Alden Skywalker

Everyday Alden wants to watch Star Wars! I even caught him humming the theme song yesterday. Aaron got him hooked a few months ago and has been encouraging it ever since. I think it took, babe. We have gotten some of the cartoons for him, which he declares, "too skeery!" but loves watching the original three episodes: IV, V, and VI. I've been getting pretty tired of those, so today I put on Episode I for him, with Anakin and the pod-racing. And now Alden knows what he wants to be when he grows up! We turned it off right after the race part - for naps - but we should have stopped it earlier. Alden never did go to sleep, and came out of his room every 10 min. or so saying, "It's time for pod-racing, me and Anakin go pod-racing now." So eventually I gave up and we built a pod-racer. Aaron said they used to build them out of laundry baskets, which is just what we did. I'm just not sure who Aaron is talking about about when he says "they." Like him and college roommates??? Ahhh, like father, like son.

Memorial Day Fun

Sorry we're a little late on posting this. I got back into town Sun. and Aaron & the boys didn't come home Monday until noon. (So I could get some cleaning done) So after naps we spontaneously invited ourselves to the Williams for a BBQ. We sure love Boyd & Dot and all their kids! And their pool ain't bad either.

True Confessions of a Pediatrician Hopper

It's interesting how you choose this random person (hopefully not randomly) to be your children's pediatrician and they become a very important and influential person in your life - at least they can be. I had been very happy with our pediatrician group, having seen several different doctors and was worried about finding someone when we moved to Florida. But we lucked into a wonderful pediatrician, Dr. Lori (she's goes by her first name) and even recommended her to friends. She and the other doctor we saw occasionally were informative without being condescending, asked lists of comprehensive questions for well visits to ascertain all kinds of development, and didn't seem as rushed as other doctors we have been to. The office had a good staff, could always get us in very soon for sick visits, , and had the BEST waiting room I've ever seen. The worst part was dragging Alden from the toys or fish tank into the exam room, and then out to our car afterwards.

We were very lucky in FL but our office in AZ is no slouch and I assumed we would return as patients when we moved back home. I didn't count on my husband insisting that 20 min. is too far to drive and that we needed to find a closer pediatrician. I finally chose one the best I could from our insurance list and scheduled Emmett's 6 month well visit (it was only 12 min. away). Let's hit the highlights. They pricked Emmett's heel for an unnecessary test, squeezed it for 5 min. to make it bleed so they could collect blood, then left him to bleed profusely all over the exam room. The dr.'s only medical advice for my boys was to always put sunglasses on them to protect their eyes. He berated me for not having official copies of their vaccinations. He wanted me to take Emmett for blood work (a needle in his 6 mo. arm) because of the heel test. He refused to give Emmett the 2 shots I knew he needed, insisting that he had already had them. I barely managed to hold it together until we got to the car, where I dissolved into tears because of the bad feeling I got from this office. Luckily we were on new insurance and they were willing to pay for a lot of well visits before age 1 - so we went back to our regular pediatrician the next day. Emmett got his shots and I learned that he had ear infections in both ears (the crazy dr. neglecting to even look in there). Thankfully all is well now and we are very happy to be with a pediatrician that I respect and trust, and who respects and trusts us. When Aaron had a question about a medication prescribed to Emmett I told him to call the office and they put him on with the Dr. immediately. That's good service.

I read a book called You Just Don't Duct Tape a Baby: True Tales and Sensible Suggestions from a Veteran Pediatrician by Norman Weinberger. An excerpt from the publisher says:

[Dr. Weinberger] gives effective advice on everything from chicken pox
to autism, from special abilities to learning disabilities. He talks sensibly
about bedtime hassles, sibling rivalry, and adolescence. He provides meaningful
insights into thorny modern-day family issues, such as father involvement, loss
of a parent to divorce or death, stepfamilies, dual-career families, and single
parenthood. And he offers an inspiring perspective on how to teach kids to be
respectful, respectable individuals in an increasingly violent and morally
volatile society.

I would highly recommend this for humor and good suggestions on loads of stuff. But when you finish you will wonder where to find a pediatrician like this. If you ever find one, please let me know. They don't make great offices like this around here and I have to remind myself that I am very pleased with what we've got and never want to change... unless Dr. Weinberger starts practicing in Mesa.

And the Wedding Bells Ring

Sorry I've been MIA - I'm in Kansas for my girlfriend's wedding. Michelle Vogt married Randy Bradford May 24, 2007 in the Nauvoo, Illinois temple. So wonderful! Will post more when I return.

Swimming Attire

Alden has a new swimming outfit - new sandals, new swim shirt, and new goggles. And then there are the new floaties he didn't need for our pool. Our thanks to Walmart for 2/$1 goggles and $1 floaties. Plus Emmett's $3 b-day present of the truck full of sand toys, which work well in the water too. (What do you get for a one year old with an older sibling?) Alden loves the goggles, he wore them for over 2 hours straight, I swear. When we finally took them off because he couldn't see through the fog anymore he had marks that didn't fade for another hour. We love that half our back yard is shaded during the afternoon - we'll probably spend many post-nap periods out there.

I Swear I Don't Beat Him

Today I took the boys to the doctor for Emmett's 12 month well visit/check-up. He looked pretty decent when we got there, both scabs having fallen off his face from 2 times I accidentally scratched him, and no overt bumps and bruises. That's the fun thing about learning to walk - you fall down a lot and run into things. It does not help to have a brother who constantly pushes you and runs you over. In we go to our waiting room, but by the time the dr. gets there, we have had 2 major incidents and new dingers to show for it. The doc said the one on his browbone will surely turn black and blue (and purple and green). The funny thing is, neither of these was Alden's fault. Guess I should have left Alden with someone so I could concentrate on Emmett. But I can't follow him around with my arms outstretched to catch him all day long, can I? Emmett's check-up went well and we even got a Rx for the bad diaper rash. But poor Emmy, after all that - he had to get 4 shots! So sad to be one!

Go, Emmett! It's Your Birthday! Have a Party!

Excited to start this birthday thing at 5:15 am.

So big! Still on the bottle, but can walk and drink simultaneously.

My sweet baby, Emmett, turned 1 on Thursday and we tried to make the day a little special for him. He had portraits taken and they were all so cute, I had a hard time choosing and ordered too many. I'll post them in a few weeks. But the big party was this afternoon. Like all 1 year olds, Emmy had no idea what was going on, but enjoyed the kids here to play with him. And apparently he loves cupcakes, even after the trauma of having chocolate frosting cleaned out of your eyes, ears, and nose. It did take a bit to calm him down after that. A big thank you to all the people who dropped by, and thanks for the gifts also - we will put them to good use. If you were one of the many people who couldn't make it - don't feel bad - Emmett didn't miss you, even if Aaron & I did. But come see us soon!

New Shoes

For the first time ever, I spent more than $5 on a pair of shoes for Alden. I have had success on ebay and the second-hand stores - not to mention the many generous people who have passed on stuff to us. These were $15! I almost choked. But I think they're kinda retro cool - hopefully.

Let me know if you have a good (cheap) source for kids shoes and clothes.