EYE SURGERY

It has been a long and wild week. I was scheduled to get cataract surgery on Monday but decided to reschedule because my current Dr. didn't put in the Crystalens I wanted. I was then referred to another Dr. in his practice who happens to have a law degree as well. He informed me that he wouldn't perform surgery on me since I am 22 weeks pregnant although his partner had already agreed, but I can respect his opinion. He thinks it is an elective surgery where I feel it isn't elective since I can't see anything but shadows out of my right eye. I am basically blind if I close my left eye. Rob's brother Tom had given us the number to his eye Dr. in Sioux Falls, SD and we had been talking and consulting with him, so on Monday I called him and asked if he would perform cataract surgery on me. He agreed and asked if next week would work for me and I let him know next week wasn't good for us. He then asked what about this week and before I knew it he had me scheduled for surgery on Wed. March 31st. Dr. Vance Thompson is my eye hero. We headed up to Sioux Falls on Tues and early Wed morning I went to Dr. Thompson's office to get worked up and answer any last minute questions and then off to the hospital at 11am for my surgery. Dr. Thompson is very nice and wonderful and so is his office staff. I don't think I could have had a more pleasant cataract experience. It is odd being on the end of receiving care rather than giving the care, but I got minimal drugs during surgery and was pleasantly awake the whole time. We did have a surgical complication where my lens sac tore a bit, but he was still able to put in my advanced lens. After surgery he explained how my lens was swollen and giving my eye a lot of pressure so it was good I took it out now rather than later because he has seen them cause glaucoma problems due to the cataract leaking into the lens sac. Scary, so I feel more validated having the surgery while 22 weeks pregnant. I had no idea it could be that serious. One thing is for sure, I took my vision for granted. I am very thankful and blessed I got it taken care of.

Rob thought he was being funny taking my picture while I was in pre-op for eye surgery. My eye HERO-Dr. Vance Thompson
One day after surgery with a good eye report.

Got Milk

Can I submit a got milk photo if it really isn't milk, but a milk product. Mason was eating his yogurt at the table as usual and asked me to look at him. He informed me he had a mustache.

My Eyes

We have been on a wild ride lately with my eyes. About a year and a half ago right before we moved to Omaha the eye Dr. informed me I had cataracts. I thought I was being punked and gave a big SHUT The FRONT DOOR expression. I followed up with an eye Dr. here in Omaha 9 months ago and she confirmed I had posterior sub capsular cataracts in both eyes with the right eye being more severe. I didn't notice my cataracts too much, but was bothered with glares. I don't fit any of the molds on why I could have cataracts, I'll have to blame it on my genes. It's hard having proof my genes aren't perfect. About a month ago I really started noticing a change in my right eye. I thought it was due to the sun finally coming out and giving me glares off the melting snow. Hard to admit it, but I was wrong. Even out of the sunshine and snow it felt like I had something in my right eye that I just couldn't wipe away. If you have ever used eye make up remover with oil in it or gotten vaseline in your eye it feels comparable to that, but worse. If I closed my left eye, I could see how many cars were in front of us or a persons outline with a few details a month ago. If I close my left eye now all I can see is a world of white with a few shadows. I can't see cars in front of us and hard to see if anyone is standing in front of me let alone how many. SCARY!!!!!!! I met with the eye surgeon last weekend and was scheduled for cataract surgery today, but I am going to postpone it. I never knew you had options when picking out a new eye lens and they all come with a long list of pros and cons. After a lot of praying and deliberation I have decided on a Crystalens. The Dr. I was scheduled with today does not put them in so I have to find a different Dr. that will do the surgery awake and take an almost 22 week pregnant lady. Wish us luck and keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

Soccer Fun

Mason wasn't near as apprehensive with soccer this round. He was more excited to play and didn't take near as long to warm up to the idea of playing. We skipped nap time so we could do the Easter Hunt and then went to soccer right after. He was hyped up on sugar and it was like a switch when the sugar high wore off. While he was playing soccer he started rubbing his eyes and lost his motivation to get the ball, I told Rob I should have put a piece in my pocket for him, it had to be rough coming down from his sugar high. We got a huge kick out of them having to wear jerseys, don't worry Mason didn't play in his jersey dress they switched him into one more fitting but not before Rob captured the moment.

Easter Egg Hunt

Our neighborhood association had the yearly Easter Egg Hunt today. I don't know why they call it a hunt, all they do is place the eggs in an open field, but the kids seem to enjoy it. Last year we were 5 min late and missed the "hunt" but not this year. We predicted that Mason would only go after the blue eggs, but he proved us wrong and got a rainbow of colors, he also would bring eggs to Ellery because she was a bit overwhelmed with all the people and commotion. I think if we would have given her a piece of candy before the "hunt" or opened an egg to show her what was inside it would have changed her apprehensiveness. Ellery wanted nothing to do with the Easter Bunny while Mason would have held his hand all around the park.

Rain Rain GO Away

Mason and Ellery get a kick out of singing the song "Rain Rain Go Away Come Again Another Day Little Mason or Ellery Want To Play Rain Rain Go Away". We woke up this morning to a cold wet and dreary day and instead of letting it kill our mood I decided to put coats and boots over PJ's and go and play. I have no idea why I don't do this more often it brought a lot of joy to all.

Bike Ride

The weather has finally started warming up to mid 50's and if we are really lucky low 60's. The good news is our snow if finally gone, but this wind still hinders our outside play. Rob braved the wind on a mid 50's day and took the kids out on a bike ride. They insisted on wearing sunglasses like daddy. Ellery is such a big girl she puts hers on herself and doesn't want any help correcting them even if they are upside down. I am glad I can use the pregnant excuse this summer for not having to pull the trailer behind me, not sure what I will use next year, but I have some time to figure that one out.

Do Your Friends Scratch You and How Are You Doing

I played Bunco with my friends last night and when I picked Mason up from school today he asked me if my bunco friends scratched me. "Do your bunco friends scratch you mommy?". I told him my friends don't scratch, but then I asked him if his friends scratch him and he said yes. One of his friends in school scratched him and he was obsessed with looking at his new scratch along with showing it off. This could be useful in years to come. I can state my Bunco friends drink a lot, do yours?

Another funny Masonism was (I can use was because when I went to capture it on video, he finally answered correctly) when anyone asked him "How are you doing" he would look at them and say nothing but he would hold up 3 fingers or he would say 3. After multiple times of this occurring and us correcting him with not how old you are, but how are you doing he is currently on track. Although the only emotion he has ever answered with has been happy.

Baby # 3 is a .....

We had our 20 week ultrasound today and we stayed strong and didn't find out the sex of the baby. They did however give us a dvd with a copy of all the pictures so I am wondering if we watched it if we would figure it out, so we aren't going to watch it. With Mason, Rob and I didn't know but our friends and family knew, everyone knew with Ellery, and nobody is going to know with this one. I have to say it was harder today than I remembered it being with Mason, but I worked though my week moment with Rob's help. Measurements and fluid levels are measuring normal and baby is about 14 oz and a mover. It took the ultrasound tech a few extra tries on lots of images because little one wouldn't hold still. I am hoping to let Mason feel it kick, he has to give my belly a hug and kiss every night. He puts his head to my belly and thinks he hears it burp, and it makes him laugh. He also isn't convinced the baby isn't in my belly button, but we are working on that. We are really excited to meet this little one!

Soccer Fun

Today was Mason's first organized sporting event and it just so happened to be soccer. Rob was boasting with pride. He was more timid at the beginning, but warmed up to the idea eventually. He is defiantly one of the tallest 3 year olds playing and very excited to be involved even if he doesn't fully understand the concept quite yet.

Faithful Friend

Some things never get old or left behind. Double remains a trustful and faithful friend in Mason's dreams. I hope his dreams are as sweet as they appear to be

S-T-R-E-T-C-H

We have no idea where Mason got his "stretching moves" but he has some. He is going to go to his first soccer practice/game on Sunday so Rob got him shin guards and socks and they are a huge hit. I don't really have to tell you how excited he is, he is already stretching himself out for his big game.

Happy St. Pats Day

Our little green leprechauns, that bring joy to our lives.Grandma Debbie used to give her son green milk on this Happy Day so I decided to do it for my kids. I contemplated going a bit darker, but decided not to since I was serving it in clear glass glasses for maximum color effect.

I think I made a wise choice!
No one cries over spilled milk in this house.

Guess what we are baking

I am still not blessed with non messy eaters, while it makes for a nasty clean up sometimes, it sure does give me a good chuckle too. Guess what we are baking today from the remnants left on these faces? I decided to make brownies with the kids. They kept their fingers out of the bowl, helped crack the eggs, and were magic pot stirs'. Yet when Mason got some slimy egg on his fingers he was done with the eggs while Ellery kept saying "I do" as Mason was saying no more for me. I realize brownie mix has raw egg, but the spoon licking delight outweighed the salmonella hazard. I grew up eating raw brownie mix. When I was in middle/high school and hadn't joined the working force on summer breaks I used to pass the mornings away with my friends playing cards and eating raw brownie mix until the pool opened at noon.

Not Quite a King but Close

We have actually been putting some thought on where we should put the new baby and what we need to do to get prepared. We spent yesterday afternoon moving around furniture and getting started. We made the executive decision to put Mason in the queen size bed. We moved the queen from the guest upstairs into Mason's room and his twin into soon to be Ellery's room so her room can become the babies room. We told her she could start sleeping on a big girl bed when she no longer needed diapers to give her some incentive to help jump start her non existent thrill for potty training. Just when I get used to seeing Mason in a twin bed we switch him to a queen and he looks so small and precious again. He was tickled to have a new bed and a new room. We moved the dresser and chest of drawers from the basement spare into his room. We are using the chest for clothes but we currently aren't using the dresser drawers. Mason and Ellery have had fun putting toys and stuffed animals in different drawers.

Daylight Savings Time

I always hear funny stories that happen to people regarding daylight savings time, but have never been able to join them....until now. Rob and I took the kids out last night and watched the Big 12 Championship game at the Pub with some friends and had a great time. We were reminded to set our clocks forward after our victory, but failed to do the task and didn't even realize we failed until 10:12 am today.
We got up Sun morning and were up early enough, but not quite. We did our morning routines and left for church a few minutes late but we were only going to be 3-5 min late. I hate being late for church, but when I have Rob and the kids to contend with I have accepted being 5 min late each week. I was excited today because we were going to make it early enough to hear morning announcements rather than have to read them in the bulletins ourselves. We pulled in and I am always amazed at how everyone else is always parked and inside the building while we are driving up. We checked the kids into Sunday school, our first check-mark where they were thinking these people are clueless, but didn't have the urgency to let us know. We then go into church and again I am amazed at how everyone else is situated with coats off etc. I then notice that the choir is already sitting down and think man we are really late. Plus, our pastor is already speaking and I am bummed that I missed morning announcements. We got the last part of a sermon which I am still just confused and the pastor gives the remark lets close on just verse 1 of our hymn. Still I am clueless, but Rob is with it, he looks at me and asks if I set the clocks last night. I laugh and say no, did you? That is when I caught on we were an hour late for church. I can use the pregnancy excuse for not remembering, but I kindly asked Rob what his was and was met with a no comment.

Bon Jovi

I headed out to Bon Jovi with some girlfriends this evening to relive my past. It was a good show, but man have they aged. We had a great time dancing and singing. It is so nice to be singing in a huge stadium because I feel I sound good and can really belt out a tune. What I forget is the person in front of me might not think I am as good as I think! We did have a good time watching the man pass out in the chair next to us and miss the whole concert while a friend in his party fondled him and us every time she passed through. It is a funny thought that we paid money for all of these experiences.

Snow Snow Go Away

Our snow is finally starting to melt and we can see grass. We have also been able to get out and take walks with the whole family and play outside for a bit. The kids are really excited to be out playing longer than 10 min before everyone starts to complain their hands and faces are too cold. It really is nice to see grass and feel spring is finally in the air. We can also hear the birds chirping which is a sweet sound as well. Ellery has her daddy's eyes in color and I think she has his sensitivity to light as well. She LOVES wearing her sunglasses, the sun isn't even shinning on this excursion, but she insisted upon wearing them. I should have gotten a profile picture of her because she takes them on and off herself and doesn't bother going under her hat around her ears, she sticks them on the outside of her hat. I am not one for forwards, but this could be one of those forwards that say you have just been hit by a snowball. Yeah, Rob for catching this picture with a snowball coming right at you, and watch out for Mason, he LOVES to throw snowballs.

Ellery 2 Year Check-up

Ellery had her two year check-up and she surprised me on her height and not so much on her weight. Her stats come in as:
Weight: 25 lbs (27%)
Height: 34.75 inches (74%)
Head Circumference: 46.5 cm (24%)
She has stayed a steady curve on the growth charts and hits all other normal milestones along with excelling on a few. She is still our little peanut and cuddle bug. We are going to have to start weaning her on her evening cuddle time so she won't be so jealous of the new baby. Also, we wore big girl panties a few times this week for fun. If she finds a pair she takes her pants off and tries to put them on over her diaper. Hopefully we will have a few slow days soon so we can hit the potty training, wish us luck!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Mason had to dress up silly today for school in honor of Dr. Seuss. He reminded me all morning that he had to dress up silly for school and as we were dressing him he kept asking is this silly. He might not find it so silly now, but give it a few years and I am sure he will find this silly among other things. We got the note sent home from school reminding us last week so we could prepare, but fetal brain drain didn't remind me to prepare so this is the best we could come up with on a short early notice.