July is apparently our family’s official health and wellness month. EVERYONE, including the dogs had one or more annual well visits this month. I kicked off the round of appointments with my dental cleaning, which I firmly believe counts as “me time”. For a full hour, I sat comfortably in a lounge chair as I watched uninterrupted television and someone spoke to me as if I were the most important person in the world. I left with a sparkling white smile, a goody bag of dental accessories, and clean bill of health. Ahh! I LOVE having my teeth cleaned!

During the middle of the month, Sydney lapped up a little mother daughter time when she returned for her follow-up appointment at the pediatric ophthalmologist. She loved every minute of it as she got to snuggle in my lap while watching The Princess and the Frog. Since there are limited opportunities for screen time, Sydney clamors to watch a new flick whenever she can. Long ago George dubbed her a “professional movie watcher” due to her zeal over movies. Even though she’s mildly far-sighted, Sydney’s vision is within normal limits and does not require corrective lenses. Whew! Glasses are adorable on toddlers, BUT I shuddered to think of the challenges of keeping glasses on this feisty girl with three toddler siblings.

Last week marked a trifecta of appointments.  Breaking from our usual group well visit, everyone went in pairs.  We started with the girls.  It was so much more relaxing focusing on just two kids at a time, and not trying to either cram four kids into a tiny exam room or pop in and out of two separate rooms.  Both girls remain petite, but thankfully have grown in the past year and are overall very healthy.  They are also doing well with developmental milestones.

Following their appointment, I took the girls out for a mini girls day complete with a Target shopping trip and lunch at Chick fil A.

Two days later, it was the boys turn. Both were given a clean bill of health and kudos to developmental progress as well.  Given the statistics regarding premature birth, I’m both relived and proud of the progress they made to close the gaps of prematurity.  Aside from being tiny, there is little to no evidence of their rocky start.

The boys didn’t get a shopping trip, but they enjoyed the kiddie rides outside Kroger after I rented a movie.  Then, they came along to drop of a baby gift for a friend. They behaved so well at my friend’s house they were given plenty of praise, which made me a proud mama.

Later that evening, Nisey babysat while I took Sasha and Lily in for their annual well exams. Lily’s anxiety kicked into overdrive and she behaved like a lunatic while Sasha cozied up on the exam table.

The canine family members didn’t fare as well as the human ones…both are due for dental cleanings and Sasha needed allergy medication for her skin and eyes. We love those two nonetheless and I’m relieved all those appointments are DONE, at least for another year. It was exhausting on my part.  The quads still need their first dental exams, but we are waiting a few more moths for that as I recover from our health and wellness month.

My favorite part about all well checks is tracking the stats, and for fun I included the dogs weights.  Lily is officially the smallest family member and always will be.

Rylin

21 lbs

2′ 8″

Harper

27 lbs, 4 oz

2′ 9″

Sydney

19 lbs, 8 oz

2′ 7.5″

Mason

21 lbs, 4 oz

2′ 7.5″

Sasha

20 lbs, 4 oz

Lily

9 lbs

 

Do you find dental cleanings relaxing or anxiety provoking?

 

Hugs!

 

Amber