It wasn't an ornament I was especially worried about. I had moved all the other glass balls out of his reach. This was a cat holding on to an ornament, similar to this one:

He popped the ball off the cat and stuck it in his mouth. I saw he had it in there, told him to spit it out, but instead he chomped down on it and it shattered. I rushed to him and started sweeping little pieces of red glass out. I had my sights on two more pieces, but before I could get my fingers in his mouth, he closed and swallowed. I searched, but those two pieces were no where to be found. He sliced up the inside of his mouth a little bit and was pretty upset. Of course, I was nervous about what those little shards could do to his digestive system and called the emergency room. Calling was a silly idea because they can't dispense any medical advice over the phone, nor could they tell me whether or not I should come in. So I woke up Raven, packed everyone up, couldn't find Matt's new work phone number, left a panicky message with his orderly room, and headed for the emergency room.

He didn't seem to have any difficulty breathing, so it didn't appear to be lodged in his throat. The doctor squished Heron's belly and it didn't seem to bother him. He had some x-rays done (and was such a good boy in there!) The doctor told me that modern glass made in the US is coated and would show up on an x-ray. They didn't detect anything on film, so I guess ours didn't fall into that category or they just couldn't see it. I know that they were in his mouth one second, and gone the next though! So we were sent home and told to keep an eye on him for blood or vomit.

It's been over a week and so far he seems just fine, thank God! I think it's safe to say that everything passed without a hitch. Since Heron's notorious for putting everything in his mouth, and who knows what sort of trouble Raven will get into, I think we'll just pack away all the dangerous ornaments for a few years. In the meantime, I'm knitting up a bunch of cute, soft ornaments for our decorations.

This is my first stocking ornament:

I have quite a bit of red and white yarn and will just make a ton of these in different patterns until I run out. I'll also try some stuffed knitted balls, mittens, sweaters, etc. I saw some cute ice skates but I'd be afraid of what might happen with those paper clip skate blades!

This is what happens when I take Raven out and leave the older boys home with Grandpa. I guess he'll do anything to get out of doing his own chores!

We picked up some fun toys for the backyard. I was thinking of getting just a normal oscillating sprinkler that the boys could jump around in. Then I saw this fancy little sprinkler hose at Walmart and thought the boys would get a kick out of it!

They were both a little hesitant at first. Heron would let someone carry him, but wouldn't walk through alone. Rhino would go with other people but not by himself. They both warmed up to it eventually and were running through it by themselves. I love Rhino's faces whenever he'd get sprayed as he ran through!

The days have been so nice lately and it's been fun just hanging out on the porch. The boys have been enjoying their first popsicles. I'm loving all the summery fun!

We also went out for ice cream at Josh and John's and watched the trains. It's great to spend time with my little brother. And I love how he plays with the boys! They both love their Uncle Matt!

Well, this month has been another interesting one! Last month we were affected by the large earthquake off Japan's eastern coast. Many Japanese people don't have power, food, clean water, and fuel. Our base has been trying very hard to conserve our resources to provide more for the people of Japan. There are still large aftershocks quite frequently and the nuclear reactor at Fukushima has melted down due to the tsunami. The military gave dependent family members the option of leaving the country and staying for a while in the States. Because I am very pregnant with your little brother, the doctor recommended I have the baby in the US, in case there are any complications. We had to decide very quickly whether we wanted to fly back to the States or stay in Misawa and it was a hard decision. Daddy and I aren't afraid of the aftershocks or the situation at the nuclear power plant, but we do want to make sure there is a hospital with emergency facilities just in case there is any problem with the birth. And we'd both rather have you boys safe in the US while the situation at the plant is being resolved — just in case. So, you flew back with Rhino and I to Colorado to stay with Grammy and Uncle Ron. It was a long, exhausting, and difficult flight back (I was 38 weeks pregnant on the flight) but we finally got here!

You are having a good time out here in Colorado Springs. Grammy found a whole bunch of toys for you and Rhino and you spend a lot of the day dumping them out or messing up Rhino's tracks! You and Rhino aren't quite completely adjusted to the new sleep schedule. I try to put you down to bed at 7, like we do at home, but it's hours before you are both finally asleep. I'm hoping that doesn't last much longer! We spend our days hanging around the house, playing in the yard, walking to the park or around the mall, or just going on drives. Rhino goes to preschool in the mornings so you and I get to spend time together until you take a nap. It's nice, usually quiet time that we have together and it's great!

This experience has been a little hard for me. I know we made the best choice, but it's hard to be away fro your daddy right now. I'm glad you're still young and don't really seem too bothered by what's going on. In a way, it feels like we're just on vacation and you don't seem to miss Daddy too much. I really have no idea when we'll be back in Japan. We've been here three weeks and are waiting to hear next week about how much longer the evacuation will last. Hopefully we will be seeing your daddy again soon. He loves you very much and misses you tons.

I've enjoyed getting to spend so much one-on-one time with you lately. Things are going to change a lot as soon as your little brother arrives! I love you very much, sweetheart.

Love and Kisses,
Mommy

Heron's been in the bad habit of throwing things lately. I was snapping some shots of the boys and he threw a block right at the camera. I gave him a firm scolding and he flashed me this look. I'm starting to see this one a lot more these days! He's a cutie, but such a stinker!

Post your "best face" of March over at I Heart Faces!

I asked for identical cuts and I think the lady who did Rhino's did a better job. Heron's still cute with his spiky new do!

I think the haircut aged them drastically! I feel like my babies are now little boys with just the snip of the scissors. I'll miss their shaggy hair, but I think they look really sharp now too!

You're seventeen months old now and we're all having a great time together! We haven't taken any big, exciting trips this month, but have just recovered from getting back from the States. You've been to some play groups and a lot of parties. You had Thanksgiving, too! Last year you weren't old enough to eat our feast, but this year you enjoyed most of the meal (but especially the mashed potatoes!) 

You're talking to us a bit more this month, too. You now say I did it, rub, water, more (with sign language), thank you, all done, and book, in addition to the words you all ready knew. You hold little conversations with Rhino (mostly "more." "yeah." "more." "yeah." etc.) 

You're becoming quite a trouble maker lately, too! You just like to get in to everything! You pick fights with Rhino (you can be a little bully sometimes!) You run away from me and try to hide a lot when you know you're doing something wrong, too! Even though you can be such a stinker, you're still a big sweetheart too. You give us all rubs, comfort Rhino with back pats and hugs, constantly offer kisses, and are learning to be more gentle with other toddlers and babies. 

I don't think you have any idea that you're going to have a little brother and what's in store for our family! I watch you with friends' babies and you love them so much and are gentle, so I think you'll be excited to be a big brother in April! You'll love it!

I love you, sweetie, and look forward to another fun month of new words and new teeth and new messes!

Love always,

Mommy

It's getting cold out and the boys need hats. Their heads are getting larger and I can't seem to find Rhino's cute earflap hat from two years ago. (Would it even fit Heron, though?) So they each get new ones!

Jen and I have been doing a sister-in-law craft-along for some time now. We've crocheted amigurumi owls, embroidered Christmas cards, baked chocolate butterfly cupcakes, and this month we were on to knitting up little scarves for ourselves! We found a cute pattern on Ravelry — the "Cap'n Crunch" Cowl. I wanted to use up some stash yarn and also needed something to keep my neck warm and this was a perfect quick knit! I think Rhino looks pretty smashing in it, too!

I started a hat for Rhino from the Baby Beanies book (Cabled Greens) but it turned out a little too small for his huge head. So Heron gets another hat! I'm working on another one (in opposite brown/cream colors) for Rhino now with a few more cable twists so it's larger. Ohh, and I need to make some pom-poms for the tops! Here's Heron being super cute in his new cabled beanie.

I've also got a striped ripple afghan, four baby blankets, and a pair of slippers on the needles that I've been at forever. Maybe I'll finally knock those out this winter!

It's something that Matt's been bummed out about with Heron. They hadn't really made a strong bond early on. Heron's started liking Matt a lot more since we returned from our trip last month, though. Yesterday he took his first-ever nap on Daddy. The first one in seventeen months! I'm so glad he's finally warmed up to Matt. ♥