4th of July

When we went to the baseball game back in May we got to see fireworks.  Since then all Blaiden can talk about is seeing more fireworks, so he has been waiting and waiting for the 4th of July.

The day started with us going to a parade.  We got there perfect timing and got a great spot.  Blaiden had a blast, there was so much candy thrown at him he was in heaven.

After the parade it was home for nap time.  Later we went to a big party at a doctor's house that Fred works with.  We had a great lunch that ended with ice cream and then a little dip in the pool.  Blaiden got a little to brave and without his floaties on he got a little to deep in the pool.  I freaked out and started yelling his name.  A friend was closer to the pool then I was and she stepped in and got him.  He was upset for a little while but got over it pretty quick.  They also had a big fireworks show ready to put on for everyone. 

We had to make it quick trip back home to change the kids into their PJ's and get a few blankets because it was a little cool that night.  When we got back it was just time to wait for the fireworks.  Adilene slept for a little while and Blaiden danced then it was time for fireworks.  We sat very close to the where they were shooting them off so we have to cover the kids ears.  A few even got a little to close for comfort.  Blaiden kept saying "fireworks boom, too loud me cover me ears."  It was a great day, and Blaiden has been asking for fireworks since then.

A Medical update

Back in May we noticed Adilene would move her head while she was looking at something in the distance.  She was supposed to have an eye appointment around 6 months anyway so I scheduled an appointment.  At our first appointment she was diagnosed with Nyastagmas.  That pretty much means that her eyes move from side to side and she has to work a little harder to get things in focus.  She had to get some other tests done to find out the cause, it could be any number of things. After a few tests to confirm and make sure there was not a bigger problem we learned that everything is fine and it could go away on its own in a few years we just have to wait and see.

I know that my life is going to be filled with a few extra doctor visits for her.  It is something I am fine with and I am actually happy to go to these appointments because I want to make sure that everything is perfect for her and she is healthy.  The thing I have a hard time with is hearing that something is wrong.  When I learn that there is something that is wrong it is so hard for me to deal with.  Adilene is a pro, she is calm, happy, and so easy going, I could learn a few things from her.  There are times when I don't think I can do it, when I wonder if I am the right person to be her mother.  I am not sure I will ever know the answer but I do know how much I love her, how much I have learned from her, and how much I NEED her.

Through all of her appointments Blaiden did awesome.  Fred was able to come to every appointment (I think we had 5 just to figure everything out) and entertain Blaiden.  It is so nice he is able to get the time off work so he can translate all the information for me and so I can have help with Blaiden.  With us it is kind of a battle of who gets to be there with Adilene during any medical procedure.  Fred wants to be there because he is a doctor and wants all that information straight from the doctor.  I want to be there because I am her Mom, luckily for me I win and I always get to go with her.

Blaiden got to choose his treat that he would get it if he was good during all of Adilene's appointments.  He chose to have a bubble bath and once all the appointments were over he had a blast playing with all the bubbles.  I think the bath lasted about an hour!

A weekend Away

June turned out to be a very busy month.  For the 3rd weekend in a row we had something going on.  This weekend we had 2 graduation dinners to attend.  We had a babysitter for the weekend but then our plans changed and Friday night no longer worked for our babysitter.  I asked out neighbors if they knew anyone that we could have come over and they offered to watch the kids for us.  I trust them and Blaiden loves their kids so I knew it would work out great.  We had a great time at the Ortho graduation.  They do a roast on the residents that were graduating and so the evening was nothing but jokes and I think we laughed for 4 straight hours.  The next day when Blaiden was awake I asked if he had a good time last night and all he said was "Mom bye-bye, Dad bye-bye, me jump with Grace."  I take this as a good sign that he got to jump on the tramp with Grace (she is 9 and Blaiden loves her) all night.

The next night we had the hospital residency graduation for all the programs.  We had our normal babysitter come to the house this night to watch the kids.  I think Blaiden was a little sad he couldn't go out and jump on the trampoline again.  We had a great time at this dinner, this graduation ceremony is a lot more sentimental.  We didn't get any pictures this night which I am a little sad about because we were all dressed up.  I really need to remember to take photos more than I have been.  It was a fun weekend but I sure missed my kids, I was so happy when I got to put them to bed on Sunday night.  

My First Garden

A few years back when we lived in Missouri I tried to make a few square foot gardens.  They were growing great and then our backyard flooded and in the four feet of water they floated away.  The last weekend in May we decided to take the plunge and do the work to make our own garden.  We wanted to transplant the grass to an area that our pool deck use to be.  It was a lot of work but the before and after pictures are pretty great.  Fred worked hard all day and Blaiden had a great time riding around in the wheel-barrel.  I planted a bunch of different things but I am most excited about the green beans and pumpkins.  I don't know much about what to do so this year is more of an experiment/learning year. I am hoping it turns out great but out of the 5 houses on our street my garden looks the worst.  I am hoping that it doesn't look this bad the entire time.

Update:  The garden is growing and looking pretty good.  It is still the smallest one on our block but I am happy with it being the first time I have really grown anything.  My pumpkin plant died and my green bean plants didn't do that well when I planted them outside. 

 

 This week so far I have picked 5 zucchini and a couple handful's of green beans.  I have a ton of tomatoes growing and my carrots and broccoli will be ready in a few weeks. 

A Family Fun Filled Day

Saturday June 28th we had a day full of fun activities planned.  We started off with a trip to the Military Aircraft Preservation Society (MAPS) Air Museum.  I had purchased tickets off of Groupon about 2 months prior and they were going to expire soon so we thought it was a good weekend to use them.  Blaiden had the best time.  He is really into planes right now and so he was so excited to go around and look at all the different planes.  We had a great time looking at planes from WWI and WWII eras as well as a medical camp that was set up there.  I think Blaiden's favorite part was going out on the tarmac to look at planes out there.  He was running all around pointing saying "plane" and dragging Fred along.  Adilene was awake for the entire trip and her and I took a break so I could feed her.  Overall it was a fantastic time.  Blaiden ended up with a helicopter as a souvenir and I am sure it will not be the last time we visit.

On our way home we stopped at a local grocery store where they were having a "Big Truck Day."  Adilene was asleep for this part but Blaiden got to get out and climb all over tractors, dump-trucks, and even a fire truck.  He honked the horns and kept saying "G-pa drive tractor." He thinks my dad is always on a tractor because the last time he talked to him he was on the tractor.  This trip didn't last to long because it was getting past naptime.

After naptime was over and everyone had eaten we went to a carnival at a local park.  We had a great time and Blaiden got to ride a few rides which he loved.  First we ate a small dinner then Blaiden made his way to the bouncy house.  There wasn't a line at the time and so he was in there for a good 15 minutes before he had to get out and let others play.  Then we went over to a dragon roller coaster ride that Blaiden said he wanted to ride.  Fred and Blaiden went to stand in line and I took Adilene to the other side so we could get some good pictures.  As I was waiting for his turn I was very nervous for him because he would have to ride alone and it went pretty fast.  When it was his turn he was put with an older boy who wanted his hands in the air and so that is what Blaiden did.  He had a great time but after it went around a few times he was over it and ready for the ride to be over.  He didn't get scared but he was no longer smiling.  He came running over to me to tell me all about it.  Next we headed over to the carousel and I took Blaiden on a ride.  It was the same reaction as the roller coaster, he enjoyed it for a minute and then was over it and wanted to move on to something else. 

Everyone was tired from our day and so it was time to head home.  It was a great day spent as a family and I can't wait until for our next adventure.