Duct Tape & WD-40

Favorite Photo Friday - He's 13 Today

It's official, I have a teenager.

• He's 5'7" - almost as tall as me. Taller than most kids in his class

• He's interested in girls, but is still embarrassed about it.

• He doesn't care much about his grooming.

• He still loves cars

• He loves to tinker and take things apart.

• He wants to see how things work.

• He can talk all day about an engine.

• He gets good grades.

• He would rather be playing video games.

• He is a Boy Scouts and loves camping, fishing and boating.

• He loves to read.

• He is a great big brother - most of the time.

• He is very polite and gets along well with adults.

• He works hard to overcome his difficulties.

• He would still rather eat macaroni and cheese three meals a day, but has expanded his menu a great deal.

• He is constantly changing and every now and then I get a glimpse of the awesome man that he is becoming.

• I am so very proud of him and what he has accomplished.

Happy 13th birthday, Cole. Just 5 more years until you go to college and I get to put my treadmill in your bedroom or make it a second art studio or make it a sewing room or an extra guest bedroom or...

A Lukie Update

Thank you all so much for your prayers and words of encouragement. Luke is doing so much better. I didn't want to post a photo of him because he actually looks worse. His rope burns have started to scab and bruises are coming up. The swelling in him mouth and cheeks, however, is going down. 

Monday I had a moment of insanity and thought that the tooth we are trying to save had moved in his mouth. It really looked like it was too deep in his mouth. I called Dr. Bertot and again he said to bring him right in. He took a good look at Luke's mouth and asked me where I thought there was a problem. Apparently, the tooth was just fine and I felt like an idiot. Secretly, I was happy to have it confirmed that everything looked good.

Dr. Bertot referred us to an Endodontist. In a couple of weeks, Luke will have the first of several root canals. We haven't told him about this yet.

Apparently I was suffering a bit of PTSD. When one of Dr. Bertot's dental assistants remarked that the rope could have snapped Lukie's neck, I started to tear up. It just seemed so real that we could have so easily lost him. I was weepy the rest of the day.

Today Luke went back to school to go on a field trip to Kennedy Space Center. I was worried that it would be too much for him, but he was so excited to go that I couldn't say no. He has been so down. I knew it would be better for him to try to get his life back to normal.

Meanwhile, Luke has been the center of attention and he is eating it up. He made me read the name of every person who commented about him on Facebook. He beamed and said "That's people on three different continents." If I can just get my friend, Jana, in Australia to comment, he will have four continents!

He has received gifts, flowers and even a cake. The best thing was get well cards from everyone in the third grade. The cards were so creative and sincere. He and I both really appreciated them.

Since I am not posting photos, I will leave you with some of the funniest cards that Luke received from his friends. Eight and nine year olds are great.

"Luke get well soon. I like pie!"

"Hey Luke I went kayaking for the first time on Sunday, May 2nd 2010, but today is May 3rd, 2010. Hope you get well soon."

"I thought that I would try to make you laugh, but Jack [Hudson]  says you have a knot on you so I'm not trying to make you laugh."

And finally, my very favorite:

A crayon drawing of a mouth with black and purple teeth falling out. 

The Good, the Bad and the Just Plain Pitiful

 

Our weekend started out quite nicely. Gary came home from North Carolina on Friday and night. It was nice to have him home for a while.

On Saturday, Gary took the boys out on the boat to go tubing. I elected to stay in because I am STILL battling sinus headaches and exhaustion from the New York Plague. I was working playing on my laptop when the call came. 

"Lori get the van and meet us at the dock. Luke has to go to the hospital!" Panic set it. He didn't say "Come look at Luke, he may need to go to the hospital." He was very definite and I was very scared. I had sense enough to grab my keys, shoes, purse and phone and I peeled out of the driveway on my way to the dock (which is actually just across the street). As I parked, Gary pulled up to the dock. I ran to the boat (that smashed into my big toe but I hardly felt it). The look on Gary's face scared me more.

The was Luke screaming and covered in blood. I reached for my phone to call 911. When I saw that Luke could walk on his own, I decided to take him to the ER myself.

What happened? Well is it kind of hard to explain. It was really just a freak accident. They were driving the boat with the inner tube pulled inside. Gary said he had it wedged between the front seat and the back seat. The tube was still attached to the tow rope. Somehow, air got underneath the tube and blew it off the boat. The rope hit Luke across the neck. It went in his mouth and over his head smashing him into the boat. We still don't know how the rope got on the other side of Luke to do this to him.

The result, 4 teeth were ripped out of his mouth, a severe rope burn on his neck and face and a mild concussion.

On the way to the ER, I decided to call his pediatric dentist, Dr. Carlos Bertot. His voicemail gave an emergency number. I left a message about Luke's mouth and told him we were on our way to the ER. Dr. Bertot called back immediately. He told us to bring Luke to his office and he would meet us there. I turned the car around and headed toward Maitland. Meanwhile, Gary had found one of Luke's teeth on the dock. We all met at the doctors office.

Xrays told us that Luke had lost 3 baby teeth and one permanent tooth. Luckily, the tooth that Gary found was the permanent tooth. Dr. Bertot told us that he might be able to reattach the tooth, but it would be a long and expensive process and in the end it still might not work. We told him to go for it.

I can't believe how brave Luke was through all of this. He stopped crying in the van and remained stoic the rest of the time. Some of it was shock. He was shivering and so pale. The only other time he cried was when the doctor told him that he was going to have to put stitches in his mouth. Poor guy's gums were ripped open.

After inserting Luke's tooth and making splints to hold it in place, we headed to the Pediatric clinic. I was concerned about Luke's burns and bump on his head. The doctor there said he probably had a mild concussion and told us what to look for in case it got worse. All this time, Luke was just quiet. 

I was so worried that Sunday would be an awful day for him. I thought that when the anesthesia wore off from the dental work, he would be in horrible pain. He is a trooper though. He is only taking Tylenol and is much better off than I expected. 

He'll be home from school tomorrow and maybe a few days after that. We have to be very careful with the tooth, so he is on a liquid diet, then a soft diet. 

All you moms know it physically hurts to see your baby hurt. I did pretty well with it and only cried after I put him to bed. Although there were a few times at the dentist's office where I knew I was about the hit the ground. I helped the dentist with some things, but there were definitely times I had to look away.

As a mother of boys, I have expected things like this for years. We have been so lucky so far. I guess we are still lucky. This could have been so much worse.

Three things I learned from this:

1. If you ever loose a permanent tooth, put it in milk until you can get to the dentist.

2. Always carry your cell phone on the boat.

3. Know the names and numbers of the very best doctor's in their field. These are the ones that care enough about their patients to be board certified and treat them in emergencies. If I hadn't called Dr. Bertot, Luke would have lost that tooth for sure. I know the best pediatric dentist, pediatric cardiologist, pediatric endocrinologist, pediatric psychiatrist, neurologist and orthopedic surgeon.

Time Passes

In honor of baby boys growing into big boys and celebrating birthdays in during the last two weeks, I have posted a vintage banner.

This is my blog's first banner and a glimpse into how it got its name. The "flying" boy in the photo is Luke at about two and a half years old. He had learned the joys of taking off his diaper and I was at my wits end with the messes that he was creating. 

"What can we do???" I lamented. "Glue it to him? Staple it to him? Tape it?"

I told you I was getting desperate.

Finally it occurred to me - Duct Tape. It didn't have to be taped to his skin. It just had to be wrapped around his diaper tight enough that he couldn't wiggle out of it.

So every night and every nap we put on Luke's "Superhero Belt". We told him that the silver belt gave him special powers and he happily twirled while we wrapped it around.

Remember - All you need in life is Duct Tape and WD-40. Duct Tape to make things stop and WD-40 to make things go.

Come back tomorrow for the first Favorite Photo Friday of 2010.

Favorite Photo Friday - Then and Now

Look at my boys! Jack (left) and Luke (right) at Disney probably when they were about two and three. I thought I would never forget, but I have. I can't remember how they looked when they were this little. I have baby pictures that I can't tell which boy it is. How do you forget these things??

I remember when they were just babies and sometimes, someone would say to me,"it gets a lot harder." And I would think to myself "You just don't remember. You don't remember the smell of the blowout poopy diapers. You don't remember following them around the playground while your friends with older kids sat and talked. You don't remember the crushing feeling on your chest when you realize that you are completely responsible for this little life - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You don't remember the severe sleep deprivation."

Now I know that "someone" was right. It gets so much harder. When they are infants and babies, your job is pretty clear cut. Feed them, change them, bathe them, take them to the doctor, make sure they don't die. As long as you did these things, you were doing the right thing. Unless you were completely incompetent, you really couldn't mess it up.

Since my boys are still alive, you can assume that I did a good job in the beginning.

Now that they are older, the rules are not so clear cut. The answer is not so black and white. If you make the wrong decision, you may change the destiny of their entire life. My life is one of constant worry. Am I sending them to the right school? Am I raising a good citizen, husband, father? Should I push them into sports or music? Should I reward good grades? Will they remember that I threatened to tell all their friends that they pooped their pants? (his response, "that would be worser." I cry when I think about it).  Is that what they will be telling their therapist in 20 years?

Throw a special needs child into the mix and you are in a constant state of anxiety.

And all those things you excused when they were babies, like not eating the food you cooked and telling you that they don't like you, really start to irk you when they do it when they are old enough to know better. I didn't sign up for that kind of abuse. I don't like it one bit. Sometimes I feel like I gave up so much for these little creatures and they could not care less. It is the ultimate thankless job. Yet, we are supposed to just smile and love them no matter what. 

But what you really don't know until you get there is that you will feel every success and every loss that your children feel as if it were your very own. It is like there is an invisible umbilical cord that is still attached to their hearts. When they hurt, you hurt. When they celebrate, you celebrate. It multiplies by the number of children that you have. I ride the same roller coaster of emotions that Cole rides. I feel the same frustrations that Luke feels.

I can't believe that I am saying this, but I long for the days when I could strap them into their bouncy seat and they would laugh and laugh. Sure, I was doing a lot of physical work, but I knew where they were and no one was going to hurt them. I was sleep deprived, but I knew that as long as they were fed, they were okay.

Why didn't someone tell me this BEFORE I had children?  They did. I just didn't listen. I thought I would be different. I'm not. "Someone" was right. It gets so much harder.

Favorite Photo Friday - This Boy

I'm so proud of this boy that just talking about him brings tears to my eyes.

This boy has been through so much this year and just keeps moving right along. 

This boy learned some hard stuff about himself and just keeps trying day after day. 

This boy faced some health issues that he doesn't even understand and just accepts who he is.

This boy went to a school where he was bullied and made fun of every day and just kept going hoping it would get better.

This boy had some big disappointments and doesn't dwell on them.

This boy doesn't quite get why he needs some therapeutic interventions and participates anyway.

This boy has been poked and pricked and examined and tested and just shakes it off.

This boy, who used to scream going into a dentist's office, has endured getting braces on his teeth.

This boy, who hates change, started a new, bigger school on Wednesday - all by himself.

Yes, a mother hurts when her child is in physical or emotional pain. This is very true. But I have been both the mother and child, and I know that experiencing pain FOR someone and being the one that is actually in pain is not the same. My worry and heartache for this boy is not half as difficult as what he has faced this year.

If that which does not kill us makes us stronger, then this boy is a superhero.

 

Favorite Photo Friday - Counting My Blessings in Threes

Some of my blogger friends post what they call Favorite Photo Friday. I guess the title is pretty self-explanatory. I like the idea, because it will force me to post something to my blog at least once a week. I should be doing that much more often but (fill in lame excuse here).

I'm kicking off this new venture with a personal photo rather than professional photo. It is my three boys in Yellowstone. I don't think I included this one in the video. I love this photo because my guys just look so relaxed and happy. They are not fighting. Cole even has him arm around Luke. They are definitely my three biggest blessings.

Things seem to be measured in threes in my life lately. Big changes are coming to the Hudson household. Cole will be starting Lake Highland Prep soon. He is twelve years old now. (I'll be adding another post about my first baby growing up soon.) We are actively looking for a new dog to add to our family. We are also in the market for a new house.  Three changes.

I have said many times before that although I do my fair share of complaining (everyone has the right to whine about something!), I always feel truly very blessed and lucky. During this dramatic downturn in the economy, Gary and I happen to be in a good financial position. Because of this, we feel it is time for a new Hudson home. Since I will be driving downtown to Lake Highland everyday and Gary has to stay here where our office is located, we have decided to split the difference and look into living in Maitland. Maitland is a gorgeous little city that is closer to the big city of Orlando, but still has a personal, small town feeling. I have several friends that live there.

**********Edited - I think we have made our decision! More on this coming soon.*************

There are THREE (see what I mean?) houses that we are considering. One house we are considering is on Lake Sybelia. I've always wanted to live on a lake and the house is really charming and beautiful. It is in a gated community. It is, however, a little smaller than we were looking for.  The pool is a little small and the kitchen is doesn't have the gas stove and granite that I was hoping to have. I could totally see, however, my family living that cozy house with its gorgeous woodwork. The pool and kitchen could be changed, but waking up that view of the lake is very pleasing thought.

Another house that we are considering is not on the water, but it is larger and a definite show place. I'm serious when I say it could be in a design magazine. It has the kitchen I would like and the three car garage that Gary insists on. The master bath is like a spa. It is close to a beautiful park that my boys could ride their bikes to. But, like I just said, I've always wanted to be on the water.

Finally, the third house is huge AND on a beautiful lake and yes, it has a great kitchen. It is on the high end of our price range, but the owners have indicated that they are willing to make a good deal (an amazing deal, actually!). I kind of feel bad for them. The housing market just continues to drop all over the country. I read recently that a normalization is nowhere in sight in Florida. The owners said their house has been on the market so long, they just want to get out of it before it loses more value!

Our concern about this house it that it is just too big. It is over 6,000 square feet and has 6 bedrooms. Would I lose my boys in such a house?  I'm afraid there could be days without even seeing them! Also, a house that large brings more work and higher tax and utility bills. We don't want to be a slave to our house.

It is such a big and difficult decision. I am just so thankful that we have this decision to make. Like I said, blessed and lucky. We have to decide something soon. I have been driving Cole to Lake Highland for camp for the last 2 weeks and let me tell you, it's a haul!

So long for now, internet. See you next week for Favorite Photo Friday, if not before!

Randomness and Christmas

Oh internet, I feel like I am so behind. I have so many things that I wanted to create for Christmas and it is all just getting away from me. Why didn't I start sooner???

In the Salyer tradition of procrastinating, here is a new blog post and some randomness to start your day.

Yay! Lookie at the new blog Christmas header. It is only four days late. Psst... here is a hint of things to come. I took the header design from my 2008 Christmas card design. So, if you think I don't have your snail mail address, e-mail it to me so I can send you one of these magnificent things.

Our little 5 year old neighbor, Kyla, came over last Saturday to watch a movie with us. I caught my 6 year old, Jack, makin' his moves. What a playa' in his Sponge Bob jammies.

Next, I totally made this myself! It is a 60x72 rag quilt made out of Christmas flannel. Seriously, I know!

I bought that fancy sewing machine and, darnit, I am going to sew with it. It was really super easy. It just took a lot of time. I'm so proud of myself for finishing it. I want to carry it around everywhere I go and show it to strangers.

Finally, my December Daily album that I spent all day doing on Saturday.  That's right. Christmas shopping done? No. Christmas cards done? No. Outsource Christmas Party Album done? No. Chunky, creative, arty, messy album full of pages for my December Daily photos done? Totally done!

You may remember last year I did a daily photo album during the month of December like Ali Edwards (see side bar - that is the 2007 album). The year before I did Journal Your Christmas with Shimelle Laine, but I didn't quite get finished with that one.  This year I decided to do a combination of both - photos, journaling, whatever I feel like.

Here is the front cover.

The cover is actually clear acrylic. The dark brown background is some paper I used so that you could see the clear parts of the album. I'll post more photos when I get more pages done. I mean, the pages are done, but I haven't added the photos or journaling yet.

Alright that is it for now. Time to watch Grey's Anatomy. Here is being behind at Christmas and doing everything but what you are supposed to be doing and DRINKING LOTS OF EGG NOG!