This past week hasn't been the healthiest for the Kestner clan. Last Tuesday night, Charlie came down with the tummy bug followed by Luke getting it on Friday night and then Dillon getting it Monday. Once again, I'm the last one standing. I go to bed each night fully expecting to wake up in the middle of the night making a mad dash for the toilet and wake up each morning pleasantly surprised that it hasn't hit me yet. Last night I was fairly certain I was coming down with the funk and even took a Zofran, but woke up this morning feeling much better. Maybe that's just how it'll affect me? Fingers crossed?
We also took Charlie to the pediatric ophthalmologist today to check out her eye. Ever since she's been born, she's had a clogged tear duct (Luke had this too when he was first born but his cleared up quickly). Her's, however, remains runny and crusty all the time. Charlie wakes up with her eye swollen and crusted shut most mornings and it waters all. the. time. If she's on antibiotics (for her eye or the random ear infection) her eye will clear up nicely, but as soon as the antibiotics are out of her system it's back to being runny. Our pediatrician held out hope for as long as possible that the duct would eventually open, but it's just not happening. So at Charlie's 15 month appointment our doctor made a referral out to have a specialist look at it. Today the eye doctor confirmed that if it hadn't opened up by now, it was unlikely to without some sort of assistance. In a few weeks we'll take Charlie to the surgery center here in town and she'll go under anesthesia. They'll use a little probe to pop open the duct and then more than likely they'll place a little plastic stent to make sure the duct stays open. The stent will be removed about a month or so after surgery. There are lots of appointments involved with this. We have to have a pre-op appointment with the pediatrician to make sure it's ok for Charlie to go under anesthesia, then we have a pre-op appointment with the eye doctor, then there's the actual surgery and then there's another follow up appointment. Whew. I'll just be glad to have it over with and hopefully a healthier eye for Charlie!
Otherwise, we've been spending a lot of time outdoors. We've been trying to straighten up our yard a lot and it's a ton of work. The kids love it though because they get to run around and Luke even explored the woods this weekend. We wanted to have a fire on Sunday night but it started raining and hasn't stopped since then. May is coming up quickly and it always tends to be a busy month. I have work events and we're planning a long weekend at the beach. Add in a possible surgery for Charlie and all the appointments that go with it and we won't have much free time. I'm just hoping that the weather will finally warm up!
Dear Lucas (I'll say Lucas instead of Luke because you now tell us that's what you prefer!)
Happy birthday, sweet boy! I've been giving a lot of thought into whether or not the way people arrive in this world is indicative of your personality for your life and I've come to the conclusion that I really think it is. I spent a good 15 hours in labor, five of those pushing, and you didn't budge until you were ready to make your grand entrance. I've learned that everything you do is done in your own due time. From potty training, to taking away bottles and pacis, to cleaning up your room, when you're ready to do it, you're ready, but not a moment sooner. Your dad's that way, too. I take it that it's a character trait you received from him because even when we were just engaged I always thought "Well, at least I know Dillon REALLY wants to marry me because I can't force him to do anything he doesn't want to do." and the same goes for you, little guy.
Your fifth year has brought around some really great changes and you are so fun to be around now! We have conversations and you love to sing Bohemian Rhapsody. Your favorite bands are the Cars and Joe Satriani, but you also like the Police. And you only like music that "Rocks" so you say. You mostly like to listen to records at dinner time and flipping the records is one of your favorite things.
There's not much toddler left in you now. At some point, right after your fourth birthday, you turned a corner. The tempter tantrums slowly dwindled down, you could be reasoned with, and time outs are almost non-existent. You *mostly* follow directions, although sometimes it's still hard to get you to hear me when you're truly focused on something (another trait from your dad, ha!) Your personality is so sweet now, too. You've told me several times that you never want to leave mine and daddy's home and you want to stay with us forever. I try to explain that you may change your mind when you get older, and that's ok, too. We can always remain your home base, buddy, I promise.
You also still sneak into bed with us most nights. And while I know that I should stop it and make you go back to your bed, I also know that the day is coming when you won't crawl into bed with us and I won't wake up to you snuggled against my back, so for now, just keep sneaking in. And while we're on the subject of being sweet, I never knew that an older brother could love his little sister as much as you love Charlie. She's getting to the temperamental age that you were just a few years ago, so we're teaching how to share and be kind. This isn't something that is innate... so when she pushes you or smacks at you for doing something she doesn't like, you just take it in stride. You never get upset with her and you try to teach her how to be nice. I don't know that most older brothers could handle the temper as well as you do.
Oh, buddy. How did we get here? Five quick/long years. You're starting Kindergarten soon and a new phase of independence comes with it. I had a mild panic attack yesterday thinking about you standing in the lunch line, by yourself trying to figure out what you wanted to eat. Out of everything, I'm not sure why that's what I was worried about, but I pictured you, still tiny trying to figure out what you wanted for lunch and it made me sad. This is illogical, I know. You won't be alone, you'll figure out what you want to eat and there will be plenty of adults there to help you, but I think this is almost scarier for me than it is for you.
I pray for you a lot. I pray that you remain kind hearted and innocent, which is hard to do in this society. I also pray that you have teachers in elementary school who see your excitement as potential passions and work with you on guiding you to do great things instead of seeing the exuberance as another task they have to deal with. I pray that you keep your easy going and friendly demeanor. We went to the playground one day and when we left all the kids shouted out "Bye, Lucas! See you next time!" When we got to the car you told me sadly that you had only made 3 friends that day. I didn't know how to tell you that I haven't made 3 new friends in almost 10 years. Keep on your course, dear Luke. Daddy and I will guide you the best we know how, but I'm so excited to see you grow and develop and how much you will learn in the years to come!
I love you sweet boy.
Mama
And just because I've been watching old videos. Some of my favorites of Luke:
Do we get a badge on our parenting vest for surviving our first Chuck E. Cheese birthday party? While it is loud and noisy and extremely overwhelming, it really wasn't all that bad! I think that all the kids who came had a really good time and Luke absolutely loved it! And, honestly, it's much better than hosting it at home and having to determine what to feed everyone and cleaning house. Ha!
Several of Luke's friends from school and some of our personal friends all joined us for a total of 11 kids who got to experience Chuck E. Cheese today, plus all the adults. Everyone enjoyed playing games, eating pizza and meeting the big mouse (well, almost everyone enjoyed meeting him). Luke and I got to take a turn in the ticket blaster which was fun. I think I'm still pulling tickets out of my hair. We also enjoyed a firetruck birthday cake and Luke got to open lots of presents! It was a good day, but man, I'm exhausted.
The nice thing about doing the birthday party early in the day is we had the remainder of the day to relax. Spring has kind of come for now so we spent the majority of the afternoon outside. I'm trying to work on this dang hill. I mean, really, we live in the woods. Why do I have to have this stuff landscaped? Anyways, I've been trying to get the weeds off the hill, and some more ground cover to make it look like we at least try.
I am so tired this evening. This week brings more fun stuff. Wednesday is Luke's actual birthday, although he's making us say that he's already 5 (It's hard to understand that sometimes birthday parties and actual birthdays don't coincide). And then Friday, we *gulp* go to register for kindergarten. I'm taking my day off then instead of Monday and Dillon's going to take off, too. We're going to go get breakfast at Waffle House for another birthday celebration, register for kindergarten and then go over to the strawberry festival at the Farmer's Market where we get to sample tasty, fresh strawberries, Luke's favorite! Also, I was going to take Charlie to "school" that day so Luke could have our undivided attention. When I told Luke this, he said that he doesn't have fun if Charlie's not included so we'll have her tag along. She'll probably hang out with Ma and Peepaw while Luke gets registered, but otherwise we'll all have a family day together!
I'll be honest, this 5th birthday is hitting a little hard. I've been looking at pictures of Luke when he was born and a baby and, man, this all just goes so fast. My heart hurts but is glad at the same time. It's a weird feeling. Anyways, here's to year 5 for little Luke!
And PS, toddlers also love Chuck E Cheese. I didn't give her a card because I figured she wouldn't play. My mom ended up buying her points and she had 50 tickets by the end of the day.
This is my "Put the camera down and help me get these presents to Luke" face.
