First ER visit

Having 4 kids means we are fully aware of our chances of our kids getting hurt.  Fortunately, we haven't had any major injuries until this summer.  Earlier in 2016 W fell off a playground and got a green stick break in his collar bone.  There wasn't anything to do so he just had to deal with the pain and there's still a slight bump.  Well W struck again and made us take our first trip to the ER in July.
Every year, the kids stay with my dad and Ella for the weekend while B and I move into camp.  This year was no different.  Saturday evening we got a text that W jumped out of a swing while at the park and hurt his elbow.  It was pretty swollen, but they got an ice pack for it and were giving him children's Tylenol.

Sunday, July 10th swollen right elbow

Sunday night it was still really swollen so my dad called and asked if we wanted them to take W to the ER for an x-ray.  We told them not to do that because they were supposed to bring us W in the morning anyway.  Monday morning Ella brought the kids to me and I was very excited for them to be there at camp.  W's elbow (arm) was very swollen and I took him to see the camp doctor and she immediately told me I needed to take him to Forest General for an x-ray.  I wasn't expecting that, but it's good to know important Hattiesburg people because she called ahead and had the ER expecting us.  So W and I left camp and R, A, and E stayed at camp with Bryce.  When we arrived at the ER, we did not have to wait long before they called us back and wanted to know what happened.  I had a hard time really describing the accident because I wasn't there and W wasn't sure exactly how he had his arms when he jumped out of the swing.  W was taken for an x-ray and my mom showed up while we were in the room. 

Pre-surgery TV watching

Post surgery sleepy Wes

At first a nurse came in and started prepping him for a hard cast, but then she stopped and Dr. Whitehead's assistant, Dr. Randy came in and started talking to us about surgery.  This option caught me totally off guard, but I didn't argue because I wanted his elbow to be fixed.  He fractured a bone in his elbow and there was a ton of swelling.  Dr. Whitehead said it was actually a pretty common fracture for kids and it's important to make sure the bone heals correctly otherwise the arm grows back crooked.  Dr. Whitehead told me they would actually just insert pins into his elbow and not perform "surgery" but W would still have to be put to sleep.  At this news, my mom went back to camp to get B, and the other kids stayed at camp with Bubba and Gilly.  Once B arrived, the three of us were together and watched some cooking shows until W fell asleep.  The doctor came and got W for surgery and was happy he was asleep because he was expecting W to be scared to leave us.  B and I left to grab some lunch and then waited in the waiting room for a call that W was done and in recovery.  We got a call from Dr. Whitehead that W was done and it went perfectly.  Once W was awake, B went back with him and then I joined them when W was getting moved to his own room.  W had a hard time coming out of the anesthesia and was in a foul mood.  He ate a little dinner and drank some Sprite. 

You can't even see W but I promise, he's there!

By the time the rest of the family got there, W was acting himself.  Bubba and Gilly came straight from camp and brought R, A, and E.  My mom and Chuck also came for a visit and brought W some candy.  AC showed up as well so it was a nice little family reunion.  W had to spend 1 night in the hospital and I slept with him on the hospital bed.   I think we slept about 5 hours off and on, but I'm sure I had better sleep than B, who tried to fit his 6 foot body on that little chair that folds out to a bed.

Much happier in the morning

Taking a walk around since it was boring

B's bed for the night

 

 

The next morning, July 12, W was discharged and able to leave the hospital.  I stayed with W for the day in Hattiesburg, and B went back to camp.  Since B's job was the pool and mine was an area parent, we felt it was important for B to be there during the day and I was needed at night.  I drove down with my mom Tuesday night and then B went with her back home to stay with W.  After that first night home, B and I both stayed at camp with R & A, and my mom took care of W and E.  He couldn't get his arm wet or sweaty, so that was really difficult for him in July in the hot MS heat.

W had to sit out while the rest of us swam

He was a trooper and besides the phase of coming off the anesthesia, he never complained.  After camp, we drove to Grapevine, TX for the SACSCOC conference (where he couldn't swim) and then back to Richmond.  We made an appointment at Richmond Bone & Joint and saw the same doctor that did our cousin's knee surgery.  Dr. Davino did not have good things to say about how W's arm was treated and handled, but what was done was done.

  W got a hard cast and picked the colors red & blue.  He had to keep his cast on for a few weeks and then could get it off and the pins removed.  Assuming everything went as planned, he would have his cast off before the first day of school.  The pictures are a little gross because one of the pins started to get pushed into his arm and his body was trying to push it out.  It all healed and his arm is 99% back to normal. 

The next pictures are sort of gross of where his pins were in his arm....PG-13

Wes turns 4!

W's birthday was the first thing for us to celebrate at our new house.  Since it was a Wednesday, B & R had to go to work and school, but they did wish W a HB before leaving and we let him open his gift from the family.  We got W a TMNT digital watch and he LOVES it.  That's the only thing he asked for and we found one that's perfect for him.  Later that morning, we face-timed with others and he opened gifts from the grandparents and AC.   He was very excited about his special day and did not get tired of hearing "happy birthday".  We had a normal day that did not include MOPs (although it was a Wednesday), so we played games and rode scooters in the cul-de-sac.  We had to pick up R from school then we went to the YMCA before Bible study at church.  At the Y, Ms. A (our favorite) gave W balloons and a Spiderman bubble toy.  The balloons were a big hit because he's never received balloons for a birthday before.  In fact, we've never gotten any of our kids balloons, except for maybe R.  You know, that first kid gets all the good stuff.  Poor Ell...haha. At Bible study, we were just having a prayer meeting with dinner and all the kids to help get to know each other's families.  I ordered TMNT cupcakes from Wal-Mart and brought those for dessert.  Dinner was yummy and I enjoyed the kids being with us. 

 I took W to the pediatrician for his 4 year wellness check and he's very proportional said the doctor.  He's around 38 lbs and 37 inches which puts him in the 70th percentile for both weight and height.  He's a little above average, but the same percentage.  We knew he wasn't small, so it's good to know that he's proportional.  He got his school shots and he took them like a champ.  He only cried on the last one and he received four of them.  I think 3 out of 4 is pretty good.  He was so good at the doctor during his vision and hearing test and he showed how smart he is too.  While Dr. Turner was talking to me, her tablet shut off.  When she swiped it and put her code in, W watched her and he was able to repeat her code back to her.  "Gotta watch this boy" she said, "he's a smart one".  I already know that Dr. Turner.  He's very smart! 

Abe turns 5!

Another year has gone by and my buddy A is now 5 years old.  There's so much to say about him it's hard to know where to start.  I'll start by his outward physical appearance then approach his inner self.

R gave him the shoes, we gave him the hoodie

A is getting taller and he's pretty heavy.  When he went to the doctor for his 5 year wellness visit, he was in the 50% for weight and 85% for height.  He's lean says Dr. Turner.  She was very complimentary of A when she was checking him out last week.  He passed his hearing screening and was 20/30 in both eyes for his vision screening.  Dr. Turner said when/if the eyes get to 20/40, then a more thorough eye exam is necessary.  B and I know that we need to always be looking out for our kids eyes since my eyes are bad.  It's not if, but when.  A's hair is still thick and dark as well as his skin (dark, not thick).  His eyes seems to be darkening and are more of a dark hazel now instead of green.  He's got the smallest teeth I've ever seen on a 5 year old and the cutest smile too!  He's right handed and getting really good at catching the football.  B's been working with him using his hands and he's got a great touch. 

A's still a very sensitive boy.  Since R's in school, he's my helper and my #1 go to guy.  He feeds Cooper every morning and evening, he opens Cherry's door for me and the doors of all the buildings we enter; he even pushes E's stroller for me when I need to handle something else.  A keeps watch of the house and W/E for me when I go pick up R after school.  He's turned into a very responsible boy.  When I call his name, he responds with "yes Ma'am" always!  His academics are advancing nicely and he's mastering addition and subtraction of numbers 1-10.  A is an auditory learner and he picks up his Bible verses quickly when we listen to his Cubbies CD.  I'm amazed at the number of verses he knows and remembers from last year.  He pretty much knows all of R's assigned verses too.  Since I'm not an auditory learner, I think it's interesting to watch A learn through listening.  I have to remind myself of that sometimes since it's different than my learning style.  Right now A is obsessed with Ninja Turtles and video games.  When he gets to choose a show, he asks to watch you tube videos of people playing ninja turtle video games.  It's the strangest thing!  It's like he thinks he's playing, but he knows he's not....very strange and a little cute. 

Icees with the Marshlands (sleepover night)

A's spot of choice for most of Saturday

Speaking of video games, A wanted a  Wii party.  We decided to have his Wii party Saturday at the Marshlands so Tuesday (his actual birthday) we had a family dinner of his choice.  A picked out hot dogs and popcorn with an evening of Nintendo playing. Done!  For his party, A spent the night with the Marshlands Friday night and played Wii with Micah pretty much all day on Saturday.  Micah even let A be the first player and choose the games.  A was in video game heaven!  We had a TMNT birthday cake and sang HBTY after a pizza dinner.  Uncle Topher, Aunt Jaime, Layla and Asher were with us for the celebration too.  A really had a birthday week and I was more than happy to celebrate this little guy.  His heart is big and there's a lot of love to give. 

Our new Pediatrician

Relocating is tough.  Finding a new place to live, school, and church is just the beginning.  I didn't even think about finding new doctors!  We loved our pediatrician in Wakefield while we were in NC.  It was a small practice, but after having 4 kids, he knew us very well.  I asked B to get some recommendations from the people he worked with and someone suggested Dr. Dickerson to us.  This man has children and said his kids love her because she's like Doc McStuffins.  We love Doc McStuffins too so I thought this must be our doctor.  I called back in August because R turned 6.  I knew she didn't need shots for school, but needed her yearly wellness check up.  When I called, the receptionist told me Dr. Dickerson wasn't accepting new patients but her partner, Dr. Turner was.  We needed a doctor so I said sure.  Their first opening wasn't until October for R so I said, well, sign me up for R and A since he'll be turning 5.  I also told her I had an infant and wasn't sure if she needed a check up at 15 months or just 18 months.  I was able to schedule E an appointment for September 4th for her 15 month check up.  R & A will go in October, and poor W will go when he turns 4 I guess (hopefully not sooner).

I looked this place up on their website and read a little about them.  It seemed like a nice enough place and it's in Sugar Land, where we think we want to live.  I read a few reviews and they were mostly positive.  E's appointment was for 8:30 in the morning which is the way I like to plan doctor appointments.  We ate breakfast and headed out of the house a little after 8:00.  I used the Tom Tom to help us find the place.  We were the only ones there so we only had to wait 3 minutes before we were called back.  The nurse was very nice and she took E's weight, height, and head circumference.  Dr. Turner came in and asked me some back ground questions for her records, but she was also super nice and friendly.  E was shy and didn't like all the poking, but she was a trooper and did fine.  She weighed 21 lbs 7 oz and was 30.5 inches long.  When her stats were plotted on the graph, E was 25th percentile for weight, 45th percentile for height, and 75th percentile for head circumference.  I was so thrilled that she was back on the chart!  E received 2 shots and cried a bit.  But overall, Dr. Turner said she was healthy and beautiful.  Praise Jesus for healthy kids!

Ell's half birthday

E is half a year old now.  November 16th marked her six-month-day.  Here are some facts about E.

She can army crawl around on the floor.  She's better on the wood floor compared to the carpet but can movie around either way.  She loves her toys and her favorite is a squeaky girrafe. A sweet gift from Aunt Mo, the giraffe is E's favorite chew toy for the time being.  E doesn't have any teeth but has to be close to getting some.  She rolls over both ways and can sit up for a while when we start her up.  If she falls over, she just moves around on her belly to get to her toys or anything to chew on. 

We started food 2 weeks ago and began with some oatmeal followed by peas.  We are currently adding in sweet potato for breakfast and then green beans will be the next veggie. 

At her doctor visit, E measured very small.  We knew it.  She is small, but is healthy for all the milestones.  Dr. S commented on how physically advanced she is as far as the crawling, sitting, and her personality.  She's just small and less than the 5th percentile.  He said he's not worried especially now that we are starting solids.  He said since she is so active, that is going to keep her smaller since she's burning so many calories.  We are not worried and are happy with our little petite girl! 

E was 13.5 lbs, 23 inches tall, and had a normal head circumference (I don't have that measurement).  She had the flu shot booster so she has to go back in a month to get the next part.  Dr. S wants to see a 1.5 - 2 lbs gain in the month. 

E is a happy baby girl and loves her siblings.  They are all so good with her and love to sing to her.  Her favorite song is 5 little monkeys jumping on the bed.  If she's upset or crying for some reason, all they do is start singing that song and she stops crying.  When she's in the bouncer, she gets all excited and starts bouncing while they sing.
Sharing a room with R is going great and R looks forward to having bunk beds with E in 2 years.  Wow, I can hardly imagine. 

One thing B and I haven't done yet is pick godparents for E.  We go back and forth between some great couples we know and just haven't decided.  We need to for sure, but have a hard time.  Knowing that this is our last kid, makes the decision difficult.  I'd like to say that she will have godparents by Christmas, but I'm not sure that will happen.  Let's say by her first birthday.  6 more months:)

Abe turns 4

Over a month after Abe's birthday and I'm just now sitting down to write about it.  Poor guy!  Abe had a great 4th birthday and he was the center of attention for the entire day.

Kristen picked A up for preschool around 8:30 am and while at her house, she got him a cupcake a gift.  Socks were part of his present and they were ninja turtle socks.  He was so excited and they have surpassed his spider-man socks now.  Abe came home around 4 from K's house and then we got a chance to make a big deal about him.  He opened his gifts from the grandparents and then his gift from us.  The highlight was a Spiderman costume from Gran and Papaw.  Abe was very excited about his dress up.  We got him a ninja turtle shirt and hat with eye-mask that was red for Raphael. 

Since it was Monday, we let Abe pick the breakfast meal for the evening and he picked pancakes with bacon and sausage.  B made cc pancakes and both meats for the boy.  Keith and the girls were over to help us celebrate A.  After dinner, J/N picked up A for a special godparent outing for dessert.  They took him to sweet Cici's for frozen yogurt.  N said that he got to pick whatever mix-ins he wanted and he picked mostly candy.  I'm not surprised.  He has a sweet tooth like his momma:)  J/N gave A a hotwheels track for his bday and when he got home, J opened it and put it together for him.  I'm pretty sure we skipped baths that night but before A could go to sleep, he had a tummy ache from all the sweets/sugar/candy he had had during the day.  After some time in the bathroom, he was ready for bed and coming off his sugar high.  It didn't take him long to fall asleep from such an exciting day.

B took A to his 4 year wellness check up later that week.  Here were A's stats:
height 40.75
Weight 30.8
good vision and hearing
got 4 shots and took the first 2 like a champ and then cried

I'm so glad he was 40 inches tall since the Disney trip was quickly approaching.  Some of the rides required 40 inches and we were afraid he wasn't going to meet that.  He did, Praise God. Here are a few things I want to remember about my four year old...
Abe loves super heroes.  He will watch anything of that nature with his daddy and loves to pretend to 'save' his kids/friends as a superhero.  His favorite at the moment is Spiderman.  A also loves puzzles.  He's worked his way up to 48 piece puzzles with ease.  There's a big jump from 48 to 100 pieces but he will be ready for those soon.  Abe has recently gotten into Ninja Warrior (thanks B) and likes to go in the back yard and flip on the dome.  He's pretty good about trying new things physically.  His cartwheel is developing and much better than his sisters.

I'm most impressed with A and his memory.  Since starting Awana this year at CRF, he has memorized so many Bible verses.  He's memorized his and R's so far and we've had 2 verses per week for almost 10 weeks.  The other day, he was just rattling off all his verses and I was so proud.  The Lord is working on him and Jesus is in his mind.  I pray daily that A will become the young man that God has planned for him.  A is tender but still very much boy.  He loves on E all the time and couldn't be any sweeter to her.
 

Ell 2 months

E turned 2 months while we were in MS.  Here are a few pictures.

At the doctor for her check up, she weighed 11 lbs 1 oz and was 22.75 inches long. She had to get 5 shots and was sad for about 5 minutes.   Dr. S said she was strong (legs and neck) and said she had good social skills.  I'm not sure how a 2 month old has good social skills but he said she's really good at making eye contact and changing her facial expressions. 

I think she's a cutie and we'll keep her!

Thanksgiving 2012

We had a great Thanksgiving with my family this year.  We might not have as many pictures to show but a week full of stories and fun.  I'll start with the Sunday before Thanksgiving when my mom and Chuck arrived...

November 18:  My mom and Chuck arrived around 12:30 when we got back from church.  They left Mississippi Saturday morning and stayed the night in Spartanburg, SC.  We were so excited about their visit.  After they got here, it was lunch time and we watched a little Carolina football.  The kids took their naps and the adults just chatted.  After nap time, we all went to Wal-mart to get some groceries for the week and for Thanksgiving and then home for dinner. 

November 19: My parents were going to stay home with the kids while B and I went to work.  Since we had to get up so early, we let my parents have our bedroom and we slept on the sofas.  It wasn't bad at all.  After work, my parents were taking us out to eat for my birthday:)  I wanted to go to Milton's and we met our church friends there also.  We had 24+ people there and it was a great time.  Jen picked me up a special cupcake and everyone sang Happy Birthday to me.  Very sweet!

November 20: Last day of work for me and B while my parents watched the kids again.  We got home from work early because A was going to try his first gymnastics class at 3:30.  R goes at 4:30, but her class is full.  The only way for A to take a class, was going to be a different day or at 3:30.  Since this was a trial and my parents were in town, we thought this was the best time.  All 7 of us went to Youngs Gym and watched A.  He did pretty good for just being 3 and being new.  R and W sat with us and waited.  When A was done, it was R's turn.  Since W had already been there for an hour, B & I took A and W home while my parents waited with R.  We had quesadillas for dinner and then watched Brave.

November 21: B and I both had off the rest of the week:)  Our morning was just relaxing with breakfast and playtime.  W had a check-up at 10:15 am for his ear infection and then for his flu shot.  We all went to the doctor, but I'm the only one who went back with W.  His ear was all better and he got his 18 month shots, plus his flu vaccine. Our goal that day was to get a new mattress and my parents wanted to take R/A to see Wreck it Ralph at 4:10.  Those 2 things were our only plans.  Well after W's doctor appointment, we were all hungry so we stopped at Mimi's Cafe for lunch.  We love their dill pickles as well as other stuff there.  Our lunch took forever and seems like 2 hours long.  After lunch we headed to Sam's to look for a mattress.  The mattress that we have is the same mattress that my mom bought when she bought the bedroom furniture for me 18 years ago.  Needless to say, it was worn.  We found a mattress and box-spring from Sam's that we liked and my parents got it for us.  Bryce tied it to the top of the van with some twine that Sam's gave us and we were on our way home.  It was maybe 1:45 is about this time I believe and as we were driving down capital blvd, the twine popped and our mattress and box-spring flew off the top of the car into the middle of the street.  One SUV drove over the mattress and it got stuck under the car so she dragged it over to the side of the road.  Another truck was able to stop before running over the box-spring and B jumped out to get it out of the middle of the road.  It was horrible.  I called Nicole to see if Justin could come help us out with his truck and he was on his way.  I drove the van to meet up with the woman who had the mattress stuck under her car and by the time I had gotten there, it was out.  It was all torn up and ruined though.  She wanted our information just in case her car was messed up.  I couldn't blame her, so I gave her B's name and number.  I was just so upset that not 10 minutes earlier, my parents just paid a lot of money for this set.  We were trying to figure out where to dump it because it was obviously no good, and we didn't think Sam's would take it back since it was our fault that it popped off the roof!  But my mom called anyways, and sure enough, they said "bring it back and we'll exchange it".  Can you believe that?  We will be Sam's Club members for life now! Justin, B, and my mom took the set back to Sam's for a  new set.  Chuck and I took the kids home for naps.  It was 3 pm by the time we got home, and now the chance for a movie was pretty much ruined:(  However, after we got the new set inside and fixed up, my parents took a short nap.  When they woke up, they still wanted to take the kids to the movies at 7:30.  B and I thought it was a great idea and they would be fine.  I posted our old mattress set on craigslist for free and we had someone come pick it up later that evening.  What started out as a horrible day, ended on a good note.

November 22: Thanksgiving!  So again, we took it easy that morning and started most of the cooking.  B worked on the turkey while I made a couple of casseroles.  My mom made mash potatoes and stuffing also.  The Gillams were coming over and K was bringing a fried turkey!  We were going to have so much food. I'm just going to post pictures from this day instead of trying to recount everything.  I know we watched the parade, ate, napped, and ate some more!

B's turkey

Keith's turkey

Gram with grand-kids

puzzle time

Gram and Granddad

BFF's

The Hantla Clan Thanksgiving 2012