Ken is beginning to think he is “adventure prone” at this point. So we have shared the news about Echo, the van, our washer has a clog in the drain (that Ken has removed most of but still… the build up from continuous use) and now… his computer (aka the way he makes his livelihood). Thankfully the parts required have all been on sale. I think poor Ken is starting to wonder if he is cursed! I am just thankful that Ted was along for the ride, not only does he know a lot about computers (like Ken) but when they made their brief trips out to get parts etc. they went with his cell phone in hand.

So with that unexpected computer malfunction it was up to yours truly to collect up the 4 kids and Petite Sheepette and make the trek to the gas station. We drug the double stroller (my all time favourite) out of the basement (it doesn’t fit in the new old van easily) and tossed the girls in that. I got that stroller way back when I was first pregnant with the twins. Back in 2004 the stroller we got (a Graco) was really the only available option! I was going to put Echo in without the carseat but it was just too chilly out (also the reason why we didn’t stop off at the park. It was just that little bit too windy and chilly to play).

Petite Sheepette in front of our sign

Ruuuuunnnnn

So the 5 of us and Petite Sheepette walked down to our usual gas station. It was Petite Sheepette’s first solo adventure. We stopped at our favourite rocks right before the gas station and took a picture.

Posing on the rocks

And then we showed her Mommy’s favourite slurpee flavour.

PEPSI!!!

And where we pick out our special treats.

Candy, yum

Then she spent quality time in the warmth of the carseat with our Petite Echo. (These two are two of a kind are they not?).

Nice and snuggly

When we got home we made… CUPCAKES!!! From a box mix but we worked together to do what was needed. Zander even helped crack an egg… though he missed the first time completely.

Baking time!

Note the missed egg

And we used the electric mixer… Well Trinity and Zander did. Emanuel was too busy playing on Uncle Ted’s iPad.

Mixing

It actually came down to Trinity and myself to put the cupcakes in their cups. Which was just fine with us girls. Trinity stole some licks off the spoon.

Spoon!

Iced and ready to eat

The dress… the dress… I am rather pleased! With the input of Ted, Ken and Karyn (via webcam as she is in Saskatchewan right now) I decided to add the final touch of two little ribbon flowers on her shoulders. They are made from a lovely brown and pink patterned ribbon with heart crystals at their centre. The headband was made super simple with the ice cream cone ribbon made in a simple super short tailed bow – after all anything big Echo will pull on. I have to say I am looking forward to the next dress I can get my hands on – anyone have any cast offs??

All done!

So this is definitely NOT the Easter I had envisioned. We are making the best of it and then some. Baking, walks, playing computer games… even with the things that have shown up in our path we have had some amazing moments. It is still odd to have no Gavin… the dynamics in the house are definitely different but I have enjoyed my time with the 4 that remain. Zander spent some special time last night playing Minecraft with Ken and he and Emanuel are having sleep overs in Emanuel’s room.

That is not to say I am not a little frustrated. With the van not any good for longer distances I am spending a large amount of time at home, and in turn finding the kids out on a lot of their sneaky manoeuvres with their stashing of toys. On the plus side – Emanuel’s room is clean… again… for the 3rd time… Oh well, time to bust out another box and box up more extras I guess!

Peeking through the spaces

Before I start my original post I figure I will relay what happened at the END of our day. Public Health had had some concerns (as have we, as I am sure anyone close to us knows) with Echo’s weight gain. I personally have called Health Links, La Leche League, had her taken in to see our new doctor’s office twice who came up with the add fortifier to her cereal plan. The intention was to have her come back in TWO months (aka MAY) but with Public Health pushing its concern we moved up our appointment to today. (In fact Ken ran both girls into the walk in clinic in our doctor’s office the day we found out about the PH’s further concerns.) When we took her in for her 6 month shots finally the nurses all said she looked/acted/seemed healthy. (frustrating after the big – how dare you have a tiny child came right out of PH)

So today was our earlier than originally planned follow up on the adding of fortifier – she HAS gained weight but not the large amount adding something that is basically formula to that much food (she eats TONS seriously) would typically cause. Her height is great, her head measurements arcing nicely, she is right on the mark when it comes to hitting her milestones. In fact, over the past week she has been doing everything and anything she can to amaze and astound us. In fact the only thing the doctor felt any need to show concern over was her WEIGHT.

This has confused all of us as we have followed all suggestions – first adding cereal to her menu when while breastfeeding she was not gaining, then adding fortifier to that cereal and then the finger foods to that – cookies and more recently puffed wheat. None of this has caused a huge change though she is now right around 11 lbs (according to the doctor). This is a lovely gain for our littlest Reinsch-Johnson who was stuck at right around 9 lbs for what seemed like forever. This has left the doctor with a very limited selection of suggestions… one in fact – genetic testing.

What will they be testing for specifically you may ask… well… the only suggestion the doctor could come up with was Silver-Russell Syndrome. Also called Silver-Russell Dwarfism. Very recently they have found better ways to test for this. It can be a very mild form of dwarfism with her just being VERY petite… basically they can eat and eat and eat and cannot break down the protein in the food enough to gain weight. There are treatments and it can be very severe all the way to very mild… this is NOT to say she HAS this but it is the last thing he can think of to test for.

The doctor thinks we have done everything right and that we will either rule this out or find out it is what she has. Either way an answer will be found. To clear up everything we just have to make it to the appointments set up by our doctor… well OF COURSE WE WILL! So the next time you see our darling Echo, a statement like “why is she so thin?” or “so tiny does she eat anything?” or “will she ever get bigger?” are not overly appreciated. BUT, no matter what, if she has this or not we will love our Echo with all our hearts… after all she is OUR Pixie. And again this is in no way to say that this IS what she has but it is the last idea the doctor could come up with. Either that or she is just a tiny little girl…

Our Pixie

Day one without Gavin and already Zander is bemoaning he who “was his bestfriend”… funny how I can’t quite convince him he STILL IS! We have had some lonely tears, some sullen moments and a bit of stubborn refusal to do what Mommy wanted. Eventually hurt feelings were soothed and we were able to get down to business – workbooks, beading, hanging out and of course watching Cyberchase.

Hard at work on his book

Zander actually beaded a bracelet for himself and for Gavin. He figured that Gavin could use something special to come home to after his visit with Grandma.

Finished bracelets

Trinity and Emanuel worked together using old worksheets to make a lovely beach picture. I love it when they can spend time without arguing and come out of with some sort of finished product.

Working together

Echo has completely fallen in love with the puffed wheat… which has re-awakened the love of it in everyone under the age of 8 in the house. So there is quite the competition over the left overs. Thankfully it is an affordable snack so no problem in letting them have their own bowl full. Though I do have to watch Trinity when she is helping Echo eat… apparently she thinks Echo likes A LOT at once!

The progress on the dress has been great. I spent significant hours on the ribbon stitching it onto the bodice… I just love the little ice cream cones. The next step is to add some brown and pink patterned ribbon to match the headband I will be also starting tonight. I am honestly hoping to find some more old dresses to refurbish. This is just too much fun!

Todate!

The tooth fairie did visit Zander last night – and left him a TOONIE! He has decided he wants to go get a Kinder Surprise egg… something that just happens to be in WALKING DISTANCE from the McDonalds we are going to on Sunday! Go team!

Tooth and toonie

So it has been quite the day for our family. According to mom Gavin is having a great time with her, Zander is missing Gavin dreadfully but totally being the big brother of the house looking after everyone. I have come to the realization that though the van is NOT happy we can fill our time with fun at home. Tomorrow is cupcake day, as well as a walk to the park… Ken is going to go the block or two to get me icing sugar for our cupcakes and Ted is here until he gets bored and catches a bus home. A good friend, loving family and plans for the weekend. Life certainly is not all that bad!

Hanging with the big boys!

I swear this family attracts what we are coming to term as “adventures” like nobody’s business. Thus a simple run out to pick up a Kijiji ad (more on that later) and take the kids out to the Bulk Barn went from mundane to a full out (somewhat frustrating) adventure. This time the blame is firmly placed on the van (I know I know – what is it with us and vehicles??). That pesky check engine light went on and the heat went up and… well our plans changed.

All ready to head out... little did we know...

We pulled into a gas station (this is thankfully AFTER the pick up) and got some gas and anti freeze… this did not seem to SOLVE the problem, even after parking (taking advantage of that time to give Miss Echo her cereal) and turning on the heat, we didn’t really solve anything, BUT for the FIRST time ever we had full out hot air coming out of the vents! Go figure! So we carefully and somewhat slowly made our way back home. Thankfully our nearby wholesale place was not far off the path so instead of the much wished for Bulk Barn we went in there to get a treat. The kids each picked their own container of Pringles.

So many chips!

So I am a bit disappointed, as things stand right now we will not be heading the hour or so away to mom’s to spend our traditional Easter Sunday with her, Mike and my Uncle Wayne. BUT we DO have Echo’s pretty dress… I have plans for some alterations I will start tonight and share with you in the next entry. So the new plan (if the van is not magically better) is to dress up the remaining 4 children in their Sunday best and take pictures… then undress them all from the finery and pack them up to walk to the nearby McDonalds… it is across the highway and only a block or 2 away. Then, instead of church (granted this is ALL if the weather works WITH us) take them out to the local park. (Which may morph into slurpees at the local Husky… who am I to say?)

The dress to start

We did pick up our cake mix so cupcakes will still be made on Saturday… crafting can still be done (I have TONS of supplies I just need to bundle up) AND the dresses on our two sweeties will NOT be wasted. I have special Easter themed sprinkles I picked up on our previous Bulk Barn expedition (the one henceforth known as the ACCOMPLISHED trip, vs. today’s ABORTED). I bought a package of Easter stickers that I only cut a small number out of for the hunt so we could sticker ourselves to death as well. Again not our regular traditions and I know at least one of the kids is crushed about not going to Grandma’s but we will manage.

Like I said to Ken (something I NEVER thought I would say) – good thing we AREN’T moving on the 1st!

We worked on some new games – Spring/Easter themed… folder games. Assembly, colour (no colour toner of course) and such was completed today and yesterday. These are dealing with vowels and can be found here and here. The second link is grade 2 level so I am not sure if we will actually get much play out of it but it will be assembled and ready for play when we ARE ready for it! I am actually finding NOT having the toner has us working much more TOGETHER on our assembly. Before I would just colour print, cut and be done… this time the boys each coloured something and cut them out and then Ken and I do the assembly.

Colouring away

Today we worked together to make a loaf of CHOCOLATE CHIP banana bread. The kids did stirring, banana mashing, and dumping in the chocolate chips. We had only the most minor of spillage. Everyone took a turn and the result was quite lovely! I have to admit I really enjoy baking with the kids though it gets noisy, messy and often out of control! Lots of counting, order of things, measuring and hopefully in the not too distant future – them reading the recipe to me!

Making banana bread

Finished loaf

We have started a whole new phase of baby stuff with Echo – puffed wheat… I call it the messy baby phase. There is literally a radius around the child at any time where you have to watch out. She is also much more… sticky herself. I was hoping we would find some puffed RICE (much neater – no husks) but had to settle for the wheat.

Hello puffed wheat

We saw Gavin off this evening. Trinity especially was quite upset at the temporary loss of her second oldest brother. Gavin, on the other hand, was more than ready to go. The plan so far, is for him to stay there until Monday when they will bring him back. If we can figure out the van thing we will join them for the day on Sunday but otherwise they are already planning things like movies and walks with the dog. I am sure he will have a blast.

Seeing Gavin off

So I am down to 4 kids (which may not sound like a huge change but trust me the difference WILL be felt). I have the dress to alter, a headband to complete to match (once I find the headband… it got dirty and thrown downstairs) and of course other little crafts and ideas to flesh out.

I made up these two their own little duckies last night!