The Milles Family Blog!

Daddy-Daughter Time

2012-01-16T19:45:00.001-06:00

Watching B and Cory play together is one of the sweetest things around. She loves the extra attention for her daddy. You just gotta learn to play by her rules. Trust me...there are lots of them.
(gotta love first born children)

Thankful...

2011-11-23T21:04:00.001-06:00

Yup. You guessed it. I would be thankful for these two lil' goobers...

Fall Fun

2011-10-22T14:26:00.001-05:00

It is middle of October already, which means it is time for our trip to Daniel's Farm.

Of course, we went with one of our favorite people: Bryan (& his family).

Daniel's Farm is one of my favorite fall traditions. There is so much there for the kids to do. We will definitely be back year after year!

Swing Around

2011-09-16T07:32:00.000-05:00

Check it out:

Both kids on a "big boy" swing.

And this one...

she can officially swing. all. by. herself!

Holy Blog, Batman!

2011-08-28T21:29:00.000-05:00

Holy, Blog Batman. Looks like we've been a total slacker! There are many of reasons why I've been slacking.... (1) enjoying the kids, (2) new addiction to Fringe, (3) the ever so later and later kiddo bedtimes, (4) my own stubbornness toward the blog...feeling like w/ the blog people don't feel the need to call, write or message us b/c all our life is up here, (5) pure back-to-work-at-a-new-school busyness, (6) trying to spend more time w/ the hubby and not w/ the computer. But...we'll put all that aside

So since we've updated only 1 time the last month....and only a few times the month before...I've got lots to share.

Summer is over. But man...was it a blast. This lil' man was almost 100% potty trained.
*yes, "was" the back-to-school routine has disrupted his progress*

We took our first ever family vacation. By first ever. I mean ever. Since Cory and I've been married. The kids had a blast!

We've been all over StL trying to hit some of the parks and events. Here is the Bird Sanctuary and a few Dodo's they've locked up!

Perhaps one of the best picture of my two goobers.

B started Pre-K! She is doing great! Already has mastered her first memory verse and is totally rocking that school! This is the Meet-the-Teacher night!

Our traditional First Day of School picture w/ a super cranky Owen.

Here she is at her first day of school!

So...I promise to be a better blogger. Really. The blog is more for me than anyone else. I love look back at old photos, thoughts and videos of the goobers...and just reminse. These two have gotten so big and I know one day I'll be looking back at when they were two and four years old thinking. "wow...that is when they were so little."

I wish I could just freeze time and keep them this age forever {hold the tantrums, though}. So for that very reason...this blogger is back!!!

Summer time...

2011-07-09T04:46:00.000-05:00

Summer time means...

excursions out and about.

chillin' and playing games while staying out of the heat.

dressin' like a cow to get free food.

being adorable...

okay...so they can be adorable anytime of the year...but he certainly is adorable during the summertime, too!

Overdue Birthday Update

2011-06-23T05:29:00.000-05:00

So June is close to being over and I still need to post a Bethany Birthday update. So here it goes:

Keeping up with my tradition of making birthday cakes, I made Bethany a Tinkerbell Cake. At first I attempted a Tangled Cake--with the tower and all. Yeah. That didn't work out for me. So when Bethany saw the pile of cake that was once a tower...she said, "That's ok Mama. You can make a Tinkerbell Cake instead."

She got a kick out of eating Tinkerbell's head!

Then it was present time. Which in our house is apparently universal present time and all person under the age of 12 get to open the presents.

And...apparently all persons gets to have equal opportunity to play with the said presents...

Even Daddies...

The kids even got these awesome couches/bed from their Grandma. What a great gift idea. They love having their own seats.

This was the first year Bethany was able to have her own Birthday Party with her friends. We decided to go with the classic venue of Chuck E. Cheese. Which, of course, brought back fond memories for Cory, as he used to be Chuck E. back in the day.

The kiddos has a blast!

Even Owen had a couple friends there to play with!

Gorgeous Dancing Girl

2011-06-07T08:37:00.000-05:00

Today is Bethany's 4th birthday. She is been looking forward to her birthday since last August. Seriously. This girl has been waiting 10 long months just for one day to celebrate her! I think it will be worth the wait!

Here are some gorgeous picture of our lil' 4 year old at her dance recital on Sunday.
She has one great personality!

Dancing "Show Biz Kids" with her class.

Doing "A Ballet Lesson". She's so graceful!

Twirling and Twirling!

Strike a Pose!

We are Floored!

2011-06-05T22:06:00.000-05:00

It is just about a week into June. Cory and I have been off for the summer for nearly 8 days now. Ahh...the Perks of being a teacher. Summers off! So we have been sitting back, sipping our diet cokes (well, coke zero for me), and catching up on our Judge Judy episodes.

Yeah. Right.

We have been "floored" with how much work we've managed to squeeze into the first week off. I almost think we've been working harder that first week than we do while schools in session.

First cleared off the main level of the house. No more books, toys, movies, electronics or furniture. Then, we ripped up all the 600-something squared-feet of carpet on the first level of the house. And the pad, too. Plus, we plucked up all those pesky staples holding it all down. I hate those staples. What a pain in the tushie! (Literally and Figuratively!)

Here are two out of the three rooms w/out furniture and whatnots:

So bare...

Since our main living area was other wise occupied...I was on Kid-Duty. I did a pretty darn good job keeping those two lil' boogers busy and out of the awesome carpenters' way.

We hung out a lot in the Master bedroom watching shows, reading books and cuddling. We learned to examine toys for leaking battery acid while we were playing on my new comforter. We've googled solutions to this bad battery acid blunder...but we have yet had time to check out their effectiveness.

Being the Supermom that I am, I took the kids to Grant's Farm. By Myself! They were perfectly behave and loved every second of it.

Owen loved the turtle. He stared and talked at it for a good 4-5 minutes. The turtle was surprisingly active, eating and walking around.

We ate snow cones and pretzels and nachos.

Well, Owen didn't eat the snow cone. He wouldn't even try it. But he sure did have a good time mushing it about and trying to feed me.

The kids loved the train ride and hunting for their animals.

Another day we headed up to Strawberry pickin' with the neighbors. Bethany loved it. Owen didn't. He couldn't stand that stinkin' straw in his shoes.

What a lovely girl!

We even had time at Faust Park. Which is perhaps my favorite park.

After 4 days of running around town; hanging out at parks, restaurants and grandmas--the floors were finished!

Then it was back to carrying all the furniture, books, games, china, etc back in the right spot. But not before installing lil' felt pads on the bottoms of things that could potentially scratch our awesome floors.

It is super nice to FINALLY have the house in order. We totally enjoy these new floors. They were worth the money and inconveniences of waiting and running around.

Struggling

2011-05-17T21:29:00.000-05:00

Man. Seems like I am struggling here. Struggling to update the blog. Struggling to find time to focus on the family. Struggling to get all my work for school completed. Just struggling....

It is so hard to be a working mama at times...with your attention divided between the kiddos, husband, house and job. Plus,throw in the mix being a pair of teachers. Yeah...so you can pretty much ensure our evenings are lost to papers and lessons and emails. It is hard to find a balance.

Today I went with a few neighbors to a wake. Yeah. Sounds uplifting, right? Well, it was. I love our neighbors. They are such a great group of people. Whenever something happens, these neighbors are on it. With Owen's surgery they were the most supportive people around. When a baby is born sick, the neighbors rally around the family. When a neighbor's mother dies, they rally. We are so blessed to have picked this neighborhood 5 years ago. It is almost more like the neighborhood picked us--as this was the first house we looked at but it was a few thousand out of our price range. Then, a month later, we came back for our third viewing and the realtor announced it went down in price...to our limit! How perfect. The good thing about these folks is that we can support someone who is going through a hard time...and in the end it turned out be pretty therapeutic for all of us. After the wake we took a long way home with a stop at Traders Joes (my first time ever...probably not my last!) and with an last-minute trip to the Cheesecake Factory! Yum! And now I feel refreshed. These next 8 school days (I mean...who is counting) don't look so daunting now that I've had actual "Jo Ann Time".

I gotta remember to take time out for myself between papers, dance practice, doctor appointments, meetings and baking cakes. Oh. Yeah. Baking Cakes...I forgot to show you how Owen's cake turned out. I have to admit. It rocked. Poor lil' booger loved it. Even though he had to wait until after dance practice to eat it!

The Dog.

Blowing out the candle.

Eating the Frog...after not realizing for a good 2 minutes that it was indeed edible.

He absolutely loved that Word World Cake. Especially that Frog, "Ribbit" as he says. It was a great lil' day for him. He is such a sweet lil' guy! And even though I felt guilty leaving them this evening...I now feel like I have way more energy to keep up with their ever-lasting supply!

Birthday Eve!

2011-05-04T22:19:00.000-05:00

Today is marks the Eve of Owen's Birthday. While he is starting to understand the excitement of his birthday...Bethany and I are super excited to celebrate his date with him. (Cory is excited, of course...but we totally out do him!)

We are super proud of our lil' man. He is putting more and more words together. Sometimes it is hard to get what he is saying, but if you can use the context of the situation, usually it makes sense.

He impresses me often. The other day he grabs some lil' crafty shapes and starts sorting the lil' suckers. Who would've thought of that. What a smart booger he is!

See...all the little squares go in a nice little row.

Owen also has transitioned into his big boy toddler bed. Big boy toddler bed. Could that be an oxymoron. Perhaps...but I am not the one that teaches Comm Arts...so I don't care so much. He did great switching. When Cory was putting together the bed Owen kept going, "WOOOAH! Night-Night! WOOOAH!" He was even trying to assist in the construction a tad bit.

It is hard to believe two years has come since we have introduced our second lil' baby in our family. He is such a blessing. Before he was born, I didn't understand how we could possibly love the second child as much as that first one. But man...this lil' guy has a strong place in our hearts. We are so immensely blessed to have Owen in our lives. He is such a great lil' guy...Target tantrums and all!

Daddy-Daughter Craziness

2011-05-01T14:09:00.001-05:00

When I leave these two alone sometimes they create nothing but trouble.

The other day when I stayed late at work this is what I came home to...their flippin' Bethany trick.

UP she goes...

And flipped back down.

Easter :::2011:::

2011-04-25T21:15:00.000-05:00

Easter 2011 has come and gone. Overall, I would say it was a great success.

We are working extra hard for the kids to realize Easter is more than just bunnies, eggs and treats. We want the kids to know the true purpose of Easter--the death and resurrection of Jesus. Yeah. Try explaining that to a three-year-old {Sorry--but we don't even bother trying w/ the 1-year-old}. I think Bethany gets it. I mean..as much as a three-year-old can. She can tell us the story & it isn't regurgitation. She can actually have a conversation and ask questions about: sin, why we sin, does God sin, how does God feel when we sin, why Jesus had to die, and the meaning behind resurrection. The part that kinda throws a wrench in the whole deal is the bunny and its blasted eggs. Yeah...she thinks the eggs are waiting for us in heaven. Ah..whatever works.

We did get the kiddos small lil' baskets and filled them up with a few goodies. We didn't emphasize the Bunny or anything...just that we are celebrating today and you happened to get goodies too, you know just in case eternal salvation wasn't good enough--now you have bubbles and jammies to take with you!

We hid eggs in side the house after church. The kids had a blast searching and searching for the eggs.

Bethany zipped through the house like an old pro at this game. She found tons of eggs.

Owen need a bit more guidance, as he would walk by an egg completely two or three times without realizing it.

Overall, it was a great Easter. It seemed a little busy...but really all holidays seems a bit too busy now-a-days. We have started to think outside the box in terms of holidays and busyness. With a lot of holidays it seems like we have so much on our plate: with things to do, places to go, traditions to follow, food to make, obligations to uphold...BUT we are thinking about toning down our holiday busyness and make sure we are focusing our attention on the true purpose of the holidays. Not worrying about all the running, cooking, prepping and whatnots that holidays typically bring. Then our kids can see the true purpose of whatever holiday we are celebrating and not fixate on the next item on our agenda. And as a secret-hidden bonus...we will be able to relax and enjoy the time with our family.

Oh...by the way...I owe you a huge apology. I managed not to get pictures of the awesome "Thank You Jesus" cookie cake that Bethany and I made. This was the first year in ages I didn't make a bunny cake....but since I was failing to see the connection between the cross and a bunny; Bethany and I decided to change our focus. Not only does this cookie cake taste amazing...but Bethany did a fantastic job of drawing three cross on it for us. And Bethany's explanation of the crosses is one of the best explanations I've heard in a long time.... "One cross is for God {of course meaning Jesus} & two for the bad guys that did bad things. God doesn't sin...just us. God was born before us and He is good."

hehehe...Isn't she something...

Spring Time

2011-04-23T18:47:00.001-05:00

Spring is my favorite seasons. I mean it is a time of growth and new life. Really...with beauties like these around...how could you not find yourself loving spring time?

My lil' magnolia tree certainly did not disappoint this year. It is one of the most gorgeous pieces of How-could-God-Not-Exist evidence around, I say!

Spring also brings us Easter with all of the joys of that holiday....Jesus, Eternal Salvation and Egg hunts.

Spring is time to get outside and play with the furry ones...even if they are three times your size.

And it is time to get out and learn a new sport...

or two.

But, unfortunately, springtime is also a time for tremendous storms. Storms that will amaze you about the wonderous world we live in. Storms that make you pray. And storms that destroy

If you are a praying type...please pray for the devastation around St. Louis...particularly for the Renaud Empire. A large tree fell and broke through their sunroom and kitchen. Could you imagine? The Renaud Empire includes a loving Mom and Dad with four lil' ones all preschool age and younger. I praise God for keeping everyone safe during the storm. With all the damage around North County...it is truly amazing no one got seriously hurt.

High as a Kite (or not!)

2011-04-11T21:52:00.001-05:00

Bethany has been wanting to fly a kite for a while now. So a weekend or two ago the weather was finally nice enough and it was certainly windy enough for us to give it a whirl.

Flying a kite proved to be tricky business.

Well, not as tricky as it is to walk through a soccer net...but it was tricky none-the-less.

Cory worked long and hard to fly the stinkin' thing.

Then he had to work long and hard to undo the stinkin' knots. Completely failing to fix this dastardly situation, we now have a knot-donning kite sitting in the garage until *I* one day when I'll have time to work on the lil'sucker!

Owen didn't so much have interest in the kite situation. The playground was more his style.

Look at that teethy lil'smile. Isn't he just a cutie-pa-tootie. Man. I love this guy...even though he has a major case of apathy toward he whole kite-flying-situation.

We've got flowers and a job

2011-04-07T21:53:00.000-05:00

Saturday I came home and saw these beauties on my kitchen table...

Immediately I thought, "ahhh...Cory hasn't been in trouble lately...why did he buy me a dozen roses?!?!" Well, it turns out these roses are from our new, up-coming principal. Recently, a few positions opened up at another middle school in our district & we went ahead & applied for them. This place is closer to our sitters & ultimately closer to our house when we are no longer needing a sitter.

We went to our interviews last Monday and Tuesday. Man...that is nerve wrecking. I hate interviews. I always think of what I should've said after the fact. Not so helpful, now is it? But apparently Cory and I did great on our respective interviews and all my self-doubt was unmerited.

We are super excited to start these new positions in our new school. We've been praying and praying and praying for God to show us what we are supposed to do for next year and where we are supposed to work...I am just grateful that God's been listening.

23 months...

2011-04-05T21:55:00.000-05:00

In exactly one month, this pizza-faced,

Ottoman hiding,

mitten/sandal wearing,

sister-mimicking,

lil' bity boy will be 2 years old!

Unique Dadda

2011-03-26T21:53:00.001-05:00

The other day I read something on Facebook that made me sad. A friend's husband wrote something along the lines of "Wife and Kid free this weekend! Here's to being a Bachelor." Then friends responded as they tend to do. One of the responses said something like, "...unfortunately I do have my son this weekend."

Man! How does that resonate with you? With me, it makes me feel so sad for the wives and children of those guys. Why would any man be happy to be away from the love of his life and away from his own flesh and blood.

I am so absolutely blessed to have Cory. God must have known something I didn't when he was playing lil' match maker ~~eight~~...no wait...nearly ten years ago. He knew I needed a man that would be an active dad. A dad who knew how to change diapers, prepare favorite meals, give baths, do laundry and be true partner to me. Cory is such a wonderful dad to these two lil' boogers. I don't think I have ever heard him say anything in regards to being grateful that we aren't around. He actually hates being away from us all. Perhaps Cory isn't like the normal guy. Okay. Actually, that isn't any new. Cory isn't your typical guy.

And because of that I love him more than words can say.

Improvising

2011-03-24T21:10:00.000-05:00

I guess there are times in a child's life where they are totally done playing with their toys. In instances such as those, a child is forced to improvise.

When I saw Owen sneaking into the pantry, I knew it only meant one thing--trouble.

But then he goes waddling out w/ the large box of Pringles and starts stacking them.

He is a bit over excited about his new found playthings and as long as I didn't have to clean up a 1000 meshed up crumbs...it didn't bother me one bit! :O)

What Every Princess Needs

2011-03-23T21:32:00.000-05:00

So what does every princess need?

Well, besides a prince. Or a couple of frogs to kiss.

Every princess needs a castle to call her own, of course!

This lil' princess has been wanting her room redone since her lil' brothers was finished over Winter Break. After thinking a couple of months of what to do & working on the creative juices, we decided Spring Break would be the best time to do something. With her new obsession being Tinker Bell and Princesses, this was a perfect fit!

I think it went over real well! The only thing she was hesitant about is the new location of her bed. Now, she can't peep out in the hall to spy on us after she's gone to bed.

Perhaps that was done on purpose....but we'd never tell her!

A fit in elastic shoes

2011-03-21T14:23:00.000-05:00

Don't you hate it when you are trying to have a Class A tantrum...

a grand ole shoe-flinging fit but...

you can't...

manage to kick off your new shoe w/ the elastic backing.

Yeah...that just ticks him off 10 x's more than usual!

Doing it Ourselves

2011-03-20T14:33:00.000-05:00

We are certainly DIY types of people when it comes to somethings. Laying floors...nope that isn't for us. We'll pay someone to do that. But to cut hair. Yup. We can handle that ourselves. And in all honesty, the kids are way better behaved and sit so much stiller when I do it.

See Owen Before...

Owen After...

Bethany Before...

Hmm...looks like I forgot to take a Bethany after.

What can I say. I can't do it all--cut hair, change kids, cut hair, clean up oodles and oodles of hair and get pictures of BOTH kids afterwards. I am not wonder woman, after all!

Sometimes...

2011-03-10T10:05:00.000-06:00

Sometimes what Momma is eatting is better than what they are served.

Even if it is just a bowl of cereal.

Author in our Midst!

2011-03-07T19:46:00.000-06:00

We have an author in our midst. Cory has written three (well, four) books now. This week, Cory received a proof copy of the third-draft of "Light & Dark" in the mail.

Having read all his books, I've got to say "Light & Dark" is the best one yet. I really think this one has great potential in being picked up by an agent & getting published sometime soon. This is the second book he is making available to our students. Man, it is amazing to see him get students so enthusiastic to read and provide real, timely feedback. I am just so proud of him for not only writing hundreds of pages of amazing plot twists and surprises; but I am proud of Cory for once he puts his mind to something, he sticks to it & produces quality work!

If Border's weren't closing...I'd bet good money saying he would've been on their shelves in the next five years!

Showing Off Owen's Brains

2011-03-06T20:41:00.000-06:00

Our lil' man is certainly growing up. A couple months ago, Cory and I noticed Owen pointing to letters in his book and identifying them correctly. At first, we both thought it was just a coincidence. But after a week or two, we realized Owen was really learning his letters at a young 18 months.

Now, Owen is 22 or so months and he knows nearly all of his letters. There are a few that still trips him up (J, A, W, R, P). However...he will point to W if asked, he just can't say it. For "P" he will just say "pah", the sound it makes. "A", he insists, is N. He's pretty adamant about that. Perhaps he knows something that I don't.

Here is Owen showing off his brains. He started off w/ his animal puzzle--doing great w/ putting the pieces in the proper place and then doing the animal sounds. We won't say the animals names...but he will almost always do the sound. You just gotta know how to interpret what he's saying!

Now, isn't his rendition of Cock-a-doodle-doo just too cute?!?!

Hodge Podge

2011-02-28T21:16:00.000-06:00

So, I've been a blogging slacker lately.

Happens to the best of us, I suppose. My goal is to blog two or three times a week. Being that this is only the sixth post this month, I totally missed out in some perfect sharing opportunities. So I am going to post a hodge podge of lovely pictures!

I think this might be my new favorite picture of Owen.

Looking so intently at what Bethany is drawing.

Cheese...

Making numbers flashcards.

Making a complete mess.

And another mess, just this time on his face.

B has been earning small privileges for all green-light weeks at preschool. Last week she earned Fritz's for the family. She was so proud!

Okay, so I promise that March will be better & I will post more frequently. If not, rest assured that I'd be in the ~~doghouse~~ {er} toybox.

Let, Let, Let all the Children

2011-02-21T21:09:00.000-06:00

Bethany sang at church a couple of weeks ago. She loves the choir. I just love her lil' shy girl facial expressions.

She's just too much!

Broke on Valentine's Day

2011-02-21T10:40:00.000-06:00

When kids don't have money to buy you a Valentine's Day Present...

They...

like to....

improvise....

then they might try to....

escape from Time Out!

there are times

2011-02-14T15:27:00.000-06:00

There are times where motherhood is rather stressful. Having to work all day just to come home to clean, cook, discipline, and love. Don't even get me started on the impossibility to find times for the husband and myself. There are times where you run and run throughout the entire weekend and you are.just.worn.out!

But then you take a day off of work to help celebrate Valentine's Day at the 3 year old's preschool. All those late night and exhausting days seemed to be worth it. I mean...look at the outfit she puts together. Isn't see scrumptious!

But before preschool...it is time for McD's.

At the party I watch Bethany totally comfortable with where she's at.

It was so much fun for me to see her at her school & to help host her party. They had ice cream sundaes, made necklaces, hit the pinata and exchanged cards.

It was so rewarding to see her in her preschool with all her friends. After seeing her in her school, I am so grateful that we chose that preschool a year ago. It is a perfect fit for Bethany. I can't wait until when Owen gets his chance to attend her school in a short 1 and 1/2 years!

We've got a problem

2011-02-07T20:37:00.000-06:00

Hooded Towels. Yeah, I am going there.

These kids certainly have a problem...

perhaps an addiction...

See...their heads can't be untoweled...

they've even started enabling each other...

Is there a Hooded Towel Anonymous we can start considering?

I'd hate for this to crutch to hold them back from other their hopes and desires to have a normal, hooded towel-free life!

becoming friends...

2011-02-02T21:39:00.000-06:00

Thanks goodness these two have each other. Being snowbound the last few days, they certainly have found a way to entertain each other. They are becoming pretty good friends, you know...when they aren't fighting over 1 toy among the 18,383,292 toys in this house.

But there are times between their fighting and whining, where they are absolutely adorable.
Like when they prance around the house holding hands with their bear.

Or when they climb in bins, which were placed in the toy box.

Or reading books together.

Yup...it is official these two are becoming good friends. And I've become one blessed mama!

1st child

2011-01-27T20:20:00.000-06:00

Bethany's first-childness is certainly emerging recently. She is a pleaser, rule-follower, advanced-learner, sibling-protector, and instigator all in one 38 lb, blue eyed, blond girl. We aren't going to even bother mention her brother-correcting ways. Man...one would think there was three parents in this household...but I digress...

Bethany is becoming a nice lil' teacher to Owen. She likes going up to her room w/ her brother in tow. They run up, flip the lights on and off a thousand times*, occasionally slam the doors* and then the lessons begin. (* = both of which they've been instructed not to)

She likes to begin her lesson by putting a book on the chalk board (like Mrs. S), then she goes on to teach Owen the letter or number of the day.

If you ever get the pleasure of being in her class, make sure you copy her techniques ex-act-ly. If not...she will make you aware of your faulty ways.

However, she is a very eager and enthusiastic teacher. Wouldn't you like to be a part of her classroom?

{Snow} Day!

2011-01-21T20:44:00.000-06:00

Bundled up!

Barely able to move.

Excited to finally be outside.

Taking a break.

Shoveling away.

Randomly throwing snow back on the drive way.

Throwing it at Dad!

Enjoying our Snow day!

Our lil' Monkey

2011-01-17T20:31:00.001-06:00

Our lil' monkey finally has a more fitting habitat.

After contemplating and planning Owen's room for the better part of a year...it finally came into fruition!

I think our energetic lil' monkey will have no problems getting along with his new roommates!

He even gets to sleep next to his very own lion and elephant!

Just in case you aren't quite sure where you are...

Pretty amazing that the lion doesn't even bother to go for the giraffe. Do lions even eat giraffes? Hmm...best get on Google for that one!

And what did our freshly hair-cut Owen think about it?

Well...he loved it! I am so glad that his room is finally complete!

Today is...

2011-01-13T22:21:00.000-06:00

Six months since Owen's surgery to correct his craniosynostosis (which just so happens to coincide with it has been 6 months since some of the single worst moments of my life).

But I gotta say that today...

Owen's

looking

mighty

fine!

Baby Big-Girl Bethany,

2011-01-06T20:19:00.000-06:00

Bethany,

Wow! Sweetie! I am not sure when you stopped being this lil' baby girl that I remember. But somehow this beautiful little girl has emerged from that once, bright-eyed, fussy, cuddley little baby. Now, you are 3.5 years with an immense love for you God, family and school.

When I look at you it is hard to fathom where the time has gone. You have grown so much lately. Since you have started preschool you have learned an incredible amount of information. You can recite several pledges, Bible verses, and songs. You know your alphabet by site for 80% of the letters (being able to write most of the letters you have been taught). You can even write your name and your brother's! Your memory is remarkable. You can tell many stories of things we have done even several months ago. You recognize places and remember what we did there, even if we've been there only one time.

I am just so proud of the person you are becoming. You are a very caring soul; giving your brother the very toy frog that you just earned from your preschool's treasure box. While you aren't crazy adventurous, you don't mind egging your knows-no-boundaries brother to do you dirty work. You'd rather make sure to follow all the rules and be well aware of the situation at hand before you get to engrossed in any sort of activity.

You love singing. Being a member of the SunBeam Choir is a perfect fit for you. You really love God and seeming to understand exactly who God is. Dancing is your other activity. I am certainly impressed that you are demonstrating something that resembles rhythm...you certainly didn't inherit that from me.

Dear, sweet Bethany....I love you very much. Thank you for allowing me to be your mom...it is certainly one of the greatest honors I could ever imagine!

Love,

Mom

Parenting Perks

2011-01-03T20:51:00.000-06:00

If we are gonna be honest here (and I don't see why not) there has been the occasional time with the two bambinos where I feel like I am going to pull out my hair. I don't know, there is something about two kids fighting, yellow and squealing over a single toy amongst an avalanche of a gazillion toys that drive me batty.

But I've gotta admit, the parenting perks far out weight the parenting frustrations.
Here are six perks in random order:

(1) Watching your son's vocabulary expand before your very eyes. He loves point out characters, body parts, animals and a even a few letters in his books. Today his lil' sense of humor emerged when puts a *clean* diaper on his head and says, "hat". Then, In his super soft and sweet voice he goes, "Noooooo."
Man, I love this boy!

(2) When your daughter does something she isn't supposed to do (while encouraging the lil' bro to follow suit) before you get a chance to correct her, she goes and says something like, "But Momma, aren't we cute."

(3) A perplexing parenting perk is trying to figure out why your son loves to cram himself in tiny boxes. This was the third box/container he tried to sit in just in an hour span!

(4) One of my favorite perks is while I am chilling, minding my own business one or both of my babies comes up just to cuddle. Oh how I love cuddling those lil' goobers!

(5) Getting to eat dinner with your three favorite people in the world, one of which who demanded to wear an Elmo towel to help really simulate a fine-dining experience at our very own house.

(6) While this isn't the final parenting perk there is...it is the final one for the night. How awesome is it to go downstairs and see a random piece of paper donning your daughter's name on it taped to the wall. If that wouldn't plant a giant smile on your face...what would?

Owen and Do'h!

2011-01-02T13:54:00.000-06:00

Bethany and Owen have a hankering for some Do'h. They love that crazy, yellow man. Remember when Bethany was 18 months old and she requested the Do'h Santa to be played nonstop...

Well, it looks like Owen loves that man just as much!

The basement....

2011-01-01T19:10:00.000-06:00

What it is supposed to look like....

With the help of this man, it often does look nice and orderly.

With the help of this one, especially, while she plays "stations" like they do at preschool,...

the basement...

is typically a pigsty!

This one also adds a lil' to the basement chaos!

Man...at least they can keep themselves occupied!

Christmas {2010}

2010-12-27T21:24:00.000-06:00

The Milles Christmas in pictures {with brief captions}.

Decorating Jesus's birthday cake {with a few sprinkles}

Presents {waiting to be opened}

Using the long-desired telescope {to spy on the neighbors}

Being absolutely adorable {while sporting an ear infection}

Riding in the Cozy Coup {& opening presents, drinking milk and resting in the Coup as well}

Riding her bike {not sure how she became big enough}

We had a blessed, amazing Christmas.

Praise God for giving us his Only Son, who of which we celebrate this great day!

Mary...

2010-12-24T21:55:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite Christmas songs is Mark Lowry's "Mary, Did You Know?"

With all the anticipation of Christmas and our own hard work in making sure that Christmas is really about the celebration of Jesus's birthday---and not a generous, jolly ol' elf...Bethany wanted to dress up to be Mary.

She's a pretty adorable Mary, if I do say so myself.

Anyway, back to my original point. Have you heard that song. I think being a mother it brings a totally different perspective to the whole Jesus's birthday thing. I now think about Christmas through the Mommy Lens. Do you have a Mommy lens? If not...all you do is think through it from Mary's perspective.

Sure she knew she was blessed with Son of God. But my heart breaks when I think about the end of Jesus's life. Did Mary know about THAT from the get-go? Did she realize just how miraculous and significant of an event was taking place & that her whole life has completely changed directions. I know that I, for one, tend to underplay events in life & not truly realize their significance until time has passed and I am an outsider looking back.

Then I wonder, how much did she anticipate the end of Jesus's life. Was she dwelling on it (like, ahem, I know some people might). Did she cry for him? Did she worry for him? Did she lose sleep at night knowing the inevitable?

For being such a joyous and emotional event....just how much did Mary consider when she as she was holding the brand new baby Messiah?

I am grateful for Mary. What a super strong woman....having been so young & yet so instrumental in the salvation of billions of people.

(btw...I am sure the REAL Mary never dragged her baby brother around by his arms...ahem...we certainly would never let this Mary do it either...)

Bethany There was a Lil' Baby

2010-12-19T20:42:00.000-06:00

This weekend, Bethany and the whole Sunbeams choir at church treated the 9:30 service with an awesome performance of "There was a Little Baby". Bethany did fantastic, as usual. Here is a video of her performance.

If this doesn't plaster a freakishly large smile on your face...I am not sure if anything ever could.

sibiling differences: play-doh style

2010-12-14T20:42:00.001-06:00

Who know getting out the play-doh tub could provide major insights to your children. While both kids were entertained for a good 15 minutes with the arrival of the doh.

But there were some pretty significant differences between the two of the lil' goobers....

As with all her work, Bethany took her play-doh business rather seriously. Making sure to use the proper tool that would optimize her creation process.

She then proudly displayed her creation.

Owen....on the other hand...loved the play-doh containers.

He loved the play-doh tools...

I am pretty sure that he is the only kid in the world that couldn't stand playing with the play-doh itself. This kid surely has me puzzled!

Simple Parenting Mistake Solved

2010-12-08T20:27:00.000-06:00

Parenting Mistake # 2,423,424.667:

We put up all the Christmas decorations, the Christmas tree and sat on Santa's lap all on the same day with the 1 year old and the 3 year old (who still struggles w/ the concept of time...as indicated by the fact that every day in the past is considered yesterday). The result of these activities: Bethany thought the next day was Christmas & when it turned out NOT to be Christmas, she thought the next day was Christmas. This went on for a few days until.....

Solution to Mistake # 2,423,424.667:

Along with the wooden nativity scene advent calendar, I made a large and colorful paper-chain to count down the days until Christmas. We started with 24 days left & after bath time Bethany gets to tear one piece off at a time. She knows once she gets to rip the last one, the next day will be Jesus's birthday. She loves getting to rip one off each day & counting the remaining links.

And sometimes, while she does that, Owen "gets" to eat some non-edible candle decorations, sigh.

Push Over

2010-12-06T17:36:00.000-06:00

So...would you allow

your three-year-old to push the one-year-old

all over the house in a toy stroller?

Yeah...me neither...

Accepting Help

2010-12-05T21:56:00.000-06:00

My two kids:

While they tend to often do the same exact things....especially at the exact same time. Whether it is to sit in the same chair, read books on the time-out step (voluntarily, mind you) or climb up the stairs taking "bites" out of the steps along the way (gross!)...they are certainly two-of-a-kind.

So, even though they are so similar at sometimes...there are times where these two goobers couldn't be any more different than night and day themselves.

Bethany never had and rarely ever does question us when we suggest what is the best choice or what is the best situtation for her. She typically always allows us to help her to get through her every-day-run-of-the-mill life happenings. I think, she knows we have her best interests in heart and that we will not lead her astray. Owen, however, that is a different story.

Couple of days ago, I took the two kiddos to the swimming pool by myself. All is good. Bethany and Owen love playing in the kiddie section and they just eat up all the interactive spraying & dumping things. After an hour in this section, we decided to venture off into the big, deep part of the pool. Owen was donning his "backpack" (the rest of us call it a life jacket) which helps me feel 100% better in regards to his safety. I carry them both into the deep section and lead them to this underwater bench-like-ledge where they can easily walk and still be above water. Bethany is a master when it comes to this pool & knows to watch the blue lines on the edge of the ledge. She can see where the ledge ends and the water drops a good 3 more feet.

Owen...well, he hasn't quite figured out how to navigate that treturous terrain. I, being the great mother than I am, decided to just guide my son with a nice, loving hand gently holding on to the back of his life vest. Owen hates this. He hates the fact that I am ever-so-lightly holding on to him while he is navigating this foreign-to-him territory. I am a good 3 feet taller than this lil' man. From my perspective, I can see the big picture. I know where the ledge drops and where he will, for sure, lose his footing and drop into the deep end. I understand the consequences of not having your head above water. Owen, though, he doesn't. He just knows that he is a big boy. He sees his 3-year-old sister walking on the ledge unassisted and thinks he should be able to do that too. Regardless of what is ultimately good for him, he squeals and fusses and swats away any of my attempts of assisting him. He, after all, is a good 19 months old now. He is a big boy and doesn't need any help from his ol' mama.

I can't help but see some parallels w/ Owen and the pool and Life in general. Sometimes {all the time, actually} I ask God for help--help to get through something, help to decide something, help to comfort someone. While I was helping my own son through a watery situation, I wondered to myself, "how often do I squawk and swat away the helping hand of God?" Sure, I think I know what is best for me. I, after all, have been here a good 30 years and I've seen a lot. Perhaps, I do know what is best for me. Why would I need to stop and listen to what God is saying...

Silly isn't it?

Why do people do that? Why do we, being creatures of limited mind, swat away the help of someone all-knowing and all-loving. Who only what is the best for us? Who would give the world for us? Does that even make sense? So while Owen is screaming, at this point, because I insisted on picking him up after he took those last two steps off the ledge and into the deep end; I quietly talked to God and made him a deal...

Not only will I continue to ask for his help...but now...now I will actually start listening and accepting what he has to say...

Did you know...

2010-12-02T12:09:00.000-06:00

My kids are

SUPER HEROES!

Christmas is Coming!

2010-11-30T21:39:00.000-06:00

It is official! Christmas is coming and the proof is all over the Milles house!

The decorations and tree are in place.

Little girls and lil boys have sat on Santa's lap and placed their final gift requests. They even got their pictures taken with Santa. But you won't find those picture on this blog post as I am too lazy to get up and scan them in the computer.

Another sign of Christmas---Homers donned in holiday garb are being played...

make that...overplayed...

Christmas is surely on its way. What a refreshing feeling to know that we are on the eve of December. Now, if we can figure out how to clearly communicate to Bethany when Christmas is...then we are all set. Everyday she is asking if today is Christmas...poor thing doesn't quite get the concept of three weeks. But I have something up my sleeve to rectify that problem!

I hope you are having a relaxing start to the holiday season. If you can...make sure you keep the reason for the season in the fore-front of you minds. After all, without Jesus ... there wouldn't be much of this Christmas stuff, now would there?!?!

Parenting Games

2010-11-27T22:40:00.000-06:00

{Happy 500th Blog Post}

I am at the point now where I am coming to terms with the fact that parenting is balancing act. Sometimes we are playing the game of taking two steps forward while the lil' ones push you two steps back.

For instance, sometimes I clean up one room at the same exact time they are destroying another room. The kiddos aren't too bad when it comes to helping out. But really...it feels like we are always cleaning up a 1,000 toys, a ka-billion puzzle pieces or a plethora of cookie crumbs.

Or you are walking a fine line to keep the little temper-tantrums at bay...whether it is by letting them wear what they wanna, monitoring their toy-snatching and minimize the antagonizing. This isn't too hard of a line to walk. By giving the kids choices between two parent-approved options, it really helps reduce many tantrums. Either they can wear this jacket or this. They can have this toy or that. They can do this or go to time out. It is all about choices & giving the bity babies some power.

The game I find the hardest to play is the balancing game. Being that it is still in the middle of the school year...we are struggling to balance time between school work, housework and the babies. I feel the worst that Cory always gets cheated when it comes to spending time together. I do believe our last date was sometime this summer {as I don't count conference nights as dates}. We really aught to work on that. We've talked about actually using a real babysitter sometime, to help us escape. You know...the kind you have to pay for.

But as some of our friends posted in their blog recently, it is all about being a parenting trade-off. These kiddos are such blessing and a true gift from God. It is amazing we have been chosen to take care and raise these two. While we have less sleep, less time together and a just a few less dollars...these kids are worth every bit of it. It is, by far, the best trade I could ever think of making.

New Camera

2010-11-21T21:52:00.000-06:00

Christmas (and my birthday for the next 5 years) has come early to the Milles house. This past week, my parents gave us an awesome Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS camera. I'll tell you what....I need to add this camera to the forever growing list of things that are smarter than me.

I am planning on taking a class to learn how to operate this thing and to get the biggest bang for my buck. The good news about this camera is that I also have a super nice Canon EOS film camera. I have lots of lenses and whatnots for that camera & from my understanding those two cameras can share parts! That is fun!!!

Well, here are a few shot I took while fiddling with the different settings.

I used two of most favorite subjects to practice using this camera.
I've learned a lot while shooting away at these lil' guys.

I learned that sometimes your subject might be a tad bit blurry & in the dark.

And when your subject is screaming and your shutter time is too long...he'll be a fuzzy mess.

Sometimes your subject is just gorgeous!

While at other times he rolls out of the shot!

Or manages to make a mess while you get distracted w/ the shiny buttons on the camera.

Typically your subject may have a sibling that is also a good person to shoot.

Even if she insists on eatting odd things...

Or sleeps on the job.

But occassionally...if you try hard enough, you may get some good shots...

even some w/out pants on!

Hopefully, in the next few months you'll notice some pretty awesome pictures of these kiddos and our crazy family happenings! :o)

C. David Milles

2010-11-15T13:16:00.000-06:00

Man...another 11 days have slid by and I didn't post anything. I apologize to all of my adoring, non-commenting readers and stalkers out there. My goal is to blog at least twice a week, if not more often; but as life gets busy, blogging is one of the first things to be sacrificed (along w/ quality time w/hubby--don't even ask me the last time we actually had a date...). I tell ya, balancing life as a working mama is tough. Working, spending quality time w/ the 2 kiddos, planning decent lessons, grading papers, keeping up w/ a clean house...that is all tough stuff.

Plus, it is November. You know what means, right? It is NaNoWrMo (National Novel Writing Month).

Here is Cory's progress on this novel as of today:

This is Cory's second time partaking in NaNoWrMo. Last year he wrote the book, "Redemption." It is a cult classic at the building where we teach. Cory only printed 4 or 5 copies of the book. These kids are having a blast reading it and passing it on to their friends, moms, cousins, etc. Then, they get so excited to share that feedback with Cory. I've had a couple people tell me that "Redemption" is their favorite book they've ever read.

As Cory is writing his 4th novel (yes, 4th), he is being the most elusive yet. I didn't know Cory when he wrote his first nonfiction book on Christianity. But with "Chupacabra" and "Redemption" Cory shared with me the basic premise of the story. This time, I had to keep on badgering him for the names of the main characters. He is being VERY Lemony-Snicket-like!

I am proud of his progress on this book. He is nearly half-way done with this novel and while he is trying to maintain his progress on this goal, Cory is also a kick-butt dad, teacher and husband. Cory still does 99% of the dishes, 85% of the laundry and 100% of dinner-Owen-induced-disaster-clean-ups.

Now...like I said he is a kick-butt dad. Look at them in their matching t-shirts.

When the lil' stinkers are fussy, tired or just plain ol' crabby...he can get them chipper in no time at all. I tend to cuddle and love on them, but he is able to turn their mood around completely. You really need to see them playing "Tigers" where two of them chase the third one around. They get crazy loud. But is awesome not only to see how much the kids adore him...but he is an active dad. He knows what makes these kids happy, mad, sad, etc. He knows their favorite foods, shows, toys. I see so many other dads out there that really don't know who their children are and what makes them run.

Owen, Bethany and I are so blessed to have Cory in our lives. He is such a spectacular dad and husband. I've always told my own father, "Anyone can be a Father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy." I am so glad that my children have this man to call "Daddy!"

God is Bigger than Big!

2010-11-04T13:26:00.000-05:00

That is right! God is bigger than big.
He's stronger than strong.
He's mightier than mighty;
LOUDER THAN THIS SONG!!!!!

Man, reading that is something.
But want to know what is better than just reading those words on a blog?
Well, you need to listen to a good 2 dozen kids singing/yelling those words during worship service.

Bethany joined the Sunbeams choir at church this fall. She is loving it!
It is so exciting to see her learning about God and loving God!

While I don't know how much she understand about God, Jesus, Adam/Eve, Jonah, etc. She does know that God is Large and in charge. Throughout our conversations she knows that God is the reason for everything. If I try to scientifically explain something to her, like, why people get bigger as they get older...she often corrects me and says, "We get bigger because God wants us to."

Now...sometimes God comes up in a conversation in non-conventional ways.

See the example:

Me: Bethany! Stop drinking the bath water! That is disgusting! Why are you doing that?

Bethany: Because God told me.

It is super cute, though, when she does something "naughty". For example sometimes she says silly things like, "I'm going to hit you." She then says "sorry" to me and God. Now that...that is pretty cute. I don't know where she got that idea from. But isn't it sweet?

Lil' Pumpkins

2010-11-01T21:15:00.001-05:00

This had to be one of the best Halloweens to date.

If you don't have kids, I gotta tell ya...they make any holiday ten times better.

Owen really got into painting his first pumpkin ever!

Bethany is an old pro at painting pumpkins, as this is her second year at it. This year, she had a couple *ahem* issues. The problem was she'll paint the pumpkin, then she decided to wipe it clean after a while and start fresh. After about, oh I don't know, a million times cleaning off her pumpkin, she finally settled on an abstract color display.

On Halloween, we met Jenny, Danie and Bryan up at the mall to trick-or-treat. The Newtons totally showed up our family as they were ALL dressed up for the holiday. Aren't they a smashing group?

Bethany and Owen had a great time at the mall. Well, Bethany had a great time. Owen wimped out half-way through. We are thinking that he got himself all worked up because of the kabillion people there and all the scary costumes. He was just not feeling it & cried & cried. But when Bethany fell asleep in car on the way home...Owen couldn't stop pointing and laughing at her. That definitely cheered the lil' guy (well, that and the pretzel snack we got at the mall before we left).

Before we trick-or-treated around the neighborhod, we tried to get a classic shot of the lil' ones. Getting the lil' boogers to sit pretty and pose for me was a little challenge. When posing the kids outside, I learned you need to move all distracting objects out of the way. The pumpkin....ya...that will be a prime example of a distracting object...

But eventually, we got a great shot of our lil' Tinkerbell and

one of our lil' SpongeBob.

Bee's Advice

2010-10-25T13:44:00.000-05:00

Have a problem? Well, I have the perfect girl to help you out...

Upon noticing a lovely Scooby Doo band-aid on my leg the following conversation took place:

B: Momma! What happened? (points to band-aid on my leg).
M: I was bleeding, so I put a band-aid on it.
B: What did you do?
M: I hurt myself in the shower. (I fell victim to my razor, again)
B: Momma, never take a shower again, okay? Then you'll won't bweed.

Luckily, for you all I won't follow her "wise" advise!

So Sorry...

2010-10-23T21:06:00.000-05:00

Mr. Mischief!?!?!

Yup, you read that shirt right.

And, boy isn't that such a fitting title for the kid that has some sort of 6th sense telling him when the gate was left open.

So, since we officially have an Mr. Mischief on our hands, I want to officially apologize to all of you out there. I want to say sorry to the people in the stores watching his lil' fits when he wants to run wild....but is slowly being broken like a wild horse.

Sorry to you restaurant patrons as we try to entertain a overly loud and vocal Mr. Mischief while waiting for our food to arrive.

Sorry to you homeowners as you notice Mr. Mischief decided to help you out and decorated your walls w/ only the most modern art styles.

But really...how can you be mad at this lil' mischievous face for too long....

Step aside Dora...

2010-10-21T12:44:00.000-05:00

Dear Dora,

Hola! I just wanted to let you know that it is time. Dora, it is time for you to step aside...
there is a NEW EXPLORER in town

She comes complete with her map & her own monkey-like side-kick.

This new explorer isn't afraid of traveling ahead, looking out for all the crazy villians out there.

Nope. She certainly wouldn't be afraid of a pile of wood...

Now Dora, there is no need to feel threatened by this one. He gets so distracted by simple leaves.

and still needs his Momma to drag him about...

But Dora...that other lil' girl...she's gunning for your job! Watch Out!

Day @ Daniel's Farm

2010-10-18T13:21:00.001-05:00

I am behind; so, so behind. Forgive me. Ahem, moving on...

Two weeks ago we went to Daniel's Farm with Jenny, Daniel and Baby Bryan. I am pretty sure that Bethany still thinks Daniel's Farm belongs to Daniel. But it doesn't. Well, at least not a Daniel that we know.

The kids had a blast. I took a million (or close to it) pictures. I clustered a bunch of them together. Click on them and it should become larger...

Daniel's Farm is such a hoot. There is so much to do there. If you are in the region, I totally recommend you load up the family and truck it on over to Daniel's Farm. Plus, the weekend we went they had a benefit for Children's Hospital. With all the support Children's Hospital provided us during Owen's surgery, why wouldn't we go to an event to support them?

Here is a peek at what Daniel's Farm had to offer us: They had: mazes, animals, wagons, trains, tractors...

They also had those things you poke your head through, gigantic-bumpy slides, and awesome tire swings.

They had Corn Pits. This was all of our first experience with corn pits. Man, corn pits ROCK! Owen could of and would've stayed in it forever!

At the very end the kiddos picked out their own pumpkins. Picking out a perfect Pumpkin is a pretty painstakingly difficulty task. Let the Milles kids help you out some.

So to find a perfect pumpkin, it is no easy task. It is serious business.

First off, your pumpkin must be comfortable. Be sure to test it out!

You have to be patient and willing to scour the ~~lands~~ hay bales for the best pumpkin available.

It helpful to bring a second opinion with you to help judge your potential pick of the day.

Once you think you got it. Get super excited. No, I mean SUPER-D-DUPER excited and run on over to show your Momma.

She'll insist on taking your picture with your produce. Just get over it and smile already.

Now you are ready to really start enjoying all of your autumnal celebrations!

When...

2010-10-12T16:07:00.002-05:00

When one bath isn't enough....

sometimes...

you gotta handle matters...

yourself...

Missing Daddy

2010-10-11T21:00:00.000-05:00

Last week I experienced something that was one of the tougher aspects of parenting....

that is being a single-working-momma.

That is tough on so many different levels. Perhaps, if I have the typical husband, it would be no problem.

But Cory ain't no ordinary husband. Typically, I do kid-duty in the evenings and cook dinner. Meanwhile, Cory does house/laundry/dishes duty. It really does take two to ~~tango~~ take care of this house.

But last week, I was flying solo. That is tough stuff. I don't know how those other mommas with regularly traveling hubbies do it. I am still wiped out from the constant motion and lack of sleep I accumulated while trying to maintain the house, entertain the kids and keep up with my grading/planning.

The kiddos did great without their daddy. Perhaps the cutest moment occurred when we played a message from Cory. They couldn't contain their excitement hearing their daddy's voice.

I bet Bethany played the message a good dozen times before she accidentally erased it for good.

The part I was worried most about handling without Cory was getting us ready and out the door on time. Man, I am a jerk. I am such a pain to get up. And he is a patient, patient person when it comes to getting my tushie out of that bed. I am reluctant to admit this, but we totally managed to get out of the house, not only one time, but a few minutes early. Now, if Cory finds out that I am capable of being responsible and getting myself out of bed, who knows what will happen. So lets keep that between us.

I am just so grateful to have such a wonderful husband I knew it is cheesy but, really, absence does make the heart grow founder. Think about it. Cory and I work in the same building. We drive to and from work together. We do everything together. Sometimes you don't appreciate what you've got until he is gone and conferencing it up with all the Educational Gurus in Atlanta. But having him gone and taking with him all the things that he does for us...makes me appreciate him so much more. I really don't know what I would do if I had a typical husband that just lounges around watching sports ignorant when it comes to things like how to operate the dishwasher.

I am just so grateful that we happened to meet in whatever class it was that one fateful day, oh so many years ago.

these kids are...

2010-10-05T21:49:00.000-05:00

a lil' crazy,

book-reading,

backward pants wearing,

table-sitting,

Elmo-loving,

brother-sitting,

supervising,

friend-helping,

loving, lil' people.

Driveway Bible Basics

2010-09-29T21:30:00.000-05:00

What could she be doing? It looks as if she is coloring blue, lots and lots of blue.

What's that she just drew? That couldn't be a penguin, could it?

Ah...I am beginning to see now....

She and her awesome Mama are drawing some Bible stories.

What an awesome lil' girl, who requests to draw an Apple Tree.
Then that branches out (pun intended) to become the story of Adam and Eve....complete with an extra long "bad" snake that goes all the way down the drive way.

Once Adam and Eve's story met her satisfaction, she wanted Noah represented.

Then it was her favorite lil' Bible Baby....Moses!

The only thing cooler than drawing the Bible stories with her were hearing her renditions of the stories. She loves to point out at how mad God was at Adam and Eve. Then she talks about how the snake was a bad guy. According to Bethany, the snake was such a bad guy that he didn't belong on Noah's boat. Yeah...bet you didn't know that one. But man, I can't blame her for excluding snakes. Just think at how much better the world would be without snakes. Noah should've totally left them behind!

Bethany Takes on the Pledges

2010-09-26T21:37:00.001-05:00

Bethany is certainly learning a lot in preschool. The other night she grabs Owen's bible and start saying the Pledge to the Bible. Then she segways into the Pledge of Alligiance. It turns out she knows these two and there is the Pledge to the Christian Flag, which she doesn't quite have down. Really after looking up the words, who can blame her. I had no clue she was learning these pledges. She knew them better than some of my students. I was pretty impress at just how much information this little brain of hers can store. I decided to capture the pledges Bethany-style.

Man, did that put a smile on your face? She is just too adorable. You gotta love the way she says "Indivisible."

Seriously. She. Is. Adorable.

Don't Cha

2010-09-21T21:02:00.000-05:00

Don't cha wish a quick snuggle with your blankie would make your troubles go away?

It always seems to work for him....perhaps we all need to give it a try!

I love my kids!

2010-09-20T22:02:00.000-05:00

I just love who these two wee ones are becoming. They are such little people. Not the Little People who pop in and out so conveniently in their plastic cars. But these guys are real people, just the miniature variety.

Bethany is such a smart cookie. She loves her school and loves learning. She has such a great memory. She is a bit shy; while she likes to try new activities and do new things, she is still a little hesitant at first. I have noticed a new lil aspect to her personality emerging. She is a little instigator. While she isn't a terrible risk taker, she does not mind, at all encouraging lil' Owen's inappropriate behavior.

Owen is a bit different from the rest of us. A side from the obvious physical difference of the ear-to-ear scar, I am thinking that Owen is becoming a little social butterfly. I think he missed the Memo saying we are people that typically keep to ourselves. Seriously, think about it, Cory is pretty reserved and a homebody. I am pretty reserved and not too terribly social. Bethany is demonstrating behaviors that sort of align to Cory's and my reservations toward being too overly social at various activities and events. But this Owen. He is different. The person he is becoming is a lil socialite. He doesn't mine grabbing someone else's hand at church and showing them around or going up to a person he's met only once and asking for "up".

Who is this kid?

I am not quite sure exactly who he will become......but I am loving watching these become the little people that they were meant to be.

2 Months Sans-craniosynostosis

2010-09-16T12:19:00.000-05:00

Craniosynostosis @ two months later.

Here is Owen right before his surgery:

Here is Owen, exactly two months post-operation.

He is even wearing the same exact shirt. I love that shirt!

Front view before:

Front View @ 2 months w/ an added piece of grass above his lip:

Don't ya see the difference? He is just so scrumptious, I tell you!

I tried to take a couple of pictures to show his scar. But have you tried to take a picture of a active 16 month old? This kid is busy. He doesn't have time to be pestered w/ pictures of his scar. He has way better things to do. But here is the best shot I was able to get:

One his left side, it seems that the scar is pretty disguised by his hair.

I don't have a picture of his right side....I think that his scar on that side is more noticeable as it is brighter red color and shines through his hair.

His top view is pretty wicked. Look at the zig-zag way the hair is growing back. It is kinda funny. There are a few spots where hair isn't growing yet so it is still pretty obvious that someone went all Frankenstein on Owen's head.

Owen's hair is finally all one length, as he just had another hair cut this week. That should be his last hair cut for a while. We are going to let his hair grow out and get all skater-boy on us. I hear the ladies like shaggy hair. This will be great because it should hid his scar better than this buzz cut.

So keep coming back as Owen's lil' head goes from all
Arnold Schwarzenegger-like to more Zac Effron-like.

Boy and his Bible

2010-09-12T20:55:00.001-05:00

Meet the Boy.

This Boy loves his Bible. It is by far his favorite book!

He loves flipping through and reading all about
Noah, Joseph, Moses, Jonah and Jesus.

Sometimes he even likes giving them kisses,
especially Baby Moses and Baby Jesus.

He'll just sit and flip and start babbling to himself.

But, man, there is nothing any cuter than a boy

and his love for the Bible.

3, 3, 3

2010-09-10T19:39:00.000-05:00

As of today our little Bee is 3 years, 3 months and 3 days old.

How's she doing, you are wondering?

Well, she is Dora-licious,

Bible verse-reciting,

letter recognizing,

Japanese counting,

turkey sandwich eating

twirling and collapsing type of girl.

Too Long...

2010-09-09T21:36:00.000-05:00

Man, it has been too long between posts. What has it been? A week and a half....See, a week and a half in the blogging world is probably equivalent to a year. I really do try to update more often than that. But right now I am struggling to stay afloat with being a working mama again. Notice I don't even care about being a relaxed, well-rested working mama. Just being a working mama is enough for now.

So if you've been wondering what we've been up too since we last ~~spoke~~ corresponded, I am here to serve.

Well, we've been to a couple of parks. The kids really enjoy getting out. They loved Suson Park. Owen has seemed to form a special relationship with the chickens. He really, really seemed to be in tune with the lil' cluckers.

He even sat down several times to engage in some bird-brained conversations with the chickens.

Bethany was totally engrossed with the pig's poop and focused on it far longer than any animal around.

Bethany and Owen both stuck their heads through the little holes of the randomly painted background. I wonder the origins of these things. Really, who decided to paint a picture on large piece of wood and then say, "Hey! Let's drill holes in this here picture and poke our heads through." Just seems weird. But Bethany insisted on doing it and we don't like letting our girl down.

We rounded out our time at the park with much "needed" time on the playground. They both seemed to master the equipment and had a blast.

It was a blast visiting Suson Park. I think I am going to challenge ourselves to visit all the Missouri and St. Louis County parks in the St. Louis area. This park had so much to offer and we could've spent a lot more time there if it weren't for our rumbly tummies. I will keep the blog up-to-date with our Parking adventures and hopefully we will be able to knock out quite a few different parks around the area in no time!

guilty as charged

2010-08-30T21:29:00.000-05:00

Okay...I am totally guilty of something awful. Something extremely, heinously awful. I would say a crime against these two lil' boogers.

I mean, as a mother, I am supposed to wish the best for my children. I am supposed to want them to be perfect in every way possible.

But really, I don't. Some of my kids' imperfections just tickles my fancy too much. There is no way I am going to purposely guide them toward perfection when these little quirks are just so darn amusing.

Wanna know what I am talking about...well...it is all about some of the things Bethany says.

Seriously, she cracks me up with some of her words. I decided to share with you some of my favorite Bethanisms that I just can't bare the thought to correct. (Of course, while I don't necessarily always correct her words...I always talk correctly around her and don't model incorrect English--well...I don't purposely model incorrect English, but I am not the one here who is a Comm. Arts teacher.)

My Favorite Bethanyisms:

-Strawberry: What she cause bruises, because her first major bruise that she was completely cognizant of was a few months back. It actually did look like a strawberry. So now, she calls all bruises strawberries. Funny!

-To-mar-ner: Tomorrow. She's always said it this way. I love it. If it is just Cory and I around, we typically say to-mar-ner to each other. But we try to say it correctly around the Bee.

-Snoking: Smoking. Hehehehe! Snoking? Seriously?!? If you don't get how cute that is...just say it outloud. Then say something like, "Ew! He's Snoking. That's 'guisting!" Really...now don't you get how cute that is?

-Snoothie: Smoothie. See above. Something about that "Sn-" sound that I just get all giggly about.

-'Rupt: Interupt. As in, "Don't 'Rupt, Dad. I was talking to Mom."

-Yesterday: Any Day in the Past. If you listen to her stories long enough, you'll hear all the things we did yesterday. You'll soon think that yesterday we were crazy, busy people being that you would've heard of like a million things that we did "yesterday" that range from: being sick, going to the zoo, having a birthday party, going to church, and being frustrated.

So I totally know what she is talking about 99.9% of the time. But there is the .1% of the time that I am a little puzzled and have to keep asking a million questions to understand what she is saying. (i.e. the first time she said 'rupt totally threw me). I just wonder what all the other folks in Bethany's life think of when they hear her talk. Hopefully they find it is amusing as I. Or perhaps, it is only me that is an evil, mean mother that finds guilty pleasure in her lil' girl's mishaps!

Checking Up

2010-08-29T21:26:00.000-05:00

Owen had his 15 month check up last week. Disregard the fact that in a week he will be, in fact, 16 months old. That is neither here nor there. Anyway....I thought you'd like some tibits about our lil' man.

He loves his blankie. He has a couple blankies just in case one gets all gooberish.
He always pees right before being put in the bath tub. Just wait 30 or so seconds...but sure enough he'll pee shortly after being de-diapered.
He can say a good dozen words or so: hi, mama, dada, bye, backpack, oh-uh, Up, ni-ni, bath time, ball, book, all done. Plus, he has his own special sort of words for Bethany and drink. Pretty sure...but it is hard to type out.
Owen loves Backyardigans. He has several of the songs memorized and can sing along. He even gets up and dances and spins during their opening and closing credits. Too Cute!
Owen still loves couches.
When needing another drink or simply a refill, he will go to the fridge and start tugging at the door.
Listening is semi-optional for the lil' man. He knows the word "No", but doesn't always obey. This leads us into the fact the he recently earned his first 'time-out'. He didn't do half bad on the time-out step.
At his check-up his weight was 25 lbs, height 29 inches, head 20.? inches. Basically he is average except his head...which of course is largely above average.
He loves to attack people and give them loving. Lay on the ground and he will be sure to bounce all over ya.
He is a sleepy guy. Sleeping 12 or so hours at night with a nice 2 hour nap during the day.
He loves being silly.

And we love our silly, lil man!

Bethany on Tape!

2010-08-25T12:23:00.001-05:00

So a few months back, right when Bethany turned 3. I asked her a series of questions. I am going to try to ask her the same questions as she gets older. Here is a video of her telling me her favorites and what not.

By the way...I totally learned not to let her have anything in her hands while I am trying to hold a conversation with her. That book was a total distraction. Silly Girl!

What’s your name?

I don’t know.

What do we call you?

Daddy, Mommy and Owen

How old are you?

I don’t know.

What’s your favorite food?

Black

What do you like to eat?

Stickers… Chicken

What’s your favorite thing to play with?

Stickers

What’s your favorite restaurant?

Chuck E. Cheese

Who’s your favorite friend?

Anabelle

What’s your favorite toy outside.

JoeJoe. I like it when he plays with me.

What is Bethany going to be when you get bigger?

I don’t know. Bigger.

What’s Bethany’s favorite song?

Twinkle, Twinkle little star (cont. to sing it)

What’s Bethany do good at?

Chuck E. Cheese. And using the potty.

What’s your favorite color?

….

Favorite T.V. show?

SpongeBob.

Simple Entertainment...

2010-08-22T20:39:00.000-05:00

Bean Bag Chairs....

a rather simple concept....

but boy....

it is amazing how they keep the kiddos entertained....

A Girl and Her Preschool

2010-08-18T21:21:00.000-05:00

So once upon a time there was a girl...who turned three and is "independently toilet trained." Her parents enrolled her at preschool in a local Christian Academy.

Her teacher sent the lil' girl a picture to color. I'd say she did an awesome job. She was really trying to separate the different portions of the pictures by coloring them different colors. This is the first time she really tried that. :O) Really she is pretty gifted. I would say that she is the next Picasso...but really which three-year-old couldn't be the next Picasso. He is just the only artist I could think of at this moment...

After she put the finishing touches on her picture, she packed up her backpack with all of the school supplies that she'd need for the year. Yes, that is a Mario backpack. And, yes, she picked it out all by herself. Perhaps an affinity to video games is genetic. We are checking on that...

She meets her teacher a couple of days before the official start of preschool. She couldn't be more smiley!

After dropping of school supplies and meeting Mrs. S., we got to partake in a picnic lunch with all the early childhood and elementary kiddos and their famlies. I gotta tell you, the picnic was very refreshing. While we didn't know a single soul there, it was 100% clear that it was like one big, happy family. You know, one big family from those 50 tv shows....before nearly every family had a largely dysfunctional branch disfiguring a typically beautiful family tree.

At the picnic the Lil Girl met a Lil Boy. They happen to be in the same class. The boy calls the little girl, "My Girl." Looks like the Little Girl's first love has some competition.

Finally the big day comes. The little girl runs down and grabs her breakfast out of the fridge before all of the eye crusties have even been wiped out of their crevices. She carries it around the house the entire time while she gets dressed, brushed and shoed.

Finally, the little girl arrives at preschool. She would happen to be the first kid there. And she'll likely be first for a while longer as we work far away from home.

When all is said and done the Little Girl will report out with a lot of prompting that in preschool she:
   --pooped in the potty
     --doesn't like jelly with peanut butter
     --learned Jesus Died
     --gets to nap on a bouncy bed.

Sounds like pretty valuable lessons for a 3-year-old. Although we practiced what to order for lunch. I told her she'll like the cheeseburger best. Doesn't surprise me she ordered PBJ. Too bad she doesn't like PBJ. She has never liked PBJ...but oh man...how does she long to be like every other American child being in love with PBJ sandwiches. But, I guess, some things are just not meant to be.

It is hard to believe that the Little Girl is in Preschool already. I mean, she was just born like what two or three days ago, right.....

1 month later...

2010-08-15T20:53:00.000-05:00

exactly one month ago...

exactly a couple of hours ago...

Now...how could you not be in awe of God's amazing healing, mercy, and grace?

guilt

2010-08-12T20:08:00.000-05:00

Guilt...

What an awful feeling. But it seems like guilt has taken up residence in my heart right now....

I feel guilty
----for leaving the kids with the sitters.
----that Owen spent all of yesterday crying (with only a few breaks).
----that I only have 2 to 3 hours with kids in the evenings until it is bedtime.
----for feeling like less of a mom because I am away from the babies during the day and then sometimes my mind is occupied with school-issues at night
----for being tired and less patient with people as I am being pulled in various directions
----for being less of a teacher than I could be if I more time and didn't have obligations at home.
----for not being able to spend as much time with the husband as I am torn between work, children and home responsibilities.
----for not taking better care of myself in terms of exercising and eating right.

----for missing moments like this just randomly throughout the day...

I know I just need to pray and ask God to help me deal with these guilty feelings. Hopefully, the guilt can be evicted permanently out of my heart...

Back At It.

2010-08-10T20:44:00.000-05:00

So today was the last day of summer vacation It was a rather uneventful day. Which is fine. But it was still the last day off, none-the-less. I am really going to miss looking down and seeing this little guy at my side (all the time)!

This summer didn't quite go as I envisioned back in the cold winter days--when all I could do is to dream of June and July. I pictured a tantrumless, potty training session thinking that it would be a rather quick process. I pictured the lil' man just walking and running around crazy having a completely carefree time.

Little did I know that potty training would include a few scream-fests from our favorite three-year-old and that it would last a good month and a half. Nor did I realize that Owen would take his time learning to walk with a nice last-minute little vacation to Children's Hospital for a sweet skull reconstruction. Then there are all of the happy images from our first-ever family vacation I dreamed of...yeah...that never quite came in to fruition.

So, what if summer didn't go as planned. The end result is the same regardless. Bethany is 100% independent potty trained (or toilet learned...if you are one of those people). Owen eventually started to walk. The way I see it, he just wanted us to feel a little on edge as he waited to really start walking the week after his major head surgery. Nothing says stressful as a unsteady, toddling toddler with a fresh incision going ear-to-ear.

But, man, I am going to miss these babies tomorrow. It is so sweet to see the lil' girl who "isn't tired" asleep during one of her "just one more shows".

We are so blessed to be home two months out of the year. It is just hard to believe that these months are over. True, I won't miss overhearing their preferred method of communication. Seriously...that screaming and screeching can make Mother Theresa lose her cool. It is so unnerving to hear. While Bethany knows better, it is Owen who instigates it and Bethany just perpetuates the screaming so that it can reach its fullest decibel level.

Wish everyone luck as we go on our various ways tomorrow. This will be Owen's and Bethany's first time being separated as she goes off to preschool soon and Owen is back to our sitter. We will just be saying a few extra prayers for our sitter's hearing to survive Owen's horribly deafening sound waves.

Good news is that we have just three work days this week and then a nice weekend to spend time the babies. Lord knows that I am going to be needing to get in extra snuggles and hugs...regardless if it results in a little screeching and screaming.

Where Can You...

2010-08-08T20:23:00.000-05:00

Pretend to be electrocuted...

Make balls float...

Sit on a tractor tire...

Go through a tunnel...

Go down a three story slide...

or play in a large water table?

Why...the Magic House, of course. We took the kiddos to Magic House a couple of days ago. They had an absolute blast. There is so much to do and so much to see. I can see how they can be entertained for many more years. It is amazing how one venue can entertain a 14 month old just as easily as a 10 year old.

We can't wait to go back!

Games, Games, and more Games

2010-08-05T12:07:00.000-05:00

Summer's winding down. The past few days we have been playing a lot of games.

This past weekend, Cory noticed there was a Wii Games 2010 event at the Galleria. We packed up the kids and headed down to join in the fun.

We got to take our picture next to some famous celebrities.

At the Wii Games, you sign up and get to play games for free. Sometime you enlist help from your father...games "are tricky".

As you play, you earn stickers. You can cash them in for prizes...like this awesome Yoshi!

Later, we played more games with Grandma and Grandpa at Incredible Pizza in honor of Cory's 32nd Birthday.

The two lil' kids had tons of fun. The pizza was delicious and there was LOTS to do.

Finally, Bethany has getting old enough to play games at home with Daddy. She calls them her "Bethany Games". As the little character on the screen looks just like her. She loves spending that special time with her daddy.

If you know anything about us...you know it is we love our games here. It is a blast now that we have a kid finally old enough to join in the fun.

how to....

2010-07-29T22:04:00.000-05:00

Is your husband about to have his 32nd birthday? And you don't know how to celebrate it? Well, good thing we've been through that exact same situation.

Here are 13 steps telling you How to celebrate your Husband's 32nd birthday:

1) Find a crazy recipe to try out on the husband for his birthday cake.

2) Enlist the help of your favorite 3 year-old to cook this awesome cake. Also...since the cake has SIX layers, you may also have to beg and plead w/ your neighbors to obtain more cake pans. Then, once you got their cake pans, you'll probably need to be envious of how cool those pans are compared to yours. Man, why or why did we register for the cheap ones 7 years ago????

3) Make the cake. While making the cake totally impress the three year old with your ability to make white cake suddenly appear different colors!!

4) Bake the said cakes. Remembering that since you are putting less cake mix in each pan, that your must be extra careful not to burn the cakes.

5) Start decorating and icing the cake. While ripping the foil of the icing container, be sure to spill half of the container of the ground--right in proximity of your 1 year old, that away it won't be too easy for your to clean up when you are competing against the never-satisfied-hunger of a 1 year old. Then just about die of laughter when the three-year-old comments on its poop-like appearance! :O)

6) Finish decorating the cake. But first, be sure to ask the 3 year old what her Daddy needs on top of his cake and try your darnedest to fulfill those wishes...then step back and ~~be disappointed in~~ admire your work.

7) Make the husband pose with the cake. Then put up with it when he says that it seems like a silly tradition. But make him pose with the cake anyway because that what you are supposed to do on your birthday dab-nab-it.

8) Attempted a three-quarters family photo...but fail because you can wheel the high chair close enough...but they are still pretty cute anyway.

9) Put all the candles on the cake you can find. Of course, you don't have 32 candles. That's a lot. No one has 32 candles at their house. But put on the 10 magic-reigniting candles that you can find.

Then watch as the husband and three-year-old attempt to blow them out over and over and over again.

10) Slice up the cake and hear the husband's surprise when it is rainbow. Then...make him pose with the cake a second time (hehehe)!

11) Feed the Bitty Baby Boy a slice of cake. Then as you admire his smile think, "forget the cake...I could just gobble him up and all his glorious cuteness!"

12) Continue to watch the 1 year old as he finishes eating the cake and proceeds to rearrange the remnants from his plate to the tray and vice versa. He is just too funny.

13) Finally, give the husband his birthday present that you weren't supposed to give him b/c you spent a lot of money on his Father's Day present. But you know...what's a birthday without a present.

So there you have it. That is best way I can think of to celebrate the 32-year-old husband's birthday. Hope you find this helpful!

2 Weeks later...

2010-07-27T21:24:00.000-05:00

It has been 2 weeks today since Owen's head surgery. His incision is looking great. There are many parts where the stitches have dissolved and the skin has crossed over the incision and looks healed. His hair is growing back quite nicely.

Owen is doing great. It is hard to believe that 2 weeks ago he was sitting in the ICU moaning for more morphine. I praise God that he is well and active as ever.

This past week, Owen is an emerging walker. He is walking about 95% of the time. He can even multitask; walking while talking on the phone.

He has been so proud of himself for getting up and walking all over the place. It is just too cute.

Another difference in Owen since his surgery is how affectionate he has been. I tell you what, Owen has been extremely lovey dovey this past two weeks. He'll come over and plant a nice, wet, teethy kiss on us constantly. He has also been giving Bethany a run for her money in demanding my attention. She has always been my little side-kick. But now, I fear we will have a full-pledge momma's boy on my hands soon. He used to gravitate toward Cory...now it is "maMA, maMa, maMA." Not like I mind though. I will just suck this all in. I know it won't be long before it will take more than quick cuddle with me to make their troubles go away.

All about the Bee!

2010-07-25T22:09:00.000-05:00

So I have posted a bunch about the Lil' Man lately...for obvious reasons. I am feeling guilty for leaving this one out. In order to rectify that situation, this post is all about our the Resident Princess, Bethany.

Lil' Bethany is doing great this summer. She has completely mastered the art of going potty. Yes, both #1 and #2, thank you very much! Doing #2 did take about a month and a half to figure out. I, for sure, saw a side of my lil' girl that I didn't realize existed when we were in the midst of a battle of the doo-doo. If this is any indication of what she is going to be like as a teenager, I am going to start looking for some great boarding schools now. But back to the toilet training...she is so set that now she wants to be alone when doing the deed. Seriously...this is the girl that 3 weeks ago wouldn't use any other potty other than her own. Now is 100% completely independent. And as for my worries about me being gone during Owen's surgery...yeah...she progressed leaps and bounds that week. Crazy Girl!

Other than learning to use the john, this summer Bethany has done plenty of arts-n-crafts, played out side and gotten in touch with her imagination. Even to the point of whipping out her Halloween costume again.

She loves to play with her little people toys with her princess castle and the little people house. The voices she uses are pretty funny. Plus, the things her little people say just crack me up. And, of course, if one of them says something inappropriate (i.e. shut up), Bethany immediately provides the disclaimer that it was her toy that said it, not her.

She has been great (for the most part) with Owen since he has gotten back from the hospital. She is very protective of him if other people are around. She even scolded me the first time I washed his hair. "Mom...no bucket on Owen's head. He has an owie." But as often as she protects the little man...she also loves to pester him. If pestering your brother becomes an Olympic sport, I think she'll have a fair shot at the gold.

She starts preschool in three or so weeks. She is super excited. She is talking about it daily and will draw pictures for school. She has even started using preschool to con us into buying things for her. "Oh, I need this for my school. I am a big girl." as she points to a totally useless toy. Crazy kid.

Her personality is totally a bloom. She talks like crazy and has an amazing memory. Things we've done a year ago she'll remember. Seriously...1 year ago...we didn't remind her...we don't have pictures...she'll just tell a story about whatever it was. Sometimes (actually a lot of times), she'll remember things that I've totally forgotten about.

Overall, she is an amazing toddler. We are so blessed to have her in our lives. Between her snuggling and her "I Love You, Mom"s...there is nothing better than having a Little Bethany in our lives.

How Many...

2010-07-21T22:19:00.000-05:00

So I've been wondering these past couple of days---exactly how many times can my heart stop beating before it neglects to resume its life sustaining pace?

Seriously, this guys scares me to death.

Of course, his appearances aren't hard on the eyes. On the contrary, he is rather delicious looking. But what scares me is all of Owen's Toddlerness. Could the Boy NOT learn to walk before his surgery? This sudden desire to walk now is enough to cause my heart to stop ten times a day. With over a hundred stitches in his head sealing his incision that goes from eat to ear...this is the best time he could think of to learn to walk? What is up with him?

Yesterday, he insisted on walking up the drive to the back of the garage...without holding hands...on concrete...without a protective bubble surrounding every square inch of him. What is he thinking?

Then, this kid has the audacity to walk beneath the kitchen table. Seriously! Does he not realize that he could bump his head? Does he realize that every time he goes there, I am pretty sure I am losing a year off my life. Goodness. He. Scares. Me. To. Death!

After a nice stroll under the kitchen table, the kid will go to the toy box. He'll open it...but, oh no, he won't open it all the way. He prefers to have the lid be resting precariously between the closed position and the completely open position; that-a-way it looks like he is going to hit his head on it once he is done reaching down to retrieve his coveted toy. Of course while he is doing so, all I can see is him hitting his head & every last stitch popping and blood gushing everywhere!

After play time, it is bath time. Oh...don't get me started on all the dangers of the bath tub. Man. You have the faucet, the bending-over-and-not-watching-the-side-of-the-tub-as-he-gets-back-up factor. And then...then you have the slippiness of bathtub...don't you see the 10 million possible ways his head could be damaged in the bathroom!?!? It is enough to raise my blood pressure just thinking about baths!

I am just certain that one of these times I am going to see Owen do something that seems a bit precocious and my heart will stop and fail to resume.

After all, how many more times can I put my heart through this stress?

Changes

2010-07-18T21:42:00.000-05:00

So, can you notice the changes in our Little Man's face? To me, they are pretty slight. The doctors said they widened his skull 1 full inch. I can only notice some slight difference to the face itself. He is pretty handsome anyway you look at him--there is no denying that!

Owen's personality is just about 99% back to normal. He gets a little tired easily and a little whiny. But he is very playful and very much addicted to his sister. They were very lovey dovey today. It was pretty cute. He has learned to be way more cooperative while taking his meds and while we apply the ointment on his freakishly long scar. Owen even does a pretty good job not touching it...which is always helpful.

Another major change that has happened at the Milles house is indirect side effect from Owen's surgery. While Owen was in the hospital, I delegated the responsibility of water my flowers to the Husband and a trusty neighbor. They did a really good job. The new tree is looking great. The mailbox flowers really have flourished. All are looking wonderful, all except my petunias. Those petunias were tucked away in a hanging basket. Easy to miss, I imagine.

While I was a little bummed my patriotic petunias died, I noticed that twice a bird has flown out of the hanging basket. This evening, I pulled it down to throw them out. This is what I see...

Is that pretty amazing or what?!? A lot of changes, for sure. While at first the changes don't look so pretty such as in Owen's case the first day after his surgery. Or while I look up at the disappointing underside of my basket of pathetically dried putunias. People or things have to go through some ugly situations in order to have a surprisingly beautiful outcome.

Back Home!

2010-07-17T21:53:00.000-05:00

We are finally back home. Man, how glad am I to see this silly face again!

She is, for sure, glad to see us. She was a little clingy today. As well as, testing her boundaries again or maybe she was seeking extra attention. But, whatever, I was glad to be able to give it to her again.

Mr. Cool here also loved seeing his big sister again. The last night in the hospital, I showed him some videos on the computer of him and his sister. Immediately, he began whimpering and stroking the computer. He missed her so much. I was hoping the videos would make him happy...but it, for sure, had the opposite effect.

They, really, couldn't get enough of each other. They even had a sweet lil' kiss. I will have to show them this picture in 10 years when they can't stand each other. I will make sure to remind them of how much they missed each other when separated these past 4 days.

Today we basically stuck around the house. Owen and Bethany played with the balloons and toys his aunt and uncle and cousins got him. These balloons for a great hit!

They went from toy to toy playing, spending quite a bit of time in their sunglasses.

The amazing neighbors on our street has organized a meal-drop. I totally don't feel worthy of such of an expression of compassion and charity. They are totally amazing and thoughtful people. Their charity is just overwhelming. I am so glad we moved here four years ago!

Tonight's dinner was awesome. Owen loved the taters and corn the best! He was even spoon feeding himself. Plus the fried chicken was amazing. Seriously, who knows how to fry their own chicken breasts these days. I am thinking that Miss Becky might be able to put KFC out of business.

Overall, the four of us are doing pretty good. I will have to tell you, that this has been the longest week of my life. I still can't believe all that Owen has been through. I've asked a lot of questions at the hospital about exactly how some aspects of the surgery went down and when I heard what this boy has been through. With what those doctors did to his head...I am amazed. I am simply amazed that Owen has recovered so fast.

This week has housed the both the absolute worst day of my life and one of the best moments of my life. It was a complete whirl wind of emotions that are still trying at times.

Seeing Owen in the ICU, moaning and moaning. Calling out my name. That was the lowest. The lowest I have ever been. It was hard to see him suffer so much. To see him uncertain, afraid and in pain. That was just the worst thing I've ever had to deal with. I don't know how people deal with that on a daily basis with their children's health failing. That was miserable. I don't know how God deals with that on a daily basis. We are all his children...and millions of people are suffering everyday. I just know that with prayer...we made it through that day.

Owen recovered pretty fast and his need for the morphine was over before we knew it. I just hope we don't ever have to see our kids suffer as much as Owen did while he was recovering. Once he continued to do better with his pain, we had to combat his swelling. The swelling brought me to another low. It wasn't as difficult to see that as it was to see his pain. But it was difficult to see him so scared and so angry. He was just plain mad when he couldn't see. But the horrible swelling that was supposed to leave him without his vision for at least a full day went away within hours. That is one thing that I can only attribute to the hundreds of prayers being said for our family. God was certainly listening to all of the out pours of prayers. How amazing!

Once Owen's vision came back, he started to be less frustrated and more complacent. This leads to one of the best moments of my life. The Mommy/Son picnic we had on the Day 3 of the hospital was amazing. Owen sat on the floor of his hospital room. He played with the toys that were delivered to him earlier in the day. Then his food arrived. He devoured those pancakes as if he were preparing for the next All-You-Can-Eat-Pancake-Contest. He even tried to pull up on my shoulder. That was the first time he stood in three days.

At that time, it became clear that he was better. He wasn't suffering nearly as much physically. It was clear that even emotionally he was better. He allowed himself to get down and start acting like a normal kid. When we played and he ate, I sat in awe. I soaked in every moment of that significant turn around. I felt blessed that God was feeling our son. There are hundreds of children in that hospital and our son was being healed. While I don't feel worthy of that, I can and do fully appreciate God's hand in Owen's recovery.

So we are now home. We are working on getting thing back to normal. While I feel like I have always been grateful for my children. I know many people that have struggled to have children or people who have lost children. I never tried to take either one for granted. But after our stint in the hospital...I am just so grateful that that these two have been placed in our lives. I don't ever want to take one day, one hour or one second of them for granted. They are just too precious....And I thank God for placing them in our lives.

FOOOODDDD!!!!

2010-07-16T15:07:00.001-05:00

Food, Glorious Food! It makes a world of a difference.

Cory was the first to get him to drink. Of course it makes sense to offer him HIS sippy from home. But little did I know to think of it.

Once he got started, nothing was going to come between him and his precious yummies.

(you must pardon my appearance this was after a few hours of sleep and w/out make-up)

After Daddy left we had a Mommy and Son Picnic. On the menu last night was pancakes, applesauce and brownies. He had a great time actually being out of the bed.

Yummy Pancakes!

Gotta eat! :O)

Another update for today's events will come later this evening. Owen's calling!

The "eyes" have it.

2010-07-15T14:44:00.000-05:00

As you can see from the first post of the day, Owen woke up this morning with his left eye completely swollen shut. Then he barely had control over his right eye lid. He was pretty mad this morning. He didn't want anything to do with anybody. All he wanted was to be held, in a certain position. While being held, he didn't want you to bother him any further.

The craniofacial plastic surgeon came in and took off Owen's bandage. Man, his incision is creepy. It goes straight from one side of his head to the other side. Wanna know what else is creepy? Well, he is going home...bandage-less. Seriously! Is that not the craziest thing you ever heard. But what do I know. I just have a measily Masters in education. The big wigs w/ their MD's and years of experience says it is best to have it uncovered, so I will take their word for it.

After being awake for a four or so hours, he took his morning nap. By the time he woke up and Cory arrived, Owen was able to open both eyes a little bit. When they said that his swelling should be the worst on Thursday, I expected to see the swelling all day long. After all the resident neurosurgeon indicated that he won't be getting better until tomorrow. But by the grace of God, it is already getting better.

As soon as Cory arrived, Owen exclaims, "Dada" in his drowsy, cranky, lil' voice. Owen has been demanding his dad's attention the whole visit. He only wants Cory to hold him, carry him and comfort him. Maybe he will even allow Cory to administer the Tylenol at 2 w/out a big fit.

Owen even cracked a little funky smile when Cory handed him his favorite Elmo book. The book kept his attention for about a minute, then he went back to being cuddly.

All we are doing now is waiting for two things: Owen to eat/drink & for his lovely drain to come out.

Pretty weird to see this coming out of his head, huh? Well, if he drains less than 30 mL (that is 1 oz for you metric system haters), the drain will be yanked out of the ole noggin. Owen has been trying to save the nurses any trouble of removing the drain by tugging at it, but I've reassured him that the nurses don't mind doing the honors.

Owen continues to push away the sippy as it is offered. He has that stinkin' IV in his foot still and really doesn't want anything to do with a sippy cup. Perhaps, I should offer him a McDonald's Frappe. He is totally obsessed with those (hey..don't yell at me, all I give him is the cool whip topping...not the coffee part).

So, we are grateful for the outpouring of support we've received. Our family and friends are amazingly supportive. Our God is an awesome God who has been answering our prayers left and right. Owen seems to be either in no pain or tolerating his pain really well. He hasn't needed morphine in over 26 hours. The swelling shut of Owen's eyes was relatively short lived. Praise the Lord! We are now praying that Owen will accept the sippy cup and try to drink and eat soon. But as I write that I feel very humbled that God is allowing our prayers for Owen to be fulfilled while this hospital sits with hundreds of sick kids fighting various levels of pain, discomfort and diseases. Why our prayers are being answered and Owen is clearly getting better is beyond me. But it is enough for me to continue to sing God's praises and say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord!"

Shaven, scarred, swollen

2010-07-15T11:12:00.000-05:00