Meeting the neighbors

I love where we live.

We did it!!!

In early June Ben graduated from dental school!! We are so excited about being out of school. Schooling has been a big part of our marriage. In fact, we are a little nervous to actually be big kids now. School definitely had it's pressures. On top of the normal rigors of education we added two new members to the family, Simeon and Iris, in the 3 short years we were there in beautiful SF. As Ben's wife I must say that Ben managed being a student and a father wonderfully. I like to think I helped as well. Here we come world.

True or False?

When it comes to getting ones tonsils out, the younger the better.

FALSE

We took an extremely happy Simeon to the hospital last Wednesday to have his tonsils taken out. No matter how much talking we did about it, he had no idea why he was at the hospital or what was going to happen. Grandma gave him a pre-emptive 'get well' balloon and stuffed puppy. He was going to earn those for sure.

Two hours later, two tonsils later, an adenoid later, and two ear tubes later.

When I walked into the surgery recovery room a 7 yr. old boy who had had the same exact procedures done was quietly eating Popsicle after Popsicle. Simeon on the other hand refused to eat or drink anything. He didn't care that he could have all the ice cream, Popsicles, and chocolate pudding he wanted. All he knew was that a lot of things hurt that didn't hurt when he woke up that morning. In fact Ben and I had to force feed him pudding so that he could get discharged from the hospital. That was fun!!!

Though extremely sad, when Simeon came home the next day I could tell that his little spirit was relieved to have some normalcy. He graciously accepted the best seat in the house surrounded by all his hard earned loot for a little movie watching. Minutes after being home he inhaled a yogurt and two pieces of watermelon. Good boy.

Day 3- Not much had changed.

I thought this frown face band-aid was very fitting. He wore it proudly.

The hardest thing for me as a mom is to see my kids suffer. Even when I know it's for their own good. I think we are going to be okay however. Thanks to yo plait yogurt, Tylenol with codeine and lots of fabulous friends and family, we are going to be okay.

New girl pics

Thanks to the photography talent of my dear friend Julie I got some new little lady pics. They turned out fabulous.
For your viewing pleasure I present Miss Haven and Little Iris.

HAMBONE

That is correct. Simeon John-Calvin Counihan survived to his two year birthday. We're ecstatic. Simeon is by far our craziest Counihan yet. He makes us swing instantaneously from mind-splitting exasperation to absolute side-splitting laughter to heart warming tenderness. Simeon is absolutely in the driver's seat of his little world, and many times in my driver's seat (as evidenced by the hazard lights, windshield wipers and heater blasting immediately upon ignition after he's been snooping around front). With all this, his favorite past time is reading books! Sometimes our life feels a bit like a running of the bulls in Pamplona. Simeon is eerily similar to a bull in his approach to nearly everything, I believe he has legitimately tackled every member of our family at least once, including Dad. Our Mr. Sims, Simeon the Giant, Hambino, Simmers, Simo, Monkey. He is truly a tugboat, a freight train, a big teddy bear. He has an infectious smile, he is amazing at including others and showing affection, he is brave, agile and strong beyond his years (this can be dangerous) and to his credit he shrugs off his spills with little theatrics. He loves to stand in the middle of our family hug after evening prayer. Simeon is the spice of our life, we are looking forward to what the years may hold.

Destructor.

Her Special Day

Little Miss Iris was blessed by her daddy on Valentines day. She was sooo cooperative and sweet, of course. Apparently she smiled the entire time. Well I must say that at 5 months now she truly is a dream baby. I couldn't ask for better. She got the "I'm the 4th child" memo. Those that celebrated her day with her.... Grammie, Dan Dann, Pa-Pa, Grandma, Uncle Bryan, Aunt Melissa, Uncle Codey, Uncle Levi, Cousin's Bryce, Brock, Delia, Mommy, Daddy, Elias, Haven, and soon to be partner in crime, Simeon. It was such a wonderful day, the perfect celebration for our little piece of heaven.

Our friends the Lowry's

I was browsing through some pics on our computer and came across these. We miss our good friends the Lowry's. I haven't had a chance to call yet, but basically I'm obsessed with your news. CONGRATULATIONS!!!