More February spring pictures

February spring days

I have decided that February is my favorite month to live in the South...because while I am unconciously expecting to settle in for the long haul of the rest of winter, suddenly the temperature hits 70 degrees, the sun is hot, I have to dig some shorts out, and we spend large portions of the day outside! No, I am NOT trying to be mean to all of you who are in the North (and the FAR North!)...I just thought about this yesterday while I was throwing open all of the windows...and I thought I would share!

You can see by the pictures that the kids love all of the extra outside time. Yesterday Abigail graduated -- we put away her baby swing and put up another big-girl swing, low enough that she can get on and off by herself -- she knew she was hot stuff! (...see more photos here!)

Dr. David

I've commented before on David's vivid imagination and here is his latest favorite -- being a doctor. It's amazing how much he 'gets into' the role and he is quite the actor. He wears Bruce's old lab coat from gross anatomy in med school (i.e. the 'dissecting a dead person' class)...don't worry, I washed it several times before it went in the dress-up box. :-) It's also interesting -- and a little sad! -- when your kids have so much experience with doctors and procedures that they can play doctor for a very long time without running out of realistic scenarios!

To the right is a picture of Mommy and Abigail getting a snuggle after bathtime -- I love to look at us in the mirror in this pose because it STILL awes me that, having been a daughter all of my life, I now have a daughter of my own! It just plain still amazes me that what I have dreamed about for as long as I can remember -- being a wife and a mom -- has been granted to me...thank You, Lord, for my family...

Another one starts driving...

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share PhotosAbigail's legs are finally long enough to be able to easily drive the kids' John Deere tractor...she's not very good at steering, though, so David turned the steering wheel so that Abigail could go around and around in a circle (as you can see in the video!). She did this for about half an hour and the smile never left her face that whole time! David thought it was neat until it dawned on him that this means sharing the tractor regularly...that didn't go over so well. :-)

So as not to neglect that very four year old (who is supervising this post), I will also include a picture of him riding his bike down the hill! (We have been thoroughly enjoying a couple of days of gorgeous weather...) ...and yes, he is wearing outgrown pajama pants. He HAD to wear them today because "But look, Mom, see how they match my shirt SO PERFECT?!"

Pretty in pink?!

Yesterday, Abigail was supposed to be napping peacefully in my bed, but when she emerged from my room, she was painted pink...further investigation revealed that she had spent the last half-hour or so painting with Mommy's pink lipstick (and unwrapping a whole box of unmentionables)! She completely 'painted' one hand and managed to cover large areas of her other hand, both arms, legs, face, and one glob in her hair...as well as the cupboards, doors, and rugs...and then she left hot-pink footprints across the ivory carpet on her way back out to the living room.

I am very grateful for baby wipes and non-permanent lipstick -- because all of the 'art' came out/off!

When David came in and saw what Abigail had done, he gasped and exclaimed, "Abigail, that's naughty!!!", to which she responded, "No, not naughty! Pretty pink!"

...may I note that I had never told her that lipstick (and painting with it!) was off-limits...the look on her face was completely innocent...she was very pleased with her artistic expression! May I also note that we then had a discussion about it all being off-limits, because while we are laughing behind our hands now, I don't care to have it repeated!!!

Once upon a time, there was a princess...

...and we happen to think that she's the prettiest one that ever lived!
Abigail's moods and pain levels closely match the cycle of her pain meds -- when she is on the upside of the meds, she is happy to play quietly and has even eaten some egg salad sandwich, cold cooked carrots, applesauce, and little bit of hot dog. When she is on the downside of the meds, she just drools and cries and the only thing that makes her even remotely happy is a Signing Time video!
Overall, she is doing well, considering. Hooray for Hydrocodone! :-)
(PS -- Thank you to Abigail's cousins Anna and Olivia for passing down their outgrown dress-up stuff -- they gave Abigail the princess dress, which she LOVES!)

Abigail is recovering

Abigail's surgery went well -- they ended up letting us come home last night, and it was really nice to be in our own home for the night. Abigail slept fitfully (from the pain, etc), but the pain meds really helped. Last evening she was eating Popsicles and drinking very well, and even ate a piece of soft bread (it's the Minota gene -- we vehemently dislike going without 'real' food!). We'll see how today unfolds!
^^Abigail pre-op, under the effects of the 'loopy drugs' -- she was so funny!

Abigail post-op -->

My post-op, Abigail's pre-op...

Yes, I know it's been over a week since I last posted, but there hasn't really been anything newsworthy to report! I am still considering posting a close-up of my multi-colored belly button (bruised like crazy) but I haven't decided yet! My recovery from surgery has been more brutal than I had expected...though now other gallbladder-ectomy (no, that's not really what it's called, but you get the idea) veterans are stepping forward with the "Well, I didn't want to say it BEFORE your surgery, but it's a pretty rough recovery..." Oh well, I look forward to the future without fear of another terrible attack, and that part is good! Yesterday was the first day I felt like I was really improving, and I even managed a little light housework...hooray. I am feeling just good enough now to be very tired of sitting on the couch! My parents left Tuesday morning and my in-laws arrived yesterday morning, so we have been and are being well taken care of around here, not to mention the church family who are bring meals to relieve my mothers of dinner work every few days. Everybody has been great. Tomorrow morning is Abigail's tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. Please pray for her safety in surgery as well as an easy recovery...she is not a very happy patient and I know this surgery involves a lot of post-op pain...! We will most likely be in the hospital overnight but I will try to post a quick update as soon as I can.

No more gallbladder!

My surgery went well and I am feeling okay as long as I don't miss my pain meds...more details later. This is my first time off of the couch (I hobbled out to sit on the porch swing in the sunshine) and now I am ready for another nap!

Florida...at the beach (Atlantic Ocean)

More Florida fun

Florida...feeding "Burt" and "Erma" the sandhill cranes (in the front yard)

More Florida pictures...the big cow (at a gas station), the neighbors' goats, and the playground

Our Florida trip

Here are a few pictures from our Florida trip -- I will post some more on our photo gallery site...thanks to Grandpa and Grandma for a wonderful visit.

Also, a belated happy birthday to Grandpa! We love you.

Home from Florida

Well, we're home from Florida -- we had a wonderful week with my grandparents (and parents and brother) and were sad to leave, but of course we are excited to come home to Bruce (I am also happy to see my Sleep Number bed and my high-speed Internet!). I have lots of pictures and will try to post some by this weekend. We jump right back into life tomorrow as I have two pre-op appointments...I have been scheduled for surgery to remove my gallbladder on Tuesday, Feb. 6th. Also, Abigail's tonsil/adenoidectomy will be Friday, Feb. 16th. Glad to have enjoyed our week -- and glad to be back home again -- hope you are all well!