A day of tests

We had to take LP to have some tests run at St. Francis on Friday because of her seizures.  I wanted to share a few stories from the day.  She was so brave and such a good girl.  I was very shocked considering her orneriness.  As we sat in the waiting area, an African American lab tech walked in and waved at Leighton.  Leighton waved back and the lady walked closer.  Leighton said, "You're black." 

I wanted to shrivel up in a ball and die.  I was so embarrassed.  The entire waiting room full of people died laughing.  The lab tech was so sweet and said, "It was just an observation, she's very smart."  I wanted to apologize and explain why my two year old is not politically correct, but I realized the ridiculousness of this.  Of course it was an observation.  A funny observation in our world of hyper sensitivity to this sort of thing.  However, it was a good observation, and I am grateful that the lab-tech understood this.  She even went back to get some of her friends to show them Leighton because she thought it was the funniest thing ever.  I have a feeling that this is the first of many embarrassing moments that I will experience raising this girl.

The first test LP had to endure was a test of her kidneys which required a catheter.  Ugh.  Leighton calls her private parts her "lady" (I know this is funny, but my mom called it this when I was growing up, so I thought I would continue the tradition.  Chris thinks this is the funniest name ever, but I digress)  Once the test was over, LP looked up at the tech with a very serious face and said, "You hurt my lady."  :) 

During the EEG they had to wrap LP up like a burrito in order to keep her from pulling the sensors off of her head.  She whined a little while they put on the sensors because she said they were cold.  At one point, since her arms were restrained, she said, "Mommy, you have to wipe my tears off." 
My heart melted.  I love her so much. 

my brave little girl

XOXO

Stacey

busy and sugaring

I have not updated in a while because LP has been sick.  She is doing much better.  When she had a fever, she would start shivering and say, "Mommy and daddy, I'm cold, I'm sugaring."  Of course, we laugh when she says it, but sugaring is our new word for shivering.  It's funny how a little person can change your whole vocabulary.  A few days ago, she was spinning around in the living room and fell on the ground because she was dizzy.  She said, "I'm so busy."  She brings so much laughter into our lives.  I am so grateful for her. 

She can be so sweet, and immediately turn into a hell spawn in the course of a few seconds.  Although this drives me crazy, I adore her personality.  I hope that her persistence and stubborness will help her to do fantastic things with her life.  Right now though, I just want to make it across town without her climbing out of her carseat or make it through the grocery store without her throwing a tantrum.  I don't think this is too much to ask.  She doesn't understand when I tell her that mommy WILL get arrested if she doesn't stay in her carseat.  She doesn't respond to bribes in these moments either.  Believe me, I have tried.  I am just trying to suck up every moment of her being a baby, but at the same time I cannot wait until this time passes.  I have actually felt this way since her birth.  Since she cried constantly for about 12 weeks, (Chris says it was her whole first year, but I must have blocked it out)  I have been trying to savor the sweetness of her being a toddler while hoping that whatever phase she is in will pass at the same time.  It's weird really, and maybe normal too.  Regardless, it is hard to parent, and whatever feelings I have at this moment about it will probably change tomorrow.  I did start reading a book that my friend told me about.  It's called "Boundaries with Kids" by Cloud and Townsend.  I have read some of the Boundaries series for adults, but had no idea they made a book for parents.  It is fantastic so far-especially if your kid is strong willed and persistent.  Here is the link in case anyone is interested:   http://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Kids-Healthy-Choices-Children/dp/0310243157/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299717056&sr=8-1
   
P.S.  Is it normal for a 2 year old to sneak things in the basket at the store already?  This question is rhetorical of course. :)  I told LP she couldnt get bubble tape and it mysteriously was in my grocery bag when I got home.  Little stinker. 

Yes, I did it, I snuck the bubble tape.



She likes to close her eyes while swinging, it must feel good. 



Happy Birthday Aunt Sarah!  Here is your present.





love this girl



XOXO

Stacey

The love of a parent

Leighton had a second seizure last night.  Her first seizure was almost a year ago.  I was hoping I would never have to experience that again.  Apparently, only 10 percent of kids that have suffered a febrile seizure ever have another one.  My baby girl has fallen into that tiny percentile.  As a parent, I have never seen anything more terrifying than my baby suffering through a seizure.  The first time it happened, I truly thought she was dying.  You would think that the second time it happened, I would be more calm since I understood what was going on.  I wasn't.  I was actually worse than the first time.  She was turning blue and I have never felt so helpless.  The doctor at St Francis told me that Leighton will outgrow this when she is 6 years old.  If she has seizures past that point, that is when we should worry.  Her nose turned red after she said it.  I guess she realized how stupid it sounded after it came out.  We saw Leighton's pediatrician today and he took it a little more seriously than the ER doctor.  He is scheduling an EEG for next week.  Maybe we will have more answers then.  In the meantime, please pray for my baby girl.  It is much appreciated.  To leave on a lighter note, In the ambulance ride to Tulsa last night, LP kept dozing off.  We would hit a bump and she would abruptly sit up and say, "Oh my dosh, that scare me."  Even when she is not feeling so well, she is still such a ham. 


self portrait

 XOXO
Stacey

Big Sky Country

Chris has been wanting to take me to Montana since we met in 2002.  It finally happened this weekend.  It was just as fantastic-amazing-beautiful-adventure filled as he has described it through the years.  I am so grateful that I finally got to experience it for myself.  I am also grateful for Mike and Erika- who let us crash at their house for 5 days.  Enjoy the pics........

We started our adventure by cross country skiing in the Bridger mountains at Bohart Ranch

We went downhill skiing at Big Sky, however, I fell alot, so I didn't bring my camera.  Therefore, I have no pics of the fun.  Next we went to West Yellowstone, Montana, the "snowmobiling capital of the world."  Check out these pics and you will understand why.  These people get TONS of snow.  It is amazing to me that people actually live in these conditions.

movie, anyone?  Better bring a shovel

"Indoor pool"-It better be

These people aren't going anywhere for a long time

We had a blast snowmobiling.  It was absolutely beautiful.

Love this pic of Mike and Chris

I'll leave you with a pic of Chris' brother.  We found him on the snowmobile trails.



lol



XOXO

Stacey

Wedding cake

In honor of Valentines Day, I am going to tell a story.  It’s about a wedding cake. 

The wounds were just too new until now, so this story has gone untold for way too long.

I have decided that in order to let it go, I have to come clean about my feelings.  So, here goes. 

On April 8, 2006 I married my love.  It was a beautiful day and all was perfect.  Every girl dreams of her wedding day and this was my dream come true. My wedding cake had been decided months before.  My sister in law had used a particular lady to make her cake and this lady was excellent.  She happened to work at Albertsons/Homeland in the bakery, so I had made an appointment to meet with her and had everything decided.  The picture that I showed her was very similar to this one:

I wanted a square layered cake with small polka dots made out of icing on each layer.  Mine would have blue ribbon and yellow tulips.

While getting dressed in the bride’s room at the church, I learned that my cake had arrived.  I wanted my mom to take a picture of it and show it to me before the wedding.  She was hesitant.  I thought, “This is weird, why is mom acting this way.”  She took the picture and this is what was on my cake table: (Get ready)



What the #$%$@!?





Total shock.  Does this picture look like the first one to any of you?  Yeah, I didn't think so either.  Chris kept telling me during wedding planning that something was going to go wrong, but it didn’t matter.  All that mattered was that we loved each other and we were getting married.  I tried to stay positive, but I secretly wanted to ask my mom to run to the store and pick up some cupcakes or something.  This would be better than the monstrosity that was sitting on my cake table.  When they were making this cake, did they think it was cute?  Someone was demented if they thought this cake was cute. 

My mom informed me that she got a call one week before my wedding and the lady that was scheduled to create my cake had abruptly quit her job at Albertson’s/Homeland.  They insured my mom that they would still be able to create my cake.  She was concerned, but didn’t want to tell me about it and stress me out. 

The moral of this story is don’t ever use Albertsons/Homeland to create a memorable cake.  It doesn’t matter if the Cake Boss works there or not. 

I told Chris that the perfect anniversary/Valentine’s/birthday present for me would be a beautiful wedding cake.  I will put on my wedding dress and take pictures with it as if it was my actual wedding day.  I have been telling him this for years and I guess he thinks I’m kidding, because I have yet to receive this gift.  Maybe he is planning this for our 5 year anniversary in April.  I won’t hold my breath.   

XOXO

Stacey 

The moon is broken and other things

I gave Leighton her Valentine's day present this evening.  It was a 5 dollar metal strawberry shortcake purse.  When I gave it to her, you would have thought that I handed her the Hope diamond.  She was sooo excited.  Now she has carried it around the whole house calling it her "Balentine's day."  I wanted to write about this moment because I know there will be a time all too soon when she might not show so much excitement over a 5 dollar gift. 

Chris took her running this afternoon.  It was her first time to actually run around the block with no stroller.  Chris said she did awesome.  I think we have a future marathoner on our hands. 

A mom can dream, right? 

While she was running, she saw the moon and made sure to let her daddy know the moon was broken.  She has said this since she was around 20 months every time the moon is not full.  I love how her little mind works.  I adore her sweet little mind.

and I adore her sense of humor.

XOXO
Stacey

"Do you hear that, it sounds like bellybuttons"

When I picked up LP from daycare today she was intently telling her teacher a story about how her mommy cut her hair last night.  All the other kids were listening to her story as she stood in the center of the circle.  I'll have you know that I have NEVER so much as even thought about cutting her hair.  She didn't even have hair until just recently.

baldy

this will be a good one for her senior slideshow

Now she has hair, but it is in tight ringlets, so there is no need to cut it yet.  I told her teacher that this story was fabricated.  She laughed.  Who knows what she tells her teachers daily.  On the drive home, we heard a horn.  She said, "You hear that mommy?,"  Then she grinned and said, "sounds like bellybuttons."  Her imagination is so funny.  Hopefully, we can tunnel her silliness into something productive in her future.

Here is an old video for your viewing pleasure:

Still makes me laugh every time. 

XOXO Stacey