First pages in 2008, of course they are not of 2008

I was able to go scrapbooking this past Saturday and to my surprise I was able to get two 2 page layouts done...well, done for me. Done means put together...the first layout still needs journaling. The second layout needs a few embellishments and journaling. Anyway, so there not really done...but I was still proud of myself and I had a good time :o).

Here are some pictures of my artwork...let me know what you think!

This is a layout of Kaylyn's first 4th of July...kind of obvious, I know

This is a layout of Mother's Day 2007

chronic ear infection...

Okay...I just want to vent a little. Dec. 18 Grant had surgery to get his 4th set of tubes. Two weeks ago he got an ear infection in his left ear. We went to the dr. and she gave us ear drops. they seemed to work. Then last night he and we were up half the night...until I finally just gave him some tylenol...10 minutes later we were all asleep...man that stuff works fast for him. I just wish I had given it to him 5 hours earlier! Anyway, you see I had no idea what was wrong all last night, even after asking him 20 times what hurts, what it wrong...blah blah blah. He still can't tell us. You would think as many times as he has had an ear infection that would be the first thing I check...well, I guess you can tell I am a real slow learner, especially at 4 am. I didn't know until he got up this morning and I was getting him ready for school that his left ear was draining again. So I call the dr. and can't get him in until tomorrow but we still have some drops left from last week so we start those again. WELL, guess what, I noticed at dinner his right ear was draining now too! How frustrating. And it is even more worrisome since he is at higher risk of getting meningitis because of his CI. But we are starting him on allergy shots tomorrow so...I am hoping that will take care of this reoccurring problem. I guess we will see in about a month or so. Please pray the allergy shots work!

The season of bumps and bruises

So the season of bumps and bruises has begun, I am sad to say. Kaylyn has started to take a step or two at a time this week. Big milestone I know! I can't believe it is time for her to start walking already...but that is a post for another day :o). The other night she stood up in front of the entertainment center and misjudged the distance when she was reaching for it and fell into it. She got her first official self induced bruise right above her left eye. In her eyebrow line in fact. It just so happened I had been taking pictures of her standing and stepping so I got some bruise pictures, too...after I comforted her of course.

This picture was taken just before the fall.

She is still a cutie even with the bruise. Some other milestones she has achieved recently, saying uh oh when she drops something, whether by accident or on purpose. She has been able to blow kisses and wave byebye for a while now. She can say mama and dada but she says dada more :o(. And I think she has started to say 'that'. She shakes her head yes and no. She can drink out of a sippy cup and a straw. She weighs over 22 lb and is right at 30 inches long/tall. She is 11 months Monday. How much they change the first year.

The "M" word...

Yes...I did say the "M" word...Masters. I swore I would never go back to school, but here I am 7 years later eating those words. I had my acceptance interview today into the Counseling program, which went well by the way :o). Right now I am only taking one class per trimester and this first one is an online class, Research Methods.
Other than that I have started purging the clutter from my house. After Christmas it seems we have been bombarded by toys and trash and junk in general. So, today I started with the kitchen and the countertops have never looked so bare...I love it :o). I have decided just to take one room at a time as to not get overwhelmed because believe me we have accumulated a lot of junk plus the tight living quarters makes it seem like there is so much more.
And now if only I could keep my kids well...Kaylyn with her perpetual runny nose and cough, Grant with yet another ear infection...ugh! So, hopefully we can get him started on allergy shots next week and start to see a difference in the next month or so. On the up side, his tube is still positioned well and I guess is doing its job. And he is doing so well with his implant. His speech therapist said she is very pleased and that his quick progress is amazing. They are talking about sending him to Kindergarten in the fall...but I am not sure yet. Don't they start reading and math and spelling in Kindergarten now...I just don't know. How can he learn to spell when he is just starting to learn how to say words correctly... I keep asking myself, are the any pros to sending him on, are there any cons to waiting one more year? But if we don't send him to K where will he go...he can't stay in Head Start since it is based on age and 3 and 4 yr olds go to head start and 5 yr olds go to kindergarten....Where is the parents choice in all of this? Why do they think my child is going to be ready for Kindergarten in the fall. I just don't want to regret sending him on before he was ready, you know. How horrible it would be to have to hold him back...would it be more horrible for me or for him? I just want what is best for my child. I don't what to have to see him struggle. Will waiting another year give him that edge? Or at least help to catch up on speech and language skills.
I guess that lends itself to a prayer request, please pray for God's guidance and clarity for us over this matter.
So, I haven't downloaded any pictures lately but Kenny has been wanting me to post these of the boys playing Rock Band...
So there you go... the 3rd on is my fav :o). Grant will imitate anything, good or bad...

Happy New Year!!!

Well, it has been a very busy and quick passing two and a half weeks. I can believe it is 2008 already. I knew it would happen like this...it always does. Just so fast, a whirlwind really. But we did have a good time with Kenny and I being off the whole time. Spending time with family, friends, watching the kids, making memories and setting traditions, and, of course, taking pictures :o).
The week before Christmas Grant has surgery for new ear tubes. The surgery was quick and uneventful, and Grant was running around like nothing ever happened. We spent time with Kenny's family that week as well.
Then Christmas week everyone started getting sick. My mom had been sick for 2 weeks and was still sick. Kaylyn started with a cough on the Sunday before Christmas and I started with a fever on Wednesday. Took Kaylyn to the Dr on Thursday since she has started to get a runny nose, she has bronchitis. I went to the Dr on Friday because I wasn't getting better either. Kenny took Grant to see Alvin and the Chipmunks so that Kaylyn and I could rest. Then Friday night Grant started throwing up. Stomach bug or food poisoning? Not really sure. But it started about 8:30pm and he threw about twice an hour until 5am when I finally remembered we still have some phenegran suppositories in the fridge. He then slept for about 6 hours but I didn't. It was time for Kaylyn to wake up and of course she was ready to eat. I did get a little shut eye while I was nursing her though. Then on Sunday morning I get a call from my bil saying they are on the way to the emergency room with my nephew Keenan, he had a bad cough and labored breathing. Turned out that he has Croup. And my mom's family was all getting together on Sunday afternoon for Christmas. So, poor Keenan had to miss out on all the festivities and Bethany and Chad took turns coming over to visit.
On Sunday night Kenny's mom came to visit and stayed with us until Tuesday late afternoon. We all went over to my mom and dad's for dinner on New Year's eve and played cards but we came home before midnight so we could get the kids ready for bed...but they ended up staying up until the ball dropped anyway. Well Kaylyn didn't make it she was asleep in my arms. And we all slept in this morning :o).
Jan. 2nd...Kenny goes back to work and Grant goes back to school! Break is over...for some of us :o). The residents don't come back until next Sunday...so I still have a week and a half before things get back in full swing for me.
And over the break Kaylyn has gotten one 'step' closer to walking. She is now standing alone for a few seconds at a time.
Well, that is my update from my last post. I hope everyone is well and will be blessed with a happy and wonderful New Year!