Vacation?

We left Seattle last Monday for Houston. Our plane was supposed to take off at 6:06, was delayed till 7, and didn't leave the ground until 8. The only good part about being delayed was that our friends the Streadbecks were there too, and we got to hang out for a bit. We landed around 2AM on Tues and haven't had a full nights sleep yet. Dade had some eye goopies that first night, but we weren't sure what it was. He wasn't acting too sick, just cranky to be in a new bed. Then on Thursday he started to cough, and not sleep at night. By Friday he had a fever of 104 even with regular doses of Tylenol. That night Michael and his Dad and brother-in-laws gave Dade a blessing, and he slept well that night. The next day we were supposed to Drive to Dallas to see Joel and Cynthia's baby boy be blessed, and to see my parents. Saturday Morning Dade seemed better so we went. We had a really nice time with my family and left right after lunch on Sunday for Houston. Dade's sickness was getting worse, and even with Curious George playing he cried all the way home. Yesterday Michael's sister Laura called her pediatrician and got us in. We now know that Dade has horrible ear infections in both ears most likely caused by a nasty virus. The virus has also caused him to have a horrible croupy cough, stuffed up nose so it's hard to sleep, and a low fever. This is a new experience for Michael and I since Dade has never been sick before. The only time he's had Tylenol before was when he got his shots. We're now dosing him with three different medicines several times a day. We leave Wednesday at 5pm, as long as there aren't any more winter storms with delays all around. Hopefully the antibiotics will have taken affect by then, and the plane ride won't be miserable.
I know that was a whole lot of not fun stuff, and really its been wonderful to be here with Michael's family. They have all been extremely helpful with Dade, even taking care of the sicky so Michael and I can go out alone. I just wish that Dade wasn't so miserable so that Michael could be more relaxed on this "vacation". I'll definitely post some family pictures and talk about Christmas later on when we are back home. Hopefully the next couple of days Dade will feel better and we'll get to sleep more.

It's been a little while since I've been able to update since our PC busted. I'm now using Michael's Mac and it's taking some getting used to. Right now if I had my way I would be on a good old lap top, but it's not really worth the $200 it would take to fix it.

Today was Michael's graduation day from the Art Institute. Unfortunately due to inclement weather the school canceled the ceremonies. They are allowed to walk in the March graduation ceremony, and I think Michael will. After all what good is a cap and gown unless you walk across a stage and pick up your diploma. Here is Michael explaining, and Dade's first walk in the snow.

We took our laptop to Best Buy for data extraction so that we could save all of the pictures and videos of Dade. We would have been really sad to lose memories. Such as these pictures...

Like Dade talking on the Streadbecks play phone,

getting ready to go out. ;)

and being just oh so cute.

My friend Heidi let us borrow her nice camera and tripod to take our own Christmas pictures. We went to Howarth Beach in Everett, and even though it was a little chilly the sun was out. I'm not going to post the picture that we chose since that would ruin the surprise of our Christmas card, but I will post a couple of cool pictures from that day.

Dade had fun until he fell down in the wet sand, and got really cold.

I think this will do for now. We'll be leaving for Houston on Monday, so I'm not sure when I'll get another chance to blog... So Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!

word of caution

It's been awhile since I've posted.    Michael and I have been trying to save all the pictures and videos off the laptop that crashed last week.     One day I turned on the computer and it just wouldn't work.    Michael tried taking it to some friends from work, who said that they have never seen a virus like it.   Not good news since all of Dade's videos, and most of our recent pictures are on that computer.   We haven't given up hope yet, but I haven't had any new pictures to publish.   So as a word of caution -Back up ALL your important files off your computer.

then and now

Over a year ago in late July, while I was still pregnant, Michael and I took a family self portrait at Martha Lake. It was just a couple of weeks before Dade officially joined our family.

Then a couple of weeks ago we took another family portrait in the same spot.
It's pretty fun to think of all that has changed in a little over a year. I love my little family, and try to remember how blessed we all are.

Halloween

We've had lots of fun this Halloween season starting with a church playgroup party on the 22nd. It was a soup and bread potluck, and we brought our yummy veggie chili-though only Michael ate it. There were so many cute costumes with lions, elephants, cowboys, and princesses. Dade dressed up in his fisherman overalls, carrying a bamboo pole with a salmon attached. Though he didn't keep his hat on for longer then this picture, he was still pretty cute.
There was also a set of bowling pins that was very popular.




After the party we helped put everything away, and Dade helped sweep the gym. When Dade saw this huge broom he was so excited. His most favorite thing to play with is any broom, so you can imagine how sad he was to leave.

This past Monday we went as a family to a u-pick pumpkin patch that was pretty well picked over. There were a lot of cool things that would have been open on the weekend, but on Monday afternoon we were almost the only ones there. Michael tried to let Dade ride in the wheelbarrow, but he wouldn't have it. Proving what a strong boy he is he tried to push it himself. Michael helped a little.

Then he helped us pick out just the right pumpkin.
We never ended up carving the pumpkin, but Dade loves to roll it around and sit on it.
Last night we were going to go to the ward's trunk-or-treat, but got a call from the Spujts saying that it was already winding down at 7. So with Dade already in his super cute monkey costume, and Michael and I in cowboy attire we headed to the Mill Creek Town center for trick-or-treating. There weren't too many stores still handing out candy by the time we got there at 7:30, but really I just wanted to show off how cute Dade was. As parents it's nice to hear even if you already know it.
The pictures that I got of Dade in the house were not that great thanks to poor lighting, and a cheap camera. Also its hard to take a good picture of a moving target.
Here is Dade with his favorite broom, and another of Michael the cowboy and Dade the monkey.
Just in case you were wondering Michael's mustache is the real deal. he and a few friends from school decided to grow mustaches this semester. We'll see how long it lasts, but it really doesn't look bad. It definitely works with his costume.
Sorry this post turned out to be so long, but we had a lot of fun this year.

Beach Cookout

A couple of weeks ago Dade and I were invited to go with the Streadbecks and Spujts to the beach for a cookout. It was my first time at a beach bonfire and I really had fun. We got there around 4:45, with the sun nicely up and warm, and stayed until the sun was gone. We went to Richmond beach that had a firepit at the shelter, so we weren't directly on the sand.

Here are Brielle, Dade, Amie, Madilyn, Heidi, and Hyrum by the water. I was pretty proud of all the kids for not running into the water. Dade just stood at the edge and watch the waves. While we were playing by the water, the Heidi and Amie's husbands were making fire. Michael had to work that Saturday, or I'm sure he would have been playing too.

Somehow hotdogs cooked over an open flame taste better. At least that's what Dade must have thought since he stole Hyrum's hotdog.
Later we roasted marshmellows for smores, and the boys took this opportunity for more fire.

Here is Russell coming back with just enough wood ;

We had to wait for awhile for the flames to die down to coals for roasting. By the time we were done the sun was gone, and putting out the fire was a little tricky.

As the sun was setting I witnessed the perfect Seattle moment-

Goodbye Summer

The tree outside our window is bare, which can only mean one thing...The End of Summer!

Because so many of the trees up here are pine trees, we don't really get the full Fall effect. It just starts getting colder and it rains more often.

I haven't posted in awhile and wanted to catch up on some pictures that I didn't post yet. Michael's bro-in-law John surprised his wife Julia with a trip to Seattle and we got to visit with them. Dade really liked his Aunt and Uncle.

That visit was at the beginning of August, but I have been remiss in posting that cute picture.
On Labor Day we got together with our friends from the ward for an end of Summer bash. The food was good, the weather was nice, badminton was fun. The only bad thing was that Michael got ~15 mosquito bites on one arm. Luckily they weren't enormous Texas mosquitoes, but then he would have seen them coming.

Here is Dade with his friends Gabe, Maddy, Hyrum, and Briele (SP?).
Here I am playing Badminton with Paige, Heidi, and Amy. It was funny the difference between how we played and how the boys played. Mostly we would stand still and watch the birdie fall, while the boys went all out as you can see below.

Recently Dade and I went to the zoo with the Spujts, Streadbecks, and Paige. We had lots of fun watching the animals. I was most excited about finally seeing the miniature cows!

It might be kind of hard to tell how small they were, but this next picture shows that I was actually taller then the cow. pretty cool huh?


I've been thinking about babies a lot recently since I know so many women who are pregnant. I just want to end this post with a picture of Dade from his very first day.
Okay, maybe two.

On another note I wanted to let everyone know that Michael got straight A's last Semester and is on the Dean's list. I'm so proud of all the work that he has put into his schoolwork. I guess the big secret is to find something that you love doing.
love to you all.
Joy- and family.

Good clean fun

I was kneeling in front of the computer (since Dade won't let us sit on anything higher than the floor) when I looked to see what Dade was up to. I found him in his toy basket playing with his most favorite thing ever

a computer mouse. Its fun when Dade discovers new tricks that are way cute. Though not as much fun when he figures out tricks like climbing into chairs, and on top of ottomans. It's the good clean fun of climbing into toy baskets that I like the best.
Michael only has two weeks left in this semester and the stress level in our house has shot up. He doesn't have finals really, just a lot of projects that he has to finish. Unfortunately when he is home during the day it's hard for him to work because Dade just won't stand for being left out of playing on the computer. We may have to move Michael's computer into the bedroom for a little while.
This past week has been beautiful with every day sunny and ~70. I think it's pretty safe to say that Summer is over here in Washington, not that I'm complaining. Just as long as Fall lasts more then a couple of weeks.
I recently bought some cloth grocery bags from Fred Meyer. Now I don't feel awful grocery shopping because it doesn't take 6 plastic bags to get home. Also because they are so strong we can use them for all sorts of things like trips to the beach, and as an indoor swing.

I don't think you can tell from this picture by Dade now has hair all over his head. It's still very light, but in the sun it looks a little red. Maybe he'll actually need a hair cut by the time he's two. ;)

The Funnies

There are a couple of comic stips that I read regularly online.  One of them is on Comics.com called Boy on a stick and Slither that usually makes me chuckle.    It's definitely not lighthearted and maybe a little cynical, but still pretty funny.    One a couple of days ago made me laugh, so I decided to post it.  Enjoy!

(There is also the official website www.boasas.com if you wish to read the older strips)

and another just because.

Doctor visit

Dade and I just got back from the Dr's, and the official numbers are in.  Dade is 24.04 lbs, and 30.5 in tall.  He is still in the 75% even though it feels like he is in the 90th for weight.   

The visit went okay because we both really like Dr. Reese, but shots are no fun.     He is a pretty brave boy though, he only cried while on the table.   As soon as I picked him up he started to calm down, and then eating a rice cake helped the rest of the way.  Before the shots I tried to demonstrate Dade's cough by running him up and down the hall, trying to tickle him, and have him jump on the table.   I felt pretty foolish since it didn't work, but she listened to his lungs anyway and didn't hear anything bad.    I'll just pay attention better to what exactly brings on his coughs, and next time maybe we can demonstrate.  

We had our Summer here last week when it got to 100 in some places.   Here is only got to ~90, but it was plenty hot.    Right now its back to normal at 72 and it's supposed to rain all week.    It's really nice not to have all the fans on anymore, and not be sweaty all the time.    

Here is the address to my youtube page with all sorts of fun videos of Dade.    Including his newest video that shows just how good he can walk.   Enjoy!

www.youtube.com/user/joylwatson 

Dades Birthday Days

Today is Dade's first birthday and I can't really believe it. It doesn't seem like it has been a year. He has gotten too big really, and he is walking all the time now. I can remember just a couple months ago having bad dreams about Dade walking because that would mean that he is growing up. I know how silly that sounds, but I promise I am trying to enjoy everything now and not just worrying about whats to come.
We had a party for him last Saturday that we invited ward friends to. We had it at the apartment complex clubhouse since our apartment is so small. We had ~20 people come and really had a lot of fun. Here are some pictures including Dade's cake that I made. I found the recipe online and I think it turned out pretty well.

Above you see Dade's cake, and below is Dade with his cake. We couldn't light any candles, but we sang him Happy Birthday.

This is the craft table that we set up for the older kids. Everything was jungle themed, and they had pictures of lions, hippos, monkeys, etc. to color and decorate.
I have to say that without Sarah I don't think that the party would have turned out as well. She may not feel that she did much, but just having her there to turn to with questions calmed me down immeasurably.
Today was pretty laid back since Michael had the car at school all day. Mostly we just played with Dade's new toys. Here is his newest cute face that Grandma Donna taught him while she was visiting. She bought this fire engine for him that goes by itself when you push the driver. He is wearing his new PJs from Grandma April which are really cute.

When Michael got home around 5 we all went to dinner at Claim Jumpers. We got a chocolate cupcake to take home since I really didn't feel like making another cake. Here is Dade enjoying his birtday treat.

Thank you to everyone who sent us cards, and called to wish Dade a happy birthday. I'm positive that if he knew what was happening he would say thank you himself.

Love to you all.
Joy, Michael and Dade

Jetty Island

I usually don't take Dade to the Church playgroup because its during his morning nap. This week they went later so I got to join them on an adventure to Jetty Island. Jetty is a man made Island just off the coast of Everett (which is ~15 min North of Lynnwood). The beach is really sandy and the water is very shallow and warm. When we got there it was low tide and the water was really far away, as you can see here.
The sand out to the water was really mushy and hard to walk in. Also, there was seaweed all over farther out. Dade didn't really like the water too much because he couldn't walk very well in the mud, also the waves kept pushing him around. My friend Tammy took this picture of Dade and I.
After the other kids came down he had fun playing with them in shallower water, and then later he enjoyed playing in the sand. The return ferries were booked solid, but the playgroup had already gotten tickets home, or else we would have been stuck on the beach for 4 1/2 hours. As it was, we were there for ~3 hours and the kids were starting to melt down. Here is a picture of Hyrum and Dade playing together, and of Dade with his favorite beach toy-Notice how close the water is now, the tide came in really fast.

I covered Dade with sunscreen, but of course stupidly did not put any on myself. Suffice it to say, I am burned pretty bad. The back of my neck is the worst since my hair is so short. Michael was nice enough to go get me some Aloe Vera and it already feels better.
All-in-all it was a really fun trip, and I'll definitely try to go back this Summer with Michael. It's especially worth it since the ferry is free.

We are now officially back in school mode in our house. Michael got an internship at a post house downtown called Clatter & Din. So far he has gotten to rearrange cupboards, get the clients lunch, and file paperwork. Hopefully within a couple of months he will actually get to sit in on meetings, or at least help in the studios. He is actually working there till late tonight at a party that Clatter & Din is having for clients. Mostly he'll be serving and cleaning up, but he will get a chance to get to know some big wigs.

My mom came to stay with Sarah and Jon's family from the 12th to the 29th, and dad came up from the 24th to the 29th. It was more fun than I can say to see them both. Dade loved his grandparents, though he was a little cautious at first. He is always shy of new people though.Mom stayed with me for a couple of days and I tried to show her my daily routine, but because Dade was so sleep deprived from being trucked around for a week, he wasn't really himself. Mom and I went to Richmond Beach with Dade and had a great time. It was cloudy that day and a little cold, but the fact that it was low tide made up for all of that. We got to see all sorts of Sea Anemones, clams, barnacles, and as we were leaving we saw a sea otter. We didn't see any live crabs, but plenty of crows looking for them. Here is mom helping Dade walk around the beach. He really liked to sit and throw rocks around, and taste them of course.
When Dad was here we all went back together with Sarah's family to play in the water. It was a really nice day and Madeline had fun splashing around. Poppy and Dade didn't like that water too much after a cruise ship went past and made really big waves. Poppy got knocked down and Dade just thought it was too loud. Here is a picture of everyone.
and here is a picture of the cruise ship that caused the huge waves.

We also all went to Snoqualmie falls, though only Michael and I actually went by the water. The rest of the family had gotten up early to work on the yard, and didn't really want to scale down huge boulders. (who knows why ;)

here is Michael getting a better view of things. We also went to the Seattle Science Center where Mom and Madeline sat on huge chairs, Michael tried to see how strong he really was, and the kids had a blast in the play area.


These pictures aren't really in order of when they happened, but the important thing is that they did. All in all it was a really great couple of weeks. And because mom said no pictures of herself here is just one more of my beautiful mother watching over baby Dade.

You may notice that I was missing from all the pictures, but that is not my fault. Being the unofficial photographer in this group, there just weren't any pictures of me. Not that I'm complaining.
Hope you enjoy the update.
Love to all
Joy
P.S. Dade now stands up in the middle of the room without using his hands, and then walks to where ever he wants to be. He doesn't always succeed, but he is getting mighty close.