Flashback Friday

I was going through some pictures for my mom tonight and came across the pictures from Caleb's first birthday. One of C's favorite gifts was the Fisher Price piggy bank and that is now one of Isaac's favorite toys as well. Of course I found pics of both of them playing with it! I think it's crazy that they are both chewing on the yellow coin in the pictures! (They must know it's my favorite color!) Isn't it amazing the difference in their size? Caleb was wearing size 3-6 months and Isaac is wearing 18-24 months! (And no, I didn't plan for Isaac to be wearing a similar outfit for his 1st birthday...except for the crown, or put him in the same pose as Caleb. And I swear we have rearranged the playroom several times since 2006, but I guess it's back to how it was again!)

Caleb- December 6, 2006....Isaac-February 17, 2009

Caleb- December 7, 2006:

Isaac-January 22, 2009:

Monkeys

(You'll have to pause the music on the right hand side of the page.)

When will it be spring?

Well, now both boys are sick. I am so tired of the cold and flu season! I cannot wait for it to warm up so we can be outside in the fresh air and away from germs! (It's not looking promising though as we just got about 7 inches of snow!)

Caleb has had a cough since last Monday. It's not uncommon for him to have a cough from time to time that isn't related to any illness (most likely it's just related to his crappy lungs). So I didn't think too much of it. He was doing well until Saturday night. He started coughing more often and sounding more "junky" at the babies birthday party. But, he didn't have a runny nose or a fever. And we thought it was because he was running around like a wild man with his older buddies.

Yesterday he was really congested so I got out my stethoscope and he was very coarse and wheezy so we gave him his inhaler, which seemed to help a lot. I was going to call the doctors office today to see if they wanted to see him, but his was much better this AM. Until his nap. I went to lay him down and he was screaming that his ear hurt. (He has never complained about ear pain in his life). I was under the impression that he couldn't get ear infections because of his antibiotics, but I guess I was wrong. Our wonderful peds office got us an appointment, but it wasn't until 3:45. He cried and screamed from noon until we got to the office. He also vomited three separate times from crying and gagging on his phlegm. It was confirmed that he has a terrible ear infection in his right ear. Crazy. He told his doc "My eee-a hurts!" Poor little man! In between his crying, he asked his doc if he could also pick a sticker for his daddy!

So now he's on another antibiotic and ear drops in addition to his other antibiotic and antifungal medications. I think we're asking for diarrhea here. He's also been on an eating strike for the past couple weeks. Great.

Isaac seems to be feeling better, but yesterday he started having thick, green snot constantly flowing from his nose (you're welcome for the visual!) His cough is now "junky" as opposed to "croupy." I asked Caleb's ped if he thinks Isaac will also develop an ear infection, and he said it's quite possible. Yahooo!

Isaac was very confused when Caleb was crying all afternoon. I think he felt bad for him, but was also jealous that I was holding C and not him. He kept wanting me to pick him up, and when I told him I was holding Caleb, he'd go and flop himself on his bean bag chair, very dramatically, and pout. It was actually really funny. But then he realized that he had "free reign" in the house and he decided through my desk drawers and pull everything out. He was having so much fun, and looked so proud of himself so I just let him do it. Wait until I tell him, "no" tomorrow!

Anyway, I am hoping that they both get some sleep tonight and are feeling better in the AM. I am also praying that we won't be in the peds office again until Isaac's "well baby" appointment next week!

Ironically (and thankfully), they both were acting fine on Saturday, so we (after consulting with our friends) decided to go to the party. (These are the same friends who have been so careful about not getting Caleb sick, so I felt a little "weird" about bringing our boys knowing that even though they seemed okay and really didn't have any symptoms of being sick, they still could have gotten someone else's kid sick.) Have I ever mentioned how great our friends are? I am so glad we decided to go. They boys had so much fun playing with their buddies. Now I am praying none of them get sick too! Here are some pics:

(left) Caitlin with birthday boy Isaac and birthday girl Mallory (missing b-day girl Sydney) and (right) Isaac with his second mommy, Maddy.

(left) An attempt at a group shot..Ayden and Caitlin were wondering what in the heck was wrong with Isaac! (missing Sydney, Dominick and Kenny) and (right) Mal definitely won the cake eating contest! (Although Isaac and Sydney were disqualified because they wouldn't eat it!)

Cake, Take 2 and Croup Update

I tried to give Isaac his cake again on Tuesday, which was his birthday. Do you think he's trying to tell me he really DOESN'T LIKE CAKE??!!


Croup Update:
For those of you who don't know, Isaac woke up on Wednesday night with the "classic croup" cough. It was terrible, but I was able to get him back to sleep. When he woke up, he seemed okay but was very clingy and every time he got upset, he'd have that barking cough and strider with his breathing. I called the clinic while he was napping (knowing there wasn't much they'd probably do anyway) and spoke with a nurse I have never met. I told her I thought it was weird that he didn't have any other symptoms except for the cough and strider at times (Croup normally is caused by a cold first and he doesn't have a runny nose, fever, etc) and she said "Well consider yourself lucky that you don't have to deal with all of that too!" She told me not to worry and that he'd be fine. She was a complete idiot. I should also mention that she told me to give him herbal tea and chicken broth. (This was after I had told her his birth date AND his age). Anyway, I whipped up some herbal tea and gave it to him in his bottle....JUST KIDDING. Can you imagine?!

So he woke up and was still clingy and every little thing "set him off," but he ate his lunch fine, so I still wasn't too alarmed. He went down for his afternoon nap okay and was able to lay flat without too much coughing. When he woke up, however, his breathing was noticeably louder, even when he was just sitting down. So I called again, praying that I wouldn't get the same nurse. Luckily one of our favorite nurses answered and she could hear him breathing and told me to bring him right in. By the time we got there, he was back to "barking" as well. His ped told me he was glad that I had called because I would have been in the ER with him if I would have waited a bit longer (the office would have been closed). That made me feel terrible...what if I would have continued to think he was "fine?" They gave him a high dose of steroids, told me what "criteria" would mean a trip to the ER, and sent us home.

He slept pretty good last night and is a million times better this AM. He's still coughing from time to time, but it is nothing like it was yesterday. Thank God! He got up at 4:00 AM, but is now napping and I haven't heard him cough at all. To top it all off, he's still trying to get all of those teeth in. Two of them finally broke through yesterday to add to his misery. I have a feeling it's going to be a long day!

Tomorrow we have a big birthday party planned for "the babies" (the three of them who were born within a week of each other). I am hoping that Isaac's illness leaves as quickly as it came so he can go!

Happy 1st Birthday Isaac!!

Dear Isaac (aka: IDick, IZ Mikey, IZ, I, Trouble...)

I cannot believe that you are one today! You are growing up way too fast! Everyday you are doing something new and act "older" than the day before. Today, for instance, you saw Macy outside so you went and searched for your shoes. After you convinced me to put them on you, you found Caleb's coat and put it on my lap. When I told you we weren't going outside, you dropped (dramatically) to the floor and threw a huge fit. After you put on quite a show, you got up and and got your tractor and started playing with it like nothing had upset you.

You have already perfected temper tantrums (We're in trouble!!) Whether it's at home, at the store, library or church, when we tell you "no," you arch your back, lay on the floor and scream. You can even bring tears out instantly. But just as quickly as you do this, you can also turn it "off" and continue being the happy little man that you normally are.

You are such a little lovey, always giving us your big open, mouthed kisses. You love your puppy and always follow her around and lay with her in her kennel. We are so lucky she likes you too because you really don't like to leave her alone! You only want to be held on your terms. No more snuggling for mommy at night before bed....you drink your bottle and want to go right into your crib. There's no messing around when it comes to you and your sleep! You LOVE your crib. You never cry when you are done sleeping. You wake up and play in your crib until we come and get you. Yesterday, you managed to push your hamper over while you were in your crib. I heard a loud crash and I thought you had fallen out. When I came into your room, you said "Uh-oh!!" with a huge smile, while looking down at the hamper. You are such a stinker!

You LOVE your brother and want to do everything he is doing. Caleb lays on the floor to play with toys and so do you! I know you wonder why he doesn't want to play with you and takes your toys away. Someday you guys will be best buds. You also love tractors, balls, and books, just like he does. And I am afraid that you are starting to be a TV junkie like he is too. The minute we put on a "show" you stop what you are doing and sit down to watch! I love it that you are perfectly content playing with toys by yourself. You also love to play ball and will stand under the hoop with a basketball above your head until someone lifts you up to make a basket. And you can already throw a baseball across the room.

And it's obvious that you love to eat! But, you don't like to try new things. (Like your birthday cake....) We have to trick you into taking a bite of something new, otherwise you throw a fit and don't want to eat. You also think that you can feed yourself with a fork. I load it up, and you yank it out of my hand so you can do it yourself. Your favorite things to eat right now are Mandarin oranges, avocado (you would eat an entire avocado for lunch if I'd let you!), string cheese, goldfish, pasta, and carrots. You love your sippy cups and drinking water too.

You are a smart little guy with a big personality. I am so blessed that you are our son and cannot wait to see what the future holds for you!

I love you sweet baby!
Mommy

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...

We had Isaac's party on Sunday. He's in the process of getting a whole mouthful of teeth, so he wasn't his normal, happy self. He did really well though...




...until it was time to eat his cake....



He really DOES want to be like his big brother.....


Come on guys! Who doesn't like cake/ice cream??!!

Can you feel the love?

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!

Much Better!

Well, I guess I complained enough about the weather! Yesterday it was 32 degrees and today it's 50! HEATWAVE!! We played outside yesterday and the boys had a blast (see below). Caleb is still obsessed with the lawn mover and his "shabul" (shovel). At first Isaac was content sitting in the wagon while I pulled him around, but then he finally realized that Caleb was having way too much fun in the snow. The problem is, I don't have boots small enough for Isaac so he was wearing is little slipper shoes and they got soaked. Oh well, he sure had fun! And when they get up from their naps, we're going to try and make a snowman. This is one of the few times this winter that the snow has been "right" for it and Caleb is so excited! And I have a feeling that Isaac isn't going to want to sit in the wagon anymore....

Thank goodness it warmed up because today I got up at 5 AM to register Caleb for preschool. After touring three different schools, this one was far better than the others. The teachers have all been there for at least 10 years and seem very nurturing and loving. They focus on "self esteem and positive self image, social interaction, self expression and communication skills, and intellectural growth." I think it's just what C needs at this point. There's not a huge emphasis on acedemics (like some of the preschools around here), but more on socialization. But, I am not worried at all about Caleb's cognitive abilities.

Anyway, registration wasn't until 9:00, but some people in line had gotten there at 3 AM!! (I am not that dedicated!!) But, I got my first choice and now I don't have to worry about it anymore. There were a lot of people who also got there very early and they didn't even get a spot and are on a waiting list. The time actually passed by pretty quickly because I was studying for my ACLS renewal that I have this week. And also started to make plans for Isaac's first birthday party, which is next week...YIKES!!

Caleb's (second) First Day of Preschool

Remember a few weeks ago when Caleb started his new speech therapy class and he wouldn't let me take his picture? Well, he let me take one this week. (He hasn't had class since then because school was canceled the past couple Fridays due to the extremely cold weather.) And yes, he's wearing two John Deere hats...you can never wear enough JD, right?!

Hallelujah!!

Caleb's dentist appt went much better than I ever imagined it would. He had a few minor meltdowns/freak-outs, but did end up letting the dentist look in his mouth. The dentist didn't really get to clean his teeth, but was able to look at them and get a little fluoride on them. That part made him gag pretty badly, so he called it quits. (They didn't even try to have the hygienist do her thing. They wanted to keep it positive for him.)

The dentist was amazed that he doesn't have any cavities, or tooth decay. He attributes this to the fact that he's always been on an antibiotic, which probably also helps decrease the amount of bacteria in his mouth. He said his teeth are "thin" and "small" but are in pretty good shape considering his past. He also said C still hasn't gotten 4 of his teeth! Of course he wants him off bottles completely, but didn't lecture me and said he understood that we're doing the best we can. He was more into lecturing me about how many teaspoons of sugar are in certain foods/drinks. Pretty much everything he was mentioning, Caleb won't eat anyway, which I guess is another "good" thing about having a child who has eating issues. He won't eat candy or fruit snacks and hardly ever drinks juice.

He doesn't have to go back for 6 months! I am so relieved. He got a new toothbrush, but was more excited about the bag they gave him to put it in. He also got to pick a little trinket toy on his way out. And in true Caleb fashion, as he was standing up, he fell into the big basket and knocked all they tiny toys all over the floor!

On a different note, I was looking forward to "warm" today (above 30 degrees), but I don't think it happened. When I took C to the dentist this morning, the car said FIVE degrees and by the time we got home around noon, it had warmed up nicely to TWELVE!! I am so tired of this cold weather. I definitely live in the wrong state. It takes forever to get both boys bundled up to leave the house. By the time I think I have both of them dressed, one of them already has their mittens or hat off. It seems like a never ending cycle! I would be fine if I never had to deal with the cold and snow!

The boys feel the same way and were trying out their sunglasses in hopes that they will be able to use them soon. They were getting a kick out of looking at each other (I rarely get pictures of them together anymore, so the glasses were a great distraction). I just love it when they make each other laugh. Doesn't this picture make Isaac look huge? Who am I kidding? He IS huge (although he is closer to the camera so he looks extra big). I weighed him with me on our scale today, with his clothes on, and he was 27 pounds!! The kid can eat! I am no longer wasting food because I make the boys the same meal and Caleb eats 1/4 of it and Isaac eats the rest! My "Caleb, show Isaac how to take a bite" trick is no longer working.

Wordless Wednesday (almost)

This little guy could use some prayers for tomorrow. He's going to the dentist for the first time. I have no idea if he's even going to let anyone look in his mouth, let alone touch his teeth! He's already telling me "Don't wike dentis." I hope that the sugary formula (Pediasure/Kindercal) he was on for 2 years hasn't done too much damage to his teeth, but in reality I am sure it has. Should be interesting....

More from Caleb

"What kind" is Caleb's new phrase. For instance, when I told him we were going to check out a preschool, he replied "What kind a pwee-school?" Or when I told him we were going to eat lunch, he replied "What kind a wunch?"

When we can't find something we're looking for (like shoes so we can go outside) he'll say "Oh well!"

When Isaac is whining or crying, Caleb tells him "Dats fake Idick." (That's fake Isaac)

He's suddenly thinks he's Isaac's authority and when he thinks that Isaac is doing something wrong he says "Idick Michael. No no." And sometimes he'll add "Dats naughty!"

On the way home from the preschool open house, I asked him if he liked it. He said "Yes I do."

He also has been saying "My don't wove Idick" (I don't love Isaac) quite often lately. But on the way home from running errands this week, he told me "My don't wike (like) momma." I told him I loved him and that he was my best friend and he replied "My fwend daddy. Not mommy. Not Idick," with a huge smile on his face. And today when he got mad at Joel, he said "My don't wove daddy. My wove mommy." Such a stinker!

On Friday I told him that we were going to a birthday party tomorrow. He kept saying "morrow." So, I told him say "TO-morrow." He replied "Free-morrow" (three-morrow). Where does he come up with this stuff?!

On the way to the birthday party, I handed him a magazine that had come for him in the mail. He happened to open it to an ad for a doll house. He threw it on the floor and told me it was for girls.

As you can see he's talking up a storm now. I remember wondering not too long ago if he'd ever talk! And now he's constantly making me laugh with the things he says. He's doing so well lately with all of his development. I am so proud of our little miracle!