Hospital Visit

As you may have heard, Walter had a rough couple of weeks due to sickness and ended up staying overnight at the hospital. Thankfully, he is on the mend and doing much better. Here are a few pictures we took on our phones during the hospital stay.


This picture could be titled, "Daddy is so smart!"
After 5 hours in the ER, Walter was admitted and we were brought up to his room. "What is that?" Walter asked about the cage-like crib in the room, "I don't like that!" Thankfully, our kind nurse, Pam, switched it out for a "regular" bed. Anyway, we got to the ER around 3 p.m. and it was 8:30 p.m. by the time we got upstairs...and we were hungry! Nate went to find us something to eat and while he was gone Walter's IV stuff was taken care of (not super fun, but it could've been much worse). This tired, hungry kiddo was not happy and cried until the moment Nate walked in with McDonald's (a healthy meal for the hospital) and a talking James train. All I can say is that James completely changed the mood of the room for the rest of the night...as you can see from the picture.


Tired little trooper. He stayed so still and quite and then finally fell asleep during his echo-cardiogram...but woke up quickly when the electrodes came off!


Lunch in his room - everything looks so huge for such a little boy, especially the enormous water mug on the left!


The drive home. He was so, so happy when we told him we were getting ready to leave the hospital ("Yippee! I love to go home!"). On the walk down to the car, Walter wanted Nurse Jamie to carry James (the train), but was relieved when she remembered to give James back to him at the car! He happily played with James and checked out his fun bandage. For some reason, this picture keeps getting cut in half, which is really annoying...W is just as cute, but you only get to see part of him!

The Lord is good. We are so grateful that He healed Walter and provided him with amazing care at the hosital while giving us peace that we knew could only be from Him. It was a great encouragement to hear so many were praying - Thank you!

Snow Day

We finally got a snow day! After a day of freezing rain, on Wednesday we woke up to a white yard instead of brown grass! The snow was very wet and heavy - we had one large tree branch down and our evergreen tree was bent over under the weight of the ice and snow. The boys were excited to break out the snow pants and boots.

Henry making a snow angel. Walter has been making snow angels in the dirt over the last few weeks, so this was a big improvement...especially from a laundry perspective!


Ice-covered trees in our neighbor's yard


Tromping around


Honestly, this may be the first snowman we've ever made because the snow has always been so dry.


What a helper!


This was the real fun: The low spot in our front yard had lots of water and they loved adding more snow to it and then jumping up and down in the sludge...for about 20 minutes. Best part for me: The boots we got this year kept their socks and feet totally dry!


I had to get out the camera when I saw Henry using his toes to hold cards during our game of Old Maid. Is he talented or what?

Winter Expedition

This afternoon we met my parents at the lake. Henry and Walter were anxious to get outside and explore the ice on the lakeshore.

With Grandpa


Walter (and Kenda)


Henry


Right before we left, Walter managed to fall in good-sized hole in the snow! Thankfully, Nate found Walter's missing shoe and we had an extra set of dry clothes.


Here's a close-up...I wish you could see the look on Walter's face because it's priceless. Henry is even looking at the camera and smiling!

Winter Continues

I've discovered that an important part of being a mom to boys (at least my boys) is being able to build railway systems. A few weeks ago, the three of us spent all morning putting together 2 systems. We were so happy with the results, we decided to take some pictures...which will be very exciting for you to view. :)





Some silliness and rest was needed after hours of creative track building...naturally, that means climbing up and perching on the footboard of your bed...

...and then falling back onto the bed and pillows.


Henry has graduated up to the next carseat/booster and these two sure enjoyed decorating the carseat box with markers, stickers and lots of other stuff.




Walter and Henry were more than happy when they saw grandma and grandpa L pull into our driveway this afternoon. After lunch, the boys had fun leading them around the house. The picture quality is terrible but when I went to take a second (and hopefully better) shot, my battery died. Still a sweet moment of reading with Grandma...on the radiator. :)

Week of No Sleep

The last few weeks have been quite eventful. The last weekend in January we celebrated my birthday with my parents, sisters, and our good friends. Henry and Walter were really excited to finally give Miss Addie her birthday present (a few months late) and see Mr. Charlie (who is growing up so quickly!).


Walter wasn't so sure that he wanted to share any puzzles...



Henry - I can't remember the last time I have been able to get a picture of him without any funny faces or pillows!


Henry and Addie had fun playing Little People together.

The real fun began when Walter woke up the next morning with a fever of 103+ degrees. So the boys watched "Finding Nemo" in their favorite chairs at Mama and Boppa's house.



What a little sweetie.

The next week-and-a-half involved 2 sick boys, a number of visits to the doctor, x-rays, lots of coughing, nebulizer treatments, 2 bottles of children's Motrin, and very little sleep. Walter started improving just as Henry got sick, but he's asked to go to Target almost every day. :) Truth be told, going to the post office sounds exciting to me! So, over this past weekend we took out the old computer Mimi thought the boys would like to take apart on a winter day. It occupied them for a good hour and they love getting to use tools.







My two sickies a few days later. Yes, Henry is sleeping upright - coughing all night is exhausting!


Henry and Walter learned how to play Uno a few weeks ago and want to play all the time (and, I have to say, they are pretty good players)! Playing a few rounds this morning...

Reading with Henry

I love to read with Henry and Walter, so it has been such a treat to watch Henry learning to read. Here he is reading, "Mat."

Interview with Walter

We're trying to get a little interview of each of the boys. Here's our first try, Henry will be next if he cooperates: