Big Eyes

Yesterday we had to do a few things around town.  Cash charmed all the ladies with his big eyes and shy smile.  It's been a few days since I took pictures of him, so I thought I'd better get to it...

A Sprinkle

I guess you call a baby shower for the second baby a "Sprinkle."  So, some friends put on a "Baby Sprinkle" for me this weekend.  

The girl I asked to take photos didn't do an outstanding job, so here are some of the better photos.  It was nice of her to take pictures for me to remember the day though.

Cake Pops are all the rage now, and one friend brought some over from Helena.  They were soooo yummy!  I will have to try and make some this spring.

And yes, the guest of honor CASH was there...he was being shuffled around between laps.  He ended up being in one of the photos :)

The cake pops were such a hit, we all were so impressed.

Time Flies

It's hard to believe Cash has now been with us for 15 weeks!  He is getting so big and interactive.  Tonight we had him in the bouncy-saucer for the first time and he sat so well for quite a while.  I look at this photo and think he is losing the look of an infant, and starting to look like a chubby little baby.  Tyler doesn't remember sitting in this thing, but he did (as evidenced by the food crumbs, dried milk, and dirt Shawn cleaned off it this afternoon).  He had fun playing with the little toys on the saucer, and showing Cash all the noises and flashes it will do.

Hot Diggity Dog

This weekend was the Race to the Sky sled dog race.  Some friends live right near the starting point so we went over for a while, then walked down to the race from their house.

Shawn and Jason walking down the driveway

Arf Arf.  Cash watched quietly the whole time. 
We thought he would sleep, but it was pretty barky, and a little stinky right near the dogs.

They would count down from 10 for each team to start.  It was exciting watching the dogs rush forward with a burst of energy.

Claire, Paige, and Tyler

Mushers are a different kind of people.  The beards must keep them warmer.

My Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone!

Prairie View

Driving back from Great Falls yesterday, I was looking out the window (from the backseat of course, where I was entertaining two kids) and I noticed how the sun was hitting the landscape. 

Finally the two kiddos fell asleep and Shawn and I were able to just let our minds wander.

Living in South Dakota gave me such an appreciation for wide, open spaces.  Grazing land, or places with unique features.  I miss seeing that. 

It was so pretty, and I took some pictures as we drove. 

We started to get closer to the Continental Divide and mountains, and it wouldn't be long before we were back in the deep snow and trees.  The kids would be awake with all their needs.

So I took the time to look out the window in silence.



Good Morning

"Who me?  Tired?  No way, even though I was up all night!"

Soaking up some Vitamin D this weekend

Teddy bears like licking fleece

My heart was breaking

Last week we had a scare with Tyler.  He had been sick for a couple of weeks with a cough and cold, and one evening after coming home from daycare he was just not his usual self.  He would be hysterically crying or sleeping, and when he was awake and crying/moaning he said his belly hurt.  Shawn and I had no idea what to do for him, so Shawn drove the hourlong drive to the ER at 10:30 at night.  I know there are a lot of other people who have long distances to go to get medical care, but I did not deal with it very well.  It was so hard to lie in bed and wait for the phone to ring, and wait for Shawn to tell me what was wrong.  There is no cell service between here and there so I couldn't get updates as to how they were doing along the way. 

After an IV, morphine, X-Rays, CT scans, and a few doctors, they found a spot of pneumonia on his lung.  We were glad to hear that it was a treatable problem and not something more severe, like an appendicitis.  After staying in the hospital overnight, Shawn and Tyler came home late the next afternoon.  I was never happier to see their faces.  Tyler's first words when Shawn carried him in the door were "Mom, I'm OK!" 
I feel so bad for all the little kids out there who have to stay in the hospital for long periods of time.   The nurses and doctors and hospital staff were wonderful (according to Shawn, who worked with the husband of one nurse, and the husband came in and visited with Shawn for a couple of hours!).  Tyler came home with a puppy-dog toy and a soft blanket, courtesy of the local chapter of Project Linus.  (what a great group!)

He finished the antibiotics this morning and at the follow-up appointment today the doctor said there is air moving through his lung and he can run and jump and play as much as he wants!  He said Tyler recovered very quickly and we are so relieved.   It was getting hard to keep him locked inside the house watching movies or playing cars or coloring.   Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, I know they made a difference!