back to our regular programming

Grandpa Ray and Grandma Sue have returned to their home in the North, to their lives and to a new grand-niece baby to coddle and spoil. They are far from us in body, but still with us in spirit. They've left their mark with memories and photos and a few left over tubs of Blue Bell ice cream. They stocked up our cupboards and our hearts with joyful memories of times together.

You haven't heard or seen the last of them though. I have 2 1/2 weeks of videos and pictures still to show off! So stay tuned.

In the meantime, I took the kids for check-ups today (Dominique weighs 21.5 lbs and is 29 3/4 " tall, Ivan weighed in at 33lbs and is 36 3/4" tall). I've learned something about Ivan in these 3 years and we had a great visit. Our last several visits had been torturous- screaming, tantrums of toddler mess. This time I tried something new. Seeing as Ivan takes to things slowly, I prepped him (and bribed him). I told him all the things they would do and what I expected of him (obeying by standing on the scale, not screaming or crying or throwing a fit and showing Dominique how to be a good and big child at the Dr's). I also told him if he obeyed and didn't cry, I'd give him cake and ice cream when he got home.

Ivan did have very logical reasons why he shouldn't have to go to the Dr's. He said he was scared. I asked of what. He said he was scared the Dr. would sting him. I told him the Dr. wouldn't "sting" him (they leave the dirty work to the poor nurses). At the Doctor's I told Ivan I would find out if he would get shots. When I gave him the unfortunate news that he would get shots, he explained that he wanted his shots, that he wanted to put them in his mouth (I think he mistook "shots" for "lollipops"). Nonetheless, he wanted to take his pants down and asked for his shots! He bravely watched Dominique get her finger pricked (without crying), then laid down dutifully with dreams of cake and ice cream on the horizon. He did scream and cry at the grueling pain when he was suddenly stabbed and tearfully pleaded to still get his cake and ice cream. I was ecstatic and so impressed with them and amazed at the difference in Ivan. The only bad thing (apart from the gigantic needles they stabbed into my brave son) is that the Dr discovered that Ivan has another double ear infection! We've all been congested and experiencing cold symptoms and I actually thought Dominique sounded worse, but her ears were fine. Ivan hasn't even had fever and acts fine. Hopefully the antibiotic will help him clear up faster.

They asked me if Ivan was putting words together (he wouldn't talk to them) and how many words Dominique knew. I said maybe 10 or so. Now I have to know, so here's our list:

hi, please, help me, mommy, daddy, Ivan, Saba, nez, bye bye, night night, balloon, clean up, no, amen.

I think that's it.