Daddy's Birthday

Once you are an adult, birthdays generally aren't that fun. This is something that kids have a hard time accepting or understanding. This year Dan's birthday fell on a Wednesday which meant work and Church night for him and a long wait for the kids. The kids made him cards during the day, but didn't understand why we weren't buying him any presents. Let's just say it had been a pretty expensive few weeks with purchasing him a new car and having the family car in and out of the shop. They couldn't figure out why we didn't make him any cake or a cheesecake like we had done the previous year, once again baking and me just don't mix right now. Besides his work was buying him a big cake from Costco and he got to bring home the left overs, so we were going to celebrate with that.

As I mentioned before Dan spends most of Wednesday evening at the church and barely has enough time to eat dinner before he heads to the church. So, we were going to celebrate when he got home later that evening. The kids tried really hard to wait up for him, but didn't exactly make it.
We even tried waking Noah up, but he was too tired. So I decided to let the kids eat Daddy's Birthday Cake for breakfast, using the rationalization that it was a Carrot Cake. However, this wasn't enough for the kids - they insisted on singing "Happy Birthday" to daddy that night. I'm not sure why everyone ended up with candles, but the kids thought it was pretty cool.
Hopefully next year will be a little more exciting.

More Birthday Fun

Grandma Sandi and Papa Tim came the day after Noah's birthday to help us celebrate in style. One of his requests was to have Grandma Sandi come to his party and we were happy that she was able to.

We all went out to dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. The kids enjoyed throwing peanut shells on the floor while we waited for our table and the adults enjoyed visiting. Dinner was supper yummy with appetizers including fried pickle chips and an onion blossom. Everyone enjoyed sharing Grandma's shrimp skewers and the kids all had huge chicken nuggets. During dinner the kids enjoyed watching the staff line dance and after dinner they were kind enough to sing "Happy Birthday" to Noah. As usual he was embarrassed at all the attention and would have rather been any where but there. You can just see it in his face. However, he did enjoy the free sundae and even shared it with his cousins, sister, and the rest of the table.
The plan was to go swimming at Grandma and Papa's hotel after dinner. However the pool was closed. Even with the slight change in plans we all managed to have a good time together and can't wait to do it again.

Noah's Birthday

Since Mommy isn't allowed to eat much sugar these days - there was no Homemade Birthday Cake. Instead we opted for a small Ice Cream Cake purchased at Walmart. I didn't want left overs, or the temptation of eating the frosting.
Here are a few highlights from opening presents. He was very nice and patient and allowed his little sister to help him out with the difficult task of ripping off the wrapping paper.
Twistable coloring crayons for his "church bag" from Grandma Lynie and Papa Mike....
New Skechers from Grandma Mona and Grandpa Kyle. Mom and Dad were excited to cross this off the the back to school list. I think he was excited too. Even Zoe thought they were pretty cool. We were horrible parents and made him wait to wear them until School started.A Crane from his friend Tyler...
Lightning McQueen Race Car.....Markers for his "church bag"...
It was a pretty low key night as the big party was to happen the next night when Grandma Sandi, Papa Tim, Trenity, and Chelsea came in to town. However, we couldn't pass up celebrating on his real birthday. Other gifts include: a new Leapster from Mommy & Daddy, Money from Auntie Lori - used to purchase a new game for his Leapster, and an Alarm Clock and camera from Grandma Sandi & Papa Tim.

Happy Birthday Noah!

I can't believe my baby boy is already 5 years old. Where has the time gone? He will be starting Kindergarten next month. I know he is ready, I'm not too sure I am.

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A recent conversation:

N - "Mom, it is going to be so hard when I am 5."

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M - "Why?"

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N - " Because I am going to go to school, I have to help Zoe a lot, and I have to help you lots when Baby Jack comes and your tummy is cracked."

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M - "Well, I guess you could stay 4 forever."

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N - " No, I don't think that will work."

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So, I've managed to stress him out, by teaching him how to be my big helper, and in trying to prepare him for the arrival of his new brother. My intention was to channel some of his energy and get better behavior out of him. I guess I've gone a little too far.

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I love you Noah and hope your wish comes true!

Jackson Taylor McDonald

Just a quick update on our little boy. I will be 31 weeks tomorrow (7/23). Only 8 weeks to go! I have lost a total of 19 lbs with this pregnancy and my blood sugar is still being controlled by diet, exercise, and metformin. Jack's estimated weight is 2 lbs. 15 oz. Right on target and everything looks great.

Since I am considered "High Risk," I am already down to 2 weeks between appointments and am on travel restrictions starting next week (7/30). I am a little disappointed that my doctor has changed his mind and will be requiring twice weekly non-stress tests in another 3 weeks. He had earlier agreed that they were a waste of time, especially if my numbers, weight, and blood pressure look good, which so far everything has been excellent. He has even made the comment that I should be pregnant all the time. Oh well, I guess it is a small price to pay for a healthy baby.

Here is a profile shot at 29 weeks, 4 days.
Zoe has given him a new nickname: "Baby Jack Jack Taylor Swift"

Noah has enjoyed being able to feel him kick and move around and can't wait to share a bedroom with him.

So Sick

I am so sick of having sick kids. Enough is enough. Go bother some one else. I feel like I've had a sick kid for the past month. It started out with the stomach flu, right up until the Family Reunion. Then there was more puking at the reunion and the Trenity puked while she was at our house. Now we are dealing with Viral Croup. I've had my fill of whining and crankiness.

The latest bout of illness started Thursday late afternoon when Zoe started sounding hoarse. I didn't think much of it and chalked it up to allergies. Friday she coughed a little and had a little runny nose, but again I just assumed it was allergies. That evening her cough sounded more like a seal bark and I knew it wasn't a good sign. She woke up early on Saturday morning barely able to breath. Dan got up with her gave her some Motrin and a breathing treatment. We put her back to bed with us, just in her pull-up and with a cool washcloth. She was able to sleep a little restlessly and woke up a few hours later with a temp of 103.5, unable to talk, and barely moving air. Dan quickly got her in a cool shower to bring her temp down, I gave her some Tylenol, and we started to debate which would be the better route Urgent Care or the ER.

The shower brought her temp down and she started to perk up a bit so we ended up going the Urgent Care route. By the time we got there her lungs sounded clear, her temp was down, and her pulse ox was normal. So they gave her a steroid cough syrup and sent us on our way with instructions as to when an ER visit would be warranted. Luckily she's been breathing well since then and we haven't had to visit the ER.

However, she is one of the few that the Prednisone really affects. I swear she has been extra moody, angry, and even experienced what Dan and I like to call a "Roid Rage". She spent Sunday morning throwing and knocking over furniture, and yelling and screaming incoherently while running and jumping around like an animal. Something we've never seen her do before.

Fortunately for us she has calmed down a bunch since then. Unfortunately Noah is showing signs of coming down with it. I would prefer that this cough would just go away.

Play Ball!

Progressive Insurance treated its employees to a night at the Reno Aces Ball Park. They were allowed to bring one guest on the company's money and had the option of purchasing additional tickets as needed. Not knowing exactly who would be at my house, if I'd feel like sitting through a game, or when Trenity was being picked up - we decided to make it a guys night and Dan would take Noah. We figured Noah would appreciate it the most and he had so much fun with it last year. Plus I really didn't want the expense of hiring a babysitter. When game day arrived Dan's boss had extra tickets and Trenity was being picked up that afternoon. The tickets were ours free of charge if we agreed to give our Beer Vouchers to his boss. So, Zoe and I ended up tagging along after all. This didn't sit well with Noah at first and we now owe him a "Boys Night Out" with Daddy.

Here is a picture of the kids with Archie.As predicted Noah really enjoyed himself and Zoe slept through a good portion of it. She woke up just enough for the 7th inning stretch and to sing "Take me out to the Ball Game." We all had a lot of fun and can't wait to do it again.