Happy Holidays University of MIchigan

Let me be the first to say "happy holidays to the University of Michigan" because I will not be there until the new year!  And Mommy Etue is very happy about that!  Today was Tyler's followup at the ENT and hearing test.  He had is first "big boy" hearing test, as the Audiologist called it.  I think he thought it was playtime cause he was laughing the whole time!  He passed with flying colors, so just like all the other Etue children he can hear, but not listen.  The audiologist said children his age can only hear but not listen, I wasn't too concerned since no one else in the household can listen either.  His tubes look great and we bypassed actually seeing the doctor since we have no issues the NP checked him out.  We have to go back in six months for the same hearing test and tube check again.  I was back in the parking garage in about 50 mins which might be a world record for a clinic at the University of Michigan.  Now, lets back track to our drive up to Ann Arbor.

I left an hour and twenty minutes early because I am OCD.  But today my flaws seemed to work for the better!  The traveling stopped dead on us 23 near 94.  I knew I was doomed!  I was convinced the president was in town because how random for a wedsnesday.  I got off one exit early and went a different way to Geddes Rd.  Then once on Geddes I came to a dead stop again.  By this time, Tyler is mad!  It took us 40 mins on Geddes to get to the parking garage at the hospital.  Usually its about 10 mins.  I thought more than once about turning the soccer van around and heading on to our shopping destinations!  He was screaming and I bit every nail I had left!  Once we arrived at our clinic, 5 mins late, may I add, I found out it was "move in week".  NEVER NEVER NEVER again will Tyler have an appointment scheduled during "move in week".  The next time this mother will be in Ann Arbor during "move in week" will be when I am actually moving a child in, and leaving a child there!!!

Happy Holidays University of Michigan, see you in the new year!!  And not one day before!!

Etue Camping Trip Number Two = SUCCESSFUL!!!!

We just returned home from a great weekend at Maumee Bay State Park Campground.  We had an awesome site, awesome weather, and awesome friends nearby!!  There was about 30 of us at six different campsites and everyone had a ball!  The kids road bikes all day and only stopped for food or to dig for worms.  We all played at the beach on Saturday.  Everyone but Ty and Blake (1yr old) loved it.  Maybe next year the young boys will enjoy it too!  Ty finally cried himself to sleep on his OB/Nursery nurse.  Apparently he remembered spending long nights with her five months ago.  He lite up everytime he was with Cathy so I guess bonds are formed right after birth, or he just doesn't know any better yet!!  The girls ventured away from us a little bit more, and almost talked to someone!  They did go in others campers, but I am not sure they talked while in there.  All the Etues slept well, the new camper is working perfectly in that area!  Sadie of course was being yelled at most of the weekend.  She doesn't understand why she cannot wander from campsite to campsite looking for leftovers, and her parents don't understand how keep her on a leash.  We all came home feeling like we needed just a day or two more to enjoy the area and the friends.  Its hard to plan time to see friends and it was fun to all meet in one place together, yet seperate.  Waiting now for Grandma and Grandpa Etue to come over for pizza.  The girls have been asking for them for days, not understanding why they were not camping too!  So, another Etue vacation comes to a close, but never fear Etue family, Mommy talked Daddy into ANOTHER vacation on the drive home!!!  YEA!!!!!!!!!

Ty sporting his beach look,, even though he is more of a camper baby!

Tyler didn't know how good he had it sitting in a sand hole, who needs a bouncy or boppy chair!

Addy loves the water and the beach!!

Now that we are home here are the stats:  Ty is sleeping in his crib for almost three hours now!  Lexi has her Aurora dress back since she properlly dumped in the potty today for the first time in days!  Addy just told me she was headed to the bike trail, obviously forgot she is back in Ida!  Derek is being his OCD self and cleaning out the cars!  Mommy is relaxing!!  About to make dinner,,, what is the pizza number??

SIncere Apologies

Once again, I feel the need to extend my sincere apologies to any family members or friends who cared for me as a two/three year old.  I can only imagine the grief I put people thru.  I am getting paybacks triple fold from my dear Lexi.  Karma is hitting me in the face daily!  I realize she is a spitting image of me at that age.  I only hope her defiance turns into spirit and drive as she grows into a young woman.  And until that growth takes place I will continue to offer my condolences to all those who attempted to care for me as a child.  And I hope they all know that I am getting paid back in FULL !!!!

I told Lexi it was her turn to use the bathroom this morning.  She said "no" and ran away.  Not 30 secs later she pee'd and pooped in her pants while staring right at me with a smirk on her face!  She is lucky she didn't get an butt whooping,,, but I wasn't spanking that poopy hind end!  Instead, her beloved princess dress will remain far far away until she puts her feces in the toilet tomorrow morning!  I am over disciplining her and I am going right for the big guns,,, the AURORA DRESS!!!  If there is a God out there,, never let my tubes grow back together!!!  I don't think I can handle another Lexi!!  As my mom often said "I love you, but not always the things u do!".

Side note:  Princess Aurora has a Coach Purse!  And Addy usually wears two dresses??

Cool Whip Boy!

We have had an awesome, no rest weekend!  The Etue adults had some "adult time", and some much needed fun with their friends.  The little girl Etues have enjoyed sleepovers at Grandma Sheryl's, princess parties, swimming at the lake, and buying new school shoes!  Tyler has been hanging out with mommy and just being cute.  He had his first cool whip taste tonight and LOVED it!  He doesn't always open up for feedings, but he was for sure letting mommy's finger in his mouth with cool whip on it!  He was reaching for the plate and mommy's hand to help get it in!!  He doesn't put anything in his mouth on his own, but I am thinking a few more cool whip sessions he would soon learn to put his fingers in his mouth!  You know whats next,,, mommy's famous pudding pictures!!  But I think that will be an activity for Ty when the girls are at school.  I don't think mommy can handle three little ones playing in pudding!

We are all back to work tomorrow, so we can get some rest!!!  It's four days of working, and then hooking up the camper and heading out!!  Getting the most out of summer before its gone!!

"Let Him Grow"

We just returned from the U of M for Tyler's post op appointment.  Everything is healing as expected.  The plastic surgeon said his scars are healing very well and not "knotting" up like they typically do.  We were hoping to book a palate repair surgery today but now have a little different plan.   We were planning to have surgery in Dec or Jan, but due to his structure of his jaw we will be waiting a bit longer.  His bottom jaw is very tiny, which isn't a problem now because his palate is wide open and allowing him to breathe fine.  If we close his palate to early and his bottom jaw is still little and pushed back like it is now he might develop breathing issues.  Any breathing issues at that point would probably require structure assistance such as a trach or distraction bars to move his jaw outward.  So its the recommendation of the surgeon to allow is jaw to grow for longer in order to avoid any breathing problems post palate closure.  Derek and I both agree to let well enough alone in order to not cause worse issues for Tyler.  We have been instructed to just let him grow and think about a palate closure when he is 14mos-18mos old.  I was probably pushing for palate closure more than Derek, and now that it has been explained this way, I am all for waiting it out.  I would rather deal with delayed speech issues than trach decannulations!!  So, Mr. Tyler is done at the U of M until February when we will consult again with the craniofacial clinic.  Time to grow, Buddy!

I should have snapped a picture of him today all dressed up for his appointment.  He had on his "boss" t-shirt, cut-off Gap jean shorts, Nike sandals, and his new hairdo!  A MOHAWK!!!  I have waited a long time to gel up my boy's hair!!  He was catching the eye of all the girls in the waiting room!!

Making Memories,,, Is That What We Are Doing?

Fremont Indiana, Jellystone Campground at Barton Lake

First trip with new camper.
Ceiling falling down in bunk house, but it doesn't matter cause girls slept on the living room floor.
Annoying alarm going off all night in bunk house, Tyler slept thru it, and the girls were of course in the living room.
Cousin Clayton is sick, trip to pharmacy, twice.

You can flush our toilet with your foot and poop at the same time, nice feature for those of us who have to clean the toilet.
Girls love the water playplace and the golf cart, they hate sleeping.
Tyler loves the air conditioning, and hates the outdoors.
Lexi pooped in her bathing suit, first night, no ice cream!

Sadie keeps wandering the campground, despite three tie downs just outside our door.
Daddy tried to be bad in the camper with the baby monitor on, opps!
Addy and Lexi are suppose to be sleeping tonight with their new Yogi and Cindy bears.

I am sure there is more, but lack of sleep is clouding my brain up!

This is a serious problem!  My blankie!!

The refridge space is adequate for Ty and Mommy!!!

Happy Camping,,, retail therapy in the morning!!