Rainy day fun!

Yesterday we had one of our random Mississippi thunderstorms so Keegan decided to go out and play. I had to talk him into it at first and after the first time he was all about playing in the rain and didn't want to come inside, even after it had stopped to change his clothes! Here are some videos of the fun!

Sophia's Surgery

We went to the ENT Dr. today for Sophia's appt. She has been tongue tied since birth and has recently been having some problems sucking and swollowing. I really didn't think it was too bad until today when they weight her. She was 10lb 13oz at her 2 month appointment at the end of May. Now 4 weeks later is is only 11lbs 1oz, which means in 4 weeks she has only gained about 7 ounces which isn't good. I thought they would cut her tongue right there in the office because they had all the tools set up, but they thought she was younger. Because she will be 3 months old next week, they have to do it under anesthesia. The won't be cutting the flap of skin, but burning it, this way there is no blood and she will just have a little scab for a couple of days. We will find out more about it on Tuesday at her Pre-op appointment. It is an outpatient surgery so that is a great thing, unless of course she has trouble eating afterward, which they said she shouldn't. They wished they were informed about it before now though, like when it was noticed right after she was born and they would have gone up to Labor and Delivery and did it right there. Here is a little information about being tongue-tied and the effects it could have if we don't get it done now. And for those of you who didn't know, Keegan was also tongue-tied, but his didn't connected all the way and there was a little hole in the skin. When he was alittle younger than Sophia is now, he cried and snapped his himself! The Dr. took a look at Keegan's too and said he is still alittle shorter than a normal person but it isn't causing any problems so he is okay. Please be praying for Sophia, that everything goes smoothly and quickly!

Fact Sheet: Tongue-tie (Ankyloglossia)

Most of us think of tongue-tie as a situation we find ourselves in when we are too excited to speak. Actually, tongue-tie is the non-medical term for a relatively common physical condition that limits the use of the tongue, ankyloglossia.

Before we are born, a strong cord of tissue that guides development of mouth structures is positioned in the center of the mouth. It is called a frenulum. After birth, the lingual frenulum continues to guide the position of incoming teeth. As we grow, it recedes and thins. This frenulum is visible and easily felt if you look in the mirror under your tongue. In some children, the frenulum is especially tight or fails to recede and may cause tongue mobility problems.

The tongue is one of the most important muscles for speech and swallowing. For this reason having tongue-tie can lead to eating or speech problems, which may be serious in some individuals.

When Is Tongue-tie a Problem That Needs Treatment?

In Infants

Feeding – A new baby with a too tight frenulum can have trouble sucking and may have poor weight gain. Such feeding problems should be discussed with your child’s pediatrician who may refer you to an otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon (ear, nose, and throat specialist) for additional treatment.

NOTE: Nursing mothers who experience significant pain while nursing or whose baby has trouble latching on should have their child evaluated for tongue tie. Although it is often overlooked, tongue tie can be an underlying cause of feeding problems that not only affect a child’s weight gain, but lead many mothers to abandon breast feeding altogether.

In Toddlers and Older Children

Speech – While the tongue is remarkably able to compensate and many children have no speech impediments due to tongue-tie, others may. Around the age of three, speech problems, especially articulation of the sounds - l, r, t, d, n, th, sh, and z may be noticeable. Evaluation may be needed if more than half of a three–year–old child’s speech is not understood outside of the family circle. Although, there is no obvious way to tell in infancy which children with ankyloglossia will have speech difficulties later, the following associated characteristics are common:

• V-shaped notch at the tip of the tongue
• Inability to stick out the tongue past the upper gums
• Inability to touch the roof of the mouth
• Difficulty moving the tongue from side to side

As a simple test, caregivers or parents might ask themselves if the child can lick an ice cream cone or lollipop without much difficulty. If the answer is no, they cannot, then it may be time to consult a physician.

Appearance – For older children with tongue-tie, appearance can be affected by persistent dental problems such as a gap between the bottom two front teeth. Your child’s physician can guide you in the diagnosis and treatment of tongue-tie. If he/she recommends surgery, an otolaryngologist—head and neck surgeon (ear, nose, and throat specialist), can perform a surgical procedure called a frenulectomy.

Tongue-tie Surgery Considerations

Tongue-tie surgery is a simple procedure and there are normally no complications. For very young infants (less than six-weeks-old), it may be done in the office of the physician. General anesthesia may be recommended when frenulectomy is performed on older children. But in some cases, it can be done in the physician’s office under local anesthesia. While frenulectomy is relatively simple, it can yield big results. Parents should consider that this surgery often yields more benefit than is obvious by restoring ease of speech and self-esteem.

Blue Berry Picking and The Pool

Today for playgroup we went blueberry picking in the HOT HOT HOT Mississippi heat! It might have been hot but we had a ton of fun. It was fill a bucket for $12, we didn't get a whole bucket full, but got $10 worth of fresh organic blueberries that are so sweet! I already put them in 2 different bags and put some in the freezer. The bag in the freezer is supposed to be for my mom to make Jelly, but I don't think they will last, they are too good to not eat!!! Keegan had a blast trying to find the big blue ones and then running with the rest of the boys to go and make the turkeys gobble! It was about 98 degrees outside today and that was without the heat index!

Keegan showing me the big blueberry he found!


Trying to keep Sophia out of the sun, but in the fun too! She loves being in her Baby K'Tan! Thanks so much to Stacy for letting me borrow it!! I really need to get my own!!


Keegan and Hailey and the blueberry guy! He was showing them the big ones and said you couldn't pick blueberries without eating as you went!


Keegan carried the bucket for us!!!

After the blueberry picking and lunch we decided to head down to to the pool. We have been there for at least an hour everyday this week! It is just way to hot to not enjoy it! Here are some pictures from the last 2 days!


Keegan relaxing for a bit! It is so hard to get him to sit for even just a minute! He is a little fish!


Sophia taking a break and letting her toes get unwrinkled!

Big smiles!! She is such a happy baby and so easy going!

Enjoying her new floaty! She is still to little for it and I have to hold her up, but at least it gives me something to be kind of hands free in!

In the little kids pool! Keegan loves it because he can swim without his life jacket!

Wisconsin Trip pictures (FINALLY)

I know we were in WI like a month ago, but I never got to post any pictures! We headed up there for Chad's Dad's wedding and to visit all of the family! It was the first chance for most of them to meet Sophia! Here are just a few pictures from our trip!


This is what it is ALWAYS like when we are at that Boinski's! All the boys do is wrestle!

Chad and Peanut!

Brooke and Sophie

At the children's museum in Milwaukee, fixing a car! Pretty soon he can fix my car for me!

Sophia and Grandma Jannie

Andy trying out the MRE Chad brought home, eggs! yummy! NOT!!

Keegan with Bernie Brewer

$1 hot dogs!!!
The Runge Clan! Mellissa, Sophia, Grandpa Denny, Newest member Grandma Kay, Chad and Keegan

With the newly weds!
Happy family of 4

With the grandkids


Daddy and the kiddos

Cutting the grass at Grandpa and Grandma Larsen's

At the train museum in Green Bay

Great Grandma Larsen

Bath in the sink in GB

Door County

Grandma Wendy and Sophie in Door County

Keegan and the Goats on the roof!


Notice the water splashing?? Chad got me soaked!! I should have tipped the boat!

Big Girl! (2 month update...alittle late)

I promise I am working on getting a bunch of updates, but I had to post this video with alittle update of Sophia! She had her 2 month check up at the end of May. She was 10lbs 13oz and still just about 21 1/2 inches long. They said everything looked great and she is in the 25% for everything. At the time she was smiling but not nearly as much as she is now! And I would barely get the smiles! She would be so serious for me! We did get an appointment with the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) clinic to get her tongue looked at. She is tongue tied. If you don't know what that is, here is a quick explanation, the flap of skin under your tongue that you use to move it is connected in the middle on a normal person, but hers is connected all the way at the tip which makes it harder for her to stick her tongue out and we have noticed a lot more lately it is hard for her to suck, it can also cause speech problems later on. Going to the ENT will let us snip it a little so it is easier for her. Keegan had this same problem, but his was thin enough and when he was about 1 1/2 months, he cried and it snapped on it's own. Other than her tongue she is GREAT!!! She is talking more and more each day and we are getting so many big smiles!! Her little personality is coming out everyday. She seems very strong willed and definately will let us know when things aren't going her way!!!