"Heartbroken" Update...

Rememer my post about Sam's toy van being flushed down the toilet? We did get a replacement van and even bought a toy milk truck to lessen the pain of loss even more. Guess what? He's still talking about the original van! And not only that... he's still trying to come up with different suggestions of how we might retrieve it! Yesterday he was flushing after doing his business and he mentioned the van and then said. "Maybe we flush Daddy and he get it?"
Have I mentioned lately how much I love this kid? (Clarification: not because he wants to "flush Daddy", but because he makes me smile everyday!)

Stickers: I have a love/hate relationship with them...

Family Day

Yesterday we packed up the kids and went to the lake for the day with some friends and Grandma. It was the perfect day to be out... sunny, but not too hot. We spent all morning in the boat.
Can you believe this? Maarti fell asleep within half an hour of getting in the boat!

Grandma is Sam's favorite person in the whole world I think. When he's at home if he picks up a toy phone he always says: "Hi Gramma. How's it goin'? I come to your house Gramma? Ok. Bye."

And here is picture of me. My dear friend Katie put out a challenge for Moms with blogs to post a picture of themsleves once a week. The idea is for Moms to get out from behind the camera and reintroduce themselves into the family's photo history. I thought is was a great idea (although I doubt I'll be able to keep up with once a week!).

Heartbroken

If you know our son you know that he doesn't play with his toys as much as he just holds them. He has always been quirky this way. I have a picture of him as a baby sleeping with a matchbox car in each hand. Once or twice I've seen him tuck toys under his chin if his hands are too full. Keep this information in mind as I share the events of yesterday...
Sam was in the bathroom and he called me to come help him. I walked in the bathroom... he was trying to flush the toilet with one hand and holding about five cars in the other hand. Just as he flushes one of his favorites toys, and matchbox van from buddy Gabe, slips out of his hand, into the toilet and is gone. You should have heard the wailing that followed... it matched the wailing of last wednesday when he fell and ripped his fingernail off. Through sobs I heard: "I... want... Gabe's... van!" It was aweful. I did the only thing I could given the circumstances: Tried to stifle my laughter, held him close and told him I didn't know how to get it, but maybe Daddy could when he got home. (I also prayed he'd forget about the van before Daddy arrived!) He didn't forget. Daddy explained that it was gone. More Crying. Finally he settled and throughout the evening tried giving Daddy ideas on how to get it back. "Daddy, you need a rope maybe?"
Today when he goes into the bathroom he's been putting his toys at the far end of the counter away from the toilet. "No cars in the potty, Mommy."
Tomorrow we are busting open Sam's piggy bank and going hunting for a new van at Walmart.

A New Dinner Ritual

The other day Sam was asking Maarti to say "Yes and No". He thought it was so hilarious that hardly a meal goes by that we don't play the same game. I think it's pretty funny too... I'm still trying to decide what's funnier though... Maarti shaking her head, or Sam laughing hysterically at her! I know I'm biased, but you can't deny that this is totally cute!

OUCH!

I have just a few things to say about this photo:

1. As of today Sam now has ten fingers, but only 9 fingernails.
2. You have absolutely no idea how happy I am that Jeremy was home today!!
3. It takes way less energy for a three year old to get a big boo boo than it does for his mom to take a picture of it!
4. My finger nails and toe nails have been hurting ever since the events of this afternoon.
5. I think Sam has no idea he is short a fingernail... he's just enthralled with the "giant bandaid".
6. Did you know that hospitals have paid staff who try and calm children down by blowing bubbles? (Wonder what they get paid?)
7. Did you further know that for a three minute chat with the doctor one must wait three hours and fill the parking meter twice?!
8. Our city's new ER, though very pretty, is impossible to navigate without a porter... it's a maze. Jeremy got lost... twice! (thanks to said parking meter)
9. It would seem that all nurses have candy in their desk.
   

Happy Birthday Sam

On Saturday we celebrated Sam's birthday. I can hardly believe my little boy is three already! He is growing up so fast.

Here he is "extreme coasting". He had a pretty big wipe out shortly after this was taken, but after a few tears he stood up and said "again". Typical boy.

Sam got a bubble gun from one of his buddies. It was a big hit. Maarti liked it too.

And this is Sammy's good buddy, Josiah. We've been having play dates with him and his Mom every Tuesday. Sadly, during the night after the party he went into cardiac arrest and passed away later in the day. If you are interested in reading more about his story you can check out his Dad's blog. Please keep Andrew and Marie in your prayers as they grieve the loss of their son. We are so thankful for the time we had with him and so glad that he was able to spend his last day on earth with us.