What luck!

Yesterday was Kelly's last doctor visit to follow up on her broken arm. It's been like 2 or three months since she had her cast taken off, that we've had to keep going back for more x-rays. Apparently her bone was just not ALL THE WAY healed. For the first month or so it was "no monkey bars, no trampoline" and then after that they eased up and she could do monkey bars, but "NO TRAMPOLINE" so it was a happy day for Kelly when she finally got the go ahead on the trampoline jumping. (not that we have one, or any nearby, but it was just the thought of being restricted I think :)) So that was nice, to know that I don't have to drag all of my kids all the way up to Shriner's Hospital again! We were happy.
Well, here's the funny thing. Last night around 7:00 Charity came home with Grandpa and Kelly from shopping for fruit snacks and playing at the park and she was just bawling! She had been trying to "skip two" on the monkey bars, and Grandpa was helping her, but he pushed her just a little too hard and she slipped, fell, and hurt her arm. Her arm was killing her. Nate and I were hesitant to jump right up and go to the Instacare. Mainly because we're lazy. But also because it just didn't seem to be that serious. We kind thought she was milking it (jerks!!!). So I'm sure you could figure out where this is going. Today (she cried all night long about her arm hurting and I gave in) I took her to the Instacare first thing when they opened this morning, and sure enough.... it's broken! She has buckle fractures in both bones near her wrist (it's killing me that they didn't show me the x-ray, but I'm proud of myself for not annoying them by asking to see it). A buckle fracture is like the simplest kind of fracture and not too serious, THANKFULLY!! But she did get a splint and in a few days she will go back in to get it casted. She's a funny little girl because her eyes just lit up when she found out it was broken and she got all hyper and happy to the nurse. Reminds me of me when I was little. I always wanted something to break so I could have a cast, or crutches or soemthing. I know she's kind of excited to have a cast like Kelly did, but I don't think she realizes what a pain they are. She'll find out :) Until then, she can feel special and get lots of pampering and attention :). I always have to look at these things as an excuse to give her more one on one attention, and good quality time with Mom. Since she won't be dressing, bathing, etc. on her own. Kelly filled her in on all the pros and cons of a broken arm, and they were both relieved that it was her left arm and she won't have to relearn how to write and eat like Kelly did. Fun little bonding moment for the girls :).
Grandpa Hatch feels terrible. I didn't even know if I should tell how it happened because I feel bad for him. But hats off to Grandpa for even taking them places and having fun with them. They love Grandpa. After I hung up with him telling what had happened, I laughed about how he felt like it was all his fault. Charity got very concerned and wanted to reassure me that it wasn't his fault and that it really didn't hurt that bad. She is a sweetie- protecting her Grandpa :). So anyway.

I thought it kind of ironic that the day of Kelly's FINAL follow-up visit for her broken arm was the day that Charity broke hers! Funny kids. Time to start all over!

Treasure Hunting, Bug Catching, Geocaching.... whatever you call it, it was a fun little outing

Nate took us out Geocaching (or Treasure Hunting as the boys call it) Saturday night. We went back to this one spot that we had tried before and were unsuccessful as far as the geocaching goes. But this didn't stop Kelly from loading up on caterpillars.... there were about a million of them all over the place.

(I took this to show Noah rubbing my arm.... he's always rubbing something. It's so adorable.)

caterpillars.

This was one of the other spots we checked out. Noah and Luke were asleep so I stayed back in the car with them.

This was milliseconds before Bradley fell on the cactus bush. That was a major devastation. The poor kid had cactus spines ALL OVER HIM!! In his clothes espcially, so that was nice that a lot of them came out when we took his clothes off, but the poor kid couldn't even set his hands down without them hurting even after Nate worked on them for an hour. I think he's all done with it now, but that was sad. No treasure there either.... they were so close right before Brad fell though. bummer. Anyway. It was a fun time either way.

While I'm at it

This was Saturday. I figured I might as well post all the othe rpictures I took of my other kids too :) We were really just bumming around. Riding bikes, dodging the speeding cars that can't seem to slow down as they drive by, nagging Uncle Steve to get a helmet on. Just a usual day.

My kids are so funny to Steve. If it's not the seatbelt thing it's the coffee thing, and that day it was the helmet thing. They're pretty naggy, but I am glad that they know what is best.

We're still trying to talk Bradley into letting us take the training wheels off.... no such luck.

This poor girl needs a bigger bike.

Our new little bike rider.... this is her new love too. She's the only reason we go out and ride bikes anymore.

Call me crazy but I really love this picture and I think I might frame it for the boys' room.

traded vehicles

I need a video of him shaking his head. This is the look he has on his face when he shakes it no.

Here's a video of Charity riding her bike, as requested.... by her.

The Extent of it

This is the extent of Noah's walking at this point. As frstrated as I am with the whole not walking thing, I do have to say I think he looks adorable when he pushes his little walker. He's actually pretty amazing with it too. I'm not sure what his hold up is other than I think he's being too cautious and might be a little scared. That's just how he acts when we try to get him to take a step. He's to the point where he just shakes his head when we ask him to walk or try to get him to walk between two of us. He's stubborn. Not a big surprise, I think we've managed to pull a clean 5 out of 5 with major stubbornness issues and I wonder where they all get it! I'm still trying to motivate myself to call the doctor since he said to call once he got to 16 months and wasn't walking. I can't. I'm in denial as far as doctors go. I guess I just hope it's not something developmental, but when I watch him with this little thing..... it can't be! He actually pushed the thing down my Dad's steep driveway! I don't think I have a good picture of it, but this driveway would normally be a death trap for a walking intern. But not Noah, he had the thing steady, walking kind of sideways..... I didn't even have to help him! Very impressive if you ask me. Just a huge let down that he won't even attempt a simple little step across the room. Anyway. I'm just getting more frustrated now. Try to enjoy these cute pictures of my handsome little man without thinking about the fact that he is 16 1/2 months and NOT walking on his own yet :) And bring on the comforting "my kid was 5 when he learned to walk.... it's going to be okay!" stories!

You can't see them, but I purposely left the price tag on this toy.... DI special.... $1.00!!

He must not be too easily frightened.... he tried to venture out into the road several times!

here he is going UP the driveway, that's pretty amazing too, if you ask me!

He's really in for a surprise when he realizes how much easier it is to get around when you walk. Isn't it crazy to watch your kids work through the unknown. If only they would just take our word for it! He still is the cutest little thing ever though :)

Seems to be pretty common

Sarah and I were looking at Charlie sleeping in the back seat of their car. He was completely folded over kinked neck and all, in his car seat. Sarah asked if I had any good ideas to fix that problem and well...........

not really. This was the next day when they all fell asleep in the car, so I had to snap a few pictures of my FIVE, ALL (believe it or not, Bradley is asleep!) kinked necks, flopped over in their seats. You can't even see Charity so I had to take a separate one of her....

at least she found something to rest her head on I guess.

But how funny.

Does anyone out there have any ideas for this problem? I guess we've given them a wadded up blanket on road trips before, but then you have to worry about them getting too hot......

Anyway. Just thought this was cute.