• Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

    A long word with an even longer definition.  Jackson was born without fully developed tear ducts; a persistent membrane blocked the lower ends of the nasolacrimal duct inside the nose.  This obstruction causes excess mucus, growth of bacteria in the eye, and repeated infections.  Persistent infections can eventually cause permanent damage.  Jackson's infections were at first minimal and more of an irritation than anything.  But he is nearly 7 months old and they are now nearly constantly infected and it has become impossible to treat.  So after trying every natural cure imaginable, we finally decided the best thing to do for Jackson was to have surgery to open both tear ducts. So he had surgery today at 10:45am.  Here he is post-surgery, poor guy.  He has tubes taped to his forehead that go down into his tear duct and out his nose.  He has arm braces to keep him from messing with the tubes.  The tubes hold the inner corner of his eyelid open so that he can't fully close them (what an uncomfortable feeling!)  Although it's a really minor surgery, I've been hovering near tears all day and feel awful for my baby boy.  He even spit up blood a few times and that really scared me; but apparently that's also normal!  The tubes come out tomorrow and we begin a regimen of 3 treatments given four times a day for 10 days!! We should be done just in time for his very first Christmas :)
     

  • Only in Houston!



    Only in Houston do we let out school for an inch of snow!  Not so much because of the frigid temperatures, but because snow is so rare that we didn't want the kids miss out on it!

       
    We had to go to the grocery store for milk and bananas.  On our way home, the street was lined with people stopping, honking and standing wide eyed in the parking lot, shocked by the sight of snow.  Apparently the last time it snowed like this during the day, was 20 years ago!  It was beautiful.  Then there was an enormous accident at the entrance to our subdivision; further proof that we Texans don't know what to do with snow and ice.  Our neighbors are Norwegian and were the only ones dressed appropriately for the weather.  They loaned Caleb a warm jacket and snow boots and mittens.  He was finally able to play outside without his teeth chattering and his lips turning purple.  Much to our surprise, Coco enjoyed the snow too and was reluctant to come inside. We gave her a hot bath and blow dry afterward and she warmed up quickly. 

  • Frosted treetops



    Dreaming of a white Christmas! 



    So happy we had our Christmas decor up in time for these pics!






    Caleb was very excited...couldn't sleep at all!  But he did take his chocolate milk outside with him :)










     























     

    I was on the balcony taking pictures when I peeked into Caleb's window and saw him sleeping by the door (he doesn't ever sleep in his bed anymore) He was so excited that he sat by his window for two hours before he finally fell asleep.  He kept clapping his hands and giggling in childish delight.  I hope he wakes up to find mountains of snow outside his window.  Perhaps we can even make a snowman!  These are memories we will both treasure forever.

  • Our 2009 Family photos
     












     





















    photos courtesy of Norrispictures.com
    you can also check them out on facebook

  • Staycation


    More Firetrucks!

    Caleb & the Cousins (Giousue and Isaac)
    Climbing on the Red Caboose

    Because Aaron had some time off work, we took a few days to do some stuff around Houston that we'd never done before - like riding the train at the downtown Aquarium.  That's the cheapest way to experience some of the Aquarium without the $20 fee per adult.  It is $5 per adult for a train ride through the Shark exhibit (kids 2 and under were free)  Caleb LOVED the train and the sharks.  Afterwards, we walked through the restaurant and gift shop and saw more fish tanks...for free :)  Staycation on a budget!

    Believe it or not, Jackson was actually fascinated by the sharks as well!

    We went and played at the new McDonalds by our house...it doesn't even look like a McDonalds!


    This is the McDonald's play area...a lot safer and cleaner than the tunnel system.  And only for ages 3 and under, which I am grateful for. 

  • Around the house

    If you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall in our house:

     
    Mr Angry Eyes


    The chair and I are good friends...I sit here a lot with Jackson on my lap, watching Caleb play


    The 'Bowling Alley'


    Pandora's box


    We'll leave a light on for you


    Enter at your own risk...never mind the dog; beware of the children!


    The street where we live (aka "Puddle Paradise")


    The work of children is to play


    "Bye Bye Mommy.  I'm going to work!" 
    (his exact words!)


    And so he 'drove' off


    Apparently Jackson likes to stick things on his head


    And make funny faces at us






    He just turned six months old.  He is only one pound shy of the 19 pounds that Caleb weighed at one year!  While Caleb was crawling and walking around furniture by 6 months, Jackson has not yet mastered sitting up.  However, he has been able to operate his ocean wonders aquarium and other cool toys since four months old - a task that Caleb did not accomplish till he was over a year old.  Their interests obviously differ!


    A rare pose


    He has to have his trucks and cars with him at all times!  So Mimi gave him this Spiderman lunchbag to carry them in.  They bag and the boy are inseparable.


    For Aaron's birthday, I surprised him with dinner on the lake at Kemah Boardwalk and an overnight stay at the Hilton. He was shocked that I'd managed to arrange childcare, reservations, and packing without his knowledge.
    (these pics were taken with my camera phone)




    Jackson joined us later that night...here's his 'surprised' look
     

    Caleb's first time Bowling
    "It's hard to wait!" He sighed, looking longingly down the cavernous ball return.


    At last!  He had so much fun :)


    Evidently, there were not many strikes to be had...we were just trying to keep the ball on the lane...our lane, not our neighbors (who were strangely angered when stray balls thumped down their runway) Rolling the ball fast enough so it didn't stall out mid-way was a real challenge too. 


    Beautiful boy!


    Jackson has chronically clogged tear ducts.  Although we wash his eyes frequently, you can still see traces of it in this picture.  We have tried everything including massaging the ducts, applying warm compresses and chammomile tea and other things.  (and thank you for your tip, Abbie R.- we did try that as well) After meeting with the doctor today, it is apparent that he will need surgery to open the tear ducts in both eyes.  Please continue to pray for him as we select a doctor and move forward, cautiously, with this decsion.


    My drawings...dreaming of a trip to Paris soon (about 10 years from now?)





    My little hero

  • Our new Living Room

    Before:


    After:


    It was time to hand off the furniture that I've had for 7 years and has moved with me 5 times. 
    I was the third owner of these sofas and they were starting to show their wear...propped up with books instead of legs and sporting a 4' rip along the top of the sofa (which Caleb liked to stick his cars down)

    I also made new curtains to go on the window.  I'm so proud of myself!



    Our favorite seat in the house now:




    A couple of special features we wanted was slip covers to protect the furniture.  In the picture below, you can see the left half of the loveseat with the slipcovers and the right half without.  (they cover the arm and cushion)

    A second feature is to prevent Caleb from removing all the cushions and playing with, on or underneath them.  In this picture you can see how the cushions are attached with a little latch hook on a bit of elastic.  Marvelous feature!  Caleb has already tested it and it passed the test :)


     

  • For Laughs

    My side of the story:
    Today was the big day!  I was to finally run my very first half-marathon and enter the world of the serious runners.  Last night I carefully chose my clothes and laid them out in preparation for my big run.  I got to bed early.  I drank plenty of water.  I did everything right except for one glaring mistake.  I thought the race was at 7am.  Well, it was at 7.  But I also thought that it was Daylight Savings time this weekend.  To be sure, I had checked it on the internet.  Indeed, it did say that October 25th was Daylight Savings, and Aaron confirmed it as well.  So we set all our clocks back. 

    I arrived at the race about 10 til 7.  As I was parking, I noticed a few runners already on their way.  Strange.  But then I figured they were the true marathoners and were probably running a full marathon today and had a head start.  As I neared the race course, I began to realize my terrible mistake...there were a whole lot of people running.  In fact, everyone but me seemed to be running.  I checked my watch and saw it was still 3 minutes to 7.(yes, I was cutting it close anyway)  And then I saw the Marthon Clock which said 00:57:23.  Nope...the 57 wasn't seconds, but minutes.  They were already 57 minutes into the race! Oops. I guess it wasn't Daylight Savings after all.  My heart in my throat, I jumped on the course at the start line and took off running at an incredible pace.  Adrenaline rushing, I powered my way past scores of people, trying to regain the lost hour. 

    I did okay until about mile 7.  I hit a wall; I was running much too fast and it was catching up with me.  I slowed up a bit and ran the next few miles at this more moderate pace.  About this time, the race course had cleared ( I was on my third and final lap and everyone else had already finished) A cop car rolled up behind me and announced on his loudspeaker that I would have to get off the road because they were opening it up to traffic again.  I was mortified.  He encouraged me to quit and head back.  I did consider it.  I was terribly embarassed to be out here (mostly) by myself and I felt sad and tired.  But, I remembered the poster my MOPs group had made for me.  Each one had signed their names with a word of encouragement for the race.  I looked around me.  There was nobody left handing out drinks.  Those who had been cheering us on had already gone back and I was alone...except for a very old man who was about 1/2 mile ahead of me.  I imagined my MOPs group standing along the sidelines, cheering me on...hoping and believing in me.  I pressed on, stopping occasionally on the last two miles to walk for a bit.  I finally finished the race just barely ahead of the very sweet old man, so I guess I can say I was not the very last person! 

    My time?  It was 3 hrs and 37 minutes according to their clock.  But it was 2hrs and 37minutes by my stopwatch.  The volunteers at the finish line were packing up when they noticed me coming in.  A cheer went up and they joined me and ran the last tenth of a mile with me, encouraging me all the way.  What a sweet group of people!

    His side of the story:
    Meanwhile, back at the homestead, Aaron was playing Mr. Mom.  He had agreed to meet me at the 10 mile marker at 9am (what we now realize was 10am by everyone else's clock) He decided to leave at 8am so that he could have plenty of time to get there and park.  By 8, the boys were both ready to go.  Well, at least they had clothes on...Jackson's clothes were pajamas, but why should that matter?  As he was about to walk out the door, he realized he hadn't fed Jackson yet.  After a bottle, he tried to leave again.  But Jackson's projectile spitup and poopy diaper meant a trip back to the house for clean clothes.  Well, Jackson has had a bit of a growth spurt and some of his clothes are a bit small for him.  So Aaron finally arrives at the race course, two boys and a dog in tow...Jackson wearing a rather ill-fitting shirt with a bare midriff.  But I've never seen a more welcome sight than my three boys walking towards me, all smiles.  Thank you Aaron for all the effort you put into that!

    Well, the moral of the story is you can't trust anything you read on the internet.  We even checked it again when we got home and found that some websites say Daylight Savings is today...others claim it is November 1st.  After a cozy nap, we reflected on my marvelous acheivement.  "I feel so accomplished" I said "like I've made a major acheivement, beyond the daily dishes and laundry" I quipped, wiping spitup off my ear.  Well, it is a huge accomplishment.  I plan to run it again sometime, and this time I'll be there when it starts.  Meanwhile, I need to go set my clocks back. 

  • Pumpkin Patch

     




    Our little Pumpkin head

    Daddy shows him how it's done

    Of course Coco had to come too

     Caleb meets a friend

    My favorite










     

  • On Getting Fit - part two

    I'm sure you have all been waiting breathlessly to hear about my progress The sad truth is that after weeks of struggling forward, I am still no closer to my goal than I was before.  We are eating very healthy these days - Aaron has lost 10 lbs (!) and his wedding ring is loose.  But I haven't lost an ounce!  I got Caleb's stomach virus and was violently ill, unable to keep even water down for 36 hours.  I still didn't lose an ounce. 

    The half-marathon is a week from tomorrow and I've been training arduously in the sweltering heat and humidity (somewhat akin to running through a hot bathtub, uphill, pushing 60 squirming pounds).  It's very difficult to muster the gumption to run in such depressing weather.  It's simply unconstitutional that temperatures can be ninety plus in OCTOBER! Fortunately, we had a breakthrough yesterday and a 'cold' front brought temperatures down to the 70s.  With the onset of these arctic temperatures, we've all experienced coughs, sore throats, and even some minor frostbite. (grins)

    I was supposed to go to my Mary Kay training this Tuesday (which I do every other week and usually enjoy).  But this Tuesday was different.  I felt incredibly bloated and found to my horror that none of my clothes would fit in an acceptable manner.  After trying on my fifth shirt, which clung to my belly and accentuated the stubborn baby pounds, I melted to the ground in a heap of tears.  Defeated, depressed and a little hopeless.  I wallowed in this state of self pity for about 45 seconds.  I was getting angry. I could feel the frustration building, the adrenaline rising.  And anyone who's ever been angry, knows that it is the best time for a good run.  I scrambled into my running gear, grabbed my i-pod and fled out the door, leaving the bewildered children with Aaron. 

    Despite the heat and humidity, I had a great run.  I felt better.  Fall was in the air; or at least on the front porches of every house in the neighborhood.  There are enough pumpkins on this street to feed a starving village for a month...funny that there are people starving and yet we decorate with food!  Stranger still the things you think about while you have a long run in front of you.

    I ran six miles that night.  Today I ran 10.  We are only one week away from Race day - next Sunday.  I think I'm ready.  Pushing the baby jogger has been a great form of resistance training!  When I leave the boys at home, I feel like I'm flying down the trail.  It's very freeing.  I don't know when I will lose this weight.  I have run the gauntlet of emotions from patience to desperation many times; but I am never complacent. I've set a new goal.  I want to lose all this weight by Thanksgiving.  I'm open to suggestions or ideas. 

    Meanwhile, I ventured out and purchased some larger sized clothing.  At least I can feel well dressed.  People say I look as though I've lost weight - I guess all that working out is doing some good after all, even if the scale says otherwise.  It's a journey; a challenge.  I like challenges.