Climbing (Post for My Benefit)

Last Thursday (8/11) marked the first day Noah learned to climb up the stairs. We were at GGmas where there were only 2 steps that go down into the living room. He can get up very easily, but isn't so graceful on the way down! Sad, but kinda humorous to watch! After mastering going up the stairs he has figured out how to climb onto Rachel's bed. They both climb on it and play together, but when Rachel gets down and leaves he just sits there at the foot of the bed yelling (and I do mean yelling) for Momma to come to the rescue. Not that it's really much rescue because all I do is set him on the floor, but nonetheless he is happier to be un-stuck! Hopefully I will get a pic of this soon!

Waterpillar Fun!

Last Christmas one of the gifts Aunt Jess gave us was a Waterpillar sprinkler toy. Rachel has spend quite a bit of time, swimming at Gma Oakley's and just in her kiddie pool at home, so we decided to hook up the Waterpillar a few nights ago too. Noah hated it and Rachel was timid at first, but ended up loving it. (But still never got super close!) A few pics of the fun evening!

Dora Visits The Zoo!

Rachel still seems to be a little Dora fanatic. There is a unique zoo less than a mile from our house. As a back to school promotion Dora visited the zoo. Rachel is actually the one who noticed the commercial on TV so we decided we just had to go! She was a bit afraid of Dora as we got closer, but eventually warmed up and got a few really good pics. The zoo is fairly expensive to get into, but it was worth every penny to see her enjoy herself so much! Gma Skiles went with us, and Gma Oakley kept Noah. Thanks so much to both of them!

10 Months!

Noah's 1st birthday is really starting to creep up on me! I cannot believe he is already 10 months old. He isn't doing a whole lot more since the 9 month mark, but a few things. He has been pulling up on EVERYTHING for a while now, but he is just now starting to get brave and move from item to item. Example: pull up on couch and move to my wheel chair while still holding on. He is so careful when he does it. He lets go occasionally, but after no more than 2 seconds he gracefully sits down. Total control,but he just won't stand on his own. I guess we won't have to worry about him walking before Momma! His sister was walking by 11 months, but I definitely think he will be a year or so before...unless he picks it up really soon! For his 10 month pics I just took a few with my new camera when we were out in the yard. Even if he's lazy, we love our sweet boy!

Knee Surgery Update!

(for those of you who go o church with me, this exactly the same thing that went out on the prayer chain! Just thought I'd save you some reading!). :)

I had my 6 week post-op appointment today. I came away with better news than I expected, but we still aren't out of the woods yet. Beginning today I am able to drive; however, even though I have been cleared to drive I will be on the crutches for up to 4 more weeks. I am now able to put 25% of my weight back on my right leg as I crutch this week. Next week I will hopefully do 50%, the third week 75% and then close to 100% (but still with crutches) by the 4th week. The recovery for this knee surgery has been unbelievable! Although things seem to be progressing nicely, I am still unable to take care of my kids on my own, so things are still very stressful. Please continue to pray for my recovery, as well as the stress of taking care of our kids since my mom and Monica return to work next week. (They have been helping all summer because they both work in elementary schools.) There is light at the end of my tunnel, I just have to wait patiently for the ride to end!