The Red Flag is Hanging

A week of no sleeping, co-not sleeping, out of control coughing, nightly fevers, scream inducing ear ache-new as of Friday, RSV-new as of Friday, breathing treatments, and hoping to find any ent in the dfw area on Monday to get tubes in ASAP pending the fever goes away and it is alright to go under with low oxygen levels. Hoping to avoid steroids by keeping up with 4 hours breathing treatments. And Nick is down for the count too! The Red Flag is out but no one is coming to aid because the Relle Clan is on quarantine.

Powder Room Fun

I was wrapping up a ton of leftover newborn diapers for a friend that just had a baby and Nick and I couldn't believe how tiny they were. And to think that at one point they were practically too big for our little boy and now he is in a size 5.

For once I was neither the brains nor the offender in the pics you are about to view. I said to keep one out for Jack's baby doll but Nick said it would be funny to see how the newborn fit on Jack...
And you guessed right...us Relle's always have "What Ifs"and often test them out. Here is baby Jack with his diaper briefs from the front.

Doing a little side angle shot for us.

And my favorite-Eat your heart out ladies!

But of course it was just a one time thing, fun for all, but Jack wanted to make sure that ya'll knew how much of a big boy he really is. (Don't be fooled...he asked to go, read a magazine, and flushed...but didn't make any deposits...we're here when he's ready).

And after all these "dirty" pics I thought I'd leave you with a little clean fun...

"Don't mess with a boy that has a mohawk...no more bathroom pics Mom and Dad unless I get financially compensated for my embarrassment, or a date or two out of it."

Allen Village

Allen is becoming its own little "big city" more and more everyday. The shopping center a few exits up where we took pictures with Santa has a great little play area that Ashley told us about. The other day after school it wasn't too cold so Nick and I picked Jack up and decided to try it out.

How perfect would this have been last year as a stay at home Mom. Not nearly as "dangerous" as the mall play areas because there isn't really a ton to climb on...more creative play. Parentals can sit on the side at the tables and view all the houses. It's all fenced in and the bathrooms by it are super clean with cool electric hand dryers...because I know you were curious about that.
There is even a maze made of fake bushes. The whole Relle Clan took this adventure on. I'll upload video one day...it was good times.

Jack was in heaven. He took off and didn't stop til we caught him to do what else...head across the parking lot to hit the stores...a little Home Goods post Christmas sale stuff...just what we needed.

Ironically while we were laughing at this sign in the "Train Station" there was a song on the speakers in the playarea playing that was full of curse words.

Hard at work...can't wait til it warms up and we can go back.

Made my list...

Those that know me know that I am the most indecisive person EVER. Making a selection off a menu can take forever, causes much anxiety, and usually in the end I regret my choice. No one dare offer me advice in fear that it will come back to get them later. My negative side usually takes charge which result in a very small list of things obtained in life that I am truly happy with. We're not talking about me hating life...we are talking about obsessing over a decision, finally making it, and being happy from that day forward of my purchase. So with great pleasure I can say that Jack's surprise gift (impressive that it was a surprise too-I usually blow those too) has made the list-my new camera...it is there with the Calvin Klein bedding from college, the Pottery Barn blanket, and Nick & Jack.

The Saturday before we returned to school the weather was absolutely perfect...not for January...but perfect for outside adventures before Winter sets in (if it does), keeping us indoors for days upon days. It was sunny and 85. Nick and Jack were outside playing with the hose while I went to a funeral for a friend's step son. I feel for their family and selfishly must say that all I could think all day was how lucky I was to have left such a healthy, happy boy. Conner the few times I met him was such a great boy that had a long life ahead of him. I do believe though that he is in a wonderful place and is in great hands. You can see how much he touched every life he encountered on the website they have dedicated to him. http://www.conneryeager.com/

With that said the rest of the afternoon was all about family and friends being grateful for what we have and capturing it all on film. Nick took the majority of the pictures that afternoon when we met Ashley and Nathan at the Arboretum. We walked around, looked at the waterfalls, threw rocks in the fish pond, ran around, rode reindeer, played parachute, almost got kicked out, then finished the day off with Bubba fried chicken...which for the record I had grilled strips. There is no need to comment on these pictures...they are so great they speak for themselves. Sorry there aren't many of Nick and Jack...apparently even with Auto Focus I am in need of those 15 classes that came with the camera...I'll get there. Must apologize for the pasty legs...what do you expect in January after a Summer indoors with a baby. And the final picture was me watching my heart before calling it a night and being grateful that we are all together as a family. ENJOY!