A Handful - Plus One

Dear Benjamin,

Today you are six. SIX! That's a whole lot of fingers, as you have so graciously pointed out to me. It's a few more than I'm ready for you to be, but since I haven't figured out a way to stop time, I'm just going to have to roll with it.

This past year has been one heck of a wild ride with you! You have discovered So! Many! New! Things! and have kept us on our toes trying to keep up with you. You can read now, and can add numbers on the fly. Your vocabulary has expanded, if that's at all possible. You have become less selfish and more aware of others and their needs/wants. You can be reasoned with (sometimes) and you say "Please" and "Thank You" without me prompting you (most of the time). You got the Golden Apple award again this year, for Extraordinary Conduct  at School, and we're still in awe that YOU are the one with the good conduct. We were sure that Pre-K was just "taking it easy on you" and that your Kindergarten teachers would be less tolerant of your outbursts. BUT! They promise us that you were a joy to teach, and that you were a good listener and participant. We see this at home, too - but you are our talker, our do-er, our non-stop-energy-entertain-me-all-the-time kid. You throw temper tantrums and cry at the drop of a hat. You annoy Anthony on purpose now, not just by simply "being". And you do it so masterfully that it's hard to discipline you for it.

And at the same time, you are our lover, our sweetheart, our sensitive child. You want cuddles and hugs a million times a day. You want to be rightthereontopofme when we are sitting on the sofa together. At a restaurant, you want to be IN my lap before and after our meal is served. You can't stand to see anyone be sad; you will rush to draw them a picture, or give them a hug, or comfort them in some way.

Your passions this year: Anthony, trains (duh), trucks (duh), Sebastian the Cat, karate, swimming in the pool and showing off what an amazing swimmer you've become, Legos (duh), Play-Doh, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Santa Claus...and so much more.

As annoyed as Anthony gets with you sometimes, he loves you so much. You idolize him, and I think he's not a bad person to emulate. But he is very lucky to have you for a brother, too. You help him to play make-believe, you bring out his imagination, you look up to him so that he WANTS to be a better person because of you.

And every day that I get to be your Mama is the best day on Earth.

I love you more than life itself, doodlebug.

Love,
Mama

Family Photos

A Whole Handful

Dear Benjamin,

Today you are FIVE.  As you put it, you are a "whole hand full"...and we all wholeheartedly agree.  You are, without a doubt, a handful.  And yet, I think we would not have it any other way.

Being FOUR has been a wild ride for you.  Pre-K was awesome - you learned so much, and have come so far from where you were a year ago.  Somehow, you managed to have perfect conduct at school all year long, when at home you are constantly in trouble for mouthing off. Soccer, basketball, t-ball, swimming - you tried it all this year and proclaimed that sport to be your most favorite EVER. You made some new best friends this year, and I was so proud to see you defend them with the fierceness of a mama lion.

Your personality is so colorful, and so beautiful.  You won't be taken for granted, you won't be bullied, you won't be left behind.  You will be my little leader, unafraid of what's in your way.  

I can count on you for hugs, snuggles, and kisses - a million times a day.  You love to draw pictures for us, and insist that they all go on the fridge, or to work, or on my nightstand. 

You have about 6 Post-it-Notes taped to the wall right outside of your bedroom. One is to warn Alexis the Cat that she ought not come in your room. Another is to warn robbers and bad guys that they will face a painful death if they try to steal your toys (or you, for that matter). Another is to welcome your friends and brother (sometimes, but not all the time). I'm not sure what the other three are for. Those descriptions change daily.

You still love trains, planes, helicopters, fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, construction sites - anything and everything that has to do with THINGS THAT GO. When directed to make up a story for you at bedtime, I spin an elaborate tale that involves Thomas the Train, a daring rescue performed by you, possibly a trip to the North Pole to visit Santa, and a crane. Then I get a hug and kiss and you say, "That's the BEST STORY EVER, Mama!"

You make the funniest faces, and say the funniest things. And you repeat things like a little parrot. Where I rarely had to worry about Anthony repeating things I said, I constantly have to worry about that with you. Sarcasm is not lost on you, and you employ your own brand of it with stunning accuracy. It's hilarious to watch someone caught in your crossfire.

Leo is still your beloved stuffed animal. Rarely will you go anywhere without him. And if you do have to leave him behind, you make sure he is surrounded by other friends and you reassure him that you WILL come back for him. The few times he's been left somewhere (like Maw Maw's), we automatically turn around for him. There will be no "going to bed without Leo" for you. You simply won't go to bed. 

You probably don't realize it now, but you've got the best big brother on earth. He lets you (mostly) play with his Legos, he saves a special treat to share with you, he lets you hang out and watch him play a game, he puts aside what he's doing to play with you, he teaches you and loves you. Anthony is so proud to be your big brother, and to lead you (sometimes astray). I hope that the bond between the two of you only grows stronger as you both get older.

Four has been a blast - literally. I'm a bit singed around the edges from this past year. But I wouldn't curb your personality for anything. I can't wait to watch you continue to spread your wings and soar. Just make sure to always come back for snuggles, hugs, and kisses OK?

Love,

Mama

GoodNIGHT, Benjamin!

Bedtime with the boys has always been...elaborate, and sometimes filled with drama. Our typical night time routine includes one last sip of water, brushing of the teeth, going to the potty, reading a book, singing, snuggling with both parents, and one last big kiss. Also, we talk about their day, the stuffed animals talk to them and any burning questions they feel safe asking in the dark are asked.

Bedtime with Benjamin is filled with more drama than Anthony's ever were. He bargains for more books, more songs, more water, less help with teeth brushing, he needs cream put on his legs (you forgot the CREAM? SOB).

And elaborate? Oh, yes. He wants me to sing the first song, Leo to sing the second song, Baby Nemo (or Raffie, or Puppy, or Little Tiger, or Thomas, or Blankie) to sing the next one, and Penguin to sing the last one. He wants to try to tickle them while they sing, or pet them, or hug them, or kiss them - so that they will laugh or purr or snuggle and forget they're singing. And I realize that this is all our (OK, Mark, OK - MY) doing. I love to make his animals talk to him, and I love to hear him laugh. I can't help it.

But Tuesday night took the cake.

We started the bedtime routine around 7:30, which is a little earlier than usual. But since the boys had been off for a week due to Hurricane Isaac, we figured earlier bedtimes might be a good thing.

By 8:15, I was in Anthony's room reading to him, having finished up with Benjamin. Mark was laying with Benjamin and Anthony and I could hear them talking and laughing. By 8:30, Benjamin's door was closed and Anthony and I were finishing up the chapter in the book we're reading.

CREEEEE-AK! Benjamin's door opens. "I haveta go potty," he says. This is typical Benjamin. Even though he just went to the bathroom, he's going to claim a burning desire to potty again. He barely makes a tinkle, flushes, washes his hands (slooooooooooowly...) and walks back to bed. This, of course, requires me to tuck him back in, give him a ton of kisses, and tell him that I love him all the way to the moon and back. And I head back to Anthony's room.

CREEEEE-AK! Benjamin's door opens. "I have the hicc-dups," he says. He's making the most ridiculous fake hiccups I've ever heard. Mark shoos him back to bed, where he switches tactics and begins fake coughing. Clearly Mark does not fall for this trickery and Benjamin goes to bed thwarted.

CREEEEE-AK! Benjamin's door opens. I have JUST finished with Anthony. It's almost 9:00. Benjamin is SOBBING. Big, sad sobby tears. It takes about 5 minutes to get him to calm down enough for us to understand him. By this time, Anthony is awake and comes to see what the commotion is. "I MISS AUGUST! I DON'T WANT SEP-PEMBER! AUGUST IS MY FABORITE MONTH!" Mark and I are torn between laughter and murder. Laughter wins out (this time). Of course, he's crying so hard that he now legitimately has the hiccups.

We calm him down, get him a tiiiiiiiiiiiiiny sip of water, and hustle him back to bed. I talk to him a little about how awesome September is (cooler weather! it's almost October! leaves start to change color!). Anthony gets led back to his bedroom, and all is quiet. Mark looks at me and blames me for Benjamin's drama. Let's be honest: he's right. Benjamin totally got his drama from his Mama.

CREEEEE-AK! Benjamin's door opens. "I haveta go potty!"

It was 9:30 before my children were nestled, all snug in their beds; with visions of a ballistic mother dancing in their heads.

Things to Remember

Benjamin, who talks in a stream-of-consciousness sort of way, in the car dropping the words "dumpster" or "fire truck" into his sentences without pause whenever he sees one.

Anthony at swim practice, so graceful and smooth. On land, his movements are almost awkward and jerky. It's so fun to watch him move through the water, then jump out of the pool to dive in again.

Benjamin, pretending he's a wizard, brandishing his wand and shouting, "Expel-a-marmus!" and then telling us he's Harry Potter.

Anthony is learning to write in cursive. His handwriting is MUCH better in cursive than in print.

Benjamin, riding on his Tow Mater riding toy, with his Thomas the Train ride on toy hooked to the two on the back of Mater. Poor Thomas is always being towed to the shop to be fixed.

Anthony, excited about his (EIGHT YEAR!) transplant anniversary on Friday, wanting to see pictures of himself during that time, and wanting to hear the stories that go with the pictures.

Things to Remember

Benjamin's day so far:

6:25 - wake up to a Valentine's present from Mommy and Daddy: my very! own! MnMs! dispenser! AND, Mommy let me have two! whole! MnMs! before breakfast!

7:00 - delicious breakfast of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and orange juice.

7:45 - splashing in mud and wet grass at the bus stop, and Mommy doesn't even get mad about that! Press my luck by doing it over and over again. Still good!

8:00 - second breakfast of grapes and milk.

8:30 - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and snuggles with Mommy!

8:55 - Mommy swings me around and around for our Mickey Mouse dance; woah, I'm dizzy!

9:00 - Mommy lets me help cut my lunch meat with a KNIFE!

9:05 - Mommy tells me not one, but TWO train stories on the way to school. I giggle and clap my hands in the back seat in excitement.

9:10 - Arrive at school to see a garbage truck just approaching the dumpster to empty it. Mommy and I watch. We hear all kinds of magnificent loud noises and BANGS and then the truck driver HONKS HIS HORN and waves at me.

9:11 - My life is complete.

Math with a Three-Year-Old

Benjamin: Mommy, what's plus one equal?

Me: Ummmmm....I don't know, Benjamin!

Benjamin: Yes, you DO!

Me: Ummmmm....two?

Benjamin: Right! Now, what's plus two equal?

Me: Ummmmm....three?

Benjamin: Right! Now, what's plus three equal?

Me (cottoning on): FOUR!

Benjamin: Right! Now, what's plus four equal?

Me (I've got this in the bag!): Five!

Benjamin: NO!!!!! You so silly, Mommy.

............ pause ..................

Benjamin: Mommy, what's plus PEOPLE equal?

Me: Ummmmm....I don't know, Benjamin!

Benjamin: I believe THAT'S five, actually. Yes.

Me: ..........????????????...................

Touring DC

So it's taken me a little too long to update the rest of the photos, so I'm just going to put a few up here (OK - 16). I want to update with some pictures of our trip to Alabama to ride on the Polar Express, too, so I'm going to do that right after this. Lots of pictures to catch up on!

Remember this photo?


Here he is, two years later!


Riding the Metro (aka: THE TRAIN, MAMA, WE RIDING THE TRAIN)


Anthony had the Metro map memorized by the time we had ridden it twice.


We got to go to the zoo, too! We saw lions (most important), elephants, tigers, orangutans, and found this adorable hat for my littlest lion!


After the zoo, we took the boys on a tour of the Capitol Building. Anthony recently finished a Social Studies unit on the US Government, so this was exciting (and boring) for him!


He did enjoy telling our tour guide that he knew all about the Capitol, though!


We went to the National Archives after the Capitol to let Anthony see the Constitution. We got a little bored waiting in line, so Anthony and I horsed around.




The next day, we went to the Natural History Museum to see the dinosaurs again. Here's another throw-back photo:


And two years later:


After seeing the dinosaurs, we got some popcorn and had some little friends who asked us to share.


That evening, we celebrated Mark's aunt and uncle's 50th Wedding Anniversary. It was such an honor to be there to congratulate them. They are truly a beautiful couple, and an inspiration for Mark and me on what true love is.


My mother-in-law (standing, on the right) with her sister, Carmen (standing on the left) and their sister-in-law, Ina (seated).


Mark, his brothers, and some of their cousins:


Pat and Ina, Charles and Carmen, Mike and Margaret:

Things to Remember

When Benjamin hears something that he doesn't understand, or doesn't WANT to understand, he says, "That don't make some sense!" and shakes his head in disbelief.

How tall Anthony is...never forget how TALL HE IS. The kid comes up to my arm pit! He's not even eight yet! (OK...six days away)...

Benjamin as he's falling asleep in bed, "Mom, I sure do love you."

Anthony laying in bed, with a Harry Potter book clutched to his chest, sound asleep because he got tired of waiting for me to finish with Benjamin's (long, drawn out) bedtime routine.

Benjamin saying over and over in the mornings, "I don't has school today?" and then begging to go to school an hour later.

Anthony in his jammer suit for swim practice: he looks like a stick person! All skinny arms and skinny legs and a big head. People must think we never feed this child.

Benjamin tells everyone, "It's OK if I play this here!" or "It's OK if I has this candy!" or "It's OK if you come wis me and play wis me!" He thinks that tagging on "It's OK" will make it true. Most of the time it does not make it true.

Anthony using logic. "Mom. You said I couldn't have my DSi for the weekend because of XYZ. But it's Monday now. So I'm just going to take my DSi back to my room now....", and he grabs it and runs.

Pictures from the Race

My dad and I finished the race in 33:18! It's the fastest I've ever run three miles. I felt like I was on top of the world yesterday after the race - I could have moved mountains! Instead of actual mountains, though, I came home and moved mountains of homework...BORING!

Anthony and Benjamin both ran the entire 1/2 mile fun run/walk! Anthony was third past the finish line, with a time of 4:40. Benjamin took off and his grandmothers couldn't catch him, so another lady running the 1/2 mile ran with him. They crossed the finish line in 6:44.

My father-in-law, my dad and me before the race.

The walkers/runners.

Anthony crossing the finish line.

Benjamin crossing the finish line.

Anthony doubled back to finish the walk with his grandmothers.

My dad and me at the end of the race.

I love these boys so much!

Running for Anthony; Running for Life

I've given myself (and others) so many excuses over the years about why I can't exercise. Funny enough, my knee has truly been a large part of my problem...sometimes it's just been a really good excuse. But when my orthopedist told me that if I wanted to run, making it clear it's not something he loves the idea of for anyone, all he would ask is that I start slowly.

So I did. I started in June with the Couch to 5K running program. I found that I was able to skip a week, and then a day here and there. I completed the program in 7 weeks instead of 9. And once I had run 3.1 miles a few times inside on a treadmill, I decided to give running outside a try. So on the first cool Saturday in September, I stepped out...ready to go. At one mile, my knee completely gave out on me and I had to practically drag myself back home (thankfully, three houses away). I was so discouraged and angry.

Back to my orthopedist who told me that the popliteal cyst behind my knee was back. I'm on anti-inflammatories now, and running again. My first run was 3 weeks ago. I made a mile and stopped, just wanting to take it slowly.

Today I ran 3.0 miles.

TODAY, I ran 3.0 miles.

Can you tell I'm still in a little bit of a shock? I. feel. GREAT. My knee is happy, my body is happy, I am happy.

And on Saturday, I will run my first "race" (I'm not racing anyone, I promise!). I am running in the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency's Run for Life. It is a 5K (3.1 miles) and I'll be running with my dad and my father-in-law. My mom, mother-in-law and Anthony will do the 1/2 mile walk.

I am running to raise awareness for organ donation. But I'm also running for Anthony. The baby who was so sick that he might not have made it to transplant, except for his awesome team of doctors. The kid, who even when he's sick, has a smile for me and wants to tell me he loves me. The kid, who was throwing up last week, thanking me for holding him while he was throwing up.

I'm running for Benjamin. The baby who reminded me that normal is only what we define it as. The kid who is so FULL of life that I sometimes forget that he needs a snuggle and gentle hand. The kid who just grabbed my leg and said, "You needed a hug, I think." He was right. I did.

I'm not raising money, I'm not asking for donations. All I'm asking for is you to remember how important life is - and to consider being an organ donor.

Thanks.

Softly Exclaiming...

Let me set the scene:

Sunday, September 11, 2011; Maw Maw and Paw Paw's house.
Me: Benjamin, would you like to go pee pee on the potty?
Benjamin: No, I don't think so.

Monday, September 12, 2011; phone call from our house to me, while I'm driving home from school.
Benjamin: Mommy, I go PEE PEE on the POTTY! I got a CANDY!
Me: Wow, way to go!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Could it be true? Is it real? Stay tuned for "Tales from the Deep: Benjamin vs. Potty".

Benjamin's Bed Time Routine

(I'm mostly posting these for posterity's sake; I know it will be fun to look back over these once the boys are older and no longer require songs, stories and night time snuggles.)

(Click here or scroll down for Anthony's Bed Time Routine.)

To start off the bed time routine, I ask Benjamin to pick out one book and he picks out five. We whittle it down to two and we're both happy. He thinks he's pulling a fast one on me, and I'm totally OK with reading two books to him.

Then we get in bed and I tell him a made-up story. As long as Thomas the Train and Benjamin are featured prominently in the story, Benjamin is happy. These are easy stories to tell; he generally rides Thomas, goes to "rescue" someone or goes to visit someone, eats grapes and drinks lemonade in the dining car, and returns home to Mommy and Daddy.

After that, I sing his first song. You'll recognize this one from Anthony's post.
The Benjamin Song
Benjamin, Benjamin, Mommy loves you.
Benjamin, Benjamin, Daddy loves you.
Benjamin, Benjamin, Anthony loves you.
Yes, we do. Boo boo.

Benjamin, Benjamin, Maw Maw loves you.
Benjamin, Benjamin, Paw Paw loves you.
Benjamin, Benjamin, they both love you.
Yes, they do. Boo boo.

Benjamin, Benjamin, Kri Kri loves you.
Benjamin, Benjamin, Mimi loves you.
Benjamin, Benjamin, Uncle Mike loves you.
Yes, they do. Boo boo.

Benjamin, Benjamin, Nana loves you.
Benjamin, Benjamin, Grandpa loves you.
Benjamin, Benjamin, they both love you.
Yes, they do. Boo boo.

Benjamin, Benjamin, Uncle Matt loves you.
Benjamin, Benjamin, Parrain loves you.
Benjamin, Benjamin, they both love you.
Yes, they do. Boo boo.

Benjamin, Benjamin, we all love you.
Benjamin, Benjamin, we all love you.
Benjamin, Benjamin, we all love you.
Yes, we do. Boo boo.

Then it's time for prayers; the same as Anthony:
Now I lay me down to sleep.
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep.
May angels guide me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light.

May God bless Benjamin, Mommy and Daddy, Anthony,
Maw Maw and Paw Paw,
Mimi, Kri Kri, and Uncle Mike,
Nana and Grandpa,
Parrain and Uncle Matt,
and all of our family and friends, Amen.

Then we sing the last two songs together.
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
How I wonder what you are.
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
How I wonder what you are.

This last song is a shortened version simply because the original is too long!
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Somewhere over the rainbow,
Way up high.
There's a land that I've heard of,
Once in a lullaby.

One day I'll wish upon a star,
And wake up where the stars are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
Away above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow,
Blue birds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow,
Why then oh why can't I?

And because it makes him laugh, and puts a smile on his face as he falls asleep, his stuffed lion, Leo, sings one last song.
Frosty the Snowman, the Short Version
Frosty the Snowman was a jolly happy soul.
With a corn cob pipe and a button nose,
And two eyes made out of coal.

Frosty the the Snowman was a fairy tale they say.
He was made of snow, but the children know
How he came to life one day.

There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found.
For when they placed it on his head,
He began to dance around!

Frosty the Snowman had to hurry on his way.
So he waved goodbye, saying, "Don't you cry!"
"I'll be back again some day."

Like with Anthony, I love those few moments with Benjamin at night. He likes to have his back rubbed and I have to hold one of his hands with my other hand. It makes for an awkward position, but he is so sweet that it's hard to mind the crick in my neck afterward.

(Barely) Keeping Up

Sounds heard from the back seat while driving to Maw Maw's today:

Mommy, look dat flag! Dats our Numerican flag, right, Mommy?

Why you go DIS way, Mama? Dis the way to Maw Maw's?

Why you turn left? Why dat's not left? Why dat's right?

Why you stop, Mommy? Why dat's a stop sign, Mommy?

A red light, Mama! You better STOP!

A GARBAGE TRUCK! DO YOU SEE THE GARBAGE TRUCK? IT'S A WHITE GARBAGE TRUCK!

A bus! I see a bus! Is dat Nee Nee's bus, Mama? Why dat's not Nee Nee's bus, Mama? Where dat bus going? It going home to eat lunch? Why buses eat lunch? Buses don't eat lunch! SILLY MAMA!

Hi, choo choo tracks! Why dere no train on the tracks, Mama? Why dere TWO tracks, Mama?

Why you gots to get gas, Mama? Why your car run out of gas if you don't get gas, Mama? Why you gots to drive to New Orleans, Mama?

Maw Maw's house! I see Maw Maw's house! I think Maw Maw wants to play trains wis me, and read books wis me, and play wis me! Maw Maw's my BEST friend, Mama!

BYE, Mama! DON'T BE LATE!!

(Paraphrased, with at least 20 conversations removed for the sanity of my readership.)

Anthony's Clinic Visit and the Transplant Reunion

My grandmother sent me a sweet email to remind me that I still haven't updated on Anthony's clinic visit. Thanks, Gram!

So after the zoo on Friday morning, we went to McDonald's for lunch and back to the hotel for a quick rest.

We got to the hospital around 1:30 and wandered to the cafeteria for a quick cookie and to show Anthony the "sweets display". As you walk into the cafeteria, before you even get to the area to grab a tray, there is a big glass case with all kinds of delicious treats: cookies, cakes, pies, donuts, sugary croissants...YUM! That cafeteria puts all other hospital cafeterias to shame (and there are a few good ones out there). It took a while for the boys to decide on their treats (Anthony: oatmeal raisin, Benjamin: sugar cookie shaped like a Christmas tree (in JULY?), iced in green, with sprinkles, me: chocolate cake).

From there, we checked in at clinic and sat down in the waiting area to enjoy a few rounds of UNO before being called back. Almost as soon as I dealt the first hand, a voice came over the loudspeaker, "Attention, please. Attention, please. There is a fire emergency in your area. Please proceed to the nearest exit." No one moved, everyone looked around confused, and I could see the panic in Anthony's eyes. We all did eventually file out of the building. We hung around outside for about 10 minutes and then we were let back in. No fire today!

Once back inside, we played three or four rounds of UNO and then were called back. Anthony's blood pressure, height, weight, temperature, and eating habits were all recorded and deemed normal (100/64 for his blood pressure is all I remember). The nurse coordinator talked to Anthony about his medicine, and asked if he takes it regularly. She asked a few other questions about school, his likes and dislikes, what has he been up to this summer, etc. I just sat back and let him answer all of the questions. It's fun watching him take charge of his own "care".

The doctor came in (young, attractive, never got his name) and talked to Anthony, too. He checked out Anthony's scar, palpated for his liver and spleen, and asked a lot of the same questions the nurse coordinator asked. Again, Anthony answered everything.

The main question I had for the team was about weaning Anthony off of his anti-rejection medicine. The medicine he takes to fool his body into thinking the transplanted liver is actually his can be hard on the kidneys. Really hard on the kidneys. I don't want to get to that point with Anthony. But right now his kidneys are fine. VERY fine. And if they do start to go bad on this medicine, there is time to fix that. So right now the stance they're taking is, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." and that's fine by me. Even slowly taking Anthony off of this medicine puts him at risk of rejection and losing the transplant. That's super-scary to me; even scarier than kidney issues that can be fixed.

That evening we went to the CoCo Key water resort that is actually inside the hotel where we stayed! It has one big water slide, four smaller ones, some other fun water features, and a splash pond for the littler kids. I don't have any really good pictures of that...it was hard to keep up with both boys AND keep my camera from getting wet! I have a video of Anthony and Benjamin sliding down a small slide together. I'll try to post that soon.

The following day was the transplant reunion. We went to breakfast and then to the Kids' Playroom that the hospital sets up (all in the hotel where we were staying). There was an inflatable bounce house, baseball, golf, target practice, face painting, ring toss, Plinko, Spin Art, and much more. At each of the game stations, you could earn points. Those points could be traded in for a toy at the end of the morning. Anthony chose a game called "Guesstures" and Benjamin chose a fire truck. We went back to the room and played with the games for a little while and then went back to the reunion for lunch.

After lunch, we were able to visit with some of our transplant friends (and we made some new friends!), Anthony got in on the group photo of all liver transplant recipients present, and he was interviewed for the University of Nebraska Medical Center's promotional video! He did a stellar job. It will be posted on You Tube soon, and I'll either imbed it on this website or provide a link so everyone can see it.

We had dinner that night with a fellow transplant recipient. Ali is heading off to K-State for college. She received her liver transplant when she was an infant. We ate with Ali and her mom, Michelle.

The flight home was easy, and we were all glad to see Mark/Daddy in the New Orleans airport. I think next time we'll make a bigger vacation out if it and drive, though.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

We made it to the zoo this morning. We got to see the Big Cats exhibit, the Monkey, Orangutan and Gorilla exhibit, Madagascar room, Biodome, Rhinos, Sea Lions, and a few other interesting exhibits.

We rode the SkyFari gondola and the boys LOVED it. I don't like being up so high in an open ride like that, but I made it! It was really fun to see the zoo from up high, even though my heart was in my throat the whole time! Benjamin kept trying to stand up and wiggled the whole time. It was...nerve wracking. Yes. I'll leave it at that.

We also rode the train. If you know Benjamin, you'd know we would NEVER be allowed to skip riding the train. It was a real steam engine, too, so even Anthony was impressed. The train stopped once to let off some of its steam and the boys were wide-eyed at all the steam coming out from the bottom of the engine.

As we were leaving, it began to rain. We grabbed lunch at McDonald's and came back to the hotel to eat and rest. We'll leave in a few minutes for Anthony's clinic appointment.

Omaha, NE

Anthony, Benjamin and I are in Omaha, NE for the next few days to attend the University of Nebraska Medical Center Transplant Reunion. Anthony will be seen in clinic tomorrow afternoon, and we will go to the reunion on Saturday. Tomorrow morning I hope to take the boys to the zoo.

I can't wait to see all of our old friends, nurses and doctors. I can't wait for them to see how awesome Anthony is doing.

Our flights here were uneventful and easy. Anthony and Benjamin are used to flying on planes. Anthony acts as if it's all boring and no big deal. Benjamin LOVES the turbulence and going UP UP UP. I'm finding it challenging to travel alone with two kids. Getting to the rental car place once we landed in Omaha was fun: me, two boys, one stroller, one rolling suitcase, two book sacks, one carry on bag, one purse, and a car seat bag (thankfully with shoulder straps)...it was...interesting to see. People kept looking at me and laughing.

Tonight we'll do dinner and then come back to the hotel to swim. I think that's all I can manage tonight! :D

Lacy Cakes

One of the things I remember about my childhood is how much I loved helping my Daddy cook Saturday morning breakfast. I guess it was an unspoken agreement that he would cook breakfast most Saturdays, and my sisters and I loved to help him mix up the ingredients for whatever it was we were making. Some of the things I remember best are: cheese biscuits, pancakes, and (best of all) lacy cakes. There is something so fun about lacy cakes: the batter is really wet, and you have to stir it well in between each spoonful you spoon out. The sizzle the batter makes when it hits the hot skillet, and the way the milk/egg combo makes the batter wiggle out over the pan to make a ragged circle...I just love everything about it. Best of all: we ate as many as we wanted (or at least it seemed that way - I'm sure it's just that there were so many to be eaten).

I still love hearing my dad say, "Whoooo wants lacy cakes?" But now it's my boys that run to the kitchen to help. I just reap the benefits and eat as many as I can.

The tradition continues in my kitchen, too. Anthony, Benjamin and I made lacy cakes this morning and they each got to stir the batter, and watch as I spooned the lacy cakes onto the skillet. And Anthony said some of the same things I remember thinking - how fun it is to watch the lacy cake make its shape, and how the sizzle sounds "cool" when the batter hits the skillet.

Anthony ate four lacy cakes this morning, sprinkled with powdered sugar - plus a banana (Benjamin ate two plus a banana). He claims to be full. But I bet he'll eat another one or two later this morning. And I was paid the ultimate compliment: "These taste JUST like the ones Paw Paw makes, Mom!"

I can't wait to give him a copy of the recipe when he's older. I hope he'll have as much fun making them with his kids as I have. And I hope his kids will have as much fun making them with their daddy as I had with mine.

I'm sharing the recipe here. I don't know where he got the recipe from, or I would give credit to the cookbook (it's a good bet that he didn't search the internet for this recipe way back when!). My copy is on a card hand-written by my mom. She gave it to me at one of my wedding showers, and it's laminated in my "Must Keep" recipe binder.

Daddy's Famous Lacy Cakes
Yields: 2 1/2 dozen

2 eggs, well beaten
2 cups milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/3 cups yellow cornmeal
3/4 teaspoon salt

Combine eggs, milk, and oil, mixing well. Combine cornmeal and salt; stir into egg mixture. Stir well. Drop batter by 2 tablespoons full onto hot (medium to medium-high), lightly greased griddle. Stir mixture well each time. Turn cakes when tops bubble and edges look cooked.

Serve hot with butter and powdered sugar. Yummy!

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Things I have watched my dad do, and that I do as well:
-Pour a little vegetable oil into the skillet (griddle) and wipe the skillet with a paper towel to cover it completely with the oil. Save the paper towel and give the skillet a wipe with the oil again in between each round of lacy cakes.
-When the tops of the lacy cakes start to look dry, carefully move the spatula around the edges of the lacy cake to separate it from the skillet, then flip it.
-My dad uses a non-stick skillet; I have no non-stick skillets, so I use a cast iron one. Either works fine. I have had zero success when trying to make them on a metal pan that is not non-stick.

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Thanks, Daddy; for the recipe and the memories.

Zoo Visit

Three years ago, on July 16 (2008), I took Anthony and Benjamin to the zoo. It amazes me that I was courageous enough to take a not-quite-month-old baby and his four year old brother to the zoo by myself. But we did it! I even managed to take some pictures...







Today I took the boys back to the zoo by myself...this time minus the stroller. Oh, and with TWO little boys who felt the need to tell me how hot it was outside. REALLY?? I TOLD YOU IT WOULD BE VERY, VERY HOT. But we did have a great time, and Benjamin was so excited to ride the train that it really made the sweating for two hours worth it.















I love how excited Anthony still gets over going to the zoo. He had so much fun reading his map and directing us (and letting Benjamin "help"). Benjamin only cared about the tigers and the train. So we had a lot of "When we go see train?" and "We go ride train NOW?" while we walked through the zoo. When we finally got to ride on the train, he was so excited but nervous, too. He kept his hand on my leg the entire time and made sure he was snuggled up right against me. Anthony, cool kid that he is, rode on the seat in front of us.

We are having a blast this summer!!