Surgery

So we've learned in the past few weeks that both Brock and Avery are good candidates for surgical removal of their adenoids (tissue found behind the nose) as well as tossils for Brock. The ENT told us that Avery has a 70% obstruction in her breathing through nose. This is no surprise to me because she's always been a big mouth breather as well as a snorter. The issue now is that I want to have the surgery done, but Travis doesn't. I feel very confident in the pediatric ENT who told us that she would never recommend a surgery if she did not feel that it would improve their quality of live.

Luckily or not, after Brock's appt. with Dr. White at Atlanta Children's ENT, http://atlantachildrensent.com/ he would benefit more from the surgery now since he is starting school and is older. For the time being, we are going to hold off on Avery's surgery until Jan or so or until I can convince Travis it is a good decision.

Brock is now schedule to have a Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy on September 23. We tried really hard to have it done in the next two weeks before his birthday, the start of school and Jeff's wedding, but it isn't going to work out given the restriction post-opt.

I don't think Brock understands what is going to happen, which is a good thing, but I do. And, now that I have a 7 weeks till surgery, I can think, second-guess, etc. our decision. However, I feel confident that this is the right decision for him because I do not want him to go through being constantly sick like I was all throughout school because of his MASSIVE tossils that he inherited from me, my brother and my mom (both my mom and I had them taken out, but much later in life). I didn't get my out till I was 18 right before college and it sucked!

Stayed tuned for more details.

Dare I say no more diapers?

So not only did Travis and I have an amazing time in San Diego, but we came back to our daughter who's decided on her own - she wants to use the potty at all times. So....dare I saw we are finally DONE WITH DIAPERS?

Could it really be true? I would be the happiest person on earth if this is the case. She's done an excellent job everywhere but school the past two weeks. It turns out at school, our little princess is not fond of the toliets, really? Isn't it suppose to be the reverse?

Stay tuned for the official annoucement as we are SO CLOSE.

Happy 30th Birthday

We're in sunny San Diego on a surprise birthday getaway weekend celebrating Travis 30th Birthday. No kids and just the two of us, can I tell you how excited I am? We'll be sure to post photos when we get back.

Happy Birthday honey, we love you.

Random Summer Carnival

We met up with the aunts and uncles and some friends Saturday night for a parking lot carnival near the Heil's house and had a great time. Brock loved all the rides and Avery - not so much. It was hot, but a nice Saturday evening with family and friends.

Sunny Days

Hanging with the cousin

Heather, Jason and Lars stopped over the other evening, we haven't had too much time with Lars lately with our busy schedules. Brock and Avery had fun running through the sprinkles and soaking Uncle Jason. Pretty soon Lars will be able to keep up with Brock and Avery, just a matter of time before they all three are running around like maniacs.

Blessings

You don't realize how lucky you are in life until you hear of something bad happening. This weekend was one of those times. A friend from college had to make the decision to let his nine month old son go and while I haven't spoken with him in years, my heart aches for them and what they are going through. My only hope is that with time, their wounds will heal and they can enjoy life again. I couldn't help but question why he and his wife had to go through that. I had been following their journey since he was born and as a parent myself felt drawn to their story. To read their story, visit reidelley.blogspot.com.

It makes me realize how lucky Travis and I are to have two beautiful and most importantly HEALTHY children. Take a moment to count your blessings as you don't realize how in an instant - it can all change.

Silly Hat Day

Today was Silly Hat Day at school and Brock and Avery went in high fashion, lol. We augmented hats they had around the house at about midnight the night before.

No more pacifer

We kept saying we'd get rid of it before her second birthday and Sunday was her second birthday and we bit the bullet and did it. Well, my friend Amy actually is the one that did it. We had a bunch of friends out to the lake for Memorial Day weekend and Sunday was her "real" birthday and while we were making cupcakes that morning to celebrate, I was talking about how we needed to do it and Amy asked Avery for the "bebe" and told her she was a "big girl" now and didn't need it and proceeded to throw it away in the trash can right in front of her.

Needless to say, Avery was not pleased with Amy, do you blame her? However, Avery has not had it since and it is Thursday - I'm so proud of her.

It's been a little more of a struggle to get her to go to sleep (but nothing like it was with Brock). She's done really well and only asked for it a few times. Last night when we were sitting in her new big girl bed, she said "No bebe, big girl bed".

Bugs - we are so proud of you.

Big Girl Bed

So we did it, we decided it was in fact time to move Avery to the big girl bed. This was her birthday present and it arrived yesterday and she couldn't be more in love with it. In fact, even though her mattress doesn't come till next week, she wanted to sleep in it so we took Brock's bunk mattress and used it for the time being (this is why there are no sheets, her mattress is actually an XL twin). I didn't expect her to love it at first, but I was definitely wrong. I wanted to set it up so she would start "getting" used to it. So, looks like we are done with the crib and will be dis-assembling it this weekend and moving it to the lake. It is going to be very strange not having a crib in our house anymore, dare I say "I think we are really done with the thought of having more kids?"

Here are some pics from her first night in her "big girl" bed. Our baby girl has definitely jumped to little lady status in the past few days since turning two. She's given up her "bebe" also known as the pacifer (not by choice I might add) and the crib - I'm impressed.

Memorial Day Weekend

Happy Second Birthday

While we celebrated Avery's birthday with all our friends and family on the 22nd, we did have a little celebration today for her "real" birthday. It was nice because we had some friends and my parents out at the lake with us - so we made cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday to her that evening.

In the morning, we sang Happy Birthday to her in bed and she kept saying "again, again." I think we sang it five or six times, lol.

Happy Birthday my little bugs, I can't believe you are TWO. It seems like only yesterday that we were bringing you home from the hospital as the newest member of the Hacker family. We love you dearly.