Charting

As most of you know, the Holt clan has some issues with the growth chrat.  Well, I need to edit that.  I should have said that the Holt boys have had some challenges getting on and staying on the growth chart.  At least they are not fat, right?

Well, we had some good news as far as Sam today.  Not only is he on the growth chart at a whopping 24 pounds and 34 inches - he is in the 10th percentile!  I am so pleased.

Oh and he got a finerprick and a shot and did not shed a tear.  He was enthralled at watching his own blood during the fingerprick and then looked at the nurse who gave him the shot with his mean eyes.  It was actually quite amusing.  He just did not understand why this lady in the pink scrubs (otherwise known as pajamas as Sam kept calling them) was hurting him. 

So that is two doctors appointments this week (dentist on Monday and pediatrician today) and not a tear shed by Sam.  He is my little tough guy!

Choo Choo!

Yesterday we had Sam's 2nd birthday party.  His birthday is on Thursday, but this past weekend was the best time to have his party.  We had a train come and the kids played in the yard.  A good time was had by all, especially Sam.  I still can't believe that our "Baby Sam" is about to be two.  I still remember, like it was yesterday, when Ted introduced dad to Samuel Upchurch Holt and seeing the tears immediately fall down his face.

Here are way to many pictures for all those who could not be there.  I already posted them on Facebook, but these are for those who do not have a FB account - mom and chollet!

His ckae matched his invitation and was the cutest cake we have ever had!

Sam woke up from his nap and went straight to the train!

He wanted to drive right away!

Checking out the horn.  Beep!

No really, let me drive this thing!

Cher Cher and Papa brought a "BIIIG TRUCK"

All smiles

I am "TWO" (still working on the right number of fingers)

First train ride with cousin Katelynn 

so sweet!

The Bruno boys - Paul Vincent is Ann Park's best friend!  He was a little shy at first but warmed right up once the party got going.

Ann Park and Reed Warburton

Ward and his band of thieves - Frank Hancock and Wilson Holt

Bennett Holmes took a minute to warm up

but he loved the train rides with daddy!

Bill Hancock and his girls

Ann Park and her buddies

two Sams

Cake time!

Come on daddy!  Get those candles going!

Blow them out!

Good job!

Ward and friends

Look!  Mommy made it in a picture because she took it of herself!

Silly Papa!

Sam on his birthday present from Mommy and Daddy - A Buzz Lightyear riding toy!  Sam was in heaven the minute he saw it and refused to get off the thing - he even ate dinner on it while riding.  He cried so hard when we made him take a bath and go to bed.  He kept on asking for his "Buzz 4 wheeler."  And it was the first words out of his mouth when I woke him up this morning.

Some Holt eyes

the last train ride of the day!

and guess who was on it?  All Holts!

WhiteSox

Things have been pretty busy around here lately.  Everything is coming to an end and we have party after party after party.  Last weekend we had Ward's baseball team party at our house before the league party with bouncy houses, ice cream, face painting and more.  Ward has had the same coach the last two years and has really doen well, even with coach pitch this year.  He played third base most of the season and got pretty good at stopping all those ground balls that came his way.  Ted really worked with him with his throwing and he could make it all the way to first base from third.  The most important part is that he had a lot of fun and had friends on his team.  We'll see how the ball machine goes in first grade though!

Proud of his trophy!

the team listening to Coach Andy

showing off their trophies

attempt at a team picture (a few players were missing!)

take 2

Best buddies

another trophy shot

face painting!

Sam is all smiles!

Updates

So I have updates on two things (I know, I know, you are shaking in your seats you are so excited):

ADOPTION:  Our homestudy is complete!!  Finally.  They are putting it into final form and we should have a completed copy by the first of next week.  So right now I am filling out all the INS forms (immigration).  Those usually take about 3 months to clear, but the good thing about Russia is that we can go ahead and get registered in Russia while we are waiting on those to clear.  SOOOOO if all goes as planned (and at this point I have learned that is a BIG "if") we should know in July which region our little girl is going to come from!!  At that point I am sure that I am going to use every avenue of research to learn as much as I can about that region.  I will also talk to people about the travel to that region, etc.  Keep your fingers crossed!!!

ANKLE:  As you know, I went to an orthopedic surgeon on Monday to get a second opinion on my ankle, which had been in a boot for close to 6 weeks.  And I am so glad that I did, althogh I got good and bad news.  Good news first -  I do not have to wear the boot anymore!  I was so happy to put on two normal shoes and not have to wear this certain shoes that was clostest to the same height as the boot.  Plus, even afer repeated washings, that thing smelled.  I threw it into the abyss of a closet, hopefully never to be seen from again!

The bad news is that I have officially torn my peroneous brevis tendon in my ankle.  See picture below.

The tear is longitudinal, meaning that it goes with the tendon (i.e. it does not cut across it like you think of tearing paper in half).  Instead, as my doctor described, it is like a "delamination" of the tendon.  So what is the protocol for this?  Normally, you immobolize for 4 weeks (like in a boot) and they get better.  We all know that mine has not gotten better.  That is why I don't have to wear the boot anymore - it is just not helping all that much.  So I am going to just see how I do.  He gave me some exercises and told me that I can walk on a treamill (no more than 3.5 mph and no more than 2% incline), do the ellipical, or stationary bike with a brace on my ankle, icing before and after.  And I am taking an anti-inflamatory called Mobic.  No running or anything "jarring" like tennis or waterskiing or anything else where there is a potential to tear it even more. 

All likelihood is that I am going to have to have surgery at some point (outpatient), but I am not there yet and I am certainly not going to have it in the summer months since I will have to be in a cast for a couple of weeks after the surgery.  The doctor says that he sees this injury in a lot of athletes (not that I am an athlete by any means!) and it is what they consider an "off season" surgery - meaning you get through the season with the injury by taping, wearing a brace, icing, etc. and then when the season is over you have surgery and do rehab. 

But maybe I won't have to have surgery.  I am superwoman, you know.

Second opinion

Anyone who has seen me knows that I am still in the boot.  And I am OVER IT.  I mean, it has been since March 24th people. And although things got better for the first two weeks, it is still super swollen and it is not getting any better.  As I told you in a post a while back, my current doctor is in the "wait and see" mode.  That is real easy for her to say.  She is not the one in this hot, stinky, not to mention heavy boot.  And she is not the one who is unable to exercise and gaining weight by the minute (started a diet AGAIN by the way.  I am just not good at stickng with them.  I need to exercise, like yesterday!). 

So I called a friend of mine whose husband is an orthopedic surgeon.  It is so nice to finally have friends who are doctors and married to doctors so I don't have to call my parents friends any more. I talked to her and he is seeing me this afternoon.  I even went and got a copy of my MRI that I had a couple of weeks ago.  I certainly did not want to call my current doctor - not ready for that conversation ("um, I am losing faith in your diagnosis").  The group was happy to give me a copy and my report.  I will let you know what he says!!  Hopefully it is something along the lines of "you don't need that boot anymore."  Fingers crossed.

Adoption update

The update is that there is really nothing to report.  Early last week, before the tornados, I got in touch with our adoption agency for an update.  Our social worker told me mid-March that she planned on having our finalized home study to them by the end of the month, so I was inquiring about whether they had received it.  Long story short, our social worker had some medical issues and had not completed our home study.  This, of course, is very frustrating on our part since we have been so diligent and quick at getting everything ready up til that point.  Now we are depending on others to get things done and we have to go on their time.

So when I called the adoption agency last week they told me that she had promised the completed home study by the end of the week.  But then the tornados hit on Wednesday.  And our social worker lives in Tuscaloosa, one of the hardest hit areas in the state.  And I have heard nothing.

I really want to call, but I feel like I am being insensitive.  What if she was hurt?  What if she had family killed?  What if all our documents were sucked up in the tornado.  That possibility makes me want to vomit.  More when I know more.  For now, we wait - an all too common theme with adoption.

Celebrities

If you have talked to me in the last couple of days, you have probably heard me ranting and raving about celebrities.  In, where are they? This state is devastated in ways we have never seen - in ways that we might never know.  I just heard that people are finding body parts under the rubble.  One person found a human heart.  The implications of this is, obviously, that the storm blew people apart, literally, and tossed parts of their bodies all over Alabama and some even into Georgia.

The stories I am hearing and reading are heart-wrenching.  I have cried every day since the tornados looking at pictures and videos.  I want to help, and have helped in my own small way.  But what about the big guns? Charlie Sheen, the laughing stock of Hollywood, got his butt down here.  Where is Courtney Cox (she went to my high school)?  What about those Alabama football and basketball stars?  Shaun Alexander, Robert Horry, I am talking about you.  Even Charles Barclay.  You might have gone to Auburn, but there were people killed less than 30 miles away from Auburn's campus too.  I mean, come on guys.  Step up.

I was so happy to see this article this morning, however.  You can always count on the country music stars.  CMT is getting a group of them together for a tornado relief benefit concert.  It might not be your kind of music, but at least they are doing something.  Thank you - Hank Williams, Jr., Alabama, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Sara Evans (who lives less than a block from me, by the way) and others - thank you for putting your star power to good use.  And for caring.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo in my book = great Mexican food.  And who doesn't love Mexican food?  I don't think that i know a single person who doesn't (well, I am lying.  My nanny, from Africa, is not a huge fan, but generally, it is true.)  In my book, it is THE BEST.  I mean, as soon as you sit down, they bring you hot, salty chips with salsa and ask if you want cheese dip.  Um, yes please.  And don't even get me started on my love for margaritas.  I could go on and on (and gain at least 10 pounds - but they would be a happy 10 pounds).

On my way to work today I saw our local , favorite Mexican restaurant setting up for the big day.  They are on the corner of a one-way street, with our village clock tower right out in front of the reastaurant.  They close off the corner and have an outdoor party.  I am not sure what time it starts, but by the looks of things last year, some people came for lunch and never left.  It is s kid-friendly event, which is nice, and I think that we will stroll up and check it out.  Last year it was so packed that we couldn't even get a beer, but maybe I will sneak up there before Ted gets home and have a margarita.  I mean, it only happens one day a year and someone has to do it. 

Kids room

As most of y'all know, I am a closet interior designer.  I love to rearrange furniture, re-do shelves, and buy little things here and there from ideas I get from all the many design blogs out there.  For instance, I bought these from eBay the other day for a mere $18 and rearranged the shelves in my living room.  They look fabulous by the way and I think that I may have to buy some more. 

I am also thinking a lot about the kids rooms these days.  We have decided that we are going to move Sam into Ward's room and let our new little girl have Sam's room.  That way the boys will share a bathroom and the girls will share one.  I am probably not going to redo much in the rooms, but I came across this picture and thought that it was so fun!  Would be great in a lake house or beach house as well.

It would take a little time (and some taping or stenciling) but how fun!!

Why?

Our family headed to Tuscaloosa yesterday for our godson's (Gus Holt) first communion.  It had been planned for months and I was so glad that the celebration was held, despite the disaster and devastation in many parts of Tuscaloosa.  We got to see first hand some of the worst hit areas off of McFarland Boulevard.  It looked like a bomb had exploded and thrown enormous pieces of metal like they were mere tissue paper.  There was one area where huge billboards where bent and twisted and the metal signs were over a block away, mangled and wrapped high in the tree tops.  We also took some items to the Temporary Emergency Services warehouse near downtown.  So much was going on and so many people were donating - it was surreal at times.  And all I could think about were all the people who died or are missing (over 400 are still missing in Tuscaloosa alone), all those who were left with nothing but the clothes on their back, all those whose lives are forever changed by a tornado that took mere seconds to destroy everything in its 1.5 mile-wide path across the state of Alabama.

Through all this tragedy, Ward has asked some hard questions.  Particularly he has asked why God sent the tornados.  Why did people have to die?  Why did God allow them to lose everything that they had?  Why mama?  I didn't really know how to answer his questions.  I have the same questions.   I told him that God didn't send the tornados, but instead sometimes God allows bad things to happen, even to good people.  And that we will never truly understand why.  I told him that we have to trust and believe that there is a greater good to what is going on and that we can be a part of that good.

To be honest, I did not like my answer.  (I don't think he did either as he asked Ted and my mom the same questions.)  Why does all this stuff happen?  And why does it keep on happening?  Katrina, the Tsumani, the earthquake and floods in Japan, and now these tornados, just to name a few.  Ted and I have been talking about this since Wednesday and I am at a loss for answers.  Ted pointed to a devotional he read by C.S. Lewis which talks about pain, suffering, and hardship in general.  To paraphrase, C.S. Lewis thought that without hardship, we would never truly apreciate good.  Of course that is true, but it still does not satisfy my logical, legal mind.

But I know that good things have come from these horrible disasters.  Some of the absolute best parts of humanity are awakened.  The volunteers and the outpouring of people and supplies from around the country has been amazing.  Not so sure about Charlie Sheen, but we will take all the help that we can get.  Ted forwarded me a letter from the Greek Organizations at the University of Alabama who have mobilized and are doing great things. Here is a portion:
Today, we prepared 1/4 of the total amount of hot food plates delivered to the affected Tuscaloosa area. We made over 8,000 hot plates, gathered and distributed thousands of canned food items, and distributed hundreds of truckloads full of medical supplies, baby supplies, hygiene supplies, clothing, and toiletries. Even as late as 8:00 pm tonight we were receiving donations from UA alums in Jackson and Nashville, TN. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity.

To our volunteers, thank you for your continued and tireless work. Our efforts are making a difference for those who have lost so much. Please see these important notes regarding tomorrow's operations.
. . .
If someone would like to make a donation to the UA Greek Relief Fund, they may visit https://www.grsconnect.com/rush/rlf/. Your donations will be used to purchase much-needed food and supplies for the relief efforts in Tuscaloosa. (When making a payment, please select "0007 Psi - Alabama" for chapter, for contribution type, please select "Alabama Greek Relief Fund")
. . .
If you or someone you know wishes to ship supplies to Tuscaloosa, please send them to:
Attn: Temporary Emergency Services
1705 15th St.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

And the amazing part is that the University is closed.  No exams (for the most part - students who wish to take some exams to raise their grades have the opportunity to do so later in the summer).  These kids could go home and start their summer.  But they stay and help. 

Please help.  I am sure that most of you already have.  But if you have not, no donation is too small and every penny is appreciated.  There are so many out there who lost everything.