Poor Zachary!!!

Well many of you probably have already heard of the eventful day we had last Tuesday.

Tuesday of last week was originally planned to be fun fun fun.  Erin and I had planned a bestie date, photo shoot, and playdate all rolled up into one.  I was scheduled to shoot Brady's (Erin's son) 8 year old pictures that afternoon.  We chose the greenway off of Miccosukee Road as our location.  The golden rod was blooming beautifully and it was the perfect spot for the type photos that Erin had in mind.  It was also a great place for our three boys to play together while we took some much anticipated, totally awesome photos!

She purchased those big, huge, perfectly round, gorgeous, bright, colorful, expensive balloons for the shoot.  Eight of them to be exact.  $10 a piece.  Yep, we were excited.  We got the boys, camera equipment, and balloons carefully out of the car.  Walked about 150 yards to our spot and started our shoot.  The boys were horsing around with each other on the path while Erin and I started.  I had clicked the shutter just a few times when I heard my firstborn cry out in terrible pain.  He was lying on the ground screaming at the top of his lungs.  I knelt down beside him and started to pick him up when I noticed his left arm.  I won't describe it but it was enough to immediately make me sick to my stomach.  I cried out for Erin and she looked at the pain in my face and then looked at his arm.  She immediately took control of the situation.  She could see I was barely staying present with seeing my child in that condition and screaming in pain.  She calmly picked him up and carried him all the way to her car.  As we were hurrying down the path I heard Erin say to Brady (who still had balloons in his hands), "Let's say goodbye to the balloons!  Just let 'em go Brady."  Well, at least I was thankful I had gotten SOME shots.  Hopefully some good ones.  We loaded up in our cars and headed to Capital Medical since it was right down the road from where we were.  I called Paul on the way.

The next few hours flew by but were sheer agony.  I know it was just a broken arm and I know it could have been so much worse but hearing my child cry out in so much pain and not being able to take it away was the worst and most helpless feeling I've ever felt.  Plus the images of seeing his arm just kept flying through my mind.  I wish I had never had to see that.  I hope that memory fades. . .soon!

After examination and x-rays it was determined that surgery was needed that evening.  He went in about 9:15PM and surgery lasted about an hour and a half.  He did great. . . he was such a trooper!  When he woke up and was moved to his room in the pediatric wing I was amazed at how well my little boy was adjusting.  He was a chatterbox asking all sorts of questions, eating popsicles and playing I Spy.

The next afternoon it was time to come home.  Challenging yes, for sure.  He is not liking only having one arm to use!  And, the first two days after surgery proved to be extremely painful.  Not fun!  He has had so many wonderful visitors bearing wonderful goodies and treats to keep him motivated to be happy.  His best buds Drew and Brady were adorable as they were reading him stories during their visit.  His friend from Pre-K Logan also stopped by to lift his spirits.  His grandparents are spoiling him rotten.  His mama and daddy are spoiling him rotten.  His Uncle and Aunt are too!  Even baby brother is being so nice to him!  So many well wishes from other friends as well.  His teacher, Mrs. Bist was so sweet to come by for a visit and to bring a huge card that his friends at school made for him.  So sweet!!

Of course I've kept the hospital arm band and shirt they had to cut off of him for his keepsake box.  I just never imagined this for my always careful and overly cautious sweet Zachary.  But, boys will be boys and they will play and tumble sometimes!  He just fell on his arm the wrong way.

We are getting along much better now. . . settling into our new routine.  I'll be glad when he gets back to true normal though.  Hopefully sometime around Thanksgiving.

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes!  Much appreciated!

 waaayyy too much electronics being allowed right now in this house!

 (as if he can't feed HIMSELF that McDonald's Oreo McFlurry!)

And, lastly, I've started editing Brady's pics. . . was happy to find this one that I adore.  Aren't the balloons GORGEOUS!

Our FIRST Parent/Teacher Conference. . . and a family update!

And may I first start off with. . . I hope ALL our parent/teacher conferences for the years to come will be just as great as our first!

We met with Zachary's teacher, Mrs. Bist, yesterday afternoon.  Paul came home early to pick me up for our 3:30 appointment time.  As we were walking to the classroom he turned to me and said, "I'm actually kind of nervous."  Ha!  I thought that was hilarious.  (I think nerves will be necessary when we have parent/teacher conferences for Chase. . . not our straight and narrow child Zachary.)

We sat down with Mrs. Bist and began our meeting.  After a few minutes of chit chat she talked with us about the results of her assessments.  Yes, we were beaming with pride as she spoke so highly of Zachary.  Definitely proud parents!!!  I especially glowed when I asked her if there was anything we needed to focus more on at home and she responded, "I really can't think of anything - just keep doing what you're doing."  Yay!  It's always comforting to know that, even though 90% of the time you feel like you are failing as parents, that you really might be doing an ok job after all.  I hope so!

My favorite compliment of Zach that I heard her say was that he always "comes ready to learn" and is a  "fantastic listener".  I hope he remains just that.

The more I get to know her, the more impressed I am.  As we talked more I realized she shares some of my own feelings on important things like very limited TV time for kids, the great importance of family dinners together, and always striving to keep those lines of communication open with your kids.  I love knowing that my child spends his days with a wonderful, compassionate teacher like her.  I hope and pray she is still teaching when Chase Parker starts K-5.  (I would be quite interested in hearing her describe the differences between my two! ha!)

Zachary was very curious to know why we were meeting with his teacher.  He kept asking us what we were going to talk about, etc.  When Paul and I got home we took the kids out for dinner, ice-cream, and to feed the ducks at the lake.  As we were eating dinner we told Zachary that Mrs. Bist had nothing but great things to say about him and he just grinned from ear to ear.  He adores his sweet teacher.  I'm so glad he is having a great Kindergarten year!

Now. . . enjoy some recent cute instagrams!  Yes, this first picture is where my husband was turning around saying, "Are you ever going to stop taking pictures and come eat with us?"  And, yes, I did.  But, I just had to get a picture of those sun rays on everybody!

And, in other photography news. . . I just recently had a photoshoot with a sweet baby girl who just turned three months.  This is one of the sneak peeks I just released on my business facebook page.  I love it and am so glad I was able to capture it for her mom and dad.

By the way, if you have not "liked" my Facebook photography page would you please take a minute and do so?  I would LOVE it!!  Just go to Facebook and search for Elizabeth Birdwell Photography and then click LIKE.  Thank you!!

Well, mom duties are calling.  My free time to blog is over. . . time to start dinner!

Wacissa River Fun!

My brother and I ventured out kayaking on the Wacissa River on Monday!  Well, I should rephrase that. . . My brother took me kayaking on Monday.  I relaxed and took pictures while he did all the kayaking work!  :)

We had a blast. . . here are some pictures. . .

We had a fantastic time!!  I hope to do more of the sitting and relaxing and floating down the river with my big brother doing all the work!  Haha!!!  For the full commentary on our adventure go here!

In other news. . . Grammy and Zach just made this beautiful wreath for Thanksgiving!  So grateful that my sons have wonderful grandparents that spend quality time with them.  I am blessed to have such wonderful parents!!  Love you mom and dad!!

Fantastically Fun But Oh So Whiney Saturday. . .

Ok, I'm in the throws of the terrible two's with Chase Parker and I need a light at the end of my tunnel.  I do not know if I will survive.  I have never had this experience before.  Yes, Zachary did turn 2 as well but he skated right on through without a hiccup.  I've been told by many that Chase Parker is my "typical" child. . . Zachary is not.  So, this is definitely a very new experience for me.

The whining, the facial expressions that indicate he feels like he's going to die at any second, the tantrums, the outbursts, the throwing of the body down in the utmost dramatic fashion, etc. . . IT'S ALL GOTTA GO!  WHEN DOES IT GET BETTER?

And what drives me even MORE nuts?  The fact that he's a PERFECT LITTLE ANGEL at his preschool.  I have talked to the preschool director and his teacher and they both tell me the same thing. . . "Oh, he's a model child, never gives us any problems."  I don't get it.  I hope this phase is over soon otherwise I will need to start taking up bad habits to help myself get through my days.  (Mom,  I'm JUST kidding!!!)

His only saving grace is that he is the cutest little 2 year old on the face of the earth.  And, he gives the best hugs to get himself out of trouble.  The boy is my little lover for sure.  I guess I will keep him around a little longer.  ;)

On to other weekend news. . . today we had fun at the park and then Airfest 2012!  For those of you who don't know, the Tallahassee Airport puts this on annually.  Well, not every year but they try to.  Paul's dad has often times had his fighter jet on display and some race cars but this year we took a breather from working the event to just enjoying it.  It was very very very  hot out there but definitely enjoyable.  The boys had a blast!

This morning we had fun at the park. . . the weather was much nicer at 9AM!  The boys had fun with the geese. . .  they were trying to imitate them. . . I should have taken video.

Well, that's my Saturday update. . . now for some FOOTBALL coming on shortly!  GO NOLES!!!