Month: April 2014

There’s a ghost in my house!?!

Amber had the great idea of arranging a “boys’ day out” for the big kids. I had a doctor’s appointment at 8 am so Alex started the day really early at Amber’s house for breakfast. Then I joined the Strouds and Kubickis at Discovery World.

Then we took the boys to lunch at the Safe House. I had never been and when Amber suggested it, I was as excited as the boys! Thankfully Nick joined us for lunch and helped the boys explore the restaurant and look for all the “secrets.”

My boys weren’t very excited to have their picture taken before we headed to school on this rainy day, but they’re kind of used to it by now.

Since when does my cat lounge on the dining room table?

Amber and Nicki threw me a combined Sprinkle/Goodbye Luncheon. There were yummy desserts by Rachel, my favorite Mexican rice from Habeneros (for the nacho bar), sweet baby girl presents, my signature cheese dip as a parting gift, and some of my favorite girls!

The majority of Teague’s conversations revolve around two things – New Red Car and Old Red Car. He always wants to talk about where they are and when he can ride them. Today New Red Car finally ran out of battery so Old Red Car got even more love than normal – by everyone! Getting the trailer attachment was one of the best things we did.

I got the most wonderful, unexpected birthday present this year. Judy and Jerry sent a chalk drawing of the boys that a family relative had done from a picture. It’s amazing! I can’t wait to get to our new house and have it framed and hung on the wall!

I took “red car” to Memphis for the boys in March and hear they had a great time cruising the driveway. We’ve only gotten it out in Milwaukee the last few days. I love the vintage sticker Jerry evidently added to the back of the car. Walter Burch was Wade’s granddad (and one of the reasons he so desperately wanted to name the baby Walter if it was a boy) and this is a sticker back from his days of owning a business.

I love my husband, but one of his quirks is not being great with details. I met him in college when he regularly lost his wallet/coat/etc. Over the years (and especially the numerous business trips) he has become much better at keeping track of most things. (We’ll ignore the perfect opportunity to mention the numerous wedding rings.) When I was unpacking Teague’s bag from Boston, I couldn’t find Teague’s blanket. I asked Wade and he immediately suggested it was left at the hotel. He called to ask and they told him quite a few items were left. Wade started to argue and they were fairly adamant. We received the box today and inside I found a pair of jeans, undershirt, Teague’s favorite car shirt, blue blanket, a sippy cup, socks, and two pairs of underwear.

I knew the awesome weather couldn’t last, but it was still warm enough today to go without coats at the zoo. We met up with friends and made the kids walk a bit before finally riding the train.

I’m not sure we could have fit many more activities into the day. For the second time in 35 years, my birthday fell on Easter Sunday. The boys woke up to Easter baskets. Alex was so excited for his chocolate bunny and Teague loved his new red race car and sunglasses.

Then it was church, lunch, and naps for all. I had attempted the prep work for a craft (see here) but of the four eggs only one was paintable. I let Alex paint while Teague finished up his nap.

Then it was time for birthday celebrations! The boys loved sharing my big cookie and helping me open presents.

They day was pretty amazing so we spent the rest of the afternoon playing outside!

We had our annual neighborhood Easter brunch and egg hunt today. Amber and Nicki arranged to have good-bye Milwaukee t-shirts made for all the kids. I believe this is the first time we have ever dressed all six kids alike.

The Dads did the hiding while we did the pictures. The kids couldn’t wait to get outside and gather up some eggs. Then they had to check out their loot before running around wild before naps were finally enforced.

I knew Tabit likes to sleep in the kitchen window seat. Normally I only have a few items on the seat – a purse and maybe an item to return. The last few days I’ve accumulated a large pile. I really appreciate that Tabit didn’t let that stop her from taking her nap in her desired location.

I tried to get Wade to tell me how much difference he saw in Teague’s eyes. I couldn’t get a good answer from him. We knew the goal was to raise the eyelid 1-2 mm above the pupil but that didn’t give me a good visual. When I finally compared before and after pictures I was amazed. You can see his beautiful eyes!

Teague also had a follow up with Dr. Hunter, his ophthalmologist. We had been concerned that Teague’s left eye sometimes appears to “drift” and his right appears more turned towards his nose. Dr. Hunter explained that in Asian children you rarely see white between the eye and the nose until they are older and their nasal passages thin. What we were noticing was actually the left eye too far outwards. Dr. Hunter is suggesting a second eye surgery but seems confident he can move the left eye into the proper place. Sadly Teague will need to continue wearing his eye patch one hour a day until then. Due to our move and the baby, we are assuming we won’t be able to schedule the surgery before this fall, but we definitely hope to have it done this year.

I am always amazed that the numerous surgeries and doctor visits don’t seem to phase Teague at all. If you ask him about his previous trip to Boston all that he talks about is the “blue car” (we let him pick our rental car) and the chair in Dr. Hunter’s office that moves up and down. This time he knew he was going on a plane with Daddy and was once again asking for a “blue car” and a parking deck (not sure why on this one). Wade was only too happy to let Teague pick the car and of course it was blue.

I had a list of projects, phone calls, and errands I hoped to accomplish while the boys were gone. Obviously Madison and Tabit did not feel the need to change the routine and took an afternoon nap without me.

Wade was great about sending pictures throughout the morning. Teague was evidently a happy boy (except when asked to wear the hospital socks – that was a big NO).

This surgery was being done by Dr. Elliott, a pediatric plastic surgeon. She has done numerous ptosis surgeries and thought Teague would do great. The anesthesiologist was fantastic and really listened to Wade on how Teague wakes up (pretty much in an uncontrollable rage).
The nurses called Wade back as soon as possible and Teague handled this “waking up” better than ever before (but not without some major screaming). Wade got him calmed down and dressed. Then Teague pretty much just wanted to sleep the rest of the day. Dr. Elliott patched one eye and that has to remain in place till his follow up on Wednesday.

Both boys have spring break this week, but nobody is staying in Milwaukee. I am driving Alex to meet my Mom and he’s going to spend most of the week with her. I am also dropping Wade and Teague at the airport for a trip to Boston. It’s time for Teague’s eyelid surgery. Wade offered to take Teague alone and I took him up on it. Flying without my medicine once (in November) wasn’t horrible but I was really dreading having to do it again. This surgery is much more routine and the overall trip is shorter.
I tried to get Wade to take the “good” camera and he wasn’t interested. I must have had a pitiful enough face that he promised to “document” the trip with lots of pictures. Imagine my surprise when he actually sent a picture just a few hours after I dropped him off.