Oxygen Free!

So we finally got the official word that Max can go without oxygen at night - woohoo!

We'll keep tabs on the pulmonary hypertension, and as long as he does well, he'll get to stay off. Which means, he has to go back for an un-sedated echo in several months. Yeah, not sure how that will ever happen. The docs can't even get an EKG on this tornado without sedation ;)

Picture from Sunday before church - the snowman tie actually lasted for a full hour.

Gingerbread Giants

Piper got to have a sleepover at her cousin's last week. Grandma slept over too, so they had their annual cookie making party.

Grandma got these HUGE gingerbread men (from Costco) to decorate. It's been several days and Piper is still working on eating hers...

Sleepy Boy

Piper LOVES it when Max wants to cuddle with her (he's usually more of a Daddy's boy). Even better if he falls asleep on her ;)

 Church is tiring.

Ice Skating Geese

The pond at Sugarhouse Park froze over during this last storm. I drove by the other day to see the geese and gulls walking on the ice. Brrr.

I think This is a Sign he Likes his new Cousin?

Or at least he thinks he tastes good? ;)

Lots of hugs, kisses and stare-downs yesterday! And then Brigham had enough and started screaming.

Still Snowing

Today at noon... about the time our power went out.

Remember this tree two days ago?

Looks a little different now.

 With the power out, we headed to the park to sled. Well, Piper and I did. Steve took Max to run errands.

Wipeout!

Luckily, the power was back on when we got back home.
And after Piper warmed up, she wanted to go back out in the snow.
So we piled a bunch of snow up and attempted to make a sledding track. Not the fastest hill, but still fun enough.

 

And yes, she went to bed feeling sick with a sore throat and stuffy nose - exactly why we didn't take Max out. And, it started snowing again.

What a Difference a Day Makes...

Yesterday - warm and windy - about 65 degrees.

Today - snowing and cold - 34 degrees.

And yes, I did get the leaves raked :)

Petting Sharks

We went to the Aquarium tonight with HopeKids. They have new baby sharks. They're actually not that new, we just haven't been in a while. They also have new smaller stingrays in the "touching pool", as well as a leopard shark and a few small horn sharks. They put the big stingrays in the big tank with the new baby (3 ft) sharks.

Piper was so excited to get to touch a shark. They've had them in there before, and I petted one (they feel like sandpaper), but she was too nervous back then. So she was determined she was going to touch a shark tonight.

  First she touched one of the new stingrays - weird pinkish ones. They feel like slimy rubber.

The horn sharks were too deep for her little short arm, and the leopard shark was always just a touch out of reach. She stayed there for over an hour.

Meanwhile, Max was just happy as a clam to run like a wild man. And push the buttons to make toad noises. It always cracks him up!

One of the 'old' stingrays that used to be in the touching pool.

Piper finally gave up trying to touch a shark, hoping that when she turns seven next month, her arms will be longer, so we'll come back and try again with more success ;)

Max was all of the sudden intrigued by this baby. He got down to his level and had a little staring match. I was waiting for an eye poke or something, but he eventually got distracted by something else and moved on :) Whew.

Orange?

So today when I picked up Max from preschool, his teacher commented that his signing was coming right along. She said she held up a pumpkin and he signed 'orange'! Huh? I didn't even know the sign for orange ;) She also said he signed 'red' correctly. Hmm. I know he watches Signing Time all day and there has to be hundreds of signs stored in his little noggin. Guess I should be working more on colors at home! Who knew.

On a side note however, Mr Smarty Pants, aka The Tornado, escaped out of church nursery and could have easily been a goner. Steve went looking for him and saw him outside running through the parking lot toward a very busy street. He ran after him and luckily caught him just as he was heading into the street. Sigh. This is the first time he's made it outside. So we now know one of us has to be within 5 feet of him at all times. Ugh. Why is it so fun to be chased??!

Strange Kids - Gotta Love 'Em

So here's Piper and her friend, Grace, today, handing out candy to any passerby's... they even got a dollar from the neighbor ;)

*ignore her crazy hair - she's trying to grow out her bangs

And as we end Down Syndrome Awareness month, we jump into National Adoption month. So we celebrate Max some more :)

Today we were playing peek-a-boo on the kitchen table - one of his favorite places. Of course as soon as I got out the camera to take a video, it became a throw the hat on the ground game.

Oh how we love this kid - craziness and all!