The Turkey Trotters

We were so happy to be able to open our home and host this holiday, although it did come with a little worry about how it would all work out. When we initially sent out the blanket invite to anyone wishing to come to SC for Thanksgiving, we were so pleasantly surprised at how quickly everyone replied "yes"!

There were aerobeds everywhere there was open floor space. It didn't seem that anyone minded too much about the accommodations (although Mike did register a few complaints on the temperature that were then swapped for the night time noise level). Brendan slept in our office downstairs and his bed became named the "Ba-servatory" by day.  All I know of the Ba-servatory is that it was "only for boys", located under a quilt on top of an aerobed, filled with giggles, and had STRICT operating hours. Will even got in on the fun of climbing into this new found fort with his aunt and uncles!

We set up a "cup" system where everyone was given a classy plastic Solo cup and a sharpie. Once named, the cup belonged to you and was your responsibility to clean and keep track of. We used a lot of paper plates and seating was first come first serve-we even had people sitting at the kiddie table during the week.

Our house, that normally seems roomy but cozy for us, was busting at the seams. I decided early on to put the perfect picture out of my head and let it just be. We had beds everywhere, stuff everywhere, linens everywhere. They just got pushed to the sides during the day and we worked around it. I didn't take many pictures this week. I tried to be in the moment and just breathe it all in and not worry that I was missing out on a photo op.

Jack fell into bed each night hardly able to keep his eyes open long enough to fight about it. It was awesome! Finally, we had some grown up time each night. One night we watched Jim Gaffigan Mr. Universe and the whole downstairs was filled with laughter. Brendan rolling in a fit of laughter on the floor, Caity and I with tears running down our cheeks. We talked about it over and over the next day and ended up watching it again with Chris and Theresa and Kay Kay and Bampa so that everyone was "in" on our jokes and conversation. Again, there was laughter.

Thanksgiving arrives!

After much planning and prep work, the big day arrived! We all were up early and headed out to Greenville for The Turkey Trot, 8K. Bampa stayed behind with the boys. I had been working pretty hard at getting my running mileage up to 5 miles (I typically only run about 3). I was so proud of myself for getting to 5 the week before. It was a perfect day for a run. Sunny with blue skies, 40's-50's. We stretched and joked and got ready. The race was killer-it seemed like it was ALL hills. My knee bothered me a bit, but I still finished in under an hour (my goal). My sister ran the whole race without stopping and came in at just an hour! So proud of her! Kay Kay won her age division and was the second place finisher in our group. Mike was the winner of our group in his first ever road race. In the end, we all agreed that it was a great way to start the day!!

I had planned out the meal and allotted each side dish a day to be made during the week. Theresa made a side dish and 2 desserts. The only thing left to actually make on Thanksgiving was the turkey (we cooked an extra on Wed night for leftovers), mashed potatoes and the gravy. Everything went so smoothly. Our turkey (my first bird ever!) came out great! While the bird rested we used the oven to get everything else warmed back up and then used catering trays to keep them warm. It was buffet style-serve yourself. We made one long table out of folding tables and broke out the fine china from our wedding. Kay Kay put together a center piece. It was almost 70 degrees by the afternoon so we were able to have the windows and front door open. There were many helping hands and the clean up went quickly. The boys watched football, there was wine passed around and I truly enjoyed the day! I hope we will have some visitors return next year!


On Friday, we got 2 treats! One, I got out of work at 1pm instead of 6pm! I was so happy to have the extra time with the family. Second, Tom's uncle Fred was in town at Clemson with ESPN to work at the Clemson-USC game on Saturday night. We all loaded up the cars and headed down to Clemson to get a little behind the scenes tour of the stadium and see the behind the scenes of production of the ESPN show for the game. It was an amazing experience. We saw the insides of the trucks were all the work is done, production, graphics, etc. We went up into the booth and looked down on the stadium and the field. We then got to go down on the field. The place was empty and ENORMOUS. The boys enjoyed running free on the side lines and we all snapped a few pictures with our phones of this experience. As we left the stadium there are ROTC guys beating on steel drums that have "Beat USC" painted on them (roughly a 100 year tradition). Kay Kay took Jack to see them and they let him do a few bangs on the drum. We finished the night with a little "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." Clark W. Griswold never fails to entertain.

On Saturday, we started the day with a big breakfast and ended it with a celebration for Jack's 4th birthday-complete with a Spiderman pull away cake. Chris and Theresa hit the road at about 5pm to head back to DC. Sunday came quickly and everyone else packed up to leave. The rest of the McLaughlin clan heading up to JMU together to drop off Caity and Mike and then finish their drive to RI. I sat at the computer Sunday, while Will slept and Jack played with his new birthday presents. I couldn't believe how quiet the house was. I picked up each room and although I was happy to have less stuff around, I was filled with sadness that the craziness was over. It was a true reminder of how lucky I am to be from a big family. I think everyone left this week realizing that our time together as one big group is not as frequent as it once was. We truly enjoy being together, always find something to laugh about and just seem to have fun. Thank you again to everyone for traveling to SC for our first every Thanksgiving!

(I have used up all the free space for pictures....i will try and upload some soon)

The first SC Thanksgiving (part one)

The week of Thanksgiving has arrived! We welcomed our first guests on Saturday when Caity and Mike arrived after a long drive from JMU. Jack and I were at a birthday party for one of his new school friends when they arrived. Jack was so excited as we drove home from the party. He said-"I can't wait to see Mike's face when I walk in the door." Once he and Mike were reunited and that nervous/excited energy subsided, they were off on their first adventure-some pirate related fun! I am so happy to be off from work until Wednesday. Time for some last minute shopping and preparing and time to welcome our guests as they arrive. This time off also came at an opportune time for our family. Unfortunately, we have another bug circling around our house. Jack was sick last week with a bad cough and wheezing that left him getting nebulizer treatments throughout the day as well as some antibiotics and oral steroids. I thought we were through it when Will came home with a cough on Friday. It progressed to a rapid increase in his respiratory rate and some wheezes. We saw the doctor on Saturday morning and started him on an Albuterol inhaler. He seemed to get much worse over the course of the day and Tom and I ended up bringing him into the ER on Saturday night for an additional treatment, steroid dose and a chest xray. Thankfully he does not have pneumonia. He improved while we were at the hospital and we went home in the early hours of Sunday morning. We were very thankful to have been able to leave Jack sleeping at home with Caity and Mike. Jack did wake up while we were gone and Caity found him crying in our room, wondering where we were. She consoled him and he fell asleep with her until we returned. Monday, at our follow up appointment, Will was diagnosed with RSV after his symptoms didn't seem to be responding well to our treatments. We are currently in a watch and wait game as his little body fights off the virus. We have transitioned to nebulizer treatments every 4 hours and watching him closely. I hate this respiratory stuff. It makes me so nervous. Thankfully, our medical team of doctors and nurses are readily available and supportive. Tomorrow my parents arrive and I will be happy to have some more extra hands to help out!

Here are a few pictures I took with my phone over the past 2 days....

Street hockey time

Forts and TV!

More to come later this week.....

October Fun

Wow October has been a busy month. We have been busy as always, but having a lot of fun too. The weather here has been perfect-very chilly in the mornings (50's) but warms up to the mid 70's by the afternoon. The boys have loved being able to be outside all day, running around with the kids next door, playing at the playground, riding bikes and scooters and more.

We have enjoyed pumpkin pancakes, warm coffee on a chilly morning and hung up a cinnamon broom to fill the house with "fall-like" scents. We finally ate our way through all of our apples that we picked at the orchards too. Our pumpkins have been carved. Our costumes picked out for Halloween. We are ready for all that the month has in store for us.

Halloween T's!

We started the month getting our flu shots. I had mine done at work and Tom took the boys to a flu clinic at the pediatricians office for theirs. We did little prep before the visit in hopes of a little sneak attack. When I scheduled the appointments, the nurse assured me that Jack would get the nasal spray and not the shot. However, once they arrived the situation changed. Jack had been on an albuterol inhaler the week before and therefore was now unable to receive the nasal spray. He had to have a shot.  He cried and carried on as we had expected. Will cried a little too, but otherwise was fine. Jack spent the rest of the weekend, hobbling around on the leg that was "shot". Holding onto chairs and walls (only when we were looking or he remembered) and when asked what he was doing he would respond-"remember, I went to the doctor's and had a shot."ch-"Remember, I got a shot. Will should not be near my leg." By Monday morning, I had had enough of the theatrics. I saw him dancing around and I knew he had to pee. 
"Go use the potty, I can tell you have to pee." I instructed him. 
"I can't." was his response. 
"Why?"
"I don't want to see that band aid on my leg. I had a shot you know."
"Fine, come here." and I removed the band aid. "There is nothing to see-go pee."
"Ok, I will just keep my eyes shut."
"Jack, if I find pee all over my bathroom, I am NOT going to be happy."
He is so dramatic!!


While Tom suffered at the doctor's flu clinic, I was out getting my hair done. Enjoying some time by myself and some pampering. I took a big step and got rid of all the blond I had and went brunette. I love my new hair. The color is light golden brown and it is perfect. I feel like it looks healthier and classier. I was so sick of the blond highlights followed by really dark roots. It was a great change for the change in seasons! 

Jack had a play date with Bella (our neighbor). She came over and helped us to decorate and eat some Halloween cookies. Jack LOVED having her at our house. It was a special morning treat!

The daycare has had a full calendar this month too. We celebrated "Wear Pink" day for breast cancer awareness and I made t shirts for the boys to wear. My aunt Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year and has had a tremendous battle! She went through surgery, radiation and chemo and has come out swinging. She has been given the happy news of clear scans and blood work and is working hard at getting her life back to normal! We are so happy for her and this news. I made a little dedication to her on the back of the shirts with an "I <3 KW". 

The week leading up to Halloween was also named-"Spirit Week". There was PJ day on Monday. I was so excited to pull out the Halloween PJs that have been passed down to us and worn for many PJ Halloween days by Jack and the other cousins in past years. Will wore his proudly with his orange crocs but Jack refused telling me- "Mom, you can't wear PJ's to school. You have to wear regular clothes." This was followed by crazy hat day. Jack and Will worn a tiger and raccoon winter hats, but it got to be over 80 by the afternoon, so it didn't last long. Finally, on Friday I had them wear Halloween t shirts instead of their costumes to school. Jack was disappointed that he did not get to wear his costume (I thought it would be too hard to go to the bathroom in during the day) and told me that the shirts were "not that cool" when I replied "But you got to wear your cool Halloween shirts." Oh well! 

PJ Day

Jack took this picture.

Friday night was the Fall Festival. Jack and I returned to the daycare dressed in costume for games, a bouncy house, trunk or treating and a haunted house. It was PACKED and so fun. Each classroom had 2 different games set up for the kids and when you "won" (or not) you got to pick out a piece of candy. Jack loved running from room to room, seeing the teachers dressed up, playing games and collecting candy. We saw some of his classmates dressed up too. There was a chili cook off in the cafeteria and you could buy hot dog plates too. We ate at home, so we were able to just play games. Jack tried out the bouncy house, but got out when it got too crazy. He loved the trunk or treating (a bunch of families decorated their cars and handed out candy from the back).  We returned home with a plastic pumpkin filled with treats. Will had a little fever when we were getting ready to go so he and Daddy stayed home. 

Halloween was a crazy night! I worked and got home around 6:00. Tom picked the kids up at daycare and was at home giving them dinner and answering the door for trick or treaters when I arrived. The boys were so excited. Every time the door bell rang, they abandoned their food and ran to the door. We had the gate set up at the doorway and Will loved standing there to greet the trick or treaters with a "Hi" and a "Buh Bye." Jack thought it was so fun to see all the costumes too (although at first he was worried we were giving away his goodies from the Fall Festival). Once they ate "enough" we got them dressed, while still answering the door, and set out our bowl of candy with a little note. We headed out into the neighborhood. The temperature was the mildest I have ever trick or treated in (60's). It was perfect. Will dressed as a monster, refused to wear the hat part of his costume, loved carrying his bucket and going up the doors. Jack, dressed as Ironman, was so excited by everything around him. He was looking all around at all the kids running to and fro, the decorations at the houses and at his own bucket of candy. He proudly and loudly said "Trick or Treat" and "Thank You" at each house we went to. He loved getting to ring the doorbell too. We went to about 10 houses and then headed home. Our bowl at home was empty. We shut off the lights and got ready for bed. (Will's big surgery was early the next day). 

"You look ridiculous...."

 And more October fun....

Let there be sound! (and an 18 Month update)

And just like that October is over.....I have a bigger October post planned, but it is still under construction.

Will turned 18 months old on Halloween Eve! We saw the doctor for our well visit and he weighed in at 28 lbs and is 32 1/4 inches tall!! Everything looked great at the visit and we were all very happy to hear that there would be NO shots!!

At 18 months, Will is really starting to talk and mimic words and sounds. He can do a bunch of animal noises, say his own name and the names of most of our family members and grandparents/aunts/uncles. He uses sign language for about 6-8words (some new ones we are working on from daycare) and is trying to say those coordinating words too. Memories of Jack saying 'please' and urgently doing the sign in order to get a graham cracker come to my mind-followed quickly by my brothers joking that one day he would be 40 and still signing and saying please. We are working to encourage Will to talk more and 'use his words' instead of pointing and whining or making little noises at what he wants.

He still gets frustrated easily and this has most recently been expressed with biting. Biting at home, biting at day care and being bitten back. We are working hard at reprimanding him when he bites, putting him in time out and giving all our attention to the 'victim' (usually Jack). Thankfully, at daycare he is one of 4 'biters' in his class and has not been doing it consistently enough to be suspended. We like to joke that he is a 'Monday Morning Biter' as that is when the majority of his attacks take place. He seems to chill out for the rest of the week. Turning 18 months has brought on a new change at daycare too. He has moved up to the next classroom and loves his new teachers and new friends. The routine is a little different-they eat at little tables and chairs and nap on mats, not in the cribs!! There is a great playground with ride on toys and swings for him to play on. The transition has gone very smoothly and we are all happy for him to be welcomed so warmly into his new room. Thank you Miss Lyn and Miss Debby.

He is a bundle of energy and mischief-climbing, jumping, running and falling A LOT! I recently found him in the bathroom having unrolled half a roll of toilet paper into the toilet. YIKES. Two days later, he found a dixie cup in the bathroom trash and promptly started emptying the toilet all over the floor. Thankfully it was 'clean' and he was getting ready for a bath. Jack (and I) are frequently heard saying-"What are we going to do with this kid?" He is very lovable and cuddly despite his crazy activity. He loves to play with a little baby doll (one of my old boy cabbage patch kids), rocking him, putting him in the grocery cart, and even changing his diaper. "Oooh Baby!" he says as he puts the doll on his shoulder to comfort him. He and Jack love to play hide and seek and chase each other around the house and backyard. He loves Elmo and Cookie Monster and imitates the way Cookie eats his cookies. He loves music and to dance or act out the song. My favorite is "If you're happy and you know it".

He has recently become interested in what Jack does when he goes potty. He runs after Jack into the bathroom to watch and then says "Pee Pee" and "Potty" while trying to pull his own pants and diaper down. We have sat on the little potty a few times and try to go each night before getting in the tub. I even put a pair of training pants on him one day so he could see what it feels like to have a diaper off. It lasted about 30 minutes before he peed in the playroom. No pressure, just trying to see what his interest is.

So for the past few months we have been plagued with a constant stream of ear infections. This coincided with my return to work and Will's start at daycare. It seemed like he would get one, go on an antibiotic for 10 days-look great after a few days and then on day 14 have a high fever and be up screaming all night. We would return to the doctor's to find he had a new infection. At first it seemed like just bad luck, but each time it happened the more I knew what we were looking towards-TUBES. After 4 ear infections in 2 months we were referred to an ENT in Greenville. We saw them last week (after 3 long weeks of hoping and praying that a new ear infection wouldn't surface before we got to our appointment). The verdict was this-there was still fluid and mucus in one ear. He met the criteria for tubes, but we could wait and see what would happen. The winter is fast approaching and the ear infections are only going to get worse. We opted to schedule the surgery.

Playing in the PreOp playroom

In Pre-Op Playroom making friends.

 Today was our big day! Will and I got up early and arrived at the surgery center at 5:50am. We checked in and went to a playroom to wait. Two other little boys joined us. One also getting tubes and one having his adenoids removed. The boys all played nicely together, but you could tell they were all getting hungry and cranky as the time wore on. At 7:40 we went to the OR. Will cried as they took him from my arms. I fought back tears knowing he was in good hands. I waited for 10 LONG minutes by myself in a little room, cuddling his blankie, folding his clothes and watching the clock. At 7:50 he was in the recovery room and I was taken to see him. He woke up screaming and fighting the wires and tubes around him. I cuddled him in his blankie and gave him his binky which seemed to work for a little bit. I talked to him softly (as they told me his sense of hearing would all of a sudden be improved from the release of pressure) and he calmed down quickly. With in a few minutes he was awake, drinking water and eating cheerios. He guzzled down some apple juice and was ready to give a wave and blow a kiss goodbye. We were home by 8:30. He had more breakfast and was loving the apple juice (I don't give him juice, so he must have thought it was a super treat-even diluted down). We watched some Sesame Street and he came around to being his sweet little self. We are all so relieved that the procedure is over and went well and hope that this is a big help for his little ears and maybe will improve his speech a little!!

All done and having a snack!

More on our busy October to come.....