Spina Bifida MomsSpina Bifida MomsMy journey into motherhood as well as my daily experiences as a disabled mom raising a healthy and active daughter. Articles
Mama Monday #33.1
2008-07-21 07:22:00 Theme: LittleAmazing how such a little Christmas stocking stuffer can consume such a huge amount of space in terms of Sweetie's time, concentration and entertainment. More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #116 - Hard-Headed Edition
2008-07-19 07:23:00 So I'm sure Sweetie said some hilarious things this week. I know she did, because I remember laughing. But, uh... I don't remember what she said that made me laugh so much.Well, I did write down one funny thing she said. But when I went back to reread it, it just wasn't as funny anymore.That made me realize that it's a good possibility that lots of what I write here at Sweetie Saturday is a heck of a lot funnier to me - and possibly my friends and family who actually know Sweetie - than to the majority of my readers. Sorry about that.But I will tell you this - and I imagine you can at least appreciate the following and how similar activities play out in your own homes...I love my morning routine with Sweetie.She's always told she can come to our room at 7 or 8 a.m. And so most of the time that translates into 7:00 a.m. exactly. As if she's been awake in her room for a long time, just waiting for her large digital clock to switch to 7:00. But lately, we've seen a few days at t... More About: Hard , Edition
Happy. Content. Not Complacent
2008-07-16 21:06:00 Life is good. I feel good. I'm no longer stressed. I'm no longer concerned. Things are as they are meant to be for me and my family at this time.Nothing has changed in terms of my state of employment or lack thereof. I continue to look and I continue to put my best self forward in order to find the best fit for me. I simply have relaxed in my outlook. And I've made some important discoveries and realizations.I've applied for reasonably priced health insurance for myself and Hubby.I've applied for even more reasonably priced health insurance for Sweetie.I've filled out unemployment compensation forms which, if approved, will continue to provide sufficient income for me for many, many weeks - if need be.I've done what I can to secure my family's current financial and insurance needs. I am happy.I am thoroughly enjoying my time with Sweetie. Yes, we've driven each other crazy on more than a few occasions. Yes, I still struggle with balancing my own daily needs combined with Sw... More About: Content , Happy
Mama Monday #32.1
2008-07-14 13:15:00 Theme: OncePrincess (Sweetie) And FriendsAs told, and drawn by, SweetieOnce upon a time there was a princess named (Sweetie).And it was a snowy day so she said "brrr". And she got stuck in the dirty snow.So she waited...... and waited...... and waited.(imagine about 20 more pages worth of waiting...)...until she got to the house and got snow clothes and a shovel so she went outside to clean the road and she also built snowmen.And then, when she was done digging, she digged a whole garden. And Daddy was the gardener. And they all lived happily ever after at night.The end. More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #115
2008-07-12 12:45:00 I have to put my shoes on, Mama, so when I run around, I won't stubborn my toes.------------------------------------ -----Hubby and I are now reading The Magic Treehouse series to Sweetie at bedtime. We've finished the first book and, earlier this week, Hubby started the second one - The Knight at Dawn.Well, you know Sweetie and her love of homophones! So we thought we could really impress her with telling her the difference between Knight and Night. But we asked her first if she knew the difference.Yep. She knew the definition of Night just fine. And as for Knight? Easy peasy!That's a metal man!------------------------------------- -----------------Speaking of The Magic Treehouse stories - Sweetie received the first four books as a gift at her half birthday party. Her friend I____ from pre-school gave them to her. His mom told me how much I____ loves these stories, and she knows that Sweetie and he would often play adventures together at school. So she thought Sweetie would really... More About: Saturday
I've Got A Secret...
2008-07-09 18:18:00 ... and it's not a happy one, I'm afraid.Pssst... Come close... closer... good. Here goes....The the family across the street - with all those girls Sweetie has befriended - is moving. Next month. Down south.Ouch.I know this, as the mom told me a few weeks ago shortly (I assume) after they found out themselves. But Sweetie doesn't know this. At least I don't think she knows.Unless the girls themselves have mentioned to Sweetie about their impending move (something that family is very used to - they've moved many times over the years, all - I think - related to the dad's line of work), then she doesn't know. I haven't told her.And I don't know how I'm going to tell her. Or when.Because, you know? Sweetie loves these girls! She is almost constantly on the lookout for them. Any slight movement out our windows or giggling noises wafting from across the street, and Sweetie is right there. Stopping whatever activity she's currently engrossed in, and asking - nay, pleading - to ... More About: Secret
Mama Monday #31.1
2008-07-07 12:31:00 Theme: HearSo my friend, Shanta Everington, has done it again! Her second novel, Give Me A Sign, just became available for purchase last week. And if I were you, I'd certainly go out and get a copy!Give Me A Sign is the story of Liz and Doug, outcast schoolmates who find each other and develop a life changing bond. Despite their obvious differences (for one thing, Liz is hearing, Doug is hearing impaired), they discover just how similar they really are, and how much they need each other's time, understanding and love in order to grow as individuals.Shanta's writing had me hooked from the start. I couldn't put down this story of first love (for Liz), typical teen angst (dealing with school bullies, wanting to fit in), and personal struggles (Doug's desire to find a place in the hearing world, to not be "Deaf with a capitol D", yet ultimately suffer certain loss from the trying).Liz and Doug are a powerful couple, each partner pushing the other to work harder than they've ever w... More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #114
2008-07-05 12:34:00 Now this is a twist! Right this minute, as I write this, Sweetie is up in her room reading a book. I mean, actually reading it! Usually she nags me to wake up then, while I'm in the bathroom getting ready for the day, Sweetie either snuggles in our bed next to Daddy or she quietly watches a cartoon on our upstairs T.V. But today? She suggested to me - Hey Mom. How about instead of me watching T.V. while you get dressed, I read Corduroy instead? Great!Then? When I was all set to come downstairs, she informs me she's still reading.That's fine. Take as long as you like. I'll be downstairs.Okay.Wow.--------------------- -----------------------The above was much different than wake up time a few days ago.Sweetie comes bounding into our room, full of energy (no, that's not the "different" part). When I finally get up, she waits for me while talking with Daddy (who's desperately trying to still sleep). *Anyway, she rambles on and on to Hubby about something, asking questions about th... More About: Saturday
But...And...CAPS...Breath....
2008-07-02 12:55:00 So do you like my new motto? I'm going to keep it up top there for a good long while, just so I have a nice happy thought to keep me going whenever I need reminding........ Like last night, for instance... So much for all my recent talk of dreams and goals and positive vibes, etc., etc., etc.... Last night I was, for a brief time, downright somber.For one thing, our dear little Sweetie has been driving me up a wall! Screaming bloody murder one minute when she accidently pushes the "stop" button on the DVD remote instead of "pause" (Good Lord, girl! Get a grip, don't freak out, and do ASK. FOR. HELP. Despite what you obviously know to be true in the depths of your soul, I promise you that the earth will not end simply because the wrong button was pushed!). And then quickly brushing herself off when nearly careening headlong into the corner of a large cabinet (no injury was sustained to the Sweetie in the making of this exercise regarding The Dangers of Too Much Sugar combined with ... More About: Breath
Static Post... Fluid Future
2008-07-01 14:57:00 Thank you, Universe/World/God, for conspiring in my favor. More About: Future , Post , Static
Mama Monday #30.1
2008-06-30 12:33:00 Theme: Aha!So I bet you're all just itching to know what the heck has been on my mind lately? Well, lots of things, actually. Some more important than others. You know. Whatever. We've all got things on our minds. Big deal.But the thing that is a Big Deal - at least for me - is my fresh new self awareness.Aha! Intriguing, yes? Allow me to explain.(Ooh, boy. I'm not sure how I can possibly make this a light and breezy/soft and easy post. I'll try, but I'm warning you now.... this may be a doozy).Where to start? Okay - here's as good a place as any...Have y'all heard of something called People First language? Up until early last week, I sure hadn't.(Check that. I was actually given a child's activity book a few weeks ago that happened to discuss People First language. But at the time, I honestly didn't give the whole concept much thought).Anyway, if you click this link, you'll get the full (and not altogether positive) definition of People First language. If you'd rather n... More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #113 - Selfish Non-Post Edition
2008-06-28 12:21:00 Sorry. I got nothin'. Despite Hubby's being away for a few days this week, therefore putting Sweetie in my sole care (at least during the evenings - we visited Nana a lot this week), I've got nothing funny or remarkable to report on Sweetie.I guess, instead of paying much attention to Sweetie's typical silliness, I turned inward. In fact, it was a very busy "internal" week for me. Lots for me to do, think about, mull over, discover, and question for myself. Such as - why on earth am I normally such a patient person, but when it comes to Sweetie - it all goes straight out the window?Yeah - it's been a crazy week.The good news for you, though, is that Mama Monday will more than likely discuss some of what's been going on in my brain lately. So that'll be a deep, "meaningful" post to look forward to. Get psyched!But now? Nothing. Hubby's home, we've got a busy day ahead of us (what else is new?) and I am done.See ya Monday! More About: Post , Saturday , Edition
Polly Want a Pair of Pants?
2008-06-25 11:52:00 Given the fact that I had to have my mom "rescue" Sweetie (and I do use that term very loosely, today) and I from each other a little while ago, lest we absolutely drive each other insane with our stubbornness - I'm opting for some lighter fare here on this blog.I present to you Polly, one of the gifts Sweetie received during her Half Birthday Party:Now, I admit, this photo does show Polly in a clearer light than my first view of her. Still - is it just me, or does it look - at first glance - that our dear Polly is in desperate need of a decent pair of pants?Yeah, yeah. She's wearing leggings. I see that now. But, I'm tellin' ya - Polly's yellow "leggings", in real life, don't look much different than her skin color.Why not make them blue? Or green? Just so they show up better? I'm just sayin'... More About: Pants , Pair
Mama Monday #29.1
2008-06-23 08:13:00 Theme: EscapeSweetie's Merry UnBirthday Party was a huge success and a fun escape from reality.The beautiful table:The 1/2 cakes:The transition to Wonderland:The roses - white:The roses - red (or whatever color you wish):Time for tea!:And then a party game:Our winner!Sweetie running free on the croquet field:Time for presents:Back to reality - Party's over, just as the storm moves in: More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #112
2008-06-21 06:59:00 Our little Decoder Girl has been hard at work again.The Scene:Last night, our living room. Sweetie is lost in her own world, busily coloring/doodling away in her coloring books - an engrossing, favorite new activity of hers. Hubby and I are seated on the couch, with some such "entertainment" flashing itself across the T.V. screen. Hubby asks me if I want to watch our latest Netflix arrival later, to which I say yes. Then he mentions how he's thinking of making "a mocha chocka naka naka" (translation - a smoothie drink, made with coffee flavored ice cream and chocolate sauce) later. (translation - after Sweetie goes to bed. She's such a mooch! - it's best just to sometimes leave her out of the smoothie equation).So that was that. Sweetie sat, still concentrating on her coloring. Hubby and I watched T.V. Then, about 15-20 minutes later, Sweetie gets up, climbs up on her Daddy, and says:So, Daddy. what's a mocha chocka naka naka?(I start to laugh, almost beyond control. Hubby tries... More About: Saturday
Working Hard To Believe
2008-06-17 20:54:00 My job search continues. I send out at least two or three resumes a day. Last Wednesday I went gang busters and applied to several places. I've forwarded my resume to job placement agencies. I keep looking, I keep trying, I keep believing that something is out there for me.On the other hand, I try to enjoy my days with Sweetie. We go on play dates. We watch videos. We play games. We read. We're getting ready for her party. We tend to Daddy's veggie garden. We visit Nana. We rest, relax and have fun. It's been great to be with Sweetie so much - I really treasure this time with her.However - there's the continually nagging "thing" fighting it out in my brain...When I'm on the computer job hunting, and Sweetie wants to play with me or use the computer herself, I either get snappy with her - Mommy's trying to find a job! Go play something on your own! - or I feel neglectful of her - turning my head around to see her zoning out at the T.V. or "reading" her books to herself while I... More About: Hard , Working
Mama Monday #28.1
2008-06-16 07:25:00 Theme: PlayAs the saying goes, All work and no play make Jack a dull boy (or Amy a dull girl, as the case may be). Keeping this in mind, and letting my love for the theater take control, I was more than happy to take a break from the stresses of job searching to watch The Tony Awards last night.The play's - and the musical - the thing, after all.In a word, they were awesome!.This was a ton of fun:As was Lin-Manuel Miranda's rappin' acceptance speech:Another fabulously wacky acceptance speech for which I cannot find a video was Mark Rylance's win for Best Actor in a Play. Crazy, weird, and fun.As a forever fan of Grease, the performance by the Broadway cast last night was great too. Especially considering how fun it was to watch Danny and Sandy win their roles from this reality show.Then, of course, there was this opening song:Breathtaking as always. Hubby and I were blessed enough to see The Lion King in Boston a few years back. There are no words for how fabulous that opening n... More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #111 - She's Definitely Going To Be A Writer Edition
2008-06-14 07:02:00 Or an English teacher. Or poet. Something to do with words... Playing with and experimenting with words continues to be a major theme in Sweetie's life:Hubby put Sweetie to bed the other night and read to her a portion of her current bedtime book - A Little Princess. The last word he read that night happened to be "amiable".As told to me by Hubby, Sweetie thought this was hilarious!Amiable?! Like Mama's name? What does that mean?It means "friendly".Oh! Ha! I thought you were saying that Amy was a bull!(Well, technically - I am. My May 20th birthday just barely makes me a Taurus).--------------------------------- --Right at bedtime earlier this week, our computer screen caught my eye. It was doing something it had never done before and we're not sure how or why it was doing it then - it showed our photo of Sweetie's sonogram picture, then proceeded to slowly "back up", revealing hundreds of our digital photos, arranged in some sort of pattern. Before too long we saw that this coll... More About: Saturday , Writer , Edition
A Wonderful Day
2008-06-11 14:36:00 Today has been productive. I sent Sweetie off to my mom's for the day so I could get some important things checked off my TO DO list. Things like:Job Hunting (check!)Email Resume to Several Places I've Been Meaning to Contact (check!)Email People I've Been Meaning to Contact (check!)Set Up a Profile on JobFox.com (check!)Respond to Emails Recently Received (check!)Write (as we speak)Clean (I'm working on it)Locate Where I Can Purchase Heart Shaped Lollipops (I have a call in to a local candy shop)Locate Where I Can Get a Mad Hatter Hat (I'm working on it)Give Up Any Hope For Finding Blue & White Striped Tights (Done. We Don't Need No Stinkin' Tights!)Oh! Hi there! Did I forget to tell you that Sweetie's Merry UnBirthday Alice In Wonderland Themed Half Birthday Party is next weekend?I did? Huh. How did I let that slip by so stealthily?So, uh... yeah! We're all in Party Mode around these parts! It's going to be quite the shindig!The kids will play Pin The Smile on the Ch... More About: Wonderful
Mama Monday #27.1
2008-06-09 07:33:00 Theme: BeginI'm beginning again. I did not get this job I wanted so very badly. I'm told it was a close call. But where my passion for and genuine interest in the subject flourished, my lack of professional editing experience fell just shy of that of the chosen candidate.I am deeply saddened that I won't be taking on the awesome challenge I know this job would have provided for me. I'm still confident that, if given the chance, I could have done an outstanding job. But, as it stands, I do wish the new hire well and hope to see products grow and improve under her skilled leadership.However - some good news! In light of not getting the job I applied for, I was, in fact, offered a freelance position as the editor for an annual publication put out by the same company. I am thrilled about this opportunity and am excitedly looking forward to doing my level best for both the magazine itself and the individuals, organizations and staff members involved. The subject matter of this magazi... More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #110 - Say What, Now? Edition
2008-06-05 21:03:00 Every night lately, it seems I'm going to bed with a headache. I wonder why....Okay, now.... Mom? If you have a mom... And you're my mom... That means you're a kid doubled by a mom. So you're a teenager!----------------------Sweetie: What day is it today?Me: Thursday.Sweetie: Oh! I thought it was Saturday .Me: Nope.Sweetie: So today is the tomorrow after yesterday, then?-----------------------Last weekend Sweetie and I caught an early morning kid's show called Kid Guides. This particular episode talked all about spies. It was pretty interesting (or "instresting" in Sweetie language). She even learned all about writing in code!Needless to say, we spent a good chunk of last weekend writing out secret codes for Sweetie to solve.She did really well with it. I, on the other hand, had a tougher time figuring out the code in order to write her a secret message. Thank goodness there's more than one way to make a code. And thank goodness we have a sneaky Daddy who was more than happy to... More About: Edition
Thanks, Sweetie. You're The Best.
2008-06-04 03:07:00 Dear Sweetie -I am so exceptionally proud of your unmitigated bravery, deciding without question that you'd take yourself downstairs, all the way across the house, to the corner bathroom just to fulfill your early morning desire for a cool cup of water. A walking tour done all alone, in the darkness of 3:45 a.m this morning.You wasted no time, you got the job done, and you even took yourself back to bed. Well done!However, you didn't have to wake me up to alert me to your plan. No. Really. You didn't.Nor did you have to come back to me at 4:45 a.m. to tell me about the "nightmare" you had. And from your extremely wordy, extremely energetic, mama-I'm-fully-awake-right-now description, it really didn't sound to me like it was all that scary. Not that I can accurately remember everything you said as I walked you back to your bed. Something about playing Fetch with Ruff Ruffman, only Ruff wasn't there, so you were the host, so it was really Fetch with (Sweetie) and there were cats...
Mama Monday #26.1
2008-06-02 14:48:00 Theme: LongLong arms:Long legs:Long back:Long hair:Sigh... And to think... it wasn't too long ago that she was a teeny, tiny baby.Parenthood: Simultaneously longing for the old days, while lovingly providing a firm foundation from which your child can grow. Hoping to see her confidently set out on a long, happy, and healthy life's journey. More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #109 - Vocabulary Edition
2008-05-31 14:03:00 This week has found Sweetie once again expanding both her vocabulary as well as the way in which she expresses her words:Exhibit A: The following written communication -Addressed to Sweetie:(Don't go potty here. It's broken. Go downstairs. Love, Mom)Sweetie's rebuttal to me:(MOM I TH.(ought) U FIXED IT?)Very cute! And what a wonderful new world is open to us now that she can read!------------------------------------ ---------------The neighbor girls were over last weekend, during which time they all played upstairs in Sweetie's room. That evening, I remembered this and imagined the mess that most certainly still existed upstairs. I sent Sweetie to her room to pick up the toys.At one point, Hubby went upstairs to check on her progress. I couldn't make out his exact words, but I definitely heard his shocked surprise regarding Sweetie's disastrous surroundings. I also heard some back and forth between them, wherein I assume Sweetie was blaming the mess on the girls and Hubby was e... More About: Vocabulary , Saturday , Edition
Ms. Fix-It Domestic Lady
2008-05-28 22:37:00 I'm becoming quite the domestic diva these days.... at least intentionally speaking.? I fixed our majorly clogged downstairs bathroom sink. It's been clogged FOREVER and I fixed it!? Usually after I wash our bed linens, Hubby puts the clean sheets on. Today - I did it all myself!? Lately our upstairs bathroom toilet's tank has been overflowing just a little. Not all the time, just every so often. Yesterday it REALLY overflowed. I looked on the internet to find out how one might go about fixing such problems themselves, if they were so inclined. So when Hubby came home, I was able to tell him what he may be able to try. He, of course, already knew some things to try. But I felt good in the fact that I actually understood what he was talking about. Kinda.(Note: An initial fix that seemed to have worked at first has now proven not to have worked. We'll most likely need to install a new tank or get a whole new toilet. Oh well - it's cheaper than calling in a plumber.)? As I write t... More About: Domestic , Lady
Mama Monday #25.1
2008-05-26 14:02:00 Theme: CareSo...those girls. Again with those girls! They're presence in our life is... fine. Really. But it's also making me feel just a wee bit self conscious.Whenever they're over, I always preface play time by letting everyone know just how long the fun can last.For example, this weekend I announced that Sweetie's Daddy would be leaving in about one hour. When he goes, the girls have to go home for the day.(In theory, all girls agreed with this plan. In reality, Sweetie pitched a fit when we called her home).Anyway, it makes me feel like I'm some kind of Doomsday Sayer, setting up the inevitable fall from a happy situation.(Let it be known, however, that the neighbor girls are always agreeable and perfectly accepting of playtime's end whenever it rolls around. It's Sweetie who's the dramatic one. Of course.)Whenever the girls are playing in our house, I feel like I'm constantly telling them not to do something, go somewhere, or to generally be careful.You can all play u... More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #108 - Sweet Sweetie Edition
2008-05-24 13:52:00 Nothing too funny today. As I'm home with Sweet ie so much now, I guess many of her funnier moments now just wash over me as her just being Sweetie. Daddy: How are you, Sweetie? How was your day?Sweetie. Great! I'm great everyday! (Really? We had no idea).Daddy: Oh, yeah? What was the best thing about today?S: Playing with the girls. Except, I was sad when Mama said it was time to come inside.D: Yeah....well, what did you do with them?S: We played house. And K____ lost her toy kitten and I couldn't help look for it because Mama said to come inside.D: Was it an imaginary kitten or a real kitten it.S: It was a real TOY kitten.Me: Did she lose it in our yard, or theirs?S: In their yard.Me: Well, they were still outside for awhile, so I'm sure they found it.S: Yeah.... and we also had a picnic!D: You did? What did you eat? Was it real food, or pretend?S: Real food! We had milk's favorite cookie and I won!D: How do you win at eating Oreo's?S: No! They were Speed Racer Oreos and my c... More About: Saturday , Edition
Waaaaiting...Is The Hardest Part
2008-05-21 15:33:00 We need a new car. Well, two new cars, really. But one, at least, sooner than not. Especially with gas prices as they are.As soon as I get word on (the) job, we can trade in the car.I see that Blogher is now accepting registration for the Boston leg of their Conference Tour. I definitely want to go to that - it's alway been part of my plan.As soon as I get word on (the) job, I'll be able to justify spending money on the registration fee.Hubby needs a new nutrient pack for his AeroGrow. And he wants to get lettuce pods for it too. Probably other kits as well.As soon as I get word on (the) job, Hubby can order whatever he needs.My back and shoulders are so sore from sitting at our too tall desk as I job search and write. I need a massage. It's my birthday time! I should treat myself to a nice massage!As soon as I get word on (the) job, I'll feel okay about spending some money on myself.We so want to get together with more of our friends on a more regular basis. Hubby and I both lo... More About: Part
Mama Monday #24.1
2008-05-19 14:07:00 Theme: CountI'm trying not to count my chickens before they're hatched - but it's very hard to do.-------------------------Tomorrow's my birthday. I lost count of how old I am. Once I hit 30, it honestly now takes me a few minutes to think about it and figure out my age.I'll tell you this much - It's been more than a few years that I've had this age-specific memory trouble.-------------------------I count how many aches I have, and how many times I sneeze in a row. How many tissues did I just use up? Yeah - I've got a cold. I can tell it's not allergies (allergies don't first show symptoms at 8pm at night). Yippee. What an awesome week to get sick.--------------------------No matter. Hubby and I have very loose plans to go out for dinner for my birthday - at some point. Not necessarily tomorrow. Not even necessarily this week. I have no idea when. It all really depends on his work schedule, which is still up in the air for the week at this point. Other than that, I've got... More About: Mama , Monday
Sweetie Saturday #107 - Subtlety Is Not Her Strong Suit Edition
More articles from this author:2008-05-17 14:12:00 Sweetie is very good at tellin' it like it is.... for better or for worse.When I opened the door to find that friend of the neighbor girls back at our house around dinner time that night, Sweetie plainly (angrily?) told her:Hey! What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here now.-----------------------Sweetie has also insisted, upon seeing the neighbor girls outside in their own yard, on going outside specifically just to tell them how she can't play right now.(Thankfully, I've been able to dissuade her from actually going through with this announcement).-----------------------When the 6 1/2 year old neighbor girl peered through our living room window the other day, we opened the door, only for me to tell her (in my most apologetic tone):Hi there. Sorry, I don't think (Sweetie) can play today. Maybe some other time.Sweetie, though, couldn't let it rest at that, adding rather bluntly:Yeah. I can't play today. You have to go home now.------------------------In the car ... More About: Saturday , Strong , Edition , Suit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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