desert fun

We headed to the desert with our friends, the Walzs and Hogans for the weekend. It was so fun and relaxing. I am so glad we went. We weren't going to at first because I felt bad that Mad couldn't go in the pool and the other kids did all weekend, but we made up for it. Amy brought a fun game that she loved and she got to have popsicles. There was lots to do for her. The guys golfed, the moms played with the kids. Thanks for a fun weekend hosting Walz fam!

popsicle fun

such a sweet girl

my bro loves his popsicles

colt and blake love theirs too

happy cade

mr. owen

this is how mad got to sit by the pool and jacuzzi,

with her arm covered with a towel

daddy and brody in the jacuzzi

brody loved sitting on the stools

vanessa and cade

movie night

this is how their smiles were because they were watching the movie and smiling for the camera. too funny.

roasting smores

heading off for a night golf cart ride with their flashlights

sugar and spice

trying to get a picture of my two together hugging is kind of like sugar and spice! mad smiling sweetly and brody yelling. love my two little monkeys!

My big boy

Dear Brody,
Look at you! You have grown up before my eyes. You are almost 22 months old! In the past week I have realized you are not my baby anymore. Some of the things you are doing this month:
1. Everytime I say "No, no" if you are doing something you aren't supposed to, you reply with "Yes, yes."
2. You love Dora lately and point to the T.V. saying "Boot".
3. You really love your new backpack.
4. I have realized you are a picky eater like your sister. You used to eat anything. Now, you choose when you want to eat.
5. Your last two eye teeth are coming in and they aren't making you happy.
6. You love to play in the street with Mad's pink car. You get my keys and put them in the ignition, like you are going to drive away.
7. At night, you insist that I put your airplane blaket on top of you. If I don't, you call me back in to do it.
8. When we ask your name, you say Bro Bro. You really think it is your name!
9. You LOVE Gymboree class. It is our special time on Fridays when sissy is in school and you run around with Mr. Ryan doing all the activities. You check on me by yelling "Hi Mama".
10. Your hugs and kisses melt my heart

Love you to the moon Bro Bro!

Life with a cast

We are getting used to life with a cast around the Shwam house. Maddy has learned how to do things with her left hand. We have perfected the sponge baths, washing hair over the tub thing. She can finally sleep at night with it. It is hard to remember life without it now- but OH we can't wait for that day! Here are some things we have been doing in life with a cast...

Making cookies!

Hanging out with her babies. Baby Haley got to go into surgery with her and Dr. Aminian put the mask on her during surgery. So cute!

Just got done with a sponge bath and hair wash.

Halloween crafts at Gamma's.

Napping on the couch.

Trying out her new sleeping pillow.

A cute one of Bro I had to sneak in.

Playing drums.

Reading Reginald's Broken Arm from Auntie Lou and Uncle Casey

Cheers with popsicles.

Building train tracks.

Trying out her new sling and Bro too.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom's birthday! She is the most amazing, kind, giving, loving, beautiful woman! You deserve all the best mom. We celebrated tonight by going to dinner as a family. It is always craziness when we are all together. Maddy, Grey and Bro run around screaming (usually). We always have fun though! Hope your birthday was as special as you mom. Love love love you!

A Broken Bone kinda day

September 23, 2010 started off a great day. Maddy had dance class that morning, we picked up lunch and headed to the park to meet mom, Bri, Grey and Emme for lunch. It was beautiful out. The kids finished eating and wanted to play. I don't really like the park we were at because the structures are large and I am constantly chasing Brody to make sure he doesn't fall. Literally, two minutes after I told Mom we were leaving, Maddy fell. She tripped off a two foot platform and landed the wrong way on her elbow. Instantly, I knew something was wrong! I raced her to the ER. Mom kept Brody. I called the Dr. on the way. My heart was breaking as my little girl was crying, wincing in pain in the back and I couldn't comfort her. I hit EVERY red light and almost drove through them all. Called Mike. He was in meetings. Kept calling. It was the longest car ride of my life. After the intial waiting, getting called in for vitals, X Rays (which were awful), and diagnosis, they decided she didn't need surgery. Thank goodness. Got it splinted and ready to be casted the next Monday. But then, I wanted to see a pediatric Ortho. We were sent to Dr. Aminian, amazing doctor, and he said there was no question she needed surgery! So our relief was taken back when we realized our little girl had to be put under to have two pins put in her elbow. It was the scariest day of my life when they carried her away. Thank God for the amazing nurses, doctors and staff at CHOC in Orange. They took excellent care of our girl. On October 21st we get to go back and see if it is time for the cast to come off. She was really excited about the purple popsicle after surgery to match her purple cast.

In the ER. Still smiling in pain. That is the medicine on her shirt that she spit out on me and everywhere three times.

Her new bracelets!

Our little patient.

Daddy came from work.

The morning of surgery. Smiling still!

Daddy showing Mad how her arm will be casted. He made her feel so much better since he has had a couple of casts in his life.

All ready in her new gown.

So brave! Maddy, not me. I was a mess on the inside!

And ta da...the purple cast!

Loving on Emme

They LOVE their new cousin!