Thanksgiving 2009

Every year we have a Thanksgiving dinner with my parents here in VA on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and then we go to PA to be with John's family on the actual holiday. This year was no different EXCEPT for the fact that I insisted on having our Sunday Thanksgiving Day dinner at our house this year. It was a nice thought, but a LOT of extra work! All in all, the meal turned out good and everyone had a great time!

On Tuesday evening after work, we made our way to PA to John's parent's house where we stayed until Sunday. On Wednesday when we got up, we took Jake to get his hair cut (this was only his second hair cut, but he did so wonderful with it!), and John got his cut as well. It was a nice little male bonding trip, really. Later that day, John went out with his friends and was out until the next morning. He does this every year and I honestly don't see it changing any time in the near future. Jake and I didn't do much for the rest of Wednesday.

Thursday was, of course, Thanksgiving day. We watched most of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and played all morning. Jake and I napped in the afternoon and then that evening we had the yummiest dinner EVER!

On Friday (Black Friday), Jake and I went shopping with my sister, and I finished three people on my list! YAY ME! I have to say that I'm almost done Christmas shopping. I'm so pleased with myself! We didn't stay out that long ... my sister had somewhere she needed to be and I was fine with that. The crowds were making me a little crazy and Jake needed a nap BAD. Friday evening we went to a friend's house and just hung out. It was so awesome to just do NOTHING!

Saturday was another relatively relaxing day. My brother-in-law decided he wanted professional pictures taken of all four kids (ages 8 months - 5). I was pretty hesitant, but he wanted to do it, so I made the appointment and off we went. Needless to say, it was a pretty big nightmare once we got there. Kids running and screaming every where, the younger two wanted to crawl away or cry, the older two couldn't sit still and smile long enough to get their pictures taken. It was pure mahem and nothing I care to repeat again anytime soon! The pictures, however, turned out pretty decent. It was hard to tell there was all that craziness going on. Saturday evening when they were all in bed, I just melted into the couch and thanked God they weren't all mine! haha

On Sunday it was time to pack it up and head on home. We made excellent time getting home and hardly hit any traffic! Last week was crazy a few times, but overall it was such a relaxing break from reality and I got to spend it with the two boys I love the most! <3

Halloween *2009*

Halloween this year was such a LONG day for all of us, but Jacob did suprisingly well! We started out the day by going out to Waldorf, MD to a friend's house. They have a 3 year old little boy, so they were having a Halloween party for him that day. It was loads of fun, but exhausting. Jacob decorated his first pumpkin as well as a hanger for on his doorknob. This was the first time he had actually participated in crafts, so I was a little nervous, but he did pretty good. I, of course, had to help him while Daddy took pictures, but we got the job done! His favorite part was when he decided to take the stickers OFF of his pumpkin at the end. :)

After the Halloween party, we had to hurry back to Northern Virginia, so we could make it out to Leesburg for the Halloween parade. I was quite surprised by how awesome Jake did at the parade. He sat down on the curb next to Grammy with his balloon and his Halloween basket in front of him and watch the entire thing. I think next year we will probably be skipping the parade, so we can trick-or-treat! The parade lasted so long that we weren't able to really go trick-or-treating. Oh well ... there's always next year!

An Update on John, Post-Surgery ....

As most of you are aware, John had a UPPP procedure done last Thursday (10.08.09). I'm not sure what it actually stands for, but basically it was a procedure to help correct severe sleep apnea. His operation only took about an hour to complete, and he only needed to spend one night in the hospital. He was discharged with a prescription of liquid pain medication and liquid antibiotics. He's taking his medicine religiously and doing everything in his power to get better, fast, however he's not healing as fast as we had thought he would. The pain has actually gotten worse and the back of his throat has now scabbed over making it even harder to swallow and talk. I called his doctor today to see if they could prescribe a stronger pain medication, which they did. I was also informed that he is able to eat whatever he wants now (something we didn't know), with the exception of anything 'scratchy' (i.e., chips, crackers, etc.). The doctor did tell us it will take up to three weeks for him to heal completely, and that this procedure is a very painful one to recover from, but it's very effective! I've already noticed a difference in his sleeping! He used to not be able to sleep on his back because he'd stop breathing so many times throughout the night, but now sleeping on his back is what seems to be most comfortable! AND ... I haven't had to say "breathe" in the middle of the night at all in the past week! Woo hoo! Anywho, it's a slow process, but he's getting there!

Jacob's First Leesburg Fire Open House (10.10.09)

Yesterday was Jacob's first Leesburg Fire Open House. It was probably the chilliest Open House day they've had in years, but we went anyways. Jacob LOVES fire trucks. His Grammy and Pap (my mom and step-dad) both belong to the Leesburg Fire Department, so he gets to go to the fire house often. He's not at all afraid of the sirens like a lot of children his age are, so I figured he'd have a great time, and he really, really did!

When we got there, MedStar already had their helicopter there, so we took Jacob over to it, so he could sit up in the helicopter and take a look around. At first he was a bit apprehensive, but he quickly got over it. He had his Pap with him, so all was right with the world!

After taking a tour of the helicopter, we decided to go inside to get Jacob changed into his very own fireman gear. I have to say that he was probably the cutest little fireman I've ever seen! It was a bit too big on him, but that didn't slow him down any. He was cruising all over the bay and the front drive of the fire house.

After he showed off his gear, we got a hot dog and juice for lunch and then just walked around checking out the rest of the fire trucks. Jacob probably walked all over that fire house and yard. He passed out in the car almost as soon as he got in. He had such a great time and we can't wait to take him again next year!