Rachel and Dylan Well Checks

Earlier this week I took Rachel and Dylan for their yearly well checks.  Decided that they are close enough in age that I might as well save a trip and take them together. 

Rachel is growing well.  She kept saying "hi" to the doctor and stole his stethoscope.  She didn't like the 4 shots she got (one of which was the flu shot...a must in a household with a heart kid), but who does?  She has stayed at the high end of the percentile scale for height but is going down a little in weight, which is normal.  She was a little sick before going to the doctor and hurled in the car on the way there.  Which was the one time I was glad to have a broken washing machine.  I happened to have laundry in my car to do after the doctor so was able to change her quickly.

Dylan is understandably nervous about going to the doctor lately.  I told him as we were going that as long as he doesn't get sick, he won't have to go to the doctor again for at least 6 months after this one.  Which apparently I shouldn't have told him.  He's doing really well.  He even went up in the percentile range, which is great for a heart kid.  He even went up so he's in the above average range.  His problem is that he has a hydrocele and likely an undescended testicle.  Which means that he needs to see a urologist.  He goes next week.  He's not going to be happy about it because it's at PCMC, which is where he goes for his cardiology appointments.  And it will likely mean some more surgery for him.  Poor kid is really going to hate doctor appointments after this.  He also failed the hearing test in his right ear, but that was likely due to large amounts of wax in his ear and the fact that Rachel chose that time to yell loudly. 

Happy 1st Birthday Rachel!

Today is Rachel's first birthday.  So far she has no cake.  I really should make her a cake.  I would have made one by now but I was sick the first part of the week (still have a lingering cough and occasional ick feeling but for the most part am better).  And now Rachel is sick.  But man, she's a good baby.  She is about as smiley and happy as ever even when she isn't feeling well.  She does have her moments of crying and not being happy, but those are few.

In case you're wondering, the picture was taken at a ward party/luau.  Emma took part in a dance and the shells on Rachel were included in the packet with her grass skirt.  Russ had a good time putting them on Rachel.  Rachel just had a good time sitting on the stage for a bit.

Now if we can only get her walking.  Hm.  Maybe I don't want her walking yet.  She already gets into everything.  Even climbed up on my bed by herself last night. And grins and says, Hi!" as soon as we say her name to stop her from getting into something.  She knows exactly what she's doing.  I have a feeling this next year is going to be a busy one with her.

Squirrel!

Yes, I say that thinking of Dug in the Disney/Pixar movie, "Up."

A few Sundays ago I was sitting in my living room and heard a strange chirping noise. Wondered what kind of bird that could be so opened the front door and looked out. I saw two of my neighbors from across the street trying to get our cat out of our tree. Then I saw why. The cat had managed to tree a squirrel. And it was not happy about it at all and was letting everyone know quite vocally. We rarely see squirrels around here, so it surprised me to see and hear it in the tree.

The cat didn't seem too happy when we took her in the house so she would stop tormenting the squirrel.

Back to School

Back on the 22nd of August, the kids started back to school. Jimmy started his first year of Jr. High as a 7th grader (can I say that still seems strange to me that he's old enough for Jr. High?). He seems to really like it so far. Especially the lunches. Emma started the 4th grade. She has the same teacher she had for 2nd grade and is very happy about that. Molly started the 2nd grade and has the same teacher Jimmy had. She really likes it so far. Alyssa started the 1st grade and has a teacher none of my kids have had, but seems to really like her teacher and class. She's not so sure about going all day, but is doing fine with it. I think Dylan gets a little bored with his older sisters and brother at school all day, but he also seems to have fun having just him and Rachel at home. The house is definitely quieter with them in school.

Anyway, here are their first day of school pictures. I didn't get one with all four since Jimmy left before the girls even got up for the day.

Summer Events

Yes, I realize it has been a while since I have posted. I did try to post at one point. But my computer froze when trying to upload some pictures so I put it off. And kept putting it off. So I'm making one big post to describe the summer. There aren't as many pictures as there could have been. I brought my camera to several things we did, but failed to get it out and take many pictures.

The week after school let out, I drove up to Idaho with my mom and kids to visit my sister and her family. It was kind of a spur of the moment trip. We had a good time there and the kids loved swimming in the hotel swimming pool. They were all really good travelers, which was nice. Most of the pictures from that trip are ones Jimmy took on the day we went to the zoo.

This first one is of Ben, one of my nephews.

Here are Emma, Molly, Lys, Alex, and Chris getting in a big nest (along with some other kids).

I'm posting this one of Rachel that was taken in the hotel room just because I think it's a silly picture. :)

Jimmy, Chris, and Ben at the zoo.

Later in June, my brother and his family came out to visit from Georgia.  We some fun things with them while they were here.  We went to the zoo (the word "fun" here is questionable.  It was very hot.  I think the kids had fun though) and Lagoon and things like that.  Unfortunately, I only really got one picture the whole time (okay, I got a few with my cell phone but haven't been able to transfer those to the computer).

This is of my kids on a big dinosaur at the zoo.  Well, minus Rachel.  She was sitting happily in the stroller.

We also had Dylan's heart cath in the summer, but I did post about that.  At least a little.  In July we went camping with Russ' family.  Russ wasn't able to get off work so I went up a day before he did.  That was interesting since a bear had been seen in the area the day before we got there.  But we had fun.  Got covered with dirt from head to toe, but it was fun.

In August we had the Family Heart Camp with IHH.  Being on the governing board, I helped out a lot with things there so Russ spent most of the time with the kids.  Unfortunately, Jimmy was sick so he spent the weekend with my parents.  I thought the camp turned out great.  The camp is held every year at Camp Wapiti, a campground run by the Elk's Club specifically for groups involved with kids with various health issues.  In July there is Camp Hawkins, a camp just for heart kids and their siblings.  There are also camps for kids with cancer, diabetes and other things.

The kids had a lot of fun at camp and especially liked the time spent swimming.  There was a symposium for the adults where a few from the cardiology areas of PCMC came and spoke.  One talked about some of the studies that PCMC is part of, including a pulmonary conduit study that Dylan is in.  Dr. Gray from the cath lab came and spoke on what is new with the cath lab and what they hope to be able to do in the future.  Meanwhile, we had various activities for the kids, including a reptile show (which was a hit).  The rest of the pictures are from the family camp.

School started about a week after the family camp.  Our summer seemed to be busier at times than other summers, but it was a good summer.  

Happy birthday Molly!

Today is Molly's 8th birthday.  While it seems strange she's already 8, it has also felt like it's been a long time coming (mostly because of the whole booster seat law).  She keeps telling me it's her best day ever.  She got to pick what we had for dinner (out of just a couple of choices though since I totally spaced asking her what she wanted before Russ went to the store yesterday), and I made some cupcakes which I quickly drew cat heads out of frosting on (haven't taken any pictures yet).  I did let her decorate some of the cupcakes, which she loved.

So happy birthday, Molly!  I hope your day continues to be the best ever!  I'm so glad you are part of our family!