Hearing Appointment: Crew

I have recently noticed Crew asking "what" or asking for things to be loud or complaining of not being able to hear something that is quiet. I especially noticed on my way to Idaho; I would ask him a simple question and he continuously said "what" until I changed my pitch or how loud I said it.  I didn't know if it was male toddler-hood or if I really should be concerned. So I mentioned the circumstances to his doctor and she referred me to an ENT. 

Crew creates a whole set of challenges when it comes to meeting new people, let alone someone trying to get him to interact with them. I prepped Crew the best I knew how and then I bribed myself blue! He initially did alright with talking to the doctor and having his ears looked at, but with all of the wait times he started to dwindle. 

I am so thankful for the very kind audiologist that took the time and effort to help Crew along. She was very patient and kid friendly! When we couldn't get Crew to put on the earphones she decided to test his ears like an infant. Everyone kept on telling me that he would most likely be fine, but I wasn't surprised when she told me his right ear passed but his left failed. That is when she really wanted to get him to test with the earphones on. So I bribed, bribed, and bribed some more until the promise of a big big firetruck was enough for him to want to do the test. Instructions where given at different decibels and he had to say things like, "blue, ice cream, car." Occasionally he would turn to me and say, "I can't hear her." So he knew she was talking but couldn't make out what she was saying. When she wanted him to count the beeps he was done.  We found that Crew was only able to hear to 20 decibels. The average person hears to 15. We were sent home with instructions to practice wearing earphone to get him more comfortable with the idea next time. We are to practice listening to the repetition of something, being able to count them, and then relay what he counted to. 

I was so grateful to have my friend Audra along. I had planned on having enough time to grab some lunch with her and check out some stores if she wanted. We were at the doctors for 2.5 hours. She stepped right in and helped sooth Sawyer when I was trying to get Crew to cooperate. After carrying around Sawyer for an hour her arms were shaking! (Mine would be too, and I am used to him!!) I don't know what I would have done without her there. Next time Sawyer will not be coming!

When we got home Crew and I headed out for the promised firetruck. Walmart had none! How is that possible? Crew set his eyes on the electric loader and was just as happy with it. Thank goodness!

 

Dentist: Crew

I decided to get Crew set up at the dentist to have things checked out and to ask some questions about his bite. He was excited for our day out and was well prepped. My heart sank when his hygienist called him back. She was awful: loud, impatient, and not kid friendly! I am so annoyed that my office said they take young patients but then be put with an obviously awful choice! She even complained about Crew in front of him! (I probably had steam coming out of my ears) I wanted to be able to rationally explain how I felt about the situation, but didn't think I could pull it off during the moment. I don't plan on taking him back but I still have the desire to explain, to whomever is in charge, that I was either misdirected or didn't have my son put with the appropriate hygienist  Watch out; my mama bear instinct is kicking in!

Food: Sawyer

Sawyer loves bread! As we were leaving Grandma's house she handed us a loaf of bread that Sawyer readily accepted. By the time we got home he had taken a few bits out of it. I let him continue to munch until I got his dinner put together. Sawyer out-eats Crew on most days!

Alumni Basketball: Old vs Young

Abe was asked to play in the alumni game on the "old" team. But when it came time to play the "young" team didn't have enough players so he switched teams.

Poor Abe was so tired from watering for the previous 36 hours, working, loading hay, and the general exhaustion from farm work. But he still put points on the board and played as often as he could. It was fun to watch Abe play and have my boys in bed while their babysitter watched over them.

I was a little busy chatting and missed the good action shots of Abe. . . next time I guess I will have to pay better attention.

Well Child: Crew

Crew went in for his well child visit. He is 40.5" tall and weighed in at 38 lbs. He met all milestones with ease and surpassed most of them. Considering his personality and his lack of wanting to acknowledge strangers, he did pretty well with the new doctor. We recently had to switch from our beloved doctor because she is setting up her work to be home with her kids more. I can't complain loudly because I think she is making a great choice!

Our new doctor is very kind and takes the time for my boys to open up. I appreciate this more than I can express! She was also quick to refer me to a specialist when I expressed some concerns I had with Crew.

He chose a bouncy ball from the treasure chest.

General Conference

While we watched general conference we allowed Crew to play quietly with his trains. (I think Abe got as much time in playing with them as Crew did.) Sawyer slept for the morning sessions and made life a little crazy in the afternoon sessions. 

Spring Fun

We have been getting outside a lot more and having a lot of fun! On this particular day the boys went a little crazy in the dirt!

 The boys also enjoy watching me feed the cows. This is something I really never thought I would do, but when my sweet Crew looks up at me and asks if we can feed the cows I can not resist! The boys like to sit on the stack of hay and watch as I feed, the minimum, four bales. They squeal and laugh while helping throw in some alfalfa stems.

I have also been working in my garden. Crew loves to help so much that I got him a pair of gardening gloves; I should have gotten some for Sawyer since he is the one that fell into my garden. Let's just say I had watered a little too much and he sunk several inches! I had one upset little boy.

Warmer weather also means we hang out the park more. What did my boys end up doing? Sitting on the sidewalk and playing in the sand. It's not like we can't do that at home! But it's fun to get out and spend time with other friends and moms.