P.T.H.

Potty training H.E. double hockey sticks. That's what we've been in. We are going to give it one more full day of trying and if it continues the way it is going we are going to go back to diapers.

She wets and won't tell us. She fights us to sit on the potty. We have resorted to giving her an M&M every time she even sits on the potty. It's the only thing that works. We've had no pee or poop in the potty yet. It's been two days.

How do people do this? I think she is not ready. Her preschool tells me that she does all the motions (sitting on the potty and showing interest). Her at home is a different story. So we give the good old fashioned all in try for one more day. One. more. day.

Guess who?

Guess who is starting potty training tomorrow??

(Disclaimer: This was a "practice" time so Riley does have panties on. No nudity will be seen on this blog.)

Caved

I caved. I couldn't do it. Bree doesn't understand that when she feels hungry she needs to eat. All she does is cry in a certain way that I am sure I can feel my heart breaking into little pieces. We did sweat it out today right up until bedtime. She only had 3 ounces of milk today, and a few bites of a ritz cracker. This afternoon all she wanted to do was to be held, and she wanted to cry. I couldn't do it.

So before bed, she got a energy drink calorie induced tube fed meal. Two ounces of milk is approximately 40 calories, 1 tbsp of peanut butter =  90 calories, 1 tbsp of honey = 65 calories, 1 scoop doucal = 40 calories, 1 tsp of olive oil = 40 calories all equals out to about 3.5 ounces of  "food" that is 275 calories. Which makes one happy Bree, and one happy Mama.

Day 1 total

Bree's first day total of food:

She did get her morning tube feed before we went to the doctor, which was 8 ounces and 415 calories.

She also ate/drank:

5.5 ounces of whole milk which is approximately 100 calories.

2 chocolate M&M's

I am hoping tomorrow will be a more promising day since it will be her first full day without any tube feeds.

Opportunity to shine!

Today we had a pediatrician appt to talk about appetite stimulant for Bree. Our pediatrician does not reccomend it. I was counting on her backing me for the support of it, but that's okay.

She gave us the go ahead to start trying to wean Bree off of her g tube. Right now Bree eats 3 ritz crackers a day, and drinks about an ounce of whole milk. I think a lot of her lack on wanting to eat is because she is not hungry. How could she be when her breakfast tube fed meal is about 400 calories, and her lunch and dinner tube feeds are 300 each along with a night drip that is 180 calories. That is 1180 calories a day, which is what she needs to be getting. So, if you are getting all the calories you need, you would be full, right? So why would you need to eat by mouth? You have no reason to.

So, Bree will be not receiving any tube feeds during the day for the next 4 days. That is our trial period to see if she is ready to start eating by mouth. She will still be getting her night feed in order to assure she is staying hydrated. I am very hesitant and nervous about this, but I know it's the right thing to do. She's never going to get off of her tube unless we give her the opportunity to show us.

Please be praying for her, and for us as we embark on this adventure together.  I will be sure to keep everyone updated.

Las Vegas Trip

Putting the fun back into it...

I am not sure where I fell off track, but I am sure glad that I recognized it. I used to pride myself on being the "fun" babysitter. I had the crafts, the games and I was not beneath crawling around and growling like a monster to find 'hiding' kids. I loved it, and so did the kids I babysat.

Somewhere between babysitting at 17 and having a two year old and one year old of my own...I lost the fun. I am not sure where it has gone. I think it is lost in piles of laundry, hours of lost sleep, and a massive pile of toys, most of which are broken or missing pieces.

I am vowing to start putting the fun back into my parenting. I am too busy multi tasking, doing schoolwork, or picking up behind the kids. Tomorrow I am going to set my timer in fifteen minute increments and STOP AND PLAY. 

I will get on my knees and crawl around like a monster. I will turn the music up and dance like a maniac. I will give my children my all. All of the fun. All of the laughter. All of me.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Disclaimer: This could gross you out.

So this morning Adam and I were both kind of doing our own things in the house. During this particular event he was doing dishes, I was finishing up my tea on the couch, and both girls were playing by going in and out of the house since the back door was open. Riley happened to make her way into the kitchen. She was standing there talking and kept saying "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to Adam. Being the good Daddy that he was, he was half listening and responding (I do it all the time!) and asked her if she wanted to sing that song.

When he turned around Riley had a cockroach in her hand!!!!! She thought it was THE Itsy Bitsy Spider and was showing it to Daddy! Adam freaked out and Riley dropped it, leaving Adam to stomp on it. Riley must have found it outside and brought it in to show off her find.

Needless to say, we ended up having a good laugh over it...after we got over our heebie jeebies from the cockroach.

Who's the man?

I am the man.

Today I did something my husband has never, and does not know how to do.

I waxed my car.

I know how to do this thanks to my parents. I learned due to the many times I got into trouble...but I was usually waxing a motorhome, and not a car. (Note to self: Make kids do the unpleasant chores as punishment...that way I don't have to do them.) Thank goodness I was such a troublemaker or I would not know how to do many of the things I know how to do.

Doing this today made me curious, how do things work in your family? Does the wife do just the wifely duties, and the man do the manly stuff?

I actually enjoy doing some "manly" chores, it makes me feel empowered and satisfied with myself. Maybe it's a little odd, but it works for us. Adam also doesn't mind doing the "womanly" chores from time to time. He's awesome like that.

How does it work for you?

One small step for Bree...one giant leap for preemie kind!

Guess who's steppin?

Bree!!! Bree took her first steps today with the help of a walker toy!!!!! AND I caught it on video!!!!!!!!!! Now I will try to put it on here later.

I could not be prouder.

My littlest girl is getting so big!

2

Two things:

1. Riley and I were just making some orange juice (Tang to be exact) and I was telling her it smelled like orange...she corrected me and said "No Mommy it smells like green".

2. When I went to the cupboard to get her a sippy cup she put her hand up and said "Mommy...I no use a sippy. I use a cup. I a BIG GIRL!"

Darn kids and growing up. I couldn't be happier!

Hoppy Easter!

400

That's how many posts I have had since starting this little blog. I'm just slightly proud.

There was a reason for this blog post. Bree has been flying along with her accomplishments lately. Just as soon as she does something she's moving onto the next thing before I get a chance to post about it. She is now pulling to a stand on tables, chairs, couches, doors, refrigerators, dishwashers, legs, and anything she can. She is also cruising around on everything she can. And just last night she is letting go of those things and trying to stand on her own. It does last about a good 2 seconds and BOOM! down she goes.

She is so proud of herself, it is amazing to see. We are also very proud of her too. She's not a baby anymore...she's officially a toddler!

Insert sarcasm here

Time out works REALLY well for Bree. I mean really.

She REALLY enjoys it. Sigh. What ever will I do with this child?

Any ideas?

Buggin Daddy

Riley's prayer

"Time to ber-ay?" (Time to pray? She interlaces her hands and bow her head)

"God is good. Thank you for food. Love me family. Jesus name AAAAMEN! Abaluyah!" (Hallelujah)

Goodness gracious, I love her so.

Please spread the word...and pray! pray! pray!

Jason Gump is a close family friend and is battling with brain cancer for his second time. Last night his wife, Devin, had to take him to the ER for breathing difficulties and he in now in ICU in an induced coma on a ventilator. We need your prayers, your love, your positive thoughts sent their way. You can read their story by clicking here. Please say this prayer with me and please copy and paste in your status, or send messages, or spread it however you see fit: 

 

Dear Lord, please be with our friends, The Gumps. They are fighting a huge fight with brain cancer, and Jason needs you more than ever right now. Please send them a miracle. Please watch over Devin, Faith, and Wyatt while Jason is... fighting, and give Devin more strength than ever. In your name, I pray. Amen. 

 

We love you Gumps.

 

 

 

 

Positive thoughts, prayers...anything!

I am at my wits end. Usually I can deal well with whatever is thrown our way...but we've had a rough past two months. I had a falling out with a friend a while ago, and ever since then someone has been sick, all of us have been sick, someone got bit by a dog, fifths disease, ear infections, pink eye...the list goes on. Today Riley now has a bad yeast infection, and I suspect a possible UTI. We will see when we visit the pediatrician tomorrow.


Your prayers, well wishes, positive thoughts, or whatever you do to wish well upon others would be greatly appreciated. We have done everything except ask for the support of everyone else, so I figure it is time to draw upon our group of wonderful prayer warriors and well wishers. Thank you so much!

My face may be different, but my feelings the same.


I laugh, I cry, I take pride in my gains.

I was sent here among you to teach you to love.

As God in the heavens looks down from above.

To Him I am no differnt, His love knows no bounds.

It's those here among you, in cities and towns,

That judge me by standards that man has imparted.

But the family He's choosen will help me get started.

For I'm one of his childern, so special, so few,

That came here to learn the same lessons as you.

That love is acceptance, it must come from the heart.

We all have the same purpose, though not from the start.

The Lord gave me my life to live and embrace.

And I'll do it as you do, just at my own pace.

~Unknown