Birthday #?

Some of you have heard the story of someone asking Jason how old he was currently and how old he was going to be on his birthday. He replied quite quickly 31. Since I was in the room at the time and was quite shocked that he was aggravating yet another person ?, I said, "really, do you really think your 31?" He replied with an assured yes and was in fact quite positive that he was only 31 and going to turn 32 on the 26th of July. I told him then that he was in fact 33 turning 34. He was quite puzzled that that could actually be true. So a few days later when we visited his doctors office, while making sure all of the paperwork was correct, he said again to me, "Look, even my doctor thinks of 33." I just shook my head and replied, "it's because you are 33 and will be 34 on the 26th."
So the 26th has come and gone and we are in Eugene this week to celebrate Jason and Justin's birthday yesterday and will celebrate Mike and Spencers this weekend when the rest of the family come into town.
We are having a nice time, Cole and Spencer are getting some time to spend with their cousins who live here. We will see them all again in 2 weeks in Bend/Sunriver when they all come into town for a family business meeting. We are making it an annual event for August.
Jason continues to get stronger, more fiesty, and much like the smart aleck everyone knows and loves. We just celebrated 6 weeks from the date of surgery and we were all extremely grateful at the birthday dinner last night to celebrate another.
Hopefully within the next 2 weeks he will have clearance from his doctor to drive and start lifting more than 5 lbs again.
Then again it's only time, and it's nice to spend time together all as a family.
Until the next installment. . . .

Getting stronger and settling in

Just wanting to give everyone who still may be checking in an update on Jason and our family. Jason is getting stronger and stronger everyday. He is able to go longer periods without resting and walking a bit faster around the loop in our neighborhood. We have seen his cardiologist in town and are getting PT for his leg and trying to get his Coumadin levels figured out. All in all, we are all doing great. All I have to say is thank goodness for the life we live and the friends and family we have who continue to be such a great support for us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Cole is in "sports camp" for the week at our Athletic Club. First day went fine, Cole just takes a little while to get adjusted around new things and people. At least he wasn't hanging on my leg screaming to not leave like another kid.
Spencer is starting to get really busy. He is constantly on the move when he's not eating and now trying to climb on things. He is trying to learn how to go down the stairs and starting to get brave and let go of things sooner. He loves Chillie dog and is always laying on him, climbing on him and giving him lots of love. We are trying to help him to learn how to be gentle with other babies, since he wants to poke their eyes and lay on them to give them hugs just like he does with Cole and Chillie. He just doesn't realize that babies get squished and weigh less than him even if they are the same age range.
Changing diapers has become an olympic type sport. I watched a friend this weekend use the "leg technique" which I thought I would try out on good ol' Spencie. Put your leg over him, give him a toy to play with, and change fast. At least my leg and the toy prevent him from reaching the diaper and whatever happens to be in it at the time. At least this way I am not chasing him all over the house trying to get him dressed and changed and I haven't worked up as much of a sweat by the time I'm done.
Whew, needless to say, I'm exhausted but holding up fairly well. This too shall pass and when Jason gets the clear from the doctor I told him I was going to an undisclosed location for the month of August so that I can have some alone time, by myself :). Not really, but at least I will be able to go read a book while I work out.

Still getting better and better

Just wanted to let you all know that Jason continues to do great. He has his ups and downs with pain and headaches but overall is building his stamina and energy. He continues to struggle at times with the reality that he still is recovering in every way, both mentally and physically. He has some moments of confusion and can't remember much of his time in the hospital. He is tired tonight and resting. Spencer went down early so Cole and I went to play soccer outside for a bit so Jason could have a bit of quiet in the house.
Cole will start swimming lessons tomorrow which will hopefully help him with his hesitance around the pool. We are having his friend Abby be his buddy in his class, since everything Abby does, Cole will try also. We'll keep our fingers crossed.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR YOUR CONTINUED PRAYERS AND SUPPORT TO OUR FAMILY IT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

After 5 days home

Well, I haven't posted since we returned since there wasn't a whole lot to report. We are getting settled in at home and into the swing of family life with two kids. Spencer is cruising on everything and getting brave and doing a few hands free stands before falling down on "buns" as Cole calls them. Cole is keeping us all using our brains because he is constantly asking "why" to everything. Finally we had to tell him to start thinking of the answers first and ask us if they are right. Cole and Spencer are starting to entertain each other a bit more and of course starting to fight as well. Spencer is a bit of a scratcher and tries to bite. Cole will need to get a little quicker and get out of his range faster.
We just got finished with a walk around our neighborhood. Cole was riding his scooter, Spencer in the stroller reaching out for Cole the entire time, and Jason and I strolling a lot. Jason is getting stronger although his slow stamina s still surprising to him. He is pretty good about resting when he needs to and not overdoing it.
We took the boys to the park this morning to play with some of our friends. Then this afternoon I took the boys down to the pool. Spencer likes the water but hasn't quite learned yet that he isn't a fish and can't breathe under water. He is fearless. We are always telling each other that he is the one who is going to give us a run for our money. He looks like a "Johnson" and has the personality of taking risk like his daddy. Even Jason says it. There may just be another generation of "notorious" Montoya boys. Only time will tell.
That's it for now. Until Later. . . .

After 5 days home

Well, I haven't posted since we returned since there wasn't a whole lot to report. We are getting settled in at home and into the swing of family life with two kids. Spencer is cruising on everything and getting brave and doing a few hands free stands before falling down on "buns" as Cole calls them. Cole is keeping us all using our brains because he is constantly asking "why" to everything. Finally we had to tell him to start thinking of the answers first and ask us if they are right. Cole and Spencer are starting to entertain each other a bit more and of course starting to fight as well. Spencer is a bit of a scratcher and tries to bite. Cole will need to get a little quicker and get out of his range faster.
We just got finished with a walk around our neighborhood. Cole was riding his scooter, Spencer in the stroller reaching out for Cole the entire time, and Jason and I strolling a lot. Jason is getting stronger although his slow stamina s still surprising to him. He is pretty good about resting when he needs to and not overdoing it.
We took the boys to the park this morning to play with some of our friends. Then this afternoon I took the boys down to the pool. Spencer likes the water but hasn't quite learned yet that he isn't a fish and can't breathe under water. He is fearless. We are always telling each other that he is the one who is going to give us a run for our money. He looks like a "Johnson" and has the personality of taking risk like his daddy. Even Jason says it. There may just be another generation of "notorious" Montoya boys. Only time will tell.
That's it for now. Until Later. . . .

Officially Home

We are all officially home now. We are still getting settled, unpacked, and reacquainted with our house and what we need to do around here.
We are happy to be home and ready to get into a "normal" routine again. I have to say that the kids have done well and all those who have cared for them have done great at keeping them on their schedules and routines.
Spencer continues to be getting new teeth as well as showing us all of the new tricks that everyone has been teaching him. Cole is running around in his new pajamas that have the superman cape on the back. So for all of you who may be talking to Cole, he has informed me he is ""Super Cole, when wearing his uniform!"
The main obstacle we are facing right now at home is that our air conditioner is broken and the forecast is for more hot weather. The TV channel said it is already 84 and it's only 9:00. So the AC guys are coming out to save the day. Of course, Jason is walking around the house wrapped up in a blanket because his inner thermostat has yet to regulate and his body temperature fluctuates so much during the day.
Call us, email us, and call to see if Jason is up for any visitors.

Pictures of the Family

We took these pictures yesterday so that you can all see how good we all look :). We wanted to get a few pictures with Cole and his daddy and Uncle Justin.

We are planning to fly home tomorrow to Bend. What a relief it is to finally be going home to get back to somewhat of a normal routine.

I have to say that despite all of the ups and downs, the kids have done wonderfully, and everyone else have done their part to be helpful, caring, and not get on each other's nerves.

Jason went to get his blood level checked today to make sure his Coumadin levels are alright.

He mentioned to me this morning that today and yesterday he has felt the most alive and normal again. I'm sure it will only get better as he continues to heal and build his strength.

Take care everybody.