Current Photo of Kyla

Here is a current photo of Kyla that I just took a few days ago.  It's been so long since I've posted her picture, thought I would put a new one up!!  The girl's got wild curly hair, that almost can't be tamed.  :)

May 2013

Hi all,

It's been so long since I've done an update.  Life has been crazy hectic.  We finally moved into our new home and have been here for about 2 1/2 weeks now.  We spent very long nights working on getting the girls' rooms done up for them and then getting our rental ready to rent out.  We are still in the process of finding another tenant for one side of our duplex, but we should have that all wrapped up shortly.

By long nights, I mean the longest night was working till 4 AM and then up again in the morning for work (Greg) and babies (me).  So exhausting.  I was so lucky my baby monitor worked in both houses, otherwise I'm not sure we could've got it all done. 

I did have a reader email me a few weeks ago saying she enjoyed reading my blog.  So nice to hear, I'm sorry I don't  update it near as much as I used to, or with as much relevant information as I should (re: Kyla and her ABS).  I am struggling just to stay afloat most days, so forgive me.  The lady I received the email from has twin boys, one of whom was affected by ABS.  They are just starting to go through the process of having a prosthetic made for him.  Very cool. 

Kyla has been doing so well, she is making new friends with the neighbors at our new house.  It is nice to see other kids being so welcoming to her.  I took her and Emma on a school field trip for Kyla last Friday and to watch Kyla with her classmates was very reassuring.  I know she won't have any problems in school, she is so friendly and has such a warm heart, she was holding hands with a little girl a lot of the time and they were twirling around and dancing, so cute and nice for me to see. 

Kyla is really wanting to do ballet.  I just checked into an Angelina Ballerina summer camp class for her, but they are only 1 week long and spendy.  I figure I will wait until next Fall and just enroll her in the semester long classes which last 5 months, that way she has much more time to become friends with the other kids that are in her class...I think it would probably take 1 week just for the kids to become open to her and want to interact and get to know her, so I'm not sure the summer camps would be the best choice. 

Anyhow, must get going again, lots to do.  Thanks everyone for continuing to check my blog.  Take care,

Amber (Kyla's Mom :))

ABS Peeps

My computer has been down and out as the video card went kaput.  I've been wanting to post, but couldn't until now due to this issue.  The past few weeks have been pretty cool.  Those who are in the ABS community probably already know that The Bachelor has a girl on this season, her name is Sarah Herron, she is beautiful and was born with one hand....definately have to check out the show.  I stopped watching it years ago but because of Sarah, I am DVRing all of the episodes this season.  I was up until midnight last night just trying to watch last night's episode, in between all of the interruptions of the kids, and the Husband, having to pump, etc.  What choas, but I got it done.  So yesterday I could hardly stand not knowing what happens to Sarah, if she gets voted off and when...well I don't want to spoil it for anyone, but apparently she leaves the show herself.  Not sure why but I'm curiout to know.  I totally see Kyla being similar to her when she is older...beautiful, but just born differently, and super nice (Ky is hilarious, but not always the nicest...maybe it's the 3 year old in her :))

Then on Sunday of this past weekend, a local girl made it on the front page of the Tri-City Herald for being born like Kyla and being a sports player, doing great in school, etc.  Check out the article here:  http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/01/26/2251976/mattawa-high-school-senior-is.html#storylink=omni_popular#wgt=pop

We have also found a house for our family...it's actually almost right across the street from our duplex.  It's the same type house I grew up in with my Dad and Sister...I certainly didn't love the layout then and not sure I'll love the layout now, but it will be much better for now, Emma will have her own room and it has a giant garage, perfect for Greg, finished basement, perfect for the kid's play/tv area.  And I will have a larger kitchen that is already nicely remodeled to do my cooking/baking in.  We start paperwork this weekend with the owners, who are also close aquaintances to us...since they are our neighbors already :)  Very nice family, but they have owned the home for 4 years and never lived in it.  His job doesn't allow them to live away from his work and his work is over a 2 hour drive away, so they are selling.  Things just kind of seemed to work out perfectly.

Everything else has been good.... I'm sort of down in the dumps sometimes, Greg works all the time, he now has techincally 3 jobs..........not that he really needs to have 3 jobs, but he does, so it's me and the girls the majority of the time, which is fine, I love them so much and wouldn't want it any other way.  I think for now, things are sort of tough, but they won't be forever.  I think once the girls are in full time school, I'll probably head back to school myself.  I've been thinking about doing the ultrasound program, which is just a 2 year deal....go to school for 2 years and then find a job.  Preferrably PT so I can still manage the girl's schedule well and family stuff...but we will see.  That is still a long ways off with the youngest being 7 months old.  I almost enrolled Ky in soccer that started like a week ago...but I didn't.  That is so hard for me.  I am scared to put her in these situations.  I have to figure out a way to get past that.  It isn't good for her for me to be so protective....I will get past it, I just need to buck up and do it.  Maybe this summer...I've been thinking soccer for sure and then possibly ballet or something....forgot to mention I also saw a story somewhere of a girl like Ky being some awesome ballet girl....I believe I saw that on Facebook.  Anything is possible, you just have to do it, and I plan to.  Soon. 

End of 2012/Start of 2013 Update

Thought I would update the blog with some new photos and recent happenings.  We've been busy..... and I've been exhausted.  LOL.  This house deal is draining on me.  Still searching for the perfect place...yet to be found.  We walk thru houses all the time now, even did one today.  I might have found a good one this afternoon though, we will see.  I just want in a new place so bad...it's very stressful living here as far as space issues are concerned.  So much kid stuff, Emma is almost outgrown her bassinet and is about to be forced to move into Kyla's room where she talks and sings herself to sleep each night.  My niece stayed the night with us two nights ago.  She is now 7 years old and even she had to sleep on the couch because Kyla wouldn't stop talking to her.  LOL.  I am scared if we are forced to move Emma in there with her.  Emma needs peace and quiet and a non-stop talking/singing 3 year old sharing a room with her...oh my.  I don't want to experience that.  Kyla is on break from school right now for the Holiday's.  It has been a nice break for me, just to chill at home for a bit. 

I do have to say, the adjustment from always working, to working PT and becoming a Mom to becoming a Mom of 2 and not working....probably biggest adjustment of my life.  It has been a huge change for me.  I'm not sure I'm good at it.  I know I'm a good Mom, or as Greg says, a "great Mom," but sometimes it's hard to see my worth.  I think it may be hard to see now, but looking back years from now it will be easy.  I know the girls need me and I will be here for them, but I honestly don't see myself doing this forever.  Or maybe I will for a while...heck it's only been since August that I've been home FT.  Maybe it will still be some time before I'm adjusted. 

Ky had a Christmas program at school.  I'll try to upload a video of her to this post.  She was so excited Greg came and hardly sang, just keep saying "hi" to Dad and "take a picture of me," hahaha she is so strange. 

Emma is now almost 7 months old (on the 14th) and I can't believe how fast it has gone.  She is becoming much easier, she is more happy now and patient.  She is a beautiful happy girl, but she's also pretty lazy compared to Kyla at her age.  She has yet to roll from her back to her tummy, she has gotten close but it's almost like she is scared to get off balance and stops herself when on her side.  She has gone from her tummy to her back twice and I think those were more accidents than anything else.  It's funny though because she wants to crawl so bad, she flaps her arms and legs, but just scoots a few inches here and there.  She's pretty cute.

Preschool Days

Have a few minutes, figured I would check back in. 

Kyla has been doing really well in her preschool.  Her teachers always brag to me about how amazing she is.  She really enjoys going and gets to do lots of fun things.  It is a chore doing preschool drop offs/pickups with an infant in tow, but I figure it out.  I think if I wasn't so determined that Kyla needs to be kept in social places with kids her age, I probably would've taken her out by now, just because it is sometimes difficult.  Makes for a busy day, but she loves it.  Her teachers told me a week ago that they are learning how to put their jackets on by themselves and Kyla was one of the first kids to do it - doesn't surprise me.  She is so determined.  Wants to do EVERYTHING by herself.  Which is good, but sometimes difficult for me.  Most of the time we are in a hurry (story of my life) and I just want to help her so that we can get out the door, or onto the next thing that needs to be done...but I try to make myself wait for her to do it and it does take some extra time, but she's gotta learn at some point.  She is doing great.  I am really looking forward to going to Seattle Children's this winter, because I'm excited for Kyla to see other kids like her, at the Limb Differences social thing they do.  We still have not been, but she is just now old enough it will be really beneficial for her.  So definately need to make the trip this year. 

As far as family goes, we have been searching for a new house...a house of our own.  We will of course keep our rental, but we only have 2 bedrooms in our place and Emma is really ready for her own room now.  I have to get up at night and I usually wake her up, then she wants to eat, etc.  She needs her own room.  We have been trying to figure out what to do, remodel this place, finish the basement, build in more rooms, remodel the kitchen (which drives me nuts) or just get a different house.  So we've been searching but I'm picky, especially because location is really important to me for the sake of our girls.  I love the city we live in now and I don't think I want to leave - it's home for me, it has trees, it has animals like squirrels, birds, etc.  Our old house didn't have that.  I also have been trying to figure out the school situation.  I'm trying to figure out what I want to do as far as schooling for the girls.  I am considering private school, but it is sooo expensive and so now I'm starting to think about maybe home school.  They have some pretty great home school programs now where you do some at home and some at a specialized school for homeschooled kids, so they still get that social interaction and parents can be more involved in their children's education.  Anyhow, school districts really determine where our next house will be. 

We got back some more family photos a week or so ago.  I'll post a few here.  Kyla is so beautiful in this one photo...you will know which one I am talking about when you see it.

My Cute Family

We finally did family photos, with the new addition.  Hadn't done family photos since Kyla was about Emma's age.  Here is one photo we already got back.  I love it since I never get good photos with my girls and fam.

Stay At Home Mom

Well, today is my last official day of employment!  I did go back to work for about a day and a half to exit, two weeks ago.  It was weird, after 12 years of always working, not working feels strange.  I can tell you first hand though that staying home with an infant and an almost 3 year old, and running a house is more work than I ever did while employed.  :)  Forgive me for not writing much anymore...other things have just become more important and I don't have much time for 'me' anymore.  Most days showers happen at night, mornings are spent snuggling my sleepy girls in bed and trying to stick to the schedule of bottles, diaper changes, pumping and nap times.  Oh and throw feeding myself and going to the bathroom in there too.  Seriously, Mom's do not get any privacy, not even to use the restroom...but all Mom's know that. 

Last week my Mom took Kyla to the park for me for a few hours, to let her play and to give me a bit of a break.  Kyla said she had fun, but while she was in the wading pool some kids came up to her and were grabbing at her arm, which she doesn't like.  My Mom saw it and yelled at them to leave her alone and before leaving, they went ahead and splashed Kyla in the face with water.  All because she doesn't have a hand.  So sweet huh?  When my Mom and Kyla got back to the house and I heard about this, it just broke my heart.  Kids can be so cruel, it's not adults, it's kids that get me.  This is why all parents should take the time to teach their kids and explain to them that not all people are the same and that is OK...unfortunately a lot of parents are lazy and could care less about explaining that to them.  The Mom of these particular children was too busy suntanning to realize or pay attention to her children that were playing in the pool.  I don't know what kind of Mom doesn't watch their kids when they are in water, but obviously not a good one.

Anyhow.  Emma is now over two months old and chunky!  Went to the doctor yesterday and she is 11 lbs., 1 oz.  And 75% for height, I don't remember what her exact measurements were for length, but she is 50% weight, 75% height.  Here is a photo I edited of her today, that I took a few days ago.  Check back in whenever I have time again. 

Emma Hospital Photos

 First time seeing Emma, first family pic.

First kiss.

Back from surgery, first time holding her.

Emma Is Born

It's been a very long time since I have updated this blog.  I was just checking my stats and can't believe that people are still reading this, but apparently they are.  I wonder if it's just by accident.  :)  Incase it isn't, I wanted to let everyone know that my 2nd daughter was born, on June 14th, 2012.  She is 5 weeks old now.  I have been so busy with lots of different things going on.  I did take a voluntary layoff from my work.  By doing this, I was able to get my maternity leave, so technically I still have 2 more days left of work.  My last work day is in the next few weeks.  We pulled Kyla out of daycare about 3 weeks ago.  There have been so many changes to get used to.  Emma is an amazing little girl - beautiful.  We have not been sleeping so good, but she seems to be making a habit out of staying up sort of late, waking up once around 2 AM and then again around 6 AM.  Not too bad.  I am still pretty wiped out though, dealing with c-section recovery, taking care of Kyla FT (she's not an easy one...) and then taking care of the baby, cooking, cleaning, etc.  But I am doing it and I can tell you, I certainly feel like this is where I should be, taking care of my family. 

Emma is a healthy baby, there are no ABS signs on her at all...for those of you who might have a first born with ABS and are nervous about having another, don't be....just make sure you have several ultrasounds and a good doctor and things should be fine.  I was extremely nervous the morning of the c-section. The doctor was an hour late for the surgery, he had taken a sleeping pill the night before and slept through his alarm clock, so that did not help my nerves sitting around waiting.  So by the time he got there I had been crying and shaking before hand...that's how nervous I was.  And the great thing about a c-section is they give you absolutely nothing to calm you down before hand.  LOL, it's just like OK crawl up on this table and I'm going to make your legs completely numb, then cut you open and pull a baby out of you.  They also tell you before hand everything that could do wrong and that doesn't help much.  :)  But we got through it.  I have a fussy baby in my arms now and need to wrap this up. 

Recent Photos

 Kyla's first time meeting the Easter Bunny, 2012.

Taught Ky how to make fishy lips just after getting her out of the bathtub.