A Cast For Tanner

No surgery...they are going to try casting Tanner's arm for 3 weeks to help the ligament heal/tighten. It's casted from his armpit thru his palm. I'm so happy there are no cuts/pokes/hospitals involved! Tanner got to pick the color of his cast - and had the nurse and I nervous when his little pointer finger was hovering around the hot pink swatch! He settled on red pretty quickly. We joked that he was being wrapped up like a mummy, which was fitting since it was Halloween AM. He was concerned, but calm while they put it on. He broke down crying off and on Friday, sad that he couldn't make his arm straight or climb, but was fine the rest of the weekend.

Alex has been hysterically funny about it though. He keeps saying to Tanner 'Tannuh, let's cwack it!'. He tries to 'cwack' it by knocking on it with his fist, swinging Tanner's limp arm into walls, etc. I'm not worried about Tanner, but I'm worried about my house!

The cast is waterproof...he can even swim in it! How cool is that? Maybe that option has been around a long time...I guess I haven't seen anyone in a cast in a decade or more. I'm not sure if he'll be able to do swim lessons though? I think we'll give it a try. Gymnastics probably not happening though.

No one has signed the cast yet...and Tanner's not very fond of the idea. My guess is that he comes home from school tomorrow with it signed however. Peer pressure...nothing like it!

Happy Halloween!

It's all about speed this year for my little monsters - dressed up as an astronaut (Tanner) and a race car driver (Alex). Since there was no school on Halloween, the school Halloween party was Thursday. Halloween Day was the longest day ever with no school...just waiting to go trick-or-treating! They had so much fun, but were truly scared of some of the older kids costumes I think (and my legs have the claw marks from Alex to prove it!).

Tanner really wanted to be a skeleton or something scary...which I exercised my parental right to refuse. Growing up we never wore scary costumes and I don't think they need to at 5 years old. However, I'm thinking Alex could have made a pretty cute Incredible Hulk based on his impersonation below! Next year - superheros?

I think they learn it at school

Just this weekend I'm getting the 'Ewww...yucky girls' type vibe from my little men. They were looking through a toy catalog and shouting 'Ewww...that's girl stuff...we don't want to look at GIRL toys!'. Then -- watching Saturday morning cartoons I'm hearing similar shouts of disgust. So it's official...girls are yucky...at least for the next 6-8 years I guess.

I'm sure kisses from mom are the next to hit the list of uncool.

Return to Devos Children's Hospital

Tanman is being seen by an experienced Pediatric Orthopedist at DeVos Childrens Hospital on 10/31. He hasn't been a patient there since leaving NICU...I guess it's a homecoming of sorts! I'm not looking forward to this. They said to plan 2 hours for the appointment so I'm guessing they need some pictures.

Burger King and Sesame Seeds

Seriously - is there a kid alive that likes sesame seeds on their hamburger? Why does Burger King torture us so? After once again picking off all the sesame seeds on Alex's cheeseburger I'm pledging life-long loyalty to the golden arches!

Mommy's Bed & Coca Cola

Two of the best things in life...reserved only for weekends. The little dudes fell asleep in Mommy's bed for the 3rd night in a row to wind down the weekend...one on each side of me. I just can't say no to Alex's innocent inquiry - 'I want to nuggle in Mommy's bed!'. So we all 3 hop in my bed and Jim tucks us all in. I'm just not sure how much longer Jim's back can handle taking the sleeping, limp 45 lb sacks of boy back to their beds. We did at least disassemble the bunk beds...so more need to 'heave-ho' Alex to the top bunk!

The Elbow...Again

Tanner dislocated his elbow again today. This is the 6th time he has done it, and the 2nd time in the past 6 weeks. Last time, the doctor said 'One more time and we send him over to the pediatric orthopedic surgeon'. Apparently, there is a ligament that they can surgically tighten to keep him from popping it out. The culprit this time? His friend sitting on the bus behind him gave his arm a tug. Apparently this happened at the beginning of the 45 minute bus ride...the remainder of which Tanner was completely hysterical and in pain.

Poor little buddy.