10 on Tuesday

1. I got the results back from my MRI last week which showed severe sinus inflammation that the Dr believes could be chronic since all of my migraines seem to start off as sinus headaches. He is referring me to an ENT to discuss sinus surgery. Until then, I am taking Levaquin and Nasacort.
2. This morning I went from no headache to full blown migrain in less than 5 minutes. Since it was time for me to take my Levaquin and Nasacort, I just added 2 excedrin migraine pills to the mix and prepared myself to spend the rest of the day in bed for a migraine I couldn't get rid of. Well, guess what?!?! NO MIGRAINE!!! That's a record people. I've never had a non prescription medication take a migraine away, although my mom is thinking that the Nasacort helped :)
3. My boy is talking people! I mean really talking. And I'm loving it! He asks himself questions and answers them, he makes his toy soldiers talk to each other, and he's putting so many 3 word phrases together. To all those people who told me that I would be wishing he wouldn't learn to talk b/c he would never be quiet...YOU WERE WRONG!! I love to hear him use that sweet voice.
4. I am feeling like I need at least a month vacation from my photography business. I just feel burnt out. I imagine lots of potographers feel this way aroun this busy time of year. But honestly, I just may take that vacation!
5. Did you know I opened an etsy store?? I sure did! Check it out www.beanies4babies.etsy.com I have a serious addiction to knitted baby hats so I'm so glad I can use my creativity to create whatever it is I want :)
6. I found out that we have 4, yes FOUR, doctors who live in our cul de sac! And get this, one of them is a neurologist. It's comforting to know in case of an emergency.
7. Jayden has been doing well, but he's still having headaches. We are hoping to get results from his MRI and EEG this week. Praying for good news!!
8. I'm getting bored with my monthly menu lately. It always seems to be the same thing over and over again. Can anyone share their favorite recipes or favorite sites for recipes?
9. I finally retired my blackberry and will be switching to an iphone. I think it will be delivered today and I'm very excited about all of the apps I can get. I'm hoping I can find a good gluten free app b/c I'm always so nervous about where to find food for Jayden when we travel.
10. BIG, FUN, EXCITING weekend coming up for us!!!!!

10 on Tuesday

1. I think a certain little boy is getting sick :( I figured he was when he started to bring back behaviors that we hadn't seen in a while. Sensory issues are known to heighten when the sickies come along. He cried the pitiful cry through lunch, almost fell asleep sitting up, and woke up with swollen, yucky eyes. We'll see how he looks when he wakes up in the morning.
2. We put the house back on the market this week, without a realtor. By dropping the realtor, we were able to drop our asking price by 5k. Now we just have to work on marketing. It's already here, so if you know of someone searching for a nice home, in a nice neighborhood, for a NICE price, send them that link!
3. I've been trying to decide what I want Jayden to be for Halloween, but I think he is determined to be spiderman! My baby is growing up too fast!
4. So it's October, and you know that's when I start brainstorming ideas for Jayden's birthday in December. Of course, there's no question that it will be a spiderman theme, but I think I'm going to do his party at home this time around. Last year his 2nd birthday party was just as huge as the 1st b/c he has SO MANY cousins. Having it here in MS will guarantee less kids! LOL ;)
5. Have I mentioned here just how much I love Jayden's new Occupational Therapist? She is so thorough and you can tell that she cares about the kids she works with and their parents and she is the only one of his 3 therapists who seem determined to have him to meet his goals by December when he will need to transition to the school system. We are hoping that he won't even need OT by January!
6. And while I'm spreading the love, our new case worker rocks as well! She came by this morning to have the OT to sign off on his updated IFSP so she could fax it to the school he's going to be enrolled in. She sat through therapy and watched how his behaviors affect his 45-60 minute therapy sessions. She agreed with me that his behaviors at home and at the behavioral clinic are like night and day. He's an angel at the behavior clinic b/c he gets to play in a room FULL of toys. No need to get frustrated when you are surrounded by new toys, oh and let's not forget the candy! Behavior therapy is when the behaviors need to be present so she can help us work through it. The case worker suggested that we have the therapist come to our house as opposed to the clinic. We're going to see how she responds to that tomorrow.
7. I am so excited about the photography clients I've been getting lately! They are so into my style and I love that. I can simply do what I do without any pressure to pull away from my style to make them happy. LOVE THAT!
8. Just got the call from the after hours clinic about Jayden's eyes and they believe it could be pink eye. Drops are being called in for the poor boy now.
9. I've started "homeschool" with Jayden on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. There's only so much school you can do with a 2, almost 3, yr old but we do an interactive story, arts and crafts, fine motor activities, music skills, and nursery rhymes. I also do a letter of the day. Hopefully this will help him with his transition into the school system by next year.
10. Yesterday's arts and crafts assignment was a fall tree and I am surprised at how well it came out:

10 on Tuesday

1. I have officially lost my mind...I brought my niece and 2 nephews back home with me from New Orleans.
2. I forgot how much siblings bicker and pick with each other. And the potty mouth?!?! OMG.
3. They are currently playing Life, the boardgame (and I have decided I will just forget about the arguing and crying that took place in Target to decide which game to get) and this is the conversation:

"Hey why are you spinning again??"
"Because I landed on orange!!"
"No you didn't, you only spent 6 moves!!!!"
"No it was 9, you must be seeing things upside down!!"
"Where is my money from payday?!?!"
"You owed the bank for that big house you just bought!"

Fun stuff, I tell ya!
4. My husband called to check in on us b/c he thought I'd be stressed out, but I bet he was surprised to hear my laughing over the phone. It's seriously funny to hear how they get along...or not!
5. Jayden loves having them here, but they tend to egg him on and make him do things he is not supposed to do, like hit, and then they run to me to tell on him.
6. I still have 2 photo sessions I'm working on editing this week.
7. I also need to go back and edit the pictures from our trip to Destin way back in April!!
8. The house does not seem like it will sell by the time our conract is up in September, so we are considering leasing it.
9. We would be contracted through the real estate agency so that they can work with the tenants and maintain the property while we are in Louisiana. Not a bad deal and they would only charge 10% of the rent each month. It's not like we want to make money from leasing the house, we really just want to be sure the mortgage is paid each month, so we are considering it.
10. We leave on Friday for Orlando!! I am so excited for this trip!! I hope Jayden is able to enjoy himself this time around.

Oh and btw, I'm still waiting on a call from ANYONE to begin his therapy. Lots of promises, but no calls yet... This is ridiculous.

10 on Tuesday

1. I am sick and tired of the scheduling dept with the real estate agency we have our home listed through. The schedulings are all screwed up and the realtors cancel without notice. So that means that we drive around aimlessly for no apparent reason. Not to mention how stressed I get trying to clean a house with a 2 yr old who tears it up in seconds.
2. Because of number 1, we are looking for a new real estate agency. It's nothing against our realtor b/c she's wonderful, but the issues we are having with showings is insane.
3. Jayden has been putting two words together very nicely lately. He says "Hi Mommy (Daddy, Nana, Paw Paw)", "Come in", "Where Mommy?", "Let's go." and he surprises us everyday with new things.
4. Today the fed ex man delivered a package and rang the doorbell to let me know it was there and he left. Jayden ran to the door and said "COME IN!!" and then opened the door.
5. Thank God for our alarm b/c otherwise I wouldn't have known that he could open the door. We must now use the top lock at all times.
6. Only 4 more weeks until Disney World!!
7. Jayden's social evaluation is scheduled for Monday. Please pray that all goes well and he gets the help that he needs.
8. Early Intervention is supposed to continue his therapy this week. We shall see about that but I'm not holding my breath.
9. My aunt is going to bake a mock gluten free birthday cake for Jayden this weekend. Angel foods cake with an almond glaze. Our hope is that the cake is good enough that we can serve it to everyone at the party and not make him have to be singled out with a different cake.
10. It is HOT!!!

10 on Tuesday

1. I am really trying to get back to adding pictures to this blog! I promise! Things have just been so hectic around here lately.
2. J has been using his words so much lately, and he's developing quite a silly personality.
3. I feel like he's ready to get back into his playgroups and library storytime, but I'm afraid that once we start it all again, he will go backwards.
4. His eating has not gotten any better. In fact, it's gotten worse. French toast, fries, and PBJ. Nothing else. Last night I tried baby food and he gagged on it and threw it up.
5. Tomorrow is his EGD. I'm so worried about him going under anesthesia, but I am also ready for some answers.
6. If the Dr doesn't find scarring, narrowing, or anything suspicious during the EGD, he will start feeding therapy asap.
7. If she does find something wrong, then we will know that my poor boy has been in pain and that's why he won't eat. I pray that it's something that can be fixed in feeding therapy and no more surgery!
8. We are going to New Orleans for a week on Friday!
9. Zulu Ball, my mom's bday party, Mardi Gras!!
10. Hopefully once I get back I can get back into the swing of things and add some recent pictures to the blog!

10 on Tuesday

My first 10 on Tuesday for 2009!!

1. Retirement...it was denied. I believe I am in shock, b/c I have not shed a single tear and that in itself is helping my husband to stay strong. The reason for denial is because he was officially served orders on Dec 29, and even though he wasn't at work when the orders went out, he's still served.
2. He's very upset and called to ask for a re evaluation of his present situation. We have to send in paperwork from J's pediatrician stating that he is special needs and is being seen by a developmental pediatrician here.
3. We both have come to terms with the fact that we pray to God, not to give us what we want, but to do what He knows is good for us. Maybe I should start looking for real estate in IL instead?
4.Had my first official session of 2009 this morning and made the first deposit into our IVF savings account. The plan is to place all of my session fees in there and we (along with my parents) will add funds to the account whenever we have the extra cash to spare. Hopefully soon, our dream of adding to the family will come true.
5. Working towards putting the house on the market by March...However, if we have to go to IL, we have orders to be there by April 30, so we would need to list the house like YESTERDAY!
6. It's not ready to go on the market yet though...we still need the garage door repaired and we want to get ceramic counter tops in the kitchen b/c several homes in this neighborhood offer them. We also want to get the yard professionally landscaped and that won't happen until late Feb, early March.
7. Today has been a good day for Jayden and I so far...I've been much more patient. Let's just say it involves lots of sarcasm on my part. Like when a block comes flying at my face b/c it wouldn't stack how he wanted it to, I reply "Oh sweetie, are you having a hard time stacking blocks?"
8. Is it bad that it now takes sarcasm for me to be patient? The above reply is what should be said b/c he gets angry out of frustration, but I'm frustrated as well. So if it takes sarcasm, then sarcasm it is.
9. My husband gave me a Nintendo DS for Christmas and it's slowly becoming my new addiction...how sad is that??
10. I promise I will get back to adding pictures to this blog soon!!!!

10 on Tuesday

1. Can't believe that 2008 is almost over...already?!?! Where has this year gone??
2. I got a new look for 2009. Cut my hair off and wearing it natural. However, I found out today that the Lupron left a nice sized bald spot in my head...the size of a half dollar =( Everytime I stick my hand back there and touch it, I feel sick! Lupron sucks.
3. My husband got orders today. They want us to be in IL by April 30, 2009...
4. So that would give us less than 4 months to get this house on the market and sold, and I'd have to slap all of my photography clients in the face with the insane news.
5. My husband is "technically" on leave until after the New Year, so he can still submit his retirement paperwork on the 1st and just pray that it's accepted. If not, then we have to get to work, immediately...
6. If he cannot retire, it looks like he will be going to IL alone for a few months and J and I will stay behind until the house sells.
7. Not how we hope to start the New Year, but we do trust in God's plan and we are aware that there are people who are going through things SO MUCH WORSE than we are. We are actually blessed.
8. I just think my husband is tired and ready to be done...He deserves to be done. But our God knows better.
9. Going to the store today to get a few heads of cabbage and some black eyed peas for our NYE dinner.
10. Probably a few stiff drinks as well... they may be needed!

10 on Tuesday

1. Today is going to be a day of chores, chores, and more chores! Hopefully J enjoys his new nursery rhyme CD I bought for him yesterday.
2. I ordered a 16x24 canvas as a sample for my clients. Most people like to see exactly what it is they are ordering. So I ordered (actually got it free with my business account) a huge canvas of one of my favorite pictures of J. It came in the mail yesterday and I am in love!!


3. I let the canvas company decide which type of border would be best b/c I had no idea if I had enough room in the frame to wrap the actual picture, but they decided to wrap the actual picture and I love it! The trees and grass wrapped around the frame looks so nice. I mainly ordered this to have on display at my vendor table this month, but now I'm looking for the best place in my house to mount it!! Did I mention I love it?? Oh and BTW, if you ever order a canvas this big, make sure that the picture you are ordering is as close to perfect at you can get it. J had an itty bitty piece of lint on his cap, that I did not notice even after staring at this picture for months, but it's definitely printed out on the canvas. Nice little speck on his hat. I can only imagine how horrible this picture would have looked if it was out of focus. So keep that in mind if you ever order a canvas (or a large photo!)
4. J's foot seems to have turned in more since his appt. How is that possible? I think we need to get him a pair of everyday hightop shoes b/c I can tell that he needs the ankle support. Please pray that his legs will straighten by Jan! And if not, please pray that he will take to the braces without any problems.
5. I have been dying to learn how to knit lately. Can anyone recommend a good book for beginners. I mean seriously, BEGINNERS!! I don't even know what type of needle to use. Um, do they call them needles? Or sticks with a hook on the end? Oh boy!!
6. Our garage door is still broken from the tornado in April. I need to give them a call today and see what the hold up is. I'm sure they are not still working on tickets from April!
7. Can someone tell me why "Please" is such a tough word for J to say?? Oh never mind, I know why. He's smart and he knows that saying "please" is nice, and he doesn't like to be nice all the time! But when he says please, it sure is cute! I think I will buckle down on him now since I know he can say it but doesn't want to say it! He seriously HATES speaking English.
8. A friend of mine came over to visit yesterday with her 4 y/o son (who reads like a 10 yr old!!!) and of course, J was very talkative (in English I might add). My friend commented on how he whispers when he talks and that he will have a small voice like I do. LOL! And seriously, the 4 y/o had just turned 4 in July, I am so impressed by his reading skills!
9. Both dogs need baths and haircuts today. So much fun for me and my back :D
10. Hurricane Ike looks like it will go to TX instead of La. Good for La b/c they are still recovering from Gustav, but not so good for TX, especially if Ike regains strength. Keep the families in the path of this storm (and the islands devastated by the storm already) in your prayers.

10 on Tuesday

1. Found out that I did get the part time job at the YMCA childcare. Supposed to get a call today to find out what time to come in on Thursday. For some reason, I'm not too excited. Worried about J missing me while I'm gone, but it's only 4 hours each morning. I just hope the sitter doesn't put him down for a nap before I get home. I'll have to make that request.

2. Been working on Morgan's 3 month pictures. She's so beautiful, don't you agree?


3. So excited about my vendor table at a local consignment sale at the end of Sept. I have a few items in mind that I need to order, like TODAY!! I am so indecisive...but I need to make a decision...TODAY!!!

4. My parents are having a little BBQ on Sunday for Labor Day, but I really don't think I feel like driving out there this time. Too bad b/c I will definitely miss my dad's crawfish! We'll just have to get some from the seafood place out here and have our own lonely Labor Day picnic! Hey, we'll go to the lake, and I'll bring my camera!! FUN!!

5. I think I want to design some new business cards...Maybe I should do that today also?!?

6. Still (not so) patiently waiting on a check from the IRS. It's impossible to contact them by phone. I've been trying for the past two days, non stop. They seem to always have an "extremely high call volume." Hmmmmm.

7. I love the sound of naptime...silence...with an occasional "Mom, hi mom!"...He talks in his sleep, and he always dreams about me. Now that's love!

8. The weather here is really nice, so we went for a brief walk today before his nap. He insisted on bringing his two cars. We are trying to let him walk more barefeet now b/c of the tibial torsion, so he didn't wear any shoes. He loved this b/c he didn't fall as much!



9. Found out today that the nurse referred us to an ortho who is not in Tricare's network, so we would have ended up paying out of pocket if I took him to the appt. Good thing I checked on that, but now I have to find a new ortho and cancel his appt that was for tomorrow. Sigh.

10. My husband and I are in the 4th year of this battle with infertility. I won't give up hope though, b/c I believe that God does have a plan for us. Keep us in your prayers!