The report on Eric

Update on Eric. We went into the doctor’s office last Sunday where a couple of very good nurses took a blood sample from Eric. He was a trooper through the whole thing and really didn’t start to cry until they had to move the needle. He was fine after and I am really proud of him for the way he handled it. He didn’t move around too much he didn’t try to move his arm back he just cried and I tired not too.

The results came back yesterday and they were all fine. He is normal just under weight. The doctor has asked that we write a log of his food intake for a couple of days, which means we need to measure and/or weight the amount of food we give him and then do the same for the amount of food he doesn’t eat. They are going to send that log to a dietitian who well then determine what we should be feeding him and how much there needs to be. In 2 months Eric goes back for a follow up visit and we need the standard sample as well.

I just think we need to have Eric stay in his chair and finish his food. He is a kid who doesn’t like to sit still for very long. There are too many other things he thinks he wants to do. Karen and I just need to make sure he eats. Lately we have been feeding him ourselves. I know that may not be the best thing to do but at least he is then eating more. I’ll update more as I know it.

Da' boys playing at a tidal pool tank.

Karen, Lilliana and the boys watching the fish swim by.

A 25 year old Bald Eagle.

Lilly wondering what the boys are looking at.

JC, Duncan Eric looking at the Otters.

Day at the Zoo

Last Saturday Karen and I took all 3 of our kids and one of our friend’s son, JC, to the zoo. We had about 4 hours to see everything.
We started in the Minnesota North Trail where they show animals from the state. We then headed down the Tropics path where there are many animals found in Central America and Africa. You ask “How can you do this in the cold climate of Minnesota? “ Easy it’s all indoors.
Towards the end of the trail is the best part that the kids just love. It is a large fish tank full of the tropical fish from the world. The kids just sit and stare at them for hours. Of course you have the clown fish, Dory, and all the other character fish from the movie Finding Nemo.
After they were done with the tank we then went to lunch and then headed to Discovery Bay where the Zoo has several other fish tanks with wide range of sea creatures. They have creatures you would find in a tidal pool, to large sharks and the dolphins. The dolphins put on shows for the public.
The dolphins did a great show and the boys just loved it. That was where we ended. Lilly had just waked up from her nap and Eric was ready for one. We then headed out.

On the Medical Side

Lilly and Eric had their check ups. Lilly had 4 month and is a good 17 pounds and is 25 and ¾ inches in length.
Eric had his 3 year check up and is 35 inches tall and 25 pounds. Which is one pound less than what he weighted at 2 years old (he is 2 inches taller). The doctor is a little concerned about this so on Sunday I took him for blood tests. They are checking many different things and we wouldn’t have the results until next week. The doctor said 99% of the time there is nothing wrong, but they just want to be sure. He also said that if is a problem it can effect his mental growth as well and he felt developmentally Eric was right on par for a 3 year old. So we’ll see.

The Dolphins doing their final leap.

Sorry for the delay

Sorry for the delay in the posting. I tired before I left on my trip and was unable to do so. Now that I'm back I can update again. So enjoy.

Brian
9/10/04

Duncan outside his school.

Dad and Lilly

Duncan having breakfast before school.

Eric and Lilly waiting to take Duncan to school.

Today Duncan started his 12 year career in the public school education system. He got up ready to go. He got on his new button down shirt he got after he realized they are Kevin Harvick (http://www.nascar.com/) colors and his new jeans. He picked up his new back pack filled with, lunch, new crayons, markers, paper, paints and note pads. You would think he was headed off to college and not Kindergarten.
We (being Karen, Eric, Lilliana and myself) got him to the school by 9:05 am, which was amazing. We stopped and took a couple of pictures and then headed to his class room. In the class room he had a plastic bin to hold all his new stuff and a mail slot for his paper and note books. He found his seat and we left. I went on to work and Karen came home.
At lunch Karen’s mom came up and watched Eric and Lilly while Karen meet Duncan for lunch. She said he seemed to be having a good time and was not stressed at all by being away from home all day.
School ended at 3:50 PM and Karen picked him up. She asked him what he did today, so he said he spent the morning coloring, but before lunch he went to the gym for a school gathering (uncertain the number of children) where they talked about the school and hello was said in several different languages. I don’t think he remembered what they were. He also had story time read by the teacher that was called the “Kissing Hand” and some time in the morning and afternoon went outside for recess.
I got home about 7:15 or so, which is very normal for me and asked him who he played with. He didn’t remember their names but knew it was a boy. He also said he wasn’t tired after being gone all day. He seems to be doing better than he did at pre-school. Tomorrow is back at it and we’ll see by the end of the week how he does.