Our "busy" week

So busy describes our week. Jay came home last Friday. We were all happy to see him. We got to BBQ and watch the OU game together, and just spend some time together. It was Labor Day weekend so we got to spend 3 days together. I realized how much having an extra set of hands around makes things.
Tues went by pretty much uneventfully. Then came Wed. I got a call from Daycare about 9:30am, to let me know that when Sara was changing JJ's diaper she noticed something, he had pooped out a penny. Now where he found the penny and how he actually ingested it without me knowing is a complete mystery.
Then I got another call from daycare. Breanna had stood up in her chair during lunch and had fallen out of her chair and hit her chin on the countertop. She had split her chin open and that it may need a stitch. So I left work and went to get her. Calling the doctor from the car on the way to get her. I got there and she was happy and smiling and acted like nothing was bothering her at all. We got to the doctor and they took a look at it and decided that they could use durmabond and "glue" her chin back together. So this is when things got bad, it took 2 nurses to hold my little 24lbs child down while the doctor cleaned, and glued her chin closed. She screamed and fought them the whole time. I had to sit down, I was holding JJ and started to feel a little light headed.
The next few days it got more purple and more swollen. Finally on Sunday the swelling started to go down and the bruise looks like it is getting better. Here are some pictures of her chin.



Thurs was another uneventful day. Friday I got a call that JJ was throwing up. So I spent the rest of that day hanging out with the kids at home.
Sat another GREAT OU game was on. Breanna can now say Boomer Sooner, she was running around the house yesterday saying it. Gotta start 'em young!! =)

Next weekend you can think of Jay and I sitting in the stands cheering on the Sooners. My parents have graciously offered to let us use their tickets this coming weekend and they will watch the kiddos.
Just a side note...thanks to my parents for watching my kiddos the Wed night before Jay came home (we didn't know he was coming home that weekend, it was a surprise to even him) they let me go out to dinner by myself and let me get a little break from taking care of the kids. It was sooooo nice to get to eat dinner, and just sit there and enjoy some peace and quiet!!
Today Jay found out that he will be going to Houston on Wed-Fri to attend a top drive school. He is excited about it. (no worries though, they should be back by Sat for the OU game.)

Where have you been????

That is the question I am getting asked the most.........

Well here is the answer. I am at home.

Jay has been out of town for the last two and a half weeks. I have been by myself with the kids. I don't have any free time, or me time anymore. I get up at 5:30 get the kids ready we are out the door by 6:10, I go to work, get the kids at about 4:30 and we are home by 5:00. I get them dinner, get them their baths (which they have been taking together), get their teeth brushed, have story time and they are off to bed. Breanna has decided that she doesn't want to go to bed till about 11:30pm, so I am fighting with her from about 8 to 11:30 to get her to go to sleep.
Things have been pretty hectic. I am not use to not getting any break. I know that Jay is at work at lot even when he is at work, but when he is home on the weekend I at least get to go shopping with one kid instead of two.
I have been really worn down, with Breanna not going to sleep till 11:30 I am not getting to sleep till 12:30 because I still need to get clothes washed, dishes done, and get things ready for the next day.
We "think" Jay will get to come home early and he will come home next weekend. Although that may change and he may actually have to stay all 30 days. He is very ready to come home.
They do have a trailer house that he is living in there. He has a full kitchen, laundry room, bedroom, he has satellite TV, and a DVD player. So he has a mini house there, but it isn't the same as being home. I hope that he is home in a week. I am very tired, and very worn out. I miss him more than he knows. You take for granted being able to turn to someone when you are watching something and comment to them about it, or having someone give you a hug. I miss that.
I take Breanna and J.J. to the doctor on Tuesday for Breanna's 2 year old appt, and JJ's 9 mon old appt. I will post their stats after that. JJ is growing like a weed and becoming more mobile and vocal. Breanna talks ALL the time. Jay commented that she never shuts up just like her mom. Obviously she can't help it, she was born that way.....hahaha.
That is all for now. I am going to try to go and take a bath and go to bed. Breanna is actually asleep so I need to take advantage of that!!!! =)

So much to talk about...........

Let see I haven't been here in a long time. It is kind of crazy lately with Jay working sooo much I have my hands full all the time with the kiddos.

Jay left yesterday for a 30 day stay in Texas. He is in Wheeler working on a rig that is starting, so they need someone there all the time. So he is going to stay in a trailer that they have out there for him for the next 30 days.

As for the kiddos,

Breanna is 2 can you believe it. We had her birthday party on July 21st. My grandparent came in town from Arkansas the night before and then drove home after her party. We really appreciate it we know that makes for a long weekend!! She got lots of great presents that she LOVES to play with. She is a very entertained little girl. She is growing and learning more and more everyday. It is really hard for me to believe that she is already two. It seems like she should still be JJ's age. She loves to dance, laugh and play with her little brother. Sometime she likes to love on him a little too much, she has a tendency to hug him a little hard sometimes!!

JJ is making growing leaps and bounds lately. He is still doing the army crawling thing, but he has turned into a little monkey. He crawls and pulls himself up on EVERYTHING that he can get his hands on. The couch, coffee table, the jumping seat, toys, just about anything taller than him. He has starting eating table food too. I have given him mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, pickles, Gerber cheesy twists, cooked carrots. He loves eating like everyone else.

Here are some pictures from the last few weeks.

Breanna on her birthday!!

Breanna and her baby

Breanna ready for bed

JJ

The kiddos playing with their toys

They are eating Gerber Cheesey puffs

She is such a ham!!

JJ feeding himself

hmmm wonder if I can get up there......

Branson.....wow what a trip. We had a GREAT time with everyone. We went on a boat cruise that included a great dinner and show. We went and saw a magic show.
Most important we all got to be together to celebrate my Uncle Mike's 60th birthday and my Grandparent's 65th wedding anniversary.
I think everyone had a good time. I know I did. I put together a little slide show that you can look at below!!

What we do to get them to go to sleep....

Here is what Breanna went to sleep in tonight. She kept pulling her swimsuit out of the drawer. she cried and cried when I would put it back. So she got to sleep in it.

Update on Kaleb

Many of you e-mailed me after seeing my post about Kaleb last week. Well they did surgery on him last Friday and put a drain in his head to help eliviate the fluid that was putting pressure on his brain. It has seemed to make a drastic improvement in him. Here is what his mom posted today.....




"Busy GREAT DAY!
I am so sorry if I have frightened any of you. We have had a Busy day here at the hospital... Busy but GREAT!!!

Kaleb has been awake almost all day!! That is why it has taken me so long to do this blog. I got to help give him a bath today. Bath time was my favorite time with him at home. It was our bonding time. And here is the greatest part of this blog:

I GOT TO HEAR KALEB CRY!!!

Not like a Loud, long cry, but def. a short cry. Oh how I miss his little voice... My dad and I almost fell over when we heard it!! This has topped today for me. We got good news about the internal bleeding, it is nothing serious. They seem to think that it's from the feeding tube irratating his stomcah. AMEN! Thank god that it is nothing too serious. He is moving so much and has had his eyes opened for so long now. I gave him a kiss and he made a noise for me and lifted his hand and it landed on my chest. I almost lost it. I actually miss him getting a hold of my hair and ripping it out. I am so glad I got to hear and feel him as I did today. He is so Beautiful and such an angel to me.

God showed his presence today. A chaplin that has been coming up here for a while stopped by and sat with us. I shared with him why we named Kaleb, Kaleb. Josh and I were sitting in church and the sermon was about how Joshua and Caleb in the old Testament were one of the 12 spies to seek out the promise land. God told them that they had to defeat the people of this land.Well Joshua and Caleb were the only 2 spies that remained completely faithful in God. The other 10 lost their faith and doubted that God would give them the strength to defeat them. Joshua and Caleb didn't. They stayed faithful and together they battled them and prevailed just as God said they would.

This is why we stay faithful. God will bring us through this. This is a battle that Kaleb must fight just as Caleb did in the bible. HE WILL PREVAIL OVER EVIL. The Chaplin then quoted Joshua and Caleb, "Give me the Mountain, Give me the hill". Here is the coolest part of all. As I was sitting down to type this blog, I put on Casting Crowns, Praise you in the Storm... Well at the very end of the song it says "I lift my eyes unto the hill, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of Heaven and Earth."

Now I know that this is no coincidence! It is amazing that just 2 hours prior to hearing this the Chaplin told us what Joshua and Caleb said. My two boys are warriors and we as a family will stay faithful that Kaleb will win this battle. Call me corny, but that is what we believe.

Today has been wonderful to me. My faith was renewed even more. Kaleb's strength is being renewed and kindness is being renewed through all of you. Maybe this is what Kaleb was sent here to do... I have never in my life felt so much love and compassion from total strangers. I love each and every one of you. I mean this sincerely from the bottom of my heart."

We've got news......

JJ is now sitting up all on his own. I have been working with him on it. He doesn't like to be in one spot for very long to it has been a long journey getting here. He sat up a lot today and played with some toys.

Breanna riding on her horse.

YEAH we are sitting up!!
JJ likes this new view of things
Ok Mommy I am tired, time for a nap

Kaleb Schwade

I am part of a online group called Cafe Mom. It is a forum for mom's go get online and talk to other mom's. I am part of a group that is for mom's with babies born in November 2006. There has been a family that has been devistated that is part of that group. The Schwade family has a baby who is 9 days younger than J.J.. His name is Kaleb This was Kaleb in early May.

On May 9th his mother dropped him off at daycare in the morning and when she came to pick him up in the evening noticed that he was acting different. After trying to wake Kaleb up she realized somehing was VERY wrong. Kalebs mom and dad rushed him to the hospital. He has been in the PICU since then. He is now blind and they don't know if he will ever come out of the vegitative state that he is currently in. He is a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome. The daycare woman not only shook Kaleb, put tried to smother him.

There is a video on a website that has been set up for Kaleb that explains the whole thing better than I do. Here is the web address where the video is.

http://www.myspace.com/helpkaleb

Please go and look at the video. It is on the right side of the page about 10 inches down. It will have a big play button on the video. Press the play button on the screen and it will play the video.

This child, and his family need every prayer that he can get. He has had a lot of problems since he has been in the hospital.

This has touched me beyond belief. I get an update from his mother everyday on his condition and what is going on with him. If anthing of signifigance happens I will be sure to let you all know.

The video is sad, I warn you, but it is worth seeing. If you feel so inclined share the site and video with others.

Pray for Kaleb!!!!

Who are these people and what have they done with my parents......LOL

Ok so those of you who have know my parents for awhile on most weekend in Oklahoma City would not recognise them. My dad awhile back as you all know bought a motorcycle, and then upgraded to a Harley. My mom didn't really get on and go with him in the beginning, but now it is another story. Dad has jean, his leather chaps, a dew rag, black boots, and a leather jacket on. Mom in her jeans tee shirt, and leather jacket. Now can you picture that......my parents, who'd have ever thought that they would all geared up and riding on a motorcycle. Mom and Dad frequently are gone on Sat on some kind of motorcycle run. Now they go on rides to places for dinners with some of the other members of the Oklahoma HOG chapter.

Mostly I am just happy that they have something that they enjoy doing, and not only that but they enjoy doing it together!!!

Here are some pictures from a recent trip that my dad sent out.

Can you find them??
Dad has the orange dew rag on, and mom is right behind them

Good picture of mom's jacket, dad looking at something

Mom and Dad in the resteraunt . Having dinner.

Love you both!!

Just a picture

Here is a picture that Jay took last Friday while he was at work. This is him on top of the a rig. See the buildings below, and those little lines are streets. Don't worry though he has a great harness that teathers him to the rig.

Rain, rain go away!!

Ok so I get that it is spring and April showers bring May flowers, but what does torrential rains in May bring?? Just want you to see the forcast for the next week. Rain, rain and more rain.

Forecast next 7 days (Oklahoma City)

Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Monday	Tuesday
low: 65°F high: 76°F	low: 62°F high: 82°F	low: 68°F high: 86°F	low: 66°F high: 87°F	low: 65°F high: 85°F	low: 62°F high: 84°F	low: 61°F high: 85°F

This reminds me of the first year that I lived here. My dad and I were in the car going somewhere and he told me. "You know I don't know if I can handle anymore gray dark days." We are definalty in the middle of some very dark gray days.
For the month of May the average rainfall in OKC is 5.44 inches, we are at a whopping total of (not including today and yes it is pouring rain) 10.56 inches.

So we are doing lots of indoor activities. Breanna keepings asking "outside?", but it is too yucky to go outside and do anything. So think sunny skies for OKC, we need the rainman to go away, for awhile!!

Pictures, 6 mon old info, Carnival, swimming, and Oil Rigs

So JJ was 6 mon old last Friday. We went to the doctor and had his 6 mon old well baby visit. Here are his current stats....

Weight - 16lbs 0ozs -- 24th percentile for kids his age
Height - 27 inches long -- 75th percentile for kids his age

so like Breanna so far he is tall and skinny. He is just the sweetest little baby. not much bothers him. He actually gets excited when you put him down to go to sleep at night. He has started vocalizing a lot more. This morning I could have sworn that he yelled mama when he wanted to get up.

We went Sat morning and had some pictures taken. I had them in their Sooner outfits, and then in their Harley outfits. We had a good time, but I have to tell you it is VERY difficult to get 2 kids to do what you want them to do when they are taking pictures. We only go 34 pictures taken in total. I got 5 of them printed. For those of you were are going to see in Branson in June I am bringing all of the pictures and you can pick which ones you want to take home with you!!

BOOMER SOONER BABIES......

The babies in their Harley gear

She is ready to go with her Grandad anytime.

On Sunday we got out our pool in the backyard for the kids to get into . Breanna still calls swimming "splashy splashy". She now goes to the back and says outside and splashy. She wants to go all the time. I have found some really cool swimsuits. They sell them at Target and the brand is Wee Wave. They are swim suits that have built in leak proof diapers in the bottoms. So that you don't have to put a diaper on under the suit. Who ever invented this was a genius. I got them for both kids.

When JJ was done swimming, he sat in his little play gym outside and had some fun.After a long day of play JJ is ready for bed with his comfy cosy PJ's

We went to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital carnival on Sat. They put this on once a year to show appreciation to the employees and their families. Breanna had a blast. My mom and Dad met us at the carnival and walked around for awhile. Breanna got to go into a jump gym and play some little kid games. Jay even took her up one of the big slides and she came down on her own. Here are two pictures from that day.




Incase you are wondering what in the heck Jay has been working on, here they are. They aren't the typical oil wells that you would think of. They are not the pump jack kind. They are 230 feet tall and Jay sometimes has to climb to the top to check something out. Here are some pictures that he has taken over the last month of some of the rigs that he has worked on. Don't know if you all watch the Discovery channel, but they have a series that is called Oil, Sweat, and Rigs. They go through and actually featured a rig that Jay has spent a TON of time on lately. It is going to be on again here are the dates and times from the Discovery Channel. I am sure that the times are Eastern, so if you want to watch check your local listings. If you do watch the show the rig that Jay worked on is the F11 Nabors rig.

Jun 11, 8:00 pm (60 minutes)

Oil, Sweat and Rigs Oklahoma 2 TV-PG T-Spoons has a mere 48 hours to drill a 4000 feet well. In that time he battles a broken mud pump, falling pipes and a potentially fatal release of highly explosive gas.