Saturday, September 26, 2009

Reserve Me a Bed at the Looney Bin

I am sure all of you have already reserved a bed for me at the local looney bin after my last post on the #18.  But, it was this comment that got me thinking even more:
        Charity Carter said...
        Ok, I got one for you. Your name JOY is:
              J=10
             O=15 +
              -----
             Y=25
Thank you Charity (my sister) for sharing/feeding into my insanity.  So, that comment got me thinking about my kids' names and how their numbers would work out.  I was pretty disappointed with Andrew and Alexis' numbers (65 and 70 respectively), but that all lifted once I got to Aiden's name.  His equaled.... 

drum roll please....

(and not it is not 18)..... 

his number is 33!! 

Now you are asking, "why is that so interesting?" 

Well, his birthday is 3/3, that's why!!!!!! 


And just because the insanity never ends, I decided to count the syllables in my kids' names.  Andrew: 4, Alexis: 8, and Aiden:  18 of course, because that is HIS number (or at least was back on Sept. 21st).

Monday, September 21, 2009

Weird Numbers: 18


Ok, so I have this weird thing for numbers.  When I went to bed last night we were talking about how old Aiden is and all the things that he has endured in his short lifetime so far.  And then I started doing the math and figured out that today he is 18 months and 18 days old.  It is also 2009, which translates to 2x9=18; and 9/21, which translates to 9x2x1=18.  Ok, my weirdness is over, but only for the moment.  Happy 18th month, 18th day, son.   :)

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Hide 'N Go Seek

We woke up this morning to having a leaf bug by our front door (I know that is not his official name).  I think the poor little guy was hurt because even though he could move, he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.  The kids enjoyed looking at him and marveling at how camouflaged he would be in a tree filled with leaves.  Playing Hide 'N Go Seek with those who would want to eat him.  Or maybe he thought my big green bag by the front door was his mother ship coming to take him home.  Who knows, but the kids enjoyed looking at him upclose and personal.

Later in the day Andrew and Alexis decided they wanted to play Hide 'N Go Seek around the house.  I was trying to catch a few zzzz's on the couch and decided they could have free reign since that is a pretty quiet game.  They both came up with a few usual hiding places and then started coming to me for suggestions.  They hid in the shower, under the beds, behind doors, under the couch cushions, under the end table (that Alexis walked by 11 times before finally spotting Andrew), in the linen closet, in a trash can, in the vacuum closet, but my favorite spot by far had to have been this.....

Andrew was able to fit himself in the bottom shelf of my pots and pans cupboard!  I am shocked and amazed at how small he could make himself and even managed to get the door shut.  Unfortunately Andrew and I were laughing so hard at the fact that he was in there that it gave it away pretty fast to Alexis.


Even though she found him she still could not believe that he had gotten himself into that small of a compartment.  They really did enjoy their 30 minute Hide 'N Go Seek game.  And even though Mommy didn't get very much shut eye, I enjoyed every minute of their determination in hiding, and subsequent laughter in being found.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Always Playing Catch-Up

I have sat down a few times to write a post and end up walking away, uninspired to write anything.  Not sure why I am in this funk but I know I need to snap out of it and write a quick recap of the past weeks events since we have had a few things going on.
For Alexis' birthday she got a new bike, and she has been loving this new adventure.  Right now she is working on getting the leg strength to even peddle the bike, but daddy has been teaching her a few tricks.  She gets the most serious, concentrating look on her face when she is riding.
Aiden loves to join her on his 'bike' but needs to learn to stay out of the way if he doesn't want to get run over.
What is it about boys that makes them instinctively make the 'vroom vroom' noise when they play with cars?  He has really started playing alone a lot more and seems to enjoy this reflective time.
Still sticking out that darn tongue every time he concentrates.  I worry that one day he is going to bite right through his tongue, just like his mommy did when she was little, and require a mouth full of stitches.
Andrew has a new way to play the trumpet:  blindfolded!  He likes to challenge himself to memorize his pieces and then he checks his progress by wearing this blindfold to see how he does.  He has a great memory!  Hoping that at today's lesson he gets passed on some of the songs he has played for a while.
Last Wednesday we sent Andrew off to Catalina Science Camp.  It was a very early morning and the other two kiddos did not appreciate having to wake up at 4:30 a.m.  They payed me back later in the day by being cranky, all while I was hoping to catch a nap after having been up so early and then having to teach third grade for the day.
Here he is getting ready to leave on the bus.  This was such a big day for me.  I finally got to see all my hard work come to life in front of me.  We worked hard to raise the funds, which was not an easy thing to do, but they made it and I could not have been prouder then at that moment.  Well maybe a little bit prouder when they got off the buses on Friday night with HUGE, tired grins.  He had an awesome time and really enjoyed kayaking, but not snorkling so much.  He had taken a disposible underwater camera with him, but it got stolen when he got sick on the boat ride over to the island.  (MAJOR BUMMER for this momma who LOVES pictures, and a big disappointment that someone would do that).  I am waiting for a few chaperones to give me copies of their pictures.
Aiden had his 18 month appointment today, two weeks late because I had to reschedule. 
THE STATSweight - 25 1/4 lbs, 25th% (he got to weigh on the big scale today and was so proud); height - 33 inches, 75th%; head - 46 3/4 cm, 25th %
No real big news.  He is growing and hitting all developmental milestones as expected.  Of course he had to flirt with every nurse there, bat his long eyelashes, ask then for 'five fives', tell them 'tank ew' and then blow them a kiss.  Boy am I in trouble!!  He did get a few shots and I thought for sure that would guarentee me a longer nap this afternoon, but no such luck.  We did talk about the H1N1 shot.  Not so sure how I feel about that.  So, I would like to see what the other wonderful mommies in blog land think.  Leave me a comment on your thoughts:  will you get it for your kiddo or will you not and why?  I know I am going to be asked again when we take Alexis for her yearly physical in Oct and I would like to be more prepared this time for a discussion.
Aiden's newest passion:  COLORING!  He loves to sit down at the kitchen table and color with his sister.  Now if only I could convince him to 1) not eat the crayons, 2) not throw the crayons, 3) stay on the paper and not my table,
and lastly, to ask his sister for the color he needs instead of walking across my table to help himself.

On FLYbaby news:  I have been doing a pretty good job at keeping up with the cleaning program.  I seem to excel on days off and fumble a little on the days I have to work.  I do love having just one or two loads of laundry a day instead of 6-7 on the weekends, keeping Mount Washmore from taking over my life.  I like not killing myself trying to walk into the kids' rooms to check on them in the middle of the night, accomplished with a 5 min. fly time each morning before the kids head out for school.  I like waking up to an empty, shining sink instead of one filled with dirty dishes just waiting to be cleaned.  I love clean toilets and sparkling mirrors, which are as easy as a swish and sweep each morning once the kids have brushed their teeth.  All these little, simple things seem to make my day go by so much smoother.  I have even gotten the kiddos trained on clearing, rinsing and loading their dishes RIGHT AWAY!  Now if only that same training worked on my hubby and on my mom when she spends her weekends here.  :)  Baby steps!

Hope everyone has a blessed week!!  And, don't forget to leave me your thoughts on the H1N1 shot or about anything for that matter.  I love comments.  :)

Sunday, September 6, 2009

LABOR Day!

I know that the true meaning of this Labor Day really has nothing to do with laboring moms, but I thought it might be fun to learn a little more about each other.


How long were your labors?
A1, 60+ hours!!!
A2, 0 hours
A3, 14 hours.

How did you know you were in labor?
A1, was sent from a routine 37 week doctor’s appointment straight to the hospital for an induction due to semi-elevated blood pressure.
A2, no labor
A3, after 6 nights of prodromal labor I just wanted to pack my bags and go to the hospital to have the baby cut out of me. That irrational thinking should have been my clue that it was the real thing. But, it took my midwife looking me in the eyes and telling me it was finally the real thing. I don’t think I truly believed her till my water broke all over the bedroom floor..

Where did you deliver?
A1, Kaiser, San Diego
A2, Redlands Community Hospital
A3, at home, in my bedroom, in the water.

Drugs?
A1, every drug in the book since it was an induced labor that lasted FOREVER!
A2, a botched spinal that has left me permanently numb down the side of my left leg.
A3, not a single thing and I love the fact that I felt EVERY moment.

C-section?
A1, I finally signed the form and got wheeled down the hallway after trying my hardest to avoid the cut. If only I would have avoided the induction and just let nature takes it course.
A2, automatic pass to the OR since I didn’t know there was any other way after an initial c-section.

Who delivered?
A1, have no clue what the doctor’s name was. I had seen so many cycle in and out during my 60+ hours of labor that their name really was of no importance to me at the time.
A2, Dr. Vasquez, but I don’t really consider it a delivery since we made an appointment and met in the OR.
A3, DADDY!! and my wonderful midwives, Karen and Ali.
.
If you want to play along, just cut and paste the questions into your own blog, and leave a comment so I know you played along!

And here are the fruits of my labor (because no post is complete without pictures). I wouldn't change a single thing about their labors for they have all made me the who I am today.
A1
A2
A3

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

September is Craniofacial Acceptance Month



Being accepted by others is a natural human desire, but it’s not often easy for the 100,000 children born each year in the United States with facial differences. September is Craniofacial Acceptance Month. Please join Children’s Craniofacial Association in their vision that all people are accepted for who they are, not how they look, and realize that beyond the face is a heart.
Thank you to all of those in our lives who have supported and encouraged us through Aiden's journey. May my purpose for having gone through Aiden's experience help me to be a source of support and encouragement to others who are also on this path in life. I have met (in real life and through my blog) so many families that have inspired me and lifted me up through their stories. All of that would have never happened had Aiden not been born with his cleft lip and palate. I am truly thankful for the lessons I have learned and I look forward to learning even more in the future.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

HOLY CRAP, AM I REALLY
ANOTHER YEAR OLDER?
(Yes, that is me.)
Check out this post from my sister for my birthday (Warning: lots of old school pics. What was my Mom thinking with those outfits?). Thanks for all the well wishes on my special day.