Happy Birthday, Steph!

So Steph's been on the planet for 37 years. Thirty-seven! We had a fun birthday today – went out to eat for all three meals! Among Steph's presents were a very fashionable and protective Hannah Montana helmet and mouth guard. We really have no expectation that Steph will have another seizure, but now she's covered, just in case. The helmet, upholstered with a lovely vintage denim (could it be from Hannah Montana's actual pants?!) and sparkly sequins, came with the added bonus of a couple of back pockets, the perfect place for a list of instructions in the unlikely event of another seizure.

I'm behind on the updates of Steph's seizure. She had an EEG, complete with electrodes spackled to her head with paste, strobe lights, and forced hyperventilation. The results came back normal. Just like all the other tests – everything's normal. So other than the aspartame possibility, there's no reason she should have had that seizure. The chances that she'll have another one are somewhere between 1 - 5% – not very high. Now she just has to endure another couple of months of no driving, lay off the aspartame, and everything should be just fine. Thanks again to everyone who's played chauffeur for Steph. It's been a huge help. She sure misses her independence, but it's been fun for her to spend more time with the other somewhat desperate housewives in the neighborhood.

When I think about it, it's really strange that Steph and I are headed towards 40 in just a few years. We just got married, didn't we? It feels like we blinked and suddenly 13 years were in the books. This seizure episode has gotten me thinking about life in a different way. There was a brief moment in the course of the seizure when I actually thought I had seen her take her last breath. It was the most terrifying feeling I've ever experienced. And then when she started breathing again, it was the best feeling. I never want to have to go through either of those again. Thirteen years with Steph – I'm a lucky man. She's still just as beautiful, dramatic, funny, surprising, and perfect for me as she's ever been, and probably more so. Thanks for everything, Steph. The girls, the fun, the life lessons – everything. I love you.

- Dave

My Little Cupcake

Avery is growing up way too fast.  I have to capture these moments and not forget all the little things she does that make me laugh and warm my heart.  

She had a doctor appointment yesterday, and here are the stats. . . She's still off the charts in height and weight, but her head thankfully is in the 70% range.  She weighs 33 lbs. and is the average size of a 3-year old and she's only 22 months.  People look at her and think she is a 3-year old and expect that vocabulary to be there – nope.  Our friend, Emily Evans babysat her the other day and described Avery's language perfectly. . . it's Japanese!  Avery loves to talk but only a select few of us really understand.

Yesterday I was making dinner and "Her Pudginess" wiggled up one of the bar stools and sat and watched.  I handed her a chip to eat.  She proceeded to smash it and slide it off the counter onto the floor.  I said, "No Avery!  You pick that up."  So she slid down and started picking up the pieces and throwing them away.  All of the sudden I felt a pat on my leg and Avery yelling, "Mama! Mama!"  I looked down and said, "What?" – kind of annoyed.  Cutest little face in the world looking up at me says, "daw-ee." (sorry) That was the first time I ever heard her use that word.  Precious.  We of course had a delicious squishing session afterwards.  Life is sweet.

New Favorite

OK, I don't know if any of you are Lost fans, old X-files fans or you just love mysterious scariness. . .There is a new show out for you!  Fringe.   Dave and I have watched the first 2 episodes, with my face half covered,  and I have to say it was very entertaining!  And for those of you out there who feel they don't have husbands they can share tv with. . .  

Here you go!

I Scream, You Scream

We couldn't resist... 

Dark chocolate with peanut butter, anyone?

Beautiful

Oh Wow!  Look who got into the make-up!

I don't know whose because... purple?

Avery, Avery, Avery

Maybe

Well, we've been racking our brains trying to figure out why I would have a grand mal seizure.  I haven't been on any crazy medications lately, I have no family history of epilepsy, I (hopefully) don't have a brain tumor, and I don't remember having any traumatic head injuries recently.  The only thing that has changed is my diet. I try to eat pretty healthy mainly because of the family history of cancer raging through my veins, so I am conscious of what I put in my mouth.  (Probably I should work on the amount I put in, too :))  But I started drinking Crystal Light lemonade on a pretty regular basis a few weeks ago. It's delicious! And I figured it would be better for me than soda – never been a Diet Coke girl, always preferred water – because it's a low-calorie drink that's not carbonated.  Anyway, I'm not positive that it's what did it for me, but there is quite a bit of anecdotal evidence out there that aspartame, the sweetener used in Crystal Light, causes grand mal seizures in individuals with a sensitivity to it.  That's enough for me!  I hope it's that easy.  

The Garden

I love summer for lots of reasons but one big one is 

We love growing stuff.

It's so fun to go out and see what we can pick off the vine and eat

or lean down and smell. 

The kids love it!

This growing season has been a little more of a challenge than

 our last garden in Cedar Hills.

We have Deer.

I took a picture of this beautiful rose in the front of my house and the next day it was gone!  Just an empty stem where it used to be.  But not just one rose. . . the whole bush of roses gone!  Just a bunch of empty stems!

And I went out the other morning and saw a mama deer and her two precious little babies with little spots on their backs. . . 

Chowing my tomatoes!   

If I had had a gun I would have shot those precious little spots off their backs!!!  

Anyway, here are some pictures of some of our harvest so far.  I guess we'll just have to share with the deer, and next year hopefully get a fence.  Ahh, nature.  We love it.