My KiKi girl is finally feeling better. I took this picture of her when she was really down and out with Strep this past week. Where did her infectious smile go? Doesn't she look pathetic. I will try and get a smiley picture of her tomorrow.
I am so livid right now and need some advice on how to handle this. My son came home from school today because some little girl in his class told him that she was going to be mean to him because he was black!!
How would you handle this???????????
I love this picture of Jim. I can't beleive that we are going to be married for 14 years next month. Isn't he a hottie?? Gotta love those eyes.
I have been out of touch in the blog world. Can't wait to catch up with everyone. Not much going on in the homefront. The sick germs have invaded our home and I am doing everything I can to evict them. Miss Butterfly has Strep right now. SHe has been so mellow and sick. I have enjoyed the mellow part immensely but not the sickies. Finally today her fever is down.
Been a busy week prepping for IEP meetings with the school. Reys is on monday and I am already tense about it. Jim is going to go with me for support. I want so much more for this child and all they care about is the fact that he is passing. I have been working with him on a daily bases and that is the only reason he is reading. He is a yr behind. It ticks me off that I have to fight so much for him to get him what he needs. This no child left behind crap is exactly that.. crap, Whoever came up with it must not have special needs children. Ok off my box.
Dominic still loves to read. He is enjoying the Captain Underpants books. I would love some recommendations for books for him. He is 8 and into chapter books. I just bought him 2 biographies for black history month that he is ready to read.
Gracie is being cute as ever. She has been spending a lot of time on her belly and is trying so hard to rool over and get on her knees. She sees the other kids running around and she wants to be moving with them. She gets so excited when they are around but she also loves her QUIET( yes that does happen for a few hours a day) time cuddling with mommy. She managed to bring her toes up to her mouth today by pulling on her footie jammies.
I sent in my admission papers for School next fall and did the financial aid. I am excited about that. Not much more except I have been working on my Ebay store to try and supplement our income. Check it out if you get a chance.Kiarrah's Closet
We are enjoying life here. Things just never seem to slow down. I guess that is life with 4 kids. My sister claims I have a gift of going on in life like having four kids is normal. LOL Isn't it? I guess for some people it isn't. And to think I would love another one.
Gracie is gaining weight. She is now 13.7 pounds and 25 inches long. She is now in the 5 percentile. YEA!!! She loves to eat and how dare you eat anything in front of her with out giving her some. She will start hollering at you and start smacking her lips. She has quite the personality and sure makes all of us laugh. Her brothers and sister adore her. Kiarrah is doing better with her but I still have to closely monitor her with her because she gets rough or get a sudden jolt of energy and doesn't stop to think that she could hurt Gracie. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is some nasty stuff. I wish I could get into her mind and truely understand what she is feeling. Everything is so off all the time. It is like two minds are trying to run one body.
The boys are doing ok. Reynaldo has been having issues with cycling. Spring is upon us and his Bipolar seems to get so out of wack this time of year. I am trying so hard to learn when he is at the breaking point so that he can be redirected but I am not always so lucky. Please keep us in prayers because this gets so difficult at times. Dominic is doing great. Just sassy and fresh like most 8 year olds.
Life has been a little on the busy side lately. Haven't had much time to blog. Things are good. Just s short little summary for you.
Dom and Rey both did really good on their report cards this quarter and made Effort Roll. I was so proud of them. They are both enjoying their classes at the Arts Academy. Dominic loves to paint but is struggling with having to do still life stuff. He much prefers being free and using his imagination. He does need to learn these concepts though. Rey loves his hip hop class. I have yet to see any of his moves. The teacher has informed me that he does dance. I need to just spy on him on of these days. Just don't want to get caught and have him not want to participate.
Kiarrah is in ballet tap. It is a great way for her to get her energy out. Especially with the tap dancing.
Gracie is growing. We got back to the Dr. on thursday for her to get weighed. I got her a highchair and she thinks that she is big stuff sitting in it. She is such a messy eater too.
Not much else to get into right now.
I want to scream!!! Cover your ears!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH. We just got all the sickie germs out of the house and alas they are back. I got a call from the boys school today. Reynaldo was throwing up. Not again. This is one major disadvantage to having 4 kids. Now I am on a mission to keep them away from each other so they don't share. Yes dear children I like when you share but not this time.
I did something exciting. I bought plane tickets to go back to my parents next month. I am taking the butterfly and sweet potato. Daddy is gonna keep the boys. We will all head out there this summer for a week or two. The price of tickets was amazing. The whole thing was my DH's idea. It will give Ki and me a chance to maybe work on our relationship.
I have been tagged by my wonderful buddy Sarah who is new to the blogging world. She has amazed me with her new found abilities to link and use the word meme. I have been blogging for a year and never new what that term meant nor did I master linking. This is the very reason that it has taken me so long to respond to this tagging. I needed time to look up how to link to Blogs so this is my first attempt.
Here are the rules to the Meme.
1) Link to the person who tagged you. 2) Post the rules on your blog. 3) Share 6 non-important things ,habits, quirks about yourself. 4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blog. 5) Let the random people know that they have been tagged by leaving comments on their blogs.
Ok Now for the List of Quirky Things about me. Are you sure that you are ready for this??
1) I can pick up quarters with my toes. I am ashamed to admit that this talent was discovered during my Wild Drinking Days. After a quarter bouncing, shotglass filling and then slamming down of alcohol night I discovered this easy feat with my feet. Who would have know I could have such a talent with my pretty pedicured toes. Oh to have those youthfull pretty tootsies again. Honey if you are reading this I am in need of a day of pampering. This wonderful talent did come in handy when I was very pregnant and couldn't bend over to pick things up.
2) I have a love for Fresh 350 or higher threadcount sheets. There is nothing finer and more soothing then sleeping into bed with these luxurious sheets. I can't stand cheap sheets. Call me a sheet snob if you must. I have acquired this from my mother dearest. I especially love when you go to a nice hotel and they have the whole upscale bedline. You want to leave there and purchase the whole $2000.00 dollar line.
3) I am petrified of mice. I have nightmares about them either. Have since I was little. It can even be a fake one and I will be lifting my feet and screaming my head off. When I was younger I had gone out to the garage to get the bag of grass seed for my dad and one of those evil critters jumped out of the bag and ran over my hand and landed on my barefoot. I screamed.
4) I love kid movies. Shhhh don't let this get out and please don't tell my kids. Mary Poppins, Summer Magic, High School Musical, even Teenage Mutant Turtles. Coawabunga Dude. Of course I make the kids think I don't like what they are watching but secretly I am "helping" them decide on a movie based on what I want to see. I even enjoy Gracie's Baby Einstein movies. We just borrowed a great movie from my neighbor called The Praise Baby Collection. It is so soothing.
5) I hate socks and shoes. I love to have naked tootsies. I would run around barefoot all the time if I could. I especially hate wearing socks to bed and kick them off immediately if I wear them to bed. I do love shoes and pretty socks but naked feet is my first choice. I have been wearing shoes and socks lately though because it has been so cold and could it have anything to do with the fact that I need a pedicure? See number 1
6) I am a horrible front seat passenger driver. I am surprised I haven't put a hole in the floor board where my imaginery brake pedal is. I know that I drive my DH crazy but....... Hey, he scares me sometime.
So there you have it. The real Jenn..... Can't wait to read yours. I tag
Lori
Desiree
Julie
Well actually, She has before but I haven't been able to capture it on camera because I usually need the flash and it makes her close her eyes. Her eyes actually twinkle when she smiles.
Aren't they cuties? Today is filled with cleaning the house, listing on ebay and paying bills. FUn FUn FUn.
Kiarrah is doing a little better with Gracie. We have been working on that relationship and my relationship with Kiarrah. It was headed down the toliet but we are trying. She is one of the most stuborrn children I have ever met and I have met my match so to speak. My DH feels we are a lot alike. I just don't see it. I have been trying to spend some one on one time with her and we went and ran errands on Saturday. Just her and I. She bought Gracie a cute little pink elephant for her collection. It is for Valentine's Day so Shhhhh don't tell Gracie.
I finally found some products that work in KiKi's hair. The first one I found works great but is too expensive but we are having really good luck with Infusium 23. She had taken scissors to her hair twice now and I finally have it looking good. I can get a wide tooth comb throough it with ease. Hopefully it will keep it hydrated.
Gracie girl thinks she is big stuff when she is propped up to sit. Well, she had her Dr.'s appointment and weighed 12 lbs 4 oz. She is just gonna be a tiny little thing. She is a little behind on some things but she was also 5 weeks early. She got three of her shots and ran a low grade fever. Yesterday and today she is fighting a bug. I have it too but not full force yet. You know when you hurt so much even your hairs on your head hurt? That is what I am starting to feel like. Jim was an angel today and helped me so much this morning. I am so incredibly blessed to have him.
The other three are good. Kiarrah has been up to her usual antics. She managed to get her hands on some scissors again and cut her hair. It is such a mess. We had a babysitter Saturday night so that we could go to a dinner for married couples at our Pastor's house. She was great with the kids and did Kiarrahs hair into a beautiful little style that will work until her hair grows in some more.
We are trying to figure out what to do with her next school year. We have a close friend that has offered to homeschool her with her child. She is a wonderful woman of God and has the patience on a Saint. She also truly "gets" Kiarrah. Not many people do but Kiarrah listens to her also. We are going to do some research on it and check on books and such. She wants to use the Abeka program with her. Any of you have experience with it?
What is really nice about this option is that they can work at their own pace and advance if need be. Please keep this in prayer along with us. I just feel if I send Ki to the public school it is going to be hell. She will eat them alive and become the class bully/trouble maker. The FASD has affected her so much and I am seeing it more and more.
Did you ever notice that it hurts when God Prunes us? This has been on my mind a lot this morning. Gracie got the dreaded stomach bug. Started throwing up last night a little after ten. I feel so bad for her. We are taking it easy today and she is sleeping. Just trying to keep the other little monsters quiet so she can sleep.
Boy am I exhausted today. I worked as a nanny for a friend and it wiped me out. It is hard to believe that I did this as a profession for 15 years. I do have to remind myself that I am a lot older and I have 4 children now and I actually took care of my 5 month old today too. It is so different when it is your own child. I did really enjoy it but know that I couldn't do this on a everyday basis. The girls are a month apart and wasn't much different from when I took care of the twins for 8 years.
I thought I would give you all a little update. Took Gracie to the Dr. today. She now weighs 11.8. Luckily she is staying in that 3 percentile curve and not losing. We have moved her to solids and she screams for more. She loves to eat. We started with carrots and she has since also had green beans(which she loved), applesauce and peaches. I decided to make her some fresh green beans today and she actually did not like them at all. It might have been the butter in them. They were left over from dinner. Tomorrow I think I am gonna try her on sweet potato.
Dominic is sick with a double ear infection and his throat and nose are bothering him.
Reynaldo wishes he didn't have to go to school. He tried playing the sick card on Wednesday when they had to go back after the holidays. I wish they would have just given them the rest of the week off.
Jim has been off this week. Today we kept Kiarrah home so she could have some mommy and daddy time. She lives for that. We had a nice Day.
Tomorrow I am going to work as a fill in nanny. I will also do it next week and possibly the week after that. I am gonna see how it goes first before I take on that second week. The family has three children but I will just be taking care of their 4 month old daughter. Gracie will have a little play date.
Not much else going on here.
Dumb Mommy forgot to give Allergy medicine before going to Grandpa Ed and Grandma Jane's House and had to give Dominic benadryl for his allergies. Poor Kiddo fell fast asleep.
I took this test 3 times and the first two times it said Gracie looked 11% more like me, her mommy. Thsi test says equal. Everyone is always saying Gracie looks just like her daddy. I guess she has a lot of me too. SO there :P
1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No lines at the supermarket.
5. A special glance.
6. Getting mail.
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake (vanilla or strawberry).
12. A bubble bath.
13. Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15 The beach
16. Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter.
17. Laughing at yourself.
18. Looking into their eyes and knowing they Love you
19 Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
20. Running through sprinklers.
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
22. Having someone tell you that you're beautiful.
23. Laughing at an inside joke with FRIENDS
25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
27. Kisses and Hugs
28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
29. Playing with a new puppy.
30. Having someone play with your hair.
31. Sweet dreams.
32. Hot chocolate.
33. Road trips with friends or family
34. Swinging on swings.
35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
36. Making chocolate chip cookies.
37. Having your friends send you homemade cookies.
38 Holding hands with someone you care about.
39 Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change.
40. Watching the _expression on someone's face as they open a much desired present from you.
41. Watching the sunrise.
42. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day.
43. Knowing that somebody misses you.
44' Snuggling with a freshly bathes baby.
44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
45. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what other people think.
Aww these make me feel all warm and cuddly inside. Do you have any to add? Please feel free to comment.
You know, I should already be in bed sleeping but my mind is restless and I can't seem to relax today. I have a lot on my plate for this next week and as crazy as it may seem, I welcome it. It helps keep my mind off of the fact that I am not going to Indiana for Christmas. I am really bummed that we will be here in Joisey this year. Going home last month has unfortunately caused my homesickness to overflow. We luckily will go down to my in laws for Christmas Eve. It is just hard because I am so used to our family traditions and when they are different I have a hard time. I really wanted to start new traditions with the kids this year. I had wanted to start doing St. Nicholas Day but that was actually for last night. I guess there is always next year.
We have some simple traditions like everyone gets a new ornament and I bake cookies. What is it will Urban people. Few like to bake or have never made homemade cookies. How am I supposed to start a tradition of a cookie exchange if I have no one to exchange with? Do I need to teach people how to bake? I am open to it :)
Does this post sound gloomy? I guess I am a little down today. Just a lot on my mind and missing family.
I am so ticked off right now I could scream. Hubby took the day off of work so we could do some errands and then we had an appointment for when the kids got out of school to get a family portrait done and a picture for this years Christmas card. Everyone got all gussied up in the pretty/handsome clothes and we headed over that that great retail store with the bulls eye. First off I forgot my coupon. The sales clerk was extremely rude and was of no help. In fact he flat out told me that he didn't have coupons and couldn't use on for me because he didn't have the code. Give me a break!!! It was the coupon that comes in the Sunday coupon circular almost every week. I literally have 4 of them sitting here at home that have been relocated to the trashcan because they have lost my business in their portrait studio. That wasn't the only thing that happened. When we got into the room Gracie starting crying hysterically. You have to know Gracie to know she hardly ever cries. She is such a good baby. I tried everything and she wouldn't stop. The photographer was getting mad because he couldn't take our pictures and he said he had to take these quickly because he had other people coming. I told him thank god we got there early to accommodate this and I was going to try and calm her down. He was shocked that it actually wasn't even our appointment time yet. She wouldn't calm down and I had him just start taking pictures of the kiddos individually. We tried again for the family portrait with no luck and when she finally did calm down he informs us that he took the 12 pictures and couldn't take anymore. NOT once did this gentleman(wrong choice of words)try to assist us by playing with the baby or trying the many tricks of the trade to get her attention. He had no personality and was downright rude. They will be receiving a letter from me at their corporate office. The thing that upsets me the most is that the other three children were on their best behavior and would have smiled beautifully. I know it isn't any ones fault that the baby was crying but he just made matters worst and didn't even try. What a waste of time. Plus we had driven 1/2 hour away during traffic to the place by our old house because studios are so booked up.
We shall try again.
Dominic informed me today that he needs to get the Wii for Christmas because it is good for him. When I asked him why he said it is educational and he will be able to get exercise!!!! I had to control myself from laughing. I have heard it all.
I am so proud of my boys. They did so well on their report cards. Dominic even made Honor Roll. Rey had a huge improvement from last year. I was looking over their Terra Nova testing scores and was shocked. Since we have moved here and entered this school system Rey's score went up 33% and Dominic's went up 3%. I know that the schools could be so much better but that is a huge difference especially for Reynaldo. That has a lot to say about our old school district. All I want from them is their best. Dominic loves his teacher and loves school. Reynaldo has a teacher that I wish would push him a little more because I feel he could even do better. He does have a special education teacher in the classroom to that works with him one on one a lot. She is really good with him but her hands seem to be tied a lot on how much she can do. Rey is the type of child that needs a little flexibility in his learning style. She is very sensitive to that and tries to cater to him. The head teacher is more rigid. Rey is also seeing on OT therapist on a once a week basis that has been working with him on many issues.
All in all I am pleased with the progress they are making.
We finally got Kiarrah into the neurologist. After going through her whole history, the Dr. feels that she has FASD. That would explain the extreme impulsivity and the lack of fear. We are going to try a new medicine to help her with this. Kari if you are reading this coudl you please email me at mademombygod@comcast.net. I could really use some help on this regarding schooling and just general advice. I lost the link to your page.
The one great thing Kiarrah has going for her is that she is extremely bright. She loves to learn.
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