Oh, see how they've grown

One of S's friends has a picture of herself at the beginning of kindergarten, then as a 5th grader.

I thought it was a fun idea, so I put together a little comparison for S, then did M & B at the same time.

Funny how they all seem to hold their hands the same way as they did 5 years earlier.

Teeth

She finally lost her tooth (2 weeks after the permanent tooth started to come in).

Ribs & Corn

So, he's 7 months old now. We thought he was old enough to eat ribs and corn.

March & April 2011

March 2011

Brooklyn started spring soccer. She is on a team with a couple of her friends and is really liking it so far. Brooklyn also started a Kindergarten Enrichment class and I have been working on a program with her so she can learn to read. I’ve been disappointed in her progress in Kindergarten so far. She has been learning Spanish fine, but is really lagging behind with her reading and writing skills.

I have been seeing a neuro-chiropractor several times a week for therapy and had some tests done. So far it’s taken a lot of time (and McKenzie has had to babysit for me) and I haven’t noticed much progress. All he’s been able to tell me so far is that I may be gluten intolerant and hypoglycemic. I also went to see a neurologist at Rush University. He thinks maybe I had a vestibular neuritis episode 2½ years ago and I just haven’t fully recovered. He had me do a repeat MRI and prescribed balance therapy.

I went to the funerals for my Aunt Cindy Biesemeyer and my Grandma Biesemeyer the second weekend of March. It was nice to be around family and be there to support my mother, grandfather, uncle, and cousins. I took Jackson with me and he did pretty well on the trip.

McKenzie turned 14 on the 16th. She had a small party the following weekend with some friends from school.

I went to Parent Teacher Conferences for Samantha and Brooklyn in March. They are both doing well.

I had a root canal on a tooth with a deep cavity that had been bothering me for some time. The procedure was tolerable but long.

April 2011

It’s been a pretty rainy month and so several of Brooklyn’s soccer games and practices were cancelled. Brooklyn loves going to the dentist. She really looks forward to it and does a great job while there. The hygienist says she is her best patient. Brooke even likes getting the foam flouride (with the mouthpiece). Brooke says that she wants to be a dentist (or dental hygienist) when she grows up.

McKenzie was busy all month practicing for the junior high musical, Beauty and the Beast. She was a narrator in one of the casts and a villager in both casts. She had 4 performances last week and she did a great job.

Jackson turned 6 months and was 16 lbs 5 oz (35th percentile) and 27 inches (75th percentile) at his appointment. He’s been pretty rashy - head, face, arms, hands, back, shoulders, and legs. The doctor said he has sensitive skin and recommended certain soaps and lotions to use. The rashes have improved quite a bit.

JJ's hair

Mom thinks I need a haircut.

I think I look like a rockstar.

February 2011

We started the month with a big snowstorm. It ended up being around 22 inches. The kids had 2 days off school and the first day was spent digging out (Kevin was home too).

At B's 6 year appointment she was 43 lbs (50th percentile) and 3 feet 10.5 inches tall (75th percentile). B had a birthday party (that she mostly planned) with 14 of her friends at our house. I had M and S and three of their friends help out. It was crazy, but I think everyone had fun.

B even invited her friend Luke....she talks about him all the time (has had a couple playdates) and has even drawn of picture of them getting married.

M tried out for and got a part in the junior high spring musical, Beauty and the Beast. She has been keeping busy with band, chorus, and Young Women’s basketball. Oh, and went to the 8th Grade Dance with her friend Deepika.

At J’s 4 month appointment he was 13 lbs 12.5 oz (30th percentile) and 26 inches long (90th percentile). He finally started taking a bottle again, so I give him 2 oz of formula a day. He has been smiling and laughing a lot, but is still quite demanding. He doesn’t nap well, still wakes up several times at night, and cries when he isn’t being held or getting someone’s full attention.

Babies

Here are the babies born in our ward in 2010, all within a 7 week period, in order of age.

January 2011

JJ's blessing

Captiva Island, Florida

Watching the dolphins swim just outside our room.

Happy Boy

Too sad!

I think it's a laugh

2010 Update

October 2010

Had some gutter toppers installed. Got tired of cleaning the leaves out of the gutters (K). Got tired of watching K almost fall off the roof (T).

Helped with Activity Days activities. 15 girls can be pretty crazy.

S & B finished up their soccer season.

Volunteered in B’s class. Fun to see her Spanish teacher in action

Went to the Mom’s & Tot’s flashlight hike (pizza & hike in the dark around the golf course).

K & M went fishing at the forest preserve. Not much luck.

Attended Parent Teacher Conferences. All girls doing well.

Had J. 6 hour labor, too long pushing.

Cary came on the 30th to help out.

Halloween, but no trick-or-treating.

November 2010

Diane came to help out for about 10 days. So glad for help.

S got her braces and expander off. Got a retainer. Broke her retainer.

S went to Outdoor Ed (overnight) with the 5th Graders.

B & S were in the Primary Program. J & I went to watch.

Thrush infection....won’t go away.

December 2010

B’s last ballet class. B loves her Girl Scout troop. B also loves having playdates.

S’s new retainer will cost $175. That equals a lot of chores.

S was in her 5th Grade Musical “Joust” and played a French lady with a small speaking part.

Santa visited our house.

Christmas. Quiet and white. The girls woke up around 3am, played with their stuff for a little while (S for a couple hours), then went back to bed. K, J & I slept in to around 7am. Then breakfast and opening presents.

New Years Eve. M went to a party with some of the Young Women, J and I went to bed around 9:30pm, the rest stayed up watching movies.

The end of 2010.

Before & After