Holden's 1st (and hopefully last!) hospital stay

So...here's the story. Holden woke up with a cough on Wednesday, December 12th. It wasn't that bad - it wasn't as bad as some of the coughs that she's had in the past and it wasn't slowing her down. So, she went to school. Thursday was Colby's birthday and a super busy day. The only thing I noticed was that her voice had started sounding like Donald Duck. By dinner, I thought she was running a low grade fever but nothing else. We had Colby's birthday dinner at Outback and then went out to ride the hay ride through the lights at Santa's Wonderland. By the end of the hayride, Holden's voice was completely gone. We got home around 10pm and put the kids right down to bed. Fortunately, Holden started crying and since it was so late, Mike just put her in our bed. I worked around the house a little longer and finally turned in around 11:30pm. At midnight, Holden woke me up - she couldn't breathe. She was really struggling for breath so I called the nurse on call at our pediatric office. The message indicated that it could be 30 minutes before I hear back but luckily, she returned my call quickly. As she was getting all the info, I asked her if I could just let her listen to Holden breathe. She did and when I got back on the line, she asked me how close the nearest ER was. Needless to say, this completely panicked me. Colby was asleep upstairs in his room. Mike would have to stay with him until he could find someone to come stay with him. I wrapped Holden up in a blanket (no socks, no shoes) and quickly buckled her in her car seat - good thing since I approached 100 mph on Highway 6! I rushed her inside the The Med's ER and they quickly took her back - I didn't even fill out one sheet of paper. Not much longer, Mike joined me (thank you Stephanie for coming to stay with Colby). The doctor wasn't sure what was going on - asthma? no, something stuck in her airway? no, allergic reaction? no. After monitoring her oxygen levels, three sets of x-rays, a couple of breathing treatments, and a visit by our pediatrician the diagnosis was in - a severe case of croup. Granted, before the diagnosis, the ER doctor had told us that we might need to intubate her before transferring her to another hospital, etc. so we were relieved to hear Dr. Parr say it was just croup. He wanted to admit her so that they could monitor Holden as well as give her all the meds through an iv. Now, this was NOT fun at all. It seemed like it took forever for the nurse to get the iv in and Mike almost fainted from all the blood that was coming out of Holden's hand. About 3:15am, we finally got into a room. Holden would have to be under a "tent" that would help her breathe. Dr. Parr said the first two nights were usually the worst.

So, we were at the hospital all day Friday, Friday night, and got home around lunch on Saturday. This was such a scary time for all of us and I truly don't know how parents get the strength when their kiddos are in there for longer stints of time. But, the good news is, Holden is on the mend and seems to be feeling much better. Her cough is much juicier (no barking seal cough) and the big circles under her eyes are almost gone. The only thing we have to be careful about is getting her out in the cold air - we have to keep a scarf around her neck so that her airway won't constrict due to the cold air.

Just a couple of things that we are thankful for 1) her sleeping in the bed with us. Had she been upstairs, we might not have realized that she was having trouble breathing. If your kiddos are sick and wanting to sleep with you - let them!, 2) great friends. So many people helped us out, called, came by, etc. Thank you for thinking of us! 3) that our little girl is much better!

Colby gets to meet his favorite Aggie football player-#7 Stephen McGee!

Colby got the best birthday present - one day early... He got to meet his favorite Aggie football player, #7 Stephen McGee! Stephen came to Miss Gore's class and talked with them about how important school is and about how they should listen to their teachers and parents. After a few minutes, Stephen opened the floor up for questions and boy, did he get some funny questions! But, like a pro, Stephen answered every single question that the kids could dish out. Now they all know what Stephen's favorite color is, his favorite book, his favorite food, etc.! I really think the kids has a blast and it's something that won't be soon forgotten!

There is no way that Mike and I can top this day - at least for a very long time! Stephen was nice enough to sign Colby's helmet, football, and media guide. I can't begin to count how many times Colby opened up his media guide to see what Stephen had wrote him! I only wish Stephen knew how much Colby looked up to him. But, the great part was that Stephen was an amazing person and I'm very happy that Colby has chosen such a good role model for his favorite player!

Annual Christmas Card Picture

easier said than done!

Our sweet little girl

I went to the Nutcracker Market in Houston last Friday and my favorite purchases included this smocked dress for Holden. This is my favorite style of dress for Holden to wear. If only she were as sweet as she looks! ;)

Crazy Hair Day!

November 9th was Crazy Hair Day at Colby's school. He just HAD to have green hair ("because it's my favorite color!"). I wish that Crazy Hair Day had been before Halloween when finding hair color was easy at the store! But, Mike was a trooper and found some just as they were taking it off the shelf at Spencer's!

Mike's Bank dresses up for Halloween

Lauren and Mike, i.e., Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, get interviewed by Randy, i.e., Ryan Seacrest!

I laughed out loud when I got these pictures from Mike! He let one of the girls from work dress him so I had no idea about the get-up! The whole gang of celebrities and paparazzi!

Can you find a Blues Brother, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, J-Lo, Christina Aguilera, K-Fed and Britany and Ryan Seacrest?

Grandma's 90th Birthday!

This past Saturday was my Grandmother's 90th Birthday! She has 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren!!! She had a birthday party yesterday so we drove up to have lunch with her. She looks great! Colby and Holden are so blessed to have her. Holden's middle name is Rebecca and she is named after my grandmother - Martha Rebecca.

Holden loves Aggie game days!

Holden has turned into quite the little Aggie (like she had a choice!). She loves putting on her "aggie band" clothes and heading to Kyle Field! She even has an Aggie stroller to use as transportation on Aggie game day! She rides in her stroller but likes to get out so that she can watch the Aggie band and corps march-in. Mike is usually tailgating while we do this routine week in and week out but this weekend, he came with us. After the band marched by, Mike said, "ok, is that it?". I turned to Holden and said, "tell Daddy who we wait on" and she quickly said "Reveille!".
This is Holden in her "hump it" position. This was the first time that I noticed her doing it (could have been because Colby was standing the same way right beside her!).

Reveille's coming!!!The Kids Zone is a favorite for Colby but Holden is just there to tag along. That was...until this past weekend. She told me she wanted to go on the big slide so we waited in line. Now, we've waited in line before just to have her chicken out in the end - I thought today would be no different. Boy, was I wrong. With a little help from the girls working at the slide, she scampered to the top and came sliding down the other side! She was very proud of herself and so were we! Way to go, Holden!!!

Special Guests for Green Mamba soccer and Aggie football

Colby and Holden had special guests in this weekend - Pop Pop and Christian. Pop Pop and Christan got up super early and drove to College Station to watch Colby play soccer. Anyone who knows my family knows how much of a sacrifice this was!!! Thank you, Pop Pop and Christian!!!

The Green Mambas are playing so well together and have even started assisting each other with goals! It's been so much fun watching them play together! And, Pop Pop and Christian also came to the game with us on Saturday. Too bad the Aggies couldn't pull it out!

Pre-Halloween pictures

This past Friday, we went to a Halloween party and much to our surprise, Holden actually wore her "mingo" (flamingo) costume!

A few weeks ago when Colby's Aggie football player costume came in, she wanted to wear her "aggie band" outfit too. When I showed her the flamingo costume, she swatted at it and said, "I not wear it". For those of you not around Miss Holden, she is quite sure of the things that she wants (or doesn't want!). So, I sadly arranged for Holden to wear one of Colby's old football uniforms. Mike and I even worked around their costumes and decided to be referees.

Well, the night of the party came and when I told Holden it was time to go get dressed, she wanted her "mingo costume"! I was thrilled! I told her all night that she was the most beautiful flamingo that I had ever seen!




While at the party, Holden spotted Scooby Doo. I'm not even sure whose child this is but Holden proceeded to stalk him all night! Finally, I found him and asked him if Holden could look at him (she's not too sure about people in costumes!). This was the sweetest kid ever! He stood there and let Holden look at him and then I asked him if he would let me take his picture with her. He didn't mind and even put his arm around her for the picture! Holden was in heaven!

Colby's original artwork

I was cleaning off the table the other afternoon and just as I was about to sweep the cheetos into the trash, I noticed what Colby had created. Pretty funny, huh?! Notice how he even bit one in half to make the middle part of the "A". Too funny!

The Green Mambas

Colby is #7 - just like Stephen McGee!!!

Caden, Coach Bill, Colby, Dillon, Connor, Coach Mike, Luke, Carly & Catherine.

Of course, we had to have a silly picture too!

Aggie Game Day

The kids LOVE going to the Aggie football games. We arrive at least 3 hours early so that they can see and do everything before the game begins. One of their favorite things is watching March In. Colby is very protective of Holden and grabbed her hand so that she wouldn't get run over! How sweet! They will stand there mesmerized as the Corp marches by!



It's hard to see in this picture but Holden is laying across Mike's lap during the game. She looked quite comfortable. And, she's giving a great big Gig 'em! Yes, we start the brainwashing early!

Colby rides his bike to school - for the very 1st time!

Friday, October 5th was another huge day for Colby...he rode his bike to school for the very first time! It's only been a couple of weeks since he learned to ride without training wheels so this was a huge occasion! The ride to his elementary school is 1.2 miles from our house but he did great!


Watching him ride down the street (I did catch up with him after taking this picture!) made me so sad. Actually, this day was probably more emotional for me than the first day of school! He just seems so grown up!
He was so proud riding up to school and putting his bike in the racks with the other "big kids"! When school was over, he was ready to ride his bike back home! Mike had the day off on Monday and they were able to ride to school on their bikes again but I don't think I'm ready to let him ride by himself just yet - maybe in a few years!

Colby on Kyle Field Jumbotron!

Colby and his friend, Colton, were on the Jumbotron during the 1st Aggie football game versus Montana State. Colby was so excited and you can see two proud people in the background (Mike and my dad!).

Colby & Ms. Gore

This is Colby's Kindergarten teacher, Ms. Gore. We took this picture on Meet the Teacher night last Friday, August 24th. Ms. Gore is an Aggie, which Colby thought was super cool! She has an alphabet in her room and the L stands for Longhorn and has a big picture of a Longhorn cow (looks really similar to Bevo). Colby was quick to point out to Ms. Gore that we don't like the Longhorns and that the horns should be "sawed off". Ms. Gore said that she and Colby would work on that! I imagine the next time we visit Ms. Gore's class, the longhorn will be hanging upside down so the horns will be "sawed off"!

Colby is making a fashionable statement in this picture with his knee high socks and new Sketcher tennis shoes! For those of you who don't get to see Colby that often, the knee high socks are a staple in his wardrobe! When asked "why" he wears them so high (the heel of the sock shows up about mid-calf!) he says they keep his knees from getting scraped if he falls down. In my mind I wonder, "why won't he just wear pants?!". Anyway...Colby is LOVING Kindergarten and Kids Klub. So far each night at dinner, we've talked about his three favorite things and his three least favorite things. Some of his favorites have been typing in his secret code (pin) in the cafeteria, playing in centers, and Kids Klub. And, so far he hasn't been able to name three things he doesn't like!

I don't have a picture of Holden with her new teacher (I am SO falling down on the job!) but lately when we ask her what she did at school, she tells us that she has been "goin' on a BIG bear hunt!". Imagine her doing over-exaggerated sign-language and signing "big" (arms outstretched) and bear (crossing your arms at your chest and scratching). When asked how she goes on a bear hunt, she'll look at you and ask, "bear get you?!". Then we have to convince her that the bear went night-night! Her favorite centers have been the cars and trains - nothing like raising a dainty little girl!

We hope the kiddos continue their love of learning! I'm sure there will be more stories shortly!

Colby's 1st day of Kindergarten

August 27, 2007 - Today was a major milestone for our family - Colby started Kindergarten! The last few weeks I have been so nervous! I wasn't sad for Colby, I was actually happy that he would be exposed to new and exciting adventures. But, I was sad for myself - my baby was growing up! Colby got up early (in time to be at school by 7:40am!) and quickly was dressed with backpack on! Mike, Holden, Colby and I drove to his school so that we could walk him to his class. Colby walked in like he had been doing this for years!!! We were so proud!

I had been dreading the first day of school because I was so scared of crying! I must admit that I did tear up but no water works! The person that it was the hardest on was Holden. Even though she and Colby have only been going to the same school for the last 5 months, I think she had really grown to like seeing him out on the playground and during the day. She cried when we left him but you can see by the pictures that she gave him lots of hugs, kisses, and advice for his first day!

When I picked him up from Kids Klub (an after school program) he reported that he had a "great" day and was ready to go back. He learned a couple of new songs and was very impressed with all the fun things that Ms. Gore taught them. Playing basketball on the playground with friends was also another favorite activity from his first day. Let's hope the rest of the year is this much fun!

Happy 4th of July

Prayers were truly answered yesterday when FINALLY, we didn't have rain! Colby and Holden (and Colby's Gator) were all decked out in red, white, and blue for our neighborhood's 4th of July parade. It was led by a fire truck, followed by a few decorated cars, lots of decorated golf carts, and then tons of children! I have no way of knowing how many people were there, but it was a lot! After the parade, we hung around for games, bounce houses, yummy cupcakes and then wrapped it all up with a little swimming in the rain (we knew it would rain some time!). The rest of the day was pretty uneventful and we even missed the fireworks! We drove to see them but thought they were canceled due to rain - we found out this morning that they started early! I think this was the first year (out of the past nine years) that we have missed seeing the fireworks - maybe next year!