Serena got tubes in her ears!

So beginning a year ago we had Serena tested because her speech was off. She has a weird accent and is hard to understand. We took her to the Early Intervention Program and she was on target for her age and ahead in some areas, so they didn't offer any services or express concern.

Well, she still was not progressing and Aleeya was surpassing her so I pulled out the paperwork again in October and saw that she had failed the hearing test, it would have been nice if they had mentioned that! So then I scheduled an appointment with an audiologist and had her professionally tested. She has low level hear loss in both ears. It was recommended that she see an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor.

We went to the first ENT and he didn't have the hearing test results and couldn't see any fluid, so it was basically a wasted appointment, after an hour and a half wait. After he got the hearing results we played phone tag for several weeks and finally the receptionist spoke with me the week of Thanksgiving. She indicated that the doctor recommended tubes. I began asking questions and she said I would have to talk to the doctor and wanted to schedule another appointment. I wasn't interested in paying for another appointment for what should have happened the first time, so I asked if the doctor could call me. Well, the receptionist got all rude and hung up on me. Therefore...we went to another doctor. I think that staff are a reflection of a doctor's practice, so I was not going back. Just a point of interest, they still have never called me back-11 weeks later!

I got some referrals from friends to Dr. Stuart Barlow and even his waiting room had a better feeling. This appointment was much better, I had the hearing results mailed to me so I could take them myself, and he explained that the hope is that the low level loss is caused by fluid in the ear. There was none visible and she has not had ear infections, but it was a first step.

So we scheduled the surgery and Serena was very used to people looking into her ears at this point, so she didn't seem to scared. I am sure I was way more worried than she was.

We went to the McKay Dee Surgical Center at 6:45 a.m. and the surgery was at 7:30 a.m. Serena enjoyed wearing her pj's and playing with the bear that they gave her.
This picture is her leaving me to go to surgery. She was gone less than ten minutes before they called me from the waiting room to go to the consult room. The doctor said she did great and he was encouraged because they had drained fluid off. It wasn't puss filled, but there was a scab on her right ear drum, so they cleaned that off.

I held her for about fifteen minutes and they gave her Motrin and some apple juice. We sat for a few minutes more to make sure she wasn't nauseous and then we were on our way. She talked all the way home and when we stopped at McBride's to get Aleeya, she ran off to play and has been fine ever since.

We will wait a month before she is tested again. She was making some bird sounds (loud screeches) and said, pointing to her ear, it is louder in here, so I am hoping that is a good sign.

Kindergarten Field Trip

Carter went on his first Kindergarten Field Trip. He rode on a school bus for the first time and even though he thought it was no big deal-I did! They went to the Ogden Nature Center and learned about tracking animals and snowshoeing.
Of course, we have had the coldest weather EVER! So here is a picture of all that Carter wore. He said he was so warm that he was sweating!

Three shirts, two pair heavy socks, three pants, hoodie sweatshirt, snowpants, hat, two pair gloves, coat and boots.

Beautiful Butterflies!

Amelia came to playschool all decked out, so after class during free time Serena joined the fun and they flew all over the house. I have a darling video of them running around in circles.

Potato Head Mania!

So funny! Aleeya wore these glasses around forever!
Carter showing off his master piece.
Kody and Kim gave the kids Potato Head sets last year for Christmas, Carter got out the bag and told me that I needed a break and that they were going to play with them and be good. I sure can't argue with that! They had such a good time and made some cute creations.

Get your pajamas on!

This is after I told the kids to get ready for bed. Carter thinks he is so funny, depending on the day, I think he is pretty funny also!

Star Raising Ceremony for Jeffrey McBride

We had the pleasure of attending the Star Raising Ceremony for Jeffrey after his Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World. They gave us a tour of the cool building and had special places to write wishes for Jeffrey and a book to sign.

He was given a key and with assistance from his family put his wish inside this awesome waterfall room. They also raised a stain glass star up to the ceiling.

Cake was served and the best part for the kids was the ballon animals, machine guns, and other items of excitement.

Jenni had made a DVD of their trip and Amy Alvord sang the song she had written for Jeffrey. It was a wonderful night filled with good friends and an amazing spirit of love.

Mom's really do have eyes in the back of their heads.

Before the event Jenni stopped by and Aleeya was being funny with this cookie, not eating it, just holding it in her mouth.

Jenni's fabulous new look from the MAC ( I hope that is how you spell it) counter at Macy's.

It never gets old!

I love taking pictures of my kids pretending to be dogs or animals. I just love the creative play. Can I count that as Carter's dinner?