our crew at the zoo

Ok, Ok, Ok, blogging hiatus unintentional.  I realize that it has been over a week since I gave you this “teaser” photograph……

That MUST mean that I’ve been super busy enjoying the new fall-like temperatures outdoors with my boys, tending to the first week of preschool, sweeping/mopping floors daily, taking Buck-a-roo to followup cardiology appointments,  showing our house to multiple prospective buyers, laundrytoiletsdisheswindowsdinnergroceries…… you get the idea!!

Yes, we went to the Zoo; and, to follow are some wonderful pictures from our day.  A day that included welcomed temperatures in the 80s and low humidity. 

C’mon Fall…..I dare ya!!

The boys really enjoy the bird area of our zoo……

And, “what is Frank-o doing in this picture?”, you ask??

Calling the Macaws, of course!!!

Another favorite area……

the Children’s Petting Zoo!

Frank-o is a huge fan of the playground!

{and an even bigger fan of smiling for the camera}

Playground area is kinda a favorite spot for Mom and Dad too!!

Below are my two favorite pictures for two reasons:

:: these have to be the two sweetest (yet, always bickering), adorable (yet, always filthy), loving (yet, always say that we {Daddy Buck and I} are mean boys this side of the Mississippi River!

::  these are my two best attempts {with my DSLR camera} that I have achieved thus far at a very difficult photography skill called BOKEH.  Who cares that I achieved it accidentally!!!  Hey photography junkies (Kimber), whatcha think??

 

We had a fantastic family outing! 

Blog Hop - Time to Laugh

It’s been over a week now and I still believe this is worth having another laugh:

Just let me tell you what this handsome devil said the other day……

:: allow me to preface the story for those that don’t know, we currently have our house on the market and have been showing it to prospective buyers regularly now for almost four months ::

{as I’m tidying up the house just before a recent showing, Buck-a-roo says to me…….}

Buck-a-roo: “Momma, when we sell our house...we’re gonna get a new house, right?”

Me: “Yes dear.”

Buck-a-roo: “Well, Mom, can our new house be in Bethlehem??”

Me: “I don’t think so buddy!”

Still makes me chuckle!!

Join in the laughs, by clicking on the links in the MckLinky Blog Hop below…..

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makeover

I have stretched the layout of the blog and am going for a more simplistic, minimalistic approach, as to allow for the availability for larger photographs in my actual posts.  Since, after all, the focus of this blog is really all about showcasing pictures of my little guys!!

You Like?????

 

And just for a little tease……..

Here’s a picture clue as to the content of my next post!! 

When will that be coming, you ask?  Probably after I finish laundry, scrub the house, take the boys to the park for the afternoon, work a couple days, and finish editing the photos for the post itself….so, your guess is as good as mine!!

Until then………

a healed heart

For me, the most delightful way to outline the sequence of events that took place over a 24 hour period and lead up to ‘a healed heart’ is with a timeline of pictures, so here we go……

:: just before leaving for the hospital. he and brother sporting camoflauge (a fav of Buck-a-roo’s), in Stellan-esque style ::

:: brave Buck-a-roo, Synera patch on hand, just before receiving his IV ::

:: angiography picture taken during the procedure. I have traced the PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) {in red} with the contrasted blood flow ::

PRE-COIL

:: angiography picture taken during the procedure. I have traced {in red} the coil that is now in place ::

COIL IN PLACE

:: angiography picture taken during the procedure. I have traced {in red} the coil in place, now minus the contrasted blood flow (as seen through the large Aorta) ::

POST-COIL

(did any of that make perfect sense?)

* I did not take any pictures of my baby while he was intubated; the surgery (originally slated for 3-4 hours) was complete in 1 hour and 10 minutes and was a complete success; skip ahead to post-extubation pictures….now, the rest of the story *

:: resting peacefully following a bit of a battle during extubation ::

:: he woke briefly to notice that he had flowers/balloons delivered, requested a balloon be tied to his hand, and then swiftly went back to sleep for several more hours ::

:: still snoozing and being monitored as Dad and I treat ourselves to Copeland’s of New Orleans takeout in the hospital room ::

:: awake, alert, and smiling FINALLY ::

:: having Dad read him his new book (Thanks Aunt T) just following a minor setback of some nausea and vomiting after eating a handful of Goldfish. he later tolerated Sprite and several popsicles and we were discharged from the hospital and headed home shortly thereafter ::

:: playing early Saturday morning, with Frank-o and his {new} GI Joe (Thanks Uncle Buck and Aunt G) as if nothing ever happened. the only evidence of heart surgery are the EKG electrodes still present on his back ::

From the initial shocking diagnosis, the days leading up to the surgery, the prayers and well wishes from our friends and family, the remarkable success of the surgery, and the impeccable strength of our son have all been slightly OVERWHELMING.

We do not/did not ever lose sight of the fact that God is our Savior and without him….we are nothing.

We have been awed and amazed at our incredible son.

We are ever so grateful for the team of physicians and nurses {MY dear friends} that treated Buck-a-roo.

We are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family that continuously prayed for Buck-a-roo for this time period that spanned exactly one month and one day.

This has been a 32 day rollercoaster ride that has come to an end and following a one week, one month, and six month check-up it will be all but a memory, or in the words of our fine pediatric cardiologist, “discharged…..goodbye…..have a nice life!”

VAUGHNfamily

August 21, 2009

Today, I took Buck-a-roo to the ENT for a follow-up visit and to receive clearance for anesthesia tomorrow.

His right ear remains infected, though much less than a week ago. Nonetheless, she insisted on “vacuuming” it once more before he goes nighty-night tomorrow. It is like tackling a ferocious tiger in the wild and holding it down against it's will while dangling fresh red meat in front of it tough, to say the least, to “vacuum” his ear out; but, we got it done and received the all clear two thumbs up go ahead for his surgery tomorrow morning.

This morning, of all mornings, Frank-o complains that “sumphin is in my ear”. {fantastic!} Anyone who knows this kid, anyone who has heard of this kid, or anyone who had read about this kid, knows that he is ‘the kid’ that would put something in his ear! So, needlesstosay, accompanied us on the visit to the ENT as well.

Come to find out, he had NOT put anything in his ear; however, his tube that was supposed to be in his eardrum had made its way out and was embedded in the side of his ear canal. Next ensues my holding down another ferocious wild beast during feeding time a second kicking, screaming, flailing child while the doctor removed the embedded tube from his ear canal.

The three of us left the ENT’s office a mere 17 minutes and a $100 later, two wailing and one distraught. A hour-long commute back home and I am removing the boys from the carseats as they are both zonked out and I touch Frank-o's forehead and feel that he is warm; I take his temperature to find out that it is 102.5. A phone conversation to the ENT leads to the verdict of, it’s either a fever virus or an infection that has mustered itself following the removal of the embedded tube in his ear. {fabulous!}

Later in the evening, I receive a phone call from the cardiology nurse informing me that the PICU (where we are to be admitted in the morning) is full…….you know, like, NO VACANCIES AT THE INN. {frickin incredible!}

Tired of that talk…….me too!!!!!!

Since it completely goes against my grain on this blog to publish a post pictureless…….feast your eyes on the two collages below of the boys, fancily dressed and plaid-clad, for their Fall School Pictures!!

OOOH…..AHHH…..AWWWW!!

Ok….back to tomorrow!! August 21, 2009!

GO Day!! Game faces on! {following a phone call to the PICU in the morning to ensure bed availability}, we will report to the ICU at 1000 for surgery at 1230.

[Need I remind everyone, that exactly 1 month and 1 day ago.......Buck-a-roo and I planned on a day to consist of a trip to the pediatrician for a 4 year old checkup with shots and a lunch date with Dad. Geesum Pete's!]

Goodnight.

I will rest tonight knowing that it ALL rests in the hands of the Lord tomorrow!

Preschoolers

i heart faces …… bubbles

I haven’t participated in an i Y faces contest in quite a while, but this week’s theme…..bubbles…… caught my attention. 

I remembered a picture that I took last summer of Buck-a-roo trying to ‘catch’ a bubble.  It was taken at an outdoor {DSR} concert. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more bubbling photos, visit the i Y faces blog here……

VAUGHNfamily

in my head……

this wide-eyed, silly rascal starts PreK3 on Monday…….

this charming, high maintenance dude starts PreK4 on Monday…..

We have Open House at their preschool tomorrow and will meet their teachers. God Bless the hearts of teachers for dealing with multiple swinging monkeys like these two on a daily basis !!!!

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The week is upon us……

Buck-a-roo’s ear infection is clearing up nicely and his {minor, if there is such a thing} heart surgery will take place this Friday!

I’m not certain, as of yet, what emotions Friday will hold and will probably only be fully aware when the day is said and done.

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It remains HOT and HUMID in our neck of the woods these days…..

{don’tcha just love how well we follow instructions..hey! 1/2 rules, not so bad?!}

This morning the boys and I went to a Softball Tournament/Family Picnic for employees of the hospital where I work.

This afternoon, we are headed to a Block Party in our neighborhood.

Have I mentioned…………it’s HOT!! and HUMID!!!

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Our house has been on the market for three full months now. It has been shown 12-15 times with no offers UGH!!

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Still Photography

BY

Buck-a-roo

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I hope I don’t regret this……………..

Let’s play a little game courtesy of my friend, Tim, at Fort Thompson.

Y or N about U

Rules:
1. You can ONLY answer Yes or No.
2. You are NOT ALLOWED to explain ANYTHING unless someone comments and asks!

Questions:
Kissed any one of your Facebook friends? NO

Been arrested? No

Been in a fight? No

Fallen fast for someone? Yes

Regretted a relationship? Yes

Been in a tornado? No

Fallen asleep at work/school? Yes

Ran a red light? Yes

Experienced love at first sight? No

Totaled your car/motorbike in an accident? Yes

Been fired from a job? No

Fired somebody? Yes

Sang karaoke? No

Pointed a gun at someone? No

Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Yes

Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Yes

Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes

Kissed in the rain? No

Swam in the ocean? Yes

Been to a concert? Yes

Laughed till you cried? Yes

Sang in the shower? No

Smoked a cigar? No

Sat on a rooftop? No

Smuggled something into another country? No

Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes? Yes

Broken a bone? Yes

Skipped school? Yes

Got a speeding ticket? Yes

Eaten a bug? No

Sleepwalked? No

Walked a moonlit beach? Yes

Rode a motorcycle / dirt bike? Yes

Dumped someone? Yes

Seen a baby born? Yes

Lied to avoid a ticket? Yes

Ridden in a helicopter? No

Shaved your head? No

Played a prank on someone? Yes

Hit a home run? No

Felt like killing someone? No

Cross dressed? No

Been falling down drunk? Yes

Made your girlfriend/boyfriend cry? Yes

Marched/Protested? No

Had Mexican jumping beans for pets? No

Puked on an amusement ride? No

Seriously & intentionally boycotted something? Yes

Been in a band? No

Knitted or crocheted? No

Been on TV? Yes

Shot a gun? Yes

Skinny dipped? No

Gave someone stitches? Yes

Eaten whole jalapeno pepper? Yes

Ridden a surfboard? No

Drank straight from a liquor bottle? Yes

Had surgery? Yes

Streaked? No

Taken by ambulance to hospital? No

Tripped on mushrooms? No

Passed out when not drinking? Yes

Peed outside? Yes

Donated blood? Yes

Grabbed electric fence? No

Eaten alligator meat? Yes

Eaten cheesecake? Yes

Eaten a kids' Halloween candy? Yes

Killed an animal when not hunting? Yes

Peed your pants in public? Yes

Snuck into a movie without paying? No

Written graffiti? No

Still love someone you shouldn't? No

Think about the future? Yes

Been in handcuffs? No

Believe in love? Yes

Sleep on a certain side of the bed? Yes

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VAUGHNfamily

sick and tired

Sick….?

Well, that’d be Buck-a-roo. Since returning from the beach, he’s been battling a vicious ear infection.

We’ve been home for three days now…. playing games, choking down antibiotics, watching movies, putting drops and cotton balls in the ear, watching shows and playing games on Mom’s iPhone, whining, fussing, and enjoying being home ALONE without little brother.

Tired…..?

That’d be me! Tired…..of what?

Tired of keeping my house pristinely immaculately perfectly put together and squeaky clean for a realtor to show at a moment’s notice.

We are a clean, neat, organized family that, even still, has difficulty just living and being us while having our home on the real estate market {for 3 months now}. PLEASE, just get a bite, a “for real” bite real soon!!

VAUGHNfamily

Wordless Wednesday

VAUGHNfamily

BEACH 2009

They say a picture is worth a thousand words; so, in this post, I’ll let some of {my favorite} pictures (from our recent BEACH vacation) speak for themselves……..

It just so happens, that this week's MckLinky Blog Hop theme is.......Favorite Photos! Coincidence, probably so; nevertheless, I will submit this post into the MckLinky for this week's Blog Hop.