Craving Spring!!!

Ty likes Ryan's little puppy. We call it Ryan's puppy because it guards Ryan's little Christmas tree. Ty carries it around the yard quite a bit.

I kept this shot "G" rated as little man was streaking in his sister's sunglasses! Absolutely adorable physique, but I have to set limits somewhere!!

It was 60 sunny degrees today so I lent Ty's baby hat to Colby to play outside for a little while this afternoon. The fresh air was wonderful!

It says "Lil Monster" but I assure you the title doesn't fit in this case!

 

Now, this "Little Monster" on the other hand is telling me "NO"! He knows he is just cute enough to get away with it too! Cuteness and the fact that he's running a low grade fever again has permitted him to get away with a lot more cuddling and complaining. This too shall pass.....

Greg and I were able to enjoy a walk around the neighborhood after dinner tonight. It was beautiful and refreshing to get outside. I quickly wished I had grabbed my camera as some of my neighbors have crocus plants and daffodils blooming....Spring! It's really happening! I shouldn't will away any season but this winter has left me a little run down and ready to see new growth, greener grass and sunny skies again. Fresh air stirs my soul. It also reminds me that we have a lot of yard work and spring cleaning to do! Spring Break is next week and Greg has taken the week off to work around the house. I can't wait to knock some tasks off the "to do" list and enjoy family time.

He wears me out.

Is there an end to the risks he is willing to take?

And she's off!

We took advantage of another gorgeous day and quickly taught Kate how to ride without training wheels. She started the process last fall but wasn't quite ready. She is thrilled!

Happy 4th Birthday Mason Cole!

Mason declared that there would not be any photos taken so the birthday boy is barely noted at his own party! He was not feeling much like a celebrity but when you are the birthday boy, you get to make some declarations and I tried to honor his request but was just sneaky enough to get a couple shots anyway.

Ty loves Aunt Theresa's house and would likely stay there if I would allow it! The play room and yard are covered in boy toys and there are big boys there willing to play with him. It was a blast for Ty! He didn't want to leave Theresa's for the party destination but once we arrived there, he was in heaven! He ran for two solid hours until he crashed hard on Pa-pa's shoulder. Life was good.

Erin and Lauren skated for the entire party and have the blisters to prove it. Makenna was in her glory playing laser tag and won! Kate attempted skating and made several trips around the rink while I held onto her. She decided she likes skating on carpet more! Grandma joined the girls for a few rounds but quickly realized it has been a long time!

We also took the opportunity to celebrate Erin's upcoming 16th birthday while we were all together. Given the three hour drive everyone makes to get us all together, we decided it wasn't necessary to do it again in eleven days for Erin. She enjoyed her pasta dinner and German Chocolate cake as well as her gifts. 

Can you get enough of that toothless grin?

Brennen was teaching Ty how to play basketball.

Somehow, Lauren ended up pulling Erin around most of the day???

On the rink with Grandma!

Mason is reminding me that he said "no photos"!

Ty loves birthday cake too!

Party like a rock star Kate Bug!

Mason won 1000 tickets and had a tough time spending them all...decisions decisions.

Given how unlikely Ty is to sleep anywhere but his own bed, this is evidence of how much hard he played.

16 candles.....

And the gift of choice.....a Chi hair straightener from Grandma and Grandpa. Theresa and her family chose a dress Erin will be using for her birthday dinner party.

Heaven Help Me!

"This little stool of mine.......

I use it all the time. To reach the things I couldn't and lots of things I shouldn't" Greg's childhood stepping stool was the sweetest little red wooden stool that had that message painted on the top. I loved inheriting it during one of his parent's de-cluttering spells, but decades of sitting in the garage after a few years of typical little boy abuse took its toll and by the time we were sorting through our belongings for our move, the little stool was tossed out. Ty now has a little red wooden stool and uses it to full capacity! He started with upside down laundry baskets so eliminating the stool won't actually slow him down! 

All light switches are fascinating and just for the record , he has somehow broken the outlet plate in his room! How does that even happen?

Heading onto Mommy's bed

He assumed that since I had the camera, he should pose for me!

Getting into Lauren's desk because she specifically told him he needs to stay out of her room.

And when I tell him that it is enough rather than follow him around for about five minutes taking his photo, I get this reaction........

Greg calls this his "little thug" pose.

And that has been his reaction lately so I ordered this......

We hope we don't need the entire series as they also have Teeth are Not for Biting and Feet are Not for Kicking! Happy Monday friends!

"All Done"

My parents called just after Ty's blood test today to see how it went. He didn't cry until they tried to put the band aid on his finger! (So I didn't!) I won't get results unless there is a problem but will ask for specific numbers when we go back in two weeks. Anyway, after that conversation and another about the price of his treatment, Mom asked what we were having for dinner. Huh? They were headed down! I was so excited! It just seemed weird to have baby dedication without any family there.
Ty was "all done" with baby dedication before it started. He didn't like being confined or standing in line to head onto the stage at church. He declared himself as "all done" several times but thankfully decided the lights and audience were interesting enough to hold his attention once we were up there. He spotted "Gampa" in the audience and called out to him. Grandpa was just as pleased to wave back. A few friends from church joined us and helped make my parents comfortable in the audience until we were able to join them.Thank you to Jennifer for your photography skills!

Ty added the "G" sound to his version of Grandma and Grandpa this weekend. He loves having them here. He was asleep when I had to leave for church to teach the first hour. Greg wasn't sure how we spiked it earlier, so he came with a mixed version of left over spike and bed head that wouldn't lay back down! It seems to fit him!

Greg says theses two need numbers added to the back of their prison jumpsuits. Nice....

They love him anyway!

Shelby and her mom, Jennifer joined us along with Miss Amy to help celebrate Ty's night.

On stage as they called Ty's name....

Miss Andrea is the early childhood minister who puts this event together every year. The parenting class was two weeks ago and a great reminder for all parents, whether the first time around or the fifth. We love Miss Andrea.

Our Little Dude!

Ty woke from his nap with serious bed head and I couldn't resist spiking it a little more! The shirt and hair combo certainly captured his little attitude today!

Little man has another cold sore but this one is healing really quickly. He doesn't seem run down or otherwise sick this time. The lady I babysit for is a pediatrician who happens to be working on her masters in public health and deals with infectious diseases. Anyway, Robyn has talked with me a few times about Ty's frequent cold sores. This is number eleven since last March. That's a lot in anyone's book. I've contacted our pediatrician who discussed Ty's issue with the infectious disease clinic. As of tomorrow morning, we are having Ty's CBC count checked and then will start anti viral meds three times a day for the next six months. The theory is that it will kill the virus that clearly has the upper hand in Ty's body. Because of Ty's medical history with blood issues, his CBC will be tested again in two weeks and every month after that just to make sure the meds aren't wiping out his blood cell count. Greg and I are in full agreement as much as we don't like to put him through blood tests. Coming to the point of allowing maintenance medications was not an easy road for us but we trust Ty is in good hands and will hopefully stay healthy and cold sore free after all of this!
My nightly prayer with Ty: "Jesus, thank you for this boy. We love him very much. Help him grow big and strong, loving and serving you all of his days. Amen." Ty always repeats the "Amen" as snuggles into his bed. Tomorrow night, Ty is being dedicated at our church. The kids are begging me to allow his new hair style for the dedication service. We'll see.....

The babies.....

were both here for awhile today. Cameron is mobile enough that he was able to check out Colby. I think these two will be fun friends in the very near future.....

Can you get enough of this great smile?

And Cameron caught Colby!

Fever free for 24 hours!!!!!

So proud of that belly!

I wasn't out there, but I can assume Ty was saying "NO!". He says that a lot these days!

This one reminds me of Greg's childhood photos

Dad's personal assistant.....it must have been break time for Ty?

This big boy went to the vet yesterday and was promptly put on a diet! It seems someone has been feeding "Bru...us" a few too many table scraps. He's gained 12 pounds in a year and a half! Ty's treats are so plenty that Brutus will no longer eat a cheerio....he's holding out for a better offer!

Erin craved some fresh air on Sunday afternoon and took the little ones along with the camera into the back yard. These are a sampling of her shots.