A BOY thing!

So there are just some things in life that boys can do and girls can't. One of them is - pee standing up! With having three little boys learning to pee standing up and aim isn't always on (is it ever), I had to break down and find something to help me out. We only have one bathroom and it's upstairs. They sometimes don't always have the "holding it" down pat either so we have to have a potty chair for them downstairs. Luckily we have a little nook in the kitchen and have it there. However, this whole standing up to pee was MESSY! Check out our new potty chair - it's only for boys! It's called The Peter Potty, a stand up urinal for boys! So far it has paid for its self. The boys absolutely love it - and the thing actually flushes!

Happy Birthday Tanya

Today is Tanya's 39th birthday! So tonight we went up to the house for some pizza and cake. The kids loved singing Happy Birthday. We have found it best to just let the kids sing they sound so much better. I think she had a great day!

I had Dylan to the doctor this afternoon. My first clue that something was up was this morning when I dropped him off at school. We went in, hung up their coats, said goodbye, gave kisses and I went to leave. Dylan flipped. He never does that! So I got him calmed down and left as he was playing a puzzle with Cody. Just after getting to work the teacher called. Said Dylan was very teary eyed and was complaining his ear hurt. So I waited till the office opened and called. They got us in around 3. His ears are clear, chest sounded good. He has had this odor coming from his mouth recently (and it's worse than just bad breath) so I thought possibly strep. While we didn't get a culture taken, the doctor didn't think that. He does think the odor is from a sinus infection. He has had a runny type nose for 3 weeks now - doctor said that just isn't normal. I agree! So he's on amoxicillin for 14 days and should be back to himself in no time.

New Furniture

Our new furniture arrived today. I love it! So do the boys and so far they have done really well minding the new rules of it. Now just trying to get rid of the old stuff. This was Brett and I's happy holidays to each other for a while, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day......
Table and Chairs

Couch - sage green "little boy was extra!":)

Chair............almost fits 3 butts wide

Happy Easter

The little Luckey boys had a great Easter. We colored eggs last night. We only did a dozen because the only way I like hard boiled eggs is to make deviled eggs (which my mom is going to do for me tomorrow). They had fun although they weren't to great at dropping the eggs in "gently". Then we got out the baskets, filled them with the grass and each one of them left their basket on the train table so the bunny could come in and fill them up.

They were up at 8am this morning. The bunny had left a few eggs out and about and they gathered them up quickly. Then they went on the hunt. Dylan found his first. The bunny hid his behind the glider rocker. Tyler found his next - under his Thomas chair. Cody kept searching and found his under the little table in the kitchen. The house looked like it did on Xmas morning - stuff everywhere. They got lots of cool stuff, new shirts, pj's, movies, beach towels, chocolate of course, underwear, C&D got power ranger glasses and Ty got a motorized spiderman. And the list goes on!

Dylan wanted to know when we were going to Karly's see what she got. We of course couldn't do that as the Smith's are in Ocean City visiting Kevin and Kristie. So we called them!

We went to my Mom's for dinner. It was so yummy. I love my mom's home cooked meals. We had all the fixins: ham, potatoes, corn, deviled eggs (my favorite), rolls. I made a desert. I have to say I was proud of myself. I found the recipe in a People magazine. You take strawberries and cool whip and other ingredients and mix together. Pour in pan, crush up Oreo's and freeze it. Then you flip it out of the pan and cover the rest with cool whip. Top with strawberries. It was great!

Surprisingly the boys are out. The ate a ton of chocolate today! Isn't that what Easter is for?! :)

Fun Night

We had such a fun night tonight. Fun night for me as we bought new furniture today. Fun night for the kids as they got to get McDonalds and go in the play area. Brett and I went to Raymour & Flanagan today at lunch. We picked out a new couch and chair. However, when I left I just had this feeling that we made a bad decision. We had picked out a very light colored fabric and the more I got thinking about 3 little boys and light anything - it just didn't seem right. So I said something to Brett when I got home from work and he was having the same thoughts. So I called and they said we could come in a pick something else out. So we all went. The boys thought the place was heaven as they could sit on every piece of furniture they had. Then they got balloons. Just as we were ready to leave - Brett said "let's get new table and chairs". Well you didn't have to twist my arm twice. As it is now, we have an old set of my sisters and it only has 4 chairs....um we are 5 person family. So we picked out a really pretty set, 6 chairs, table has 2 links to make it huge. I think it can sit 10 total. We get it all on Tuesday! I can't wait.

Surprisingly McDonald's wasn't overly busy and the boys actually ate their happy meals. Then with a little coaxing they hit the climbers and slide and had a blast. Even Tyler paled up with another little boy his size and the two of them were inseparable. With this lovely weather of ours it's great for the boys to go and run off some of that energy beside in my house.

Catching a break

Well I am just trying to figure out when the heck am I going to catch a break and stop visiting my dermatologist office. It all started with my birthmark on my face. We did lots of visits, 3 different surgeries to remove it, then follow ups. Then the cyst on my chest flared up. Did many visits with that while they punched it, squeezed it, poked and prodded it. While there on one visit I told them about a small rash on my chin. They gave me some cream and life was good. That was until Monday. I had ran out, the rash was coming back and I wanted a refill on the script. Well the doctor thinks I now have Rosaca. Um, OK? So they give me Metrogel and told me use that. Also to apply that to my chest as I have many broken blood vessels around my cyst and they think this gel will help. If it doesn't then we are going to use the laser.

So Tuesday morning I started using the Metrogel on my face. Everything was fine. By Wednesday morning though it just didn't seem to be feeling better. Wednesday night my face was hurting bad. This morning I used it one more time but thought this is not supposed to be happening. So I called the office - they had me in the chair by 10am and sure enough I am having an allergic reaction to the metrogel. GREAT! So now I am on 2 lotions and an oral antibiotic. My face feels raw, itchy, very sore. I am ready to not see my dermatologist for the next 6 months. I have never had skin problems and now this. UGH!!!

Dylan's Arm

So it's 4:30 and my phone rings at work. I could hear crying in the back ground but didn't think anything of it. It was my Mom, Dylan had fallen and he had been crying for about 10-15 minutes straight and holding his arm. I quickly hung up, called the pediatrician and they said to "bring him right in". So I rush out of the office like a mad woman, barking orders for people to shut down my computer, tell the boss where I went - that type of thing. I get home and he's still crying not moving his left arm at all. Oh great! Get to the office and see Dr. Lang - thankfully it's not broke - he had popped his elbow out of joint (nurse maids elbow they call it). The doctor really squeezed and said he was pretty sure it wasn't broke. So he put his hand on the elbow and twisted and oh did Dylan cry. Then he had to do it again and he felt a big pop as it went back in. He cried some more but by the time we got home he was starting to use it.

The hard part was figuring out how it happened. Cody, Dylan, Tyler and Karly were all running (as we have told them a million times not to do inside), my Mom and Tanya were in the kitchen, then they heard crying. They were trying to get to the bottom of it. Karly said Cody fell on his arm, Cody just apologized (but I don't think he did it), and Tyler was admitting he did it. "I do it". .....so who knows. Good thing though it wasn't broke. Brett was relieved to hear it wasn't his throwing arm (football, is it always on the brain? - yes) I'm the mom of 3 boys - I need to get used to this stuff. The pediatrician and I have a GREAT relationship.

Gimmie's Home!

Yea...Gimmie is home and there were 3 very happy little boys tonight as they bounded up the stairs to give her the biggest hug. Then they all were glued to her side as she had to tell stories of what she did. Dylan was very interested in every animal that she saw at Busch Gardens. Nobody wanted to come home! They got some good goodies - shirts from the beach and what will soon become their Dad's favorite - FSU sweatshirts.

I too am excited that my Mom is home. God how I missed her help with house work. She does so much for us and I am completely spoiled - I'll admit it. As I came home today and wondered what on earth Brett did all day, I smiled because my Mom will be here tomorrow and I won't come home to a house like that again.

I won't really go there - but just to show what I mean - there was a load of laundry all folded in the basket from last night. It was still sitting there this afternoon when I got home. So I carried it upstairs. MEN!

Egg Hunt

Today we went to an egg hunt at Glendale Park. I think it was supposed to be more of a "hunt" but our weather has been pretty rainy and the ground is super wet. So thankfully the organizers were using their heads and had it in the parking lot. There were eggs everywhere! They had it sectioned off for age groups. Had I know it was going to be on concrete I wouldn't have made the boys wear their boots. I was glad to hear though another father complaining to his wife "yah, really muddy here"....you could just tell that the topic of mud was on everybodys conversation list as they headed out today. The boys got lots of eggs all filled with goodies.

Last night was a rough one. I have some what of a cold. Only appears to bother me at night when I lay down and try to sleep. Then I have the urge to cough ALL night. Tyler had a pretty upset tummy all day and was on the potty a lot. So he came into my bed about 12:30 - same time I was waking up for another round of coughing. At that time we decided to go downstairs to the couch. I knew I could sleep better sitting up on the couch than in bed. After getting down there we made 3 emergency trips back upstairs to the bathroom. Then as I was just getting ready to doze off - he sits up and I could just tell what was coming next.....yep - he threw up. Thank god I had the bucket but the couch still got it a little as well as the blankets, clothes, pillowcase. We finally went to sleep around 4am and Dylan and Cody were downstairs at 8. Here is to a much better night of sleep!

A favorite

I just love when the boys come out with some of their stories. Lately everything has been about a color. A color of the juice we buy, color of the underwear we wear or just anything. Cody appears to be liking the color red. From the red power ranger underwear he has to have on all the time, a cup with a red lid, his coat is red...he is all the time saying "Mom, I need the red one - that is my favorite color from the rainbow." I'm a little curious if they are doing something with rainbows at school.

This week has proven to be a very emotional week for me. Thank goodness my friend wasn't here too this week. I had no idea that Cody finishing speech would make me so emotional. To hear professionals rave about your child is a great thing and has shown we have made a lot of great decisions for him. That was probably one of the hardest thing for me - having to make the right decision and it just wasn't for is he hungry or is he wet? It was for who do I entrust to put my baby together. I never realized I would become such an advocate for other children. I did not know that I would be known among the professional agencies we have been a part of. Today as I sat in our discharge meeting from CPSE, I listened as they read off Cody's history. I couldn't have been more proud as Tish said "we are done for speech for now". Hard work was put forth by a lot of people, from Brett and I, my Mom and Sister who actually sat in on sessions so they could learn the "right" things, Tish for all her hard work and most of all Cody who has to over come so much. So we left the meeting with the committee knowing that when I feel Cody needs speech again they will be hearing from me and their comment was "we know". Good, glad somebody realizes I just won't be going away. :)

As for the other 2 because sometimes I struggle with feeling like they are left in the dark - there isn't much to report. Which to me is a good thing. Tyler continues to work on his speech and will be following along in his big brother's footsteps and be referred to CPSE when he turns 3. While he has the language he just doesn't have the articulation to understand it. And that is why I don't like to hear parents and doctors take lightly to fluid on the ears. It is NOT supposed to be there - if it was we would all have it. Tyler should of been referred to an ENT long before he was and the only reason he went was because I just took him. I knew to much to listen to the docs. Anyway - I could really go off on that. Then there is Dylan who is just a great kid. He is 100% boy and I know is very anxious for our weather to cooperate and let him get outside. He hates getting up for school and I am not sure how I am going to break that. If I don't, it is going to be a very long 18 years. He is sooo much like Brett it isn't funny. But I wouldn't trade him for anything.

A heartbeat

Kevin and Kristie had their first ultrasound today and they saw a heartbeat. There is one little Flower growing in her belly and will arrive around October 22nd. They sent us the ultrasound on our picture phones (I love technology) with one word - heart beat! The parents-to-be are super excited. And I am super excited to be an Aunt again. I really don't care what the sex is but I am really hoping to be buying pink!

In other news....Cody woke me up at 4am this morning throwing up. I've decided that is a lovely thing to be woken up to. Then what you do when your kids are sick just amaze you. If you would of told me I would be holding my hands in front of his mouth before I ever become a parent - I would of told you you were smoking crack. However, I'm wrong because that is exactly what you do. He stayed on the couch all day and didn't move. You know they are sick when they do that. So I stayed home from work today to help Brett. I figured he has done great all week with them but I thought having a sick kid would probably put that over the edge. However, I have to go to work tomorrow so hopefully nobody else gets sick tonight. fingers crossed!

Today was also his very last day of speech. We have our meeting with CPSE on Friday and he will be discharged. We did make it known though that it is very likely he will need to come back to speech after he gets any appliance in or have another surgery. I just do not want them to think we are done forever. Maybe so - but only time will tell.

Daddy Time

With my Mom being on vacation this week - Brett and I are splitting the "babysitting" duties if you will. I take the boys to school, Brett hopes that Tyler will sleep in a little, then he and Ty go and pick them up. They all then have until 3 when I leave work to basically high five Brett as we pass in the hallway as he heads to work. Then I get night duty.

Today Brett calls and says "we are going bowling". I was shocked especially because he was doing it all by himself. I could probably count on one hand the amount of times he has taken all three boys out of the house together - and the park doesn't count. He said it went well. Cody broke him in...Needing to pee twice and then go #2. All within about 10 minutes. I'm smiling can you tell.... Then they got McDonald's - lucky kids.

Can I just say though I miss my Mom. I miss her because of not seeing her but I really miss her because she always has my laundry and dishes caught up when I get home. Not to mention the house is usually picked up and I don't need to shovel a path to get in the door. While we are doing great this week and getting it all done - I am super lucky to have my Mom here to help out. She's worth a million bucks! She though is having a great time on the beaches of Florida.

NYC Experience

This weekend, Brett and I headed back to NYC for the first time since our senior trip. (this time we were allowed to stay in the same hotel room :) Anyway, we went down courtesy of cleftAdvocate so we could attend a cleft conference at NYU.

We left Saturday around noon after taking the boys to Tanya. She was wonderful enough to keep them for us as my Mom is in Florida on vacation this week. It rained our whole trip which sucked. We drove (or I should say Brett drove) to Peekskill and then we took the train into NYC. That was THE best way to go. We arrived at Grand Central right around 4 and then walked 3 short blocks to our hotel. We had a wonderful King size suite on the 9th floor of our hotel. It was fantastic.

Once we narrowed it down to where we were going to eat - we headed back out and went to dinner at Fagiolini Italian Restaurant. The food was the best. We got to sit upstairs and over look busy Lexington Ave.

Then we decided to walk and see the sights. We saw the Chrysler building, the empire state building, St. Pat's cathedral and the many, many great shops. All of which (shops) closed at 8 pm. I wasn't happy about that. We walked about 15 blocks, me in my black boot heels so we could get to the Disney store. Just to arrive at 8:30 and they were closed. I really still can't believe that in a busy city like New York that the shops close at 8pm on a Saturday night. So we hailed a taxi and went home.

Two things I realized in the city - the taxi drivers are just as crazy as those in Las Vegas. OMG - they can go from driving what seems to be 50mph to a stand still in a matter of seconds. The other thing we saw as we were walking was a ambulance, sirens blaring come to a jam packed intersection. I said to Brett "this should be good". There were five lanes of taxi's all waiting while 2 lanes crossed the street. The ambulance driving is just pounding the siren and next thing we watch is the front taxi's all pull into on coming traffic and make room for that ambulance to go through. Amazing!

Sunday we headed to NYU Medical center for a cleft conference. I was able to meet some people I know from online and then meet a few more that I didn't know. NYU has a really well know cleft team. My first thought of going down there was I was going to second guess myself. I am really happy that I left there knowing we are at just as great of a team. NYU developed the NAM. While I know it is great for infants and I've seen what it has done - it's obviously to late for us. It was nice to hear about our next phase of orthodontics and to know that both the teams do this all around the same age. So thank you Debbie for allowing Brett and I the opportunity to go.

The boys had a great time with my sister. They went to the mall and had their pictures taken with the bunny, went to McDonald's, Walmart, the pet store, played outside in the snow/slush and had a fun night with Karly and Connor. There was no crying at night for Mom and Dad. I am super proud of my little boys.

Lucky Smiles Event

So it's that time again to start planning the Lucky Smiles summer event for families. With the huge help and contributions from cleftAdvocate - our families will have a great gathering at our local park. I have a lot of work to do to get this done but don't doubt it will happen. I have many wonderful volunteers who will help. So far we have secured a venue, have booked a great comedian (www.wackychad.com) and best yet - Debbie Oliver is coming for it. We will provide a training class to families and then have a picnic in the afternoon.

I have many thoughts for the event. The comedian, the local fire station to stop by with a truck, maybe the sheriff's office to come and do some finger printing. Or if that can't happen maybe my brother will bring Tacko up. I need to get some things donated - like food/beverage, conference space, all sorts of things.

One of the greatest things is my family will get to meet Debbie. She has been a huge role model to me. Her entire family is great. She is such an inspiration to families and while she can be super sympathetic to me, she can tell me how it is. She was the first one to pick up the phone and talk to me when Cody and I had his first "booboo talk".

Now I reflect back and realize that I won't be doing any of this if it weren't for Cody. He truly inspires me.

More to come....I've got lots to do! For anyone with big pockets - contact me! Your donating to a great cause.

No More Speech!!!!

Yeah - after 4 years, Cody has been cleared from speech. I took him to Syracuse today to see Eileen (the team ST). He did great and practiced his words and she concluded that he doesn't need speech therapy anymore. He is making some age appropriate mistakes that any 4 year old makes. He has a harder time with /s/ and /z/ but those aren't going to be fixed until his palate is expanded. She wants us to come to the team visit that is at the dental clinic so the dentist can start working up a plan with him. She mentioned maybe that they would expand his palate sooner than normal. What that would involve is a device put on his teeth and we would have to turn the screw a mm a night. Looks like we'll go in July.

I am super proud of my Cody. As he slept in the car ride home, I drove and cried. Just thinking of those first few weeks and wondering if he would ever talk. I've watched him as he would work on his words, every week, with no fuss. I saw him making improvements. To hear others compliment him is wonderful! To see his hard work pay off is priceless.