That explains it

(Totally stole this from my friend Jen!)

Some time in early November we took a trip to Toys R Us with my mom and sisters.  I was looking at Christmas gifts for Nate and thought play doh would be great (esp for OT!).  My sister picked him up two sets and I couldn't wait to play with them!  I was like a kid, counting the days until I could play with the play doh. It was really strange.  Then at Christmas she forgot to bring them (she lives in Milwaulkee). I was so upset! 

Finally, she did remember to bring them on one of her trips.  

And when she did, my mom said "I won't ever play play doh with Nate.  

Can't stand the smell of the stuff. 

 You girls didn't play with it much when you were kids."

Ah, now that explains it.

I was deprived play doh as a child.

Nate and I had so much fun making ice cream and food in the pretend oven!  

Gramma, you are missing out!

Friday nights at Target

I simply can not put into words my love for Target (and I know you all know what I mean!)  I have been making a habit out of taking Nate there on Friday nights every now and then just to let him explore and have lots of room to wheel around in his chair.  I was worried about the reactions I might get at first, but they have all been positive (duh, it's Target nothing bad ever happens there!)

Here are a few pics from one of our trips (where we now get front row parking with our handy dandy handicap placard!)

(I only took these three pictures.  I thought that a two year old in a little wheel chair was enough to make people stare without his momma snapping pictures like the paparazzi.  I think I just need to get over it, though!)

Mommy's big helper

Making muffins, 12-17.

Just because...

...I'm always the one behind the camera. And this time I wasn't.

Our little trooper

As I type this, Nate is having an MRI done. It's the second time he's been put under anesthesia in last 4 days. The first was for his eye surgery to correct esotropia (eye crossing). He did really well and only cried a little when he woke up. Both then, and today the nurses complimented him on what a great patient he was. I think the fact that he is the polar opposite of me-laid back and go with the flow, compared to my total and constant state of anxiety-keeps me sane during times like these. Because he is so relaxed I can relax a little, too. A follow-up with the eye doc the day after confirmed that things look great in that department. We have a clinic appointment on Aug. 17th to discuss the results of the MRI with his neuro surgeon, as well as follow-ups with his urologist (more test results) and ortho (we'll be getting his RGOs then!). I'll be sure to post an update once we've digested all that new information. Now, on to some adorable pictures!









I sure am going to miss this little face, and eating cereal together in the mornings, when I return to work next week. Ugh, I hate even typing it! The summer went by too quickly, as it always does!

That's right

this little boy is a Cubs fan.



I don't have the heart to tell him



that being a Cubs fan



is sometimes a sad and disappointing road.



But we wouldn't have it any other way.

Baby love

Making Mommy time

These past several weeks have put a bit of a strain on me. I was worrying about everything under the sun and freaking out constantly. Ryan didn't know how to handle my frantic-ess and in trying to get things done I felt that I wasn't getting any good QT with Nathan. I couldn't focus while driving and simple decisions were turning into agonizing life choices. At one point I actually considered going to my doctor and getting some medication (which is not easy for me to admit). And then someone (actually it was my sister-in-law, Kristen, who has two kids of her own and knows a little about this "crazy" feeling) suggested I get some good, quality ME time. And I decided to take her advice. I skipped a family function to have a girls weekend with friends from college. Of course this decision came with guilt (for not seeing my family), worry (of leaving Nathan for the first time and putting my mom and sister in charge of taking him the 2 hour drive to Michigan so family could at least see him) and feelings of selfishness (for doing something for myself for an ENTIRE WEEKEND). But it was exactly what I needed. Of course I missed my family and Nathan terribly, but I was happy to be consumed in a weekend full of strong friendships, celebrations, laughter and love. It proved to be the perfect medecine and just what I needed to feel like myself again. And I guess that's nothing to feel guilty about.