How Traumatic

A couple of months ago, Jade came home from school with a wound on the end of her thumb. Over the next couple of weeks I became increasingly frustrated. Every time it wasn't bandaged and she'd bump it, it would bleed like nothing I'd ever seen. I got pretty tired of cleaning blood off of her clothes, the furniture, carpet, etc. (Hydrogen Peroxide works great for cleaning out blood by the way:) I kept watching it, and trying to be dilligent about keeping it clean and bandaged with antibiotic ointment, but it never got better. In fact, it started to grow into this painful bump. It looked like a blood blister of sorts... with many chambers, so I tried to let some of the blood out, thinking it would deflate some. It didn't. So, I finally gave in and took her to a doctor. He sent us to Primary Chidren's Dermatology Clinic. They took one look and quickly diagnosed it as a pyogenic granuloma. Apparently they are fairly common. Which is strange, since every person I've talked to or who has seen it has been baffled. I felt pretty crummy for waiting as long as I had to get it taken care of. By the time we went to have it removed it was causing her a lot of discomfort. She didn't want anyone touching it. Knowing what it was like to talk her into a flu shot, I left Logan and Aeris home with my mom so I could give her my undivided attention. Thank goodness I had planned for it to be traumatic. She fought so hard against the nurse as she tried to apply some numbing cream that when it came time for the actual procedure they brought in three doctors, a nurse, and a child therapist (whose job was to offer distractions). In the end, I had my arms wrapped completely around her upper body and got her talking about Aeris and blowing bubbles (a GREAT idea since she couldn't blow AND scream at the same time). Jade, who I have tried so hard to teach good manners, told the doctor in very clear vocabulary just how much she hated her and how she was NEVER EVER coming back again!

Toothless

This is one of the truly magical moments of childhood... losing those two front teeth. For now, Jade is only missing one of her front teeth, but the other one is sure to follow. Nate pulled it out because I can't stand trying to talk her out of wincing and whining when she's the one who asked to have it pulled.

Another update... guess who's sucking her thumb?! Since Logan is STILL sucking his thumb, I swore I'd never have another thumb sucker. The thing is, it's actually kind-of nice. When she's getting hungry she'll attack her fingers with a vengeance until she finds her thumb and then stays content until I'm available to feed her. This was quite helpful this week when my choir practice went 30 minutes past when I thought it would end and 45 minutes past the 3 hour mark. She'll still take a binky. Logan never would, although I kept trying.

Horsing Around

Jade and Logan were in heaven riding a REAL horse on Sunday afternoon. Jade loves all animals, but especially the REAL ones! This horse, named Jess, belongs to a piano student of mine. Her dad very generously allowed us to come over to visit the horses, including a four month old colt, and to ride. I even took a turn, much to Aeris's dislike.

Makin' Brew

We attended the annual family Halloween Party on Saturday night. Our kids have been looking forward to it for weeks! They are always so excited to make witches' brew in a big pot. Jade even dressed up as a witch this year, so she felt extra important stirring "HER" brew. I overheard her say more than once that since she was the witch she was the boss of the brew. Unfortunately, the night wasn't all smiles and laughter. When Jade bumped her front tooth (which was already loose) and it started to bleed, the world just about came to an end. We can't wait until she's missing both her front teeth just in time to sing about wanting them back for Christmas. Ahhh childhood.

Your Own Celebrity Collage

If you want one of those really fun... sometimes really FUNNY celebrity collages, just click on the link at the bottom of Nate's collage... where it says "want one too?" It will direct you. I can't wait to hear about (and see on your blog if you have one) your results!

Two Months!

I took Aeris in for her 2 month check-up today. She's a very healthy growing girl. She weighed in at 11 lbs. 6 oz., the 75th percentile. She is 24 in. long, the 96th percentile! I guess she might be taking after Dad... at least for now. She had five immunizations, which she didn't respond well to at all. Thank goodness for Tylenol (and a neighbor who was willing to run get some for me!). She smiles a TON and has quite the little personality. She loves music and to be talked to. She has no trouble telling me when she wants something, and gets it right away of course. You can't ever spoil a baby right?

Katie Couric... Who Would've thought?!

Jade's Birthday

Jade turned seven on Thursday the 27th. She was off track, so we had the whole day to spend doing whatever she wanted. She rode her new scooter to Logan's preschool to drop him off, then wanted to go on another walk. Then she and I and Aeris went to the library, the Dollar store (to pick up supplies for her birthday party), and the grocery store. After picking up Logan, we met Dad for lunch. We had planned on going to the Mayan. It's been a long time since we've been there. She and Logan would have been facinated with all the animals and exciting atmosphere. Unfortunately the Mayan is only open at dinnertime. Instead of loading three kids back into the van, we chose another restaurant in the area... Spaghetti Mamas. Our kids love Italian food so it was great. We pretty much avoid taking our kids out to eat these days because they can be a little crazy, but they were wonderful! Of course it helped that the server kept our table stocked with fresh breadsticks. Jade was thrilled with her very own giant piece of chocolate cake and two huge scoops of ice cream. We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with friends outside.

On Saturday we held a makeover party for her friends. We painted their fingernails and toenails with a polish of their choice and flower and rhinestone decals. Then we put their hair up and sprayed it with glitter. We finished the look with lip gloss and body glitter. We played a balloon popping game and a dress-up game. The cake was made courtesy of my mother. We were all so surprised to find she had even hidden money inside the cake... continuing a tradition I remember from my own childhood. This is the first year I haven't planned her party outside. It's a good thing too, since we had our first snow storm that day! It was a fabulous party... my favorite so far. A GIGANTIC thank you to my Mom and Dad and Michelle Taylor for all your help!