2017 was an interesting year to say the least. The United States elected a new president, Donald Trump. He wasn’t mommy or mama’s pick and he continues to worry and disappoint us. But we believe that the pendulum will swing, as it always done, and we will elect a much more balanced, stable president in our next election. This was a year chocked full of natural disasters…Hurricane Harvey pummeled Houston, TX and Hurricane Irma crushed Florida and the Virgin Islands/Caribbean. There was a mass shooting in Las Vegas where a gunman took many lives. A slew of women came out to tell their stories of being sexually harassed or assaulted and in a more shocking turn of events, people actually believed them. Australia and Germany became the 25th and 26th countries to allow same sex marriage. The world is slowing changing opinions on equal love.
McKay –
You upgraded to Biggest Bro this year and stepped into your role with the ease of a seasoned pro. Mckay, you are sweet, kind, attentive and have a massive heart. You started Kindergarten this year which was a big change. You only knew one or two kids in your class at the beginning of the year but you quickly made a lot of new friends and your teacher Ms. Brown that adores you. Our parent teacher conference was a full report on how popular you are in class, what a great sense of humor you have (clearly you get that from me!), how you love to help the other kids/check their work, and how far your reading and math have progressed in the first few months. A glowing report but we expected as much with our McKay guy. You lost your 1st tooth and the tooth fairy gave you $6 (inflation is alive and well!), you broke his right arm on your 6th birthday…not likely to be a day you forget. Probably a blessing in disguise you had to sit out at recess for 4 weeks, instead you spent time with the nurse or in the library reading and now you are hooked. Earlier in the year you learned to ride a skateboard, I’m so proud of you because you were basically self-taught. You started out kneeling on the board and eventually worked up the courage to stand up. You took a week of Skateboard camp during the summer and your comfort level rose dramatically. You also played t-ball and killed it. Seriously you are a natural in baseball and can crush the ball. You also started playing soccer which was a little rougher for you because you were on a team of kids 12-18 months older than you. You naturally hung back on defense and were actually pretty good at shutting the ball down. But you had zero interest in dribbling up the field or playing offense. He absolutely does not get that from me.
Gabe –
You learned to ride a bike, at 3 years old, with no training wheels. Honestly I could probably stop the update here and drop the mic – that’s impressive. It was a proud moment for us and a big deal for our wild man who is still cautious, nervous, and skeptical to try something new or dangerous. You went from being our baby to becoming a big brother and a middle child. It was a big promotion and a lot to take in for our you. Just like Mckay you played t-ball and did well for your age and attention span. We could always get you to hit when you’re your team was at bat but you spent most fielding innings in the stands playing with McKay’s girlfriend. You also played soccer and you are quick and scrappy, I hope you keep playing. You started in your last year of pre-school and moved into the Keshet (big kid) class. Our parent teacher conference for you was also as expected — you are very popular with the kids, even drawing in some kids who tend to stick to themselves (proud mommy moment), eager and excited to learn and able to focus when you are interested or trying to conquer something new; and full of energy that sometimes gets you into trouble. I think your Nona gave us an old report card from your Mama that contains almost the exact same verbiage J. Before I went to the parent teacher conference I was having lunch with you on the front porch. I said, I’m going to talk to your teachers today. About what mommy? Well, about how you are doing with your learning, how you are getting along with other kids, if you are getting ready for Kindergarten, and your behavior…you immediately put your head down and looked at the ground with a sad face. I bit and said…What’s wrong baby? I think you are going to hear about bad behavior mommy…waterworks. If nothing else, self-awareness isn’t a problem for you! You have gotten so tall this year. All of the sudden every pair of pants in your size became high waters and you earned a new nickname…Gabey long legs. You haven’t gained a pound though so you are just getting taller and leaner. You told us this year that he wants to be a scientist and an astronaut when you grow up. But you only want to fly to the moon if your mommy’s come with you. Stay little Gabey Toot Tot.
Christian –
Ahhh, Christian. Born Christian Drennan Bisland your real name became “The Bear” this year. You were born at the start of our year on January 9th and this year was laser focused on you. Your arrival marked a big shift in the dynamics of our whole house…1) we are now outnumbered 2) we have 3, yes 3, I repeat 3 BOYS! 3) all of your brothers upgraded their titles, 4) you are the happiest, fattest baby we’ve had 5) you’v had more health issues and scares than the other two combined over the last 6 years — in year one alone. 2017 was the year of your birth but also the year of specialists. You had 2 BRUE’s (Brief Unexplained “Resolved” Episodes), one at 3 months and one at 6 months. In a frenzy to diagnose these episodes we had EKG’s, Echocardiograms, tests for seizures, follow up appointments with neurologists and pediatric cardiologists. Every time I take you to the doctor for a checkup or otherwise I see it listed on your appointment summary as an “other concern”. We had a couple week scare regarding your head shape as well. Craniostytosis— say that 4 times fast. Our pediatrician was worried that your soft spots were fusing too quickly and that your head was coming to a point on top…this is a major cause for concern because if the skull fuses it doesn’t allow the brain to grow and causes developmental issues later in life. As directed we made an appointment with a specialist. We had a full day of appointments reserved…first up was an observation meeting with a team of doctors, then 2 hours later a consult, and then if necessary appointments with speech doctors and surgical doctors in the afternoon. If they diagnosed you with Craniostytosis we were in for a long scary couple of weeks and months ahead. You would have needed surgery on your head where a plastic surgeon would crack open the plates. It’s fucking terrifying to be honest. I didn’t sleep for the 10 days leading up to your appointment. Thankfully our appointment with the doctor lasted 15 minutes. She released us saying she didn’t think you had the condition. I literally sat down in the chair, released the weight off my shoulders, and nearly vomited at the relief of stress. Whew!
The last week in 2017 you were sick as a dog with a fever and a bad virus that impacted your lungs. In the midst of all of this drama we’ve also been dealing with breathing issues all year. They started when you were about 4 months old. Every time you came down with a slight cold, which felt like every other week, your breathing was compromised. However, instead of getting better as you grew it only worsened. So….it felt like the only specialist we did not see in 2017 was a pulmonologist…coming soon in 2018?! More to come on your current health updates…it will need to be an entirely separate post.
We will get through this too but it has felt overwhelming this year…and in the grand scheme of things…you are actually a healthy kid – you are growing like a weed, babbling up a storm, walking, eating everything we can put in front of you. Your favorite foods are avocado, cheese sticks, pears, spaghetti squash, sweet potatoes, blueberries, yogurt, cottage cheese, hummus, and anything that one of us is eating. Your words are Ball (obsessed), Doggie (said Da-dee), Mama, Kai-Kai (said Dai-Dai), Gabe (said Dabe). You have said Mommy once – not that I’m bitter, I only grew you in my belly for over 9 months, breast fed you, sat by your hospital beds, ha…. I know he’ll eventually say it J So, it was a big year but we are counting our blessings and praying and hoping that 2018 will be a year of answers and solutions for a healthy year for our Bear. And we need you well because we all love you so much it hurts kid.
How are Liz and I doing you ask? See above – we have 3 boys. We are busy. In December Liz cycled a year in at her new job. She’s doing extremely well (my words and probably her bosses words, modestly, not hers) She took the career change like a cool cucumber and made it look easy. I changed jobs in December from Loss Prevention to Human Resources. I still cover the same regions (Chicago and the mid-west/Texas/Phoenix/Colorado/Northern and Southern California) except I’ve inherited a new team and I’m in a job I’m not functionally sound or comfortable in yet. That makes for excessive travel to train and meet this new team. I’ll be home 1 week from February to the end of March which puts a huge strain on us…Liz has to work limited hours so she can drop off, go to work in DTLA, and pick up. And I have to do the same all other days that I’m actually home. We have to operate a little bit like single parents because of it. And add in a sick kid or two and our plates are full and our cups runneth over (and not with liquor or beer, which is kind of what we need right now! HA). We have our heads down and have booked a week away in April together. It’s money I didn’t want to spend and then I kept looking at my calendar and saying to myself…I need to reserve this time to actually see my wife and kids. We need to get away from the rat race and rejuvenate ourselves. Also, Liz kept pestering me about it…she’s relentless and also says that we would never have any fun if I was in charge all the time. So Mexico here we come!
Happy late New Years from the Biswolds party of 5! We wish you more ups than downs but plenty of love and support for the inevitable downs. Thanks for reading the blog in 2017 and for all your love and support from across the country…we can feel it.
