Piccadilly Circus

The circus came to town and we were able to go with our good friends the McMillian's. It has been such a long time since I have been to a circus. I think the last time we went was right before we moved to Illinois when Aniela was a baby. 

I was so much fun and made me feel like a little kid again. Can't wait for the next one!

Taevin dentist/airway procedures Aug 22 2012

Teeth

On Aug 22nd Taevin had a procedure done where they cleaned all his teeth, filled all his cavities and then all but his canines (which are not all the way in) were capped. The procedure took about 4 hours and every thing went great. Why did he need this procedure?

Taevin has little to no enamel and already at 2 had several cavities on each tooth. He didn't get his first tooth until 17 months so this all happen in less then 10 months.  They said the caps should last for about 5 years at which point his baby teeth should be falling out. Fingers crossed his adult teeth come in healthier!

He goes in every 3 to 6 months for cleaning and to check his caps. 

Airway

 In Jan of 2012 I noticed Taevin having labored breathing while playing and during physical therapy. He also gets pale, sweaty and has to rest after a short time. So I called the cardiologist to see if it could be heart related they said it did not sound like a heart issue and sent us to the Ear Nose & Throat doctor. The ENT ordered a bronch and said that it was more then likely he needed reconstructive surgery on his airway to make it bigger. This surgery is super invasive and would require up to 4 week hospital stay with 2 weeks of full sedation on breathing tubes. *I got a very sick feeling but agreed that if his airway was causing the breathing issues then this would be the best thing to help him. After a very long and frustrating round of calls and visits we got the procedure scheduled for Aug.

The bronch came back saying his airway is narrowed but the numbers contradicted the last 2 they did. The ENT seemed to think this was normal and said Taevin was fine and it was not his airway causing the breathing problem. He sent me back to the cardiologist.

* While this was all going on I still didn't have a good feeling about the reconstructive surgery so I did some research and found a doctor in Cincinnati who is a specialist on airways and have a clinic that test and evaluate children with breathing issues. I set up an appointment and had a evaluation date in September.

So 8 months in and still no answers to why he is having such a hard time breathing during physical activity.

First day of school 2012/13 school year

A few day after we got home from Tennessee the girls started school.

Don't they look cute in the outfits Grandma Great got them!

 Areya is in 3rd grade this year and has Mrs. Block.

Aniela is in Kindergarten and has Mrs. Rydz

Tennessee Drive 2012

On our drive to Tennessee this year we had quite the experience. We left at night once Damian got off work so the kids would sleep through the longest part of the trip. We took our new camping trailer and had the bikes hooked to the back.

The kids were asleep, Damian was driving and out of no where a van came up and was riding us. Damian slowed down and let him pass. Not 2 minutes after he passed he veered off the road and hit the cement barrier in the middle going up the side and then coming back down. The van then veered into our lane and was close to hitting us. He then veered back and hit then barrier again. He was riding the barrier trying to get back in his lane. After about a minute or 2 of this and lots of sparks he finally got back into his lane. Damian slowed way down but was going fast enough to keep up with him. After a bit his tire blew and he was driving  on a flat tire. He finally got over to the slow lane but continued to drive. At this point there was stuff leaking out of the van and sparks, smoke and small flames coming out from it. I was getting worried so I called 911. After another mile he finally pulled over to the side of the road. While on the phone with 911 we stopped to see if he was ok and needed anything. He said "no, it's only a flat tire" The 911 operator told us to keep driving and that she would send the police to check on him.

It was crazy and we couldn't believe that all happened and no one got hurt. After a bit we saw the police car going in the other direction and then shortly after we got a call asking about what happened and what the guys looked like. He had ditched the car and took off on foot. They thanked us for calling. A few minutes later we got another call form the dispatch operator asking if there were any one else in the van with the guy. There were car seats in the back and they were worried that kids might have been in the car. Damian and I had been thinking the same thing and checked at the time we stopped to ask if he needed help. Luckily there wasn't.

We were very blessed that he passed us when he did and that he didn't hit us when he came back into our lane. That is definitely a drive we will never forget.

Tennessee Aug 2012

This time around we made a trip the Wild Animal Park & Camel Safari where we got to hand feed zebras, elk, deer, emu, buffalo and many other animals while driving through the 105 acre park with our doors and windows open. The animals came right up to us.

After the car ride we were able to visit the petting zoo where we could touch hold and feed many other animals including llamas, goats, birds, a baby camel and a hedgehog.  

 I was super surprised but Taevin loved feeding the animals and wasn't scared at all. He even threw a fit when it was time to go.

 Samantha holding the hedgehog

 Lacy and I (hot mama's)

They also had camel rides and who doesn't want to ride a camel? The girls both rode and can now add it to their lists of cool experiences. I think the kids really enjoyed their visit to the animal park. Thank you Aunt Kimmy for taking us on such a fun outing.

During this trip we also went camping in the Smoky Mountains and did what every other family does in the middle of summer while camping......... had an Easter egg hunt. What do you mean other families don't do this in Aug? Oh well, the kids had a blast and it kept them busy for a while.

That first morning we got up way to early and took a 11 mile bike ride around the loop. I know 11 miles in the wee hours, what was I thinking!!! Man did that 11 miles kick my butt, it might have been a little easier if I did have a 2 year old strapped to the back of my bike and if there wasn't so many up hill spots. You will be proud to know that Areya and I finished the whole thing, that's a big deal for a 8 year old and a fat lady that hasn't really exercised since her 2 year old was born.

We ended up only staying one night because it rained and no one wanted to spend another night. Which I don't understand?  I stayed nice and cozy in our camper and didn't have any problems with the rain.

For the rest of the trip the men spent a lot of time fishing while the rest of us cooked and ran after all the little monkeys. (4 boys (5 & under) and 2 girls) It was a great trip and we are looking forward to our Alaska trip next year. (fingers crossed)

Tennessee 2012 water days

In August was took our annual trip down to Tennessee to visit my Aunt Kimmy & Uncle Mike and Grandma Curry. My cousins Ryan, Lacy and Chase were all able to come with their families also. 

What did we do on this trip you may ask? We'll we spent a lot of time in the water. We swam in their pool, went out on their boat (several times), went tubing down the river, played in the sprinklers and then spent some more time in the pool.  I think we were a bit water logged by the end of the trip but at least we got a nice tan in the process. 

Lacy and Jen 

(Chase had to work)

Aniela getting some love from Grandma Great

Damian and I just enjoying a lazy summers afternoon on the boat.

 Aunt Kimmy with her daughter Lacy

Taevin loving every minute of it. Well until we made him get in the water.

Taevin's favorite part of the trip, driving the boat with Uncle Mike!

Lacy with her BF Matt

Damain and Areya

My little fishies!

Ryan with his GF Samantha

Aunt Kimmy with some of her grandkids and great niece.

(I bet that makes her feel old)

Vegas

In July Damian and I used some airline vouchers we had from our canceled Bahamas trip and took a trip to Las Vegas with my cousin Lacy and her boy friend. 

On the first day we went to the wax museum where Damian had a little to much fun with all the figures. Most pictures are not suitable for children and if these people were actually real Damian would be either in a hospital bed or a jail cell. I'll leave it at that. 

After the museum we walked the strip and did a lot of sight seeing. By the end of the day my feet hurt so bad and I had several blisters that nice soak in the pool was calling my name.

The next day we did some more sight seeing and visited the store for some food. A swim in the pool and some time just lounging around playing cards. It was so nice enjoying some down time with out kids!

The next day we slept in and hung out in the condo waiting for the rain to stop. Later that day we headed out for a night on the town. We went to the Stratosphere and then caught the bus to Fremont Street. They have added a zip line over Fremont St. since the last time I was there and we decided to give it a try. After waiting in line for 2 very long hours we had our 30 second rush. Not sure it was worth the 2 hour wait but still fun.

 We were pretty tired after all the walking we called it a night around 3 am.

Not the greatest pictures of us but this was taken after the long wait but before the actual ride.

Damian wanted to eat at Gordon Ramsey Stake at the Paris but they were completely booked for the rest of our stay. So we settled for some thing else and just enjoyed the rest of our trip. We visited the Coke and M&M factories. Made a few stops for people watching and souvenirs and of course hit a few casinos to lose the money we had left.

Damian trying on glasses in one of the souvenir shops.

 This was Damian's first time in Vegas and he loved playing the slots and was loving the fact that they has some at the airport as well. He couldn't get enough.

We had a good time and enjoyed spending some time with Lacy and meeting her new BF.

Thanks to Matt & Amanda and Damian's parents for watching the kids for us!

July 4, 2012 Happy Independence Day!

This year for the 4th of July I made the kids cute shirts. I love how they turned out and had a great time making them with my good friend Melissa. 

We had a great Independence Day and hope you did too!