Halloween

"Trick or Treat" (candy in bag), "Thank you" (run to the next house)...sound familiar?

That was our night last night (probably yours also if you have children) and I must say I was very excited and SO proud of Brynn. She experienced Halloween this year and did it with only running into one "scary" costume that scared her. Last year we never made trick-or-treating because she was scared to death of our neighbors little boy who was Spiderman (it was so bad she clung to me all the way home). This year I was a little worried about how trick-or-treating would go, but she had a blast and of course her mom took lots of photos!

Braden...well let's just say he went along for the ride (with the exception of one house). He has not had the pleasure of eating candy yet, so he has no clue what he was missing. He was not thrilled at all about wearing a costume, in fact he cried when we put it on. He barely held still long enough for me to paint his face and then rubbed it off the first chance he got. He was quiet content being in the stroller watching the mad frenzy of children run house to house for candy.


Danny (nice outfit) with the kids....

Brynn as a "Princess Kitty" (the word "princess" was required to get her to wear this costume).

Braden as a "not-so-thrilled" lion....

Brynn with her friend Sunee.....

Braden trick-or-treating....

Brynn & Sunee running to the next house....

Edy, Mistin and Sunee (don't they look great!)....

Sweet Berry Farm

Every year around this time I get asked the question,

"Have you been to the Sweet Berry Farm pumpkin patch in Marble Falls?"

and this year I can finally answer yes. I must admit I never quite understood what all the hoopla was about. I was sure it was just like any other pumpkin patch only a lot further away....like an hour further on a very hilly and curvy two lane road. You know the kind of road you would rather be driving a sports car on, not a gas-guzzling SUV. Anyhow, I figured it was time to check this place out and this past weekend was the perfect weekend since the weather was beautiful and Poppi and Nana (aka my dad and step mom) were visiting from Iowa.

Okay...so not every pumpkin patch is created equal and we are definitely going back next year, but will be arriving when they open. We got there around 10:00 am Saturday morning and an hour later the place was packed. I now understand the invention of the "child leash"; we could have used one for Braden. He has two modes stop and go and we were on the "go" mode the whole time. He was like a dog in an open field (except this field was not open). They had a maze for kids that he would have stayed in all day if we would have let him. He referred to all the pumpkins as balls and tried to pick up any he could get his arms around.

There was no shortage of things for everyone to do; pumpkin painting, mazes, hayrides. face painting, scarecrow stuffing and horse rides, just to name a few. They even had pumpkin pie ice cream. We were limited on what all we could with Brynn still being a little hesitant at trying new things. I was really hoping she would go on a horse ride with me, but nope. Even Nana tried. She likes horses, but only from a distance. One day. She was not into the hayride either since it involved a "loud tractor" (her words, not mine). She did get a butterfly painted on her face which really surprised me and ran through the kid maze. She still had a lot of fun, slowly but surely we will get past her fears (I think it is harder for me than her).

Did I mention the amazing settings for photos? Here are a few photos I managed to sneak in.

The sweetest thing....

This past Tuesday morning when I went to get Braden from his crib the sweetest words came from his little mouth. Before this moment the only actual phrase he was saying was "tink you" (aka thank you) which definitely makes a mama proud. BUT, today was different. He pretty much melted my heart.

When I opened the door to his room, the "conversation" played out something like this,

Me, "Good morning little man"

Braden "Mommee!"

I picked him up and laid him on the changing table to get him ready for the day.

Braden: "ball, ball, ball" (as usual always wants a ball...I hand him the ball)

Braden: "Tink you."

Me: "You're welcome."

Braden "Mommee, Mommee"

Me, "What Braden"

Braden: "Mommee, I wuv you"

Me: "What did you say?" (in disbelief)

Braden: "I wuv you, I wuv you." (practically singing the words)

Me: "I love you, too (with a lump in my throat)

Hugs.

It was a big moment for me. Not because he pretty much said a full sentence, but because of the sentence he said. It is nice to hear something you are not expecting. And the way his little face looks when he is saying those three little words is just priceless.

So here it is Friday and we have been hearing "I wuv yous" all week long. Now this morning I think he used these words to his advantage (he's a fast learner). I am vacuuming his bedroom when all the sudden the vacuum looses power. I turned around to only see Mr. Braden with the plug in hand. Immediately I went to him for a nice little scolding and right before I took the plug and told him no he says...

"I wuv you mama".....

RESULTS....finally!

Maybe you missed me the past few weeks; or you may not have even realized I was gone. Anyhow...now that I have come out from under my rock, let me explain myself.

It started exactly two months ago (August 7th) when I had the pleasure of having my first mammogram (which took 4 doctors, 5 sonograms, several calls to the insurance company and nearly two years).

Backing up even further....about the same time I found out I was pregnant with Braden, I also found a lump under my left arm close to my breast area. At the time I brought it to the attention of my OB/GYN and General Practitioner who both recommended a sonogram. So I had sonogram after sonogram; results always being "normal". Last fall I had noticed the lump appeared larger and contacted my GP. This time I went in with lots of questions and demanded a mammogram. I still got the run-around. No one could (or did) tell me what the lump was. I became tired of hearing...you’re too young to have breast cancer; you have no "real" family history, blah, blah, blah. In January our insurance plan changed and so did my doctor. I struck out a few times finding a doctor who agreed with me (the age and no family history story), but finally this summer I found one that did.

My appointment took forever. I had the mammogram first followed by a sonogram. It was the sonogram that took so long. The technician left the room several times to consult with a “person on the outside”. At one point when she came back in the room I finally asked if we were finished. That’s when she hit me with, “We have a few more areas we need to look at”. What? So I laid back down while she examined the opposite breast I came in for. At this point I was pretty confused and asked what she was looking for. For those of you who have had a sonogram know there is a “secret code” technicians speak in, which equals squat. Anyhow....when I was finally able to get dressed she then tells me, “The doctor would like to speak with you”. Okay...I was not expecting this.

Not too much longer.....I heard the dreaded words that no one ever wants to hear "The good news is" followed by "and the bad news is". I remember thinking surely this guy is not going to tell me I have cancer. In that moment (before anything was even said) I must have played out several scenarios in my head.

My good news....he believed the area under my left arm to be Lipoma (a fatty tumor) and the bad news they found two other lumps (one in each breast) and they were abnormally shaped. He suggested I see a breast surgeon and advised a needle biopsy. I walked out of his office feeling okay...this is going to be fine...it is what it is....I will deal with it. Whatever I need to do I will.

My "great" attitude lasted all of a few days. (For those of you who know me well, you know I always prepare for the worst). I made my appointment with the surgeon for the needle biopsy, but could not get in until the 8th of September. The wait seemed like forever. On the morning of the appointment Danny went with me. We met Dr. Marquez whose was really nice. She was very patient with me and answered all of my crazy questions. She did a sonogram in the office and found yet another lump (GEEZE!). After a lot of discussion the decision was made to do a surgical removal of the lumps with a full biopsy instead of the needle biopsy. The lump under my arm was already double the size of what she recommended to be removed and she felt there was no reason for me to go through the biopsy process twice. We agreed. So it was as easy as that.....surgery. And of course this meant more waiting. (Something I should have been completely used to by now.)

Surgery was scheduled and happened on the 4th of October. It was a really LONG wait and I am happy to say it is over. I was out of it the first day or so and really sore, but a huge cloud lifted yesterday when I finally received my negative results. The tumor under my arm was indeed Lipoma and the two lumps removed from my right breast were Fibro adenomas which are benign breast tumors. I am SO relieved. This was by far the scariest thing I have gone through. I was not scared for myself as much as I was scared for my children and Danny. Just the thought of being sick and not being able to do all the things I needed to for them was so completely overwhelming to me.

I know there are a lot of women out there that are not as lucky as I am and my heart goes out to them. This process has changed me and made me realized how one trip to the doctor can change your life. It never really hit me before now. I am not going to lie….I was scared and I was angry. I was angry at myself for not standing my ground in the beginning and waiting so long to get my answers. I read several stories of other women who did similiar things I did and were not so lucky. I could not help but to think that could be me. I will definitely speak up in the future regarding what I want for my health and takes steps to protect it. I have a follow-up mammogram in February and will not miss it for nothing.

I guess I really wanted to share this with everyone because through this process I read a lot about breast cancer (thanks to the web) and was astounded by the number of women it effects and will effect. I think if you make yourself familiar with this disease you will be amazed as I was.

Getting Better/Shoe Thief

I think we are slowly getting back to "normal" around here. Braden seems to be doing better since he has been on antibiotics. We have been fever free for several days and there is just a hint of a runny nose left. He's still pretty clingy and not at his best, but I am sure it is due to the HUGE molars he has coming in. I put my finger in his mouth the other day and his poor gums (tops and bottoms) are so swollen. I am hoping they break through any day. I feel for him.

The Missing Shoe....

In our house we have adopted the rule: put your shoes away. And "put away" means tucked deep inside the closet with the door closed. I know what some of you are thinking and this has nothing to do with my OCD cleaning habits. Nope, we have a little shoe thief. You literally can not leave your shoes out in this house. Just come for a visit; leave your shoes at the door and watch what happens. If Braden's around you can count on him modeling them or hiding them like a dog does a bone. I can not tell you the number of places I have found shoes (toy boxes, laundry hampers, trash cans, diaper pails, you get the picture).

Take Brynn's brand new Tinkerbell shoes (earlier post) for instance. We bought them about two weeks ago and we are already missing one. We have a hunch who took it, but we are not pointing fingers. A few days ago he was trying them on and obsessing over the blinking lights. It will turn up soon...and when it does a new hiding spot will be revealed (as I have already checked the others).

I am not quiet sure where Braden gets this obsession with shoes (maybe his mom??), but it truly is an obsession. He can be playing contently with his toys and catch sight of a lonely pair of shoes and heads to their rescue. I wish I had a photo for every time I have caught him in a pair of shoes (wait that would reveal how many pairs of shoes I have)! Anyhow, here are a few photos of Braden modeling some of the shoes he has manage to put on and walk away with (with the exception of daddy's shoes, he could not walk in these).

Mommy's shoes... Daddy's shoes...

Brynn's shoes...

Okay...so I'll be back meant I'll be back in a few days.

Wow, this past week turned out to be pretty busy around here. I'll start on back on Tuesday when I picked Brynn up from school....

She was so excited to see me and Braden. We were greeted with an ear to ear smile, hugs and kisses. Her teaches had only nice things to say about her. They said she was extremely helpful, easy-going and listens to directions well. That was nice to hear and I was very pleased she behaved so well. On the way home she told us all about her day. She left nothing out (literally). When we got home she crashed out hard. I did not have any nap arguments at all. She had a great first day!

On Brynn's second day of school she had a really nice surprise when she walked into class. Her friend Callie, who is in her dance class is now also in her class at school. They were so excited to see each other. There are 13 children in her class and only five of them (including Brynn) are girls. I am glad she has a friend she already knows in class with her. She is loving school!

Braden on the other hand did not have the best week. He came down with a cold on Monday and it progressively got worse as the week went by. He was so congested he could barely breath. Nothing over-the-counter was working for him and he had not napped once all week. He was miserable and I was going crazy. On Thursday I gave up and took him to the doctor. A week before this cold started he had just finished antibiotics for an ear infection. I thought maybe he had another one. We left the doctors office with a decongestant, but no ear infection. Friday was a nightmare...I think I carried him around all day long. He was so miserable; my heart just broke for him. By late Friday afternoon (isn't that when it always happens) he started running 103.8 fever. Okay...so now I know something is wrong with him. I was able to get a hold of his doctor and she actually called in an antibiotic for him without us having to make a special trip which was nice. Right now as I type he is taking his first nap in almost week! Hopefully he recovers soon. I need my happy go lucky little boy back.

Me...well besides spending my whole week with a sick child, working and doing all my other mommy/housewife duties I have been preparing for a garage sale I was going to have today with several other friends. Hurricane Ike changed our plans. Our weathermen were predicting 100% chance of rain and 30-45 mph winds, not really garage sale weather. We decided to postpone the garage sale until next weekend. Of course with the hurricane shifting a little before making landfall we woke up this morning to no rain and winds around 15-20 mph. I still think we made the right decision. Any wind and garage sales just do not mix well.

I spent most of the morning watching the news about the effects of hurricane Ike. It is so sad. I can not even imagine going through what these people went through. The devastation they must feel. We have friends and family (on Danny's side) that live in the Houston area who did evacuate and are safe. We are praying they are able to return back to there homes and with little or no damage. (We are thinking of you!!)

Off to "school"...

I dropped Brynn off at "school" today for the very first time and it went REALLY well. It almost went too well! When we walked in her classroom Ms. Judy and Ms. Mary were there to welcome her. We put her backpack and lunch box in her cubby and she immediately gathered at the little table with the other children to play with playdoh. I was shocked and surprised! I expected a little clinginess, but there was none of that. My little girl is growing up (sniff). She gave me a kiss and hug and told me to "just come back later to get her". Wow! Of course it made it SO much easier to leave her knowing she was comfortable. I know she is going to have a great time.

Brynn walking into school........
Brynn in classroom.......
Her cubby....
Playing playdoh...
It was a good thing she was so easy since her little brother decided to throw a fit while we were there. He was not ready to leave her behind (or maybe he wanted to stay himself). Let's just say he made a memorable exist. :o) He screamed and cried most of the way home.

Stay turned for the rest of the story....

Never say never.....

"My children will never wear shoes/clothing with cartoon characters on them"

Of course those words were spoken before life with children and up until today those words rang true (with the exception of Dora the Explorer pajamas.)

I took Brynn shopping for shoes this evening (she has literally grown out of every pair she has). We came home with two pairs of tennis shoes. My pick ~ a conservative white pair with a pink stripe. Brynn's pick ~ the Tinkerbell shoes that light up when she walks. As much as I have always been against character shoes, I must say she did choose a pretty conservative pair. (It could have been a lot worse.) Plus when she put them on I could not help but notice the ear to ear smile (a feeling I know all to well). The shoes were in the bag when she realized they lit up when she walked. Before this day she never knew a shoe like this existed! We celebrated by going to McDonald's for Happy Meals!

P.S. Character shoes really are not all that bad....

"Lowercase Letters"

This morning we went to pick up Brynn's new lunch box and backpack for school. She will be attending a Mother's Day Out program two days a week starting next Tuesday. She is really excited about going to "school" and having her very own lunch box and backpack. So last week we were in search of the perfect pink lunch box and backpack. Needless to say, we never found them in pink, but we did find a lunch box and backpack in turquoise with pink and white polka-dots. She was so excited they matched, but very disappointed they were not pink. (Who knew this would be so difficult). To satisfy her pink cravings I decided to have her name monogrammed in bright pink on both the lunch box and backpack. She was thrilled.

So today when we picked up the lunch box and backpack she wore it proudly for the ladies in the store. It was not until we got home and she looked closer at them and said "Mommy, who's name is on this" I thought, oh no did we get the wrong one? I looked at the bags and sure enough they both said Brynn on them. I told her it is your name. She replied, "Well, somebody does not know how to write my R and N's." It took me a second, but I realized the bags were monogrammed in lowercase letters. I had to chuckle. She only recognizes her capital letters. So of course to her it looked wrong. So this afternoon we had a lesson about lowercase letters. Her response to the lesson "I am glad there are more letters".

Getting Started.....

Okay....here it is my second attempt at blogging. My first attempt was so short-lived, you never knew it existed. I have decided to give blogging another try with the hopes of better execution. Before I begin I would like to add the following disclaimer:

• I can not promise to post everyday (my life is not that exciting).
• Spelling and grammatical errors will occur (I am human).

For all of you out there who have decided to continue reading....I'll be back.