Family for the Holiday

We had quite a week with family here. First was Thanksgiving:

My nephew Jonathan.Cameron had to HOLD the baby!Grandpa was complaining about his "bald" head, so we fixed it so it was the original color! Jake wanted to see exactly who Jonathan was, and he ended up poking him in the eye. And of course, no family holiday would be complete without Grandpa cuddling a sleeping baby.
Then on Sunday we had Jonathan's baby blessing, and EVERYONE showed up.

Then we had the kids pose for pictures.

All in all it was a fun time. It makes me all the more excited for Christmas when everyone will be together again! :)

'Tis the Season

Turkey day is over, and once that happens we pull out the Christmas decor and deck the halls. Our house is now Christmas-ready. Not that EVERYTHING is in place, but for the most part we're done. I was even so "in the mood" that I stayed up a while last night wrapping presents that I'd had stashed away since the beginning of October.

The only gifts left to get are for Jake (more clothes, now that we have an idea what size he'll be next month) and something for my parents.

I love the fact that now it's legal for me to listen to Christmas music without getting the stink-eye from those who don't love mixing Christmas with Thanksgiving. In fact, I'm just glad it's getting closer.

My only worry for this year is Jake versus the tree. He's not quite crawling yet, but he's awfully close. He does this little back scoot thing where he can move around on his back, (creating a bald spot on the back of his head where the hair had finally come back) and goes in ONE direction. I can spin him around to make him go the opposite way, but sometimes I let him squawk when he hits a couch with his head. He's also just recently learned to roll from his back to his belly....but he's seem to have forgotten how to roll from his belly to his back. So he'll get "stuck" on his belly and will squawk and get frustrated. So with his new skills, I'm afraid he'll pull stuff off the tree, or worse, pull the tree and hurt himself. I did some preventative things, like putting the ornaments higher up on the tree, but I'm sure he'll still find a way to get into stuff. I've also stuffed the newly wrapped presents at the back of the tree, hoping he won't be able to unwrap or otherwise mess up the presents.

But I guess if he does I will just have to teach him like I've done with everything else....

'Tis the season for more stress, right? ;)

Grateful?

I'm sure if someone were to just pop in on my blog, they'd think I was so ungrateful. I really don't think that would be appropriate, especially since Thanksgiving is this week, so I'm going to list some of the things I'm grateful for.

I'm grateful for a loving husband who puts up with his crazy wife. I had a night last week where I just could NOT sleep. I read something that just made me freak out. I went upstairs (I had gone to the living room to let Steve sleep...) and turned on the light, woke him up and demanded an explanation. The poor guy was not only half-awake, but he was completely unaware of what I was thinking. Thankfully, I get really weird on little sleep and everything was fine, but I'm glad Steve was there to help calm me down and reassure me that things are okay.

I'm grateful for two super-cute boys who make my life busy. It's hard to feel sorry for myself when I'm serving these little boys.

I'm grateful for little toothy smiles.

I'm grateful for a home that keeps me and my family warm and safe.

I'm grateful for a loving extended family who love me enough to help me when I make mistakes or are there to keep me sane.

I'm grateful to live in a developed country. My little brother is serving his mission in the Philippines and has told us how lucky we are to have the things we have. Even the most poor who live here are rich comparatively.

There is so much I have, and I should show my gratitude more often.

The Sun So Rises

The other day I was talking with Cameron, the non-stop chatter-box, and he informed me that he'd stretched. I said that was nice, then he informed me that because he had stretched, the sun was up.

Did you know that if Cameron doesn't stretch, the sun doesn't shine!? ;)

Therapy....Who's the One who REALLY Needs Therapy?

These last few months have been crazy when it comes to Cameron's out of school therapy. His speech therapy has pretty much stayed the same, but his occupational has gone *coo coo* crazy!!

A few months ago his OT who he's been with for 3+ years informed us that he was no longer taking pediatric patients, he was only going to be treating orthopedic patients. He gave us until the end of the month before he was going to stop seeing Cam. He also told us that he'd do some calling around town to find out who had openings so that we weren't completely on our own. I felt pretty sure we'd find someone who treated Cam as well as Aaron had, and didn't worry too much.

Well, the place Aaron searched out for us was the place I initially called and got him set up for therapies. When I first walked into the building I got the creepiest feeling. I did NOT feel comfortable at all. But I figured the unknown is always uncomfortable. But I soon found out that I should have trusted my gut.

The first therapist Cameron had was WONDERFUL! I had absolutely no problems with her whatsoever! NONE! She was attentive to his needs and made him feel welcome. She really tried to get in on his level and relate to him the way I'd seen Aaron handle him. I was pleased and decided that I would ignore that creepy feeling and continue with this place.

All was well for two weeks. TWO WEEKS! After those two weeks we found out that Jamie (his initial therapist) was no longer working because "she is going to have a baby." When the new therapist, Janet, came out and informed us that Jamie was gone and why, I made some smart-aleck remark about how she was probably miserably sick (under my breath). As soon as I said that Janet turned to me and SNARLED, "WHAT DID YOU SAY!?" I was taken back. Seriously why would you bark at someone like that? Do you not know how to deal with PEOPLE!?

After I overcame my momentary shock I said, "Um, I said that I thought because she's pregnant she's probably miserably sick with it." She just glowered at me! Then she almost instantly flipped to her sweet mode and took Cam to her room to do his therapy.

I was ready to grab him and say, "You THINK you can talk to me like that and then take off with MY child!?" But I was just shocked. Steve was with me and sat there equally shocked.

After we left he and I did some talking. We discovered that we were both creeped out by this place and didn't feel that it was where Cam should be. So I decided RIGHT then that the next time I saw my service coordinator I'd ask for a list of new occupational therapists. I wouldn't take him out of OT instantly, but would take him out once I found a replacement OT.

I told my little story about Janet to whoever would listen, and then told my service coordinator, who instantly told me she'd get me the list as soon as she could.

At her next visit she handed me the list and mentioned that there was a note on the board at her work that said there was a place with OT openings NOW! I asked her to get me the number as soon as she could. She did and I called that place the very next day. (This whole episode with my service coordinator all happened last week.)

After getting in touch with the new place I was told he'd be put on a waiting list for after school, but they were hiring a new therapist and she'd have openings soon. I was satisfied and waited to hear back.

That same day the creepy OT place left us a message (I was out running my nannies off doing errands...) and they informed us that their facility no longer was doing occupational therapy. They were calling to cancel therapy for Cameron permanently.

Can we say, 'RIGHT ON!!'?

The next day (yes, this happened VERY fast!) the new place called and said they had an opening on Monday for Cameron and he'd be paired with Jamie.

I wondered if Jamie was the same person and maybe she'd left the creepy place for the new place....but then I figured, there's LOTS of Jamies in the world.

Yesterday we went to the new place, I filled out the obligatory new patient paperwork and waited for the therapist. Who do you think walked in?? Jamie, the original new therapist he'd seen about a month ago. She was BRAND new at this place and she was the Jamie mentioned on the phone. Unfortunately, the person scheduling the new patients didn't realize that Jamie would be busy filling out the first day of work papers, so Cameron actually doesn't see her.

BUT....

We love this new place. The creepy feeling is LONG gone. Cameron is VERY happy with Lindsay and I'm pleased as well. I'm hoping this OT will last for a LONG time....well, longer than a month or two at the VERY least!

On a silly note, Cameron has been super funny lately. He told me yesterday (a no-school day around here) that he was tired of the weekend. I just laughed. Just wait until you get older buddy....just you wait!

Chubby Baby

Steve took these pictures of the baby tonight....they made me smile!! See them and enjoy!

Wait, You Mean You've Never Heard of Cody?

So I was talking with my friend today about a guy I dated MANY moons ago named Cody. And yes, Cody IS his real name. He was a guy I was dating before I met Steve.

A LONG time ago, in an age where there wasn't so many people meeting on the Internet I was set up on a blind date with a guy. My friend told me how he was SUCH a nice guy and that he was getting ready to go to college so he could be a PE teacher. She told me that she and her boyfriend would double with us, so it wouldn't be so awkward.

When Cody first came to my front door I was in shock. He was a stubby, blond, near-balding, chubby guy. I wasn't expecting him. I later found out that Cody wasn't going to be a PE teacher (BIG surprise!!) He wanted to be an accountant. I kind of liked him (but I think I "liked" him because there was no one else around.) but I remember thinking that I hoped he'd find someone who truly made him happy.

We took walks around the river and I gave him every opportunity to hold my hand, but he didn't. He was just SO shy. (And you all know me....I'm NOT that shy! Hello, can we say, I told you guys all about my boobies??)

For a while I thought that no other prospects would come along, so I convinced myself that I really DID like Cody. When I went away to college, I even bored my new friends with constant talk about him.

One date we went on I really changed my mind about Cody. We were at dinner and for nearly the WHOLE time he stared at my chest. I was mortified that he was SO obsessed with my boobs!

A few weeks later when I was at school, Cody sent me flowers with a note that said that he liked me and he wanted to know if I'd be his girlfriend. I was upset. I had JUST gotten out of my parents' house and wanted to date around before settling for something I wasn't happy with. He ended up visiting me on a day I was having a gall bladder attack. I was basically writhing in pain on my bed, and he just sat there. My friends came and he sat in the chair staring at me.

Finally, when they'd all left I told him I was flattered, but I didn't feel like I could just stay with ONE guy. I felt bad, but I didn't want to be held back.

A few weeks later I ended up going home to vote. I was only in town for 30 minutes, MAYBE! I didn't really call him because I figured I wouldn't be home for very long (which I wasn't) and didn't really feel like I needed to answer to him anyway.

Well, this guy was SO obsessive over me, he ended up bugging my brother at HIS job (which was just down the road from where Cody worked) and my brother told him that I had come home. My brother told me that Cody was SO furious, and since that day I haven't really heard from him.

Sadly, Cody works at my favorite store, and whenever I see him there, I have to make Steve check out alone, or I switch check-out lanes.

It's a sad part of my history, but it's made me who I am. (Not that you really WANTED to know, but now you do!)

Four Little Teeth

I took these pictures last night, before his fourth tooth popped out. Today it BARELY poked it's way out. I think he's still a cutie! Five months old, and FOUR teeth! *sigh*

Happy Boys

Just because I want a happy post first....

I've got such GOOD boys!! <3

Alive? Maybe, but then again....

So this last week was an off week for us. Usually I'm at my mom's house (where I do my online-ing....) but she's had strep throat!! So we kept the boys at home, hoping that they DON'T get what Grandma has.

Then we had some family dramas pop up. It's sad, but I think we're surviving.

I just wish my husband would be happier. He's pretty upset because his mom hasn't answered his phone calls since we went to Arizona at the beginning of August!! She's told someone else in the family that she's not mad at us, but that she thinks WE'RE mad at HER! Wha'!? Um....I've had Steve call his mom every night this week, we've yet to hear from her. In fact, we had to learn yesterday of his aunt's passing from his brother!
I just don't get this immature behavior.....why? JUST ANSWER YOUR DANG PHONE!!!

********

Vent over....I hope...

And as an added bonus, here's the boy's Halloween picture. I hope to get a picture of Jake with his new teeth, but we're still waiting for one to pop out. (When that one comes, he'll have 4!!)

Going Crazy....

Having kids seriously messes with my brain. I swear, I have NO idea who or what is really going on in my life anymore.

Steve is always working and I'm a little tired of being alone at church. I sometimes wonder if people think he's becoming inactive, or whether I'm even married! I miss sitting with him, and tossing my boys his way when I'm fed up! He's such a good helper, and I really miss having him at home! On a happy note though, he will have less Sundays to work. He has been promised 2 Sundays off a month! YAY! He's also nearly finished with his opera....I can't wait to have him all to myself again!

Cameron is a beast-boy! I love him, I really do, but since his birthday he's become rotten! He's highly defiant and is SO strong-willed. He's had issues at school, and we are going to get him tested soon for ADD or ADHD. Really, he's a good guy, but he does have his moments, which seem to last and last and last...

He's also got a new Occupational Therapist who I REALLY don't get along with. The first day she came out to introduce herself to Cameron she mentioned that his other therapist (who I LOVED, but we only had her 2 or 3 times...) was pregnant so she couldn't be his therapist anymore. I mumbled something about since she's pregnant, she's probably super miserable and his new therapist gave me the DIRTIEST look. I was in shock! She then barked at me, "What did you say!?" I told her and then she proceeded to take off with my child. Um, you talk to ME that way and think you can get away with my child?? I don't think so! Because of THIS lady, we're looking for another OT place here in town!

Jake is a joy. Really, he hardly cries, and is so happy. He's just gotten his third tooth and DOES still bite, but it's getting better. The kid has reason to be grumpy, but he's generally smiling and pretty mellow. I'm really spoiled with this kid!

He's working on rolling over from his back. He still hasn't quite mastered rolling from his tummy, but it's coming. I have a feeling that once this kid gets mobile, I won't be able to catch him.
He's also SUCH a talker. He babbles almost all the time. He'll babble around the binkie in his mouth, which makes it look like he's got a cigar hanging out the side of his mouth. It makes me laugh to see him do that.

And me? Well, I'm just doing what I can to keep up. I wake up stressing in the middle of the night sometimes, but really, I shouldn't worry at 4 am. There's nothing I can do about it then....but I'm such a worrier.

Being sick this last week really was HARD. I don't know how mommies to more than 2 kids do it. I just wanted to sleep, but I had to get up and clean, do laundry, cook....just be the mom. It was hard, but I did it. I'm just glad that I'm getting over the worst of it. I will be SO excited when I can breathe through both my nostrils and I have a clear throat. I will also be happy to not sweat so profusely at night.

And then there's the family dramas in my life. Why can't things just be easy? My cousin is really struggling with her boyfriend's death, and so is my other cousin. Then my mother-in-law hasn't communicated with us since the beginning of August, and we thought it was something we did, she's been thinking it was something she did. I don't know what's going on, but the phone lines are crossed somewhere.

Things WILL get better, I'm certain, but until then....*blublbublbulbublublbublublub*