Tuesday, October 28, 2008

A bit of everything.

First let me say, I am still saddened by the loss of my team last night! I was so proud the first half, feeling like we were just playing like we do or did before! My team was in Nashville playing Monday Night Football and I was in my living room sporting my Manning jersey with 3 other people wearing Titans gear and eating some tasty chili. Sadly, we all know how that ended. I will give credit to the Titans. They've always been my number 2 team and it's nice that they are finally playing some really fantastic football. They've definitely had a hard time gaining respect in the league, I think. So, Congrats TN!

This week I have still been cleaning like a mad woman, with the exception of last night and tonight. I ate too much schnitzel at my Oktoberfest luncheon at work yesterday and the leftovers today. Ugh. My body isn't use to such food. It's left me feeling like Violet in Willy Wonka. At any moment you will see me balloon into a German potato and roll around my house. Anyway, I've been bleaching and disinfecting everything. I still don't see the difference but at least I know I'm getting to that stuff I normally don't. The other day I actually moved the washer and dryer and swept underneath. I was prepping the laundry room for our new task: Recycling! I feel bad that I am just getting around to this. It's something I have been wanting to do but have just never set down long enough to figure out what I needed to get and what goes where. I need to get one more bin but I think I've got a good system started. I plan on dropping off on Sunday's so I can pick up the Sunday paper while I'm out. This way I can start getting into that other thing I keep trying to do. CLIP COUPONS! Maybe I will even get to Goodwill to drop off all that stuff that is sitting around!

My mom is coming to visit on Thursday! I'm pretty excited as Scott has been working straight for 2 weeks almost and will still be working when she comes. I need some adult conversation! Plus, I think we're going shopping and she is bringing down a dress for Brooklyn I had her pick up for me. A couple friends of ours are getting married on Nov. 8Th and it's a great time to dress up as it's Black Tie optional. I wanted to get B a nice dress but they don't have dress shops down here like they do back home. I love this little dress shop back home where B has gotten most of her holiday dresses since she was born. Mom went by there and sent me a bunch of photos on my cell so I could pick one out. I'm glad she's able to bring it down.

B has been extremely funny lately. Tonight she was talking with "Sass" which included her saying "Girl" at the end of every sentence. She was also playing drums on her bowl and telling me I needed to put her in Rhythm class. The night before last I asked her why she insisted on taking the onions out of her pasta yet she loves onion rings. I stated these were just onions with breading around them. Her eyes instantly got huge and she said "Mom!! How dare you say that? Onion rings are tiny circles of happiness wrapped in love!" I burst out laughing. She is the funniest little lady. We spent this past weekend going to the library and doing some Mother/Daughter shopping. We had a blast on Sunday. I realized on Saturday that B and I have two very different opinions when it comes to some things though. While shopping I kept picking out my idea of cute clothes for her. She said no to just about everything. I decided to just let her pick out an outfit. She definitely picked out something opposite of my sweater dresses and leggings but she still looks super cute and I love that she has her own style. **For some reason it won't let me post a picture right now so I will soon!

Friday, October 24, 2008

On a Roll....or should I say HONOR ROLL!

Can you guess what B did? Yes, she made the Honor Roll! I'm so proud of her. Brooklyn is the youngest in her class and is one of the smartest from what I'm told! Thursday I had a parent teacher conference and was updated with all the progress. Her teacher said that 1st graders should be reading between a 6 and a 10. Brooklyn is reading on a 12!! I'm so proud of her. She is such a great little girl. Today was awards day so I got to go to the school and see Brooklyn get her ribbons, one for the Honor Roll and one for The Homework Club. That means she turned all her homework each and every time and on time as well. This is only the first 9 weeks and school is something that you have to keep up with but I am just so proud right now. I've mentioned before that I was nervous about B starting school so early so this is just reassurance for me that she is doing well! After school I told B that she deserved a special surprise and asked her what she thought would be a surprise she deserved. Her answer: a fridge for her bedroom and a flat screen tv!!!!!!!!????? Seriously? I wanted Barbies when I was 6. Flat Screen didn't even become a part of my vocabulary until last year it seems like. I laughed my head off. My surprise was ice cream!! I think our ideas were a little different.
As for the rest of the week, it's been pretty busy but very good. B and I went to Michael's craft store Thursday night and looked around. I was browsing the scrap books because I would like to make one for B this year. I hate that I haven't done that yet!!! Hopefully I will get myself caught up! I won't stress though.
This week I've been trying to catch up on deep cleaning. The dreaded housework of moving furniture and cleaning underneath, cleaning toys, scrubbing places you didn't know existed in your home. Ugh. I feel like I have cleaned so much but my house looks exactly the same! I have so much more to do but I have the weekend and am deciding to enjoy the ability to do a little each day. Scott is working a big stretch until Nov. so I have the evenings to fill!
My mom is coming to visit next weekend so B is counting down the days for that. She should be here on Halloween and will get to trick or treat with us! We're going to a friends Subdivision to walk around. We'll just park in their drive and then walk around which will be so much easier than what we did last year. Plus, it's the house of one of B's best friends so she will get to see her too! Brooklyn is going to be a kitty this year. She has leopard kitty ears so I'm semi making this years costume to match the ears. I bought her a black turtleneck and black pants which I plan on trimming with a leopard print fabric I need to buy. The neck, shirt cuffs and bottoms of the pants I plan to trim with the fabric. I'd also like to make leopard print booties to cover her shoes. We'll see how it turns out. I'm not the most excelled in that department!
All in all, it's been a really great week. I'm feeling healthier. I've actually gotten back to doing my yoga each morning the last 2 weeks. Now I just need to remember my vitamins everyday....I forget those all the time!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Second post for the day!

So, I know this song isn't the greatest music but it reminded me of Scott. So this post is mainly for him but enjoy the video. Babe, I love you so very much!!!! The life and home we've created together is a constant reminder that "Fairy Tales" do exist, that love isn't hard, that being good to each other is easy when you love someone. You're my best friend and I'm crazy about you!

Tagged and other random information.

Fall break is here! I can't believe the first nine weeks is over already! Brooklyn is growing up so fast and each day it seems to speed up. She is doing wonderful in school. I have a parent teacher conference on the 23rd so I will be updated a little more in depth but her teacher has been telling me great things so far.
Brooklyn had a dentist appointment Thursday and the dentist said her teeth still look great and to keep up the good work. She got to pick out a new princess toothbrush and toothpaste as well as getting stickers and a balloon. Brooklyn always feels so proud of herself when she goes to the dentist. It's very sweet to see her gain confidence from her own actions and to know she sees the direct connection.
Today we're going to get some pumpkins to carve once Scott gets home from work. I also need take my car for an emissions test but the only locations open today are pretty far away so we may have to wait till Monday. Indiana didn't do emissions testing so it's something I usually forget about. Sadly, my paper plate expires Tues so I have to get over there and get it done. I may try and get over to the polls as well for early voting. I've never voted early before but seeing as how this election is extremely important, I want to make sure I get my vote in!!! Hopefully you all are registered and informed so you can also get your votes in!! Whatever your choice is just make sure you've done your research and are casting YOUR vote for YOUR candidate, not the media's or friends or anyone else's.

So to end, I've been hit. I was tagged to list 6 random things about myself and then to tag 6 other people to do the same. This is going to be difficult seeing how everyone has pretty much been tagged so far! Here are my facts though:

1. I had a pretty rough pregnancy with B. I was diagnosed with preeclampsia in my second trimester and put on bed rest at 5 months. This disorder is the leading cause of death for mothers and infants so it was quite scary. Although I didn't realize how bad it was at the time. My doctor explained it to me in the sense that your body is rejected the baby the same way it rejects organ transplants at times. Although it was a difficult pregnancy and I had her early, my labor was wonderful and I have a healthy little girl!

2. I'm going back to school to finish my degree in Medical Laboratory Science and couldn't be more excited to do so.

3. I was hit by a car while sitting on my couch watching tv. It seems some men were being chased by the police and missed the curve. I still get nervous when I hear screeching tires!!

4. I love researching just about anything. I love learning so I could spend hours researching things, I just can't remember all of it!!

5. I have started saying things like "Brooklyn take your clothes to the trash can." The same thing I liked to tease my mom about.

6. I have a large tattoo on my back. It's our family motto you could say. It says "Be good to each other" and has two birds on each side that symbolize finding a true love and home. I've had several people make comments on it and it makes me feel good that it can be a reminder to others.

Since most have been tagged, I can only tag two. They are April S and Sarah S.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Poopsy Daisy.

This weekend has been wonderful and well, filled with poopsies. So, this entry isn't for the faint of heart. Although, I know the mothers out there reading will be tough enough to take it and will probably get a few laughs in as well.
This all started a couple weeks ago when Brooklyn was complaining of abdominal pain and was having a few "accidents" and not of the pee persuasion. I have to admit that when it started I wasn't sympathetic. I didn't understand why my potty trained 6 year old was pooping in her pants. Brooklyn has had a tendency to get distracted from her body telling her it needs a restroom break many times before and although it hadn't been happening for awhile I was chalking it up to that same disregard for natures call. Now, I should tell you that Brooklyn has a disorder called galactosemia. This is a condition in which her body doesn't break down galactose (a sugar found in milk and other things) in the same way that you and I can. This condition is nothing like being lactose intolerant as this condition can be fatal or cause mental retardation. Although B's condition is very mild, she still has a limited intake of galactose. When she does get it she often has issues with the bathroom. Since I knew her diet was being monitored I was confident this wasn't the reason for her accidents.
So, a call was placed to the Doc and in we went. I felt horrible for B as her last run in with the hospital was when she was taken by ambulance from complications wtih her T&A . She was so nervous that I could audibly hear her tummy rumble and I had to watch as tears rolled down her cheeks due to fear. Thankfully we had the worlds BEST phlebotomist and B didn't feel the blood draw at all! Much better than the 5 nurses it took to hold her down the last time. Because of B's symptoms the doctors felt it necessary to check for the "Nightmare Diseases". I was a wreck but I went in prepared and the results came back ahead of schedule......the verdict: CONSTIPATION. Wait........ my daughter is pooping her pants frequently and you're telling me she's constipated? Explanation please!
Well, it seems that when someone is blocked like this, the non blocked poo that is being made squeezes itself around the blockage. This make for "accidents" due to the lack of signal it is giving your body to get the bathroom. Ah, that makes sense....so what are we to do? Well, for us, it was Magnesium Citrate. This little bottle of salty "goodness" is used to clean out the tract before surgeries and other procedures requiring an empty bowel. Since this little bottle was going to cause some "movement" we needed to block out a weekend of being home and close to the potty. It was to be given in the morning so Saturday it was. I was prepped. I dressed B in "old" comfy clothes that were made for quick take-off, old undies that I intended to get rid of and prepped her for the time issues she would be facing. The medicine was suppose to have results in 30 min - 6 hours. 8 hours later....nothing.....then 9...then 10. I was researching sites at this point wondering what was wrong as the medicine indicated that failure to produce was a sign of a more serious problem. Brooklyn is nervous because she thinks if she doesn't go she will have to drink more of the less than pleasant aid and Scott is already seeing the anxiety on my face. I have never prayed for poop before but I have to admit I was close. As I am doing this however, B is standing in the living room wide eyed. I hear "I need to go to the bathroom", then two hands grab her bottom and she says, "I DIDN'T MAKE IT!". I start chanting like she's about to win her first cross country race "RUN B, RUN!" She sprints to the bathroom and to be blunt.....bombs went off. Brooklyn starts laughing hysterically and Scott and I are both Woo-hooing like it's a celebration....a poo-bration. :) And besides the old undies, we all made it through safely. So Saturday was over but I wasn't too sure the medicine was. So B stayed in old clothes and undies at bedtime and I prepped for another day of bathroom running.
This morning I woke up at 6 and started some slow cooker chili for the game and then made my way to the porch for some coffee drinking mom time. This included the prep work I needed. Brooklyn woke up about 7:30 and watched cartoons while I made breakfast. About halfway through she comes to me and says her tummy hurts. I say the question..."Do you need to poop" and she responds with "No..... I don't know". Ah, this is perfect. I tell her to try and maybe that will help.. all the while I am thankful that she may be able to make it today. About 15 seconds later I hear "Mom, can you come here?". I was not at all prepared for what I was about to see. I walked into a newly painted bathroom, and a change in carpet color. WHAT!? I didn't even hear anything...how can someone so little make such a mess.....ALL OVER THE BATHROOM!! I was prepped though. Completely calm I said, "It's okay honey...let's get your clothes off and you can get in the shower" while my head was shouting "I have to replace the carpet....I need Merry Maids.......Where can I find a bio hazard suit....Don't step there...or here." As Brooklyn ran to the shower, I ran to the computer and quickly googled "How to clean poop out of carpet". What I found is my savior of the day. Peroxide!! The same stuff I still put in my ears because my mom use to tell me to even though I wonder if it's even safe! Scott went to the store and bought me the spray bottle of it and I went to town. I have to say, the stain has taken some work but at least we don't need to replace it! Whew. We have had one more incident since then but thankfully it was in one of the bathrooms with the linoleum flooring! Tomorrow it's back to school so please be sending the positive thoughts our way. I know no first grader wants to experience what she has while at school!!! B does have to take miralax for a month to keep her regular so I am a bit concerned for her! Like I said, keep her in mind!
All poo aside, we had a wonderful weekend! Truly. Today we had some great food and watched the most hard hitting football game I've seen (Titans vs. Ravens). My #1 is the Colts and I can't watch them here each week but I kept up via the Internet. When watching the Colts I generally cheer, jump and clap like a crazy person during the game. The Titans have always been my number 2 but I've never been such an "active" fan with them. Today was different. B was closing her ears and Scott and I were overly loud and jumping from couch to couch. Let me just say I love Nick Harper (former colt I might add) and I LOVED this game!!!! Congrats to the 5-0 Titans...they played HARD!
On top of all the "fun" we've been having I also managed to get the house dusted, get to the grocery store, clean out the fridge , freezer and wipe down all the cabinets. I made a horrible lasagna (which is hard for me to say since I take great pride in my cooking), made chili and chocolate chip cookies and am now working on laundry! It's been quite a weekend!
Well I will leave you with these two jems..........Mommies, invest in peroxide and for those chili lovers (the spicy lovers that is) here is my slow cooker recipe.

1 pd of thin sliced chicken breast.....shredded (I put in raw and shred with two forks after it's cooked and still while in Crock pot)
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 15 oz can of chili hot beans
3 15 oz cans diced fire roasted tomatoes
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 to 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce with seeds, chopped
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Stir everything together, cover, and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours.
Top with your favorites....mine, jalapenos and pepper jack cheese.

Enjoy!!