Where's Liz?

Sorry to anybody who has recently checked my blog only to find that nothing has changed. I am knee deep right now with wedding invitations for Kailey's wedding and am unable to spare the time to really sit down and blog. I do have a lot to share and look forward to when I can bombard you with pictures of Leo, home projects and gush of how cute my kid has been lately.

So check back in a day or so, I should be up and running by then.

The lights came on

Today we had play group and while Leo is making strides in developing his motor skills and learning how to do all the physical things, there are still areas that need great work. First off, he is still very timid when playing with instructors and won't let any one other than me touch him while we are there. Secondly, separation anxiety time. He freaks out.

Well, while we were doing an activity today one of the instructors just came and picked up Leonard and took him to play, protests and all. As I watched, unsure of what I should do, the instructor gently commented, "Just give him some encouragement, but keep your distance. There isn't anything wrong with him, he is just using you as an escape if he doesn't want to do something. He knows you'll come and save him, so he uses that whenever something is new or scary to him. If you encourage him, and make it seem like what he's doing is the best thing in the world, then he'll believe that and become more comfortable." Bam! Just like that...I got it. The lights came on and everybody was home. I understood totally what he was saying. "I'm enabling him" I said. He just grinned and said, "Exactly" So with some more gentle prodding and tips from the instructors, we worked together to get Leo to have an awesome day at play group. He really enjoyed himself and was playing very nicely with the instructors by the end of the day, allowing them to pick him up and everything.

Separation anxiety time is a different story. He still gets very frightened and is inconsolable when he doesn't know where I'm at. At the end of class, I spoke a little with the instructors to hear what they had to suggest. They gave me a few tips and I'm ready to try them at the next meeting. Hopefully we'll do better.

I am especially hopeful, that come Sunday, I can use these tips when it comes time for Nursery. It's been long enough that I sit with him through the entire thing, I think it's time to try and break away.

"What's this?"

"What's this?" "What's this?" "What's this?" Everything is "what's this?" I could not even begin to guess at the number of times I have heard "what's this?" today. Leo has learned to say "what's this?"

He doesn't even use it properly. Sometimes he gets it right but most of the time he uses it when he really wants to say something like, "Hey Mom, look at the toy fish I have" or "Mom, what are you eating over there?" or "Mom, I took my socks off again" or "Mom, did you see the book I tore apart at the binding?"

At least he's adding to his vocabulary and I should be grateful and focus on that. Then in a 2 or 3 years from now when everything is a question maybe he'll do me a favor and change it up from "what's this?" to "Why?"

My Patient

Dakota had her surgery on Friday and came home from the "hospital"--the Animal Hospital--today. She is depressed, which I knew would happen, as is Memphis. They still cannot be together just yet as Dakota is under strict orders to have very limited activity for the next 10 days. And putting the two of them together right now, I guarantee will only get them both excited. At her next appointment, the Doctor will make a better judgment as to how long her recovery is going to be. Last time it was 6 weeks, which, I expect this one to be about the same.

It was so sad, as we were leaving the Vet's her carrier broke and she fell on the ground in the parking lot. She yelped and I felt terrible. That's what I get for trying to save a buck.

I'll keep you updated on her progress, for now, she looks good, but her fur is all shaved up past her rump and you can see her bandages. She is confined to her cage and she doesn't like that too much.

Thanks Jacki!

We love our student!

The Secret Life of Bees

I have heard so much about this movie and book. I have been wanting to see the movie but Irene insisted that if I am going to watch the movie, I must first read the book. At first, I wasn't so sure about that. I didn't want to be disappointed like I was when I went to see "Twilight". The book was 50x better than the movie, and I wonder if I hadn't read the book would I have liked the movie more? So finally I did read the book and have to say it was horrible. I cried so much. Now when I say "horrible" I mean it in the sense that I loved it and that it was horrible that it moved me to tears. Me! The emotionally charged nut-job...I know...It's shocking, isn't it?

The book was great and I totally identified with Lily. Not in the sense that I have no mother, because I do, and she was/is PHENOMENAL but in the sense that a single event in life can haunt you for so long, totally shaping the person you become. I was so glad that she found her mother in the end but I have to say, I was disappointed, I wanted T. Ray to tell her that in actuality, it was him, who did it.

Oh well. Life is funny. I know that we agreed to everything we experience in this life before we came here. I know the life I have led has not always been joyous or the best one. I have seen things in life that I wish sometimes I hadn't...and there are things I have survived that still haunt me. But, who of us, cannot say the same thing? That is the beauty of humanity. We are all tried by fire, and are refined into something more beautiful than when we started out. Every person lives in their own colony of bees. We all have work to do and life just goes too quickly.

Making progress...

We've been taking Mommy-n-Me classes going on 3 weeks now. Finally Leo is beginning to feel comfortable around the instructors. Today, he let one instructor actually touch him and he played...still from a distance...with the other.

At least he's progressing, slowly but surely. That is one of the major reasons why I signed him up. While he is confident, and independent, he is somehow very shy. It takes him time to warm up to people he is not familiar with even with members of the family. I am hoping by exposing him to enough situations he'll become better adjusted. I figure it's gotta be like socializing a puppy...the more you do, the more they see, the better they are adjusted. Is it horrible that I compare raising puppies to raising my kid?

We are also back to dipping our spoon in food, and not really feeding our self. Boo-hoo, it must have been a fluke.

He finally did it!

Leo has been working on learning how to use a spoon for quite some time now. He never quite makes it from the bowl into his mouth without his food falling from the spoon. Then he began just dipping his spoon into his food to get a lick of flavor and was beginning to rely on me to actually get the food into his mouth. So I began giving him his own spoon to use, while I fed him with a different one. I also began putting the spoon into his hand, holding it for him, and showing him how to scoop.

This morning's oatmeal proved to be quite the achievement for him. It was the first time he began spooning his food from the bowl and actually making it into his mouth with food still on the spoon and not down the front of his shirt. Granted it was still messy but he actually fed himself something.

I'm very proud...he's growing up too fast. But it was just one bowl of oatmeal, we'll see how he continues over the next few days.

And one more because I think it's cute, and it's really for me to have...

Yum!

Tonight I tried making a new dish for my family, and I must say it was delish! It was really, really good...good enough for me to want to blog about it. I made an Eggplant Lasagna. Very low-cal and saturated in flavor. I just got The Biggest Loser Cookbook. I found this recipe in there.

I am so impressed with the quality of this recipe. Both of the men in my life gobbled it up without any hesitation! Leonard even said it was a recipe to make again. Every time I try a new dish, we finish the meal with one simple question, "Do I make this one again or not?" He said yes. He even suggested I make it for our monthly dinner date we have with some friends of ours. So I know he really enjoyed it and isn't just being polite because I clearly enjoyed the meal so well. It was particularly enjoyable because the portions are big and are still only 200 calories per serving. To give you an idea of how big the portions are--you make it in a 9x13 pan and it makes 6 servings. That's a lot of food. Plus we feel totally stuffed and I do not feel as though I gave up anything for the sake of eating a healthy meal. I actually feel as though I cheated a little. I still feel almost guilty, that something that good, could possibly be "allowed" in my diet...almost.

So now, I have high expectations for the remaining 124 recipes left in the book, and am eager to try another one out tomorrow.

The Backyard

Leonard and I decided to work on our backyard this weekend and make it our little project. It was in some desperate need of attention. Our planter area, was a little blah. So this is what our planter looked like before:

And this is what it looks like now:

I had a small catastrophe while planting my snapdragons which you can kind of see in the picture above. We had bought a flat of flowers and when we tried taking them out THEY WERE ALL STUCK TOGETHER! It was horrible, they fell out, face down, breaking a lot of their flowers in the dirt. I felt sick. If Mom had been here, she surely would have been in tears and I would be facing a fate punishable by death. I did what I could to save them (see picture below), I just hope that they survive. I'm sure they are in some major shock or something.

Also, we got a hummingbird feeder. Which I love, because I am Mom's daughter after all, and having a hummingbird feeder has always been a fond childhood memory. Next weekend we are going to be working on patio furniture. I can hardly wait. Maybe we'll finally achieve an enjoyable space for our backyard. That's if the dogs don't wreck my flowers which is a definite possibility. When I was pregnant Leonard and I would get out our lawn chairs on Sunday afternoons and just sit in the backyard once it had cooled down enough. It was so nice. I hope we can do that again.

Being fearless

Today, I am still so inspired by my nephew Daniel and his ability to do all things Internet that I decided to try something new and be fearless...or maybe I should call it being "Dan-gerous". Anyway, yesterday as I sat here in awe as he worked he made the comment that his secret to success is that he reads instructions. So I thought I would give that a try. Viola...I can now upload photos directly from my camera onto my computer and therefore am now able to upload them onto my blog. I know, I know, my Internet skills are so remedial...

So that is what this blog is basically about. I was able to load up some photos of my darling little boy and show off his "ugly face". These photos were taken around Christmas time, as you may notice the Christmas tree in the background...that is when the "ugly face" first started coming up. I think the face is hilarious and am glad that I am finally able to capture it here, as my blog serves as my journal really, a very public journal (ha ha). The last photo, I just think is cute and I'm his Momma so I just want to put it up.

I Heart Daniel

My nephew Daniel...I heart him. He is my hero today. On occasion, Daniel will call and see if I would like to get together. Which is silly, because I love spending time with him -- so I always want to get together. Last Saturday following the shower, we had a big family get together. We decided then, that today, we would make time and go have lunch or dinner or something.

This morning Daniel called, we met for lunch and then we came back to my house and just spent time. It was really touching to watch him interact with my son, to be so kind to someone so young, never once was he irritated by his screeching at Chili's or when watching his "Wiggles"...It was just really nice. Of course, he did do superhero stuff like fix my ipod and itunes and he also fixed my Blogger issues. Take note of the new beautiful background. But there is more to it than that. I see parts of myself in Daniel and I can totally identify with him on such a personal level.

I understand his challenges and I could never judge anyone who has loved me so unconditionally as I've struggled through my own. He has the biggest heart I have ever known in a person. I truly don't know if there is anyone I know, that can match his level of compassion. You know it's funny, you know people throughout life, you've grown up with them, you've known them through good times and those awkward teen-age years, but there is something about knowing someone as an adult that brings such dynamics into your relationship.

With each passing year, I grow to be more impressed by the person he is -- I can't say who he is becoming because I already am just so impressed and I don't foresee that changing. He does things for people that are so utterly selfless and there are qualities in him you don't often find in someone his age.

I love him for who he is, I love him for all he has triumphed over, I love him for all he struggles with, and I will love him like this for always.

I love you Daniel. Keep up the good work. You are just embarking on your journey and I see your future so bright. I know how you feel, I know how you will succeed. You're in such a good place right now. It is really rewarding for me to see you like this, not just as your Aunt, but as your friend.

Get your Wiggles Out...

Little Leo watches this show on the Disney channel called The Wiggles. His cousin Ryan used to watch them and at Leonard's parents house they had DVD's from when he was into them. So naturally, when Leo started going over to his grandparents house to play, they began putting on the videos for him too.

Leo went BONKERS! He loves these guys so much, they are the primary reason I had to put TV restrictions on for him. He would watch them all day long if he could. He just stands in front of the TV and dances the entire 45 minutes one of their videos are on. He used to love watching the Backyardigans, but not anymore...he only has eyes for The Wiggles.

However, since I've cut out the TV with the exception of one video in the morning, and one before bed he has developed a new fascination. His Uncle Ben and Aunt Lettie gave him this Leap Frog Magnetic Farm House.

You can interchange the animals to make up different "hybrid" animals and it plays music too. Well my kid loves music. So now, he just stands in front of the refrigerator playing the music from his farm house over and over while he dances in a circle. It's a cross between the Mexican Hat Dance and Spanish castanets. It's really cute.

Pediatricians

What makes a good pediatrician? Is it a short wait time in the office? Are they referred? Is English their first language? Are their offices clean with a courteous staff? I used to think I knew. Now I am not so sure.

When Leo was born, we picked the doctor that was on duty at the hospital, I had no idea who to use. Turns out his office was kinda gross and I didn't feel comfortable. Then my SIL referred me to her pediatrician. He was good. We just had different philosophies. He liked to prescribe medication for everything and was quick to assume my child was developing Autism because he wasn't speaking more than 15 words at their last visit. I was really upset by our last visit and decided I would no longer go to him. It was just an accumulation of things. That one just pushed me over the edge. Plus he was really far.

Now, I am in need of a new pediatrician. Leo has his 18 month check-up this month and I need to make an appointment. Then for the last 2 days, his left eye has been very red, looking irritated, and is now beginning to tear. I am really starting to wonder if he may have a scratched cornea or something like an infection...I don't know I'm not a doctor! I tried yesterday to get him into 2 different doctor's, both of whom were referred, but no one could take him for days. I hate to say it, but if I were to call the quacky Dr. Ong, I would have had him an appointment and been seen within 2 hours.

So again, I ask...what makes a good pediatrician and how do I get an appointment?

Victory

What does victory feel like? It feels like this wet t-shirt that I refuse to take off because I R-O-C-K-E-D it tonight at the gym. I am soaking in my victory.

The gym was super packed tonight with all the new year's resolution people...they eventually fade out by around the end of this month (hopefully) so when I arrived instead of running I got on the elliptical and did a half hour of cardio. But at the end of that half hour I was still feeling pretty good and there was an open treadmill so I hopped on for the last remaining 15 minutes of my cardio workout. Since I was already warmed up, I was able to jump on and immediately begin running. And you know what? I ran 1-mile in 10 minutes and 15 seconds! I was sweating like a hog but I was so happy that as I cheered and congratulated myself on my accomplishment I could not be bothered by the wayward glances I was receiving from the people on either side of me. I didn't care, I was celebrating. And they were right...I am a weirdo.

Now on to another topic I would love to discuss about the gym...girls who show up wearing practically nothing. Just know, I think they look stupid. There is this girl in there that wears these legging type pants with a sports bra for her top every time I see her in there. Now, I understand trying to look cute or "fashion-forward" but dressing in a manner to attract all the wrong kind of attention is just ridiculous. Furthermore, let me say this...if anybody reading this happens to dress in such a way...I apologize if I've offended you but do know, that I think you look retarded. It's so not necessary. Trust me, you are still the envy of every fat girl in there without having to dress like your easy-skeezy. The leggings aren't so bad, just throw on a t-shirt for crying out loud. You'll still get all the attention you desire. This girl at the gym, I will give her this, her body is rockin' but I just think she would look 10x better if she didn't look like such a skank. Maybe it's the way she bends over when she's lifting her weights in the "big boy" area(as I call it)...You know, the free-weight area. All that is over there are testosterone-fueled, hormone raging horn balls.

I don't know, maybe I'm just jealous but I really think it's just how stupid she looks to me. It's okay though, because I may be fat, but I've lost 4 of the 8 lbs. I gained. So I don't know how jealous I am right now. I'm actually feeling pretty good. It must be the endorphins.

I dont get it!

Apparently, mine is the only child who poops in the bathtub. Last time I posted about this, no one else had shared my experiences. Well all of you--be glad! My child pooped in the tub, not once tonight, but twice.

Who knows it may be 3 times by the time this is all said and done. Right now I am waiting for the bath water to drain so that I can scrub the bath tub for a second time. We are yet to get the actual bathing part out of the way.

I'm so disappointed

Can I just say how disappointed I am right now? Two months ago, Leonard and I decided to start trying for a second baby. I was a little reluctant to stop my birth control pills for a few reasons...one of which, is extremely vain.

I knew that once I went off the birth control and was no longer receiving the hormones my body needs to regulate itself, there was a good chance I would start gaining weight again. That first year when I developed PCOS I gained 50 lbs. It was extremely difficult for me to deal with and my self-esteem plummeted and honestly, it still suffers.

Well, since I've gotten off my birth control I've gained almost 10 pounds. I am so frustrated. Because I am working my butt off right now, and it's doing me absolutely no good. Granted, I did have a cupcake on Sunday, but it was a cupcake. How many calories can that be? Like 500? At the worst.

Tonight, I am going to go to the gym and run for like an hour. Arrgh.

My Big Mouth...

Me and my big mouth. It often gets me into trouble, that mouth of mine. Today, my girlfriend Jenny's husband called me. Jenny is pregnant and extremely ill. He asked if I could go over and help her out for a few hours.

As you know, this week is one action-packed week for me. It's not the best time for me to be charitable. But I go anyway. When I arrive, she is in tears, she's extremely embarrassed to have me there taking care of her, and she is very, very sick.

I cleaned her kitchen, I fed her boys lunch, and made their beds up. I fed her a few crackers and some water and kept her company. Then she tells me that her husband is leaving out of town to go to Central California for a job interview tonight and that she will be all alone. So what do I do?

Me and my big mouth commits me to going over there tomorrow morning to take care of her some more. Without thinking that I have a doctor's appointment, a hair appointment and Mommy and me tomorrow. I feel like a chump if I call her and tell her I can't go. If I cancel my Doctor's appointment and make-up my Mommy-n-Me class on Friday, I can go in the morning. But as I write this, I remembered I can't go Friday to Mom/Me because I've got to pick up Kailey from the airport, go to Irene's house and cook for Saturday's shower, plus I've got activity days at my house on Friday afternoon.

I don't know...I could skip Mom/Me tomorrow all together. I really want to help out Jenny because A) she is a good friend B.) I really don't have too many friends, I might want to try and treat the ones that I do have well. C.) She is going to be leaving soon, once her husband finds a new job, which more than likely will require them to relocate.

No matter what I decide to do...my day is going to be hectic and I won't be able to do all that I need to do or would like to do anyway. Me and my big mouth...

Hodge Podge

Okay, today is just a Hodge-podge, smorgish-board of stuff...Leo, my husband, says my blog is like an episode of Seinfeld...it's about nothing. Well, I guess you could say then that today's post is a "Seinfeld" post.

Okay, let's see. Little Leo is learning to jump up and down and has been practicing it all weekend long. He can get air now, he just can't land. So he jumps and falls, over and over.

Then, let's see...my kid is learning how to be a faker. He fake cries and makes the ugliest face when he doesn't get his way. See exhibit A.


Then, Leo -my husband - has repaid our karmic debt. Yea! Last year, he set up a few friends of ours (Leo's best man from our wedding and the real estate agent who sold our first house and became a friend through the experience) who just announced they are getting married in October. I say he repaid our karmic debt because we too, were set up. Best of all though, Leo gets to be the best man and Little Leo gets to be the ring bearer. Me? I just get to be a guest.

I hate Marsha, my trainer today, as does my arms, chest, and that spot where your arms meet your torso right by your arm pit.

Oh yeah, one more thing, Lisa...you were right. I did decide to pay for those stupid classes and I signed up Leo to start tonight.

Anyway, that's about it for now, this week is going to be one busy week for me. I'll try to post but since most of those who read this blog will be visiting this weekend for the shower - we may just have to catch up then.