Knee Slapper!

Waving Happy Boy!
Grumpy Boy!

White "Elton" Bear

Matthan "Rock Star"

Matthan "Walk Star"!!!

Surprised by the Camera !

HAPPY! HAPPY! JOY! JOY!

Today was great. Awesome weather. Matthan saw Dr. Otis this morning and was released to walk! He even began gimping about without the walker this evening. (of course, before his bath he told us his hip was stinging ... tomorrow he will not do as much!) Fabulous.

Gorgeous Day

Precious Sleeping Westley
(arm in midair!)

I found my fist!

What is this tummytime stuff?

It is another gorgous day here. Sunny and 70. We plan to head outside in a bit, Matthan is moving about a bit with the walker and Westley loves the sunshine! More pics later in the day.

TAX DAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAIGE

Birthday Cake by Caitlyn

Look Alikes? Twins? Brothers ?!!!

Westley at 7.5 weeks!
Matthan at 8 weeks

Westley

Westley

Matthan

Westley

Matthan with Daddy!

Westley Laughing at Mom!

Westley Smiling at Daddy!

There will never be any denying that they are brothers! You can see the subtle differences in Noses and Foreheads... but that is about all right now. :) Chris is caught up in laughter at these pictures and I am right there with him. Two peas in a pod!

Long Day at the Hospital

White Bear had some surgical work done! Matthan asked for him to have the head cast in the recovery room and then the nurse gave him a "matching" leg bandage.

Matthan & White Bear post-surgery

Mommy & Matthan pre-surgery

Matthan had his surgery this morning. We got up early and headed over arriving at the surgical center at 6:30a. He went back for surgery at 8:30. Dr. Otis came in around 10 and showed us the pictures of his new improved hip with K-wires in place. I think it looks cool. Dr Otis mentioned that he needed to stay and get a total of 3 doses of IV antibiotics. We worked it out that we would stay in the surgical center until 7 pm to get the medicine and then head home! I went back into recovery with Matthan while Chris took care of Westley. We were back in his room by 11am. We spent a fairly quiet day in his room, Chris ran down and grabbed us food & drink as needed. We were able to head home just after 7p. We both had a bowl of cereal for a late dinner. Matthan is currently watching a movie (he napped today) and then will be carried up to bed. Dr. Otis says he can move about as he wants to with a walker for the next week and then bear weight as comfortable for him after that. Usually they keep them off the hip for 6 weeks, but as we know, Matthan is not the normal case here. He is much younger than anyone they usually see with a slipped growth plate and it is a stable slip so weight bearing early should be no problem. We will see how cooperative he is about walking much less using a walker.

Today was long for all of us. Caitlyn came home from school and fixed herself dinner and waited for us to get home. Westley was a champ, napping well and eating well and generally smiling for everyone. Matthan was wonderful, he has the sweetest spirit and was a complete trooper for all the doctors and nurses today. He was very brave and tolerant. He is currently a little grumpy from the pain meds but it passes once we finish them and switch completely to Ibuprophen later. I should add that all the staff was wonderful to us. Chris & I made it through just fine! :)

We thank everyone who prayed for us, we felt the peace. All things considered it was a good day with no extremes and no surprises. We thank God for every second of it and praise His name.

Surprise Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHITE BEAR !!

So this evening Matthan comes downstairs and informs us joyfully that "today is White Bear's birthday". He turned 9 today. For any who don't know, White Bear is a tiny stuffed animal inherited from Caitlyn that Matthan sleeps with every night and brings to us in the mornings to snuggle. This bear has gone through at least one surgery with Matthan and tomorrow he will go through another.

To celebrate this happy day, we went to a local ice cream shop "Paul's Donuts & Ice Cream". Matthan had a scoop of chocolate with rainbow sprinkles, Dad had a German chocolate (um duh) with peanuts and Mom had a banana split (root beer had caffeine, sigh) and Caitlyn being lactose intolerant had a cherry sprite. A good time was had by all, even White bear!

We thank you all for your prayers covering the surgery tomorrow. It takes place at 8:30 CST.

Sunny Day

Watching the Rowing Teams
Caity having some flying hair issues

Hanging with Dad at water's edge

Oh what a beautiful day... it is sunny and 70 something. I love Springtime. My magnolia bush is in full bloom and the hyacinth smell fantastic. We took the kids and went to Creve Coeur Lake today for a long walk. The highlight for the kids was stopping at the shores of the lake and throwing rocks in with Dad. Too funny... cardboard box syndrome. (you know, the cardboard box the toy came in is hours more fun than the toy... ) It was a great day for a walk outside (albeit a bit windy by the lake) then we all came home to play outside (bubbles and ring toss) for the rest of the afternoon while Dad went off to play some music with his guys.

Laughing

Caitlyn holding Westley ~ Beautiful!

Caitlyn successfully got Westley laughing for the his first time. He has been smiling at Mommy and then Daddy since 4 weeks old. He just started at 6 weeks to smile at Caitlyn or Matthan. Very cool for everybody. We thought it was about time we posted a picture of Caitlyn holding the baby! It is wonderful to see my happy children together.

Anniversary of the ending of a Life...

Narcissus transplanted from Mom's house
Not blooming yet, but soon...

Hyacinths are Blooming

Matthan's Birthday June 2006

Christmas 2006

Kid's Corsage for MeMe

Tribute of Flowers for Mom

Blowing Kisses

A Slow and Sad Farewell. (This is todays headline on our St. Louis Journal)

This is a hard day. I miss my Mom, the kids miss their Meme. There have been a lot of hard days since last April 2 2007... you expect the birthdays and holidays to be hard. But in my case cooking is difficult, no dinnertime goes by I don't miss her ... my habit was to call her while I was cooking. It has been that way since I moved out of the house. I really called a lot when I moved to California in 1988 and we just kept it up. She expected me to call her every week and I did. I got in the habit of "just stopping by so you can kiss your grandbaby" when Caity was a baby and we kept that up with Matthan as well. If I was in the neighborhood, we dropped in. Some of the best visits were when we just dropped in late afternoon for a kiss. In spring, summer and fall we could always count on a quick "walk" through the backyard to see the latest flowers, plants, birdfeeder or yard art she had out.

The day Westley was born was way hard... this was the first time that my Mom was not there after one of my babies was born, she did not hold the new baby and gush with pride nor did she have the chance to and make the "looks" comparison to one of my siblings. (Caity looked like Uncle Josh and me and Matthan looked like me). By the way, Westley looks the most like Uncle Josh too, but only when he is sleeping... awake he looks like my baby pictures. He has the Dalton Children chin and I think he may have my nose. It saddens my heart that he will never know her except by our memories.

Springtime for me simply drives home the fact that Mom is no longer with us.

The Magnolia tree is planted and will bloom over the summer. This is my remembrance /memorial for her. The Narcissus Paperwhites (that Mom transplanted from Moner's house to Windbrooke then to Ross) are transplanted now at my house and thriving. There are small flamingos throughout my yard and house to simply remind us of her color in life. Did anyone else know how sick she was of them?! How funny it was that it became her trademark ... not a one of us who knew her can ever see a flamingo without thinking of her. How about string patio lights and large yard art?! If it was obnoxious and might annoy the neighbors, then put it up where they could see it, why not. If they didn't like it or you didn't like it, too bad. That was true of so many things.

Today I just want to say thanks for all the life lessons and thank you for being my mommy.

I Love You Mom ... XOXO
your
~ Steel Magnolia
~ & the Icing on the Cake

Cancer SUCKS!
~It stole a life we held dear
leaving us with only our memories!~
~~~~~~~

Monday Monday Water Water

Lovely Rainbow pouring into our home!

Today was no exception, it was Monday and it was wet. The night ended with a spectacular sunset and rainbow interlude to the soaking we have been getting lately. Our ground is so saturated we are having flash flood warnings all over St. Louis and surrounding. Nice St. Louis weather! The upside is that my hyacinth, daffodils and narcissus are all in bloom. The Star Magnolia bush opened several blossoms today for the first time this year, it was lovely to see. The tulips are pushing blooms up, they will open later this week. I am too happy to see the signs of spring everywhere, even with all the rain. (Sorry for the Cardinals game cancelled on opening day!)

The kids are stir crazy, even when it's dry outside the ground is still too wet to play anywhere but in the front of the house (only on the concrete and out in the cul-de-sac). Soon enough they will have a great playroom downstairs to spend rainy days in (Big High Five to Chris, it looks GREAT!). On the flip side of "Stir" crazy, Matthan really cannot get enough water, he had water playtime today in a plastic storage tub on the kitchen floor, filled with bath toys. Hours of endless fun! Easy clean up for me!

Saturday Night Live!

MMMmmm The thinker, asleep!

Happiness

Daquiri Evening

Strawberry I think!

Today we saw Dr. Otis for Matthan's limp and "wobbly" knee. She (Dr. O) confirmed my suspicion for a slipped capital femoral epiphysis...
(Go to: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000972.htm
Go to: http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/slipped-capital-femoral-epiphysis?utm_term=femoral%20epiphysis&utm_medium=mw&utm_campaign=article
and Go to: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00052).

Friday night after we got home and looked at his limp and asked him some questions, I did some checking online and figured out the knee was not dislocated, rather we might be having referred pain from his hip. This is why we went to the ER on Saturday, if in fact the hip was slipped we needed to keep him off it immediately. We were sent home and referred to Dr. Otis for sometime this week. Today at the appointment, Dr. O saw Matthan's (now occasional) limp and compensating walk, plus he was wincing and rotating his pelvis when she checked the flex in his hip. Sometimes it stinks to be right, but I am glad we caught this before it got more serious.

The bottom line is that Matthan has what Dr. O called a "stable slip" and will benefit from having two K wires (go to: http://medical.merriam-webster.com/medical/kirschner)
inserted into his Right Hip. It will be a simpler surgery than last time, with no osteotomy of the bones and happily for Matthan NO CAST. A week or two of recovery and he should be walking as good as new.

The surgery is April 9th at 8:30 am at St. John's Mercy. He should come home a few hours after the procedure.

Now we really really need prayer for financial provision for the surgery. We have a choice to make in the next two or three days concerning Cobra coverage or a new insurance plan (that has a $4000 yearly deductible ~ YIKES)

Please Pray Pray Pray.

Another Beautiful Day

So, it ended up being another beautiful day here in St. Peters, beginning in the low 40's and ending with 65 degrees and Sunny. Unbelievable weather fluctuations we are having for late March. We are all still laughing at the snow on Sunday and then no coats necessary Monday.
Matthan and Westley saw the pediatrician today. Westley is 11.5 pounds! He is coughing and has a stuffy nose, which I can only guess brother dear passed on to him. We are only treating it with Saline drops for his nose. We would use a humidifier, but I tried to catch the last one on fire last week. (No, really it only started smelling smokey, so I unplugged it and threw it out!) We don't do well with those things, the last one mildewed too quickly. Those things are supposed to help us all breathe better, but they end up mildewing, smelling musty and leaving that white dust everywhere, so what are we actually breathing in? Matthan has some hearing loss due to residual fluid in both ears, the ped wants us to give him an antihistamine for two weeks and then we will recheck them. If he still is not hearing well, then off the ENT doc for more assessement. I worry about permanent damage, but the doc tried to reassure me that it is very uncommon to have permanent hearing loss from fluid. Still I wonder how long Matthan really has not been hearing well since we are catching him reading lips now. Pray, Pray, Pray.


Westley Smiling at Mommy!

Photo courtesy of older sister Caitlyn!

Recent Pics

Mommy & Her Boys

Westley SMILING at Daddy!

Wesley is the Best Little Brother

Matthan & Westley dressed like stripey easter eggs!

Happy Easter!

What an interesting beginning to the day... we awoke to a gorgeous snowfall on a bright and springy Easter morning. It was sunny and snowing. Wild.

Happy 6th Anniversary to Chris & Paige!

Today we celebrate our 6th anniversary. We have much to be thankful for. 3 beautiful children and a very happy life together. Bless God!



Life is ever changing and we are out to begin new traditions with our kids. I am so not cooking Ham today! (I really don't like it without pineapple anyway) We also refused to go with the over commercialized version of Easter... there are no Easter baskets and no candy. We did do a craft by letting the kids dye eggs last week during spring break, but we did not tie it with Easter. Next year listen for details as we celebrate Purim. (Thank Tom Helbig for that one!) We are striving to understand and celebrate the feasts and celebrations of the bible. More on that as we go along.

Chris took Caitlyn to HBC for Easter service this morning while I stayed home with the boys (I love the way that sounds) He was asked to play drums for both services and Caity asked to tag along. The morning has been quiet (except for Matthan's loud talk, he seems to have some hearing loss with this cold he has been fighting for a week) and peaceful. Westley is napping and Matthan is coloring. I am logging off the computer to read.

Venturing Out

Well, last night The Clausen Family went to GHOP (Gateway House of Prayer) for the Friday night prayer set. It was the first time since a week or two before Westley was born. Chris was leading worship and I wanted to be there for the Passionate Pursuit meeting... I have missed it, a lot! It was some powerful prayer and I felt like something really moved in the Spirit, moving prophetically for the House of Prayer. It was cool. We also got to show off little man Westley, though he slept through it all. Chris had practice at HBC today for Easter Service.

We had a little scare with Matthan's right hip, he was limping when we got home last night... after a quick trip to the ER (which went fine, though he still limps) We will follow up with the Orthopedist on Monday or Tuesday to make sure he is okay according to Xrays.

Beautiful Spring Thursday

The day before Spring officially hits and the weather is positively gorgeous here today. It is 62 degrees and sunny with spring budding up everywhere. I could not resist, (even though Matthan is still coughing a bit) I let the kids out front to play with bikes, soccer ball and the sidewalk chalk and pulled up a lawnchair for me with Westley in the wrap. Very nice to spend and hour or more outside. I practically got a tan on my face! Then back in to make a Pork Loin roast and some Thyme rolls. I have the back door wide open and the fresh spring air rolling in plus the baking going on ... Mmmmm it smells awesome in the house.

Well, here it is Monday and we spent the weekend indoors...Family bonding and all that :) Yes, it was cold and we couldn't really go anywhere substantial anyway, not until I am fully up and running from the surgery. Matthan has been running a fever and sniffling and coughing all weekend. Saturday he was crying from ear pain. For all who know me well, my germ-o-phobic tendencies have been making me nutty! I have been trying to keep him from coughing near or touching anything to do with little man Westley... we don't need a sick newborn. Good thing I bought heavy in hand sanitizer stocks! Chris took Matthan to the doctor first thing this morning and got antibiotic for the ears and nose. Can you see the relief on my face! Still covering (and coveting) extra prayers over the kids and us for great health.

It was nice to see Chris have a chance to relax a little this weekend, since I can now do a little around the kitchen again. I am still banned from stairs and driving for another week or two, but boy it was nice to cook a meal, even a simple one. I made Chicken Barese last night. We seem to be headed toward a Mediterranean diet. With my recent high blood pressure and current need (for both of us) to lose about 35 pounds, this seems to make the most sense for health. The hardest part will be parting with cheese I think. We are saying bye bye to most red meat and dairy (mostly yogurt & cheese since we already do soy milk) for optimal heart health. With a huge cutback in all things saturated fats (man those fats seem to sneak right in everything). I was already reading labels to keep up with Caitlyn's Gluten Free/Casein Free Diet, now I am reading for the entire family. Organic & Healthy is the goal of 2008!

On another note: I think we finally have little Westley's digestive track on track. It seems as though he was getting too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk, causing loose and runny around his hindquarters. The poor little man, his bottom is about all burned up and blistered. We had been trying about every remedy out there to fix his bum including A&D, Zinc, Aveeno, Boudreaux's (recommended by pediatrician's nursing staff) and then Tea Tree Oil and then just basic Olive oil (which was not enough of a barrier)... then today the doctor tells us after three weeks of blistered bum to simply use Petroleum Jelly until all healed! (I had tried that too, but combined with Simply Naked Baby Balm) So, after much research online (see La Leche league and KellyMom websites!) about the lack of improvement on his bum, I stumbled upon the connection between the loose and runny stools and his nursing and latch-on habits! I changed my nursing patterns so he switches sides every other feeding, giving him a chance to work harder and longer at receiving the thicker (and more slowly digested) hindmilk. I am more comfortable too! What a great solution... Isn't God great ... we are indeed Fearfully and Wonderfully made!

It never ceases to amaze me at how much information changes between children and I love all the resources that are available now. I have books, magazines and online for all the info in the world at my fingertips. Enjoyed blogging today, now I gotta run, time to feed the kids lunch!

Here is the picture of my most Fabulous piece of baby gear! My favorite The Maya Wrap...

So, I actually figured out how to post my favorite things today... photos. Expect more of them, soon! I am proud of me, I am using Facebook and a Blog! We will see how consistent I am able to be with them both.
It was unseasonably warm today and the kids finally got outside to play (without jackets). It was nice to have the sun shining on the house enough to boost the temp inside to a balmy 75. I have a little spring fever, there is still a window open in the living room this evening. I am off to join Chris for bedtime stories and a game of Yahtzee for the kids! At least until little man Westley wakes up... :)

Caitlyn, Matthan & Westley

One almost never gets all the kids in the picture to smile well at the same time, but I got two of them! Such a beautiful moment.

Daddy putting Westley to sleep

So after dinner on Saturday night (3-8-08), Chris was singing to Westley to (no surprise here) a Beatles song and he tied in Westley's name to the song and brought Mommy to tears... just a great photo op moment.

Westley lounging around with Matthan

Grandma & Grandpa Clausen with Westley

Grandma & Grandpa Clausen visited me when I was just four days old! I snuggled them a lot while they visited with my Daddy & Mommy & brother & sister.

Westley Smiling!

Westley Smiling curled around Mommy!

These days we are sleep deprived but deliriously happy! Baby Westley actually sleeps in three -four hour spurts each night. We really only get up twice in the night for about a 1/2 hour each time. Pretty good, still ... we are tired! What a blessing to have this child in our family. The kids really adore him and work so hard to be a help to us. Westley smiled at Mommy yesterday and then again three times today. Love recognition!