Happy Mother's Day

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March for Babies

In the seven years since our first March For Babies, we've never had such beautiful weather.  What a gorgeous day to be the ambassador family.  Thank you to all who gave and came out to show your support.  You have no idea what it means to me! 

Sadly, I was so busy and nervous that I didn't get very many pictures.  But we had a great time!

March Is Tomorrow!

Hope to see you there!  Our family will be taking the stage about 9:30 am.  I'm so nervous as I don't believe I've ever even spoken with a mic before.  If you want in the group picture, plan to be there around 9.  The kid zone area (with inflatables) opens at 8:30 am and lunch will be provided afterwards by Papa Johns.  Really hope you can make it.  There is also still time to make a donation to our team at www.marchforbabies.org/jls044 

Being The Ambassador

http://youtu.be/VLAk0UFzEmc

I asked Olivia to say a few words about being the ambassador this year.  Haha!  Not sure I should give her a mic tomorrow.  

Field Trip

Today Olivia's kindergarten class went to Tanganyika Wildlife Park.  It was fun, but freezing.  That wind was just awful! Brrrr.

She liked the lemurs, but decided against feeding them.  

And why is the playground always the highlight?

Kitty Kelsey

Olivia is not much of a dog person as they are a little too "in your face" for her.  She, however, LOVES her cat.  Cats have been so good for her. As a baby and toddler, Olivia did not like to be hugged or really touched that much. She had to learn how to accept a cat's affection and not shy away from it. She still struggles with this a bit, but now gives the best hugs (mainly because we just kept hugging her anyway.) Kelsey didn't start out being anyone's particular cat, but she sure attached herself to Olivia and now the two of them are the sweetest pair.  In fact, Olivia wants a Kelsey party for her next birthday because "that is what she's really into" right now.  LOL!  Hopefully they make diluted calico plates?  

Autism CareWalk

Today we walked in the Autism CareWalk with some teachers and staff from Olivia's school.  I had signed up to walk before we received the autism spectrum diagnosis for Olivia.  Wow, what a turnout and such great support!  It was a beautiful morning (although a bit windy) and we had a great time.  Abigail especially liked picking out all the doggies.  

Twenty minutes

Twenty minutes jogging, no walking: that was my challenge today. It was a big jump from my last run.

And I did it.  It wasn't pretty. . .it was windy and I took it pretty slow, but I did it. And my blood sugar was 80 afterwards (I just have to take a glucose tablet for every mile I run.  I'm learning.) Just a few weeks ago I couldn't run two minutes at a time.  And now I can run two miles!  I'm feeling pretty accomplished.  My energy is up, my restless legs are better and my blood sugar is improving.  

My Sweet Girls

17 Months

Yesterday my baby turned 17 months old.  17 months old already!  She is just an awesome little girl and we are so blessed.  She is finally sleeping through the night pretty consistently (as long as we keep the thermostat below 70 degrees.) Abigail has had 5 teeth forever and now she is getting about 5 more all at once.  She has been a bit cranky lately because of it.  She is about 31 inches tall and weighs almost 26 lbs! Olivia and Abigail are now the best of friends and it is so amazing to watch.  Nobody can make Abigail laugh like Olivia can. I love my girls so much! 

The BIG Slide

She's fearless, stubborn, smart and cute!  Watch out world! 

March For Babies

Please take a moment to consider donating to our March of Dimes team or signing up to walk with us.  You can do so by clicking on the sidebar to the right.  The March For Babies is in two weeks!  I'd love for you to be there to support Olivia as the ambassador.  She doesn't quite know what it means, but she would understand better if all of us were there to support her as we share her story.  Thank you so very much!!

Sandbox Fun

Fun Run

I don't think I ever posted pictures of Olivia's Fun Run at school.  I think she ran about 1 1/2 miles!  Way to go, girlie!

She did so good and I was so proud of her! 

Visual Learning

When Olivia went through the psychological testing last month, we discovered that she is brilliant with pattern recognition and spatial awareness and other visual learning tasks. Do you remember in school where they'd show you a shape and you had to pick which one was the same shape flipped and rotated 90 degrees, etc? Olivia is amazing at this.  For example, Abigail has started playing with mega blocks so Olivia has started playing with them too.  She created this in her room and took a picture.

Later this evening, with almost complete memorization, she recreated a flipped U shape with the end piece now at the beginning. Without even thinking about it, she knew which way to orient the pieces.  I even had to think about which way they would go.  It was astonishing to watch.  Then she had me make blocks and we paired them up in partners.  When it was time to go to bed, she told me to put my blocks back in the bag, but I couldn't remember which ones were mine.  She had no problem, of course, telling me the 13 blocks that were hers. LOL!  And you should see how she puts on her shirts. . .face up and upside down on the floor in front of her.  Then she scoops it up and puts it on. Never gets it wrong. LOL! Smarty pants. 

March of Dimes Update

Our team is looking great this year!  I don't think there is any way we are going to pass the number one team as they are one awesome team!  Isn't it great the money they are raising?  I believe they walk in memory of their little boy, Miles.  God bless them. 

If you haven't donated yet, however, please consider a small donation.  Olivia is the ambassador this year and it is quite an honor.  We walked into Famous Footwear last week and they are one of the March of Dimes' sponsors.  It was neat when they found out they were meeting the ambassador.  I walk every year to honor Olivia and all of the premature babies who have been through so much.  But I also walk as one of the few ways I have to remember Logan.  I feel that because he lived his short life within the NICU walls, not many people got to meet him or develop memories with him.  So it is up to me, his mom, to remind people that he is worth remembering. Please help me do that every year and especially this year as I wish he could be standing on that stage with us as well. 

Thank you all for your support and for reading my blog.  You can donate or sign up to walk by clicking the badge on the right sidebar. 

Turning A New Leaf

I’m currently reading a book about living in the present (or the now) and not in the past or the future.

I’ve found that I spend most of my time allowing my mind to drift into the past with regret or guilt or in the future with unease and worry.  Every single day of my life.  It is so hard for me to be still and not allow my mind to wander.  It’s interesting because whenever I attempt to do so, there is always a cat in my lap. . .as if they can sense my availability.  I could learn a lot from them I’m sure. 

Recently I was listening to the clock tick and the refrigerator hum and I looked over and noticed that my beloved plant was almost dead.  How did I not notice before? I bought Hilga (yes, my plant has a name) in February 2001.  I bought her the first weekend in my new apartment over 13 years ago and now the poor thing was near death.

So, I repotted her, moved her to a new part of the house, watered her and I’ve enjoyed watching her.  I analyze each branch for any sign of life. 

Olivia has enjoyed it too and even drew a picture of her. (And, yes, she probably had about that many leaves. LOL!)

Her bare, brown branches are turning green with the hope of new leaves.  This has been quite therapeutic for me.  If a plant can come back after years of neglect, maybe I can return after years of neglecting myself? Maybe there is hope for me?

Easter Bunny

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Olivia looked adorable for Workout Wednesday at school. On Friday her school has their first annual Fun Run!


This morning, we repotted Hilga, my 13 yr old plant. I bought her the weekend I moved out of my parents' house in February 2001. She has needed a lot of love lately. She now has a new pot and a new place in the house.



The rest of the day was pretty crappy. I managed to lock myself out of the house. Abigail and I were going for a walk and when I got the stroller out of the back of the van, I left my phone. I had my house key, so I went around to the front door and found that I had locked the storm door. So I could not get in the house and I didn't have my phone to call anyone.

I ended up going to a neighbor's house to use their phone to call Ryan who had to leave work to let us in. We played in the sandbox a really long time. I sifted out like one hundred rolly pollies. It's a breeding ground for them apparently, but not a very good one as they were all dead. And then Abigail had a big blowout and I didn't have the diaper bag. Ugh. It's been an awful afternoon!! I'm happy to be inside now. 😉

Jodi- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone