We need more apples!

You know the old saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Yeah, apparently I should have listened closer  . . .

So here's the update on the kids:

I took DJ and Andrew to the Dr for their 18 mo and 2 mo check-ups. DJ is weighing in at 33.5 lb and 33 1/4 in (wow, almost a pound per inch!) and Andrew is 11 lb 9 oz and 24 in. (half a pound per in? I think he and DJ need to have a talk . . .) Going in Drew and I had a few questions for the pediatrician about both boys and I walked out with MORE questions then I came with.

Our main concern with DJ was a couple of behaviors that left us baffled AND concerns regarding his hearing/speech. The Dr had me fill out a developmental form and while I was doing that - they checked his hearing. A couple of red flags came up on the form and his left ear failed the testing. We have an appt on Oct 31 with the early intervention dept to do a more thorough evaluation of his development (yep, saw THAT one coming) - they pushed us up on the list since he has a sibling with a known development delay. We have an appt on Nov 8 with the Speech and Hearing dept for a complete exam of his hearing and speech and we'll know more from there.

With Andrew we were just curious about his left eye as it doesn't seem to focus quite as well . . . Apparently it is common for a baby his age to have 1 eye that turns in since they are still learning how to focus and can sometimes "over-focus" - we weren't so lucky. His eye turns out, not in. We have an appt for him Nov 12 with an eye Dr that specializes in these types of eye problems.  Finally, while the Dr was feeling his tummy, she could feel something there - more than likely just some stool or his kidneys, but better safe than sorry. 

So, apparently God felt we haven't seen enough doctors in our home, He wanted to add just a few more. I'm really finding my sense of humor in all of this - In fact, I was wondering if the Hospital had a punch card (kinda like Subway) where once you see a certain amount of doctors, you win something fun. Wouldn't that ROCK??

Knowing what I know at this point, the only thing on my mind is DJ's hearing as it would explain a few things and hearing can run the gambit on causes and solutions. All the rest are just precautions to make sure everything truly is status quo and as far as Andrew's eye - if anything will need to be done, they usually start with covering one eye or prescribe glasses. Guess we'll know more in a few weeks.

After all of this, plus the appointments for Michael and me, I feel like I should be able to use this as a reference to my multitasking skills. If/when I return to work, if anyone asks about said skills, I think I'm going to giggle, explain that I had 4 kids (3 within 3 yrs) and list the number of Dr.s they saw. Then explain how I successfully carted all 3 little ones with me from visit to visit with little to no incidents. I DARE them to not hire me! LOL

Tonight is dance night and they get to wear their costumes . . . hopefully I get a chance to snag some cute videos and maybe even post them later tonight! Keep your eyes pealed! :)

Tag-team, back again!

Today was one heck of a whirlwind!! While out shopping, Elli and DJ decided the store was too quiet for their tastes which made for a GREAT opportunity for one of their lovely screeching contests. And no, that was not a misprint - be glad you've not been around to experience one . . . I think I'm still experiencing 50% hearing loss in my right ear. lol Already frustrated because I couldn't figure out the layout to the stupid store, we decided to quickly grab the last couple of items on the "must have" list and run. While checking out, DJ managed to snag a treat, which I allowed him to eat & share with Elli. He REALLY enjoyed it . . . 

Once we got the little ones fed and down for naps, Michael asked if Drew wanted to play catch (okay, actually there was about a 15 min back & forth btwn the 3 of us to get to that point), while they were getting ready Hayden, Michael's new "bestie", knocked on the door. (Why didn't I feel the pending doom with that knock?) The three of them went to the tennis courts to practice catch in a safer environment. (For those that missed the story - the last time Drew and Michael played catch, Drew wound up with pretty nasty scratches from his foot to his thigh on one of his legs . . .) Next thing I know Michael and Drew come charging thru the door laughing hysterically, and not in a good way. The gravity of the situation hit me in layers. Drew had accidentally hit Michael in the head with the baseball. WHY to head injuries always have do look so nasty??

Hard to tell in the picture, but the lacing even left marks. They were half a tennis court away from each other, so the ball wasn't going that fast. Michael kept saying he thought it was going to hit his stomach. After a call to Colleen, a check of his eyes, and a bit of begging, Michael was sent on his merry way to continue playing with Hayden. Michael thinks it's funny. Mommy has banned catch btwn Drew and Michael until the end of time! ;)

Later, while I was cooking dinner, Elli found a permanent marker (that I SWEAR was left in MN when we moved) and decided to color all over the walls, fridge, herself and DJ. Good GRIEF I wish this little girl would use her powers for good! There are a number of items I STILL can't find and here she's finding things we didn't realize were "lost". And, as if to prove their tag-team abilities (because every mother wonders if her children are capable of such things - right?), in the short time I sat to nurse baby Andrew - Elli & DJ managed to strew ALL of their toys, books and stuffed animals across the toy area. These are the times I am so glad to be an organized person - "A place for everything" - as it makes it quick and pretty painless to put everything back in it's place!

These are the days I know I will look back on and miss when they are older and I hardly see them. My only concern at this point is what skills they will learn once Andrew is old enough to join the mix . . . Do you think it's too early to stock up on Duck Tape?? LOL :)

Oh the wonderful things Mr.Brown can do . . .

That past few days have been crazy. Of course, with 4 kids should I expect anything less? :)
One day was spent trying to purge excess junk and rearrange things in order to find a spot to hide Christmas presents. Not any easy task in this house and we already have some gifts purchased. On Thursday I had my bible study class and since Drew had to work I got to take all 3 kids with me. The ladies in the nursery were VERY excited to see them. Especially DJ since they haven't seen him in about 6 months. 

The class also happened to coincide with the 1 yr anniversary of our leaving MN, so I decided to bake my grandma's Banana Crumb Muffins and her Breakfast Carrot Cake. Both were a huge hit. I'm quickly realizing that I not only LOVE to bake, but am pretty good at it! In fact, Drew's employees have started putting in requests for things they want me to make. :) On another happy note, Drew and I took the little ones to one of the big playgrounds and we ran into another stay-at-home mom with a total of 5 kids (her youngest 2 are close to DJ and Andrew's ages!). She moved here from Houston for her husband's job. Apparently she has run into a couple of other mom's with similar situations so she is starting a little meet-up at the playground once a week. I'm really excited as this is my first REAL chance to make some friends in similar situations!

Michael has made MAJOR strides at school. This past week he had his EQT's (End of Quarter Tests) and it sounds like he aced them all! I can't even put into words how proud I am of him for how far he has come! Especially in reading. He's also having a blast in his Hip-hop class. The teacher is trying to teach him a couple of moves for his "solo" in the recital. He started with some Pop n Lock moves, but quickly changed to a few robotic ones. Michael has a whole lot of Pop and not so much lock. LOL

Elli really enjoys her ballet class and now has times where she will start running around on her tippie-toes singing tippy-tippy-tippy and practice from class. Other times she will be sitting on the floor playing and will stretch her legs while pointing/flexing her toes. I'm beginning to think I've started something that will take me in over my head in a very big way! Although I'll admit I can't wait to see her in her costume and dancing on the stage at her recital!!!

DJ has started to talking more and more. And he is FINALLY starting to figure out that he has more mass than Elli . . . her "reign of terror" is about to come to a very abrupt end. Although, she can try and act like she doesn't like him all she wants . . . we know the truth:

 Where is Elli? Not in her crib, or on the floor . . .

She's having a sleepover with DJ! Too cute!

Although this is becoming a habit and we are now worried about moving Baby Andrew into their room in his big crib. She's already joining DJ who can at least "protect" himself when she hops in and we know she ADORES baby Andrew - she will curl up next to him and "read" to him, tell him stories or sing to him. VERY cute, but it leads me to worry that she would try and join him in his crib and squish him . . .

On an exciting note, Andrew is working very hard on rolling from back to stomach. His only hold up is his excitement to find his hands every time he's almost over. He's also moving into a routine that mirrors Elli & DJ's so were are FINALLY starting to find a rhythm! Unfortunately that means time is going to start flying by all too fast! Before I know it, I will have kids in Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade and 8th grade!! Hopefully this blog will give me a chance to look back once in a while and remember the humor that life is when you not only have 4 kids, but 3 of them so close together!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 

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Lobster or Crab?

Today has been a roller-coaster of a ride . . . This morning was the appt for Michael. Originally we were only supposed to meet with the Nurse Practitioner to get some answers and to get the ball rolling on some tests the specialist would order anyway. Attempting to make a long story short - the Dr wound up leaving his testing to review Michael's case and meet with us for a few minutes. GOOD NEWS!! At this time all that we will be doing is keeping him on an antibiotic daily, having ultrasounds done every 6 months and a repeat VCUG every 12 months. The problem should fix itself within the next 1 - 2 yrs. (Please contact me if you have any questions or would like more details) During the appt we also got answers on a few problems Michael has had that we didn't realize could be answered. Yay!!

I had all the kids with me during the appointment and God was with us as EVERYONE behaved like little angels! After all the excitement, (and awesome behavior) it was a battle to get the little ones down for nap-time  Elli & DJ decided that it was a better idea to use DJ's crib as a trampoline. (It has never been so hard to keep a straight face in all my life!) Once they got up from nap-time  Elli decided to sit down with baby Andrew and read him a book (SOOOO cute!) and of course my cell phone was dead so I couldn't get a picture, let alone a video clip.

To counter the high level of cuteness, Elli apparently has taken to going potty in Michael's bedroom . . . Since when is potty training a child worse than housebreaking a dog?! I'm beginning to wonder if she's trying to mark her territory.

And to top of our day, I just spent about 20 minutes arguing with my daughter whether her bath toy is a crab or a lobster. (It's a lobster and now I'M a crab! lol) And to think we live less than an hour to multiple beaches and just 15 min from a NUMBER of seafood places that sit on the bay!

Guess it's time to hit a local seafood restaurant to teach our little girl the difference. After all, if she's going to be allowed to date someday, she better make it worth her while! ;)

Dance Night Comedy

So last night was our weekly trip to the dance studio for Elli's ballet class and Michael's Hip-hop class (still trying not to cringe when I say that . . .) On our way to the studio we drive pass a typical southern looking home that is for sale. Michael says "That's a cute little bungalow  Well, technically a bungalow anyway . . ." Shocked by the comment I ask him why he thinks it's a bungalow  (Apparently that was a stupid question based on his reaction) He proceeds to give me quite the definition and I nod and smile as I usually do, used to Michael's rantings based on a small piece of info he stumbled across and then expanded on in his own mind. Later, out of curiosity as to what the difference was, I Googled it . . . SERIOUSLY?? My 9 year old can state, almost verbatim, what defines a bungalow!

Later on,after classes were done, Michael begins to fill me in on how he really needs to find a flat surface without carpet or sharp-pointy tile so he can practice his "moves" . . . This brought back memories of my childhood when a piece of the linoleum, pulled up from the kitchen floor, was saved to put on the floor so my older siblings could practice THEIR "moves". Sadly, they're the SAME moves. I have a short clip of Michael doing the coffee grinder (kind of), but it will be a while before I will have the stomach to video him spinning on his back.

On our way home, I had the kids' CD "Free to Be You and Me" playing for the 12 billionth time. Though I had the sound turned strictly to the back speakers, Drew was going bonkers. Apparently he is not skilled at tuning kids' annoying sounds out. (As a side note, I personally LOVED this particular album so secretly enjoy that my kids love it so much. When Drew's not in the car, we all sing at the top of our lungs - JOY!) The part that made me laugh was that Drew attempted to start a "serious" conversation on where the heck they got the lyrics to one of my favorite songs . . . in particular: "So they made Ooey, gooey chocolate cake. Sticky, licky sugar top and they gobbled it and giggled." He wanted to know if there really were such things as ooey, gooey chocolate cake or sticky, licky sugar topping . . . REALLY? MAN, my husband needs a vacation!

I'm just glad we made the trip to and from the studio without any real incident. Not easy to do with 4 kids, one of which is really starting to discover his freedom, but doesn't have much to do while we are there.

Hopefully we will get a chance to post a couple of videos/pics of the kids dancing sometime tomorrow.

Welcome

Rather than posting a million things to Facebook, that I don't necessarily want the world to see, and praying that it posts to the pages of those we actually WANT to see it (OR making a dozen phone calls to share 1 piece of news) . . .
I decided to take the advice of my brother and start a blog. A significantly faster way to share with all of our family and friends the details of our lives down here. Given that we have 4 kids, 3 under the age of 3, there probably won't be posts every day, but I will do my best to get the significant details up.

Given our routine, what posts we have will go up at night after the little ones are asleep. Pictures or videos will probably go up on Sundays, as more often then not, Drew has off those days and he is WAY better at things like that then I am.

That being said, WELCOME to the southern land of the Arvidsons!!