Healing

I suppose since I didn't post a funeral time you all assumed that Dan made it through surgery. He did not want to wake up from the general anesthesia. The nurse got mad and was worried that he couldn't wake up. It was a long day at the surgery center for Ryan and I (since Dan wouldn't wake up!) but we survived thanks to Sponge Bob.
Unfortunately he isn't in much less pain. He tried to go to work Friday, but only stayed a few hours. His company had a huge set of layoffs while he has been out and I guess he wants to get back to work to prove they need him! He gets a real cast on the 25th. I hope he gets to feeling better soon. The only upside has been that it is March Madness right now, so Dan has something to watch.

Ryanisms

I have a feather pillow that sheds like a wild duck being chased! Ryan loves finding the feathers. Yesterday he picks one up and says, 'Mom, Mom. Look a duck leaf!'

'That gives me a headache.' Really, I don't think I say this too often, but Ryan picked up on it. The things that gives him headaches: loud crickets at night, chores, and Alex's singing.

Ryan has a fake burp that sounds very real, especially to the unsuspecting. He uses it most during prayers (public and private) and at the dinner table when we either guests or have guests.

And thanks to RockBand he likes to sing 'My dirty little secret.' I don't mind in the car, but during church when the sacrament is being passed is a little too much for this mom.

Update

Dan has surgery tomorrow morning. He gets to have pins; the kind that stick out. Ugh! He'll wear a cast for 4 weeks. The Dr said he shouldn't be driving (just 'cause if he gets in an accident he'll be more liable) and not to work while he is on the pain killers. Probably not to do anything at all until Monday. All for a little bball and exercise...

Church Ball

Ok, here will be a sounding board for Church ball injuries. I'll start with Dan's and I hope you'll add your story.
Saturday Dan took Alex for a little early morning basketball. I was on my way up there to do my report (VT). We passed on the road so I inquired why he was headed home. "I busted my finger." "Like, you jammed it?" "Uh, no. I busted it." Well, whatever that means. So, I go do my report and when I get home Dan's hand is a balloon! I suggest he head to urgent care. "Well, I guess I should." Men, honestly; I would have gone to get medical attention before coming home!
It turns out he was blocking a bounce pass and stuck his itty bitty right pinky out there. He snapped (yuck!) it and thinking it was dislocated he pushed it back. Unfortunately he actually snapped it (the x-ray shows a nice diagonal break) but he did a good job putting it back in place according to the urgent care Dr. (or whatever they have there).
He is splinted and will be heading to another Dr. today to get it set. Oh, that is going to be painful! It has been interesting what a stir a little pinky can cause. We have had to switch sides of the bed so I don't whack it. He is driving my car since he can not shift his truck. I get to help with his showering and drying. We'll see today how it slows down his typing at work.
I have no pictures of this, but imagine your little pinky sticking out at a 90deg angle just above the knuckle. I'm glad I didn't have to see that!

Alexander Daniel

I've noticed where folks put up pictures of their little ones from the beginning 'til the present, and I thought I would do the same for my Alex.

I know this picture looks scary, but really it wasn't. I was never afraid or worried about Alex. I cried that he had to be sedated and didn't open his eyes for 3 days, but I never thought that he wouldn't survive. He was in NICU for 14 days and since then has hardly ever been sick. He started out at 5lb 4oz and really hasn't gained much since (yet, he keeps getting taller...)!

Alex was born in Feb and blessed in April (which was when he was due, so that worked out!) Would you look at how beautiful he was. Man, everyone thought he was so pretty. Ok, we look pretty awesome here too.

Here is a collage of birthdays 1-5. We've had Nemo, Buzz lightyear, Go Diego Go, Transformers and this year Star Wars. I don't think there is much left in the boy genre; super heros I guess. Ok, I had to add these last two because I thought it would be fun to see our friends when they were little. Stan and Haley are next to Alex. The Rays kids, Alex W. and Luke is facing the other way.
Ok, you can't see the kids faces, but can you pick out K.C., Stan, or Luke?

Star Wars Party

Alex turned 6 Saturday. On Friday, Ryan and I went to school with cupcakes. The battery was out on the camera, so the pic of him at the table is the goods he got from his teacher at school. Alex woke up Saturday at 6:00am to celebrate (and I quote him) 'The best day of his life.' It is unfortunate that he did since his party wasn't until 5:00pm. This is the longest day we've had to endure for a while! His bed present was the clone outfit. It was $5 at KB when they were going out of business and the suit was destroyed by the end of the day! At least he has a real mask so he doesn't have to pretend with his sunglasses anymore.

The party was a big success. We mostly just sent them outside to play light sabers and guns. There was a lot of bossiness going on, but I stayed out of it. There were a few whimpers from each kid, but hey, war is war, you're going to get hurt playing it. Last year I now remember (after the fact!) that the party was 1.5 hrs which was perfect. When I made the invites this year I thought it was 2.5 and thus planned for that. Alas, it was 30 minutes too long. But I don't think they minded. We ended with a Clone Wars episode to calm everyone down. Oh, and I made a target game out of laminated pictures tapped to boxes. They shot the Nerf gun and they got a 'whoppers' candy for each point they earned. The kids loved it! That was cheap and fun if you ever need a great party game.

Thank you to all who brought or sent Alex gifts. We had a great time Sunday building and playing with them. As for the cash, Alex is anxious to spend it. I hope I can reign in the spending so he doesn't invest in more things for me to pick up!