Back Dating....

Im in the process of transferring all my posts from my old blog, so be sure to check them all out =)

"The Special Mother" By Erma Bombeck

"The Special Mother" By Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen? Somehow I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son; patron saint, Matthew."

"Forrest, Marjorie; daughter; patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rudledge, Carrie; twins; patron saint.... give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God. "Could I give a handicapped child a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and Independence. She'll have to teach the child to live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."

The angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, there is a woman I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word.' She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations.

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see --- ignorance, cruelty, prejudice --- and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in midair.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

Science Finds Down Syndrome Highly Contagious...

I got this piece from a friends blog. I love it, hope she doesnt mind that i stole it!

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by a triplication of the genetic material on the 21st chromosome. This trisomy occurs with the first division of the developing zygote, as a result there is extra genetic material present in every cell of the individual. Recently, science has discovered that this cellular abnormality is highly contagious. As result, family members (and even friends) of individuals with Down syndrome often find themselves exhibiting dramatic changes due to this "something extra" permeating their bodies at the cellular level. These changes manifest themselves in a number of ways. Something extra in the visual cortex results in parents who view the world differently. In addition to seeing things in an entirely new light, these parents also report having an increased ability to focus on what is important. Spontaneous appearance of tears of joy have also been confirmed. The section of the brain used in logical thought undergoes dramatic changes.

Parents suddenly find themselves able to comprehend and discuss complex medical procedures. The ability to decipher long strings of acronyms appears almost immediately and it is not uncommon for affected parents of newborns to be able to differentiate between ASD, VSD and PDA. Familiarity with G-tubes, Pic lines and the NICU is another side effect.

Over time, the entire nervous system is transformed, enabling parents to perform tasks previously thought impossible. These changes result in individuals finding the nerve to advocate before large crowds, speak to classrooms of medical students and educate the population at large about issues they are passionate about. These changes are closely tied in to dysfunctions in the verbal abilities, which makes it virtually impossible for parents to bite their tongue. Often, individuals who previously considered themselves reserved will find themselves outspoken and effective communicators. 
The pulmonary system is altered to a dramatic extent. Parents report having their breath taken away at the slightest prompting. The cardiovascular system develops similar vulnerabilities and reports of hearts pounding loudly and swelling unexpectedly are not uncommon. One mother reported that her heart skipped a beat when her son smiled at her for the first time. The extremities are also altered. Arms reach out to strangers for support, and in turn, hands comfort and nurture those in need. Legs strengthen and balance improves, allowing parents to stand firm in their convictions and walk without faltering, even when shouldering a heavy load. Scientists are baffled by the widespread scope of these symptoms. Equally perplexing is the response of those afflicted. Parents readily acknowledge fundamental changes in their being, however, almost universally declare a preference for their new, altered level of functioning. "I wouldn't change a thing" is a common refrain. Apparently, the presence of a little "something extra" enhances the lives of individuals fortunate enough to be infected.

Wendy Holden

Smelly Hand...

So today we were working/playing outside...Natalie and i in one part of the yard, bud in another, when i heard bud scrambling, looking for something...i asked him what you looking for, he goes hang on a sec...so he brings over a bucket from Natalie's sandbox over and I'm thinking what are you doing...then i look in it, and omg...there was 4 baby garter snakes!!!! I, of course, had to run and get the camera...lol...ill post the few pics i snapped, i could only snap a few due to having a REALLY bad smelly hand! Why you ask?! Well, Natalie was a little reluctant to hold the snakes, even tho daddy was doing it...so i grabbed one to show her it was fine, and then she was ok...wouldn't hold it but touched it afterwards. Well as i was holding it, bud said beware...snakes are stinky, i had no idea! In our younger years we had snakes as pets, i remember them having a smell...but NO WHERE NEAR like these! As most of you know that i have a camera that needs 2 hands to operate it...I had given bud the snake i was holding and went to take some more pictures...well when i put the camera up to my face, the hand i was holding the snake with was of course right next to my nose.....O M G.....i almost threw up from the smell of it! GROSS! I'm glad Natalie wouldn't hold it, cause i woulda said screw the pics we are going to wash our hands! Which we did a minute or two later after we let the snakes go at the back of the yard!!! In fact we washed them 3 times with 3 different antibacterial soaps!!! That prolly will not surprise most of you! 

This little snake moved so fast, as soon as id focus he'd move again!

The last pic taken, cause i had a smelly hand!

That was our exciting bit for the day...hope this finds you well =)

Welcome To Holland

Ok, so no one wants to hear that their child has an irreversible diagnosis. When we recieved Natalies, it felt like our world was going to collapse. We had just had our first baby, it wasnt enough being first time parents, throw a diagnosis on top of it! It was very hard in the begining. While the pregnancy itself was smooth as can be (aside from 17 weeks of throwing up!), we had a few scary ultrasounds, and kind of a rough birth. So we are recieving this diagnosis that is just hard to hear for one, and what made it harder was that her form of down sydrome is rare, and that the drs couldnt tell us what to/not expect. It was scary. Being that we recieved the diagnosis while she was still a newborn, Bud and i didnt get on the puter much to do the research about it, we were just goin one day at a time. Well my mom went google crazy! In her wild search for information, she came across this...and i have to be honest, its what got me thru, until i could honestly say i was ok with natalies diagnosis. It made me realize that no matter how hard things get, it will always be ok. 

Welcome To Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability-to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience. To understand it, to imagine how it would feel; its like this:

When your going to have a baby, its like planning a fabulous vacation trip-to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum, The Michelangelo David, the Gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. Its all very exciting. After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later the plane lands, the stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland??" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy!! I'm suppose to be in Italy. All my life Ive dreamed of going to Italy."

But theres been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay. The important thing is that they havent taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. Its just a different place.

So now you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. Its just a different place. Its slower paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there a while and you catch your breath, you look around...and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills...and Holland has tulips. Holland even has rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy...and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that is where I was supposed to go. Thats what I had planned." And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...because the loss of that dream is a very, very significant loss.

But...if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didnt get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things...about Holland  

This story still gets to me...because it takes me back to the very begining, of when nothing was known...we barely knew she was healthy. But i know i wouldnt be who i am today without natalie or this story. Those two things alone have shaped and molded me into something id never have imagined...in a good way of course =)

Hope this finds you well...

Jess.

7 Years Today....

Today is our 7th wedding anniversary! I cant believe its been that long....

Happy Anniversary my Love =)

The Diagnosis....

**I posted this on my myspace blog quite some time ago, and that ones private...i thought id share with everyone, being Down Syndrome Awareness Month and all =)**

My sister (in law…but I don't go by that!) wrote a paper for one of her classes a while back about Jewells…and I came across it as I was cleaning my room, and just thought id share!! It can be hard to read sometimes, because it takes me back to when we were so full of fear of the unknown, and the doctors knew very little about her diagnosis...being that it is a RARE form.

 

The Jewell of My Life

 

        The perfect family is all my sister, Jessie ever wanted; her high school sweetheart for a husband, a nice house, and beautiful children. A dream from the time she was a little girl, until it became reality. She had every thing she ever wanted a wonderful husband, a nice house, and she was now pregnant. Overcoming adversity and odds was only the beginning for my sister Jessie when she became pregnant.

        The day Jessie and her husband Bud found out she was pregnant was a miracle in itself for the married couple. They knew it was special right from the very start. They felt an overwhelming sense of peace, like during a Sunday morning drive. Being pregnant for the happy couple was a beginning of a whole new way of life. The very first ultrasound was quickly approaching and at 18 weeks the day finally arrived that they would see their beautiful baby for the first time. Seeing their baby grow inside Jessie's womb was one of the most important days of their lives. Just as all parents, Jessie and Bud wanted a healthy baby, but unfortunately bad news came forth. Baby Bigelow was diagnosed with a choroid plexus cyst of the brain. A choroids plexus cyst is a pocket of spinal fluid in the back of the head near the neck. This was one of the first signs that Baby Bigelow was in for a rough ride. The doctors advised the Bigelow's to come back in four weeks to keep an eye on the cyst. This was the first time that they had heard the ominous words of downs syndrome. Although, the cysts are not strictly associated with downs syndrome, they are one of the warning signs doctors look for in ultrasounds. The second ultrasound at 22 weeks revealed a bitter sweet moment for Baby Bigelow; the cyst was gone, but another problem arose. Hydronephrosia is another word now entering Baby Bigelow's medical chart, also associated with downs syndrome. What is Hydronephrosia we all wondered? It is fluid around the kidneys. The doctors determined the chances of this baby having downs syndrome are very possible, but not entirely, so they instructed them to return in four weeks for another ultrasound. During the mean time, the doctors wanted Jessie to endure a blood test and or amniocentesis in order to more clearly pinpoint the problem. Jessie and Bud decided that the risks were too high and if there were something wrong with their baby, it was nothing they could not handle. Therefore, four more weeks passed and at 26 weeks the Bigelow's entered their third ultrasound, and to their surprise and to the doctors, the hydronephrosia had disappeared. This was a great blessing for the Bigelow family and with the doctor's consensus; Baby Bigelow would be a "normal" healthy baby girl.

        The birth of Baby Bigelow did not go as planned as most births do not. The gestation period was normal at 39 ½ weeks, and then began the third hurdle the Bigelow's were forced to endure, labor. As the family gathered at what would be a beautiful new addition into our family, things yet again became complicated. Jessie was in hard labor and pushing with no progress for three hours. The turn of events was Baby Bigelow's heart rate dropping at an extremely low rate; consequently, the doctors opted for an emergency c-section. After a nerve racking, nail biting 45 minutes, the Jewell appeared. Her eyes shined as bright as the northern lights. Her face glowed like the morning dawn. She had arrived, Natalie Jewell Bigelow on May 3, 2004 at 12:25 am. The green light from the doctors gave us all hope that she was perfectly healthy in every way. The doctors attested to her having no physical characteristics of downs syndrome whatsoever.

        Natalie Jewell Bigelow or "Jewell Bear" as I call her was the center light force of our family. She had overcome odds of a terrible and potentially life threatening diagnosis. She smiled, laughed, cooed, and grew at an unbelievably normal rate. On occasion, Jessie would notice an unusual look in Natalie's facial expressions. She periodically stuck her tongue out for hours at a time creating a "downs syndrome" look. The pediatrician reassured the Bigelow's that Natalie was "normal", but because of the ultrasound results decided to run the genetic testing for downs syndrome. The life altering results were finally in two weeks later and Natalie Jewell was diagnosed with Mosaic Downs Syndrome. Mosaic Downs Syndrome differs from conventional downs syndrome in that only a portion of her chromosomes are affected with trisomy 21 (downs syndrome). Trisomy 21 is the technical and medical term for downs syndrome. Of the 30 cells tested in Natalie, only 9 were affected with trisomy 21. This diagnosis was an eye opening experience that the Bigelow's never hoped to entertain. The geneticist told the Bigelow's that Natalie at the very least would be mildly retarded. Against all odds, my "Jewell Bear" proved all the doctors wrong thus far. Every test at all her well-baby checks is at or above "normal" levels as compared to children without downs syndrome. Compared to children with downs syndrome, Natalie scored off the charts in highest regard in all aspects. Natalie Jewell has since crawled by 8 months, walked at 10 months, and is currently a talking toddler at 16 months. Natalie is treated as "normal" as possible, but also given every opportunity to learn everything she can. Natalie is enrolled in an early intervention program that encourages and challenges her to learn at her own pace. She has a therapist that comes to the house for weekly visits to make sure that she not only meets, but exceeds her learning potential. She also attends classes once a week at a school for children with special needs. Natalie is a thriving, happy, soft hearted toddler with many mountains to climb.

        The word perseverance is at the top of the Bigelow's family vocabulary, and words that label: for example Mosaic Downs Syndrome, diagnosis, "normal", and handicap are rarely spoken. Natalie was not given a disability, but a gift from god to teach others how to survive the hand they are dealt. My "Jewell Bear" has taught me to think twice before using the word "normal" because she is anything but "normal" and everything but handicapped. People do not realize the time it takes to build up a child with the mindset that every door is open instead of how to open every door. It is amazing how the education of a disease or birth defect can bring a family together to join the fight against the misunderstandings and misconceptions.    

 

Jewells is now 2 ½ years old. She has yet to fall behind in anything; Although her speech needs some help that too is coming along. Every day she seems to speak a new word, we have taught her sign language to help in that area. Oh, and yes she did get an A on this paper!

Wow...told you i posted this some time ago...jewells (jewells = natalie, she gets called all kinds of things! jewell is her middle name, and when i was prego we didnt have a first name for her til she was almost here, so she was referred to as jewells, and it stuck!) anyway...she is now 4.5 years old and in her second year of preschool! shes doing really well...speech is still an issue, and chances are it always will be...but you can finally have a conversation with her, she has almost completely stopped using sign language (thats bittersweet!), she can sing about 90% of a handful of songs, she knows all her colors and shapes, her abcs, counts up to 30...and much much more...altho she knew alot of that before she even went to preschool! she is my living miracle and i thank god every day for her!

This is from a recent visit to one of her fav places...the petting farm!

thanks for reading...hope this finds you well 

Jess =)

Down Syndrome Awareness Part 2!!!

NEW YORK - The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and the Down syndrome community invite the public to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month this October. There will be special opportunities across the country to learn about Down syndrome and to promote acceptance and inclusion of individuals born with this genetic condition.

"People with Down syndrome, like everyone else, are people first, each with their own unique gifts to contribute to their families, friends and communities," said NDSS Chief Operating Officer Jon Colman. "Down Syndrome Awareness Month provides a forum for dispelling stereotypes, providing accurate information, and raising awareness of the potential of individuals with Down syndrome."

Did you know...

One in every 733 babies born in the U.S. has Down syndrome. The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades - from 25 in 1983 to 56 today. In that same span of time, advancements in education, research and advocacy have had a tremendous impact on the opportunities that individuals with Down syndrome have to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Today, many people with Down syndrome:

• Attend neighborhood schools and learn in typical classes alongside their peers without disabilities.
• Graduate from high school and go to college.
• Comprise a vibrant part of the American workforce.
• Actively participate in the social and recreational aspects of their communities.
• Live independently, make their own choices, and advocate for their rights.

The Buddy Walk

The Down syndrome community has been celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month each October since 1981. The Buddy Walk was created by NDSS in 1995 to provide its affiliates and other local groups with a way to promote acceptance and inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome in their communities. The Buddy Walk also raises funds for local and national programs and services to benefit individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

Anyone can participate in this one-mile walk. With more than 250 Buddy Walks taking place in the United States this year - most held in October - there is one near you! Visit www.BuddyWalk.org to see a map of local walks. To learn more about Down syndrome and obtain information to share with others during Down Syndrome Awareness Month, visit our new Web site at www.ndss.org.

About NDSS

The National Down Syndrome Society is a nonprofit organization with more than 200 affiliates nationwide representing the more than 350,000 Americans who have this genetic condition. NDSS is committed to being the national leader in supporting and enhancing the quality of life, and realizing the potential of all people with Down syndrome. We demonstrate this commitment through our education, research and advocacy initiatives that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families. To learn more about NDSS, visit www.ndss.org or call (800) 221-4602.

Down Syndrome Awareness & Save the Ta-Tas :o)

October is a month full of "awareness"....mostly everybody knows that october is breast cancer awareness, but what alot of people might not be "aware" of is that it is also Down Syndrome Awareness month. While breast cancer awareness is important, i can relate more to the down sydrome. So thru out the month ill be posting little things to keep you aware. =)

Ouch...

Yesterday, my mother, Natalie, and i were out shopping and were on our way home. We were waiting to make a left hand turn. well when we got the green arrow to turn, my mother started to turn, then all of a sudden we hear a horn blaring and this white car is in our way...before we knew it, we hit it. We couldn't understand where this car came from. It wasn't there when we went to turn. I heard some one yell something, but wasn't paying attention to what was said. Not 5 seconds after we hit, we heard police sirens...i thought, damn that was fast! But there was a police car waiting in the traffic, on his way to another accident that was down the street from us! So we got out of traffic, and waited for the officer to come over to us.  He had gone to talk to the other driver, who gave him some lame story about how he went thru the yellow light, and we failed to yield to him! Yeah, that's not how it happened fella! When the officer came to talk to us, we told him what happened, and he told us what the other guy had said...and we told him we were positive we had a green arrow so he leaves and comes back and says that there were 2 witnesses who told him the same thing we did (that something i heard some one yell...was WITNESS!).  So the other guy was wrote a ticket for running a red light. We ended up having the car towed to the dealership, due to the driver door would not open...even a little bit, and i just didn't want to chance driving it anymore...it just didn't feel like it was driving right afterwards (coming from the one who was sitting in the passenger side!). Besides, my momma was so shaken up, i wasn't about to let her drive. so we will see what happens. 

The three of us are fine, thank goodness! Momma and i are quite sore, but nothing was broken. Natalie was in her 5 point car seat, so she didn't feel a thing! After impact i looked back to see how she was, and she was holding her feet looking kind of stunned, but said she was fine. When we were out of the car getting what we needed before it was towed, she looked at the damage and told me..."grammas car needs a big dand aid" lol...dand aid of course meaning band aid! My mom was a bit shaken up and upset not only from the accident, but because the car was still brand new to her, less than 2 months old. 

I wish i would have had my camera with me, but all i had was my phone...so here's the only pic i took!

Hope this blog finds you well. =)

Made In China?!!

Well we all know that things that are made in china seem to be defective at some point...whether it be lead in toys or mis matching leg length!! Yes, the pajamas were made in China!!

When i was shopping for school clothes for Natalie...i went online to check a few stores out and ended up at Kohl's...i NEVER EVER shop there cause the prices are ridiculous and i have never seen a good sale, even though everyone i know raves about their sales!! So i figured what the heck...ill just check out the site and see if theres anything good...well totally glad i checked, cause i got some MAJOR deals!!! I got 6 or 7 shirts, panties and 2 pairs of adorable jammies! But one of my favorite buys was this pajama set, it had a dog on it and polka dot pants...well i was excited to get the steal that i did. I was so anxious to get the package in the mail mainly for this one set of jammies. Well when the package finally came...i went through all the clothes looking for these jammies...well i was so excited, cause they are so freaking cute! So I'm folding all the clothes to put them away, and i go to fold the pants of these jammies I'm in love with...and about cry...cause one leg is noticeably shorter than the other!!!! I couldn't believe it...so bummed. Well i thought i would just take them back to the store, thought it would be an easy exchange....well it was, but they didn't have the same set in the store. So i went to the customer service counter and asked if they could order me another set, she said no id have to order them off the net again, so i asked if id get the same deal (they were really cheap!), she said no, they wont offer that.  Then she checked the surrounding 5 stores and not one had them in stock, said the status at this store is to be delivered, but she didn't know when they'd actually come in.  I went ahead and returned them, wanting to cry as I'm doing it!  This was a few days ago, and since then i have been checking Kohl's daily to see if this set is on sale, it has been...just not as much off as i had purchased them for...and her size was gone. The more i thought about it...i shoulda called the number that was on the invoice, maybe i coulda got the same set with the same price! 

Of course i had to take some pictures! This story cant be told with out pics, cause you just cant show how off the legs were!!!

Well i hope you got a giggle out of my story...i kno i did, even tho i was heart broken i had to give them up!

A Little Late...

So the first day of school was on September 2ND. Well, i haven't blogged about it yet, so I'm gonna now!!!

Let me explain something before i get into my blog! I just have to let you all know that i SHOPPED and SHOPPED and SHOPPED for a nice pair of sneakers for her, and was sooooo peeved that i couldn't find a nice comfy pair that fit her foot right...shes got these SKINNY feet, and they are hard to shoe! I had something lace free in mind, so she could easily put her shoes on, as we are still working on the whole tying thing! So anyway...i think i went to every store imaginable and just wasn't pleased with the styles, the fit...every thing! So the day before school started i went shopping yet again, and settled for this pair of Nike's. They were tie less, but they were so clunky, hard to get on (yes, they were the right size!)...i didn't like them at all. So just keep that in mind when your reading!

I think i was more anxious than she was. I wasn't upset or nervous this year like i was last year...i had really come to enjoy my 3 hours of alone time everyday! But i was a little nervous how ever as to who her bus drivers and aides would be...i was so hoping she would have the same drivers and aides that she had last year, as she loved them to death, and they were all so good with the kids. Natalie had really bonded with the morning driver and aide...well mainly the aide, every morning she ran to Ms. Eileen to give her a hug, but would rarely even say good morning to Ms. Karen (the driver)...lol...but Ms. Karen loved her just the same! The afternoon bus driver (Sandy) was awesome too, she always took a certain route to our house that passed a house with (real ! ) horses...and that scored major brownie points with Natalie! The afternoon aide seemed to vary alot, but towards the end of the year, quite a bit of the time it was my neighbor, Jeanette...so that was cool! I was also anxious to find out if there was gonna be other girls in her class this year...last year she was the ONLY girl!!! Not one other girl came in thru out the year! So needless to say, i was kind of excited to see what the first day held.

So the morning of comes...i go into her room to wake her up and get her dressed before we head downstairs to breakfast. Well I'm getting the 1st day of school outfit out of her closet that i was so excited to see her in, i knew she'd be adorable in it! Well little miss had something to say about it...she refused to wear it! Argued with me, i couldn't get over it...i thought to myself...I'm not really arguing with a 4 yr old am i?! It was all over the shoes! She wanted to wear her new tennies, and not the ones i had picked out! Well after a few minutes i gave in and just picked out a polo and a pair of jeans so she could wear her tennies! Then we go downstairs and eat, do her hair and now its time to wait for the bus...I'm getting really curious at this point! A few minutes later i see the bus coming...i think we are both jumping up and down at this point! The bus pulls in front of the driver, and it turns out...new bus driver :o( !! But she seems really nice, i was just a little bummed that Ms. Karen wasn't the morning driver again. This drivers name is Ms. Nancy and the aide turns out to be one of the few from the afternoon bus last year, her name is Tracy. So they both seem really nice, so its all good. I look on the bus and there are only 2 other kids on the bus...and both BOYS! I thought to myself...darn! Both were in her class last year, so i didn't think anything of it, that she would be totally fine. I go back in the house and start to enjoy my 3 hours of alone time with the usual wifely duties and what not. Well bout a half hour or so goes by when her teacher (same as last year!) calls to let me know that she made it fine, and was doing good. She said that Natalie's eyes were a little welled up (with tears), but once Natalie seen her, she got a big smile and ran and gave her a hug, and was totally fine the rest of the day! This just broke my heart! I didnt think she would get upset, or even tear up...cause she LOVES to ride the bus, and knew she was going to school. But when i thought about it, everything was unfamiliar...the bus driver, the aide, she knew the boys, but couldn't see them from where she was sitting. So...awww! My poor punkin! The end of the school day comes, so I'm watching for the bus...it comes and i run out to get my baby! The bus driver is the same as the morning one, and the aide is one I'm unfamiliar with. So i say hello to the driver and ask if shes gonna be the driver for both to and from school all year, she says yes...so i thought bummer (i was still hoping for a familiar face from last year!), but cool at the same time! Natalie sees me and screams "MOMMY"!! and gives me a great big hug...it was great! She told me she had a good day and that she wants to go back tomorrow.

So the next morning comes and i asked her what shoes she wanted to wear so i could get her clothes together, and she says her lady bug shoes...i asked you don't want to wear your tennies..."no, i don't like my tennies...they hurt my feet." ugh...so now i have to go store to store looking for another bloody pair of tennies...fun...so i get her dressed and off she goes...and the whole 3 hours i think, what the heck am i going to do for shoes? She can only wear her loafers or what ever you want to call them! for so long before the rain and yukki weather comes! So i had no choice...we had to go shopping yet again for shoes...ugh! I love to shop, but when i know I'm not going to find anything worth shopping for...i don't look forward to it! She gets home and off we go...we only went to one store, cause i know whats at the others! I try on prolly 10 different shoes and finally just say to heck with it, and just settle for a pair! While at the store, it seemed they fit. But the next day she wore them to school, seemed fine in the morning...but when she got home, she was walking in front of me, and i could see them slipping on her heals...ugh! AND....the more i see them on her feet, the more i don't like them...lol...i told this to bigga (the hubby!), and he goes...doesn't matter! we are done shopping for shoes! I think i agree! So these will be her shoes for the winter...at least until i see something better!

So anyway...here's a "few" pics from the first couple days!

My stinker refusing to look!

This ones blurry :( But SOOO cute!

from this....

to this...my favorite! 

Editing...

As i told you in my first blog, I'm new to this blog page...so you will probably see many tweaks to my page until i learn what the heck i am doing and can get it just right! This site is really different from the ever famous myspace..which Ive come accustomed to over the last few years.

Here's a few pics of Natalie playing in the boxes while we were unpacking! 

 

"No, Mommy...Close the door!"

so, until next time...which will prolly only be  a few hours from now =)

We've Moved !!

WARNING! This is gonna be a LOOOOONG blog. I have LOTS of pics to share!

Well its finally official! After almost 10 years in our other house, we have moved! We are all moved into the new house and almost all unpacked! We have still have a few stacks of boxes in the garage to finish unpacking. We definately 

had our work cut out for us in this new house.For starters it was a rental and the last tenants left it a bloody mess, so we had to clean up the mess they left, and then when the house was built it was a model so theres 20 different styles goin on that dont mesh well together! But thats not the biggest task so far...the

house WAS wallpaper from floor to ceiling in every room! and in one room there was a wallpaper border on top of wallpaper! I have never seen so much wallpaper in my life! They even wallpapered the light switches and outlet covers, AND the vents!! Not only was there wallpaper everywhere...in a couple rooms it was the original wallpaper from when the house was built(1970s?!) because the wallpaper was placed on top of the sheet rock wich made it really hard to get off! We have totally redone (taking wallpaper off and painting) the back living room, the dining room, and the bedrooms. We have to finish the front living room and start the bathrooms. We need new flooring in every room, and would like to remodel the kitchen...ahh yes, we have big plans for this house! But one project at a time...right?! I hate the color blue, and the whole house has blue in it! Well, mainly downstairs, the wallpaper and carpeting and some wood work is/was blue, and the carpet in the upstairs hallway...but as i said...one project at a time!  

So where did we move you ask?! We moved a whole 11 houses down the on the same street!! Thats right, we stayed in t

he same city, same neighborhood, and even on the same street!! That wasnt the plan, but it just worked out that way!! I think the square footage of the new house is actually bigger than the old, but the rooms are set up different, so our furniture dont fit the same! So we plan on selling our furniture so we can get some that fits comfortably in the new house!

 

Well heres a few pics of the work thats been done so far...  

The back living room...before, during & after! 

Heres the dining room chandelier. The hubby and i couldnt stand it, thought it was as ugly as ugly gets, so we changed it!  

Now for our room...this was another tedious job of removing wallpaper, the one wall was wallpaper over drywall with no paint over it...so when the wallpaper came off, it would peel the paper off the dry wall. ugh! Take note of the vent thats on the wall in the top pic, thats one that was wallpapered! Dont you like how only a portion of this room was wallpapered?!  

 

Natalies Room...Before & After...hard to tell by the after pics, they kept coming out dark no matter what i did! Any way, her walls are lavender and her trim is pink...i need to get some pics of the total finished product, but am still working on the finishing touches!  

This is what was left for us in her room! 

This is her closet...crappy shelving and hanging bar, a grand total of 3 different wallpapers (some is already taken off)!

 

The family that lived here before,had decided to redecorate this room...but didnt bother taking the wallpaper off, he just mudded the whole room! right over the wallpaper! so we had no choice but to paint over it...hope it doesnt cause problems later.  

And finally, the finished product!

I totally forgot to get a pic of the inside of her closet! Ill post some later when i post pics of the total finished product!

The fan blades were brown, they just happened to be white on the other side, so we flipped them!  

 

Aside from the wallpaper, heres the worst room in the house...wich is robs (my bro-n-law).

Before...

After...

Big difference huh?!

So, for as much work thats been done to the house, theres 10x more to do! But i guess thats what happens when you have a house, never ending projects!

**PS...i do realize that i should have lightened the pics, but i didnt realize it til i was looking at them on here, and since we just restored my computer, i dont have any editing software on here just yet...so you all will have to look at my dark pictures and like them!!!!

Thanks for reading...hope you dont want your time back =)