Well after a long time of procrastinating (and that's not like me), Adam and I decided that this weekend was the time to say goodbye to the paci. Taylor loves her paci. It provides so much comfort, but I know she can do with out. She hasn't had a paci at daycare since she turned one. I held off taking it from her during all summer due to all the changes (schedules, new baby, etc). Right now we aren't having any changes and she's adjusted to Kendall wonderfully. So the time is right.
I've researched several methods of getting rid of the paci. There's the "binky fairy" the "binky tree" where you bury it outside. You can just throw it away or let it disappear. I've thought about all these methods and knew they weren't going to cut it. Then FINALLY I saw the best suggestion. It would work perfect for Taylor. The mom suggested cutting the rubber end off the paci. So there isn't anything for them to suck. It would take too much effort for them to keep in there mouth. We would tell Taylor it's 'broken.' That she has to throw it away. She would understand this and I think would handle it better than anything else. There's actual reasoning behind it... it's broke... it's trash.
So this afternoon, we came home and Adam cut the tip off. She looked at it... and put it in her mouth. She walked around a little while playing with it. When I got in, I made a big deal about it being broken. "What happened? It's broke." She looks up at me and says "Daddy." I swear nothing gets past her. After that she threw it on the floor and went off to play. I thought this would be too easy.
Bedtime came and Adam still let her have it. He had the right idea that she couldn't suck on it so why can't she have it in her posession for tonight. So in bed she starts whining. I went in there and told her to hold her paci or put it on her headboard for later. She seemed to like that idea. She did end up crying for about 15 minutes, but she also missed her nap today. She probably would have cried anyways. I'm impressed! Boot Camp Night #1: SUCCESS! (so far!) Things could change by morning!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Madness
Absolute Madness. That is what this entire week has been. I'll only go into my current work situation as it contains enough drama for one blog.
So as everyone knows, I work in a nuclear medicine department at a local internist office. Well the two nuclear reactors that have been down for part of the year have really started to catch up to us. A brief overview: there are only five nuclear reactors in the world. These reactors supply the entire world all the nuclear medicine for all their medical procedures. There are many procedures. None of the reactors are located in the US. Currently two of the five are out of commision. Since early July, the nuclear pharmacies have had trouble getting enough doses to supply their clients. So they limit how many patients we can perform studies on. This past week was a rough week as we usually do 20-25 patients and we only did 13. As you can imagine our physicians aren't happy. We have many patients that need to have this study done and it brings in alot of revenue for us. We also got word that the entire month of August was going to be a nightmare. The pharmacies won't be able to tell us how many doses they can supply us until the day before. That is a scheduling nightmare (my job). On top of that, we currently use a compound called Technetium for both rest and stress injections. We now will be using two diferent compounds. Thallium for rest and Tech for stress. Neither me or the girl I work with are very familiar with Thallium. It has a higher radiation exposure and clears the heart alot quicker. The logistics of test will have to be changed. I also had to design completely different report templates since the protocol is different. It's insane.
This dilema is effecting everyone, everywhere. Hospitals, cardiology practices, etc. However, they get first priority from the pharmacies. We get what's left over - if any.
There is rumor that with in a few years, nuclear medicine will be out of commission. The government wants these studies performed only in the hospitals. For now, we take each day at a time - literally. We don't know when this will be over. I've read these reactors will be down for 6-9 years. I've also read that the shortage will be crucial for atleast one month this year (August?) and then again for six months in 2010. Honestly, we may not survive six months of a shortage like this.
So I'm thankful for my job each day. Even though it's caused a spike in my blood pressure, this week. Madness- abosolute madness!
So as everyone knows, I work in a nuclear medicine department at a local internist office. Well the two nuclear reactors that have been down for part of the year have really started to catch up to us. A brief overview: there are only five nuclear reactors in the world. These reactors supply the entire world all the nuclear medicine for all their medical procedures. There are many procedures. None of the reactors are located in the US. Currently two of the five are out of commision. Since early July, the nuclear pharmacies have had trouble getting enough doses to supply their clients. So they limit how many patients we can perform studies on. This past week was a rough week as we usually do 20-25 patients and we only did 13. As you can imagine our physicians aren't happy. We have many patients that need to have this study done and it brings in alot of revenue for us. We also got word that the entire month of August was going to be a nightmare. The pharmacies won't be able to tell us how many doses they can supply us until the day before. That is a scheduling nightmare (my job). On top of that, we currently use a compound called Technetium for both rest and stress injections. We now will be using two diferent compounds. Thallium for rest and Tech for stress. Neither me or the girl I work with are very familiar with Thallium. It has a higher radiation exposure and clears the heart alot quicker. The logistics of test will have to be changed. I also had to design completely different report templates since the protocol is different. It's insane.
This dilema is effecting everyone, everywhere. Hospitals, cardiology practices, etc. However, they get first priority from the pharmacies. We get what's left over - if any.
There is rumor that with in a few years, nuclear medicine will be out of commission. The government wants these studies performed only in the hospitals. For now, we take each day at a time - literally. We don't know when this will be over. I've read these reactors will be down for 6-9 years. I've also read that the shortage will be crucial for atleast one month this year (August?) and then again for six months in 2010. Honestly, we may not survive six months of a shortage like this.
So I'm thankful for my job each day. Even though it's caused a spike in my blood pressure, this week. Madness- abosolute madness!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Oh Happy Days!
It's been a while since I've blogged and so much has happened since then. Kendall is 8 weeks and she is such a big girl. She had her 2 month well visit and she weighed in at 11.6 lbs (75%) and she's 23 1/4 inches (75%). She did pretty well with her shots. We'll see how she is tomorrow. She is in daycare and has done very well. Three weeks ago, I was pulling my hair out because of her. Since then we've changed her formula (yes, again),and upped her prevacid. The formula change seemed to be a major turning point. He put her on the Enfamil AR. She's doing great on it. My only complaint is that the formula is really thick and we had a hard time getting it to come out of any nipple we owned. So I read up on it on babycenter.com and saw some moms blending it. I have this 'magic wand' gadget that I got as a wedding present and never used. It's now getting tons of use. It's easy, great and works like a charm.
Taylor is back at daycare as well and loves it. She's so glad to be back with 'Sasson' (Addison). She is starting to go to the potty some and has done really well. She usually tells us when she wants to go and she goes. She's pooped several times. She's been in the car and able to hold it. And she occasionally stays dry during nap to wake up to say I gotta pee pee. I'm sure it's just a phase but we're so proud of her. She's also starting singing. This week is the first time that I've noticed her acutally singing words. It's so precious. The two songs I've heard her sing are "Amazing Grace" and "This Little Light of Mine." She's so smart, she blows my mind. Now that I'm not pregnant, we are trying to be more consistent with her discipline. She doesn't listen very well. Maybe it's the two's but part of it is her getting away with so much in the past. But sometimes you can't help but smile at toddlers. TOnight she purposefully dump a cup of water on the carpet and started stomping in it. I got on to her and tried to explain that she's making a mess and messes aren't nice. The next thing I know, she laid down on the floor and kissed it. I guess because when she hits or is mean we tell her to be nice and to say sorry - so she kisses as her apologies. It was so cute.
Adam and the rest of the world learned this week that come April BCBS will lose thousands of jobs. For those of you who dont' know, this is Adam's department that is being affected. He works in the IS dept for the PGBA or tricare department. The lost their biggest three contracts. Therefore basically won't have much work to do come April 2010. Yes, we are a little nervous about this. But we have been reassured that BCBS takes care of there employees. I think it helps that BCBS invested in Adam's training through the ELTP program. They are continuing to have that program so it doesn't seem that they are slowing down there recruiting at all. Keep us in your prayers as a job loss would be devasting but right now feel comfortable that he'll be okay.
Speaking of work, I returned to my position at JMA. I was nervous but like the kids, transitioned well. It's amazing how if you do a job so long how you will never forget a step. I went in and hit the ground running... haven't missed a beat, even though I was out for 4 months. Everyone seemed glad to have me back and it's good to be back. It's good to see a paycheck. :-)
I've spent the last month working on my birth control plan. I opted to get an IUD. It's been a crazy story. The first wasn't put in correctly, so I had to have it removed. The second one seems to be working fine - I think. I'm going to give it some time. I've gone though alot of trouble to get it and it's the best option for me at the time, so I hope it works out.
It seems the stress of being a twofer mommy and being back at work has started to get to me. I noticed yesterday that I have broken out in a 'rash' on my legs and arms. I haven't noticed it anywhere else. I hope it's stress but also when I saw it today I thought of lupus. I looked it up and unfortunatly have other symptoms of lupus. I've been complaining for 2 weeks of joint pain - my right ankle, right hip, left wrist.) I'm being treated for fatigue, anemia, hypothyroidism, etc) All which are signs - even though they can be related to having a baby as well. I don't know. I'm going to watch it and see what happens.
Not much is new with us. I don't have many pictures to post but will have to get some up soon.
Taylor is back at daycare as well and loves it. She's so glad to be back with 'Sasson' (Addison). She is starting to go to the potty some and has done really well. She usually tells us when she wants to go and she goes. She's pooped several times. She's been in the car and able to hold it. And she occasionally stays dry during nap to wake up to say I gotta pee pee. I'm sure it's just a phase but we're so proud of her. She's also starting singing. This week is the first time that I've noticed her acutally singing words. It's so precious. The two songs I've heard her sing are "Amazing Grace" and "This Little Light of Mine." She's so smart, she blows my mind. Now that I'm not pregnant, we are trying to be more consistent with her discipline. She doesn't listen very well. Maybe it's the two's but part of it is her getting away with so much in the past. But sometimes you can't help but smile at toddlers. TOnight she purposefully dump a cup of water on the carpet and started stomping in it. I got on to her and tried to explain that she's making a mess and messes aren't nice. The next thing I know, she laid down on the floor and kissed it. I guess because when she hits or is mean we tell her to be nice and to say sorry - so she kisses as her apologies. It was so cute.
Adam and the rest of the world learned this week that come April BCBS will lose thousands of jobs. For those of you who dont' know, this is Adam's department that is being affected. He works in the IS dept for the PGBA or tricare department. The lost their biggest three contracts. Therefore basically won't have much work to do come April 2010. Yes, we are a little nervous about this. But we have been reassured that BCBS takes care of there employees. I think it helps that BCBS invested in Adam's training through the ELTP program. They are continuing to have that program so it doesn't seem that they are slowing down there recruiting at all. Keep us in your prayers as a job loss would be devasting but right now feel comfortable that he'll be okay.
Speaking of work, I returned to my position at JMA. I was nervous but like the kids, transitioned well. It's amazing how if you do a job so long how you will never forget a step. I went in and hit the ground running... haven't missed a beat, even though I was out for 4 months. Everyone seemed glad to have me back and it's good to be back. It's good to see a paycheck. :-)
I've spent the last month working on my birth control plan. I opted to get an IUD. It's been a crazy story. The first wasn't put in correctly, so I had to have it removed. The second one seems to be working fine - I think. I'm going to give it some time. I've gone though alot of trouble to get it and it's the best option for me at the time, so I hope it works out.
It seems the stress of being a twofer mommy and being back at work has started to get to me. I noticed yesterday that I have broken out in a 'rash' on my legs and arms. I haven't noticed it anywhere else. I hope it's stress but also when I saw it today I thought of lupus. I looked it up and unfortunatly have other symptoms of lupus. I've been complaining for 2 weeks of joint pain - my right ankle, right hip, left wrist.) I'm being treated for fatigue, anemia, hypothyroidism, etc) All which are signs - even though they can be related to having a baby as well. I don't know. I'm going to watch it and see what happens.
Not much is new with us. I don't have many pictures to post but will have to get some up soon.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Kendall's Summer Fun
Well I have to say Kendall hasn't had no where near as much fun as Taylor has this summer (see next post) but I thought I'd cap Kendalls summer as well. Really this is just the month of June.
She was finally diagnosed with reflux and we just started our third medicine for it. Luckily this medicine seems to be working (most days) but we'll take it for now. She also is on her third formula but it seems to be doing okay for now (most days). She's still a high maintenance baby - gassy, refluxy, colicky, rotten baby. I always knew she would be my cuddly baby because Taylor wasn't... but I didn't realize what that meant as an infant.
Her biggent event this month was her weeklong hospital trip. I'm sure most have heard about it but it was pretty dramatic. I came home one evening from swim lessons with Taylor and Kendall (who had slept the entire day) was running a 102 fever. I knew this was a big deal for a 5 week old but I wasn't prepared for what was ahead. THe nurse on call told us to go to the Children's hospital and be prepared to stay the night. So we left at 8:00 that night (snuck away from Taylor as she was already asleep) and headed to the hospital. What the nurse didn't tell us what that it wasn't for one night but for three nights. And they weren't concerned about her dehydrating as much as her having spinal meningitis. They ended up taking blood, uring (both to culture) and having to do a spinal tap to test for meningitis. It was quite traumatizing.... but she seemed to take it well. They kept us in the hospital until the culture results were back, which takes 48 hours. Obviously they were negative. Meanwhile, I spent the most exhausting week of my life. The doctors went ahead and started treating her as if she had some kind of bacterial infection so she was on two different antibiotics around the clock and an antiviral. Night shifts were horrible. She would wake up to eat at 1:00 and 20 minutes after she got back to sleep the nurses would walk in to do her medicine treatment. This would happen atleast twice in the night. It was rough!
We were able to come home on day 4 and she seems to be all better. She ended up having a virus. In fact, the same virus (Fifth's Disease/Slap Cheek?) Taylor had the week before that caused a fever and rash. When Kendall developed her rash, we knew for sure what it was. We are just hoping for no more fevers for a while. THey tell us we will have to repeat this mess if she develops one again in the next two weeks.
She is starting to smile and coo more.... on her good days, which she seems to be having more of these days... but that can change at any minute.
Sleeping with Mommy...
Lastly, we have battled with thrush since she was born. Thrush is an absolute pain in the butt... for those of you not familiar with it, it's basically a yeast infection in her mouth. It can be painful to eat, suck,etc and shows up as white patches in their mouth. We've gone through three prescriptions of Nystatin with not much luck. The antibiotics in the hospital didn't help either. Finally, I resorted to Gentian Violet. I have heard of this stuff and Kristin used it with Ava Grace. I didn't realize until last night that it's an herbal/natural remedy and you don't need a prescription. Luckily our local walgreens had a bottle so we did our first treatment tonight. It does dye everything purple, so Kendall will look ridiculous for a while but if it rids of her thrush we'll all be happier. Here I dressed her in her purple out fit and she looks so pertty... purple really is her color.
Kendall starts daycare on Monday. We are looking forward to it. She will do well at Lisa's. She's in desperate need of a schedule and I'm not the best person at establishing that. Hopefully she will adjust/transition well. I return back to work on Wednesday... hopefully I'll adjust/transition to that as well.
She was finally diagnosed with reflux and we just started our third medicine for it. Luckily this medicine seems to be working (most days) but we'll take it for now. She also is on her third formula but it seems to be doing okay for now (most days). She's still a high maintenance baby - gassy, refluxy, colicky, rotten baby. I always knew she would be my cuddly baby because Taylor wasn't... but I didn't realize what that meant as an infant.
Her biggent event this month was her weeklong hospital trip. I'm sure most have heard about it but it was pretty dramatic. I came home one evening from swim lessons with Taylor and Kendall (who had slept the entire day) was running a 102 fever. I knew this was a big deal for a 5 week old but I wasn't prepared for what was ahead. THe nurse on call told us to go to the Children's hospital and be prepared to stay the night. So we left at 8:00 that night (snuck away from Taylor as she was already asleep) and headed to the hospital. What the nurse didn't tell us what that it wasn't for one night but for three nights. And they weren't concerned about her dehydrating as much as her having spinal meningitis. They ended up taking blood, uring (both to culture) and having to do a spinal tap to test for meningitis. It was quite traumatizing.... but she seemed to take it well. They kept us in the hospital until the culture results were back, which takes 48 hours. Obviously they were negative. Meanwhile, I spent the most exhausting week of my life. The doctors went ahead and started treating her as if she had some kind of bacterial infection so she was on two different antibiotics around the clock and an antiviral. Night shifts were horrible. She would wake up to eat at 1:00 and 20 minutes after she got back to sleep the nurses would walk in to do her medicine treatment. This would happen atleast twice in the night. It was rough!
We were able to come home on day 4 and she seems to be all better. She ended up having a virus. In fact, the same virus (Fifth's Disease/Slap Cheek?) Taylor had the week before that caused a fever and rash. When Kendall developed her rash, we knew for sure what it was. We are just hoping for no more fevers for a while. THey tell us we will have to repeat this mess if she develops one again in the next two weeks.
She is starting to smile and coo more.... on her good days, which she seems to be having more of these days... but that can change at any minute.
Sleeping with Mommy...
Lastly, we have battled with thrush since she was born. Thrush is an absolute pain in the butt... for those of you not familiar with it, it's basically a yeast infection in her mouth. It can be painful to eat, suck,etc and shows up as white patches in their mouth. We've gone through three prescriptions of Nystatin with not much luck. The antibiotics in the hospital didn't help either. Finally, I resorted to Gentian Violet. I have heard of this stuff and Kristin used it with Ava Grace. I didn't realize until last night that it's an herbal/natural remedy and you don't need a prescription. Luckily our local walgreens had a bottle so we did our first treatment tonight. It does dye everything purple, so Kendall will look ridiculous for a while but if it rids of her thrush we'll all be happier. Here I dressed her in her purple out fit and she looks so pertty... purple really is her color.
Kendall starts daycare on Monday. We are looking forward to it. She will do well at Lisa's. She's in desperate need of a schedule and I'm not the best person at establishing that. Hopefully she will adjust/transition well. I return back to work on Wednesday... hopefully I'll adjust/transition to that as well.
Taylor's Summer Fun
Even though most kids summer's are just starting, I'm afraid Taylor and ours is coming to an end. I go back to work on Wednesday so the trips to the park, library and CiCi's house must come to an end. We are sad about this but will enjoy having some stability back in our lives. This post will be devoted to some of the activities that Taylor has enjoyed and pictures to go along.
First we have the zoo... Taylor enjoyed her first trip to the zoo... twice. I know we are bad for not taking her before now but what can I say... I've been pregnant. She seemed to have a good time and still talks about the animals. Her favorite part though was the carousel with daddy.
Afternoons at CiCi's house - Since I was pregnant and basically immobile, I spent every Friday at my mom's house. That didn't change much when I had Kendall. We'd pack the bags and car and head to Gilbert. Of COurse we slowed our trips down, the night we walked into CiCi's house and seeing it broken into. These pictures are of swim time with Caedyn and Eli.
We also have been to the park several times some with mommy and daddy and other times with CiCi, Melissa (Sasa), Caedyn and Eli ("Li"). These pictures are from the Springdale park and they have a spraypool during midday.
She spent many days at Nana's and Pa Allens but I don't have any pictures to post. She talks about the geese that go bye bye all the time and learned about planes. She also visited her grandpapa and grammy some. Here grandpapa is pulling her in his new wagon to feed the chickens.
She also took swimming lessons which she loved. She only got 6 lessons and they weren't really swimming lessons ( I have to say that for Adam... :-)) But she became familiar with the water. She learned to kick and splash, put her face in the water and throw herself into the pool (seriously). Really all she learned was a false sense of security of the pool. But she had a great time.
Lastly, she spent many days at home with Mommy and Kendall playing dress up and hanging out.
Lastly is a picture of Taylor's new 'night night' attire. One night she decided she wanted to sleep with her toy Elmo head (in her hand) and both baby dolls along with two blankets. This stuck and she still sleeps with a stuffed Elmo (we lost the Elmo head), blankets and one doll. She is definitely my child.
First we have the zoo... Taylor enjoyed her first trip to the zoo... twice. I know we are bad for not taking her before now but what can I say... I've been pregnant. She seemed to have a good time and still talks about the animals. Her favorite part though was the carousel with daddy.
Afternoons at CiCi's house - Since I was pregnant and basically immobile, I spent every Friday at my mom's house. That didn't change much when I had Kendall. We'd pack the bags and car and head to Gilbert. Of COurse we slowed our trips down, the night we walked into CiCi's house and seeing it broken into. These pictures are of swim time with Caedyn and Eli.
We also have been to the park several times some with mommy and daddy and other times with CiCi, Melissa (Sasa), Caedyn and Eli ("Li"). These pictures are from the Springdale park and they have a spraypool during midday.
She spent many days at Nana's and Pa Allens but I don't have any pictures to post. She talks about the geese that go bye bye all the time and learned about planes. She also visited her grandpapa and grammy some. Here grandpapa is pulling her in his new wagon to feed the chickens.
She also took swimming lessons which she loved. She only got 6 lessons and they weren't really swimming lessons ( I have to say that for Adam... :-)) But she became familiar with the water. She learned to kick and splash, put her face in the water and throw herself into the pool (seriously). Really all she learned was a false sense of security of the pool. But she had a great time.
Lastly, she spent many days at home with Mommy and Kendall playing dress up and hanging out.
Lastly is a picture of Taylor's new 'night night' attire. One night she decided she wanted to sleep with her toy Elmo head (in her hand) and both baby dolls along with two blankets. This stuck and she still sleeps with a stuffed Elmo (we lost the Elmo head), blankets and one doll. She is definitely my child.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Edventure Adventure
On Memorial Day, Melissa, Gary and the kids came by to visit and afterwards we all went to Edventure. Adam and I have never been but I've wanted to go for a long while. The first half of the trip was great and the second half was miserable.
We got there late in the morning. There was so much to do it was almost overwhelming. I'm not sure who had more fun - Taylor or Adam. I was 'stuck' pushing the baby stroller most of the time, so I just had to watch. The funniest part of the day was at the 'baby grocery store.' It was the cutest concept. These tiny shopping carts they can push and shop. THere are cash registers to ring up and isles of groceries, a bakery and frozen section. Taylor grabs her cart and as serious as she can be starts shopping. Somehow she went straight to the bakery section and look what she picked out all by herself....
A cake and pecan pie. Not another thing in the store appealed to her... just desserts.
I laughed so hard. It was priceless. But then again... kind of sad. I mean we dont' eat THAT much junk food around here. And if we do it's in the form of cookies - not cakes and pies. I will say though with all the recent birthday's she learned REAL quick what a cake was. But I'll have to be more careful about my food choices around her.
She also enjoyed the firetruck with Daddy.
At this point in the day, Momma had checked out. Kendall had awoken with a vengeance wanting to be fed. It was a complete nightmare trying to hold her, feed her and push the stroller. After that she ended up screaming the rest of the trip.
Adam and I passed her back and forth trying to calm her but not much worked. Oh the colicky days began. We were worn out by the time we got home.
Memorial Day Celebration
We don't usually celebrate Memorial Day except for sleeping in. That was before we had kids, of course. But this year, my neighbor, Jessica wanted to have a party. So the Sunday before, three houses on the street got together and had a blast. Jessica did a great job. We had planned on grilling out but an hour before the party started the sky dropped. She baked everything instead. There was tons of food: stuffed green peppers, steak and chicken kabobs, baked chicken, deviled eggs, banana pudding and cake. There was one other little girl, Sierra, there. She lives next door to Jessica. Taylor and her got along real well. I think Taylor thought she was as big as she was.
Sierra, is this how you lay on it??
After the sun came out (kind of), we pulled out the slip n slide. Taylor only went down once. Apparantly, she didn't like it. But she had a ball playing in the water and pool at the bottom.
Kendall slept through the entire party. This was back in her 'bili' days when she slept 23 1/2 hours a day (literally).
Sierra, is this how you lay on it??
After the sun came out (kind of), we pulled out the slip n slide. Taylor only went down once. Apparantly, she didn't like it. But she had a ball playing in the water and pool at the bottom.
Kendall slept through the entire party. This was back in her 'bili' days when she slept 23 1/2 hours a day (literally).
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