The Ritcheys at a Glance

 Our little bear cub got tubes put in his ears on Monday.  He was such a brave little guy.  We'd been "prepping" him all weekend about what to expect and he was SO brave.  His doctor is a Michigan grad, so we dressed Adrey in his Michigan jammies (it's always wise to kiss up to those cutting you open) and headed out the door at 7am on Monday.  It was still pitch black with the time change.  As we're driving Adrey said, "Mommy, it's dark outside, we should go to sleep."  Oh how at that moment I WISHED we could have been in bed.  Although this wasn't our first rodeo (Charlie had his tubes put in when he was 11 months old), and I knew it was a simple procedure and he'd be just fine, there's still always a part of Mommy and Daddy that worry.  It's just what we do.  I wanted it to be over.

Bella, Jen and Mike's daughter, strangely enough, was also scheduled to have tubes put in HER ears the same morning so we were able to socialize and have surgery all at the same time:-)

When Adrey's surgery was over, I saw him coming down the hall (the nurse holding him) and I quickly scooped him up.  The nurse said she's never seen a "baby" wake up from anesthesia so chipper and chatty!  She said when he first woke up he said, "Is my mommy waiting for me?"  (that right there makes me feel all emotional) and then he asked the nurse what her name was and then he shared with her that he was 3 years old!  It's so funny because at pre-op, they told me that kids usually wake up VERY grumpy and to beware!!  It couldn't have been more OPPOSITE of that!

On the way home Adrey said he wanted Cheetos.  Post surgery baby wants Cheetos... post surgery baby gets Cheetos.  So we made a pit stop at the convenient store and got some.  Adrey had about 5 and then promptly threw up.  All. Over. My. Car.  Not very smart on my part, I guess.  When we got home Adrey rested for about, oh, 20 minutes and then he was back to his old chipper self.  And then he wanted his Cheetos again.  Click HERE to watch him devour them.

I told Adrey how proud we were of him about 100 times and I know that made him feel like such a big boy.  That afternoon I layed down with him for his nap.  We were "spooning" so his back was to me.  He turned his head toward me and shifted his body to the side so that he could see me and said, "Mommy.  I was so brave today.  You were proud of me."  Oh my gosh, just typing this makes me get all teary eyed.  He WAS so brave. 

I feel like we can see Adrey growing right before our eyes.  Every day he says or does something that totally blows me away.  He's growing up so fast.  I love him so much it hurts!!

Adrey and Charlie play together more and more these days.  It's fun to watch them.  To watch them in action, click HERE.

And the boys are dancing machines too.  Click HERE to see their moves.

Charlie did a face plant right onto our marble floor.  He really got his forehead good.

Below is Adrey imitating how John lays on the playroom floor... 

The boy's friend Blake had his third birthday party the first Sunday in March.  It was originally supposed to be at the zoo, but because of bad weather we ended up at Chuck E. Cheese.  I won't go into detail how I thought the party was Saturday at the zoo and how John and the boys went (I had to work) all ready to party, present and all, only to find the party was the NEXT day.

Classic...

The Ritcheys and KK made a trip up to the outlet mall to do some shopping...

To watch Adrey making Charlie laugh, click HERE.

Naples just got the most wonderful Children's Museum.  It's beautiful and the kids really enjoyed it.  We are members and the museum opens an hour earlier for members so we had free reign of the place for an entire hour.

The boys really enjoyed it.

UNTIL...

THE MELTDOWN.

Charlie got so mad and I have no idea why!  This was his second tantrum he's ever had.  And he was in RARE form.  He wouldn't even look at me.  And if I looked at him he'd grunt and turn around 180 degrees so there was no chance in hell that I could look at him in the face!  I'm sorry, but it totally makes me laugh.  Which is why I had to get it on video.  To watch, click HERE.  Just after shooting this, we went over to the "boat" and started fishing where I promptly dropped the oar on my foot and almost passed out because the pain was so bad and the vein on the top of my foot was sticking up about 1/2 inch.  Vomit.  Who gets hurt at the Children's Museum?  Nurse Jen had to reassure me that my foot wouldn't fall off because I was convinced it would.  It didn't, if you're wondering.  She was right.

I practically had to drag him outside for a snack and then once he saw food he was a NEW MAN!  A totally new lease on life! 

I have no words for these next couple pictures...

(Oh, but a BIG shout out to ME for finally completing the CHARLIE letters above Charlie's crib... yay me!)

The back lanai has proven to be the BEST!  The boys love playing out there!

CHEEEEEEEEEEESE!!

Ok, so I HATE bugs.  I get totally freaked out by them and I act completely idiotic when I come upon one in the house.  And I guess I haven't hidden it very well from the boys.  Click HERE to watch Adrey's interpretation of me when finding a bug.  Oh geez....