ChEcK-Up TiMe!

Well, we had a lot of medical and dental check-ups so I have lots to report! Everyone is healthy and lookin' good!

ASHTON: He is 51 pounds and 48 inches (yep, 4 feet tall). He had his 6 yr check up, he found out he had to get two shots and so he stayed behind the table for 98% of his appt. We were a little concerned about his social development, he has had some issues in school with making friends. We had speculated the potential of his having Asperger Syndrome, a form of high functioning autism. But, he does not have Asperger's. Our dr said he is just "exceptionally intelligent" and somewhat quirky.

His asthma has gotten worse over the last yr, so he is on another med: he's on Pulmicort twice daily, Singulair daily, and albuterol before any activity. We think the reason his asthma may be worse is due to his allergies to mold and grass.

Ashton had his 6 mos dental check-up and he cried throughout his entire appt., but his teeth look good (THANK YOU!!!). So, he doesn't need to go back until Sept!

JACKSON: Jack went in for a recheck on his tummy, he has been on Zantac since the end of summer. He is down to 37 pounds, lost a pound since Sept, where he had gained two pounds since age 2yrs. He still has to take Zantac for his tummy. Our dr wants us to either have the blood test for food allergies (and Celiacs disease), or do the elimination diet for lactose and gluten. At first I said lets do the elimination diet, until I saw what gluten was in . . . EVERYTHING!!! Now, I think we will try the blood test, easier. He also wants us to help Jack deal with his anxiety (we like to call it "fussiness"). So I am looking for a good book to help with that.

Jack-Jack was soooooo brave at the dentist, never cried once! We all stood and watched them clean and examine his teeth. He has two small cavities that need to be taken care of. But, he was such a big boy for the dentist!!! I was so very proud of him.

THOMAS: TJ has his appt last mos, it was his 2 yr check up. TJ is 36 pounds and 35 inches, big boy!!!! He is doing well, right on task for most of the milestones. His expressive language development is a little behind, but his receptive is sooooo great we really aren't worried. He learned a couple new words over the last two weeks: NO and ICE CREAM. Never does he use those two words together in the same sentence. Currently he is having an asthma flare-up, due to the humidity. So we are treating that pretty aggressively. He has low iron, so we have to give him supplements for that.

TJ was so brave for the dentist (it was his first appt), his teeth look good, we were told it's time to think about losing the nuk, I am a little sad about that. I figure we have a little time, he said we could start working on it, don't have to do it immediately. I am sad about that, to me his nuk and his diaper are the last ties I have to his babyhood. I know I am delaying the inevitable, my baby is growing up, faster than I would like.

Everyone is doing great!!! We are looking forward to summer fun!!! We are getting excited about building our deck next mos and building the boys a big sand-box (and getting a picnic table for myself). Summer is going to rock and we can't wait!!!! Ashton and Jack are going to start soccer (not sure when, but I am signing them up)! TJ, Jesse and I are going to cheer on!! I am really excited for all the things the kids are going to be doing. Baseball is starting soon for Jesse! The boys and I can't wait, we love watching Daddy play ball! I