Mac's 5 year well child appt

No, I didn't just forget to do a post on his well child appointment: his appointment was actually on Wed...almost two months after his birthday! I've NEVER waited that long before, but I waited to figure out a few things in our schedule and with summer, our doctor was booked (for the record, I did call before his birthday!). Oh, well. He's healthy overall, so there wasn't a pressing issue or need.

Anyway, Jim, Mac and I went to his five year well child appointment on Wed. And let me tell you five is WAY better than four or three. Man, in the past, I've left his appointment sweating because of his horrible behavior. For this one, he was a rock star. He was quiet when he should be, he answered when asked questions, he followed instructions when given, and was his usually silly "Mac" self...I mean, it was wonderful, but I think I used up all my "bad doctor visits" in the past!

Oh top of that, he is doing super well and the doctor had good things to say about him and his health. So, here are his stats as of 9/11/19:

Height: 46.5", which is 97 % (42.75" which is 93% last year)
Weight: 54 lbs, which is 97% (46 lbs which is 97% last year)
BP: 90/56
BMI: 18, which is 93% (94% last year)

So he's big! LOL, we already knew that. But you read that right: he grew almost FOUR INCHES in one year! No wonder he comments about aches and pains a lot and wants to eat constantly. Sheesh. He's hoping for 48" so he can ride on "all the rides." I don't know where he thinks we are going where there are rides, but he's excited for that milestone.

And at least he's consistent: 97 percentile for height and weight! He has thinned out so much this year probably because he's only gained 8 pounds but 4 inches. Up not out.

We talked about a few things. She gave me the number for the surgeon to do his hernia surgery. I had fully planned to do it LAST year but just never made scheduling it a priority. We talked to Jim's cousin, Dave, this summer when we visited, who is a surgeon, and he said to fix it sooner rather than later. Not having the surgery doesn't put Mac at a huge risk for problems or anything but he will be put under for it. However, the actual surgery is very minor (Dave said he could have done it while we were visiting if he'd had the right stuff!!). And not fixing it can lead to some major complications later in life. Okay, okay...I'll do it!

We talked about Mac's articulation again, and she strongly recommended getting him retested at the school as the next first step. Even though he didn't qualify last year, doesn't mean he won't this year because the threshold changes as they get older. So, I need to talk to his preschool teacher about it. I was hoping to just do a few private speech therapy sessions, but if he qualifies through the school, it would be free AND done during preschool which would be super easy.

We mentioned how severe his reaction to mosquito bites was and she said there just isn't a ton that can be done for it. Obviously to use bug spray when he goes outside (duh!) but we could also give him a dose of Claritin or Zyrtec during the times mosquitoes are more likely to be out. We can also give him a dose of Xantac, an antacid, that works in a different way, but can be combined with allergy medicine and we'd have a better chance of stopping the severity of his reactions. She did say that while it is severe now, he most likely will grow out of it...which I'm not buying given Korri and Jim are the same way, but here's hoping! Also, we are going into winter, so we won't have to worry about it until late spring!

We also talked about how Mac says he has headaches all the time and prays every night that his tummy doesn't hurt. She said it could be a lot of things, most of which aren't a big concern and to make sure he is drinking enough water and not constipated regularly. If it gets worse, we will go back in but I vaguely remember Finn going through a headache phase, too, which went away without major intervention.

He had his vision and hearing, which he was so freaking good for! My baby is growing up. And then he got to have his shots: a total of three because of the flu shot, too. Man, I hate when my kids get shots. He sat on my lap and they did it as quickly as possible but he had huge crocodile tears dripping down his face. It was so sad. Thankfully, he recovers quickly and just wanted some extra love for a bit. Then McDonald's for lunch helped!!

Overall, Mac is just a really great kid. Don't get me wrong, he has his moments: like his thing right now is lying. But he is also so kind and sweet and silly and strong. He holds the door for me almost ALWAYS whether at home or the car or at a store. He kisses my face all over and won't stop until he gets every spot. He snuggles with me multiple times a day (but always after nap) and enjoys it as much as I do, if that is possible. He naps a few times a week, but is usually fine if he doesn't. He loves to dance and sing and really has some amazing moves. He loves to run and kick and do karate ALL. THE. TIME. He is smart and knowledgeable and while he never stops talking, he is learning what is appropriate and when. I'm cherishing this last year with him and spending as much time with him as I can.

And going back to a topic that I beat to death...kindergarten. I am so thankful we decided to do preschool another year. And don't get me wrong, he would have been "fine." But I just wasn't ready and he will be so much more ready next year. Here's to all the amazing things you'll do this year, Little Buddy!! I love you so much.

A Last First

Well, today it happened. I was in complete denial. I wanted to pretend it wasn't going to happen for weeks (or hopefully months). I kept telling him to leave it alone. I kept saying he was too young. But today, my baby lost his first tooth!

 

It is his bottom right (or left if you are looking at him) tooth. Number 25 in the below diagram:

There were tears. There was a queezy stomach (mine!). There was blood. But we got the job done. Jim tried first and then I remembered Finn "needing" me to do it for one (or two!) of his teeth. So I offered (hesitantly) and Mac said yes. Crap! It took me a couple pulls because his teeth are so stinkin' tiny but then it popped out.

You guys...this is a perfect example of loving somebody more than yourself. Teeth are NOT my thing. Anybody who knows me knows that. I'm not a squeamish person in general. But they creep me out. The idea of the root being pulled out grosses me out. I avoid them at all costs and it is the one thing I told Jim was his parenting job (well, that and the boys during puberty!!). But when your baby is crying and can't eat his corn; you put your big girl panties on, step over, grab a paper towel and go in for the pull.

And then there's the feeling after the trauma of the pure joy of the whole family surrounding Mac in love and support and claps and cheers! Nothing like somebody else experiencing pain to bring the family together! Jim asked him who he wanted to call to tell and the first person he said was Friedrich, who is a friend, which was so sweet! Oh and the best part of the whole situation: Mac actually LOST his tooth! Like dropped it somewhere and can't find it! You couldn't possibly come up with a more "Mac" scenario if you tried!!! Good thing the Tooth Fairy only needs a letter and not the actual tooth to come for a visit! Sheesh.

I'm just not ready to not have tiny Littles any more (but my uterus is closed for business!!) and when these events happen, it makes me realize this stage in our lives is quickly slipping away. Thank God (for many reasons) we decided to wait to send Mac to Kindergarten until next year or I'd be a puddle on the floor. Like for days. I mean Kindergarten, first tooth and Middle School in two days is too much for anybody!! At the same time, it is so fun and exciting to see them growing up and becoming who they will be. Here's to many more last firsts and first firsts and everything in between!

Wenatchee or Bust - Home!

Start: Courtyard Marriott, Moorhead, MN
End: HOME!!
Miles: 219 miles (approx)
Total Trip Miles: 3,734 miles!!

We slept in a bit this morning. I mean, it's been a wonderful but LONG trip! The Marriott doesn't have complimentary breakfast, so the kiddos and I walked to the gas station to grab something to eat. It was BEAUTIFUL outside. We ate our breakfast in the hotel lobby so as not to wake Emma or Jim!

Then it was pack up and head home! HOME! While the trip has been amazing, I think we were all ready to get out and stay out of the van for a while and to sleep in our own beds! We pulled into our driveway at 2:30pm. I think this shows how happy we all were to be home:

Twenty "deep thoughts" from our trip:

1. I am now scared of hotel shampoo and conditioner because Emma said they put stuff in it to make your hair fall out! Great! One more thing to worry about. Thanks!

2. Complimentary breakfast at hotels is a MUST when traveling with kids. They can all get what they want and you can get on the road with full bellies! Because my kids want to eat ALL. THE. TIME. (which I already knew but being stuck in a vehicle with them really brings that out!!).

3. My kids are pigs and our van was their sty! I mean, seriously. Emma was a Drill Sargent about picking/cleaning up after themselves and it STILL was a mess. Sheesh.

4. You can pack all the fancy games and toys and books and at the end of the day, my kids just wanted to watch movies, play on their tablets and the Switch and color. Duly noted. Although, I couldn't find our Mad Libs Travel book from last year and I remember having a lot of fun with that. SO, I ordered one while we were gone and here's hoping I can find it NEXT year!!

5. The BEST find for our trip was a self-cooling cooler! Seriously you guys...you NEED one of these things! They plug into the van and keep everything cold without needing ANY ice. LOVE so much and saved so much space and time. For next time, we need a converter so we can plug it in the hotel room instead of having to unpack and repack it every night.

6. Use the space your vehicle gives you! Last year we had a roof topper, which blew off somewhere in Nebraska, so we knew we didn't want to worry about that happening again for this trip. Jim, ingeniously might I add, suggested we use the stow-and-go space to store the kiddos' suitcases! They fit perfectly and saved so much room in the back of the van.

7. You learn so much and are way more in the "know" when you travel with a teenager. That's straight facts! Period. I can now say the Hootie concert had lots of "bangers" and if you don't know what Tick Toks are...you really need to look them up! Hilarious. Also, teenagers like to stay up really late and sleep in equally as late (but we all already knew that!!).

8. When visiting and touring a dam, your five year old NEVER gets tired of saying "dam" jokes. Like ever. Think: "That sure was dam fun!" I eventually had to tell him he can only say them while we are physically at a dam.

9. My kids will never EVER get tired of swimming. Period. And they are 2.5 out of 3 not needing life jackets (Mac still uses one some of the time because he isn't a strong swimmer...but the little fish CAN actually swim! By far my earliest swimmer!).

10. We will never be able to go on a road trip again without adaptive cruise control. I mean, driving any distance without it is torture, but on long driving days like these, it is a must.

11. When my kids are involved, do not mention the "H" word (hike). Instead call it a nature walk! They are far more willing to go along and not complain...even though they are actually the same thing. Smarter not harder!!

12. If you suffer from migraines (me) or back pains (Emma)...bring your medication and back brace along on a long road trip. I mean, duh, right?!?! In my defense, my insurance only gave me two pills and didn't refill it until the day before we got back! Argh.

13. Blankets for everybody in the van saves so much arguing about temperature! And makes great shade if the sun is on you and you don't want it to be. They also work great as a shawl when you're in the mountains and the temperature drops over 25 degrees in a matter of minutes. See? Multi-functional. Zipper sweatshirts are also helpful and easy to get on and off.

14. When a bull Bison decides he wants to walk down the center of your lane...you let him and you don't rush him. Things are on his time table. Just enjoy the experience and the views around you!

15. If you want to enjoy the more popular spots of wherever you are visiting, you really need to get there at the crack of dawn or right when it opens. I think Mammoth Springs and Norris Geyer Basin would have been fine if we'd gone way earlier. We did that when we went to Mount Rushmore a few years ago and it was empty! Pro tip!

16. Another Pro Tip: If you have to do laundry when traveling, do it at "extended stay" type hotels. We find they usually offer it free of charge or WAY cheaper than normal hotels and have nicer facilities. Score!!

17. Sasha's presence is always felt, even if she is in a different state.

18. For being a "picky eater" Emma's culinary journey was very diverse on this trip! I was very proud of her for trying new things and stepping out of her comfort zone. Jim said on the way home that if I hadn't mentioned that Emma was a picky eater, he would never have guessed based on the things she ate on this trip!!! So proud of her. However, she did learn that if she ever orders trout again (which is a big IF), to order it without the head or skin. Now she knows!

19. The trick to Nana's popovers is to mix the batter the night before and mix for at least 5 minutes! Ha, now I know!!! I will conquer you, you darn popovers!!

20. There is nothing more precious or important than family time and making memories. We are so happy that our kiddos are growing up with their own experiences and memories of family in other states, even if we only get to see them once or twice a year. But also, this includes the time we spent on the road together. Yes, there were trying times and yelling and arguing (sometimes I wasn't sure if bringing the Switch was a good idea at all!!), but at the end of the day, we played together, talked together, ate together, helped each other, swam together and even were kind to each other (shhh, don't tell Finn he was kind to Korri!!). Times like these bring us closer together and we learn more about each other and us as a unit. Here's to many more trips and lots more family experiences and memories being made!!!

21. Bonus thought: Kidz Bop concert was WAY better than Jim, Emma or I thought it would be. Super fun for the whole family. Highly recommend it, even if they didn't perform Old Town Road! Oh and for the parents...they sell beer! I mean, they kind of HAVE to sell beer, right?! LOL

Thank you for following along on our journey. It was amazing and we know how truly blessed we are. We are thinking maybe the Redwood Forest next time (for the "nature walks" NOT hikes!!). Until then...

Wenatchee or Bust - Day 12

Start: Comfort Inn, Dickinson, ND
End: Courtyard Marriot, Moorhead, MN
Total Miles: 292 miles

Today was our last full day. While I'm sad to see our trip end, I'm excited to see what the next two weeks bring (Walsh sisters' family vacation, first day of middle school, Welcome Day for 3rd grade, first day of 3rd grade and Mac first day of preschool (for the third time!). Should be fun!

I started the day bright and early. I worked out, got ready, woke the kiddos up (well, Finn was awake, Mac had JUST woken up and I woke Emma and Korri up), we went to breakfast (Comfort Inn breakfast is way better than Holiday Inn breakfast in my opinion!), I got ready, the kiddos got ready, the kiddos packed their stuff and I packed up the van. Not bad on my part!! I think we left just at 10am, which is what we were shooting for.

It was an uneventful travel day. We did stop for a picnic lunch, which I love, even though it was a bit chilly and windy. And they LOVE Tick Tocks. Oh, you don't know what Tick Tocks are?!?! I'm so in-the-know because of Emma! Look it up. They are hilarious.

We got to the hotel  a bit early today, so we decided the kiddos has time to swim for a bit before we headed to our adventure today.

What adventure you ask? The Kidz Bop Kids concert in Moorhead!! It fit perfectly into our schedule and Finn and Korri both asked to go seperately from each other and they NEVER want to go to these things. So Jim decided it was worth it to go. I don't know who was more excited...the kids to go to their first concert or me to experience their first concert excitement with them! Emma was "ho hum" about it but I know secretly she was excited but just too old and cool to admit it!

Okay, love or hate Kidz Bop, it was a fun concert and the kids had a great time. Mac danced his butt off in isle and Finn got ticked that Korri was dancing his Finn's "personal bubble" during the songs!! Emma knew every word today every song...but the "original" not the the Kidz Bop version, of course! Jim and I had a few beers, which not surprisingly, made it a lot more fun for both of us!

Jim also got them each a t-shirt (I would have taken a tank, but they didn't have any!) They were copying the pose om the front of the white shirts!

Honestly, such a great family fun night. The perfect way to end our trip. We got back early enough that the boys decided to go swimming a second time while the girls (Emma and Korri) walked to Noodles and Company to grab a late dinner (after Korri fell on the stairs and hurt her knee!).

Tomorrow, we are heading to Waverly and ultimately the State Fair for Jim's birthday present. Maybe you'll have to wait for a post about that (or look at the State Fair's concert schedule...LOL).

Honestly, this has been an amazing trip. For the most part, the kiddos have gotten along and listened well. It was great having Emma long, but being an only child, I think it was a learning curve for her as well!! I mean, going from only child to three annoying younger siblings is a lot!! I'll post more post-vacation thought tomorrow after we get back and I have a minute to collect my thoughts. Overall, I've been very lucky that Jim and Emma did most of the driving but being in the car for almost two weeks is a LOT. I need some down time!

Until then, thanks for following our journey! We are so fortunate to be able to take trips like this and I feel like we have it down to a science at this point. Until tomorrow...

Wenatchee or Bust - Day 11

Start: Holiday Inn Express, Billings, MT
End: Comfort Inn, Dickinson, ND
Total miles: 315 miles (approx)

I think the universe is against us ever leaving a place before 9am! Luckily, we "only" had about 4 and a half hours of drive time, so it didn't really matter. However we wanted to get going because we had two stops on the way today that we knew would take some time.

After a disappointing workout on the elliptical (because somebody else was running on the treadmill...how dare they?!?!), we were packed up and on the road before 9:30am. Not too bad.

Our first stop was at Makoshika State Park which is Montana's largest state park and features badland formations and the fossil remains of Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops and more. Somebody had mentioned it at a stop on our way through last week and Jim had heard about it, so we thought it was worth a stop. And boy was it ever. HIGHLY recommend it. It would even be worth stopping over night there, camping and hiking on all the amazing trails with incredible views! Seriously...and we aren't even remotely camping people! And of course, pictures don't do it justice, but I'll try anyway. The first picture is all three kiddos holding actual dinosaur bones!!!

Here are some selfies (so I'm actually in some of the pictures!). And yes, Emma is 4 inches taller than me; it isn't just the angle!! LOL

And here is Jim (red shirt) WAY out on a trail:

Then we stopped at Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum. It was OKAY. The kids enjoyed the Junior Paleontologist scavenger hunt but would have liked it better if we'd had more time. We stopped at Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita, CO last year which was WAY better but it didn't help today that it was past lunch time and I was hungry AND tired (and it was the second time this summer I've had to deal with "creationism" with my kids and didn't want to deal with it TODAY). So there's that.

 

We got to the hotel around 5pm and were pretty beat. However, the hotel we're staying in has a mini-waterpark...so we went swimming, of course! LOL, this trip really should be called Swimming or Bust! It would be way cheaper to just go to the GrandStay in Delano for a week and let them swim all day!

Tomorrow is our last full day and we are doing something that MIGHT end up being the highlight of the trip. Who am I kidding?!?! It WILL be the highlight for the kiddos, anyway. Until then...