Joseph's Bedtime

The other night we had put the kids to bed. I was getting ready to turn off the light, when Joseph said "I like horses!". I replied 'yes, Joseph, you most certainly do.' then he said " what does the rain say?" I thought about this, thinking rain does not really say anything, finally I said, 'what?'. Joseph: rain, rain, go away come back another day. I was amazed. He then asked what a hat said and I asked what? He said "YEEHAW!" At this point, I decided to ask the question, I asked Joseph what sleep said? He simply snored! At that it was lights out.

Our Boys are handsome

We cut out all of Brian's curls! During the discussion to do so, I thought it would look horrible, but it does not, he looks wonderful. We also went back to cutting Joseph's hair really short as well. Now, I just have to continue working and waiting on Bralee's hair to grow out.

At this point in time all are doing well. The boys are in school and loving it.

Birthday Time

We are on the Thomas the Train
Papaw and Joseph

Oh the excitement was something to be seen and HEARD from Joseph when he saw Thomas. I recorded. It was amazing. Many of the parents were shocked that he responded the way he did with such enthusiasm. I did take the video recorder, because me, being the mother, figured it was going to be over the top. Every time Thomas pulled into station it was just the same. Shockingly enough, none of the other kids were showed quiet as much outward excitement as he did!

Brian with birthday cake, caked on everywhere he could manage.

As all who know Brian, he loves to eat. He just kept on going back to eat more cake.

Oh, lets share some love on our birthday....Bralee and Joseph.

Brian and Joseph playing with there ambulance and firetruck.

We had a Dora and Diego cake. They love them both, so it worked out magically for now, probably not so much in a couple of years.

Bralee with her Birthday card from Aunt Karen.

Joseph with his card from Aunt Karen. I was unable to get on of Brian with his. Joseph 2nd favorite to Thomas is his cowboy hat and this stick horse. He runs through the house riding it and saying "giddy up...yee haw!"

Update on Bralee's potty training....going great. She is still having a couple of accidents with bowel movements, but that is it. Although all who know her history with that area, that is excellent. With the birthday party, they were more excited about it finally being their turn to be sung "Happy Birthday" to. It was great. Shane had to work, so it was just me, the kids, Nana, and Papaw.

Potty Time

We are steadily potty training, for about a week now. Wheeew, it is exhausting. Bralee is doing great, we can leave the house on outings/appointments with no problem. Brian started out strong, but is now back tracking. Joseph, he has not been in the running from the beginning, so it is still a daily, minute by minute battle with him.

We got the results back from Bralee's sleep study that she had done. She has more than the average # of episodes of stopped/labored breathing during the night. She will be having her tonsils/adenoids removed on August 18th and staying in overnight for observation due to her apnea. Brian is have the same surgery + ears done the next day August 19th on an outpatient basis at a different location.

Summer thus Far

It has been HOOOOTTTT! We actually have not been outside a lot, except for of the early mornings or evenings. We do however go over to our friend Jennifer's and take a swim ever so often.



I will be going back to college this Fall. Wow! Shane is going back to day shift, actually that starts tomorrow, June 21st. That is pretty much all of the exciting news for us grown folk.



Brian is having surgery July 1st. He is having his adenoids removed. I asked and questioned about his enlarged tonsils to be told "no".

Memorial Day

We had a blast this Memorial Day weekend. I will be selfish and start with myself. I truly enjoyed not having to cook, clean or any domesticated duty. Although most of all I was at times thinking I should pinch myself to the fact that I was spending time with family that I have never had the chance to get to know, or more importantly even knew existed. I have cousins wonderful loving cousins, great aunts and uncles. This does not even put into words their extended family of wonderful close knit of friends. It was just absolutely wonderful....MARVELOUS.

Shane spent his time on and off the volleyball court, but nonetheless have a blast. He was overcome himself with the warmth of the family and friends.

Joseph, he enjoyed the other children, swing set, the stick horses, and most of all the real life horses.

Brian, he enjoyed all the food. He was constantly going on a hunt for food, showing his sad eyes and conquering some type of food. He also consumed a fair dose of sand and even some soap while on the trip. His favorite I have to say was water balloon area...naturally water and Brian are always a great combination.

Bralee, loved the art and sand area. She loved going and painting her own pictures, but she also loved playing for great span of time in the sand. It was a great chore trying to get the sand out of her hair of the evenings. She really enjoyed Taylor, her new friend/cousin. I will be glad to see this connection grow, as do all our other great wonderful family ties.

A lot of hours and Preparations

Shane has been working a lot of overtime, about 84 hours a week. I am not complaining and neither is he. The overtime comes and goes, you take it when it is available. Luckily we have been blessed and it has been there for us non-stop just not to this magnitude.

The boys, not Bralee, got into the city's Pre-K program starting this coming school year. They will go daily from 7:30/7:45 to 1:15. That is wonderful for me, that way I can insure they get a proper nap, furthermore they truly do not need all day everyday (well, I don't).

This coming weekend, Memorial Day weekend, we are traveling to Canton,Ga. I am so excited. I am going to reconnect, meet my fathers side of the family. I have someone to take care of the dog and have found us a church for Sunday morning service. I am just super thrilled. The only downside to this, we will be missing our annual reunion taking place on the plateau.

The Zoo and The Horse

We are putting to use a couple of Christmas presents, our zoo membership and we just recently used our Build-A-Bear gift cards.

We have been visiting the zoo about every other week, usually of the afternoons, just as the school trips are winding up and leaving. It is become our mission to watch the baby chimp grow and see what new chaos it is causing amongst the other chimps. Also, my kids love the fact that is has its own toys, much similar to their own and that the chimps as well as the gorillas have and love "blankies" too. As we make our way through the zoo the kids know what animal is coming up next, name it, and make the correct animal sound.

A couple of weekends ago we went to the mall, we rarely go to the mall, just too much of a hassle. Shane would take 2 of them and keep them occupied while I took the other through the Build-A-Bear. Bralee was 1st with this experience, she got a rainbow colored bunny, we named it Floppy. Brian was next, he was torn between a dog and a monkey, in the end we got a monkey, its name is Monkey (how original), but he named it. Finally, it was Joseph's turn, he got a horse, its name is Neigh Neigh. I asked what he wanted to name it and all he would say is Neigh Neigh.

Once we got home and we revealed every ones animal outside of the box, it was a battle. Everyone wanted the horse. The horse became the most important object of all affection that night. It even got a place setting at the table, by Brian. The horse is still a very important fixture to all of them. Monkey and Floppy are still important as well, but nothing holds up to Neigh Neigh!

3 Different Directions

When we go outside to play, well actually, when we go anywhere; they go in 3 different directions.

Joseph is all boy in the aspect of cars, trains, and sports. He loves imitating cars, trains, planes, horses, all that sort of stuff. He surprised Shane and I with his sporting ability, having never played with baseball and bat, after a couple of attempts he hit it good with no help. He seems to be very sports minded. With the swing set, I have been trying to teach them how to do self-help in many areas of daily living, which I have incorporated swinging with that, he is slowly learning. No, I do not make him just sit there and never get to swing, I push him, but not the entire time.

Brian is all boy in the mechanical aspect. He loves his vacuum cleaner, but when it comes to being outside, his new love is....THE LAWNMOWER! He can hear a lawnmower and his ears perk up like a dogs would at the sound of the word "food." He is constantly working at something. His favorite thing is to climb up the ladder or rock wall of the play yard with a ball or cup in hand, making the task that much more difficult. He pushes and pulls the lawnmower, cars, or tug boat from one area of the yard to the other.

Bralee she is so un-girl like. She scopes out for a dirt pile, one that she can get dirty from head to toe in and get a taste of, YUCK! I am constantly having to watch her, she sneaks to find one, then comes back with a chocolate face. She loves to swing, but has no desire to try and learn it on her own. She and Brian are partners in crime on climbing the fence. One day I am going to look up and they are going to be throwing their legs over and climbing down the other side....running to freedom. She is like a climbing monkey though, she can climb anything, and will try to climb anything. Especially if chocolate, cake, or M&M's are involved.

Everyday we have been spending from the time they wake from nap, until 6:30 or 7 outside. Last year I never really let them get dirty. Well, this year, is a new year. God, let us have soap, water, washing machines, and wonderful sounds of laughter...so we are going to make the most of it all

Easter 2010 at OneTrueMedia.com

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Winter 2010 at OneTrueMedia.com

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Emotional Week

Chocolate Gravy mess

It has been an emotional week for me. I have assumed for a while now that Brian had issues with his eye sight. Primarily his colors. Wednesday that was put to the test when we were faced with the strong possibility that he is color blind.

I started my first call to the eye doctor. They cannot test him fully until he can recognize his numbers. My next call was with his school, his teacher said, ' my assistant and I have been concerned and watching this aspect for some time now, he does not know how to respond when we give instructions leading to color chairs, circles or anything with color, he mainly looks confused. He pretty much relates to everything being black or sometimes blue.' I spoke with his occupational therapist, which has been seeing him since he was 6 months old, she had the same fears. With her, he always shied away from or rebelled against anything dealing with colors.

Shane and I are still going to work with him on his colors, as we would Bralee and Joseph, which mind you know every color in the book, but practice makes perfect. This just answered a lot more of our lingering questions as to why Brian would/will pretty much never even look at a TV and until just recently look at a computer.

All this took place Wednesday before Shane left for work. I was pretty emotional before he left. Because with all this on my plate I knew when I woke up the next day it would be Thursday and I had to take Brian back to the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor over his ears/hearing.

So Thursday afternoon, we meet up with who else, but Nana. She takes Bralee and Joseph to Tyson Park to play. After I unlock them from the car. Yes, I got all the way up to the dr. office and had locked them in the car and Nana out of the car.

Their were no changes in his hearing. He has no activity in his right ear. He tested just a little below normal on the overall hearing test in the sound booth. Bottom line, he is right ear deaf.

Setting Examples

Lately Shane and I have been exercising every day except for Sundays. It is funny the kids come in and out of the room during our 60 to 90 minute workouts and join in, or just sit and watch for a bit.

We have cut out all junk food, except for Cheetos of course (the messiest snack). Now Brian and Bralee eagerly reach for fruit and carrots. We no longer even have soda or caffeine in our household anymore. All we have to offer a stray guest is water, milk, or juice. Shane and I, each drink about a gallon of water daily. The kids primarily drink milk and very little water. I hope to increase their water or juice intake this summer, mainly their water.

We have also started implementing prayer at every meal, regardless of where we are. It is nice to hear them say to one another: "hand, hand, pray please!" They sit and bow their heads, close their eyes, and even repeat what pray is being spoken. We have not started the prayer at bedtime yet, as bedtime is me doing it solo and can get VERRRRY crazy. We are hoping and praying that Shane gets to 1st shift soon, then we can be NORMAL.

Spring in the air

It is finally here...the sun and the warmth that goes with it.

The kids are doing great. We had a great time while Shane was away. Yes, we missed him, but it was a great way for me to realize I am a strong mother. I can handle and do more than what I put myself out for. I was able to keep up with all their stuff, house work and cooking. I would just wake every morning and tell myself, 'it is going to be a GREAT day!' In the midst of all this I have been doing 60 to 90 minute/day, 6 days a week workouts, whewwwww.

I am ready to take the kids outside. Get their parking garage out of my house and put it back in the yard...all their riding toys, balls, and other outside toys, well, they just need to be outside again.

Bye Daddy

Brian always knows when something is different or changing. He managed to camp out with us on Sunday/Monday morning, keeping Shane and I both awake for the most part. Shane was scheduled to leave back out for Alabama Monday at 4am. Brian was sure to see his daddy off, then he went into a hard sleep. Once I woke him at 7:40, he made a mad dash for the front door asking for his daddy. I informed him that Daddy was gone to work and would not be back until Friday...I am sure I will be repeating this A LOT!

After dropping them off at school, grocery shopping, and running by the bank; I finally made it back home to the sound of running water in the bathroom. Uh oh! The toilet was running, not running over, thank goodness, but still running. I worked on in it the best "I" knew how with no avail. I decided to turn the water off and just think on it. After about an hour I went back to it and got it to working somehow. With me having gotten it back to working condition, I know it will have to be repaired once Shane gets back home, but at least we have a working toilet. Yes, we have 2 bathrooms, just 1 of them is STILL under construction, UUUGGHHH!

Minor Difficulties

Sorry for the absence. Our computer got sick. It is better now. The kids are doing great, though.

Joseph went to a Speech Pathologist yesterday, we will be continuing speech. She graded him with a mild to moderate delay. He is still only making 2 word sentences, with a lot of jibber/jabbering (jargon).

Yesterday all 3 had a visit to the Physiatry....Brian will continue with Occupational Therapy. He has to work on his focusing, aggression with other children, and self aggression. Bralee will be continuing with Occupational and Physical Therapy. She is still right side leg weak, which will be requiring a special booty. She is also still having texture and tactile issues with her hands. Joseph will be continuing with Speech and Occupational Therapy.

Monday I decided to take away all "lovies" (pacifiers, blankets, and pillows), they (we) are all having to get used to sleeping without them. It is hard, but harder in the middle of the night. They seem totally lost in the middle of the night without their "lovies".

Nana 2 the Rescue

I will start off by stating, I have no pics. Sorry. Shane and I have been ran ragged, I am not even completely sure as to the location of my camera.

Thankfully, Mom watched the kids Friday night. Shane and I were running on little sleep. You can guess it, we have been sick. Funny how a cough can disrupt a entire household. I ended up leaving Brian only, Saturday night as well. Shane and I were so tired, we could still hear Joseph jingling his blankie and sucking his fingers, feel Brian rustling in our bed, but they were not even at our house.

Today, I had a bad feeling about his breathing and decided to take him on in to the doctor. Good thing, he was retracting. They automatically gave him another breathing treatment. I had just given him one 2 hours prior. We are now on steroids, also. The kicker, they asked that we limit his activity....too funny. Brian goes at 99 mph, 99% of the time and even though he is sick it is no different. He was crackly and wheezing and still running full force.

The plus side to this. We are building up immunities!

Finally some SNOW

Loved this photo of Bralee

Good shot....show how much taller Brian is than the other 2!

Yeah, they like their BOOTS!

Joseph

Brian

Brian

I bundled her up...snug as a bug!

We finally got some snow. I went out, not really wanting to, but I tackled the grocery store that dreadful day. I was coming in the doors of the grocery store, as people were angrily exiting "there is no milk!" My first stop was the milk, forget bread, I do not want to hear 'milk, Mommy, milk' and not have anything in return to that request. We go through about 1 gallon per day. Guess what...sitting there on the milk shelves, was milk, may not have been the kind the, for mentioned wanted, but it was milk and in my house milk is MILK!

As I am getting a couple of other items, I was asked by someone, if I needed both gallons of milk? I sadly replied, yes. I was not purposely being greedy, but here in the valley of East TN you never know what the weather will throw your way!

The weather started off with sleet that turned into an ice layer. Then we got some beautiful "hard" not soft and fluffy snow on top of that, about 3 to 4 inches. Although, we needed a little bit more sleet and ice on top of that, as it melted a little.

This all started late Friday evening. Early Saturday morning (3 to 4am early) we were debating which hospital to take Bralee to safely. We ALWAYS use our local children's hospital, but the weather, combined with the roads was not ideal for commute. We decided to use the closest hospital to us, noting that we would not allow them to take extreme measures. If need be we would just have them transport her by ambulance to the children's hospital.

Crazily and luckily everything worked out for the best. I suppose the weather kept everyone at home. Shane was in and out of the ER in record time 1.5 hours. They were great for that episode.

We have a follow up with Pediatrician tomorrow. Crazily, we were more exhausted than she was. She still has terror episodes, but doing great. We allowed them about 20 minutes in the snow.

My Boss's!

I thought to myself the other day, 'my I am tired, wonder if my boss's would mind if I nap as well?' Naturally, I would just get good and asleep and they will wake up, so I just opt the idea of sleeping/napping.

I will make 1 statement about the stage we are going through at the time. I hate it. It is like having a lot of fussy co-workers. These tantrums are ridiculous. I have been having a really hard time with cabin fever/anti-socialism. Now, I truly do not know if I could carry on a conversation with anyone other than a 2 or 3 year old, unless of course it was in regards to my child. I go days, sometimes longer with only speaking with my Mother or Shane. That is the only "adult" conversation I have.

During this stage, I love my kids a lot more when they are asleep. They are not fighting, stomping, falling out in the floor...we are all at peace.

Hair, What to do?

I know, it looks like Bralee has a full head of hair, but, no. Her hair is thin. I wish it would grow longer, but in time, I suppose. The thickness, I am guessing I should be glad it is not.

He has his horse all tucked away for the ride!

Brian, after a great haircut! He has only had maybe 2 complete haircuts. With his Sensory Input issues haircuts are always horrible. You can go in expecting and really needing to get it cut, to come out with maybe one snip around the ear or at the crown cut. I love this photo of Brian with his hair and REALLY regretted ever getting his hair cut in the first place. We are now just going to let it grow.

Between the 2 photos you can really see how much a haircut can change a person. I love his look both ways, but I really like his hair longer.