Urology and Monsters

Phew…it’s been a busy few weeks.  I was hoping for a little slow down, but that’s probably not going to happen any time soon.

First up, my little guy had an appointment with the Urologist.  When he was discharged from the NICU, he was too small for a circumcision.  Not only did one doctor think he was too small, but 2 other doctors had to inspect my poor little guy and reach the same verdict.  Not good for Daddy’s ego.  His twin brother had it done with no problems, so it was decided my little guy could get it done outpatient next time we came to the NICU for their eye exams, which was two weeks from his discharge.

Well, when we arrived for our eye exams, no one had any idea what I was talking about.  Also, I don’t really think he “grew” that much in two weeks.  So, it was decided that his new pediatrician would help us find a urologist that could do it at a later date.

At the twins 15 month check up (I can’t believe they are 15 months either!) our Doctor gave us a referral to a Urologist.  I brought both boys, along with my mom.  I didn’t really need to bring my bigger guy, but I was concerned about his little “pee pee” too.  Even though he was circumcised, it doesn’t really look like they did enough.  I would elaborate, but that’s probably all you need to know.  Anyways, the doctor we met with was awesome.  Not only did he check out my little guy in the front, but he looked at his backside to make sure his spine was ok.  He has a dimple, but it looked small enough that he didn’t think it effected his spine…something my pediatrician never even mentioned.  He also took a look at my bigger guy without any hesitation.  Turns out he’s just got a layer of fat that makes it look as if they didn’t take enough off.  That made my husband laugh.  The doctor was so nice, super clean ( a huge plus in my book…he actually washed his hands when he entered the room, and in between examining the boys, instead of just using hand sanitizer like every other doctor does ) and really easy to talk to. We agreed that we would wait a year and have another look.  If the circumcision was to take place now, he would have to go under general anesthesia, and I’m just not ready for that.  Premature lungs are a lot different from fully matured lungs, and I don’t want to take any chances right now.  Plus, he is so young that he won’t notice that him and his brother are not identical everywhere. 

With that appointment out of the way, the rest of August went pretty quick.  September brought my birthday (ugh…although I had a good time with my friends and family) as well as my younger brother’s birthday.  We all went to a Japanese steakhouse, which was an interesting experience.  Let’s just say the old cranky lady at the table next to us gave us plenty of dirty looks and loudly whispered, “Are they Ever going to leave.”  Hey lady, what do you expect at a kid friendly place?  Especially when the waiter makes balloon swords for the 3, 5, and 7 year old.

The end of September brought some nice fall weather, but also a little virus that spread from my oldest to the twins.  It started with a fever, followed by moaning, groaning, no eating, and very little sleeping for mommy.  It must have been just a kid virus because me and the hubby managed to avoid it, even though we were spit up on, slept on, and generally just all germed up.  Luckily it only lasted a couple of days for each.  I felt the worst for my little guy because he ended up getting it last, and I knew it was coming because he shares food, bottles, toys,  and saliva with his brothers, but he had no idea he was about to go from feeling good to yuck-o-rama.  He was so happy in the morning, then miserable by afternoon.  It really sucks when babies are sick because not only do they feel terrible, but they can’t tell you what hurts.  My poor sick babies.

But, they all recovered with just some generic tylenol, lots of worrying from mom and grandma, and snuggles.  No doctor visit…well, a telephone call or two was made…but no in person visits.  I think I handled their sickness fairly well, all things considered (l live in fear of a return visit/stay at the hospital.)

Once the sickness was banished from our house, it was time to plan my oldest son’s 4th birthday party.  We decided to have it the weekend before his actual birthday, thinking it would be warm enough to have it outdoors.  Well, it was warm enough…but it was raining.  No, I take that back.  It was storming and downpouring.  So, the party was held in our living room, and the room attached, once known as the “wood room” since it is all made of wood.  It is now covered with those giant foam pieces and tons of toys…and gated to keep the parents out. 

Theme: Monsters Inc./University (If you’ve never seen the movie, I highly recommend the first one)

I admit I kinda love planning/decorating for the kid’s birthday parties.  I think I’m good at finding the decorations, goody bag stuff, and color coordinating everything.  I love to find a good bargain, as you know, so I collect cheap stuff (toys, decorations, clothes, etc.) as I find it.  Ever since the sequel to Monster’s Inc. came out, I’ve been hunting down clearance items for the goody bags and the decorations.  I then supplemented with pictures/posters I made, lots of balloons, and a Pinata (which is pictured above.) Usually my husband makes the pinata, but for some reason when he tried to paper mache this year, the balloon inside shriveled up and made the shape cave in.  Oh well.  The store-bought one served its purpose.

In general, I am not a baker or chef, but I like to make everything (well at least most of the stuff) when it comes to the birthday parties.  I always remember the cakes that my mom made for my birthday parties (a hamburger decorated one tops the list of favorites) so I want my kids to have those memories too.  Sometimes even if homemade doesn’t always look perfect, you remember it perfectly.

So, I made a big green Mike Wasowski eye ball cake, little eye ball cupcakes, Sully blue big cupcakes, Sully blue apple dip, guacamole with a sour cream/black olive eye, and both Sully and Mike colored punches (with alcohol on the side for the grown-ups who had to endure the screaming, sugared up kids.)  We ordered some pizzas just in case, even though the party was between lunch and dinner.  Well, good thing we did!  Everything, including 6 pizzas minus 4 slices, was devoured.  All the running, tantrums, pinata destroying, and happy birthday singing must have made everyone hungry.

Overall, I think my almost 4 year old had a good day.  Everyone that said they were coming showed up, mostly behaved, and really like the decorations.  All the kids were happy with their candy from the pinata, the Sully/Mike lollipops, and their gift bags that were filled with Target $$ spot Monsters University goodies.  We waited to open presents until everyone left, so that my son wouldn’t get upset that everyone was going home and he’d have something to look forward to.

He ripped through all his presents in a matter of minutes, but now actually plays with all of them (unlike last year when he just liked the boxes.)  We left all the decorations up until this afternoon, when we persuaded my son into taking them down to put up Halloween stuff….but that’s enough for today.  I’ll have more to post this week because I have a scope coming up, and my son’s actual birthday.

Wow.  That was a long one.