My First Golf Game

Brad and I just returned from playing golf. We had been looking forward to it for a few days. This was my first time and it was obvious! :) I am looking forward to taking some lessons and learning the proper way to play golf. Brad did a lot of coaching for me today and it was much appreciated since I had no clue what I was doing, but I'd like to learn from a pro. I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would. I think Brad took a few pictures of me, I'll try and post them later.

More sports tonight...David has a t-ball game in a little while. We are going to watch him and then head to Chuck E. Cheese for some games and dinner.

Quick Mid Day Post

Christopher saw his Diego potty this morning and wanted to tee tee - so I began potty boot camp today after all. So far, things have gone really well! No accidents...knock on wood (I'm hoping the medicine won't make it too difficult). Anyway, I have set the timer every 20 minutes and then he tries to potty. He jut tee teed and received his two M&M's. He wanted Jakey to try and tee tee so he could get some M&Ms. I told him Jakey was too little and that potties are only for big kids. Without being prompted (or Jakey even asking) Christopher gave one of his M&Ms to Jakey. I thought that was really sweet of him. I'm going to try and snap a picture so you can see Christopher and Jacob. They both have a pair of underwear on their head (and have all morning long).

Gotta go...Christopher is screaming for David. ...David is at camp right now.

Ok - I'm back! :) David is at a day camp for his new school. Yesterday was his first day and he had soooo much fun. I asked him if he made any new friends and he said yes. Of course, he doesn't remember their names. I too, am horrible with names. I guess he gets that from me.

Well gotta get back to potty boot camp!

Nothing Major...I told You sooooo! :)

So Christopher has had this knot on his neck since at least May (that's when his last cardiologist appt was and I asked the cardiologist about it). It never bothered Christopher and Brad has a lot of calcium buildups and it is nothing major. Last week when we were in Dallas the "knot" got really big and hard. It still was not bothering Christopher, it just looked painful and very odd. Cheryl called her doctor to see if we could bring Christopher in to get it checked, but her doctor didn't want to without his medical records and especially since he has an underlying condition. So Friday morning we headed home and it looked a little better. Saturday morning it all of a sudden looked like large pimple. I read about it on the Internet and self diagnosed it as a boil and then it burst. I assumed that it was it was suppose to do and didn't worry about it. So last night we had a BBQ with several of our neighbors. One of them is a Pediatric ICU nurse, one is a Neonatal ICU nurse and the other is a Physician's Assistant. They scared the poop out of me!!! They said a boil is a staph infection and since he has artificial parts in him...in his heart of all places...that he is at an EXTREMELY high risk of the infected blood going straight to his heart. I know that before we go to the dentist, have any type of procedure that we have to get him on antibiotics to prevent endocarditis. I didn't realize that this Staph Infection is same protocol. Anyway, they made me call my pediatrician immediately and she called in antibiotics and said we needed to go in first thing this morning. My friends told me to pack extra diapers and be prepared to bring him straight to the hospital after the appointment. They thought the pediatrician would send him to the hospital for IV drip antibiotics. The dr. looked at and said make sure he stays on the antibiotics for 10 days and watch the open wound. If it gets any larger or if he has any slight fever- we'll be heading straight to the emergency room. But he is OK!! I told you soo!! ha - I have been fooled so many times my medical professionals- I just follow my gut now. :) And I just wanted to brag, that for once I was right! :) But I am very thankful to have friends that are in the medical field!!! I probably would have never called to get antibiotics.

After our fun trip to the Dr. Our brave little boy who didn't even flinch when she poked at his beaux beaux went to the mall to tell Daddy. Daddy was having toddler days today and kids eat free lunch (my kids always eat free there :) Anyway, Christopher happened to spot the cow out of the corner of his eyes and had a kaniption fit. Christopher does NOT like the cow so we left quickly before the cow mascot got off of the carousel and headed to Target. Christopher picked out a Diego potty chair and ended up using it several times today. I was so proud of him. Then after working with him and being motivated for potty boot camp this week - I remembered that the pediatrician said the antibiotic she prescribed was very strong and would cause some major diarrhea. I guess I'll have to potty training off until next week (or maybe even the next).

Happy 4th of July!

The big boys and I are back from the Listi's. We had a really fun time. I was a bit nervous about driving that far with them by myself. Sometimes just the two hour drive to my parents house seems like eternity. Surprisingly though the eight hour drive went really well and quick.

It was great to see the Listi's. David and Carter just picked up like they saw each other last week. It has been a year since we saw them. Christopher and Gabe played pretty good too. Gabe has inspired Christopher to tee tee on the potty even more so than he has been. He used Gabe's Diego potty several times and then on the drive home today, he told me he needed to tee tee while we were in Subway. I was very tempted to say, just go in your diaper (I am not a fan of public restaurants...or public anywhere for that matter!) I went ahead and brought him and held him up - and he did it!! He has been showing signs (including telling me) - but it is so hard for ME to stay on task and for me to remind him to go. Last week he was wearing underwear and we were outside cleaning my car out and he told me "seat wet". Opps, I had totally forgotten that he had underwear on.

We had a good time and I am exhausted! I'll post some pictures and more info tomorrow!

Wow...This isn't too bad!

Well two days in a row, I've made a post. This might be good after all.

Today I worked (as on most Monday's). I LOVE my job, my boss and the girl I work with. My boss is so great and patient with me and my fear of working full-time. I started working there a little over four years ago just a couple of days a week while David was in Mom's Day Out. After Christopher was born I took several months off. After Christopher's surgery and recovery I decided to go back to work just one day a week. When Christopher was about four months old, I was started to be at peace and comfortable with his health and decided to move up to two days a week. ...The next week I found out baby #3 was coming along. My boss wasn't phased at all. She just said take as much time off as you need. Anyway, beginning in the fall, all three of the boys will be attending some type of program. David will be in Kindergarden (can you believe it!?!?), Christopher and Jacob will be in Mom's Day Out three days each week. So for the first time ever - I will be working and actually making money! Brad has agreed to take off early on Mondays to pick up the little boys and then on Thursdays and Fridays I'll get off work at noon and stay home the rest of the day. I am really excited!

Three year's ago today we found out we were having baby #2 (later to be born as Christopher!). I don't usually remember these random dates, but it also happened to be my Daddy's birthday. Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Since I am not working anymore this week and it is a fun holiday - I've been looking for something fun to do. I thought about bringing David camping and canoeing on the Buffalo River...but our friend Cheryl returned my call this afternoon and said we could go and visit them in Dallas. They have sons the same ages as Christopher and David. I thought about bringing Jacob along too - but last month's four hour drive to Destin is all too fresh in my mind!!! I don't think I could handle a seven hour drive with all three of them by myself (Brad is working this week). We have a girl that helps out with the boys three days a week, so she is going to help out with Jacob during the day and then Brad will have some fun father/son time with him in the evenings. I am pretty excited about seeing the Listi's. We haven't seen them since last summer. They used to have a Chick-fil-A in the other mall in Baton Rouge and they have since moved to a store in Denton, TX. Our boys were best buds and always played so well together. It was great having friends that we all had so much in common. The girls had fun Chick-fil-A stories and vent sessions together, the guys loved to talk business and the kiddos were the same ages (within six weeks!) and had fun too! They wouldn't join us for baby #3 though...at least not yet! :)

Well I guess that is enough of an update for today! I probably won't post until we return from our road trip. Have a great holiday week...and remember why we have our independence!!!

Hopefully this will be easy...

I've been meaning to send out updates and recent pictures of the boys and just don't get around to it! Hopefully this will be an easy place for you to come check as often as you want to get an update on the Arton Frat House.

Today, Brad brought the boys to a friends camp and I've had the day to myself. The first day home by myself in a REALLY long time. It is odd to sit here on the computer without someone pushing the buttons or screaming in the background! :)

Earlier this month we went to Destin with our neighbors and their children. They have four children close to the boys ages. We shared a condo for a week and surprisingly, we didn't have any injuries or loss of friendships! :) The boys had a great time. I'll post some pictures.