Healing

Quick update...
Justin's surgery on Tuesday was very successful. The surgeon found more damage to the labrum than the MRI had shown and was impressed that Justin had lasted this long with such a weak shoulder. He sewed up the 3 spots that were torn and then found another tear in his bicep muscle and repaired that as well. The block they had given him wore off this afternoon and he's been in a lot more pain but we're managing it the best we can with ice and medication. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers during this!
My parents made it to town this evening. The kids showed off their silliness and have already made plans for what they're going to do with Papa and Mimi tomorrow. Which is good because my mom will be taking me to the oral surgeon tomorrow morning to have my wisdom teeth pulled. The sooner I get it over the happier I'll be (I've never even had an IV before...not too thrilled about any type of surgery for myself). My parents will have their hands full tomorrow handling all 4 of us but hopefully I'll be ready to swing into action on Friday when I'm supposed to bring a smoking volcano birthday cake to school for Mads' birthday. We'll see how that goes...I'll post pictures (fingers crossed).

Turning a corner

Winter has finally loosened it's grip on Missoula. We've had seasonal temps in the 40s and spring-like sunshine for at least a few hours every day over the past two weeks. Parker's playgroup played outside for the first time this week since last October. The boys ran around aimlessly, simply excited to be free. Last Sunday, while Justin was at an all-weekend training, the kids and I explored the snow covered back yard in snow boots and sweatshirts. Our cul-de-sac is ready for tricycles and scooters instead of sleds. Hope is in the air.

March is our month to transition from winter to spring. We're maximising the not-quite-warm-enough weather to get some necessary medical stuff done. Justin will have shoulder surgery next Tuesday and I get my wisdom teeth pulled on Thursday. My parents arrive on Wednesday and will be our support staff during the week. We'll celebrate Madeleine's birthday on Friday at preschool with a volcano cake (her latest fascination). I had hoped to have a friend/family party for her on Saturday but logic has won me over and I've decided to postpone it until the next weekend when we can have a joint Madeleine/Justin party (he's turning 30 on the 29th of March). Before we know it April will be here, Justin's arm will be out of a sling, and we'll have a 4-year old ruling the roost! Bring it on sun...we're ready!

The List

Last weekend I asked Madeleine what she wanted for her birthday (less than a month away!) and here's what she said, in order.

1. purple fan
2. purple heater
3. purple rocketship jammies
4. birthday card
5. blanket: green with brown polka dots
6. a Santa Claus movie
7. toy dog that makes sounds
8. purple mack truck
9. brown dress
10. a Santa Claus book
11. green towel
12. long-sleeve shirt, yellow with white sparkles
13. purple pony stuffed animal
14. shark towel

All of this was new to me. What's up with all the purple and polka dots?!? I know she's obsessed with Santa because she was old enough at Christmas to comprehend how cool Santa is. I'm hoping she'll be satisfied with the carousel t-shirt and Emily train (from Thomas the Train). She has also asked for "chocolate cake with chocolate buttercreme icing" using those exact words. I can definitely do that. What a funny kid!

The sound of silence

I covet silence. More often than not it's loud around here but on the rare day both kids will nap and I will have the house to myself. Today I'm enjoying a cup of sweet dreams tea with honey to soothe my sore throat while looking up dress tutorials for Madeleine. I've started one dress that I hope to finish tonight. Lately she's been obsessed with layering a summery dress over her long-sleeve shirts and jeans so I thought it'd be nice to give her a few more options. Her favorite dresses have polka dots but I'm low on dot cloth so flowers will have to suffice until I make it to JoAnn Fabrics.

Like my cup? Picked it up at Goodwill the other day. It is a nice reminder of the summer weather that seems so far away on a snowy day like today.

I'm looking forward to having some other photos to share by the end of the weekend. Mads has been at a creative standstill so I'm hoping to spark some new ideas by giving her the camera to document what does (or doesn't) happen around here. We'll try to make the best of the last 3-day weekend before the long stretch until Memorial Day. Justin will probably have a couple days off between now and then since he needs shoulder surgery. He has a torn something-or-other that can't heal with just physical therapy so we're trying to schedule things to make sure he will be healed in time for hunting season. It's unfortunate that he won't be able to complete any triathlons this summer but in the long run it will be good to get this procedure done so he can compete in the future.

My silent afternoon is fading away so I'm off to drink one last hot cup of tea before chaos ensues.

A bittersweet day

http://theclineadventure.blogspot.com/2010/02/goodbye-maggie.html
I have to get going because Drake's making me play with him and Parker's asking me to stop crying. I hope you each have a love, present or past, that you can honor today.

IRS

While in San Diego last month, the IRS mailed us a letter explaining they were reviewing part of our 2008 tax return. After my stomach did it's initial flip (making a mistake on taxes is one of my biggest fears), I was relieved to read that they were just reviewing our first time home buyer tax credit. Today I finally had time to dig through all of that home-buying paperwork to find and copy all of the documents they want while the kids napped (still recovering from pink eye/a virus that put Mads on antibiotics). I think the IRS and I have another date tentatively scheduled for later this month when we'll head down to a coffee shop to meet with Mr. Turbo Tax. Instead of being the month of love, for me February is the month of paper: finding it, filing it, shredding it. I suppose some love is involved because when it's all said and done, I do love how nice my file drawer looks and the extra pocket change we usually get.

Quarantined

I had thought I'd be cooking up a storm today, preparing for a big Super Bowl party. Instead, I'm staying as quiet as a mouse to ensure the kids get good naps. You see, they both have pink eye, runny noses, a bad cough, and low-grade fevers so we had to cancel our big celebration. We've spent the entire weekend watching Curious George, Thomas the Train, basketball and today football. I'm slowly trying to teach the kids how sick days work around here: couch potato/tv zombie (it's much easier on mom). Fortunately, they napped really well yesterday so I was able to use that time to make them new Steelers gear that they're sporting today.

(that's chalk on P's shirt and yes, it's "fitted." I think I made it just big enough for him to wear it today without out-growing it but I'll have to make a new one for next season.)

I would have put #43 for Polamalu but 7 was easier to freehand cut and applique...plus, Roethlisberger is a great quarterback so we're fans.

Time to go cook some chili. Go Steelers!