Rustic Romance

My sisters and I had the opportunity to shoot a beautiful wedding in the country last weekend. The venue was a lovely old barn located on a pretty farm, complete with goats who wanted to speak their mind right in the middle of wedding vows. (The owner of the farm successfully bribed them with food to keep it to themselves. Haha!)

There were flowers in mason jars and Christmas lights strung from the barn ceiling while the bridal & groom and their guests danced the night away. It was a beautiful day, and the couple had a sweet, relaxed glow as they said their "I do"'s and spent time with their family and friends.

It was such a happy and welcoming wedding, one of the ones where you can tell, "these guys are in love", and the people there to watch them make their promises are full of support and happiness for them. Weddings like that make it easy to capture the memories, since the memories they are making are contagiously happy.

Thanks for letting us be a part of this day!

The Bite that Keeps on Giving

So as many of you know, Jericho was bitten by a dog late Sunday night. We had him all fixed up and home that evening after a visit to Patient First, and thought that was the end of it. He woke up on Monday morning with a very high fever, so we took another trip to the doctor, got an antibiotic shot, and thought maybe that would be the end of it.

We've never been dog owners, and never dealt with a dog bite before. Come to realize, they are very easily infected, and often are not stitched up for that very reason. The doctor actually mentioned not wanting to stitch it, and we were kind of confused, but in the end he decided to put in 3 stitches because of the location of the bite (the back of his elbow). Billy watched him clean the wound, and clean it well, but we were later told that a lot of times because of the dogs teeth, the germs are pushed farther down into the bite than can be cleaned, hence the infection (even with antibiotics).

So we ended up in the ER late Monday night thanks to the good advice of a friend and her sister, an ER nurse. (I wasn't sure what to do, but the nurse recommended we have him looked at, and since ER nurses aren't the type to panic, I decided we should listen.) Once we got there the doctors decided it was definitely an infection, and needed to be aggressively treated to keep it from getting into his bloodstream, by means of reopening his stitches, cleaning out the bite, and then letting it drain and air out. (Gross I know...but even more sad than gross to hold his sweet little face while they did all this. Babies always look at you like "how can you let them do this to me, mama?" and even though you know it's for their good it just breaks you in half.)

It seemed to help turn it around pretty quickly, getting it cleaned up and getting him started on IV antibiotics. The IV was a heartbreaker as well, as they blew the first site and had to move on to another spot. (I know it has to be hard to put an IV in a baby, but I wanted to scream when it just kept taking forever and he just kept crying.) Once they got it in, they had to wrap it all up with a brace and a lot of tape, covered up with a sock. It kind of resembled a club, and J kept hitting me in the face with it, whether out of boredom or anger that I woudln't get it off of him I'm still not sure. ;)

They gave him antibiotics in several doses all day yesterday, and we got to come home about 9pm. His arm looks amazing compared to what it did, and we are keeping him on antibiotics for the next 10 days. Hoping we've seen the last of the bite that kept on giving, but prayers for continued healing would be appreciated! We were blessed by so many kind offers and thoughtful words. Something like that is always tough to deal with, but it's easier knowing that you have so many people praying for the little ones who mean so much to you!

Matching Stitches

Always thought Merrick would be the first to get stitches. (It was actually Jericho.) Also thought I'd be there to hold them when it happened. (Not over an hour away in the middle of shooting a wedding.) Also thought it would be because of a typical hooligan stunt. (It was a dog. I really, really, really hate dogs. I've never been a fan, but this kind of seals the deal.) My poor sweet J-Hawk got bit on the elbow by a dog, and he now has matching stitches with his most favorite toy in the world, his dog-headed blankie. Isn't it ironic? And a lot sad.

He was so tough through the whole thing, and I'm glad his daddy was there taking care of him. This morning he's got a little fever, so I was worried all over again, but there doesn't seem to be an infection. We've called the doctor again, either way. Think we will be spending this holiday doing lots of snuggling on the couch with our baby and his dog...the one that's stuffed and has no teeth, that is. ;)

Cheeto Bandito

Jericho refuses to talk, as we all know. He has no problem getting the things he wants, however. Here he was caught stealing his brother's Cheetos.

The other day he showed me how well he understands what I'm saying, even though he refuses to tell me what he wants. First I told him he needed his diaper changed. I turn around and realize he's gone and laid down in his usual diaper-changing location with the wipes. Then he decided it was snack time, so he brings me a bag of Tostitos and sets it on the table where I was working, He repeatedly poked the clip holding it shut, and grinned at me like, "Come on, Mom. I know you know how this works." This baby loves some chips. It offered me some reassurance that, at least, he knows what I'm saying. He's just the strong silent type.

On His Suit and Tie

Merrick notices everything. He has recently become aware of the fact that Billy always leaves for work in a shirt and tie, with his shirt neatly tucked into his pants, wearing a belt. Merrick has also become convinced that this is what men do. Real men wear belts and ties and tuck in their shirts. So, we now go nowhere, and do nothing, without these accessories. He also likes to hang them in odd places around his room, as you can see.

It's driving me a little bit insane. When Merrick decides to do something, he goes all out and digs in with some fierce tenacity. (Both me and Billy are like this, so he's like a double shot of determination sometimes. It can be exhausting if he's not using his powers "for good" if you know what I mean.) At first I was trying to discourage the belt and tie wearing, but then one morning while he was brushing his teeth, he looks at himself in the mirror and says proudly to me: "Mom, I look JUST like dad."

I decided then and there to get over myself yet again and let the kid wear his tie. I am thrilled that he loves his daddy, and wants to be like him. I see so many older kids who loathe their parents, and would rather be like anyone else. I hope that this is never a reality around here, although I know we will have some rough patches. So if that means we wear a tie to the playground, then so be it. ;)