Happy Stuff

Today, I don't want this blog to be a "Debbie Downer" so today, I am choosing to be positive. It's been to easy, recently, for me to be negative - maybe I get too stressed, I don't know, but I am sick of being negative...today I choose to be positive.

So today, I want to share some happy/thankful thoughts with you.

- I am thankful that RSV season is almost over, I am thankful that Parker was able to receive his synagis shots and I am SUPER thankful for insurance that paid the $3000+ that the shots were! We aren't able to get his last months worth because of our insurance, so we have to basically act as if we just brought him home, no being around sick people, wash hands, yadda, yadda!

- I am thankful for my many many friends! I count myself blessed to have so many people who I can turn to whom I love and love me and my family. I am thankful for the wonderful women I know from church, I am blessed to have a great group that build me up! I am thankful for the new friends I make and the old friends I have and miss terribly at times. I am thankful for my college buddies who know me. I am thankful for you all, you readers out there that I have never met in person and those I have. I am thankful to be able to share my story with you and that you continue to read my blog, even on the hard days!

- I am thankful for my husband. Seriously, the guys is AWESOME! I appreciate how he steps up and helps me and pushes me. I am thankful that he knows me and my heart and soul. I am thankful that he loves God!

- I am thankful for my family. I won't lie, we don't all get along, but I am glad to have such a fun family. Sure, we can let each other down, but I am so glad for them.

- I am thankful that Parker, while born early, is doing SO WELL! We went to an OT appointment yesterday and he is doing great developmentally. He is on track with his adjusted age. There is a little concern with his communication, but the therapist is not at all worried - he makes enough noises and is communicating pretty well! He will babble and talk when he wants to. One thing I have learned with him, is don't push him, he learns on his own! We need to work on his sitting. He doesn't like to sit with his legs bent, which is just because of his muscle tone. He'll get there. He is ALMOST crawling! I am so thankful that Parker is "normal" even if he is small!

Yesterday, after Parker's OT appointment, Drew, P and I went to Riverside to visit the NICU! Surreal doesn't even begin to describe the walk up to the NICU! It feels weird to know that we get to leave with Parker, not visit him there daily. It's been almost a year - which is also insane! We got to see some wonderful nurses! Some who took care of Parker just hours/days after he was born. We got our picture taken so they can share it with others! I am planning on making a special picture present for the NICU as a thank you. They have a wall of different pictures and collages and I want to share our story with others!

I am having a better day today, as is Parker!!! Parker's skin continues to feel like sandpaper, thankfully those the redness is going away! His tooth I think is stuck, it hasn't come out any further - not sure if it just takes time or what. I am not a pro at all at this, so if any of you have any thoughts about teething and it feels like this one tooth is taking forever - please share.

This morning I got together with some of my friends from church for an easter egg dyeing party. It was fun, I love those women and the kids. And I got to meet a new friend - Monica, she is sweet! Parker didn't care much...i tried to let him help me with an egg, he just looked at me like I was nuts!

Tomorrow, Parker and I get to go to the zoo with some other friends. I look forward to it! I feel good getting out of the house and hanging with people. I need to do it more.

Friday is a big day. I have a lot to do before then! We found out Sunday that Drew's parents are coming for Easter! We were thrilled and surprised and hey, it's free babysitting! (Like I would turn that down. Are you reading this Pete and Angela - you get to watch Parker for us Sat. morning!!!) If I know Pete, he's probably jumping up and down in excitement ;) Before they get here though, we are taking Parker to his ped. to follow up on his skin. If nothing else, its more for peace of mind, than anything.

Well, that's all I have for now friends! Hope you all can find the positives today!

Continued Prayers Please

Hello friends,

I wrote yesterday about my blog friend MckMama and her son Stellan. I am taking this moment to ask you, again to pray for this sweet little boy. He has been positively diagnosed with RSV. This can be very serious and in fact, Stellan has an intubation tray by his bed just in case.

While I don't know this family personally I love them as I would love my friends I do know personally. Please take a moment and say a prayer for this family and swing by their blog and leave some love too!

(And not that this even compares, but if you could pray for me, I have the flu and feel terrible.)

Thanks friends! :)

Oh, You Know, Me and Randomness!

more animals

Where did all the warmth go???? Now we know! Seriously, the snow came a little to fast this year, then again...it always comes too fast! I am not a fan of the winter time or the snow. The way I see it, as long as it snows on Christmas, I am happy, the rest of the time, I could do without. Sure, it's pretty and sure, its fun to eat, as long as it isn't yellow and sure snow men are fun to make or even snow angels, but really, other than that...by the first snow flake, I am over it.

And now with a child...oh man it's worse. It takes long enough on a normal warm day, add in the cold and you have a very annoyed me. Also, the fact that Parker is little and at risk for RSV and other horrible terrible things, I dread taking him out in the cold. But then I remember...hey, bundle him up! I am wanting to take him to the Lighting Ceremony at Easton on Friday since a bunch of my play group friends are going (its one of our meetups) and I am terrified of the cold...but I want to go for even a little bit and plan too!

Speaking of play groups, today I hosted an in home play date, it was a photo shoot one. It didn't really go as well as I had hoped. Sure, we all had a blast, but the kids did not want to cooperate. If nothing else, the kiddos got to play and enjoy some food and such (Parker, always the life of the party - slept!) But the girls and kids were here from about 10:30am to about 3:30pm. It was fun, truly. It was good to just talk as mom's! I went sanitizing crazy afterwards (thank you Lysol sanitizing wipes!) And next monday...we are going to wild lights! I am so jazzed, especially since Drew gets to join us!

Tomorrow is Parker's 6 month check up (he turns 6 mths on the 29th). I am so excited yet dreadful of it...excited because now I get to know how much he weighs and have a real answer for people and I should be able to also start cereal with him (keeping my fingers crossed). He was also supposed to start transitioning off his wedge, but that happened about a week ago when I noticed him crawling up it a bit! He does well though on his back! Also, we may be backing off the zantac. The only dreadful part - SHOTS! Not only vaccines...but his RSV shot too (which may make me feel better). I am anticipating a very cranky boy tomorrow! So I think I might lose my mind.

Sorry I haven't update in a while...been busy and such. :)

Not Me Monday!

It's another monday, which means another NOT ME MONDAY! Hosted by MckMama
Sure, their may be rumors going around, but I certainly did not have anything to do with any of this!
- There is a little boy that I know that loves to eat his hands and suck his thumb, but it isn't my son, nope.- I am not currently sitting here watching Dora the Explorer while my son sits in his swing, not eating his hands and not watching it either!- It wasn't me who went to grab my little mans bottle and ran into the doorway and I do not currently have a big bruise and welt on my right arm.- And of course is was not me who went bowling friday night and earned 77 points because I was not using my Wii bowling skills!- And I can assure you that it is not me who has "cancer of the worry" and is turning into a clean freak and sanitizing freak because it still isn't me that is stressed about RSV season and I do not have myself convinced that my son is sick and dying. (Because it's not like he is currently smiling and cooing and he does not look perfectly healthy.- I did not have two panic attack this weekend over mommy guilt. And having said that I do not suffer from mommy guilt on a daily basis.- Bourdeoux's Butt Paste is not my best friend and I did not have to rely on it heavily because a daiper rash that Parker did not have.- I am not currently thinking about making more of those pumpkin cookies that I did not make the other day.- My son is not a smiley boy!

Come Baaaaaack Warmth

I am a very sad woman right now...I want the warmth back...this silly fall weather has creeped up on me and I am not liking it much right now! I hate having to wear socks and long pants, I want my flip flop and capri weather back. I guess the plus side is the beautiful fall foliage (score points for a big word!). I love to drive around and see all the beautiful leaves! And it means fall festivals, which excites me!

Today has been a productive day, thus far! Got my grocery shopping done...spent 102 bucks for 2 weeks of groceries...that's right my friends, I am a bargain hunter! I spent 2 hours yesterday menu planning, making a list, going through the Ad's for certain groceries and figuring out my best deals. I was so happy to know I did it! I normally stress...I plan to do a Tuesday's Tips and go more into depth about how I save!

Parker is doing a ton better. What a scare we had the other day with the severe coughing and the doctor warning us about RSV, but thankfully, Parker is doing a ton better. He still is stuffed up, but not nearly as bad, and he coughs, but everything in there is lose now, so he coughs it up and he is breathing better. He is back to his usual happy self! Eating like a pig. We have a doctors appointment on Tuesday, so I will update with weight and info. Start praying now, he begins his Synagis shots. (Once a month for the next several months during RSV season!) I will be leaving the room and letting Drew be in there, I can't take his crying, breaks mommy's heart!

Off to get things done...have a double date, in home movie night to prep for!