tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20683670022047363202024-03-14T00:28:48.934-05:00the grumpy familyA blog about the trials, tribulations and all out fun of raising a large family with special needs!Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-41527575945077365422009-05-17T05:05:00.004-05:002009-05-17T05:12:30.785-05:00Down Syndrome Spring PicnicToday was the annual Down Syndrome Picnic! It was so much fun as usual, though there were no baked beans. (Still unsure if this was good or bad....update after a few more diapers!)<br /><br />We had so much fun playing games, bouncing and jumping in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">bounce</span> houses, eating of course and meeting some old friends and making a few new ones. Though Devon and Miranda had the best time dancing.<br /><br />We had a few tense moments. I was really worried about Emerson for a while we had several episodes of the monitor going off and his eyes getting a little dusky blue!<br /><br />I think the best thing about this is getting to see a lot of the individuals with Down Syndrome, so many <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">different</span> s<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">tages</span>, abilities and basically just a cool mixture of people.<br /><br />It also helped cause Adrian has been asking a lot of questions lately.<br /><br />This morning she informed me.....that she, Jordan and Emerson did not have down syndrome cause they all came from my tummy. True yes..... but not what I was expecting...... I thought she would follow it up with some profound statement.... but no, she then told me all <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">adopted</span> kid had down syndrome..... so the picnic did at least give Adrian and I chance <span style="color:#ffff00;">to</span> play...... who has <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">DS</span> and who doesn't and why (or how she knew).<br /><br />I know this seems weird.... but she has been having a few issues at school and a lot of issues at home and is a lot more confused about what is going on with the "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">chromsomally"</span> enhanced ones and always wants to understand why we do not get "the good parking space" when it is just her and me!<br /><br />It is a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wondrous</span> thing that comes out of her mouth....usually before she inserts her foot!<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 480px"><embed height="360" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" src="http://w292.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/ds picnic 2009/c07483d0.pbw" wmode="transparent"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: left; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" /></a><a href="http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/ds%20picnic%202009/?action=view&current=c07483d0.pbw" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: left; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" /></a></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-4820335261655344972009-05-13T23:16:00.018-05:002009-05-17T09:01:28.679-05:00I cried today! (A LOT)<em><span style="color:#ffff66;">SHORT STORY</span></em>......Adrian and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span> graduated kindergarten today! It was such a fun family moment to watch two of my beautiful girls sings and receive their diplomas.<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduationn51309030.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 194px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduationn51309030.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduation51309015.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 234px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduation51309015.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">STOP Here...... or</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff00;">LONG STORY</span>...... I cried today.....tears that only a "special" mom can have. I cried today because I was proud, happy, sad, amazed, joyful, and just plain beaming with pride when I watched them......both my beautiful.....Adrian and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span>.....as they graduated from kindergarten this afternoon.<br /><br /><br /><br />Today started like usual.....OK sort of. My friends came and helped me get the kids ready for school .......still issues with the kids and Emerson all needing me .....(when will I learn how to nurse a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">kiddo</span>.....carry his heart monitors....bathe the others and wait for the bus at the same time......thank heaven for friends!).<br /><br /><br /><br />Differences included the fact that Adrian had laid out her clothes ....three days early! She picked out my clothes.....Emerson's & Jordan's outfits.....made sure she had invited every person she met in the last week......called her grandma and reminded her dad...about 20 times! She had been singing all the songs for me for over two weeks.....and like the wonderful sister that she is made sure <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span> practiced many many times too.<br /><br /><br /><br />I fight ...as usual....to get <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span> to let me do her hair, make sure she gets her teeth brushed.... try to make sure she doesn't hug Emerson too hard and a little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">argument</span>....doesn't want to practice her songs.....just wants to look in the mirror at her "bottom" oh does that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">fascinate</span> her!<br /><br /><br /><br />Adrian got up early.....in the shower before Tammy & Angie got her. Adrian had me do her hair....put in her special bows.....wear perfume......she was so excited! Last thing she tells me.....on her way out the door is...."Mom, I love you so much.....but please make sure your armpits don't stink!"<br /><br /><br /><br />"OK".....I reply....pretty much taken a back..... I forgot to notice she had no shoes on.<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduation51309015-1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 119px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduation51309015-1.jpg" /></a> Of<br />course Adrian was her usual creative self and decided that her beautiful <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">burgundy</span> suede boots would look so much better than her her pink dress shoes. (Angie did try to get her to wear the matching ones.... but Princess Grumpy was adamant about these....and I didn't notice till she marched in...Oh well!)<br /><br /><br />I actually was so surprised at her comment....I spend the morning questioning Dad, all the kid wranglers, Grandma and Jordan if I had forgotten deodorant in the last few weeks.! It really was bothering me.....I knew Adrian had been frustrated cause I have been wearing my painting /work outside in the yard clothes to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wal-Mart</span> and Home Depot the last few times! SO I SHOWERED AGAIN!!!!!<br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div>Eric, myself, Jordan & Emerson go over to school with all the kid wranglers. We get to school about 15 minutes early, I get the preschoolers and Colin so we can all be a family unit.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I am very worried..... not about Adrian....she has a way of making everything look like she planned it. I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">panicking</span> inside.... about how <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span> will do, and will she even go in with the kids. I have some really bad memories of Colin's first kindergarten graduation (our worst EVER school event to date!)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It starts late...... Adrian is one of the first in........ I am waiting .....camera flashes going off and of course Adrian waves at me....beaming!!!! I am so happy! She looks really pleased that we are all there....taking up a whole row!!!! <a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduation51309025.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 171px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduation51309025.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I am looking for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span>...... a little <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">panicked</span>. Well she comes in.... one of the last..... but no one is helping her or pointing or holding her hand....she just marches in (AND I MEAN MARCHING TO THE BEAT ONLY SHE CAN HEAR) all by herself.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">She</span> stands up with her friends..... all the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">kindergartners</span> start to sing! Adrian immediately draws my attention because she has my musical talent and Eric's volume.....but a lot of heart! </div><div><br /></div><div>After about 30 seconds I manage to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">remember</span> to look at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span>..... She is singing, making all the movements and smiling so big it could melt your soul. I am so amazed! Tears start to well!!!! I realize her is my beautiful, shy little girl. With her amazing smile, beautiful hair and 23 pairs + 1 chromosome ..... making her my special little girl.</div><div><br /><br />I was amazed thinking back to all the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">IEP's</span>, all the planning, the times I was sure she wouldn't walk, or wondered if the the failure to thrive was my fault, all the speech therapy sessions where she would not make a sound..... but that smile....I see her beautiful smile. I can hear her! Tears of amazement start to flow! She did it...though it was her way.....not the way I planned, not the way her teachers always wanted either. Why is this amazing...... well it is just like the rest of them. </div><div> </div><div>All her classmates stand there as individuals....all proud.....most with beaming parent too....and none of them has really turned out the way their parents planned for them in utero...... but they....like Melea are amazing! </div><div><br /></div><div>I jump back to looking at Adrian! She is so proud, so straight, so effortlessly looking amazing..... she is so smart and open....she takes care of herself and exuding confidence....I cry a little more this time. Partly because I am proud and partly cause I am pleased she does not burst into interpretive dance in the music interlude <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">in between</span> the verses of "You Are My Sunshine".</div><div><br /></div><div>My eyes dart back to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span>.... still singing.....still doing the hand motions! I am so amazed. I am watching another example of inclusion at its best. Maybe she doesn't know her sight words or is able to do basic addition...... but she is standing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">their</span> confident and singing with the rest of her peers. This is not what happened last year..... last year I just got that open mouth with a little drool....confused looks and a run to her aide. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduationn51309035.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 356px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduationn51309035.jpg" /></a>Today I see a beautiful young girl, with her peers....singing her heart out (off key) but doing everything the others are doing! I have another wave of pride..... tears started to fall again!</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I look to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Adrian</span> and I realize the whole class was signing the last verse as well as sings it..... for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span>....cause she signs as well as sings! More tears flowing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then comes the sadness, for both my little beauties. For so vastly different reasons!</div><div><br /></div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span>.....I realize how hard she has to work to have more days like today, for the birth family who placed her with us....who lost the daughter they were hoping for..... and for me! It makes her life a lot different than the one Adrian will have, that thought makes me cry with sorrow...... </div><div><br /></div><div>I am thinking of that chromosome....the extra ones in each cell....the ones that if they were not there..... she would not be my daughter.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I feel a lot of guilt cause I am glad she has 47 chromosomes in each cell! This is something there is no question about!</div><div></div><div></div><div>I feel guilty and it makes me sad.....but then I think ....Adrian.....and my sorrow switches to a few tears of pain (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">remembering</span> that natural child birth and 14 hours of labor..... and realizing that it was almost 6 years ago that I really learned how hard it must have been for all my adopted children's birth parents!)<br /><br /></div><div>I think..... Adrian is one super special little girl, she is confident, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">intelligent</span>, friendly, outgoing and an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">absolutely</span> fantastic sister! I am crying cause I lover her so much, and I am sad at thinking that she is growing up so fast and someday all the societal pressures may make her not think that helping <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span> or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">being her</span> sister is a good thing. I shed some tears for the fact she has so much to learn about the ways of the world and the fact that not every one will value her <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">family</span> the same!</div><div><br /></div><div>Then came the tears of joy and thankfulness for all the people who have helped my children, the teachers, the therapists, the counselors, and their favorite.....the bus drivers. They all worked so hard, very rarely getting a chance to see how it all comes together.....but today I did!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduation51309019.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 247px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduation51309019.jpg" /></a>All the children <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">finished</span> singing.....they signed thank you, and then they proceeded to take their seats...... the kids then all get their chance to walk up and get their diplomas from the principal! All of them look so proud, and so happy!</div><div><br /></div><div>After several minutes and about 14 children Adrian gets to go....she is so beautiful and radiant....... she flashes Daddy her best smile....a little secrete wave and bounces off to get her diploma! (by the way.... I am back to crying with pride and joy again)</div><div><br /></div><div>I spend the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">next</span> five minutes finishing the morning class and starting the afternoon class. Emerson starts to nurse, and I am reminded of the family who has never seen a photo of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span>, never once asked to get anything we have left for them..... and I wonder if they ever think of her.....I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">remember</span> she does not share mine or Eric's DNA.....again the chromosomes, but......</div><div><br /></div><div>I hear her name....... she slowly gets up.....(still crying....not sure why)! She does the thing I have come to love over the years..... it is so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span>! She puts her right hand over her eyes, peers out from underneath to see if <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">anyone is</span> looking..... and acts shy. But then she walks up....... hand still over her eyes. Adrian says really loud (I don't think she meant too.... she is just my kid) "this way Mia!....go to Mr. G****". </div><div><br /></div><div>Eric is in the middle aisle....<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">trying</span> to take the photo.... the camera doesn't work ...... it seems like five minutes...... the principal is doing his best to get her to take her hand off her eyes.... and we are all clapping and I am <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">crying</span> again!!<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduation51309014.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 224px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/kgtngraduation51309014.jpg" /></a>This time because they are both my beautiful girls.....two of my four. Eliza and Miranda are sitting next to me......Eliza <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">running</span> around like the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Tasmanian</span> devil and Miranda clapping for everyone and cheering! Because Adrian is so worried about her sister and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">Melea</span> is just playing it up and being a "ham" on purpose!</div><div><br /></div><div>And I start to smile......<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">I realize</span> I am so proud and so lucky! (And of course there are a few tears....cause I am sure Eric blew the shot!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Afterwards when I get to hug the girls and give them the roses I brought for them. The tears flowed again. This time is now joy..... I am happy again to be the one sharing this day with both my girls as their mom!<br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 320px"><embed height="240" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="320" src="http://w292.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn graduation may 09/29ee8dd9.pbw" wmode="transparent"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: left; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" /></a><a href="http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/kgtn%20graduation%20may%2009/?action=view&current=29ee8dd9.pbw" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: left; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" /></a></div></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-52965682430711555152009-05-01T15:58:00.006-05:002009-05-01T17:36:01.480-05:00Just want to say thank you.....<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/1stgradespringfieldtrip5109018.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 178px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/1stgradespringfieldtrip5109018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>to my dear husband ..... who works so hard so I can be a stay at home mom (MY FULL TIME JOB) and have fun with the kids besides cleaning the house. </div><br /><div></div><div>This has been a very busy week. Though almost all of the rest of them are between now and the end of the year. 2 days doctors appointments (T & TH), Special Olympics (W), an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">IEP</span> (M) and 1st grade field trip (F). All this was in between the normal food shopping, nursing Emerson, several medicine pick ups, and a few phone calls with the health insurance company, made <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">som</span><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/1stgradespringfieldtrip5109037.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 171px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/1stgradespringfieldtrip5109037.jpg" border="0" /></a>e time to pay bills and balance the checkbook + all those other mom things! (the ones people forget....till mom isn't there to do them and laundry stacks up to the ceiling, and the dishes get moldy in the sink)</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Today was the last field trip of the 08-09 school year. It seems to have flown by....... the kids have grown and learned so much.</div><br /><br /><div>Colin and I (as well as Emerson ...tagging along in the sling) went to Shaw arboretum today! As usual it was a dreary day, but we had a great time. We did a nature hike with 12 different spot where his class stopped and completed several investigations. </div><div></div><br /><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/1stgradespringfieldtrip5109005.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 145px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 175px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/1stgradespringfieldtrip5109005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>It was really a whole lot of fun for Colin. He had so many of his favorite things.....mom's hand to hold, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Emerson</span> to show off and kiss, lots of mud to stomp in.....and his favorite.....bugs, worms, and frogs to scare mom with. </div><div></div><div></div><div>It really is nice to have this special time with the kids....they parties, the plays, the concerts, the field trips......all are lasting memories our children will have. So thanks Daddy....for all you do for us so we can have so much fun!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div><br /><br /><br />So here are some shots from the year of all we have done at school with the kids with Daddy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">back filling</span> with babysitting and working hard!<br /><div style="WIDTH: 600px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><embed src="http://w292.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/field trip party slide show/f6421bdc.pbw" width="600" height="180" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: left; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" /></a><a href="http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/field%20trip%20party%20slide%20show/?action=view&current=f6421bdc.pbw" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; FLOAT: left; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px" src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" /></a></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-92146688484945797392009-04-29T17:37:00.005-05:002009-05-01T19:38:32.488-05:00Special Olympics Track- Colin & Melea<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYokSdHkSNbo5RrMN3oXNiRX-PqHlKJkpXSW4usZcPvVEUeVGboXVwi_AynooU1rS0VTK3li-qJ6vG3lBD-ckUqnVUxB-soz7LrTfNrK1C4OacEUdfzsAwVZmBQcyWXUs6C5AfhlNS7gc/s1600-h/special+olympic+track+4+29+09+011.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330996451709333698" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 154px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYokSdHkSNbo5RrMN3oXNiRX-PqHlKJkpXSW4usZcPvVEUeVGboXVwi_AynooU1rS0VTK3li-qJ6vG3lBD-ckUqnVUxB-soz7LrTfNrK1C4OacEUdfzsAwVZmBQcyWXUs6C5AfhlNS7gc/s200/special+olympic+track+4+29+09+011.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div>Besides President <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Obama's</span> 100 day celebratory town hall meeting here today, we had a much more exciting event..........another Special Olympic Track Meet, this time for Colin & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Melea</span>. </div><div><br /> </div><div>It really is amazing to go to these events. Though we were almost late because the presidential motorcade blocked the highway due to the overcast and gloomy weather preventing the helicopters from flying. How ever I did manage to get myself sunburned......and Emerson got a little pink on his for head. Colin & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Melea</span> just got browner and more gorgeous with their olive complexions.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMl85V3sRy23EOmp4ykIlz9s25vrYNZGTG2B3m70LXGw_rypJvjQt5ID4V5g_PistLSpbxpNhuFVltQoknrQknfyFqwmZF0q0FxMl7yOgsl4pDptuOL5r5c41FtjzowY5Hq4z5aM92wU/s1600-h/special+olympic+track+4+29+09+008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330998119253480066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 156px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMl85V3sRy23EOmp4ykIlz9s25vrYNZGTG2B3m70LXGw_rypJvjQt5ID4V5g_PistLSpbxpNhuFVltQoknrQknfyFqwmZF0q0FxMl7yOgsl4pDptuOL5r5c41FtjzowY5Hq4z5aM92wU/s200/special+olympic+track+4+29+09+008.JPG" border="0" /></a>The day started at McDonald's with our special Mommy & kids breakfast of hot cakes......<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">OK</span> I really needed that large iced coffee! We always try to share a special family breakfast before each field trip so the children who aren't going...... feel special too. This morning it was so cool to walk arm and arm across the parking lot with Adrian singing her new "song" about how much she loves her family! What an amazing girl...I just wish she had gotten any of her dad's or her aunt's musical talent......but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">alas she</span> sing and keeps time like me! But she tries and since I believe heart does count <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsRaWjKkjlugOQHxdXubzR_1rEMoa_DmGHQcwtOn93Bp4Gpq6in3UeCQSTuyXM3ur9wH2ulU8kU8TW9VXwIkWSfkXZvMLJ3xda41ptdeoel_QyswPUVco1jh2LP6FVgSvxcLMUCBEp4M/s1600-h/special+olympic+track+4+29+09+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330996443442330658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsRaWjKkjlugOQHxdXubzR_1rEMoa_DmGHQcwtOn93Bp4Gpq6in3UeCQSTuyXM3ur9wH2ulU8kU8TW9VXwIkWSfkXZvMLJ3xda41ptdeoel_QyswPUVco1jh2LP6FVgSvxcLMUCBEp4M/s200/special+olympic+track+4+29+09+004.JPG" border="0" /></a>(and I am her mom) it is amazing!</div><div><br /><br /> </div><div>Then we went to school to have Colin & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Melea</span> catch the bus with their classmates.....but surprise when the bus gets there....no STAR SEATS! Things like this used to irritate me......but not as much as it used too. ("serenity now....<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">serenity</span> now") <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">OK</span>....really this is why I make sure Eric or I are able to go on every trip...so I can drive them.....if it happens......and it usually happens once or twice a year. I actually think my kids like it better anyways! More mommy time......and this time she got to ride next to Emerson.....extra special morning part three.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCTae6VAfboVQyCtld2oNOXSVdbomhJWdHWMsW2k13lhn8Ddzp7cWBsHmdCPtyGPEhLSbJ4UC_flnQigNZbCy1yYdWpBdOPm7w5UdbSBrarMIoawZ4qpfSKJ4Pc-3GyNL7gXRBBnHvR4/s1600-h/special+olympic+track+4+29+09+013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330998124499019842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCTae6VAfboVQyCtld2oNOXSVdbomhJWdHWMsW2k13lhn8Ddzp7cWBsHmdCPtyGPEhLSbJ4UC_flnQigNZbCy1yYdWpBdOPm7w5UdbSBrarMIoawZ4qpfSKJ4Pc-3GyNL7gXRBBnHvR4/s200/special+olympic+track+4+29+09+013.JPG" border="0" /></a>Well we follow the bus.... get parked..... find the kids teacher and get to meet our buddies for the day. Just like Devon's last week, we got some wonderful helpers. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Dillan</span> & Brian. </div><div> </div><div>These awesome students took my kids around to their events and played with them all day at the Olympic Village. They were so patient and tried to get them involved. </div><div> </div><div>A lot of times people ask me if Colin remembers stuff....well two days later he is still doing the cool handshake that Brian taught him. Colin was even trying ti teach it to Devon and Colin. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNIauzdYaaRb2srTOGyq-IMyw2ZeTSgSm3E_OuuPCLnkAD88hb53Kw3h8CurjK2wHk3gsPWcrX3uPRgjnNQ7DSvZbtBS6kHmxgkGitRxrwG9AegWYxyRWYrLfOeu3rmi5xO2jsKhZ29E/s1600-h/special+olympic+track+4+29+09+007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330996443444401906" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNIauzdYaaRb2srTOGyq-IMyw2ZeTSgSm3E_OuuPCLnkAD88hb53Kw3h8CurjK2wHk3gsPWcrX3uPRgjnNQ7DSvZbtBS6kHmxgkGitRxrwG9AegWYxyRWYrLfOeu3rmi5xO2jsKhZ29E/s200/special+olympic+track+4+29+09+007.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Colin is still showing off his ribbons and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Melea</span> showing me her medal. So all in all another really <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">great</span> day!</div></div></div></div></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-83404380709414503482009-04-25T10:40:00.003-05:002009-04-25T11:00:57.353-05:00WHY IS WAL-M#$% CHEATING ME!!!!!I am so tired of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Wal</span>-M#$% and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Targ</span>&*) and all the other stores <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">treating</span> me like I am a dumb consumer.<br /><br />I watch prices I watch numbers / counts on boxes...... I have eight mouths to feed and butts to diaper! I NOTICE and I am tired of it! Quit keeping the packages the same size and putting in less...... from cereal (yeah I know you just matched General Mills and others). I have put up with the disappearing diapers for a while and even the missing 48 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wip</span>es (8 from every package for about 2-3 weeks down from 80 to 72 then a huge new <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">end cap</span> saying more...we are giving you more now!<br /><br />But yesterday you really made me mad! I will call again today when I finish this...... I am madder than when you got rid of the green (lime) flavored yogurt for 3 months when you put more of the ridiculously priced <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">GoGurt</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">other espensive</span> kid marketed brands! Madder than when you quit carrying equate bar soap!<br /><br />You took a whole package of wipes out of the six pack in the parents choice! At first I just thought I got a defective package...... it shook....... I looked at the package....same size...... you didn't even try to hid it this time...... It just said FIVE.....440 wipes.......not the usual 6 pack.<br /><br />There was an empty space.... someone else will notice......they have too..... it can't just be me. <br /><br />OK it can Eric just opened it....I had to buy it.....we were out..... I guess that is how you get away with it...... you are our only choices if I need to keep our costs as low as they can go! But I a, noticing and keeping track and angry.......angry about the fact that this pack is missing.....angry about the fact in several weeks it "will suddenly" <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">reappear</span> as a gimmick to make you think you care about out needs and the fact that everyone is penny pinching.......and YOU ARE TRYING TO HELP US OUT! But I will remember.......<br /><br />I wish I could boycott you..... I tried mad it 2 weeks and 5 days.....19 days...... oh yeah it did nothing in their bottom line.....made me completely sure I hated the generic diapers at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Walgre</span>&&^% and ended up costing me more money on just about everything! I am sure that you didn't even notice a dent in your bottom line...... (note I spend about $250 each week on food and other household items there).....but to me it is a huge amount.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Wal</span>-M#$%@ was the second corporate brand my kids recognized (McDonald's being first).......My son Jordan & Adrian's could say it before Grandma and most of their siblings names.......it has become the generic term for "store" at our house like xerox...... but notice.... I am watching and I know and I am mad. <br /><br />Raise the prices, but quite trying to make me think you are doing me a favor by giving me 8 more wipes or 2 more diapers or locating the missing 2 oz of generic <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Cheerios</span>! The used to be there.....you made money when you took them away,,,,,,,,, GIVE THEM BACK!Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-69807605828712351052009-04-23T20:56:00.007-05:002009-04-27T15:13:48.063-05:00Devon and Track Special Olympics......<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/devonso42309001.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 241px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 345px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/devonso42309001.jpg" border="0" /></a> or A nice Girl named "Katie"!<br /><br /><br />Today Devon got to go to the Special Olympic Track Meet. (Next week is Colin & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Melea's</span>) It was so much fun to get to spend the morning with him.....though I think the "spirits" were conspiring against me for the first 4 hours of my morning.......<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><ol><li>why did I ever let the kids (Colin & Adrian now do every day....<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">some days</span> so<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/devonso42309004.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/devonso42309004.jpg" border="0" /></a> does <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Melea</span>) start taking showers before me....... I WANT AN INSTANT HOT WATER HEATER! </li><li>someone stole the shoes I wanted to wear (after I took the time to shave my legs)</li><li>afternoon helper called in sick so I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">panicked</span> that I can't go ....but morning helper says she can stay till at least 2 pm! THANK HEAVENS</li><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Melea</span> tries to play sick till she realizes that I am taking Emerson with me..... so the plan of staying home to play with the baby....not working as she planned.... so she runs off to school to torment the staff there!</li><li>Grandma still in hospital and I am worried about her....</li><li>I finally get there.....they make us park <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">at </span>another school across a street I would not have crossed with "normal" children....let alone Devon....thank heaven I was running so late.....I sent him on the bus!</li><li>There was also a huge huge huge set of steps and I could not carry the stroller, the diaper bag, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Emerson's</span> monitors, camera , our lunch up those stairs.....and I forgot I had Emerson too!</li><li>Jordan broke my drip coffee pot <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">last</span> week, and out of instant coffee too....do they make IV coffee? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">URGH</span>!!!!!!!!<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/Devonso423009011.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/Devonso423009011.jpg" border="0" /></a></li><li></li><li>I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">really</span> do like going to Special Olympic events.....it is so nice to see so many happy faces and smiles....it can and always cheers me up....worked really well after this morning and my lack of coffee!</li></ol><p></p><ol><li>I finally found Devon and met his helper for the day. Her name was Katie.....she seemed nice and Devon was holding her hand and smiling (though he would do this with Satan and any person....no ability to distinguish) But she seemed to have the energy that Devon needs . </li></ol><p></p><p>Most people think I am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">neurotic</span> about going to all these event.....but I taught High school for a while and it is a 50 /50 chance at getting a "not so interested" helper.......and all my kids run! so I get <a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/devonso42309008.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/devonso42309008.jpg" border="0" /></a>worried....<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">OK</span> down right scared!</p><p></p><p>But no problem with our helper today......she was attentive to me, Devon and Devon's school staff as they explained his needs and issues (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">OK</span> I was a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">little worried</span> when i first saw her...and no staff....but boy did she do great!)</p><p></p><p>We got to play games.....I swear all the clubs at this high school participated....at least 20 carnival games.....Devon brought home six bubble containers and all kids of carnival treasures (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">OK</span> junk that Adrian can try to feed Emerson <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">tomorrow</span>......). But it was fun to watch Devon attempt to play the games and to see him brighten up when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Melea</span> and Adrian and he were going through the bag when he got home.</p><p><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/Devonso423009012.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 197px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/Devonso423009012.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>Devon gets to compete in "challenges" to build his skills....like hopping, and jumping, and throwing tennis balls and running to someone (his new pretty friend Katie). It might seem like a waste of time to some people....but sometimes just watching your s<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">on</span> do a little bit with a stranger ....it is amazing. </p><p></p><p>To stand back and see how that smile can bright the world. To spend a minute not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">panicked</span> about hospital bills or balancing a check book<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/Devonso42309007.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 192px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/Devonso42309007.jpg" border="0" /></a> or wondering about how or when the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">TV</span> will have some "good news" about the economy. That is what I got this morning!</p><p></p><p>Three and half hours of time with Devon (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Emerson</span> was along for the ride....and a small red nose....sunscreen must have rubbed off). We played we hugged each other, a big red dog, played clap clap with S<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">piderman</span> & W<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">olverine</span>, were timid with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Captian</span> America and just hugged the heck out of the "Tiger".<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/Devonso423009010.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/Devonso423009010.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p>We through some pom poms, blew bubbles, picked ducks & fish out of water, got matching <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">tattoos</span>, got <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">covered</span> in Peanut Butter & jelly and watched him drink a full carton of chocolate milk! Then we ran some, jumped some and threw some balls. We even crammed ourselves into a port-a-potty together for a diaper change! (Katie held Emerson....thanksso much!)</p><p></p><p>I want to thank all the kids and people that made this day special....the planning is not so easy to pull off an event like this! These young adults worked hard to put the special in "Speacial Olymipics"! From the girls dress up int heose hot costumes on the 80 degree day, to the ones helping me with parking (even if I grumbled) </p><p></p><p>I had a wonderful time. It was amazing! Devon is Devon.....I keep hoping for a miricle or breakthrough or something, but I spend most of the time thinking he is never going to change.</p><p></p><p>Do not take that as depressed as it sounds. I loved seeing all the smiles he gave to people today and all the hugs. I loved seeing how much he has grown this school year. And after spending the day with him today. I am sort of happy that he hasn't changed to much .....yet!</p><p></p><p>I think for him..... the world will always revolve around him and what "Devon "wants...... but today he wanted to share it with me & Katie and it sure was "totally awesome"!</p><p></p><p>ps- I am feeling quite old all of a sudden! and wondering why two grown adults with college degrees can't make microwave popcorn with out burning it!</p>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-58753877721234130502009-04-01T08:57:00.006-05:002009-04-01T09:22:19.934-05:00Adrian's Newly Painted Room!!!!<div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/adrianroom4109006.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 157px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/adrianroom4109006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>I finally got a round to painting Adrian's new room......she moved in last May 1st (before Devon came and we moved everyone around). </div><div><br />Cause you know having eight kids including the new baby....making painting so easy! Let us not forget that Adrian wanted to help which then involved a lot of wet wipes and Mr. Clean Eraser's and carpet cleaner (she <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">stepped</span> in the pink paint and the tracked it everywhere!)<br /><br /><br /></div><div>I never got to paint it....cause when I had time I found out I was pregnant..... and wanted to wait till the end of first trimester..... the the puking came........ and the rest is a long history. </div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/adrianroom4109008.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/adrianroom4109008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div>We had her bed made ----just not painted....... and we had moved all her stuff up there (it is a loft above our bedroom). Sometime she has the most expensive carpet in the house with all her clothes and toys all over!</div></div><div> </div><div><div>So before Devon came we moved all hers, Colin's & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Melea's</span> doll's (their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">twinns</span>) and the clothes I made them...... her special doll house and the EVIL barbie who wears <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">every ones</span> clothes....... I hate that three foot tall thing! I mistake it for a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">child</span> all the time!<br /><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/adrianroom4109001.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 175px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/adrianroom4109001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>It is long and skinny........ likely <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Melea</span> will end up there some day and Miranda in with Eliza so there are two in every room. </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/adrianroom4109009.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/adrianroom4109009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>So here they are...... by the way she picked all the colors and decided what to do....... I just painted and got yelled at cause I was taking to long! </div><div><br /><br />Adrian just loves bright colors and putting as many together as humanly possible! <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">She</span> is so bright and cheery and her clothing shows that so I let her paint that in her room too! </div><div> </div><div>I figure if she ever turns into a "goth"..... I will know..... really quickly! I do not even think she owns anything that is black.<br /><br /></div><div>I also wrote out my favorite saying..... I think I tell her every day at least twice....... YOU SO NOT HAVE TO BE THE BEST....... YOU JUST HAVE TO TRY YOUR BEST!!!! The funniest thing was when she used it back at me...... I love her....<br /><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/adrianroom4109002.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /></div><div>She doesn't like the green in the steps..... she wanted the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">pepto bismo</span> pink (I HATE PINK and since I see it from my closet I did <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">preempt</span> her!) and I love we green!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>We just have to make the curtains for the 36" x 164" window! & The normal one. I fell in love with some at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Wal-Mart</span>..... but they discontinued them when I wasn't looking .....hot magenta balloon shades. I did get three on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">eBay</span> for $10. But I need 10 more..... so I think we will likely end up sewing them!</div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/adrianroom4109012.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 195px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/adrianroom4109012.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>She does have the most awesome view..... third floor from the top of Thunder Mountain....... down on the valley.......</div><div><br /><br /> </div><div>I also want her to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">remember</span> all the things she can be ...... <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">in case</span> I forget to tell her every morning with the eight of them and trying to get them out the door!</div><div><br /> </div><div>BY THE WAY SHE IS A COLORFUL GIRL..... that is a mild outfit int the photos! Have a great day! You can not see the purple paisley <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">leggins</span> and hot pink glitter shoes.</div></div></div></div></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-4452319367445751632009-03-21T08:40:00.010-05:002009-03-21T09:24:05.176-05:00Today is Wold Down Syndrome Day!!!!March 21st......3- 21 (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ie</span> three 21st chromosomes) what causes Down Syndrome. <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /> </div><div>Down syndrome<br />From <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wikipedia</span>, the free encyclopedia<br />Jump to: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome#column-one">navigation</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome#searchInput">search</a><br /><a title="This article is semi-protected due to vandalism." href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Protection_policy#semi"></a><br />Down <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">syndrome Classification</span> and external resources<br /><a class="image" title="Drill.jpg" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Drill.jpg"></a><br />From <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Wikipedia</span>........ <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong><em>Down syndrome</em></strong>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Down's</span> syndrome, or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">trisomy</span> 21 is a </span><a class="mw-redirect" title="Chromosomal disorder" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromosomal_disorder"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">chromosomal disorder</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;"> caused by the presence of all or part of an extra </span><a title="Chromosome 21 (human)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromosome_21_(human)"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">21st chromosome</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;">. </span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="color:#ffcc00;">It is named after </span><a title="John Langdon Down" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Langdon_Down"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">John <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Langdon</span> Down</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;">, the British doctor who described the syndrome in 1866. The disorder was identified as a chromosome 21 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">trisomy</span> by </span><a title="Jérôme Lejeune" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A9r%C3%B4me_Lejeune"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Jérôme</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Lejeune</span></span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;"> in 1959. </span></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><span style="color:#ffcc00;">The condition is characterized by a combination of major and minor differences in structure. Often Down syndrome is associated with some impairment of </span><a title="Cognition" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognition"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">cognitive</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;"> ability and </span><a title="Child development" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_development"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">physical growth</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;"> as well as facial appearance. Down syndrome in a baby can be identified with </span><a title="Amniocentesis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amniocentesis"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">amniocentesis</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;"> during pregnancy or at birth.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Individuals with Down syndrome tend to have a lower than average cognitive ability, often ranging from mild to moderate </span><a title="Developmental disability" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developmental_disability"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">developmental disabilities</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;">. A small number have severe to profound mental disability. The </span><a title="Incidence (epidemiology)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incidence_(epidemiology)"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">incidence</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;"> of Down syndrome is estimated at 1 per 800 to 1,000 births, although these statistics are heavily influenced by the age of the mother. Other factors may also play a role.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Many of the common physical features of Down syndrome also appear in people with a standard set of chromosomes. They may include a </span><a title="Single transverse palmar crease" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_transverse_palmar_crease"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">single transverse <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">palmar</span> crease</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;"> (a single instead of a double crease across one or both palms, also called the Simian crease), an almond shape to the eyes caused by an </span><a title="Epicanthic fold" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicanthic_fold"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">epicanthic</span> fold</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;"> of the eyelid, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">upslanting</span> </span><a title="Palpebral fissure" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palpebral_fissure"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">palpebral</span> fissures</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;"> (the separation between the upper and lower eyelids), shorter limbs, </span><a title="Hypotonia" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypotonia"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">poor muscle tone</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;">, a larger than normal space between the big and second toes, and protruding tongue. Health concerns for individuals with Down syndrome include a higher risk for </span><a title="Congenital heart defect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congenital_heart_defect"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">congenital heart defects</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;">, </span><a title="Gastroesophageal reflux disease" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastroesophageal_reflux_disease"><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">gastroesophageal</span> reflux disease</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;">, recurrent </span><a title="Otitis" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otitis"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">ear infections</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;">, </span><a title="Obstructive sleep apnea" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obstructive_sleep_apnea"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">obstructive sleep apnea</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;">, and </span><a title="Thyroid" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">thyroid</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;"> dysfunctions.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a class="mw-redirect" title="Early Childhood Intervention" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Childhood_Intervention"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Early childhood intervention</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc00;">, screening for common problems, medical treatment where indicated, a conducive family environment, and vocational training can improve the overall development of children with Down syndrome. Although some of the physical genetic limitations of Down syndrome cannot be overcome, education and proper care will improve quality of life.</span><a title="" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_syndrome#cite_note-0"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">[1]</span></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>This is one of the nicer descriptions of T-21 (new abbreviation) uses the appropriate new terminology, cognitive disability versus retardation...... still lists all the horrible things that could be wrong (again I don't disagree with those)..... <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">in fact</span> I think my kiddos have some if not most of those things.</div><div><br /> </div><div><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong>But it doesn't mention any of the positive, fun & somewhat <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">irreverent</span> things Eric & I have gotten to experience......</strong></span></div><div><br /></div><ul><li>fierce love that does not matter what is on TV or we are having for dinner or how much money we mad or didn't make that day</li><br /><li>an understanding that God does make "mistakes" though my children are not one of them (I am thinking TICKS...... feed the birds something else)<br /><br /></li><li>what unconditional love really is.....parents of typical children (which I know have 2 1/2.....<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">decision</span> still out on Emerson!) get some of this but my other five bring me so much and I found I have a lot more for them</li><br /><li>how happy they have made my life with new friends, lots of things to do (I swear I have my own parking spot at the hospital & doctor's office) and occasionally I do feel like I went to medical school</li><br /><li>I have learned about <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">prejudice</span> too...... didn't have a lot of experience with that before..... but people are either warm and accepting of my children or they are hateful....... can't look at them or make rude comments....... that is the hardest thing..... but there are lots more good ones than bad</li><li></li><li>how to have a lot of fun doing normal things....like eating french fries or brushing teeth or sweeping the floor or doing laundry</li><li></li><li>that bouncing can be a whole family <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">activity</span></li><li></li><li>that it is physically impossible for all of to go somewhere and all come home in exactly the same clothes</li></ul><div><br /></div><p>So here are a few photos of my kids........ doing what they do best..... being kids</p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvHTJ3jBGfepwvAcHC5NfVbrNUsfFdeAS0XJ1KOtxVRxNEf0TsUCU6U-3l-75hNObAhBPEV2Byi7qPoH9UDnXtSa3xcg1ci97Gi85uTICX2s6tkS_uzWnDWkCOyeUO1vImOo2Bu5Ll2k/s1600-h/feb+2009+zoo+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315643681728778258" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvHTJ3jBGfepwvAcHC5NfVbrNUsfFdeAS0XJ1KOtxVRxNEf0TsUCU6U-3l-75hNObAhBPEV2Byi7qPoH9UDnXtSa3xcg1ci97Gi85uTICX2s6tkS_uzWnDWkCOyeUO1vImOo2Bu5Ll2k/s200/feb+2009+zoo+002.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAAum4hvTz_AK6cBG3DsfIeKCwmCXUM4YulM835SW9_eBFJzyW9EucSKhAGn6w-urEsI3kNV4fgfixX2ktv5ExzH4cMbvcktJe7T8U2XWimU9acXMhouajNXKc1xo2CVw-Sw84L62iKg/s1600-h/city+museum+12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315642572495689490" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 156px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAAum4hvTz_AK6cBG3DsfIeKCwmCXUM4YulM835SW9_eBFJzyW9EucSKhAGn6w-urEsI3kNV4fgfixX2ktv5ExzH4cMbvcktJe7T8U2XWimU9acXMhouajNXKc1xo2CVw-Sw84L62iKg/s200/city+museum+12.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><p></p><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPPEPZ2kL8pnm9AFZNceWHkwNrlktVPsU-w1uR3D8STbQiFEG5rNjd3XwV1DOp0-SlPp8144iJSM9-7GNDXlUGeOO1-uEE7XONZtOwCn5rndOSDKZ3lw1KVJw0meULW5duAUAdH520xo/s1600-h/first+day+school+08+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315643681034147874" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPPEPZ2kL8pnm9AFZNceWHkwNrlktVPsU-w1uR3D8STbQiFEG5rNjd3XwV1DOp0-SlPp8144iJSM9-7GNDXlUGeOO1-uEE7XONZtOwCn5rndOSDKZ3lw1KVJw0meULW5duAUAdH520xo/s200/first+day+school+08+031.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIw-jZiT4msZdq3zif9IwkGqo1kKONlrXKvIRRH1vlZKg9EAlbqyOSu-solKsltxq-QG9DN8UPbIfEYuDQiRjdZbt4lQF84c9At9y8-L1_40aTNADnDW6ic3YquYbhLxlR7MrPcXGAUo/s1600-h/Copy+of+ds+2008+picnic+8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315643679439504322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 114px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTIw-jZiT4msZdq3zif9IwkGqo1kKONlrXKvIRRH1vlZKg9EAlbqyOSu-solKsltxq-QG9DN8UPbIfEYuDQiRjdZbt4lQF84c9At9y8-L1_40aTNADnDW6ic3YquYbhLxlR7MrPcXGAUo/s200/Copy+of+ds+2008+picnic+8.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac9Xs-qV6VXHlQnq34mOUbOLyqkBJfotXalNLd1KtoqQJKTfqd9xOi2lclXfJXiFBccIOcr-V8sJpeF1Ut6JF8YTgHoPz4b7C5atViRIzal5vfEO95wJ3653g1MFyV1tDyAZvc0eQdXc/s1600-h/colin+8th+birthday+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315643669918873874" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac9Xs-qV6VXHlQnq34mOUbOLyqkBJfotXalNLd1KtoqQJKTfqd9xOi2lclXfJXiFBccIOcr-V8sJpeF1Ut6JF8YTgHoPz4b7C5atViRIzal5vfEO95wJ3653g1MFyV1tDyAZvc0eQdXc/s200/colin+8th+birthday+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk06bpJ9gDH9VzTSmhGBENzHQZt6YZlZS1BCMhPsGaUHIcE3UnzL2qAwAgBj8syTpUBFATEW-HpZPT7zh1mr4i3J06F0ZDrDvQcGyY64ubXtPB3Hn34fwID4WO_NPOVrJetXUk8K6-umQ/s1600-h/boo+at+zoo+2008+10.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315642568126795778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 193px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk06bpJ9gDH9VzTSmhGBENzHQZt6YZlZS1BCMhPsGaUHIcE3UnzL2qAwAgBj8syTpUBFATEW-HpZPT7zh1mr4i3J06F0ZDrDvQcGyY64ubXtPB3Hn34fwID4WO_NPOVrJetXUk8K6-umQ/s200/boo+at+zoo+2008+10.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGT1H9979BhAJQhf6d-sgz1eD06qEgp0YCoJqEO6UrLKrxDJyKxW0B96z1fHnw5ZNQtbwo2m8FU7nv9yVt4Qeso1vKegWCFwHFlsY3eT54zu0TrZ34RBREnBr5ZzCgScvANoVsW5cZuwQ/s1600-h/cardinals+game+june+08+03.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315642568521323474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGT1H9979BhAJQhf6d-sgz1eD06qEgp0YCoJqEO6UrLKrxDJyKxW0B96z1fHnw5ZNQtbwo2m8FU7nv9yVt4Qeso1vKegWCFwHFlsY3eT54zu0TrZ34RBREnBr5ZzCgScvANoVsW5cZuwQ/s200/cardinals+game+june+08+03.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4RHEZqUDyPIWLdjiPUEQyfm5HEi3oH1ra9-SR3tg7QolRHjWfQXvU8xDWSlqpc02-RDxLqIcqSgWQ_ZbYJKnP-i4MEA7ahmf-E1eNP-JxNRSkKZxfk5VXaTqjk21b_qJllfoV4e70Ns/s1600-h/devon+finalization+002.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315643675628545810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4RHEZqUDyPIWLdjiPUEQyfm5HEi3oH1ra9-SR3tg7QolRHjWfQXvU8xDWSlqpc02-RDxLqIcqSgWQ_ZbYJKnP-i4MEA7ahmf-E1eNP-JxNRSkKZxfk5VXaTqjk21b_qJllfoV4e70Ns/s200/devon+finalization+002.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vNYmwGBf3qQhvF5Uag7kU1qaQuAapaBHps9eFNBV8NNSPonnVK9bmHk_-vv9KW2N4For2OQkOhunE0RDuvTtNhn0fusjygb7Cq2mrvn0saGrC1L52_doDdVjCjJOQEE8kByxYZ59mMo/s1600-h/christmas+2008+015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315642573011299122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 163px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vNYmwGBf3qQhvF5Uag7kU1qaQuAapaBHps9eFNBV8NNSPonnVK9bmHk_-vv9KW2N4For2OQkOhunE0RDuvTtNhn0fusjygb7Cq2mrvn0saGrC1L52_doDdVjCjJOQEE8kByxYZ59mMo/s200/christmas+2008+015.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2fU3xFGWOXRPISDqQKFzT8IAGGI1qj9MTPiZoavBECOulSNJK0rSn_4chfSYCiNLfno6rI8P0st1bIy4eyJQMDQmxIjSjl1p-DXGtyRvWQkp5x6FIRtEaTeVA2qLs9wA5VpOHQjT2qY/s1600-h/blues+game+oct+2008+007.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315642564706930866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2fU3xFGWOXRPISDqQKFzT8IAGGI1qj9MTPiZoavBECOulSNJK0rSn_4chfSYCiNLfno6rI8P0st1bIy4eyJQMDQmxIjSjl1p-DXGtyRvWQkp5x6FIRtEaTeVA2qLs9wA5VpOHQjT2qY/s200/blues+game+oct+2008+007.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>HAPPY WORLD DOWN SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY!!!!</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-15871450288987701292009-03-20T19:54:00.005-05:002009-03-20T20:16:29.289-05:00Making Fun of People I LoveHere is a copy of the letter I sent our President this evening...... there are lots of other things I would like to say....... but I tried to keep it on point and not as rambling as I usually am.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;">Dear Mr. President Barack Obama,<br /><br />I will likely be one of thousands (I wish millions) of letters you get regarding your comments about your bowling score last night on the Jay Leno Show.<br /><br />I was proud to vote for you this past November. I was even prouder listening to your inauguration speech in January. I have watched you with your wife and children on TV, in the print media and I have fallen in love with your family and all you represent in America. But last night you not only made me angry. You set a horrible example for your children as well as other people and their children. You inadvetantly implied that making fun of the cognitively and physically disabled is allowable.<br /><br />I am a very proud mother of eight children. I have five beautiful ones that we adopted with Down syndrome, as well as three biological children. All of my adopted little ones were adopted from the US foster care system. They represent several races and a lot of different abilities!<br /><br />Your insensitive joke in front of millions of Americans implies that it is “ok” to make fun of this population. Most times I ignore or choose not to hear these harsh words (like retard, or short bus, or the Special Olympics) and other joking comments my friends, co workers, professionals and other people make in my presence or in the presence of my children. As long as these people do not do so with the intent to really harm my children or purposefully make the joke about them.<br /><br />How can I do this…… well I chalk it up to ignorance and small world education and very little thought given to how this and other words really can affect people. However, you are brilliant man! You are not a sophomoric college student or a “Ben Stiller “type of character in a movie……. This is why I am ANGRY! MAD! HORRIFIED and SAD!<br /><br />When you, Hollywood actors / TV personalities and other educated people make little comments (like last nights) even with no amount of disparaging intended toward my children, it shows all others it is OK!<br /><br />Believe it or not, my biological five year old knows that people make fun of her because of her siblings, she doesn’t understand why she just cries and wants to understand what is wrong. And with your comment last night you gave them permission to continue to do this…. Because they heard a smart, articulate man…… our current leader….. say this so it is ok.<br /><br />You spoke these words on April 11th 2008.<br />"We must build a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination.... policies must be developed, attitudes must be shaped, and buildings and organizations must be designed to ensure that everyone has a chance to get the education they need and live independently as full citizens in their communities." -- Barack Obama.<br /><br />I voted for you “not because you were the lesser of two” but because you were above what I have seen from most politicians in my lifetime. You had an agenda and given thought to the plight of the disabled. You do not see health care access as a privilege, your sense of humor is actually really amazing (most times) and you believe in really helping and changing America in a direction I feel we need to go~! (and we both have a daughter named Maliah….though I spell it right & a great Rainbow in our yard)<br /><br />So please do the things you promised and show my children you care by reforming health care, making their education the best available, helping elevate poverty, and leading the USA in a better direction…… and remember the example you set…… and try not make a little girl cry because someone repeats you joke in front of her and she realizes that you (and the person repeating it) were making fun of her family!<br /><br /><br />Mom of Eight in Eureka, MO<br /><br />Jane Leahy-Smith</span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Do I wish for a personal apology</span><span style="color:#ffcc00;">.....yes.......</span><br /><br />Do I want him and his wife to help with the Special Olympic event on the 31st of the month for making America aware of how hurtful the word "RETARDED" or any variant is to some people.... <span style="color:#ffcc00;">would be a nice way to make up to a bunch of people who would all likely beat him at bowling (I know Colin can!!!!) Maybe he should get some bumpers.</span><br /><br />Do I want a congressional bill making YOU TUBE to remove the horrible comments and videos some people post about adults and children with developmental disabilities....that would be nice<br /><br />I am realistic....so I will settle for ...... hmmm....ok ......<strong><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;">I just want him to fix it so my kids can grow up and not have to worry about having to not have a job so they can have health care!</span></em></strong>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-61643169794241491092009-02-16T08:46:00.000-06:002009-02-17T09:11:07.239-06:00We are coming home!!!!!We are coming home <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tomorrow</span>............ it was hoped for today, but we had a few snags getting the home health set up! (always the paperwork)<br /><br />So we are going home on Tuesday. I am promising to run out of the N<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ICU</span> as soon as they sign all my papers and not trip!!!! Eric even took the day off and all the kids were excited cause they were home and could come (OK I am sure Lynn and Angie were excited to come too).... but they will go to school and I will send him to work to not jinx it!<br /><br />But I will get a chance to say goodbye to our favorite nurses and secretary (they come in again on Tuesday) and hopefully hug a few more parents....... I have watched so many people leave ..... I know they are counting the days too. My hall mate has been here for 6 months~ You would have had to lock me up if we had been here that long! But he is going home <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tomorrow</span> too!<br /><br />Get ready for photo overload <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">tomorrow</span>!Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-90195917459234619462009-02-14T08:12:00.003-06:002009-02-16T12:18:35.166-06:00The Tater Tot and the ValentineI had a horrible start to my Valentines Day this morning. I came to the hospital Friday night about 9:30 pm after a fun afternoon with the kids, Colin's valentine party and the ice cream to celebrate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Melea'</span>s birthday and about two hours of six of us pigging out on all the Valentine's candy. So I was tired when I got here........<br /><br />Emerson had a new nurse who fed him yesterday and he broke his streak of no heart rate drops!!!!! I was crying...... I had been so excited when they said he was going to get to go home after we waited four days with no drops...... <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">well</span> we had made almost 72 hours and I had started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.<br /><br />Well then he had two with me when we were breast feeding and another when he was sucking his finger. He can not a;ways process the sucking, breathing, eating and "farting" thing at one time. You have to watch him cause one of them needs to stop (ironically my son chooses to stop breathing and then drop his heart rate dangerously low and turn purple!)<br /><br />So hear I sat in the parents lounge waiting for my breakfast to come up pouting and crying...... I was frustrated cause we weren't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">going</span> home, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">I was</span> frustrated cause we were going on seven weeks here, I was frustrated cause I just ordered the same breakfast I have eaten for the last 30+ days and I just wanted hash brown...... but they are only on the kids menu, no <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">the</span> parents.....<br /><br />So I am just looking like an idiot, and up comes my tray...... I sign for it and still am teary eyed (Like I can make him quit having these drops or make them let me take him home.....and I have been considering stealing / kidnapping him when I come in so late at night and am just sitting here) well on my tray are tater tots! <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">OK</span> they are not hash browns, but they are closer than I have ever gotten.<br /><br />It was a mistake, but it made me stop and realize that maybe I can't have everything the way I want it....... but at least I can get something..... and I smile a little. I then move my milk and under it is a valentine. My kids remembered and all made me things, but Eric has had no time to get me anything and we usually don't go out..... but I am wanting someone to tell me how special I am (not cause of my kids or the time I put in) but because they really like me! Well I get a sponge bob valentine from a little child named Dylan!<br /><br />I have grown to love sponge bob over the last year and it is depicting my favorite episode...... where sponge bob and Patrick are playing in a box! They use their imagination and making <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">believe</span> and driving <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Squidward</span> nuts!!!!! This just made me chuckle.... cause I love this episode and I know that their are some new episodes <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">premiering</span> on Monday and I actually am planning on watching them! (IRONIC ISN'T it!!!!!)<br /><br />So this little mistake of the tater tots and piece of paper from a "Dylan" who was probably forced to write this in school made a very say and depressed lady realize that Monday may not be our dismissal day but Tuesday could be! <br /><br />(Doctors said he is still going home and not to cry later...... it will just be when home health gets everything set up!!!!)Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-85514854525449378302009-02-13T20:44:00.009-06:002009-02-16T12:53:56.538-06:00Valentines & Friendship Parties!<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00036.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 188px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00036.jpg" border="0" /></a>Well it has been party time at school lately! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Melea</span> & Adrian's were Thursday. I helped in the resource room and their party also on Thursday and Colin & Devon's were Friday.<br /><br />Party days are always a depressing time for me. I wish I could go into them more upbeat, and excited but I always get to be smacked in the face that there is something different about my "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">chromosomally</span> enhanced" children now when I attend their parties in their integrated rooms than I was we were in preschool or just go to their resource room celebrations.<br /><br />It was one of the reasons I was so looking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">forward</span> to Adrian going to school this year! It is nice that I can go and see her interacting and participating and not <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hiding</span> under the table or trying to run away. <br /><br />And valentines (oh our school calls them friendship parties) Day <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">celebrations</span> are even more difficult...... cause they have required the signing of valentines, and of course each class has a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">different</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">rule</span> so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Melea</span> and Adrian are just <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">supposed</span> to put their name on them.....no other stuff, but Adrian fights me because she wants to give specific people specific ones. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Melea</span> can't really write all her name in such a small space and it takes three nights to get all 22 of hers signed. Devon only needs four, but he just scribbles so Miss Lynn writes his name and lets him scribble all over them, same for Eliza and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Miranda</span>. <br /><br />However this year Colin's teacher wants them to put the other children's name on them...... what a nightmare....time consuming thing. Thank heaven for Miss Lynn and her helping me cause with all the hospital visits I just didn't have time to give Colin the time he deserved to complete this task (It took 3+ hours to get 17 valentines written on) with their name and his and of course he had to stop and draw one of his famous pictures on each one!<br /><br />So Valentines day requires a lot of work from mom (Gosh I love <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Halloween</span>....show up and watch<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00029.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 193px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00029.jpg" border="0" /></a> them eat candy!) a head of time. Dad did try.... but he just doesn't get it, so thank heave for Miss Lynn!<br /><br />Well I managed to make it to Adrian's party on time (I was waiting for a consult with the doctor) and it was fun, but I had to run back and forth between the preschool room and hers (thank heavens they are next to each other).....<br /><br />Afterwards I take Adrian out to lunch for our special date. She loves Mexican and so off we went to our favorite Mexican place. She was so excited to go there and to eat lunch! I just love watching her enthusiasm! She is just so happy and excited and usually fun to spend time with!<br /><br />We run back to school, I pump in the parking lot...making two bottles for Emerson. Adrian and I listen to the Wiggles while waiting! Then I go to our next party. In the resource room for Colin and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Melea</span>. I bring the crafts and the candy and the food. The kids were wonderful! All four of the little ones in the room (ironically two of them ARE NOT mine), we made candy necklaces, made a photo collage for our parents, while working on scissor skills and other fine motor craft skills and then the funnest <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">activity</span> was making the "Fruit and cheese <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">kabob's</span>" and eating them!<br /><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00049.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00049.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I think they all enjoyed this activity and we didn't leave them on a sugar high for their afternoon classes.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Melea's</span> party was in the late afternoon and for a change..... she was not the worst behaved child in the class. She actually wanted to participate (I think it was the promise of ice cream sundaes at the end).<br /><br />Colin & Devon's parties were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Friday</span>!<br /><br />Colin's party was actually pretty fun. Maybe because his room parents don't plan too many activities, maybe cause it doesn't have the "one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">upmanship</span>" that the other room parties seem to have! I really am not sure what makes it different, cause Colin is so much below his typical peers in so many areas (though these children all seem to love having him there) but this class he seems to really enjoy being in and sharing things with them when I watch him.<br /><br />Colin makes me a necklace (which I am still wearing) after reading a wonderful story as a group and then they get a few cookies and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">capri</span> sun. Simple and sweet.....it was just a special way to finish off what usually have been things that I dread going too.<br /><br />Devon's school just had a small celebration and parents were not invited, but I know he enjoyed it cause I asked him how it went and he smiled and laid down on the floor and made his happy noise! (or maybe he was just happy to see me) It just made me smile and realize how loved I am and how much my kids need me!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-64826701862936431542009-02-12T20:12:00.004-06:002009-02-16T11:59:19.691-06:00We passed the Car Seat Test!!!!!Eric and I have been busy getting the house ready (if cleaning three to five days before anything.... means it will still be clean when he comes home <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">LOL</span>) ; We have taken the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">requisite</span> CPR & First aide classes; watched all the videos and I am supposed to learn how to take care of a baby on Friday (I guess previous experience and having seven counts <a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson021209003.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson021209003.jpg" border="0" /></a>for little!)<br /><br />But we passed the last hurdle this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">morning</span> (other than the obvious of getting the orders and running out the door!)...... we sat up in our car seat for two hours! No saturation drops and no heart rate issues! Yeah for Emerson!!!!!<br /><br />But of course I think I deserve a round of applause, I bought the car seat, made dad install it in the car (so it could be inspected) then I unhooked it from the van, and carried it with all my "crap" and my computer into the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hospital</span> got it to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">NICU</span> (it weighs 29 lbs and is dead <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">weight</span>) at 4 am! I also got it back to the car later on my way to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Melea</span> and Adrian's valentine parties.<br /><br />S0 I think mom deserves a little congratulations too!Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-15180735014187609072009-02-11T20:47:00.001-06:002009-02-16T11:58:36.684-06:00Special Olympic Bowling Field Trip<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC000672.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 153px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC000672.jpg" border="0" /></a>I went with Colin & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Melea</span> on their field trip yesterday. Well I actually met them their after going to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NICU</span> at 3 am to visit Emerson and spending time with him till 9:30 am. It is so hard, because I do love riding the bus..... but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Melea</span> was so excited to see me.<br /><br />Colin kept signing "Mommy light" and "Mommy sleep" ..... I think he was trying to say that mommy needs to sleep and what was I doing out in the light.... I have only been seeing them in the dark (after 5 pm each day till they go to bed) and then back to the hospital.<br /><br />So <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Melea</span> was so happy to see me, Colin just kissed me and helped his <a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC000562.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC000562.jpg" border="0" /></a>teacher put on his shoes and went on down to the other end of the bowling alley..... no come with me or I don't want to leave my mom......<br /><br />He is growing up so much....... However <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Melea</span> just wants me to stay with her and stand next to her or let her sit on my lap. She is not interested in bowling or her teacher........ just hugging and loving mom (boy I did sort of need that!!!)<br /><br />Well her super aide. Mrs R..... gets her down to the alley and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Meleas</span> d<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">oes</span> awesome. She is still under seven (just for a few more days) therefore she gets to use bumpers. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Melea</span> bowled a 75 and and 89. She<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC000582.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 191px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC000582.jpg" border="0" /></a> got two strikes and won a participation ribbon. She was so excited and wore it all night long and wanted it on her PJ's when we changed at home later that evening!<br /><br />Colin did super also, though I only managed to get down there a few times to see him. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Though</span> he bowled a strike <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">every time</span> I was able to watch...... four in the two games. He still gets to use a ramp (if he wants too) but no more <a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC000662.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 238px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC000662.jpg" border="0" /></a>bumpers!!!!!<br /><br />Colin won a silver medal for the day for his age bracket! He was not at first that interested in the medal but after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Melea</span> wanted it ..... he got very proud and very excited. He wore it home after school on the bus and let each of his siblings and mom try it on! It was really exciting to see how proud he was and how he tried to tell Miss Lynn and daddy what he did to win the medal (and it was really cool cause it was made out of metal and really nice!!!!) Adrian was a little jealous!<br /><br /><div><div><div></div></div></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-92043191993094219432009-02-10T20:15:00.001-06:002009-02-16T11:48:09.297-06:00"No Nose Emerson!"I<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson021109005.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson021109005.jpg" border="0" /></a> took Colin to visit Emerson today. He kept singing "no nose" and pointing to his own face. Now I am such a horrible mom cause I just nodded and smiled at him and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pretend</span> I had a clue of what he was trying to say! He just kept repeating it and was so excited!<br /><br />He usually is really excited when we visit Emerson, so I did not think this was that unusual. All the way home we was telling me "no nose"! and "feel good"<br /><br />About two hours later I realized he was trying to tell me that Emerson had nothing in his nose!!!!<br /><br />Which I knew....... his feeding tube came out that morning, but I was surprised that Colin remember the tubes and was really so excited to learn that he was realizing that this must make Emerson (or possibly himself or me) feel better. Now I just have to wait for him to quit asking when Emerson is coming home....... he is just as annoying asking me <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">everyday</span> as I am sure I am to the doctors!<br /><br />So congratulations Emerson...... no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">NG</span> tube today!Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-11548771733148201072009-02-08T08:18:00.009-06:002009-02-16T11:39:17.131-06:00The Zoo and the other kids!<div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/feb2009zoo004-1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/feb2009zoo004-1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Miss Kay;a and I took the children to the zoo Saturday (in between my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NICU</span> visits). But he weather has been so nice we just had to get out and try the new quad stroller!!!! It just wasn't the same without Emerson, but Miss Kayla and I really were as excited about the stroller as we were about the 60 degree <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">temperatures</span>. </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>It was not the best zoo trip we have ever had. They have the high way all torn up, so it took forever to get into the parking lot after we got to the Zoo area. (35 minutes of mom why aren't we moving....... I love irony in the fact I was so excited for them to learn to talk...... then I was just praying that we parked before my patience wore too thin!)</div><br /><br /><br /><div>We had to get lunch...... and of course my kids do not understand "lets wait till 1:30 pm.... crowds will <span style="color:#ffff00;">be</span> less....." Cause when they are hungry, they are hungry! So we waited in another line..... almost 40 minutes to get food with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Melea</span> and Adrian in line with me...... talking to me about how long the line was and crying how hungry they were.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Irony of irony, as we got one away from ordering, Adrian had to <a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00090.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00090.jpg" border="0" /></a>pee!!!! I told her she had to wait....... we weren't getting out of line, Kayla had the other kids outside watching the geese and other water foul while trying to round up enough chairs for the family. I really wasn't sure whose job was worse!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div>We all enjoyed our lunch. The kids got a kick out of feeding the ducks and geese the french fries. (not the original plan), but Devon decided to toss his food off the table and it made it down onto the melting ice in the pond. Adrian and Colin were so amazed that the birds were not slipping on the ice as they fought over the food!</div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div>We then went to the reptile house to see the snakes...... we found out we do not like hills with the new stroller!!!! Course I really want to have a zoo that is not built on hills to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">make</span> MY LIFE easier! But we managed to make it up the big hill and spend about 25 minutes looking at all the reptiles and amphibians in there till the low light made Devon angry!.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00058.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 186px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00058.jpg" border="0" /></a>We had to sing to Devon all the way through the ape, and chimp exhibit (all of us .... including Adrian & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Melea</span> while Colin held his hand). We then went to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">carousel</span>..... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">and</span> took a whirl, though <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Miranda</span> was so adamant that she wanted to ride again....... she turned around and climbed back on after we had left and were loading up the stroller (she climbed under the bars)!<br /><br /></div><br /><div>We then went to see the bears and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">penguins</span> and puffins!!!! That <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">stroller</span> is huge.....33" across but we made it in and out the door at the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">penguin</span> house! That was really exciting. Devon and Miranda both really enjoyed the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">penguin</span> house today and tried to tell me about them. Eliza does the best sign for penguin with her whole <a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/feb2009zoo002.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/feb2009zoo002.jpg" border="0" /></a>body!!!! </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>We then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">stopped</span> at the front of the bug house to play a little. Colin, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Melea</span> and Adrian climbed all over the large <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">beetle</span>!!!!! They had a blast for almost 10 minutes. Then they started posing for photos!</div><br /><div>I love taking their pictures!!!!</div><br /><div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/feb2009zoo003.jpg"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But the coolest part was when Devon signed play!!!!! I decided to let him out of his wheel chair at this time because there were only children bigger than him on the bug or around at that moment. (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">remember</span> he still likes hitting other children smaller than him when he wants to play with someone)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Well he took my hand and we both walked over to the bug, he pointed to it and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">wanted</span> me to help him up! He said mom and pointed!!!!! Well I let him climb up and watched him as he made plans on how to get up higher and closer to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Melea</span> (she is his new best friend and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">substitute</span> mom)!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">amazing</span> to see him making these plans and then see him smile as he carried them out! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Melea</span> was jumping up and down on the bugs head cheering him on and Colin ran around the side to "catch him" if he feel <a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/feb2009zoo003.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/feb2009zoo003.jpg" border="0" /></a>off...... <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">OK</span> maybe he was going to hit him and that encouraged Devon to stay on...... but we can think he would catch him!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><div>Devon finally made it up to the head, and held on with Mom and Kayla in arm's reach...... but I really did have to step back to take this photo..... we were both amazed......<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">especially</span> with the fact we really forced ourselves to stay a the zoo when he was having one of his "pumpkin moments" and the onlookers were staring at the crazy lady singing "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Itsy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Bitsy</span> Spider " for the 30<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">th</span> time!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><div>Course he "slid / plopped off" a few seconds after I snapped it, but it was amazing!!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><div>Next we stopped for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">pretzels</span> and funnel cakes before we were to go home. Adrian went up to order with me this time, while Miss Kayla got every one juice and sat down <a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/feb2009zoo004.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 162px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/feb2009zoo004.jpg" border="0" /></a>and got ready for the bathroom parade to come. Adrian spent about 5 minutes telling me how much she likes <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">pretzels</span> and NOT funnel cakes...... they would be an "unhealthy" choice. Now I love <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">pretzels</span> and so does daddy (he never had a funnel cake till last year..... I guess not enough Church festivals in upstate NY)...... so Adrian had to have a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">pretzel</span> to share with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Melea</span> ........ So I bought two of each!<br /><br /></div><br /><div> </div><div>The kids were waiting and really hungry again! They all asked for a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">piece</span> of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">pretzel</span>. However I found out none of them really wanted them....... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Melea</span> handed me back her chewed on piece and Jordan tried to put it into my mouth when I leaned over to check his juice box...... just what I wanted <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">pre-chewed</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">pretzels</span>!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><div>This whole time Adrian is telling all of us how "bad" the funnel cakes will be....... well they finally are ready, I go get them....... everyone now looks like they are having fun dumping powdered sugar all over their hears..... Colin looks the best, next thing I know Adrian has shoved her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">p<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00091.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 189px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00091.jpg" border="0" /></a>retzel</span> to the side and is devouring <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Melea's</span> funnel cake!!!!! I get told she thought a "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">pretzel</span>" was a funnel cake, and she really wanted the one with the white stuff! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><div>Devon also successfully tried funnel cake for the first time! This <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">time</span> it didn't get spit back out at us and while Kayla took <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Melea</span>, Colin and Adrian to the bathroom he kept trying to eat their parts that were on the table after he finished his! It was amazing to see him keep signing more and please. I had to go back and buy a third!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><div>After our fun and long day at the zoo.... I took the kiddos home and then went back to spend the night with Emerson at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">NICU</span>! But it sure was a fun day with the kid!</div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-41909923032666582432009-01-31T22:33:00.000-06:002009-02-03T15:05:20.065-06:00Jordan's First Haircut!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y8AWkgblz5ErhTAehlqkzCGkkgUORZnYX8ffPsOAI25TWd5AS04bSKZdzIqZjzURepd39SRsV-I2IEMXoNqBnCKiCJCLuln_xq2MaAe91_qDAXYzYkd1B3-gEXEJNXG_Bgj4UKls4eI/s1600-h/Photo_013109_001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298677526644624098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7y8AWkgblz5ErhTAehlqkzCGkkgUORZnYX8ffPsOAI25TWd5AS04bSKZdzIqZjzURepd39SRsV-I2IEMXoNqBnCKiCJCLuln_xq2MaAe91_qDAXYzYkd1B3-gEXEJNXG_Bgj4UKls4eI/s200/Photo_013109_001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Jordan got his first haircut today! He is so grown up and well on his way into the terrible two's (see <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Pre</span> -pro wrestling in my mudroom!), though he seems to want to help me do everything.....<br /><br /><br /><br />It is a lot like the Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Jekyll</span> / Mr. Hyde transition, and it usually involves him throwing himself on the floor and a lot of screaming!!!!!<br /><br /><br />But today he sat so still and wonderful as Miss Sarah at our local Custom Cuts cut his hair for the<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jBDX-W7AM724hAK4gM8TuTuucIvspdCp9Ww3AQtjTnPTWCEhJBwzIOfg-jfTsxOywjCloMfIFfWbcpT7c0gAWDHVuqnoHWanrIJQqqNhgxO4ZbXzD72CLOlPA_VCAG-HRr_6OgwxWW4/s1600-h/Photo_013109_002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298677761068877858" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jBDX-W7AM724hAK4gM8TuTuucIvspdCp9Ww3AQtjTnPTWCEhJBwzIOfg-jfTsxOywjCloMfIFfWbcpT7c0gAWDHVuqnoHWanrIJQqqNhgxO4ZbXzD72CLOlPA_VCAG-HRr_6OgwxWW4/s200/Photo_013109_002.jpg" border="0" /></a> very first time (she even managed to beat all of his siblings to it also!)<br /><br /><br />It really wasn't that long, but it could use some clean up along the edges. Sarah and Jordan both did a great job!<br /><br /><br /><br />We celebrate before the hair cut <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">excursion</span> with lunch at our Chinese restaurant with five of the seven kids. (Grandma has 2 and Emerson is still in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">NICU</span>) The kids love to eat <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Chinese</span>, though I am still not sure that sweet -n- sour chicken is not just a chicken <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">McNugget</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">disguise</span>. Devon and Colin love the lo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">mein</span> the best! It is so much fun to see Devon eat the rice and the lo <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGx3rkG7Yxiwt2NuaiR7RLlzy7MYUJCRWLq2n4rAg6Dk_eWXiod7k_ICzC5EH7_vbXO9sn3qN_xKkmSuqkPKTAWBBRDaTJ10b6weuFujkHyGqHJn4BcydM2zo0l178KeFTTX9p8CgcdY/s1600-h/Photo_013109_003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298677533339642946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGx3rkG7Yxiwt2NuaiR7RLlzy7MYUJCRWLq2n4rAg6Dk_eWXiod7k_ICzC5EH7_vbXO9sn3qN_xKkmSuqkPKTAWBBRDaTJ10b6weuFujkHyGqHJn4BcydM2zo0l178KeFTTX9p8CgcdY/s200/Photo_013109_003.jpg" border="0" /></a>mein</span>!<br /><br /><br />We also went shopping at Kohl's...... boy do I love their family bathroom!!!!! Devon and Colin were so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">intrigues</span> with the "little" kid's potty in it...... they both tried it out and then flushed it several times in the time it took me to change all five of them.<br /><br /><br />Colin just found the little potty so "cool" ....actually so did his mom....... he flushed it several times as well as put several pieces of toilet paper down it before actually trying it out with his bottom! By the way did I mention he is potty trained enough to only use toilets he "likes"...... I guess I need to get Dad and school to get one of these <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">potty's</span>! Maybe that would make it easier!<br /><br /><br />We also went to home depot to buy the lights to put up under the kids loft!....... I stayed in the car with the kids and pumped milk for<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZrYPBMxy5b-9nDd0z5PAk8s92BpvEuIxj5sKZx0Qgz53qhLzE7a7fku1JV_mrZlJsp_Yse9q3dTK_QsX6IV8bxP4-XBV793IJwDYZRz6CwAU5A0UGTGTmkYcrnpuBX866cb57SGlEGo/s1600-h/Photo_013109_004%231.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298677758711343490" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZrYPBMxy5b-9nDd0z5PAk8s92BpvEuIxj5sKZx0Qgz53qhLzE7a7fku1JV_mrZlJsp_Yse9q3dTK_QsX6IV8bxP4-XBV793IJwDYZRz6CwAU5A0UGTGTmkYcrnpuBX866cb57SGlEGo/s200/Photo_013109_004%231.jpg" border="0" /></a> Emerson.....while <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Eric</span> went <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">shopping</span> in our favorite store (even Colin & Jordan know it is the "cool" store!). I am really starting to hate pumping!!!!!!! And it is so hard to do that unobtrusively (I can breast feed without hardly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">anyone knowing</span>, but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">hooking</span> up the "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">robo</span>" suckers and having a huge bag attached and the "pumping" noise is almost as dead a give way that something is up as the fact I have huge pointed / funny shaped breasts and a shirt <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">straining</span> to try to cover it up! (NO PICTURE THE CENSORS WOULD KILL ME!)<br /><br /><br /><br />OK! You actually know your little one <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">has</span> been in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">NICU</span> too long when...........<br /><br /><ul><li>you walk past an air compressor and start dripping milk</li><li>you know what the cafeteria is serving and it is on a 21 day rotation</li><li>you know the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">maintenance</span> staff by first name</li><li>you have learned at what time to get there to get the good parking spaces</li><li>the front lobby guard knows your name and the receptionist starts printing your tag before you get there</li><li>you feel like the only reason your <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">some</span> likes you is that you are "bringing" the milk!</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>and you are counting the hours till you can bring him home!</li></ul>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-18880575938056449222009-01-23T17:13:00.005-06:002009-01-23T17:58:17.959-06:00The mudane and the utterly ridiculous!Besides my spelling ability! There are so many things in life that you are required to do...... just to check it off on a piece of paper so someone can justify their job or some thing that it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">literally</span> can cause me to scream! <div><div><br /><br /></div><div><strong><em>(CAN YOU ALL TELL I HAVE SPENT TO LONG IN THE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">NICU</span> TODAY)</em></strong></div><div><br /></div><div>Today I found out all the things I have to do to get my son out of the hospital. Ironically the least of which is him actually breathing on his own!<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson12309006.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson12309006.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Eric and I (now remember Eric could not even have his name on the baby till I got discharged from the hospital he was baby boy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">LEAHY</span>-SMITH!) have to take CPR classes ; watch different 2 videos, have our car seat checked and go to a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">preemie</span> bonding class. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div>The CPR class makes sense to me <em>(except we are both already certified cause of the adoption and good through April)</em> ..... but they don't have a spot for "have cards/or currently certified" so we have to take it miss 2 hours of our life....... then we have to watch a video on car seats and another on shaken baby syndrome.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Again irony of irony...... we have seven kids, I just bought 6 new car seats <em>(I now have 8 of them)........</em> $220 each for the van........ they are great ones <em>(radian 80.....5 point <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">harness</span> to 80 lbs and goes as low as 5 lbs)</em> and I love them! </div><div></div><div>I have been using car seats for almost 9 years now and I find it ironic to watch a video on how to install, and why we need to use them. I honestly think I could pay a semester (<em>possibly 2</em>) of my nanny's college tuition with the dollars I have spent on car seats over the last 8+ years!!!!!. <strong>HECK I wish we had seats that restrained them in other places too</strong> <em><strong>(like restaurants or the ball game or the zoo)</strong></em></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>But that also could be why I have to watch shaken babies..... course again after 7 kids, five home studies and all our adoption classes you would think that this has been covered and we have at least proven our ability to parent without this.... but alas I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">guess</span> that 35 minute video will fix this ability in some parents or present something that will keep a normal person from doing this...... again time I am not getting back! </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson12309004.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 146px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson12309004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Preemie</span> bonding, we seem to breasting feeding well.... so I am thinking my bonding is going as well as it can when I am not in my own home, with all the kids, and having to have 10-20 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">interruptions</span> every hour into our life <em>(from weighing the poop nappies, to alarms always going off somewhere, to people in the hall to lights, and vitals........ plus the normal baby issues we have!)</em><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of bonding Eric got to hold him today for the first time. It has been because he was sick and we needed to wait till his antibiotics kicked in till he could hold him, cause Eric had a really sore <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">throat</span> and a slight head cold for a few days.... but it never stopped him from visiting, or bringing me to the hospital or from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">singing</span> to him while he was here . <em>(Emerson really likes to hear his dad sing!)</em></div><div><br /><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson12309001.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson12309001.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>So I am happy the two of them can start bonding. I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">guess</span> it is like me with his penis...... I finally got to be sure he was a boy when I got to change his diaper <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">myself</span> (he was 7 days old at that time) up <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">until</span> then I had been taking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">every one's</span> word for it! We just have to do it when we can and when we are able all will be revealed. By the way Daddy and him looked so cute and comfortable! Like slipping into your favorite pj's or a well worn pair of shoes...... it was beautiful to see them together. It almost made me cry our last little baby!</div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><strong>Emerson UPDATE:</strong></div><div> </div><div>He is up 28.5 grams (or paper clips) since yesterday is a 1/4 inch longer since birth, his PIC line is out and all IV's and supplemental feed are ceased, he is eating at the breast when mom and breats are in the same room with him! He got to meet Kayla and she got to love on him a ton! And Eric sang the entire 2nd half of Jesus Christ Superstar to him this afternoon!</div></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-40311590622811209172009-01-22T16:39:00.005-06:002009-01-23T17:59:39.375-06:00Devon says "bye bye addie" & Emeerson Update!This morning...... just after the most awesome husband in the world packed all of the "CRAP" I need for a whole day at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NICU</span> with Emerson........ my breast feeding bag <em>(snacks protein bars, pumping supplies, writing stuff, medicines)</em>; my computer & all the stuff I need <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">to start</span> our taxes <em>(I have a notebook which was making its first journey into the outer reaches of the neighborhood with me today); </em>the breast milk bag with ten 2 oz full bottles,the camera and my cell phone.<br /><br />I turned to Devon and said.... ''bye bye''....... he waved right back at me and said "bye bye" . I asked him to say mommy, which he did....... but then he said "bye bye"to daddy.<br /><br />I was really surprised........ usually he sort of ignores Eric (which is about time cause 6 other children all have said signed or spoken the words "DADDY" long before they every uttered mommy!) So I do a lot of private gloating that at least one likes me better to learn to say mama first!<br /><br />Well I said to Eric, Devon was talking to you, he turned and I said Devon can you say "daddy". Next thing I know we have a "bye bye <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">addie</span>!" coming out of his mouth. He waved and then attempted to sign. I repeated the correct pronunciation and he repeated the phrase....... and the motion again! I repeated and made sure Eric was paying attention this time....... and again Devon said "bye bye and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">addie</span>!".<br /><br />I really hated all the time I spent in the hospital..... but I guess it had one really good effect!!!! Devon learned he has a daddy too!<br /><br />In regards to Emerson today........ he is breathing better. Still on the nasal <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cannula</span> 1L , still at 25 to 30 % and still having occasional times where he is breathing rapidly. However it seems less than yesterday.<br /><br />He was up 60 grams (paperclips) today! Again he is gaining weight really well....... we just got to breath on our own!<br /><br />Breast feeding went so much better today ..... he took breast milk at 8:30, 11:40 and 2:30. Each time was almost 20 minutes a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">the</span> breast. He still sucked and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">stopped</span>......... but he got a lot of milk in cause I pumped afterwards and I got very little from each side.<br /><br />The still put about 30 ml through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">NG</span> tube...... cause I know he is not getting a full feed (he needs 56 ml each time to grow for the 8 feedings at this moment). They also added the milk fortifier to the milk going in the tube. The docs (not the head one, but all the young residents are all concerned about how we will know if he has eaten enough or not!!!! Numbers and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">quantities</span> work so well for scientific people!!!! (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">remember</span> I am one of them too...... BUT REALLY after 7 kiddos of them I do know a thing or two about how to see if baby is getting enough food)<br /><br />He gets his PIC line out as soon as someone gets down here to do that!!!! <em>(The reason why he only can wear one arm in his clothes......) </em>this will simplify feeding..... it is always in the way...... now all the wires left on him that we have are the heart and pulse ox and the O2. The O2 is really the only one that we will likely loose before we get discharged..... these doctors love their numbers........<br /><br />I really enjoyed the day at the hospital so much!!!!! <em>(except for the taxes)</em> We did a lot of snuggling, I changed him all the time, gave him his sponge bath, and changed his outfit!!!! He looked great in the green, but looks so cute in the yellow too! (now that the jaundice has resolved!). I also had them raise the head of his bed a little higher to increase the angle....... he seems to breathing better!<br /><br />Can't wait to spend the night this weekend. It really is helping me feel more like his mom, than the lady who just drops by!<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">LEG UPDATE:</span></strong><br /><br />I got tights on them this morning!!!!!! OK they were pregnancy size 4x ones,<em> (and I was wearing a B size before pregnancy......... )</em> but they are covered and warm AND I AM HAPPY!<br /><br />The legs were really beginning to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">chafe</span> and get chapped from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">all</span> the cold weather , though ironically it was 59 degrees here today!<br /><br />Still no ability to get shoes on, and I hope this changes soon. I also did not get as tired and they didn't hurt as much today at the hospital..... I am thinking the tights didn't let any new build up happen....... so I will keep wearing them for a while!Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-89048646259505910852009-01-21T22:49:00.007-06:002009-01-23T17:10:53.227-06:00Emerson update 1-21-09<div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson12109002.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 237px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson12109002.jpg" border="0" /></a> I have to write about POOP again! I am so excited about Emerson's poop!!!!!!<br /><br /><br />Emerson has yellow seedy mustard color and consistency POOP!!!! This is a good, no really and awesomely great things....a really a great thing! Cause it shows that all the time spent attached to the breast pump is a doing something for my son.<br /><br /><br />It means he has the ability to eat and go all the way through! It makes me so proud being the "pumping fiend" that I am!!!! I really am <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">enjoying</span> the fact that Adrian and Colin keep calling me "<strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Robo</span> mom</strong>" when I am pumping.<br /><br /><br />Adrian also wants to help me each time we pump with setting up the pump and she washes out the bottles and helps <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">with</span> the labels. I am so proud of how she wants to help her baby brother!<br /><br />A lot of time I still feel like he <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">isn't</span> my son. It is so hard to leave him in total care of others when we leave each day. I even packed my clothes yesterday to stay...... I wanted to stay overnight, I needed to stay overnight....... but I cried when Adrian asked me not to on the phone (daddy asked too.......) they missed me so much when I was in the hospital (those 17 long and very lonely days!<br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson012109005.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 231px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson012109005.jpg" border="0" /></a>Sometimes I wonder if I feel so bad cause I kept <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">referring</span> to Emerson as the "Anti-Christ"...... <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">OK</span> that is such a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">harsh</span> thing for a mom to say, but realize I had a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">TPN</span> line and an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">NG</span> tube in and was still puking over a gallon every day!!!!!! As well as being hooked up to an IV and them running all types of things to try to get my blood levels back to normal (AND POTASSIUM HURTS LIKE HELL!!!!!! And has to run for 5 hours of constant stinging!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I have photos of this if anyone wants a photo of pregnancy at its worse for a birth control scenario for their kids!<br /><br /><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson12109003.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 197px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 321px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson12109003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I am so excited about how breast feeding went the first time today! He latched the second time, he used me for a snooze pillow the first feeding (no surprise there)..... he also seems to be on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">east</span> coast time..... they want him to eat every three hours (at 3, 6, 9 & 12)........ well he is always ready at hours of 2,5, 8 and 11!<br /><br />He latched really well for as small as his little mouth is...... it seemed to go very well compared to the bottle feedings, it seemed much easier for him to coordinate his suck, swallow mechanism than with the bottle. He also did not have any breathing or heart rate drops! (like with the bottle)<br /><br /><br /><br />I can't wait to do this all day <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">tomorrow</span> and to spend the night this weekend when Kayla comes home to help with the kids!<br /><br />Speaking of the kids, I can't ever say thank you enough to all the people who have helped Eric and I with the children during the last month! Kayla, Lynn, Angie, Tammy, Trina, Jane A, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">TiTi</span>, Grandma, Nick, Debbie and Julie! They have been amazing! They helped <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">undecorat</span> my house <em>(not a small task with 16 trees & garland and lots of "JUNK") </em><br /></div><div><br />The kids have been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">wonderful</span> at all the changes too <em>(EVEN DEVON...... awesome) </em>Also to my neighbors and friends who have brought food and cookies to make it easier! This has helped so much with planning and making caring for the seven kids easier!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson12109011.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 228px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson12109011.jpg" border="0" /></a>Staying at the hospital today was a lot of dun...... we spent all day there..... I got to clothe, bathe, and care for the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">little</span> guy all day! He even proved he was just like his older brother...... he can <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">teleport</span> his pee and then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">lul</span> me into a a "oh how cute he is coma" and then I forget about that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">magic</span> ability to pee sideways and then he gets me darn good and sprays it every where!<br /><br /><br /></div><div><div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">LEG UPDATE:</span></strong></div><br /><br /><div>We are so tired of these swollen feet and legs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/legs12109.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HY6yrxCREMgtwoJ1wxl_k9hbX6ZG2PC2C45DRee9RvVTguiIsSL01uHPTQ_zNgrwysOctEFZjZzaLk4M7b9IbiN9uH3dz2KDosLsEm8ZVMQd8uU-Zrm1g_-Bla6zPUG_Fwdm3GK54Ys/s1600-h/legs+1+21+09.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294630255735670242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 246px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HY6yrxCREMgtwoJ1wxl_k9hbX6ZG2PC2C45DRee9RvVTguiIsSL01uHPTQ_zNgrwysOctEFZjZzaLk4M7b9IbiN9uH3dz2KDosLsEm8ZVMQd8uU-Zrm1g_-Bla6zPUG_Fwdm3GK54Ys/s200/legs+1+21+09.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>I am actually a lot less <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">swollen</span> than I was <em>(ALMOST 27 LBS OF WATER GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!)</em> but just about 30 water pounds to go!!!</div><br /><br /><div>Still have 10 baby pounds too! Some where in there but the total of 57 lbs higher after leaving hospital than when we entered on the 23rd of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">December</span>. </div><br /><br /><div><strong><em>But the next coolest thing after the poo</em></strong>! Is that I actually got to buy some slippers <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">only</span> asize bigger than my usual <em>(daddy's were 12 WW in men's)</em> but i had to cut them to get them on!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am going to try to put on a pair of my "end" of pregnancy maternity tights <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">tomorrow</span> <em>(they would not stay up before <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Christmas</span>...I was to skinny still)</em> but I need to get something on my legs the cold air and the swelling is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">chapping</span> them way to much! We shall see........ I am thinking maybe <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Saturday</span> and the one pair of shoes I have in size 11 might fit! or my slip on backless <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">sandals</span> <em>(Here is hoping!)</em></div><br /><br /><div>I an walking better, still using the walker on really long distances<em> (OR THE WALL)</em> I just keep worrying about falling and loosing my balance! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Still not able to drive yet,,,,, maybe we will try this weekend. I can get in the passenger side of the van.... it has two handles and I can pull up, but not as easy <em>(<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">OK</span> Eric says it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">doesn't</span> look that easy)</em> on the driver's side! I think Eric is really worried about me falling and hurting myself! <em>(I fell <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Saturday</span> in the garage! )</em> Like I needed another bruise!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>All the other issues are doing well and I am so excited I "don't pee" when I cough or sneeze any more and it doesn't hurt to laugh <em>(which I am doing a lot at myself lately!)</em></div></div></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-27593351511934014502009-01-19T07:43:00.005-06:002009-01-19T08:02:50.309-06:00I know when Mommies Get to be sick now!<div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00002.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/DSC00002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div>When they can no longer stand or walk and just have to quit moving cause it is IMPOSSIBLE!</div><br /><br /><br /><div>I made a commitment to myself to write 3-4 times a weak in December...... well it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">stooped</span> on the 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> cause I finally got to sick. I actually spent 17 days in the hospital (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">OK</span> 3 hospitals) while they tried to figure out what was wrong with me and keep me pregnant.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson11509004.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 251px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson11509004.jpg" border="0" /></a>In case you don't know....... it didn't work the way they wanted, but they did find and fix what was wrong! I am on my way back to recovery (still have 37 of the 59 lbs of water weight to loose they put on since my Dec 30<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> admission to St. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">John's</span>) and we have a son who was born via emergency C section at 1:39 am on January 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span> at 33 weeks. (this was about 2 hours after my first surgery for a bowel obstruction....... NOT THE FLU or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">HYPEREMMISIS</span> (which I did have too) or a VIRUS or in my head (course how could 3400 ml of vomit an hour be in my head!</div><div> </div><div>So I will go back and keep adding the information on <a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson11409002.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson11409002.jpg" border="0" /></a>both Devon and the last few weeks so you all can get some other insights into our lives.</div><div> </div><div>Which have been overly excited and very busy in the last few weeks.</div></div></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-9667175278115114792009-01-18T08:03:00.001-06:002009-01-19T08:16:39.223-06:00Hair cut for Dad & Devon gets "locked"<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/devonhair002.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/devonhair002.jpg" border="0" /></a> We took <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Devon</span> TO GET HIS HAIR LOCKED FOR THE FIRST TIME YESTERDAY!!!!!<br /><br />This was an interesting experience, imagine deer in headlights with, scared child, with a face of utter amazement and then the determination of one mom and one hair dresser, and a daddy who can hold him while all heck and wiggling is breaking loose!<br /><br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/devonhair001.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 166px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/devonhair001.jpg" border="0" /></a> I was so proud of my husband, he held and hugged Devon for a little over an hour, as well as singing to him the majority of the time to attempt to keep him occupied. I have high praise (always have) for Rochelle at our local Custom Cuts........ she worked with him and tried and gave suggestions on how to get him calmed (and he really wasn't that great) He was like working on a moving target!</li><li></li><li>HOWEVER IT LOOKS AWESOME!!!!! I can't wait till we are able to braid it....... course after this that could be an all day process....... but I know with time and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">experience</span> he will learn to love having his hair done.</li></ul><p>Colin actually had the best reaction....... he rubbed it and made his happy noises, told me with his signs he wanted his hair to do that and it was like a fish (I think he <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">meant</span> sea <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">anemones</span>..... but they are in a fish tank therefore the concept of fish!</p><p>So basically it went better than expected, however it has room for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">improvement</span>........ BUT HE IS SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br /></p>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-72982910273019335942009-01-17T22:42:00.000-06:002009-01-19T09:20:47.175-06:00I am spending the night with my son!Leaving Emerson at the hospital has been one of the harder things I have ever done! All of my kids roomed in after birth, they stayed within my or daddy's eyesight the whole time from birth till we discharged!<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson11609010.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson11609010.jpg" border="0" /></a>IT HAS NOT WORKED THIS WAY! Heck Eric didn't even know he had a son till about an hour after he was born! (another story another time)</div><br /><br /><div>he has been in the specialty care and then the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NICU</span> at a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">different</span> hospital (thank heavens connect by a tunnel...... ) </div><br /><div>We also have never left any of the kids alone at the hospital except for the amount of time it took to take a shower or run to get food in the cafeteria! So I am hating this so much!!!!<br /><br /></div><div>But I have been still a l<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ittle</span> too weak to stay overnight (the plan is I will go down at 7 pm and be home by 7 am every day as soon as I can drive..... that way I am not missed so much) and can feed him 4 times and then they only have to bottle feed four times!</div><br /><br /><div>Well it went really well! They have the most comfortable (by hospital standards) chair in his room..... I got to feed him three times, the nurse asked to use the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">NG</span> tube for one feeding because he is still breathing so hard! (He went back on the O2 because his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">restorations</span> were high (the pulse ox fine 98-100%) today which does affect how much he can eat in the bottle...... he gets annoyed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">with</span> the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">NG</span> and the nasal <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">cannula</span>!</div><br /><br /><div>I loved getting to hold him, he snuggles and falls asleep so well....... I just can't wait to do this without all the tubes and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">IV'S</span>. Waiting <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">for</span> that day! And I am still feeling awful about leaving him alone (I know the nurses will take great care of him!!!! but it is not the same)</div><br /><br /><div>So I have to learn to just concentrate on my job....... which is to get better, get off the walker, regain my ability to walk and balance (I fell in the garage earlier this evening...... on Devon...... I really felt stupid and it hurt, got about 8 new bruises ...... to go with all the IV and blood draw ones!!!!! But I was so worried about squishing Devon and he was trying to "stop" me (again a huge feet for a 40 lb guy and my huge swollen BOTTOM & LEGS!!!!</div><div></div><div>We took the kids shopping today...... Garden Ridge, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Walmart</span> and then to El <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Nopal</span>...... trying to make them feel like all is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">OK</span> and back to somewhat normal! I GOT IN THE VAN!!!!! I have found out that I have a lot of upper body strength that I didn't know I had!</div><div></div><div>It was actually easier to ride in than Eric or mom's car! The seat is taller and my legs did not fall asleep! I missed my van.... and I did get some of the trash out of it (it drives me nuts to have trash in the car!) I probably overdid it!</div><div></div><div>I am still so ridiculously swollen!!!!! The bottom and hips and upper thighs are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">significantly</span> down, but the lower legs and feet keep getting tighter!!!!!!!!!!!! They hurt to touch, get stepped on (each child managed to do this at least twice today) and they really hurt when Daddy ran into them with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Walmart</span> cart!!! I had a harder time getting Daddy's slippers on today (men's size 12 and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">ww</span>!) They are actually getting tighter around the ankle! I don't know how they could....but they are!</div><div></div><div>I really can't wait to get them to the point I can drive..... my two abdominal scars and surgery areas really only hurt if you touch them...... or I over do it (by Jane standards) but these legs <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">are</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">making</span> it impossible to do what I want to!!!!! I hate being dependent on others (even Eric) I will be such a horrible old person!!!!!!</div><div></div><div>But being able to take care of Boo Boo (Emerson) and to feed him and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">hug</span> him and hold him for that 14 hours straight (minus the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">broccoli</span> & <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">carrot</span> run to the cafeteria at 2 am........ gosh I love carrots now~ I have eaten them 2x a day since I was able to eat solids!) made me feel a lot better. I will start this every night as soon as I can drive.</div><div></div><div></div></div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-69322323252673756742009-01-16T08:16:00.001-06:002009-01-19T08:41:23.210-06:00Melea gets to meet ner new brother!<a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson11609004.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson11609004.jpg" border="0" /></a>We took <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Melea</span> and Adrian to the hospital today.<br /><br /><div>They had a field trip to the science center with school (Eric went..... this could be a post in itself)...... all I know is Eric said never ever again and he didn't even ride the bus with the 40 kinder<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">gardeners</span>! (nor did he take photos.... he was worried about loosing the camera)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Melea's</span> first visit and Adrian's third. We decided to wait until he had a few less tubes and wires. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Melea</span> was still worried that the IV was hurting him...... she kept telling me about the baby's IV and his "boo boos" . She was also afraid to tough him. (Good plan cause she came down with a stomach ache and virus 24 hours later) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Melea</span> really loved meeting her new brother!!!!)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Eric and I took the girls to lunch a the Children's hospital cafeteria! The love to eat at the cafeteria and to sit and watch the fish in the tanks!!!!! This is something they beg for ever time we go to the hospital for a specialist visit!!!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson11609003.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm35/burnsun1/emerson11609003.jpg" border="0" /></a>I did have a great morning visiting with Emerson! I brought in clothes and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">soothie</span> bottles for him. He will almost be up to enough to use our bottles <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">with</span> the breast milk soon!</div><div></div><div>He can start wearing clothes and hopefully we are a step closer to coming home! I know the girls and Colin are ready!</div><div></div><div>We also took the girls to the sibling play room and were able to leave them for a almost 2 hours! They loved it!!!! Eric was a little late at picking <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">them</span> up......he fell asleep! But it was an awesome service and the girls loved it so much.</div><div></div><div>My legs and feet still suck!!!..... they are still very painful..... and I am having to pick them up to move them! However about 2/3 of the water is off my hips and upper few inches of my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">thighs</span> then it balloons out (think Popeye arms but on my legs!) </div><div></div><div>Can't wait to take the girls back........ girls want to go.... but to the Sibling Playroom not to see their brother!</div>Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2068367002204736320.post-58786047676869717342008-12-17T10:28:00.004-06:002008-12-17T10:51:28.530-06:00I wish I could explain (or contain) my happiness........if this makes any sense to anyone..... I was so excited last evening at my four oldest and Jordan playing and interactions while we were waiting for Charlie Brown to start.<br /><br />Devon snuggled with me on my bed for 18 minutes by himself and wanted me to hug and kiss him as we watched Mickey's Christmas Carol (on ABC <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FAM</span> Channel)....... it seems like no big deal...... but when he came to us in May he was afraid of my bed, afraid or not able of being held for more than 30 to 45 seconds...... and watching TV was not something he would share........ WITH ANYONE!<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Melea</span> and Colin came in after they helped Kayla put Miranda and Eliza to bed....... they started jumping on mom's big bed (same one Devon and I are lying on) there was no move to flee.....no screaming...... no fear....... he just looked at me and moved closer......<br /><br />The jumping and then trying to get Devon to play with them went on for about 11 minutes....... they would come sit next to him, stroke or rub his back and talk to him, then go jump some more.....They were not interested in Mickey or the Pooh special afterwards...... I think that is a mom thing).<br /><br />During this time Adrian and Jordan and Kayla came to join us....... no hitting or pushing from Devon at his favorite target (Jordan) he did sit up and start paying attention to the others....... eventually he gave in and let <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Melea</span> pull him into playing a little and one or two jumps.......<br /><br />Then the coolest thing happened......... besides the 5 minutes of interaction with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Melea</span> and Colin, when Devon wanted to return to Mom he found his spot occupied (note .....Jordan jumped into my arms as soon as Devon vacated them) instead of hitting or starting to scream or all of the normal things....... he touched me and looked at me and then touched Jordan.... I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">reminded</span> him "good touching" he wanted Jordan to move and his spot back ....... I tried to get him to go back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Melea</span> or Kayla...... Devon was not interested so he shook his head no ....... pushed (in a nice way at Jordan twice more..... not movement from Jordan there........)<br /><br />So Devon got off my bed, calmly walked to his room BY HIMSELF (again he usually has to have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">some one's</span> hand or you need to be a step behind or ahead of him...... he rarely goes somewhere on his own .....imagine a really cute duck with an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">afro</span> and the cutest eyes ever following you where ever you go)....... He waited at his door till Kayla got there and then signed all done and wanted to go to bed!<br /><br />To me...... mom who <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">some days</span> has very little things that excite me greatly...... I just want to scream from the roof top..... how cool this was......<br /><br />again if you didn't know Devon before, didn't know us and realize that Devon is 7 1/2 years old, you would wonder why this would excite a mom this much.......<br /><br />BUT IT WAS SO DARN COOL TO ME!!!!!!! I WAS SO PROUD OF MY SON and how far he has come in the last 6 months and of all the other kids because they are trying to bring him further...... but they don't seem to push him any further than he can go at the moment! I love them and how they take care of each other so much!<br /><br />So maybe we didn't all make it to watch Charlie Brown together for almost 35 minutes Devon interacted with me, the real world and his family! And my other kids showed me (again) how much they love and seem to understand him, and will be here for Devon however he needs or wants them in his life!Jane "mom to the grumpy family"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10693838442275792254noreply@blogger.com0