Compare & Contrast

Happy Birthday Gunner!

Look at that teeny tiny little thing!

(He is only a few days old here! Maybe 2 days?)

Hard to believe that in just a year, he turned into this big ol' sweet thing...

He is still a rotten wild crazy puppy sometimes, but he has the biggest heart in the world. When his shoulder was hurting him a few months back, they had to sedate him to take a few x-rays. The techs at the vet told me that he was the only dog they had ever seen still wagging his tail while going under. They said he was just the happiest dog and wanted them to know that even half way under anesthesia! 

He still thinks he's little and tries to fit into our laps (we let him as best as we can.) He is so sweet and patient with both of our boys. He plays and chases Case but somehow always stops just in time before completely bull dozing him. He gently sniffs and licks Rhett on the head, we know it won't be long before Case and Rhett are both running around with him! He checks on both of the boys when they are crying, and whenever I have been sick or upset he's always right by my side. Him and Matt play like little kids, and he sleeps in the funnest positions. He always sneaks into our bed at night, I still don't know how we don't notice a 80 something pound (maybe even 90 something not sure) dog getting into our bed in the middle of the night! He still loves me after I accidentally slammed his tail in the door on Sunday morning. (I cried all day long, I felt so terrible!) Minutes after, he was already wagging his tail again and licking me to death. He follows me around wherever I go, and gets so excited when Matt gets home from work he can't stand it! He lets Case put matchbox cars along his belly when he's napping, lets Case jump off on him, lay on him, sit on him like a horse. He is the most patient dog I have ever seen when it comes to our little boys. How can you not melt when you see a 29 lb two year old sitting on his humongous dog while watching cartoons?

It has been a wild little year with him, but we are so in love with our big puppy.
Happy Birthday boy!

Testing Testing 1 2 3.

HOLY COW IS OUR TODDLER TESTING US!

We are going through another phase of serious two year old testing. 

He's going through that down right rotten stage of...well here is an example: 

(Case hits the computer screen)

Daddy: Case, don't hit the computer please.

(Case hits the computer screen)

Daddy: Case, I asked you not to hit the computer.

(Case smiles as big as he can, and hits the computer screen)

Daddy: CASE, do NOT hit the computer screen.

(Case laughs, smiles and hits the computer screen.)

(Daddy smacks Case's hands)

(Case continues to laugh)

Ugh.

Just typing that drains me! Usually at that point, if he doesn't stop after smacking his hand then we take him to his room for a timeout for 2 minutes. (Every minute for their age they say) That usually hurts his feelings enough to say he's sorry and it usually gets the point across.

Shew! 

Whatever the situation though, after his sweet little voice says "I Sorry" it just melts me. :)

All Better!

In the words of Case, I think we are "ALL BETTER!" 

It got just a little worse before we were better. The day I drug myself into the Doctor, Mom came over to watch the boys for me. I woke up absolutely miserable- worse than the first day. I was dizzy, achy everything hurt. I scheduled an appointment with my Doctor at 11am. While I was gone, Mom said Case asked to take a nap. (That is how you know you have a sick little boy) After picking up my prescription, Case was still asleep and I decided I better take a nap myself. About an hour later, Mom woke me up to tell me Case was very hot. He woke up with fiery red cheeks, and was SO hot to the touch. We took his temperature and it was 103.7. 

I immediately gave him his next dose of Ibuprofen, and went ahead and called the Doctor. They had said to give them a call if he seemed to be feeling worse rather than better - and I figured this constituted just that. While waiting for a nurse to call back, we rubbed him down with a wet washcloth, and took off a layer of clothing. About 20 minutes later his fever dropped a degree. When the nurse called back, she said it was pretty normal for a virus to strike a fever like that, and to just keep the fever down. He would be fine.

Eventually, the fever came down to just a mild one and he seemed to feel much better too. A few hours later his cheeks even seemed back to normal. Mom thought for a while that he might have had fifths disease. (Which scared me to death when she said that, the last thing you want to hear is your child's name next to the word disease) but it is just a virus that consists of fever and bright red cheeks. 

He seemed to feel better each day, my antibiotics were definitely kicking in, and Rhett still has a little stuffy nose but hasn't gotten worse! (Matt has been so lucky and missed all of this!)

This weekend really helped us, we took it very easy. The little boys and I stayed home from church on Sunday, just in case Case was still contagious. His nose was still a little runny and I didn't want to share the germs, or pick up any new ones this weekend!

Today we are feeling much much better, thank goodness! I'm hoping to exchange our double stroller this week, so we can venture out to the park one day!

Sick Days

My boys are sick. 

I had anticipated that the first time my children were both sick at the same time would be difficult --- boy, was I right.

Case has woken up with a fever for the fourth day today, Ranging between 100-102°. Poor little guy was absolutely miserable. He was crying that pitiful cry, whining all day long. The kind of whining that doesn't even grate on your nerves though, because you know how horrible he feels. He was dressed in layer upon layer and still chattering. He couldn't decide if wanted to be in my lap, or lay flat on the floor just wailing. Broke my heart.

Little Rhetter man hasn't had it as bad as his big brother. He just has a little cough, and was pretty congested. He couldn't keep his morning bottle down from all the congestion so that had me worried. Thankfully, he ate just fine for the rest of the day. 

I have been thanking God for such an easy baby this week. I don't know how I would have given Case all of his much needed cuddle time if Rhett was super high maintenance. Instead, he just cooed and smiled and stared at his pudgy sweet hands all day long unless he was sleeping or eating. Bless his sweet heart.

It has been awful! I hate when my babies are sick!

I took the boys to the Doctor (BRIGHT & EARLY) this morning, to find out they both have a little respiratory virus. Our Doctor assured us that it should mend itself in just a few days. I can't wait for that day! 

What's even worse than having kids sick? Being sick along with them. I caught the fever today, and knew how Case was feeling. I had 4 shirts on, a sweatshirt, fleece sleep pants, socks, and still chattering underneath a down feather comforter. BLAH! NOT FUN! 

I took some medicine, and somehow managed to get both of my boys to take a nap this afternoon, and slept along with them for an hour. I feel much much better now. The boys are both working on their 3rd hour of napping. Two napping children at the same time is probably one of the most peaceful things ever when you are a stay at home Mom! :)

Hoping my little ones feel better soon, especially since the forecast this week is in the HIGH 50'S!!!

My Heart is Exploding

My big guy has been showing my little guy a lot more attention lately.

Case has realized that if he talks to his little brother, Rhett will give him a big ol' gummy smile in return. I think it made Case's day the first time it happened. Case just laughed and laughed, and looked at me like "Did you see that?!" 

The other night, Rhett had some tummy time and Case plopped right down next to him, as I grabbed my camera as fast as I could! It is so fun to watch their relationship begin to take off...and I am sooo going to enjoy it before it turns into..."MOM!!! He's touching me!! MOM!! He's looking out of MY window! MOM!!! He won't let me have a turn!!" 

  

:)

Brothers.

 

Bless his heart, Rhett looks like he is fearing his little life in this one! 

Rhett's making sure Thomas doesn't run over his face!

 There's that big gummy smile!

Love. Love. Love.