The Reason Why

In Calgary, the May long weekend (May 22) everyone rushes out, buys flowers, plants gardens. I never do until the first week of June.

This morning shows the reason why.

My poor willow.

Good news is I can start looking for flowers and seeds next week!

The Dog House

Last fall, my drier died. I wanted to replace my washer and dryer with a nice new fancy set. The old set was 15 yrs old and the washer was working, but I suspected, not long for the world.

My husband did not want to replace a machine that worked and found a great drier for an amazing price. I agreed to get it only if he promised me a nice, new front loader when this washer died.

He agreed.

So, my washer died. Well, not completely, but it was starting to leak and not spin very well. Even my husband agreed, it's days were numbered. Time for a new one.

We went out and checked what was out there. Shopped around. Started looking for some sales. After all, we had a bit of time, the old one still worked somewhat.

So, what does husband do? Buys his buddy's washing machine, brings it home, sets it up. His buddy bought this 4 months ago and found out he is moving. Will not be bringing it with him. Apparently, it was a good deal.

Apparently, the buttons to choose water temperature and spin speed do not work. Or, as my husband says, "No, they are preset, you can't change those"

Hmmmm, why have buttons if you can't use them.

So, hubby is in the dog house. I am not happy that this machine has been in the house for less then a week and now it seems we need to have a repair man here.

So, to get out of the dog house, hubby decided to do some laundry for me. Well, at least his laundry...save three items of mine. Two socks and a sexy pair of underwear. Why my sexy undies? I can only suspect he thought they may be his reward for doing such a good deed.

He washed said items without my knowledge. Then, put said items into the drier...without my knowledge. Then, forgot about them.

I just pulled the load out of the drier. There was a piece of gum that managed to be washed along with said items.

By the way, I do not chew gum.

Out of a load of laundry filled with his shirts, socks and pants, this lovely rock hard, heat cooked piece of gum was melded to my sexy underwear.

I am not one for revenge, but I am wondering if this little piece of mail that arrived today might just happen to fall into the paper shredder.

Baseball

The boys are playing little league for the first time and having a great time. I must confess, I really enjoy it too.

So, for those of you who come here to see what a neuromuscular clubfoot kid with a leg length discrepancy can do, here is a short video of Matthew from ball last night. (he is wearing a shoe lift and an AFO)

Baseball, no problem.



Now, those of you with eyes on their own clubfoot kids...watch again and see what I see. That left foot is completely turned in when he runs. Must work on that.

And not to be outdone, Ryan. Can that batting helmet be any bigger? Cracks me up.

Tony Rocks

Tony knocked another one outta the park. This time, I didn't tell Matthew I was having the lift added. He has been wearing these without comment. Not sure if he just didn't notice, or if he thinks it looks fine.

I can barely see the lift.
Tony rocks.
And so does Steve for the tip, and, well, everything else.

Babysitting

Been a busy week and weekend babysitting. The boys really enjoyed our neighbor's parrot Akiki.

I have to say, I enjoyed spending time with her as well, but am glad my time is done.

Parrots are a lot of work.

Adding Insult To Injury

Finally, the boys are on the mend. All that remains is an ugly cough, and a bit of wheezing.

Me, on the other hand, am not a picture of health. Far from it. Still coughing, still sore throat, still exhausted, still head pounding, but a bit better. I've upgraded myself from feeling like crap to feeling like garbage...if that is an upgrade.

And the insult, I woke up with my right eyed glued shut with gunk.

Yup, you guessed it, pink eye.

It's ok, laugh away. I did.

A Quick Health Update

I took Ryan to the doctor yesterday and it was concluded that he is allergic to penicillin. His throat looked fine, no fever, no other symptoms, just a horrid all over body rash...even the soles of his feet.

So, we stopped the amoxil (finished 7 of 10 days) and started on Benedryl every 4 hours for the next 72 hours.

This morning the bumps on his legs and arms are flat, just red. Still bumps on his body. His face is all red, no single bumps, just solid color.... not sure if that is normal. Crossing fingers we are going in the right direction.

Matthew was up all night with asthma attacks. Wheezing, coughing, trouble breathing. Nothing that his inhalers couldn't handle.

Me, I am still tired, stuffed up, sore and coughing. Maybe when Craig gets home this afternoon I can catch a nap.

I am so glad we canceled our camping trip this weekend.

**Adding pictures**

I took a look at the symptoms of scarlet fever and he really only has the rash part, and the itchiness has settled down, but I will keep it in the back of my mind as the day goes on.

Here is what he looks like right now.

Mommy, I'm Itchy

It's been one of those weeks. One of those long weeks.

It all started last Thursday evening. Ryan started to cry before bed and said his throat hurt. I took one look and knew it was strep. Off to the doctor on Friday. Diagnosis, strep, possible ear infection, possible tonsillitis. Antibiotics prescribed for 10 days.

Monday morning, I woke up feeling terrible. Headache, body ache sore throat, ears popping.

Tuesday evening was Matthew's turn.

Wednesday repeat at doctors with Matthew. Prescribed antibiotics for 10 days.

Thursday evening. Both boys feeling great...plan to go to school on Friday. I plan to drop the boys off, go home and sleep. I still feel awful.

Friday morning, Ryan comes down and says "Mommy I'm itchy" I look up and see this.



I gave him some Benedryl and called the school to let them know he will be away today. We are now waiting for his appointment at the doctor's office and the rash/hives are getting worse even with the Benedryl. And his throat is getting itchy.



Maybe I can get some sleep tomorrow.

A Cautious Foot Update

I've been keeping pretty quiet about this thinking maybe my eyes and hopes were playing tricks on me. Now, I think I'm ready to share.

A few weeks ago, during Matthew's p/t, both Steve and I thought we saw Matthew's toes move upwards. Steve was not able to get Matthew to repeat it. He has tried, every week since then, quietly distracting Matthew then tickling and watching carefully.

Nothing.

I try at home when I stretch him.

Nothing.

So I started to try something else. I started asking Matthew to pull his foot to the left (outwards). We've been working on it for two weeks now and I think we are starting to see something.

With Matthew's nerve damage, he was born without the ability to move his foot upwards or outwards. The tendon transfer he had done two years ago was to help with that. We were told it could be years before we saw results. When he was 4 months post op we saw a flicker of movement. It took weeks for anyone else to see it, but for us we knew it was there.

Now we are starting to see a new flicker. His foot outwards and his toes upwards. It is really hard to see, but then, so was the movement 4 m post op.

And Matthew told me he as been working on it on his own. And, he knows what muscles he has to use. This kid never ceases to amaze me.

Here are the latest videos. Let me know if you see it too.

Remembering Mother's Days Past

I had a beautiful Mother's Day. Beyond expectations. How can I not?

Mother's day will always be a miracle for me. There was a day, not that long ago, I thought I would never participate in this day.

Mother's Day 2002 I was pregnant.

Again.

For the fourth time. After three devastating losses.

I was not positive of the outcome. I hid away. I did not go to church. I did not celebrate. I did not allow myself any positive thoughts. How can one after trying for years. After losing three babies already? How can one find hope? Celebrate?

I remember keeping a low key day. Asking for nothing. Hoping and praying only for a miracle.

We were finally blessed with a little boy that November. And, only 15 months later, another little boy.

Two miracles. Back to back. I count my blessings every day, and feel doubly blessed on Mother's Day.

I want to share two things.

First, what Matthew wrote in my Mother's Day card after being asked to sign it.

"happy Mothers day I hop its Fun have a loving time injoy how it lasts. love Matthew

My heart just melts reading that. There is no gift in the world worth that.

Second, I made this video a few years ago of Matthew's first year. I still love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH0Hh2qrtxc

Happy Mother's Day out there all all of my Mommy friends!

Sunday Bike Ride

What can you do when your backyard still looks like this two days after the snow storm?

Go to the south of the city for a bike ride.

Sometimes you have to walk quietly

in order to see this

and this

It was a nice day. Good thing too, we are under another winter storm warning tonight... and it is already snowing.

Snow Day

Winter storms in April are not that uncommon here in Calgary. This is what we woke up to on Thursday morning.

Where are my stairs? Oh and our car stuck on the front lawn...

The backyard patio table.



I heard on the radio that the road in behind the boy's school was impassible due to a very large snowdrift and after calling the school to hear there were five buses stuck in front of the school, I declared it a snow day. So off into the winter wonderland they went.

Snow drift in the backyard. Yes, Ryan is standing...on a bunch of snow too.


Snow fort construction.


We got a lot of snow in this area of the city and two days later we are still anxiously awaiting the appearance of grass. We can see a few spots peaking out finally. Hoping it will all be gone by Monday, in time for the boy's first baseball game.