It's better at the beach

The plan is to get up at 4:30am and be on the road by 5. We're headed to Myrtle Beach. Our first true family vacation to a destination other than family (no offense, family. But you know what I mean.) The kids have been telling everyone they know, and even a few they don't, for several weeks that we are going to Myrtle Beach. Mind you, they have no idea what they are talking about. But they are excited. Bonkers, in fact. And so am I. Steve keeps telling me to adjust my expectations. Honestly, I'm not sure they can be adjusted. I just love the ocean. I love being anywhere that I don't have to worry about dusting or vacuuming. I've packed so much dang stuff that we ought to just go ahead and move to Myrtle Beach. We are staying right on the beach. Sand, surf and 50,000 other spring breakers from Ohio are just what we need to relax after the year we've had. Now all we have to do is make it through the 11 hour van ride without us killing each other. We really are THAT family. Wish us luck!

Pearly whites

Well, looks like Quinn WOULD be better off with steak knives for teeth. Especially since the ones he has are apparently rotting out of his head. I took the kids to the dentist about a month ago when we found out he had 9 cavities. N.I.N.E.

Oh my word. Does that make me a hillbilly mom, or what? Poor guy. There are so many cavities in his head he needed three separate appointments to fill and cap them all. Yesterday was installment number one. We go to a pediatric dentist in town and up until now he's been more than happy to go. At the end of each appointment the kids get tokens that they can use in the gumball-like machines filled with toys. Parents are not allowed to go back with the kids. He always walks happily back with the hygienist.

Yesterday was no exception. About 10 minutes later the dentist called me back. Every time they went at him to do anything he became hysterical. They tried to give him laughing gas but he was so worked up he refused to breathe through his nose so it was not effective. They intended to take care of three things and were only able to do one. So, after 45 minutes they called me into a room where I met a tear-stained Quinn. The dentist told me it would be impossible for them to do all they needed to do and they were going to book me an operating room at Children's Hospital. So in May we will go for oral surgery.

Sweet boy. Dental problems will plague him for a lifetime, I fear. For someone born with a cleft lip, braces are a guarantee. For someone who spent nearly two years in an orphanage, cavities are no surprise. (The other two have no cavities. Same care, different start/different genes.) In the scheme of things, he got off lucky. But it looks like his career as a vampire may be in jeopardy!

What's up, Doc?

Today, two outta my three kids had their annual wellness visits at the Pediatrician. Here's a weird thing... my kids like going to the doctor and to the dentist.

They did well. No tears. No fights.

Turner is 78 percentile in height and 60 percentile in weight. When the doctor asked him what he wants to be when he grows up, he answered a fireman. (When asked the same question, his brother answered, a vampire. "With teeth like steak knives." I'm anticipating a visit from the authorities any day now.)
Turner did, however, fail his eye exam. Olivia did similarly at this age. When I took her to the optometrist she passed with flying colors. The nurse said I could wait and bring Turner back for a nurses visit in 6 months when he is a bit older and try again. I'm glad I said yes to that because when we got to the car, I asked him if he has trouble seeing. He said no. So I asked if he had trouble seeing with the nurse. He said yes, "Because she had me cover up my eye with a paper cup. I couldn't see anything through the paper cup." Seems he didn't *quite* get the concept. Not to mention... a paper cup??? Hmmm... budget cuts? Didn't they used to have a little black paddle thing they had you hold up over one eye? I'd be confused too!

My sweet 6 year old is 79 percentile in height and 60 percent in weight. When asked what she is learning in Kindergarten she was quite excited to tell him, "Cursive." His eyes bugged out of his head and he raised his eyebrows. Yep, he did hear right. Last week her teacher started teaching her class cursive.

She can also read chapter books and has beautiful handwriting.

Although, her teacher freaked me out by telling me she is having trouble copying all the words from the board to her notebook. But her 20/25 eyesight is not the problem. Probably the fact that she is 6 has something to do with it. The doctor was very reassuring! The poor girl was a little worked up after she heard her teacher and I talking about this challenge last week after school. O even followed up with several questions about a few friends who have had eye surgery and eye patches. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. She did inform the doctor she wants to be a nurse when she grows up, because she is not afraid of blood and likes to help people.

I think she would make a perfect nurse. But I'm not biased. Obviously!

Leap month

We are on our fourth day of 80 degree weather. And since mother nature decided to fore go winter, so did I here on my blog.
Although I was in a deep freeze emotionally in February, I did manage to capture my blur of a life in a few photos. So, here, on this weird 80 degree March day, I thought I'd make it even weirder by posting winter pics. Why not? It's all a meteorological mess around here anyhow.
Steve and O went to the Father/Daughter dance a million years ago and these are the highlights. Note, Steve is nowhere to be seen. It was more of a daughter/daughter dance. She did indulge him once or twice though. I volunteered. (Which was the only way I could get my butt in the door to spy.)

Is this not the cutest thing ever?

Some other time in February we loaded up the fam and headed to the Great Wolf Lodge. Oh my, what a good time!

We got there after school on a Thursday and were one of three families in the pool that night. It was like we had rented the whole thing out or something. We had a ball.

We stayed up super late ('til 10 or something) and slept in ('til 7:30 or something.) What can I say? We like to live on the edge.

Obviously, this was the point in the winter in which mama had NOT yet gotten the kids haircuts. What a bunch of shaggy ragamuffins. Wowzersz.

Also omitted in the month of February (or is it that I omitted the actual month?) was Olivia's sixth birthday. She had her birthday party at her gym. Several of her best little friends came and they had a special gymnastics class. She loved every second of it. As did I.

Perhaps the best birthday moment was when O opened her brand new American Girl Doll, Addy. She and I had a very special few weeks reading the book at the beginning of February in honor of black history month. We both fell in love with Addy. So much so, I broke down and decided to surprise her for her birthday. She had NO CLUE. The look on her six year old face when she opened the gift was worth every expensive penny. She expressed so much gratitude, it brought me to tears.

Who knew February added an extra 22 days this year? It's the month that keeps on giving, isn't it? Happy Leap year everyone!

A tight family

While Grandma was here, things were super fun. We are in full on recovery mode.

Olivia gave up her bed for the week so that Grandma didn't have to sleep on the couch for 7 nights. The boys have bunk beds and we thought O would enjoy sleeping in her sleeping bag on the floor.

Little did we know that the sleeping bag on the floor would be the coveted spot. So we had to institute a rotation. Finally on the last night, they took matters into their own hands.

When I went to check on them before I went to bed, this is what I found. Ahhh... the family that sleeps together stays together. Who says we need a bigger house?

a mixed bag

I'm sitting in my living room on March 14th with the windows wide open. It has been down right balmy and I'm not complaining. What a great surprise this week, weather that is fabulous. Steve and I have enjoyed having his mom here this week. Life is good when Grandma is here! I am so blessed to have a mother in law that I love and enjoy. Her trip came at such a great time too. We have a crazy week of meetings for work, so Grandma has been filling in. Steve has taken on a new role at work. He is now the National Campus Director for Athletes in Action. It's a great honor and a huge responsibility. He's going to do a great job. I'm super proud of him. Because of this new role, these meetings this week are pretty important. It's really great timing, too, that gas is $17 a gallon. We've driven back and forth to the office, home and school pick up a *few* more times than usual. It would have been even more if Grandma wasn't here.

But OF COURSE in the midst of all the running and important meetings, we have a barfer in the house. Is it a law of nature? We've had the healthiest winter on Koproski record, until last night. 2:30 I was awakened by the dreaded cry. After stumbling around and comforting and cleaning, Steve let me go back to bed and he took over. 7 am came around waaaaay too early for both of us today. Turner stayed home today and barfed until about 1. He is currently sitting here eating a few crackers while Grandma and the other two are having dinner with daddy at the office. I'm exhausted yet thankful. Thankful for the open windows. Thankful my sweet boy is keeping something in his belly. Thankful for Grandma. Maybe that little blue pill is starting to kick in!

My little blue pill

Thank you for those of you who have expressed concern about my MIA status here. I assure you I am alive and well. Ok, so the well part has been debatable. But about 2 days ago I had a break in the darkness. Zoloft strikes again :) In a good way. My grief counselor suggested I ask my Dr. about an increase. At which point I burst into tears. Later that day I decided if a conversation over an anti-depressant caused me to sob, perhaps I was still depressed. The Dr. agreed. I went back the next day to my counselor and reported back on the dosage. She basically laughed and told me that the dose I've been on for the past year is nothing more than a jelly bean. So on the days I was feeling crazy and like I couldn't handle life, it's because I couldn't. I'm not sure the increase has entirely kicked in yet, but I do notice a lessening in the neck stiffness, shoulder tension and over all irritability. I explained it to Steve as though it I've been a gigantic bundle of nerves (physically and emotionally) for the past 8 weeks. I sense that is lessening. Thank the Lord!

Maybe I'll even get back to a point where I want to post pictures? And crack jokes? And no longer want to kill the dog? Nahhhh.... I'll always want to kill the dog! But a girl can dream, can't she?!