Faith will move mountians

William Douglas

2010-08-22T16:50:00.000-07:00

My Grandpa passed away today. He was 88 years old. When he was here visiting for his 80th birthday, he told my mom not to grieve if anything happened to him. He had lived a full life and was ready to move on.

My Grandma passed away many years ago leaving my Uncle Earl and Grandpa the only family on the east coast. Last year my Uncle lost his job and decided to follow through with plans to move to Arizona. My parents moved to Arizona too and they purchased a large house with my Uncle. The plan was to have my Grandpa move in with them.

After my parents and Earl got settled in, it was time to get my Grandpa. I know it was a rough transition for him. He was blind and had to learn to navigate in his new surroundings. During the course of the year my sister Khim and her husband Kevin (fiance at the time) were able to visit. Khim was thrilled to see Grandpa and to receive his blessing for their marriage. Dylan and I were able to visit too and Grandpa got to meet his great-grandsons. He could not see them but I know he enjoyed hearing them laugh and play. I think Ky climbed under the table a few times while Grandpa was eating and played with his feet. I think we got a little chuckle from Grandpa. =)

He was in pretty good health until a few weeks before my sisters wedding. He was having trouble walking, got the chills, wasn't eating well and seemed really confused. My mom was worried to leave for the wedding knowing how difficult it was for Earl to take care of him. He seemed to get a little better so my mom left for the wedding with Grandpa heavy on her mind. Two hours after my mom and dad returned to Phoenix the decision was made to call an ambulance for Grandpa. He was having a hard time breathing.

The prognosis was not good. He was in renal failure, had fluid around his heart and in his lungs. He was in the hospital for a few days and then went to hospice. He slipped into a coma yesterday afternoon and my parents were told that he did not have much longer. We prayed he would pass soon and be free of pain. He passed peacefully at 630am.

I am so happy that he was able to spend his last year with his children and that they were with him and able to say goodbye. I know he left this world feeling loved.

2010-07-07T17:52:00.000-07:00

We picked blueberries today. The boys ate a lot. Riley picked them off of the ground and Kyler picked them from the trees. We would have stayed longer but we were worried they would get sick from eating too much. Then we had a picnic. A great family day.

Cute story

2010-05-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

Well I thinks its a cute story. I have 4 inch tall figurine that I got at my baby shower for Riley. It's a pregnant women wearing a cape, on the bottom it says "super mom-to-be". It hangs out on the top shelf in the nursery. Well recently Riley has spotted this figurine and has wanted to play with it. The first time he held her he pointed to her and said "mommy" then pointed to me and said "mommy." He gave her a kiss then walked over to me and gave me a kiss. It was so sweet. Now every time he plays with her, we both get a kiss =). It chokes me up every time.

Trip to Seattle (again!)

2010-03-24T21:18:00.000-07:00

Feels so good to be home! We went to Seattle for 2 1/2 days to celebrate Kyler's first b-day.

Ok - I am so bad about this. I started writing this weeks ago and I am just now getting back to it. I can hardly remember the trip. Let's see what I can remember . . . .

We drove down to Seattle on Monday. The plan was to go straight to Snoqualmie to spend time with Lori and Samara and to stay with them on Monday night. We were going to watch Samara on Tuesday and bring her with us to the party so that Lori would not have to go to Bothell to pick her up from daycare. This way, Lori could make it to the party on time. Unfortunately, Samara came down with pink eye so we needed to stay away for a while.

The new plan - stop by Costco and get the food for the party then go to my Aunts house to drop off the food, let the boy's nap and decorate. After naps we met Deanna, David, Kris, Jo, April and Carl for dinner at the Ram in Puyallup. We had a great time! It was wonderful to be surrounded by good friends and Family.

We headed to Snoqualmie after dinner. Brad decided to stay home the next day to care for Samara. So we got to spend the morning with Brad and Samara before heading to my Aunts house to get ready for the party.

The party was a success. My Aunt had spent a lot of time cleaning inside the house and of course the kiddos headed straight to the backyard. There were a lot of kids and they all seemed to have a great time. We ate some yummy lasagna (thanks costco!) opened gifts and got really messy with cake! I got to see a lot of people who I don't get to see very often. It was great to have them there to help Kyler celebrate!

Trip to Seattle

2010-01-09T22:01:00.000-08:00

I had a wonderful time in Seattle. I left on Tuesday after Christmas. I had to drive down there by myself because Dylan had to be in Salt Lake City that evening. The first night I stayed with my friend April in Fife. It was great seeing her and her fiance, Carl. We had a nice breakfast on Wednesday and then I headed over to my Aunts house in Federal Way.

Wednesday evening I got to spend time with all of my cousins. It was great to be able to see Angela and John who were visiting from California. I found out that they are expecting! Yay - congrats! I also got to spend some time with Deanna and hear about her wedding plans and see some pictures of her dress. I was able to see Jason and Valerie and Jocelyn too - miss you guys.

Dylan was put on long call for new years eve so he was able to meet me in Seattle on Wednesday. We headed over to my friend Lori's house on New Years Eve day. It was the first time we saw here beautiful new home in Snoqualmie. The location is beautiful. It was a wonderful New Years Eve! The best I have had in a long time. A few of my oldest friends gathered at Lori and Brad's house with all of their Kiddo's. I got to meet the newest addition, Charlotte Cadice, what a cutie! We had adults and kids sleeping everywhere including a toddler sleeping in the pantry - good times!

We had a nice breakfast on Friday morning then Dylan headed back to the airport in the afternoon. I stayed one more night with Brad and Lori and then headed home early Sunday. Ky got tired of being in the car about 15 minutes before we got home. Other then that, the drive was good =).

Christmas!

2009-12-27T09:03:00.000-08:00

This Christmas was so different from last year. The Christmas snowstorm of 2008 had stranded my parents in Port Orchard. Dylan was in New York sitting on reserve and we had already celebrated our Christmas together. So it was just me, my sister and Riley. We went to a movie and enjoyed each others company but it was lacking that Christmas spirit.

Christmas of 2009 was a bit different. Wednesday morning Dylan checked his schedule and found out that he was on long call. That meant he would be home Christmas Eve morning (if he didn't get called for a trip.) It had been such a busy month that he really needed to stay home and relax. Then, Christmas Eve morning, he checked his schedule for Christmas day and was on long call again! He was (most likely) going to be home for Christmas! Then I called my brother, who lives in Port Orchard, to see what his plans were. He decided last minute that he would take the train here and join us - yippee. Also, I found out that my friend Sara was going to be alone so we invited her over. My sister and her Fiance, Kevin, were coming over too. Yippee - a full house!

We decided to cook spaghetti. It is an easy dish that makes plenty. Yummy. So we cooked and ate and talked and laughed the night away. The boys had fun and Riley opened one gift.

My brother, sister and Kevin spent the night so they could be here Christmas morning. I was up early. Kyler had decided to sleep in until 8, but I was up at 6, waiting for him to wake. So I took advantage of the time and cleaned the kitchen and got prepared to make the dutch babies for breakfast.

We had a wonderful breakfast and then all sat down to open our gifts. We had a great time! We discovered that for some reason, Kyler likes to sit in boxes. I am pretty sure it was my sister who put him there. I Dropped my brother off and the train station at noon, got some lunch and then got the boys down for a nap. My sister and Kevin took off and Dylan and I settled down to watch Julie and Julia (cute movie which has inspired me to blog more.)

At 5 we headed to out neighbors for dinner. They have a little girl who is 3 1/2. Riley had a great time playing with her. I think he even got some kisses from her =). It was wonderful spending time with our neighbors, a great way to end a great Christmas.

Zoo and Brothers playing

2009-11-29T20:11:00.000-08:00

2009-09-24T08:41:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time in Phoenix. The boys were great to travel with. We were a little worried about Riley wanting to wander around but so many other things kept him entertained (safety cards, window shades, tray tables.)

2009-07-01T15:32:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pictures of the boys.

videos

2009-05-31T10:34:00.000-07:00

2009-05-30T17:17:00.000-07:00

I am sorry it has taken me so long to update my blog. A lot has happened so I will make it short and sweet. Riley turned a year old. He only knows one word - kitty. He can do a few signs - baba, diaper change and sometimes dada. Also, on March 25th at 12:28pm - Kyler Brooks McGee was born. He is healthy and weighed in at 6lbs 8oz (the same as his big brother!) and was 18 1/2 inches.

climbing

2009-01-13T20:40:00.000-08:00

Here is a short video of Riley - snotty nose and all. I was trying to get him climbing on his tub of toys but he stopped once the camera was out - of course =)

2008-12-29T13:33:00.000-08:00

Here is a video that grandma took. She let me barrow this little camera so I could post some videos. Enjoy!!

Our Christmas tree!!

2008-12-10T14:00:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday we chopped down our Christmas tree! It is so beautiful. Dylan did so much of the work this year. It would never have happened without his motivation. I just did not have the energy. I hung one ornament. Thanks so much Dylan, I love it!!!!

2008-11-16T09:49:00.000-08:00

Riley is now 9 months old!! Grandma took this picture of him in the santa hat that she made him. Well, he had his 9 month checkup. He weighed 17lbs - 13oz and was 27 inches long. So he is in the 10th percentile for height and weight. He is eating good and his spit-up has stopped so I am not worried. He is crawling around now, like an inch worm, and enjoying his new found freedom! Riley will find out a week from tomorrow if he will have a little brother or a little sister!

2008-09-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

Riley is now 7 months old. He is trying so hard to crawl. He is sitting up on his own, getting so big. He had his 6 month checkup a few weeks ago. He weighed in at 15lbs 11oz and almost 26 inches long. He is in the 20th percentile across the board. He was having a great time at the doctors, sitting in the chair in the waiting room, flirting with a 4 month old and playing with all the toys when we got to the room. . . . then the nurse came in with the needle. He seemed pretty sore after this set of vaccines and got a temp this time =(.

I had vacation the past 2 weeks. Riley got to go to the Seattle Aquarium with Grandma and Grandpa. I though that he would enjoy the aquarium but he REALLY enjoyed it. He was looking at everything!!! When I would hold him I could feel his entire body tighten up and his hands would start flailing every time he saw something new. He also got to go to the the Oregon Zoo. He wasn't as impressed but he enjoyed the ducks, elephants and he loved the birds. Oh yeah - we also went to the Oregon fair. He liked the goats and - of course - loved the ducks.

4 month check

2008-06-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

Riley had his 4 month check. He was 12lbs, 10oz and almost 24 inches long. He has found is feet, loves to play with them. He loves to flail is arms around, like he is trying to dance. Just yesterday, he held his own bottle =)

2008-06-04T12:16:00.001-07:00

Family picture

Riley update

2008-06-04T12:03:00.000-07:00

Riley has been spitting up a lot so we took him to the docs last week. His rate of growth slowed down so we were a little concerned. He was put on some medication and seems to be doing better. We also thickened his formula so he can get some extra calories. He will go back to the docs in about 3 weeks for his 4 month check and shots!! Poor guy, it's so hard being so little.

2008-02-25T17:29:00.000-08:00

Riley James McGee - February 10th, 2008 - 6lbs, 8 oz - 19 1/2 inches

We came home from the hospital on February 12th. Riley was a little jaundice and his weight had dropped to 5 lbs, 15oz so we scheduled an appointment to see the pediatrician on the 14th. He measured 19 3/4 inches and weighed 6 lbs, 3oz at that appointment. We were scheduled another appointment on the 19th. His weight was 6 lbs, 5 oz. The doctor said that he was the most alert and responsive baby that she had ever seen at that age. He kept trying to grab everything in sight. Today we went to his 2 week checkup. I was hoping he would be at his birth weight but he surprised us by weighing in at 7 lbs, 3oz and he was 20 3/4 inches!!!! Wow!! She said he was very strong. He can already turn his head during tummy time!! He is growing too fast!!!!

What a wonderful Christmas

2007-12-29T16:56:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Christmas. My sister, Khim, flew into Portland on Sunday. I got off of work at 230 and Dylan, Khim and I drove down to Eugene. We had a wonderful dinner with Blake and Katrina (Dylan's brother and sister in law) and Michael and DeAnn (Dylans father and step-mom.) The next day we went to the movies and saw "The Golden Compass." We drove back to Portland on Monday night because I had to work for a few hours on Christmas Morning. So I was done at work at 830am and came home and took a nap. While I was sleeping my parents and brother arrived. We unwrapped some gifts and then Michael, DeAnn, Blake and Katrina came over. Our friends Jim and Sara showed up a few hours later. Dylan and I (with a little help) managed to prepare a wonderful meal for everybody. It was such a great Christmas. Little Riley got a lot of gifts and he isn't even born yet!!! It is hard to imagine how different next Christmas will be!!!

Oh Christmas tree

2007-12-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

Monday morning I showed up at the doctors after 10 hours of fasting (including no water!) They took some blood which tested in the normal range. I then drank my glucose drink and they drew my blood 3 more times over the next three hours. It was a horrible 3 hours. I was bored, cold, hungry and thirsty. They told me that my doctor would call me with the results on Tuesday. Well Tuesday came and went with no call. Finally I got a call on Wednesday but I missed it. They left a message for me to call them back. I figured this was to report bad news. I was so worried! I called back and the person who I needed to speak with was unavailable. So I waited a torturous hour. They finally called back and said that my test did not indicate gestational diabetes!! Yippee!! So we could continue our day. We were at the book store at the time and they had a sale on Dr Sues books. Buy 2 and get the 3rd free so of course Riley got his first Dr Sues books. We also picked up a childrens Atlas but it was more for me.=) Our next stop was to Fred Meyer to pick out our Christmas tree. I had my heart set on this cute charlie brown tree but I did not get it. We got the pretty tree instead. So our tree is now up and decorated and the cats have not knocked it over yet. I will get a picture of it and post it soon. Happy Holidays!!!

2007-11-28T17:20:00.000-08:00

We had a doctors appointment today. Riley did not kick at the doppler this time. Our doctor said she thought that he was laying on his side. Well for the first time today I could feel something on both sides of my stomach at the same time. So I am sitting on the sofa this afternoon and feel a pain/tickling on my right side again so I went to push at it and I am sure I felt a little foot! It was so weird. Anyways, I have to go back to the doctors on Monday for a fasting test because my glucose test came back high :(