A new cast for Finn

Finn enjoys being back home very much. These pictures were taken yesterday. He was still a little pale and in some pain, but started playing with his toys again and had a "party" with Lily. He lost weight in the past few days, but he is eating again, so I'm sure he will gain the weight back soon and his pants won't be falling off of him anymore.

My "Oh! Twins?!" :)

Luckily, Finn is right handed, so he can still draw and color. He is a little behind in his drawing skills, so I'm happy we can keep practicing them. His favourite colour is still blue, and his favourite theme is still ocean creatures. Here is a masterpiece from yesterday. In case you can't tell, it's a family of giant squids. From left to right, according to Finn: the brother who has grown quite a bit, the Mama, the teeny-tiny baby sister, and the Papa.
Finn is getting pretty good at writing his name, don't you think?

This morning we went to his pediatrician to have the dressing changed. They were much more gentle and soaked it a lot better than at the hospital, so he didn't cry as much. Having his arm handled, however gently, seems to still be very painful though. His arm is bruised and very swollen, as are his fingers, and I was surprised at how hot it feels, which they said is normal. The biggest incision (the one over the fractures) has developed blisters, which might be due to the way it was stitched up or the cast not fitting properly. We were sent on to the orthopedist's office to be fitted with a new cast and this time he finally got a blue bandage over top. We were told to take him to the hospital immediately if he complains of increasing pain or if his fingers swell up more. The blisters might open up and he could get an infection. He is also supposed to wriggle his fingers lots, so I keep reminding him, without much success though. Our next appointment to change his dressings is on Monday, then he will be x-rayed on Thursday for a check-up.

And this is what his room looks like now. A few weeks ago we ordered a bunk bed as Finn and Lily would like to sleep in the same room and Lily is outgrowing her toddler bed anyway. Neil wanted to build it himself, so the delivery guys just dropped off the pieces. Hopefully we can get around to building it on the weekend, although why on earth I would want to put my accident prone kids in a bunk bed I don't know anymore. Finn and Lily were roughhousing all over the one they had at the store while we were figuring out the details with the sales lady. Watching them we decided that no, we didn't need the slide or the swing, not even the climbing post with the rope hanging down, as "cool" as all those options were. We opted for a straight instead of a slanted ladder, which I am very happy about now, as this bunk bed will have three matresses: one on the bottom, one on the top, and one on the floor in front. Not that Finn will be able to climb a ladder anytime soon anyway.

Look how they've grown!

Time for an update on our kitties! Blue and Lenny are so much fun to have around. They are very pleasant companions, gentle with the kids, affectionate, but not pushy. The British Shorthair is a big breed, and at 4 months old they are already as big as our first cat Aimée was as an adult. And while Lenny has a normal appetite, Blue is ALWAYS hungry and loves to eat. If you think animals don't over eat, you should come meet our Blue. Neil thinks that once a week we should let him eat as much as he wants so he won't totally become obsessed with food. Might be worth a try.

Angels watching over me

Hi there, it's me, Finn! Look at the nice teddy bear they gave me at the hospital! He is dressed just like the doctors who fixed the bones in my arm. They said I had a guardian angel because I could have been hurt a lot worse. I climbed on top of our big wooden play train at Kindergarten and then I slipped and fell off head first. I hurt my head and my arm, and Mama took me to the hospital. Now I have two nails inside the bones of my arm, all the way from my wrist to my elbow. I also have lots of stitches in my arm and Mama has to take me to the doctor every other day so they can change my bandages. I don't like that one bit, because it hurts, especially when they have to put my arm back in the surgical cast. But Mama said soon it will get better and I can play with all my toys again.

Seriously?

SNOW?! In mid-October? What happened to fall? Most of the leaves on the trees are still green, for crying out loud. We had such nice warm weather all September, and it looks like we're paying for it now. I sure hope it will warm up again.
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On a more cheerful note: we had a wonderful weekend. Omi Lotti treated all of the family to a 3 day stay at a hotel resort to celebrate her 85th birthday last Sunday. It was a long drive for us (7.5 h one way), but thanks to our in-car movie system the kids did very well. At the resort we mostly ate. And drank. Wine with supper and champagne with breakfast, awesome. We all agreed Omi Lotti is at an age where every birthday should be celebrated in style. Can't wait to see where she'll take us next year. :) The kids of course loved the pool/spa area. So did Neil. While I went down the waterslide with the kids a gazillion times he preferred to hang out in the hot tub with six ladies, chatting away. Meanwhile the rest of the family went boating (the resort had its own marina) - in the rain. I was glad I chose the pool, even if I had to kick Neil out of the hot tub when I could take it no more. How come no hot guys hang out in hot tubs (other than my own of course)?
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And here are some more pictures. It seems to become a theme on this blog, but it's kids and cats again. Sorry folks :)
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Attack of the tiger, watch out!

Gotcha! (P.S. That was totally Lily's fault.)

Blue's favourite spot: Neil's chair.

The new swing is a big hit with both the kids and the cats. I think the cats swing higher than the kids!



Hey, the cat food is here!

Yawn!

Good night!

And when the kids are in bed it's our turn to cuddle. :)

So what could this be?

Our very own version of "House of the Rising Sun"? A nice wall decoration to go with our red couches? A giant Chinese gong to call the gang in to dinner? A dartboard for the vision impaired?
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Wrong wrong wrong!
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It is:
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Finn's and Lily's new favourite place to hang out! It's a swing, a boat, a treasure island, a leaf swaying in the breeze with two ladybugs on it, refuge in an ocean full of sharks, a place to read books, giggle and daydream. And when it's not needed it goes up on the wall. That's what it is!

And, some more kitten pictures, of course. Seems like a lot longer than just a mere week that we've had them!

Lily feeding "mine Lenny"

Wat'cha lookin' at?

Lick it, babe! :)

More cat pictures!

Lenny and Blue are getting braver by the hour, they are playing with us, sleeping lots, exploring the house and enjoy just being part of the gang. As Finn said, "Man, there's a BUNCH of people in our family now!" :) Blue loves to eat, we always have to make sure that Lenny gets his share. Lenny will eat a bite here and there and then wander off again to come back later - which would be fine if his brother wasn't related to Garfield. So if we don't want to end up with one fat and one starving cat we will have to supervise a bit.

Having kittens in the house is a lot of fun. They really are great cats. No wonder the breeder was so reluctant to part with them! :)

Up was easier than down at first

The climbing post was love at first sight, they love to sleep in the hammocks

Maybe if I do a good job sitting on the chair I will get a plate, too?

Well, if it's licking we're doing I can join you guys.

Just one bite, pretty please? That rice pudding smells gooood!

Stay tuned for more. :)