Niko's T-Ball and first Dentist Trip

                                                The boys and our new sitter Kati

                                         Hi Kati!

                                         Niko's first Dentist trip - 2014

                                          The new improved smile :)

                                           Jacob had a good time......

                                            Watching cartoons while we waited for the dentist

                                               T-Ball 2014

Hi Everyone,

      I am very proud of myself. Two blogs within two weeks. That is pretty good. I have two reasons behind my frequent blogging. The first reason, I am on Summer Break - I have a little more time on my hands. Reason number two, we do a little more during the Summer. I love Summer!

We FINALLY had a normal week. It was wonderful. On Monday, we took Nicholas to his first Dentist appointment. He did very well. He was nervous at first, and I loved it. It was the first time in a long time that his behavior was perfect. We had an excellent nurse. She was so good with him. A few days later Chris had her, and she was very good with him too ;) Nicholas is right on track with his teeth, and no cavities. I know we waited for awhile to go the dentist with Nicholas, and I take full responsibility for waiting so long, but at least he went and will be going every six months. I never said I was a perfect parent :)

On the same day, Nicholas FINALLY met with a Cleveland Clinic OT. We have been waiting since January. I was right, he does need some help with fine motors and has some sensory issues. He scored low in fine motors. While I am happy that he is finally receiving OT, I am a little angry and will be voicing my concerns / unhappiness when we see the therapist. He is only in therapy for the Summer, she is only seeing him every other week, and we have been waiting since January! I am not pleased. The test showed something, and I feel like I am being blown off (again). When School starts, I am also going to the Principal. Since January, I was pushing for him to get OT at School. All the therapist did was come in and observe Nicholas. Did not test him at all. The teacher, and therapist told me he didn't need any help. That teacher fought me with everything I wanted to do with Nicholas last year, she did it nicely, but made me feel like Nicholas was OK, and really he needed help. I am hoping, it is not too late and he can catch up. Not a happy Mamma right now, especially when I was right all along.

Jacob has been having Sensory Issues. Today is a good day. Thursday and Friday were not good days. I take it day by day and hour by hour. Friday was really bad. He is such a sweet boy. The "brain" doctor said that we may have to see a behavioral doctor for him.

Chris is doing better. He is probably doing better than me. He goes back to work next week.

We have a new sitter. Her name is Kati. The boys really like her. I hope she lasts. I went on Care. com. I found a really good one, but she didn't follow through with texts or emails. I got along with her very well, but it wasn't working out. Then I found Kati. She loves the boys, but seems a little stand offish with me, which is OK, I think she will warm up to me. I am the parent, so I take it as out of respect. Jacob didn't like the first one, but he told me he liked Kati. Nicholas is easy going, so he likes anyone.

Have a good weekend. I think there might be another blog next week :) Mandy

A mouse and a heart attack?!!

Hi Everyone

              It should not take this much time to update a blog. It actually took me two days to update. My keyboard was doing something wonky, but seems OK now. Let me get this blog in before something else happens.

    The boys and I are so happy that our favorite vegetable stand is open for the Summer. We like to pick out veggies and visit Reilly, the dog. Nicholas likes to drive the tractor. Jacob likes it too, but not as much as Nicholas. It is always a nice afternoon out.

The Balyeats had a rough June. Chris was in the hospital from May 29th to June 17th. He hasn't been to work since May 26th. My Uncle passed away on Father's Day. For the past couple of years, my Uncle has not been nice to my Dad, but when he passed away, that didn't matter. I just remember all the memories and how upset my Dad would be. It was my Dad's twin and they did everything together, growing up. To me, the last few years do not count. My Dad was not able to go to the funeral because he was in rehab for his hip replacement. I was very surprised how upset I became when my Uncle passed away. I am still dealing with it. He was 64 years old and it was unexpected.  Chris was home for a week. This past Tuesday, he came downstairs and said he didn't feel good. I am not gonna lie, I wasn't very compassionate. He was complaining every single day something was wrong. So naturally I said, "What now?!" He said he was sweaty, arm and chest were hurting. I was in disbelief, really did not know what to do. He told me to call 911. I did, and it turned out that he was having a heart attack ( a minor one). They put a stint in, cleared and artery. He has an artery that 100 percent blocked. He looks, sounds, and feels much better. The same morning, I realized we have a visitor, Jerry, aka mouse. I hate mice! I try to not to go in the kitchen. He doesn't go anywhere else, but the kitchen. Had an exterminator come and he was so worthless. Put bait in the garage and under my sink. Well, he is still romping around in my kitchen. My cats are not mousers. I rounded out the week, with a flat tire. June needs to be over!

  The boys are doing good. I feel like I am not giving them enough attention. Now, that things are settling down, hopefully, we can have a normal day. Nicholas is craving for attention. I also think he is bored. We also went from Daddy never being home, to Daddy being home all the time. Jacob is doing pretty well. He has a "brain appointment" last week. He had to give blood, for genetic testing. We shall see how that comes out.

Alright, dinner time - Have a good weekend!!! Mandy

Hello Summer!

Hi Everyone,

         I am so glad Summer is finally here! I get to spend a whole two months with my babies. Thank goodness this Summer is not off to a rotten start, like last Summer was. I remember when I wanted to send Nicholas to camp, because he had awful behavior. So far so good. Nicholas and I were both done last Wednesday. I have to go to two conferences this week, but then I don't have think about  School for awhile :)

I showed a couple of pictures of Nicholas graduating from Kindergarten. From what I heard, it was a nice show. Nicholas got three + on his report card. He is above average in Math and Reading. I am very proud of Nicholas. His first grade teacher is Mrs. Wilson. Hopefully, she will be a good fit for Nicholas. I emailed the principal and requested a very good teacher for Nicholas. I trust the principal. Nicholas will be starting T-ball tomorrow, and swimming on Saturday. I also signed him up for some library classes. As much as he doesn't approve, we will be reading and writing this Summer. Sucks to be a teacher's kid.

Last Friday, I took the boys to the local festival. Nicholas and Jacob went on rides for the first time. They loved it. We really did have a good time. We might go to a Fair this Summer.

Jacob is doing good. He starts a new sitter tomorrow. I am a little nervous. We were very attached to our old sitter, and it was sad to say good bye, but time to move on. Our new sitter is outstanding, and she will be a good fit for Jacob. She provides transportation and there will be more one on one with Jacob.

Chris has been in the hospital with the usual. It has been hard. This stay will more than likely be a 14 day stay. He went into kidney failure, but bounced back pretty quickly from that. He still has pain in his tummy, but I went to see him today and he looked so much better. I am hoping by Wednesday, he can come home, Thursday for sure. We all miss him. The boys and I have been managing. Night and morning times are the hardest for me. Once we get going with the day, I'm OK.

Chris and I will need to have a weekend get away. I have to wait and see what his schedule will be like. Maybe, I will go by myself. I need a massage - bad. It has been a rough couple of weeks for me. Not just Chris' situation, but other things going on too. Summer is here, so no more worries for a few months - right?!

Have a good Week! Love, Mandy

Happy Birthday Jacob!

 Hi Everyone,

         I was all set to do the blog last night, and the laptop decided not to work for me :( It's up and running now, thank goodness.

Jacob turned 3 this past Friday. I am not gonna lie, I am glad to see year 2 gone. We had the terrible twos in full force. Nicholas did not go through the terrible twos ( he waited to be horrible in years 3 and 4 ), I am REALLY hoping year three is better. I think going to Preschool will help. I think Jacob had a great Birthday week. We celebrated on Tuesday and Wednesday. Nicholas, Jacob and I did a little celebration on Friday.

Nicholas is almost done with Kindergarten. Hopefully, First grade will be better. Nicholas did very well academically. I wish we had a better start in the Public School System. That's all I will say about that. Nicholas was also very good with behavior. He did not get one bad mark in School for behavior. That's pretty good! At home, Nicholas makes me want to pull my hair out :) This has been a really tough year. It's mainly his mouth. I have him taking swimming lessons and tee - ball this Summer. I am very excited to see him getting involved this Summer. Next year, it will be Baseball!

Jacob is all set for Preschool. He does not qualify for any special services. We are really working on the potty training. He does fine at home, when he is naked. I tried underwear today, and within 15 minutes we had an accident. Ugh.. He may have just turned 3, but he still acts like a 2 year old. I think there will be a lot of growing happening in year 3.

I am finished with School on June 4th. Nicholas graduates from Kindergarten on June 3rd. I was going to leave at 1:45 to attend the ceremony, but then they changed the time to 11. I am so bummed. I don't think my principal will let me leave. Chris will get to go, but it's not me. It will be a very tough day for me. As of June 11th, my Summer break can start. I am ready :)

Chris still doesn't have a set schedule yet. There was mention of a 9pm - 5am. Ugh... Hard to do when there are two littles running around.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day! Mandy

Happy Earth Day!

Hi Everyone!

             We celebrated Earth Day all week! We started last Monday by going to the Nature Realm. The nature center was closed, but the scenery was beautiful. On Tuesday, Nicholas learned about Earth Day in School and I taught my students about Earth Day. The boys and I love to explore and be outside, I really make a big deal about Nature. Yesterday, the boys and I went to the Zoo ( of course). They had outstanding Earth Day activities. It wasn't too busy, because Cleveland Zoo was free. You would not have caught me at the Cleveland Zoo yesterday, that would have been insane. We went to the Cleveland Zoo last week, and it's too big for us. It just the boys and I most of the time, and the Cleveland Zoo is a little hard for me to handle them by myself. They were OK, we are just not there yet with a big Zoo.

The boys are doing fine. Year six with Nicholas has been very challenging. Nicholas is doing well in School. He is above average in Math. He is at a first grade level for Reading. His graduation is June 3rd. You better believe I requested off for his graduation. Jacob will probably not have an IEP for Speech and won't qualify for Special Ed. Preschool. He is doing an outstanding job. I have a Lollipop meeting tomorrow. Cannot believe my baby is starting Preschool in the Fall. Potty training is coming along. He does OK with no clothes on, but when I put on the Pull Ups on, we have problems. He is also in a toddler bed - kind of. Because of his disorder, he is very picky about how and where he sleeps. He wants to sleep on the floor by the door. I have moved his mattress by the door. So far, it has been OK. It will only last a few days, and then we will need to do something else. It has been fun :) Last week,   he woke up twice at 1am, but it happened on my days off. If we ever thought about having a third, his waking up kind of squashed that idea.

We are very happy Spring is here. I am taking the boys to the playground today. Jacob was very excited.  I am very happy that May will be here soon. April flew by. I hope Summer doesn't go as fast. I will be working my second job a lot. Which is fine with me. Extra cash means summer clothes for the boys :) Chris is working overtime and taking some shifts other people. He still doesn't have a position.

Well, Jacob is getting antsy. That's why blogs do not get done. I can't do them during the day, and I am so tired at night. I am very sorry that I am not good about updating anymore.
Have a great Sunday!! Mandy

Thanks for 87 Years and more!!

                                          CST - 2014

                                          My great grandpa in the middle, Grandpa on the far right

Hi Everyone,

    While my computer was on a break, we had our own issues. On February 14th, Chris was given notice that my family's business was closing. We were given two weeks for Chris to find another job, They said don't worry though, the company that bought my family's company will rehire. Well, this little line in the letter did not hold out true in Chris' future. It was a crazy two weeks. I posted on FB a wonderful tribute, then was told to take it down (family / relatives drama). Then Chris was waiting and waiting for the new boss to interview him. We only had a week left by then. Finally, he interviewed Chris and said sorry, but we have nothing for you. But wait there's a little light at the end of this frantic tunnel. The boss' brother owns Lakefront Lines, and they may have  a position for him. They really don't have a position for him, but they hired Chris anyway. Chris is a fill in dispatcher. I am so happy because he has a job. Hours are a little crazy, but we are managing. I was so nervous for him! Between the not knowing and the weather in February - I am glad that month is over!!

Chris seems to be settling into his new job very well. He got some encouraging news from the boss man. He said Chris was doing a good job. He never heard that at his old job. Chris was very scared he was doing something wrong, or they started him too soon with dispatching, but he needed to hear that from the boss. We visited Chris yesterday at his new place. It was nice. We didn't stay long, but I am glad I got a chance to see it.

February 28th was a very bittersweet day. The bus company is where my parents met, and Chris and I met. I am still a little sad, but it was time to move on.

Sorry it is so short. I  promise I will do another blog this week!!! Mandy

Surprise!

Hi Everyone,

      We are back! I am very sorry that there has not been an update. My computer decided not to allow me on the blogger. I took my laptop up to Best Buy and they made it all better. I had 21 viruses. I did an upgrade and update. Paid a pretty penny for it, but now it feels like mine.

We had a terrible Winter. Nothing much to report, so my computer broke down at a good time :) It was so cold and snowy. I had 9 snow days! Nicholas had 6. I am not a fan of snow days. Our house is not fun. We treat it as a real snow day and do not go anywhere. Too much togetherness for me. Now Spring is here, and hopefully it is smooth sailing from here.

Chris lost his job on Feb. 28th. My family business closed. Luckily, Chris got hired at another place. He really likes it. He comes home a lot happier. I am so glad. His hours are insane, but we are managing. As long as he is happy and has a job - there are no complaints.

Jacob has gone down to having Speech every other week. OT is once a month, but soon that will be once every three months. Jacob is in sensory disorder mode, which as usual is tons of fun. He gets tested for his IEP in the middle of the month. He goes to Preschool in the Fall.

Nicholas is doing very well. He lost his first tooth a couple of weeks ago. That was a BIG moment in our house. School is going very well. We were thinking about sending him to another School (Catholic), but that kind of fell through. His reading is outstanding!! I am not going to lie, being 6 is rough.

We all are doing pretty good. One stomach bug back in January. A few stuffy noses. We are very happy Spring is here!! Have a good rest of the week!! Mandy