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Samuel has been fighting off an ear infection for about a month now.  He was put on his second round of antibiotics last week.  Yesturday around lunch time his fever spiked to about 103 degrees within minutes.  So, I made an appointment to see our pediatrition.  At the office he recieved some sort of antibiotic shot and another round of prespription antibiotics.  About 5 minutes after we got home Emily noticed that he wasn't acting right.  He became limp, his eyes were rolling into the back of his head and he was turning blue.  I called 911.  By the time paramedics arrived we realized that he had had a siezure.  He came out of it pretty fast.  Brian came home from work to be with us for a while.

I later put him down for a nap with a slight fever.  He woke up with a pretty high fever.  Eventually it got up to 105.5 and I called Brian to come back home.  About 10 minutes later he had a more violent siezure.  We took him to the hospital and they admitted him.  The doctors said that usually they do not admit children that have a febrile siezure unless they have more than one.  So, we spent the night at the hospital trying to keep his fever down.  Today has been the same story.  He has not had more siezures (thank you Lord) but has been getting really really high temperatures. 

The staff was great at the hospital.  They definately educated us about what to do in the future and the best solutions for when he gets like this.  It was a big learning experience and I think that I am more prepared to handle situations that are scary like this.  He was such a good boy at the hospital.  All of the nurses and staff talked about how well he took everything.

Lucas stayed at my mom's house.  His grandparents and Aunts took great care of him.  I think that he actually enjoyed getting some alone time with his family.

So, now we are back home.  I'm sure tonight will be full of alarms to help us keep on top of his medicine.  I know that he is glad to be back.  Thank you everyone for the prayers.  We really appreciate your support.

Roughing It

This weekend we went camping.  Josh had a pretty big birthday this year so we decided to round up the entire extended family and some friends and spend the weekend at the lake.  It takes a lot of planning and coordinating to bring that many people together and to have everything that we need.  It was some effort to get there, but we are glad that we did.  Thanks Uncle Josh and Aunt Meghan for allowing us to join!  Happy Birthday Uncle Josh!

 This was Lucas' first time to go fishing.  Brian has been wanting to take him forever.  As soon as we pulled up to the camp site they grabbed the Cars fishing pole and headed down to the water. 

 Lucas caught a fish on his first cast!  Talk about motivation.  That was perfect for this two-year old who probably had no idea why he was tossing a worm into the lake.  I think that he caught on pretty quickly.  If you don't look carefully you might miss the cute little guy in his hand.  I think that this was his second fish of four that he caught this weekend.

 And another.  Brian had to convince him to touch the fish.  After that I was told that I need to let him be dirty more often.  That is what boys do.  It was just really hard to think about him eating after touching all of that dirt and fish and who knows what else.  I guess that is just another thing that I don't and won't understand about boys.  Haha, just add it to the list.

 Brian and Lucas waiting for Pawpaw to pick them up in the boat.  Priceless.

 Lucas, Brian and Uncle Brett walking down to the water.

This is when we first got onto the boat.  This was Lucas' first time on a boat too.  His face was pretty funny.  I don't think that he knew what he was in for.  He seemed a little nervous at first...

 This wind was a little much...

 But then he got to drive...and that made everything better.

 Our fire man got a good fire going for some hot dogs and smores.

 Samuel enjoyed playing with cars, playing in dirt, eating dirt, and falling in the dirt.  He definitely kept us all on our toes.

 Daddy and Samuel in the morning making camp fire breakfast burritos.

 Powdered donut appetizer

 Aunt Melissa braved the night with us.  After seeing a tarantula and a snake I know that she had second thoughts.  But, she hung in there like a trooper.

Tonight before they went to bed Lucas read Samuel a story. They are both growing and changing so much.  Now my boys are smelling a little more civilized and are sleeping away.  I'm sure it is going to take days to get all of the smoke smell out of here.  I'm so glad that we went camping as a family and I cannot wait until we get a chance to go again.

A Day at the Park

We had a lovely morning at the park today.  Lucas asks to go to the playground almost every morning when I am getting dressed.  We are so blessed to have an awesome park just behind our apartment complex.  That makes for easy trips when we want to fit some playtime in before naptime.

Obviously the boy is happy to be there.

So is Samuel.  Every time he climbs a little higher he chuckles as if he has conquered that playground.

Sam loves to walk up and down the ramp to get to the playground.

This park was our go-to when the kids were grumpy the last few weeks while Brian was out of town.  But today Daddy got to come.  I know that the boys loved that.

Lucas' cheese face

Looking like a big boy climbing the rock wall.  Brian mentioned that Lucas' 3rd birthday would be here before we know it.  Thanksgiving and Christmas will come and then his birthday.  I truely cannot believe it.  He is growing up so fast and turning into such a big kid.

"If you take one more picture of me I am going to eat this mulch!"

Brian and Lucas playing with tractors.

Tractors are his new favorite thing right now.  I don't get it, but I guess that I don't have to.  He loves them!

One last slide before we left.  He is so so sweet.

We have been enjoying this nice fall weather lately.  Its hard to get outside and enjoy it with everyone getting sick and with Samuel's ear infections.  We are so greatful for days like today when we get to go out together as a family.

Visit to the fire station!

We try to stop by the fire station every once in a while for a visit.  Our last visit was so fun.  Brian let the boys use the hose, spray foam, play ball, wear official fireman hats, and play in the trucks.  They had a blast.

When we got home that day Lucas took the vaccuum cleaner hose and started putting fires out all over the house.  He is a natural ; )

One!!!!

One year ago at 2:08 in the morning we received the most precious gift.  God blessed us with a second baby boy.  He joined our family at just the right moment and he has been a blessing since that day.  The months, days, and minutes leading up to his arrival I was worried about how this new life would fit in.  How would I be able to take care of both of my children and still make each one feel special?  I don't know how, but we somehow managed to get through the last twelve months.  I do know that God had his hand over us, leading and protecting us.  I have found reassurance for what I already knew: that one of the greatest gifts that you can give your child is a sibling.  My boys love each other so much.  They play together and they teach each other.  They are teaching each other about patience, kindness, generosity (some of these things we are still working on...okay all of them.)  They have also learned to wrestle, climb, and destroy.  That actually might be their motto.  I can just imagine them waking up in the morning and putting their hands in "the circle" for a cheer "wrestle! climb! destroy!  Go Team!"

Back to the point of this post.  Samuel has been here for one year, but it feels like he has been a part of this family forever.  He is cheerful, mischievous, determined, and sweet.  He loves to get a reaction (good or bad.)  He is very physical.  He is a professional walker, fetcher, and climber (We found him on the counter of his play kitchen last week).  He is very attached to his momma and follows me around the house all day.  It just melts my heart when his little arms reach out for me.  He is a terrible sleeper.  He is not that crazy about food in general.  He hates being in the car.  He loves playing with cars, being rough with Daddy, kissing his momma, taking baths, playing in the dirt with Lucas, and turning off the TV while Lucas is watching it.  He is dangerous with small animals.  Samuel is drinking out of a sippy cup full time, he gets frustrated when a toy doesn't do what he wants it to, he throws tantrums (on the floor with his head down and feet kicking, yup, not lying.)  He has very light blond hair, and the cutest thin build.  He has long skinny fingers that he uses to point.  He has been pointing that little finger constantly lately. 

I'm sad to see my baby turn one.  Its going to be hard to describe him as a one year old rather than ___ months.  While it is sad to reminisce, its is exciting to look ahead.  He is going to be able to participate more with us and the things that we do.  He is going to learn and change so much in the coming year.  I am so grateful that God has entrusted us with this precious gift.  I cherish both of my children so much and cannot wait to see what the next year will bring.  Happy birthday Samuel!  We love you so much!

YAY for Family!

My grandparents, two of my aunts, and one of my cousins came into town this weekend for a visit.  We were thrilled to get to spend some time with them.  This was the first time for them to get to meet Samuel and Anna. 

The Weatherford Boy's having fun at Grandma's house.



Samuel had and ear infection this weekend.  He mostly wanted Mommy but snuck in a few snuggles here and there



Anna and Samuel.  They are six months apart.  They seem to be interacting a lot more lately.
It is so neat to see them together.  Right now Sam is a little bit of a bully but I bet that Anna will
soon hold her own.

Samuel and Aunt Yvonne

The Great Grandparents and their five Oklahoma great-grandchildren.  This picture is
not perfect (obviously) but it is so hard to capture all five of these wiggly worms at the
same time.  Its real life.

Just because he is cute ; )

We celebrated Josh's birthday this weekend.  It is a big birthday year for him.
That makes me feel old too.  It is so crazy how fast time has gone.   Happy Birthday Uncle Josh!
You are an awesome bother-in-law and uncle!  We hope that many blessings come your way this year.

First Haircut

Samuel's first haircut was so hard for me to commit to.  Lucas didn't get his trimmed until he was two because he has so much less hair than Samuel.  I didn't know how Sam would look with his hair cut.  Would he look to grown up? sniff, sniff.  But, with family pictures around the corner I had to take the plunge.  He did so much better than I expected.  I thought he would have thrown a fit.  But, he sat patiently and didn't try to grab the clippers.  I was so proud.  Here are the before and after pictures. 





Before                                                  After

We did not go too short because I was nervous.  Next time I am going to be more daring.