Saturday was little man's second soccer game. We discovered last week that his team can sort of actually play when they slaughtered the other team 35 to 2 or something like that. Watching him get so excited to go to practice or a game has been great considering the only thing he ever requests is video games. His focus and intensity has been awesome. I didn't get to see this game, but I got several play by plays from all the kids and Adam.
Apparently Adam made a bribery deal with little man in an effort to get him to really try. I guess it had several tiers with smaller prizes for smaller accomplishments, leading up to a video game after he scored 5 goals. He thought it would take the whole season. Not so with our little man. Once he knew what was at stake, he made sure it happened. He scored three goals in the first 5 minutes of the game.
After the fourth goal, Adam told him that he needed to start passing to his teammates and help them to score. So he did. Every time he got the ball, he would take it right to the goal, then wait for a teammate to show up and pass the ball to them so they could score. By halftime, the coaches told the team they needed to not score so much and let the other team score too. Tyson rejected this at first, but quickly changed his mind when he thought about how the other team must be feeling. So he spent the rest of the game trying not to score and helping the other side.
By the end of the game, he had scored another goal accidentally. He went running to the sidelines to Adam, and reminded him that he earned the whole video game now. That made all the parents start laughing out loud. When they got home he had also earned three big boxes of candy that he very willingly shared with all of us. I was proud on several levels. One, that he maintained his focus on the end goal. Two, that he was willing to be a team player, knowing it might keep him from getting his goal in one game. Three, even once he got his reward, he was so willing to share it with everyone rather than hoard it for himself.
Makes me feel that maybe something we're trying to teach is actually sinking in.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Just Off
Somehow I've managed to lose the month of April somewhere. I don't know what I did with it, I just know there's no way it's already over. I'm still struggling to find my groove since getting back from Texas, both physically and mentally. Physically, Adam and I have both had just plain weird things going on. Back spasms, stomach issues, tension migraines, allergies, etc. I have this feeling that I'm heading towards a train wreck with my stomach issues, but I don't have the energy to figure out what's setting it off. To top things off, my neck, shoulders, and back have been so tight I'm scared of a serious injury if I work out yet, so I've just been avoiding exercise all together. It's probably a quick fix at the chiropractor-just need to get it into the schedule.
Other than that, I'm just off. I've been so tired that I can't focus on anything, and I've been falling asleep at 8 and 9 pm. Being so tired gets me back into my depressed state of mind, so it's been hard to shake off. Then I start taking it out on the kiddos, and guilt sets in. A totally vicious cycle, and one I'm really working on breaking. I'm trying to go back and read through the tips and advice from Paul last summer, but it feels like it's not what I need to hear right now. Super frustrating.
One thing keeping me somewhat in check is appointments. Between dentist, therapy, and rehab specialist, we've been pretty busy. Little man had his first bad news check-up at the dentist. I'm still figuring out how to tell him he's getting knocked out so they can get fixed. Molly is the super star of the month. First, she's pretty much stair safe!!!! After spending hours every day practicing going up and down, she's got it down! When we told Dr. Gooch at her follow up appointment, her jaw dropped. Yeah, that's how Molly rolls. Standing and walking are still a long ways off, but at least stairs don't give me a heart attack anymore and the baby gate is safely put away again. She also had a breakthrough with receptive language. Through much bribery of treats and ice cream, she figured out the sign and word for 'more'!!!!!!!! Even though she had two days of consequences from the ice cream, it was worth it!! Dr. Gooch suggested starting speech therapy, but we decided to hold off one more month and see what she does first.
Another area of excitement (hopefully), is that Molly appears to be ok without the prevacid anymore! In trying to get more for her the past few weeks, I discovered just how bad the shortage is nationally. Pretty much our only option was to get the solu-tabs, which work great, but it's a $185 co-pay for a 4 week supply. Since she's been doing better with reflux lately, we decided to try and take her off before investing in a solu-tab refill. Today is day three and so far, so good!!!!! (knock on wood)
On a different Molly note, the big girls are starting to see just how behind Molly is in the physical department. Today when I picked them up from school, they were going on and on about how a parent volunteer came in for a party and brought a baby the same age as Molly. They were shocked at how well she was walking and getting into things and talking. Part of me was glad they see Molly as the norm, but a little piece of my heart was aching that the differences are becoming more and more noticeable for them. They are still her biggest cheerleaders.
Overall, I feel like I'm getting closer to back on track at this point. I just wish my body would quit hating me so much sometimes.
Other than that, I'm just off. I've been so tired that I can't focus on anything, and I've been falling asleep at 8 and 9 pm. Being so tired gets me back into my depressed state of mind, so it's been hard to shake off. Then I start taking it out on the kiddos, and guilt sets in. A totally vicious cycle, and one I'm really working on breaking. I'm trying to go back and read through the tips and advice from Paul last summer, but it feels like it's not what I need to hear right now. Super frustrating.
One thing keeping me somewhat in check is appointments. Between dentist, therapy, and rehab specialist, we've been pretty busy. Little man had his first bad news check-up at the dentist. I'm still figuring out how to tell him he's getting knocked out so they can get fixed. Molly is the super star of the month. First, she's pretty much stair safe!!!! After spending hours every day practicing going up and down, she's got it down! When we told Dr. Gooch at her follow up appointment, her jaw dropped. Yeah, that's how Molly rolls. Standing and walking are still a long ways off, but at least stairs don't give me a heart attack anymore and the baby gate is safely put away again. She also had a breakthrough with receptive language. Through much bribery of treats and ice cream, she figured out the sign and word for 'more'!!!!!!!! Even though she had two days of consequences from the ice cream, it was worth it!! Dr. Gooch suggested starting speech therapy, but we decided to hold off one more month and see what she does first.
Another area of excitement (hopefully), is that Molly appears to be ok without the prevacid anymore! In trying to get more for her the past few weeks, I discovered just how bad the shortage is nationally. Pretty much our only option was to get the solu-tabs, which work great, but it's a $185 co-pay for a 4 week supply. Since she's been doing better with reflux lately, we decided to try and take her off before investing in a solu-tab refill. Today is day three and so far, so good!!!!! (knock on wood)
On a different Molly note, the big girls are starting to see just how behind Molly is in the physical department. Today when I picked them up from school, they were going on and on about how a parent volunteer came in for a party and brought a baby the same age as Molly. They were shocked at how well she was walking and getting into things and talking. Part of me was glad they see Molly as the norm, but a little piece of my heart was aching that the differences are becoming more and more noticeable for them. They are still her biggest cheerleaders.
Overall, I feel like I'm getting closer to back on track at this point. I just wish my body would quit hating me so much sometimes.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Success!
We are back! I survived the Texas trip!!! The past ten days have been a super fun, but definitely not restful, vacation to visit my parents. The kids did amazing with the 20+ hours of driving each way. Bringing my amazing, about to be 18 year old niece was the best decision I could've made. She was so helpful with the kids.
We basically consumed candy and ice cream the entire week we were there. Some of it was in the name of science. My niece had never tried blue bell ice cream and we needed to figure out what flavor is the best (we decided on two-depending on your mood). It was the most action packed vacation I can remember. We were going 100 miles per hour from the moment we parked the car in the driveway.
Big baby and Molly did great too. Molly had some gas issues, and I kept up with the grapefruit seed extract, which seemed to help. They both remembered my parents, which was fun. I have a feeling their house seems awfully quiet this week after all their squeals, screams, and crying. Big baby even said her first impromptu prayer. It consisted of thanking Heavenly Father for her favorite things of the day, or "tings a day". It was super cute.
On the down side, I got my first speeding ticket in 15 years. Stupid speed limit signs are posted on the median of the road on the reservation near Shiprock, NM. The cop never even gave me a chance to explain anything. The most frustrating part is that the stupid ticket keeps repeating that you have to pay with a check or money order, but it never tells you who to make the check out to! STUPID!!!
I loved almost every minute of the trip, and even got some workouts in. It felt really good. although I came home completely exhausted, and I'm really excited for no trips until June-ish, it was a fabulous break. I think this will be one for the memory books for the kids. For my niece and I, we'll be remembering all the poop art and blow outs we got to deal with on the drive home...
We basically consumed candy and ice cream the entire week we were there. Some of it was in the name of science. My niece had never tried blue bell ice cream and we needed to figure out what flavor is the best (we decided on two-depending on your mood). It was the most action packed vacation I can remember. We were going 100 miles per hour from the moment we parked the car in the driveway.
Big baby and Molly did great too. Molly had some gas issues, and I kept up with the grapefruit seed extract, which seemed to help. They both remembered my parents, which was fun. I have a feeling their house seems awfully quiet this week after all their squeals, screams, and crying. Big baby even said her first impromptu prayer. It consisted of thanking Heavenly Father for her favorite things of the day, or "tings a day". It was super cute.
On the down side, I got my first speeding ticket in 15 years. Stupid speed limit signs are posted on the median of the road on the reservation near Shiprock, NM. The cop never even gave me a chance to explain anything. The most frustrating part is that the stupid ticket keeps repeating that you have to pay with a check or money order, but it never tells you who to make the check out to! STUPID!!!
I loved almost every minute of the trip, and even got some workouts in. It felt really good. although I came home completely exhausted, and I'm really excited for no trips until June-ish, it was a fabulous break. I think this will be one for the memory books for the kids. For my niece and I, we'll be remembering all the poop art and blow outs we got to deal with on the drive home...
Thursday, April 5, 2012
How Big is Your Mouth?
I think it's safe to say I've bitten off more than I could possibly chew this year. Especially considering all my plans involve money. As I pack up for the drive to Texas tomorrow morning, I'm totally stressing. Which also means cinnamon bears are close by and disappearing fast. A longer break from my vacation plans will be so nice once we get back. How ironic is that-I want a vacation from the vacation planning??
I'm feeling so much better about life and our family this year, but I keep getting ahead of myself. With the basement, with the kids' rooms, with all these trips, with yard projects, etc. It feels like I'm desperately trying to make up for the 'lost' 2 years of my life.
At the same time, I feel like this year is the golden year for our family. The big kids aren't too big yet and still love spending time with us, and the bitties are getting bigger and stronger every day. Even though our house is constantly looking like a bomb went off, and silly arguments are a constant, we are having fun and starting to explore the world again. One of my favorite sounds lately is the sound of Molly playing with the neighbor kids. She's been so off limits since she came home, that's she still a complete novelty for all the kids' friends. And they are having a seriously good time getting to know each other.
Speaking of Molly, she's doing pretty well. There have been some issues with her intestines the past week or so. Last Thursday her gas changed to the most horrible smelling gas I've ever been around. By Sunday her tummy was rock hard and she was having blow out after blow out. It seemed like we were experiencing her first bout with bacterial overgrowth and I was ready to take her in Monday morning, then it just stopped. A wonderful neighbor spent Monday afternoon tracking down grapefruit seed extract for us to try a more natural remedy before dosing up the antibiotics and it seems to be helping some. My gut is telling me the issue isn't bacteria, it's yeast. That's been Molly's nemesis from day one. I'm going to try some experiments to see if my gut is right. It's made me do a lot of research into odor elimination the past week. I got several comments when I asked the support group, so I'm excited to try some of them out.
Physically, she is progressing again. I think I spend at least two hours a day practicing stairs with her lately. She's getting pretty proficient. Walking and standing are still months away, but given the choice I would gladly take stair safe over walking independently right now. Her neck is giving us more concern lately. She still seems like her head is too heavy to hold in a normal position. I have a feeling it will become more of the focal point of her therapy in the coming months.
She is so close to figuring out phrases though. Last week I was trying to distract her from the stairs and told her to go get Daddy. She paused, turned and faced our bedroom door for a second, called out, then kept crawling. I swear she understood me.
Adam and I are plugging away at P90X. I definitely don't have the intensity I did before. Life just keeps creeping in. I think Adam is getting more on board with it though. It's fun to do it together. If I could only get more discipline in the sugar department I would be seeing a lot more results I think.
I'm feeling so much better about life and our family this year, but I keep getting ahead of myself. With the basement, with the kids' rooms, with all these trips, with yard projects, etc. It feels like I'm desperately trying to make up for the 'lost' 2 years of my life.
At the same time, I feel like this year is the golden year for our family. The big kids aren't too big yet and still love spending time with us, and the bitties are getting bigger and stronger every day. Even though our house is constantly looking like a bomb went off, and silly arguments are a constant, we are having fun and starting to explore the world again. One of my favorite sounds lately is the sound of Molly playing with the neighbor kids. She's been so off limits since she came home, that's she still a complete novelty for all the kids' friends. And they are having a seriously good time getting to know each other.
Speaking of Molly, she's doing pretty well. There have been some issues with her intestines the past week or so. Last Thursday her gas changed to the most horrible smelling gas I've ever been around. By Sunday her tummy was rock hard and she was having blow out after blow out. It seemed like we were experiencing her first bout with bacterial overgrowth and I was ready to take her in Monday morning, then it just stopped. A wonderful neighbor spent Monday afternoon tracking down grapefruit seed extract for us to try a more natural remedy before dosing up the antibiotics and it seems to be helping some. My gut is telling me the issue isn't bacteria, it's yeast. That's been Molly's nemesis from day one. I'm going to try some experiments to see if my gut is right. It's made me do a lot of research into odor elimination the past week. I got several comments when I asked the support group, so I'm excited to try some of them out.
Physically, she is progressing again. I think I spend at least two hours a day practicing stairs with her lately. She's getting pretty proficient. Walking and standing are still months away, but given the choice I would gladly take stair safe over walking independently right now. Her neck is giving us more concern lately. She still seems like her head is too heavy to hold in a normal position. I have a feeling it will become more of the focal point of her therapy in the coming months.
She is so close to figuring out phrases though. Last week I was trying to distract her from the stairs and told her to go get Daddy. She paused, turned and faced our bedroom door for a second, called out, then kept crawling. I swear she understood me.
Adam and I are plugging away at P90X. I definitely don't have the intensity I did before. Life just keeps creeping in. I think Adam is getting more on board with it though. It's fun to do it together. If I could only get more discipline in the sugar department I would be seeing a lot more results I think.
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