The Wedding, the Surgery, and the Crown...

That is not the title of a terrible new children's book, just in case you were wondering. It just describes the last few days in a nutshell.

1. Saturday morning we flew with Matt, Allyson, and Tommy to meet up with the Duke's/Taylor's in El Paso for Cory's wedding. Tommy and Autrey played with the airport automatic doors:

These pictures were taken at the reception. Unfortunately it was the only time I had my camera out and wasn't wrangling Mr. Busybody. The celebrations went late into the evening and Dylan finally sacked out.

At the hotel pool:2. We were at USMD Hospital at 6:30am Monday morning for Dylan's 1st surgery. He was circumcised right after he was born, but it has been causing him problems lately and for various reasons had to be done again. It was a blessing in disguise since the doctor was able to simultaneously correct another problem we didn't know about that would have made potty training an ordeal and might have required another procedure. They had to put him under and everything. Poor guy. Autrey and I were really nervous. When we got to see Dylan, I was so relieved but went straight into mom mode nursing him, asking questions, getting my marching orders, setting up the follow-up appt. and such. Autrey on the other hand felt so helpless watching Dylan with his IV still in, blitzed, shaking, and not able to move his legs that his sensitive side came to the surface. I've only ever seen Autrey cry 2 other times. It was so sweet. He sure loves his little buddy. Dylan and I went home and cuddled all day. He was a trooper. He played in the ship in the hospital waiting room, unaware of what lay in store for him:

3. The crown is mine. And not the sparkly kind you put on your head. It is my 3rd one, 2nd one since we moved here. In the next few years all of my big molars will be crowned.
I wish I could take a swim in a different gene pool, but that's the breaks. Autrey hasn't ever had a cavity, even though he is a little 'less diligent' about his brushing and flossing, thanks to good genetics. And me, I'll have more crowns than Miss USA. However, this is one competition I would rather not win.

Buddy's 1st Bike Ride

I have to admit I have been a little self conscious about that picture showing my bruised legs. I've always had issues with body image. Blah, blah, blah, I'm a girl. I think women of all ages, shapes, and sizes can relate. My self esteem is much better than it was in high school, but I have a ways to go. But just to make myself feel better/give myself a pat on the back I wanted to make clear that picture was taken 3 years and 20 lbs ago. That was the most I have ever weighed in my life, with the exception of my 3rd trimester of pregnancy. (Not whining, just stating a fact.) In Utah, the first 2 years I was married, the pill and my hypothyroidism caused me to gain weight and be really tired all the time. I'm happy to say that I'm 3 lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight. Not that you cared, I'm just excited. Although the number is deceiving, since I am weaker and softer than I was 1 1/2 years ago. That's what biking is for. Great segway, I know. Autrey and I got this seat for Dylan so he could join our rides. I love that Autrey and Dylan have matching helmets. Safety first.

Pay no mind that Autrey doesn't even have his strapped on. And that I don't have one.

Is that Jacob in the background? haha.

Jacob?

Well, 2 moves in a row now I have biffed it my maiden voyage biking on trails near our new home. In Missouri I flipped over my handlebars coming down a steep hill over some roots and did this, along with banging up my arms: Not pretty. And the bruises are gross too. I interviewed at Henry with those legs. Good thing I wear modest skirts. No one knew. Luckily this time I didn't get hurt, except for my ego. Apparently while I was on bed rest Autrey put those special pedals on my bike that you can't just easily step off to the side when coming to a stop. I know that now. After I fell. In front of a concerned jogger. Curse the Husband for being helpful without warning me and then laughing after I fall. Ok, it was pretty funny. Then, guess what comes running across the trail? A coyote. Seriously. I'm not messin' with you. A coyote. Which is related to a wolf. Which is the animal form of this beautiful Twilight creature:

(Dad, no lectures. On either one of these approaching-indecent-but-not-yet pictures. I share your feelings about fleshy photos.)

It was a small coyote and he didn't even seem to notice Autrey and I were there. Even still, tiny bit scary to think what else might be lurking in those woods. So, to keep myself from freaking out when I go jogging with Dylan on this trail, I like to think that Jacob is just following me and keeping me safe. If that's not motivation to exercise, I don't know what is...

More Out Than In

Dylan has now spent more time out of the womb than in. Random, I know. That's how my brain works. He went to his check up today and here are the latest stats:

weight: 18.5 lbs (20th percentile)

height: 27.8 inches (30th percentile)

head circumference: 45.7 cm (60th percentile)

Also, here is Dylan's 9 month 'Not a Fan Of...' list:

*Holding still. Especially when his diaper is being changed, we are at church, or on an airplane. He would much rather be rolling, crawling and exploring.

*Being quiet. He is quite the little talker, laugher, squealer, and fake cougher. We will whine/fuss on occasion, but not often. If he is, he is usually just tired or hungry.

*Washing his face or getting all slathered up with sunscreen and will push your hand away. Too bad Casper's gotta stay clean and burn free.

*Shoes, for long periods of time when we go out. He always manages to kick them off.

*Waiting, for me to shovel in his food faster. He eats everything he is given. Well, I was worried this week after he puckered up and wrinkled his nose at pineapple, but he ate it. It's a good thing, too. No son of mine would ever turn down pineapple.

*The flick to the cheek he's given when he yanks and/or bites repeatedly when nursing. (Don't worry. It's not a hard flick. Most of the time he smiles and thinks I'm playing with him, but a few times he whined about it.) For that reason I'm ok with him not having any teeth yet.

*The loud toilets and hand dryers in airport restrooms. They scare him something fierce when he is too close to them. (Yeah, but he was totally fine with the loud noises when we saw Annie Get Your Gun in Utah. Go figure.)

*Whiskers on men. Too prickly. And shots/blood draws, like today. WAY too prickly.

*Grass. He does not like the way it feels on his skin. He tries to lift his arms and legs off of it and then whimpers for help.

Ok, I tried to take a picture of Dylan fussing to go with the top 9 list but the camera battery died. That's ok. I got these after it charged. Way cuter.

Music to my ears. He laughed for a good 5 minutes. Here is the tail end:

NOW It's Official!

Autrey just got his results from the 3 1/2 hour National Physical Therapy Exam he took on Saturday. He passed and is licensed! Yay! Now Ted doesn't have to be in the building for liability reasons when Autrey sees patients. And, Dylan won't have to read the study guide to get Daddy time...haha.

Pool Fun

Yes, there is a reason why all has been quiet on the blog-front lately. A week ago, Dylan and I flew back from a 2 week visit to Utah (Autrey had to work). We spent time in Orem, Manti, and St. George. Once I gather all of the pictures from dad, mom, and Desiree' I will post about the trip. But for now, here are some pictures taken at our complex's pool right before we left. Mom was here for a few days before she went to Utah with us. Swimming is great therapy for her back. It's like 'Where's Waldo?' but you can see her in the background doing laps in a few of the pictures. Dylan sure loves to splash in the water and ride his noodle like a horse.