Happy April Fools Day!

I guess Google decided to pull an April Fools Day joke on me!?!?  They stated I used up my quota of free space on the blog, so instead of paying an annual fee, I am starting a new one!

Here it is!

http://thebuchmanfamily2.blogspot.com/

Poor Sick Kiddos

Its crazy how much time I have gotten to spend at the doctor's office this past week.  It started with a fever Monday night for Brooke that seems to go away during the day, and then come back at night.  I spend 2 hrs with her at the after hours doctor Thursday, to get a diagnosis of pneumonia, and an ear infection.  We then went back Friday afternoon to see her normal pediatrician, as I wanted a more throughout review.   We left the doctor's office this time, after x-rays, a breathing treatment, with a diagnosis of croup, pneumonia, and two ear infections!  Poor kiddo.  Brooke however, was still in a pretty good mood, just a little sleepy.  The doctor changed her antibiotic, and also prescribed a steroid. 

We had a follow up appointment scheduled for Tuesday to have Brooke checked again to make sure the meds were working, at which I had planned to bring Tyler so the Dr. could listen to his lungs, and check out his ears as well.  I guess Tyler didn't want to wait until Tuesday, as he woke up Saturday afternoon with pink eye.  Another 2 hours at urgent care, and the doctor also determined that he had an ear infection as well.  (No surprise here, as I was concerned this was the case.)  Then finally back to the doctor on Tuesday, where Brooke was give a breathing treatment to bring home to do for the week, and an increase in Tyler's meds, as his ear infection still looked pretty bad.

Here is what our counter looks like....

I also learned too much about the pharmacy's in the area!  Kroger's is the worst. (The syringe didn't even fit in the container, and they took way too long!)  Target is the best!  The bottles have a small opening for the syringe to allow easy medicine dispensing.  They color code the bottles for each family member. (Brooke is purple as shown above.)  Also, they have about 6 different flavors you can add to the medicine to make it taste better, and the pharmacist was actually very helpful and nice.  And finally, Sav-More is the only pharmacy in the area open till 9 pm!
However, Brooke was still smiling, and excited to show her new hat that momma made her.

Daddy teaching Brooke the finer skills of "Angry Bird".

Look at me standing...now just wait until I am walking!

So what do you do with your kids when they are not feeling well?? I dress mine all up as little bees.

Happy St. Patty's Day

We decided to go "all out" for St. Patty's day this year.  Currently, our definition of going all out describes our wardrobe, versus our activities for the day.  No green beer, or crazy times at the pub, but we did enjoy the beautiful weather with our kiddos at the park.  I will take this type of celebration any day.

 

My men!

Shelly even tried to dress the part.  This is the only green shirt she owns.  Yes, we were that silly family at the park all dressed in green, including the dog!

Brooke also decided her little hedgehog was sleepy, and the only real way he could get a good sleep was if he was buried in dirt.  Since Brooke normally freaks out if her toes, or fingers get dirty we thought it would be very healthy for her to get her hands a little dirty.  Plus she was so entertained with herself.

Tyler Man is 8 Months Old

Time is once again not slowing down in our crazy world!  Tyler is already 8 months old, and there is no stopping him...literally.  He loves to smile, and see how much trouble he can get in.  He knows the sound of food dropping in Shelly's bowl, and starts moving as quick as possible in that direction.   Poor Shelly never gets her water down any more, and only gets to eat when Tyler is in his chair.  The extra bonus is the food she gets from Tyler though.

Tyler is doing great at eating.  He has a tendency to give you the "ewe what did you just put in my mouth look" with the first bit, but then chows down the rest as quick as possible.  He loves mashed bananas, sweet potatoes, pears, peaches....the list goes on.  However, I think his favorite thing is feeding himself either puffs, or cheerios.  We just have to make sure he doesn't try to put too much in at once.

He is only drinking about 3 5oz bottles at daycare (9:00, 12:00, 3:00), and normally leaves about 1-2 oz in a few of them.  He is also still nursing many times at night....regardless how much we try to feed him in the evenings.  (8:00pm, 12:00am, 3:00am, 6:00am)  It seems like his only break is at 6:00pm at night when he eats dinner.  He is also eating solid food at 9:00 a.m., and will be adding another meal at noon too hopefully. I do still like my cuddle time in the evening, and maybe he isn't willing to give up his middle of the night meals since he misses his mommy so much.

I am not sure how tall he is, but he is weighing in at 20.5 to 21 lbs.  Looks like we need to invest in his big boy car seat soon.  He is also very talkative and loves saying ma, ma, ma and da, da, da.  I am not actually sure which one he said first, but if I had to guess, I think it was da, da, da.  I need to get a video soon of him talking.

Looking though my pictures this month, I am noticing he is starting to wrinkle his nose some times when he smiles.

Yes, he is already starting to pull himself up.  Look out!

He is still army crawling a lot, but now finally starting to craw with his arms straight.

Like his sister, he has now also found the toilet paper, and thinks its pretty fun.

Our "little" chunky man.

Quick Trip to the Park

We did a quick visit to the park near my parents house a few Sundays ago.  Here are the pictures from the afternoon.  We didn't know what to make of the 65 deg and sunny weather.  I am just super excited it has decided so stay for a little while longer.  Boy does the sun shine feel wonderful.

Looks like Brooke won!

Newport Aquarium

I few weekends ago we visited the Newport Aquarium, which is on the boarder of KY, right next to Cincy.  Tyler loved checking out all the fishy from his great seat!

What do you think of this "little" guy?

Of course the frog exhibit is always fun.

Brooke decided each of the penguins needed a little hug.  This one...

and this one....

and this one too.

Yes, that is a shark in the back ground coming to say "hi."

Thank you Bob & Nicole for the super fun Christmas gift of the tickets!!

Brooke is 32 Months Old

32 months old, and no I am not tired of the sign pictures...are you?  Its amazing how much information Brooke is now retaining.  Her vocabulary is huge!  Plus its fun hearing the crazy stuff she comes up with.  Like the second she walks out of the bath she starts yelling "Nakie Brooke, Nakie Brooke" to who ever is down stairs.  I also have a lot of fun watching others trying to figure out what she is saying, when normally I can figure it out right away. 

She loves calling her brother "short bald guy" thanks to daddy.  She decides each day if we should call her Brooke or Brook-e, and continues to have a very, very strong opinion each morning on what she is willing to wear.  The best way to persuade her to do something is letting her know "that's what Emi does, or this is how Emi brushes her teeth, etc."  Plus she has officially decided that Grandma can go by "Bubby"...hope they are both ok with that.

Also, she has started a night time routine where she must have mommy (not daddy) read her nite, nite book to her.  Time for Bed, by Mem Fox.  Its a good thing I have it memorized, and I am great at reading it in the dark.  "Its time for bed little mouse, little mouse, Darkness is falling all over the house..."

Brooke has had a few rough weeks of being sick going from pneumonia to pink eye, but fortunately she is doing ok now (knock on wood), and was healthy for her pictures this month!

So big, so big

Can you catch me?

Yes, Brooke is definitely a "girlie, girlie".  Her poor baby had a dirty face.

Happy 1st Birthday Clayton!

We were so excited it worked out for us to travel this past weekend to Cincy & Dayton!  We had a very busy, and fun weekend.  On Saturday, we got to celebrate my nephew's first birthday.

The theme for the party was poke-dots.  The girls really dressed appropriately!

The food of course even followed the theme.

 The birthday boy & Jorryn!

Grandma & Clayton.

 The boys!  Tyler is already catching up to Clayton in size.  You wouldn't guess there was over a 4 month difference between them.

The fun challenge of trying to get all the kids in one picture!

Nice party hats!

Aunt Lea helping Clayton blow out his candle!

And finally the best part of all...eating the birthday cake!