Merry Christmas!

William and Nathalie this morning, infront of the tree, surronded by gifts, and love! Nathalie was so grateful for everything that she opened, and I was really proud of her in that she took the time to thank each person for what they got her! Her top gifts, were her ballet slippers (from Santa) an art easel from Nana and Papa, and some dolls from assorted relatives! William actually really got into opening presents this year, for the first time! He mostly received things with wheels, trains, cars, etc...and of course loves them all, wanted them al opened to play with! They joy on the kids' faces when they opened gifts was priceless, and amazing!

Nathalie Making Gingerbread Men

I am in the middle of finals, I spent today writing two lab reports, took one final on Thursday, and have my last final on Tuesday. Despite that my kids have needs, specifically for my attention, and more specifically when I'm trying to study. Nathalie has been asking, and asking to make Gingerbread cookies, so today in between my two reports, she did, and here are some pictures of my little baker!

Our Christmas Card!

Nathalie and Santa Claus...

As I was putting Nathalie to bed, she just told me she wants to write a letter to Santa, and I told her we will do that tomorrow.



She said ok, because I need to tell him that I want some tippy toe ballerina shoes, some tap tap shoes, and a ballerina dress ( I guess we'll be signing up for dance lessons huh?)...oh and she wants Sleeping Beauty, the MOvie (check on that one)!

Unplanned Car Emergencies Suck

For many reasons we drive recycled cars. And we love our recycled cars, love not having a car payment for sure! Well the things we don't love, is coming out of Target this morning (after scoring some sweet deals) and finding a tire that was blown, I could see the metal not good, shredded tire, not good....Discount Tire in same parking lot as Target, good. Price for 4 new tires right before the holidays, not good.

Thanksgiving

has been a fantastic day, and I am full to the brim from eating to no end all.day.long...enjoying this time with my family has been precious and has meant the world to me

Things That I am thankful for

My beautiful children and husband. My amazing parents. My loving Sister. My genuine friends. My life experiences. Overall health in my family. I am thankful for love, faith, and hope.

have you ever wondered

if people that you know/have known/have ever met, know people that you know, without even knowning it? Thats weird right, that I think about those kinds of things? I just was catching up on blogs, while I'm sitting here allegedly studying, hey, Mommy needs time for other things too, right? And I started to think about that. So I just wonder if people I know know other people I know without me or them knowing that we are all connected....ok its official I am weird....

dinner at nana's

Things that I am thankful for, there are soooo many, which I will get to later in this week!
Tonight, we had dinner at my mom's because she watched the kids for us all day while we both worked, as I have some time to make up from being out with meningitis. For dinner she made Lasagna. From my child hoood I remember vividly requesting her to make her homemade lasagna on my birthday, every.year. It was as good as I remembered it, and Nathalie gobbled it up. William didn't get any (I know I'm a mean mommy) but it contains gluten, which is no longer on his diet. He ate Salad with no dressing and a banana and some rice chex (which is now gluten free)

Nathalieism

A bit ago Nathalie stopped what she was doing and put her hand over her heart! With intense excitement she exclaimed "mommy, I can feel my heart beeping"

Organic Chemistry

is hard, really its hard. I took an exam last night, then had lab. This is the 2nd semester of this course, and the final is on December 17th, and I can not wait, the days are numbered in my head...it will be nice to be done with Orgo. Then I get an entire month school free, returning the last week of January. Next semester i will be taking Anatomy.

Mama's got a brand new do

I think it really, really helps that my hair dresser is my sister. But we (she and I have this amazing relationship) where I can tell her what I want, maybe show her a couple of pictures, and tell her how I want this one mixed with this one, and she Always, without fail gives me exactly what I had pictured in my mind. Today, while in her chair I realized how much talent it really takes to be able to do what she does! Thanks Nichole I love it!

Halloween

yeah so it was a few weeks ago, but here are Nathalie and William as Snow White and a police officer, with their fruit creatures auntie made them

getting back in the swing of things

This morning I drove Nathalie to school, and on the way to her school, we pass the hospital I was in (Grossmont). She looked at it and said "mommy, please dont go back to the hopistal, I missed you too much". OH my precious little girl I missed you more.

Just Discharged from the Hospital....

Tuesday night, during my study session I felt icky, kind of flu like. When I got home Tuesday night my head was throbbing and I was freezing. I climbed into bed, and hoped to sleep it off. When I woke up Wednesday morning, I had a horrible, unbearable headache. Throughout the day Wednesday my headache worsened, as someone who has never suffered from even a migraine, I thought that maybe this was what I was experiencing. I drug myself to pick Nathalie up from PreSchool on Wednesday, practically in tears, the pain was indescribable. Once home, I decided to call Sam, I told him something was really wrong, that I needed him home. I decided to take some motrin, the pain was making me feel like I might pass out. Once my husband arrived home, I headed to Urgent Care early Wednesday afternoon. After quick assesment at the Urgent care, based on my sypmtoms, the Dr. told me that I needed to be seen in the emergency room immeadiately. They wouldn't allow me to drive myself, and my sister picked me up from the urgent care and drove me straight to ER. My fever had reached 102.9, and they immeadiately performed a spinal tap to confirm that I had spinal meningitis. I was admitted to the hospital, and pumped full of antibiotics over the next 48 hours. Happy to be alive, considering the possibilities related to meningitis. Glad I followed my instinct and went to the dr. Glad to be at my moms, where I have assistance with my kids, while I continue on the road to recovery.

worried

my sisters best friend since middle school, is an amazing mother to two beautiful girls who are 3 and 1, and is expecting her first son in December. My sister called me this morning to tell me that R, had a seizure in her sleep last night and stopped breathing; thankfully, the seizure woke up her husband who called 911, as it stands she is in the hospital, 2 cm dialated, at this point baby boy would be about 6 weeks premature and most likely fine, but its still a very scary situation.

This morning

I went to Target, and I got the first book in the Twilight series. I want to get started now, but must straighten up my house. I also bought myself a cd, which I havent done in ages!

Time for me

I am sitting at a local cafe, one which I frequent often with a friend to study. One which contains free wifi, awesome soy chai lattes, and even more awesome, they are open until 2 am, and as a mom, trying to squeeze her way into pharmacy school, in just over a year, I am so appreciative that this place exists. It allows me to but my kids to bed, and still have time to catch up on my blog, er study.

what I really want

is an amazon kindle...seriously, so badly that I cant even put it into words.

I also want the entire twilight series to read....

Roseola

William has it. covered from head to toe, in his mouth even. cranky kid. no fun!

OBAMA!!!

In my adult life, as short lived as it has been, this is definitely the election I personally have had the most intrest in. I am sure that this is for several reasons, one being that this is only the second presidential election I have been eligible to vote for (age wise), the first time my "guy" didn't win, and instead we were left him. To say I look forward to his term in office coming to an end, would be an understatement. I believe that importantly, my interest in these elections is due largely to the fact that I am now a mom! This year I did my research, I watched the debates, I read the articles, I researched the propositions, and I voted with the confidence and hope that my guy would win and he did! I can't even begin to go into all the reasons why this was such a landmark election, or how overwhelmed with excitement I am for our new leader, to take office January 20, 2009. I am even more happy to live in a state that went BLUE for OBAMA!

On another note, I Can't believe that Prop 8 passed, to me its absurd and takes away fundamental rights, that had already been established.

Remembering Mrs. Bennett

Here is the link to the obituary of Nathalie's amazing teacher from all of last year! I am so blessed that this influential woman was a part of our lives, she will be missed and loved by so many.

and, just in case anybody else needs reference of a great book for preschool aged children regarding death, I personally found Lifetimes to be fantastic!

Furthermore, I had heard that Nathalie's teacher's father had been "sick", after doing some research I found this article, and realized that there is no question why this woman was such an amazing educator. Look at all her father has done for charter schools.

What is on the Christmas lists in our household

My daughter wants rain boots. Although we live in San Diego and the annual rain fall here is miniscule she wants some! She has a pair that we purchased when she was just shy of 3, and she still trys to squeeze into them, I thought Ok, thats a good christmas gift. So I began browsing, online of course, and I came across these lavender Mary Jane style rain boots, and loved them. However, being one always in search of a bargan, I felt the 27.00 price tag was a little high, for rain boots, and was aiming for closer to a 20 dollar price range. You can only imagine how excited I was to come across this alternative from Target. Not only are they less than half the price of the originals I actually think the floral accent makes them even cuter! What a deal, of course I snagged them up instantly, there was no way I was risking them running out, they are on clearance after all. At that rate, I'll hopefully find a cute umbrella to match and walk away still around the 30 dollar mark!

Nathalie also loves dress up! Anything princess, and dress up is a double bonus! I scored half price costumes at work yesterday, and got both a Cinderella and a princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) dress for a total of 16 dollars! I figure I'll get her some other dress up accesories, and I want to buy or build a wooden chest for her to keep all of her dress up things in!

At least I have started in the Nathalie department.

William loves anything with wheels, parts, dirt, balls etc. He loves animals ALLL ANIMALS but especially ones that "roar", Dinosaurs, Lions, Tigers, Bears etc..... I saw this pirate doll and had to get it, a little more than I would normally spend on one doll, but its awesome and Manhattan toys makes great toys! In the animal department, have you seen these from Finn & Thatcher? I think I'm going to order one of each, I was going to skip the "bull" but considering that both William and Nathalie are Taurus' the bull may be a needed object in our household.

Ok so whats on the Christmas lists in your households? I need more ideas, but at least am moving in the right direction!

Nablopomo is back

and I'm in. nablopomo I think I can do it, it will be a definite challenge, but I pretty much made it happen last year, so why not try again this year. Nathalie seems to running a fever tonight, and may stay home from school if it is still present in the morning. I think she just had too much going on these past few days, between the halloween festivities, a soccer game Saturday morning, Willy Wonka play Saturday night, her poor little body is probably just tired! So we will see how she is in the morning.

Some Very Sad News!

All Full names are replaced with initials, to protect indivudal privacy

Yesterday morning I got Nathalie all ready for school, Snow White costume on, Pumpkin Cupcakes for class party in car and away we went! We arrived to her school, I signed her in, handded her "cupcakes" to her teacher, and her teacher said, "you need to go see Pat," (Pat is the Owner of Nathalie's school). I was concerned, I wondered if it was something Nathalie had done at school, or if maybe she was retireing. So to the office I went. As I was entering, another parent was leaving, and was sad, tearful. I entered and Mrs. M (Pat), looked sorrowful. I sat*down. She said I am really sorry to be the one to tell you this, but we lost Mrs. B*, (Mrs. B* was Nathalie's teacher all of last year, the first person we ever had entrusted our daughter to that was not a family member.) I was confused, wondering what could possibly cause this "loss", had she decided to move, was she asked to leave? The next sentence she had to share was extremely painful, "Mrs. B died yesterday?" I had seen, and spoken to her on Wednesday, when dropping Nathalie off at school.

Mrs. B was 30 years old, over the past few months her weight had melted away, many at the school assumed she was dieting. Apparantely, she called in sick on Thursday, and collapsed early in the day, her husband was unable to wake her, and called 911, she was ambulanced to the hospital, and died shortly after noon. She had been told by dr's not long ago that she may have delayed diabetes, they had scheduled an appointment to do further testing, but she died. The true cause of death is not yet known, and will be revealed after the autopsy is performed.

There are so many things I'd like to have been able to say to this amazing woman, who my daughter, husband and I respected, trusted and admired, things that I will not get the chance to say! The sadness that fills my heart is unexplainable. My daughter is sad, but said its okay because Mrs. B is in heaven with her grandma and grandma is a nice person so she and Mrs. B will be friends, that made my heart smile.

Success!!

William and I made a trip to the store this morning to replace some of our dairy products, with those which are non-dairy....We ended up purchasing Pacificfoods Chocolate soy milk (individual box was under 70 cents, so I bought 2 for "on the go" to see if he'd like them, he requested one on the car ride home and consumed it within 5 minutes, thus I will be returning to purchase more of those!) I also purchased some rice milk, some vanilla soy milk, some soy yogurt, one vanilla and one blueberry. I purchased one box of glutino gluten free crackers, and really they aren't that good, but maybe they will grow on us. I plan on making a trip to whole foods sometime in the next week and stocking up on many more cf and gf foods, but at least we are making steps in the right direction!

Nathalie's school Halloween Carnival and the awesome gluten free snack I discovered

Was last friday (the 24th) the kids had a great time running around playing games, it was fun for them, and even a bit fun for us. As a family of 4 it isn't often we get to do things together, with 2 working parents and a mama in school, the kids normally have one or the other of us at a time, so it really was a nice treat for us all. They had a raffle, and Nathalie asked if we could buy 3 tickets, 1 for her, 1 for William, and 1 for mom and dad to share, so we did. We actually won a great prize a Large Trader Joe's Bag full of goodies! In this bag of goodies were some things, giant spaghetti noodles, marinara sauce, some organic green tea conditioner (for mama :) ), but also was Kettle Corn, that is....GLUTEN FREE, and it is dELICious. William agrees, he has been snacking on it over the past few days, so I know this will definitely become a staple in our household under the new dietary restraints. Also were some gluten free thai sesame rice crisp bars that William enjoys a bit, but I think its more of an acquired taste, I personally loved them!

ok, so most likely, most of what you'll be hearing for a while from me will regard the food thing

Ok, so I spent a lot of time last night researching.and researching. and researching some more. And the approach I am going to take with William, is to become GFCF in 6 weeks. Why so long you may ask? Well the reasons are numerous, but the main number one reason is this, in kids that have developmental delays, speech delays, behavioral delays that will truly benefit from a GFCF diet, the foods that they are so addicted too actually act opiod-like to there little brains, so they truly are addicted. Due to this fact, things can actually get worse, before they get better, a risk I am definitely willing to take, given the results I expect we'll see in the end! So here is the "low-down" of the first 6 weeks, as is explained on the TACA website:

Starting on Saturday, November 1st (just so that its easier to keep track of,) William will receive no more casein (milk, containing products), this initial phase will be a 2 week elimination of all casein containing products. After 2 weeks, beginning November 15th, William will remain on a Casein free diet and be introduced to GFCF breakfasts, I hear that Van's GFCF waffles are good, he will still be allowed eggs, I will probably try a couple different gf cereal's, with soy or rice milk... At the beginning of week 4, November 22, the above mentioned eliminations will remain in place, and we will introduce GFCF Lunches, this week will be one of the hardest in our house, as for Lunch my son eats PB & J sandwiches, etc, and the suggestions on the TACA website for lunches aren't exactly things I want to be feeding him, although I will try these chicken nuggets, the kicker is trying to find them locally, or else find some friends who need some too? (ANYONE?) and then we could place a group order! Week 5, Which will begin November 29, will bring the introduction of GF dinners. In week 6, beginning Dec 6, GFCF snacks (although as we run out of the things that contain Gluten, I will be replacing them with gluten free). TACA goes on to list weeks 7-10, but I am happy to say that in the department of soaps, shampoos, lotions, sunscreens, toothpaste and laundry detergent we currently use products that do not contain gluten and Casein. I will replace all of my baking products with those that are gluten and casein free.

As far as Nathalie and the rest of us go, we will obviously follow these dietary restrictions in our home, not only to support William, but to benefit us all. However, I will allow Nathalie to mantain a normal diet at school, for now, but next year, I will be packing her lunches anyhow, so they too will be gluten and casein free.

Update on William, and the new diet that will be entering our house

Friday, I had the priveledge of attending the DAN (defeat autism now)! Fall Conference at the Town and Country Hotel in Mission Valley! I learned so many very interesting and helpful things. Although Willliam is not officially autistic, he does portray quite a number of "autistic" traits. From everything I have learned, both Sam and I agree that he will benefit greatly from a GFCF diet (gluetin and Casein free) which means, no dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt) and no bread (wheat, oats, rye)....no chicken nuggets, eliminating almost everything that he is so use to eating. An interesting note on that fact is that kids (and adults alike) crave that which they are most sensitive too, in William's case I believe this to be Bread, this boy loves bread will ask for it anytime he can see it..I invested in a great "kid-friendly" GFCF cookbook, and have found recipies to make our own chicken nuggets, that are gluten free....etc....I will also be adding some supplements in for him, he just received vitamin c chewables, that he will now take everyday along with his multivitamin. Furthermore, I have ordered him some melatonin, to hopefully help even out his sleep pattern (for those of you not intune to the lack of sleep William provides us, he usually does not go to sleep until 12 or 1, and Friday night I was actually up with him until 3). I intend to add Omega-3's to his diet as well, I just need to find him a chewable brand...... There are several other options in the form of supplements, but these will be the initial few we introduce to him. Rather than eliminating all of the restricted foods at once, I will initially begin with Casein/dairy, no milk, no cheese and no yogurt, of course no other dairy containing products, but those are the three biggies in our house. After 3 weeks of 100% elimination of dairy, we will remove the gluten as well. During the initial 3 week period as we run out of gluten containing products, they will be replaced with those which are gluten-free. So any of you that have ideas in the gfcf free category that will help me out please let me know!

our little soccer girl

Nathalie is thoroughly enjoying her first season of soccer! When Tuesdays role around (practice day) she is optimistic, and happy all day long. At practice she listens to her coaches and runs with her team. On Saturdays (game day) she gets so happy when putting on her oversized uniform! She loves it, and I'm glad

anna rose

long overdo, here is our precious granddaughter Anna Rose! The cuteness kills me, it kills me even more that she is 3000 miles away, these few momentary glimpses will have to do for now. Sams daughter, Briana who is Anna's mommy is doing great, she is such a proud mother who brags about every coo Anna makes. As a teenage mother it can't be easy, but I am so glad she is giving her little girl every fighting chance!

William

does not have autism, but just some speech and developmental delays. I am melancholy about it all, I'm glad he doesnt have a label to an extent, but at the same time I struggle that we will be able to get him all the help he needs/deserves.

My Birthday

Was lots of fun! 29, I really can't believe it! In one more year I'll be 30, wow! Dinner was delicious at on the border, I had the grilled avocado enchiladas (YUUUMMMMY). I was surronded by family and wonderful friends, showered with gifts that I never expected. My mom and dad bought me a new purse. My friend Jezzy and her boyfriend Johnny bought me Pablo Neruda's essential collection. He is my all time favorite artist. I got a pedicure, I haven't had one since William was in my belly. It really was a great day!

a month

really, I cant believe that nearly a month has passed since I last posted, I think about posting often but by the time I get around to it....

Our trip to Oregon rocked, it was amazing, fun, amazing! I loved it!!

Our grandbaby was born!!!! Anna Rose entered the world 13 days late on August 21st and was a healthy 9 pounds 2 ounces!! Mom is in love with her, and we can not wait to meet her!!

I am loving my new job! I work between 24-30 hours a week.

I am back in school, taking 2nd semester Organic Chemistry, plus lab. I have been blessed with an amazing friend Jezzy, who is in this class with me, and makes it much more bearable, its awesome to have a "study buddy"!

I will be 29 in 15 days! We are going to do a group dinner, and then go play some darts and pool, we don't get out much so it should be fun and entertaining!

Nathalie had her first soccer game last saturday and is in love! She scored 2 goals, and only one was in the " wrong" goal. Her team color is green, and they are called the green dragonflies!

Here is the "heavy" part of this post. William is undergoing some evaluation and testing right now, he has been diagnosed as "borderline" autistic. He definitely is not severe, but does portray some traits. He has a more thorough diagnostic psychological developmental evaluation at the end of the month, so we will find out more then.


so there in short is what we have been up to more or less.

Playtown

So I took the kids to playtown today, and....
they both had a blast. But Nathalie, made instand friends with a couple of girls, that she had never met before, initially she said they "hurt her feelings" but within minutes the three of them were like the 3 amigos, up until we got ready to leave 2 hours later.....So here is something to consider,What happens in the time between then ( you know being 4 years old) and, say, our age? It's an amazing phenomenon to me, how kids can instantly run off playing and have the BestTimeThatTheirLittleMindsHaveEverImagined when they've known each other all of ten minutes.And why don't we do that more as adults?I'm just wondering, what do you all think about this? seriously, let me know!

La Jolla Indian Reservation Camping trip

was sooo much fun. the kids had their moments.you know, the melt down moments. But, all in all it was an amazing weekend, loaded with fun! Nathalie liked the idea of tubing down the river, until we flipped...William would have floated down the river without an intertube, if I'd let him. We didnt arrive until about 9 pm friday night, so the kids were cranky and hungry. Once fed, they got a bit better. Saturday morning William woke up on the wrong side of the bed! Once he had a nap (in the late afternoon) he was much better for the rest of the day. Sunday, of course the day we were leaving, the kids woke up both in an overall happy mood!
It was hard to do without daddy being there, and I am looking forward to our family trip to Oregon next week, where daddy will be there to help!
I will post pics soon, Im currently on my laptop, not at home, so I will post soon.

camping

I'm taking the kids to La Jolla Indian Reservation this weekend, with my parents and my sister and her boyfriend. Sam can't go and for that I am sad, but I know it will be fun none the less! Our trip to Oregon is also just 2 short weeks away.

mommmy

i hear screams of agonizing pain from downstairs, Nathalie yelling "moommmmy mommmy" I jump up run down the stairs and find out that nothing is wrong. I hear the constant bickering of the two of them, Williams screech, Nathalie's stern voice! Please help me make it through the day!

My how you've grown

Today when I picked Nathalie up from school they gave us her "year book" it is all hand done by her teacher, with pictures and art projects from each month of the school year, in short this book it is awesome! On the very first page is Nathalies beginning of the year picture and stats as well as her end of the year picture and stats!

In September 2007 she was 3 ft 3 inches and 32 pounds
In June 2008 (9 months later) she is 3 ft 6 inches and 39 pounds!

my little girl, she is getting big!

Nathalie's end of the year field trip to Coronado

she had such a blast and said we have to bring Daddy and William the next time we go! I agree completely and hope to plan a family beach day soon!

here I am

I haven't been very consistent in the blogging world lately and I dont really have an explanation beyond I have been busy, lazy and busy! Nathalie just moved up a class in preschool she is no longer a piglet, she is now a tigger! She will be starting Soccer next month! I got a new job, no longer with Rite Aid, I will now be working for Save on, which is 1 mile from my house, which means walking, biking, not driving! Less Gas!!!!! Sam is most likely going to have to have another shoulder surgery. William is 2, and crazy and keeping me busy, and I use to blog when Nathalie is at school, but I find myself doing more and more activities with William now, so there is another reason I havent been blogging so much!

William's 2 y.o check up yesterday...

28 lbs....50th percentile

35&3/4"........75th percentile


all in all I have my self a healthy boy and for that I am truly blessed!

we are still alive

and have soo much to catch up on, promise...pinky swear I will update the month of May soon!

Happy 4th Birthday Nathalie

Nathalie Nichole~ I cannot believe that you are already 4 years old! You are an outgoing, spunky little girl and I love you with all of my heart! You are a lot like your mommy was as a kid, loud, energetic, and sensitive! You are an amazing daughter and such a good sister to your brother! You love to hug William and ask him what he needs. You have been having some hard times with some of your speech blends, like the sk sound, bl, pl, sm, st.....as a result you have begun speech therapy and are doing extremely well! You love to be outside and you love to play games, a couple of your favorites are cariboo and tic tac tony! You are almost complete with your first year of preschool and 3 days a week seems to be just right for both you and I! The things that you learn, the things that you say amaze me on a daily basis! I love you baby girl, Happy Birthday!

Happy 2nd Birthday William!

William 1 hour after birth

What is there not to love about you? The amazing amounts you've grown stretch my heart beyond expectations. William the past 2 years have gone by so quickly and I am watching you develop into an amazing little boy! You are always on the go and keep your Dad and I on our toes all the time! You are such a loving boy and Mommy really hopes it always stays that way, that never a day comes that you say "MOM please don't kiss me"! You love your big sister tremendously and are always interested in what she is doing! Your favorite toy is your wooden train set that Carina got you for your birthday. You love to eat bananas, grapes, watermelon and cherries! Your not as keen on veggies, but do good with some, you love green bell peppers, and carrots. You are starting to use more words and my favorites are "here you go momma" and "taank you"! Nathalie's name is still hard for you to say so you call her iiiiisssy for sissy and she loves it, as do we! William Richard thank you for coming into my life and showing me what little boys are made of! Happy birthday little one I love you, love MOM

May is an exciting month!!!

It's May! As a child I always loved May because to me it meant spring, it also meant mother's day and my Dad's birthday, and although those things are still constant, I love May with more bittersweetness these days! Both of my children are May babies, that means that after Sunday my baby boy will be 2, and my little girl will be 4 six days later!

Next week, we are hosting playgroup at Nana and Papa's house, the first year I did it Nathalie had just turned 2, and William was a mere 6 weeks old, I remember having to drag Sam along to "help" me! That makes me laugh now, in retrospect. Also next Thursday my sister-in-law flies in from Oregon, she will be here from the 8th until the 24th and I could not be more thrilled! I miss her terribly, and I know that my husband misses her, it will be such a blessing to spend time together! That Saturday, the 10th (Nathalie's actual bday) we are celebrating at Nana and Papa's! The true fun will come the 13 and 14th we are taking the kids to Disneyland for the first time! Nathalie could not be more thrilled, and really does not stop talking about it for a second!

May has always been a month I anticipated, it meant the school year was soon to end, the summer about to start....Now I don't mind if May takes a little longer to come around

my baby girl and I

She's almost 4, I can't believe it!

William was sick...

Sicker than either of my kids have ever been. Sunday (the 6th) I ended up taking him to the E.R, as his breathing was limited I was scared, and he was struggling. He was diagnosed with pnemonia! I couldn't believe my lil guy was so sick! Luckily now, 10 days later he is a new kid, back to to his old self. And honestly, by Wednesday of last week he was 80% better, its amazing how quickly lil ones bounce back!

baking... William's speech...and Nathalie's speech

Over the past couple of weeks I've been baking up a storm, I don't know whats gotten into me! Most likely its the fact that Nathalie is so in love with baking, so I've been incorporating her in the mix! This week, she and I baked peanut butter cupcakes on Monday, although they turned out a bit more muffin like than cupcake like they were still delicious. Tonight we were on the road to baking banana bread, and I couldn't find my loaf pan so we turned them into muffins they turned out great! I only had two bananas left to use so I added a couple of cups of applesauce and Nathalie really thought that was funny, to mix bananas with applesauce!

William had his 1st speech therapy appt today and I'm happy to report that he truly is catching up! The pathologist we saw today was amazing! William is at the range of an 18 to 21 month old now, and he is 22 months, so we are on our way.

Nathalie's school is having speech evaluations on Monday and asked permission to have her evaluated. I never realized (I guess because she's my kid, and I just thought that was the way nearly 4 year old talks) but she has quite a bit of difficulty with the sc sound like in School and Scooby, as well as the K sound! The K sound became completely clear at my moms this weekend when Nathalie was attempting to say hello kitty, well her K sound is a t, so it came out "hello titty".

anyways thats the latest with us!

Nathalie writes mom in chalk!!!!

and the scribbles at the top is where she wrote "Nathalie" unfortunately I didnt get a picture of that. I'll take one the next time she writes her own name!

This week has been quite busy and full of many ups and downs, I'm happy to report that on the marriage front life is on the up! I really think things are starting to iron out.

I have been baking quite a bit this week, my favorite were some white chocolate chip/peanut butter chip cookies they were soooo good!!!! Not neccisarily good for us but they were delicious!

The things I dont want to talk about....but need to

My life has been a little hectic lately, and not neccisarily good hectic. I am thankful I have my kids, they are my pride and joy, and always make me smile, they help me get through the days, especially the rough ones, and these past few weeks have had some rough ones. I fill like lately all dh and I do together, is argue. Some of it is my fault, maybe I am hormonal, maybe I am easily set off, I don't know. I do know I don't want our marriage or children to suffer. I Love him more than imaginable, but marriage is a 2 way street, and lately I feel like its 1 way.

My husband got demoted last week (the 12th) and consequently was given over a week off (paid) He was a store manager and will now be an assistant, in so many ways this demotion means good things for him and us, so much less stress, I greatly dislike the amounts of stress he was suffering over his job, and I know that this will help us/him tremendously. And he has definitely been through a lot in the last year, between this, the death of his aunt and mother, finding out his teenage daughter is pregnant, a shoulder surgery and finding out that he will need another shoulder surgery on the other shoulder, soon. We moved as well, which can be stressful. But I am frustrated, I feel like our relationship is such a struggle and shouldnt be. I don't want to do anything that will cause him anymore grief but I really dont know how long I can go on this way. He doesn't like to talk about things, and me, well I'm a talker, I have bottled up pain and then when I finally do let it out I'm like an explosion. Add to the mix our completely opposite schedules and things are definitely bumpy.

My children and my husband are my life, my school and my work are to support that life, but at what point do you give up something to support your primary life? Does that question even make sense, I guess what I mean is this, I need to go to school, or my family will live in this struggle that we are in for.ev.er....my husband is 16 years older than me, and will most likely always be in retail, which there is nothing wrong with, but its not the ideal job to support a family on if you know what I mean. I wonder too if it bothers him, knowing that my earning potential is greater, he has never said it does but I wonder. So then there's this, maybe I should work less now (GULP) this would mean some MAJOR life changes, as my mere 24 hours a week does bring so many benefits into this household....including the kids and my health insurance.. I really don't know, but I do know that somewhere, somehow somethings got to give.

Nathalie's Haircut!

Nathalie had cut her own hair a while ago, and I'd since been trying to get her to let Auntie even it out. Over the weekend Nathalie decided, she wanted her haircut. I took her in to Nichole yesterday, and here is the finished result, my little girl is getting so big!

My relationship with breastfeeding

Lotus over at sarcastic mom posted today on Breastfeeding, and encouraged her readers to participate. Since I have two kids, I'll give you both stories!

When pregnant with Nathalie I was only 23(for the first month, and then 24) and although I didn't know much about parenting beyond my experiences babysitting in High School, I knew without question that I wanted to breastfeed my baby. At Nathalie's birth she inhaled some fluid, so after a few minutes of holding her, my husband followed her to the NICU. I repeatedly told them I was planning on nursing and please not to feed her formula. Our first nursing session went well, but not great, but I was a first time mommy and I knew it would take work. Despite my wishes, she was supplemented in the NICU. Nathalie and I struggled through a nursing relationship for the following 6 months, at which point we just couldn't do it anymore. Looking back I feel I didn't try hard enough, and I regret this beyond belief.

When pregnant with William I was more determined than the last time to make our nursing relationship work. Almost immediately following his birth he was attached to my boob! (HE is a boy after all). William and I had an amazing nursing relationship, I pumped as much as possible as I had to return to work when he was just 4 months old, which was when the real strain came in Nathalie and my nursing relationship. William was a trooper though, and he loved the booby milk. He and I continued our nursing relationship until he was 17.5 months old, because our nursing relationship was straining our regular relationship.

Please all you nursing mamas out there share your breastfeeding story then stop by Lotus' site and link your post!

Tag I'm it

Luci who can be found over at http://mindlessmomramblings.blogspot.com/ tagged me. I am in serious need of a post too, good thing.

I'm going to play the game! Here are the rules, per luci, who got them via veganmomma:Rules:Link to your tagger and post these rules.Share 5 facts about yourself.Tag 5 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

1.) I have lived in California, er San Diego, er, East county my entire life (yep thats right all 28 years)

2.)I am easily stressed out and often insecure.

3.) In Middle School and High School, I was a cheerleader. In 10th grade we won city, regional and State. My senior year I was the Captian and NO I didn't date the quarterback

4.) My hair was down to my waist up until a week before my High School Graduation and I cut it above my shoulders, its never been passed my shoulders since!

5.) and this is a BIG one, the whole reason I originally came on here to post tonight, this is one that comes with mixed emotions: My husband is going to be a grandpa, which means that I am going to be a (step) GRANDMA, we found out about a week ago that my youngest step daughter (who is 16) is expecting. Unfortunately, she found it so hard to tell us that we are just now finding out and she is 17 weeks. She lives in NH with her mom. This means that when she came to visit in January she was around 7 or 8 weeks, I wish she'd have told us then. It was hard news to take at first, and I know many people will judge her and that baby for the rest of their lives. But I find pregnancy and birth amazing things and I am happy she gets to experience them and welcome a new life to this world. I am elated that she is dedicated to breastfeeding this baby. I know it will be a hard road for her, and the situation though not ideal brings her a gift that I hope she'll cherish!

how about that for a heavy ending huh? okay now I'm off to tag 5 folks!

all moved in

and loving it! The things we gained on this move are priceless! We have a garage, and for the first time ever are in a place with washer and dryer hook-ups!!!! Also for the first time we are in a place with a fireplace which means a mantle! The townhouses have a common playground that William and I walked down to today and it was great! We were the only ones there, and he had so much fun exploring! We still have a few odds and ends that aren't quite unpacked yet, but are definitely making progress!

What we did today

Okay so for the past several weeks I've been working Thursdays, which means missing our usual Thursday playgroup! Today I was off, unfortunately we still did not get to attend playgroup! We headed up to my moms to do laundry (8 loads of it!) so that EVERYTHING is clean for the move! I AM so excited that we will finally have our own washer and dryer!!!

The kids spent quite a bit of time outside today, playing on there bikes, chasing each other around, playing in the mud, splashing in the puddles! AND I had my camera with me :) so here are some pictures of the fun they had!!!


The joy on her face! BTW she cut her own bangs last night, after she'd been growing them out for over a year, they were about the length of the piece on the left side of her chin, which she also cut herself!

William on the Tricyle!

My baby boy is getting so big!

William and Nathalie pulling weeds lol!

Sliding down the bank on her bottom!

ok so....

William and I didnt attend playgroup as planned yesterday, we had been running around all morning and the weather was kind of blah so I opted out. He and I did walk to pick Nathalie up from school, although, due to the fact that he skipped is nap yesterday I did cary him most of the way.

His appointment went well with his ped yesterday. She agreed with the previous evaluation that William does have some sort of speech delay and will indeed require therapy. We have an appointment scheduled with audiology on the 6th of March, to make sure that it is not hearing related, as Sam pointed out to me, a lot of the sounds that William makes sound like that of someone hearing impaired. The ped put in the referall for the speech therapy, and I will call Friday to schedule that. In the meantime, I am working with him consistantly and making sure that he can see my lips when I talk (just incase).

Today is not a school day for Nathalie so we spent about 45 minutes outside this morning stomping in rain puddles, William got so much joy in this, he was sooo excited, and wore himself out. He is now napping (and has been for 2 hours) which is nice as he hasn't taken a nap for the past three days.

Posting may be scarce over the next week or so as we move on Sunday!

Phthalates

toys r us to go phtalate free

I was happily surprised when I stumbled across this letter! Its so nice that such a large corporation may actually start caring for our kids! I was further impressed by the 'r Us company when I was online shopping for a mommy to be who was registered there and I discovered that they are now carryingNaturals/Organics,Slings, wraps, and pouches,Kushies, and severalBPAfree bottles and sippy cups!

More on William

to come tomorrow....He has an appointment at Kaiser at 9:45 tomorrow morning to be evaluated through them, as I couldn't see waiting until April if he truly needs speech therapy and thats how long it would take if I went through Ca first 5. On an amazing note, he said bear and baby today, more than once, which adds two new words to his vocabulary!


Todays Green Hour was just a simple walk to Henry's, with William and Nathalie, as Nathalie didn't have school today due to Presidents day. William walked the entire way there and back, which is probably about a mile and a half round trip.

Tomorrow Nathalie has school, and William and I will be going to playgroup after his appointment, so that will be his Green Hour tomorrow. I also think we'll walk to pick Nathalie up from school, as once we move at the end of the week we wont be within walking distance anymore and I may as well get in all the walking we can!

Birch Aquarium

As I mentioned in Saturdays post the kids and I went to the aquarium. We went with my good friend Jen and her son Dylan, we all had so much fun! It was somewhat crowded, but nothing unmanagable by any means. William was the craziest (of course) and I think it would be a lot of fun to go back there with Daddy, or even leave William at home with Daddy and just take Nathalie because, she really wanted to learn about everything!

Green Hour

I feel that I do my best to take my kids outside, and expose them to nature. Sometimes, I feel like I don't try enough, or that I'm lacking motivation! In reading some blogs through my goolge reader account I stumbled across the green hour website. I was sooo disturbed to read "the average American child spends 44 hours per week (more than 6 hours a day!) staring at some kind of electronic screen.". Thus, I've commited myself to Green Hour. I will do everything in my power to keep track of our daily Green hour ventures and post them on here (although most likely not always on a daily basis). The sight is excellent in recomending "teaching" activities, and also provides a nature finder that helps find activities nearby.

Todays Nature hour was spent at Nana and Papa's house. We played outside, saw birds and Williams favorite find was a Lizard.

William's appt

went wellish.....Cognitively and developmentally he his on trakc and advanced for his age. Which is good news in that he definitely understands a lot of things, and is capable of quite a bit. Unfortunately, his speech is delayed and currently at the level of about a 12-15 month old. Rather than continuing through Early Intervention;however, we will be trying to pursue this through Kaiser, due to the fact that E.I can't get him an appt for language diagnostic until april 15th and frankly I'd rather get the ball moving.

Today, though I should of been packing, I took advantage of Museum Month and took the kids to Birch Aquarium and then to the park. They had a great day with mommy, although mommy should have been packing, and studying, the day was much to beautiful for that!

Happy Valentine's Day

Nathalie was my sweetest valentine today. When I left for work this am she was still asleep. So I called around 10 to talk to her and wish her a happy valentines day, and without any prompting from daddy she said "mommy happy valentines day to you too" I thought it was so adorable as shes just getting so communicative and really starting to understand things like this.

Sam is still in lots of pain, with his MRI scheduled for next week. I just hope he doesn't end up needing surgery on this shoulder too.

I have been suffering from insomnia a lot lately. I know its stress. I've been using rescue remedy. And tonight just started melatonin, I need sleep. and I'm not getting it.

William has an appointment tomorrow morning with early intervention at 10 am, Im nervous but hope we'll get some much needed answers regarding his speech/hearing. I know that this too has been increasing my stress level leading to my inability to sleep.

On top of all this we are moving on the 24th, and I have only packed one box thus far.

will I ever shut up about BPA, probably not

I'm happy that I just found this because Nuby is sold at target and walmart and is pretty cheap!

click & sign this petition.... BPA free is the way to be

This is a direct copy, becuase I was to lazy to retype into my own words, but please just sign the petition!!!!! Thanks :)



Did you know many baby bottles contain an unnecessary toxic chemical even though safer products are available? Visit http://www.babystoxicbottle.org to learn more and sign the petition for toxic-free baby bottles.

A recent report, Babyâ?Ts Toxic Bottle: Bisphenol A Leaching from Popular Brands of Baby Bottles, found many baby bottles leach the chemical bisphenol A when heated. Laboratory studies demonstrate that bisphenol A causes damage to reproductive, neurological, and immune systems during critical stages of development, such as infancy and in the womb.

Join parents from across the country standing up for our childrenâ?Ts health and safer products. Help us send a message to leading manufacturers of baby bottles that toxic chemicals like BPA donâ?Tt belong in baby bottles.

Visit http://www.babystoxicbottle.org to learn more and sign the petition for toxic-free baby bottles.

Thanks.

I just had to post

that I really thing that this guy has a fear of never having any more childern, so he gave his newborn daughter any name he's ever considered. Granted some of the names are very cute! I think Posey is adorable, but at some point there should maybe be a limit on the name? But I think its awesome that they had the baby at home. If I had a house, not a lame appt I would have loved to have mine at home!

With no end in sight

Sam is still in tremendous amounts of pain. He stayed home from work today. My work aholic husband stayed home from work today. He layed in bed for a lot of time using a heating pad, propping himself up with numerous pillows. His MRI is currently scheduled for February 20th, but we keep calling every day hoping for a cancellation, no such luck this far.

Nathalie has been coughing/ running a fever for about 3 days now. This horrible coughing led to almost no sleep for her or Mama last night. On top of the cough, she woke up in agonozing pain 3 or so times in the middle of the night, shrieking that her ear hurt. I made the decision to take her in today, and apparently it was a good thing I did, I guess her right ear, the one that was hurting, was really badly infected. Poor baby girl.

The boy child is as wild and crazy as ever.

Here's to hoping theres an end in sight!

21 months

The littlest is 21 months old today! He's still our little guy though, weighing in at just around 25 pounds. He is a little onry lately, and I long for the days when he out grows this stage. His sister is so sweet to him, and yet he remains to not be as nice to her. The other day he bit her. It left a mark on her shoulder that she still has, I couldn't believe it. He also is at a stage where he thinks screaming is fun. kid, its not. He is still my boy though, momma prevails over all else and that makes me feel amazing.

Sam's hospital stay OH and today is his birthday

First, so I don't forget Happy birthday to the man I married! I love him with all of my heart, and today he is 45! Or as he likes to put it 39 plus 6.

Sam has 2 stents that were put in back in 2003; when he was only 40! Since that time we have been in constant monitoring of things that most 40ish men don't really have to worry about, like cholesterol and blood pressure. Needless to say that when Sam came into the front room around 10 pm on Sunday night complaining of SEVERE pain in his shoulder and back, my first thought went to his heart... It was the kind of pain that brings a man to his knees. He was dying. I called Kaiser and they, as I thought they would, told me to take him to the ER. Nathalie was asleep so she stayed home with our roommate, and the lil' guy, well he got to come along for the ride! AT about 4 am, once they had rulled out all to do with Sam's heart for the most part, by way of EKG and blood work, I decided to take my baby and myself home as neither of us had slept, (YES William really stayed awake the ENTIRE time!) Monday morning I woke up around 730 got Nathalie and William all ready and then dropped Nathalie at school around 9 and William with my sister. I then headed back down to Kaiser, where Sam had been moved from the ER to the "observation unit", you know like the animals in the zoo! They were going to perform some further testing on his heart, and run Xrays on his shoulder as the pain was still a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. all tests run. no results. Final goal, to get pain managed. I never understood Chronic Pain until I saw my husbnd in it! Monday night was the first night my children have been without either of us over night! The good news is that they were super good for they're auntie, which means we may get an overnight date-night out of this eventually! The bad news, this means I got to sleep on a gurney next to my husband in the hospital! I mean common kids, that would have been the time to throw a fit so mommy had to come get you! No, I really didn't want to leave Sam..... He was discharged yesterday, (Tuesday) afternoon, still no answer. Seriously. I took him to his primary care today as he was so miserable all.night.long and really still no answers, we have to call Friday to schedule an MRI.......

anyways thats how my week started, how about yours?

Knott's Berry Farm

We took a trip up to Knott's Berry Farm on the 13th. It was when Sam's girls were here, and we had all planned on going, but William was pretty sick with a fever and runny nose/congestion, so daddy stayed home with him. It was the 3 girls, my sister and I! Nathalie had a blast. The prices were great, it was 20 dollars a person if you brought a can of food to donate to the Orange County food bank. It was around 80 degrees, and so uncrowded!

BPA- free is the way to be

for very many reasons, and due to my lazy attitude right now, I'll let you research that on your own! However, I stumbled across this awesome sippy cup review today. And although I was aware of most of these cups being BPA free, I had no idea that the munchkin cup was, and those are a lot less expensive, which makes mamma happy!

only a few more days

until I'm back to school! I feel like I just had finals and I start again Monday. I am waitlisted for both of my courses, but am hoping to take Anatomy with Lab and the 2nd Semester of Organic Chemistry w/ lab. My work schedule will also be quite different this semester, I'll be working Thursday through Sunday, which means quite a bit of changes in our household. On top of that, we are looking for a new place to live, as our lease is up at the end of February, and we really aren't happy with the new management in our complex. I always seem to strive under stress, I'm just hoping that I won't be biting off more than I can chew.

Sams visit with his girls

was fantastic, and we all enjoyed it so much. They left to go home on Friday and Nathalie misses her sisters tremendously! I know that Sam wishes they still lived out here. At any rate we had a great visit, and now my kids don't know what to do without there older sisters to bug constantly!

Nathalie got her ears pierced today

Its something that I've always wanted to do, and today ended up being the day. Lately she's been asking for earings more and more, I explained that it would hurt kind of like a shot, and she said that it was okay. She was such a brave girl, unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me, but I did get a shot of one ear at the park, afterwards.

Some Pictures taken by Jocelyn

Sam's girls arrived today

Jocelyn and Briana arrived today at 3:00, they went with me to pick up Nathalie from school, and she was so excited to see her sissys, she actually calls Jocelyn Sissy, and Briana "her", but we're working on that as "her" isn't really the nicest label. After picking Nathalie up from school, we all came back to the house and it was so nice to see Sam's true happiness in seeing his older daughters. All 4 kids and I went to Costco, and it really wasn't as bad as it sounds, minus the price tag that is. But tomorrow we're having a BBQ up at my mom's and dad's, and throwing in a bday bash for Sam (although he doesnt really know that part yet) so I got all the food for that too; and Diapers were 40 dollars of it, so that considered, I really didn't spend all that much.

Monday, we are all going to go to Knotts Berry Farm and Nathalie is sooo excited to see Snoopy! I can't wait either, I don't know who is the most excited.

So, if you don't here from me for a few days, you now know why, but I will do my best to take pictures and post as much as possible.

what a difference a day makes

yesterday I was super mom. I had the kids fed and bathed by the time sam got home from work. I had all the dishes done and the kitchen clean. Today I had every intention to clean up the front room, put the laundry away etc, and I haven't done anything. I just picked Nathalie up from school, and rather than launching into dinner making mode, I gave them both snacks. So yesterday I was super mom and today I'm not.

Danger Danger, I'm having one of those days

so whining is about the best you'll get from me right now. I know I'm PMSing, I can feel it within every ounce of my body, not physically, emotionally. Yesterday the kids bugged me all day long by doing nothing or everything, it didn't matter. I worked today, but since then have been on constant bitch mode. I feel like my premenstural symptoms have increased severely after having had William, and I feel like they worsen every month. I get so glum and want to throw myself a pitty party. I seriously need motivation to play grown up now. I have sooo much to do this week, Sam's girls are coming on Friday from New Hampshire (his bday surprise. although he knows now) and I have cleaning to do and stuff to plan and right now I have complete insomnia and I'm tired. Ok well Im pretty sure I just complained enough for quite a while!

A car! A car!

So for quite a while now we've been having 1 car, and its been quite rough. Thankfully my Dad let us use is truck, but at about 9 miles to the gallon its safe to say that we have been avoiding driving it.
My Dad has mentioned a couple of times that his bosses daughter had an old station waggon as a 2nd car, that he thought she may be interested in parting with at a realitively low cost! He wondered if I was interested. um for sure! So my Dad called me yesterday and said he wanted to bring the car by for me to look at, ok. To me it was perfect, it runs, it would get me everywhere I needed to go, my Dad was confident enough about it and I really trust his judgement as he knows tremendous amounts about cars.
Well, I got the car today and I'm so happy about it! Although I don't have a picture of the actual car, Here is one just like it on auto trader. Nathalie calls it our big car lol.

Lots of pictures

I'm soooo behind in posting pics, here's a slide show to get a little bit caught up!

Date Night~ with myself

Tonight I originally had plans to see a movie with a friend; however, she had to bow out as she wasn't feeling well (read HUNG OVER). I attempted to contact other friends, including my sister, none of which were up to a movie night. I myself have not been to see an adult movie in the theater in over 3 years. I truly had my heart set on chick flick movie night, to go see P.S. I Love you! A customer at work after knowing all I had been through recently suggested it, and I really wanted to see it. So I decided I'd keep the date I had with my friend, with myself. It was an amazing night, I have never gone to a movie alone before, but I would most definitely do it again. I went to Grossmont Center, I had dinner at Panera, I had a bowl of baby portobello bisque which was delicious, and then enjoyed a fantastic chick flick that made me laugh and cry! It was truly a great way to start off the new year! I've definitely been in quite a funk lately and this helped me!

Oh and P.S. Sam knows about his birthday surprise now, and its not because I can't keep a seceret, its because he's a stubborn old man, and the only way I could get him to request off a few days was to tell him......I bought 2 plane tickets for his daughters to come and visit. They'll be here the 11th to the 18th. He couldn't not be more excited, so although, I really just wanted to surprise him, it will still be amazing!