E.N.T.

After sharing a 4 night weekend with Isaac in the same room, we knew something was going on with his breathing patterns. He has always been a snorter and congested, but I just figured it was due to allergies or perhaps a cold. Didn't think much about it.

Until he couldn't breathe

or sleep soundly

would often gasp for air

or pause to take another.

That's when we stayed up 'til 2am googling "sleep apneia" on Jared's phone to calm our fears.

I took him into the E.N.T. dr today. Ironically, just yesterday he crawled out of his crib for the first time...more interruptions to his sleeping habits! No! Mama is not ready to give up that routine of naptime OR the wonderful cage that holds a screaming and tired toddler!

Here in Surprise, there are A LOT OF OLD PEOPLE (we live next to Sun City, a retirement community). No one was younger than the age of 70 in that waiting room. No worries, just give me my paperwork and let's get this appt going! 30 min passed. 45 min creeped by. 60 minutes! Isaac had had enough of the dirty blocks in the corner and playing with the one toy car on the floor. He was all up in my business, big belly and all contracting from all of his kicks and shoves. Soon he was melting down and heads with oxygen masks attached were turning to watch the uncontrollable toddler and big mama.

Finally....finally...finally....an hour later...we got back to the office with the Dr.

I had come prepared with a video recording of Isaac's sleeping, but within 2 min. he said, "Does your child always sound like this? This is very serious. Poor kid, he can hardly breathe."

The result? Isaac needs to go in for surgery. He will get tubes in both ears and get his tonsils and abenoids removed. He will have to stay overnight (because he is younger than 3 and they have to monitor his breathing) at the hospital.

Wow!

I feel bad for the poor onery monkey. No wonder he is a mess. Dr said that he has 30% hearing, and all of it sounds like it's underwater b/c he has so much built up fluid. We did a hearing test on him, and although the tech said that it was mild, he sure didn't respond too quickly to the lights and sounds that she gave him.

We headed back to the lobby full of NEW old timers who continued to stare at me and my tired little guy. By this point, Isaac was pulling my pants down and yelling, "I go! Car!" He was blocking my path of walking and had his little arms wrapped around my thigh so tightly I thought I would trip on him. A lovely sight for all to enjoy.

Yet, I have more sympathy for my little monster. He can't hear! He can't breathe! No wonder he is such a mess!

I will be curious to see if his demeanor changes at all after the surgery.

Tonight's FHE was on fasting and prayer. The boys all want to fast for Isaac (skipping just one meal). It will be a special family experience, including a Father's Priesthood blessing.

I just hope this all happens before baby Levi comes out, and Isaac can recover fully without too much horrible aches and pains in his little mouth.

The Birds and the Bees

I knew "the talk" would be coming soon....it was only a matter of time.

My boys have been asking for months how Levi would come out, how did he get there, do I "poop" the baby out, and how did dad help get him there...

Just YESTERDAY, Austin was talking about gumballs and licorice, and within the same sentence he said, "What happens to the skin when it gets cut off your peepee?" (circumcision). So small, yet so inquisitive. So funny that it was in the same train of thought as sugar and candy!

I have VERY curious boys. Wesley, the oldest, happens to have a memory like an elephant. He remembers things from when he was 2 (5 years ago!), with detail. For example, he remembers that he once saw me naked....ugh....this is only the beginning of "the talk" I had with my boys.

We headed to the library today and I picked up a few chapter books for the boys, as well as a book that could explain the sex talk in simple terms. The book title: It's NOT the stork!

We got home, had lunch, and I gathered my sweet 5 and 7 year old with me on the floor to "talk." I was not sure how I wanted to start it out, but I knew I didn't want to make them feel uncomfortable or let them know that I was feeling a bit embarrassed by some of the vocabulary.

The first picture (all cartoons) was of a naked boy and girl, and how we are similar in many ways; ankles, elbows, hair, nipples (they giggled at that one), and then the big V word came out... as well as the P word. Austin pronounces it, "pagina" whereas Wesley followed right along with me with reading all the pages said.

I let them know that at anytime we could stop if they didn't want to know more, and that all we were talking about was very special and sacred. I told them that they should NOT talk about these things with their friends, only mom or dad (or Grandpa/Grandma). They asked why not, and I told them that a lot of their friends hadn't talked to their parents about these body parts or special things and that we didn't want them to make their friends feel silly or weird.

It can only imagine if they had a little sister, some of these questions would've been answered already about her body.

I was really happy to follow along with the pages in the book (ideally, I could've read it beforehand, but I just dove right into it and we discovered it together). I really wanted Jared to be by my side for these "private part" discussions, but I just felt like as a mother, I needed to also step up and approach the subject with courage and confidence!

Questions asked by my boys:

"Why are there two eggs on the sides of the girl part and a line in the middle." Answer: "No son, that is skin."

"How did the boys zap into the girls?" Answer: They had to touch parts.

"So you and dad touch parts?" Answer: Yes.

"Do you and dad have sex a lot?" Answer: No. (What else would I say???)

"What happens if kids have sex and have a baby?" Answer: Kids can't.
"But what if???" Answer: Then they will be very sad and it will be hard to have a baby b/c you
are still growing.

"Are our eggs really blue?" (based off of the cartoon picture). Answer: ask your dad.

"Why do we have nipples?" Answer: ask your dad (I have no idea why men have nipples!)

So, overall, I am pleased with how our first initial conversation went. I called up Jared on the phone and had the boys tell them they knew what a "V" was, and it caught him off guard...that was really funny. I also told Jared that he was on duty tonight for more questions that the boys might have.


As I type this, Wesley is re-reading the book and is concentrating very hard.

Maybe I will have a little OB-GYN as a son?

First day of Summer

I am in a new transition in my life. No more working full time! My last day was yesterday at the school where I finished off the last bit of cleaning my room, turned in my electronics, my key and signed off the check list to my principal.

Has it hit me yet? Not quite. Jared keeps telling me, "It's going to be a long summer for you!" Not sure what that will mean. Will it be b/c I will now be more nazi about cleaning and keeping the house organized? Will I go crazy with the brother fights that will happen daily with time outs? Will being 9 months prego finally wear me down 'til I burst into tears b/c I feel trapped in this weighted down body? (I have gained 30 lbs, sitting at 31 weeks now...my goal? No more than 10 lbs please!)

I am not sure if I will continue the early am workouts or not. It sure is nice to not haul my kiddos around and deal with their ups/downs of the gym (or germs). In and out, nice and quick if I go early. I think I will try to keep them doing something busy every morning, do the lunch thing (I loaded up on fish sticks, fruit and crackers at the store yesterday...back to making lunches again! Kinda fun!), and then during Isaac's nap, I want to do some sort of "school time" for the boys where they read and do math. When Isaac gets up, we can either swim or watch a movie and I can prep for dinner.

It all sounds really nice on paper, not sure how realistic any of this is.

Projects? I don't think it's from "nesting," it's simply b/c I have neglected so many small areas b/c I have been gone for 10 months working!

1. De-clutter my kitchen drawers and make spaces available for books that my boys can access.
2. Go through my toy room, organize it with bins and tubs and find a light for the corner.
3. Transfer my videos on my computer to one file so we can watch them all together.
4. Put Wesley and Austin's school work into plastic sheets and binders for safe keeping.
5. Find furniture for Wesley (dresser, bed frame) in preparation for Levi's arrival.
6. Organize my jewelry drawer, as well as the computer area.
7. Potty train Isaac!!!!
8. Turn this blog into my third blog book...that alone will take 80+ hours of editing....sheesh

Just gotta take it day by day. Going to give myself 2 weeks to get settled and not get upset. I see so many areas that need to be cleaned, dusted, organized, folded or thrown away...day by day. A little task here, two loads of laundry there, menu planning along as I go and a trip to Wal Mart when needed.

Lots to do. Things to accomplish. Naps to take.

Boys to enjoy!

Kinder Graduation

Jared and I have been indecisive as to what to do with Austin. Physically, he is on the smaller side and definitely one of the youngest in his Kindergarten class. Socially and academically, he is right on target and doing really well.

But....Jared feels strongly about him NOT being the youngest and smallest boy as school continues on for him...

Austin cannot repeat the Kindergarten as we had anticipated b/c he has been issued an SAIS number (State ID), therefore no matter where he goes, if he repeated Kinder, we would have to pay the $200 a month at the school. Since he started at age 4, they don't allow those children to repeat kinder, assuming that you could've just done preschool at that time. This last year, he had to go to school b/c I worked full time...it was my only option as a career working mama.

We had thought about transferring him to Marley Park elementary, out of convenience and location, but I just couldn't shake the feeling that my boys should go to ACA for another year. I LOVE the 2nd and 1st grade teachers, they have little friends, I am familiar with the curriculum, we know the staff, and I feel like they will be well taken care of even though I am not "full time" there anymore. It especially makes me feel good that most of the staff know who my kids are by name, and I feel like they will watch out for them while I am not there.

I loved Austin's teacher Mrs. Mitchell. Very educated, creative, and soft spoken with a huge heart for little ones. She made personalized narratives for each child this year and gave it to us with his Kinder picture. I love those personal gifts, especially when you know how much time they spend with your child during the school hours. There must be plenty to say!

I got emotional the minute I heard the processional music play for my sweet 5 year old to walk down the big walkway and up to the stage. It's hard accepting that your kids are growing up. I guess that is why we keep having more...the not LET GO of childhood.
It was like the paparazzi with all the parents taking pictures and crowding the stage! The kids did some cute songs with a lot of heart and soul. It was a bit uncomfortable for my 7 month belly to be squatting on the floor and trying to get the best angles, but well worth it.
I am not sure why Austin had this mug shot for most of the time...maybe he got tired of all the attention and just wanted to be left alone.

Austin is very helpful and cheerful with chores, washing mama's feet or sweeping.
Austin is very curious and is constantly asking questions.
Austin loves to play (and torture) Isaac.
Austin can do 103 full sit ups without stopping! He literally has an 8 pack and 0 body fat.
Austin loves to be your companion; errands, traveling, sleeping over or going for a walk.
Austin is great at building (legos or puzzles) and enjoys playing by himself with his imagination.
Austin is a jokester and constantly saying things to get you to laugh.




We were all trying to get a good look at the super star. Pipa and Grandma Wilson came all the way down for the big ceremony!
Wesley was by my side the entire time (and happy to be getting out of class early!) to watch his little brother graduate. He was very proud.



This is Steven Purvis, one of Austin's good friends....although Austin told me daily how he did not make good choices and was almost always on "red." A cute boy nonetheless.

Inside the classroom! My last day as Mrs. Wilson!
Ms. Hall...hopefully Austin's teacher for next year and a sweet friend.

I love Isaac's grin!

Congratulations Austin on a successful year of Kindergarten!

End of Year

ACA spring concert...Isaac, papa and Gpa Lowe.
A fine example of "Peace and Quiet."
Sweet boys I do admit.
The last week of school is a blur...lots of board games, pizza parties, end of the year book signing and grading.
I did grow to love these rowdy boys...not so much as students...but as little people.

Me and a few of my girls...their faces say it all.
My last few days at ACA as "Mrs. Wilson." I am so grateful that I could leave my class for special assemblies; student of the month and principal's list (Wesley got straight A's for all four quarters and was recognized...a great accomplishment. I hope it continues for my other boys and throughout their school career).

Little slugger's

I am glad Baseball is over. I do respect the sport...but, the heat and long pants and slow action on the field really gets to a big prego mama after a few weeks. Isaac is all over the place; batting cages, eating snacks, taking his sandals off onto the hot pavement and crying, and of course begging to be held....
This last game was a goodie. Once again, Pipa and Grandma came down to support our boys in their sports (Gpa Lowe and Tim Boom Baby came too). I am glad that the boys at least hit the ball this time around so that they could feel proud in front of their family.Welsey hit TWO home runs, and hit the farthest out of his team....almost hitting the fence!

Austin did hit off of the tee, but he did get one hit from the coach :)

Trophies were handed out (Coach Nick said Wesley hit the best and was a leader, and Austin was the most focused) and afterwards a swim party was enjoyed.

Wesley now really has a love for the game. He can be found constantly swinging in mid air with his arms, as if swinging a bat. I think his obsession from tetherball at school has helped his motion. He can't wait for baseball camp this summer with his cousin Jaden. Jared and Wesley can now play "catch" and "pitch" together at the park where Jared can give him hints and techniques to the game that HE also loves. It's good to be a boy right now.

I will skip the part where Wesley's trophy got dropped and broken (again)...a whole other family drama and crisis came from that...let's forget that part ever happened! Super glue works miracles.

Tooth fairy

Wesley is 7 years old. Lots of questions now about the tooth fairy. Not much gets past him.

It all started with a jawbreaker from Ms. Lee afterschool. The pressure it put on his upper tooth made a "crack" sound and Wesley decided to just yank on it and push it out! So...he did. I was happy for him and we did the whole letter to tooth fairy and putting it under his pillow. He asked for 8 dollars and some nickels (random!). He only got a dollar...which is what he will always get.

The next morning Wesley had to verify that I didn't write it...he even compared my handwriting! Good thing Jared wrote the letter this time around, so I didn't have to lie.
After getting dressed (same morning), Wesley decided that he wanted to pull the other tooth out! Who does that! So, amidst the madness of morning routine, he yanked and yanked and got it out.




He was very excited to show his new grin to his friends.
Now I have two toothless twins.
That night, Wesley delve into more questions for tooth fairy; what is your name, are you a boy or girl, why am I not "aloud" to see you, where do you live, etc.

Answers? Tooth fairy is a girl named Summer, who lives in the Land of Smiles (good job Jared for creativity), and no one can see tooth fairies b/c it's against the law.

Wonder how much longer we'll keep this up?