Enough's Enough!!!

I am officially calling "UNCLE" to this year's outrageous allergy season.

I always forget when we get great winter rains that it also means we will get wonderful blooms later on. I have never had such a bad allergy season! Agh! It makes me not want to even go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather we are having! It has been in the mid 80's the last few week, and I should be working on my tan, but no! I can't be out long enough before I have a sneezing attack! Poor Berkley is even on a daily prescription allergy med, and Braden should be but he hates taking medicine...I should have kept tally of the number of boxes of tissues I have gone through. And OH, those "24 hour relief" allergy medicines are big fat liars! I have to take one in the morning and a different one at night and I am still watery eyed! Sure the blooms look pretty, and our grass is nice and green. But fresh pollen and grass clipping are killin' me! I am staying inside until the summer heat comes and kills off everything...

or until my kids drive me nuts and I take them back to the park...

Movies, Movies, Movies...

In a rare occurrence for us, Rusty and I have actually been to the movies tons in the last month. So, rather than give each movie it's own post (cause some DID NOT deserve it) I thought I would make this my very own critics corner... Enjoy!

First we saw Jumpers. It was pretty good, overall we both liked it. Of course it had great special effects but the movie ended so quick I was a little confused...








The very next night, we saw Fool's Gold. It was a cute romantic comedy, but if you were hoping it was another 'How to Lose a Guy' you will be disappointed. Wait to see it on video.









Then there was Be Kind Rewind. I thought from the previews it would be hilarious. But unfortunately, they took the only funny parts from the movie to make the trailer... It was one of those feel good movies that taught you a lesson about some jazz guy you have never heard of, yeah...skip it.


And Finally tonight, we went out with some of our favorite people to see Vantage Point. It was really pretty good. You just have to get past the fact that you see the same 20 or so minutes of the movie over and over again... 8 times in fact. But each time you learn more of the plot and see it from another person's view and yeah, I would say see it. Besides 'Jack' from Lost and Dennis Quaid are in it.

Thanks Ryan & Nae we had a blast. I am still cringing a little from those poor souls dancing at the restaurant... At least the food was yummy!

Still Sore!!!

A while back I saw this DVD set on Amazon, and I thought, "Hmm, if she can make people on Biggest Loser drop bazillions of pounds, maybe I should try it." So I ordered it. And let me tell you a few things...

1. She is just as mean on her DVD as she is on the show. I swear she has a camera in my house when I work out, because when she looks right at the camera and asks, "Are you thinking of quitting?" I swear she is hearing my thoughts!
2. You will be sore, you will burn calories and you will like this workout.
3. Don't substitute your clingy 16 month-28 pound- toddler for your weights, you WILL regret it!
4. I am really glad I am not one of the people in the studio with her on the tape. She is harsh!
   

So I have tried a number of home workout DVD's. Pilate's, Tae Bo, you name it. What I love about this DVD is there are 5 totally different workouts, for different areas and muscle groups. Plus one is a cardio kick boxing, so if I don't feel like doing weights I can do it instead (not that it is any easier...). I am trying to up my workout/ activities per day so I figured with this even if I go to the gym at night and do just cardio I have done my strength training already. Or, if I can't make it to the gym I have at least gotten some time in. The basics that you need are light weights, either 2 or 5 lbs. And yes, you can get VERY sore from only 2 pounds. And a step. I just use my couch, or the floor until I decide I am hard core enough to own my own step. I know we are all dreading swimsuit season, but I heard the weather man tonight say temperatures in the 100's are coming... so I need to get myself toned and quick!

Let me know if any of you try it, or have another video you like.

Did you hear that???

So, I swear the moment I became a Mom I developed Bionic Ears. (I developed Bionic Smell when I got pregnant, but that in an entirely different story...) You know what I mean. I can hear Rusty down stairs, scrolling on his computer 'cause the mouse makes this screeching noise. Or, for example, I can tell you that my neighbor puts his garbage can out every Tuesday night right about 10:20. Cause no matter where I am in my house I always-even after 5 years in this house- think someone is opening our back gate. And once I have done a quick mental check, remembered it is garbage night then I am good. Or I can tell you exactly who at the dinner table is crunching their ice (personal pet peeve). Ooh ooh ooh, or like how every once in a while the thing in my shower that hold the shampoo and stuff, will get too heavy and fall; making this crazy crashing noise. And when everyone else is wondering where it came from, I have already headed up the stairs...

Of course there is the typical Mom noises, like being able to hear your newborn crying even without the monitor (both a blessing and a curse). Or knowing that it is your kid screaming down the hall at church by his voice. Being able to tell you the number of rocks being thrown in your pool by the 'plunk' they make. Thing's like that. But I think the thing I have become the most tuned into is the sound of silence. Silence with two boys is never good.

Case in point...

'Helping' clean the floor with wipes...

Getting into Mom's purse

'Helping' sort the already sorted laundry

Showing his cousin how to get outside...

Sneaky with the Scissors...

I have been talking about chopping my hair off for a few weeks now, and I finally got an appointment with my ever so busy hair stylist this week. It hasn't been really short since I was pregnant with Braden, but I have cut it to my shoulders a few times since then. I was still a little undecided as far as how short I wanted to go, but my criteria was that I wanted an easy cut, something that won't take an hour to round brush ect. And something that would be super easy on our trip this summer. I knew I needed to get the color redone since it had been since Thanksgiving that I had it done last, so I was sitting in the chair and my sister got this devilish look on her face, and I said, "well, we don't have to decide till after we color it right?" And she says, "Uh huh" and I feel the snip of the scissors at the nape of my neck! No turning back now! I was committed. My other sister Robyn, who does hair in Ut, also made the wise comment that why would she waste all the extra effort coloring the hair she was gonna cut off. Good point. So after a quick rough cut, color, and was I was ready. We kept going shorter here, and shorter there. We didn't think it looked right, so we went a little shorter still. (oh, and by We I mean Rhonda) Just teasing sis, I love it. I had just a few hours before I had to pick Rusty up from the airport with my new 'do. He had been in Dallas for a few days and thought I wasn't getting my haircut until after he got back. Rusty, once he finally noticed (I'll give him a break 1. it was dark in the car 2. he was jet lagged...) was shocked, but I think he likes it. Whew! It is already so much easier on me. No worries about hair-ties and headbands to keep it up and there is hardly anything for Berk to pull on! Hooray! Bring on the hot AZ summers, I am ready for it! Thanks RHO you are the best!

Beware of Flying Objects!!!

Oh my lands. I know my son Berkley has an arm that can hurl anything he wants to through the air, but does he HAVE to use it???? Lately defensive driving has taken on a whole new meaning. If it is in the backseat, and he can reach it, at some point in the drive it WILL become airborne. I have never really appreciated how effective the headrest can be in preventing serious head trauma, you know, the kind that results from being hit in the back of the head by a sippie cup. I have often been heard telling family or friends about the chicken nuggets in my hair, or cars rolling around my feet. Most don't believe me, so I casually invite them for a little drive, and generally at its conclusion, they also become exceedingly grateful for the protection of the headrest.

It is one of those catch 22's. Do I take everything away from him and have him holler in the car. Or, do I give him things to play with and hope they stay behind me and enjoy a quiet car ride. I can not tell you the number of times I have pulled into my driveway to reach up onto the dash board and clear away a number of debris. Chapstick, sunglasses, cell phones (real & fake), fishy crackers, shoes, water bottles, pizza (partially eaten, of course), Little People, Cars... honestly and that was just the things I could think of lately! The latest victim of his lobbing arm was Rusty's sis Kelcie who surprised us all (and scared me half to death) when she hoped on a plane and came home for Rusty's BDay and cause she missed her cutest nephews. Bet ya didn't think he would throw something at you, did ya, K? Doesn't matter how much he loves you, he will still try and hit you with something...

So I am really thinking, $26.99 is a steal for some much needed protection... Am I wrong???

Happy Birthday Rusty!

In honor of your 29th Birthday (on the 16th) I will list 29 reasons why I love you...even though there are so many more... These photos were taken from our trip to Miami last Spring and it was one of the funnest times we have had, as just the two of us, in a long time. I can't wait to take you on a big trip next year for your big 3-0! I am thinking Hawaii or the Bahamas...

1. Your eyes are the most amazing color of green
   
2. You never get mad when I don't follow the budget
3. You get up early so I have my Valentines Roses when I wake up
4. You are in better shape now than when we met
5. You laugh at me, even when it is just a courtesy laugh
6. You are the strong one when we go through trials
   
7. Our boys look just like you
8. You are tall and so its always easy to find you in a crowd
   
9. You work hard so we can play hard
10. You have more determination than anyone I have ever met
11. You take care of yourself
12. You encourage me to reach my goals without being degrading at all
13. You lead our family righteously
14. You NEVER take your wedding ring off
15. You buy me things that come in little blue boxes
16. You always surprise me, even with gifts for no reason
17. You have known me since I was 16 and you still love & like me!
    
18. You have a grown-up job, even though we are still young
19. You make me want to push myself beyond me fears (like roller coasters!)
    
20. You encourage my talents
21. You are an equal partner in raising the boys
    
22. You clean the kitchen every night without being asked
23. You put away the laundry since you know how I hate to
24. You have really good teeth (actually I hate you a little for that)
25. You love my friends and care about their happiness as much as I do
26. You know I am a little OCD and you don't mind
27. You can fix anything electronic for anyone who asks, as many times as they ask
    
28. You are unbelievably understanding
29. You will always be 6 months older than me no matter how old we get!

We love you! I hope we can make your Birthday as special as you make each one of ours!!!

Snow does fall in AZ...

(The early years...)

So this is out of order date wise, but last weekend we headed up to the family cabin in Pine to relax. And by 'relax' I mean, Rusty, his Uncle Todd, his Bopy and his Dad went skiing all day Saturday. And I stayed at the not-so child-proofed cabin with the boys. It actually was a lot of fun. We drove a few miles past Strawberry and stopped right off the side of the road to play in some snow. Braden lasted about 2 minutes before he realized he hates cold hands and I was RIGHT about needing gloves (back at the cabin) and Berkley wasn't even in his snow suit yet- go figure. But after turning the heat on in the car (where the always wise Alison stayed) we did have a good time. Cousin Maryn came too and we had to drag her away from the snow! Braden's nose/ eyes were at their most swollen point but today they are just badly bruised. The men all had fun skiing and the best surprise came on Sunday (Super bowl day) when we woke up to falling snow! After breakfast Braden got all geared up and headed out to sled... A couple winters back when he was 3, we discovered he has this ability to remain upright on a snowboard, and so we bought his a beginner one. He was mad as anything that we left it at home, we didn't even think that our 1/4 mile long driveway would make the perfect snowboard run! So, Braden used his sled and took off. We literally had to drag him to the car to get him to leave. Poor Berk just stayed inside. He really hates the snow on his hands and even figured out the motion to wipe it off! The funniest thing about the whole trip was on the way up, Braden asked me something and the conversation was something like, "Well at the cabin..." (and later in the sentence) "so when we get to Pine..." and Braden says, "Oh! I get what you are talking about! Pine is French for cabin!" What a little nerd. Love being able to drive 90 minutes, see snow and be home in time to have to open the sliding door so the house doesn't get too hot... Watch the end of the slide show and you can see Braden in action... BTW- he can't start ski school till he is 7 here... dumb.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

CHD Awareness Week Feb 7-14...

Where has the time gone Braden? Who would have guessed it? 5 years little man --and now we are registering you for kindergarten in the fall! I see the calendar and realize it's been 5 years, since your 4 icu stays (nicu, picu, sicu, cvicu), 20+ hours on heart-lung bypass machine, 8 total days on a ventilator, 2 months in heart failure, 1 cardiac cath, dozens and dozens of EKG's & Echo's,1 NG tube, 2 open heart surgeries, 3 holes, 1 leaky valve, and a whole lotta things in the wrong place. Who knew 5 years later the only problems affecting your health would be from playing so rough in ways we never thought you would??? You are so strong and resilient. Sometimes I think I forget just how lucky we are that you are so healthy. Most of the time, I don't feel that I am grateful enough for having you here everyday. And most days (especially when you are stubborn)I forget that you are my miracle boy.

February is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month and the anniversary of Braden's first open heart surgery. So, I thought I would let you in on a few interesting facts...

• There are about 1 million people alive in the United States alone who were born with a heart defect

• Heart defects are the #1 birth defect

• Each day 10,830 babies are born in the U.S.; 411 of them have a birth defect -- of those, 87 will be born with a congenital heart defect -- that's more than cerebral palsy (27), sickle cell disease (27), Down Syndrome (12), and oral/facial clefts (11) combined (total of 77)

• It affects about 1% of newborns -- over 40,000 babies are born with heart defects yearly

Braden had all of the following defects...

• TGA (Transposition of the Great Vessels) occurs in 5 to 7 percent of all congenital heart defects. Sixty to 70 percent of the infants born with the defect are boys.

• DORV (Double Outlet Right Ventricle)-Normally, a ventricle has just ONE outlet. For the left ventricle, this is the aorta. For the right ventricle it is the pulmonary artery. In DORV, both of these "outlet" blood vessels - aorta and pulmonary artery -arise from the RIGHT VENTRICLE, either totally or to a great extent

• Patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA, is the sixth most common congenital heart defect, occurring in 5 to10 percent of all children with congenital heart disease. Patent ductus arteriosus occurs twice as often in girls as in boys.

• A ventricular septal defect, or VSD, is the most common kind of congenital heart defect

• MVP (Mitral valve Prolapse) affects 5% to 7% of the population, the cause is unknown. Mitral valve prolapse occurs more often in women than men; it often occurs in people who have no other heart problems, and the condition may be inherited.

His defect was literally one in a million. A handful, at most, of all the people walking around today with a CHD have had Braden's exact defect. We were so lucky to find a terrific Cardiologist, and Cardiovascular Surgeon. And more so, we are truly blessed to have a family, and community of all faiths who pulled together, and prayed us through it. People often ask us how we got through it. I kiddingly say "lots of drugs" but mostly I know it was the power of prayer and my faith in my Savior. During the first year of his life we were in survival mode and I never had the time to process everything until much later. Even today looking back at at his scrapbooks, it seems like the events inside them happened to someone else. The photos make it all very real again. Even Braden, who loves to look at pictures of himself, generally skips over that scrapbook...

5 Years ago today we gave Braden to a scrub nurse and prayed he would be alright... 5 years ago today, 10 hours passed and it felt more little 10 years...5 years ago today I couldn't even imagine signing him up for another soccer season, or that my biggest health worry for him would be from riding a quad or snowboarding. I got to hold Braden for the first time after his surgery on Valentine's Day. I remember thinking how ironic it was that we had a ''heart baby's" heart fixed in the month synonymous with love.

Once a year, I pull down this little pale blue box, covered in yellow stars and I sift through the items inside and remember how loved we were and how blessed we are. It holds basically all the things I couldn't smash into a book...

• a pediatric stethoscope,
  
• a few NG tubes and Kangaroo bags (from when he was fed by tube)
  
• his camo "No-No's" (Cast-like things for his arms so he couldn't pull at the tubes)
  
• the pink elephant scrubs he wore into surgery (shhh, they don't know I swiped those)
• a tiny oxygen mask from the PICU stay
• the smallest blood pressure cuff you have ever seen
• the O2 cords he had on for surgery
• some EKG leads
• and a few other odds and ends I collected along the way
  

We love you Braden and we are so happy you got the chance to be the great little, tough, stubborn boy you are. Thank you a million times over to any nurse, PT tech, surgeon, doctor, cleaning person, radiology tech ect ect that had a hand in helping make Braden well. The best part about this whole experience has been talking to other parents of CHD kids and being there for them during a scary time. Most of you regular bloggers read his story back in August when I reminisced about the 4 yr mark from his final surgery. So, I won't add more pictures, you can see them and read about his heart journey here... We are linked to several CHD parent support sites and I welcome the chance to share our story of hope, success and to help spread awareness.

Oh, and bloggers, PLEASE--- don't tell Braden about 'my' box. He loves to play doctor and I am afraid he will confiscate everything in it for his own doctor bag!!! Tee-hee-hee...

Two for Two...

So, I guess I spoke too soon... Lucky for me I have a Doctor and Nurse in the family and on speed dial. I guess Braden had so much fun at the dunes doing a 'Superman' through the air, he thought he would try to do it again at home...
Not so much. He did have his bike helmet on, thankfully...He was actually playing ball with his brother, being SUPER sweet (for once), when he --honestly, I saw it and can't explain it, but his face met the concrete and WhAm... Poor boy! He has two very fat lips, and a very swollen-bruised nose. Thank goodness my pediatrician doesn't read my blog!

No worries, I am putting both my boys in walking lessons later this month...

Berk's nose a few weeks back, from a face + floor= pain episode...