Alrighty, I know last night’s post was a long one, but it wasn’t much more than a pity party, and I have lots of good stories to share from our CRAZY life.

Let me start with Ethan…after our date (movie and dinner Sat night) we stopped at the grocery store and while loading the car he comes out with, "why did you let me get so many good kid foods (scooby mac and cheese, the expensive juice boxes, batman soup, etc)" um hello, you don't call your mom out when she's spoiling you, punk!!  Poor kid is so used to "sorry honey it's not on the list" or "we don't have a coupon for that" that he knows something is up when we just put it in the cart!  A sweet one…we were opening gifts for Audrey and he gets this pathetic look on his face and says, "I didn't get her anything yet"; we assured him that his gift (the art work) was the first she received and he felt much better.  Finally, Ethan "graduated" from Preschool last night.  It was quite a production and after we headed to Sonic with his 2 best pals in tow (as in, all three kiddos in our car--fabulously funny conversation/screeching!)  Enjoy the pics! 

Next, Jason and the never-ending big-boy-bed saga…he's been in the pack and play forever now and although we still try occasionally to let him do the BBB, I've really just given up for now.  Until the other night that is when he finally figured out how to escape it's confines!   The first time Ethan announced Jason's triumph.  We returned him and didn't hear anymore until 20 minutes or so later when the door opens and out comes Jason with a backwards Texas cap, Ethan's underwear and shorts (two legs through one leg hole on both) and NO diaper or shirt.  His movement was compromised by being through only one leg hole so he was moving slowly but was quite proud of his accomplishments and was asking for help to get dressed properly! (We figure that was his reason for finally coming out)  Needless to say we were dying trying not to laugh out loud.  We chose to video that instead of stills so I can't share, but get the visual in your head as it was hilarious!  He finally ended up in his bed but when he woke up at 4 he went back to the pack-n-play without incident.  It's going to be a continuous trial and error! 

Finally, Mother's Day…Nate made an AMAZING brunch which we enjoyed outside, the boys gave me some wonderful gifts (new cooley flip flops, great lotion to combat the crazy hand washing we do, and Godiva!), Audrey had a great morning, and I got to share all of this with my mama!  She got Godiva too!  It was her last day here for awhile as she went back to work and my dad is taking the boys back to SA on Friday (she'll return for the last week of May).  Can you even believe how fortunate we are to have them in our life?  They've really been AMAZING and we are beyond thankful for their help; getting to spend so much time with Audrey and not worry about the boys daily stuff has really made a difference. 

It was a good thing it was mom's last day here though as the afternoon brought us some interesting visitors whom she would not have been excited about….

Here was our afternoon--we leave the hospital thinking the surgeon isn't going to get in to do her central line only to get a phone call as we are a minute from home that he's ready to get started.  We panic not wanting our daughter to have a procedure without us there but decide to get home, let me pump and then head back.  The boys and Papa are swimming when we get there so I go to pump and Nate hangs out with them.  I'm nearly finished' when I hear, "Bob, big snake, Bob, oh man, get over here"  Yes, that's right, a HUGE snake is by the pool equipment and upon further inspection, it's TWO huge snakes, apparently a mating couple!  I'm running around trying to find a number for animal control, get my 2 neighbors over and finally animal control who removes them without incident.  In the mean time, I've picked up Jason wrong and have terrible abdominal pain which freaks us out enough to call my doc about it, all the while realizing that Audrey's procedure is probably over and we haven't heard about it yet, UGH!!  Obviously, I turned out to be fine, Audrey's procedure went fine, although it was the start of her desat, and the snakes were relocated, but man, WAY TOO much drama!!  And don't forget how the weekend started, with Nate's wrist incident; he's much better now, didn't even go to the orthopedic doc. 

There, now I've shared what all the new pics show.  Oh, the one of Jeff--he ran his first 1/2 marathon on Sunday!  He said people cheered for him along the way by shouting "go Audrey!", how cool is that?!!  Audrey says "thanks, Uncle Jeff!"

You can see in Audrey's pics the increase in fluids/edema (swelling) but she's still as beautiful as ever.  We took the ear muffs off and her little ears are gorgeous.  Her bottom is the cutest thing ever too, I don't have pics of it though, daddy won't let me yet! 

She's had a stable afternoon and is hanging out at 60% O2 which isn't the 40 from yesterday, but definitely good enough for now.  Her vent settings aren't as low as yesterday either, but they are barely higher so overall, a good day, we'll take it! 

Thanks for all your kind words today and everyday, they really make a difference.  I have lots to say to many people specifically but just haven't found the time yet, I promise I will though.  Just know how touched and grateful we are to each of you, especially those who are doing so much to help us out--from "Feed the Millers" to outings with Ethan or my recent favorite where Amy just automatically signed up to bring 2 things for E's class carnival so I wouldn't have to bring anything--the thoughtfulness we've been shown is AMAZING, thank you!

Talk soon,

Jenn

UPDATE:  I just got home from the hospital...she's having a GREAT night!  She tried to wake up a little, breathing over her vent, tapping my finger when I gave it to her and even fluttering her eyes a bit (they're too swollen to get open).  We gave her more paralytic as she's proven to not quite be ready to be awake, but it sure is nice to see how badly she wants to wake up, what a fighter I have!  Her O2 is down to 50 and she was continuing to sat 100/99!  YAY!

Not so bueno, when I went to put yet more milk in the freezer, there was ANOTHER FREAKING SNAKE sitting right there in the garage, UGH!  Although WAY smaller than the ones this weekend, come on!  Needless to say, we'll be calling someone tomorrow.