MOMMIES SHOULDN'T BE ON CRUTCHES!

You won't believe my luck! Friday morning I went for a run. About a half mile into it I came to some debris and rocks that were in my way. As I was maneuvering around it all I twisted my ankle and plunged to the ground. I knew right away that I was hurt. I kinda rolled around on my back for a few seconds saying, "ow, ow, ow". I thought I might be able to walk it off so I attempted to stand up and as I did I realized I couldn't put any weight on my right foot. I hopped to the curb and sat down. I could already feel my ankle swelling in my hand. I decided that I was going to have to flag a stranger down for a ride home, but as I looked up a lady drove up and rolled down her window offering me a ride home. She said she saw me try to walk and knew I was hurt. I just hope she didn't see my wipe out :-) So I accepted a ride from this kind woman (my kids are still shocked that I got in a car with a stranger). When I got home I hollered for Aaron. For some reason I had a little panic attack (not sure why) and I could hardly breath when I tried to tell Aaron what had happened. It felt like my trachea was the size of a straw. So weird. Any way, Aaron took my shoes and socks off and my right ankle was already the size of a grapefruit and purple! My other leg and knee were scraped up too. Of course it was too early in the morning to go to a doctor's office so I laid on the bed in the worst pain with a bag of ice on my ankle. Aaron showered and got the kids off to school...he almost forgot to pack their lunches but threw them together in the last second. So a few hours after the fact, we went to go see the doctor for some x-rays (hopping all the way). Luckily, I didn't break my ankle, but it's a bad sprain. The doctor said I probably tore a few tendons, just didn't tear them in two. I am now hobbling around on crutches, but Aaron and I were still able to go to dinner with a few other couples that same night. It helped to have 800mg of ibuprofen in my system :-) I am still thinking this is very unfair. Mommies aren't supposed to be on crutches!!! I can't drive and I won't be able to run again for over a month! That kinda sucks when you think that there's going to be a lot of yummy food around the next little while and I have no way of having aerobic exercise. Bring on the holiday pounds! And Christmas shopping...how am I going to do that? Sara has taken full advantage of my inability to carry her. Yesterday I hobbled down the hall with crutches into her room trying to get her to follow me. Then I stood by her changing table saying, "come here Sari". She poked her head into the doorway and said, "no" and took off back down the hallway. This went on for quite awhile until I found something she wanted and enticed her to come to me. Once she was in my reach I quickly grabbed her and lifted her onto the changing table. What a silly girl. The kids have loved being my "big helpers". When I make dinner I sit on a stool in front of the stove and ask them to bring me things and put things away as I just sit their adding ingredients and stirring. It works out well as long as they don't get tired of being my little gophers. Aaron has been trying to be mommy and daddy all at the same time. He went grocery shopping for me today... with coupons...and he had two kids with him too! It just about killed him. Thanks Hubby :-)

SARA'S CHECK-UP

Sara had a "well-baby" appointment today. Of course we sat and waited forever, but it just wouldn't be a normal doctor's visit if we were seen right away, right? The room was super warm as Sara ran around in just her diaper and explored every corner of the room. By the time the doctor came in, Sara's cheeks were bright red from running around and being so warm. She ran up to the doctor and gave him a big grin and started talking to him in her gibberish-way assuming he knew exactly what she was saying. The check-up went well and Sara is a healthy 12 month old! The nurse came back and gave her 3 shots which wasn't so fun. She's sleeping now and I hope she'll be alright when she wakes up. The past few times she's gotten her shots she has woken up screaming and has been inconsolable for a few hours. I think it's the prevnar, and she didn't get it this time so hopefully she'll be fine. Here are Sara's stats:

Weight: 18.91 lbs. (16th percentile)
Length: 28.75" (39th percentile)

So Sara is following after her siblings... small in size, but BIG in personality! Just the way we like 'em :-)

REFLECTIONS

Sam and Kaeli have been on track break for 3 weeks. So we decided to enter the "Reflections" contest as a little something to do. The theme this year is "I can make a difference by...". Kaeli is our little artist so she decided she wanted to paint a picture to enter into the contest. She had never really painted before, but loved doing it.So here is her painting! It's a picture of her picking up her toys which makes herself happy and her mom and dad happy :-) That's a great way to make a difference!

Sammy choose to do a literary piece for the contest. Sammy loves to write stories and he's so creative! Here he is plugging away on the computer:

Here is Sam's story! I absolutely love it...and it's pretty good for a 2nd grader if you ask me :-)

Sam and the Squirrel

By Samuel Davis

Once upon a time a boy named Sam went hiking in a mountain. And Sam loved going hiking. While Sam hiked he came to a spot with lots and lots of garbage. His mom said, ”What a lot of garbage!’’ Sam said, “I noticed. It looks ugly huh?” “Ya,’’ said his mom. “You’re right on!’’ said his dad. Then all of a sudden a squirrel jumped right in front of Sam. ’’Please help me,” said the squirrel. A beer bottle is blocking my hole where my food is.’’ “OH – NO!’’ Sam said. ”But I have a plan to get it out! 1. I will tell my mom and dad to stop for a second, 2. I will come back to you, 3. you show me where the hole is, 4. I get it out and walla it is done! How is that?” said Sam. “It’s a fine plan”, answered the squirrel. “Let’s do it”, said Sam. So Sam did number 1,2,3, and 4 and it was done. “Phew” said Sam. “Phew” said the squirrel. “We’re a great team!” said Sam. “Ya” answered the squirrel. When Sam was about to leave the squirrel said, “Wait!” Sam said, “Stop for a sec Mom please.” “OK” said his mom. The squirrel said, “I also have a plan. I have other friends you know. So I think we should tidy up the garbage.” “OK” said Sam. “I’ll go ask my mom and dad for a garbage bag. OK?” “OK” said the squirrel. “I will wait for you right here.” “OK” said Sam. Sam ran to his parents. “Mom, Dad, Can I borrow a garbage bag?” “What for?” asked his mom. “Well, I met a squirrel who wanted to tidy up the garbage.” “Cool! Can I help?” asked Sam’s dad. “Sure” said Sam. So the squirrel, Sam, and his dad cleaned it all up. “DONE!” they all sang. Now Sam was happy for that day on. THE END!

THOSE DARN DEER!

I must admit, when we first moved in I thought it was so cool how many deer walked through our yard and feasted on our scrub oak. But since we've put our yard in they have become a nuisance! I snapped this picture just a few minutes ago. This deer was eating my pumpkin!!! There were three others off to the side eating our new shrubs. I am surprised that they would come this close to the house! They're lucky I didn't have a rifle in hand :-)

HALLOWEEN!

I'm so sorry about all the Halloween pictures...but I just love this holiday! Here are the kids on the big day, right before trick-or-treating. Aaron took the kids out for a little more than an hour and they scored BIG time! Rylie's bag was so heavy she could hardly carry it, but she insisted on carrying it herself. I think we're going to have candy forever! We roasted pumpkin seeds (from the giant pumpkin pictured below) and had hot apple cider :-)