A Lesson from Donnie

As most of you know Donnie broke his leg.  I'm learning a lot about this little boy, but also learning a few things from him too...

I think he's a pretty tough kid and I get to spend a heck of a lot of time with him, so I knew something was wrong by his reaction to the fall.  What he couldn't say with words he said with his body language.  I knew we needed to go somewhere and after a few phone calls we decided the Children's ER was where we needed to go.  When we parked the car and opened his door he said, "It not hurt anymore.  I want to go home."  We laughed at him and said "I don't think so!"  After a brief time in the waiting room we headed back to a room.  They felt bad for the big pregnant mom so they brought the x-ray machine to our room...score!  They brought Cadynce and Donnie stickers which kept them occupied while we waited for the x-rays to be read.  It didn't take too long for them to bring the bad news that his leg was broken.  Donnie was in good spirits the whole time and all the nurses loved listening to him sing the ABC's.  They put his leg in a splint and told us to contact an Orthopedic doctor for his cast...and they sent us home.

Donnie slept for about an hour and then he cried for the rest of the night.  It was a helpless feeling listening to him cry all night saying "ouchie" and all I could do was hug and kiss him.  He was in a lot of pain that first night.  Friday morning he was a little better and Don took the day off work to help me with the unknown (translation: big pregnant wife may need a little help...score.)  I'm enjoying the perks of being pregnant!!  We called the Orthopedic doctor and got an appointment for the afternoon.

Donnie, once again, was just as happy as could be.  They took their time putting the full leg cast on, making sure the angle of his leg was just perfect.  Donnie sat very still as they wrapped and wrapped his leg up in the blue cast he picked out.  For the casting of the lower leg he had to sit up with his legs hanging off the table.  For the upper leg, he had to lay on his back and Don held his leg in the bent position while wrapping the upper leg and knee.  It didn't take long for the cast to harden, and Donnie said "my leg not hurt anymore."

This morning, two things happened...at 6:45am Cadynce came in my room and said that she opened Donnie's door so when he woke up he could get out (a rewarding moment as a mom), and at 7am I heard Donnie's big cast dragging on the floor as he crawled to my room (what a joyful sound that was).  I was so proud of him.  We have gone through our day just like every other day.  As I watched Donnie this morning I couldn't help but think about his reaction to life's challenges.  He has not asked to be picked up and carried around because of this unexpected injury (and huge cast), and he's not boo-hooing because he can't do what he's used to doing.  Instead, he crawls around dragging his casted leg with a big smile on his face.  He has adjusted to his cast and figured out how to do certain things and how to get what he wants.  He gets himself on and off the couch.  He stands up to play, learning what he has to do in order not to fall.  He falls and gets right back up.  He insists on standing on the case of water bottles in front of the washer to help throw the clothes in the washer (just like he did before).  He is even trying to walk (which the doctor said he would do too).  I will confess that my thoughts were not quite so positive after hearing the news, but after Donnie crawled to my room this morning I knew what I had to do.  View Album for more pictures.

Allow Me to Brag...

I'd like to take a minute to brag about my husband...

Last night was the NFL kickoff between the Packers and the Saints.  It was a big deal for us (Cadynce, Donnie & myself), but a bigger deal for Daddy.  He has done a lot of great things at work and this is just another one to add to the list.  They just signed a deal with the NFL that has been in the making for the last 12 months.  This is probably the biggest thing ever to be done at his job and for the company.  We are pretty proud of him!!  So, I wanted to make it a special night with the kids even though they had no idea what the big deal was all about.  We talked all day about the game and where Daddy was in the country (not at the football stadium we pass several times a day).  We ordered pizza and breadsticks, and ate in front of the tv with our "cool" tv trays.  Cadynce and Donnie thought it was so fun to put their J's on and stay up a little late to watch the football game where Daddy was.  They mostly just ran around singing and yelling while practicing their football stance Daddy taught them.  All Donnie talks about is football and his "big muscles."  He is pretty obsessed with football right now.

 We are so excited for all the big things Daddy is doing at work, and thanks for letting me express how proud we are of him!!

First Day of School

 Today was Cadynce's first day of preschool as a four year old.  She woke up this morning and could hardly wait to leave.  Cadynce and Donnie discovered that it was a little cooler outside this morning than they're used to and came running inside screaming "it's freezing cold outside."  We put a jacket on them then sent them back out to play.  Cadynce was so excited that Daddy was going with her on the first day of school.  It was pretty awesome watching her walk in and know exactly what to do.

Preschool 2011 Open House

Today was the open house at Cadynce's school.  They open up the school for an hour so the kids can meet their teacher and play.  It was really fun to watch Cadynce this year.  She was so excited to see her friends from last year and all the teachers.  She has a new teacher this year and she is also new to the school.  She read Cadynce a book so of course she loves her already.  Donnie had a blast.  He walked right in like he owned the place and began playing with everything.  Once he found the play-doh he didn't want to leave.  He had quite a melt down when it was time to go...he will be so ready next year when it's his turn for preschool.  View Album for more pictures.

Daddy's Birthday

We had such a fun time getting ready for Daddy's birthday.  I took the kids shopping so they could pick out their own gift for Dad.  Donnie was easy, but Cadynce just couldn't think of anything good enough.  We were brain storming on what Dad likes and all she could come up with was "her", coffee and swimming.  When we got home Cadynce ran for the wrapping paper and began wrapping all his gifts and put them all safely in her bedroom.  They helped me make a dirt cake which was a lot of fun for everyone.  I have a couple of very good oreo smashers.

On the morning of Dad's birthday, Cadynce ran out of her room asking if she could get the presents out.  Daddy opened his gift from the kids.  Donnie picked out a football that we can play with at the pool.  Cadynce helped pick the one that matches his swim shorts!  Cadynce made a cd filled with their favorite music so he can listen to on his way to work.  They had so much fun watching him open their gifts.  They both made cards and Cadynce had me write on the inside, "My heart will never stop loving you Dad."

When Dad got home from work we went to Bigz to eat and play.  After dinner we went to the pool for a late night swim and then ended the evening with dirt cake.  What a fun day we had.  View Album for more pictures.

Breakfast and a Movie

A couple of weeks ago Don mentioned the name Tarzan to the kids and they wanted to know who Tarzan was.  They began watching little movie clips on the computer before bedtime each night.  It turned into an obsession.  Last Friday, we tried to find the movie and everyone was sold out.  I called everyone and found one Wal-mart that had a few left but it was not close to us.  That night was "kids night out" at the church, so Don and I went and bought the movie, did a little shopping, had dinner, and then picked up the kids.  They were dying to know if we found it and when they could watch it.  We told them they could watch it first thing in the morning.  As expected, Cadynce came barreling in our room remembering what we had promised the night before.  So, we all got out of bed and we turned it into a "Breakfast and a Movie" morning.  I made pancakes and set up TV trays for the kids to enjoy while watching Tarzan.  They loved it!  They can't stop talking about Tarzan, and often run around the house pretending to be Tarzan.  View Album for more pictures.

Our Summer

We haven't had a whole lot to blog about lately.  It's been at least 100 degrees everyday so we go to the pool ev-er-y day!!!  Sometimes twice a day.  We have two little fish, and they are totally crazy at the pool.  They are constantly trying new things, and Donnie can now come up to take a breath and then continue swimming to his destination.  Don and I even get to enjoy a little time in the lounge chairs while we watch our fish swim around.  View Album for more pictures.

In Action...

Last Track Meet

Track meets this summer have been a blast.  Last night was our last one, and the kids gave it their best.  Cadynce had her second best jump in the long jump (5 Feet), and she figured out how to run the 50 yard dash (in her lane and looking straight ahead).  She seems to be more of a jumper than a runner at this time.  Donnie came in dead last in both events each week, but he loves "racing day" and getting a ribbon.  He's by far the youngest (and cutest) kid out there.  View Album for more pictures.

Summer in Indiana and Vegas

I flew to Indiana with Cadynce and Donnie while Don stayed home to work.  After a few days of getting the kids settled I met Don in Las Vegas for our first vacation since having kids.  We spent five days in Vegas relaxing by the pool during the day and going to concerts, comedy clubs, and Vegas shows at night.  We spent a lot of time walking around enjoying the freedom and schedule free week.  I think our kids forgot about us as they spent the week back and forth between our parents.  They had so much fun I think we'll do it again!!  Thanks again to our parents for taking on our energy filled kids for the week and giving us a little break.  View Album for pictures.