Just Watching TV

I came downstairs after getting Miles up from his nap to find Claire wearing these safety glasses while watching TV. She told me they were her tricycle glasses.

Why do we have insurance again?

Miles just had his 9 month check up - after two kids, I am finally getting smart about checking what my insurance covers and what it doesn't. I highly recommend finding out how much they will pay for immunizations. I got curious after his 6 month check up invoice came for almost $300, AFTER insurance.

I have United Health Care, and each person gets $500 in preventative coverage per year on our plan. For a baby that goes to 6+ doctor appointments in one year, that $500 doesn't go very far. As of March, Miles had already used over $300. So, after a bit of research I found out that if you have insurance, a vaccine will cost on average $200 that is then billed to your insurance, who will only pay a percentage and the rest comes out of your pocket. However, I asked what they charge if you pay cash and don't have insurance. I was shocked to find out that each shot is only $16. My pediatrician was quick to say that by law they must bill my insurance if they know I have coverage. Well, then I will switch pediatricians and say I don't have insurance. How sad that by having insurance I am actually spending more money. Makes me wonder...

I also checked out our local health district for options. They have several locations across the valley and if you are willing to brave the masses and stand in line, one immunization is $16, and two or more is only $25. Miles is due for four shots at his one year well check, so I am seriously considering changing doctors and just doing the check up, then going to the health district for the immunizations. Anyone have a recommendation?

Miles - 9 months

Here are the stats for Miles' 9 month check up:

Weight - 21 lbs
Length - I'm not sure, I think maybe 29 inches...we thought the dr said 21 inches which can't be right...
Head - 45.0 cm
Teeth - 2 on the bottom
Tricks - he can wave hello and shakes back and forth when you tell him to shake it, as in "your groove thing"

Miles crawls quickly now and has all but abandoned the army crawl. He will go up on his legs so his knees don't touch the floor, yoga style, especially when crawling on tile or a wood floor. He is also pulling up on the couch and anything else he can reach, to try to stand up. He will laugh at anything Claire does - and he laughs hard. Matt and I can't make him do more than a courtesy laugh half the time. Though he is Claire's biggest fan, he also suffers at her hand - she doesn't try to be malicious but she has definitely earned her "don't touch Miles" rule. No touching Miles' head especially - she pushes his head down, knocks him so he falls on his face while he is crawling, and just doesn't know how to show affection without bonking him somehow. He rarely cries, but she makes me crazy. I guess that's how it is with kids born close together. All in all, Miles is great!

Biggest Loser - Round 2

For my Las Vegas friends: If anyone wants to participate in our next round of a Biggest Loser competition from May 15 to June 13 (4 weeks), please email me at hillershannon at yahoo.com. Then I will send you the details - we plan to do a walking/running group at night on Mondays and Wednesdays, plus a blog to help us keep track of our success, share recipes, find work out buddies, etc. Join us even if you just want to exercise and keep up your routine. Thanks!

Bounce-U

Fun times at Bounce-U in Henderson for Ethan's birthday - Matt and Claire went to the party while Miles and I had birthday dinner for my friend Janel.

Harry Potter

Yesterday Claire went over to our bookshelf and started pulling out a Harry Potter book - after watching the first movie many times, she knew it was Harry Potter by the writing on the front.

One of my favorite things is to listen to her "read" books, especially chapter books like this with very few pictures. Of course once I got the camera, she didn't do it the same, but this shows the general idea. I have two videos - the first is a quick version, the second is for those who are willing to watch a 2 minute video to see it in more detail. Miles makes a guest appearance or two - he is crawling and is pretty fast now. He also waves when you say hello to him - he will even do it if you don't wave to him first, but just say "hello."

So, without further ado, a Harry Potter reading. And sorry if it looks like this week's episode of Hoarders - our room is very crowded now that the home office is combined with our bedroom to make room for Miles.

Claire and Her Dad

Just too cute not to post - love these two, and I hope Claire will always be close to her dad.