Post appointment...

Xander had his 5 year well child visit the other day and got 3 vaccinations while we were there- Dtap and polio in the left arm and MMR in the right.  While giving my child vaccines is no picnic in general, he pretty much flipped his lid during the shots. It is absolutely no fun to hold your child down while they are screaming and crying and begging you not to hurt them anymore.  I was feeling pretty traumatized afterwards but Xander was quite easily pacified with hugs and stickers. Friday morning he had a fever, easily treated with Motrin, but Friday evening his poor left arm looked like this.  I though it seemed a tad excessive so we took him to the Dr again this morning and apparently this is within the scope of a "normal" reaction.  I'd hate to see what an abnormal reaction would look like! Now the trick is to keep him from itching it and getting it infected. I really struggle sometimes with the vaccine debate but I guess a nasty, sore arm is better dying from tetanus or whooping cough, both of which are pretty readily found around here.  Still this is one part of parenting I could do without...

Xander's five year appointment

It's hard to believe my little man is going to be 5 years old in a few short weeks. My sweet baby boy is turning in to a real little person these days.  He's still my little man of course weighing in at only 36.5 lbs and measuring 40.1 in tall.  Height it appears is not going to be his strong suit.  Heck I only just pulled out all the size 4 pants! He is a busy, busy guy though.  Always on the move... He can be a little moody at times but then again who isn't! He's meeting all his developmental milestones and his speech and hearing seem to be within normal range even with tubes out so that is a huge relief.  He does not appear to be color blind unlike every other male in my family! His vision tested out at 20/30 in both eyes but at some point here soon I should probably take him to the eye doctor to have his eyes thoroughly checked- he is my son after all! So that is this year's health update.

Maggie is 33 weeks old!

Maggie is 33 weeks old today!  She is sitting up beautifully by herself and has even started to pull herself into a sitting position, provided she has a little tilt to start with. She still has only 2 teeth but I think she is working on some more given how fiercely she has been chewing on everything in site.  She finally figured out the food thing and, while she still tends to get her hands in the way, will now open her mouth for bites of food rather then sticking her tongue out to lick it. She could use a little help in the sleep department seeing as when I am home she seems to want to nurse all night long.  Someday I would like to reclaim my bed for my own!

Our newest additions

Lillian is the proud new mama of 12 piglets today.  They are so cute- especially when you consider what they grow up into!  There is a wide range of colors and patterns to choose from and I now truly understand where the term "pig pile" come from.  Welcome littles...

Maggie is 32 weeks old!

 I couldn't decide which picture I liked the best so you got all three!  Isn't she so precious?  She definitely had a six month growth spurt (maybe a little late) but she hasn't been sleeping quite as well as she had been.  This too shall pass... But even with the lack of sleep she is still a pretty happy girl.  She loves kicking her feet!

Maggie is 31 weeks old!

I could just eat her- 'nuff said!

Maggie is 7 months old and she has teeth!

Can you believe she is 7 months old already?!?!?!? Because I am having a hard time with it. She is sitting up beautifully by herself, although still not really rolling over yet. I think soon she will be able to pull herself into a sitting position.  She certainly doesn't like to miss anything going around her. She has started to eat some solids. She really likes Gerber teething biscuits and anything she can hold onto herself.  She is not yet a huge fan of anything you try to feed her, although bananas do seem to be most favored. Today we are at CocoKeys in Fitchburg Ma.  It is an indoor waterpark and the boys are having a blast while Maggie chills with Nanny.

I must apologize about all the crummy iPhone pics but they are certainly convenient! Maggie enjoyed sitting on the table at Buffalo Wild Wings- salt and vinegar wings yum! In the big news of the week she cut her first tooth yesterday and her second tooth today so my big girl now has her front two bottom teeth!