Crash, Specs & Burn

Clearly my life with boys will never be uneventful...

Friday 9.25.09
While backed into a steep driveway, I was loading items into the back of our SUV.  Greyson & Levi were playing in the side yard and had decided to get their cars out of the backseat.  They both climbed in and soon forgot what they initially came for.  Levi decided to take advantage of the empty driver seat and climbed up front to pretend drive.  Greyson stood gleefully behind the center console in the backseat.  All the while I continued to load the back of the vehicle.  I soon heard the a/c & radio on, subconsciencely realizing Levi had turned the key enough to turn on the accesories.  A gal had just parked her car at the bottom of the driveway on the curb and was walking up the driveway when she said she heard something release.  A moment later, just as I turned back to the vehicle it began to roll.  A matter of less than 10 seconds was a slow motion horror.  I ran to the vehicle, screaming and opened the door thinking I could jump in and hit the brakes.  There was Levi at the wheel and Greyson standing in the back seat.  By then the momentum was gaining and in a split second I couldn't jump in.  But rather run along side as our vehicle went over a 4 ft. rock ledge, smash down onto a boulder and into the parked car...WITH my children inside!  Definately on the list of your worst nightmares as a parent.  Although quite hysterical and traumatized, both boys emerged without so much as a scratch.  There are SO many different scenerios of what could have happened.  I am so incredibly grateful God protected us all, thankful for the lessons learns all the way around and the incredibly kind gal whose car was hit.

(I wish I had gotten a pic of the rock wall they jumped, if nothing else for the drama of it all :)

Tuesday 9.29.09
Levi's first visit to the Eye Dr.  I've noticed ever since Levi was a baby that his left eye would turn in ever so slightly.  So slightly that I would second guess myself as it was hard to notice for the most part.  I recently noticed it more so when he was very tired at night.  Then Josh freaked out when he and Levi were playing football.  When Levi would concentrate to catch the football he would cross both eyes!!  I honestly thought it might be nothing, as his pediatrician had never made note of it.  Better to be safe than sorry, right?
Long story short, Levi has Strabismus in his left eye.  Which is a misalignment of the eye muscles that causee one eye to deviate from it's normal position.  If caught at a young age it is treatable with glasses and possible therapy.  The key is early detection, as the brain will eventually stop trying to correct the issue and once that occurs surgery is the only option.  I was told that even a year from now could have been too late.  Untreated it can cause double vision as an adult.  At this point the Dr. feels confident Levi will be out of glasses perhaps for life by age 9. Soooo...after stickers, eyes dialated & treats, Levi was fitted for glasses.  And, might I say the cutest Converse olive green specs.  I'm pretty sure the gal fitting him and I almost died when he put them on.  ADORABLE...I mean see for your self! ;)

(I mean really?  Seriously??  I might die he's so cute!:)

Saturday 10.3.09
Just your average day at the Arnold's, getting the boys into the car and buckled into their carseats.  They both climb into the car and into their carseats and I buckle each of them.  Once I had gotten Levi secured, I went around to the other side of the car to buckle Greyson.  I open the door and out tumbles Greyson.  What he was doing I'm not sure - most likely getting a car off the floor that he had dropped, while leaned against the door??  Sadly he broke the driveway with his head, FIRST.  The fall was less than a foot, but clearly enough to cause some serious damage.  A huge goose egg instantly formed, protruding a good inch from his forehead.  Freaking out I ran to the neighbors to help determine if I needed to head to the ER.  My wise, sweet neighbors assured me it would probably be fine - but to watch it...him...his eyes.  It just so happens we were on our way to some trials photos for http://www.picsforapurpose.com/ .  Awesome.  So we have some adorable photos of Greyson and his shiner.
Later Josh informed me I need to come to terms with what my life will be like with boys.  Granted he grew up with four brothers, one of which was hit by a car when he was five (he only suffered a broken arm) I'm hoping my odds are better with only two??  :)

(His mouth is a mess from a cookie he's eating, I mean wouldn't you give this precious face anything his heart desired after that egg?? :)

Lessons Learned

1. NEVER leave you keys in the igintion EVER. 

2. NEVER let your children pretend to play 'drive' in the front seat.  It was WAY to easy for Levi to release the e-brake

3.Trust your gut and intuition when it comes to your kids and get things checked out

4. Pay attention and know that a huge bump 'goose egg' on the outside is a good thing.  This means the swelling is external and not internal. 

Your welcome. :)