Cousin Patrick Is Married

My cousin, Patrick Bufkin, married Dinah Turner this past weekend in Jackson. Matthew, Steve, Rocky, and Matthew's black eye stayed home while Margaret and I headed to the big city for the festivities. Well, I went to the parties while Margaret hung out with my grandmother's housekeeper. The entire weekend was just lovely. It was a ton of fun hanging out with family whom I wish I saw more often. It meant so much to hear they are all big fans of this blog.

Black eye update: it is healing so well. It is only slightly swollen, the bruising is going away, and the cut is healing beautifully. We go back to Dr. Ram Thursday morning to have the stitches removed. He told me why he couldn't use dissolvable sutures, but honestly I cannot remember what he said. :) I am just glad he will be able to take a look at him again to make sure all is well.

Hugs and Kisses to the Johnson family I saw this past weekend. I loved being with you!!!!!!

First, The Eye Pictures

Poor Little Guy! He didn't want me to take any pictures. He was scared it would hurt.

Now, The Easter Pictures

He decided to look for eggs in the fort. To get down, he slid down the slide with his bucket, and as you can imagine, eggs flew everywhere!

Matthew wanted to find the golden egg, but obviously Pete beat him to it.


Mouthful of Marshmellows


Margaret and Papa had a wonderful time during the egg hunt!


Awe. We look so happy because we are! It was a great Easter!

A New First For Matthew

Matthew has 4 stitches on the upper portion of his left cheekbone. Yesterday morning he was trying to get a teddy bear off the top shelf of the bookcase in his room. As you can imagine, the bookcase fell on top of him. Steve immediately called Dr. Ram, and we went straight to the clinic. There Dr. Ram gave Matthew his first stitches. Of course there were lots of cries and tears, but Matthew held up like a champ. Dr. Ram said he did very well. Now it is time for it to heal.

His eye is practically swollen shut, but he can open it a little to see. It doesn't look infected. Dr. Ram called this morning, and said it sounds like everything is healing as it should. I will try to take some pictures this afternoon and get those posted on the blog asap.

I need to post Easter pictures too. We had a big time in Atlanta this past weekend.

"He did get up"

I saw one of my favorite Wal-Mart associates today. He is full of the Holy Spirit and reveals his joyous heart to all he comes in contact with at Wal-Mart. He calls me "Sister", and I call him "Brother". This morning when I saw him I told him that I hope he has a very happy Easter. He looked at me and said, "You know, he did get up."

So this weekend as we celebrate Christ's getting up, we hope y'all have a very happy Easter!

Easter Egg Painting

Matthew painted Easter eggs yesterday. For the first time, more paint was on the project than on Matthew!




This is what Margaret was doing while Matthew was painting. She ended up falling asleep in the Bjorn. Much to my dismay, she has done away with pacifiers in favor of fingers. When she gets tired she goes straight to sucking the fingers. Good thing is that she can find them herself!

Another Comment

Matthew just keeps cracking us up. Yesterday Steve took him to get his hair cut. After Joan finished cutting his hair she said, "Alright, we are finished." He replied, "Okay, now blow me away." Apparently he wanted his hair blown with the hair dryer. So funny!!

Pontius "Pilot"

Steve and Matthew were reading a Little Golden Book on the story of Jesus. When Steve read about Pontius Pilate Matthew asked, "Think he flies an airplane?"

A Funny

Steve thought this was classic.

While sitting in bed with his parents Monday morning, Matthew announced that yesterday he and Papa saw a “Bloop”. We confirmed that while on the way to Sunday school with Papa, they saw a blimp.

SNOW IN CLARKSDALE!!

IT SNOWED!!!! Yesterday and last night we were hit by a snow storm!! We got around 6 inches!! This morning Matthew, Rocky and I went to the Levee with the Cohens and Mullens. Poor Steve missed out as he is fly fishing somewhere in the Arkansas Ozark Mountains.

Matthew, watch out for the flying snowball!!



Coming to get Mama!


Picture with Hannah and the snowman.

I wish you could see just how funny this is. A four wheeler is pulling a plastic swimming pool. The yellow lab, Colt, jumped in to go for a ride with the kids. Rocky was dying to get in too. It was pure, typical Delta fun!!

Matthew, Hannah, and Sydney went for a spin on the inner tube pulled by David.


Matthew headed out on his own for a little trek.


Matthew and the girls were off down the levee on the sled.

Unsupervised

Matthew was unsupervised as he played with the washable markers. Here is the result.

Rice Cereal

We have started giving Margaret rice cereal. She cannot stand it! She just spits it out, then gags if she happens to swallow some. Here are the pictures of the first go at it!



A smile! Go figure, even in the midst of total distaste she smiles. She is such a happy baby!

Dr. Appts Last Tues.

Matthew and Margaret checked in with Dr. Ramgoolam this past Tuesday. Margaret was in for her 4 month shots, and Matthew was there to check for allergies. Both children were weighed. Margaret is almost half of Matthew's entire weight. She is a whopping 12 pounds while Matthew weighs in at 29 lbs. Margaret took her shots well and quieted quickly after they were administered. That night she was uncomfortable, but slept pretty well considering. Matthew's ears, nose and throat were all clear of allergy symptoms. I will take him in next time he has a cold just to be sure it isn't allergies. Overall, it was a successful trip to see Dr. Ram!

Havin' a Good Time

We had a little rainy day painting fun today. Matthew ended up finger paiting with the "washable" tempera paint. He now has pink hands. Thankfully and somehow, Margaret stayed clean!

It Should Be Named Downing Monthly

We have been seriously out of touch with the blog. I offer my sincere apologies. Here is a run-down of the last few weeks:

Matthew turned three, and I turned thirty one. His birthday was much more fun to celebrate. We had a big firefighter theme bash complete with a visit from our friendly neighborhood firefighters and firetruck. Our favorite firefighter, Uncle Robert, brought the pumper truck so the kids were able to spray water from a real fire hose! Oh was that fun!

Maxine visited at the perfect time. She was able to help with the birthday party and shower Matthew with Christmas and birthday presents. It was great having her here for the festivities!

The birthday party was pretty much the highlight of the last few weeks. That next week, Matthew stuck playdoh up his nose. I took him to the local ENT who couldn't find anymore playdoh, but did think that Matthew had allergies. He put him on a decongestant for 2 weeks. That was probably Matthew's saving grace because we have all had colds except him.

Margaret's cold started a few days before the birthday extravaganza. My cold began the day after, and we are still not well. Margaret was on an antibiotic and decongestant for two weeks. About a week ago she started to run a temperature, 101.5. The doctor felt like it was not related to the cold. He felt like the antibiotic would take care of anything bacterial so we shouldn't worry. She only ran a fever for one day, but had diarrhea for many more days. I think the diarrhea was either from a little virus (consistent with the fever) or the antibiotic. Nevertheless, she is over the poopsies but still congested. She goes back to the doctor Tuesday for 4 month shots. We are going to take Matthew in for that visit too. I want Dr. Ram to double check this whole allergies diagnosis given by the ENT.

Steve and I had doctor appointments yesterday. Steve just began having symptoms of the same horrific cold I have been cursed with for three weeks now. Hopefully he will nip it in the bud before he gets to my stage of the dreadful thing. The good doctor gave me an antibiotic. I am ready to be well!!

Matthew has really been saying some funny things lately. Here's one that sticks out. We were talking about Seasons. I told him there was Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. I asked him what was his favorite Season. He replied, "Hunting Season."

Again, I am sorry for the long hiatus from the blog. Hopefully I will be more faithful in March!

Birthday Bash