Ouch!

Right after we got home from our very first camping trip, one of us got very sick. Nope, not me. Not Ryker. Not even pregnant Mommy. Daddy was very very very sick. At first the doctors just thought he had some virus and well, the following video pretty much tells how it all went down. Uhm, a little too well.

But Daddy didn't get better with the treatments he got so one day at work, one of the doctors that he works with asked if he could he could help. Tory told him his symptoms and what he thought was going on. The good Doctor told him would order the test Daddy thought he needed, but also added a few more tests because he thought it might be some other things. Well, what would you know, Daddy was right. He had Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease. Next step was Surgery. Luckily, Daddy works with some really great doctors who know other really great doctors and told Daddy which Surgeon to see.

Daddy having second thoughts about consenting to surgery.

How ya feeling Daddy?

I'm on a Gurney.

Daddy got his second ever IV. I of course gave him a big pep talk before he left on how to survive all of this. I mean, I am a pro at surviving surgery now.

Mommy decided that it would be best if Ryker and I stayed home during all of this (we didn't complain, we got lots of play time with Grandma M. and Teddy). But it was hard on Mommy, the surgery took a little longer than it should have and she was used to having Daddy there to calm her down. Plus she missed us tons so it was hard for her to just sit and wait. When she finally talked with the Surgeon she was just so glad that he started with, "Your husband is doing well." All the little complications didn't matter, because Daddy had picked a very talented Surgeon and he was doing really well.

Daddy was a little groggy from all the medicine after surgery and was willing to show off his battle wounds. Now Daddy and I have some matching scars. Here is to a happy recovery for Daddy.

Carwash Baby

Daddy recently decided that I needed to learn more about man's work. I have been his lawn mowing buddy for a while and I will go help him in the garage any chance I get. But one thing I have not learned yet is the art of washing a car. So Daddy decided that I am now of a mature age and that I needed to take on more of a man's responsibilities.

Michelle wanted to come hang out, but she was wearing her new sparkly red shoes and avoided getting wet, girls . . . goodness.

After teaching me the art of controlling the hose, Daddy gave me full reign . . . and I knew what I needed to do.

First, I act like I am watering the grass.

Then I start heading towards the house.

Then I innocently start watering the grass at Michelle's feet.

Then I get her. Yep, washing the car is not complete until everyone involved gets wet. Oh, and by the way Mommy, you have a bulls-eye on your back for next time.

1, 2, 3 . . . 4!

Holy Moly! I am FOUR! Yep today is MY Day. The day when my family does things I think would be cool (uhm can we shopping). The day I get to choose what we eat (aka what everyone else has eat, I still get stuck with my formula via my G-tube, I am working on changing that, but another day, another post). The day they sing every rendition of Happy Birthday at least a bazillion times (Don't worry Grandpa M, Daddy sang the funeral dirge one too). And the day We all celebrate one more year of growth in all areas. How do we celebrate, you may ask? Let me show you.

We started the day off with the new tradition of going out to eat. I even tasted a blueberry, yummy!

Ryker really likes this new tradition.

First Teddy had brought over lots and lots and lots of presents to open actually the day before my actual Birthday. There was new clothes, a new baby with a baby carrier, crafts galore, and a new computer just for me. Oh Teddy, you know me to well. Oh she also got me the one thing I have been asking for, SPARKLY RED SHOES. I about passed out from excitement, which is why there is no picture.

Then as soon as we got home from Breakfast on my actual Birthday, we checked the mail and there was a package from Grandma M. I had it opened before Mommy could get the camera (remember I am 4 now, that means super speedy fast doing the things I WANT to do), but at least you get to see me modeling the new clothes. Wow, people really know me! Hi, I am a girl and I like new clothes.

But after that quick little fun, Daddy and Mommy started picking up for the little Birthday party we were having. I of course declared it was MY Birthday and I get to do the things I like to do, that means they had to let me do the vacuuming.

That means Mommy got stuck doing her least favorite, dishes and cleaning the kitchen. My Birthday, I get to do the fun activities.

Then the party started and we opened some presents.

Even though I was super speedy fast, it was not fast enough for Ryker and he started opening up some of the presents too. More clothes, more toys, and another pair of shoes, Red Converse. Oh dear me, I am now the happiest girl ever!

And to finish it off, we had pizza (I got to pick out the two types myself) and Birthday Cake. Actually, I stuck with the pizza theme. We made fruit pizza. It was delicious. I actually tasted it myself.

It was an absolutely amazing Birthday!

We are family!

The last several days we have had some pretty awesome visitors! Mommy was in charge of hosting the family reunion for her parents and siblings this year. After searching and searching, she decided the perfect place  for everyone to gather was  . . . HERE! Yep all 22 people were here and it was a blast! Now trust me there were five cameras going almost the whole time (yes they are all crazy like Mommy) and we have over a thousand pictures to sort through (it was a three and a half day reunion, wow pictures). So don't worry, there are lots of pictures and stories to post about and we will let you know when they get posted, but for now just know we have discovered something very important. Our Family Rocks!

200 days until February 24th

I love being a Mom. But sometimes I let myself become overwhelmed with "everything" I feel I am not doing. Knowing that fairly soon my responsibilities as a mom are going to grow exponentially definitely consumes me at times. But I get little reminders like this that make me feel like I am not doing too bad of a job and maybe, just maybe, everything will turn out great. So for all you Moms out there (and all you women who are the other mothers for my children-you know who you are) this is for you.

Caramel

Mommy introduced me to this sweet buttery creamy treat. Caramel

Thank you Tino. I am now the happiest boy ever.

On the Way Home

We took our time driving home. No more making me hold my bladder anymore.

Another thing our parents having been hoping to show us forever is this Mountain Range, the Tetons. This view was like a breath of fresh air them.

We have come to the unanimous decision that we love the mountains and can't wait to go back.

A Day to Relax

After all the driving the last two days, we decided that we needed a day to just kick back and relax.

Daddy decided to take us on a little nature walk.

We ended up at a nice little fishing dock. My older cousins were all about kicking their feet in the water, but watching Daddy try to use Ryker as fish bait, I decided to stay back.

Not making me feel safer.

The not so happy face seals the deal. I stay on the far side of the dock.

Sure, try to convince me that you are all happy.

But even if I don't take a little dip, I did love the view.

My uncle was very successful at fishing, fishing out some lost num num. Poor baby.

Okay, those smiles are a little more sincere. Maybe someday I will let my feet take a little dip.

Ryker did find a  much safer position.

I will just keep thinking about the whole water thing.

But my cousins did a good job trying to show me the fun that can be had with water.

But later that day, Ryker started to get sleepy after all that fun.

Yep, he fell asleep that fast.

And Daddy ended the day doing the thing he loves so very much. Fly fishing.

The end of a perfect day.