Slow & Not So Steady

Ian is slowly starting to walk.  The video above is him trying to walk at Avery's soccer game.  He still would much rather crawl, but he is getting there.

Ian is starting to eat more table foods.  He is a big meat eater.  He will eat any meat that I give him (cut up into little pieces). 

He also has started say a couple of words.  He says "shoes".  And, the usual "mama" and "dada".  But, the funny thing he does when I ask him if he wants water or something or any question, he responds with something that sounds like, "I do" or just "do".  He also shakes his head when he says it.

Soccer Soccer and more Soccer

Avery and Sterling both started playing soccer.  We were a little surprised that Avery wanted to play this year.  She played previously, but said she didn’t like it.  So far, she really seems to like playing.  Now our Saturdays are filled with soccer games.

Sterling – The Team Captain (so proud of his Captain sticker!)

I’m not sure if you can tell from the picture above, but he is still clutching the Captain sticker!

Avery – Finally getting to play goalie!  She was so excited.

Sterling slept through most of Avery’s game!

We also bought season tickets to the Houston Dynamo, and most of the games are on Saturday.  It’s going to be one long soccer season.

Little Pudding Man

All was quiet one afternoon a couple of weeks ago.  I was working away in the office.  I am so happy that I am almost through with all my tax stuff and reports for this agency or that.  I am so sick of deadlines.  Anyway, I thought, “Ian sure is playing well.”  Usually he’s right at my feet begging to be held.  It was almost time to go pick up Avery at school.  So, into the kitchen I went, and found this little man!

Pudding was everywhere.  Ian was covered from head to toe.  I scared him with my reaction—he started crying.  At first I didn’t know what it was—I forgot that Sterling had pudding for lunch that he left on the table.

So, he ended up in the tub, and we were a little late picking up Avery.

Easter – 2010

After church on Easter Sunday, we headed to my mom’s house to have lunch and visit with my Aunt Ruthie, Aunt Irene, Uncle Mike, and friends.  The kids enjoyed hunting eggs, silly string, water guns, and playing outside.  These were not the best activities for their Easter dress clothes, but oh well (that’s what stain remover is for – right?), they had fun!

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Sterling’s Easter Party

Sterling had a fun Easter party with his classmates.  They enjoyed yummy treats, an egg hunt, and made a craft.  He was smiling the entire party (and in every picture!).  Even Ian had a great time.  And, I was happy to get such a cute picture of my boys!

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Surprise!??!!

We tried to have a surprise 60th birthday party for my mom this past Saturday.  She would not leave the house, and the nasty rain and weather did not help.  So, she found out about her party before all the guests arrived. 

Even though the surprise was spoiled, it was still a great time with about 40 family and friends.  Also, we had planned to have a lot of the party outside, but with the weather, we had to move indoors.  It was COLD and windy!

THE CAKE

I ordered this cake from a local bakery that I found online.  They had “rave” reviews and I liked the pictures online.  I ordered a white almond cake with raspberry filling.  It was delicious—better than my wedding cake!  I can’t wait to use them again!

OPENING PRESENTS

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BLOWING OUT THE CANDLES

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Sterling and Avery had the best time playing with their 2nd cousins, Chandler and Taylor.  They can’t wait to see them again!  They all had fun playing with silly string.

Before / After

BEFORE

AFTER

My two sweet boys have been sick.  Sterling recovered from his tonsillectomy.  It took two full weeks before he was starting to feel somewhat better.  And, it wasn’t long, and he was sick again with a nasty cough and ear infection.  He was really sick—all he wanted to do was lay on the couch or sleep.  I took him to the pediatrician two times last week.  He finally is starting to feel better after a round of steroids and antibiotics.  And, Juan and I can’t believe how much he is eating now.  He is eating like a horse!  He actually lost a few pounds with his tonsillectomy, so he’s a little on the skinny side.  He could stand to gain a few pounds.

And, then there is Mr. Ian.  He started getting sick just as Sterling was starting to feel better.  He had a nasty cough and ear infection, too.  He had such bad cough that he would throw up after coughing.  And, he was not interested in playing or smiling, which is so unlike him.  All he wanted to do is be held.  We have been to the pediatrician’s office three times this week. I think we’ve been to the pediatrician’s office more in the last two weeks than we have in the last year.  We had to give Ian breathing treatments, which he absolutely hates.  He screams and cries through the entire treatment.  I also tried to give him an antibiotic orally, but he would throw it up.  So, he’s had to have 2 shots of an antibiotic this week.  But, after his first shot, he started feeling better, which is the after picture.  He also slept through the night!

Sterling the “Patient”

Sterling had his tonsils removed today, along with part of his adenoids that grew back from his previous surgery.

He has always been a pretty good little boy, but lately we had noticed a difference.  He was having a hard time listening and just seemed to be very grouchy and tired.  He also started wetting the bed, waking up at night, and snoring loudly.  Turns out it is all related to sleep apnea.  Hopefully, the surgery will make a difference.

Sterling was a great patient today.  He first drank some medicine to help him relax.  The picture above was taken after the medicine had kicked in.  He was hilarious.  I was trying not to laugh and him too much.  He was talking about “jell-o clouds” and reaching out for a rope that wasn’t there.  He kept trying to climb it from the bed.  He also got the hiccups.  He also said “That medicine tasted GOOOOOD!”

After about 45 minutes from when they took him back to the OR, the doctor came out and told us that all went well.  The doctor said that days 4-6 after surgery can be the worst when things start to heal in the throat, so maybe the worst is still to come.  After a couple hours in recovery and some vomiting, we were able to come home.  This is what Sterling wants to do now.

Sterling is looking forward to all the popsicles, juices, mashed potatoes, and macaroni and cheese.  The soft diet he is supposed to eat is basically his favorite foods.