Well-child checkups

Just got home from the kids' well-child checkups. Good grief! Orion is 31 lbs and 34 inches. He's in the 93rd percentile on weight and 87th percentile on height. The dr said that he's in the 50th percentile for a 3 YEAR OLD!! JEESH! Jasmine is tiny at 10 lb 6 oz (12th percentile), 22 inches long (8th percentile). BUT both kiddos checked out very healthy and he's not concerned about her percentiles because she's still growing on a curve even if it's a slight one. The doctor said she's very healthy and looks great. She even smiled at him! She's gonna be a petite kiddo. The doctor was happy that both are still breastfeeding. He did refer Orion to the eye doctor for his weepy eye though. He suspects a blocked duct.

The kids were definitely not happy about their shots. We opted out of the rotavirus, chicken pox, H1N1, and influenza vaccines.

Just a few things....like portraits

I took it upon myself to finally take some "professional" pictures of little Jasmine. It is her first set, and I am actually pretty pleased with how they turned out. Just click the picture to see the full thing.















I am contemplating creating a blog for my cooking. I have really started to obsess over what I can create, how things turn out, and the fact that I make most of our meals from scratch (or nearly from) instead of out of a box.

Gabriel helped me make dinner tonight. I had to cook the meat and rice up ahead of time so while they did so, he helped mix together the rest of the ingredients to make tomato chicken gumbo. He was so excited. I want to make sure this young man knows how to cook as he gets older.


I have to show off this picture because it gives me the eerie feeling that I'm going to see this look a lot...especially when she is trying to order her brothers around.


And I can't neglect the very sleepy picture of a little boy who reeeeally wanted to go outside.

Dominic's birthday, and no more swine flu

Dominic turned 5 on October 1st. It's hard to believe when I first met him he was 2 1/2.


4th of July 2007

And with Jerry and Gabriel:



Now for pictures from his birthday party last week:

This is the face of a 5 year old we just (jokingly) told that the presents were actually for Orion. We're so mean, I know.



And then the look when we told him to go ahead and open them, we were just kidding


It's a Didj!! (the thing is actually pretty neat)




Blowing out the candle on his VERY yummy cake!






When we pulled the cake out Orion got so excited he ran and got his own spoon before we got around to it. The boy is a total chocolate kid!




Speaking of Orion, he agrees with Jerry, who stated the other day that the popcorn maker my parents got him last year for Christmas is the second best gift we've ever gotten.....right behind the crockpot they gave me. We use both all the time, and Orion knows what the sound of the popcorn maker means and will drop EVERYTHING (literally, no joke) and run into the kitchen when he hears it.



I am sorely disappointed in the lack of good (or even decent) fall decorations at the dollar store this year. I was looking forward to maybe actually decorating for a season. I have a horrible eye for decorating though, so it might just be me. I think the only thing I'm halfway good at is Christmas decorating, and that's just because I can throw whatever wherever and it'll still look at least okay.

Gabriel is now just about over swine flu...today was his first day back to school and when we walked in this morning the entire classroom erupted into greetings and "Gabriel's back!! Yay!" He must be really popular. He was grinning ear to ear and excited to be there, and the teachers told me when I returned to pick him up that he had a perfect day with no tantrums and no trouble. Hopefully he'll have another great day tomorrow. Wednesday starts his fall break, which lasts through the weekend.

Halloween is coming...and the sickies are here

Gabriel has been bestowed with H1N1...and it has been a hard few days. He runs a 102-103 temp and coughs a lot...his throat hurts so badly that he often cries when he coughs. His doctor is so overwhelmed with patients that we were referred to their networked urgent care. Orion also turns out to have pink eye. I have my fingers crossed and my wood ready that my husband and I will continue to stay healthy through their recoveries. My hands are dry and hurt from my obsessive hand washing while treating the boys.

I have begun treatment of Orion's eyes with breast milk...I'd rather do that than give him antibiotics so we will see how that goes. Everything I have read about it sings its praises as a topical "antibiotic." So far I've actually seen the redness ease up a little in his eyes....two treatments later.

My husband has officially started the cleaning business he's apparently wanted to start since high school. His mom is our employee. She did our first job today and apparently they were extremely pleased and will stay recurring bi-weekly customers. They also mentioned referring us to some relatives. I hope this really takes off!! His mother does the cleaning, my husband does the administrative side (and believe you me...even the administrative side has turned out to be a LOT of work!!), and I do the cleaner mixing/recipes. We are specializing in all-natural cleaners made in-house so I have been learning a lot about how to make different things like general cleaners, wood polishes, and air fresheners. My husband has been officially (and finally) sold on the cleaning power of vinegar.

Gabriel on his first day of school. He has grown up so fast!!

 

Orion is getting big way too fast as well. He's 18 months now, and weighs 5 lbs less than Gabriel. Wow!

 

I love Jasmine's smile!

The day is coming

The summer is drawing to a close, and the boys start back to school in 3 weeks. It's hard to believe it's already time to start "school supplies/clothes shopping." Dominic and Gabriel enter preschool. I was going to homeschool Gabriel but with the new baby coming and having an almost 16 month old, I decided it would be wise to just send him to preschool and cherish the "break." I will pick up with homeschooling either in kindergarten or first grade.

Speaking of the baby, she will be here any day now!! I will be 37 weeks along in two days, and yesterday landed myself in such excruciating pain that I could barely walk. The doctor had me come in and she's dropped and was putting pressure on my cerclage so it has been removed. I can walk again today, although I'm still in a decent amount of pain.

Dominic had surgery to remove the tumor over his spine. The surgeon said it was bigger inside and closer to the spine than he anticipated so he had to remove more tissue. But he was happy with the results. There were some spots on the tumor he was worried about so he had it sent for biopsy. We are still awaiting the results.

Orion signed "more" today!! I am particularly excited about that because I'm trying to incorporate more signing into our home life.


ENJOY THE PICTURES!! (click to enlarge)

Me at 36 weeks

Orion sporting his teething necklace and cloth diapers




Gabriel, who turns 4 in 2 days!!




Christian (9) and Orion (1)




My little mischief maker

Welcome, Summer!

The boys are officially out of school for the summer. We are currently dealing with two broken down vehicles, the van AND the new car. BUT good news is the pool is cleaned out, sanitized, and ready to go. So while the kids and I are stranded at home we can go play in the water. :)

Baby Jasmine seems to be doing well. I get another ultrasound in two weeks to record her growth rate.

Gabriel and Dominic were excited this week to trade in their toddler beds for twin sized captain's beds. The old toddler beds will go to Orion and Jasmine. In fact, Orion is asleep in his right now...his first night in a toddler bed. We'll see how it goes.

Our love to everyone!! Pictures coming soon.

Note to those coming into town this month for Ryan's wedding: We definitely want to see you all!! Please send me an email at trinity2883@hotmail.com and let me know your traveling and visiting plans!!

It's raining, it's pouring

We are working on almost a month straight of rain with a couple days here and there that spare us. What fun!

I am recovering from some kind of stomach bug and hoping no one else in my family gets it too. So far so good (knock on wood).

I am working on putting together units for homeschooling...check out my blog Better Academy of Learning for more on our progress with this.

Jasmine has been moving a LOT these days. So has Orion...getting into everything. The tantrums have begun. Ahh gotta love the terrible 1's.

Jerry is really liking his new job and I am loving having him home every night and weekend. I feel like we are a normal family again!!