Pics

PIctures from the hunt! Emily was way too busy to stop for the camera but here are some cute ones of Katherine and Julia bonding, and Julia enjoying her time outdoors! Oh yeah, and a random tree that I thought was pretty!

Gone For The Day

Today we have our Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Ryun's grandmother's house. I will be back later, perhaps with pictures. That's if I remember to actually take them!

Later.

MCAS Crazy Daze

Emily came home with a flyer in her bag, advertising the next two weeks of school as MCAS Crazy Daze. Each day has a different theme. So you know, I am looking for help with ideas for a few of them.

Here's the schedule. I have listed what ideas I have and which ones I am looking for help with!

Mismatch Day: Obvious...just going to dress her in striped pants and a polka dot shirt ...or something like that.

Twin Day: Dress the same as another classmate. I am thinking she should pick her friend Kerri and they can wear khaki pants and a white t shirt...or something like that.

Career Day: Wear an oufit that shows what you want to be when you "grow up". Emily's latest decision: She wants to be a "fashion designer." HELP! No idea what she could wear. I am thinking just dress her up really nice? Thoughts?

Crazy hair/wig day: I plan on doing spiked bangs and crazy ponytails/braids all over.

Sports Day: wear clothing to support your favorite sports team: Ryun, she's wearing your Red Sox baseball cap, k?

Animal Day: wear something to show what your favorite animal is, or carry around your favorite stuffed animal with you. We have enough stuffed animals around here that we could probably supply the whole school, so I think we will be all set.

Teacher/Student Day: Kids dress like a teacher and vice versa. HELP! I plan on dressing her up nice but I wondered if anyone had any other good ideas to add to the mix?

Formal Day: She's going to wear her Easter dress. Done.

Crazy Socks and Hat Day: HELP! We don't own any crazy socks or hats so I might have to buy something for this...unless you all have any good ideas.

Pajama Day; She's wearing PJ's. Pretty Easy!

Answer And New ?

I think the "studies" that say too much tv causes things such as ADHD or obesity are a crock of shit.

In the wise words of Forrest Gump...

" That's all I have to say about that."

New Question: (link:WHDH News article ).

Do you think there should be a Spanish version of The National Anthem?

Oh, I can't wait to answer this one!

Today

Scrapping in the morning.

PT (at my house for a change) this afternoon.

Hang with the fam tonight!

Yes, I'm Bragging

Remember The 48 Hour Film Project Emily participated in?

Well, her picture was in the paper today. Very cool.

We are going to a screening at Burtwood on May 11, where we should get a copy of the DVD. The film will aslo be screened at the Herring Run Arts Festival in Middleboro This fall.

Today

I am going to settle in and do some major scrapbooking today. I have a big project I am working on...and another one coming up!

My mother's having a jewelry party tonight which I am going to. I have to make spinach squares later this afternoon to bring.

Finally, I am going to finsh up the laundry.

YAY for a new dryer that dries more than a few small things at a time!

A List

Something I forgot to mention in my last post:

I am proud of myself, really proud of myself. It's a new feeling for me.

I have done things this year that I never imagined doing. Things like:

Joined the PTA.

Joined the MOMS Club.

Started the "Scrapbooking Club" with Kelly and Tracey.

Gone on the canal walk the other day, with someone I had never met.

Gone to my Thursday night meetings.

Stuck with counseling and medication.

Chair the Food Committee for Mardi Gras.

Made a basket for Teacher Appreciation week.

Volunteered to lead Emily's Girl Scout troop next year.

They may not seem like big things. Those of you who know where I was at emotionally last year know (or at least should know) how big they are.

Sentimental Shit

You know, I had this big entry planned for the year anniversary of my taking charge of my life, but I find myself having a difficult time putting it all in words.

I think a few sentences sum it up rather nicely though, so here goes.

I can't ever remember, and I mean ever, feeling this good.

Getting well is hard work, but worth every struggle, ever tear, and every "thing" if it gets you to where I am today.

Finally, to everyone who had any part in this, be it big or small....

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I could never have come this far without you!

Katherine

These are two of my favorite pictures of Katherine. I love that you can see the cute freckles across the bridge of her nose!

That and I think I would kill for that hair.

One of these days...

...I think I am actually going to answer, "Oh no, I got it permed last week" when someone asks me if Julia's hair is naturally curly. Just for reactional purposes.

It's a question that gets to me every time it's asked (which is quite frequently). Are there really people in this world who would get their toddlers hair permed?

Yeah, I know, there probably are, I just find it strange.

Results

Buh-Bye Kellie.

Honestly, I think I may have been able to sing a better rendition of Unchained Melody, and we all know how well I can sing.

The order in which I like the top 5 (1st being the best):

Chris
Taylor
Elliot
Paris
Katherine


Where I am going right now: bed.

Look...

...I 've posted new pictures!

Ryun and I make some pretty cute kids, if I do say so myself!

There are..

...no words.

Give Peace A Chance

You Are a Peacemaker Soul

You strive to please others and compromise anyway you can. War or conflict bothers you, and you would do anything to keep the peace. You are a good mediator and a true negotiator. Sometimes you do too much, trying so hard to make people happy. While you keep the peace, you tend to be secretly judgmental. You lose respect for people who don't like to both give and take. On the flip side, you've got a great sense of humor and wit. You're always dimplomatic and able to give good advice. Souls you are most compatible with: Warrior Soul, Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

What Makes Me Feel Old?

It's not quizzes like the one below, stolen from Deb, that indicate that I am getting old.

You Are More Mild Than Wild

You're confident, and you really aren't concerned with how "hot" you are. Other people's ideas of what's sexy don't concern you. And this is exactly what makes you attractive.

Are You Hot?

It's not the fact that I am going be be "in my 30's come October (I am 30 now, but 31 means I will actually be venturing in to my 30's).

It's not the fact that I can say that I have known some of my closest friends for over 25 years.

It's not even the fact that Emily will be 9 in just over a month, or that Katherine will be 7, or that Julia will be 2.

It's driving home from all of the errands I had to run this morning, and hearing a song that came out when I was a kid on the local Oldies station.

Now that, friends, makes me feel not just "old", it makes me feel really old.

HOUSE

Did anyone else notice that last night's episode of House mentioned Tuberous Sclerosis? I didn't actually watch it (my sister called and told me) but I thought it was interesting. I have never, ever heard of it being mentioned in any context other than specifically in relation to Emily or others that we know with TS (people we have met online).

Speaking of House, I wish I had started watching it when it premiered last year. Everyone raves about it. Anyone who watches it: Is it the type of show I can just jump into at the end of Season 2? I might go online and read episode recaps or something and start.

GRRR!

So you know (or maybe you don't), I am the "worst mother in the world" because I don't let Emily and Katherine bring cd players and barbies to school.

I knew it was going to be a bad morning when it started with Emily complaining about the oatmeal she was having for breakfast (even though she asked me for oatmeal 5 minutes before) and Katherine deciding that she didn't like the outfit she was wearing (despite it being her favorite outfit and the one she is always asking me to wear).


I have spent the better part of the morning since they left cursing parents everywhere that allow their children to bring toys to school (sorry if you're one of them). If no one else brought them then I am sure my kids wouldn't want to either, and we'd have one less thing to fight about in the morning. Now that would be nice.

WE GOT A HOT ONE TONIGHT!

Chris...OH MY GOD.

Seriously...

Just...

OH MY GOD.

Everyone else...yeah, you were okay.

Canal

Julia and I did end up heading down to the walk at the Cape Cod Canal. We walked from the train bridge to the Bourne Bridge and back again. I ended up meeting one other Mom and her 2 year old daughter there, and then, on the way back to the car we ran in to another Mom who was just starting out.

The rest of the afternoon will involve such exciting things as laundry, dishes, and housecleaning!

Oh what fun!

Not only did I...

...manage to catch up on all of the recorded shows I needed to, I also managed to get 4, yes 4 scrapbooking pages done while watching! GO ME!

On tomorrow's agenda? Why a walk on at the Cape Cod Canal, thanks for asking. The MOMS Club has it on the calendar for tomorrow so I am going to head on down, and hopefully see a few familiar faces when I get there.

That is if I am not too tired when I wake up (seeing as it is already almost 12:30am and I am still up)!

Today

Errands at the mall.

PT at Health South.

Two recorded episodes of The OC and one recorded episode of Bones.

Bed.

Picture(s)

This is the best example of a picture I could find, without going through the millions of pictures I have on my computer. It's not the best example though, but it will do.


And, having nothing to do with the look, here she is with her new favorite toy: the keyboard!

The Rest Of The Julia Stuff

I was going to put this all in the previous Julia post regarding the allergies etc. but, the entry was long enough so, I am putting the rest of it here!

I had mentioned Occupational Therapy in a previous post. After talking to my aunt, my mother, my sisters, and the PT that she already sees at Health South, we all think she could benefit from a little OT being added to the mix. The eating thing, which could be partially explained by the whole tongue/allergies thing, culminated with her hate of anything touching her bare feet or hands (especially rough textures like dirt or grass) lead us all to believe that she could have some sensory issues that could be better handled with an OT that can share ideas and work with her on a regular basis. She also still has a bit of a motor planning issue (which the OT who did her Early Intervention eval way back when noticed). Motor planning consists of the ability of children to imagine a mental strategy to carry out a movement or an action; for instance, how to get on top of a table, how to move from point A to point B and overcome some obstacle, or how to execute a dance step. In Julia's case she will see a toy that is across the room, in plain view. She is more than capable of walking or crawling to the toy but instead will sit there and grunt or cry in frustration...as if she forgets that she can just walk to it. While it is not a huge issue (as in it doesn't happen all of the time) it is still a concern.

She has an OT Evaluation at Health South on May 5.

What else did I mention? Oh yeah, her birthmark. Julia has what is commonly referred to as a stork bite, right in the middle of her forehead, going down to the space between her eyes. It is mainly noticeable when she is upset and is usually a faint shade of pink when she isn't. She has this red dot that is showing up on it now (almost like a blood blister under the skin, but not quite as dark) and overall, the "bite" seems more prominent. I am not really concerned about it but I figure I might point it out at her next pediatrician visit in July. The doctor said it would fade in time as her skin thickened and she got older but, since it is going in the opposite direction, I guess I will just mention it.

Next up, and I know there is no way I am going to be able to adequately describe this but I am going to try: "The Vacant Look." Many people have noticed it and some have mentioned it(family members only who know I would never be offended and welcome their input). Julia has this look, this look that seems more evident in photos than in person. I call it the "vacant look" because it's like she's there, but she's not. Everyone has this look on occasion but she seems to have it more frequently than most. Like I said I can't really describe it so maybe a picture will help. I'll try and find one and post it next.

So yeah, as you can see, I am still a little worried, but not overly so. She is progressing so nicely and it really is nice to see the hard work of all involved (her mostly of course!) pay off. Call it mother's intuition...call it whatever you want...but, despite all the good news we have had of late regarding Julia, I still have "that feeling". You know what else? No one knows her better than me. No one. So, I am going to go with "that feeling" and address the concerns I have. Could be nothing, and most likely is but can't hurt to find out for sure.

Picture coming...

Pictures Of The Tongue Thing

The Tongue Thing Explained

For months, about 7 or so, Julia has only eaten things that require little to no chewing. When it is something that does actually require chewing, it is usually something that softens as soon as it enters her mouth, due to saliva(such as a cracker or Cheerios). When she does actually chew, it is with her front teeth, never her back or even her side.

I was thinking originally that this might be some sort of a "thing" she was going through but a few other things have come up that make me wonder.

The first thing, and I am going to try and find a picture (or take one) to post so you can see exactly what I mean, is what I referred to as "the tongue thing". She almost always has her tongue resting forward, inbetween her top and bottom lips, when she is not eating or talking (like say if she is just sitting there playing with a toy, watching tv, or laying down to go to bed).

Last summer, when we were over visiting at my parents pool, my mother's friend (who is a nurse) noticed Julia doing it, and said that kids who do that most of the time have allergies. We didn't elaborate any further or get in to any discussion over it, just kind of left it at that.

Over the past, say 6 months Julia has been showing signs of having allergies...constantly congested, frequent colds, etc. She also tends to breathe with her mouth open a lot. I mentioned to Ryun that she may have allergies and that I would probably mention it at her next pediatrician visit in July.

So, I started to put this all together...no eating foods that require chewing, the tongue thing, the likely possibility of allergies, and even the speech delay (that she has long since overcome).

So, you know, like any other computer literate person, I went to the internet and searched things like "tongue disorders and allergies" or, my favorite "resting tongue between lips" (you can imagine some of the sites that came up with this combination of words). Anyway, I came up with a group of disorders called, "Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders" with which the tongue moves forward in an exaggerated way during swallowing, talking or at rest.

What causes an OMD?

Why allergies, of course (one of the causes anyway).

Here is a block of test from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association website:

Some problems with functioning of mouth or face muscles are caused by environmental factors such as allergies. For children with allergies, it is often difficult to breathe normally through the nose because of nasal airway blockage. These children often breathe with their mouths open, tongues lying flat on the bottom of their mouths. Lip muscles may lose their strength and tone if an open mouth posture continues for a long time.

Enlarged tonsils and adenoids may also block airways, creating an open-mouth breathing pattern. An open-mouth breathing pattern, or the appearance of an open-mouth breathing pattern, can become habitual and continue even after successful medical treatment of the airway blockage.

Another block of text, discussing the effects and who is involved in treating the person with an OMD:

The team of professionals traditionally involved with the treatment of OMD includes a dentist, an orthodontist, a physician and a speech-language pathologist. Dentists are concerned when the pressure of the tongue against a child's gums interferes with the normal process of tooth eruption. Both dentists and orthodontists may be involved when constant, continued tongue pressure against teeth interferes with normal tooth eruption and alignment of the teeth and jaws. Physicians rule out the presence of a blocked airway (e.g., from enlarged tonsils or adenoids or from allergies) that may cause forward tongue posture. Speech-language pathologists assess and treat the effects of OMD on speech, rest postures, and swallowing.


It's weird how it all connects. I just thought the tongue thing was a comfort technique for her, since she never wanted a pacifier as an infant and never sucked her thumb or her fingers or whatever then, or now.

What started off as a mild concern that she may have allergies has turned in to something I think I will investigate further.

To be honest, I was starting to get a little concerned about her nutrition. That, and the doctor always seems slightly concerned about her weight (she only weights 23 lbs and is almost 2...she hasn't even come close to tripling her birth weight, 9 lbs 2.2 oz, in 2 years, let alone one year, which is " what's considered "normal").

She can't spend her life eating baby food and yogurt.

She doesn't have a big appetite, and never really has. When she does eat, she never finishes a full serving of whatever it is she is eating and she doesn't want to eat often at all.

I can't help but wonder if the lack of eating and lack of variety might be hindering her muscle tone growth? It just seems like a better appetite and a bigger variety might help in that respect as well.

Julia...

...is 21 months old today!

here are a few pictures I took or her today!















Isn't just adorable?

She has added a few words to her ever growing vocabulary over the past few days. I have finally managed to get her to verbalize the words "hi" and "bye" rather than just waving. She also says "uh oh." She said it quite appropriately today when Katherine (who BTW, we found out today has a UTI) peed her pants. Katherine came down the stairs and didn't quite make it to the bathroom. Julia observed Katherine's pant leg getting wet and said, "Uh oh Dee Dee." Dee Dee is what she calls Katherine (who occasionally lets us slip and call her Katie which is where I think Jules came up with Dee Dee). Anyway, TMI probably, but I just thought it was cute how Julia used it in context and everything.

The "I won't eat anything that requires chewing" thing is still going on (and has been for close to 7 months). I am starting to get a little concerned, but, I have an entire other entry planned for that (so, you know, stay tuned).

She is getting steadier and steadier on her feet. She's still a little bow-legged but, she is making progress every day.

Mama's girl? Yes she is! Katherine was "mine" too but Julia? Yeah, she just adores me.

If I could just close this by saying that I am completely totally in love with her? She is just so damn cute, I swear to God I could just eat her right up.

Gay Marriage Themed Books

If you've been reading this journal (or any of my others) for any period of time, you know that I am all for gay marriage. You also know that I don't really think marriage should have any religious connotations tied to it. You love someone, you want to spend your life with them, you should be able to marry them. It really should be that simple.

Anyway, a local school has parents in an uproar over the fact that some students were read a book that depicted two men getting married.

You know, as an aside before I go off on my tangent here, I can't imagine why a teacher would choose that book, of the many available to teach children about weddings. I mean, how could the teacher not think that someone would be up in arms over this? Of course, I suppose it is possible that the teacher chose this story just because they knew it would cause controversy. Also, can you please tell me why second grade students need to be taught about weddings in school? Just wondering.

Anyway, having said that, I see absolutely nothing wrong with the book itself. The times, they are a changing as the saying goes. Gay marriage is a very real issue in this country and I see no reason why if you as a teacher, feel some strange need to teach second grade children about weddings, you can't use an example of a gay couple (I'm sorry if I sound sarcastic here. Honestly though, I can't understand what a second grade student would possibly need to know about weddings). Still though, if they are going to be taught, they may as well be shown the various types of marriages that are out there.

It's weird how kids automatically assume that men and women go together. I mean not weird but, well, I guess it seems like that automatic assumption may change in the future.

Life just isn't what it used to be...and that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Does anyone else...

...remember the days when $20 filled your gas tank?

Ahhh, the memories...

Julia...

...has decided that taking a nap is not on her agenda over the past week.

This is so wrong!

She isn't even two yet!

Also, she has managed to figure out how to swing one leg up over the crib rail. Time to buy the "tent" I guess (you know those things that go over the crib that prevent them from climbing out...yeah one of those).

Answer and New ?

As many of you may suspect, I have very mixed feelings on the topic of the news and children.

While I think watching the news can serve as an educational experience as far as civic type things go (Who is the VP? What's the capital of Arkansas?), I also am at somewhat of a loss as to how to explain some of the bad news that is broadcast.

Lets be realistic here. The bad news always outweighs the good. How exactly am I supposed to explain what "brutally raped and murdered" means to my 6 year old? Or what exactly a Level 3 sex offender is? Or why a person could do something so horrific like killing their own wife and child?

Being even more realistic here (at least in this house)... if Katherine asked me what "brutally raped and murdered" meant I could more than likely get away with saying something like, "Oh he was a really bad man who hurt someone and now he is going to go to jail." For anyone who knows my Emily, you know a little blurb like that just isn't going to cut it (this is the child who, when she was younger and my final answer after patiently answering in extreme detail the barrage of questions about say, why the sky is blue, used to be "because that's the way God made it and would say, "Well, why did God make it that way?). I'm sorry, I don't think she should know what it means to be raped (believe me she is more than well aware of what she needs to do if she feels uncomfortable with someone or if someone touches her inappropriately, but rape? I just don't think she needs to know the details yet).

I don't expect to have her (or any of my children) go through life with rose colored glasses either. I just don't find some of the discussions that would be necessary if I were to let them watch the news on any kind of regular basis to be beneficial in any way.

There are just some things that they don't need to know...at least not yet.

I grew up watching the news. It was always on during dinner. I don't think I am any worse off than I would be had I not watched it. There is something different about the news today though, at least in comparison from what I remember as a child.

I'm not going to be one of those people who says something to the effect of "the news has gotten worse" because it hasn't. The same shit that goes on today was going on "back when I was a kid." The only thing that I think may have changed is the focus of journalists today. It seems to me that the focus of almost every news report anywhere is the bad news.

I see the good, the bad and the ugly, just like everyone else.

Am I the only one who finds the human interest stories just as (if not more so) entertaining as the bad stories?

Basically, if the news happens to be on (which in reality, isn't all that often around here...I read most news online), and the kids are around, they watch it. If I hear something that I don't want them to hear, I immediately change the channel.

New question (in connection with the last): What are your general feelings on kids and TV? How much is too much? What should they watch? Does sitting in front of the TV really cause children to develop ADHD or Obesity?

You know...

...as per usual, I have a lot on my mind, and not enough time (or energy) to blog about it.

Here's a list though...of upcoming posts.

Julia...occupational therapy, the "tongue" thing and what it all could mean(don't even try and guess...I'll explain soon!), the "vacant" look, the birthmark that is supposed to be fading and instead is getting darker, and just the overall feelings I have regarding "all" of it!

Emily...continuation of the behavioral type things going on...why I am worried...and why I am not.

Katherine...reading, being easygoing, and why I hope she doesn't feel "left out".

The news...Should kids watch it? Yes or no? Why or why not?

Gay marriage themed books in schools...yay or nay? My thoughts.

Me...one year later...reflecting on how far I've come, how much better I feel, and how much more hope I have for the future.


That's it, I think.

Don' you just love previews?!?!

Night y'all.

Right On

You Are Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

Via Deb.

Answer and New ?

My most recurring dream has been that my teeth are falling out...sometimes just falling out whole, other times crumbling in to a million little pieces and falling out. For those wondering what that means exactly, it usually indicated that your health and/or business is in jeopardy. I am happy to say that I haven't had this dream in over a year. Coincidentally, It was almost a year ago that I finally decided to take charge of my life and stop feeling like ass.

New Question:

Do you think it is appropriate for young kids (say under the age of 16) to watch the news?

I am anticipating that what ever responses I get (if any) will fall somewhere on both sides of the coin.

Yeah, I decided to get all controversial! FUN!

Gardening: Before and After

This is the side garden before...



And after...



Front garden before...



And after...




Basically, we completely dug up all of the weeds and "gross stuff" and turned the soil. We relocated some daffodils that were out front and Tracey brought tiger lillies and hosta that she had so we planted that too (I say "we" but really I should say "they"...I had no clue what I was doing).

I am very excited about this and I think I could really get to like gardening if I keep it up! Kelly and Tracey have a wealth of information to share and they do a great job so I could learn from them!

Idol

I knew there was no way in hell Chris was going home. I wasn't all that surprised to see that it was Ace.

Next week should be good. Andrea Bocelli is pretty awesome afterall.

And no, I am not being sarcastic!

Gardens Etc.

I just came back from a MOMS Club gathering at the Pierce Playground. There were only a couple of other MOMS there but it was fun. Julia spent the majority of the time in one of the baby swings which she just loves. She did get out and walk around a little and Emily took her down one of the slides.

One of the Moms in the group has a duaghter that is in Katherine's kindergarten class so Katherine and Emily spent most of their time running around with her. As a special treat, I took them to McDonald's to lunch.

They are currently out on the deck singing the songs from the Disney movie, "High School Musical." There and sing/dance along on tv Friday night so they are practicing. They're too darn cute.

Kelly and Tracey are coming over tomorrow to help me do my gardens. I am so excited! We have a few flower gardens that are completely overgrown so the plan is to dig them out and go from there. I am excited at the thought of having a nice flower garden though.

Anyway, Julia is napping so I am going to try and get some things done around here! I might be back later!

American Idol

All I can say is, WOW!

You know, when I found out they were singing songs from The Great American Song Book, I wasn't really looking forward to it.

Again, I say, WOW!

Chris: He has got some mad skillz. Seriously, he fucking rocks (even when he isn't singing a rock song). And yeah, I know I spelled "skillz" wrong. I'm just trying to be cool, yo.

The only performance of the night I wasn't impressed with was Kellie. I mean she did ok, but I wasn't thrilled overall.

If I was forced to pick a bottom three?

Tough choice tonight, but I guess it would be Kellie, Elliot, and...and...I don't know. Ace maybe? Even though he looked hot with his hair all pulled back. It is a singing competition though, right Simon?

So yeah, Kellie, Elliot and Ace.

But dude, what a fantastic episode!

Why?

Katherine fell asleep on the living room rug this afternoon. She was apparently tired from her little mini vacation down the Cape with my parents.

So anyway, Julia, Emily and I were in the office while Katherine slept. I asked Emily if she would walk in to the living room and get Julia's "night night"(the little white blanket she sleeps with). So she goes, and I watch her.

She had a little trouble finding it and went right over to her sleeping sister, bent down low, and screamed in her ear (even though she was talking to me) "WHERE IS HER NIGHT NIGHT?"

Ok, why?

This is what I mean when I say I don't understand her sometimes.

Sheesh.

The Talk

The following post may contain TMI, just so you know!

Ok you all know that I have been planning on having "The Talk" with Emily. She is most definitely in the beginning stages of puberty and the changes in her body are becoming more and more evident everyday.

I'm not going to lie here. I am nervous about this. I don't know exactly what to say or how much to say for the matter. It's probably a little bit of the "Oh my God, my "baby" is growing up" thing that is holding me back, but I am also questioning whether or not she is ready emotionally for all of this?

The fact of the matter is, she already knows what sex is (well a very basic idea anyway) thanks to some asshole kid on the bus (Sorry, but this is a big thing for me and is one of the reasons why I have often considered homeschooling. The negative influences of other children and the "loss of the innocence" that occurs when they go to school just kills me, but that's a whole other post). When she told me what she knew I kind of told her we would talk about it soon (her sister Katherine was around, not in the same room but still, I didn't want her involved).

Obviously (and I do mean that literally) the talk needs to happen soon. I don't want her to get her period and not have any clue what it is. That would not only be wrong, but I would think pretty scary.

Any advice? How much detail regarding the whole thing do I need to get into?

Answer and New ?

If I had to name the one possession that means the most to me it would be my pictures. I might just die if something ever happened to them.

New question: If you had to describe your most recurring dream, what would it be?

More Easter Pics

Some of these pictures I swiped from my sister. Thanks Suz!



Isn't she gorgeous?



Little miss serious.



My kids and my nephew, Jack.



Take 2.



That's my father and my grandmother (Mom's mom) with Emily and Katherine.



Some of the eggs the girls and I colored.



The big hit of Easter (well, one of them anyway): These adorable little favors I made for everyone.

Today

Julia did quite well today at Physical Therapy. She walked up and down the stairs holding on to only one hand (according to Deb anyway) and she walked like crazy all over the mats, which she really didn't do in the past.

After we left there, Ryun and I went out to Best Buy to get a dryer. Our present dryer was acting up bigtime. We ran a couple of other errands and then took Julia to lunch/dinner at the 99 in Plymouth. It was good.

I came home, finished cleaning up the kitchen from yesterday and am planning on going to bed early tonight. I have a cold, which also means I have something else, which also means I am tired!

The kids are on vacation this week, so blogging will more than likely be light as a result!

Easter

So, I survived my first official hosting of Easter dinner. It was nice actually, and everyone thought the food was good, so yay.

I have no idea why I worry about such things. Just because I don't like to cook doesn't mean I can't. Actually, I am pretty good at it.

We had 20 people in all, including my family. We had to seat 17 though (Julia was in her high chair and my two nephews are too little to actually be seated at the table). We had two tables set, which I should have taken a picture of. They looked really nice.

My parents took Emily and Katherine to the Cape over night(they own a timeshare and this is their week). I just got off of the phone with them and it sounds like they are having a good time. My father is going to bring them home after they take them out to dinner tonight.

Ryun is going to join me at Julia's PT appointment this afternoon. I am kind of excited about having him come see how it all works, as he has never been.

Anyway, I am going to go get some things done before we head out. I will probably be back later at some point.

Pictures

You know, I give professional photographers a lot of credit for somehow managing to get pictures of more than 2 kids at a time, that are actually looking at the camera and smiling. For me, lately at least, the task seems to be impossible. Case in point:




So, you know, when all else fails, try to take a picture of each kid individually. This, at times, doesn't even work.

Below, Emily giving me the "Mom, give it up...getting a picture of all three of us smiling at the same time is never gonna happen" smile.



The individual pictures apparently was a great idea to Katherine.





Julia was too serious and too tired (cool picture in mid-yawn) to be bothered.

Well...

...it is after midnight (actually, closer to 1am) so I guess now would be an appropriate time to say...

Happy Easter!

Where The Heck Is She?

Yeah, I am still around. There are just days that don't allow much time for blogging.

Like today for instance.

I did laundry, went food shopping, cleaned the kitchen, re-organized cabinets, entertained the kids, and finished reading, "The Da Vinci Code."


Highly recommended by the way, the book that is.

Ryun managed to clean up the pile of crap out by the garage, install new bulbs in the multitude of flood lights around the outside of the house, organize the stuff on the deck, install the gate thingy we set up around the hearth that the wood stove sits on, and fix one of the kitchen chairs that broke.

Ryun also put the screens down on all of the windows. It officially looked and felt like spring after that...what with the curtains blowing, the smell of fresh air circulating through the house and sound of the kids outside.

Emily and Katherine were outside for a good part of the day riding their bikes, rollerblading, shooting hoops and doing all of those fun spring type activities.


Tomorrow I am going to be doing some major laundry and the start of the "having 14 people over for Easter dinner" house cleaning. Don't ya just love that? You clean your house for company and in a days time it's a mess again? I love having company and entertaining though, so it's all good.


Anyway, so that explains my absence today, and my probable infrequent appearances here tomorrow or Sunday as well.

Today

PT went well.

Laundry went.

Easter craft is done.

Emily feel at school today, slammed her head on the pavement, and went to the nurse complaining of a headache and nausea. Nurse called...told me that I needed to come get her, and bring her to the pedi. Doc checked eyes, neurological functions etc. and she was fine. Have to check her every few hours tonight though as doc said it could possibly have been a mild concussion.

Went to my meeting. Found out that the "person in charge" is leaving and the groups' future is uncertain. This makes me sad.

That's it. Feeling tired and grumpy.

Sorry about the incomplete sentences...too blah to bother being grammatically correct.

Peace.

Who Knew?

You Are an Excellent Cook

You're a top cook, but you weren't born that way. It's taken a lot of practice, a lot of experimenting, and a lot of learning. It's likely that you have what it takes to be a top chef, should you have the desire...

Are You A Good Cook?

Via Jay and Deb.

Today

Busy all day again. PT at Health South with Julia, laundry, Easter craft, ASPIRE for Emily, meeting for me tonight.

Back later.

Maybe.

AI:The Results

If based soley on Tuesday's performance, I was actually kind of surprised that Bucky went home. I thought he did well Tuesday. Overall though, based on what we have seen so far, his exit wasn't surprising.

Answer and New ?

If I had to name the three most important family values I would pick honesty, loyalty, and respect.

New question: If you had to name one possession that means the most to you, what would it be?

Busy

Julia and I have a busy day today. We are going to the MOMS Club business meeting/spring fling at the library this morning. She has Physical Therapy at the EI office after that, and then we have to go do some banking for my mother.

This will be my first offical outing with the MOMS Club. I am looking forward to it. I actually joined at the end of February but was way too busy last month with Mardi Gras to attend anything.

Emily has Girl Scouts at 4:30 and I have PTA meeting tonight as well. I have to be there early because the School Department Central Office wants to take a picture of all Committee Leads/PTA Officers.

So, you know, I'll be busy all day/night, which in turn means little or no blogging.

AI

My bottom 3: Paris, Katharine, and Ace.

Who I loved: Taylor and Kellie

Who I thought was ok: everyone else!

Results

Just after I hit "Publish Post" in my last entry, the phone rang.

It was the doctor calling with the results of Julia's MRI.

No big surprise, but it came back NORMAL! YAY!

The only thing it showed was thickening in her sinuses but the doctor said that that was normal either before, during, or just after a cold, and considering that she has a cold right now, it made sense.

BUT BIG YAY for everything going well!

WOO HOO!

Car and Stuff

I am (finally) supposed to be getting my car back today. I went without a car for the whole weekend and yesterday! That's hard when you have kids that have things to do, and a husband who worked one day this weekend. Thank God my mother acted as chauffeur and "moral supporter" yesterday for Julia's appointment.

On the books for today(in list form because I am lazy): get my car (and return my mother's...she let me borrow it so I could get the kids to and from Burt Wood later).

Hopefully get the results of Julia's MRI so I can let this breath out I have been holding for almost 24 hours(I am not really nervous and I actually think everything is going to be fine but still, the waiting kills me).

Clean my house, which after only being neglected for one day (yesterday) looks like a hurricane blew through.

Go to my counseling appointment tonight (I haven't been in almost over a month due to scheduling conflicts so I am kind of looking forward to it).

Watch American Idol and go to bed.

MRI

Julia's MRI went well. The only time that it was in any way even remotely bad was when they had to put the iv in. Umm, let's just say, she was not a happy camper.

She fell asleep pretty quickly with the medicine (she was tired to begin with so I think the medicine just helped her along). The MRI itself went well. After sitting in there with Julia and actually hearing first hand how loud those things are, I was shocked beyond belief that Emily actually fell asleep without sedation when she had hers two years ago. Between the jackhammer sound, and the clicking, and the alarm buzzing sound...good God.

She took a little long to come back around in recovery but all in all she did well.

We should have results within the next day or two.

Anyway, it was a long day and I am tired. Off to read and go to bed!

Weekend Review

So, Emily finished up with the film today. I am anxious to get our copy of the DVD and see the whole thing!

After she finished up with that, I took all three girls to a friend's birthday party at a local kids gym. Emily and Katherine had a great time running around with all of the kids, and it was great physical therapy for Julia. She climbed up and down over mats, walked across a trampoline, and had fun playing in a ball bit.

I came home, cooked a nice steak dinner, and am now settling in to watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition. It's only been on for about 5 minutes and I am already crying!

Tomorrow is Julia's MRI at Children's. We will be leaving at about 10:30 and back late afternoon/early evening. I will be sure to update at some point tomorrow night!

Dude

Can we say att-i-tude?

48 Hours

Last night was the kickoff event for the The 48 Hour Film Project. Team Bait Shop/Burt Wood will be making a sci fi film!

Emily is shooting at Burt Wood this evening from 5-9 and then again tomorrow morning from 8-12. She is so excited!

We got an email last night from Andrew, a teacher at Burtwood who is running the show (so to speak. His resume can be found by clicking here and scrolling down (look for Andrew Osbourne). Dramarama apparently, was delayed in production as IMDB is currently showing that it will be out sometime this year.

The 48 Hour Film Project has some required props, dialogue, and characters that must be in the movie. For the Team Bait Shop/Burt Wood film they need to have a bicycle pump for the prop, a character named G. GoForth(a competitive eating contestant) the following line of dialogue, "That's why I don't trust her anymore." Other than those requirements, they pretty much have free reign over what they do, as long as it's within the science fiction genre.

The film will be screened at the Kendall Square Cinema in Cambridge on Thursday night. Tickets are $9.00.

I think this will be a fabulous thing for Emily. She loves this kind of thing (acting, singing etc). She is really talented too.

We have talked about having her do private voice and acting lessons at Burt Wood next year. Right now, she is in the Junior Musical Theatre class, and to be honest, it seems "below" her. She is just bursting at the seams with a talent that I don't think the current class has the capacity for her to express.

She thinks the private lessons would be better, and so do I.

Anyway, I am off to color Easter Eggs with the kids!

Pretty Much, Yeah.

Your Theme Song is Back in Black by AC/DC

"Back in black, I hit the sack, I've been too long, I'm glad to be back" Things sometimes get really crazy for you, and sometimes you have to get away from all the chaos. But each time you stage your comeback, it's even better than the last!

What's Your Theme Song?

Scrappin' Etc.

Monday morning scrap has officially been moved to Friday's (I think). Monday's were not working out so well.

So, we were supposed to head over to Kelly's this morning but I have no car (won't be ready until tonight) so, Kelly and Tracey are heading my way.

I have about a billion scrapbooking related ideas running through my head, so I think I might try and continue scrapping after they leave, while Julia is napping.

Maybe, just maybe, I will actually catch up!

Yeah, it's this dream I have to actually scrap pictures that I just took, like sometime within the past month say.

It's probably a pipe dream, but hey, it counts!

An Early Morning Observation

I've discovered something new...and not so exciting.

The discovery: When Ryun is extremely tired, he snores.

After tomorrow, Ryun will not have had a day off in just under two weeks (13 days to be exact), which, you know, explains the tiredness.

He has snored every night for the past week, and probably has the bruises on his back and legs to prove it.

Just A Late Night Observation

Now, I haven't done any scientific studies to back my claim or anything, but, I am pretty sure, based on personal experience, that there is absolutley nothing, nothing that a heaping bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream can't cure.

With that, I leave you.

Cuteness

On a much brighter note....

...Ryun is taking Emily to opening day at McCoy Stadium, home of the Pawtucket Red Sox. The game starts at 7:05pm.

A friend of ours was able to get free tickets which is why they are going, and why I am letting Emily stay up really late on a school night.

She's excited.

Anyway, I have to go finish making a game for Katherine's class that her teacher asked me to make and then I am going to start the flashcards I need to make Emily (she has to memorize the states and their capitals).

I might be back later...then again, I might not.

Bitchin'

The car: 1999 Mercury Sable
The problems: ball joints
stabilizer link
rear struts
oil leak
transmission not shifting gears correctly

The cost to fix it all: $1700-1800


Ughh...

It's a good thing we put a good chunk of our tax return aside to pay for all of this.

Jesus H. Christ.

So...

...Mandisa is gone. Not a big shock really, if based only on the performances from the other night.

Next up: Queen

Now that ought to be good!

Explosive Behavior: Defined

Before I begin, I must commend myself on finishing my first ever self help book. I have started at least one hundred of them, but never, ever finished.

The book I am referring to is called, "The Explosive Child: A New Approach For Understanding And Parenting Easily Frustrated And Chronically Inflexible Children" and it was written by Dr. Ross W. Green.

The biggest thing I have learned from reading this book is that Emily is not choosing to be explosive or non-compliant-any more than she would chose to have a reading disability. She is delayed in the process of developing the necessary skills to be flexible and tolerant, or perhaps she has a significant difficulty applying the skills when she most needs to.

Some of the characteristics of "explosive inflexibility" that Emily exhibits are as follows:

*difficulty managing and controlling the emotions associated with frustration.

*has trouble thinking through ways of resolving frustrating situations.

*the tendency to think in black and white...in a concrete, rigid manner. "My way or the highway."

*continues to exhibit frequent, intense meltdowns even in the face of salient and potent consequences.

*falling apart unexpectedly in the face of frustrating circumstances, no matter how trivial.

*one or several issues in which she is especially inflexible...the order or manner in which things must be done is the area that applies specifically to Emily.


The book was very useful...and provided an entire new framework for strategies in dealing with Emily.

I have to admit, I am going to have to majorly re-work my thinking around all of this.

I kind of wish I had read the book before it had gotten to this point with Emily.

I am planning on typing up a summary of the book for Ryun to read (I knew I wouldn't be able to convince him to read it but I was able to sell him on reading a summary)which I will probably post here when I am done.


Being a parent is hard work sometimes. I am pretty sure it's getting harder as I go along, which is weird if you ask me. It seems like it should get easier with time.

I feel kind of bad about how things have been with Emily lately. The smallest things with her seem to be setting even me off, which should give you a pretty good indication of serious things have become. I have to be just about the most laid back and easy going person in the world.

The bottom line though? No matter how hard it is, and how much "work" is involved, helping Emily and finding the peace is my top priority right now.

American Idol

Again, this week, I wasn't overly impressed with anyone.

My bottom three: Taylor (even though I generally adore him) Mandisa and Katharine.

I am hoping next week is better, for everyone who's left anyway.

Snow

Right...

Wrong...

Right...

Wrong...

Just in case Mother Nature happens to read my blog and was confused about what weather was appropriate when.