Wednesday, September 22, 2010 – Update

We picked up Olivia’s new lenses today and I’ve seen an amazing difference in just a few short hours. She’s actually wearing her glasses! Lately, it’s been a struggle and I have never wanted to force her to wear them in case the prescription isn’t right. Well, we got rid of the bifocals and tried a new prescription and so far, so good. I’m hoping this really helps her vision. She seems really happy with her new glasses! Isn’t she gorgeous?

Had I known we were going to have such a good photo session, I would have combed her hair and washed her face. Isn’t that the way it always happens? LOL.

Olivia’s School

Well, I emailed Olivia’s teacher last night. Hopefully, I’ll hear back from her and we can set up an in person meeting. I have quite a few suggestions. For one, I’m not completely ruling out the fact that she may not be emotionally ready for school. She has 3 years until kindergarten. . .so, plenty of time to get ready. I think she can receive OT and PT without the classroom setting and we may look into that. That being said, I’m going to try to keep her in the classroom if at all possible. I know it is good for her. If Olivia was able to bring Gogum, Lily or have chocolate milk at school, I think she would feel more comfortable as those are her “comforts” at home. Expecting her to not bring anything isn’t taking into account the fact that developmentally she is only 2 1/2. I’m also hoping that I can observe one day so that I can learn her routine and we can talk about it at home. They expect me to drop her off outside, which makes her cry and sets the mood for the entire day. Why can’t I walk her into her room and stay for a few minutes? Then, gradually ease her into being dropped off? I really think they are willing to do something to help Olivia feel more comfortable, so hopefully we can find a solution. Thanks for all of your suggestions. . .it really gives me a lot to talk with them about.

School

I got a note home from Olivia’s school today telling me that she cries all day and they were wondering if I had any suggestions for them. She has trouble transitioning and doing tasks on her own. For one, new places and experiences are scary for her. . .I mean, how long did it take us to finally have a good eye doctor experience? Over 2 years. Secondly, she is only 3 (developmentally younger than that.) She hasn’t had school experiences until now. I thought preschool was supposed to help her with that. . .it’s not like she’s coming in an expert at these things. She hasn’t gone to daycare, but she has no trouble pushing mama out the door to stay at grandma and grandpa’s house. She is very good at independent play at home. I hate that people think my child is one that cries all of the time. . .she is a very happy-go-lucky child most of the time. I feel like I’ve failed because school is not going successfully. My one suggestion for them is music. . .sing, sing and sing some more. We have to sing songs in order to get her teeth brushed, hair brushed, etc. I’m still trying to think of other ideas to help them, but it’s hard when I don’t know what the day is like. Maybe they would let me come and observe? Any other suggestions???

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 - Update

I’m having one of those not so good days. For one, I feel awful. I have a horrible sore throat and am just miserable. Then, I had to send Olivia to school this morning as she was clinging to me, crying, “I don’t want to go to school Mommy!” She has cried all week at the mere mention of school. She was originally so excited. . .I’m not sure what happened. This is the part of motherhood I’m not so fond of. How do I continue to send her when it makes her so upset?

Yesterday, we had Aunt Kimmy paint her name on her back pack. It turned out cuter than I even envisioned it! Thanks Kim! If only her excitement about school matched the cuteness of her bag. :)

So, after I dropped her off. . .I crawled back into bed. Too bad I couldn’t sleep because my throat hurts so bad. At least I had good company.

Now, I’m off to Walgreens for something to help my throat and then I get to pick up my favorite girl from school. Praying the day went better today. . .

Happy Birthday Grandpa Glunt

We wanted to wish Grandpa Glunt a Happy Birthday! Earlier, Olivia sang Happy Birthday to him and it was too cute. I am unable to get into my pictures at the moment, so I had to steal a pic from Kim’s blog. I liked this one because Ryan is sitting on his lap. :) We hope you have had a great day!

This is the pic I was looking for :)

Olivia had an eye appt/dilation today and she did AMAZING! Last time, she did really well, but her eyes didn’t have to be dilated. So, I didn’t know how she’d do today. Wow! She sat still and let him look into her eyes like such a big girl. For the first time ever, her eye doctor felt like he got a good measurement. I was sooo proud of her. This means that her prescription is a lot different than it was (no wonder she hasn’t wanted to wear her glasses lately.) He is removing the bifocals and we are going to try her with a different prescription. Hopefully, we’ll see a lot of improvement with these changes. Oh, and Grandma Glunt? You’re invited to come with us every time from now on. :)

Sunday, September 19, 2010 - Update

I’m quickly becoming accustomed to checking my blood sugar. After only a few days, it has become second nature. At this point, it’s kind of like a science experiment. It helps me figure out what I can and cannot eat. Barbecued beef sandwich. . .bad. Ham sandwich on Ezekiel bread and almonds. . .good. Ham with green bean casserole and a cinnamon supplement afterwards. . .awesome! I don’t know how much the cinnamon helped the fairly low carb meal, but my numbers have never been so low 2 hours post-meal. Yay! Now, I can finally determine how food is affecting me and what changes I need to make. My fasting blood sugar is normal, but it spikes too high after meals (especially those with carbs and sugar.) It’s called postprandial hyperglycemia. . .an exaggerated rise in blood sugar following a meal. So, I really have to watch what I eat if I want to avoid having blood sugars that are all over the place. This weekend, I learned about three amazing options for diabetics: Ezekiel bread, Stevia and cinnamon and I’m hoping to learn more about them. In the meantime, wish me luck on my diet. It’s tough, but I’m determined to manage this. . . .without insulin.

Rebekah’s Birthday Party

Today we celebrated my niece’s 8th birthday with a book party!  Everyone brought their favorite book.

Rebekah, the birthday girl!

Katie 

The two youngest Wildcats

 

Julia

With all of these books around. . .Olivia wanted to read one.

And, yes, there was hula hooping.  Here is my husband strutting his stuff.

And I wouldn’t embarrass my husband without embarrassing myself.  At least you can’t see my braces.  By the way, I was the adult who could hula hoop the longest. . .  however, I want to know who picked up our camera and took these pictures in the first place.

It was a great party and we hope Rebekah had a great birthday!

Happy Birthday, Rebekah!

Happy 8th Birthday to my niece, Rebekah!!  Olivia adores you (as do I) and we hope all your dreams come true!!

Thursday, September 16, 2010 - Update

As if I don’t feel bad enough about my appearance since having braces, my endocrinologist told me that I was much cuter without braces.  For one, how inappropriate and two. . .thanks a lot.  That made me feel tons better. . .I don’t even want to smile anymore.  Then, I left the endocrinologist with a blood glucose meter and I have to start testing daily which I’m not looking forward to.  What a week. . .and this is after we had golf ball to baseball sized hail last night.  This week was supposed to go better than last week. :( 

At least the rest of my family is doing well. . .Olivia, Ryan and the kitties.  Autumn has even started grooming Tobey.   Tobey is a sweet little thing, but is quite the handful.  He wakes us up every morning.  He licks Ryan’s face until he finally gets out of bed and then follows him around all morning.  Usually, at 6 am. . .Autumn leaves the room, sits on a chair and watches the sunrise or something. . .she never bothers us.  Tobey is constantly trying to steal our food (which Autumn did too) and he chews on stuff.  Autumn has never chewed on anything.  We’re enjoying our two kitties, though.  Snuggling up with a kitty sure helps at the end of a bad day.  :)

Can’t leave without a picture of Olivia. 

Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - Update

Today, I dropped Olivia off at school, went to Jazzercise, came home, showered and picked her up.  My day was going well until I heard that Olivia shed many tears today.  I don’t really know what that means. . .did she cry the entire time?  How many is “many?”  That really breaks my heart and makes this whole school thing harder.  She was so excited to go this morning too. . .

Autumn has decided that Tobey is okay and there is no more hissing in this house.  It only took 3 days. . .that wasn’t so bad.  I even caught them walking by each other and they rubbed heads.  Awwww.   They don’t yet love each other, but I feel comfortable leaving them unsupervised.  I worry, however, because Tobey demands attention from everyone he sees and that makes Autumn kinda shy away.  I still want to make sure she gets her fair share of attention.  Oh me and my cats. . . .kinda nice that there are no concussions or emergencies  to talk about this week. 

Monday, September 13, 2010 - Update

I think Tobey is actually a 3 year old trapped in a kitty’s body. . .he likes all the things Olivia likes. . .even playing trains!

Things have been a bit better between Autumn and Tobey today.  They can actually be in the same room together without Autumn hissing at him.  So, that’s a start.

Olivia goes back to preschool tomorrow.  Last Tuesday, they didn’t have school due to inservice, so she hasn’t been since that first day.  Hopefully, we’ll have another successful day.  Wish us luck!

Sunday, September 12, 2010 - Update

Tobey and Olivia

These two are inseparable!  Tobey wants to be wherever she is and the unpredictability of a three year old doesn’t phase him in the least.  He’s definitely the social kitty.  Autumn doesn’t like Tobey any better today than she did yesterday, but has yet to cause him any harm.  We cleaned up the old guinea pig room (unfinished room in the basement) and that is where we keep Tobey at night and when we aren’t home.  He has food, water, litter box, cat trees, blankets, etc.  He doesn’t like it one bit, but I’m not comfortable leaving them together unsupervised.    Some day (when Autumn gives the green light) I’m sure they’ll both be sleeping on my pillow! :)

Thanks to everyone who has reassured me that Autumn is acting completely normal and that it will just take a little bit of time.  I have yet to hear of a cat who was introduced to a new kitten and didn’t act this way. 

Sunday, September 12, 2010 - Update

 

Autumn isn’t taking her eyes off Tobey!

Why do I do things that cause myself more stress?  I don’t understand that about myself.  I hate drama.  I don’t know what I expected. . .Autumn to welcome Tobey into our home with open arms paws?  I am completely stressed over making Autumn feel secure and Tobey feel welcomed and making sure they don’t kill each other in the process.  I hate seeing this side to Autumn because I’ve always considered her the gentlest and sweetest of kitties.  She hissed at me for the first time ever after smelling Tobey on my shirt. 

Anyway, so other than kitty drama. . .things are going well.   I was never totally convinced that Olivia suffered a concussion because she just didn’t fall that far and it was onto grass.  I was convinced that she had a horrible bout of the flu and the timing was really bad.  However, no one else has caught this so called flu, so I’m realizing it probably was a mild concussion and that terrifies me. . .that something so seemingly minor can cause that!!  So, you thought I was overprotective before?  Watch out!  :)  Thanks again for all of your prayers this week.  I was a wreck!!

I’d better get back to bed.  I just had to share some thoughts before I could get back to sleep. 

Introducing. . .

our new kitten:

He is a 4 month old male orange tabby (I’m a sucker for tabby cats.)  Sweet as can be. . .although Autumn doesn’t think so.  I didn’t know Autumn could hiss or make many of the noises she has made since we brought him home.  It doesn’t help that the new kitten has a very nonchalant, “make myself at home” attitude.  I’ve never seen this side of Autumn, but I know she’s just exerting her dominance and making sure he knows who’s boss.  So, we’re watching them very closely and the new kitten will probably spend the night in the laundry room.  By the way. . .I think we are going to call him Tobey. . .we kinda fell in love with that name and he looks like a Tobey.  Autumn is 100% MY cat and I think this one is going to be Olivia’s cat.  He follows Olivia all around the house. . .it’s really cute.  Two sweet kitties with entirely different personalities.  Autumn is really shy around people she doesn’t know and I don’t think Tobey has met someone that isn’t his best friend. ..well, except for Autumn.  Autumn will be sure to get lots of extra cuddles tonight so that she knows she’s still my main kitty! 

Dentist Appointment

Today, Olivia had her first dentist appointment.  I was tempted to reschedule it, but since we already had to reschedule once, I didn’t want to do it again.  We went to Dr. Crystal Walker, a pediatric dentist, and it went awesome!!  I highly recommend it. . .especially for kids who have a tougher time with things like this.  They make it as comfortable as possible for kids.  Olivia got to lay down and watch Dora on a television attached to the ceiling.  They didn’t brush her teeth this time because Olivia was a little unsure about it and they didn’t want to push it.  But, she let them examine her teeth and put a fluoride treatment on them.  They sang the ABC song while they were doing it and Olivia sang along with them. . .her mouth open and all.  If only her eye doctor would take some tips from her dentist office, Olivia might be a bit more comfortable.  Olivia just needs a bit more TLC everywhere she goes.  They thought her teeth looked awesome (although she is still missing her top two molars.) I’ve always thought Olivia has beautiful teeth.  The only problem is that they  like to see spaces between baby teeth so that the permanent teeth will have room when they come in.   So, Olivia might have crowding issues in the future.  But, all is good for right now and she is a member of the no sugar bug club.   Way to go, Olivia!

Before/After

So, Wednesday (the awful day) I got braces.  They are a lot more of a hassle than I remember them being. . .brushing my teeth after everything I eat.  I know I’m doing this for the end result, but man. . . .I’m having self-esteem issues.  It doesn’t help that my face has started breaking out thus causing me to relive the worst parts of my teenage years.   Braces were a lot “cuter” when I was 15.  So, I’ll try to grin and bear the next 2 years, I guess.  My goal is to smile prettier, be healthier and be the fittest I’ve ever been by 35.  Guess I’d better get started on the last two. 

 

BEFORE

 

AFTER

Another Update

Yes, this is update #247 for the past two days.  :)  Everything is back to  normal in our household.  Even Autumn is back to her new favorite napping spot. . .Olivia’s baby doll crib.  I’m convinced she thinks it was made just for her.  She fits in it perfectly after all.  I could tell Autumn was a bit concerned about Olivia yesterday and she went in to check on Olivia with us throughout the night.  How did I get so lucky?  The perfect husband, the perfect daughter and the perfect kitty?  I am blessed and grateful that yesterday is behind us. 

 

Doing Good

Shelley and Izzy surprised us with some Dora cupcakes!  Other than a runny nose (that she’s had for a week) Olivia is doing great.  I touched base with her doctor and he said that he doesn’t need to see her since she seems to be doing so well.  Thank goodness because I didn’t want to get out and have to go anywhere today.  We are taking it very easy and hopefully we’ll get an afternoon nap. 

Kitten Update

Found out that the little kitten we were going to take died yesterday.  I think he was just too little to be without a mother.  I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.   Yesterday was one rotten day as I also got braces yesterday.  We may keep our eyes and hearts open for another kitty companion, but we’re in no rush.  By the way, we had chosen Tobey for his name.  :)

Olivia Update

After waking her up every 2 hours, she decided to get up around 5:30 am.  She is acting completely normal this morning and we are currently playing trains.  She wanted chocolate milk and is talking non-stop (even about how she went to the hospital and threw up in the little bucket.)  Praise God.  Hopefully, everything stays normal and uneventful around here.  Thanks for all of the prayers. 

Olivia

Just wanted to update all of you.  Olivia fell off of a slide today.  She seemed okay afterwards, but about an hour later she got really sleepy.  When she started vomiting, we took her immediately to the ER.  They did a CT scan which showed no skull fracture or brain bleed.  It looked fine.  We left a few hours later and the discharge papers stated that Olivia has a cerebral concussion.  She is still not doing all that well. . .sleeping on and off and still vomiting.  Lots of prayers please.  Thanks

Update 10 pm -

Olivia has been asleep since about 7 pm.  We have to wake her every 2 hours to check on her.  We woke her up around 9 pm and she said her name was Olivia and instantly recognized her favorite companion, Gogum.  So, that is a good sign.    She is acting, however,  like she’s really sick with the flu, which I’m learning is common with concussions.  Please please pray that she starts acting like herself by tomorrow.  I foresee a Dora marathon all day tomorrow!   Thank you all for praying for Olivia.  I worry so much about her anyway. . .to throw something like this in the mix. . .I’m a wreck. 

Just Pics

Olivia is still not feeling 100%. That doesn’t stop her from being cute, though.  We probably should have rested a bit more over the weekend because we have a full week ahead of us.  Hopefully, she’ll be fully recovered soon!

More Cole/Tobey Pictures

We’re having technical difficulties with the poll, so just leave your name suggestions/choices in the comments section.  Isn’t he cute?  I’m torn between the two names.  It’s okay, we have a few weeks to decide.  I’m really praying about this decision.  If you remember, I prayed about whether to invite Autumn into our home.  The next day, I got an email from Bath and Body Works and the subject line read:  Perfect Autumn, Perfect for Everyone.  We’ve had Autumn almost a year and every part of that has been  true.  She is PERFECT!  She has even turned my husband into a “cat person.”  I don’t think I’m lucky enough to get another email from Bath and Body Works or another cat that’s perfect, but. . . .

Birthday Party and a Big Surprise!

Today, we celebrated my nephew Aidan’s birthday with a Pokemon party.

 

 

She was so excited to be drinking Pepsi. 

And. . .we also wanted to introduce you to the soon-to-be newest member of our family:

Ryan’s aunt works at a vet’s office and a litter of kittens were brought in.  There were six kittens and this little guy is the only survivor.  We had been thinking for awhile about getting another cat for Autumn as she might like the companionship.  This little guy’s eyes just opened and he is still being bottle fed and requiring around the clock care.  Ryan’s aunt is coming back into town at the end of the month and he will most likely come live with us then.  We haven’t decided upon a name and thought you could help us decide. 

Our choices are:

Cole (or Coal, Kohl, Koal)

October and we’d call him Tobey.  We thought this name went well with Autumn.  He would be October Cole because Autumn is Autumn Grace. 

Be sure to vote in the poll!!!  Do you have another name suggestion?  Leave it in the comments.

We are all excited about our new addition!  Yes, even Ryan. :)   Autumn has been such an amazing cat. . .this little guy has a lot to live up to.  Hopefully, the two of them will become best friends. 

I wonder if he’ll like to sleep in the hamper like Autumn does.