Megan Elizabeth is Here

No, we did not have another baby - My brother and sister in law did! David and Leah welcomed Megan Elizabeth yesterday afternoon weighing in at 6 lbs 7 oz. Check out their new blog at http://david-leah.blogspot.com/ or my sister's post about the baby http://allthingskelly.blogspot.com/

Megan couldn't wait to get here, arriving an hour after Leah's water broke, and almost getting delivered in Nana's minivan! She was delivered by a nurse about 5 minutes after arriving at the hospital. What a dramatic entry into the world.

She is a beautiful baby who resembles her big brother. Speaking of Alexander, he seems to love being a big brother. Already calling baby Megan his "sissie".

Here are The5Jones meeting baby Megan.

Cousin Ashley couldn't wait for Megan to wake up and open her eyes. Birdie just kept saying "Baby". Daniel was over playing with Alexander, who I think thought we were all there to see him, not his new sister!

Welcome to the Family Baby Megan!!!

Chores + Money = Happy Boy!

I have a willing little helper for all household chores. Daniel LOVES to get paid money for chores. All I have to do is ask him to do something, then add, you'll get a dime/quarter/nickel - it's a chore! and he runs to do it. For example, he will bring down the dirty clothes, empty garbage, water plants, run the little vacuum on the hard floor, put away his clothes, get clothes out of the dryer, etc.

After getting paid (which I admit, I don't always remember to actually do) he must count his money. This morning, after receiving two dimes for bringing me his and Laurie's laundry, he sat down to count his money.

According to Daniel, he is saving up to get PaPa a new Davey the bull. He says PaPa needs one because Davey is getting too old to "take care of" the cows. Huh, I wonder if he even knows that what means!

Munchkin is quite the miser. At a store last month, Ashley wanted a new DVD, so I told her she had to pay 1/2 of it, she said OK. Daniel picked one out also, but when I told him it was $8 for 1/2, he said "oh, nevermind". A serious little boy about his money. Hmm, wonder where he gets it? Definitely not from me. Must be the daddy.

Birdie loves Chips

Birdie and I had a snack of potato chips and dip on Friday. She just looked so cute sitting on the counter w/her dress and hat on sticking her chips in the dip.

Sprinkler Fun

The kids had fun last weekend running through the sprinkler.

Sleepyhead

Daniel was so tired tonight, that he feel asleep at the dinner table. Brian and I were laughing so hard that he would wake up and look at us for about a second, then nod off again. Good thing I grabbed my camera for a video to share it with you.

Cute Pictures

These are a few recent pictures that are just too cute so I had to post them.

Playing Wii

Given the All Clear

I talked with our pediatrician tonight, Dr. Dickerson, about the results of Laurie's EKG. We had an EKG and chest x-ray done on Laurie a few weeks ago because Dr. D had heard a heart murmer at the last several visits. The results of the tests, as reviewed by a pediatric cardiologist, were normal.

Yesterday when I talked with Dr. D. there was some hesitation because the computer registered some abnormalities in the EKG. She let me know that sometimes that happens with children, so the results weren't final until the specialist took a look at the test. Then today, she said the Cardiologist said her heart size, and everything was normal.

We just will continue to listen to the murmer at her future appointments.

This was a relief, but not a real surprise to me. Laurie does not have any symptoms of heart trouble and both Shelly and myself had innocent heart murmers as children. But I'm still happy we have the confirmation.

February 1998 Flashback

I realized recently that it has been 10 years since Dad and I met US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. It feels like it was yesterday. I can remember vividly that Justice Thomas said I was like "Where's Waldo" because I kept popping up everywhere. He was very personable and had a great sense of humor while mingling with the guests.

When I picked up the developed pictures from the drug store, they had automatically enlarged the picture of Dad with Justice Thomas to see if we wanted to buy it. I did, but the funny part was, the clerk had no idea who he was, but enlarged it because it was a good picture. Even after I told them who it was, they didn't know. (Is that one of your Jaywalkers Shelly?) A few years later, I had the picture of myself with Justice Thomas on my desk at work. I remember one co worker who was very ugly to me when she saw his picture - she evidently hated him and thought he was an "Uncle Tom". Of course, I had another co worker who asked me if he was my husband. ???

Over the 10 years, Dad and I have both proudly displayed our pictures wishing we had a copy of the brillant speech he gave that night on "Civility". Maybe one day we will have the pleasure to hear him speak again. For now, I will settle for reading his insightful Supreme Court opinions, knowing he is protecting our country as the Founders would have wanted.

If you want to read about Justice Thomas' amazing and difficult life, his new memoir is excellent. My Grandfather's Son is the story of a determined man whose faith, courage, and perseverance inspired him to rise up against all odds and achieve his dreams. (yes, I stole that part from the review on Amazon)

Easter 2008

We had a great Easter with lots of family time. Below are pictures from Easter with Brian's parent's and at my parent's house. For such an early Easter this year, the weather was absolutely beautiful and warm. The kids loved their Easter Egg hunt and Ashley & Daniel were thrilled to find dollar bills in some of their eggs.

Would you think we were bad parents if I let it slip that the kids didn't dye eggs this year? We just never got around to it. And the Easter bunny didn't hide eggs at our house. We were worried about getting all of us to Mass on time. Oops. Maybe we'll do better next year.

Crazy Things Kids Say

So we were at Mass on Easter Sunday... Daniel leans over and asks me where Jesus is. I'm thinking ... is this a question about Jesus Rising on Easter? I quietly tell him Jesus went back to heaven, but he is with us all the time. He says, "No, he's not here, God's here, but where's Jesus?" Okay. Now what? We are in the middle of Mass and can't have a whole conversation. He then points to the altar and says again, "God's here, where's Jesus". A huge lightbulb went off suddenly. For Easter Mass, the pastor said Mass alone. There wasn't a Deacon by his side. Daniel was thinking the Priest was God and the missing deacon was Jesus. Needless to say, I smiled and then discussed it with him after Mass was over.

What's Up with Us

I know, it has been a while since I last posted. Things have been good and busy as usual.

Big news - Daniel got promoted again in swim lessons! He is no longer a Marlin, but a Kingfish! Since he regularly swims the length of the pool, they are now working on endurance and starting breast stroke. Ashley stays at Swordfish for April, continuing to work on her freestyle and backstroke across the width of the pool. But don't mention to her that her younger brother is now 2 levels ahead of her at swim. She doesn't like it. They are both stopping swim lessons and starting neighborhood Swim Team at the end of the month.

Ashley has lost another tooth! That makes 6. Currently, she is missing 2 top front teeth (with a third loose) and one on the bottom. Talk about a funny looking smile. We keep telling her to slow down or she won't be able to eat, especially when that other front tooth comes out soon. The kids and I went to pick out their own fabric last week so I can make them their own tooth fairy pillow in the shape of a tooth. Just like the one my Godmother made me when I was little. It is the pillow Ashley has been using until I can make her one of her own. At this rate, I'd better hurry and make the pillow before she's done loosing baby teeth.

Wumpy also brought home a great report card today. We are really proud of our wonderful Kindergator.

Birdie is just Birdie. So cute and LOUD! I keep trying to teach the girl about volume control - loud and soft. For some reason, this toddler just can't grasp the concept. She has learned how to jump and get both feet off the ground. She gets really excited about it. I took a video that was cute, but at the end she jumped and fell on her head. Oops. She wasn't hurt, but the video looks bad, so I won't post it.

She and I went to the hospital this week for her chest x-ray and EKG to check out her heart murmer. We haven't heard back from the Dr. yet, but expect to soon.

Laurie just has lots and lots of personality, so sweet and cute, but loud and obstinate. She sings constantly, counts to 20 (well, she misses a few #'s), and loves to give you kisses. We think she is so very special.

Ok, Ok, we think that about all three of them. Each very special in their own way.

Everything else is going well. Allen is basically done with the house stuff. I spent last weekend painting while Brian took the big kids to the Ranch and I plan on finishing up my part of the painting this weekend. I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter and hope you did also!

House Update

Here is the new wall for the study after I painted it last night. You can't really tell from the pictures, but the color of the new wall is just a little off from the normal wall - there is a paint line where I stopped above the doorway. I've got to figure out how to fix it because I'm not repainting the entire 2 story wall.

Allen started painting the new 2nd story wall yesterday in the same color as our kitchen. We thought it would be a nice contrast. I don't think you can tell from the pictures, but he set the wall in about 2 or 3 inches so it will look great to hang artwork or a tapestry there. The picture can't do it justice. Maybe I should take one from the second story landing so you can see the porportions better.

The carpet is in, the new wall needs to be painted, but since Birdie didn't take a nap today, I lost my painting time. Maybe next week. I want to paint it a soft yellow and put a shag area rug in soft pink or green and pillows on the upper step. The bedding Birdie will get when she is out of her crib is soft yellow, green and pink, so I'd love it to match and be cute. To answer all the questions - yes we are putting safety things on the window so the kids can't get it open.

Since it is a small doorway and small room, it is really hard to get a picture that shows what it really looks like. To the immediate right of the picture is the solid wall (that used to be open to the entry way below). The room is about 9 1/2 feet long but only 8 feet from window to wall. The step up makes the floor space difficult to put anything in there but toys, etc. It just adds so much to the look of her room. I'm really glad that we had it built out.

There isn't any change to the Entertainment center since the last picture, so I didn't take a new one. We should get doors on it maybe next week. Unfortunately, we've been moved down on the priority list, so we might not get any of the projects finished for another 2 weeks or so. He is off working at David and Leah's today and this weekend building bookshelves.

Construction Update

Ok, since I posted finally about the construction going on at our house, but my pictures were all a week old - I ran and took some new ones. Here are current pictures of what everything looks like. (if you haven't seen the before pictures, they are posted below).

You can see the new Study wall and the wall above the entry for Laurie's new space. I believe the new wall up top is getting painted tomorrow, so it should be done. The doors aren't expected in for another 2 weeks (since they are 8 ft tall, they had to be special ordered), so the study won't be completely finished for a while.

This is the entertainment center - it just needs paint and cabinet doors.

These are inside the new room and from Laurie's room looking at the new doorway. Since we don't want the kids in the new room while Allen is still working on it, we keep her dresser in front of the door. And since it is almost midnight, Birdie was asleep in her room when I took the picture. Hence the picture of the dresser in front of the doorway. The other was taken by sticking the camera on top of the dresser peering into the new room. And no, Birdie did not wake up with the camera flashes. Thankfully!

Spring Fling

The neighborhood had a Spring Fling and Easter Egg Hunt this past weekend. Leah and I took the kids while the guys were out playing golf. (which Brian is doing currently on his Wii) You will notice in the pictures that Laurie would not even get close to the Easter Bunny and had a few crying spells when she didn't get what she wanted. Ashley loved getting her hair done by the "Sweet and Sassy" Salon - it was all about the glitter hairspray!
The day was simply beautiful and everyone had a great time.

Brian's Birthday

We celebrated Brian's Birthday this weekend with family over to play the Wii the kids and I got him as a present. Everyone got into playing the Wii, from grandparents to the kids. Unfortunately, Brian's mom was sick and couldn't make it over to the house, but she sent a perfectly wonderful homemade cheesecake for us to enjoy.

Oops, got to run. Brian bought new games today we just have to try now that the kids are asleep.

Soccer Season

Ashley started her new soccer season a couple weeks ago. At this weekend's game, she scored a great goal, getting past three defenders by herself. It was exciting.

Crazy Week

Ok, so obviously the crazy week has continued because I still haven't finished my posting. We have had Leah's Uncle with us the last two weeks working on a few projects here at the house.

It started with having him close in the Formal Living Room and make it a Study for Brian. Just a wall with some French Doors. Nothing too major.

Then we added, him building out this nitch in the Family Room into an Entertainment Center with lower cabinets. There are now two adjustible shelves that will be above the tv. The bottom will have doors with glass panels. And the whole thing will eventually be painted white to match the rest of our trim.

That's when it got a little crazy. We have this space in our house that drives us nuts. Brian would just stand in the entry way and stare up at it wondering how to make it usable. Everyone who came over would do the same thing. I guess it was a great conversation piece. Just wasted space that was collecting dust. One day, while staring at it, Brian suddenly realized that the space did share a wall with Laurie's room. About 34 inches to be exact. Would that be enough to make a doorway? What purpose would it serve? Who cares. Let's do it.

So, Allen is walling in the "dust collecting space" as we call it, and making a closet/play space /alcove attached to Laurie's room. It's about 8x10, with a window.

At this point, he is almost done. Tomorrow he will begin painting the new wall on the second story, making doors for the cabinet and putting the carpet in Laurie's new space. Hopefully, it will be done by the weekend and then I can begin painting to finish it off. Except for the French Doors. They are on order and won't be here for about 2 more weeks.

Here you can see the new wall for the study and the wall on the dust collecting space - as of last week. I need to take a few more pictures to reflect his progress this week. Who knows, maybe I'll get them posted before next month!

More Crazy Week

If you haven't read the first part of the week, skip below.

After coming home from Austin Monday night, we had Laurie's 18th month well check Tuesday morning. Our little Girl has GROWN! She is now 33 1/2 inches long (90%) and 26 lbs 6 oz (75%). At 1 year, she was sitting at 50% for height. We were a little concerned she would be our "shrimpy" child, since the other two have always been above 90% in height. I was so surprised at her growth. Now she is exactly the same height as Ashley and 1/2 inch shorter than Daniel at this age. Ashley weighed just 3 oz less and Daniel weighed 8 oz more. It's amazing they are all 3 tracking so similar. Can you believe that I could end up with 3 tall kids?

Laurie still has her heart murmer, so the Dr gave us another prescription for an EKG (since I didn't have it done last year). And she noticed a small bulge above Laurie's belly button. The Dr. suggested we keep an eye on it. And of course, our beautiful baby is doing well with everything else.

After the well check, I took Daniel (he didn't go to school) and Laurie over to Leah's so I could go volunteer for several hours at Ashley's school.

Wednesday, Daniel went to school since it was only a half day. He did really well and enjoyed being back with his friends after his surgery. And it was "Go Texan" day. Didn't he look cute!

After that, the week basically got back to normal. Daniel stayed home on Thursday because he was up in the middle of the night with his throat hurting, but Ashley had soccer and dance, and they both went to swim lessons on Friday.

Well, the rest of the week was normal, except for one thing.... See my next post.

What a Week!

We last left off with getting ready for Daniel's surgery last Friday - so we'll start there. Daniel was a real champ going through his tonsil and adenoid -ectomy. The surgery center near the house was wonderful with him - such great detail with small children. It was the same place and doctors where Ashley had hers done 3 years ago and it was another wonderful experience.

He woke up from his anethesia without trouble, was soothed and went right back to sleep. We woke him up again an hour and asked if he wanted a popsicle. Suddenly he was pretty awake trying to sit up for a popsicle. So sweet. As soon as he finished his popsicle, we took him home. The funny thing that happened was the other family in recovery has a kindergartner at the same school as Ashley and our nurse lives a few blocks away from our house. Small world.

What a trooper. We were so prepared for another bad recovery that everything took us by surprise. We kept waiting for all the bad to happen again, but it hasn't. The only tough thing has been the fact that his two medicines taste really really bad. Brian had to teach Daniel how to chug it then chase it with another drink. Yes, our 4 year old now asks for a chaser with his medicine. Things went so well this week, that he went to school one day and had swim lessons yesterday. His voice is a little nasal and funny, but he is pretty normal at this point.

On Sunday, two days after Daniel has his surgery, my dad had a heartattack while at the ranch. Thankfully, he wasn't alone out at SBR. Uncle Jack was with him. Dad started to feel bad after digging and filling a hole to fix a water leak, and quickly realized he needed to go to the hospital. Uncle Jack drove him to the closest hospital (which is not really close) and thankfully, called 911 from the car to have them notify the hospital Dad was coming in. Once he got to the hospital in Luling, they determined he'd had a heartattack, but needed to send him to Austin for further treatment. Very soon after getting to the Luling hospital, he was sent to Austin's Seton hospital via Life-Flight. When he got to Austin, he had a greeting party waiting for him at the helipad (his sisters, neices and nephew). They sent him to the Cath lab and put a stent in his Circumflex artery, which was 100% blocked.

Meanwhile, Mom and David left Houston as fast as possible. By the time they got to Austin, Dad was already resting comfortably with his stent. I drove up with Shelly that evening when Shelly got back from Louisiana (see her blog for details). Shelly and I drove back the next night, after the cardiologist had given Dad the basic all clear. He and Mom stayed for one more day in Austin at the hospital. Then came home Tuesday afternoon. He saw his Houston cardiologist today and was given the basic litany of eat better, exercise more and get your good cholesteral up and bad cholesteral down. To make a long story short - no more Hacienda Friday's for a while. Or at least - Solemente Pollo - as Omar (our waiter) would joke.

We are very thankful for several things - that Dad wasn't alone at the ranch, that he got to the hospital when he did and many other things. He is feeling better and mostly taking it easy - about as easy as he is capable of taking it.

The funny stories from this Austin trip. Which, if you know us, there is always something happening to one of us that the others have to "comment" on. I'll start with me. When Mom called to tell me about Dad, I decided I wanted to ride with her and David to Luling (and then it changed to Austin). So, I walked around the house for a minute trying to figure out what to do, then grabbed my purse and jumped in the car. When I got to Mom's, she and David both asked me where my bag was. Huh? What bag? I had my purse and cell phone. Oh, you mean, since Dad is out of town and we are going out of town and we don't know how bad it is or when we will be back, I should bring a bag? Yeah, let's just say my mind didn't work that well. So I went back home and waited for Shelly to get back from LA - and packed my bag.

On Monday, Dad was sure he was going to be released and only had one thing on his mind. Clothes. He was worried about what he was going to wear when they let him go home. The only thing with him was his mud covered clothes from digging that hole. When I say it was the only thing on his mind, I'm not kidding. We got to the hospital from the hotel about 8 a.m. and by 10:30, Shelly and I went to buy him clothes because he'd had mentioned it a zillion times. And, after us running all over buying Dad new clothes, shoes, underwear, undershirts, socks, etc. the Doctor came and wanted to keep him another day. Good thing we also picked him up some pajamas just in case.

And just in case you think that was the end of my crazy week - that's only day 3 & 4.