The Cast is Off!

This morning we rushed to the doctor for Preston's 8:10 appointment to have his cast removed! Things couldn't have gone more smoothly. He woke up happy and was genuinely excited to get it taken off. When the tech came in, he told Preston it would tickle. Pres sat up on the table by himself like a big boy and just watched him saw off the cast. I kept thinking he would freak out a little with the noise of the saw, but he was fine. In fact, he was all smiles and kept saying "it tickles, it tickles." When the tech finally removed the smelly thing, Preston looked down at his arm and said "gross."


I must admit that I had to agree. It was all chaffed and had a small sore at the bend of his arm. Preston stretched it out and kept staring at it, but within a few minutes, he was jumping around the room and was back to normal! He went in for an xray all by himself, and talked to the doctor about the fish in the waiting room. When we left (just 40 minutes later), he got a piece of candy and the cast as a souvenir (without the smelly padding). If only every doctor's visit could go so well and so quickly! Dr. Killean and his staff are awesome!

Now we are home and he is soaking in the bathtub. We were told that would help remove the dead skin. I scrubbed his little arm, so I am optimistic. I am so happy that it was off before our annual family pictures on Thursday (that I booked over 2 months ago)!

Poo-Poo....don't look if easily disgusted...

Over the past several weeks, if Bennett speaks out loud about her need to go "tee-tee, " it has prompted Preston to say that he needs to go as well. Because we want to get him comfortable with the toilet, we always take off his diaper and place him on the big toilet. Of course he never goes, but he likes the idea of pretending he does. I know he is too young to really start potty training, but I want to get him used to the idea of sitting on the toilet, so we can push for the big goal in about 6 months. He holds on to us for dear life while he is up there, but is slowly getting more used to the idea.

Today he said out of the blue that he "poo-poo." I asked him if he had a poo-poo, and he said "yes." Then Steve asked him if he wanted to go on the toilet, and he said "yes." Thinking that he must have already done the job in his diaper, I told Steve to go for it. So he took off his diaper (with nothing but tee-tee in it), set him on the toilet and then he actually pooped. We got him off and clapped and gave him high fives. He smiled so big and was so proud of himself and he asked to go again. Of course, he didn't go again, but we were proud of his small prize at the bottom of the toilet.

Boo at the Zoo....BOOOOO

What a bust! I booed all the way home at the disappointment of the Boo at the Zoo festivities this year! Since it was a last minute decision to go Friday, I ran around Thursday searching for costumes franticly. I had no idea what either of the kids were going to be this year. Bennett kept changing her mind, and Preston had no clue. We ultimately found a princess dress for Bennett, which will be perfect to add to her dress-up clothes for future. And my little boy is the cutest little giraffe ever!

We met Brian, Shannon, Henley and Christian there, and wondered around for an hour and a half. We rode the carousel and the train, visited a couple farm animals and trick or treated in the primate building, and that was it! I don't know if it was the construction the zoo is under, or what, but it really was just pathetic this year. The kids really didn't know any better, they just enjoyed getting candy and wearing their new costumes.

Happy Birthday Steve!!

Happy Birthday Steve! You are a wonderful husband, father, friend, brother and son to everyone and we wish you the happiest day!! This morning the kids and I baked Steve a cake before they went to school, so we could have a mini party when they got home (since Steve only works a half day on Friday). Before we sang "Happy Birthday" I asked the kids to smile for a quick photo with their daddy. Pres wasn't happy to relinquish his cup of milk (hence the pouty face). Then they helped him blow out his candle (we couldn't put 39 candles on that one little cake or the fire alarm might go off).

This was the extent of our family celebration since Steve is going out with some of his high school buddies for dinner and drinks to kick off his 20th high school reunion weekend. Since I wanted to show him some love before all of this reunion stuff, I surprised him with dinner at Bottega Cafe with some friends last night.

Since Steve and Ashley share the same birthday, Mary Michael

and I thought it would be fun to surprise the guys. I'm so glad it worked out...what a fun evening! It was supposed to be dinner and a couple of drinks, but we finally left 4 hours later after a lot of stories and laughing!

We had such a lovely evening with great friends! Happy Birthday Steve, I love you!

Alabama ROLLED Over Those Gators!!

It was a beautiful day in Tuscaloosa yesterday...the weather was great, the company was better and the game was fabulous! Since my parents were in town, they took the kids to the zoo that morning, so we were able to get ready in a leisurely fashion...something we haven't been able to do in a long time.

Then we drove down to T-town with the Fry's without any traffic, the Mizerany's saved us a great parking spot, and then we relaxed with friends. It was so nice knowing that the kids were having fun with their Nene and Poppy, and we were having fun alone.

It was my first game this season, and I am so happy that I had a ticket to the game on the 46 yard line!! What a wonderful place to watch the Tide beat the Gators!

Steve with Danny & Brett

Paige and Malin with me

Birthday Dinner (from September)

I know this is more than 2 weeks late, but I forgot about these photos because they were taken with our other camera (that we don't use that often). The night of Preston's birthday we went out for Mexican food. We didn't make the staff sing to him, but we did use the sombrero as a photo opportunity...a little blurry, but cute.

Of course, Bennett had to get a picture taken with the sombrero too.