Asthma

I really hate asthma. I mean REALLY hate it! Almost as much as I hate food allergies...

Last Monday Jonathan was coughing and having an asthma flare. We decided to keep him home from school because he was going to need his meds throughout the day. I called the pediatrician to get refills on his preventative inhaler, the nebulizer medication and the rescue inhaler that we HAD to have to send him to school on Tuesday.

I called the peds office first saying I just needed the two inhalers, then I realized I needed the nebulizer meds so I called back. Well, apparently the nurse called the pharmacy and told them to cancel the inhaler and just give me the nebulizer. Of course I realized this when I was at the Target pharmacy at 8:00 at night and there was no way to get a new RX for the inhaler. Great. So Jonathan could not go to school on Tuesday because we were afraid to risk sending him without the inhaler. I teach on Tuesday's so he got to come to school with me. It was actually a fun thing but still he missed two days of school!

Well, we got him better and he is doing fine. Now I brought Hunter to the doctor today because I thought he was wheezing and had an ear infection. Turns out he WAS wheezing and had an ear infection. I will toot my own horn and say that the pediatrician told me that I am good about knowing when the kids need to go to the dr and when they don't. So now Hunter is on an antibiotic AGAIN and is also on the nebulizer medication but of course a lower dose than Jonathan's. I have spent more money at the Target pharmacy in the last week than one should have to let's just say that!

Hopefully now with some meds we are all on the way up but I would not count on it!

Okay..

So as you can see once school started I got really busy and kept meaning to but forgetting to post a new blog post. Sorry!

Okay, so lots has been going on here obviously! I'll just give you a run down;)

Meredith- still teaching:) I am really enjoying it this year with my new co teacher (Stephanie) and my close proximity to the kids. Last year I saw them all during the day but this year I am right next to all three of their classes so I can peek in on them often:) I get lots of hugs and kisses during the day from them still so I love it!

Kevin- Is moving groups at Arby's! He is moving from the reporting stuff to the financial planning stuff. He is excited about getting a new opportunity at work. It will help him as he continues to try and grow his career. It is also a really good family moved because they don't have to work the same kinds of hours in that group that he does in his current group.

Jonathan- still starting to learn to read. He is SO cute when he brings home one of his little books and shows us how he "tracks the print." SO CUTE! He is SO proud of himself and Emma really thinks it is awesome. She was sitting there and he was "reading" to her (he actually has the book memorized) and she said "Yeah! Jonathan!! You can read!!! I so proud of you!!!" I cried I will admit it! Jonathan can also sound out words now! So you should start getting some letters from him. Well, short letters it takes a while.

Emma- Is still our artistic one. She is SO sweet with Hunter and she loves to do art work and make up songs. She figured out how to make herself a little microphone stand then she sits in front of it and plays her barbie guitar. CUTE!!! She is going to be Hello Kitty for Halloween. Oh and she is REEEEAAAALLLLYYYYY into pink and purple right now! Usually if I try to get her to wear another color she will pitch a fit. Nice. She also is really into "night time dresses" and if I try to give her a non nightgown set of pajamas again with the fit. I thought we had a few more years for this?????

Cooper- he is still working on the potty training. I wish he was already:( He wants to but with preschool it is really hard because it is inconsistent. He can't go in underpants until he can be accident free and that will be a little bit. He is a lefty if you did not know. He is so cute to watch do his art work also! He is very particular and he will work and work until he gets it the way he wants it to be. I personally think he is taking after Grandad but he will vote Democrat when he grows up;)

Hunter- IS WALKING!!!!!! Finally!!!! So we are out of physical therapy but he is still in speech therapy. He is also going to the local big pediatric allergy and immunology people November 11th so please be praying about that. We are going to be able to find out what all of his food allergies are and make sure we know them all (which we think we don't). If you lost track he is allergic to: dairy, egg, soy, wheat, peanuts, sunflower, berries and we are avoiding shellfish, fish and tree nuts.

Also, in the big family news I stayed home from school on Wednesday because Hunter had a little fever. Turns out he had an ear infection. Know who told me that??? The ER doctor! Know why we were there???? He decided that he wanted to EAT not one but TWO button batteries!!! ACK! They had to do an XRay and they were in his stomach. So, they had to do general anesthesia and use a tube to go down into the stomach to get them, turns out by the time they got in there they passed too far into the small intestines to get them. So we had to wait for them to pass which I am happy to report they have. So I got to bring Emma, Cooper and Hunter to the ER. When they decided to do the procedure to get them out I called Kevin (who works right by CHOA) and had him come get E&C and go home to get J off the bus. It was a LONG exhausting day for everyone and I am still drained from it.

This is on top of the time a few weeks ago where I had to call 911 because Hunter ate egg for the first time and he had an anaphylactic reaction. I used the Epi Pen and he was still wheezing so the ambulance came but I was able to drive him to the hospital. He was okay but NOT fun!

I will say though that God really has blessed me with a "non-freak out gene." He really does know what He is doing because He knew I would have kids that needed Epi pens and would swallow batteries and He cared for them by giving them to me instead of another Mom that would freak out. He also cared for me by giving me this "non freak out gene" so when I have to deal with something I don't freak out! I just do what I need to and then later I reserve the right to cry!!!

Big things coming up for us are that we are going to Pennsylvania to visit with my parents for Thanksgiving week. I am also going to be able to see some friends of mine while I am there. I am really looking forward to that! We will also be able to go to North Penn to worship and I am really excited to see everyone there!

I am also getting ready for my big Disney trip with my sisters! We have been planning this for a LONG time so this is exciting stuff! December 4-8 I will be husband less and kid less and hopefully get to sleep in at least once:)

We are also getting excited for our big family trip to Disney that my parents are taking us and the kids on next year in December. Little early to be getting too excited but we know that the kids are just going to LOVE it! Grandad and Nana seem pretty stoked too!

Well, that is the briefing on us!

God is good all the time!

Mere

"Baby"

What does "Baby" mean you ask???

No we are not having another one;) This is the FIRST word that Jonathan learned how to spell!! I was talking to him and Hunter and we were saying Hunter is a baby and I asked Jonathan if he wanted to learn how to spell baby. He said yes so I sounded it out and he told me the letters. Then he went with Kevin and wrote it down and then he typed it the next day in an e-mail to Kevin!!!

The next words he wanted to learn how to spell???? "water slide"

Now, I know that all parents think their child is a genius but mine CLEARLY is!

Jonathan's surgery and lots of updates!

Jonathan had to have surgery last week to remove the umbilical cyst he has had since birth. He had to go under general anesthesia in case the cyst (which is normally only skin deep) went a little farther. Also I am sure so he did not freak out! The cyst did go in a little but not to far and the dr got it all out so it should not grow back. Jonathan missed his very first Friday of school so he was annoyed that he missed ice cream day. Typical Jonathan.

Jonathan is doing really well in Kindergarten. We had a little situation last week with "mean boys" on the school bus. Jonathan got off the bus one day and was really sad so he told me all about the boy who told him to move out of a seat, two boys who called him "stupid" and said to "stop talking" and a kid from his old soccer team who told him "to bring his trophy over to his house or he would not be his friend anymore."

I talked to Jonathan and said that he does not have to be friends with anyone who is mean to him! I also told him that he could tell his friend "I like you but I don't like it when you are mean to me. If you are not nice to me I am not going to sit by you on the bus anymore." Well, low and behold Jonathan actually told him that! We were pretty proud of him for having a problem, talking to us about it, listening to what we suggested and then actually doing it. Any chance we keep this up for the next 20 or so years??? Yeah I thought not!

I go to curriculum night at his school on Monday. His class has a web site and I think the teacher is supposed to post pictures on occasion. I don't want to post the info here but if you want it you can e-mail me and I will give it to you.

I also started back to school! On Thursday we had a meeting with all the three's, four's and five's teachers to go over the curriculum for this year and learn about the new web site for the preschool. Friday we had a continuing education (or for me just preschool education) class on Friday. We are required by the state to take 10 hours a year. I really enjoy them the lady that teaches them (well the ones we have gone to) is funny and personable so I told Kevin I am absolutely certain they are more fun then his CPA continuing education classes! Those are like watching paint dry!

Monday-Thursday of this next week I have teacher work week which is a meeting every day and then time to work in our classroom. I have a new co teacher this year. Stephanie is her name and I knew her some last year, I like her I think she is really sweet. She has been teaching that class for at least 5 years so she knows what she is doing I am happy about that! She also had 4 kids in 4 years so she can feel my pain when I come in in the morning barely squeaking in at 9 and I have a swirling tornado of children around me!

I will be teaching Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays this year. The kids will all (well except Jonathan of course) be in school only those days. That leaves us with Monday's for Hunter's physical therapy and Friday's for speech therapy. Yippie. They actually think that he will not need therapy for too long.

Cooper is working on potty training. He was completly opposed to it for some time now but just this weekend he is more into the idea. In fact a little while ago I was in the bathroom and he came running up and was banging on the door "I need to potty!!!" can I just say HORRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We will keep you posted on that;)

Oh and on the food allergy front we realized that Hunter is also allergic to peanuts:( I am asking for prayers for me on this. I am just so sad for the boys and the fact that they have to deal with these allergies. Right now I am just so depressed about it and heartbroken for them. With Hunter it seems we keep finding new allergies:( So far we are allergic to dairy, peanuts, sunflower (which is the MOST popular vegetable oil and very rare! like freakishly rare:( ), we think he might be allergic to berries strawberries mostly (like his mama), and I am still not convinced he is not allergic to soy.

It is SO expensive to feed them too:( Hunter does eat super healthy though so that is at least the good thing. God has really blessed us though with Kevin's job and I think that is because he knew we were going to have these special children that needed special foods and therapy so he gave us the means to care for them in the best way possible. God is always good and He always gives us what we need huh?

People without kids

How do they know exactly the perfect way to raise children? How are they instilled with this knowledge?? How did I miss this? I feel completly ripped off that I never got this information before having MY children. It should would make life a lot easier now if someone would have told me all this before!

I went to the dr today to get some blood work done, well after the appointment Cooper pitched a fit about something, I don't even honestly know what, well I wanted to leave so I said "Let's go Cooper!" and he would not go with me. Okay, fine then "See you later! Have a great day!" (which works like a charm every time by the way) and walked over to the elevator where a pregnant woman was standing. She was looking in the direction of Cooper (who was just around the corner) muttering under her breath saying "Geesh, what is WRONG with that kid, good grief, etc...." with a look of total disdain. Well you know what sister he is three and that is normal behavior for three year olds, see you in three years and you can let me know what you think!

While I am ranting the other type of mother that drives me NUTS is the one who has one young child who knows everything about anything. "I will NEVER let little Jimmy have a cookie! I will NEVER bribe them! They are perfect and they will just always do everything I want." "We will play together for HOURS daily (as they look at you like you are the worst mother in the world when you say um yeah but I have 6 loads of laundry to do today) and they will read by 3" "We will NEVER play with loud, musical plastic toys because they have the best imagination..." "They will LOVE every fruit, vegetable and whole grain whatever I give them. McDonald's shall NEVER pass their lips."

Um hum... again talk to me in three years.

First Day of Kindergarten!

Today was Jonathan's VERY FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN!!! As you know we were so worried about how he was going to do! Well let me tell you he did SO GREAT! He just about ran onto the bus we were so proud of him! This morning he came into our room telling us "It's school day!!!" He got into bed with us as he does every morning and talked to us about school and how he was excited to ride the bus and how Mrs. Eifrd is very nice (that is he teacher he met her at meet the teacher day 8/7) and he is very excited to eat lunch in the cafeteria.

Kevin, Emma, Jonathan and I (Coop and Hunter were still sleeping) went to the school bus stop at the bright and shiny time of 7:05 and waited for a while for the bus. The kids ran around and played (he is the only kid at his stop) and when the bus could be seen at the corner they both were yelling "THERE IS THE BUS!!!"

Jonathan was very excited to see me when he got off the bus and he told me all about his day. Highlights are that "blue days" are when he goes to school and "red days" are when he does not, he did not get to play in the center he wanted to "because the other kids would not share," and the kid that sat next to him at lunch annoyed him because he would not tell him his name. So there you go that is Jonathan in a nutshell!

I did well enough today I only cried after he was on the bus and at every bus I saw for the rest of the day.. um... and the yellow Penske truck I saw too...

The other excitement for the day was that Hunter had a speech therapy evaluation. About 25 minutes after our appointment time they came out and said our insurance would not cover the diagnosis code that the pediatrician gave so for the next hour and a half I worked with the pediatrician's office and their insurance person trying to come up with some code to get the insurance to cover it. Seeing as he is 14 months old and only says "mama" and "dada" he needs to go! But I cannot pay for that out of pocket! So we finally figured it out and then they were still able to see him (2 hours after his appointment time mind you) for the two hour evaluation appointment! YIKES! However, I was pleasantly surprised because Emma and Cooper did great! I was so happy.

They did recommend therapy for Hunter (again no one was surprised about that) because he has the receptive language of a 9 month old and the expressive language of a 7 month old:( However, they seem to think that he is going to do really well and only need therapy for a few months which I am happy about!

He goes back next Monday for the second part of his physical therapy evaluation. They did recommend PT but I think they want to keep an eye on him until he is able to get in. He is going to the large Children's Hospital program here so it takes a while to get in. HE has weak trunk muscles and his muscles in his left leg are too tight so it is causing him to have some balance problems. They PT said that she needs to keep an eye on the one leg too to make sure that he does not have a hip problem. She obviously cannot be sure but she is doubtful that is what the problem is.

So there you go another crazy day here!

The letter to Jonathan was an idea I saw somewhere and I thought it was a good idea:)

Dear Jonathan

Dear Jonathan,

Today was your very first day of big kid school! I have been so excited for you that you were going to be able to do this big thing that you were so proud and excited to do but truth be told I have dreaded this day for a long time! You are my little sweetheart my "Monkey Moo" and I just knew that I was really going to miss having you with me every day. You are such a sweet boy and you are such a big helper you make me proud every day.

It seems like just yesterday that God blessed Daddy and me with you. I can almost feel your tiny little newborn body in my arms. I can see your sweet little baby face like you are still right there. To think that you are now big enough to go to school all day every day is just so sad and surprising! I just wonder where did all the time go?

I was so afraid that you were going to be scared of school. I have prayed over you my son nightly, I have prayed for you every day anytime the thought came into my head that school was coming soon. God has really answered that prayer! You were just so excited to go to school you pushed that fear you had away:)

As I watched you get on that school bus I was so proud of you because I know how scared you were and how you were able to get over that and see the excitement in front of you. I missed you every second of the day and I could not wait until it was time to go get you at the bus stop and ask you all about your day.

I treasure our special talking time together everyday because I treasure you my love. You are one of the best gifts that God has given to me and I thank Him for you every day.

I love you now, I love you always and I love you no matter what. There is nothing in this world that could ever make me not love you!

Love,
Mommy

My kids are destructive!

Here is the latest view of Emma's eye. I have taken to calling her "Bruiser." She is a mess! She falls all the time and just looks horrible because she has so many bruises!

Next up Cooper and Emma now share a room. NOT a good thing but we only have four bedrooms and Kevin refuses to build a fifth in the top of the two story foyer so we have to make do. The run around like little crazy people. Here is how I found them last Wednesday when I went to wake them up to eat before church.

Emma getting a talking to from Mommy!

Lastly they got into some NON WASHABLE markers! ACK! They drew all over themselves and the front door. Kevin now has to paint the front door because Mr Clean's Magic Eraser just ain't cuttin' it!

Although Kevin now has agreed to build a fifth bedroom... in the form of a shed out back we can lock them all into....

Family

We are finally getting caught back up with house cleaning and sleep after my whole family left. It was so fun! Also very crazy!! Here is a photo we all took:

It was great to be able to spend time with everyone as a whole family that does not happen much these days!

Mom left this past Saturday and we miss her alread. We are luck that she works at a school because she is able to come in the summer for a while. It is nice for me because I get a break! I get to sleep in some and have my Mom cook for me it is great:) Nana always leaves a little more tired though ha ha ha!

It was sad to say goodbye to my Mom though. We really miss living near family, it was so nice when we did! It was nice to just be able to be a part of each other's daily lives. It really is so much different when you only get to see each other a few times a year. It is especially sad because of the kids there are so many things that they are missing out on.

However, Kevin and I also realize we are in that middle ground. Atlanta still does not feel like home but PA sure does not either. There are few people that week keep in touch with from there and even if we were to move back tomorrow we would still be looking for a church, friends and all that so basically the same as here. This still is not home but it is feeling more and more like it is becoming home. We have found a great church that we are getting more and more involved in and I will be starting back at the preschool in a few weeks where I have made some friends. It is weird to be stuck in a middle ground.

Kevin is going to be helping to teach a class! This is such a prayer request answered because we feel like we are getting back involved in church and the Lord's work. We are SO excited about that! We did need a break when we moved, we were BURNT out! but not a multi year break this has been too much of a break! As always though God is teaching us things;) Kevin will be teaching with two other guys Wes is the main teacher and then Kevin and Todd are splitting the weeks that he is going to be out of town. It is a class on Evangelism which is on Kevin's heart so much so this is a big blessing!

I am starting at the preschool on the 22nd, well that is a workshop then the next week is Teacher Work Week then school starts September 2nd! I am teaching three year olds still but it will be a four day class with the option of a fifth day. I will only be there the four days though. My desire to teach five days is zero. My kids need a full day with me and I need a full day with them! Working at the preschool is great though because we get a great discount for them to go and I get out some which is nice:)

Hello!

We blog now! I will try to keep up with this but I can make no promises! This is called the crazy life of Kevin and Meredith for a reason!

We have been having a good summer! We have kept busy with family coming and going but it has been so fun. The kids love when people come and visit us!

We are getting ready now for Jonathan to start kindergarten. This is a mixed blessing kindergarten! He is excited on one hand to go to school but I am sad because I like hanging out with him! I find it truly unfair that someone else gets to now:(

However, Kevin and I are really worried about how this is going to go. For those of you who have not seen Jonathan in some time you may not realize that he is very apprehensive about new things. We are so worried about him just getting on that school bus! Kevin and I have both had many conversations about how great school is going to be, it is for BIG kids, he gets to eat lunch in the cafeteria, the whole thing but we are just not sure if he is going to be willing to get on that bus.... We have had many conversations about this what do we do, what do we say, do we need to buy some more books, do we need to bribe (hey I am not above it!)????? What do we need to do to get this kid on that bus in two in a half weeks???? Not sure but we will keep you posted on how it goes!

Also, Emma bless her heart (I live in the South now I am supposed to say that) is a total klutz. She came by it honestly, poor girl did not stand a chance with me for a mother or her Auntie Linda (I would bless her heart too but she knows this to be true). We went to the mall yesterday with Nana and she was wanting to get on one of those riding things and she tripped and busted her face on the ride! It thumped and a man standing next to her was so scared he jumped at the noise! Needless to say she cried and the Children's Tylenol has been a flowin'.