Strong

Hi Everyone!

           Meet Toni Denise. She is Chris' sister. She is my sister in law and also my hero. We got to spend some time with her and Uncle Mike a few weeks ago. Grandpa Tony was also in town to visit. I was glad Chris got a chance to catch up with his Dad. Anyway, back to my hero. Toni Denise was diagnosed with Stage 3B Breast Cancer last November. She is in remission and just completed radiation (yay!) She was very upfront with her cancer and I was so glad. I wish her more healing vibes and hope this journey of chemo and radiation is over for her.

Jacob and Toni got to meet each other for the first time on this trip. Grandpa Tony usually comes to visit us, and we decided this year, we wanted to see everyone. We made a promise that we will come back every year for a visit. Toni and I email each other every week. Even when I was having my own issues this Summer, she was there for me - with her pain and tiredness. I appreciate her love SO much. It's nice that I have someone to fall back on :)

School has started! Nicholas was not thrilled about going back, which made me kind of sad. He says he is enjoying first grade. I have eased up on the reading for a little while, until we get out reading log. I might have burned him out on Reading. My Class is OK. I had a little drama this weekend, and my class will be VERY challenging, but I have to keep positive and do what I can in the six hours that I have them. It has also been hot and will continue to be hot. I say when it hits August 5th, Fall weather can start. Seriously, I have been coming home totally drained and not feeling good. Next week, upper 80's. Jacob went to a meet and greet at his preschool. My Mom said he did well. He has his appointment this Thursday. I am little nervous about that.

The boys have their moments. Jacob has hit the 3's in full force! He actually has been worse than Nicholas. Nicholas was doing good for awhile, but the mouth is back. He doesn't like getting into trouble. They may send me to an early grave, but at least they will be good kids when I finish with them.

Well, we need to get ready for a picnic. Have a wonderful week!! Love, Mandy

Memphis Kiddie Park

                                           Getting ready

                                        

                                           The Reaction

                                          Jacob going on his 1st Roller Coaster

                                          This picture makes me smile

                                          After the ride - he loved it!

                                          Nicholas wasn't sure about this ride - b/c it went up

                                          He loved it

                                           My boys!

                                          All three of them

                                          Our new family photo





Hi Everyone,

       I apologize for being a week behind. We got very busy, very fast. I really wanted to do this blog entry too. I was so excited to blog about our trip to Memphis Kiddie Park.

We decided to surprise the boys with a trip to Memphis Kiddie Park. I think we waited a year a too late, but none the less, the boys loved it. It is a little Amusement Park with kiddie rides. We had such a good time. I haven't laughed like that in a long time. The boys were so excited, and that made me so happy. It was a great family day. We will go back - for sure!

Last weekend, we went to a reunion. I wasn't sure if we were going to make it, because Nicholas was acting a little off. He said he felt weak, and had a cold. We didn't go to swim lessons that morning, but I thought he was OK enough to travel to the reunion. It was only an hour away. He did very well at the reunion. Both boys played on the playground, all afternoon. We were five minutes away from home, and Nicholas threw up in the car! What a mess. Nicholas just wanted to go to bed. I gave him a quick bath and he went to bed at 6:45 that night. That same night, I got it! I have broken my record of not throwing up. It was a 12 year record - no joke - I keep track of that stuff :) Last Sunday, was a very quiet day. I felt awful. I had a terrible headache. Nicholas did get sick one more time during the night, and didn't tell me :( He was OK by noon that Sunday though. We don't know what it was. Chris got it too, but not Jacob - thank goodness. Jacob got the cold part. I got the cold and stomach thing. I am still not feeling the greatest. Just very tired, stuffy and have a cough.

Anyway, Chris came home last Monday and said he felt better and asked how everyone else was doing. My stomach was still churning, but I was better. Jacob was still OK. We were supposed to go visit Toni Denise, Mike, and Grandpa Tony in Indiana. We did end up going, but I am saving that trip for another blog.

I went into work last Thursday, and then I had a two day garage sale, No wonder I'm tired! Tonight, I have Bingo, so I have to make sure the house is cleaned, because our new babysitter is coming over. The boys really enjoy her. I am so glad.

There will be a blog next week. I'm not sure about blogging after that. There will be blogs, but not as frequent. Have a great week! Love, Mandy

Jacob did it!

Hi Everyone,

         We have awesome news! Mr. Jacob graduated from Speech Therapy. After two years of therapy and many miles on our cars, Jacob achieved his goals. I am so proud of Jacob. He just started talking last Summer. He really has come a long way. He did pretty good on his evaluation, and the therapist said if we need to re-evaluate in three months, we can. I just don't want them to forget about us. I kind of feel like they did that with physical therapy and I did tell the Speech therapist that too - so I don't care if it got back to the physical therapist.

Jacob is also 95 % potty trained. We still have accidents, but we are working so hard on the potty training. He can go about 4 hours before he has an accident. He kind of gives up with telling me he has to go to the bathroom. There is only 2 1/2 hours at preschool, so we are good :) Lollipop here we come!  I haven't changed a dirty ( poopie) pull up in 6 days!!

Jacob has been pretty busy. Nicholas is doing pretty good. We had a stern Saturday morning. His mouth and behavior got him into trouble. There was no Ipad or TV that morning. He spent the whole morning in his room. Something must have clicked, because he has been better. Not all the way, but I do see some improvement.

I had some skin tags / moles/ bumps taken off my eye today. It was not pleasant. I wasn't the best patient. It hurt! The numbing part was the worst! I am glad they are gone. Adults and kids made comments about the one on my eye. I felt so ugly with it. I feel better that it is gone. It is swollen and sore right now, but it should be better within a few days. It was a very simple procedure - for the doctor :)

Well, I have toilet that is running, I need to go catch it :) I mean turn it off. Have a wonderful week!!
Mandy

                                          Love this smile!

                                          Watering the pizza garden

                                          Summer  Greek Salad

                                          Brothers.......

                                           who love each other......

 

 

                                           most of the time .........

   Hi Everyone,

        We had a normal week! This was the second week in the Summer that was normal. Yay! Chris went back to work today (Friday). I was getting a little worried. We weren't getting a call. When the boss did call, he gave Chris a full time position. We are very lucky. He was supposed to be a filler. I am grateful that Chris has a great boss. I have met him a couple of times, and seems very nice and caring.

      I got my carpets cleaned this week. That is big in our household. Nicholas had an eye appointment. He is doing well, but the doctor told me that he will be wearing glasses for a long time. When he is 11, we can discuss contacts. I had an eye appointment to get a skin tag removed, but they wouldn't do it that day. I was not happy. We have to wait for the insurance to give it the OK. I bet they won't cover it. It is not a medical issue, even though I am very self conscience about it. We might just have to pay for it. Jacob seemed to get a cold last week. No one else has gotten it. I have never seen such a kid with so much snot!

The pictures are from 4th of July. We had a nice time at my Mom's. That following Sunday, we went to feed the ducks. Both boys love doing that.

I need to get dinner ready. then I get to have a Mommy night - book club. I am also working tomorrow night at a Wedding. That is why the blog is a day early :) Have a great weekend!! Mandy

Lake Farm Park!

                                            Excited to go to Lake Farm Park

                                          Olaff

                                            Yoda

                                           Yoski

                                           It was a fun day!


  Hi Everyone!

           On July 3rd, we went to Lake Farm Park. We love this place. Jacob was very excited to go. Nicholas threw his normal fit, because he didn't want to go, but I think he enjoyed it. We did have a good time. I hope to squeeze in another trip before I go back to School. We also renewed our Zoo pass. I love when we do that!

Jacob had a rough week. Last Sunday, the boys and I had pizza from Pizza Hut. The next day, Jacob broke out in a rash and hives. We took him to Urgent Care. He had to take some steroids orally - which was awful for the kid. It was still spreading on Tuesday ( even his ears) but them it completely went away on Wednesday. We are going to meet with an allergist. For now, no pizza or tomatoes.

Then on Thursday, Jacob's genetic test came back. The doctor said he wouldn't call if it came back normal. Well, he called. Jacob seems to be missing chromosome 16. I took the plunge and googled it. It was pretty much on target with Jacob. Next, we meet with the genetic specialist. Chris wonders if one of us passed it down to him. To me it doesn't really matter. He has it now, solving our mysteries with him, and now we see how it will affect him in the future. Of course, I was crushed - had my moment, but I am ready to be strong again.


Well I am going to take the boys swimming. Have a good Weekend!! Mandy

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