Wedding in My House

This morning, Ruby and Isaac were playing along when the following conversation caught my attention:

Ruby: "I was trying to marry a man, but he didn't like the smell of me, so he ran away, so I can't get married".

Pause.

Isaac: "Do you want me to marry you? [pause] I will. I love you so much."

Awww.

Isaac then said he would marry her if she was nice, even if he didn't like the smell of her. Or something like that.


Then, this afternoon, I heard Ruby asking Isaac if he loved her and Jesus. Isaac said he did, but he loved Jesus more. Ruby decided that was okay with her, but asked again, "do you love me, too?" or something. Ha. Then they REALLY got decked out in their wedding attire.


Oh, they crack me up.


On a different note, I overheard Jadelyn counting today. Today's counting was, "7, 8, 9, 10, lot."

Also, I talked with Ruby's genetic counselor today. She ran the x-rays by a doctor. who specializes solely in skeletal issues and his impression based on the x-rays is that Ruby's hip subluxation is due to hypotonia. So, the question now is "what is causing the hypotonia?" The genetic counselor got back with the geneticist that we saw, and he said that the hypotonia he saw in Ruby was really not impressive, which is a good thing, 'cause it means it's not super bad or anything. So, they want us to go see a neurologist now to see if there is a neurological problem. The good news I see in this is that maybe Ruby won't have to have surgery but just more exercises focused on her hips? That would be FANTASTIC! We'll see....

David talked to the orthopedic surgeon today. We understand things better now. She said that hip subluxation is on the mild side of the dysplasia spectrum. (Why has no one told me this before? =P) And she said that with some hip problems, age is really important, but with the mildness of this condition, it wouldn't matter if surgery was done now or in 2 years. So, we'll probably not learn anything new until after we visit a neurologist and/or see the orthopedic surgeon again in December. At least I'm not so worried now. EDUCATE THE PARENTS, FOLKS! =P

Okay, this house needs some sweepin' and I need some sleepin'. Oh, that was corny. Oh, well.

Supper talk...

Last night, Jadelyn proclaimed with glee that she had a "cookie". Alas. It was a meatball. I felt the disappointment coming. It didn't show up. Ruby then announced that "these are good stuff". Wowzers! There are rarely compliments on supper meals, so this was something! Jadelyn then said again, "I eat cookie" and chomped with enthusiasm. Ruby informed her that it was not a cookie, but a "meat bulb." Jadelyn then said, "I eat house" and continued eating her "cookie". Ruby informed me that it was a "good supper that you made". Jadelyn wanted another slice of orange pepper from the garden. She pronounced it "yummy" though she had a disgusted look on her face. I guess I'll call that meal a success. ;)

Breakfast conversation...

This morning at breakfast, Isaac was talking about his "Mommy" again. He has decided that he is going to get up at night when his "Mommy" needs to feed his babies. That way if his "Mommy" gets bit, he can help her out. And the baby. No, just the "Mommy". Where this conversation came from, I'm not sure. They normally just feed their "babies" with a bottle. Huh. Then Ruby piped in, saying that her "Daddy" is going to go to work and she is going to stay home with their babies. I think Isaac said he is going to go to work, and Ruby informed him that if he gets up at night with the babies and then goes to work during the day, he won't get enough sleep. I wonder when she figures that the Mommy gets sleep....=P

I tilled up some of the garden today, with my kiddos trailing me back and forth and playing in the dirt. I wonder what's so much more fun about the garden than the sandbox. Tomorrow we'll dig potatoes, and I'm betting they'll love it like they did two years ago. Jadelyn's never been in on the fun since we didn't really have a garden last year - what with moving during the summer and all. =P

On a side note, why in tarnation does Jadelyn have to go poop after she's laid down for a nap? And WHY is she STILL awake?!?!?!?! =O But I do so love little pats on my back from that little girl! =)

The Grandparents Were Here!

And a blast was had by all. And my garage has suddenly turned into an organized work-space instead of what appeared to be an explosion of junk. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa! =)

I'm a little behind in blogging because of this lovely visit, but I have my scribbled notes to help me remember things. =P

One day, Grandma was having "school" with the kids. She was talking to Ruby and asked if you have the word "cat" and take away the "c" and replace it with a "h", what word would you have? Ruby's response? "Kitty cat". =) I think Grandma was working above Ruby's capabilities for the moment. =)

At some point, David was talking to Ruby about a cowboy. But Ruby insisted it was a "horse boy" because he was riding a horse.

As I mentioned before, Grandma and Grandpa did incredible amounts of work in the garage. During this time, my little man decided to climb up on the kitty pedestal and put his head through the cat door. I heard some little noises, and looked at my Isaac, who's head was in the garage and who's body was out of the garage. Poor man had his head stuck. Why am I smiling while I write this? It's just wrong. Anyways, Grandma and I went to help him - one on each end, but he was s.t.u.c.k. Eventually we got his head out, but he was hurt and not happy. Sorry, fella. Lesson learned? I hope so. The kitty door is meant for the kitty.

Ruby informed me last week that people are more fun than toys. She was rather enjoying having her grandparents around, I think. ;)

My little Ruby was thinking aloud at some point about how Jesus made Himself alive, and "I don't know how He did it. Incredible." I love deep thoughts that come from my little people!

Ruby (man, I have a lot of Ruby stories this time =O) was playing doctor. She had to give me a shot. But had to check her paper first to see where this shot was to be given. She returned, informing me that the paper said that the shot had to be given in my nose. I wrinkled my nose up, and without missing a beat, Ruby scolded me, telling me that the paper "says not to wrinkle your nose". Ha!

Ruby was writing a song at the table. To an inexperienced song reader, this "writing" may have appeared to be nonsensical scribbles. But to Ruby, it was a lovely song: "God is with me all the time." Yes, He is! And I'm so glad.

I overheard Jadelyn do something (burp, perhaps? I don't remember exactly what.) that required her to say "excuse me". Without being prompted, Jadelyn said, "'scuse me. You're 'scused." Ha! Who needs someone else to excuse you when you can do it yourself? =)

Isaac informed me (after a bath, perhaps? Man...I need to make my scribbled notes more detailed. =P) that his foot had "crinkles" in it. And that it "feels like sand" is in it. "Or sugar". Hmmm....=)

One of Jadelyn's favorite books is the little "Love Bug" book that Gram and Pucka gave to Ruby for her first (I think) birthday. There is a part in it that says, "you're my silly goose, my moosey-moose, my monkey up a tree!" This is perhaps her very favorite part of all, or at least the part she remembers. =) Well, Jadelyn woke up from her nap earlier than Ruby and Isaac, and at some point, she headed off on a mission. When I asked her where she was going, she said, "monkey up a tee!" Too bad the book was in Ruby and Isaac's room and I had to tell her to wait. Thankfully, this time, she was okay with that, and no screaming was involved. =P

Ruby has pulled out another random accent. This one is a baby accent, and she doesn't say her "r's" properly. So, she's now done a Southern accent, a Caymanian accent, and now the baby accent. Wonder what's next? And where she's getting them from.

We went swimming at a local pool twice with Grandma and Grandpa. The kids LOVED it. Well, Jadelyn took an hour or more to warm up to it the first time, but then she caught on to the fun. As long as I didn't let go of her. The pool we were in was salt-water and warm. Lovely. Here's a video that we made for my Grandma, who is still not doing well at all:



We sometimes put on our snorkel goggles to watch underwater as the kids jumped in. Isaac jumped in with a little smile on his face, and Ruby jumped in with her eyes open, crazy gal! Isaac was VERY hesitant to jump in the first time. He wanted to SO bad, but was afraid. I finally held one hand, and then, before I knew it, he had climbed out and jumped in again. Guess he conquered that fear! =)

Ruby informed me that Grandma is fun because she buys "junk food" and she lets Ruby wear her flip-flops. Ruby is banned from mine until next summer for her poor behavior related to my flip-flops, so wearing Grandma's was an extra special treat. ;)

Last night when Jadelyn was praying before bed, she prayed, "thank you for anteater. Amen". Ha! That was a new one. ;)

And that's the end of my scribbled notes!

Oh, but I just thought of something from today. Ruby and Isaac were sliding down their little slide on their bellies, crashing their heads into the ground. There were MANY giggles. And some hurts. Nothing major. What they both seemed to enjoy the most? Ruby riding on Isaac's back down the slide. Looked like he REALLY slammed his head those times, but he didn't mind. Those crazy gigglers.

R.A.N.T against Shriner's

Dear Shriner's,

Last time I talked to the orthopedic surgeon, we were informed that Ruby likely needed surgery. Since then, we were sent back for not one, but TWO x-rays, as well as a video. I waited anxiously for 5 weeks, wondering what the fate of my dear daughter would be. This was seeming quite serious.

Then, our lovely care coordinator, who seems unable to fulfill promises of calling and telling us what is going on, though she has enough time to shoot me e-mails promising to call me, again fails to call. I called at the time she specified I could, and waited for a return call. None. So, I called the next day and was informed that she "done got my message". Then why in the world was there no follow-up e-mail or call to me? And then she wants me to wait another day to get me the information as to what is going on with Ruby. After I had given her 9 days since our last interaction as she requested. Sorry. No. Mama Bear came out and told said care coordinator that I thought that 5 weeks was long enough to wait. I wanted an answer. That very day.

What do you know? 2 hours later, I get a call from the orthopedic surgeon. Guess I should've been a jerk earlier. =P Anyways, dear doctor: Please to not minimize the long wait by telling me that it was "nothing acute" and that if it was, you would've worked on it faster. It seemed acute to me by the extra x-rays, video, and you telling me that surgery was probably going to happen. Please do not tell me that my care coordinator has been trying to keep me informed. HA! Please do not tell me that we're not in a "window" where surgery would need to occur or not. Last I checked, this type of surgery should be done when a child is YOUNG, and mine is almost 5. Her hips aren't getting any better, let me remind you, but worse. I DO appreciate that you are consulting with other doctor's and not making any rash decisions. I really do. Next time, though, please make sure that your care coordinator does her job and keeps the parents involved.

Thank you.

Kim

P.S. A letter to the geneticist: How is it that you manage to take a 2 week (or more) vacation right when I need your report? Just wondering.

Rough Day

This is the day that we were supposed to find out if Ruby needs surgery or not. Our care coordinator at Shriner's didn't call today. Though according to her last e-mail, she would "definitely" talk to me today if she didn't call yesterday. I called her (as she asked me to if she hadn't called me first) and left a message. She didn't call back. So much for customer service. And my patience. It's shot. It's been nearly 5 weeks since we were told that Ruby will probably need surgery. So let's get it figured out. Tell me what's going on. Ai yai yai. I don't even know her diagnosis, though we've asked. More than once. What's with the secrecy? =P

I wanted to finish mowing the lawn today. To finish SOMETHING today. But the mower went shot. So it's off to the fix-it guy for the second time in a year. Okay, less than a year. Good grief.

And my gas oven's pilot light won't stay lighted. And it also goes out when it's on and baking things. So when I bake things, I have to light the light before starting, and then I have to check obsessively to make sure that it's still on. Convenient.

And THEN, worst of all, I talked to my Mom tonight, and my Grandma is not doing well at all. My sweet Grandma's cancer has come back, and she just decided to not do any more chemo. And she's really not eating, and gets sick if she tries. We probably only have a few more weeks with her. Our Matriarch. I hate cancer. And I hate death. Hate is a strong word. And it belongs there.

The end of my depressing post.

Stories about my Kiddos...

Ruby has let me know that Isaac is her "best, best friend", but she can't marry him because they are brother and sister. Very often she forgets that they are best friends, and I try to remind her, but it doesn't always go well. =P

Recently, the above "best, best friends" were playing that Ruby was the Mommy, Isaac was the Daddy, and a baby doll was their baby. Ruby was asking to hold the baby, but Isaac had a different idea, "I love her so much I’m gonna keep holding her”. Awww...he's such a sweetie. Don't worry, Ruby got to hold the baby later. Probably soon after. 'Cause Isaac's a softie like that. ;)

At mealtime, Ruby informed me, "Jesus makes us all different. But we're all Dickerson's, so we're all crazy". This is a common theme when discussing "crazy", but the "Jesus makes us all different" is a new addition to her previous reasoning.

Yesterday, we went on a bike ride down the country road. The country road that normally has no dogs chasing us on it. =P Normally. Yesterday, there was one little ankle biter that came out with a vengeance, and the house right after that has a BIG German Shepherd that was loose and out in the road. I told David that I was going to turn around, but then I didn't. I followed that crazy man. But the dog ignored us. Whew! =P Anyways, down the road further, we saw some more loose dogs, and I told David I was not going past them. Yes, I'm a wimp. Anyways, there were some cows there, so we all got off the bikes (David had Ruby and Jadelyn on his, and I had my little man) to visit with the cows. The Jersey cow was super friendly and came right up to the fence. David and the kids spent some time picking grass for the cow and feeding it. When it came time to leave, Ruby said, "bye, cow, I love you" and then continued on to inform the poor cow that it now had to pick it's own grass. Jadelyn, who often wants to be like her big sister, said, "bye horse!" Close, Lynnie, close. ;) On the ride home, no dogs bothered us at all. Which was a HUGE blessing as that big German Shepherd lives at the top of a steep hill that David normally has to walk his bike up (hey, it's difficult peddling a bike with a kid strapped up in front of you, and a kid behind you to boot!)

On the ride home, we saw some bluebirds, which, though not unusual on that stretch of the road, is still enjoyed. Isaac was asking if that was a "bird blue". In all seriousness. Crazy man.

This morning, Ruby had an attitude problem that spanned for about an hour and a half. Most of that was spent in different consequences, trying to get a heart change. Finally, things calmed down and she could eat breakfast. At the table, before beginning eating, I saw Ruby flailing her arm around like a crazy woman. I questioned her about this, and she informed me that she wanted Satan to go away from her. Bless her sweet little heart. She was trying to swat him like a fly, I guess. ;) I reminded her that she needed Jesus to drive Satan away, so Ruby turned, prayed for Jesus to help her, and then my sweet Ruby emerged for most of the remainder of the morning. I'm so glad that Jesus loves my little gal! Stay away, now, Satan!

David was working on sharpening the mower blades this morning, and Isaac was told that he could watch after he was done with his morning checklist. Have I ever mentioned that that child is S L O W in doing his work? Well, he is. =P After he had finished his checklist and was working on his shoes, Isaac informed me that Daddy is "done with the sprinkles", aka the sparks that fly when the blades are being sharpened. =)

The kids got to spend most of the morning working/playing outside with Daddy-o, while I worked on baking up a storm since Grandma and Grandpa are coming today. Side note: it is easier to "bake up a storm" when the pilot light in the oven stays LIGHTED!!! Arrrgghhhh...hope my Chex mix is really toasted, that my bread and muffins aren't doughy, and that the granola bars are baked enough to stick together. Good grief. Okay, I'm off the subject, aren't I? =P SO! My sweet little Ruby popped in a couple times to ask, "you doin' okay?" Oh, when that girl is sweet, she is SO sweet! =)

At lunch today, the kids were talking about our trip to Florida last February. Ruby said, "we were up in Florida". Which would be an accurate statement if we lived in Cuba. Or something. I'm not up on my geography. =O Also, why in the world do my kids remember such random things? I guess when we were down there, they went on a bike ride with Uncle Mark and Jacob and ate some food, but they didn't have anything to clean up with, so when they came back to Grandma's house they had food all over their faces that I asked them about. Why is that a pertinent memory, anyhow? Just wondering.

Just before naptime, Ruby was decked out in my over-sized sunglasses with a nasal aspirator up her nose. Which reminded me that though I had STARTED organizing that shelf in the bathroom closet, I had not COMPLETED my job. Ooops. I asked Ruby to put it away, as it wasn't a toy, to which she responded, "but, Mommy, I'm tryin' to get out the boogers!" I should've gotten a picture. That girl cracks me up.