Well checks

We had our well checks/back to school physicals with our favorite Dr M this week. She is the most amazing Doctor ever and its a special treat when we get to see her.

Stats for the kids are:

Hunter 56 1/4" (75 %) and 67 pounds (below 50%)

Hayley 51" (75%) and 52.8 pounds (25%)

We were SUPER pumped that we finally broke the 65 and 50 pound marks. Poor things are going to be just like me when I was little, tall and lanky (too bad it didn't last)

FAC

Tuesday, we met the Oedy's at the FAC for a pool playdate!! The weather was a little chilly but the kids didn't seem to mind after taking a while to warm up to the water.

Hunter, Lana and Hayley

Miss Ava loves Hayley to death and you know that Hayley is all about her!!

Look how cute Ava is. Guess this is as close as a neice I will ever get!!

Our bathing beauties

Picnic Lunch

Popsicles with our sweet kids

Hunter and Nathan

One of the good things about the FAC is that you pay one price and you get both indoor and outdoor pools. We headed inside after lunch to let the kids play and jump off the diving board. My kids are complete nuts, diving, flipping, making me a nervous Momma!! I couldn't take any pictures becaues I was too busy freaking out

LOVE summer and our laid back, poolside playdates with great friends. Too bad this cant last all year long

Eye Exam

Last week Hunter had an eye appointment with Dr Bowersox and we learned that he wasn't happy with his progress (we regressed 4 lines), referred him for a VEP test and said that there was no way that Hunter would be able to pass a drivers test at the rate he's declining. I know that's still 6 years away, but when you start thinking about that it really hits home. Hunter was very upset and worried about this, his poor demor was not him for a couple of days while I talked to our Peditrician, insurance and some other eye people. We came to the decision to get a 2nd opinion with a Pediatric Strubismis Specialist, Dr Franklin and are so thankful we went!!

Waiting for the Dr

Going thru a legnthy exam

Dr Frankin was beyond patient, throughal, and personal with Hunter. Before he even did anything he got on his level and asked Hunter about his eyes, how he thinks he sees, what his goals are (Contacts and driving). After about a 2 hour appointment it was question and answer time I was so impressed with Hunter and how he asked questions and chirped right in when he didn't understand what Dr Franklin was saying. He is getting so mature in ways, makes me sad.

Cliff notes version of our visit:

~Hunter's eyes are better then what Dr. B thought and he was in the wrong strength glasses (too strong)

~Can wear contacts whenever we are ready (going to use this as a reward he has to earn (bedroom, chores, etc)

~Wean off patching: 2 hours a day or 1 hour every other day (Hunter gets to choose)

~Will be able to drive (even if we loose vision in our "good eye", you have to be 20/40)

~Can have Lasik or Lense Replacement after age of 18

~Dr Franklin has never seen anyone as farsided as Hunter (we knew he was extremely farsided) and will always have trouble with close up vision with out glasses

~Amazed that Hunter has trained himself to judge depth with one eye (we knew that he had NO depeth perception)

Old perscription was a +9 and our new perscription is a +5!! THIS IS HUGE GAINS!!! 

New glasses/lenses were ordered and we go back in December!!

Relaxing poolside

Thursday was a much needed afternoon laying poolside with my girls while the kids enjoyed the pool. Sunshine, music, pool,--it was so relaxing. I didn't take many pictures because we were busy gabbing, imagine that.

Me and the Bestie

Hayley and J Hahn decided to show off their dancing moves while dinner was on the grill

Yes, we embarrassed the kids by showing off our dancing skills that quickly turned into a mad dance party quickly!! They were laughing because we pulled out all the "moves" from back in the day, took us back to our teenage days.

Since we were feeling like teenagers, we had to pose like them.

So, thankful for these 2 girls and the friendship we share, they make school and life so much fun.

Looking forward to our next relaxing day poolside!

Dentist

My kids are not right, they LOVE going to the dentist and beg to go. Maybe because Dr. Kirby is crazy and she loves my kids, chose the flavor of toothpaste and gloves or  the fact that they get to play a DS while getting their teeth cleaned. I am just thankful that its not a nightmare when we have to go.Hunter and Hayley are in the NO CAVITY CLUB!!! Yes, I am super proud Momma and they are too.

 I had to laugh because Dr. Kirby always tells me how proud she is of Hunter's teeth and how beautiful they are. The only thing we had to do is a spacer on each bottom side for 9 months--he has a beautiful smile and perfect teeth.

Poor Hayley, she is the complete opposite--she has a extremely tiny mouth and oh so crooked teeth. We are already having to pull baby teeth to hopefully make room for permanent teeth.

 This is her newest x ray

Look at those teeth

We knew when she was 6 that we would be spending a small fortune to fix her teeth. She has been excited and is always asking when she can get her braces. At times, she is very conscious about her teeth but then there are other times she is not.  Well today was the day where Dr. Kirby gave us the OK to get a consultation with Dr. Eberle so he can start working his miracles on her mouth.

Redneck ramp

I love how Hunter can turn  a scrap pile of wood can instantly because hours of endless fun.

ENT follow up

Hayley had her 6 month ENT check up yesterday with Dr Coppula. It had went a little better then I had expected and for that I am so thankful. This is her 4  set of tubes and they have been in for 2 years and 3 months, the longest we have ever  had tubes in!!! I am a firm believer in this new "T tube" and am so thankful that we decided to try it out. At our last visit, her right tube had to be vacuumed out because it was slipping outta place and causing her pain. We have had some ear pain and I knew just knew that we were in the start of an ear infection, but we weren't! PRAISE GOD!!!

 

Her right tube is still in and has lots of fluid behind it, this is good thing and is letting her ear drain. Dr. Coppula tested her fluid and we decided to leave her tube in for 3 more months and then he will remove it. Praying that we are starting to out grow most of her ear, allergy and asthma problems. She was on 10 meds last visit, this time we are on 5--huge accomplishments that we are tickled about. He didn't want to take it out now because of swimming and the greater risk of infection. We will take steroids and antibiotics for one week during the next 3 months to help with the risk of infection. Right now we have a slight perforation tear on her Eustation tube, this is common, but he is hoping that it will not tear anymore with removal. We have some hearing loss, but with the ear disease she has is minimal!!

St A's picnic

Saturday we headed home to hang out at the St A's picnic!! I was super excited because I can't remember ever taking my kids and this was a weekend that we lived for when were younger. Momma and Daddy ran the picnic for 7 years and so we were always roped into helping.  Erin, Amy and I were reminiscing about all the memories we had growing up and going to the picnic. My how things change when you grow up and have kids!

Keegs and Aunt Jess

Grandma had a bag of tokens and money for each kid, they waisted no time spending their tokens

My wild and crazy kids were all about doing his crazy ride thingy--it made me sick to watch them!! They must get this wild side from their Daddy



It was super hot so we cooled off with snow cones

and Aunt Erin introduced my kids to BINGO!!!

We met up with the Browns and Momma and Daddy for a yummy chicken dinner. I had been looking forward to the chicken and dumplings all week long. Hayley was excited to try them--

SHE LOVED THEM!!

Hayley is such a Daddy's girl and is always wanting him to hold her, its precious!!

Ms Thang spent most of her money trying to win this hat and finally did!!

Thanks  Grandma and Grandpa for such a good time at the picnic!!

Blue River Canoe Trip

After the crazy couple of weeks that we had, we took a much needed "get away" trip to rest and relax. We head to Blue River in Miltown, Indiana and enjoyed the day on a 15 mile canoe trip and camping. The weather was beautiful and it was the perfect day for a canoe trip.

Hayley was waiting for us to get all of our coolers down the hill

The scenery was beautiful, I am always amazed at God's creations in nature

This is where the laughter begins--it was much needed and never ending. I don't know who laughed more, Terri and I or the people watching us try and paddle.  I didnt' take my camera, afraid that we would tump over so these are taking as we launched.  Our theory was paddle, paddle, sip. The others were much more coordinated and motivated, they left us many times and had to wait for us to catch up. All in all it took us 5.5 hours to paddle 15 miles, Brian said that Terri and I paddled 18 because we kept going in circles.

Cody and Emily

Emily and Terri

Hunter and Hayley

We headed to Margeno Cave and set up camp...so relaxing!! I was no time before we had everything set up, food on grill, kids running around playing,  drinks in hand and music going. I LOVE camping!!

me and my man

Cody and Emily

My kids decided to have a pull up contest while we were waiting for dinner. Surprisingly, they are strong little boogers and did well--Hayley got 1 1/2 and Hunter got 4

Thanks a much needed get away with my family and the Bestie's family. Sometimes you just need those moments to regroup, recharge and be able to count all your blessing that are hidden in the everyday hustle and bustle of life.

To Piglett From Nuck

Hunter wrote a letter to Hayley this week and it literally brought tears to my eyes. They are at that age where they are fighting more then they are not. They do love each other and get along for the most part but the fact that he wrote this all by himself without being asked just makes my heart full. I told him that I was going to save this so that I can pull it out on days when they are at each other's throat!

Translation:

Dear Hayley W,

You are a fabulous sis, even thougth we fight. I love you alot and it might seem like I don't love you but I wouldn't trade you for anything. I love you because you are amazing

I love you

Hunter

Hanging with Aunt Erin

Aunt Erin had her MRI appointment in our neck of the woods so we made a day of Dr visits, lunch and driving the gimp back home. She was beyond excited to have some company, she is not used to sitting still and not being able to do nothing at all. Its been too long and to think that she may have to be like this for a little while longer is crazy!

As soon as we got back to her house she was dying for me to wash her hair. Poor Brian has tried to wash and put a pony tail in but its just not his thing. I was more then glad to give her a good head scrub and put her hair up. I was not going to give her a bath or shave her legs--that's what husbands are for!!

After we got Aunt Erin's hair done the kids wanted to play pool. You know that you are spoiled and loved when you are allowed to climb onto the pool table and shoot. Hey, whatever works, right?!

We had lots of laughs as Hayley was showing us how Aunt Amy dances and Hunter telling jokes. He was in heaven because he had a new captive audience

Jager was excited to have someone to play with too-she is so mistreated because of her Mommy being gimpy.

Erin said that I was a mean Aunt because I wouldn't love on her "children" That's right--she thinks her dogs are her kids, I tell her otherwise!! I had to take a picture of Lizzy to prove that I didn't neglect them, I am just not a dog person!!