I guess it is about my turn. 
Halloween was an adventure as Lane quickly caught on and Brayden said "I'm too shy to talk to people." He's an interesting kid. We had fun Halloween night though because it was the third Halloween activity and I think he got jealous of Lane ringing the doorbells, so that got him out of the stroller. I am one month away from delivery and I will break down and give you the picture you've all been asking for (although I don't think you'll be that excited). I am doing okay and just praying I'll go early as the baby is due on the 17th and they don't induce until a week post-dates here. That's Christmas Eve...I will die. 
Well, my two sisters are coming for T-day and we are going out to eat...sound fun? Trent is taking boards next week so it's been extra busy for him as any free time he has, he is studying.
Halloween was an adventure as Lane quickly caught on and Brayden said "I'm too shy to talk to people." He's an interesting kid. We had fun Halloween night though because it was the third Halloween activity and I think he got jealous of Lane ringing the doorbells, so that got him out of the stroller. I am one month away from delivery and I will break down and give you the picture you've all been asking for (although I don't think you'll be that excited). I am doing okay and just praying I'll go early as the baby is due on the 17th and they don't induce until a week post-dates here. That's Christmas Eve...I will die. 
Well, my two sisters are coming for T-day and we are going out to eat...sound fun? Trent is taking boards next week so it's been extra busy for him as any free time he has, he is studying. Okay, all you with dental experiences...I brush the kids teeth every night but that's it. Brayden will be 4 in one month and I took him to the dentist this week....8 cavities....aaauuugghh!!! So, they want to put him out completely at the hospital and fill them all. What do I do? I mean, IF I get them all filled I would rather put him out completely anyway, but should I do it. Advice from anyone with dental connections. Also, those of you in the military...should I wait until next year and see if the military will cover it? I don't know about 
military insurance.
military insurance. Alright, now for the parenting questions. My kids aren't horrible but man, Brayden and I duke it out 2 times a day at least. He is threatening me and giving me ultimatums. If I tell him to stop doing something he says, "If you do/say that again, I will throw my toy at you." Or he'll hit me, or throw his food on the floor, etc. I usually state the punishment if he does and wait to see if he follows through but I am tired of it. Then there is Lane who gets mad at me and says, "Mom, I kill you." Brayden has never done that so that's new. For the most part we are doing fine, but there are those times. I don't feel like I have it as bad as some as Trent's residency is at least family friendly and he gets nearly all the holidays off. He is gone a lot, but the attendings are pretty encouraging and nice. It's a good place. I do like it here and we're having fun. Just need some help on how to get through the next phase with my kids without abusing them and feeling guilty when I get mad and lose patience.
Well, wish all of you a happy holiday season and hope you are doing well. 
Karie
P.S. Amy and Jill, how was Hawaii??? Do you guys still need pictures from us from last trip? We've still got them.
8 comments:
Karie,
Wow, it sounds like you are in a whirl wind right now! As for the dentist, I totally know! Eden has 3 and Siena has 4 and I have some dental work that needs done. It is not going to be cheap. My pediatric dentist is suggesting only having one quadrent of the mouth done at a time, at max two quadrents because they need them to stay out during the fillings and they can only give so much medicine based on their weight. Then they just give them some sleepy juice, they call it, and out they go. Eden and gracie have both had fillings done this way and have come out of it with flying colors. It might be nicer for you to have them get it all over with at once. But I personally would ask another dentist opinion before or a mom that has had it done that way before just to make sure it is safe. I am a little paranoid though. So that is just me. As for the airforce. I don't know what your insurance is right now or if it is all out of pocket but United Concordia covers 80 percent of fillings. If it is a posterior tooth they will only pay for 80% of the silver fillings and if you want a white filling you have to pay the differents (which tends to be about $80 from what I can tell.) They also do not pay for sedation. My dentist says that is about $25 on average. But it is 80% less than out of pocket! (I wish it was better!)
Thats probably way more info than you wanted. Good luck with the boys. We go through phases like that too and it is nice to know that they are just that, "phases" they will get through it (and so will you!) When school started it got really bad around here for some reason so we started a "bean jar" Each kid has a jar and each monday we start with 25 beans in our jar any time they obey immediately they get congratulated and get to put a bean in their jar. If they talk mean to mommy or eachother or disobey or break house rules they take out a bean. If they physically hurt someone 2 beans are taken out. At the end of the week we counted our beans. Anyone who has 25 beans still gets to go out for icecream. Anyone who has 50 or more gets to go on a special date with mom or dad to get something that they have previously decided to earn with 50 beans, (ie trip to the zoo, lip gloss, new shoes...) this has worked like a charm. I don't have to get mad because the jar does all the punishing. But this way I get a lot of opportunities to celebrate all of the good things they do and it really encourages them. Anyway, sorry this is so long. Good luck!!!
Karie-
I just have to say that you look so cute! I know you will hate that, but you really do look good. I can't believe only one month left. I'm sorry about all the worries with the boys. I know it's way stressful when they are so physical and violent - it always freaks me out with Zeke and leaves me feeling so helpless. I'm sure you're doing a great job. You are always way too hard on yourself.
I love Joni's idea about the bean jar. I think I'm going to have to try that out! I wish I had a brilliant plan, but I don't. But I do know you are a wonderful mom and that your boys know that you love them and that is the most important thing. I'm actually happy to hear I'm not the only one that gets death threats.
Hang in there,
Ann
Hi Karie,
Good to hear from you, you look great!I am so sorry Brayden and Lane are giving you a hard time... I really like Joni's idea, that's awesome. Sometimes I like to watch supernanny and get some ideas from her. I don't like all her stuff, but you never know, sometimes it's good. I know that's kinda lame to get parenting advice from a TV show, but sometimes you get desperate. And watching the show makes you feel better about your own family! :) Hang in there! Your boys love you, they just don't fully understand what they are saying, esp Lane. Try to not take it personal, I know that's hard. But when I don't take the things Kyler says or does personal it's easier to handle the situation. Take care! Hope to see you soon.
Rachel
HI Karie!
Oi that sucks about the dental stuff. I haven't taken Charlie to the dentist yet - but he's almost three and that's when they're supposed to go, right? Dillon finally went last spring and he's okay, thank goodness. They put sealants on is molars which is fantastic.
I think I actuall NEED Supernanny. My boys drive me nuts. Charlie is a constant struggle. He's too smart for his own good - he knows just what buttons to push and he pushes them HARD! Dillon is a big "kindergarten boy" now so he's started mimicking the language and attitude of kids at school - at least that's the only explanation I can see b/c he was such an angel before. I love them so much, but sometimes I too feel like I'm on the verge of insanity. I can't even keep up with them unless I ignore EVERYTHING else in my life including Annabelle.
Anyway, Brayden sounds a lot like how Dillon was at that age. He was anxious and shy and mean to me. I don't know if you remember us discussing this, but I was given the advice to do more playdates and structured activities (by his preschool teacher) and it seemed to really work.
Is there really snow there already? You really do look cute pregnant. I hope you deliver early too. If you get desperate, just do what I did! (they don't induce here either) I just cried at my appointment. I all out bawled and told them I couldn't do it anymore. They had mercy on me. It was only 5 days early, but I was sooooo desperate and in a lot of pain too. I looked like a complete fool, but it worked. (I really didn't plan it out or do it on purpose, but it did work) :)
Anyway, if they allow comments this long - GOOD LUCK and keep us posted :)
Sorry I have no advice about the dentist. I do think getting a second opinion is a great idea if you aren't comfortable with the idea of putting him under.
It's nice to know that others feel like they are going to pull out their hair when it comes their kids sometimes. I really wish kids were born with some type of manuel (better yet an off button :). There are many times when I feel so clueless about how to discipline or handle a certain situation. I think being consistant is important and making sure they know what they are doing is not ok and there will be consequences (and make sure to follow through). I think Jenny's idea is good. Sometimes kids act up cause they are wanting attention or they are bored. I wish I had some really good advice. I have a friend who's stake put on some parenting classes. The classes were taught by an expert in the field. I have often thought it would be nice to attend one and get some new ideas.
Karie,
Shaun was a bit of a hellion at that age, and I was always very negative towards him and about him, and it really wasn't good for either of us. I read a book called Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph, and it really changed my outlook on him. Some lady recommended it to me, and I rolled my eyes at her, but eventually went and got it from the library. It talks a lot about why they are the way they are, and how look past all the bad and love them (not to say you don't discipline, though). There was a time where I didn't feel like I did love him, and I hated myself for that. I felt like a horrible mom, and even lost friends because of it. Just know that they do grow out of it, and they end up being little gentleman, not to say that they never do bad things, or say they hate you, but they are so much better.
Shaun has only ever responded to behavior charts, and things like that, where its very visual to him. I love the bean idea, too, and I think I'll try that.
Good luck, and just know we all have been there, or are there with right now with you.
Katie
Last year we took our boys in to the dentist because Porter had gotten an abcessed tooth. Poor kid! I felt so bad for him, but they put him under to do some MAJOR work on his teeth and ended up pulling 3 teeth and putting in spacers. It was huge, but Porter did great with the anestisia and honestly it was funny to watch him come out of it. He was loopy :0) My advice is that 3 years old is too late to take them to the dentist because that's how old Campbell was and he had cavities that they had to fill. I would say take care of it now if you can afford it so that the tooth doesn't abcess. That totally sucks!
Karie, Hawaii was awesome. We sure missed having you guys there. Hope you are feeling well and the boys are not getting any more cavities. Ella had one huge one that they said was too big for a filling so they put a crown on it and knocked her out for it. Her adult molars for some reason don't have enamel, so I'm a little worried about our next dental visit. Anyway I can symathize with you. And yes we would love the pics from Hawaii, I need to send you guys a cd of ours as well. Talk to you soon. Jill
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