WORDLESS WEDNESDAY....

WELL SORT OF....

Can anyone remember Nico being so small? I sure can't it seems like a lifetime ago.......

Until next time.........

Monday Afternoon Prayers

Now I am not one to force religion in my life, in my blogging, or anywhere as I feel each of us as our relationship with God that is not be judged, but today I am inspired by one little boy who is fighting for his life as I type this. Please take a moment and go to this McMama's Blog and I promise you that you will be inspired by the strength and courage this family has been through the past year.

They were told their precious child would not survive childbirth, but somehow was born what was thought a healthy baby boy, named Stellan. Then even though he had heart surgery and mounds and mounds of drugs pumped into his fragile little body, he still lit up everyone hearts and souls with his beautiful 3-toothy smile. So today, we have the bad news that the drugs are not helping and he is fighting for his life, his tiny fragile life that has been on this earth a short 8 months. He has inspired people from all over the world to come together in a prayer vigil and unite, praying and unconditionally loving a child they may never meet.

So even I who has been through heck and back these past couple of years, it compares to nothing that this innocent, loving child has been thorough in the short months of his life. I can never relate to what his family is going through and never will I try, but I do know that they need all of you friends, family members and strangers alike to come together once again and pray that God says, "Stellan, it's not your time. Your purpose here is not complete."

It breaks my heart to type such a post, but know like anything else it's all out of our hands and even though we can't see the bigger picture here, I have no doubt there is one and is to my friends, family and strangers to grab your kids, husbands, mother's etc and tell them how much you love them because we never know how much time we really have left...........

Love and prayers,

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

This is one of my favorite pictures of Nico, Daddy and Mr. Bear, and yes he still sleeps with Mr. Bear!!!

Until our next adventure...........

ANOTHER FUN WEEKEND!!!

Fun day at Quail Hollow

Playing in the sand with Gma Connie

Taking a walk with Gpa Tom

I love you Gpa Tom!

Chay and Nico waiting for the Parade

Lounging waiting for the Parade!!

It's been a another fun weekend for Nico with a Parade and Fireworks on Saturday, and the Fireworks were about 500 feet from our driveway. Nico was a little nervous when they had the grand finale, but it definitely was awesome!! Then on Sunday Gma Connie and Gpa Tom came over for a long hike at Quail Hollow, and getting a little lost then it was time to see a big fish jump out of the pond and playing at the playground we were off to get Ice Cream!!! All in all another fun weekend....I just love Summer!!!

Until our next adventure......

So here we are again, another Monday and MckMama had this great idea of instead of all the imperfect things we couldn't possibly do, let's share all the things are children could NEVER possibly do! So here we go....my Precious Angel, Nico could of NEVER:

Pooed in his pants and had it falling all over the floor as he ran from me yelling, "NO potty Mommy!!!".....no not him, he always tells me when he has to go!

While we are talking about poo....Nico never would have ran around the house not once, but twice in the dark while we waited for fireworks at our house Saturday night while I am running through the dogs potty hoping that I don't step on any surprises!

Along with fireworks, my child never stayed up past 11PM, not one night but two because he was being so stubborn waiting for Daddy to come home from work and on the second night he certainly didn't have to go to Pre-School at 9AM......

My child certainly didn't take sand, dirt or anything he could get his hands on and throw it at me because he is the most disciplined child and he certainly DID NOT kick over my glass of tea while we were waiting for the fireworks just to be funny......notice me laughing!

And finally, he could of never in a restaurant, store or wherever he could possibly embarrass me put his fingers in his ears and yell at the top of his lungs just because it's hilarious....don't we all do that?!?!?!

Oh, and just for kicks my child a few months ago never got into his closet took out the washable paint that isn't so washable, glue and any other non-washable item and colored himself, the carpet, his bed and anything else he could get his precious little hands on......no NOT my Nico he always goes right to sleep at nap time!

Has your child done something to embarrass you or make you just shake your head and say "WHY ME?".....it seems terrible at the time but I am guessing like I am going to laugh you are going to laugh at my "perfect" child's imperfect ways! I wouldn't have it any other way!

Until our next adventure......

Fun Weekend!

Nico and I had such a fun weekend....we went out to lunch with my friend, Suzie Saturday and then went shopping for our birthday parties on Sunday. Nico wasn't really interested in eating but had fun at the store shopping for Chay's birthday! Then on Sunday we went to Kaitlyn's 10th Birthday party where we experienced Roller Skating for the first time with Nico and the first time for me in about 14 years!!! At first I was a little unsteady but got the hang of it and Nico was holding onto me with all his might, but we went around the rink twice without falling once!!! Then finally, Nico got the courage to roller skate on his own on the carpet and was having a blast playing with the kids and rolling from machine to machine where he thought he was playing the "big" kids games! How much fun was that to see him experience new things and to celebrate Kaitlyn's birthday!!!!

Then it was off to Nico's friend, Chay's party where they had a carnival theme. Plus Chay got a new sandbox which Nico was in heaven playing in! All the kids got their face painted, got to shoot water to make the cans fall of the table, bean bag toss, and ball in the jar. Which he got his very first fish, but unfortunately by the end of the party he was already in fishy heaven, which with everything else going on he forgot about his new pet. After everyone left, and while Mommy helped clean up Chay and Nico got to play with Chay's new sand toys in her awesome sandbox!!!!

It's weekends like this watching little Nico play with all his friends, and have a blast plus learn something new that makes me appreciate how much fun he is just a little more!

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On another note, we are still trying to potty train Nico and although Mommy is having success....Daddy isn't. And I can't figure it out, but it seems that if I put him on the potty and walk away for a few minutes, he'll go eventually. He obviously doesn't like to have people glaring at him, but who does?? He still has accidents with me, but hopefully with a little more training by the fall we'll be a diaper/pull-ups free house!!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather!!

Until our next adventure....

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY KAITLYN!!!

Dear Kait,

I can hardly believe that today you are 10 years old...already a decade old...which in turn makes me really old! I remember the first time I held you, the first time you talked and walked for me, or the first time you said I love you! Seems like these years have flown by and you have become a smart, beautiful, talented young lady right before my eyes....I look back at the pictures over the last ten years and I can't believe how much you have changed and how much talent you have!! Watching you on stage and watching you grow up has been one of the best times of my life!

So to you today, Kait we wish you a very Happy Birthday and can't wait to see the next ten years unfold right before our eyes!!!

We love you,

One of those days.....

Did you ever have one of those days when it starts out pretty good, the alarm clock goes off you get up starting getting ready for work and check your email only to hear your little sweet child waking up? So you go into his room thinking this is going to be a good day and bam it hits you like nothing else.............the smell of poopie that even now 3 hours later I can't get out of my mind.

Disclaimer......if stuff like this grosses you out, you probably want to skip this post........

I walk in thinking oh, he just had an accident in his diaper....oh how wrong was I?? Not only was it in his diaper but all over his jammies, all over him and on the carpet where he was laying. So I can't whisk him up fast enough to get him on the table to strip him of his diaper before now he is upset....so I calm him down and I am throwing stuff away because EWWWWWWWWW! I start to wipe him off, get Daddy up, start a bath and think why me?? Then I start stripping beds while Daddy gives Nico a bath and throwing stuff in the washer all while trying not to throw up and holding my breathe and before I know it I am all cleaned up and Nico too, and out the door....only to remember that his clothes are still in his laundry basket. Daddy goes in and almost throws up but the mess is cleaned up....the joys of Mommyhood and I have to admit one day we'll laugh about this, but definitely today is not that day..............the worst part about it was that Nico was upset and then I could of cried thinking, he did nothing wrong.

Poor little guy! Sorry if I grossed anyone out, but just another adventure in the wonderful life of being Nico's Mommy!

Until next time.....

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Until our next adventure.....

Here we are again, another week gone by and another "story" of all the things that I couldn't possibly of done all week....you know being the "perfect" mommy and all! If you want to read about other's head over here.

I couldn't have possibly let my child walk around again outside in his undies while trying unsuccessfully to potty train him because my child is always probably clothed!

I surely didn't get angry when our water tank, which by the way is 5 years old, started leaking and my lovely husband said it's not that big of deal.........because you know our money is growing on trees.....I still love you Daddy!

I know my child didn't empty out his drawers again, while he was suppose to be going to bed and then make him help me because my perfect child doesn't do such things...when I tell him to go to bed he falls right to sleep!

I could of NEVER let my child stay up to after 11-2 nights this weekend because I wanted to see fireworks and we were having a fun weekend...not me I always put my child to bed at the appropriate time!

So there it is my "perfect" week once again! Hope everyone else is having a great day and what "perfect" things have you done this past week..

Until next time.........

WELCOME BABY DASHEL!!!

On Sunday, June 28th, 2009

Dashel Jefferson

came into this world 3 1/2 weeks early but is doing very well.

He was

7lbs 4ozs

&

19 3/4" long

Proud Parents Vicky & Jeff!!!

For those who don't know Vicky & Jeff they are good friends of Daddy and I and Dashel was due July 22nd but made his grand appearance last Sunday!! Nico is very excited to have a new playmate and can't wait to meet him, but he'll be in the NICU for at least 2 weeks as his little lungs weren't quite developed. But when I talked to Vicky yesterday he was doing well!

Please keep your thoughts and prayers with Dashel, Vicky & Jeff for a speedy recovery and homecoming!

Dashel, Nico is waiting to come play!!!!

Until our next adventure.....

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!!!

Until our next adventure........

Potty Dance...Not so much.......

Well as excited as I was that Nico had started going potty over the weekend, it's come to a halt.....he did so well and now he just isn't interested again. So I wonder is this how it goes, they want to because it's new and exciting and then when they figure it out it takes to much time, so why bother?? I can't quite figure it out and trying to figure out the mind of a male almost 3 year old is almost impossible.........but as happy as I was I am still trying to be positive and think this has to be the beginning and I will one day look back and laugh....RIGHT???

So no new and exciting news, it's been warm and gloomy here for the past couple of days and just enough not to want to go outside for the threat of rain is looming but things are starting to get in the works for Nico's 3rd Birthday Bash and Vacation in September, plus hopefully this weekend we'll be able to go see Fireworks. Other than that just another day in the life of a potty training Mom :)

Until our next adventure.....

Potty Dance!!! Everyone do the Potty Dance!!!

I know everyone is as excited as I am to report that since Friday, Nico has been going on the potty at least once a day and has been keeping dry except for the 3 accidents he had over the three days. Friday he went 3 times at my Mom's house and even told us 2 times that he had to go....and then Saturday he got up at 6:30AM and said, "Mommy, I have to go potty" and even though I was half asleep it woke me right up and we went downstairs to sit on the potty and watch Thomas the Train...just don't ask, I am desperate....and he went not only pee pee but poopy, which I know is gross to say but was I doing the potty dance and Nico got candy even that early in the morning! He stayed dry at nap time and when we went to the Festival he kept saying he had to go potty, but never went not even in his DIAPER!!!! Although later he did have an accident but I think he is finally getting it, and then yesterday he had one accident and went once on the potty but hopefully this is going in the right direction!

It's been a rough road to get here and I know a lot of you had told me most boys don't really get it until 3...I am hoping that one day, I will look back at this post and think why did I get so excited it was a piece of cake.............one day, right??

Until our next adventure........

I have been a little lazy, but here I am on another edition of "Not Me! Monday" showing all my "perfect" mommy skills that has happened over the last weeks.....go here to read other Mommies who think they are "perfect" just like me!

I have not put my precious Nico on the potty at 6:30AM and then laid back on the couch, and let him sit and watch Thomas, while halfway falling asleep! Not me I am totally attentive to my child!

I certainly did not let my child play in a pile of dirt and then see it all over his face, hands and feet and still walked down the neighbors to let him play dirty....I always make sure that he is clean before we leave the house.

I surely didn't forget the name of our new neighbor who I was introduced too and when she came over to borrow tools and I had to call Bryan to see where they were, I certainly didn't call her the next door neighbor while she was sitting there.......NO NOT ME!

Could I have fed my child Mac-n-cheese AGAIN and Again because that's is all he will eat, and then last night called Scalloped Potatoes Mac-n-cheese so he would eat it....NO I never lie to my child!

Well there it is all my "perfect" ways of being the best Mother! I am sure this week should be interesting as Nico is finally getting the hang of potty training......we'll see what I have to do to keep him going......buy lots of Thomas' or stickers, or maybe eat ice cream for dinner we'll see........but of course since I am "perfect" I would NEVER do any of those things!

Until our next adventure.........

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Until our next adventure........

ANSWERS

I know that many have asked me the ultimate question of "how are you doing" and I give them the answer they want to hear...."I am OK" because it's easier for me and easier for them to deal with then the actual truth. And not that I am lying because I am not, I am OK and actually I am in a totally better spot then most and at least I am at a point in my life where life can suck some days but really it could be much worse or I couldn't be here writing this post, but I regress.........so let's start from the beginning for those who know the story or don't at least when I say I am doing "OK" you understand what I mean........

To say when it began no one knows, I was probably born with the the malformation and brain anyeriusm...I tease my Mom and tell if she had laid off the alcohol maybe then I wouldn't be in this spot, but she knows I don't mean it....it's a way to laugh at a bad situation. But again I regress........In Sept/Oct 2007 my left side started to go numb and tingly which at first I thought I just laid on it wrong or something so I let it go not telling anyone. I had an almost one year old who needed my attention and I didn't have a family doctor so who had time to deal with nothing, right? It continued on for a couple of weeks, so I decided after work one day to go to Stat Care to see what was up.....we'll that was a huge mistake, the doctor took a paperclip and pressed it on my arm and leg, and then looked me over and said I am not sure but let's take some blood and see what's up. That's when the tests began, as he proceeded to scare the heck out of me by telling me that I had lopus or MS or something I can't even remember because it ran in people my age...great now here I am 29 years old and they are saying I have a disease...heck other than giving birth, I had never been to the doctor!

With that scare and not being impressed with that doctor, I called our friend Kiki who told me to make an appointment and that she would get the results from the other doctor. I went in thinking this is nothing, and she was awesome not assuming anything but ordering an MRI and more blood work I think which still I am thinking, I am a healthy 29 year old this is ridiculous I don't need all these tests, but my Mom and I went to the hospital to get my first MRI which went OK but I was exhausted as it was scheduled at 11PM....but we were laughing and having fun as we waited for my turn. The results came back a week or so later and Kiki had to break the news that although she thought I had MS, I didn't and that they found a brain aneurysm that I thought she had said was 3mm but now I am not sure and she had to refer me to a neurologist, which OK now I am thinking I am gonna die remembering the first calling hours I went to when I was 13 was for a family friend who died of a brain aneurysm but of course she told me not to worry......

I got to my first appointment with my neurologist and he informed me that my aneurysm was actually 8mm and that he would have to refer me to a neurosurgeon who would decide how to proceed, which OK in a matter of weeks I went from never seeing a doctor to know having specialists and a neurosurgeon!! My first appointment with the surgeon he informed me since it was over 5mm that operating on it was necessary and that if I didn't ever year the percentage went up by 1% so assuming at this point I had it at birth, we were at 29% already...which when it comes to your brain isn't good statistics....although he wasn't truly worried about having emergency surgery, we scheduled it for Jan 11th, 2008. Now never having any surgery in my life to having a c-section with my monster headed baby..LOL....I was so nervous and unsure how this was going to end up, but of course it went fine after a few complications and a run to the ER after coming home from being stupid but we don't need to go there...........

After surgery life seemed to be going well, I was recovering back to work and life was normal again or so I thought....now mind you and I don't think I mentioned along with the aneurysm they found a chairi malformation that they assumed was causing the numbness but weren't going to do anything until it got worse and/or the aneurysm was taken care of. Then at the blue the migraines started in April 2008 and when you go the ER and they see you had aneurysm surgery people start to freak out...I don't know why but they do, to see their faces is almost like pity.....So I was C-scanned 7 times after repeated trips to the hospital and given medicine after medicine that didn't work to the point of one causing me to loose so much weight they had to take me off of it.

Then the numbness came back and worse than ever, so back to the neurologist who sent me back to the neurosurgeon...do you see a pattern...and the decision came to do surgery on the chairi malformation hoping it would help the headaches but he was truly unsure. Surgery was scheduled for after Nico's birthday as I was not going to be down and out for my son's 2nd birthday. All went well there and this time I didn't end back up at the ER being stupid but after a couple of weeks after the surgery the headaches came back and I am sure they were always there but being so drugged up on pain pills I didn't feel them or maybe they left and came back, no one knows.....

So let's fast forward to finish up this story....currently I am on my 3, 4, or 5th medicine for migraine prevention which hasn't worked..I don't even know anymore. My family doctor has no idea what to do with me, my head hurts every single day with migraines occurring about once a week to the point of not being able to function without medication. I don't feel good all the time, I am grumpy and irritable at times and even irritated for no reason. It's not because someone has done something, but because I just don't feel good...and think of the last time you had a horrible headache and you felt, that's how I feel almost everyday. So do I have an attitude my Mom tells me I do....yea I do because I don't feel good and people irritate me more than they normally would. I am at the point of giving up, and realizing this is gonna be the rest of my life which is really sad but then I think it could be worse I could of not survived and that's what I try to tell myself but it's hard. I have been given a second chance but man is this second chance hard, and I don't mean I am not grateful to God everyday for allowing me to see my son grow up but man is it hard.

So there it is my story of when I say I am "OK" that's what I am "OK" trying to get through another day with a headache and now I am waiting for a new neurologist who specializes in migraines to accept me as a patient and hoping that he is my new light of hope of living a day without a headache.

Thank you to all of those who have supported and loved me through this time, if I have hurt you or not given you the whole truth it was never the intention it's just how I deal with things and right or wrong, you all mean the world to me....never forget that.

Another week, another Monday, another day to say how "perfect" we all really are!! I know I am and I am sure you all are too.......

So here it is a day in the life of having an almost 3 year old.......

I certainly didn't laugh at my son when he started licking Daddy's shirt because Athena licks why not him too.....certainly I thought that was disgusting and would never laugh knowing that he would do it more!

I never would of or could of let my son walk around in just his shorts outside because we are relentlessly trying to potty train him...NO NOT ME, I always make my child wear undies because that's the proper thing to do!

Of course I never fed my kid cake or cookies after he wouldn't eat because we only eat nutritious meals and if you don't eat all of your dinner you don't get snacks....

Or give my child a second go-gurt when I know he would NEVER eat the entire thing and then pass it off later after it sits in the fridge for two days and still sitting...no not me, there germs and yucky stuff.

I definitely never would allow my child to play in the dirt, bring dirt home from the ball field or get dirty in any way......I always have a clean child and I certainly wouldn't give my child a "wipes" bath before bed because my child is always bathed properly!!!

It's hard being "perfect" but someone has too......

Until our next adventure...

GOOD LUCK TONIGHT,

KAIT AND KOURT!!!

I can't wait to see the show tonight!! I know you'll do great!!!

Love you,

****UPDATE****

Nico did awesome at the dentist, Dr. S said he was one of the best little boys he has had in a while. While Dr. S told him what he was doing, he said "Why?" and Dr. S told Daddy that was wonderful because most kids are to scared to talk. Then he mentioned how social he was by talking and asking questions when the nurse was in with Nico, he heard him from the other room. Which I wasn't sure was great, but he seemed to be really happy with him.

He examed his teeth, and Nico didn't bite or attempt too, and put flouride on his teeth. The first appointment they don't clean their teeth to ease them into going but next time they will. He told Daddy that we will have to get his to stop sucking his thumb and that is what is causing his gap in his front teeth and his bottom teeth to push in, but Dr. S was very happy with the way we were taking care of his teeth. So looks like he got a clean bill of "teeth" health and sadly it looks like he is gonna need braces one day, hopefully it'll do better than Daddy's did.

Here's a cute picture of Nico and Dr. S, that was sent by Daddy:

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Dentist

Today Nico is going to the Dentist for the first time at 11:30AM so I asking everyone to pray he doesn't bite the poor Dentist or not sit in the chair or do something crazy!!! I am letting Daddy take him, and I'll post what happened and some photos later this afternoon.......let's pray it goes well!!!

Until the rest of the story :)