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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

Going to Rome!
I'm so excited. In two weeks Matt and I will be on a plane by OURSELVES headed to Italy.
Now, as excited as I am, I am totally going to miss my little man with every bone in my body. That's why I'm taking this blogging opportunity to thank God for the snow days gift. It was perfect. I got to spend major quality time with Corbin from the Friday before his birthday up to today (almost a week later). We have played with every birthday gift, colored some thank you cards, finished a puzzle, played our first "board" game together, shared hot chocolate, thrown snow balls, marveled at Daddy's fire in the fireplace... we even went to the indoor pool together today! He has been such a sweet boy, and has turned a corner (we hope) from some of the horrendous terrible two tantrums. Don't get me wrong, he still frequents time out. However, he is starting to express his feelings with words rather than shrills. For instance, when we informed him that he was not getting ice cream after his meal last night because he left his lasagna virtually untouched, he pouted and said, "but, I reeeewwwy want some white ice cweam. I feel fwustwated at you." Okay, back to Rome- I've been browsing some online sites and have narrowed down my must-see list. To the surprise of many, I do not have any desire to see the Vatican. Neither does Matt. So, we're pumped about focusing more on the tour of the ruins and Roman classics. Leading up to this trip we watched the Rome series (originally on HBO), and several specials on the History Channel. On our first snow day together we watched Agora and then did a little research online about Hypatia, the philosopher, and other cool happenings in Alexandria,Egypt right around the time of the official divide of the empire. Anyway, I'm nerding out. Totally pumped about our week in Italy. I will post pictures in February.
In other news, Corbin is 3!!! Holy cow! How did that happen? And, we are battling insurance (boo) on the upcoming ear surgery. We have a majorly big summer ahead. Tricare made it seem rosy initially, but now medical management wants to know why we're choosing a surgeon in California, and why we're opting for the Medpor implanted ear rather than a rib-graft construction. My defense at this point is, "Seriously?! My husband fights for this country six out of 12 months of each year. Risking his life each time he deploys. His insurance isn't sure if they want to cover the reconstruction of his child's birth defect?! I might just pull my own hair out!!!"
Anyway, as always, prayers are appreciated. We just want what is best for Corbin, and we'll fight the hard battle to get it.

This kid has a serious thing for Wall E.












The Christmas pajamas were a gift from Mema and Granddaddy. Totally adorable penguins in winter hats on a long,skinny toddler= perfection. 2011 has gotten off to a great start. I am publicly stating my resolutions. You may ask me about them in March to hold me accountable.
1. Be more optimistic
2.Floss
3.Start introducing some Spanish to Corbo

Now, for the BIG announcement. Matt and I read an article in The Pilot last week about a local couple who committed to not buying new "stuff" for an entire year. They spent 2010 forgoing consumerism. I found it fascinating. They laid ground rules out and stuck to it. They posted the plan in their home to remind them to stay diligent. What sparked their experiment was a little video called The Story of Stuff. I checked it out. It's a bit dramatic and leftist, but it does make one think about our ridiculous consumption-disposal cycle. I enjoy shopping and I have observed in myself certain spending trends. When I have a particularly rotten day, I fabricate a shopping list. It goes something like this: "gee, I feel rotten. Some retail therapy might cheer me up. Hmmm, Corbin does need new socks. I NEED some chapstick. We really NEED a door mat.... Before I know it I've visited Bed,Bath &Beyond, Wal Mart, and TJ Maxx to procure the needed (cough!) items, but I've been suckered into so much more. I can not admit to how many Goodwill trips I've made with useless junk that I purchased on a whim. And, I'd be further embarrassed to recount how many items I've thrown away. It seems that the majority of stuff we purchase is such poor quality that I end up replacing it within a few months. For example, we have been through at least 3 plastic brooms and 2 vacuums in the last two years. I go to Wal-Mart, succumb to the low prices, and then PAY for it later. Boy, this is a long post. I'll end it soon. The rules for us are as follows:
1.Groceries and toiletries are permitted
2.printer paper, pens, and pencils are permitted
3.Necessary household items that may break (refer back to the broom) can be replaced
4.2 meals out per month in restaurants (again, this has become a sort of therapy for me)
5.2 entertainment excursions per month
6.Running shoes as needed

NO new stuff. No new clothes, shoes, gadgets, make up, jewelry, cds, movies, books, etc...

What I hope will happen:
1.Save money for Corbin's surgery this summer
2.Learn new consumer responsibility
3.Spend far fewer hours in hell (a.k.a Wal-Mart)
4.Visit the library more, play board games
5.Learn to mend clothing out of necessity

What I hope won't happen:
1.Humiliation at the frumpiness of my old,dilapidated, out-dated clothes
2.Grumpiness