Dinner with Friends

We were invited to our sweet friends Al and Julia for dinner. Gabe found a chef's hat and knew exactly how to put it on! =)

 We took the kids down the hill to see the cows. They even let them all pet them. Of course, it was dinner time so they didn't exactly WANT to run away. Ha!
Kien from this point forward regularly stated he wanted to be a farmer. A cowboy farmer to be exact! Gabe didn't know what to think about the cows and when everyone was petting the cows!

 This is Kien probably asking if he can go in with the cows. Oh how fun would it be to be in the mind of this precious little boy.

 Jeremy was very humble and kind after dinner to play with the girls. They were having a tea party! Of course when I mentioned taking a photo, he begged me not to. I just HAD to! LOL

Mohawk, Bed, Playing and Sleeping..A Full Days Work!

Everyone has to have a Mohawk photo!! I really should research all my photo's to find Kien's. Oh, and maybe even scan a photo of Brandy and Jeremy's! lol

 I don't know if anyone really notices, but Kien is not one to sit still. He is in a constant move, which makes it real difficult to catch greater shots more often. We have literally had to delete so many that look very similar to this where his face is blurred. At any rate, he was jumping on his bed! I do miss this arrangement of their room, but it is more practical the way we have it now. :)

 Jeremy likes his computer. As a matter of fact, in his computer literacy class, he has recently learned a new program called Gimp. Basically it's a photo shop program.

 Brandy was caught sleeping at the table! Well, I should think so considering she is in Marching Band AND Varsity Swimming! Those two are very physical! She's still my baby girl anyway! =)

 I am sure this is me contemplating at the end of the day to either finish my bathroom cleaning project or save it for the next day. Either way, wow, I really look deep in thought! Could this be a good thing?! LOL

Dinner at Subway With Daddy

One of the nice things about living in the southern states is the weather during the month of November. I had to pick up Brandy at the school to head to church with the kids and Greg took Gabe across the street from the high school to Subway. The plan was for them to walk back home.. well, Greg would walk and Gabe would ride the cozy coupe.

Gabe loves to munch on ham.

 Maybe he can munch on ham with style wearing daddy's hat! So cute!

 Greg stated that the night was a bit chilly, so we planned ahead knowing that when the sun goes down, the temperature changes. We made sure Gabe had his coat, blanket and hat. Well, it wasn't even but 5 minutes into the ride that Gabe fell asleep to the sound of the wheels on the sidewalk.

Saginaw Makes State Again!

Saginaw Marching Band did it again!! Last year Saginaw High School was considered a 4A school, and was in their reach to make the State competition. This school year they were moved from a 4A school to a 5A school based on their population. Which then put them in the reach of ANOTHER chance to make State. WHICH-- they did!! YAY!!

So, off to San Antonio we go we go! Brandy rode down with her band on two very nice buses. We left the day before the competition and stayed an hour north of the Alamo Dome so we could get up early enough to drive in and not have to be rushed and miss the competition.

Mommy thought she had everything packed, and unfortunately I forgot to pack extra onesies *sign of losing my mind part one* --lol-- so we had to locate the closest Carter's ASAP! Gabe didn't get enough sleep I guess and so daddy carried him in the store like this. =)

 We arrived at the Alamo Dome and stopped to grab drinks and a snack before Brandy's band had marched. Jeremy was being silly with a straw, but oh so cute!

 Once the performance was over, we found Brandy and took some photos together. The plan was we were going to have her ride back with us, so we could go see the Alamo again, and other site seeing, but we know how important it was for her to hang out with her band team after such a great competition. They placed 19th in the whole state of Texas! Go SAGINAW!

 To avoid the crazy lines and groups of people trying to find a seat smack dab in the middle of where our team would be competing, we decided we would go sit off to the left and still be able have a great view. Kien and Gabe were in the stroller (my lifesaver) while Greg went to the top of the arena to take video of their whole performance.

 My babies!!! Love them...

 Brandy and her friend Ryan. He's not normally a blond, he lost a bet and had to dye it bleach blond. Good thing Brandy didn't lose! LOL

 I had to take a photo of this booth and send it to my brother who worked for Mr. Video. He had an opportunity to edit videos for last years competition, but because he is no longer employed with them, he won't have access to this years.

Pumpkins and Costumes

My two favorite seasons are Spring and Fall. I have gotten better with the festivities of Fall by decorating more around the house. Every year we try to attend a local pumpkin patch and decorate pumpkins! Due to my hip pain, we skipped out on the pumpkin patch this year, but of course we decorated/ carved pumpkins!

I let Kien and Gabe both paint on theirs as the older kiddos, hubby and I carve ours. Both of the boys loved the activity!

 I also love to watch the creativity pour out with Brandy and Jeremy. Of course, Brandy is "marching band" conscious, so she tends to add a bit of band flair to her pumpkin every year. Not limited to a musical note, the band logo and much more. Jeremy just loves ripping into the seeds and making many different faces on his. However, this year, he and Brandy wanted to just paint theirs. It was my fault and I take full blame for putting the activity off until the day before the 31st. However, many know my feelings and beliefs about that "holiday" so I make the pumpkin season with meaning for Fall. :)

 Notice the full body bib! Just wanted to make clean up easy! :)

 Church has what we call Trunk or Treat and sets up area's where we can take family photos. The kiddos were to dress in family friendly costumes and wear them to church. My request for each of the children to do so is to find something that will honor God and they can participate. Jeremy last year was the guard whom Paul and Silas ministered to while they were in Jail. Brandy was Queen Esther. Now that they are older, they don't think that if their friends don't dress up, neither will they LOL. As for Kien and Gabe, they also had a Harvest Party at the Mother's Day Out program and went as the Lion and the Lamb. Same costumes for church as well!

 Can you say... ADORABLE?!?!?!

Boys and Their Wheels -Of All Sorts

Don't think that this household is free of anything with wheels! Greg lives here... therefore, there shall be wheels all up in this place! =)

I think children, especially boys, have a thing for wheels. By the time Gabe could pull himself up, he was ready for the ride. I also believe that boys are destructive, dirty and were born to take things apart! (LOL) If you will take note, Gabe is watching TV in this first photo. (which is helpful when I need a break away to get some things accomplished***and yes, it was an educational show, nothing that would turn their brains to mush (lol)*** Kien was the one who actually began taking his BMW car and turning it on its side to "WORK" on the wheels. It is not uncommon to see this vehicle more on it's side, rather than on all four wheels.

So, of course, the first child friendly set of wheels is the Cozy Coupe! It was a hit! Both Kien and Gabe love it! Every child should have one!

 Gabe even enjoyed pushing it, which from what I have learned, was something Greg loved to do when he was little was "pushing" cars, swings etc...
Take note in the background that Jeremy was on his scooter, Kien was trying to show Draco, our neighbor, that he wants to try to ride his brothers skateboard. Of course, that didn't last long because you have to go through the chain of command when it comes to "WHEELS" in this house. Until he can ride a bike -without training wheels- and can maneuver the scooter without falling over, then can he attempt the skateboard! Mommy's rules. =) Oh, and make no mistake, he WILL be wearing his safety gear!

 Yes, there is a motorcycle. And yes, there are two engine powered mini bikes in the man's cave for when they are older as well. I know, I know.. please don't make conversation or ask questions, I am not prepared to think about it at this time. Just praying for their bones to stay in tact ahead of time! ;)

 We will stick with the basics! I like this stage! (yes, those are zip ties on the tricycle pedals so Kien can keep his feet on them while he learns to ride.. Daddy's idea!)



Multi Ear Infections Lead to Tubes

How blessed I considered us to be that Gabriel didn't have his first ear infection until July 2010. Brandy and Jeremy both had ear infections quite frequently before they turned 1. Jeremy had one that was so bad we had to take him to the ER for antibiotics to be administered through a shot because he couldn't sit up straight and had high fevers. Back in the 90's it wasn't a common practice for ear tubes to be inserted. Now a days, if a child has more than 3 ear infections at a young age they do consider the tubes as an alternative to help with drainage. 

Gabe was 11 months old before his very first ear infection!! We took him and Kien to the neighborhood pool for the first time early in the morning (so we could escape the sizzling heat by 11 AM). I used the bathtub rubber ducky as a "boat" for Gabe to get used to the water. Within 10 minutes of entering the water, Gabe had fallen asleep! So, since the air filled duck was cushy, and the swooshing (probably reminded him of being in the womb) eased him to a nice siesta! Little did I pay attention to the water inside the duck when I would splash a little water on his feet to keep him cool. Some water did get in his ears. No more that 24 hours later, he had a fever. 

Over the next 3 months it was a constant ear infection diagnosis with antihistamine and 3 different types of antibiotics with no relief. I finally after his last round of high fever that eventually hit 104. degrees, took him to the ER where they gave him a shot of antibiotic to really knock out the infection. When I talked with the doctor for the follow up the next business day, they gave me a number and scheduled an appointment with a specialist to have tubes put in his ears. The surgery was scheduled October 19th, and we had to be there by 5 AM!! 

Kien had a spend over at our sweet friends house with her children so that we could have a smooth transition getting to the hospital with out having TWO children up at such a terrible time of the day! It's even too early for the birds!! LOL 

When we got to the hospital, the scheduled surgery was for 7 AM but had to go through all the prep list. Finally, we got to the room where we dressed him the the cutest little gown for children. They gave him a nasal mist to to make him "not have a care in the world" to help with the separation from daddy and mommy back to the operating room. 

Gabe was a hoot being all loopy. It was so hard to hold back the tears watching him in this state. He was extremely "lovey dovey" with us. :) :)  

 And very drunk! Poor baby, he couldn't hardly hold his head up.

 When we first put him down, he didn't like the bed. But it wasn't too long after the medicine kicked in that he was ok with it.

 He had to give mommy love first. It was a different world in there!

 The wonderful nurses just love him, commented how adorable he was with the curls and big blue eyes. They gave him a teddy bear that had a gown and face mask on. He loved it!

 Then, to help him with getting ready to be wheeled back to the room, they gave him a toy! A driving toy! The batteries were dead though, so no noises.

 The surgery literally took 3 minutes to insert the tubes. We walked out of the little pre-op room, sat down in the waiting room and  posted on facebook that Gabe was in surgery and prayers were appreciated. Then, the doors opened, the doctor came out and said all went well and we could go back to hold our lil guy. The doctor did inform us that Gabe would have what he called a "6 pack hangover" and will be very fussy. Sure enough, when we went back to get him he was crying as if he had a bad headache. Nothing consoled him until I asked the nurse if I could possible give him a bottle since he hadn't had anything to eat but had been up since 4:30 AM. Anyone who knows Gabe is aware that this child doesn't miss a meal!! (HA!)
So I gave him his bottle with 6 OZ of formula and he sucked it dry. Then wanted more. Finally after 30 minutes of the nurses watching him after the anesthetic wore off, they gave us our instructions and we left.

I was on my way to the pharmacy to fill Gabe's prescription with plans to then pick up Kien from our friends house. Instead, she was right there at Starbucks a few buildings down from the pharmacy! So we met there and this is how the both of the boys were within 10 minutes!

Apparently, Kien and his friend Kai were awoken at 5 AM from the alarm in our friends house that had gone off when she opened her window to let some early morning air in and the boys never went back to sleep!

All in all, the surgery went great and will have to go for a post op check of Gabe's ears in 4 months.

****Update-- His appointment is scheduled for March 2011 with the specialist, and has seen our family doctor a couple of times since then and the tubes look great! They have not fallen out and their placement was perfect!

Grant's Visit To Texas

While Brandy had her competition, Grandpa was also landing in good ole' Texas. He wasn't going to be able to make it in time in order to attend her event, but trust me, he heard plenty of it at dinner.
Grandpa was a HIT with Gabe! He even had him smiling!

 Greg, as you know, has a new hobby in the mean time of building his REAL hobby truck which is Miata racing. So, guess what Dad and Son did together?!

 Grampy and Brandy!

 Dinner was always fantastic since it was at Salt Grass Steakhouse! YUM!

 Kien was not happy that Grampy had to leave to go home the next morning. It is hard being so far away from our family. Which makes for great visits when they come see us! =)