Friday, March 16, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday Brain Dump
Quiet. I know it's Tuesday.
Sophie has learned how to ask for juice. She comes to one of us and says "I may juice?" Then she thinks it over a little and says "May I juice?" We're all doing a happy dance and drinking a lot of diluted OJ.
Milly has a compulsion to empty any box or bowl that she can find. It's really irritating when her sister and brother have bowls of cereal in the morning.
WOW. That guy on the Sprout morning show is secure in his manhood to dance like that. Especially with an overgrown squeaking chick.
Milly toddles almost everywhere now. She's my third child and I'm still just enchanted by her little steps. She gets a giant grin on her face and will "run" at you to attack you with kisses and hugs. Then the world explodes into fairy dust. It's the most wonderful feeling ever.
Gideon is having trouble getting to sleep at night. He needs extra cuddling and his lullabye. He wraps his little arms around my neck and clutches at me like he's terrified. I wish I could see inside his little mind to see what's bothering my Little Prince.
Ben and I found a church in Wylie that has a monthly Parents Night Out. We took the kids last Friday night and had a date night at Studio Movie Grill. It's only from 6-10 so we have to drop them off right on time and then BOOK IT to the movie theater. We chose SMG so that we could have dinner and a movie all at once. Spinach and mushroom quesadillas are delicious but are a little difficult to eat in the dark while wearing 3D glasses. We saw John Carter.
GEEKS, HEAR ME! YOU MUST GO SEE THIS MOVIE!
After the movie ended, we raced back to the church with 5 minutes to spare. Gideon was sound asleep, Milly was watching a movie in a volun-grandma's lap and Sophie was acting like she had spent the whole time snorting a sugar and cocaine mixture. They had so much fun. We're putting this on the calendar as a monthly date night for us and a play night for the kids.
Sophie has not removed her flashing Minnie Mouse shoes all morning. Her Nonny would be proud.
Milly's hair gets longer and curlier every day. Ben calls her Sunshine. She looks like the girliest girl in all of Girldom but it's all a ruse. She eats like a horse, watches baseball and NASCAR, farts enough to peel the paint and loves her toy cars. Her Daddy is so proud.
I just finished reading Mists of Avalon. It took me a week and a half. I feel so...normal. Next up is Cinder.
I've officially lost 20 pounds on Weight Watchers. Next up is my 40 pound goal. This is surreal.
Sophie has learned how to ask for juice. She comes to one of us and says "I may juice?" Then she thinks it over a little and says "May I juice?" We're all doing a happy dance and drinking a lot of diluted OJ.
Milly has a compulsion to empty any box or bowl that she can find. It's really irritating when her sister and brother have bowls of cereal in the morning.
WOW. That guy on the Sprout morning show is secure in his manhood to dance like that. Especially with an overgrown squeaking chick.
Milly toddles almost everywhere now. She's my third child and I'm still just enchanted by her little steps. She gets a giant grin on her face and will "run" at you to attack you with kisses and hugs. Then the world explodes into fairy dust. It's the most wonderful feeling ever.
Gideon is having trouble getting to sleep at night. He needs extra cuddling and his lullabye. He wraps his little arms around my neck and clutches at me like he's terrified. I wish I could see inside his little mind to see what's bothering my Little Prince.
Ben and I found a church in Wylie that has a monthly Parents Night Out. We took the kids last Friday night and had a date night at Studio Movie Grill. It's only from 6-10 so we have to drop them off right on time and then BOOK IT to the movie theater. We chose SMG so that we could have dinner and a movie all at once. Spinach and mushroom quesadillas are delicious but are a little difficult to eat in the dark while wearing 3D glasses. We saw John Carter.
GEEKS, HEAR ME! YOU MUST GO SEE THIS MOVIE!
After the movie ended, we raced back to the church with 5 minutes to spare. Gideon was sound asleep, Milly was watching a movie in a volun-grandma's lap and Sophie was acting like she had spent the whole time snorting a sugar and cocaine mixture. They had so much fun. We're putting this on the calendar as a monthly date night for us and a play night for the kids.
Sophie has not removed her flashing Minnie Mouse shoes all morning. Her Nonny would be proud.
Milly's hair gets longer and curlier every day. Ben calls her Sunshine. She looks like the girliest girl in all of Girldom but it's all a ruse. She eats like a horse, watches baseball and NASCAR, farts enough to peel the paint and loves her toy cars. Her Daddy is so proud.
I just finished reading Mists of Avalon. It took me a week and a half. I feel so...normal. Next up is Cinder.
I've officially lost 20 pounds on Weight Watchers. Next up is my 40 pound goal. This is surreal.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Red Flags
He's not talking.
He has a very talkative older sister.
Boys talk later than girls.
Sometimes he'll repeat and talk with Sesame Street.
He's not responding to me.
He's just 2. 2 year olds are stubborn.
Maybe he can't hear me. Schedule another hearing test.
He's lining up his action figures in precise ways and gets REALLY upset when you move one.
He's just playing.
He's protective of his toys. He has to be with two sisters ready to steal them.
"On August 15th, the BSRC published a paper in Pediatrics which reexamined the recurrence rate of autism in high risk families. It found that in families with one or more children on the autism spectrum, the chances that a baby sibling will develop autism are around 1 in 5, more than double previous estimates of 1 in 10 to 1 in 30. The rate was much higher among younger brothers (1 in 4) than among younger sisters (1 in 9). In families with more than one older child on the spectrum, 1 in 3 infants eventually developed autism. The severity of the older sibling's autism did not affect the risk to younger brothers or sisters, nor did other family attributes such as parental age, ethnicity, or birth order."
- Autism Speaks
...higher in younger brothers?
Bottom Line: It's time to cry, pray and make some appointments.
He has a very talkative older sister.
Boys talk later than girls.
Sometimes he'll repeat and talk with Sesame Street.
He's not responding to me.
He's just 2. 2 year olds are stubborn.
Maybe he can't hear me. Schedule another hearing test.
He's lining up his action figures in precise ways and gets REALLY upset when you move one.
He's just playing.
He's protective of his toys. He has to be with two sisters ready to steal them.
"On August 15th, the BSRC published a paper in Pediatrics which reexamined the recurrence rate of autism in high risk families. It found that in families with one or more children on the autism spectrum, the chances that a baby sibling will develop autism are around 1 in 5, more than double previous estimates of 1 in 10 to 1 in 30. The rate was much higher among younger brothers (1 in 4) than among younger sisters (1 in 9). In families with more than one older child on the spectrum, 1 in 3 infants eventually developed autism. The severity of the older sibling's autism did not affect the risk to younger brothers or sisters, nor did other family attributes such as parental age, ethnicity, or birth order."
- Autism Speaks
...higher in younger brothers?
Bottom Line: It's time to cry, pray and make some appointments.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Familial Follies
- We've had a wave of stomach virus descend upon the house. It seemed to skitter over the adults and Sophie, backslap Gideon a little and then hug Milly like a swaddle blanket. Oy, the diapers that child has produced! It seems to be waning. Meanwhile, I just hold my breath when she wants to cuddle.
- Sophie's potty training is pretty much the same. She still poops in her panties and I'm pretty sure it will stay that way until we can communicate a little better. She will go potty in other places and can tell people when she needs to go. Today, as we were all getting a little bit of fresh air, I noticed her coming up our long driveway out of the corner of my eye. I was watching Milly to make sure she didn't eat weeds. I looked up and there was my beautiful big girl...with her pants and panties around her ankles asking to go inside to the potty. We may need to work on proper timing.
- Gideon can't seem to decide if he wants to take naps or not. I know he still needs a little nap each day because he turns into a werewolf at 5:45 if he doesn't have one. I never know what will happen when I put him down. Will he meekly lay down and gently fall asleep only to be awaked by me in an hour when he nestles his sweaty little head on my shoulder? Will he swing his Donald Duck doll around his head while caterwauling and jumping on the crib like a trampoline for an hour? NO ONE KNOWS.
- We have new musical tastes. Sophie loves dancing to Ricky Martin. Milly sing-screeches and dances to Ozzy Osborne. Gideon sits quietly and rocks his head while smiling whenever Beck plays. My kids are cool.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Finding My Peace
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
God formed me. He knows me better than anyone else on this earth. He alone will meet all of my needs. He alone will love me perfectly. I will find peace, satisfaction and will never be lonely as long as I stay close to Him.
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart
Wherever I go and no matter what I do, God will love me unconditionally. He will never turn his back on me. If I feel distance from Him then it is because I have turned from Him.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin
I will be bruised. I will be thrown. I will be hurt. Sometime it will be life. Some of these things will be my own fault. Whatever I have done and whatever I will do is already forgiven. Satan lies. I am still important. I am still His child. There is no reason to give up on God because He will never give up on me.
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God
My life, my soul, was paid for at an incredibly high cost. Something that I cannot even begin to fathom. It is eternal. It can never be changed. From the time I accepted that gift at 10 years old, my fate was sealed.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb
My perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I am
The King of glory and of grace
My Savior, my Father, My King is perfect. I am not and can never hope to be. Yet He still wants me. He yearns to be near me and for me to follow Him.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
I am ugly and covered in sin. I am human. Yet, when God looks at me, He sees nothing but the purity of the sacrifice made in my stead. It must be a choice. He can still see the real me. He created the real me. He chooses to see the sacrifice instead and pardon my sins. Then He can be free to hold me close.
How can I deny this? How can I look at humans to meet my needs when I have a perfect God who is not just able but willing and eager to love me more than I can expect?
Lyrics - Before The Throne of God by Sojourn
I have a strong, a perfect plea
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me
God formed me. He knows me better than anyone else on this earth. He alone will meet all of my needs. He alone will love me perfectly. I will find peace, satisfaction and will never be lonely as long as I stay close to Him.
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart
Wherever I go and no matter what I do, God will love me unconditionally. He will never turn his back on me. If I feel distance from Him then it is because I have turned from Him.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin
I will be bruised. I will be thrown. I will be hurt. Sometime it will be life. Some of these things will be my own fault. Whatever I have done and whatever I will do is already forgiven. Satan lies. I am still important. I am still His child. There is no reason to give up on God because He will never give up on me.
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God
With Christ my Savior and my God
My life, my soul, was paid for at an incredibly high cost. Something that I cannot even begin to fathom. It is eternal. It can never be changed. From the time I accepted that gift at 10 years old, my fate was sealed.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb
My perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I am
The King of glory and of grace
My Savior, my Father, My King is perfect. I am not and can never hope to be. Yet He still wants me. He yearns to be near me and for me to follow Him.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
I am ugly and covered in sin. I am human. Yet, when God looks at me, He sees nothing but the purity of the sacrifice made in my stead. It must be a choice. He can still see the real me. He created the real me. He chooses to see the sacrifice instead and pardon my sins. Then He can be free to hold me close.
How can I deny this? How can I look at humans to meet my needs when I have a perfect God who is not just able but willing and eager to love me more than I can expect?
Lyrics - Before The Throne of God by Sojourn
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Love and Respect
"So each husband should love his wife as much as he loves himself, and each wife should respect her husband."
Ephesians 5:33 CEV
My church, Lake Pointe, has been doing a new message series called Fixing Your Marriage. The first message was given by Steve Stroope and was centered around this verse. He called the message "The Foundation of Love and Respect".
That Sunday, I had gone to church with Sophie and left Ben at home with a sick Milly and an iffy Gideon. I sat alone in the service listening to Steve talk about how women and men need different things on which to feel "sturdy" in their marriage. He likened it to how we as humans can go for 3 days without food but only 3 days without water.
In marriage, a woman's water is love and a man's water is respect.
This hit me hard and made me listen very close. I knew that men and women were different. Heck, I learned that lesson back in elementary school when the boy I liked acted like a jerk to me and expected me to figure it out that it meant that he liked me back! (Boys are WEIRD.) I just thought that once we hit a certain age that everyone needed love. It's true that we all need love but men feel loved in a different way. They need to know that they are respected. They feel this way in their jobs, by their children and especially by their wives.
Disrespect from a wife can crush a man. Did you know that we hold that kind of power?
Unfortunately, I had no idea how to speak that language. I know my husband's Love Language but how does that translate into respecting him? Is it the same? Is it made of actions or is it done with words? If broken does it take years to repair or can I apologize and fix it with immediate action?
It made me nervous. This is the foundation we're talking about here. I live in a tiny rental house with horrible foundation problems that affect EVERY SINGLE THING in the house. The doors don't close correctly, the plumbing is wonky, the tile gets more crooked every day, the paint is cracked, and so on. When I think about this in regards to my marriage then I get very concerned.
So I went to God. We're still talking it over and rolling out some new programs. There seems to be good feedback. I'm grateful for that message.
How do you show respect to your husband? Does he know what he needs? Can you ask him? Are you showing it now?
Ephesians 5:33 CEV
My church, Lake Pointe, has been doing a new message series called Fixing Your Marriage. The first message was given by Steve Stroope and was centered around this verse. He called the message "The Foundation of Love and Respect".
That Sunday, I had gone to church with Sophie and left Ben at home with a sick Milly and an iffy Gideon. I sat alone in the service listening to Steve talk about how women and men need different things on which to feel "sturdy" in their marriage. He likened it to how we as humans can go for 3 days without food but only 3 days without water.
In marriage, a woman's water is love and a man's water is respect.
This hit me hard and made me listen very close. I knew that men and women were different. Heck, I learned that lesson back in elementary school when the boy I liked acted like a jerk to me and expected me to figure it out that it meant that he liked me back! (Boys are WEIRD.) I just thought that once we hit a certain age that everyone needed love. It's true that we all need love but men feel loved in a different way. They need to know that they are respected. They feel this way in their jobs, by their children and especially by their wives.
Disrespect from a wife can crush a man. Did you know that we hold that kind of power?
Unfortunately, I had no idea how to speak that language. I know my husband's Love Language but how does that translate into respecting him? Is it the same? Is it made of actions or is it done with words? If broken does it take years to repair or can I apologize and fix it with immediate action?
It made me nervous. This is the foundation we're talking about here. I live in a tiny rental house with horrible foundation problems that affect EVERY SINGLE THING in the house. The doors don't close correctly, the plumbing is wonky, the tile gets more crooked every day, the paint is cracked, and so on. When I think about this in regards to my marriage then I get very concerned.
So I went to God. We're still talking it over and rolling out some new programs. There seems to be good feedback. I'm grateful for that message.
How do you show respect to your husband? Does he know what he needs? Can you ask him? Are you showing it now?
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
My Delicate Little Flowers
We got a present in the mail yesterday. My MIL had made a framed cross-stitch for Milly just as she had done for Sophie years ago. Both are beautifully done. My MIL is extremely talented.
Sophie's has her first name in English and in Greek. The verse is 1 Timothy 3:15 and was chosen because "Sophia" means "wisdom" in Greek. Her name is surrounded by cherry blossoms because her middle name is Sakura, the Japanese cherry blossom tree.
We named Milly "Millicent Mei" because we wanted the girls to have somewhat similar name meanings. "Millicent" means "brave strength" in Old French. "Mei" means "the youngest of sisters" and "beautiful" in Japanese. What we had neglected to notice was that there was a blossom hidden in our littlest girl's name, too.
First, I love that my MIL chose one of my favorite verses for Milly. Proverbs 31 is perfect for her because it references that strength that her first name means but it also tells about her smile. My MIL even put a sun on the picture. Ben and I have said time and time again that Milly's smiles are like sunshine in the darkest of night. Second was the flower. Mailed with this beautiful picture were printouts explaining the flower.
Apparently, when the sakura trees are sleeping, the plum trees are blooming. Japanese plum trees are called "Mei".
So these are my sweet flowers. My Sophia Sakura and my Millicent Mei. They blossom at different times so our lives are always filled with beautiful blooms.
We named Milly "Millicent Mei" because we wanted the girls to have somewhat similar name meanings. "Millicent" means "brave strength" in Old French. "Mei" means "the youngest of sisters" and "beautiful" in Japanese. What we had neglected to notice was that there was a blossom hidden in our littlest girl's name, too.
So these are my sweet flowers. My Sophia Sakura and my Millicent Mei. They blossom at different times so our lives are always filled with beautiful blooms.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Oy
I'm tired and I have a headache. Enjoy this lazy picture post!
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| Gideon practicing his accounting skills. |
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| While I was doing laundry, Gideon demanded to wear his Daddy's shirt. |
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| "You've got a friend and a breakfast buddy in me!" |
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| Such a lady. |
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| Watching ARCA racing intently with Daddy. |
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| She's hiding. You can't see her. |
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| Milly likes Abby Cadabby. |
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Little Things
Yesterday was tough.
There was bad news from friends and family swirling through my head.
Sophie had 2 poop "accidents" even though she knows what to do. I couldn't correct her because the meltdown was too close to the surface.
Milly was still cranky and feverish from the shots she got the day before.
Gideon was just wild and wanted attention that I couldn't give.
The laundry was threatening to eat us alive.
The kitchen was almost bare.
When Ben got home, I was breathing hard so that I wouldn't cry or scream in front of the kids. He took over and I ran to the car. I cranked up the music and screamed as I drove to the library. Feeling a little better, I plugged my ears with my music and got new books. Then I filled up the car with gas and went to Target. I plugged my ears again and went to get some basics. After picking up some Pull-ups for Sophie (at least we don't need very many!) I took a path back to the grocery section through the shoes.
They were there.
2 pairs left. On clearance. Fifty percent off.
One pair was my size. They came home with me because they made me smile.
Some days just call for pink sequined Converse shoes.
There was bad news from friends and family swirling through my head.
Sophie had 2 poop "accidents" even though she knows what to do. I couldn't correct her because the meltdown was too close to the surface.
Milly was still cranky and feverish from the shots she got the day before.
Gideon was just wild and wanted attention that I couldn't give.
The laundry was threatening to eat us alive.
The kitchen was almost bare.
When Ben got home, I was breathing hard so that I wouldn't cry or scream in front of the kids. He took over and I ran to the car. I cranked up the music and screamed as I drove to the library. Feeling a little better, I plugged my ears with my music and got new books. Then I filled up the car with gas and went to Target. I plugged my ears again and went to get some basics. After picking up some Pull-ups for Sophie (at least we don't need very many!) I took a path back to the grocery section through the shoes.
They were there.
2 pairs left. On clearance. Fifty percent off.
One pair was my size. They came home with me because they made me smile.
Some days just call for pink sequined Converse shoes.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
All a Part of the Body
God ask His people to obey in all different ways. Some people teach and some people preach.
(I promise this whole post won't rhyme.)
He calls me to pray. A lot. Sometimes I'll have specific prayers and sometimes I'll wander around the house just thinking about someone until they take up all of my brain space. Then I stand still until I understand that God wants me to pray for them for a reason that only He knows. I really like having specifics and watching to see the Lord work.
I'm working on a new way to remember my prayers. I'm writing them on note cards and putting them up in places where I find myself standing during the day. There will be some over the sink in the kitchen where I wash dishes and some on my bathroom mirror. This should also help me to always be ready to talk to the Lord at any time.
Right now I'm praying for:
I take requests. I love to talk to my God.
(I promise this whole post won't rhyme.)
He calls me to pray. A lot. Sometimes I'll have specific prayers and sometimes I'll wander around the house just thinking about someone until they take up all of my brain space. Then I stand still until I understand that God wants me to pray for them for a reason that only He knows. I really like having specifics and watching to see the Lord work.
I'm working on a new way to remember my prayers. I'm writing them on note cards and putting them up in places where I find myself standing during the day. There will be some over the sink in the kitchen where I wash dishes and some on my bathroom mirror. This should also help me to always be ready to talk to the Lord at any time.
Right now I'm praying for:
- 3 beautiful ladies to be blessed with children
- 4 people to be blessed with partners
- comfort on one going through a divorce
- comfort on a family who lost a loved one
- 2 ladies fighting diseases that seem insurmountable
- 4 ones who need the Lord in their hearts
- friends going through moving stresses
I take requests. I love to talk to my God.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
The Homer to my Marge
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| "Don't make me laugh! We're supposed to be gazing lovingly at each other!" |
First kiss on the volleyball court at my church in 8th grade while the Beach Boys played in the background.
Found each other on MySpace in 2006. Both just assumed we would marry. It was logical.
Married on May 25, 2007; 10 years after we graduated high school, 30 years after the original Star Wars came out in theaters, and on Towel Day.
Stared at each other and 2 lines on a stick in disbelief on June 25, 2007.
January 17, 2008 brought Sophie.
June 26, 2009 brought Gideon.
January 19, 2011 brought Milly.
1 apartment and 2 houses. 2 moves while I was pregnant and both during Thanksgiving / Christmas holidays.
Bills, surgeries, job losses, new cars, car trips, diapers, taxes, grey hairs and cellulite.
You're still that boy in the backwards San Antonio Spurs hat that makes me laugh right before you kiss me.
Happy Valentines Day, beloved.
 |
| "I shimmy with joy!" |
One Year
Millicent,
I know I'm late. I've been busy chasing you around the house. You're pretty fast, Mater!
Yes, we still call you that. You have the same gap between your two front teeth as your Mama. I love it. It's something I can see and smile because it makes you feel like mine. I see it a lot because you are always smiling and laughing. You laugh at your big brother and sister as they race through the
house. You laugh at your Daddy when he tickles you. You laugh at me
when I hide under the covers in my bed and then pop out at you. Your
laughs are a constant soundtrack to our lives.
You don't have much to say yet. You'll come looking for me and say "Mama!" if you're happy or "MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA" in a pitiful wail if something has annoyed you. You'll grin and walk to your Daddy while saying "Da..da.da..da..dadadaDADADADA!" because he is just so cool. If he annoys you then you just screech.
And screech you can! If you're unhappy then you let us know PRONTO. These teeth are bothering me! I fell down! Sister took my toy! I'm dirty!
MY CHOCOLATE MILK ISN'T WARM ENOUGH!
Cripes, you're a diva.
You've been walking since December. Scratch that...you walk everywhere at home and then we go places and tell people "She's such a good walker!" and then you go all noodle-legs on us like you've never taken a step in your life.
STOP MAKING MAMA LOOK LIKE A FIBBER.
You're still my baby. That thumb rarely leaves your mouth. You are a thumb-sucker, Mei. It's OK. I think you look precious. Of course, I would rather you refrain from sucking your thumb while I'm feeding you oatmeal but that's another discussion altogether.
My favorite time is when you cuddle to my chest, jam your thumb in your mouth and hum. It's almost like a purr. You are perfectly content to just cuddle and let me hold you. There are days where tears run down my face as I hold your little body and feel your downy fine curls with my fingers as I sing to you. It's the most healing and wonderful thing I can imagine.
I know that there's a lot going on right now. Sister is taking up a lot of attention and Brother is being a buttheaded 2-year old. You are a beam of sunshine in all of this. You make me smile on the worst of days with your sweet kisses and proud applause. I could cuddle you and twirl my finger around your curls for hours while you hum around the thumb in your mouth.
I love you, Curly Bear.
Mama
I know I'm late. I've been busy chasing you around the house. You're pretty fast, Mater!
You don't have much to say yet. You'll come looking for me and say "Mama!" if you're happy or "MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA" in a pitiful wail if something has annoyed you. You'll grin and walk to your Daddy while saying "Da..da.da..da..dadadaDADADADA!" because he is just so cool. If he annoys you then you just screech.
MY CHOCOLATE MILK ISN'T WARM ENOUGH!
Cripes, you're a diva.
You've been walking since December. Scratch that...you walk everywhere at home and then we go places and tell people "She's such a good walker!" and then you go all noodle-legs on us like you've never taken a step in your life.
STOP MAKING MAMA LOOK LIKE A FIBBER.
You're still my baby. That thumb rarely leaves your mouth. You are a thumb-sucker, Mei. It's OK. I think you look precious. Of course, I would rather you refrain from sucking your thumb while I'm feeding you oatmeal but that's another discussion altogether.My favorite time is when you cuddle to my chest, jam your thumb in your mouth and hum. It's almost like a purr. You are perfectly content to just cuddle and let me hold you. There are days where tears run down my face as I hold your little body and feel your downy fine curls with my fingers as I sing to you. It's the most healing and wonderful thing I can imagine.
I know that there's a lot going on right now. Sister is taking up a lot of attention and Brother is being a buttheaded 2-year old. You are a beam of sunshine in all of this. You make me smile on the worst of days with your sweet kisses and proud applause. I could cuddle you and twirl my finger around your curls for hours while you hum around the thumb in your mouth.
I love you, Curly Bear.
Mama
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday Brain Dump
I am one tired Mama.
I'm watching the monsters run around and act out the Minnie Red Riding Hood episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and thanking God for On Demand. Where was that when I was little and wanted to watch my favorite episode of Sesame Street?
Ugh. Kids these days. Back in my day we had to use our imaginations to make a forest into an Ewok village and suffer through the Shemp episodes. We learned to watch and like the commercials.
I think I'm going to need to go get my nose ring and my pink / red hair streaks just to balance out that comment.
I'm still in the mood for good action movies. Good blow-em up stuff. Any suggestions? Funny action is even more appreciated. Like Red. That movie was awe-to-the-some.
I got a day out with my bestie this Saturday and had a blast. I came home with a bag of clothes in a size smaller than what I usually wear and chocolate bath stuff. We also had fun making each other laugh until we cried and getting a little too loud in public. I'm pretty sure at least 4 people thought we were drunk.
I sound like Amy Farrah Fowler when I call her my bestie. I'm pretty sure this means I need a tiara.
Sophie RAN to the potty this morning and went potty for her Sunday School teachers yesterday. It's sinking in! Now if she'll just stop pooping in her pants. That would be nice.
Milly has a cold, teeth coming in and had a really poopy diaper this morning. Poor miserable baby. She needed extra cuddling.
Gideon is finally over his cough. The asthma makes me nervous every time he gets a cold. I feel like I can breathe a little easier, too.
Lifechurch.tv is starting a series on Samson. I'm very intrigued.
Lake Pointe just started a series on Fixing Your Marriage. The first message was yesterday and hasn't been posted yet. When it is then you should watch it. It was REALLY good.
All done. Time for laundry.
I'm watching the monsters run around and act out the Minnie Red Riding Hood episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and thanking God for On Demand. Where was that when I was little and wanted to watch my favorite episode of Sesame Street?
Ugh. Kids these days. Back in my day we had to use our imaginations to make a forest into an Ewok village and suffer through the Shemp episodes. We learned to watch and like the commercials.
I think I'm going to need to go get my nose ring and my pink / red hair streaks just to balance out that comment.
I'm still in the mood for good action movies. Good blow-em up stuff. Any suggestions? Funny action is even more appreciated. Like Red. That movie was awe-to-the-some.
I got a day out with my bestie this Saturday and had a blast. I came home with a bag of clothes in a size smaller than what I usually wear and chocolate bath stuff. We also had fun making each other laugh until we cried and getting a little too loud in public. I'm pretty sure at least 4 people thought we were drunk.
I sound like Amy Farrah Fowler when I call her my bestie. I'm pretty sure this means I need a tiara.
Sophie RAN to the potty this morning and went potty for her Sunday School teachers yesterday. It's sinking in! Now if she'll just stop pooping in her pants. That would be nice.
Milly has a cold, teeth coming in and had a really poopy diaper this morning. Poor miserable baby. She needed extra cuddling.
Gideon is finally over his cough. The asthma makes me nervous every time he gets a cold. I feel like I can breathe a little easier, too.
Lifechurch.tv is starting a series on Samson. I'm very intrigued.
Lake Pointe just started a series on Fixing Your Marriage. The first message was yesterday and hasn't been posted yet. When it is then you should watch it. It was REALLY good.
All done. Time for laundry.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Line, Please?
So.
PDD-NOS.
Ben and I have accepted Sophie's diagnosis. Now we're attacking it like the geeks we are; by reading everything available and studying like we're two weeks away from a final exam. Sophie has not yet had her evaluation by a Special Ed teacher because she needs some medical tests done first. Until then, we're trying some things we've read about.
Sophie uses something called echolalia. She hears us say something and can't process or understand it so she just repeats the last thing we said.
Before:
Ben: "I love you, Sophie!"
Sophie: (just repeating) "I love you, Sophie!"
Sophie also uses "scripts" to describe how she is feeling or what she wants. She usually takes these from her favorite TV shows; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Imagination Movers and Sesame Street.
Sophie: "Whassa matter?"
Meaning: "Something is wrong!"
Origin: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode "Doctor Daisy, M.D."
Ben and I have been watching and listening to Sophie to see how she uses language and scripts. We've been trying to modify how we speak to her and see if she responds.
Now:
Ben: (pointing at himself) "I love you, Sophie!" (pointing at her) "I love you, Daddy!"
Sophie: (understanding her line) "I love you, Daddy!"
Now Sophie will come up to me with a grin and say "I love you, Mama!" because she knows that I'm supposed to say "I love you, Sophie!" back to her. She no longer needs the prompt.
We're working on some more scripts for when she's hungry, tired or needs something. Basically, we're teaching her how to use pronouns correctly which makes her connect to herself and others the right way.
It's a lot of work but Sophie catches on quickly. We're already thinking of some flash card ideas and games that we can play. We also use dialog from Mickey Mouse to see what's going on. God knew what he was doing when he put me in theater and made it easy for me to learn a lot of lines!
PDD-NOS.
Ben and I have accepted Sophie's diagnosis. Now we're attacking it like the geeks we are; by reading everything available and studying like we're two weeks away from a final exam. Sophie has not yet had her evaluation by a Special Ed teacher because she needs some medical tests done first. Until then, we're trying some things we've read about.
Sophie uses something called echolalia. She hears us say something and can't process or understand it so she just repeats the last thing we said.
Before:
Ben: "I love you, Sophie!"
Sophie: (just repeating) "I love you, Sophie!"
Sophie also uses "scripts" to describe how she is feeling or what she wants. She usually takes these from her favorite TV shows; Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Imagination Movers and Sesame Street.
Sophie: "Whassa matter?"
Meaning: "Something is wrong!"
Origin: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode "Doctor Daisy, M.D."
Ben and I have been watching and listening to Sophie to see how she uses language and scripts. We've been trying to modify how we speak to her and see if she responds.
Now:
Ben: (pointing at himself) "I love you, Sophie!" (pointing at her) "I love you, Daddy!"
Sophie: (understanding her line) "I love you, Daddy!"
Now Sophie will come up to me with a grin and say "I love you, Mama!" because she knows that I'm supposed to say "I love you, Sophie!" back to her. She no longer needs the prompt.
We're working on some more scripts for when she's hungry, tired or needs something. Basically, we're teaching her how to use pronouns correctly which makes her connect to herself and others the right way.
It's a lot of work but Sophie catches on quickly. We're already thinking of some flash card ideas and games that we can play. We also use dialog from Mickey Mouse to see what's going on. God knew what he was doing when he put me in theater and made it easy for me to learn a lot of lines!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Music Therapy
One of my girlfriends wrote a post about how music affects her. I love how she describes how the music envelops her and is able to soothe her fears. Music brings her back to the past and she is now adding new memories to color those same songs. She ends with a list of her favorites. I thought it would be fun to give myself the same challenge.
Music affects me the same way. When my babies are upset, my first response is to sing to them. When I'm happy, I crank up the music in the car to dangerous levels. (And hopefully remember to crank the volume down before my husband drives the car again.) I tweaked her categories for me.
- My All Time Fave - Carry on My Wayward Son Kansas
- Fave Religious - Before the Throne of God Above Selah
- Fave Classical - Brahms Requiem (ORIGINAL GERMAN, PLEASE.)
- Fave Love Song - Love Petra
- Fave Christmas Song - One Small Child
- Fave Weird Al Yankovic - Trigger Happy
- Sophie's Lullaby - Slumber, My Darling Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss
- Gideon's Lullaby - La, la, Lu from Lady and the Tramp
- Milly's Lullaby - Goodnight, My Angel Celtic Woman
- Fave Soundtrack - Blues Brothers
- Fave Score (YES, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE!) -Braveheart
- Fave Workout - Black Betty Ram Jam
- Fave Feel Like a Bada$$ - Supermassive Black Hole Muse
- Fave Musical - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
- Will Always and Forever Make Me Smile - Nightswimming R.E.M.
- When I Need to Get Angry - Faint Linkin Park
- When I Need To Cry - Winter Tori Amos
- When I Need to Dance - She Bangs Ricky Martin (shut up.)
- To Cover with My All Girl Punk Band - Breed Nirvana
- Our Song - Look Around Blues Traveler
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