9 months and counting...(warning, adult content)

We went this week for the babies 9 month well baby check-up. It went well with just a few minor things. Mina is still not babbling or imitating people. She is however, my best crawler, and the best with major motor skills. The doctor is not concerned yet as she was a preemie and therefore may do some things a little behind. With her being right on track with everything else, plus alert, happy, and cooing, he is not too concerned. She weighed 19.7 lbs. and is 27 and 3/4 inches long.

Noah's check went very well with him doing great on all milestones. He is crawling, so not as speedy as Mina. The only concern was for his poor little winky. He was circumcised at around 3 months. They could not not do it immediately after birth because of weight issues. They needed him to gain weight before because the procedure can make them lose their appetite. I had been noticing that it seemed like some of the foreskin had reattached itself. Jake told me I just worry too much. It turns out I was right. The doctor had to fix it, so he basically just pulled down on the foreskin until it ripped away from the head and gave it back that nice little ring. Ouch! Noah only cried for a few seconds, but it looks just awful now. It has a red, raw, ring all around the head. Poor little guy. Now we just have to make sure we pull it way down, and slather it with Vaseline every time we change him until it heals. Noah weighed in at 20.12 lbs and was 27 and 3/4 inches. What a chunky monkey!

In other news, the kids are doing ok in school. James is doing great, but it is becoming painfully obvious that Linda is way behind the other kids. We are having a meeting next week to discuss a Special Education program for her. The kids both want to join scouts and we are discussing that.

Jake has been very busy at work and it only looks to get busier. Thank goodness for job security. He spends the weekend with his family just trying to relax whether its video games with Mike, or movies with his cousins. Oh, and speaking of family, a special thank you to Aunt Dianne for the boxes of stuff for the kiddos all the way from Hawaii. Thank you Aunt Dianne!

An Update Buffet

Wow, I have really slacked off here. I have been so busy lately. I am almost done with my thesis paper, just 10 more pages to go and then this 40 page nightmare is behind me. In the meantime though, one of my make-up classes has started so I am doing the work of two classes right now. On the bonus side though, one of my teachers is a judge and very interesting to talk to. On the down side, I am gone one night a week. I am so lucky to have a husband who does not mind taking care of four kids by himself. I am also lucky to have such wonderful friends willing to help out. The kiddos all went to my pastor's house (thank you so much Melissa) and his lovely wife watched them for me while I went to the church to work on my paper. She also offered to do it again next week, she is so great. We are so lucky to have so many people who love the babies.

Speaking of people who love the babies, Kimmie and Becky came over this weekend and I got to hang out with my girls. Through the wonder of technology, even Dianne got to chill with us via speaker phone. She has the friends and family plan so she can call me and talk as long as she wants for free. and we do, for hours almost every day, just ask Jake. Anyways, Kimmie and Becky loved on the babies and talked with me and Jake until well after midnight. It was a blast. We are going to try and do a movie marathon this weekend.

Tomorrow Kimmie is watching the babies while I go the Rhuematologist. I have recently been diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder which explains a lot. Tomorrow I go to find out what we will be doing for treatment. I am nervous because this is a disorder that causes lots of inflamation of the spine as well as other things. I hope they can treat it well.

The countdown is on for my sister's wedding. I am singing Martina McBride's Valentine in it so I have been practicing that every chance that I get. It will be a whirlwind weekend. My parents only live about 30 miles from Fort Leonardwood so we will get to hang with Jake's brother Jeremiah as well. We called dibs on my parent's new fifth wheel so it will be like having an apartment to ourselves. It promises to be a lot of fun, although it would be better if Dianne and Zach could be there.

James and Linda are getting excited for school to start. We are doing their school shopping this weekend so look out wallet. The neighbor next door's grand-daughter moved in so Linda now has a friend her own age right next door. They have been playing together a lot so it is good for her. Whew, I am pooped from all of this typing. More next time.