Growing Up With Emma & Tatum

Blog Neglect!

2009-06-21T08:01:00.005-04:00

I have become so bad at blogging, I actually feel bad about it. I have a feeling that my work is going to slow down a ton in the next few weeks so that actually well free up some time, no promises but potentially I could be blogging a ton more by the end of summer :)

We have had a busy few months, shoot who am I kidding we are ALWAYS busy....

In May we had the Walk for Williams, thanks to everyone that came out and supported the event it turned out great! We are planning to make it an annual thing. We raised over 6k for Williams Syndrome and NDHS received an award for there community service. It was truly inspiring and a terrific event for our community.

Emma Turned 6 on Tuesday and it was her last day of school....She has made it to first grade and she is moving forward at level 8 for reading. I can not believe how it all just seemed to click for her one day. Tatum is also learning tons in school, her teachers tell us that she is quit popular at her school. It seems everywhere we go someone knows Tate. She has also been babbling up a storm, she does have some songs and phrases, you can tell she is so close to it all pulling together. It is about time but I have a feeling once she starts talking it's all over for us. July 6 is when Tatum starts back to school for the extended school year so until then she is hanging at KV with Em for there summer program. This summer is going to be huge for Tatum, at least that is my prediction.

Another first for us this year is Emma participation on the swim team. Right now we have only had one swim meet and some practices. Emma is really enjoying it and her attitude toward it is outstanding. Emma is becoming a very caring well behaved little girl, I guess someone did something right with her :).

OOPS how could I forget it is out favorite time over year!!! The Pool is open!!! And Kerry and her family are coming to visit in 2 weeks WOOOO HOOOOO, I love summer!!!!!

Long Time No Post.....

2009-03-29T07:52:00.005-04:00

We we have certainly been blog MIA....I have been way to busy at work yo update and once I get home it seems baths and homework take forever...Another big contributing factor to lack of blog is once I am home from work the computer seem to be the last place I want to be...Anyway we have been busy so let me try and fill everyone in:

In Feb after Tatum's b-day we had a Cardiology apt. It went well her doctor is still not ready to operate...fine by me her thickness is borderline... we are pretty much leaving well enough alone right now

Child find is the pre-k school that Tatum goes to now, it is through the county and is a the pre-k program that follows infant and toddler. Tatum seems to have really come a long way in the month she has been there. There is still a long way to go especially with her speech but we are making slow steady strides. The new added tricks for Tatum include her version of ABC's and if you point and ask who I am she says " Lisa" it is petty cute.

Also in Feb my Mom had her 60th b-day so we went to visit her to celebrate. We also got to see my Aunt's since they were visiting for my Mom's day. Since we do not get to see my Mom's sisters very often if was a nice visit. and it is always cute when Julie, my sister, and I can get our girls together.

Onto Emma:

Emma is not really digging Kindergarten and fearing 1st grade even more...last night she actually said she wanted to stay back...She is having issues with the independent work piece, he teacher says she is not disrupting the class or anything she just doesn't want to work. I guess her teacher has told her that once in first grade she'll have to do this work and if she can not get it done she'll have to do it over... Needless to say Emma did not like that idea to much...he reading is slow but steady...she needs to be at a reading level of 7 by Kindergarten end and right now we are almost at a 6 so i am confident we can meet that mark. It is just crazy Kindergarten s certainly not what it used to be. At this rate Emma's children well be taking the SAT in Kindergarten...

Our big milestone was last night Emma lost her first two teeth at the same time, good thing I made a dentist apt last week. opps and she is allergic to amoxacillen...foud that out the hard way a few weeks ago...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TATUM

2009-02-10T18:50:00.003-05:00

I know it has been forever I actually have a post that have started and still need to finish...Today is actually Tatum's third B-day we had a party Sunday for her. The party was a blast my friend Kristin took some great pictures...We even had a visit from Mickey!!!

Our life has been non stop I literally worked 100 hours of overtime last month...We missed our January Cardiology apt...big mix up, anyway we are scheduled for the 19 of this month. Tatum started pre-k today through the county child find program. I think she did OK the teacher did say she fussed some but nothing they could not manage. The transportation piece did not fall into place today but hopefully we got it straightened out today and tomorrow we'll go great.

2009, Can You Believe It!

2009-01-01T10:14:00.011-05:00

I can not believe that I did not post the entire month of December, oops. Between the Fed rate cut, Christmas, and kids I barley had time to breath and well sleep that was totally out of the question. I have even been facebook MIA...

Although there was no post December came and went we had a terrific Christmas attended a few parties and actually cut down out own Christmas Tree. In case anyone is wondering Julie and I did not plan to send out the same Christmas Card I guess there are some big tell tale ways that prove we are sisters LOL. This is a picture Of Tate on Christmas Day, we were at Chris' sisters house and they day after Christmas we went to my Sisters house in Baltimore.

The girls have been great for the most part, Emma is plugging along in school learning something new everyday and Tatum is gearing up for her big move to Child find from Infants and Toddlers. We saw the Geneticist a few weeks ago for her annual visit, seemed to go well he was impressed with her for the most part but a bit concerned with her speech. I know I should be a little more concerned then I am but I have to tell you I have total faith in her we are hearing more words every week. This sounds so bad but I am enjoying the silence, Emma is non stop and I know Tatum well be the same way...who know where they get the gift of gab from, LOL... Tatum say's Thank You now clear as day it is so cute!!!

I have been off work this week so yesterday I had the opportunity to go on a field trip with Emma and her Day care class. It was really cute the kids brought the food the the center collected to the food bank. It was pretty interesting, I have been to a soup kitchen before but I think that may have been my first trip to an actual food bank. The lady that runs the place told us how back in October there was not a single can of food in the entire place...Wow talk about giving you can see from the picture all the extra food they have now.

For New Year we went over to Yvonne and Steve's house. It was nice the kids ran around and the adults just chatted and munched on food. We had planned to play games but that did not really pan out...Oh well we all had a great time anyway. It is funny because the sec we come into Yvonne's house Tatum beelines for the piano, I think she may be getting better. Last night Yvonne actually played a song with her and she loved it.
It was a very nice New Year.

We go to the cardiologist some time this month for a sedated echo and check up, I am sure that is going to be just a hoot. I am always concerned that they won't sedate her because of her chronic nose drip from October to March. Her geneticist suggested a nasal steroid, said the runny nose s very common with WS Kids...anyone???

Tatum has not been the most cooperative child lately, she is VERY clingy and has become a bit of a bully at school, she needs to move up to a more advance class, we working on it but transition really is not much fun. It is tough when the bully is so friendly and cute... She does have a mean bit if you do not believe me check with Emma she has felt the fury...haha

I Hope everyone has a great day, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Happy Thanksgiving and all That :)

2008-11-29T14:10:00.004-05:00

Well once again we have been up to everything...We had a great visit with the Clayton's when they breezed through town on the way to CHOP. They were allowed in the house to watch football once Chris explained to Noel the the Redskins are from DC LOL, kidding Noel;) Anyway Tatum and I also got to hang downtown and take in a museum with them one day, lots of fun they are a great bunch. The girls really had a great time together.

Emma is rocking and rolling in Kindergarten her first report card was good and she is making some great strides towards reading. Tatum is going to transition to the Child Find program in Feb and also move to the three yr old class at Day care, she is doing awesome. Tate is signing songs finishing sentencing and general making great progression in her learning.

I think our main goal with Tatum is to keep her healthy for her upcoming sedated echo she seems to love to hang on to a cold all winter long and they love to not sedate her...errrr anyway I am about done with Christmas shopping but I have no desire to decorate anyone have a motivators??? I am sure it doesn't help that I have spent the weekend sick, AGAIN.

Fall Fun

2008-11-11T15:34:00.005-05:00

I know it has been a while again, but like always we are super busy. I actually have not been feeling very good and last night I ended up in the ER. Nothing to worry about I got tons of antibiotics ( even an IV full) and I am going to make it.
I had to take a ambulance from work to the hospital, since I work in Montgomery County the ambulance would take me to the hospital closest to my work. That hospital was on a code yellow so traffic was being re routed to a hospital on the other side of Bethesda. I was so not thrilled about that since it is way far from my house, we live North in Frederick Co. I somehow managed to talk the ambulance drivers to take me cross county lines to FMH instead of Suburban...not bad for someone in total pain huh... Anyway that has been the excitement for this week so far and it is only Tuesday.

Friday I meet with the lady from Child Find about transitioning Tatum into pre-school in Feb, I can not believe my baby is turning three. She is really progressing well , she knows Mommy and Daddy and uses our names and she is a terrific when it comes to "Old McDonald had a Farm" we are in one of those new things everyday phases...

Two weekends ago we went to a WS hayride on Saturday and On Sunday I took the girls to Baltimore and had lunch with Autumn , Aspen and Logan before Aspen and Logan caught a plane back home. It was great to see them and the hayride was a blast. I love all these WS events the kids are great and Emma always has a blast meeting new friends. There was a little girl at the hayride and no joke she could have been Tatum's twin just a little older...they were super cute...Next week Noel and her family is stopping through on there way to CHOP...so excited!!!

Month at a glance...

2008-10-27T22:03:00.012-04:00

This has been another one of my fast moving crazy months, I can not wait until Friday there is nothing better then the end of the month coupled with Halloween...sounds like a recipe for nothing but fun :)

Anyway... This month we have had cast removal....yep Emma's foot has healed and she is moving around just like a normal crazy 5 yr old. We also have resumed gymnastics, I think missing that was one of the worst things for Em...... you can see in the pictures from one of our park visits that the cast really slowed her down a bunch...ha-ha. All her teachers were amazed at how well she did.

Last week I broke my toe, yeah fun I know to bad there is nothing I can do about it, other then that we have all been healthy... darn little toe is painful.....

The past few weekends we've managed to visit the park, a pumpkin festival, the neighborhood Halloween party and High School Musical 3.
Carol and I took Peyton and Emma Sat. after gymnastics during the rain storm. We got lucky because we went to an early showing so it was not crowded...I heard it was pretty crazy by the 3:00 showing. I loved the movie and would totally recommend it...LOL I love all three of the HSM movies you really have no choice in our house. Chris was pretty broken up he did not get to go see it, you know he is a big fan of Sharpay...lol

The pumpkin patch we visited had old tractors, hayrides, face painting and pumpkin picking of coarse. I think the best part about the place we go to now is that it is free to get in and we paid a dollar for the moon bounce and 2 for face paining. Pretty good deal if you ask me and the pumpkins were not to pricey either.

We went to the hood party with Dagan's and Yvonne's family Saturday evening, the girls had a great time together...I think they are gonna be a pretty funny little group, they are all just looked to cute. After the party the kids carved pumpkins with their Dad's while the ladies went to a haunted house...It was fun to do something different and the ghost tour thing was really pretty cool and interesting...We are officially ready for Friday.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that Emma wants to wear the same thing Friday night. I am not sure if Tatum is going to be feeling that Tinkerbell costume again she was not really feeling it. I do have this Princess dress that Dagan gave me that seem very comfortable that I have on standby ;)

Other happenings...Emma has read her first book, I think it is more from memory then reading but she is really trying, I can not believe how much she has learned since she started school, it is amazing to watch. Tatum is also doing really well she is talking more everyday...She has about 10 words now and finally two of them are Mommy and Dada, Her favorites are Cow and cool... She is a riot.

hopefully....

2008-10-09T16:37:00.000-04:00

the link to Chris racing is fixed :)

Chris' Racing Chronicles...Thanks Kyle :)

2008-10-06T22:03:00.003-04:00

Chris' friend Kyle has faithfully helped Chris out with all his racing last year and this. He has actually put all his pictures from the races together with a write up and posted it to a website. So for all you gear heads geeking to see Tinkerbell ( Tes' Husband) or if your just interested in what exactly it is we do at the track here is the link to Kyle's site.

I think I could have gone my entire life without reading in the post how much money (that we do not have) Chris has tied up in Tink...oh well ,I guess all hobbies are overpriced :)

http://www.carandcaboodle.com/trip-planning-travel-tips/go_racing_with_the_family.html

Something to live by...

2008-10-03T12:50:00.005-04:00

"Who are you to judge the life I live? I know I'm not perfect – and I don't live to be. But before you start pointing fingers… Make sure your hands are clean. "

What a great quote from Bob Marley…

Lately I have really been examining my own life including those people that I have surrounded myself with. It is funny how the one’s who make the most admitted mistakes seem to be the most real. I guess this is a lesson you learn with age and at the ripe ol' age of 33. It is a lesson I am and have been learning for the last few years.

The second question I have been pondering is “Do as I say, not as I do” now I know we all have been here before but is this really a good saying to live by…Do I really want my girls to see me judging/gossiping about people for thier imperfections when we all have them. I want my kids growing up learning that no one is perfect we all make mistakes and you stand by the people you love through thick and thin no matter what.

If I am at home bashing and judging I am only hurting myself and creating a false sense of truth for my children. As they get older they would ask, or at least think to themselves, “Wow, that adult made an admitted mistake but even worse their “friends” are not being supportive but rather judgmental” this is not a good thing to create. I guess my bottom line is we all need to remember as adults we are the example so ask yourself, are you living in a way where the children and teens in our lives see a good example or just a lame excuse for adults doing what they want and getting away with it?

October Already...

2008-10-02T11:21:00.002-04:00

Wow this year is just flying by!!! This is a busy month for us we have Tatum's infant and toddler reviews and we start prepping for her transition into the special pre-school program in February. I guess because November and December are crazy months for the school system we are going to try and get most of her transition meeting squared away early, that is the plan anyway I guess we'll see how it all really pans out.

Emma gets her cast off on the 14 I really can not wait for that day. Actually she has been pretty good about the situation but if she gets an itch look out!!! She is not able to attend gymnastics with her cast so Saturday morning are the hard part right now. Last weekend we went to the library instead of gymnastics and this weekend I think Chris is going to take her to play putt putt. Emma learned to play while we were at the beach a few weeks ago and suddenly it is her new favorite sport...Ahhh kids and putt putt need I say more :)

So as for what we have been up to, well last Sunday Chris raced Tinkerbell he did well, we all went up and watched then went to His Mom's house while Chris cleaned up. It is nice that Terry lives so close to the track it makes it much easier to be there with kids knowing that you can leave. I did get some pictures hopefully I'll be able to post them this evening while watching the great VP debate LOL...

This week has been a nutty one at work, I know it is always a nutty one here but with the elimination of down payment assistance programs as of 10/1 it really put a spin on the loans closing in September using these programs... But now we can look ahead to October and keep our fingers crossed that our economy can pull out of this one... Nothing like market watching all day...:)

I am going to try and get those pictures up tonight, seriously :)

Pretty in Pink

2008-09-22T20:50:00.003-04:00

Today was a little nutty I woke up called the Dr.'s office got the numbers to the orthopedic offices and started calling. The first place I called could fit her in at 7:40 this evening...yeah right!!... the second place could take us at 10:30am, sold, we made an apt with them. Turned out they are a pretty good place so I picked a winner. By this time is was 9, I had to drop off Tatum get the GPS from Chris's work ( I get lost with it too) swing by the hospital to get the films of Emma's foot (that i had asked for oh about 90 times before we even left on Sunday) get coffee and to the apt.

I somehow managed to do this including Starbucks and get to the appointment on time. Best of all I was walking out to the parking lot after picking up the x-rays and even got to plug my so mad at the ER bit...that is a long story and typical ER...errrr. Thanks Nikki for the great directions, she was my phone GPS while driving ;)

So we got to the Doctor and we were in and out in under an hour with a terrific hot pink cast and an appointment to have it removed in three weeks...I love them!!! The prognosis is this she fractured the bone on the top of her foot near the big toe not the small one and it is pretty small.

The Dr. told us it was a small crack but so in your face you just have to cast it. She is able to walk so that is a good thing the shoe from the doctors office was just huge an it was the xs so we cut one of my Crocs to fit it and that is how she walks. Gotta run and get Tatum in bed... she wore her glasses long enough for a pic...

If it is not one thing it is another...

2008-09-21T17:20:00.002-04:00

This has been the most beautiful weekend you can tell fall is in the air. Much cooler then last weekend. We were at the beach and it was pretty warm especially Sunday. We did make it by the WS picnic on our way home but it was much later. Lucky for us there were still a few families around and I got to give Heather a big hug!
We had perfect weather yesterday for our neighborhood garage sale, I do not think it was a busy as the spring one but I did manage to get rid of a good bit of stuff. Chris also took Tatum to pick up her new glasses yesterday, we had gotten to take the summer off from glasses but I think they are now back for a while. To be honest so far she wants nothing to do with them, this should be pretty fun...
Last night we were hanging out playing games with our neighbors and the kids were playing downstairs, sounds pretty typical except this time I guess the kids were jumping down the stairs why who knows but we all did it at one time or another...anyway Em landed bad and broke her foot. That is about all I can tell you about it, we knew last night that she hurt it but were not sure if it was broken. This morning when she woke up and could not walk we decided to get it checked out. I took her to the ER while Chris stayed home with Tatum. Good thing for us we did not really have to wait long, after 3 x-rays the doctor told us it was fractured and showed us where. The fracture is on the bone before the pinkie toe on the top of her foot right where the bone ends and her toe starts. I hope that make sense... She came home in a soft cast and I'll call her doctor in the morning and try and get in to see a orthopaedic...Should make for a great Monday...

3rd Angel Birthday

2008-09-16T17:37:00.004-04:00

As many of you know from reading my Blog my Friend Duffy passed away three years ago today. He was on a transplant list when this happened, it is always hard when you lose someone especially when they are so young.

For the last 3 years Duffy's Mom has been doing all she can to raise awareness for organ donors and to keep Duff's legacy alive. I am so proud of the things that Mary Jo has accomplished and I want to share it with all of you...

This is a email from Mary Jo that was sent out today:

As most of you know I have been working hard since February to accomplish several goals for transplant patients. I wrote a proclamation declaring September 2008 Organ Donation Awareness Month which the Governor signed and I have been busy this month getting the word out. I have spoken to several groups and I will be speaking to the Driver Ed students at high schools in Alamance and Guilford County as well as setting up booths at different locations through the remainder of the year to promote organ donation.

Today, Duffy's 3rd Angel Date, we officially opened the Duffy Collins Organ Transplant Foundation bank account to help defray costs for transplant patients. The Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt foundation and every penny you give is deductible. We have almost 100,000.00 people on the transplant list and 50% of them will die while waiting for a transplant. My goal has been to bring awareness to the need for organ donors and also to help defray the costs of a transplant. All of you probably have insurance and you know what the insurance company will pay and what you have to pay out of pocket. For transplant patients it is a tremendous amount out of pocket and most families do not have those funds. After a transplant the anti-rejection drugs are as much as $5,000.00 a month and the recipient of the transplant will have to take them for the rest of their life. That is what this foundation is all about. These people need financial help!!

Chris and Jennifer Benkosky, owners of Electrical Technologies, Inc. in Alamance County made the first contribution to this foundation today. Their compassion and caring has officially opened this account with funds. The picture attached is a copy of their check being handed to an employee of MidCarolina Bank for the first deposit to the Foundation. Please give them a hand for their caring and help.

I am asking all of you to tell your friends, neighbors, church, and any other group you might be associated with about this foundation and help us raise money for these patients.

The address for the foundation is as follows:

Duffy Collins Organ Transplant Foundation

P. O. Box 128

Burlington, N. C. 27216

I thank you all for your help and support this year.

In January 2009 my senator will be introducing a bill to make September Organ Donation Awareness Month for North Carolina. A law will keep it on the books and a proclamation has to be renewed every year. Keep on praying that I can get this done.

Way to go MJ, I love you

Welcome Baby Brenan

2008-09-09T09:30:00.002-04:00

I got a text message From Tiffany, Whitney's sister, this morning. The message read "Brenan Macey arrived suddenly ( less then 2 hours of labor, labor that Whitney was aware of anyway ) 7lbs 3oz and 18in. All are doing great!" I'll send a picture or update if I hear anything else.

I spoke to Whitney on Friday and she seemed all ready but not looking forward to labor, like anyone does. She is really missing Blake and still blaming herself for taking him to MI, I tired to give her a little pep talk so hopefully it worked I know it must be so hard for her.

What happend to summer??...

2008-08-31T10:49:00.004-04:00

Well the first week at school seemed to go well for Emma, she loved it. Thursday afternoon I got a call at work to come pick up Tatum, she has pink eye, by the time I got through traffic to get her I could pick both girls up. Emma had just gotten off the bus and was not ready to leave she got mad at me for coming to early. Oh well I gave in and let her stay, Steve picked her up when he got his kids I still had way to much to do to waste time arguing with her.

Anyway Chris is racing Tinkerbell this weekend and I am not going to make it to any races, Emma went to the track with him this morning. He is racing again at the end of September so I think we'll make a weekend out of it then. Tatum is all eye gross a bit congested and super clingy so I decided it would be easier to keep her here, not to mention I have a ton to do around the house. Tomorrow is my day to do NOTHING but enjoy the last day of the pool day so I have alot to get done today. We are also do the neighborhood triathlon tomorrow... I am only doing the bike part and that alone may kill me. LOL

Softball is also over so no more games on the weekends...Kinda sucks I though the last game was the best, or at least my best haha we won 2 games all season, no worries we were the most fun team ;)

Ok well I guess I better get started on my day so far all I have done is a bike ride.... Oh yeah Whitney is supposed to have her little baby girl this Friday.

Kindergarten...Already?

2008-08-26T12:09:00.007-04:00

Well Today was Emma's first day of Kindergarten, wow where did the time go. She was in the kitchen and dressed faster this morning then I had ever seen before, she even brushed that hair. We( Ma. Walt, Dad, Tatum and Me) arrived at day care to see Emma off on the bus...It never stopped so the kids ended up taking the center shuttle over to the school no biggie same thing happened yesterday but it seemed to be fine for the way home... This is a picture of Emma waiting for the bus this morning , and the other is Alex sending her off. The kindergartners here have a staggered start, meaning they all go random day Mon-Wed (IE: Alex went to school yesterday and Em stayed at the new center ) all the kindergartners go together on Thursday.

Emma was so grown up I could to believe it, she did not even want me to come have lunch with her. After following her around all morning with a camera and crying a bit we had to let her go. I am going back when they get out to catch her getting on the bus back to after school care. Other then the bus kinks so far so good the new daycare and school are working well. Until the newness wares off....

So while I wait I am cleaning, working ( brought a little bit home) and trying to put a room together for Tatum. After 2 weeks in her toddler bed she is moving on up to the daybed from the guest room...does that make the guest room a full on computer room/ office now since there is no bed?...

Anyway in order for this to happen I first have to find the daybed under all the clean laundry that needs folded, then take apart the crib and toddler bed that are both currently in Tate's room, at that point...well that is where I am...and I am bloggging instead of finding the vacuum... Anyway I'll have to update more later when I have the after school pictures of Em, and maybe Tatum's room LOL...

We're back....

2008-08-14T20:07:00.018-04:00

It took me a while to post since we got home from the beach but it seems I have just hit the ground running.... Our little mini girls vacation was great, the girls LOVE the beach. Tatum was a trip everyone around us must have gotten a kick out of watching her run around and dig in the sand. Both girls love the water also. Wed my Mom and I took the girls to the beach, we meet friends from our neighborhood that were down for the week and hung out with them for the day and on Thursday I took the kids to Bethany for the day. Thursday we meet up with Chris' sister and her family for they day since they were down for the whole week. The girls had a blast playing with their cousins on the beach. thanks to the help of Uncle Joe Joe they dug a great big hole that was great for containing kids. From now on when I go to the beach that is my new first priority... I wonder if Tate would have napped in there if I tried...nahhh who needs a nap at the beach!!!

Friday we hung around in Dover and Saturday morning we headed home, Em was so ready to see her Dad she had been at my Mom's since the previous Sat.

The rest of the weekend we spent just hanging around home Emma had a birthday party on Sat and we hit the pool for a bit on Sunday.
This week has been a bit of a blur, I have had tons to do at work, Emma got her Kindergarten Teacher assignment and Tatum has slept in a bed every night this week ( I do not want to jinx it). I am looking forward to doing nothing but sunning and playing at the pool this week, our softball games were canceled so there is no excuse to not be at the pool....Open invite if anyone wants to join us :)

3 years, always counting

2008-08-05T15:00:00.002-04:00

Chris' Dad passed away three years ago today, seems to always be a sad month around my house... It is not easy when Emma says things like I wish Granddad were here so I could give him a hug...I am so disappointed that I'll never have a picture of him with Tatum, at least Emma has things to look back on and try to remember.

I am off to the beach this evening with the kids for a few days, hope the weather is good :)

sing a happy song

2008-08-01T14:20:00.002-04:00

I am wondering is singing kids music all day a bad thing??? I guess what makes it worse is I am signing show tunes.....Thanks High School Musical 2 :)

3 More Weeks!!!

2008-07-31T14:58:00.002-04:00

This is what Emma informed me last night… “I only have to go to camp for 3 more weeks Mom then I start school” OK I guess someone is keeping track, personally I am still trying to believe my baby starts school!!! Don’t get me wrong I am super excited for it but wow I feel like my life is forever adjusting. Emma is going to be in school for all of 5m before Tatum starts the special ed half-day program at the other elementary school in our neighborhood…I figure by spring I should have a good handle on everything, if I am lucky.

Well we made it through another month at work; next month should be pretty interesting since we have some big upcoming changes. My desk is so centrally located that I have a bird’s eye view for it all I am sure it is all going to work out just fine I am just saying it well be interesting to take it all in.

I am taking the girls to my Mom’s next week for a few days. I figure we can get some school clothes hang at the beach and visit with some of my old friends. It should be a very nice and needed change in scenery and we’ll be back in time for the weekend. We have birthday parties, softball games and pool time that just cannot be missed ha-ha.

Well better get back to work…oh yeah Tatum’s blood screen came back totally normal ( I figured it would) what a relief she is such a trooper you all would not believe how she has matured in the past few months…so not a baby anymore; well she’ll ALWAYS be my baby but you all know what I mean. :)

I Miss Emma

2008-07-22T23:22:00.005-04:00

Well this week Emma is visiting her grandparents ( Chris' Mom and Step dad) they came by and got her on Sunday evening and she is coming back on Friday or sooner if need be ;) Anyway I talked to her today and she seems to be having a great time, of coarse who doesn't have a good time at Grandma's...

Although quiet without Emma, Tatum is keeping us on our toes...

We went to the new pediatrician yesterday for her very late 2 yr old check up. Tate got one shot and we drew blood for the lead test and electrolytes while we were at it. I am curious to see her calcium levels as well as the rest, it has been a long time. We never really had any issues there so I have not bothered to have anything checked, I figured it was only a matter of time before she would have to have blood drawn for something, I also knew that the lead test I had been dogging would eventually catch me.

I was pretty impressed with the new doc she seemed knowledgeable and very up on Tatum's records she was even interested in what I knew. I feel very confident with this new practice I think it was a good and much needed change, I can not stay in Montgomery County forever.

Emma is swimming like a fish and has a parade of birthday parties to hit the next few weeks. Tatum is in a developmental growth spurt and keeping everyone busy, the girls at her daycare just love her she cracks them up, Even her 2 yr old tantrums are pretty funny. These girls are just totally gonna keep us busy.

Where did the week go???

2008-07-17T13:26:00.002-04:00

Well I was reminded on Tuesday night by my friend Nikki that I had not posted since 7/9 so I guess I better get on the ball. Ahhh Nikki you have not posted in almost a yr!!!

This week has been pretty busy, Emma is at Vacation Bible School and Tate is at her daycare. That is all going well the ladies that take care of Tatum say she is doing great and has come so far in just a few short weeks she has been there. She is at such a good age changing everyday. On Wed. morning after I dropped Emma off she said "I love you" to me out of the blue, it totally made my day.

Tuesday after work I took the kids to the carnival that is in town this week, Tatum was a dream she just hung out in her stroller and greeted people, Emma was also very well behaved so it made it easy for me. Emma has turned into the little dare devil I could not believe all the ride she went on. I think that the fun house was her favorite she would come racing down the exit slide yell again and her and her friend Darcy run back in this went on for a good 15 mins.

Last night was the carnival fireworks so when I got home from work we headed over to the pool swam until it closed then caught the fireworks from the hill next to the tennis courts, seems this has become the annual spot to view the display. Today when I get home we are having dinner with our friends Rick and Kyra it well be great to see them and the girls, well Emma, is psyched to swim in there pool, they have a diving board.

Emma has become a good little swimmer in the past few weeks she was even daring enough to jump off the guard stand one night!! What am I going to go with her. We are all so lucky that the girls have such good friends at the pool, I hardly see them when we are there. I think that lifeguard Emma and Zo EEEEE may just keep Tatum, and my Emma has officially decided that she is old enough to play without me. I guess I am lucky that she lets us play with her some of the time because we really have had a good time with the girls this summer.

Everyday Stuff...

2008-07-09T13:48:00.001-04:00

I am really trying to get back into the habit of posting I have decided I just need to make the time for it. There are so many days where the post I want to put up runs through my head and I just do not find the time to get there. So I guess this is my July resolution, LOL.

Today Tatum started with a new OT they were supposed to be at daycare at 8:30, her old OT Ingrid had a baby boy a few weeks ago man well we miss her she was AWESOME!! At this point with Tatum my biggest concern is her speech. I was really noticing acceleration in her speech development but now it seems to have leveled off again. I do not think that is a very good thing it is certainly the area that makes her way behind other kids her age. She pretty much has a 5 word vocabulary she has her staple words “Hi”, “Mama”, “Emma”, “Eat”, and “I Love You” and I am counting I love you because we all know that is what she is trying to say. Lately she has started to blow kisses and if she sneezes and you tell her “God Bless You” she’ll continues to fake sneeze. Oh yes her other big word trick is if you say Zo to her she’ll finish the word with eeeeeeee…this is how she say’s Zoe.

I think the biggest problem with the speech is that I do not feel she clicks with her ST and I am learning that this is an important thing. A friend of mine was working with her privately towards the end of the school year and that was when we noticed a big change but since she has stopped nothing. I am thinking about finding private speech, once a week for 30-40 mins is not cutting it especially when my perfectly normal niece that lives in Baltimore receives more ST then Tatum does, I am not bitter at all, LOL.

News on the Emma front:

I was wondering do 5 year olds every stop being dramatic Emma is driving us nuts! Everything is a argument with that child, the craziest thing is she’ll cry over nothing get all privilege’s and toys taken from her and still have a fit as if we are going to give in. I have never met such a hardheaded child in my life, I guess I can be thankful that she is not disrespectful and when we are not around she is very well behaved. I do need to give her some credit she is getting better but god forbid she is tired…crabbbby…maybe she well finally start going to bed for us.

She did ask for a pet this morning I was preparing myself to tell her no way but she only wants a fish since her old fish died. This is the best part she wants to name her new fish Sneaker…she does make me laugh I have to give that to her.

Day Care Take Two

2008-07-06T09:46:00.004-04:00

The last week of June was the kids first time in Daycare for quite a while. I actually think that the bigger shock was to me considering I was the one that had to get them there. We showed up on Monday only to find out that I was supposed to bring them lunch, OK bad me for assuming but back when the kids were in daycare before lunch was included. I had to run next door to the 7-11 and thank goodness they had lunchables. That was day 1 the next day I got there and realized that I had forgotten Tatum's shoe's so back home I went. I swearer by the time I got to work it was like 10am compiled with the end of the month it made for an exhausting week.

The one good thing that came out of all of it was the decision to find a new daycare center for the fall. We actually just came back from checking out the new facility. The girls are going to be attending a brand new center that is being built less then a mile from our house. It is going to be beautiful I can not wait to see the finished product, another plus to all this is alot of the neighborhood kids are going and they have before and after school care for Emma. I have a very good feeling about this place I think it is going to be great for both Tatum and Emma.