Wednesday Window....

We have come along way with KC and Daniel. Just look at them now...

Two Weeks After the Big Pull...

And this is what the site now looks like now .......

All closed up and covered with skin!! Yippee!!

And the first cold of the season arrived in our house last night. Oh the joys of school!!

Here I Come Fall.....

Are you ready for me??

Wordy Wednesday - Six Days After the Big Pull

I had to add words today as this picture would not make any sense without words. Believe it or not, this is what Daniel's tummy looks like just SIX days after he pulled his G-Tube out. The whole that housed the G-Tube for three years and two months is completely closed and has already begun to scar over. How CRAZY is that????

Day Six

Day One

I am still confused as to how and why but truth be told, I really don't care and am just glad that he is healing so wonderfully. We all deserved a break on this one.

Milestone Monday - 1st Day of Pre-School

It is finally here - Yippee! Daniel's first day of pre-school. All and all, the day went very well and Daniel seemed to enjoy himself very much. We did have some pre-school jitters but he handled them like a champ and off he went. Of course there was the "staged 1st day of pre-school" photo outside the house....

But he did run to the car this afternoon.....

Of course we took a picture outside his new school......



And he walked into his classroom. And yes, he went in all by himself and sat on the purple square (of course) as Daddy looked on.



His teacher made this display outside his classroom. How funny she chose monkeys.


And what first day of pre-school would be complete without a trip for ice cream to celebrate this milestone.....


We are so proud of him and hope this happiness continues! But where does time go???

Only Daniel!!

I swear - only Daniel. Before lunch everything, meaning his G-Tube, was intact.

However, pretty much right after lunch, everything was NOT intact.

Apparently, Daniel somehow figured out how to pull/wiggle his G-Tube far enough out of his tummy that it was almost completely out by the time I answered the "Mommy, I Need You" call from room the living room. Here my friends is what I saw.......

His G-Tube almost completely out and just waiting to be pulled. Though I did not expect my three and half year old to pull his own G-Tube out, we were in the process of picking a date to pull it ourselves in the next two weeks or so as Daniel's three month "probation of not using the tube at all" was up on Labor Day. I even went to the pediatrician this morning to get an appointment for the day after we decided to pull it so they could take a peek at the site to see if what Cincinnati has always told me was true - that the site would close up on its own in a matter of hours.

So, with the tube hanging, I went into a tailspin. I got the band-aids, gauze pads and tape, and pulled what was left of the tube out. I do have to say I think it is poetic justice that I was home alone with Daniel as I just said to Mike last night, "I should be the one to pull it as I got him to eat and had to sit through almost two years of feeding therapy appointments."

Here is what the site looks like once the tube was out... (Don't worry, it is not bad at all.)

And the G-Tube itself.

It appears that the balloon portion, which is inflated with water and is what holds it in place, split apart and deflated hence why it was so easy for Daniel to remove it himself. How long has it been like that, only God knows.

I do have to admit that the folks in Cincinnati were 100% right when they told me/us that the site would close pretty quickly. Truth be told, as I was getting my act together to get the bandage on, I was totally watching the site and could see what they meant. It was very cool.

Daniel was an awesome "patient" as he did everything I told him to do and even giggled as I pulled the remaining part out. He let me clean the area with sterile water and put the gauze pad and tape on without any issues. Of course he needed a Star Wars band-aid to help protect the site.

So, despite all the debating we did as to who, where, and when it was going to happen, it just did not matter as it once again was all up to Daniel. Way to go Buddy!!

Happy No More G-Tube Day!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Apparently....

I take too many pictures of Daniel as this is what happen when I took the camera out to video him swinging from the new swing Mike picked up. And yes, it is the same swing that his cousin's had at their farm in Missouri. Apparently, too, you can take the boy out of the Midwest but you can't take the Midwest out of him.......Enjoy!

Like Father...Like Son

Movies at Michie Stadium

Talk about dumb luck.....I went looking for Army Football tickets and found "Movies at Michie" instead.

Apparently last year the Army Football team started hosting a movie night prior to the start of their upcoming football season for fans. And with start of the 2010 Army Football season just around the corner they did it again last night. It was a totally free event and last night they featured "Sherk - Forever After" on the field.



I have to say they did a good job and made it totally kid and family friendly. They had a jump house which Daniel did not want to do at first but changed his mind...



They let you play and run on the field prior to the movie which was such a cool treat for even the faint at heart.

"Hey, this stuff is squishy and it's not real grass."

"Mom, it's the black knight and I am standing on the 50 yard line!!!!"

And just prior to the movie they had autograph signings and pictures with members of the 2010 Army Football players who all were great with the kids. (And sooooo young.)




All and all, for dumb luck, it was an awesome evening and one we all enjoyed. I would totally recommend it to anyone next year and it was totally awesome to lay on the field and watch a movie on blankets in this historic stadium for free. And truth be told, it was not crowded at all. If there were a couple of hundred people, that would be a lot. Nobody crowded you but then again you are on a football field. We were home by 9:00 p.m. and everyone slept like a rock thanks to all the fresh air. Definitely a must do next year!!



Thanks Army Football for a great night!!

Wordless Wednesday

What I Did This Summer....

Ok, so mom's been a little bit of a slacker as of late with blogging but truth be told, I have been keeping her busy all summer. All of us can't believe that this weekend is Labor Day, but, to be honest, I think we are all looking forward to some cooler weather around here.


So in case you are wondering what I have been doing all summer, it has been a lot. Just so you know, this is a long one.


Let's just start at the beginning.......


In June I went to summer camp at the nursery school that I will going three days a week in September. Though mom had just signed be up to go one week in June and another week in July, my initial reaction the first week was not good and it was suggested that I stick it out for the entire four weeks to help me adjust. All and all, after the first week I think mom needed therapy, but I came around and had a great time. I loved "Christmas in July" week and the "Nursery Rhymes" week too. I got to met new friends and am hoping some of them are in my class next month. I officially start school on September 13.


July 4th was a ton of fun as we had friends over and got to see fireworks in our town for the first time. The fireworks in our town is only open to residents and they were awesome. We got to sit on the beach at our lake and had a great time.





I did fall asleep during the end of the show but as they say "You see one rocket, you have seen them all."



At the end of the month I flew (with Mom and Dad) to see Nana and Lolo in Missouri and Kansas. I have to say, flying is way better then driving and I loved the plane. Of course Daddy had to explain what was going to happen before we took off. I listened but.....


All I really wanted to do was look out the windows at the planes.


Part of the reason we went to see Nana and Lolo was because I was lucky enough to be in my cousin's wedding in Illinois. It was a ton of fun. Despite Mommy's fear that I would not make it down the aisle, I did and rocked it. I, of course had to be silly and put the pillow on my head during the rehearsal.


Apparently everyone thought it was hysterical so I did it again walking out of the church and into the reception. Hey, I am a funny kid and why not get a few laughs whenever you can.


On the way to the wedding, we stopped in Hannibal, Missouri and visited Mark Twain's cave. I learned all about the story of Tom Sawyer and Becky Thacher's trip into the cave. It was very cool and cold as the temperature inside cave is a constant 53 degrees. It felt like paradise as the outside temperature was close to 100 that day.



After the wedding I spent some time out at my great aunt's and uncle's farm where I got to hold newborn kittens and jump on a trampoline with my cousins. It was a ton of fun and I am still talking about my cousins since they were very cool to hang out with me.


We stayed at Nana's house where I got to spend a ton of time with my cousin's and we got to go this really cool homestead where I fed baby sheep, fished and rode a pony. As you can see, it was hot that day too. That's summer in Kansas for you.






In August I got to go to the ocean twice as very good friends of Mommy and Daddy rented beach houses in Long Beach Island and Ocean City, NJ. And no, I did not go near any of those Jersey Shore kids.




And one Sunday afternoon the weather was so nice and cool here, Daddy convinced Mommy to take me to the New York Renaissance Faire. Though I was a little unsure about all the "crazy" people dressed up, I loved it. I, of course, felt the need to dress up as well and wore a mask. I got to meet some very nice pirates. They sat next to me at the Pirate Show and made sure I could see the stage.



In addition, I met the "Queen" and after shedding some tears, I got knighted and became "Sir Daniel" for the day. She was a very nice Queen.





As I think Daddy had ants in his pants this summer and really did not want to stay home too much (like that was going to happen), so he discovered that there was an old West Town just an hour away from our house. Of course he had to see it and used me as an excuse to go.



I have to say, it was pretty fun as we were able to walk on a dirt road, see a shoot out, ride horses and tour the old buildings. I definitely liked the double doors into the saloon. They were a ton of fun to run through and not get cause in. Mommy and Daddy also showed me the jail and told me that they never wanted to see me behind bars. I have to say, I think I agree with them.



And to celebrate Daddy's birthday, Mommy got us tickets to see the New York Yankees in their new stadium. This was the first time for all of us and I have to say they did a great job. The old stadium was historic but hey at least I can grow up with a modern ballpark.




Just last week, the PGA held its annual Barclays tournament in Paramus, NJ, which is right down the street from us. Daddy's friend once again volunteered there and was nice enough to give him tickets for the practice round. Though it was a little rainy, it was a ton of fun to see the golfers. And no, I have no idea who is behind us but you get the picture. We also went on Saturday were we got to see Tiger Woods twice but since it was an actually playoff day we weren't able to bring our camera. Oh well, Tiger wore a purple shirt on Saturday and purple is my favorite color. (Daddy plays into this too!)





Apparently, since the tournament was played at a private and ultra-expensive country club, Daddy went looking for rouge golf balls. He found a couple and I guess they were worth the effort. Only my Dad.





And what summer is not complete without splashing in some puddles or playing in the river that formed on our street due to a crazy downpour. Daddy was outside checking the gutters and why wouldn't I want to put on my raincoat and play in the rain? It is only water you know.




And this summer I had my first bike accident....

which resulted in "road rash" on my chin. I was riding my bike in my neighbor's driveway when the accident occurred. Apparently, I need to learn about how the brake works a bit better and how quickly one needs to turn the handlebars on a bike. All about learning I guess....and being a boy.

Oh yeah, I even took swimming lessons this summer for two weeks. After the first few days of being unsure, I loved them and my teacher. I can't wait to go back in September. Mommy says its a "Life Skill" and I need to learn it. I guess I will since it is fun and I get to splash and jump into the pool.

So there you have it. My summer of fun and Mommy's excuse for not blogging.

Here's to Fall cause I know I will be having a ball. - Daniel