How ya' like my new gams?

I have this urge of wanting to create lately, maybe it's because I've been dealing with LIFE that now I'm bursting at the seams. I'm testing the waters with my new look, let me know how obnoxious it is!! Isn't creating awesome?!?!? So many possibilities!

Gift for the ungrateful...literally.

Ok, so I have a problem and am really struggling on what to do. I have a family member who NEVER says two very simple words, "thank you". This bothers so many people and this family member isn't even aware, it's so pathetic. It doesn't matter what you do for this person you will never get a simple, "thank you" out of their mouth, not even a card or a dumb email. It's becoming a problem because no one wants to ever give them a Christmas gift but because our family rotates names, you sort of have to. Annoyingly (is that a word?), I have this family this year to give a gift and I have no idea what to give them because it doesn't matter how much thought you put into the gift or not, they are obviously ungrateful people. I know it's still only August but it's going to take a few months to figure out what to do for Christmas this year. My hubby jokingly said, "why not send a card that says a donation has been made in their honor to...." which is clever, but let's be serious folks, what do I do for an ungrateful person??

Keep Your Fingers Crossed!!

I just got back from baby R's appointment with Dr. Canada. He's telling me that if her next x-ray shows the angles of her hips are in the "good" zone he'll take her cast off early!!!!! Her next appt. is on September 9th which is just a couple of weeks away!!! I don't know if you can tell how excited I am or not but believe me, I am smiling from ear to ear!!! However, I know I shouldn't get my hopes up too high because if her hips are in the "gray to red" zone as far as angles of her hips are concerned, she has to stay in the cast longer, bummer. It is fun seeing her legs move though, you have NO IDEA!!!!!

Side note: just because the cast is off does not mean we are done messing with her hips, she will be followed till she is somewhere between the ages of 5-8. There could be surgeries down the line along with months of different type braces. We are keeping our fingers crossed though that this will be the end of the line for her and her hips will go on to developing normally!!!

Good Deed = Good Day

Well, G had his first day of Kindergarten this past Monday and surprisingly he did much better than we all had anticipated. However, when it came time to take the bus home, once again the bus drivers took it upon themselves again this year to make up their own rules which ended G's first day in hysterics. Long story made short....Last year, they (bus drivers) were running behind so they made a judgement call to put G on the typical big bus with all the screaming, chaotic kids making stop after stop after stop which led to him collapsing on our driveway (I believed I blogged about that day). Well, that situation was handled immediately to make sure that would never happen again and it didn't. Fast forward now to Monday.... we thought G was all set up for transportation home on Monday until the bus driver kicked his aid off because of the bus driver not wanting to turn around after G's stop to take the aid back to the school. He also was on the bus for over an HOUR!!! After getting G calmed down the phone rang just as I was walking to it to call the school to reem them out and it was his sweet resource teacher on the other end apologizing profusely! His aid was also in the background in tears that that had happened. Well, to keep this as short as possible, the principle ended up calling me to let me know that G's bussing had been changed to where his aid would be present at all times and if not, she would personally ride the bus home with G. She also contacted the bus barn (stupid name I know, but that's what it is called) and made sure the bus driver was being reprimanded. G's ride home yesterday was beautiful!! And I got a call from his Kindergarten teacher last night to make sure everything went great and to fill me in on his new "friend" that will ride the bus with him each day, it's a stuffed Clifford The Big Red Dog.

Although we've had hiccups (ok, BIG hiccups) I am so appreciative of the awesome principle at G's school who always takes immediate action on his behalf and she has gone to bat for me against the district on more than one occasion to get issues resolved. Educators at G's school have so much heart and all care about the kids more than I have ever witnessed. I am so thankful for everyone including the nurse who lovingly administers G's supplements at lunch without making a big deal about it.

Well, after I saw how much everyone at his school was upset just as much as we were about it all my hubby and I decided to send a "thank you" to the school today. We sent a HUGE Fruit Bouquet for them to eat today and I worked out with the Edible Arrangements store that I could drop off to them a personal card from us so it wasn't the typical printed 2x3 printed card from the store. There is nothing better than passionate educators!!!

GO TEACHERS!!!!

Pretty in Pink

Ahhhh.......that's a small sigh of relief. Baby R went back to the OR this past Monday and THANKFULLY her hips have stayed in place so her Orthopedist was able to take her cast off and re-do it only to her knees. After going through a purple cast then a red one, we finally got white but after her body re-hydrated after the procedure the cast ended up being too tight. We took her back in the next morning to have her cast adjusted. They cut a crescent shape out of her waist line and another half inch out of her abdomen down to her crotch area. Then, after traumatizing my baby with the noise of the cast saw he re-wrapped her in pink and she definitely is more happy that her legs move again. We'll find out on Wednesday how long Dr. Canada plans to keep baby R in the pink cast but for now, we LOVE seeing those little legs have some movement again!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!!

Now, to be fair, all you blog followers didn't get to see how many emails I received so I'll tell you that all of you (blog and email) had a 1 in 6 chance of winning. With that said, my lovely 3yo assistant chose her GAP hat this time to put all the names in and had I not seen the name she pulled out with my own eyes I probably wouldn't have believed it, but, our gorgeous winner is....

CHRISTY

Congratulations to Christy for winning....again!! You're on a roll dear so I hope you enjoy your "trick or treat" board!!!

Thanks to everyone who entered! I have a gagillion ideas in my head that I'm dying to make and share with you all so keep coming back sweet cheeks!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

When I went to the craft store to buy supplies to make a giveaway, all of the holiday stuff was out (including all the Christmas trees!!) so it got me excited for the upcoming holidays and I just had to put together this darling piece...

I figured since Halloween was up first, I'd fashion this number. The piece measures approx. 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" and can lean against a fixed object or in a stand (neither included). This will look great on your own countertop next to homemade Halloween goodies or awesome as a gift!! The rules are simple:

1: Leave a comment on this posting stating why I rock.

2: Ok, kidding about Rule 1.

3: Leave a comment saying how much you want this fabulous freebie!

That's it (but only one entry per person please)!! With my baby fixing to go back to the OR on Monday morning, you fellow blog followers will get plenty of time to enter. The winner will be chosen by pulling a name out of a hat by my lovely 3yo assistant on Saturday, August 22nd at 12noon sharp (CST)!!!

P.S. I got some flack last time I did a giveaway by not including my friends who don't blog so if you want to enter by email, you may do so as well, I'm feeling extra generous.

GOOD LUCK TO THE FUTURE WINNER!!!!

I miss my modern life...

Due to my babies situation, a lot of my modern conveniences have had to take a backseat and I am truly longing for them back (I wouldn't do good as a Pioneer slaving away, let's not lie).

1: Highchair. I have to feed my baby on my lap which inevitably always ends up with her grabbing the bowl, spoon, whatever and making a mess with my outfit. I don't like changing my clothes 3 times a day.

2: Bumbo. Oh how I miss my Bumbo. I bought this lovely thing when I had little R and have deemed it my best purchase ever! I can't wait to use this lovely again!!!

3: Exersaucer. At this age, she wants to be entertained and this is where the Exersaucer would be utilized the most.....it isn't.

4: Stroller. Ok, so I CAN use my strollers, I just have to alter them so much with pillows/towels to accommodate the cast situation that it makes putting my baby in/out such a chore!!!! Not to mention the car seat dilemma...

5: Car seat. We have this bulky medical approved carseat right now and the lump of a baby I have right now makes getting her in/out of the car a workout in itself.

6: Changing diapers. You know how quick you can put a diaper on? It can take me as long as 12 minutes. Who wants to change a diaper for 12 minutes?? No one.

However, even though I miss all these conveniences, we did find one modern thing that makes baby R happy!!! It's our beloved RODY!! RODY TO THE RESCUE!!! She loves hanging onto those ears, chewing them up and making sure they are super slobbery. I can't tell if she likes bouncing best or just rocking but man, the big smiles that come off her gorgeous face are PRICELESS!!!!I wish I videotaped this moment, my babysitter was rocking her and she was trying to giggle but hold back at the same time, it was pretty funny.

Finally, my babysitter rocked her forward enough and some belly laugh came out. I'm so glad that even though baby R can't do much, at least she can straddle a rocking horse!

Baptist by Proxy

From what I am gathering, Baptists are a dominating religion here where I live. Ever since baby R was born as people see her, whether it be in the grocery store, the therapy clinic, mall, craft stores, Hallmark etc... strangers ask whats with the harness, or now the cast. I give my typical answer of, "she was born with no hip sockets....." and it's always followed with them telling me how much they will pray for her and think of her recovery often. Now, I'm not Baptist but I'm starting to feel like maybe I am becoming one by Proxy. It's the Baptists who stop me the most to inquire about baby R and they are always the first to offer up prayers. They are all very nice people and always look at baby R so adoringly and give me a nice hand on the shoulder. I'm not converting but it's nice to know that other religions have so much heart and I'll take their prayers and encouraging thoughts any day!!

Now, can the 17th get here ANY SLOWER?!?!?

TRANSFORMER MANIA!

It's official, my baby boy is now, {gulp} 6!! My G has been LOVING Transformers the last little while and although he struggles with transforming his Transformers and ends up popping off legs, arms, heads etc... he does remarkably better than me! Funny, as I typed that he came up behind me to pop body parts back on. Anyway, I obviously did a Transformers themed party and decorated with true Bumblebee colors (Bumblebee is the name of a Transformer for all you non-boy mommies). To not overwhelm G, we just let him dig into his presents as soon as he woke up so he could have the satisfaction of knowing what he got all day and wouldn't get cranky about us making him wait. We then did cake after lunch and party favors a little later and then had the GRAND FINALE....

G picked out this Batman Castle, he was jumping up and down with excitement when he got it.
We got him one of those cards that plays music and talks when you open it. Nevermind the fact that he is "reading" it upside down, it was just cool that Optimus Prime was wishing him a "Happy Birthday!".
Oh Boy! This child wore his new Bumblebee costume ALLLL DAAYYY LOOONNGGG!

We gave little R a consolation present. We pulled it out when her brother started getting upset that she wanted to play with HIS new toys. It worked, she was happy.
Pretty much how baby R spent the morning while watching G open presents. Yes, that fist is always shoved in her mouth.

And the GRAND FINALE!!! We bought the kids a bounce house which they LOVE! What kid (or mom and dad too) wouldn't?? It's safer than a trampoline and it helps G regroup really well.

Little R never wanted to leave the, "castle" as she calls it, so we had to bribe her with pizza to get out.

Overall, it was a smooth day for G, no tantrums, no headbanging, nothin'! I guess I can chalk up the day as a SUCCESS!! YAY FOR MOMMY!! (ok, dad too, he did pay for everything).