Daddy's Boy

Connor is definitely his Daddy's boy..

Today he asked me to draw a picture of a dog for him, so I did. When it was finished he looked at it and said, "You did pretty good mom, but you forgot some things." He stepped out of the room for a few minutes and then came back in to show me the modifications he had made. He said, "Now the dog has a heart, and lungs for his breathing system, and the blood that goes all throughout his body to keep him healthy and strong."

Marcus would be so proud.

Our Texas Winter

This last year went on record as being the second coldest winter in Texas state history with the second greatest amount of snowfall (less than a half inch away from the record). I wish I could say that I loved it... but let's be honest, one of the perks of living in Texas is supposed to be playing at the playground and walking in the sunshine in January. Instead we were cooped up inside an apartment that has an electric furnace (ie, NOT energy efficient) and paying a fourth of our wages to the electric company.

Despite my lack of adoration for the winter, Connor LOVED it. James... not so much. Thank goodness for snowday's that kept Marcus home from work a few times so somebody besides myself could take the boys out to experience it all. Connor could have stayed out from the sign of the first snowflake to the melting of the last. He especially liked making snowballs to throw at his daddy. I think he enjoyed getting them thrown at him just as much.





I will admit, it was nice to have snow on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. In fact I enjoyed it during December. But come January and February, I was definitely wishing for sunshine!

Last Day In Utah

Well, it's obvious I am not doing well with my 30 days of blogging challenge... It's been especially hard for me to do while I've been on vacation. I have taken a lot of pictures, though. I just need to get them uploaded onto my computer. I think that will be easier to do when I get home to my CAMERA CORD and MEMORY CARD READER. Yep, I'm the idiot who forgot to bring either of those things with.

BUT

Like the title said, today is our last day in Utah :( This week went by WAY too fast. We have had a good time visitng with family friends, and could easily spend another week visiting more family and friends. There are so many people we wish we could have seen, but haven't been able to. Every time we come I think to myself, "our next visit needs to be a lot longer". It's just so hard for Marcus to ever take more than a week off of his crazy busy schedule. Oh well.

This afternoon we have Grandma Olson's Easter party with all my aunts, uncles, and cousins on my Mom's side of the family. I'm excited to see everyone, but not thrilled to be leaving right after it's over. It's been a good trip, though, and I'm so thankful we were able to come.

With this being our first full day of vacation in Utah, you might think I would have all sorts of fun things to write about. I do not, though, because the wonderful thing about today is that we just spent it not doing much more than relaxing around the house and enjoying one anothers company. It has been heaven.

Tomorrow we are heading up to run a few errands and visit more people we love! My goal for tomorrow is to take some good pictures and get them posted on here.

Stay tuned!

We've Arrived

After about 14 hours in the car today, my boys and I made it to my families house in Utah. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be, but I'm glad we don't have to do it again for a week.

The little boy's are in bed and Marcus and I are ready to join them...

Packing for Utah

Tomorrow our little family is leaving to drive to Utah for a week. We are SO excited for a break from everyday life and to visit with our friends and family back home (yes, Utah still does feel like home to us).

Typically, when we drive, we stay overnight in Albuquerque, the half way point. But this time we're only going to be able to drive 5 hours on our first travel day, stay over night, and then have to drive 13 hours on the second... AAAH! I have a feeling day 2 will be long. Hopefully with a few good movies, snacks, and a little napping, the boys will survive.

Wish us luck! We just might need it!

Because I Don't Want To Break My Goal...

I'm writing this post.

I know I told you to stay tuned for a post about how much I heart good physicians, but that's been more difficult to write than I anticipated. I am sure you probably couldn't really care less if I ever got it done or not, but I do, so it's coming. Just not tonight.

My husband is home. My kids are in bed (ok, so that's a lie.. Connor's screaming in time out right now, but he's on his way to bed :) And I want to do nothing more than collapse on the couch and catch up on my favorite tv shows.

Hope you each have a night as wonderful as mine!

Update #1: Doctor's Visits

Since I last posted about James a lot of good has happened.  His blood counts began improving without any intervention shortly after our weekly visits to the hematologist began.  In fact, he just had his final visit with the hematologist last Friday.  His blood counts were not quite back to normal, but with the progress he has made, the doctor's feel certain he will fully recover on his own within the next few months.  It was the news I expected going into the visit, but it was wonderful to hear anyway.  He will just need to follow up with his pediatrician this Summer.

He also had his EEG last month and the neurologist said it looked normal, which was fantastic.  James has been diagnosed as having a generalized seizure disorder, though, since the doctor's are certain the seizure was not a result of another condition or stimulus (fever, virus, etc.).  The seizure we witnessed was either a series of smaller seizures that gradually worsened, or a quite lengthy seizure that really took it out of the little guy for a while.  We are just playing the watch and wait game with him now.  If he has another one that we see, he will return to the neurologist for further evaluation.

Connor had his 4 year well child visit the day after his birthday and he's doing as good as ever.  After spending his entire life under the 2nd percentile for height and weight he's finally catching up!  His stats are as follows:

Weight: 31.5 lbs, 10%
Height: 39 in, 25%

His vision was normal for his age, as was his development.  He failed his hearing test, however, and has to follow up with an audiologist the middle of next month.  It will be interesting to see how the appointment there goes.  He seems to be able to hear fine in everyday life, so I'm not worried about him, but he genuinely struggled with responding to some sounds during the test.  I'll keep you posted! 

I have been thankful these last few months for incredible doctors.  Those of you who have read this blog for a while now  know how sad I was to leave behind the physicians we had back in Utah.  And those of you who have read this blog for a while now know what a struggle I had finding ones I love and trust just as much here in Texas.  Stay tuned for tomorrows post all about our awesome doctors and why finding good ones matters so much to me!     

30 Days of Blogging

I desperately need to get back into the blogging groove. I swear I have been trying to rejump my blogging drive, many times actually, but a post or two goes by and I'm all of a suddent back in a slump. Time passes, and I start to get overwhelmed by the amount of things that I have neglected to write about. I start one post after another that I never actually finish or publish. Blah...

SO, I am challenging myself to 30 days of blogging. I figure 30 days is time enough for me to not only get back into the habit, but maybe also get caught up. We'll see!

Wish me luck and stay tuned!

P.S. Does anyone know where to spell check on the new compose menu?  I can't seem to find it anywhere...

Four Years Ago...

From this very minute, my teeny-tiny 4 lb Connor was born, and my life changed forever for the better.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN!