Four Year Checkup

Yesterday Daniel had his four year doctor's appointment. This appointment was quite different than any of his other appointments. Of course they did the standard items like weight ( 36 lbs., 50%) and height (38.5 inches, 25%) and taking his temperature, but Daniel also took an eye test, hearing test and got his blood pressure taken. The other big difference was the doctor asked Daniel a lot of the questions and not me. Daniel was asked to name the colors of the clothes he wore (Daniel also pointed out that his shirt was striped), if he could dress himself (Daniel also told the doctor that this morning he was even able to button the very top button of his shirt), if he brushes his teeth every day, if he can ride a bike and wears a helmet, if he could stand on one leg and if he could copy a letter T that the doctor drew.

Daniel actually really enjoyed the doctor's visit and didn't mind being poked and prodded and asked question. But what impressed me the most was his handling of his shots. When the doctor told me Daniel would be getting four different injections I was shocked. I don't think I would even be willing to get that many at one time. So before the nurse came in I explained to Daniel what was going to happen and told him that the shots might hurt a little bit, although in my mind I was thinking they were going to hurt like a mother.

Daniel sat bravely on the table as the nurse jammed four different syringes into his little arms, two on each side. His didn't whine, whimper or cry. When the nurse was all done he said they didn't hurt at all. The nurse was so impressed she gave him three toys and two lollipops. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised because Daniel has always risen to the occasion and surpassed my expectations.

Another highlight of our visit was when the doctor was going over a checklist with me of issues and concerns. When he came to the topic of discipline he said, 'I can tell by your boy's behavior that we don't need to discuss discipline.' That is music to a parent's ears.

So Daniel's four year appointment was pretty darn perfect. We didn't have to wait too long, Daniel and Sammy behaved perfectly (although Sammy did trip and fall on his face and cried for a while), Daniel is growing both physically and mentally and is healthy and happy. That's about as good as it gets.

Busy busy busy

Wow! I can't believe that it has been over two weeks since I last blogged. The reason - I have been busy, busy, busy. Ever since the new year I have been on a major organizing kick. I don't quite know why and no I am not pregnant. I guess it all started when we bought a new mattress for our bedroom.

Up until a few weeks ago Dan and I slept in a double sized bed. After talking to my sister, who recently got a new queen sized bed and has loved it, we decided to also move up. Dan's feet stuck off the side of our old bed, the mattress slid around and wouldn't hold on the sheets and the old bed frame squeaked and moved so much that you couldn't move around or get out of bed without waking the other person. So we purchased a new queen sized novafoam mattress from Costco. Well that also meant I needed to get a new bed frame, comforter and bed sheets. And that is what set it all off. Since I had furniture that matched the bed frame downstairs I decided to move the matching bookcases into our bedroom, which meant that I had to make room and move the furniture in our room somewhere else. For a while every day that Dan came home from work something was in a new place.

Pictures of our bedroom in complete chaos.

On top of moving around heavy pieces of furniture I decided to paint walls, change cabinet hardware, organize cabinets and drawers, hang curtains, pictures and lights, install hooks and put up shelves. Although the house was in complete chaos for a couple of days, it is looking quite nice now. I think I am happy with the current status although I may change my mind at any moment.

So I have been neglecting the boys, housework, crafting and blogging while I organize and decorate. But things have calmed down, so hopefully I will start blogging again. This weekend Tutu and Papa came down to celebrate Daniel's 4th birthday, which was quite an experience. Once I catch my breath I will definitely let you in on all the excitement of the Spiderman birthday party and Sammy's Costco cake moment.

Well, I think there is a drawer somewhere that needs reorganizing.

And Pretzel makes Six

Unlike Daniel who was never interested in stuffed animals, except his dog Spot, Sammy loves them. Not only does Sammy hug and carry around his stuffed animals, but he loves to have them in the crib with him while he sleeps. And when he wakes up all his animals and blankets must come out of the crib with him. Well, this wasn't such a big deal when he just had two special animals and one blanket, but his family of favorites has rapidly expanded.

I think the original two stuffed animals were Rabbit and Pooh bear. When we traveled to Portland to visit Leina for her first birthday, Sammy acquired Elmo. A while after that I showed Sammy Cuddles, my little bear when I was small, and Sammy quickly added him to the pack. For a long time these four animals made up the core of Sammy's favorite stuffed animals.

Then came Sammy's birthday and Leina picked out a soft, white lamb for Sammy's present. Of course, Sammy took one look at that sweet stuffed animal, hugged him tight and the pack became five.


Now carrying a very heavy 2 year old, five stuffed animals, anywhere from one to three blankets and sometimes milk, up and down stairs can be quite cumbersome and treacherous. Dan uses the technique of stuffing all the animals and blankets under his shirt, but I go with the blankets over my left shoulder, Sammy in my left arm and all the animals in my right arm. This seems to work pretty well unless I drop one of the animals. Bending over with that load can be quite tricky, especially with Sammy squirming around and pointing out the animal that went overboard.

Well I guess Sammy wanted an even number, because last week he admitted another stuffed animal to the club, Pretzel. While at Ikea Sammy picked up Pretzel somewhere and dragged the little blue dog around the store hugging him and saying he loved him. I think under normal circumstances I would have drawn the line at five stuffed animals, but Pretzel is so cute and soft even I couldn't resist him (and at only $1.99 he was a steal).


I hope that Sammy does not fall in love with any more stuffed animals because my arms are full and Dan's shirt is stuffed.