I was putting Kamden to bed tonight as I always do when I am home - most nights. Tonight he was asking me questions... This is our conversation.
K "Who made me?"
M "Mommy and Daddy."
K "Who made bubby?"
M "Mommy and Daddy."
K "Who made me?"
M "Mommy and Daddy."
K "Who made Bailey?"
M "Mommy and Daddy."
K "Who made you?"
M "Grandma" Kam doesn't allow me to finish before I can add anything about my Dad. Kam doesn't know my Dad because he passed away when I was young.
K "Who made Daddy?"
M "Big Sissy and Grandpa Bob."
K "Who made my airplanes?" He has airplanes painted on his walls
M "Laura painted them."
K "Who made bubby's boats?"
M "Laura painted them"
K "Why didn't you paint my airplanes?'
M "I don't paint."
He rolls over. Kids - love them!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Dolls for Daughters - Kenzi
Usually I blog about the kids or a kid and issues. However life isn't always about the living but what the those who have left have given us. Many of you who read my blog know that I am the mother to four children and three of them are living. I am blessed to be the mother of another child who spread her wings way before I had wished and now views things from up above.
As the holidays approach, yes I know we must have Halloween and Thanksgiving first, I want to share with everyone another one of my passions. I created Dolls for Daughters in 2007 after I lost Kenzi. My goal then was to ease my pain and make my holiday season much brighter. Since then Dolls for Daughters has grown into so much more and made my loss some what easier, if it can ever be easier.
October 1, 2010 Dolls for Daughters kicks off its 4th Annual Toy Drive. Wow, 4 years since this all started. Wow, Kenzi will be 4 in January.. Makes me cry just to type these words. However there is much joy in my sadness. This year is the first Dolls for Daughters and Toys for Boys Toy Drive.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
No, no carrots
Karson had another session with Courtney his therapist. She was happy with the progress we had made last week and what Karson was willing to try and eat. To date Karson will still eat Stage 2 baby foods, french fries, cut up strawberries, bananas, pears and small pieces of a Krispy Kreme donuts.
He does not like flax seed in his food but will still do rice cereal. He will eat avocado in his pears but not too much of it alone. He still is not willing to take milk out of any thing other than his bottles. We are not forcing the issue right now.
In an effort to try new things for Karson I contacted his GI dr to see if I could try dairy or eggs and both were nos until we are see again on the 18th of October. So we will have to be creative and try new things.
This week I am to try cooked veggies like carrots - did this and Karson was not interested. He took one bite and moved the food around enough to get it out of his mouth. Also try more soft fruits and I picked some of those up this weekend at the store.
I am hoping in the next week and a half, before we go to FL for our trip, that he is eating more food so my life will be easier on vacation. Wish us well!
He does not like flax seed in his food but will still do rice cereal. He will eat avocado in his pears but not too much of it alone. He still is not willing to take milk out of any thing other than his bottles. We are not forcing the issue right now.
In an effort to try new things for Karson I contacted his GI dr to see if I could try dairy or eggs and both were nos until we are see again on the 18th of October. So we will have to be creative and try new things.
This week I am to try cooked veggies like carrots - did this and Karson was not interested. He took one bite and moved the food around enough to get it out of his mouth. Also try more soft fruits and I picked some of those up this weekend at the store.
I am hoping in the next week and a half, before we go to FL for our trip, that he is eating more food so my life will be easier on vacation. Wish us well!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Avocado?
Karson started food therapy last week and she had a ton of suggestions for us. I have noticed that Karson is wanting more foods but won't try all of them and if he tires them he doesn't always like all of them. He has tried and liked bananas, strawberries and pears cut up. Pears cut up is a new thing and I am super happy about this. It just adds to what he will eat. He loves french fries and will eat several of them when he has the chance.
The other suggestion we tried was adding avocado to his fruits. I added it to his stage 2 pears and the end result was.... He liked it. He sure did, he ate a small bowl of it. I didn't want to do too much because I didn't want to have to toss it. I am happy about this and I hope it will help him feel more full.
He didn't like the flax seed added to his food though. Hope we learn more this week as well!
The other suggestion we tried was adding avocado to his fruits. I added it to his stage 2 pears and the end result was.... He liked it. He sure did, he ate a small bowl of it. I didn't want to do too much because I didn't want to have to toss it. I am happy about this and I hope it will help him feel more full.
He didn't like the flax seed added to his food though. Hope we learn more this week as well!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Lacrosse
Bailey started lacrosse last Friday and seemed to really like it. After getting the gear: stick, ball, eye wear and a mouth guard she was ready to go. Lacrosse is held every Friday from 4-5:15. Bailey expressed interest several months ago about playing and we were going to do this instead of soccer. However somehow she was committed to both. So she does soccer Tuesday nights and Saturday for games and lacrosse on Fridays.
Here are some pictures from her first day... I learned I need to learn a LOT more about lacrosse. So happy that there is a neighbor who knows about lacrosse, I hope she can come over and help Bailey.
Bailey and her friend Eliza
.
Here are some pictures from her first day... I learned I need to learn a LOT more about lacrosse. So happy that there is a neighbor who knows about lacrosse, I hope she can come over and help Bailey.
Bailey and her friend Eliza
Friday, September 17, 2010
Fruit for Kars
Up until this week the only "real" food Karson would eat was french fries and that has only been in the last three weeks. He was not up for anything unless it was a stage 2 baby food. However he has decided to try some new things! Yeah for Karson. I am so happy he is eating new foods but he still has his issues.
This week he has had a strawberry cut very tiny but I am happy he was willing to chill in his high chair and eat them. He also took some small pieces of a banana. He has tried banana in the past and hated it. He didn't want too much of the banana but he did several small pieces and then shook his head "no".
His therapist said she would like me to add olive oil to some of his foods to give them more calories since he isn't eating solid foods and neither of us want Karson's weight to become an issue since he is so active. She also wanted me to try to add avocado to his fruits to see if he will eat that as well. We cannot try dairy stuff because we do not have the go ahead from his GI dr. I am also going to try to mash up other fruit and see if he will eat them as well.
Looking forward to more progress. Baby steps, baby steps.
This week he has had a strawberry cut very tiny but I am happy he was willing to chill in his high chair and eat them. He also took some small pieces of a banana. He has tried banana in the past and hated it. He didn't want too much of the banana but he did several small pieces and then shook his head "no".
His therapist said she would like me to add olive oil to some of his foods to give them more calories since he isn't eating solid foods and neither of us want Karson's weight to become an issue since he is so active. She also wanted me to try to add avocado to his fruits to see if he will eat that as well. We cannot try dairy stuff because we do not have the go ahead from his GI dr. I am also going to try to mash up other fruit and see if he will eat them as well.
Looking forward to more progress. Baby steps, baby steps.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Bowl
Today Kam went in to get his hair trimmed and what he came out with was a hair cut. Style gone! Kyle summed it up, he has a bowl cut. I am so sad about this because I love my surfer hair boy. I know his hair will grow back but it upsets me that the gal didn't listen to what I told her. I say every time - we keep it longer, trim the ends, shape it and make sure he can see. This is the only time we have had real problems. One time in the past I felt the front was cut too short but never the back, not until now.
There is one part in the back that flips up too because of his naturally wavy hair. Sometimes it looks like a little tail but if you push it down, you realize it is the same length as the rest.
Oh I cannot wait until his hair grows out and that lady will never cut his hair again.
There is one part in the back that flips up too because of his naturally wavy hair. Sometimes it looks like a little tail but if you push it down, you realize it is the same length as the rest.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
No Way!
I often try to see if Karson is willing to try new foods and will try the stage 3 foods that are a little thicker and have some food bits in them. Today was one of those days. Usually in the morning I give Karson a stage 2 food and add rice to thicken it up. He does just fine with that. So today I gave him a stage 3 breakfast food and thought he would do fine with it.
One small bite in and down. So far so good. Add a little more, in and down. Okay here we go a full spoon with chunks, in and out. No go and no way from Karson. He shakes his head no and won't allow me to give him another spoonful of food.
So I toss that food and make him the breakfast he is use to and will chow down and he does. I am looking forward to meeting with his therapist Courtney this week or next week to see what her thoughts are and how things are going to go.
One small bite in and down. So far so good. Add a little more, in and down. Okay here we go a full spoon with chunks, in and out. No go and no way from Karson. He shakes his head no and won't allow me to give him another spoonful of food.
So I toss that food and make him the breakfast he is use to and will chow down and he does. I am looking forward to meeting with his therapist Courtney this week or next week to see what her thoughts are and how things are going to go.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
A Mixed Day
Today is a day filled with mixed emotions. September 11th will be a reminder of what was lost and how many lives were lost in the attacks on the US. It is a time to remember, a time to honor and a time to reflect.
For our family it has been a day of joy for 6 years. Six years ago today Bailey came home from her 22 days in the NICU. We were so happy to have her home. This day will always bring Kyle and me joy as we remember Bailey's first day at home.
For our family it has been a day of joy for 6 years. Six years ago today Bailey came home from her 22 days in the NICU. We were so happy to have her home. This day will always bring Kyle and me joy as we remember Bailey's first day at home.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
I Want Mommy!
"I want Mommy!" is what I hear come from Kamden's mouth at least 15 times a day. It starts usually in the middle of every night. He either has to potty or has hit his head on the side of his toddler bed. He does not call out for his Daddy and if Kyle were to enter his room, he would scream "I want Mommy!"
This has been going on for a few weeks now. A few long, exhausting weeks. Kyle has tried to step in but Kam has a fit, a HUGE fit. It isn't worth his fit to have Kyle deal with him usually. I have to be the one to take him potty, fix his nighttime milk, lay down with him before bed. Anything and everything Kam wants when I am around, I must be the one to do it.
There are days - usually Tuesday and Friday - when I have no help with the kids that I feel my breaking point coming sooner rather than later. I make up excuses as to where I have to go after I lay down with him for 5 minutes. I say I will come back but I never do. He usually is asleep by then.
Don't get me wrong, I love this little man and everything about him. I love his surfer blonde hair, I love his smile, his laugh, his sweet cheeks but some times I want something else to come out of his mouth. And then I remember that this too shall pass and there will come a time when he will say "leave me alone Mommy!" or he will be too big to have me cuddle in his bed, kiss his sweet cheeks and tell him 100 times a day how much I love him.
So as I try to deal with the "I want Mommy!" for the 1st time or the 50th time in a day, I have to remind myself that this kiddo loves his Mommy so much and he tells me this with his cute, soft, sweet voice. At the end of the day, I am blessed to have a child want his Mommy so much.
I love you Kamden!
This has been going on for a few weeks now. A few long, exhausting weeks. Kyle has tried to step in but Kam has a fit, a HUGE fit. It isn't worth his fit to have Kyle deal with him usually. I have to be the one to take him potty, fix his nighttime milk, lay down with him before bed. Anything and everything Kam wants when I am around, I must be the one to do it.
There are days - usually Tuesday and Friday - when I have no help with the kids that I feel my breaking point coming sooner rather than later. I make up excuses as to where I have to go after I lay down with him for 5 minutes. I say I will come back but I never do. He usually is asleep by then.
Don't get me wrong, I love this little man and everything about him. I love his surfer blonde hair, I love his smile, his laugh, his sweet cheeks but some times I want something else to come out of his mouth. And then I remember that this too shall pass and there will come a time when he will say "leave me alone Mommy!" or he will be too big to have me cuddle in his bed, kiss his sweet cheeks and tell him 100 times a day how much I love him.
So as I try to deal with the "I want Mommy!" for the 1st time or the 50th time in a day, I have to remind myself that this kiddo loves his Mommy so much and he tells me this with his cute, soft, sweet voice. At the end of the day, I am blessed to have a child want his Mommy so much.
I love you Kamden!
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Breaking Point
I would like to think that every Mom has a point when they "freak out" at their kids or come close to doing so. I am sure that all Moms hope if this happens it is at home where no one can see you. No one can judge you and no one can stare at you.
Well I had my "freak out" moment yesterday at the pool. I had all three kids packed up in the car, two coolers and two bags of pool stuff and clean clothes. We arrived at the pool and there was no place to park. I had to park across the street and figure out a way to get all of this across the street safely. The idea sounds great... no stress...
After Kam and Bailey fighting over the smaller cooler -I asked Bailey to pull it. I figured I needed to get my three kids across the street and then go back for the rest. Bailey pulled the cooler, I held Kam and pushed Karson. Ran back and got the other cooler and bags. Now I needed to get everyone in the door and signed in. This happened with additional stress as Kam continued to fight with Bailey over the cooler.
As we continued to walk in, I had to pull Kam away from the cooler more than once and tell him to leave it alone. Mind you Bailey, who usually has so much going on in her mind to pay attention to where she is walking, runs the cooler into the side of the building and spills my new $3.35 Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade. Not a happy Mommy this makes. I "freak out" at both of them. The stress of the day and PMS don't mix well together.
I take Kam by the arm as he cries at me and tell Bailey to pay attention. She tells me it was an accident and it sure was. They happen all the time. It kills the perfectionism in me but they do happen all the time in life. We make it to an area and I want to cry and have a beer.
I want to cry because I am the Mother I never wanted to be. I always wanted to be the Mother who let things go and didn't "freak out" but I have begun to realize I am not that Mother. I expect too much from my children at the ages of 6 and 2.5, I want things to be perfect 100% of the time because that is how I have lived my life. I don't like to fail at anything. But life is not perfect and neither am I.
How do I go back and change yesterday afternoon to not be that Mother. I don't, I have to move forward and hope that the next time I just let it go. I hope next time I say to Bailey that I understand accidents happen and it is okay. I hope that I just pick Kam up and tell him he can pull the cooler next time.
I hope that I find the inner peace and calm that I am searching for and that I no longer allow the stress of life to creep into the time with my children. I only have three of them here and I need to remember in those times when I want to "freak out" that I have lost one of my children and I am blessed to have the three here that I do.
I am sorry Bailey and Kam. I love you more than you will ever know.
Well I had my "freak out" moment yesterday at the pool. I had all three kids packed up in the car, two coolers and two bags of pool stuff and clean clothes. We arrived at the pool and there was no place to park. I had to park across the street and figure out a way to get all of this across the street safely. The idea sounds great... no stress...
After Kam and Bailey fighting over the smaller cooler -I asked Bailey to pull it. I figured I needed to get my three kids across the street and then go back for the rest. Bailey pulled the cooler, I held Kam and pushed Karson. Ran back and got the other cooler and bags. Now I needed to get everyone in the door and signed in. This happened with additional stress as Kam continued to fight with Bailey over the cooler.
As we continued to walk in, I had to pull Kam away from the cooler more than once and tell him to leave it alone. Mind you Bailey, who usually has so much going on in her mind to pay attention to where she is walking, runs the cooler into the side of the building and spills my new $3.35 Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade. Not a happy Mommy this makes. I "freak out" at both of them. The stress of the day and PMS don't mix well together.
I take Kam by the arm as he cries at me and tell Bailey to pay attention. She tells me it was an accident and it sure was. They happen all the time. It kills the perfectionism in me but they do happen all the time in life. We make it to an area and I want to cry and have a beer.
I want to cry because I am the Mother I never wanted to be. I always wanted to be the Mother who let things go and didn't "freak out" but I have begun to realize I am not that Mother. I expect too much from my children at the ages of 6 and 2.5, I want things to be perfect 100% of the time because that is how I have lived my life. I don't like to fail at anything. But life is not perfect and neither am I.
How do I go back and change yesterday afternoon to not be that Mother. I don't, I have to move forward and hope that the next time I just let it go. I hope next time I say to Bailey that I understand accidents happen and it is okay. I hope that I just pick Kam up and tell him he can pull the cooler next time.
I hope that I find the inner peace and calm that I am searching for and that I no longer allow the stress of life to creep into the time with my children. I only have three of them here and I need to remember in those times when I want to "freak out" that I have lost one of my children and I am blessed to have the three here that I do.
I am sorry Bailey and Kam. I love you more than you will ever know.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Karson Update
This week was a busy one for Karson. Yesterday he was evaluated by Child Find to see if he would need OT for his eating issues. He is a year old and does not eat solids. He eats stage 2 foods unless they are fruit and then he will stage 3. He is not interested in table food and is not interested in the stage 3 foods that have chunks in them.
After the 45 minutes of meeting with Child Find it was determined that he will have OT 1 time a week for at least 6 months. He is 3-6 months behind with what he eats. I am not sure at this point exactly will be done with him and for him but I am ready for him to eat more solid foods.
We will just add this appointment to our weekly to-do's and hope it all goes well. We are looking forward to a weekend of fun and sun.
After the 45 minutes of meeting with Child Find it was determined that he will have OT 1 time a week for at least 6 months. He is 3-6 months behind with what he eats. I am not sure at this point exactly will be done with him and for him but I am ready for him to eat more solid foods.
We will just add this appointment to our weekly to-do's and hope it all goes well. We are looking forward to a weekend of fun and sun.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
