curves are where it's at.

I have to stop waiting to update this blog at around 8 at night. I am beat. So beat. So very beat. Did you catch that the first time? My brain is turning to mush.
We had an early birthday/cookout/playtime with the kids/dry-run for Thanksgiving extravaganza for half the day today. It was so much fun and the weather was gorgeous. No snow left in sight and the temps have gotten into the 70s for quite a few days straight lately.
I drove for at least 2 hours today and the driving, practice driving that is, is going pretty well. Rick yells at me alot but I'm sure it's for my own good. And to calm his anxiety. I mean c'mon it's ME behind the wheel. But he assures me that I'm progressing really well. I feel like I'm doing well. Each time I get behind the wheel I feel a slight confidence boost. Once in a while during the beginning, when I almost hit a parked car or mailbox I get anxious, but I stay focused and keep on truckin'..err..drivin' that minivan. I feel alot more in control of the van and that's important. Now, I'm dealing with the beautiful part of being cut off and people riding their breaks.
I still have to learn how to change lanes and merge off of and onto lanes. If it's a highway I can merge ONTO the lane properly more easily. But if I'm coming from on offramp..phew.. I hate it. Especially since a few of the roads here in Denver were created by potheads. They thought it would be a joke to put an offramp and onramp within a half block radius.
But, I keep on doing it. I like it and I will get that license soon.
My personal favorite with driving (in all seriousness) curvy roads! if you can believe that. LOL

Well, since my brain is all fried-like here are some cute shots of the kids today and a few other ones I managed to nab. I promise to get my act together tomorrow and post something a little more interesting (other than the photos of course)..

Friday night manicures.

Tonight is a special night for James and his daddy..they have a "guy's night out" playing basketball, eating pizza, and hangin with some of James' schoolmates and their dads. Really cute.
So, it's Natalie and I hanging out together, eating Halloween candy, playing, and listening to some music. And of course, get a free manicure by yours truly.

Great job my Natty. Great job. ;)

James and the giant zebra..

James has such a wild imagination. That's been going on for quite a while but each month it gets more vivid and he has begun telling us more and more what's on his mind. For instance, if we ask him, "so James..what did you dream about during your nap today?" he'll tell us, in some detail, what it was about. The other day he had a dream (maybe it really happened but we still don't know) that he was at school playing and someone pushed him onto the sidewalk. And because he's at the age where he can't really decipher between what's real and fantasy, I'm not always sure if it's his imagination. But the other day, this was totally his imagination at play:
he wrote a story about a big zebra, a girl, and about a few other animals like giraffes and snakes mixed in..

This wasn't his ordinary "scribble and toss" work..wanna know how I learned that the hard way? Well, when he was finished with his bath, he asked me where his story was. I usually clean up and get their night clothes out and all of that while Rick washes them.. well.. I threw this tiny pile of papers away. When he asked me, "mommy, did you read my story?" I had no idea that he was scribbling on those papers with such thought and creativity.
So this was first time I had heard that James wrote a cool story. And I threw it in the trash. I definitely had my decent mom prize taken away that day. But, to redeem myself, and because I really really wanted him to read his story to me and he worked so hard, I dug it out from the top of the trashcan, unwrinkled it, and handed it back to him. Oh the look on this sweet kid's face. He was so pleased.
He then handed it back to me and enthusiastically says, "Mommy! you read it!".

Uh oh.

So, I made up a story the best way I could (I'm not a very good story teller but I gave it my best shot) so.. I made up a story about a girl named Mary who loved zebras so much that she wore a zebra shirt and had a zebra backpack... she went school and the teacher read her a story about zebras..then they went to the zoo and she fed a zebra and this was her first time seeing a real life zebra..oh and it went on and on. His big brown eyes, sitting there, was listening very carefully to each word. He smiled big went I spoke about the stuffed zebra that her teacher gave her and how happy she was.
This kid, I tell you, melts my heart.
He's been in a huge drawing mood lately. And he loves longer and more detailed stories from his favorite big books. He will sit for a while and with such interest, a full-length Disney movie and love it..the colors, the characters, you name it.
I can't wait to share more of what his imagination is full of.

I love that little guy.

Wordless Wednesday (little actress edition)

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

the post in which I pretend to be talented..

I don't own a sewing machine.
If I did, I would love to take the time to learn how to use it. Hand-sewing kind of sucks, it's worth it, but it kind of sucks. Now a machine to do most of my work? now we're talking. I fantasize about all of the things I could make.. curtains, embroidered stuff..and dare I even say?...clothing. Before I sound like I'm trying to become the next pretend "Project Runway" design winner, I have had plenty of time to dream about this. Since I was a kid I wanted to learn, but just never did. I always thought that making my own things..some of your own hand-made things, is truly, the coolest self-sufficient thing.
Last week was so cold. So cold and snowy. And it was alright in and of itself, but when 2 little kids want to "PUUULAAAY" outside (imagine the screaming in that quote) well, what's a mom to do? I had everything they needed except for some decent gloves. I should backtrack, James had some decent gloves, but Natalie's were fine but not for touching alot of snow. And I love mittens. MITTENS! They are beyond cute and keep the hands alot more tasty (typo..haha) toasty, compared to gloves. Right now, I'm on the lookout for some knitted, warm mittens for Natalie's tiny hands.
For James, well, we had an issue where you know when you're playing in the snow and the snow turns to ice and surrounds your wrists from digging and digging in it? well, his poor wrists, without me realizing until it was almost too late, turned to a bright white color last week. This was around Wednesday, I think, and it really freaked me out. I thought for sure he had frostbite. But luckily, he didn't..we let him rest, warm up, and kept watching it. I was on the lookout of his wrists like white on rice.
He was fine. But cold. And today, it finally hit me- he needs some super long mittens/gloves to protect his wrists! Surprisingly, there aren't many cheaper options under $20 out there for kids..everything I saw happened to be for adults. I really really love these:

But they don't sell them for kids. And $80??? seriously??
I first started asking a few people if they could knit. And I know that there are some beautiful ones on etsy.com but I can't shell out even $30 bucks. I wish I could. Plus, these are kids' mittens we're talkin' about. They usually get lost.
So, I dug deeper in my tired brain and realized that I could just make my own.. modified of course:

I like keeping my toe socks in my drawer and neglect them..have for years..I don't like socks that hang high on the calf..plus, I didn't really like having my toes separated. I'm strange. So, why not cut 'em up and use them for something?
I do sloppy hand-sewing but this still worked. I let James try the completed mitten on and he loved it. I was a bit afraid that he would see what I had done to his mitten and would get upset..but he didn't. I can't wait until more snow falls so we really try them out. By the time we have more snow, both James and Natalie will get to break them in.
Until then, I have alot more sewing to do.

it's always nice when doctors listen to you..

So last night some serious anxiety set in for me. I usually don't let things get to me like that, but I couldn't help it. So, instead of fighting it I let it go and thought of ways to ease my fears. Looking for a solution to the problem is not only beneficial, but it curbs the anxiety a bit. I know it probably sounds like common sense, but it also takes initiative, which sometimes gets clouded by the fear.
Anyway, without continuing to sound so vague..last night I became anxious about Natalie's morning RSV shot (Synagis) appointment. I opened up my concerns with Rick, and whadayaknow, he felt the same way! (he's an intuitive one that husband of mine). It felt great to talk to someone else that felt EXACTLY the same as I did- we were so worried about bringing in a well child with Natalie's condition, to a place filled with germs and coughing chaos. And before I go off on a tangent and bad-mouthing our pediatrician's office, I have to say, we, us parents, chose this place. I guess in our defense, the office was really clean a few months ago and lately we've noticed the thick grime quickly building on most of the toys.
Just like any business: pediatrician's practice, dentist, a hospital of your choice, or even a mechanic.. you can always go someplace else. And you never know what sort of great recommendation you can get from a trusted source.
That's where our conversation last night ended. It felt good to get that out in the open and make a solid decision.. if only all decisions in life with your spouse were that easy. LOL
Our biggest worries of our doctor visit: being surrounded by sick families in the waiting area. It is usually feels like a law.. bring in your well kid and HEY! FREE GERM SOUVENIER FOR EVERYBODY PASS IT ON. Because sure enough, by the end of that week, we were battling something nasty. So, at the end of last night, we decided that if Natalie couldn't be separated from the sick kids and Rick and I be heard with our concerns and allowed to widdle down an effective RSV dose from 3 shots to 2 (seriously! last month they gave her a 3 shot combo and said that was normal..dudes, this shot only lasts for a month, which is why the RSV shot is a monthly vaccine)..then we weren't going to take her in. Last month, poor Natalie couldn't walk right for a few days because she was so sore. :(
The other issue that seems to be there, is the "too many hands in the pot" issue going on. There are a few decent doctors but too many crappy ones. The one that Rick spoke to last time was rude and short with him. If you know him well, Rick is a kind and calm person to talk to. So, that was definitely uncalled for. Also? the medical assistant that held Natalie's newly alcohol wiped leg (right before her shots) put her dirty fingernails over that clean area to hold Natalie while getting the shots. This girl had crusty, disgusting, dirty long nails and even had an attitude about helping out. UGH. (now we know to demand gloves no matter how much of an asshole we sound).AND to avoid that medical assistant.
This morning, we dropped James off at school (he wasn't looking forward to school today..he felt a bit grumpy that the snow days were over I guess..poor guy) and off we went, 10 minutes early for Natalie's appointment. To our shock and amazement, the waiting area was empty, all except for a mom and child, who both were there for her son's checkup. Huge sigh of relief was let out by both of us..
Natalie wanted to sit on our laps the whole time while there. That always helps..don't want to touch the baby toys? not a problem. LOL
We get settled in the back area, we meet a new doctor (well, new for us) and she was so sweet and pretty knowledgeable about Natalie's heart. She understood our concerns about the 3 shots and said that 2 was just fine. She immediately then asked us if we'd like for Natalie to use her 3rd shot for the H1N1. Yet another huge sigh of relief! LOL The last time we went, they made it sound like no one there was getting it and mentioned that Natalie didn't qualify! Because Rick was by himself with a screaming Natalie, he let it go and declared that at our next visit, we would be complaining about that issue. We didn't even have to this time. Despite this Colorado shortage, even James qualifies on so many levels.
*HUGE SIGH*
The nurse practitioner was very nice and talked to us a while about the effects of the flu shot.. what to look for..and that since Natalie already had her seasonal flu shot with no issues, that was a good sign for the H1N1 vaccine. Gosh, we were so happy (still are). We also talked about why the media is hyping up swine flu related deaths and not telling us what exactly these people are dying from- she agrees that it's the complications that arise FROM the flu..days later (pneumonia, for example). She noticed Natalie's bumpy skin on her thighs and arms..something that our old MD pediatrician noticed also and we tried several ways to remedy it with no luck (ketosis pilaris..which is fancy for bumpy skin) and gave us an OTC medicine idea to try- one I've never heard of..it's called "Amlactin" which has lactic acid in it. I think we'll give that a try. They, once again, noted Natalie's October 8th heart cath... even though we mentioned it several times to them. They still keep acting surprised that Natalie is highly allergic to penicillin..we just don't get it (our old doctor's office put a bunch of red STOP stickers with "penicillin" written in it all over her folder..as well as James'. I hate to compare, sorry.
They wrote down her open heart surgery date, so that was something.We usually see them try to remember everything and not write anything down. Weird. Kind of reminds me when (a rare occurrence..LOL) we go out to eat at a restaurant and the server tries to remember all of the orders without writing anything down. How in the world...
So, today's visit wasn't so bad. Natalie was upset, but candy bribes always help. And once she heard that we were getting ready to leave she was giddy.
We're still going to look for a new pediatrician. As long as we keep communication open and be a bit more aggressive with Natalie's care there, I think, for now, we're okay. But by the time Natalie comes home from her surgery in January, the goal is to have a new doctor by then..a doctor more affiliated with Denver Childrens. There is no shortage of great doctors there..and many of them have offices at the hospital, around it, and only a few miles away. There's also the choice of seeing our favorite doctor from our current practice and checking out their other office. But for now, the anxiety is easing.. at least until the end of the month when we go back. ;)

PS- James gets his H1N1 shot this Saturday! awesome!! I think after that, we can rest a heck of alot easier during this up and coming holiday season. Healthy kids = happy parents. And that's the only gift I want this year.

here's a great way to get the ball rolling....

Last November I saw the "NabloPoMo" logo on someone's blog and thought, "what the heck is a nablopomo??" I actually though that.
Soon after I realized that it was a fancy for "National Blog Posting Month" and loved the idea! Not only could I catch up on some of my favorite blogs on a daily basis, but it was neat to see if anyone would struggle with updating so often. Especially for those moms and dads that blog.
So this year, I decided to test myself, signed up for this experiment and I'm demanding myself to keep up with this. Maybe..just maybe..it will push me to actually update more after November. A small handful of friends and family read this blog and the way I see it: any audience is better than no audience. And also? I need to remember to buy my Halloween clearance candy. If I want to keep up with this for the full month of November, of course.
Many entries will have pictures pictures pictures. And that's because a picture can be worth at least a few words. Not only that, but I don't consider myself to be a super writer (especially not like some of these folks here, here, and here). So, sometimes my loss of words is fine as long as I have a photo to get the words out of my mouth. Err.. the words out of my head onto this here computer.
I do, however, have lots of things to say, to update about, and to whine about. If you're okay with that then feel free to stop by daily and tell me what you think.
For now.. I must ooze this blog with delightfulness with photos of the kids at Halloween:

(I also have to add..not only is it pretty funny and fitting for Colorado to see a bee atop a mound of snow.. but James has me cracking up.. he was not thrilled to have his picture taken..and by the end of it all, he just wanted to his candy.. and he worked hard for that candy you best believe.. this concludes the world's longest run-on sentence).