Fishing with Dad

Those of you who know Dane know he is an outdoorsman. Before Reed was even born he was talking about taking him fishing. Well, yesterday that dream came to fruition. Dane had a half day for the holiday weekend and planned a Daddy and Me day with Reed. He packed up his bags, packed up Reed and drove to the park. He strapped Reed into the "papoose" and promptly started reeling them in. Unfortunately for him, Reed had fallen asleep. He thinks he was awake to see one of the fish, but missed several others (according to the fisherman at least...we all know they can tell a tale).

Dane and Reed enjoying the outdoors.

Overall, a successful outing. I think he'll do it again soon :)

1 Week Post-Op

We had Reed's 1 week post-op appointment yesterday and the Doctor was really please with what he saw. His left eye is still turning in slightly, but the doc says that it can take 3-4 months for the muscles to straighten out so he isn't worried about it. We'll go back in August and hopefully it won't be turning in anymore. His eyes are almost back to normal now and we can stop the eye cream (which Reed just LOVED getting each morning and night).  Awesome :)

I asked the doc if his vision was immediately improved and he said that while there is no way of them knowing for sure, he is convinced that in his patients under 1 year it must be. He said that he has heard too many times parents reporting that it's like the "lights were turned on" for him not to believe it's immediate. Pretty cool. I know Reed seems much more alert and smiley :)

Dane and I are getting really good at spotting when Reed's getting an ear infection. This time we got him in to see the doctor before it was full-fledged and still in the start-up phase. He's had so many ear infections that this time they did not prescribe Amoxicilan but instead a more powerful antibiotic that says under common uses "used to treat recurring ear infections." Hope it does the trick. The doctor warned it may cause diarrhea...not really sure if that would be better than just waiting the ear infection out or not. So, staying positive and hoping for the best. Poor kid. Just can't catch a break.

This pic is just too funny not to share. Taken the evening after his surgery, Reed is actually in the midst of smiling and laughing, but with his red eyes and crazy hair looks like he's possessed. I assure you, he is not. 

My guys :)

Maybe month 6 of Reed's life will be ear infection and surgery free. Here's hopin'...

Successful Surgery

Praise the Lord, Reed's surgery went well!

Yesterday I got the news that we would be required at the hospital at 11:30am and that Reed would need to stop eating at 7:30am. I was a little stressed about this as Reed eats at 6am and then every 4hrs after that. This would mean that we would have a pretty cranky baby on our hands when we arrived at the hospital.

Well, Dane and I woke up at 6:45 and Reed was still asleep! I immediately said to Dane that God was lookin' out  because Reed has NEVER slept that late (almost 12 straight hours) and since we could now feed him at 7, he wouldn't be too fussy since he'd be due to eat right about the time we got to the hospital. Awesome.

We had a pleasant morning. Reed ate and took a nap. We went on a walk.

My dad and Pat met us at the hospital at 11:15 and up we went to the 6th floor of Children's Hospital. They took us right back to his room and the nurse started collecting his vitals. This doctor and that doctor came in, explained what they were going to do and asked if we had any questions. Then, around 12:30, they carried him off.

As we were waiting I happened to catch a glimpse of someone who looked like the daughter of a professor Dane and I had in Greenville. I didn't get a good look though, so I brushed it off. About 10 minutes later I saw her husband, the soccer coach at Greenville, walk by our room. Their daughter was recovering in the room right next to ours! My dad said, "another sign from God!"

About 45 minutes later, the doc came back in and told us everything went fine and they would be calling us into recovery to collect him soon. Not 5 minutes later did the recovery nurse come in with him, a bit flustered saying he woke up "ballistic" and desperately needed food. We fed him and soon enough they took him off of his IV. He slept for about another 45 minutes and when he woke up he was in a good mood, so we signed some papers and were told to go home.

On the way out, Reed was allowed to pick out a stuffed animal from their treasure chest. Given the choice of teddy bears and stuffed dogs, my son's face lit up and he grabbed the camel. He has barely put it down since.

My work had a professional development day at my boss's house, which is right on the way home, so since Reed was in a good mood and my boss has been dying to introduce our sons (born only a week apart) we stopped by for a few minutes. They were happy to see Reed and it was so funny to get the two boys next to each other. Justice (her son) has about 10lbs on Reed....and Justice is the younger one!

Here are some pics of the adventure:

On our way to the hospital, Reed with his stuffed Lamb (Ewe-gene)

Just back from surgery and not too happy. You can see the IV still in.

Reed and his Camel (Dane calls him "Sandy"). His eyes will be red like that for about a week. 

Fast Friends. Reed and Justice meet for the first time. 

All in all, not too traumatic (for Reed or us!). We thank God for the safety of our son. Amen.

Mother's Day

Today is my very first Mothers Day!!!

My festivities began yesterday when Dane sent me shopping. He had set aside some money and told me to take as much time as I needed. I channeled my Gma and got some really good deals. For $80 I got 1 Ann Taylor Dress, 1 Ann Taylor Skirt, 1 Gap dress, a pair of Gap work pants, a pair of Gap shorts, and a pretzel at Auntie Anne's.
This morning Dane got up with the baby and let me sleep. When I walked into the kitchen my present sat on our island in a beautiful red box. My card was super sweet and my gift was very special. I got a bracelet that says "mom" in several different languages. Oh, and I almost forgot! Reed finger painted me a beautiful picture frame magnet at daycare and even included a picture of him having fun in the swing :)
After I opened my present we got ready and walked up to our favorite neighborhood coffee shop, The Murdoch Perk, for some delicous breakfast.

I've been thinking about what a wonderful example I had for a mom and I only hope that Reed will feel the same about me that I do about  my mom. Growing up I always wanted to be like her. I wanted to be a teacher, a good wife and an amazing mom. Well, teaching wasn't for me but I still found my way into the education realm. I could be a better wife, but each day I work on that. I'm new to this whole mommy thing, but I hope that I am showing Reed the kind of Godly, unconditional love that my mom showed us. I hope I can carry on her legacy of love.
I was also thinking about how lucky I am to not only have had such a great mom, but to currently be surrounded by a host of strong, caring, smart, loving and encouraging women. No one can replace my mom, but these women do a great job of helping to fill that gap. I thank God for you all daily.
So, on this Mother's Day, I want to say thanks to all of you who wished me a happy Mother's Day. But I'd also like to say thanks to my mom, the woman I still aspire to be like (and probably always will) and to the women in my life who are still helping to shape me into the wife, woman, and mommy I was made to be.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

5 Freakin' Months

Can you believe that Reed is 5 months old now?!?!?!?! This is so crazy. He is almost half a year old already. And he's had almost as many ear infections as he is months old. Poor kid.

At 5 months Reed is sleeping an average of 10 hrs each night. He has eaten and enjoyed, oatmeal, green beans, carrots & banana's. He laughs and laughs when mom or dad kiss his neck. He loves bathtime. He is quite the little mover...crawling is right around the corner. The women at daycare say he's a little ladies man. I mean, with those eyes what girl wouldn't swoon at his attention? He loves to go on walks and just be outside in general. We even got caught in the rain once and he could have cared less. I think it bothered me more than it did him! Reed's smile is contagious and he often greets us in the morning with a big one! Overall, he is still a wonderfully easy baby and Dane and I fall more in love with him each day. What a blessing to our lives he has been and continues to be. We thank God for him.

Reed has a check-up with the eye specialist on Wednesday just to take some more measurements of his eyes (whatever that means) before his surgery next Friday. I'm getting a litte more nervous about this as it looms closer and closer. Prayers please.


We have our summer vacation planned! A road trip up to Aunt Jeanne's and Uncle John's in PA and then another short drive up to New London and a ride on a ferry to Fisher's Island where my Grandpa grew up. Lots of driving, so I hope Reed loves a good road trip.

Here's some pics of our Big Boy!

On a walk w Mom & Dad

 Movin all around...He started on the play mat.

Sleepin after a long day.

Here's to another 5 amazing months!