OMG - 2nd tooth???

Jordan lost his 2nd tooth today; what a friggen surprise...this time it was daycare who called and surprised me. Jordan again brought his teacher his tooth and this time I paniced as I was like OMG all of his teeth are falling out as he's got problems with his gums and/or a disease. AGAIN, the dentist actually called me back to reassure me that this is very normal except that he's just earlier then most kids. I did just look in his mouth and I CAN SEE the tooth coming up on the tooth he lost on Tuesday; as I told Jordan the next thing he's going to be doing is coming home and asking mommy for the keys to the car! He laughed and said no I'm not...again I posted an even bigger gap smile pic to facebook today.

1st Tooth

Jordan lost his first tooth today...after I discovered on Saturday that there was an extra gap in his teeth while I was brushing them after he brushed them; I then wiggled his tooth and was like holy crap!!!! By Sunday, after all of Jordan's playing with it, it was a whole lot looser that I figured it would be out by the end of the week...well, it didn't even last past today when I got a call from daycare saying Jordan brought his teacher his tooth. They didn't even know his tooth was loose since I didn't remember to tell them. I was all concerned, but the dentist reassured me there was nothing wrong except for the fact that he's earlier then the average kids (5-6 years old) when they lose their teeth. I've taken a picture and posted it out on my facebook page for your viewing pleasure!

To the doctor AND the dentist!!!

I took Justin to the doctor again this morning for a re-check since he's been coughing for the last 2 weeks...I really thought that he would have pneumonia, BUT he doesn't:-) Actually, his ears, lungs, mouth, and throat all look great. His nose looks like hell and he's got a cough with mucus, but not in the lungs...it's considered bronchitis which he's basically had for 2-weeks; I'm not sure why we can't seem to get rid of it. It's viral, so like anything you just have to wait for it to run its course. There are no antibiotics for it, however, the doctor put him on amoxicillan because he had a small fever yesterday and Wednesday in case it's not something more that he's fighting. The doctor also says through the stethoscope that he actually heard a slight wheeze as well which I can't hear and haven't heard with the naked ear:-) He sure plays and STILL gets into everything like he's not sick. He's been eating like a friggen' cow (i.e., whole hot dogs, buns and all in one sitting), and still playing all the time. He napped at school yesterday from 12-4p and then came home and slept his entire normal bedtime routine!!! I think he's in a serious growth spurt with one of his bottom bicuspid tooth popping through. This might be what's causing the snotty, runny nose...Kids always have issues, but at least it's nothing super serious TODAY:-)

Jordan went to the dentist and had 3 fillings done today as well on his big teeth on the left side of his mouth, two on the bottom, and one on the top. Like I mentioned a couple of months ago, since these are his big teeth that he'll keep until he's like 12, we couldn't let them go knowing that they would fall out soon anyways. He was very nervous in the beginning, but he held my hand and got his teeth drilled and filled (and no he didn't need a needle with anesthesia)! It took me and the dentist & assistant more coaching to get Jordan READY for the fillings then it took to actually do them...we were in the office at 4:30 and out by 5p, with probably only 10 minutes of it spent actually filling the teeth. He goes to Willamette Dental which caters to kids; the dentist did great showing Jordan all of the instruments and letting him touch them. The only one that made him very nervous was the suction tool. I think it had too much of a suction that I think it scared him more then anything!

Procrastination...It's Jordan's new middle name!

Getting Jordan to sleep has just turned into one of the longest drawn out events in history! For example, this evening, he had to see my IPOD and turn it on, then had to see Philip's, then had to have Philip rub his back and read him a book, then his fingers were sticky so he had to quickly wash them, then mommy had to rub his back, then he needed a drink of water, then he had to let me know/tell me that we were supposed to go over to Samantha's house (Kareena, we might pop over tomorrow:-)), then he needed socks put on his feet, and then finally he needed to be covered up...all in all this took 45 minutes. It's now 9p and I can still hear him upstairs (in his bed mind you) doing who knows what! I'm not exactly sure besides tying him directly to his bed at 8p (No, I wouldn't really do this), how I would get him to go to bed and not lolly gag for almost an hour. I know the staying light out later hasn't helped, but it is now actually getting darker earlier again...I really think he does this to try my/our patience (which we already have little to begin with) and push our buttons, and do you know it works:-) We've worked to start the process earlier, but then instead of 45 minutes, it might be the 45 minutes plus the entire time added on for getting him started on the process earlier! I almost think it's a no win situation and I've just got to live with the fact that 4-year olds do this and eventually he'll grow out of this and when he gets older and does his own thing, I'll think back on this and wish we could go back:-) How I love being a mom!!!

News & Tidbits...

Grandma & Papa are coming out in September for a visit. They are arriving on 9/15 and leaving like 10 days later! Philip & I will be working some of that time since of those 10 days, there is only one weekend involved...it was cheaper to fly out on a Tuesday and go back the following Thursday. They are looking very forward to the visit since it will have been one year exactly since they last saw the kids. We were back in MI last year September (I think it would be that exact week if I were to check the calendar); it's hard to believe a year has already come and gone! Another reason they are coming this specific time is that my dad wants to go to the Puyallup Fair. For those of you that know him, this is definitely his cup of tea:-) We don't have any further plans then that, but I am contemplating going up to the Woodland Zoo in Seattle since we've not been there either. We always go to NW Trek every year (potentially this Saturday) and then to the zoo in Tacoma usually at least once a year as well.

http://www.pdza.org/

Justin's newest word is 'outside'! Yeah, I wrote that right...I about pooped my pants on Sunday; he went over to the back patio door slider, put his face and hands on the window, and clear as day said 'outside'. He's such a little sponge and absorbs SO much now! In fact, he said it again today while he was in his high chair eating dinner; only this time he pointed to the back patio door and said it. I swear, soon enough he'll be asking to bum the keys to the car:-) He's doing great and is always smiling to see me when I pick them up from daycare everyday!

Jordan is having the most difficult time going to sleep at night...I'm not sure if it's because it's daylight out, if he gets extra sleep during nap time at school (yes, he still has nap time!), or if he plan just thinks he's going to miss out on something, but it about drives me bonkers when I end up going to bed (sleep) before he does. Don't get me wrong, he gets into bed, but he talks to himself, needs water, needs to go potty....everything else but go to sleep! When do they ever just go to sleep when they are supposed to:-) He can write all of his letters now on his doodle by copying them; I guess he's prepping himself for Kindergarten next year!

Philip is traveling again the week of 8/3 to Hopkinsville, KY and Chicago. It's me, the boys, AND Mary Kay!!! The boys just love her and we do too!!!

Do your teeth really fall out if you don't brush them?

Jordan went to his 2nd dentist appt. of his life yesterday and he has 4 cavities. They are on his 12 year molars which means we've got two more trips planned back to the dentist for August and September for fillings on the left side and the right side. If they were on any of his teeth that start falling out around the age of 6, we wouldn't have had to worry about getting fillings. The dentist said that they are small enough that he probably won't have to use anesthesia...not really sure how that will work, but I'm guessing we've got another traumatic event coming up in the life of parenting a 4-year old. I mean, I'm still afraid myself of the dentist....I think it's just something you never grow out of!

So, we are really taking the precautions now after realizing that our brushing his teeth for him isn't working that well, so now we are going to monitor the late night snacking to ensure he brushes his teeth directly after he eats and specifically before he goes to bed, anywhoo I had cavities growing up as a kid and have since not had any for a really long time, so I think it's kids being kids.

Jordan was a definite trooper at the dentist...he didn't cry one bit while they took his first set of x-rays (2 shots), then took the power toothbrush and fully brushed all of his teeth, then flossed, and finally the dentist took the metal poker instrument to check for cavities and then apply the fluoride treatment. Except for the throwing up in the car on the way home, he did excellent!!! Yeah I said throwing up...he didn't like the after taste of the fluoride treatment and the next thing I know he's ganging and ends up throwing up in his Happy meal bag from McDonald's; luckily I caught it ahead of time and dumped the stuff out first...poor guy! He was perfectly fine after that, but said "mommy, I don't like the taste of that stuff in my mouth!"

Jordan's New Haircut

As promised, here are a few pictures of Jordan's new haircut that he got yesterday. I really think he's looking more and more like daddy everyday with the clipper/buzz up the back and sides with curls on the top...what you all think?

Updates...weekend!

Well, the yard sale went great this weekend...I was out there on Friday & Saturday whilst watching Justin, who of course was sick over the weekend (actually since this past Wednesday). Today was the first day he didn't have a fever, so he's going back to daycare tomorrow...he has gotten 4 out of the 5 doses of the antibiotics & his pediatrician said by Monday that he would no longer be contagious, whether it was bacterial or viral pneumonia. I just hope that daycare isn't walking around with a thermometer all day checking his temperature and then calls me that he's got one...

We made $265 for the two days...I got rid of all of the baby gear I had with the exception of about 15 or so little outfits (I was getting rid of NB through 12 months). Needless to say, we are very happy; especially Philip since he gets to have his garage back! With some of the $, I bought Jordan a new pair of sneakers since the ones he was wearing were all trashed...this is the first time I've had to buy the same size for sneakers. He's still wearing size 11 and Justin is wearing size 6. Normally Jordan's feet grow faster then he trashes the shoes...I see this can get very expensive:-) With another one following suit!

Jordan got his very big boy haircut today! His hair was getting pretty long and ragged. The clippers were used all of the way up to leaving a little bit on the top. I'll have to post a picture tomorrow...Justin is getting his cut next weekend since we didn't have the camera with us, but more so he is just getting over being real sick. Not sure how we'll cut his hair since it's completely straight like mine; possibly a bowl cut, but not for sure.

We bbq'd steaks last night w/Mary Kay and family, and the Jordan & Philip went over to the neighbors across the street for a quick chat at a party where Jordan got to jump on a trampoline! Instantaneously, he thinks he's getting one for Christmas now:-) It was a long weekend since I had a vacation day Friday that turned out to be a sick day with Justin anyways! He is definitely doing better now...we go in Thursday morning for a 7-day check up.

(yet another) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Happy Birthday to Jordan...he is 4-years old today!

We go in tomorrow for his 4-year check-up and then it's off to our first camping trip on Friday.

Jordan...the photographer???

The slideshow below is Jordan taking pictures of himself... As mentioned way earlier when I started writing in the blog; Jordan just loves the digital camera, but I actually think he loves himself more!!!:) There also some other pictures he took of his little brother too...

Justin's 9-month stats

Justin had his 9-month check up today and is growing like a weed AND developing ear infections like they're cool....yup, another one in his right ear; can't I catch a break:)

Ht. - 30 1/4" long (95th %)
Wt. - 19 lbs. 13 oz. (75th %)
HCM - 45cm

He seems to have 'spurted' since his 6-month check up...in comparison, at Jordan's 9-month check up, he was:

Ht. - 28 1/2" long
Wt. - 17 lbs. 15 oz. (75th %)
HCM - 44.5cm

I guess all goes to show, EITHER Jordan's got a big head or Justin's got a little head!!! I wonder how close in comparison they'll be at the 1-year check up...Philip and I are thinking that Justin will actually outpace Jordan and get bigger then him; I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

Random Tid Bits

We got invited to Philip's co-workers house for Thanksgiving...:) That means no cooking for Philip:) These are the same people from the BBQ we had at our house just a few weeks ago. They have a 4-year old daughter named Holly who Jordan just got along with so wonderfully! It'll be nice to get out of the house for a holiday & NOT have to travel to some other state for that meal!!! Jordan has already been asking about when he gets to see Holly again.

2-weeks from today our company is moving to downtown Bellevue which means I have to learn the transit system since I'll be riding the bus back and forth to work! It's great I'll be saving $ that would've normally been spent on gas, plus making $75 a month that the company is paying us not to park on site, but it means that I'll have to rely on someone else getting me where I need to be AND on time. I'll have use of a zip car at work if I need to run errands while at the office. This is a very nice added convenience IF I can sign up in advance of needing it...seems screwy! I'll have to let you all know how it goes and how I adjust after the first couple or so weeks.

After the class I'm in now is over in Dec., I'll be exactly 1/2 way through the MBA program...only 8 more classes to go:)

Philip winterized the trailer last week and we covered it on Saturday. It is now stored for the winter...we are looking forward to the spring time when we'll get to take it out and actually USE it!!! Philip IS going to Obama's inauguration in Jan09. He's already got everything reserved as he's going to do it with a trip to Hopkinsville, KY for work with a stop over in DC (Yes, it's actually cheaper doing this then flying directly to KY; don't ask me how). He's very excited, plus he gets to see our god-daughter Milixa in Quantico, VA. It's been years since we last saw her so this too will be exciting. I'll have to make sure to post some pics when he gets back.

Justin is working on popping through his top 2 teeth now...poor kid has gotten no relief from his teeth and won't for the next several months until they all pop out; and this too shall pass:) He got his 2nd part of his flu shot on Saturday and went to scream but it went so fast he actually forgot to cry:) Other then that, he's moving around like crazy and actually trying to pull himself up if you can believe that. I've got a picture of him from this weekend where he actually pulled himself up onto the 1st stair to reach Jordan's shoes on the 2nd step!

That's all for now!

It's SUPER Jordan!!!

Make sure you have the sound on...and try not to smile:)

http://www.makemesuper.com/r.php?i=9_ad145-080322-m-Jordan

Touch-A-Truck

On Saturday we all went to the Pierce County's 1st Annual Touch-A-Truck event. There were dozens of big trucks/vehicles that kids were able to climb on, honk horns, turn on lights, and sit in the drivers seat. Jordan had a ball and it helped that it was over 80 degrees and sunny (on a side note, it's still over 80 and sunny today). We were there when it opened at 10a and left at 11:30. The event went until 1p and I'm sure Jordan would've actually liked to have stayed that entire time! He had SO much fun...he was a little reluctant/shy when we first arrived but it sure didn't take long for him to get into the fun! Below is a slideshow of the fun Jordan did have.

It's a 'Great Poop Day' Charlie Brown!

Jordan FINALLY went poop on the toilet all on his own on Saturday! I never thought I'd be so excited to see poop in the toilet...I told him to go potty; he then yells out 'Mommy, I pooped'! Yeah!!! The excitement was short-lived however as he pooped on himself yesterday while we were down at the park...this potty training thing is sure a roller coaster ride! Oh well good news/bad news but progress is obviously being made. (Sorry if TMI)!

Change of plans!

We decided to go to NW Trek this coming Saturday instead since the weather is supposed to be sunny and close to 80 degrees, if not higher. It ended up not even being 70 degrees yesterday...well below the normal averages. The sun peeked here and there, but this coming weekend should definitely be better to be outside before the rain and fall/winter gets here.

I can't believe it...Justin is 5 months old today! Time sure does fly by...he is getting so big that facing backwards in his car seat now since he's not yet 20 pounds means his legs have to be bent since he's longer then the car seat. I think we are going to have to invest in a convertible car seat now that is bigger and reclines so that he'll have more room to stretch out until he can face forward. I think he'll be taking after Jordan in the really tall and really skinny department. Jordan's in 4T shirts but only 3T pants since he needs the 3T pants for the waist but the length is a little short, not quite high-water, like his 2T pants were! In fact, I just moved Jordan out of 2T pants because the length was just about at his knees...poor little guy looked 'silly'!

It's been 1 week...

Well it's now been one full week since Jordan has been in big boy underpants. He had a couple of accidents here and there, but all in all, he's been doing very good! Well, I should say I'm talking pee pee since poo poo is an entirely different story. For whatever reason, he's not inclined to poop on the potty as much as he is to poop in his underpants, come find me, and tell me to dump his poop into the potty so he can flush the toilet. I don't understand why he can't just sit on the potty and poop directly into it. I don't know why we have to go through this entire process for 'pooping'. This whole potty training thing is so strange to me, I DEFINITELY found it easier to potty train my two pugs when they were weeks old then training my 3 year old!!! Oh well, work in progress and we are definitely mastering the day pee potty training...I can only hope and be thankful for baby steps:)

We are going to Northwest Trek tomorrow for Labor Day since it is supposed to be the nicest of the three days this weekend. I'll have to post some pictures hopefully tomorrow and let you know how it all went. Jordan doesn't know yet, so it will be a great big happy surprise for him.

On a happy note, we are approximately one weekend away from having a completely remodeled 1/2 bath. Philip cut the white baseboard today so now they just have to be painted a white that matches our existing molding and installed. The final item to finish in the bathroom is the install of crown molding. I should have pictures of this real soon to post...

BIG BOY UNDERPANTS!!!

Yup, we did it...this weekend (well actually yesterday to be exact) we put Jordan in big boy underpants (he picked out the Hulk, Diego, and Spiderman). We figure it's 'do or die' and that like his friends in daycare that he'll take to going on the potty because he sees his other friends wearing them and going. He had one minor accident yesterday, but other then that he used the potty all day!!! And we even had a play date yesterday afternoon for about an hour and a half and he actually used their potty twice while we were over there...! I reminded him to go on the every 1/2 hour just until we get a system going and he starts going by himself without reminders:) Jordan's a "clean freak" and hates to be dirty so peeing on himself should hopefully do the trick to let him know that he doesn't like it and should go to the potty.

I'll let you all know how his first week at school (daycare) with his big boy underpants on went later this week.

Send us your 'good' potty vibes...