Cora - Dentist (Part 2)

This morning was Cora's appointment to have her cavity filled. 
She was nervous, I could tell.  Our drive to the dentist - was quiet.  She didn't say a word.  She didn't sing.  Nothing.  She'd look at me in the rear-view mirror, and just smile... poor thing.

Ryan met us there, which was helpful.

The dentist came in and talked with her...  she listened... and did great.

They gave her some "laughing gas", which was a God-send.  That really helped her relax...  she just held our hands and stared at the ceiling.  Soon enough, the dentist was back in... and did amazing with her.  He talked her through everything... and she did exactly as he asked.  I have never been more proud of her.  Ryan and I both said - "We don't do this well at the dentist sis!"

The whole procedure took about 25 minutes... 

They kicked off the laughing gas and she sat for a bit... and then picked out a pencil...  and we were off.  She was still really quiet when she got into Dad's truck...  but she hugged me and smiled. 

She did end have up having a little rough time at daycare...  simply just saying "it hurt" and kept biting her lip.  She actually bit her lip so much/so badly that her lip is swollen and sore, and red.  It's pretty bad.  BUT - it is starting to go 'down' a little, so in the end, I believe we'll be ok!  
We are proud of this little girl... and our roller coaster of a day! 

Before - small 'dirty' hole in back molar.

Her lip mid afternoon.  :(

After - white filling.

Weekend - Cousin Pics

Last Friday, the kids and I had the 'day off'.  We did a few things in the morning, including getting K's hair cut.  Then we headed over to Sioux City.  Ryan met us there as he was in South Dakota.
 
Getting over there in the afternoon was great... much better than getting there at 7:30 at night!  The kids did really well that night... played well and made some good memories, I think.
 
Saturday morning we got up and at 'em --- cousin pictures were in store.  We haven't had a good cousin pic taken in a long time, and now that Rhett is here, it was due time!  The kids looks absolutely adorable... and did fairly well too.   After that, we walked through a nature reserve place...  saw a few animals, and just enjoyed the weather.  It was a beautiful morning.
 
We grabbed lunch after which included a golf simulator for the boys.  They loved that!! Then back to their house to play some more.  We went for a walk...  we played babies...  Cora was 'second mommy to Rhett' - you name it, those kids are always busy!!
 
After supper, we got back on the road to head home.  We pulled into the house around 10:15.  Late.  The kids did well on the drive tho... thank goodness for movies!
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 

 
Sunday we did church, then our afternoon was pretty quiet.  I think we all needed it quiet!  We played outside a little...  but mostly just hung out. 

Solo Mom Week 2 & VBS 2017

We've had a couple busy weeks... Ryan's been traveling quite a bit - last week, this week, and will next week as well. 

This specific week has been a doozy for me.  I've been a tad emotional, overwhelmed at work, and then just getting Kayson to the places he needs to be. He's had a super busy BTB week as well as he's been doing Vacation Bible School at Hope Waukee again this year (he went two nights last week with Haley), but this year, we did the entire week (however, he'll miss Friday night).  Regardless - that's from 6-8, and that really messes with our schedules! 

I've been super busy at work, so it's been hard to just leave at my normal time...  still get the kids, and then get them fed before we have to get K to VBS by 5:50ish.  I tell you what - I'm wiped out. They (we) haven't ate well this week... we need groceries terribly...  I just feel all over the place!!!

Anyway, here's some pictures of the great week Kayson has had at VBS. He brought a friend tonight, Carter, so that was fun for them.  I'm thrilled that he enjoys this... however, I'm struggling to know if he's truly learning anything about Jesus!  He has a hard time telling us what he's done at VBS besides playing and having a snack.  Hmmm.  ha.  Oh well.

Cora watching all the singing and dancing at the end!

Seriously - cute.

 

K, C and Haley

 

 

Cora - Dentist

Unfortunately, Cora's first trip to the dentist is not the best outcome. 

Last week, she complained of her cheek hurting.  I did kind of brush it off... then she complained the next day as well.  I looked and saw a chip in her back, bottom left molar - a small one on the corner of her tooth.  We talked about it just a little (I didn't want her to freak out or make a huge deal about it), but Ryan looked at it when he got back from traveling, and we called the dentist.

This morning (her very first time at the dentist) - we had to do an X-ray, and Dr. Copley said there's a cavity!!  *insert heart break here  Super bummed... and I feel bad.  I know we didn't do anything wrong, we didn't 'fail' her, it just happened... but it still really REALLY stinks!! 

After another quick look and a discussion, we'll be going back next week to get the cavity cleaned out and filled.  A process for a little girl, in my opinion. 

Positive note - she did do well - no crying, but she was super shy...  BUT she did everything the hygienist asked her to.  I know Cora was nervous... but I'm super proud of her.

More to come...

Weekend

Our weekend was nice...  we were home, and nothing too packed.

Friday I hosted a Wildtree freezer meal party...  4 friends (Dr. Alex, Dr. Kim, Jess and Jamie) showed up and we all had a very nice time.  I felt overwhelmed by my super busy week (at work, and being solo-mom), but in the end, it worked out.  Each of us have 10 new meals to try.

Friday night, while the party was going on - Haley joined Ryan, Kayson and Cora in the basement to play.  They did awesome... and stuck around after the party was over.  We chatted for a long time... super nice to get to know Jamie even better.

C, Haley & K

Saturday the kids slept til 9:00.  WHAT!??!  It was great.
We ended up going to Lifetime pool and hung out with Jess, Lex and their kiddos...  All the kids did amazing, we used our membership and the weather was great actually!  Good fun, and absolutely exhausted afterwards!

Saturday night Mike and JeanAnn came to hang out for a bit...  just visited, and grabbed some supper out.  Was a nice, quiet evening.

And Sunday we did church...  groceries, errands... and that's about it.  Ryan and Cora rested - I wish I could do that.  It was a super quiet day. 

Kids made a fort

We did a craft.

Speaking of sleeping...  Cora's been struggling.  Bedtime has been ok, we have our moments still, but over the past 9-10 days, she's been waking around midnight or 1:00 in the morning upset...  crying.  I have chalked it up to bad dreams...  sometimes she falls back to sleep, but the last 3 nights, she's been waking and not being able to fall back to sleep.  Really struggling.  I have little patience at 1:00 in the morning, especially when I then have a very hard time getting back to sleep... I typically go to the couch, cuz my hubs is snoring like crazy! 

So... last night was particularly hard.  It was like I had a newborn for awhile... and then I personally was a newborn.  It went something like this:

• 11:30 pm - I wake to Ryan's snoring...  I went to the couch.
• 11:35 pm - Cora comes to the couch telling me she needed to give me a hug.  OMG
• From 11:40 pm until about 1:20 am - she came out of her room at least 5 times either upset or just telling me she can't sleep.  I laid in her bed a couple times, patting her; we rocked in the chair a little...  a ginormous struggle.  Finally I put some Lavender oils on her chest... and she eventually slept (but that was about 2:00 am)
• 2:00 am - I slept on the couch until about 3:25 - I wake to a smoke detector chirping.  Again, OMG.  It chirped about every 7 minutes... and then it would stop, but then start up again.  I tried waking Ryan... no go.  And Murphy could hear the chirp, so he was up and wanted to be next to me.  So we laid on the could listening to that, dozing in and out... until about 5:30 am - Ryan woke and finally fixed the detector.  UGH.  I slept hard from 5:40 til about 6:30.  Yea me.

Anyway, super bad night --- and not sure what's happening with Cora.  I'm going to try the Lavender again on her chest and feet, and see what happens...  I just feel like something is waking her (as she's a super light sleeper)...   It's either that, or we shorten those afternoon naps.  Which we can... just don't really want to!  ha.  #selfishmomma

Kids - Swim lessons - that's a wrap!!

We've been busy...  a busy 2 weeks.  And those two weeks went by fast. So fast.
 
The kids are already done with their swim lessons.  Amazing.
 
Kayson --- did awesome.  He's really got it down.  I can tell he's improved from last year, and then also just from the first day!
He can tread water for nearly 3 minutes!
He loves the breast stroke, does really well.
He has finally gotten the diving down - when he's sitting on his bottom, but the kneeling one is still a little tricky!
He does the back swim (there's a better word for that!) - and swims straight, where last year, he'd be super crooked!  ha.
 
So impressed, and thrilled that he's comfortable and doing well!
 
Cora --- did awesome as well.  For her not having lessons prior to this, and with her shy attitude sometimes, I just wasn't sure what was going to happen.  But she did great - she loved her teacher, she listened to her, she did everything Miss Paige asked her to do. 
 
She can front float.
She doesn't drink the pool water anymore (or at least not as much as she used to!)
She can do the freestyle swim fairly well - she doesn't really move, but she does it and knows the concept.
 
So excited for her!  We may try to get her into some more lessons this winter... more to come on that!
 
I have tons of videos of the kids, but they don't load here, so you just get pics!
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

Kids - Swim Lessons

This past week was our first week for swim lessons - for BOTH kids.  
Kayson is in his 3rd year ... we did semi-private this year (1 teacher, 2 kids) - just cuz he's doing so well, and is super comfortable.  
And miss Cora is in her FIRST year... doing private lessons (1 teacher, 1 kid).  Of course I'm a nervous wreck, but so far, she's doing really well.  

First day I was convinced she'd throw a fit, or just be that shy girl who wouldn't talk or even get into the pool - nope, she proved me wrong (which I love!)... she got in the water, talked to her teacher, and listened... and tried all the things Miss Paige asked her to!  Win win.  

Each day she's done something a little different...  and seems a little more comfortable, which I'm thankful for.  We have this coming week as well, so I'm anxious to see how Cora does for the next 4 days. 

my new favorite pic.  they are beautiful. 

Weekend - Family Get Away

This weekend we headed down to Kansas City.  It was time for just the four of us to get away - not for someone else or with family - but for just us!
Friday I was off work, as K didn't have BTB, so Cora went to daycare for the morning, and Ryan did a little work as well.  K and I got some groceries, and all packed up... and early afternoon, we all got on the road. 

On the way to KC, we stopped in St. Joe to see Aunt Maagie.  We haven't seen her since Thanksgiving, so it was definitely time.  And we had a great little visit.  It was a nice little break from being in the car, and just enough time to visit with her.  She's doing well.   We got back on the road about 5:00 and grabbed food as we got closer to KC.  

We got checked into the hotel, and of course, swimming was the first thing the kids wanted to do.  The hotel we were at was BUSY - probably full for the entire weekend, so there was lots of kiddos at the pool.  We made the most of it, and had fun, despite my nerves regarding my kids (or Cora) in a pool!  ha.  

Saturday morning we got up and headed to Legoland Discovery.  It was really close to our hotel, so it was perfect.  And was a ton of fun for the kids... and us.  We spent about 2 hours there, then grabbed lunch and walked around for just a little bit in a nice 'shopping' area.  It was a warm day, and Cora was already complaining about the walking!  

Saturday afternoon we had her take a rest, which was much needed... and just had some quiet time.  And then around 4:00 we headed out to the Royal's game.  We weren't sure how long it would take us to get there, so we left early, plenty of time...  which was ok.  Rather be early than late!  We walked around the stadium a little, found our seats, and just waited.  Soon enough the game started... the weather was warm, with a little breeze, but we were luckily in the shade!!  So thankful for that.  The game was a loss, which was a huge bummer.  Overall, the kids did well.  Cora got a tad annoying about the 4th inning - asking for my phone, etc.  I distracted her enough until about the 6th inning...  we did plenty of food and even colored.  But she did fine - for being only (almost) 5.  

We got back to our hotel at a decent time - just after 9:15 (Ryan and I both thought it would be much later)...  got our tired and crabby kids in bed...  

A restless night for me...  just didn't sleep well at all, and I don't think Cora did as well.   So this morning we were up and at 'em.  Had breakfast, and headed out.  Today is also Papa Mike's birthday, so we made a stop in Creston for lunch to see him/them, and then got home around 3:30 this afternoon. 

We did have a good time... it was nice to just go and do something just us.  However, traveling is exhausting, for me, and for the kids.  They lose their patience, and being to whine quickly.  I wish there was a way to get around that... and I felt like we took our time at things/never rushing things, and had plenty of down time... and we still had whiny kiddos!  ha.  Must be just us!

Legoland!

Kaufmann Stadium made out of legos!

Cool fountains...  K's eyes are closed!