Over the weekend we headed back to Cuba for a graduation party of Brendan's. Thankful our weather was super nice and we all got to enjoy the pool. We had a nice party and Brendan was very surprised. He is off to college already. At times I think he has been this age forever but on his gift table was a hand print mold. It was so cute as it was little and I was curious how old he was. He was 5ish and in pre-school and it was 1995. OMG, your kidding right cause that was the same year Brett and I started dating. Made me feel very old that he is now old enough to go off to college. We all have these moments, and some have them about me (that I'm old enough to have kids) but wow - this was my moment. It was also very nice that Grandma Luckey could come for the party. She is 96 (I think) and bless her heart doesn't know who you are but we could never forget her. She reminds me so much of my own Grandma, her size, her demeanor, her love for the outside.
All that warm weather gave us a great opportunity to enjoy the pool. It was wonderful. Sunday we all got in and relaxed. All 3 of the boys came even farther out of their shells and did some first. Cody and Dylan both took off their arm floats and were swimming away. I was so shocked and so proud of them. They quickly jumped in and realized they sink right down to the bottom but if they used their feet - up they came. Then finally, I got Tyler to take off his batman ring and just swam with his arm floats. He was amazed he didn't sink. I told him he wouldn't but he needed to build up the courage himself. After all that sun, they all crashed!
Countdown is on to the start of school. Waiting very patiently to get our teacher assignment. (And I'm using the word patient very loosley) :) Next week they have Kinder-Camp for 3 days. Very anxious to see how that will go. I get teared up thinking about it all.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Cody's team visit update
Cody had both his yearly craniofacial team visit and his first orthodontic visit since getting his palate expander on yesterday. We had a long day in Syracuse but it yielded good results. I'll break it down by visits.
1. First we met with Dr. Tatum's staff as he was performing an emergency surgery. The lady who first looked in Cody's ears said "tubes are great". I got a puzzled look on my face and said "really?" Cause we were just here in March due to ear issues and Dr. Tatum said tubes were on there way out. I got back to the waiting room and told Brett I didn't exactly trust that opinion. The other's wanted to talk about all things in the distant future and to be honest they were things I knew and things that I never even asked about. She felt the need to tell me that they can't fix his nose until his finished growing. Some days I feel smarter than them. (Sigh)
2. We met with Eileen in speech. I was very curious what she would offer about his speech since getting the palate expander on. He repeated his phrases (even the one when she said "speak up nice and clear cause I'm getting old"). She said a few of his sounds 'ch'/'sh'/etc are a little garbled but it is due to the expander and it will get better when that comes off. He should have no lasting speech issues from the expander. No air escaping out the nose still - good news! So over-all she was very impressed with him and his speech! Yeah!
3. Then came hearing. They checked his ears and said tubes were OK although they said they couldn't see them as clearly as the first person made it out to be. He passed his hearing test with flying colors and we were out of there.
4. Next up were pictures. They take lots of pictures of all different angels for their records to help them watch his growth. This time the photographer said "not for the cover". Meaning - he is the same guy that took Cody's pictures before for the craniofacial brochure that he is on.
5. Met back up with Dr. Tatum and crew. This time a different outcome on the ear tubes. Yes they are in but they are not in straight but "funky" as the doctor put it and he told me to notify him of his first infection and we'll have to talk. (at this point the little person inside me wanted to scream I was right, but didn't) He was very impressed with the palate expander. All the students in the room got to take a peak too. I asked what is next and he thinks bone graft although we aren't sure on a time frame yet. Could be another year. He had us ask Dr. Dillingham to send over x-rays so he could take a look and then the two of them would talk. Dr. Tatum told Cody he is "double studly" for having that palate expander in his mouth. Cody just smiles! And it's always nice to have the doctor tell the room that this is their "poster child". I'm very happy that he stands behind Cody's repair. I completely agree but I am probably bias.
6. Our last stop of the day was genetics and really a complete waste of time. I realize it's important to see them to notify them of family changes but we have none. No new children, no illnesses, nothing. Just for him to tell me again that they have no idea why clefts happen and that there are no test to be done. Again, I knew this much. I swear the kid was just out of college. Sorry that is probably mean but at this point it's a huge waste of time. And Cody would of much rather been playing in the play room.
To finish out our doctor day, we met with Dr. Dillingham for our first visit. Cody wore his special t-shirt and got a raffle ticket. Then he had very clean teeth and appliance and he got another. Next time he gets a prize from the "big table" and prizes are very important when you are 5. Dr. D made a small adjustment to the wire. Then he used some bonding material to hook the wire to the tooth better. The tooth is small and doesn't give the wire a lot to push against. Cody wasn't pleased with having an adjustment made but handled it well. We didn't know he had to so therefore we didn't tell him and there was no time to get himself worked up over it. While that works I still like to be honest with Cody about what is going on. Dr. D congratulated Mom and Dad on great teeth cleaning. I'm sorry for that one I have to take the congrats away from Dad as he hasn't done any of it. Cody and I are a great little team and we have found what works to make teeth cleaning fun! We go back for another visit at the end of September.
In between visits we had a little bit of time and went over to the Carousal Mall. I've only been once and Brett has never been. We had a nice little lunch with Cody and let him shop around for a special prize for the day. He of course found another bakugan that we just HAD to have and then he was searching for a little something for his brother's too.
I didn't get to speak to anybody about his anxiety fears. He'll have a good day and I'll think to myself that everything is fine and it's just a phase but then other days something will rear it's head and I'll be lost. Yesterday we did good with the doctor visit - it came time when we went into the building and had to ride the elevator that he started to cry cause he didn't want to. We were pressed on time and there was no option for stairs and he just did it. And it was fine! We rode it down and he was fine. We were at the mall and went to go from one level to another - and went to take the elevator and OMG he LOST it. He cried and ran away from us - people looking at us like WTF - he did not want to ride that elevator. So we didn't. But I have no idea where that fear came from. So.....I still haven't heard back from the psychologist but will make another call as I think it's necessary.
We will see Dr. Tatum in 6 months unless something comes up with his ears and Dr. Dillingham in Sept.
1. First we met with Dr. Tatum's staff as he was performing an emergency surgery. The lady who first looked in Cody's ears said "tubes are great". I got a puzzled look on my face and said "really?" Cause we were just here in March due to ear issues and Dr. Tatum said tubes were on there way out. I got back to the waiting room and told Brett I didn't exactly trust that opinion. The other's wanted to talk about all things in the distant future and to be honest they were things I knew and things that I never even asked about. She felt the need to tell me that they can't fix his nose until his finished growing. Some days I feel smarter than them. (Sigh)
2. We met with Eileen in speech. I was very curious what she would offer about his speech since getting the palate expander on. He repeated his phrases (even the one when she said "speak up nice and clear cause I'm getting old"). She said a few of his sounds 'ch'/'sh'/etc are a little garbled but it is due to the expander and it will get better when that comes off. He should have no lasting speech issues from the expander. No air escaping out the nose still - good news! So over-all she was very impressed with him and his speech! Yeah!
3. Then came hearing. They checked his ears and said tubes were OK although they said they couldn't see them as clearly as the first person made it out to be. He passed his hearing test with flying colors and we were out of there.
4. Next up were pictures. They take lots of pictures of all different angels for their records to help them watch his growth. This time the photographer said "not for the cover". Meaning - he is the same guy that took Cody's pictures before for the craniofacial brochure that he is on.
5. Met back up with Dr. Tatum and crew. This time a different outcome on the ear tubes. Yes they are in but they are not in straight but "funky" as the doctor put it and he told me to notify him of his first infection and we'll have to talk. (at this point the little person inside me wanted to scream I was right, but didn't) He was very impressed with the palate expander. All the students in the room got to take a peak too. I asked what is next and he thinks bone graft although we aren't sure on a time frame yet. Could be another year. He had us ask Dr. Dillingham to send over x-rays so he could take a look and then the two of them would talk. Dr. Tatum told Cody he is "double studly" for having that palate expander in his mouth. Cody just smiles! And it's always nice to have the doctor tell the room that this is their "poster child". I'm very happy that he stands behind Cody's repair. I completely agree but I am probably bias.
6. Our last stop of the day was genetics and really a complete waste of time. I realize it's important to see them to notify them of family changes but we have none. No new children, no illnesses, nothing. Just for him to tell me again that they have no idea why clefts happen and that there are no test to be done. Again, I knew this much. I swear the kid was just out of college. Sorry that is probably mean but at this point it's a huge waste of time. And Cody would of much rather been playing in the play room.
To finish out our doctor day, we met with Dr. Dillingham for our first visit. Cody wore his special t-shirt and got a raffle ticket. Then he had very clean teeth and appliance and he got another. Next time he gets a prize from the "big table" and prizes are very important when you are 5. Dr. D made a small adjustment to the wire. Then he used some bonding material to hook the wire to the tooth better. The tooth is small and doesn't give the wire a lot to push against. Cody wasn't pleased with having an adjustment made but handled it well. We didn't know he had to so therefore we didn't tell him and there was no time to get himself worked up over it. While that works I still like to be honest with Cody about what is going on. Dr. D congratulated Mom and Dad on great teeth cleaning. I'm sorry for that one I have to take the congrats away from Dad as he hasn't done any of it. Cody and I are a great little team and we have found what works to make teeth cleaning fun! We go back for another visit at the end of September.
In between visits we had a little bit of time and went over to the Carousal Mall. I've only been once and Brett has never been. We had a nice little lunch with Cody and let him shop around for a special prize for the day. He of course found another bakugan that we just HAD to have and then he was searching for a little something for his brother's too.
I didn't get to speak to anybody about his anxiety fears. He'll have a good day and I'll think to myself that everything is fine and it's just a phase but then other days something will rear it's head and I'll be lost. Yesterday we did good with the doctor visit - it came time when we went into the building and had to ride the elevator that he started to cry cause he didn't want to. We were pressed on time and there was no option for stairs and he just did it. And it was fine! We rode it down and he was fine. We were at the mall and went to go from one level to another - and went to take the elevator and OMG he LOST it. He cried and ran away from us - people looking at us like WTF - he did not want to ride that elevator. So we didn't. But I have no idea where that fear came from. So.....I still haven't heard back from the psychologist but will make another call as I think it's necessary.
We will see Dr. Tatum in 6 months unless something comes up with his ears and Dr. Dillingham in Sept.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Weekend catchup
It's Tuesday and I am just getting time to catch up and blog about our weekend. Not that anything life shattering happened during the weekend but a couple fun points that are worth remembering. This past weekend was the NASCAR race at the Glen. It's been a family tradition if you will that Brett goes to this race. When they first started going it was with my Dad and brother-in-law. The weekends were strictly a "guy's weekend" and I don't even ask what went on. They just had fun! Over the years the dynamic of the weekend changed but Shaun and Brett continued to go. Leaving my sister and I with the kids to do fun things of our own. This year was slightly different in that we stayed local and didn't do anything major. We did though meet a friend of mine in Syracuse at the MOST. The MOST is the museum of science and technology. Cool things for the kids to do. Then we enjoyed lunch out at a really cool place called Quaker Steak and Lube. They've been on food network and the atmosphere was awesome! We spend the night at the Smith's and that was fun even through the arguing that kids did. For some reason (weather didn't help) they were just at each other's throats. But they are very close cousins and really do fight like siblings.
Came time for race time on Sunday and wouldn't you know the curse of the rain at the Glen struck again. It poured and the race ended up being canceled. Brett called and decided to come home and go back on Monday and take the boys. Only Dylan and Tyler wanted to go, so they did. It was super HOT and humid! The boys enjoyed it but got a little bored. If anything it gave them a great day to be with their Dad.
Tomorrow we go to Syracuse for Cody's yearly team visit and his first orthodontic visit since getting his palate expander put on. As always my stomach is in knots even though I don't think anything will come from it. Just can't help it. I'll be sure to update about our day!
Came time for race time on Sunday and wouldn't you know the curse of the rain at the Glen struck again. It poured and the race ended up being canceled. Brett called and decided to come home and go back on Monday and take the boys. Only Dylan and Tyler wanted to go, so they did. It was super HOT and humid! The boys enjoyed it but got a little bored. If anything it gave them a great day to be with their Dad.
Tomorrow we go to Syracuse for Cody's yearly team visit and his first orthodontic visit since getting his palate expander put on. As always my stomach is in knots even though I don't think anything will come from it. Just can't help it. I'll be sure to update about our day!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Right Decisions
For the past couple of days Cody has complained that his mouth hurt. I would have him tip back and open wide and take a look but I just couldn't see anything. Then he wouldn't say anything about it. Last night we came to bed and he said his mouth hurt. This morning when I woke up he said his mouth hurt. Then my mom called this afternoon and I knew I had to make a call. The complaining was getting shorter and shorter. I must say I really do love our choice for an orthodontist. He wasn't in the office today but after speaking with his staff - they gave me both his home phone and cell number. So I call the cell and he answers. Doesn't seem bothered by the call AT ALL. We chat. Cody says that his tooth hurts and it's the tooth where the appliance is resting against - 3rd one on the right. Dr. Scott feels a piece of food could of become trapped and has now infected the gums. He told me to brush that area with peroxide, rub a little benadryl on it and give tylenol. Then he gave me his home number and told me to call over the weekend if I need anything. Wow - and all of this while he is on his boat fishing! Now that is what I call a doctor committed to his patients. We brushed tonight with peroxide and the bristles and mouth foamed up so I am thinking his gums are in fact infected. Hopefully this will work and will mask the problem till we see him on Wednesday for our check up.
I also decided yesterday that I would look into the recent anxiety issues with Cody. I tried to talk with our ped. and for the first time I felt like she just didn't get it. So I emailed our team coordinator to check if there was a child psychologist on the team that we could talk with. We don't have one but the director called me back with a name she highly recommends. She already talked with him and he said he would talk with me. So I am very thankful. I guess I just need to talk with somebody that can either tell me "yes there is an issue" or "it's OK mom, he's fine".
It just all started with his palate expander. Up till this point, through all doctor visits I have had a great relationship with Cody about telling him what is up. He does great at team visits and seems to understand. Then again he is only 5 and there is really only so much a 5 year old can understand. Heck I don't understand it all the time. His anxiety kicked in over drive when he got that expander on. Then it was like two weeks after that he started crying before bed. To the point of being sick. However, right about that time we were getting ready to go to my brother's. A place he had been before. While there he went to bed fine. We got home and it started again. He told me he is "nervous"....but I have no idea over what. He hasn't wanted to go to the park with his brothers - but would rather stay home. It's almost as if he doesn't want to do anything new. I told him about a museum we are going to and he cried. He's not in school so there are no kids to pick on him. Although I'm not looking forward to him starting Kindergarten where there are many new changes ahead. He is home with just his brothers and my Mom - the way it's been forever. I'm not entirely sure what is up so that is why I am thinking a child psychologist could help. Somebody that might also have dealt with kids that have had many medical procedures. It does take a toll on them. I am not crazy and will do whatever I have to to get to the bottom of it. Patience is the start. However, knowing that we have a team of great doctor's on Cody's side means the world to me. It is during these times that I know we made the right decision for who is involved in his care.
I also decided yesterday that I would look into the recent anxiety issues with Cody. I tried to talk with our ped. and for the first time I felt like she just didn't get it. So I emailed our team coordinator to check if there was a child psychologist on the team that we could talk with. We don't have one but the director called me back with a name she highly recommends. She already talked with him and he said he would talk with me. So I am very thankful. I guess I just need to talk with somebody that can either tell me "yes there is an issue" or "it's OK mom, he's fine".
It just all started with his palate expander. Up till this point, through all doctor visits I have had a great relationship with Cody about telling him what is up. He does great at team visits and seems to understand. Then again he is only 5 and there is really only so much a 5 year old can understand. Heck I don't understand it all the time. His anxiety kicked in over drive when he got that expander on. Then it was like two weeks after that he started crying before bed. To the point of being sick. However, right about that time we were getting ready to go to my brother's. A place he had been before. While there he went to bed fine. We got home and it started again. He told me he is "nervous"....but I have no idea over what. He hasn't wanted to go to the park with his brothers - but would rather stay home. It's almost as if he doesn't want to do anything new. I told him about a museum we are going to and he cried. He's not in school so there are no kids to pick on him. Although I'm not looking forward to him starting Kindergarten where there are many new changes ahead. He is home with just his brothers and my Mom - the way it's been forever. I'm not entirely sure what is up so that is why I am thinking a child psychologist could help. Somebody that might also have dealt with kids that have had many medical procedures. It does take a toll on them. I am not crazy and will do whatever I have to to get to the bottom of it. Patience is the start. However, knowing that we have a team of great doctor's on Cody's side means the world to me. It is during these times that I know we made the right decision for who is involved in his care.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Kids understanding pictures
With it being our anniversary, I got out our wedding album and sat down to look through it. I would like to watch our tapes but they are VCR tapes and well we only have DVD players - so I guess it's time I get those switched over to DVD's. I have a couple wedding pictures through out the house of Brett and I but the boys have never looked at the album.
OMG - they cracked me up! I have one picture from when Brett and I went to our Homecoming our Junior year. Yah we were much younger! Brett had a flat top hair cut and I still am not sure what he was thinking with that. :) Tyler took one look at that picture and said "wow, what happened to my Dad's hair?". LOL. So we kept flipping and Tyler says again "Mom, why did you marry so many people?". He saw the pictures of me dancing with different people (who all had tuxes on) and he thought because they looked like Brett did (in a tux) that I married them too! Now usually Cody is my to the point man but Dylan says very matter-a-factly...."So Mom, first you were boyfriend and girlfriend, then you got married and that is how you could have us". EXACTLY! lol. So he looks at Cody and says "Cody if you want to have kids you have to get married first!" On we flipped to the cake pictures. They thought it was pretty cool we had a fountain. Then they had no idea what Brett and I were doing......we smashed the cake. We had a blast. Cake went everywhere! Dylan says "mom when you get married you can smash cake?" I told him only if his wife lets him.
It was so much fun showing them the pictures.
We had a nice anniversary. Our work schedule is different so we went out to lunch today. It was very peaceful to sit at a table together and chat and eat without any interruptions. Something we don't get at home. I got a great card (I love cards) that said all the right things. He finds the best cards.
Up next: He is heading off to the Glen for another year of racing fun. Mommy duty kicks in full time tomorrow. We'll miss him but we plan to have a little fun of our own. Going to a children's museum with friends.
OMG - they cracked me up! I have one picture from when Brett and I went to our Homecoming our Junior year. Yah we were much younger! Brett had a flat top hair cut and I still am not sure what he was thinking with that. :) Tyler took one look at that picture and said "wow, what happened to my Dad's hair?". LOL. So we kept flipping and Tyler says again "Mom, why did you marry so many people?". He saw the pictures of me dancing with different people (who all had tuxes on) and he thought because they looked like Brett did (in a tux) that I married them too! Now usually Cody is my to the point man but Dylan says very matter-a-factly...."So Mom, first you were boyfriend and girlfriend, then you got married and that is how you could have us". EXACTLY! lol. So he looks at Cody and says "Cody if you want to have kids you have to get married first!" On we flipped to the cake pictures. They thought it was pretty cool we had a fountain. Then they had no idea what Brett and I were doing......we smashed the cake. We had a blast. Cake went everywhere! Dylan says "mom when you get married you can smash cake?" I told him only if his wife lets him.
It was so much fun showing them the pictures.
We had a nice anniversary. Our work schedule is different so we went out to lunch today. It was very peaceful to sit at a table together and chat and eat without any interruptions. Something we don't get at home. I got a great card (I love cards) that said all the right things. He finds the best cards.
Up next: He is heading off to the Glen for another year of racing fun. Mommy duty kicks in full time tomorrow. We'll miss him but we plan to have a little fun of our own. Going to a children's museum with friends.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
9 things I remember about this day....
9 years ago!
1. I married my high school sweet heart. The boy I had many dreams about. The boy that put those butterflies in my stomach every time I saw him.
2. The Eye! How could you forget Brett's eye that day. It had to of throbbed. For those that don't know the history - the night before our rehearsal party, Brett and a few friends went to Olean to a bar. As they left a group of boys came out a side door and jumped them. Brett got hit from behind and ended up with 30+ stitches in his eyebrow. I remember getting the call at 2am from one of the guys in our wedding party. My mom and I drove to the doctor office (thankful a good friend's dad was a doctor and took care of the stitches). I almost passed out. At rehearsal, the minister was so good about it. At the wedding in the reception line everybody went from "what happened.....to....you look great".
3. Our wedding party. We had a blast. So many great friends and family that shared our day.
4. Remembering back to those that were with us on our special day that have passed. Grandma Jane, Letti, Grandpa Luckey.
5. It was so HOT that day! And having been living in NC where you got very used to the AC - it was hot! So hot in fact that our junior bridesmaid passed out during our ceremony. Thankfully same doctor that helped with the eye was their and he came a running to help her out.
6. We had a great music to dance to. The one song that got popular that year was "Who Let the Dogs Out". Thanks Annie for suggesting that! That song brought the dance floor to life.
7. Our toasts! Thanks to my sister and our best man Bill - they gave some great speeches that I will always remember.
8. My Dress....something about putting on that white dress. You truly do feel like a princess for a day. The hair, makeup, flowers, shoes (flip flops for the dancing), the ring that gets placed on your finger.
9. Saying "I do"..............to the man that makes me happy. To the man that I have been able to share my dreams with. The man that gave me 3 great boys and who is a great Dad. The man that can deal with my "quirks". The man I can laugh and cry with, watch football with, share a quick glance and know that the smile really means a little "I love you" without saying it. The man that has been my backbone when life has throw us the un-expected. The man that is not afraid to show his emotion. To my husband, I love you!
1. I married my high school sweet heart. The boy I had many dreams about. The boy that put those butterflies in my stomach every time I saw him.
2. The Eye! How could you forget Brett's eye that day. It had to of throbbed. For those that don't know the history - the night before our rehearsal party, Brett and a few friends went to Olean to a bar. As they left a group of boys came out a side door and jumped them. Brett got hit from behind and ended up with 30+ stitches in his eyebrow. I remember getting the call at 2am from one of the guys in our wedding party. My mom and I drove to the doctor office (thankful a good friend's dad was a doctor and took care of the stitches). I almost passed out. At rehearsal, the minister was so good about it. At the wedding in the reception line everybody went from "what happened.....to....you look great".
3. Our wedding party. We had a blast. So many great friends and family that shared our day.
4. Remembering back to those that were with us on our special day that have passed. Grandma Jane, Letti, Grandpa Luckey.
5. It was so HOT that day! And having been living in NC where you got very used to the AC - it was hot! So hot in fact that our junior bridesmaid passed out during our ceremony. Thankfully same doctor that helped with the eye was their and he came a running to help her out.
6. We had a great music to dance to. The one song that got popular that year was "Who Let the Dogs Out". Thanks Annie for suggesting that! That song brought the dance floor to life.
7. Our toasts! Thanks to my sister and our best man Bill - they gave some great speeches that I will always remember.
8. My Dress....something about putting on that white dress. You truly do feel like a princess for a day. The hair, makeup, flowers, shoes (flip flops for the dancing), the ring that gets placed on your finger.
9. Saying "I do"..............to the man that makes me happy. To the man that I have been able to share my dreams with. The man that gave me 3 great boys and who is a great Dad. The man that can deal with my "quirks". The man I can laugh and cry with, watch football with, share a quick glance and know that the smile really means a little "I love you" without saying it. The man that has been my backbone when life has throw us the un-expected. The man that is not afraid to show his emotion. To my husband, I love you!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Tyler 4 yr. check up
Tonight was Tyler's 4 year check up. The doctor had a lot of questions but I didn't really have any major concerns. He's right on track. We talked about his ears and the fluid that was on his right ear back a couple weeks ago. Sad to report it's still there so that doesn't make me all warm and fuzzy and I'm thinking it's still going to be there in Sept. and we'll need another set of tubes. We will see. He weighs 38 1/2 pounds and is 38 1/4" tall. He even passed his vision test! He got 1 shot and did great. It was very cute because he told Cody to watch him cause he wouldn't cry. Cody on the other hand had to get 4 (all his shots for turning 5 and going to Kindergarten) and he wasn't happy about it at all. The nurse was super with him and he did get them. He has such anxiety over things and if anybody knows how to take that away from kids - let me know.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
