2 years ago today...

...our babies were born!

Now look at them!

Happy Birthday, Grady & Ella :)

a mid-winter swim

Over the last year and a half, Stephen has been on federal grand jury duty during the first week of every month. The state pays for a hotel room over the days they're in session, but he rarely uses it as he just drives back and forth . Last night we took advantage of it (as next month is his last time!) and brought the kids to the Mariott in Cedar Rapids. It was fun to bring the kids swimming in the middle of this frigid winter and just get out of the house for the night!

passing the time

Our little trooper has managed to be happy a lot while in the hospital. They let him go over to the play room yesterday for a change in scenery! He had fun and even got to eat his supper in there. Although, he does LOVE eating his meals in bed!

We found out yesterday he'll be here at least until Friday. We're just waiting to see the doc today, although his actual doctor won't be back until tomorrow, as he's seeing patients in another city today. They started weening his oxygen last night, but ended up having to put it back up in the night. Although, he seems to be doing very well right now.


I'm so glad we're at the hospital in Waterloo this time as he's on the peds floor and there's a nice playroom for the kids!


Being a little creative when he wanted to ride in the wagon. I had to push his IV pole while dad pulled him along. The oxygen tank served as a nice steering wheel :)


Our friends Christina and Melissa came to visit and brought Grady some fun balloons. He really enjoyed playing catch with Christina!

and we're back

Mr. Grady has landed himself in the hospital again. We were in the doctor yesterday for a really bad cough and some strained breathing. After chest x-rays, and a 'strong suspicion' of pneumonia they sent him home last night with nebulizer treatments and antibiotics. I got a personal call from the doctor this morning (which I thought was a little strange) asking me to bring him back in so they can check him out again. When we got there they admitted him to the hospital. He did really great for the first couple hours we were here, but he hasn't been very happy for the past few hours. In Grady's words, he's "all done" and wants to go home. He's also having trouble keeping his oxygen levels up. They've increased the oxygen he's getting a few times, but he's still having a little trouble with it. Please keep our little guy in your prayers!

A balloon that Daddy got for him brought some smiles to his face!

He was up cheering for the Hawks for a little while!

Christmas '09

We all had a really fun Christmas this year! Christmas Eve and morning we spent hanging out at home with the kids. It was great spending time as a family at home as we haven't had much family time in the last few months to hang out doing "nothing." The kids have loved having daddy off of work extra days in the last couple weeks. Me too!


Of course Grady and Ella still choose to play with Mikah's toys instead of theirs

Do you notice any ornaments on the tree? Me neither...I'm pretty sure half of our ornaments have either disappeared or broken over the Christmas season!

Playing with Mikah's toys again on Christmas morning...

Our yummy tradition of Christmas cinnamon rolls

Playing in Ella's new (to her - actually my great uncle made this for me when I was a kid!) baby crib - all ready to go over to Grandma and Grandpa's

Grandma, Grandpa and grandkids

What our little baby has been doing for the last three weeks...


Love it......Ella, baby, and Grady crashed with Grandpa while mom and dad played games with Uncle Joey and Aunt Heather late into the evening!

Onto Christmas with Stephen's family on the 26th...

Ella showing off her fish face...supposedly fish stick out their tongues!


Grady enjoying time with Uncle Phil playing with trains