Weekly Happenings

3-year check-up
We took Brody for his 3 year check-up on Friday. He is in the 76th percentile for his height and 75th percentile for his weight. It is amazing to think that just a little over a year ago we (including the doctors) were worried because he hadn't gained weight in a year and was dropping dramatically in his weight percentage. How far we have come! The nurse commented on how well-proportioned he his. Let's hope that continues. She then proceeded to ask the questions that are supposedly supposed to tell if he is developmentally on target. This part I just don't understand. They asked questions like, "Can he balance on one foot" and "Can he dress himself". Who has their 3-year-old practice to see if they can stand on one foot and who really cares? Why don't they ask questions like, "Does your child say please and thank you" or "Does he listen when you tell him to do something". Those are much higher priorities to me than if he can dress himself. They didn't even ask anything about if he is potty trained! My favorite was when they asked if he can name two of his friends by name and Bryson said that he didn't have any friends. Obviously he was joking, but I am not sure the nurse got the joke.


Given his history with doctors, Brody is very suspicious of doctors and nurses and always expects for them to start doing horrible things to him. So, a simple check-up can get Brody all worked up and easy things like checking his ears and mouth, turn into huge ordeals with us having to hold him down. The appointment wasn't completely horrible, but they just aren't as easy and pleasant as they used to be. We were pretty much done and then the nurse came in to give the shot. I guess we should've given him some advance notice about what was coming, because he was not happy about it and as the nurse was leaving the room he stood up on the table and yelled at her saying, "That hurt me".


Clown Phobia/Dead Deer
Saturday was my mom's birthday so we went down to Wynnewood and met her, my dad, and Hannah at the School Halloween Carnival. I thought Brody would have fun playing the games and getting prizes. Unfortunately one of the first things he saw when we got to the school was the an adult dressed up like a clown. Brody was terrified. He was shaking and crying. We spent the rest of the evening trying to avoid the clown, but yet we kept running into him. Brody insisted on staying in my mom's classroom for the rest of the night. He usually does not get scared by things, so this just really surprised me.


Is what was even more surprising to me was his reaction to the deer that Bryson killed on Saturday. He went hunting up in Cushing and brought the dead deer home late that night. I was worried about Brody seeing it on Sunday morning, but Bryson had to load it up to take it to the butcher before we left for church, so there was really no way around it. Brody thought the dead deer was awesome. He was not bothered about all of the blood or how it was cut open, etc. He thought this was all very neat and kept saying how he wanted to kill a deer. I just don't understand that, I was even disturbed by the deer. I guess this just means there will be more hunting and less circus trips in Brody's future!


Clearing the way
I can report that we have officially started to prepare for Meg's arrival. We spent Sunday afternoon clearing out Brody's playroom (which will now be Meg's room). I was pleasantly surprised at how most of the toys fit in Brody's room and the storage shelves I bought him worked perfect in his closet. I was worried that he would be upset about not having his playroom anymore, but I don't think he cares. He discovered some old toys in the process and seems to like having his toys in his room. I now feel like I can actually visualize how this is all going to work and I am relieved to know that we really will have room for everything. We also received a package in the mail yesterday with Meg's bedding and bookshelf. I love them both and Brody was very excited about it! Now, if I could just find a crib and a changing table.......

Brody having fun "helping" daddy put together shelves. (I promise my child does occasionally wear clothes)!!

Meg's room is slowly coming together!

He has his toolbelt on...he is ready to help!

Brody and Bryson at the Gingerbread Marshmallow Roast