A Weekend...

We're coming off of a beautiful weekend--70 degrees and all sunshine.  I love spring in Colorado...when it finally decides to be spring.  I hear we have snow coming again on Wednesday...sigh.  Anyways, we've spent a lot of time outside.  The boys really enjoy watering our plants and tulips and trees and anything else they feel needs to be hydrated.  We went to Lowes to gather material for our first major landscaping project and we also spent time out at the Tree Farm trying to decide how to best spend a generous house warming gift we received when we bought our house.

Our second big event last week (after Justin's dissertation proposal defense) was Morgan's upper endoscopy and pH probe.  He did so well and we were just amazed at how composed and mature he was about the whole thing.  Jacoby had been coaching him the week prior about what to expect, so he was well-prepared.  He didn't complain about anything and came out of the anesthesia very calm.  The initial views down his esophagus show furrowing and areas of white, which likely indicate eosinophilic esophagitis.  We'll know more later this coming week once the biopsies are back.  I'm not sure Justin and I felt any emotion about this--we sort of knew this would be the news based on the symptoms Morgan's been having at home. Our hope and prayer is that he responds as well to the medication as Jacoby has.  The second procedure, which was a new one for us, was a 24-hour pH probe to check for reflux.  Out of all the tests we've been through, this was one of my least favorite.  He had a probe placed through his nose and down his throat, attached to a monitor that we had to use to record when he ate, when he laid down, etc.  It was a royal pain in the rear end, but Morgan was a super trooper about the whole thing.  Justin and Morgan had to go all the way back down to Children's on Friday to have the thing removed.  We'll get those results this week as well.

I think the week ahead will be less exciting and stressful--just work, school, soccer, and swimming lessons.

Hope you all have a good week!

Here's my little buddy after his ordeal.  He's got no-no restraints on his arms--we only had him wear those on the way home and at night.  He did a great job keeping the probe in his nose, despite how uncomfortable it must have been.

Our brave boy.  He could tell you all about the wires, and the "pipe" in his nose, as he called it.  He also got very proficient at pushing the buttons on the monitor when needed.

 Nothing but quiet activities when we got home.  He didn't really smile or laugh at all that day.  ):  Boy those are things I sure missed!

 Having a great time at the children's museum during a birthday party

 Riding in the car together...they used to be itty bitty in this thing!

We're re-doing the edging around our yard and will be creating a new flower bed area.  Sheesh--based on this picture, our lawn really needs some TLC this year!

I broke out a power tool today (and had my own "I am woman, hear me roar" moment) and turned my very favorite porch chairs into planters.  Nothing planted yet until the stinkin' snow takes a hike for good.  (:

Defended.

Big news:  Justin defended his dissertation proposal today.  The committee accepted the proposal and he is now free to write his dissertation.  The hope is to write one page a day and have a draft done by January.  You can guess who will be first in line to help move this along toward that goal.  (:  The end is in sight, my friends.

Other news, winter continues here in Colorado despite it being spring.  We really can't complain about the moisture.  I've got a bunch of landscaping projects brewing in my head and can't wait to get outside. 

The boys are doing well.  Our next hurdle this week is Morgan's GI procedures at Children's on Thursday.  We're looking forward to having that behind us.  Jacoby is doing great in school and is working on a book report to present on Wednesday.  Work is really busy for me as we head toward our spring board meeting.

Hope you all have a great week!

 Spring in Colorado

 Morgan at soccer

  Running!

Our Winter-Spring

It seems that winter has finally decided to arrive in Colorado.  Last week school was canceled one day due to snow, wind, and cold, so the boys and I had a snow day at home together.  We made donuts and enjoyed being inside together.  We've gotten around seven inches of snow today and more is on the way this evening.  I've been riding the bus to work for the past few months (it's made a huge difference with our gas bill).  It's a 10 minute walk to my office from the stop, and by the time I got in this morning I was covered head-to-toe in a thick layer of snow!  It's so pretty and we desparately need the moisture.  Morgan keeps saying that it must be Christmas time since it's snowing. (:

In other news, Morgan started soccer last week.  He really seems to like it and has a good time running around with the other little guys in his class.  The boys started another session of swimming lessons.  They're both doing great and love being in the water.  Jacoby goes underwater like a pro now and was diving for rings last week.  Morgan goes to Children's Hospital next week for an upper endoscopy and Ph probe.  Sigh.  ):

Justin is super busy with work, teaching his graduate class, and getting ready for the dissertation proposal defense.  He works all the time, except when the youngest child decides he really needs a "Daddy fix"...and then I find Justin reading Dr. Seuss to Morgan in the middle of all of his piles and papers.

I am itching to get outside in our yard and begin a few landscaping projects.  But this crazy snow has that on hold, so I'm working on stuff inside.  I did manage to sell the fence we took down last fall on Craig's list!  It went to a really nice couple in Fort Collins.  I meet the nicest people on Craig's List!  I was asked to join the PTO Board at school, but I quietly declined the very nice offer.  I don't think it's my scene, and I just really like being at the classroom level.  Jacoby is doing really well in school.  His teacher had very nice things to say about the changes in his behavior when I was there on Friday.  I think we have finally made it through the rough patch, both at home and at school.  Jacoby is finishing up a research project on South America -- yes, you did read that right, a research project in Kindergarten. 

 Morgan practicing stopping the ball with his foot

I don't know exactly what's happening here, but I love that Justin got him in mid-air

Running, running, running...just what little boys need!

Morgan made the goal!

Two boys swinging at the park

Jacoby's project on South America.  He can tell you about the poncho his doll is wearing and what animal provides the wool for this apparel.  He has to present this and the information he collected to his class this week.  And yes, I am the mean mom who requires him to write his answers in complete sentences.   (:

Spring Break Trip

The boys and I had a great time in Montana last week.  We really enjoyed spending time with our family.  I couldn't ask for better travel partners.  Justin wasn't able to make it because of work and teaching responsibilities, but we'll be back this summer with him in tow.

Here are some of the highlights (and then a flood of pictures, of course):

*We visited a new park each day with Grandpa Bill.  The boys thought this was great and it successfully burned up lots of energy.

*We enjoyed going to Easter service with all four grandparents.  Such a blessing!

*We made a trip to the bookstore with Grandpa Michael and Grandmanette and also enjoyed a movie night with them.

*We visited Aunt Megan at the hospital where Grandma Pam had some surgery.  The boys got to see Aunt Megan in her nursing gear and also got special stuffed animals from the surgery center.  I'm also happy to report that Grandma Pam is making a full recovery and all the pathology reports came back clear.  Stage 1 Melanoma is serious stuff--skin checks every year, people!

*We had a wildly successful trip in terms of managing our food allergies.  We're still very careful but traveling is getting easier each time we attempt it.  And we're really grateful to our families for their patience and willingness to work with us on this.

Thanks to everyone for hosting and making time to see us!

We hit the ground running tomorrow and have two very busy months ahead.  The boys and I got our tiny garden seeds planted this weekend.  They'll grow indoors for awhile before they move out to the garden.  A good plan considering we're supposed to get up to 13 inches of snow tomorrow night!  We are hoping to grow broccoli, brussel sprouts, miniature pumpkins, a white pumpkin, watermelon, carrots, peas, and zucchini    We'll see how the harvest turns out!

And now for the flood of pictures.  (:  Enjoy and have a good week!

 Having an Easter egg hunt

 Finding an Easter treasure

 Me and the boys

Reading with Grandma Pam

 iPad time at Grandmanette's

 Racing Cars

 Playing with blocks at Grandmanette's

 More park fun

 Momo checking in before making his move on the slide

 These two can spend hours on a slide

 Jacoby listening to Grandpa Bill's heart

 Having Aunt Megan listen to their hearts

More books with Grandma Pam

 Swinging at the playground Mommy used to visit with Grandma Haggerty when she was little

 Jacoby navigating a new park in Billings

 Reading together

 Throwing balls at each other and giggling like crazy

 Reading with Aunt Megan

Playing cars in the garage

A break in Glenrock on our way back to Colorado

These guys did so great in the car.  All they needed was a pile of new books from the library and the Disney Channel on Pandora and they were all set!

The Tooth Fairy and Other Happenings

We've been hunkered down most of the weekend, thanks to a spring snow storm.  We're really thankful for the moisture!

It has been a busy week around here!  The boys are nearing the end of their first round of swimming lessons.  Jacoby goes underwater on his own now and he did a back float all by himself!  Both boys had well-checks on Wednesday with our new pediatrician--we miss Dr. B a bunch but we like our new doctor.  The boys are healthy and growing.

On Thursday, Jacoby got his two front bottom teeth pulled at the dentist.  He did a fantastic job--didn't make a single peep or complaint.  He and I hung out together and ate jello and popsicles the rest of the day.  He impresses me all the time with how he handles all of the medical stuff in his little life.  The Tooth Fairy brought a little extra compensation, since these teeth came out with more effort and bravery.  Jacoby has a great grin now with a little gap at the bottom.  (:

Justin is really busy with work, his dissertation proposal, and preparation for the graduate class he starts teaching on Tuesday.  I think it's safe to say that most of the books are on the floor right now, instead of on the bookshelves.  And you can always tell where he's been working, just by the stack of books left behind.

The boys reached the top of their gem jars, so they went on "gem dates" this week.  Jacoby and I visited a book store with a bit of spending money he got for his birthday.  Morgan taught Daddy how to play "Old Maid".  Justin wasn't sure it counted as a date, but Morgan was adamant that he learn how to play.  (:

The week ahead will be busy.  It's technically Morgan's spring break, so his preschool teacher is coming to hang out with him on Tuesday.  He's so excited to have her coming over to see his room and his new house. Both boys go see the GI doctor on Thursday down in Denver.  We suspect Morgan may be struggling with some of the same reflux/esophagus problems that Jacoby has.  I'm so thankful we have a great doctor we can turn to--they'll probably want to scope him, which is a real bummer, but we'll cross that bridge when it gets here.

Friday we leave for Montana--thank goodness the snow storm was this weekend!  The boys are so excited to visit.

Have a great week everyone!

 The new grin

 Pulled teeth

 Tooth Fairy Door

 Little envelope of our first baby teeth!

 Eating all things soft, including a jello parfait.  Everything feels better with whipped cream!

 Full gem jars!  These are working out better than expected.

 Partially completed stencil in the cave...it's taking me forever but I really like how it's turning out.

Morgan photo bombing my picture.  (: