Week 13 Questionnaire

How Far Along? 13 weeks 1 day

Symptoms: Not much going yaay!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Negligible

Sleep: Crying screaming teething little person makes sleep hard

Food Cravings: pretzels, pineapple sodas, apples and Clementine

Best Moment This Week: feeling you kick 

Movement: Felt flutters on 12/27/2011

Labor Signs: NONE NONE NONE!!!!!!!!!! We want term, no baby until week 38

Gender: Still not sure, I’m leaning towards girl though

Belly Button In Or Out? Innie

What I Miss: being able to breath!!

What I Am Looking Forward To: Gender ultrasound in February

Milestones: made it to thirteen weeks, I’m happy, each week is a miracle

Weekly Wisdom: Wear comfortable clothes!

The Hunger Games

If you have not read this trilogy PLEASE pick it up for your Nook, Kindle, E-Reader, tablet, or in regular book form.

I've finished the first two books in two days only because I have a family, otherwise I would have read all three in a day, they are that good!

Sex and the Single Teen

Deep breathe, woosah!

A great mommy blog I follow The Young Mommy Life posted an interesting article on allowing sleep overs of teenage boyfriends and girlfriends. Blank stare. The overall gist of the article was that parents should keep the lines of communication open with their teenagers about sex. I wholeheartedly concur. But my level of expectation for Stuffing and Pumpkin are high, very high. My rule on sex is extremely simple, when you or the person you're having sex with can afford to keep you in the lifestyle you are accustomed to, then by all means go for it, you have my blessing. If you or he cannot provide for your upkeep well don't expect me to bail you out, get a job.

Is this harsh? Some may say yes but you can't get the full perks of being an adult but have your hand out like a child it doesn't work that way. I'm not financing a life so you can be reckless. I'm giving my children opportunities to information, education and access to a better future, to not have to make the same choices their father and I had to make because we didn't have any other choice. Sex will not be taboo in our home, we will discuss and debate and give correct information. However as my child, you will follow my rules or you can carve out your own existence. I do not pander to whiny smart asses. You were cut out of me not the other way other around. I'm not afraid of being a parent and parenting my child. If they choose to deviate from they way they have been raised. Then that is on them, I do not accept responsibility for any one's actions but my own especially when I've given the critical thinking tools to make smart decisions.

Ugh things parents are willing to allow TRULY disturb me. Stop being afraid to parent.

 http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2011/12/26/exp-am-sleepovers-schalet.cnn

Video link

Wordless Wednesday

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours, I hope you had a superb day full of laughter and love.

Much To Do Before Two

Salma and Rainbow have given us a great and fun project to carry out in 2012 and we're happy to join them!

The rules are simple:

Make a list of things you would like to do with your little one before his/her next birthday

Strike it off as you go
Link it to the respective post
Share it every month with Rainbow's blog

I'm excited to be a part of this neat bucket list for baby :)

Stuffing's Much to DO before 2 List

1. Read 100 books
2. Start Letter of the Week program
3. Go to snow day with mummy
4. Visit the Atlanta Aquarium
5. Bake cookies with mummy
6. Visit the Sandbox 6 times
7. Participate in at least 2 more natural pageants
8. Make a present for new brother or sister
9. Start pre-ballet class
10. Go to the beach
11. Go Easter egg hunting with mummy
12. Paint at least once a week
13. Visit a farm/petting zoo
14. Take swimming lessons with mummy
15. Start Toddler Cirque classes
16. Play soccer in the park with daddy

Mummy Says/Daddy Says

Surgery: adenoidectomy

Mummy Says/Daddy Says

Stuffing has had recurrent ear infections for most of winter 2011. From November 2010 through April we had a total of 5 plus various sinus infections. We’ve had two ear infections since October and we’re on our second sinus infection in less than a month. I’ve been pushing for an ENT consult for months now and her pediatricians have put me off each time. Today at her 18 month well check up/shot catch up appointment, she went in with a low grade fever and surprise surprise she has another sinus infection and we have to get a stronger antibiotic and reschedule her immunizations. I do not under ANY circumstance take Stuffing to appointments where shots are given so DH had the pediatrician call me and let me know we need to reschedule and so I could ask my million mummy questions and add them to my excel spreadsheet of information overload.
He calls me from the car with the new scripts name and which pharmacy I can pick it up from and I ask about the ENT consult, “Oh, oops, I forgot.”

Mummy says, “I really think the adenoid needs to come out and tubes inserted. We need to set up the consult.”

Daddy says, “Come out? You mean surgery?”

Mummy says, “Yes, under anesthesia, it takes about 20-30 minutes.”

Daddy says, “No, not at all, when she’s older maybe. Candi , no.”

Week 12 Questionnaire

How Far Along? 12 weeks 1 day

Symptoms: Exhaustion but I can live with that

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Negligible

Sleep: Not great but not horrendous either. I go to sleep earlier and wake up earlier which throws me off

Food Cravings: Caramel Mocha fraps from McDonald’s and ice cream

Best Moment This Week: wrapping your big sister’s Christmas presents

Movement: Possible flutter but it could have been gas pains, undecided for now

Labor Signs: NONE NONE NONE!!!!!!!!!! We want term, no baby until week 38

Gender: Still not sure, I’m leaning towards girl though

Belly Button In Or Out? Innie

What I Miss: Wine

What I Am Looking Forward To: Gender ultrasound in February

Milestones: made it to twelve weeks, I’m happy, each week is a miracle

Weekly Wisdom: drink LOTS of water and rest. Also no walking around Oglethorpe Mall for hours on end without any liquids, can we say uterine cramps? No Bueno

Wordless Wednesday

Week 11 Questionnaire

How Far Along? 11 weeks 1 day

Symptoms: Not bad at all, some light-headedness after waiting too long to eat

Total Weight Gain/Loss: None

Sleep: Doing pretty well, waking up in the middle of the night and having trouble going back to sleep

Food Cravings: turkey cotto salami sandwiches, cream soda, and pineapple soda

Best Moment This Week: Picking a girl’s name

Movement: None

Labor Signs: NONE NONE NONE!!!!!!!!!!

Gender: Thinking pink

Belly Button In Or Out? Innie

What I Miss: Not much right this minute

What I Am Looking Forward To: Breastfeeding

Milestones: You’re now the size of a fig

Weekly Wisdom: Don’t smell overripe bananas, that cloying smell is nausea inducing.

Groupon

Admission to "Bodies…The Exhibition" and "Dialog in the Dark" at Atlantic Station. Four Options Available. http://gr.pn/uWISGk

Skatefest 2011

LivingSocial: Two Tickets to Skatefest from January 1 to 8

Spawn has a new trick

DH taught Stuffing how to slide off of the couch and today she decided to apply what she learned in getting off of our bed o_o

She smiled the whole way down, she was extremely proud of herself. I had a heart attack. I'm glad she is progressing in her locomotive skill set, doesn't mean I like it.

Week 10 Questionnaire

How Far Along? 10 weeks 1 day

Symptoms: Symptoms are not horrendous this week YAHOO

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I lost maybe 1 ½ - 2 pounds according to Dr. G

Sleep: Insomnia and restlessness are starting to kick in. Plus Stuffing is teething but I manage to get rest

Food Cravings: Apples, vanilla ice cream and peppermint tea

Best Moment This Week: Ultrasound on Monday, you look like a little kidney bean. I could make out little feet buds springing up

Movement: None.

Labor Signs: NONE NONE NONE!!!!!!!!!! We want term, no baby until after week 38

Gender: Still not sure, I’m leaning towards girl though

Belly Button In Or Out? Innie

What I Miss: Not much right this minute, after the ultrasound I’ll pretty dismiss anything that it takes to get you here safe and full term

What I Am Looking Forward To: Shopping!! Mummy is bad right sweetness? I’m totally using this as an excuse for more clothes.

Milestones: You look like and actual alien form instead of a blob

Weekly Wisdom: Take vitamins, unless they make you vomit.

Thoughts for Tuesday

I forgot just how much you could love someone who looks like a little kidney bean. I fight every day to stay positive and believe that Pumpkin will not only be a sticky bean but also be full term. Seeing her on the monitor yesterday with the leg buds sticking up even know makes me want to tear up. It’s hard to put into words but it’s a great feeling seeing my little person resting comfortably with the heartbeat galloping strongly. I was scared and I went in prepared for the worst but praying for the best.

Positive thinking is going to have to become a way of life for me. Living in fear constantly that something is going to go wrong is hindering me truly enjoying this time and this pregnancy as much as I enjoyed Stuffing’s. But my little Pumpkin is showing faith in me so I will have faith in her. However, we have to have a serious talk when she gets her about this morning/all day sickness business. I did not sign up for that! She will need to give me extra kisses and snuggle time during my maternity leave.

Nana's Cookie Bars

I found this product in my local TJ Maxx, there is no:

dairy (score!)
soy (double score!!)
refined sugars
gluten
eggs
GMOs
cholesterol
corn

The website has the full list of products and I would love to find the cookies for Stuffing so she can have her first chocolate chip cookie.

And Baby Makes Four...

How Far Along? 9 weeks 1 day

Symptoms: Symptoms have subsided for this week so far, but nausea and some exhaustion

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I lost maybe ½ of a pound

Sleep: I get a good rest in from about 8:30 – 2-3 when Stuffing wakes up for her MOTN feeding. She has molars coming in so she’s drinking like a sailor

Food Cravings: Cereal preferably honey nut cheerios or frosted flakes

Best Moment This Week: Nausea going AWAY even if only for two days, I’ll take what I can get

Movement: None.

Labor Signs: NONE NONE NONE!!!!!!!!!! We want term, no baby until after week 38

Gender: In the beginning I was 100% convinced Pumpkin is a girl, now not so sure. This pregnancy has started out differently.

Belly Button In Or Out? Innie

What I Miss: Wine and egg nog with rum next holiday season for sure!

What I Am Looking Forward To: Next OB appointment on December 5 th hopefully Pumpkin will look like an alien baby instead of a black hole in grey matter.

Milestones: No nausea since Monday

Weekly Wisdom: Sleep and rest as often as

Wordless Wednesday

Groupon deal

$10 for $20 Worth of Apparel and Accessories at Old Navy http://gr.pn/uzuiWg

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mummy's helper was up bright eyed and bushy haired albeit a little cheeky

Oxtails marinated and ready to cook

Sweet potato pies ready to go in the oven

This picture isn't perfect but her smile melts me

Dinner's served! Mashed potatoes (from scratch) and oxtails

Great Groupon Offer

$2 for Five One-Night DVD Rentals from Any Blockbuster Express http://gr.pn/uza0Nx

World Prematurity Awareness Day 2011

Today preemies the world over have been celebrated, remembered and cheered. Did you wear purple?

As I reflect on the last 17 months, I realized how much I have grown and changed as a person. I didn't get to be a typical mom and have neurotic first time mom fears. I was doused with a different reality. I have a preemie and a sick one at that. My kid catches germs like most kids catch frogs. I have to spend 4/5 mornings at various therapy sessions and spent the month of October shuffling between our regular pediatrician, our NICU physicians, the pediatric dentist, opthalmalogist, and the physicians at our local ER. A double ear infection, gum infection, viral disease around the eye and a viral disease that attacked her gums. All because her immune system compromised from premature birth.

Even with all of that, my kid is a rock star! She learned to walk even though she's only 16 pounds, she's in 18M leggings and she's 17M, she can now say mama, yes, ka (car), daddy, and "reads." She's a little pistol and let's nothing stop her for long.

Was she born 11 weeks early? Yes. Is she delayed? Yes. Do I get frustrated? Absolutely! Would I wish it different? No. She wouldn't have the will, tenacity and spirit she possesses now if she didn't spend 77 days fighting for her life and showing her father and I the true meaning of life.

She is one of 12 million babies born to soon but we are lucky, she came home.

Word Free Wednesday

My Stuffing in our local paper

Vote for Stuffing!

94.1 The Beat - with Russ Parr in the Morning!!!: SAVANNAH'S #1 FOR HIP-HOP AND R&B

This post is brought by the cell phone thief

Ok.

Word free Wednesday

Halloween Light Show 2011 - Party Rock Anthem

Find another etailer

Schoenhut Band in a Box Two (7 Piece) http://www.walmart.com/ip/Schoenhut-Band-in-a-Box-Two-7-Piece/15924640

Another 2012

White Round Chalkboard Table http://www.walmart.com/ip/Powell-Furniture-White-Round-Chalkboard-Table/16652155

Cheaper than store

Build-A-Bear Kit, Bunny http://www.walmart.com/ip/Build-A-Bear-Kit-Bunny/17182169

Limited space toy

Crayola Dry Erase Activity Center http://www.walmart.com/ip/Crayola-Dry-Erase-Activity-Center/13265053

Possible easel

KidKraft Artist Easel with Paper Roll http://www.walmart.com/ip/KidKraft-Artist-Easel-with-Paper-Roll/12961428

Christmas 2012 definitely

Guidecraft Deluxe Art Table and Chair Set http://www.walmart.com/ip/Guidecraft-Deluxe-Art-Table-and-Chair-Set/16517715

Looks awesome

KidKraft Zig Zag Ball Run http://www.walmart.com/ip/KidKraft-Zig-Zag-Ball-Run/15135632

Bowling with dade and mama

Earlyears - Baby Farm Friend Bowling http://www.walmart.com/ip/Earlyears-Baby-Farm-Friend-Bowling/13996436

Maybe for mummy more than Stuffing

KidKraft Pound & Roll Bench http://www.walmart.com/ip/KidKraft-Pound-Roll-Bench/15135631

Motor skills

KidKraft Shape Sorting Cube http://www.walmart.com/ip/KidKraft-Shape-Sorting-Cube/15135630

Blocks

KidKraft Wooden Block Set http://www.walmart.com/ip/KidKraft-Wooden-Block-Set/15135626

Easel

Crayola Play N Fold Art Studio http://www.walmart.com/ip/Crayola-Play-N-Fold-Art-Studio/16928250

Crayola awesomeness

Crayola Color Me Bathtub Mirror With Suction Cups/Crayons/Storage Bag, 1ct http://www.walmart.com/ip/Crayola-Color-Me-Bathtub-Mirror-With-Suction-Cups-Crayons-Storage-Bag-1ct/16935797

Bath time fun

Crayola Bathtub Crayons http://www.walmart.com/ip/Crayola-Bathtub-Crayons/15754363

Best invention ever

Crayola Color Wonder Marker and Paper Set http://www.walmart.com/ip/Crayola-Color-Wonder-Marker-and-Paper-Set/17176157

Stuffing's Christmas List

Crayola Color Wonder Lap Desk http://www.walmart.com/ip/Color-Wonder-Lap-Desk/13907188

Hilton Head Deal

Two Hours of Bowling and Shoe Rental for Two or Four at AMF Bowling Centers (Up to 57% Off). 271 Locations Nationwide. http://gr.pn/qsZc5V

Word Free Wednesday

Groupon deal

$5 for Two Admissions to Cajun Festival on October 15 from Hilton Head Island Recreation Association (Up to $10 Value) http://gr.pn/mWjTyr

Road Trip

After a very late start we are finally on the way to Disney. Ready for a fun filled weekend with Stuffing, her aunties and her NaNa

Cool App Find

My Smart Hands is a great app for baby sign language, it has video instructions for a multitude of common signs and is very user friendly. I think Stuffing is old enough now to learn a few words.

I have watched a few of the videos but have yet to really play with it.

Word free Wednesday

Good bye Summer, we'll miss you

Things that make you go hmmm

After Stuffing's 15 month check up she is now officially on the charts for her height (5th Percentile *happy dance*) however she's still a peanut though I guess I need to call her a string bean.

The pediatrician was happy with her progress and appetite and said not to force food on her as she is quite fine. This is not our regular ped and I like his overall persona moreso than our regular. We scheduled the 18 month check up with him as well. He's more organic and understanding of her limitations due to her prematurity and not caught up with numbers.

Our physical therapist feels she'll be walking in time for Halloween and is happy with her progress but has suggested speech therapy. I don't feel at this time that I'm ready to accept speech therapy due to her age. I personally think that that is overkill at this point in time. I will however use the flashcards that we got for her birthday at least 15 minutes a day and start signing with her.

Sick days

Ever been so sick you can't even get out of bed to vomit? That's how I've felt since yesterday and I can't wait for this bug to subside. I could have taken Tali to daycare this morning but I would need to get out of bed and that was not feasible. So we're here and she's entertaining herself by playing with the cordless phone. As long as she's content I'm happy.

Word Free Wednesday

Wordfree Wednesday

Get Connected Tuesday

Leave me a comment and I will follow all who follow.

Montessori Materials Find

http://www.absorbentmontessorimaterial.com/default.asp

Great homeschooling items here to replicate a Montessori environment.

The Moment When...

Your baby takes that first awful tumble.

This is probably one of the most gut wrenching calamities to happen to a parent. Stuffing has rolled off of the couch before and landed on the ground, fortunately our couch is very close to the ground and while she was stunned, one piercing shriek was the extent of her displeasure. Last night in the middle of a speed crawl her hand slipped from underneath her and her face hit the kitchen floor, hard. I heard the "thwack" of my sweet girl's face hitting the floor and saw blood. I don't know who screamed loudest. I felt sick to my stomach.


We cried together, until I was assured by multiple third parties, that A. she was indeed concussion free B. not going to bleed to death and C. she was going to be OK. Children get hurt, they fall, get cut, slam fingers into crevices, run head first into pointy objects and live to tell the tale. We as parents know this but that first awful fall jars us from a place of knowing. Seeing blood pouring out of your child's mouth is agony inducing. We have made it through with a swollen lip and cut gum but ay dios mio I don't want to experience that again.

Gift Find

http://www.iseeme.com/

Makes personalized books for children, cannot wait to order one for Stuffing!

The Rundown: Stuffing

My sweet girl is 16 pounds! WOOT! She is up from 14 lbs 9 oz at her one year well visit on 7/19/11.This has been her biggest weight gain since leaving the NICU. She does not refuse food and is really downing her meals so I offer her meals and healthy snacks whenever I can. It is such a good feeling to finally see my girl gain some weight.

We are now in the land of walking. Tentatively taking steps for over a week now but I think she will master the art in a few months. Watching someone the size of a 6 month old attempting to walk is an amazing thing. I always think back to the 1 lb 10 oz baby doll sized person that was born to me. I have not been able to get over that and I don't think I ever will. I gaze at her in amazement for just being, there were so many of preemie warriors who were not afforded this opportunity at life.

This week her fingers were slammed in the door at day care and we were not called immediately. DH stopped by to drop off a few juice boxes when he noticed her fingers were bloodly/swollen and he was beyond livid. The teacher that was assigned to watch the children in the classroom while the lead teacher was bringing in the mobile children from the playground was suspended for negligence. There were 3 teachers and 8 children so this was completely uncalled for. We have had 3 major incidences with her new classroom that we never had in the infant room and I'm hoping we can get over this hump otherwise we will be moving childcare centers.

Summer is Almost Over!

I am not a fan of summer at all, it is entirely to hot, humid and bug infested. Enjoyment is at a low due to the extreme heat. There are so many family friendly events that I couldn't take Stuffing to because we would melt. However all is not lost! Autumn is upon us with its wonderful temperatures and beautiful colors. Now is when I'll be able to take my sweet girl for walks and on outdoor play dates.

Wordfree Wednesday

Wordfree Wednesday

Making Friends Monday Blog Hop: August 1

Leave me a comment so I can get to following to great new blogs!

Second wedding

N was best man in his good friend's wedding today. Fun was had by all.

Glasses

We finally got the Miraflex glasses after almost a month of trying to get the correct size for her head. She doesn't keep them on just yet but I'm hoping with time she'll get better.

Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to work we go

Today I have spent a great deal of time researching different activities and events we can participate in. I live in a very small area and we don't have much in the way of variety. So I have to broaden my search at least two hours away from home.  By broadening the search I was able to find two children's museums, a botanical garden, two zoos and lots of baby friendly activities.

My calendar at work is full of festivals, free kid days, sign language classes and a family movie nights through December. What I really want is to start participating in pageants however I work on Saturdays and its more difficult to attend what is generally an all day affair.

Year 2

N and I celebrated our two year anniversary yesterday. We boogied over to Savannah to have dinner at Ruth's Chris Steak House (which was OK). It was our first time eating at Ruth's Chris and while the dining experience was pleasurable, the food was only so-so and I would not return. While there celebrating we met another couple who decided to celebrate their 36th anniversary, they called our two years baby years. They were great to talk to and gave us good sound advice on how to keep going for another 34 years (minus the four children of course). Their biggest suggestion of course was communication and always considering how your actions affect your spouse and your family unit. They still seemed so excited to be in each others company even though they have spent over three decades together. I love seeing obviously happy couples, it makes my cold heart melt.

Last year for our anniversary, we spent the day in the NICU with Natty and then had a quick bite at Outback just to say we "celebrated" but our celebration was not in good spirits. I was depressed and wanted my baby to be home and healthy not hooked up to machines and sick. It felt great this year for my prayer to be true. I was able to go out and enjoy a few hours with N while Natty stayed with her Aunty T and apparently munched on chicken, bread and a nutragrain bar AND drank out of a straw. She is learning so quickly and surprises me every day.

Stuffing last year at MUSC

Yesterday was also Natalia's Name Day which we celebrate as something special just for her especially since it fell on our anniversary (dumb luck) and with her being a preemie I like to do special little things for her. Last summer I worked with an intern from Poland who started shortly after Natty was born and her name was Natalia as well. She explained the importance of Name Days in her native Poland and I thought it would be something neat to do especially for Natty being in hospital at the time. I have continued the tradition this year and purchased her first doll, Lucy.  I found Lucy on Pottery Barn Kids and fell in love with her instantly. She is just the perfect size (fits in the palm of my hand) and small enough for Natty to handle on her own. She did not like Lucy yesterday when I presented her but this morning she did play with her, she figured out that Lucy's leg fit in her mouth and is a perfect chew toy for the 4 teeth she has coming in on top.

First Birthday

Stuffing turned one on June 16th and had her first cupcake, she was in heaven!

She had a small party at daycare, then dinner at Outback and her birthday party the following Sunday. Fun times

Some pictures from Nassau, The Bahamas

Mostly of Stuffing

Girls just wanna have fun

I love nail polish, manicures, pedicures, facials, hair, make up and well all things girly. This of course had taken a back seat to all things mommy through neglect on my part. First it was the stress of the NICU, then being home with a premature infant as well as being a first time parent and guilt I felt over my daughter's start in life.

It's not something that every preemie parent goes through but it is something that I went through and still am dealing with today. Looking through pictures of myself on Facebook and even just through the house I realized how much I'd flat out given up on. My hair was a mess, tangles, knots, split ends on top of my spilt ends, breakage etc. My face was abysmal, my feet look like I make a profession of walking in powder. I really am not perturbed by my weight just yet so i'll give that a miss.

My husband has never said a word except when I wear a bun but he despises buns on general principle. My mother on the other hand made it her life's mission to inquire what was wrong, why was I not doing XYZ anymore. She never failed to mention that I used to take such good care of myself and now I did the bare minimum (brush my teeth and use deoderent). I now realize she wasn't being malicious she was being honest. I did take care of and pampered myself rotten. My outward appearance was a reflection of how much I loved myself. If my husband wanted to make my day just bring home a bottle of new nail polish and my eyes would glaze over. Now I can't even be bothered.

Have my priorities shifted? Absolutely. Does that mean I can't continue my girly pampering? Absolutely not! I just have to take the time out to remember to focus on me. My beauty rituals were never long but they aided in my relaxation down time. It's time to love me again, one nail at a time.

Currently Reading

Head Over Heels by Jill Mansell

"Welcome to being a Mommy"

I had plans to head to Atlanta for the long holiday weekend but on Friday daycare called my husband to let him know that Stuffing had diarrhea and needed to be picked up right away. So there went out weekend of cooking out, the Aquarium and the park. I was in no way comfortable taking a 5 hour drive with her in the back seat and diarrhea. So we've been home all weekend so she can recuperate. Of course I call my BFF bka my mummy and her sage words were "Well kids, welcome to being a mommy, you do what's best for your baby and nothing less. I'm so proud of the woman and mother you're becoming"

I love mummy a thousand times over, but my reasons for not going were no where near so altruistic. The thought of having to scrub her and the car seat down with a couple bottles of Deer Park water was not appealing. So I'll try for another trip later in the summer. I really do want to eventually make it to the Aquarium because I've never been and I hear rave reviews.

Being Natalia's mother is great and I can roll with the sacrifices for her because I generally don't see it as a sacrifice. Any excuse to spend 3 days in bed or the sofa being bums together is actually a high lite in my life. Dropping her off at day care 5 mornings week is the bigger sacrifice. Vacations come and go.

Check out Progressive Phonics - Progressive Phonics

I want you to take a look at: Progressive Phonics - Progressive Phonics

Bookmarking because now that Stuffing is one, it's time for literacy to kick in. I am an advocate for all children being literate.

Blogging from the Bahamas

Currently Reading

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

Currently Reading

Good at Games by Jill Mansell

Currently Reading

Thinking of You by Jill Mansell

Summer Loving

The Closer starts on July 11 and True Blood is back June 26 HOO RAY! they will get me through to September when Glee, Fringe, and Grey's come back

Favorite Picture of the Week

Stuffing was very determined to wake her daddy up and what better way to wake up than with kisses!

Support Systems

As a working mother, the most important lesson I’ve learned and the first piece of advice I would give to a mom to be or a new mom is to get your support system in place immediately. Start pinpointing the people in your life who will step up to the plate when you need assistance. While many offers of assistance will materialize, “Oh I will help you any time! Just call me”, these are hardly ever backed up with tangible help.

I’ve been home with Tali-baby for two days while she’s getting through this fourth episode with an ear infection and viral throat infection but needed to return to work today but knew she was not ready to be back in day care with all the germs that are floating around. I called my sister at 7am, waking her up, and asked if it was possible to drop her off, and she jumped at the chance. She loves spending the day with her favourite (and only) niece and if available has yet to turn me down. This is the kind of support you need when you’re a mom. People who are true to their word and will provide the assistance promised. This is not to say that people who don’t provide assistance are somehow lacking because not everyone is gung ho about being a baby sitter especially if they already have obligations or just don’t want to be bothered. Not everyone likes babies or children, even if they have them. Which people find impossible to understand. It’s just beneficial to use what you have and go the distance.

Passport

What every babe to a travel bug mama needs!

A Spoon Full of Sugar

Tali-baby woke up from her afternoon nap today with blue lips and the chills, to say I was panicked is the understatement of the decade. Fearless Leader had left not long before for work so I was alone and terrified. I grabbed her and drove straight to our pediatrician's office where we were seen right away. Now yesterday she only had a viral infection which was causing fevers and a nasty sore throat; today we have an ear infection in her left ear. The ear infection sprang up over night because yesterday her ears were "just fine" per our regular ped.

Now she has to take Omnicef for the ear infection as well as the Dukes for the sore throat and the children's Motrin for the fever.Not to sound like a grump but can my baby catch a f****** break seriously. She is the happiest smiliest baby and always in such good spirits and I completely understand that children get sick but she's been sick from day 1 and I'd like for her to have one month of peace. The next person to ask when we're having a second is going to be told to take a running jump.

I can't wait to take her on vacation so she can have a somewhat normal weekend of fun family time.

Sick Days

I had a completely different post for today but then Tali-baby got a fever of 101.1 and daycare called me and hubby so someone could pick her up. I got a last minute appt with her ped and took her in. My girl has another viral infection. We had to use a different pharmacy this time because our Wal-Mart no longer compounds and of course I forgot all of her insurance information because Wal-Mart already has every thing on file.

Ugh, I just want her to feel good all the time. With such a long nicu stay I hate hate hate her getting sick so much. I want to lock her in a bubble and not let her out until she's 30 but that's the PTSD talking.

Working Mommy

This is the hardest part of my day, work. I don't hate my career field by any means, it is something I'm passionate about and enjoy immensely but I love getting spit on, slapped, and smiled at much more.

She is growing so much every day and will be 11 months in a weeks time and I have zero clue where the past year has gone. My 1 lb 10 oz Super Girl is crawling, babbling, getting teeth and growing up. I am so proud to be her mummy and able to watch her grow.

Starting Fresh

I've been on a hiatus due to pregnancy complications and now that my life has been sorted out I can get back to blogging.

Candi