Ear Tubes....CHECK!

No Rutledge child is complete until they've received their ear tubes.

Today Maisy had Bilateral Myringotomy; or - ear tubes. (Her brother Johnny had two sets, hopefully this will be Maisy's only pair.)

In December I uttered the famous last words, "Grammie, Maisy's almost 1 and has not been on antibiotics once!" (Johnny was very sick the first year and on antibiotics often) The next week she got her first ear infection. Since then she has had 4 more.

Surgery was this morning and we had to be at the surgery center at 7:10 am. Unfortunately Maisy was not allowed to eat after midnight. When her 5:00 am feeding came around, Maisy was less than pleased to learn she was not getting milk and chose to stay awake and express her opinions rather than going back to sleep.

After we got checked in they gave her something to relax her so it would be easier to take her back to the operating room. Unfortunately the surgery before hers was cancelled so the medicine was not really in her system when they took her back. She was very very upset when the nurse pried her off of me, leaving Gabe and I with a memory of the saddest face ever as they ushered us back to the waiting room. 10 excruciatingly long minutes later the dr came out and told us that everything went well and Maisy would be in recovery shortly and we could be with her.

Maisy had a hard time waking up from the anesthetic and was pretty groggy and had very little control of her body. It was like holding a 19 pound floppy newborn. But, she got some milk and enjoyed cuddling and calmed down very quickly.

Maisy slept when we got home and woke up in a much better mood. She's had a low fever off and on during the day, and has no interest in being away from mommy, but is doing well otherwise. By this evening she was back to stealing Johnny's toys and hitting him.

Here is Maisy riding in the wagon at the surgery center, before she knew what was about to happen!

1½ Years!

Wow! Maisy is 18 months... It is really hard for me to believe. She's becoming more toddler than baby.

She now weighs 19lbs 11oz and is 2ft 4½ inches.

She's alot of fun. She's very silly and laughs and plays alot. She's currently going through a bit of a clingy phase and enjoys holding my hair while she attaches herself like Velcro to me. (Which means I have a gigantic knot in the back of my hair that I can't comb out!)

She's starting to talk alot. Still most of it is "trash talk" as Papa says; but you can pick up a word or phrase here and there. She enjoys yelling through the house "mama! wut dooo-in". Usually she doesn't really care about my answer! She also LOVES to answer questions with "no" or "yes" and usually she answers inappropriately! You may say "Maisy, are you done eating" and she will smile and say "no" as she tries to get out of her chair.

She's working on jumping and sometimes gets both feet off the ground at the same time! She also likes to walk on her tip-toes and stand on one leg. She also LOVES drawing. I keep her entertained during Johnny's karate class with a pen and a pad of paper.

This week she seems to be sleeping ok. Last week, not so much! She's working on getting her bottom molars. If you notice in her picture - she still only has 2 teeth on the bottom. I keep reminding myself that she probably does have more teeth down there; but occasionally I have a panicked moment where I worry that she may only have 2 teeth on the bottom. (she's the second, I worry about very little with her so I'll give myself this one thing!)

She LOVES taking showers at Momo's house. If she breaks into Momo's bedroom she will run straight into the bathroom and hop in the shower. Tonight she got to take a shower and we had a hard time getting her out. (she's not crying, this is her while playing with the water)

I have no idea where she learned to talk on the phone!

What started out like this....

Became this...

Class of 2021....YOU ARE GRADUATED

...FROM KINDERGARTEN!

Kindergarten Graduation was on Thursday. Johnny had a wonderful time. He was SO PROUD!
He woke up in the middle of the night with a cold and started crying because he was worried he wouldn't get to speak at his Kindergarten Graduation. Luckily he was well enough!

He asked me to arrive early so I could go to recess with him. Little did I know that he wanted me to actually participate in recess with him. He wanted me to play all the things he plays during recess. I drew the line when the boys began playing war and were choosing sides and shooting at each other!

Johnny got a memory book with some of the special art work he made this year. It was amazing to see the difference. In September Johnny couldn't write his name. He could make a "J" and that was it. Last week he got a "gold glitter name"; which you earn when you are able to write your name using the proper "school" letters. I honestly didn't expect that Johnny would get a gold glitter name this year. His main area of delay are his fine motor skills. Writing is very hard for him and in the past his stubbornness has prevented him from working on it. This year Mrs. M. really sparked an interest in him and he LOVES writing and drawing. His improvement is directly related to this and it is wonderful to witness.

Johnny with Mrs. Muzatko

As we left the school parking lot I said to Johnny "Wow, what a great year!" and Johnny replied "Mama! My year with Mrs. M. was my best year ever!". How wonderful it is to see my son so in love with school and learning and his teacher.

Johnny with Mrs. Thacker, the para educator who helps in their class.

After kindergarten graduation we went to Meconi's to celebrate and then to pick up Maisy from Momo and Papa's house. In the evening we went to a classmates birthday party at Skateland. It was a wonderful way to finish the last day of school.

Maisy loved "skating". At least she thinks she did! They had rented the entire skating rink for the party, so she got to run on the floor. She watched the kids for a while and then she would walk a few steps and then dramatically fall down to her knees and stomach. Then she would look up at me and raise one hand in the air for me to help her up; exactly like she'd watched me to with the other kids. We repeated the process all over the floor. It was adorable. Johnny's skating is improving and he only had 1 wipe out!

I suspect in the next few days Johnny is going to be a little sad when the impact of no more school hits him. It has been a much loved activity this year.

Look how much Johnny and Maisy have grown this year.

This picture was taken on the 1st day of school

And this picture was taken, 9 months later, on the last day of school.

Here is a video of his "kindergarten speech". In case you can't understand him, he says "I like kindergarten because I made really good friends".

Tomorrow we are off to watch cousin Bailey perform in her very first ballet recital. She is going to be a bear. When I told Johnny he said "will she growl and eat the other dancers?". I guess my idea of a 3 year old bear ballet recital is much different than a 7 year old boys idea of a 3 year old bear ballet recital. Either way, he's very excited to see Bailey and if the weather is nice he wants to swim in her pool.

Dinner's Ready

Eating has never been Maisy's favored activity, and I know my cooking is pretty bad.

But was this necessary?

Actually I was more surprised.
Johnny was 3½ before he ever just "dropped" off to sleep. And I think it's happened one other time since. He is/was a child you had to "put" to sleep.
Also note, shortly after I snapped this picture her head fell forward into the watermelon, waking her.

Thank You Pioneer Elementary School

Tonight was movie night at Johnny's school. Johnny watched the Bee Movie while Maisy ran around and chased president Woods' daughter, and got chased by president Woods' daughter, and stole the ball from president Woods' daughter, and gave the ball back to president Woods' daughter and then tried to hit president Woods' daughter and then chased president Woods' daughter some more. All the while laughing and squealing.

We came home and Johnny wanted to watch his Friday night programs. It wasn't quite bedtime so I put Maisy in the red elmo chair to watch tv with Johnny while I tried to sneak in time to check emails and Facebook.

Gabe is gone for two weeks and Maisy is in a VERY CLINGY phase. Every email I have read/typed this week has been with Maisy on my lap or Maisy clinging to my leg, or Maisy yelling at me.

For the first time since Sunday, I was ALONE checking my email, reading what all my friends are doing on Facebook, tending to my Facebook farm, answering a few emails I've been ignoring. I was really enjoying the peace and quiet. Finally I realized that it had been 20 minutes of peace and quiet and decided that I would go ahead and put Maisy to bed now and continue on with my peace and quiet.

I went down to the Orange Room and found Johnny's running back and forth across the couch, jumping and yelling, and Maisy...

Johnny spotted my camera and wanted to make sure he got in on the action!

So I say thank you to Pioneer Elementary School for having a movie night and wearing out Maisy so much that I got a few minutes what feels like stolen peace and quiet! It completely made my day.

By the way...If you are the owner of the phone number just like mine but ending in 2143 and you ever get a call about Johnny Rutledge, can you forward that call to me. No matter how much we work on Johnny's phone number, that is what he thinks our phone number is. So, if we could just work out an arrangement, it would make my life much easier...

Rock Quarry 2nd Generation

One of Johnny's favorite places in the world was the quarry. Maisy enjoys the quarry also.

Maisy has been enjoying painting. She actually keeps her brush on the paper and has only painted other places a couple times. I'm stunned! I thought Rutledge children were only capable of painting like the Tasmanian devil! So far she seems to favor her left hand. I'll be interested to see what she ends up using permanently.

When Gabe is out of town Most mornings Johnny and Maisy get in bed with me and watch TV. Right before I snapped this picture Maisy was curled up with Johnny holding his hand. She moves very quickly!

Grandpa had to get something out of the attic and Johnny helped him. Maisy couldn't resist getting in on the action and spent about 20 minutes climbing up and down the ladder.

Both Johnny and Maisy love swinging. This is a picture of them swinging at Momo's.

As you can see, Johnny is ready for swimsuit season.

Maisy is swimsuit ready as well!

The next 2 weeks are quite busy for the Rutledge's. Next Thursday Johnny will have kindergarten graduation. He has informed me that he will be one of the student speakers. He clarified that you don't have to speak if you don't want to, but he really wanted to. I can't wait to hear what he has to say.

From his parent's perspective, it's been an amazing year. We couldn't have had a better kindergarten experience. His Teacher is absolutely amazing and I spent the last half of the year trying to talk her into following the class to 1st grade. Unfortunately I don't think it will be happening, but we are so lucky to have had her for this year. Johnny has thrived this year and I can't believe this is the same child that started school in September. (mmm....I wonder if Mrs. M. would be interested in moving in with us over the summer?!?! Think she'd mind taking the bottom bunk?).

There's a little section in Johnny's class room that they call "Bunny Planet". This is where kids can rest, read books, or just take a break. We noticed that Bunny Planet could use a makeover so Johnny and I had each of the kids made a bunny picture and we turned it into a quilt. Mommy sewed the top, and Grammy did all the rest. It turned out wonderfully and Mrs. M. loved it. Johnny was worried that his friends wouldn't know it was from him, so he got to introduce it to the class today and was very proud.

Yesterday Johnny's friend Grant had to get stitches in his chin. Johnny was fascinated as I received updates on Grant's dad's facebook page and kept Johnny updated on how his buddy was doing. On the way to school this morning, Johnny wondered if Grant would be there or if he'd stay home and rest. Johnny said "Well, I know he didn't sleep at the hospital. Only mommies can do that". I asked why? "They have to stay there after they have babies and the babies aren't ready to sleep in their cribs yet. They sleep at the hospital until they feel ready". He was stunned to learn that actually anyone can sleep at a hospital if they are sick enough.

This evening Maisy was running around our cul-de-sac like the woman in charge that she thinks she is. Our neighbor came out to talk to her and said "wow, she really runs around like a bat out of hell". Sadly, she's right! Maisy may be small, but in her mind she's a giant. She has no problem stealing any toy from any child she meets in her baby class. If she can't steal it, she'll push them, or hit them or chase them until they run into a wall and then steal it. If they try to steal a toy from her she will screech at them like a howler monkey. I have to admit, it's a little embarrassing to be the parent of the toy thief! But, I'm learning...quickly! She's also very cute and cuddly and happy and very friendly. She's say "hi" over and over and over again to the same person in the grocery store or drs office. She's working on so many skills right now. She likes to jump, stand on one foot, walk on her tip toes, she can even pedal a bike. Unfortunately the poor girl has a Rutledge head and requires a helmet suited for a large melon! We tried on the "toddler" helmet, but her head didn't even fit inside. Being so small, she looks very funny with this huge helmet on, but she is very diligent about making sure her helmet is on whenever she's outside! (which might be a good thing because so she's very risky and tends to fall alot!) When Maisy rides her bike around she yells "WA-HOO". It's very cute.

Tomorrow morning Johnny and Papa are going to "Donuts With Dad" at Johnny's school since Gabe is out of town. Johnny has asked me at least 5 times a day to remind him to go because he's so excited. Tomorrow evening is movie night at school. I asked Johnny if I could get a babysitter for Maisy so just he and I could go, but he said "No, Maisy hasn't seen The Bee Movie and I want her to see it with us". Sometimes I wish he wasn't so attached to his sister!!!

Recently Johnny excitedly got off the bus and announced that he'd learned something new at school. "I CUT THE CHEESE". He was so proud. He had absolutely no idea what it meant so Gabe and I had to explain it to him. Like I said, he's really learned alot this year.

This morning, while getting dressed, Johnny wondered why they only have pictures on the back of his underwear. That doesn't make sense, he said. Honestly, I've always wondered the same thing.

I'll be videotaping the kindergarten graduation ceremony so I'll be sure to share the inspiring words of Johnny Rutledge.

Kindergarten Performance

Johnny's class performed at the school assembly today. They sang a song about appreciation to the 5th graders.

As we near the end of the school year, Johnny has told me that he will be a car kid on the last day of school, have alot of home days, and then return to the same school where he will be in 1st grade with a different teacher. He said that Mrs. M. will have new students too, but if she misses her old class too much she can just get a different job.

When I mentioned to Johnny that he's almost done with school he said "I know! I only have 17 more years!". (I took that as a good sign that he's counting on going to college too!)

Here is the Kindergarten, 1st and 3rd graders singing "We Appreciate You".

Johnny Is 7!

We've been building up to it for 11 months!

Johnny is officially 7 years old!

He's been planning his party, making invitations, planning decorations, fine tuning the guest list...SINCE LAST JUNE!

He woke up today at 7:27 am today and yelled "Is it morning? Am I 7?". He got out of bed, and instantly began dressing, by himself, for school. (Johnny still needs help dressing and it is actually quite hard and frustrating for him to dress, so he avoids it whenever possible!) He was so excited to begin his 7th birthday! Once at school he told everyone he saw that it was his birthday. He was also "Person of the Day" today, a complete coincidence. He got to wear a birthday crown, have the birthday bear sit at his table and Mrs. M. gave him a birthday pencil, he chose green - of course! The kids sang happy birthday to him and they wished him a happy birthday over the loud speaker during morning announcements. He requested Daddy come and have lunch with him and bring McDonald's for lunch. We were also in charge of snack today so we brought cupcakes. He then got to be a car kid and the whole family came to pick him up. We returned home where he opened presents. He then watched some TV and then we went to Red Robin for dinner and singing!Johnny has listed this schedule over and over during the last few weeks. By 9:00 am I was pretty certain that he might explode and birthday candles and confetti might shoot out of him! Johnny LOVED having them sing to him at Red Robin. He stood up on his chair and held his ice cream and spoon high up in the air. He looked SO PROUD. It actually brought tears to my eyes. Johnny has been quite shy in the past and never wanted them to sing to him. It was another marker of how much he's grown this year. All in all it's been an amazing year. In all honestly, I think this has been the year I've enjoyed Johnny the most. He's grown so much this year it's unbelievable. He LOVES school. He LOVES his friends, especially Teddy and Grant. He LOVES his sister and is the best big brother ever. He honestly wants to spend time with her and misses her when they are apart. He has a very sweet nature about him and it's so fun to watch.

Johnny will be having a party with his friends on Saturday. In years past we have requested our guests not to bring presents in hopes of teaching Johnny that everyone is here to celebrate him. This year he's on to us and realized that most kids get presents at their parties. He spent a good portion of the year wanting us to write "PLEASE BRING PRESENTS" on his invitations, but we decided to leave that off.

Gabe and I both feel like today was a little kick off party for the rest of the week! It could be an exhausting few days!

Happy Birthday Johnny!

1 year and a few months...

Maisy is 16 months.

Johnny is almost 7.

And Kristi has been horrible at updating her blog!

The winter was filled with illness and ebay sales and it took up much of my extra time. Maisy and Johnny are both so much fun right now, to be honest, I've been enjoying them and haven't felt like writing about it!

Maisy is silly, cranky, fussy, naughty, happy, spunky and just plain adorable. She's a little bit of a monster too! She bites, she hits, she kicks, she steals toys, she hits with the toys she steals, if you try and steal her toys she'll screech like a howler monkey. She's starting to talk and says Mama and Mommy, Daddy (day-yee), Johnny (Nonny), Don, Cat, Dog and all those other words kids start talking with. She also says Thank you, which is shocking and I'm never sure if I heard her right. She babbles alot and talks alot of trash as Papa would say. She walks around saying "dobby, dobby dobby dobby" all the time. We aren't entirely sure what it means. It has different inflections, different tones and different exclamations each time! (we equate this to Cassidy's saying "oh-ba-dah" as a toddler). Maisy loves to go outside and climbs everything. She's really strong and coordinated and fearless. We were spoiled with Johnny. He was far more interested in digging in the dirt then climbing to the sky.

Johnny is doing great in Kindergarten. He's made some very good friends and is learning to read and write. He LOVES to draw and will take any opportunity, and blank piece of paper, to draw an alien he's created. He's got his entire life planned. At 13 he'll be able to make youtube videos; 16 he can drive a car and begin learning animation; at 19 he can begin making his own toys and tv shows which he will make in his toy warehouse. He's going to sell some of the toys, but keep most for himself to play with. Alex just turned 13 and Johnny is very excited that he will now be able to create youtube videos on his own. Johnny started karate at Premier Martial Arts and LOVES it. He'd like to get a black belt someday, but REALLY wants a green belt. (it's his favorite color). His favorite part of karate is a game called dodge pad that they play at the end of each class. Johnny has decided when he gets older he wants to be in a band. He's going to pay the microphone.

I have sat down to write this post for months and months and get distracted and never finish. Most of these pictures are old, but if I don't post it now I never will.A year of Maisy in a stocking!

Maisy got this ladybug for christmas. She can barely touch the ground, but she loves it. Watch out when she drives by - she might run you over!Maisy's new carseat...the girliest print ever! Daisy Head Maisy It was time for a haircut! Her first!
Momo cut her hair

Maisy decided to do a taste test on the hairNot exactly a taste she enjoys!Finished product!If Johnny is sitting on the floor, Maisy will back herself up to him and sit on him. It's the cutest thing. Sometimes I find them sitting like this and can't resist a picture. If you leave the bathroom door open, Maisy will TP the house in seconds. She loves to wear her earmuffs around her neck while she works!


Here is Maisy's 1 year video that I never posted! It's long, get some popcorn, put your feet up and enjoy!

Happy Birthday Gwyneth Rose

Maisy and Johnny just wanted to send birthday wishes to Gwyneth Rose on her first birthday.

Gwyneth is a very special little girl who was born 15+ weeks early and is now celebrating her first birthday.

In honor of her birthday, Maisy is wearing pink and brown today. Johnny didn't feel like getting into the pink spirit - but he's very excited that it's her birthday and wonders if she will eat cake tonight.

You may remember Gwyneth modeling the hat I made for her

And here she is now
Here is a picture of Maisy modeling the hat I made for Gwyneth for her first birthday. (it's probably rude of me to show a picture of someone wearing a present I made someone else, but I wanted to get a picture before I mailed it since it was my most challenging hat yet!)
Happy Birthday Gwyneth Rose!