Just like his brother

Andrew fell at the playground last week and busted his elbow. He has been wearing this homemade sling while we wait for the appointment with the orthopedist.

Thomas grabbed the scarf today and started wrapping it on himself. Cute boy wants to be just like his brother. I can't really blame him.

I Spy Sunday quiet bags

So I just whipped out a quick project.

I am constantly racking my brain for new ideas to keep the littles entertained and reverent during church. Mostly it's selfish because I get nothing out of the meeting if I am finding new activities for them every 35 seconds.

Anyway, I looked into making these I Spy bags a few years ago, but decided it would be too expensive to buy all the filler toys and pebbles. I gave up, but have always kept the idea in mind.

My mind started turning last week after a particularly trying meeting. I unearthed a "quiet book" that I made years ago, but I still thought i needed something more for the big boys. The I Spy bags came back to mind.

Who ever said I had to buy anything or that the bags had to be just like the ones my friends have for their children?I don't roll that way.

I used fabric from my scrap box, mini toys and loose items from the kids' toy box (that I normally throw away once a month when I sort the toys), and rice and lentils from the food storage. Free! Free! Free!

I am excited to give these to the kids on Sunday and see what they think!

What do you spy?

Stark contrast

Just in case you forgot what my old sofa looked like, I am including this photo. We bought these couches used 5 years ago. It was a set, once upon a time, but we downsized to just the sofa when we moved to Austin.

Yes, it is official! I love love LOVE my new couch!

Better lighting

I didn't think the last photo did the couch color justice, so here is another. And I have decided to document the only time Andy and josh will ever be allowed to sit on the couch.

Have a nice day!

Our new sofa

I have been looking for a new sofa for our family room for a while now. I knew what I wanted (leather), the color I wanted (and orangey raspberry like in the waiting room of Thomas' speech therapist), and the price I wanted (inexpensive). Not an easy combo.

I hit the eureka when I happened into a furniture store next to Chuck E. Cheese this morning (that is a whole other story). I loved it the moment I saw it an went back later to bring home with me. The color is pomegranate, it is leather, and the price was more than perfect.

Welcome home, splash of color!

Cruising through

Our Thomas is two today. If I hadn't have been present for every day of his life, I wouldn't have believed that the time had passed so quickly to arrive at this milestone.

Down syndrome wasn't a surprise when Tommy was born. We had known for months that he more than likely had that extra chromosome. I was as prepared emotionally as I could be at his birth. Somehow, I told myself, it will all work out. Love will get us through.

Oh heavens, has it worked out. And it wasn't just our love for him: his unfailing love and trust is us has been the key in his first two years. Our Thomas has exceeded our expectations so many times. Even as I write that, why do I sound so surprised?

He is a Webb! Just like his older brothers he loves to run, play with balls, wrestle, climb, ride bikes, and be outside. His dinosaur collection keeps him occupied for minutes (that is hours in two-year-old talk). He also loves to snuggle and gives the best hugs, accompanied by a soft pat on the back.

He can make a mess with the best of them (while I write this he is throwing his cereal on the carpet), but all's forgiven when he melts my heart with his snaggle-tooth grin.

He is more alike than different, this Thomas of ours. And we are so glad he is ours.

Happy birthday, Whoots! We love you!

A little piece of heaven

Here are my crazy kids outside the San Antonio temple on our most recent visit with Gram and Pawpaw.

A little something they missed

I made a batch of rolls to go with dinner on Sunday. It has been a while since I was able to share them with mom and dad. Dad may or may not have shed a tear when he bit into the homemade-blackberry-jam-smothered-very-small-loaf-of-bread.

Say that five times fast.

Story Time

I am such a lucky girl. My wonderful parents came to visit for seven days. They spoiled us all with their time and attention and love (and made me just a little bit homesick).

We took a trip to San Antonio, ate lunch with second cousins in Blanco, played UNO, watched Castle (the whole first season), ate ice cream, rode scooters with the kids (a photo of my mom scootering would have been priceless), and visited the kids' schools.

It was a wonderful visit! Thanks for coming, mom and dad! Come again soon!

L is for the way you look at me

Andrew's valentine performance.

Be advised

After seven years of marriage I have figured a few things out. I thought I would clue him in.

I sent this text to Kraig this morning:

"I am not sure what your vday plans are, but please do not spend money on getting flowers delivered. If you choose to buy me flowers, I just want you to know that I care what YOU pick out for me, not what the florist thinks I want. And it means more to have you walk in with the flowers, not having to sign for them from a stranger. "

Happy Valentine's day!

So? Do you like flowers delivered or not?

A smile as big as a spoon

Snack Packs make everything all better.

If you look closely, you can see the healing shingles on his chest, just above the pudding cup. Who would have guessed my two year old could get shingles.

I can do hard things

Thomas is perpetually sick: his nose is constantly running; we have a standing appointment every two weeks at the pediatrician to check the fluid in his ears (and see if it has developed into yet another infection); and with Joshy and Andy both in school, someone is always passing along a new cough.

Last week we hit the trifecta. I took Thomas to his regular appointment to check his ears and the doctor informed me that it had, in fact, become infected. No problem! Bring on the antibiotics. And what about this new rash he has developed on his back and chest? Hmmm. Looks like shingles. Let's add a round of antiviral medicine to his prescriptions. That fever and cough? Might be related to the ear infection, but get a chest X-ray, just in case. Sure enough, it is pneumonia!

As I rushed Thomas to the ER I could not get my emotions and tears under control. Uttering my silent pleas, I felt helpless and alone as I was about to face another hospital stay, with a new set of nurses and doctors, an unknown set of possible problems and outcomes.

Kraig met us at the hospital doors. He was there to hold my hand and to hold Thomas during his multiple examinations, pokes and prods. I had hastily packed an overnight bag for Thomas and myself, but Kraig selflessly volunteered to stay the night with Tommy at the hospital, releasing me from the anxiety of poor night's rest due to the beeping machines and endless nurse rounds.

Assuring me that he would call if anything happened, I left Kraig and Thomas and headed home to pick up Andy and Josh from the neighbor's house. As I wound around on the roads leading home, the peace and comfort I had been praying for on the drive to the hospital finally washed over my soul. The Lord knew of my situation. More importantly, I knew He cared for Thomas and was aware of his needs. My baby was in the most capable of Healing Hands.

I am not alone. I am walking along this journey with my best friend's hand in mine, being led by the Savior as our guide.

I got this. I can do hard things.

Roughing it

Josh just discovered some decaying animal across the street from our house...and he brought it to me. Eww. Such a little boy. I can be grateful he didn't bring it in the house, right?

Pumping Something

We have turned a page. There is very little this almost two-year old won't attempt. Where before he was content to sit back and watch, these days he is right in the thick of it all--biking, running, kicking, wrestling with the best of them. Or trying to, anyway.

We have added some more therapy to our regime. In addition to the three therapists that come to our home twice a month each (that's six visits, if you're counting), we have added two more weekly sessions at an outpatient facility for some additional speech and occupational therapy. That's just the beginning because the object is to work him up to four appointments a week at this facility as soon as everyone's schedules reach nirvana. Yes, that is 22 therapy appointments each month at it's pinnacle.

He seems to tolerate it all fairly well. He loves his therapists and he loves to play, which is what he does best: loving and playing.