My Little Helper

I must say that I have always depended on "my little helper" for help, especially once Cannon came along.  It has been so much fun to see how very helpful "my little helper" has become since becoming a big brother.  Chandler...in case you did not know who I was referring to, is always running to get mommy a diaper, or running to get daddy a burp rag, or just running to find the paci that somehow is never where it was left. Well, lately things have been disappearing at a rather rapid rate.  Although I must say it is very wonderful to have someone constantly picking up after me and placing things in places where one would never guess to look, it is somewhat difficult as the living room and Chandler's bedroom are a haven for misplaced items, also, under mommy and daddy's bed.  It was AMAZING all the lost goodies that we recently found under there.  It was like Christmas!  However, I truly must share the most recent run-ins that I have had with "my little helper". 

So, amongst the hustle and bustle of the week I normally try to keep up with a daily job of doing some laundry, because with little ones it seems like an undaunting task if you just let it pile up.  Last week was no different.  On a busy night where there were many many things to do I threw in a multitude of Cannon's clothing, blankets, washcloths and towels.  Things were going well.  Upon the cycle ending, I opened the washer door and I immediately noted something was WRONG.  The little crystals that you find when a diaper gets too full or when a diaper explodes were ALL over the washing machine.  That's odd?  How did...OH NO!  I quickly removed all the clothing items and not only were there lots of diaper crystals that had exploded from a once dirty, but now newly washed disposable diaper but also a paci.  I shook everything out as best as I could but if you could have heard the sighs and grumbles of now having to vacuum the crystal/pieces of diaper that were EVERYWHERE because apparently when you wash a diaper the pieces become like static cling styrofoam and were seriously EVERYWHERE.  So as "my little helper" comes running through the room I just happen to ask "Chandler, did you put a diaper in the washing machine?" Much to my demise his sweet answer of "Yes, momma I did.  I put it in there so that it could get clean and then we could use it again."  "And, Chandler did you put Cannon's paci in the washing machine?"  "Yes momma, I did.  That way you wouldn't have to wash it in the sink." *grumble, grumble* "Thanks Chandler, that was very thoughtful, but buddy those things don't belong in the washing machine, okay?"  "Okay momma!"

Fast forward a few nights later.  I was getting Chandler ready for bed and happened to notice that his toothbrush was really worn out.  I started searching for the new toothbrush that he had opened a month or so ago that I had told him was not to be opened until we needed it and was unsuccessful in my search.  I asked Chandler what had happened to the new blue toothbrush, that I had asked him not to open, but he did, that I had so thoughtfully placed in the drawer not to be used until I said.  He looked at me and so honestly replied "I threw it away."  "You threw it away?  Why?"  "Well, you said not to use it and I had already opened it, so I threw it away so that way I would not use it."  "But Chandler, now we need it. What are we going to do now?"  Chandler looks in the trashcan and ever so sweetly tells me "I guess we need to call the trash man."  Oh, how he melts my heart!  No worries, my child did not go without brushing his teeth we did have another new toothbrush, but to the toothbrush that was never used, oops!  

Then over the weekend, "my little helper" was so very excited about Cannon's new helmet!!!  He told us the minute he saw Cannon with his new helmet that we needed to decorate it.  Well, while daddy and Cannon were traveling to get Cannon's new helmet, Chandler and I went on a date.  I let him choose the plan for the night.  We went to McDonald's to eat and then da ta da da...we went to my school!  Yes, I know a very exciting evening, especially with a very impatient three year old informing me as every single piece of paper that came out of the copy machine that "NOW we can go play!"  Or for the millionth time "Momma come on lets go play!"  I guess this was not what he thought we would do at momma's school?  There was also the help of sending things through the laminator that were just a little a lot crooked.  But never fear!  We accomplished a great deal!  However, once we arrived home and were reunited with daddy and Cannon, Chandler was very impressed with Cannon's new undecorated helmet.  He told me that we better decorate it, but I told him we probably needed to wait.  (WHAT?  I know...but I want to make sure that it is ready for Cannon's Halloween costume and I don't want to have to decorate it and then waste the stickers as they might not work for his costume.)  So, although I explained this in what I thought was a very clear manner Saturday came and I still had not decorated it.  By evening, I was doing the weekly loads of laundry, sorting, folding and putting things away while Chandler and Cannon were busy playing.  I heard lots of "Hold still Cannon, Cannon stop, let go of that, Cannon HOLD STILL!"  Then, much to my surprise the stickers that came in Chandler's Happy Meal from our date were being placed all over Cannon's helmet!!!!!! Oh my!  So what is a mother to do?  But take pictures of the precious ordeal, laugh at the preciousness of it all and share and brag to everyone what a WONDERFUL helper I have!  Yes, the stickers were paper based(not what we use).  Yes, Chandler did inform me at bath time "Momma, don't put alcohol on the stickers because it will wash them off!" (amazing he even knows about this at his little age).  And, yes it took me forty minutes to peel all of the little stickers off as by Sunday they were quite a mess and were near impossible to get off! But my, oh my, how thankful I am for "my little helper"!

Fun times at mommy's school!  What a true helper!!!



Decorating Cannon's new helmet!



Rolling away!  Rolling away!



Hey look at these shiny things!  What are they?  Oh wait, what is that that mommy said?  Stay away?  Why?  Just because Zoe eats and drinks out of them?   



Cutie!  Yes, eyes closed, drooling like crazy and sitting up all by myself!



CHEESE!



DOUBLE CHEESE!



Four months post op!  Look at that hair!  Look at those CURLS!





Watching big brother's EVERY move!




Reach for them, reach for them! So close!



Chandler's decorations! What a thoughtful big brother!  Oh, and thanks to our helmet lady for the cute fish!



Side by side of helmet Cannon's new helmet and his very first helmet!

Notice the back padding...Cannon's head needs to get as wide as possible so we are now applying a lot of pressure front to back so the padding helps apply as much as pressure possible to encourage his head to grow wide and wider.

In the pictures it is hard to see the exact size difference but to us it feels like Cannon's new helmet is like double in size!  Lots of growing to do!

Three cuties!  Reading a book with daddy!

Taking a breath...WHEW!

So, finally I feel as though I am maybe able to breathe again, perhaps for just a moment or maybe longer. 

Our week last week although busy was exciting to say the least.  Cannon is getting a new helmet!  Finally!  I personally think that this current helmet has been a little tight for a while, but finally we reached the milestone of needing a new helmet!  I am sure there is more to come and our timetable is not what we had pictured, but to need a new helmet at all, and to finally hear those words made everything a little easier to know that things are going the way they should? 

We did a couple of weeks ago see an optometrist who specializes in infant care and participates in the state's program for infants' eye exams.  After a long visit and lots of tests and exams it was determined that for now there is nothing that can been seen as problematic.  Although this was and is WONDERFUL news there is still that little bit of worry.  There were lots of discussions and explanations which are full of probably too much information for anyone to handle but being a mommy who has gone through what we have gone through it was overwhelming to say the least.  But all we need to know for now that we just need to monitor things and hope and pray that this issue resolves and will not be a need for further concern.  At least for a moment or two! 

Then, Cannon suddenly had an odd bruise/knot that started forming on the inside of his upper forearm close to the fold of his elbow.  At first, I just thought like any bruise it would heal and get better.  We are at a loss as to the cause, but when things got worse and scarier I finally dreadfully scheduled a doctor's appointment.  Having gone through what we have, it is hard for my mind at times to think positively.  I often fear and visualize the worse possible scenario first, perhaps so that my mind can cope and deal with what might come and then if it is not awful, then I can continue on.  The doctor's have also been perplexed by the "mass" and although many days I think it looks better, in some moments I think maybe it is worse.  Cannon did have to have an ultrasound done on the mass.  Again, the whole appointment was enough to do me in as first we had to wait an hour just to see someone and when you are there by yourself in a hospital with an infant AND a three year old thoughts don't always stay so positive.  Initially it was just the technician who took lots of images, she then left to send the pictures to a radiologist, then returned to say that the radiologist wanted a few more images and needed the new images to be sent to a partner, then she left again with the promise that we would be able to leave once the report had been finished, to suddenly have the door open to the exam room and have not one, but three additional doctors asking what seemed like a million questions and wanting to physically see the "mass" as well as to get their own look with the ultrasound.  At this time, we are once again playing the waiting game.  We NEED the mass to shrink, we need the fluid to reabsorb, we need for it to heal but as patient as I can be I pray for there to be no complications as my precious babe so deserves normal at this point.  But what is normal?  Who knows?  Maybe this is?  I hope not.  Because as I stress over the many aspects in our little lives these days, I hope that things can get better.  I pray they will.  I know they will. 

Before I sign off though, I wanted to share a clip of our boys.  Oh brothers!  How dearly Cannon L.O.V.E.S Chandler.  Chandler can just walk through the room and Cannon is in awe.  Chandler L.O.V.E.S Cannon as well.  Cannon will be fussing and Chandler will immediately inform me that I need to go take care of him.  Chandler also wants DAILY reassurance that Cannon is for sure going to daycare that day with him, as though without Cannon there it is not the same?  I hope this love lasts.  Because as of right now Cannon is not in Chandler's things or really able to play with Chandler's toys, but I sense a change coming. Cannon is rolling like a mad man, scooting to where he needs to go and seriously the boy does not stay in the same location at all for more than a second which makes diaper changing and bath time...interesting.  He also tonight for the first time was so adamant that he was not going to lay on his back for any amount of time during bath time that he actually sat the entire bath time, which is a fun stage but where does the time go?  They grow SO fast!  Enjoy my little loves!

On the mend

So this week has been eventful...but at least I think that we are on the mend!

Daddy- stomach bug, endovenous laser treatment on his left leg (right leg treatment this coming week)

Mommy- hoarse/sore throat, stomach bug

Chandler- stomach bug (not once but twice in one week) and some awful allergies

Cannon- croup, double ear infection, stomach bug (no throwing up though...whew!...but some awful diapers and crankiness)

Daddy's car- dead battery

The crazy thing about it all is that Chase and I always seem to get the stomach bug normally on the exact same day literally within an hour or hours from one another (again same thing this go round).  At least it makes the recovery time period quick because it is all in one swoop, but it makes taking care of our little loves a little hard.  Thank you mom!  Add on top of it all the dead car battery and it made a wonderful Friday!  But at least we had the weekend to recoup!