“Happy” first celebration of Freedom…and of Ma-Ma & getting P’s ears fixed =)

The rest of last week was more of the same…a miserable little guy:( Steve took him to the Dr. again and he got meds to clear up his chest, hopefully quickly so he could be in shape for his tube surgery that was scheduled for Tuesday. It started working right away and he was much improved that day even. What a relief!

Here is P getting a breathing treatment:(

My friend Beth had organized a little surprise for my birthday…well – it was basically just an expansion of some plans we already had into a few more people and a celebration of my 35^th Birthday. I ruined the surprise by inviting everyone they had added onto the invitation…but it was a great time and just as appreciated! It was a girl's night. We met at Beth's for drinks, went to see Sister Hazel in concert and then on to Fong's Pizza for Pizza and more cocktails! We had a great time and it was a much needed break from reality and a very fun way to start out my birthday weekend! While we were out and about, Steve took Porter to the Altoona aquatics park with his brother Tim and nephew Colin – so they had a boy's night too!

These two are from our pre-party and the concert...of the girls

This is at the concert - Beth and I with Ken Block from the band and the girls we see at the show each year:) 

On Saturday we went to our friends the Lucas' to see the West Des Moines 4^th of July Parade. Porter wasn't feeling too bad, but he still wasn't himself – and the heat didn't make it any better…..at least P's allowed to go naked ; ) It was still fun to see him at his first parade and seeing his first fireworks! 

Our actual 4^th of July was fairly uneventful. Steve and I were just trying to make a dent in the housework most of the day, but when all we seemed to hear was fireworks outside, we took P out on the deck to check out some very impressive neighborhood displays!

Here are P's first fireworks!

My actual birthday was on Monday, and since it was a floating holiday – we were all at home! Steve let me sleep in, made me breakfast, we grabbed a nap, did a little birthday shopping and took care of a grumpy little P – we had a feeling that at this point, while his current meds were focused on his lungs, his ears were causing him problems again (which the Dr. warned us of).
That leads us to the big day! The Tube Surgery – this morning at 6:30. Of course we were nervous for him, but we so want to see him feel better consistently that we really have anticipated this day! It was just as quick as they promised and with the exception of a little "hangover" and an extra nap from the anesthesia, Porter seems like his old happy self (with the exception of a little left over congestion)! Everything looks great! We are hopeful it will make a big difference in his overall comfort and health!

My poor sick little guy :(

I have had a tendency to feel about as sorry for myself (and Steve) as I have for the little guy when he has been dealing with his recurring ear infections and other things that have popped up to make him sleep less than perfect (a little of my pre-kid selfishness that still remains under the surface), but yesterday – Porter was seriously miserable. It is rare that he actually acts sick during waking hours, but we could hardly get him to crack a smile last night and he wanted nothing to do with being put down. He had been to the Dr. and they never know quite what is wrong, but he basically has a cold with cough and congestion, ear infection and to top that off – I am pretty sure he must be cutting teeth.

The Dr. prescribed a nebulizer for breathing treatments, and he even actually liked it. He must really feel terribleL It makes me so sad.

As nervous as I am about it, I look forward to him getting tubes next Tuesday. I really hope it makes all of the difference everyone says it does!

Surviving the Foley’s and So many firsts!

I know I shouldn't be amazed at how many firsts I am starting to be lucky enough to witness daily since it is only the 7th month of the little guy's life…but I am. I am so blessed to see each and every miracle first in Porter's life! So curious to see this little "thing" turn into a real person with such a wonderful emerging personality! It is good to have such an obvious reminder that God brings us all small miracles every day!

We were only away from his Dad for 2 days and he already missed his first swim, his first clap, his first head shake, his first clown experience, his first sour lime face ;), and of course his first Foley Family Reunion! I made sure to video and photograph what I could, so he got to "see" it at least :)

Here are the links to this year's and last year's Foley Reunion Pictures: 

This Year: http://picasaweb.google.com/lori.m.mcclure/FoleyFamilyReunion

2009: http://picasaweb.google.com/lori.m.mcclure/FoleyReunion2009

At the reunion we always welcome any new family members and remember those who are not with us anymore. When talking to those who may or may not recognize you from last year it is a long standing habit to always introduce yourself, as your relationship to your father…."I am Lori, Dick Foley's youngest…" I had the distinct honor of introducing Dick Foley's youngest grandson only a minute before we had to add him to the list of those we want to remember. It was a little harder than I thought it might be….but always with the sadness, comes the smile of some fond memory…must be Dad's way of telling me to, "Cut that out!":)

Mom and Dad at last year's Reunion

So this past week or so's notable Porter 1sts include:

• playing in a kiddie pool
• playing in a big pool and first dunk;) - didn't fuss at all and really seem to like splashing and hanging out in there once he got used to it
• shaking head
• patting our back (like we do his:)
• clown experience (my cousin Donnie dresses up for the kids at the reunion)
• sour lime face (my cousin Sharon asked if she could let him taste it, he did – made a terrible face, but wanted more!)
• Foley Family Reunion – he was a good boy and a very friendly little guy!
• I wouldn't swear to it, but I think he is starting to give kisses – the big wide open mouth slobbery kind!

“Da-Da” – First official word just in time for first Father’s Day!

Porter and I spent the weekend with Grandma Foley in Cedar Rapids and were fortunate enough to see Aunt Julie and Sam every day too!  Mom seems to be recovering really well from her hip-replacement surgery!!!

7 Months old this weekend!

Since we were with Grandma we didn't get to spend all of Father's day with Steve, but Porter did start saying 'Da-Da' on cue to mark his first official word on Father's day!  We recorded it and sent it off to him Dad that morning - Great present:)  As I said in a previous post he has been big on the 'La-la-la-la' (which Aunt Julie took full credit for).  I also noticed himsaying a quiet whisper 'T' repeatedly. There will be no stopping him soon! 

I thought of Dad fondly many times on Father's Day, but sadness hadn't really been a part of it until Porter Sam and I took a walk around the neighborhood, which is something we often did during family gatherings and something I think Dad really enjoyed.  I wished he was with us...and then I remembered he was :)