Live Turns Two

I told you that we were having birthdays fast and furious around here.  We had barely sung Happy Birthday to Grayson whenever it was time to sing the same song to Olivia.  You see, Olivia's birthday is really at the beginning of March (She and Aunt Sarah share the same birthday), however, since her little brother was due around the same time, her mommy thought it best to go ahead and have her party at the end of February this year.

     Olivia just loves Minnie Mouse and so this year, that was the theme of her birthday party.

The fun theme was a festive red and black that transported you to "The Happiest Place on Earth"!

Every little detail was attended to.  I'm not sure if you can tell that those rice crispy treat pops are shaped like Minnie!

                        And the polka dotted plates had napkins formed for the mouse ears.

And, of course, the cake did not disappoint.  Allison has had the same baker two years in a row make the most precious cake for Olivia.

The birthday girl was pretty excited about her party and couldn't wait to dig into all of the treats...and presents!

It was so nice outside that most of the party was held outdoors (Benefit of living in Louisiana.  Don't worry, we will be complaining soon enough that we can't stand the heat.).  Notice her cute little smocked Minnie Mouse bubble suit and BIG red bow in her hair (We southern mamas believe in big ole bows...the bigger the better!).  I think Beckett was almost excited as she was about the present opening...

                         Well, Grayson maybe not so much.  But he sure is a cutie, isn't he?

          And Poppi got the award for getting the most and best snuggles of the day!

Olivia made two just about a week before her baby brother was born.  Yep...I'll be showing some pictures of him real soon!

We love birthdays around here.  They are so special and never just a little gathering.  Allison is one of four children in her family and Ryan is one of four in ours.  Add the spouses, nieces, nephews, grandparents and great-grandparents and you've already got a whole bunch of people before you invite the first guest.  But it's fun to get together with OUR BIG FAT SOUTHERN FAMILY and I wouldn't trade this bunch for anything in the world!

                     HAPPY, HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, OUR SWEET LITTLE BLOND-HEADED
                     BLUE EYED DOLL BABY!!!

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Birthdays, Babies and Surgery

OK, so I know it's been a while but I have learned to expect the unexpected.  Things were really getting back on track for me here with my mom out of the hospital and back home in hospice.  My father-in-law has a little health issue and we had to take him to Houston to see about that.  And, of course, we were expecting "Grand Number 9".  I was getting all of my ducks in a row, so to speak, when I got a phone call on the return trip from Houston.  It was my gynecologist.  I had my yearly exam and mammogram so whenever the number came up on caller ID I was immediately afraid of why they were calling.  As it turned out, everything was OK except...one of my breast implants had a ruptured (ugh...).

Now, if you know me, you know that I am always searching for reasons  that things happen.  So after absorbing what the nurse had to say and giving her my surgeon's phone number in Dallas, I began wondering how in the world that thing had ruptured.  I realize that they were 10 years old and nothing is meant to last forever but still I was baffled.  And scared.  Because I knew that this meant I was going to have to undergo surgery again.

Things were clicking along pretty quickly here with me committing to keeping David's two boys while they went to Hawaii and then Jonathan was to be born right afterwards and I was supposed to keep Olivia overnight while they went to the hospital.  I needed to get this thing done fast!  And so I put the wheels in motion to have it done within two weeks.  Yep, that's me.  Let's get this ball rolling so I can move on to the next thing.  What I had forgotten was what the surgery was really like and the fact that it was actually going to slow me down.

So David and Codi brought us the boys and we kept them for 5 days, handing them off to her parents for the next five and off we went to Dallas.  However, while Hubby and I were talking about this surgery, which by the way could possibly still be in the warranty period.  Wait, what?!  You see, I was in a 10 year study with Mentor for the current implants I had placed.  If, at any time within that 10 year period, anything happened to them, they would pay for the new ones.  I knew we were close but not sure if we were within the window of the year.  Anyway, while we were talking about having the new ones put in, Hubby said, "I know how you hate being put under anesthesia.  And how you had planned to never have elective surgery done again.  BUT...I also know that you have done quiet a bit of "sport talking" about having a "little lipo" done for years.  Now would be the time to have anything else done that you may want since you have to have those old implants taken out."  Hmmm...And that, friends, put these visions of grandeur into my mind. Twenty-something looking legs and hips.  Why, four children had certainly changed the shape of my body time and time again.  Why not?

Well, why not should have been, "Because you have anxiety and will absolutely freak out the day of the surgery."  But NO...I went ahead and had my consult on a Thursday, boldly showing the doctor what I wanted to get rid of and scheduled my surgery for the very next day.  And that's the exact day that the butterflies took flight...in my stomach that is.  This was not just about to be "visions of grandeur" any more, this was about to happen!

I was the last person on the surgery schedule so we "closed the place down".  They took me back about 3 pm, brought me to recovery around 8 and I was back in my hotel room by 11.  Tussed  up from top to bottom like a pig at a cochon de lait   and armed with some pretty good meds,   I was now in the hands of my hubby, who let me say is the best darn nurse I've ever had.  And if you've never had this kind of surgery before let me explain something:  You cannot use your hands for leverage to get up or down (that includes using the potty). You better have some pretty good leg and abdominal muscles for getting up and down (Thank you very much, yoga!).  You've got bandages like ummm...everywhere.  That must be changed daily and this suit that is three sizes too small but surprisingly feels better on than off.  And then there is the shower thing.  I love my baths.  I mean soaking in the tub with a good book is like one of my favorite things to do in the evenings,  Well, you can't do that for a while.  And you can't even take a shower by yourself; you're pretty helpless to say the least.  He does all of this for you, gives you your meds on time and tucks you in bed with about a thousand pillows to make you feel more comfortable.  And while you're sleeping, he slips out and buys you a maxi dress and a pair of flats, because in your hopelessly optimistic packing, you have nothing you can wear except pajama pants.  Yep...this is what it means in those wedding vows that say, "In sickness and in health..."

So, from Wednesday to Sunday I lived in a hotel room, was totally cared for by the love of my life (who, by the way NEVER complained) and ate Cheese Nips and drank Ginger Ale.  Sunday we got on the road back to Louisiana, stopping several times along the way for me to get out and move around.  Back in my own home and chair and bed I felt better.  And then Wednesday was when "Number 9", Baby Jonathan was to be born.  I would be there.  For sure.  I had never missed the birth of one of my Grands and I wasn't about to start now...

                                         This is me waiting to be taken back for surgery.
                                         There is an after one that I took to send to the kids but it's on Hubby's
                                         phone.  It's doesn't look half bad but I didn't want to bother him at work
                                         to get a photo for my blog...

HEY!  I did say that other things have been going on, like birthdays and births and a trip to Las Vegas.  Now that I sorta have to stay put for a while, I'll share those things with you this week.

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Baby Grayson Turns ONE!

I say "Baby Grayson" because I believe #8 has been the "baby" the longest since Parker Ann!  Yep, but he's about to give that spot up to little Jonathan who will arrive in March.  However, Grayson just had his 1st birthday party and I wanted to share it with you because it was just the cutest thing!

Here in Louisiana, everything after Christmas becomes Mardi Gras and last year on Fat Tuesday, his mommy went into labor with him.  While living in New Orleans thus is was only fitting that Grayson's 1st birthday party was celebrated in the Mardi Gras theme.

            Grayson's birthday invitation was framed on a table whenever you entered the foyer.

                                     Along with festive Mardi Gras masks and birthday hats.

       Don't you just love this beautifully decorated birthday cake in the Mardi Gras colors?

There were plenty of little ones in attendance to play and sing Happy Birthday to our big one-year old!

WOW...This whole cake is just for me?  And with fire on it?  Something must be wrong with the parents...

                                                  OK, so, I'll just have a little taste then.

   And this sweet boy was lucky enough to have his Aunt CaCa take his Cake Smash photos.


Happy Birthday, sweet Grayson.  You are our quiet, smiling little boy who makes the sun shine.  We love you so much and could never imagine our BIG, FAT SOUTHERN FAMILY without your smiling face.

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