There's a Party in My Tummy.

In honor of Deak's Third Birthday, we celebrated doing what he does best = EATING.

We had pizza and...

A little bit of DJ Lance. (Don't worry, I made cupcakes for anyone who objected to eating an African-American Head.)
I almost asked the nice young fellow who works at our local Blockbuster to dress up as DJ Lance. Then, I thought I might go to jail.
So, a cake was the best I could do.

I think Abby was just as excited for Deak's birthday as she is her own...such a good sister.

Deak loved every minute and did so well considering the non-nap day he had been put through in the name of "celebration." He loves playing with his friends; it is by far his biggest strength. In the course of the night, I was busy talking/cleaning/doing etc., and my mom noticed the kids had all gone outside to play. She took my Deak outside and let him play with the kids. He was so happy.

The Grandparents...

Cute Cheezers from Cousins.

We gave Deak this car, which he loves driving backwards in.

He looked like such a big boy in his chair from Gpa/Gma Howe.

Eating his loot from the Pinata...

It was such a cool, easygoing evening with friends and family. I hope Deakon loved the night as much as we did. I will celebrate his birth with as much excitement when he is 56. I need this yearly reminder of what my life really should be about...loving...period.

He Definitetly Can.

A decorated door and donuts...Deakon was in Heaven this morning.

Abby worked so hard last night to decorate Deakon's door. Each picture is so specific to things he loves, and it is so full of love from his sister. Deakon can't get enough of the "Brobee" picture. I let Deak eat an entire package of Hostess Glazed donuts for breakfast, thinking he wouldn't actually eat all of them, and he just thought it was awesome. And...he ate all six of them.

Abby had a cute friend over the other night, and they were having a discussion about Deakon's abilities. She and her friend were mentioning the things Deakon could do, and during the course of the conversation, her friend said (in a very innocent and cute way)..."Well, he definitely can't walk yet."

The look of death crossed Abby's face, and she turned to her friend and said, "Well, he definitely CAN walk...just not yet."

I have never been prouder.

So, in the spirit of Abby...Here are the things Deakon definitely can do.

*Deakon loves his favorite shows...LOVES them.

*Deak is learning to answer questions and loves to answer what you ask him.

*Deak loves Hip Hop, and is known to throw fits demanding it is played in the car.

*Deak loves his Kindermusic Class, and has learned how to wait, and play with others.

*Deak loves the camera, and is always ready to pose.

*Deak really loves all food. He'll eat anything. He can feed himself most things, and has become a pro at drinking out of any cup.

*Deak is SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!

* Deak is learning to mimic words, and can say clearly: All gone, Ny-Ny, MaMa, I La Ya, Num Num, More, Uh-Uh/ah, and Oh-Oh.

*Deak has become one of the healthiest kids I know.

*Deak is learning to sing along with songs.

*Deak is learning how to ride push along trikes. He has almost perfected the art of going backwards.

*Deak can point to eyes/mouth/nose on faces.

*Deak is growing up too fast...

I can't believe he's three today; really, THREE years. He is a gift, something I try so hard not to take for granted. He makes my life better, and just makes "you" better by being with him.

I had a cute friend mention to me this week that after seeing him a while ago and talking with him for a minute, she couldn't stop smiling the whole day. She said she needed to see him again.

He just makes you believe.

Happy three years my baby boy...You are so treasured.

Week Loves.

This week I love,
*Deakon's Pediatrician, Dr. Kramer.
This man is solid, and has been there from the beginning of our journey with Deak. Even though we changed insurance companies a year and a half ago, I still pay to see him, because he is that good. Deak had his BIG three year well-child visit this past week and I was excited to show off how well he is doing. Two days later, Dr. Kramer's nurse called just to let me know that they know our insurance doesn't cover his visits (they usually have discounted their rate for me in half), and Dr. Kramer wanted to see him free of charge. FREE! What an amazing man.

*Abby's Mother Day Book she made for me in school.
When she writes she becomes more heartfelt; a side I don't often get to see. What a perceptive little girl. One of the questions she was asked to answer read..."What is most Important to your Mom?" She answered...Me and my bruther. So true.

*My job.
I am grateful to have one. I am so glad I made the choice to go into a field that I love. Hopefully my heartbreak over some of these kids balances out with my ability to help them overcome their challenges.

*My monster of a man, Deak.
He is now beginning to verbally answer questions...constantly, and typically with his one syllable answer of "Ah (Ya.)" He even answers all the questions Diego asks while watching his show. Every once in a while he'll answer you with a VERY distinct and powerful "Uh-Uh," while at the same time flinging his arms and head back and forth. We usually let him win in those situations because we just love that he has used his voice to tell us no.

*Lost.
This show has given Blair and I a chance to spend our limited time available together doing something we both enjoy. Thanks to our friend (who shall remained unnamed...) we are now beginning to watch the current TV season, and are LOVING it. It has been such a great escape, and a chance to forget the crap we have to deal with.

*Friends/Family.
I need you now, and you have come through. It is a little lonely without a husband around to nag, and you have given me an outlet. The lunches, sports, park dates, and exercise outings are what fuels me right now.

*And last, but not least, Blair.
Remember when our life together began? I don't think we imagined a fraction of the things that have happened, happening to us - and that's okay. The ignorant bliss is fun while it lasts, but the companionship that ensues after going through these unexpected turns are better. Man, I need you. Not just your help, but you. I need you to to listen to me whine about the nuances of my day and get really protective when people disappoint me. I love how you love our children, proved in the fact that on your one evening off this week, you chose to take Abby to tee-ball practice, and then play catch with her in the yard afterward. My heart swelled watching through the window.

You Know...

... (a) You're Husband is Working a lot (like 70 hours/week).

...(b) You are exhausted.

...(c) Your toddler has acted like he came from Hell.

...(d) All of the Above.

In my case, all of the above. Sure, I may have gotten several dirty looks from the family of nine, dressed in their BYU gear, enjoying FHE at their local Costco. But, whatever. I didn't care. If he wanted to down my diet coke, I was going to let him. I COULD NOT listen to the whining/animal-like screaming anymore.

So Shoot me.

Yep, that would be Deakon's piece of Pizza. He ate the whole thing (minus the crust) and those pizza slices at Costco are inhumanely large.

I didn't care about that either.

And, if I am being completely honest, the only reason I took the diet coke back was because Deak was hogging it, and I wanted the rest.

A Little Wicked.

My Dad rocks.

He surprised my Mom with Wicked tickets for her birthday last month. The coolest part was that we all got in on the action as well.

What a fabulous play. I know, the rest of the world has already seen it, but I hadn't. I really thought the story was so creative and well-written.

After the play, we went to dinner together and had a blast. It seems we don't often have time (mostly me) to get together with all of us, and it was fun to just hang out, be ourselves, and relax.

Dad, thanks for being so thoughtful. Mom, thanks for your birthday...I think it was well-spent.

Thank you.

Thank you Eminem for your song, Crack a Bottle. I listened to it about ten times today on the way home from Salt Lake after some crazy mom took my therapy time at Shriners (it was real shady). I lived vicariously through your f-bombs, and it helped. I guess I won't be surprised if Deakon asks when we are going to pick up the bitches in our Tahoe.

Thank you old VIP in Farmington for coming through with a greasy burrito and full calorie Pepsi. They helped as well.

I think I possibly need to develop better coping strategies.

Better Together.

(...at a mock sleepover Abby created for the two of them this past Friday Night.)

There is one thing that cannot be beat in terms of the rewards of parenting.

Those moments when our children are one; when the fighting has momentarily stopped, and they are actually enjoying one anothers' company. Those moments when you think that maybe you just might've done one half of a thing right.

My experience with my children as siblings is a little different, as I have mentioned before. I didn't want to place expectations on Abby and Deakon's relationship for fear of it being too complicated, or never really happening. I have been consistently surprised to find they are very traditional at times: Deak pulls Abby's hair, and Abby complains about Deak getting more attention. But, there are these other times, I get to see the big picture.

Abby knows Deak is different, and although she isn't perfect, she "gets" this one. She pushes him to compete with her, she involves him in her activities, and doesn't understand why someone else would not.

Yesterday, I was trying to be brave and take my kids to Lagoon. I/Easter Bunny made the mistake, oops - choice, to leave us passes this year. Frankly though, I was tired, and I knew that having Deakon at Lagoon would require a lot of energy. So, I began making phone calls to see if someone could watch him, since Blair was working. None of the phone calls ended up working out, and I decided to bring him. A decision I am so grateful I made now.

If you can't see, Abby has her arm wrapped around Deakon as they are riding together. A ride which Deakon LOVED. By the end of the ride, Deak had snuggled his head into her shoulder.

It was one of those times you want to bottle and save the next time both of them are screaming and don't want to go to bed. One of those times that you dream about when that Fresh from Heaven angel gets placed in your arms the first time.

And, I almost missed it.

More pictures from the day...

Deak riding his first solo ride ever. He actually was the only one on it period.

The first ride at the park.

Deakon could not get enough of the steering wheels and levers. He would literally laugh out loud almost the entire time the rides were moving. I was excited that he was strong enough and big enough to go on about seven of them. Abby has become braver, and is now wanting to linger longer in the adult ride areas. She was excited about the new Dragon ride, and riding the Bat for the first time.

We had such a great time. But, I openly admit I most likely will NOT be saying that towards the end of the Summer.