Overwhelmed Update

The blog lately has been a bit overwhelming to me...not sure if that is how to describe it, but I have been avoiding it along with many other things and I apologize to Jack (for many reasons other than the lack of documentation).

Here is our lil man passed out on pain pills headed home from the hospital on Thursday. Too bad his peaceful, yet loud snoring state of comfort did not last as long as we hoped. Thursday as I said he stayed in bed but was healing nicely. Friday Nick was going to stay home with him but the tons of Texas snow canceled school so the whole Relle Clan stayed home to play in the snow and celebrate my birthday together.
There of course was a tish of damage.

But nothing an ice cold snow beer couldn't handle.

The good.

The bad.

And the ugly.

If you can't tell that is our boot leg sled that us Louisiana coon-asses didn't realize needed to be on a hard packed hill to slide nicely, but none the less gave the garbage can lid a shot-Nick was going to reach down and pull me around the backyard. Apparently small garbage lids, thick soft snow, and my fat ass don't mix well. I sunk and it took quite a bit to get me up.

A few days later he no longer had my Neiman Marcus hat, scarf, or beer and looked more like an elephant, and then a pig, and now there is just a bit of remains all over of the big snow fun here last week-but the memories remain.

The McWilliams spontaneously came over for some fried food (which was originally steak reservations, then pizza, and ended up fried chicken, french fries, okra, and pickles....I mean I made it to 31...why not clog it all up and end on a good note?!?

Nick was supposed to help the kids decorate the birthday cake. He set down the tub o sprinkles, grabbed some french fries, and went to hang out with Aaron in the living room. This is what I walked into...there were more sprinkles in mouths and the floor than the cake. Some even came from off the cake and into the mouth. Cleaning it up to me gave me that sand in the bathing suit annoyance...but it's all in the spirit of me so that is all that matters-and Nick now knows a bit more about supervision with projects and toddlers.

On my birthday I officially had two gifts to open. Some MF earrings shipped from Mom and Dad and this Happy Birthday banner that I LOVE from Lisa. She made one for her family forever ago and remembered me asking for one as a gift one day. I love that it is classy (because you know that is my middle name) and that it can be used for everyone. I also had many cards from wonderful friends and family (some included money too). My gifts from the boys were things that I needed and had already gotten- my lens, my shopping spree on Sunday, Disney, and the plane ticket to the wedding in April in the Keys. Thanks everyone for a fantastic birthday!

Jack and I were so prepared for Valentine's Day we made his box early on in January.
Too bad this is how he looked on Sunday resulting in a day home with fever Sunday and Monday missing his Valentine's Party at school. We knew the recovery couldn't be that easy....he's a Relle which is a division of Antie after all. It took a long time for his fever to go down, no eating, and an after hours calling into the ENT hoping not to be interrupting his romantic Valentine's. The thought is that it was a secondary virus which is common after surgery due to the fever being over 101 and not reducing with fever meds. He pulled through and now we are just tackling those painful drops, a funk breath, and dreading the 5-7 day mark when the scabs fall off and the pain that hopefully is gone by then returns....Hoping we never have to go through this again or worse....tonsils!
But my Valentine's Day was nice since I was trapped for my birthday-shopping all day (gift cards and coupons only I kinda promise), a steak/baked potato/grilled asparagus with wine and calla lilly dinner made by Nick, and LOVE for my family!

Tube Snow

Jack's surgery went well. He was not as into the pre op this go around (guess now he knows better than to fall for the sweet talk from the nurses and doctors). But afterwards he was crying when I got back to him but then slept on me the whole recovery, to the car, at the pharmacy in the car, and oer and hour when we got back. Then it was resting in bed to watch Te Bee Movie, Charlie Brown's Valentine's, and Thomas. He even mustered up enough engery and appetite to eat 2 grilled cheese and some of Bebe's cookies.

When Nick got home from work the snow had really accumulated and wasn't stopping in the near future (school has already been cancelled for tomorrow), so we thought we'd do all we could to get Parents of the Year, bundled him up, and played in the snow. Gave him the pep he needed and now he is out for hopefully the night pain free. I have a ton more pictures from the Tube Snow...but this video will have to do for now...I've been in a blog slump lately.

Not in the budget....Surgery Scheduled for Thursday

So this year the only expense we planned on having was to go as a family to Disney. Nick and I haven't been on a trip since the Summer we brought Jack back to the States so we've been saving up and looking forward to it. Well, life couldn't be that easy. A few more expenses have come up that are rocking the budget...but I guess that is life.



One being Jack's ears. Cliff Notes version follows that leads us to Thursday's surgery:

Awhile back he complained and held his ear. We noticed but didn't pursue. The complaint came again so I took him to the new pedi...everything normal but gave a script just in case fever came or got worse.



Still complaining and a call from school lead Nick to take Jack to the ENT (partner of his original ENT due to last minute notice of needing appointment). Left tube was falling out, caught, too painful to push back or remove, so in a week it should fall out on its own. If ear infections within 6 weeks we'd know if Jack needed a tube put back in. If not, we were good....well....



School calls two days in a row- Jack had been crying and holding ear. I made a controversial leaving work ENT appointment to avoid having to go longer with discomfort to find out that the tube had indeed fallen out, was lodged in some hard wax which was causing him discomfort and there was already fluid behind his ear. With our Disney trip and his being uncomfortable we needed to schedule the procedure ASAP.



So Thursday Jack will be having surgery by Dr. Ermel at Centennial Outpatient Surgery Center (same location as last time). They will be removing the left tube that has fallen out, placing a new tube in the left ear, removing and replacing the right tube, and removing his adenoids.



I'll be home with him on Thursday and Nick is on call for Friday depending on how his recovery is going.



Check back Thursday afternoon for an update on how the surgery goes. Hoping we can get this cleared up fully before getting on the plane to Disney (which BTW he still doesn't know about). His birthday wish list will be up soon....on the list as you can guess....money for his new set of tubes!

Mamas on the Edge

It all began with a teacup search.

To elaborate-Karen is decorating Harper's nursery with a broken teacupesque name plate mosaic. Therefore with her cabin fever and designer determination the Mamas on the Edge spontaneous Canton getaway was formed.
As usual for me overbooked planner but my curiosity for Canton (after all this time I've never made the venture to the massive flea market), my attempts to be more spontaneous for myself, and my missing Karen...packed up my bag and said, "YES!"

A bit nervous for the lack of knowledge of what was ahead and a little left out because I packed lightly (compared to the other Mamas believe it or not) so Karen let me borrow one of Olivia's fluffy pig stuffed animals (larger version of Deitra's she packed) for the car ride.

To start with we were running late, getting into the car to go was a challenge because Olivia was running 103 fever so Karen was making sure Aaron was prepared for a weekend with a newborn and sick child, and we needed a Sonic drink for the road...Introducing the Mamas on the Edge which later deemed a bumper sticker stating, "Stay back at least 50 feet...car could explode with anxiety at any minute".

Look at innocent Karen reaching for a bottled water. The newest Mama, planner, and lady with the main mission in mind-don't let her fool you here.

Summer Jennifer is the name.

Evidence A of a great night at the Days Inn in Canton (with one trip to Wal Mart for something we couldn't remember but we all left with bags full-and got whistled at-WHOOT!)

Evidence 2.

We managed to get up, bundle up, and hit Canton bright and early with a goal-Harper's nursery (and a few other things of course). BTW- You know Karen and I. The back row is our friend Stephanie and her friend Deitra. The group couldn't have been a more perfect fit together.

Except for the husbands because we were all so super supportive on our meds for foot, back, cramps, and mind on each other's purchases. Good thing they were closing down because I'm not sure that once we found the car (even after multiple trips to unload the buggy) that we could have fit anymore in.

This is evidence 3 of a good time. What more could one need hungover after shopping in the freezing cold for literally 6 hours straight (not sitting or stopping once) than a Dairy Palace World Famous hamburger, sides, and topped off with ice cream for the trip back home.

Our "wide eyed" captain and co captain fueling up to squeeze into our anxiety tank to drive back to Dallas.

The Dairy Palace sure is WORLD FAMOUS!

We had a great time. I'm so glad that Nick supported me going despite the week before and after (including hosting a PTA meeting for Watters at our house). I'm also glad I gave Canton a chance. If we had a new house, new baby, little girl, or an endless pocketbook I would have loved it even more. Can't wait to go back maybe when it is a little warmer, on a Saturday morning to allow for shopping all day, partying, then finishing up on Sunday because we didn't make it through before they closed. I did have to go to the ATM once as my WalMart was on credit but they only took cash and honestly I didn't buy that much but between corny dogs and water I feared running out so I stocked up. The Relle Clan came home with a dancing ballerina for Gabriella (you strap her feet to hers...super cute and half price), a Melissa and Doug dollhouse and family for Jack (plain & half price), a Melissa and Doug baby rattle (for a gift because practically free), a freeze/heat pack to rotate for my back (especially after wearing my brace and taking many pain relievers to make it through the shopping day), a dress for myself, a Jesus Loves Me metal ornament for Jack's dresser since it is his first go to sleep song, and ear warmers for recess.

I honestly think I bought more at Wal-Mart...not really but was happy with the Babe, Garfield Holiday video (both for $5), gloves for the next day, and party favors for Jack's birthday party I bought.

We've decided shirts will be made, strategies altered, and the same group of Mamas on the Edge will make the trip to Canton the last weekend in January (which translates to the first Monday) in 2011. I can't wait!

Jack Got Mail from MB

Jack had a huge package the other day from the Mardi Gras Queen herself-Mary Beth. I promise you before I offered to help open it Jack had attempted with various sets of "his keys". None of which worked so I grabbed the "sticky keys" and opened it up for my inpatient little man.

It was a Louisiana Melting Pot of fun to open!
" Do you think that my hat would get me more loot at a parade Mom...I know it will get me more loot from Mary Beth because I am too cute!"

"This is like no ball I have ever played with...but I LIKE it. I'll add it to my basket."

"What-I thought brothers came out of a Mommy's belly. This is so awesome-he is my size and I can't break him. Dad why are you so white in the face? He can just live in my room with me...no worries about space."

Thanks Mary Beth for the super fun package. He loved it more than the squealing you heard the other day on the phone when we were at Target by his choice over Pet Smart....so you know that is HUGE!

Who Dat and Happy Mardi Gras!

Playdate at the Park

So sad lately how little we've been able to spend quality time with our friends. Whether it is because of work, illness, other plans, or just being hermits....glad that Karen suggested we hook up after naps on Sunday before the MLK Holiday.

We went to a park that the Relle Clan hadn't visited before, the weather was perfect, and the playground was PACKED. So we took the blankets out to the field by the lake and trail. The boys and kids went to play ball.
And play ball.

And play more ball...they were all WORN OUT!

Karen and I took advantage of the kids and boys being entertained to catch up and to play with precious little Harper.

After all that running everyone's appetite was BIG so we caravan'd to Kelly's Eastside in Plano...so crazy to be there with kids and not at happy hour with the girls after work with Nick picking me up at 11 after starting out at 3:30.....but a totally different fun....one that I wouldn't trade in the world.