Thursday, March 11, 2010

Why I'm tired...

Did you know that....
caring for someone with TWO herniated discs in a neck,
especially when it's someone you love dearly,
and the only form of slight relief comes from lots of drugs,
and potassium from bananas,
while still caring for two young children,
makes for a VERY. TIRED. MOM.

Brad woke up Saturday morning at 4 a.m. to Tagen crying. When he went to get out of bed, he found he couldn't move. He hurt so badly in his neck and back, he literally could not move. We thought his neck had gone out again, but when he started having numbness and tingling in his right arm, we knew something was really wrong. The chiropractor met us in his office on Sunday (thank goodness) and we've been doing therapies with him everyday since then. Our sister-in-law, Marianne, set him up with her physical therapist yesterday, but without xrays or an MRI she wasn't willing to do much. So, last night we went to the ER. They did xrays and an MRI and we have found out that Brad has two herniated discs in his neck. It's in the C5-C6-C7 area. We've been referred to a specialist that we have an appointment with next week. He's still numb and tingling in his right arm, and we're hoping there isn't permanent nerve damage. He hasn't been able to hold his daughters since Saturday. He's barely been able to walk, and today is the first day he's really been out of bed for any amount of time. We're grateful that the Percocet, muscle relaxers and steroids from the ER last night finally let Brad get some good sleep, (the first in 5 days.) All Prayers on his behalf and any advice and recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance from this tired mama.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Art by Olivia

Olivia absolutely LOVES drawing and art of any kind. She drew this picture on Friday for my mom's birthday card. I asked her to explain what everything was and it just made me laugh. I had to share it.

On the left we have a flower that has been hit by a rocket. The rocket is at the base of the flower. She said the flower had to have blue petals because that's how she likes it best.
On the right, we have a girl snowman... that's pregnant. If you click and enlarge the picture, you can see the baby in the snowman's tummy better. She also has two different color socks on "because that's silly."

Her imagination is pretty impressive... and as a biased mother, I think her artwork is too... especially for a three year old. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Jazz Game

One of Brad's coworkers offered Brad his Jazz game tickets yesterday... FOR FREE! I got an excited phone call from Brad telling me to find a babysitter so we could use them and have a night out together. Thankfully, we were able to find a sitter so we could enjoy the evening.
Us at the Jazz game. (self portrait style.)
Kyle Korver. I still maintain they should have gotten this guy to play Edward in the Twilight series.
He looks more like a vampire than that icky Robert Pattenson...
and he's much better looking!
Sundiata Gaines... One of my new favorite players! He rocks!
More Edward... Er, I mean, Kyle.
The Bear is an amazing mascot. He seems fearless.
Boozer. I'm not a big fan of Boozer. I think he could play harder for the amount of money he's getting paid.
But, having said that, he does have some big guns.

I love having a telephoto lens so I can get some good shots that looks like we were in the lower bowl. Even though we only made it to half the game, it was a great escape for me. Thanks to nice coworkers for giving us free tickets, and thanks to my honey for choosing to take me with him to the game!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Aunt Mecy

This is Brad's Aunt Mecy. She is his dad's youngest sister. Mecy was recently diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. It's been such a shock because that's what Brad's father passed away from. While we were in Cache Valley on Saturday, we took the opportunity to go visit her and her husband George. It was such a great visit. She's a remarkable woman and it was a pleasure visiting with her and George.



Olivia and Tagen had a great time playing with the toys at Mecy's. Olivia thought it was one of the coolest houses she's been to. I'm grateful we were able to get these pictures with her and our girls. Love you Aunt Mecy!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Tagen's 1 Year Checkup

Tagen eating her very first sucker.
I couldn't decide if she liked it until I tried to pull it out of her mouth...
She definitely liked it.

We went for Tagen's 1st year check up today. The doctor says she looks great and seems to be developmentally sound. She's not gaining weight, but he didn't seem too concerned. He attributed it to her being more mobile. If she hasn't gained any in 3 months, I'll be really concerned. Here are her stats....

Weight: 21 lbs 10 oz (65%) Length: 30 1/2 " (95%) Head Circumference: 18 1/2" (90%)
Olivia and Tagen have NEVER been below the 95% in weight or height.
I was so surprised to see that 65%!!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

My little Sunshine is ONE!!!

Happy Birthday Tagen!!!
This little beauty has blessed our lives for a year already! I look at her and I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. She's such a happy and easy going baby. She's been completely different than her sister as far as the eating and sleeping goes, and we're learning to not expect all our kids to be the same. But, we're grateful each and every day for the joy and the ray of sunshine that she is in our lives.
Tagen yawning. She's just a couple hours old here.
Olivia holding 4 day old Tagen.
A month and a half old. Such BIG cheeks!
Tagen's blessing day.
Tagen walking along the couch... a common occurrence since she was 9 months old.

We Love You Tagen!
We're so honored to have you in our family.
Have a fabulous 1st Birthday!!!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Got Teeth?

Ever wonder why we buy teething toys for our kids when apparently a crib will do just fine? I had just put Tagen down for a nap... er, ah, I should say, I had just put Tagen in her crib so she could cry herself to sleep. She was doing her normal cry when all of the sudden I heard the pitch of her cry change. It was immediately more intense and angrier. I went back to her room and found these teeth marks on the rail of her crib and paint chips all over her mouth. Seriously. Can you say, temper? Needless to say, I had to rethink the cry down method for that day. After she was peacefully sleeping away, I snapped a couple pictures. She looks so peaceful sleeping there in her crib... Never would have guessed a couple minutes before that she had tried to eat her crib!!!