My plan was to do nothing more strenuous than feeding then animals today. That plan changed when my sister needed help. I was obligated to look human while I did responsible things. I got them done but by the time everything was done, it was mid-afternoon.
Now, it is nearly 6pm, I am reading a blog (recently found) called http://canadiandgal.blogspot.com/. The author is Scully, and she is awesome.I'm reading it in chronological order. This is something she posted back in September 2010 as part of invisible illness awareness week. I'm reviving the idea and posting my own answers.
30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know:
1. The illness I live with is: Type 1 Diabetes, hypothyroidism
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2000
3. But I had symptoms since: for 6 months before my diagnosis in the year 2000
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Giving up my dream of joining the military and
becoming a Park Ranger
5. Most people assume: no clue, I don't badger others about their thoughts on me
6. The hardest part about mornings are: remembering to take my levothyroxine
7. My favorite medical TV show is: Currently it's Grey's Anatomy for fiction and save My Life:
Boston Trauma for nonfiction
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my insulin pump
9. The hardest part about nights are: falling asleep
10. Each day I take __ pills and vitamins. (No comments, please) 1
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: am not trying any
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: a curable one
13. Regarding working and career: I have put a career on hold to raise kids
14. People would be surprised to know: I really like reading biographies and memoirs
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: the overwhelming effort it takes
to get and stay healthy
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: have healthy kids
17. The commercials about my illness: What commercials, all they ever address is Type 2
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Dreaming about how my careers
would go.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: not worrying about what the food I ate did to my body
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: yoga, and learning about
hiking/backpacking
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: I don't feel abnormal, but if I didn't
have to test my blood, I would enjoy a bike ride more
22. My illness has taught me: that the side effects of having a high A1c can be annoying as hell.
23. Want to know a secret? I hate it when type 2s only on pills think they truly "get" what I go through
24. But I love it when people: Treat me normally and don;t ask if I can eat anything
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough time is: She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the day to come. Proverbs 31:25
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: Some days are better than others, keep
testing and don't give up
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: How awful my bloodsugars
can make me feel
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: Mr K took care of me
all day. Fed me, supplied me with drinks, and did all the childcare that weekend
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: n/a just found the blog post and figured my
mom (my only read as far as I know)
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: Thank you, Mom. You are awesome for reading this blog.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Glucose levels fail but emotionally awesome day.
Today, My K and I celebrated our anniversary. We saw a movie, had dinner, and just spent time together. I accompanied him to the same city he worked and shopped while he worked. I fond an amazing new purse. This is huge for me. Every time I go to a thrift store or a regular retail place, I check out the bag selections. I have been using the same old go-to purse since I was a freshman in college. It's olive drab and I love it, but she is getting on in years. Well today, I went walking past the seasonal bins at in Target, you know those bins with items for $1, $3, and $5. I found this beauty:
(Image taken from internet, not the bag I bought)
It is not exactly identical as the patterning is variable but it accurately shows the new purse. This thing rocks! I love it and it fits everything I need to carry for diabetes management, and has room left over for mom-related things. Win!
After I found that gem, I wandered through the clothes. Found a nice sweater with Darth Vader on it, but I refused to get it because I don't like Vader. I prefer the rebels rather than the Empire. I'm a gal who likes the nice guys, the good guys, those on the light side. So Vader gear is not my thing. But it was a nice style and if they'd had R2D2 or C3PO, Chewie, or especially that scruffy looking nerf herder- I would be wearing it right now.
After Target, I stopped in an perused the local thrift store, and saw they's rearranged the shelving and had fewer items, so I took that as a Godly nudge that I didn't need anything there.
Once Mr K was done with work stuff, we went to see The Force Awakens again. We loved it even more the second time! After the movie, we drove into the larger city, where we had a lovely meal. Barbecue hit the spot. Overall this was the best day.
My sweet sister watched the girls for us, and it made it possible to take the day for ourselves.
My bloodsugars ran high today. This is still a learning experience for me. I used to not test regularly, and got complacent. I no longer felt highs unless they were up near 400 or above. These last few days have been amazing. I am seeing what certain foods do to my numbers. I ate candy and popcorn and learned that I definitely and more sensitive to some candies over others.
I'm done rambling. Getting sleepy and feeling like I can't concentrate anymore.
(Image taken from internet, not the bag I bought)It is not exactly identical as the patterning is variable but it accurately shows the new purse. This thing rocks! I love it and it fits everything I need to carry for diabetes management, and has room left over for mom-related things. Win!
After I found that gem, I wandered through the clothes. Found a nice sweater with Darth Vader on it, but I refused to get it because I don't like Vader. I prefer the rebels rather than the Empire. I'm a gal who likes the nice guys, the good guys, those on the light side. So Vader gear is not my thing. But it was a nice style and if they'd had R2D2 or C3PO, Chewie, or especially that scruffy looking nerf herder- I would be wearing it right now.
After Target, I stopped in an perused the local thrift store, and saw they's rearranged the shelving and had fewer items, so I took that as a Godly nudge that I didn't need anything there.
Once Mr K was done with work stuff, we went to see The Force Awakens again. We loved it even more the second time! After the movie, we drove into the larger city, where we had a lovely meal. Barbecue hit the spot. Overall this was the best day.
My sweet sister watched the girls for us, and it made it possible to take the day for ourselves.
My bloodsugars ran high today. This is still a learning experience for me. I used to not test regularly, and got complacent. I no longer felt highs unless they were up near 400 or above. These last few days have been amazing. I am seeing what certain foods do to my numbers. I ate candy and popcorn and learned that I definitely and more sensitive to some candies over others.
I'm done rambling. Getting sleepy and feeling like I can't concentrate anymore.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
New blog title!
This blog has become more about my struggles with getting my health in check and less about my life with Berry and Bear.
In the way things go, the title of this little bit of my life has changed. I feel the new name more accurately represents my words here.
These last few days have been a new honeymoon with diabetes. My numbers have been amazing and I have been keeping track of each bit of food I've eaten and it helps to keep a food log. I can see when I don't eat, when I over-indulge, and when I eat just right, how each of those things affect my numbers.
Then yesterday, we went to a Chinese buffet. I kicked ASS at guessing my carb count and didn't spike. I failed at the caloric intake and suffered mentally knowing I was over the daily allotment. Not a huge deal. I made up for it today by fasting and watching my numbers hover int he higher end of the normal range. Then dinner. BIL made dirty rice and corn muffins. I ate my fill and calculated the amount and either I failed at calculations, or I forgot to treat my already high glucose. I had spiked after eating a pb&j and a pb fold-over. I'm unsure of what happened, but the result was a currently spiking high of 309 at last test.
I'm coming down now and really hope I don't crash.
My life is immersed in calories, kids and carbs.
The worst thing about this current phase is telling my two year old that she cannot have mommy's treats. A two year old is not quite understanding that mommy's a diabetic and if I don't keep this junk in my room for when I need it, I could drop too low and go into a coma and die. Heavy talk for a toddler, you know?
In the way things go, the title of this little bit of my life has changed. I feel the new name more accurately represents my words here.
These last few days have been a new honeymoon with diabetes. My numbers have been amazing and I have been keeping track of each bit of food I've eaten and it helps to keep a food log. I can see when I don't eat, when I over-indulge, and when I eat just right, how each of those things affect my numbers.
Then yesterday, we went to a Chinese buffet. I kicked ASS at guessing my carb count and didn't spike. I failed at the caloric intake and suffered mentally knowing I was over the daily allotment. Not a huge deal. I made up for it today by fasting and watching my numbers hover int he higher end of the normal range. Then dinner. BIL made dirty rice and corn muffins. I ate my fill and calculated the amount and either I failed at calculations, or I forgot to treat my already high glucose. I had spiked after eating a pb&j and a pb fold-over. I'm unsure of what happened, but the result was a currently spiking high of 309 at last test.
I'm coming down now and really hope I don't crash.
My life is immersed in calories, kids and carbs.
The worst thing about this current phase is telling my two year old that she cannot have mommy's treats. A two year old is not quite understanding that mommy's a diabetic and if I don't keep this junk in my room for when I need it, I could drop too low and go into a coma and die. Heavy talk for a toddler, you know?
Saturday, February 27, 2016
For the first time in FOREVER!
My numbers have been great!
I decided that keeping track of my carbs wasn't enough. I dedicated my energies to counting calories and carbs today. I tested before eating EVERYTHING! It worked!
I managed to keep my numbers normal all day until just a few minutes ago when it spiked to 205. I didn't weigh the exact amount of rice cakes, and was off on my estimation and my blood went high. Lesson learned.
Tomorrow is a new day and another chance to make it better.
Back to today. I am below 1800 calories. That is my goal. It's a number I saw on my hospital caloric restrictions when I was admitted as a teen. They automatically lumped me in with the Type 2s and restricted my intake. That is another story for another day.
Well, their magical number was 1800, so that was my goal today.
Since the new year began I've put on 8 pounds. This is a common and known side effect of proper insulin usage. It causes weight gain. My blood glucose being in a healthy range means my body is utilizing the food I eat, rather than my body burning through its fat stores. The result being my body is able to hold onto and rebuild those fat stores. This also means I need to watch what sorts of fats I eat and reduce the amount of empty calories. No more binge snacking on cheese. That's out. Healthy diabetes friendly food. Clean eating is my goal for now. I do not have the answers, I am going with my gut here.
Healthy life means hard work in application and not just theoretical knowledge. I have to put forth the effort, I need to keep track of everything, I have to test my blood, and I need to record it all in a logbook. It means that when I feel like I am going low, I need to STOP what I'm doing and treat it then and there, not wait until I'm loopy can't verbalize my needs. It means that when I eat, I must eat it all and not share a bite with my kids.
I have had three eye surgeries int he last two years because of my own denial and laziness. I do not want to have any more body parts removed. My own lenses were ENOUGH. I do not wish to part with and fingers, toes, or extremities, not organs nor my life. I'm 31 and have the complications beginning that I was warned about over half my life ago.
I'm done rambling for now. Aside from one bad reading, today was a raging success to me.
I decided that keeping track of my carbs wasn't enough. I dedicated my energies to counting calories and carbs today. I tested before eating EVERYTHING! It worked!
I managed to keep my numbers normal all day until just a few minutes ago when it spiked to 205. I didn't weigh the exact amount of rice cakes, and was off on my estimation and my blood went high. Lesson learned.
Tomorrow is a new day and another chance to make it better.
Back to today. I am below 1800 calories. That is my goal. It's a number I saw on my hospital caloric restrictions when I was admitted as a teen. They automatically lumped me in with the Type 2s and restricted my intake. That is another story for another day.
Well, their magical number was 1800, so that was my goal today.
Since the new year began I've put on 8 pounds. This is a common and known side effect of proper insulin usage. It causes weight gain. My blood glucose being in a healthy range means my body is utilizing the food I eat, rather than my body burning through its fat stores. The result being my body is able to hold onto and rebuild those fat stores. This also means I need to watch what sorts of fats I eat and reduce the amount of empty calories. No more binge snacking on cheese. That's out. Healthy diabetes friendly food. Clean eating is my goal for now. I do not have the answers, I am going with my gut here.
Healthy life means hard work in application and not just theoretical knowledge. I have to put forth the effort, I need to keep track of everything, I have to test my blood, and I need to record it all in a logbook. It means that when I feel like I am going low, I need to STOP what I'm doing and treat it then and there, not wait until I'm loopy can't verbalize my needs. It means that when I eat, I must eat it all and not share a bite with my kids.
I have had three eye surgeries int he last two years because of my own denial and laziness. I do not want to have any more body parts removed. My own lenses were ENOUGH. I do not wish to part with and fingers, toes, or extremities, not organs nor my life. I'm 31 and have the complications beginning that I was warned about over half my life ago.
I'm done rambling for now. Aside from one bad reading, today was a raging success to me.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Ridiculous commercials
I hate those clementine orange commercials and use them as example of what not to do in a store. My kids saw the one where the kid was screaming at his dad but only stopped in front of those oranges. I let them know that was very baa behavior and if they EVER tried it, we would leave the store, and they were getting nothing fun. I may take the commercial too seriously but I am not going to be manipulated by a tantrum.
Mama don't play that way,
Heck, every commercial for those oranges irritates me and I refuse to buy that brand.
Most other commercials that play on "kid friendly" stations get under my skin. If it is geared toward a kid, I don't like it. The ONE time my parents let me choose a toy based on a commercial, it was a great disappointment, The toy actually sucked and was nowhere near as fun as the advertising. Since the tender age of 8, I have detested the lies of those advertisements.
As a mom, I avoid my kids seeing them to avoid the "Mommy I want ____!" moments. It works unless we are not home and the only option (if we let them watch tv) is to view a station where those commercials are unavoidable. It's rare but happens.
I'm blessed to have the luxury of subscribing to a satellite service package where we get Disney Jr and BabyFirst TV. Thankfully there are VERY few adverts on Disney Jr and none that I've ever noticed on BabyFirst. When we finally dump subscription tv service, then adverts are no longer an issue, so yay! I'm looking forward to that.
Aside from annoying kid-centric commercials, I cannot tolerate 99% of those on every other station. Hillshire Farms "go meat" jingle is one I like even though I don't buy their products.
I have an inverse reaction to advertising. Even if the ad is meant to be annoying so it's remembered, I specifically avoid mentioning a product by it's name and simply purchase the competitor's product.
Thanks to some creepy or annoying Superbowl ads, there are at least three brands I will avoid until I can look at an item without mentally crying from the sheer torment by poor brain suffered through.
I can not be the only one who reacts this strongly to commercials, right?
Mama don't play that way,
Heck, every commercial for those oranges irritates me and I refuse to buy that brand.
Most other commercials that play on "kid friendly" stations get under my skin. If it is geared toward a kid, I don't like it. The ONE time my parents let me choose a toy based on a commercial, it was a great disappointment, The toy actually sucked and was nowhere near as fun as the advertising. Since the tender age of 8, I have detested the lies of those advertisements.
As a mom, I avoid my kids seeing them to avoid the "Mommy I want ____!" moments. It works unless we are not home and the only option (if we let them watch tv) is to view a station where those commercials are unavoidable. It's rare but happens.
I'm blessed to have the luxury of subscribing to a satellite service package where we get Disney Jr and BabyFirst TV. Thankfully there are VERY few adverts on Disney Jr and none that I've ever noticed on BabyFirst. When we finally dump subscription tv service, then adverts are no longer an issue, so yay! I'm looking forward to that.
Aside from annoying kid-centric commercials, I cannot tolerate 99% of those on every other station. Hillshire Farms "go meat" jingle is one I like even though I don't buy their products.
I have an inverse reaction to advertising. Even if the ad is meant to be annoying so it's remembered, I specifically avoid mentioning a product by it's name and simply purchase the competitor's product.
Thanks to some creepy or annoying Superbowl ads, there are at least three brands I will avoid until I can look at an item without mentally crying from the sheer torment by poor brain suffered through.
I can not be the only one who reacts this strongly to commercials, right?
Monday, February 8, 2016
Another failed morning.
Take 1-
Around 11am.
Trying to type for the second time, but just for a minute. Blood-sugar was 105 this am. Berry won't stop interrupting my thoughts so whatever I was going to type is gone. Need to go give the girls a shower as Bear (she needs a new nickname I think) so I'm off for now, will continue later.
Take 2-
It's now just before 5pm.
This day has been rough. I heartily dislike interactive voice recognition software. When a digital program cannot distinguish between two similar sounding letters, it is maddening
Baby Bear was showered and then promptly spilled food on her pants. Kids, haha.
I haven't done a proper session of yoga exercises in days, but I did get an insurance issue dealt with fairly quickly. I dislike calling insurance companies but I love to deal with the staff at my endo's office.
Off from here to attempt to create a home network to transfer photos.
Around 11am.
Trying to type for the second time, but just for a minute. Blood-sugar was 105 this am. Berry won't stop interrupting my thoughts so whatever I was going to type is gone. Need to go give the girls a shower as Bear (she needs a new nickname I think) so I'm off for now, will continue later.
Take 2-
It's now just before 5pm.
This day has been rough. I heartily dislike interactive voice recognition software. When a digital program cannot distinguish between two similar sounding letters, it is maddening
Baby Bear was showered and then promptly spilled food on her pants. Kids, haha.
I haven't done a proper session of yoga exercises in days, but I did get an insurance issue dealt with fairly quickly. I dislike calling insurance companies but I love to deal with the staff at my endo's office.
Off from here to attempt to create a home network to transfer photos.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Ponderings
Today has been an amazingly quiet day- we stayed home and hung out together. I'm feeling more confident and scared and hesitant and excited to begin my education in the nursing field.
Khan academy has been a Godsend for getting my toes wet in the anatomy and physiology field but is so not on the same level as actually taking a course with a professor. There's an issue with my taking the online courses, and that issue is time with my children. I can closet myself away in my bedroom and try to watch the videos, but as soon as I press play, it never fails that one or both girls wants or needs my attention. It got so bad that I stopped doing the courses. This highlights my personal need to continue my education in a more structured environment.
Khan academy has been a Godsend for getting my toes wet in the anatomy and physiology field but is so not on the same level as actually taking a course with a professor. There's an issue with my taking the online courses, and that issue is time with my children. I can closet myself away in my bedroom and try to watch the videos, but as soon as I press play, it never fails that one or both girls wants or needs my attention. It got so bad that I stopped doing the courses. This highlights my personal need to continue my education in a more structured environment.
I'm still super excited for this next phase of my life. My dream is to go to classes, do my assignments and studying while on campus and after the girls are in bed. After I get the girls from school, the idea is to get Berry's homework done when needed, work on Baby Bear's lessons for the day, and play. Dinner gets cooked, eaten, and cleaned up. Post dinner will be bath, books, brushing, and bed.
That is the plan. The reality will doubtlessly be much less smoothly running.
That is the plan. The reality will doubtlessly be much less smoothly running.
It still blows my mind that my Baby Bear is going to be in preschool this fall and my firstborn is starting kindergarten. My five year goal is to have my loans paid off, and money in savings to pay for school related expenses for the girls. This is terrifying and exciting.
I cannot possibly be the only married mom who has an unused bachelor's degree. I'm also certain it's not unique that I have a degree because I felt expected to attend college after high school, even though I was aimless and had no clue what I wanted in life, and by the time I was feeling even an inkling towards a career goal, felt trapped in my degree path.
No more! No more negative nancy for a boyfriend who degraded my ideas for careers, no more listening to the negativity and self doubts. I KNOW I am intelligent enough to retain information, that I am strong enough to balance a family and an education and my health. I can do this. I have the support of my family, and I am doing this.
Friday, January 29, 2016
Birthday, done right.
I was naughty today. This was my birthday redo. I have a new bank card and replacement driving license on the way, thanks to my klutzy self. Mr K treated me to dinner at our local barbecue joint where we both savored brisket and some amazing sides. We followed up dinner with a stop at the local grocery store. They had one dollar/ounce bottles. I grabbed a caffeine free diet soda and have had my allotted drinks. Now I am sitting, surfing the web, and trying to find healthy lunch ideas to help my sweet husband have interesting meals instead of the same boring few.
My best birthday gift was a hand drawn card from my Berry Girl. That amazing girl just melts my heart. The next best was Mr. K willingly taking me out for a meal even though he would rather have stayed home to rest, as he is sick.
Tonight, it is Friday and I am happily home in bed by 9pm, with my best friend at my side. This is the best type of Friday night in the winter. In more temperate weather, we plan to be outside at the fire pit or even sitting at a campfire.
Keep in mind, I am an atypical person. I was never into partying or large crowds, ever. I didn't party in high school or college, I didn't go clubbing in my twenties, or whatever the heck it is called today. I stayed home to read and do family stuff and work on my hobbies- from the time I was a small child until now. This sort of evening has always been my ideal. For those with a more outgoing lifestyle and personality, this might not work so well. :-)
My best birthday gift was a hand drawn card from my Berry Girl. That amazing girl just melts my heart. The next best was Mr. K willingly taking me out for a meal even though he would rather have stayed home to rest, as he is sick.
Tonight, it is Friday and I am happily home in bed by 9pm, with my best friend at my side. This is the best type of Friday night in the winter. In more temperate weather, we plan to be outside at the fire pit or even sitting at a campfire.
Keep in mind, I am an atypical person. I was never into partying or large crowds, ever. I didn't party in high school or college, I didn't go clubbing in my twenties, or whatever the heck it is called today. I stayed home to read and do family stuff and work on my hobbies- from the time I was a small child until now. This sort of evening has always been my ideal. For those with a more outgoing lifestyle and personality, this might not work so well. :-)
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Sick birthday for one.
Today is my birthday. Yesterday I went from feeling wonderful with a little "off feeling" in my sinuses. By bedtime last night I was full blown sick with a fever, sinus gunk, and a massive headache.
I took medicine and slept in super late today. Via text and social media, all my friends and family have wished me a happy birthday, and despite physically not feeling well, my spirits are great. Berry and Bear are being well behaved, which helps. I have medicine on board. This evening, the mister will be taking me out for a nice dinner. My plan is to go looking for hiking supplies and then buy a cake so the kids can enjoy something fun.
I have an Amazon wish list a mile long but the only reasonable thing I want is for someone else to get my van washed. She is carrying around a few pounds of road dust.
My Mr K brought me fresh coffee in bed and left a fresh pot ready to go for me when I woke up. He is the best.
I took medicine and slept in super late today. Via text and social media, all my friends and family have wished me a happy birthday, and despite physically not feeling well, my spirits are great. Berry and Bear are being well behaved, which helps. I have medicine on board. This evening, the mister will be taking me out for a nice dinner. My plan is to go looking for hiking supplies and then buy a cake so the kids can enjoy something fun.
I have an Amazon wish list a mile long but the only reasonable thing I want is for someone else to get my van washed. She is carrying around a few pounds of road dust.
My Mr K brought me fresh coffee in bed and left a fresh pot ready to go for me when I woke up. He is the best.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Vehicular nonsense
I have been lucky that no minivan-killing deer have visited me lately. I'm still driving Cara, my plain jane white Dodge. After having an unknown number of cross country trips in the beast, I am loving some things about her and really disliking others.
Loves:
-she has a dvd player and headphones built-in. Best convenience feature on long road trips when my kids are not yet reading and keep dropping toys. They could have the headphones in their laps and hear a movie without parental intervention. gave them an easy segue into sleeping.
-she had stow-n-go seats so the under the floor storage is where I can keep a first aid kit, jumper cables, a tool kit, and even winter gear as needed.
-she has a roof rack with which we use to strap our soft top cargo carrier down
-she has dual climate control settings in the front row and ability to lock out or allow rear climate control
-many other things I am not getting into today
-we have a 6 cylinder engine and has the power to get up and go as needed
-we have enough cargo room when the back rows of seats are stowed away to haul stuff like a full sized sofa, plywood sheets, mattresses, pea gravel, play sand, concrete mix and various DIY implements. This makes her a beast.
-we installed a tow hitch so we can pull a trailer
Dislikes:
-the cloth seats are not stain resistant
-she is white and shows every speck of dirt we pick up on gravel roads
-she is a brick on wheels and gets low gas mileage
-she is a brick on wheels with front wheel drive and has trouble getting up slick inclines
Overall, my Cara is a fine mommy van.
My realistic dream vehicle for around town and grocery trips is a Subaru Forrester. Four wheel drive, a decent cargo area for groceries, seats five, and just a smaller footprint
My fantasy dream vehicle seats 5; is a hybrid to increase gas mileage; has a roof rack; has an engine-charged generator system so I can plug in a crock pot, a laptop, or tablets as needed; has an entertainment system; has lots of easy to clean storage cubbies; has stow n go seating; basically has everything for convenience and making road trips and in town trips more pleasant.
Loves:
-she has a dvd player and headphones built-in. Best convenience feature on long road trips when my kids are not yet reading and keep dropping toys. They could have the headphones in their laps and hear a movie without parental intervention. gave them an easy segue into sleeping.
-she had stow-n-go seats so the under the floor storage is where I can keep a first aid kit, jumper cables, a tool kit, and even winter gear as needed.
-she has a roof rack with which we use to strap our soft top cargo carrier down
-she has dual climate control settings in the front row and ability to lock out or allow rear climate control
-many other things I am not getting into today
-we have a 6 cylinder engine and has the power to get up and go as needed
-we have enough cargo room when the back rows of seats are stowed away to haul stuff like a full sized sofa, plywood sheets, mattresses, pea gravel, play sand, concrete mix and various DIY implements. This makes her a beast.
-we installed a tow hitch so we can pull a trailer
Dislikes:
-the cloth seats are not stain resistant
-she is white and shows every speck of dirt we pick up on gravel roads
-she is a brick on wheels and gets low gas mileage
-she is a brick on wheels with front wheel drive and has trouble getting up slick inclines
Overall, my Cara is a fine mommy van.
My realistic dream vehicle for around town and grocery trips is a Subaru Forrester. Four wheel drive, a decent cargo area for groceries, seats five, and just a smaller footprint
My fantasy dream vehicle seats 5; is a hybrid to increase gas mileage; has a roof rack; has an engine-charged generator system so I can plug in a crock pot, a laptop, or tablets as needed; has an entertainment system; has lots of easy to clean storage cubbies; has stow n go seating; basically has everything for convenience and making road trips and in town trips more pleasant.
Monday, January 25, 2016
What it takes to go through with it.
My mental obsession is now hiking. I have only done short day walks, not even hikes, with my husband and daughters. The few things I have found online from the POV of female backpackers living with T1D makes me even more determined to do this as a family.
I so very badly wish to not have to google the medical needs part of hiking. Having to learn that I need to be wary and see how hiking, backpacking, and being that active affect my glucose levels is a pain. I can't just research the items I need to carry, how to build up to the activity with training walks and exercises to improve my stamina. I also have to look into how to adjust my pump settings, which foods may or may not work to sustain a healthy level, ways to keep my pump and extra insulin cool enough on warm days, which foods and types of carbs to avoid to give me sugar spikes and hypos.The sheer amount of calculations and constant vigilance is a lot to absorb.
But it feels like it will be worth it.
Part of going forward with a healthier life means being responsible. Responsibility for my health has been sorely lacking for the last decade and a half.
Doing what it takes to be healthy, active, in control, and living a happier life is worth it.
Since the new year began, I have cut most caffeine out of my daily life. I drink more tea than coffee now. It's improved my sleep patterns drastically, made me less grumpy and irritable, and I feel more rested.
My rested self can focus on tasks more easily. I am able to concentrate, I had the abstract understanding that sleep factored into everything but feeling the changes really drove home the knowledge.
Experiencing positive results firsthand gives me a boost to my confidence that I can do this.
It's bittersweet because I gave up on my dreams of being a park ranger due to my intense fear of failure. I won't dwell on the past but I WILL change my future.
I so very badly wish to not have to google the medical needs part of hiking. Having to learn that I need to be wary and see how hiking, backpacking, and being that active affect my glucose levels is a pain. I can't just research the items I need to carry, how to build up to the activity with training walks and exercises to improve my stamina. I also have to look into how to adjust my pump settings, which foods may or may not work to sustain a healthy level, ways to keep my pump and extra insulin cool enough on warm days, which foods and types of carbs to avoid to give me sugar spikes and hypos.The sheer amount of calculations and constant vigilance is a lot to absorb.
But it feels like it will be worth it.
Part of going forward with a healthier life means being responsible. Responsibility for my health has been sorely lacking for the last decade and a half.
Doing what it takes to be healthy, active, in control, and living a happier life is worth it.
Since the new year began, I have cut most caffeine out of my daily life. I drink more tea than coffee now. It's improved my sleep patterns drastically, made me less grumpy and irritable, and I feel more rested.
My rested self can focus on tasks more easily. I am able to concentrate, I had the abstract understanding that sleep factored into everything but feeling the changes really drove home the knowledge.
Experiencing positive results firsthand gives me a boost to my confidence that I can do this.
It's bittersweet because I gave up on my dreams of being a park ranger due to my intense fear of failure. I won't dwell on the past but I WILL change my future.
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Feeling inspired
I don't make resolutions each new year. I make up in my mind a hopeful goal to be healthier but never actually make a solid resolution.
This year I just went with it. I want to be healthy. After spending half my life with bad A1c numbers (the only time they were ever near normal was during my pregnancies), suffering from some of the foretold complications, and just feeling overwhelmed with this juggling act and failing, I am DONE.
I am feeling more confident in my abilities to manage my diabetes and integrating the needed changes into my daily life. I have dreams and a conscious desire for a career. I cannot do that if I am slowly killing myself with complications.
This year, I am going to actively strive for control. I will force myself to get my lazy self up and test my blood. I will use that hunk of plastic I call Violet in the manner intended. I may even *gasp* try the CGM again.
This year I want to get things done. I want to be the mom my girls deserve. I want to be the active supportive wife my husband deserves. I want to be a healthy person so my family does not worry over me.
To achieve these wants, I need organization and self discipline.
Each time I leave my house, I need to carry my supplies, and with it being wintertime, I can't just leave a set of supplies in my van. That whole sub-freezing temperatures thing makes a popsicle out of a vial of insulin. Frozen insulin = no insulin. This means I need to conscientiously pack a purse. This thing needs to have a source of glucose, extra insulin, syringes, replacement sites, my meter kit, along with other paraphernalia needed as a mom. I dislike purses, as I can never find one I like that is functional. Anyone who has ever met me in person knows I am not a girly girl. Hell, I'm in my thirties and just now am accepting of pink colored things. The lack of my girliness means I don't go purse shopping just for the fun of it. I don't have a plethora of choices. I'm more of a solid color canvas tote type of girl. This means I have to find a new purse for my diabetic needs. Joy!
Once I get used to carrying everything in a purse again and being a good 'betic and actually testing regularly (rather than as an afterthought when I wake up feeling hungover despite not having alcohol in forever and finding my meter greeting me with actual words rather than a number) it will be easier to lug around a bag. I prefer my phone in one back pocket, my cash or card in another, and my keys at my hip. That doesn't work well with being prepared for an emergency, so a purse or bag it is.
If anyone actually reads this thing, do you use a bag or purse to carry your diabetes accouterments?
This year I just went with it. I want to be healthy. After spending half my life with bad A1c numbers (the only time they were ever near normal was during my pregnancies), suffering from some of the foretold complications, and just feeling overwhelmed with this juggling act and failing, I am DONE.
I am feeling more confident in my abilities to manage my diabetes and integrating the needed changes into my daily life. I have dreams and a conscious desire for a career. I cannot do that if I am slowly killing myself with complications.
This year, I am going to actively strive for control. I will force myself to get my lazy self up and test my blood. I will use that hunk of plastic I call Violet in the manner intended. I may even *gasp* try the CGM again.
This year I want to get things done. I want to be the mom my girls deserve. I want to be the active supportive wife my husband deserves. I want to be a healthy person so my family does not worry over me.
To achieve these wants, I need organization and self discipline.
Each time I leave my house, I need to carry my supplies, and with it being wintertime, I can't just leave a set of supplies in my van. That whole sub-freezing temperatures thing makes a popsicle out of a vial of insulin. Frozen insulin = no insulin. This means I need to conscientiously pack a purse. This thing needs to have a source of glucose, extra insulin, syringes, replacement sites, my meter kit, along with other paraphernalia needed as a mom. I dislike purses, as I can never find one I like that is functional. Anyone who has ever met me in person knows I am not a girly girl. Hell, I'm in my thirties and just now am accepting of pink colored things. The lack of my girliness means I don't go purse shopping just for the fun of it. I don't have a plethora of choices. I'm more of a solid color canvas tote type of girl. This means I have to find a new purse for my diabetic needs. Joy!
Once I get used to carrying everything in a purse again and being a good 'betic and actually testing regularly (rather than as an afterthought when I wake up feeling hungover despite not having alcohol in forever and finding my meter greeting me with actual words rather than a number) it will be easier to lug around a bag. I prefer my phone in one back pocket, my cash or card in another, and my keys at my hip. That doesn't work well with being prepared for an emergency, so a purse or bag it is.
If anyone actually reads this thing, do you use a bag or purse to carry your diabetes accouterments?
Thursday, January 21, 2016
A new hobby?
I get something from my mom, and I love it.
As a child, I noticed my mom would get on "kicks" as I call them. She would find a hobby and go at it full force for a while, then taper off, keep the supplies for the hobby, and move on to another one. She had a cycle of them and every few months would move on.
I am the same way. I have my hobbies. I love: to read; being outdoors in nicer weather (not below freezing nor above ninety degrees Fahrenheit); gardening and seeing things I plant and nurture grow to produce fruit or flowers, even though my thumb is in the tan shades rather than a vibrant green; crafting; building with Legos; jigsaw puzzles; and exploring.
My newest fancies are day hiking, camping, and exploring the local state parks. When something new piques my interest, it's time to learn about it. I read voraciously, ask people for personal experiences, look up "hacks/tips" and I prepare myself for following through.
Some things don't pan out but others are wins. I'm praying for peace and guidance on family camping.
As a child, I noticed my mom would get on "kicks" as I call them. She would find a hobby and go at it full force for a while, then taper off, keep the supplies for the hobby, and move on to another one. She had a cycle of them and every few months would move on.
I am the same way. I have my hobbies. I love: to read; being outdoors in nicer weather (not below freezing nor above ninety degrees Fahrenheit); gardening and seeing things I plant and nurture grow to produce fruit or flowers, even though my thumb is in the tan shades rather than a vibrant green; crafting; building with Legos; jigsaw puzzles; and exploring.
My newest fancies are day hiking, camping, and exploring the local state parks. When something new piques my interest, it's time to learn about it. I read voraciously, ask people for personal experiences, look up "hacks/tips" and I prepare myself for following through.
Some things don't pan out but others are wins. I'm praying for peace and guidance on family camping.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Spring Camping!
Since my impending educational leap is set to begin this autumn, I have a goal for the spring.
I wish to go camping.
My idea is as follows:
1. camp in back yard for a trial run and all that entails.
2. build a campfire in backyard as trial run for fire, cooking over a fire, and reinforcing safety rules about fire for the girls.
3. make a list of items we may need to build or buy for real camping
4. take the plunge and go camping for real, deciding on
A. pack our stuff and hike to a campsite
or
B. hike around the chosen area then set up camp by our van, as the campsites are road accessible?
5. fine tune the things we didn't like or that didn't work well for us.
Pinterest, that diabolical time suck of inspirational ideas, has given me an enormous supply of camping educational tips/hacks/must-do/must-have/never-evers.
If anyone ever actually read the blog, this is where I would ask for the readers' favorite things and most hated things about camping.
Instead, I am pinning like a madwoman and reading and researching. Why not do it now, when I can make lists and plans and slowly gather items over time rather than wait. If I waited til the spring to research i will find out it costs more than I expect, all my ideas cost more in time or money than I expect, it seems. Ha.
I wish to go camping.
My idea is as follows:
1. camp in back yard for a trial run and all that entails.
2. build a campfire in backyard as trial run for fire, cooking over a fire, and reinforcing safety rules about fire for the girls.
3. make a list of items we may need to build or buy for real camping
4. take the plunge and go camping for real, deciding on
A. pack our stuff and hike to a campsite
or
B. hike around the chosen area then set up camp by our van, as the campsites are road accessible?
5. fine tune the things we didn't like or that didn't work well for us.
Pinterest, that diabolical time suck of inspirational ideas, has given me an enormous supply of camping educational tips/hacks/must-do/must-have/never-evers.
If anyone ever actually read the blog, this is where I would ask for the readers' favorite things and most hated things about camping.
Instead, I am pinning like a madwoman and reading and researching. Why not do it now, when I can make lists and plans and slowly gather items over time rather than wait. If I waited til the spring to research i will find out it costs more than I expect, all my ideas cost more in time or money than I expect, it seems. Ha.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Family time.
The girls and I are going to follow my sweet husband to work out-of-town this week. We leave in about 7 hours. Everyone else is sleeping. I, however, am wide awake.
My goal for this trip is to be with my daughters and have quality one on two time with them for the few days we are away.
There is a hotel pool but am hoping the allure of a whirpool tub is more to their liking. I'm intimidated by having two kids who are not strong swimmers alone in a pool.
This year I am going back to school. I plan to attend a pre-nursing program at the local community college. It's a start for my career, which I have finally settled on after going through and getting a BA in a completely different field. This feels right.
Berry girl will be starting Kindergarten in the fall and Baby Bear will be going to preschool. Mommy will be starting as well, hopefully once all the financial things are taken care of.
I am working very hard to control my diabetes. Due to changes with my chosen insulin pump's company, My plan is to switch to a new pump. I tried out the omni pod and it just is not for me.
Animal count is as follows:
2 dogs, 3 cats, and 4 hens.
All but one hen has stopped laying for the winter, despite there being an artificial light source. That's alright. The coop is built but I think it could use some more fine tuning this spring, when we have some warm weather to work with. They need a permanent run to go with the coop. For now they free range and that is how I lost one of my white hens and we only have 4 now. She never came home and I am certain she became a meal for a hawk. It's been so long since I've posted here that I cannot recall if I've mentioned the kittens. I found a family with some barn kittens and picked out two of them. They were supposed to be males named Leonard and Sheldon but we were wrong and they are females and are actually Penny and Bernadette. They will be spayed next month, so yay for not having a pack of feral cats sprout from our garage. Responsible barn cat ownership for the win. I promised Mr K these kittens would be outdoor animals and they are (now) but because we had to have them separated from Scooter until they were old enough to defend themselves in case he attacked them, they lived inside for a few months. Penny is the larger of the two, she is a grey tabby who loves to cuddle, play and step on my keyboard. Bernie is smaller, and a tuxedo coated gal who is a ferocious hunter. She bagged a small wild rabbit when she was a few months old. It was bigger than her. Granted, I think the poor hare had a heart attack and was not actually killed by the then tiny kitten, but last week, she caught a squirrel that was her size, not including its tail. I know she actually caught and killed it due to walking into the garage at the moment when said nutty bandit was struggling against her hold on its neck in futility. Some may think me cruel to have let it happen but we got both kittens to help control the rodent population. We live in the middle of a stretch of forest surrounded by farmland. Critters abound and we prefer them not to live the high life within our domicile. Enter the kittens. Barn cats are awesome.
This spring, my goal is to make time to do more yoga. I like what little I have tried on my own.
Hoping to sleep soon. I've finally fogured out the cause for the insomnia-like wakefulness. I had two sips of coffee at 5pm. Apparently caffiene does affect me. I've cut out caffeine after 2pm in an effort to have a more regulr sleep pattern. It works. Most nights I am out by midnight. Tonight, though, I can feel the sluggish alertness that comes from coffee ingested late int he afternoon. If I didn't love the ritual of drinking coffee so much, I'd cut it out of my routine for good. I've replaced coffee with herbal teas and man do they help.
My goal for this trip is to be with my daughters and have quality one on two time with them for the few days we are away.
There is a hotel pool but am hoping the allure of a whirpool tub is more to their liking. I'm intimidated by having two kids who are not strong swimmers alone in a pool.
This year I am going back to school. I plan to attend a pre-nursing program at the local community college. It's a start for my career, which I have finally settled on after going through and getting a BA in a completely different field. This feels right.
Berry girl will be starting Kindergarten in the fall and Baby Bear will be going to preschool. Mommy will be starting as well, hopefully once all the financial things are taken care of.
I am working very hard to control my diabetes. Due to changes with my chosen insulin pump's company, My plan is to switch to a new pump. I tried out the omni pod and it just is not for me.
Animal count is as follows:
2 dogs, 3 cats, and 4 hens.
All but one hen has stopped laying for the winter, despite there being an artificial light source. That's alright. The coop is built but I think it could use some more fine tuning this spring, when we have some warm weather to work with. They need a permanent run to go with the coop. For now they free range and that is how I lost one of my white hens and we only have 4 now. She never came home and I am certain she became a meal for a hawk. It's been so long since I've posted here that I cannot recall if I've mentioned the kittens. I found a family with some barn kittens and picked out two of them. They were supposed to be males named Leonard and Sheldon but we were wrong and they are females and are actually Penny and Bernadette. They will be spayed next month, so yay for not having a pack of feral cats sprout from our garage. Responsible barn cat ownership for the win. I promised Mr K these kittens would be outdoor animals and they are (now) but because we had to have them separated from Scooter until they were old enough to defend themselves in case he attacked them, they lived inside for a few months. Penny is the larger of the two, she is a grey tabby who loves to cuddle, play and step on my keyboard. Bernie is smaller, and a tuxedo coated gal who is a ferocious hunter. She bagged a small wild rabbit when she was a few months old. It was bigger than her. Granted, I think the poor hare had a heart attack and was not actually killed by the then tiny kitten, but last week, she caught a squirrel that was her size, not including its tail. I know she actually caught and killed it due to walking into the garage at the moment when said nutty bandit was struggling against her hold on its neck in futility. Some may think me cruel to have let it happen but we got both kittens to help control the rodent population. We live in the middle of a stretch of forest surrounded by farmland. Critters abound and we prefer them not to live the high life within our domicile. Enter the kittens. Barn cats are awesome.
This spring, my goal is to make time to do more yoga. I like what little I have tried on my own.
Hoping to sleep soon. I've finally fogured out the cause for the insomnia-like wakefulness. I had two sips of coffee at 5pm. Apparently caffiene does affect me. I've cut out caffeine after 2pm in an effort to have a more regulr sleep pattern. It works. Most nights I am out by midnight. Tonight, though, I can feel the sluggish alertness that comes from coffee ingested late int he afternoon. If I didn't love the ritual of drinking coffee so much, I'd cut it out of my routine for good. I've replaced coffee with herbal teas and man do they help.
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Christmas season for us.
Berry is 5. Ack, my baby will be in kindergarten in the fall.
Bear is 2. She'll be in morning preschool in the fall.
Me? Well, I'm going back to school to start the path to become a nurse.
Life is chaos and I miss simpler times.
Bear is 2. She'll be in morning preschool in the fall.
Me? Well, I'm going back to school to start the path to become a nurse.
Life is chaos and I miss simpler times.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Self-accountability.
I get these ideas, get all excited about them, even start on some then fizzle out. I need some accountability for myself. I am using this dusty old blog to go for it.
1) Chickens- living creatures, not fizzling on them and we are working on the coop, so "check" for today. They have fresh water and will be fed later today.
2) Meds, have insulin pump on, need to take thyroid I have taken my pill.
3) Have my sewing machine out but have no projects lined up yet, will research some of those later if I have time.
4) Beta-reading a novel for a family member, reading at night after kids are in bed is working best for that. Enjoying the novel.
5) Cleaning:
(A) Kitchen- clean counters, dishes, sweep, mop. take out garbage
(B) Dining- clear table, clean tablecloth, sweep, mop
(C) Living- Vacuum, help kids put away toys, straighten shoe rack
(D) Kids' room- Put away toys, make beds, put away laundry
(E) Office- put away bed frame, vacuum, take out garbage
(F) Guest bath- sweep, mop, pick up toys, clean counter, clean toilet
(G) Master bath- clean rugs, counter, toilet, take out trash
(H) Master bedroom- vacuum, make bed, dust, do all laundry
6) Still need to find a day to clean windows and do other spring cleaning items that haven't been done yet.
7) I need to make a home in my room for my treadmill, and to clean the treadmill before it comes inside, it's very dusty and has garage dust allllll over it. Ew. I have been inspired by a neighbor to try the couch to 5k program. I found a free app for my phone and tried it out on the treadmill this morning. It was amazing. The nice little euphoric grace from that 25 minute walk/run was worth it and I want more.
8) Must still make time to feed the family. They like eating daily, go figure >.<
1) Chickens- living creatures, not fizzling on them and we are working on the coop, so "check" for today. They have fresh water and will be fed later today.
2) Meds, have insulin pump on,
3) Have my sewing machine out but have no projects lined up yet, will research some of those later if I have time.
4) Beta-reading a novel for a family member, reading at night after kids are in bed is working best for that. Enjoying the novel.
5) Cleaning:
(A) Kitchen- clean counters, dishes, sweep, mop. take out garbage
(B) Dining- clear table, clean tablecloth, sweep, mop
(C) Living- Vacuum, help kids put away toys, straighten shoe rack
(D) Kids' room- Put away toys, make beds, put away laundry
(E) Office- put away bed frame, vacuum, take out garbage
(F) Guest bath- sweep, mop, pick up toys, clean counter, clean toilet
(G) Master bath- clean rugs, counter, toilet, take out trash
(H) Master bedroom- vacuum, make bed, dust, do all laundry
6) Still need to find a day to clean windows and do other spring cleaning items that haven't been done yet.
7) I need to make a home in my room for my treadmill, and to clean the treadmill before it comes inside, it's very dusty and has garage dust allllll over it. Ew. I have been inspired by a neighbor to try the couch to 5k program. I found a free app for my phone and tried it out on the treadmill this morning. It was amazing. The nice little euphoric grace from that 25 minute walk/run was worth it and I want more.
8) Must still make time to feed the family. They like eating daily, go figure >.<
Monday, May 11, 2015
There will be brooders.
I was browsing craigslist a few weeks ago, and ran across an ad for miniature horses. I jokingly called the hubs and begged and pleaded for the tiny equines for ten minutes. With my voice full is laughter and laced with mischief I cajoled and sort of whined. Then I dropped in because we are in no position to get an four legged critters more exotic than a new kitten.
However, I saw a photo a friend posted to her own wall. Her daughter had been cuddling a chick perched on her shoulder while reading. They live in Alaska, and I figured that if they can keep those birds alive and well for years now, I can do the same in the Midwest.
The day following the miniature pony joke, I told the hubs about my desire to raise chickens for eggs. He agreed, and now we have 5 chicks in a brooder, smelling up my laundry room. We have a small coop and will be building a larger one soon. There are four Ameraucanas/Easter Eggers and one Rhode Island Red.
They're too cute for words and I'm getting them used to being handled.
My Baby Bear will be two this month, and Berry-Girl will be starting tee-ball this summer.
Life is going along so very swiftly. My firstborn baby girl knows how to write her letters, practices her shapes, can hold pretty lively conversations, and she amazes me daily with how aware of her surroundings she seems. My Baby Bear, my second child, my spitfire, she is walking, talking, climbing, counting, singing, dancing, smiling constantly, and is simply perpetual motion.
I am at a place in life where I feel content, joyful, settled, and at peace with things as they are; while simultaneously wishing for a bit more. I want to get a job outside the home, to feel useful financially, and to contribute to our budget. Then all the things that would need to be juggled for that to happen come to mind. Finding a trustworthy daycare, finding the money in the budget to get a certification for my desired job, juggling classes and being full time mommy because we never know when Mr K will be home that night or off in another state for work, and ensuring that by the time I am certified that there is a need for the job I am training for. The part of me that absolutely hates the idea of missing anything my children do more than I already have to has won out or have been relived when I've learned that a job I've applied for has been offered to someone else.
So, instead of agonizing over the whole job thing I'm going to keep on trying to stay within budget, do my best to find ways to cut spending andnot so patiently wait for Baby Bear to start preschool so I can get a job while the kids are in school.
However, I saw a photo a friend posted to her own wall. Her daughter had been cuddling a chick perched on her shoulder while reading. They live in Alaska, and I figured that if they can keep those birds alive and well for years now, I can do the same in the Midwest.
The day following the miniature pony joke, I told the hubs about my desire to raise chickens for eggs. He agreed, and now we have 5 chicks in a brooder, smelling up my laundry room. We have a small coop and will be building a larger one soon. There are four Ameraucanas/Easter Eggers and one Rhode Island Red.
They're too cute for words and I'm getting them used to being handled.
My Baby Bear will be two this month, and Berry-Girl will be starting tee-ball this summer.
Life is going along so very swiftly. My firstborn baby girl knows how to write her letters, practices her shapes, can hold pretty lively conversations, and she amazes me daily with how aware of her surroundings she seems. My Baby Bear, my second child, my spitfire, she is walking, talking, climbing, counting, singing, dancing, smiling constantly, and is simply perpetual motion.
I am at a place in life where I feel content, joyful, settled, and at peace with things as they are; while simultaneously wishing for a bit more. I want to get a job outside the home, to feel useful financially, and to contribute to our budget. Then all the things that would need to be juggled for that to happen come to mind. Finding a trustworthy daycare, finding the money in the budget to get a certification for my desired job, juggling classes and being full time mommy because we never know when Mr K will be home that night or off in another state for work, and ensuring that by the time I am certified that there is a need for the job I am training for. The part of me that absolutely hates the idea of missing anything my children do more than I already have to has won out or have been relived when I've learned that a job I've applied for has been offered to someone else.
So, instead of agonizing over the whole job thing I'm going to keep on trying to stay within budget, do my best to find ways to cut spending and
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
For Mom
Hi Mom,
I think you are my only reader!
Life is a true blessing. I have moment I have to overcome. Moment when I feel so overwhelmed, where my temper is short and my kids see a grumpy mom rather than a happy one. I'm working hard on maintaining control and staying calm. When my bloodsugars are messed up, I have a much harder time staying calm. I've been better about remembering to take my thyroid medicine, to take my insulin as needed, and to test my blood. I'm no where near perfect, but I am working on it. I have a husband and two girls to care for; I need to be here, and be healthy, to do this.
My Berry-Girl is 4, she is in preschool, she loves all things princess, tea parties, animals, bikes, tee-ball, helping others, and being a mommy to her babies. My baby is nearly two now. Baby Bear is whirlwind of loves, cuddles, giggles. She follows her sister around like a duckling. They fight, the laugh, they play, and they love each other more than anything.
We have our two pups, our cat, and now we have 5 new babies! We welcome Ada, Caramel, Inca, Molly, and Tinker to our family today. They are one week old Ameraucana chicks, they are all female chicks and are going to be giving us eggs in a few months when they are mature. We have them in a brooder, and will be building a coop over the next few weekends.
The awesomest of all husbands has put down quite a few pavers, making a beautiful walkway and patio. We now have a nature path leading from our backyard to the farm fields on the far side of our property.
Overall, life is blessed.
I think you are my only reader!
Life is a true blessing. I have moment I have to overcome. Moment when I feel so overwhelmed, where my temper is short and my kids see a grumpy mom rather than a happy one. I'm working hard on maintaining control and staying calm. When my bloodsugars are messed up, I have a much harder time staying calm. I've been better about remembering to take my thyroid medicine, to take my insulin as needed, and to test my blood. I'm no where near perfect, but I am working on it. I have a husband and two girls to care for; I need to be here, and be healthy, to do this.
My Berry-Girl is 4, she is in preschool, she loves all things princess, tea parties, animals, bikes, tee-ball, helping others, and being a mommy to her babies. My baby is nearly two now. Baby Bear is whirlwind of loves, cuddles, giggles. She follows her sister around like a duckling. They fight, the laugh, they play, and they love each other more than anything.
We have our two pups, our cat, and now we have 5 new babies! We welcome Ada, Caramel, Inca, Molly, and Tinker to our family today. They are one week old Ameraucana chicks, they are all female chicks and are going to be giving us eggs in a few months when they are mature. We have them in a brooder, and will be building a coop over the next few weekends.
The awesomest of all husbands has put down quite a few pavers, making a beautiful walkway and patio. We now have a nature path leading from our backyard to the farm fields on the far side of our property.
Overall, life is blessed.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Been awhile.
I'm sitting here with my daughter asleep on my legs. She wanted cuddles and zonked out in a few minutes. It is the perfect time to update the dusty old blog.
I was not up to the challenges of posting daily photos, as evidenced by the lack of them.
Fall is making it's windy way here in a lazy way. We've had some cooler days and the leaf colors are changing. Soybeans have been harvested and the corn will be done this month.
I found a couple of project toys at a garage sale and am working on them. There is a wooden bench/toy chest, a little tikes brand vanity, and some wooden blocks form 1960 something. They are bound to have lead paint on them, so they are getting lots of safe fresh paint on them.
Minion 1 has a birthday in a few weeks. We are going to have a small cake, and dinner at home and that weekend we will go to children's museum.
Halloween will be fun I hope. We are having a Harry Potter marathon and am going to be doing themed snacks. I think Minion 1 will love it while Minion 2 will drool and babble appropriately.
That's all for now, I'm going to sit and enjoy the weight of a 30 pound nearly 3 year old snuggled up with me and watch something on the idiot box.
I was not up to the challenges of posting daily photos, as evidenced by the lack of them.
Fall is making it's windy way here in a lazy way. We've had some cooler days and the leaf colors are changing. Soybeans have been harvested and the corn will be done this month.
I found a couple of project toys at a garage sale and am working on them. There is a wooden bench/toy chest, a little tikes brand vanity, and some wooden blocks form 1960 something. They are bound to have lead paint on them, so they are getting lots of safe fresh paint on them.
Minion 1 has a birthday in a few weeks. We are going to have a small cake, and dinner at home and that weekend we will go to children's museum.
Halloween will be fun I hope. We are having a Harry Potter marathon and am going to be doing themed snacks. I think Minion 1 will love it while Minion 2 will drool and babble appropriately.
That's all for now, I'm going to sit and enjoy the weight of a 30 pound nearly 3 year old snuggled up with me and watch something on the idiot box.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
30 days, failed.
I haven't picked up my camera or blogged in days. Too rainy, too cool and too happy to pick up the camera for pics that are not of my family and I don't like showing their faces, so those are out. The result is a failed first attempt at 30 days of blogging, even without counting the other days I have missed this month.
The girls are in bed, my Mr K is out on business, and I am playing an online game with him while watching the newly regenerated tenth Doctor. Good time for the tired mommy.
The girls are in bed, my Mr K is out on business, and I am playing an online game with him while watching the newly regenerated tenth Doctor. Good time for the tired mommy.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
30 days, days thirteen and fourteen
This was supposed to have been posted last night but i fell asleep before I could finish writing it.
Day 13
Daddy got Berry and Bear a surprise. Berry was so excited, she seemed to think Purple deserved the inaugural ride.
Day 14
Berry managed to get my phone while we were speaking with a realtor and snapped this funky angled piece and I just love it.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
30 days, day twelve combined with Theme Thursday.
This week's theme is text. I really like the variety of text, or fonts, used on this photo frame.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
30 days, day 11, and some seriousness followed by fun.
Today was a hard day when I awoke and realized it has been twelve years.
No matter how old I get I will remember the utter despair, the helplessness and the fear from that horrid day. From hearing my teachers talk about it, to walking in my front door to see my parents sitting on the sofa and seeing the first images from that morning at 4 in the afternoon as I stepped through the door. My heart broke all over again, remembering telling a good friend as we walked together to English class "We're at war. There is no way we are NOT at war now...." Then the crying. Not sobbing but the whole "tears welling, throat swelling shut silent crying."
Chris gave me a one armed hug and agreed quietly.
The years passed, the images showed up less and less each anniversary, and here, twelve years later, it still hurts as much as it did when I was in high school and learned how truly horrific foreign terrorism can be. This, following April 19, 1995 and how domestic terrorism already made me feel helpless and angry.
I have no answers, no wise words for the masses, just heartache over the hatred, ignorance, fear, and senseless tragedies that I have witnessed thus far in my life.
On to the happier part of this post.
Today was busy and hot. We hired a local tree service to come remove two dead trees for us. It is NOT in our budget, but we both agree that the cost of cutting them down far outweighs the risk of them coming down in parts during winter storms, potentially causing damage to our home, requiring us to pay a hefty deductible to have insurance pay for home repairs. In winter. With snowfall and freezing temperatures. Yeah, paying to prevent those makes me feel a quite a bit better.
The tree guy showed up, and Zee ran off. Again. She pulled this running off thing back during a thunderstorm in early spring. Eleven days later, she showed up 3 miles away, skinnier than a bean pole, bedraggled and scarred up but alive and well. Then today, the guys showed up earlier than expected so Zee took off. She was gone about four hours. Around the time K was coming home from work she trotted back into the yard like nothing was the matter. Knucklehead!
After the tree guys left, i realized that in my exhausted state of little sleep, after my shower this morning, I forgot to put my pump back on, so I went hours with no insulin >.< Not good. I put if back on and spent the remainder of the afternoon until K arrived recovering from spiking a high blood sugar. K used his awesome power tool to work on the old pile of trees left by the previous owner. Good times were had by all.
The tree guy showed up, and Zee ran off. Again. She pulled this running off thing back during a thunderstorm in early spring. Eleven days later, she showed up 3 miles away, skinnier than a bean pole, bedraggled and scarred up but alive and well. Then today, the guys showed up earlier than expected so Zee took off. She was gone about four hours. Around the time K was coming home from work she trotted back into the yard like nothing was the matter. Knucklehead!
After the tree guys left, i realized that in my exhausted state of little sleep, after my shower this morning, I forgot to put my pump back on, so I went hours with no insulin >.< Not good. I put if back on and spent the remainder of the afternoon until K arrived recovering from spiking a high blood sugar. K used his awesome power tool to work on the old pile of trees left by the previous owner. Good times were had by all.
My manly and lovely Mr K.
There is something simply yummy about a man properly using a chainsaw.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
30 days of pictures, day 10
Monday, September 9, 2013
Help! I need somebody....
Not exactly but I do love the Beatles.
I need patience. When it was just the Berry girl and I here at home, it was so very easy. I wasn't outnumbered, I had enough in me to set her in a safe place and go take a two minute breather if things got to be too intense. It felt like I had life mostly under control.
Then Bear came along. Even in my pregnancy with her, I was the embodiment of emotional overload. That chocolate bar I had craved and eaten was already gone? Beware, let loose the waterworks and stand back while insane woman rages over the injustices of a chocolate treat gone too soon. And even now, when Bear is edging closer to the four month old mark, I am still overly emotional.
I lose my cool and my temper way too often. Things with Berry get out of hand and she is sent to her room so *I* can have a time out while Bear is vocalizing her extreme displeasure at being anywhere other than my arms.
These occurrences are not constant but they happen too often. I feel like the world's biggest failure when I make my toddler cry because I don't have patience with her, or when I have let my infant scream because I let things get to me that probably shouldn't matter that much and she feeds off my tension and screams more instead of calming down. I am trying to find a balance between raising children who listen to me and who have the confidence to try new things; and letting them explore while having them trust me to be there when they fall.
If you have a moment, can you pray for me please? I'm trying to have more patience and I need all the help I can get.
I need patience. When it was just the Berry girl and I here at home, it was so very easy. I wasn't outnumbered, I had enough in me to set her in a safe place and go take a two minute breather if things got to be too intense. It felt like I had life mostly under control.
Then Bear came along. Even in my pregnancy with her, I was the embodiment of emotional overload. That chocolate bar I had craved and eaten was already gone? Beware, let loose the waterworks and stand back while insane woman rages over the injustices of a chocolate treat gone too soon. And even now, when Bear is edging closer to the four month old mark, I am still overly emotional.
I lose my cool and my temper way too often. Things with Berry get out of hand and she is sent to her room so *I* can have a time out while Bear is vocalizing her extreme displeasure at being anywhere other than my arms.
These occurrences are not constant but they happen too often. I feel like the world's biggest failure when I make my toddler cry because I don't have patience with her, or when I have let my infant scream because I let things get to me that probably shouldn't matter that much and she feeds off my tension and screams more instead of calming down. I am trying to find a balance between raising children who listen to me and who have the confidence to try new things; and letting them explore while having them trust me to be there when they fall.
If you have a moment, can you pray for me please? I'm trying to have more patience and I need all the help I can get.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
30 Days, day 8. Barely getting in here in time!
I was in bed, about to turn off the light when I realized I hadn't posted a picture today. I am digging through the archives to find a great picture.
This was taken in April 2013.
This is the view from my dining room.
This is the view from my dining room.
I absolutely love living where I do, because in the winter, when there are no leaves, this is the view of sunsets we see almost every evening. Such beauty.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
30 days, days 6 and 7
As I sit here, Thomas the Train is softly chatting in the background, and Berry is finding a shirt to wear I didn't want to put one on her first thing this morning; after discovered she had wet through her diaper and needed a bath then breakfast and *then* she could be clothed. Bear is blissfully sleeping to the soothing tones of the Rainforest swing. Heck I'll be back later, I'm going to clean.
I'm back. Sorry it was too awesome to have happy and quiet offspring to just sit here, so I cleaned up the kitchen. I'm now awaiting an awesome friend to come over so we can make a northern style jambalaya. It's northern style because we don't have Bryan Smoky Hollow Cajun Sausage up here in the Midwest, so we are substituting Polish sausage and hoping for the best.
After reading a fun blog post about using a stand mixer in a science experiment while teaching her children, I now want one. I want either espresso brown or bright red. However, we don't have a spare 300-500 dollars laying around so I have to rely on my trusty hand held mixer. for now.
This was started yesterday. Then my friend showed up and didn't leave til after 2, when her designated ride showed up as none of us were sober enough for driving at all.
I awoke early to bright sunlight in my eyes, my Mr K's voice telling me the coffee was brewing, and rain. yes, rain. It lasted approximately 45 seconds and upped the humidity to 980000000%. Yay.
Alas, I got up and decided it was time to run to the store for a cheap stand mixer which had the "sure, honey" from the Mister. Suh-weet! Well, on the way to the store, my van started acting up and i had to swing by previously mentioned friend's place to pick her up to get her car from our house. Once we got to the store, no mixer was in stock. Drat. I picked up the heavy cream, and we came back here. Friend left, and I made butter with the Berry. All in all, it was a fun morning.
Day 6 picture:
I'm back. Sorry it was too awesome to have happy and quiet offspring to just sit here, so I cleaned up the kitchen. I'm now awaiting an awesome friend to come over so we can make a northern style jambalaya. It's northern style because we don't have Bryan Smoky Hollow Cajun Sausage up here in the Midwest, so we are substituting Polish sausage and hoping for the best.
After reading a fun blog post about using a stand mixer in a science experiment while teaching her children, I now want one. I want either espresso brown or bright red. However, we don't have a spare 300-500 dollars laying around so I have to rely on my trusty hand held mixer. for now.
This was started yesterday. Then my friend showed up and didn't leave til after 2, when her designated ride showed up as none of us were sober enough for driving at all.
I awoke early to bright sunlight in my eyes, my Mr K's voice telling me the coffee was brewing, and rain. yes, rain. It lasted approximately 45 seconds and upped the humidity to 980000000%. Yay.
Alas, I got up and decided it was time to run to the store for a cheap stand mixer which had the "sure, honey" from the Mister. Suh-weet! Well, on the way to the store, my van started acting up and i had to swing by previously mentioned friend's place to pick her up to get her car from our house. Once we got to the store, no mixer was in stock. Drat. I picked up the heavy cream, and we came back here. Friend left, and I made butter with the Berry. All in all, it was a fun morning.
Day 6 picture:
Day 7 picture: Top is butter, middle is whipped cream, and bottom is buttermilk.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
30 days, day 5
This is what happens when Daddy forgets to put away his computer before leaving for work, and Mommy is still half asleep and forgets as well.
Notice the native minion, making use of the unused-for-the-intended-purpose potty as a chair.
Notice the scraggly locks of un-brushed hair.
That would be the Berry, in all her mischievous glory, trying to Skype Mimi, or become president...who knows?
Notice the native minion, making use of the unused-for-the-intended-purpose potty as a chair.
Notice the scraggly locks of un-brushed hair.
That would be the Berry, in all her mischievous glory, trying to Skype Mimi, or become president...who knows?
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
The very best Berry, ever.
She really is the best Berry ever. After a rough night with bear, where I accidentally woke Mr K with my pleas for the wee one to go to sleep, for the love of all that is holy, I had my Berry. She has given me countless hugs, "I love you" proclamations, and so many simple laughs today that I feel much better.
Here is a pic of a younger Berry for your trouble in visiting here:
Here is a pic of a younger Berry for your trouble in visiting here:
Does the dog's face scream "Please get her off me" or what?
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
A decent day.
Today was decent. Not good nor bad, but decent.
I had grand plans to wake early, dress the girls and take them to the library. But then Baby Bear woke at 4 and demanded food, then proceeded to fight the food, me, and sleep. She was ticked, people. She screamed, until Mr K woke up and took over while I crawled into bed, buried my head under my pillow and begged the Lord for patience. K got Bear back to sleep, dressed and left for work. i dragged myself out of bed to care for the minions. I got Berry fed, and worked on Bear. Berry spilled half her breakfast on the table. I said a prayer of thanks that I stuck to my "breakfast eaten AT the table" rule this morning. Bear chose to eat, then scream for over an hour. She calmed down when Berry got the tablet out and began madly dancing to Michael Jackson while screaming for me and her little sister to dance. Great fun was had by all.
Bear finally zonked out long enough for me to pick up tree garbage while Berry ruled over her play area.
Mr arrived home in time to eat dinner. we had the tree guy come out and give us an estimate on the removal of two dead trees. Yay. The good news is, he is giving us a great discount thanks to the help of a wonderful friend, and we are saving a good third of the total estimate by not having them remove the tree or the stumps. K has a chainsaw, and we have an amazing fire-pit thanks to my Mr K's awesomeness.
And as a bonus, here is another pic from today:
I had grand plans to wake early, dress the girls and take them to the library. But then Baby Bear woke at 4 and demanded food, then proceeded to fight the food, me, and sleep. She was ticked, people. She screamed, until Mr K woke up and took over while I crawled into bed, buried my head under my pillow and begged the Lord for patience. K got Bear back to sleep, dressed and left for work. i dragged myself out of bed to care for the minions. I got Berry fed, and worked on Bear. Berry spilled half her breakfast on the table. I said a prayer of thanks that I stuck to my "breakfast eaten AT the table" rule this morning. Bear chose to eat, then scream for over an hour. She calmed down when Berry got the tablet out and began madly dancing to Michael Jackson while screaming for me and her little sister to dance. Great fun was had by all.
Bear finally zonked out long enough for me to pick up tree garbage while Berry ruled over her play area.
Mr arrived home in time to eat dinner. we had the tree guy come out and give us an estimate on the removal of two dead trees. Yay. The good news is, he is giving us a great discount thanks to the help of a wonderful friend, and we are saving a good third of the total estimate by not having them remove the tree or the stumps. K has a chainsaw, and we have an amazing fire-pit thanks to my Mr K's awesomeness.
And as a bonus, here is another pic from today:
This is one of the two trees to be removed by the end of next week.
30 days, day 3. poison!
This:
is a poke-berry plant, it seems. At least, according to my lackadaisical Google searching it is. Those dark berries are quite juicy, smell fresh when you squeeze them, and likely stain things a purple/blue color. Unfortunately they are poisonous to humans.
I ***will*** fins something edible and yummy in my foraging attempts, or I will plant something edible and pray the critters we share the woods with leave some for us mere humans.
Pretty but poisonous, don't you just love nature?
I ***will*** fins something edible and yummy in my foraging attempts, or I will plant something edible and pray the critters we share the woods with leave some for us mere humans.
Pretty but poisonous, don't you just love nature?
30 days, day 2
This is Baby bear, doing her best to hold down that absorbent pad. (That pad is under her so that when she spits up, it doesn't flood her bed like the Mississippi floods the plains when the levees fail.) Also, daytime sleeping, yes I know the dangers of sleeping on the belly but I also know my child and I'll be darned if the little tyrant downs't put herself in that position. She rolls people, she rolls really fast. I put her on her back and this is how she is found the moment I turn her on her back.
Yes, her sleeper is blue, and yes it is meant for a little girl. There are purple and pink bugs on the front.
This was posted about an hour later than what I thought the time was. Minions one and two are finally tucked into bed, not in a swing or on the race-car rug in the room, but in their beds. I'm going to attempt to sleep until Bear wakes up, demanding sustenance and affection, which i will happily give. Middle of the night cuddles with a baby are precious and awesome and even though I lose sleep, they are perfect for one on one bonding that is harder to come by with additional kids than they are with a first or only child.
Ok, so I am hearing the neighbor'c cow and she has not stopped mooing in over 18 hours. She was doing this since about 6am on the second.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Thirty day picture challenge?
Sure but we won't take off points for starting on day two, okay?
Day One:
This was taken from a bridge over a gorgeous little section of either river with a low water table at the moment, a creek, or a stream. You decide. Mr k and I took the girls to a state park and hiked a bit. We found this little bit of breathtaking woodland beauty near the end.
Day Two:
This was taken from a bridge over a gorgeous little section of either river with a low water table at the moment, a creek, or a stream. You decide. Mr k and I took the girls to a state park and hiked a bit. We found this little bit of breathtaking woodland beauty near the end.
Day Two:
will be done later, after i have taken a picture.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Blog Title Change
Since there are two minions now, I thought this random bit of the internet needed an updated name.
Berrygirl is our first, our amazingly funny, sweet, energetic, defiant, helpful, and insistent two-almost-three year old girl.
Bear is our second, our three month old and oh-so-different than big sister girl. She is ahead of where Berry was at her age. B1 wouldn't tolerate her belly at all, while B2 hates her back. Bear pushes up and has since she was 2 months old. She holds her head high and looks so interested in everything. B1 was more laid back, more easy-going and was on a set schedule for a long, long time. Bear, not so much.
Bear is inconsistent. She can sleep through the night, or be up every hour. She will eat 8 ounces in ten minutes or nibble on 4 ounces over the course of an hour. Sometimes she tolerates her carseat, other times it is a nonstop scream session from the moment we sit her in it until the moment we take her out. Makes for interesting drives longer than ten minutes.
We still have not done anything new in regards to our dogs. I emailed one lady about an elderly Yorkshire terrier but nothing came of it Our tentative plan is to get a larger breed rescue after our old house sells. I'm not going into that mess, just keep praying we get an offer, soon and adequate, so we can sell.
I'm at pre-Bear weight but still have the excess ten pounds to go until I'm pre-Berry weight. I don't know if I will ever get there but it is a goal to focus on when I want to be healthier and eat better.
We had a small garden that failed. The only thing that didn't die immediately was carrots and corn. The carrots became home to bugs and the deer ate the corn before we had a chance to build a fence around it. Alas we shall try again next year. I envision preschool lessons with Berry while Bear eats bugs, dirt, and grass next to us.
Berrygirl is our first, our amazingly funny, sweet, energetic, defiant, helpful, and insistent two-almost-three year old girl.
Bear is our second, our three month old and oh-so-different than big sister girl. She is ahead of where Berry was at her age. B1 wouldn't tolerate her belly at all, while B2 hates her back. Bear pushes up and has since she was 2 months old. She holds her head high and looks so interested in everything. B1 was more laid back, more easy-going and was on a set schedule for a long, long time. Bear, not so much.
Bear is inconsistent. She can sleep through the night, or be up every hour. She will eat 8 ounces in ten minutes or nibble on 4 ounces over the course of an hour. Sometimes she tolerates her carseat, other times it is a nonstop scream session from the moment we sit her in it until the moment we take her out. Makes for interesting drives longer than ten minutes.
We still have not done anything new in regards to our dogs. I emailed one lady about an elderly Yorkshire terrier but nothing came of it Our tentative plan is to get a larger breed rescue after our old house sells. I'm not going into that mess, just keep praying we get an offer, soon and adequate, so we can sell.
I'm at pre-Bear weight but still have the excess ten pounds to go until I'm pre-Berry weight. I don't know if I will ever get there but it is a goal to focus on when I want to be healthier and eat better.
We had a small garden that failed. The only thing that didn't die immediately was carrots and corn. The carrots became home to bugs and the deer ate the corn before we had a chance to build a fence around it. Alas we shall try again next year. I envision preschool lessons with Berry while Bear eats bugs, dirt, and grass next to us.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Introducing...
Well, March seems so long ago.
I don't remember all I last told you about but here is what is going on in this crazy world of mine.
The good:
MayBerry arrived at the end of May, a healthy seven pounds, three ounces, twenty inches long, with a full head of soft dark hair, and healthy! We named her when we saw her, and due to privacy reasons we shall forever call her L. The first of my daughters is A, she is L, and I will continue this naming system unless I go bonkers or forget >.<
She is now three weeks and counting, her days and nights are mixed up, and she sleeps more than big sister A did at this age, just not at night...when we want her to sleep! LOL
Big Sister is amazing. She is helpful, oh so very helpful, to the point where we have to tell her not to try to force a soothie (aka pacifier) on her sleeping sibling, not to shove a bottle down the wee one's throat, and no, sweetie, we don't need to suffocate L with the bib when wiping her face off. L tolerates the loving sisterlyabuse affection quite well. Let's hope this continues for the next twenty or thirty years, shall we? My mother came to stay with us for a few weeks, but will be going home the first week in July. I will dearly miss her since she lives so far away but for now I am thankful and savoring every minute my awesome mommy is here to help me.
The bad:
I am still a good twenty pounds overweight, and am not yet ready to exercise to get rid of the last of the chub that came because of my penchant for greasy fast food and candy that still has not left me. Drat, L, you made me want that crap that I avoided since your sister was born.
The ugly:
There has been death in my life. Death and loss. It is quite sad. First, a good friend was told she was losing her foster-but-hoped-to-adopt-child due to the way the law was written regarding custody for our state. The child's only living biological parent lost all rights as a parent because the parent kept making bad choice after bad choice. Instead of my sweet friend getting to adopt this chilld, the child was removed to the custody of a biological grandparent, despite everyone involved saying and knowing my friend had the better home, the best interests of the child, and stability, security, and siblings. It has been a hard few months for her. After the courts ruled against my friend keeping the child she already loved as one of her own, her mother passed away very unexpectedly. This woman was a foster parents, and she inspired my friend to be a foster mother and to adopt her children from the system. She was a good hard working woman and will be missed.
In the days following the birth of my second daughter, we were adjusting well to life with a newborn. My three dogs were still being kept separated from the baby so they could adjust to her sounds and smells slowly. I let my girls out one morning after a small tiff with the hubs. After I was done chatting with him, I went to get the dogs back in from their morning potty break, but I heard a very bad sound. I thought the truck going by my house blew a tire, and I looked to the road to see if he needed assistance. As I looked up, I heard tires locked up skidding on the gravel. That wasn't a tire in the road. I screamed my dog's name and ran. With a Cesarean section incision only healed for nine days, I ignored the pain and ran to her. She was still alive but non-responsive. The neighbor stopped and tried to apologize and help. We apologized back for not having her leashed, and we left, we grabbed my beloved Tink, piled into my car and drove to the vet. My mom stayed with the girls and we drove quickly to the vet to try to save my Tink. According to the vet, she lasted long enough for x-rays, and coded three times. She came back twice, but not that last time. She had a severe hernia in her abdomen, a broken leg, and suffered shock. I am still quite broken and cry over this. Partly from the hormones but mostly from grief and guilt. If only, all of the "if only" thoughts... no matter who says what, this is my fault. My Tink died alone at the vet on a cold table as I sat crying in the waiting area. All that is left of my girl is a collar, ashes in a wooden box, and paw prints in clay. Had I kept up with keeping my dogs leashed every time they went out, she would be alive. There is no way around the cold hard facts. So, while I celebrate every moment of my life with my newest child, I am grieving over my first rescue, my Tinkerbell.
That is the cold, ugly truth. My lax practices of leashing my dogs resulted in the horrific death of a very beloved family member.
Now here I sit. I will forever remember and love my Tink.
I don't remember all I last told you about but here is what is going on in this crazy world of mine.
The good:
MayBerry arrived at the end of May, a healthy seven pounds, three ounces, twenty inches long, with a full head of soft dark hair, and healthy! We named her when we saw her, and due to privacy reasons we shall forever call her L. The first of my daughters is A, she is L, and I will continue this naming system unless I go bonkers or forget >.<
She is now three weeks and counting, her days and nights are mixed up, and she sleeps more than big sister A did at this age, just not at night...when we want her to sleep! LOL
Big Sister is amazing. She is helpful, oh so very helpful, to the point where we have to tell her not to try to force a soothie (aka pacifier) on her sleeping sibling, not to shove a bottle down the wee one's throat, and no, sweetie, we don't need to suffocate L with the bib when wiping her face off. L tolerates the loving sisterly
The bad:
I am still a good twenty pounds overweight, and am not yet ready to exercise to get rid of the last of the chub that came because of my penchant for greasy fast food and candy that still has not left me. Drat, L, you made me want that crap that I avoided since your sister was born.
The ugly:
There has been death in my life. Death and loss. It is quite sad. First, a good friend was told she was losing her foster-but-hoped-to-adopt-child due to the way the law was written regarding custody for our state. The child's only living biological parent lost all rights as a parent because the parent kept making bad choice after bad choice. Instead of my sweet friend getting to adopt this chilld, the child was removed to the custody of a biological grandparent, despite everyone involved saying and knowing my friend had the better home, the best interests of the child, and stability, security, and siblings. It has been a hard few months for her. After the courts ruled against my friend keeping the child she already loved as one of her own, her mother passed away very unexpectedly. This woman was a foster parents, and she inspired my friend to be a foster mother and to adopt her children from the system. She was a good hard working woman and will be missed.
In the days following the birth of my second daughter, we were adjusting well to life with a newborn. My three dogs were still being kept separated from the baby so they could adjust to her sounds and smells slowly. I let my girls out one morning after a small tiff with the hubs. After I was done chatting with him, I went to get the dogs back in from their morning potty break, but I heard a very bad sound. I thought the truck going by my house blew a tire, and I looked to the road to see if he needed assistance. As I looked up, I heard tires locked up skidding on the gravel. That wasn't a tire in the road. I screamed my dog's name and ran. With a Cesarean section incision only healed for nine days, I ignored the pain and ran to her. She was still alive but non-responsive. The neighbor stopped and tried to apologize and help. We apologized back for not having her leashed, and we left, we grabbed my beloved Tink, piled into my car and drove to the vet. My mom stayed with the girls and we drove quickly to the vet to try to save my Tink. According to the vet, she lasted long enough for x-rays, and coded three times. She came back twice, but not that last time. She had a severe hernia in her abdomen, a broken leg, and suffered shock. I am still quite broken and cry over this. Partly from the hormones but mostly from grief and guilt. If only, all of the "if only" thoughts... no matter who says what, this is my fault. My Tink died alone at the vet on a cold table as I sat crying in the waiting area. All that is left of my girl is a collar, ashes in a wooden box, and paw prints in clay. Had I kept up with keeping my dogs leashed every time they went out, she would be alive. There is no way around the cold hard facts. So, while I celebrate every moment of my life with my newest child, I am grieving over my first rescue, my Tinkerbell.
That is the cold, ugly truth. My lax practices of leashing my dogs resulted in the horrific death of a very beloved family member.
Now here I sit. I will forever remember and love my Tink.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Slowly getting closer
My last trimester is going slowly it seems.
In less than ten weeks, MayBerry will be here.
This past weekend, we got some things done that were needed, but it still is not close to being ready for a new life here.
Spring is still forever away based on the snowfall I woke up to this morning. I miss green things. I want to do a garden this year, but how the hack am I supposed to waddle around making sure no critters get to the things I want to grow? Also, how am I supposed to go out and weed a veggie garden when I have a newborn to tend to?
So many thoughts flying through my head, so much left to do, and yet I feel stuck.
I opened my mail to find a questionnaire from federal court. I served for jury last year right before I lost JellyBean. It was a full service, we did the trial, deliberations and verdict and all that jazz.
I loved being able to serve but so much has changed since then. My only contact for childcare has moved and I will have two kids, not one to deal with. If they do not excuse me based on serving within the last two years, then I will be hauling a two year old and a newborn to a federal courthouse to illustrate my inability to serve as juror. Think the judge would throw me in lockup for contempt??? Hope not :-(
So far for the MB, we have the bassinet ready, the changing table re-assembled, some diapers found, some cloth diapers folded and ready to go, the clothes washed and sorted, the carseat washed and prepped.
We will still need to get a second base for Mr K's vehicle, we need to get a more firm date for the arrival of my mom and whether it will be for a visit or a move in date, we need to see if any other family plans to drive the 16 plus hours to come visit us, we need to sell the old house! Gah, brain = fried.
In less than ten weeks, MayBerry will be here.
This past weekend, we got some things done that were needed, but it still is not close to being ready for a new life here.
Spring is still forever away based on the snowfall I woke up to this morning. I miss green things. I want to do a garden this year, but how the hack am I supposed to waddle around making sure no critters get to the things I want to grow? Also, how am I supposed to go out and weed a veggie garden when I have a newborn to tend to?
So many thoughts flying through my head, so much left to do, and yet I feel stuck.
I opened my mail to find a questionnaire from federal court. I served for jury last year right before I lost JellyBean. It was a full service, we did the trial, deliberations and verdict and all that jazz.
I loved being able to serve but so much has changed since then. My only contact for childcare has moved and I will have two kids, not one to deal with. If they do not excuse me based on serving within the last two years, then I will be hauling a two year old and a newborn to a federal courthouse to illustrate my inability to serve as juror. Think the judge would throw me in lockup for contempt??? Hope not :-(
So far for the MB, we have the bassinet ready, the changing table re-assembled, some diapers found, some cloth diapers folded and ready to go, the clothes washed and sorted, the carseat washed and prepped.
We will still need to get a second base for Mr K's vehicle, we need to get a more firm date for the arrival of my mom and whether it will be for a visit or a move in date, we need to see if any other family plans to drive the 16 plus hours to come visit us, we need to sell the old house! Gah, brain = fried.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Sleepy and can't sleep!
There are times where I feel like I'm on autopilot, just trying to make it through the day because I'm so darned exhausted.
Today was one of those days.
Half an hour ago, I was barely able to sit up on the sofa with Mr K and remain awake. Now, I cannot for the life of me fall asleep. Ack!
I shall rant now.
Before I met my Mr K, I loved all animals. We had numerous dogs when I was growing up, and I loved every one of them, from Spunky and Blackie to Lazy and Precious. We had many semiferal cats thanks to ignorance and lack of funds for a simple spay procedure on the feral girl that showed up when we moved in. Anyhow this feral cat, Pookie, was a wild Calico girl. She was an avid hunter of field mice, moles, and other small varmints. We knew this because their corpses were often gifts at our doorstep. She loved us humans that she adopted, but hid from everyone else who ever came near our house. Pookie got sick when she was about 13 years old. She had gotten hurt by something and never healed well. We had a wonderful mail carrier who offered us help by rehoming her in a rescue that could afford the veterinarian bills that were likely extensive. After the hard choice was made to rehome Pookie, we were given a few updates about her from the mail carrier. She lived another six months with a whole pack of other semiferal cats rescued in our area. She died peacefully in her sleep one night. It broke my heart that I realized we were unable to care for her properly because of lack of finances on our part, but it also mad me swear to never get another cat as long as I lived because of how much losing Pookie (first to a rehome, then when she died) hurt me.
Then I met Mr K.
He has a cat.
I have tried to like this cat, but have failed. We have been together for over four years now. This cat went from being left alone for days on end without Mr K due to business travel, to being here with me, every single day. I mentioned we had Pookie for YEARS earlier. Pookie was an outside only cat. I grew up in the south, so she only ever came inside on the rare winter nights that it froze outside. This was a handful of nights in the thirteen years she lived with us.
Back to Scooter. Scooter was neutered and declawed in the front because Mr K didn't know better at the time, if he had known better, the surgery would have only been a neuter, no declawing done, period as told to me by the mister himself.
Scooter cannot be an outdoor cat because he is defenseless without those front claws. This makes for a very frustrating life. Scooter also bites because Mr K thought it was cute when he would bite as a kitten. Scooter grew, as did his teeth. You see where this is going don't you? Scooter was never trained on proper play and behaviour. He thinks biting is the only way to show affection, playfulness, and aggression. This makes me not want to interact with Scooter as I am not fond of being bitten. This keeps Scooter locked away from me and our daughter since I will not risk bites to my child. It is not fair to the cat that my two year old chases him, his only recourse is to bite as a defense. I will not let him bite her so I keep them separated.
I cannot and will not spend my entire day following my daughter around while she tries to play with Scooter. There are things like cooking, cleaning, practicing letters and numbers, and cuddle times that need to be attended to during the day. So, Scooter has his bed, food, water, and litter all within the confines of one room. When Tyrant is awake, Scooter is put up. When she is in bed for naps or for the night, or we are gone for an appointment, he can be loose. Scooter has no manners. He still tries to jump up on the counters and dining table (EW! Cat fur and litter on his paws from burying his excrement, freaking disgusting) I do not allow pets on surfaces where food is handled. That is not okay in our home. Scooter was allowed run of the house for the two or so years he lived with Mr K in the bachelor pad, so he got set in his ways. It has taken a lot of time, energy and water squirts to get him to behave while we are home.
Anyhow, my point after all that rambling is this: Scooter and I do not like one another. We tolerate each other. Him because he knows where his food comes from, and me because i cannot be cruel. He loves K, and K loves him. I swore to my Mr K that I would never ask him to get rid of Scooter, as I could not handle it if he asked me to get rid of any of my three dogs. He tolerates the dogs just as I tolerate the cat. I would love nothing more than to hand Scooter off to someone who adores overweight orange tabby cats with no front claws, a fondness for biting, and a deep seated love of splashing all his water out of his bowl. But I cannot. I cannot give up my three rescue dogs. My Tink, who has a Chihuahua body and a Great Dane sized ego, my Zee, who is so timid she is afraid of her own shadow but loves to hunt small game like squirrels and mice, or even my Little Foot, whom Mr K and I rescued together during a family member's divorce or else she would have been euthanized.
I cannot give up my dogs, so I cannot ask him to give up his cat.
I can say, however, that I would happily say no to a new cat unless it was to be an outside only, semiferal but spayed Calico that would hunt all the snakes and other nuisance critters like our cat Pookie used to do for us.
I'm going to sign off now, attempt sleep yet again, and pray that the demon spawn kitty does not bat at a door, jump on a counter, or attack a sleeping human foot tonight.
Today was one of those days.
Half an hour ago, I was barely able to sit up on the sofa with Mr K and remain awake. Now, I cannot for the life of me fall asleep. Ack!
I shall rant now.
Before I met my Mr K, I loved all animals. We had numerous dogs when I was growing up, and I loved every one of them, from Spunky and Blackie to Lazy and Precious. We had many semiferal cats thanks to ignorance and lack of funds for a simple spay procedure on the feral girl that showed up when we moved in. Anyhow this feral cat, Pookie, was a wild Calico girl. She was an avid hunter of field mice, moles, and other small varmints. We knew this because their corpses were often gifts at our doorstep. She loved us humans that she adopted, but hid from everyone else who ever came near our house. Pookie got sick when she was about 13 years old. She had gotten hurt by something and never healed well. We had a wonderful mail carrier who offered us help by rehoming her in a rescue that could afford the veterinarian bills that were likely extensive. After the hard choice was made to rehome Pookie, we were given a few updates about her from the mail carrier. She lived another six months with a whole pack of other semiferal cats rescued in our area. She died peacefully in her sleep one night. It broke my heart that I realized we were unable to care for her properly because of lack of finances on our part, but it also mad me swear to never get another cat as long as I lived because of how much losing Pookie (first to a rehome, then when she died) hurt me.
Then I met Mr K.
He has a cat.
I have tried to like this cat, but have failed. We have been together for over four years now. This cat went from being left alone for days on end without Mr K due to business travel, to being here with me, every single day. I mentioned we had Pookie for YEARS earlier. Pookie was an outside only cat. I grew up in the south, so she only ever came inside on the rare winter nights that it froze outside. This was a handful of nights in the thirteen years she lived with us.
Back to Scooter. Scooter was neutered and declawed in the front because Mr K didn't know better at the time, if he had known better, the surgery would have only been a neuter, no declawing done, period as told to me by the mister himself.
Scooter cannot be an outdoor cat because he is defenseless without those front claws. This makes for a very frustrating life. Scooter also bites because Mr K thought it was cute when he would bite as a kitten. Scooter grew, as did his teeth. You see where this is going don't you? Scooter was never trained on proper play and behaviour. He thinks biting is the only way to show affection, playfulness, and aggression. This makes me not want to interact with Scooter as I am not fond of being bitten. This keeps Scooter locked away from me and our daughter since I will not risk bites to my child. It is not fair to the cat that my two year old chases him, his only recourse is to bite as a defense. I will not let him bite her so I keep them separated.
I cannot and will not spend my entire day following my daughter around while she tries to play with Scooter. There are things like cooking, cleaning, practicing letters and numbers, and cuddle times that need to be attended to during the day. So, Scooter has his bed, food, water, and litter all within the confines of one room. When Tyrant is awake, Scooter is put up. When she is in bed for naps or for the night, or we are gone for an appointment, he can be loose. Scooter has no manners. He still tries to jump up on the counters and dining table (EW! Cat fur and litter on his paws from burying his excrement, freaking disgusting) I do not allow pets on surfaces where food is handled. That is not okay in our home. Scooter was allowed run of the house for the two or so years he lived with Mr K in the bachelor pad, so he got set in his ways. It has taken a lot of time, energy and water squirts to get him to behave while we are home.
Anyhow, my point after all that rambling is this: Scooter and I do not like one another. We tolerate each other. Him because he knows where his food comes from, and me because i cannot be cruel. He loves K, and K loves him. I swore to my Mr K that I would never ask him to get rid of Scooter, as I could not handle it if he asked me to get rid of any of my three dogs. He tolerates the dogs just as I tolerate the cat. I would love nothing more than to hand Scooter off to someone who adores overweight orange tabby cats with no front claws, a fondness for biting, and a deep seated love of splashing all his water out of his bowl. But I cannot. I cannot give up my three rescue dogs. My Tink, who has a Chihuahua body and a Great Dane sized ego, my Zee, who is so timid she is afraid of her own shadow but loves to hunt small game like squirrels and mice, or even my Little Foot, whom Mr K and I rescued together during a family member's divorce or else she would have been euthanized.
I cannot give up my dogs, so I cannot ask him to give up his cat.
I can say, however, that I would happily say no to a new cat unless it was to be an outside only, semiferal but spayed Calico that would hunt all the snakes and other nuisance critters like our cat Pookie used to do for us.
I'm going to sign off now, attempt sleep yet again, and pray that the demon spawn kitty does not bat at a door, jump on a counter, or attack a sleeping human foot tonight.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Taking breaks?
Some days I feel like I need an evening break. Just a small break where I can sit and read, sip a warm drink, and relax for an hour without guilt.
Mr K is amazing. If I need time to myself, he gladly goes solo on parenting the Tyrant so I can rest, but the guilt is there. It feels like I am being selfish by being alone in our room while my sweet girl is is playing with her daddy and every few minutes saying "mommy" amidst her toddler babble or directly calling for me in such a lonely sad voice. I don't get it, K is on the floor playing cars, dolls, or reading to her, and she still calls for me. She knows I am in the house, as she doesn't do it when I go to run errands and she doesn't do it when K is at work.
How am I supposed to relax for a little bit when I feel extreme guilt for taking time alone?
Mr K is amazing. If I need time to myself, he gladly goes solo on parenting the Tyrant so I can rest, but the guilt is there. It feels like I am being selfish by being alone in our room while my sweet girl is is playing with her daddy and every few minutes saying "mommy" amidst her toddler babble or directly calling for me in such a lonely sad voice. I don't get it, K is on the floor playing cars, dolls, or reading to her, and she still calls for me. She knows I am in the house, as she doesn't do it when I go to run errands and she doesn't do it when K is at work.
How am I supposed to relax for a little bit when I feel extreme guilt for taking time alone?
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Tonight, the tyrant decided to go to bed early. Our routine consists of brushing teeth, changing into a fresh diaper, and getting pjs on. We give kisses and hugs, place her in bed with her dog and her soothie, turn on her night light, shut off the light, close the door, and we are done.
We usually do bedtime at nine pm. I need to sleep at some point, and my insomnia-type sleep patterns keep me awake until the early morning hours. Since my sweet girl gets good time with us in the evening, we have her bedtime at nine pm, and she usually awakens by nine am. Tonight at twenty past eight, Little Miss chose to go to bed early. She grabbed her daddy's foot, then my hand and tugged. She ran to her bathroom to wait for us to brush teeth. Her daddy and I were more than happy to oblige.
Here it is at ten past nine, Little Miss is asleep, we are on our electronic gadgets watching dvr tv shows, and having quiet adult time. Yes!
My pregnancy is going well. I am showing symptoms of symphysis pubis dysfunction, minor pain compared to what Doctor Google has taught me, but still some pretty intense pains at night. My next appointment is at the beginning of March. It will be a busy day with a fetal echo to check the baby's heart for any changes in the tricuspid regurgitation that was seen in the previous scan. I will also have a growth scan ultrasound. I will be making certain to ask the tech for a print of the scan to have for the baby book. That reminds me, I need to make a baby book collection!
My tablet is warning me of a low battery so I'm off for now.
We usually do bedtime at nine pm. I need to sleep at some point, and my insomnia-type sleep patterns keep me awake until the early morning hours. Since my sweet girl gets good time with us in the evening, we have her bedtime at nine pm, and she usually awakens by nine am. Tonight at twenty past eight, Little Miss chose to go to bed early. She grabbed her daddy's foot, then my hand and tugged. She ran to her bathroom to wait for us to brush teeth. Her daddy and I were more than happy to oblige.
Here it is at ten past nine, Little Miss is asleep, we are on our electronic gadgets watching dvr tv shows, and having quiet adult time. Yes!
My pregnancy is going well. I am showing symptoms of symphysis pubis dysfunction, minor pain compared to what Doctor Google has taught me, but still some pretty intense pains at night. My next appointment is at the beginning of March. It will be a busy day with a fetal echo to check the baby's heart for any changes in the tricuspid regurgitation that was seen in the previous scan. I will also have a growth scan ultrasound. I will be making certain to ask the tech for a print of the scan to have for the baby book. That reminds me, I need to make a baby book collection!
My tablet is warning me of a low battery so I'm off for now.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Valentine's Day
Yesterday was a good, quiet day.
I was smacked, kicked, beaned in the head, sneezed on, coughed on, screamed at, cuddled with, kissed, smiled at, and hugged, all before 5pm. I love being a mother.
After A had her busy day of terrorizing our home and myself along with the dogs and cat, she loudly squealed "DADDY!!!" as he walked in the front door. He told our sweet girl "Give this to Mommy!" I heard a rustling of a grocery sack then the slapping of feet as she ran towards out kitchen. I get to the gate to discover a bright red envelope held outstretched towards me, a big grin on my little girl's face. I told her thank you and took the card. I opened it to read a funny message form my husband and giggled. As he stepped over the gate to unload his lunchbox from the day, I gave him a warm hug and a thank you kiss. He surprised me with a large pack of Reese's Cups. My husband knows what to get me, what can I say?
I was about the check dinner, so I playfully made the excuse of my ever expanding belly being in the way, and asked him to get the pan out the oven for me. He did then checked the chicken I was baking inside. It wasn't done yet. Drat! I put the bird in for another hour, finished up the side dish, and K surprised me again with an offer to get frozen yogurt. Awwwww. The man spent all day at work and on week nights he only wants to rest, not drive into town for anything. He prefers comfy clothes, a beer, and dinner. Dinner wasn't ready and we had been dying to try out our favorite frozen yogurt place at their new location, so off we went. It was delicious! As we were leaving, I spied warm brownies and a display of chips. We got them both and came home to the fully cooked bird. After a bit, we had dinner and some family time. We put the Tyrant to bed and watched some Friends on dvd. As soon as K began snoozing, it was bedtime.
As soon as we were in bed, my sweet husband was asleep. I tossed and turned and gave up on sleep. My incubating fetus had decided to wake up and proceeded to do a one-person version of the summer Olympics in my uterus, thereby rendering me sleepless. It's all good, I caught up on my shows I had missed the night before. As one am arrived, I had had enough and told my baby to be I was done and going to sleep whether or not they wanted me to do so.
It was a great day with my family, depsite the seeming abuse from my toddler and my baby to be.
I was smacked, kicked, beaned in the head, sneezed on, coughed on, screamed at, cuddled with, kissed, smiled at, and hugged, all before 5pm. I love being a mother.
After A had her busy day of terrorizing our home and myself along with the dogs and cat, she loudly squealed "DADDY!!!" as he walked in the front door. He told our sweet girl "Give this to Mommy!" I heard a rustling of a grocery sack then the slapping of feet as she ran towards out kitchen. I get to the gate to discover a bright red envelope held outstretched towards me, a big grin on my little girl's face. I told her thank you and took the card. I opened it to read a funny message form my husband and giggled. As he stepped over the gate to unload his lunchbox from the day, I gave him a warm hug and a thank you kiss. He surprised me with a large pack of Reese's Cups. My husband knows what to get me, what can I say?
I was about the check dinner, so I playfully made the excuse of my ever expanding belly being in the way, and asked him to get the pan out the oven for me. He did then checked the chicken I was baking inside. It wasn't done yet. Drat! I put the bird in for another hour, finished up the side dish, and K surprised me again with an offer to get frozen yogurt. Awwwww. The man spent all day at work and on week nights he only wants to rest, not drive into town for anything. He prefers comfy clothes, a beer, and dinner. Dinner wasn't ready and we had been dying to try out our favorite frozen yogurt place at their new location, so off we went. It was delicious! As we were leaving, I spied warm brownies and a display of chips. We got them both and came home to the fully cooked bird. After a bit, we had dinner and some family time. We put the Tyrant to bed and watched some Friends on dvd. As soon as K began snoozing, it was bedtime.
As soon as we were in bed, my sweet husband was asleep. I tossed and turned and gave up on sleep. My incubating fetus had decided to wake up and proceeded to do a one-person version of the summer Olympics in my uterus, thereby rendering me sleepless. It's all good, I caught up on my shows I had missed the night before. As one am arrived, I had had enough and told my baby to be I was done and going to sleep whether or not they wanted me to do so.
It was a great day with my family, depsite the seeming abuse from my toddler and my baby to be.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
It's been interesting since I was last here!
Miss A is in her room, playing quietly. Luckily it is the safest room in the house for her (meaning there is nothing my monkey girl can climb on or pull onto herself), and she enjoys destroying the order playing.
Updates:
Miss A is two years old, loves to climb, and run after the dogs and cat.
Her likes:
We have since moved. We bought two acres south of the town we were in, and we are in the middle of a bunch of farmland and wooded areas. We see deer regularly and I have spotted a fox, an owl, and a hawk, along with the scurry of squirrels and flocks of small birds. We love it out here. When we lost power at night once, we could see so many stars in the sky, it was absolutely mesmerizing. We went from our 1950s two bedroom starter home to a gorgeous three bed, two bath home all on one level (no more basement, wahoo!) and my kitchen is three times as large, with a separate dining room off the kitchen. We moved at the start of 2013 (that story is deserving of a whole blog post all in it's own right).
A will be big sister this Spring! We are expecting our second baby in May and we could not be more excited. I will reveal the sex in a later post, maybe... ;-)
More about A. She is two years and three months old. She began walking at 14 months, she has said dada and mum for a long time, and switched to mama at some point. She has slowly added to her vocabulary but has trouble pronouncing sounds and words. I have started the process of a speech evaluation this week. Her hearing screen was normal, so we wait for the referral to reach the speech evaluation people. She has some words that are perfect and clear like "daddy" "mama" bye-bye" and "I/eye" however, most words are not completed, like book (boo), bite (bi), and many other words. When we say her ABCs, she will try but many sound the same, such as C, D, and E all sound like "dee"
I work with her daily and we do not many baby talk to her, but she is still not picking it up, so I am going with the speech eval. to see if she needs more than what I am offering currently and to see what else I can do for her.
I'm a big fan of car seat safety. I learned more and more about proper car seat use after A arrived and her daddy and I chose to rear face her in her seat past the law's minimum of 1 year and twenty pounds. She is now 28 pounds and rides rear facing in a Britax Boulevard 70. I love it because she is safer this way. Had we forward faced her at a year and twenty pound, when we totalled our van while heading on vacation during the Christmas of 2011, she could have suffered a very serious and life threatening neck injury. Thankfully, she was still in her infant carrier and riding asleep rear facing. She didn't wake up until we came to a complete stop and the road noise and movement were gone. We are lucky that no one else was involved in the wreck, just my beloved minivan Bonnie, and the deer who decided leaping at us from the median at that precise time was a good thing. I knew immediately that we had to replace A's car seat. In the event of a high speed collision (deer vs van at 55mph) all car seats MUST be replaced, no matter how well everyone weathered the wreck. Micro fractures can occur and the seat is no longer considered safe or usable. I eventually settled on the Britax and have loved it ever since. If you want more information of car seat safety, visit www.carseat.org A will remain rearfaicng to the limits of her seat.
I must go for now, A is wanting a snack, or as she says "nat"
Updates:
Miss A is two years old, loves to climb, and run after the dogs and cat.
Her likes:
- any type of car or truck, be it toy or real;
- animals, she can spend hours watching critters in the yard and playing with our furry family members;
- eating, she likes to snack on chips and salsa, and will willingly dip anything into anything which makes for some interesting flavor combinations at mealtime;
- Daddy, he is still her favorite person in the whole world.
- Mommy's iPad, which stays put away to prevent rough and tumble A from doing too much damage in her rigorous play
- books, while we are not given too much opportunity to read more than a page at a time before she takes the books to read by herself, we enjoy trying every day. she loves to look at the pictures and will have entire conversations in toddler babble about what is going on in each page.
We have since moved. We bought two acres south of the town we were in, and we are in the middle of a bunch of farmland and wooded areas. We see deer regularly and I have spotted a fox, an owl, and a hawk, along with the scurry of squirrels and flocks of small birds. We love it out here. When we lost power at night once, we could see so many stars in the sky, it was absolutely mesmerizing. We went from our 1950s two bedroom starter home to a gorgeous three bed, two bath home all on one level (no more basement, wahoo!) and my kitchen is three times as large, with a separate dining room off the kitchen. We moved at the start of 2013 (that story is deserving of a whole blog post all in it's own right).
A will be big sister this Spring! We are expecting our second baby in May and we could not be more excited. I will reveal the sex in a later post, maybe... ;-)
More about A. She is two years and three months old. She began walking at 14 months, she has said dada and mum for a long time, and switched to mama at some point. She has slowly added to her vocabulary but has trouble pronouncing sounds and words. I have started the process of a speech evaluation this week. Her hearing screen was normal, so we wait for the referral to reach the speech evaluation people. She has some words that are perfect and clear like "daddy" "mama" bye-bye" and "I/eye" however, most words are not completed, like book (boo), bite (bi), and many other words. When we say her ABCs, she will try but many sound the same, such as C, D, and E all sound like "dee"
I work with her daily and we do not many baby talk to her, but she is still not picking it up, so I am going with the speech eval. to see if she needs more than what I am offering currently and to see what else I can do for her.
I'm a big fan of car seat safety. I learned more and more about proper car seat use after A arrived and her daddy and I chose to rear face her in her seat past the law's minimum of 1 year and twenty pounds. She is now 28 pounds and rides rear facing in a Britax Boulevard 70. I love it because she is safer this way. Had we forward faced her at a year and twenty pound, when we totalled our van while heading on vacation during the Christmas of 2011, she could have suffered a very serious and life threatening neck injury. Thankfully, she was still in her infant carrier and riding asleep rear facing. She didn't wake up until we came to a complete stop and the road noise and movement were gone. We are lucky that no one else was involved in the wreck, just my beloved minivan Bonnie, and the deer who decided leaping at us from the median at that precise time was a good thing. I knew immediately that we had to replace A's car seat. In the event of a high speed collision (deer vs van at 55mph) all car seats MUST be replaced, no matter how well everyone weathered the wreck. Micro fractures can occur and the seat is no longer considered safe or usable. I eventually settled on the Britax and have loved it ever since. If you want more information of car seat safety, visit www.carseat.org A will remain rearfaicng to the limits of her seat.
I must go for now, A is wanting a snack, or as she says "nat"
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