Dylan's Turn

Today was Dylan's turn to go back to the doctor. He ran a slight fever last weekend. We have all had the crap (cough, runny nose, sneezing) and I've watched him all week. Probably about Wed. he turned green. I still watched it cause he was acting fine. They he started to say his cheeks hurt and his ear hurt. That's what got me.....I probably should of called yesterday but you all know how my yesterday went! So I called today and they got us in. Sure enough - ear/sinus infection. He is now on amoxicillin and hopefully should be feeling better in no time.

It's funny though about amoxicillin - kids love this stuff. When Cody got put on his about a week ago - Dylan wanted to take some so badly. They make that stuff so yummy tasting. I guess! I wish all kids medicine tasted like that - it would make parents life so much easier.

From Bad to Good

So my morning started out on the wrong foot. Today the boys had a special program day at school. They all went at 8:30 and were watching a movie. I was driving them to school like any other day when I looked in my rear view mirror and there is a cop. I knew what was coming next. Yep, he flicked on the lights and over I went. To be honest, I knew what was coming. I had a break light out. Brett has known this for a few several weeks. He just hasn't had the right opportunity to fix it! (rolling eyes) So that is why he stopped me. Very unfortunate for me, I didn't realize my inspection was up in January. UGH! So he ticketed me for the inspection. I admit, guilty - but honestly I did not see it was up. I know I have looked at the sticker a million times and for whatever reason it has not registered. So............I came home at lunch and woke Brett up. He changed my break light bulb! :) Tomorrow morning the van will be at the shop for the inspection. And I'll pay a stupid ticket.

I really thought for sure the day would only get worse. It didn't. I worked a little late to make up some time. Got home to some pretty happy boys.....Brett to! I think he knew what way he should dance tonight. We ate dinner - all of us - around the table like a family. We don't get many of those nights and I LOVE THEM! Then we all sat down on the couch, in our jammies (the boys love to have a jammy party) and watched a movie. Monsters Inc. The boys got this for like their 2nd birthday. We just took the plastic off. Neither Brett nor I have watched the whole thing. It was so cute. And what I thought was pretty neat is their is a monster on the board named Luckey! Spelled the same way and everything.

I am very happy my day ended better! Everybody should have those movie family nights! We will!

Endo update

Cody had his first visit back with the endocrinologist since starting his medication today. I was very anxious to hear the results of the blood work and really hoped and prayed that his levels got better and not worse. My prayers were answered. His TSH went from a 9.06 to a 2.45 Yeah!!!!! The doctor said had we caught this when he was born (I've sort of got issues with that statement) then he would be looking to pull Cody off the medication at about this age. However, he said that if we can stay at this dose and the blood results to continue to come in within range - then he will look to take him off the medication in a year at the earliest. Cody was sort of sad to hear he has to still take the pill. I just explained that it's making him feel better and it's important that he takes it. There just is no wavering on this - it's one of those big boy things he just has to do. No rewards for taking it, no chance that if he just doesn't get a reward he doesn't have to take it, no questions.

Some days I really hate that I have to take the grown up attitude with my 5 year old! :( But I was extremely happy that his levels have come down and the medicine is working!

So back to the statement I have a problem with. How the h-e-double hockey sticks was I supposed to know when he was born that he had a thyroid problem. He sort of had other, more serious problems when he was born. And even after that, I am so unsure as to what symptoms would of given it away. After all, in the end I was the one who said "something isn't right", but I was also feeding off of Cody and his ability to "talk" to me. Then I was the one who went to the doctor and asked them to test his blood. Then I kept insisting we see a specialist. So a part of me is sort of beating myself up that I didn't catch this sooner - but the other part of me is saying "you go girl" for not giving up, not backing down, and getting Cody on the right path.

So now we are onto other things. Next Monday, both Cody and Dylan have an eye exam. At their check up they didn't do so good. Today, I talked with the school nurse and she said that when she tested them in October they both had a 20/30 vision...which is pretty good for their age. So I don't know. Now I am really confused! Monday will be a tell all I guess. Then next Friday, we head to an audiologist for an in depth hearing test for Cody. That one has my stomach in knots! Stay tuned!

My Buddy

My Buddy....My Buddy....My Buddy and me! (are you singing the song yet). Tyler and Connor are pretty good buddies. Being only 18 months apart, they are finally at the age where age isn't to much of a difference and they get along wonderfully. So last Saturday, Karly was gone to a birthday party and Tanya called to ask if Tyler would like to come and play. It's not often between the two households that the younger two get to do anything without their older, more domineering siblings around. So Tyler and Connor had the house to themselves and LOVED it! They played trucks, watched the Wiggles, ate, played kitchen, doctor, pulled out all the stuffed animals and carried them to the upstairs, ate some more, played more, ate again (these boys like to eat) and then it was tub time, blankie time and time for Tyler to go home. They really are "buddies".

Being played by a 5 year old....

I guess it all started Sunday when Cody and his father have been have some discussion over a Spongebob movie.


Conversation would go as follows:

Brett: The movie is Spongicus
Cody: No, Dad...it's called SpongERKcus
Brett: No, SpongERKcus
Cody: No, it's called Spongicus.

This would go back and forth - Brett changing the name to whatever Cody said it was.
So Today Brett asked Cody, "why is it every time I say Spongicus you say SpongeERKcus, and if I say SpongeERKcus, you say Spongicus"......

Cody says......."don't worry Dad, I am just messing with your head".

Brett says it's great to be "messed with" by your 5 year old. So my Mom asked Dylan if he ever messes with his Dad's head.....He replied "oh sometimes".

"taken" vs. "tested"

We had to have Cody's blood taken today as his endocrinology appointment is next week. This will be our first read of his thyroid levels after having started the medication. I'm pretty anxious to get the results back and meet with the Dr. to see how we are doing. So last night I knew I had to talk to Cody about it. My goal with him is to always be up front and honest with him. I might sugar coat it a little but I won't go over the edge and tell him something false. It's not fair to him. Like I would never tell him "it won't hurt" cause honestly how do I know that. So we talk that if it does hurt, then it won't hurt for long. That type of thing! Thankfully our pediatrician wrote us a script for numbing cream so it honestly doesn't hurt that bad when he gets it done. But I still talk to him about it - and I did so last night. I told him we had to go have his "blood taken". Well he informed me to stop saying it that way - he doesn't like the word "taken". I was kind of loss as to what to call it. My sister gave me some words of wisdom and said to try "tested" and that made the difference. He was OK with that. So we have our blood "tested". I was very impressed with the hospital today. It was our first time at this hospital. They had a special room for the kids - all decked out in Spongebob, spiderman, Disney, just about everything. Totally made the kids feel at home. Cody did fantastic. Not a tear! Our appointment is Wednesday! Wish him luck.

Clean Teeth

My 3 little boys have super clean teeth tonight. They all went to the dentist for their 6 month cleaning. And I have to brag that they did a FANTASTIC job and everybody cooperated. They made there mom very happy to say the least. This was Tyler's first trip to the dentist. Well, technically it was his second but the first time didn't go very well. This time he sat in the chair himself, got his teeth cleaned, got his x-rays and was so well behaved.

All 3 = no cavities!!! Great news!

Tyler has great spacing....about 20 teeth....the only we talked about with the skin from his upper lip to his teeth. She said it is pretty thick and we just need to watch it. If he should fall he might cut it. When his adult teeth come in we would watch to see if it had any affect on the pull of his lip. If for any reason, he should get another set of tubes in his ears - then to go ahead and have the ENT cut it.

Dylan got exciting news....he has 2 loose teeth!!! He was so excited. They are just loose - and not wiggling very much. It could be 6 months to a year before they fall out but they have started. He could have cared - he was so excited and had to come home and call people. Getting his teeth cleaned is like an old habit to him. He does such a gtreat job. He's got great spacing as well.

Cody did wonderful too! The dentist said he has great bone structure. All his teeth appear healthy. The tooth in his palate is solid, healthy and has great bone support. All really good news. By looking at his old panoramic x-rays she said he has an extra tooth on his left side and a missing tooth on the right. She said that once we start the palate expander if we should need any help or assistance and don't want to drive to Syracuse, that we can stop by and she will help.

So to end a great trip to the dentist - there was no payment needed and the boys got McDonald's.

Check ups, Valentine's and Weekend Trip

I need to play some catch up.

Starting over the weekend. We headed to Maryland to go see my brother. We had a wonderful time. The boys were excellent car riders and nobody cried to get out of their seats. We got in lots of Jack time and I could just eat him up. He is such a good, happy baby and a little chunk. Friday I drove myself to Walmart (all by myself). Pretty proud of myself considering I really don't know my way around there. Then after Kristie got home from work and we ate dinner, we took the boys to Toys-r-us so they could shop and spend some birthday money. They picked out some awesome toys and were in heaven. Saturday, my Valentine boys got me a beautiful Open Heart necklace. I love it! Then We took the boys to CoCo's Funhouse. The place was filled with bounce houses of all shapes and sizes. They had a blast. Then we enjoyed some yummy pizza, I got to go shopping at my favorite country store and we all played some Wii. That was so fun!!! Sunday we headed home. Sad to leave but every good trip comes to an end.

Today Cody and Dylan had their 5 year check ups. A little late due to a cancellation with weather. They are both growing great and healthy. We switched it up this time and only took one in the room at a time. It was nice for me to concentrate on one at a time and I think they did better. So Dylan wanted to go first. Thankfully I don't have alot of health questions for him. He answered his questions and went through the check up motions. Came time for his shots and he was OK with it. He started to tear up at the 3rd one but he held em back. He liked his band aids and out he went. Just to meet Cody in the waiting room to tell him "I didn't get a shot"...and Cody read right through him and said "lift up your shirt and show me your arms".

Dylan weighed: 48 lbs. and is 43 3/4" tall.
Cody weighed: 44 1/2 lbs. and is 42 1/2" tall.

Cody came in the room next. We discussed his thyroid issue, my concern with his hearing and our upcoming palate expander for the spring. Our pediatrician was on the same page as I for it all so that was nice. She looked in his ears but really couldn't see much. He did not get his shots as he has a sinus infection and was put on amoxicillin.

We did hit a bump though. The boys had to do their eye test and that didn't go as expected. They were kind of all over the chart and the doctor feels it would be best for them both to go get a more in depth eye exam done. (this is where it felt like somebody punched me in the stomach). I could not believe it. Dylan's right eye is 20/70 and his left eye is 20/40. While Cody's eyes (both) are 20/50. Talked a little bit with my SIL as she works in an eye doctor office and she said that with those eye sights it wouldn't be out of the question for the doctor to write a script. BUT to get the better test done. So I am really hoping the other test comes back better. We go on March 2nd. I have always hoped and prayed the boys would get Brett's vision and not mine. Time will tell!

Today too, my nephew Connor had surgery. We went and got Karly last night and she spent the night. He did good through his surgery. Had a little hard time waking up from the anestia but after he finally drank something they got to leave the hospital. So happy that this is behind him.

I have lots of great pictures from the weekend. I will get them posted soon! Have a great week!

Can you hear that??

Probably so if you are in my house - it would be the TV. With having 2 tv's downstairs and pretty close to each other (adjoining rooms) sometimes the two tvs try to drown each other out. For a while I just thought it was one of the boys turning the Tv up. So then I would turn it down and only get yelled at by Cody "mom, I can't hear". So I would brush it off and he would turn it back up and off I would go to do what I was doing. Well after a few other family members commenting to me that it seems like Cody is doing that a lot - did I start to get that wonderful mommy gut feeling that I need to get it looked at.

Rewind to December when we met with Dr. Tatum. He stated that Cody's tubes appeared to be out and he possibly has a hole on his ear drum. He did a tampanogram and it was basically flat line so that means the ear drum is not vibrating the sound. He wanted us to watch an infections and keep him in the loop. So I called his office today to see what they suggested. I really don't want to drive to Syracuse for a hearing test but would if we had to. Thankful, that is not needed - we will go to a local audiologist for a hearing test on 3/6. Then we see Dr. Tatum on 3/23 to discuss. My mommy gut is telling me the hole hasn't closed and the tubes are definitely out of place. I foresee another ear tube surgery in our future. Wonder if I'll be right?

On a different note, we are getting ready to go to my brother's at the end of the week. Yeah. I went tonight to get a hair cut. I've been growing it out but I told my hair dresser today that I am sick of standing in the bathroom for close to an hour to curl my hair. I sooooo don't have time for that. She said my hair was at a great length and we could do just about whatever! So we did! It's very short in the back and layered. Longer towards the front. Now let's just see if I can do it myself tomorrow before work. "Can you hear that?"...........it's me throwing my hairspray/blow dryer around my bathroom. Let's hope for the best! :)

Remembering Grandma

Today, my Grandma would of turned 88! Wow......so hard to believe. There isn't a day that doesn't go by that she is not thought of. I miss her very much. I do know though that she is smiling down from heaven on us all and helping us through our journeys. So I'll take her hands resting on my shoulders and cherish my memories!

Conversations with Dylan

For those of you who have more than 1 child or if you have other siblings - you know what I mean by the "middle child". I was one. I have an older sister and a younger brother. I don't think I ever really felt like the "middle" child much. Although, my sister used to tell me I was adopted. However, there is a good age gap between me and my siblings. With my kids though, having 2 at once.....one is still older. Even if it's by a minute. So Dylan is technically my middle child.

When he was born I was very worried how I would be able to tend to him when I had so much to do with Cody. Dylan was pushed off a lot onto other family to feed him and I really do feel like I missed out on some bonding moments. Then when Tyler came along and started to get sick and require a couple surgeries for tubes/tonsils/adenoids.....Dylan was again "left out" from what he was beginning to think as one-on-one time. Even though when Cody or Tyler went to a doctor it wasn't really "fun".

So, Dylan has just recently (probably the past 6 months or so) has taken a liking to such TV shows as the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Military Channel, Infomercials, etc....anything dealing with "real life". Kind of cracks me up because he sits so still and just watches - really soaking it all in. Cause then they come back in conversations.

These are some I remember:

1. There was a commercial for some type of electronic eye lash curler. The object was supposed to put on mascara without clumping. One night, he tells me I should order it and my mascara won't clump. I thought he was crazy....till the next morning when I was putting mine on and darn it - the kid was right - it was clumping. It took a then 4 year old to tell me that.

2. Oh and his Dad is getting the Billy Mayes hamburger patty press. Dylan just thinks his Dad would "love it" and "has to have it". (we haven't ordered it yet)

3. Last night, I was sitting in the chair and after he got over his fit (he was mad cause I made him watch Idol), he came in and sat with me. I asked him if he still loved me and he said "mom, I'll always love you"!

4. He told me that I should be "thankful for not watching TV with him the other night". When I asked why, he told me it was because it was about machine guns (must of been military channel) and I would of been "scared". I am thinking bored would of been more like it.

5. This morning driving to school as the sun was beating on my windshield and I was realizing I need to run the wipers, he pipes up from the back seat and tells me that I should get new wipers for the van. He said he saw some on TV and they wouldn't scratch my windshield, would melt the snow away.....guess I need to find these.

6. When my brother was hear the other day - Dylan really wanted to hold baby Jack. So he did - but then quickly reminded everyone that he couldn't do it for long as he was "Santa and Santa was a busy man and needed to get back to work".

So these are just some of our conversations he tells me. He is usually very matter of factly about it all. He's becoming controlling over the remote and giving his Dad a run for his money. I love our little conversations and can't wait for the next one!

A few things

Nothing major to report. It's been sort of quite in the Luckey household. Yesterday I got to see my brother, Kristie and Jack for a little bit. They had come to NY due to a death in Kristie's family and stop by Bingo on their way home. That was nice. I was so glad to see Jack as we haven't seen him since Xmas. We however, will see him / them even more as we head to their house next weekend. Yeah! He's getting so big and really does remind me of Kevin as a baby. Dylan took right to him and held him but apparently it wasn't for to long as Dylan is "Santa Claus" and he had to get back to work cause Santa is busy! Ah...the imaginations of little kids! I love them! The boys have another birthday party this weekend. This will make the 4th weekend in a row of parties. We would have 5 but we will be out of town next weekend.

The boys have a winter break starting the 16th - and that week is going to be busy. Connor will have surgery on the 16th. I hate the thought of it. So we will get Karly for the night. He's not expected to stay over so that is good. Did I say I hate the thought of it - wish I was going to be their at the hospital. Then also on the 16th, Cody and Dylan have their 5 year check up. Last appointment got canceled due to snow. They will have shots to get them ready for school next year. Thankfully Brett will be able to go and I won't have to worry about making one go first while the other one watches and then try and convince the second one to get shots too! Then a few days later - they all are going to the dentist for a cleaning. Again, should be interesting. Tyler has never gone, well I take that back - he's gone once and we got nothing done as he would not cooperate. So we are going to see if maybe he will do it if his brothers do it. Time will tell.

For now, we are in the deep freeze - or atleast it seems that way. It's been so cold outside. I am officially ready for Spring. But according to the Groundhog we will have 6 more weeks of winter! Wonder if he's right?

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

In the land of football world - today was a big day. It wasn't a HUGE day in our house as we are Bills fans..........but you have to watch the big game. Neither Brett nor I really cared who won but we were rooting for our numbers to be at the end of each quarter so we could win the office pools. That didn't happen either. But we went to a co-workers of mine house for a party and had a great time. Great food, good company, the boys were behaved....good time had by all!

The Steelers won.....we know several people that were very happy with that. So I'm happy for them! These however are my favorite football boys!