A long weekend

Even though we had a three day weekend I still woke up this morning wanting it to be longer.

We had a hot hot one here in the Chicago area. And I just saw on Wed we have a high of 59*. Only here can it go from 95* to 59* in 3 days, LOL.

Sunday we took family pictures in my parents back yard with the photographer we have been using for two years. It was pretty hot but we endured and I think got some great shots. She showed me a few on her camera....LOVE! B needed a few AC breaks to cool down and despite the heat I don't think we will be too shiny in the pics from sweat! We will have pics in two weeks, can't wait!

Sunday B also turned 21 months old. Only three short months until he is TWO. Craziness! He is 33.5in/27lb 1oz.

Monday we went to my in laws lake house. It was a little too windy but I was able to get some sun. B's not a fan of wind so he hung inside most of the time.

Hope you had a great Memorial Weekend!

Current

Sooo, I totally stole this from Kristen today but she's one of my faves so I'm going with copying is the highest form of flattery!

Current Books:

Yeah...I read one book a year because I have the attention spam of a two year old. I have been told I must read 50 Shades of Grey but I probably wont get to it until 2014, lets be honest!

Current Playlist:

I have been loving Kiss FM and all things popular music. Anything catchy that I can sing too. Makes me happy. And I will admit I get the One Direction obsession.

Current Color:

Green or teal. Most of my clothes and things are black or grey and this year I really want to branch out with color. My rule is if I buy something it can't be black or grey. I am really loving color! Really love this collective concepts top (on clearance at Piperlime)

 

Current Food:

Mexican anything, well anything that is GF which most of it is. I am making a skinny taco dip for Monday and I am doing Taco Tuesdays in our house!

Current Favorite Shows:

I am hooked on The Client List. Horrible acting but strangely addicting!

 

Current Needs:

A massage. A vacation. A girls night in the city. A tan (which is my goal for Monday at the lake).

Current Bain of My Existence:

Hating my hair. My hair lady botched my cut this week. To fix it I would have to chop a few inches off, no thanks! I'll just perfect the pony tail!

Current Celebrity Crush:

Cat Sadler, major girl crush! 

Current #1 Blessing:

A healthy family and my little guys smile.

Current Favorite Outfit:

It would be the top from above. But I love a flowy tank with skinny jeans.

Current Excitement: 

 Family pictures on Sunday. Lake day on Monday. Three day weekend. D's 30th birthday and friends in town next weekend.

Current Mood:

HAPPY!! I'm in a good place this week!

Current Wish List:

Again, the top from above!

Also this ring from my fave jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher. Cute and edgy.

An update on B

Little man is now becoming a big boy and in 3 months will be TWO. That blows my mind.

*We have been slowly weening Brayden off his Phenobarbital (seizure med) for the past 3 months. Last night was his last dose and we had zero problems with the ween. He had been on it since 7 days old and we were worried the ween would bring on seizures, which is common. (fingers crossed) It went perfectly and now he is just on one med for seizures, which hopefully someday he will be on none but we are happy for now.

*Yesterday I med with B's special needs Dr and an equipment vender to talk about stroller/wheelchair options for B since he has outgrown his stroller and with his low head control he needs a special chair. We found a great option that insurance covers!! It looks like a stroller. Folds down like a stroller. It's light weight. It will grow with him. It is approved for van/bus travel when he goes to school at 3.

It's called a Kid Kart Express. It will be here in a few weeks.

*B is rolling like crazy, especially with his new play gym that D made. He loves it!

*B got fitted for night time leg braces (AFO's) and so far hates them. We are trying to get him to nap in them to build up to wearing them all night.

*B is starting to make small little laugh noises when we tickle him. Maybe we can get a laugh soon!

*We have been thinking about getting B a G tube, permanent feeding tube that would be surgically inserted into his stomach. He has not been eating well and his weight has been up and down. We are meeting with his GI Dr again in July to discuss more. The other night it was a struggle to get B to take his meds, which with a tube he could easily get.

*Tooth number two is right under the gums and any day now!

Sleeping in this morning

Being silly with mom!

Dad likes the play mat too!

Play mat...B style!

Although Brayden is becoming more mobile with his stander and chairs he is still pretty confined to the floor if we need to put him down. He has had the same play mat since he came home from the hospital (over a year). It was becoming very apparent that he was too big for it. He would roll over and get stuck on the polls or toys. We needed something bigger that allowed him to be on the floor, be able to play, and be able to roll. I remember seeing this cool picture a few months ago of this play area a family made for there special needs kiddo who was also laying down a lot. Luckily we were able to find that picture online again and make a modified version for B out of pvc pipe, links, and toys.

I am so happy with how it turned out and how easy (and cheap) it was to make. B loves it and he has so much more room.

30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30!

I found this list on Pinterest and I loved it so I thought I would share since I will be turning 30 at the end of this year. I found this list so relatable and very true!

By 30, you should have ...

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.
2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.
3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.
4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.
5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.
6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.
7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age -- and some money set aside to help fund it.
8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you.
9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.
10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.
11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.
12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.
13. The belief that you deserve it.
14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.
15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know ... 

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.
2. How you feel about having kids.
3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.
4. When to try harder and when to walk away.
5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.
6. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.
7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.
8. Where to go -- be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat -- when your soul needs soothing.
9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.
10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.
11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.
12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.
13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.
14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.
15. Why they say life begins at 30.

What's on your personal list of things to have and know -- and possibly do -- before turning 30?

Mother's Day

Being a mom is a hard job. I would even say the hardest job. There are days when I want to quit, I want to cry, I want to scream, I want to take a break. Even on the hard days I can look at my little man and he puts the biggest smile on my face. Motherhood may be hard but the rewards are huge! I love being a mommy to my little man, it's the best job!

My wonderful husband and son gave me a great mothers day. I slept in, got flowers, spent some me time alone, had brunch with my parents. Great day and beautiful weather.

Happy mothers day to all the moms who know how hard this job is and how wonderful. A special happy mothers day to my mom, the one who taught me how to be a good mom!

My beautiful mom

Right after Bella licked B in the mouth, LOL

Being silly with B on his mat

FINALLY....a tooth!

After ten years of teething B finally got a tooth!! Well really 20 months but in baby teething years it feels like 10.

B's gums have been swollen for a long time. He has had teething signs off and on since 6 months old. Last night I spied a little something on his gums and when I felt it low and behold a sharp little tooth popping through. We were very happy, the first tooth is a milestone for parents and ours just happened much much later, LOL.

His gums are really swollen and I think I can see another waiting to come in. I'm pretty sure within a month he will have quite a few as he'll get all of them at once.

B has been extra crabby this week and the other night would not sleep. So now we know why!! Orajel is on the daily routine now and we wait for more!! And try to get pictures...which is impossible!!

He got his bottom right tooth. After 20 minutes of trying to get a picture (he will not let you get to his bottom gums) I finally got one where he smiled and let me see the tooth.

All in a day...

Thank you for the kind words yesterday. Loosing a job is never an easy thing. Oddly enough D was told yesterday morning it would be his last day and in the afternoon he got a job offer. He will start May 22. So only two weeks of unemployment, that's not too bad.

Unfortunately it looks like the benefits at the new company won't work for us and all of B's medical needs. The personal plan we have now, although expensive, is really good coverage for all his Drs and meds. Maybe we can revisit at the first of the year when deductibles start over.

So we are happy that this all worked out. It was meant to be!!

Transitions

I am not a big fan of change. I know being a mom change is blatenly evident and life in general. But still I like routine, I like consistency.

D was informed in March that his company was relocating his department to Texas and everyone would be loosing there jobs. We just did the new routine last October and here we go again. There was a bit of relief when we heard he would be safe until June 1. Enter slight panic and job searching. D was informed last month that he was guaranteed a job until May 23. OK, this sucks but we'll make due. Last week people started getting let go, against the companies word it wouldn't be happening so we really became scared. Each day hoping it wasn't the last, D still interviewing. Well today D got let go. Enter every swear word possible for his f'd up company and there broken promise. I'll spare you that full rant of my disgust with them. Karma, that's all I'm saying!

So what now? D has been told he is getting a job he interviewed for but that it wouldn't be going through until later this month. So he's off to the unemployment line tomorrow!

This month is definitely going to be a challenge for us and change will be happening, hopefully for the good. I hate waiting so if it could happen now that would be great!! Fingers crossed!

Welcome to Holland

I found this beautiful story, recommended by one of B's therapists. It was written by a mom of a special needs kiddo. She could not have explained it more perfect. 

*******

Welcome to Holland

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to imagine how it would feel.
It is like this...

When you're going to have a baby, it is like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The Gondolas of Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It is all very exciting.

After months of anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bag and off you go. Several hours later the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, 'Welcome to Holland'. 'Holland? ' you say. 'What do you mean Holland? I signed up for Italy! ! ! I am supposed to be in Italy. All my life I have dreamed of going to Italy! '.

But there has been a change in flight plan, they have landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they have not taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It is just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met before. It is just a different place. It's slower paced than Italy. It's less flashy than Italy. But after you have been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills, Holland has tulips, and Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy and they are all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, 'Yes, that is where I was supposed to go, That's where I had planned'.

And the pain of that will never, ever go away, because the loss of that dream is a very significant loss, but if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't go to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland. 

Written by Emily Perl Kingsley (in 1987)