Wow, last time I posted was September. It's been a crazy last few months. I decided to log back on to do an update of how things have been. They have been pretty good but so busy - too busy. My Husband's regular job is a lot and on top of that he has another job that he does for his friend's business, so he is either at work for his regular job, which equates to being away from the home 14 hours on the days he works, then his PT job in between, sleeping during the days or I am off on a photo shoot, baby sitting my 8 month old niece a few days/week or busy with our own kids. It's too much. On top of that I've recently been looking for a PT job that would allow me some time away from the home but still be able to be there for the kids for things we need like getting them up and ready for school and to school in the mornings (Emma isn't in school but would be if I got a job) and also just be able to be with them as well. I can't see myself going back to a Full Time position; not until both kids are in FT school themselves.
I guess when I left my career I did not realize how much I was going to give up to everyone else. I'm always constantly meeting someone's need, if it's not a kid, it's my Husband's, or our families need (doing everything at home). It is EVERYONE but my need's, which I am happy to do, but I'm also burnt out. I don't honestly think it's right that there is never anyone there to help me or just give me a break. I have been really wanting to take yoga classes and the fact is I can't. My Husband's crazy schedule and my kid's schedule allows nothing for me. Of course I could pay to have a babysitter so I could go, but guess what? Running on one person's income while the other stays home makes it hard. It's not like there are a ton of funds there for things like that, so our options are limited.
Getting back to a PT job, I did interview with a few NY Life Insurance Agents and I received a phone call after the interview from them last week and they told me they had let their FT admin go the day after I interviewed so they were looking at getting two people now instead of 1 so it was taking longer than expected and that I would hear back from them soon. I'm still waiting but expect to hear back today or tomorrow. It would be flexible which is what I need and possibly able to do some stuff from home or on weekends. It will be interesting to see if they give me an offer and how we will figure out preschool pickup for them and a couple hours care after that. I've got a few gals I have talked to already, but I just want what's best for the kids and now I realize that is for me to have at least SOME time for myself. I can't be the best Mom to them when I'm worn out being pulled meeting everyone's needs but mine for literally years. It's exhausting and just not really how things should be. Mom needs a break every once in a while.... and it's not like I'm a regular stay at home Mom...my Husband doesn't work a regular job and on top of that he also works a PT job in addition to that and oh yeah, we have our rentals he takes care of as well, hahaha. I talk to my Husband but I feel he more than anything just see's it as me complaining. I'm not really complaining but more just hoping someone will realize that I actually do have needs that should be looked at and at least considered and tried to figure out (like how to maybe get me to a yoga class every once in a while).
I have decided that I want to work in customer service type jobs so I'm not dealing with the same people every single day. I did that for 12 years and that gets old, I think it would be fun to see new people and be able to talk to new people every day...which is something I've never done...but still do administrative, office, accounting type work that I am used to, but I've realized that every job but 2 that I have applied for needs to be Spanish speaking or preferred - which I am not, so I've got the Rosetta Stone 5 levels Spanish for Christmas and will start learning as soon as I get that here in a few weeks - so dumb, but obviously have to do it.
Kyla is doing very good. She is in school of course 4 days/week and ballet 1 hour/week. Her and I went on a Mommy/Daughter date to the Nutcracker the other night and she loved it - she wants to be in it when she is old enough - has to be 7. It will be interesting to see how this ballet all plays out - I realized in the Nutcracker how much the hands and fingers really do play a part in the art of the dance - she really has done such a good job doing everything she does with her real arm mirrored with her prosthetic arm, but of course can't move palms flat or fingers posed like may be necessary someday (necessary for a performance maybe, but not for the sport). Kyla will start soccer here in the spring and I think she will do very well at that - she is a fast little runner - both our girls are super quick - they don't get that from me I don't think.
We got a letter in the mail to schedule our annual appointment with Shriner's Hospital in Spokane, so we will be making that trip again not too long from now, has to be done one time/year to stay a patient of Shriner's. I don't want to do it by myself this time, so am going to try to find a time that my Husband could come with us - if possible. Kyla's prosthetic arm is now a little short in comparison to her real arm, so she could probably use another prosthetic here in the next 6-9 months from now I am guessing. For now it works just fine. I would like to see about getting her a type that is more for looks than function since she doesn't use it at all except for dance. I saw an article today on Lauren Scruggs which is the lady who lost her eye and arm in the airplane propeller accident a few years ago; she was a model or still is a model and her prosthetic arm looks so real - it is very hard to tell it isn't real. I do love the fact that we can have fun with Kyla's prosthetic and make it look NOT real...I honestly do not want to hide it from anyone which is why we always choose a fun fabric, but I'm thinking once it gets to where she is old enough to be in performances maybe we will move more toward life like and no special fabric, or fingers that function (spring loaded to hold things - since she really doesn't use it anyway) or sleeves and Velcro straps to hold it on. Anyhow, that's my update now. Everyone have a wonderful Christmas!
Monday, December 15, 2014
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
So Behind
I've been so behind on posting any updates this past summer. Life has just been so busy. I'm still babysitting my 5 month old niece 3 to 2 days/week and she has kept me busy, plus my kiddos and my photography business; my husband's weird work schedule. We recently made some big purchases - I finally got my SUV and LOVE it....makes my life so much easier. It's a hybrid, so I don't need a key - awesome for me since I'm always losing my keys in my purse anyways, it automatically opens all of my doors for me when I touch the drivers side or passenger side door handles (awesome, because once again don't need keys), I've got a DVD player for the kids for long trips or while we are waiting in the car for Dad to do some of his errands (he talks a lot ;)), which is so nice because they don't fight with each other; just sit quiet and watch their movie - all my cell phone calls come automatically through the car audio - another bonus since I also have a hard time finding my cell phone in my purse while driving (although this is a no no).....hmm, 3rd row seat which I used for the first time this morning while I took 3 kids to preschool drop off and pickup....just so much better making my life easier! Anyhow enough about my car, back to the kids.
Kyla is now 5! We had her birthday this past weekend at a skating rink. She enjoyed it, but could've used more skating time, less present/cake/ice cream time :) We let her get her ears pierced as her gift from us. My parents made me and my Sister wait until we were like 8 & 9 to get ours and Kyla had been asking for a few months now, so I had told her for her birthday she could. They pierced both of them at the same time, she was scared and wanted to back out but we let her pick some cute earrings and she was OK with it. Some tears after and I am such a weirdo about perfect placement and they didn't place one earring centered so that bothered me, but whatever - it's good enough, gotta let it go!
Kyla is back in ballet class and already outgrew her first leotard. Which those things are expensive! She also really could use some new tap shoes as well - out grew them in just a few months as well. No biggie, that's what she has a little Sister for ;) Emma will use them all someday I imagine. I did move Kyla to a different class yesterday, mid-day so stay at home Mom's and way less chaotic in the hallways - actually so quiet I could sit and just read Emma a book while we waited, which was much nicer than her first class back - it was nuts, grandpa's and grandma's so packed in front of the glass windows to the class that we could barely see her the entire hour - crazy grandpa's making faces at the kids while they tried to pay attention to the teacher, etc. Glad we got her in a good spot now and she is with a friend from her previous class earlier this year - even better. Different teacher, but her new teacher is also super nice.
Kyla also is back at her same preschool for her 3rd year, Pre-K class. But she goes 4 days/week now...gearing up for real school. I love her new teacher, she is an older lady but so sweet and has a super cute classroom, which I think is fun for the kids - they are always doing neat things.
I am so thankful that ever since birth Kyla has really been surrounded by good people who really do love and care for her. I've been stressing lately about where to send her to school next year. I want to avoid public school and want something smaller for her (less kids, more closely watched). And of course private school is so expensive. I'm not sure what we are going to do, but I'm going to start researching it soon to mainly just decide on a place so I can stop stressing. Kyla has such a sweet heart and I don't want any means kids damaging that...she really is a little angel (90% of the time - unless she is fighting with her Sister, or not eating her food like she is supposed to).
Anyhow, I've got both my niece and Emma asleep now and had a few minutes - having both little ones nap at the same time is sorta rare. Gotta take advantage of it while I can!
Kyla is now 5! We had her birthday this past weekend at a skating rink. She enjoyed it, but could've used more skating time, less present/cake/ice cream time :) We let her get her ears pierced as her gift from us. My parents made me and my Sister wait until we were like 8 & 9 to get ours and Kyla had been asking for a few months now, so I had told her for her birthday she could. They pierced both of them at the same time, she was scared and wanted to back out but we let her pick some cute earrings and she was OK with it. Some tears after and I am such a weirdo about perfect placement and they didn't place one earring centered so that bothered me, but whatever - it's good enough, gotta let it go!
Kyla is back in ballet class and already outgrew her first leotard. Which those things are expensive! She also really could use some new tap shoes as well - out grew them in just a few months as well. No biggie, that's what she has a little Sister for ;) Emma will use them all someday I imagine. I did move Kyla to a different class yesterday, mid-day so stay at home Mom's and way less chaotic in the hallways - actually so quiet I could sit and just read Emma a book while we waited, which was much nicer than her first class back - it was nuts, grandpa's and grandma's so packed in front of the glass windows to the class that we could barely see her the entire hour - crazy grandpa's making faces at the kids while they tried to pay attention to the teacher, etc. Glad we got her in a good spot now and she is with a friend from her previous class earlier this year - even better. Different teacher, but her new teacher is also super nice.
Kyla also is back at her same preschool for her 3rd year, Pre-K class. But she goes 4 days/week now...gearing up for real school. I love her new teacher, she is an older lady but so sweet and has a super cute classroom, which I think is fun for the kids - they are always doing neat things.
I am so thankful that ever since birth Kyla has really been surrounded by good people who really do love and care for her. I've been stressing lately about where to send her to school next year. I want to avoid public school and want something smaller for her (less kids, more closely watched). And of course private school is so expensive. I'm not sure what we are going to do, but I'm going to start researching it soon to mainly just decide on a place so I can stop stressing. Kyla has such a sweet heart and I don't want any means kids damaging that...she really is a little angel (90% of the time - unless she is fighting with her Sister, or not eating her food like she is supposed to).
Anyhow, I've got both my niece and Emma asleep now and had a few minutes - having both little ones nap at the same time is sorta rare. Gotta take advantage of it while I can!
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
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Really Desperately Need to Get in a New Post....
So much has happened and I feel so bad for not adding these events here. I've been overwhelmed busy. Between babysitting my 2 month old niece a few days/week to summer break, family vacations, and busier photography business, I've been pretty swamped. Anyhow, before kiddos wake up, I've got to mention Kyla's first ballet recital, it went so well and we were so proud of her. The day before her actual recital was rehearsal and she didn't do so well so I was nervous for the actual performance. She ended up doing almost perfect and she had 2 grandmas crying. She was so confident and had fun up there. We took a family vacation with two of our friends families to Silverwood in Idaho two weekend ago. Kyla is so crazy and loved the rollercoasters - she went on rollercoasts I have never been on in my life because I'm like super scared freak that doesn't like to get too risky, LOL. Her Dad took her and she loved it. Four and a half years old and riding crazy wood rollercoasters.....if she likes it fine with me. Emma and I sat and watched :) Emma got to go on her first rides as well during the trip and she loved them as well.
Very very much need to get Kyla back into swimming lessons. She is terrified of the water still after her almost drowning experience last summer during swimming lessons. I've got to find someone to do private lessons with her because she is definitely old enough she needs to know how to swim so I don't have to worry about her. We will be going out of town again in a couple weeks to our friends cabin again and it's near Lake Roosevelt and again water. Kyla's Dad tried to take her down the lazy river at Silverwood - just laying on top of him on a float and she freaked...so not good.
Anyhow, Kyla did a week summer camp at her Preschool, Outdoor Camping Adventures and loved it. I've got her registered for one more week long camp at the end of July - just for something for her to do - she enjoys being with other kids.
Emma is talking more and we are starting to be more disciplined with her. Now that I have my Sister's baby some, I have to have her listen better when I ask her to do something or tell her to do something; which she has been able to get away with quite a bit so far so now it's time she have a little more rigid rules to follow. And by rigid I mean like eating her food at the table and only the table - pretty normal things..lol.
We did have Emma's 2 year birthday party bbq. She is so adorable, I think the best part was being sang to, she continues to sing her version of "happy birthday to Mama" or "happy birthday to Kyla" in her adorable baby voice. Love her like crazy!
My photography business is getting more and more clients, which is nice. I do enjoy it, it's fun - gives me something to do! Other than be a slave to my kids. Anyhow gotta upload some pictures and get back to my Mommy job. Take care everyone.
Very very much need to get Kyla back into swimming lessons. She is terrified of the water still after her almost drowning experience last summer during swimming lessons. I've got to find someone to do private lessons with her because she is definitely old enough she needs to know how to swim so I don't have to worry about her. We will be going out of town again in a couple weeks to our friends cabin again and it's near Lake Roosevelt and again water. Kyla's Dad tried to take her down the lazy river at Silverwood - just laying on top of him on a float and she freaked...so not good.
Anyhow, Kyla did a week summer camp at her Preschool, Outdoor Camping Adventures and loved it. I've got her registered for one more week long camp at the end of July - just for something for her to do - she enjoys being with other kids.
Emma is talking more and we are starting to be more disciplined with her. Now that I have my Sister's baby some, I have to have her listen better when I ask her to do something or tell her to do something; which she has been able to get away with quite a bit so far so now it's time she have a little more rigid rules to follow. And by rigid I mean like eating her food at the table and only the table - pretty normal things..lol.
We did have Emma's 2 year birthday party bbq. She is so adorable, I think the best part was being sang to, she continues to sing her version of "happy birthday to Mama" or "happy birthday to Kyla" in her adorable baby voice. Love her like crazy!
My photography business is getting more and more clients, which is nice. I do enjoy it, it's fun - gives me something to do! Other than be a slave to my kids. Anyhow gotta upload some pictures and get back to my Mommy job. Take care everyone.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Kyla/Emma Update :)
Hi everyone. It's been a while since I've visited Kyla's site. I have been pre-occupied lately I guess; lots of things happening with the girls and family life; haven't really had the time to think much about getting an update in.
Kyla finished her preschool year a little over a week ago. She had two great teachers this year; who I really liked, so it's always kind of sad to see the year come to an end. She is registered for two summer camps at her preschool over summer break, just fun camps for her to do. Summer break with kids can be quite long with kids if you don't keep busy. I found that out last summer with Emma, when she was too little to really take out for long periods of time. :)
I might be crazy but I'm supposed to be taking care of my new little niece soon; for when my sister goes back to work. Me with 3 kids. Whoa. I mean one isn't mine, but practically will be during the day time at least. I'm scared, ha! Not going to lie, so we will see how it goes. When I am around my niece I am all about caring for her, feeding her, changing her diaper, burping her...I miss having a baby, but then I don't. It's a strange deal. Emma has been sleeping in our bed quite a bit at night lately, which is great to snuggle, but then it's also not great because you don't sleep well, you get hot, 2 adults and 1 toddler squeezed into a queen size bed and you can't move at all and get sore because of that. But I do love the snuggles.
Speaking of Emma, she is 2 very soon. I am in the middle of planning her birthday party. We always have a big get-together for our girls birthdays, so this will be the same. Her theme is My Little Pony. I was making her invites the other night and she was sitting on my lap at the computer; all she kept saying was "pony!, pony!, pony!" very excited. Emma still doesn't talk much, but I think it's a blessing; Kyla talks plenty for the both of them. Silence is good :) (although she is slowly getting her words down, so it won't be long before I have two full blown talkers).
Kyla's first ballet recital is this weekend. She is really looking forward to performing for her family. I am very proud of her; she has done such a good job learning how to use her prosthetic to match how she uses her arm, she's gotten it down pretty darn well for only wearing it about an hour a week (only for ballet class). She doesn't want to wear it otherwise, and I don't make her...
Kinda side note, we met a local pastor at a park during one of my photo shoots a month or so ago. We went to his church about 2 weekends ago. I really like him as a Pastor; he teaches the stories of the Bible, which is something I need. I know I'm saved, I know I have the Holy Spirit in me, but I do not know Bible stories very well at all - I stopped going to Sunday School when I was a teenager, so it's been quite some time since I've studied Bible stories. I feel like a lot of Pastors, or at least Pastors that I am used to preach a lot on how to live your life, biblically, which is good, but I personally want to know more about the book that I believe in, so these podcasts are awesome if you want to take a look: http://www.crossviewcommunity.com/sermon-videos/
Kyla finished her preschool year a little over a week ago. She had two great teachers this year; who I really liked, so it's always kind of sad to see the year come to an end. She is registered for two summer camps at her preschool over summer break, just fun camps for her to do. Summer break with kids can be quite long with kids if you don't keep busy. I found that out last summer with Emma, when she was too little to really take out for long periods of time. :)
I might be crazy but I'm supposed to be taking care of my new little niece soon; for when my sister goes back to work. Me with 3 kids. Whoa. I mean one isn't mine, but practically will be during the day time at least. I'm scared, ha! Not going to lie, so we will see how it goes. When I am around my niece I am all about caring for her, feeding her, changing her diaper, burping her...I miss having a baby, but then I don't. It's a strange deal. Emma has been sleeping in our bed quite a bit at night lately, which is great to snuggle, but then it's also not great because you don't sleep well, you get hot, 2 adults and 1 toddler squeezed into a queen size bed and you can't move at all and get sore because of that. But I do love the snuggles.
Speaking of Emma, she is 2 very soon. I am in the middle of planning her birthday party. We always have a big get-together for our girls birthdays, so this will be the same. Her theme is My Little Pony. I was making her invites the other night and she was sitting on my lap at the computer; all she kept saying was "pony!, pony!, pony!" very excited. Emma still doesn't talk much, but I think it's a blessing; Kyla talks plenty for the both of them. Silence is good :) (although she is slowly getting her words down, so it won't be long before I have two full blown talkers).
Kyla's first ballet recital is this weekend. She is really looking forward to performing for her family. I am very proud of her; she has done such a good job learning how to use her prosthetic to match how she uses her arm, she's gotten it down pretty darn well for only wearing it about an hour a week (only for ballet class). She doesn't want to wear it otherwise, and I don't make her...
Kinda side note, we met a local pastor at a park during one of my photo shoots a month or so ago. We went to his church about 2 weekends ago. I really like him as a Pastor; he teaches the stories of the Bible, which is something I need. I know I'm saved, I know I have the Holy Spirit in me, but I do not know Bible stories very well at all - I stopped going to Sunday School when I was a teenager, so it's been quite some time since I've studied Bible stories. I feel like a lot of Pastors, or at least Pastors that I am used to preach a lot on how to live your life, biblically, which is good, but I personally want to know more about the book that I believe in, so these podcasts are awesome if you want to take a look: http://www.crossviewcommunity.com/sermon-videos/
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Different Is Awesome! Children's Book in the Works
This is the last one to share today, it's a fundraiser for a children's book that is being developed that they are asking for donations for. Ryan is the founder of a Living One Handed website; he himself was born like Kyla and he has a great sense of humor about everything - I follow him on Facebook and his website is fun to visit every now and then. Anyhow he is hoping to get this book in classrooms across the U.S. and teach children that it's OK to be different, in fact it's actually neat to be set apart, not made exactly like every one else around you. Watch the video and decide if you'd like to help with his goal. I did donate myself; hopefully this may be something you yourself would like to help with. I think it's awesome - children are so shocked when anyone doesn't look just like how their little minds think they should - I think this book could make a huge difference, if we are willing to let it.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1756964235/different-is-awesome-kids-picture-book
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1756964235/different-is-awesome-kids-picture-book
Nico's Story
Now this video did make me cry - it is very inspiring and I love how they take it from Nico being a child to a grown man. Touched my heart to watch this one.
Guy Born Without Arms
I've beeing seeing a lot different videos, etc. these past few weeks that relate to ABS and Kyla. I have shared these on my Facebook page, but need to get them here, so I'll start with this inspiring video posted just above.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Best Video Ever
I'm sure most of you have seen this video going around on social media, I did, and I had no idea what it was about but I kept seeing it shared, so figured it was good. I ended up watching it yesterday and ended up in tears towards the end. It is so spot on. I recommend watching if you haven't already. I watched this after my Husband I and I had a disagreement just hours earlier regarding me cooking dinner...which I am the only cook in the family, grocery shopper, dish washer, food prepared and meal planner. Welp, this video is perfect. I feel like I have given up so much of me the past several years - to play my role as a stay at home Mom - honestly I didn't feel it all until I became a FT stay at home Mom. I love being a Mom to my girls - but I would say I have given up about 95% of me to do this JOB and do it decently - I wouldn't say well because I feel there is a lot I could do better. I am anxious for the days I can shower again without having to do it while baby is napping - or finally just the past 2 weeks or so I can turn on YouTube kid videos for my girls and get them to sit in the bathroom while I get a shower. That isn't to say that a toothbrush that was perfectly fine won't get tossed in the garbage while I am showering - a kid won't run out of the bathroom to go create a giant mess in their bedroom, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB3xM93rXbY
I am not trying to complain but rather just state reality. I am anxious to get some of me back - hopefully soon - but I also know right now my girls need me and there is no one else who can play my part. So for now, it is how it is. Hard, exhausting, giving all of my attention and energy to everyone but me - Husband included.
On a side note - My Sister did have her baby last week - I was there for the birth and did do birth photography for her and her Fiance. I didn't watch as closely as I had when my first niece was born, but that was fine with me :) I got the pictures I needed to get, minus any personal images being included. The delivery was scary - my niece did not cry for 4 minutes after birth, she was just laying there still, not moving, they called NICU in and the nurses did do chest compressions for a bit. Babies pulse dropped to 60 at one point, which is when they started the CPR, chest compressions and oxygen. My Mom and my Sister's Fiance's Mom were both standing in the corner of the room I think not knowing what to do. I just kinda took over trying to comfort my Sister and her Fiance both while they were sobbing - thinking their child wasn't going to make it. It was pretty darn scary..... those little babies can be so fragile. She did stop breathing the following day and the only way my Sister and her Fiance knew was the baby's face turned blue - they ran and got a nurse who came in and flipped her over and smacked her on the back a few times until she took a breathe. So scary.....
Anyhow, I've got to get back to my job and get my girls lunch made. Take care all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB3xM93rXbY
I am not trying to complain but rather just state reality. I am anxious to get some of me back - hopefully soon - but I also know right now my girls need me and there is no one else who can play my part. So for now, it is how it is. Hard, exhausting, giving all of my attention and energy to everyone but me - Husband included.
On a side note - My Sister did have her baby last week - I was there for the birth and did do birth photography for her and her Fiance. I didn't watch as closely as I had when my first niece was born, but that was fine with me :) I got the pictures I needed to get, minus any personal images being included. The delivery was scary - my niece did not cry for 4 minutes after birth, she was just laying there still, not moving, they called NICU in and the nurses did do chest compressions for a bit. Babies pulse dropped to 60 at one point, which is when they started the CPR, chest compressions and oxygen. My Mom and my Sister's Fiance's Mom were both standing in the corner of the room I think not knowing what to do. I just kinda took over trying to comfort my Sister and her Fiance both while they were sobbing - thinking their child wasn't going to make it. It was pretty darn scary..... those little babies can be so fragile. She did stop breathing the following day and the only way my Sister and her Fiance knew was the baby's face turned blue - they ran and got a nurse who came in and flipped her over and smacked her on the back a few times until she took a breathe. So scary.....
Anyhow, I've got to get back to my job and get my girls lunch made. Take care all.
Monday, April 7, 2014
SPRING!
Spring is here, but the weather today is summer weather! So glad for sunshine and time outside. We have been adjusting to my hubby's new job - schedule as a family. Trying to figure out when to start dinners, when to be quiet because of sleeping, etc. it's been fine though. For Spring Break last week we met up with some friends and one of the Mom's just so happened to be one of my hubby's new co-worker's wife, so it was nice to meet her and get to talk for a little bit. We went to a trampoline park place here in town - it was the girls' first time there and the photo below is Kyla (going down the orange slide) and Emma. Emma got ran into a few times and so she spent most of the time on my lap - she is pretty attached still, which is fine with me. She turns 2 in June. My baby's growing up - it goes by so fast. Which I like but I also don't like...
I've been getting busier with my photography business. I've had 2 shoots the past 2 weeks and have two more planned this month. I have a large family next. I will post some photos from the shoots I have taken. Kyla and Emma are about to get a new baby cousin. My Sister and her Fiance are expecting within the next few days. I am excited. I saw my first niece who is now 8 years old be born and it was amazing and freaky all at the same time. Since I never got to have my baby's normal (c-section) I am totally excited to see this again, and I will be doing birth photography for her, so that makes me even more excited I think. Such amazing moments.
How the girl's wake up their Daddy in the mornings.
Ky's new nose freckles. I thought they were so cute, I told her to lay down and let me take a picture. By the way, aren't her eyelashes amazing? They are so thick long and BLACK. She is a lucky girl!!
Ky's new bike helmet (and her gummy smile) - she rides her bike way too fast now down our long driveway, so this was needed. We have also been taking walks by the river - gotta get Mama's thighs back in shape :) We plan to go for a hike up a mountain here as a family soon. If all goes well I want to make this a weekly routine.
My selfie :) My Hubs and I have a joke about the "Selfie" Chainsmoker's song.... so this is my selfie for today.
I've been getting busier with my photography business. I've had 2 shoots the past 2 weeks and have two more planned this month. I have a large family next. I will post some photos from the shoots I have taken. Kyla and Emma are about to get a new baby cousin. My Sister and her Fiance are expecting within the next few days. I am excited. I saw my first niece who is now 8 years old be born and it was amazing and freaky all at the same time. Since I never got to have my baby's normal (c-section) I am totally excited to see this again, and I will be doing birth photography for her, so that makes me even more excited I think. Such amazing moments.
How the girl's wake up their Daddy in the mornings.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Article/Funny Things Kids Say
Not much has been happening lately, but I read an article early this morning that I thought was awesome and worth sharing here. Read this - isn't long, but great message, speaks truth >
http://iaminhim.com/blog/?p=167
Kyla is still doing her preschool and ballet. Everything is going well, I have been slacking in making her wear her prosthetic every day, but she does wear it for ballet and actually I am finding that ballet is a great activity for her to be in because it is so much with the arms that it forces her to think about how to do what she needs to do with it - rather than just at home, where she stands in front of the tv and does nothing with it.
It is funny how different children can be; Kyla is addicted to TV (if I let her be) and Emma hardly notices it even exists.
Kyla has asked for a "pet" just recently. I told her that she already has a pet - two dogs - but she said no that isn't what she means and now she wants a fish. I picked her up from preschool yesterday and saw they have some kind of bug, 'stick bugs' and they look to be pretty maintenance free. I tried to talk her into getting some stick bugs for home, but she is insistent on a fish and has already named it, 'Bubbles the Fish.' Haven't even bought the thing yet, but it already has a name :) The things Kyla says are so funny. I actually got in a bit of trouble the other day when I went to pick up Kyla from school, her teacher tells me that Kyla said a bad word today, she said "my dogs chewed up my toy and my Mom says 'those damn dogs!' Which I have said a few times before and of course we all laugh when shes says it, so then it sticks - those little sponges soak up everything, the good and the bad! Before we had kids our dogs were super spoiled - now that we have kids they are sometimes just more of a headache - actually most of the time this is the case, although now that Emma is not a baby and not so needy, the dogs have been being more OK lately. Anyhow - I was like "oh ya, I did say that....sorry..." hahaha, I wasn't even really sure what to say, poor Ky getting in trouble because of things I said. I was just hugging on Kyla and she says "Mom, I love you so much, like as much as 11 years" hahaha, OK, thank you I guess.
Emma and I visited my Grandparents this morning while Kyla was at school. I have the best Grandparents ever, they have always been the best, can always count on them, super nice/happy couple, truly show what love is in a marriage - my Grandma probably reached out for my Grandpa's hand to hold at least 3 times while I was there - so cute! They are getting up there in age, my Grandpa is 88, he is doing pretty good still, although my Grandma isn't doing as well. Love them so much - I hope my kids have that when they are my age. I lost my other set of Grandparents just before I graduated high school, although they were just as amazing, although I didn't get to spend as much time with them as I have my Dad's parents.
Need to get going. Hope everyone is doing well. ~ Amber
http://iaminhim.com/blog/?p=167
Kyla is still doing her preschool and ballet. Everything is going well, I have been slacking in making her wear her prosthetic every day, but she does wear it for ballet and actually I am finding that ballet is a great activity for her to be in because it is so much with the arms that it forces her to think about how to do what she needs to do with it - rather than just at home, where she stands in front of the tv and does nothing with it.
It is funny how different children can be; Kyla is addicted to TV (if I let her be) and Emma hardly notices it even exists.
Kyla has asked for a "pet" just recently. I told her that she already has a pet - two dogs - but she said no that isn't what she means and now she wants a fish. I picked her up from preschool yesterday and saw they have some kind of bug, 'stick bugs' and they look to be pretty maintenance free. I tried to talk her into getting some stick bugs for home, but she is insistent on a fish and has already named it, 'Bubbles the Fish.' Haven't even bought the thing yet, but it already has a name :) The things Kyla says are so funny. I actually got in a bit of trouble the other day when I went to pick up Kyla from school, her teacher tells me that Kyla said a bad word today, she said "my dogs chewed up my toy and my Mom says 'those damn dogs!' Which I have said a few times before and of course we all laugh when shes says it, so then it sticks - those little sponges soak up everything, the good and the bad! Before we had kids our dogs were super spoiled - now that we have kids they are sometimes just more of a headache - actually most of the time this is the case, although now that Emma is not a baby and not so needy, the dogs have been being more OK lately. Anyhow - I was like "oh ya, I did say that....sorry..." hahaha, I wasn't even really sure what to say, poor Ky getting in trouble because of things I said. I was just hugging on Kyla and she says "Mom, I love you so much, like as much as 11 years" hahaha, OK, thank you I guess.
Emma and I visited my Grandparents this morning while Kyla was at school. I have the best Grandparents ever, they have always been the best, can always count on them, super nice/happy couple, truly show what love is in a marriage - my Grandma probably reached out for my Grandpa's hand to hold at least 3 times while I was there - so cute! They are getting up there in age, my Grandpa is 88, he is doing pretty good still, although my Grandma isn't doing as well. Love them so much - I hope my kids have that when they are my age. I lost my other set of Grandparents just before I graduated high school, although they were just as amazing, although I didn't get to spend as much time with them as I have my Dad's parents.
Need to get going. Hope everyone is doing well. ~ Amber
Monday, February 10, 2014
Shriner's Spokane Visit/First Ballet Class
Lots of things happening lately. Kyla and I went to Spokane last Monday for her appointment at Shriner's, had to stay over night since it was at 7:45 am the following morning. I drove my little car in the snow and of course our hotel was just down from Sacred Heart so all that area around there is all hills. Where we live doesn't get much snow anymore so I'm not really used to driving it in and don't have snow tires or 4 WD...so needless to say we got going down a steep hill and I couldnt get stopped, luckily the other drivers knew to watch out for idiot drivers like me. The roads in Spokane are so horrible - whoever designed them did a poor job, so I also believe I went down a one-way going the WRONG-way twice... :/ But we did get to her appointment on time and it went really well. I totally forgot though that at these things, like Seattle Children's you always get bombarded with people who want to see your kid or hear what you have to say, medical students, directors, prosthetists, etc. so the nurses warned me that there were going to be a large group of people who came in to see us. I said OK, and then got nervous, but was like whatever, I can't get nervous, I have my 4 year old here, I'm the adult, just go with the flow. It's awkward especially having to do this appointment all by myself, but I was fine and it was kinda like me giving a presentation to 6 doctors/medical students all surrouding the room walls, but it went good and we are now setup with Shriner's and they will help all thru Kyla's years growing up with medical costs our insurance won't cover and out of pocket prosthetic expenses that aren't covered by insurance, which is awesome, but we do have to make an annual trip there, which is fine.
The two times I have been to children's hospitals, both Seattle Children's and Shriners are very humbling - there are so many kids there that have major, life threatening things going on, or are permenately handicapped for the rest of their lives, it is amazing to see the parents of these kids with them though - they aren't sad - they look happy. I remember the first time we went to Seattle Children's and I wanted to cry seeing the little kids that were obviously there for cancer and then I finally did end up crying once we were back in our room with the doctors - it was just overwhelming to see all of that all at once. I didn't cry at Shriners though, LOL definately not as severe children there.
I've done some more talking with our local community college and to sum things up it looks like I will most likely be heading to Spokane to live for a year to do their ultrasound program there. Lots to figure out but I will probably have to take the girls and my Husband and I will be doing a lot of commuting. I plan to start the pre-reqs here for the Spokane program very soon.
Other quick thing - I've got a 23 lb toddler laying on me like she is a baby while I'm trying to type.... Kyla had her first day of ballet class last Thursday - she LOVED it, did amazing and I was nervous before hand just because I didn't know how other kids would respond to her and treat her, if the other Moms would look at her like "why is she here type thing" but nothing like that happened at all. I did hear a little boy say "look at that girl, she has a broken arm" and the Mom was like "where? and said it wasn't a broken arm but a prosthetic..." was nice to hear her explain to him. People often times think her prosthetic is a cast - I don't know why, probably because it has the fabric and isn't flesh tone. I was surprised to find out that Kyla's ballet teacher is her same swimming lessons teacher from this past summer that let her sink to the bottom of the pool. I had no idea that her swimming teacher also taught ballet lessons, but go figure, it is the same gal. She is a good up-beat teacher and I believe an out of water venue is best suited for her. :) Anyhow Kyla is so excited to go back so we will see how this week goes, it's just an hour once a week until like the beginning of June, which is nice, a long activity for her to be a part of. I can't wait for her to perform, will be adorable.
Other quick thing - we've had snow here recently and spent the past two days going sledding with the girls and some friends yesterday. Lots of fun.
The two times I have been to children's hospitals, both Seattle Children's and Shriners are very humbling - there are so many kids there that have major, life threatening things going on, or are permenately handicapped for the rest of their lives, it is amazing to see the parents of these kids with them though - they aren't sad - they look happy. I remember the first time we went to Seattle Children's and I wanted to cry seeing the little kids that were obviously there for cancer and then I finally did end up crying once we were back in our room with the doctors - it was just overwhelming to see all of that all at once. I didn't cry at Shriners though, LOL definately not as severe children there.
I've done some more talking with our local community college and to sum things up it looks like I will most likely be heading to Spokane to live for a year to do their ultrasound program there. Lots to figure out but I will probably have to take the girls and my Husband and I will be doing a lot of commuting. I plan to start the pre-reqs here for the Spokane program very soon.
Other quick thing - I've got a 23 lb toddler laying on me like she is a baby while I'm trying to type.... Kyla had her first day of ballet class last Thursday - she LOVED it, did amazing and I was nervous before hand just because I didn't know how other kids would respond to her and treat her, if the other Moms would look at her like "why is she here type thing" but nothing like that happened at all. I did hear a little boy say "look at that girl, she has a broken arm" and the Mom was like "where? and said it wasn't a broken arm but a prosthetic..." was nice to hear her explain to him. People often times think her prosthetic is a cast - I don't know why, probably because it has the fabric and isn't flesh tone. I was surprised to find out that Kyla's ballet teacher is her same swimming lessons teacher from this past summer that let her sink to the bottom of the pool. I had no idea that her swimming teacher also taught ballet lessons, but go figure, it is the same gal. She is a good up-beat teacher and I believe an out of water venue is best suited for her. :) Anyhow Kyla is so excited to go back so we will see how this week goes, it's just an hour once a week until like the beginning of June, which is nice, a long activity for her to be a part of. I can't wait for her to perform, will be adorable.
Other quick thing - we've had snow here recently and spent the past two days going sledding with the girls and some friends yesterday. Lots of fun.
Skating at Rollarena for her cousin Averi's birthday party.
Kyla is a dare devil sledder - she likes to go down backwards on her knees, or flat on her tummy with her eyes completely closed.
Ready for Superbowl party at our friend's house - go Seahawks!
Isn't her leotard so cute? I loved the bow on the back and the attached ballet skirt - keeps her a little more covered up than the other leotards they had to chose from at the ballet shop. And her bun in her hair....
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Things
I'm in between a fire station preschool trip earlier this morning, dropping Kyla off at school after and needing to leave in about 20 minutes to go back and pick her up. Field trip was fun, but the boys were more into it than the girls :)
I've since finished all of the trilogy of the Fifty Shades of Grey books and finished another romance novel, Hopeless - which was OK but not comparable to the Fifty.
Kyla and I are going to Shriner's Hospital in Spokane soon and I've begun planning for that trip. We will stay overnight at the Shriner's lodging at the hospital since her appt is at 7:45 in the morning and I couldn't get an appointment any later in the day for her. This is to get her setup with Shriner's so that in the future when she has prosthetics made and our out of pocket is 1100 like this last one, Shriner's will cover that for us, which is so nice - that is what they are there for. So this is for her to get setup with the hospital. Thankfully my Mother in Law is staying with Emma so I don't have to manage both girls out of town and dr. appointments all by myself - so thankful, just less headache for the trip.
I've also got Kyla registered to start ballet here in the next week or so, I don't even remember the exact day it starts, but it's soon and she is excited but I'm praying it will all go well and the girls will be accepting to her. I already discussed her situation with the Director and asked him to inform the instructor so that they are aware she will be using her prosthetic for classes, etc. I will be a nervous wreck for Ky on this day - I just don't ever know what to expect so hopefully she loves it and the girls are friendly.
We did family night at the Rollarena here this past weekend - I was so bored sitting at home and Greg had worked Saturday, done some things with his Dad Sunday and the girls have been sick for like the past 2 weeks - Emma had double ear infection and Kyla and I have just slowed worked thru our sickness, so I am just tired of being at home, so Kyla and I went skating together and Dad and Emma watched for the most part. It was fun and Kyla loves going there. She is finally to the point where she started skating all by herself without holding onto my hand. Luckily for her her cousin's having her bday party there again this weekend so she will get to practice some more. Her goal is to learn how to roller skate all by herself so that she can have her birthday party there this September.
Real quick - if you're a stay at home mom, this article is a must read: it sums up my exact feelings on a daily basis so perfectly. I struggle often with this job - more so than I imagined I would - it is so hard, I just keep telling myself it will get better which it has, but it is so funny literally a month ago I was telling my Husband I want to adopt soon - kids - but now I wonder what I was thinking, maybe I was just doing some crazy talk. Honestly I would love more babies, but I know in order to keep my sanity I can't do it - I think if I had more help from family I could probably do it and be happy but since I don't then I can't..... It is. that is kind of a side note to issues that are going on, but I think not having people I can trust with my babies makes it difficult - it is me or nobody, so adoption is probably not a smart idea....although I have always wanted to adopt since I was young - as far as me having more kids myself I just feel like my body is done - I've had 2 c-sections, I'm over 30 - which is when increase risks for things like down syndrome, etc. like double, so as much as it does make me sad since I love my babies so much I think baby days are over :( My Sis is pregnant and due in just a few months so hopefully can get baby fix that way. Anyway READ THIS ARTICLE... it's perfect - you love your job but you also yearn for more - read it -
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glennon-melton/the-questions-that-will-save-your-relationships_b_4618254.html
Off to preschool....again :)
I've since finished all of the trilogy of the Fifty Shades of Grey books and finished another romance novel, Hopeless - which was OK but not comparable to the Fifty.
Kyla and I are going to Shriner's Hospital in Spokane soon and I've begun planning for that trip. We will stay overnight at the Shriner's lodging at the hospital since her appt is at 7:45 in the morning and I couldn't get an appointment any later in the day for her. This is to get her setup with Shriner's so that in the future when she has prosthetics made and our out of pocket is 1100 like this last one, Shriner's will cover that for us, which is so nice - that is what they are there for. So this is for her to get setup with the hospital. Thankfully my Mother in Law is staying with Emma so I don't have to manage both girls out of town and dr. appointments all by myself - so thankful, just less headache for the trip.
I've also got Kyla registered to start ballet here in the next week or so, I don't even remember the exact day it starts, but it's soon and she is excited but I'm praying it will all go well and the girls will be accepting to her. I already discussed her situation with the Director and asked him to inform the instructor so that they are aware she will be using her prosthetic for classes, etc. I will be a nervous wreck for Ky on this day - I just don't ever know what to expect so hopefully she loves it and the girls are friendly.
We did family night at the Rollarena here this past weekend - I was so bored sitting at home and Greg had worked Saturday, done some things with his Dad Sunday and the girls have been sick for like the past 2 weeks - Emma had double ear infection and Kyla and I have just slowed worked thru our sickness, so I am just tired of being at home, so Kyla and I went skating together and Dad and Emma watched for the most part. It was fun and Kyla loves going there. She is finally to the point where she started skating all by herself without holding onto my hand. Luckily for her her cousin's having her bday party there again this weekend so she will get to practice some more. Her goal is to learn how to roller skate all by herself so that she can have her birthday party there this September.
Real quick - if you're a stay at home mom, this article is a must read: it sums up my exact feelings on a daily basis so perfectly. I struggle often with this job - more so than I imagined I would - it is so hard, I just keep telling myself it will get better which it has, but it is so funny literally a month ago I was telling my Husband I want to adopt soon - kids - but now I wonder what I was thinking, maybe I was just doing some crazy talk. Honestly I would love more babies, but I know in order to keep my sanity I can't do it - I think if I had more help from family I could probably do it and be happy but since I don't then I can't..... It is. that is kind of a side note to issues that are going on, but I think not having people I can trust with my babies makes it difficult - it is me or nobody, so adoption is probably not a smart idea....although I have always wanted to adopt since I was young - as far as me having more kids myself I just feel like my body is done - I've had 2 c-sections, I'm over 30 - which is when increase risks for things like down syndrome, etc. like double, so as much as it does make me sad since I love my babies so much I think baby days are over :( My Sis is pregnant and due in just a few months so hopefully can get baby fix that way. Anyway READ THIS ARTICLE... it's perfect - you love your job but you also yearn for more - read it -
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/glennon-melton/the-questions-that-will-save-your-relationships_b_4618254.html
Off to preschool....again :)
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Potty Training Round 2
Emma has started to want to use the big girl potty. She likes to sit down attack the toliet paper roll so much that I eventually have to hide it, tear off the smallest pieces of TP, wipe, and flush. She hasn't actually gone to the bathroom yet but this is a good start. This picture I yelled at greg to come up and take was too cute not to share. This is her new smile for the camera face. Me and this girl have a special bond, I love her to pieces.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
More Christmas Stuff
A few days ago I said I would post a few photos from Christmas, but then the baby woke up crying and for some reason later this evening I decided I was going to download 50 Shades of Grey and I got caught up in that for a few days. LOL, I was like seriously addicted it to, couldn't hardly put it down until I finished yesterday morning. Not that some parts of it aren't a tad bit strange, but I think it appeals to lots of women because dudes just aren't romantic, or most aren't and the guy in the book is, so of course women want to read. There's that and the book ended with Ana leaving Christian and they are broken up said their goodbyes and she's sitting in her room crying. What woman can't relate to that kind of relationship in her early 20's? Most everyone can. The girl loves the guy - the guy is having a hard time getting past just the physical and admitting that he also is falling in love with her. So something most women can relate to. I know I'm about 5 years late on these books, not sure why I haven't read them before. I downloaded book #2 lastnight but I'm not going to obsess over reading this one...heck I do have Mom responsibilities. My hubs was so mad at me for spending several hours Sunday reading. What? I never read a dang book, so I didn't care. Anyhow here are some of our Christmas break photos. I forgot to mention (I think) that I have Kyla on a waiting list for a Robohand - or to discuss the possibility of getting her one. Actually what she would get would be a roboarm, since she doesn't have a portion of her wrist on her left arm. Google it, it's pretty awesome. 3D printers make functional arms/hands where the fingers (all 5 of them) move. And if you have access to a 3D printer, the cost to make this can be as cheap as $15, rather than the $1100 we had to put out after insurance covered 80%... It looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. That is actually where they got the technologies to make these, I believe the guy who is in Seattle (a co-inventor) used to work on the sets of movies. So they have her on a waiting list and said to expect to hear from them in the new year, which is now...
I am still waiting to hear back on school. I'm getting tired of waiting, but I actually really really want to do ultrasound, so it's worth the wait. I am almost ready to give in and start working toward a medical assistant degree but I don't think that pays near as well and wouldn't be as interesting to me. I will keep checking and hopefully they will make a decision soon. I'm totally not a good just stay at home mom. I need to be doing something, contributing to the family - whatever. I do not think once my girls are in full time school I could just stay home and nothing else - not me. Anyhow here are the photos. Talk later.
Our Christmas card..obviously :) Photos taken/edited by me :)) (Emma was difficult to get to sit still)
Christmas cookies with Kyla.
Our tree minus a star or angel (I can never find one I like so have gone without the past few years).
Emma and one of her Christmas gifts. My sweet blue eyed unicorn.
Kyla bedazzled ;) in her Christmas jewelry.
Here is her prosthetic. The lever on the back of the hand, moves the fingers so they can pickup different things. Everyone asks why the doctor gave her a hispanic colored hand, lol...I have no idea and it's a good question, we go back to see him soon and I'm going to ask if we can switch to something more her skin color - it is off by several shades.
Here Kyla has some silly bands on her wrist from the doctor (are those what those are called?) and she is holding a binky in her prosthetic hand.
Me and my sweet baby just playing downstairs in the basement.
Me again almost ready for the Zion Christmas party...
And my girls visiting Santa. Emma is terrified of Santa. Poor thing. Kyla looks pale and washed out :( oh well, we still got the picture.
I am still waiting to hear back on school. I'm getting tired of waiting, but I actually really really want to do ultrasound, so it's worth the wait. I am almost ready to give in and start working toward a medical assistant degree but I don't think that pays near as well and wouldn't be as interesting to me. I will keep checking and hopefully they will make a decision soon. I'm totally not a good just stay at home mom. I need to be doing something, contributing to the family - whatever. I do not think once my girls are in full time school I could just stay home and nothing else - not me. Anyhow here are the photos. Talk later.
And my girls visiting Santa. Emma is terrified of Santa. Poor thing. Kyla looks pale and washed out :( oh well, we still got the picture.
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