6 and 12 Check Ups!

Both Hallie and Carter had their well child check ups.  Carter actually had his appointment the end of April, but I forgot to blog and considering I like having it as a record, I'm inserting it now.  It's nice to be able to look back and see that he is growing adequately, especially after we've had concerns/scares with his growth rate.  All in all, he grew 2 1/2 inches this last year, so we're good.  He officially weighed in at 41 pounds which is just above the 25 percentile and he was 43.5 inches tall, just below the 25 percentile.  He zoomed through the eye appointment, peed in a cup (All by himself!) and didn't whine or even flinch when they pricked his little finger to check his iron level. Luckily, he didn't need any immunizations.  We have decided to move Alex, Carter and Hallie to Nadya's pediatrician, so this will be our last check up with the old one.  We just really like Nadya's pediatrician and originally went with her because she had experience with Orphans. 

Hallie had her 12 year old check up on June 6th.  She was due for a couple of shots before she can enter 7th grade.  I did record her height and weight, but considering she is getting older I will just say that she was around the 50 percentile for both height and weight. Not sure how she would feel if I posted her weight on the blog.   She passed her eye test with flying colors too!  I will say that even though she is getting older, she wasn't too old to hold my hand as she received her shots.  She did very well with them.  It was really more the thought of getting them that freaked her out in the first place. 

FIVE

FIVE!!!!!!

It seems like just yesterday we were changing Carter's diapers and now he is  old enough for Kindergarten!!!!!!   Literally growing up right before our eyes.  It's bittersweet, that's for sure.

Five.......  Still can't believe my baby is five.

At five years old Carter's accomplishments include;
counting to 100 by ones, tens, and fives.
He can read Bob Books 1-8
He can read many, many basic words.
He can do math like it's nobodies business.
He gets himself dressed 90% of the time.
He finally gave up sippy cups. 
He has discovered that cereal is a good thing.
He didn't cry when he received three shots.
He is 41 inches UP TO the 25th percentile!
He weighs in at 37 pounds (25-35%)
He is excited about Kindergarten.
He is still loud.
He is enjoying soccer this year.
He has memorized the lord's prayer. 
(And it's adorable. I really need to video it)
He stays in bed at bedtime. :)
He is still my good sleeper often sleeping in longer than the other kids.
He still has an amazing memory.
He loves story time.

So, what do five year olds want for their birthday gifts?????

Nintendo DSI- That's it!   

One measly gift!

I had wrapped Carter's gifts late on the eve of his birthday half dead, I guess, because I didn't realize that the paper was see through. When I woke up the next morning I could hear that the kids were up and I overheard some talking about a Nintendo DSI XL.  Alex was explaining the difference between a Nintendo DSI versus a DSI XL to Carter.  Carter was shouting, "YES! I got a DSI Extra Large!!!!!" I was in shock thinking that he had opened his gifts and didn't wait for me or Dad to get out of bed.  Nope.  He hadn't opened them. He could make out the black NINTENDO DSI XL letters on the box.  Whoops!!!!!!!

He had been wanting a DS ever since Alex and Nadya got theirs.  His siblings were very happy to show Carter all the fun things he could do with his DSI.

(I just love the picture on the right.  Look how Carter is looking at Nadya.  Complete happiness! He was laughing because Nadya had just recorded his voice with his DSI)

Later that night we celebrated with the entire family (Aunt Misty, Uncle Aaron, Grandma Tammy and Grandpa Paul).  Carter requested Lasagna for dinner and the weather was nice enough to eat outside  which was ideal, because while five year olds are big, they are still  messy cake eaters.   Carter requested chocolate cake with chocolate icing. 

Carter was sure using his birthday to his advantage to say the least.  We went for a bike ride to Costco for lunch (Carter LOVES hotdogs with ketchup and Mustard and I had decided to pick up Costco lasagna rather than to make my own) and Carter announced that he was the birthday boy so he got to pick out his own special treat. I let him.  He picked out skittles for his birthday treat to pass out at school. He also thought that birthday boys should be allowed to stay up late, eat what ever they want, make all the decisions and sleep over at Aunt Misty's.   Anytime he could slip in the ' BECAUSE I'm the birthday boy bit' he did.  Too cute.

Later that week we celebrated Carter's birthday with his friends.  We had a joint birthday party with his friend Maddie again. It worked out well again!!!!  We had it at the Splash Zone.  It was perfect.  The kids played in the water and the water is shallow enough that everyone could touch.  No worries, happy kids and lots of fun!

The Invitation

The kids swam and swam and swam.

  They had so much fun!

And of course there was cake!

The birthday kids exchanged gifts with each other and then everyone else participated in a book exchange. 

(Maddie got Carter two transformers in which carter responded by saying, "I had been wanting these!" Complete with a sort of southern accent. It was pretty cute!)

Five!  

It's amazing.  

Another year down.  

Boo hoo!

4 year old and Kindergarten Check up!

It was time for Carter's 4 year old check up
and considering how I hate going to the doctors,
I scheduled Alex's Kindergarten Check up at the same time. :)
Carter insisted that Alex go first as he was nervous about shots.

As we were walking in I told Alex and Carter about how
I used to bring the double stroller and stroll them both in,
or hold Alex's hand and carry Carter.
Not any more!
I loved that they both held my hand and walked in like big boys,
negotiating who got to press what buttons on the elevator.
It is amazing how fast time goes.

First they measured Alex and he stood tall at43 inches,
which is around the50 percentile. (He has always been around 50-75 percentile)
Then they weighed him in at pounds 42 pounds which is around 75-90 percentile!
(We were kind of surprised as we think he is a little on the skinny side currently.)

Next it was Carter's turn.
He was 38 inches which actually brings him up to the 10 percentile. (GO CARTER!)
and 33 pounds which is about the 20 percentile.
Next they checked Alex's eyes.
I thought it was quite comical that when Alex had to cover one eye and move WAY back,
lil' brother was there to help.
Anytime Alex would hesitate or call out the wrong symbol (because he struggled seeing them
not that he didn't know them) Carter would call them out.
That's what brothers are for, right?

Next, came the fun part.
Thank goodness they are boys.
They LOVED peeing in cups.
They thought it was pretty funny!
No problems here!

The doctor came in and Alex was up first.
He did really well and let the doctor do his thing.
He asked about how Alex is doing academically.
Wanted to know if he knew his letters, shapes and colors.
humm.....
The kid can read.
No problems here.
Little did he know that while we were waiting Alex was looking at the brochures on the wall
wondering what the Asthma and Allergies brochures were all about.
Don't worry, he is R-E-A-D-Y for Kindergarten.
Alex informed him that he can read as he is quite proud of this accomplishment.

Next, it was Carter's turn.
Which, for the first time he was not happy about it.
Either he was remembering his toenail experience (where they took it off)
or he was too worried about shots.
Luckily, after a few minutes, he warmed up.


The nurse came in later to give Alex FOUR shots.
Really, by the time he figured out what she was up to,
she was about done.
He surprised himself with the fact that he had four shots and he didn't cry.
No more shots for him until he is 10!
Woo Hoo!

Carter was lucky and didn't need any shots.
He'll get his next year. ;)

As we were leaving the nurse informed us that Kindergarteners get a special treat.
(probably due to all the shots!)

As she handed us a regular size bag of skittles she said,
"This never goes over well!"
Referring to the fact that he will get a regular bag of skittles
and Carter will get a bite size licorice

I said, "No worries here! We are a sharing family"
To which Carter said, "Yeah, Alex. We ARE a sharing family!"

She laughed and handed us a zip lock baggie to divide them up.
I loved how easy this was and thought it was great that the boys finally get it.
(Well, today anyway)
It is soooo much easier to just share.
We'll be reminding Carter next year about this story and about what an awesome
big brother he has and how we are a sharing family too.
Sounds like a good idea, don't ya think?