Sammy's ears

I took Sammy (and JD) to the ENT doc last Friday to have some tests run on his ears and to evaluate whether or not the boy needs tubes. Sammy failed the hearing test (and the nurse and the doctor kept saying "failed" over and over with my boy in the room, which made me a little sad, mad and uncomfortable, because even though he doesn't know exactly what that means the word oozes negative connotation and I was not comfortable with the repeated use of it about my child in front of my child).

A failed hearing test is not usual when a kid is not yet three months out from an ear infection (his last one was in early May) but given his history of never -not ever in nearly three years of tests- passing a hearing test due to the fluid in his ears the doctor thinks it is likely that Sammy needs the tubes put in. We have the surgery scheduled for early September, but we are going back in a couple of weeks for Sammy to retake the hearing test, just in case his ears have improved after the infection and he passes. Then, we'll cancel the surgery. I would love to cancel the surgery. But, my boy is starting kindergarten in the fall and I would hate for my guy who doesn't miss anything to miss something because of the fluid in his ears.

If you are of a mind, please pray for Sammy. That the fluid leaves his ears. I would prefer naturally, but in the end I will be happy with whatever will help him hear all the little things he's been missing for who knows how long. Thanks.

From the floor...

under the dining room table I just picked up: a blueberry, three pieces of pepperoni, two mac-n-cheese macaronis, 1.5 chickadees (Target brand Goldfish), and a soggy-but-now-dried Multigrain Cheerio.

There are times when I miss Emma!

And, can you tell what kind of people eat at our house?

Three months cute

He was a Chunk before. He's since lost his knees and become Super Chunk!


But he's usually pretty happy. He loves to coo and smile. He can say "I love you." No lie. There are witnesses.


And we're pretty sure he's going to keep these beautiful baby blues.


There is more to write about sweet baby Jack but I'm a sleepy mama and won't do him justice at the moment.

Happy Retirement, James!

My stepdad retired from working at the hospital the week before last. Now he can spend all his time on the farm - and hopefully making treks up to the Frozen Tundra. :) You seem so happy, James! We are excited for you!

A couple of celebratory pics I snagged from his Blackberry while I had it connected to the Mac.


I can't remember exactly what the entire hat says. Something like, "I'm retired, I don't have to do a damn thing!" or "Retired: Don't ask me to do a damn thing!" ? Either way, the important part came through in the picture, right? ;D

Arkansas Trip

We loaded the Mazda5 to the max and headed down to my parents' place in Monkey Run, Arkansas to spend July 4th and the following week. The boys had a blast on the farm and surrounding area, Sammy especially *loves* being at James' side 24/7. We were glad to have my folks' friend Tracy, her teenage son, Michael, and her four-year-old daughter IsaBella there for the week, too.

Breakfast at the Coco Bay Holiday Inn Resort we stayed at in Kansas City, just over 1/2 way between Minneapolis and Monkey Run. (photo courtesy of my Lotus Elite)

Freddie was terrified by the bird. Luckily, we were also there for Saturday breakfast on our return trip so he got to see him again. He nearly knocked all the food off the table jumping into my lap when the bird made his appearance.

Some light reading at the truck stop in Missouri.


We spent all day (10-5!) on a pontoon boat my parents' rented on Norfork Lake (Isn't that the name of this lake, guys?) Freddie fell into a dead sleep on the boat about 30 minutes before we headed back to the dock.


My absolute favorite part of the trip! And I was overwhelmed with how well our kids did out on the boat all day. Sometimes the frustrating little critters really impress us. :p


Sammy wanted to bring his life jacket home. I wanted to capture his face like this. lol


A car seat on a boat is different than one in a car. JD actually slept pretty well for us in the car seat while we were in the water!






James is one happy retiree. :)

(this is where my camera ran out of memory - I forgot to delete pics before we left. Now I'm waiting on more pictures from my mom and Tracy!)

At the creek by Nana and Ba's house. Photos courtesy of James' Blackberry.


All the kids loved the creek.


Freddie and "IsaBell" by the front garden. (Lotus Elite camera)


Sammy on the FARMALL. "If it ain't red, leave it in the shed!" :D (Lotus Elite camera)

The boy loves tractors. Favorite part of his trip was riding tractors with Ba, hands down. Thanks, James, for paling around with our little big guy! He had so much fun and is exhausted from his week on the farm.

More to come!

"Little" Brother

Holly! Thanks for the shirt! Next one you make him should say "Super Chunk" :D

Just a quick update on JD's stats. He weighed in at 15lbs and 24 inches at his two month well-check last weekend (to be fair he was closer to 2.5-months-old). Now he's about the size Freddie was at birth. (just kidding. kind of.)



We are about half way to my parents' place to celebrate the 4th, and he's been a real trooper for a Car Seat Hater. Go, Jack!

Happy 4th of July, Blogger friends!

bumGenius 4.0 (and a little rave for Sandy's)

Many of you know we are a cloth diapering family. And like the majority of CDing families, while I was all about it the hubs was a more challenging sell. Thankfully, Jacob found his gateway diaper: the bumGenius 2.0 pocket diaper and all was sunshine and butterflies (or, Tide and baby poop. Whatever.)

The latest-and-greatest version of the bumGenius line was introduced last week, the BG 4.0. The changes I am most excited about are a new snap-closure option and redesigned sizing to fit bigger babies (like our boys!).

New colors, too, but oddly enough they replaced the "Brights" with even more pastel pastels. That's right your BG choices are now pastel or more pastel. Bummer.

Here's a quick look. Follow the above link more more 4.0 info if you're a diaper geek like me. :)


If only I could get Cotton Babies to make their fantastic Deluxe All-in-One with snap closure (and bring back the BRIGHTS!) I'd be one happy CDer.

Here is JD rocking a medium (!!) BG AIO in Moonbeam (a discontinued color):


But wait. I already am a content CDer. We have Mother-ease Sandy's love! I would marry this diaper for the way it contains newborn poop.

And JD in my fav combo MEAF cover + ME Sandy's. He doesn't look happy but he loves not getting poop up his back as much as the next guy.

I know it looks poofy but this combo smooshes down so well he can rock a onesie no problem!