Shhhhhh!

I took the kids to pick up some new speakers for my computer at an electronics store. It was the type of store where they inspect your receipt as you leave, to make sure you got everything you purchased (really they are making sure your not stealing, but it sounds nicer when they pretend like they are being helpful).  As I pushed our shopping cart to the exit, in attempt to distract Josh from the gumball machines, I asked Josh if he would show the man waiting at the door our receipt. Then as I stopped the cart at the aforementioned man, Joshua looked at me and asked, "You mean this big fat guy here, mom?"
Ugh.
Josh is lucky he's so cute.

The BIG day!

Joshua just celebrated his Birthday & he turned...

Wait a minute...that's not quite right! Lets try that again...

That's better!
Joshua turned 3 on September 17th, and as it turns out, my boy is currently obsessed with baseball! He absolutely loves The Sandlot movie & as a result dreams of nothing but playing ball! It wasn't hard shopping...I knew exactly what to get...

In the space of 5 seconds all his dreams came true! I wish everyone were as easy to please!

After opening some of his gifts, we headed to his party!

(He wears his new "Benny hat" everywhere.  I think he's pretty cute in it!)

We kept the party simple. We invited a few buddies to come play baseball at the park to celebrate...

 

His girlfriends mostly socialized, while the guys played...

I think everyone had a good time!

 

Especially when it was time for the pinata!

This thing was nearly impossible to bust open...but after a good, long beating it finally released the goods!

When all was said & done, it was a good day!

Happy Birthday little buddy! Your third year is sure to be amazing!

3 in the morning

When this baby of mine wakes up tomorrow morning...

he's gonna be 3 years old! I am so excited!

(I just finished filling the pinata & it weighs more than him!!!)

calling all heart moms! (and anyone else who is willing to help)

 

This boy of mine is pretty much skin & bones. When I weighed him today he weighed a whopping 27lbs 8 oz. Yes, this means he's actually lost a little weight. At one point he was pushing 29lbs. 

Lately, I've had his weight on my mind & I've been weighing him weekly on my baby scale. He just isn't growing. The boy eats like it's his job, but it doesn't stick. His little heart is working so hard & using up all those calories.

He needs to gain weight in order to have the Fontan (his next surgery). He's showing signs that he's ready for surgery, however he hasn't hit the magical weight of 35lbs. Dr. Rivera thinks that if Joshua hit 32lbs we'd get the green light. So naturally, that's my goal, the big 3-2!

Now here is where you come in...I need some suggestions!  I know just about every heart mom has fought this battle. What do you feed your kid?  I try to feed him healthy foods -but- I'm not a total health nut. In other words, give me any suggestions, whether it's healthy or not. I'd like to hear what you have to say!  Joshua is not a picky eater at all, so your suggestions needn't be toddler friendly. But if they are toddler friendly, that's just great! Please, help!!!!

(by the way, did you know Joshua is potty trained? It was a very long process & he still loves the comfort of his diaper (which coincidentally I like)...but he's been doing his business on the potty for a few weeks straight:)

brotherly love

These little monkeys love to wrestle each other. All in good fun, but I'm not gonna lie, it does get ugly from time to time! I'm so glad they have each other to team up with, learn from, get in to mischief, etc. I love watching them & listening to their giggles!

I haven't done a lot of writing on this blog lately, but I've just been extra busy and honestly lazy too. I've been busy with the start of a new school year, new soccer teams and so on. And summer was a lazy time for us...we didn't have any commitments, just did as we pleased all summer. It was awesome.

Joshua has a full day at the cardiologist coming up next month, but part of me wants it to be sooner. He is so winded these days. He still does everything he used to, he just does it short of breath. It's so sad hearing a small boy out of breath. It isn't normal, but it's HLHS.  In that regard it's normal I suppose. But I don't like it.

I also don't like the fact that he's 2 years old and I should be watching him grow bigger, faster and stronger each day. Instead, he's hasn't gained any weight in 9 months, and he's slowly growing weaker. But, again that's HLHS.  

But on the other hand, what a wonderful time to be on the earth...he was born in an age where his condition can be a livable condition. We thank our Heavenly Father daily for that. And while the reality of HLHS isn't great, Joshua has thrived with this condition & surprised everyone. He'll continue to do so, I know it! 

Anyway, back to the original purpose of this post...I am so lucky to have these little guys in my life! I  Love them a lot.