mobile uploads

Let me do some catching up mobile upload style. From the phone throughout April:

I could not get over the beauty of the wisteria at this house as I passed by on an afternoon walk with the kids. The house, located on Harris Street, sadly needs some TLC, but look at these flowers!

The azaleas in our yard took forever to bloom, but they finally did the second week of April, the same week as the Masters an hour down the road. 

{Hannah loves "the zalyas", though when she learned the right way to pronounce it, she started correcting me. Sad.}

{I can tell by the ensemble - and sticker - that we flew out the door earlier that afternoon for the doctor.}

That night, after we put the kids to bed, I saw this scene in the playroom:

You may remember the last time I came across a meal with the Swingle Bears.

{Cheesiness.}

{We filled the sandbox with soft new sand, much to the little ones' delight.}

{Hannah eats yogurt with sprinkles almost every day. Joseph likes his sprinkle-free.}

{On the backporch swing.}

{Taking Joseph for a birthday spin.}

{Riding the pink car at Wal-Mart. I try not to think about germs.}

{Just out for a walk, one of our favorite things to do.}

hand-me-downs (again)

Remember back in the fall when I posted about hand-me-downs? Probably not, but just so you know, I like dressing Joseph in my brothers' old john-johns. I am so glad my mom kept them and think it is neat that he has worn things that are 30 years old and so different from today's clothes. Anyway, when my mom came for Easter, she brought with her this outfit that my brothers wore (ignore bed head):

She didn't think Joseph could wear it until next fall/winter since it is a size 3. We have learned in the process of wearing hand-me-downs from the early 80s that the sizing is way different now. Kids are bigger, I guess. I'm sure we have our culture and obesity problems to blame... Still, what a disappointment. I love this john-john, so I put him in it long enough to take pictures for the sake of posterity.

He seemed happy enough.

time with my girl

I like the little bits of time I get with Hannah most days after her quiet time while Joseph is still napping. I treasure those moments, just the two of us. The last two weekends, Monkey and I have had opportunities to be just us girls.

Weekend before last, I surprised her and took her to see the ballet recital at the local private school. It was a sea theme - and right now she is into mermaids. {Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet, anyone?} She had been wanting to wear the new outfit my mom bought her - a pink tutu-like top and pink lace leggings - and while it isn't exactly a good choice for preschool, this was the perfect opportunity. She had a great time watching the ballerinas and the Sea Witch made a lasting impression. {We had to have a discussion about how she was just pretending to be mean. After all, it didn't make sense to her when the Sea Witch and the Mermaid Queen held hands and curtsied together at the end.} Afterwards I asked her if it was ok if we brought "the boys" along for ice cream. She thought that sounded like a good idea, so we picked them up and off to the Diary Lane we went for an ice cream cone with sprinkles!

This past weekend, we did some in-town shopping on Saturday, and spent the rest of the afternoon playing at home. Hannah has come a long way with her castle-building skills. Of course, she has gotten some structural advice a time or two from her mom. But this was all her, and I think she's proud:

It rained all day long on Saturday, but Sunday after church the clouds went away and the sun came out. It was a beautiful afternoon, so while the boys napped the girls played outside. We had popsicles, painted nails, and enjoyed the sunshine. At one point, as Hannah thought I was reading my magazine, I watched her on the swing, flip flops on the wrong feet, pumping with all her might. I watched her take off from the ground, pump until she was swinging high, and then bring herself to a stop, hopping off the swing. It was so sweet just watching her do her thing. So I went inside and grabbed my iPad and took a video of her playing. I think she was a little nervous at the start...

Just since this video was taken, she has gotten better. She hops right up on the swing and takes off. Cannot believe how fast these kids pick things up.

Unfortunately Hannah has been home from school this week. Sick, again. Poor child, she has been ill for the better part of a month.

Today she is a different child. She slept an uninterrupted 12 hours last night and felt great when she woke up, asking to go to preschool. She loves it.

Heading out myself to take advantage of this beautiful day with a run. But before I go, I must brag on my smartie. Saturday morning, as I was having my morning devotion time, Hannah came in to find me. Seeing what a good job she did recently writing her name on a coloring sheet, I asked if she would write it in my journal.

All by herself. A page I will treasure...

She recently said to me, "Momma, do you realize that I love you and you're my best friend?" Yes...I do, my sweet, precious girl.

two-year stats and letter to joseph

Moving on from all the sickness, let's talk about two-year old shenanigans. As for milestones and developmental guidelines, he's doing just fine.

Height: 34 1/2" (50%)  Weight: 25 lbs, 13 oz (25%)  We are very happy with this considering his past growth issues. Meal times have greatly improved. He eats (or is offered) what we have, or a variation of that, and drinks three cups of milk/day. Usually one meal a day is "on the run" - and by that I mean we feed him while he's walking around and doesn't realize he's eating (usually while lunch is prepared for everyone else). I realize that this is not ideal, but right now we are going with what works. We have plenty of time to teach him about table manners. {Note: he does get in trouble when he puts his foot up on the table, something he loves to do and knows the reaction it gets.} He is still taking Miralax (with his milk) in the morning and Prevacid (capsules broken over yogurt) everyday. He sleeps about 12 hours at night (7pm-7am) and is taking a 1 1/2 - 2-hour nap after lunch. Hey, despite many other problems, we've never complained about this boy's sleep habits. Thank God. We've actually moved both kids' bedtimes up and life is better all around.

He took his time, but he's finally talking and has about three dozen words in his vocabulary, including: Da-da, Momma, Hannah (Nah nah), no (his favorite), yes, down (two syllables: down-na), cold, cheese, amen (ah-meen), please (tease), okay (oh-tay or just 'tay), stop (dop, and I can't take him seriously when he says it), cookie, cracker (crackie), hot (hotch), eat, chip, juice, empty, milk (milp), and iPad (Did you not see the picture of him on the exam table at the doctor?).

Phrases: uh oh, oh no! (said frequently and, weirdly, in a British accent), all gone/all done, thank you (taan too), hold me, there you go ('der ya go), and I don't know (not sure how to phonetically spell it, but the I and don't are one word, and it's got that annoyed-teenager tone when he says it, dragging out the knooow).

His favorite shows are Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, but he's interested for all of 3 minutes before he is off doing something else. Really, he loves the music/theme song part. He loves music and songs in general, singing along in church with the hymns and with the choir. And he can jam out on the little piano at home. The typical boy, he likes to play with trains, cars, and blocks and to see how things work, usually by destroying them and then trying to put them back together. He likes to play with water - be it at the kitchen sink on the step-stool, in the bath, or outside at his new water table. More than anything, he loves to be outdoors - going for wagon rides, checking the mail, and exploring in the backyard. He usually doesn't stay clean for long. Joe recently read me something he saw on Facebook, "Boys: noise with dirt on it." I can't think of a better way to put it.


My Sweet Joseph, 

This past year has been a little challenging. You took your sweet time walking...and talking, often frustrating your Daddy and me. You fussed or cried a lot of the time you were awake. We desperately tried to figure out what you wanted all the times you'd cry or holler "ehhhhh!". We were anxious for words to express why you cried so much. Because of all your tummy problems, I was often sad and felt helpless to make you feel better. We worked hard to figure out which medicines and dosages you needed so you wouldn't be in pain. Your tummy problems are still there, but we think we are managing them ok for now. Finally, we feel like we are on the right path. The past few weeks have been the best we've had, the best you've had. We are so glad you are happy and seem to be feeling better. We are thankful to finally watch you play and just be a normal boy.

 {One year later: my how you've grown!}

You are my loving, cuddly little boy. I love rocking you after story-time at night. You use Raffie (your Giraffe lovey) as a nesting place for your head on my chest. {On the subject of Raffie: you don't mind having him washed, but you have to take part in the process throwing him in the washing machine.} You like to rest your head on my shoulder when I pick you up from a nap, as you slowly wake up. I like that brief moment before you are ready to get down and go play. You oftentimes come up to us, giving what Daddy calls "drive-by hugs" and run off. If I get hurt and say ow!, I earn a kiss from you. And sometimes your love hurts; you pinch when you hug and squeeze. Your Eskimo kisses are a little violent, as you get so into it, shaking your head back and forth. I risk a broken nose, but those are some of the best kisses ever. And how sweet is the sound your lips make when you kiss my cheek.

 {eighteen months old}

I love hearing your cute giggle when I tickle you. You still love to play peek-a-boo, especially when I make all kinds of silly faces behind my hands. You have perfected the art of a cheesy smile, tilting your head back and squinting your eyes. It's become a trademark and one that your sister loves to emulate. You get along with Hannah well, though you are very aware of what upsets her, and sometimes that encourages you. The two of you have an unspoken form of communication. She always seems to know what you might need. She is even getting better at tolerating it when you color on her picture. Whenever you hurt her, you are quick to say sorry with a hug.

Hannah bosses you around, and you typically listen to her. You fight over toys and get mad, but mostly you play well together. You are good with her dolls and other girly things. As it is with any little brother, your big sister is in control, looking out for you at home and on the playground at preschool. I hope you will always be best friends the way you are now.

Even with all the frustrations of the last year, we've still had happy times and made countless memories together. The days are sometimes long, but the years go by fast. I thank God every day for you and the joy you bring to my heart. I am looking forward to watching you grow in the year ahead. 

  
But please, don't grow too fast. I love you so much, Josey.

Momma


PS, I couldn't decide on one picture of you and Hannah, so I put together a couple collages from the last year:

 

{April 2012 - November 2012}

 

{November 2012 - April 2013}

time for your check-up!

That's a Doc McStuffins reference, in case you are in the dark. It's a Disney Junior show that's a fan favorite in this house. Mom and Dad approve.

This kid has spent a lot of time at the doctor recently.

{Playing on the iPad.}

Actually, our whole family has spent a lot of time at the doctor recently...

Before we went on our trip to New Orleans, Joseph was on antibiotics for an ear infection. When we got back, we went back to the doctor because of a fever and excessive fussiness and learned that the ear infection did not go away. In fact, it was also starting up in his other ear. He had a nasty-looking throat as well. We were given a prescription for Augmentin. Let it be known that my little boy will not take Augmentin, in any way or form. I had the pharmacist add a bitter-suppressant. Joe made a chocolate syrup to mix it with. We tried diluting it in a full cup of warm milk (his favorite). Nope. He either spits it out, chokes on it because he's upset, or - if you manage to get any down - gag it back up. Yep, it is really that miserable of an undertaking. So the next day, it was back to the doctor for Rocephin (antibiotic injection, usually given 24 hours apart in 2-3 rounds). And again the next day, and the next day, for shots 2 and 3.

{The following Tuesday we went back to the doctor for Hannah with a 48-hour high fever thing. Flu and Strep negative. A week later we were there again with Hannah for another super-high fever and bad cough.  A trip to the hospital for a chest x-ray showed "peribronchial cuffing" - non-specific inflammation. No pneumonia as anticipated. Both things, the doctor established, were most likely viral. How unfortunate to make that many trips to the doctor's office. That's a lot of wait time with two kids, as I'm trying not to freak out about them touching everything and all the other sick kids in there.}

We took Joseph for his two-year well check on Monday (more on that later). Because Joseph was coughing and had beaucoup nasal discharge like his sister, Dr. Jennifer checked him out and...you guessed it, another ear infection. Well he was not. The last one did finally clear, so this is counted as a separate one. And in case you are curious, we are not having the tubes discussion at this point. There have not been enough infections in the last year to warrant that. Thank goodness. We are hoping to clear this one with an oral antibiotic (Amoxicillin). Please pray that it works!

{Hannah is still dealing with a sporadic cough and runny nose, so since she came along to the doctor, we checked her out, too. She had fluid in one of her ears, but with Joe and I both being antibiotic-hesitant we decided to do "watchful waiting" for a couple days.}

After a quick check with the otoscope in the preschool parking lot today, Dr. Jennifer said that Hannah's ear is better and Joseph's is improving. {The perks of having a doctor who is a friend and generous with her time.} Good news! Hopefully that means Joe and I will be well soon, too!

I will leave you with these pictures, also taken while at the doctor's office:

{Finding things to do in Mom's purse...long wait.}

{Short wait...showing me the picture she colored (the day before) for Aunt Karen, her godmother. She is learning to write her name!}