WHEW!!!!

I've posted in the past about our concerns about Son #1's growth. To recap, click the following links:


http://3blueberries.blogspot.com/2008/07/son-1s-growth-update.html
http://3blueberries.blogspot.com/2007/04/more-questions-than-answers.html
http://3blueberries.blogspot.com/2007/04/56-is-magic-number.html
http://3blueberries.blogspot.com/2007/11/failure-to-thrive.html

In a nutshell, Son #1 is 13 and a half years old and in the bottom 3rd percentile for height/weight. His doctor recommended at a bone age xray test (according to the most recent test, Son's bone are about a year 'younger' than his actual age - this is especially true considering that Son #1 is losing baby teeth at a much slower rate than his 2-year younger brother.

Son #1 had a growth hormone stimulation test - which he passed with a D minus (anything below a 10.0 is generally covered by insurance, Son #1 scored 10.4).

In the past several months, Son #1 has taken an appetite stimulant, plus had two protein shakes a day. His weight is 71 lbs, his height 57+ inches. Although still in the third percentile, this represents a significant *increase* in growth velocity (growth rate). At this point, the pediatric endocrinologist feels that Son #1's issues are related to how his body processes calories, rather than an actual growth hormone deficiency.

This is good news in that Son #1 might expect to grow to a more average male height (say 5'5" to 5'8") than previously thought...without medical intervention (i.e. daily hormone injections).

A Positively Lovely Day...

There's a tradition in Dear Hubby's family. We get together for cake and ice cream (and usually a meal) to celebrate birthdays. I'll admit that when we were dating - in our early 20s - it seemed a little strange to stop by his family's home for cake and ice cream. Now, I accept it. It's a tradition. It's just what we do. It's the way we roll.

We're getting into the busy season. A month ago, we celebrated B-I-L (brother-in-law) #5's birthday. Last weekend was my father-in-law's party. Today was Son #3's and my party. Next week is B-I-L #3's party. In April, we'll celebrate B-I-L #1's, #4's, and S-I-L #4's. You get the idea....

Today, we gathered at my father-in-law's house (F-I-L). We ordered 6 pizzas from Dominoes, made a pitcher of daiquiris, had cake (chocolate cake with chocolate icing) for me, plus a chocolate chip cookie cake (for Son #3). Ice cream, too - chocolate, naturally.

We unwrapped gifts. Star Wars toys and Power Rangers for Son #3, Vera Bradley desk set (sticky notes, file folders, memo holders, etc.) and several Barnes & Noble gift cards for me. (Merry, if you're reading this, call or email me. B&N Cafe is calling....).

I don't recall a lot of traditions in my childhood - that's not a complaint, so much as it is a fact. There's much more predictability with Dear Hubby's family. I'm sure the time will come where the boys think it's weird to go to their Grandpa's house for cake and ice cream when they'd rather be off gallavanting with friends. My hope is that eventually they, and their wives, will come to accept - nay, embrace - that this is the way our clan rolls. :-)

Happy Birthday, Son #3!

February 18 was Son #3's birthday. The Baby is 7. I can hardly believe it. I posted his birth story a couple years ago on his birthday. If you're interested in reading it, click here.

He's quite the character. Every once in a while, out of the blue, he'll want to change his name. I've been keeping a running tally on my blog and it looks like this:

1) Obi Wan Kenobi (kinda catchy, but doesn't go with our last name)
2) Chester (um, no)
3) Michael (okay, not bad once he dropped the "Jackson")
4) Ovento Burrito (what the heck????)
5) Christopher (not bad)
6) Nicholas (still not bad)
7) Logan. Nickname: Lo. He actually said that.
8) Pettiman (again, what the heck?)

Have I mentioned that he's the most stubborn person I've ever met? That single-minded determination will serve him well as he grows up, but it's positively maddening at dinner time. Fortunately there's a fix for that:


(Kidding. That's a photo from our Disney trip two years ago.)

He sometimes wears my perfume to school. Of my three boys, he's my first to need surgery (outpatient adenoidectomy - still a big deal to a mom), and sutures (busted his chin open).

There's never a dull moment (and rarely a quiet one) with this one.

Happy Birthday, Love!

I've been tagged...and so have YOU!

I've been tagged by Cheese and Chocolate! And... the rules are to tell 7 things about yourself and then tag 7 others. So here we go.

1. Without glasses, I am waaaaayyyyyyyy beyond legally blind. I am 24 substitute-teaching days away from having enough money to pay for laser surgery. Oh, my current vision is in the 20/450 range. Loosely translated, what the average person can see at 450 feet, I can see clearly at 20 feet. "Mountain? What mountain?"

2. According to the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) psychometic test, I am either an INTJ or an ISTJ. Not many people have two scores, but I scored equally between the N (intuitive) and S (using the 5 senses) when making decisions.

3. My handwriting changes with my mood -- sometimes dramatically.

4. If stranded on a deserted island with only one food group, it would be chocolate.

5. My birthday is next week. I still spoil and paper myself, even if no one else does.

6. I generally rather blend in with the background and observe people than call attention to myself. It's an unfortunate trait for someone who creates, and wants to sell, jewelry.

7. I would love to visit the Tuscan region in Italy.

Now to the tagging part. If you want to play along, please do and drop me a comment so I can check it out.

((( sigh )))

One son won't wear deodorant unless I stand outside the bathroom door and insist. Even then, I'm only assuming he's spraying it on his underarms and not into the air.

My other son has developed a liking for my perfume. Awww, how sweet, you're thinking. Um, but he's wearing it. That's right. My soon-to-be -seven year old has taken to wearing "Burberry Brit."

Finally, my middle son asked me to buy him a G-string. Fortunately, he was referring to his guitar.

.....and how was YOUR week?

Final Resting Place (Hopefully Waaaayyyyy in the Future)

I feel like such a responsible grown up. Today Dear Hubby and I purchased a burial plot. No, we’re not anticipating using it in the near future. This just seemed like a natural extension of my New Year’s Resolution: to get our estate – tiny that it is – in order.

Dear Hubby and I are open to the idea of cremation, and since one plot will accommodate two urns or one urn plus a traditional casket, we purchased a single plot. (Roman Catholics aren’t supposed to have their ashes scattered.) We figure if we can stand being around each other after 19 years of marriage, what’s eternity?

The cemetery is located at a religious community. It’s very simple and well-kept. It’s a pretty small place. The section where our plot is located is new. We selected a spot right near the new row of red maple trees, not far from the statue of Mary, Mother of Jesus.

Don’t get me wrong: I hope it’s many decades before anyone will be moving in. But it’s a relief to get this out of the way. Does it sound morbid? I think it’s just my nature: I’m a planner. It’s also the first piece of real estate I’ve purchased that won’t decrease in value (kidding).