Weekend with the Wolfe's!

Last weekend the family drove down to Kellerton to spend the weekend with the Wolfe's.  My brother came that weekend as well!  It was such a fun, relaxing weekend filled with food, friends, and laughs. 

Saturday afternoon Nick, Adrian, and Josh went to shoot clay pigeons with the 12 gage.  After about a half hour Norma and I got the boys ready and thought we would try it out too!  After listening to all the bets that had been made between all the guys we finally got our chance.  The first clay pigeon I missed on the first shot, but hit it on the second shot!  I was surprised that I actually hit it!  It had been awhile since I had shot a gun.  So I of course how to try it again to see if I just got lucky or I did have a little skill...and I couldn't believe it but I nailed the second one on the first shot!  I then made the decision that I should probably quit while I was still sitting at 100%:).  We finally talked Norma into shooting, she kept saying that we would make fun of her (which I don't know why she would think that with this group:)).  But Norma got up there and did an awesome job!!  It was fun to watch the guys shoot and also do a little of our own. Bo and Avery played outside a bit.  Avery played on his bicycle while Bo tried putting about a dozen rocks in his mouth.

That evening my parents came over for dinner, which was really nice because they were able to see Bo for awhile and visit with everyone.  They had made bacon wrapped marinated chicken, steak, cheesey hashbrowns, and baked beans.  We were definitely spoiled after having afternoon snacks of pickle wraps, cream cheese - chili dip, banana peppers, little smokies and cheese.  I felt like I had gained about 10 pounds after the weekend was over.  :)

We all definitely had a great time and can't wait until next time!  Thanks for the hospitality Wolfe Family!

Adrian getting ready

Josh shooting

brother and sister

little goofball - he wanted to join in!

Norma Rae

Avery and Bo

Papa feeding him chocolate!

rash from hell

The weekend of Bo's birthday he broke out with a small rash, mostly around his shirt collor, under his arms, and around his waistline.  My first thought was Chicken Pox and then we had all thought he was allergic to the detergent, because we had recently just switched from a liquid to a powder.  So we instantly took off his clothes and gave him a bath hoping it would clear it up.  We continued on with the day and it gradually got worse and worse.  I felt so bad for him!

Well late that night (1230am) Bo woke up, and Bo is typically a really good sleeper (from 830 or 9p to 7 or 8a), and he looked like Will Smith from the movie Hitch! I instantly told Josh that we need to take him into the ER because depending on the reaction I knew that his throat could swell shut and I didn't want to risk that happening.  So we packed up a few things and took our baby into the ER around 1 am.  We got right in and it didn't take long for the Dr. to come in and thankfully he knew what it was right away.  He immediately looked at it and said that he knew what it was but he was going to examine him anyway.  He had asked if Bo had been on any medication and we told him amoxicillin.  (Bo went to the Dr. about 9 days prior because he had a very deep cough and he ended up having croup and also some fluid in his ear.  The Dr. advised that we put him on antibiotics because the last time he was there he had fluid in the same ear and we didn't fill the script because we know that most ear infections are viral and antibiotics won't help.  We try to keep him off medication as much as possible-we really hadn't even given him tylenol.  She then explained that if he continually has fluid in his ear then he could have trouble developing his language because it would be like Bo was hearing everything through water.)  So...turns out that what we thought would make him feel better made him feel worse!

Luckily, the Dr. in the ER was very knowledgable about the type of reaction Bo was having.  It is known as serum sickness.  He told us that it would get worse before it got better, and my thought was 'how could it get any worse?'.  He said that a lot of times it can be very painful and he could also get very swollen joints.  Thankfully he showed us some pictures in a book of what the rash could look like and also showed us some photos on his computer.  If I hadn't seen the pictures I probably would've have been more worried than ever because this rash is unlike anything you have ever seen.  It begins as the typical rash and eventually ends up looking bruise-like.  So we left the ER around 245am with 2 prescriptions (1 for prednisone and 1 for hydrocodone....you think why pain medication for an 11 month old, we thought the same thing, but they said the rash could get to be that painful.)  We stayed away from the pain meds for the most part except a couple doses before bed, but the steriod definitely helped.

Josh stayed home with Bo on Monday, I stayed with him Tuesday morning while Josh went into work super early and he got off early and stayed with him the rest of the afternoon and Wednesday (Bo's 1st birthday) Grandma came up and stayed with him.  Thanksgiving Day Bo's rash finally started turning the corner.  He began to look and act better.  So we ended up going back home on Saturday for the Gray Thanksgiving, which we were glad we were able to see everyone.  The next week Bo's rash would flare up here and there.  If he rubs his face or just in random places on his body.  When it flares up it looks like he has been scratched in that area.  We were warned that it could take 2-3 weeks to completely go away, so we are on week 3 now, so hopefully it will be all over soon!

The good news is that on November 26th Bo had his 1 year check up!

Stats:
21.5 lbs (55th percentile - a pound down from when he was weighed in the ER...darn sickness)
30 inches long (75th percentile)
95th percentile for his head (he is eventually growing out of that big knoggin' of his:)).

Some pictures of the nasty rash!

Night #1 (sunday night)

in the ER Monday morning at 1am

Tuesday morning - swelled hands

his rash started look terrible!

Tuesday night

the morning of his birthday!

 

his poor face on his bday

 

when it started looking bruise-like (Wed. night)

Not feeling the best, but still enough energy for his horsey

snuggling with mommy

Happy Birthday, Bo!

I sit here in disbelief that our son is already a year old.  It seems like just yesterday we were driving so carefully home from the hospital with our little bundle and now he is a vibrant little boy who is walking all over the place!  It's hard to describe the overwhelming emotions I have on this day.  Bo has brought so much meaning and joy into our lives, more than what Josh and I had ever thought possible.  I would do or give anything for that little guy.  He is my heart and soul. 

As I reflect on what the last year has been like, I can't put into words how many laughs and smiles he has given us and how much he has taught us in this short amount of time.  We have learned that it truly is the little things in life that matter.  We love the innocence he brings along with his sincere emotion.  When he comes walking to us with the biggest smile on his face and collapses into our arms for a hug, there is no greater feeling.

The love and respect that I have for Josh has grown dramatically throughout the year as well.  I thought I loved him before, but after seeing him be a father makes me love him so much more.  He takes so much pride in being an amazing father and it shows in the way he cares for Bo.  He strives to be such a great role model for our son and exceeds every expectation.  Bo has someone very special to look up to and I couldn't be more grateful that Bo and I have him.

To our Son:

We are thankful for each day that we have been given with you and are so excited to watch you grow and learn.  Even though it seems like yesterday you made your entrance into this world, we feel as though we have known you forever.  This past year has been filled with more love and joy than we thought was possible and we owe that all to you.  We are so proud of how much zest for life you already show us and how many smiles you share with us each day.  We couldn't ask for a happier, more ornery, goofy little boy.  Here is to another blessed and healthy year.  We cannot imagine our life without you in it.  We love you to pieces Bo Bo!

XOXO, Mommy and Daddy

Where has time gone?

This mama is way behind on our blog posts (to say the least!).  But with a ornery 10 month old who is all over the place it is kinda hard to get anything done anymore:).  September was a big month for our family filled with trips back to SWI,  playdates, and I made a career change! 

October somehow came and went.  But... on October 26th Bo took his first steps.  I don't think I have ever been so proud in my life (I know, I know I say this everytime, but you parents out there know what I am talking about).  For Halloween Bo went as a Bat.  We thought it would be a fitting costume because the only teeth he had on the top (and still does) are his fang teeth.  So to say the least he looked pretty funny.

This month my sweet, sweet boy turns 1 and the only thing that keeps running through my mind is "Where has time gone?".  It seems like just yesterday that Josh and I were in awe over the new love of our life.  He has become the most vibrant little boy with all the personality in the world.  He is walking all over the place which is exciting but also makes it harder to get a lot done anymore.

Sorry this post isn't too detailed, but I am hoping to have more time to keep it updated soon!  Stay tuned....

The many adventures of Bo...

My two favorite little guys...

Playing with Papa

Playdate with my BFF, Jack

Hi guys!

always kicking my doggie out

resting with daddy

loves his rocking horse

go hawkeyes!

Pumpkin farm with Aunt Jackie, Ben and Caleb

Playing nice with cousin, Owen

Check out my fangs!

I'm a bat!

sleeping with my blankie

fun with Jack

happy boy

being ornery

fun with daddy!

my date

so proud of our police officer

how could you not just love him?

9 months

The month of August as been one filled with lots of milestones!  I know, I know...I say this every month!  But on Thursday, August 2nd our baby finally got his first tooth (bottom, front, left-center).  I was soo excited!  Everyone, including the pediatrician, had been telling us since he was 4 months old that he should be getting his first tooth anytime now.  I think the built up suspense made it that much more exciting.  And a short week and 2 days later Bo was up on all fours crawling FORWARD!  It has been such an exciting time for our family and I couldn't feel more blessed.

Since then he had his 9 month check up and his stats were -

20lbs 14 oz
28 inches long
19in

Bo has become a very independent person.  He doesn't like to be held too much, he squirms all over the place!  He loves feeding himself (his favorite being Gerber Graduates Crunchies-mild cheddar).  He is a puffer eating machine!

A couple weeks after getting his first tooth he got his second bottom tooth (right next to the first one).  They are sharper little suckers too!  He is currently working on getting two on the top (the two "fangs").  I keep telling him he is going to look like a little vampire baby:). 

Bo also pulls himself up on everything.  So needless to say we have a couple gates up in the house.  We haven't completely baby proofed all the cupboards, but the important ones are done. We still have a pretty darn happy baby and I am lucky enough to call him mine.  Love you so much, Bo bo!!!

he loves green beans!

our happy boy

not a fan of ice cream (must take after his mama!)

learning from daddy

how many toys can i play with?

do i look guilty?

let me out!