Likes: Reading books (Mo Willems is my favorite author), going to school, building lego sets, snuggling, wearing my Spiderman wristbands, coloring and doing mazes, playing soccer, wrestling with Daddy and my brothers, singing to Frances Anne, eating cheese quesadillas, cheesy noodles, cheese pizza, and grilled cheese (I love cheese), playdates with my best friend, Connor, going to the library and "somewhere special", watching Daniel Tiger, playing pretend Star Wars or Planes with Henry and Peter, riding my tricycle outside, swinging at the park, and doing "homework" (Mama gives me worksheets because I cry if Henry has homework and I don't).
Dislikes: Trying new foods, singing when anyone is looking at me, talking about sad things, cleaning up the playroom, wearing Church clothes, losing to Henry when we race, and sharing books with Peter.
Growth: I weight 41 lbs. and I am 42 inches tall. This puts me in the 85th percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for height. I'm one big boy, and my doctor expects me to grow even more now that my tonsils are gone and I can eat without choking!
On his first day back to school post-surgery, John celebrated his (early) birthday. Ms. Pam and Ms. Nicole made him a birthday crown and the class sang to him. He shyly looked down during the song and acted embarrassed. When I asked him about it, he said, "that's what Annabelle did during her birthday song, so I did it too". Silly boy. John shared ice cream sundaes with his classmates. Peter was invited to the table with the big kids. He ate his ice cream proudly. Frances didn't have any ice cream, but she enjoyed all the attention from the big kids.
On the morning of his 4th birthday, John woke up to Spiderman masks, chocolate chip pancakes, and balloons. Henry had already left for school and Frances was still asleep, but John and Peter ate enough pancakes for all 4 of them. After an outing to the library, I told John he could choose any restaurant for his birthday lunch. He picked Yogli Mogli. When you are 9 days post-op on your 4th birthday, you are allowed to eat ice cream for lunch. John even tried a new flavor - "mountain blackberry" and he loved it. Peter had chocolate with sprinkles, and he thought he had won the lottery for lunch. After dinner, we had cupcakes and minion cake pops. Then John opened his gifts. Legos, mo' Mo Willems books, and a pair of Spiderman glasses. He put on the glasses and said, "Hey Daddy, I'm just like you!"
On the first day of Spring, we went to our neighborhood Easter egg hunt. The boys had to wear sweatshirts and Miss Frances was bundled up in a blanket because it felt more like Winter than Spring. All four kids sat for a photo with the Easter Bunny. Surprisingly no one cried or tried to run away, but no one seemed to impressed either. Except John, who requested a hug from the creepy Bunny. The egg hunt lasted all of 3 minutes. It's amazing how fast my kids can pick up candy-filled eggs and how slowly they pick up their toys.
On March 14th, John had surgery to remove his tonsils and adenoids, and put tubes in his ears. He had been dealing with hearing loss, sleep apnea, eating issues, and illness for the past few months. The night before the surgery, John picked out a new pair of pajamas to wear to the hospital the next day. He also picked a stuffed animal to bring with us - Leo the Lion, a gift from his preschool teachers. At bedtime, I videotaped John reading. The doctor told us that his voice would change. I wanted to remember what he sounded like for his first 4 years.
On the morning of John's surgery, he wasn't allowed to have any solid foods. John didn't mind. He happily drank blue Gatorade and ate blue Italian Ice for breakfast. When we arrived at the hospital, John thought he was at Disneyland - toys, PBS cartoons, and silly socks. He took his medicine without any protest and gained a trip to the prize closet. Once it was surgery time, I walked back to the OR with him. He was brave and did not cry at all. He hopped onto the operating table and told his Anesthesiologist that she looked like his Daddy because she wore glasses. He held Leo and my hand as they put him to sleep.
Thirty minutes later, his Doctor came to talk to us. He said John had the largest tonsils that he had ever seen! He said that it takes a lot to impress him, but that John did it. I told the Doctor that John deserved a trophy for this accomplishment. John wasn't too happy as he was coming off the anesthesia, but most kids aren't. The first time he spoke (or rather, screamed), his voice was so different. He calmed down once the IV was out, and we took him home a few hours later.
The recovery has been slow. And it has involved a lot of chocolate chip ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When the pain medicine is working, John wants to eat pizza and has to be reminded not to run down the halls. When the medicine is wearing off, he doesn't want to eat or drink anything, and he has a lot of trouble sleeping. His hearing and breathing immediately improved, so I know this will be worth it once he's through the healing process. Until then, bring on more ice cream!
Henry gets home from school at 2:30. His siblings are napping. He eats a snack and finds a book. One day I found him on the porch like this, reading an abridged, kids version of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer." Later he said, "I want to go on some adventures, Mama. How old do I have to be?"
Likes: Sucking on my two right fingers all day long (a habit I copied from Henry and Peter), playing in my exersaucer, rolling across the floor to get around, being outside, sleeping on my tummy, shaking toys around, grabbing my feet and trying my best to put them in my mouth, being held on Mama's hip, eating 4 times a day at the exact same times every day and napping 3 times a day at the exact same times every day (I like a good routine), being sung to, and having my head rubbed.
Dislikes: Sucking on a paci (I will spit it out the minute you stick it in), having my nose wiped, drinking from a bottle if there are any distractions around, and having to wait 2 minutes for Mama to pick me up sometimes.
Growth: I weigh 15lbs., 7oz., and I am 27 1/2 inches tall. This puts me in the 50th percentile for weight and still off the charts for height. I wear 9 month pajamas. and while they're pretty baggy on me, they fit perfectly length-wise. I'm just a string bean!
This weekend John and Peter celebrated their birthdays with a pizza party. Both boys love pizza so the party was an obvious choice. Preschool and neighborhood friends gathered at Uncle Maddio's Pizzeria so we could make our own pizzas. The kids played the part with their aprons and chef hats (John participated, Peter did not). Peter ate his way through the making of the pizzas, helping himself to fistfuls of cheese and pepperoni. While they waited for their creations to cook, the kids colored and played "Pin the Pepperoni on the Pizza." We explained the game to the kids, but as soon as I tied the blindfold over their eyes, every kid shouted, "but I can't see!" It made for an interesting game. I may have handed out pizza gummies as prizes before we ate lunch (sorry parents). After lunch, came more pizza...in cake form! I made the boys a pizza cake entirely out of candy. I think it was their favorite pizza yet.
Sassy Southern girl who still loves the North, too. Wife of 11+ years to a tall, dark, and handsome man. Mama to 3 sweet boys and 1 sweet girl. Hates camping and food touching. Loves high heels, sweet tea, and hosting dinner parties.
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