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Its Not Christmas Until Somebody Gets Hurt

Christmas has come and again, again, way too quickly. I remember last year thinking "wow, Christmas is already over. It won't be long until its here again though". Oh how I was so right. It really seemed to have come early this year.

Our Christmas was pretty nice and laid back. M worked Christmas Eve for a half day, then we went to my in-laws to hang out and open presents. After that we drove around town looking at Christmas lights and decorations. There was one house that synced his lights to music, pretty awesome and way over anything M and I could pull off.

We had to stop and get some milk at the gas station for Santa. Pumpkin said he had to have milk, but if the gas station didn't have any we could write him a letter and ask him if orange juice would be ok. I love that little guy!

Then it was home and off to bed for the kiddos and a little more present wrapping for me, despite having stayed up until 1 in the morning the night before! The joys of being Santa :)

We woke Pumpkin up at about 7 the next morning telling him Santa had come. We had to get him up because my parents were coming over and his dad was going to be picking him up at 10. It took him a minute to comprehend, but then he was up and so excited!

He had a blast opening presents, and Miss L had a blast eating the paper.

Pretty Christmas dress!

Christmas morning

Opening presents (yes, I know I look scary)

Pumpkin opening presents, Miss L eating them

After presents were done we hung around the house for a bit then headed to my parents'. My mom made a ham, and I was supposed to make the mashed potatoes. Well, I went to drain the boiling water the potatoes were in, and dumped it on my hand. I sat in the kitchen trying my damnedest to not cry and telling myself the burning would stop in just a second. That didn't work. Tears escaped and my mom walked by just at that moment. She saw the way I was holding my hand and come running in. Immediately she cleaned the potato water off my hand and put burn cream on my palm. I am so glad she got the cream on my palm, it really saved it. Today my palm feels fine, just a little different texture from the rest of my hand. Unfortunately my thumb and ring finger got it pretty bad. They are still burning with pain and bright red. I have had to have them smothered in burn cream today and wrapped up to keep from bumping them.

Other than getting hurt, Christmas was really nice! It was so nice to get to be with family and just relax and have fun. I love having time with M, and wish we had the whole week off.

How was your Christmas? Did anyone get hurt?!

Santa

I grew up believing in Santa Claus. Every year I would crawl into bed on Christmas Eve and toss and turn, straining to hear the tiniest little footstep on the roof, or the creak of the fireplace door opening. I would try so hard to keep my eyes open to hopefully catch a glimpse of red passing my bedroom door. Sleep would eventually take over me before any of these things happened, and when I would wake up (way too early!), I would see that Santa had come once again.

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The joy and excitement I got from the magic of Santa is something I want my kids to be able to experience. (To be completely honest, I have whispered in their infant ears that I really am Santa but will let them believe otherwise until they finally figure it out, hopefully not for many years though!) I don't see anything wrong with "lying" to my children to fuel their imagination in the this area of life, and have actually thought of ways to skirt the subject, such as "what do you think? do you believe he's real?". I have never held a grudge against my parents for "lying" to me, or questioned what other things they may have lied about. I was thankful that they let me believe and enjoy this childish thing. Childhood goes by way too fast. Children grow and mature so quickly. Why rob them of these innocent traditions? What harm does Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, etc cause? Especially when the real reasons we celebrate are taught and known.

Christmas is about Jesus in our family. It is about giving rather than receiving. It is not centered around Santa and his reindeer or presents. But it is a part of the holiday tradition for us. A friend on FB posted that someone told her 6 yr old daughter that Santa wasn't real. Here is one of the responses she got:

There was a real man, Saint Nicolas, who placed $, food and toys in the home of a family that needed help. His deed became known and the legend was born. Based on Saint Nicolas, we teach our kiddos that Santa was real once and lived to honor Jesus and we enjoy knowing that the memory of what he did continues in the story of Santa. They still "believe" in Santa and our oldest is 10:) santas magic is not lost here

I love that Santa "lived to honor Jesus". How he helped out families in need. Santa doesn't have to be made into something else. Someone who only brings presents to good boys and girls, but rather someone who helps others. Shows his love for others through giving. Hence the reason we buy each other gifts. 

I hope my children both believe in Santa for many years. And if your child is the one in class that doesn't believe, make sure they keep their mouth shut!

We got to eat breakfast with Santa at his workshop!

Did you believe in Santa? Will your children?

When You Need A Laugh

Here are some of the things I have found on the wonderful World Wide Web that crack me up. I hope they do the same for you cuz everyone needs a reason to laugh on a Monday!

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Guys vs Girls

I want to start by saying that I love M very much. He is wonderful guy and makes me so happy. He is a great father, and helps out so much. I am so lucky to have him and wouldn't want anyone else to share my life with.

Ok, that being said, I'm going to tell you the differences between us, and from what I've heard, the differences between most guys and girls.

1) A cold hit our house pretty hard this last week. I got sick on Tuesday, and almost had it shaken on Sunday,, when M came down with it. He called in on Monday just to try to get rid of it all the way. When he's sick:

• Everyone tiptoes around the house so he can nap on the couch in the living room
• He can't help with the kids AT ALL
• I try to make him some soup or some equivalent, but the only thing he can eat is the cheesecake in the fridge
• He can do nothing except play Mario on the Wii

When I'm sick:

• If I want to nap: First, I can't. I am home with the kids by myself. When M gets home, I might get to sneak off to bed a little early. But I don't get to try to nap on the couch because he wants to watch TV or something
• I take care of the kids just like I do when I'm not sick. There is no calling in when you are at home all day with kiddos
• M thinks I must eat all the normal meals. And healthy stuff cuz sugar isn't going to make me better
• I get the laundry done, do the dishes, dust, vacuum, run errands, take care of the kids, cook dinner, go to work, sleep 3 hrs and do it again

Why is it that men are such babies when they are sick?! I really don't get it. They act like they are dying and can do nothing. If we get sick though, we must carry on.

2) I got a card from a family friend and she gave me some money in it. There are many things that I would like to spend the money on... new clothes, scrubs, an iPad, some things for the house like an entry bench and rug, my ear piercing, etc. Instead I have to take it down and put it in checking so that M can pay his tool bill at work, pay off his snowmobile, and get his boss a gift for his Christmas dinner.

M got a bonus at said Christmas dinner. He will spend it on parts for his snowmobile and whatever he wants to spend it on. I won't see any of it, and either will our bills. 

Why do men get to spend "their" money how they want, on what they want, and yet we have to spend "our" money on things like bills? It is so unfair!!!

3) I work night shifts. I don't get to sleep much at all during the week when I get off. I average 4 hours of sleep on the days I have to work. I am tired. When Saturday finally comes, I want to sleep in, try to catch up on some of that lost sleep. M gets mad that I sleep the day away. He says he is tired too because he doesn't sleep well when I am not home. I would rather "not sleep well" for 9 hrs than pass out for hopefully 4. 

Why don't they get that we need sleep too?! I can't function on 4 hours of sleep for 4 days! Guarantee he couldn't do it either if he only got to sleep for 4 hrs right after work, then get up and take care of kids all day and then head off to work, only to get 4 more hrs and do it again. 

Like I said, I love my husband. I really do! Some things just really drive me up the wall! The difference between guys and girls amazes me. 

What differences do you notice between you and your SO?

Finishing November

I'm a little late, as with everything, but here are the final things that I am thankful for!

If you need a recap, the first 5 are here, the next 10 here, and the last 5 here!

• Day 21: Just got stuck at a train crossing. I was mad but [Pumpkin] told me not to worry because trains are good because they deliver things we need. I'm thankful for my son's beautiful loving mind. We all need minds like that.

Children amaze me. The way they look at the world and see things. If everyone looked at the world the way children did we might actually live in a happy loving place.

• Day 22: I am thankful for my parents and in-laws living so close. It is so nice to be able to spend holidays with my family. I only wish my sisters were here. 

I love doing family things! I love that we all get to spend the holidays together and enjoy each other's company (for the most part ;) ). I miss my sisters a lot though, and do wish they were closer to be able to spend the holidays with us too. 

• Day 23: I am thankful I am not an avid Black Friday shopper. One store is plenty for me!! Good night!

My mom and I went to Herbergers on "Black Friday", or Thursday I guess you could technically call it. I don't know why we did it. I guess I could handle the crowd to get my $60+ boots for $20. HA! I stood in line, outside, in 20 degree weather, for an hour. Shoved my way through the crowds, elbowing people and giving dirty looks, to get the boots. I threw boxes around like next person, and never found my boots. Friend K found them in a size and a half too big, so I found some thick boot socks to accommodate. There was no way I was going through all that and coming out empty handed! I then had to find my mom who got eaten up by the swarm of people and actually got pushed down. I don't know why people enjoy shopping that way! I don't like crowds and I don't like pushy-rude people (although I can be just as rude as the next if you push me!). I seriously don't know if the savings are worth the pain...

• Day 24: I'm thankful for Saturdays!

I know this one sounds dumb, but I love Saturdays (doesn't everyone?!). M normally goes and does his own thing, and it leaves me to do what I please. Crafting, shopping, whatever. And I get to do it with my mom. What better way to spend a Saturday?

• Day 25: I'm thankful for leftover cherry pie. It helps me get through rough games. 

I made a cherry pie for Thanksgiving. On Sunday, the Packers lost. I at the remainder of the cherry pie. Nuff said. 

• Day 26: I am thankful Easton is at home with his family <3

Baby Easton finally got to go home to be with his family!!! It is such a blessing from God that he has gotten stable enough to go home. He has been taken to the ER twice since being home, but at least he is home with his mom and dad and brothers. 

• Day 27: I am thankful for my wonderful sister-in-law who takes a day out of her busy schedule each week to watch my crazy kids! I don't know what I would do without her!!!! See you tomorrow :D

SIL watches the kids every Wednesday for me so I can sleep after working nights on Tuesday. I am so blessed to have such a helpful SIL! 

• Day 28: I am thankful for technology. I love being able to share things with my family and friends that aren't here. 

Truth be told, I have mixed feelings about technology, BUT I do love that I can post pictures and videos of the kids to share with my family that isn't here. I also love being able to talk "face-to-face" over our phones. It helps make the distance between us seem not so far. 

• Day 29: I am thankful that my dad kicked cancers ass! I am also thankful that for the first time in 4 years, all my cancerous cells are finally gone too!

My dad got prostate cancer when I was almost 20. He has been through radiation and surgery after surgery. FINALLY he is cancer free and now only has to deal with follow-up stuff from his surgeries. This year is the first time in 4 years for me that my dr's told me I had no more cancerous cells! Thank you God for our health.

• Day 30: I am thankful for God. He has given me all that I am thankful for, and continues to provide. He knows what is best and is in control (thank you for that too cuz I have no idea what I am doing!). Way to often I ask and ask when I really need to thank and thank.

I think this one explains itself :)

How did you finish your month of thanks?

Traditions

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. I love the winter, snow (when we get it, which we haven't this year :( ), Christmas lights, giving people gifts, cold weather and warm coco (with Kahlua), and Christmas music. I love remembering how excited I used to get (and kinda still do!) waiting for Christmas morning, and the traditions my family had.

One of my favorite Christmas traditions growing up was on Christmas Eve, we would all pile in the car and go to get milkshakes, although EVERY year they were already closed. We always knew they would be, but it almost became a tradition to go anyways! Then we would drive around town looking at all the Christmas lights and decorations. There were a couple places that always did big displays with villages and stuff set up, and we would brave the weather to get out and look at them. The last place we always went was a drive down this long road that all the people living on it lined with luminaries. Every car that went down it turned off their lights and drove by the glow of candles.

After that was time for the midnight church service. When I was really young I would stay home and sleep while my parents went, but as I got older and was able to keep my eyes open, I would get to go too. I loved the midnight service because at the end they gave everyone a candle, turned out the lights, and we stood circling the church signing Christmas songs.

We went to bed right when we got home and tried to sleep so Santa would come. In the morning my sisters and I went through our stockings while our parents showered and got coffee. Then one by one we took turns opening presents.

Another favorite of mine is for the month of December we had this calender that told us what day it was and counted up to Christmas. It had a little mouse that you would move each day, and my sister and I would always fight about who's turn it was to move the mouse! I looked forward to it every single day for a couple reasons. One, it showed how much closer we were getting to Christmas, and two, I loved to get to move that silly little mouse!

Now that we are all "grown up" and living in different parts of the country with our own lives, our traditions have changed a little. When my sisters are in town, we buy stockings for my parents to have also. We no longer go to the same church, and we don't do the family outing to look at lights. But I am passing on some of these traditions to my children.

Christmas Eve is spent with M's family (hence the reason we don't go with mine to look at lights!), so we drive around looking at lights one night usually the week before Christmas. We sometimes go to church Christmas Eve, but usually not the midnight service. We still do presents Christmas morning, but its not always at my parents' house with the whole family.

One tradition I did pass onto my kids this year though is the mouse calendar. My mom gave it me (probably since I am the only one with kids!) and gave me the idea to put little Hershey Kisses in the pouches so that when we move the mouse we get a kiss. Pumpkin loves this! He is so excited to get to move the mouse and eat a kiss! It really reminds me of being a kid.

Mouse Calendar!!!

I am excited to pass on more family traditions, and start new ones, with my children, especially as they get older and understand more. It is fun to relive these things through your children and watch them as they get so excited and anxious.

What are some of your favorite traditions from being a kid? What have you passed on to your children?

The Things My Son Says

It kills me. Pumpkin is only 4 (ok, closer to 5 but lets not push it) and the things that come out of his mouth really get me sometimes.

Everyone knows that there will be no more Twinkies. Well, we happen to have a box of chocolate filled Twinkies "stashed" away. By "stashed" I mean that they are open and some are gone, but the then box just got pushed to the back of my extremely organized pantry, and Pumpkin miraculously found them.

These are the bad boys for those of you wondering about the "chocolate" part (source)

Well, Pumpkin asked me if he could have one. I have no plans or intention to try and sell these things, plus our box is OPEN with some MISSING, but maybe for some crazy reason M would want to keep them. I really doubt it but maybe. So I told Pumpkin that we would have to wait to ask M when he got home from work because they don't make those anymore. What was Pumpkins reply? "Yeah, I heard about that on the news." You heard about that on the news?! How old did I say you were... 40?

Lately Pumpkin has been getting pretty annoyed with Miss L. It must have something to do with the fact that she is always slobbering on his books, eating his soldiers, and tipping over his car garage/ramp-thing. So Pumpkin sits down next to me the other day and says "its hard having a baby in the house". HAHAHA!!!! Yes honey, babies are hard. Good lesson learned early.

Tonight I was in the kitchen making dinner (gourmet tomato soup with grill cheese. I even took a string cheese and added some of that to the regular cheese. I should be a chef). M and Pumpkin were watching the news (!) and it was talking about the ice melting in Antarctica. I heard Pumpkin say "M. Does that mean all the polar bears and penguins are migrating?" I really don't know where he comes up with some of this stuff, but I LOVE it!

I am going to start writing it all down because I can't remember half of it, but it all blows my mind.

What funny/great things does your LO say?

34

Days between my last period and the start of this one. Don't get me wrong, I am not sad that period has started. While M and I aren't using any sort of real protection given the fact that our odds of getting pregnant are pretty darn low, we don't really want another baby right now. But 34 days? What happened to the "normal" 28? I should know better, I am not normal.

Even though I have 2 beautiful children, the sting of my body not working right hurts. The thought that if M and I do decide to have another child we will more than likely face issues again is hard to think about. Already I am not cycling the way a person is supposed to.

You hear so much about infertility before those people have babies, but never about it after. They have their baby, they are complete, and lived happily ever after. I wish. Yes, they finally have their baby, and their family is more complete, and they may live happily ever after, but what about all the in between? The issues that continue to happen? The cycles that never correct themselves? The pain that haunts you day to day? Knowing that more children may be a struggle is possible at all?

No, we are not trying, but this long stretch between periods made me sad. It brought back all those feelings from when we were trying.

Why can't my body just function? Why can't infertility just be cured by having a baby?!

5 More

Continuing on with my days of thanks! The first 5 are here, and the next 10 are here if you missed them.

• Day 16: Even with some bad news, I am still thankful. I am thankful that it is Friday, and the weekend starts tomorrow morning at 7 AM when I get off work! I think we need a relaxing weekend around here...

Well, 2 things happened. First, I signed a DT for my It Works! business. That was super exciting and I was so happy to finally get some action with it. Unfortunately, she canceled the next day. I don't really know why, but she said it had to do with running to many things. I guess she is a photographer.... and she runs her husband's website... or something... Not really sure, but none the less, she canceled. SO disappointing (If you are looking to make some extra money though, let me know :D!!!). Next, my FIL lost his job. He was delivery man for Sweetheart, which was hostess. So when the bakers went on strike, and Hostess closed down, he lost his job. My in-laws had been worried about this for quite awhile now considering that Hostess had filed bankruptcy twice already. I don't think you really know what to do or how to act when it actually happens though. Luckily my FIL is a very talented man and has some opportunties with friends to do jobs to make extra cash (he can do body work and paint cars, etc), and he can claim unemployment for quite a while. I think they will be OK, but it still really sucks. 

• Day 17: I am thankful that I get to go home in 2 1/2 hrs and sleep for about 4!

Yep, I wrote this while at work, at 4:30 in the morning, when I was beyond ready to go home and sleep!

• Day 18: Thankful for 9 months with our baby girl <3

I can't believe Miss L is already 9 months old. It has gone so crazy fast. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not in awe of her. How far she has come, the things she can do, how much she has totally stolen all of our hearts. I am so thankful for that time with her. 

• Day 19: Thankful for a weekend of wins! Bobcats and Packers!!!

We have 2 main college football teams here in Montana, the Grizzlies and the Bobcats. Once a year they play each other. Its a huge rivalry football game, and people get REALLY into it. I am a Bobcat fan. To be honest, normally the Bobcats lose, but this year, they pulled off a win for the second year in a row! WOOHOO!!! Also, my family is a BIG HUGE ENORMOUS GINORMOUS Packer fan. My sisters and I were born into it, my dad has been a fan since he was 6 years old. We bleed green and gold. The season this year has been a little rough, especially considering how we did last year. Sunday's game was a close one, but the Packers were able to secure the W. AAAHHHH, such a great way to end the weekend. 

• Day 20: Thankful for a good 9 month checkup!

Miss L had her 9 month checkup (which I wrote about in my last post), and it all went really well. Its so nice when you go to the dr and don't have bad things to discuss! Simple and boring works for me :) 

I'm ready for the next 10 thankful days! 

9 Months

It is so hard to believe that Miss L has been "out" as long as she was "in"! I swear this time has gone way faster!

To celebrate her big milestone birthday, we got her ears pierced! Please don't criticize. We wanted to do it while she is a baby for a few reasons. One, she won't remember. Two, she won't mess with them. Three, they are less likely to get infected because of the lack of hair products and I am in control of making sure they get cleaned regularly. It wasn't a super easy thing to do though. I almost had a panic attack and thought about leaving. I didn't want to see her cry or hurt at all, and it killed me knowing I was doing it. But, we did it! She looks so darling with her little diamond studs! She cried some, but they don't seem to bother her at all anymore. She hasn't touched them once and she was more interested in the bottle of cleaning solution than me cleaning them. They aren't red or anything either, so that is good. She had her 9 month check up today too, and her dr looked at them and said they looked good. That made me feel better. :)

First ear (it killed me holding her head still!)

Second ear (through the tears :( )

Trying to distract her with a sucker

Pretty little earrings!

Like I said, we had Miss L's 9 month check up today. Everything went really well, which was so nice. She is just shy of being in the 25th percentile for length, and is in the 25th percentile for weight. She got her iron levels checked, and didn't make a peep when they poked her. She is a tough cookie now after her ears! I talked to Dr S about her rice cereal and my thoughts on a rice allergy. He said that is possible, and it doesn't mean she will be allergic forever. He also said there aren't any other foods to be cautious of, other than rice based ones of course :). I declined the flu vaccine at this visit, and will not be vaccinating either Pumpkin or Miss L for it. I feel very strongly about NOT getting the flu shot, so my family will steer clear and advise everyone else to do to the same.

She is to get her chicken pox vaccine and TB test done at 1 year. I will decline the chicken pox one for sure, and am questioning about decline TB also... I will let you know when I decide and why!

Other than that, there really wasn't much exciting at her appt. To be honest, its nice to have boring appts :)

Did you get your LO's ears pierced young? Did/do you decline any shots/vaccines/tests?

The Next 10

Every day on Facebook I have been writing what I am thankful for. I told you my first 5 here, and now for my next 10.

• Day 6: I am thankful for everyone that has supported my fundraiser for Baby Easton. It really kills me. People have no problem clicking "Share" or "Like" because they think this girl is pretty, or they would like to see that place. But when someone (me) posts something (a fundraiser for a very sick baby boy), no one contributes to it, "Shares" it, or even "Likes" it. Makes you realize what people are really about. So thank you to everyone that has donated, shared, liked, and spread the word about this fundraiser to help this precious child. And for those of you that would like another chance at it, here it is :) https://groddy.scentsy.us/Scentsy/Buy?partyId=106755194

Yes, this may be a little rant session, but I think its a good one! I have posted many times about this fundraiser here and on Facebook. Not many people have actually participated in this fundraiser, but I am so thankful for everyone that has. It means so much to me that others are willing to help out a family with a very sick baby. It also amazes me how people are so quick to click like and share on random, unimportant things, but not on something so life altering. Oddly, only 1 person (that lady actually putting this fundraiser on for me) liked this status, opposed to the 5+ other ppl that have liked every other one this month... And how could you not want to help out this precious boy?

From his FB page

• Day 7: I am thankful for my job. I love what I do, and I love that I get to spend the days with my kids. 

I really do have the best job ever. First, its fun. I enjoy the work and the area of study. Second, I get to spend the days with my kids. I don't know what is better than that. Yes, night shifts are hard, but only a few nights a week is manageable.

• Day 8: I am thankful that my hubby spoils me and bought me my amazing SUV. I LOVE it and am so thankful that I have it to drive when the roads get nasty!

This last March M and I traded in my previous SUV, a Nissan Mirano, and got a Chevy Tahoe. I L-O-V-E it. Let me brag here for a minute. It is leather interior, heated seats, sunroof, 6-disc CD player, Bose speakers, DVD player with wireless headphones, 3rd row removable seats, tinted review mirror for the car's headlights behind you, tinted driver side mirror for the car's headlights behind you, defrost side mirrors, and has the turn signal on the mirrors. *sigh* It is A.Mazing. Picture anyone?!

Sorry I didn't get the very front in the pic!

• Day 9: I am thankful for a warm, quiet, relaxing shower! They don't happen very often ;)

My mom stayed late watching the kids for me so I could actually enjoy a shower. It was so nice to not have to worry about what Pumpkin was doing, or what Miss L was eating or into. I forgot what it was like to stand in the shower in silence; no kids roaring like dinosaurs or crying and pulling on the shower curtain. Complete bliss.

• Day 10: I am thankful for coffee. I don't know how I would make it through normal day, let alone a day following a 12 hr night shift, with it!

Obviously I did not have enough coffee when I wrote this one! It should say *a normal day, and *without it! I live on coffee though. I know its a bad habit, but I am so addicted, and I have even gotten M addicted.

• Day 11: I am so thankful for our past and present service men and women. I can't thank them enough for what they have done and made possible for me to do. <3

I  have a cousin in the Air Force and one in the Marines. They have both served during wars. I am so proud of them and love them very much. I think serving in the military, no matter what branch, is such an amazing and self-less thing to do. We would not be where we are, or the people we are, without these men and women.

• Day 12: I am thankful for SNOW!!! I just we would get more of it!

I LOVE the snow and winter. It has lightly snowed here a couple of times all ready, and I am so ready for more! I really hope we get a ton of snow this winter!

• Day 13: I am thankful for some "me" time and my BF that is letting me get it! ;)

I sure am getting spoiled lately! A quiet shower and some pampering time?! Friend K watched Miss L for me while I went and got my hair and eyebrows done. It was so nice to sit and relax! I have never gotten my eyebrows waxed before either, and to be honest, I will never do it again! While it was nice to get beautified like that, I would rather have kept the other 1/2 of my right eyebrow.

• Day 14: Thankful for good roads and safe travel today.

K and I took our friend J to Missoula today. It is about 2 hrs away from where we live. J had to go for some dr appts because the little boy (we found that out today!!!) she is having has a pretty serious heart defect, and the closest pediatric heart dr to us is in Missoula. He is actually the same dr that sees Miss L up here (he only comes up every so often and she had another appt down there with a different dr too). The roads were good and traveling went smooth. The appts didn't go to bad either. We got to learn the sex of the baby, and the diagnosis of the heart didn't get any worse. I actually thought that we she got some good news. We thought that once she delivered the baby (which will be in Seattle due to the hospitals), he would be taken over to Seattle Children's Hospital immediately for open heart surgery, but the dr said that it would probably be a day or 2 and she wouldn't have to be separated from her baby at all. So I am thankful for that also!

• Day 15: So thankful that I have a "vamp geek" friend to go to early showings of horribly good movies!

Yes, I am a Twilight fan. I have read all the books multiple times. And while the movies are embarrassingly-cheesy but still oh-so-amazing, friend K and I have gone to every midnight showing of them together. So this year was to be no exception, except that it is showing at 10 instead of midnight! We are actually such dorks that we made shirts and wore them to the 1st movie's release. We thought about doing it again for this last movie, but ran out of time. :) Here we are in our awesome shirts 4 years ago:

That is me on the left and K on the right

We put one of each of our favorite quotes on our backs

What other things are you thankful for? Any of the same things as me? Are you a vamp geek too?!

Dr's? Who Needs A Dr?

Not me when it comes to Miss L! Well, that is when it comes to Miss L's pooping problems I talked about earlier.

We had talked to the dr about her possibly being lactose intolerant  I also new that she was having issues with fruits. We stopped all foods other than rice cereal and only gave her soy formula. Unfortunately, this did not help. She continued to have loose diapers, and her bottom still blistered and bled. So I decided to take things into my own hands.

I get really sick of going up to the dr for everything. Granted, most things need to be brought to the dr's attention, but I figured we had been there enough for this certain issue and nothing was getting better. My friend K and I brainstormed everything we could think of that could be causing Miss L to have digestive issues. Since I had already changed everything in her diet except the rice cereal, we thought that was the next thing to do. I bought some oatmeal cereal, and low and behold, no diarrhea!

Picture edited by me :)

Miss L has an allergy to her rice cereal. I had never heard of this but I knew that Google had. This was the best article I found in my quick rice cereal allergy search. What I gathered was that there is a protein in the rice that causes the reaction. I had to look more into what FPIES was. I found that one of the symptoms is diarrhea, and that Miss L had!I don't believe she had full on FPIES since she did not require ER care or an IV, and she didn't projectile vomit everywhere. I do feel certain that she has an intolerance to that certain rice protein though.

We have Miss L's 9 month (already?!) checkup next week, so I am going to talk to Dr S more about this rice cereal intolerance. I am very happy that she has been able to get back to eating, and even more foods than before, and has not had any diarrhea since starting the oatmeal cereal.

Does your LO have an odd allergy or intolerance to something? Where you able to use rice cereal or did you use a different kind?

A New Adventure

A little while back, like 2 months ago I guess now..., I took on a new adventure. I became an Independent Distributor for It Works! After talking to M about this, I decided to join my gf's team. We were hoping that I would be able to make just a little bit more money to help out with some of our bills. Or maybe give me a little shopping money!

For those of you that have never heard of It Works!, you are missing out! These amazing body wraps tighten, tone, and firm your skin. You can wrap your legs, butt, back, belly, arms, neck, and even face! They help reduce the look of cellulite and stretch marks too!!! It is NOT water weight that you lose, and the results will actually last.

Not only are there the wraps to use, but many supplements that can be purchased. There is a defining gel that works much like the wraps, and you can use it everyday. This product has become one of my favorites and I used it every time I get out of the shower before I get dressed. It is A-MAZING.

My other favorite product is Greens. You add 2 scoops to your drink of choice (water, juice, power-aid, etc), and it is equal to 8 servings of fruits and veggies! How simple is that?! AND its less then $1 a day!!! The reason I really love the Greens is because I give them to Pumpkin. It is such a good feeling knowing that even if I can't make sure he gets all the servings of fruits and veggies in a day that he needs, I can give him these and he's covered. The best part? He doesn't even know I put it in his juice! My parents have started using them also and swear by them. They are now buying extras each month and sending them to my sisters!

I am not trying to sell you on anything here, or make you join up with me (although I am offering a pretty sweet deal right now if you are interested ;) ), but I am really excited about this new adventure in my life. I am hoping that I can make some extra money and be able to help out with a few more bills, or boots that really need to be bought. 

Have you started a new adventure lately? Have you ever heard of It Works!? Are you interested....? ;)

The First 5

For the month of November, I have joined the band wagon of posting what I am thankful for each day. Since not everyone is friends with me on FB, I will share them here too with a little more elaboration.

• Day 1: I am so thankful for my healthy children.

Although Miss L has had her battles, both my children are at home with us. They have all their fingers and toes, can move and talk (or babble), and breath on their own. I can hold and hug them, and we can cuddle and play. That is something to be very thankful for. 

• Day 2: I am so thankful for my loving and caring husband.

We definitely have our issues, but I do love my husband and he loves me. He works hard to provide for us, and I couldn't ask for more.

• Day 3: I am thankful for my mom. It is unbelievable how much she does for me and never asks for anything in return. She loves me even knowing all my faults. She is my best friend and I am so thankful for that. <3

My mom helps us out so extremely much. She watches the kids for me during the day so I can get a couple hours of sleep. She helps me out with anything I need at any time, without any questions. Our relationship got kind of rocky during my high school and college years, but we have gotten really close again, and I am so glad. She really is my best friend.

• Day 4: I am thankful for God's amazing timing. One example: Had we waited 30 more minutes to go to the hospital to have our baby girl, she would not be with us today. <3

God really is in control, and really does know what is best. I wasn't going to call Dr K, but something made me do it. Had I not made the call when I did, we may not have little Miss L. If the timing didn't work out just right, she would not have made it due to the fact that she was not breathing, and could not breath. God is amazing. Everything he does is amazing. 

• Day 5: I am thankful that my hubby filled his tags this year. The meat helps out so much throughout the year. Now I hope to fill mine ;)

My dad and M went hunting this year and M was able to shoot his buck and doe. I am so glad that he did. We take all the meat from our game and make hamburger, sausage, brats, pepperoni sticks, jerky, etc with it. That is the meat we live off of for the year. It is a true blessing when my dad, M, and I can all fill our tags. That means LOTS of meat for the year! But even if we can't, just a few animals help out a ton. So I am so thankful that M filled his tags. That meat will not go to waste.

Did you join the FB trend this year? What are some things you are thankful for?

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful, fun, and safe holiday :)

Here are some pictures of our pumpkins from this year to help get you in the spirit!

Happy Halloween!!!

Awww :)

M cleaning the guts out

Me cleaning the guts out

All done!

Nothin' Can Stop Her Now

Miss L hasn't quite mastered crawling on her hands and knees, but she can sure move! I don't think I have ever seen someone army crawl so fast.

She is still getting up and rocking back and forth and has even done about 2 crawls before falling down. It is so fun to watch her try, and she gets so proud of herself! She has been getting into everything already though, so I can only imagine how it is going to be once she can really crawl.

On her hands and knees!

Did your LO army crawl first? Or did they jump right in with both... knees?!

8 Month Milestones

I can't believe it, but Miss L is 8 months old today. It is going so fast, and makes me so sad.

Exciting things are happening at this ripe ol' age, like sitting up on her own!!! Well, she can't actually get into the sitting position on her own, but she can sit on her own. She still is a little tipsy and I don't trust her to sit without someone behind her or her Boppy around her, but none the less, she is sitting!

She is also trying REALLY hard to crawl. I am not sure I am ready for that milestone yet though! She has mastered the army crawl, and the last couple days she has been getting on her hands and knees and rocking back and forth. It won't be long before she off... and into trouble!

What milestones have your LOs recently reached?

Halloween

I love dressing up for Halloween, but I think dressing your kids up is even better! Especially when they are little, and don't care or really have a say in what you put them in!! :)

After days and days of searching for Miss L's costume, I found the perfect one. I didn't want to spend too much money since I didn't think we would really wear it considering she is too little to trick-or-treat, and Pumpkin will be with his dad until 8 that night. The one I found was super cute and cheap! And she looks so adorable in it!

We actually are going to be using it a lot too, which is nice! We had a costume party last weekend for the kids. Pumpkin was so excited to get to wear the costume MIL bought him awhile back (Ninja Turtle), and Miss L tried to eat hers.

Me and the kids getting ready to leave for the party

M and Miss L at the party

On the 25th the NICU is having a costume party for all the kids that spent time there, so we will be going to that too. AND M's aunt and uncle have a costume party on the 27th that we might be going to. If we do, I am trying to convince M to be a gnome with me and Miss L will be our little flower!!!

For me (source)

For M (source)

What did you do for costumes for your kids? Do you dress up for Halloween too?

Heart Appointment

Miss L had her "6 month" heart check-up today. Her regular pediatrician couldn't really hear her murmur very well any more, so we were pretty optimistic going in.

The first thing they do is a full EKG on her. She kept trying to pull the stickers off herself, and once the wires were hooked to them, she kept trying to get them in her mouth! We had to hold her hands and arms and the nurse held her legs.

She's trying to figure out why the nurse is putting stickers on her ;)

Always so happy!!!

After her EKG she had an ultrasound on her heart. AND both came back good!!!

The Dr thought that the bottom hole would have closed already, but it was still there. It really shouldn't ever affect her though, unless she gets an infection, which would be really unlikely.

We are so happy to have such good news!!! Plus, we don't have to go back to the heart Dr until she is 2 now! Woohoo!!!! :)

Good News

I had a pap smear last week and got the results on Tuesday. I figured it would be the same as always.... cancerous cells. To my complete surprise, I'm cancer free!!! My Dr even seemed to be surprised! She told me to go out and celebrate :)

It feels so good to get good news! I don't have to go back in for another pap for 6 more months. At that time, if that pap comes back good, I get to go a yr like every other normal person out there! Woohoo!!!

I got other good news at my appt too. My Dr said that you would never know that I have had 2 kids! That is probably one of the best things I have heard in a long time, and a constant fear of mine that M always gets to hear about. ;)

Have you gotten any good news lately?

People Amaze Me

I posted a couple posts back about a fundraiser I was having done for baby Easton. Well, I just want to say that people truly amaze me.

Honestly, I have no idea how the fundraiser is going yet! I only know of one friend that has actually purchased anything (so get your butt over there and buy something!). BUT, the lady doing it for me, G from All Things G, is amazing. I couldn't have asked for more of a gift then just her doing this fundraiser, but her heart if full of gold, and she sent a little surprise my way.

When I went to leave my house today, there was a box sitting by my front door.

Wonder what it could be... 

And inside that box was 2 more boxes...

Sorry bout the crotch shot of my dog!

And inside those boxes were.... no, not more boxes, but Scentsy Buddies! G sent both my kids a Scentsy Buddy! How incredibly sweet is that?!

Pumpkin and Roarbert the Lion

Miss L and Lenny the Lamb

They love them!

Whoever came up with this idea is brilliant! They are these cute, SUPER soft, animals that have little pouches in their backs that you put scent pouches in. The animal smells amazing, and the room smells amazing without having to have anything plugged in or burning. GENIUS! I am hooked on this animals now, and so are my kids. Pumpkin kept taking the scent pouch out to show me how it worked, and Miss L loved chewing on her lambs arm!

The funny thing is, I was looking at getting these for my kids the other day! And I was for sure going to get Miss L the lamb because I had a lamb growing up that may or may not be still in my bedroom today....

Anyways. People amaze me. You always read on the news these horrible stories about people doing unthinkable things. Slowly you start to think that everyone in the world, other than your family (and maybe them sometimes too), are screwed up. Then, someone does something wonderful that makes you realize that there are still good people out there.

Thank you G. You are a wonderful, caring, giving, person. Thank you for doing the fundraiser for Easton for me, and thank you for the thoughtful gifts for my children. The world needs more people like you.

Has someone recently done something expectantly nice for you or your family? Have you participated in the fundraiser for baby Easton yet? DO IT NOW!!!! :)