Recooperating

Well- life is busy as always. I just had arthroscopic surgery on my right knee 2 days ago for a torn meniscus. I am doing ok. Actually kind of enjoying having some time off work and relaxing. My friends have been making me meals for the last few days and I've been watching some movies and reading and catching up on life.So, it's not all bad. But, you know, it's always something... Kyle decided to run a crazy 105.6 fever this afternoon. So Jack took him to Urgent Care BY HIMSELF. That was a first. He did good... but couldn't even tell the doctor who our regular pediatrician is. Gotta love men. What would they do without women? It would not be pretty.

Kyle is doing well otherwise. He is about 38 inches tall and weighs about 30 lbs. He is swimming really well and taking swim lessons again. He is obsessed with gum and chapstick (chappy) and loves his stuffed animals (his lovies)- especially the cats and chihuahuas. I still have not been able to wean him off of diapers at night... but we are trying. He is tough to get to sleep tonight... it's always something... one more kiss, one more hug, one more potty break, one more question, one more whatever.... It wears on me sometimes. He is talking really well but still pronounces his F's like Sh's . So if he says fish... he says shish.

Well, gonna drink some sangria and chill on couch now with ice packs on me knee.

Kyle's Annual Adoption Report

Health Status/Concerns:
Kyle is healthy, growing and gaining weight. He is now 38” tall and weighs 31 lbs. He has outgrown most of his milk intolerance and handles many milk products now. He can eat cheese and ice cream now. He still drinks almond milk. He no longer has problems with diarrhea. He still has a sensitive gag reflex when he coughs. If he gets a cold and starts coughing, he vomits easily. He is fairly healthy now and only occasionally has to go to the doctor for the occasional ear or sinus infection from a cold. He gets an annual doctor preventative exam and is current on all his vaccines. Kyle goes to a pediatric dentist twice a year for check-ups and to have his teeth cleaned. His teeth are doing well and he still has the caps in that were put in last year. He loves having his teeth brushed and flossed and likes to rinse with minty mouthwash.

Motor Skills/ Language Development:
Kyle has always had excellent fine and gross motor skills. He is running and climbing all over everything. He has taken swimming lessons last summer and early fall and is currently in swimming lessons again. He is a good swimmer for his age and can front crawl for about 10 feet and swim under water, jump off the side of the pool, and hold his breath. He is also good at gymnastics. He is very flexible and athletic. He likes to draw and can cut with scissors. His language skills are average for his age. He is very talkative and learns quickly. He is very curious and wants to know why and how things work. He asks lots of questions about everything all the time. He wants an answer. He thinks like an engineer.

Daily Routine/ Activities:

Kyle is a very active little boy. When he is not sleeping, he is on the go! He usually sleeps a total of 12 hours a day. He sleeps 10 hours at night and takes 1 nap a day for another 1- 2 hours. When he gets up in the morning, he likes to snuggle on the couch, drink his milk, hold his “lovies” (stuffed animals) and watch cartoons. His favorite thing is cars and trucks. He likes to see them, ride in them, read books about them, play with toy cars, and watch movies about cars. He even likes to wear clothes and pajamas with cars on them. We usually go outside to play every day. He likes to go swimming a lot in the summer. He also likes to push his toy lawn mower or pull carts/ wagons around. He also loves to climb on and ride the tractor with his dad and play on toy cars. He loves his older sister and they play together every day.

Kyle loves books. He picks out his favorite books with pictures and likes to sit in our lap for us to read it to him. Of course, his favorite books are about cars. I usually take Kyle to the library at least once a week. He knows exactly where the books and movies about cars are. He likes to watch and read about cars, Monster trucks, military trucks, construction vehicles, and race cars.

Kyle’s mother works part-time and he goes to daycare at a private home from 8am-3pm every day. There is only 3 other children there so he is very comfortable and gets a lot of personal attention. He has been going to the same daycare since he was 10 months old. He plays well with the other kids. They love to play pretend and play together. Last fall and spring, Kyle took a tumbling class and gymnastics class once a week. He loved it and is very athletic and has lots of energy. He will resume one of these classes this fall.

Social/ Emotional Development:
Kyle is truly a part of our family. He is very attached to his parents, his sister, his daycare provider and other children at daycare. He gives lots of hugs and kisses to his family and likes to snuggle beside us on the couch. We never leave the house without a hug and a kiss. He comes to us for comfort and reassurance. He accepts strangers well if his family is with him and he is in his “own environment”. However, he is wary of strangers in a new environment without his parents close by. Sometimes in new situations he can be a little shy. But once he is comfortable, he is very outgoing and talkative. He gets along well with his sister, the other children at his daycare, and other children in the neighborhood.

Kyle is very opinionated and can have a temper. He knows what he likes and wants and can have the occasional temper tantrum if he does not get his way. He likes structure and order. He is very clean and likes things organized and clean. He likes to do things by himself and is very independent. He is now potty trained and only uses a diaper at night. He can use the bathroom by himself most of the time without help. One of his favorite things right now is to chew gum. He LOVES gum.

Achievements and Accomplishments:
Kyle is a very accomplished swimmer and very good at gymnastics for his age. He can do front rolls and back bends in his tumbling class. He can doodle with crayons and cut with scissors. He is walking and running and climbing on things. Everyone we meet thinks he is cute and sweet. He can feed himself with a spoon or fork, and eat finger foods. He drinks out of a sippy cup and or a cup with a straw. Kyle is now sleeping in a toddler bed. We potty trained him last year. It was very easy. He occasionally likes to ride our horses being hand-led. He loves to go on tractor rides with his dad. He is a joy and we love him very much!!!

Devin's thoughts on Mothers

Here are some questions I asked Devin and her answers (Age 6)--- Kyle could not answer any of them....

Why did God make mothers?

because they give their kids candy and ice cream.


What ingredients are mothers made of?

salad


Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

Because she loves me.



What kind of a little girl was your mom?

a blond haired girl.



What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

that he loved her


Why did your mom marry your dad?

Because they love each other.


Who's the boss at your house?

Mom and Dad.


What's the difference between moms and dads?

Dads don't like cookies and Moms do.



What does your mom do in her spare time?

eat cookies, have popcorn, watch movies, rest, drink soda, and sleep.



What would it take to make your mom perfect?

having donuts and she's beautiful.



If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

nope

Zumba with carlos at lifetime fitness goodyear,az

I Love Carlos and Zumba at Lifetime Fitness. That's all I can say about that. It's like clubbing every weekend which I so sorely miss.

Chip

Well. We got the puppy a little over a week ago. To say he is too cute is an understatement. He is the cutest. He looks like Gizmo from "The Gremlins". I asked our new sitter if she knew what a gremlin was and she never heard of them. I guess that means I'm officially old. The first night, Devin got scared with Chip in her room and Jack slept on the floor with them. The 2nd night, she got scared again and started to cry and Chip ended up in her room and she ended up in my bed. The 3rd night, Chip ended up in my room and Devin back to her room. Hmmm.... Anyway, he has been in my room ever since sleeping in the crate. He does really well and has slept through the night the last few nights. He's really smart and sleeps next to my feet.

Tonight, Devin's friend Katie is sleeping over. They have become great friends. Kyle has been a pistol this week... lots of time-outs and being sent to his room. They had "spring break" this week and we had another Katie sit for us. She is great and will sit for us next weekend when Jack and I celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Wow. Can you believe it? Well, I'm on emergency duty this weekend and was out till 10pm last night and worked this morning. So, I'm gonna watch "24" now on Netflix...

Deja Vu

Yup. Deja vu. Sick kids. Again. I swear Kyle has been sick about 4-5x this winter. Had to leave Vegas early and drive home last night. Jack sent Devin to school yesterday and Kyle to daycare. They both hacked their way through the day and Kyle spiked a fever at Ms. Julie's. When I got home, Devin had a 103 degree fever. Yea. So, I am still in jammies with kids today. Hope I don't get it... eating echinacea and vitamins like candy. :). There is some nasty virus going around.

Meanwhile, Jay is still in hospital but doing well. He is getting some rehab while they are trying to make arrangements for in-home care for Jay & Jean. The plan right now is to move Jay & Jean (Jack's parents) into Dave's home (Jack's brother). Since Dave's wife Geri also needs 24 hour care b/c of her degenerative brain disorder... all 3 of them will live there with Dave. He is retired now and takes care of Geri. But, we are working on hiring someone to help out Dave... especially at night. Jack and his brothers would chip in money to help out for their care. Kathy won't b/c she is changing careers AGAIN and just let her house go.

On a good note, Devin is going to get a puppy soon. We promised her she could have a puppy this summer when she turns 7 yrs old. Well, our neighbor's dog, Pistol, had puppies recently and we picked out one of her pups. We just love their dog... great family dog and loves kids. We were planning on getting a sibling of Pistol's when her parents were re-bred. But, then she got pregnant...so we are getting one of her pups instead. Devin picked out a cute boy pup which she has named Chip. She told me she gets to name him b/c "It's my dog Mom and I get to name him." Point taken. I did veto so crazy names like Cherry and Yellow Jacket. But, Chip was ok. He looks like a "Chip". He is now 4 weeks old... brown roan with white and black markings. He is 3/4 Corgi and 1/4 Heeler with docked tail. We wanted a small dog... and vetoed a chihuahua... nippy/ yappy dogs. So, this one should be a cutie. She will get him in a couple weeks.

$h%t has hit the fan.

Yup. Life got complicated again. I am now in Vegas for veterinary conference. Gonna have to leave home a day early tomorrow. Jack's dad had a mild stroke over the weekend. I ended up leaving 1/2 day late to get here. Didn't get here till late Sunday night. Jack's dad is doing better but not being a good patient. Tried to check himself out of hospital on Monday. Meanwhile, everyone is scrambling to take care of Jack's Mom who needs 24 hour care. She is now at Dave & Geri's and isn't happy. Then, Devin gets sick yesterday and had to stay home from school today. Now Jack, Kyle and Devin are sick and Jack is stressed. So, I will check out early tomorrrow. Gotta enjoy my last brief night.

On a good note, was on TV last week for working on a horse named Sugar who fell into irrigation canal. Quite a big story and rescue to get her out. I had 3 TV stations interview me. She is doing well and still at our clinic.

Well, gotta go get dinner with some friends. And so it goes...

Got my mojo back.

Finally got my mojo back. It's been back for about 3 months now. I finally feel myself again. I felt like such a dark cloud was over us for the past 2 years. Jack has gone through multiple jobs since Hubbell. I hope he has finally found his nitch at Tel Tech. Since my dad was diagnosed and died from cancer... it was just a struggle. I was VERY close to my dad. Still miss him a lot but his light shines in me. I think of him often but remember the good things.

Last summer was tough with Devin's school anxiety... but she has really shined these last few months. She is doing REALLY well... she is doing great in school and extra-curricular activities. She is now riding the school bus home, buying her lunch, and having no anxiety anymore. In the last month, she has had 4 sleepovers with her friends Rowyn and Katie. Let me tell you, happy kids equals happy mom. When my kids aren't happy, either am I. I am so pleased she is doing so well. Her light is really shining and I feel like Devin has finally turned the corner to my happy, anxiety-free child I knew she could be. She just got her 3rd quarter report card and it was all good. She wanted to re-join the Little Gym in the grade school "Flips" class and is still doing dance at Steppin Out studio. Last weekend, at the Superbowl, she even did rock climbing. I was shocked!!!

As for me, I've been riding more. Rode Moon and Chase last weekend. Rode Chase at Estrella Mtn Park today with Lynne. Been working out more and just started Zumba which I love. Been going to more functions with friends and drinking and just lettin' my hair down and having fun which I haven't let myself do for a LONG time. Been out with friends 3-4 times in the last 2 months. So, it's been great. Jack and I are doing well and will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary next month. He cooked for the Mom's Night Out Dutch Oven Cookout at our house last night. Also,I've been reading more and doing some scrap albums and watching 24 on Netflix. It seems the happier I am, the more I accomplish. Plus, I really feel like I've been spending quality time with the family as well... we went to Devin's school Valentine's dance on Friday night. Been going to the library once a week with the kids. Been taking the kids riding. Been taking the kids to all their after-school activities. We've been going to more parties as a family as well. Another thing we've been trying really hard to do is have "family night" once a week together. We also went to the Monster Truck Jam recently. Kyle and Devin loved it. Note to self... wear ear plugs next time. LOL. I definitely got my mojo back. Yea. Next weekend, I go to Vegas for the Western States Veterinary Conference for 4 days. Hope Jack survives the mayhem without me! I will think of it as "Traci appreciation week!" He will realize how much I really do!

Except for illness, life is good.

Well, we have had our share of illness for the last 6 weeks... typical winter flus and colds. Course, Kyle catches every single one of them and gets it the worst! It started with him getting sick with a GI virus the week before Christmas during our Colorado trip in December. Fortunately, it didn't last long. Then, he got sick on Christmas Eve. I stayed home with him and Jack and Devin went to Jack's parent's house. They are not doing well. Jean's health is failing and she has recurrent UTI's. Then, on Christmas day, Kyle spiked a 105 fever. So, off we go to Urgent Care.... and then back again when they told us it's just a virus. That resolved. Then, mid-January, Kyle and I both got sick with a nasty cold/flu virus. About a week later, it turned into a sinus infection for both of us. Back to the doctor for both of us... and on antibiotics. On day 8 of antibiotics, Kyle spikes another fever and develops a cough from another virus. And so it goes. Today, we had to cancel his "makeup" class for Little Gym b/c he was coughing (which also means barfing) too much this morning. Yes, his sensitive gag reflex is still in full effect. Meaning, every time he gets a cold or cough, he will gag or cough until he vomits. It's lovely.

Besides the winter cold blues, we are doing pretty well. Jack just switched jobs again for the 4th? time in 2 years. I hope this is the one. We shall see... I have been trying to get back into working out again. Hard to do when I have a cold or sinus infection... but trying. I just took up Zumba and love it. Have actually gone out a few times with friends in the last month. I am starting to feel "myself" again after a rough 2010. I'm getting my mojo back! Tomorrow, we are going to Pat & Beth's house for the Superbowl. Should be fun. Today, I rode Moon & Chase and they did great. Last weekend, we had our annual client education seminar at our vet clinic. I spoke on colic. I think I did ok... maybe a little nervous... but ok.

Devin has been doing awesome. She has had a couple playdates and sleepovers lately. As a matter of fact, she is having Katie over tonight. She had 2 sleepovers with Rowyn last month. We are totally encouraging it and on board. Anything which will increase her self confidence is great. She has been doing really well in school and is now riding the bus home. She has been doing that for about 3 weeks now... all her idea and a HUGE milestone in our house. She is still doing ballet/tap class too.

Kyle is doing well despite all his illnesses. Speaking of, Devin said something really funny the other day... I was explaining to her what "donate" means and why her school is donating money for sick kids. She says, "We should collect all the coins in our house and donate them to Kyle b/c he is sick all the time Mom." How do you argue with that logic?! LOL. Anyway, I signed up Kyle for Little Gym's gymnastic class at the beginning of January. He LOVES it!! He is an absolute maniac and sweats up a storm. He is talking like crazy and now will go to the potty (for pee) all by himself (we give him a treat if he goes by himself). Still car crazy. We took the whole family last Sat night to the Monster Truck Jam. He loved it.

Snow Trip in December

Time flies.... can't believe its been 6 weeks since I last posted. Well, we did have a great trip to Durango Colorado. We got Devin on skiis and skiing the baby hill for the first time. I got to ski with my friend Mo in the afternoons. We had a great time with her family sharing a rental condo for 5 days. Unfortunately, Kyle got a GI virus the first couple days which set him back a little. Poor little man. It's always something. Kyle did get a chance to play in the snow and even go tubing with the family and he loved it. We did "everything" snow since we rarely see it. Snowball fights, snow angels, building a snow man, eating snow, skiing and tubing. It snowed like crazy while we were there. A HUGE winter snow storm... almost 3-4 feet!!! We did not plan for this and drove our 2 wheel drive car... mistake we will not repeat. We almost didn't make it up and down the mountain a few times. Scary. Next time we will rent a 4 wheel drive (we had JUST sold our 4 wheel drive truck a month before).

We also did the Polar Express Train Ride. On the whole I would give it a C rating. I heard wonderful things about it.. but it was a bit of a disappointment to Devin. The whole time they were really revving up the kids that they were going to the "real" north pole to see Santa. Well, we rode the train (which was very cool) to a location that looked very fake. I've seen much better decorated houses to be honest. They had reindeer cut out of wood standing up next to Santa's sleigh. Devin was like.... "Mom, the reindeer are fake!" So , I made up some story about the real reindeer being in the barn eating dinner. She didn't buy it. Later, she asked me if next year we can go to the "real North Pole and not the fake one." Oh well.