When your brother is trying to learn oral motor skills...

Last night we were at Target and Elly found a pinwheel.

Elly: MOM! This would make a GREAT therapy toy!

Eden's Been Sick!

Last week (Friday) Eden woke up and got ready for school as usual. Just before she was set to leave, I took a good look at her and noticed her left eye was swollen and pink. Of course my first thought was pink eye! I made a call to the doctor's office we usually go to and they were so backed up no one called me back until 5:30 to tell me "She'll need to be seen." Nevermind that they are closed and not open on Saturdays! Ug. So Saturday we ran some errands and then decided to go ahead and take Eden in to Quick Care. Dan was laying the new floor in our house so I had all three kids and it was becoming more and more apparent that Eden was miserable. Her eyes were so sensitive to light and she was buring up--102.5 at the doctor's! This doctor was not my favorite, she told me she could have about 3 different things (pink eye, influeza, and strep...despite the fact that she tested negative to the last two on that list) and sent me home with Zithromax for the eye. (But seriously, has pink eye ever caused a fever? And there was no matter in it whatsoever!) Anyway, by yesterday, her eye was still swollen and pink and she had had a fever every night even up to 101 again! At the advice of my sister and the school nurse I took her yesterday to Pediatric Associates. Because one of Eden's symptoms was blurred vision, this doctor really was concerned. She ended up consulting with an infectious disease specialist and then called me back right away to say it was probably Preseptal Cellulitis. Basically an infection in her eye that the Zithromax would not cover and that needs to be treated right away. So after three doses of Augmentin Eden's eye seems to be on the mend! Yay. She actually went back to school today after missing Friday through Wednesday! Her fever is gone for good I hope. She was a trooper but wow, that girl does need some stimulation and school is just the place for her ;) Yesterday we went to the library (after the doc cleared her to go back to school) and here are the books she checked out (PURE Eden!) :
1. 1000 Inventions and Discoveries
2. Eyewitness Books: Future
3. Eyewitness Science: Medicine
4. How to Be a Genius

So hilarious! Brynn said, "Shadley, you might as well start building the apartment over the garage!" Hahahah~~

Cuteness Abounds.

Somedays I can't believe I get to be the mom
of these crazy ones.

Elly is getting ready for Kindergarten in the fall! I have to go to the parent's meeting tonight. She's already registered...round up in next week I think. Can't believe it! Though in a lot of ways we are both very ready...

This one has been sick all week...starting Friday she woke up with a weird looking eye. Not really like pink eye per se but pink for sure. No goo in it though. Then Saturday she woke up with a fever. Sunday night fever was back. Same thing Monday night! We got antibx for the "pink eye" but I am pretty sure that's not what it was. Maybe a flu strain? We got our shots but I guess this can happen. Hopefully she's fever free tonight and can rejoin her classmates tomorrow! It has been nice having her home though.


This little dude gave me a run for my money today! Thank goodness for naptime. Can I get an amen? His little buns have spent much time in time out today! And then he's had to move on to being alone in his room because time outs are just so hilarious when you're two apparently! Sheesh. Love this kid to bits. Somehow, even his naughtiness is endearing.

Wow, I am a blog slacker.

I have had trouble finding the time to update this blog lately! I wonder why :)

Here's the quick update, pictures will have to wait. We have some cute ones but they are not loaded onto the computer yet, so next time!

Eden: We had Eden's last second grade conference of the year. She is doing awesome. Reading way above grade level, very interested in math and history and continues to make us proud with her behavior toward others in her class. She is often called upon to help kids who might have a little more trouble sitting still and doing their work, since she is one who can stay on task (at least she can at school!). Mrs. Schroeder is a great teacher who we love very much and we are going to miss having her next year. Eden was blessed to have her two years in a row, even with the move to a new school!

I love this girl so much. She is (currently) sitting outside at the patio table with a bowl of SunChips and a pen and paper. She loves her alone time and being outside with her thoughts.

Elly: She has been a joy to have around this year, don't get me wrong, but I am very convinced she is ready for school! She is bored :( I registered her for school March 1 and she will be a kindergartener at Garner in the fall! We went to the school one day this winter to watch Eden's class perform their music and while we were walking down the hallway, the kindergarteners of this year came through on their way to the same place. Elly was about a head taller than many of them, except, well maybe 1 or 2. So, that's about right, she's taller than 95% of kids her age according to her plot on the growth chart! She's a giant. Very, very cuddly still and misses her mommy. She might struggle a little with being away from me next year!

Esias: He is one crazy kid. This boy is rough and tumble. He is all trucks and tractors. He is eating well, at least if we feed him things that are easy for him. We are supplementing with Pediasure again for extra calories. He still is not able to move food to the side of his mouth and chew on a consistent basis, but our weekly feeding therapy sessions have helped. Next week we meet with all of our therapists and the Special Education (preschool) director for the schools so that we can finalize where he will attend school next year. He will only be three, but in IA (and most states, I believe), Early Access/Intervention programs stop at 3 and then they are moved to the school setting. I am bummed that I will not have the one on one time with him that I was able to have with the girls, but at the same time, I want him to learn and grow and develop in all the ways he needs to to be healthy and meet his potential. His speech therapist always tell me how smart he is, and how we need to push him to achieve because he does have some delays but we don't want him to think he cannot learn or achieve. He will work with therapists at school daily and have a special education teacher. Most likely his classroom will be a special education classroom at the school Eden used to attend, just down the road.

So what on earth will I do when all my kids are in school? I have no idea. I would love to volunteer in their rooms or paint...but I am going to start by just trying to have supper on the table when they all get home :) Baby steps.

Esias...tube feeding take two!

Esias had a follow up appt. at the GI doctor today to see his tube. I was afraid I would have to convince them to leave the tube in because we are unsure if he will need his tonsils out, and if he does, tube feeding would be helpful. But instead, we came home with order for 2 bolus feeds per day! Dang. He has not gained weight in 9 months. Though to me, he looks healthy and normal, skinny but not overly skinny...he has never really had a growth "curve" because he came to us malnourished and one year old, then he gained a ton when were were doing only tube feeding...then when he was able to eat orally again he lost some...we were hoping that as his chewing and swallowing caught up, he'd be able to consume enough calories. But he's a typical two year old that wants to run and jump and burn a lot of calories a day. So back to the old feeding schedule. Bolus feeds are different for us because we won't use the pump this time, basically we will just do feeds with a big syringe and hold it about him so that gravity will get it into his tummy. Maybe that doesn't makes sense but it will be easier than using the pump I hope.

Other than that E-man is doing awesome. He slept in his bed all night last night and never came out! He typically "visits" us at least once in the night, just because he can. His car bed allows his easy exiting :) We like to call him the Midnight Ninja because he is so silent when he leaves his room. He even has to open his door and never makes a peep!

Surprise Party for Grandma Dort!

My beautiful and tough-cookie Grandma Dorothy turned 81 this month and my sisters and our families surprised her with a little party. She had a rough January...she had a bad fall and broke her arm and had to have a pin and screws put in her shoulder. Youch. See what I mean? Tough cookie.


She blew out the candles so fast, I made her "pose" again so I could get the shot!

The great grandkids made her a special "scroll" with loving words and sketches.

Esias spent most of the time doing this...playing with the double-sided laundry shoot!

Elly Grimes, Marine Biologist

Elly loves animals and water...and animals in water. This day she asked if she could have a bowl of water and one of Esias' feeding syringes. I found her feeding this poor ailing dolphin :) I really think she might become a veterinarian. She LOVES animals.

I think we were reading...

A few new pics...where is Eden? She's never in the pics...

These two are becoming quite the little pair of buddies.


This is early one morning...hoping Spring comes soon.


Esias watching Cars.

Mr. Smiley

Tiki Tiki Tembo

Today we were reading a book that said, "Speak your brother's name with reverence!" (Tiki Tiki Tembo) and Elly said, "What's reverence mean?" and I said, "It means to speak his name with more--" and she said, "Pizazz?"

Esias Update

Esias has been so cute lately, albeit ornery. He is mimicking the girls all the time. The other night, the kids had all had baths and Dan was combing their wet hair one head at a time. When Elly and Eden get their hair combed, they whine and fuss about how it hurts their tender heads. Last it was Esias' turn and Dan barely had the comb to his hair when he started to go, "ooohw, ooohw". I wasn't sure what he was trying to say but Dan knew: "He's whining like Elly!"

May not seem like much, but this is a great step for speech development! He also follows the girls and does whatever they do. If they are going to brush their teeth, he's going to. If they are chanting for ice cream, he's yelling for it too.

He had a fever this week and was really Momma's boy (love it) and wanted to be held and cuddled all day Friday. Even though he wanted Mommy he did not fuss at all when I left for the gym both Friday and Saturday, he just sees me getting ready, waves, and says, "BUH!" He also FOR SURE says "Muuuhhm" for Mom. All the time now. I am in heaven.

Love my boy!

Eden is hilarious.

Tonight, after dinner, Eden and Elly were drawing pictures on scratch paper at the table. Eden came up with a play restaurant menu that has had us in stitches. Here are some of the highlights of her animal-themed eatery:

"Squirrel-shaped burger"
"Failure fish sticks"
"B.L.Me! Bacon, lettusse, and my face on Beef!"
"Sweet Llamas Sweet Potatoes"
"Billy Goat Brisket"

She assured me they are all made from whole grain, organic ingredients. So we know we're eating healthy!

Overheard at My House

Elly: Pretend you are the President of the United States, and I am a dog.
Eden: No, how about (mumble....)
Elly: But I want to be a dog of the United States!!!