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Corbin is learning to ride his big boy bike with training wheels.
He has mastered the tricycle; even riding it at night with a headlamp is no big deal.
We anticipate that by the end of Matt's deployment Corbin will be riding around the reservoir park trail easily. It's really exciting to be able to ride around the driveway on my bike while he rides his bike. I am so looking forward to neighborhood bike rides with him AND we've been talking about getting a full body harness for him either this fall or next spring (2012) to start introducing him to top-rope climbing at Pilot! If that doesn't make Pops want to move over here, I don't know what will. hee hee

Every now and again something happens that glaringly reminds me that family is precious. Family is dear. Though a lot of my family is far away from us, and we don't talk daily, I can still pick up the phone in a moment of crisis or joy and feel completely secure. 2011 is going to be a challenging year for the Weeks. Our youngest, sweetest family member will undergo a major skull-based surgery, and although life could be worse (as is always the case), the reality is stressful. We've had nothing but awesome support as we try to navigate this as best we can. We very carefully and purposefully chose the surgeon we're using (because he's arguably the best) and we have selected this summer because Matt will be able to be with us for the entire pre-op, operation, and post-op.
Knowing those things thrust us into a decision to raise funds right away when we discovered about three weeks ago that we'd have to appeal insurance's decision to deny us. Anyway, most of you know all the details. Corbin's deformity is visible on a daily basis and it is not easy. Approaching a surgery is not easy. Putting ourselves out there publicly to raise funds is not easy. It's vulnerability. But the most amazing thing is that our families and our closest friends haven't even blinked an eye. They're champions. They have reminded me of what is important in life and have encouraged me to let any neigh-saying folks roll off my back.
Just wanted to take a quiet moment on my blog to say that I love my family.

How did this little guy turn three last month?! I'm just obviously dumbfounded. Some rummaging through baby photos has given me the sting of nostalgia. Those baby moments sure do fly by. Sniff Sniff. See that sweet little ear?! I won't be kissing on that after this July. It will be a big ear. I have grown quite fond of his little peanut. Sweet Corbin had a visit to the audiologist today and the first thing he said to her was "I'm ready to have my ear fixed." She smiled at him and said, "well, I'm just going to check your hearing today. You'll get that new ear this summer." I thought it was pretty awesome that Corbin was able to vocalize his desire to have his ear fixed. It's a little sad that he thinks his ear has to be fixed, but that's probably my fault. Lack of vocabulary :)
We should have just told him the doctor was going to make his little ear match his big ear. After all, Corbin was created with one little ear and one big ear. He doesn't need "fixing," just some modifying. I love my boy so much and I am trying desperately to savor every day with him as he's speeding through toddlerhood. His hearing was normal today and he did so great with the three tests. He was able to repeat all of the words on the kindergarten list. The audiologist whispers the special words into a microphone outside the sound booth; Corbin hears the transmission through headphones and is supposed to repeat the words back. He sounded so sweet repeating: "playground, back pack, ice cream, hot dog, wish..." He looks so cute sitting there in the chair concentrating with big headphones on. I'll stop gushing now. One last thing- he totally embarrassed me at the playground after his appointment when he announced to the world: "I'm a weiner. I go in the weiner hole." WHAT?! I think I'll have a chat with the teachers at his preschool. Who's talking about weiner holes? We need to put a stop to that. I couldn't help laugh out loud and when I did, other parents joined in.

Isn't humanity the greatest?! I have truly been rejuvenated and my hope in mankind has officially been restored. Since Corbin's New Ear project's inception (three days ago) we have already earned $1,000! That is truly promising. I'm just grinning ear to ear. $20,000 is a big number that we'd most likely have to take out multiple loans for. Gulp! But, alas, we have awesome family with terrific friends and the network is just extending to church groups, social circles, and coworkers.
Hugs to all of you!!! Corbin is SO blessed to have a big support circle. July 13th will be here before we know it. I'm VERY anxious about the surgery (in negative and positive ways). My prayers lately have been for a strong heart that can endure seeing my "baby" in pain. I know it's the right thing to do for him, but it doesn't make it easy. Thanks for everything so far and I'm just completely encouraged by the outpouring of help.
XOXO
Heather

We have been back from Rome for five days, and I'm missing it. Above everything that we saw and did, what I enjoyed most about the trip was experiencing the Italian city on foot and holding Matt's hand. It has been a loooooooong time since Matt and I had a week of undivided quality time. There were no electronic gadgets (iphones,ipads,computers,tvs) and because everybody around us spoke a different language, we were in our own little world. The photo is from the remains of the Vestal Virgins' temple. The Roman Forum site was our first day of exploration. It's hard for me to do justice to such a marvelous place with my weak blogging skills. So, in a nut shell: Rome lived up to its name of Eternal City. It was fantastic. I ate a lot of gelato. I drank many cappucinos (or cappucini in Italian). I'm thankful for the chance to travel abroad with my husband and I am GRATEFUL to Josh and Sue for keeping Corbin for a whole week. Ciao :0