In Ohio

Well, I haven't posted for a few days because I'm in Ohio. Many of you know my friend Amanda (or have read her many funny comments on my blog.) I met Amanda through my blog a few years ago and we have emailed and talked ever since, but have never met in person. A few weeks ago, her mom called me and asked if I wanted to fly to Ohio to surprise Amanda for her birthday. I thought about it and it sounded like a nice opportunity to get away and finally meet Amanda and her family. I will blog more about my adventures in Ohio, but I wanted to share the video of our first meeting. Her mom arranged a scavenger hunt with clues that led Amanda to a bedroom where I was waiting to surprise her. It is hilarious! I've had a great couple of days and will head back home tomorrow.

Thursday, October 7, 2010 - Update

I had a dentist appointment today. . usually I don’t have a problem going to the dentist, but when they were cleaning my teeth (scraping them, actually) I think they hit a nerve or something.  I about jumped out of my chair.  Yikes!  I’m glad that’s over.  Olivia seemed to have a great day at school today.  She didn’t cry when I dropped her off (for the second time in a row) and is talking more positively about school.  What a weight off my shoulders.  This afternoon, Olivia had fun with Grandma and Aunt Kimmy.  They enjoyed this beautiful weather by going to the park and out for ice cream.  Olivia had a great time!  Thank you, Aunt Kimmy, for getting some really cute pictures.

 

Olivia Talking

So many people have told me that they want to hear Olivia talking. This isn't the best video, but it's a little sample of the sweet, little voice we hear every day.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010 - Update

I think Olivia is getting the last of her two year molars because she’s been really cranky lately and her one dirty diaper every 2 days has turned into 2-3 per day.  She seems to be doing much better today and is back to making everything into a song.  She makes up songs about everything and is constantly singing and clapping her  hands.  And jumping. . .she jumps all the time too. 

Oh, and if anyone is skilled in the art of stubborn animal pill giving, please let me know. We’ve tried everything to get Autumn to take her antibiotic. . . from hiding it in food, using pill pockets, forcing it down her throat, crushing it up, etc.  Nothing is working.  You’d think we’d get lucky at least once.  The only thing we haven’t tried is crushing it up with a liquid and syringing it down her throat.  Would that work?  Ryan and I are scratched up and exhausted.

**I finally got some medicine in Autumn.  I ended up crushing the pill and adding it to a syringe with some milk.  Then, I just squirted it down her throat.  She might not get all of it this way, but some is better than nothing. :)

Halloween Preview

Yep, she is going as a little witch. . . a good witch, of course.  Too bad the hat doesn’t fit her head.  It’s a size 3T, but it’s made to fit a round head and Olivia’s is oblong.  Dang.  I’d also love to find some black and orange striped tights to go with it.  Those are harder to find than you’d think.  We tried the costume on and she cried and told me she wanted the costume off. . .not a good sign.  She looked really cute, though, even without the hat. 

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - Update

For the first time EVER, Olivia did not cry when I dropped her off at school.  She just waved good-bye and walked to her class.  When I picked her up, I was told that there was a bit of crying towards the end, but they are seeing improvement every week.  I’m continuing to pray for this situation. . .

My poor Autumn is still sick.  As was the case last year, the steroid injection for her asthma lowered her immune system which activated a mycoplasma infection.  Mycoplasma is always there, but usually remains dormant and doesn’t cause any symptoms. . .until periods of stress, steroids, etc.  So, each year we are most likely going to have to give her a steroid shot followed by a round of antibiotics.  Good thing she’s not a stray or outdoor cat. . .she wouldn’t survive a day!  Can’t wait until my sweet kitty is back to her normal self. 

Also, it was three years ago yesterday that I was able to hold Olivia for the first time.  I meant to post this yesterday, but didn’t find the time.  I look exhausted. . .I don’t know how I made it through each day.  We had buried our son two days prior.  Holding our daughter was something we really needed that day. . .and we haven’t let go since!

Emily and the Sheep

Funny video I had to share of my cousin's wife trying to feed the sheep at the petting zoo. Good thing Olivia didn't try to feed them! They were mean!

Jumping

Olivia learned a new skill today. . .one that we have been practicing for months in gymnastics. She can jump off a platform with two feet. Until today, she would step off or jump only while holding our hands. This is something PT has been working with her on as well. . .I think it's a 30 month skill. The light bulb just went on and she hasn't stopped jumping since. Now, she's looking for bigger, better things to jump off of and I'm wondering, "Why did we need to teach this skill again?" LOL

Autumn

Wow, that’s one big picture of my cat.  (Not sure what happened.)  I was up literally all night with a sick cat.  She sounded like she was coughing up a lung. . .it was awful.  And, when she sleeps on your pillow and has a coughing episode every 10 minutes. . .it’s hard to sleep.  Plus, I was worried about her and anxiously awaiting the vet office to open.  When they did, I got her in and $280 later, I learned that she does indeed have asthma.  We had problems last year around Oct/Nov. . .so it will probably be an annual occurrence.   She had a steroid injection and we’re hoping to see improvement within 48 hours.  Poor thing is pretty traumatized by the vet visit. . .she’s a very anxious cat anyway.    I’m hoping to get some sleep tonight. :)

Zoo Day

My parents were off work this week for their 40th anniversary and one thing they wanted to do was take their granddaughters to the zoo.  So, today we had a zoo day.  Not only was it a beautiful day, but everyone had a lot of fun. 

Watching the elephants

 

Riding on a lizard statue.

On the move. . .

One of Olivia’s favorites. . .the “gafingoes.”

Thursday, September 29, 2010 - Update

Autumn and Tobey are now the best of friends.  I didn’t think the day would ever come, but now Autumn mothers him and grooms him on a regular basis.  They cuddle, they wrestle, they love on each other . . .just like my sister-in-law, Shelley, said they would.  At the moment, I’m wondering if Olivia is ever going to get through a day of school without crying.  I’m hoping that if my cats have taught me anything, they’ve taught me that things do work themselves out.  We’ve made quite a few changes to Olivia’s school day in hopes that one or all of the changes will help.  I guess Olivia has trouble managing herself.  She completes a task and doesn’t know what to do with herself while waiting for the other kids to finish so she sits and cries.  She doesn’t know how to ask for help, even though her language is there.   She knows how to ask for help at home, although I can better anticipate what she needs and when.  She now goes to school two days a week (Tues, Thurs) instead of just one, but her days are shorter.  I know the shorter day helps (2 hours instead of 3) but it’s tough sending her another day.  Again, I know the reasoning behind it. . .she starts to get used to school, but then doesn’t go for another week.  I’m grateful that her teachers are trying to find a solution.  Please pray that this situation gets better as it’s been tough on all of us.

I did see a glimmer of hope yesterday.  Sometimes, Olivia gets in her cozy coupe and tells me she’s going somewhere.  It’s usually the grocery store or Target, but yesterday she said she was going to school.  (We normally can’t mention the word school without big tears.)   Then, she jumped out and said, “But, I need my back pack!!” She ran upstairs to get it and requested to wear it while driving her car.  I think this is a good sign!! 

Praise You In This Storm

Some days I am so angry at God for taking my son.  Did He not know how much I longed to be a mother?  Did He forget how hard we had tried to get pregnant?  How is that fair?  But, God did a very merciful and loving thing. . .he blessed me with twins.  For some reason, my son was not meant to stay here on earth, but Olivia would be here to help us cope with that.  We have been beyond blessed with the opportunity to raise her, love her, teach her, adore her.  She keeps a smile on my face and love in my heart.  I feel close to Logan just by being with my daughter.  She is our miracle and on days like today that is more apparent than ever.  I will forever miss my son. .. more than I can sometimes even bear, but I thank God every day for my daughter, my family, my friends.  And though I grieve, I will never forget the many blessings that I have. 

Logan

A is for Apple

Olivia and I started our preschool today learning about the letter A. Of course, my 30 minute lesson plan was over in 15 minutes, so I had to add in a few more things. We started the day by making applesauce. And. . .the apples smelled so good cooking in the crock pot that I had to eat a piece and then another and another. I don’t know how many are actually left to make into applesauce. Here is the recipe for those wanting a quick, easy way to make it.

--4 large apples, skinned ,cored, and cut in quarters
--juice from 1 lemon
--1/2 tsp cinnamon
--1 tsp vanilla
--1 T brown sugar
--1/4 cup H20

The Directions.
I used a 4 quart crockpot for the applesauce.
Skin, core, and cut your apples into quarters. Plop the pieces into your crockpot. Add the juice from the lemon, and the water. Pour in the vanilla and add the cinnamon and brown sugar.
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. When the apples are super tender, mash with a potato masher or large fork.

Unfortunately, this applesauce was not Olivia approved.  I think it was a little too tart for her.  She made a funny face and immediately asked for “new applesauce” aka Motts.  LOL.

Here is what Olivia worked on today at home. We colored an apple and made an apple book. She is still learning how to work scissors, so I did most of the cutting myself. That is one of the skills we’re working on in OT.

I also spoke with her preschool teacher today. We are shortening Olivia’s day, but adding another day each week. Instead of going Tuesdays from 8:50-11:50, she’ll go Tues/Thur from 10 – 11:50. We’ll see how that goes. She is also going to take Gogum to school with her in hopes he’ll provide some comfort. (I have an extra one stashed away in case he doesn’t make it home.) Please continue to pray for this situation to work itself out. Pray for her teachers, for Olivia (and for mom and dad.)

Happy 40th Anniversary!!

Today is my parents’ 40th wedding anniversary!  Wow!  Their marriage is such an inspiration to me and I couldn’t ask for two better parents.  Happy Anniversary!

My parents at my wedding in 2003.

Walter’s Pumpkin Patch

Today, we went to Walter’s Pumpkin Patch. Other than a short storm and the mud that followed. . .we had a great time!

We started the afternoon off with the duck races.

Almost to 3 feet!

Olivia was a girl on a mission. . .to have as much fun as possible!

We had to stop for some family photos!

Grandpa and his youngest girl.

Notice that she carried her duck around for quite awhile.

Now, this was just funny. . .

Alex and Olivia. . .err. . .I mean, horse and pig.

Hello goat!

Olivia was having such a good time. . .and here is where it started raining, so we hung out around the concession stand area until it stopped.

When it rains, Olivia’s hair goes curly-q!!! Finally, the storm passed and we were able to venture out again.

Grandpa and Grandma Glunt with the grandkids minus Julia and Rebekah.

Choo choo!! Alex and Olivia are off on the train! Alex is so good with Olivia and she just adores him.

Kaleb, Katie, Aidan, Alex, Olivia

Olivia riding Mount Boo with Alex. . .

and mama. . .

and daddy. . .

and even grandma! By this time, we were a muddy mess. But, a little mud never hurt anyone. . .

Then, it was time to jump on the giant pillow!

And if you know Olivia, you know that she loves to jump!

Katie and Alex

My cutie pie!

Nobody said mama couldn’t have any fun.