Sam and Cannon

They are best friends.  Only 18 days apart.  They love each other, but more importantly, they like each other.  They ask for each other.  They miss each other. They hug.  They fight.  They yell. They laugh.  One loves baseball.  One loves tractors. They adore each other...and aren't too big or too embarrassed to show it.  Together they make me smile...

New

We have two new babies at our house...twin girls.  These sweet calves were born yesterday.  Jody took Sam in to see them Thursday when they were just a few hours old.  This afternoon Cade and Cannon came to see the two little girls that Sam's Mema has named "Button" and "Bows."  We are hoping they will both be able to nurse and will not have to be bottle fed.  They are really adorable.  

On a side note...yesterday when we went to see the babies for the first time I excitedly asked Jody, "Did you know she was having twins the whole time?"  Without blinking he responded, "Well, Ang, after I saw the sonogram I knew it was twins."  Dumb me, huh?  I thought maybe he knew because she was a little bigger than normal.  Apparently in nature you don't know these things until they happen.  I guess I have a lot to learn around here.

"Button" and "Bows"

Cade feeds her a little hay with Farmer Sam's supervision.

Cannon gives her a rub.

A Mother's Love...the Mama cow stood at the gate waiting for her to come back in.

Sam is loving this...can you tell?

For My Husband...

This, honey, is my proof for you.  Proof of what two boys, your two boys, can do when they exercise a little teamwork. You always say..."Don't constantly go behind them picking up.  You are wasting your time.  They are just going to make a mess as soon as you're done."  And I try to explain to you that if I didn't constantly walk behind them, managing their messes, that they could and would overtake this house in one day.  Flat.  Last night we went to a bed with a clean, neat house.  This morning they destroyed that clean, neat house in thirty minutes.  Their thirty minutes of terror caused me two hours of clean up.  So this, my dear husband, is why I am a little rattled some days when you come home.  If you come home to a messy house, you certainly understand why.  But more importantly, if you come home to a house that is in any way clean or straight, this doesn't mean they didn't make a mess that day.  It just means I was able to clean it up and hide the evidence.  

The den...notice the kitchen rug has been drug in, diapers and clothes are everywhere and Sam has brought stuffed animals from his room (because the 75 we have in they toy box weren't quite enough).  And please notice the train table that I brought in from the office last night as a surprise is now bear.  The train (yes the train that took us an hour to build) and all it's pieces are thrown around the room.

Our bathroom...clothes thrown down, q-tips and cotton balls dumped out.  Jack threw the glass container that holds the q-tips on the floor.  Glass was everywhere.

This is what our lovely Jack was walking around with.  It's a miracle he doesn't have a nice set of stitches tonight.

Our bedroom...hangers from the closet thrown everywhere, drawers emptied and left hanging out, pillows thrown around and a stool turned over.

Do you feel just a little bit sorry for me?  Are you sitting there thinking, "What could I do to help?"  I was hoping you would feel this way.  Here are a few things you could do this weekend:

1.  Install latches on all cabinets in the house...not just in the kitchen.

2.  Schedule a massage for me, your loving wife.

3.  Install a gate at the entrance to the hall, allowing them only four rooms to destroy.

4.  Figure out how to operate the toilet locks.

5.  And if you're feeling really sweet...Merry Maids serves our area.  

Um, No Thanks

Jack Standley loves giving kisses.  Especially to Landry Lee.  And Landry loves getting kisses from Jack and kissing him back.  Tonight she came over to our house.  And as usual, Jack ran up to her for a big, wet kiss.  But Landry didn't enjoy her kissing cousin tonight.  Remember, little Jack is very smelly these days from his surgery.  Smelly is actually an understatement...he just plain stinks.  His breath is horrendous.  So tonight when he planted a kiss on Landry she made an awful face and took off running.  She scrunched up her nose and looked at him as if to say, "Buddy, what is the deal? There is a potent smell coming from your mouth. Um, no kisses tonight please" (I tried to get a picture of her face, but she ran too fast).  But Stinky Standley continued to chase her, hoping for a kiss, and she continued to run away.  Trust me Landry, Jack's Mama and Daddy are ready for him to smell better too.

Chasing her down for a smooch...

"Man, why does she keep running?  Do I smell that bad?"  (Yes, honey, you do.)

The Latest Additions

Sam was a happy little boy yesterday when his Daddy and his Poppa rode to pick up five new sheep for the farm.  He has talked about wanting and "needing" a sheep for months now. There are five girls and Jody is searching for a ram so they can raise babies.  Sam is so excited, but very adamant about needing a "baby lamb," so we may be looking for a baby to join the five ladies.  Sam's patience will likely not endure the time it takes to have a lamb.  We are trying to think of names, and Sam has only agreed on one so far...Daisy.  One down, four more names to go.  Cade, Cannon and Landry rode down to see the new additions and enjoyed seeing the new baby cows too.  Cannon and Cade may need a little more time on the farm...we looked up to Cannon running to us holding a little sheep "do do" and asking "What's this?"  I'm just glad he didn't eat it...it looked a lot like a peanut m & m.  Note to self...keep hand sanitizer on the gator at all times.

Nana and Landry check things out.

The three big boys do a little rearranging of the hay, all while yelling "Come eat you dinner."

Jack watches the big boys feed the sheep.

Sam checks on the baby cows.

A little chasing of the lambs...

My Boys

I was looking back on some of the pictures of Sam's first snow and loved comparing the two boys.  They are so similar...and so different.  Sam was only 11 months old and just trying to walk.  He enjoyed his first snow a little more than his younger brother. Same coat, same hat and same big brown eyes.  They look so much alike, but so different too.  I can tell these two apart with no trouble here...now, their newborn pictures are another story.  They both have a group of pics that were taken when they were two weeks old of their sweet faces and their hands and feet.  They are hanging side by side in our den and I honestly have to stare at them for several minutes to tell who is who.  It is quite amazing.  I see so many differences now in size, facial expressions and personality, but one thing's for sure...they both are wonderfully made and so very beautiful. 

Jack and Sam

Sweet Jack

My precious Samuel

Perfect Little Jack

Perfect Little Sam

Thanks for the Warning

A nurse from Jack's ENT office called this afternoon to see how he was doing.  "Great," I said.  Which led to her preparing me for the next few days...

Nurse:   "I'm glad he is doing well."

Me:  "Oh, me too."

Nurse:  "You should be prepared for him to have a few setbacks over the weekend.  He will likely experience some ear pain and at times it may be pretty severe."

Me:  "Really?  Well, he was up last night at 11:30 having a major screaming fit and didn't sleep too great."

Nurse:  "Yes, that's to be expected.  Keep the pain medication in him at all times, even if he seems to be feeling fine."

Me: "Okay, I sure will."

Nurse:  "And they told you about his breath at the hospital, right?"

Me:  "Yes, I know his breath will be bad.  It is already pretty bad today...it smells a lot like blood.  It stinks already."

Nurse:  "Well, be prepared for it to get worse."

Me:  "Worse? It's bad now."

Nurse:  "Oh, no, honey.  His mouth will smell like a dead dog before the weekend is over."

Silence...

Me:  "Um, okay.  Thank you."

Nurse"  "Oh, no problem.  Call us if you have any concerns."

Any concerns?  Um, hello.  Miss Nurse, do you realize that had you not warned me of the "dead dog" breath that awaits me that my weekend would have surely included another trip to the hospital.  How many moms out there would not freak out in the worst possible way to have a child reeking of the smell of a dead animal?  I would have made tracks back to Wake Med convinced that Jack had acquired a horrible infection that was eating away the flesh in his mouth. Day or night, that smell would have sent me into a whirl of craziness.  Shoot, I probably would have called an ambulance to transport my young son with the crazy, flesh-eating infection, sirens and all. Whew.  So thanks for the warning, Miss Nurse.  I appreciate it.

Desperate for a tic-tac....

Answered Prayers

Jack's surgery today went so incredibly well.  He was more relaxed as they prepped him for surgery and for a moment I thought he may be whisked away without any tears.  The transition to the operating room was a little worse this time. He screamed hysterically on top of the crying.  Jody and I stood there looking at each other, both our hearts breaking.  The procedure only took 20 minutes and Dr. Holmes came out to tell us that everything had gone perfectly.  His adenoids were indeed pretty large and this should provide a lot of relief for Jack.  They called us back to see him about 20 minutes later.  I had prepared Jody for the worst, recounting how he acted last time and how needed to be ready to see him very upset and uncontrollable.  We walked through the doors to recovery and I waited to hear his screams. Nothing. I couldn't find him.  Silence.  I looked around and saw his blue blanket on the end of a bed around the corner. And there he was...sleeping sweetly on his side, still hooked up to all the equipment and with his breathing tube still in tact.  This was a hard thing to see.  Even though I knew he was fine and would awaken soon, I couldn't help but think of the parents who stand by their child's bed willing them to wake up, hoping they will be okay.  I am so blessed to have this healthy little boy with these few, minor issues.  We watched him sleep for 25 minutes and he slowly woke up.  The nurse pulled his tube out and immediately placed him in my arms.  This made all the difference.  He fussed a little and cried when they removed his IV, but he was so calm, so different.  Waking up to his parents reassured him that he was safe.  No screaming and fighting.  He was perfect.  The anesthesiologist came by to check him out.  He explained that they had administered a little different medication this time and made him a little more tired.  I thanked him for this and told him how much I appreciated him taking such good care of Jack.  He was doing so remarkably well that we were allowed to leave immediately.  We walked back in our house at 10:00 this morning...just as Sam was waking up.  Within minutes Jack was back to normal, bouncing off the couch, dancing and climbing on their rocking horse.  I actually had to put the horse on the porch to avoid a major injury.  His balance wasn't that great and climbing up on a horse was a little too risky.  He laughed, gave Sam kisses and made a mess...just like he always does.  He napped a couple of hours and went hard all afternoon.  After dinner, he looked so exhausted.  He was pale and his eyes had red bags under them. Straight to the tub he went, and then Bec rocked him to sleep by 7:45.  Relief...he is home, safe, better, practically unchanged.  I am thankful beyond words and so happy that we are all home together...just as we should be.

So what was my prayer?  I prayed for Jack during his last surgery. But this time I not only prayed for the surgery to go well, for Dr. Holmes and the nurses to take special care of him and for him to not be scared...I prayed specifically for the anesthesiologist. I had not done this before.  I prayed over and over that he be put to sleep in a manor that agreed with his body and that he would wake up feeling safe and secure.  I prayed that his breathing would be normal and he would not feel angry and scared.  And God answered my prayers.  Completely.  Perfectly.  God is so good.

Hanging out in pre-op...

The happy meds are starting to work...

Happy, Happy, Happy

Waiting anxiously for him to wake up...

Back at home and back to normal...notice the goldfish covering the floor thanks to Jack.

Climbing on countertops...

Feeling and looking very tired after his bath...

Enough with the camera, Mom.

Worry

Another surgery...can you feel the heaviness of my heart?  A minor surgery, but still a surgery.  Jack will have his adenoids removed at 8:00 this morning.  We found out Monday after a check up on his tubes (which are both clear and working well) that Dr. Holmes really wanted to remove the adenoids soon.  A snow day, and a late opening led us to a late notification that Thursday was the day. We didn't have many options considering Jack will have to stay overnight. We had to be at a hospital instead of an out patient facility due to the slight trouble Jack had with the anesthesia last time.  He will be monitored a little closer and a little longer, and for that, I am thankful.  

So why, am I up at 2:00 when I should be sleeping?  I know I will get little or no sleep in the hospital and will be exhausted.  So why am I up?  Because, I am a worrier.  I worry I'll oversleep.  I worry I'll forget to pack something important.  I worry if all the laundry isn't done.  Ridiculous, I know.  God was taking care of me by only allowing me a few hours of prep time before this surgery.  If it had been next week, or next month, I would have worried every minute until my Jack was back home, safe in his own home.  Yes, the unexpected can be a blessing.

I had a little help with my quest to survive this night with little or no sleep.  Jack.  Tired as he was, he refused to go to sleep.   His Daddy tried.  I tried.  And then I just let him be.  So he got busy helping me around the house...

He made a few phone calls for Mommy and did a little work on the Mac.

He thought tonight would be a great time to clean out the refrigerator...

Who knew cleaning could be so fun?

Finally after 11:00, he fell asleep sweetly in my arms.  I looked at him and felt sad to know what he faces tomorrow but more sad because he has no idea what awaits him.  Another scary, tough day for my sweet Jack.  I am anxious but hopeful that every minute brings us closer to recovery and a return to normalcy.  But still I worry.  I worry about Sam.  I can count on two hands the mornings he has woken up without me home.  I know he is in loving hands with G-Ma and Poppa and Nana and JP, but still I worry.  I felt the need to lay out his clothes and get his bowl, spoon and oatmeal in order for his breakfast.  Pathetic, I know.  But it's what I do to make me feel better.  I also wrote him a little note and left him a little surprise, a few new puzzles and a baby dinosaur.  Again, ridiculous, I get it.  But it's what I do...for them. They are my life, it's just that simple.  And whether I'm away from them and missing them every minute or caring for them after surgery praying they will be laughing again soon, my life just kind of stops until we are all back home together.  Then, and only then, will I be okay too.

Snow Day...Part 2

We ventured back outside this afternoon to enjoy what appears to be the last day of snow.  It was melting pretty quickly and Sam kept asking me "Where's the snow going?"  Jack was a little braver today, probably because he actually saw areas of the yard that looked a little more like normal.  He had no smiles to share though, proving he is no fan of this whole snow, winter wonderland thing.

Sam was all smiles...just like yesterday.

You can imagine his excitement when G-Ma asked him to help her shovel off Mema and Papa's porch.  Oh, how he loves a little work mixed in somewhere in his day.

Daddy taught Sam to make snow angels...

Madi, Sam's sweetheart, came over to play.  Jody pulled them on an old car hood (a country man's perfect sled) behind the gator and they loved it!  (Notice the hand holding...)

They held on as tight as they could...

But wiped out a few times!

Cade and Cannon surprised us with a visit and hopped on for a ride.

All four on the sled for a spin around the yard...

What a wonderful two days with everyone home to play and relax and enjoy the fun in the snow.  Sam will surely be disappointed in the morning to see the snow is nearly all gone...Jack will surely be a little thrilled.