Andrea Loses her First Tooth!

On Friday, Andrea came home from daycare with exciting news: she lost her first tooth!

She told us that it fell out at lunch time, while she was eating some potatoes! Her teachers put it in a little envelope for her to bring it home, and gave her a special certificate to celebrate her losing her first tooth at daycare.

We asked Andrea if she had noticed it was lose, and she said no. When we looked in her mouth, we discovered two interesting things: 1.) the tooth next to the one that fell out is also very loose and 2.) her two adult teeth are already coming in behind the the loose ones. It looks really odd, since she has the two teeth coming in behind the row that's already there. I said it reminded me of the rows of a shark's teeth! (Of course, I didn't tell HER that. She'd be insulted.) Daddy looked it up online, and this is a bit unusual, but shouldn't be a problem since the teeth in front are already out/almost out. They even call it "shark's teeth," just like I said.

Andrea was so excited about the tooth fairy coming. We played "tooth fairy" all evening, and she was anxious for bedtime. I pulled out a little tooth holder that someone had given me as a gift for Andrea when she was a baby, and we put her tooth in there, next to her bed. The Tooth Fairy brought her $5 (apparently that's the going rate) and Daddy took her to Dollarama for a shopping spree the next day. :) She is growing up too quickly!

More Andrea Fun . . .

Right now, she likes drawing stories. I usually write out the words for her, but she creates it all and illustrates it herself. This is a sample of Andrea's work:

THE END

The other thing Andrea is great at is entertaining Ryan. If he's lonely, or fussy, Andrea can make him laugh, anytime. He just adores her. She makes him laugh every time; they are so cute together. Andrea is very proud of her ability to make Ryan happy. :)

Kevin's Eye Appointment

We went back to see Dr. Moussa, the eye specialist, about how Kevin's left eye tends to wander sometimes, and has done this since he was a baby. We noticed that it gets worse when he's tired or upset.

Dr. Moussa's assistant did a basic vision test, and the result is that Kevin's sight is normal. They used an eye chart that had little symbols instead of letters, so it was easier for Kevin. They also did some colour and depth perception tests. His depth perception was a little off, but everything else was normal.

Then, Dr. Moussa himself did some tests in the exam room, just like he had done for Ryan a few weeks ago. After a while, Kevin's left eye started to wander a bit, and he definitely noticed it.

Here's Dr. Moussa's conclusions: Kevin has a problem called convergence insufficiency. It's not that uncommon, but is often misdiagnosed--especially in small children. Basically, it's the inability of the eyes to focus well/work well together on one thing (you can click the link above for more information, if interested). It affects depth perception a bit, so the doctor warned us that Kevin may be clumsy (duh, really? Kevin? clumsy?), and not to stress him out by trying to teach him to catch a ball! He said it will make reading difficult in the future, so it's good we caught it early. This way, we can start treatment when he's a little more mature (in about six months or so), but before reading becomes a big deal at school. Treatment will be eye exercises to improve his convergence and strengthen the eye muscles. When he mentioned that it is a developmental issue and may be related to other muscle issues, I mentioned Kevin's history of physio, speech, and occupational therapy needs. The doctor said yes, that's all linked.

So, we'll see Dr. Moussa in six months, and hopefully Kevin will be mature enough to start some in-office and at-home exercises to help his condition. :)

Doctors' Appointments Week

It seems like we're having a zillion doctor's appointments this week. I need to start blogging the results, so I can keep track of them all!


Monday--Ryan to Dr. Moussa: Ryan went to see this doctor, who is a pediatric optometry specialist. Ryan didn't seem to have anything wrong with his eyes, but pre-term babies are sent for this check-up as a matter of course. Dr. Moussa says about 70% of premature babies have some eye problems. Luckily, Ryan is NOT one of them. His eyesight is developing just fine. It was interesting how the doctor used a Mickey Mouse pen to test Ryan's depth perception, hand-eye coordination, and tracking of an object; patterned and plain visuals to get Ryan to look one way versus the other; and put on a little movie for him to check his visual response. The real benefit we got from this appointment is for KEVIN. While we were there, I explained about how Kevin's one eye frequently wanders, and the doctor immediately offered to see him. He thinks he can help Kevin with his eye coordination, without any surgical intervention, which would be excellent. Kevin is going to see Dr. Moussa on August 16.


Tuesday morning--Andrea to Dr. Zanganeh: Andrea went to see the allergist for her first breathing function test, and the results of her RAST (peanut allergy blood test). First, he explained the RAST results. Well, Andrea's peanut allergy is NOT going to disappear as she gets older. Her results were still "off-the-charts" high, according to the doctor. She will need to carry an Epi-Pen her whole life. She can never have peanut products. Then, a nurse weighed and measured Andrea. Andrea is 45 inches tall, and weighs about 54 pounds. Finally, the nurse administered the breathing function test. Andrea thought this was fun because as she blew into the machine, it registered on the computer screen as if she were blowing out birthday candles! Her breathing function results were excellent--102%--so the doctor says he's very happy. She'll stay on the inhaler to keep her lungs in good condition. Dr. Zanganeh said good asthma control can lessen the severity of an anaphylactic reaction should she ever have one.


Tuesday afternoon--Andrea and Ryan to Dr. Hanson: Andrea and Ryan were both due for immunizations this month (Andrea for Kindergarten and Ryan for 6 months). Ryan's measurements were great: the doctor kept calling him a "big boy!" We didn't get his length, but his weight is about 19.4 pounds. He is quite healthy. Andrea's doing well, too. She was very nervous about her "poke" (shot), but she did fine--only a few little tears.

Wednesday--Kevin's Cast Removal: Finally, yesterday afternoon, we went to Met to get Kevin's cast removed. The machine was really loud, so Kevin cried pretty hard until the physician's assistant actually started cutting the cast off his arm. Then, he kept saying, "It doesn't hurt! It doesn't hurt!" The assistant had put the blade on my hand and Daddy's hand to show how it didn't cut skin, and how it just tickles, but the noise was too much for him. He was anxious to get out of there after the cast removal, but then we had a long wait down in the x-ray area, and had to see the doctor again after x-rays. Kevin was really good, all things considered. The doctor told us that Kevin's arm healed just fine, and that he might be a bit stiff in the right arm for a few days, but just to let him start using it at his own pace. The doctor also said the one benefit of breaking a bone at such a young age is that little kids heal so quickly, and they don't need formal physiotherapy after the cast is removed. We are happy about that!

Andrea's First (and/or Second?) Tigers' Game

Rod had tickets for Friday night's Tigers' baseball game at Comerica Park. Since it was Andrea's birthday, he thought it would be fun to take her to see her first MLB game, and take her on the kids' rides they have there.

The problem was that there had been severe thunderstorms all afternoon, and they were forecasted into the evening as well. About an hour before they were to leave, the sky cleared a bit, and we were hopeful the storms were over; however, just before they left, one of the most severe lines of storms of the day cropped up. They decided to go for it anyway, hoping the storms would blow over soon.

They made it over to Comerica Park no problem, looked around, took some pictures, and had some popcorn. Unfortunately, about an hour after they got there, the game was cancelled. Andrea wasn't too disappointed because they could go to the rescheduled game on Sunday night.

Here are some pictures Daddy took with his phone on Andrea's first visit to Comerica Park:

***

Thankfully, Sunday was a beautiful day and evening, and they had a great time at the Tigers' game. Andrea had a very hard time waiting until the evening, when they could head over to Detroit.

"Is it a long time, a medium time, or a short time?" (Andrea's favourite question lately)

Daddy reports that they had a great time. This time, the rides were open! Andrea went on the baseball ferris wheel twice and the tiger carousel three times.

They also had pizza, juice, and cotton candy for a treat. By the eighth inning, the Tigers were losing to the Blue Jays 4-2, and Andrea was worn out, so Daddy decided it was time to come home. Andrea fell asleep in the car on the ride home. Daddy listened to the rest of the game on the car radio, and amazingly, the Tigers made a comeback! The Tigers won 6-5.

Andrea and Kevin's Birthday Weekend

Friday, July 23: Andrea's 5th Birthday

Andrea spent most of her birthday at daycare. She was fine with that because she got to wear a special birthday crown her teacher made for her, and bring a movie for the class to watch after lunch. When Daddy got home from work, she opened her birthday presents from us: lots of clothes, a game for her Leapster 2, some books, and a Barbie styling head.

That night, Daddy and Andrea were heading to Comerica Park to see Andrea's first MLB Game. Unfortunately, there were severe thunderstorms all evening! They made it over to the Park only to find out, about an hour later, that the game was cancelled. The good news was that they could go to the rain-date game on Sunday night. I'll put up another post about that when I get the pictures from Daddy's phone!

Saturday, July 24: Party Day

It stormed all Friday night, and right up until about noon on Saturday. Then, the sun suddenly came about, and the day became beautiful for our outdoor party (although hot and humid). Andrea was SO excited for her party that I could barely keep her occupied until the guests started to arrive. We decided to take some pictures of her modeling her new outfit from Grama Marty and Grampa Rick to pass the time.

Grama Marty and Grampa Rick also gave them "Happy Birthday" candle hats for their birthday. The kids thought these were just great.

Kevin was partial to this blue balloon. Apparently, it made a good pillow!
***

The guests soon arrived, and we spent the first little while in the house, because it was so humid outside.

Ryan was happy to be passed around and given lots of attention (until he got tired--he wouldn't nap!). Here he's visiting with Aunt Angie and Grandpa Vic.

Papa took the other kids downstairs to play for a while. Andrea is hiding in the chair fort he made for them.

The kids were anxious to play outside, so most of us headed out with them. We had a slip'n slide set up, and a little wading pool, to help them cool down. Andrea and Izzy decided to get cool before going on the trampoline, which was a good strategy.



Andrea, Izzy, and Joshua spent lots of time on the trampoline. When they got too warm, they headed back to the slip 'n slide. It was a good system.

Hannah was testing the water with her hand, but she didn't spend too much time on the slip 'n slide. The water was cold!

Gram spent most of the party trying to coax Ryan to sleep. Each time she got him to sleep, when she tried to put him in his crib, he woke up and cried! (The poor little guy didn't get to sleep until about 9PM, after everyone left and Mommy had some time to relax with him.) Here's Gram with a hot, sleepy Ryan, trying to unwind in the shade.

Kevin managed to stay cool, too. We wrapped up his cast in a couple of plastic bags, and he scooted carefully down the slip 'n slide on his knees and bum.

Aunt Stephanie and Brigitte helped Izzy and Hannah have some fun on the swingset.

Our friends Michelle and Mike, with their boys Parker and Griffin, were able to join in the fun. Here's Michelle and her cute little guy, 4-month-old Griffin.

After dinner, it was cake time! Our party had a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme this year. I found the picture for the cake online, and had J.J's Cakes and More turn it into an edible digital image. They did an awesome job on the kids' cake!

There was a little problem: I forgot to buy birthday candles! I thought I had some from before, but I couldn't find them on the day of the party! Well, the kids had to pretend to blow out the candles. I guess this version was safer, if kind of pathetic. ;-)

Andrea and Kevin loved their cake. Andrea had at least two pieces.

Kevin devoured his piece, and got it everywhere.

Next, it was time to open the presents. Our friends and family were quite generous, and the kids were thrilled.

Kevin got this Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Firetruck from Gram and Papa. He loves it. The other kids at the party loved it, too. They were all anxious to have a turn in Kevin's new wheels.

Andrea was excited about the sparkly Barbie she got from Gram and Papa.

She was a bit disappointed that she's too big to ride in Kevin's firetruck, but she figured out she could pretend from outside of it, and she looks good in the firefighter's hat. (By the way, she told Brigitte she wants to be either a firefighter or an artist when she grows up!)

After presents, they had a bit more time to play. Aunt Stephanie and Hannah joined the others on the trampoline!

The other kids were still taking turns with the firetruck.

The party was nearly over, and it was time to hand out the goodie bags. They were Mickey's Clubhouse-themed, of course.

Cousin Cuties
Hannah wanted her bubbles, but she needed a little guidance. We had to make sure she was blowing the bubbles, and not tasting them!

Kevin needed some help with his bubbles, too. He was blowing, but not with the right force, and not in the right direction. Great-Gram stepped in to help. She demonstrated proper bubble technique, but Kevin got silly, and kept making funny noises instead of trying to blow the bubbles. He's so silly.

Sunday, July 25: Kevin's 3rd Birthday

We had a pretty quiet day on Kevin's birthday. We spent most of the day putting their new toys together and cleaning up after the party. I don't think Kevin even realized it was his birthday, although I kept telling him so. To Kevin, the big party had been the day before, so that was his birthday. However, he still had some gifts from us to open.

Kevin: always the comedian. He immediately put his new sungalsses on upside-down, and when I tried to fix them, insisted they were better this way!

Kevin got lots of clothes, a Leap Frog writing/drawing toy, and a truck cell-phone. He had fun learning how to draw shapes. It's actually a pretty cool toy.

Later that night, Kevin and I had a little quality time to ourselves, after Ryan was in bed, because Daddy and Andrea went to the Tigers' game. Kevin asked me to take his picture, and this was all he would give me--funny guy!