Leaps and Bounds and No More Foffy!

We had a wonderful extended weekend with my parents and Micks mom down from the U.P. We celebrated Nolan's second birthday on Sat. and of course Easter on Sunday. Saturday we started the day at Domino's Farms for an Easter Egg hunt, boy was it a joke! You had to pay $5 bucks a head to get in. It would have been an additional 5 bucks per kid for food to feed the goats (I was thinking ahead and brought a whole bag of cheerios, the goats need grains too right? I think Ill carry a diaper bag until my kids are 18, you can fit everything in there!) So they advertised the hunt to have 20,000 eggs! Not bad for five bucks right? Well I think 30,000 kids showed up! Some kids didn't even get an egg!! What counts is the boys had fun, and they did. I will not be returning next year. Later that day we had a little shin dig for Mr. P. We carried on our tradition this year and asked him what he wanted on his cake. His request was "pizza" So the cake had a slice of pizza on it. (I will post pics on the 15th when he actually turns 2) And the BIG news.....Nolan has been geared up for days now and the time has come. He gave up his Foffy! When you ask him how old he is he replies, "2, noooo more foffy" while shaking his head no, Priceless! Giving up his pacifier was really easy. We also took him out of his crib for his own safety. That on the other hand, not so easy! The kid will not stay in his bed!!! Not only that, he's waking up about an hour earlier now too! UGH! Kyan was way too easy, he wouldn't get out of his big boy bed. In fact, he would scream, "awake!" in the morning for us to go get him! Duct tape, saran wrap? Anybody have any "legal" ideas to keep Pie in his bed? Im all ears!

Kyan has had another milestone too! I took his training wheels off his bike! He is doing great, well minus the fence post he ran into twice! Ouch! He needs to work on getting on and going by himself, not that coordinated yet. He'll get it! The second time I let him go he rode the length of the block! YaY good for you KY!!!!!! He's had really good behavior lately, I think its because he likes seeing Pie get into trouble.

Easter Sunday was a hit for the boys! The Easter Bunny left eggs all over our back yard. I filmed the boys collecting them. Their personalities really shined during the hunt. Nolan ran around like an animal as fast as he could to get them, Kyan....too busy looking in each one. Our parents left around lunch time, prob excited to get away from the chaos we always offer them when they visit! Thanks for everything you guys! Sure is nice to have a break, you help so much when you are here.

Kyan is on spring break this week and we will be seeing Auntie Wind and Aunt Becky from the U.P. this weekend! They will be taking the boys on Sat. so I can sleep and Mick can study. 1.5 wks left of law school!!! Who's counting anyway?

Tuned back in!

So here I am once again explaining myself. Yes, I have fallen off the blogwagon. I think it was the loss of my camera cord that has kept me so distant. Behold! I found the cord in the "extension cord basket" Not sure how it got there but I will take the blame. So a quick update. We still are homeless when it comes to our move to Grand Rapids and our renter is still pending background checks (I think, this is micks role) so wish us luck as we try to find our place in GR.

I have extended my contract at Henry Ford until July for insurance purposes, Mick will be getting his jaw surgery before we move. Mickey only has a couple weeks of Law School left!!!!! And officially graduates May 9. I'm sure you will be able to hear a sigh from our house all the way to the pacific coast the day he is done! Kyan continues to hear and is still pushing every button known to mom and dad. We are holding our own! Mr. P is has rounded 3rd base and is approaching his 2nd birthday in a few days. His bash is tomorrow, nothing extreme, a few friends, family and a lot of cake! Just how we like it.

Nolan gave Mom and Dad a scare of a life time Tues morning. He want awake by 830 so Mick and I knocked on his door together to wake him up. He was laying on his belly and whimpered when we came in. Knowing he got to bed later than usual the night before we figured he was just tired and crabby. After 15 min of him not budging, Mick picked him up, he screamed and grabbed his head/ear. It took forever to calm him down, I told Mick just to leave to bring Ky to school and I would take care of Nolan, calm him down and possibly bring him to the Ped. for what I was thinking could be an ear infection. I knew I couldnt send him to daycare like this. I sat with him in his rocking chair and rocked him and he was content. If I moved, he screamed. He was hungry, I asked if he wanted to go eat in his highchair, he screamed. I then brought him to our bed where I laid him down and then got him a nutrigrain bar to eat. When watching him eat it, it hit me. Oh my God! He cant move his neck!!! His head had been turned to the right ever since he woke up! I panicked and called mick. He call the ped and then got home and we rushed him to the ER. He climbed out of his crib the other night twice and we arnt sure if he fell our had a smooth landing, he just "appeared" to Mick in the living room. Im thinking the worst, broken neck, skull fracture, contusion......etc. So after a dreadful IV start, blood work, CT of the brain and C-spine and mult xrays all being clear they decided to admit him overnight for obs. Thank goodness for all the testing being negative! I think we should just forclose on our hose and move into the hospital, it might be cheaper! Then after a little Tylenol and then Motrin he started moving it! By 10 that night he was a new man! Talk about a hassle for a stiff neck! We are just thankful our baby is ok! Oh, did I mention I worked a night shift the night before? I finally retired to bed at 10:45pm the next night after a long 30 hours with no sleep.

Potty Training you ask?

Lately I have been asked,"What's your secret to potty training?" "How'd you do it?" by multiple friends, acquaintances and not to mention frequent flyers to story time. Please note: I'm not bragging in front of these people at story time, Nolan has come up to me and requested I take him to the Potty in front of other moms. So what is our secret? I don't know if we have one. Nolan is not yet potty trained but I'd say he goes #2 about 90% of the time on the potty (he's 23 months) When he poops he pees, so hes doing well with that too! Kyan was out of diapers at 25months. Do you remember what kyan used to reply when asked how old he was? "Two years old and potty trained!" He got plenty of laughs from inquiring minds on this. Who says boys are hard to train? I think our true secret might be the way we parent. I give the credit to Mick on this one. From day one he has always, always explained EVERYTHING to the kids. Its amazing how much they know even if they can not yet speak in sentences! For example, I remember the nurse being shocked at Kyans 2 year well child check when he had to get two shots. We explained to him that he had to get shots, and yes, shots hurt. BUT they only hurt for a really quick second and I promise the pain will go away really fast. We may have reiterated it by counting to explain the length of the pain, 1..2..3. and then the pains all gone! Something he could have understood. So did he cry, no because he trusted us that the pain would soon be gone. The nurse told us she never in her career had a child that young not cry after a shot. What a man! We are honest with just about everything. What I am getting at is I/we believe you should be honest, up front and tell them like it is, cut the baby talk , that's for infants when they really don't understand how stupid you sound, or maybe they do!!! I also think starting earlier is better than "waiting unit he/she is ready" Before you know it, they are to smart for us! For the moms at story hour, if your child is still nursing at four and you are having problems potty training, I think you know what the issue may be! (Ooo that was a bit cruel) I started at 18months with Ky and about 20mnths with Nolan. We never offered treats with Kyan or put anything in the potty for him to "aim at" One thing we do, we have a party in the bathroom every time they go! Kids love to feel important and love any extra attention, especially from mom and dad. This, in there eyes was way more fun anyway. I wont lie, I have pulled out the treat one time with Mr. P. But I have stopped that. So basically we have never done anything except start early, be consistent, have a routine, just like bed time....say "underpants down/diaper off, get on the potty, 1,2,3 Pee, etc. When they are done, "wipe yourself, and flush!" (only allow flushing if they go, this is fun to a child so only reward if they go) If they ask, always take them, really celebrate when they go...dance, sing be silly ,anything to let them know you think they are special! Keep a potty seat (stay simple with the design) in the car to always be able to offer the potty in those emergency situations (I still need to do this for Nolan, did it for Kyan) Forget the pull ups, save your money. Half the time you need to take the pants off anyway (well at least in boys. Other wise their little pecker points up!) Oh and I almost forgot, a good training book, start reading it before they start training so they have an idea of what to expect.....I think this goes along with our explaining first approach. Our favorite....My Potty Book, written for little boys. Well that's what we have done/are doing. Not saying its going to work for you but it might! Good luck and happy training.

Dont worry the blog lives on........

Once again time seems to have flown by since the last blog post. The days are getting longer (thank goodness) and warming up. We have been spending a lot more time outside these days. Kyan loves it and Nolan won't stop saying,"outside, me outside!" while tapping chest. We are in the works of getting our home rented out for our future, sooner than later move to the west side of the state. We will be heading to Grand Rapids in the morning to once again look at some properties. One is a duplex that we would be for income only and another is a small home in a good area next to a good elementary school. Together with both proprieties, we could potentially live for free and save, save, save. Wish us luck on this, I hope it works out. I have so many pictures that I want to post but cant find the USB cable to the camera and my laptops XD card reader is broken due to a little 4 year old we all know. My brother was here 2 weeks ago from AZ with his fam. We had so much fun visiting with them, it was shorter than we all wanted but we got the most we could out of it. Taylor our niece is such a big girl now and has grown up so much since the last time we saw her. We went to a Red Wings game while they were here, unfortunately they got killed 8 to 2 :( Everybody still had fun. I have plenty of pics but again, they are stuck on the camera:( Nolan continues to potty train like a pro, he goes everyday I don't work and am pretty sure he goes for Mickey too! He as even stepped it up to going in public bathrooms. I'm not a fan of this, so gross! But he has to do it at some point. We still need to stop him from pooping in his crib, something he has always loved doing. Will he be out of diapers at 25 months like Ky? Only time will tell but I think he is right where Kyan was at this age! Go Pie! You can do it little man!!! His vocabulary continues to sore to higher numbers and more complex words, he whipped out "microphone" to mick and Kyan yesterday, clear as could be! He wants to go to school really bad and keeps pressing me to give him gum. He gets the same response to both, "No Pie, when your bigger buddy." He does not like this at all. "Me School!" he says in response. He continues to sing "Happy Birthday" and hes now added the "to you" part. This has become a daily e song that he randomly whips out while playing. Too cute! He is going to have so much fun on his actual birthday (planning is in the works, again not sure what we are going to do) He has big plans for his 2nd birthday, if you ask him what he will be giving up on his birthday he will proudly tell you his "Foffy" or what he calls his pacifier. He still uses it when he sleeps. So that's enough about Mr. P. What about Kyan? Well Kyan continues to be extremely trying and challenging at this point. 2 years old was easy, 3 years old was a bit challenging, 4 years old is EXtremely challenging. He has become a little bossy guy, bulling his brother when we aren't looking and talking back to just about everything. This is natural right? The last 2 days have been good and we have reinforced over and over that his behavior will not be tolerated. Mick and I had a long talk to make sure we get back on and stay on the same page when it comes to his discipline. Wish us luck, this parenting thing can be tough at times. Don't get me wrong he's still a great kid, just to smart for his own good. Other than that Kyan is also very excited about spring and summer approaching us as I am sure the whole state of MI is! He asks just about everyday if we can "lawn the grass" He's very excited about being able to ride his bike again we gone on multiple rides already. I cant wait to help him learn to ride without training wheels, I plan on doing after the move. I should probably start giving pep talks about this, maybe Ill let him ware his hockey equipment, that will be safer right?

Well sorry the blog is so boring lately, I know pictures are the best part. Hopefully I can find the cable and be back in business soon!

Poopin Just to Stay Up Later!

So the little guy did it again! Nolan is extremely smart, gifted I might say (what mother doesn't think so) Pie will think of anything and I mean anything to keep him up just a little tiny bit longer. Story tonight?b Nolan:"two book" ok we can read two. "Pup" (how he says cup, he still goes to bed with a sippy of water just like big bro did) Yes Nolan here is your cup. Nolan:"Pup icky, yuck!" No Pie Mama just put fresh water in it. Nolan:" Poder" (We put powder and Tough Actin Tinactin on his feet, the kid has athletes foot at 22 months...nasty!) Yes Nolan Mama already put creme on your feet. Nolan: "Rock" Of course we can rock, I rock him every night anywhere form a few min to 20 and I love every min of it. I used to love putting Kyan to bed at that age but for some reason he as always too heavy to stand and rock and he used to wear me out? Maybe it was because I was already Prego for Pie at that time? Anyway I love bedtime/cuddle time with Nolan, its my fav part of everyday and I miss it dearly when I have to work. He's just so small and round and cuddly and oooooo, you get the point. Ok back to my point, we are rocking......ready to be put in the crib when he says it....."Potty, Poop" Yes Nolan we just read your potty book, now its time to go sleepy. Nolan: "POOOOOOOOP!!!" Ok, ok, lets go, but then its time for bed (enough of the sappy stuff, American Idol was on and I was trying to get out of his room to watch it!) But sure enough, red faced and grunting our little man did it again. He used his potty!!!! This called for celebration, we called for daddy....."DADDY!!!!" we called for brother....."BROTHER!!!" Everybody came running, we all clapped and danced singing the song "Nolan went......PEE PEE ON THE POTTY! PEE PEE ON THE POTTY! YAAAYYYY! Then the big guy when back in his room and went right to bed and I got downstairs at 820 to watch the rest of Idol! Life is good!



Oh, and just for the record (Nolans record when he's 16 and dating) I had nothing to do with placing "mama stickers" on him he got into the bathroom vanity and decorated himself and the bathroom with more than 20 of them things!

MAXI PIE TO THE RESCUE!

Wholelattabloggin

KYAN's SURGERY

Looking at the 'noids

First he had to copy the hawk, now we've moved on to more fun things!

He got sick on the way to the hospital and passed out during registration. Our little man is a bit nervous :(

"Check out these pipes!" "And this elaborate blue spaceship gown"

Im Ready



Still tuckered out from the anesthesia

So everything is going well with the boys ears. I believe he is hearing better, still loud, but hearing better. He seems to talk to me more about what's going on at school and I see him socializing on the playground more with other kids. Maybe its all in my head or maybe he's able to actually talk to and hear his friends! He doesn't go back to the ENT for 3months!

SUPER TURTLE SUNDAY

A little bit of an update on Mr. P:

So we are again testing our potty training abilities. He knows how to do it but is too busy of a boy to take the time. He walks in the bathroom looks at the potty, "All Done" The other morning he kept saying "No Mommy" (his latest saying to just about everything, he picked that up thanks to Kyan) Anyway, I mentioned the word "treat" (something we never did with Kyan) Nolan's eyes lit up "Treat?" Yes Pie, If you go potty you can have a treat. "Ok" The little stinker sat down, pee'd and got up, "All done, treat?" Yes, he knows Exactly what he's doing. To reward him, he got to put on his very first pair of big boy boxers and yes he got his treat!

ELMO'S BIRTHDAY

(Imagine turning 3 EVERY year, Elmo's Mom must be in a nut house!)

Happy V-day

Things are looking brighter with the exception of the weather, it snowed again. Kyan was well enough to return to school on Friday for his Vday party. He made 32 Valentine cards for his friends and wrote his name on all of them! He's getting great at it. I am not sure how the surgery has affected his hearing yet, its been hard to notice because he has been sick with the URI. but he is more quiet (probably because hes not feeling well) Otherwise he is in no discomfort. Nolan still has a little cough but enjoyed Valentines day to the fullest! The first thing he said this morning when I walked in the door....."Chocolate" and "Cocoa" How did he know today was a chocolate filled day? He gets that instinct from his mama and 3 year old cousin Kiana!!! I got the boys a larger than necessary chocolate chip cookie with frosting on it and surprised mick with a counter full of chocolate covered strawberries when he woke up! I know I'm the best! I have tons of great pics over the last couple weeks I just cant post them from work. Stay tuned.

More great news! (Wow, we better slow down here....don't want anybody to get hurt!) My brother and his family are coming to visit from Arizona! I haven't seen my niece or SIL since we left phoenix 2.5 years ago. They haven't even met Mr. P yet. They are flying in to the D and we are all going to a Red Wings Game. I am so excited to see them!!! Ok thats enough good news from the Larsons for the next 2 months!!!

And the ship sails on :( At least we haven't sunk yet

So the boys both are sick. I took Nolan into the ped because of a barking cough and a temp of 102. They told me "its probably a virus" but wrote for steroids again so we don't compromise his respiratory status any further. Its probably croup. Kyan has the same croupy cough and is on abx profalacticly from his surgery so I am suspecting the ped is right when she said Nolan's is viral other wise Ky would be clearing up from the abx (fat chance) Kyan too has been running a temp over 100. He seems to be a bit more under the weather than Nolan. I will see tomorrow if he needs to go back to the ped too. I know all they are going to tell me is....."it probably a virus" I cant wait to move to Grand Rapids this summer just to get a new ped! I love the doc. and the nurses at the office but everybody else SUCKS. I'm going to stop there to keep this blog family friendly. I returned to work tonight and am holding my own at 3 hours into my shift. Yesterday I went to my ID doc and he cleared me to return but increased my antivirals to 14 days because I'm still getting my headaches. And told me to continue to take my new friends as needed for the pain. Note to readers....never acquire Viral Meningitis, it hurts like hell!



Oh and we have some good news (Imagine that!!!) My brother and his wife are expecting their first baby!!!! YEAH I have been waiting to hear this news for a long time! I am so excited for them! They are nervous but I know my bro is going to make an awesome daddy! Oh and he also told me they want to pump out another one right away! I think we need to match their number 2 with our number 3....what do you think honey?!!!

Down again but not out.....(this is starting to become a trend)

Its been a huge gap between blogs. Not because we are busy or lazy only because mommy is dying. Yes, dying. I went to the urgent care office (was dragged there by my oh so loving, knows when I'm sick husband) with a head ache from hell and a small rash on my back that I was blaming on the switch from Tide to Gain. Turns out this is no detergent rash, I have shingles and Viral Meningitis and Dying! I've never been the "sickest" person in the ER but was labeled that by the attending while the waiting room was packed and people were coming in on stretchers. So after a visit to urgent care, ER, a CT scan, Spinal tap, some morphine mmmm morphine (only thing that really took the pain away) 3 days on 8e Room 801 with a large plasma TV, That you need to PAY for to watch OMG.....I'm dying.... finally get to watch Oprah with no kids and they are going to make me pay 6 bucks a day....what is this world coming to? And after shoebox full of Vicodin, loads of anti virals, some anti puke pills two basins + full of puke and a lost sock in the hospital I am finally home with my family. Its amazing how much you miss them when they are gone for so long even thought it wasn't at all. Unfortunately once I was home I wanted to crawl into my shell and not come out. Micks mom and grandma are here to help and have been a blessing for the both of us during this time. Even though we could have done it by ourselves because I have the greatest loving hubby out there, he cleaned while I was in lock up....aaaawwww Love you! I'm still ill and get headaches and puke almost every 3 hours. but no more rash and my headaches go away with my new addiction...Vicodin. I need to gear up because son 1 gets his ear surgery tomorrow morning. We are on track, gave him a bath tonight.....check ..... as directed to get all the gross boy germs off of him! Nothing to eat past midnight....check. Now in the morning it should be interesting to allow him no food or drink until his surg at 10. We need to be there by 8 so its the nurses job after that to keep him from his oh so loved morning meal.... OJ and 2 packs of instant oatmeal with a side of fruit please!