Easter, Surgery

It is spring in Portland!  We've been enjoying perfect weather here the past few days, and all the flowers and trees are blooming.  We've done our share of puddle stomping to get to this point, and I'm sure we'll see plenty more rain before the summer, but man is it gorgeous here.  You all have to come out and see.

Despite the arrival of spring, we've been continuing with our string of maladies.  Clara's 105 fever turned into an ear infection which then turned into an allergic reaction to amoxicillin.  She was a very rashy baby, poor girl.  Even with the rash, she didn't seem too uncomfortable, thank goodness.  She now has a runny nose, but  again is in relatively good spirits.

The big patient of course has been Grady.  Grady underwent his first of two surgeries last week.  The doctor assured us it was a day surgery, very common, which I interpreted as meaning it wasn't a big deal.  It was a big deal.

pre-surgery rounds

Besa watching out for our boy after his big day

Grady was in quite a bit of discomfort for about two days following.  He's pretty much back to normal now, but is home with us all week as he continues to recover.  (He's on doctor's orders not to run, jump, or basically be a two year old, so going to daycare is not a good idea.)  It's been fun getting to spend so much time with Grady one-on-one while Clara is at daycare.  We don't really get to do that much anymore, and I miss it.  He's a pretty special little kid.

Acting goofy a day or two after surgery

Because we knew Grady would not be able to jump for a week, I set up our tv room to be a homemade bounce house.  All the cushions came off the couch and went onto the floor.  Grady and Clara loved it.  So did Matt and I for that matter.

Even though Grady was in recovery, we still managed to have a fun and festive Easter.  Luckily dying Easter eggs doesn't require too much moving around, so this was a great post-surgery activity.

Clara after putting the vinegar-and-dye-coated Easter egg in her mouth 

So careful!

It fits!

Blue is a favorite

Mandatory artistic shot

Does this one taste like vinegar? (Yes, it does.  I'll spare you the second photo of her crying.)

Daddy joins in

Some of the finished eggs.  Grady did a great job!

Grady was feeling well enough for a backyard Easter egg hunt on Easter.  This was Clara's first time hunting, and she did great!  She actually found the first egg (although Grady lay claim to it).  It brought back a lot of fun memories - of me, Cliff, and my cousins dashing through the backyard looking for candy-filled eggs, and of an Easter seven years ago when Matt proposed by hiding my engagement ring in an Easter egg.  I'm glad that we are continuing the Easter egg hunt tradition with Grady and Clara. I think they are too.

Ready to hunt!

Clara finds the first egg! 

Grady moves in 

Keeping Grady from jumping and running around is about as feasible as keeping Besa off the dining room table, but we are all doing our best. 

Clara moves in

Almost all of the eggs found already!

The spoils - toy dinosaurs and chocolate

Clara's big milestone is that she is starting to take a few steps!  She took a tentative step a week or two ago and nothing since, but today twice took a step toward her push cart.  Not long until she's tottering around I think.  No video yet, hopefully on the next blog.

Clara is working hard at, but has not yet perfected, "oh no," as adorably and messily illustrated here.

A few other odds and ends here of Grady and Clara playing together and having fun before signing off.

peek-a-boo!

Lots of practicing getting on and off the chair - so proud!

Mmm, frozen yogurt

Johnson Creek

Grady's turning 3 on Monday!  Craziness.  We are having a smallish party on Saturday (12 kids, including siblings). The theme is Cars of course. It should be fun.  Pictures to follow!