A New Era

I'm sure you all remember Jericho... you know our first born, slightly hairy, son? Well, recently, David and I have wondered if Jericho was dealing with some doggy depression. He kind of moped around, and kept busy running from Owen's eager hands. We just weren't giving Jericho the attention he deserved. I mean he was certainly getting fed and groomed and stuff- but remember, this is the dog that went everywhere and did everything with us... and he surely wasn't getting that!

Anyway, long story short- we found a new home for Jericho. He is now with a co-worker of mine and her family- her daughter also goes to the same daycare as Aidan and Owen. Jericho also now has a big brother- Jeeps. Jeeps is an Arie Dale (I think that is what he is... although I will have to double check on that.) He is one of the biggest dogs I have ever seen, and the two get along wonderfully. Jericho is about the size of Jeeps' head. I have attached a picture of Jericho and his his new sister and aunt in the first pic, and a picture of his brother Jeeps and his "papa" (grandpa) in the next.




Jericho has really made himself at home in his new home. We went for a visit recently and it was apparent he is well loved and happy. Our home is definitely void the little one. Surprisingly, the boys have not really asked about Jericho until earlier this week when Aidan asked, "Is Jericho getting his hair cut?" (since that is really the only time Jericho wasn't around). We explained again that he is with his new family and he accepted that for what it is and went about his business. So, it seems that everyone is adjusting beautifully. Here's to the little dog that gave us many years of companionship- and to his new life and family!

Here we go again...

Remember this??

I think those were actually two different castings... point is, the previous surgeries and castings didn't seem to work- or at least not as much as we would have liked them to. Here's what is going on now:

(CT scan from the end of December of 2008) It shows Aidan's acetabulum not developed as it should- and a slight dislocation.

The "bad" hip is on the left side of the picture. The doctor drew a line a little up and across from the tailbone. He said this is where he plans to cut the bone, shift it and take bone from the top of the hip and fill in the gap. He also plans to re-structure the acetabulum (the socket part). Then, they will put him in another spica cast (I'm guessing like he was in when he was little- but I don't know that for sure). The doctor says he is about 85% sure this will work (i.e. that he will walk normally after this). He said since he hasn't seen a situation quite like Aidan, he just isn't sure. They have tried to take care of Aidan's problem hip with less restrictive surgeries in the past, but they just didn't work. So, they are really going for it this time. He will be in the hospital for an estimated two to three nights for pain management. Then David and I will be taking turns staying home with him to care for him.

Aidan has been in pain lately- so we are comfortable with our decision to go through with the surgery, although at the same time, we feel badly that he will have to go through this whole thing. It will be interesting to see how he handles the surgeries this time- previously he has not really had a "voice"- at least now we will know what he is feeling- rather than trying to guess. Anyway- hopefully that gets everyone up to speed on the plan for Aidan. His surgery is March 13th.

"You're not daddy!!"

Aidan is a daddy's boy through and through. It didn't start out that way, when Aidan was a wee little one, daddy was not around as much as he wanted to be because of school (remember our Texas A & M adventure? and our resulting move back up to Michigan when I was staying in with my mom and David was staying in a hotel working at CMU during the week and visiting on the weekends?) Phew, glad that is over!

That is when Aidan's preferences changed... I started my current job and David quit his job after the distance was too hard, and moved back to the area. David was at home daddy for Aidan and Owen was not yet born. With my ever expanding pregnant belly and Aidan done breast feeding, David also took over the nighttime feeding/rocking to sleep routine. Aidan and daddy developed a very close relationship that continues to this day.

This was illustrated Friday. When we picked the boys up from daycare Aidan had just fallen asleep (he has been phasing out his naps- and still really needs them in my opinion). When we got home, he laid on David's lap and nodded off. David got up to cook dinner, and Aidan was upset. I offered to have him lay on my lap and he said, "No, you're not daddy!"

Here are some pictures of the best friends:

Playing video games

Talking before daddy goes to work Hugs... have a good day daddy! Aidan is giving David a butterfly kiss here.

"Major Wipeout!"

There are SOME good things about the snow aside from it being beautiful on a Christmas morning! Here we are on our perfect toddler snow hill on the side of our house... Every time Aidan arrived at the bottom of the hill he would laugh for several minutes and declare that he had a "major wipeout!"

"Owen do it!"

Owen has shown himself to be a very independent two year old lately. Almost everything we do is proceeded by him saying "Owen do it"... we are are walking down stairs and I offer my hand for him to hold- and he pulls his hand back and says, "Owen do it." I try to help him into the bath tub and he pulls away and says "Owen do it" as he scales the tub wall. I captured a couple of pictures of this theme in action... Here's Owen putting shirt on.

Two little boys

I'm giving this blogging a try. I have enjoyed the benefit of the blogs of my friends and family to keep up to date on a regular basis when our lives don't give us the opportunity to talk or see one another as regularly as a point and click on my computer daily- so hopefully this will provide that same opportunity to others who want to peek in on our lives as well.

In short... here we are, David and I working and raising our two boys- Aidan and Owen, 3 an 2 who bring us immeasurable joy, laughter, love, and some mini strokes along the way. Welcome to our blog... our family... our life.

Here are a couple of pictures of the boys- I haven't downloaded most recent pictures- but that's the beauty of this blog- lots of opportunity to keep updating!