Happy Halloween & Pictures

Happy Halloween everyone!!! I hope everybody had a safe, fun night of trick or treating. Our gang had fun. We only walked a couple of blocks and they were ready to come home. I think the candy was calling their names. Surprisingly, it was the older ones that wanted to come home...Tyler and Connor would of kept going. They had fun! We couldn't complain about the weather at all as it was a very nice fall night. Thankfully as the costumes were all pretty thin. We got lots of candy times 3! After we got home they were already talking of what they wanted to be "next" year! Ahhh...they exhaust me! :)

Meet our crew.....Red Ranger, Genie, Blue Ranger, Farmer, Spiderman!!!
My 3 little Superhero's! Can you tell the Rangers apart?
And off they go......
Mommy and Daddy have to have some fun too!!!

The kids are done. The bags are full, their feet are "hurting" and their tummies want some sugar!

Happy Halloween!!!!

Endocrinologist Update

The appointment went well. Not sure if I am more confused now or before the appointment. It seems that it's just not a cut and dry case here.

First let me say that my man amazes me with his willingness to listen to the doctor and be so good. He got a big scare on his face today when we got there. First of all the appointment was at the hospital. He's not exactly fond of those places. Then after the nurse took his height and weight - she gave him a gown and said he had to take off his clothes. His eyes got as big as saucers. Ya see - any other time he is given a gown that means we are walking through the double doors. I saw it in his eyes. I quickly jumped to reassure him everything was fine and that the doctor was just looking at him.

The doctor did his exam and then we went to his office to talk. Cody's TSH level has been off the chart. However his T3 and T4 have been ok. Doctor said of those two the T4 was the most important and that was ok. But the TSH points more toward the pituitary gland. While the doctor didn't say he has hypothyroidism - he said we are more like clinical hypothyroid. Meaning = not sure if this will be a long term diagnosis. He doesn't feel the need to do an MRI at this time. He prescribed him Synthroid 25mg once a day and we see him back in 4 months for another blood draw and to talk. He is really hoping that once on the drug for a few years we could look to take him off around puberty to see if he levels out. A little overwhelming that this is even for a few years. He's only 4. Doctor also said that it's just not normal for a boy his age to complain of being tired all the time. However his growth is right on target. Which is good. So while we have a thyroid problem it's not not clear cut yet as to what we are dealing with. I liked the doctor. He welcomed my questions and really took the time to explain. Only thing being a pediatric doctor I felt like he could of had a more kid friendly attitude with Cody - but for now I am over looking that. I just don't feel the need (at this point) to drive to Syracuse for a second opinion.

So I need to figure out how to get him to take a pill. Maybe I'll make up a pill chart and he can put a sticker on it. The doctor doesn't recommend putting it in anything (applesauce, pudding, etc) - said he can chew it but yuck. There is no other form of it (liquid) so a pill is it. I am hoping he is better at swallowing pills than I am. Brett can pop them dry. I have no doubt he'll do it. I'm also trying to explain this to him and not finding the right words. Our other "talks" have been easy. This one you can't see.

My next concern comes to paying for this medication. Apparently this drug does not come in a generic for children. It does come in a generic for adults but it's not recommend for children by the FDA?? I guess! So for a drug plan - it's a tier 3 and for me that's $40 a month. UGH! My MIL told me to write a letter to the insurance company and plead my case so I will. (She's a nurse and fights them all day / every day) The generic - would be $11.99 for a 90 day supply. Big difference there!

Tonight as I was tucking him into bed, I told him the doctor wants him to take a pill everyday and that he would have to swallow it. He said "Mom, I'll just drink juice". I LOVE this little boy!

School pictures that DIDN'T happen!

Today was school picture day. The boys all looked adorable as they headed out the door. I always wonder about these pictures as I am not there to see what type of smiles we get. Last year - we got great pictures in both the fall and spring shots. Cody and Dylan said there's went great today. No doubt, I am sure I will have great pictures from them in a couple of weeks. Tyler on the other hand..................UGH! He would not get his picture taken. I guess he sat in the chair and put his hands over his face and that was it folks. He was NOT taking them off his eyes. So no pictures!!! We had a big talk tonight and he said he would do them on picture re-take day but man I am so frustrated with him. I am hoping he'll cooperate because if he doesn't then he isn't in the class picture either. I guess it is only preschool but it's his first year! I can't force him though so I'll just have to deal. He has a stubborn streak in him a mile long!

Cody goes to the endocrinologist tomorrow. I'll update then. My nerves are good right now. We'll see what morning brings.

Pumpkin Carving

Tonight we carved our pumpkins. The boys have been waiting to do it but tonight was the best night. I called Brett and asked if he wanted to come home from work for a few hours to carve with us and he did. He was so happy and so was I as we have always done this together. So he got home and we started. The boys told us what they wanted and Brett and I did our best to follow their wishes. They would of loved to cut themselves but I'm not that brave! They scooped some but they didn't want to get their hands dirty. Go figure - my dirt loving boys didn't want their hands dirty by pumpkin guts. (rolling eyes) We are expecting our first snow tonight and into tomorrow so we'll see what we get. I'm hoping for something light and that it will melt quick.
Tyler got so into scooping!
Cody liked scooping for a quick minute.
Dylan did stick his hand in for a second but that was it.
Cody wanted to cut really bad so Daddy let him cut a line.
My boys with their pumpkins. They thought of the faces.

SCARY............

What a Weekend and Baby Pictures

Phew.....the weekend is over and I am exhausted. Doing a marathon drive like that takes so much out of you. If you haven't been following....Kevin and Kristie had their little boy on Friday. Her water broke Thursday night so after much thought we all decided to get a little sleep (yah right) and wait to head to MD on Friday AM. We were on the highway by 5:30 am and arrived at the hospital at 11.

Jack is adorable and looks just like his Daddy. Kevin is great with him. It was so neat to see my mom teaching him how to change the diaper. We had a great weekend with them and had to leave this morning to head home. That was super tough. I miss Jack already and can't wait till they come North. I have 3 very anxious little boys that can't wait to hold him.

While I was gone, Brett had "daddy duty" all weekend. My house was in one piece when I arrived home so that was good news. :) He had to turn in 2 football games with me being gone so that kind of sucked but oh well. The only thing that cracked me up is he did the laundry but didn't fold ANY of it. I guess at least it was clean.

Now onto the much anticipated pictures of my new nephew!

The Flower Family...
Jack Brady Flower..............Sporting his "pumpkin" hat. The hat is orange and has a little green stem on the top! Very perfect for a Halloween baby!

I think he looks like his daddy!

Jack Brady Flower

My nephew was welcomed into this world this morning at 8:23 am. Jack weighed 9lb. 30z and was 21 1/2 inches long. Kristie had a very long labor. Getting to the hospital around 10ish, started epidural at midnight and started to push around 6am. She then pushed for 2 hours. Mother and baby are doing fantastic and Jack is a little cutie! Daddy is doing great too and has changed a few poopy diapers today! :) So neat to see my baby brother doing that. I have pictures but you all have to wait till I get home on Sunday.

Baby Update

Kristie's water broke about 10 pm and they are headed to the hospital. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers...... Us girls are headed to Maryland and can't wait to meet the new addition to our family. I will have lots of pictures when I come home.

We love you Kevin, Kristie and Baby Jack.