9 Year Old!

I can NOT believe that our little boy is 9 years old today! A cute couple was sitting in front of us at church on Sunday about to have their first child. She was due on Oct 15, like Jackson was, and is overdue but patiently awaiting the arrival of her little one. (OK, so anyone who remembers us 9 years ago remembers that we weren't patiently waiting, but you get the point. )

After talking to them, Jason looked at me and said, "That was us 9 years ago". We then surveyed our clan and for a moment were awestruck with all that can happen in such a short period of time.

Time passes too swiftly for my taste and I hate change. Really. One thing that hasn't changed for me though, is how completely in love I am with this boy! From the moment I laid eyes on him I was so smitten. Here are a few things that I love about Jackson.

1) He is such a kind big brother who truly loves his sisters. I doubt there was ever a sweeter big brother.
2) He loves to snuggle with me and still asks me to lay down with him at bedtime.
3) He kisses my belly every time I leave.
4) He loves to learn and tries his best.
5) He has such a funny sense of humor and is easy to laugh.
6) He is a good friend. I love seeing the way he treats his peers.
7) Has a smile that melts my heart.
8) Is as tenderhearted as they come. He can sense our moods and gives a hug, smile or lends a hand when we need it.
9) Loves to be active and doesn't argue with my no video game rule :)
10) Will always be my firstborn boy and has a special place in my heart that can't be replaced.

I love you Jackson!!!! You make every day brighter because you are in the world!

Making Room...

Athought I wouldn't really call us hasty (we've been looking to buy a car since Ava was born) we went to look at a car Tuesday night and ended up driving it home 2 hours later! We have been scoping out prices on Toyota Sequoia's and Volvo XC90's for a long time and I happened across one Sequoia that was a steal. I am already loving the extra room in the back and being able to tote more friends to sports and playdates. I am also very happy to have one less thing on my "to do" list before our newest arrival makes his debute.

The new car experience was one of mixed reviews for our kids though. Jackson was so excited that he literally jumped up and down for joy at the lot. Ava cried the whole way home asking for her "little blue car" and Kate was somewhere in between. We were a little surprised that the girls felt so attached to our Escape but as we explained to Jackson, it is the only car they have ever known. We went back to the dealership yesterday to try and take a picture of them in the car but sadly, it was already off the lot.

Farewell to our trusty little car and hello to more space to welcome baby boy into the world!

Eye Biopsy

This past month has been trying to say the least! We kind of joked about Jason's eye but in truth, things weren't very funny. Jason continued to have double vision since it began and was referred from doctor to doctor. Bottom line was that the problem likely didn't come from the sinus infection but they didn't have a reason why. They gave us several very scary possibilities all of which made me cry one Friday. Then the last doctor that we met with said let's not speculate but instead recommended a biopsy of Jason's eye muscle and from the back of the eye where the inflammation was prominent. (Does anyone find it hilarious that they put this on Jason's head before surgery?)
Jason had this procedure exactly one week ago and we are still awaiting the results. Our hope is that the results will point to idiopathic (meaning they don't know why) and that it won't be one of those other scary diagnosis.
I would post an after photo of the surgery but it even made me a little squeamish and that is saying something! I'll keep you updated as more develops.

Crazy!

So, it all started 3 days ago when Jason began to complain that he wasn't "seeing right". (OK, it actually started about 1 week ago when he started getting a cold, but nothing severe developed until 3 days ago.) Then yesterday he confirmed that he was actually having vertical double vision. That is never good and represents something going on with the cranial nerves, so he headed straight in to see the neuro-opthalmologist. After a thorough exam, they diagnosed him with a 4th cranial nerve palsy and ordered an MRI. The MRI was done this morning and about 5pm they called to tell him that he had an orbital pseudotumor. Now, don't fret - it isn't a tumor! It is called pseduo because it acts like a tumor but there is nothing cancerous going on here. It is caused by severe inflammation in the orbit and in Jason's case a part of the brain. We are hopeful that this is a result of a serious sinus infection. Apparently, the MRI showed some horrible sinus infection that has gone crazy spreading into his orbit and cavernous sinus (part of the brain.)

For now, Jason is sporting a saaaweeet eye patch because if he only looks out of his left eye he doesn't have the double vision and his right eye doesn't hurt quite as badly. He is taking his antibiotics and we are having fun telling a lot of pirate jokes. We'll keep you posted but for now, here's a picture to make you smile - it makes me laugh out loud! Arrrrgh!!!!

Weekend Recap

We had a great time in Charleston this past weekend! Jason and I would love to take a few days alone there, stay in a B&B, and see a bunch of things that wouldn't have interested the kids. The city was beautiful, the beaches were fun and time with friends was great. The only problem was that it was too short - isn't that always the case?

Kate, Jackson and Ava loved making cinnamon rolls with our host, "Grammie". On our way home Kate asked if we could go back this weekend and see Grammie and Papa again. Hilarious! It took Kate 2 days to realized that they were actually the grandparents of her friends and not just named Grammie and Papa. Sometimes we worry about her...:)

Highlights for Jackson included watching Planet Earth DVD's, finding seashells and boogie boarding. He really got the hang of boarding this time and was bummed that the weather didn't cooperate for him to go back for more on Monday.

I love those long weekend getaways...when is the next holiday?

PS - See how blog-worthy you are, Stuckis?

Labor Day Vacay

We have lived here for 6 years now and never ventured over to see beautiful Charleston. Our entire family is really looking forward to this 3 day getaway with friends. I know, I know, summer just ended so how can we possibly need a getaway? Trust me, we do!

Poor Jason has 3 grants due between now and the first of October and has been going crazy working on them. I am in full project completion mode and I feel the impending doom (did I say doom, I meant birth) of our newest family member. Between being the Fall Festival Chair at our elementary school, Primary President at church and working to save up for maternity time off, I too could use a weekend getaway.

PS- I don't know exactly what "where history lives" means and I doubt that I'll find out on this trip. Our prefect vacation is one where the only goal is to spend some time at the beach. We can't wait to enjoy the time together as a family!

Cutest Bag

So maybe Ava didn't need this for preschool but it was so dang cute that I would have bought it even if she hadn't particularly cared for it. It turned out however, that she is in love with this bag and has taken to bringing it everywhere! She currently has it filled with her Littlest Pet Shop toys, a magnifying glass and a panda bear. I think you'll agree that she looks tres cute sporting her tote!

First Day of School

So hard to believe that another summer has whizzed by and that we have begun the 1st and 3rd grade with Kate and Jackson.

They are both still young enough to look forward to school and their excitement was contagious. Despite the excitement, of course I still teared up when I hugged Kate goodbye. Some things will never change!

Jackson was playing it 3rd grade cool but I know that he secretly wishes that I'll come by for a visit today. :) Last night I was talking to a friend and totally freaked myself out when I realized that he'll be going to college in 8 years! How can they grow up that fast? It really isn't fair!

Surgical Experience

On Friday, Jackson had a dermoid cyst removed from the top of his ear. He has been anticipating this for months but unfortunately, the anticipation did nothing to calm his anxiety about the procedure. Over the course of the last 4 months, he has asked me hundreds of questions about how it would feel, where he'd be, what it would look like, etc.

For an adult, this simple procedure would probably have constituted a visit to the doctors office and some local anesthesia. No biggie. Because children are much less predictable in their reactions to procedures though, the plastic surgeon puts them all under general anesthesia. Jackson's surgery was scheduled for 2:30 pm and because he was going to go under general anesthesia he couldn't eat for the whole day. (He actually did pretty well with that even when his sisters were eating their soft pretzels and icees in front of him.) We made it to the hospital and through pre-op but then hit a little snag in the plans when they informed me that I couldn't walk back with him to the operating room. Some ridiculous policy about not allowing pregnant women in the OR because of the "anesthesia gases". Ummm, seriously? Are there no pregnant nurses, surgeons or techs in this hospital? Are they having mutant babies? And would 5 minutes in the OR put my unborn child at such a risk that there is a strict policy? I digress... I was most sad that I hadn't been prepared for their policy because Jason was at work and nobody else was with us.

When they said that I couldn't go back with Jackson he started to tear up. Thankfully I was able to calm him down and he bravely walked along through the OR maze to his room. I too felt like crying as I watched him walk alone. On the way home he confided in me that he was scared when he was waiting for the sleepy medicine. Of course he was scared! I told him that I am scared every time I have to go to the OR to have my babies. I told him that he was so brave and that seemed to make him feel a lot better.

It's hard to tell what his ear will look like because the steri-strips are blood tinged but hopefully it will be just fine. Jackson's only complaint is that he can't go swimming for a whole week! In my opinions this was perfect timing for the surgery because Dynamo swim team starts next Monday and school starts this week. Speaking of school, stay tuned for first day of school pics tomorrow!!!

Simple Joys

You know that you are pregnant when a happy, happy day includes a night where you didn't have to get up to pee once! I just realized that last night was the first time in 5 months that I went with uninterrupted sleep and since I couldn't reach Jason at work with the joyous revelation, I must share this with you. I know...you are blessed to share in my news.

Balance In All Things

This morning we had our follow-up ultrasound with the perinatologist. He said that everything looks better than good, that this baby is anatomically "pefectly normal". What more could we ask for?
We are so very happy for Jackson (and my inner need to have balance in all things) as today, it was indeed confirmed that this little guy is a BOY! Now, if you have any boy name suggestions, please do send them our way - we are struggling.

County Swim Meet

On July 2nd and 3rd, Jackson and Kate competed with their swim team, The Barracudas, during the county wide swim meet. They both had fun and did a great job! Kate's getting psyched up in the picture to swim like "white lightning". I think she reminds me of LL Cool J. What do you think?

Unfortunately, Kate's heart wasn't in it on the prelim day and she didn't place high enough in her individual events to swim in the finals. She placed 21st overall for the backstroke but was seeded 11th I think. Her relay team stepped up the second day, moving up from 9th place in the prelims to finishing 5th overall in the county. Way to go Kate!

Jackson finished 8th in the individual medley, and his team finished 8th in the medley relay and 5th in the freestyle relay (they were DQ'd in the last race though for an early start - I think it was a rough call if you ask me).

The coolest part of the meet was that Jackson finished 2nd overall in backstroke and set a new pool record for the 8&U backstroke. One of his coaches, Andrew, previously held the record and it had been in place for the last 10 years! Each meet of the year Jackson improved his backstroke time while secretly trying to beat the pool record. I found this out toward the end of the season when he told me that he was going to beat the record at the county meet. In the prelims on the 2nd, he came close to the 22:24 record with a time of 22:56 but on the 3rd he did it and finished with a time of 21:54. When this boy sets his mind to something he gets it done. If only I could be like that! Our friends videtoaped his race and posted it on You Tube. You can find it by title "Action Jackson Breaks Pool Record" or click on this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52qf-IWMx4k#

Alaska....Here I Come!

Our TNT team will depart Atlanta tomorrow am at the unearthly hour of 6:05am. After a 2.5 hour flight to Minneapolis, we will take another 6 hour flight to Alaska. Then we get to hang out in Alaska on Friday, run our race on Saturday morning, hang out on Sunday and take the red-eye flight late that night.
This summer has been so packed that I am just starting to get excited as I pack for the event. Now I am really looking forward to this race and only wish that my family was going to be there too. I promise many gorgeous pictures upon my return!

It's How He Rolls

Actual Conversation: Sunday, February 15th 1:30pm

Mom: OK, kids time for a nap.

Ava: No nap, no nap, no nap!

Kate: Awwwwwwwwww!!!!!

Jackson: Mom, I don't take naps. It's how I roll...

What?

Barracuda Swim Season

You know that I have been busy because we have already had our 3rd swim meet and I haven't posted a single picture yet. I figured that I'd better get to it before the season ended!

Jackson is doing a great job on his backstroke, freestyle and butterfly. He has also been competing in the IM races this year. The IM (individual medley) is a length each of backstroke, butterfly, breastroke and freestyle. It is painful to watch (Jackson says it's more painful to do) but he has gotten first for the last 2 meets and beat his best time by 23 seconds during the last one! We are so proud of him!

Kate is also a super duper backstroker, coming in first or second each meet. She swims freestyle too and is really getting her breathing down. She cut all of her times in half from last season to this one. What an amazing change in one year!

Peachtree City Youth Triathlon

Jackson had so much fun at the triathlon last year he wanted to participate again. He swam 100 meters in a pool, followed by a 5K bike ride and finished up with a 1/2 mile run. Jackson definitely exceled in the running, finishing 2nd with a pace of 7:42. Not too shabby, eh? (I am quite sure that I would have been hard pressed to keep up with him!)

There is another youth triathlon in July at Six Flags and he is trying to convince us to go to that one, too. (I am sure that is has nothing to do with a secret hope that we'll stay at Six Flags for the day.)

As I watched Jackson particpate, I felt a pang of sadness that Jason and I wouldn't be competing in the Peachtree City triathlon together this year. We had a great time doing that last year but I'll have to just cheer him on from the sidelines this time. I leave for Alaska on Thursday and it will be my last race until this little one arrives. So that I don't go crazy during the last half of my pregnancy, I have begun planning my races for next year. It will be here before I know it!

Good-Bye Palmers

One of the very sad things about living in a college town is that we have to say good-bye to friends each year. Today was a sad one for the Hansen family as we said goodbye to the Palmer family. This picture was taken today as they loaded up into the moving truck and headed out for Connecticut. They are driving on to a new adventure and we are missing them already!

Here are just a few things that I will miss about our friends:

1) Running at Stone Mountain with Clairon. How many other friends would put up with increasing their mileage from 5 to 10 miles because I was training! She was pure motivation for me and I loved our talks while we ran.

2) Seeing her sweet boys at Primary and having them give me hugs.

3) Having a friend for Jason that enjoyed talking science with him. Trust me, those are rare and Jason will surely miss Matt!

4) Knowing that Ava was always loved and taken care of while I was at the hospital with Kate. Clairon has taken her nearly each visit since Kate's diagnosis.

5) Having Clairon there at book group. I really appreciated her perspective on nearly everything.

6) Christmas Caroling Party at their home each holiday season.

7) Easter dinner with them - kind of became a tradition for the past 3 years.

8) Friends to call on and count on. It's pretty neat to have someone that you know you can count on and vice-versa.

Good luck Palmers!

12/11/2008

It's true... :)

Ava's 3!

Between Kate and Ava's back-to-back birthdays our family has had enough cake to last for the year! We had barely put away the wrapping paper from Kate's gifts before we had to bust it out again for Ava. I am so very glad that the next celebration won't be until October!

We had a really fun day and enjoyed celebrating Ava's birthday as a family. Mostly to appease Ava, the entire family had a special lunch date with Jason at our favorite Mellow Mushroom pizza joint. Ava's repeated questioning of, "We go party now?" and "I have party, ok?" precipitated that idea. We thought we could hold her off until evening if she had a lunch out with Daddy. It worked - well, partially the lunch and largely letting her open one present while we were there. Ava really got that she was 3 years old today and understood that that accomplishment necessitated presents and cake.

I think that we lived up to her 3 year old expectations and threw her a wild family party complete with dancing to Mylie Cyrus. In Kate's words, "it was rockin'." Ava loves her talking/moving baby doll and Winnie the Pooh telephone (thanks Aunt Shauna!) and we love our 3 year old big girl!

These are a few videos from the party. The first is of us talking to Ava and the second is singing Happy Birthday to her. They are too cute!

Kate Turns 6!

We can't believe it but our Kate is 6 years old today. The day was entirely as she requested beginning with Lucky Charms cereal. Then on to the pool where we spent 7 hours playing in the sun and eating popsicle after popsicle. She said on more than one occassion, "It's my birthday Mom, so can I ________. " Smart little girl, eh? As each hour passed, she begged for "one more hour" at the pool. I couldn't refuse the birthday requests.

After the pool we came home and had the family party. Kate's meal of choice-spaghetti and meatballs with a side of strawberries and sourdough bread. How lucky am I? It's a good thing it was quick to prepare as we were all famished from the day in the sun.

Everyone had fun watching Kate open her presents but Jackson and Ava really enjoyed feasting on Carvel ice cream cake. For my family members reading this, I know you are totally jealous as you imagine me eating those chocolate crunchies! Kate's favorite gifts were a Hannah Montana/Mylie Cyrus CD, Tiny Ponnieville My Little Ponies and The Last Unicorn DVD.

All in all, this was a wonderful day to celebrate Kate and to remember that very special day when she joined our family.