March Lions and Lambs

I had fun...but I wasn't really in the cocktails mood so I only had one...therefore I decided to come home. I got home around 1am...didn't go to bed until 2am and of course the girls were up at 7am....so now I am utterly exhausted and dragging butt. We got up and went to breakfast this morning and then BJ's. I tried to get McKenna to nap but she is boycotting it today iht is unusual for her and sucks majorly for me. Dh and Landree are napping while I am on the computer and McKenna is watching Cars. I still have laundry to do before we go to my mom's. My mom is taking them tonight though so at least we will hopefully have a good nights sleep.

Just a few personals as there was not much posting...

Michelle- I am so happy to hear that Brendan is doing well..I know last you talked about it you seemed stressed a bit. Hoping Dawson's sore throat goes away so he can go to the sleepover as planned..\

Kim- Beware she may begin refusing naps on a consistent basis.. Both my DD and ODS both stopped taking naps at about 2-3 years old...with the exception of car rides or being really overly tired it is like fighting tooth and nail to get them to nap....then thats if they even decide to take a nap after the fighting about it..They very rarely take a nap...and the few times I have forced my daughter to I had to literally close her door...and it sticks a bit so its hard to open from the inside...and let her throw her tantrums and such and eventually she fell asleep... but I only did it a few times when I knew she HAD to take a nap. I cant do that too often even so because I live in an upstairs apt and they will be thinkin I am beating my kids and all it is is Faith's temper tantrums...

AFM- I have more exciting news Jeremiahs bottom right middle tooth popped through this evening...this is his 2nd tooth....I knew it would not be long and they would both be in... here's hoping this will let up on how extra cranky he has seemed to been lately...

Hey everyone! No time for personals right now - just a quick post before I'm off to the Wound Clinic.

I have been reading, just not posting.....too much going on! And nothing super exciting like moving

Hope everyone is doing well and has a great Monday - I'll try to get back on later today and update everyone.

Ok - I'm back -- some personals that I can remember:

Shannon - turning 30 wasn't nearly as hard for as turning 25. It wasn't a blast, but I was okay with it.

MichelleL - hopefully Dawson is okay and Brenden too!

Joy - yeah for Jeremiah! Logan's teeth haven't poked thru yet, but his gums are hard as rocks! And he's drooling so much he's getting the red rashes under his chin.

Kim - glad you had fun - getting out is always a good thing!

AFM: Sorry if I missed anyone - my mind has been coocoo lately! Still no job on the horizon for DH. He's still looking, and I just hope and pray that he finds something soon! This not knowing is stressing me out!!

Saw the Wound Care people this morning - they gave him this dressing thing that I'm supposed to keep on the incision and change it every 2 or 3 days. It's supposed to keep the area dry so the skin can regrow. Hopefully, that will do the trick! Have to go back and see them at the end of the month for a recheck. Like my life isn't complicated and crazy enough these days!

I'm trying to figure out when during the day I can exercise, but Logan doesn't have regular naps because of the way life goes, so the only time would be after the 3 are in bed, which is when I have no desire or energy to do anything!

Ok - time to grab some breakfast before Logan wakes up to eat and play before we're off to get Rayna from school.....hope everyone had the great weather we did this weekend! The kids were out riding their bikes yesterday - I posted a video of Rayna riding her bike on my facebook page.

Ok I am just going to have to jump in here. I have gotten so behind! I dont think I could catch up with personals if I tried. In fact I have tried several times and I just run out of time or someone walks in on me etc. So I have read everything and I wish all the sick babies well and hope everyone is doing well. Glad your back Michelle (mnelson).

I had a really busy weekend of being sick and having to work. I took a big ol box of work home and had to spend almost all day Sunday working on it. I swear I feel better today but the whole weekend I was so miserably sick. We just stayed home and hung out all weekend. My mom came over on Saturday night for a visit and I made corned beef and cabbage. It was so good. I must have really needed it. After I ate it I started feeling better. So I think it was the meal that helped heal me! LOL! I only wish I had some Guinness and Bass Ale to make a black and Tan to go with it. Instead I had Orange / Pineapple juice. Had to get my Vitamin C somewhere! Tomorrow they are having a St Patrick's Day parade and celebration at Nate's daycare. Hopefully I will get some good pics.

That is all for now I have to run and get some more work done!

Take Care!

Hey ladies,

Elise, you might want to try blow drying your scar too after you bath or shower. That is what my dr told me was the best way she kept her scar dry.

Amy, glad you feel better

Kim, glad you enjoyed yourself. Last week when I went out I was the same way. I really thought i was ready to party and then I was so not into it.

Joy, wow, 2 teeth in 1 weeks.

AFM: Ok, I don't want to throw a pity party but I'm so tired of things being wrong with Aubrey. I feel so badly for her it's hard not to just bust out in tears. She has kidney reflux and it's a grade 5, which is the highest (or worse) so they put her on a low dose of antibiotics b/c they don't like to do surgery on a baby that's going to grow but at that level there is only a 10 -20% chance she'll grow out of it. There was also other things they saw like her bladder was malformed, but functioning properly and she doesn't have a venacava (sp?), which is the vein that returns blood from the bottom of the body to the heart. That isn't life-threatening or anything like that they just said she has different plumbing and it would only matter if later in life she went to have an angioplasty (sp?) (that balloon thing that opens up heart veins) she doesn't have that vein, they would have to do it thru her arm.
We're not telling any of our friends and family that she'll probably have to have surgery in a year, or anything other than she has the relfux and their treating it with meds.
She has to go back in 2 months to check her kidney again to see if it's getting bigger or just was stretched from the urine backing up. Because of DH's kidney history, they'll be keeping an eye on her.
Thankfully the best part of DH's severence pkg was health insurance for a year.

Diana - I'm very sorry to hear of Aubrey's issues! I know it is just devestating when a doctor tells you that your baby is not perfect. Just know that there is always hope and medical technology just gets better and better! I've been where you are....Dawson's GI tract didn't form properly and he has a wondering spleen, an extra pancreatic duct, and his liver grew too large because his stomach wasn't there. His intestines were all out of sorts because his stomach formed up into his lungs instead of down below his diaphram. Did I mention the DeWaynes Syndrome in his eyes? Sounds like a mess, doesn't it? Well, his intestines and stomach were corrected surigically but everything else works so why mess with it?? Thankfully Aubrey's condition has been caught early so you can help her ward off any infections before they get a chance to grow. Use the information you now have as POWER to help her.....it will help you get thru it and make her life so much better! ;-) (((((hugs)))))

Thanks Michelle... she has polysplenia. She has a bunch of little spleens instead of one. They also want to do an upper GI to see if her intestines and bowels all formed correctly. My pediatrician just called and she wants us to see a geneticist first b/c there are so many little things going on they want to make sure it's not one 'syndrome'.
I am very thankful to know what's going on and very thankful that she has no idea.
It's just hard not to feel so sorry for her and I know I shouldn't be that way b/c she's not hurting and she has no idea and at least for now, won't remember any of this.

Oh Diana- I agree with Michelle whole heartedly...it is devastating when the doctor tells you your baby isn't "perfect" how big or small the problem is...when they told me McKenna was failure to thrive I thought I was the worst parent ever...along with her giant hemangioma on her eye that we totured the poor thing with injections for just so she wouldn't go blind in her eye...just now that she is getting terrific care and being aware from the begining gives you such an advantage...big hugs, vent away to us when ever you need it.

DIana-my best to your Aubrey..

Sorry if i miss some of you I will catch soon, things have been ok,,Still struggling with sleep with one baby but oh well just hanging in there. DH still hasnt found a job its been 2 weeks but seems forever. School and work still the same..But on a good note..my grifriends and i have finalized our plans for my brithday next month..we are going to Napa Valley for some wine tasting and spa day..im so excited but Dh is not happy..oh well..

Diana - Do you have a children's hospital close? If it's at all possible to take her to one you should definately consider it. There is a big difference IMO. We traveled 4 hours for Dawson's second surgery to go to the childrens hospital at OU. Dawson did an upper GI when he was 5 weeks old, 6 months old, and again at 2 1/2 years old. The first one was easy because he had a feeding tube so he didn't need to drink anything. The other two he had to drink the barium and we also did the small bowel so it took awhile...several hours. Whatever you can do to get her to drink the barium and she will be laying on the table while she's drinking it. I took a sippy cup, bottle, nipple, syringe and tried them all but he wouldn't drink it until I remembered they had 60cc HUGE syringes at the hospital and he took it fine with that. Take whatever you can think of to get her to drink and keep her still. I took Dawson's Lilly Frog that played music. The test really isn't bad it's just hard because you have to do whatever you can for them to cooperate so it can even be done. I'm sure Aubrey will do wonderful....she seems very mild mannered. You'll be able to see the barium go into her throat down her esophagus and into her stomach. If the small bowel is also done you'll be able to see it move thru her intestines right there on the screen and the radiologist will be in there so they should be telling you everything as it goes along. If they don't then you might want to insist. At the regular hospital I had to insist but at the children's hospital they told me everything right then. As for the spleen....if it works then it works. And if it doesn't....she doesn't have to have it anyway. That's the way I always looked at it. I've been in similar shoes and I understand what you are feeling. If you need me feel free to call my anytime....713-298-7295. It's gonna be okay...

Diana- Aww that has to be rough but like the other girls said its awesome that you were able to find out so early to where they can get started on a plan of action. I'll keep little Aubrey in my prayers...She is such a strong little girl....

AFM-Jeremiah after my insisting uttered his first word although I know he is not totally sure of its meaning quite yet..He said Dada....but while I was trying to get his to say it he kept looking at his dad so who knows.. Also I took Faith to the dermatologist today... and he said that she has a skin condition known as Granuloma Annulare...I guess it is quite common it kids but also happens in adults as well. He said its not painful nor harmful and that it is something she will outgrow eventually it may take weeks or even years but eventually it will go away. He prescribed some Hydrocortisone cream to put on it every so often and said that may help it fade a bit. He said he could take a needle and inject steroids underneath each growth to see if that may help but that it would be painful for Faith and he would not recommend it in her case as hers is not really bad like most he has seen. He said that he normally wants to do more invasive things for treatment if it is all over the trunk area of the body but hers is only on her legs feet and one spot on her wrist. So I am glad it was not really serious. Then this afternoon due to Jeremiah having a horrid cough and nasty greenish nose goo I took him to the dr and she said to put him back on the nebulizer 3 times a day and that if he spikes a fever to call and come in ASAP bacause I guess RSV is kinda bad this season. She also said to not let him lay down when he goes to bed to make him sleep in his carseat or the swing sitting upright. Other than that he should be fine just using the nebulizer and will get better. The nurse mentioned some of this could be going on too because he is teething right now. They did a weight check like they always do and he is 17 lbs 12 oz and is 27 inches long and his head measurement is 17... so he is getting chunky....the good sign is that he is still he happy ol self.

Diana- once again I agree with Michelle...if there is a local Children's hospital in your area go to them...that is where we were sent and I do agree, the level of care you get and the ease at which they put you is beyond compare...I have been thinking about you all night.

Mari- I am jealous...what wonderful birthday plans you have...it sound like heaven!!!! I hope the uncooperative twin gets some sleep and lets you get some soon.

Joy- Glad it wasn't anything serious...yay for teeth, we don't have any in sight yet. But that isn't a surprise to me, McKenna didn't get them until about 9mo.

AFM- working my double shift today on this wonderful St. Paddy's day. I might be leaving a little early though, around 9pm...I really didn't sleep well last night, having a few issues with DH which is very unlike us. I know it isn't his fault but his job canceled his vacation on him as his manager has to have surgery so he will be out and I am very very pissed, and don't mean to but end up taking it out on him...I know he was just staying home, but what if he had been coming with us and even if he is just staying home he had things to do, he is redoing the girls room, which is the whole reason we were going away to make it easier for him so now he has to work and get that done.

Happy St. Pat's Ladies! Éirinn go brách!

Ok so I have been a bit neglectful to y'all and I am sorry. Here are some personals! WaHoo!

Diana - I am so sorry Aubrey's diagnosis wasnt better. Just remember that knowledge is power and the more you know about everything that is going on the better. I am glad she was diagnosed now instead of later and hopefully you can get her taken care of, like you said, before she is old enough to remember. I agree with the other ladies. Children's hospitals are great. I have several friends whose kids have gone to Children's here in Dallas and they do nothing but rave. Keep your head up and just take it all one day at a time. We are here for you! ((Hugs!))

Kim - I am sorry DH's work cancelled his vacation. That just sucks! Hopefully he will be able to get everything done while you guys are out of town then he can take some time off after the guy gets back from surgery to rest. I hope you get to leave early!

Joy - Yeah on Jeremiah's teeth! When Nate's 2 bottom teeth were coming in he got a cold type thing too. Hopefully that is all he has. I am glad Faith's rash is temporary & will go away on its own. What a relief.

MichelleL - I hope your boys are feeling better and your catering goes well today.

Michelle (mnelson) - I am sorry your company is feeling the crunch too. We went from 17 office employees to 9 and from 12 builders to 3 1/2. (The 1/2 is our construction V.P. who fills in the gaps here and there) Hang in there girly. I know how you feel. It is so scary right now.

Elise - I hear you on the exercise. Where is the time supposed to come from? I havent figured it out yet but I am still trying. I am glad they think with these bandages your incision will heal soon. I hope you DH finds something soon.

Shannon - Miss you girl! Hope you and your boys are doing well. Post something soon if you can.

AFM - Just as busy as always. This is my first week without help around here so needless to say I am running crazy. Nate has his St. Patrick's Day parade today and I was assured that the babies will be parading this time. DH is also going to get to go this time and he is bringing the video camera. Other that that things are pretty much the same. DH goes out of town next week for 4 days so we are getting ready for that. He is taking the dogs in for their vaccinations this weekend and then he is taking them to puppy camp while he is gone. Its just too hard with Nate and the puppies by myself.
I guess that is it for now. Back to work I go. Wow it only took me an hour to write this post... How dare work interfere with my online friends! ;-)


Take Care Ladies!

Hey Ladies!
I'm going to try to do this quickly as I should be working on my report cards due this Thurs!

Diana- I'm sorry to hear about everything going on. But I too think it's great that they have diagnosed her so young. You can find out all you possibly need to know and like you said she won't remember this all happening!

Kim- That sucks about the vacation- work shouldn't be allowed to cancel vacations! Dh has to get special permission to take days off from Nov- March because of the snow and it sucks every year!!

Amy- How fun you get to see Nate in the baby parade today! Have a blast!

Joy- Wow- Jeremiah and his two teeth coming in so closely- how painful! Hope he feels better now!

To anyone I missed, I'm so sorry. Hope everyone's los are feeling better! Me on the other hand I have a bad head cold! Maddie wasn't feeling great last week, and she wasn't eating. The dr. said it was a mix of cold and teething. She seems to be less stuffy now and her appetite has picked up a bit more. It has been rough though because she has been so in need of our time I totally am stressed about finishing report cards due Thurs. It takes forever to write comments for each kid and then grade them! Dh has been awesome-he's been taking her out for walks and other things so I can work on them! We also discovered that Maddie doesn't like the Similac Soy Isomil Advance powder as much as the liquid. It really doesn't make sense because it should taste the same, and it sucks because it saves us money. But she's been drinking a little and then refusing. Well I bought a bottle and she sucks it down. I experimented a little the last couple of days and she eats fine with the liquid! Dh had thought about it and I thought he was crazy. Last night I looked at them and they do have different colors and smells to them, which totally doesn't make sense! But right now we're wasting so much powder it really hasn't been saving us as much as it should.

That's enough rambling for now, have a great St. Patrick's Day Ladies!
Kristen

HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY!!!! That being said although my name is Shannon and my sisters name is Heather, everyone assumes we are Irish and sad to say that we aren't at all....

Kristen- It probably has the same taste but a different consistency...KWIM?What if you pre make the formula ahead of time, does that make a difference?

Amy- Aww thanks girl! It's nice to be missed! It was soo warm and sunny this weekend that I HAD to get outside! My kids didn't want to so much.The bums! I can't wait to see the pics of Nate at the parade!!!

Kim- Girl that sucks!!! I'm sorry! WHat would've happened if you'd had non-refundable tickets somewhere?! I know you don't mean to take it out on your DH but your frustrated, understandably.Ive done the same thing a few times to my DH when work has "screwed him royally" and always felt bad afterward, but who else are we supposed to vent to besides our spouses(well besides all you rockin' mommas)?

Joy- Aww I love the first baby teeth!! But then I get sad and miss the gummy grins too!I've come to the conclusion that Lucas is never getting teeth! Bith my others had teeth by this point. And yeah teething can also trigger those cold things. But if he's wheezing thats definately not from teething.It is a stressful time and I don't care about when docs say that teething doesn't cause fevers, maybe its not a direct cause but BOTH of my two older boys had low-grade fevers for at least one day before a tooth came in.EVERY SINGLE TIME!!! Definetly not a coincidence!

Diana- Aww poor Aubrey! I may not have much experience with that stuff but honey I'm here if you need to talk or vent too! My # is 315-558-0735. You can call day or night!Like the others have said, at least she's young and so you know early on rather than it happening later in life. I know that you and that sweet baby of yours will so be in my prayers!

Bekah- Where ya at girl!!! I miss ya!

Mari- Sorry one of the twins isn't sleeping well.That sure has to make things tough! Hope that changes soon!


AFM: Sorry if I missed anyone, I was sick yesterday and still am not 100% yet.Then Sunday we were supposed to go out(a gift from my mom and stepdad) to dinner and then a movie but DH had horrid diarrhea and wasn't eating so even though he said we could still go, that didn't seem like much fun to meSo next Sunday my were going to try again.We're also celebrating my birthday that dayeven though its not until the 24th) with my mom and step-dad The fun part is that my dad and step-monster may also be coming out and she HATES my mom.So juvenile!Saturday we have a blue/gold scouts dinner for ODS and next weekend we are going to a guinea pig show.ODS will be showing one of our piggies for the first time so we're swamped the rest of the month.And now that I look at my schedule next month doesnt look any better....

Thanks so much for all the support and knowledge. I hate that anyone else has gone thru medical issues with their LO's but it's comforting to hear from people that know from experience, it's also nice to have everyone just to get it out.

Michelle, you make me feel so much better knowing Dawson had somewhat similiar issues or tests and all is well.

Kim, so sorry about DH's vaca. I hope u have a short day today.

Kristen, hope u feel better.

Amy, post pictures!!! we have to see that handsome man at his parade.

Shannon, glad u'r feeling better. you crack me up with step-monster. i refer to myself as that sometimes even though DSD is a spoiled rotten ADULT!

Hello to anyone I missed.

We do go to our Children's Hospital for everything since the minute she was born. She was born in our largest hospital here and the Children's Hosp is connected so while I was recovering from c/s I could catwalk my way over to see her in the NICU. It's supposedly 1 of the top 10 in the US. We are actually fortunate enough to have 2 Children's Hosp in our city both within 20 mins from home.
I called the Geneticist to make an appt hoping to get in in May with my other appts at the hospital (my ped said may would be fine) well, she told me that she has an opening tomorrow b/c of cancellation and other than that it's friggin NOVEMBER!!!! Needless to say, we're going tomorrow which is fine with me, lets just get this ball rolling.
BUT..Aubrey woke up with a fever this morning so I'm hoping it's just a little reaction from the procedure and not an onset of UTI because of the procedure. They told me as long as she wasn't contagious to bring her to the appt so unless I feel like she needs to see her ped, she's going b/c I'm not waiting til November and I seriously do not think she's contagious just reacting.
Again, thanks so much for all the well wishes. You never know you may be getting that weird 'who's the heck is this' phone call....haha

Diana-LOL unfortunately Im not joking calling her that.She and I were friends until her and my dad got married.They didnt tell me they were getting married until that day(but her son knew) and just 2 weeks prior Id asked my dad when they were going to get married and he said never.It was after they were married that she announced to my dad that she hated my mom and wouldnt go to family functions if she was going to be there. So /ive planned birthdays around that and spend twice the money.Ridiculous! So I finally told my dad that she needs to grow up because the birthday gatherings are about the kids and not anyone else.So thats why in a nutshell I call her step-monster.I call my MIL my monster-in-law too but shes not too bad...

Kristen - I understand the frustration on the formula! Brenden is on Similac Alimentum and he will only drink the premade kind. It costs me $400 a month! I've tried switching him to the powder with no luck and to me it's just not worth it! They'll be off this formula soon anyway. If she'll drink it you're probably just gonna be stuck with it. I use my 10% target coupons to save .90 on each jug.... Honestly, I think the premade must be a little less sensitive to their tummy's or something....

Amy- You have to post pics of Nate's parade! I swear that dc you take him to is fabulous! Makes me wanna move to Dallas! :-) Good luck with work....now your working for 3 for the price of 1....you cheapo. LOL!

Kim- That's never happen to us but I would be pissed too! Hopefully he'll have enough time in the evenings being by himself that he can still do most of it! I swear, these freakin' employers!

Joy- I can't believe we are already talking teeth! WOW! Our baby's are getting old!

Diana- Seriously.....you are not alone! All of us are here for you and for Aubrey! And I mean it...you can call me anytime you need to! Dawson is the success story of my life and Aubrey will be yours! It's hard to believe the kidney reflux has lead you all down this path but I am so happy that you have a doctor who will leave no stone unturned to make sure your baby is okay. So many doctors just ignore, shrug, or totally miss the signs.


Mari- Good to see you! Don't ya' just wanna look at 'em and ask why they can't just sleep???? Seriously.....it is JUST sleep! I often have that question for Brenden!

Shannon - I hope you get better soon! I think it was a smart move to not take DH anywhere like that! I had to pull over once and let DH out of the car.....it was not pretty! Men don't know how to hold it! LOL!

AFM - Holy Moly! Brenden slept until 5am! I didn't get to reap the benefits because Dawson called from his sleep over at 11pm to tell me goodnight then again at midnight to say he stayed up "until tomorrow". He was so excited! Then I had to pee at 2am. Anyway, I fed the baby at 5 and he wouldn't go back to sleep so I put him in bed with me hoping he would just talk a little so I could sleep just another 45 minutes.....well.....he fell back asleep and I didn't have an alarm on! We woke up at 8am to my sister banging on the door! She was here to help me do the catering and I was TWO freakin' hours behind! Talk about rushing around like a mad woman! Thankfully we got everything done and I actually got a shower before I had to pick Dawson up! Brenden is doing well, he hasn't started running a temp and he's been in a pretty good mood. Yesterday was frustrating but it's over. Anyway, ya'll have a good Tuesday! -Michelle

Diana - so sorry you have to deal with all this! but it sounds like you have some good docs helping you out! just remember - you are your child's best advocate!!

Shannon - have you ever seen the movie monster-in-law? it's really funny! especially if you have in-law issues.....

Kristen - sorry she's being a pill - just remember - you'll get to remind her of all this stuff one day when she's complaining about her own kids!

Mari - at least it's only one up and not both! i know, small consolation, but.....LOL

Hi to everyone else that I probably missed!!

AFM: I am just so not in a good place these days. I am overwhelmed and it keeps getting more each day. We had to make the decision to send Rayna to an afternoon preschool program in addition to her morning program because we think she might have other issues other than speech. And the town only offers services thru their preschool program, and since they have an afternoon session, she'll be starting there in a couple of weeks. She'll only be going 4 days because my mom takes her to a music class on wednesdays, and since it's already paid for, i'm not letting her miss that! Besides, she loves having that time with my mom! I just don't know if we did the right thing! Sending her there means she'll be stopping her private speech therapy, which is hard because the woman she is working with is so wonderful and has helped her so much! So, once she starts, she'll be in school from 9 to 12:30, I'll pick her up, take her to school #2 which starts at 12:40 and ends at 3:20. I'll have to pick her up by 3:10 to get back home in time to meet the bus since Jeremy gets out at 3:30. It means I have to run back and forth all day, dragging poor Logan with me! But that doesn't bother me as much as not being 100% sure that this is the right thing for her! If I knew if and what the other issues were, I think I would feel better, but I don't and I won't until she has started this program and they observe her! We think she might have some sensory issues, but it's PITA to get them to do an evaluation without her being in the program. The other upside is they just built a new magnet school in town for pre-k and k and she would automatically get in since that is where she would get her services next year....if we're still in town! And another upside is if we do end up moving out of town (or out of state) she was a school system IEP that goes with her. Those 2 are the main reasons I agreed, even though I'm not confident we made the right decision! So, on top of everything else, this has been weighing on my mind so I'm sleeping as peacefully as I need to be. That, and DH found out the real reason he didn't get the job offer for relocation. The guy who wasn't making the decision, made the decision and decided that he wanted someone with "better customer service" than DH has. It's so aggrevating when it's political b.s.!! And as many jobs as he has applied for and recruiters that he's talked to, nothing is panning out! And that makes me VERY nervous!! And there's not a damn thing I can do about any of this!! And on top of all of that, I can't figure out how to stay on top of the laundry and all the other household crap. I just sent in papers to cash in a life insurance policy i had because we need the cash to stay on top of the bills because i need to prepare for the worse case of DH not having a job come July and we only have his severance to live on and that has to pay for the mortgage and the HELOC first! And unfortunately, my stress relief is eating, which I'm trying not to do, but failing miserably at which only makes me feel worse......I just want to run away from my life for a bit, but I can't even do that! And DH has to go back to Texas next week for these stupid meetings about closing his office and moving the stuff down, which means I'm home alone with 3 kids for 3 nights yet again! And of course, it has to be the 3 days of parent conferences so Jeremy is out early! The only saving grace is my parents will be back from their trip (they're in Israel this week). So at least if I'm really overdone, they're in town. But my mom works nights and my dad is busy with his stuff, so it's not a guarantee!

Ok - I'm done venting/mumbling/babbling/whatever you want to call it.....hope everyone has a good night -- sending good sleeping vibes and feeling better vibes to everyone! I can't believe Logan is going to be 6 months one week from tomorrow! It seems like only yesterday I was discovering that I was pg yet again!

Elise- I'm sorry you're going through so much at once. I used to teach pre-k so I thought I'd put my two cents in. Disregard if you want! I think you have made a great choice about sending Rayna to both classes. Is the afternoon one with the public school? If so they can test her for her needs and usually if it's part of the public school their speech therapist can service her if she still qualifies for those services. I know it stinks she'll be leaving the other speech therapist, but she'll be getting so many more services by having both programs. She will probably be pretty tired at first, it's a lot for kids to go from that half day to full day, but as long as it's a good quality program it will be worth it. I taught Pre-k in Norwich, until I moved to my school where I'm now in 2nd grade. But I have my masters in early childhood education special and regular ed for pre-k and k. So if I can be of any help to you, please let me know! Good luck and keep us posted!

Elise- that is a lot on your plate...and I sypathize with the stress. My life has gotten so crazy that I actually pretty much had a break down yesterday and will be seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist. I think I have had some PPD issues that I have been ignoring for quite a bit, and my reactions to things were becoming over the top...when I started thinking about how nice it would be to just walk away (but knowing I could never do it) I knew I was tired of feeling like this and needed some help. I go talk to the therapist tomorrow for the first time, I found them through my employess assistance program and then the psychiatrist in April, I think there are some mild depression/anxiety issues that medication will help with. At first I was embarrassed and ashamed that I couldn't handle it all but I want to be the best mother and wife that I can be so I need to do this. Anyway, so didn't mean for this to end up being a tangent on what is going on with me...but just wanting you to know that if things really start seeming like they are getting to be to much it isn't a bad thing to ask for help.

Kristen - yes, the afternoon program is thru the public school system. thanks for the offer - it i have any questions, i might bounce them off of you!

Kim - good for you! i know how helpful it can be - i've had counseling in the past. and if i ever get to that point again, i'm not afraid to call and/or ask for help!

Just a couple of quick notes in between Logan and laundry....the never ending game that keeps winning! Grr!! NE-way, Logan's fussing so off I go!! Have a good day ladies!!!

Kristen - I hope you feel better. I have had a really bad cold for a week now and I am so ready for it to end. I hope you dont get too swamped with report cards. I used to hate that day as a kid...

Shannon - as always I hope everyone at your house is feeling better. 30 was great for me. Infact I am enjoying my 30s more than I did my 20s. You have 3 wonderful kiddos that will fill your 30s with endless activity and love!

MichelleL- What a crazy morning! I am glad you got through it. If you wanted to move to Dallas I wouldnt stop you! LOL! We could hang out and our boys could be buddies!

Elise - I am sorry you are going through so much stress. Try not to let it get to you and I know its easier said than done. I am a worrier and had ulcers from worry in the 5th grade. Try just to take it all as it comes. I hope your DH finds something soon. That really sucks about the Texas position. Hopefully this new program will help Reyna and it wont be to hard on all of y'all. Hang in there.

Kim - I am glad you are getting help. I am a big supporter of therapy. I was in therapy for a year before Nate was born and it was the best thing I could have done. I hope it helps you.

Diana - How did things go at the geneticist? How is your little one feeling?

AFM - Ok I am really sick of being sick. I am better than I was but today I have the worst headache and I have taken meds and its not going away. I cant take off of work so if it comes to it I will have to do my job with a migrane. UGH! I knew this was going to happen but I thought there might be a break inbetween illnesses. My DH, son and I have all been sick with something or another for 2 months now and its getting old! OK - rant over.

Other than that things are normal. Still working like crazy. The parade was fun and they served cookies and punch. All the kiddos were really cute. I am still having issues with Nate eating. He either doesnt want to eat what you are serving or he loves it so much he eats until he throws up. I am trying to figure out when to stop feeding him but if I stop he screams until he can have more. Last night he ate a whole jar of squash and then 1/2 a jar of carrots. I picked him up and then we were both covered in squash and carrots. All I have to say is Shout Gel is AMAZING stuff. It all came out of our clothes. I was sure they were all ruined. I will take any suggestions.I guess I gotta get back to it.

Take Care Ladies!

Shannon, that is ridiculous immaturity. let her @ss stay home for sure!!

Michelle, I am very thankful for my ped and the children's hospital. they are amazing.
What a morning...hope you got your wits about you and caught up!

Kristen, I hope u'r feeling better.

Amy, you too!! I have no food advice, we have our issues here too, not the same but always a struggle trying to 'figure it out'

Kim, Glad you're working on yourself...not a bad thing at all. It will only make for a happier you and family.

Elise, sorry to hear you have so many issues going on. I'm wishing you the best with Rayna's changes. I don't blame u for not taking her from your mom, they need that time. As for the job, I completely understand, DH hasn't had any luck and his severence runs out in July, insurance until Feb 2010 (thank goodness), but remember although that is stressful you have no control, like you said, so try hard not to let that eat you up. Try to focus on the LO's. I know it's easier said than done.

AFM: I'm trying to type with an exhausted baby on my chest. Her fever broke around 8 this morning but she's still screeching from constipation and gas. I just gave her some fennel tea so I'm hoping that does the trick. She will not nap for more than 30 mins though unless I'm holding her. She's NEVER been clingy.
We go to the geneticist today at 4 so I'll fill you ladies in later or tomorrow.