Infection

Yep, Addy STILL has a left ear infection. This has been since December 2nd! We are round 3 of antibiotics. The eardrum is still unable to be seen due to all of the gunk! Gross! The ped felt like that the tube is out but is lodged and blocked due to all of the gunk but he really wasn't able to tell for sure. So now we wait for Dr. ENT to call us for an appointment. Dr. Ped really hopes it's this week, this mess has been going on far too long! He said that he feels the tube really needs to come out and it most likely needs the help of Dr. ENT, I'm really hoping that they put in a new set of tubes, I think they are warranted!

It's Over

Well, as of right now I'm going to have to go back to work tomorrow and the kids back to school :( I have been home with Addy since December 22nd and it's been so wonderful having so much time with her! It's felt like summer (except for the subzero temps and mounds of snow!)! Jarika hasn't been in school for a month, so tomorrow ought to be fun for her! She's going to have to get with all of her teachers so she can take her final examinations so they can get her grades reported. Ugh, that's not going to be an easy task since she has three ball games and a practice this week four days after school. It looks like she's going to have some early mornings! Yes, she is required to attend all of these things even though she can't cheer. We go for another post-op appointment on Wednesday and we are really hoping she will be able to start weight bearing some. She may even be cleared to drive which will be a God send! Jake has two basketball games this week too. Last weeks was canceled due to the weather. Both of his games are at 8:50pm in Springfield (about 30 minutes away). That's going to be fun, why they schedule eight year olds to have ball games that late is beyond me! If they had more boys on the team I wouldn't let him go, but they only have 7 so they really need everyone there. Guess I should try to go to bed before midnight, 6am is going come mighty early for me!

Friday Funny

I ran to Walgreens today to pick up a couple of prescriptions. When I left Addy was playing in my room, going through books etc. I knew I would only be gone for a few minutes so I figured Jarika would be okay for a bit. (She's still on crutches) There was no way I was taking the kids out unnecessarily, the wind chill was 20 below zero! I was gone maybe 20 minutes. When I came in I asked if Addy had ever come out of my room, Jarika said no, she's been fine, just squawking like usual! I went in and found this:


I told Jarika she was asleep and Jarika said "I thought she was being nice and quiet!" I didn't have the heart to wake her up, she was out! She didn't nap yesterday and was up a couple times during the night. Which was weird because she doesn't usually wake up! Anyway, my little princess too a two hour nap right in front of my closet, poor sweet girl!

FYI: There is nothing dangerous that Addy could have gotten a hold of in this room! It is completely safe and Jake and Cooper were both home as well!

Snowed in Day 3

Yes we are once again canceled due to snow! We haven't returned from Christmas break yet, so this has been a nice long break! I'm actually really enjoying the extra time with my kids. Addy is getting into things which I LOVE! She's just being a little demanding, what 3 year old isn't huh?? I'm sure we're going to be out again tomorrow because it's going to be below zero with wind chills the next few days and it currently looks like this:I LOVE IT! Bring on the snow baby!

This is our friend Ben, he and Jake are good buddies. It's kinda funny though, he's Cooper's age and isn't as big as Jake, man my boys are going to be tall like their Daddy!

So we've been watching movies, rearranging the basement, going through old toys and clothes for the upcoming indoor garage sale, building forts, and being lazy! Addy once again decided to help! I mean get into things! Jake and I have been going through his games and puzzles trying to find all of the pieces. We have a basket full of random pieces and parts that need to be put back in their boxes and Addy found the basket. What good OT huh??? She's picking up all those tiny pieces over and over again, Delene will be so proud! My mom doesn't understand why my kids and I don't always seem to put things back where they belong and we have random pieces of things, but oh well, it's part of my life and it doesn't bother me, it's kind of a mystery to solve and Jake and I are enjoying it!

Is it Wrong?

Is it wrong that I was actually excited to find this?

First of 2010

We already have a first for 2010! During Addy's lunchtime feeding I told myself that I really want to work on her feeding skills this year. Not that I want her off of her g-button yet, but I would like for her to start getting some nutrition orally! I'm thinking since she will start preschool in either August or next January, it would be very beneficial for her to be eating something by then! So while she was eating her pears with salt. Yes, salt, she kept requesting more! She NEVER requests more baby food! We are putting salt (a tiny bit) on her food since that is one taste that she prefers. I have an awesome book about food chaining that I'm utilizing with her and that is one of the suggestions. To pair a desired food with a non-desired one. This is not new information to me, but I seem to underestimate Addy sometimes and hadn't been doing it too much with her. Anyway, Addy "ate" a 1/4 jar of pears! I mean, opened up her mouth and actually swallowed them! She didn't tongue thrust out 99% like she usually does, I was so happy! She even learned how to wipe her mouth with her bib, how cute is that????

Re-Cap of 2009

2009 really wasn't a horrible year for us for which I am thankful. My kids all fared pretty well. Addy was admitted to the hospital twice in February, which turned out to be a blessing since now she has in-home nursing care while we work!

Jarika probably had the roughest year of all of us, I am so hoping 2010 is MUCH better for her! I really don't see at this point how it can't be, she's going to turn 18 this month, she got accepted to the college that she wanted, is going to graduate in May and will be moving out before she knows it. It's bittersweet, I hate to see her go this summer, but I know it will be so wonderful for her to grow up some and enjoy all of the aspects of college life! 2010 does hold a lot of changes for our family when it comes to Jarika leaving our home and going to school, but I think we will manage.

It looks like my mom will be having a rough start as well. She is having her first major surgery on the 19th of this month. I am praying that her back and leg pain is helped immensely by this first procedure! Not sure when the next one will be.

When we brought Addy home in 2007 is had in my mind that we would start the international adoption process in 2010. Unfortunately it doesn't look like that's going to happen, but I am still hopeful that it will happen eventually. It will happen if Scott and I win the lottery this year! I guess I should start playing the lottery huh?

This will also be the last year that I am in my 30s! I turn 39 next month and it doesn't bother me in the least, I guess I'm just in denial!

I haven't really made any resolutions or goals for 2010 yet. I do want to be healthier and there is a plan for that in place. I also want to continue on a positive note when it comes to finances and that's about it. I am so blessed in the fact that there isn't anything about our marriage that I think needs work! I could probably be a little more understanding when it comes to Scott's "narrow interest focus" of geocaching, but that's it!

I want my kids to be happy and healthy just like everyone else does! However, when it comes to a child with significant emotional needs and another one with special needs, that is a big request!