Dr Johns

A couple weeks ago Eleanor had her first real cleaning at the dentist. Eleanor has beautiful little white teeth and has always let me do the brushing for her. At her cleaning the hygienist mentioned a soft spot between the teeth and suggested an x-ray. A few days later the receptionist called to let us know the dentist reviewed the x-rays and unfortunately Eleanor needed FIVE fillings. Oh my heart sank. I felt like I failed her. I did her brushing and all the cavities were between her teeth with only flossing could have prevented. I think I flossed her teeth only once in her life.

So we called a pediatric dentist who uses nitrous (laughing gas) for doing fillings. I wanted her as comfortable as possible. She did wonderfully well. She wasn't scared, she didn't hesitate. She went off with the hygienist and came back happy when she was done. Three cavities filled and an appointment to do the others in a couple weeks.

Polaroid of Dr Johns and Eleanor

So now I'm thinking, if Eleanor has 5 cavities, Carolyn must have a mouthful. She's my sucker loving candy hound who is stubborn and rarely let's me help brush her teeth. So when I'm flossing her teeth I see black spots - one especially black and huge. Great, now I'm a double bad mom! So I call the dentist and ask if Carolyn came come too.

A few days ago, Carolyn saw doctor Hudson for a checkup. She wasn't very cooperative so I'm expecting the same today at the dentist. I'm imagining the dentist and hygienist prying open her mouth which she kicks and screams. But the dentist is so friendly and asked her if she would like to pick out a new toothbrush. She doesn't hesitate and walks over to get a Jesse from Toy Story toothbrush and a handful of stickers. She sees the big blue dentist chair and starts climbing in without being asked. She gets her picture taken and a ride in the chair. He counts her teeth and stops at the dreaded black spotted tooth. Then says it's hard and if it were a cavity it would be soft. It's just a stain and he was able to scrape most of it off. So she's cavity free!

Polaroid of Dr Johns with Carolyn

And while Carolyn was getting checked out, Eleanor scooted off to the other room, a veteran now, and had her other teeth filled. So she's cavity free as well! Shew! Now let's get flossing and throw out those darn suckers.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the best dad's in the world - my buddy and my husband!

Sunday Matt got the royal treatment with bacon pancakes with bacon syrup and a side of bacon. And a cup of coffee in his new annual Father's day picture mug! Then as much as we all wanted to relax and waste the day away, we couldn't. I worked in the garden then Matt and I pulled weeds. I packed a lunch for Matt and the girls to take to the park while Hank and I ran out for groceries.

For dinner we had Buddy, Jackie, Hanna and Emma over for grilled onion and bacon burgers with blue cheese and a corn and blueberry salad and a coffee ice cream cake for dessert. Delicious!

Love all you wonderful dads!

Breakfast with Eleanor
Carolyn at the park getting ready for the picnic
Eleanor at the park

Daddy and the kiddos on the swingset

Hanky Boy

Carolyn giving Hank a push

Carolyn getting a 'circle ride' from daddy on the tire swing

Dinner with the fam

Hank 3/4 of a Year!

Hank McGuffey Young Stats

29 3/4 inches long (70% percentile)
18 lb. 2 oz (15% percentile)

Skills
Waves
Says Mama and baba
Stands and tries walking with fingers
Squirms when being held
Rolling more and scooting a little
Says 'No' to binkies (doesn't really say no, just doesn't take them anymore)

Just after Hank turned 9 months, I slowed down on pumping and breastfeeding and he got his first taste of formula. He had a combo bottle and was a bit perplexed at first but is not getting used to it.

Hank is also all about waving. Just tell him, "Hank say bye-bye" and his arms start waving. If he already wasn't the cutest baby in the grocery store, look out now!

He's also getting more mobile - squirming when being held and scooting on his bottom and a little on his belly. He's also close to pulling himself up and loves holding hands and taking steps.

Fernwood Camp 2011

Eleanor went to her second year of Fernwood's nature camp this year. She learned about amphibians, birds, skunk cabbage and spiders along with many other great bits of nature knowledge. She came home with crafts and new games and even new friends.

On the first day we asked Eleanor if she talked to anyone. A scared no was her answer. Matt told her she should go up to some little girl and say, "Hi, I'm Eleanor" and that girl is probably afraid to talk too and then they can be friends. So on day two, Eleanor told Matt "Daddy, I did what you told me. I talk to a girl and we're friends!" "Great Eleanor, what's her name?" he asked. "Uh, I forgot." :) Well at the end of the week she did remember - Ellie. How can a Eleanor forget an Ellie?

Waiting for the end of camp award ceremony

Camp Completion Certificate!My Girl!

Next year Carolyn will be old enough for camp too. She sure was sad about not being big enough. She told me, "I am big Mom! I'm this big!" (hands stretched over head)

Revelation at the Young Residence

Revelation (rev·e·la·tion): a pleasant often enlightening surprise

Yes a revelation. We are succeeding in making changes during our bedtime routine. No it doesn't happen overnight and yes this probably sounds like a mini accomplishment to some. But we are pleased with our girls staying in bed at night. Since the girls share a room, they have always had a tough time winding down at night. But we got tough and they are coming around. We used to sit in the living room and see them wander out of their room five, six, seven, plus times a night sometimes. And more often than not when I'd wake them up in the morning their room would be a complete disaster with every imaginable toy strewn across the floor.

And with a good night's rest come nice sweet girls who sit at the table and eat dinner. This is not new for Eleanor. She always sits and eats with us. But Carolyn's attention span at the table lasted about 2 bites and 3 minutes. And now....wow, it's amazing. She'll sit and eat. I know not exactly climbing Mount Everest, but we'll take it!

Pokagon

A year and a half ago, in November of 2009, my IU girlfriends and I along with our families met at Pokagon State Park in Angola, IN for our somewhat annual get-together. The park is absolutely charming with it's beautiful big lodge, hiking trails, Lake James, playgrounds, indoor pool, and craft room. And it's conveniently located for all parties. So we made it our destination for this years' trip as well.

When we got there Saturday morning we set up camp by the beach. We found a great spot with plenty of shade and a picnic table right at the edge of the beach. The only thing we were missing was a grill. Luckily the guys were more than willing to take the brats and a cooler of beer to the nearest grill and make us lunch. And the while, the kids played...

Elliot and Carter

Brooks, Jen, Michelle and Kate

The Babies, a.k.a. Hank, Kate & Brooks

Eleanor

Leah - I don't think she came out of the water all day

Blaise - doing some serious work in the sand.

Me and Hank checking out the beach

Kate and Hank enjoying each others company

Lunch Time! Beer, brats and chocolate chip cookies. Oh, and cold hot dogs for the kids. Whoops.

Blaise and Jan

Jeremy spent a lot of time on the beach playing with the kids

Carolyn and Blaise were good buddies on the playground. Though Carolyn was not setting a good example when she would run down the slide.

Kelly and Peyton

Carter, Eleanor and Leah. The girls made quick friends.

Jen and Brooks

Jan and Kate

Cute little Elliot thinking about taking a nap

Carolyn

Matt and Hank

Hank finally crashed out on some towels for a little cat nap

But he didn't sleep for long. Here he is LOVING the indoor pool!

Hank, post bath

The girls, ready for dinner.

We ordered a couple pizzas and went down to the lounge area in the lodge. After we ate, we put the kids to bed and the adults met in the 'adult room', the extra room we shared just for this purpose. We chatted and laughed for a while. I also put together a scrumptious breakfast casserole in my illegal crockpot. That along with coffee, fruit and muffins from Jen and we had quite the feast!

After breakfast, Eleanor really wanted to go to the craft room. The girls picked out a couple sun catchers to paint.

The we went out for one last look at the lake and a couple pictures before hitting the road.

Carolyn in her lovely "pouty face" pose

I love these kids! We hope you three remember these wonderful family trips. I can guarantee this isn't the last time we'll see Pokagon or my IU girlfriends and families!

Memorial Day Weekend 2011

We didn't have major plans for the weekend. Just some ideas that we'd put into action depending on the weather. The forecast looked great but it ended up being a big disappointment. Saturday I did manage to get my garden in and Matt mowed most the lawn before the storm hit. Uncle Jonny came over to watch the kids while Matt took me to The Carriage House for our 6th anniversary. It was a fabulous dinner! We're still laughing that the house Merlot cost $16/glass - but hey, you only celebrate your 6th anniversary once right?


Sunday we had planned on going to the antique show in Allegan and then hanging out at the cottage for the day (possibly even stay all night). But they were now calling for showers so we cancelled that plan. But Matt had a great idea and put up a tire swing for the girls. We just noticed the perfect limb a couple weeks ago. We had a great tire swing in the willow tree at the cottage that the girls just loved. Unfortunately the willow had to be taken down and therefore the swing came down with it. But hopefully the girls love this one just as well.

Eleanor tried the swing first and cried. Carolyn tried next and of course cried. Maybe the tire swing wasn't such a wonderful idea.
But they got over their fear and seem to enjoy it now.
The we all took a walk downtown for some window shopping and a trip to the hardware store.

We stopped at the hardware store for a new American flag. Fitting for the Memorial Day holiday since our old flag became tattered and needed to be taken down.

The hardware store is known to Carolyn and "Puppy Popcorn". She yells it daily as we drive past. Reason being, free popcorn and a dog named Henry.

The girls and Henry

Checking out the bird. Going to the hardware store is almost as cool as the zoo.

The kids playing Barbies - busted Hank!

Monday we finally saw the sun shine. So we walked downtown and watched the parade.

Hank was passed out by the time we got to Front Street

But the girls were excited

We saw our favorite babysitter, Nash, aka Miss Congeniality

And the hot rods went past and got Hank's attention

Candy!

After the parade we loaded up and went to Warren Dunes for a couple hours. The water was frigid but the slight breeze made it a great day to relax and play in the sand.

Hank in his beach tent

Mama and her sailor boy

Matt and the girls got crazy and went in the water