Doctor Visit Update

Weight: 26 pounds 8 ounces Length: 32 inches

As always Dr Hirsh checked Aiden's heart beat but this time she heard something to be concerned about.... a heart murmur. She referred AJ to Pediatrics Cardiology at Children's Hospital for a second opinion so I made the soonest appointment available on January 12th.

I had never heard of a heart murmur so I researched it online as soon as we got home. I learned that murmurs may be caused by a number of factors or diseases, including the following:

◦defective heart valves

◦holes in the interior heart walls (atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect)

◦surgical repair of congenital (present at birth) heart defects

Right away I freaked out and I wondered if all murmurs signify heart disease? I kept reading and found out that this is not always the case. Sometimes, a murmur may be heard in a normal child who has a fever or who is anemic; these murmurs often go away when the underlying problem is treated. Some children have what is known as an innocent murmur. These murmurs are not related to congenital heart defects, and usually resolve by the time a child reaches adulthood.
I am praying for the best!!!!



Cut & paste this link to find out more about Heart Murmurs: (//www.childrensdmc.org/healthlibrary/gettreebysubtopic.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01806&request=heartdetail )

No... But Not Really

AJ saying the word NO is getting ridiculous. I understand him deliberatley saying it to trick me out of diaper changes but now he says no to everything I say. I could ask him if he wants to meet Mickey Mouse, play with Elmo, and get all the ice cream and candy he wants and his answer would still be no.

3 Brouzins and a Brouzinita

The cousins travel in a pack.
Picture Arianna laying on my lap after I take a seat on the couch. 10 seconds later Nathan cruises next to us and reaches for Arianna's hair. 15 seconds later Aiden climbs on the couch beside me, leans over Arianna, and grins in her face. 20 seconds after that Justin walks up to my knees and hands me a book to read.

Like Mama Like Son

Aiden likes to poke his fingers inside his belly button. It began with intrigue and recently it turned into obsession. He won't let me cover it up. He screams, "NO" when I try to snap his onsie closed or pull up his pants up.



Is this normal exploration of body parts or does he take after his mom? Throughout my childhood, I can't remember a time when I didn't play with my belly button. ( I still do it while driving or in times of stress) Other kids suck their thumb, twiddle fingers, or twirl hair but AJ & I play with our navel.


It is neat to finally say that Aiden takes after his mom for a change.

Imagine A Day In the Life

1 day with 3 brouzins and 1 brouzinitta consists of the following constant and repetitive vocabulary: share, take turns, one at a time, get down, no, stop, don't....touch, push, hit, snatch, bite.

Sharing Kisses

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am uncomfortable showing affection. That changed when AJ was born. I can't get enough of kissing him and telling him that I love him. Two great moments were when he gave me a kiss when I asked for it and when he kissed me without me asking.

I've noticed lately that he kisses his youngest brouzin and brouzinita and sometimes his Aunt G. He positions himself on their level, looks them in the eye, calls them baby and gently kisses them on their lips. Cute right? He obviously learned this from me. I am embarrassed to admit that I get a little jealous. Why don't I want to share my kisses?

Beautiful Liar

Aiden learned the word NO. It goes without saying that learning new words is improving our channel of communication. Unfortunately he is not always truthful. My beautiful liar tells me NO when I ask him if he pooped or if he has a wet diaper. He fibbs because he dislikes diaper changes. He refuses to do anything that interrupts his play. When will he learn that he can not trick his mother?

3 Brouzins and a Brouzinita

Arianna joined the team of cousins a week ago. I call her BROUZINITTA.

The thought of 4 babies under 1 roof was scary. After 6 days I'm relieved to report that I can handle it. We had a rough start because Arianna refused to drink from a bottle. It took her less than a week to adjust. Now that the feeding challenge is behind us, I am glad to say, Arianna will fit in quite nicely.

The brouzins love to have her around and show it in different ways. AJ kisses her and calls her baby. Justin has to be near her by climbing in her swing or bassinet and straddling her. Nathan taps her head.

Stay tuned for more episodes of 3 Brouzins and a Brouzinitta

Weaning... Mission Complete

He is officially weaned.

Golf

AJ likes to play golf.

The Names Changed But the Story Remains The Same

Once upon a time there was a sit to stand music player.

On January 6, 2010, as Aiden was playing with it, Justin scooted and squirmed his way in front of him so that he could play instead.

On November 12, 2010, 11 months later, Nathan played with the same music player but Aiden scooted and squirmed his way in front of him so that he could play instead.

Notice the similarities in each photo: (I promise this was not staged)

• the youngest brouzin is wearing footed pajamas but the oldest is dressed to play
• the boys are facing the same direction
• the youngest brouzin is facing the camera as if he is asking for help getting his toy back
• the oldest brouzin could care less because he got what he wanted

Mommy - Sleep + 3 boys =

After a restless night...
a long day with the brouzins...
after taking all 3 boys clothes off...
and putting them in the tub...
3 minutes later...







I realized that I forgot to take AJ's socks off.

Jibberish

Aiden tries so hard to speak. He can hold an entire conversation of jibber jabber. All I know so far is that he ends every conversation with a question. I can tell by the pitch and tone of his voice. He is probably asking, "Mom do you know what I am saying". I wish I did. His speech is full of facial expressions, gestures ,and eye contact. Whatever he is saying must be important.

Pretzels

Pretzels are Aiden's new favorite treat or shall I say meal. It took me a while to figure this out. He refused his 1st cup of milk, breakfast, and lunch. He only wants pretzels. I am not complaining because it keeps him happy while I wean him.

DancyDance

Check out Aiden's version of the YoGabbaGabba's dancey dance called Peanut Butter Stomp.

SplishSplash

All three brouzins joined in the fun of splashing in the tub but we only caugt AJ in action on video.

Fall 2010

Picture collage personalized with Smilebox

Looking Sundays Best

1st Official Weekend

My divorce is final and a new parenting schedule is in effect. Weekends are now being shared.
Having my son all weekend was great! We did everything together.
No more back seat clothing changes in the car before going inside the Kingdom Hall. No more being late to the meeting every Sunday. No more rushing around picking up and dropping off AJ in 2 hours.

Weaning,continued

Day 2 & 3: Aiden spent the next two nights with his dad so I have no updates to report.

Day 4: The distraction method did not work as well as Day 1 because he missed me so much while he was gone. I gave in and nursed him but I put vinegar on my nipples to discourage him but he didn't mind the awful taste.

Day5 & 6: Progress is being made. The distraction method worked during the day and I only nursed him once right before bed.