Spina Bifida MomsSpina Bifida MomsMy journey into motherhood as well as my daily experiences as a disabled mom raising a healthy and active daughter. 
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Mama Monday #44.1
2008-12-22 17:42:00 Theme: HappySweetie with a few of her favorite birthday presents.Family, friends. Giving, receiving. Bithdays, Christmas. Snow, snow angels and snowmen. Food, drink and togetherness. This is truly the happiest time of the year. More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #137 - Happy Birthday Edition
2008-12-20 15:28:00 Today is Sweetie's 6th birthday. We'll be heading out for her annual birthday picture with Santa sometime later, and we'll have grandparents, cousins & aunts and uncles over for a birthday dinner this evening. It's going to be a Super (Sweetie) party, complete with color-coded decorations, the Super (Sweetie) logo posted in certain places around the house, and a big ol' banner with Super (Sweetie)'s battle cry: Who's the braviest, the saviest, the waviest?...Super (Sweetie)!Speaking of Super (Sweetie) I happen to know that Grammy is making Sweetie, and her other 2 granddaughters, super hero capes for Christmas. Now, since I do know my Sweetie pretty dang well, I asked my MIL earlier this week if she was going to have a logo on each cape (a first initial on top of a circle or triangle, for example). If so, I thought it best that we join up on what this logo would look like so that the logo displayed at her party tomorrow matches with the logo she'll find on her cape a few... More About: Happy , Birthday , Saturday , Happy Birthday , Edition
This & That
2008-12-17 19:08:00 I've been checking online for my Praxis II exam scores in English Language Literature and Compositon for over a week now. They were posted, finally, last night.The score needed to pass the exam is a 164 out of 200. When I was finished with the exam, I felt really pretty good about it. I felt that, over all, it was a relatively easy test. However, I know how deceiving that can be - you get over confident and think you absolutely know your stuff, and then - whammo! - you're quickly brought back to reality when you less than desirable scores come in.Well, I'm extremely proud to announce that, yes, I actually did quite well. Out of a possible overall score of 200, I received a 186. Twenty-two points higher than the minimum passing score. Wow!Furthermore, the score report breaks down my score into 3 separate subjects, each accompanied by the average score range for everyone taking this exam.On the first subcategory the average range is 43-55 out of a possible 66. My score was a 57.On ...
Mama Monday #43.1
2008-12-15 21:50:00 Theme: Expect (continued ice storm edition)(Sweetie Saturday - er, I mean Sunday - side note: After church yesterday, we came home the back way, taking roads we've very rarely travelled before. Most of the homes along this route showed the devastation that occurred due to the recent ice storm in graphic detail. Whole trees uprooted from the ground. Power lines down. Limbs of all sizes strewn upon the lawns and roadways. Ice still frozen on every single square inch of every single tree branch and limb. Hubby and I were truly in awe. We had previously thought our little road looked pretty bad. But no, not nearly as bad as these neighborhoods. It truly looked like a war zone.We commented to Sweetie that we were very, very lucky. - Why are we lucky, Mama ? - Because! We have our power back. Our house and our cars are safe. We aren't hurt. Look all around you. Do you see all the trees and branches that are down? These houses still don't have power and may not get it back for days. That... More About: Monday
Sweetie Saturday #136 - Ice Storm Edition
2008-12-14 15:26:00 Hi all. Sorry for no post yesterday. We just regained internet and T.V. access this morning. We were without power for over 24 hours, but have been "up" again, in that regard, since yesterday morning at 3 a.m.Anyway, that's what's going on with us (and most of NH, for that matter). No "official" Sweetie Saturday , then - as you can imagine. We've got other things - and friends and family - to think about and help out as best we can.Keep warm and safe, everyone. I'll be back very soon. More About: Storm , Edition
Sweet(ie) Little Lies
2008-12-11 04:19:00 So a couple weeks ago I picked Sweet ie up from school and asked her how her day was. Great! she said. We had another show (assembly) in the gym and it was a game show called The Brain Game!Then she proceeded to tell me, with incredible detail, all about how she was one of the 3 contestants chosen to get up in front of everyone and play the game.The game show host played various songs for the contestants who then had to buzz in to say what that song was.At first she told me she won the whole thing. When I was happily surprised, she said, No. Did I say I won? I didn't mean that. I didn't win. I just won on a couple answers.Sweetie said she got 2 right and was first to buzz in. One was a song from Blue's Clues, the other was "the wedding song" (the joyous one often played at the end of a wedding ceremony).She told me that each contestant's buzzer sounded different and she demonstrated what her buzzer sounded like.She told me that there were *2 girl contestants (she being one of the... More About: Lies
Mama Monday #42.1
2008-12-08 15:36:00 Theme: KeepLast week's Mama Monday post - remember that? Yeah. Well. I'm glad I kept my quiet. I'm happy I didn't go all blabbermouth on the exciting new path my life seemed to be on. 'Cuz as last week went on, and mixed signals continued to strew in - well. I finally had to stop and ask direct questions to find out real answers.Backtracking - long story short (ish):I was hand picked to come in and temp for a job I also applied for. I've been temping in this job for 2 weeks. Others were interviewed as well (?????). Time dragged on without a hiring decision made (??????). I finally asked. I'm not getting this job. It's possible, since my strong suits are writing/editing/proofreading based, that I could be placed in a position within this company that better utilizes these skills. But, to me, that's a really big "maybe" with an even more unsure future timeframe.In the mean time - now I just gotta keep on keepin' on. Same ol' story I've heard myself tell myself more than a ...
Sweetie Saturday #135
2008-12-06 14:39:00 While Sweetie and Hubby were playing checkers together, Sweetie positioned one of her pieces very near one of Hubby's pieces. She muttered something about how now they (the checkers) would fight.Then Hubby moved his checker away, causing Sweetie much distress:She said:But I wanted them to fight their PILES. OF. DIGNITY!!!And then we all melted in a pile of tearful hilarity.-------------------------------- -----------------------As I expressed my sadness about not being able to be a Room Mom in Sweetie's class because of my ongoing job hunt (I'd hate to sign on as a Room Mom only to tell them shortly thereafter that I'm now employed and can therefore no longer come in) to Hubby at the dinner table, Sweetie began to pat my arm, telling me with all the sincerity in the world:It's okay, Mama. It's okay. Don't be sad.------------------------------------- -------------------More grownup speak out of the mouths of Sweetie:If Sweetie thinks something is different than what she expected... More About: Saturday
Mama Monday #41.1
2008-12-01 15:23:00 Theme: QuietAlternative Theme: MysteryI know. I've been very quiet lately. Posting pictures, talking Sweetie silliness, or just not writing at all. With all the holiday craziness, plus some life questions/stresses/waiting-and-wondering, I've just been a lot more internal these days than up for exposing all right here on this blog.See, it's taken pretty much my whole life - and especially the last several years - to realize that I really do speak too soon in so many different situations. Sorry - I know I've talked about this talking too much thing before. It's just that I'm trying to explain why, this time, I've been keeping my mouth shut tight, for the time being.I think it's a superstitious thing. Too many times I've announced great achievements/changes/opportunities/hopes and dreams, only to have none of them pan out to the extent that I presumed they would or, perhaps, even not at all.And anyway, this time - I'm still thinking. Pros and cons. Goods and bads. What's the... More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #134
2008-11-29 15:09:00 Last Christmas Sweetie found a slide puzzle (very much like this one, but a ladybug instead) in her stocking. She promptly forgot about it, very rarely picked it up throughout the year, and always became quickly frustrated by not being able to solve it.Well, all that is gone now as, within the last month, she has become a "master" at solving it. She can seriously spend an hour or more mixing it up and solving it (never taking more than 6 or 7 minutes to do so), or asking anyone around to mix it up for her (insisting that no pieces that are supposed to be next to each other are ever actually next to each other) so that she can put it back to right.I cannot solve the thing. No adult in our family can (or, at least, has the patience to work on it long enough to solve it). We're thinking, this Christmas, she's got to get a 4x4 slider puzzle to tackle.---------------------------------- --Post-Thanksgiving Day dinner at my in-laws, we headed over to my parents' house for the evening. Ac... More About: Saturday
Mama Monday #40.1
2008-11-24 15:32:00 Theme: SenseI am on sensory overload right now. I just want to calm down, chill out and simply "be". Sooooo much going on within the last few days and all this week. I'm making it a priority to take it easy whenever I get the chance and not worry about loading on too many extra responsibilities. I'll try to get back here within the next few days, but no promises. Holiday week, family to be with, random life changes - much goings-on. Will report back as soon as I can.So, as they say: if I don't see you beforehand - have a Happy Thanksgiving! More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #133
2008-11-22 15:16:00 Last weekend, early morning - before Sweetie was "allowed" to wake us up:Hey, Mama! If your clock says 6-3-7 and you turn your head and look at it upside down and backwards, it spells the word LEG.--------------------------This morning - same timeframe:Hey, Mama! 6-5-6 on the clock is a number palindrome!---------------------------Swe etie, why do you keep bringing alphabet or numbers books home from school? I'm tired of that type of book. Can't you pick out a storybook next time?Well, I like the alphabet and number books because I like to learn new words and about numbers, so that's why I choose those kinds of books. I don't think a storybook would have instresting words for me to learn.----------------------------Mama? I'm started playing a new game at recess now. Here's what it's called: Sliding Down The Tube Slide Once and For All. And you play it by going down the tube slide again and again and again with all the other kids.(I don't get why that's a "once and for all" g... More About: Saturday
Remarkable
2008-11-19 15:26:00 The other day I asked Sweetie what she wants for Christmas.You have to write a letter to Santa, Sweetie. What do you want for Christmas?(after some thought and some whines) I don't knoooowww what I want!Really? My creative and imaginative Sweetie doesn't have any idea what she wants for Christmas? Hmmm... well, actually, this is a good thing. I can gently "guide" Sweetie by "suggesting" things she my like.Well, actually - first off, I forgot. She did mention that she wanted a "remote control doll".You do? Where did you see that?I didn't see it anywhere - I just made it up.Oh. Do you really want that? You don't usually play with dolls. I wouldn't think that would be a good gift for you.Well... A____ at school had her birthday and I thought she would want that for her present and then I thought I'd like it too.Oh. Okay. But I think you usually like to other types of things. Like you like to do creative things. Would you like some crafts? Or - you like to learn and find out about...
Mama Monday #49.1
2008-11-17 17:49:00 Theme: OffSorry - taking a week off from this. I've got nothing remarkable to write about, no good theme words to work with, and only can think that I'd rather spend my time with Sweetie today.You, though. You may take my theme word and run with it! And, if you do, I'd love you to leave me a link back to it in my comments area. Thanks!TTFN! More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #132 - Big Kid Edition
2008-11-15 14:36:00 Hey! You wanna know how to get a kid super excited about helping you clean up the entire house?! All you have to do is ask her if she wants to do something that has more responsibility to it and that only big kids usually get to do.And you know what such a kid will say?Yah! What is it?! What can I do?!From there, you can get said kid to: wipe the dining room table, clean the bathroom sinks, wipe/dust the stairs, make her bed, and - get this - continue to keep on asking for more things to do!Yeah. I know. So cool, huh?See, Hubby and I have - rather unpremeditatedly - begun to intersperse new little duties to Sweetie, telling her that, once she's 6 years old, she'll have to know how to do these things. Things such as wash herself in the tub (rather than having me do it), brush her teeth (again - currently my job), and generally help out a bit more around the house.So when I got on a cleaning binge the other day and set Sweetie to the task of cleaning off her "craft table" (the coffe... More About: Saturday , Edition
Half _______
2008-11-12 15:56:00 Ugh. I'm feeling like I've got a lot on my plate this month. It's probably not all that bad, but just how I'm feeling in this stressed-out moment.I'm feeling too busy to even post anything extensive here! Which is ultimately fine - in a world where real-life stuff is keeping me occupied, I suppose it's quite alright to let this blog slide just a wee bit. Still, I really do consider my writing here to be at least one of my priorities.I think what's getting to me most these days is that I feel like none of the things I'm doing, I'm doing with my full attention on board. I feel, all at once, that I could be doing so much more at the same time that I'm more or less overwhelmed with what I'm doing already.I'm home most every day, all day - yet the house is not at all tidy. Why can't I get it looking spotless? There's no good excuse.I continue my job search. I search, and apply, everyday. But I've got nothing yet. I keep holding on to "all good things come to those who wait... More About: Half
Mama Monday #48.1
2008-11-10 13:53:00 Theme: ShareFYI - Hubby has taken on a creative project for this month. Every day in November, he's making and posting a new woodworking project - auctioning them off at Facebook. If you're registered at Facebook, you can get to his page via this link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wilto n-NH/Blanchard-Creative-Woodworking/32878 627365. Become a fan of his page or not - you're still eligible to bid on any item by writing a comment under the project you're interested in or emailing him directly in order to keep gifts a secret from other Facebook members (email address available at Hubby's profile page). Better yet - if you like one of his projects and are interested in bidding on it, but you're not a member of Facebook, email me directly at sbmoms (at) gmail (dot) com with your offer and I'll personally (and anonymously) add your bid information to the comments area myself.He's offering up pens, wine bottle stoppers, and other random wooden objects as suits his fancy. Most item... More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #131 - Improvement Edition
2008-11-08 15:10:00 Hubby and I went to our Parent/Teacher conference earlier this week. I was both a little concerned to find out what the teacher had to say about Sweetie's behavior, and interested in hearing what she had to say about Sweetie's academic skills.Well, as it happens, we didn't find out anything we didn't already know: Sweetie is academically smart but is often stubborn and bossy.Yep - sounds pretty accurate to me.On the other hand, Sweetie's teacher did note that she's already seeing good progress in Sweetie's behavior. Sweetie used to "complain" about a ton of things - not being able to sign her name every morning on the 5th line of the sign-in sheet (because she's five years old, so she has to sign that line!), to "arguing" with her teacher about why the white board says "we will go to P.E. today" when the class is reading it after they've already gotten back from P.E. (the teacher wants the other kids to recognize the sight words "to" and "go", but since Sweetie already kno... More About: Saturday , Improvement , Edition
Make That Move - A Thursday Thoughts Special Post
2008-11-06 13:00:00 So... we have a new President Elect. A man of principle, hope, eloquence and strength. Hubby and I (and oh so many of our friends and acquaintances) are simply ecstatic with the outcome of this amazing election and cannot wait until President Obama takes office in January.Barack Obama, I am confident, will lead our nation well. His very election has already done so much to unite us as a country. Indeed, countries all over the world closely took note - watching along with us as results came in. From England to Africa, Australia to Indonesia, people watched as Obama delivered his acceptance speech and spoke not only to the people of the United States of America but, in fact, the world. Not only do we live in a country where you can do and be anything you set your mind to, but there is hope that oppressed individuals the world over will one day be free to live up to their goals and dreams. Yes we can.On a much tinier, entirely waaaaayyy less significant note, this unification of our gl... More About: Post , Thoughts , Special , Move , Make
Mama Monday #47.1
2008-11-03 15:24:00 Theme: ChoiceI interviewed with a company a week and a half ago for a position I'm very interested in. I called on Friday to see how the decision making process is going. They're still interviewing. It may be another 2 weeks or so before I get any sort of answer.In the meantime, an employment agency that's been working with me lately has presented another long term temporary full time position (would at least take me through the end of the year - possibly longer). But because I had felt I had to be honest with the agency rep that I potentially had this other exciting opportunity looming, he suggested that I not go for his position and wait it out for now.But, the thing is - I need a job (duh!). And I have absolutely no guarantee that anything will come of this original job interview. And if nothing does come of it, and I've passed up this agency job, then I'm left with nothing. Again.So I've put a call into the agency rep this morning, leaving a message that I really would lik... More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #130
2008-11-01 13:50:00 Last Sunday at church, 4 ladies performed a 4 cornered chant - one woman at each corner of the room, singing a lovely song, a capella, in the style of a round. Sweetie was absolutely fascinated, turning her head to find, then watch each new woman sing her part.When the women were done, all was quiet in the church as the singers took their seats and the speaker stepped to the altar. All quiet, that is, except for Sweetie's small voice coming from the back row, approvingly thanking the performers with a sweet Bravo! Bravo!----------------------------------- --Sweetie has been doing much better at school recess ever since we instituted Super Sweetie to the rescue. She's supposed to listen for the end of recess whistle, which calls Super Sweetie to attention, who then swiftly gets herself to the line.However, it seems Sweetie employs her super powers more often then just at line up time:One day this past week I asked Sweetie: How was recess today?Great!Did Super (Sweetie) help you line... More About: Saturday
Stranger Danger - Aptly Explained
2008-10-29 19:11:00 Know what one of the hardest things about parenting a young - outgoing! - child is? At least for me - it's getting her to understand about Stranger Danger . The old definition of "anyone who you don't know" just doesn't quite work in our day and age. At least not completely. It's all quite frustrating.So when I came across this article (click on that link, then scroll down to the 5th article - Who's a Stranger?) while waiting at my doctor's office today, I was pretty dang excited.Bill Marquis, Program Director for Lil' Iguana Children's Safety Foundation, lays it out straight, defining a stranger as, simply, anyone you don't have permission to go with - whether you know that person or not. I'm paraphrasing here, but he goes on to say that it doesn't even matter if it's grandpa or the neighbor lady (whom you say hi to and casually chat with almost every day) - if anyone asks your child to go somewhere with them, your child MUST get your permission to go. Every. Single. Tim...
Mama Monday #46.1
2008-10-27 16:21:00 Theme: WiseI think I'll most likely keep up with my Sweetie Saturday posts after all. But instead of restricting myself to the funnier things Sweetie says, I'll now most likely delve into the wiser, more "worldly" offerings she has to share. She's at an age where she's rapidly discovering so much about the world around her and her own thoughts and feelings that she's coming up with some real gems.For instance, the other day a gift catalog arrived in our mailbox. Sweetie sat on my lap as we flipped through the pages - each one filled with very interesting and colorful items. One of the things for sale was a plaque for your wall. On it was written the phrase - "Let go, Let God". Sweetie easily read it aloud, but I didn't know if she knew the meaning of the words.Who's God, Sweetie? - I asked, not quite sure of the answer she'd give.However, without so much as 2 second's delay, she said - God is love, future, nature and love.Wow! Love, future, nature and love. That sounds grea... More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #129 - Pumpkin Fest Edition
2008-10-25 15:27:00 Just in time for the Pumpkin Fest ival... with our pumpkins: Jake, Jackie and Gordon. :) More About: Saturday , Edition
Choose Your Own Post
2008-10-23 03:26:00 I'm sitting here staring at the computer with absolutely nothing "bloggable" coming to mind. Sorry. I got nothin'.I will tell you, though, that I've been thinking a lot about the upcoming holidays - not to mention a certain little Sweetie's yuletide birthday. We have some great, free, ideas on what to give her for both special occasions. But I keep coming up with other ideas too.For instance, she's always been very "into" maps. This year I'd love to get her a globe. She's also requested a couple of toys she's seen via T.V. commercials. And, since she herself loves to read - and Hubby and I always read her bedtime stories - I'm of course coming up with lots of different titles I'd like her to have.More books in The Magic Treehouse series (she only has the first 4). And some more chapter books for nighttime reading. I've especially been thinking about the Choose Your Own Adventure books from my childhood. Sweetie, I think, would SOOO love those! Excellent bedtime stories wh... More About: Post
Mama Monday #45.1
2008-10-20 14:45:00 Theme: LearnAs I'm going through this job hunting experience, I'm still surprised by how much I continue learning. I feel I still haven't "learned my lesson" in so many different situations. I still find myself "slacking off" a bit on the hunt when a potentially promising opportunity pops up. Only to have that scenario not pan out, and now I've lost a week or so of serious searching and applying time.I still know that I sometimes speak too soon. For instance, when I feel quite certain that a certain potential employer will surely be contacting me for an interview. And then they don't. Or they take longer to get in touch with me than I initially announced they would. This is my situation today. I had a brief phone interview with a company early last week, at the end of which I was told I'd hear from them soon to schedule an in-office interview. By Thursday afternoon I still hadn't heard anything, so I emailed my contact to inquire. She assured me I'd be hearing from her the n... More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #128 - The Final Edition
2008-10-18 21:58:00 Hi. My name is Sweetie. I'm 5 years old and I drew this picture the other day at school, not today. When I was wearing these clothes. Which I'm not wearing today. Mama says she knows exactly what shirt I was wearing that day, cuz she can tell by my great drawing. I did a great job! Plus Daddy's really impressed with all the colors I used. I guess I usually just like to pick one color and only use that in my drawings. Mama says she's not going to write Sweetie Saturday s anymore. Unless I say something that's really very funny, that is. Then she'll write it down so she remembers it in time to write it here for everyone to read. I did something funny this week, but I didn't say anything funny, I guess. But I don't think what I did was funny, but Mama and Nana really thought it was funny! I fell backwards into a bird bath at my Nana's house. And then I decided that I had to take off all my clothes right that minute because I don't like spills! I was crying and very sad and ang... More About: Final , Edition
The Greater Good
2008-10-15 16:13:00 I've recently discovered a new quarterly magazine - Greater Good - that seems to be so very in-step with my beliefs and values. The magazine strives to connect science with the roots of compassion and altruism, relating research, articles and stories of compassionate action to its readers in an inspiring and educational format. Hubby and I are both looking forward to regularly receiving and reading this wonderful new publication.Not to belabor the point (and since this is only the second time I'm bring it up, I hardly consider it "belaboring" anyway), but I wanted to talk again about how much we're enjoying our new church - and how clearly I see the greater good playing out through the church's actions, beliefs and community.We've been going to this church for a month now (save for one week where we had previous plans) and are quite used to our new Sunday morning routine. Sweetie continues to look forward to and have fun at her "church school" and Hubby and I feel very welcome ...
Mama Monday #44.1
2008-10-13 14:20:00 Theme: SwingThis past weekend was breathtakingly gorgeous here in New England. Crystal clear blue skies, not too cold or too hot. Surrounded by good friends and loving family. Time enough to relax and enjoy it all. Just perfect.After a tumultuous week of dealing with Sweetie's less-than-desirable school behavior (and wondering how the week ahead will play out), it sure was nice to swing the pendulum the other way for awhile - letting us all get a chance to play, be free, and appreciate the greatness in us all. More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #127 - Super (Sweetie) Edition
More articles from this author:2008-10-11 13:41:00 Have I told you?! Sweetie has made some great discoveries over the last 2 weeks or so. She now knows how to whistle, snap her fingers and zip her coat all by herself. She's very proud of her new abilities. What a big girl!And even though this week started off rather iffy with her school/recess listening skills in need of much improvement, it seems that now - with the help of Sweetie's alter-ego, Super (Sweetie) - that even that is happening.Now, Sweetie knows that as soon as she hears that end-of-recess whistle, that's the call for Super (Sweetie) to make her appearance, collect her backpack, and get herself to the line as soon as possible.Does that sound like a good plan, Sweetie?Yeah! But first, when I hear the whistle, I'll have to sing my song that turns me into Super (Sweetie)... Who's the Braviest, the Saviest, the Waviest?!... Super (Sweetie)!You betcha! But you'll have to sing that at the same time that you're going to get your backpack and linng up, not before. Becau... More About: Saturday , Edition 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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