Update on Ethan

Thanks to all of you who have prayed for Ethan. He is doing much better and responding well to the medications. He should be coming home as soon as tomorrow! PTL!

One Handsome Skeleton

Have you ever seen a skeleton with so much meat on his bones? This outfit cracked Julianna and I up all day. I didn't even know that the bones glowed in the dark until I took him into his room for a diaper change and the lights were out. We went into the bathroom and turned out all of the lights and Mason danced all around for Julianna and I. We sang "dem bones, dem bones gonna walk around." We were all laughing so hard. He's one cute skeleton!!!

What time do you go to the dentist?

2:30 - Tooth-hurty, get it. Remember that joke from elementary school??

Well this pain was no laughing matter. I have NEVER experienced anything like it before. I had a few fillings done 2 weeks ago and was having a little sensitivity chewing afterwards. A week later I went back in to have them adjusted and that seemed to help. However, over the next few days I had increasing pain in my lower right jaw that seemed to be coming from my back tooth that had been filled. The pain got so bad that I was popping 80o mg of Motrin every 8 hours and it was still not even touching the pain. I wasn't sleeping at night and found myself just crying and holding my jaw at any random point in the day. Ike finally decided that I needed to be seen ASAP so he got me in with a dentist the next day. Friday I saw the dentist and he said that my teeth actually looked fine but that my gum was infected around the back tooth. He gave me a prescription for 800mg Motrin and Lortab for more severe pain. The Motrin did nothing alone so I found myself taking the Lortab as soon as I could and just sleeping as much as possible to get rid of the pain. I mean, this was serious pain. I never would have believed someone who told me they had a tooth ache that was this bad. I have learned my lesson. As of today, Sunday, I am feeling much better and even showered and left the house. I sure do hope this is over and never want to deal with it again. I am glad that we have an "almost" dentist in our family. Sara is in charge of my dental emergencies as soon as she graduates. haha Lucky her. I have called her daily complaining and she has been very nice not to tell me to get a grip!
Here are a few pics of some of the distractions around the house.

Mason likes to bounce.

They like to snuggle.

Julianna likes to dress like Mommy. We went for a walk on the beach tonight with our flashlights.

After our walk we went out to a nearby restaurant. We ran into a few people from Decatur which was fun. I am glad to be almost back to normal. Well... as normal as I get.

Prayers for Ethan

This is my friend Tawney and her 1 month old little boy, Ethan. He was born with hirschsprung's disease and had surgery at about 1 week old. I found out today that he has been airlifted to University of Maryland hospital with a severe infection of the colon. Please pray for this family. I know how helpless I feel when something is wrong with my children. I can't imagine how they must feel right now. Please pray for Ethan to be healthy quickly and for calm nerves and peace for his family.

We've moved... again!

And we couldn't be happier! These little toes got their first taste of the sand today!!!


Ike has about 5 weeks of training in Pensacola, FL so we moved to the beach. We are actually in Orange Beach, AL thanks to the McMasters Family. We are so thankful that The McMasters are letting us stay in their condo at the beach for the time we are here. It is BEAUTIFUL... the pic above is the view from our balcony. We are so lucky and appreciative. Thank you so much Pops and Mimi.


Julianna is enjoying the balcony. She rode her tricycle up and down the side all morning.


We've been up to our usual activities too. She was drawing today and said "Look Mommy, I made opposites." Is she a genius or what? :) Happy and Sad, Big and Small. I love this girl.


Then we headed down to the beach. It was wonderful. Ike really didn't need that long sleeved shirt on.


While we were there I realized this was Mason's first trip to the beach. I really wish he had a cute little beach outfit on because we took lots of pics. But as you will see he soon lost the clothes all together.


Our new "home." Home is where the heart is, right?!

Here's Sassy Sue showing off her modeling skills again. She's got the pose, now we need to work on the face.

So much fun to be outside. I almost forgot it's mid-October.

Who needs clothes. Little man needs to work on his tan.

That's right ladies. He's still single.

What can I say about this one. I love him more and more each day.

We tried to get her to hold him. Instead it looks like she is putting a choke hold on him. Regardless of the pose.... look how big he looks next to her!

After the beach we hit the pool. Daddy and Julianna went swimming. Mason and I sat and watched.

Oops. I watched. Looks like this was just too exciting for the little guy. He fell asleep on my arm! We are looking forward to many more fun days like this in the weeks to come. We're enjoying every moment. Before we know it we will be in Hawaii!!!!!

Speaking of enjoying every moment... Check out Jennie Marie's blog to see pics of our new niece, Mary-Reed. She was born on Saturday. She is precious and we can't wait to meet her in a few weeks!

What a BIG surprise!

This is the face of a little girl who had NO IDEA we were driving her to Disney World again. We told her we were getting up early to go to Waffle House for breakfast and we just kept driving. She wasn't suspicious that we dressed her in her Mickey Mouse shirt and insisted that she bring her Minnie with her. She didn't have a clue until we pulled up under the sign with all of the characters on it that said Walt Disney World. She said, "We were supposed to go to Waffle House, Daddy skipped it.... you guys DID THAT!!" It was so cute. She totally got that we were surprising her. Little did she know....


... that her friend Savannah from Memphis was going to be there for an even bigger surprise! She just looked at her and said really quietly "That's Savannah." Then ran for a hug.


She couldn't wait to show off her new baby brother.


Off they went. I guess they had a lot to catch up on.


We went to the Finding Nemo Musical. It was a really cute show!


Aren't friends the best!!


Ice cream is pretty good too!


These 3 (actually 4 but Cohen isn't in the picture) used to hang out every Wednesday morning while we had Bible Study. Patrick is Savannah's cousin.


I was excited to see Ashley. We saw each other at least 3 times a week while I lived in Memphis. I have missed her!


Mason enjoyed his first time at Disney World. He really liked watching the SpectroMagic Light Parade.


Ashley couldn't wait to get her hands on Mason.


It is so beautiful at night.


Flying Mason.


Mason reminds me so much of Ike. They really look alike. I love it.


After the parade and fireworks it was pretty late. We were all tired. Sweet little Mason slept in a drawer. haha I still laugh thinking about it. We didn't feel like taking the pack-n-play so we improvised. This place is EXHAUSTING!

Day 2 - Magic Kingdom

This is the view from our hotel. It is so exciting for Julianna to wake up and run to the window to see the castle. What a great way to start the day!


It was actually chilly in the morning. We had to spring for some Disney gear to keep us warm. Julianna got those pants with Minnie Mouse on them and I got the jacket. It was a BEAUTIFUL day and just the perfect weather to spend the day at the park.


I never realized how much we look alike from the back! haha



Lilo and Stitch. She told them we were moving to Hawaii.


Getting ready for the 3-D show.


Daddy and Mason wore their 3-D glasses too! :)


Pretty girl.


She got to meet Ariel and even brushed her hair with a "dinglehopper" (fork).


Ariel gave her a big kiss!!!


Dumbo


Mason's first trip to Disney World.


Buzz from Toy Story. She LOVED that ride. We had so much fun.


The only "family portrait" we have. Ike set the timer and we didn't quite get into position in time. haha Then the battery died so we didn't get the chance to try again.

It was so special to make this trip again with Mason. He rode a lot of the rides strapped into the Baby Bjorn. The kids were both so well behaved and I'm glad we got to have one last hurrah at Disney World before we move to Hawaii.