Liv's 4 Year Appointment

This appointment was scheduled as a well-child appointment for a 4 year old. Most of the appointment we dealt with the sick girl with the bad cough, yesterday's high fever, and her headache and body pains. So much for the flu-shot. Liv's been hacking for a few days, finally got the fever yesterday but it's gone today, and now had a headache which I assume is more like a tension headache from coughing and constantly sneezing. There's a small possibility she may have strep throat and we could have done a culture but we decided to wait a few days to see if she gets better on her own. We also went over Dave's family history of heart problems to see if it's genetic since both his sister and brother have Mitro Valve Prolapse. The doctor's looking in to it but thinks that it is not genetic. Phew.

Wanna know what I got? Nothing, just my period. I thought I'd just throw it in there that we all apparently need to suffer at the same time. Dave has had chronic back spasms, the dog barfed on the couch yesterday during the fever and it left a stain which means I now need to take the cover off and wash it. It doesn't sound like work but it is when you try to put that sucker back on. It takes a small army. Ava is sneezy but not yet sick although her face is bright red... could be anything I suppose.

So yeah. The well-child appointment didn't exactly go as planned but I did promise Olivia that she was not going to get any shots. The doctor confirmed this as soon as he walked into the room except that he then realized this was a 4 year appointment not a 3 year appointment as it is a week before her birthday and now she needs FOUR shots after she turns 4 next week. Sigh. We also found out that she needs to see the dentist twice a year and the eye doctor once a year. Both of the girls have seen both doctors but not as official appointments. Usually they get checked when we get checked since they like to sit in the chair and the doctor obliged. So once I got home I made their appointments for Saturday for both vision and teeth. Should be a fun day. Sigh.

Anyways here's the stats... Olivia is 38.8 pounds clothed, and 42 1/4 inches tall. This puts her weight in the 74% and her height in the 93%. She will most likely be somewhere between 5'8" and 5'10" as an adult. Her BMI for age is 38%. Overall she's right on track and healthy (ok maybe not today, but overall.)

Just for reference: Ava is 39 inches tall or in the 93%, 38.0 pounds or 97%, and in the 88% for her BMI (which should be under 85% or 37 pounds). So we are still over in her BMI which she had been doing well on until Halloween and Liv's birthday rolled around and we weren't as strict with her diet. So we will get her back on track and keep working at it.

Olivia's 4th Birthday Party

She's 4. I don't know whether to cry or to be elated. Olivia is no longer a baby, a toddler, or anything but a little girl. How did this happen so fast? Many days I wished she was bigger just for my own needs. You know- to take a shower in the morning without her crying, being able to feed herself so I could feed Ava, being able to walk so I could have my arms free. Now I change my mind. I want her small and to do it all over again to enjoy her smallness, her inability to walk, her inability to voice her opinion, and her inability to do it all for herself. She needs me still but in totally different ways.
Now Liv wants stories told to her about when she was a BABY. She needs me to tie her shoes or apply bandaids. One days she'll apply her own bandaids and that sucks. I know she's only 4, but 4 years ago she was only just born. We were just married, just buying our first home, just getting prego again. People don't lie when they say time flies. It really does. If it weren't for Dave, I'd be pregnant again, doing it for a third time, and enjoying it every minute. Yeah, I know we are poor, can't afford it, whatever. But sometimes isn't life better just doing what you want want? Here's my big shot on the morning of her party in her new doughnut pajamas bought by Grammie.

Here's her cake I made all by myself.

Yes, I put cotton candy all around the cake and then set the princesses in front because as much as Liv loves Dora she also loves her princesses.

The Dora jumper I was requested to get after attending a friend's party.

Swinging with a neighbor during the party.

Preparing the candles for blowing out.

Singing happy birthday. Look at her smile. I LOVE it.

Blowing out the candles.

While I cut the cake Liv couldn't wait for her Dora piece so she helped herself. It was her birthday.

Right after she got her piece of cake it dropped on the ground so she licked the frosting off the concrete. Gross-yes. It is her birthday.

The unveiling of gifts.

She was given drums. I officially hate you Ray.

The new bike and best gift of all.

Riding the new bikes. How cool!

It's Tuesday

Olivia has learned the fine art of fake smiling or not smiling in photos. I hope this phase passes soon. It's not fun.
This is better but not totally believable.

This is a dress Grammie gave her months ago. It's too big but she wanted to wear it. We practiced Amish day.
These are Olivia hand-me-downs that Ava wore at Olivia's party last year. I remember this outfit being tight on her so she must have had on a diaper... weird.
And here's the bobsey twins.

Almost Forgot

I did have these photos of the pumpkin coloring...notice the ink on Ava's face.

For The Record

I haven't yet done a post about Halloween night. I kinda feel like we did so much Halloween stuff before the actual event that there's nothing left to add but just for the record when the girls read this later they will know we did go out, we did trick or treat, and we did come home with a lot of loot.

Actually Friday night we went to the Y for their free dinner and games. The girls had fun. They got to color, paint a pumpkin, spin the wheel for prizes, and show off their costumes. Saturday one of the neighboring cities was having a safe trick or treat for all the stores so we hit that one and went out to lunch. Then later that night we hooked up with the neighbors and went for the real deal. I was literally done with Halloween by this point. The girls were cranky from not napping, and me and my man were tired. We were both like, "Is it over? Can we go to bed now?" But we sucked it up and headed outside and after a few minutes we were all in the swing of things and had a fantastic outing. I didn't take any pictures of the event being that it was outside and dark but I think the previous pictures will suffice.

Halloween Party

This is Olivia at school with her two teachers dressed up for the party.
This is the loot Olivia brought back from class. I wondered what was going to happen with the milk jug. They painted them on Tuesday and decorated them today to hold all their goodies. Ms. K's just full of ideas.
Ava is exploring the world of blue fangs. Scary!!
Olivia's turn.
Take a real close look here folks... Olivia is sharing her toys from class without having to be asked. This is a BIG deal.

My Ava

is doing great. She's been weighed at 37 pounds and she is 39 inches tall. This puts her BMI at 81% which falls into the NORMAL category. WhooHoo Ava! She's back on track.

We will still keep her on her modified diet and encourage her to eat healthy. But overall, I am elated to know Ava is back in the right BMI and she is getting plenty of exercise. What a relief. Phew.