For those playing along at home

Apologies and forgiveness

2011-07-05T18:52:00.002-07:00

So we teach our kids to say I'm sorry when they hurt someone. I hope you, like me, you teach your kids to say it if they cause physical or emotional pain. I personally know that I don't tell my kids that its ok to say "I'm sorry but". We've actually talked about that since I have a kid on the autism spectrum. His neuro issues, well, sometimes Roman doesn't "get" social aspects of things so we do alot of explaining. I've had to sit and explain that when you apologize to someone it is because even if you didn't mean to hurt someone, you did - so you're sorry your actions or words hurt them. Even if it was a total accident.
We talked about the "but"...

I'm sorry but....
I'm sorry but - you didn't give me enough notice. I'm sorry but you misunderstood the situation. I'm sorry but I didn't mean it that way. I'm sorry but I had to do what I did. I'm sorry but gosh, get over it, its no big deal.
Sounds pretty lame huh? Doesn't make the other person feel any better right? So why do it? The only reason is to make yourself feel better. Because if someones feelings are hurt, they're hurt. Feelings are valid.
In my humble opinion only of course.

If you knocked someone down on the street you'd help them up and be sincerely sorry that you injured them. Isn't it the same when you knock someone down emotionally? This is how I described it to my boy.

What about the other stuff ? Like when someone hurts you but doesn't apologize because they have no idea that they hurt you. Alot of folks just carry that around, get resentful or do passive agressive stuff, or get mad about stuff that has nothing to do with the actual hurt - instead of just telling their friend, coworker, husband, wife, cousin, sister, mom - hey, what you did/said etc...that hurt my feelings. Why don't we tell them? Because we get met with the "but". I'm sorry... but.... or maybe that person won't love us anymore?be our friend anymore? is it true friendship/relationship if there is no honesty?

My kids and I talk alot about this stuff because it happens to us alot lol. I think because we follow the bible. Now I"m not going to get all Jesus freak on you, so hang on and keep reading. Its not a Christian thing, its a human thing.

Deb - hope you don't mind, but I'm going to use you as an example for a sec.
My sister Debbie. So years ago I hurt her. I did. It sucked. I knew it would hurt her because I knew she would step up and do what I couldn't do. It would suck for her. I felt I had no choice so I did what I had to do. You could (and many did) say I was selfish. Years later I just knew that in order for us to be somewhat ok in our relationship I had to tell her I was sincerely sorry. Because I WAS !! I never meant to hurt her. I wished it could've been different. But it DID hurt her. And it was stupid to go on pretending it didn't hurt her. It was more selfish to pretend *I* didn't hurt her. I did. My actions, even if I could have not done anything different for myself, they hurt her. And she is important to me. I love her. Hell, I even LIKE her. So the only thing to do was say - you know what? I KNOW I hurt you. I acknowledge that I chose to do something that hurt you. I knew what I was doing, I did it because it was best for ME even if it hurt YOU. I was young, I made a crappy choice. Today maybe I could've come up with a smarter plan. I ran away. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I hurt you. I really truly am. I love you. I wish I could take it back. I hope you can forgive me. It was honest. It was the truth. I will never anything like it to anyone again. Ever. Not to someone I love. I'll find a better way. If nothing else, I learned to talk about it- to own it - to say I'm sorry when I hurt someone I love. And I hope for forgiveness. If I hurt someone i hope they'll forgive me. If someone hurts me I forgive them. This is what we're supposed to be doing as humans. Learning, loving, forgiving.

Ok - so thats a HUGE example of "I'm sorry". I've done it. Its hard. Usually its not such a big thing. Usually its forgetting someones birthday, or helping someone feel left out, or hurting someones feelings with an offhand remark... little things. Much easier to apologize for those you'd think. But the big stuff just sits there too. Because if you tell someone your feelings are hurt or you still have old stuff you're working thru there is a chance they'll tell you to get over it or get out. Is that person really someone who loves you if they'd say that? huh. What if you told your spouse they hurt you and they said get over it or get out lol - that'd work. not. when its between two lovers we assume if one is hurt, one will apologize, discussion will happen - apology, forgiveness. But someone between friends, parent and child, we are 'allowed' to just make excuses?

I say I'm sorry to my husband. My friends . I actually apologized this week to a friend for asking her to listen to me vent... again. lol. I don't think it's a bad thing when people are important to you and you hurt them. Because we are humans. We screw up all the time and hurt each other. We practically bounce off walls hurting each other by accident. And I'm absolutely blown away and how folks will not own it. Will not apologize. This past few months when I've told people who I've cared about that I've been hurt by something they have said or done I 've been met with ...
"I will not make apologies for my actions"..... "I'm sorry you feel that way".....
and only once did someone actually say they were sorry. Tho I think it was an automatic reaction because the person was so shocked I'd actually have the crazy thought to say "Hey, you are my friend and you hurt my feelings" please don't do that. Most people aren't stupid. When you hurt them, they know it. Most folks just don't have the strength to tell you that you hurt them and they're too afraid you'll say that you misunderstood, sorry you feel that way, I didn't mean to do that, you over reacted etc. But hey, you know your feelings. When they're hurt they're hurt. Better to be honest and tell your friend, husband, cousin, - 'that hurt my feelings'. and better if you did the hurting to say 'holy crap, I honestly did not mean to hurt you, I'm so sorry that hurt you. I love you and will try not to do it again.

Or - end the fake relationship if its not worth it.

When my son hit his buddy with the sword in the eye - he immediately said "I'm sorry!" and his buddy said "Why did you do that?". And my son looked shocked and said "I SO didn't mean to do it. It was an accident. I'd never hurt you on purpose!". And it was honest. And he meant it. And so his friend forgave him and they went back to playing. I told him later what a great job he did apologizing when he screwed up. lol. I wonder if his friend was the one who poked HIM in the eye - if it was reversed, if his friend apologized, if Roman would have forgiven him as quickly. I sure hope so.

I wonder why adults can't do that even tho our stuff is so much bigger. I am so sorry. I didn't mean to do it. I'd never hurt you on purpose. I'll be more careful next time.

Why aren't we more careful with peoples hearts.

if you're looking for me today.. on FB or texting me...

2011-05-20T14:42:00.002-07:00

Um... I have no phone now. Ok, I have a phone but its not working cuz my beautiful helpful daughter went to get me my new upgraded sim card not realizing that they'd shut off my phone lol. So i'm at work with a phone with no service and my new handy dandy sim card is at home. I'll have it back on in about an hour and a half, but if you've tried to call, text or FB me in the past couple of hours I've not gotten it - thowwy lol

I am posting on FB through my blog (again) since I can't access FB on my puter at work, and now have no phone to get on FB lol

Try me after 4pm and I"ll respond I promise

Yah, its been a rough couple of days lol

Christmas angels, cancer walk, Chanukah, peanut brittle and advent

2010-12-03T16:53:00.005-07:00

We try to practice giving throughout the year - from tithing to donating whenever possible, helping folks when they need a hand, helping friends move or watching their kids here and there - whatever we can do when we can do it. When we got child support for Chelsey (after she turned 18 -wow that took forever), we decided to use a part of it to sponsor a child thru Compassion International. Every year at Christmas we make a box of like new toys, books and clothing to bring to the Central Arizona Shelter. We're trying to teach our children about giving and the joy it can bring and how blessed we are - even when we're "broke".

This year has been a bit tougher then usual financially for us but of course the Lord always provides. Ooma (gramma) and I had talked about finding a way to donate to a child in need this year - but with things being a bit 'tight', my recent surgery and some added stress on the kids, I wasn't sure this year it was feasible for several reasons.

Ok - so this is where GOD comes in. I'm sitting at my desk at work today and an office-wide email comes in called "Christmas Angels" - I open it to see that our agency raised quite a bit of money through the year for gifts for this program. And all they needed was ... shoppers!!! I emailed the woman and received two envelopes with money so my kids can go to the mall, pick gifts for a child in need and shop for that child. They get to learn about giving, buying for a child who is less fortunate - and its in the budget because the agency fundraisers provide the cash to buy the toys. I just give the receipt(s) back to them from the Angels program to show its been done.

The kids are really excited to be able to do this. Zoey is sleeping over at Oomas tonight to do the CAncer walk - http://www.twccaz.org/events/cancerconnectionswalk2010.aspx and when they get back tomorrow we'll all go to the mall to be Christmas angels. I'm also so thankful to Ooma for taking Zoey with her on this walk - another great opportunity to support and show our love for all those struggling with cancer in our family, in our city, in our world.

I'm so excited to be able to participate in this program this year. Thank you Lord for the opportunity to give when I didn't think we'd be able to this year. !

For those who don't know we celebrate both Chanukah and advent and Christmas. We are lighting our candles every night and singing the blessings with some small gifts (90% off last year lol) and our advent calendar is filled with family activities - making gingerbread guy, setting up the outdoor nativity, visiting Santa up the street, making tortilla snowflakes, watching our favorite holiday movies, roasting marshmallows in the fire - that sort of thing. The kids are really into it this year, talking about the miracle of the oil and then talking about the nativity story.
Its really very cool as we talk about the gifts we've been given and how blessed we are.

Tomorrow we'll make peanut brittle before we shop for friends, family and coworkers and I'll wrap more gifts. I shop all year so am done and just get my kids a few things black friday. My shopping was pretty much done by summer and thank goodness for that too , we always seem to get 'hit' in November and December with additional expenses. What is up with that !?!?!

Ok, thats my blog for today - back to your regularly scheduled programming. Yay for peanut brittle, the Cancer walk, Advent, the Festival of Lights and being able to be Chrismas Angels. Its going to be a fabulous holiday season !!!!!

5 weeks post op - going back to work

2010-11-29T05:03:00.002-07:00

I'm a little nervous, but its good I'm going. I'm 5 weeks post op today, and have been out on leave for six weeks (the week before I was too jacked up on meds and in too much pain to work). I'm off all narcotics and actually off all the headache meds. Only taking my thyroid meds, claritin and sleep meds (my brain cyst was on the pineal gland which is thought to regulate circadian rhythm and sleep/wake cycles so my sleeps been messed up). I'm only taking a half of the sleep pill and up to 3mg melatonin so hopefully soon will be off the med and just on melatonin.

So today I'm up at 4:30am like I'm supposed to be, having coffee headache free - will do a modified workout (still no heavy weights or high impact for a few more weeks at least) and head to the office. I am out of time off - my coworkers donated some leave time so I will get a full check this week but not sure if they went over. I'm supposed to be part time today and tomorrow , back to full time Wednesday - but will see if I have any paid time off and how I feel. My job is a desk job so not like i"ll be running around, but it will I'm sure be stressful after six weeks out. I have alot to catch up, alot of people who will need me, alot of computer work to do.

Another chapter in my life (we're adding brain surgery to the list of weird crap that's happened to me in my lifetime) - big thanks to the mamas at amitymama for their ongoing, loving kindness and support. Prayers from mamas at GCM as well and the Leslie Sansone walk forum. Thank you for emails, messages, cards in my mailbox, small gifts of kindness. And all my friends on facebook who sent pm's, texts etc , and of course to my local friends for bringing food for my family and easing the burden on my husband and big girls - thank you.

Going to do a modified gentle workout . I have 10lbs to lose post surgery with the get well casseroles, feeling sorry for myself ice cream in bed and no workouts for a while- and head to the office.

I think I'm pretty much back baybee!

Headache Free, Brain surgery & free holiday cards ,

2010-11-26T09:31:00.007-07:00

For those not on facebook, or those who prefer to read the blog vs reading on amitys or facebook - I am successfully status post craniotomy, yes siree I survived brain surgery lol. I still have all my hair too. They did a posterior fossa craniotomy - stuck my hair in pigtails, shaved about 3" of hair for the incision, stuck an endoscope in with a camera and sucked the cyst out of my brain. Four weeks later I have no headaches and no migraines. I'm still pretty fatigued and sore - I have alot of nerve pain on the side of my head but neurology assures me that will dissipate with time, and if not there are meds for that. And if you so desire, pictures (MRI of cyst) and one photo of the incision site for those daring enough are on facebook under the album "my brain".

I'm off all the narcotics now officially, taking only tylenol as needed. Weaning off the topomax (headache/seizure med) now too. Still taking Klonopin for sleep but upping the melatonin daily in hopes of slowly getting off the Klonopin too so that I'll only be on my thyroid meds and melatonin when this is done!
I have TONS to be Thankful for this year - not only surviving the surgery and being for the most part pain free, but for amazing friends and family who really really helped and prayed and were there for me and my family.

Had a lovely Thanksgiving with family - lots of pictures on facebook if you're interested and one of my favorites below. Alea is 22 months now, talking up a storm and stealing coffee!

Also posting because of this dealio. I want free photo cards this year! lol

http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/

MRI results

2010-07-19T10:13:00.005-07:00

Haven't blogged in forever, but can't get to FB on my phone to do a note for some reason today so accessing from the blog instead. For those who've sent me messages re: the MRI and symptoms I've been having - headaches/migraines, vertigo/motion sickness, neck pain etc. I did get a message from my doctor this morning that they found a small pineal gland cyst and are sending me for an MRI this time with contrast (the last time was without contrast). My understanding is that these are generally benign and require no treatment other then to watch them to ensure they don't grow.
I've left a message for my doctor to call me re: the size of the cyst, how they make sure theres not an associated tumor etc. If you can think of other questions I should ask - please send me a message and let me know.

My best guess right now is that they'll continue to treat my symptoms and I'll probably have repeat MRIs to make sure the cyst doesn't grow or move. Continue to treat my symptoms.

I'm going to try to see if I can get the MRI with contrast done today, so I will keep you posted.

Thanks for the ongoing support
Barb

Swine flu vaccine recall

2009-12-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.wxyz.com/news/story/ALERT-Swine-Flu-Vaccine-Recalled/_TbLHKwSGESskZGfKQGkAw.cspx

ATLANTA (AP) -- Health officials are recalling hundreds of thousands of doses of swine flu vaccine after tests indicated they may not be potent enough to protect against the virus.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified doctors about the recall Tuesday. The recall involves about 800,000 doses made by Sanofi Pasteur. The doses are pre-filled syringes intended for young children, ages 6 months to almost three years.Health officials recommend children those ages get two doses, spaced about a month apart.Health officials say it's not clear how many doses have already been given, but they don't think children need to be re-vaccinated. The lots passed potency tests when they were first shipped, but tests indicate the potency waned after.

So.... what they're saying is that the vaccine was not strong enough, but no reason to revaccinate? huh? So the second dose will cover it? really? I'm thinking NOT.

Got my CT results - or - the sinus infection from HELL saga

2009-11-19T14:12:00.003-07:00

For those who dont' know, I was down for the count with a "significant right maxillary sinus infection" this past week. Pain was unbearable and here I am day 7 and still taking ibuprofen every 4 hours and doing neti pot, antibiotics. Was a bad bad week. anyway, CT scan is back for those asking about the results. Apparently (and I knew this part), my septoplasty surgery in 1998 and turbinate reduction for deviated septum has crashed and my septum is once again S shaped , severely limited my breathing/sinuses. the scan also did show the right maxillary sinus infection and thickening but also a polyp or cyst in the sinus cavity so I'm being referred to an ENT for further treatment and possibly another surgery (tho I'm thinking neti pot and maybe allergy meds might help).

anyway, appt is next week so will keep those of you interested in my nasal/sinus issues in the loop. LOL.
Seriously tho, thank you for CARING. that means alot to me.

Huge Yard Sale- free breakfast/lunch, raffle prizes.

2009-11-06T09:09:00.001-07:00

Hosted by St. Mark Lutheran Church

Sponsored by Market Bistro
It’s time to clean out your closets of all things baby & child! St. Mark is hosting its first Baby Days Sale on Sat. November 14th. Do you make blankets, quilts or other items for babies or kids? Want a place to sell them? Have gently used clothing, toys, bedding, furniture, and other child related items? The holidays are coming; this is a great way to make extra money to help pay for Christmas! It’s also a great way to mingle with current & future congregation members. A $5 seller fee is due the morning of the sale. Market Bistro will provide breakfast & lunch FREE at the event! Exciting prizes being raffled off! Contact Nicole Hoffman for details. 602-626-8020 or email at nhoffman@cox.net
A 10% donation to St. Mark of your days profit is encouraged. Your donations from this event will benefit our children’s and youth ministries.
$5 seller fee will cover basic expenses related to the sale.
November 14
7:30 am – 2 pm
3030 E. Thunderbird Rd
St. Mark Baby Days

review of Jillian Michaels 30 day shred and the end of P90X

2009-10-02T07:31:00.002-07:00

Ok - well, after 8 weeks of P90X I decided homeboy really freaking annoys me and I'm so done with him. My husband suggested I looked way too much like I was on steroids and that perhaps less weight lifting and more cardio for a bit would be helpful. I lost no weight on the program, tho I didnt' follow his eating plan but I didnt' gain weight either. I got some nice muscles (Lindsey says grammas got guns) and tone, but an hour and 15 minutes a day was killing me and I wasn't having fun any more so I stopped. He's annoying.

So yesterday I decided to try the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred program. What I liked? 28 minutes of circuit training. Yes, I can sleep in til 4:15 (thats an extra half hour for me folks) and I can do a half hour vs an hour and 15 minutes for a while - heck I deserve to! I like circuit training - I like a bit of cardio, a bit of strength, then some abs - rinse, repeated 3 x , shower and you're done.

What I do NOT like? No timer on the program - can't see how many minutes you've done or whats left. I like my workouts to have a timer, sorry but I do. It helps me to know , only 30 more seconds of this, I can do it. Jillian also doesn't tell you how many reps for strength, or count reps. I found she'd do 20 one side, 18 the other or first round will do 25 reps, then next round 30. It makes no sense. And they don't stick to the music beat. Its almost like someone put the music in after. I'm OCD. I hate that. So I have to do it to the beat and not watch the screen and I have to count reps so I'm even on both sides. That annoys me.

Jillian is icky. I don't like her honestly. But moving on - I think the issue will be again for me that I need variety. How can you do the same 3 workouts every day for a month? That will drive me insane I think. I will try tho. I guess some folks only work out 3x/week. I'm thinking I'll do this 3x week and subsidize with turbo jam, yoga booty, reach , get ripped and some of my favorites that I"ve been missing this past 2 months.

anyway, I've done workout 1 and 2 and they are TOUGH, I will give Jillian that. I huff and puff and sweat tons - even had to modify some of her moves , but then again I'm not a fan of plank jacks - they are invasive and hurt my back if I don't have absolutely perfect form.

ok so there ya have it on the exercise front for those who care about this stuff.

If you have any amazing new programs you've tried , let me know. Variety is the spice of fitness lol

b

A day in my life 2009

2009-09-25T06:44:00.002-07:00

An annual tradition now on amitymama, I'm participating in "A day in the life". Basically, if you're up for it - you take pictures of one entire day of your life to share with other moms across the world. Across the country too - but we have moms in Israel, New Zealand, Canada - all over. Stay home moms, work at home moms, work out of the home moms. Moms who are nursing, slinging babies, making tiedye, going to work, homeschooling ... single moms.... its really fun to see how different moms all over spend their days.

Mine has changed drastically each year, and this year you can basically see how long my days are right now. Very busy, but so so very blessed.

Some pretty awful pictures of me lol, but this is an honest view of a random day in my life if you're interested

http://picasaweb.google.com/BuffBarb/BarbSADayInTheLife09

P90X update - I just finished week 7

2009-09-19T11:49:00.002-07:00

and boy am I sore lol. I guess hiking 19 flights of stairs this week 3 times didn't help. Only once did I hike UP at least, the others were down but my thighs are yelling at me today.

So week 8 is recovery week - which is yoga, kenpo and core synergystics. Recovery from working with weights, but not like resting lol. I'll take tomorrow as a rest day and start on Monday.

5 more weeks to go. I feel like I have muscles I never knew I had. I dont' know that I look much different tho. Guess we'll see when I do the after pics.

Just a wee update for those playing along at home :)

b

L' shana tova! שנה טובה

2009-09-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

Rosh HaShana is the Jewish New Year, but it is also much more than that. It is the day when God judges all of mankind.

See http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday2.htm for more

Christians can celebrate too.

Rosh HaShana is the day when God juges ALL of mankind, Jews and non-Jews. In fact, you SHOULD repent on that day.

God welcomes the repentance of all mankind. Jews hold that everyone is created in the image of God, and that all people are the children of God.

I'm just sayin'...........

Happy New Year :)

wow, lamed on blogging with stuff going on lol - updates on Tom, Chels, kids and p90X of course`

2009-09-13T06:54:00.002-07:00

Dudes, sorry I've not blogged. Been a little overwhelmed with life. But here I am. I've got oatmeal raisin cookies in the oven and am having coffee in the quiet before showering and heading off to church for rehearsal before the services. Still loving singing with the team -and learning so much, really not just about music, but just got yet another perspective shift because my worship leader rocks and had to open my eyes for me lol. It was a good thing. Hence, he gets cookies today.

Kids are doing great - Romans still loving Karate, tho we did have to cut him down to once a week for now until finances get straightened out . He has his first real best friend who actually spent the night again last night. Zoey is doing Jam at church once a week, loving that and loving school. Chelsey just finished her 2nd week of school and so far so good! Miss Alea is growing like crazy, getting another two teeth this week on top of an ear infection, so there was some crankiness but I think we're near the end of it . And she's gettng used to being with Gramma, grampa and uncle and aunt at night now. She takes a stroller ride with Grampa every night, gramma feeds her dinner, aunt Zoey holds her while they watch baby signing time. We'll get a routine down.... 6.5 more months of it lol.

Toms still actively looking for work, but of course the issues are that
1. he's done construction plumbing for 20 years and thats where his experience is
2. he's pretty sure he can't do it no matter what the Mayo doc says - he's still having pain lifting the baby (20lbs) with that wrist. So he's trying to look for light work - with less lifting involved
3. The guys movin' in on 50, so finding a job doing something he's not done is going to be hard because
4. the economy sucks.
He's put in about 60 resumes to date and not gotten a call yet. So keep you fingers and toes crossed k? Prayers are good. Very good.
Still fighting with unemployment too . But Tom had his independant medical exam this week and the doctor seemed to think that without physical therapy (which Tommy has not had), he will not regain full strength and we think he'll refer back to PT thru workmans comp which would be awesome - we'd have $ coming in again while he looks for work , plus PT might actually help him regain his strength! what a concept. lol

Still doing p90X and today marks the end of week six. Been doing this for a month and half! lol.
I had some eating issues earlier in the month , but honestly I was actually up 13lbs from my ideal weight when I started this program. I've lost 4 , so now I am about 9lbs from ideal weight, tho my hubbie (and my doctor) seem to think I need to set that weight 5lbs higher since now I have alot more muscle. So basically I was 115 at my thinnest. I'm 124 today. My goal is going to be 120 and then see how I feel and if I want to lose the last 5. Beyond the scale, I have to say that my body looks better - I will post pics when I hit the end, but I am seeing all kinds of muscle and definition mostly in my shoulders, arms and legs. I think my booty might be looking better too lol. Not seeing much in my abs honestly, but I do believe that 3 kids and skin have something to do with that. and I"m not 20 years old!
I also need a pullup bar vs using free weights for my back. Anyway, six more weeks to go and then we'll see how I did. I know that my body is still sore. Even with the stretching.

Ok, gonna get the cookies out of the oven and hit the shower. Have a great day folks

Prayer request blog today. Lots of folks need prayer

2009-08-28T09:58:00.003-07:00

This is going to be a prayer request today gang. There are many who need our prayer so please pray along with me?

Dear Heavenly Father-

Today I pray for your grace, your mercy and love. I thank you for all of my blessings, for my home, the health and happiness of my children, for my job, for my friends and family and for every gift you give every day. Thank you Lord for all you do for me every day and help me to remember its all because of You.

Lord, I pray today for Brandon - you know his heart and how clear his spiritual vision is. Please heal his physical vision completely if it be your will by guiding him to the right doctors and guiding those doctors to do good works on his eye.

I pray for Carrie today. Father help her to find the words to write, to understand the math, to have the strength through you to get it done Lord.

I pray for Kristen - and for her boss. I pray that you touch her bosses heart and open her mind and let her know you so that she can in turn be good to those around her. I pray that Kristen has patience and calm and feels your arms holding her up as she goes through her week.

I pray for Brians friend Jim - his wife and baby. You know their situation Lord - help them trust you and learn and grow from this mess and care for them through this tough time.

I pray for Gregs family - for the new baby boy to make a safe entrance into this world. I pray for a healthy birth and baby Lord.

I pray for healing from Cancer for Yvonne and for healing from heart surgery for Mackenzie. Please Lord heal them and wrap them in your love and light. I pray for Pastor Mikes daughter - for continued health, recovery and freedom from cancer.

I pray for John - Lord send him love if it be your will. He loves you, and I pray he finds love in a new relationship. I pray also for the SML congregation members on the prayer list silently now.
Please Lord heal them , hold them up and let them feel your warmth, your love and your mercy if it be your will.

And finally Lord a selfish prayer for my family. Father God - I know you know our hearts and our hurts. I know there is a plan and it will be glorious. I pray for my husband Tom, for him to find calm and peace in You, to find a job that will help us financially but also help him emotionally to be working again and providing for his family the way he always has. I pray for us to continue to find the way to pay our bills through this transition- and I praise you and thank you Lord for the money that has found its way into the right accounts and bills at the right time so that they are getting paid. I thank you Lord for over time and forgive me for whining about it - ever.

Thank you Lord for my kids health, for their success in so far and love of school. Thank you all of my blessings - even the blessing of having internet access and a blog through which to pray and ask others to pray.

Father I give you all the praise and all the glory. In Jesus name I give it all to you today and ask you to forgive me my sins, my mistakes - those I know I've made, those I don't even know I've made and those I will probably make today. Thanks for loving me, even when I'm a mess. Thank you for hearing my prayers.

Amen

Week 3 and I'm still hitting the play button- and family update

2009-08-21T12:33:00.003-07:00

Every morning at 4:15am I gather up my courage and hit play on the dvd player. Week 3, day 3 and i'm freaking tired and sore lol. but I'm still doing it. huffing and puffing and sweating and grunting, but I've not quit. After doing plyometrix yesterday my face was red for 30 minutes - even after showering, dressing and doing my hair I still could see the red through the makeup lol. Today was shoulders/arms. I ran out of time for the ab ripper so I'll force myself to do it this afternoon. Its only 16 minutes. 16 minutes of HELL and that is with breaks.

Tip of the day from me? Take OFF YOUR RINGS . Trust me on this.

and yes, the blog is mostly about the p90x gig right now because it keeps my mind off other stuff.

but in case you need to know whats going on in other news - Zoey and Roman are doing very well in school so far and enjoying it. Zoey can't start band til 5th grade so is now considering going back to cheerleading. Will call Heather since she's my connection on that. Roman got his orange-belt-in-training belt and is loving Karate. Its been great for him on so many levels. Chels starts school on the 31st - she's excited. I'm a little nervous about working all day and then having Alea until she gets home - bedtime with an infant and no mama milk? Yay that'll be fun.

Toms got an appt for an independant medical exam in September so we'll know whats going on with him then. So yah, thats not too stressful (dripping sarcasm) - the whole not knowing kills me.

If you pray, please pray for my coworkers. General prayer for peace. Someone here died and alot of people are hurting at how, why and just in general.

Still enjoying worship - getting to know the team. Right now I'm just incredibly impressed with all of them. Good people. Good musicians. Loving Thursday night rehearsals and Sunday morning worship. Makes me happy.

:)
B

1st day of school 2009

2009-08-17T09:25:00.001-07:00

for those who don't facebook - heres a link to our first day of school pictures!

http://picasaweb.google.com/BuffBarb/1stDayOfSchool2009#

P90X again - so, I'm in the middle of week two and realized

2009-08-17T05:55:00.002-07:00

that someone should've told me to start on a Monday lol. I'm pretty obsessive compulsive and I started this on a wednesday which has kind of screwed me up since its a six day rotation and a rest. And I rest on Sunday. So I modified because I hate yoga anyway. Now, let me say that this guys yoga segment is kick BUTT - very, very tough. But I will never like yoga. Yes, its hard work and I sweat and I know its great for flexibility and to lean out the muscle but I hate it anyway. Its not yoga, its me. I get that. So I took yesterday off - yoga day and today I'm on week 2 day day 5. So I have today - legs and back, tomorrow will be Kenpo and wednesday I'll do the core synergistics from the core program instead of the stretch. Thursday I"ll start week 3 and try the same gig. For recovery week I can actually start on Monday and get back into an OCD persons rotation. But recovery week is only yoga, stretch and coresynergistics so I think his yoga days I might do some yoga booty ballet . Do you think that'll "blow" the program?
I don't think so - I mean the point is to stretch and recovery from 3 weeks hard core muscle, ab and cardio work right?
We'll see. Right now thats my plan.

Ok, gonna do legs/back and abs today. Then get my kids up for the first day of school, so look for pictures in a bit.

Thats my p90x update. Oh and taking body shots today for the 'before' :)
B

rockin the p90x and michael jackson

2009-08-12T18:13:00.001-07:00

Just to let you know - I survived phase 1 week 1 and am sore, but not dead. Tomorrow starts week 2! woohoo for me.

I'm also noting here that whether you like Michael Jackson or not, you really do need to watch his short film Ghosts.

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/14102/772750

Its really brilliant. My kids love it.

Now we're going to watch mOonwalker. :)

I hurt all over lol - p90x continued

2009-08-10T14:53:00.002-07:00

P90x is kicking my butt. Hopefully kicking it into shape. lol. I can't believe I'm only on day 5. this morning I did the legs/back workout and it was tough. I wish they had someone modifying - they have only the pull up bar and the bands from the ceiling and I have neither so I basically did the band workout with weights. I'm sore. I ran out of time - I only have an hour max in the morning (getting up at 3:45 these days so I can relax for half an hour before starting the workout and still have time to shower, dress, drive and be at work at 6:30). So I am going to do the ab ripper this afternoon, tho I dread it. I'm still sore from the last time! lol.

Tomorrow is Kenpo. We'll see what thats all about.

p90x day 4, church and coffee

2009-08-09T06:39:00.002-07:00

So yesterday I did the shoulders/arms workout in the morning and I actually enjoyed it. It moved alot faster and I liked some of the new moves I've not done. It is supposed to be coupled with the ab ripper, but I didnt' have time before heading to the membership class at church (which went very well by the way and we're becoming members of the church we've been at for just shy of three years which is pretty cool). Anyway, I did the ab ripper when we got home and you know what? I had to modify it even more because my abs are still sore from the day 1 workout! lol. But I did it.
I have to say that yesterday I walked around burning/hurting all day lol. My calves are still sore and I'm guessing its from the day 2 plyo workout. My neck, shoulders, back - all a bit sore. Today is day 4 and yoga is on the schedule but I generally take Sundays off and so I'm going to just do the stretch today or I might die lol.

Going to do that now, shower and head to the pre-service worship rehearsal - hope everyone is on time so we can run some vocal warm ups. Praying the spirit is with us at the service. Then I think Chels and I are going to have a 'date' at Dutch brothers for coffee - she has some text coupon for us.

P90X - review by a 44 year old gramma lol - day 2

2009-08-07T09:52:00.002-07:00

So.... for those who have asked me about p90X heres my take on it so far.

I'll start by saying that I tried his orginal p90 and was really not so impressed. I found it boring honestly, not easy by any means, but it wasn't 'fun' for me. And if its not fun, i generally wont' do it. But when the ads for p90X came out I thought.. hrm... I'd like to try that some day.

Nows the day apparently. Thanks to a friend I have the opportunity to try the program. I'm not following their diet plan because I'm still doing calorie counting which works for me (ok, most of the time, yes I am back up again on the scale).

I'll say that the 'bonus workouts' on the intro dvd - not worth your time. I lasted about 15 minutes before deciding again, might be a tough workout, but boring.

Yesterday I did the first weight workout - Chest and Back, followed by the Ab Ripper (recommended together for day 1 of the program).
re: Chest and Back - this is a very tough workout no doubt. I do not have a pull up bar or bands, so I used free weights and had to modify the heck out of it to make it work. It would've been nice to have one person on the team using free weights to follow. I had issues trying to determine what weight was going to work. And - you know what? I know push ups are incredible for your chest and back - and I know they work - but dang they are boring. No matter how many types of pushups you do and what the speed is - they're still just flat out boring to me. Hard yes, great workout absolutely. boring - to me, yes. I was not thrilled with the workout. What I did like is that they offer an option to mute the trainer except when he's cueing the next exercise. Maybe the guy will grow on me? I can hope.
The ab ripper? GREAT workout. this is a 15 minute kick your butt (I mean abdominals) workout that I really really liked. Faster paced, muted the guy this time except for cues and there were some showing modifications for those of us who have been working out 3 years plus but aren't professional athletes lol.

Today I did plyometrics. Um - wow.
Wow.
Wow.
This is an incredible workout. I was dripping with sweat after 58 minutes, huffing and puffing like an old lady and just glad I made it through.
What I liked? the guy didnt' annoy me nearly as much. I think it was because he was doing less coaching and was trying to breathe like the rest of us. I liked that the exercises were broken up into 30 minute segments (one minute at the most) with some recovery in between. I liked the modifications offered to those of us learning to jump lol. I liked that one of the team members did the workout and has a prosthetic leg. Kind of motivating that if he can do it, so can I. I liked the music. I liked the moves - some of them I've never done anything even close to.
What I didn't like? Not much honestly. This may be one of my new rotation workouts if I decide not to follow the entire program for 90 days as recommended.

Tomorrow the schedule says to do shoulders/arms and ab ripper again. These workouts do run long. They say all you need is an hour a day. But if you do the ab ripper after a workout your'e looking at about an hour and 10 minutes or so. I've been getting up even earlier (ie. 3:30am, so I can workout 4:10-5:20 before showering and getting to work) and that alone is killing me. Sleep is way too important to fitness as well, so I may only do the weight workout and then do the ab ripper when I get home in the afternoon. I also may skip the day 4 yoga and do my yoga booty ballet instead. But I am SO looking forward to the Kenpo workout. I hope I'm not disappointed.

and I hope this guy grows on me. I'm used to female fitness instructors - Leslie, then Chalene and Cathe and Jari. Maybe I'm just being biased?

So theres the review to date. Will keep you posted.

Did I mention my abs are killing me? And my hip flexors are whining a bit as well. Will stretch tonight in a big way.

b

I"m back after a little hiatus

2009-08-06T16:50:00.003-07:00

Yah, so the blogging thing didnt' work well for me for a little while. Took a break but now I'm back. With a vengeance. lol

Lets see - what to fill you in on first. Well, I guess we'll start with the latest developments of the family. Tom was released from treatment today for his wrist injury. We really dont' have a clue what that means until the independant medical exam in a few weeks. He knows he can't go back to plumbing but they seem to be saying he can, so we may have a fight on our hands. For now we'll wait for the exam, and take one step at a time. The wrist feels better after the surgery last April, but he still can't lift 100lb pipes any more thats for sure. So whats an almost 50yo plumber to do? hopefully vocational rehab. But again - we'll see. Pray if you see fit.

Chels is doing well and changed schools since getting the run around for way too long. She starts August 31st back at cosmetology school. She's very excited and I'm pleased for her. I'll be watching Alea while she's there, so basically working two jobs - wish me luck with that? lol. Blessed am I that Alea is a really wonderful little girl. She's full of beauty, humor and major personality. The update on Alea is that she's 7 months old, fat and happy! She has 2 teeth , is finally getting some hair and sits all by herself. She loves carrots and arrowroot cookies and charms everyone she meets.
here she is at 6 months old.
Cutie patootie huh?

What else. Zoey and Roman had a fun summer. We went to Anthem to the mini water park with Uncle George and Aunt Patty, and also to the Eldorado water park/pool with Ooma and Poppy. There were movies every week, the library, a few trips to the public pool to check out the high dive. Roman still had Karate every week and has earned his orange belt in training - he's very proud and doing very well.
The kids just finished this "jumpstart" program at school for the past two weeks - they learned about the enviornment and worked on laptops. They had a blast and made friends.

Roman turned 6 and we had a little family party that he loved complete with home made ghostbusters cake. Zoeys bday is the 31st so on the 15th (not this weekend but next) we'll have a webkinz party here at the house with crafts, food, cake, ice cream and a pinata :)

Roman will start 1st grade on the 17th, and Zoey will be in the 4th grade. Romans very excited and looking forward to meeting his 1:1 aide tho he assures me he no longer needs a 'helper'. Zoey is excited about starting band! Another flautist in the family (if I can get the flute fixed lol).

Work is going well. I just finished a three day training on childrens disability claims so will start on those next week. Will 'try it before you buy it' for a few months and decide if I like working kids claims or will stick with adult claims (or maybe both?).
Hey, keeping busy keeps me out of trouble.

And I'm still singing with the worship team at St.Marks and really really enjoying it. Singing again in and of itself is great, but to be able to sing and worship and be blessed and hopefully bless and touch others hearts? Thats over the top amazing. Loving it.

Hrm.... I think thats enough for this ginormous blog post. Caught you up to speed I think.

Was considering blogging about the new workout system I'm trying - p90x, but so far I'm not all that impressed! lol. Will try Kenpo tomorrow and let you know.

Will try to be better at blogging for those not religiously on facebook which is where I am whenever not at work or with my kids or running errands or cleaning/doing laundry or singing at church or passed out from sheer exhaustion with a smile on my face. lol

Lifes good.

Be blessed!
b

Rice cereal, Elefun and a Luau

2009-05-24T07:18:00.004-07:00

Catchy title huh?
This week was full of fun. First was Alea is four months old and her mama decided to try some bites of Rice cereal. First time baby tastes food is always worth a giggle.

Now, lets talk about this game - Elefun. Some of you know I love me some elephants lol. I"ve wanted to get this game for my kids since they were little, but have not been willing to spend $25 (on sale) for it. Now you know why I love Goodwill. At 50% off day this cost me $2 and made my kids giggle. The trunk shoots the butterflies out and they catch them with nets. Fun for all.

and finally the Luau.

Tom and I don't get out much lol. So we went to his buddy Chris's 10 year wedding anniversary Luau. I didn't know a soul but as usual we found one other couple that we connected with and spent the evening jawjacking with them about gambling, Chris Angel, politics (no, it was ok, they're like us lol) and enjoyed some food and fun. It was really a nice night all things considered. My eye seems a bit more swollen today so sitting with an ice pack before church. Maybe that one lonely wine cooler did it? lol

Heres me and my handsome hubby at the party.

The eye surgery

2009-05-22T08:49:00.003-07:00

ok... eye LID surgery.

So for those not following this story elsewhere, I have Graves disease - and with it Graves eye disease. Basically I was diagnosed with Graves thyroid disease in '95. I had RAI and they nuked my thyroid. Part of the illness is that the pads behind the eyes bulge (think Susan Sarandon, Barbara Bush - and other still pretty but bug eyed ladies).
My right eye is bulging more then the left and my right eyelid became retracted, or pulled back a bit. So my right eyelid didn't close all the way - leaving my cornea unprotected and leading to dry, red, itchy, uncomfortable right eye and picking up every allergen and even pink eye a few weeks back (yes, in just the one eye).
So my optomotrist and my opthamologist both recommended surgery. The procedure was that they went in and cut the eyelid and loosened the muscle that allows you to open and close your eye. Simple enough. The whole thing only took half an hour but yes, I look like I got belted - hard. And of course I h ave a 10 y ear anniversary party tomorrow night lol. Wearing shades in the house is cool, right? Its chic and somewhat hollywood? yah , cuz thats me - all hollywood lol.'

so heres the pic right after the surgery with my eye patch

and if you're not queasy

keep going

and

here is without the patch 2 days after surgery. Oh, and please do remember no makeup, no shower in 48 hours.

pretty swollen and purple but hoping in a few more days I can go back to work looking fairly normal.

lol

don't forget to read about the lap top give away in the post below this. See ya later!

Amazing laptop giveaway

2009-05-22T08:46:00.003-07:00

I so so want this.

I so so deserve this.

I guess you can go try to win too - but if you win, you'll give it to me , right? lol

http://metropolitanmama.net/2009/05/mothers-day-giveaway-extravaganza-win-a-laptop/

May in Arizona means swimming!

2009-05-14T18:13:00.001-07:00

First swim of the year :)

Mothers Day 2009

2009-05-10T17:57:00.004-07:00

Everyone needs a purse card - thank you Zoey. Its beautiful. But the poem inside is the best part. I love it!

Roman made me bath salts at school. Thank you sweetheart I love them!

and the kids made me treasure boxes.
A very funny card from my husband - with a sweet message inside.
Um, ok - not sweet .... a little sexy.
Chelseys first mothers day - she got a rose from daddy , perfume, framed pics of Alea - was lovely

Chels opening her gifts

My gift from Chelsey - its a "skin" for my phone!
and Tommy got me flowers :)

and then I spent the rest of the day eating shrimp, drinking wine and watching chick flicks.

oh, and remember that 4 years ago was the day I decided to stop being fat. :)

(click on "stop being fat" to go to the weight loss page!)

Happy Mothers Day everyone

well, free is good

2009-04-28T17:34:00.000-07:00

Insurance covers my 'procedure' 100% - no copay. no deductible. So I"m scheduled for 5/29.

Not sure how I feel about it yet, so will wait to talk about it more.

update on my eye

2009-04-25T07:12:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I saw the ophthalmologist and the good news is that my vision and optic nerve pressure and all that look just fine. No changes. The bad news is that my right eye is actually bulging 2mm more then the left, which isn't necessarily significant but could cause problems. What seems to be more significant is that my right eye lid is retracted, pushed back - because of the bulging eye. So the eyelid isn't closing all the way, which exposes the eye to all kinds of crap.

Which is why I only got pink eye in that eye for instance.

So what he is saying is that with the eyelid retracted it exposes the eye to dryness, allergens, infections etc. He says that since the bulging isn't causing pain (just a bit of discomfort right now) that invasive eye surgery is really not a great idea. Going in and messing with the eye ball always risks vision so thats not something either of us want to do. However, he's recommending I have surgery on my eye lid - to bring it down lower to cover the eye better and keep it safer so to speak.

Will talk to health insurance Monday to determine what my co-pay would be on this - it is a medical procedure so covered by insurance, but still need to know what I'm looking at for my portion before I make a decision. He also appealed to my vanity of course telling me that lowering the eyelid would also make my eyes look better- less like I have one huge eye and one normal eye lol. Not sure that lowering the eyelid actually would help the appearance, but if it would stop the eye from being so irritated all the time, thats actually medical and I'd be happy to not be itchy all the time lol.

Anyway, possible eye lid surgery for me. Will know more after I talk to the insurance company and the scheduler at the Eye center.

Time for more pictures!

2009-04-20T16:59:00.004-07:00

Roman holding Alea
Zoey ready for field day at school

Alea is 3 months old now and getting more beautiful by the day

I've nothing to say. But heres some new pics. lol

I'm ready to go back to work tomorrow

2009-04-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

because this weekend was exhausting.

Friday at the hospital? stressful and exhausting.
Saturday dealing with Tom in pain, trying to keep the kids busy? Exhausting. Karate, thrift store, laundry, cleaning, cooking so he will have food to eat this week and not have to cook. Saturday night we watched Journey to the center of the Earth (which I actually liked lol but then again I have a thing for Brendan Frazer). Skipped church because the house was thrashed so we cleaned. For hours.

Then more cleaning, the park, putting away laundry, organizing, dropped off bag at Goodwill and then made dinner.

I"m exhausted. And he's been sleeping all day.

I'm ready to go back to work tomorrow and let him and Chelsey figure it all out for themselves.

Tomorrow , back at work? Will be a nice day off.
lol

Home from surgery

2009-04-17T17:34:00.003-07:00

Got to the hospital at 7am. They took him at 10;30 and started the actual procedures at 11. He was in post/op recovery at 12:45 and the surgeon said it went very well. He had some issues with 02 sats not stabilizing and was in recovery until 3:30 when I pretty much told them I needed to see him, they let me in and we left the hospital at 4:30.
Long day

Thank you guys. Just got home at 5pm - long long day. But the surgery is over and he's doing well. They did a wrist arthroplasty, cartilage debridement (they had to trim the cartilage and deal with a full tear) and ulna shortening - they took off 3.3mm of bone

Kinda gross but this is what they did to him - don't look if you're squeamish

http://www.eatonhand.com/img/img00072.htm

along with the arthroplasty and the cartilage debridement.

He'll be in a soft cast til Monday and has a pain pump. Then they'll take that off and put him on pain meds, into a splint he'll wear 24/7 but will allow some motion so he can start occupational therapy to try to regain range of motion.

Still a road ahead, but at least this is done.

Toms surgery is today

2009-04-17T04:31:00.001-07:00

Prayers today for Tom today if you can spare them.

This is the final ditch effort hand surgery- Mayo Hospital at 10am. The surgeon is going tol go in and cut the bone that was pushed out of place by the original fracture and hopefully this will repair the wrist and he'll have full use when its over (ok, they said 80% but I'm hopeful).

So thats whats going on. I'm going up with him to check in at 7am, surgery is scheduled for 10. I'm hoping we'll be home at noon or 1 - just a long stressful day for everyone but will be over soon. Will check in from the hospital.

Thanks

and Easter sunday isn't complete without

2009-04-12T18:49:00.002-07:00

Grampa taking you on your first swing

Easter Sunday :)

2009-04-12T12:05:00.013-07:00

Happy Easter :)

We had a lovely day. First of course was the annual

indoor Easter egg hunt....

Once eggs were found it was time for baskets

Lindsey got a Llama

They were excited to get Twilight

Tons of candy, games, toys, movies and/or wii games and of course new toothbrushes

Peeps for breakfast or hard eggs,
then time to get ready for church

Babys first Easter

My beautiful family

Lovely service at St.Marks

then a nice little brunch

My two favorite guys

Dyeing Easter Eggs!

2009-04-11T17:59:00.004-07:00

Dyeing Eggs 2009

So if you start falling apart at 40, by 43...

2009-04-10T22:32:00.000-07:00

is it a new ache or pain every day? I swear I'm a magnet for injury at the moment. First my eye is still all jacked - not sure if pink eye or my graves opthamology. If not clear with the antibiotics by Monday I'm off to the opthamologist for testing. Yay.
Then at seder I stepped on something. or was bitten. Not sure which but dang that hurt. And today I was doing laundry and bent my pinky fingernail back so far it ripped off and bled and now I have a very attractive bandaid on it and it hurts to type.
So I"m at the computer with the pinky in a bandage, my foot throbbing and one eye closed trying to blog.
lol

I'm a freaking mess.

Off to bed - tomorrow we Karate in the morning, then the eggstravaganza and then egg dying with friends. Plus we watch the Passion tomorrow night. So by Sunday I"ll be a bloated (too many carbs), bandaged pinky, limping, one eyed exhausted emotional wreck for Easter lol.

At least I can still laugh.

Happy Pesach

2009-04-10T10:35:00.007-07:00

Passover Seder 2009
Not as many pictures as I'd like but thats ok. We had just our family plus since Lindsey is living here now her dad came as well. It was quick - 30 minute seder mostly blessings, explaining to the kids and laughing at some of the funnier moments.
Which I will list out for you in a sec. But first the important stuff

The photo is my grandmothers Seder plate. I miss Memar very much and every year there is a moment of prayer and love and remembering when I bring out her seder plate, wash it and ready it for seder.

Chelsey and Alea who looks very excited for her first Pesach lol

Zoey hanging out with my dad, Poppy, her grampa

Zoey and Roman pre-seder

We actually do recline for seder so the seder plate and goodies go on the coffee table. We sit on the floor, couches and on pillows vs at the table.

Heres a shot of my famous charoset.
I made another version as well thats more of a spread.

And heres Lindsey eating matzo ball soup.

Sweet Noodle Kugel Vegetable Kugel

and some how I did not get pictures of Chelseys Knishes (they were wonderful) or my awesome strudel dessert. But thats ok - I didn't manage to get a pic of Lindsey and her dad, or my husband, and no one got one of me. We were a little busy tho laughing our heads off. There were many amusing moments.

I smiled and was very proud when Zoey read the four questions and helped answer them.

My father and Lindseys father bonded - it was nice. We needed to reconcile with him.

After watching the Prince of Egypt Roman told me that our seder story wasn't nearly as exciting.

Zoey asked if it was ok to "double dip" in the salt water

Me: So why do we recline then? Why don't we sit at the table to eat on Passover?
Roman: OOh OOh I know - its because theres no room at our table for everyone!

Me: Baruch Ata Adonai - etc etc
Roman: Why is she speaking Spanish daddy?

Roman asked if he could have 'more of those crackers" (matzo) and then requested a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich , on bread, for dinner since he didn't like those 'other things'.

Zoey asked me ten times when Elijah was going to drink his wine.

I think I got drunk. I'm pretty sure by the 4th cup I was drunk.

Happy Passover. Next year in Jeruselem. Next year may all be free.

Chels got accepted :)

2009-04-07T18:59:00.001-07:00

Into the new cosmetology school where she applied. Not only accepted, but they decided to take 600 of her previous credit hours. She also applied for, and got a full Pell Grant. She'll be going part time - evenings and Saturdays while I watch Alea and she's scheduled to graduate next April unless she decides to try to work with DES for daycare assistance and goes full time this summer, but we'll see, that makes her too nervous and I dont' blame her after what she's been thru at the daycare center.

So she'll be a stay home mama, a part time student and in a year hopefully a licensed hair stylist at a salon. I'm very proud of her. She did all the work herself - including the financial aide paperwork, the testing, applications, etc.

Once again a door closes, a window opens and we remember that there is a plan. And everything is for the best.

yay for Chelsey!

April so far - Alea, sprinklers and 600 hours

2009-04-07T17:21:00.004-07:00

Playing in the sprinklers with umbrellas - April showers and all that :)

Little Miss Alea is 11 weeks old

Romans field trip to the zoo. Nice shot Tom - very nice.

Aunt Zoey gives Alea a bottle

Grampa walking with Alea

and Chels has 600 hours at beauty school. Its not 860 but its not bad either.

Will keep you posted :)

Still working on getting Passover and Easter ready. Busy week!

b

so here I sit

2009-04-06T18:27:00.002-07:00

with sleeping granddaughter in my arms as I type over her. Never thought I'd be here lol. She is so perfect, so beautiful and so incredibly loved. What a total unexpected blessing.

Its quiet right now. Tom is up the street bartering with a neighbor for some carpetting for the girls carport/room. Zoey is over at Krista's playing with Mack while Pat works on Romys bike for us. Roman fell asleep on the couch watching Godzilla and Chels is in the shower. A moment to think. Wow its close to being alone.

Figuring out the rest of the week, so will work it out loud. Tomorrow I leave work early so I can watch Alea while Chelsey "tests out" at the new cosmetology school. Hope the antibiotics kick in more by then - she's still feeling pretty crappy.

Probably should hit the store, get snacks for work while we wait for her testing, and a few more things for the weekend events.

Wednesday after work I'll make the haroset and set things up and clean for Seder. We'll do that 2nd night instead of first this year since I"m taking Friday off. Will keep it short and sweet, just the basics lol - and then soup and snacks and more haroset lol. Lindseys dad is coming, and I hope mine too. Should be a nice evening. Hoping Roman can handle it.

Friday morning off to the doctor. My boss was diagnosed with breast cancer. Yes, prayers for Yvonne are welcome. But it kicked me in the butt that I"ve not been in um... 2 years. So I"m going.

Chelsey will keep the littles since theres no school. I'll be home early and have a nice day off with the kids - maybe we'll picnic in the fort or something. Tom will be gone most of the day up at pre-op appointments. Will make HIM dinner for a change. And bake - have to bake for the big Eggstravaganza at church Saturday.

Saturday morning will do the eggstravanza at the park - will be alot of fun - friends, fellowship, food. what could be bad? Saturday night its tradition that we get the kids to bed early and watch the Passion. then I have to get the baskets ready and hide eggs so they can hunt in the morning before church! After church I will be done - and can just enjoy the day and what it means to me.

Busy. busy. busy week ahead, but all blessings and fun stuff.

Moms night out. With my daughter.

2009-04-04T21:31:00.002-07:00

Well, its the first time Chelsey came to moms night out lol. It waqs so nice - actually only my friend A was available so the three of us went out together for a late dinner/nosh at Chompies. We had matzo ball soup, split pastrami on rye with fries and a coney island knish and had blintzes for dessert.
And I ate no fries, no bread and only a quarter of a knish and a third of a blintz so I'm very proud of myself. Such strength I showed tonight. lol
and I didn't even get hamentaschen or a black and white - man the willpower. I tell you some times I even surprise myself lol

We talked about whats been going on with Chels and the daycare center. Her choices about going back to cosmetology. We talked about whats up in A's life and where she is at right now. And of course an AW evening would never be complete without the swap at the end. Zoey got some wonderful dresses, Alea got a loaner bumbo seat and hopefully A got some stuff she can use - dipes, covers, clothing and her pump back lol. Oh dang, I forgot to pass on the wipe warmer. Ah, just another excuse for another moms night out!

I needed it. I needed to hear that I'm not losing my mind altogether. I needed to connect. So far this month I've managed to see three of my friends. A, K and V. Now I need to see the other two A's and I'll feel reconnected with my girlfriends again.

Tomorrow will be nice - Palm Sunday always is. Busy week ahead tho. Tuesday is Chelseys cosmetology 'test out' so I'll leave work a little early to cover babysitting.Thursday we'll have our small family Seder so I've still got some cooking and cleaning to do.
Friday I'm doing my own doc appointment, meeting Tom at his surgery consult. Saturday is the Eggstravanza the park thru our church and then Easter sunday - church and easter baskets :)

Lots of wonderful things going on. And still hoping for some responses next week about advocates or attorneys willing to help Chelsey and I pursueworking to change the pumping laws in Arizona .

Thats the update.

Cameras not plugged in but will get some new pics of the crew soon as I can.

Chelseys email to the national breastfeeding advocacy organizations

2009-04-04T07:56:00.001-07:00

Hi there

My name is Chelsey and I'm a 19 year old single mother with a 3 month old baby who I breastfeed exclusively. I worked at a daycare center before I realized I was pregnant. Yes, I was one of those girls you read about who didn't realize she was pregnant until about 8 months along and then denied it until a month before going into labor. I took a week off for preterm labor and then having the baby.

I went back to work after having the baby. I was working 10 hour days because they were "short staffed". Baby was 4 weeks old. She was in the infant room at the daycare center and the boss allowed me to nurse or pump every 2 hours.

When she was 6 or 7 weeks old I went to normal 8 hour days. Our "break" was during the kids nap - 12-2 and my boss let me nurse the baby or pump every two hours.

When Alea was 10 weeks old she got a severe upper respiratory infection. I was out of work for the week. I went back to work on Monday and was told I was cut to part time - four hours per day. I received a note telling me I could not pump on that shift.

The other staff member told me "(the boss) told me no matter how much you beg I am not allowed to let you go pump".

I gave the boss a letter back about how I could get a note from my ped, take the 10 minute unpaid, come in early etc but that I couldn't make it four hours without a pumping break.

I attached the lactation accommodation law. I was fired on Thursday.

The termination letter says that I was fired for several things - taking too much personal time (ie to give birth and the week Alea was sick), some other issues that I vehemently deny, and for taking a pumping break other then my scheduled break time and pumping for "no less then thirty minutes". I received no supervision, warning, write ups etc on these other alleged infractions for which I was fired.

I believe a woman who is nursing should get allowed a 10 minute pump break every four hours and I perhaps will be one of those people who helps change the law.
I do not think 10 minutes every four hours is unreasonable.

I would like to find an attorney who is familiar with the lactation accommodation law who would be willing to work with me on a civil lawsuit.

Thank you for any resources or referrals you can provide.

A new outfit - she's almost 3 months old!

2009-03-29T17:52:00.001-07:00

video clip

2009-03-25T19:18:00.003-07:00

10 weeks old - and even totally sick and congested, she's still adorable

Romans Mohawk!

2009-03-22T17:04:00.002-07:00

Done, spiked and with the purple gel !

and heres Zoeys haircut

The carport is done - and we went to the zoo!

2009-03-20T19:15:00.003-07:00

The carport is done. I can't believe we finished that fast. Tom worked his tail off and thank GOD for good friends, family and neighbors. It still needs pics on the walls (not sure whats up with the orbs. Toms says ghosts, I say my camera). Still need more rugs or carpeting, shelves, a lamp shade and a few other things, but it is inhabitable and they are OUT of my living room! woohoo!

Today I took a day off work and after a quick doctors appointment took the kids to the zoo.

There are just way too many pictures, so I'll post links to picasa

Just click to see the photos

Carport pics
teaser pic

Zoo pics

and a teaser pic lol

Karate, fishbowls and cheeeeeks!

2009-03-14T15:56:00.004-07:00

Roman went to his first day of Karate today. They're doing an intro special - uniform and two classes for $20 so we decided to see if he'd like it. He sure did

then the kids made and ate fishbowls! Jello, sprinkles and swedish fish! lol

Yummy!

and woudn't be an acceptable blog post without some new cheek pictures of Miss Alea - who is two months old today :)

and playing with Aunt Zoey

I like pie

2009-03-11T16:51:00.002-07:00

Family Fun day - 3/7/09 at Indian Bend Elementary

2009-03-07T17:13:00.006-07:00

What a fun day -

Heres Roman bouncing in the Spongebob bouncy and with Zoey getting ready 2 bounce

0

Nie nie and Chels with Alea

Painting handprints on Sam the horse from Luv Shack Rescue

The panda freaked out Chelsey.

Brushing Summer the pony

Zoey in the sack race - in the middle, red shirt

Egg racing . Roman was a bit slow, but he never dropped his egg

Meeting Coastie the boat . The coast guard guys had a remote control and voice thing so were talking to the kids - they loved it.

Bean bag tosses - thats Mackenzie and Krista

Karate. Roman is now obsessed and I believe this might really be therapeutic for him. Gonna check out the prices this week

First time they've fought in weeks and I actually enjoyed watching it lol

Lindsey and Zoey Chels and Roman

Lindsey and Alea watch the fighthing
The winner!

and Zoey doing the cake walk - those cupcakes were ginormous!
Everyone played a few rounds and we came home with a bunch o' cupcakes.

Great fun afternoon :)

Face it, its time to call gramma

2009-03-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

Miss Aleas first illness

2009-03-06T11:46:00.001-07:00

So...

Miss Alea threw up once a day for the past three days with no other symptoms. I basically thought it was the Chinese food, then the pizza, the ice cream and the other garbage chelsey has been eating. But then again, Zoey and Roman were home sick all week - theres was mostly fever and throat/cough issues tho. But Chels said Alea slept horribly last night and woke up this morning obviously not herself, so she took her to the doctor.

Pediatrician says Alea for sure has a stomach thing going on from listening to her belly. She is recommending pedialyte one feeding, breastmilk the next. She says based on what is going around (and this is exactly what happened with Roman and zoey) it went from vomiting to diarrhea (this morning she blew out her diaper) and that we should expect fever and possibly cough next. She advises that if she continues throwing up or looks terrible we hit the ER this weekend, otherwise let it ride and she'll see her Monday. She said to expect a fever, but said nothing to Chels about infant tylenol .

so Miss Alea is sleeping right now

Chelsey is trying to stay calm and reassuring with the babe- but of course her heart is aching that this tiny perfect baby girl isnt' feeling well.
This is really not surprising that she's got it -between Zoey and Roman all last week and daycare - sigh.

but glad at this point doc doesn't think its anything more serious.

Thats the update for those playing along at home lol

The many faces of Alea Rianne

2009-03-05T19:44:00.004-07:00

Just a few shots from today - shows that in ten minutes she can have many different expressions lol

The pre - laugh

The calm

and the confused

Sick kids, wrist surgery, QA , dieting and scrabble frustration

2009-03-03T17:32:00.004-07:00

So my kids are STILL sick. Lethargic, coughing that wet, nasty, can't get it out/up cough that everyone hates to hear and just look awful. They're not eating much at all. Sleeping alot. I know it'll pass but still hard to hear /see them like this. Just made Zoey tea with honey and Romans been asleep since I got home from work. My poor babies are home from school again tomorrow.

The latest news on our homefront is that Toms surgery has been scheduled - well, at least the date. It'll be on Friday, April 17th at the Mayo clinic. The second opinion doc declined to do the surgery for whatever reasons (jerk) so we're stuck with Mayo. Despite their great reputation we have no been so impressed. Not at all. But what can ya do. I'm going to collect some good movies for him and try to pamper him when he's recouperating that weekend.

QA is quality assurance - the bane of my existence lol. I've been on full review now for three months and they're driving me nuts. They find something wrong with 8 out of 10 claims! And its either trivial things that don't affect the decision, or something the doctor needs to fix, not me. March 6th, this friday, I go on random review like everyone else. I may have a beer to celebrate.
Ok, one of those 64 calorie beers, but still it'll be a splurge for me lol

I've been trying to control myself again - I had gained 5lbs since hitting my goal weight and was cool with that, but then I gained 5 more and that was just not ok. So I've lost 2 of that and am working my way back down with tons of protein, fiber and fruit and not so many carbs. No bread for me for two weeks and I should be just fine. My body hates carbs but my soul loves them. I could live on bread and jam. Or just bread. A big warm loaf of fresh... oh crap, I have to stop, I'm killing myself here.
Anyway, no one offer me anything til Easter, k? No chocolate. No bread. Just good healthy natural low carb foods. Oh, and coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.

and tho this is really trivial in the greater scheme of things Facebook is making me nuts with the scrabble issues. I mean, I JUST started loving it - playing with friends - a turn here and there throughout a few days. Its GREAT. and now they're having problems and it won't let me play and they suck and someone needs to do something!!!!!

Ok, freak out over.

Chels is texting me the baby puked. Wonder if it was the chinese food she ate for lunch or if she's getting sick?
Oiy...
its never ending.

Milk addict

2009-03-02T06:11:00.001-07:00

sick kids , laundry and old pics of me

2009-03-01T08:54:00.009-07:00

So Romans feeling a bit better. I guess its going around - what I"m hearing is this :
" It's nasty and seems to be lasting 5 - 7 days. Some kids are puking, some aren't but the fever goes 3-5 days - high fever - nasty, wet, deep coughing, zero appetite. "
Yah, thats the ticket. Just what we needed. Romans still fever, deep wet cough and no appetite. Zoey started last night with the cough and fever - at least no pukeage tho.
Just trying to make sure the BABY doesn't get it you know?

Laundry is never-ending - the bane of my existence. I think this is what it means to be a woman, wife and mother. You do the laundry - wash, fold, put away - and then you repeat. Because as soon as one basket is empty theres another to take its place. Its sort of that way with life too, isn't it? You finish something and think "whew, thats done" only to realize theres something new to deal with so you're never done.

Today I slept in til 8 lol, and am having coffee and holding my granddaughter and looking at those silly old pics. Wanna see?

around 1st grade maybe?

hrm, 9 or 10 years old?

gotta be around 13 here

Senior high school class pic

and my junior year of college in Israel

and here I am working for the school district in about 1989 or so, around 24 years old. Yah, theres some 80's hair lol.

Ok, back to the laundry. And my life lol

Romans sick :(

2009-02-28T16:38:00.002-07:00

Like 102 fever doesn't want to eat sick

Got one of those fever patches on his forehead and trying to get him to drink and take cough/fever medicine. He puked 4 times yesterday, but at least today its just fever and no vomiting.

Poor little guy. So hot. So bumming. So sick

Sigh

Hiking girls

2009-02-25T15:39:00.003-07:00

Heres a few shots of Zoey (8) and her best friend Mary hiking last weekend - just got the pics from Marys mom and thought I'd share

Cave Creek Trail #4

oh, and one more thing....

2009-02-24T15:47:00.001-07:00

Did I mention that i hate AIG workmans comp? I do you know.
After calling 3 times I finally heard from the nurse case manager. No one has done anything about calling the surgeon to see if he's willing to take on Toms case, do the surgery and follow up care. She SAYS she'll do it today. If he declines, Tommy will still schedule the surgery at Mayo but it sucks to know that the other doc recommends a different procedure with better results. Anyway, looks like another surgery for Tommy in March, a cast for another 6-8 weeks and then we'll see. I think he really misses working. This stay home dad thing is just not cutting it for him after a year already.

Ok. whew. That vent actually helped a bit. Thanks for listening

Random thoughts and updates

2009-02-24T14:32:00.001-07:00

In our corner of the world things are moving along.

Chelsey is now back to work full time at the daycare center and its going very well. Her boss is 'letting' her nurse several times a day and she's pumping and bringing one bottle a day now that she's got an electric pump. The goal is to pump 2 a day and bring 1 with until she has a stash in their freezer. Alea seems to be doing just fine in the nursery. Chelsey got her first paycheck today actually and is really excited to pay her bills, buy some food for the house and have some money in her pocket again.

I've been driving her to work , not because I'm being asked, but because of my grandmother guilt for lack of a better word about the two of them on a bus at 7am in the cold Arizona weather lol. I also take the baby as often as I can so Chels can eat, pump and on occasion nap for an hour or so, take a shower etc. I love holding her anyway, so its not like its a problem lol.

Chelsey is exhausted. The broken sleep, the pumping, working, appointments and worrying - but she's stepping up and keeping it together for the most part. She's slinging, babywearing, cosleeping and nursing - and she's chosen to delay vaccinations. She's really doing well and I'm proud. The joke of the week tho was that I said at one point that she needed to do a few things and she was whining and I reminded her how much I do outside of a full time job and she said "yes, but I'm new at this doing stuff all the time thing". And she, dad, Lindsey and I all laughed out loud - its funny because its true.

She's got wic now and has another appt tomorrow and hopefully will get a good pump so she can have one at work and one at home. Alea had an appt yesterday and is up to 10lbs 1oz and 21" long. The CF testing did come up as a positive but the ped is wonderful (she was Chelseys ped too lol) and told her baby is not sick, so we'll assume she's a carrier for now only and do the sweat test at the 6 month mark.

No news on the paternity thing - will have to wait for DES to try to test and hope for the best. Chelsey has moments of a bit of postpartum where she cries and says how terrible she feels that her baby doesn't have a father. I just hold her and tell her it'll all be ok. There are many single mamas out there and she's doing great.

Tom seems to be coming to terms, tho the hardest part for HIM is the father issue. That he doesn't know who the dad is. That he is the main male in the house now. He's slowly bonding with Alea tho - and when he's with her its all good.

The kids are adoring her, tho Chelsey is pretty overprotective and the kids wait til she's in the shower or napping and then I let them hold, play with, tickle and otherwise torment their baby niece lol.

Me - I'm tired. I'm worried. But I'm having faith and loving on the babe whenever I can. Also loving on my own kidslets and Tom as we adjust.

and adjust.

and adjust.

and adjust some more.

lol

Aleas Baptism

2009-02-22T12:45:00.006-07:00

Heres Chelsey and Alea all ready to go to the Baptism this morning.

and here is Chelsey quite annoyed with me for asking for a better picture of the baby in her Baptism outfit

Lovely morning at St. Marks -

Bottles and Butterflies

2009-02-16T11:33:00.004-07:00

Today at one month old Miss Alea had her first bottle. And of course I had the honor of giving it to her. Was letting Chelsey sleep in a bit and today is their first day back at work/daycare so it was time to make sure she'd take it. And she did - like a champ.
Heres Alea and her first bottle of breastmilk.

and then it was butterfly time. Zoey got a butterfly garden this past Christmas. The larvae came in the mail and she kept them safe and warm. They made their Chrysalis's and finally changed into butterflies. Today she let them go out in the fort in the back yard.

Valentines Day :)

2009-02-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Valentines Day to you. I ate about an entire box of cherry cordials last night and am feeling gross but hey, Gods cosmic joke to send AF on VDay. And for those who don't understand that - it was tmi anyway.

7:15am and Tom packed up Chels and Alea to Mesa. Today is CPR/First aid training. She'll do a 3 hour first aid class and then 3 hours cpr and then she can do the Hab training Thursday so she can be Romans habilitation therapist and respite provider. Will be some extra money for her, peace of mind for me. And will look good on her resume and help her with the job at the daycare center too.

Going to finish my coffee and work out - try to burn off that chocolate. Then told the kiddos we'll have some fun craft projects today. Romans other hab therapist Alex gets here at 10am so will do valentine beaded hearts while she's here.

Tonight Tom and I go out - we have a leftover gift card from Christmas (Thanks Pat and Krista) so will do appetizers and drinks for Vday. Got the kids some silly candies, Tom some boxers and Chels a nice birth photo album when free off snapfish a while back. I wonder if Tom will get me a card. Chels apparently bought me the cordials lol.

Have a great day everyone.

2009-02-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

First smiles... there is nothing like the first smiles

Good news comes in 3's?

2009-02-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

First good news is that we just received written notification from the director of Dept. of Social Security that she has confirmed that our program, since federally funded, is exempt from the statewide mandatory furlough program. I'm so incredibly grateful and relieved.

Second good news - Chelsey got the call from the daycare center where she works that they can have her start back on Monday and have Alea with her, for free, in their nursery/baby room - 20 hours a week to start and then hopefully will increase her to full time.

Third good news - Tom has agreed to have the surgery. Trying to get in touch with the claims adjustor at AIG to find out if he can request the surgery be done by the surgeon who gave us the second opinion - and recommended a different procedure> Just talked to the 2nd opinion docs secretary and she seems supportive/understanding of our plight so maybe she'll convince this surgeon to take over toms care at this point.

Very productive day and feeling better about life. Huh - maybe I will have another cup of coffee to celebrate lol

Surgery or live with the pain. Those are your choices.

2009-02-09T12:18:00.000-07:00

Well, today Tom went back to the Mayo hospital and met with the hand surgeon. His choices are apparently
1. Have surgery - they would cut the bone that is too long. He would spend another 3 months in a cast, 3-6 months more OT for his hand and the surgery has an 85% success rate
or
2. Live with the pain with range of motion (and obvious wrist deformity) and receive job re-training to do other work since he'll never be able to return to plumbing again.

Great choices huh. Going to discuss further at home this evening, but he's pretty terrified of having another surgery and the whole concept of having another 6-9 months of recovery from that since this has been going on for almost a year. I'm pretty sure he'll decide to do vocational training instead.

Just an update. Will keep you all posted but thats the latest news from today.

Nie Nie's bday

2009-02-07T21:14:00.000-07:00

Heres Alea all ready to celebrate nie nie's birthday. Lindsey has been nie nie since Zoey could talk and couldn't say Lindsey lol

Here are all Zoey and Mary's webkinz ready for the party

The cake my kids made- tasted much better then it looks.

Singing happy birthday

Blowing out candles and getting presents

Happy Birthday sweets. We loff u.

Meeting great GREAT gramma 2/6/09

2009-02-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

Ready to go to Uncle Davids to meet great GREAT gramma!

Great Great Gramma is Aunt Barbs mom, looks amazing for 80 and got a real kick out of meeting Alea :)

Everyone had fun. Dinner, Visiting, Valentines day goodies from GGGramma , Barnyard the movie and brownies. What could be bad?

Random pictures of my family the last two days and drunken boobie milk pic

2009-02-05T16:55:00.000-07:00

There is nothing quite like the drunk on boobie milk glazed look and then sleeping baby pics.

My crazy family playing with Alea

I'm an advocacy QUEEN!

2009-02-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

Roman was suspended. Again. I came home and wrote a very very long letter regarding the school system failing our son, not providing the 1:1 para we've requested since June etc and cc'd it to the superintendant of schools, the staff at the school, the District Special Ed dept and the Center for Disability law.

The Special Ed district assist called and apparently she was able to "expedite" the placement of the aide apparent. Huh, go figure. She started out by stating she'd received my long letter to which i replied, yes - I cut it down as much as I could, but you're all college educated, you can read it all :) (lol)

She apparently walked over with my letter to human resources and told them to call the gentleman and have him come in today to sign his paperwork so he can start on Monday. They will put a temporary 1:1 in the classroom for Roman tomorrow as well.

She suggested I email the special ed guy at the school re: changing the IEP to reflect the 1:1 - I did and told him I thought at this point he could simply send that home with Tom or Chelsey when they pick the kids up tomorrow, or next week and we will sign that. I did request they set up a time for Tom and I to meet with Eric (the para) to introduce ourselves, welcome him, and present some concerns, hopes and material regarding the approaches we find work with him.
I also asked if an IEP meeting can be set for next month to discuss the progress with the 1:1 and address the ED 'label' at that time and reiterated that regardless of diagnosis or catagory - those don't drive the IEP, the CHILDS NEEDS drive the IEP.
I didn't get a response from the superintendant tho.

When I finished advocating for Roman and closed another 3 claims here at work, I began to advocate for Chelsey - lol - DES has her attending a child support workshop before granting assistance. The letter states no kids and doesn't give a phone number to call to set up the appt. She's been on hold all day. I called and she was in tears trying to get it set up. I called the DES advocacy folks - made three calls and got it set up for tomorrow at 12:30 = she will deal with the paternity testing at that appointment and has permission to bring her newborn to the workshop. lol. Once thats done hopefully she can get some financial assistance at least until she goes back to work.

Next we tackle workmans comp - at least I already have an attorney aware of that situation and willing to work with us if they start messing around.

Wow - all this and dieting too. Wheres the coffee? ROTFL

at work so apparently can't post pics from here - will have to harass you with pictures later.

sometimes its just about the shoes mama, other times its about the teeth. and sometimes its about the hair

2009-02-03T17:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes its just about the shoes

which do you like the best?

Just playing around trying to be artistic ya see.

and a face shot of my pretty grandbaby. Such a nice sight at the end of a long day at work.

I'm really loving all the cute onesies - but I'm thinking Chelsey needs to put this girl in some of her GRAMMA onesies lol

Oh look - theres a new one! lol

Today Alea visited Nanas Daycare - where Chelsey and Lindsey work. So she got held, ooh'd and ahhh'd over. Hopefully Chels will go back to work in another week or two with baby girl in the same building with her.

In other news - ZOEY LOST HER TOOTH at school today and is very very excited about that. She lost it in Math class and got a blue treasure box from the nurse to put under her pillow. Very way cool ya see. The newest drama is making a pioneer village out of a box, but dad will have to step up and deal with that one.

Roman. Do you like the hair? Tom really likes the hair. I'm thinking its too, I don't know ...too big? Too high? too something.
but he sure is handsome regardless.

me, Alea and Roman visiting after supper

Ok. That was fun. See ya later. Thanks for playing along at home!

9lbs 2oz, playgroups, butterflies and ear infections

2009-02-02T16:26:00.000-07:00

Thats how much Alea weighs at 18 days old :)

All that amazing mama milk !!! She also is now 21" - from 19" at birth. Yay for baby growing so nicely.
Dr. S was thrilled, and Chels will go do the newborn screening this week since she is a CF carrier and we need to test Alea to make sure she is JUST a carrier too - tho Dr.S doesn't seem too concerned.

Holding Uncle Romans finger

Romans ears are 100% better - so thats a good thing too. And he enjoyed being Uncle Roman and helping the baby
Sorry about the pics - from my phone and I never take great pics with my phone. But Dr.S thinks Alea looks just perfect. So do we!

Alea had her first playdate this week. Karen, Chelsey friend from her old job , has a baby boy Ashton who is a week older then Alea. THey went to the park, had dinner and Chels got to visit with another new mama.

In other news - Zoeys butterflies are making their Chrysalis's now and she's also got the loosest tooth on the planet!!!

Tom had his functional exam - for workmans comp. Waiting for those results and will see the hand surgeon on 2/9 to find out what the plan is . Surgery, return to some sort of lighter work. Who knows.

I'm still hanging tough at work. If you read this today, prayers for Mackenzie to have a great doctors visit and for her mom to be able to control the panic/anxiety and get great news.

Thats the story here today. Next big event is Great Grammas visit - so more to come Friday :)

I actually watched an entire superbowl!

2009-02-02T04:24:00.000-07:00

Ah superbowl Sunday.
You know, I've never been a huge fan of football, but this was a pretty amazing game. Tom left when we were losing, said he was jinxing the team and I called him back in when we were 'back in the game'. I'm thrilled the cardinals even made it to the superbowl, but man - our defense sucked and I'm disappointed they screwed it up and we lost. But it was fun. We ate all kinds of crapola food - frozen pizza, nachos and tons of candy - my favorites ...chocolate covered pretzels and cowtails lol. And the baby got woken up by shouting a few times, but did well all things considered.

Finding OLD OLD pictures

2009-01-31T17:49:00.000-07:00

http://geocities.com/barbanawoo/silvestro.html

Look what Zoey found on the net. She googled her name and it came up! I can't believe its still up on the web. Look how YOUNG we all were. Had to laugh because Roman was upset there were no shots of him. Had to tell the kiddo that he wasn't even a twinkle in his daddys eye at that point.

Wow

I've been told a blog would be a better way to keep everyone updated

2009-01-31T15:40:00.001-07:00

so I'll give it a shot.

We're still working on settling in to this new phase of life where theres a baby around. Lucky for everyone, she's so damn beautiful and sweet and good tempered that she really hasn't changed too much around here in the greater scheme of things. Well, she's not changed too much for me lol, Chelsey of course is another story. She's the one changing dipes and waking up every 2 hours to nurse.

It's going to be an interesting ride of course - and I'm still just getting used to the idea she was pregnant and now theres a babe! lol

Alea's first doc apt went well, and we go in on Monday for the newborn screening and Chels will make her vaccine decision. She's using cloth during the day unless we're out for a while and about and sposies then and at night. Mostly because she's been given SO many sposies lol.

For those who've asked she has quite a bit of clothing lol. Since I've specifically been asked- she could use more sleep sacks for easy nighttime diaper changes in 0-3 and 3-6 mo sizes and clothing in 6-9mo size for when she grows into that. Otherwise we're just so grateful for all the gifts and donations from everyone - she really has everything she needs with her mamas boobs, the sling and a gramma like me lol

I think everyones already seen the blessingway pics, the birth pics, the first week pics, but if not I guess I'll post the links to those




The blessingway (baby shower sort of) http://picasaweb.google.com/BuffBarb/TheBlessingWay The birth http://picasaweb.google.com/BuffBarb/AleasBirth1 The first week http://picasaweb.google.com/BuffBarb/AleasFirstDaysHome http://picasaweb.google.com/BuffBarb/FirstWeekVisitors Eyes wide open http://picasaweb.google.com/BuffBarb/EyesWideOpen First trip to the park http://picasaweb.google.com/BuffBarb/AleasFirstParkTrip11909 First bath http://picasaweb.google.com/BuffBarb/20090120AleasFirstBath12009 Two weeks old http://picasaweb.google.com/BuffBarb/Alea16daysold at the park today 1/31/09 http://picasaweb.google.com/BuffBarb/Jan31stParkDay