My up-date

Yesterday John and I went to the doctor that is going to do my surgery. It is scheduled for the 6th of January. Yep that's next Tuesday. Wow, going to start out the new year with a bang. Any way that is it for now. Nothing much to say. See ya next year.
'till next year.

Ear up-dates

An up-date to our ear dilemma. John has an ear infection in both ears. He can not hear out of one of them completely. This can cause a major problem when trying to talk to him. I can say an entire sentence and then he will turn around and say"were you talking to me?" I can't get mad the poor man can't hear. This is frustrating though when you are trying to run out the door and give instructions. Just goes to show I need to slow down and take a breather.
Tomorrow I go in for my surgical consult. I have heard that after the surgery the patient can't lift more than 10 pounds for 6 weeks. Yeah that out to go over like a fart-in-church with Matt. He now ways a whopping 19.5 pounds! Any way that is about it.
'til later




Oh! Wait! I forgot...duh, I started another blog. This one is for my rambling thoughts that I have. Enjoy!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it STOP!!!!

So today is the 26th of December. The 24th was the first day that I was able to get out of my house since the 15th! Due to the weather I was unable to get out after the 16th. Talk about getting stir crazy! The week that we were "stuck" was not uneventful either.
Wednesday night I went to the ER via ambulance for what we have just found out was a gal bladder attack. I have never had one and was not expecting that.
Friday night John was complaining about an ear ache...twenty minutes later his ear drum ripped. So he was in pain for most of the weekend. Matt has been really fussy and not sleeping and with the snow we are all at each others throat...did you know a baby could get cabin fever? I didn't think it was possible, but whenever a visitor stopped by and held him he was happier than a pig in poo! Ally had a birthday and because of the weather again we had to postpone her birthday party. She was so heartbroken...that really stunk trying to explain that to a six year old.
So then we come to Christmas eve. Because of the weather we did not go up to the Farm as is tradition and stayed home. It was a bit weird. Christmas day was great...but that is another post.
So today John went to the doctor, he has two massive ear infections and Matt has one too. I found out that I have to have gal bladder surgery. So basically Ally is the only uneventful one we have. So our new year is going to start off with a BANG!!

oh by the way i have a few pics for you to view and enjoy.
This is John and Ally shoveling the driveway the first night.









A friend stopped by and he and John had some ice for a snack.









This is what it looked like the first morning when I got stuck.









This was a picture I took at the hospital when I went in for some tests last Friday.












And this is what my parents house looked like on Tuesday.









Tuesday...Lowe's in town.









The bridge by Bayu Golf on Tuesday










Ally was waiting for Grandma the afternoon we finally got out and while she waited she made her a snowman.









This is the her Frosty she and Daddy made at the school.













So this is my now 6 year old and my 6 month old!







'till later

Traditions

Today I was asked if my family had any traditions.

It made me think...hm...do we?

I thought about it on my way into work and realized that last year we (Ally and I) started some without knowing it. It also got me to thinking about what my family did and still does. For instance. Every year on Christmas Eve we go to "the farm". My Great Aunt's home in Forest Grove. We have been doing this for as long as I can remember and if we were not in the state at the time then we would call. I have fond memories of Christmas' past and playing with friends and family. One year my cousin and I got "fur" coats we were so excited! The problem was that it wasn't snowing. Our prayers were answered! An hour later it started to snow heavily.

I remember when my mom started traditions, opening one little gift per day until Christmas. Our count down. I also remember that my mom would sometimes double do day's and or forget them all together! I think that was my favorite one...hm I wonder why?

With our home I want to have traditions, they make the holiday's more joyful I think. They bring families together.

Traditions that we started last year that we are going to do this year making apple/cinnamon ornaments and having my mom and dad come over Christmas morning for breakfast. We are definitely going to stick with some of the older traditions, going to "the farm", and driving around with hot cocoa and looking at the Christmas lights that are out.

What are some of your traditions, if you celebrate? I would love to know.

'till later

We got 'em coming and going...

So Ally comes up to me the other day and says "mommy my tooth is loose." I took a look and sure enough it is...along with the one next to it! How exciting...her "first" loose tooth. On the flip side of things Matt is getting his first tooth. When I told Ally that her brother was getting his first tooth she informed me that we had them "coming and going" and asked what the Tooth Fairy was going to do. I told her go broke!
'till later

Giggle the night away!

So Saturday night I had a freebie night...no kids no husband so I went to my bosom buddies house and we went and saw "Twilight"!!!! We went to the mall and had dinner in a little Italian Cafe and then went to the 8 O'clock movie. I really enjoyed the movie. I thought that there were only two key parts that should have been put in or embellished a bit but I loved it. I can't wait to see the sequel! Sequel you say?...they haven't announced it but come on! there is a reason why it is called the "Twilight" saga. We got the giggles and laughed so hard I thought we might have an accident or two. The next day I had to leave abruptly but it all worked out in the end. Needless to say I am addicted to this series...film or written and the author is terrific.
'till later.

Pics that were promised

So here are a few of the pictures of our family on Halloween. Ally was a princess ( ironically enough her costume's princess name was Princess Alexa... she picked it out for the color then we found out what the name was.) Matt was a pee pod. So I had the princess and the pee! I didn't even realize that until they were both dressed...and no she did not try to sleep on him to test it out.













So now we move on to trick or treating. We went over to John's parents house and met up with the cousins to go trick-or-treating. Boy I did not realize that I had two new sister's. That night we had Russafina and Kenitra...Russ always said he liked red heads...guess he got his wish! Kenitra was stylin in her rave hair. You can't tell but he had eyelashes that matched and that were about as long as a pinkie finger!




Russafina and Kenitra didn't want their baby brother miss out on the fun so they stood for a family photo and John got smooched! Gee John you look like your enjoying this a bit too much...do I need to worry?





So While we were out trick-or-treating the Lafayette fire fighters were out giving out treats. We were able to get everyone in but Jacob...he was able to get one afterword. Thanks to them it was a great shot of all the kids in their costumes!















And last but not least...Tanja. I don't know who was having more fun...Russafina or "her"wife. Apparently Russafina was hit on and Tanja was loving every minute of it.











It was a good night.



'till later

Books..books..and books

So I know I said I would have to put some pics up, I will of Halloween. But right now I need to just "scream" about this new author. Oh my gosh! About two weeks before my birthday I had read the last book I had been able to get from my parents that I hadn't already read...feeling a little depressed I went to...a store...and headed to the book section. I didn't see a title that jumped out at me but the cover on one of the books did. The books name?...(moment of silence please...drum roll...) "Twilight". I picked it up and took it home I promptly finished it less than 30 hours later (I did have to be a functioning person at some point) and the next day I went back to get the second book. I then found out that the first book it being made into a major motion picture. (one that my "darling" friend Sarah and I are going to go see!!!!!) I then impatiently had to wait 5 days for the third book, the store was out and I wasn't wanting to wait. Then my loving husband gave me the fourth book (gosh he was smart to do so!) and the other book this author has out. I finished the "Host" last night(in three days flat). Needless to say I am now hooked on this author. I am not one who usually raves about a book but oh my does she know how to write.
'till later

Birthday and Halloween

Thursday was National Candy Corn day!!! oh...and my birthday. That morning my family gave me my birthday gifts, my husband made the BEST and BIGGEST pancakes, he even made one in a 29. I received a food processor, large one and a mini, the fourth book to the saga that I am reading and a new novel. I have already read the fourth book and plan on starting the other tonight. I had a few calls wishing me happy birthday from my close friends, and my parents had a little birthday party for me with my great Auntie and Uncle. I had a really great day. Halloween...well unbeknown to me my kids were a story book. Ally was a princess and Matt was a pea pod. So I had the Princess and the Pea! Pictures will be coming so don't fret!
'till later

Fast day

So I looked at the clock and realized that today has completely sped by, I feel as though I just got to work. Then I thought UGH! tomorrow is my birthday...why do they have to come so annually? ugh...brighter side though tomorrow IS national Candy Corn Day!!! There is a silver lining!
'till later

Well Baby Visit

Matt got to go to the doctor yesterday for his four month check up! I let daddy handle this one...I did not want to have to be there for the shots! Matt weighed in at 16.11 oz respectively, and is 24.5 inches long. He got his shots and was a pretty good trooper. He started a fever last night though, we fought this one, 102.3, and it went away in an hour. He is happy as a clam though today. He slept most of the night (YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!) only waking twice, he ate and then went back to sleep (there is someone up There who loves me!!!).
John like usual is working his tush off. We see each other for about an hour a day, in the am, and talk on the phone. Sometimes I roll over in bed and there is this funny lump that grumbles...must be him.
I have been a reading machine lately. In fact I just finished "Smoke Jumper".
In two weeks I have read three novels, started one over (I really enjoyed it) and started another. I have also joined a book review swap website to get ideas for more books. I think the next one I am going to get is "Pride and Prejudice". I saw the new movie of it and thought I would probably like the book.
Ally is doing well in school. Her teacher spoke to John yesterday about her talking in class. Such my rebel!
'till later

Pumpkin Patch time

Saturday was interesting...we woke up to Matt being covered head to toe in a rash of bumps. John took him to the doctor, I was at work, and they said that it was his body fighting the massive cold that he has had. They of course gave him nothing and he of course looks like he was eaten alive by flea's! Sunday morning John went hunting down on the river. I picked him up at the Grand Island park and we both realized that we had not taken the kids to the pumpkin patch yet!!! oh my what a catastrophe!! So I headed home with the kids to get them dressed for the patch (Ally was in her Pj's and Matt just a onsie) and John followed with his boat. We all made pit stops and went back to the patch. What fun! This year they had mull driven hay rides, a pumpkin cannon, and horse rides. We walked all over the patch looking for the perfect pumpkin. Ally picked out a petite one for her, John of course wanted something different, Matt's was really interesting...not sure if it is a gourd or what, and mine was the biggest! Ally got to ride a horse and go down a huge slide. The pumpkin canon was shooting a lot too. It was a pretty good day.

Take a look at the "pumpkins" in his shirt. Such the gentleman...caring all of the pumpkins so we don't have to worry about getting dirty.
So now you can see I am not the only one who takes pictures... definitely a decent shot, can't see anything in the middle of me...good work Hun!

I absolutely LOVED this gourd, but John didn't want to carry it so I took a picture of the kids with it.
Mommy's pretty little lady!

Okay okay...

I would have pictures of John on his birthday but I had to stay on FIRE alert to make sure we didn't burn down his parents house.


And just because the second anyone hears I had my hair done here you go.
Matt had his first solids. Applesauce and rice cereal...yum...


Ally wanted her hair done curly for school pictures... now she wants it this way always. I have created a monster!
I have had some grief about the blog and the lack of pictures it has with the family. so here you go.

'till later

What a weekend...

This weekend was a very busy one for us. Ally got to stay at Grandma and Grandpa's Thursday night, Friday a friend of ours picked her up and took her to her Aunt Sarah's house for a slumber party...her first one! Sarah's daughter, Catie, turns 5 today and this weekend she got to go get her ears pierced. Ally went with them and when she was asked if she wanted to get her ears pierced she responded with "I'm not old enough". Plain and simple. It's great! The girls went to the spa, got special T-shirts made for them, watched movies and played. Ally was brought back to Grandma and Grandpa's with another little girl, Faith, and her mommy Jantina, she then got to stay at their house overnight AGAIN! Wow, three whole nights with out mommy or daddy, when asked if she was okay she said "yeah mom" and handed the phone to the closes adult to go play. Guess I'm not needed.

John's birthday party at his parents was fun. He got all kinds of gifts, a sling shot thing to shoot tennis balls for the dogs, an electric shaver with a nose and ear hair trimmer, some hot sauce, a Johnathen Fishing bear, and his brother found ALLLLL of his Nintendo games and controllers for him. It was great!

I have not been doing much, but I have read through a couple of books/novels, two to be exact. The first one is "Twilight", it took me two days to read through this, and the sequal, "New Moon", it took me one day to read through this. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the third novel "Eclipse". Ironically Sarah had a link to the "Twilight" website (it is going to be a major motion picture soon). I can't wait to see it, I think that I will love it.

"till later

My "Old" man

Yesterday John turned the big 30...he is sooooo old now. All day I have been giving him a hard time about how old he is. How I am married to an older man and how much younger I am than him. I had a big party planned for Saturday night and was just about to send invitations when I found out that I had to work so nix on the party. On Saturday night though I am taking my "old" man out to dinner and hopefully some of his friends will join us. The other thing that was kind of stinky...his birthday gift that I paid extra on the 2-3 day shipping won't be here for another week!!!
So this weekend we have many birthdays... John's this week, my friend Krista's two children, my friend Sarah's daughter and Sarah's husband! So in tradional style, this is as close as anyone gets to my singing, her you go...

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear (insert your name here) happy birthday to you!"

It makes me laugh though...Sarah turned 30 last month, John this week, Ryan, Sarah's husband, next week and I am still the "baby". I am sooo much younger than my "older"friends!

Oh, buy the way...Sarah if and when you read this let me know when you are ready for your outing...I want to be prepared for any "accidents"! hahaha
'til later

Busy busy busy

I realized that it had been sometime since I posted last and thought that I should put something. Nothing big going on. John and I are on opposite schedules. I am up at six and wake him about quarter to seven so I can take Ally to school, then at quarter to nine I am out the door heading to work. We don't really get a lot of chances to see each other...guess some might say it is the perfect marriage! Ally is doing well in school. She started out a little rough, talking a lot in class, but she is doing well. Matt is growing into his hands and feet...slowly. He is an eating machine though. He is sleeping better though six to eight hours a night (thank heavens!). John's birthday is coming up...big 30. I keep teasing him he is married to a younger woman!!! haha. That's about it.
'till later

Up Dates

Yesterday I took Matt to the Doctor for a post-op check. The Doc. said everything looks great and that unless Matt starts doing the projectile thing we were good to go! Great News!!! Matt weighed in at just about 11.5 pounds or so before surgery. Yesterday he weighed in at 13 pounds 11.8 ounces!! No more doctor visits at Doernbecher!!!

Here are some pics of Matt since the surgery...Ally on her first day.
'till later

Matt's emergency

WOW!!! What a couple of weeks. I feel as though I have been shot back into daily living today through a straw!
We all know that Matt has had a problem with vomiting. He was put on an ant-acid to help. Well two weeks ago his vomiting came to a head that we never expected. Labor day weekend Matt we thought Matt wasn't feeling good. He had more vomiting than normal. Tuesday Matt couldn't keep anything down, it went as far as projectile vomiting and hitting the back window of a car. Tuesday night when I was driving home from work I called the doctors and they said to take him to the ER, here is where a parents worse nightmare starts. I picked up John and we went and got Matt and took him to the ER. They were packed and he was still vomiting and had a low fever. They got us in but it was slow. They were busy, the doc. came in and ordered blood tests to see what was going on but Matt was so dehydrated that they barely got any blood. They sent us home with "whatever it is it's stopped...go see his regular doctor."
I already had an appointment Wednesday, kudos to me, for Matt to see his doctor but she was behind. After an hour of waiting I re-scheduled him for another doctor that day. Took John home, fed Ally, and went back with the kids.
We got in to see the doc. she listened to what John and I had been trying to figure out what was wrong. Me stopping breast feeding, change of formula, thickening it, thinning it, lacto free etc. and she said she thought it might be Piloricstinosis.
Basically it is when the intestines are not open to the stomach.
She scheduled us for a barium swallow at the hospital the next day, Thursday, and said that if it was Piloricstinosis that they moved fast.
Matt couldn't have anything to eat that night after 12 and his appointment was at 9:30. We got in and they changed it to an ultrasound. Sure enough it was Piloricstinosis and we were being sent to Doernbecker Children's Hospital.
We got up to the hospital and they got us checked it, Matt was scheduled for surgery, but there was a problem. There were several other surgery's that had to go on and Matt was sooooo dehydrated that they couldn't get an IV in. They poked my baby over 25 times and called the PANDA team to come in. Finally the head of one of the departments came in and was able to get one in his ankle. They put a splint on it so he couldn't kick it out. They put 500ml in to his little body and got 40 cc's out. They had to postpone the surgery until the next day so he could re-hydrate. At noon the next day they came in and took us down. To be honest I almost didn't give them my baby. I just didn't think that this could be happening to him. My mom was there and John of course, but I didn't want to let him go. Two hours later they told us he was in recovery, I couldn't wait to see him. Once we got in there I still couldn't hold him.
We got to go back to the room and a few hours later we were able to touch him and hold him. We got to go home on Saturday afternoon.
Matt is doing well now. It is like a completely different baby. He is so happy and smiley and has not thrown up since. He is so happy, and we are relieved.
Ally also started school. It is hard to believe that she is in kindergarten! Oh my gosh!!
That is what our last two weeks have been. Thank you to all that has sent their love and prayers.
'till later.

Adventurous Weekend...

Pretty Princess'



This weekend was an adventure for all involved. Friday I lost my debit card so I had to call to cancel it, what a mess! I didn't even get home until after 8. Saturday (no real adventure) our nephew DJ came over and stayed the night. He and John had an uncle/nephew day and went fishing, or I should say tried to go fishing. John and he dropped the boat in at the WheatlandFerry and were going to float down the river to Grande Island and row back. I guess it took them about 5 minutes to get to Grande Island and the river was moving too swift to row back up. John's dad came with his brother to help get the boat back to John's truck. After that they (John and DJ) came back to the house played Nintendo and then went target shooting. It was a great adventure for sure! I know John had a great time.
That doesn't mean us ladies didn't have an adventure. Ally and I invited our bosom buddies, Sarah and Caitlin, to go with us and have a picnic on the beach. Well we went shopping, as ladies do, became princess's and got to have a picnic in the car looking at the beach in the rain. The girls did great! Ally is almost ready for school! WOW that is hard for me to say! Matt was with the girls and was great, he is learning fast that when a woman is shopping the man need say nothing! ha ha...
An amendment to the fishing story. One of the pics that is showing Ally with her finger in the fish apparently is not what it looks like. Ally was holding the fish and it bit her! She didn't cry or complain, but when Grandpa noticed a single tear starting in her eye he asked what was wrong and she said that the fish was biting her and asked if he was almost done because it was starting to hurt and the fish had teeth! What a trooper! She is such a neat kid! Toot toot to me!
'till later!

Happy Birthday

I got some pics from mom's birthday party. My aunt was also celebrating her birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADIES!!

What a fish story!

Ally went fishing with Grandpa and a friend yesterday and what a fish she caught! They guys were so excited they didn't take a picture with a real camera just their phones! So this really isn't a fish story since there is proof! She looks like she is a bit grossed out though. Great job Baby Girl!

That'll cost ya!

Week of emotions

This last week has been full of emotions for our family. On Saturday we put John's Great Aunt Alma to rest. She was 98 years old and had lived a long life. She was one of the neatest ladies I have ever met. She remembered coming to Oregon on a wagon while her "mama" plucked chickens behind the wagon. My mother-in-law is having the hardest time with this loss. Aunt Alma was closer to her than anyone else that I have known. She was such a spit fire! Welcomed me into the family with no hesitations and wonderful stories of how John and his brothers got into trouble. She will be greatly missed. We love you Aunt Alma.
Ally just about came out of her skin with excitement. She went with Grandma to the beach to go "camping", well that turned out to be the beach house. She went to the beach, played and helped Grandma clean. Grandpa came up and they went crabbing. Aunt Mitzi came up and they went for walks. She had a great time!
Yesterday was my mom's birthday. She turned...well we do want to be nice. Mom was greeted with family and good friends. They met at my parents house and waited patiently while I got home from work. We went to El Nopal, a great Mexican restaurant. Laughter filled the air and good food filled our bellies. We went back to the house for cake and let me tell you that is an understatement. That "chocolate" cake was...indescribable. Rich, decedent, that's just a start. Oh I'm just speechless on this cake.
Yesterday I also started something for me. I started a blog for my photography. I decided that I wanted to post my images on the Internet for my family to see and I also wanted someplace for others to enjoy. Give me your feedback and thoughts that the pictures bring to you. The address is trundephotography.blogspot.com
And last but not least! Kudos to Sarah for getting me started with this blog "thing". I have been able to share our growing family with friends and family and now I am a blogging nut! John still thinks that it sounds like a disease and I know Sarah husband, Ryan, says "Real men don't blog" but to them I say it's better than running up a phone bill by calling everyone and their brother to share good news. Kudos to you Sarah you are AWESOME!!!

'till later

When does exhaustion hit?

So I get that babies can possibly have their days and nights confused, Ally did, but what I don't get is why Matt has this thing about waking up at the wee hours of the morning and wanting to play! Last night (actually this morning!) at 1:30 AM he woke us up. I thought he was hungry, I made him a bottle, he didn't want anything to do with that so I put him to nurse. He didn't want anything to do with me. He was wide awake and wanting to play! He needed his diaper changed so I did and he thought being that "free" was funny. He was giggling like a fool. Thought that was the best thing. I put a diaper on him so I wouldn't get "wet" and we went to go swing. After playing, laughing, bouncing, swinging, and changing a poopie diaper at 4 AM he decided that he might be sleepy...thanks Matt! So we laid down. This morning I slept in by an hour and was not one to want to move. Thank god coffee is a wonderful thing. But I put this question to anyone out there. When does exhaustion hit? One day of this, several days or does it take months?
'Till Later

Our Anniversiary

This past Sunday John and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary. We actually were able to get both kids to bed at the same time and remember to light our Unity Candle! It was quiet until we both realized at 9 O'clock that we were exhausted!
The video of John is sideways (as if you couldn't tell) and I kept trying to figure out how to rotate it...duh, I shot it that way! I was reminded by a friend about one of those "here's your sign" moments, don't rotate the camera! DUH!

'till later

Busy, busy, busy

This has been one busy weekend, and it's not even over with! Wednesday I sadly resigned from my position at Hillside. It was a tough decision, but for the best. Thursday Ally went crabbing with Grandpa, Great Uncle Jimmy, Uncle Ryan and his daughter Caitlin. They had a great time, from what I am told in excited ramblings from Ally, and a long day. Friday Ally slept through a drive in the country and errands all over town. Today we had a birthday party at the Discovery Park. She played HARD with her cousins and got very dirty! John and I tried something new. It's a wave board or what I like to call a wiggle board. It is a skate board with one wheel centered on both front and back and is jointed in the middle. John definantly did better that I did. I held on to his arms and he walked me up and down. Lots of fun if your legs move separately!

Till next time!

A big sister is made with the birth of a baby brother.

June 23rd was a BIG day for our family.
My son was born, Matthew Vernon Trunde, and my daughter became a BIG sister. We tried to prepare Ally as much as possible but what can you do but jump off the deep end with kids! She thought that babies came out ready to play and interact with each other. She got a bit of a rude surprise! A few days after bringing our family home if you asked her what she thought of her baby brother she would say he "eats, sleeps, cries and pukes!" in that order. Now when you ask her she says he's SO cute and that she loves her baby brother...just wait until she sees what they can really do!

It has only been six weeks and I can not believe what a difference my two children are. I know they say pregnancies are different, but that's not where it stops! Ally was fairly independent, laying down, being soothed by anyone, sleeping at night. Matt is the complete opposite! He wants to have nothing with lying down, anyone but me and he doesn't understand the concept of sleeping when the lights are off! We will see how long this lasts when I go back to work. Now we are trying to ween him from just me to bottle. So far so good.

Giving it a shot

My friend Sarah started a blog for her family and I thought what a neat way to let friends and family see what is going on in our lives. So I am going to give it a shot!

My name is Shannon Trunde and I live in Amity, OR with my wonderful family. I am 28, married, a mother of two (one just 6 weeks old), and an aspiring photographer that spends all of her "spare" time working at a real job! My husband, John, works for the local school district and runs a successful carpet cleaning business. In his "spare" time he tries to fish and lift weights. Our daughter, Alexandria (Ally) will be 6 in December. She is starting Kindergarten in the fall and has recently became a big sister! Matthew is the newest addition to our family. He was born June 23 and is 6 weeks old tomorrow. The other "people" in our family are our dogs, Rouger and Sergeant.

Considering that I don't know what I am doing, this isn't too bad. With the summer and fall being so exciting this year I will be trying to keep up the pictures and what not...but don't hold it against me.