Monday, September 29, 2008

Hats off to a new school year and illness!

I brought Declan in this morning for a "man problem". Ok since he's only 8 months old he won't care that I tell you, but his lala is very sore. We got that taken care of and in talking I mentioned Avery's been running a fever since Saturday. Dr took a look at her and she's got a double ear infection and probable strep throat - tonsils are almost touching each other! Poor girl. So we walked out of there with meds for both kids. I hope they're getting it out of their systems.

Friday, September 26, 2008

I got to see my boy at school!

I had the chance to see Caden "in action" at school yesterday - many thanks to my MIL (that's Mother In Law, for those of you not familiar with internet lingo) for watching the 2 youngest so I could go see him. It was interesting, for sure.

They are very enamored of Caden. It's very sweet to see, but the problem is, he's not always so sweet. And, he knows he's got their number and takes full advantage. While I was there (no more than 1 hour) I saw him hit, pinch, pull hair and slap at least 7 times. SEVEN. It took everything in my power not to get off my kid-sized-not-made-for-parents chair and place him in the time-out of the century. But I did not intervene. I watched, and that was enlightening. I can totally understand why no bigger action was taken, but once I had the chance I spoke to his aide and his Kindergarten teacher about Caden needing to be placed in IMMEDIATE time-outs for such behavior. I feel better now that they are on-board. :)

Caden's IEP is on Tuesday so I am glad I had the opportunity to watch him! He seems to be doing very well.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

It's fall?

You wouldn't know it from looking or being outside. Although inside it is quite fallish, what with my 4 fall items displayed nicely. Did you know our house used to be CRAZY small, so I basically had no decorations? So now I have ALL THIS SPACE and just nothing to put up anywhere. It's kinda funny actually. But I did decorate our railing of our balcony with some nice fake leaves and orange lights. It's purrrdy.

That's all I have tonight folks. James is at praise band at church so it's typically my "spend time on the net" night, but my favorite website is down for maintenance and I am feeling sorry for myself. So I cracked a Mt. Dew (yes, at 7pm, I am going to pay for that later) and am sitting here trying to think of things to write about in the future...

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Caden, God bless your stinkin' ears off.

Seriously. I am TIIIIIRED of ear infections for this kid. He's got his 3rd set of ear tubes in...one has fallen out and the other is not functioning. So. After spending Monday - Wednesday out of school due to FUO (Fever of Unknown Origin - that's mine, you can't use it) I brought him to Urgent Care last night when I saw a HA-UGE pile of wax and junk in his left ear. Sure enough, red eardrum and tons of drainage. Antibiotics and ear drops, plus oral pain reliever. It's time for a call in to our ENT (Ear Nose Throat dr.) - I think tube set #4 is on the horizon. This time, we're getting the T-tubes. Those have to be removed surgically instead of being left to fall out on their own. Surgery/anesthesia is a big risk for Caden, but he cannot miss days upon days of Kindergarten because he's got ear infections. Sick of it. Can you tell? ;)

In other news. Today was his first day back in many days and I had the rare opportunity to be driving past his school as he was being dropped off. I decided to pull in to a parking spot and just watch. An associate from another classroom helped him out of his car seat and he trotted up toward the building where he got hug #1 from another associate (different classroom again, not his classroom). Hug #2 came from an associate from his preschool class last year, full out, down on her haunches hug for my little man. Then out came Charon, Caden's 1:1 aide. BIG HUG!!!!!!!!!!! It was so precious. And the best part is that they didn't know I was watching, so it was all the more special to see how he's treated when "no one's watching". I am so pleased! I also sent his prayer along with him to school today so they will start saying that with him now.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

New families...

I have added some new RTS families to the side. Check their blogs and cuties out!!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

The dentist

We have a wonderful pediatric dentist in Des Moines. Dr. Matt is so kind, quiet, patient, good with kids - he's a keeper. Caden's been seeing him for years, and a few years after that we asked if he'd take Avery on as well, so she's been going for quite a while. Yesterday was another 6 month checkup and checkups are very basic - they try to get in there and brush the teeth, then he looks all around with his mirror and that's about it. Avery was actually EXCITED, but as things go with her, I thought she'd probably chicken out of her excitement once we got there. And Caden I assumed would be the same - total freak-out screaming fit the entire time. At least one of them I was correct about...

Avery was called back first and since James had both boys on his lap I went back with her. She didn't want to get in the chair. Here we go, I thought. It took some coaxing, but she finally hopped up into the chair, and from there she was PERFECT!!!!!! She let the hygenist brush and even FLOSS her teeth. She opened wide and didn't try to bite down on the brush or anything at all. Total gem. Thank you for not doing as I expected Avery!! We are SO proud of you! And her teeth look great as well.

Then it was Caden's turn. He was placed kicking into my lap facing me and then laid back into Dr. Matt's lap. Dr. Matt is strong!!! He held that screaming mouth open and got the teeth all brushed, even scraping the bottom teeth where there was some buildup. Caden was still screaming, signing "all done" and just basically having a tantrum. There's NOTHING to it, he just panics himself over the entire process. Anyway, here's where the exciting part comes in (for me anyway) - Caden has a LOOSE TOOTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yep, one of those little bottom front teeth is loose. Folks, this is right on time! He did it!!!! I bet he's going to look so different with a little tooth out, but I am just giddy. Ah, it truly IS "the little things."

And, in other news, our children are now the proud owners of a John Deere "Gator" ride on toy. They are thoroughly spoiled. And having a blast! More on that with pics to follow later.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Letters to my children

A thought struck me the other night. I could use this blog to write periodic letters to my children - sort of an online baby book. Sometimes I want to remember what they're doing but I never seem to haul out that baby book and write it down. So I thought this might be a nice place to do that. Plus you get to read up on them and find out what makes them tick and you get to hear me gush. What could be better?

First goes my lastborn - Declan.

Dear baby, you are precious! Never have I experienced such a laid-back, contented baby. You are 7 months, and for the past couple of weeks you have been working on your bottom tooth. You love to suck your lips in while feeling it - it must feel very funny! You look like a little old man with no teeth when you suck your lips in like that.

On Tuesday, you said your first word. Mommy was getting ready to leave and Grandma Jean was holding you. I said "bye bye" to you and you paused, then said "dyyy dyyyyy!!!!" I would have second-guessed that you actually did say it, but Grandma Jean confirmed it - it was definite! You also waved with certainty last week Tuesday when she was here. You must really like her or something! Your wave is precious - you extend your whole arm and curl just your fingers in and out.

You are really getting the hang of grabbing toys too and love to spend time sitting up in your highchair playing with toys. Avery loves to collect the toys that drop on the floor which is very nice for mommy. Everything goes into your mouth, of course. Speaking of that, you don't do super great with the eating thing unless it's sweet things like fruit. Grandma Sue gave you some chocolate ice cream while we were camping on Avery's birthday last week but you weren't too sure about that. Today at lunch you sat in your highchair next to Avery sitting at the island and she fed you bites of her applesauce - it was too cute! Whenever she would take a bite and not offer you one your mouth would hang open, just waiting.

You're still rolling over only from your back to your front, but you don't get a lot of floor time to be honest. I found out on the first day of school for Caden (Aug 21) that you CAN sit up all by yourself, but you're not a big fan of it. You sleep very well for us, going down at the same time as Caden and Avery (6:45-7:00pm) and sleeping until 6:00-6:30am - which is perfect for mommy because she can feed you and get ready herself, then get Caden up to get on the bus by 7:30.

You got your first haircut on Saturday. You have beautiful hair, but it was SUPER LONG in some places. Underneath it was all the same length so mommy just cut off all the long stuff and boy, did it grow you up! You look handsome as ever.

Hugs and kisses Declan-boo! We love you to the moon and back and to the moon and back again and......

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Avery started preschool this morning!

Yes, honest to goodness preschool for 4 year olds, not "preschool" where it's actually day care but it makes parents feel better to say preschool. She's doing big stuff. It's Monday and Wednesday morning from 9:00-11:30. She LOVED it. You have no idea how much my heart was soaring listening to her tell me all about it. It's bittersweet - I love hearing it from her, but wish so hard that Caden could do the same. But today is about Avery.

She painted. Luke brought snack. They sang Jesus Loves Me. They listened to a book. She saw the bathroom, but didn't have to use it. They did not, however, use her pouch of school supplies (glue, crayons, scissors, etc.), which evoked a minor foot stomping outside once we left.

I took all the pictures before session started. There's one of her outside by the sign, one of her hanging up her Dora backpack on her hook (that stinking backpack was the ONLY thing she has requested in her entire life...PTL that TJMaxx actually had one! It was so hard to find!!!), another of her getting her name tag pinned on her shirt (she found her own name immediately, very proud) and finally one of her with Miss Teresa (incidentally, I used to be the assistant teacher here so I know Teresa very well which makes it a lot of fun). Enjoy!!!


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