tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78290508999884602082024-02-02T09:46:31.252-08:00my Crazy, Crazy life :)all about being deaf, life of a deaf mom, raising 2 kids 2 years apart.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-17249192687018766602016-01-30T23:27:00.001-08:002016-01-30T23:27:39.904-08:00Death doesn't come easy<span style="color: #073763;">Welcome my friends to this blog....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Death is a means of a end, to put something behind you, to have closure to something that will never open again, and to lose people that we love. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">I am 31 years old, for the first time in my short life, I am in the season of life, where it begins to start saying farwell to the people that have loved us for the entire time we are on this earth up to this point. Over the past year, I have been witness to such a beautiful process, of family coming together to support one another, to care for one another and unite in such a difficult, sad time in our lives. I am so amazed that we have SO much love in our family. We are so lucky and so blessed. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">My 6 year old and 4 year old understand death much younger than I ever did, and they know exactly what it means. It means that people get sick, and die and they go to a beautiful place where they see people that theyve loved before and have gone before them and are happy and whole and perfect. They know the people they have loved, that have held them as babies laughed with, tickled, and heard jokes from, are gone. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">I see a new transformation in our family---- We say more "I Love Yous". We hug, we care, we go out of our way a little more now just to remind each other we still are here, and we still care. We find joy in the small things, a baby's smile and laugh, children running amok in the house and dancing and laughing, board game/ or "Penny Poker" time with our families. It is during this time I reflect the most on how truly amazingly blessed that in death- we've been able to learn those lessons-- to just love and laugh and LIVE. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">In death- I've gained a new insight on faith and hope. Faith means believing in something you can't see, and holding on for dear life. Hope is just as important. Hope is the means of wanting something to happen, but it can't happen yet. it goes in hand in hand with faith. I've hoped, for more time, for a cure, for things to help, for doctors to know what they are doing. It goes with having faith in what the doctors can do, and to have faith that God knows what he's doing when he takes our very best. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Love: love is what happens when everyone came together, to unite and support each other. Love is what you feel when you have hope and faith, and everyone unites to move to support that. It's such a beautiful thing, and I am so thankful everyday that I've been present and able to witness that for months. Love is a constant thing that never changes, Hope changes everyday- but without faith, it's not possible because that gives you the power to move, and believe and become. In love, we were all united for one moment, for a hour, a day, a month, an year, 5 years, 10 years, 25 years, 31 years.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #073763;">Saying good bye is always hard, It is so sad, and heart breaking, I wish so much, and so often that I never would have to do this again but I do. When I feel like this, then I think of this song.... by mr. brooks "the dance" </span><br />
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<i><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">And now I'm </span><nobr style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;"><a class="pxInta" href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/garthbrooks/thedance.html#" id="PXLINK_4_0_3" style="background-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(28, 125, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-width: 0px 0px 1px !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(28, 125, 255) !important; display: inline !important; padding-bottom: 1px !important;">glad</a></nobr><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;"> I didn't know</span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">The way it all would end the way it all would go</span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the </span><nobr style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;"><a class="pxInta" href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/garthbrooks/thedance.html#" id="PXLINK_6_0_5" style="background-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(28, 125, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-width: 0px 0px 1px !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(28, 125, 255) !important; display: inline !important; padding-bottom: 1px !important;">pain</a></nobr><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: "verdana" , "arial"; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">But I'd have had to miss the dance</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "verdana" , "arial";"><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;"><i>I am so glad that I didn't know how it would all go, and how it eventually would end. I loved each day I had with you, It's all left up to chance but I know I would have missed the pain, but I wouldn't have wanted to miss this dance with you- you made my life full- with hope, love, and faith, and laughter-- thank you for forever loving me as I am, and i can't wait to see you all again.Good Bye until we meet again......... </i></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-38323624475949776122016-01-30T22:14:00.000-08:002016-01-30T22:14:52.290-08:00What A Wonderful World<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">I see trees of green, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><nobr style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;"><a class="pxInta" href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/louisarmstrong/whatawonderfulworld.html#" id="PXLINK_3_0_2" style="background-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(28, 125, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-width: 0px 0px 1px !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(28, 125, 255) !important; display: inline !important; padding-bottom: 1px !important;">red roses</a></nobr><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;"> too. </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">I see them bloom, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">for me and you. </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">And I think to myself,</span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">what a wonderful world. </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">I see skies of blue, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">And clouds of white. </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">The bright blessed day, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">The dark sacred </span><nobr style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;"><a class="pxInta" href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/louisarmstrong/whatawonderfulworld.html#" id="PXLINK_1_0_0" style="background-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(28, 125, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-width: 0px 0px 1px !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(28, 125, 255) !important; display: inline !important; padding-bottom: 1px !important;">night</a></nobr><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">. </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">And I think to myself, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">What a wonderful world.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: #ccccdd;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">There I was, in a school gym-- full of 150 squirming 150 first graders on the risers, a sea of what seemed like 800 parents,grandparents, siblings of children singing that fateful afternoon. My little boy- my firstborn spotted me and waved frantically at me and signed "I LOVE YOU MOMMY" (instant heart melt here folks) He was happy. There I was, in my own special area they marked off for me D/HH. Suddenly-- rows full of chairs popped up... I sighed to myself-- typical hearing people. The principal ran up to me and said are you OK? I'm like... Yeah sure I guess... its just " whatever" My friends that I had made over the 2 short- beautiful years since my son started going to school there started texting me.... Are you OK? "those hearing people are really stupid" (LOL) (I giggled to myself) I'll make videos in case you can't see. <3 My interpreter ran up to me and was like-- oh god all those people! SO SORRY!! Yeah,Yeah, the principal walked over again and explained quietly that he could ask people to move... I was like, for once, I want what I want. Yes! ask someone to move... where? uhh i'd like to sit over there (closer to center stage) He did. I waddled over with my 4 year old and waved at people along the way. I sat down. I realized no one cried, no one freaked, no one yelled. Wow, the world didn't end because I asked nicely as a deaf person to be treated equally to my peers and have access that everyone else has. 2 cute 6/7 year olds come forward and said... this is a song about the world, and the things in it.... and they began to sing.... I see trees of green, red roses too. I see them bloom for me and you, and I think to myself-- what a wonderful world. I began to tear up. I thought about how proud i was of my son, and the long journey we've taken together since he was born. That indescribable joy. I thought then to myself, It has been a crazy few months even with "bright blessed day" and the struggles we've had "dark sacred nights" and how we continue to find ways to think to ourselves often walking along the way, "What a wonderful world" </span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">The colors of the rainbow, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">So pretty in the sky. </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">Are also on the faces, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">Of people going by, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">I see friends </span><nobr style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;"><a class="pxInta" href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/louisarmstrong/whatawonderfulworld.html#" id="PXLINK_5_0_4" style="background-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(28, 125, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-width: 0px 0px 1px !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(28, 125, 255) !important; display: inline !important; padding-bottom: 1px !important;">shaking</a></nobr><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;"> hands. </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">Saying, "How do you do?" </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">They're really saying, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">"I love you". </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">I hear babies </span><nobr style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;"><a class="pxInta" href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/louisarmstrong/whatawonderfulworld.html#" id="PXLINK_4_0_3" style="background-color: transparent !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(28, 125, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-width: 0px 0px 1px !important; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(28, 125, 255) !important; display: inline !important; padding-bottom: 1px !important;">cry</a></nobr><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">I watch them grow, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">They'll learn much more, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">Than I'll ever know. </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">And I think to myself, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">What a wonderful world. </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">Yes, I think to myself, </span><br style="background-color: #ccccdd; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;" /><span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">What a wonderful world. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccdd;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;">This world that we have is so diverse, so original.... "so pretty in the sky" I find mothering a 6 year old is much more challenging than mothering a 2 year old. This is when I begin to teach about Diversity- and loving yourself, and Bullies and hate. I hate that I, have to as a mother teach my children why that happens in this world. Again, I think to myself of the HOPE that we teach our children it's so important to have manners, and care for others.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ccccdd; font-size: 13.4px; line-height: 19.1429px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This struck me more than anything else as a mother... I hear babies cry, and they grow, and they'll learn much more than we'll ever know. Life will always change. it is Evolving. There are the first times your children do things.. and then the thousands and hundreds of times, then one day, it's the last time, and they never do it again. I am constantly amazed at the things my children learn. I hope your love for learning never stops. It truly is what keeps the world moving. Yes, I think to myself.... What a wonderful world. </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-90566757272482456252014-12-23T07:13:00.002-08:002014-12-23T07:13:55.460-08:00Christmas<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the rain is steadily falling in Green Bay this morning... I have my cup of coffee next to me, the boys are gone to school and work, and My littlest angel- my little Cindy Lou as i like to say- is asleep in her bed for a long winters nap.. I started looking at the Tree we have in our living room and started to reflect on christmases past, present, and the future...</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My best christmas was probably the most talked about christmas among us girls. I have 2 sisters- B and C. It was Christmas morning, My mom had told us girls to sit by the tree and she had to go "get" something. My Mom walked to the door to our front porch and opened the door. My Dad had walked in with my big sister's new pink and purple mountain bike, He gave it to Becky, he walked back out to the porch and walked back with a Green and White Bike for Char-- it was actually probably more of a Teal pretty green. She screamed with Delight... then my dad brought my Betty Boop bike in, and I was SO excited. 6 years old, and my first brand new BIG girl bike... but that meant I would have to learn how to ride with training wheels. My dad and Mom looked on as we all chattered and shouted with joy over our new bikes and many many thank yous! My mom took a picture of all of 3 of us on our bikes- I couldn't quite get on it just yet because the seat was set too high yet. That was the first, and the only christmas I remember having my parents in the house together, celebrating christmas and feeling like for one day- we were just a normal family for a few hours. It was one of the most beautiful days that I can remember. Everyone was together and thankful and happy. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As we go into this holiday season- remember that there are children that will have less than you have under your tree-- while you are sitting around the tree on christmas eve, or christmas day- remember those who are less fortunate- and be thankful in the moment that you are able to do what you can for your loved ones- Also pause to reflect on what you can do to help those families out in the coming year- donating, helping, giving your time and talents to others that may not have your skill. It makes a world of difference- and people are eternally thankful and joyful after you have done something for them.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I sit around the tree with our many families that we have over the next few days- I will often be reflecting on how wonderful our family is, and the time we get to spend with them, and just being with each other.. after all.... that is what christmas is about.. it's not about the gifts, or the money you spend on each other-- it's the time together that matters. Make it count today, tomorrow.... forever.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Merry Christmas with lots of love....</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lauren, vincent, Victoria </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-89591003433844294922014-12-15T23:12:00.004-08:002014-12-15T23:12:49.582-08:00Catching up :) <span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">HI to my dear, faithful readers-</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was recently brought to my attention, a few people have missed my blogs/ my funny stories about my lovely children. Let's update you on all that has inspired since my VERY LONG BREAK... :) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Vincent is 5.5 years old now, and attends a Elmentary School in our district. He is a very happy, sweet, mellow boy. He has a mad passion for his Ninja Turtles-- He wants to bring it everywhere he goes. He is a very good friend at school, He has a lot of friends but the one we hear the most about everyday is R. R and V are always together on the playground and do everything if possible together. They are also cousins but further down the family tree- More about that later. He is a stellar big brother to his little sister Victoria-- </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Victoria has grown from a little 1 year old to a 3.5 year old- a full, motivated little girl that she is. She is high energy and is always finding things to stay busy with. her passion is still Minnie Mouse- although she has partipcated in the Frozen craze--- (how many of you mom's now know Let It Go by heart) Yea! She has recently discovered the art of making friends and "staying" friends. She looks foward to the day that she can have more friends in school like her big brother. She adores Vincent and wants to do everything he does even if it hurts trying. :) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am still a busy stay at home mom- but i've recently discovered a new passion which i absoutely love and have been working on a few pieces- is doing/completeting cross-stitch works of art and quilts. I am currently making one for christmas with a beautiful snowman on the front- it is kind of christmassy and fits the season. In a month's time- I will be putting that aside and starting to work on my sister B's quilt for her new baby that will arrive in June 2015- we are all thrilled for her and J. Life is truly wonderful. I am looking into how to occupy my time once Toribear goes to 4k in the fall- possibly returning to school and working towards a bachelor's degree. It will feel good to have that finished. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have since lost Lady to cancer in September 2014-- It was too much taking care of 2 very young children so my sister graciously stepped in and took care of lady for me during her last few beautiful years on earth. It was found that Lady had mouth cancer which is pretty common with her major breed (border collie) Lady was a mutt type of dog as well. She held on for as long as she could- then she went very quickly and peacefully. I will always miss my sweet little Lady but I know she is running across the fields of heaven with our sweet trooper who we lost in august 2010. It is so good to know that Lady has a few people/animals up there with her waiitng for our return one day.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Andy is still floating around here somewhere. he works now for BT-fuel in green bay-- NO MORE COMMUTE- YES! he stays busy with work and his games and he has discovered a new hobby- flying helicopters--- he has shared that love with his Dad- so they go fly helicopters together a lot. Vince now has expressed a interest in flying those things-- but Vincents passion is really more focused on remote control cars. But anything mechanic that them boys can control makes them boys happy while us girls look on and go back to our craft projects.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next up is Vincent's winter concert-- he will be with at least another 100 children including himself. there are about 6 kindergarten classes at the school he is at now. his entire school is about 780! Imagine that. thats not counting the staff walking around everyday. I am SO excited. I really really hope Vince sings well but well.. they are 5 and 6 year olds. :) That night we are also making gingerbread houses with andys stepmom and his family. vince says he will make a huge one full of candy- judging from last year i Believe him. Victoria and I will complete one together as her attention span is not that long and she just does it long enough to get a good sugar high, and off she goes to run and play :) I LOVE CHRISTMAS! :) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Much Joy to your family from Ours!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lauren</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-28772505347446748992012-10-15T13:30:00.002-07:002012-10-15T13:31:01.432-07:00time warp with deaf technologyHey guys!!<br />
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I know it's been a while since I last blogged... life.. kids... it all caught up to me. ;) but recently I had a conversation with a friend that made me think I really need to blog about this because it touches my life deeply. Many of you already know that I'm a deaf mom- a fierce wickedly cool one by the way.. not sure my 3 year old would vote for that today but.. haha. I digress. :)<br />
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Per my conversation with my friend- we started talking about how deaf technology has truly changed and for the better.. and wonder what the future will bring for us.. hopefully more and more access so we can finally be on the same footing as hearing people. :)<br />
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1. In 1990- ADA law set up that every disabled person must have access to any public place, with accomdations made by the place to accomdate a disabled person. In this law as well- included closed captioning. for many of you who don't know- closed captioned is when words show up on a t.v. screen with black background and white letters. If it is "subtitled" it will often be yellow or white and "open" open caption is almost like subtitles. Anyway, CC became required in that law and around 1992-1993.. my mom had gotten a voucher to get me a CC box it was a black box attached to the tv via cable cord. and a plug to the wall.. and it had buttons on it that you could turn the CC on and off. She plugged it in and got it all hooked up and she's like Lauren, you can read the words on the t.v. instead of asking what they are saying.. i was like.. what? ok?? she turned on oprah winfrey- ths was one of the VERY few shows that were closed captioned at the time....... and I remember watching the words scroll on by.. they were saying what people were saying- probably a bit delayed but I remember being amazed.... as the years went by up until about 1995-1996- then more and more shows are captioned. Almost Everything on t.v. is captioned now. For me, it is normal to have words on the screen so i can read it.. and most of the time when i go to other peoples houses- they are willing to turn on captioning.. but I also hate asking because i feel like it is a hassle to figure out how to get it on and sometimes people don't remember how to get it off also. Just funny, thinking about watching that first t.v. show with CC and being floored and now it is a normal everyday thing for me. my kids are growing up with words on the screen... I wonder what they will have to say when they go to other peoples houses and notice they don't have CC. :)<br />
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2. TTY to TTY conversations... TTY is a box keyboard computer thing almost. you place a phone on it, and you can make a phone call to another TTY and also through relay to a hearing person. and you type what you want to say, then say GA, (go ahead) then if you are done talking and say bye bye you say Stop Keying (SK SK) This is also widely known as a leader to future technoglogy as Instant messages and also texting on Cell Phones- yes you can thank the Deaf people now!! We are the reason why everyone texts. :) Texting works silimarily to how a TTY worked back then.<br />
instant messages- that didn't come around until about 1997-1998- so Us 25 year olds and up- were born before internet... Life without Internet... and big box computers- and we had dial up too... and often got told to get off the computer so someone could use the phone- now its a completely different world- everyone has a cell phone- and the Internet is often cabled- and no more dial up!<br />
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3. Baby monitors- they finally made one that is made for hearing and deaf parents alike- a vibrating baby montior- I have used this with both kids- It is a life saver- it vibrates when the baby cries and MUCH better than hooking up lights to this special montior- that would make every light in the house flash every time the baby cried or talked or made a peep. Could you imagine having a house flashing lights every time your baby made a peep? Not me! I was so thrilled that they came out with this. It helps a lot.<br />
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I think those 3 things in my life as a deaf mom- had a huge impact on my life.. for one thing.. my kids will probably learn how to read faster because they will be exposed to literacy early because of the CC. My 3 year old already knows how to use the mouse and keyboard, and he knows when I am chatting with my friends on VP or through relay or Skype- that I am talking to someone and it is normal for him to annoy me when i am on the phone- just like you hearing moms- I have the same issues you do! :) Although I am almost done using the baby monitors- it will be amazing to see what else the future has in hold for more advanced deaf technology and also how... things have changed in just few years. I am so happy we have those changes now- and they make life easier.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-69214364373687341722012-08-09T12:06:00.000-07:002012-08-09T12:06:13.388-07:00cochlear Implants<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this is a different blog post than in months past... a friend of mine brought up how hearing people think that a cochlear implant is a cure all. It is not.. I have my own story to tell plus hundreds of thousands of stories of other people that have their own experiences and stories to tell.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got my Cochlear Implant at age 6. My parents espically my mom questioned if it was the really truly the right choice- and my dad was all like "hey if it helps her then it helps her" My mom sat me down one day and said....... do you want to hear? What a heavy question for a 6 year old... I just wanted to be just like my sisters... not be different. I wanted to whisper with them at night, and share secrets in the dark and not have to work to talk to them, or anyone (not that ASL is a beautiful language) I just wanted to be a normal, happy 6 year old. so I said Yes..... and that started my journey.......</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had to go through a lot of tests to find out if the Cochlear implant would even work and a interview process with the Team at University of Iowa- Iowa City. They are about 7 hours south of GB. I don't really remember too much from this time. it came out that i was a perfect candidate with my right ear and they would do the operation. They scheduled the surgery for Dec 6th,1990- just so i could have the 2 weeks off from school then winter break then return to school. I remember having the surgery done- I actually remember not wanting to breathe into the mask.... but it made me really sleepy so i fell asleep... I woke up in recovery but fell asleep again. I woke up a few hours later because they had to check to make sure i needed to eat. I was SO, SO tired. I just wanted to sleep a lot the first day. After that I started waking up more and I wanted to be more active but it was difficult because of the gauze on my head that felt like it weighed 20 pounds. I did have a headache and fever- they ended up keeping me just a day or 2 longer than planned to make sure i would make a full recovery. I drove my mother Crazy the next 3 weeks- I couldn't wait to get back to school.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got back to school and I looked different so it was a little shocking to some of my friends- my dad came to school with me to tell my friends about what happened and why. I finally got activated in march.. I couldn't tell you what day it was... I actually don't even remember it at all.. but basically what happens is they Map you and you have to listen to tones to make sure it sounds all the same and it sounds good and watch you for reactions to the tone. Im sure the first time they turned it on and I responded it was probably cute and emotional..I don't remember this at all but I do remember driving back to Wisconsin and we got back to GB and we went to pick up my sisters from my dad's house-my dad and I walked into the house and my dad's like.. she can hear now... and all 3 of my sisters all started talking to me loudly and laughing and making noises to see what I could hear and stuff. My mom said that when they were driving back I was asking what sounds EVERYTHING was making- it was just so much noise! I was thrust ed from a quiet world with crappy hearing aids to this.. loud noisy world!! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been about 23 years now since I've gotten my cochlear implant.. I've flourished.. I've learned how to talk, i can read lips pretty well... I can hear sounds and words and environmental sounds.. Its just if you are talking to the back of my head it just sounds like garbled words being spoken too fast haha. I can catch a word or two but not everything. Although if i look at you and can read your lips- I pretty much understand everything you are saying. I can't hear on the phone like normal hearing people can- it just sounds like words messed up... I know only a few words that i can "pick out" but yeah. </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">getting to the real point here though.. I have so many different deaf friends that have cochlear implants... for some of them- they have not worked at all-only hear some or some environmental sounds but its very very limited-some have exposure to a lot of sounds but words and language does not sound different than the sounds. People like me that can survive with having a CI get spoken language and understand fine and actually are capable of picking up spoken language... and there are deaf people that are completely oral with CIs- which means they just talk and they get a great benefit with the implant- and years and years of training. not everyone can get the training and sometimes you put in all the work and still not 100 percent capable of getting all the benefits from it that other people do. </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="color: #674ea7;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've also had issues with figuring out who i am because of having a cochlear implant and being able to talk well before (my speech is horrible now) but at that time in my life it felt like like i was in between both worlds like talking and signing... and trying to go between. Now though, I don't really wear my CI anymore (and I should) and I feel that im more on the deaf end of things- which Im absolutely fine with... I love where I am and I love the rich language and the culture that it comes with and I don't mind dabbling in the hearing world as u know my bf and my children live there but I love being where I am.. when i am with my deaf friends- i am simply at home- it is where I can be myself with my language and communication flows freely and clearly with no frustrations. It took years though to figure out where I wanted to be. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">1. Being able to finish a book in a day.......... and they said rome was built in a day (not if you have 2 toddlers)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">2. Going out when I feel like it (have to pre-plan, sitter, and pack the kids bag)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">3. Eating a Hot meal..... My kids eat before I do and by the time i get to it.. it is cold and yucky.. and then i warm it up in the mircowave... and someone falls.......... there goes the dinner. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">4. a clean house.. in all areas... at all times. (it looks like a war zone much of the time.. with toys waiting to be set off and blast your ear with loud music.. and they wonder why kids are going deaf) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">5. Taking a shower... and a long one. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">6. going food shopping without having children present/or begging for food</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">7. watching a entire movie without falling asleep....... yep.. I get so exhausted i can't even finish a movie. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">8. having a house full of food.... longer.. my almost 3 year old boy begs for snacks almost hourly now.. he is like a garbage disoposal that cannot stop eating. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">9. not having to feel vibrations to make sure that my kids are behaving... and checking on them a lot.. more often than not.. they are wrestling (yes my kids wrestle now) or fighting over a toy they just cannot share.. and when it gets really quiet then they are having too much fun and doing something that is a no no.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">10. sitting on the couch in a total clean house and proud of my work and feel great it can stay clean for a while... doesn't happen when you have children. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47;">11. again, reading a book in one or so day.. It takes me weeks now to finish a book........... man. </span><br />
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Don't get me wrong.. this isn't complaining about my kids at all... I just have certain things that I miss.. before I had my children... but my life is much fuller now because of them... Every morning I get to get up to see the 2 most beautiful faces on this earth. I get to play (most of the day) with my kids and be The cool silly mommy and make my kids laugh.. even though i can't hear them laugh, I see the smile reach up to their eyes and they (esp vincent) yells Mommy you funny!!!!!!! Nothing makes my heart sing than my ability to make my kids giggle. I hurt when my kids hurt.. I hate telling them no and seeing them cry but I know in the long run it will make them a stronger person. My favorite part of the day-- is when I get to sit on the couch with both of them and watch some t.v. and we all snuggle.. sometimes its a movie and we get to eat popcorn. Every night I put them to bed... and I silently sing Hallejuah because I get to spend some ME time finally but.. I'm always thankful that I am THEIR mommy. Life isn't so bad when you have two hearts to love and love forever. Not so bad after all. :) </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-76073251241321146382012-05-10T20:52:00.000-07:002012-05-10T20:52:14.384-07:00the bed time trick<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Bed Times are my favorite part of the night- MY KIDS finally go to bed! and leave me alone for several hours. Hallejuah!!! haha. don't get me wrong. I love them to pieces.. but when i am reading a good book or seeing a good show on Net flix that I can't wait to see the next show of.. Or finish the book and so on. :) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">the other night I tricked Vincent into going to bed early.... and I told my friend I just earned the worst mom of the year award but it was pretty funny. Haha. OK.. well, I JUST recently moved the box of books upstairs so now Vince and I.. and eventually Victoria and I will snuggle in their beds and read bed time stories. :) Part of this now, is learning how to listen to mommy read and not reading other books and just relaxing and listening to the stories. Vincent is a hyper little 2 year old at 9:30 at night this particular night.. I started reading a book... and he was reading other books and jumping around and pretty much not listening to me... I finally glanced at him and said.. Hey bud? you want me to leave right? and Vince said Yeah. I was like Ok, I guess Story time is over and I picked up all the books and put them back in the box.. and said I guess its time for bed now since you don't want to listen to mommy read you some stories. Vincent at this point started freaking out and crying and being like I really want to finish the books and i'll listen im sorry... and I was like.. No you were playing anyway.. and not listening and you wanted me to leave, so I'll leave.. maybe you'll learn to listen next time.. and he was STILL crying ( obviously tired out) and I said nighty- night buddy.. I'll see you in the morning I love you.. and hes like (cries) i love you too... ( ibet he was thinking I was a horrible mean mommy for doing that to him ) </span><br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I later texted a friend that night.. saying ha-ha! i earned the worst mom of the year award tonight.. but it was pretty funny to me. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Vincent-im glad to say now all i have to say is? You want me to stop and leave??? and he knows.. he's like ok i'll lay down and listen. It is so hard for him to do at almost 3 years old but he is learning. He Throughly enjoys the hungry caterpillar. I can't wait until he is a little older so we can do a caterpillar project so he learns more about what caterpillars do and how they become a butterfly. :) way cool.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-50032570836158468082012-04-19T22:07:00.000-07:002012-04-19T22:07:05.508-07:00Toddler Speak<span style="color: #0b5394;">Most of you already know that Vincent was having or is having difficulty in speaking english. Haha. I just wanted to update you that he has been really trying harder now to talk more and it has gotten hilarious to just see the things he has to say. As a deaf mom- i'm proud that he signs... but I want him to also function in the hearing world like I do.. speaking, writing, reading... it will take him far in life. It has been really interesting to see the things he has to really say and what is on his mind.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Vincent is very self centered now......... everything begins with ME, or I. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">he also yells............. ME WANT PLAY OUTSIDE!!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">ME TIRED! I WANT EAT FOOD...ME hungry. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">It is so funny to see the language he is picking up and how he spends hours giggling over the smallest thing. Tonight i was telling him good night and giving him hugs and kisses.. and (yes at 3) he doesn't like the kisses anymore and wipes them off his cheeks.. BUT he asks for more and laughs... so I think he still likes it but is making a game out of it. He has really begun a language explosion the last few months where he is picking up so many signs/words.. and also with me letting him watch signing Tv shows (blue clues, signing time) he has been really learning more. I have never been prouder of him. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I think there is some speech delay though... the key will be to find out to what degree and how to help him catch up with his peers. Hopefully he won't hate us for all the work we will have to do with him. :) I had speech thearpy as a kid and I hated it........ I guess I never thought about how it would be like from a hearing kid point of view- they should speak english fine and shouldn't need the help..... so I hope I can make vincent feel ok about having to go and that he gets the extra help now while he still is little. It is hard.. so many worries.. so much love and life.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I have to share though: Victoria said Mama tonight. :) she was looking at me and going MMMMMMMMMM, Mama! little tiny voice she has. :) I'm just thrilled because vincent said dada first before mama. (but he did sign mama before dada) Victoria isn't really into signing at all.. she knows what signs are and what are the same repetive signs we use daily. Time will tell in the next few months if she will really ever pick up ASL like her brother has. I was also cleaning up the house tonight... and Vincent got his animals and pooh blankie and said good night to his dad and basically put himself up in bed by himself.. I was like you are getting so big that you know you are supposed to be going to bed.. Wow. :( My babies are growing up.. the next I know.. i will be blogging about all the activities they do and how much time I spend texting/driving.. Haha. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-19428421751855155262012-04-11T12:34:00.000-07:002012-04-11T12:34:44.257-07:00Easter Egg Hunt<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The promise of Easter is finally here.... Easter. Easter is a time for us to get together and finally get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and really enjoy being with our family... after being rudely shut in all winter! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">This year held special meaning to me... as most.. Ok, ALL of you know, I had Victoria the day before easter- and that is when my family does Easter.. so I missed out, and I missed out on Krause Clan festivities last year as well as Steiner's. I have been looking foward to easter since christmas mainly just because I can eat the food and actually paricipate in the fun rather than being in a hositpal bed wincing in pain.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">We went to my mom's hosue for Easter this year.......... it was actually a lot of fun.. lots of chattering, eating, and giggling for hours. This year, since I got out of cooking food- food duty.. I decided to allow ( with my mom and stepdad's permission of course) all 6 grandkids to go outside and do a easter egg hunt with 84 plastic eggs... Haha. 84 divided by 6 came to 14 eggs per grandkid! Grandpa G went outside to hide all the eggs.. It was pretty funny watching my Nephew try to sneak and see if he could see where Grandpa was hiding all the eggs. :) Once all of the kids arrived.. ( I love how this happens) one of the kids ran up to the other and said.. Grandma's letting us easter egg hunt!! and there's Candy in them.... then all the kids bubbled up with exictement and started chattering madly and peeking out the window and yelling I see one..... Oooh i see another. Grandma was like we aren't doing that until after everyone's ate and is done! (kids mumble and whine a bit) Kids rush through meal while the adults take our sweet time eating and chattering........... (kids come up the stairs and ask about 20 times when we are going to do it.) (giggles) Vincent was really a little too young to really get it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Easter Egg hunt:</span><br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">we told the kids 14 eggs each, once u get all 14 you stop but if you see somoene else that is still looking for eggs, then you can help if you want. All of the kids found eggs pretty quickly- amazed me how fast they found 'em. we had trouble finding 6 eggs.. I guess Grandpa must have hid them really good!!! we did find them... if there was one or two i am sure Grandpa will find them when he mows the lawn. haha.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">the adults spent the rest of the day on the deck yakking for hours and visited with Tori who slept most of the time. poor baby she was really tired.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Sunday we spent the day with the krause clan....... easter egg hunt.. and the kids found eggs too.. vincent having done this the day before caught on really quick.. when we told him to look for something in this spefic area.. he found them! I think it helps too to have BRIGHT colored eggs ( which i think we will do next year at Mom's) this year we had pastel and I think that was harder for vincent for some reason. and we all sat around and laughed at the kids and chatted.... they all really liked seeing Victoria and vincent. Vincent threw a HUGE fit at the end because he was so tired from all the craziness and he told andy.. I not fall asleep on ride home. i Promise. I not tired. andy is like you are tired and i thnk u will fall asleep.. he said no daddy i not tired i not fall asleep.. and on the way home he was desperately trying to stay awake........... and he made it to De Pere........about 3 blocks away from home.... he fell asleep. and we laughed.......... I not tired!! Andy put him to bed and vincent tried to convince him to let him not nap... I was like, No buddy mom says u need to nap.... pitting one parent at the other already!! tori was completely exhausted and very happy to nap :) after all that....... so were we!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Lauren </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-31000742594404977032012-03-12T21:43:00.000-07:002012-03-12T21:43:03.088-07:00Good Bye Crib<span style="color: #93c47d;">Tonight, Fondly and happily- we bid farewell to a old friend of the family. Mr. Crib. Mr Crib has been a member of our family since before Vince was born. I still remember the antipication of bringing Vincent home from the hositpal.. and Andy and I decided that we could trust vincent alone in his big (small) bedroom and let him sleep without mommy or daddy nearby. I was going to be going in there every 2-3 hours to feed him anyway. He would be fine. The first night, he snuggled down happily... and I lowered my arms to put him in it and Andy wrapped him in his crib the way they showed us how at the hostipal due to SIDS prevention. I remember looking at him and worrying about him being all alone in such a BIG crib and all by himself (after all 2 days ago he was in my belly waiting to be born!) Andy looked at me and smiled, and said Lauren-- he will be fine.. you will be back in here in 2 hours and we have the baby monitor. grudingly I left my sweet baby boy.... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #93c47d;">Almost 3 years later.......................</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #93c47d;">Vincent is almost 3 and we finally decided he was big enough to sleep in his own big boy bed and that he could choose what he wanted for his big boy bed. He chose toy story, Although every night he still sleeps with his Pooh and his Tigger and his blanky. These are his must haves EVERY single night. It still feels unreal to me as a mom.. that overnight it seems like Vincent grew up much too quickly for me. He does not want to be momma's baby anymore and wanting to be more independent. It has been 3 weeks since we moved Vincent and no real big issues at all.. He stays in his bed most nights unless he is a little wounded up for bed. Most nights because he does not take a nap-- he is pretty much ready for bed when he goes to bed. Thank god we haven't had too many issues except for wanting to wake up Victoria when he is supposed to be sleeping. :) He is really happy about sleeping in his big boy bed and Loves to show people his big boy bed and big boy room. We are so proud of him but for me as a mom.. I am so proud of him but at the same time I miss him being a little tiny vincent. It all went by so fast. But I sure am glad he is not jumping in his crib anymore.. there were many nights i was afraid he would jump so hard he would break the crib- they made that crib unbreakable! lol </span><br />
<br />
Good bye Crib- good bye old friend.. thank you for protecting our sweet little baby.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-56943749079080593352012-02-21T12:08:00.000-08:002012-02-21T12:08:26.736-08:00Everybody poops<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is a conversation Vince and I had over lunch while Victoria was napping... I shall call it everybody poops...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was looking at diapers online to determine what was the cheapest cost of buying diapers and pull ups... Vince asked what I was doing, and i showed him. He said the baby wears diapers and I wear pull ups now because Im a big boy (really he just said I big boy) </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We were talking about going pee and poop in the potty and that mommy wasn't going to get any more diapers for Vince because he can go pee pee in the potty. Vince then says I can go poop in the potty BIG BOY! I am like Yes, You can! He says..... Momma, Lady goes poop??? I was like yes- outside because it is very stinky! Momma, does the Kitty go poop? Yes, in a big box full of litter. Momma Monkey poop?? Yes monkey poops in a jungle (what else am i supposed to tell him....) Momma, bear poop too? I was like Yes.. bear poops......somewhere in the woods..... (the things that make you think... how come I never stepped in bear poop?) Momma-froggy poops too right? Yep in the pond... little poops u can't see because it goes right in the water just like the fishies- Vince goes quiet and is eating his lunch........ then he is like....... I gotta go poop.......... like a frog.... </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(sitting on the potty) Momma- I be pooping like a bear!! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">(um.... Yeah......guess that is all you got out of the life lesson buddy) LOL </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-26892476824798784692012-02-21T11:59:00.000-08:002012-02-21T11:59:06.175-08:00going night nighty!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">In our house..... when it is night-nighty time it tends to get a little crazy.. or a little crazy... I have decided to put vincent in a big boy bed due to a lot of issues with my wrist (and amazingly- my wrist has improved/feeling better since we don't put vince in the crib anymore!) and the fact we are potty training him now, and He feels like he is a big boy- as we often tell him you are a Big Boy. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">With two kids now... it gets harder to put both of them to bed. Vince has decided that since he is bigger than his sister- he should go to bed later than she does (even if it is 5 minutes after she does LOL) brothers. :) Usually it is either Bath,book bed for both kids depending on what night it is or its just Bottle, sippy cup, book and Bed. Both kids do great..</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">The night Andy and I were dreading finally arrived.... Vincent went to grandma's house the night before and got all hyped up and we picked him up and he went to sleep here (late) because he missed us.......well the next am he woke up early with me, and went food shopping with me (that boy LOVES shopping-when he is 13 and complains about shopping for jeans- I will happily remind him he never objected to shopping with momma. :) ) He was so tired out from Driving the cart and helping mommy pick stuff out at the store (or so he thinks) and he needed a nap..... Well...... He should have gone down for a nap at 2pm but he took one at 4pm and wouldn't wake up until 6pm. I knew he was going to be up........... LATE. I blamed this on andy since he let vince take a nap at 4pm- i said put him to bed at 7pm. instead...... No............ Well......I put vincent to bed at 10... cleaned up the living room...... and this sweet blond hair boy sneaked downstairs by Daddy and Andy laughed because he did not look sleepy.. so we checked him for a fever... Then I was like I suppose he can stay up and watch a little spongebob with me.. we both thought he would fall asleep on the couch hanging out..... Nope. He was JUMPING all over the couch and acting like it was a PARTY..... Seesh, I was so tired. I kept glancing at him hoping he would somehow fall over and fall asleep. 11:30 came... I was like arent u tired yet? he is like Nope and spongebob is ON again! Ohhhhh............. great kid. great... so I said OK, one more spongebob then u have to go to bed because it is VERY late in Kid-World. midnight came.... and I put vincent to bed thinking he would fall asleep. I went back downstairs to clean... 5 ish minutes later.. Andy walked into the kitchen and said Vincent got up and walked into the babys room and said HI baby hi baby..... and woke up the baby.. Andy was like vincent you can't wake up the baby when she is sleeping. You know that. tucked the baby back into bed and walked vincent back into bed and said time for bed now. Andy goes back downstairs laughing and reports this to me, then I laughed. about 10 minutes later, Andy walks back upstairs... sees the light on under the door... Vincent heard andy coming and ran to turn off the light before Andy could Yell.. and jumped back into bed and pretended to be sleeping. Andy opened the door and was like I know you want to play but its night-nighty time, time to go to sleep. you can play tomorrow. love you NOW GO TO SLEEP!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">5-10 minutes later......... all was quiet.............</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">ahh, I can't wait to see what else Vince has in store for me. :)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-56242707542382051372012-02-18T22:52:00.000-08:002012-02-18T22:52:25.965-08:00Our Crazzzy life<span style="color: #cc0000;">I aplogize........... truly sorry... I mean it....... I know I haven't blogged in forever......... you- my dear friend are probably wondering why I haven't written in forever....... It's because of the kids :) that is my go to excuse these days- But I love those little people.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas was a complete whirlwind journey....... we laughed, we cried, we opened presents and enjoyed time together as a family and realized that we-- ourselves wanted to start traditions with our kids rather than run everywhere and do what everyone else wants... may be some changes in store for future christmas but looking foward to doing things and hearing my kids say... Mom.. I love when we do this! :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Life has gotten so busy with two little ones...... so many changes just in 2 months.......</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Vincent hit 2 and half before christmas and around that time I beleive the terrible 2s started to set in.... but thankfully I was able to ask him.... do you want Santa to come?! he knows when you are being bad so if you are bad enough he may leave coal in your stocking or not even bother to stop by at all. Now it is after christmas....... and santa came and went.........His favorite word nowdays is NO. I have learned to word things differently or offer 2 choices and he can't say no to that. that has helped a lot. he can jump, and he is learning what letters mean and what his name is.. and what letter it starts with. he is very Egoestic.. everything is about him at this point. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Victoria is now almost 10 months old........ and in the last few weeks crawling EVERYWHERE. She is defientely a on the go baby... can't take my eyes off of her very often anymore. She also started pulling up on me the last couple weeks.. and tonight she pulled herself up on a toy- looks like it is time for Daddy and Mommy to lower the crib bed so she doesn't stand up and fall out (god forbid) I have a feeling Tori will really give Andy and I a run for the money.. She is so much more active than Vincent ever was and already vocalizing sounds (mmmmmmmmmmmmm) (PFFFFFFFFFFFFT) I think she will walk around 11 months old..... and that will be bittersweet as this will be my last baby for a while doing this now. :( She brings so much love and giggles to the house though. I have to admit...... life is not the same without her.. I couldn't imagine not having her even if it is harder with two.. andy and I defientely have all the love we have to give for both of our babies.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Speaking of love......... Valentines day was just last week... and guess how we spent it????? we were at the doctors!!! how romantic right??? Victoria developed a fever over the weekend at some point.. and we thought it was a Virus or teething and decided to wait it out (that is what happens when you have two kids you learn when you need the DR and when you don't) Sunday came and went and her temp went up higher but dropped every time we gave her tyenlol- Monday was much of the same except she was more crabbier and had a harder time settling down- and we defientely noticed she did not want to play as much and only wanted to be held. Tuesday AM-- Andy decided to go back to work in Neenah after checking on Victoria- who at the time felt tempurtally fine and seemed to be sleeping well. I had gotten up at 8 am and she was still sleeping...... she slept until about 9:30 and I thought to myself ok well I will wake her up and feed her and see how she is doing.... and she wasn't very interested in eating but only wanted to be held....... then I noticed she would cry every time I moved her.. and she was losing interest in playing with her toys.. she wouldn't even reach out to play with her toys at all...... which is totally opposite of our little Tori. I texted Andy at work and I'm like...... Something is really wrong. I have NEVER seen a baby behave like this. Andy deliberated between staying at work because there was so much work to do- or coming home. He decided to come home and he got home and he had took Victoria from me and said do what you need to with vincent i will sit with her for a while. Victoria had been just laying on Andy and he looked at me and said..... you are so RIGHT. this isn't right this isn't her. So I called the DR back and asked if we needed to take her to the ER and they said not to unless she starts vomiting or breathing weird...... so our appt was in a hour, We took the kids in then...... and after the doc looks at her... he just said yep she has a ear infection........ and we were flagbarsted that it was something so simple.. and he said yep.. some babies don't deal with the pain really well, or you waited too long before it gets to the point where the pain will irriate the baby more. Dr recommended ibp and amoxicillin and warned it could be 24 hours before we saw a change and to call if there was any more issues or styp gets worse. Tori started to feel better within a hour of starting the IBP and amoxicillin.. and it did take 24 hours before she was back to her normal happy giggly self. It did take about 4-1.2 days for the fever to go away. Lesson learned. When your mommys insicint is telling you something is wrong (I felt it on monday afternoon but i ingored it thinking it was probably a virus but i had a inkling it was a ear infection) I also love it when I get to tell andy I am right :) (doesn't happen very often!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">So that is everything that has been happening in our crazy world lately........ until next time.. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I bid you farwell,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">me </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-22144724741846809072012-01-01T22:43:00.000-08:002012-01-01T22:43:37.055-08:00Happy New 2012<span style="color: red;">Wow!!!! It has been a long few weeks since I blogged. Our house has been really busy getting ready for christmas and having Christmas and then Happy New Year...... I will not bore you, my dear reader about endless days we had... :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">The days leading up to christmas was so busy! we were busy buying and finding the perfect gift for our loved ones this year....... but through watching Vincent's gift from St. Nick- "A very merry Monkey Christmas" </span>it is not about the reciving but about giving to others and having amazing, fun memories with the loved ones you have..... going on special monkey-approved adventures. :) It has reminded myself to be more giving, and also to make lasting memories.<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Now....... The kids and I got andy a really nice water filtered coffeemaker that has a timer- the whole purpose is so andy can save money and have coffee at home in the AM before heading off to work...... It is actually enjoyable for mom too! Vincent has been on a kick that coffee is just for daddy. He wants to bring him his coffee and help bring daddy things. It is so sweet. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Well... I had been wanting a camera for a LONG LONG time..... and I borrowed a friend's camera for over christmas so i could catch my lovely children opening their gifts and showing their apperication or exicement in opening the gifts. Well...... sadly it turned out that my friends camera was going on the fritz..... SO, andy let me open my gift one day early (ok two days IF you count christmas eve) and it was a Canon powershot 12.1 MP HD screen............. it was just soooooooooooooooo NICE. I was super excited. I have used it quite often. Vincent has turned into the willful model and wants to Model many times for me..... He really likes to see himself on camera and gets a kick out of seeing himself. We got him a kid tough camera for christmas for this same reason......... AND he is not that interested in it...........BOO for good ideas mom! </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Christmas was really enjoyable with the HUGE number of our family this year. We are so blessed and thankful we have a huge family that loves us and our children and want to see us all over christmas. I am also really thankful that Demon child and Diva baby made it through the 2 days without too much fuss and tolerated and behaved themselves among family. It made me feel proud as a mom that they know how to behave themselves. The grandmas all had so much fun seeing them in their cute outfits and enjoying spoiling them. I will give you one delighful moment that made me laugh so hard and I will never forget.. and I am sure i will tell vincent this years down the road... but I let Vincent open gifts with Aunt N. and Aunt S. at Nanna B's house... With having Diva baby now- my arms are full and Andy just wanted to relax so the girls had him.. and vincent was all exicted about opening gifts...... and he got one box full of clothes.... and it was one with a construction truck and blue scrub-look-alikes.... and Vincent came running over to me and said Momma LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOK! and started shaking the outfit for all it was worth and GIGGLING........ OH my sweet heavens...... I have never seen a kid so excited about showing off his clothes. It made me laugh and go oh vincent and laugh some more. for most of you that lovingly know vincent........ this is NORMAL of vincent. :)christmas just didn't change him haha. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Victoria was just 8 months old this year so she wasn't really all CRAZY about christmas just yet. She really enjoyed the christmas lights and she would "help" open one gift then she kinda lost interest...... She was like... Psh.. that is too much work for me... mom you do it and she just sat back and enjoyed the gifts in all it's glory. She pretty much stays away from the tree and just isn't really..... excited about it. The good news is...... she lets all the Grandmas and Great grandmas hold her now..... so it made christmas more precious for all of them. Again, It made me so happy to see that she was finally comfortable and felt like she could trust them enough to hold her. She never has a problem with the boys though... I think Andy and I have a world of worrying ahead for us when she is older..... she sure likes her boys! :-D</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">We just celebrated new years in our house last night.. and I let vincent stay up late with a buddy of his- his mom came over (oldest friend of mine) and they were hanging out at our house. I wish I thought to take some pictures of the kids playing. They were very good to each other and except for a few scoldings and talking about sharing... it was just awesome. The kids stayed up until 12 30am laughing and playing. we couldn't believe it.... I told vincent it was a once in a year treat haha! It was a wonderful time..... and it will be interesting to see next year if Victoria can stay up with her brother next year until midnight. :)</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">my next blog..... I will start adding pictures to it and you can see how the kids are growing up :) </span><br />
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-40790714812479173392011-12-12T21:30:00.000-08:002011-12-12T21:30:38.297-08:0012 days until christmas<span style="color: #cc0000;">It is 12 days until christmas........and my true love gave me a 2 year old a running, a 7 month old a scooting-making a mess everywhere and growing by bounds and leaps!</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Recently-we have been chatting with Vincent about christmas..... as you can tell.. christmas spirit is all around us-everyday in everyway- in what way?? GIVING. we are teaching vincent Christmas is about giving others-and it is joyful work- and we may not always get something... but it feels SO good to give.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Vincent asked me to pick him up to the calender and together.. we counted 12 days until christmas eve and we can go to grandma's k's house to open the first round of presents. We think we have about 5 christmases set already. Our children are so blessed that we have so many people that want to see them and hug them. I hope that this never ends and that they will always know the love of our wonderful family.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">This whole past weeks has been really busy- with preparing for christmas and shopping and figuring out what the kids want and need....... and finishing up the rest of the peoples on our list... and vincent is hard at work making pictures for some of our very fine family that will be honored with his art work of how a tree looks like.. may not be accurate but..... he is excited. :)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">vincent and victoria went to the doctor today for vincent's 2 year old check up because it wasn't in the system (even though we did it in april............dun dun duh!!) and Victoria had to get her 2nd flu shot... I really hate going to those appts because I prefer andy to deal with the kids when they are getting their shots. :) Vincent impressed me he just sat there and let the doctor look him over and gave me the all ok that he was healthy! he is a normal, active 2 year old. I decided to give Vincent the nasal nose spray for flu instead of getting the shot.. it was less painful and vincent did not really like the fact he got stuff sprayed in his nose but.. he got over it fairly quickly. victoria had to get her 2nd flu shot to make sure she was protected from the flu completely. She is now immune to whatever type that flu shot was... yay! </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">I can't believe how quickly the year flew by....... Look for our next blog.... the xmas letter........ shortly. :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Lauren </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-63231733052242320562011-11-28T21:01:00.000-08:002011-11-28T21:01:02.844-08:00Thanksgiving that was..<span style="color: #0b5394;">The thanksgiving that was............</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">whoo........ what a rideeeeee. It has been a whirlwind couple weeks visiting family and remembering what we are blessed with. :) First- a surpise visit from my aunt and uncle who live in Indiana.. they stopped in to visit my Grandma and decided to surpise my mom and visit her a home- and we all came to visit. I didn't have Vincent with me since he went with his other Grandma but they got to meet victoria and play with her a bit and chat. It was a nice visit. They are moving to FL so I don't know how often we will see them now because it is SO cold here, and warm down there :p</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Now.. the day before thanksgiving...... I had decided well- my kids are going to be meeting family so that means.. they get scrubbed until they are shiny and cleaned and vincent needed a small... trim to look nice. So, I decided ok I am going to put victoria down and- she is a squrimy little thing so she can wriggle kinda-creep to get things.. I was busy and cutting vincent's hair.. he was sitting there whining because he doesn't want to get his hair cut and im like too bad.. we are seeing Great-Grandma Marie (for those that don't know- Victoria's middle name is from her ) :) so we have to get your hair cut and you bathed so you are all pretty for her. He was not happy. I am like I promise if you let me finish you can have some skittles (ah bribing a 2 year old and i said i would NEVER bribe my children HA HA good parenting!!!) he sat willing for a few skittles ok...... so we are done and I trim a bit of the bangs.. he protested loudly...... and wriggled...... therefore..... now he has curvy styling bangs! I tell him YOU DID that to YOURSELF.. mommy only held the sciccors.. and he giggles. man.. 2 year olds. Vincent laughs and says Look baby mama!!! ( look at the baby mama!)</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">I looked............. and...... Tori...... bless her heart.... had a pen in her mouth............... and pen lines allllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll over her face..... on her nose.. on her forehead......... and on her sweet chubby cheeks......... dear child. we have thanksgiving tomorrow.............and you are meeting Great Grandma Marie and Great-Grandpa Don and you have pen marks all over your face- oh great and you giggle at me. Vincent was laughing. I was like are you telling her to do that?????!</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">oh dear......... now what do I do............. thank goodness......... baby wipe got most of it off..... then a little of baby oil worked for the rest of it....... and she was a beautiful baby again. Vincent is running around at this point with his curvy headbangs rocking his new "hair-cut" how i love my crazy life these days! </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">the next day was thanksgiving and we spent it with don and marie and andys mom's siblings and Vincent ran around being his usual very happy chatty self and wanted to play a lot and colored and threw his pooh around while the game was still going and he clapped a few times when the packers got a TD... he was exicted about the game. victoria was her usual diva self.. very upset when we got there and took a bit to calm down then she accepted that other people were going to hold her and she tolerated it pretty well........ it is a never ending guessing game with her.. some days she is fine and accepts other people to hold her and talk to her.. and other days she only wants her mama and daddy. :) </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">Friday was a very quiet day for us............ we spent time together as a family and decorated our tree.. tis very beauitful. Vincent helped me with it and rearranged the xmas lights just so... and he was running backand forth with me to fix the green leaves and setting up the lights.. it was a precious 2 year old memory with him always. Tori was sleeping but when she woke up she got to see the lights.. and she likes it but she is not suepr interested in right now.... :) </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;">it was a beautiful quiet weekend.......... with time with family. I remind myself.. even with the craziness that surronds me everyday.... I am truly blessed and thankful for my kids and Andy...... my life would be so different without them :) </span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-78551956798331422982011-11-21T21:07:00.000-08:002011-11-21T21:07:19.883-08:00Potty Training a 2 year old<span style="color: #6aa84f;">So.. I am potty training a 2 year old now...... Yep.... im in the troughs like every other frazzled mom. On top of having 2 kids- both in diapers and one that is Diva- and Vincent is such a sweet devil child that makes me utter- sweet baby jesus about 1,000 times a day. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">In mid- October- I had finally seen that Vincent was Ready to start potty training. I wrestled with first time mom questions like- AM I THINKING he is ready or is he ready truly? am I doing this because I am sick of having 2 kids in diapers and changing them both all day long? Yes... but vincent seemed emotionally, and physically ready...... but the doctor said not to push it...... BUT i have 2 kids in diapers!!! my sister C- she said if you're ready and hes ready then let it happen. So- off to the store we brought his potty chair and his potty training book- and a bag of skittles to bribe him (im such a great mom) and big boy underwear.. and we told him you have to go potty in potty so you can wear big boy underwears.........</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">As soon I placed vincent on the potty and looked at him..........and my mind twirled backwards to the day i gave birth to him..... how quickly had time flown by? how possible is that? It still feels like a few months ago I just had him and here is my vincent as a 2 year old ready to be a big boy. I find with every big moment- my heart feels sorrow and also joy and triumph because my little boy is growing up but sorrow because every step I give him-- he is leaving me a little bit more each day. I remind myself what I do now to help him will make him a wonderful man xomeday.. I can only hope.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">A few days of potty training he wouldn't do it.......and then all of the sudden he did....... and lots of hugs and high fives and some skittles. he was game. He quickly learned if he went pee or poop he got skittles.... and he really has taken a interest in it.. Now he goes with some regularity but we struggle with staying dry and him wanting to be a baby- and a big boy. I know everyone struggles with this. and we are working on it as a family. At this point I realize Vincent will always need me no matter what.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">He goes through fits and days he doesn't want to go into it.. but recently he has started to go again... so I am hoping maybe he will be all done potty training during the day for christmas. that would be nice. and save money and he will be a BIG BOY...... for now.. he is alternating between big boy pull ups and diapers.</span><br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;"> I have found that it works. Vincent does not really like the diapers anymore.. so I tell him well.. if you wont go pee i have to put the diapers on........... so he really TRIES to go pee to avoid the diapers. :) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #6aa84f;">who knows.. maybe in a few weeks i'll be posting he is all done and is wearing underwears. :) we will see. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-79799837510654536252011-11-17T21:01:00.000-08:002011-11-17T21:01:56.833-08:00what is it like having a 2 year old??<span style="color: magenta;">Two Year olds.......... are FUN........... and DEVIOUS.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Here is how my day goes now with the children- and I lovingly refer to vincent as a demon child-mind you he is sweet as pie.. but has his Devil moments.......... Tori so far is the Diva. :)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Diva gets up at 7-730 am.... Eat, and be changed</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">7:45 to about 9:00 playtime for Diva...</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Vincent gets up around 8-830- potty and cereal and milk</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Callilou goes on the tv... </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">9- time to eat for Tori again and change and dressed for the day</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">930- vincent dressed and potty again or change depending on his MOOD. </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">10:30 Diva gets cranky.. and crankier...... vincent gets mad because I am dealing with DIVA and decides to go off and......create trouble that i will find... and later yell about.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">11- tori eats again and she plays for a while usually off to nap around 11:30 -12 30 depending on the day and what time she gets up.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">I find mess- clean up and yell at vincent and put him in a chair... </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Making lunch......</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">eat lunch........</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">play with vincent</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">1:30-2:30 Diva wakes up and wants to eat. Vincent gets mad again because Diva cut his play time short with mommy- he goes off to create another mess or whine about why Wii isn't playing callilou or Bar-fart_ney... lord help me. </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Tori gets changed after eat.. then its play time and I clean up the mess Evil child makes.. I beg said evil child to take a nap- no go.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">I guess if Diva cut his playtime short with mommy and Diva takes up mommys attention he must stay up all day so he can drive me crazy- boy am I a glutton for punishment now!</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">4:00- vincent starts getting cranky- hungry for a snack- eats snack- Diva usually screams for food too.- feed and change - I look at the clock and think to myself.. praise sweet baby jesus 2 hours to kill until andy gets home and i can pass off the devil child on him. </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">5:00 sometimes tori takes a very short late nap.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">vincent has made numberous mess and most likely will make a mess before dad arrives home just for the hell of it.. by the end of the day, I have said about 1,000 Nos, Please don't. and you better think twice before you......................... </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Diva just screams all day when she isn't being paid attention to and it is most likely to happen when Devil child makes a mess and i must clean.</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Man.. a two year old is exhausting............. but Vincent yet has so MUCH energy. I think I should ask him to bottle it up and give it to momma.. he sure loves me........... but he still likes being evil. </span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">(sigh)</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Off to another day tomorrow.......</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta;">Stay Tuned- vincent's first Christmas parade this weekend in GB. :) YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY :) </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-8636500762260119512011-11-10T20:33:00.000-08:002011-11-10T20:33:55.782-08:00Sorry it's been so long<span style="color: #674ea7;">Man... it has been really busy around here with two kids.. I have so much to catch you all up on... first of all.. Halloween was Awesome. I invited Ashley to come and hang out with me and "assist" with trick or treating since Andy was going to be working late so he missed out on all the halloween fun! Boo. We dressed vincent up as Spiderman- let's just say he was VERY EXICTED to be spiderman.. and was showing Ashley how he could fly. :) it was so cute to watch my 2 year old Truly believe in imagation and really think in someway he could really fly. It makes me feel like I have done a good job so far as a mother- if Vince feels secure enough to really let go of reality and imagine for a while. Victoria was going to be a pumpkin- but due to the weather and I was not sure how long we would be out for.. I transformed victoria into a pink bunny from the xmas story. I am sure one day Tori will kill me for doing that to her.. but she was SO CUTE. Vincent was raring to go.. once he figured out he was getting candy from the neighbors... we were out for a hour and 20 minutes.. and even stopped to visit Grandpa M. Grandpa M was very happy to see him and vincent was "chattering" a lot about the candy. victoria the bunny slept the whole time in the stroller which amazed me and Ashley. she must have been very warm and cozy in the stroller and the stroller moved a lot. :) We got a lot of candy......... a lot. Ashley and Stu also contributed to vincent's sugar high by buying him skittles- a love of vincent and Stu's forever...... it was pretty funny to see vincent all hyper from all the sugar :) By the time Ash left.. Vincent started behaving like a drunken spiderman.. it was pretty funny. poor kid. haha. memories.</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">So now that halloween is done... we just had Victoria's 6 month check up completed- and she is 16 pounds 1 oz, 25 1/4 inches tall and her head is about 42 cm. - she was born with a 32 cm head.. so she has doubled in everything since she is born which is what they want to see... so they were very pleased... execpt she has had a horrible yeast infection that we've had a hard time resolving.. thankfully to the nurses of bellin- someone told me to give her a baking soda bath.. and it cured the inflmation. I am SO happy. </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7;">Next.. it started to snow!!!! it was pretty crazy because we still have leaves on our trees around here and it usually doesn't really snow until right before thanksgiving- like when it gets super cold...... well.. the sky just started dumping rain.. it became freezing rain.. and it became snow. Vincent was VERY excited when he saw this. I explained it was snow not rain and he was running around the house signing frantically mama its snoooooooooooooooooowing. Great. thanks for the alert weatherman Vincent. :) Vincent will also alert me to the fact it is raining outside. It is so cute how Vincent is very interested in the weather changes and what is going on outside. so it snowed all day... and It got me started to think about christmas.. I admit i had been thinking about christmas because of the kids and what they want and need for christmas. but.. the snow made me really think about how exicted i am for it this year.. Vincent really enjoys watching Christmas movies with Barney and Caillou and I think once we have the tree up and get ready for christmas.. I plan on counting down the many days of christmas with him and really teaching him what christmas is all about.. giving and recieving.. and of course the decorations and meeting Santa. :) vincent had met santa last year.. but was too afraid to sit with him and have his picture taken. I am also looking forward to vincent's christmas pictures with his new little sister. It should be interesting because tori is now rolling all over the place and TRYING to creep but she goes backwards.. she is also very vocal.. and very demanding. Lately she has been a crab. It is no fun-I barely get things done because when one is sleeping the other wants attention. Man. :) juggling two kids........... </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-83285092106855889762011-10-11T13:03:00.000-07:002011-10-11T13:03:15.616-07:00snot factory.. drip.. drip.. sneeze!Greetings.......<br />
I can't believe I am actually posting during the day.. many of you know I post at night after the babies are in bed. My babies are sick...... with colds........... from their daddy. we love andy so much this week don't we? he came down with a cold on thursday and it's a not a pretty one.. but what cold is? he has been sneezing, having sore throats and coughing a lot. sadly.. he passed this on to me out of love, and the children too....... so our house has now shifted from the poop factory to the snot factory.. I am sure we could make MONEY by the massive amounts of product we produce. :)<br />
I have been sick tooo..... but moms never have the day off..... :) <br />
<br />
Vincent has been sick since sunday.. and tori just started today and I call it the sniffles and a little sneezing. Not as bad as i feared. she is faring well but sleeping a lot more than usual. vincent my 2 year old that NEVEr naps, has napped yesterday for 3 and half hours. and today hes down for another nap. I must say I ENJOY it when he's sick.. not when hes screaming at me to make him better...... but when hes sleeping because then I can actually.. blog, read a book and dance in my living room with no one watching......... oh crap! I let that out... yes. I dance......... can a deaf person dance? yes.. maybe not in perfect timing but...... we do. :)<br />
with much love from the snot factory...... 'til next time<br />
<br />
snotty boogersAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-7000770297193992062011-10-09T21:56:00.000-07:002011-10-09T21:56:45.292-07:00Birth Stories<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I thought it'd be fun to document my 2 kid's Birth Stories since some people might be interested in what its like to be deaf and giving birth- trust me, it is NOT all that different- just one extra person in the room and that person is just to tell people what you are saying and translating what they are saying into ASL.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Vincent Michael entered our lives on June 17th, 2009. What a Adventure that was. I was deathly afraid of giving birth.... I am not.. good with pain at all but I endured. :) I was having braxton hicks for about a month- they are fake contractions that are irregular. I was waiting and waiting.. for our little boy to get here- I just couldn't wait to meet him and hold him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">June 16th.. I had let the dogs out (trooper RIP, and Lady) and they came back in and I was changing the sheets on the bed.. and I had one HUGE contraction and it actually hurt... I was like... Ok that "felt" different... we will see if It keeps going. That was noonish. 3 hours later around 3pm.. I was starting to realize that we are probably going to meet vincent that night or the next day because my contractions were about 8-10 minutes apart.. Andy and I were talking on text (cell phones) he was trying to decide if he should come home or not or if I could wait.. I was not in too much pain so i was like whatever babe. I don't think hes going to come until Late tonight or in the morning. (how wrong was I!) our ex- roommates came home and had a bagful of baby stuff for Vincent and I laughed and said Im in labor we think. and they laughed at the Irony of it and asked if andy was coming home or if there was anything I needed- i'm like andy will get home when he can and Im ok just having some pain. the Pain got a little worse and I told him.. maybe you should come home now... I had my last meal... choc chip cookie at 4:30...I didn't eat until 11pm on the 17th. They told me with vincent you couldn't eat when you suspected you were in labor. Liars.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">6 pm contractions were coming about 6-8 minutes now and fairly strong.. Trooper and Lady are running around playing while I am having contractions.. at this point I can sort of talk through them but they hurt more than earlier. Andy and I talk about what to do about the dogs and plans for the next few days. Andy calls his dad and asks if they can watch dogs for 2-3 days- they of course say yes. Lady and trooper headed over there and Lady was NOT happy about being sent away. Sorry pretty girl.. Trooper didn't really care he was only 5 months old and Almost housebroken. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">8pm- contractions are about 5-7 minutes apart and a little bumpy. We finally call the dr and the dr says 5-6 minutes apart for a hour then come in. WHOO HOO! so I am texting everyone we know and saying baby may be here soon! and walking and packing andys snack labor bag. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">9-30 pm..driving to hostipal- contractions still going........</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">10 30- still having contractions but they slowed down- my mom shows up at the hostipal all ready to meet her grandson. They said I was only 3 cm dilated but had bloody show but DR will not decide until morning.. what to do. mom heads home sadly.. and says.. call me if you start labor. any time!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">17th-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">the BIG day is here.. 8:00 am. Dr asks if i want vincent out today or if i want to wait. I said NO i want him out hes getting too big. Ok, so off we go on the inducement- they broke my water right away and let me sit like that and said let's see if we get things moving. my water breaking didn't do anything, so they put me on pitcoin by 10 am. I thought oh for sure we would meet vincent that afternoon. they kept upping pitcoin and by 1 pm i was in pain and only 4-5 cm dilated. I felt like it was FOREVER. I opted for the epidural because I thought I had "pain' (I laugh now because of my birth experience with Tori) The epidural helped a lot but they missed a spot on my right side on my lower right hip side.. so I felt contractions and pain the ENTIRE time. Carrie and Andy begin to talk about "sweet baby jesus" from talledga nights- hey sweet baby jesus lets hurry up and get this baby out, sweet baby jesus less pain please. This was going on while i was getting the epidural- Carrie and Andy were laughing their butts off, my Epidural doctor was full of jokes.. he said a joke abbout a elphant or some stupid crap.. I was like JUSt PUT IT IN then tell me the jokes. People. I was not amused at all. around 3pm that day Andy eats a bag of jalpeno chips.. and it stunk up the whole room and I couldn't eat anyway! I looked at him and was like what the hell are you eating it stinks?!!! and he looks at me and smiles and says jalepeno chips. I am like stop eating it. it stinks. I don't like it. and he breathes jalenpeno chip air on me like AHHHHH. I promptly flipped him off. My mom was in the room with me and she LAUGHED and laughed. glad i could amuse her but boy was i annoyed. how dare he!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">6pm- I was defteinetely feeling more pressure and pain.. I kept saying I gotta go poop and theyre like no thats the babys head moving down. I'm like whatever it HURTS. I was surpised i was able to feel as much as I did. I suppose the epidural was probably a bad shot. (ha ha!) I was about 6-7 cm dilated so the nurses are like you are almost there.. maybe a hour-two you will start pushing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">7:30 I was 9 cm... finally.......... 8:00 i was complete on one side and 9 and half on the other side. so flip flop lauren like a pancake and a few minutes later I was done. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">so around 8:05ish- I started pushing........ and pushing............I swear to god it was the hardest thing i've ever had to do.. and I was so tired.. and you know these scenes in the movies where the mom says she is so tired and she wants to give up and the baby can stay inside her forever. I said that. I told everyone im done.. Vincent can stay inside where he is and I am perfectly fine with that. No, everyone said no you can do it you can push you're just almost done. REALLY... fine..</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">9:13 pm... vincent was born and our lives were forever changed. He was placed on my tummy and blue and purple. Andy and I expected to see a happy pink baby and not a purple little guy so we were both freaked as first time parents as what to expect and do... but they said because of me taking so long to push and the long labor.. about 12 hours of labor then a hour 10 minutes-ish of pushing. Vincent was screaming and breathing ok. We were so happy to meet him though :) I still remember holding him and being amazed at how little he was and how sweet he was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The whole deafness thing didn't stop me from having a baby. we had a awesome interpreter in the birth room.. and she jsut translated whatever the nurses were talking about (if) i was awake. I slept a lot through this labor because i was in pain and not feeling good. I thought it was hard before I had vincent to have a interpreter but in the end I was SO glad she was there because she helped so much.. and andy was able to enjoy being there for me and being a dad and not having to... "work" for me. haha.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Victoria's part......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Victoria was born April 23rd, 2011</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I also had braxton hicks with Victoria for about a month as well but these were stronger so I never knew if it was the real thing or not. I spent many a night on the couch watching t.v. and contracting and watching the clock. I was so exicted to meet our little girl.. and give vincent his little sister... I was thankful we had her healthy and alright. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thursday the 21st-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was planning on begging my dr to induce me.... because I wanted her out and it was my birthday- i really didn't care if i spent it in the hostipal. I just wanted her born. Looking back now, maybe i knew I should have her sooner than later? mother's inutution? Dr had said that Bellin was full of patients and they wouldn't send me unless i was contractiong- great the only day I wasn't contracting all week. I was 4 cm so i could go anytime.. just had to start contracting. I made the desicion to send Vincent to Nanna B's house because I knew i could have her that night, fri or sat... or sunday... and I figured well if the dr knows I could go anytime and im 4 cm. this baby could move quick...... so off he went for his first sleepover without any practice.. and poor mommy had to deal. I missed him horribly but i had time to prepare for Victoria's arrival and clean... I was SO mad she still hadn't arrived on friday afternoon. I finally decided i was going to eat lunch/dinner and take a nap- well deserved after all the cleaning. I ate Arbys and off to dreamland i went.......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I woke up in a middle of a contraction....... and It did not feel right... and I've had one of those a few times but this was super scary. my contraction would not stop............. and it would keep going for number of minutes and nearly kill me. I was laying there thinking ok i want this to stop now. andy finally helped me sit up and it kind of subsided- and I thought i need to go to the bathroom and walk around or something. I went to the bathroom and....... then Victoria just wouldn't move. I poked her i shook my belly- my tummy was hard as a rock but no baby movement..... I started to freak out as any mom knows when your baby isn't moving espically after a bad contraction like that you freak. I told andy she wasn't moving and he got very nervous and.. told me to call the dr. it was right at 5pm when they were done for the day at the doctors office so they had to beep the dr and have him call us right back.... I was pretty sure we would end up at the hostipal because that was just WEIRD. Dr called back and andy explained in man sense what happened LOL and he is like have her drink some orange juice, lay down for a hour and the baby should move...... if not then call me back and we'll meet up at the hostipal. so lay down i went on my left side........... and victoria did start kicking............ and SO did my contractions..... they went from 7 mins apart to about 3-5 minutes apart. Andy is like well, screw it, I am sick of waiting to see if its the real labor so we are going in and we are NOT leaving without a baby. HAHA andy. thanks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We go in............ my contractions stopped (what the hell?!) but the nurse said the dr did want to talk about inducement on sat morning since i am almost 40 weeks. (40 weeks monday) but wanted to send me home. Andy is like NO. we are not leaving here because our ins will make us pay twice. dr said ok fine you can stay and then asked us to do a non stress fetal test with tori where I had to feel her kicking and press a button. that was fun. Not.. Carrie and I and andy all hung out for a few hours watching my contractions and watching t.v. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Andy went home to sleep to get ready for the big day- I was so sure dr would let me go and have this baby. I was ready! 3 am..... I had a KILLER contraction the same one like at 3pm that afternoon............ and it went for i think about 5 minutes long or 6 min. and there were a couple dips. the nurse came back in and said, ok this is called triple chain contraction. which means you have 3 contractions that are happening at the same time on top of each other. Great...... I don't want that. Thank You - it hurts. No food. great. damn it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> 7 30am- they wake me up to wait for the dr to meet about inducement.... what a quack. I couldn't eat breakfast because of the stupid contraction at 3 am. Carrie and I filled andy in what happened at 3 am........ and he was like but they said ur ok right? uh yes if i wasn't they would have gotten the baby out right away and you would have gotten a phone call. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">finally at 10 am after a Long time of waiting........ the dr shows up.. I am a little irriated because i could have slept until 9 30 but WHATEVER. I want to meet HER. Dr says: ok fine, I will induce you..... but if it doesn't work then you have to go home and wait for her to come on her own terms. Dr also DX me with Irriatable uterus..... and the only cure: is having the baby. Great. thanks. she better come. so they got the water IV in, the pictoin started.. and that took about a hour to do because they couldn't figure out the machine....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">so at around 11 30 they got the pitcoin running and i am drinking apple juice, orange juice and popsicles and chilling and chatting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">12 30 they brought me a cup of broth and some jello.............. real food. seeing as I hadn't ate since 3pm the day before (except for some M and M's carrie snuck me she is awesome) carrie was fixing my table.......... and my water broke......... I was like...... I think...... my water broke........im not sure but.......... gush....... yes.... carrie is like can i look? im like uve seen everything haha! she checked and yep it broke... and what a MESS. so the nurses came in and we're like water broke... and they looked and confirmed that my water did indeed break. Great. so they changed my sheets, changed my gown and i went pee... Yay they went to report to Dr that i was going to be having the baby in a few hours.....around 1pm... things were moving right along, my contractions started getting worse, and they were coming really fast and strong. Please god don't let this kill me now!!! At this time I opted to ask for a epidural. Lamaze class was the best thing EVER for this birth...... I think if i never learned the technqiues from this class. I would probably have been throwing stuff at everyone in the room.. and swearing. I only swore once.... and my nurses knew exactly what i just said- and theyre like Yep we know and it was funny. I told andy quite a few times we were NOT having anymore children...............and how much it hurt. holy cow. 2:30 rolls around.. my epidural guy strolls in and asks how i am doing and how dilated I am...... and the nurse says 8 cm.. and hes like do u still want the epidural.......I m like PUT THE damn THING IN now. hes like you have to be nice to me..... Ugh i just want IT IN now (thinking: what?! I am in Fooking pain and you're asking me to be nice to you, you are a man, you do not understand, you deserve to have ur balls chopped off in order to understand why i want the epidural NOW) so he puts it in, and I cried the whole time because my contractions were killing me.. the needle didn't hurt much the contractions hurt more. that was 3pm... the epidural was put in in just enough time to take away the pain of the contraction.....and they said yep ur a 10 ur ready to roll. so they called the 30 people in the room that they have to have in a room for a birth. and they asked if it was my first or 2nd? I was like my 2nd. the nurse said oh it will go much faster with her now. I was like uh ok i just want her out. 5 big pushes and she was born a little grayish-pretty pink looking little girl. Victoria Marie 7 lbs 13 oz I immediately start shaking like I had the chills or seizures. I feel bad but I was just not interested in holding her at all at that moment.. i looked at her and i was like ok shes out and shes fine...... now i just need time to stop shaking and feel like myself. andy was worried about me since with vincent i was able to have him and push him out and hold him right away. It took me 50 mins after tori was born to want to hold her. Its not to say I loved both of my kids any different, its just the birth situations were VERY different. I love both of my kids more than anything else in the world... it is because of them, I know I was put on this earth to be their mother. I feel it every time vincent hugs me in that "only for mommy" way and Victoria leans her head on my shoulder and snuggles. In those quiet short moments I have with my babies............ I realize over and over, I was blessed with 2 amazing gifts that I will hold for a lifetime knowing they both have left their handprints on my heart. I will never forget the memories, the joy.. the love of raising 2 kids. the struggles with having 2 kids 2 years apart is hard but I wouldn't trade any minute of it. My kids are meant to be mine. :)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-6873380838425325442011-09-27T06:25:00.000-07:002011-09-27T06:25:29.262-07:00Deaf Awareness week<span style="color: red;">DAY two-</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Deaf awareness week is "celebrated" September 26th-30th or around the last week of September- it gives us a opporunity to celebrate and socialize with other people that are deaf- and also to educate the general public and students and co workers about what deafness is all about.... and really.. ask anything.... we have heard everything a-z- I am almost never shocked anymore.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">being deaf doesn't mean I live in a world of silence... It means my life is more enriched by having 2 cultures. I grew up in a hearing household and my children are growing up in a bilingual culturally life and household. they are so lucky. I often say I am just on the bridge between both worlds because I can talk and sign and hear with my cochlear implant so everything is "open" to me so to speak. there are people that choose to stay in the deaf world- marry a deaf person and maybe luckily have deaf children someday and work in a deaf supported enviroment. </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">Now, going to the deaf panel yesterday- my job isn't working or being a student right now- it's being a mom and teaching my 2 beautiful kids all about ASL and trying to raise them to the best of my ability and hoping someday to make them into amazing, wonderful young people that I love. It was so much fun talking about my kids- I have stories and stories full of just "vincent" :) Victoria is too little to start telling stories about but she has her own development milestones that I love to brag about as well. it doesn't hurt they are cute.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Now... for today I will fill you in on some common deaf awareness things so you know for future reference- in case you come across a deaf person and you.......... want desperately to know what to do?</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">first of all.. don't feel stupid- there is no such thing as stupid questions really.. and we don't bite... </span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">1. just make sure we are looking at you when you approach.... I've noticed now with my kids espically- if I have my kids with me I am often focused on them and not really thinking about if someone else will approach me- so tap us on the shoulder if you want to converse. </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">2. about 90 percent of hearing parents HAVE deaf children. Often times- deaf people have hearing children- it is about 10 percent of deaf people that go on to have deaf children (depending on genetics)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">3. gesture if you need to- don't be afraid to look stupid.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">4. if you converse with a person that is deaf and can read lips... don't overextragge lip movements or try to talk reallly slow (like hoooooooooooow aaaaaaaaaaaaareeeeeee yoooooooooooooooou) its very annoying to us and we ARE used to reading lips and if we need you to slow down or write something down we don't understand- we WILL ask</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">5. how do deaf people know when sounds are happening? we have flashing lights or some people have a hearing dog for this purpose- OR have a hearing person around. Pretty much now days with texting you could actually text a deaf person now and tell them you're coming and they will expect you. </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">6. deaf people live and die by texting. its the newest mode of communication other than IM- and it's made life a LOT easier because now we can text a hearing person too and it is like "chatting" on the phone.</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">7. deaf people have videophones that we can call anyone and sign. It's really cool</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">8. remember always... deaf people ARE just like you- we are normal human beings and our ears simply don't work- there are deaf people with more disabilities as well but MOST deaf people are normal.. we vary as well there are people that can talk and sign, people that don't talk but sign... and different SIGN choices like (ASL, PSE and SEE) </span><br />
<span style="color: red;">I hope I educated you a little bit about what to do around deaf people... oh yeah.. it doesn't hurt to learn a few of the basic signs as well... don't be afraid to ask a deaf person to sign with you- we are always willing to help you learn our language. :) </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-33333208261695650442011-09-26T21:41:00.000-07:002011-09-26T21:41:45.423-07:00going back to old stomping groundsToday- was a interesting adventure... I decided two weeks ago to become part of a deaf panel for deaf awareness week at NWTC (my old college- and may be re-new- college lol) so I decided that it would be best if Vincent went off for the afternoon with a Sitter- and Victoria would get to come with. :) <br />
This week is deaf awareness week- which means you educate yourself or learn about what is it like to be deaf. or how to acclimate yourself to socializing with a deaf person and so on and on. <br />
it was so nice to visit my stomping grounds and show off my newest little addition to our krause family. victoria is so sweet- it is just so easy to show her off. Everyone was asking about vincent though and how he was doing and what he was up to.<br />
The deaf panel was very interesting and there was 4 of us on the panel and we all got to explain different point of views or opinions about deaf people and our experiences of life. I- of course a proud mother of 2 CODA cihldren couldn't resist talking about my little ones. :) It is very interesting how 4 different deaf people have different experiences and learn differently and have different opinions and also STILL have silimar experiences with "deaf-impared" people as I like to say.<br />
Afterwards it was actually more fun because it was time to really socialize and chat among ourselves the hard work was over and really discuss different things we wanted to happen at NWTC- it sounds like a ASL Deaf club may be in the works there... I'm starting to think about setting up something where young people can get together and chat in the GB area- or even the FV area. funny- now that tori is getting older- I find that I am starting to have the itch to still be a mom- but start exploring the possibilities my life will go in now foward as mother of two.<br />
Vincent was a little disappointed that mommy was busy- but he was having such a blast with his sitter that I don't think it even really mattered- he even convinced her to buy him some skittles and some dinosuar toy.. that boy is going to grow up really spoiled because he knows how to work it! (sigh) :)<br />
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going to blog more tomorrow about deaf awareness--- stay tuned!<br />
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Yours,<br />
<br />
luluAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7829050899988460208.post-13283596468781061752011-09-21T12:08:00.000-07:002011-09-21T12:08:41.665-07:00being a deaf mom<span style="color: #20124d;">On october 22nd,2008.. My life was changed forever- I recieved the first and 3 postive tests- I was pregnant with our first child- Vincent Michael...... now began my journey into motherhood and began my journey into being a deaf mother and juggling 2 cultures... and life itself... crazy.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I absoutely loved being pregnant with both of my kids.. My pregnancies were both very different but it was a joy carrying them. I still think about the days I spent carrying them and feeling them.. what a remarkable experience I will never have back.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">I worried about everything like a first time mom would do, I read books, I set up vincents room with clothes and bumpers and prepared for his arrival... and once he was here.. In the hositpal- how would we deal with him crying and I wouldn't be able to hear him? Luckily bellin where we had our kids offered rooming in AND sending the baby to the nursery- and I worked a solution out where We could keep our little baby with us until about 10 at night- and I would feed him/her and send them off to the nursery and they would take care of vincent so I could sleep- and came back every 2-3 hours depending on when the baby was hungry. It was a perfect solution......... then coming home. It was crazy.... waking at all hours with the baby montior or Andy would wake me up- we decided not to go with the lights flashing because andy needed his sleep for work- so I had to make do until the kids slept through the night. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">Being a deaf mom- I know I get a lot of attention when we go shopping and I have to yell at vincent in the store (he's two after all) People stare- (oh that poor deaf woman is yelling at her kid in a STRANGE accent) or people just smile at me shyly and wonder how on earth could I have one kid, or even TWO perfectly healthy normal children while being deaf (and to those that think that I heartily bop you on the head :) :) ) </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">Here is a funny example that happened last week... I went shopping at target and Victoria was being happy as can be and either wanting to be held or looking around in her carseat. Vincent was running around the infant/toddler dept throwing his pooh bear around to himself and laughing and chattering- ok maybe to the average person- my child was having too much fun- but to ME it meant I could have about 30 mins of shopping to myself without him annoying me about something. so i am picking out the kids fall outfits for this fall and winter.... they are getting so big! so I am shopping and shopping because i have 2 kids to buy for and I wanted to get done before lunch so i could get the wee little one to nap, and vincent home to rest. All of the sudden vincent was running around and being goofy.. and I realized our dear little pooh bear boppy blanky security thing went missing. FOOK! FOOK! we have to find it now... so andy's mom (we'll call her Nanna B) Nanna B started helping me look for it while I was freaking out on the inside, and we asked vincent a MILLION times in many different ways where it could be. Vincent in his simple 2 year old style was like.. I don't know I don't know I don't know. so we LOOKED EVERYWHERE... under the clothing racks.. in between the clothes.. on top of the shelves.. even in the carseat aisle........ NO bear found. so I am going in circles and now freaking out because I know vincent does not care NOW but he will later when it is time to go to sleep and he wants it. Ah....... Ok, so I asked Nanna B to ask the nice target worker if she had seen anything- she had said no but if something was dropped or whatever- sometimes someone picks it up and brings it to customer service or front desk.. Ok fine.. so I sent V and Nanna B off to front desk to see if they had it.. and they didn't........ so I am now majorly kind of freaking out and going oh my god what am i going to do tonight when he goes to bed?! and he asks for it?! so I told Nanna B we have to look for it some more.. we are not leaving here without finding that fooking thing!!!!!! Nice target worker comes back up to us and says they found it under some clothing racks in the Infants dept and someone brought it up front.......... GREAT. so I sent nanna B and Vincent to go retrive it. I'm buying more stuff... and then they came back and vincent was carrying his pooh bear and I am like SO thankful to see that damn thing but at the same time a little mad. SO i start signing to vincent that he needs to be nice to pooh bear and that he can't be hiding pooh bear in places we can't find because it is not nice to give mommy a heart attack. meanwhile Nanna B is like I can tell you were majorly freaked out and she was giggling the entire time.. Ah Grandmas! how soon they forget. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">That whole experience made me realize i am going to have to brush up on asking people for things and help.. espically with two little ones and their security blankys. We have a cute Monkey Boppy head thing for Victoria... I think after this.. I am going to buy her 2 or 3 of the same boppy head blanky so we don't have to freak out if we lose one. lord help me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;"> I asboutely love it when people ask me questions on how it is like to be a deaf mom......... I seriously dead pan- and go............ of course- it is just being like YOU except i cant hear....... granted my kids have to take on a little more than most kids and help their poor amazing supermom (if i say so) I only hope it makes them a better, stronger couple of kids.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">questions people have asked me:</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">How do you hear the baby cry?</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">Baby monitor or for some people- they use flashing lights I use a combo of using Andy- and the baby montior</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"> when you're pregnant and u go to the doctor and you want to know if the babys heart is beating?</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">Luckily my OB at the time was very nice- and I had a great interpreter- the interpreter would sign if the babys heart is beating and if it is fast or slow and sign the heart rate number when the doctor announces it- also I was allowed to feel the doppler thumping.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">wow, deaf people can have a child??</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">yes, really, I have two.. deaf people can have sex just like you can and probably louder too. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">is the birth experience normal?</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">Normal... yes.. lots of pain.. the only difference is at the end you have one extra person in the room with you other than your husband or BF or some family members that is translating everything that is being said and done.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">does it make it easier for your children to be bilingual?</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;">yes.. vincent has learned early on that he is BI-lingual- he is my little coda in training so to speak. I have seen him go back and forth between english and ASL pretty flawlessly. He will go to his grandparents and speak english with them and chatter.. while at home with me and Andy he will use ASL (which is enforced here) and english if andy is speaking with him. WE also enforce reading books here- we read books often throughout the day and right before bed...... enforcing ASL and english. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d;">I couldn't imagine not being deaf and being a mom. Being a deaf mom brings a extension to my life that wouldn't otherwise exisient.. and I really love seeing Vincent sign.. and I am already signing with victoria. Granted, being deaf brings challenges and a lot of stupid questions from those unknowing deaf-impaired people but its part of a greater culture and a different way of life that I love living. I only hope that my children someday grow up to appericate the wonderful gift i have given them-- to know deaf culture and thrive in 2 worlds........ and somehow and someway it clashes perfectly. after all,, that is how i live my life... a perfect clash..... :) </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17247959175339014984noreply@blogger.com0