Toy Boxes

All of the kids in the toy box! Over the weekend my Dad came for a visit. He has been a very busy beaver in his garage building. They were supposed to be done for Christmas but I think my Dad bit off more than he could chew. He wanted to build all 6 of his grandkids the same thing...he decided on toy boxes! It took him forever but all of his hard work paid off cause they turned out FANTASTIC! It was so wonderful to have him build my kids something. For many years every Christmas he would build me something new. I've gotten mirrors, tv stand, corner shelves, sconces, garbage bin holder, magazine rack, shelf, book case and for my wedding he built candle centerpieces..... Unfortunately, the day came and my parents divorced and I never thought I would get another wood thing from him. So when he said he wanted to build the kids something I was so excited. I knew I was getting 3 of them but trust me, we filled them with no problem! I am thankful that my boys will have something of his that they can have forever. Just like I still have the cowboy boot bank that my Grandpa built for me. The toy boxes are huge and are beautiful and are a wonderful addition to the wood working family in my house. He put a shelf on the inside that slides back and forth from side to side. As you open the lid is a plastic piece with pictures behind it that we change out over time.

I am hoping I can convince him to build me end tables next....we shall see!

Extremely Proud

Today was one of those days where you wake up feeling good and some how the day just got better. I got to work and today is/was Admin. Professional Day. Every year my office treats us girls super nice. I found pretty yellow tulips on my desk and a nice card. Then my group got me another wonderful card. Plus there was breakfast and a dunkin donuts gift card. A few of the guys that aren't in my office called and/or sent emails. I'm very thankful for the group I work for. And what better way to end a great morning is to take a 1/2 day! :)

After I left work for the day I headed to the school for our parent/teacher conferences. Brett and I met with Cody's teacher first. Mrs. Cluck had lots of wonderful things to say about him. He is doing fantastic and she said she adores him. She would like to keep him behind a year just so she could have him in her class again. :) She said he is a great role model to the students and is a very detailed worker. He's having a little bit of trouble with the 'h', and 'q' sounds...not sure if it's because of the expander or not but she'll just work on them with him. He is right where he is supposed to be and will be ready for 1st grade. Yes, Brett and I left there smiling... We headed down the hall to Dylan's class. Mrs. Matyas had wonderful things to say about Dylan. He too is doing fantastic. He's improved upon lots of different skills since our last meeting. She says she just loves him to pieces and he is a role model in his class. She feels that he has gotten more confident since the start of school and it's showing in his work. He needs to work a little bit harder on some of his sight words but other than that, he too is ready for 1st grade. We are extremely proud of both of them! Both teachers are anxious to meet Tyler and I am hoping that one of them gets him next year. When I register him I am going to ask if he can be with one of them and then just let the school decide as I do love both of those teachers the same.

To end our day, the boys had dental check ups. All 3 go in and line up in the 3 chairs and I am back and forth discussing teeth. That's when I thank god that Cody is the only in-depth kid. Cody went first. He's got one bottom 6 year molar, the other bottom one is trying to come in. He has a loose front top tooth (which we knew and are trying to wiggle it). It was very neat to see her take on the expander and how well it's working. She noticed the expansion right away. Dylan has 4 loose teeth...yep, the tooth fairy is taking donations.....His 2 tooth and his lateral incisors are loose. He has 3 of his 6 year molars. At the next visit she would like to take a panoramic xray and put sealants on the molars. Tyler has no loose teeth. He got some xrays and just got his teeth cleaned. The dentist was very happy with their oral hygiene and the best news of all NO CAVITIES!!!!

I am one very proud mommy tonight!

I am also a very proud Auntie. Karly was chosen to have an art project put on display at the high school. This isn't the first time she has been selected to have an art project on display. A few others have been on display at the districts main office. This one was special, a clay project and there was a little award presentation. Her clay project was a blueberry muffin. I didn't get to go to see it but I can't wait for pictures. Her art teacher said that she is very artistic and a great role model in class. Her old art teacher was also there and when he saw Karly he said "well, I'm not surprised to see you here". So it looks like Ms. Karly Jane got her Uncle Kevin's artistic ability.....she certainly didn't get it from her mother or Auntie. I can't draw a stick figure.

So proud of all of them! I think an Ice cream celebration is in their future!

Dylan's Sprain

Last night as I was trying to get Dylan and Tyler to come in from outside and they were fighting me to just stay out a 1/2 hour longer. I caved and let them. So instead, I went and did some Wii fit and thought I would call back out to them in a half hour. I wasn't 10 minutes into it when I heard all sorts of crying from outside. Before I could get out there - Tyler was barging in the house with Dylan behind - Dylan was crying hysterically. Got it figured out that Dylan fell and "twisted" his ankle. Took off the shoe and the sock and I could see it was red but that's it. He immediately wasn't putting pressure on it and to the couch he went. He mentioned that he probably wouldn't be able to go to school tomorrow but I told him we would have to see what morning brang.

This morning I got him up and yah..he wasn't going to school. His whole foot was nice and puffy and he couldn't walk on it. He hobbled down the stairs on his butt and to the couch he went. I believed him but also gave the firm warnings that there was no running and playing/no going outside/only to be on the couch or in the chair playing the Wii. He asked for Tylenol and I sort of believed he was hurting. I called and got him a doctor's appointment.

Dylan cracks me up. Couldn't put his shoe on that foot so he has developed this hobble and drag move with his foot. It's cute to watch. As we were waiting a good 20 minutes at the doctor's office, Dylan was becoming annoyed we had to wait so long. He really is his father's son! :) The doctor examined him and sure enough it's a sprain. He said the tendon that runs from the ankle bone along the side of the foot is probably what tore away. He suggested an ace bandage and for him to stay off from it. No gym for 2 weeks and keep with the Ibuprofen for the pain. We got home, got him settled on the couch and Brett wrapped his foot up. Keeping him down is going to be a challenge........ He is a cute patient isn't he?

Tyler's ENT update

Tyler had his 6 month follow up from his last surgery. Ear tubes are looking great. Still in place and nice and open - working just the way they are supposed to. I was anxious for this visit as he was going to have a hearing test. He hadn't had one since 2007 so it's been a while. Even though he told me he wasn't going to do it....he did and he did fantastic. He passed with flying colors. No gray area of concern. She totally made it fun and he loved it. The ENT is very happy and we go back in another 6 months. :) I love these easy appointments!

Falling in love with a new smile, a new face

But I just can not forget the face that we welcomed into the world. This sweet face. Ok, who am I kidding.....there were days that didn't want to look past his eyes. I didn't want to see his lip that way. And yes...I'm ashamed to even type that but it's how I felt at times...not all the time, just sometimes. That first surgery (6 years ago today) is a memory like the day they were born. A memory that I will never forget. So far there has only been two of those moments. The lip and palate surgery....I remember the other 2 but not as vividly. I remember it took 5 hours. I remember the doctor coming to talk with us and telling us that surgery went well and that one of us could go see him. I hated that both Brett and I couldn't go. But we both knew I was the one going. I followed the nurse and rounded the corner and heard him crying. I had NO IDEA what he was going to look like....this was not what I was prepared for!So much bruising and blood. That sweet little face. I wanted the cleft back....He just looked like he was in so much pain. We got up to his room and he was hungry. So Brett prepared the formula and I held him. He would fill a syringe up and I would slowly push it into his mouth. He ate like a champ. Night time was rough. He wanted no part of his crib. So I held him in my arms and we slept. The nurse didn't like it but I really didn't care. We left the next morning to come home. With this surgery also brought us the first time we were away from Dylan. I hated leaving him behind.
We got home and everybody was so anxious to see him. Recovery got better every day. A few days later the steri strip came off and you could really see that new little face. I loved it. I couldn't help but kiss it. He now had 1 whole lip......

Over the years his face has changed and his scars have evened out. Most people look at him and don't even see the scars. I look past them now but at times I still see that wide smile of his. I will never forget where we started on this journey......

Ortho Update - Gum highlight

Cody had another orthodontic visit today and I am so happy that there weren't a lot of tears. A few tears this morning when he woke up but once we got in the car and he was settled in with his DVD and breakfast - he was good to go. We had a morning appointment so Brett could come with us and I am thinking that made a world of difference. I know it did to me...I felt like I had my rock with me and we could share that quick glance during the appointment and know exactly what the other one was thinking.

We did our normal first - put the cheek guards in and took our pictures....

To most of you it looks about the same....his front two teeth are loose. Not really wiggly loose but he told him to wiggle 'em and loosen them up. While looking at the picture above, on the left hand side you can see a bulge in his upper gum...that was where (as a baby) his gum was split in two. Well the dentist said that in that spot is now an adult tooth. Which is really a good thing...where there is a tooth there is bone and that's what we need.

Dr. Dillingham came over and took a look inside and noticed that the wire needed repaired. The spot where it was sottered together had worn down and he needed to fix it. So it had to come out. He popped it out and I could tell Cody was moving his tongue all around in his mouth. It must of felt weird. Then he looks at me and said "Mom, my appliance is out....(pause).....(eyes got really big).....CAN I HAVE GUM"........................OMG...yes, of course! So I called the assistant over and asked and she said sure. Thankfully I had gum in my purse. I gave him a piece and he chewed away. He loved it. The dentist thought it was wonderful. I explained to them how he has been so good and understand at what he can and can't have. How at times he has a meltdown and just wants to eat sticky food. So chewing gum is a big deal. I got out my camera to capture him chewing and the dentist wanted a picture too. He suggested holding up the gum pack. Here is my SUPER HAPPY boy chewing his G.U.M......

Those 10 minutes went by quick. He spit the gum out and back in the appliance went. He did great getting it back in, no tears! He was so proud of himself too as he reminded his Dad later that he didn't cry. Dr. D is very happy with his brushing habits (yep, patting myself on the back), and the great thing is we don't have to go back for 8 weeks...which just so happens to be my birthday! :) Thinking that trip if it's nice will be a Zoo day!!!

Happy Easter

My Dad, the boys and I at Easter Breakfast....

Tyler's cool new sunglasses

Dylan got some awesome Monster Jam swim shorts....he LOVED them!!!

Cody was in Bakugan heaven!!! New battle gear, new volume 6 DVD, and new jammies....

All the kids lined up for the egg hunt...(well except Dylan as he took a spill in the yard and had a bummed knee...and maybe a little embarrassment going on too...but grandma got him some eggs....) Finally...we had a Easter that was nice weather. I remember last year having an egg hunt outside and the kids did it so fast cause it was freezing out. Mother nature was good to us and we had warm weather!

This Easter we were in Cuba. The Bunny didn't forget where we were and 3 little boys were so happy for that. It was fun for them to search for their baskets in a different house. Although I think the Bunny could of hid them harder. ;) Saturday morning the boys had us up and out of the house. I had a baby shower to go to and Brett and the boys stayed behind. Baby Shower was for a little girl....I loved all the pink....but only enough to want "pink" for a minute and then I quickly reminded myself how much "blue" I have at home and that's all I can handle. :) After the shower, we went to Aunt Joyce's for an egg hunt, good food, and lots of laughs. It was our first egg hunt with all of them and the boys had a lot of fun and I think the girls did a great job!

Sunday morning the boys were up and ready to find those baskets. Once they find them...which took about 2 seconds....they tore into them. That bunny is so smart and got them lots of stuff they can use this summer in Virginia. After baskets, we met my Dad at Sprague's for breakfast. I love breakfast! It was nice to visit with him. Darn hormones...they certainly got the best of me. But I'll blog about emotions some other time. We had a wonderful Easter dinner at Grandma Holden's. The boys had so much fun playing with the kids and of course more laughs.

Such a fun, fun weekend with family!