Tomorrow

Does December really start tomorrow? Isn't that crazy?

GI Chase

I really really really wish we had named Chase "Joe". It would have made for a really great title.

Our week of GI appointments was entertaining, but led to very few conclusions:

The swallow study was cool. It was like seeing a moving xray. Chase drank/ate the barium concoction without any sort of hesitation. This, from the child who gags when I try to feed him sweet potatoes. Go figure. Maybe if I lace his veggies with barium, he'll eat them at home...? Think there would be any side effects?

Anyway. The swallow study showed that physiologically, everything is normal (whenever I say/type/think that word, I think twice now. Funny.). No aspiration or anything. The only thing is that he sucks 8-9 times before swallowing, but not every time, sometimes 3-4 times. She said it should be 2-3 times, then a swallow. I've been counting him while he nurses, though, and it's 2-3 times. So, since he rarely gets a bottle, I'm not going to worry about it.

We went to see the GI Guy today. He introduced himself as "Jim". Not Dr. So and So. Just Jim. I felt a little strange. He was really nice, but totally dumbed down everything that he told me. At what point do I chime in and tell him I took A&P in high school and college and could basically follow along if he just talked like a doctor instead of a preschool teacher, though? I didn't say anything. Just sat there and nodded, holding Chase on my lap and trying to prevent Ian from falling on his head as he monkey-climbed all over the chair and the exam table.

Jim told me that basically I had a laundry problem. Chase isn't losing weight or refusing to eat, so the reflux is just a normal-immature-GI-tract issue that should resolve itself as he eats more solids and grows.

So, for all of you who see me on a daily basis, I will be smelling like baby vomit for a while. Just a heads-up.

**Oh, and on a semi-related note, Chase ate a jar and a half of stage 2 food today, PLUS a handful of Cheerios! He can't quite get them in his own hands yet, but if I hold a Cheerio out for him, he'll almost immediately grab my hand and guide it to his mouth :) **

Linville Caverns

We drove a couple hours to the mountains for the first time since we moved here from Florida. It was totally worth it.

It was cold up thar in them mountains...
Chase was the only cozy one. Love that Moby Wrap!

We took a tour of the Linville Caverns (where Ian did NOT freak out when the guide turned out the lights and we were plunged into complete and total utter darkness!)

We ate at Smokey Que's (where the Sweet and Spicey sauce was so good, we took home a pint of it in a styrofoam cup).

We hiked the moderate trail at Linville Falls to see the Plunge Overlook. On a side note- it was 40 degrees outside and we were prepared for the easy trail...but we took a wrong turn somewhere and ended up on the Pleasant Hike But Not So Great For a Two Year Old Trail. It's all good, though. We made it out before dark, and no rescue parties were needed.

I like this photo :)

Awesome Uncle Scott

We get to see my brother at most of the major holidays :) He's always fun.

More Cousin Fun

If anyone is wondering, the boys are taking extra long naps today, and I am avoiding the housework. Enjoy!

Has anyone else tried to capture their kids on film while they jump in one of those giant bouncehouses? Impossible.


The fun Uncle.

Army Men

Bryan dug up all his cammo in preparation for the Manly Day of Paintballing on Friday. Here he is with his (little) brother Todd, incredibly happy that he still fits (kind of) in his ten-year-old pants.

Thanksgiving Day Review

The kids stayed busy on the swingset at the Gallers' while the finishing touches were put on dinner.
Bryan and Chase look skeptical about Angelle's carving ability--- but she did an incredible job with the turkey! Yum.

Sad starving children.

More proof that Food Really Does Solve Everything.

Thanksgiving Family (Ian did not last long at the kids' table)

They're Cousins...

Tori, Tristan, and Ian had a great time together. I really think they need to move up here. Especially because Tori is going to make an incredible babysitter soon...!

I just realized that I only have Tori and Ian in these photos. I will get Tristan and Chase into the next slew of posts...:)

Good Friends

Chase and his lady friend Lindsay had a photo shoot before Thanksgiving.

April (Lindsay's Mom) and I didn't count on the fact that it would be just about impossible to get both babies to look at the camera, much less smile, at the same time. It was an exhausting afternoon.


But aren't they cute??? We're hoping they make it into the DSAC 2008 calendar.

Best Buds

Chase and Green Frog. Green Frog and Chase.

'Tis the Season

For Holiday parades...

Yes. I made the boys wear these hats. Come on- it's almost Christmas!

Another Generation

Ian helped me make Grandma Maddex's Famous Coffee Cakes this year. He has an interesting rolling technique, but it seems to work.

Ok. This time it's real.

Chase has been practicing all yesterday and all this morning on his rolling. He's now an expert back-to-belly flipper, and he's really getting better at belly-to-back. Most times he just gets stuck on his belly, but he's so happy about it!

He flipped over twice this morning without any of my prompting from belly to back.

Maybe he'll be kind of mobile soon...

Apple Season

Ian (holding up an apple): Mama, did you pull the stem off of this?

Me: Nope. It was already gone when I put it into the bowl.

Ian: Oh. The stem fairy must have taken it.

Tired.

It's been a whirlwind Thanksgiving-week. I will tell you all about it later. I have good pictures. But I'm still trying to catch up.

Here's a brief account of the adventures so you can anticipate the posts:

1- Thanksgiving dinner with the Gallers. Where I made gravy and it turned out tasty.

2- Bryan's brother and family (Todd, LeShayne, Tori and Tristan) visits. Lots of family fun all around (paintballing, shopping at 4am, cute cousin stuff). Check out LeShayne's post about the visit because she is much more on top of everything and has already posted pictures!)

3- A trip to the Linville Caverns and a hike up to see the Linville Falls.

4- A BBQ Bronco party (in which Denver lost in overtime. Boo.)

5- Our official Montessori tour. I think I love that place enough to pay for it next year.


Tomorrow morning is Chase's swallow study. I'm going to bed now in the hopes that trying to feed Chase some nasty barium goop will be a better experience if I've had more than my standard 4 hours of sleep.

I will post all of the findings and stories about the excellent time that Chase and I will have at the hospital soon. 'Til then, I am out.

Turkey Wishes

Happy Thanksgiving, All :)

Prep is Done

The first batch of Official Grandma Maddex Coffee Cakes is done!

Let the holiday season begin!

Destined to be Late

Every year around this time I began to have grand visions of making Christmas cards and getting them sent out on time.

However, most years (and by most, I mean all) my cards don't get out until after Christmas. Once it was February. I kid you not.

So last week, I started making cards with Ian, determined to finish them before Thanksgiving (so that they can sit around on my counter without any postage for the next 3 weeks or so and STILL get to people's houses before the Big Day.)

The process included gluing about 4 billion googly eyes on the front of the cards. I'd show you a picture, but I don't want to ruin the surprise.

I sat down this afternoon to complete the last step, and I happened to knock one of the cards off the table.

ALL OF THE GOOGLY EYES FELL OFF THE DAMN CARD. I hoped it was a fluke. Maybe Ian forgot the glue on that one.

Nope.

It's all of them. All the eyes.

Are you freaking kidding me?

I know, I know. It's really not a big deal. But can't ANYTHING be easy...?

New Trick

The Chaser surprised me with a new trick today:

He rolled from back to belly. Twice!

Keep in mind, he still opts not to roll belly to back, excepting on rare occasions when his arms are tucked in a little and he can use head-momentum to get himself over.

Or maybe he just does stuff, checks it off his little baby milestone list, and figures he doesn't need to do it again. Who knows?

Plug

My frend Grace is now making the cutest bows for baby girls. If you have a girl, or want one in the future, you need to check these out.

Grace's Amazing Bows (ok, originality is not her strong suit. Love you, Grace!)

1 of 2 Things is Happening...

1- The customer service personnel in the billing department of the hospital have become more compassionate...

OR

2- There is a note in my file that says, "This lady is a pain in the ass. Give her whatever she wants. It's easier than fighting with her."



I just had the most enjoyable conversation with the CMC Union rep. I called about a charge that should have been covered by our insurance, but wasn't, and I have been back and forth with the hospital several times about resubmitting the claim. I told the lady about it. She put me on hold because "there are a lot of notes in your file" (what does that mean?!). Then she came back and said to disregard the bill!

*Cue: Twilight Zone music*

Appointments

Nov 27th- Chase's swallow study is scheduled. I don't know what I'm hoping for. Do I hope that nothing is wrong and he just is going to have a funky time with food because of the texture/gag reflex thing, or do I hope for some kind of issue that can be fixed with surgery?

Nov 29th- GI Dr to interpret swallow study findings.



Oh- and Nov 26th I scheduled a tour of the local Montessori school. I'm toying with the idea of sending Ian there in the mornings. I think he'd really like it. But I don't know if I'm ready yet. I think what will ultimately end up happening is we will put him on a wait list and then maybe I'll start him next school year.

Photo Shoot

Beacause I am a lunatic, I took the boys to Portrait Innovations, the photo studio with the $200 cover charge, to get some good photos taken today.

I haven't had professional pictures taken since before Chase was born, so it was time to spend a couple hours dangling toys and shaking rattles at the kids to coax smiles out of them.

The guy was great, really. But I could only get a 12:30 appointment...which means both children fell asleep in the car on the way there, and walked into the studio in a zombie-like daze. The photographer had to bring in 3 different reinforcements.

I like the photos, but Chase would NOT smile. He was not into the whole studio experience. Which is a bummer, because he has such a special little grin :)

But here are some of the highlights (Well, a lot of the highlights. Indecision is the reason that I can't get out of there with just the $9.95 special):

A Secret

Bryan whispered something to Ian and then sent him over to see me.

Ian (with a sly smile): Mommy, I have a secret for you!

He drops his Blue Dog, then very deliberately licks each of his index fingers and places them into his own ears, and laughs hysterically.

Just not quite there with the Wet Willy concept yet :)

Present from Gramma DiPiero

The other day a package arrived from Gramma DiPiero- Bryan's mom finished the baby blanket that she has been working and working and working and working on.

Notice the Bronco colors ;)

Thanks, Gramma!

Christmas Shopping ALREADY!?

We went to Concord Mills Mall today to buy new warm jammies for the boys. There is a Children's Place outlet there, and there is also a kick ass kids' playplace there. And they have a Dave and Busters, which Bryan loves. So it's good for everyone.

Except that apparently the Christmas shopping season has already begun and the mall was PACKED. But it was still fun. Because I really like shopping. And Ian was super good. (So was Chase, but then, he always is.)

After we got home, my parents came over to babysit and Bryan and I went out on a date (!)...by ourselves. Even though Ian told us that he would like to go on a date with us, too. But he and Chase had lots of fun with Papa and Gaga, who are perfect grandparents, and do things like let Ian stay up til 8 when he should have been in bed by 7 :) (Hi Mom!)

Bryan and I had dinner at a little Mexican place, and inhaled our food and drinks in record time (it's hard to slow down sometimes!). We were done by 7ish, and didn't want to waste our grown-up time, so we took a field trip to Target. All those holiday shoppers at the Mall gave us the Santa bug.

Here's what we scored for Santa tonight:

For Chase- these awesome blocks to crawl on (or maybe just roll around near- who knows?)

For Ian- a baseball mitt, a pop-up soccer net, Chutes and Ladders, and Hungry Hungry Hippos


Fun! Next stop...the bookstore!

6 Month Ped Appt

Ped appointment update (from yesterday):

weight: 17lbs 1 oz
length: 26 3/4 in

90%-ile (on Ds chart) for both height and weight!

Everything is looking great. I brought up my concerns about his eating (or lack thereof) solid foods. They don't stay down. She thinks it may be due to low muscle tone, but she's going to set up an appointment to see a gastroenterologist (sp?) to make sure there's no problem. That makes me feel better.

Also, she's going to look into the treadmill training for kids with DS. I read that you can start as early as 6 months in some instances. It would be nice to have a perscription for a nice treadmill...maybe Chase won't be the only one that uses it.

And she's going to request speech therapy, which I've been campaigning for through the county, but the caseworker tells me that they don't ever even evaluate kids for ST until they turn one. Kind of hard to be proactive that way, isn't it?

So, all in all, good.

How to Tell if You Are Not Getting Enough Sleep

1) You forget to put the coffee filter in the pot, and don't realize it until you pour yourself a cup of crunchy coffee.

2) You notice at 5PM that your underwear has been inside out all day long.

A Break

Angelle tagged me for this God-awful 6-truths-about-you post. I'm stuck on #1.

So I took a break and found this HI-larious post from Mandi that you all need to read.

In the interest of not really having anything to post...

I've been tagged by Crabby Mama. Like I don't have anything else to do, people!

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.

B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.

C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

**********************************************************************************

1. You all know that I have a sweet tooth. But I don't think you really realize the actual lengths that I go to when I need sugar. I have eaten stale marshmallows, handfuls of baking chocolate, and those gross peanut butter-taffy Halloween things that everyone else in their right mind throws out.

2. Once I said "crap" while I was lecturing my 4th graders. THe next day, one of the parents came in because she was very concerned because her son told her that I said the "c-word". She thought it was something else...

3. I have an ex-friend that I haven't spoken to in almost two years. I hate that.

4. I love Billy Joel. And I'm not afraid to admit it.

5. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I had decided to move to NYC and become a very famous and talented actress. Not that it would be better. Just different.

6. I want to post something specific here about Down syndrome. But there are so many things that are always running through my head about Chase that I can't nail one down. I just think about it a lot.

7. I added #7 because this started to sound kind of depressing. So, #7: I really do love my life. It's good. My husband rocks, my kids are awesome. I love staying at home. I love where I live. I have great friends :)

Speaking of friends, I would never ever tag anyone with this thing because it took way to much time and deep thinking. So, if you are bored and in the mood to torture yourself a little, TAG-you're-it. Otherwise, take some time for yourself. Go read a book, take a bath, or do some retail therapy. Anything that makes you happy.

8. I thought of another thing. I love to read. But I hardly ever do- save paging through magazines and blog-surfing. I just run out of time. I have several books waiting for me. I need to read them.

Now I'm really done. Maybe I'll go pick up a book.

Google Quote

This quote was on my homepage today:

Sometimes the appropriate response to reality is to go insane.
- Philip K. Dick

I don't know who this man is, but I like his way of thinking. It just kind of made me nod and say, "Yeah..."

The Baby Store

Ian saw LOTS of babies in Target today. That is apparently the IN place to take your newborn. When we got in the car, he was still talking about them. I asked him if he wanted Mommy to have another baby, and yes, he did. He told me he wanted a new baby because he is a good big brother (I guess he means the times when he is not throwing random objects at Chase's head).

Later, we were almost home. All of a sudden, he starts a little whine and proclaims that he does not want to go home. I tell him that, yes, we have to go home because Miss Bonnie (the OT) was meeting us there.

Ian: "But I wanted to get a new baby from the hosipitable!"

Running a Marathon

Nope. Not for me.

BUT...I want to give kudos to my friend Becky who finished her first marathon in 4hours 12 minutes (she's in the pink shirt):



And I'd like to point out that Katie Holmes just ran one in NYC in 5 hours 29 minutes- yes, 1 hour and 17 minutes slower than Becky!

Way to go, Beck!

Funny things you notice at the gym...

Sitting in front of the weight machines is a magazine rack. In front is this magazine:

GeezerJock

How funny is that? I guess there is a market for everything...

New Diet

I realized after reading LeShayne's post on accountability, that I never followed up with the promises I made here.

So, a brief update:

I can't say I've actually stayed true to any of them. But I have dropped 13 more pounds of baby weight (yes- that's a grand total of 70 pounds LOST), putting me within 5 pounds of my pre-baby weight, and now I'm fitting into my skinny jeans- YEEHAW!

And because of my success, I've decided to market my weight loss plan. I've not nailed it down completely, but it has a lot to do with candy corn, breastfeeding, and babywearing a 17 pound boy while running after a 2 year old during normal, everyday type errands. It has nothing to do with going to the gym consistantly or eating right.

The Darnedest Things

I was changing Ian this afternoon (his once-a-day #2...everything else is in the potty now!!). After I open up the pull up, he says:

"I think Alex and Hannah are going to come over here to see my little nugget."

Ew...?

Christeeny

She just gets Chase.

Maddex.cc

Has a MILLION new pictures on it.

Go visit :)

Problems

Britney has it hard. I mean, just look at her average monthly expenses (from People):

As for expenses, the documents also show that the former couple had very different spending habits. Here is what Spears and Federline spent on a monthly average in 2006 on various items.

Britney's Expenses:
• $102,000 on entertainment, gifts and vacation
• $49,267 on mortgage payments
• $16,000 on clothes
• $4,758 on eating out
• $2,500 on phone bills


Kevin's Expenses:
• $5,000 on entertainment, gifts and vacation
• $7,500 on rent
• $2,000 on clothes
• $1,500 on eating out
• $750 on phone bills

It must be rough.

Metamorphosis

I'm swearing off the sugar. Starting tomorrow morning.

I think I ate at least 8 peanut butter cups today. And more tootsie rolls than I care to count. And an Almond Joy. And one of those sticky Mary Jane candies.

I got a little candied out. So I ate the rest of the Cheetos that Bryan left behind. Then I needed something sweet to balance out the salty. So I finished the ice cream. Then my teeth were cold. So I ate 6 oreos.

I feel like the Very Hungry Caterpillar. Maybe I'll wake up tomorrow as a beautiful butterfly...