Happy Turkey Day

We just got home last night from our turkey week on California. It was great to see our family and friends and enjoy a delicious turkey and fixings made by my parents. We had lots of plans in our head but most of them didn't work out because Emily's gastrointestinal issues from last month came back. She started last weekend off as we were getting out of the car for Brian's last soccer game by vomiting all over Steve. It was bad. I quickly drove them home, during which she proceeded to fill her car seat. She spent the next 4 hours first in Steve's arms, then mine, alternating with being held over the sink. By saturday she seemed fine during the day but then I was up all night with her sunday. After about 4 hours of sleep for both of us, she seemed fine in the morning, so we loaded up the car and headed to CA anyways. Maybe not the best idea as she vomited in a Wendy's/Truckstop and then again in the car. And then again monday evening on my Mom and then in her portable bed. You get the idea, this pretty much went on all week, including yesterday morning as we were packing to come home. We even took her to Children's Hospital Los Angeles but because she was not dehydrated, they gave her some medicine to stop the vomiting (worked for a few days) and sent us on our way. I've decided this is not a virus. She has no fever, is totally fine once the bouts of vomiting stop, no one else in the family has contracted this "virus." We finally got a referral to a gastroenteralogist to go through last week and I will be up bright and early tomorrow on the phone trying to get an appointment immediately. Mean Mama Bear might be coming out tomorrow since I'm sick of hearing that this is just a virus. It's been going on too long (6 weeks now) and it's time to look into some other possibilities. So, other than worrying about Emy all week, we managed to have a night out with Laura and Allan and our friends Katie and Mark to eat and see Breaking Dawn. And my mom and I squeezed in some time in the Garment District in LA to buy lots and lots of fabric for purse linings. I'm hoping this next week is the beginning of finding some answers for Emily and her nonstop "virus."

Brian and cousin Grace at the kids table

Soccer

Brian played his last game of the season last night. He loved playing and was always really excited about practice and the games. I don't think we have a future pro soccer player on our hands, he should really stick to baseball but it was great to see him get out there and play. Many of the other 4-year-old boys on his team would lose interest about halfway through the game so we were pleased that Brian was so into playing, regardless of skill level. He probably could have gotten MVP of Cheering His Friends On and being empathetic when some of the teams' go-getters got a rouge kick to the face. He's definitely a great team player and supportve friend. And his sister Emily loved cheering his on. She learned "Go!Go!Go!" and now applies it to all her sports TV watching moments.

The Hurt Cheer Squad

So excited about his new trophy!

Brian's Big Adventure Part 2

Day 3 of Brian's adventure in Colorado included a trip to a magical place called Santa's village...

There are rides.....

and more rides.....

and the real Santa Claus!

And reindeer signs to attack!

And yet more rides!

And then there are last night of the trip cousin sleepovers in Grandma's hotel room. Brian had an absolute blast and was exhausted after his weekend of fun. we are glad to have him back!

Brian's Big Adventure

Yesterday I drove our first born to the airport, bags pack and all, and shipped him off. Just for the weekend and with his Grandma Harris, of course. They are off on an adventure to Denver, Colorado to see his Aunt Julie, Uncle Carlos, and cousin Grace and help her celebrate her 4th birthday. He was so excited about this trip, he's been talking about it for weeks and even helped me pack (jumped on the bed while I packed and he occasionally threw in a must-have toy). He insisted on rolling his bag out to the car, although he needed some help getting it in. He also insisted that nothing should be removed from his carry-on backpack to lighten his load, he needed those toys for airport entertainment despite any future back problems caused by 10 pounds of toys. He bravely assured us that while he would miss us, he would be fine and have fun.

So Grandma flew in from CA, we met her at the airport, ate some lunch during her layover, and then off Grandma went with my first born through security. I really miss the little guy! But we have gotten alot done this weekend with just one little one around, including a successful garage sale, lots and lot of cleaning out of storage spaces and things in anticipation of a quick move this next spring/summer (more on that later). The house is so quiet and calm without our loud ball of energy here. Emily seems thrilled with the extra attention, perhaps slightly bored, and kisses pictures of her brother whenever she sees him. I asked her tonight where Brian was and she said "go! go!" because we told her he was "going" on an adventure and "go" is all she can say back for now.
Grandma didn't waste any time spoiling him and bought Brian this "Papa" hat--a kid-size USAirways Pilot's hat. Cousin Grace got a Southwest version since her Daddy has an interview with Southwest next month!

Grandma got him a tour of the cockpit where he got to touch the throttle and nose-wheel steering. He asked me on the phone ten times yesterday if I saw the picture of him in the cockpit, he was so excited about this!

It wasn't his first time in the cockpit! Here are Brian and I in a USAirways cockpit on his first flight at 3 months old in May 2007. He doesn't look as thrilled here as his most recent visit to the cockpit.

The "two Brians" in their hats. Where is my Dad's hat? This would have made our Christmas card if Dad had his hat on! Papa met Brian and Grandma at the Denver airport, along with Uncle Carlos.
And again, no time was wasted in the spoiling of the Grandchildren as they whisked the little ones off to Build-a-Bear, where Brian built himself a coyote that he thinks is a wolf, which he is absolutely terrified of and has nightmares about. So this new addition to his bed is going to be interesting!

This morning at Grace's ballet class!

Eating at Grace's birthday party!

Brian sure does love his cousin Grace!

Halloween

Brian's favorite show is Disney's Phineus and Ferb. He insisted on being Perry the Platypus for Halloween and of course the all powerful Disney doesn't sell an Agent P costume, so I got to figure out how to make it. I basically bought a simple pattern for a frog costume and altered it to make a Platypus. Bought the hat at Target and got the duck bill thing at the craft store. Overall, he loved the costume and was ready to stop the shenanigans of the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz.

And here is our busy little bumblebee! Costume by Gymboree and not Mommy.

Emy loved her antenae or her "hatty!" She actually wore it for a little while. Maybe there is hope for bows one day soon!

We had a crazy busy weekend: two Halloween parties, one neighborhood fall festival, a soccer game, soccer pictures, a wedding, and family pictures. And somewhere in there we trick or treated and got tons of candy to keep us going through it all. I think this is just a preview of the next two crazy months!! Bring it on, holidays!