Monthly Archives: August 2011

Aug 16

Jordan’s Tooth

Jordan has been wiggling on his other upper tooth for the last couple of days like a mad man. On the drive to school this morning I asked him if he was gonna pull it at school today and he was extremely confident that he would. Boy was I surprised when he did indeed come home with that tooth in a bag!  Joseph told him he wasn’t gonna like not having his teeth during  a new school year because it’s really hard to talk and you look so weird.  I think he looks adorable and he’s thrilled to be getting more money from the Tooth Fairy!!

Aug 15

Primary Care

Medical Symbol VectorImage by Vectorportal via Flickr

What’s the point in having a Primary Care Pediatric physician when I can NEVER get an appointment? Seriously I have been dealing with this issue since March maybe February.  I wanted to switch the kids pediatrician because the one we had moved clear across the other side of Birmingham and it is only her and another doctor in her new office. With having 5 kids and more to come I wanted to join a larger practice to better our odds of actually being able to be seen.  So I sent a “Request for transfer of files” to new Pediatrician office in early Spring. The new office said they would take all 5 kids to just have files sent BUT they were not making any Well CHeck-ups at the time; however if they were to get sick just call and they would get them in. Fortunately there was not a need to go to doctor until now.  Poor Joseph and Jordan have been sick on and off for a week now and both were vomiting again last night. I called at 8:00 am to office to have them seen and the new office says they have NO RECORDS of ANY of the children.  In the Spring I went round and round between the old Pediatrician and new one to have the records sent and I was told they did indeed get sent out to new office.  This is so frustrating as I have sick kids needing to be seen and we are stuck in limbo as neither new office or previous office says they have our files!!! So my question is what is the point in having so many skillful doctors, clinics, facilities when they are either not taking new patients or loosing our records thus preventing our child from getting treatment?!  Some say just go to ER but this doesn’t warrant and ER lengthy visit and 5X the price.  We have gone to the Urgent Cares in the past which have led to misdiagnosis and shotty care. I just want to get them established somewhere and have a thorough examination with a doctor trained to care specifically for them. The whole thing is SO FRUSTRATING !! Mary has her last Post Placement report due in a month or two and so she needs another exam for that report. I  had planned to try to have her appointment scheduled while I was in there today with the boys. As of now it is nearly 11:00 am and I’m still waiting on the New Office to call me back, fat chance of even getting them seen today!!! This is Jordan’s second absence of the school year too. What a rough start for the little guy. Well, not a very exciting post today but this is Reality and what we’re going through right now. On the plus side, I have the whole week off and Trey is out of state for 3 days so it’s the perfect time to have sick kids as I don’t have to make frantic arrangements for the children or work!

Aug 13

8 1/2 hours

8 1/2 hours is how long the kids are away from home Monday-Friday. What a long day for such young ones. Some of them eat lunch as early as 1o:15 which the teachers joke by saying, “It’s time for brunch!”. Poor things are ready for a full coarse meal at 4:00p.m., not that that happens but I’ve been trying to have meals much more earlier. 

I try to be out on the front porch waiting for them when they  pull up so they can see me first thing when they get off that hot bus.  I love hugging them as they run off that bus mostly with happy faces glad to be done for the day and sometime little exhausted bodies.  Ice cold drinks and a snack is always a must while I listen to all of them telling me at once all the good, bad and mundane things that occurred while they were at school. 

 

Jordan gives his day of school a big thumbs up!!

Aug 12

First Day

 
This year we have 2 Middle schoolers and 3 Elementary. Elijah is in 8th and Morgan in 6th and very excited about getting his own locker and changing classes. They were up and ready in no time and so relaxed with a cup of Joe on the front porch while they waited for their bus.
While I was getting ready Trey called out, “Steph, one down!!”. Poor Jordan was sitting on the front porch swing when he projectile vomited all his breakfast.  A stomach bug attacked Joseph last Friday and he ran fever and ached but never vomited. He just didn’t eat all weekend and then practically slept all day Monday and Tuesday. Jordan was vomiting Saturday and once on Sunday and then slept most of beginning of week too. We thought we were in the clear, apparently NOT!  So I had to write the first “Please excuse child” note to teacher on the 1st day of school!!  Jordan is really bummed out too. I am just so glad we hadn’t sent them on the bus or it would have been disastrous!!! 
 
Mary and Jordan are in the same 1st grade class this year just like last year. I didn’t request it that’s just how they placed them. I asked them if they were okay with that and it was Jordan that was more vocal in saying that he would not like it they were in different classes because it is better to be together. They are at different tables though which will give them some needed separation. Joseph is the big man on campus being in 3rd grade now. I just love his new faux hawk makes him look so handsome yet too grown for my liking.

Jordan back in pajamas, he'll have to have another 1st day!

 

Mary with her teacher and at her desk. She is so happy she has a girl from her class last year sitting across from her!  

 
 Joseph said he had the “Best teacher ever!! She loves hugs!!”  I love his teacher already, so glad he’ll be loved up on at school!! She reminds me of my good friend Julie M and she is already taken with Joseph as he organized the class supplies all on his own at “Meet the Teacher” night.
Even though he didn’t get to attend the Official 1st day of school, I bet this will be the most memorable one for Jordan!
Aug 10

Twas the Night Before 1st Day of School

Snack Bowl refilled: Check^

Back Packs hung by front door: ChecK^

Snack Bags ready to be filled with whatever child picks in a.m.: Check^

3rd grade Summer Reading assignment finished;which we only found out about 2 days ago and tracked down copy of book about 9 p.m. last night!: Check^

Lunch account checks written: Check^. . . literally!

Cloths have been ironed, Morgan ironed his own and are laying nicely at end of beds. Shoes picked out, gym shorts found and kids bathed and in bed at an appropriate hour. Special back to school prayers were prayed over them and now (hopefully) they are fast asleep deep in lala land.  The 2 Middle Schoolers will ride the bus to school but our 3 Elementary want to be driven so that is the plan for the morning. Butterflies and anxiety are to a minimum this year as they all just met their teachers this week and checked out their new rooms and desk.  They are not really thrilled about heading back to school would rather it never come but know it’s their duty.  I’m sure they will be more excited as they come home telling us about all their friends they haven’t seen over the summer and the new ones they’ve made. As for me,whatever will I do with myself with all 5 away in school? . . .  Tennis lessons  with my mega,dreamy, championship, Ace, super star husband!!!! He has moved up in points and is totally THE MAN!!! and so we finally get to date again:)!