I am loving this Maine summer. It's been so warm and so sunny. What a huge change from last year! We've done lots of outdoor things and have had such a great time. We've spent lots of time in the pool. I have two little fish :-)
This summer, Adam started working as an assistant manager. I love the three days on and three days off. Most of the time it allows me to see more of him than I had in the past. It was an adjustment for the boys since it meant they'd have to attend daycare while we both worked the end part of the week. (Adam's days rotate so he's with them sometimes on the days I work). They've both done so well there. I love the ladies who take care of them. They are so gentle and so sweet. I couldn't ask for a better place to leave my babies.
I've attempted to potty-train Tim. He loves wearing underwear and will sit on the potty, but that's about as far as we've gotten. I think I'm putting it on hold since he managed to conquer a bad habit. He stopped sucking his thumb! He had started talking to us with his thumb in his mouth and we were firm with him making sure he took it out to speak. Then, we started telling him that if he had his thumb in his mouth he'd have to nap. He didn't like that one bit. In less than one week he'd given up the habit. I think it helped too that Ryan kept saying thumb sucking was for babies! Tim does not want to be a baby anymore. He will tell you he is now a big boy.
Ryan recently spent an entire morning at the doctor's office for serious issues with constipation. Every thing we'd tried at home to combat it wasn't working. He had his thyroid tested, but that isn't the cause. He's had an x-ray to see what it looks like inside and to make sure there's no blockage. He's been set up with an appointment to see a GI doc, but they say that may take a few months. The reason for that visit will be to determine if Ryan has a food allergy that's causing the constipation. The most likely culprit is a dairy allergy, which we've suspected he's had since birth. In the meantime, he's on Miralax to help out. We took our first dose this morning and I'm crossing my fingers that it will work.
Ryan also had blood work done for some enlarged lymph nodes in his groin area. He's had these tested before and they turned out to be fine, but that was almost three years ago, so it's time for a re-check since they are still hanging around. He'll see a hematologist in a few weeks. The blood work showed he doesn't have cancer, but we're making sure that we won't have to worry about these lumps later in life.
Ryan did so good at the doctor. I am so proud of him. He didn't cry for his shots or the blood work (he even watched them take it!) and thought the x-ray was cool.
This update wouldn't be complete without an update on me. This fall I'll start the Master Teller program, which will lead to some raises, but hopefully a promotion by the time the boys are in school. I really do love my job and am excited to start the program. I just hope all these years after college, and with two kids, I can pull off all the studying!
If we had mailed Christmas photos this year, these would have been the two we would have chosen from. Adam's schedule has been pretty busy the last two months, so I decided not to stress about Christmas cards or photos and just post stuff on Facebook and this blog. Next year, we'll take our Christmas photo in July ;)
Here's Tim sorting paper clips... he tries to do preschool too.
My favorite part of the week involved this puzzle. The clown is holding an x-ray and after doing the puzzle Ryan asked if he could have an X-ray for his birthday. ;-)
Ryan sorting items in a muffin tin. He loved this and played it over and over again.
Here's Ryan working on a St. Patrick's Day sequence. 
Ryan making his X xylophone.
Where Teddy Bears Come from By Mark Burgess and Russell Ayto is a really cute story of the little wolf who wants a teddy bear. Little wolf can't sleep at night so he asks his mom where teddy bears come from. She tells him to go ask the wise owl and so little wolf sets out on a journey in which he meets the three little pigs, Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks, just to name a few. He does find out where teddy bears come from (well, SOME teddy bears). I like that it mixes characters from other fairy tales and that there is a cute, happy ending.
I may have reviewed this book before, but the Uglified Ducky by Willy Clafin is a twist on the ugly duckling story. It's got all the same elements, but the uglified ducky is really a moose (this may be why I REALLY like it... I love moose!). I think Ryan likes the silly words that sound like real ones, but are just made up kiddo speech.
This is what I can't wait for. I am so ready for spring and then summer. The boys are ready to be outside in their pool and so am I. I've run out of ideas of things to do inside. I am just ready.
