Mom's Chat: Winter Edition

[MCmom]

Hi Lee, Dawn, Niccole, and Stephanie! I hope to hear from you ladies, (and perchance a newbie?), this winter!


We might see "above" freezing this week!

I'm not going on the scale until after Christmas is over. I hope I'm not too shocked! Stayed tuned.

I know we're all busy, tired, and busy. I will try to post every couple days. (unless I get tired of re-reading my own posts! )

[DarkSiren]

Hello from the land of the exhausted.
Santa has visited early this year.
I'm sitting here in tears because we had a donation from family to pay for part of my DH's plane tickets. And then my mother-in-law sent enough to cover the rest of the kids Christmas presents from Santa.
Sometimes do get answered.........
Of course we're not totally in the clear but we're not completely drowning like we were..........
Now to get through this holiday without completely falling apart.

[DarkSiren]

Just wanted to say a quick Happy Holidays to everyone!!!
Hope your weekend goes great!!!
Talk to everyone next week......
Take Care!!!
Dawn

[MCmom]

That's great to hear about your Christmas blessings, Dawn!

It actually got into the 40's today! (10+ degrees above freezing) It's like a heatwave, after the bitterly cold days we've been having.

It's going to be crazy busy the next few days, so I'm here to say:





MaryC

[MCmom]

Christmas went good (inspite of TOM arriving several days too early). Temps. remaining above normal for the rest of December. Incase everyone else is unable to post:

Happy New Year!!!!



MaryC

[DarkSiren]

The warm weather has been strange. I went out in a light twin set today and that was it.
A friend of ours had her step daughter up from Miami for the holiday and they were hoping for snow but alas it was way too warm for that.
I actually braved the after Christmas crowds today to get some groceries and lets just say never again.

Other than that nothing much going on. Just counting down the last week and 2 days till the DH gets here.

[previously Lee A]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sorry I'm MIA again...
truck broke down when i went out of town to get Christmas presents,I spent my last $ to fix it and then it broke down again and we are without a vehicle for now.
We got advances from work and were able to get the kids gifts.
2 girls quit at work and I am working alot.It's so hard...I'm behind on my house etc..

Ladies I'll respond to your posts real soon.I just popped in to turn off the PC and I'm nodding off

TTFN

[DarkSiren]

Hey Ladies!!
Not much to report here. Just getting through these last days before the DH gets here. It's always toughest the last week or two. I'm practically climbing the walls.
Lee-Sounds like you've been busy busy as usual. Hope things even out for you in the new year. And don't worry too much about your house. You'll get to it when you can. I've been falling behind on mine as well and I definitely don't have the schedule you have. Just been sick with the flu and now plain don't feel like it.
Mary-glad the weather has been so nice for you. Sorry you got TOM early. Mine is showing signs of coming early as well. But I'm actually kind of happy about that. Means I'll be over the grumpies before hubby gets home. LOL
Well, I think I should take advantage of the kids being asleep early for once and crash myself.
And in case I don't make it back before.....

[curlyque]

A quick pop in to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

[Epi_Doc]

Just a quick drive thru...Happy 2006 ladies!

Things have been so busy. We were out of town for about a week over Christmas and had company for New Years. Of course that is when I came down with a stomach virus, so I'm just getting over that. Today is the day to put the Christmas decorations away...didn't get to it sooner.

Hope you all are doing well. Curly, nice to see you posted. We've all been thinking about you and hoping things are going okay. I'm sure it's busy since the little one arrived.

I'll post more when I feel a little better.

Niccole

[MCmom]

No fair ladies, I want to hear more from each and every one of you!! Oh well, at least I know you're alive and doing okay. I think. Please come back ASAP!!

Our above normal temps. are ending this week. Thankfully. I can't wait until the ground freezes again. It's been raining (we actually had a thunderstorm yesterday!), and Sasha (our 11 mth old dog), has been coming back in the house muddy. It will be nice not to have to clean her and the kitchen floor, every time she comes back in the house.

My DH starts 1st shift on Sunday. I've started working on getting the kids on an earlier bedtime schedule. They've been going to bed around 10:30pm, and that will never work with my DH needing to get up at 4:00am in the morning. It will be nice to get everyone in bed earlier. The bedtime schedule was getting out of hand.

Big drum roll. After not worrying about carbs for a month or two (still eating low-carb foods for the most part), I'm still in the 180's, just like I've been for the past 2 years. Obviously, maintenance will not be a problem for me. It's losing the last 30+ lbs, that's going to be very hard. I'm going to try induction one of these days again.

Dawn - Sounds like DH is the main thing on your mind these days!(understandably so) How is shopping for your apartment/house going? How are the kids doing?

Lee - Please give us a long post sometime this year! I'm thinking that this month, the restaurant should slow down some. I'm glad the kids still got to have some Christmas presents! What's the latest news on the truck? What are the kids doing these days? How is DH's job going?

Stephanie - Come back!!!!!!! What is 2 mth old Cole doing? Rolling over?? Isn't Roarke's 3rd birthday this month? If so - What is he up to now? I hope you can post again soon!

Niccole - Sorry to hear that you've been sick! How's the new house? Is everything unpacked and put away? What's the latest home project? What is Jack up to? We're still waiting to get our bathroom done. We apparently got forgotten, but now we've been contacted again. Someone is coming over Thursday to look at our bathroom. The city program we're in needs 2 bids on our bathroom, and we only had 1 done so far (back in November). I can't wait until it gets started on!

MaryC

[DarkSiren]

Dawn's Mind " DH DH DH DH DH DH DH"
Yup Mary that's all that's on my mind these days......
He comes home tomorrow so that should help calm me down a little...hee hee

We're doing better here these days. Finally feel like I'm over the flu bug that was going around. Now, just holding my breath that the kids don't get sick. Although from the sounds of DH's emails it looks like he'll be coming home sick.

The temps here went from being really nice but strangely warm to cold and rainy. UGH!!

Mom's been visiting for the last 2wks and I've been sleeping in the kids room on the bottom bunk. Can we say ouch!!! My back is getting wayyyyy too old to sleep on a bunk bed. It'll be interesting when we have to put the DH somewhere.

Well, today is all about cleaning the house and getting ready for the hubby to be home. Then tomorrow Mom wants to go pick up some ingredients for his favorite pie so that she can bake it and have it for after dinner when he gets home.

We're still wayyyyyyy behind on Kaylee's lessons but I hope to be caught up by the time it's grading time again.

Ummmmmmm guess that's pretty much it for now. I've got to run and get back to cleaning.

Hi to Curly, Lee, and Niccole......I'll try to get back by at least one more time before the DH gets in and then you know I have to disappear for a little while.

Take Care!!!
Dawn

[MCmom]

We sign for the loan (for bathroom & 10 new windows) on Tuesday. Then hopefully, the projects will be started this month. I'm not sure about the windows. It has been above average temps., and it looks like it will stay that way for awhile, but it is still winter. Thankfully, no snow or below freezing temps. in the forecast. It's been cloudy though, for 2 weeks now. I'm looking forward to having a sunny day again.

Dawn - Thanks for letting us know you'll be gone for awhile, with DH returning home and all. That's nice you're letting your mom sleep on your bed. My mom would be on the couch. Have a great reunion with DH!

MaryC

[previously Lee A]

I Just got home from work a little while ago.Everyone is now asleep and I'm soon to join them but I had to pop in and see y'all.I've basically been working 40 hour work weeks,my truck is still broke down,but...the weather is warm and we are healthy so I guess I can't complain.
ok I can gripe a little..I'm tired,I miss my family,I still bake bread every 2 day and see that my family gets 3 squares(I cook dinner for the evening in the morning so I can heat it up when we get home).My life is harried,hectic...anyway enough about me

Hi Mary-I hear ya about bedtime.I have the older 2 on a schedule but the younger 2 are up to 10 or 11 and often DH has to be up appx 1am.DH's job is getting worse,sometimes he's away for a few days and if it's because of a breakdown he doesn't get paid for that time(only for *loaded* miles).He'll probably go back up north to camp.We even had a crazy thought.If the job works out after a few months we'll move up there and I'll be a SAHM again.The cost of living is high but the wages are high...but right now no one is hiring(sigh)

So Dayton is on the verge of being PT.He's dry all day,has the odd accident but has finally begun to run to the bathroom when he has to go...he says alot of words now.
The kids are all doing well but for the fact they scrap a bit and I'm sure it's to get my attention and they've also been a bit messy and destructive but it beats having a muddy dog

How are Elijah and Moriah doing? Did you give them a break in studies? Chey and Selena return to school Monday.Selena actually misses it.

My spare babysitter(the one who does evening/weekends)just had the New Year's baby in town.I ran over to see him and I held that little weight and yeah did yearn for that again....speaking of which

Hi Steph-hope you and the family are well

oh oh baby up
quick Hi to Dawn and Niccole
back soon I hope

[MCmom]

Hey ladies, long time no write! Dawn and Lee have checked in recently, but it's been awhile for Stephanie and Niccole. Still with us ladies?? Please give us an update ASAP!

Leah's speech is really starting to concern me now. I feel like she's a long ways away from where she should be. It's not just her speech either, sometimes it seems like she doesn't understand what I'm saying. She had bloodwork yesterday, to find out if she has lead poisoning. Our house tested positive for lead paint. Here's what I found on the subject:

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The Center for Disease Control and Prevention regards lead poisoning as the number one preventable childhood illness in the United States. Between birth and age six, important developments take place in a child’s brain and central nervous system. If exposed during these formative periods, lead poisoning can have a drastic affect on a child’s development. Children who are exposed to lead and have elevated levels of lead in their blood are at risk for serious health problems such as:

Reduced IQ and learning disabilities
Attention deficit disorders
Behavioral problems
Decreased stature and growth
Impaired hearing
Neurological problems
Kidney damage and major organ failure
Encephalopathy (brain swelling)
Brain damage
Anemia
Seizures
Coma
Death

Based on numerous studies, researchers have established a relationship between early childhood lead exposure and subsequent decreases in IQ. In one specific study, children who were reported to have increased levels of lead in their blood were examined between the ages of two and three. These children were then given IQ tests between the ages of four and eleven. From these tests, researchers discovered that their IQ was seven to ten points lower than the national average for their age and that for every ten micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (µg/dL) the IQ deficit increased.

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You can understand my concern. I will find out sometime next week, what the results were. All our windows in the house are either being replaced (1st floor) or painted (basement). Lead dust on window frames is the primary way that children get lead poisoning. The effects are irreversible, and get worse with each passing year.

Lee - You're having warm weather there too, eh? We've had above average temps. for the whole month. It's been raining some, but no snowfall. This is normally the month when we get the most snow.

Glad to hear that everyone is well (at least they were when you posted ). Moriah's been sick since I last posted, but it passed in a day or two. Just the normal sniffles and sneezes for us!

That's great about Dayton being almost completely PT'd! It was great when Leah was fully PT'd. No more diapers ever again!

Elijah and Moriah get time off from school. It's usually different from when public school kids have off though. Elijah's and Moriah's days are much shorter than a regular school day, so they don't need as much time off. I make sure to have a nice, long, summer break b/c we all need it.

Speaking of school, I just saw a special on 20/20 (tv show) about how bad American public schools are (overall). We're a disgrace to other countries. My DH and I fully agree with what the show said, b/c we both were taught poorly in public school. I'm glad my kids will learn more than what we did.

How's the truck? Get it fixed yet? It's been great having a 2nd vehicle. I can just up and go when I want. My DH is now on 1st shift, and we're all still trying to adjust to the new schedule. As a result, my DH and I feel more tired. It will soon even itself out. The kids are doing good with their new bedtime schedule.

You'd like another baby, despite your current harried schedule??! I on the other hand, thank God my baby days are over! Sure they're cute, but boy are they alot of work!! I can wait until I have grandchildren.

MaryC

[previously Lee A]

...well I actually have 2 days off....today I took the kids downtown to the 2nd hand store and picked up skates($2) for Chey as she'd outgrown hers...Selena fits hers now and Cody fits Selena's.Boy they've all grown alot in the last year.We're still on foot so we didn't buy much as we had the stroller.We went to the market and I did buy a big bag of flour and put it in the bottom of the stoller,then we went to my work and had dinner there(eating out is a rare event).
Tomorrow will be a home day of cleaning and baking and then doing something together,be it watch a video or go out in the yard.The girls need their hair trimmed too.
Yesterday my other teenaged sitter picked the kids up from my daycare provider as I had to work the late shift.I'd asked her to make noodles and warm up the spaghetti sauce I'd made.Well she put the pot in the microwave!
Anyway the sauce was garbage but at least the kids are safe and the microwave still works
I have stories every week that make me wish I could stay home.
My DH did go back up North,he's been gone about 5 days now.So in a few months we'll move up there.That'll be so nice.

Did anyone make resolutions? I started mine on the 9th.
My resolution is to make a minimum of 10 minutes for myself everyday,whether to actually sit and eat(instead of standing and on the run like I usually do),to read a paper,call a friend,go on the PC,but at least something for myself every single day because i go days/weeks without a thought for myself and that is crazy.

My scale is still up 10 lbs though i've been behaving for the most part.The worst thing I do is have toast every day otherwise it's the usual meat/salads/veggies.My body must be on maintenance too maybe I need to LF(yuck)to shake it up?

Hi Mary-scary! When do you find out the results of Leah's bloodwork?
That's why alot of miniblinds have been recalled.I never did test mine.
I understand your concern...especially if Leah is now having trouble comprehending.Keep us posted
It's totally worth having the house done anyway bet you wish that you'd have thought of it sooner?

Dayton is nowhere close to being "completely" PT'd but he does finally make an effort.The girls never wore a diaper past a year and a half.I can't imagine him without one for the night or for an outing.They were weaned from the bottle at that age too and i still let him have one for bed(and he asks all through the night but i just give him water)and he gets one at his daytime nap.I know i should just cut it out and why i don't is a mystery(my last baby maybe?)

I am happy I am *done* having kids but there is something about that new baby feel

The kids health is still holding which is good.Selena threw up last night but I think she was just tired.They had a bad flu early in December.We are at the point now that if someone gets sick we have to shut the restaurant down because everyone has already worked so much.The only reason I have this weekend off is because a girl was sick last week for a few days and she didn't want too small a paycheque so she picked up my days.I won't complain...

I haven't compared American and Canadian school systems but i know up here it's different from province to province even.Fortunately the province we are in now places alot of emphasis on academic achievement and has some of the highest marks in the country.

Hi Steph-I can imagine that you are terribly busy.My stepDD had her 3rd child at the end of August and she is still very busy.No time for the PC and barely any for the phone.Hope you are all holding up well

Hi Dawn-hope DH made it home healthy so y'all can enjoy your time together.We give up our bed for our folks too but sleep on couches.I fall asleep on the kids bunk every so often and regret it.I guess I should get them some good mattresses someday

I totally believe in the power of prayer

Hi Niccole-hope things slow down a bit for you and that you are feeling better.I get all caught up in the scheme of life myself.Do you still have lots of projects for the house on the go?

Anyway gotta run,there's a bed calling my name
TTFN

[DarkSiren]

Evening Ladies!!
Can't do a long post tonight but wanted to say that I'm still here. DH has been home for a week now and we're all enjoying and adjusting. Mom left this morning for home after almost a month long visit. I'm going to miss her but I am Sooooo glad to have my home almost back to normal.
Other than that not much else going on. I'm still behind on Kaylee's lessons and can't seem to catch up no matter what I do. {{sigh}} But I'm sure we will eventually.
Right now I'm just enjoying some quiet time after my workout but everyone should be coming up for bed soon so I'm going to have to run and help out with that.
Hope to be back in tomorrow for a longer post.
Stay Warm!!!!
Dawn

[curlyque]

Hi ladies!!! All is well here. I'm busy, busy. R. turned 3 yesterday. C. is doing well. He's growing like a weed. He's the biggest one of my babies. He weighs about 17 lbs and he's not even 3 months old.

Mary: I hope the lead test comes back normal. R. was tested for lead as well because of his speech delay. It came back normal. He's caught right up and talks non-stop all day long. He actually gives me a headache with all his chattering by the end of the day.

Lee: 40 hours a week plus 4 kids...WOW!

Dawn: I bet you are happy to have your DH home.

Niccole: Hi!

[MCmom]

Leah's lead test results arrived in the mail today, and she does not have lead poisoning! Now to figure out what her problem is. I scheduled a Drs. appt. for her next week, to see what her Dr. says. I'm ready to figure this out, and get it fixed. No more waiting on the sidelines.

I have terrible PMS, and so I'm going to move quickly on to personals. (Ibuprofen, here I come!)

Lee - You're going to be moving again? Does this mean you'll be a SAHM again? What's it like up North? Will you be farther or closer to family?

No New Year's resolution for me! I don't want to feel guilty for not following it. When I'm ready to get strict again, I'll just do it. For now, I'm PMS'ing, and the chocolate and peanuts can just keep coming my way.

There's just something about your "last baby" that makes practically all moms willing to bend a few rules. Leah was my only child to co-sleep with us, and even now she still prefers sleeping in our bed (I'm been trying hard to break her of this). She was the only one I waited to PT, instead of pushing her, I let her give me the go ahead. (a couple examples!)

Dawn - I'm having the January "blahs" with homeschooling. I read about it happening, and it turned out to be true. I'm setting an easy schedule, until I get back to cracking the whip. I'm sure you'll find your "niche" too!

Stephanie - It's great to hear from you again! I'm glad to hear that despite the hectic schedule (and probably lack of sleep), things are going well, and that Cole is thriving! All my babies were big, so Cole sounds just fine to me!

I get the occasional headache from Leah crying and whining, trying to tell me what she wants. I can't wait to hear her chattering away! At this point, I'm going to let Leah's Dr. tell me what to do next. I thought about a hearing test, but based on my own tests, I don't see any problem with Leah's hearing.

Please pop back in when you can!

MaryC

[DarkSiren]

Morning Ladies!!
How's everyone doing this weekend?? It's wet and dreary here. We're going to spend part of the day working on some lessons and then go out and do something fun later.
Mary-unfortunately because of the strict School Board rules here I have to follow a particular schedule through a particular home school program where you are penalized if you're late. I'm going to ask for an extention but unless they consider bereavement a good excuse they can charge us extra money for the extention.
I'm so glad the test came back negative for you but I'm sure it didn't help with the confusion of what is "actually" wrong. I hope you can figure it out soon.
I have a cousin that was recently diagnosed with failure to thrive and possible slight autism. She can communicate somewhat but gets frustrated when she can't quite get across what she wants. She does use a mixture of sign language as well as spoken language and has been seeing a therapist of some sort. Can't remember what type but it seems to be helping her by leaps and bounds to the point of finally being able to go to a school part time. Her older brother and sister have absolutely no problems what so ever so hers was a bit of a surprise.
I you can find out what may be the problem and help her to overcome.

Curly-It's great to hear that you're doing well. R. It's so hard to believe that everyone's little ones are getting so big.
I noticed recently that at 2.5yrs William already comes up to Kaylee's shoulders and she's 6.5yrs. He's also staying steady with her weight wise. He's always 10lbs behind her almost to the ounce. LOL She's always been my thin lanky one, all arms and legs and he's more stocky looking although tall like his father. I'm sure both of my kids will be taller than me some day.

Lee-So........is it a good thing that you may be a SAHM again or is it just how it's going to work out?? My DH has decided that during is next tour since he'll be on land and available in the evenings that he wants me to go back to school and full fill my dreams. But at my age I'm a bit nervous about trying to follow a career path that will take NUMEROUS years of study just to get started. Not to mention what if I don't get a scholarship to help pay for it. UGH!!

Nicole- Hey!! Hope you're still out there and doing great!!!

Well, gotta run and get some stuff done around this house. I would really much prefer to be lazy this weekend. LOL

Take Care!!!
Dawn

[Epi_Doc]

Okay ladies, I'm going to try to get a post today! Everytime I sit down to do it something comes up...

So how is everyone? I've been lurking and reading and trying to keep up.

I've had a sore throat this week..and just feeling a little yucky. Well, I think Jack has it now. He's been having trouble sleeping and wakes up crying. Overall he seems to feel okay...just at night the soreness gets worse. So I'm giving him some tylenol and watching him...no fever so no doctor yet. And he's toughing out feeling bad without his pacifier. He gave it up last week..all on his own. And he's doing good without it I knew he would give it up when he was ready...he mostly just liked to chew on it anyway. Now we work on the potty

Curly - Glad to hear things are going well Sounds like C. is a big boy! Healthy and happy! And Happy Belated Birthday to R! He's growing up fast! I hear you on the chatterbox thing...Jack just talks and talks and talks all day. And how is M?

Dawn - Sounds like things are good at your house! The DH is home, you had a nice long visit with your mom and the kids are doing well. That's nice to hear! Sounds like maybe you'll be heading back to school one of these days. I think that's cool! I really enjoyed college (for all those years I was there) and miss it. I just like taking the classes and learning all the different courses.
So what fun activity did you do this weekend? It was reasonably nice here this weekend so we took Jack to the carousel. It is indoors but it has a lot of glass on the walls so it was still chilly. He enjoyed it I think. Last weekend we went to a Disney on Ice show with my mom and sisters and nieces. It was the Incredibles on Ice, but they had all the Disney characters there. ANd I must say Jack loved it!!! He clapped and danced and cheered and had a ball. My mom said he enjoyed it more than any other child there...and I think she's right! We don't do those kinds of things too often because it was a little pricey, but once a year is okay since he liked it so much.
I hope you get caught up on your school work!

Lee - So you are going to be moving again? Is that a good thing? I guess you'll be with your husband more, but are you excited about where you are moving to? I'm not really familiar with Canada so much so I don't know what is good/bad as far as location.
I think your resolution is a good one...everyone needs some time to themself everyday. Just to do whatever. Make sure you stick with it...it helps give you a minibreak. I didn't really make a resolution. Just sticking to the same old things from before the new year...eating right, getting my exercise...that kind of thing.
Wow, sounds like your girls were potty trained early! Jack turned 2 in November and he's sort of now getting an interest. Like if you say you are going to the restroom he says "to pee". I don't want to push...he seems to do things when he is ready...giving up bottles, giving up his pacifier, talking. So I will "suggest" and see if it leads anywhere.
As far as house projects...everything has been unpacked. I have a little decor stuff left...like lamps for the guest room and a desk lamp. The big projects for this year are: a deck off the sliding door, insulating and drywall in the garage, and to finish half the basement. The other half will be storage and where the furnace and pump tank are so we aren't finishing that. The deck will be first in the spring. I'm excited to be able to sit outside and relax!
I hear you on that new baby smell. I'm getting baby fever so I think we'll be trying for number 2 soon. Sooner than later I think...I feel like I'm getting to old. Not that I am old, but it just feels like for me personally I would rather do it now than wait.
And I do low cal, lower carb, low fat...so if you need some tips to shake up your diet let me know I won't say it is totally fun, but it's not as bad as you would think.

Mary - I am so happy to hear that Leah does not have lead poisoning That would be awful because of the lingering effects. Now to move on to what her true problem is...be proactive and go in to the doctor with questions and try to get them to help you find out what is going on. It sounds like her hearing is okay, from what you've said. I wonder what is going on???? Keep us posted and if there is anything we can do let us know!

Jack finally started talking...I was worried about him because he was so quiet. No he's nonstop chattery! I'm even impressed with some of his words...my favorites "eyebrow" and "rectangle". He's got the shapes down and colors. Now he likes to count although I don't think he gets the whole counting thing. But he is truly a joy...even when he doesn't use his indoor voice and gives him a headache with all his yelling

Have you been enjoying the warm ups in the weather as much as I? It has been great for the heating bills...especially with the "cost" going up so much. We've been able to keep our heat pretty low and not get too chilly. And finally figuring out the heat in the house helps too. I'm hoping our bill this month is much lower than last..although that wasn't too too bad.

How are the repair projects coming? The weather has cooperated a bit...anything doing on the windows? And how's the bath?

Well, I think things will calm down around the house again...we went away at Thanksgiving and Christmas, had company for New Years, and then went to my mom's for almost a week last weekend. I'm ready for a few weekends at home now. We'll go to my mom's again sometime between my husband's and my birthday and a friend of my sister's is giving her a surprise 30th birthday party in April, so we'll be out of town for that too. Right now is just getting caught up from Christmas and working on tax stuff..we have so much paperwork since the house was built this past year. But it might help with a nice refund!

I better go for now. I put Jack down to nap but I hear music playing up there. And I need to get in some exercise. Take care ladies!

Niccole