Monday, February 28, 2011
Memory Monday-Jake
I remember the day I brought Jake home. I had gone to the Humane society to look at a miniature dachshund that they had. He wasn't so awesome, but there were two cute little puppies in a cage up front. I opened the cage just to pet them (I WAS NOT getting a puppy!) and Jake wrapped his little puppy paws around me and I had to play with him. He had a sister, but she was just slightly less sweet than Jakey. I decided I had to have him and that if she was still there in 3 days (which I highly doubted she would be), I would take her home too. So off I roll with Jake in tow (he was too young to be neutered so I got to take him home the same day). I had no puppy stuff at home, so we stopped by PetCo and picked up the essentials. On my drive home, I got called into work and had to go home, stick little Jake in the bathroom and head to work for about an hour. Poor thing! I felt so bad! But he was fine when I got home and we've been buddies ever since!!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Chatter
L had his first real speech therapy appointment yesterday. He was evaluated earlier this year, but this was the first actual session. I had been mentioning to our pedi that I felt L was delayed from his 12 month appointment on and she just kept saying "Let's wait and see". Well, I'm not a very good wait and see person. We switched pediatricians for a few different reasons that I won't go into here before L's 18 months appointment. Dr. B was immediately concerned and recommended a speech eval. Low and behold, I was not a crazy mom (as I am sometimes), L does have a speech delay. In January at his evaluation, he was speaking at about a 9-12 month level. That being said, he was understanding speech at a 20-24 month level (he was 19 months at the time).
At his evaluation, the speech therapist (we'll call her N) gave us some "homework". We began signing more with L and repeating words to try to get him to mimic. We had used signs inconsistently since he was about 6 months old, but he is really picking up on them now. He is now able to sign most of his needs and wants which has really cut down on the frustration level for him and us.
At his appointment yesterday, he did so well. He sat down and listened to her and was attentive for the whole 45+ minutes! He mimicked a few new words and sounds which is a big step because in January, he was not mimicking at all. He is still having a hard time with puzzles, but he is beginning to scan for where the pieces should go which N said was improvement!
I really wish our old pedi had listened to my concerns a little more and had ordered speech earlier for L, because I think he would be doing so much better already if we had started a little sooner. It has been wonderful having N give me ideas of what to do with L to improve his speech. Go figure that the one delay my son has is the one thing I know only a little about. Gross motor and fine motor he does great, so all my training is not needed (or maybe he has all those things so much better because I work with him so much on them...I guess I'll never know!)
When he was born almost 4 weeks early, my medical mind was concerned about what delays he may have. I thank God every day that we have a healthy little boy and that his only delay is a mild speech delay.
At his evaluation, the speech therapist (we'll call her N) gave us some "homework". We began signing more with L and repeating words to try to get him to mimic. We had used signs inconsistently since he was about 6 months old, but he is really picking up on them now. He is now able to sign most of his needs and wants which has really cut down on the frustration level for him and us.
At his appointment yesterday, he did so well. He sat down and listened to her and was attentive for the whole 45+ minutes! He mimicked a few new words and sounds which is a big step because in January, he was not mimicking at all. He is still having a hard time with puzzles, but he is beginning to scan for where the pieces should go which N said was improvement!
I really wish our old pedi had listened to my concerns a little more and had ordered speech earlier for L, because I think he would be doing so much better already if we had started a little sooner. It has been wonderful having N give me ideas of what to do with L to improve his speech. Go figure that the one delay my son has is the one thing I know only a little about. Gross motor and fine motor he does great, so all my training is not needed (or maybe he has all those things so much better because I work with him so much on them...I guess I'll never know!)
When he was born almost 4 weeks early, my medical mind was concerned about what delays he may have. I thank God every day that we have a healthy little boy and that his only delay is a mild speech delay.
A cold, rainy day...
So it's another cold, rainy day. Yuck! My wonderful husband got up early this morning to watch L so that I could go to the consignment sale. I went through L's clothes yesterday and found that I had bought tons of summer clothes in 24 months size at the end of the season last year at The Children's Place. Unfortunately, it does not appear that L will be wearing 24 months clothes (especially shorts) anytime soon, so I needed some 18 month shorts to start the summer with. I found plenty of shorts, a few shirts, and all the summer PJ's he will need at the sale nothing being over $5! The $5 outfit was a brand new, tags still on St. Louis Cardinals outfit! Perfect for the many games he will be going to this summer.
Unfortunately, the big items I was hoping to acquire were either too high priced or not there. I really want an umbrella stroller with a small basket, but there were none to be found. I also was hoping for a diaper bag backpack and small swing set. No luck there either. I'm not sure if they would have been there had I been able to go to the presale last night. I hope not.
On that note, the presale makes me sort of mad. No children are allowed at the presale. Now, the presale is for consigners only, so obviously if you are a consigner, you have children (you are selling their clothes, right?!?). I'm not sure why taking a child to the presale is any different then taking them to the actual sale.
Anyhow, I also found a few puzzles for L and a book/cd combo I have been wanting for a while. It's $14 on amazon, but I got it at the sale for $3! Hooray!
Now the weather just needs to warm up so that L can wear all his new clothing!
Unfortunately, the big items I was hoping to acquire were either too high priced or not there. I really want an umbrella stroller with a small basket, but there were none to be found. I also was hoping for a diaper bag backpack and small swing set. No luck there either. I'm not sure if they would have been there had I been able to go to the presale last night. I hope not.
On that note, the presale makes me sort of mad. No children are allowed at the presale. Now, the presale is for consigners only, so obviously if you are a consigner, you have children (you are selling their clothes, right?!?). I'm not sure why taking a child to the presale is any different then taking them to the actual sale.
Anyhow, I also found a few puzzles for L and a book/cd combo I have been wanting for a while. It's $14 on amazon, but I got it at the sale for $3! Hooray!
Now the weather just needs to warm up so that L can wear all his new clothing!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Facebook status updates that didn't make the cut...
BUT.....since you're here :) I had a lot of random thoughts in my busy day that I would have posted as status updates, but I didn't want to be THAT girl.
1. can't believe L skipped dinner and slept all night (in his clothes and shoes) from 4:30 pm to 6:45 am!
2. Dieting is for the birds...it stresses me out and then I stress eat...go figure!
3. Signing up your child for daycare is more paperwork than signing your life away (Really! My will has way less paper than L's daycare contract!)
4. thought I had a lot of baby clothes, but I'm no match for most of the other parents dropping clothes off at the consignment sale!
5. OMG! Naptime is the New Happy Hour really is a great book! Thanks Amanda for the recommendation!
6. is stressed that her son is going to get all sorts of bad things from watching too much TV...
7. doesn't understand how she became the packer and mover and putter away of the house
8. and on that note, how did I become the techno geek of the house?
9. thinks J owes her big time as she put the desktop computer together, cleaned up the spare room, did dishes, made a real dinner, completely cleaned the garage so that at least 1 car can be parked inside, possibly 2, put random stuff away (and I did this all in 1 1/2 hours). Shhhhh...don't tell him-I'm gonna tell him it took 4 hours!
10. is totally addicted to words with friends and farkle on her iphone...and checking facebook, and K-Love(it's my favorite new app, since we don't get that radio station down here).
So that pretty much sums up my day.
1. can't believe L skipped dinner and slept all night (in his clothes and shoes) from 4:30 pm to 6:45 am!
2. Dieting is for the birds...it stresses me out and then I stress eat...go figure!
3. Signing up your child for daycare is more paperwork than signing your life away (Really! My will has way less paper than L's daycare contract!)
4. thought I had a lot of baby clothes, but I'm no match for most of the other parents dropping clothes off at the consignment sale!
5. OMG! Naptime is the New Happy Hour really is a great book! Thanks Amanda for the recommendation!
6. is stressed that her son is going to get all sorts of bad things from watching too much TV...
7. doesn't understand how she became the packer and mover and putter away of the house
8. and on that note, how did I become the techno geek of the house?
9. thinks J owes her big time as she put the desktop computer together, cleaned up the spare room, did dishes, made a real dinner, completely cleaned the garage so that at least 1 car can be parked inside, possibly 2, put random stuff away (and I did this all in 1 1/2 hours). Shhhhh...don't tell him-I'm gonna tell him it took 4 hours!
10. is totally addicted to words with friends and farkle on her iphone...and checking facebook, and K-Love(it's my favorite new app, since we don't get that radio station down here).
So that pretty much sums up my day.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Memory Monday-My Husband
Most of you probably know the story of how J and I met, but some of you do not and I love to tell it!
I was in the midst of a rocky relationship when a friend from work (let us call her T) told me she knew the perfect guy to set me up with. I explained that I wasn't looking for anyone right now. My rocky relationship ended and my friend once again told me that I really needed to meet this guy her sister (let us call her H) worked with. I finally agreed (because she kept bugging me). She called her sister H and I went through a phone interview (yes-really). After H decided that I was not crazy and had no baggage other than my dog Jake, she said she'd get some pictures of J to email to me. So, I get these pictures of this really cute guy all dressed up in his police garb. It wasn't just one picture, though. It was a whole photo shoot! I'm sure I have these photos stored digitally somewhere, but not sure where they would be right now. I have them in a scrapbook and I love to look back at them.
Update!! I just found the pictures.
They are great!! Makes me smile looking at them again!
So I emailed her a picture of myself and Jake (mind you that I had braces at the time and permed hair, so this was not a great look for me...) I unfortunately cannot find this photo...too bad:(
Anyhow, J apparently thought I was still worth a shot even with the horrible photo and he finally called me. We chatted for many hours including a chat with his brother D. It's pretty lucky that D didn't scare me off! Just kidding-D is awesome.
After getting of the phone, I wrote in my journal (the paper kind) how awesome this guy J with a last name I mispelled was and how I hoped he would call me back! And he did! He called the next night and after talking for a while, he decided he should just come over to meet me instead. He lived 45 minutes away, but he drove over. I saw him pull up in his loud ghetto-like Ford Probe and I met him on the sidewalk. His first words to me when he met me were "Wow-you really are short" What could I say-it was true...
He came inside and we hung out the whole evening while Jake gnawed all over his arms. Jake was just a puppy at the time and gnawing on arms was his thing.
Now the next part of our story I'm gonna abbreviate. We dated for a month or so, then I got scared and pushed him away, but he allowed me to come back (although he still refers to this time as the time "when I didn't like him"). But long story short. It all worked out after I got my head screwed on straight and we dated for about 2 years, were engaged for 8 months, married, after two years of marriage had a baby, and the rest of our memories are in the making! (or a story for another Monday)
See what a great story for a gloomy Monday!
I was in the midst of a rocky relationship when a friend from work (let us call her T) told me she knew the perfect guy to set me up with. I explained that I wasn't looking for anyone right now. My rocky relationship ended and my friend once again told me that I really needed to meet this guy her sister (let us call her H) worked with. I finally agreed (because she kept bugging me). She called her sister H and I went through a phone interview (yes-really). After H decided that I was not crazy and had no baggage other than my dog Jake, she said she'd get some pictures of J to email to me. So, I get these pictures of this really cute guy all dressed up in his police garb. It wasn't just one picture, though. It was a whole photo shoot! I'm sure I have these photos stored digitally somewhere, but not sure where they would be right now. I have them in a scrapbook and I love to look back at them.
Update!! I just found the pictures.
So I emailed her a picture of myself and Jake (mind you that I had braces at the time and permed hair, so this was not a great look for me...) I unfortunately cannot find this photo...too bad:(
Anyhow, J apparently thought I was still worth a shot even with the horrible photo and he finally called me. We chatted for many hours including a chat with his brother D. It's pretty lucky that D didn't scare me off! Just kidding-D is awesome.
After getting of the phone, I wrote in my journal (the paper kind) how awesome this guy J with a last name I mispelled was and how I hoped he would call me back! And he did! He called the next night and after talking for a while, he decided he should just come over to meet me instead. He lived 45 minutes away, but he drove over. I saw him pull up in his loud ghetto-like Ford Probe and I met him on the sidewalk. His first words to me when he met me were "Wow-you really are short" What could I say-it was true...
He came inside and we hung out the whole evening while Jake gnawed all over his arms. Jake was just a puppy at the time and gnawing on arms was his thing.
Now the next part of our story I'm gonna abbreviate. We dated for a month or so, then I got scared and pushed him away, but he allowed me to come back (although he still refers to this time as the time "when I didn't like him"). But long story short. It all worked out after I got my head screwed on straight and we dated for about 2 years, were engaged for 8 months, married, after two years of marriage had a baby, and the rest of our memories are in the making! (or a story for another Monday)
See what a great story for a gloomy Monday!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Not sure if I'm so stylish, but....
an awesome blogger gave me this award!!!
Here are the rules of the award:
1. Link back and thank the fabulous person who bestowed the amazing award on you
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Award 7 other deserving and great bloggers
4. Contact the awarded bloggers to let them know of their award!
Seven things about me:
1. I was a competetive gymnast all through middle school and high school and even held the title of State Uneven Bar Champion for Level 5 and Level 8.
2. I was born with hip deformities that required multiple surgeries from age 4 to age 7 and another when I was 12. My orthopedic doctor was a genius!
3. I became a PT for revenge. Seriously. In about 20 years, I'm plan on finding that PT that made me learn how to walk with crutches and torturing him in whatever nursing home he's living at then.
4. My husband and I plan to see the St. Louis Cardinals play in every major league stadium. We plan to hit 4 stadiums this summer.
5. I want to own a vacation home somewhere tropical when I retire.
6. I have the most wonderful husband, son, and dog EVER!
7. It's my favorite number!
Seven Blogs I follow:
6. Losing It
Memory Monday-Wild Country
As I was driving around yesterday for work, I started thinking about my favorite memories. It really brightened my day! That being said, I always need a little cheerful thinking on Mondays after my crazy weekend of work. I'm sure everyone else needs a little cheerful thinking on Mondays because they are headed back to work.
Sooooooo-here comes Memory Monday! That's right-every Monday I'm gonna post one of my awesome memories! I'd love for you to comment or blog one of your favorite memories too!
Just as a note, these memories are in no specific order. I could never rank them because they are all so great!
Today's Memory:
Wild Country!
Now this is a place that has a lot of memories tied into it. Wild Country is a country bar in Collinsville, IL. One night in college, my friends and I were looking for a place to go. Somehow, we found Wild Country...for those friends who were there-we all remember my awesome pick up line, The Thong Song, and a boy from Kansas! I also spent my 21st birthday at Wild Country. Although, my big bash was the night before, so we were all prettyhungover tired and it was a pretty calm night. I remember another time "Footloose" being on TV and my friends and I (ok, maybe it was really just me) dancing crazy to it! My sister-in-law's bachalorette party was at Wild Country too! The best part about this was I got some guy to take his jeans off (don't worry it was PG rated-he had shorts underneath), so that she could be #1 Bachalorette!! The best part of Wild Country was that you could make a total fool of yourself trying to learn all the country line dances and no one cared!
Ok-that really put a smile on my face and I'm pretty sure a few of my college friends are gong to appreciate this too!
Sooooooo-here comes Memory Monday! That's right-every Monday I'm gonna post one of my awesome memories! I'd love for you to comment or blog one of your favorite memories too!
Just as a note, these memories are in no specific order. I could never rank them because they are all so great!
Today's Memory:
Wild Country!
Now this is a place that has a lot of memories tied into it. Wild Country is a country bar in Collinsville, IL. One night in college, my friends and I were looking for a place to go. Somehow, we found Wild Country...for those friends who were there-we all remember my awesome pick up line, The Thong Song, and a boy from Kansas! I also spent my 21st birthday at Wild Country. Although, my big bash was the night before, so we were all pretty
Ok-that really put a smile on my face and I'm pretty sure a few of my college friends are gong to appreciate this too!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Too much stuff
We seriously have too much stuff! I don't know how this happens. Every time we move (which is often) I get rid of multiple pieces of furniture and take a million boxes to goodwill (okay maybe not millions, but at least 10!). So as I am packing our stuff, I keep thinking-where the heck did this all come from and why do I keep it.
For example:
a)The 900 drinking glasses that we have. Seriously, our drinking glasses take up 6 cabinets. Did I pack them all? Yup. Are they headed to the new house? You bet.
b)Cleaning machines. I have at least 10 mops, swiffers, steam cleaners, vacuums, etc. If you know me, cleaning is not my forte'. I was happiest when I hired a house cleaner up north. It was worth every penny. But I still keep everything cleaning thingamabob I own.
c)DVD's/Blurays/videotapes. Yes, I still have at least 6 boxes of videos of some sort of type. Now, the blurays and DVDs I mainly blame on J. He won't let me get rid of those (even though we haven't watched 90% of them in at least 3 years or more), but the videotapes...that's all me.
d)Couches. We have an overabundance of couches. Well, really just 3 and a recliner, but still. Now our old house did have two living areas, but now we are in one and I still can't part with any of the couches. I am giving up the recliner though.
I really could go on and on. Maybe I should have a sale...or just take a few extra trips to Goodwill!
For example:
a)The 900 drinking glasses that we have. Seriously, our drinking glasses take up 6 cabinets. Did I pack them all? Yup. Are they headed to the new house? You bet.
b)Cleaning machines. I have at least 10 mops, swiffers, steam cleaners, vacuums, etc. If you know me, cleaning is not my forte'. I was happiest when I hired a house cleaner up north. It was worth every penny. But I still keep everything cleaning thingamabob I own.
c)DVD's/Blurays/videotapes. Yes, I still have at least 6 boxes of videos of some sort of type. Now, the blurays and DVDs I mainly blame on J. He won't let me get rid of those (even though we haven't watched 90% of them in at least 3 years or more), but the videotapes...that's all me.
d)Couches. We have an overabundance of couches. Well, really just 3 and a recliner, but still. Now our old house did have two living areas, but now we are in one and I still can't part with any of the couches. I am giving up the recliner though.
I really could go on and on. Maybe I should have a sale...or just take a few extra trips to Goodwill!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
This is Why I KNOW God Has a Sense of Humor
I have a pretty sweet job. I only work weekends. This is awesome for me because J has time off during the week a lot, so we see a lot of each other and because his schedule rotates, L is with one of us almost all the time. L is in general a really healthy little boy. This is good too! He has not been sick all winter until last weekend when he had the cold of all colds. No biggie, right?!? WRONG!! Both J and I were working, so L was with his Nonna. There is nothing worse than knowing your baby is sick and not being able to be there! I only work 2 days a week-what are the chances!! I did get to take care of him the rest of the week, but still it was killing me to be at work last weekend.
Side note-might I just say that sick babies are so draining! L is a very mild tempered guy, he hardly ever cries and stops crying once he gets what he needs/wants. This week on Monday and Tuesday, he pretty much cried the whole day. I felt so bad for him because I knew he didn't feel good, but I needed a vacation by the time he was back to his old self on Thursday! This is also why I did not blog last week. Too busy cuddling with my baby boy.
Anyhow, back to God's humor...L was feeling much better by Thursday. Nonna and Papa picked him up on Saturday and he had a great day with them. I spent the night with them last night. I went to bed early because my day at work had been tiring. At about midnight, I wake up to L vomiting all over the pack n play! L has never vomited! Poor little guy-he just rolled back over and tried to go back to sleep, but I had to get him cleaned up and then changed the pack n play sheet. This took a while. He was happy and seemed to be feeling fine. I gave him some water and he played while I got his bed ready. No fever, so I figured it may have been from coughing or something he ate and he must feel better now. I put him back into bed, just get back to sleep and there he is vomiting again! Out of bed I leap. Again, I strip the bed, strip him, get him changed and he needed a bath this time. I then realize we have no more sheets for the pack n play and it is soaked in vomit! Although, L is again acting like he's fine, my concern is where he is going to sleep. We don't allow him to sleep with us at our house and for several reasons have not allowed it EVER. But at 2 am, what other options do I have? So, into my bed he goes. He fell asleep quickly, but I was a nervous wreck and slept very little before my 5 am wake up call to get up for work.
Off I go to work with minimal sleep. I checked on L early morning and he was doing well. Then towards the end of my day, I check on him again. He vomited again...luckily I was able to get home shortly and by then he was running around like a crazy man having fun. I hope there is no more vomiting tonight.
Why do I know God has a sense of humor? Because he had to be laughing at me all last night(early morning). If I could hear what he was saying it would have been: "Oh Rachel! Did you really think you wouldn't have to ever go to work tired because of a sick baby? It doesn't matter that you only work 2 days a week. Hahahahahah!!!" But God also reminded me that I am so fortunate to have a healthy baby, so I just laughed along with God last night:)
Side note-might I just say that sick babies are so draining! L is a very mild tempered guy, he hardly ever cries and stops crying once he gets what he needs/wants. This week on Monday and Tuesday, he pretty much cried the whole day. I felt so bad for him because I knew he didn't feel good, but I needed a vacation by the time he was back to his old self on Thursday! This is also why I did not blog last week. Too busy cuddling with my baby boy.
Anyhow, back to God's humor...L was feeling much better by Thursday. Nonna and Papa picked him up on Saturday and he had a great day with them. I spent the night with them last night. I went to bed early because my day at work had been tiring. At about midnight, I wake up to L vomiting all over the pack n play! L has never vomited! Poor little guy-he just rolled back over and tried to go back to sleep, but I had to get him cleaned up and then changed the pack n play sheet. This took a while. He was happy and seemed to be feeling fine. I gave him some water and he played while I got his bed ready. No fever, so I figured it may have been from coughing or something he ate and he must feel better now. I put him back into bed, just get back to sleep and there he is vomiting again! Out of bed I leap. Again, I strip the bed, strip him, get him changed and he needed a bath this time. I then realize we have no more sheets for the pack n play and it is soaked in vomit! Although, L is again acting like he's fine, my concern is where he is going to sleep. We don't allow him to sleep with us at our house and for several reasons have not allowed it EVER. But at 2 am, what other options do I have? So, into my bed he goes. He fell asleep quickly, but I was a nervous wreck and slept very little before my 5 am wake up call to get up for work.
Off I go to work with minimal sleep. I checked on L early morning and he was doing well. Then towards the end of my day, I check on him again. He vomited again...luckily I was able to get home shortly and by then he was running around like a crazy man having fun. I hope there is no more vomiting tonight.
Why do I know God has a sense of humor? Because he had to be laughing at me all last night(early morning). If I could hear what he was saying it would have been: "Oh Rachel! Did you really think you wouldn't have to ever go to work tired because of a sick baby? It doesn't matter that you only work 2 days a week. Hahahahahah!!!" But God also reminded me that I am so fortunate to have a healthy baby, so I just laughed along with God last night:)
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