Updated pics of the kids

I never take good alone pictures with Nick. It's always Max. I'll fix it in the next round.

Backyard Project 2

1 5x8 flat bed trailer: $100
1 ton of flagstone: $250
1 friend (Rich) and 1 dad who help dig, load, and unload 4 tons of grass & soil from my backyard so we can move to the next grueling stage of the landscaping (loading in dirt and sand): Priceless

Backyard Project 1

We're landscaping our backyard. We have a small backyard. We're digging up 1/4 of it, easy. Unlike when we did our front yard, we don't have a vacant lot right across the street to dump our dirt. It's a whole other process to actually do something with the dirt. It's OK, though. With a little resourcefulness, we'll get it done. Question is - how long will it take us? (We started Friday.)

Our trip to the zoo

The Cearleys did the Dallas Zoo today. We got there just after it opened and were able to stay about 3 hours. Good, right? We were equipped with plenty of food and drink - without it, no way the boys make it that long. Gracie lost her interest by the time we got to the monkeys. But we did get to see the flamingos, turtles, reptiles, elephant, tiger, giraffes, birds, monkeys and kangaroos. She also got to pet an Australian Blue Tongue Skink. It rocked.

The ol' band-aid trick

Max didn't bust the under-the-skin stitches. The doctor said he should be fine. Just put a band-aid on it and get right back in the game.

Max's surgery update

Max just busted his stitches out. He couldn't be controlled at the grocery store and one thing after another, he hit his head on a box of diapers and bam - they were out. So, we're about to go to the doctor to see what happens next.

My prediction is that we'll do whatever needs to be done today and then he'll hit it at least 2 more times before it's all healed.

In other news, the cyst came back benign.

Nick's first step!

Nick just took his first step. Everyone (except me) was at Melissa's and Nick was crouched down, balancing and then he took his first step. Then, immediately fell over.

We've predicted that he would be the first one to walk. He's just going to look so funny because he's so little. It will look like a little 6-month old baby walking.

Keep up the good work, son!

Max's surgery - 3

It was as if nothing actually happened today with Max. Yeah, he's got a huge bandage over his eye and he knows it, but he was no more grumpy this afternoon than he normally is. In fact, I think he actually likes the big patch and bracelets - they entertained them for quite awhile today. After we got home (around 11:30), it was really business as usual. For the rest of the afternoon, they were pretty much on their own routine, including Max. I think, at this point, we're more worried about the swine flu than Max's cyst.

Max's surgery - 2

Dr. Tong just came down to see us and Max's surgery went very well :) The cyst looked like a white pinto bean. They're going to send it off for tests (which we should get in about a week), but do not expect any bad news. The nurse just called us and 'our son is now ready for visitors.'

Max's surgery - 1

Max is now in surgery (to get the cyst above his eye removed). Steph just got back from getting us breakfast. We are both nervous. It was heart-wrenching (I know, dramatic) to see him go back with the nurse. The surgery should take 45 minutes, which is about 30 minutes from now.