Wax on..Wax off

Drew is just loving his taekwando, and is really improving with his form. He is such a good listener(wish that would transfer to life at home)



The scary stranger man.


Something I love that they work on, is what a stranger is and how to deal with a stranger in a scary situation. This day they were working on the 3 punches and then yelling, "LEAVE ME ALONE" if the stranger was trying to take you or you felt in danger. Of course Drew also yells "Leave me alone" at his sister when he's mad at her (which is usually warranted with the situation)

Move over McQueen

You have been replaced





Drew will not put him down or stop saying at the top of his lungs, "To infity and ooonnnnnnnnnnnnn"

That's genius.

Why not paint a race track on paper....it's a gift that keeps on giving, and an activity that keeps his attention.



Seriously wimpy race track, so we will work on expanding that idea.

A chapter closed

So Drew has come a long way since May 4, 2007.

To be honest..not a fun date for Todd and I to remember, but a date and surgery that had to happen.

I am happy to report that he has recently received a "thumbs up" from the neurosurgeon that performed his surgery and we won't have to make the trip to Sacramento anymore unless we are going for pleasure or passing through. Drew's skull is healing and growing, which means his brain is growing correctly too. Amen.

But just to recap our two year journey...the problem all started with situations like this picture below. Babies spend LOTS of time on their backs which means LOTS of time on their soft, malleable skull. Drew always, always, always tilted onto the right side of his head. Todd and I should of been more persistent about having him switch sides, sleep on the other side, or look the other way. But remember the whole twin thing???...Ya we were trying to figure out life with two babies, so Drew's favoritism of his right side never got the proper attention.


But it eventually turned into this....this was more than just a flat spot come time for his four month well baby check-up. I don't want to get into too many details, but his skull(in the most basic way I can write this) fused together too quickly due to constant pressure of laying on that right side. So Todd and I were faced with some choices, and with much guidance from doctors, CAT scans, and many doctor appointments we decided it needed to be corrected with surgery. Our six month old was going to have surgery on his skull so his brain could grow correctly. Very sobering thought for new parents, right?


This was the day we brought Drew home after the surgery. Swollen head and scar, bruised eye...but very happy to see his sister. I am sure Drew at this point wanted to say, "Is it really you Lilly? Where have you been? Boy, have I got a story to tell you."




So we will not need to ride an elevator up to the fifth floor of the Sutter Cancer building to walk out and read these words anymore.


Drew will miss the the big fish tanks. But I will not. :-)


It may not appear to be a thumbs up...but that's what it is.



Look at him now. Over two years later and just a happy, sweet bigness. Drew said it best as we left the neurosurgeon this last time, "All done doctor."

I couldn't agree with more of a sigh of relief that we are all done with that doctor Drew.

The bigness' night out

Todd and I are very lucky to have family close enough to be able to do something like a special night out with ONE child. Lilly was with my mom for a sleep over when Drew got his night out with us. I think if Drew could have planned it himself, it wouldn't have been any different. All things that Drew deems fun, exciting, or related to chocolate were involved.

We all know Drew's fascination with NASCAR-McQueen-fast cars would lead us to this place. He was talking about riding the small NASCAR all day long leading up to our evening out.

The menu for the evening:


Drew making a wish in the foutain that he would be old enough or tall enough to ride the Go Carts.


Drew heard the angels singing down upon him when he caught a glimpse of this view


Todd rode with him and said he was pretty quiet(unusual for Drew)but just took everything in. A few times Todd said he would shout, "Bumpy daddy bumpy"



We ventured inside to a place of pure joy for Drew. A land of loud video games, basketball, and ski ball(a favorite of mine as a kid)

AS you can see...Drew's alingment with the hoop is right on, but that darn plastic piece was in the way.


Here is our remedy for the plastic piece. We showed you basketball game.


I am sure it won't surprise any of you that Drew couldn't get away from the video games where you drove cars.


Look at the face. Pure concentration meets pure elation.


The night wouldn't be complete for Drew without a giant(for him) chocolate chip cookie from Mrs. Fields Cookies.


Not only did we leave the mall with a cookie, but Drew got a new hat to support the local college. What a fun night for the Bigness.



Until our next special night out with Lilly...I wonder where she would like to go?

Well yes of course...

It only makes sense that Drew's love for McQueen would transition to NASCAR. He doesn't even get the least bit dizzy either and he could do this for 20 minutes straight.



Todd or I go to get him at 7 am every morning and he asks "I watch NASCAR please?" as soon as hears the turn of his door knob.

I guess I need to get him a white cut-off tank top too?

I do it..I build tower...by myself

I would say Drew is responsible for making about 10% of this tower. He will tell you he did by himself.



The other 90% of the tower was completed by:

a) Lilly
b) Gabby
c) Papa Coach
d) McQueen

The Negotiator

So I have been meaning to write about this conversation for a while. It seems to keep changing as Drew's negotiating skills improve. Drew occasionally wakes up in the middle night and there are times when it is for 2-3 days in a row, usually around 2 am.

Setting: Drew's room at 2:30 am

This is how the conversation goes.(by the way...me in this conversation could also be Todd very easily)

Me: Drew it is night-night time.

Drew: I need...I need to watch Lightening McQueen.

Me: No Drew, we are not watching McQueen right now. It is night-night.

Drew: I need...I need...chocolate cookie.

Me: Um, no Drew. Sorry that is not happening.

Drew: I need...I need...I need chocolate milk. Please mommy.

Me: Thank you for asking nicely Drew, but it is not time to drink milk or eat anything.

Drew: I need white milk please? Please mommy?

Me. No Drew.

Drew: I need water?

Me: Okay Drew I will get you some water.

Drew: YA OKAY!

I have learned that a compromise of water is a win-win for both if us. He is happy with his water and I am happy to go back to sleep.

The Relaxing position

Drew just assumes this position when ever watching a movie or TV. It's how he unwinds after a long day of playing.

Another learning moment from Drew

You can't help but smile at how he says watermelon.

Hmmmm, is there a theme here?

So we are not sure how long this phase will last in our house, but everything to Drew is in terms of Lightening McQueen(Drew just calls him queen for short) or Thomas the train. Here is a few shots of a Lightening McQueen day. I know this is the first of many phases of things to be obsessed with, but Todd and I think it is cute. Now will it be cute in a month, when we are out at Walmart and Drew spots a McQueen pinata?? Probably not.

"Counting Drew"

Yes, it is a work in progress. He has done it on multiple occasions, but decided he would rather play hide-and-seek in this video. You might see the challenge in playing hide-and-seek with Drew when Todd and I only get 1-2-3 GO to hide.

So when can we wear this outfit outside?

I chose this outfit out all by myself. I mean did you see the close up of the raincoat? It's like it was made especially for Drew Bigness Petersen

*Lilly's rain gear will also be revealed at a later date

Drew as Cookie Monster

WARNING: Young children could be frightened by Drew's interpretation of Cookie Monster

Question...

So besides my daddy, does any one else have a problem with this?




I did put it on all by myself, and leave it on for quite a while

Drew's New Look?

Lilly's hair is crazy...why can't I have a little something different? Is anyone sick of this last face I keep making?