Cub Scouts - WEBELOS

I am currently serving as the WEBELOS den leader right now and surprise, surprise, I'm loving it! I only have two boys right now but two more are coming in next month. I even get to wear a boy scout shirt with patches and everything. This is a picture of our blue and gold banquet last Friday where the theme was Knights of the Round Table. I was able to bring Drew with me and let him see what he'll be doing in another two years or so. I know I am supposed to learn this program because I have two boys that will be doing it. Slowly but surely, it's starting to not sound like a foreign language to me, and I am getting the jargon down. Scouts has some very committed people to it, that's for sure!

But how could a program that has you earning badges and checking off a big list of things to do not totally be up my alley? It really is a fit for me and hopefully we will just keep accomplishing badges together, those sweet Webelos and me. :)

Mother/Son Date Night at Chick-fil-a

Chick-fil-a's picture of us on our date

Our local Chick-fil-a had a mother/son date night last night. David noticed the flier a month ago and I made a reservation for 7 p.m. that night just for me and Drew. He was so excited as was I. I picked him up after cubscouts and we headed to his favorite place. They sat us at a special table that had crafts to do while we waited. They came to take our order, and they even had a man making balloon objects. Drew chose a blue "ray gun" and he could not stop talking about it (how it could shoot things and people and how it was just pretend). We even got our picture taken and given to us! After our dinner, we headed to the play area where there were lots of boys and lots of energy. Drew met some new friends and had a good time. We really enjoyed our time together on our special date night!!!

Our decorated Chick-fil-a hat and a ball they gave us

Drew excited with his ray gun

A picture of me and my date

Cinderella

Dilan is the perfect age to start dressing up and today she chose to be Cinderella!

Valentine's Day Party

Drew had his Valentine's Day party on Monday afternoon. Unexpectedly, David came home for a late lunch as Dilan was asleep and I was rocking Drake. So, I took full-advantage and chose to go to his party by myself (I was planning on waking up Dilan and bringing them along). I sacrificed being able to stay the whole time with two little kiddos in exchange for about 20 minutes one-on-one time with my oldest son. It was well-worth it. We had time to make a craft together and for me to pay all of my attention to him. He was very happy to see me, and I continue to fulfill my goal of never missing anything he has going on (including his V-day party 4 days after giving birth to Dilan and his Halloween party 3 days after giving birth to Drake). I love this boy!!!

My special Valentine

Drew and classmates at his table

Making our craft

We made a bumble bee together with paint pens. Loved my time with Drew!

Special Visit

Having my mom here for Dilan's birthday was very special. We are so fortunate that my mom is able to come and be here for these special times. She was a huge help during the party holding Drake for me and allowing me to truly enjoy the moment. She also cooked, shopped, and played with each of my kids. I try to get some pictures of these priceless times when she's here so here are a few:

Tickling Drake

Walking Drew to the bus stop for me in the bitter cold

Giving endless hugs and kisses to the kiddos

Swollen Lymph Node!!!

The doctor called this morning to discuss the ultrasound results with me and to my surprise she told me that it is NOT a hemangioma. In fact, it is a swollen lymph node. Of course, this was what we first thought when it happened but then getting the diagnosis from the pediatrician made us think differently. She did say that if it is red, irritating to him or hard, then we have to take another look at it. But since his is soft, squishy and can be rolled around on his neck, it is of no concern. They will check Drake again in a few weeks when he goes in for his 4 month appointment. We will just watch the lymph node carefully, but the idea that this is not a long-term condition is very relieving!

Thanks again for all your support, thoughts, and prayers. This is much better news than I thought we were getting and I'm so very grateful.

Update on Drake

The test results came back to confirm the diagnosis (another doctor left a message on my phone after hours so I could not call back to discuss it). We are grateful it is not a worse outcome and that we know what it is. We will just continue to think positive that this won't affect Drake's development. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers.

Hemangioma???

I just wanted to update some of you on a diagnosis we got for Drake the other day. He has been diagnosed with a hemangioma. Last week I noticed a bump on the back of his neck. It looked like he had gotten hit on the back of his neck and there was a bump swelling there. But no bruise and no redness, almost a white spot in the middle of the bump. The next day it did go down some, but I made an appointment with the pediatrician and went in. The doctor said a hemangioma is common in infants and they manifest in various ways - strawberries, birthmarks, red raised bumps, and swelling as in the case of Drake. They occur on the face and neck and it is a cluster of blood vessels close to the skin that swell with blood. Usually this is noticed in the hospital at birth or later at 3-4 months which is exactly Drake's age now. It had not swelled until last week for the first time.
The doctor said it will most likely go away on its own by age 2 or 3. If not and it impedes with the formation of Drake's head shape, then they will consider treatment then. Also, we had to make an appointment for an ultrasound to confirm this diagnosis by the pediatric radiologist. We did the ultrasound today, and hopefully I'll get the test results soon. The good news the doctor said is that it is not cancer but she did say the bump could get very big which completely freaked me out.

I'll be honest, this whole thing has been scary for me and until we get the results, I won't quit worrying about it. It is terrifying to be faced with even the thought of him being sick or having a health issue. Right now he is not bothered by it so that helps. He is just such a precious baby, and I can't help wanting my child's life to be a safe, healthy, and happy one.

Present Time!

We decided to open presents on Dilan's birthday which was the following day after her party. We have had experience that a party for a 2 year old is a lot and opening presents afterwards is a little overwhelming. On Wednesday when David got home from work, Dilan opened her presents. It was so much fun and we love filling the house with girl stuff!!!

Her plethora of presents

PawDee's present literally arrived about half an hour before Dilan opened her gifts - perfect timing, Dad! Drew loves teaching Dilan how to play soccer with it.

Opening her potty doll from us - she loves it!

MawMille helping Dilan open her box of shoes - high heels that is!

Showing off a pair of heels - she loves wearing them all and hearing herself click click around the house!

David and Drew putting together Dilan's Barbie jeep the night before the festivities!

She really liked it - with a little practice and maybe some warmer weather, she and Drew will be riding their jeeps together

The next day, Dilan wanted to wear her birthday shirt again and play with her toys

More heels!

Using the wrong end of the bat and using the soccer ball instead of the softball but she really liked her gift from Uncle Damon and Aunt Amy - now for batting practice!

Thanks to friends and family for such fun presents and cards. Our little girl's 2nd birthday truly was a special time.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Dilan!!!

Dilan is TWO! We can't believe it. She is so cute and so busy and brings a lot of joy and laughter to those around her. We literally smile every day because she's around.

We did a small Elmo birthday party at Chick-fil-a for her this year. We invited a few of her friends from church and our neighbors across the street and she had so much fun! She absolutely loved her balloons and playing with her Dad in the play area. She also did great blowing out her candle on her birthday cake. At first, when I lit it, she blew it out before we sang to her! So, we lit it again, we all sang with her smiling the whole time, and then she blew out her candle again. It really was a lot of fun and she truly enjoyed herself. We are so grateful for the friends who came and for my mom being here to help out. Except for Sam's not having the cake made when I went to pick it up (yes, they almost gave me a heart attack but they ended up making it in like 5 minutes after discussing the situation for like 15 minutes), all went well!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DILAN!!!

the birthday girl

David, Dilan, and Drew

My mom and Drake

The party setup

An attempt at a family photo with the birthday girl not having it

Kissing Elmo - one of her favorite things to do during the party

Party time!

Loving the balloons!!!

Dilan's expression while watching her big brother sing to her

Blowing out the candle!

YEAH!!!

Me serving the cake (of which a friend took over - THANK YOU!)

Party favor - everyone took a balloon home and an Elmo CD!

Playtime in the play area

At home, the birthday girl exhausted after the party, trying to get a picture with mom!

And thanks to my sister for Dilan's adorable Elmo birthday shirt!!!

Natural History Museum

This weekend my mom came in town for Dilan's upcoming birthday party so we went to the Natural History Museum for our big excursion this week. It was tough handling three kids and walking so much, but I think they enjoyed it and appreciated it.

Outside the museum

Drew in front of stegosaurus

Dinosaurs and more dinosaurs...

my mom with the boys

Dilan in front of a dinosaur that totally reminded me of Jurassic Park

David, Drew, and Dilan in the ocean room

Mammals area - it was like a zoo with stuffed animals

Drake hanging out

Dilan was more interested in running around and hiding

Dilan and Drew outside museum

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Hope Diamond

It was a beautiful day - we could see the Washington monument as we walked

Wax Museum where we were greeted by Whoopi Goldberg on the street! ;)