Our Babies

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Now Casting...

Julia's first day of school:



Julia's second day of school:



Julia's sixth day of school:



Do you spot what's different between day 1 and day 6?

Check verrrrry carefully! There you go! It's a PINK, Camouflage CAST!

How did that get there? Let me tell you!

After your second day of school, you were running around the house, and slipped on the paw of a giant stuffed puppy you were carrying. You fell. You cried. We put a bandaid on it and comforted you. That much has happened many times.

But this time was different.

Hours later, you were still nursing it. There was no bruising, no swelling, no bleeding, no protrusion. We called the nurse and they said to let you sleep on it, and maybe it would be better in the morning. But, in the middle of the night you woke up screaming because you had rolled on it. In the morning, you very much wanted to go to school. We said if you could put your hand on top of your head you could go, and you just couldn't do it.

We knew we had to take you to the doctor. So, you missed your third day of school, and instead got to spend it with me!

Now, even though your arm was hurting and you would cry if it got touched, moved, or looked at in the wrong way, we still had our fun.

We worked from home in the morning until we could get a doctor's appointment. You colored with your left hand.



We played 'i spy with my little eye' at Dr. Accordino's. She gave you a lollipop and a rubber glove balloon!


We played rubber glove balloon one-handed catch in the waiting room at the x-ray imaging lab.



In the x-ray lab, you had a few tears and a got two cool stickers!


You got to see what your BONES looked like!







You and me holding hands...



The doctor called and said that the x-rays showed that nothing was broken. That was cool! You were able to move your arm in certain ways...slowly...without pain. But no twisting....and no tight fists. But, you wanted to go to school, so...you dragged your arm and your brother to school!



But, it was still bothering you and still bothering your doctor. She recommended we go to a specialist...so on Friday you and Mommy went to an orthopedic surgeon who took more x-rays and gave you a bear. They discovered that there were IRREGULARITIES in your GROWTH PLATE in your ELBOW. 

That means, kinda broken. So they gave you a cast. You chose rainbow. They were out of rainbow. You chose pink cammo!




...and with your arm immobilized so it could heal...you, my brave, awesome, strong Julia were ready to play, have fun, wrestle, jump, bounce, and be yourself again. What a relief! It was so sad to watch you be down in the dumps because you couldn't do everything you wanted to do due to a boo boo in your arm!

So...you immediately felt better...and immediately got to work being a normal 3 year old again!

You goofed around, got some candy, and chased your brother:








Standard hygiene protocols returned:


Still some left-handed coloring and drawing, but a lot of right-handed artistry happened too!


Regular playing commenced:



Jump Street action happened:







Dress up and catchin' frogs resumed:



Outings were fun again:




...and general goofballery was back to the forefront:


Casting is the best. So glad you're feeling better, Miss Julia!

Update: on Day 4 of wearing the cast you came to me and Mommy and said "Um...Mommy, you forgot to take this cast off last night." You took the news pretty well that you had approximately 2 more weeks in the cast. 2 more weeks of armored arm, trash bag bathing, scratching with the back of a plastic fork, and getting dressed and undressed as if it were for the first time. You're doing so well, Julia! Cast-on... Cast -away!


Update 2: Julia- "I wish I was a real kid...with no broken arm." Soon...soon :)

Update 3: You can't keep a good girl down:









Monday, August 29, 2016

Beach Trip 2016- Sand, Surf, Seafood, and Family

Life proved to be a beach once again for the Weinsteins and Helfords.



In late August we loaded up the car, sang a bunch of songs on the road, and headed down to Galveston for a week of beach life.

We made a week long of memories with each other and our family.



Plenty of time chasing, surfing, sanding, flying, and laughing at the beach and the beach house with cousins, parents, grandparents, and siblings.




There were some amazing memories:

Mommy saved a baby bird and provided many beachy sandy cuddles and sandwiches.




Julia was a sand mermaid not once or twice but three times and found many special shells and was one with the beach.



Aidan got on the ground for crabbing without much trepidation for the first time and he and Mommy chased crabs with Uncle Taff and the gang! And Aidan became one with the ocean...






Daddy - that's me- tried to do a hand stand.


Molly was able to play at the beach with y'all for the first time and, boy, did she have fun!



Uncle Taff brought the DARK TOWER and we all tried to figure out how to play. 



Uncle Ross and Molly...well... you'll have to see...




Aunt Rebekka sang songs with Daddy and found cokinas with you both. 



Mimi got the coolest coloring books for you kiddos and there was much coloring and cuddling.




Pops was a beach-a-holic and took long dips with both of you.




WRESTLING!






We rode the surf on rafts for miles and miles and miles.


CANDY AT LA KINGS!


We just hung out...








...and we ALL ate a LOT of shrimp!

By the end we were beached out...and got to know each other even better than before. I love our beach trips, and cherish the uninterrupted time together with our family. Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I can hear the wind blowing and the surf rolling in.


It transports me back to my happy place. To the beach.

Now, for your enjoyment, a LOT of pictures!