Playing around the house

I realized I have a picture back up. My new years resolution is to get back in the swing of blogging weekly so I don't have to play catch up. Here are a couple of pictures of us just hanging out around the house.
Caroline was given the challenge of making all my kids smile at the same time. She brought Thomas along for entertainment. If you can't tell he is shaking his tush!

 Hannah hanging out with Aunt Christine!

 It is amazing how long a box can entertained!!

Thanks Grandma

Henry has been growing a nice mullet lately. I have been contemplating taking him to snip its but didn't feel the top was long enough. But the hair over the ears is annoying to me. Lucky for us my mom decided he could use a grandma make over. She not only gave him a cute haircut, a manicure, but diagnosed him with pink eye! (Pretty sure he got that from rolling around on the stands at the Tech game Saturday!) She is supermom today!









Christine

Fun times!

While the boys (Baylor and Henry) were content playing in the basement next to me I decided that I would try and get some pattern making done. That lasted all of 2 minutes.
The moment Baylor heard me pull out the paper he was all over it.

Then Henry heard me open a crunchy bar. He was quite content once I gave it up. This is how he watched Baylor and I.

You may notice he doesn't have pants on. Not unusual for our kids at our house. I have started to potty train him. He loves going to use the potty. He is a rock star so far!

Saturday family time

The kids love helping in the kitchen. We had some really ripe bananas this morning so why not make banana bread!!








After all that baking why not hit the local "zoo!" Our kids love his pet store. They advertise themselves as the local zoo. It is a great place because they let the kids be hands on with all the animals. Plus it's free entertainment!





Christine

Henry number 10

What a week! Henry had an ENT appointment on Monday. I almost cancelled it because I was convinced that we were past the infections. So glad I didn't. After going through a round of questions. No concerns just ready to go so Baylor could get a good nap. One last thing left was the exam. Nothing like the doctor giving me the "what is wrong with you" eye. Henry had a double ear infection. In his words his ears are filled to the top with fluid and if we tested his hearing right now he would have mild hearing loss. After that warm and fuzzy sentence I look at Henry and say thanks. Oh and did I mention that when the doctor walked in Henry pointed to his ear and said ouch. Fantastic! After finding out he had an ear infection the conversation quickly turned to this is what will happen next. His cut off point was 6 infections and we were at 10. I really wasn't given much of an option. Tubes was the topic and Thursday (Halloween) was the day. Grateful they did make me wait long because I didn't have much time to think about all the bad things.
No morning nap for Baylor. He is the best baby. Spent 2 hours being stuck in his car seat and not a peep. Of course if you had Henry to entertain you you would be content to stay safely in your seat!


After rushing paperwork and talking to numerous people it was the day I had been so against. Mom spent the night to be there for the older two because we had to leave by 6 am. Henry woke up
Great and was ready to go. We had Nemo downloaded! Check in process was 10 mins. We were the first ones back! I had the privilege of taking Henry back to get gassed. Mom told me not to look at his face so I kept my eyes on his feet. Kissed him and left him in good hands. I got back to the room and the nurse started talking not even 5 mins later the doctor returned to tell us he was done. Henry did great. His ears were full of "cement." He cleaned them out which took a little extra effort. He explained he would be sensitive to noise but good to go. They wheeled him in with oxygen on him. Explained he would wake up disoriented and mad. The hardest part of this entire process was waiting for him to wake up.
He couldn't wake fast enough for me. It was scary all the scenarios that were running through my brain. He woke up a little disoriented looking for his blanket. Soon as he found that he ripped off the monitors and stood up. I grabbed him and he sat in Bob's lap and watched Nemo. Calm and happy. We were told that he is the rare case. Most do not wake up so pleasant. He is a trouper! The pain he has endured with this last infection shows what a great kid he is!
The best part of getting tubes was the moment we got home he opened the back door to go play ball and I called his name and he turned around the first time I called him! Wow! Usually I have to raise my voice to get his attention. Everyday it is eye opening how bad his hearing was. He will repeat everything we say. The icing on the cake was tonight at bedtime I read him the normal books always go through.
He repeated all the animal sounds back to me. He has never done that before. I just thought he didn't care to respond to me. I can't wait to see what he is talking about this week!
Here is a picture of him in his purple gown. Go frogs!!


Watching Nemo before surgery.


Watching Nemo after surgery!




Christine

Happy Halloween

We started Halloween with an early morning trip to CHOA to get tubes. Thanks to my mom who had a sleep over in James' room! Henry was a dream this morning. He didn't seem to mind that he couldn't eat or drink. He waited patiently (of course watching Nemo helped) while all the other kids were hot messes. When it was time I went back with him to hold his hand while he was put to sleep. That was the hardest part. It was amazing how fast he was done. The doctor said his ears were full of hard goo. He cleaned out the infection. He warned us that he might be noise sensitive because noises wouldn't be muffled anymore. He woke up happy and calm and ready to finish Nemo. I have already seen small improvements. When we got home I called his name and he answered immediately. Usually it takes a little more than that!!





After some rest. It was time for Halloween! The Nemo costume turned into a football player!



We have the privilege of having wonderful friends and neighbors! We all gathered at the Hunters for food and craziness!!





Ansley was a fancy witch. She picked her own costume out this year. She is very proud of it! James was a pirate for the third year! I do have to say he gets cuter every year in it. Henry was suppose to be Nemo however when it came time he did not want to wear it. So a football player it was!








Had to add this photo at the end! I have an issue with not bathing my kids before bed. Henry can't get his head wet for 2 days. But there was no way he wasn't getting germs off the rest of his body! He enjoyed his sink bath. He even laid down willingly for ear drops!

Can't get enough of the patch!

Today we went back to the ENT trip for our follow up from July. In July we were sent to the ENT because of Henry's 9 infections. We agreed that one more and tubes were in order. So he did have one more but it was minor so I wasn't too concerned. I walked in feeling really confident that we had already had one cold and no infection! So when the doctor asked I replied that he has been fine except for fluid. His speech as picked up a little. I still would like to see him less frustrated and be able to tell us more of what he wants than trying to guess what he is saying. Henry immediately pointed to his ear a says ouch. Never done that before. Stinker! Doctor looks and says wow. I was thinking I know perfect ears. Nope filled with yucky fluid all the way to the top. He explained that if we gave him a hearing test it would come back with minor hearing loss. Just what every mother wants to hear! He also said he must be in terrible pain. That was a heart breaker. Too bad he never runs a fever or shows any other signs. As we looked over and he was being his mischievous self! the doctor says you would never know his ears were hurting. There was no debate I was told tubes and see you Thursday. In a way I am relieved that he will have some relief from pain. Don't look forward to the process. Of course I will get some cute pictures of him!
After nap we met my sister at the pumpkin patch!
Yay a picture of all three!!









James was not in the mood to pose!





Brotherly love. This is their new fun way to play.


Christine