Feast or Not to Feast

Today has been a pretty relaxing day. Jacob and the boys went to the dump with all the garbage (there is no roadside service where we are) while Kolbein was fed and is now napping. I could be doing the dishes I suppose, but I'm having more fun procrastinating! Ha!

So, I've finished my second cup of coffee and decided to download a few pictures from April. The snowy one was God's precious April Fool's day surprise. The rest are self explanatory.

I've taken a lot of pictures of Kolbein eating lately. He's so fascinated with putting everything in his mouth for the last few months. I was telling someone, that changing his diapers are always a surprise. So far, I've found wads of paper, wood, gravel, a penny plus a few unidentifiable things that I just figured we'd leave at that.

It seems as if he's always finding something. It doesn't matter how much I clean or vacuum. I've come to the conclusion that it will never be enough. No. I can't keep him in a cage either. Not all the time anyway.

Gravel is always being tracked in, so that's a given. Straw is another. Just this morning I've taken away paper, toilet paper he grabbed in the bathroom, some old food he found and a mouse trap. Yep. A used mouse trap. Can't tell you how grossed out I am. He's getting so quick, and I'm not sure how he got back there in the first place to tell you the truth.

I now know why God designed little ones to take naps. I'm certain it's to give us moms a break from the frequent, heart stopping adrenaline rushes.

Here's a few pictures of Jacob feeding him something he actually DIDN'T like the other morning.
We have made it a habit to lean as far away from him as possible when attempting to feed him. He has a trick of blowing raspberries and spitting things out directly if he doesn't approve.

Then there's a classic picture of him eating his prunes this morning. He loved those.

Well, Jacob is back with the other two boys. He's grabbed some stuff from the storage unit. I want to go help him. Enjoy the weekend!!

We're Boys!

Yesterday was Jared's turn to go to the doctor's. The appointment wasn't until the afternoon, so I endured many questions of, "Is it time to go yet?", "Now can we go??" and "Why is it taking soooo long, Mom?!?" I have to admit, after Tuesday's round of doctor visits, I was surprised that Jared was so eager to go for his appointment.

So, to pass the time, I had them take a shower, clean their rooms, make their beds, surprise the wild turkeys outside, etc... The usual.

When they were told that it was finally time to go, they got their shoes on and zipped out the door so fast. I followed with Kolbein. As I was buckling Kolbein in his car seat, I asked over my shoulder if either of them had to go potty one last time before we left. I heard them both yell, "I do!!" So, I replied for them to hurry and go really quick.

I clasped the last buckle for Kolbein and quickly fixed his window shade. As I turned around to go inside and make sure the boys were hurrying (they get side-tracked easily), I heard their voices around the other side of the shop near the ledge. What on earth?? So I jogged over to find out what in the world they were doing over there.

Lo and behold, right at the edge they had both dropped their drawers and were laughing at each other. I heard one of them say, "My rainbow is bigger than yours!!" The other replied, "Na-uh, mine is bigger!!"

Does everything have to be a competition?, I thought for the hundredth time this week I think. It was so funny. I was afraid if I disturbed them while they were "launching their rainbows", we'd have a real mess on our hands. One I didn't have time for. So, I waited for them to finish.

When they discovered I had been watching them, they were very unabashed. In fact they were pretty proud of themselves.

"Did you see me, Mom?"

"Yes, honey, I saw alright."

"Mine went farther than Kris'!"

"I hit a rock with mine, Mom!"

"OK, good job! Now, please get into the car. Why didn't you go in the house to go?" I queried.

They just looked at each other and laughed. "We don't need to, Mom," Jared informed me as if it was clear as day. "We're boys!"

Good to know.

I was so glad Jacob met me at the office to help with the younger two. This appointment we were going to discuss Jared's peanut allergies, and I wanted to make sure I wasn't as distracted.

The appointment, once again, went well. He's 42" tall and 42 pounds. We discussed the allergies and the doctor prescribed him some EpiPens to keep on hand. They're quite handy, for those that don't know. They're an emergency injection of epinephrine dispensed in the thigh to help prevent anaphylactic(sp?) reactions. Since his allergic reactions have been getting progressively worse, we need to keep one nearby at all times. (Last time his face swelled up pretty good.)

I really, honestly didn't know if he would get immunizations that time, because I thought they might make him wait till he was five. Well, he wasn't so lucky. His weren't able to be combo injections either. He got six of them. He was quite brave through it all, even though he shed more than a tear. He's at that age where he's able to understand some logic, so he understood why he needed them. He made it clear to the nurse though, that that was it for a long time. It is until he's eleven.

He also asked her, "I get stickers and a book now, right? 'Cause you gave me lots of shots." Yes, he received his stickers and book.

I didn't have the heart to tell him we had to go to the lab next to get his blood drawn for an allergy screening of the major food groups. But to my surprise, he actually ENJOYED getting his blood drawn. He told me it was cool. Didn't even cry. Just watched the whole thing with a curious fascination. (The man was really incredible with him! I was so blessed. I was expecting a bolt and chase scenario!) He was even more ecstatic that he got four more ninja turtle stickers AND a toy from the toy chest.

"Mom, I scored!" he smiled.

"Yes, you sure did."

"I was brave, huh?"

"Yep, you were. I'm so proud of you!" I told him.

"You know why?" he asked.

"Why?"

"'Cause Jesus was right there by me."

So, we went to show Dad all his band aids. He was so proud of them. Kris was pretty horrified to think Jared got SIX shots. He sighed, "Ohhh!" so sympathetically as Jared nodded that it was quite true.

So, after a trip to Dutch Brother's for lolli pops for them and a coffee for me we headed home to have a pancake dinner and watch a movie together.

Sticky Poky Thingies

Since we were blessed with recieving awesome group health coverage, I thought it was time to get a slew of "well child" visits done. All three boys were due for their check ups and needed to get more immunizations.

On Tuesday, it was Kristopher and Kolbein's turns. They were so excited to take the trip to Coeur d'Alene, a 45 min drive, to the pediatric center. I decided to go ahead and keep the doctors down there since I heard that the pediatrician center up here is always way overbooked. Jared approved. He loved his visit when he was sick last winter and had to make an office visit. So, he made sure he told Kris all about it the whole way down. A regular little tour guide.

Both little guys did pretty well. Kolbein of course was husky for his age and scored in the 90th percentile for his height. Kris was a skinny fella with average height scoring in the 50th percentile across the board.

The doctor was so nice. She checked for potatoes in Kristopher's ears on Jared's suggestion. We were relieved there were no jelly beans either. When it was Kolbein's turn, she was checking for teeth using one of those tongue suppressants. No teeth yet. The older brothers thought it was hilarious, which encouraged Kolbein to try to grab it and eat it.

All in all, it went well until the nurse brought in the vaccines. Kris somehow knew what they were. (Perhaps it was Jared asking, "Is he getting a shot? Mom! Mom, is he getting some shots now??!) So, we held him tightly, but gently on the table. I just put my face right into his and kept telling him he was doing so well as the tears came pouring out of his eyes. I think I had a few tears myself. So, we snuggled a minute after the three shots were over and the bright, neon bandaid dots were in place. (Thank goodness they can mix some of them now days!) He turned to me with those big blue eyes of his after a moment and said, "Mom, I didn't like those sticky poky thingies!"

Then it was Kolbein's turn. Deep breath.

Afterwards they both recieved books from the office as well as some very cool Spiderman stickers. Kris was quite proud of his. Then I hooked up Kolbein back in his stroller, being careful of his leg. I noticed that one of his band aids had disappeared, but the poke looked dry, so I didn't think another thing of it.

Kris reminded me again while lunching at McDonald's that he really, really didn't like those sticky poky thingies. And once more at home. He told me it made his legs hurt really, really badly and made him cry. I told him he did so well, and we wouldn't need to do that for a loooong time. He seemed satisfied with that.

Ok, Kolbein was really hungry now and throwing a complete fit. So, I made a bottle and he seemed really happy to see it, but then kept yanking it out of his mouth. I thought he was just dawdling and being difficult, so I shoved it back in. He started gagging and choking. I sat him up and as I did, out came a ton of spit up and... the band aid. He must have been gumming that thing for over two and a half hours!!

MoBO in Idaho

Me, holding Kolbein (here 7mo), Kristopher 3, & Jared 4

(at my grandparents in Oregon)

So, I've decided to go ahead with this blogging thing, since I've really enjoyed subscribing to a few of yours out there (you know who you are). It's brought me joy and many times has put the biggest smile on my face for the day. It's also a great way to stay in touch with those that live so far away.

I also find writing to be very relaxing but a rare treat these days since my boys are always on the go. So, bear with me, my followers. Sometimes the grammar may not be the best. Sometimes I'll just have to settle for a few quick notes.

My blog (I love that word) entitled "The life of the MOBO" means Mother Of Boys Only. It's been a whole new experience for me living amongst the life of boys. I have two sisters and one brother myself, so estrogen pretty much dominated in our family. (Sorry, Dad and Tanner!) I now understand what it feels like to be outnumbered. It can be fun and an advantage at times, and I do find myself REALLY liking the color pink for the first time in years. May be because it's one of the "not allowed" things here in man-land. (Purple, I've been told is a close second.)

Boys. Their emotions, antics and energy leave me amaaaaazed at the end of each day. It's never the same ol' - same ol' around here! Always an adventure. My goal is to share the stories here on the mountain we call home in Sagle, Northern Idaho. Perhaps some of you can already guess what the boys will be up to tomorrow since you might have had a few brothers/sons yourself; however, may be you'll get to enjoy the experiences from the point of view of someone who finds herself on occasion... well... completely clueless.