Winter Blues

I am sick.

The kids are sick.

Dude, I gotta give my mom props for taking care of us when we were sick and she was too.

I have never been sick at the same time as the kids.

and usually Johnny is there to help.

(since we don't go out on New Years, he volunteered to work this holiday weekend).

and with Emmett, he can't sit up yet, so every time he has to cough, (which is a lot), I have to lay him forward and do ascending back percussions to get the guck up.  Not your normal hit of the back.  I am determined to not let my little one get pneumonia.  I am watching him like a hawk.

The house is turning into a mess. 

That is something that seems to make being sick worse....a dirty house.

Oh and when Savannah is sick, she tends to have accidents overnight.  I don't know why, maybe becuz she feels like shit and her body aches, so she doesn't want to get outta bed to go potty.  I get it. but that is more cleaning for me to do, and I feel like shit too.  humph.

If the kids are sick, I'm good.  If just I am sick, its okay.  And Johnny is there to either help with me or the kids.  But now....we are all sick and he is off to work. boo. 

Christmas ya say?

Yah...I decided I am not going to write about our Christmas.  I mean, it was great and tons of fun and tiring and everything that Christmas is.  But everyone writes about Christmas.  It is kind of the same thing over again. 
But...I am going to write about my sister's Christmas.  Why?  Because my little sister got engaged!  Can I get a woot woot?!  And it is a totally short, but cute story.  Our family tradition is to play the game Guesstures during the holidays.  Now if you know the game...you put four cards in place and you only have a certain amount of time to act out what is on the card before it falls out of its place, then you move on to the next card when someone either guesses what you are doing or the card falls.



Here is the setup:
So...Jenna (my sis), Tommy (the bf), his family, and my mom and her bf all at Tommy's place on Christmas Eve, getting ready to place Guesstures.

Tommny volunteers to go first.  So he does the first three cards, and once he gets to the the last card, he points to himself, in which everyone responds "boy!".  Then he points to Jenna, "girl".  And then he gets down on one knee...and Jenna all the while still thinking this is a game says "propose, propose".  BAM!  Tommy whips out the little black box.  Now picture the confusion setting in over my sister as she is figures out if this is real.  She just puts her hands up to her mouth and says "are you serious?  are you serious!?"  She says it like 5 times.  He asks her, she says yes, everyone is cheering and clapping.  But my favorite part is actually when you can hear my mom totally GASP when Tommy whips out the ring.  LoL.  (this was all video taped and is up on my fb).

They aren't getting married till 2012, but I am so excited that they are finally engaged and my baby sister is getting married, who isn't really a baby, she is gonna be 24 in a few months.  I think they have been together for like 3 years.  BTW, Tommy is Johnny's cousin.  LoL.  Well congrats anyways Jigga-Laday.

the Hunger Games



I am a reader-aholic.  I can read a book a day...or if it is a huge book, maybe a couple of days.  I am also a speed reader. No...not just reading fast, legit speed reading and I read everyword and remember everything.  I never miss any details and no I do not skim or meta-guide. 

Well, Freshman year at EHS, there is like a week dedicated to learn how to speed read and after the week is over, they offer a class if you would like to continue to learn this "magical speed reading".   Let's just say I was the only kid in my class that actually signed up for the ROP class and it just ended up me being tutored by my PE teacher, LoL.  (I don't even think they offer it anymore). 
I love to read.  You can ask my parents...ever since I was a wee one, I would find a place in the house or comfy spot on the floor in my parents room and read a shiz-load of books. 

A few years ago I started reading the Twilight Saga, thankfully, because I heard about it through all my LDS friends on blogger.  I would go from blog to blog and it was on everyone's reading list or had posted about it and so, since I am a read-aholic, I got the series.  Loved it, a movie came out, the rest is history.

So over the past couple of years, I have been hearing about the Hunger Games Triology.  I have wanted to buy it, but of course, put other things and others needs before me (awww life of a mom), and would not spend the money to buy it.  Well, my stepmom and dad got me all 3 books for Christmas and I am very excited to start reading.  I also found out that Lionsgate bought the rights and they are going to make a movie and casting will begin early next year.  So for all you fans out there that didn't know about that...your welcome. 

I also want to read The Help, which is also being made into a movie.  Aslo, I am looking forward to Freedom and the appraised the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.  I also tend to like books by authors like Jodi Piccoult, maybe not the best books of the decade, but still good reads.  (I am so over Nicholas Sparks, sorry ya'll.  I am onto his method and kinda bored with it).
Anyone read the Hunger Games?  Thoughts?  Any other books that you liked that came out this year?

Long Hair Troubles

Back when I was the young old age of 19, I had long and gorgeous hair.  Yes, it was very pretty.  I could go the whole day without brushing it and it pretty much stayed nice and straight.  Ahhh...the good old days. I have had different hair colors and shorter hairstyles.
And now I am back to that long hair. I don't use product in my hair.  Never really have even when I was younger.  No hairspray, gel, mousse, special sprays.  Nothing.  And only every once in a while I use a straightener, because my hair is very very straight.  I blow-dry it, maybe once a week, if that.  I usually just brush and air dry and there ya go.  That is how it has always been.

My problem is that ever since I had Emmett, (not savannah), but my second born, my hair is being weird.  I still do all the same things, or not do; but my hair gets tangled really bad.  You can't really tell from looking at it, but underneath it gets crazy tangled and it hurts to brush or comb them out!  I have longer hair (it goes to the bottom of my shoulder blades), and I have to carry a brush with me so I can brush it constantly through out the day.  It is annoying.  So, since I don't use any hair products whatsoever.  Can anyone give me advice on what to do about my tangly hair?  I have no clue.  Help?

the Single Ladies

Summer 2009 with "single" friends from cali. 

  I was pregnant with Emmett here and I met them for lunch. 

So, my two best friends from childhood were up in Vegas this past weekend and decided to stop by for a visit on Saturday. It is kind of sad. They are not really my best friends anymore...actually, barely even friends. Between us, the one that didn't want to get married, didn't want to have kids, had total commitment issues, was me. But something changed when I met Johnny,and I think my friends are still trying to comprehend the past few years.

When I had Savannah, it was surreal. It was "weird" to everyone else that I had a kid. It was "weird" that everything I did, I did with Johnny. And it wasn't becuz he was a control freak...I want to be with him all the time. He is my best friend. To be married, your husband has to be your best friend, over everyone else. Before when I was a "single" lady, or even when i had a boyfriend; he was not put first...my friends were first.
It is hard to talk to them. We do not have anything in common anymore. And while I was once where they are, I am no longer and it is hard to go back to that place. I am no longer a "single" lady. I don't go to school or a job, I don't go out to the bars and drink and "party", I don't date and struggle to find an ok guy. I am not responsible for just myself, but for my husband and my children.
I was supposed to see them on Friday but that was shopping day. My husband is working a crazy work schedule up until Christmas Eve and so we needed to get the rest of the Christmas Shopping done, and get a new tire. By 8 PM, when we were going to go meet them, Savannah had fallen asleep and so we had to cancel.
Why not just leave the kids with Jaw and go out with the girls? Because I didn't want to. I don't want to go anywhere without him. Now...if it was a girls night out among married women or mommy women, then I probably would have gone. The reason is because I have something in common with the wifeys and the mommy's.
And when they came over, I tried my best to ask them questions about what they do, how they have been, how are their jobs.  They didn't ask one single question about Emmett, didn't ask to hold him, ask about his birth, ask how I was doing, nothing. To give them the benefit of the doubt, they were hungover, but still.  So instead, I tried just talking about Emmett.  And it didn't work.  It was kind of awkward, so I just put him back on the ground and shut up.
 And I don't want to sit here and assume it is because Emmett has Down Syndrome. But it is hard not to. Maybe they were uncomfortable (which is totally understandable), and they were afraid to say anything or ask questions. I want people to ask questions! It better to ask questions, no matter how "dumb" they might seem, or rude or invasive, it is better to know than to be ignorant. I wish I could have told them this. I wish they would have known this.

Or maybe it is becuz the only thing I have to talk about, is my kids, and my husband, and how happy I am in life.  Not that they aren't happy in their life.... They just aren't here, where I am. and it is ok. But how do I maintain a friendship? or do I? I think that is what I am most concerned about.

Pro Bass Shop Santa

There are plenty of places to go see Santa in Vegas.

But in this economy and always trying to save what we can, we went to the same place we went last year.

We went to see the Free Santa at Bass Pro Shop here in Vegas.

First off, you get to sit on Santa's lap for free, you get a free (and nice quality) photo of the kids with Santa, they get to tell Santa what they want, and the best part is you get to take all the pictures with your own camera you want...for free.

The Santa is awesome also.  Last year Mrs. Claus was there, but I think she only comes on the weekends when it is more busy.  Anywho....They decorate a whole corner of the store with Santas forest, house, reinder, snowmen, elves.  AND....they have free crafts and games for the kids.  It is pretty awesome.  And if you like the photo they give you, you can buy photo packages that start at 10 bucks, (instead of 25.99) at the store, or go online and do it.

That is just my plug for a place that we went to last year and did again this year.

Last year Savannah was excited to see Santa, a little shy and wouldn't talk to him, but still went up there for a picture.  This year...she was beyond excited, walked right up to him, sat on the lap, smiled for pics, and told him she wanted barbies, paints, and racecars for Christmas.  Emmett was there too, but he slept the entire time!  But I guess that made it easier.  Next year will be more fun for Emmett.

Savannah playing on an ATV while waiting in line to see Santa.

Emmett passed out... we fed him right before we came...shoulda known

Santa Time

Adorbz pic of Savannah....this wasn't even set up...she was looking at the fish tank inside the store, turned around and I snagged the most awesome picture.

Breastfeeding

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh.  My husband just called me from work to tell me about this nurse that is at his work tonight.  First off, my husband works for a hospital network here in LV and there are 3 hospitals owned by the same corporation, k.  Well, sometimes when a nurse or something calls in sick or when the census in the hospital is high, they will call a float nurse over from another hospital to come and help with the extra work. 
Well, tonight they sent this nurse over and Johnny and another one of his fellow coworkers, (we will call her "Ally") were just kinda chit chatting with this new nurse getting to know her.  We will call the new nurse "C".

So they were all talking about their kids becuz they all have 3 year olds.  Johnny starts talking about how Savannah is a picky eater, and then "C" says, "oh my daughter too, I tried to get her to eat the organic baby food, but the only thing she wants is breast milk, so I just keep on breastfeeding her."
!!!!!!!?????WHAT?????!!!!!!

Johnny didn't know what to do and neither Ally, they just stood there shocked.
"C" continues, "yah, my husband thinks it weird, but i kind of like it cuz it really helps me keep weight off....i know that seems selfish, but I work out like every day..."
She just continues to talk normal.  This lady breastfeeds her friggin 3 year old!
Dude!, Of course your 3-yr-old isn't eating!  BABY FOOD!...you tried to feed a 3 year old baby food, organic crap on top of that.....give your kid a friggin cheeseburger....or hey even a garden burger!  She is THREE!

Now, I am by no means a Crunchy mom.  And I actually can't stand full on crunchy moms becuz if you don't do it the vegetarian, organic, cloth diaper, co sleeping, no spanking, no TV way...then you are not good enough for them.
But I do support certain things like BPA free stuff, making homemade baby food(does not have to be organic) and co-sleeping, and some other things.  It doesn't mean you have to get all crazy about it.

But this lady was like way beyond crunchy!  I actually had to google breastfeeding a toddler and was sorry I did! 
It gave the pros and cons.  pros...the same as when you breastfeed an infant.  And there is no evidence saying that breastfeeding into toddler years makes these pros more significant.  So why do it?  I think becuz these women are lazy, and just crazy.  I may make some enemies with this post but I really don't care...its my blog and I think breastfeeding to a year is enough...maybe a lil older.  But into the toddler years.  Too much for me to handle. 

What do you think?  Crunchy? Lazy? or just plain Crazy?

My Brother's Birthday

Today is my older brother, Andrew's 28th Birthday!

This is a great picture of him and his adorable daughter natalie at Disneyland.

My brother is a high functioning autistic.

He didn't talk until he was 2, he was hyperactive and ran away from my parents in public places.

He was socially awkward and had few friends.

The few friends he did have though, had patience for him.

Now...

He is married, has a daughter, is one of the 4 assistant managers at a grocery store.

It was not easy for him to accomplish this and he is still working at it every single day. 

I tried to protect him in high school when jerks were mean to him

 and I still do try to now that we are grown ups.

He is still a kid deep down...running around Disneyland, watching Star Wars, and collecting every DVD and Blu-Ray; in alphabetical order of course.

He is a whiz with computers and knows a lot about technology.

He is my brother and i love him.

(andrew, me, and our lifelong friend lindsay)

(me and andrew)



Homemade Baby Food

So I started Emmett on homemade baby food.  I guess I could have started this earlier but I think I was just lazy.  Yes...my laziness got in the way of my baby's eating habits.  But since Emmett will be on "baby" food longer and  he doesn't like all that Gerber crap, I am giving in.  I made green beans last night for him and he loved them!  He also had some broccoli with a little bit of margarine (don't judge me supermoms....his nutritionist said it was ok! so there!).  I am excited and sending Jaw out to get more fresh food that I can puree.  Hopefully with all this good real food, he will start gaining some more weight.

We are all still suffering from colds and coughs in this house so we didn't do much this week except stay inside, drink warm apple cider and egg nog, and watch movies.  But it looks like everyone is getting close to getting over this thing so next week we will go see Santa, go to the speedway for the Gift of Lights and do some Christmas Shopping.

Emmett Laughing...he has a small patch of hair that always sticks up.  I literally have to gel it down.

 Savannah in her birthday shirt, which is now a pajama shirt and the stuffed animal lion she stole from Emmett.  lolz.



All in his own time

Emmett can't sit up on his own yet.  It seems really selfish to even say this but....I want him to be able to sit up in his high chair for his birthday.  I know this is part of life and part of the journey.  A journey which requires extra patience, but even Emmett is getting frustrated.  You can literally feel his little arms trying so hard to hold himself up, and eventually falling foward.  I know he is trying and I'm trying to help him. 

This week during physical therapy, his PT told me it probably won't happen. I'm being honest...I got upset. I actually cried after she left. (wow, bad mom moment). This is the first time I let Down Syndrome upset me over something so shallow. And of course now I feel guilty for even feeling that way, because, just like him learning to drink a bottle, and lifting his head, and rolling over....sitting up will happen eventually. 

hanging out with grandpa don

the bumbo helps him sit up

Christmas Cookies

The whole family is sick.  Well...in this picture they look cute, but they have had runny noses and hoarse coughs.

While I too should be resting, I cannot stand a unkept house while being sick...it just makes me feel worse. So I cleaned and after I was done, Miss Belle and I made some Christmas Cookies. Nothing fancy, it was just something to keep her preoccupied while I cleaned.