Just Because

I spend a lot of afternoons outside. Lucy is awake from her nap, and Quinn just loves the outdoors. We go for walks, go to get the mail, go to the park, play in the backyard. I like it because it gives me time to think. Quinn is usually driving his blue truck around while I push Lucy in the stroller, or he is pushing Lucy while I stroll at my own pace. Either way, no kid is hanging on me begging for attention. I can feel good about the fact that we are together, while still being able to think.

I think about everything.

How long will it take me to fold all that laundry?
Lovin these kids!
It is getting warmer
I wish my arms looked like Rachel Freemans
Quinn's hair looks so blonde in the sunlight
Is Jess watching us?
Did the neighbor have her baby yet?
What should we do this weekend?
What can I do to earn some money?

And as soon as the outdoor time is coming to an end, I always have the same thought. "Please don't get any bigger." I love Quinn as a 3 year old and Lucy as a 1 year old. They are fun and crazy and make me laugh. I have hard days too, and from what I hear, toddler years can be some of the toughest. But I sure love the life we have right now. I love that we can all be together outside and not have to say a word, and yet we are all entertained. I love our outside time together, just because.

Quinn Had a Hernia!

One day when I was getting Quinn ready for bed, I noticed that he had a little swelling by his groin area. I didn't think to much of it and the next morning I asked Jason to look at it, and right away he said "I bet that is an inguinal hernia". I had never heard of such a thing! But apparently it is quite common. I wish I could explain why and how it happens, but I can't remember! All I know is that it took surgery to repair. So a couple of weeks ago we woke Quinn up early and drove him to Cardon's Childrens Hospital. Poor guy didn't know what was going to hit him! We did try and prepare him a little. We told him they were going to fix him. We practiced the night before breathing into a mask so that he wouldn't freak when they tried to give him gas. ( he is one claustrophobic kid!) He was such a good sport and even wanted to practice when we got to the hospital. Pre-Surgery they let him ride around on a wagon type thing and he thought life was good. When they came to get him for surgery, he was a little scared and had to have daddy come. But the parents are only allowed to go so far. I am sure when they got him back to the OR they gased him immediately!! Poor guy. "He was a champ," the surgeon said "and all went well." We were there when he was coming out of the anesthesia and that was probably the worst part. These kids are mad and angry!! I held him for a long time and he did finally calm down. When we got home he took a 3 hour and nap, and when he woke up it was as if nothing ever happened. He wanted to go outside and play...drive his truck....jump....run! Ah, everything had turned out OK.

Daddy pushing Quinn around the Pre-Surgery area

Quinn practicing his breathing with a "mask"

And more practicing

The end of the road....(you can see above the door it says PEDS OR) Daddy took him as far as he could

2 Years

It's amazing that it's been 2 years since we said goodbye to Jessica. Sometimes people ask me how I am doing, does it feel like it was really 2 years ago. The truth is, it seems like yesterday. Even though so much has transpired it still feels so close to me. I have my moments. But I am ever so grateful for this experience. I feel like we have grown closer as a family. I feel like I have grown personally. My mom asked me the other day if I ever dreamt about her. I sadly had to say "no." But I feel like I have had glimpses into heaven and know my Jessica. I know her likes and dislikes and I know that she is watching over us. Here is her 2nd birthday in pictures!

Until we meet again........

Quinn Goes to School

It is hard to beleive that Quinn had his 1st day of Pre-School this past Friday. For a long time I had been trying to get him "evaluated" for his speech. He says a gajillion words, but isn't talking in full sentences and sometimes (especially to the untrained ear), he can be hard to understand. I contacted Early Intervention here in Mesa and finally after months and months, Quinn has been enrolled in a Pre-School where he will meet with a speech therapist once a week. This is all still very new to us, but my understanding is that there will also be a speech therapist in the classroom a lot of the time to observe and interact with the kids. I am hoping that just being around kids his age and learning new things will bring him out of his shell. I talked school up so that hopefully the 1st day wouldn't be too tough on him. And he actually did quite well. We went and let him pick out his very own backpack and told him all the things he was going to do at school. When we walked in the classroom he instantly became shy, but when we met all the other kids and walked to the playground to play, he seemed to do all right. I snuck away at this point and the teacher said when he realized I was gone, he cried a little, but after that he did great! Phew!!! I think this is going to be a great experience for him! (and for me!)

The only picture of he and I before the big day, and it is out of focus!!

And Quinn Turns 3

Talk about your February birthdays! We are 3 out of 4 here in the Scanlan household. So Quinn turned 3 on Feb. 15. It was a mellow day mostly because we did all the celebrating with family the week before. However, I woke up feeling terrible that we were just going to skim over his actual birthday. So we decided to meet Jason for lunch and go to Chuck E. Cheese. (and so that nightmare begins...) He had a great time and I am glad that we did it! The party the week before was for his and Lucy's birthdays. We had both sets of grandparents over and had a nice dinner and cupcakes for dessert. Quinn thoroughly enjoyed all the presents he got and it was the first time he unwrapped something and actually showed some emotion over what was inside! Favorite quote of the night "wow. Wow! WOW!" He also helped Lucy open all her gifts and it has been quite the challenge to explain to him that even though he opened them, they are Lucy's gifts.

Emily Turns Thirty something

So my birthday is the day after Lucy's. I turned 36...blah blah blah....
I got this AWESOME homemade apron from my friend Rachel H. It seriously was the highlight of the day!! Isn't it super cute? AND it is reversable! Enough said!! Thanks Rachel!

Lucy Turns One

Lucy "eyeing" her presents

Lucy lovin' her some cake

It kind of turned out to be a "Valentine" themed party....but hey!!

Em with her 2 biggest accomplishments.....seriously

Dad with his favorite people

Lucy is seriously the easiest baby ever! (does every mom say that?) She is so sweet and kissable! This past year went by so fast! She is growing and learning and doing the cutest things. Some of my favorite moments:

Walking into her room to get her in the morning. She sits up, smiles and puts her arms out.

Watching her in my rearview mirror. She smiles and fake laughs for me when she sees me watching.

Giving her a bath. She smiles and kicks and splashes the whole time.

Hearing her laugh!

When I pick her up off the floor, her feet latch onto my hip just like a little monkey.

She wants to be big so badly. Although she is not walking yet, she is getting close! She sees what her big brother can do and wants to do the same! Here are some photos of bath time!! Love it!! And love you Miss Lucy Jane! Happy Birthday!