Well Child Checkups

Thought I would do a quick post on the boy's well child checkups before I forgot stats and such.
I took them both in yesterday as it works out easier to get them both done in one appointment. It's so hard to take them both places, and I really try to avoid it unless Marshall is with me. First off was weight and heights:

Chandler @ 5 years: 40 lbs and 43"
Rowan @ 3 years: 32 lbs and 37"

When we looked at the growth chart, they were both 50% for both height and weight, which I expected. I am a little surprised that Chandler isn't taller, but I'm sure it will hit sooner or later considering Marshall and I are both tall.
Chan had an eye test, and has great vision, and then the Ped came into talk to us. I've really been avoiding going to the pediatrician as I knew exactly what he would say when I told him I haven't been giving Rowan his meds. He's supposed to be on Singulair granuals once a day, and an inhaled steroid through a spacer twice a day. Last summer, the ped said we could maybe wean him off if he was still doing well. I watched and listened, and started weaning him off myself at the end of the summer. He seemed to do great, and we've actually had a pretty mild winter so far. I think that attributes to the fact that I haven't taken either of them out much. Church and to my sister's and my friend's house to be babysat while I go to school, but that was about it. Even though the ped wasn't happy, he told me Rowan was ok to be off his meds and be sure to use his albuterol if he needs it. I seriously believe that some kids are over medicated, and haven't felt like Rowan needed it. My friend who is a respiratory therapist mentioned to me that even though he may not be struggling to breathe, he may need his meds as he might not be getting as deep as a breath as he needs. While I believe that this might be the case, I still feel that he's done well not being on meds, and I've chosen to keep him off for the time being.

Next, it was time for shots. Both the boys got flu shots, even though I'm pretty sure they had the flu at the first of the month. They were both horribly sick for about 4 days, but I never took them in, so I don't know for sure. They also both got one other shot, I'd have to go look at their records to see which one it was. Chandler just stared while he watched Rowan get his two shots in his leg. He then sat there by the door, traumatized, and began to fight the nurse and I when it was his turn. I'm surprised at just how strong he's gotten and the fight he has in him. We finally got him into position, and the tears were streaming down his cheeks. Once the nurse was done, Chan said, "Is that all? That wasn't so bad?"
He then smiled momentarily and started to bawl again. Poor boy. He did survive though and we can now register him for kindergarten next week. Of course he was ok after a run through the drive through at McDonald's and only has a small bruise now.

How I love these boys, but I would be lying if I said they didn't challenge me everyday. I look at other moms who have pretty mellow children and wonder what it would be like. But then I have to remind myself that I'm glad that my kids are headstrong and know that they will fight for things that they want in life. I hope neither of them lose that fire, although I don't mind them calming down.

I look at Rowan right now, and he is the epitome of Chandler at this age. Communication is lacking, but I'm not worried because he does say over 100 words and is putting things together. It's just taking more time, and he will likely be 3 1/2 or so, JUST like Chan before he's potty trained. He's incredibly active and trusting of other people.
We went to Ikea last night, and Rowan was crazy. He would cry, and push, and shove, and run, and make messes. Everything you don't want a child to do. I just have to hold tight onto him and put on a fake smile while he thrashes around.
Lastly, we lost Rowan at church today, which is totally a Chandler thing too. I went to get Chan from his class, and Marshall had Rowan during the last block. Rowan weaseled away from Marsh, and ran down the hall. Marshall got out of the class as quickly as he could, saw me, and told me which way Rowan had run. After 15 minutes, I lost it. We couldn't find him anywhere in the church and he wasn't anywhere outside. I was frantically bawling and couldn't think straight. Another 5 minutes went by and I started to assume the worst. Rowan has no stranger fear, even though we've tried to teach him, and would probably go with someone. Also, he'd stand in the middle of the road, even if a car was coming. I decided to look outside one more time, and a Sister in our ward was carrying him toward the church. He was a block down, out of sight, playing in the road. I count my lucky stars that she and her family walk home and she noticed something was out of place to see him playing in the road. It just takes a second. Longest 20 minutes of my life.

Now I'm off track. Started with Well Child Checkups, ended with random thoughts about my crazy wonderful boys. Oh well, it's my blog. :)

Another Year Older

Happy Birthday on the 7th to Marshall! He's getting old. (28) Although, I shouldn't say that, because I'm not far behind. We celebrated by doing a raclette dinner which was super yummy! Marshall used the raclette all of the time when he was in France. We could never get his to heat up hot enough when he brought it home because the voltage in outlets is different here in the US, so I got him a new one for Christmas. It's also called a party grill, if you don't know what I'm talking about. We got some yummy cheeses, fresh veggies, and canadian bacon and sausage. You melt the cheese on the bottom, and grill the meats and veggies on the top, then basically eat from it as you go. We also did parsley potatoes, and it was delish!


I made Marshall a double layer fudge cake. It turned out yummy, but the glaze wasn't quite right. And since when do I call my husband dad? I realized that when I wrote it on the cake. Oh well.


Love love love this man, and it was so much fun to celebrate with him.

Sledding

While we were in Idaho after Christmas, we went sledding with Marshall's family. Let's just say it's been a while since I've been sledding. I mostly stood at the top and took pictures, but went down a couple times. It was SO super cold so we didn't stay too long, but the boys absolutely loved it.

Where's Rowan? And why isn't he buckled up? I'm just now realizing this.

Love this photo.

Natalie, Chris & Jake

Check out Marshall's sweet hat.

Beautiful Day

Grandma Snedaker getting Claire (Chris & Natalie's daughter) ready.

Marshall and I didn't bring snow clothes, so we used whatever we could find at his parent's house. Alas, my fabulous magenta hat and Kelly Canyon coat.

That day, we also got bambino's (a must have when we visit Idaho), and visited BYU-Idaho to see how much campus has changed. I almost don't recognize it with all of the remodeling they've done. Brought back a lot of memories though, as I was involved there for 7 years. (Marsh was a Freshman when I was a Sr., so we were there 3 additional years after I graduated.)

Will Work For Free

Working for free....and I like it. Yesterday I saw: a stone blocking a ureter, and what could be kidney cancer, a healthy 20 week baby, a supposed molar pregnancy, appendicitis, a pleural effusion, and ovarian cysts. Pretty cool.

Blah

Feeling rather blah today. The boys have been super sick since yesterday morning. Both have had high fevers. Rowan throws up when he tries to eat, Chandler coughs and his eyes are bloodshot. I've been getting caught up on a few things, snuggling the boys, and am starting to feel a little funky myself. Maybe if I tell myself it's all in my head, I won't realize that my body is feeling a bit achy right now, and I've got a bit of a chill. I'm seriously contemplating crawling in bed. In the meantime, know that we are doing a whole lot of this.....

And this....

And hoping to be on the mend.

Bahamas - Final Chapter

Sick of hearing about the Bahamas yet? Well, if you aren't, here's one last post. I'm wishing I was back there since it's absolutely frigid outside right now.

This top video is compiled of all the other videos we took while there. You'll get to see Marshall doing some awesome dancing at the Authentic Bahamian Bonfire/dinner we went to on Tuesday night. The one where he is showcasing his knees is the "sexy knees contest." (You'll just have to watch to see.)

Bahamian Bonfire & Dinner, Tuesday night.

Wednesday, we spent the day at Taino Beach.

A Conch, notice his funny eyes?

Building a sandcastle

Riding the paddleboats

Starfish Marshall found at Taino Beach

These are our friends Barry & Betty. The stayed at the same hotel, happened to go to Garden of the Groves the same day, and were at the Bonfire with us. Funny, they booked the same cheap vacation on expedia as us back in February. They were from New York, newly engaged. We hung out at Taino Beach together on Wednesday and went to dinner that night at a yummy Greek place in Port Lucaya.

The one day we walked to the grocery store, we noticed this. It's VERY Special K. :)

One day we went to the beach to see the Sunrise.

Last day before we left, I think this was Friday. Feeling a bit silly at lunch.

Soaking in the sun.

Marshall, the snorkeling king. I don't really like to snorkel, I don't like the idea of things touching me.

The night before we left, they put all of these fun Christmas lights up at Port Lucaya.

In the airport at Dallas. We had $10 left from our entire vacation, and decided to feast upon this deliciousness.

Yum!

And there you have it! Interestingly enough we noted that a LOT of people there were older, like 70's. Marshall and I decided that we don't want to spend and save our whole lives just so we can travel when we're old. I will watch the deals, we can stay in old hotels, and travel together...provided we get a tax return each year. ;)