The weekend in review (update: a gripe of the weekend)

(Skip to the end for the positive part)
This weekend we decided to head down to our hometown to go to a going away party for my sister, Pastor M, who is about to get her own congregation as a pastor. I guess that is what those people are call. Denominations seem to use different words to describe the person with the same job.

Anyway, it gave us a chance to see my dad who just turned 70 and see my MIL, who is about to turn 62. Plus Curious J has been asking for a sleepover at his Gibbo's house (my MIL) since the last time he was there at Christmas. We also got to see my extended family on my dad's side at this shindig. Because it seems a little too ironic to travel TO a going away party from AWAY. ;)

BE did AWESOME on the way down. The entire family was talking during the car ride down. She even took two naps while I got to sit next to BDR. Seriously, awesome. The tricky part became that she did not take an afternoon nap during or shortly after the party. So at bedtime, she was very tired. Very tired in a different environment then her own. And to top it all off, BE has been a bad sleeper lately. I have held her for multiple hours during the night for the past 4 or 5 nights. Funny, because she is finally a very happy girl during the day. It can never be simple, right? So BE was up three times before 11pm. After everyone went to bed and she woke up I just decided to sit in the chair and hold her the next time she woke up. Well, that was stupid. She stayed awake until 1am, at which time she demanded a bottle to go back to sleep (in other words, she cried and cried no matter what I did until a bottle was given). Then we sat in the ever so comfortable chair tossing and turning until about 7am at which time she woke up. I try to not make BDR take baby duty on the trip down because I need him to be awake for the car ride home.

I hit a near breaking point last night. To not be able to sleep in my bed for majority of a night is really starting to mess with my head and my parenting. So as I sit here at 9:30pm, I am going to finish this blog and head to bed.

This morning, we (more like my ILs) promised J a donut for breakfast, but because of slowness, we didn't leave the house until close to lunch. To be fair, I have no problem with them giving him donuts for breakfast when we visit. Trying to coordinate two families to meetup, we had to reschedule donuts until after lunch and a trip to the toystore. You'd think I didn't just say trip to the toystore because he was not very happy to have to reschedule the donuts. Fortunately, he thoroughly enjoyed the toy store. Got some awesome toys purchased by his grandparents. Even BE got a couple of toys and a few very comfortable outfits that are easy to get on and off.

The trip back home was mediocre. BE didn't get more than 5 minute naps this morning or early afternoon. She is not a baby who can be transported sleeping. (Sigh) There really is something to having a schedule for her and I. So after she woke up in the middle of the car ride home, she was very angry - to the point of throwing up. I got to enjoy the rest of the car ride smushed between two carseats. Good times. I have never looked so forward to getting back to a Monday routine.

I do want to point out a few things that were positive.
1. It was nice to see my extended family again. We are all getting older; who knows how long we will continue to be able to do this. We were able to get in some good arguments - it wouldn't be a visit without them.
2. BDR and I got to enjoy two of our eateries from high school. Imo's pizza and Burt's Chuckwagon. (and Krispy Kreme, which was not around in high school)
3. J loved seeing his family. And while he loves everyone, he especially enjoyed hanging out with his Uncle, Ranger. Maybe it's because Ranger can act like a kid himself or the fact that he works with kids as a job. Listening to them talk last night was one of the highlights of the weekend.
4. J's got some cool new toys. LEGO sets! WOO HOO!
5. BE has been using her arms so much more this weekend. Grabbing bottles, grabbing toys, grabbing faces. It's beautiful.
6. As exhausted as I am, I have been enjoying that BE can now fall asleep on my chest. I got to enjoy that a few times this weekend.
7. As I am reminded by a very good person, no matter how annoyed I get with my family, they're intentions are always good. That makes me an extremely lucky person. And I know that. Hopefully the feeling is mutual. Even the annoying part. ;)
8. That beautiful 60 degree weather (yup, it was 60 there).
9. That car ride to our destination is one of those moments that will always stick with me. We were all participating in talking and singing. It made me happy.

See, I can find the good too. I'm just tired and cranky. Do you eyes hurt yet from reading so much. Then go to bed.

Blue Eyes: The Evaluation

Blue Eyes has been a busy girl lately: Playdate, doctor's appointments, therapy sessions, evaluations. The doctor's appointment paid off big time, and we now have a happy baby a lot more during the day. Today was BE's evaluation with a physical therapist and an occupational therapist. She qualified for services. She needs to work on exploring her environment, reaching and manipulating things, as well as working on losening up the shoulder muscles so she can bring her arms forward. It's kind of a domino effect because the acid reflux caused BE to arch her back. Then that became her comfortable position. Because that was her comfortable position, she didn't keep her hands and arms forward which kept her from grabbing and manipulating the things in front of her. Yep, all from the acid reflux.

The OT and PT said she has good muscle tone, and is smart and social. They believe that within 6 months, she will meet the developmental goals appropriate for her age. Some goals are to get her to cruise around the house and be able to feed herself. Seeing the little one she is now, I will be amazed to see her in this process.

I got nothing

I got nothing to give tonight. Good day. The early morning was tough. I held BE from 3am until 8am. But the day was very great. Productive with good time spent with the kids (a nice balance). We had a great dinner time. Happy kids. Fun family hangout while BDR prepared dinner. I was on my A game putting both kids to bed after giving them both a bath. The only problem is BE keeps waking up about once an hour since she went to sleep. Fortunately I have cute kids, so I can let the lack of time to myself pass.

Gotta go to bed now. Well, at least until BE wakes up again. ;)

Tonight you are getting an action shot of Curious J doing what he does best - jump around. And then BE just chillin' after a good meal.

Baby playdate

Today, BE and I met with a neighborhood mom and her baby boy for a playdate. You may wonder what babies do at playdates. Really, it's a way for moms to having adult contact. Personally, I like to think that babies benefit from seeing what other babies do. BE was curious about our baby friend today. She was curious enough to actually stay on her tummy for about 10 minutes without trying to roll over. If you know what pains we have had with tummy time, you will know that this is an accomplishment for her. I'd like to think that the other baby motivated her, but it might have also been the cool blanket on the ground.

If we're lucky, he'll give us a rose and we'll get to go on another day again. Wait, wrong show.

I'm THAT parent

Today was school tour day for prospective kindergarten families. As I was getting ready to leave the house, I banged my head on my hutch. There's a reason I tell you this.

Fast forward about 1 hour. We are nearing the end of the tours. It's warm in the school. I have my coat on. We are touring in groups. It's parent question time in the small library room filled with many parents. I start getting light headed. So I go in the hallway near the front door. I feel better. I go back inside the library. This time I get light headed and my ears start to get pressure or go silent. You know, the feelings right before you pass out. I haul it back to the hallway chair.

A very nice parent who was giving the tours came out and made sure I was ok. I mentioned the warmth and the fact that I banged my head. But she adds that it also is a bit overwhelming to think about kindergarten.

Oh shit. I am now that parent that is anxious about my baby going to school all because it's warm in the school or my head is internally bleeding. I try to reassure her that it is the warmth. I am sure I am (not) believed. To prove it was the heat, I got up, walked outside and felt immediately fine. It helps that it was 30 degrees outside.

I swear, it was just the heat.

PS - I had a great day with my kids (not just good - GREAT), and a great night at bunco. I don't get enough time to talk to the women I play with. They are kinda awesome.

PPS - Curious J thought the afternoon school tour was great. It helps that they had bowling in the gym/cafeteria with fun music playing.

My latest project

At Christmastime, I made our family ornaments. And because I just usually sit and play spider solitaire while watching tv most nights (I know, I'm very busy), I decided to pull the polymer clay back out. So I have two things I want to work on.

#1 Angry bird guys. I picked these because Jack loves the angry birds game, and because they look pretty easy to make. No complicated color mixing. Very basic shapes. I haven't made one yet.
#2 Miniature food. I found this website that shows me step by step how to make little foods like carrots, tomatos, bread. I tried the bread. It didn't turn out like the picture. But I'll try again. I did, however, make a pea pod. I'd show you a picture, but I'm too lazy to get out my camera. I have this secret wish that Blue Eyes will like dollhouse stuff so I can make things for it - just like I have enjoyed building train tracks and lego creations with J.

On tap for tomorrow: School visits for kindergarten (fast breathing), and Bunco with mom friends from J's school.

Also, my dad is turning 70 tomorrow. So wish him a Happy Birthday! :) I can't believe he is 70. He doesn't make me think of a 70 year old man. To me, he is still the 40 or 50 something year old man that took me to school in the morning or came to visit me at college. And sometimes, he tries to be, too. He has softened with age. I hope he has many more years to come. I take for granted the fact that I do no have all the time in the world with my parents. I know I don't. And I hope that I have time to not be an ass of a daughter.

I bought a dress

Yeah, you heard me. I bought a dress. I found it on ebay - new with tags. Here it is:


I secretly wanted to try this dress and a few other dresses that were hot pink. But if I couldn't try it on in person, then I didn't want to risk it.


I bought the dress to wear to my sister's ordination in March in Tampa, Florida. BDR was curious as to why I would buy a dress for this event, when I usually where pants and a shirt to events that he goes to. And even though I joke that I am looking for Mr. Right #2 so we can all move to Utah and be one happy family, I want to see if it is possible for me to dress and look like a beautiful adult. The rest of the time, I have one or two kids to get ready for something, but this occasion will be in a place where I have to take care of no children prior to the event. Can I do it? Do I still have it in me? It might be fun to do this; and so I will try. Who the hell knows, I might look frumpy in the dress and end up wearing a pant and shirt combo. ;)

Mother...

...Nature
I have been eating like a pig all day. And it hasw a lot to do with my hormones. You know... that time. I'm gonna regret it in the morning, but tonight, it feels so right. It's like a hookup that you regret in the morning - except I have never done the hookup thing before, so I really can't speak on that.

Blue Eyes now has two teeth. I spent Wednesday night sitting in a chair holding her all night because she kept on waking up every few minutes, and that was with tylenol. I have been giving it to her pretty consistently but those suckers are still giving her pain. Poor girl. She is going to look absolutely adorable with two little teeth in the front.

BDR and Curious J went outside yesterday in the ice and snow. They last about 5 minutes and then it got too cold outside for J. Curious J has been challenging BDR and I about staying up until 10pm, even when we start bedtime at 8pm. He likes visiting us in our room and tells us he will go to sleep after we go to sleep.

The Return of Happy Girl

This is what a happy girl with a working digestive system looks like. Any questions?

Losing power for about an hour made us go into emergency mode. I married a man who is excellent at staying calm and thinking logically when a problem arises. We prepared for a dark and cold night. Non-essential doors closed. Flashlights and candles ready. A list of meals and a plan on what to do with cold foods (especially Blue Eye's formula). There should be one type of person like him in every family. We realized that BE is really the hardest person to improvise for an emergency. But that will change as she grows older.

We take for granted what we have until we lose it. Tonight I'm thinking of those who are homeless, hungry, without power, without a plan, and those who are out there helping us stay safe.

And for now, the boy is very happy to have the husband home for an extra couple days.

No Business Like Snow Business

Today we ventured to Springfield before the BIG BLIZZARD of 2011. ;) Or at least if you talk to my family, that is how they see it.

Today was Blue Eye's appointment with the pediatric gastroenterologist. Neither BDR nor I slept well last night. Even with the advice of a friend, I could not fall asleep. Hope about the potential changes in BE's mood and health, as well as the reminders from family about the weather, plus BE waking up at 4am for her morning feeding aloud for the perfect storm of insomnia.

Yet, we were wide awake for the car ride. We got there in perfect time - with 20 minutes to spare. No precipitation had started in either Springfield or Savoy. We didn't wait long in the waiting room, which was awesomely decorated for kids. The whole building was clearly a pediatric building. The doctor, Dr. A, was an exceptionally nice doctor. She was lively and friendly. She talked to J instead of just being all business. And BE let her hold her and even smiled at her. If you know my kid, you know that doesn't happen with everyone. She was also a full service doctor and buttoned up BE's clothes after giving her an exam. Dr. A clearly knew her area of expertise, even if she wasn't familiar with the similac brand stuff. They seem to be an enfamil institution. ;)

Here's what we learned:
-BE is in the 82% in weight, 75% in height for her current age. Holy cow.

- Sitting up in a carseat does not actually help a reflux baby because the legs are scrunched and push up on the abdomen. Even though it makes you feel better if your baby is spitting up in their sleep, it is still not the best thing to do. Huh. Propping up the mattress is. Maybe that's why BE hates to travel in the carseat for long periods of time.

- Tummy time and strengthing the abdomen is going to help her reflux get better.

- BE likes doing tummy time on the paper on the table at the doctor's office. Seriously hysterical. We could have gone 10 minutes. Maybe.

- Pear juice is the best juice to give a constipated baby.

- Because of BE's weight, she needs a higher dosage of Prevacid.

- The University Ave Walgreens is the only one that compounds Prevacid pills.

- The soy formula is the formula we are going back on. Worried about her constipation? Us, too. But never fear. Between the pear juice and the stool softener prescribed, BE should be fine. Fingers crossed.

- We need to cut back the amount of formula and increase the number of feedings. Smaller meals more times. Let's hope BE will let us get away with that.

- We have to go back in 6-8 weeks. And next time, we will go to the Pasta House.

- There is a Duncan Donuts in the building.

- J can eat two donuts in less than 30 minutes but cannot eat more than a bowl of spaghetti without getting full. Allegedly. ;)

The weather driving back was not ideal, but I had a good pilot. I sat in the back between two carseats both to and from Springfield. My hips will probably be bruised, but I was able to amuse BE and J for most of the trip.

Next Up: Occupational and Developmental Therapists are coming to our house to evaluation BE's gross motor and fine motor skills next week.