Help after surgery

Hello all. My surgery went well this morning although it took a lot longer than they thought it would. Hopefully it works as there is a 75-80% success rate. I have to admit I am in a lot more pain than I expected. You just don't realize how much your face touches things (pillows, kids hands, etc). I obviously can't sleep right now because I am in a lot of pain and the medicine is not doing the trick. It may also be because I slept until 5pm tonight after my surgery. :) There is so much I can't do. I have to fight through the pain to swallow as that uses my jaw muscles. I can't even pucker up to kiss the boys or drink from a straw. Anyway, I need help in finding yummy foods to eat the next 3 weeks. All I could eat today was yogurt and I know that is going to get old fast. I tried to eat soup but couldn't get my mouth open enough to fit anything but broth in. I am hoping as the swelling goes down I will be able to eat more soft foods. So if you have any yummy soup or shake recipes or other ideas of "soft" foods, please let me know. If you don't want to comment on this post you can use my sidebar on the blog to email me. Thanks for all of your help.

What a fantastic weekend!

This weekend was just great! Friday night Scott and I enjoyed some ice cream while watching Marley and Me. I haven't cried that hard for a while. I was seriously sobbing. Saturday was a big day. Scott and Harrison went to the March of Dimes walk in L.A. sponsored by Farmer's Insurance Group (that's why you will see Harrison wearing a Farmers t-shirt). Then they rushed home for the big event. Thomas the Train tank made his way into Fillmore, CA so we had to go meet him. Both boys were super ecstatic. Plus Harrison got to ride his first train.


We spent some time there eating lunch, visiting the Isle of Sodor, riding Thomas, etc.
I must brag on William because potty training has had its good days and its stubborn days. While we were visiting Thomas, William had to go potty. I was nervous because he has never peed on an actual toilet just his little training one. Well he did it. I was so proud. And to top it off, he stayed dry the entire day. Now he refuses to go in his diaper. After our visit to see Thomas, we went home for naps. Last night we went out to eat at a family pizza and pasta restaurant. The boys were sent home with balloons. This morning was exciting. The boys and I headed out early to cheer on the runners at the Gator Run in Simi Valley. My favorite runner..
Again, I am so proud! Afterwards we rushed home to get ready for church and the rest of the day was typical (lunch, naps, park, etc). All in all, it was a fabulous weekend. I have to admit I am nervous about tomorrow. I know it is just a short procedure/surgery but I am scared of being put under and then the pain I get to feel for the following two weeks. So wish me luck.

Just for you Trent

Yes William is still very limber and can do the splits. Scott is going to kill me for posting this.

Favorite and not so favorite moments of the day

Today was a interesting day to say the least. It started out great. Both boys wanted to cuddle up with me and rock in the rocking chair for a long time this morning. We rocked and then after a while went to feed the fish. They both sat in my lap for a while just gazing at the fish. This was one of my favorite moments of the day. I love that both of my boys are cuddle bugs. After the gym I decided to take them to the Thomas the Train store. They played with the display train set but when it was time to leave, I experienced the worst moment of the day. William threw a tantrum like I have never seen before and hope not to see in the future. He threw himself on the floor and started screaming and crying. I couldn't get him up. I was so embarrassed. When I tried picking him up, he would arch his back. So the owner of the store held the door open for me as I carried Harrison on one hip and drug William out by his arm. It didn't end there. I tried everything with him from being super nice to being stern. I could not get him in his car seat. I struggled with him for another 20 minutes in the parking lot. Finally I used all of my strength to pin him down to get him in the car seat. There was a point that I didn't know what I was going to do to get him home. This tantrum lasted a good 30 minutes. After throwing his shoes and socks off in the truck, he finally calmed down but another tantrum came as soon as we got home. I needed a nap after lunch!!! I really hope this is not the start of the terrible twos. I never experienced anything like this and felt lost for what to do. Any advice?
He was fine after nap time. Checking in on Harrison at nap time gave me another favorite moment of the day.
How cute is his little butt? I don't know what happened but somehow he wiggled his way out of his diaper. Yes I had to change the sheets and give him a bath right when he woke up. Ha
Our evening went much better with a walk, talking to Nana and Paw pa Payne on the web cam and dinnertime. But I have to say, today I am worn out!

It is what it is

So I did some research on my little lizard friends- yes plural. They are California Alligator Lizards. Fortunately they are not poisonous but unfortunately they have a pretty mean bite. And unfortunately for me May is mating season and it seems they have found a lovely place on my back patio. And once they find a place they like, they don't leave. Fortunately they eat lots of insects so we shouldn't see many spiders, bugs, etc. Unfortunately for me, they are protected by the California Dept of Fish and Game so I can't kill them or prevent them from taking over my back yard. Honestly I am making my kids weenies. Little boys are supposed to love reptiles right? Well I am so scared of them that I don't want William to open the back door (seeing the are hiding right next to the door) that I told him they are mean and they bite (before I even knew they bit). Now he is scared to go in the backyard. We used to play in the backyard all of the time. I did venture back there this morning and one ran across my foot so I am seriously not going back there anymore. And this is sad since I love to grill. So I can't come to the realization I have to live with this especially since they are probably making babies now and only more will come but I guess it is what it is.

On another note, I found out that I have to have surgery on Monday. I have TMJ really bad and my jaw has been locked shut since Feb 28th. I can only open my mouth about a half inch but you couldn't tell just by talking to me. I have done everything else preventative before surgery with no avail. So Monday I will be put under anesthesia to get some steroid shots and my jaw relocated (that's the short of it). I will have to be on a soft diet for two weeks (basically pureed foods and soup). Fun huh?

And hey, my top 5 on American Idol made it!!! I really didn't think that would happen. I don't usually get into American Idol like this but this season of contestants are very talented.

Stupid Lizards

UGH!!!! I cannot express enough how much I HATE reptiles. There is nothing about them I find appealing. I guess the heat is bringing them out. We see them a lot on our walks but now they are all around the house. Is there a spray for these things? Yesterday we were locked out of the house for 30 minutes because we were playing in the back yard and a lizard made his way onto the back door. I know I am a wimp but I can't bear the thought of one jumping on me. Then today we got back from the park and we were locked inside because this guy was at the back door. Scott told me that I need to come to the realization that they are going to be around and they are probably going to get inside from time to time. UGH!!! And now there is ANOTHER lizard on my patio furniture. Is anyone else this afraid of lizards? And how do I get past this fear? UGH!

Ulterior Motives

Oh how cute. Little brother is snuggling up with big brother. Little does big brother know that little brother has ulterior motives. Look at Harrison's eyes. He has his eyes on William's granola bar since he already finished his.

Ahh the quick steal. Check out William's face.

He got what he wanted and now he is off...

Almost catching him. Harrison ended up finishing it off before William caught him.

During all of the commotion, Belle found a new bed....

Feeling hot hot hot

Aren't they so cute? Don't you just want to pick them up and squeeze them? They wake up so happy and full of energy. They are running around playing right now.

Our weekend was good but short lived like always. We had a BBQ at church on Saturday. William loved the jumperoo and Harrison ran around like crazy. They also scored a ton of chocolate during the egg hunt. Sunday was back to church. The nursery attendant is in Hawaii right now so the boys sat through service. They did rather well. Harrison networked with everyone surrounding him and played peekaboo with the pastor. William did well until the end when he got bored and kept asking to go to the truck or to the front of the church. After church we went to the park and played for a while. It was 95 degrees yesterday and is supposed to be 98 today. We are feeling the summer weather. Not much else new. I just thought this picture of the boys from this morning was adorable and wanted to share it with you.

Visiting with Grandma and Grandpa Archer

Grandma and Grandpa Archer came for a few days to visit after having withdrawals from seeing the grand-babies. It was a nice visit and great family time spent together. We went to ChuckECheese one morning to let the boys play since it was a little cold outside. The boys had a good time and this is the age where the coins actually last a while.

Harrison tried out a new hairdo.

I know I must be behind the times because Grandma and Grandpa Archer bought us a web cam so we can "see" each other more often. It is sad we waited three years after moving away from family that we finally bought one. My mom also has a web cam and we got to "see" her after a year apart! It was nice to see Nana and Pawpa Payne. William had to give Pawpa a kiss and a hug last night before Pawpa went to bed. Seriously, he kissed and hugged the computer. It is so nice seeing my family. I haven't seen them since last May.

We went to the park to play yesterday. I took a ton of good pictures. Here are a couple of my favs.

William excited to see a plane.

The boys holding hands.


Bye Bye Grandma and Grandpa Archer. It was nice having you here and we look forward to our next visit in June.

What happens when you try to take a family picture with a two year old and a one year old...

The boys getting ready this morning.

William egg hunting

Harrison found most of the eggs today. William was more interested in playing with them while Harrison liked the game of finding them.

Making sure he looked good for church. A two year old in white pants.

We can't leave Miss Belle out.

When will I learn?

No seriously, when will I learn? I can't have any form of lotion in this house that isn't child proofed away. And what is really child proofed seeing my boys know how to open the things with child proof latches anyway? I walked away for only a minute to pour Harrison a cup of apple juice to come back and find William like this.



He loves lotion! Look at his pants and the floor. It's everywhere! I probably shouldn't take any pictures since that probably entices him. And lets not forget Mr. Harrison. Is he playing with the chalk or is he eating it?


And to the man that taught me so much, Happy Birthday Dad. I love you and wish I could spend the day celebrating with you. I miss you sooooo much!

William singing the ABCs

This isn't the best video but I have been trying to catch William singing his ABCs on camera for over a month now. He will never sing when I want him to. The video is not great because all of the lights were off. William was distracted playing and even stopped during the song to say he didn't want to sing anymore but continued anyway. He is really quiet but if you listen close, you can hear him. He usually sings louder and clearer but at-least I caught something. :) Enjoy

Guess who did my hair?

I don't know what William's obsession is with putting things in his hair. This time he decided to do Harrison hair and he let him. William found the vaseline!!!! I had to wash Harrison's hair three times to get it out. It was slippery :)

My future athlete

Ahh giggles...

He has discovered how to scream--ahh! But his laugh is so cute :) I don't even know why he was laughing but he kept it up.