Sniffles

We were eating a nice family dinner the other night.  Most of us were finished and Ethan was definitely  done.  He throws his plate, fork and spoon over board.  David says in a stern voice "Ethan we don't do that."  I'm in the other room and can't see Ethan but all the sudden I hear sniffles, like he is trying to hold back tears.  I think he might have fake sniffles, but David said they were real.  I am cracking up in the kitchen and David is trying so hard not to laugh in front of him.

I get Ethan out and make him help me pick up the plate and silverware.  I head to get the vacuum. (carpeted dinning room brilliant!)  When I come back he is picking food up off the floor and putting it on the high chair.

It's good he listens to David because when I raise my voice at him he totally ignores me.

Appendicitis??? or not???

One night a couple of weeks ago I picked the boys up from school and Michael practically falls asleep on on the two minute drive home.  He gets out of the car crying and can't really explain what is wrong.  We get in the house and I finally get it out of him that his stomach hurts.  I have him lay down to rest and take his temperature as he feels pretty warm.  He was only running a low grade temperature.  As I'm working on dinner I keep coming to check on him and try to get more information out of him. He tells me that it is the right side of his stomach.  I asked him if he pooped that day, and he said no, but he did the day before.  The thought of constipation  crossed my mind, but I didn't think it would be that bad after only a day. My mind starts wondering about appendicitis, David of course has a late meeting and I'm home with all three boys.

Michael falls asleep in the chair after he didn't want to get up and come to the table for supper.  I'm really starting to get worried.  David finally gets home and we start deciding what is wrong and what we should do. Michael in the mean time didn't seem to feeling better.  We call Grandma Susie (the nurse) to get her opinion.  We decide to take him in to the ER.  I ask Michael to get up and put on his shoes and he tells me he can't.  I bring his shoes to him and I have to put them on him because he can't.  At this point he tells me that can't walk to the car.  I am really starting to get worried.

We drive the couple of blocks to the hospital.  The ER in Abilene Kansas wasn't really hopping that night so we got right in.  We get in the room and he seems to perk up a bit.  While we are waiting to be seen he asks if I brought anything for him to do.  I pull out a notebook and pen.  He practices spelling the names of his classmates. Hmm, he seems to be doing a lot better.  We get seen by the PA and he tells me that he thinks it is just constipation, but we could run some labs to be sure.  I went back and forth about doing them, but I didn't want to have to make another trip to the ER, so we go ahead and get them.  Michael was a rockstar while getting his blood drawn.  I told him he might want to close his eyes or look away, but he wanted to watch.  No tears at all.  By this time it was approaching bed time and he is starting to get tired.  So he lays down and tries to rest while waiting for the results.

The labs come back and confirms that it isn't appendicitis!  Michael gets some stickers on our way out and is right as rain.  I'm sure the staff at the hospital thought I was nuts bringing him in because he didn't seem to be hurting too much.  All in all we were only there for about an hour and a half, not to bad.

We get home and he walks in all excited to show dad his stickers.  David can't believe this is the same kid I left with earlier that night.

Luckily the constipation didn't last too long.  He was able to go before school the next day.

Ethan is 15 Months Old

I can't believe where time is going.  Ethan is 15 months old already.  While home Christmas break He decided to take his first steps.  Within the last week or so he has just taken off.  He will now walk all over the house and does more walking than crawling. 

As you can see by this video he loves to help Mommy.  His new thing is putting his dirty diaper in the trash after a diaper change.  I made the mistake of throwing a diaper away while over at friends house and boy did that upset him.  Since that time, he won't even wait for you to put his pants back on.  As soon as you snap up his onsie, he is up and grabbing the diaper and off to the trash can.

He also loves to help pick up.  He does a great job of picking all the blocks up that he dumps onto the ground.  He is mommies big helper when it comes to laundry.  His favorite part is closing the washer and dryer doors.

He lets us know what he is thinking, we just can't always understand what it is he wants.

Ethan is very proud of his big brothers.  They are doing great in school.  Their teacher just asked mom and dad if she could send them to reading groups in a kindergarten classroom.  They love to read!  They have also been busy working on their writing skills as well.

Christmas in Africa

As we were driving home tonight and updating the boys as to Santa's location, which was in Africa.  Thomas says "Santa delivers presents to Africa"?  We reply "yes".  Thomas says "wow, that is cool and there aren't even any people in Africa".  We say, "Thomas there are people in Africa". Thomas says  "Oh, but do they have houses?"  "Yes, Thomas they have houses".  To finish the conversation "but the houses must kind of blend in".

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas Tree

According to Michael we didn't decorate the Christmas tree today, we trimmed it!

One year old!

A belated birthday blog for Ethan. Ethan turned one on November 19th. We enjoyed a nice day celebrating with friends and family. Ethan loved his birthday cake.

Diving into it even before we are done singing. 

At his one year check up he weighed 18.8 pounds and is 30 inches long.  He is a happy and healthy one year old.  

Some of his favorite things to do include dancing to music, playing with balls, getting into mom's cupboards, trying to sneak into his big brother's room.  The bathroom is also one of his favorite places to play, especially the toilet.  He also enjoys wrestling with his dad and big brothers.

He is not walking yet, but will be soon.  He is starting to stand for a few seconds on his own.  He stands longer if he doesn't realize he is standing.  He loves to cruise along furniture and walk  if you are holding his hands.  

Happy Halloween!

Make your own free digital greeting

Ethan on the Couch

I put Ethan on the couch today and he started doing laps.  The best way to understand is to watch!  Enjoy! This kid is crazy!

10 months old

I'm 10 months old now and boy am I having fun.  Dad has a football which is so much fun to play with.  Check out the video of me having a ball with it.

Mom has finally decided to stop buying the mush she calls baby food.  I would much rather eating food with my hands or food with a little texture.  I love to eat baked beans, cheese, yogurt, bananas, smoothies, carrots, peas, grapes, cereal bars, and bread.  If it were up to dad I would be trying all kinds of different foods, but I always hear mom say, no he can't have that. My grin won't be toothless for very long as my two bottom teeth just pop up, ouch that hurt.  Maybe mom will let me try some new foods if I have some teeth. I am getting the hang of using a sippy cup, now I have to figure out how to tip the cup up and not lose my balance.

I love to wrestle with my dad and play with my big brothers.  We have so much fun.  The other night I got so upset because Thomas and Michael are always keeping me out of their room. I just want to see what's in their room.  My big brothers have just started playing soccer.  It is fun to sit and watch them play.

Mom is trying very hard to figure out if I am cruising along the couch or if I'm just so quick and getting down from the couch, crawling a bit and standing back up.  She will just have to keep watching me.  I do love to stand and look outside when the doors and windows are open.  The screen doors make a cool noise when I bang on them.  Cars are another one of my favorite things to play with.  I even make a fun car noise.  I have a stuffed Clifford dog that is fun to play with.  His nose tastes really good.

So long until mom lets me stay up long enough to get on the computer (computer keys are so much fun to band on!).

Bye Bye Baby Food

It saddens me to be writing this.  I've just decided a few days ago, that I am not buying any more baby food for Ethan.  The kid doesn't have any teeth, but he doesn't want much to do with baby food.  Some of his favorite foods are baked beans, yogurt, cottage cheese, bread, cheese, nutrigrain bars and pretty much anything he can pick up with his fingers and put into his mouth.  I can't believe how fast my baby is growing up.

Household Happenings

Read on to enjoy a few of the conversations that have been had around our house lately.

This is what Michael said after hearing that Michael was going to take his lunch on the day turkey fritters were going to be served.  "Thomas you don't like turkey fritters?  How can you not like turkey fritters?  They are my favorite!  I love them!  What are turkey fritters?"

Thomas talking about their jobs at school.  "I thought when it said day off, it meant you didn't have to come to school"

Michael after hearing about the 1 million dollar prize for the winner of America's Got Talent.  "Wow (with really big eyes)  that's a lot of money, I could buy three toys."

Ethan making car noises, while he plays with cars.  I know not really a conversation, but super cute.  I"m trying to get a video, but when he sees me he crawls straight for the camera.

Most nights, Thomas admits to being tired.  He must be having too much fun at school.

Michael no sooner than we begin walking to the car after I pick them up.  "You didn't ask what my job was today"

kisses

This is the conversation I overhear as the twins are in their room and I'm working in the kitchen.  I know that Thomas is coloring and Michael has just walked in.  Thomas says "Do you know what this is?"  Michael "No".  Thomas "kisses, that means it is for a girl".  Me in my head "Oh no, not already!".  I go to tell David about this little conversation and when I come back into the kitchen, I hear them talking about Grandma and Aunt Danielle.  I ask "Who is that kiss for"  Thomas replies "Grandma Mel".  Whew that makes me feel better.

Cookie Caper

The other night I decided I was going to open a package of Oreo cookies that were in the pantry.  I go and get them out to find they have already been opened.  I figure that David opened them and put them back on the shelf.  Mad that he had some cookies without sharing with me, I pour myself a cup of milk and take them out to the living room.  I'm not planning on sharing any cookies at this time.  I ask him about the cookies and he denies it.  He promises me he didn't open the cookies.  If the didn't open them, then who did.  David thinks it is the twins.  I doubt they are able to open the sealed package.  We decide to investigate in the morning.

As we are getting ready to go the next morning, he asks them if they got into the cookies. They both deny it of course.  At first they try to blame Ethan, then the target me. I say it definitely wasn't me b/c it if was I wouldn't have put them back in the pantry and I would have eaten more than two cookies.

Really would this innocent face steal some cookies?

Who still don't know who stole the cookies from the cookie container, but we have our theories.

Taking our lunches

Aunt Danielle gave the boys super cool Darth Vader lunch boxes and Cars sandwich containers for their birthday.  It was like one of the first few days of school and the twins decided to take their lunch to school that day.  I pack them a healthy lunch to take with them. We use the lunch box and sandwich containers, that even came with a nice ice pack, and think we are set.  I pick them up from school, ask about their day, how their lunch was etc.  Then we get home and I go to put away and clean up their lunch boxes. Well come to find out both lunch boxes make it home, but the trash can got the sandwich containers and one ice pack.  Both boys were pretty upset about it.  I found it kind of hard not to laugh about the whole situation.

Lesson learned...remind children not to throw away sandwich containers.  It didn't even occur to David or I to talk with the boys about that.  I was actually kind of surprised that the school didn't have someone watching the trash cans on the first few days of school, especially since the building only has Kindergarten and 1st grade.

Off and running

Thomas and Micheal ready for their first day of Booster K.

The 2010 - 2011 school year is off and running.  I have started my new job at Chapman Middle School in Chapman KS. I'm really enjoying it so far.  It is great getting out and meeting new people.  I did manage to break my pinky toe at school already.  I was getting up from lunch table to throw away my trash and caught my toe on the leg of a chair. David keeps telling me I should be using duct tape to tape it.  I'll stick to regular medical tape.

Michael has found his seat and he is ready to go!

Ethan has adjusted well to going to daycare.  He still would rather nurse than drink formula from a sippy cup.  I'm betting he gets pretty thirsty during the day.  He is pulling himself up to a stand and loving every minute of it.  Except for when he is falling to the ground.  One of his favorite things to do while standing or sitting is jamming to the music.  He loves to dance.

Thomas getting ready to start the day!

The biggest change for us this school year is Thomas and Micheal have started school.  They are in the Booster K program at the public school.  Their class is 13 boys, who are old enough for kindergarten but not quite ready.  I'm not sure how their teacher does it, but she must have patience of a saint.  They are loving every minute of school.  One of the factors determining if they had a good day or not, is the job they had that day.  If they have a day off, it wasn't a good day at school.  The other major factor is if they had to move their clip off the fish bowl.  They haven't had to move their clip very often, so they must behaving themselves pretty well.    They have quickly figured out if they take their lunch to school, they don't get much of a sweet treat for dessert.  As we go through the menu deciding if they will take or buy their lunch one of the deciding factors is dessert.  If the menu has something like cake or cookies they will be buying their lunch from school.  I'm sure we will have many more good stories to share.

9 Months Old

It is hard to believe that Ethan is 9 months old already.  Ethan's now goes by Pidge in our house.  The video above explains it all.

Ethan loves playing with his big brothers.  They always have so much fun together. 

Ethan is now crawling all over the house.  He has pulling himself up to his knees mastered.  He has just started pulling himself up to a stand!

He has made a good transition back to daycare since mommy is working again.  The biggest issue we have is that he doesn't drink much during the day as he would rather breastfeed.  Hopefully he will decide drinking from a sippy cup is cool.  

He has no teeth yet, but enjoys lots of different foods.  Some of his favorites include bread, baked beans, yogurt, cottage cheese and ice cream!

8 months old!

Just a few of the places I am exploring now that I can get around.

  

Hanging out while the big brothers take swim lessons. 

One of my favorite things to do, put anything I can get my hands on into my mouth.

Having fun, this time the big brothers are golfing.

I'm finding it hard to believe that Ethan is 8 months old already.  I'm enjoying being home with him this summer to watch and see how fast he is growing.  He has figured out a true crawl.  He doesn't have any teeth yet, but he is working on them.

In the past month he enjoyed his first movie.  He went to see Cars 2 for the twin's 5th birthday.  He slept through most of the movie.  He also slept through his first fireworks.

Just in the past couple of days he has started trying to pull himself up on furniture.  Watch out Thomas and Michael here he comes.

Thomas and Michael turn 5

Thomas decorating his birthday cake!

Michael decorating his cake!

Future chefs?

Michael's finished cake.

Thomas' cake.

The birthday boys!  Best of friends, most of the time.

Playing angry birds with dad.

It's hard to believe that the twins are already 5 years old.  They enjoyed a great birthday.  We took them to see Cars2.  

They will be going to school in the fall. They are going to be in the booster K program at the local elementary school.  It is program designed for students who are old enough for kindergarten, but not ready.  They are super excited to start school. 

We are all excited to see what adventures the next year will bring for Thomas and Michael.

4th of July

 Thomas and Michael crashed out on the couch after a busy morning of watching chicken roulette, mud volley ball, prachuters jump, and playing at the playground.  What is chicken roulette you ask?  Well let me explain.  Their is a large board on the ground with spaces marked with numbers.  This large board has a cage over the top. Everyone picks a number, then a chicken is put into the cage.  Everyone watches while they wait for the chicken to poop.  If the chicken poops on your number, then you win a prize!

 This is how Ethan 'watched fireworks'

It took a lot of convincing to get Thomas and Michael to even come with us to watch the fireworks.  They were afraid they would be too loud.  We finally got them to come with us, with the condition that they could watch the fireworks from the car.  While it was still light out, they enjoyed playing in the field in front of us. They even enjoyed a few of the fireworks that others were setting off.  But as time drew closer and closer to the City's display, they decided they wanted to go to the car.  Initially they weren't even going to watch from the car.  Since I felt like a terrible parent sitting out side watching the fireworks with my kids hiding in the car, I checked on them often.  The picture above is of them watching from the car.

All in all a great day was had by all.  We were very lucky to spend part of the day with David's parents and sister Crystal, and my sister Danielle.

Man on a mission!

Check out this video of Ethan's version of crawling!

He now has no problem getting where he wants!  I'm preparing myself to hear the constant chorus of "Ethan, no" as he tries to 'play' with his big brothers.