October Outtings

Even though I feel like I do nothing, I seem to always be busy. Here's some things we've been up to...

We are lucky to have a friend who is a 4th year dental student. We made an appointment during his pediatric rotation. Shannon cried for days because her appointment wasn’t until Thursday. What kid cries because they CAN’T go to the dentist? Once we got there she refused to open her mouth (go figure). But once he brought out the pink spinning tooth brush, she was game. Ironically we had told her we were going to the dentist to make sure she didn’t have Jafar (Aladdin) teeth, but the fluoride treatment stains the teeth yellow for a few days and she looked more like Jafar after the appointment.

Steve’s enjoying UAB and did great on his midterms. He’s had his hospital reports displayed on “the door” several weeks in a row (it’s an honor and Steve’s wit shines through). He spent last Saturday shadowing the head of Anesthesia and looked hot in his hospital scrubs. He looks completely dazed because he was there for the start of the shift (5:30 am)...I took this picture when he got home because I wasn't about to get up when he left that morning.
Shannon’s dentist appt was at UAB so we met Steve for lunch at the Pita Inn. On my continuing quest to eat at all 50 greatest local food finds, the Pita Inn is known for the chicken pita. I’ve been craving falafels (a result from reading A View From Garden City), so I forced Steve to get the chicken pita and we all shared. The food guide didn’t fail me and I picked up a take out menu so Steve can bring it home when a craving hits. Shannon loved it all (which is shocking).

Our outing to pick a pumpkin and have a hayride was postponed due to rain(again). So I grabbed my friend Araksya and we headed to the Birmingham Museum of Art for the Da Vinci exhibit. I had chill bumps as I saw several of his sketches (Dana, you would have LOVED IT). Shannon, on the other hand, smacked one of the drawings. That’s my girl…disrespecting the masters. Araksya watched the kids later so that Steve and I could go to the temple…then she fed us when we got back! She’s a lifesaver and has been wonderful (this week were practicing whole wheat bread and working on my 72 hour kits)

I’m in love with this website Steve stumbled across. It has festive recipes that are easy and my entire menu has been from it. Yummy Pumpkin Pecan Belgian Waffles, German Apple Pancakes (Shannon and I had them for Brinner (breakfast for dinner) when Steve ditched us to go to Atlanta for a guys night with Adam (Riches, not Hodgen). Here’s the Apple Pizza Shannon helped me to make. She also released some aggression by pounding chicken.
Here's the website. http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/
Don’t go to it unless you have sometime to look around, because it will haunt you until you do!

In Adam news…he’s growing! Shannon was thrilled to feed him his first bottle (we’re practicing because my mom’s coming to visit and Steve and I are going on a DATE!!!) He’s cooing and what better way for him to voice his opinions then for you to hear them yourself.

96%

Some of you have observed the hefty nature of my son. At Adam’s 2 month check up, that grandeur was confirmed by medical science…15 pounds 2 ounces = 96%! Height was only 60% and head circumference 70%. So he’s definitely an above average kid.

Unfortunately the acid reflux still wakes him up constantly and doesn’t allow for more than 3-4 hours of sleep at night (if we’re lucky). But, he’s starting to smile, which melts my heart and makes everything worth it. A treasure from the LUCKY POT at Shannon’s preschool. Shannon has been anti camera for a long time. Ironically, when I start taking pictures of Adam, she jumps right in.

Until Next Time...Peace Out

A Blessed Day

Every preschool answering machine in AL ends with…”and have a blessed day.” We had such a day on September 29th when we blessed Adam. My parents and Grandfather came in that morning and Steve preformed the blessing. I felt very blessed to have a healthy baby boy and to be surrounded by people I loved.We took pictures in front of the Birmingham Temple (across the parking lot from our chapel)
A special thanks to Sister Van who crochet Adams blessing outfit

Like I said before, I feel very blessed to have a healthy baby boy. That said, we’ve been to 5 doctors appointments in the past 8 weeks. Well baby visit, conjunctivitis, and most recently, acid reflux. Friday we went to the children’s hospital for an upper GI to rule out additional possibilities. Fortunately no other abnormalities were found but he does have a level 3 out of 5 reflux and now sleeps in his kick and play to decrease the vomiting. I almost started crying as they straight jacketed him and flipped him from side to side to x-ray the barium he’d swallowed. Tuesday is his 2 month appointment and I’m interested to see what percentile is his weight. Despite his hefty appearance, he refuses to go more than 2 ½ to 3 hours between feedings at night. I’m tired!What will my grocery bill look like when this guy’s a teenager?

I must be the last person on earth to jump on the vinyl letter bandwagon. I’ve always been a late bloomer. But now that I’ve been bitten, I’m obsessed.