Sweet Fio-buddy, Frodo.

We put Frodo down yesterday. Bar none one of the hardest things we've ever had to do. We knew it was coming, but when it came down to pulling the trigger, we were all so so sad and really struggling with the decision and second guessing our actions. Our sweet baby was diagnosed with diabetes back in January and he had gotten worse as the time went on. He was still so sweet with us and loved being around and our kiddos just loved him. Gemma especially, just wanted to see him whenever she was awake and he was around.  Micah broke my heart yesterday. We were packing up the car to take Frodo to our vet, and when I came in to find him I heard sobbing. Literal sobbing. I figured Christian was with the boys saying bye to Frodo, and when I went up to find him it was just Micah hugging Frodo and saying how he was going to miss him. Oh my heart. This is SO.HARD. But we thank the Lord for the 13 years we had with our sweet fio-buddy. In the words of Christian yesterday, here is his tribute to Frodo:

We said our good-byes today to our feline family member Frodo today. He was very well-loved and an important symbol of the start of Kelly's and my relationship. He endured many life transitions and played well with every new child that arrived in our family. We will miss him dearly. Good-bye buddy.

 

Doctor Unexpectedness

We headed to the doctor for Reid's 4 year check-up, but ended up making Micah's 6 year check-up as well, in addition to a sick visit due to some swelling in his cheek. This swelling has happened 4-5 times over the last couple of years so we thought it was pertinent to check it out as it's quite painful for him when it swells. Our pediatrician sent us for a cat scan at Delnor ($1500 later!) and it was diagnosed as a parotid gland swelling, and a more specific term I can't remember. We are being referred to an ENT to take a closer look at what's going on since this has become a common reoccurence and hopefully we can figure out some preventative measures to help this not happen as frequently. Stay tuned...  

Flu bug be gone

Ooommmmggggeeeeee.... the flu bug hit us and hit us hard!  For about 10 days at the end of February we were out of commission.  Probably the hardest we've ever been hit as a family and everyone got hit except for Christian.  I don't know how he escaped, except for God's grace, and I'm so grateful for a number a reasons that he was saved from this awful bug.  Micah felt a little sick on a Wednesday, Reid came down with a fever, throwing up, the other end of tummy issues and an ear infection Thursday and Friday.  I got hit Saturday, and Micah Saturday night in to Sunday.  I was better Sunday but down for the count again on Monday and Tuesday.  We all started to feel better by Tuesday afternoon, and by Wednesday were feeling back to normal.  Gemma came down with the non-puking issues on Thursday which lasted a couple of days, and by Friday or Saturday we were finally back to the land of the living.

Gemma discovered how to stand during this time, continued to show her silly personality, learned how to climb stairs (eek!) and loved sticking her tongue out :)

Micah and Reid and I were just pathetic lumps that laid around watching shows or sleeping ALL.DAY.LONG.  It was awful.  Pictures below to document our "fun" time!

Breakfast in Bed

Christian has been an amazing husband and father lately.  I mean, he always is!  But he's really stepped up his game with me being sick with this third baby and I'm so, so grateful and blessed.  Eggs have become a staple in my daily breakfast, literally, for 7 weeks now.  And if I'm sick enough, Christian will make them and bring them up to me in bed.  This particular morning, Micah was already snuggling in our bed and wanting breakfast too, so Christian brought his up on a tray.  As you can see from Micah's expression, he was loving it :)  Thanks for being amazing, honey!!

Pumpkin Carving and Halloween!

This is a two part posts - the first of our pumpkin carving a few weeks back.  It was the first time Micah's been able to fully participate in the process, and it was definitely a fun Daddy-son moment!  Christian had printed off 2-3 options, and Micah chose Mickey, of course :)

I love his interest here...

and his face here, trying to process what's coming out of the pumpkin :)

Our little clean freak was not too sure of the pumpkin guts!

I love his face here - purely in awe in looking at the full face! 

Even Reid was able to get in on the fun!

Mickey!!

Halloween came on our week of sick - and to top it off, it was a dreary, rainy day.  I honestly didn't think that we were going to be able to go out at all, but around 5pm, the rain let up for a little bit and thankfully Grandpa was willing to take Micah out.  We hurried through dinner, got dressed and decided to just go around our neighborhood.  Unfortunately by the time we went out it was raining again, but that didn't phase the pair.  They were excited to go out, and I was grateful!

Micah, the chef!

Happy Grandpa and grandson.

Poor Reidees that night.  He did not make it out :(

Micah (with Reid and Grandma) checking out his candy stash!

Skittles!

Grandpa and Micah - looking at Daddy on the phone as we were face timing so he could be a part of the experience as well!

I love the below pictures, Grandpa trying to explain something to Christian while Micah is engrossed with his candy.

Reid just loved dumping the candy on the ground :)

An out of the ordinary Halloween experience, but a memorable one nonetheless.  Thanks again Grandpa for your willingness to take Micah trick-or-treating!  No doubt he loved it!!