Quick Picture Dump

Lily started dance class!!  

To say she is excited would be an understatement.

Could you just die at the cuteness?  

(I know I say the same things over and over.  

Not real creative over here.  

Just love {and sometimes they drive me crazy} these little {growing!} ones.)

 We did a 10 day trial membership at an indoor pool.  The kids loved it.

 I could tell they got more and more comfortable in the water as the days went on.

 Mike always tried to convince me to get in.  I would {reluctantly, I know... no fun} and then just half heartedly enjoy it.  But finally on a week day I took the kids on my own.  There was NO ONE else there.  The kids swam.  I sat out (and was nice and WARM, not freezing in the water), loved watching them play, and we all had a good time.  

I think we may join.  But we haven't yet.

 Peter's final DTAP was delayed b/c of his (controlled) seizures.  The ped wanted us to check with neuro.  (We LOVE his ped.)  The neuro said it was fine.  So he just got it last week.  Final one... woohoo.  For a while at least.  He was nice and sore and a little lethargic.  Lily was sure to tell him that her shot didn't hurt (they both got flu shots too).  But I assured her that Peter got 2 and it wasn't just that she was tougher.  I didn't want Peter to think his little sister was tougher either.  ;)  She loves her bubby.  Her teacher just told me that she is quiet and smiley at school.  And the only time she makes a fuss is when she sees 'Pete' in the hallway... "Pete!!!!!!!!!!!"

 Enjoy seeing the gorgeous sunrises as we walk and on the way home.

 The kids stayed with Maw and Paw over the weekend.  
I sent to see Holly.  
Lily was sad to leave Maw.

 Mike is trying to read them all of the Jesus Story Book Bible in 2013.  I need to hear it too...

I've been trying to be there more and not running around the house straightening up/putting away laundry for the eve.  I've not had perfect attendance but have made it a little more.

 With our push for fine motor lately, Lily is digging it at all times and often crafting.  

Here she is making "cards" for everyone with little cut up paper colored with a blue pen.

 Self Portrait while Peter was at OT/ST.  We have started working on Lillian too.

 Dentist this morning.  

They said Lily has already changed the shape of her palate from thumb sucking and will need braces.  REALLY?!  They said it so matter of factly.  Thousands of dollars is literally the price we may pay for 3 years of soothing.  I had them both tell her she can't suck her thumb anymore (I'm not that concerned but I figured while we had the opportunity for someone else to say it).  At naptime today, she took it very seriously and didn't.  She kept telling me it was 'too hard to sleep' but then fell asleep without it.  I'm certainly not calling it but it was interesting to see that part of her personality, and wanting to be a big girl and do what they said.

 And this little man has a loose tooth!!!!

My intrigue with his fascination for vehicles continues... 

 Cutting off Daddy's cir-ca-lation before work.

 I just like this pic of Peter.  
It shows his highlighted blonde hair, brown eyes, and perfect skin so well.

We crafted a monster for our 'M' this week. 

 Daddy put on eye on his forehead and then moved his glasses to see with it.

The kids now think you are supposed to lick and stick the googly eyes everywhere.

 Thumbs up for his Monster.

This week I've found a new blog.   

http://www.rameelinlarson.com/

Her daughter has Batten Disease.  One of the things they tested for or were curious about when Peter was at the height of his seizure and low tone work up.  Though I don't want to pretend to really understand, I have a ever so slight idea of imagining that road.  She writes beautifully about their journey.  I've enjoyed reading, shuttered at the thought of it, and related to a lot of what she's said in processing grief.  She's helped me to trust God more with the path that he has laid out for both of us.  And she's been an advocate for rare and undiagnosed diseases, which I admire.

I'm off for coffee and to begin a 2 week class online.  

So probably won't be back for a little while.  :)

Dentist

I took the kids to their first ever dentist appointment today.  We are way behind.  Peter is nearly 5 and most kids have gone already (multiple times).  I scheduled one last summer and then decided that we were just taking the liberty to put the dentist on the back burner.  So today they both went together.  I love it for some weird reason that they were going for the first time together.  They are my little duo & enjoy each other.  I was also a little nervous (especially for Peter's exam), knowing that we have waited a while.  

They sat side by side.  Lily just laid there and held her mouth open (and held a little elephant... so sweet).  And she was done.  How cute is she.

For some reason, Peter's hygienist looked in his mouth and then walked away.  I don't really know why (I don't think it was his mouth..haha) but it just meant he had to sit still longer (and added to my anxiety).  But a book did the trick.  She came back and he got cleaned.  Then she said that she'd like to take X-rays.  He bravely went in with her and let her take them like a champ.  But as he was getting them, my anxiety level crept up.  Why did they order them for him but not her?  Because he's older?  Because she saw suspicious areas?  I was preparing myself for cavities or worse... something that would tell us that there is just something wrong with his teeth and how they develop, something funky, some unknown cause.  I know I'm half crazy.  But I just thought it could be par for the course.  I prepared myself that we'll just do this.  Whatever it is, its not what we were planning, but we'll walk through it.  We'll get through it.  I texted Mike with my nervousness.  And we waited for the dentist.  And waited. 

Finally, he came and so nonchalantly said "His X-rays look fine."  He checked his teeth.  "No cavities."  They look fine.  And that was that.  WOOHOO!!!!  It was so relieving, so wonderful.  It carried me on a high for hours.  How silly is that.  But its the joy, the relief after anxiety.  The normal in things that aren't always normal.  (Don't get me wrong, things are great lately.  We've had a lot of normal and I love normal.)

How handsome is he!!