Happy Birthday, Baby Zoe!

It's hard to believe that it was only a year ago that my sister delivered her son 8 weeks early, he experienced severe complications and suffered from a rare genetic disorder, and I requested prayer from any and all who were willing to lift this precious boy up to our Lord for healing. Those first few days, weeks, and months were long and trying to say the least. (For the whole story, visit Zoe's web site.) But my sister and brother-in-law were strong--even inspirational--in their faith, and God proved faithful as He always does.

That's why today we have so much to celebrate as we wish Baby Zoe (or "ZoBug" as he's come to be known in our family) a very Happy 1st Birthday!

Just a quick update: I spoke with my sister last week and they had just visited Zoe's neurologist for a check-up. The doctor--who originally diagnosed Zoe as brain-dead a year ago and said he would be a "human vegetable" IF he could survive without life support--reported that there is now only MINOR damage to the cerebellum as well as the occipital lobe. That simply means that Zoe MAY have trouble with balance and coordination and could possibly experience MINOR vision problems (blind spots, peripheral issues, etc.). There is NO major damage to the brain and no reason he won't have a long and happy life. Zoe continues to be a living miracle and amaze his doctors! Praise God!

I wish I had pictures to share, but as they live more than 10 hrs from us (and my sister is slightly technically-challenged), I have no recent pics. I have a feeling my bro-in-law will post some to their web site soon, so be sure to check. We will be seeing them next month, so I'll definitely have pics to share then.

Happy Birthday, ZoBug....we love you!!!

The One that Got Away

For those of you following my saga of the Tomato Bandits, you'll be happy to know that I returned from Chicago to find some new little tomatoes plumping up nicely on the vine. Apparently my mother's advice concerning the aluminum pie tin was working!

I was so happy to see them and took great care in nurturing them. Until a few days later when I went out to find this on our deck railing...


It's as if they were just waiting for me to return. I can almost hear the little squeaky chatter now,

Wait, that's not her watering the plants. Come to think of it, I haven't seen her out here in a few days.
Maybe we should just lay low for awhile and see what happens.
[a few days later] There she is! Everyone in position; we move in at dusk.

OK, so that might be a little extreme (maybe even obsessive), but it's really starting to feel personal. So I decided to take things to the next level and follow my neighbor's "scarecat" advice. Since we didn't have a stuffed cat who was willing to be used, I adopted my daughter's stuffed donkey "Mo" to sit watch over the precious tomato plants.


Before you send me blazing comments about what an insensitive mom I must be to offer up my daughter's precious stuffed animal as a sacrifice to the tomato gods, let me be quick to add that she offered him willingly and enthusiastically. (She's taking the attack quite personally, too. I don't know where she gets that.)

But Mo only lasted till sundown. I couldn't bring myself to leave Little Miss's treasured friend out in the elements all night, especially since it was supposed to storm that night. (I'm not sure she really understood the fact that he wouldn't return in the same condition in which she offered him to me.) When she saw Mo inside the next morning, she asked with deep concern, "What happened? Now the squirrels will get the tomatoes!"

I assured her we would figure something out, but honestly I don't know what. I can't bring myself to endanger any other beloved stuffed animal. And I can't, in good conscience, spend money to purchase an animal that will only be left out in the heat and rain at the mercy of these cruel bandits. I may simply have to chalk this year's tomato experience up to just that...experience, and possibly console myself with the fact that I've kept the local squirrel population fed and well-hydrated this summer.

The good news is my pepper plants are doing well, and we will hopefully be enjoying some fresh, homegrown peppers soon!

Back from Chi-Town

OK, so we've actually been back for about 3 weeks now, but I'm still digging out from all the "catch-up" stuff and trying to get the house ready to put on the market at the same time--whew!

Enough excuses...here are some pics from our recent trip to Chicago to visit Hubby's sis and family. (Thanks Marc & Anna for opening your beautiful home to us, feeding us amazing food, and adopting our daughter for the week!)

Our first day there we went to the Field Museum of Natural History. It was amazing, and definitely worth more than the three hours we spent there (including lunch!) I'd like to go back sometime and spend a day (or two) in it.

Kiddos and me at the water wall outside the museum.

I had planned a very special meeting at the museum with a "pen pal" of mine. We met four years ago in an online forum for new parents when our little princesses were newborns. We've kept in touch over the years (with a few others from the forum) and realized we would be vacationing in Chicago at the same time. We finally met face-to-face. So nice to finally see you in person, Hannah!

Little Miss was fascinated by the "color of animals" exhibit

Little Man was just into pushing the buttons...any button!

And who doesn't love the penguin exhibit!

Little Miss explaining that the squirrel died with a nut in his mouth.
(She had asked Hubby where all the animals came from and he explained that when
the animals died, the museum brought them there so we could come see them.
She was astonished that they all died in so many interesting poses!)

We spent one day at an amazing park near their house that is part of a Federal reserve.

The whole gang at the park

Little Man loved the slide!

The cousins on a HUGE climbing rock (notice Little Miss is keeping her little bro safe!)

We got to have dinner and spend an evening with my aunt & uncle.
The kids adore Uncle Dan & Aunt Chris!

One day we took the whole crew to the Brookfield Zoo. Again, I wish we'd had more time to see it all, but that just means we'll have to go back! It's an amazing zoo!

Of course we picked the coldest day in July to go, so the first stop
was the gift shop to buy everyone a sweat shirt.

Then the big rainstorm hit. Fortunately, Hubby had found a nice
eating area under some umbrellas to keep us dry!

The petting zoo was a huge hit.

The girls even got to see one of "Santa's" reindeer up close.

The cousins with a bald eagle (while Little Man napped in the stroller)

Our last day with the cousins was spent celebrating Mandy's 4th birthday (the real reason we went!). She loves pigs, and chose to have a piggy party, complete with piggy cupcake decorating...

Of course, eating them was the best part!

...and piggy bank painting!

And a general all-day celebration of Mandy!

Happy Birthday, Mandy! We love you! Thanks for sharing your birthday with us!