It has been over a year

And an update is deserved.  We have had a crazy year.  And I didn't even send out Christmas cards.  So here is the year in review. 

2013 By the numbers:
5350+ flight miles (if you include my trip home from CA...in Jan 2014)
3000+ miles driven for medical/therapy appts
1750+ miles driven on our three short trips
300+ hours of volunteer work (we are looking for new suggestions to volunteer with the kids)
75+ therapy sessions
45+ EI sessions
20 doctors appts
4 days at Disney
3 days at Zoo Camp
2 kids who love cupcakes
1 night at Great Wolf Lodge
and 2 parents who could use a good long nap


January 2013:  Elizabeth started Organic Chemistry II and Microbiology while continuing to volunteer at St. Luke's Free Medical Clinic and GHS Children's Hospital.  She and Kevin began volunteering with the Fellowship Kids program at church.  She also started working on preparing an application for summer research funding.  Wyatt continued speech therapy and occupational therapy.  Kevin chilled out at work.  Zoe was just a goofy girl.

February 2013:  The kids went to the circus. 

March 2013:  Wyatt had his first videofluoroscopic swallow study.  It showed that when he drank any regular liquid, the liquid entered his airway and occasionally went all the way to his lungs.  We started using thickener and keeping his liquids very cold as the study showed that he could continue to safely receive fluids this way.  Elizabeth also had the opportunity to shadow a few doctors throughout the spring.  Kevin was in Caroline and Adam's wedding...which was awesome.  Because Caroline and Adam are awesome, and Kevin looks good in a tux.

April 2013: Elizabeth found out her summer research project was funded through the Magellan Scholar program at USC Columbia.  Kevin flew to Kansas City for a few days to help his dad clean up his Grandma Baker's house and visit her.  Elizabeth had the opportunity to go to the National Basketball Championship in Atlanta with Josh, the coolest brother.  Earlier in the weekend, she took the kids to the Michigan practice before the Final Four and the related events at the Convention Center.  There the kids got to watch the Harlem Globetrotters.

May 2013: Elizabeth took the MCAT, and Kevin handled the craziness like a champ.  There was no fun to be had as I studied constantly...and then stressed over my score until it was posted weeks later. May, June, and July was also the bulk of Elizabeth's research project.  Since Kevin was temporarily working days, the kids started preschool full-time.  Zoe loves school.  She loves being around lots of other kids, and she loves learning.

June 2013:  Greg, Kevin's brother, came into town for a few days.  Then Pauline, The Super Awesome Asian Auntie, came to spoil the kids (and Elizabeth & Kevin) for a few days of fun.  Eventually we will make another trip to New York to see her.  Maybe 2014.  Zoe went to Zoo Camp, and she still talks about its utter awesomeness. We also threw a pretty awesome party, because we like to have fun with friends.  And who needs a real reason to have a party.

July 2013:  My mom came and visited for a week.  Because Nina is awesome and crafty.  One of those skills was not passed on to her daughter.  But don't worry, it was the second one.  Wyatt's first appointment with Developmental Pediatrics to get our spot on the official waiting list.  And a trip to Disney with the World's GREATEST brother/uncle ever.  I mean that title is clearly tied to trips to the Happiest Place on Earth.  We took a 4 day mini vacation that started with an overnight drive while Wyatt screamed....the whole drive.  But we love him...and we got to Epcot when it opened, so we rode TestTrack multiple times before venturing out to the rest of the park.  Wyatt fell asleep as soon as we entered the park.  We thought he was just tired from being up all night.  Turned out he had fluid in his lungs.  We all took turns taking Zoe out to the parks to play while Wyatt slept in the hotel room. Eventually we ended up in Urgent Care and at a pharmacy at 2am.  I am hoping our next Disney trip is less eventful.  Our arrival back home meant a trip to the pediatrician followed by a trip to the pulmonologist. 

August 2013:  School started again for Elizabeth.  This time just research and Biochemistry.  The kids went back to part time (1 day a week) at school.  Elizabeth also took a position as a Supplemental Instructor for Microbiology. Wyatt got a new Early Interventionist who used to be an ABA therapist.  The whole family loves her although saying goodbye to the one we had previous was difficult.  Zoe had an ENT appointment on a Wednesday and was released.  They removed the remaining ear tube and told us we never had to come back.  On Friday, Wyatt went to the ENT and became a patient. His adenoids were going to come out and we needed a sleep study to see if his tonsils needed to come out as well.  Zoe went to Utah for a week with Kevin's mom to visit her cousin Paton. 

September 2013:  We were told Wyatt's sleep study might be December and to schedule a swallow study.  We ended up taking a cancellation and had both procedures done the beginning of the month.  The swallow study resulted in the radiologist and I both being sprayed with barium.  Wyatt was not in the mood to participate.  Wyatt's tonsils and adenoids were removed two days after he turned three...so no party for him.  Unless riding the tricycle around the hospital floor and eating ice cream is a party...in which case, we had an amazing party. Both Nina and Nana took turns helping with the kids since Wyatt couldn't return to school for awhile.  Zoe went to science school...the first one was butterflies.  She brought home two caterpillars and only killed one.  The other formed a cocoon, came out a beautiful monarch, and was released into our backyard.  School and work didn't really stop for life to happen, so we just managed to do more with less sleep. Somewhere between no sleep and medical appointments, Elizabeth finished her medical school application.

October 2013:  More pulmonology, more ENT, more pediatrician visits, more therapy, more EI.  Wyatt kept us busy.  Zoe went to science class.  She now has a rock collection and learned about the solar system.  Zoe also got to go to an Intro to Horses class with Boompa.  It was the highlight of her year.  We, as a family, went to Charleston for a quick 2 day break.

November 2013: Elizabeth went to some mock interviews to prepare for medical school interviews (and no, there is no update to be posted about that...I will post when there is a definitive decision on what happens next).  We stayed home for Thanksgiving and celebrated with Elizabeth, Frank, and Taylor. Wyatt had more appts, and Biochemistry came to an end.  I (Elizabeth) have never been so excited to see a semester end. 

December 2013:  Zoe turned 5.  We went to Great Wolf Lodge with Elizabeth, Frank, and Taylor.  Wyatt had another sleep study and a few other appointments.  Kevin worked Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Christmas was celebrated the day after Christmas at home, with just the kids.  We needed that quiet in our lives.

January 2014:  Started off a quick trip to California for Elizabeth...with the following instructions, "Get out of mommy mode for 48 hours.  We will be fine."  Kevin managed appts, and then Nina took the kids to a hotel to go swimming, a Christmas lights thing at Turner Field, and had lots of fun while I was gone.  I got to attend the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl with my brother and my dad.  Truly an amazing trip.  And then more appointments, more school (only research and SI this semester), and work.  Kevin took the kids to enjoy the circus with their school while Elizabeth went out of town. 

February 2014:  Who knows...so far we have only managed class and therapy.  Wyatt and Elizabeth are going to a conference at the end of this week while Kevin has some time with Zoe.  I think Kevin is due a vacation from Daddy Duty...so we will see what we can manage.

Catching up before school starts

 Wyatt's crazy hair.  Because.

 Wyatt all suited up.  Just to Skype Uncle Joshie.  His little Fedora is so cute.  He will fit in well at Coffee Underground.

 Disney on Ice.  Kevin's parents got us tickets to go, but were unavailable that weekend so I took the kids with my dad.  I still remember when my dad took me to see Beauty and the Beast on Ice. 

 Zoe on her birthday with her new princess dress and princess tent.  She also got the amazingly long Rapunzel braid.  And decided that if she was a princess, Wyatt should be a frog.  Because every princess needs a frog to kiss (according to Zoe).

 Zoe loves to dress herself.  Normally, she actually coordinates.  The exception to the rule is these fabulous maroon sweatpants.  She wants to wear them with everything.  She did think ahead though.  She was getting ready for bed and decided she would be too cold in shorts...so she went with both the sweatpants and the shorts.

 Zoe and Wyatt at Daniel's 4th birthday party.  It was at PlayNation, which I have decided was a way better party than Monkey Joes.  The kids had a blast.

Josh surprised us while we were in Michigan for Christmas.   We managed to make it out to Ford Field to watch the Lions get pounded by the Falcons.  It was nice to have a few hours without the kids. 











Josh also made time to frost cookies with Wyatt, Zoe, Kaleb, and Jakob. 

 Zoe was not at all fond of the cat, but didn't notice it was so close to her at the moment I took this picture.  Wyatt is not a fan of the snow.  Zoe loved it, but I personally could have done without the 50-60 mph wind gusts that day.

 Wyatt riding "Trigger" on Christmas Eve at my parents house.  The kids were so glad to get out of the car after two straight days of driving.  Trigger belonged to my dad when he was a child.  I think the fact that Trigger has survived 3 generations of children is amazing. 

 

January in South Carolina.  It isn't always this warm, but we make the most of the times it is.  Zoe wasn't very confident on her bike over the summer, but 2 hours of riding around the tennis courts and parking lot led to a surge in confidence and a good nap.

Halloween, haircuts, Niven's Apple Farm, and Frankie's Fun Park

 Fall for Greenville with Heather, Phil, Jake...and Kevin.  None of whom ended up in the pictures. 

Boo at the Zoo

Thanks to Lisa, Wyatt had a Thomas the Train costume. 

 The Family Festival where Kevin works.  Wyatt mostly wanted to ride the train.  Both kids decorated pumpkins and rode the . 

Yoda and the Frog at the neighborhood Halloween party.  The kids both loved getting candy.  They were not nearly as fond of the kids who came to our door in scary costumes or the yard decorations that moved.

 Zoe and Wyatt before haircuts

I know we said right after Wyatt's birthday, but there was a long delay until Kevin and I both had time off while the salon was open. 

Jellybeans near Woodruff Road did a great job.  I totally recommend Ashlea...the kids hair looks fabulous.

 During first haircuts

Zoe thought it was the greatest thing ever.

Wyatt was not so sure, but he sat completely still and didn't cry at all.

They are getting so big.

 Wyatt's after cut hairdo.  He aged like two years with a haircut.  He looks like such a big boy.  And yes, those are Zoe's purple boots.  Wyatt got them out of the shoe box and put them on all by himself.  He has four regular words right now.  "Ello" "Mom" "Dad....eeeeeeeee""Bup...els" (bubbles).

These last few are a little older.  Dan, Bella, and Chris sharing snack with us at Niven's Apple Farm.  We just ran into each other up there so it was a pleasant surprise.  Our family also joined Zoe's class on the field trip to Niven's this year.  The kids were especially fond of the hayride. 

 Skee-ball is the best ever because the kids can throw the balls forever on one charge.  The balls just roll back towards them because they didn't throw them hard enough to make it over the lip at the end. 

 Wyatt was really not so sure about the merry-go-round.

Crafting with Grandma at the beginning of October.



The kids are looking forward to spending a few hours with Nana tomorrow.  Zoe reminds everyone that after Thanksgiving, it is HER birthday.  I need to start party planning.  The princess wants a princess party with her friends...and Frank and Taylor's Mommy.  Apparently, she is coolest mommy. 

Wyatt's Super Hero Birthday Party

 Wyatt's Birthday Party was on Saturday.  We put together a fabulous party in less than two weeks thanks to Pinterest, Hobby Lobby, Party City, and lots of imagination. 

We had Loops of Power, Captain America Crunch, and Lex Luthor's Cookie Kryptonite.  There was also star shaped watermelon, bat shaped honey dew, and tattooed bananas.  There was also a doughnut cake. 

                      

Showing off our Mighty Muscles

I think this was one of the few moments that the birthday boy wore any of his costume.  He wouldn't be two if he didn't protest some part of the party.  And mommy thought a costume protest at a costume party was fitting.

Some kids were too cool for Super School, while others showed valiant effort.

 

Yes.

 Kevin dressed up as Superman, and his dad dressed up as Hop Along Cassidy.  Karen dressed as Wonder Woman.  And I dressed as Cat Woman.

 

The Obstacle Course

Mighty Muscles: 
lifting the Styrofoam dumbbell 5 times









Wonder Woman's Lasso Toss 
(no pics of this one...since the obstacle course was designed for outside, fitting it around our living areas required using every square foot.  The front hallway left room for the game, but not the photographer).

Gotham City's Tunnel Crawl

Again, both Kevin and his dad had to prove that they were young tough super heroes.







 Superman's Leap over a Building in a Single Bound

Wyatt's favorite part of the obstacle course was to Leap over a Building in a Single Bound.  Auntie Jenny helped him soar.  I think he got back in line about ten times.

Hulk's

Super

Smash






By far the most fun.  Just a word of advice, cover your wall with something.  The spray paint leaves black marks.  But if you forget, there is nothing a Mr Clean Magic Eraser cannot fix. 











We let them punch the boxes until they destroyed them.  Cheap and amazing activity.  Old empty shipping/diaper boxes, spray paint, yellow foam and double sided tape.  I think we might have a Hulk Smash day at our house just because.

The little capes ( Batman and Superman in this pic) were made by my mom.  I don't know when she sleeps, but she made one for every party guest (and a few extra).  They were adorable and ensured that every guest had a costume.




Vaporize a Villian

So it wasn't supposed to rain.  That is what the weather man said...until like 48 hours before the party when cold and rainy was the new official forecast.  Since I already had the silly string and was looking forward to this activity, we just made it part of the obstacle course. 

According to the boys, I am the coolest mom ever because they got to shoot silly string in my house.  It was a lot of fun. 

This is Heather...right after she missed the balloon and the doors hitting my wall instead.  I laughed pretty hard.  And Phil cleaned up all of the silly string, so I guess I will let his wife off the hook.

Kevin and Jen ran the Green Arrow Tattoo parlor for the kids when they finished the obstacle course. 

Spiderman, the Avengers, and Batman.

Jen decided on a Thor tattoo. 

Zoe doesn't want to get her tattoo wet during bath time.  Thankfully I have leftovers to replace the super awesome tattoo when it does wash off.


Wyatt got Spiderman.  He looks at his arm a lot....I think trying to remember where he got the tattoo. 




As the party ended, the kids all got their capes (from my mom) and a party bag.  Everyone got a Little People DC Super Friend, a Spiderman fruit snack, an Avengers fruit snack, a Bat mask (from the first picture), and play doh.  In an effort to not leave anyone out, Uncle Joshie will have a Super Hero gift bag shipped at some point before his birthday.  We also saved a bag for the other set of cousins who will be visiting Greenville this week. 



A few last pictures. 

Spiderman was all about the yogurt.




 The Bilibo was a hit.  All of the kids love it. Kaleb and Zoe loved to spin around.   

 Zoe's Wonder Woman costume lasted the whole party.  It needs some major repair work before Halloween though. 

Kevin, Wyatt and I are ready to go for Halloween.  Our Super Hero Family will be out and about again in a few weeks.


Wyatt is obsessed with all of his new trains.  He carries Toby around with him everywhere. 

Excitement is a two-year old with new toys.  



 Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated with us and those who called to wish Wyatt a Happy Birthday.   He just learned to sign "thank you" so although you can't see that over the phone, we are going to try and record it. 

And thanks to my mom...because without her this post would be just a boring paragraph with no pictures.