More photos from a long time ago

It feels like a lifetime ago. And yet it was only six months ago.

Climbing into the car. I'm pretty sure I took this picture because she was wearing jeans and I had a moment where I saw her way more grown up and kind of freaked out. If only I could have seen her now!

One of the coolest birthday parties, for Jackson from Jayden's class at school. Jackson's mom works at a wildlife center, and she used to work at this one. The kids went on a nature hike, identified shapes and colors in nature and generally explored. It was very cool.

Dakota tried to participate and did the best she could. 

Paying attention to our nature guides.

Afterwards the kids got to touch a snake and other animals (I did NOT touch the snake).

We didn't get to touch the bird, but it was pretty cool to see this up so close.

#fashion

Sunday morning donuts.

Fun with friends, and Jasmine being patient.

Wearing my old shoes. This girl is certainly shoe obsessed. I wonder where she gets that from?!?

Go Duke!

Watching planes land at the airport - maybe picking up Daddy? Or Gramma? I think Gramma, but now I don't remember. 

Fun at Discovery Cube with Maxwell and Grant. 

Pulling themselves up. This was pretty cool. I tried it, and it was not so cool.

Group photo!

Our sweet little butterfly.

We stopped at the Disney store afterwards and they were having a buy one get one for their stuffed animals. Jayden chose the otter from Finding Dory. And he has stayed loyal to it ever since; it's the animal we cart to and from school every day so that he can sleep with it at nap time and at nighttime. His name is "Ottie" and he's a little more worn now, but he is still cute and cuddly.

Dakota picked out a giant Minnie. And she still loves her Minnie too, and sleeps with it too, when we let her.

Ms. Dakota has grown so much in the last six months. It's really fun for me to look back at these February photos and see how little she looks.
I adore these tights, though. The rainbows are just so cute.

She definitely has her own style, even when we're just eating dinner at home.

And then the many faces of Jayden.
#1.

#2.

#3.

and #4.

The morning of Jayden's ear surgery, where they put tubes in.
The animal he is holding is Quackers, which is from his school. His teacher knew he was having this surgery, so she sent it home with him the day before. His teacher is one of the good ones. We are sad to leave her.

With Quackers, getting ready to get medication and be wheeled back to surgery.
He was out maybe 30 minutes later. It took about 10-15 minutes longer than the doctor expected because the buildup in his ears was like concrete. So gross. But other than that, he was a champ.
When he was brought into recovery, we were able to go back so that we could be there when he woke up. He must have heard our voices subconsciously, because he soon woke up. He looked around, confused for a bit, and then suddenly remembered - popsicle?!? The nurse was awesome, very sweet and caring. She ended up bringing him two popsicles, which of course made his day. When it was time for him to be discharged, he had to be wheeled out, and it was raining and no parking spots close. So the nurse basically looked around, told us to grab him and carry him to the car. :) She was awesome.

I had been told that Jayden would need the day to rest and I should keep him calm. We get home and I'm prepared to sit down and have a quiet, relaxing day (I had taken the day off of work and was kind of excited to sit on the couch and do nothing for the day!). So, we get home by maybe 11 am, and Jayden looks at me and says "can we play soccer?" I look back incredulous, and cry a little.

I talked to a friend of mine the other day whose daughter had the same procedure. She told me her daughter took a FOUR hour nap the afternoon after the surgery. Why not my child?!???

But, the surgery has been great. He hears so much better and seems to be able to focus better. So great.

Swim lessons, for Dakota only since Jayden had to take the week off after ear tube surgery.

In the chair outside after swim class. I promise my kids are happy. These are just their faces.

Fun in the dryer. How else would you spend a Saturday afternoon?!??

Movie night with the Mobleys!

This lasted about half the movie, and then they spent the second had running all over the hallways. Jenn and I sat in the hallway and talked while the kids ran wild and the husbands sat in the theater and actually watched the movie. This is about how these things go down.

It is an interesting experience to try to write about what happened six months ago. I remember more than I thought I would. But I also think I lose some of the details, and some of the feelings that go along with these events. Life is exhausting. Sometimes in a good way, and sometimes in a bad way. Knowing that we've come through these little challenges, and still manage to love each other and care for each other is a good thing. And clearly we are lucky, that we can weather storms like ER visits, ear tube surgeries and other challenges. But when you're in the thick of it, everything feels so heavy.

I've now made it halfway through February. Turns out I also take a LOT of pictures!