Mi Vida Loca

Saturday December 8th, a very memorable day. It started with the Snowflake festival. This is a great fun party put together by the Children's Therapy Clinic (where Izzy and Xan go for speech and OT).

There were all kinds of characters and games and crafts even Santa! And all the kids got special presents with their names on them, and they were selected for them.

Izzy n' Xan playing toss!

Dimon and his dragon!
Marlene (Xan's Speech Therapist) and Scott (his OT)

Present Time!

Craft Time!

We had a great time and can not say enough about how much fun we all had. Even though Xander would not eat anything. (He refused donuts!!!) We left with ornaments, toys and lots of great pictures!

The Accident and the Bravest Boy in the world

After that the day was looking good. Andy and I were headed down to Louisville to see Joe and Mel and the kids were staying at my parents house for the weekend. Everyone was really happy and excited. That was about 1130 in the morning. At about 1230 we were in the ER of Bloomington Hospital. Xander had stuck his hand in a hot glue pot, that heats to about 4oo degrees. He had run away from Dad and when Dad told him to get away from the pot he looked up at him and slammed his hand into the pot. TOTAL ACCIDENT!!!! Dad and mom called and said that we needed to meet them at the hospital, thankfully we had just left home so we were only about 5 minutes from home. He had 2nd degree burns on his right hand and a small 1st degree burn on his left wrist from where he flipped some of the glue from his other hand. They wrapped his hand after getting the remaining glue off of his hand and called Riley Children's Hospital. Dr Gupta (@ Riley) said that because of his Autism and chances of being worse he would like to see him. So we headed to Riley, Andy's parents drove us. Before we left the emergency room here in Bloomington Andy, Dad and Ryan gave Xander a blessing. Once we got to Riley they said that the burn had not reached the membrane and he should heal pretty well, but they wanted to watch him for a few days because burns can get worse over a 72 hour period. So what we though would be a short stay turned into a 10 day long, very long stay at Riley in the ICU Burn Unit. (Tony and Andy getting ready to do a dressing change->)

As unhappy as we were about being there we could not have asked for a better place or a better staff. We love the nurses there at Riley! They were so good to all of us. Andy and I stayed the whole time, and my parents took Izzy and Dimon for the 10 days. The first few days were the worst for Xan because we were debreeding his hand (taking all the dead skin off by rubbing a washcloth over it.) But he was so very brave and smiled about an hour after it was done, if he didn't go to sleep first. Sunday, my Aunt Jane and Grandma came by to see if we needed anything. We had several phone calls and text messages from friends to find out how they could help. They really meant a lot to hear from people. Dave and Lil came up almost everyday to visit and my parents brought the kids up a lot. That really made Xander happy, because he kept asking for Izzy, and he even asked for Dimon a few times. After a few days we were able to get some smiles and laughs from Xander, he even played alot with one of his nurses, Tony. (who we absolutely adore.) He even braided my hair for me one day.

Like I said the nurses were amazing, Paul, Xander's night nurse for most of the 10 days, and Katie, even gave me a bed one night because Xander kicked me, litterally out of his. We spent a lot of time feeding pennies into the fountain downstairs, and walking the halls playing with all of the cool toys we found. We also went to the library there and checked out movies and just spent a lot of time playing with the toys that the Cheer Guild brought.

The people at Riley are amazing. There is just not enough words in world to explain how wonderful and beautiful the people who work at Riley are. They want to do nothing but help.

Penny Throwing, one of many games set up in lobby one day, Safe Place.

And there was always something going on in the lobby during the day. Xan got very accustomed to a little red wagon and it was his safe place. No one would mess with his arm if he was in his wagon so one day, when he was having a really rough time he climbed in and even fell asleep in it. The reason that we had to stay for so long was one, Xander developoed psuemondus ( I know I mispelled that) and then because until the 10th day he was still on IV meds instead of oral. Trying to give this boy any kind of medicine by mouth is worse than changing the bandges on his hand! But the last day they said that we knew everything about doing the changes and how to take care of him, if we were willing to give him the oral meds then we could go home. So we came home. YEA!!!!!!! We are so proud of Xander, he has been such a little trooper. So have Izzy and Dimon, they were really good for my parents. (Not that I think they would tell me otherwise)

So we are home and happy now. Xander is doing great. We only have to wrap 2 of his fingers now because the rest is healed. Changes are still rough, but it's his anxiety and soon we won't have to do that anymore, we hope. So now its on to Christmas. Everybody say presents!

PS> We want to say thank you to everyone who has helped us out at the hospital, once we got home, and those of you who kept Xander in your prayers. It has meant a lot and we want you to know that we love each and everyone of you. Merry Christmas!!!

8 feet is enough?

So we went Christmas Tree Hunting this past weekend, and as usual picked a huge tree out of the clearnce field. I think it was maybe 10-11 feet tall, probaly more. The picture to the left is our tree prior to trimmiming. Then there is how muych we had cut off.

OK, I'll take the blame this year for the tree. It is huge!!! Not that this should surprise anyone. Last year Andy had to take the blame for the tree, this year the fault is mine.

However it is very pretty and no one was complaining when I said make it 8 1/2 feet tall just in case. No I only hear about it once we get home and it hits the ceiling! I never claimed that I was good at estimating height, and if Andy had not opened his mouth at church then I would not be admitting to this, however since he told Ted Maxwell and Israel already knew, I'm pretty much having to cop to it.

Anyway we had a great time running around in the 29 degree weather, as you can see everyone was bundled, but we had a great time. Xander especially loved running between Papa and us, except for the time that he caught his leg in a twisty, throny vine, and being the intelligent person I am stepped on it and tried to pull him out. Needless to say that did not end well. I got him out after a minute or two of tugging and he screamed and ran, as I truend I realized I had just traded places with my son!

But we eventully chose the tree and had it cut down and wrapped and put on the car. It took 3 guys to get it on the top of the van!

Plus we looked like tourist with our camera. Oh well, luckily the owner remembers that I worked there one year making garlands. That was a very cold job. We had a great time and everyone had popcorn and hot cider (the boys had water) while the tree was being shook and wrapped.

Once we got home and got it in the house (Thank you Israel!) we started taking the wrapping off and Xan just thought that those vertical lines were the best thing ever! And Izzy got her little journal out and had to take notes and draw. Dimon just sat back and watched the show. We are now in the process of decorating, right now we have lights. I think that is all that is going up tonight. So here ends the tree saga, for now. (It's not bending at the top to much. Is it?)

The Stash

One can not think of Christmas's past and not remember the joy of the present hunt. Every year the approach of Saint Nick's coming meant the sure knowledge that somewhere in the house there are presents to be uncovered. For the years we were naughty, dark wrapped packages snuck out of steaming cars in the night, viewed illegally through the seemingly sleeping occupant's blinds, helped keep our faith alive. The trick to there discovery was to try to think the way your parents would. While I hear stories of other friends success, I always sucked at this part and only succeeded once in finding my Christmas presents. My joy was short lived when they were pulled out the next day to be wrapped and given to my cousins. I have secretly suspected my sin was discovered and this act of 'cousin charity' was my Christmas stocking full of coal. I still got really cool presents, most of which I had asked for, but it taught a good lesson to be used on my own kids. If one leaves a booby trap pile, the real treasure will be missed. Even if it is kept in an obvious place. The picture on the right shows the 'booby' pile to which our children's discovery was met with amazed pleasure. The picture to the left shows there youthful arrogance. For those who are wondering, the pile to the left is also a few feet deep. Merry Christmas to all, and to all hunters a good night!

p.s. How many years will it take them to discover this entry. My future nursing home choice will become darker in there sub-conscience.

Oh my gosh! It's December

When did that happen????? This has been such a crazy month, and there seems tube no end. I only have a few minutes so here is the movie that I am so very proud of. I did this for my French project. Happy Holidays!!!

Also here are some fun things to look at. The first is an amazing thing tht was on Melanie's site, sorry Mel had to steal it. It is so funny, you'll love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM

This next one are a couple of clips from Jeff Dunham's shows . These are hilarious and you'll love them. The 1st one is a link to Achmed the Dead Terrorist which is so funny and I love this skit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uwOL4rB-go

The next one is Peanut and is my favorite of Jeff Dunham's puppets!

And last but not least Bill Cosby on Grandparents, this is for ne and Andy's parents.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb5CMJMiBhI&feature=related

Enjoy for now.

Catching up

Dimon survived his first trip to the dentist on the 22nd, the day after he turned one! I don't want him to be that big! I will post pics asap. (my camera broke) But we had a great day and he got lots of new toys to wreak havoc with and drive us all crazy! But it was fun and he is the first of the 3 to smash the birthday cake into his own face... priceless.

Ok, so we went to Louisville this weekend and with no camera so the pics on here are from earlier this month, but we did manage to surpise Joe for his birthday on Sunday afternoon. I am very proud of Mel for keeping her mouth shut! Though I think that she is prouder, is that a word? We had a wonderful time i Louisville, we spent the first half of the weekend with Jen , Ferral and Ayden and no one died! Amazing!!!! It was great to see everyone and I promise as soon as I have them I will post halloween pictures, we must get the from grandparents..... I need a new camera! AHHHHH

Munchkin Wrestlers!
in other news, I know some of you know that I lost my laptop to an unfortunate accident. My son, whom I may add is still breathing and well, decided that my laptop needed a bath. And so while we were in Louisville the nice guys at PC Max were fixing my brand new laptop. (Thank you Dave n Lil! But I will post more after the kida are in bed and I have more Pics! Happy Halloween and Day of the Dead!

catch up on pics

Xander's Birthday Party and Soccer Pics for the Grandparents..... and I really don't want to study for

my midterms.... at all. Below is for the frog, Twinkletoes!

Hello all!

This is our first attempt at lettin people know about us without phonecalls. So we'll see how this goes. Everyone is doing great. Dimon will be 1 year old on the 21st of this month. Scary thing! Xander and Izzy are both loving school. Xander can now write the letter X with some guidence. (He generally just doesn't care to play with writing utensils unless he gets to eat them.) Izzy is working on her ABC's and can now write and recognize many of the letters. Dimon is talking up a storm. He responds and answers you, even if they are not always real words. Andy is still loving his job, though I think that somedays he want to kill some of the people he works for or with.

I am back in school and finally on my way to finishing. (BA in History and Anthropology, for anyone who forgot, or I forgot to tell.) I should graduate Dec 2008, provined I can pass French! By the way I hate French! Anyway I have to study for midterms now. love you all!