The Chronicles of Chelle

Groupon

2011-05-18T13:02:00.000-07:00

I like Groupons.

If you want to try them out - here is my referral link.

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu6717543

Erik goes fishing

2011-03-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

Erik has been begging to go fishing, so we got him a fishing rod for his birthday.

This was his first fishing trip.

Grasshopper Parfaits

2011-03-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

For St. Patrick's day I made a lightened up version of the grasshopper parfaits recipe I found on www.kraftfoods.com.

Here is my version of the recipe.

1/2 cup of fat-free, sugar-free jello pudding - chocolate flavor
2 tbsp cool whip free
a couple drops of green food coloring
2 thin mints, crushed

Mix cool whip free and food coloring until you reach your desired color of green.
Put half of the pudding in the bottom of a pretty class.
Top with half of the cool whip.
Then top with half of the crushed thin mints.
Repeat.

Erik is really ready to eat Grasshopper Parfaits - he was not disappointed.

Here is the finished product.

It's Been a While

2011-03-16T18:16:00.000-07:00

I am going to try blogging again. We'll see what happens.

James is 10 1/2 months old and thinks he is such a big man because he can eat Cheerios and cubes banana pieces all by himself.

Erik just turned 4 and thinks he knows everything because he is 4.

Todd now had Type 1 diabetes but handles it like a real pro. The man is outstanding at guestimating how many carbs are in a dish.

I have been in a flare since the fall and am ready to be done with that. But, everytime my steriods get below 20 mg per day I seem to have problems. Still love my doc, though. I got my hair highlighted the other day. It is really different but kind of fun.

We got the boys a membership to the McWayne center for Christmas. It has been fun. We went to the CraneWorks big trucks day. The boys (Erik) got to sit in a backhoe, a front end loader, a police car, a fire truck, and other fun vehicles. Erik loves digging for fossils the best.

That is all for now, I guess.

11 lbs

2010-06-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

I had to take James to the doctor yesterday (he probably has some reflux). He weighed 11 lbs. The doctor said his growth was outstanding. I guess he won't let the fact that he was born 5 weeks early slow him down. Good job James!

Galactosemia and Surgery Update

2010-06-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was eventful. I got a call from UAB's newborn testing coordinator for genetic testing. Jame's new born screening for galactosemia had been off (we knew this), and the results from Dr. Simpson's double check and the genetic testing that was sent off to Emory had returned. James has a low level of the enzyme needed to digest galactose (the hospital and Dr. Simpson's test) confirmed the low level; the testing sent to Emory revealed he is Duarte Galactosemic. This means he has one gene for galactosemia and one gene for duarte galactosemia.

The coordinator said that means he needs to be on no dairy for 1 year. After that, dairy will be slowly reintroduced (my understanding is that it will be reintroduced under the guidance of a pediatrician - I am not sure if it will be Dr. Simpson or the UAB genetic peds). The coordinator said that they have never had a duarte patient have trouble after the first year, and the first year no dairy is most precautionary (but considering the complications if too much galactose is in his system, it is necessary).

I checked out the galactosemia website. I am so thrilled that it is not classic galactosemia which has a number of complications even when treated. Praise the Lord!!!!

Also, my follow up appointment with the surgeon was yesterday. I am very tender in my upper abdomen and lower right side of my abdomen. He thinks it is part of the healing processes (I also think the extreme diarrhea I have had since the surgery had contributed to this). He gave me instructions that if I get more tender in the upper abdomen (where the abscess was), I am to call him. If I get more tender in the side, call the gastro.

He also said I am supposed to come back at the first of September so he can check to make sure the place where the abscess was hasn't become herniated.

Other than that, he said I will continue to be in pain off and on for a while. When they removed the abscess, a big space was left. In addition to all the organs returning to their normal place after pregnancy, my organs also have to fill the space of the abscess and heal.

So, I am to continue to take it easy and continue on the healing process. I am betting that since he won't know until September if I have developed a hernia, it will be longer than I hoped before my stomach feels somewhat normal.

The surgeon also put me on the yucky tasting medicine to try to stop my diarrhea (which he had hoped would stop on its own). When he removed 1 foot of my small intestine, it was the part of the small intestine responsible for absorbing vitamin B12 (I will have to be on shots for the rest of my life) and reabsorbing body salts (think the electrolytes like in gatorade). The multivitamin I am on should help prevent any imbalances, but the unabsorbed salts act as a laxative when they hit my large intestine. He said to stay on this until the gastro changes it (if he chooses to).

The funny thing is that the medicine is actually a cholesterol lowering medicine. The diarrhea usage is off label, but the pharmacist said it is common and safe for a problem like mine. So while my cholesterol was previously healthy, I guess in addition to not being trapped to places with restrooms close by, my cholesterol will also be extra healthy.

I am having trouble adjusting to the fact that this is a life-long change for me. I have had what we believed to be IBS for as long as I can remember; however I never thought of it as life-long because most of IBS treatment is eating high fiber foods. The idea of being on medicines for the rest of my life seems weird to me. It is also a little scary to think I will have to be so diligent. I can have trouble remembering to take medicines. I am trusting God to give me a habit of taking care of myself so it doesn't become a problem.

Quick Update

2010-05-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

James was born on May 4th (at 34 weeks 6 days). He is healthy but little. 5 lbs 7 oz. He had a check up today. He is now 6 lbs 5 oz. Dr. said he is growing faster than the rate they hope for.

I had a CT scan the on May 5 to see what the lump in my stomach was (and the source of all my pain). Turns out that I had a perforation in my small bowel (due to undiagnosed Crohn's Disease). The perforation caused an abscess that was growing through my abdomen wall.

May 6th was surgery prep day. Basically it was a colonosocpy type prep (with a lot of crying on my part). James is discharged from hospital with Todd.

May 7th was my surgery. They removed the abscess and a foot of my small intestine (called bowel resection).

May 8th -17th - surgery recovery in the hospital. The surgeon says I have no idea how sick I was. I am sure he is right; however, I am sure I did not enjoy the recovery. I was so sick my colon would not "wake up." They had hoped it would happen right away; mine took 7 days. I ended up spending most of the time not allowed anything by mouth. Finally I had an NG tube and pit lines (for IV feeding) and a blood transfusion. This time period also included mountains of vomiting, diarrhea, blood work, cultures, samples, and other gross stuff.

May 18th - I go home after a half day of solid food.

Since May 18th I have been trying to recover. I am eating better. I am gaining some strength, although stairs are still beyond my ability. It is amazing how much energy putting clothes on takes. I cry easily (or more easily than usual). My colon that wouldn't wake up now won't slow down. The surgeon said 6 to 8 weeks recovery. Today is week 3. The gastro doctor told me to expect all the recovery to take on the longer side because I was so sick for so long, had the baby, and then had the surgery (and I went into the surgery almost needing a blood transfusion due to low iron).

Hopefully I will feel well enough to post pictures of James soon.

Erik has been such a good boy and big brother through all of this. God sent Todd's mom to stay with us just days before James was born. She has been so wonderful. My mom was so wonderful staying with me almost round the clock the entire time I was at the hospital. Todd has been amazing taking care of Erik and James. The man is a super dad!

Update

2010-04-17T15:38:00.000-07:00

Well most of last week has been pretty good. I think my strength was coming back. I actually straighted up the house some on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I worked in the office, and I have a good working day from home on Thursday.

Then I hit the wall yesterday. I am still having some trouble getting myself back to normal after taking antibiotics, and as Todd says, I probably did too much. Poor Todd came back in the bedroom last night to find me in tears. I am just tired of being in pain. I think things are getting worse, but not because my condition is getting worse (I think that is about the same), but because the end of pregnancy aches and pains are being added to it.

So, today, I am feeling a little better than yesterday. I am in less pain, but I have a lot less energy. I am a bit sad because I am missing out on a cookout at Oak Mountain. But, I am so glad that Todd and Erik are able to go. I am glad they are enjoying a spring activity, and I am hopefully going to do some online shopping tonight.

I remember enjoying the last of Erik's pregnancy (even with the end of pregnancy aches and pains) because there were showers, a nursery to decorate, baby clothes to wash and put away, trips to Target and BabiesRUs to buy supplies and just look in wonder at all the baby stuff. I spent time talking to Erik in the womb, and I felt like we bonded even before he was born.

However, with this pregnancy, I feel like I have just spent since Christmas trying to survive. I am really praying for just a couple pain free weeks to enjoy the last little bit of pregnancy.

I have also been worried for the baby because I have not really taken prenatal vitamins because I have been so sick (now at 33 weeks I weigh a couple pounds less than when I got pregnant). However, this kid kicks just as hard as Erik did, and the second sonogram I had he looked healthy and measured a week ahead. So I am not so worried. I am thankful for that piece of mind.

On other notes, my tulips are blossomed. They are red with yellow throats. Very pretty.

Erik has not had an accident since the end of March (the Monday I was in the hospital), and he is now wearing big boy underwear all the time. We are so proud of him. He is pretty proud too. We got him Thomas underwear, and as soon as there is an opening in Ms. Carole's class at school he gets to move up because he is 3 and potty trained. He is so excited about that. They have been letting him go to Ms. Carole's class whenever one of her students don't show up.

At school yesterday, Erik drew a picture of Baby James. It is basically a big smiley face. He was pretty proud of himself. Todd, I, Nana, and Erik's teacher think it is pretty sweet. I think he is getting excited to have a little brother.

Nana did our laundry last week. I am so thankful for that. And, Pawpaw came and cut our grass today. That was great too. Erik especially liked it because he got to ride in Pawpaws lap on the lawnmower for a couple passes around the yard. Erik actually had to go down for nap when Pawpaw was still cutting the grass. He cried and cried when he woke up and realized that Pawpaw had gone home.

We have had a couple people bring us dinners (the Bakers, my mom, the Pardues, Vicki). They have been so appreciated.

Well, that is all for now. I hope to post some pictures, soon.

Quick Item Of Praise

2010-04-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

One challenge in now complete. I got the taxes filed. Unfortunately we owed about $600 due to the Obama administration changing the withholding tables but not the tax liability tables; but they are complete no the less. I will take it.

What a Week

2010-04-04T08:45:00.001-07:00

For those of you who don't know, I spent most of the last week in the hospital. Here is the basics of the entire thing.

Since Decemeber, I have been in pain in my upper abdomen and left side and left side of my back. It continues to get worse as my pregnancy progresses (baby gets bigger pain gets worse, I guess). My OBs all say the baby is fine; which is great because I don't have to that worry on top of my pain. However, I am not OK. So, the OBs turned me over to a Gastro (I have a history of IBS-C which everyone thought was out of control with pregnancy hormones).

In January, I was hospitalized with pain and a fever. The Gastro did a colonoscopy. They ran all the tests you can run with a colonoscopy, and they all came back clear. My colon spasmed through the entire test, so Dr. N (the gastro) put me on anti-spasm medicine. With that medicine, some Miralax and fiber, we have been limping along. BUT, things kept getting worse. So, at the beginning of March, Dr. N. did an endoscopy. This came back clear except for a medium sized hiatal hernia, which Dr. N. said was small enough that most people wouldn't even know they had it. So we added some daily heartburn medicine and tried to limp on (which didn't really do anything other than prevent the occassional heartburn that I was having).

As a side note, my condition seems to be better in the morning and get progressively worse throughout the day. I manage to take care of myself and work, but by about 2:30 or 3:00, I find myself counting down every minute to quiting time (which isn't usually the case because at my office the floor is quietest at this time and I used to get a bunch of work done then). By 4:30, I drag myself to the car. When I get to Erik's school, I can barely get out of the car. When I get him home, I colapse on the bed or couch and Erik plays until Todd gets home. I hurt all night long, but the morning shower seems to loosen things up and I am usually feeling a little better by the time I arrive at work.

After the endoscopy, my condition got worse faster. Last Friday was worse than normal. I found myself watching the clock at 1:30 instead of 2:30, and when I made it to Erik's school I seriously thought of asking the director to go get him for me (I would have but she wasn't in her office). I ended up in tears trying to get Erik in the car. We got home, and I crawled in bed. We ended up going to Arby's for dinner, and I ate a plain jr. roast beef sandwich and couldn't even drink my sweet tea. I went to bed immediately after we got home, and by the time 10:00 came I was in so much pain that I was panicking (crying and panic make stomach pain worse). So, I called the dr. in the morning fearing that I had an intestinal blockage or something.

Saturday morning we went to the doctor. Dr. H (the on call OB) decided to admit me to the hospital for IV fluids and a gastro consult because I had lost so much weight over the last month and a half. (Funny little side note - Dr. H and Dr. N both go to church with some of my coworkers)

Saturday's gastro consult didn't go well because Dr. N's on-call person (Dr. M) probably hadn't seen a pregnant person in years. So his initial decision was to continue my regular medicines for 48 hours. He did order a stool sample to check for bacteria.

Needless to say we were not pleased, and neither was Dr. H (the OB). So, Sunday morning, Dr. H came in the room with me when Dr. M came in. Dr. M was much more thorough. He really felt like my condition was not digestive but muscular or skeletal, but wanted to wait 24 hrs to have Dr. N see me (and the stool sample labs were not back yet). He added another medicine to try to see if coating my stomach with a soothing medicine would help (it didn't).

Dr. N. saw me on Monday and ordered some blood work and consulted more with the OB's. We spent the day trying to stay hydrated and waiting on all the lab results. By Tuesday all the tests came back clear. So, Dr. N ordered a CT scan (which requires drinking a bunch of banana flavored smoothy stuff laced with barium - not the most fun for a nauseated person but comparatively not too bad - I am still thankful for that). The CT scan showed nothing unusual, so we were back to square one. So one Wednesday they gave me an enema to make sure that everything was cleared out (which my colon was already empty, I would have been mad, but I felt like it helped flush out any barium that might have been in my system).

So on Thursday, Dr. N decided to start testing for some more rare conditions. I would tell you what they are, but I don't remember. I do know one was vasculitis and another is a metabolic disorder. So Thursday was spent with blood work, a 24 hour test, and trying to keep my fever gone, and trying to figure a way to get me comfortable enough to go home for the Easter weekend.

I was discharched on Good Friday with a bunch of prescriptions, a follow up appointment for Dr. N., instructions to make a follow up appointment with my OB, a present from some ladies who make encouragement presents for mom's on bed rest, and a misdelivered pink balloon which Erik happily adopted. I was also given words from Dr. N. that he thinks my condition is not digestive as they have seen pretty much all of my digestive system (I don't think they have seen my small intestine due to the baby). I am not out of the woods yet. And, he hopes to know more by my follow up appointment. He does already know that one of the rarer blood tests for inflamation is off the charts.

I had a good day Friday and ate well. However, around 10:00 Friday night the pain started again, and I got a horrible case of the chills. Todd had to hold me still I was shaking so much. The chills and pain continued most of the night and I ended up with a fever. I fought the fever all day yesterday (Saturday) so I didn't eat well at all.

Today I am feeling a little better. I don't think I have had a fever and I have already eated better (I ate breakfast!). Todd and Erik are gone to church. I am starting to feel tired again, but I guess that is to be expected.

So, here is a run down of the tests I have had:
A colonoscopy
An endoscopy
A gallbladder sononogram
A CT scan
A host of blood work
A 24 hour urine test
A stool sample for C-Diff
A sonogram of the baby and my ovaries (the baby looks great and is measuring a week bigger than his due date, and we are quite sure he is boy)
An enema (half treatment - half test)

A run down of results:
The baby looks great and kicks nurses and is head down
My digestive system is fairly normal except for what appears to be run of the mill IBS (I got to keep the protonix for heartburn so I can eat salsa again)
I don't appear to have gallstones or pancreatis or liver function problems
All my regular blood tests, stool sample, and other normal tests have been normal.
The 2 blood tests that might indiciate a more rare disorder: 1 came back slightly elevated but in the normal range for a pregnant woman, and 1 came back so high it is off the charts

A List of Challenges
Dealing with pain
Dealing with guilt for not being able to take better care of my family - Todd is doing a great job and Erik has been well behaved - I just long to have a more active mom role including doing some fun activities
Desiring to get back to work some - there are several things I need to do before my maternity leave - I know I can't do these things without help
Rebuilding strength - spending the week in the hospital and taking pain meds at night drops your blood pressure and zaps your energy - I currently don't feel able to drive, stand for about more time than it takes to have a shower, or to be left alone with Erik
Anemia
Eating - I am so nauseated and in pain that I don't really want to eat. It is a real struggle and it leads to dehydration. I also need to gain weight for the baby. I need to be able to eat well for the health of the baby and for my anemia. Additionally, eating often causes stomach spasms during a meal.
Getting ready for baby and packing a hospital bag
I need summer/spring maternity clothes
Figuring out a plan of what drugs will not upset my IBS when I deliver and having that plan in hand before delivery
Knowing what to do or who to call if my follow up with Dr. N leaves no plan of action (he has already said he doesn't know what to do since this does not appear digestive)
Pain from being in bed too long
Controling fever and dealing with the discomfort of having a fever (I get really nauseated and iritable)
Chills (due to both pain and fever)
Hoping my body progresses to labor very quickly and that the baby would be ready. Todd and I are going to talk to the OBs about inducing as soon as it seems things are ready (as close to 37 weeks as possible). However, we will have to know that the baby is physically ready and that my cervix is thinned. I have high hopes for this since I dialeted early with Erik.
I need to get my energy back enough to pay the bills and do our takes. This is an ASAP item.

I know there are more but my foggy mind can't recall them.

I will spend more time telling about the special things that happened at the hospital (visitors, the photo baby lady, Nurse Sharon, being able to see Todd again after not being able to for a couple of days) later.

In the mean time, Todd is a great Easter Bunny. Last night he brought me beautiful yellow roses which make me smile every time I see them. He put 11 of them in a vase on my vanity so I can see them in bed, and one in a bud vase so I can have it close to me on my bedside table. And he fixed Easter baskets for each of us. We all got candy and a snack size bag of chips. Erik also got Easter shaped sidewalk chalk. My Easter basket had extra bags of chips (Lays Original) because the salty light flavor tastes really good to me even when nothing else does. And, he bought ginger
ale (which tastes really good to me- but I have to be careful with I don't need to introduce too much gas into my already sensitive system).

Todd is great!!!!!!

I think I need a nap.

Random Thoughts

2010-02-20T06:17:00.001-08:00

I don't normally follow men's ice skating, but I love the Olympics so I have followed it since the Olympics started. I think the Russian silver medal winner is being horribly unsportsman-like. I watched the short program. I didn't really pay that much attention (I was too busy being shocked by the costumes), but the Russian skater, the Chinese skater and Evan Lysacek all did very well. Their jumps were polished, their footwork looked difficult yet effortless, and their artistry was good. I paid more attention when I watched the free skate (aka long program) because I knew so much was on the line. The Chinese skater fell on one of his jumps, and his artistry was not as good as the Russian and Evan. Then Evan skated. His artistry was great (he is tall so his artistry really shows when it is done well or done with half effort), and he had a lot of difficult footwork. All of his jumps were landed perfectly. There was no wobbling, flailing body parts, etc. It was like the ice was rising up to meet him. He didn't do a quad jump. But he did a lot of triples and many of them were at the end of the program (showing more control, strength, and endurance - thus bonus points for jumps occurring after the 2:15 point in the program). The Russian did do a quad jump - but barely. All of his jumps were barely landed - doubles, triples, and the quad. He wobbled, waved his arms, nearly touched the ice, etc. just to stay on his feet in all but one double jump. AND, all his jumps occured at the beginning of the program (he had no jumps at all in the last full minute of the program), so they should have been a lot better. His artistry was half-efforted. I thought he looked like he was "phoning it in." His footwork was fine, but I didn't notice it to be outstanding. So basically, the Russian is a sore loser. He may have more ability than Evan (I don't know), but he does not have the same control and consistency as Evan. Ability doesn't win completions, performance do. Consistent and appropriate training make performances (practice makes perfect).

Which brings me to another point... what is the deal with the current culture that men dress so femininely. I don't think guys have to wear baggy or un-stylish clothing. I love the look of a smartly dressed guy. But, skinny jeans and sequins (the ice skating connection here), is just wrong. If you are a guy and want to wear a tight shirt or sweater, fine. But at least wear it with regular pants or a good pair of Levi's 501's. It is so weird to me to see couples walking around, and the guy's skinny jeans are showing off more figure than his nicely dressed girl friend.

I read on someone's blog that they missed being pregnant because everything tasted so good when they were pregnant. Well, I have not had that experience! Not with either pregnancy. I love sweets, for example. They do not taste all that good to me. Lactose free ice cream is still really good, but a lot of other sweets just taste sugary - like the other flavors that make it good (vanilla, cinnamon, etc.) aren't there. Spicy things are hotter to me when I am pregnant. Salads are flavorless. Vinegary things (other than pickles and olives) like balsamic vinaigrette's taste too strong. With my last pregnancy I craved avocados (a local restaurant had the best grilled chicken and avocado sandwich). I haven't really even had avocados with this pregnancy. I should get some. They are so healthy, and I bet they would taste great. The mild salsa at Hacienda (a little restaurant by my office) tastes great, though!

For Valentine's we got to use some gift cards and ate at J. Alexander's. It was delightful. Normally J. Alexander's is out of our budget, but we had quite a lot in gift cards (thanks Counter Dimensions) so we were able to order peel and eat shrimp for an appetizer and we both had steaks. My steak was perfect. And, the baked potato was excellent. I don't know how they did it but it was fluffy inside. I am so used to baked potatoes at restaurants being underdone. This one was perfect. I must figure out how they cook them.

I also got flowers for Valentine's this year. I haven't gotten flowers in a long time. Todd usually likes to spend the money we have budgeted on more gift rather than less gift and flowers. I certainly appreciate this sentiment (in fact I will rarely spend money on greeting cards for birthdays for this same reason), but there is something so feminine about receiving flowers or jewelry for Valentine's. It just makes you feel like the love of your spouses life.

We are trying to decide whether to put the new baby in the same room as Erik or put the new baby in the office. I don't mind putting both boys in one room, but we will lose the guest space (right now guests stay in Erik's room). However, we keep the office space (which will have to be redone because that room ends up being a dump for clutter and it makes me crazy). If we put the new baby in the office, Erik's room will be his room/guest space (Erik will sleep in the baby's room when there are guests)/ play room (this will get the toys out of the living room). I think we would put the desk in the living room (I have a beautiful antique desk that my parents gave us that needs to have the finish completed), but this will require some significant technology changes and figuring out what to do with all of our books and games (I am thinking of built in shelves in the dining room). The problem is we have a small house (which I am content with), but with a small house storage solutions and appropriate furniture become very important. Affording such storage and furniture is a bit of a problem for us. So we will see. I do have some cute ideas in mind for both situations, and I am looking forward to doing some big boy room stuff for Erik. The new baby's theme will be safari/monkey (it will be a much needed change for me from the trains/trucks of Erik and I really think Erik will like the monkey theme for his little bro since he is a huge Curious George fan).

I am working on a baby registry for the new baby right now. We basically registered at Target last night, but I already think there are some changes that I want to make to it. For starters, I put a double stroller on it (the kind where the baby goes in front and the older child can sit/stand on the back). Todd really thinks Erik has about out-grown the stroller (we currently have a nice single stroller). However, I always use the stroller when Todd is not with us. I know I can't carry two kids around stores on my own (I can't really carry Erik around stores now - he weighs around 30 lbs). So, I am leaning towards the stroller. However, I don't want to spend a bunch of money on a stroller that won't get used that long, and I already hate how much room the stroller takes up in the back of my vehicle. So, I am not sure what to do. I remember how Heather loved her double stroller when her kids were little; however, I know she hasn't used it that much with the last of her 4.

I had an interesting impromptu visit to the doctor the other day. I thought I was at the start of a bladder infection, and I called the doctor. They were not sure sure (I wasn't totally sure) so they wanted me to come in and check for signs of premature labor (I was pretty sure that wasn't the case - but either way I was hurting so I came right in). My labs showed that I didn't have a UTI, so they checked my cervix. That was just like it was supposed to be, but the doctor said the baby was sitting very low and she could feel his head or bottom sitting right on it. So, the pain was caused by the baby putting pressure on the ligaments at the base of my abdomen and my bladder. I went home and stayed in bed for a while. Fortunately he has moved some and the pain stopped. I may have to get one of those maternity support belts later on, but hopefully not (that seems like it would be hot to wear here in the South).

I am now 6 months pregnant and starting to feel pressure to get the house ready to have a new family member. I know most of May will be spent with end of the year work activities and generally feeling huge. So, I am hoping to do most of the work (including Spring cleaning) before then. We will see how it goes.

I am so looking forward to warmer weather.

I hope to post some pictures later in the week. We had snow last Friday. For the last 3 years in a row, we have gotten a picture of Erik and I standing in the snow together facing the same direction in our front yard. I think the pics are so cool.

Erik loved Valentine's day. He got to spend the night with Nana and Pawpaw so Todd and I got to go on a date. As far as Erik is concerned, he had more of a treat then we did. Nana and Pawpaw's house is one of his favorite places to be. He loves to read the big train picture book with Nana, play with Pawpaw and Uncle David, and Nana lets him drink the Clear America soda's that Wal-mart makes (Erik calls them strawberry Sprite's). Nana got him a Thomas the Train movie for Valentine's, and we got him a Matchbox police car and some chocolates for Valentine's. Erik declared, "I love Valentine's!"

Erik's birthday is coming up. I am not the picture of energy right now, so I would love to do a party some place that is not in our home. However, I called Pump it Up - their parties are $165 plus food, and Chick-fil-A is $150 including food, but no cake included. That is way out of our birthday price range. So, I think the party will be here, but I may call in favors from Aunt LeeLee and Nana to pull off the party.

My birthday is coming up on Tuesday. It doesn't even seem like it is going to be possible with so much going on. Work has missions conference, ladies' luncheon that day at work, my mom has jury duty, I have work, house work, so much going on. I imagine that the date will just fly right by me almost unnoticed. That is a bit sad to me. I have always been one of those people who want to have fun for a couple days around birthdays. I think it comes from growing up with a winter birthday. I always had to go to school on my birthday which basically means the day is a non event and then you would have your party on the weekend. So, my parents kind of made every day between the birthday and the party a little fun (maybe just watching an old movie but still fun). So, now I want to have fun all week long. I guess I am just a girl looking for a party. LOL!

I am starting to worry about going into labor. My labor was induced with Erik 6 days before his due date. Another doctor in the practice scheduled me for it; he didn't really think I would even make it to the date. I did (however, I came in with mild contractions that weren't hurting and dilated 4 centimeters, completely effaced - so I think the induction changed Erik's birth time by a matter of hours). Now, however, medical thought is that inducing before a due date is in general not a great practice, and my personal doctor is not that big in interventions unless there is a lot of indication (which is part of why I like her - agressive when needed but pretty laid back). They worry for me is that because I have painful gastrological flare ups- that involves muscle cramps/spasms - that I won't know I am in labor (rather than a flare up) until it is quite progressed. I delivered Erik very quickly (about 5 hours from start to finish with only pushing 3 or 4 times), and I worry that perhaps I won't make it to the hospital in time. This is probably a stupid fear, but it is bouncing around in my mind none the less.

I am also worried about the epidural this time, too. I am a fan of the epidural and plan to get it. However, St. Vincent's policy is to give patients who get any anesthesia dose of Raglan (a very strong anti acid). Anti acids constipate me a lot. Last time, I didn't go to the bathroom for 5 days after having Erik - this combined with an episiotomy - meant that the week after having Erik was pretty excruciating. When I had my throat surgery, they backed it down for me from Raglan to Pepcid, but I still had problems (and I was on a liquid diet). You see, anti acids are in general constipating, anesthesia is in general constipating, and the hormones involved in labor and delivery generally shut your digestive system down for a couple of days. At least, they know that I have IBS and chronic constipation so they can be mindful of it, but I don't want a huge problem. Hopefully I won't have to have an episitomy this time which will help.

Well, I think that is all for now. I hope to post pictures later.

Grace Made Evident

2010-02-12T06:45:00.000-08:00

One of my friends from college has a photography business. I totally didn't know this until now when I saw that she is doing a print giveaway that ends today. I am so excited for her. The pictures are fabulous.

If you get a chance, check out her blog at: http://gracemadeevident.blogspot.com/.

If you see this today, sign up for the drawing (although I secretly hope you don't to increase my chances of winning... heehee...just kidding). The drawing link is: http://gracemadeevident.blogspot.com/2010/02/giveaway-win-one-of-my-prints.html

Very cool - check it out.

Potty Training Mayhem, Etc.

2010-02-04T19:02:00.000-08:00

I am 22 weeks pregnant. 18 more weeks to go. Tired of having my stomach hurt. I have a pregnancy check up on Tuesday. I am looking forward to hearing the heartbeat again.

I am at this moment craving a Popsicle. That is kind of funny because I haven't crave sweets much, and the idea of eating a Popsicle when it is so cold outside seems weird.

OK here is the potty training deal. When Erik is at school he pretty much goes potty without accident. He even poops in the potty most of the time (not all the time - but most of the time). At home he will not go potty on his own. We have to tell him to go. He resists going and has accidents. He goes potty of his own initiative at restaurants, church, and other places. Just not at home.

This makes momma crazy. Today we let him wear big boy underwear at home in hopes that it would keep him from having an accident. All morning he did great. He never identified for himself when he needed to go potty. But, he stayed dry and went potty each time I prompted him without argument and too much playing (although one time he did come out of the bathroom with his Thomas the Tank Engine potty seat on his head - momma didn't find this funny). Then after lunch, I told him to go potty and try to pee pee and poop before nap time. He went in there again without much fight. He told me he went pee pee but didn't have to poop (he said this while making a pooping/pushing face). He flushed and came out of the bathroom.

Then we took like two minutes to watch the garbage truck (a highlight for every little boy), and the garbage man even honked the horn at Erik as he often does. We went to Erik's room to read stories for nap time. When we got in his room, I discovered Erik had pooped in his underwear.

Pregnant mothers, with a very active gag reflex, who just told their son to go poop, don't handle this situation well. I am one of those mothers. There was a spanking, I threw up, Erik cried. It was not the most pleasant scene.

I feel really divided on how to deal with the potty training stuff. I think he gets the sensation of having to go (especially pee - poop I am a little less sure of). I don't want to be an uptight mom who flips out every time their kid has an accident and causes them to develop a complex and chronic constipation and bladder infections because they are so afraid to go to the bathroom. But on the other hand, I want him to understand that while there are rewards for going potty, there are consequences for not going potty when you needed to. I hope he figures this out soon. I don't like the second guessing myself. I definitely don't like the gagging.

Sesame Street Bandaid Drama

2010-01-28T18:08:00.000-08:00

So, for the longest time Erik absolutely refused to wear a bandaid. He was cry and cry and pull and pull on the bandaid until it came off - like it frightened him or something. So, I introduced Erik to Sesame Street bandaids in hopes that if there were a real need to wear a bandaid we could do so civilally.

Well, I accomplished the mission of being able to wear a bandaid and in the process created a bandaid monster. Erik skinned his finger last week, and he has insisted on wearing a bandaid at all times as his finger has been healing (we managed to 16 hours without a bandaid once in the past week and a half). However, since the incident, there have been a number of incidents where he has stood there and cried and cried because a certain Sesame Street friend (usually cookie monster) was out or not available in the size needed. We have also had a number of incidents where he also stood there and cried and cried because he doesn't want to wash the hand with a bandaid (I am sure his school teachers are loving me for that). He will obey you to the point of putting soap on it, but he won't rinse it. So you must grab his hand, force it under the water, and rinse off the soap. Then through sobs you must dry the hand to show him that the bandaid has not, in fact, been washed off.

Good Grief, Charlie Brown!

He is still the cutest boy ever.

Pregnancy Update - What a Crazy Ride

2010-01-25T18:01:00.001-08:00

My goodness, things have been crazy.

My pregnancy was progressing along fairly uneventfully through the fall. I always felt tender right around my bellybutton, but didn't really think anything of it.

Then Christmas rolled around, and there were a number of family members that came to stay with us pre-Christmas, Todd's grandfather passed away from pancreatic cancer, and Todd's family all came for Christmas (fortunately Lori was hosting instead of me). On Christmas Eve, I kept getting shooting pains in my stomach, again right around and above my belly button. I knew it wasn't the baby, so I wasn't too worried. By midnight Christmas Eve (when we got back from Huntsville), I was so nauseated and in so much pain.

Things backed off again, and I was able to open presents with the family, but by noon, I was back in bed again. I missed the big family Christmas dinner (Todd was the hero and stepped in and cooked everything I was supposed to).

This "getting a little better" and the "having a really bad day(s)" cycle continued on. I saw my OB, and she told me to get a consult with my gastro. He was out of town a good bit of the beginning of January, but squeezed me in on 1/4/10. He told me he wanted an ultrasound of my gall bladder. My ultrasound was on the 6th, and by then I was in so much pain I could hardly walk. I managed through my appointment (I think the tech thought I was going to die - she kept asking "Are you sure you are supposed to go home after this?"), and drove home. The tech felt sure there were no gallstones but couldn't tell me little else. She sent the films over to my gastro (who was out of town until the 12th) and told me to wait for his direction. She also said that she thought I had colitis or some other inflamation of the bowel (she said intestines don't normally show up on that kind of sonogram, but mine was so inflamed that it had pushed up into the screen).

By the afternoon of the 6th, I was vomitting and running a fever. My gastro's partner didn't really want to do too much with me (not that she was being ugly; she didn't want to ruin any progress I had made with him), and she told me to call my OB about the fever and perhaps some nausea medicine. My OB became concerned about the fever and sent me to the ER (she thought perhaps I had appendicitis or pancreatitis). So, Nana and Aunt LeeLee (Lori) came to Erik's rescue, and Todd and I went to the ER.

The ER decided it wasn't appendicitis or a bladder infection. They were concerned about my pulse which was high (probably due to dehydration and pain). They ran 2 IV bags of fluids at full speed (talk about getting chills). Then they admitted me on the OB floor. The fever came and went for most of the night and broke early in the morning. The cause of the fever is still unknown.

The OB unit gave me lots more fluids by IV and got me on clear liquids in hopes to settle down my stomach. They checked the baby, who seemed completely unaware of the drama. Yeah! I was in a lot of pain (no pain meds when you are pregnant), but I really enjoyed getting to hear the babies heartbeats a couple of times while I was there.

My OB called my gastro's partner for a consult when I was in the hospital. The gastro partner rechecked the sonogram (again the intestine finding is unusual) and she ended up doing a colonoscopy to investigate the cause of the inflamation. I had the colonoscopy and was sent home around 4. The colonoscopy was "unprepared" which means I got to avoid drinking the pretest junk; however, the stuff they did to me during the colonoscopy so they could see put me in terrible (worse) pain for about 3 days.

On the 11th, my gastro called me with the results of all the tests they ran (lots of blood work and lab tests from the colonoscopy) while I was in the hospital. He said that all of the labs (that were in) showed nothing unusual (no thyroid problems, no colitis, no infection, no diverticulits), etc. He said that the colonoscopy showed that my intestines were cramping (spasming) during the entire procedure. He said this constant spasming in addition to IBS has caused all the pain, and since it had been going on unchecked at least since Christmas Eve, it would be sometime before my colon would heal.

So, now I am on a probiotic pill, a perscriptioin laxative (for the IBS & to balance the effects of the antispasm med), fiber pills (for the IBS), and an antispasm medicine that makes me sleepy. I still feel a lot of pressure and bloating in my abdomen and intermittant cramping, but I am making progress. I may have one or two evenings a week when I feel in pain and end up in bed (rather than days and nights). I still don't sleep well, though (laying down on my side seems to make the spasms worse).

We also had our mid-pregnancy sonogram on the 12th. The new baby will be a boy. We are excited. Erik was mad at first (he said he wanted a sister), but once we explained that he would be the big brother and the baby would be the little brother, he was quite happy.

We are now exploring baby names. I would love to name the baby after my grandfather somehow, but we can't really find a name we like that is either one of his names or a take-off of one of his names. I am hoping something comes to me. We have another name currently on the table that incorporates names from my mom's family and Todd's family. So, we'll see.

I hope to be able to post more frequently as things move along. Pray that I stay feeling well enough to function. I have Erik, Todd, a house, a job, and preparing for a new baby to attend too.

I can't wait until spring.

~Chelle

Fantabulously Frugual Giveaway

2009-12-07T14:25:00.000-08:00

http://www.fantabulouslyfrugal.com/2009/11/you-deserve-best-giveaway.html

Sounds pretty cool - check it out.

Pictures

2009-12-04T18:01:00.000-08:00

This is Erik in his Halloween costume. He is so proud to be dressed as "Winnie Pooh" and to be carrying a flashlight.

Erik and I while we trick-or-treated at our neighbors' houses.

Our 2009 Race for the Cure SEBC team.

Erik likes to make a mess coloring and cutting paper in the office while I work from home.

Erik loves to drive his car. It was a hand-me-down from my boss's son. We are very thankful. Unfortunately, the granddaddy-long-legs spiders are very fond of it, too. It always seems like the car has at least 6 or 7 spiders.

More pictures to come later.

The Pokey Little Puppy

2009-12-03T20:01:00.001-08:00

Erik loves reading the Poky Little Puppy.

I loved that book as a kid.

Tonight when I was reading it to Erik, I thought about how funny it can be that your perspective changes so much about children's books when you become an adult. As a kid, I identified with the Poky puppy. Now as a mom, I identify with the mother puppy, too - especially when the puppies have behaved badly and the book reads, "but their mother was greatly displeased."

The other thing about that book & Erik that tickles me is the line the mother says, when the puppies change their ways and fill the hole they have dug when they believe their mother is asleep. She says, "What good little puppies!"

Erik reads that line for me, and he uses a cute, high pitched little voice that makes me want to giggle out loud (I can't of course - it would ruin the moment).

If you are the mom of a little one, it is definitely worth the money to by The Poky Little Puppy (it is a Golden Book so it is fairly cheap).

Just things happening

2009-11-07T19:59:00.000-08:00

I am 9 1/2 weeks along now. I got to looking at the calendar yesterday. I think we will be able to find out the sex of the baby in the week or two after New Years. That will be an exciting time to find out. A nice suprise after all the holidays are done.

Well, the nasuea continues. If things go like they did with Erik, it should be dying down around week 13. So, not too much further.

Erik had such a good time at Halloween. He loved his Winnie the Pooh costume (thanks Vicki). He wore his costume again today. We ordered pizza for dinner tonight. I am pretty sure the pizza guy was amuzed by my little guy in his Halloween costume a full week after Halloween.

Erik has been doing so good potty training. He hasn't pooped in the potty yet, but he has been staying dry - until yesterday. Yesterday and today, he wet in his pull-up all day long. When I asked him why, he just said he didn't want to go potty. He stays perfectly dry at school. But at home, all bets are off. He needs some motivation, but I don't know what.

My hips are already starting to ache at night when I sleep. This didn't happen with Erik until like week 20, but this is starting early. The doctor said things would happen earlier this pregnancy, but wow.

I have a bunch of pictures to upload. I have to get to those.

I had a feeling bad day today. I just felt like everything took way more effort than I had. This morning, I folded a bunch of laundry and then took a shower. By the time I got out, I didn't have energy left. So, I slipped on some clothes and Erik and I crawled in my bed and watched a PBS tv show until my energy came back a little bit. Then we cleaned some more and made lunch. Beef and bean burrito leftovers, yum and oh so easy.

I used to love to drink soda, but since this pregnancy, soda except maybe Sprite doesn't really taste good to me. However, I still kind of miss it. So, I have been mixing juice with Perie sparkling mineral water. It is so good. It gives the juice just a little kick, and it is helping me to drink more (I have been having trouble drinking enough due to nausea - which is super bad for IBS).

On Wednesday, I will be 10 weeks pregnant. That means I have completed 1/4 of the pregnancy. That is pretty cool.

Well, it is getting late, and I can't think of much else for now. So...

For anyone who is interested the beef and bean burrito recipe is as follows:

Beef and Bean Burritos
1 lb lean ground beef
1 can of refried beans
1 small can of tomato sauce - I think it is an 8 oz can.
taco seasoning
Tortillas
Shredded Cheese (any flavor, mazzorella, cheddar, colby, or a mexican blend is great)
Salsa (optional)
Sour cream (optional)

Brown the beef, drain, and put in a sauce pan. Turn saucepan on medium low.
Add beans. Once they start to heat up and get melty add as much tomato sauce as needed to get the desired consistency. I usually add about 3/4 of a can. Then add taco seasoning. I buy taco seasoning in the big containers instead of the envelope. I usually use just under an 1/8 of a cup. If you were using an envelope, I would use 1/4 to 1/2 of an envelope. Heat and stir until everything is hot through and well incorporated. Put burrito mixture in a totilla with cheese and roll up. Serve topped with salsa and sour cream, if desired. Todd skips this part and picks it up and eats it like a taco or quesadilla.

This amount of food would probably make enough for us (Todd, Erik, and I) to eat this dish at least once. You can cut down the amounts to make less, but I figure that I have open cans of stuff so I might as well make an entire batch.

This dish can be served with baby carrots/other raw veggies and salad dressing for an easy meal. Erik and I like to eat cinnamon applesauce with it for dessert.

New Baby

2009-10-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

I am expecting another baby on June 9th. That means I am 6 weeks and 6 days along. I have been nauseated since about the 6th of October. The doctor said things are looking good.

Todd and I are so excited. We told Erik today. He will tell you he is going to have a brother, a sister, a baby. If you say to him, "you are going to have a brother or sister?", he says brightly, "yes."

Exciting times.

So much to say

2009-09-29T19:25:00.001-07:00

The speed of life is so fast when you are the working mom of a wonderful, active 2.5 year old. Especially when everyone was sick for most of August.

Erik is talking so much now. I think his two favorite verbal things are to make a comparison and to talk about his day. When he makes a comparison, he'll say, "what's this?" (for example - pointing to icing on a cookie - "what's this?"), and I will tell him what it is. Then he will tell me what it is "kinda like" ("icing is kinda like icecream with candies, Momma"). The other day he saw a horse. He told me it was "black and white, kinda kike a cow."

At bedtime between turning out the light and singing him a lullaby, he tells me that he wants to talk about his day. My job is then to ask questions to which he can give answers, for example, what did you have for snack, did you ride the bike at school, did you have fun at church school.

He also tells me, "I have a question." Sometimes he has a question, and sometimes he doesn't.

Erik is learning to use scissors. On the days that I work from home, he comes in the office and pulls pages off a sticky note pad or other note pad and cuts them with the scissors. He make a huge mess, but it keeps him happy and occupied, and it is a great development exercise for him.

We are potty training, now. He does really well at school because there is no better reminder than a room full of other 2 and 3 year olds who have to go potty, too. He loves to wear his pull-ups. However, he told me tonight that he would like me to buy Thomas the Train pull-ups (good luck, Mom, I don't think they make those).

The whole potty training experience got off to a rough start. He showed so much interest ahead of time, and then when the time came he didn't want to sit on the potty. So, I put the potty on a plastic mat in the living room. It worked really well until he decided he should only use the potty in the living room, and furthermore, he should be able to eat dinner while sitting on the potty. In fact one night, after I fed Erik dinner he wanted to sit on his potty. He was sitting on the potty and Todd and I were eating dinner on the couch (our dinner wasn't ready when Erik was ready to eat). Then he decided he wanted to eat our dinner while on his potty. Then we had to have the discussion about why he shouldn't touch his private parts while he was eating food.

So, the potty chair has now gone away, and he is using a potty seat that sits on top of the regular potty.

W0rk is extremely busy right now. Sometimes, I feel like my list of things to do gets longer than the work I accomplished each day. Hey, job security and the days fly by.

The Race for the Cure is coming up. I have not had a lot of time to really train for it because of all the rain, but I am still excited. I wished I had been able to raise a bunch of money for the cause, but I have only received $20 so far. I won't complain though, it is more than I raised last year.

My stomach has been killing me lately. I really need to go back to the gastro dr., but it sometimes seem useless. So, I will probably make and appointment, and keep it, and then feel like a crazy person for having gone. Sometimes I am tempted to see a different dr., but my interest says the one I am seeing is the brightest. So... I don't know.

My teeth have been hurting lately, too. The dentist thinks that I have either been brushing too hard or grinding my teeth. I don't think I have been grinding my teeth, but who knows. I got desperate today and bought sensedyne. I hope it works.

Valarie and I went to the Southern Women's Show last weekend. I had a good time. I have not been since before Erik was born, so it was nice to go. It was also great to have a mom's night out, and Valarie always shows a good time. We perused the Show, and then went to dinner to catch up on our families.

We are going to the beach this weekend with my family. I am hoping for a good, relaxing, no-stress kind of time.

I am not really sure anyone really reads my blog, but if anyone does and is very natural/herbally, please tell me if you believe that drinking too many carbonated beverages could couse problems for the digestive track - specifically colon.

I will try to post pictures soon. I have some good photos of our kitchen floor/hole in the wall remodel/repair, Erik sleeping in a funny position, and other misc. Erik pictures. One of my favorites is the destruction Erik created in our home office while working on art projects while I worked from home on the computer right next to him.

Race for the Cure

2009-09-07T19:16:00.001-07:00

I am doing Race for the Cure with my mom again this year (she is a survivor - been in remission since the fall of 1997). I am very excited. I am trying to raise $250 this year.

My mom also wanted an SEBC Race team, so I am setting that up. I hope we can have a number of people participate. I think that would be really great.

If you want to support me in this cause - here is a link to my page.
http://alabamaraceforthecure.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=304893&u=304893-234477902

Thanks.

Sweet Singing

2009-08-15T06:18:00.001-07:00

Todd or I usually sing the Hush Little Baby song before bed (you know hush little baby, don't say a word; papa's going to buy you a mocking bird). The past two nights Erik sang the song a long with me. It was so sweet.

Chick-Fil-A & the Leeds Police Are My Heros

2009-07-12T08:47:00.001-07:00

Erik and I decided to go to Chick-Fil-A on Friday for lunch because it was Cow Appreciation Day. We donned cow ears and spots (if you wore cow stuff you got a free entre). When I was unbuckling Erik from his car seat, the cow ears started blowing away. I pushed the door partially closed to chase after the cow ears, and when I did the door shut all the way with the keys, my cell phone, purse, and ERIK inside, and of course, the car was locked.

I immediately ran into Chick-Fil-A and told an employee, a very nice older gentlemen named Larry (I think Larry is a manager). Larry sprung into action. He told the owner he was headed outside. He sent another employee, a very sweet lady whose name I didn't catch, out with me. We stood outside the car and made faces and talked to Erik so he would stop crying. Larry called the Leeds Police and came outside with wet paper towels in hand. He stood by the trunk of my car so the Leeds Police would know where to stop. A few minutes later (it seemed like an eternity but it probably wasn't any more than a five minutes) the Police Man showed up. He used a plastic wedge and a metal rod and had the door open in seconds.

Once Erik was out, Larry had me take off Erik's hat and wipe his face with the wet paper towel. Erik cried because he loves his hat, so we put his hat back on. We thanked everyone, and Larry declared free ice cream for Erik. Then we all went inside and continued Cow Appreciation Day.

It was so extraordinary for Chick-Fil-A to send two employees out to the parking lot with me when the store was covered up with customers (Erik and I got the last parking spot in the lot). Not only that Larry took the time to make sure that the girl who took my order knew to get Erik ice cream, and Larry and the lady who came to the car with me came to check on Erik several times while we ate.

Erik loved the ice cream and was afraid of the cow. He did manage to give the cow a high-five and tell him "Happy Birthday."

Needless to say, I owe Leeds Police and Chick-Fil-A thank you notes.

I am certainly thankful that God gave me peace and calm through it all too. It was like as the situation was happening God was giving me clear thoughts about what to do at each step. When the door closed, God gave me the thought to check all the doors. When they were locked, he gave me the thought to go and tell someone behind the counter at Chick-Fil-A (appologies to the lady I nearly ran over going to the counter). He gave me clear thoughts to go immediately back to the car and talk to Erik to keep him calm. He also gave me clear thought about what to do if the police could not be there quick enough.

So, I guess that mom "right of passage" is complete. I am ready for a vacation.

Big Boy Bed and Socks

2009-06-26T18:10:00.000-07:00

Erik loves to put his socks on his hands. I don't know if he is pretending the sock is a puppet or what. Today, he got a pair of Todd's socks and put a sock on his hand. He made me put the other sock on his other hand. They came up to his armpits. Hey was thrilled.

Erik is learning to sleep in a big boy bed (I am glad Todd is here, becuase he has more resolve than I - I am not at my brightest time at night). Here are his pics the first night. It now has a bed rail, because Erik was afraid to sleep in it without a rail.

Now if we could just get him to sleep without the stupid music player (I think it is half sleep-crutch, half tool to stay awake and play).

Erik with toy dog Maggie (in his hand) and Teddy Bear (laying on the bed).

Erik is holding Teddy up for a picture in this one. I believe Erik's words were, "Take picture Teddy, too."

The bedding is Thomas the Train. Erik is thrilled about Thomas and anything related to Thomas.

Stuck at Home

2009-06-11T16:42:00.000-07:00

My family is headed to the Bass Pro Shop for Smores and watching the fish be fed. I am stuck at home working and cleaning up a dirty house. Sometimes being The Mom is tough.

I hope I can catch the next trip.

On the upside, I had two surveys this year that had to be hand tallied. One had about 55 questions and about 30 respondents. The other has over 100 questions, and I had 106 respondents. One survey is complete (tallied and results sent out). The last one has all the data entered in Access, but I am still compiling the appropriate reports. I felt like I have done data entry for weeks. I should be able to finish up the second survey tomorrow if everything is quiet around the office.

~Michelle

More Pictures

2009-06-07T12:55:00.000-07:00

I enjoy taking pictures, so here are some I took while we were camping at Cheehah State Park. When we got home, we ate quesadillas (cooked by dad) in the living room (Erik thinks eating dinner in the living room is a treat). He decided to try on Daddy's boots, so there are some of those pictures there, too. Also, there is one with Erik wearing Dad's boots, and Dad wearing Erik's crocs.

Pretty Cute!

More Pictures Cont.

2009-06-07T12:50:00.000-07:00

High-SPF Sunscreens: Are They Better?

2009-05-27T08:27:00.001-07:00

High-SPF Sunscreens: Are They Better?

Shared via AddThis

Easter Pictures of Erik

2009-04-26T18:11:00.000-07:00

Here are Erik's Easter pictures. There is a picture of decorating cookies at Aunt Susie's Easter Party for the kids. There is a picture of Erik coloring Easter eggs at home.There is a "Easter Picture" that I took of Erik in our yard in front of the azaleas. He was in a funny mood when I took those. He didn't want to look at the camera. He is holding the Thomas the Train that he got in his Easter basket, and he kept asking to go eat M & M's in these pictures (as he calls them MMs). There is also a picture of Erik hunting Easter eggs at Nana's.

Happy Easter

2009-04-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

Before Erik got sick this weekend, we went to the Bass Pro Shop for the Easter Egg Hunt. Erik had a blast. He thought it was great that there was candy in the eggs. He also won a little bathtub safe book about the characters from the movie Cars.

Here's a picture of us with the Easter Bunny (Erik wouldn't sit in his lab or go up there by himself - so it's a family pic.).

Pics of Camping Trip

2009-02-22T14:01:00.000-08:00

Erik's First Camping Trip

2009-02-21T11:49:00.000-08:00

We took Erik camping for the first time. We had lots of fun. Erik loved being outside the entire time. He especially loved eating outside and going to the petting zoo. We camped with Todd's sister Lori and her family. Erik was so impressed because Lori (he calls her Aunt LeeLee) gave him a cookie. He, a week later, is still talking about that cookie.

I am going to try to upload one of those slide shows with some pictures. Let's see if I can do it.

Valentine's Day

2009-02-21T11:47:00.000-08:00

I had such a nice surprise for Valentine's Day. Todd and Erik brought me breakfast in bed. I had eggs, toast, and orange juice. It was really nice.

Merry Christmas, Et. Al.

2008-12-27T19:10:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Merry Christmas to everyone. Erik was so fun this year. He would open a present and get so involved playing with it that he would be too busy to open any other presents. It was really cute and so refreshing because he was greatful for his present and not coveting another.

How do people find time for hobbies. I thought I would have time to blog (quick easy hobby), but goodness - I can't find time to do anything other than work and housework. Oh well.

For those of you who were following the weight loss contest at work - I didn't win. I came in second place. I think if I had lost another half pound I would have tied for first. So, no spending money for me. I had fun though. I understand that we are doing it again in January.

I have decided to have surgery for sleep apnea on Jan. 16th. I am not doing everything that the docs recommended for me. The moving of the jaws seems a little extreme to me. So, I will be having my deviated septum fixed, my tonsils removed, and my palate trimmed. Then I have to have another sleep study to see if it helped. I am really hoping that it fixes it enough because jaw surgery is not really what I want to do. I am not looking forward to the surgery, though. It sounds really painful.

I hope to be able to do some shopping with my mom before I have to go back to work.

I am also hoping to buy a laundry basket and make a cute liner for it for a toy basket.

I hope Erik doesn't have a hard time going back to school.

Weightloss

2008-11-09T18:12:00.000-08:00

Ok - so some of my coworkers and I are doing a weightloss competion until Christmas. I did really well during the week, but I did not do well this weekend. Yuck. The weekends are always the hardest part for me. It seems like the lack of routine means crazy things for me. Oh well, there is always tomorrow.

Race for the Cure

2008-10-11T17:55:00.000-07:00

Today my mom and I did the Race for the Cure. It was the 17th annual race. It was a lot of fun, and it was great to be a part of something that touches some many people in the community.

It was astounding to see the number of you women (people who looked my age) who were wearing the pink survivors shirts. It made me think about how I should be more careful about my health.

Mom mom said it was very emotional seeing people with pink "in memory of" or "in celebration of" tags on their back. It brings back a lot of memories for her. I thought it was emotional seeing those tags, too; but I felt that way because cancer has touched some many people. It had a bittersweet feeling - sad for the devastation cancer causes, but sweet for the love and connection people have to each other and for the comradery cancer can bring.

Here are some pictures. The first is of my mom and me on the pink ribbon lane before the race started. I am in my regular white Race for the Cure shirt. She is in her pink survivor shirt.

The second picture is of the race route in mid race. I believe we were almost done with mile 1 when I took this picture. There were mountains of people in front of us and behind us. There was also a number of people cheering us on from the sidewalks.

The final picture is of me after the race. I am in front of the Lynn Park fountain. They turned it pink for race day.

Happy Anniversary

2008-08-13T13:46:00.002-07:00

Happy Anniversary Todd! It has been a great 10 years. I love you very much! You're the best; you're my hero.

I am glad you put up with me: my stomach problems, my silliness, my sensitivity. I'm glad you think I am funny. I'm glad we are a family.

I love you, babe!

Erik's Epics

2008-08-13T13:46:00.001-07:00

Erik came home from school yesterday with his first finger painting. When I get a change to take a picture of it and figure out how to post it, I will.

I think he was proud of his work. The teacher handed me the picture, and he immediately started jabbering and rubbing his fingers on the painted part of the picture. I think he was showing me how he painted it, or perhaps he was telling me what a mystery it was that you put your fingers in this wet stuff and it makes pretty colors on your paper.

He is really starting to test me more. Last Sunday night, Todd was with some friends. Erik and I were playing outside blowing bubbles and coloring with sidewalk chalk. The rule for playing outside is that if he wants to go in the street, he must hold my hand. This rule has been in effect since the weather became nice enough to play outside. He has always complied without any problems. If he wants to go in the street (he usually wants to do this because he wants to go play at Peyton's house), he walks to the end of the driveway, looks back and me, and holds his hand out. He waits there for me. I take his hand, and off we go. Sunday, however, he would go to the end of the driveway, look back and me, and take off running into the street. It took a number of tries, but he learned that breaking that rule brings consequences.

He had a couple other firsts on Sunday (I think he was waiting for Todd to be gone). While I was cooking, he crawled onto a kitchen chair and onto the table. I glanced over to see him sitting there about to attack a bowl of cherry tomatoes. He also crawled through the neighbors dog door for the first time, and he ate one of those popcicles that come in the plastic tubing for the first time.

It amazes Jessica (Peyton's mom) and I how much the boys beg to go outside, but when they get to the other one's house they beg to go in their friend's house (new and different toys, I guess). They both also fight over toys that they won't play with when the other is not around. Toddlerhood!

Erik is saying more words, now. He has taken to saying "cracker" at the top of his lungs. He says: Grandpa, Ma (which I may have noted before meant milk or more - it now also means mine). He says goat. He moos a lot. He knows what a cow, duck, horse, dog, and cat say. He knows rabbits hop. He knows a car/truck's noise. He says pretzel (sounds like zel). He sometimes says cup.

He has finally started to like playing in the sprinkler. He won't swim in the pool at Sean and Lori's because it is too cold; however, it is just as well with him because there are rocks to play with.

At Brynn's birthday party he got to sit at the table with Indie, Brynn, Blayne, and Sydney for cake and ice cream. He thought he was such big stuff. I should have let him sit over there for lunch too, but I didn't think about it. Aunt Kristin brought him the cake and ice cream; she's a favorite person now. He loved the cookies Aunt Lori sent home as a party favor. All in all, Erik had a great time, and he fell asleep in the car before we made it to the end of the street.

Erik was a little scarred by my jury duty, but it was not by the fact that he went to school 5 days instead of 3 or because I was home late a couple of nights. He was scarred because for the whole work week he got to ride in Daddy's truck, and now is stuck riding in mom's car again. When we go to get in the car, we walks away from the car, holds his hands up to the truck and starts fussing. When he realizes he is not going to ride in the truck, he breaks down and cries. It's tragic.

As I mentioned before, Erik loves to blow bubbles. He tickles me so much when he tries. I bought him one of those spill resistant bubble cups. He dips his wand in, pulls it out, and makes an attempt to blow. The funny thing is, he often gets confused and blows while the wand in still in the cup. He also forgets to take his paci out before he blows. Needless to say, he never produces bubbles. However, he blows for the sheer joy of blowing. And, if you blow bubbles, too, he likes to try and catch them.

I have decided that Erik things Elmo only says "achoo." Since the advent of the book Elmo Says Achoo Erik says Achoo every time he says Elmo. They told me at Erik's school yesterday, that Erik refused to get up from story time until they read Elmo Says Achoo. It didn't matter how many other books they read, he wanted Achoo.

Erik's meat strike appears to be ending. He'll eat chicken again, and he is eating ground beef when it is mixed in things like spaghetti.

At Erik's birthday party, Aunt Kristin and Indie gave Erik a Crayola tub spout cover. You put colored disks in the cover, and the disks color your bath water. The spout cover is an octopus named Ollie. Erik has been fine will Ollie for some time now, and he still enjoys put his hand under the tentacles as water runs out. However, if Ollie ever falls off or gets bubbles on him, Erik freaks out. Even if Ollie falls and you put him back, bath time is done. I think it's funny that bath time is all fun and games until Ollie falls, but such is life.

Erik has gotten very dancey. He dances any time music comes on. I watched the season finally of So You Think You Can Dance. He saw the dancers right before bedtime, and he danced too.

Let's see, other miscellaneous Erik facts:
He often cheers for you when you read him a book and you finish the book.
He likes Cinnamon Toast Crunch (and seems to like any kind of cinnamon).
When we go to Mexican restaurants, he makes us dip his chip in the salsa (or pretend to). I think he thinks its catsup.
He loves catsup.
He loves to dip foods in catsup (and ranch makes a decent substitute).
He LOVES pretzels.
He doesn't mind riding in the car, but he really doesn't like getting stuck sitting at a light or in traffic.
He thinks it is great if a semi drives by your car.
He likes to ride the neighbor's tricycle (he said bicycle a couple of times one day but not again).
He likes motorcycles.
He loves Peyton's dogs - especially the little one (Maggie). Erik has a book called God Made Puppies. Erik thinks 2 of the dogs in the book are the neighbor's dogs. He pets the dogs in the book.
He pats you when he gives you a hug.
He sometimes gives me kisses.
He blows kisses and says "bye" with a southern accent when you leave the house.
He prefers to were Crocks over tennis shoes.

He is a sweet, funny, wonderful little boy. We love him very much.

Jury Duty and All That Jazz

2008-08-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

Things have been so busy lately.

I think I spent most of July trying to get adult students ready to start classes. I worked the usual placement testing Saturday. Fortunately, I didn't have very many late nights.

Other than that I am not sure were all of July went to. We did our traditional rib grill out on the 4th. But, for the life of me, I can't remember any other activities going on in July. I'll have to check my calendar to see if it was anything interesting. Regardless, July felt like a busy blur.

On August 2nd, Todd and I went to Rickwood Caverns and to dinner in early celebration of our 10th anniversary. We enjoyed the day, but we both felt a little disappointed in the cave. It doesn't seem that the cave has been/ is being well maintained. It was very dry in the cave, not damp like a cave that is actively making formations. There was a man made rock wall in the cave. The lighting was not as inconspicuous as a nicer cave.

We had Chinese at a nice place next to the movie theater in Trussville. The sizzling rice soup and Mongolian beef was excellent.

While we were out Erik spent the day with Grandpa and Nana. He had a great time. He blew bubbles, played with lawn mower, and did all kinds of other wonderful things. Nana sent him home with a supply of mini Nilla Wafers. Erik loves those. The next morning, Erik was eating some of the mini Nilla Wafers with his breakfast (he thinks they go with Cheerios and yogurt). He had such a great time the day before, that he started calling for Grandpa. I don't know if he thought Grandpa was coming or he just likes Grandpa and wanted to say his name.

On Monday the 4th, I started jury duty. I expected to get a short civil case or be excused (many of my coworkers have been excused because of working at SEBC). I thought it would be a light week, because in the jury instruction, they said juror hours are usually 9-4.

However, these assumptions were wrong. I ended being assigned to a capital murder case. I ended up staying 3 or 4 evenings due to deliberations or lawyer issues. The capital murder case had all the "trimmings" one might expect including gruesome photos and moving testimony. In the end, we found the defendant guilty and recommended to the judge that he be sentenced to life in prison rather than death.

After the trial, I was looking forward to life returning to normal (or as normal as life gets at registration time for traditional students at SEBC). However, I received a summons for federal court in the mail last night. According to the letter, I am already assigned to a jury pool. If I am selected for the jury, I am looking at another 3 to 4 weeks of trial. Goodbye to taking vacation/anniversary celebration trip in September. At least federal court for this case is assigned to a Birmingham courthouse.

So, August is half way through!

Erik's Epics - July 2

2008-07-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

Erik has a new favorite book to add to his favorite book list. It is called Elmo Says Achoo. When you read it to him or when he reads it to himself, he says "achoo" very loudly over and over again. It is really cute.

They actually read this book at his school; one of his teachers said he was so cute when they read it at school that she lent me the book so Todd and I could see him. I am so glad she did. It is super cute.

Erik's Epics - July

2008-07-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

Erik's favorites right now are Gerber yogurt melts and fruit chews (gummy bear like things). He also loves cheese, baked beans, and bananas (The Huggies Corporation loves us!). He loves Baby Einstein videos (he'd watch them all day long if we let him). He loves to play outdoors, especially to dig in the dirt with a stick and ride the neighbors tricycle. He also loves our neighbors' dogs Maggie and Patch. He loves to read. He likes to play ball.

His favorite books are Goodnight Moon, God Made Puppies, Dr. Maisy, and Goodnight Gorilla.

He likes to jabber. He says dog, ball, mama, dada, outside, meow, moo, wuff, quack, cracker, truck, Elmo, more, no, yes, and his favorite what's that (sounds like wassat).

Profound Quote

2008-07-05T21:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you find the most profound quote in the weirdest places. I was reading through the headlines on MSN the other day and found this one in an article about fashion. I thought it was very noteworthy.

"Just put that out of your mind because we're never going to be perfect. Someone's always going to be younger and skinnier and cuter, but no one's going to be you. No one has you, your experiences, your husband, your family. You've got something nobody else has, and you should be proud of that. … You've got all the ingredients. You've just got to believe in yourself a little more."

~ Carson Kressley

For those of you who don't know Carson Kressley is/ was one of the designers from Quire Eye for the Straight Guy.

The quote just reminded me how much I've been given and how special that is.

My blog

2008-07-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

Well here it is...my blog. My attempt to keep people who are interested up to date with what is going on with me and the Hower household. Don't expect profound discourses like you may see on others' blogs. This will be my thoughts, my family, and other silly stuff. For those of you looking to keep up with Erik, I will be posting "Erik's Epics" along the way. These will have updates about him and his journey through life.

This blog, like me, is a work in progress.