Mild Obsession

This is what Brenner had for lunch:
Organic peanut butter and home-made jelly sandwich on home-made whole wheat bread.
Apples.
Yogurt.
Water.

This is what I had:
Yes that is the Carl's Junior Kentucky Bourbon Six Dollar Burger, A.K.A. my current obsession. It's coming in dangerously close to my current favorite: a fresh seaweed salad from a sushi joint.

I was running errands with the boys this morning, minding my own business when BAM! The craving came from no where and I found myself pulling up to the CJ's drive-through. I'm not even really a burger person but these guys are pretty darn tasty. I am tempted to look up the nutritional information for the Bourbon, but I think it's best left alone. I am aware that it's probably double what my caloric intake should be, but to my credit, I don't get the combo and I enjoy water on ice in the privacy of my own home. I know it's cruel for me to not at least get Brenner some of those disgusting processed chicken nuggets shaped like stars, but believe me, he has his share of kid's meals. So for now, I'll eat up the deliciously unhealthy stuff and make sure my kid is eating healthy.
Thanks for the calories CJ's, see you soon.
P.S. I'm not an organic health nut with my kids, the organic peanut butter was on sale. However, I do think that if you want to eat only organic- go for it, someone has to.

Before and After

This week has produced some "before and after" moments that I think are worth mentioning.

Saturday I decided to make a cake and let this guy help me.
Before:

After:

He grabbed this little bowl from the counter and it came crashing down onto the tile. Normally a broken dish wouldn't have me up in arms, but I was a little put out as this bowl is part of a set of nesting bowls, and now they just won't nest the same ever again.

Don't worry though, he was "Sorry Mommy!"

Brenner has finally learned to ride his bike. Monday we spent a considerable amount of time in our driveway with him practicing his pedaling and turning skills.

Before:

After:

What you can't see under the enormous bandage is road rash in it's finest form.

Finding a band-aid to cover the wound was a trick and I only have two this big, so I guess I'll put "giant band-aids for current and future road rash" on my grocery list.

And I can't just post the big guy, I have to have a picture of this little cutie-pie in the middle.

Pay no attention to the fact that he's the only one looking at the camera. Brenner has been... less than cooperative with picture-taking as of late. Also pay no attention to my mommy hair. I know you can't see it that well and I'm partially glad about that. Since it was falling out in mass amounts I got it cut, and having hair this short has taken some getting used to. Some days I like it and some days it's such "mommy hair" But look at Clark... honestly, he is so cute.

These Days...

I am grateful for tired boys at 8:30.
My sons are sick this week, and with Brenner, it always seems like it's "again".
Tuesday he woke up in the night and was hot so I took his temperature and when I turned it to the light it read 105.7. Horrified I took it in the other ear: 104. I gave him Tylenol, held him close, and he was asleep again in seconds. These sicknesses sneak up on us all the time with B, and I find it so discouraging. His pediatrician was out when I called the next morning, so we went to a "substitute" that ordered chest x-rays, pulse ox measurements, nasal swabs, and the whole shabang. We were a little taken back but went along with everything. In the end Brenner had pneumonia, a borderline oxygen level, and the doc was considering admitting him to the hospital. We decided to take him home, thinking recovery would be better there and it has been. He responded well to the antibiotic and his oxygen levels are back up.

Out of the park?
Yeah right.

Today I was basking in the sunshine in our backyard while Brenner talked through the fence to our little neighbor girls (he was the king and they were a queen and princess) Clark was doing his best to slime the entire blanket he was laying on when I got a phone call from our Doctor's office
"Hello this is so-and-so, from Budge Pediatrics. We got the panel results back and Dr. Brown wanted me to let you know Brenner tested positive for RSV"
Yikes! I asked about the baby and she said "Oh yeah he probably has it too"
Wonderful.
Despite all this, they are both doing well and Brenner is back to himself, although he coughs like crazy when he runs. The "subsitute doctor" also made an appointment for us to go to Primary Children's to see an allergy specialist, but it's not until July so we will see what the future holds with that.
Tonight I am tired. My Moms have been helping me as Travis is working out of town, which I appreciate so much. I even went on a run today while Trav's Mom was here- it felt amazing to be outside alone, just running down the road past the cows.
Tonight after the boys were sleeping soundly, I was about to hit the shower when I came upon these guys:
Every night Brenner brings his menagerie of animals into the tub and when it's time to get out, he lines them up on the side so they can dry and be ready for adventure the following morning. Yes they all face the same direction and generally they touch nose to tail unless I'm rushing him.
I love my oldest child. I mean really really love him. I know all his little quirks and what he likes and dislikes and when he gets hurt he runs to me and I have the magic touch and kiss to make it all better.
It makes me happy to be a Mother.
I'll end with a few of my favorite recent pictures of my favorite boys.



On a side note, Clark is sick too but doing great and sleeping and eating like normal. He is a happy baby and his head seems to get fuzzier every day. I love love love him.