Destroying Borders Bookstore....

I'm trying to figure out both my camera and this website, so I'm a bit behind on posting. I am currently attempting to upload a video..hope it works.

It's a pony...tail

Ok, I may be pushing things a bit, but Cate finally has enough hair (well, three or four hairs) to put into a cute ponytail on top of her head! And...I'm hoping it wasn't just a fluke, but it seems that she doesn't have a very sensitive head, which is good for future hair-do's. Her boys think this is hilarious!!

Spaghetti Gone Wrong...

Delish!

X-Rays, Bloodwork, and Shots..OH MY!

It goes without saying, that with four kids, we are bound to spend a lot of time (and money) at the doctor's office, emergency rooms, and pharmacies. So far, we've racked up a pretty impressive list of issues....three sets of stitches, three dislocated elbows, three cases of mono, two broken fingers, four sets of ear tubes, six cases of strep, and countless ear infections, black eyes, and bruises. Our pediatrician's staff knows us by name and most even recognize us if they see us at the store, restaurants, etc. I cringe every time I see our Dr. arrive at his office in his spiffy car, knowing I helped pay for the damn thing.

2009 has been a little rough so far. On January 2, Cate had ear tubes put in...again. Followed that up with two more ear infections. Late January, I took Brady to Ander.son Express to evaluate his cough, but it turned out to be strep. Bennett was tested the next day and tested positive as well. Cate had to have her 1yr Dr. appt postponed twice due to being sick...they won't vaccinate if she's sick. Finally, three weeks after her first birthday, they were able to give her all four shots..she just loved this. After talking with the doctor about her back to back to back infections and weight loss, he thought it would be a good idea to run tests through blood work...yuck. Scott and I took her to Q.uest to get her blood drawn..double yuck. She had to get four tubes of blood drawn and she was not too happy about it...but I think Scott was more traumatized than anyone. Next up.... Brady was still suffering from the same cough since January 21, so his Dr. ordered chest x-rays. Another first for us. I took him to the hospital to have the "pictures" taken. As we were walking through the hospital, he asked me who was behind every patient door and why they were in the hospital. After hearing my answer "I don't know" for the hundredth time, he said "When I get big, I'm going to be a doctor so I know what's going on behind those doors!!!"....I was relieved because just the day before he told me when he gets bigger he wants to be a "passier." Say what?? "You know mom, someone that passes out stickers at basketball and football games" Scott and I agreed, a doctor seems like the better (more lucrative) profession. After three days, Dr. W called to say that Cate's blood work came back negative, except for slightly abnormal numbers for her mono test. I can live with mono. Brady's x-rays came back negative as well and they prescribed him a strong antibiotic and a cough syrup to use as needed. Both, Cate and Brady are feeling much better and we're all looking forward to warmer weather. Oh, and I can't forget Bennett's injury. Ben never gets hurt and rarely gets sick. I assume it's because he is a loner and would rather lock himself in the basement with his video games than hangout with Carter and Brady. Anyway, last weekend, he was in the midst of a tantrum (shocking, I know) when he slammed his finger in the front door. Ouch! His overly dramatic display of agony was very impressive...oscar worthy perhaps...and made me very thankful that this has been his worst injury to date. After the tears subsided (two hours at least) he declared that he most definitely would not be better for school on Monday and he was doubtful he would be ready by the start of baseball season (May 2). By that night, he would only complain about the pain when the finger happened to catch his attention and he remembered that he was hurt :-)

Even with as much time as we spend in the Dr's office, Scott and I are both very aware of how lucky we are that all of our medical issues have been minor compared to what some parents go through and we're thankful for our (mostly) healthy kids.


Of course, being the obsessive picture taker that I am, I always have my camera with me, and never miss a chance to take pictures of the injuries and procedures.


Brady's first set of stitches (ran into the wall in the basement*FYI, I was not home at the time)...Scott holding numbing medicine on the cut before they stitched it. Brady did great and watched the doc stitch him up!

Showing off his war wound to his brothers and neighbor kids....everyone was very impressed!

Brady's second set of stitches (hit the edge of Cate's dresser*again, I was not home)...this time they put the numbing medicine on while we were in the waiting room (for six hours) notice the scar from his first set of stitches


Carter in the E.R. with broken fingers. First day of middle school. He was trying to balance himself between two desks and one gave way and crushed his fingers when he fell. X-ray confirms both fingers are broken. They put them in splints and he was back on the soccer field by the weekend.

Cate before her surgery. January 2, 2009. She looked so little in that hospital gown :(

Brady at An.derson Ex.press Care waiting for his strep test...he's always smilin'..even when he feels terrible!

Cate showing off her band-aid after getting blood drawn.

Brady getting one of two chest x-rays taken

And lastly, Bennett's finger. We're very happy it wasn't his middle finger!!

The Witching Hours

With the changing of seasons comes the changing of what we like to call "the witching hours". During the cold, depressing months, T.W.H. (as Scott often refers to them as) occur between 6pm-8pm. Dinners over, not quite bedtime...kids are pretty much out of control and by 9:00, Scott and I are exhausted. However, once the weather changes, so do T.W.H.. Currently, it's more like 3pm til whenever Scott gets home from softball practice. Approx. 5:30ish. This is the time that I'm home alone with not just our four kids, but at least three that aren't mine. For some reason, our house is the party house for the neighborhood kids. I used to think that was a great idea because I would be able to see what's going on, but I no longer feel that way. Our fridge is raided and the trash left all over the yard/garage....dogs are going crazy....phone usually rings non-stop...it's chaos at it's finest. In and out of the house, doors slamming, and if Cate's trying to sleep, well...that's just not possible. This week we've seen some pretty nice weather. It was a complete shock to my system. Thursday after school was ugly. When Adriane came to pick up the twins at 4:30, she actually looked scared. There were what seemed like a ton of kids over...they were running all over the front yard, screaming and carrying on like they had spent the last four months locked up in pens (which isn't that bad of an idea..something to think about for next winter). Sorry Adie...but your time is coming!!!

Carter, Clatyon, Bennett, Maris, Cate, and Brady...my "usual crowd"

Today, I thought I'd be more prepared .... but Cate, Brady, and I played outside all morning and early afternoon, so by the time the crowd arrived, I was tired and a bit overwhelmed to say the least. Finally, I ordered everyone to the backyard, grabbed a cushion and chair, a cold pepsi, my camera and actually tried to enjoy the madness. Here are some pictures from the last few days....

Cate loves riding with Brady..he's such a great big brother!

She follows him around wherever he goes....(notice his work gloves..he rarely takes them off)

Bennett decided one day last spring that he was going to ride his bike without training wheels. Scott took them off and away he went. He refuses to try anything new until he knows for sure he can do it and this was no exception!

Cate's favorite way to travel


Carter's a climber..freaks me out..he has no fear and actually swings between branches.

Cate loves to swing. We've put a lot of miles on this poor seat..it's been through three kids.


And jump on the trampoline........ (I love this picture!)


Cate's newest thing is to stick her arm out, lean her head against her shoulder, and say "eh" (very pitiful). This immediately sends one of her brothers running to her side to get her whatever she wants (they're ruining her).



but it works...

Well, I guess I figured out how to upload photos....gold star for me. It's almost 10:30 and way past my bedtime. I will end with one more picture...very appropriate for such a long day!

Here Goes Nothing.....

I am finally blogging...yeah me. I set this up a very long time ago, figured out the formatting, added the picture, etc...just never found the inspiration/desire to actually write something. Well, today, all that changes! I generally send out emails updating our friends and family with our latest news, illnesses, schedule, and pictures, but I think this will be an even easier way for those interested to keep up with our family.

Having four kids is no joke, and our lives are often a blur, so I thought it would be a good idea to create an online diary...something we can look back on one day and appreciate all we've been through! I think the blog title is perfect. If I had one dollar for every time someone has said that to me, I'd be a bizillionaire! And the picture is classic Smallie style...nothing normal about these kids ;-) I hope to find time to update often and even add pictures when I figure out how that works!

Enjoy!!