Help ...

Send cabinet latches. Quickly!

(We had to take the latch off the Tupperware cupboard, now that Ruby can get into the pantry. AND - I forgot to buy more latches when I was at Target yesterday.)

A-ha!

Brades has strep. The pediatrician's office called today - the quick test yesterday didn't show anything, but the longer culture did.

Makes a LOT of sense - no wonder his sisters didn't get as sick as he is; they've been on antibiotics already for the past couple weeks.

Here's to getting healthy....

Wordless Wednesday

Braden in Florida at Disney's Hollywood Studios - little boy heaven. Star Wars, the Indiana Jones show, Mickey Mouse - ideal place for our boy, second only to Downtown Disney's Lego store.

I'm sick of sick kids!

These poor kids are running us ragged. Calgon, take me away! (Do they still make Calgon? Did I just totally out myself as an old lady?)

Braden's been sick since Saturday. Both he & Ruby were feeling low on Saturday - in fact, Braden voluntarily asked to take a nap. He hasn't taken a nap in years. He's been running a fever ever since then. It's been a ton of Tylenol & Motrin - and a lot of restless nights for him.

The kicker? Yesterday, Brian helped Braden put on clean pajamas and noticed he was covered in petechiae. Those damn little red spots that can mean low platelets - why, WHY are my children trying to freak me out with those little red dots?? Ruby had them in November, and now Braden.

Ironically, Karly never had them - and she was at risk for them when her platelets were dangerously low.

Anyway, we had to take him in to the doctor's today, so they could do bloodwork (and a strep test and a pee-in-a-cup test). His bloodwork and other tests are fine, and so far it just looks like a viral infection - which has to run its course (and, run its course very slowly, it seems).

I spent this morning taking Karly to the dentist, and the afternoon with Braden at the pediatrician's office. Yesterday, Ruby was feeling low & clingy - so Brian had to work with her hanging on him like a little koala bear AND take care of sickly Braden, because I had to go on a field trip after school with Karly.

All I want is ONE WEEK without any doctor appointments, antibiotics, or Tylenol. For any of us. Is that too much to ask?

And do you think the panic of "The Big C" will ever go away, or will I be led to believe my children have cancer every.single.time. they are sick? (Those damn dots!) Maybe I'm extra crazy already - but you know what? We've lost a daughter. We've had a daughter with cancer - and STILL - I know we're not immune to tragedy just because. It's still a scary world out there.

Sing, Sing a Song

I just posted about this on the DSFN blog (our local DS group) ... but I wanted to put it here, too, because it was so cool and the audience for the other blog is pretty small.

Last week, I attended a Casino Night fundraiser for the Fox Valley Sibling Support Network with some friends - Brian couldn't make it, because we didn't have a babysitter. At the event, the VSA Arts of Wisconsin Choir performed. I had never heard of this choir before - and I really wish Brian had been there to see them. I highly recommend catching a performance in the future if you're in an area where they perform.

There are eleven of these choirs in Wisconsin, made up of people with and without disabilities - and by far the most sincere, heartfelt choir I've ever seen. I really love when I run across programs like this, knowing someday Ruby might be looking for social activities (Karly could join, too, but she greatly dislikes music so this would not be fun for her).

Saturday

I took Karly to a new group she joined (really, we signed her up for) on Saturday. She had gone once before and had a good time - it's a social group for high-functioning teens with autism. Last time, there were about 12 kids who made it, and Karly was one of 2 girls. This time, there were only 7 kids who made it (the weather was awful) - and Karly was the only girl.

We went bowling, and it was a lot of fun. Since Karly was a little nervous about being the only girl and not knowing the others very well, I bowled with the kids (so did one of the dads, so I wasn't a total weird-o).

I have to say, the bonus to bowling with a group of boys with autism? You never have to worry about remembering what bowling ball you're using - they know.

It was a really nice event though - and Karly had FUN. Seriously. Fun, and nachos - the perfect Saturday!

Where did this week go?

What a busy week! And a weekday short, since Brian had Monday off. Thursday at music class, Ruby was the only one who showed up for her class - cold weather, lots of sick kids - but she still had fun. Then, afterwards, Brian & I took Ru & Braden to the children's museum in town. Ruby's first time playing there - and we forgot to bring a camera along. D'oh!! Oh well, the kids had a blast - and one of Braden's friends from school (she's also in his music class) was there, so he was excited to have a surprise playdate.

Today, Braden brought this very patriotic hat home from school - that's a feather on top, in case you can't tell.

I'm loving Aquaphor - it's really helped Ruby's cheeks in the past two days (since I bought it).

It makes Ruby happy, too!

Ruby on the Move

In the evenings, Ruby's been practicing taking steps on her own, in her little bare feet. Every day, a few steps more - from 2-3 steps one day, 4-5 the next. The last couple nights, we've taken many little short videos - but I held back. I only put two here.

This first video is the longest - and it's only 30 seconds. It's great - because not only does it show how she gets out of her little chair, it has a ton of personality (including her removing my blanket from the back of her chair, because it just doesn't belong there, you know?)




This video is about 16 seconds - and Ruby takes SEVEN steps! That's her current record.

20 minutes or less

Ruby figured out how to consistently get into our pantry the other night. She had been able to open it on occasion - and she always loves to unload the shelves.

Now, she can do it at will. And, within 20 minutes of figuring this out - we had our first major cereal situation.

See that blue-lidded container? It was FULL of Kix.

And then the Kix broke free!

She was so amused!

Sweetness

I have a confession.

I hate Valentine's Day.

In fact, I have an irrational fear of small holidays that sneak up on you, and then require you to have the perfect card and gift ... Ugh. Puts me in a panic.

In fact, last month when RK was creating my new blog look, she offered to create a Valentine's Day layout and I had to admit to my panic and dislike of such holidays ... so she hinted rather strongly that I should give her my blog password for the changes. Ahem. Not funny!! (or very funny, but don't think I'm sharing my password at all now!)

When Brian & I first began dating, I asked if we could skip it - and we do. We make up for it by celebrating President's Day - no cards or gifts required, and Brian always has the day off of work, so we go out to lunch. Low-key - my ideal holiday!

We got the kids some candy treats, and even let Ruby try her first M&Ms this weekend. And lucky for me - Nana & Nice Wolf send the kids great Valentines Day cards ... and the kids love getting mail.

I snapped a few pictures of Ruby with her card - and what could be sweeter?

One year ago

One year ago, we were at home, waiting for Karly's 4th round of chemo to begin. It had been postponed, due to poor count recovery - and before chemo could begin, she needed a small surgery to replace the line that had fallen out.

The real reason last year is on my mind is because last year I never got around to blogging about Karly's adoption anniversary. Last year, cancer and treatment took precedence in our minds.

This year, I wanted to blog about it - but it seemed daunting. I think people could probably use some background, so it might turn into a saga of several posts.

Money Well Spent

I haven't been feeling well this week, so that's made me a slacker blogger - sorry about that. I've got so many things floating around in my head that I want to blog about though. I hope I won't forget what I was thinking about. Like how I don't do Valentine's Day, or how it was Karly's adoption anniversary on Friday. Or how Ruby took THREE steps the other night. Hopefully I'll get some good blogging time in soon.

Remember static-head? Every day that's what she looked like in our living room. If Ruby fell asleep while I was rocking her and Brian came to take her upstairs, he'd shock us. We were all static electricity, all the time.

Also, Braden was having bloody noses at night. We put the humidifier in his room, but that made his room really cold, so we'd have to turn if off when we went to bed.

Then a couple weeks ago, we woke up one morning to a non-functioning furnace. Luckily, the furnace guy was able to come out that morning, and we had heat again before lunch. While he was here, we asked about the humidifier that hooks up to the furnace.

The furnace guy sent us a brochure and a quote (for about $300) and we were really in no rush for more furnace expenses at that time. Then, Braden got another middle-of-the-night bloody nose. The next day? Karly had a little bloody nose in the afternoon. We decided enough was enough, and called the furnace guy.

He came over on Friday morning, and that afternoon we could already see the improvement. Seriously, we aren't shocking each other, my hair doesn't stick to my sweater or my scarf, Ruby's hair is tame. It's pretty much one of the easiest and best home improvements we've ever made.

So, I guess Ruby will need a new superhero identity!

Traveling Afghan

My friend, CJ - mom to the adorable Little Miss E - is making a T21 afghan to travel the world. The little afghan will travel from one family to another, along with a journal.

Each family, upon receiving the afghan, takes a picture of their family member (with Down syndrome) with the afghan and the picture will be posted on a "T21 Traveling Afghan" page. After having the afghan for bit, the family writes a note in the journal and sends it off to the next family.

Cool, huh? Click on the box above if you want to join or read more about it!

Toe Report

Yay! Karly's toe only has a staph infection, no strep this time. So, here's hoping the antibiotics do the trick this time.

We're venturing out with all the kids tonight, to an activity sponsored by Braden's school. WISH US LUCK!!

Wordless Wednesday: Super Markers, Super Kid

(Man, this kid makes me laugh!)

21 Months

Guess what!? Yesterday - Monday, February 9 - Ruby turned 21 months old! Doesn't that make her sound like an old lady?! She's definitely growing up so quickly.

Check out Ruby's new wheels - it's a walker from her PT. It rolls along behind her, giving her support & confidence - and a lot of practice walking in her new Sure Steps & shoes.


She likes it, but still needs help 'driving' it or she ends up hitting the wall.

I plopped Ruby in her chair today, to get some cute new pics - and she made this silly face at me. She makes this silly face a lot, actually.

Love this face!

She decided she'd rather walk around her chair

This is often her face when the camera lights up - She knows the flash is coming, so she squints and smiles.

Then she got adventurous ...

And climbed into her chair, by going over the arm.

and about 20 minutes later when I was on the phone with my Dad?

She climbed up into the big chair. She was SO PROUD of herself - the little stinker!

Toe Saga, Part II

Remember last month when Karly's toe was infected?

It's baaa-aack.

Yesterday, Karly told me her toe had some pus - so, she & I went to see Dr. B this morning. Today? Her toe is hot pink and puffy, and just generally icky.

New antibiotic, new swab so they can culture it and figure out what kind of germs she's growing in there this time; probably just a recurrence of one of the last infections - hopefully not both of them. Last time, she had strep and staph germs - we're hoping it's down to a simple staph infection and that the strep is gone.

I'm getting old - NOT.

Last week, Karly came home from school saying, "NOT."

As in - "Do you have homework?" "NOT!"

I asked her, "Did you just say, not?"

She said, "No, I said, "NOT!"

Big difference there to her - but to me, the same "NOT" I thought had vanished with the 80s.

Brian & I had a good chuckle over it - wondering where she had picked it up, as well as her lack of finesse in using it.

Then, on Sunday night ... it hit me. When I was using, "Not" in middle school, it was TWENTY YEARS AGO.

How can that be??

Duplo-Braden

Braden loves Legos. I think we've established that - he draws Legos, plays Legos, dreams about Legos. It's kind of an obsession.

He also loves playing with Ruby's Duplos - which are really big Legos.

The problem is? He doesn't want Ruby to ruin his Duplo creations - so he puts them on wheels. Seriously. There are a few Duplo pieces on wheels, and Braden builds up from them, so he can scurry his creations away from the destructive force that is Ruby.

Unfortunately? Ruby's almost out of Duplos now. Her brother has built a huge ... thing. We've begun calling it Duplo-Braden (except for Braden - he calls it Du-pa-lo Braden). And it kinda freaks me out.

See? Big...

... and he parks it around the house in random places, so when you enter a room, it makes you jump, because you think someone is there, and the kids are all supposed to be in bed.

The other day, in order to keep Duplo-Braden safe from Ruby, we put it in the laundry room. Later, when I came home from grocery shopping, I entered the laundry room to find Duplo-Braden wearing a hat & mittens. (It was really damn funny - so sorry I don't have a picture of that!)

But - here's the thing that keeps me up at night -

How long until Duplo-Braden becomes sentient and takes over the world??

Award for Truth in Parenting goes to ...

Braden (while coloring his drawing of Legos): Do these match?

Mom: Yes.

Braden: Do these match?

Mom: Yes.

Braden: Why, Mom? Why do these match?

Mom: Because they're Legos, and all Legos match each other.

Braden: Why did you say that?

Mom: Because I want you to be quiet so I can play Scrabble.

One more vacuum post

Best thing about our new Dyson?

It's RUBY-SIZED!

(it's not really that short - it has a retractable handle, which makes it more compact for storage - and just the right height for Miss Ru to push around!)

Sure Steps

Tuesday afternoon, we went to pick up Ruby's new Sure Steps - inserts for her shoes, to help give her ankle strength and support. We also picked up some cute little pink Nikes on clearance at Shopko (and on the recommendation of Ruby's PT). The shoes are nice & wide, so the Sure Steps fit into them well.

Here she has both Sure Steps on, and one covered by a shoe, so you can see what they look like.

Ruby seems to like them. She really enjoys untying her shoes. But if we skip a hole in the lacing, then we can double-knot her shoes - that slows her down a little bit.

So tiny and cute! Also, we were sure to pick out a cute, fun, girly pattern for her Sure Steps!

See how small they are? (And please ignore my band-aided thumb; I cut myself pretty good making guacamole on Sunday. But it was awesomely delicious and totally worth it.)

Congrats!

Congrats to Amber, who won the green tractor crayon tote from Gigi's Joy!!


Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway ... and if you didn't win? Well... feel free to shop!

Wordless Wednesday: On the Job

Ruby has her own keyboard ... and apparently, it's now a laptop!

Don't forget - you have until Friday morning to enter my giveaway!

Ruh-roh

I'm hosting Bunco tonight, and I made a yummy key lime cheese ball (we're still looking for a 12th person for our league, so if you're free one Tuesday a month, let me know!)

Anyway, I wanted to get some graham cracker sticks for the cheese ball, but apparently they don't make them anymore? This was all I could find:

I hope the ladies don't mind.


Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a cute, handmade crayon tote - perfect for car rides, restaurants, church, Grandma's house ... you name it!

Gigi's Giveaway

Remember my friend, Gretchen (who last year, Braden named his favorite mom?) Well, who am I to hold a grudge. I got over it. Eventually...

Anyway, Gretchen recently opened an Etsy site. If you're not familiar with Etsy, it's like an online arts & craft show - where you can buy & sell things that are handmade. (And no need to worry - the CPSIA mandatory testing has been suspended for a year, so Etsy won't be going anywhere for a while!)

So in honor of Gretchen putting her beautiful work online to sell - please go visit her site! AND - just for taking the time to visit her, I have a little giveaway for you! Keep reading!

You can win one of Gretchen's adorable, handmade crayon totes...
All you have to do is:

• Pop on over to Gretchen's Etsy store, Gigi's Joy
  
• Come back here & leave a comment - telling me which crayon tote is your favorite!
• Make sure I can contact you if you win, too - so leave an email!

We'll draw the winner using random.com first thing on Friday morning. (So this could even be a Valentine's Day gift, if you win!)

Healthy Update

Friday, Karly & I went to see her oncologist in Milwaukee. It was a long ride, a boring, uneventful visit - and that makes me soo happy! It's GREAT when you have so little to talk about to the oncologist.

We'll go back in 2 months so she can be rescanned again ... until then, we'll just keep on keepin' on.

Karly & Lilo

I called Brian to tell him when we were on our way home, and he told me he had made a dr. appt for Miss Ruby. She had gunk draining out of her ear for a couple days, so it was time to bring her in. So, a couple hours after I got home from MKE, Ru & I headed to the pediatrician's office. Our doctor isn't in on Fridays, so we saw one of her partners, and she was very nice - and quite impressed with adorable Ruby.

It was so cool - as we were waiting for the doctor, Ruby looked at me and signed 'hungry'. I had never seen her do that sign before! So I asked her - "Ruby? What do you want?" thinking I had just imagined it. But, again, she signed 'Hungry' - then 'More' and then 'Eat'. She put THREE signs together, one of them a brand new one!

And, I didn't have the diaper bag with me - so, I had no snacks!! Ugh! But, it was a quick visit, so we were out soon. She's got some ear drops for a few days, but other than that she's doing well. I called Brian on the way home and asked him to get dinner ready for Ruby - she's hungry!

The other night, Ruby grabbed her pajamas and took off - she climbed into her chair and wrapped them around her. She's such a ham!