Johnny Update #2

People are still asking so I will let you know...

Johnny is going strong. He passed the 60 foot pole climb and has moved onto learning to climb with belts. There have been a few little mishaps. First he hit his head on the pole pretty good then another time he stabbed himself in the foot with the gaff (the spike on the bottom of the climbing gear) when getting off the pole, but he said it was not a bad cut. I guess one of the other guys in the class was a Fire Fighter so he patched him up and on they went.

Today he is reviewing CPR and First Aid (which he happened to complete when it was offered by the ward a few months ago) along with tower climbing. Johnny said yesterday was fun because they were tossing golf balls back and forth between the poles once they reached a certain height. They also had a few team projects such as practicing hoisting tools up to one another with pulleys. Next week they will learn about pole rescues and emergency procedures.

We should find out by the middle of next week where we will be stationed first. I want to be near my family AND Johnny when the baby comes. I want Johnny to be there when Wesley is born. After that I don't mind where they send us. We are keeping S. CA in our prayers at least for the next few months.

Johnny Update

Many people have been asking so I just thought I would let you all know at once.

Johnny is doing great. Yesterday he climbed 6 feet, today he passed the 40 foot free climb pole test (telephone pole that is). He is one of two guys in the class that have not climbed previously, but he is keeping up with them just the same. One guy in his class "slid out" (I think that is the term he used) and face planted on the pole. Splinters in the cheek! Ouch. Tomorrow he will pass the 60 foot test then move on to climbing with a belt and learning how to maneuver around obstacles at that height. Understand that I am not familiar with any of this so I am just relaying what he tells me.

Tonight he is eating bananas (to help keep from cramping) and relaxing his sore muscles in the jacuzzi. I guess this is kind of like boot camp so of course the instructors try to make it miserable, but if you know Johnny he just laughs and does his best. Gosh I love that boy!

What happens when Daddy packs...

Johnny packed a box of his clothes the other night and asked where I kept the black permanent marks-a-lot markers. I told him and didn't think about it for another second. Big mistake. Boys need to be reminded not to leave that type of thing out.

I "draw" on Daniel's back during church with my fingernails to keep him entertained. He thought it would be a cool thing for Jaxon to draw on his back in the same way. He found the marker, demonstrated on Jaxon's back how it should be done, then lay down on the box and lifted his shirt. I think Jaxon had the general idea of what Daniel wanted him to do. After that he sucked on the marker for a few seconds before I caught them, grabbed the marker, and ran for the camera. Daniel was very proud of himself for teaching Jaxon a new skill.

Jaxon's Endoscopy

Jaxon had his 3rd endoscopy on Thursday 6/18 to check his eosinophil count. The eosinophil count (white blood cells in his esophagus) will tell us if he is reacting internally to any new foods I have introduced since his last scope. We have added quite a few: strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, soy, beef, sunflower seeds (Sunbutter), gluten free spelt, and honey. He also drinks 100% red grape juice and Crystal Light (hurray for Cherry Limeaid that is my new favorite flavor). The gluten free oats were still causing rashes on his face and bum so I chose to discontinued them for now. We will probably try them a 4th time in a few months. Since I am a chicken we didn't test corn. I have to work myself up to the "big" ones that will most likely make him sick for a few days. It is hard to plan life around the possibility that he will be sick for a week if I try a new more allergenic food.

Jaxon was AMAZING. We were pushed back due to a 16 year old who had a more urgent need for the scope than we did. The only problem with that is Jaxon can't eat or drink anything before the scope. Denying a 2 year old food for three hours after he wakes up in the morning is heartbreaking. At home and in the waiting room Jaxon let me and everyone around us know that he was hungry! Once were were in our prep room playing with toys and cords he was perfect. He even fell asleep in my arms just before we went back to the procedure room so the anaesthesiologist just placed the mask on his precious little face and he went limp in my arms. This is the 2nd time in a row he fell asleep on his own just in time for the procedure to begin. Wonderful!

The scope pictures looked perfect. The slides will be read this week and the eosinophils counted, if any. I would post the pictures but I didn't think you would want to see the inside of his esophagus, tummy, and small intestines.

These are a few of my favorite things...

This morning I was pruning my beloved rose bushes and I found the most wonderful surprise. An absolutely perfect long stem red rose hidden in the middle of the very last rose bush. I think it has to be in the top ten of my favorite things ever. After my new born babies and Johnny in a tool belt of course. The fact that I had a perfect rose grown in my own back yard just thrilled me for some reason. Sorry for lack of a better camera, but trust me the rose is perfect. I wish we had it yesterday to place on Johnny's father's grave. It would have been very fitting to place it there.

After finding my rose I started thinking of all the things I am really going to miss about living here in Mesa. It started with my rose bushes that have brought me great joy over the 6 1/2 years we have lived in this house and my thoughts wondered from there. I love our home. I love the green and blue pastel baby room Johnny and I painted together when we first found out we were having a boy.

I am going to miss the home where we brought both of our first two babies home and watched them grow.

I love our "L" shaped house/garage and the insane amount of lights Johnny added to every room (good luck figuring out the switches Emily). I LOVE my kitchen island all the game nights with friends. I love the Thai House that no one else knows about and I love that COSTCO is close enough for me to walk there if I ever got the urge.

I am REALLY going to miss my neighbors; the most wonderful neighbors anyone could every ask for. I am going to miss all of the 4 wards and 2 stakes we have lived in since we moved in this house. We have made such great friends. I will miss the 6 lane roads and smooth freeways. In Hemet they will be replaced with almost constant speed bumps and stop signs. I will have to show Johnny how to catch air off the best "dip" ever (not in MY car of course, but in HS I got all 4 wheels of my parent's suburban off the ground). I am going to miss the AZ Museum for Youth, the parks, and the summer swim lessons at Taylor pool.

I just love Mesa and there is so much I am going to miss, especially the people. The best part about living here has been our family and friends. We hope to come back in 4 years. I have always said that I am from CA, but now I am going to have to tell people I am from AZ.

PB & J

I just wanted to take a minute between packing boxes and cleaning the kitchen floor to celebrate a HUGE step in Jaxon's life. Yep, tonight he ate his first sandwich. Not a real PB & J, but darn close! Homemade strawberry jam, sunbutter (like peanut butter but with sunflower seeds and ohhh so delicious!) and gluten free spelt bread.

We started trying the spelt bread yesterday and so far so good. We will know in a few days if he reacts to it but for now he is living it up! The first time I gave it to him he was literally begging for more.

The other great part is I gave Daniel the exact same thing as Jaxon and he loved it too. I am getting so much closer to being able to feed them the same things. That is a lifesaver with a 2 and 3 year old because they always want what the other one has.

I know what you are thinking. Are they eating on the garage floor? YES! They were "working" in the garage with Johnny so I plopped them down right where they were. Less mess for me to clean up inside. Hurray for eating PB&J on the garage floor!

Mommy & Me Night

Tonight I took a break from packing to take Daniel to see UP! the new Disney movie. I do have to say I had the cutest date at the movies. I needed time with just him and he needed some attention without any excuse about mom having to get back to work or go pack. Daniel has never asked to go see a movie before, so when he asked to see the "balloon one" I was instantly excited. For over half of his precious 3 1/2 years it has always been him and Jaxon. Tonight was all about him! We picked out treats before the movie and I spent the whole time telling him how much I love him and enjoy being with him. It was a great night! I realized a few things about him today.

1. Daniel loves potty humor. Not news to me, but I am the middle of three girls. It was more of an acceptance that he is a boy and it is alright to love saying "poop" and "pee."

2. Daniel is so smart. He body slammed Jaxon on the bed right before we picked up the sitter. When he saw me he told Jaxon "Hurry Jaxon, we better hide or shes gunna send us to time out."

3. Daniel starts almost every sentence with "Hey mom." Daniel thrives on attention and praise.

The movie was a little slow for him when there was a lot of reflection and not much talking. During all the quiet parts he would tell me about the big band aid over the cut on his leg. It was a great time! I love you Daniel. Thank you for the perfect date night!

I Should Be Packing!

Instead of packing I am sitting here very excited that I finished work early tonight and have the time to post.

Here are a few recent things going on before the crazy move began!

Daniel graduated from his first year in preschool. Thank you Jena. We are REALLY going to miss you next year. Daniel now knows his continents, days of the week, colors, shapes and numbers almost to 20.  

Jaxon has discovered how to start his own bath and climb on in. Every time I hear the water turn on I run to catch him before he gets all the way in. He LOVES bath time. I can't lock the door or Daniel gets very confused when trying to run for the potty. Jaxon also loves the dog water outside. Either way we go through multiple outfits a day. 

We went to CA to visit family over Memorial Day. Saturday the girls (my mom, older sister, and myself) took the two boys (Daniel & Jaxon) to LEGO LAND. We all loved it! Daniel did much better than expected and Jaxon was actually able to ride about half the rides. Thank you Jeanine & Mom for sponsoring the fun day. Where were the boys you ask? Shooting! Yep, shooting, swimming, relaxing, eating, etc. Anything they wanted while the girls were away!

Jaxon was so excited. We went in every flying contraption available. 

Daniel especially loved the Pirate ship and the chance to shoot water guns at me while I tried to take pictures. Mom was a good sport going on the water rides. 

Jaxon actually slept for over an hour and a half in the wagon while my mom and sister took Daniel on the rides Jaxon was too short to ride. We were the envy of every mother there with a stroller. In the wagon we just put the seats down and since the wagon has a cover he had shade the entire time.

I thought Daniel would literally wet his pants on this ride. The little boy who rode before him screamed "I'm gunna die" the whole time, but Daniel LOVED it. It totally took him by surprise. I mean look at this kid's face. He was in HEAVEN! 

One of the best parts about Lego Land was that the lines had play areas for the kids. While I waited in the longer lines my mom and sister took the boys to ride another ride. Then they would meet me there and play in the line play area (full of Legos of course) until I got to the front then walk right on with me. It was great.  

One of the funniest things that happened was when Jaxon grabbed Jeanine's bra and shirt when she tried to put him down (it was at the start of the day). Of course her bra (that snapped in front) popped right open and would not stay snapped back together. She was wearing a white shirt! So, lucky her she dug a black mini binder clip from the bottom of her purse and used it to clip the bra back together. Hilarious. My boys are making her work to earn the title "favorite Aunt" while Diana is in Nepal. 

Of course since we are moving my wonderful friends have been gathering boxes for me. My boys think they make excellent tunnels and movie seats. This is one of their more innocent uses for the boxes. Lets just say the dog is not too happy with their "not so innocent" uses for the boxes. 

Now I am off to pack...or maybe to bed. Baby Wesley is wearing me out!