February Happenings

First, we had a fun outing recently. It was a first for us. We were invited to a birthday party at Mountasia and it was a blast. Of course, I pretty much just watched while the boys had all the fun.
Mark took turns taking Keaton and Cort on Go-Cart rides. As the picture depicts, Keaton wasn't quite sure about it. The whole time he looked like he was not having fun. But as I expected, when he got off, he said it was so much fun. Mark said the whole time he was worried about crashing and giving Mark directions. I love that my little man is so cautious.

Cort had a blast. Every time they came by, he waved to me.

Then on to putt-putt golf. The game went really quick. I don't think they followed the rules, but they still had a great time.

Somehow I took a wrong turn and ended up on MountAsia. I stopped to catch my breath and got the boys at the bottom of the hill.

Keaton got his first Hole in One!!

It was a beautiful day, but very chilly outside. The boys said they wanted to ride the bumper boats even though they might get wet.

They probably could have stayed dry except 2 other boys we didn't know were riding boats also. They started spraying each other and Keaton and Cort joined in.

Not too wet, I guess. We were headed inside next any way.

Next, Valentine Parties. Mark and I both made it to Keaton's class Valentine Party. I wish it wasn't even an issue and I could go to and help with all the parties, but as a working mom it is a mad dash to get there and back to work on an already late lunch hour. For the most part my boss is okay with it, but you just don't want to push them too far. (I already miss a lot of work for doctor's appointments)

All that said, Mark and I probably would have skipped the party altogether except they were having Ice Cream Sundaes. Ice Cream is not something I could send in Keaton's backpack, so one of us had to go to take the Soy Ice Cream. Mark needed to work so I said I would, but the more I thought about having to park a mile away and walk, rushing to get there and back to work, 7+ months pregnant, Mark offered to go also and drop me off at the front door. So now you ask, then why didn't just Mark go to the party himself. (We seem to make things more complicated) Well, him dropping me off allowed me to go on into the party while he parked. Otherwise he would have been late or had to leave a lot earlier. But the main reason, early dismal. I have continued to be surprised at how Copeland, and maybe all Elementary Schools, will dismiss early for ANY reason. Your child doesn't have to leave early, but it is hard to tell your child that they have to stay while the majority of kids in their class leave to go home with their stay-at-home-moms. So again, Mark needed to work without the distraction of Keaton. My boss again is okay with Keaton coming to the office here and there, their grandkids do all the time. So Keaton spent the rest of the afternoon with me. He absolutely loves coming to work with me. It is a time when he has all of my attention. Knowing he would be there, I finished all of my work early and had the whole afternoon open with just some filing/organizing to do. He played games on my computer mostly after a trip to the vending machine for a coke and popcorn snack.

The kids each made Valentine cards for Texas Children's Hospital. Notice Keaton's P's are backwards. Oh well, one day we will get all the letters going the right way. Lowercase b's and d's are the worst.

Keaton's party was Thursday at 1:30, which still made sense for a lunch hour. For some reason Cort's daycare has now moved all parties to 3:00. I can't really steal away for a 3:00 lunch hour. (Kind of like I can't have lunch with Keaton this year. He has a 10:30 lunch.) So as bad as I felt, we were unable to make it to Cort's party on Friday. I did however have lunch with him at 11:30 instead and watched the party via webcams. He looked like he was having a great time. I didn't see but maybe one parent there, so I didn't feel so bad.

How I am going to juggle parties and events for a Kindergartner and 2nd grader next year???

33 Weeks

Only 6 weeks left. I saw Imtiaz yesterday. Not everything checked out normal this time. I guess my age is catching up with me. Blood pressure is still great at 110/62, but there was a small amount of protein and glucose in my urine. The protein could be a sign of an urinary infection. They will send for a culture and let me know. The glucose.....yes, yes, too much sugar. Apparently my body is not handling the sugar I am eating very well. I have allowed myself some treats, but really have not been over doing it. Like I was told I have been adding more protein to my diet.

The glucose means that there is too much sugar, from sugar or starches, for my kidneys to process so it is spilling over to my bladder. If this is still showing up next Tuesday, I am sure Dr. Palmer is going to have a field day.

Other news, baby is breech again. He hasn't been the whole time, but I did notice he must have turned again earlier this week. He sure has been stomping on my bladder a lot. Kind of takes your breath away. He's a strong little guy. I am not worried about him being breech. Although my doctor, who had a breech baby herself, said it is more difficult to carry a breech baby in regards to comfort. So for that reason, I guess I do hope he turns.

I can rest assured I am no where close to having this baby. After all the kicking and stomping down under, you start to wonder if things were starting to happen. I do for several reasons hope to go all the way to 39 weeks. Although we haven't officially set a date with the doctor, it will be nice to know when he will come. After Cort was born early, I don't want to have to go through that again. It wasn't a bad experience overall, but you just want to see your baby born healthy when he is ready. (And not have the medical expense) But most of all I want to wait because of selfish reasons. I want to experience this pregnancy to the end. (you may need to remind me I said that in a few weeks) And I want to be at home April-June. That way I can spend some much needed time with Keaton when he gets out of school. I hope to have the time and energy to do some fun things that I have already started planning.

Do I Dare?

Do I dare speak of it? The curse? Our curse of 2 months. Of course I don't really believe in things such as curses, but Mark and I laugh (now we can laugh) about the happenings each time I am 2 months pregnant and call it our curse. And since we are planning to write 'Baby #3 is all there will Be' as the next chapter in our book, I can safely share the happenings of The Curse.

It all began when I was 2 months pregnant with Keaton. Mark was working for Logics and had a work function one night. On his way home around midnight, a lady pulled out in front of him. He tried to swerve and miss her, but it was too late and he hit her driver's side. Although both were taken to the hospital, neither suffered serious injury. Mark was driving our brand new Tahoe and the front end was smashed. We hadn't even made the second payment on it. Luckily she did have insurance and of course she was found at fault. I received the phone call from Mark that he had been in a car accident and I needed to come to the hospital.

Now this occurrence alone would never be considered a curse, but we were hit once again when I was 2 months pregnant with Cort. It seems the curse wanted each of us to feel its effect. And this time was Keaton's turn.

At the time, Keaton was 15 months old. We had noticed he was crankier than normal this week. We even tried soothing him with a car ride, which we have never had to do before. Mark had noticed one night he was limping a little and wanted to be held. He awoke in the middle of the night in a lot of pain and somehow we soothed him back to sleep in our bed. We propped his little legs up on a pillow which seemed to help. By 6:00 the next morning, nothing could keep him from screaming in pain. I called the daycare to see if something had happened to him the day before. Did he fall, anything? Then off to the ER we went. After tests and X-RAYS we were transferred by ambulance to Texas Children's. There we were told he had a bacterial infection in his hip joint that would require emergency surgery to flush out the joint. We were admitted to the hospital and he had surgery that night around 11:00. After a 6 day stay in the hospital, he made a full recovery. You can barely even see the little scar on his hip now. He also has small scars on the inside of his right arm from where the PIC line was stitched. This is how we administered the IV antibiotics for 2+ months.

Somehow maybe the curse knew we may stop at 3, so this time it had to hit both Cort and I at the same time. Yes, yes, this happened just last September. I was 2 months pregnant with baby yet to be named (that's a whole different blog) and it was a beautiful Saturday morning. Mark had agreed to take the boys to a birthday party while I stayed home to ....you know it, clean house. I started in the kitchen while Mark was in the shower. Since school had just started I had to refill Keaton's Epi Pen Jr and take it to the Elementary. I had the old one still needing to decide what to do with it. Upon finding several other expired ones in the kitchen medicine cabinet, I pulled them all out. Thinking I would keep the newest, although expired one as an extra in our home. I carry one in my purse also. We had so many because at one time I had to have them for both Keaton and Cort. The schools, daycares, churches, etc, won't accept them unless accompanied with their own prescription. We always filled the prescriptions with the double pack, because it was 2 for the price of 1. You never know when you will need it, right?

Any how, with all the Epi Pen's laid out before me, I decided to practice my skills of administering the injection. A mom always wants to be prepared in an emergency and somehow overcome the panic of the situation. (As your will read later, I need to practice these situations and my reaction) I grabbed what I thought was the 'tester' and proceeded to remove the cap and jab it into my thigh through my pants. No big deal....until I looked in my hand and saw a real needle. What? How could this happen? But I didn't' even feel anything. (Good to know that it doesn't even hurt) I pulled down my pants, and sure enough there was a red mark on my thigh where I had injected myself with Keaton's Epi Pen. Let this be said, so you don't think I am completely stupid, (okay you still might) the needle isn't visible until it has been 'jabbed' into the patient. You then here a 'click' as the needle is released.

So of course panic sets in. I'm 2 months pregnant and just gave myself a dose of adrenaline. I approach Mark in the shower and ask him to get out before I slam the news on him. He tries to remain calm as he processes what I am telling him and how I could possibly have done something so stupid. As the medicine begins to take effect, I urge him to call 911. The ambulance arrives and takes my vitals over the course of 30 or so minutes. They also reviewed not only the pen that I injected myself with, but also a full pen. Remember this was just an Epi Pen Jr, and I didn't leave the pen in my thigh long enough for all the medicine to drain. (Bad mistake if this had been a true allergic reaction) They didn't think I should go to the hospital. (at least this time the curse only involved an ambulance and not a hospital) The medicine would just have to wear off. My vitals were fine even my blood pressure, surprisingly since I was FREAKING out. They did encourage me to call my OB doctor and discuss with her.

So we missed the birthday party and the rest of the morning was a bust as I tried to calm and relax myself. The medicine did seem to wear off fast although there were a few roller coaster moments. It would seem to be over and then another rush would come on.

So how does this involve Cort? It doesn't but we still have the rest of the day. After lunch and naps I was feeling much better and we decided to go on to our small group gathering. It was a pool party at the Nelsons. I had sworn Mark to secrecy about the morning events, but it is the little mouths I should have taped. As soon as we get there, Keaton blabs to everyone that 'mommy wasn't feeling good this morning because she took some of my medicine'. Needless to say I had to share with everyone my embarrassing moment.

The beautiful day turned ugly on us and my kids didn't even get in the pool before the sky turned black with thunder and lighting. The party moved inside hoping it would passover quickly. And the curse struck Cort. Cort opened a mini refrigerator on his foot. I jumped up as soon as I heard his scream, but froze when I saw the blood and screamed for Mark. I am sure my reaction did not help Cort at all and I hate that I can't deal with these situations better. Mark says I only leave it for him because he is there. He assures me that I would jump into motion if it was up to me. Maybe. Upon examination of the foot, it appears the door had cut his big toe at the cuticle and ripped the toenail.....off. Yes, I know you are cringing. It was bleeding quite a bit and we washed it off in the bathroom sink. The Nelson's have a pet hermit crab in the bathroom that I tried to use to distract Cort. My poor baby just screamed and cried in pain. We sat on the couch with him, toe wrapped up with an ice pack, but nothing seemed to help. If you know my kids, you know what happens next. He was so upset that he began to throw up. This was our cue to head home.

Again with an attempt to distract him from the pain, we stopped at Sonic for ice cream. Everyone there I am sure wondered what was wrong with our child. He continued to cry loudly with each bite of his ice cream cone. Once home, we gave him Tylenol and bandaged the toe. It took a while but he eventually calmed down. Since this was the second big toenail Cort had lost in his few years, we knew the drill. How to bandage and doctor it, (of course this was all Mark's job) and let him wear one of Keaton's socks since it was bigger. The first few days he wore a sock or two over the bandage with open toe sandals. When he was ready we attempted his tennis shoes again. He still to the day refers to it as 'my bad toe'. The nail has completely grown back. I trimmed it last night for the first time. It is perfectly new again. One side of his toe is a little sore, possibly ingrown, but he doesn't let you touch it much. Just for me to trim the nail, I had to bribe him with a piece of gum.

And as for as me, the baby and the Epi Pen, I did speak to both my OB and the high risk OB. Both said there should be no harm to the baby. Yeah, not really fun having to tell your doctor what an idiot your are. For months after, whenever I would think of that day I would literally cringe. Just seeing a Epi Pen would bring back all of the feelings of panic and stupidity of that day. I am obviously over it now since I can share with you all and put it in writing forever.

The curse be gone!!!

2010 Houston Boat Show

As promised earlier, here are the pictures from the Boat Show. This is the second time the boys have gone to the boat show with Mark. And somehow this is the second time I have had a reason not to go.....how is that possible?? I am married to a Roberson and yet I have never been to the Boat Show. Mark and the boys met Nana and Papa there. I stayed home to rest, ie..clean house.

Keaton and Cort on the Coast Guard Boat.

Mark and the boys fishing.

They did bring home 2 fish in a plastic shopping bag.......and I asked why? (I mean, Yeah Keaton and Cort!!! Great job catching those fish!! I'm so proud!!) Is this what men do, go out and come home with dead fish. At least us girls bring home shoes or clothes or food we will eat. Seriously, I think the fish are still in my garage refrigerator....yes refrigerator not freezer......I'm not going out there!!

31 Weeks

Just a quick update of my doctor's appointment today. Everything is going good and checked out normal today. I love going to my doctor, instead of the high risk doctor. Even though I saw the nurse practitioner today, they don't seem to find any problems with the ultrasound results. They don't think it is a problem that the AC is measuring big. What relief to hear that I am not harming my child. I may not have mentioned before, but I was even 9 lbs 1 oz at birth, so genetics it is.

And, 2 weeks now with no migraines!!! Yeah! They are gone!!!!

More Party Pics

Here are some more pictures from the party. Thanks Aunt Kerrie for taking a lot of pictures and sending them to me. I would have integrated them into the post I already made, but blogger doesn't cooperate with me these days.

The celebration continues....It's good to be 5!

Cort's birthday actually fell on a Thursday this year. We wanted it to be a special day even though he had to go to daycare. Nana (Mark's mom) went to read to his class that morning. She read several books, but was sure to bring their favorite, the Pirate book.

I joined Cort's class for lunch. Here is Peyton, (BFF) Cort and Aidan.

Whenever I have lunch with Cort, I always tuck him in for nap time. I rub his back and neck and give him lots hugs and kisses.

Here is Michael, Peyton and Cort getting ready for nap time.

And to top off a day of celebrating Cort's birthday, Mark went to snack time after nap. The kids enjoyed the birthday party for Cort with cupcakes, a fruit tray, juice boxes, party hats, and party favors.

A present from his teachers

We went to small group Thursday night, but stayed with tradition and took Cort to Chuck E Cheese Friday night to celebrate some more. We had a great time! Keaton is getting old enough to want to go all by himself to play the games without Mark and I around. I am sure going on field trips with daycare and school have increased his desire to be independent. So with a watchful eye we let him have some space. Cort enjoyed our attention.

Cort's actual party was Sunday afternoon at Cypress Academy Gymnastics. We are so blessed to have wonderful friends join us for an afternoon of tumbling, jumping, swinging, and climbing!

Cort, Maddox and Austin

Keaton on the rope swing

Levi on the rock wall with Coach Amanda

Keaton and Coach Brock on the trampoline

Keaton and Kevin on the mountain slide

Cort climbing the wall

'I did it!'

Keaton, Kevin and Levi--Keaton's Best Buds

Cort chose Ben 10 as the theme of his party

Happy Birthday Cortie!!!!