For the past few days though, Reese's main ambition in life has been to stand up like his brother. He can pull himself up in his crib, but when he is on the floor playing he he tries to stand like Clayton does, with his feet flat on the floor and push up with his hands. Of course he is too little to do that just yet, and I think it might actually inhibit his progress a little - he doesn't realize he needs to get himself over to a piece of furniture to pull himself up. Of course even if he did, I don't think he can actually reach the couch well enough to be able to do that yet. Clayton didn't pull up until after he crawled when was just barely 8 months old - Reese isn't even 7 months yet!
A way to stay updated on the busy lives of Clayton, Reese and Wyatt, when Mommy has time!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Reese is moving!
Reese has been semi-mobile for a little over a week now. It's not yet a true crawl, but he is getting very close. He is also very quick! Here is some video I took about 4 days ago, and he is already much better at it. I would call it some sort of inch-worm/army crawl/scootch.
For the past few days though, Reese's main ambition in life has been to stand up like his brother. He can pull himself up in his crib, but when he is on the floor playing he he tries to stand like Clayton does, with his feet flat on the floor and push up with his hands. Of course he is too little to do that just yet, and I think it might actually inhibit his progress a little - he doesn't realize he needs to get himself over to a piece of furniture to pull himself up. Of course even if he did, I don't think he can actually reach the couch well enough to be able to do that yet. Clayton didn't pull up until after he crawled when was just barely 8 months old - Reese isn't even 7 months yet!
For the past few days though, Reese's main ambition in life has been to stand up like his brother. He can pull himself up in his crib, but when he is on the floor playing he he tries to stand like Clayton does, with his feet flat on the floor and push up with his hands. Of course he is too little to do that just yet, and I think it might actually inhibit his progress a little - he doesn't realize he needs to get himself over to a piece of furniture to pull himself up. Of course even if he did, I don't think he can actually reach the couch well enough to be able to do that yet. Clayton didn't pull up until after he crawled when was just barely 8 months old - Reese isn't even 7 months yet!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
No More Shirt
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
New Ceiling Fan
My parents came last week and my dad (the electrician) came and installed a ceiling fan in our living room. We previously didn't have even a light fixture there so it is a real change. Luckily Clayton was there to help out!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Summer Playtime Outside
Here are some examples of how Clayton likes to play outside this summer.
Putting the truck down the slide and then going down himself:
And playing with his Buzz light-year truck
Putting the truck down the slide and then going down himself:
And playing with his Buzz light-year truck
Friday, August 17, 2012
A Close Call with Clayton
I want to start off this post by saying that Clayton is perfectly fine right now! We had a scare on Wednesday evening though that resulted in a trip to the ER. Here is the (very long) story:
Around 7pm on Wednesday Clayton and Mommy were having fun, rough-housing on the bed, as we often do. Clayton was behind me and I reached for him, grabbed his wrist/hand and tried to pull him up, but he pulled away and as his fingers started to slide away from me, I heard a snap from what I initially thought was probably just his knuckles or maybe even his wrist joint popping. (You know when someone pops their knuckles, like that). However, he seemed so upset and was holding his arm just above the wrist and I was suddenly afraid I had broken his arm! Of course my next thought was that I was just over reacting as worried mothers probably often do. Well, Clayton was crying and we tried all the usual things to settle him down - distractions, his pacifier, etc. we eventually did get him to stop crying but he was clearly still in pain and became very upset if we moved him, and he was still holding his arm just the same way. After 30 minutes or so of him just sitting there, not wanting to move or do anything we were getting increasingly concerned. We didn't notice any deformity or discoloration, but after some advice from Darrel's dad we decide that since he was in so much pain we should probably take him in for X-rays just to double check. At this point I am just beside myself with guilt and fear. It was an accident, but I was clearly playing too rough and now he was in a world of hurt and it was all my fault! We made it to the hospital around 8pm, and after almost 2 hours the resident doctor who was on call that night finally had some bad news for us. She said that there was a very small fracture on his wrist bone! I couldn't believe that I pulled on him that hard, I was so sad. She assured us that it would heal in half the time an adult would take and that within three weeks we wouldn't be able to tell anything had happened - it wouldn't affect his growth or development in any way. So she put a little splint on and wrapped it in a dark green ace bandage and sent us on our way with instructions to ice and elevate and to keep giving him Tylenol for the pain. Also, that the Specialty Clinic would be calling me in the morning to set up an appointment with the orthopedic doctor the next day. This was concerning since she assured us it would heal with out surgery or other complications, but I guess it was just a precaution because she was only a resident and wanted to be sure.
We got home around 10pm and put a very tired little Clayton to bed. He would not move around in his crib to get comfortable so it took him a very long time to fall a sleep, and he woke up 3 or 4 times throughout the night crying out either because he was in pain or uncomfortable and unwilling to move or both. He also woke up very early in the morning. He didn't want to play or even eat breakfast, so I set up a spot on the couch for him and let him watch movies all morning, I let him eat there too. Poor kid was so miserable! He tried to play one time for about 5 minutes but wanted on my lap and then back on the couch right away - he was just in so much pain.
Finally at 12:45pm we had our appointment with the orthopedic doctor, Dr. Bigelow, and after a very long wait (he was just coming out of a surgery) he told me that after hearing my account of what happened and looking at the X-ray there is just no way that an almost 2 year old has a fractured wrist like that and he didn't see anything on the X-ray image. He said that it was just something called Nursemaid's elbow or radial head sublaxation (click on that link to read what WebMD has to say about that if you're interested). It was almost like his elbow had been pulled out of socket but the doctor explained that it is not a true dislocation, and is actually very common for children his age and happens all the time when parents yank on their children's arms either in play or in an effort to hurry them along. The doctor in the ER had initially suggested this, but I didn't think it was his elbow bothering him and didn't want to be blown off, so I pushed for the X-rays and stressed that it was his wrist that hurt. The ER doctor was also not a pediatric or orthopedic specialist so I am sure glad we were referred to one! Dr. Bigelow was able to pop the elbow back in to place right there in the office, and (after about 5 minutes of tears) Clayton was fine and using the arm to do all sorts of things (expect give the Dr. a high five, I guess he wasn't a big fan!) So after a PB&J (he had refused lunch earlier in the day) and a long nap, we finally have our regular Clayton back! He had fun running around outside the rest of the afternoon and after supper enjoyed climbing in and out of the trucks at the fire station when we visited Grandpa there.
The only difference is that Mommy is going to be more careful when playing, and not going to drag Clayton around by the hand anymore - especially his right hand (the one that was injured). I read online that this injury can easily be repeated, especially in the first few weeks, so no more holding Clayton's right hand - because I can never tell when he will buckle his legs in response to my wanting him to move faster. If I do have to grab him, I will use his upper arm under the shoulder or just pick him up. I am just so grateful there was no other damage done and that he is hopefully too young to remember this! (Wouldn't it be my luck that this will be his earliest memory or something?! - I hope not!)
Don't worry I have happier posts to come!
Around 7pm on Wednesday Clayton and Mommy were having fun, rough-housing on the bed, as we often do. Clayton was behind me and I reached for him, grabbed his wrist/hand and tried to pull him up, but he pulled away and as his fingers started to slide away from me, I heard a snap from what I initially thought was probably just his knuckles or maybe even his wrist joint popping. (You know when someone pops their knuckles, like that). However, he seemed so upset and was holding his arm just above the wrist and I was suddenly afraid I had broken his arm! Of course my next thought was that I was just over reacting as worried mothers probably often do. Well, Clayton was crying and we tried all the usual things to settle him down - distractions, his pacifier, etc. we eventually did get him to stop crying but he was clearly still in pain and became very upset if we moved him, and he was still holding his arm just the same way. After 30 minutes or so of him just sitting there, not wanting to move or do anything we were getting increasingly concerned. We didn't notice any deformity or discoloration, but after some advice from Darrel's dad we decide that since he was in so much pain we should probably take him in for X-rays just to double check. At this point I am just beside myself with guilt and fear. It was an accident, but I was clearly playing too rough and now he was in a world of hurt and it was all my fault! We made it to the hospital around 8pm, and after almost 2 hours the resident doctor who was on call that night finally had some bad news for us. She said that there was a very small fracture on his wrist bone! I couldn't believe that I pulled on him that hard, I was so sad. She assured us that it would heal in half the time an adult would take and that within three weeks we wouldn't be able to tell anything had happened - it wouldn't affect his growth or development in any way. So she put a little splint on and wrapped it in a dark green ace bandage and sent us on our way with instructions to ice and elevate and to keep giving him Tylenol for the pain. Also, that the Specialty Clinic would be calling me in the morning to set up an appointment with the orthopedic doctor the next day. This was concerning since she assured us it would heal with out surgery or other complications, but I guess it was just a precaution because she was only a resident and wanted to be sure.
We got home around 10pm and put a very tired little Clayton to bed. He would not move around in his crib to get comfortable so it took him a very long time to fall a sleep, and he woke up 3 or 4 times throughout the night crying out either because he was in pain or uncomfortable and unwilling to move or both. He also woke up very early in the morning. He didn't want to play or even eat breakfast, so I set up a spot on the couch for him and let him watch movies all morning, I let him eat there too. Poor kid was so miserable! He tried to play one time for about 5 minutes but wanted on my lap and then back on the couch right away - he was just in so much pain.
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| Trying to get dressed |
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| Trying to play wearing makeshift sling mommy made |
Finally at 12:45pm we had our appointment with the orthopedic doctor, Dr. Bigelow, and after a very long wait (he was just coming out of a surgery) he told me that after hearing my account of what happened and looking at the X-ray there is just no way that an almost 2 year old has a fractured wrist like that and he didn't see anything on the X-ray image. He said that it was just something called Nursemaid's elbow or radial head sublaxation (click on that link to read what WebMD has to say about that if you're interested). It was almost like his elbow had been pulled out of socket but the doctor explained that it is not a true dislocation, and is actually very common for children his age and happens all the time when parents yank on their children's arms either in play or in an effort to hurry them along. The doctor in the ER had initially suggested this, but I didn't think it was his elbow bothering him and didn't want to be blown off, so I pushed for the X-rays and stressed that it was his wrist that hurt. The ER doctor was also not a pediatric or orthopedic specialist so I am sure glad we were referred to one! Dr. Bigelow was able to pop the elbow back in to place right there in the office, and (after about 5 minutes of tears) Clayton was fine and using the arm to do all sorts of things (expect give the Dr. a high five, I guess he wasn't a big fan!) So after a PB&J (he had refused lunch earlier in the day) and a long nap, we finally have our regular Clayton back! He had fun running around outside the rest of the afternoon and after supper enjoyed climbing in and out of the trucks at the fire station when we visited Grandpa there.
The only difference is that Mommy is going to be more careful when playing, and not going to drag Clayton around by the hand anymore - especially his right hand (the one that was injured). I read online that this injury can easily be repeated, especially in the first few weeks, so no more holding Clayton's right hand - because I can never tell when he will buckle his legs in response to my wanting him to move faster. If I do have to grab him, I will use his upper arm under the shoulder or just pick him up. I am just so grateful there was no other damage done and that he is hopefully too young to remember this! (Wouldn't it be my luck that this will be his earliest memory or something?! - I hope not!)
Don't worry I have happier posts to come!
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| Happy kid - just waking up from his nap this afternon |
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Some videos of Clayton
Here is a cute video of Clayton having fun with his helicopter- one of the things it says is "spinning round and round" and I guess he knows what that means, because that sure is what he did!
Seconds after I turned off the camera he fell over into the chair and bounced off into my arms - so cute!
Later he demonstrated he can count to three before he jumps into something. . . Except instead of one he says two. . . and instead of three he says two! So, Two, Two, TWO!
He was just jumping off of a little step we got him to use, for now, to look out the window better, but eventually to reach the sink and stuff like that.
Later he demonstrated he can count to three before he jumps into something. . . Except instead of one he says two. . . and instead of three he says two! So, Two, Two, TWO!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Reese's Check Up, and Clayton's Ouchy!
Oh, I should have posted all of this sooner - sorry again for going so long with out a post! Reese's 6 month check up was yesterday and it went really well, he is right on track for everything. His official weight was 15lbs 4 oz and a length of 26 1/4 inches. He had his shots today (horrible!) but luckily he is done with that until he is a year old!
On Tuesday afternoon, Grandma Ann Branz and I took Clayton and Reese to the pool (we have done this several times this summer). I don't think we were there 30 minutes and Clayton slipped climbing out of the pool and he split his chin open! It's a good thing grandma is a nurse, because I'm sure I would have taken him straight in for stitches, but she thought he would be OK with just some steri-strips she happened to have, so luckily it is on the mend with out any traumatic ER trips! The 1st set of steri-strips Clayton peeled off just a few hours later, but the 2nd set he left on all night and most of the next day, but after his nap they were gone (I hope he didn't eat them, but I never found them or the two band aids I had over them!)
And here is an example of some brotherly love:
Actually, the other day, Clayton was playing and I sat Reese on the floor next to him so he could see what he was doing - Reese reached over and grabbed Clayton's leg and Clayton yelled out his version of the word stop, it goes something like "popspt." Oh, so funny!
On Tuesday afternoon, Grandma Ann Branz and I took Clayton and Reese to the pool (we have done this several times this summer). I don't think we were there 30 minutes and Clayton slipped climbing out of the pool and he split his chin open! It's a good thing grandma is a nurse, because I'm sure I would have taken him straight in for stitches, but she thought he would be OK with just some steri-strips she happened to have, so luckily it is on the mend with out any traumatic ER trips! The 1st set of steri-strips Clayton peeled off just a few hours later, but the 2nd set he left on all night and most of the next day, but after his nap they were gone (I hope he didn't eat them, but I never found them or the two band aids I had over them!)
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| Clayton's split chin 2 days after it happened! 8/9/12 |
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| Watching the new favorite move "Turtle's Tale" |
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| Then Clayton getting mad because Reese is touching him |
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Reese is 6 Months!! (Yesterday)
He doesn't have his 6 month check up until Thursday the 9th but according to our scale Reese is almost 15 1/2 lbs and perhaps over 26 inches long! Getting so big!! Here are some fabulous photos!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
County Fair
We've been having fun taking the boys to the York County fair yesterday and today! Clayton and Reese loved the commotion all around and the animals like chickens, rabbits, sheep, cows and pigs.
We saw some big tractors and combines:
Clayton got to ride on the Merry-Go-Round with Grandma
He also really enjoyed watching the performance of girls from the dance studio in town and even tried to dance along himself! Clayton also got to watch some of the Figure 8 races tonight with Daddy. I think he really enjoyed watching the cars and hearing the loud engines although he didn't really like sitting on the benches that long and they only stayed about an hour. We're really looking forward to next year when the boys are able to participate in more things!
We saw some big tractors and combines:
Clayton got to ride on the Merry-Go-Round with Grandma
He also really enjoyed watching the performance of girls from the dance studio in town and even tried to dance along himself! Clayton also got to watch some of the Figure 8 races tonight with Daddy. I think he really enjoyed watching the cars and hearing the loud engines although he didn't really like sitting on the benches that long and they only stayed about an hour. We're really looking forward to next year when the boys are able to participate in more things!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Big Johnson Lake Weekend
We spent a big weekend with the whole Branz family clan at Johnson Lake. It was fun to have the entire family in one place at the same time! Grandpa and Grandma, Betsy, Brandon and Kolby, Tyler and of course Darrel and I, Clayton and Reese. Even Jessie (the dog) was there! Everyone had a lot of fun, especially Clayton, who spent the whole time outside. He hardly ate anything because he just wanted to play out side. Sleeping was of course a challenge as it usually is with him, but he did OK given the circumstances.
There are so many good pictures, so I made a little slide show, but first here are just a couple of my favorites:
So with out further adieu - the slide show!
We also have some cute video too, one for Clayton and one for Reese.
There are toys in the shed of the cabin we stay at and Clayton just this little 4-wheeler that is there - he plays with it constantly! And then he gives it a wash!
I honestly was shocked at how well Reese could sit up in the swing! I guess he is just a few days shy of 6 months old!
There are so many good pictures, so I made a little slide show, but first here are just a couple of my favorites:
So with out further adieu - the slide show!
We also have some cute video too, one for Clayton and one for Reese.
There are toys in the shed of the cabin we stay at and Clayton just this little 4-wheeler that is there - he plays with it constantly! And then he gives it a wash!
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