But I have finally heard..."it's not fair"
Oh yes, the wonderful, wonderful concept of things not being fair has insidiously slipped its way into dear Kyle's lexicon. I was beginning to wonder...
Kyle has always been one to want to be the center of everyone's attention. He sincerely believes he is the sun and the rest of us are just merely the little planets and stars that orbit around him. Much as we try, my husband and I are unable to convince him otherwise.
So, we have finally reached the next step...Kyle now believes things are entirely "not fair" if Todd is allowed to do something that Kyle is not allowed to do. This usually only happens when Kyle is being punished because of his own behavior. BUT, we are also getting into "not fair" territory when Todd ends up doing something that Kyle has opted out of and then realizes after the fact that what Todd got to do was in fact quite fun. And, because well Todd got to be in the lime light while poor little ole Kyle has noone paying any attention to him at all...it's just not fair!
Oh the joy.
And even though I know this is quite typical of children this age, especially like gendered children close in age, I really wonder how over the top Kyle will get since he already truly believes he is the sun and Todd is just merely a planet in Kyle's orbit.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Countdown is On
A week and a half until school starts, 3 weeks until the baby is delivered...yikes! Time is slipping by so fast.
Updates -
Kyle: He is still enjoying his science day camps. This morning he told me he does not like that summer and camp are only for another week. Go figure. He asks all the time if we are going on a vacation as we have gone to the Keys for a week the last couple of years. Unfortunately that is just not happening this year. I feel so bad that the boys have to miss out this year but there really is no other choice. Mom may take them for a weekend and Kevin has mentioned it as well. We really want to get them down there so they can go snorkeling and fishing again. Kyle is quite entertaining these days. He is having fewer temper tantrums (thank goodness) and cooperating more each day. He is still very bossy, wants everything to be his way and rarely listens BUT he is pretty consistent with everything else. I really hope he continues this trend and does not revert to old behavior. I think he is starting to show signs of being able to understand the concept of your actions = your consequences. Yea! Can hardly believe he is 4 weeks from turning 6. 6 just sounds so old.
Todd: Just as one boy starts behaving the other starts acting up. Todd has now decided that he is going to tell us what he will and will not be doing. Seriously. How did I get so lucky to have two of the most stubborn, bossiest boys. He really gives Kevin fits, me not so much. He is getting restless with being the younger sibling, being one myself I totally see it. He does not understand that at 4 he cannot do the same things as Kyle and that Kyle was not doing those things at 4 either. I am so proud with his seeming love affair with books. Both the boys really enjoy books and reading but Todd is something else. He wants you to read the book, then let him have it to look at and then sleep with the thing. He is the first one to want to go to the library with me, yea! Kyle has discovered video games, grrr....I try and keep a very tight reign on his play time but the kid just argues with me to no end.
Baby: Still doing very well considering. Extremely active, she moves all around her rapidly diminishing space. She is hiccuping a lot, which I understand from my OB is actually a good sign that all is well. She is also breathing in utero, has been for awhile now. Between the moving, hiccups and the breathing she is not making it easy for the lady doing the fetal echo to get all the info she needs. Gee, another stubborn, bossy child who wants things her way. Is there no end? At last measurement on 7/17 she was approx 18 inches and 5lbs, 4 ozs. So, I am thinking she will be around 7 1/2 lbs on delivery. Not too bad. Apparently she also has quite a head of hair on her. The exact words of the sonographer were..."there is enough thick (not fine wispy) hair to reflect the sound waves." At first I was thinking this was a good thing...at least she will not be bald, but now I am just hoping all the hair is just on her head! I had my last visit before delivery with the fetal cardiologist this past Mon, 7/27. All looks the same as before but he did see some back flow of blood from the pulmonary vein. I am hoping that it is just a very small thing (like a fluke this time) because if that flow is there at birth then we will have no choice but to do the first, shunt surgery. The back flow means the pulmonary vein is too narrow and there is not enough blood getting to the lungs. We did a tour of the hospital I will be in and also got our questions answered for delivery day. Also did a tour of the Ronald McDonald House. Now all we can do is wait and pray that I do not go into labor at home prior to Aug 19.
The boys are starting school the week of August 10. I think Todd is just so excited to be in "real" school. I have gotten must of the stuff they will be needing. Still a few things I need to finish but most is done. Backpacks. Lunchboxes. Rain jackets. School supplies. Uniforms. Tuition. Check, all done. Still need to get some cold weather stuff but that can wait. I am very glad I will be here to navigate the first week of school with them. I will be really upset if the baby does not stay put and I have to go to St. Pete earlier than planned. I really, really want to be with the boys when they start school.
Other than some last preparations I think we are physically ready for delivery. I would be lying if I said we were emotionally stable. Both Kevin and I are scared. There are still so many unanswered questions we get overwhelmed. On top of everything we have with the baby we also have to coordinate home stuff. Making sure the boys are taken care of and that all our normal day to day stuff is taken care of. We have gotten as far as planing the first week after delivery. Now on to the next 100 or so weeks.
Updates -
Kyle: He is still enjoying his science day camps. This morning he told me he does not like that summer and camp are only for another week. Go figure. He asks all the time if we are going on a vacation as we have gone to the Keys for a week the last couple of years. Unfortunately that is just not happening this year. I feel so bad that the boys have to miss out this year but there really is no other choice. Mom may take them for a weekend and Kevin has mentioned it as well. We really want to get them down there so they can go snorkeling and fishing again. Kyle is quite entertaining these days. He is having fewer temper tantrums (thank goodness) and cooperating more each day. He is still very bossy, wants everything to be his way and rarely listens BUT he is pretty consistent with everything else. I really hope he continues this trend and does not revert to old behavior. I think he is starting to show signs of being able to understand the concept of your actions = your consequences. Yea! Can hardly believe he is 4 weeks from turning 6. 6 just sounds so old.
Todd: Just as one boy starts behaving the other starts acting up. Todd has now decided that he is going to tell us what he will and will not be doing. Seriously. How did I get so lucky to have two of the most stubborn, bossiest boys. He really gives Kevin fits, me not so much. He is getting restless with being the younger sibling, being one myself I totally see it. He does not understand that at 4 he cannot do the same things as Kyle and that Kyle was not doing those things at 4 either. I am so proud with his seeming love affair with books. Both the boys really enjoy books and reading but Todd is something else. He wants you to read the book, then let him have it to look at and then sleep with the thing. He is the first one to want to go to the library with me, yea! Kyle has discovered video games, grrr....I try and keep a very tight reign on his play time but the kid just argues with me to no end.
Baby: Still doing very well considering. Extremely active, she moves all around her rapidly diminishing space. She is hiccuping a lot, which I understand from my OB is actually a good sign that all is well. She is also breathing in utero, has been for awhile now. Between the moving, hiccups and the breathing she is not making it easy for the lady doing the fetal echo to get all the info she needs. Gee, another stubborn, bossy child who wants things her way. Is there no end? At last measurement on 7/17 she was approx 18 inches and 5lbs, 4 ozs. So, I am thinking she will be around 7 1/2 lbs on delivery. Not too bad. Apparently she also has quite a head of hair on her. The exact words of the sonographer were..."there is enough thick (not fine wispy) hair to reflect the sound waves." At first I was thinking this was a good thing...at least she will not be bald, but now I am just hoping all the hair is just on her head! I had my last visit before delivery with the fetal cardiologist this past Mon, 7/27. All looks the same as before but he did see some back flow of blood from the pulmonary vein. I am hoping that it is just a very small thing (like a fluke this time) because if that flow is there at birth then we will have no choice but to do the first, shunt surgery. The back flow means the pulmonary vein is too narrow and there is not enough blood getting to the lungs. We did a tour of the hospital I will be in and also got our questions answered for delivery day. Also did a tour of the Ronald McDonald House. Now all we can do is wait and pray that I do not go into labor at home prior to Aug 19.
The boys are starting school the week of August 10. I think Todd is just so excited to be in "real" school. I have gotten must of the stuff they will be needing. Still a few things I need to finish but most is done. Backpacks. Lunchboxes. Rain jackets. School supplies. Uniforms. Tuition. Check, all done. Still need to get some cold weather stuff but that can wait. I am very glad I will be here to navigate the first week of school with them. I will be really upset if the baby does not stay put and I have to go to St. Pete earlier than planned. I really, really want to be with the boys when they start school.
Other than some last preparations I think we are physically ready for delivery. I would be lying if I said we were emotionally stable. Both Kevin and I are scared. There are still so many unanswered questions we get overwhelmed. On top of everything we have with the baby we also have to coordinate home stuff. Making sure the boys are taken care of and that all our normal day to day stuff is taken care of. We have gotten as far as planing the first week after delivery. Now on to the next 100 or so weeks.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Exactly 6 Weeks From Today...
we will welcome our sweet baby girl to this new life...August 19 is the scheduled date for delivery.
As there has to be coordination with numerous people, barring a major catastrophe with one of the doctors who needs to be at delivery, this date will not change. Just to give you an idea...there will be the doctor delivering, another OB to assist as is standard with a c-section delivery, the regular delivery nurses, the anesthesiologist (to place and monitor my spinal block), a team of nicu nurses for baby transport, a neonatologist and his team to asses the baby, an echo tech to do the echo on the baby's heart, etc., etc., etc. I almost feel like Princess Di when she delivered the next heir to the throne, William, except for the whole problem with the baby's heart thing.
Yesterday we visited with Dr. H in St. Pete and also Dr. M at St. Pete MFM. All is a go. Dr. H mentioned yet again that we may be able to avoid the first surgery, placement of the shunt. So, that is good news as apparently the pulmonary stenosis is not narrowing as much as he expected to see. He did however mention a new possibility...doing a balloon into the ASD (node on top of heart in atrium) to make sure there is enough of an opening between the atria to keep the blood going to the lungs. Sounds to me like it will be one or the other of the surgeries, not both...and we may still get away without doing one at all. Obviously I would prefer to have no surgery at all, but if we have to have some sort of surgery and if I get a choice (ha ha) I would chose the balloon procedure as my understanding is this is a much less invasive procedure than the shunt. There is still a tiny bit of fluid under the heart but Dr. H does not believe this has anything to do with heart function or failure. But still only got 9/10 on the heart score because the fluid is in fact there. 9/10 means we have 1 chance on heart failure. Very, very good number. Everything else is moving right along. The baby girl weighs around 4lbs 10oz now. She keeps it up she will be my biggest baby yet. Quite possible an 8 pounder. Dr. M will be doing the delivery and he confirmed that all looks very good with the baby (minus the heart stuff. obviously). He seems very nice and I was quite comfortable with him...which is very good for me as he will be the one cutting me open.
Right now the biggest concern from all the doctors is making sure I keep my sugar very tightly controlled. This is very hard for me as I am super sensitive to any non fruit/veggie carbohydrate (this would include breads, pastas, rice, potatoes, beans). I eat only the approved carbs of whole grains, etc to no avail...they still raise my sugar too high. So, what I am left with is to cut in half the number of carbs I am allowed at each meal (consisting mostly of the fruit/veggie kind) and absolutely no sugar of any kind. Boo hoo. Other than the health benefits for the baby...ie making sure I get this baby to term...I am hoping my weight will stay in check and I won't gain too much more. Easier to lose it that way. Although I have a feeling that may not be as much a problem this time around with all the stress, worry I will be doing. No just sitting around the house all day with a sleeping, nursing infant and endless food around.
The boys are back with us after enjoying a week and a half vacay with Pappi. They had a blast in Alabama. A little hard for them to settle back into normalcy again but they are adjusting. Kyle started going to day camp at the kids science museum, Imaginarium, and I think he is really liking this one. He did not seem very keen on the art day camp I had him go to the week before his vacay. Despite how much he likes to color and draw and how much he likes music, he is a science freak at heart. Todd is still at his same school as he is still considered to be in daycare. He is having fun though as each day is something different and he gets to do cool things like dress up and bring his lunch to school for picnics. I can hardly believe they will both be in real school staring August 10. Todd in K4 and Kyle in K. That is just 5 weeks away. Last night when I checked on the boys after they went to sleep I just stood there looking at them...they still seem so little to me, with their precious faces and small hands. Yet, here we are...both of them such big boys. Awake and running around, they do not even resemble the little boys they were just a few short years ago. Of course they cannot let anything be easy as they ask me at least once EVERY day why they cannot be in the same class at school. They just do not understand the age difference thing.
I am not sure how many more baby updates there will be from this point on. I am seeing at least one doctor each week but have only one more scheduled appointment with Dr. H in St. Pete before the delivery. At this point the visits are more about making sure everything is the same. Of course if something drastic happens we will let everyone know. Right now we are status quo and will try to enjoy the next 6 weeks before our normal lives are turned upside down.
And, we still do not have a name for the baby.
As there has to be coordination with numerous people, barring a major catastrophe with one of the doctors who needs to be at delivery, this date will not change. Just to give you an idea...there will be the doctor delivering, another OB to assist as is standard with a c-section delivery, the regular delivery nurses, the anesthesiologist (to place and monitor my spinal block), a team of nicu nurses for baby transport, a neonatologist and his team to asses the baby, an echo tech to do the echo on the baby's heart, etc., etc., etc. I almost feel like Princess Di when she delivered the next heir to the throne, William, except for the whole problem with the baby's heart thing.
Yesterday we visited with Dr. H in St. Pete and also Dr. M at St. Pete MFM. All is a go. Dr. H mentioned yet again that we may be able to avoid the first surgery, placement of the shunt. So, that is good news as apparently the pulmonary stenosis is not narrowing as much as he expected to see. He did however mention a new possibility...doing a balloon into the ASD (node on top of heart in atrium) to make sure there is enough of an opening between the atria to keep the blood going to the lungs. Sounds to me like it will be one or the other of the surgeries, not both...and we may still get away without doing one at all. Obviously I would prefer to have no surgery at all, but if we have to have some sort of surgery and if I get a choice (ha ha) I would chose the balloon procedure as my understanding is this is a much less invasive procedure than the shunt. There is still a tiny bit of fluid under the heart but Dr. H does not believe this has anything to do with heart function or failure. But still only got 9/10 on the heart score because the fluid is in fact there. 9/10 means we have 1 chance on heart failure. Very, very good number. Everything else is moving right along. The baby girl weighs around 4lbs 10oz now. She keeps it up she will be my biggest baby yet. Quite possible an 8 pounder. Dr. M will be doing the delivery and he confirmed that all looks very good with the baby (minus the heart stuff. obviously). He seems very nice and I was quite comfortable with him...which is very good for me as he will be the one cutting me open.
Right now the biggest concern from all the doctors is making sure I keep my sugar very tightly controlled. This is very hard for me as I am super sensitive to any non fruit/veggie carbohydrate (this would include breads, pastas, rice, potatoes, beans). I eat only the approved carbs of whole grains, etc to no avail...they still raise my sugar too high. So, what I am left with is to cut in half the number of carbs I am allowed at each meal (consisting mostly of the fruit/veggie kind) and absolutely no sugar of any kind. Boo hoo. Other than the health benefits for the baby...ie making sure I get this baby to term...I am hoping my weight will stay in check and I won't gain too much more. Easier to lose it that way. Although I have a feeling that may not be as much a problem this time around with all the stress, worry I will be doing. No just sitting around the house all day with a sleeping, nursing infant and endless food around.
The boys are back with us after enjoying a week and a half vacay with Pappi. They had a blast in Alabama. A little hard for them to settle back into normalcy again but they are adjusting. Kyle started going to day camp at the kids science museum, Imaginarium, and I think he is really liking this one. He did not seem very keen on the art day camp I had him go to the week before his vacay. Despite how much he likes to color and draw and how much he likes music, he is a science freak at heart. Todd is still at his same school as he is still considered to be in daycare. He is having fun though as each day is something different and he gets to do cool things like dress up and bring his lunch to school for picnics. I can hardly believe they will both be in real school staring August 10. Todd in K4 and Kyle in K. That is just 5 weeks away. Last night when I checked on the boys after they went to sleep I just stood there looking at them...they still seem so little to me, with their precious faces and small hands. Yet, here we are...both of them such big boys. Awake and running around, they do not even resemble the little boys they were just a few short years ago. Of course they cannot let anything be easy as they ask me at least once EVERY day why they cannot be in the same class at school. They just do not understand the age difference thing.
I am not sure how many more baby updates there will be from this point on. I am seeing at least one doctor each week but have only one more scheduled appointment with Dr. H in St. Pete before the delivery. At this point the visits are more about making sure everything is the same. Of course if something drastic happens we will let everyone know. Right now we are status quo and will try to enjoy the next 6 weeks before our normal lives are turned upside down.
And, we still do not have a name for the baby.
Monday, June 29, 2009
What happens when the boys are very, very quiet
No worries, the markers are actually made for coloring on windows. Cleaned up rather nicely with Windex. The boys were rather cute with the whole thing. They both came out of their room when Kevin got home from work and said they had a surprise for us. We had to close our eyes and let them lead us in to the room. They were so excited to show us the surprise.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Todd's 4th Birthday Party
Pretty much a redo of last year. Todd insisted on having his party at the go-cart place and wanted a pink cake again. Kevin is just thrilled that Todd wants pink cake. I keep explaining that it is not the color but the flavor, strawberry, that he loves because he also asks for strawberries and bananas to be in and on the cake. He mostly eats the fruit, then a little cake and a tiny bit of frosting. Go figure. If I could figure out how to make a cake entirely of fruit I think Todd would be very, very happy.
Anyway, he had a great time with family and friends from school. Bruce, Jack, Emma and his teacher Mrs. Altland (all from school) were able to be at his party to celebrate. In addition his cousins Christina, John Thomas, Patrick and Zane as well as Brendon and Alyssa made the party. The kids all had a blast, even the littlest ones, Z and Alyssa. Of course the bigger boys all loved the go-carts and had a blast driving them. Then on to pizza, cake, present opening and lots of video games. Mini golf is also included but the past two parties have kinda been crazy with doing the golf thing as well so I got the coupons and we will do another day. Besides it is insanely hot here already and the day of Todd's party was no different with the temp reaching at least ninety by 11am. And honestly, there was no way I was going outside to help herd lots of little 4/5 year olds around an 18 hole golf course. No way.
Todd ending his party by playing on the playground and then passing out cold on the way home.
What Todd is doing now that he is 4:
Now on to the pictures.
Anyway, he had a great time with family and friends from school. Bruce, Jack, Emma and his teacher Mrs. Altland (all from school) were able to be at his party to celebrate. In addition his cousins Christina, John Thomas, Patrick and Zane as well as Brendon and Alyssa made the party. The kids all had a blast, even the littlest ones, Z and Alyssa. Of course the bigger boys all loved the go-carts and had a blast driving them. Then on to pizza, cake, present opening and lots of video games. Mini golf is also included but the past two parties have kinda been crazy with doing the golf thing as well so I got the coupons and we will do another day. Besides it is insanely hot here already and the day of Todd's party was no different with the temp reaching at least ninety by 11am. And honestly, there was no way I was going outside to help herd lots of little 4/5 year olds around an 18 hole golf course. No way.
Todd ending his party by playing on the playground and then passing out cold on the way home.
Monday, before his birthday, we all went to the store so Todd could pick out his new big boy bike. He got a spider man one. No training wheels. He also got a new helmet and a horn (or beep, beep as he says). Kevin put it together that night so he could ride it the next day (his actual birthday). The day of his actual birthday, Tuesday this year, Todd picked McDonald's for dinner (we let them pick their dinner on their actual birthday) and then went home to ride his new big boy bike with no training wheels. It took him about 30 mins to figure out the peddle thing and then he just took off all by himself. He is such a big boy. Kevin posted a video. For all who may not have seen it yet it is in my video area on the right side bar.
What Todd is doing now that he is 4:
* Riding a big boy bike with no training wheels
* Still sucking his thumb at night when going to sleep
* Still has a blankee to go to sleep with. Have recently determined he likes the smell.
* He can write his first name
* He is finally swimming all by himself. He is also jumping and diving into the pool.
* Loves to snorkle. Insists on having his mask, snorkle and fins every time we go to the beach.
* Still not that into tubing and water sports. Maybe some day.
* Loves to be outside.
* Loves to go on the boat.
* Loves, loves, loves sports...baksetball, baseball, soccer, football
* Can take out Kyle with one tackle...and than laughs about it
* He is really stubborn and independent
* Can whistle and snap
* Plays with my hair
* Likes to wear my shoes around the house
* Loves costumes and loves to dress up and pretend (has very vivid imagination)
* Loves his books...wants to take one to school every day
Now on to the pictures.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Baby Update
Short but sweet as I have no new news from fetal cardiologist. However, I saw my regular OB on Tuesday and the high risk doctor at MFM today and both have said the little girl is growing very well. Her heart looks the same, which at this point is very good news. She weighs 4 pounds even and is 17 inches long. She keeps this up she may well be my biggest baby. Kyle was 7lbs, 15 oz and 21 inches at birth. Todd was 7lbs, 6 oz and 18 inches at birth. I am almost 32 weeks (Sunday) and expected delivery will be around 39 weeks. She still has 7 weeks to get bigger! She is an active little thing as well. Also very, very good. She is just as happy as she can be right now.
In other news, I am now officially on medication (Glyburide) to help control my gestational diabetes. So, this means I am now being monitored even more than usual and hooked up to the monitor for non stress tests for the baby. Good thing about this is that if a problem does arise then I will know pretty quickly.
11 Weeks
17 Weeks
21 Weeks
25 Weeks
28 Weeks
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Normal, Healthy but No Love for Needles
Todd had his 4 year check-up/physical this morning. I am happy to report that he is perfectly normal and healthy. His iron is "excellent...mom must be doing a good job with healthy eating." (Gold star for me...yippee!...since he takes zero vitamins). He weighs 37 lbs (only 4 fewer than his big bro...opps...sorry Kyle) and is 41 inches tall. We already knew his height since we just measured him to make sure he could ride the roller coasters, etc at Disney last month. His vision is perfect and so is his hearing. (I knew he was just selectively listening to me...just like big bro and just like dad!) He also did very well with his shots considering how freaked out he was because of his big bro telling him how shots are so awful. Seriously. Must have talk with big brother about scaring his little brother. Sweet child that Todd is he just asked me bunches of questions about the shots, was super excited when he only had to get 3 (instead of 4 as two of the vaccines have been combined...thanks goodness), barely cried even though he did say owwww, that hurts and quite seriously declared to me in the car..."mama, I don't love needles." All in all a very good report for the munchkin. Now if I can just get to doing a post about his birthday then I can get some pictures up here...
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