Jenna did very well!!

Her teeth looks great!! She was a little freaked out about falling asleep, but settled down after a minute. It was kinda hard to see her sleeping like that. Especially since she occasionally sleeps with her eyes partially open...and did this time as well. Creepy :)

They did 7 cavities and replaced the two temporary fillings they did in January.

It was scary(and funny) to see her wake up. Once she was fully awake, she wanted to leave...right NOW. We thought she'd been awake long enough, and let her get up. Unfortunately, she was still really unsteady on her feet. And fell into the hygenist on her left...and then fell into me on her right. And then she was really tipsy all the way out to the desk. The hygenist out there offered to let her sit in the waiting room for awhile, and even bought her some apple juice :) Unfortunately, the poor girl fell over into the arm of the couch in the waiting room while I attempted to dig in my purse for money for the juice. :( I felt so bad for her...but she didn't seem too bothered by it :) She looked like she'd had far too much wine at dinner :)

You should have seen her eat when we got home!! MAN! I realize that she hadn't eaten since 7am(so 10 hours before!!)...but wow, can that girl ever pack it in!! She had 2 full helpings of dinner(Ham, rice and carrots) an applesauce and milk, and then another snack before bed! And she's been eating non-stop all day today too! Good thing we don't have to do this very often! We'd have to get a loan from the bank, just to feed her! I'm terrified of the teenage years around here!

The dentist did a good job :) I would have liked the colour of her fillings to match her teeth a little better, but I also have no clue about this kind of thing, so don't know if that would be possible :) Dr.M did do a Fantastic job on her little teeth beside the from two. He filled them in and made them bigger...they look great :)

Anyway, I'll leave you with a before and after of my daughter's smile :)

~Lisa~

BEFORE

AFTER

Today's the day.

Jenna is getting her teeth fixed today. 2 hours from now actually. She just couldn't do it awake(Screaming, not sitting still etc...) so she'll be going under anesthesia. I am so scared for her, but also very relieved to be getting this over and done with. I know it will go fine, and she'll have a beautiful, pain-free smile at the end of it all, but still...if you read this...perhaps you could think good thoughts for Jenna today?

I'm so stressedright now. This appointment is costing us a lot of money. I mean, NOTHING complared to the whole amout(which is close to $4000), but enough so that I am freaking out. $400. We don't have it right now. When Al started with his new place, he lost a week in pay because of the way their pay system works. I don't really understand it. And I realllly dislike it. So, we've been struggling to get the bills paid and keep food on the table for a couple months now. And now this :(

Blah. I hate to be the grown-up sometimes. really really hate it.

~Lisa~

The nicest gifts.

Mason turned 6 months old yesterday. 6 MONTHS PEOPLE!! And he gave me the most beautiful gift. He said Mama. Jenna and Aidan both said Dada first...and Jenna called me Lisa before she called me Mama. So, this gift, from my last baby is so special to me :)

He's been making the MMMMMM sound for a couple days, but try as I might, he wouldn't repeat Mama. Last night I was upstairs getting the kids jammies, Mason was in his exersaucer and he started to fuss. Next thing I knew, he was saying MMMM MAMA! MMMM MAMA!! And he said it a few times. I called Karen and she heard it too! And then Al called to say he was on his way home, and he heard it too!!

And then, at 2:30 this morning, when Mason decided to fill his diaper, and half his jammies, when I was at my most sleepy and cranky...he said it again as soon as I fastened his clean diaper :)

I am loving this :)

Al gave me a few gifts this morning! First, he let me sleep in. He gave the kids thier breakfast, he tried his best to keep them quiet for me. And, he did the dishes from last night!! What a lovely sight this morning, to come down to nice shiney counters, and a sink filled with CLEAN dishes :) He said to me "Maybe this will help towards an easier day today." (Yesterday was rough, with much fighting amongst the hooligans, and a sore throat from hell) I love that man so very much.

Yesterday when I picked up Jenna from school, I was rewarded with a big smile and lots of praise from her teacher!! "Jenna is doing EXCELLENT with her letter sounds now" she said to me!! I had hoped to hear something like that. I saw a huge improvement over the weekend and through the week. I got out my flashcards for work, she thought they were fun!! Yay!! And she's sounding out everything now! "Telephone...Tuh...Tuh...Tuh...Telephone starts with T!!" I am so proud of my girl.

We've decided that Aidan is not quite ready for toilet training yet. He just doesn't get it. I'll try again next month. Although...Karen brought him a Buzz Lightyear Pull-up yesterday...he thought that was COOL! And was rather upset to realize that he had peed on Buzz. LOL...so maybe I'll try those. I've never been a pull-ups supporter before...but I've also never trained Aidan before :) Gotta use what works...that's the key :)

Just to add a little vent here...Why do other people assume THEY know when it's the best time to toilet train other people's kids?? My Mother AND step-mother have BOTH said within the past week "I think it's about time you get that boy trained." ugh. Shut up. he's mine. If I feel like changing diapers for the next 4 years, that's my concern. Sorry, that was really snarky. My mom has been pissing me off a lot lately, trying to teach me how to parent my children. She doesn't know. She never had three. She didn't work. My brother and I were FAR from perfect. I think it's just her approach. When I'm stressed out, I need support...not to be admonish for letting them get "out of control". Ugh. Blah.

Anyway, the good is totally outweighing the bad today :) we're having a jammie day. Which we never do...it seems weird to me to not get dressed...but why not right :)

~Lisa~

Remember back in July, when I was 8 months pregnant, suffering from low blood sugar, and a throat infection? And I got a speeding ticket? 70 in a 50, Community Safety Zone no less :( $198, and 3 points. OUCH!

I went to court for it yesterday. I got a thing in the mail a month ago offering an Early Resolution, and told me that if I wanted to take this option, to attend to Courtroom 1 on February 21st, at 2:15pm.

Yeah! I was totally all over that! So, I worked yesterday, then went and picked up Mason from daycare.(Jenn suggested taking him with me...thanks Jenn!!) ad off we went. To the courthouse.

Little did I know however, Barrie has TWO courthouses. A Criminal Court, and a Provincial Court. Which one did I choose to go to you ask?? Yep, the Criminal court. WHAT?! I didn't KNOW!! I waited outside Courtroom 1 for awhile. Since I was Super punctual, and got there at 2:00. I waited and waited. Someone unlocked the door...then a few people trickled in...but I was the only one in the hall waiting still. Finally at 2:20, I decided that maybe I was supposed to just go in. So, that's what I did. I wheeled Mason in, and took a seat, just as court was called to order. And thought to myself, "Phew! Glad I came in when I did, or I would have been late, and how embarrasing would THAT have been!!" HAHAHAHA!! I notice a woman look at me, then over at the police officer on duty, who shot her back a look that said "I don't know who the hell she is" And I got scared. The woman came over to me, and asked if she could help me. I handed her my blue paper that had the address on it, the date on it, Courtroom 1 on it, and the time on it. She smiled sweetly and said to me "Dear, you're in the wrong place." Dumb me said "But it says courtroom 1 right there" She replied "Yes, but this is 114 Mulcaster Street. And it says here on your paper that you need to be at 56 Mulcaster Street" OH...MY...GOODNESS!!! I about died right there in the middle of court. She took me out into the hallway then. She was SO super nice about it all, thank goodness, because visions of handcuffs and contempt of court charges were swimming in front of my eyes!! I couldn't stop appologizing!! But, she explained that it happens, and that she really didn't think I was a witness to a criminal trial!! ACK! No, I certainly was not. And then she wrote me an excuse note, and a map. That's right. 26 years old, mother of three, speed demon...and I needed an excuse note to get INTO court. Unbelievable.

So, I bundle Mason up Again, and take off(By this time I am pushing 2:30...for my 2:15 court time!) I race as fast as retarded 3 inch heeled pointy toed un-insulated boots will take me(read, not very fast, and not at all graceful). Away we went. Down the very steep driveway. Down the not quite as steep but very snow covered sidewalk, to the right courthouse.

I bet I looked totally HOT when I got in there! LOL

God must have really been watching over me(totally giggling and shaking His head...but watching none the less) as I wasn't late...well, I WAS, but the JP was still hearing people from the 1:00 slot! PHEW!!!!!!!!

So, I got to talk to the Lawyer, who didn't care what my excuse was. But she was lovely, and knocked my charge down to 65 in a 50, with ZERO points! Phew! I have to pay $90, plus a victim fine surcharge of $25. I'm very grateful for that.

And I have been much more aware of my speed since that day.

And I will double check the addresses of my destinations from now on :)

**ETA...I forgot to say, because I brought Mason, I got to go (and leave) first!! Woo!!

~Lisa~

Good Afternoon!

Mason had his 6 month check up this morning. He's 20lbs 0.5oz, and 28 inches long! He grew an Inch in a month!!! Weight is slowing down finally. Nothing much to report for him. other than the fact that he Smiled through his needle!! Silly boy.

Jenna had a follow-up to check her throat. Dr. said it still looks a touch red, and asked if she's coughing a lot still(which she is). If she's not better by next week I'm supposed to take her back in.

Dr. Wk pretty much ignored me when I said that I thought Aidan had had fifth disease(slapped cheek it's also called). I guess it's nothing much to worry about. He also pretty much ignored me when I told him that I have the flu. (Fever, body aches, headache)

And then, to top it all off, Aidan had the most embarrasing meltdown in the waiting room when I was trying to get him to put his coat on. Like, I had to drag him out, while he was screaming at the top of his lungs. Why do kids have to test you when you're down? I mean really. Had I been feeling any better at all I think it would have gone just fine. Unfortunately...it did not. I have never been so embarrased :(

So, that's the update here. Hope all is going well for you today.

~Lisa~

Small Success :)

We've decided that it's about time Aidan get started with toilet training. He wore underwear from the time he got up from his nap yesterday, until bedtime. AND STAYED DRY!!! AND! He had one success on the toilet! WOOHOO! He was so pissed off when I put his diaper on for bedtime. LOL

He's really resistant to sitting on the toilet though :( I think we need to get a different seat to go on the toilet for him. The one we have snaps onto a potty, and it's a tad small for his chubby legs :)

Jenna had a small success yesterday too! I got out my alphabet flash cards from work and quized her on what her letters and letter sounds are. I gave her one mini coloured marshmallow(the treat of choice around here :)) for every right answer. Nothing like finding the right reinforment :) She thought it was fun, and we were happy with the results :)

Mason's small success was his superb rolling skills. I put him in the middle of the living room, and about 3.2 seconds later, he's across the room. At the moment Al is giving him his cereal...is he spitting you ask?? No, no he is not. Little Bum!!

So, yesterday was a pretty good day all in all :)

~Lisa~

His spitting skillz...

They Are MAD!!

I thought you would be happy to know that Mason has MASTERED the art of blowing raspberries. The teacher?? His FATHER.

Al was blowing raspberries on Mason's neck/face last night, and the next thing we knew, Mason was blowing them back at Al!! And then of course, he decided that Breakfast time this morning would be the Perfect time to perfect this newfound skill of his.

I've attached photographic evidence...you'll be so proud :) I'd like to point out a few things.

1.) The spot of cereal on the top of his HEAD!! The boy's spitting skillz...they are mad.

2.) The mischievious gleam in his eye. I'm pretty sure that if we could read his mind, he'd be evil-laughing.

3.) The Bib Formerly Known As Clean.

4.) The mess on his chin? From ONE spoonful of Nestle Oat cereal.

Let the games begin.

~Lisa~

Got a call from the school today.

Just as I was leaving Henry's my cell phone rang. It was Jenna's school saying she was sick and wanted to go home. I was expecting it. When she woke up this morning she was sounding pretty rough, and still coughing. I tried to get her to stay home, but she realllllly wanted to go...so I figured I would let her try. So, I race to the school as fast as I dared. Get there, and the secretary says that she's gone back to class, and that the teacher would like to speak to me. Uh-oh. Hear that??? It's alarm bells. In my head.

I get to the classroom, and spy Jenna. Playing. Running. Obviously not half dead from fever and illness as I had convinced myslef while driveing far too fast to get her.

I walk over to the teacher, who says to me "Jenna has had a really rough morning. But I'll let you talk to her first" hmm...okay, Jenna says she has a tummy ache(Her answer for everything lately). I felt her head, she was a bit warm, but certainly did Not seem like she was too sick to be at school. I tur back to the teacher, who tells me that this HOOLIGAN of mine, has pushed a boy down, into a bench, for "being in her space". AND has buried the mitten of a schoolmate in the snow(I later learned from said schoolmate, that Jenna was Not the only culprit. That badass 5 year old Kattie played a part in it too. lol). Oh My GOODNESS!! Where did this demon child come from!?!? I told her in no uncertain terms that she was NOT too sick to come home, and that I was extrememely disappointed in her. And then she was made to appologize to the people she had wronged.

Her teacher was really nice about it. Understood that it was probably because she's not feeling well, and was up a couple times in the night, so was way over-tired. I should have kept her home. Hindsight.

I also had a chance to talk to her about the phonics. She's going to be sending home a flipbook of all the letters, and something or other. Which kinda makes me think that Jenna is probably not the only child struggling with this. I learn a new word by sight reading, rarely by sounding it out phonetically...I have a feeling Jenna is the same. She WANTS to read. She loves writing letters. She plays with our Leap Pad fridge phonics thing as much as Aidan. So, I think my initial concern was maybe a tad, little wee bit, over the top. She's just learning a different way. and that is fine.

Also, big news, I got the phone numbers for TWO friends today!! Yay us!! AND (only becase of peer pressure from the MOMS) Jenna spent an hour after school at a friends house this afternoon :) Go Jenna :)

~Lisa~

Blaaaaaahhhhhhhhh......

We're sick...still. Colds for the kids and I. And STILL with the pink eye!! I just can't beat it!! All the kids have it again. I think Jenna and I may have throat infections as well. I'm debating the pros and cons of going to the clinic with three kids in tow, against staying home and listening to the whining....tough one.

Mason had his first day at the babysitter's yesterday :( It went well enough. And by that, I really mean it went great. He was a model baby for Laura...except for the three poops which necessitated entire outfit changes. (Hehehe...that's my boy!!) Every time Jenny's phone rang I had a huge lump in my throat...thinking that for sure something horrendous had happened with the baby! But, no, it went fine. He wanted to nurse all freakin' afternoon though!! Which was fine really, I was pretty full up by the time 1:00 came around!

Jenny and I had a good meeting yesterday about Henry's progress. She asked me (ME!) to write some of the new programs we'd like to implement for him. I've already done Expressive Letter and Number Sequencing. Next is receptive. Also an opposites program, and some fine motor work :) I'm so excited that she asked me :) Usually my friend Karen does the program writing. But, when you compare $35/hour to my $15??? Yeah, I'd ask me to do the basic stuff too :) And she's totally going to pay me! I mean...I had hoped she would offer when I took the two programs that I wrote in to her for approval, but never would have asked, since they were my first :)

Charlie is doing well (well, better than he was anyway) He's home now. He sounds Really tired, but that could have been from the 18 hour trip home!! He had to take the bus, since he was well enough...but with the storms we've been getting, it took the driver a reallllly long time to get to Cochrane. He's supposed to go to Sudbury for an assessment at the end of this month, so I hope they have some answers for him. He's been put on Heart meds again. Which he says is a really good thing...so hopefully that means they are making him feel better.

Al is getting a new car!! WOOHOO!! But, that means he's trying to sell his old one :( Anyone interested in a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier in really good condition?? $3800 and she's yours!! It's dark purple, 4 doors....really pretty :)

***ETA - I braved the clinic. Jenna has tonsilitis!! Poor kid :( I just have a virus, not a throat infection as I thought. Oh well. Fine by me!

I haven't been doing a good enough job...

With my daughter.

I saw her teacher yesterday, and was compelled to ask her how Jenna has been doing. She made a face, like a scrunchy "I wish you hadn't asked me that because it is not good news" kinda face :(

She did some assessments on the kids yesterday. Apparently Jenna is not up to par on her letter sounds. Not how the teacher would like her to be. She asked me to work on it at home more.

We have been! Really!! Just not in the right way. I had been asking her things like "What Letter does Mom start with?" She'd reply "I don't know" and I would say "Sound it out..MMMMMooooommmm" And she would get it right away! I though she was doing pretty good.

Nope. Apparently not.

She's supposed to be able to look at a letter and know it's sound. And also be asked outright, What sound does M make.(Which she did better on than looking at the letter, whop-dee-do)

I know my daughter really well(I like to think anyway. HA!). And I bet she was faking it on half of the questions her teacher asked. She does it for attention. I know that. Her teacher tried to reassure me by saying that it could have just been the mood Jenna was in, or the time of day, or her little cold throwing her off.

But still. No good parent likes to hear the words "She's not doing so well." To me, it roughly translates into "You're failing her at home".

And it annoys me that I had to ASK the teacher about her progress. I see the woman every day. I'd like to know that she's going to tell me when my kid is falling behind her peers.

*sigh*

I need to figure out how to work this into our day. How to make NOT like work. How to get her to excell.

This is what I DO for a living. I teach. I explain. I re-teach. I mould. I reward.

I'm just afraid that if I bring out my flashcards, it's going to put her on the defense, and she won't do it for me.

Which is C~R~A~Z~Y. I am her MOTHER. I need to do this. And I need to do it Well.

Wish me luck.

~Lisa~

Thoughts and Prayers for Papa Charlie.

Al's Step father Charlie is in the Hospital. In Thunder Bay. Which is 9 hours from his home :(

He suffered a very severe Angina attack on Tuesday. He was driving his transport at the time, but managed to get pulled over and into a coffee shop where he collapsed and had to be resuscitated. They managed to get him to a hospital(An hour away) and from there air-lifted him to the hospital in Thunder Bay.

They are doing an Angiogram on his heart this morning, and some other tests. Once the results are back from those, and he's well enough, they'll be sending him by air ambulance back to the Timmins hospital.

He's had heart attacks before, and has already undergone bypass surgery. There's nothing else they can do for his heart.

It's all up to him now. He has to stop smoking, and improve his diet greatly. And no more long haul driving. They figure the attack was brought on by stress and exhaustion. He'd been on the road almost non-stop for 2 weeks when it happened. Do you know what the lady at his office told my MIL when she called to tell them what happened, and where he was? "Oh, that's no problem, we have another driver going through there in a day or so, he can bring Charlie back." Like the man is going to want to sit in a truck for another day!! Some people...dumb dumb dumb.

So, if you can spare a thought or Prayer for our Charlie, we'd all appreciate it. He's all alone in Thunder Bay, and gets Depressed pretty easily. Also, maybe a prayer/thought for my MIL, Dale? She's having a rough time being so far away from him.

Thanks Everyone.

~Lisa~

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Mason is FINALLY...

ROLLING OVER!!! He did it awhile ago, but I guess it was a total fluke, because he hasn't done it since!

Until a couple days ago. I thought Jenna had rolled him onto his tummy, as she does every day when SHE decides it's tummy time. But she was pretty adamant that NO is was NOT her. And then he did it again, when she was at school, so there was no way she could have been the culprit :)

And now he won't stop doing it!! Put him on the floor and he's right over, and then 2 seconds later is screaming to be rolled back! While I am THRILLED he has reached this milestone...I am not so thrilled with having to roll him over eleventy zillion times a day.

I caught him on video yesterday. I love the look on his face at the end...like WHOA! Did you See what I just did?! LOL Hopefully it works :)


~Lisa~

***Okay, So I can't figure it out! but my beautiful friend Jes posted it above for me!! Love to her!!!