Archive for February, 2008
It was my month to plan, and I had arranged for us to see U2 3D at the IMAX at Jordan Commons in Sandy. Unfortunately, they changed the times the week before, and this was no longer an option. So we settled on seeing Juno in Provo.
Oh my. This movie may crack my all-time top ten list. High-larious. A Napoleon Dynamite vibe, only way smarter and funnier. We all loved it. I couldn’t remember a movie I’ve seen in the recent past that made me laugh out loud as much. And Kristin S made sure there were enough snacks for all six of us! We celebrated Tara’s birthday, and missed Wendy, who couldn’t come.
That ain’t no etch-a-sketch. This is one doodle that can’t be un-did, Homeskillet.
February 28th, 2008
Rees had his four-year Well Child appointment with Dr P today. He is in the 50th percentile for both height & weight. Perfectly average. 
He was really good at the office, doing exactly what the MA asked him to do with no hesitation. He is hitting all his milestones, and did not need any shots this time around. Such a good boy.
February 26th, 2008
Rees and I went to the dentist this morning. I went first, having my teeth cleaned and a checkup while Rees waiting in the chair near me. He was really well-behaved. He was not very agreeable when it was his turn, but the dentist did manage to get him to lie down long enough to count his teeth and do a quick appearance check. It appears that his teeth are okay. Salt Lake has fluoride in the water, so this should help keep his teeth strong. Maybe next time he’ll hold still long enough for x-rays!
Meanwhile, James stayed with Jen, Heather, and Hailey nearby in Alpine. When we came to pick him up, Rees and Heather wanted to play, so we ended up staying for a while. It was fun to chat with Jen. Rees and Heather had all sorts of things going on. At one point they were married, with Heather was all dressed up for the occasion. Too cute.
February 25th, 2008
Today was my first day teaching the CTR 6 class. There are three kids - two boys and a girl. Piece of cake, right? Um, not so much. They are sweet, but the boys are crazy!
I am realizing that I need to shift my teaching style again. About eight years ago I taught the CTR 5 class, and I was in the Primary Presidency a few years ago where I regularly taught Sharing Time. Back then, I found that a short, highly organized lesson followed by an activity seemed to work best. When I moved to Young Women, I learned how to teach in a flexible manner, with an outline and a basic plan of topics and exercises to work through, with the kids’ comments kind of guiding the lesson (which worked much better for the youth). So I did little preparation this week, quickly reading the lesson and putting together a simple craft. I’ll have to step up my game if I’m gonna keep these kids under control.
Rees did not seem to be affected by my presence in Primary. He noticed me and waved from time to time, but he was content to sit with his class. I was amazed to see how he is when the classes all meet as a group. While the other members of the Sunbeam class were running around the room, playing with chairs, lying on the floor, falling asleep, crying, etc, he was calmly sitting in his chair and - GASP - paying attention to Sharing Time!?! I wonder how long this will last. Go Rees!
February 24th, 2008
Today, the Berretts held their February birthday dinner for Rees, Heather, and Mark. It was fun - Rees and Heather had a blast playing together. I am mad at myself for forgetting my camera.
February 24th, 2008
I am trying to better document Jamie’s Breath-holding spells. A quick history:
One afternoon last fall, Jamie and I were out on the front porch playing around (Rees was napping). We received a package (thanks Rus!) and I was distracted while opening it - when I turned just in time to see Jamie fall face forward down a step and knock his forehead right on the cement. He started to cry, and I picked him up and turned him to me, to comfort him. As I did so, his countenance changed - his pupils dilated and he got a look of terror on his face. His body stiffened and he arched his back and lost consciousness.
I was pretty freaked out, but stayed surprisingly calm. He was breathing heavily. The phone was right there, so I grabbed it and dialed 911. The operator was very calming and instructed me to put him on the floor and make sure there was nothing in his mouth. He was breathing - it was like he was just asleep. Within minutes, a fire engine and two ambulances arrived. Jamie began to stir when about five EMTs crowded into our living room. They assessed the situation and sent the fire truck and one ambulance away. They were very kind while they talked to me about what happened. Jamie was awake now, and was very mellow, just lying on the floor where I had placed him and looking around. He was not worried about the EMTs - eventually he got up and interacted them and with me. They checked him over and couldn’t find anything wrong, so they left. Rees slept through the whole thing.
Later, I called my mom to tell her about it, and she mentioned that my niece Melanie (daughter of Chad and Kathi), who is about 18 months older than James, ‘faints’. So, I talked to Chad and he told me that they had determined that Melanie experiences ‘pallid’ Breath-holding spells, usually after a bump to the head. This happens with her a few times per month, on average, and the symptoms he described to me were almost identical to what Jamie experienced. He gave me some links to read too, which made me feel much better. We went off to Colorado the next day for Bryan’s family reunion.
I talked to Dr P about it when we visited him for Jamie’s first birthday appointment soon afterward. He was concerned, and admitted that he did not know much about Breath-holding spells. Oddly enough, Jamie experienced one in the office (his second-ever) after bumping his head lightly on the floor. So Dr P got to witness the whole thing. He was pretty intrigued and planned to find out more, especially since we seem to have a family connection with Melanie.
We have since determined that as far as we know, there will be no long-term effects, and he should grow out of it by the age of five. I’ve read that the best a parent can do it handle it calmly with as little fuss as possible, because if the kid realizes that they’re causing a stir, they may learn to control it and bring on a spell whenever they feel like it (if they’re mad or throwing a tantrum, for example). So we’ve been doing our best. He’s fainted at my parents’ house and also at Bryan’s folks’.
February 23rd, 2008
Today is Rees’s fourth birthday. He spent the morning out with Bryan doing fun stuff - they went to Discovery Gateway and some other spots. Later in the afternoon, Bryan, Rees and I drove up to Bear Lake to spend some time with the Young Men in the ward. Also riding in the car with us was our young friend Cory. This morning Rees received his ‘big’ birthday present - a Leapster. This gift came to be because my parents gave him some Leapster games last weekend, thinking he had the little system, which he didn’t. He is pretty enamored with it, it kept him busy through the entire car ride. And Cory helped him out from time to time if he got confused.
We stayed at a nice home right on the edge of the lake, which is owned by the family of our Young Men’s president. A few weeks ago when we found out that this particular activity happened to be planned on Rees’ birthday, we agreed that bringing him along would be fun - the Young Men in the ward are like big brothers to him. They sang Happy Birthday to him and helped him eat his donut cake and open some presents.
Meanwhile, Jamie stayed with Bryan’s parents in NSL. Jamie experienced a breath-holding spell (BHS) and passed out in Bob’s arms just as I was leaving. I am trying to do a better job of recording Jamie’s BHS, so I added a new category on the blog for it. Today’s spell came after a tantrum, rather than a head-bump - this is somewhat of a concern. He may be learning to control the spells, which could lead to trouble in the future.
February 22nd, 2008
We received a package in the mail today from the Rus Berrett family. Occasionally they send us a box of boys’ clothes that Berkeley has outgrown. They are always nice clothes that we like to use.
Today when I opened the box, I immediately noticed the inclusion of many pairs of used Thomas the Train underwear. My first thought was “EWWWWW!!!” Rees, however, had a very different reaction - “NEW UNDIES!!!!!!” He was especially excited because he already has a small collection of Thomas underwear. He went straight to his room, grabbed his underwear basket, and laid claim to the new undies.
February 21st, 2008
I worked the President’s Day holiday in the office, from 9am-5pm. My mom graciously agreed to watch both kids all day. It’s an interesting change of pace to work during the day and have the evening off. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that I get double-pay for working a holiday.
February 18th, 2008
Are you sensing a theme here?
February 17th, 2008
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