School issues

Without going into great detail, Kenny and I aren't too thrilled with the school he's at - mostly the classroom (kids and teachers)...gee, that means everything else is great!!! Oy! He's having a hard time sitting in his chair for academic time and is starting to love tap other kids since he's seen them do it and get away with it. I am in the process of interviewing other schools without mentioning it to him, of course, until it's finalized. Hopefully, we'll get him into a school that is more hands-on which is right up his alley and play-based.

We've got a "rocker"!!

No, not a punk rocker, but Alex is starting to get on his knees and rockin' away getting ready to crawl and, only then, make our family complete with all "mobile" kiddos! EEEEEK! Scary! :) He gobbles up his Stage 2 foods still - averaging a jar and a half at one sitting - while we're working on gettting him to grab foods off his tray and hold a sippy cup. Who does he think he is? A baby or something?! He still has one feeding around 5 or 6am. Other than that, no teeth and he's a happy camper! He *might* have a touch of stranger anxiety as well...but we're not "going there" just yet!

Pictures

More pictures...

Family update with pictures!

Drew is getting so much taller these days...his energy is endless..still! He is very into how things work and why is his fave question. School is going pretty well and we're still working on keeping him in his chair to do his work which is challenging. He is a super big bro; especially with Alex.

Liv is having some tests done with her GI doc and we'll get those results back within a few weeks. She started Occupational Therapy Wednesday and that's once a week for an hour at the clinic with their equipment. She seemed disorganized (which we've already known) but had a good time hangning on the trapeze and "crashing" on bean bags! It'll be interesting to find a program that will work for her that we can continue at home -- which might boost her speech as well.

Alex is halfway to the 8 month mark - wow, time flies! He has found his thumb (where was it these past 6 months when we were playing the paci game at night?!?) so he sleeps much better. Down around 8pm and eats at 5am or so and back down til 8am. I can do that!! He enjoys his 2-meal-a-day solids to bits!! He's a great eater and loves everything offered so far. He's on Stage 2 foods now. No teeth yet and he's working in sitting up independently for longer periods of time.

Kenny's been sick for almost a month straight with bronchitis then the flu....ugh. He spent his entire 2 week "vacation" sick which was a bummer. :( He's feeling a bit better now so hopefully he's on the mend. He's picked up a few more music students (which he loves since it's his passion) and really enjoys that.

Alex - backward scooter!

Mr. Alex...he is on his tummy more now and inches backwards and gets more mad the farther away he gets from us on the floor! He can sit for longer periods of time now and eats like a good boy. He gets some oatmeal and fruit for breakfast and a nice hearty dinner of baby veggies and chicken or turkey...mmmmm mmmm he can't get enough! He's already 7 months old now! Where did the time go??? I bought a shopping cart cover so he goes grocery shopping and sits in there like a big boy now..so cute and happy!

Bob starts chemo

He starts tomorrow and we'll be praying for him through this journey and that he has minimal side effects. He looks great and has a good starting point.

CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Eve was spent here at home, nice and quietly! The kids played and set out a cookie for Santa with milk but we didn't have any carrots for the reindeer :(. Drew was VERY excited since he's "getting" the whole Santa thing more this year. Of course, he wanted dimensions on how Santa could possibly come down the chimney and if he would get stuck and how he would climb back up while Drew was using his flashlight looking up the chimney for a demo!!
We woke up around 7:30am and went to see on Christmas morning! They loved their stocking stuffers and quickly moved to the big presents.
Drew got a plasma ball, lighted koosh ball, a few books, a disc shooter (from Daddy), some bath shaving cream and some magentic vehicles to put together. Liv got some Dora books (which she has to have read at least 40 times every day still!), some magnetic shape tiles from Uncle Scott and Aunt Laura (BIG hit), a potty book from Mommy ;) and some figurines of farm animals. Drew and Livvy's joint gift is a trampoline for kids coming this Wednesday!!
Alex got some teething toys, a bath toy, and a ball popper from Grammy and Pop.

I got Kenny a PALM organizer and a new coffee travel mug and he got me a new cell phone!

Last night, we got together with Grammy and Pop as well as Gigi to open gifts. The kids got some cute, cute things and I got a wonderful surprise! A gold bracelet with opals and diamonds from them! WOW - it's beautiful and so special. It was fun and a nice way to ring in the new year with them here.

I'll update with pics as soon!

Recent pictures

Sweet Mom

This month has been crowded with health issues! Mom went into her doc because of a pain in her back and ended up having bloodwork done since she had fasted thinking they'd take blood anyway. After determining it was a pulled muscle, they drew the blood for her physical. Some slightly elevated liver enzyme panels came back and she had an ultrasound done on her liver and stomach. They found some "lumps" on her liver. :( She also had a CT Scan done Friday from neck to pelvis and that CAME BACK CLEAR! woohoo! Next step is an ultrasound and liver biopsy next Friday. We're praying a ton for her and her attitude is incredible!! She's a gem!

The ongoing Drew's school saga

Little Drew is having a hard time staying in his chair and doing his class work -- basically following directions. He gets up and wanders around or crawls under the tables and we think he sees other kids doing it and getting away with it so he follows suit. Kenny is going to observe one day and see the dynamics of the class...is it the teachers with little control? too many kids misbehaving? Is the work too hard for him? Going another 6 months at this rate is going to be tough on all of us. They don't do timeout in the classroom and instead re-direct which doesn't cut it in my opinion. He gets things taken away from him when he gets home based on the teacher's report of the day. I'll update after Kenny does the observing.

Pop's journey

We recently found out that Bob has a form of lymphoma cancer and next week they'll find out where the cancer is and what the treatment will be. We've all been praying HARD for him to stay positive and faithful during this tough time. We might never know the reason for him being sick, but there is always an underlying purpose and something we can all learn something from. I will post an update after I get one next week.

WoW! Haven't posted in a looong time!

Phew! Seems like time has just flown by lately....let's rewind!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at Bob and Cherie's newly remodeled home along with Betty, Dustin, Scott, Laura, Carah, Nathan, Caleb, Gary, Nancy, Jennifer and Lee! So nice to see everyone together like a family reunion on the Carter side!! Our T-day meal was catered with excellent food ....we truly have many blessings to be thankful for. :) Here are some highlights:

Alex bo Balix

Our sleeping nightmare!! He's getting up more frequently in the night and I called the pediatrician's office today for their perspective on sleeping at this age. They said he's too old to NOT be sleeping through and in fact he doesn't even need to eat in the early morning like he has been...he just wants his paci that falls out literally 10 times a night! I'm not getting solid sleep and neither is he. The nurse is sending us some info on how to sleep train appropriately so we'll look that over and start! It'll be a rough few nights but soon be on a normal schedule and we'll all be happy!

"Look at me in the eye and tell me you're sorry."

That's what Daddy asked Drew to do to him....he looked down and said "sorry" but that didn't cut it. So Drew puts his face right up to Kenny's and looks (literally) in his one eye and said "sorry." I was dying inside!!!

Liv's new words!!!!

These sprung out rather quickly -- all in the past two days!
* poo poo (giggle) ;)
* purple (I see a "p" theme starting!)
* green
* wolf
* lion
* okay
* "GO!" (when she wants Drew to get out of her space!)

GO LIVVY, GO LIVVY, GO LIVVY!! Christina and Lisa will be sooo proud of you!! I know we are! :)

Drew and the next-door neighbors

Drew was the first to point out that the neighbors next to us got a new minivan. They were sitting in it learning its features, etc. while we were getting into our car when I noticed he was stalling and wondered why. He's standing in the dirt with his hands behind his back staring at their van...I ask him to get in the car and he says, "What are they doing?" I told him they were learning the new buttons and going through the manual to figure things out with their new car like we did when ours was new. He says, "Well, I can do it!" That is no joke..this kid can tell them what each and every thing does on any new car...believe me! He don't need no stinkin' manual! :) He was practically drooling!

Our trip to Los Angeles

Went very well! The kids were excited, especially Drew, the morning of and I drove the whole way. It only took us 6 hrs with 2 stops!! Their home was lovely as always and G'ma and G'pa had a good time with the kiddos. Drew was interested in the toilets and doing all the light switches of course. I forgot the kids' costumes and my camera at home so we bought what was left the day of. Drew was Thomas the Tank Engine and Liv was a pink kitty. Alex wore his bear hat. I'll update with pics when I get them from Mom.

They loved trick-or-treating and we went to 10ish houses. They all slept pretty well and we had great food. We had a bbq on Sunday that included Lauren, Shelley, and Gary which was fun. Kenny went to his Dad's for 2 days and had a good time there as well.

The trip back went pretty smooth - only fussing Alex a half hour from home...thank God for the DVD player in the van!

Leaving for Los Angeles tomorrow!!

We're leaving in the morning to drive down south to visit my parents and Kenny will stop by his Dad's for a few days as well. Drew is VERY excited to see everyone and so are we....thank God for the DVD player in the van and let's hope Alex doesn't cry too much -- he doesn't like being in his carseat very long! I'll update our events from our trip with pictures when we get back!

Drew's school parade/party for Halloween

We all went to Drew's school yesterday morning for a parade around the school in costume and their class had a "treat" party. He seemed to have fun parading around in his dalmation costume and each kid got to pick a pumpkin from the grass field to bring home. He overindulged in the treats that day for sure! Later that night he said his tummy hurt. Livvy enjoyed watching all the kids as well while Alex was a cooperative and supportive little brother in his stroller. :)

Poor Livvy Lou!

Her GI doc recommended giving her a suppository since she hadn't gone since the "blowout weekend" so we did that 2 days ago. You're supposed to pop it in and wait 15 minutes or so for it to dissolve but she pushed it out within 5 minutes. I went to change her diaper and saw a turd sitting at the "gate" so I used a wipe and tried to grab that sucker!! All of a sudden, an almost foot long poopie came out!! Her bottom was so huge and she was screaming from the pain. I couldn't beleive it and yelled at Kenny to come in and see this! He was in shock (still is I think!)....It was about 1.5 inches across! HOLY POOP!

I hope she felt better - she doesn't say - and we're supposed to administer every 2 days if no poop to let her colon go back to its proper size.