Happy to Be Home

We left this morning for Wake Med at 5 am for Jack's surgery.  Jack had been up since 3 am, desperately wanting something to drink so there was no chance of getting him back to bed.  He was very anxious and nervous in the pre-op and cried throughout the process.  He was beyond exhausted and very unsure as to what was going on.  Nana was able to distract him with toys and he acted like himself at times...happy and sweet.  He didn't like his identification tag and cried every time he looked down and saw it was attached to his leg.  The nurses brought us a dose of Tylenol and a sedative to relax him and make him forgetful. 

This brought the only highlight of my morning.  Jack on "happy medicine" is quite entertaining.  We knew immediately when the meds kicked in.  He began grinning, laughing, making funny faces...Mama and I were in tears laughing at him. The despised ankle tag became a source of entertainment for him and us.  He waved his leg around, trying to catch the tag, laughing hysterically.  He even tried his hardest to put on another tag that the nurse left on his bed.  He made faces, bounced around and was enjoying his "happy medicine" a little too much if you ask me.  

The meds didn't help him when he realized that the nurses were there to wheel him away.  A look of panic and fear flooded his sweet little face and my heart broke into a million pieces.  I gave him a kiss and told him it would be okay and they took him away.  He was crying so hard and I couldn't control my own tears.  Neither could his Nana.  He kept trying to turn around to see me and watching him disappear down the hall, crying and scared was heart wrenching.

The procedure was over quickly and the doctor said he removed a "robust" amount of fluid and "stuff" from both ears. His right ear was still very infected so it will probably drain substantially over the next few days.  We were told that he would be crying and out of sorts when we saw him but that most children calm very easily after seeing a parent.  Some children have a harder time and can act out and be tougher to console.

Well, Jack was the small percentage that has a hard time after surgery.  He was out of control.  Screaming, lunging, throwing his cup, the blankets and the popsicle he was supposed to eat.  He would stop, look at me, feel my hair and know it was me and relax for five or ten seconds.  Then he would begin screaming and fighting all over again.  I could barely hold him and the nurse continued to tell me this was normal and he would be fine once we got him to the car. After 45 minutes of this nightmare, I was exhausted and dying to leave.  My mom described it best when she said he needed a straight jacket.  We got him outside and it took Mama and me holding him down to buckle him in the car seat. He was kicking and beating the window. I took him from his seat and he finally laid his head down and rested.  He realized the ordeal was over and he was safe with Mommy.  

He slept several times today and by this afternoon, our old Jack was back.  He was laughing, dancing and eating like a horse all afternoon.  I am so relieved that this is over and he can finally have some relief.  This experience, minor as it was, really showed me how blessed I am to have healthy children.  There are parents who experience this every day and must watch their children be poked and prodded in hopes of making them better.  What a blessing to have healthy children.  Today reminded me that this is all that matters...

Playing in the lobby before surgery...

What a handsome patient...

Loving the "happy medicine"...

Right before leaving Mommy...this broke Mommy's heart...

Relief!

15 months old today and instead of posting cute pictures and telling all about Jack's personality and developments I am preparing things for an unexpected surgery tomorrow.  After receiving three shots for his ear infections and showing no improvements, we were sent directly to an ENT today.  One look at his ears and he was scheduled for an "emergency" surgery tomorrow to receive tubes.  He is showing signs of hearing loss, especially in his left ear, and tests showed that his ear drum is not performing as it should.  They stuck a small instrument in his ear to test his ear drum.  You look for a "peak" or "mountain" on the screen to show normal, healthy ear drums.  Jack's showed a flat line.  There is so much thick fluid in his ears that his drums cannot vibrate as they should.  He can definitely hear, but things probably sound pretty muffled and the pressure is very painful.  The doctors are confident that once the fluid is drained, his hearing will prove to be normal.  So we are off at 5 am for a 7:45 surgery.  I am a nervous, anxious mom but so very grateful that he will finally have some relief.  He is sleep deprived but still happy and sweet.  Nights continue to be a battle and after three sleepless nights, I am thankful to see a a light at the end of the tunnel.  I could really stress out if I allowed myself to think about all I have to do and haven't done due to three days at the doctor's office and no sleep.  My youngest sister is getting married Saturday and I still have no shoes, haven't picked up my dress from being altered, seriously need a pedicure and a spray tan and have nothing to wear to the rehearsal dinner (where I am expected to give a toast as well).  Oh yeah, and tomorrow is Jody's birthday and let's just say I am not prepared.  So I am trying to remain calm and am keeping my focus on my little man.  I pray he feels instant relief and can rest well and forget about earaches forever. So I will postpone his 15 month post until a little later when I can gush about how perfect he is.  I love, love, love this little boy...

This is how my little one has looked all week...

 But when I say smile, he still gives me his best, sick or not.  That's my Jack.

Missing My Buddy

Dear Sam,

It's been a tough few days around here, hasn't it buddy?  Jack is whiny and cries a lot and he is taking up all of Mommy's time.  I'm sure you're feeling a little left out and are really pretty tired of your demanding little brother.  We haven't been able to play with your tractors and animals and I sure miss cuddling with you at night and listening to you talk.  I've had to leave you twice to take Jack to the doctor and will have to leave you again tomorrow.  You crawled into my lap twice today and told me you were sick too.  You just needed a little attention too, huh?  Thank you for being such a sweet, patient little boy.  I promise you that as soon as Jack is better, you and I are going to go somewhere all by ourselves and have lots of fun.  It won't be much longer, little buddy.  I promise.  I love you and miss you.

Love,

    Mommy

My Poor Baby

My sweet Jack needs some serious relief (and so do I for that matter).  After a tough couple of days of teething, Jack began running a high fever again last night.  I couldn't get him down until 11:00 and he only slept for one hour.  My sweet, joyful baby woke up in a state I have never seen and hope to never see again.  He was flailing his arms and legs, trying to jump from my arms, screaming at the top of his lungs and banging his head into my shoulder.  He insisted that I put him down and I had to sit there and watch my poor child fall on the floor over and over, bang into the couch and chair, roll around on the kitchen floor and spin in circles.  He was so loud, Jody came in the den to see what in the world was happening.  He sat there in shock watching this crazed little human stammer all over the den.  Jack would not take a bottle and refused to be held.  So we sat there, two helpless parents, wondering what was happening to our boy. Finally after what seemed like days, he was so exhausted that he climbed into my lap and fell asleep.  

He refused to be laid down in his bed so into our bed he went.  All four of us in a king size bed that felt more like a single.  I was hanging off the edge unable to move or roll over.  But he was asleep and I was exhausted so I was fine with my six inches of mattress space.  And then it began.  My sweet, precious little baby began to snore.  Like a buzz saw.  Loud.  And every time I tried to adjust him in hopes the snoring would stop, he would roll right back over with his sweet little face two inches from mine.  It was relentless.  How can something so little snore so loud?  I was reminded of his newborn days.  He was such a loud sleeper then that he didn't last one night in the cradle in our room.   The co-sleeper I had bought in anticipation of his arrival quickly found its way back into the box.  He sounded just like a raccoon, constantly making loud noises and snoring.  Jack and I spent the first few months of his life in the den...he slept in the cradle, I slept on the couch.  So some things don't change I guess.  Poor Sam...we plan on them sharing a room!

So back to the doctor we went this afternoon.  He has a severe double ear infection, either the second in two weeks or he never responded to the antibiotics he was on.  We elected to do a series of three shots, which the doctor felt was the best treatment for such a severe infection.  We'll head back tomorrow morning for our second shot and 15 month checkup.  I am praying this little boy can soon feel relief and be out of pain.  If not, I'll be taking out a loan to pay for all the Motrin, ear drops and orajel.  I think I am now officially a part owner in each of these companies.

Gnawing on the soft end of his brush to massage his aching gums... 

Flattery

Tonight over dinner I was playfully telling both boys "I love you, I love you, I love you."  This soon turned into a game of me telling each of them over and over and over again "I love you more than..., I love you more than..."

My oldest lovingly looked up at me and said, "Mommy, I love you more than bucket tractors."

For Sam, bucket tractors rank right up there with air, food and water as one of life's necessities.

This, folks, is flattery at its finest.  I rank above John Deere equipment, which around here is a pretty big deal.    

Enough Already

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of two shiny, white molars...and they can't get here fast enough.  Jack is miserable and these two little teeth refuse to cooperate.  We have been expecting to see these babies for almost two weeks now. His poor gums are swollen and it looks like he has two huge blisters in his mouth.  The teeth just will not break through the skin and allow this little buddy any relief.  He is running a low fever, constantly tugging at his ears and face and is just down right pitiful.  He lays his head on my shoulder and just whines.  I keep him full of Motrin and now he welcomes the numbing gel that he used to run from.  So today we paced, bounced, rocked, rode the Gator...anything to try to make him feel better.  I think we will throw a party if these precious molars ever decide to reveal themselves.  A party to celebrate the end of a terrible dose of teething.  Jack is certainly ready...and so is his Mama.

A tough day of teething:

Drinking lots of milk and chewing on my cup...

Laying on my dog chair looking for some relief...

Rolling around on the floor in pain...

I feel so bad...

My New Title

It's official.  I have a new job, well sort of.  The hours are long and I am always on call but I happily get to answer to two very handsome young men.  It doesn't pay much but the benefits are out of this world.  The dress code is casual and naps are encouraged.  I am excited beyond words.

Yes...I am officially a Stay At Home Mom!  I was blessed to be able to work from home since Sam was born.  I still can't put into words what that opportunity meant to my family.  I kept a good job and was home every minute with Sam.  Jack came along and it got a little tougher (really a lot tougher) but I continued to work from home and care for both boys.  I worked for a builder so we have had an extremely slow year which turned out to be a complete blessing.  I had little work to do and was able to enjoy everything about Jack's first year.

Sadly, the company I worked for is unable to withstand this economy and we learned of our layoffs on New Year's Eve. Jody and I knew this was coming and I had even asked to be laid off months earlier.  I feel like a thousand pound weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  No more stress over job security, pay cuts and my future.  I am free!  And while life has changed and will continue to do so, I am so grateful for the opportunity to just be a Mom to my boys.  I would be lying if I said I won't miss the money and the freedom it allowed me.  But with that being said, I also know that no amount of money could lure me away from my days here with Sam and Jack.  We have made sacrifices big and small and will continue to do so in order to allow me to spend my days with them.  Life will certainly be different and I know we will face many challenges.  But we have resolved ourselves to the fact that I need to be here with them, it is where I belong.  And though I have been here every day of their lives, there is such excitement in knowing that I can concentrate fully on just being their Mom.  No more returning phone calls and emails or meeting deadlines.  Just me and them...all day...every day.  Motherhood is the hardest job I'll ever do, but I thank God for the opportunity to do it. Sam and Jack are my biggest accomplishments and I look forward to all the wonderful opportunities just being their Mama will bring.  Mama.  That's my one and only title these days and I couldn't be happier.  Life is good.

Looking forward to spending my days cherishing, teaching, chasing and loving these two energetic, messy-haired, noisy, sweet little boys.

This Year

This year I have many goals...as I'm sure everyone does on January 1.  Not resolutions...they don't seem to stick.  So I am striving after a few goals, goals that I hope will make me a better wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.  So here goes...my hopes for this new year:

*Read more...I love to read and can't seem to find the time after the boys came along.  I have a stack of about 15 books that I've been wanting to read and I plan to read each one.

*Read the Bible...all the way through.  I've tried over and over and always give up.  It is the most important book I'll ever read and I know I will be blessed for doing so.  I want to read it, soak it in and most importantly learn.

*Drink more water...and a little less coke.  For those who know me, you know this is quite an undertaking.  A cold coke is my crack, but I will try to balance out my intake with a little more water this year.

*Exercise...enough said.  Whether running after my boys or walking on my very neglected treadmill, I hope to be healthier this year.

*Let people know how I feel about them...life is too short not to.

*Play softball again...I may be older and slower and I certainly don't have time, but I hope to hit and run down a few fly balls again before I am too old.

*Write letters to my boys...I bought journals for them when they were born and they remain empty.  This blog is my way of sharing our daily memories but I hope to leave them with hand written letters so that maybe one day they'll know just how much I love them.

*Take a photography class...and enjoy a little something for me.  Maybe, just maybe, I'll learn something.

*Pray more...spend time each day in prayer.  I want to become a person who is constantly in prayer and who can pray openly with my family and especially my children.

*Enjoy quality time...spend time each day with Sam and Jack alone.  If only for a moment, I want time with each boy one on one so that they can know, at that moment, they are the most important thing on my "to do list."

*Save more...spend less.  I can feel my husband smiling as he reads this already.  

*Stress less over a messy house...this will be very hard for me and I am not making any promises (I see nothing wrong with vacuuming every day) but I'll try.  That's all I can do.

*Video more...or have someone else help video more.  Are you listening, honey?

*Count my blessings...really.  Not randomly or occasionally.  I know how blessed I am...two healthy, wonderful boys, a Christian husband, a home surrounded by family and farm land and a wonderful family.  I need to truly thank God for these things...every day.

*Give more...of myself and my resources.  Follow God's principles for giving and watch as he blesses my family for my faithfulness and obedience.

*Play more...with my boys and my nephews and niece.  Run, be silly, laugh and just enjoy life as they do...carefree and simply.

*Relish every second of my life as their mom...it doesn't get any better than this.  

Oh Eight!

What a year.  A year that passed in what seemed like a moment to this busy mother of two.  The days continue to pass by in a pace all too fast for me.  It really is true that time flies by in an instant after you have children.  The months seem like days and before you know it another year is gone.  

This year brought many blessings and happiness to our home.  A second birthday and a first, first steps, new words and discoveries, our year has been full of wonderful days. Our two boys continue to amaze us each day as they grow into beautiful little beings.  Their laughter and smiles sustain us and through all the sticky fingers, spilled milk, ear infections, snotty noses and dirty diapers, we enjoy a life that is full beyond measure and are overwhelmed by the love we feel for these two boys.  And just when we think we can't love them anymore...we do...every day a little more.  

Sam...this year our oldest became a kid in every sense of the word.  He learned to ride a bike, swing high, run faster and manage to get dirtier than ever before.  He continues to love outdoors and all things that relate to farm life.  He is an expert on tractors, hay and animals and is quite meticulous in his daily building of his own "farm" in our den.  This year brought us a boy who talks in complete, intelligent sentences and constantly has us looking at each other asking "How does he know that?"  Talking...all the time...every minute.  Jody's parents sit back and laugh because this is exactly how Jody was as a child...constant talking...just like a radio.  And Sam is the very same.  Jody  and I will surely hear "Why?" and "What's that?" a million more times this year.  He has grown to love Jack and is very protective over him...a proud big brother who makes us proud every day.  Sam has grown tall and strong and is wearing size 4 clothes now.  His feet continue to grow fast and his shoulders seem a little broader today than yesterday and I ache to see him transforming into a boy in front of my very eyes.  He is loving and stubborn, tough but kind, and has a heart that he proudly wears on his sleeve.  He has developed manners and persistence and never fails to let us know just what he wants, when he wants it.  He has become our best little buddy and I don't know that Jody could be any happier than when he climbs in his lap to watch a little TV and just talk.  He shows me love every day and blesses me with many hugs and kisses.  I still find myself staring at him, amazed at how beautiful he is and how lucky I am to be his mom.  His eyelashes are still two inches long, and as dark as his eyes. So handsome...my perfect little boy.  This year will bring preschool and independence and I feel my heart breaking as I think about it.  He is growing up all too fast.

Jack...my snugly, sleepy newborn became a snugly, cuddly one year old.  He left crawling behind and spends most of his days running, chest bowed out, as I chase him through the house.  He grew tired of baby food and insisted on table food and can eat and eat and eat.  He loves milk just like his brother and his Daddy and can eat sausage until he is sick. He is saying a few words and enjoys telling me "No" numerous times through out the day.  He is growing taller and thinner and I see those chubby, adorable little legs slowly disappearing.  He is still my chunky monkey and is as cuddly now as the day he was born.  Jack loves to run to us, arms out, giggling as he gives us the biggest hug he can.  He still loves to be held and still lays his head on my shoulder and plays with my hair.  He is a ball of energy who wakes up ready to destroy the house, room by room.  He plunders and leaves a trail every where he goes...he refuses to let the house stay tidy for more than 30 minutes.  I'm cleaning and he's messing up...all day...every day.  He loves his Daddy and lights up when he gets home from work.  He is beautiful...with eyes as dark as his brothers and eyelashes to match. He is soft and sweet and still smells so yummy. Jack is pure joy, pure happiness and he makes everyone smile.  We laugh at him all day and he loves being our little entertainer.  He dances, struts, makes funny faces and noises...anything for a laugh.  I tell Jody that he is going to be the one that wears us out because he is unpredictable and wild and loves being the center of attention.  He loves freely and lets us know just how he feels about us...no words needed.  He admires Sam and appears to love all the little things his big brother does...tractors, animals and toy guns. He changes every day and is learning so much.  Life seems to pass even faster than before he was here and I want to freeze time and hold on to him just as he is today...innocent and carefree...true happiness...my little baby.

A new year will surely bring lots of excitement to our house.  I smile as I wonder what new and amazing things these boys will learn and discover this year.  I pray that they will know how happy they make us and that to us, every day with them is simply perfect.  They make our lives wonderful and the sounds of their little feet is the sweetest sound we know. May we cherish each and every smile, hug, tear, tantrum and kiss as we secretly wish time would tick a little slower this year...

Look how we've grown...

Meet Wooly

Wooly is Sam's newest and dearest friend.  He is a sweet little lamb that Sam received as a Christmas gift from G-Ma and Poppa.  Wooly cries and whines, moves his head and will stretch his legs out to lay down when he is tired.  He has a bottle and Sam sweetly feeds him all throughout the day.  Sam chose his name after I told him that his Daddy used to have a real sheep when he was little and his name was Wooly.  So Wooly it was.  Sam takes Wooly to bed at night and everywhere he goes during the day.  He even lays him down in Jack's crib for naps and panics when he realizes he isn't with him.  He keeps telling Jody and me that he needs a real lamb to take care of.  He wants one that he can keep in the pasture by our house and talks about feeding him hay and rubbing him.  Today G-Ma and Poppa took both boys to a farm in Benson that raises baby sheep.  Sam loved having all those lambs running around him and even got to feed them hay.  There was one lamb in particular that really loved Sam, according to G-Ma, and she made sure to get his stock number for us...just in case.  He told us tonight that he really needs a baby lamb at his house.  So we'll see.  Jody and I knew the day would come when he would start asking for real animals.  Jody's parents let him have all kinds of animals as a child so it's only fair that he let Sam have his own animals too, right?  I have no doubt that a baby lamb is in Sam's future.  For now, Wooly has stolen Sam's heart. 

My Brother

Sam has been getting in trouble lately for being a little too rough with sweet little Landry.  He treats her just like one of the boys and doesn't hesitate to push her down, grab toys from her or yell at her.  I am constantly threatening his sweet little life and promising him a one of a kind spanking if he can't be nice to her.  I try to explain to him that she is a little girl and that we should always be nice and kind to girls.  I have told him that under no circumstances should he ever hit a girl, cousin or not.  He is a little stubborn (just like his Daddy) and so we have had quite a few discussions about his behavior towards Landry.  

Finally tonight I asked Sam, "Why are you so nice to other girls, but you are mean sometimes to Landry?  She's a little girl, too, you know."

He answered with all seriousness, "Because, Mommy.  Sometimes Cannon is mean to Jack and he is my brother so I be mean to his sister Andry (Sam doesn't pronounce the L in her name)."

So what do you say to that?  I was happy and proud to know that he felt the need to protect his little brother even from someone harmless like Cannon, but I couldn't allow him to mistreat Landry either.  So I gave him a long lecture about how nice he is to look after Jack and that I hope he will always do that.  But, I reminded him, he also has to remember all our long talks about being nice to girls and treating them kindly.  He responded with a quick, "Okay, Mommy" and ran off to play.  I am sure Landry will still receive a few pushes from Sam and that he will probably get his fair share of spankings for mistreating her, but I am so happy that after only a year of being a big brother, Sam truly loves Jack and wants to protect him.  What more could I ask for?

My Brother

Poppa's Tractor

Jody recently had his Dad's 1963 Ford Tractor restored.  This tractor was originally Sam and Jack's great-granddaddy Red's tractor that he passed down to their Poppa Joe.  I was amazed at how great the tractor looked after being repainted and cleaned up a little.  Sam loves Poppa's blue tractor and will be so excited when Poppa tosses the keys to him one day.  Jack has followed right in Sam's footsteps...he loves tractors and would spend all day sitting there spinning the steering wheel.  It is not a pretty sight when we have to pull him away to go inside.  His worst tantrums to date have been over having to get off one of Daddy or Poppa's tractors.  It will be a tough decision to see which one of these little farmers will inherit this special tractor.  I'll leave that decision to their Daddy.

Christmas at Nana and JP's

We celebrated Christmas tonight at Nana and JP's.  We usually have dinner on Christmas Eve, but this year Daddy had to serve communion at church.  We had originally rescheduled for the 23rd but had to cancel because all the kids were sick.  So last but not least in our busy Christmas schedule...Nana and JP's.

Jack was more interested in eating chips than opening gifts...priorities, priorities.

Check out Landry on the drums.  This was Jack's gift from Bec and Chris.  Just what he needs, the ability to make more noise.

Sam opening his gun set from Cade, Cannon and Landry.  He needs "lots of guns so he can shoot snakes with Daddy."

Little Annie Oakley

Name that superhero...Nana and JP gave each of the big boys costumes.  That is Sam as Spiderman, Cade as Wolverine and Cannon as the Hulk.

Sam was a little hesitant to wear his costume, but after seeing Cade and Cannon playing in theirs he gave in and put it on.  He ran through the house falling over the slippery bottom of the costume and unable to see.  He couldn't figure out how to keep the eyes positioned correctly...we'll have to cut the eye holes bigger I think.

Is this not the funniest face you have ever seen?  Perfect for Cannon.  It makes me laugh every time I look it.  Hilarious.

Look at Jack's reaction to walking back into the living room to find Spiderman standing there...a little shocked, huh?

After running circles through the house, destroying the playroom and eating five suckers a piece, the kids were all tired. Cannon couldn't stay awake any longer and Sam insisted that he "needed" to lay down with him.  Don't you love his fake sleeping face?  He definitely needs to work on his acting skills.

So another Christmas has come and gone and our boys gave us so many wonderful memories.  Every year will surely be more exciting and chaotic but we count each and every blessing and are so thankful for days like these.  We are so blessed.

Merry Merry!

Christmas morning was indeed magical...just as I expected it to be.  Jack woke up grinning at 8:30 and we, of course, had to pry Sam off the pillow.  He remembered instantly that Santa should have come and was ready to hop out of bed right then.  We checked from room to room before going to the den to find all the toys. The look on their faces was priceless and perfect.  Pure happiness.  They were both a little overwhelmed but soon made their way to each toy.  Sam kept saying, "Santa brought me all this stuff!"

No surprises...Sam went straight for the tractor.

The big red barn was Sam's absolute favorite toy. He couldn't stop smiling.

Trying out the horse...we're still trying to master this one.

Jack tries to lift a few diapers with his bulldozer.

Loving his Fropper!

An unexpected surprise...Poppa brought Crawford up to the house for a quick ride.  Sam and Madi hopped on and rode down the driveway.  Don't you love the cowboy hat with the pajamas?

Then Sam decided to be the little gentleman and let Madi ride alone while he led the horse.  He's smitten, I think.

Sam took a ride on the new horse swing from G-Ma and Poppa.  Jack has a matching one but he was napping and missed the ride.

Later, we went to lunch at Papa's Place.  I looked over to find Jack flat on his back in Joseph's lap, eating pineapple cake...what a life!

Into the sink he went for a quick bath!

The swimming dog was a hit tonight in the tub.  Jack checked him out thoroughly.

They flipped him over to see him attempt the backstroke.

And soon he was doing belly flops into the tub.  He may not last long around here.

Now for the bad news...

Although the day was wonderful and the boys had a great time, they are both still not feeling 100%.  Sam has not eaten in two days and is exhausted.  He feels sick on his stomach and would stop in the middle of playing to run over and crawl in my lap and lay his head on my shoulder.  Jack threw up this morning after trying to eat and hasn't eaten much all day (except for that pineapple cake).  His balance is off so terribly because of his ear infections that he has fallen down at least fifteen times today.  Hard falls.  The final fall was tonight outside.  He fell face first right into a bench outside and cried himself to sleep.  I checked his mouth to make sure he wasn't cut and discovered two pretty little molars preparing to break through.  This little buddy has had it rough. Molars, terrible cold, double ear infection...but still a happy, sweet boy.  I tried to take pictures of his battered little face, two bumps over his eye, a bruised chin and and red mark on his check, but he wouldn't sit still.  Jody and I chose to keep the boys home tonight and missed Christmas at my grandparents.  I hated this but I knew both boys felt horrible and really just needed to rest and get better.  Jack was asleep before 8:00 and Sam is patiently waiting for me to take him to bed right now...he has been asking to go to bed since 6:00 but I have tried to make him stay up and try to eat and drink a little.  We have Christmas at my parent's tomorrow night (which has already been rescheduled once due to all five kids being sick) and I want them to feel great and have fun.  We are ready to be well around here!  

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Santa has arrived at our house and he left lots of great toys for two special little boys. Sam and Jack will be thrilled when they step into our den tomorrow morning.  Jody will be recording the moment they see everything and I am sure it will be priceless.  We did a few gifts specifically for each child but chose to give them several things to share.  At least that's what we're hoping for.

Here are the toys that are a "joint gift."  A dump truck and big bulldozer to ride...several small tractors...Jody bought the blue pedal tractor for Jack but this will definitely have to be shared (Sam will insist)...and a red trailer to attach to Sam's red pedal tractor. 

Santa brought Jack a Fropper, singing pig, books, Elmo Live and an adorable dog that swims in the tub.  The Giddy Up & Go Pony was intended for Jack, but after reading the directions, he might not be able to ride it yet...oops!

Santa brought Sam cowboy boots, a toy shotgun, books, a singing elephant, a doodle board and a big red barn that he is going to go crazy over.

The boys also got a playhouse for outside that we had painted as a feed store.  I can't wait for them to see it.  It is adorable!  Tomorrow will certainly be magical.  Merry Christmas!