Coburn Kids

I think my kids are part of a percentage that are used to and expect change in their lives. I mention it only because we watched a movie the other day as a family (Ramona and Beezus in case you were wondering) and Ramona became very upset that the family might move. This was shocking to my daughters. Most family and friends I know have lived in the same place for years, decades now even. Than there is us. Let me give some recent examples.

The other month I was rolling up a rug in our main room so that I could sweep underneath it, my 6 year old turns and asks casually, “Oh, it’s time to move again?”

My 9 year old points out to me the other day that she has yet to go a full school year with a single teacher. In fact, in her 4 short years of schooling, she has had 8 different teachers and attended 4 separate schools.

I don’t know if this is a good or bad thing. Genevieve is used to being known as the “new kid”.  It doesn’t scare her, sure she gets a bit nervous but it’s familiar. I know my kids aren’t going to have a melt-down if we have to move again. They know what’s involved, what to pack, what to leave out and how busy Mom is during that time. By the way, this blog post is not “build-up” to any announcement, just a reflection. I hope to stay in UT for a good long time.

The kids are as busy as ever. Adessa decided to change from dance to tumbling and is enjoying it so far. Her Chinese is increasing every day and she officially has words that I can’t even begin to pronounce in her vocabulary. I received one of those phone calls the other day that I never thought I would as a parent though. Her teacher called up and said that I needed to ask Adessa to stop chit-chatting in English. So it was surreal to ask my daughter to stop using English but to use her Chinese when at school. I understand the reasons since it’s an Immersion program, but I still chuckled at the conversation I had to have with her.

Gena continues to do her fencing and violin. In February I have convinced her to risk her life with ski lessons.  She’s very excited, partly because I can’t stop talking about it. I remember very fondly learning how to ski when I was young and enjoying it immensely. I would love to get Adessa and Caden up there as well but skiing is expensive. So one child at a time will learn how to ski.

Caden has his next Cleft Clinic appointment in March. Should be interesting, I think we have at least 2 surgeries this year. Probably a lip revision and then another set of ear tubes. He’s had a break for an entire year being surgery free so I know this will be harder for him now that he’s older. He’s a bit sick right now with a cough but nothing seems to keep this boy down.

So… wow.  I’ve been sick.  My husband has been sick.  My kids have been sick.  We’ve been like the walking plague for a month now.  Passing it around and back again to each other.  I’m on the mend though and feeling so much better.  Let me give updates!

Genevieve – loving her chess class.  I swear this is the only thing ever she actually comes home from and just talks and talks about it.

Adessa – got glasses!  Yes, that’s right.  Every single member of my lil’ family now wears glasses.  She’s so cute in them.

Caden – hasn’t gained weight.  He’s the tiniest thing.  We’re just a slight bit concerned because his feeding tube has been out for a month now (he pulled it out and quite frankly we decided to push the liquids rather then going to the ER… again… for another $200 visit). But he’s drinking!  Now he just won’t eat.  Hmph. Can’t win.  So our doctor has put him on Pediasure, high calorie and high fat to help him gain weight.  He actually loves the stuff and it comes in yummy flavors like strawberry, vanilla, berry cream, chocolate and more so he’s happy with it.  Also in news is that Caden is FINALLY getting speech services.  Yes that’s right, it took nearly 6 months. We still don’t have a single word.  He’s learned more signs but that’s really all we have right now.  6 or 7 signs he’ll do sporadically.

Daniel – crazy busy.  With work, with life, with everything.  Just got over pneumonia and he’s amazing.  ;)

I know, I know I haven’t updated in a month!  Terrible really.  I’ve been busy with work is all.  I have pics that I’ll try to get up in the next few days.

Quick updates though:

Caden is learning ASL like mad now!  He’s really getting into it so we’re trying to use sign every chance we get.  Which is hard, because we have the videos and we watch them but it’s just pieces here and there.  Would love to take a class and I’ve looked online but nothing is close to where I live.  Not to mention the logistics of getting babysitters and finding a time that my husband and I could both attend that would make it impossible.

We’ve got both the girls in summer day camps that they adore. They are making new friends, experiencing new things.  The thought of my 7 year old just hanging at the pool alone twice a week though, without myself as a parent hoovering over her, still brings a small piece of panic to my heart… but I’m learning to overcome that.  To really trust her new found independence.

We’ve been having a blast all summer. Swimming, bike rides, carnivals, friends, family, walks, running in the rain, naps, parks, exploring, movies, fireflies, BBQ’s, picnics, puppet shows, playing in the sand, games and just fun galore. It’s been a wonderful few months.  And to all of our UT friends, it’s in the 70′s here!  It hit the 80′s for a couple of days but it’s been so nice.

We have Caden’s birthday next week!  My little guy is going to be 2.  Which is just… so overwhelming to me for some reason.  But more on that when it’s his actual birthday.

So my parents have gone home to UT, my brother is back home too.  We had such a blast with them while they were out here!! We’ll run through the week:

Thursday – Wednesday night my parents flew in and Thurs. we all planned to go to the Aquarium… until we found out it was free aquarium admission week for Chicago. The wait to get in was 3+ hours!  Thankfully there’s a whole bunch of museums all close to each other so we just decided to head over to the Field Museum of Natural History. It was absolutely fascinating, highly recommend for both kids and adults.  Pics below:

Walking through the mist into the Water exhibit

Sitting in an Indian Lodge on Buffalo Skin blankets

Gena and Caden pushing buttons to hear bird sounds

Outside the museum posing with their souvenirs they got

Caden was so tired by the end of the day he fell asleep like this in his stroller

Posing by Soldier’s Field Remembrance Wall

Friday – Thursday night my brother Jason flew in and Friday we were supposed to go to Six Flags.  This was what Adessa wanted to do for her Birthday instead of a party.  But it was raining with possible chance of hail!  So instead we headed over for some fun bowling and playing games at Brunswick XL.

Gena and Adessa riding a simulator

Uncle Jason and Daniel racing

Caden playing his first video game!

Saturday – Was the big Six Flags day.  We left a bit late but spent the entire day there until 9PM. Adessa went on her first big roller coaster, she begged to go again she loved it so much. Gena is ready to just take on the whole park by herself.  She’s big enough for every ride there. We also went to the Six Flags water park and that was fun.  The kids area was great for Adessa and all the big water slides kept Gena entertained and running Grandpa around ragged. After 2 hours of that, it was enough and we headed back to the rides. The kids did not want to go home at the end of the night. I didn’t take very many pictures, because I was too busy having fun!

Picture of the whole gang, minus me taking the picture of course!

Picture of Caden playing in Wiggle World

Sunday – We got to celebrate Adessa’s Birthday, Uncle Jason’s Birthday and Father’s Day! We started out with a wonderful BBQ (thank you Daniel!) and then moved on to cake and presents.  We had the whole gang over from my family to Daniel’s family and that was wonderful.  I can hardly believe my little Adessa is now 5 years old!! I love you ‘dessa!

Adessa and Jason blowing out the candles on their Birthday Cake!

Angel, Gena and Adessa posing

Gena and Adessa Oo’ing and Ah’ing over the water baby

More presents!

Jason opening up his Birthday presents

Jason and Adessa opening up a present together

Caden thought the water baby box made a perfect seat for him

Daddy opening up Father’s Day presents

Grandpa opening up Father’s Day presents

Monday – Sunday night my parents flew home. Daniel went back to work on Monday and the rest of us had a down day, just playing with toys and hanging out at the house with Uncle Jason.

Tuesday – Legoland.  The girls had a fun time and so did Caden! The lego exhibits were very cool to look at and the girls were both proud when they made and raced lego cars and won some of the other kids there.

Sitting outside Legoland

Posing with lego R2D2

And of course they insisted on a photo with Darth Vader, though I think Adessa was a lil’ nervous

Chicago done in Lego’s

Gena and Adessa on a ride they have at Legoland

Caden playing in the lego’s

After Daddy came home from work the girl’s and him had a water fight outside!

Wednesday  – Transformer’s 2!  Jason and I went, we both loved it.  Recommend it.

Thursday – Caden’s marathon Cleft Team Clinic which I reported on below.

Friday – Jason left for the airport and within 2 hours of his leaving Adessa and Daddy were in the ER.  Adessa “saved” Caden from swallowing a penny.  Which she then promptly put into her own mouth and accidentally swallowed.  I actually heard some gagging and went to check on Caden but it turned out it was Adessa who then started yelling and becoming hysterical that “Caden made her” swallow a penny.  It all made sense in her 5 year old brain that “saving” her brother from swallowing the penny by taking it away from him made her then swallow it. Now, I didn’t think anything of it but being a good Mommy I called her pediatrician.  The nurse told us that we indeed needed to go and get some x-rays.  So off they went and I stayed home with the other 2 children.

Cool x-ray of my 5 year old and the penny in her tummy

Finally, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I have the most adorable picture of my 7 year old Genevieve singing a made up birthday song to Adessa on her birthday.  It’s just the best picture of them.  It was taken in the car on the way to the Museum.

Isn’t that picture just adorable!!

I had a wonderful Mother’s Day.  It started on Saturday when I went to the salon and got my hair done.  The on Sunday Genevieve gave me a beautiful plate and Adessa and Daddy gave me storage containers for my China that I’ve been asking for.  Daniel made me breakfast and later in the evening we went to my Sister-in-law’s house for a great barbeque.  The kids had a blast playing with their cousins and it was good times all around.

On Monday I took Gena and Caden to their new Doctor.  3 finger pokes, 3 shots, 2 physicals, 3 referrals and 1 exhausted Mommy. Gena doesn’t do shots well.  At… all.  The mere mention of a shot starts off a panic attack in her. All my kids are healthy, the Dr. couldn’t believe how big Gena is, she’s not even on the growth chart for her height.  She’s seriously tall.  Obviously she does not get this from me.

I have Adessa’s Dr. appointment coming up on Thursday which should prove traumatic for her and I. She has to go in for all her Kindergarten shots, as well as a TB test (out in IL all kids get tested for TB), and some finger pokes.  I expect a full scale meltdown.  Hopefully, maybe, not as bad as when Gena had to get her shots done for when she was starting Kindergarten.  That took 4 nurses to hold her down and me crying along with her. If that child knew obscenities she would have cursed and screamed every one. Instead the worst she could scream was “Bad Doctor” over and over again.

Fun times.  Fun times.

Starting on Friday, the girls were driving me crazy wanting to do something so I told them to get their swimsuits on.  Not to go outside though, considering it was 50 degrees.  You see, we have a big bathtub.  Huge.  So I told the girls they could swim in it. They were really skeptical but ended up staying there for 2 hours. They loved it!

Notice that Caden is holding a doorstop in his hand.  He takes them ALL off and walks around with them.

On Saturday we went to the Brookfield Zoo!  The girls had a blast and so did Caden. It was nice and cool so was wonderful to walk around. Pics below:

Caden’s very first ride!  We had to pry him off at the end, he absolutely loved it.

Ahhhh, look at how happy they all are!

In the kids Zoo brushing the goats.

Looking up at the T -Rex in the Dinosaurs Alive exhibit.

In the Kangaroo pouch.

Gena hugging the giraffe.

On Sunday the girls wanted to ride their bikes so we headed outside in the backyard to ride around the pond.

Gena!

Adessa! 

And last but not least, here’s what Caden was doing while the girls were riding their bikes.  The pantry was left open… he started helping himself. 

Not much to report.

Job search continues, it’s been 5 months! Hard to believe. For updates on the states, since my mind has melted with the sheer number of companies and people: North Carolina, Illinois, Florida, Utah, Washington and Texas are the contenders right now.

Caden continues to learn more signs. No new sounds yet, still just Ha, Ga, Ge and… that’s about it.

Parent/Teacher conference for Gena went well. Her only struggle is handwriting, but she is a full year younger then the other kids.

Adessa loves preschool, loves her teacher, loves her friends. Though she is mad at her preschool best friend Peyton for telling on her because she wasn’t sharing. Preschool drama, I love it.

Both my girls were in bed by 7:30 PM tonight!  We couldn’t find Gena and there she was dead asleep in bed.  And Adessa came and asked to go to bed. Gena’s got some allergies or a cold because she has the sniffles and is, clearly, tired and doesn’t feel well. Having them want to go to bed so early was a nice surprise though.

Caden’s Early Intervention evaluation was today as well, they do it yearly. Let’s give Caden’s developmental age in months below:

Gross Motor (crawling, walking, etc.) – 12 months

Fine Motor (pincer grasp, picking up small objects, etc.) – 12 months

Cognitive (responds to name, imitates) – 10 months

Language (speech) – 6 months

Self-Help (feeding self, pulling socks off) – 15 months

Social/Emotional (smiling, separation anxiety) – 10 months

So he has an average developmental age of about 10.8 months old. Not unexpected, he was right where I thought he would be in all areas.

Very exciting news though, Caden is starting to do sign language!  Daniel and I are ecstatic about this because he’s finally starting to communicate.  So far he can do ‘more’, ‘eat’, and we believe ‘Daddy’ and ‘all done’. This is huge, it’s the first sign that he’s beginning to comprehend and understand.  It’s completely amazing to see a child that can not say a single word actually tell you something he needs. Needless to say, Daniel and I are really pushing for more sign language and even Gena and Adessa are learning and helping him. We have some kid videos and they watch some on the internet to learn. They think it’s cool too that Caden is interacting with them and they have a “secret” language, as Adessa put it.

In regards to his upcoming appointments, his Geneticist appointment is 8 months off.  Apparently the first opening they have isn’t until Oct. 17th! It’s really not something we need to rush though so I’m not concerned. I couldn’t get his Swallow Study appointment in today, waited on the line for almost a 1/2 hour, so I’ll have to try again tomorrow.

So little Caden has this thumb on his left hand that’s a bit off.  I noticed it when he was a baby.  To describe it, I would say it looks like one side of it got smashed and flattened a bit.  It’s got a hump on the top and while it’s not that noticeable it may be as he gets older.  Our doctors and Caden’s plastic surgeon know about it, it’s fully functional.  All the joints move correctly, he can flex it and it’s just another lil’ odd thing about him.  I’ve noticed over the last couple of months some odd behavior he does with that hand.  When he was younger, before he would pick up an object with that hand, he would rub the object with the side of his thumb… almost like he was trying to feel it.

Yesterday, I noticed that he picks things up strangely with that hand as well, he’s tucking his thumb under.  I have a video below to show what I’m talking about.  My first instinct is that he doesn’t have as much feeling in that thumb, especially in the pad of the thumb.  So he’s using the sides to feel it.  It would make sense, if there’s decreased feeling the proper pincer grap might be difficult as he couldn’t feel if he had a grasp on the food. He can’t, certainly, tell us if anything feels different then the other side but it caught my attention.

The other day, when Grandma Warner was over, I decided to get crafty with the kids and we made popcorn ball snowman.  Check out the masterpeices below:

Popcorn Snowmen!

Halloween was so fun!  And for some reasons the pictures I took on my camera have mysteriously disappeared.  Bummer. But I do have individual pics of all the kids so I’ll post those below.  We went trick-or-treating around the neighborhood with our little cousin Ethan.  It was kind of funny because we had 8 adults walking around 4 kids. It was fun to see their excitement over everything.

We also had Caden’s eye appointment today. The good news is that he doesn’t have Strabismus and doesn’t look like any evidence of lazy eye.  The funny news is that he does have to get glasses! He’s very near-sighted, it wasn’t that surprising.  So Daniel and I had to go eyeglass shopping for him today and I do have to say, his cuteness factor has increased significantly! Babies look so cute in glasses.  He’ll get the glasses at the end of this week so I’ll be sure to post pics.  His blood vessels in his eye are straightening out a bit too much, they like to see them a little lax, but the blood vessels in his left eye are a bit too tight.  It’s just something to keep an eye on, as the blood vessels tightening like this are a risk factor for retinal detachment and can really affect his vision.  We have a follow-up appointment in 3months again, so sometime around Feburary just to see how his vision is doing!