Time for a family update!

Jim

Still as wonderful as ever.?? How on earth did I get so lucky??? On our wedding day I loved the man the least.?? I was so in love that day yet so much of what I hoped for was unproven.?? Fast forward 17.5 years and he is more than I dreamed of.

Me

Life is good.?? I got a little ahead of myself with my May calendar but that is no surprise.???? I haven’t had much down time but when I do get some time to myself I am loving my new Kindle Fire that Jim bought me for my birthday.?? Also was introduced to Duck Dynasty on A&E this week and I sheepishly admit – LOVE it!?? I caught a bit of an episode at Darin and Jodi’s recently and was amused at how intently my siblings were watching it.?? My sister Jodi said “Oh Doni!?? I love this show because it feels like every conversation they have has happened between us girls and your brothers.”?? Intrigued, I had to DVR it to see if I could affirm what Jodi said.?? I SO AGREE.?? I giggle all through the show because it feels all too familiar.?? I was telling my mom about the Camper Duck Blind episode and she begged me not to tell my dad for fear he would try it.?? Hee hee.?? Made me think of “The Swamp Donkey”.?? I have seen Duck Blinds rigged in my day in true red neck fashion.?? Trust me.?? I had to laugh last night when Jase commented on his family being the only family to storm golf courses in the dead of night to go frog gigging.?? Oh how wrong Jase was.?? The Robertson’s are not the only family to have done that (plus some).???? I’ll have you know that I am an innocent spectator though.?? I have never had anything to do with any of it.?? Like the Robertson women, I just complain to high heaven when Thanksgiving dinner is on the table and the boys are still not back from hunting geese.?? They never are.?? I mean N E V E R.?? Last year we put our foot down and started without them.?? Took my mom about twenty years to draw that boundary but our own Miss Kay finally had it.

Tanner

My beautiful firstborn is almost 11.?? He reminds me every day.?? His birthday is on the 22nd of this month.

Lately Tanner has been enjoying:

Minecraft – he loves to build on this computer game and I have fun watching his empire grow.?? Minecraft taught Tanner to LOVE the phone.?? My shy boy is quite social while gabbing with his friends that he is playing online with.?? Because of this, when the phone rings, he now runs for it.?? Who knows??? It may be a friend wanting to play online.

Skylanders – he doesn’t have it but he wants it for his birthday.?? We’ll probably buy the game but the characters are good gift ideas (tip for family).

River Monsters – he loves this show and is watching the latest series on Netflix.???? For writing, I have Tanner do research twice a week on a topic of his choosing.?? He gathers facts then writes his paragraph the next day.?? Usually wikipedia is his favorite resource but lately he has switched media to River Monster episodes.

Bayblades – Tanner reminded me this evening that I forgot to add this to his birthday list.?? He really loves bayblades.?? Man oh man did that toy manufacturer make a killing off that.?? Glorified tops.?? Sheeeshh.?? Why didn’t I think of it?

Typing – Tanner likes typing.?? He is getting darn close to 40 words per minute now with 97% accuracy.

SportsKidzAZ – He loves his homeschool PE program and tells me every week “that was so fun today mom”.???? He still has a preference for football and soccer but likes baseball too.

Troy – He loves his baby brother (and his baby brother adores him).?? I love watching this relationship grow.?? Coolest thing ever to watch.

Ty

Ty keeps me laughing and brings such joy to my life.?? He is still having Alice in Wonderland symptoms but the referral coordinator hasn’t called back with info on his MRI and EEG.?? I need to follow up on that.?? He has complained of stomach pain and head pain pretty frequently too.?? Unlike his siblings though, Ty will mention it and then go on his merry way so it’s always tough for me to ascertain what the pain level is.

This Friday we will be taking him to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for an evaluation with a Developmental Pediatrician.?? The Pediatrician books a year out so we will be seeing her NP for now.?? I will be discussing my thoughts on Asperger’s with them and see what they say.

Ty is perseverant as ever.?? Repeat repeat repeat.?? I had to giggle at the following conversation that occurred at our dinner table recently:

Ty:?? Dad did you see that game Skylanders?

Jim:?? Ty I don’t want to talk about games right now.?? What else do ya got?

(Insert smile here.?? I knew Ty would bring up food next and he did).

Ty:?? Did you know mommy is making peanut butter balls today?

Jim:?? Yes Ty.?? Got anything else?

(Insert bigger smile because now I am predicting?? a schedule comment)

Ty:?? Uh…..what are we doing tomorrow?

I knew it.?? His big three in order.?? Jim just laughed.?? We try to get Ty to expand his social topics but he really gets pretty stuck on his agenda.

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Ty:?? How old is daddy?

Me:?? 39

Ty:?? So THAT is what I am going to look like when I grow up!

Then later in the day when Jim was cutting his hair…

Ty:?? Hey!?? I can see my bald spot!

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Ty:?? Hey those watermelons are cut like quesadillas!

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Me:?? THANKS A LOT TY!?? You just woke up your sister!

Ty:?? Your welcome (sweetly spoken)

Me:?? I was being sarcastic son.

Ty:?? What is sarcastic?

Me:?? Well…it’s when you say something but you mean just the opposite of what you said.

Ty:?? (Deer in headlights look)

I felt stupid.?? :)?? Don’t attempt sarcasm with Ty.

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Ty is truly truly adorable.?? A D O R A B L E.

Tori

At four, Tori gives me PLENTY to write about.?? Where do I even start with her?

Let’s start with One Tree Hill.?? Yes I realize One Tree Hill is not four year old appropriate.?? I L O V E this teen soap though and I watch it while I am processing.?? Tori is often in the room with me while I process and so she watches portions of the show sometimes.?? Unfortunately, she knows way more about it then I would really like but it has given us several opportunities for girl chats.?? Here are some recent Tori quotes pertaining to this show:

Tori:?? That outfit is NOT modest!

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Tori:?? He is NOT dead!!!!???? You were right!!!!?? (This was about Cooper in season 4)

Different day about Lucas…

Tori:?? He died again??? Realllllllllyyyyy?

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Tori:?? Mommy who do you like on Tree Hill?

Me:?? Brooke Davis is my favorite.

Tori:?? I like Mouth.

I was a little shocked that she knew who Mouth was.

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Tori:?? Uh…that’s awkward.

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Last week on an episode the following conversation occurred between characters:

Brooke – Wouldn’t it be nice if we could pick our parents?

Peyton – I don’t know.?? Larry picking me was kind of great.

Tori was in the room but didn’t appear to be watching.?? About an hour later we were in the bank parking lot and I was lecturing her on the dangers of walking in parking lots without sticking close to me.

Tori:?? Ya cuz you picked me and I am your girl.?? That’s what you always call me.

That was beautiful to me on so many levels.???? I don’t recall ever saying “I picked you” because I tend to say “God picked you” but in any case, she demonstrated quite mature understanding and identified with what Peyton said.?? She is so wise beyond her years.

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Tori:?? I want to sit in your lap.

Me:?? I can’t right now.?? I am feeding the baby.

Tori:?? But I am cuddly!

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On St. Patrick’s day…

Tori:?? Boys you can pinch me ONE time.

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Tori:?? I am going to need to bring my makeup of course it gets lost.

She always says “of course” instead of “in case”.?? I don’t want to correct it.

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Tori:?? I am in the mood for makeup.

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Me:?? YOUNG LADY!?? Get in bed right now!

Tori:?? Why do you say “young lady” when I am not doing it??? Why don’t you just say “Tori get in bed!”.?? Next day you will have to just say that.

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Tori:?? Will you come in to the front room and watch me do my moves??? Then you will have to clap when I am done.

I started her in a tumbling class at the Community Center and she loves it.?? Smiles the whole time.

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Tori:?? Troy that isn’t respectable.?? Don’t touch Grandma’s stuff.

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Tori:?? Can we play that game Little Red Hiding Hood??? You be the wolf.

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I was talking to Ty and referred to him as “Sweetheart”?? Tori overheard.

Tori:?? Don’t call Ty sweetheart.?? I am sweetheart.?? Just call me that.

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My little singer/songwriter was writing her new diddy in the bathtub.?? When she got to her second verse I had to stop her.

Me:?? Woah there.?? That doesn’t sound kind.?? We don’t say that kind of thing.

Tori:?? Well.?? That’s how the song goes.

Her daddy got quite a giggle out of that.

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Tori was repeating something from Alvin and the Chipmunks that I found to be crude.

Me:?? We don’t talk like that.

Tori:?? Well Alvin does.

Me:?? Well I am not Alvin’s mom and I said that WE don’t talk like that.

Tori:?? Well how come Alvin can?

Me:?? He doesn’t have a mom.

Tori:?? He has a dad!

LOL.?? Why do I bother trying to stay ahead of her.?? I should have known not to say that.

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Jarrod:?? Tori how come you are so beautiful?

Tori:?? Shrugs shoulders

Jarrod:?? You are so beautiful.?? Did God make you that way?

Tori:?? No.

Jarrod:?? Well then who did?

Tori:?? Mama

LOL

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At bedtime….

Me:?? TORI!?? I just tucked you in A G A I N and put your blanket on and everything and here you are again!?? Why??? Why do I even bother going in and tucking you in bed and getting your blanket just right when you just get right back up out of bed after I just did it (I repeat this a few times varying the phrasing like any good mother).

Tori:?? (Shakes her head).?? No.?? I am not here to talk about that.

Ha!?? Oh really??? You aren’t??? (For the record, she wanted to talk about the “crazy sounds” she hears when the house is quiet – which is rare – our house is never quiet).?? It occurred to me the next day that I was perseverating (in this instance it could be called nagging) and Tori was repeating what I often have to say to Ty “we aren’t talking about that right now”.?? It was only a matter of time before she tried that line on me.?? I should have seen it coming.?? My daughter is brighter than I.?? I can’t seem to keep ahead of her.

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In February, my good friend Liza came out from Buffalo to visit.?? We had such a good time (and I still have pictures to process from when she was here).?? While Liza was here, she admitted to being fascinated with not only my hyper focusing but the way that others respond to my hyper focusing.?? (These are not Liza’s words – they’re mine?? – I am giving you the gist).?????? As an example, she described that during one conversation with her I was so busy talking that I would tip the bottle down while feeding Troy.?? Heidi, sitting beside me, would then tip the bottle back up and softly say “he isn’t getting any”.?? Apparently, this happened several times in one conversation.?? I had no recollection of it.?? What amused Liza was first that I didn’t realize I was tipping the bottle and that the baby wasn’t “getting any”, second that Heidi just naturally solved the problem without any “to do”, and third that neither of us really noticed we were doing it.

I am going somewhere with this.?? Hang in there…

On another occasion, Liza and I were deep in discussion and Tori offered to “do my hair”.?? She showed me the teeny tiny baby comb she was going to use.?? I blanched a bit and started to object but then got distracted and was focused back on my conversation with Liza.?? After some time, a moment occurred when I was conscience of three things at once.?? First, my head was being jerked all about (and probably had been for a little bit).?? Second, Tori was grunting in frustration. Third, Liza was staring at me wide eyed.???? Tori had tangled that baby comb into my hair all the way to my scalp.???? When I realized that she had created a hair emergency for me, I was pretty much in hysterics.?? In part because I was terrified I was going to have to cut it out.?? I also was laughing with tears streaming down my face because even I couldn’t believe it had gotten that far without me noticing.?? Ultimately, Liza had to help me get the comb out and thankfully I was able to keep from cutting it out.

So last week, Tori was in the bathtub playing with same said comb and you can guess what happened to HER.

Tori:???? NOW what are we going to do since Liza isn’t here to get the brush out of my hair??? WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

Liza – I hope you enjoyed that.???? 🙂 🙂 :)?? You must come back.?? Whatever will Tori and I do without you??? 🙂 🙂

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There is never a dull moment with this child.?? I love her to pieces my little SWEETHEART – MY GIRL.

Troy

So Troy has only gained a teaspoon a day in over 3 months (total of 6 grams) and has fallen off the growth chart.?? He was 17.12 last week when weighed at the Apnea Clinic.?? He is 10 months/8 months corrected.?? I am not taking this particularly seriously right now because (a) he is bigger than his sister was at this age and (b) he crawls like Mario Andretti drives so I know he is burning calories.?? His Dr. said that he couldn’t be burning THAT much calories to make up the difference of no weight gain in 3 months but again, I think he looks healthy so am not too concerned about it.???? The Vanicream and Triamcinalone have helped his excema tremendously.?? His skin finally feels baby soft.?? I have to treat him with both products every day to keep it at bay but at least that works.?? He seems to be allergic to baby sunscreen so the Dr. told me to use the Vanicream sunscreen.?? Hope that will work since we are planning a beach trip this summer (yeah for us!).?? He cut his top tooth last week (April 29th) and the other top 3 are about to cut any moment.?? He now has 3 cut and soon to be six.?? He will have another swallow study next month to see if we can stop thickening his formula.?? He is eating table food now but chokes easily so we have to really watch him and cut everything really small.?? His OT skills aren’t great so he doesn’t get much to his mouth successfully without help.???? He is trying to transfer between furniture now and stood on his own for a few seconds last week.?? Tori was walking at the 10/8 month mark but I doubt he will walk this month.?? Don’t think he is quite ready yet.?? Nor am I.

He is still refluxing darn it.?? Was hoping he would have outgrown it by now.?? He is still on lansprozole for it but I don’t know how much it is helping.?? I thought when he went to table food, he would stop spitting up but instead he vomits.?????? This isn’t the reason for his weight loss though because in the grand scope of things, he is spitting up far less than he used to.

He has discovered the toilet.?? He loves it.?? I do not.?? Try getting Tanner, Ty, and Tori to keep the bathroom doors shut and the toilet lid down.?? Right.?? (Ask Heidi how successful her mentoring was on this topic.?? Not.)

He is as expressive as ever.?? We can’t wait for him to learn words because he screams for everything and his pitch is ear piercing.?? I am working on teaching some sign language but haven’t been dedicated enough yet to make much progress.?? He knows what I am signing and saying though because he gets excited (bottle).?? He says “Hi (Ha)” but nothing else yet.?? He does say Da Da and Ma Ma but I am not sure if it real specific yet so I am not counting it.?? He knows his name and turns his head when we call him.?? He still sleeps with his Seahorse and pacifiers at night and sleeps a 12 hour stretch along with 1 or 2 daytime naps.?? He is so cute in the morning when he wakes up because he gets so excited he is about jumping out of my arms looking everywhere for his siblings.

He is such a people person too.?? He loves loves people and tries to talk to everyone.?? People giggle at him all the time because he so obviously tries to communicate.?? He is a happy little guy for sure.?? Can’t even remember what life was like without him.?? My heart was waiting on him to be here and the last ten months have been bliss with my fourth little one safe and sound at home.?? LOVE IT!

I think that is about enough for this evening.?? 🙂