Injury Part 2

Let me start this post off by saying that neither Ryan nor myself have ever broken a bone.  Well, technically I did fracture my skull in 8th grade playing softball but that doesn't really count in my mind.  So how is it possible that our sweet 18 month old is ahead of us in the broken bones department???  

Last week after James fell we were told he had a hip sprain.  By Sunday he still wasn't walking or standing, and we were not satisfied with the diagnosis so we went back to the doctor first thing Monday morning.  I was so thankful Ryan was able to come this time. HUGE blessing!  More x-rays revealed...a broken fibula bone on the right side.

We definitely learned from the x-rays last week. Bring the ipad!!!

 Next we were referred to an orthopedic specialist.  I love how you get to wait so long at these places.  We definitely had the youngest patient by a few decades.  The funniest part was filling out the paperwork.  When it asked for James' occupation I was really tempted to put, "Running his parents lives".  Instead I just crossed out student and put "toddler", lol. 

We have watched WAY too many Wiggles lately.  Oh well.  And as a side note the ipad definitely helped save our sanity multiple times during this experience. 

 

Finally we made it to the exam room. He must be playing hookey- that face is too happy to be hurt! 

 

After a talk with the orthopedic doc it was decided that he didn't need a cast (according to this man you shouldn't ever cast a kid this age) and that he should heal eventually on his own.  We are supposed to try to get him to rest and "take it easy".  Hmmm... not sure how to do that with a one year old.  The bad news is James isn't going to be able to walk for 3 or 4 weeks!  At least he has learned how to shimmy across the floor on his bottom to get around the house which is pitiful but also slightly hilarious at the same time.

We dropped Ryan off at the VA hospital and went home.  Of course James fell asleep in the car which ended up being his only nap of the day.  By that afternoon I was pretty worn out. After we picked Ryan back up I told him that James and I decided since he had a bum leg and a hard day we might as well go out to eat and not cook. :)  It didn't take much convincing. Off to Shogun!

I can't believe I went out in public looking like this

Yummy rice

What is that cook doing???

Thankfully James is going to eventually be fine.  I did feel like a pretty bad mom when I dropped him off at Mother's Day Out today and told them, "He has a broken leg, but the doctor says he can come today." The lesson in this whole experience is to make sure all parents put those socks with the skidders on the bottom on their kids.  Falling can be hazardous!

18 Months

One and a half years old!  Oh my goodness, where has the time gone?  I feel like it was yesterday that we were celebrating at the birthday party.  

Stats: Slightly over 30 pounds, not sure how tall.  Wears 24 months to 2T clothes, size 5 diapers, size 6 shoes.  

Likes: balloons, ice cream cones, using a spoon whenever possible, bbq sace (you even eat it with a spoon- yuck!), trash cans, the moon, balls, turning the light switch on and off repeatedly, climbing onto the furniture, singing songs with motions, reading books (over and over), trucks, cars, airplanes, coloring pictures, and playing with play dough.  

Dislikes: being told "no", having to wait for things, bread (so strange), having to play independently 

Some of the new words this past month: airplane, trash can, Nene (Granny), yellow, purple, puppy, Denise, Amy (your teachers at school) and many more

James you are at such a fun age!  Your dad and I love seeing how you pick up on new things, and you talk more and more each day.  You know the animal sounds for cow, cat, and snake and you can identify most of the animals and items in your picture books.  You have become VERY attached to your mama which is sweet but can be a little hard on the other adults in your life.  You love to share your juice cup with anyone or anything around you such as your teddy bear, the people in your books, or even the fish in the fish tank at the restaurant.  Whenever your daddy gives mama a kiss you give her one too which is very sweet.  You still love music, love dancing, and hate to nap.  Some things never change! :)  We love you sweet boy! 

We had a hard time with getting these pictures

Hmmm....is bear thirsty?

Hurray for a package in the mail!

The other big news from the past few days is that we have our first big injury.  Several days ago James was running and fell/slipped onto the floor. Somehow he managed to get a sprained hip which means that he has been unable to stand or walk.  Needless to say it has made for some interesting days as we try to figure out ways to entertain him while keeping him comfortable.  The visit to the doctor was somewhat traumatic for both of us, and we had our first of probably many x-rays.  Hopefully he will be up and running soon!

Sweet baby cried himself to sleep after the doctor's visit 

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

I was so excited that our friend Sara was able to come visit and that her visit coincided with Mardi Gras.  Everyone from out of state needs to get to experience a little Lousiana Mardi Gras!  Sara has known me since I was born and our friendship goes back many years.  She is such a sweet and generous person. I can't believe this is her fourth visit since we moved here! 

We spent our visit doing lots of talking, catching up, eating, going to Zumba class and bible study together and of course taking pictures. Sara is an amazing photographer and has taken many of our family pictures.  I was so excited to get some of James for his 18 month photo shoot as well as some of the three of us.

Hurray for Sara coming!

Oh Ryan...

Sunday lunch

This is what happens when Sara sits in the backseat! :)

 We were excited to get to take James to the parade on Sunday.  I wanted Sara to get a chance to see what they were like (because we definitely don't have them in NC), and it was also fun for us to have something different to do.   My old co-worker was so sweet to meet us and share her chairs.

We caught a bunch of things including: a hot dog, a sausage roll, a stuffed dolphin, a rubber ducky with a Mardi Gras mask, a yo yo (whoa whoa according to JT), whoopee pies, candy, a t-shirt, cups, and of course quite a few beads. 

 

Hurray for a hot dog!

Checking out all the goodies

Throw me something mister!

The night before Sara left we decided to go to Strawn's for dinner and of course a piece of pie.  Ryan was sweet to babysit so were were able to eat in peace! 

 

We were so excited to do a photo shoot with Sara before she left.  One of her specialties is doing lifestyle photo shoots.  She could explain it a lot better than I could but one of her goals is to capture some of the everyday memories that a family wants to remember and not forget.  It was such a special, unique experience.  We didn't have to all sit and smile at the camera.  We simply lived our life while she documented it.  She likes to ask her clients a few questions before doing the shoot. I thought I would include them on the post, but I will confess that I wrote them pretty quickly and not very eloquently. Sorry Sara! :)

What does your family love?  

Food, fun, laughter, time spent together,days when dad isn't on call, and of course Jesus. :)  James would reply to this question with: food, dancing, balls, the moon, and being
outside.  Those are his "loves" at the moment.

What do we do together? 

Our favorite things to do when we all three are together are: go to the park, eat lunch at Chick-fil-a and play on the playground, go to church on Sundays, then lunch and Target (we do
this every Sunday pretty much) travel, read books, snuggle on the bed together with James in his footie pjs. (obviously this list would be a little different if James wasn't included, haha)

What is it about your family right now that you don't want to forget?

Most of all I want to remember the simplicity of life.  Without the distraction of commitments, friends, and family, we are able to focus on little moments as a family and decisions that are paving the way
for the rest of our life together.  I want to remember the laughter that we have, the funny things we do as a family, and the peaceful moments that occur every so often when we realized that we are exactly where we need to be and that all feels right.

Below are just a couple of the pictures she was able to take. 

 Thank you Sara for coming to see us and for taking such special pictures.  We miss you already!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I used to love teaching on Valentine's Day. Candy heart math, love letter writing, and of course making our special valentine holders.  I think the teacher in me makes me enjoy these special days as a mom even more.

We started off the day with heart-shaped pancakes. James sure did love them, and I thought they were pretty good myself!

After breakfast it was time to work on a card for Daddy.  James has really started to enjoy coloring...for 5 minutes or so. :)  He also is figuring out stickers so we added some of those as well.

Making Daddy a valentine card

James requested that I put some moons on the card.  His moon obsession continues! 

Finished product

I figured I needed a picture with my little valentine.  I was pretty surprised that I could take the picture and get him to smile in it.

We actually were able to get a babysitter and go out to a  early dinner that night.  Of course when we got back we found out James had cried for over an hour and the sitter had put him to sleep at 6.  Needless to say he was up VERY early the next morning! 

 

While we were in Greenville my dad bought James a little present. How funny is this bear? 

Giving the bear a kiss 

David seems to like the bear

It was a great Valentine's Day. I know that many people view it as just a holiday created by the card companies, but for me personally its a day to remind those in your life how much you love and care about them (and have a good excuse to eat candy!).