I have a good excuse today.  I had to leave work early because on Saturday, Jeff and I noticed that Wes’s left forearm was hurting him.  We had originally thought it was Nursemaid Elbow, which I didn’t even know had an exact definition until this morning…but it appears that we were wrong.  After a quick trip to the pediatrician, we were written a “prescription” to take Mr. Wes to Children’s Hospital to see a radiologist.  We knew it could be a long night, so we stopped by Noodles & Co for some dinner, where Max and Wes had their first taste of mac and cheese (with veggies, of course)…

Max seriously couldn't shovel it in fast enough!

"Yeah, I got spinach and cheese on my face - what's it to ya?"

We then headed to TCH right down the street from our house, where our poor little guy had to get some x-rays.  I stayed in the waiting area with Max, and I’m soooo glad I did – Jeff said that Wes screamed bloody murder during all three x-rays.  All for good (err, not-so-good) reason too.  He has a fracture in his forearm that is going to require a cast!  When Jeff thought about it, he remembered last Sunday (over a week ago) when I was out for a girl’s night, Wes was having a hard time staying asleep.  When I walked in the door, Jeff was in the hallway, rocking Wes back and forth, and telling me that he had woken up crying hysterically (like someone was pulling his toenails out one by one).  We think he probably got his little arm caught in the crib slats, and when he tried to wriggle free, that’s when the fracture happened.  =(  The thought that I (we) let him crawl around with a fractured arm makes me feel like the worst parent in the world.  Poor little boo.

We were at the hospital waaaay past the boys’ bedtime, so we opted to just get the boys home and fed, give Wes a little Tylenol before bedtime, and go get his cast put on tomorrow morning.  Have y’all ever seen a 12 month old in a cast before???  I don’t think I ever have.  Oh well, it could have been so much worse.  I’m sure the radiologists have given parents much worse news in that waiting room (I have to admit that my mind wandered while we were waiting for what seemed like hours).  On the drive home, I kept reminding myself that everything was okay.  It’s a fracture, they are boys, it won’t be the last time.  I certainly didn’t think the first time would happen shortly after they turned a year old, but I digress.

I’ll update more when I can.  =)

Max -

18 lbs, 7.5 oz  //  29 inches “tall”  //  head circ of 18″ 

Wes -

19 lbs, 3.5 oz  //  29 inches “tall”  //  head circ of 18 1/8″

So, they are a little small for full-term 12 month olds, but for 10 month olds, they are kickin’ ass and taking names.  Dr. B was CRAZY impressed at how amazing they are doing – both with their physical development and their motor skills, “language”, understanding, etc.  Max actually showed Dr. B how he can wave “bye bye”, and Wes stood on his own for about 5 seconds.  I was so proud!!!  Jeff had to work during their appointment, so I took my two best guys out for their first ice cream to celebrate THEM – they looooooooved it.

Now, onto the birthday celebration photos!

Thanks to Marty, LeAnn, & Asher for hosting!

Our sweet Max, looking more and more like a little boy

Wes, our little badass

Max with Aunt LeAnn

Rockstar

Grandpa Bob making Max laugh

I can't tell if he's annoyed, tired, hungry, or what!

And Max...ohhhhhh Max!

Busted! Grandma Sue offering Max some birthday pizza

Busted! Grandma Peggy letting Wes have some pizza, too

"Happy Birthday to you!"

"Happy birthday to you!"

"Happy birthday, dear Maxwell..."

"...and Weston!"

"HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!"

Max playing with Grandpa Art

Wes doesn't know about me here...buzzkill!

LeAnn thought it would be funny to put this on my wine - har har har!

Max taking after his papa (that's a calculator in his hands)

Me reading the birthday card from cousin Asher to the boys

Max showing us his remote control skills in his new chair

Wes thinking "that's quite a drop!"

Max taking one last photo with Aunt Kristy before she flew home =(

I hope to have more time tomorrow night to upload more photos and videos, but for now – I’m off to bed!

To my beautiful wife on her birthday. You bring me so much happiness, and have brought me the family I (we) have always wanted. Your strength and openness inspire so many, including me. You are a fabulous mother and wife, two things you should never let yourself think otherwise. As much of a struggle the last year has been, mentally and physically, we made it through as a team. With all the challenges the next year will bring, I know will get through it all again, and this time it should be a breeze (comparatively).

Love,

You are perfectly comfortable knowing that you don’t know everything. Today brings a breath of fresh air to your understanding, as an old illusion dries up and blows away, leaving more truth to ponder.

Gah!  Ain’t that the truth! 

This was my horoscope yesterday, which also happened to be my 34th birthday.  I never really read my horoscope, but given all we’ve been through in the last year, or so, I wanted to see if my 35th year of life would be “the year” for me.  I have to admit that reading the above did give me a little bit of hope that everything is going to be okay.  Between the boys (finally) being healthy to me (finally) taking care of my mental state…between Jeff and I’s marriage being as good as it’s ever been despite my views on marriage being challenged and questioned in weeks past since someone very close to me is ending her marriage…I’m (finally) starting to think that everything is going to be okay.

Therapy is helping.  It’s helping A LOT.  Last week’s session was eye-opening to say the least.  My therapist had be basically replay the weeks leading up to Max and Wes’s birth, all the way through the first few days of their lives, and it’s amazing all of the things I thought I had forgotten.  The (good and the bad) memories that I didn’t think existed…they were there.  They were crystal clear, and seeing them through EMDR therapy was exactly what I needed in order to move on.  As my horoscope reads, I don’t know everything, and I’m perfectly comfortable with that.  I’m (finally) perfectly comfortable with that.  For those of you who know me, this is HUGE, as I’m fairly certain I used to think I did know everything, or close to everything. 

I could go on and on about how and why I think this therapy is working, but I’ll spare and appease those of you who I know only show up for the photos.  =)  We had a fantastic last week, celebrating our precious Max and Wes, and the anniversary of the day they were born, and celebrating my birthday as well.  My parents and sister both came in for the weekend, and on Sunday, Marty & LeAnn hosted a joint birthday celebration for the three of us – it was perfect.  Nothing big and showy, nothing over-the-top.  Just our families and our two favorite little guys…and balloons, presents, pizza, and cupcakes!  Absolutely perfect.  Enjoy the photos!

Wes "double-fisting" - wonder where he learned that???

No, Jeff isn't suffocating Max, he's giving the boys a birthday hug!

Proof that Wes really has hair

Max and his Red Robin birthday balloon

Max was so excited to wake up to Aunt Kristy...

...and get beard tickles from Grandpa Bob

Grandma Peggy helped Wes navigate the wood floors...

...then Wes showed Max how it's done

Seriously - how cute is that smile?

Max...pondering life

Max...using the cold glass as a teether...again

A happy Wes with an even happier Aunt Kristy

Tubby time Wes

Tubby time Max

Max climbing Grandpa's "mountain"

Who looks more tired...Wes or Aunt Kristy?

"Aunt Kristy, that tickles!!"

Okay, I have TONS more photos from their birthday celebration, but I need to go to bed, so I’ll upload them later tomorrow or Thursday.  Stay tuned later this week for the stats from Max and Wes’s 12 month appointment (on Friday), videos, and proof that our lives are about to change even more…

Good night all!

That’s how many days I have known your touch,

The number of days I’ve known that your hair feels like a brand new tennis ball.

Your smooth, porcelain skin – once transparent, thin, and fragile,

Still mesmerizes me…from the tip of your fuzzy head, right down to your chubby toes.

I have a connection with you that I only have with one other person in the whole wide world,

And that person is my daddy.

Seeing myself in your twinkly blue eyes, your dimples, and your mischievous ways,

Makes me so incredibly thankful that you are my son.

To my dearest Wes,

I love you more than words could ever express.

Love,

Mommy

* Just so you all don’t think I’m horrible, and already playing favorites with my children – I must confess.  I will often be holding one of the boys when I’m around other people, and just to see what others’ responses will be, I will sometimes whisper, “you’re my favorite, don’t tell your brother” in their ear, just loud enough for the person/people around me to hear.  It’s hilarious, and I always feel like it’s an amazing bonding time with me and my two boys…I will always make sure that they each feel that they are my favorite (with an asterisk, of course).

We could have our own TLC show! l-r: Will, Justice, Sydney, Max, Wes, & Carter

Poor Syd...surrounded by "icky" boys!

"NEW TOYS!!!!"

Miles, Hudson, Wes, & Max fighting for space on the activity table

Our friends, Jenny & Brian, with their 30 weeker one year olds (!!!), Miles & Hudson - how cute are they?!?!

Poor Max was using the windowsill as a teether

A very happy Wes (a view from outside)

Eight little eyes, full of wonder

To Lanie & Shane, thank you soooo much for hosting an amazing brunch yesterday – and thanks to Catherine & Brian for their flexibility on the reschedule, it was so good (finally) meeting Brian, Will, & Carter!  And thanks to Jenny & Brian, for the super-fun play date today, and to Tara & Jesse for letting us crash their Valentine’s evening to visit with M&W! 

I hope you all (family, friends, readers) had a WONDERFUL weekend – I know we sure did!

Now I feel your warm breath on my face, steady and slow.

Then, I would place my hand on your head, and forget there was an IV in it,

Now I gently stroke your hair as your eyes grow heavy and your eyelids continue to drop.

Then, you would grab my finger with your tiny little hand, unsure of who I was,

Now you grab my finger in a loving, trusting way, knowing I’m here to protect you.

Then, you were a patient…a virtual stranger, that I got to visit several times a day,

Now you are my son, my love, my everything – the reason I wake up every morning.

To my dearest Max,

I loved you then, I love you now, and I’ll love you forever.

Love,

Mommy

Speaking of those two little monkeys, they are just cute as ever (in my completely biased opinion).  Max is getting two more teeth (his two front top teeth), only one is coming in a lot faster than the other.  He has been crazy grumpy lately, and it’s just so sad.  He’s always so happy-go-lucky, but not when he’s getting teeth!  Jeff and I both have to try really hard to get him to smile, and that’s just so unlike our little guy.  He has learned something new though – he waves “bye bye” when you wave bye-bye to him – only instead of a real “wave”, he does the up-and-down arm clamp (think the Florida Gators gesture).  It’s hilarious.  Max has also been babbling a lot more, saying “dadadada” (and actually knowing who “dadadada” is), and other random one or two syllable words/sounds.  His favorite thing in the world is still watching his puppy play with his rope, Hippo, or ball.  There is NOTHING that can make that kid laugh and smile more than Rex.  They are going to be best friends.  =)

Wes is also getting a new tooth (on top), but it’s one of his eye teeth (I think that’s what they’re called – the vampire teeth, LOL).  That’s going to look…interesting – especially with his little widow’s peak.  We can start calling him Eddie Munster!  Jeff and I didn’t even know he was teething (other than the drool), and I think getting teeth just doesn’t bother him because he’s used to the pain of acid reflux.  How sad is that?  Poor little dude – he’s so tough.  Wes is babbling more and more, and sometimes carries on complete “conversations” with himself.  Gee, I wonder who he takes after.  =) 

I caught Max smiling, so I *had* to take a photo

I also caught him scaling the bed, stalking his furry brother

Doesn't he look like he just did something really naughty??

Chair = the most expensive "teether" we've purchased to date

Our tough guy showing off his latest battle wound

"Who me?!?"

Wes cruising around the living room

Our boys playing together (awwww)

My super lame attempt at getting M&W to stay still for two seconds

G’night!