I watched Sid for a change.

Still remember the picture ? Cool.

So Nana's at the hospital, I get Sid to myself most of the day...
We went home and played in the yard a while. Ate some left over pizza. Napped in the 'big' bed together. Then went for milkshakes and on to the hospital. It was around 4pm and the time of day for being outside. We took one of Sid's new yellow balls outside to kick around. Nice and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. Maybe 85 degrees. The grass is just dry enough to crunch under our feet.
He was getting a little hot so he wanted to sit down a while. Wind was blowing, crepe myrtles were shedding their blooms. Perfect sky. Then he said "lay back Daddy" and climbed onto my chest to watch them fall. Couple of planes flew overhead. He loves planes.

Now, do you remember the picture ? OK, go look again. He opened that window by himself. He reached for the round rocks on the roof. Those crepe myrtles were the ones we just played under. Those hills are the ones we drive over to get home and back.

Remember the picture ?

How old is my Sid ?

Where'd the time go ?

OK, I'm paying attention now, Sid.

I'm a big brother !

Meet my little sister, she's awesome ! http://sophiasawesomeadventure.blogspot.com/

Fun

Sid's really enjoying his new yard. Seems like he's learned the floor plan of the house finally too. (The bruises on his face from all the falls are almost gone now) Nothing like watching your kid play in the sprinkler for the first time. He loves the space, loves the yards, loves the trees. Got a little sniffle this morning, maybe Jack's helping out Sid's immune system now too ! ;)

Just a couple of pictures but he's making more by the minute :)

:-)

Kissed the old place g'bye...



Tromped around in the new yard...


Love the park close by ! Trees ! Turns ! Hills ! Woo Hoo !

Some of the Best

... people are the ones you never expected to meet. Sid's Easter Seals teacher is one of those people. We never expected a need during Christie's pregnancy, and were surprised just how much fun the education was. Lots of pointers, lots of help, lots of observations.

This one fantastic lady will remain nameless to the internet, but hold several happy memories for us, and Sidney.

Thank you so much Teacher, your efforts, patience, kindness, and genuine care. You have rewarded us so much, and inspired us to do more with Sid. We'll hope he can benefit from many more Teachers that try as you do to make children's lives richer, fuller, and easier.

- Us :)

Moving

Yep, we're moving to the Steel City. Sid doesn't know it yet, but he's going to have a big back yard, big living room, and his own bathroom soon. Our friends and family there have been so helpful. Sid's Aunt Dawn did all the leg work, evaluated locations, background, etc. She's awesome. Sid's Aunt Carol and uncle Dave have been so understanding. Letting me beat the old Toyota into shape in their driveway, store tons (no, really!) in their attic, and watching Sid all the while.

What would we do without help ? Got me.

Jack & family, we'll be there to bug you before ya know it. Happy belated (what a month now ? sorry buddy!) birthday, miss you buddy, see ya real soon !

Learning fast, so fast !

We're beginning to realize we're going to need some help soon. Sid's counting to 5, and knows the difference between 1,2, and three now. He can count to 10, but it's not really solid yet. Using two hands to count to 10 means he may start over with 1,2,3 etc so we know we need to work on that.

Also we're more into order than the actual differences in numbers. Mrs. Kathy (fantastic lady, going to miss her terribly when we move) has pointed out that things need to be FUN, not just learning. We're catching on.

The realization that we know absolutely nothing about teaching, let alone teaching a toddler has come. Gotta look into some tutors or more books I guess.

Sentences !

Sid's first couple of sentences were this week. Today's was: "I want more bubbles!"

This stuff is great.

He's also learning how to call someone's name loudly to get their attention. FUN !

Trigger

Whoa boy, whoa. Good boy, now, let's agree not to hurt each other...

Somebody had a baby..

Sidney has a new cousin as of 5-28-2008. Cooper was born weighing 8 lbs 4 ozs. We're so excited for my sister and her family. She's doing well, as is her husband. It won't be long till the kids can play together, but we're 1200 miles apart right now. :(

Hiya Cooper !

Casts Away, not a party

This is just one family's experience, EACH CHILD IS DIFFERENT:

We had these happy thoughts about the casts coming off, Sid being amazed, and everything being peachy. Then we talked to our friends about it, and learned it's painful, traumatic, stressful, and just not fun for anyone. Our friends were right, and we're glad the first 'Casts Away' moments are over.

Parents, each kid is different, but please know the images will not be pretty, clean, or nice. We'll only show the dressings here, friends and family will get pictures in their email boxes and on our picasa page, CLICK HERE. If we missed you, it happens. We love you all, appreciate all the prayers for us, and SIdney, and thank you very much for thinking about us the last few weeks. It means so much to us.

This is as graphic as the blog is going to be: