The Adventures of Childhood begin

Dawson has officially began boyhood.... and it started with a broken arm.

After playing in Holden all weekend, about 15 minutes before we were leaving, Dawson was playing downstairs with all the cousins. Somehow- we still are unsure, but he fell racing to get a ball. When we came downstairs, Uncle Parker was holding him and comforting him- it was so cute! We took him upstairs and all he wanted was ice- and he wouldn't use his right arm. The whole way home, and all through the night he wanted ice and just whimpered. We didn't get a lick of sleep because the poor kid was in so much pain.


The next day he did a little better after getting some tylenol in him and wrapping it. That night, I had a huge community presentation and made it home about 8:30. Dawson was just waking up from his nap and was bawling saying his arm hurt. He wouldn't stop crying and we finally decided we'd try to make it to the Insta Care before they closed. We got there 8 minutes before closing time.


The whole way to Insta Care Dawson was crying harder saying,
"I'm scared of the doctor! I don't want to go!"
Me and J.D.: "Why are you scared? The doctor will make your arm not hurt anymore and he'll be so nice."
Dawson: "I'm scared cuz the doctor hits me with a stick!"
We couldn't figure out WHERE he got that except from maybe watching HOUSE the medical doctor show where the doctor hits people with his cane..... that was are only thing we could figure out. haha!

So- Dawson was super scared, but once they semi-casted it as you can see in the next picture, he had relief fall across his face. He FINALLY stopped crying- he hadn't stopped crying about his arm hurting since I had gotten home- It was so SAD!


The Insta Care's X-ray machine was broken so we had to wait until Tuesday to go to the hospital and get it done there. Of course, my hero husband to both Dawson and I took care of this kid for basically every doctor's appointment because I had class. He took him to get his X-ray and comforted him through it all. Apparently they had to straighten Dawson's arm for the X-ray which really hurt Dawson and he started screaming. :-(

We found out at 4:00pm it was definitely fractured and we needed to get a cast. Well- his pediatrician doesn't cast, and the other doctors in his office cast but they don't do elbows. So we had to call an orthopedic surgeon. Through prayer and advice from friends we found one and had the best doctor cast his arm.

Dawson didn't want me to take his picture so he kept closing his eyes- little turkey!

The doctor said 19 out 20 breaks, which are EXTREMELY COMMON in this spot for children, have to get surgery because the bone moves. HOWEVER, Dawson's was the 1 out of 20 where it did NOT move! Thank heavens! Dawson was so GOOD getting his cast on- I actually made it for that part because J.D. and Dawson had to wait an hour in the room. This was because they fit us in since he'd broke it Sunday and it was now Thursday. Little kids bones heal faster, so the doctor said it would and could be bad if we waited any longer. So they made it work and got us in. He has to go back in a week to get another X-ray to make sure the bone still hasn't moved, and if it hasn't then he only has to have it on for 2 more weeks! ONLY 3 1/2 weeks TOTAL! So he will start his summer off without a cast! Usually it's the other way around- so we are definitely blessed!

Dawson cried that night because he couldn't get his thumb out. It was so sad! The only thing that made him happy was the idea that Jori and Carson would come visit. So they did! Dawson was the happiest little boy ever! When I got home from school that night, Dawson and Carson had played for hours without one little fight or argument and they were having the time of their lives. Dawson didn't want Carson to leave and Carson did NOT want to leave Dawson, so they stayed the night and had a sleep over in the front room. It was so CUTE!

Ever since Carson and Jori came, Dawson has been happy and understanding about his arm. He hasn't complained, and is really getting the hang of it. He actually taught us the best way to put on his shirts. He is so smart! It's his right arm, which has let us see he is definitely right handed because he struggles doing things with his left. Things that he never has struggled with before. He has figured out that the best way to shower and take a bath is to put his camp chair in the tub and rest his arm on the arm rest while he plays. This was HIS idea!! Again, he is so smart and never fails to amaze us with how he solves problems.

A HUGE thank you to my hunners! He took care of everything with Dawson and manages to clean the house and cook dinner while I'm finishing up my last weeks of school. He is seriously my hero, and Dawson's. I am so grateful for him, and for Dawson being so strong through all of this.

P.S- Dawson refuses to let anyone even himself color or write their name on his cast. Every time we ask him or try to make it sound fun, he just gets upset and says, "No! You can't! I don't want to." It's so funny cuz you would think any kid would love to color with MARKER on their arm.... not this munchkin- he wants a clean cast. We can't get him to explain why he won't let us either, he just tells us no. Silly kid!

Holden for a Weekend

This last weekend we were finally able to make it to Holden. We haven't been since New Years- so we were way past due for a visit. Dawson was in his glory with all the cousins.

On Saturday we headed over to Monroe to watch Parker play a soccer game- which he won and played amazing! Dawson cheered so loud for him. However, twice Parker kicked the ball really hard, it went out of bounds, over our heads, and just about his Dawson and Taylee. BOTH TIMES! Parker's face was priceless as he watched that ball almost hit his niece and nephew. I just said subconsciously he was just trying to play with them.


We took a couple family photos- which are amazing because Stevens' are just good looking people. We took 2 so we could get one with Loni, and Daniel because we needed someone to take the picture.


We had BBQ'd hamburgers on Saturday night after the game. We also got to see Lucas and Molly's new porch and chickens! J.D. was able to put on his new air suspension for the truck and Dawson played and played and played and played until he finally fell asleep.

We watched conference the next day- which was so inspiring. We really love conference and it always lifts our spirits. Uncle Daniel and Aunt Loni bought eggs and dye so we could color easter eggs! These are Dawson's! He's all about pairs these days, except the odd yellow one...we paired it with the light purple and said they are light eggs. lol!

Here's awesome Aunt Loni and Taylee! I love how Taylee is just looking at Loni thinking, "What is she doing....??"

AND our sweet Dawson coloring the eggs! He had me draw dinosaurs on them and he did the rest! He did such a good job and didn't crack one egg!

Well.... that night after egg coloring, the kids were playing and Dawson got hurt.... The next post we will reveal what happened, but let's just say our adventures of real boyhood have begun.
We went to Walmart before going home and Dawson picked out the cutest Easter Egg basket. After Easter, I will post a pic of it then, but out of all the baskets I am really suprised and flattered that he has such good taste! He gets that from his dad! :-)

Dancing

Dawson has been so cute lately! He is really into dancing with his mom, and then telling dad to dance with mom. They both take turns dancing with me. I absolutely love it because I get to dance with my 2 favorite people!


When J.D. dances with me, he always ends by dipping me. Dawson has down decided that he needs to do this too.... I love it, but it's a lot more work on my part than it is when J.D. does it. :-)
He's actually quite good with his form on this- and he will say, "okay mom, down.."

I love dancin with my little man!

I don't have a picture for this yet, but after we dance Dawson will bow and say "thank you" like a little gentleman and put on hand across his tummy and the other he will hold my hand and kiss it. He usually tries to kiss my wedding ring. It's ADORABLE! I never want to forget this!

Stuffed Friends

One day I came in to find Dawson with all of his stuffed animals. He said they were his friends and he was playing with them. It was so cute! Their names were the type of animal they were, and they could all talk. Dawson was including everyone in there adventures and making up cute conversations between them all.

Sticks and Snow

Today we got a little sunshine after the snow storm, and I am basically starting spring break. So, Dawson and I went outside to get some fresh air and play at the park. Dawson had so much fun! He's getting old enough to really entertain himself and make anything and everything fun. I loved watching him!

He found some really cool sticksand would take them up the hill to draw in the snow.

After drawing in the snow once, he would go get another perfect stick to draw again.

Dawson would go get some fresh snow and make it into a really good snowball...
and chase me around and around until....

he was close as he could get to me to throw it on me...

After hitting me with a snowball he couldn't help but just laugh and watch me try to brush it off. Apparently it was hilarious...

AND he'd laugh some more...

He did this over and over and over again. It was SO cute!
Until... his hands were so frozen they hurt. :-(

But even with his frozen hands, sniffing nose, and watery eyes...
Our little man was smiling.

It was such a happy day and filled with joy!
He never stops smiling and absolutely loves being outside! I can't wait til it gets warmer so he can go outside everyday. For now, we will take what we can get!

Grandpa Shelley's Visit

Grandpa Shelley was driving down with Grandma Shelley from Orem (after their visit to Uncle Choc's- my brother). Dawson was OVERLY excited! Dawson is definitely a Grandpa's boy for Grandpa Shelley and Grandpa Stevens. He always wants to visit his Grandpa's.

Dawson and Grandpa

Dawson took a picture of everyone! Here's Grandma...
Here's us...

Dawson played with his Grandma,

and Grandpa!

He had so much fun!

We also went out to eat at Sizzlers- which has delicious salad bar and kids 3 and under eat free! It was so nice to get to spend time with my parents and see Dawson interact with them.

"Bein Grandpas"

My sister Amy's car tire went flat on the freeway, so J.D. and I headed south to go save her. We ended up staying the night in St. George because it was so late by the time we were done. In the morning, Aunt Jori came over and made pancakes for us at my mom's! Carson and Dawson decided they wanted to be Grandpa's..... I imagine this is what they will be like one day in their old age, but I guess they wanted to get a head start on figuring out how to be old.

First, they needed the right kind of grandpa shoes...

then they used the shovel and ho to work as canes...

and then they started on their morning walk around the neighborhood.
(Please keep in mind that my mother lives in a senior citizen community... )

Dawson is always sporting his dinosaur costume.... I'm not sure why, but he became a pro and hitting people with his tail. I guess it's better than hitting them with his 'cane.'Of course, they are just boys ..
and that's why we found a big hole in the neighbors garden that these two hooligans dug up. I have to be proud that they found a double use for their 'canes'