Preston updates

My little man is so grown up. Here he is stacking can goods as I am working in the kitchen. It worrys me that one will drop on his foot but hey, kids will be kids.

Here are some facts about him as of late:

1. Can put many two words together like "Gun please, Hi Dad, Bye Dad, Hi Grandma, Maddie eat

2. Favorite food: Black beans, blueberries, cheese n crackers, veggies n dip, chips n salsa(yes even the spicy kind). He puts his hand up to his mouth and says "Spice" but asks for more:)

3. Gets Maddie's food dish in the morning and gives her breakfast.

4. Has quite the imagination all ready. Pretends to do things or that his toys are something else. Very fun to watch.

5. Loves to go to the pool.

6. Likes to name who people are in photo books.

7. Favorite word is "No".

8. Loves to talk on the phone lately.

9. Favorite cousin is JD.

Going home, till God calls her to His Home

Grandma is going home tomorrow......................there is nothing more the doctors can do . She has lost the ability to swallow and because of her rapid growing cancer she can't have a feeding tube. The doctors gave her at the most 2 weeks to live. Craig, Preston and I are going up there tomorrow and are staying for the weekend. Craig is going to help Grandpa get adjusted to helping Grandma at home.
I already miss her so much and each day is growing closer to her leaving us. She has so much peace she said about leaving this earth behind. Our prayer is that in these last days she is comfortable and knows how much we all love her.

Grandma

Last night Craig and I and Preston came up here to the hospital again. We couldn't stay away! We stayed at my cousins so we could be close. When we came up here last night Grandma had both of her eyes open and Craig was able to feed her a little. She said "Hi Preston" and put her hand out to him to give her high five.
She was starting to get itchy on her head and face so me and my mom took turns rubbing lotion on her and we were able to put her to sleep by doing that. She really needed her rest and was able to get lots of it last night. There are still so much family up here. She hasn't been left alone even for a second.
Today the family is meeting with hospice to see what they can do for her at home. There still isn't any word when she will be coming home though.
Thanks again for your kind words. It is more encouraging than you may know.

Grandma Audrey news

I talked to my mom this morning and it seems Grandma is doing much of the same as yesterday. They are sending in different teams to assess her today. We all pray she won't be put in a nursing home. That is something she never wanted. My mom said last night she sat up and in so many words was asking for gatorade and a straw. She isn't able to swallow so they told her she couldn't. She then said "Craig, ask Craig"! Another time my mom said she was staring in to space and when they asked her what she was thinking about she said "Preston.........................he's so smart"! It is so amazing how strong her mind is through all of this.
With all her sons, daughters, grandkids and great grandkids there are over 50 of us and only a couple haven't been able to see her which they hope to by tomorrow. Grandma is so loved and we all can't leave her side.
Thank you for all your sweet words of encouragment, prayers and phone calls:)

Grandma Audrey

This morning my Grandma had a stroke. For those of you who have read my blog in the past know my Grandma also has colon cancer and has been going through treatment. The stroke this morning was so unexpected to all of us. Craig, Preston and I went to the cities to be with all my family. There were so many of us there we filled the whole waiting room. My Grandma could only take a few visitors at a time so we had to make rounds going in to see her. She is paralyzed on her left side and only responds with a few words. When I was in there she held my hand so tightly and then put it up to her and kissed it. Baby Audrey started kicking like crazy when I was in there and I was able to put my Grandma's hand on my belly for her to feel her. She knew we were all there and even in her hardest times is so sweet and caring like always. Please pray God does a miracle and that she won't have to suffer. My only fear is that she won't be around for our baby girl's birth in 7 weeks. She may be even slipping as I am writing this.

Cereal with Mommy

Preston is a little adult lately and he has to be doing everything we are doing. The other day I was sitting at the stool eating cereal and Preston walked up and said "Cereal Please", so I gave him some and of course he had to have milk in it and sit next to me on the other stool. He is so so much fun these days. Very challenging at times as he is nearing 2 but the things he comes up with steal my heart.

Guns.......................yes guns!

Sorry to those of you who are against guns but Preston is REALLY into them. I guess it is because he see's his Daddy shoot squirrels and ALL of his boy cousins are really into them as well. He has a nerf gun which he likes to shoot Maddie with and bring her into submission, a gun that makes lots of gun shot noises and another kind which the name slips me at the moment. He also makes guns out of his mega blocks. And even makes gun shot noises when he points at things. Boys will be boys!

Clowns

Ok so this wasn't my idea........................but Craig wanted to have Preston's picture with the clowns and Preston kept screaming "All Done", "All Done". Meaning he wanted them to go away. Mean Daddy, Mean Daddy!

Rides

Preston kept begging to go on the rides so we gave in and asked him which one he wanted to go on and he said Bees. The only thing is he didn't want to get off and the lady working the ride was so sweet she let us take turns going with him 3 times for FREE. We then gave him the choice of the motorcycles or the trucks and he chose the trucks so Craig took him on one last ride before we left. Needless to say our cheap Fair days are over! Next time Preston gets an armband!

Birthday fun at the Fair

Today is my 26th Birthday and we went to the Fair in town. It was a ton more fun this year with Preston as he can enjoy what is going on around him. Preston loved the animals and got to have his first pony ride. He tried to get it to giddyup when he first got on it but then realized that it wasn't working and enjoyed going around in circles.

P.S. Craig made my favorite dinner which is BQ chicken, cheesy potatoes and my Grandma's recipe for chocolate peanut butter bars. He surprised me with having my family and his over for dessert. It was crazy with everyone here but loads of fun.

Ken, Jen, and Tyler

Our friends came to visit for a few days just as Craig's brother and his family were leaving. Ken and Craig were in the Navy together. Their little guy just turned one! We went to the Mall of America and the Zoo with them. It was so fun to see them again. Preston was insistent that his name was May-mee (I guess the blond hair made him think it was his cousin Mason). The guys had fun fishing into the night, while Jen and I watched movies................................or did I just watch the movie as Jen fell asleep! We also went with to get Ty's first haircut:) We also went to Action City where they had fun with the Go carts. and we played Deal or No Deal. Miss you guys:(

Family picture

Keith, Nicci, and Mason

Craig's brother Keith and his family stayed at our house for a week and we got to have lots of fun with them. Some of our fun included: going to the pool, playing at the park, fireworks and a picnic at Craig's family, playing softball, going to Action City, bike rides and much more. We really miss you guys. Preston keeps asking for May-mee (Mason).

Water play

This little guy loves anything to do with water. He is a child after my own heart. Isn't he just a little stud:)