Batten down the hatches…

We’ve had a bit of an accident around here.  I’ve felt the necessity to write about it but just have not been able to bring myself to relive the events. 

The result of the accident is this…

But relax, he’s still Bryce.

A couple of weeks ago my little monkey attempted to climb his chest of drawers to find his favorite pair of pajamas.  While climbing, his chest fell upon him and when I found him he was completely pinned underneath it.  I was there within seconds and adrenaline allowed me to lift it off him before Jake arrived and turned it back upright.  An immediate assessment told us that we were ER bound.  Bryce had a gaping wound on his forehead and cuts around his right eye.

By the time we arrived at the emergency room, Bryce’s face had swollen considerably and he was completely calm. It was bedtime and all the excitement had made him sleepy but it sure didn’t help his mommy’s heart. 

Bryce ultimately received a CT scan because they suspected he may have broken some bones around his eye.  The scan came back clear.  Praise the Lord!  Bryce was the (unwilling) recipient of 8 stitches in his forehead.  It took 4 of us to hold him down and I don’t think I’ll ever forget the screaming.  My little guy has a big vocabulary and he used every word he knew.  Phrases included:

“Stop doctoring me, doctor”

“Don’t you do that again, doctor”

“You are scratching my eyes out.  Stop it!” (because his eyes were draped and he’s a little bit dramatic)

In hindsight, I’m proud of his spunk!  I have no doubt that this strength aided him in this ordeal.  In fact, I have thanked God everyday since that my sweet hard headed boy never lost consciousness, a fact that seemed to amaze the doctors and nurses.  I know that God took care of my baby that night.

Things could have been much worse.  The seriousness of Bryce’s accident has changed a few things in our home.  We’ve strapped large furniture to the walls and screwed it directly into the studs.  If you’ve got a little monkey in your home,  I encourage you to do the same.  I can tell you that there are worse things than a few holes in your sheet rock.

On a lighter note, my little man is recovering well

 

and things are pretty much back to normal.

 

love,

A moment in time

At least once a week I think to myself that I would like to freeze my kids in time and remember them at this exact moment.  On the other hand, at least 20 times a week I say I prayer that I’ll survive this exact moment.

Today I’d like to remember my sweet Ella’s gappy smile.  She loves to tell me that people think she “loosed” a tooth but she didn’t really “loosed” a tooth, yet.  Someday that gap will be replaced by big girl teeth and I’ll be a little sad.   

I also love that I can’t take a picture of her without her holding her arms in the air in a dramatic pose.  That’s my free spirited, happy go lucky girl!

This is the look that is so purely 3 year old Bryce.  In fact, he has given me a version of this look since he was a little baby and will probably continue through adulthood. 

Bryce is my quiet thinker with an energy level as high as his hair. He is moody and wild and steals everyone’s hearts.

Today’s a fantastic day for sunshine and smiles and good memories.

Easter in our house

I love my children.  They are spunky, creative, and independent thinkers.  There are a few times in life that I would like to reign these qualities in a notch, family Easter pictures being high on the list.

Each year I set of goal of capturing that perfect shot of the whole family in their Easter best and, while the photographs are being taken, I actually convince myself that it went well.  However, upon closer review, I realize that our Easter portraits, although not perfect, exemplify our lives.

We did manage to capture a couple of lovely moments, but that family photo still eludes us.

 

A Budding Artist

My sweet Ella loves to draw.  She can color for hours and loves to find new ways to express her inner creativity.  I'm her biggest fan.  I encourage her to express herself.  Unfortunately, yesterday’s medium took the Ra out of my cheer!

I heard giggling.  This is easily one of the best sounds God ever made.  I then heard my sweet baby boy say, “Ella made me silly.”

As I rounded the corner, here’s the view I encountered.

That’s dry erase marker and an elephant on my little man’s cheek.  Brilliant, huh?

Someday this will be the head shot she’ll use in her artwork portfolio.

Bryce felt pretty bad about the whole ordeal.  Can’t you tell?

 

He’s Growing Up

He’s big enough for a moustache but

too little to outrun Mr. Nap.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Ella’s school celebrated this special week with a week full of crazy days!  My little girl lives for an excuse to “dress the part” and typically reinvents her look 6 or 7 times a day.  This week was made for her.

We started each day with a short photo shoot.  The results make me laugh because they are so genuinely Ella!

 

CraZy sock day:

 

 

CraZy hair day:

 

 

CraZy Pajama day:

 

 

DRAMA LIVES HERE.

Change of plans

What do you do if your Valentine’s Day gets covered in snow?

You snuggle into bed with the one you love and eat candy, of course!

Happy Valentine’s Day!