Boys' Camp 2019

Xavier had the opportunity to attend boys' Bible camp again this summer and it was again a raging success.  Mike went along again as a staff member, and they both came home exhausted but they both seemed to enjoy the "man week" away.

Part of the reason we love this Boys' Camp is because, although it is Bible centered, the boys have so many good life experiences and other fun activities throughout the week.

Morning exercise... (I think!)

This year's theme was WARRIOR and they based it off of the book Way of the Warrior Kid.  Throughout the week, the cabin dads read the book to the kids during rest and bed time.

The boys got to experience cooking classes (manly stuff like making soda, smoking meat, and making ice cream!).

They spent a lot of time in the woods, hiking, blazing trails, and experiencing nature.

Xavier's friend, Alex, blazing a new trail.  Xavier loved this activity, too.

Grub!

Alex celebrated his birthday at camp! Ice cream!

As a family, we appreciate all the hard work Evan puts into this boys' week of camp.  His son isn't even old enough to attend yet - that's dedication!

Our home pastor, Billy, brought messages each night.

The Way of the Warrior Kid has a Navy Seal in the story line, so on the last night, Pete, a retired Navy Seal came to talk to the boys.

The boys also got to do night star gazing, night hikes, and so many other fun activities.

I'm kinda proud to have given Mike the idea of having the boys design cardboard boats so they could do boat races on the last day.  He said they loved the races!

Xavier's team boat didn't win, he reported!

Xavier's boat was this one.

I had to pick my guys up right after the boat races to get to south Missouri for Mike's family reunion so we missed Friday's closing ceremonies, but overall I think they both had a wonderful time!  I love the experiences and memories they made.

Water Extravaganza

Our church hosted a free water play day for the community yesterday and Mike took the kids up.  I played the "I'm really pregnant and don't wanna" card, which worked in my favor and I spent a few hours at home alone. 

The kids had a great time and all came home exhausted.  We showered them, put in a movie and fed them fish sticks on the floor for supper.  Parenting win.

Zayden had big stories about the dunk tank!

Thanks LCC for a fun family event.

My Baby You'll Be...

This little fella is soaking up his last days of being the "baby" in the house.  He says he's so excited for baby E to come and he thinks she'll be so much fun.  I hope all his dreams come true!

He also has lashes to die for...

Today after church he crawled up in the recliner with me and we took a "rest."  This sweet boy of mine. 

Mike sure knows how to find the best angle for pictures (lies - ha).

I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be.

And Now, We Wait...

Finishing touches around the house to prepare for Baby E's arrival...

There's no painted nursery, no color scheme, but still a perfectly sweet little nook all her own for a fifth baby.
We went with a mini crib this time around.  Our babies don't generally stay in the crib beyond a year and a half or two years and we think this mini crib will be perfect (same size as a pack and play).  A friend gifted us with a brand new one, and we feel so loved.  We bought a thicker mattress, and since the bed is the same size as a pack and play, sheets weren't so hard to find.  The lovey in the corner is handmade by another friend and the Copper and Pearl blanket in the front is from my cousin - it's so soft. 

I stopped at a random surplus store the other day after Natalee's PT and lo and behold they had a new mini crib skirt for a steal so that was the fun final touch to dolly's little set up.

All ready to bring home a little love.  Darling stretchy car seat cover from my cousin and a finger knitted car seat blanket from our friend, Ellie.  The car seat itself came from another friend/cousin.  Have I mentioned how blessed we are?

We also got the gift of this rocker/bouncy seat from yet another friend.  This little house is ready.  We have Aunt Kea's rock and play in the closet and Aunt Lauren's halo swivel bassinet for beside my bed for awhile.  The clothes are washed, the Tummy Tub is ready, and our hearts are prepared.

And now.....we just wait.....

Crash!

Today I invited some friends over to play.  Several of us had been in a funk and I told them just to come over, let the kids play inside and out, we'd throw them some food every once in awhile, and we could visit.  It was good for the soul.

Except....
30 minutes into the visit, my own kid came in with blood running down her head, from her nose, and from her mouth.

Only Mia.

I cleaned her up and the gash on her head was kinda wide but not real deep.  I asked Mike's opinion on taking her in somewhere to get glue, etc., but the other moms and I, after looking it over, thought that butterflying it closed would be okay.  Thankfully Chelsie had some that I borrowed and can replace.  I'm sure she'll have a scar but....that builds character, right?
Mike looked it over again when he got home and agreed butterfly was fine.  I think his opinion is skewed, though, because he's had that dermabond on his head for a gash and he thought it stung terribly. Ha.

At any rate, she seems fine.  She fell OUT of the walk out garage door flat onto the cement.  I am watching one tooth for damage - her brother hit it on the trampoline the other night and we'd been watching it anyways but it was the one that was bleeding again today.  She has bruising all across her forehead, road rash on her nose/lip, and a huge purple bruise on her shin.  So....in pure Millie style she looks a mess but she seems okay.

This glamorous mom life.....

Zayden (age 3) Can Write!

Tonight Zayden came up to me and said, "I made you this picture!  Can you tell me how to write mommy?"  I started spelling for him, expecting to have to physically show him how to make the letters.  Surprise of all surprises that he was able to form likenesses of every letter I said!

He went on to write Daddy (backwards),

Xavier,

Mia,

and Natalee.

So often I see glimpses of his big boy self that remind me he is not a toddler anymore.  He is growing up.

On the front of each paper, he had done a fashion plate rubbing for the designated person.  Our kids love fashion plates but we only have the girl ones.  Tonight Zayden asked me why they are all for girls and no boys - which sent me on a hunt - and now one of these manlier sets are on our wishlist for the future!
Action Heroes
Adventure Designs
He's right - fashion plates are fun and shouldn't just be girly!

I tested him out to see if he could write his name and sure enough, he did a pretty sharp job for a little guy.

Zayden Sam, we love you.  You are smart and witty and ornery and full of life and you don't miss anything!  But....what will mommy teach you if you are determined to learn it all yourself? 😉

One Year Urology Check-Up

Today was Ameliya's 1 year check up following her bilateral ureteral reimplantation surgery.  Papa Curtis was our escort for the day, and we're thankful for him sacrificing a sunny farm day for us.  Seeing how Papa was in "charge" little Dolly had plenty of spoiling - chicken nuggets, donut, chocolate milk, ice cream 😉.

We started with an ultrasound of bladder, kidneys, and urinary tract at the hospital. 

After radiology we headed to see Dr. Storm at the Coralville clinic.  Radiology had gotten us through quickly, so we were early to see the doctor, but he was actually running behind, so we had time to kill.  Luckily there was a nice breeze and shade on the small playground at the clinic.

Mia played outside for about an hour and then we headed up and she played iPad in the waiting room.

In the office she had a urine spin test (new to me!) and a bedside scan post void - it showed her bladder was completely empty after she pottied!  This is good.

{she got loads of compliments on her dress, too!}

Dr. Storm declared her a 100% success and gave us the all clear with his card to call if ever we need him.  Her surgery is "for life" and will grow with her, so no further correction should be needed.  We are still having a hard time with night time dryness, but he gave us some tips and a recommendation for a night bed alarm and said that this is normal for kids through much older ages than 5.  During the day, especially while she was recovering, we taught her to drink lots and lots of water and go potty every 90-120 minutes, so it makes sense that it would be hard for her body to just shut that off at night.  She often gets up in the night to get a drink and sleeps pretty hard so we aren't altogether shocked that night dryness is a struggle.

If you know any of Mia's journey of the last year+, you know how hard we fought to get her to not lose weight and to keep any weight on over the course of several months.  She went backwards in clothes sizes, was constantly puking, and had no appetite.  The infections in her body just took over everything.  One of the most exciting things to me was that she has gained almost FIFTEEN POUNDS since a year ago.  Her hair is growing, she's getting so tall, and she finally looks solid again - not so delicate and breakable.  When Dr. Storm came in he said, "she looks GOOD!" He's so right.  We praise God for sending Dr. Storm into our lives and bringing our Millie girl full circle.  We're forever thankful.

We introduced Papa to Cold Stone Creamery today before we headed home.

It was a long day, but a positive day and (even though my swollen feet and legs protest) I'm glad to have this done before the baby comes.

Thank you to our support people who carried us through the journey - Steph at the clinic, both sets of our parents and siblings, and so many friends and extended family.

Mia, we're proud of how strong you've been these last 2 years, and how you've handled everything that's been thrown at you with almost an excitement for the adventure and maturity in the journey.  You know a lot more about how your urinary system works than any other 5 year old I know!  This was not an easy road, this was not a road we chose, but it was the road we were sent down and we made it, Sister.  We love you, darling girl.