Well, it's been a long since since I updated this thing. I'm hoping I can keep up with it. I really enjoy reading everyone else's blogs, especially when they share pictures! So here I go: January started with the ending of a wonderful year. We didn't get any new jobs or a new house or add any new family members, so it was a pretty average year. It was great though. We had a great Christmas, which I will try to upload photos from later. For now, here is one of Emma pushing her new best friend, Mickey Mouse, around in her new stroller. She is in love with this guy. Actually, Jayden is, too. They fight over him a lot. Crazy kids!

And my favorite gift, an Origami Owl necklace from Nick. It has a CTR shield, Jayden and Emma's birthstones, a "Mom" engraved back, and my favorite: an "In memory of" charm along with my mom's birthstone. Nick was so thoughtful. I absolutely love it!!!

This month started off with a bang. Poor Jayden had to have surgery on the 3rd! Without going into detail, he has been having some trouble with his little boy parts and it needed to be corrected. There was some fluid collecting that needed to be drained and he also ended up having two hernias! The surgery was about 1.5- 2 hours long. I was able to go with him while Nick stayed home with Emma. Jayden was a trooper. He was super anxious though and almost refused to take the liquid medicine that would make him pretty loopy before going to sleep. I had to threaten him with a shot to get him to take it, which is exactly what would have had to happen. He does not like getting shots, so he decided drinking the liquid would be alright. He immediately became drousy and silly. He kept trying to clear his throat but was too sleepy and was making himself and me giggle. He sat on my lap and closed his eyes and just relaxed until the nurses came to get him. I put him in the little red wagon they use to wheel him into the OR. He didn't complain or realize what was going on. I am very glad they gave him that medicine because that is where his breaking point would have been. He would not have willingly left me. His best buddy "Puppy" got to go with him and was even wearing a hair net! I passed the time by cruising Facebook and reading my Nook. When Jayden was finally done, he was brought back in to me in a bed with an IV still in his poor little hand. He was crying for me and it was so heartbreaking. I didn't worry too much until that point. He was in pain now and this mommy did not like that. Jayden saw me and immediately asked for Puppy. His little buddy. He kept looking under his blanket at the bandages and told me he was hurting. I was so sad. The nurses finally brought him some Tylenol with codiene for the pain. Jayden fell asleep within 10 minutes. He slept for an hour. When he woke up, he was a totally different kid. He had previously refused to drink any pop, which is highly unusual for him. But now he was ready for it. He took a sip from the straw and said "Pretty good." Jayden was back! He was happy and no longer complaining of the pain. He was finally ready to go home. Since Nick had to go to work as soon as I got back home with Jayden, I had to take him to Walmart with me to get his pain medicine, more Tylenol with codiene. It was an adventure because he now weighs over 50 pounds and was unable to walk, so I had to lift him into the Walmart basket without hurting him. It was also a very cold and windy day, so that made it even harder. Jayden did great though and happily sat in the basket. We got his medicine and also picked up a bottle of chocolate milk. (I got one, too. lol) Back into the car and home we went. Jayden recovered very quickly and is now back to normal. Nick and I have to get on to him to settle down and stop jumping and horsing around. He doesn't seem to have any pain, he has not asked for medicine in two days. He will not be able to return to school until next week though. He has to be cleared from the doctor, first. He goes on the 9th and will likely be able to go back to school next Monday. I'm so proud of Jayden, he was such a big brave boy. I just hope this is the last surgery he will ever need. It was a very minor surgery but was no fun for him or us! I am very, very grateful that both of my babies are happy, healthy kids!!! Some pictures! Jayden got to pick out special pajamas to wear to the hospital. He picked Mario Kart!

Waiting for the nurses to give him the loopy medicine!

We got to watch Dora the Explorer while waiting.

And this was Jayden right after he fell back asleep after getting his Tylenol with codiene.