Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Jack's ears and Ellie's bike - those go together, right?
I took Jack in for his follow-up appointment today. Just once, i would like to make it in and out of our pediatrician's office in under an hour. But she is really nice and spends real time with her patients (which explains while she is always behind) so I can't complain too much. Jack failed his hearing test again today. He also has another ear infection. The doctor said that is to be expected when the fluid is just sitting there in the ear. So, we left with three prescriptions: another one for thrush, an antibiotic, and a reflux medicine to try in the hopes it will drain his ears. Not sure of the correlation there, but I am willing to give it a shot since I really don't want to do tubes.
On a completely unrelated note, Tom has been taking Ellie out on her new big-girl bike in the afternoons and she is getting rather good. The bike is slightly too large for her, but my kids grow like weeds so I am sure it will be a perfect fit in a few months.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Family Time!
We have been busy! This past weekend was the Lonestar Trathlon (which has become family tradition). My oldest sister and her family flew in from Idaho to participate. Ellie was so excited to see her cousins. They doted on her, giving her rides on the bike and pushing her on the swing.
It was so fun playing with family all weekend, but the most exciting thing by far is Sabrina’s baby…Naomi! Oh my gosh, she is the cutest, tiniest thing. She makes me want another baby, but then I remember the whole pregnancy/childbirth part and come to my senses. Sabrina’s birth story was all sorts of exciting. She is my hero for going through all that and then putting up with a million guests. Ellie keeps asking when she can go see Naomi again. Soon, I hope!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Things that are making me happy
My new, bird free backyard - We had GIGANTIC bushes in our back yard that were ridiculously tall and had taken up a good portion of the yard. They were filled with loud birds that would wake us up early every weekend and make Kali go crazy. We FINALLY got them trimmed down to a reasonable size and our yard feels so spacious and quiet! Best $300 we ever spent.
- Netflix on Wii - I love this! I can put a movie on for Ellie at any time! Plus, Tom and I have gotten hooked on "Dollhouse."
- The last 6 weeks of school - Enough said.
- Losing weight - down 15 pounds today thanks to this crazy diet that my sister calls a "nutrition program"
- Cute skirts with shorts built into them - Not for me! For Ellie.
- Jack sitting unsupported - He is so happy to sit next to Ellie while she plays and she enjoys having him there. And I enjoy just watching them.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The strong, silent type
Usually I love the little updates from BabyCenter I get over email that tell me a little about each stage my child is in. But this is what I got today:
Your baby's growing tower of babble indicates movement toward talking, although the ability to form words and sentences is still many months away. You may hear the same syllable repeated over and over with variations in pitch and tone. Or she may make more complicated sounds, such as two or even three different syllables strung together. Your baby is experimenting with them like a musician testing out a new instrument.
Sniff. Jack hardly ever makes noise and when he does it is usually a monotone "oooooohhhhh." I scheduled his follow-up appointment about his hearing for next Wednesday.
Your baby's growing tower of babble indicates movement toward talking, although the ability to form words and sentences is still many months away. You may hear the same syllable repeated over and over with variations in pitch and tone. Or she may make more complicated sounds, such as two or even three different syllables strung together. Your baby is experimenting with them like a musician testing out a new instrument.
Sniff. Jack hardly ever makes noise and when he does it is usually a monotone "oooooohhhhh." I scheduled his follow-up appointment about his hearing for next Wednesday.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
It's not a party until somebody vomits
We celebrated Ellie's birthday for the third and final time yesterday. Since it was also my mom's 60th birthday party, we combined celebrations and met up at the local park for pizza, cake, and play. 
Tom decided since it was Ellie's party, it was perfectly acceptable to give her two HUGE pieces of cake and let her lick the frosting off them. And then he pushed her on the swings for about twenty minutes straight.
When he got tired, she decided to spin around in circles for another 5 minutes. Which is why Ellie had a wardrobe change during the party. 
Good thing I had those extra jackets in the car. Not so good? The fact that she continued to vomit ALL THE WAY HOME! We have Olivia's party today after church. No cake for Ellie!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Worries and Stats
Yesterday was one of those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days where I just wanted to move to Australia. Right after school, I had to take Ellie and Jack in for their vaccinations. I thought I was being smart, scheduling them both at the same time. Two hours and a total of 7 shots later, I had two crying children to comfort. I tried to be sneaky with Ellie by having her go first. She was watching Tom and Jerry on my phone and I think she thought I was hugging her instead of holding her down. Suddenly, she felt the first shot and the note of betrayal in her voice as she cried, "You HURT me!" was so heartbreaking. The next three shots were even worse. Even promises of ice cream couldn't console her. Jack was next and he too cried, but at least he could be comforted. I also discovered that Jack has thrush, so now I have to boil all of his bottles and pacifiers each night til it clears up.
The most stressful part of the appointment had to do with Jack's hearing. A few weeks ago, I noticed how Jack would not respond when I would pick him up at school. Even though I would call his name, he wouldn't get excited until he actually saw me. So, Tom and I started testing him and realized that he only reacted to loud noises. They tested his hearing at the office and it didn't go through on either ear. The doctor thinks he has fluid in his ears and wants me to give him Zyrtec every night for two weeks and then bring him back to recheck. The thing is, Jack doesn't really talk. He is a quiet baby and just makes single vowel sounds. He isn't doing any of the consonant sounds or multiple syllables that he is supposed to be doing at this age. People always comment on how he can fall asleep in the loudest of rooms, but I guess it is just because it isn't that loud to him. I couldn't stop thinking to myself, "my baby can't hear my voice." And then I would try not to cry.
After the appointment, I went through McDonald's drive-thru to get Ellie her ice cream cone. A few minutes later, the cone was upside down on her lap. Then I dropped off Jack's prescription for thrush at Walgreens and asked them for Children's Zyrtec. Apparently it is being "quarantined" and has been pulled off the shelves. I finally found the store brand at CVS. But this was after hauling my messy kids in and out of several stores. By this point, I was so frustrated and exhausted.
I am sure Jack will be fine, but I keep thinking about how when Jack was a newborn he failed his hearing test at the hospital multiple times. He finally passed it on the last day. What if it is something more than just fluid? On a more positive note, Ellie passed her hearing and vision test with flying colors.
AND, just for record-keeping purposes, here are their stats:
Ellie:
Weight - 40 lbs, 8 oz (90%)
Height - 40 3/4 in (75%)
Jack:
Weight - 20 lbs, 10 oz (90-97%)
Height - 28 in (90-97%)
FOC - 45.5cm (90-97%)
At least he is proportionately large!
The most stressful part of the appointment had to do with Jack's hearing. A few weeks ago, I noticed how Jack would not respond when I would pick him up at school. Even though I would call his name, he wouldn't get excited until he actually saw me. So, Tom and I started testing him and realized that he only reacted to loud noises. They tested his hearing at the office and it didn't go through on either ear. The doctor thinks he has fluid in his ears and wants me to give him Zyrtec every night for two weeks and then bring him back to recheck. The thing is, Jack doesn't really talk. He is a quiet baby and just makes single vowel sounds. He isn't doing any of the consonant sounds or multiple syllables that he is supposed to be doing at this age. People always comment on how he can fall asleep in the loudest of rooms, but I guess it is just because it isn't that loud to him. I couldn't stop thinking to myself, "my baby can't hear my voice." And then I would try not to cry.
After the appointment, I went through McDonald's drive-thru to get Ellie her ice cream cone. A few minutes later, the cone was upside down on her lap. Then I dropped off Jack's prescription for thrush at Walgreens and asked them for Children's Zyrtec. Apparently it is being "quarantined" and has been pulled off the shelves. I finally found the store brand at CVS. But this was after hauling my messy kids in and out of several stores. By this point, I was so frustrated and exhausted.
I am sure Jack will be fine, but I keep thinking about how when Jack was a newborn he failed his hearing test at the hospital multiple times. He finally passed it on the last day. What if it is something more than just fluid? On a more positive note, Ellie passed her hearing and vision test with flying colors.
AND, just for record-keeping purposes, here are their stats:
Ellie:
Weight - 40 lbs, 8 oz (90%)
Height - 40 3/4 in (75%)
Jack:
Weight - 20 lbs, 10 oz (90-97%)
Height - 28 in (90-97%)
FOC - 45.5cm (90-97%)
At least he is proportionately large!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Birthday Party #2
Ellie's teacher does a really neat birthday celebration for each student. It involves getting a model of the earth and the sun and rotations and saying what you were able to do each year of your life. OK, sounds boring, but the kids LOVE it. Especially because the birthday girl gets to set it all up and do the rotations. Then, she goes around and gets hugs from all her classmates and picks her friends to sit with her for cake.
Tom was able to sneak away from his track meet so he could be part of the celebration. I felt ridiculously excited for her party. Ellie, naturally, loved being the center of attention and she behaved really well. She answered all the questions loud and clear. She was practically swelling with pride.
Oh yeah, it was pajama day at school. Just in case you were wondering about the attire. And then I took Ellie to Toys R Us to pick out a bike for her birthday. She was riding around the store in her nightgown. Classy.
By the way, that cute birthday poster? Mostly the creation of Sabrina. I provided the pictures.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
To my daughter on her 4th birthday
Dear Ellie,
Happy birthday, baby girl! You were so excited about your birthday this year. For the past two weeks, you have been pulling your chair up to the calendar so you can count the days to your birthday. Normally, I have a hard time waking you up early, but this morning you hopped right out of bed when your daddy came to get you. As we hugged you and wished you a happy day, you replied enthusiastically, “Thank you, Mommy and Daddy!”
You are amazing, Ellie. I would describe you as sweet and sassy. You are stubborn and strong-willed, but you still want to please. Sometimes, I find myself in these little arguments with you and your logic is so sound that I just have to resort to “because I am the boss.” I cannot even tell you how many times I have Googled “toddler ADHD” because of your unbridled energy. You ALWAYS want to play. And you can’t simply walk anywhere, you have to bounce or run instead. But you are always pausing to run to me for hugs and kisses or simply to say “I love you.”
This year has been an explosion of learning for you. It suddenly clicked that all those letters make actual words. You like to ask me how to spell things so you can write them out. You can also count and write your numbers up to 30 (you can count to 100, but after 39 I have to prompt you on the tens). I think you are incredibly smart. Your teachers all marvel at your memory (you remember everything). You also love to tell jokes. I taught you a few knock-knock jokes awhile ago and you have turned into a joke telling monster! But you always make me laugh.
You became a big sister this past year and I was so worried how that would make you feel. I should have known better. You love being a big sister more than anything. You have been known to proudly announce to cashiers, “This is my baby brother, Jack. He is awesome!” You are so sweet and gentle with Jack and can always get him to laugh. I love watching the two of you together.
Each night, when we put you to bed, you always climb up onto my lap and insist I rock you as I sing you a lullaby. You have grown so tall, that I struggle to wrap my arms around you in the cradle position you want. I feel like the mother in “I Love You Forever” where she is holding her grown son and rocking him. I will keep rocking you and singing you lullabies for as long as you want me to (and probably even longer) because no matter how long your limbs, you will always be my baby. Happy birthday, sweet girl.
I love you forever,
Mama
Happy birthday, baby girl! You were so excited about your birthday this year. For the past two weeks, you have been pulling your chair up to the calendar so you can count the days to your birthday. Normally, I have a hard time waking you up early, but this morning you hopped right out of bed when your daddy came to get you. As we hugged you and wished you a happy day, you replied enthusiastically, “Thank you, Mommy and Daddy!”
You are amazing, Ellie. I would describe you as sweet and sassy. You are stubborn and strong-willed, but you still want to please. Sometimes, I find myself in these little arguments with you and your logic is so sound that I just have to resort to “because I am the boss.” I cannot even tell you how many times I have Googled “toddler ADHD” because of your unbridled energy. You ALWAYS want to play. And you can’t simply walk anywhere, you have to bounce or run instead. But you are always pausing to run to me for hugs and kisses or simply to say “I love you.”
This year has been an explosion of learning for you. It suddenly clicked that all those letters make actual words. You like to ask me how to spell things so you can write them out. You can also count and write your numbers up to 30 (you can count to 100, but after 39 I have to prompt you on the tens). I think you are incredibly smart. Your teachers all marvel at your memory (you remember everything). You also love to tell jokes. I taught you a few knock-knock jokes awhile ago and you have turned into a joke telling monster! But you always make me laugh.You became a big sister this past year and I was so worried how that would make you feel. I should have known better. You love being a big sister more than anything. You have been known to proudly announce to cashiers, “This is my baby brother, Jack. He is awesome!” You are so sweet and gentle with Jack and can always get him to laugh. I love watching the two of you together.
Each night, when we put you to bed, you always climb up onto my lap and insist I rock you as I sing you a lullaby. You have grown so tall, that I struggle to wrap my arms around you in the cradle position you want. I feel like the mother in “I Love You Forever” where she is holding her grown son and rocking him. I will keep rocking you and singing you lullabies for as long as you want me to (and probably even longer) because no matter how long your limbs, you will always be my baby. Happy birthday, sweet girl.
I love you forever,
Mama
Monday, April 12, 2010
Dear Jack - 6 months
Dear Jack,
Today you are 6 months old. I am trying so hard to keep you a baby as long as possible. When your sister was a baby, I tracked every milestone and looked anxiously forward to the next. With you, it is almost like I want to prevent them. You are on the verge of sitting unsupported. You can do it for a little while, but still topple over when you get excited. You are loving the baby foods. You eat cereal, a veggie, and a fruit every day and sometimes cry for more.
You are now sleeping through the night consistently. You start getting tired around 7 and all we have to do is lay you in your crib and you just turn your head to the side and sleep until morning. I was always so jealous of parents who were able to get 8 hours of solid sleep and now I am one of them! So, thank you for that.
You are still growing at an amazing rate, both in height and weight. I took you to the doctor two weeks ago for your first ear infection and she remarked that you are the size of a 9 month old! When she stuck the stick in your mouth to check your throat, you just smiled around it. She said you are the first baby to smile at her while she was gagging him. But that is who you are…my sweet, happy boy. You only cry when you are hungry or if you see us walk out of a room.
You love to play with your toys, really play with them, but you want company. Usually, your sister will play alongside you and you love that. You find your sister so funny and interesting. Even though you are over 3 years apart, I hope you are able to maintain the connection you have now.
You are such a snuggly, little boy. Whenever anyone holds you, you either stroke their hair or grab at their face. When I smother your chubby cheeks with kisses, you always try to give me big, slobbery kisses in return. Your tummy is incredibly ticklish, sure to bring on the laughs.
It seems so strange to me now, that I was ever worried about being able to love you as much as your sister. I was so unsure about boys…such foreign creatures. But I love you more than words can say and I marvel every day how amazing you are. Please stay my baby for as long as possible, Chub-chubs.
Love you forever,
Mama
Today you are 6 months old. I am trying so hard to keep you a baby as long as possible. When your sister was a baby, I tracked every milestone and looked anxiously forward to the next. With you, it is almost like I want to prevent them. You are on the verge of sitting unsupported. You can do it for a little while, but still topple over when you get excited. You are loving the baby foods. You eat cereal, a veggie, and a fruit every day and sometimes cry for more.
You are now sleeping through the night consistently. You start getting tired around 7 and all we have to do is lay you in your crib and you just turn your head to the side and sleep until morning. I was always so jealous of parents who were able to get 8 hours of solid sleep and now I am one of them! So, thank you for that.
You are still growing at an amazing rate, both in height and weight. I took you to the doctor two weeks ago for your first ear infection and she remarked that you are the size of a 9 month old! When she stuck the stick in your mouth to check your throat, you just smiled around it. She said you are the first baby to smile at her while she was gagging him. But that is who you are…my sweet, happy boy. You only cry when you are hungry or if you see us walk out of a room.
You love to play with your toys, really play with them, but you want company. Usually, your sister will play alongside you and you love that. You find your sister so funny and interesting. Even though you are over 3 years apart, I hope you are able to maintain the connection you have now.
You are such a snuggly, little boy. Whenever anyone holds you, you either stroke their hair or grab at their face. When I smother your chubby cheeks with kisses, you always try to give me big, slobbery kisses in return. Your tummy is incredibly ticklish, sure to bring on the laughs.
It seems so strange to me now, that I was ever worried about being able to love you as much as your sister. I was so unsure about boys…such foreign creatures. But I love you more than words can say and I marvel every day how amazing you are. Please stay my baby for as long as possible, Chub-chubs.
Love you forever,
Mama
Saturday, April 10, 2010
A visit from my grandpa
My Grandpa lives all the way in Iowa so, unfortunately, I don't get to see him very often. He came into town this week to get some dental work done from Mark. Last time I saw my grandpa, Jack was still in my belly, but Jack took right to him!
I had a little fun messing with these pictures on Picnik...pretending I was a fancy photographer and whatnot.
I had a little fun messing with these pictures on Picnik...pretending I was a fancy photographer and whatnot.Monday, April 05, 2010
Weekend recap: Easter edition
I love that Ellie is old enough now to really be an active participant in holidays. I can relive my childhood through her. On Saturday, I decided to have her dye Easter eggs. Then I realized I don't know how to make hard-boiled eggs. So, this 31 year old called her mom for instructions (and I'm glad I did because she has a crack-proof, green-proof method!). 
Ellie took to dying eggs like a pro. I couldn't resist doing a couple myself. Then, Sunday morning when I was up bright and early with Jack, I went ahead and hid 4 of them throughout the kitchen. Ellie was so excited when she woke up to discover the Easter Bunny had filled her basket. 
(Side Note: Ellie insists on wearing my old t-shirts to bed. I swear she has a drawer full of pajamas.) (Side Note #2: Realized last minute that I didn't have a basket for Jack. Dumped out a book basket and threw in a stuffed animal I had purchased for Ellie and a bath duck. He was happy about it.)
Ellie took to dying eggs like a pro. I couldn't resist doing a couple myself. Then, Sunday morning when I was up bright and early with Jack, I went ahead and hid 4 of them throughout the kitchen. Ellie was so excited when she woke up to discover the Easter Bunny had filled her basket. 
(Side Note: Ellie insists on wearing my old t-shirts to bed. I swear she has a drawer full of pajamas.) (Side Note #2: Realized last minute that I didn't have a basket for Jack. Dumped out a book basket and threw in a stuffed animal I had purchased for Ellie and a bath duck. He was happy about it.)
So, after a leisurely morning where I meant to watch General Conference, but instead took a long nap (not to worry, I DVR'd it), we headed over to my mother-in-law's for an Easter egg hunt and the first of Ellie's birthday celebrations.
Ellie and her cousin Brannon scouted out the eggs, while Tom and Jack relaxed indoors.
Then, we celebrated Ellie's birthday in true princess fashion with a tiara and princess cookie cake. I was so proud of myself for resisting all the goodies and staying true to my Torture Diet (down 8 pounds so far!).
Ellie thought the whole day was all for her birthday and she kept saying, "I love my birthday party!" Thanks to my mother-in-law for making the day special!
Ellie and her cousin Brannon scouted out the eggs, while Tom and Jack relaxed indoors.
Then, we celebrated Ellie's birthday in true princess fashion with a tiara and princess cookie cake. I was so proud of myself for resisting all the goodies and staying true to my Torture Diet (down 8 pounds so far!).
Ellie thought the whole day was all for her birthday and she kept saying, "I love my birthday party!" Thanks to my mother-in-law for making the day special!
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