OSU Homecoming Parade

This was the Shaw family's first OSU Homecoming Parade. I can't believe I've been in Stillwater since 1998 and this was my FIRST Homecoming Parade. Shame on me.

The boys rode/walked in the Child Development Lab "float". It was chilly, but a good time was had by all.

Because we had both boys in tow, Ann joined us and helped us keep up with our busy bodies on Main Street. She rode the float with Henry while Wade and I pushed Sam in the stroller.

Sam started getting restless, so one of his teachers snatched a sucker for him. He is much more pleasant when he has food...in this particular case, a sucker was the closest thing we had to food.

Let's get this party started!

Moving Day

It's 2:57 AM and I've finally conceded. I can't sleep. Too much on my mind. We're closing on our house(s) in less than 48 hours and I can't stop thinking of the many things left to box, tape, move, schedule, sign, you name it. In my former life (i.e. before motherhood), I was THE organization queen. It's been fun diving back into some of my former self. And I try not to think of all of the time I'm spending organizing and boxing just to simply unbox next week. I've moved from dorm room to apartment, from apartment to apartment, and from apartment to house. But this is my first house to house move. And, wow. We have a LOT of "stuff". Thank goodness I'm not a hoarder...I can only imagine how long it might take to sift through closets upon closets of treasures. And praise God we only have 1400 square feet to pack.

When I began boxing (over two months ago), I took my precious time wrapping every item and putting things in their appropriate box. Then taping and labeling so we'd know exactly where each box should go in our new home. Now...not so much. I'm cramming everything and anything into any hole, crevice, or soft spot I can find. I have no clue what's in some of our boxes. It may be a little like Christmas morning unpacking. Or, at least that's what I'm telling myself to make it seem less painful.

I look forward to capturing some of our move in pictures this weekend. No doubt our upcoming moving days will be full of emotion for me. I'm excited about making our new house a home, but it will be difficult leaving our current home. This was, after all, the first home I purchased. It was my "project" after Wade and I ended a year and a half long dating relationship. I thought our relationship would result in a marriage proposal (which of course, later it did), but there was obviously still much work to be done in both our hearts before that day would come. Several months after Wade and I broke up I purchased this home (December 2005) and threw myself into decorating and Hobby Lobby to take my mind off of him. (It didn't work.) Thankfully, it was only for a season and by August of 2006 I was planning our wedding. God is good. And His timing is perfect.

Then, eight short months after we married, I was pregnant with Henry. And then two years later, Sam. This was home during three of the most important days of my life. There are lots of memories here and moving will certainly be bittersweet. Not even to mention that we have the best neighbors anyone could ever ask for.

bed (un)rest

Nights the past week have been INSANE at the Shaw house. Henry was sent home from school Thursday with the squirts and spent Thursday afternoon and the better part of Friday at home with me. And Sam has been battling ear infections. Ear infection, after ear infection, after ear infection. I'm terrified that soon our pediatrician is going to say the 'T' word (that would be 'tubes' for all you mothers blessed with children without ear woes). Needless to say, the combination of Henry's upset tummy and Sam's ears has resulted in several sleepless nights.

I'd like to offer a summary of our nights in pictures -

So, forgive me for neglecting my blog...I WILL re-engage once I catch some Zzzz's.

Climbing trees

Just like mud and rollie pollies, all little boys gravitate to climbing trees. Henry had his eye on this particular tree all morning until I finally turned him loose to explore. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to climb it with him. And had it not been for Sam, I would have. It was truly the perfect climbing tree.

Disclosure: No children were at any time in danger of falling or breaking a limb (on the tree or themselves) during the time of climbing. Cross my heart.

steady...easy does it

wanting to climb high like brother

what was that?!

a kitty cat!

a peanut allergy???

Henry and Sam are two lucky little fellas. They've been able to attend the first two OSU football games of the season. And, thanks to some pretty sweet gift cards I had stashed for a rainy day, both got new Cowboy jerseys practically free of charge.

Wade's cousin, Deral, and his beautimous wife, Becca, came from Pampa, TX to visit us over Labor Day weekend. A friend (thank you, Belinda!) made it possible for all six of us to attend the game. It was hot. Or, in the words of Henry, "EXTREMELY hot". But we made it until almost half time. With Henry and Sam in tow, and 95+ temps, I was fearful we may not even make it through the first quarter. The best part of the game...or at least the half we saw...were the touch downs and Bullet. Every time Bullet took the field after a touch down, Sam screamed and clapped and pointed. He drew his own crowd in the stands. It was quite a sight. And little did we know, as the game progressed, Sam's little body was preparing to fight off a raging allergy...

Could it have been the quarter peanut butter sandwich he snatched out of big brother's backpack?

Could it have been the popcorn...or the popcorn oil and/or fixins?

Maybe some of the special treats he found under the bleachers?

It couldn't have been the Gerber puffs...or could it?

Henry pretends to be bashful when I pull out the camera...but we all know he loves the attention.

So, after the game we all gallivanted to Orange Leaf for frozen yogurt. (We frequented Orange Leaf every evening during Deral and Becca's stay. They were HUGE fans. Watch out Pampa...you may be getting an Orange Leaf soon.)

After ice cream it was bath time, and soon after baths both boys passed out in bed. I wasn't far behind. Shortly after Sam went down he woke up fussy. Wade came to get me and said there was something I should see. I could tell he was concerned. When I went to Sam's crib I found my baby covered from head to toe in a rash and red welts. He little eyes and ears were swollen and only getting worse. Taking him to the ER was a no-brainer. We quickly gave Sam a quick dose of Benadryl and then whisked him away to the hospital. Thank goodness for Deral and Becca, who stayed with Henry at the house. The minute we walked in, the nurses immediately took us back. They took Sam's vitals and checked his oxygen levels...I think there was fear that his throat and airway would be next to swell. Vitals were good.

After a heavy dose of steroids, two prescriptions from the ER doctor, and two and a half hours, we left the hospital. Sam's swelling had subsided and the welts were gone. The rash was still covering his body, but that too was gone the next day. We don't have any answers yet, but we have a follow-up appointment with Sam's pediatrician this week. I'm guessing allergy testing is in Sam's future. Ugh.

The next week was the Foundation's annual family picnic. Or, this year, the family tailgate. Henry and Sam were excited to see Bullet again! The boys got to wear their new jerseys to school that Thursday since it was a Thursday night game...I caught them playing Cowboy football on our bed before we high-tailed it to the CDL.

At the picnic..."It's Pistol Pete", Henry screamed.

We didn't make it to half time this game...the boys were pumped full of energy and had way too much trouble sitting still. Even with all of the OSUF eyes and helping hands. We took our time walking back and had a jersey photo opt outside the stadium. Can you tell by Sam's expression how much he loves big brother? Ha.

Thanks for a great evening, OSUF.

the last taste of summer

Nothing beats a blue Popsicle after some good, outdoor play

mom update

Good news:  Mom's tumor is shrinking and chemo is doing its job. Hallelujah.

Bad news: Mom's cat scan last week still revealed cancer in her lymph nodes, so no surgery yet. Her doctor said two more rounds of chemo and then they'll do another scan. Counts (especially her platelets) were too low to do chemo this week, but we're all hoping for the green light next week.

Mom's spirits remain high. God is teaching us patience and to continue depending on Him. I keep reminding myself this is a marathon, not a sprint...but, UGH. I wish my heart would listen more to my brain.

Until next time...