The Start of a Big Day

Today is the big day.....ear tubes! We started the day off with a doctor's appointment to get the okay for the surgery this afternoon. Ethan did really well and past with flying colors!

The Check In

We got to the medical center and were quickly checked in, then the wait began. Ethan was in high spirits especially considering that all he had all day was a glass of waterdowned apple juice.

He quickly settled in and started snuggling up to his blanket.

Patrick tried avoiding my photo documentation but couldn't hide fast enough!

A Big Success!

After a tear jerking experience of holding him while they put him to sleep, I headed to the waiting room where Patrick was waiting. Within 15 minutes the doctor came out and told us that everything went well. We had to go back to the waiting room and wait until they got Ethan to wake up. It seemed like forever. Eventually a nurse came out to get us. On the way back she seemed too happy and laughed about how cute he was. She told us that when they were trying to wake him up he put his hands up and covered his eyes. He then would open them a little and peek out trying to act like he was still sleeping. Immediately Patrick and I both had thoughts of him flipping out and she was just trying to be nice to us. Much to our surprised we didn't hear any crying. She led us to a recovery area surrounded by curtains and I saw a bunch of people around laughing. We got through the crowd of female nurses and there was a red cheek Ethan in the center on one of the nurse's lap flirting with all the ladies! There were so many of them they couldn't close the curtain!


The nurse let me take her seat and Ethan sat down completely content. The nurses left to let us spend some time with our baby boy but first she filled his cup with some much needed watered down apple juice and goldfish crackers. I tried to get Ethan to slowly drink his juice but he was so thirsty and he gobbled down the crackers! The nurse came back 15 minutes later to tell us we could leave, Ethan held up his empty cup and said "Juice!". She laughed and got him more juice and a couple packets of animal crackers for the road.

On our way out Ethan waved goodbye to all the ladies until he saw the Anesthesiologist. He just looked at him with a blank stare. The ladies had a huge laugh. Ethan was so good on the way home eating his crackers and watching Little Einsteins.

Once we got home Ethan was very excited to show Nonie his new monkey that he got at the doctor's office and his stash of animal crackers. Nonie came down the night before to watch Elaine so we could concentrate on Ethan's procedure. She was such a big help....thanks Mom!

PS. Ethan ate more that night than I've ever seen! He ate a bag of goldfish and a bag of animal crackers. Then he had a big bowl of mac n cheese and a bowl of noodles with butter and parmesean cheese. Later he had more noodles and some jello. He went right to bed with no complaints snuggling with his stuffed cow and his new buddy the monkey! Hopefully ear infections are a thing of the past!

Brunch & Family

This morning we met up with Melissa, Timmy, and Phillip for brunch.

The twins had fun, but we definitely need to feed them a smaller breakfast when they first wake up so they are more interested in eating. They love spending time with their cousin Phillip though.

Snap, Crackle, Pop!

Tonight I taught the twins the art of popping bubble wrap! They thought it was the best. Ethan was the most excited about it.

A Week of Treats

Today I went to our favorite bakery to order the twins' birthday cake and matching cupcakes. Even though they just got a treat from Lizzy, I had to pick them up a fun cookie. Elaine got a snowman and Ethan got a dinosaur.

Surprisingly Ethan was a lot neater with his cookie than Elaine. He just nibbled at it while she opted to rub and lick it all over her face.

Lizzy Comes Bearing Gifts

Lizzy came over yesterday to visit. She brought the twins a little treat...Busken cookies! Elaine was in a shy mood so she did not want to be photographed....or looked at, but Ethan was ready for his treat!

PS. She brought me a treat too!...Yagoot! I love that stuff. Thanks Liz!

Breakfast Has a New Menu

The twins have accomplished a new milestone....cereal with milk! They love eating their Cheerios with milk all by themselves. They are really getting good at it too! Now they just need to grow tall enough to get everything themselves so we can sleep in!

A Weekend of Fun

The twins spent the weekend at Aunt Jamie and Uncle Mark's house. Today we met them halfway. After a few days, they were full of energy but ready to come home! Patrick and I were ready for them to come home too!

Charlie Comes Home

We went up to Urbana today to get Charlie. We had to leave him behind at Christmas because the car was too full. While the twins were napping at Nonie and Poppy's, Patrick and I headed over to Jamie and Mark's so Patrick could help build a mud room. To thank everyone for their help, Jamie treated us all to dinner. After the dinner the boys finished up their electrical work and the twins relaxed. It was a short visit, but nice and relaxing....plus we got Charlie back so that makes everthing seem back to normal after the hectic holiday season.

Excuse Me Ladies....Can You Show Me Where I Can Find The Gym?

With the basement complete, I finally got to unpack and put together my new rowing maching. Ethan especially likes it, unfortunately he doesn't understand that you aren't supposed to let it go once you pull back so he is not allowed to play with it anymore. It has slowly been losing it's mystery with them so it's not that big of deal to them anymore.

Mmmmm Mmmm Good

Tonight the twins had tomato soup for the first time. They were so good. They stopped wearing bibs a long time ago, but they kept them on the whole time. For the most part they did really well eating it. They both loved it! I've never hear Ethan say "Mmmmm" so many times.

Fun In The Snow

Tonight the twins played out in the snow for the first time. They had a blast! They also got a chance to use their new snow boots that Santa brought them....maybe next year he'll bring them a sled.

We were only outside for about 20 minutes, but it felt like forever. It was freezing. The twins did not want to come inside so we had to eventually scoop them up and drag them in screaming. We felt so bad because they were having a great time but they were so cold!

Goodbye Too Soon

This morning Grandma and Grandpa had to leave to head back to Cleveland. While Grandpa and Patrick were packing up, Grandma took the twins for a ride in the new wagon they got from them for Christmas. They are going to LOVE it this spring at the zoo.

The visit seemed way too quick. Luckily we will see them again next month for the twin's birthday. Thank you for everything, it was a great Christmas for all of us!

New Toys

Today the twins had a fun time with their Grandma while I was out shopping and Patrick and Grandpa were working on a light switch in the basement. The twins kept themselves busy with all of their new toys. They both LOVE pushing around the twin baby dolls Elaine got from Aunt Cate and Uncle Don. Amazingly neither ran over Phillip while he was plaing on the floor! We had a great dinner and just relaxed.

Christmas With The Barkers

Today we got back from Fort Rapids. The kids were whipped. They went down for a nap really
quickly. While they were still sleeping Grandma and Grandpa Barker got here on their way from St. Louis. The twins woke up shortly after they arrived and were very excited to see Grandma and Grandpa. Ethan was too busy to even put his pants on. While we waited for Melissa, Timmy, and Phillip to come Grandma and Grandpa let the twins open a present. They were thrilled. Patrick also got to set up his new Beertender.

Once Aunt Melissa, Uncle Timmy and Phillip came, they got to open all of their other presents. They had a blast! Thank you to everyone for their presents and ours! Everything was so nice and very generous!