Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Quotes of the Day: bad and good

Owen is forever saying/doing things to make us laugh. Here are two quotes from tonight.

Owen was touching an electrical socket.
Lucas: don't touch that. If you touch it again you are in a time out.
Owen: (hand millimeters from the socket, looking right at Lucas) I'm not touching it. I'M NOT TOUCHING IT DADDY!!

It begins...

Quote Two:
We were putting Henry to bed, and Lucas held Henry down so Owen could hug him goodnight. Owen comes over, gives a great hug, a kiss to the head and says, "I love you brother."

Melted our hearts. He's such a sweet kid.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Coffee

If I ever doubt that Henry is my kid, I show him a cup of coffee. He will crawl towards, over, through any obstacle to get to it (the coffee stains on my carpet are proof). Today was an iced latte. Luckily, he doesn't know how to use a straw, but he sure did try to get a little sip. He's trying to escape and get more coffee. He's getting so tall!


Hungry Hippo

For the record, Henry doesn't eat. We offer, he refuses, we give him food through his PEG. This is true 90% of the time. The time he doesn't: steroid week. We are half way through "steroid week" and Henry has an appetite! Especially after 4pm. Especially if spaghetti is involved.



He eats it so fast, and will tip his head backwards so gravity helps get more in.









Two nights in a row. He is a spaghetti maniac! We love it!



Sunday, August 14, 2011

Sleeping Buddies

I don't know how Owen has collected so many toys to sleep with. But it's hard to tell him no when: 1. it makes him happy and 2. He tells us that "firetruck is tired... need a little rest".

So, here he is today, happy as a clam with (from top to bottom): Owen, Penguin, iguanadon, two apatosaurous, baby firetruck, race car and A-10. He tucks them in, keeps them warm, and when Owen wakes up, quite often he whispers our name. When we go get him, he whispers, "Shhh... firetruck still sleeping." Such a sweet little man.


Bonneville

After Multnomah Falls, we drove further east to see what we could find. We stopped at the Bonneville Dam and Fish Hatchery. What an amazing find! The fish hatchery was wonderful. Lots of grass, trees, paths to walk, and of course fish.

Owen liked, "the small waterfall".

He wore this hoodie ALL DAY! It wasn't even cold... just wanted to make sure the rain wouldn't get his hair wet. Was it raining? NO! Just in case...

Can you see all the rainbow trout in the pond?
Hundreds!

It was so pretty there.


And then, we met Herman. Herman is a 70 year old, 400lb sturgeon. He was HUGE! Which Owen loved, and scared Henry.




Luckily there were other fish in the "sea" to watch too. Multiple smaller sturgeon, and rainbow trout.



Herman.

We then went to the dam, a little disappointing after the other two amazing sights of the morning, but still fun. And I got this great self-portrait.

The sign of a good adventurous morning: two sleeping boys.



Owen woke up with about a mile left in the drive home. He told us that his two apatosaurous were still sleeping.


We had such a great day. I think this is our first big(ish) adventure this year. It was just what we all needed. When Henry's counts match our days off... it's makes a great day.

Multnomah Falls

Today we went on an adventure. We woke up, and told the boys we were going to see a BIG waterfall... which made Owen very excited. Lucas and I both needed to go have a fun day with the boys, and a trip east seemed like a great idea. So, we went to Multnomah Falls.

Owen wasn't into smiling for a stranger holding our camera, and Henry was quite shy, but Lucas and I at least smiled for our family picture.

Owen, "smiling" about halfway up the trail.



Owen loved looking off the bridge more than looking at the falls. I was so nervous he would fall through, I didn't see too much of the falls either.




A slightly better family photo.



My bald guys.




Me, and a silly Henry.

Brothers. I love them so much. They make each other laugh and laugh.

Such a better picture of Henry's bald head than the multiple ones we have of him peering out the hospital windows.




We had such a great time. Just hiked up to the bridge, but not bad with a stroller and a 3 year old.

Slides

Henry can't walk on flat ground, can't even stand up yet... but he can climb up slides with no help. Lucas is only acting as a spotter, Henry is doing all the work. He'll climb up, and then awkwardly slide down, just to do it again.






Friday, August 12, 2011

Best EVER

I forgive the whines today, the cries, the temper tantrums. I forgive the fact that the boys did not nap, on a day I desperately needed one. Today, I got the best impromptu brotherly hug picture. I love these kids.


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

18 months

Today, Henry is 18 months. It seems like such a milestone. Yesterday started week 22 in chemotherapy. Tomorrow is his six month anniversary of diagnosis. I know every parent thinks this; but Henry is so smart, so happy, such a blessing. He is my little miracle. The road we are on isn't an easy one... but I'm so thankful that Lucas, Owen, Henry and I are all in the car together. What an adventure!


Owen

Owen is growing up so fast. He says the funniest things, makes us laugh every day, and to quote Bob-Bob, "is just a pleasure".

Here he is sporting his PJ bottoms, pulling them up as far as he can... which just makes us laugh and laugh.

Such a little man.



Owen made this face yesterday. I laughed. He said, "take picture, take picture." So I did.





Thursday, August 4, 2011

Evergreen Air Museum

On Tuesday, we woke up early, and decided it was a great day to go to the Evergreen Air Museum in McMinnville. It's always nice having labs drawn the day before an adventure, so we knew Henry could tolerate it. Owen was so excited to go see AND touch airplanes.

Both boys were amazed when they saw all the planes (and really, me and Lucas too). Henry was pointing and signing, "more". Owen just ran and touched each one he could.

A family portrait? I think they are ready to travel.




An amazing brotherly kiss, actually caught on camera!


Henry LOVED the airplanes... especially when Lucas was holding him. (he's such a daddy's boy!)

Owen, practicing his helicopter skills.


Henry loved this little airplane, especially when he discovered he could spin both the propeller and the steering wheel.



Now, practicing his fighter pilot skills.

Both brothers looking at the Spruce Goose.

Outside were lots of airplanes, Owen loved the blue one.




There was a "free" biplane ride for kids. Owen didn't really want to go, but was intrigued by the idea of riding a green airplane. Plus, the volunteer was really pushing a ride. So, luckily, Owen was the only one on the ride. He started OK, then about two minutes in, he said, so quietly, but clearly, "stop now please." He never cried, but was very ready to be rescued from the plane. "it was a little scary" I love this look!

Of course, ten minutes later he was dancing around, pretending he was flying the green plane again.

Henry passed out on the ride home.

Owen was very serious, a car nap was NOT going to happen.


We had a great morning. When happy boys coincide with a day off, which coincides with a healthy Henry, I love having good adventures! I love seeing Henry smile, and Owen laugh.