Updates and Ramblings

This is really long and random, but I wanted to update (and complain) a little...

When I blogged about how healthy my kids have been, Jeremy insisted that I jinxed it. However, my kids were already starting to get sick when I wrote it- that's actually what prompted me to blog about it. So anyhoo, all three kids were sick for about two weeks and missed a week of school. It was pretty exhausting, but it was the first sickness this school year, so I felt pretty blessed for that. I've had the same sickness for about 4 days now, and I can't believe how brutal it is. Last Saturday I was in bed all day and Emma kept checking on me- she told me she would be the mommy and take care of me. Anything I needed, she was anxious to bring it to me. I asked Landon to get me water once and he told me he wanted credit on his chore chart for it. Boys.

Livi has been on an eating strike. One day she bit into something and screamed bloody murder. I thought she bit her tongue or cheek so I looked in her mouth for bleeding and saw that her gums were completely swolen. She's getting four molars at once! Since that day, she hasn't eaten a thing. It's been three weeks. Yup, no food for three weeks. Her speech therapist came over today and when we discussed her babyrexia, she suggested we join their feeding class. Seriously, a feeding class. Who knew. So, I guess in addition to speech therapy, she will now be attending a feeding class. Whatever.

One highlight of our week was watching cute little Whitney. The way the kids doted on her, you would think she was a new puppy. They loved it.




Landon and Emma have been in swimming lessons for the last few weeks. I've had them in lessons before, but with six kids in the class, they never really learned anything. These lessons are just the two of them and so now they are progressing very quickly! Landon is also in Scouts and both kids start soccer again this Saturday. It's busy, but we love it!

Enjoying The View

I was changing Livi's diaper when I saw some deer outside the window. I went to grab my camera, and when I returned, this is what I saw...

What a view!!

Livi's First Hair Cut

I just couldn't take the mullet anymore...

So, we took a little trip to Cookie Cutters...



She didn't cry but she wasn't exactly happy about it...



The end result...



Those curls have a mind of their own. Love it!

The Truth Hurts

Leave it to kids to tell you exactly how it is. As I was sitting on the ground changing Livi's diaper, my beautiful daughter, Emma had some wise words to impart:

"Mom, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but your legs kind of look chubby like Livi's."

Thanks sweetie. After a night of no sleep, taking two sick kids to the doctor, and spending a rare spring-like day indoors doing laundry...you sure know how to make a girl feel good.

Sunday Funday

I love Sundays.

Show n' Tell- Chore Chart

My kids have always been good about doing chores. Typically, it's something small, like picking up their toys or clearing the table. I've been wanting them to learn how to do more things around the house, not only to help me, but to teach them things they will need to know later in life (okay, mostly to help me out). Like all kids, they started to complain about how much I was asking them to do, or asking what they would get for it. I decided to give them a weekly allowance, but it still didn't really motivate them. After a while, they would say they didn't want to do the chores because they didn't really need the money for anything, and once I overheard Emma giving Landon a $10 bill because her wallet was too full. I realized that I needed a new reward system.

I found the perfect solution.

These chore charts are so cute as well as functional. They allow the kids to see all of their chores for the day and when they finish a chore, they put it in the pocket. At the end of the night, when all the chores are in the pocket, they move their marker up the ladder towards the reward. The reward is decided together at the beginning of each week. I can't believe how much more motivated they are to spend a day with Dad, or have a play-date, or a new toy.

They check the chart every morning after breakfast and make their beds before school. Then as soon as they get home they start working on the rest. It includes some things they should do anyway- like homework or baths, but it makes them more proactive in doing them. I've also introduced some new things like dishes, laundry and vacuuming. I've never had them as chores before, because I'm pretty anal particular about how I like things done. However, I knew I would need to get over it and let them do it their own way. It has saved me a lot of time doing some of the small things that they are perfectly capable of doing anyway. Plus, I feel like they are learning good life lessons about responsibility and the value of hard work.


Emma folded those towels and put them little piles. I thought she did a great job and she didn't even see me re-fold them before I put them away.

Anyway, I found these at etsy.com, but anyone that is even a little crafty (which I certainly am not) could probably figure out how to make them.

The Pen

I've been really good about not watching the news, but still need to do a better job at reading less of it. This morning, I was reading about Bernie Madoff and his new schedule in jail.

6:00- Lights on
6:30- Breakfast
7:45- TV & Ping Pong
11:00- Lunch
3:30- Recreation
5:00- Dinner
11:00- Lights Out

Is it just me, or does that schedule sound like heaven?

I might need to go steal a pack of gum today...

Good Bye Brian Williams

I've always been really interested in the news, current events, politics, and economics. I watch The Today Show, The 5:00 & 10:00 news, MSNBC, and Suzie Orman, among others.

Usually Jeremy and I love to discuss politics and current events, but while sharing my views over lunch yesterday, Jeremy informed my overall outlook is too depressing for him. I'm usually a pretty optimistic person, so being perceived as negative wasn't cool.

As we all know, the only thing discussed on the news anymore is the recession, unemployment, and house foreclosures. I didn't realize that hearing nothing but negativity has been worse for me than the problems themselves. I have a great life; my husband provides for our family, I have food and shelter, good health, and a happy marriage. Yet, I've been sucked into the world of doom and gloom.

I have a friend that recently told me she never watches the news. We were discussing the plane that landed in the Hudson River, and she didn't know about it. I thought it was so odd that she doesn't know what's going on in the world around her. But now I'm thinking she's on to something. How was her life any worse off by not knowing that event occurred? Isn't it most important to know what's going on with my husband, my family, my kids, and my friends? Anything else really shouldn't matter.

So, I'm taking Jeremy's advice and I'm no longer going to watch the news. I'm going to submerge myself into Reality TV and People Magazine. Heck, I might even go as far as read a fictional book...maybe even Twilight *Gasp*.

Since Jeremy suggested I do this, he promised he wouldn't make fun of me if the only discussions we have are about Jessica Simpson being fat, or who was kicked off of Survivor. So don't be surprised if a nuclear bomb goes off in Southern Utah and I'm completely unaware.

So long Brian Williams. Farewell Matt Lauer. Goodbye cruel world. I'm heading to the world of make believe where I can be happy.

Ignorance is Bliss.

W.U.W.M.E?

whats
up
with
my
eye?





a) spider bite
b) ran into chris brown on the street
c) ate non-organic chicken
d) didn't do the dishes to jeremy's satisfaction
e) trying too hard to master a sexy wink

Healthy Life, Happy Wife!

A few of you wanted more information about my last post as to how I kept my kids healthy this year. It's not really anything new, but I guess I didn't fully understand how important diet was to the immune system. I started reading this ebook and it helped me to understand a little more about keeping my kids (and myself) healthy.

The most significant changes I made were:

• Giving a multi-vitamin every day.

• Giving Airborne a few times a week.

• Eliminating food with MSG and HFCS.

• Eliminating sugar or substitute with Stevia.

• Use fewer anti-biotics, instead let infections run their course.

• Adding lots of fruits and vegetables (this was hard with picky eaters- see #2 below for help).

• Eating organic foods whenever possible and drink lots of water.

• Exchange regular salt with sea salt (Jeremy never noticed).

• Expose them to germs. Counter intuitive, I know, but if your immune system is never exposed to germs, it doesn't know how to fight them. The trick is to make your immune system super-powered so the exposed germs don't even have a chance.

• Pediasure. Lots of it.

• Flu Shot

• Yogurt with Probiotics. I found THE BEST Low Carb yogurt at Smiths. It's Kroger brand and only $.50 each. It tastes yummy and has 12g of protein, 4g of carbs and only 80 calories.
  

I'm happy to elaborate on any of those, but here two more resources that helped me:

1- All of the Dr. Oz "You" books
2- The Sneaky Chef recipes

Hope there is something in there you find helpful. It may seem like a lot of work, but it's worth it. We are all more healthy and fit, we visit the doctor less, and I am giving my kids the gift of good habits for life.

Knock Knock Knockin on Wood

Just like most parents out there, our kids have experienced an array of illnesses throughout their short lives. We are so grateful nothing has been too serious, but no matter how bad the illness is- having a sick kid sucks. Between the three kids we've experienced febrile seizures, fifth disease, ear infections, hand foot & mouth, ear tubes, strep throat, strep butt, ring worms, RSV, tonsillectomy, yeast infections, urinary infections, countless influenza, and several others that I can't think of right now. Emma was sick so often that we were beginning to test her for more serious diseases like leukemia and cystic fibrosis. Thankfully every test was negative, but we were told that we needed to keep her in isolation to help strengthen her immune system. That's the day I quit my job.

When Livi was born, I was doing everything I could to make sure she didn't get sick; I breastfed, I didn't take her anywhere, the kids washed their hands AND changed their clothes when they got home from school. Despite my efforts, two weeks later she was hospitalized for RSV. She was pretty much sick off and on the rest of that year. Then in May of last year, she was sick the entire month and that was the straw that broke the Mom's back.

From that point on, I was on a mission to break the cycle. My goal was to spend the summer building the kids' immune systems so by the time school started, they would have a fighting chance. I had been to a nutritionist in March and learned a lot about nutrition. It was helping me to lose weight but more than anything, I just felt better. I started to study everything I could get my hands on about nutrition, diet, exercise and the human body. I found it so fascinating and couldn't get enough. I started to incorporate my changes into my children's lifestyle.

I won't go into detail about all of the health stuff, not only because it's boring, but because I think I'm the only one (besides Amy, lol) that has had this issue with her kids. But, what I will share is that my kids have not been sick at all this winter. We've had a few colds, but nothing more. No flu, strep, ear infections- nada (I am currently banging my head on wood). When I went to my pediatrician for Liv's peanut allergy, he thought I had switched doctors since he hadn't seen me all year. I think he was bummed because our visits alone were paying his mortgage. Time to get a new meal-ticket doctor!

I'm sure that by writing this, Murpheys Law is going to come crashing down on me in the form of the bubonic plague. However, I'm pretty quick to complain when my kids are sick, so I also wanted to make note of how thankful we are to be healthy!

Dad's Birthday Party

My parents came into town and since it was the day after my Dad's birthday, we decided to have a little birthday party for him. It was nice to see the fam again and let the kids all hang out.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Valentines Day

Jeremy and I went out for Valentines Day. We tried a new Indian restaurant, Indian Fusion. Since we don't go out without the kids very often, I really wanted to try something different. This was definitely different. The ambiance was really nice- They had Indian decor, belly dancers, and nice music. The food was pretty average, but I've never had Indian food, so I don't really have anything to compare it to. Jeremy described it as "High Class Lean Cuisine."


Then we were off to Wise Guys Comedy Club to see the winner of "Last Comic Standing". It was so much fun! We ran into my friend from High School and we ended up sitting with them. It was fun to catch up with her until the show started. Then I didn't stop laughing until it ended.





Afterward, we went across the street to meet our friends Char and Robert.

It was a great Valentines Day!

Showin The Love

The kids got tons of Valentines at their party on yesterday, and this morning they woke up to a few things from Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa Garramore, and Grandma Palmer.

These kids are spoiled with love!!!

Girls Valentines Day Party

I went to Andra's Valentines Day party last night and had a lot of fun with just the girls.
Andra always has great food and cute decorations for her parties. Everyone brings Valentines to exchange with one another and they were all just darling.

Flashback Friday

My cute friend from High School, Angie, came into town yesterday and invited a few of us out to lunch. It was so nice to catch up with everyone. I haven't seen them in 14 years, yet it didn't seem like any time had passed. Well, okay, since we all have kids (one is a teenager), it seemed like a little time had passed- but we reminisced and laughed just like we did back then.

It's ironic that two of them live just minutes from me and we haven't run into each other in all this time. Hopefully that will change and we will be better at keeping in touch.

I think these girls are still as pretty as they were in High School!

Thanks for the trip down memory lane ladies!

Lazy Sunday with a little added chaos

My girlfriends and I get together on an occasional Sunday for lunch and a matinee.

Today we saw He's Just Not That Into You. It was a funny movie and would definitely recommend it if you want a good laugh.

Afterward, we went to Red Robin and enjoyed some good food and company.


As I was driving home, I was listening to some relaxing music and was feeling refreshed and ready to return home...then I got a phone call from Jeremy...

"There's something wrong with Livi, she's having some kind of asthma attack. I don't know what to do". I figured she was just getting sick or throwing a fit so I told him not to worry and I would be home in a minute.

When I got home I saw that Livi was red and blotchy and couldn't get air. Her heart was racing and it was clear there was something wrong. I quizzed him about the day and nothing seemed unusual. Then Emma mentioned that Dad gave her some peanut butter candy. Um yea, he forgot to mention that.

We interrupt for a Public Service Announcement:

For those of you that don't know, let me save you the trouble of finding out the hard way. Kids should not have any form of peanut butter until they are at least two. Not the day after they turn two. It should be delayed as long as possible and whole peanuts shouldn't be given to kids under 6.

-End of PSA-

I chose not to give Landon or Emma any peanut products until they were about four. I don't fault Jeremy for it, he really thought it was fine after the age of two.

Anyway, I took her to Instacare and had to bring Emma with me because she was so scared for Livi. Once I arrived, they took one look at her and bumped her to the head of the line and immediately began working on her. They told me that we might have to go to Primary Childrens. Last year at this time I spent a week there with Livi when she had RSV and I really didn't want a repeat visit.

She looked like someone punched her in the face. I wish I took a picture with my phone, but was too preoccupied to think about it. Anyway, after a while, the medicine kicked in and her hives got better, and her breathing returned to normal. We were referred to an allergist and both girls got a popsicle and we were on our way.

So much for a lazy and relaxing Sunday!

We have a toddler!

Livi turned two today. She woke up with her usual smile and cheerful disposition. I wished her a happy birthday and she wished me a happy birthday right back. It actually was "haha dirday!".

I told her to go to the basement where the kids were playing for a surprise.

She was so excited.

"A Die, A Die!"

Translation: A slide, A Slide!

She waited not so patiently as we put it together for her.


She was entertained for ten whole minutes.

Then after Landon's Jr. Jazz game, we all went out to Joe's Crab Shack (again) for her birthday lunch. Even though I don't eat seafood, I love that the kids have somewhere to play while they wait for their food. Livi loves their great big slide (if you haven't noticed, she's currently obsessed with slides).

Then we went home to open presents! All three Grandma's sent a gift in the mail for her (thanks so much!) so we had quite a few to open.

The loot.

I tried all day to get her to tell me how old she is.
She finally realized she wouldn't get her present until she did it.
So cute!