Kyra's Cool Party Trick

I took Kyra in for a doctor's appointment yesterday because she's going on 8 months of complaining off and on that her back hurts.

The issue was addressed at her 5 year check up last fall with nothing found physically wrong.  Shortly after that visit she stopped complaining, but the whines, cries and tears have been back for a few weeks now.  So in she went.

The doctor started off by doing all the normal pushes, prods, finger feels and eyeballing you'd expect.  Upon finding nothing physically wrong, he started discussing x-rays to see if we can find something amiss that way.  Then, as a last ditch effort he asked her to stand up strait and square her shoulders off so he could get another look.

And that's when we both saw it.

Kyra's right shoulder blade points out.  Directly at you, person standing behind her.  Clearly not matching her left side.  Different, to say the least.

He came around to her front and started talking about possibilities of a loose tendon or this medical jargon or that medical jargon.  And then Kyra, standing there, listening intently to all of this, started to POP HER SHOULDER IN AND OUT OF SOCKET.

I know.  Creepy.

It's like a weird trick you show your friends during a night of drinking.  Hey!  Look at this really cool and gross thing I can do with my shoulder!

Kyra's standing there, left arm wrapped across her stomach, right elbow resting easily on the left hand, right hand tucked up under her chin, POPPING HER SHOULDER IN AND OUT OF SOCKET.  Like it's nothing.

It's just another Wednesday, people, why are your faces contouring like that?

While the doc stands there, dumbfounded, I start asking Kyra questions.

Can you do that with the other shoulder?  No
Does that happen all the time?  I do it when I'm trying to go to sleep and get comfortable.
How long have you been doing that?  **shrugs**
Does it hurt? No.

The doctor regains his composure and asks her to swing her left arm around in a big circle.  She does, with no unusual consequences.  He asks her to do the same with her right.  She puts her arm strait up in the air, swings it forward, down and on the way back up her shoulder makes this weird movement while her arm, instead of going behind her, takes a right turn to the side as her elbow bends to bring her arm back strait, above her head. 

We're still not sure why she's complaining about her back.  Doc says it's not growing pains and children this young should not have any reason to complain about back aches.  So he's concerned.  But this shoulder trick apparently trumps a back ache.

Kyra's been referred to see an orthopedic doctor to find out if this is something that needs fixing or if its something she'll grow out of.  Whatever it is, its weird.  I wish you all could have been with me to see the doctor's face.  Clearly he was not expecting what he saw.

On our way out of the office, he shouts to us, "When you see the orthopedic about her shoulder, mention her back.  Maybe the two will correlate."

I wonder if that's wishful thinking on his part or a last minute Ah-ha! moment.

Perfectly Sweet

And so it begins, again.

The wondering why in the world I let Jeremy talk me into moving her to the toddler bed.

The falling out of said toddler bed two and three times a night.

The "Mommy is here to rescue you while Daddy lays in bed.  Snoring."

I guess, then, that's it really isn't much of a change from having her sleeping in the crib and getting her legs stuck in the slats.

The one difference is the way in which she sleeps, the new reason why she wakes up.

The other difference would be the new sweet, sweet, pictures I get to take of her tiny little feet tip toeing the floor.

And her precious little hand, barely poking through a new set of slats. 

And while savoring all that sweetness in picture format, she stirs as yet another flash goes off.  And there she is.

My baby.  Who, at 23 months and 22 days, continues to wake me up through out the night.  This time, though, she's fallen out of bed. Again.

At least now I know they grow out of that stage.

The sweetness, though.  That incredible sweetness remains. 

I wonder if they'll both still look this perfect when the teenage years hit and their lives suck and Mom and Dad are  just so uncool. 

I'd be willing to bet they'll always be sweet and perfect.  Though, I might still have to sneak in their rooms and snap a few more photos to prove just what perfectly sweet teenagers they still are.

The Fairy Is Egging Her On. I'm Certain of It.

Of all the positions to sleep in... she never seem to sleep the long way in bed.  Always to the side.  Half the time she wakes up crying because her feet are stuck though the slats.  And still, she hasn't learned.

Over Heard...

Nurse Kyra to patient Daddy:  You have a yeast infection in your ear.  I'm going to give you a shot and it won't heal for 60 days.  And now I'll write you a prescription....

Daddy: When do I have to come back for a check up?

Nurse Kyra:  In two days.  And then I'll give you another shot.

My Little Comedians

Living in my house is like living inside a comedy showcase most days.  

Kyra has some pretty quick come backs.  She clearly has her mother's wry sense of humor.  Though, she does one better on me- she's funny without ever trying to be. 

Me?  If I crack a joke I have to actually think about what I'm going to say.  And even then, unless you're slightly twisted like me (or you've been around me long enough), no one even notices I've made a joke but usually just thinks I'm being a giant ass.  Lets face it, if I suggested we name our boy "Fuzzy Balls" no one would find me nearly as funny.

In fact, someone would probably want to arrest me for potential child cruelty.

Lydia has a whole 'nother sense of comedic-ness.  She goes by way of slap stick comedy. 

Think Lucille Ball and Dick Van Dyke.  

This child will- WILLINGLY- throw herself to the ground, tumble head over heels over a toy or run head long into a wall... for the sole purpose of comedic effect... and stands back up with the wild and crazy faces you'd expect to see on a Vaudeville stage, a mix of exaggerated pain and humor.  It. Is. Hysterical! 

Not to mention, its also an ever pleasant change from her first 15 months of screamy, hateful, baby colic stage she had going on there for a long time. 

I'm actually looking forward to this winter.  Being locked inside the warmth of my house all week with two children constantly underfoot.  It's going to make for some gut busting moments with my kids.  

My little comedians.

Overheard Minutes Ago

Kyra talking to one of the dogs after they came back inside after doing their business:

Puppy?! What are you doing licking that other puppy's pee-pee? Maybe that other puppy doesn't want you to lick his pee-pee, so maybe you shouldn't do it!

What's on the Menu Again?

Kyra was a a baby who ate EVERYTHING. She has now turned into a child who still sticks EVERYTHING in her mouth. I was told that by the age of two she'd grow out of this lovely habit. Mmmm... not so much.
Lydia has taken up the tradition of eating EVERYTHING. I'm not sure if Kyra whispered into Lydia's ear one night that this particular habit drives Mommy bonkers and it is a really fun game or if she whispered in Lydia's ear that she has already worn Mommy down enough that no matter what they shove in their mouths Mommy has learned to roll her eyes, pick up the camera and take pictures before she takes the object away.
At least during the fall season it's likely we'll have bags of apples laying around from our weekend visit to the orchard and not everything the kids put into their mouths is bad for them. I hope. Because that apple was SOOOO not washed.

Petite VS Normal

This is Kyra at 20 months:

This is Lydia at 7.5 months:

Did you notice something very similar with these two photos?

Like maybe they're wearing the same shorts?

Shorts that are size 9-12 months?

Now go back and look at how Kyra's thigh DOES NOT fill out the leg hole and how Lydia's um, has a little less room to spare. Go ahead, I'll wait.....

I knew Kyra was a tiny, petite child but this is just CRAZY.

Where Did the Goldfish Come From?

Tonight, Kyra God Blessed Hachel, Becca, Mr. Sean and Mrs. Jel, and Baya and Mrs. Candice and Mr. Chris and Cai'wee, Eric and Mrs. Meagan and the other Megan and Andy and Mouse and Froggy and Mama and Daddy and Lydia and ME! Oh. And Goldfish.

I think she covered just about everyone.

Does anyone know "Goldfish"? Mouse and Froggy frequent this house often as imaginary play pals for Kyra. This "Goldfish" has never been around before. I'm just wondering if I'll be setting a place for him/her at supper too or is there a real "Goldfish" in the physical form she might be referring.

Things I Have Not Blogged About, but Could Have...

For Kyra's birthday, Jer and I really wanted to get her a pair of roller skates. The old school kind, not the inline kind, but we never found them so she didn't get them. Until last weekend. I spotted a nearly new pair at Goodwill for an incredibly cheap price. Jer took her out first thing after we got home- and video taped her very first fall about three feet from our front door.

And twenty feet later, he took a picture of her crying after her second fall, because he's a sweet Daddy like that.

They managed to make it all the way to the mailbox and back without any other instances. However, she has yet to agree to put her skates back on.

Kyra gets to pick two animals to sleep with every night. Three out of five nights Horsey is one of her picks. And three out of five nights we find Horsey smothering Kyra while she sleeps. Jer and I have yet to stop finding this amusing so I have tons of pictures resembling this one I took the other night.

Kyra is finally all into her babies. They used to be used as a crutch for her. Kind of like a protective blanket for any new situations. Now, babies not only eat at the table with us- in their own booster seat- but they must be swaddled at all times. She claims their cold, even when its 86 degrees outside. She's gonna make a fine big sister to Lydia.

And this, ya'll, was the cutest damned thing last week. We went on some touristy boat cruise and ended up sitting directly in front of the loud speaker. For the first bit of the ride, every time the captain came on to yap about whatever we were supposed to look at, Kyra covered Jeremy's ears and made him cover hers because "the microphone is too loud." I swear, I could have just melted into a puddle of this bit of cuteness!

She's all into playing "picnic" lately. She spreads one of her babies' receiving blankets out on the floor and orders either Jeremy or myself to come eat at her picnic. She serves the same food for every picnic- your options to drink are either pretend sweet tea or hot water and to dine on we have invisible soup and plastic food.

Notice how baby is in the "booster seat"? That little catch on the back has been hooked on our dining room chairs for a week now. Every time we sit down to eat- so does one of her 7 babies.

Return of the Mermaid's Head

Eat it before it eats you edition:Seriously, ya'll. Look at the way the doll's hair makes Kyra's teeth look. Ugh?

That doll is creeeeepy.

Father/Daughter Conversations That Happen On A Regular Basis

Kyra, supposed to be asleep...
Kyra: DADDY!
Jer: What?
Kyra: I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!
Jer: What do you need?
Kyra: Horsey needs to be under the blanket. His feet are cold.

Kyra often refers to Jeremy as Monkey instead of Daddy...
Kyra: MONKEY!
Jer: What do you need?
Kyra: I NEED YOU TO WIPE MY BOTTOM!
She's been wiping her own bottom for months now, but when Monkey is home she needs his help and only his help. Which suits me just fine!

Notice how Kyra always shouts to Jeremy? Its as if he doesn't listen if she's not shouting. One day she'll realize Daddy usually doesn't listen to Mommy unless she's shouting too...
Kyra: DADDY!
Jer: What, baby?
Kyra: My bottom itches.
Jer: What do you want me to do about it?
Kyra: I need you to scratch it!
Jer: Um, no. You can scratch your own bottom...?

All Thanks to Texas Roadhouse

First there was a giant armadillo walking around that Kyra kept calling a Mal'a Dildo. I laughed like a 12 year old little boy and egged her on to say it again.

Then she came home with a balloon shaped like a rocking horse. In the restaurant, the tail was standing up. When we came home, something else was standing up....
And I didn't notice until after I snapped this picture of Kyra showing off.

I should really start a savings account for Kyra's therapy bill when she gets older, shouldn't I?

Think she'll be scarred for life as an adult when she finds this blog and reads the stories I share with the public?

I See Dead People...

Well, not me, but I think Kyra might.

Every night we put her to bed she chats away. Who she's chatting to is unknown. I assumed she was just talking to her 30 stuffed animals she insists on sleeping with, or maybe she simply enjoys to hear her own voice.

My MIL was here last week. One night she was soaking in the bath and heard Kyra chatting away again. After her bath she came to me and asked if I was in there talking with Kyra. I said no, I had been in the living room. MIL said she listened to Kyra saying things like "Hi, Papa*" and talked about "the puppies" as well as asked questions... and received answers... Apparently by someone, or something, that made my MIL think, no insisted, I was in the bedroom talking with Kyra because she heard 2 distinct voices.

What do you guys think? Do you believe in the kooky, creepy and unknown? Do you think my kid talks to the creepy and unknown?

**Kyra will call any older "grandpa age" man Papa, so I'm not so certain she was pretending to talk to her own Papa.

Perfect Evening

Because of this picture, I have had a perfect evening.

You see, I went to make sure Kyra fell asleep under her covers, and if she didn't I was going to tuck her in nice and tight.

What I find is a motionless, soundless body hanging over the side of a bed and did what any normal bodied person would do. I grabbed the camera to snap another picture of one of the strange positions Kyra sleeps in. Except that when the flash went off... because I was taking this picture in the glow of a night light... I noticed her little eyes were open and staring at me.

Jeremy, who at this point is standing behind me, picks her up to put her back under the covers as I take myself back down stairs.

Little do I know Jer follows me back down with Kyra tucked in his arms telling me "Kyra says she wants to go night-night on the couch."

So I've spent my evening with the lights turned off, Gray's Anatomy in the glow of the Christmas tree's lights. My little girl laying quietly under a blanket on the couch, Jeremy reading his book in the rocking chair by a lamp sporting a 15 watt bulb, and me- blogging on the computer while laying on the love seat, legs kicked up over the arm and watching one of the best episodes of Gray's this season.

Yep, I'd say it's been a perfect evening.

End of An Era

The scene: evening shower, mom and daughter, toy ducky and submarine floating in bottom of tub

The mood: light, playful

What was said and done:
Kyra: Mummy pee-pee wash (attempting to wash "the area")
Mommy: Yes baby. Mommy will wash it though. (turns the opposite direction)
Kyra: Mummy boo-boo. Kisses. *muah* (kisses Mommy's hinny)
Mommy: What are you doing?!
Kyra: Doin? (big grin)
Mommy: Baby, those are stretch marks, not boo-boos. (scarred for life- and not by stretch marks alone)

Lesson Learned: the era of Mommy/Kyra showers have come to an abrupt end

BIG NEWS!

Lets hope I don't jinx this for myself...

For 3 consecutive days, Kyra has taken a nap on my couch- wearing her panties. For 3 consecutive days we have had not one accident while sleeping on the couch- wearing her panties.

For 2 nonconsecutive nights now, Kyra has woken up in the morning with a dry diaper.

Now it's Ronald's turn to wear the panties.

In other news, it's fricken freezing here today. All windows and doors are shut and the heater has been turned on. I want my comfortably warm New England summer back... to hell with winter being this early!

More Proof that My Child Is Weird

Can you spot the toddler in this picture? I'll give you a hint, she's not stuffed with fluff. What about now?This is Kyra showing G'Affe how to use the potty. First, however, she must safely secure his wheels back to his feet.And then she had to let G'Affe do his thing because, you know, I'm sure he really had to go.
Finally, what (nearly) 2 year old would read the Sunday paperand search for coupons?My kid is strange... and I'm sure it's from her father's side of the gene pool.