Next stop, the North Pole!

Yesterday during naps, I was browsing FB.  I found a lady selling 2 extra tickets to the North Pole, on the North Pole Express in Calera.  This is something I wanted to do with my kids, looong before they were even in existence.

However, with Jason never knowing how his work load is going to be or what jobs he'll be doing at the time, I can't buy tickets that far (in July) in advance.  Boo :(.

So.....I jumped on her offer.  Called my mom to see if she could watch Luna, then called Jason.  He went back and forth about wanting to go.  It didn't start until 8:00, it was in Calera (like 45 minutes away), he worked all day and wanted to get up early to hunt.  It was like 4:00 at this point.  Mom could watch Luna, but at her house.  She had cooking to do.

I considered taking P alone, if the lady would sell just one.  As I was about to see if I could buy 1, Jason called to tell me he wanted to go.  He said he knew he would regret it if he didn't or if P missed out.  I totally got where his hesitation was coming from, but I totally jumped at his yes.

P took a long, late nap (coincidentally) and Luna was having a good day.  Jason got home around 5ish. We had dinner and I got P ready.  Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to dig out his holiday pj's :(.  I was rushed with excitement about our date with Phoenix.  I did manage to throw a Christmas shirt on him though!  I got dressed and loaded all Luna's belongings up and we headed out.  I didn't even have time to grab my camera :(.

All the while, P kept saying he "no like Santa."  He even said he didn't want to go on the train if Santa was going to be there.  In the back of my mind, I kept saying "$70.00 down the drain.  Jason was right, it wasn't worth it."  Ironically enough though, Jason was the one who was motivating us to go at this point.

We got there and waited for the lady with our tickets.  We were on the very first train.  The first to arrive in the North Pole and the last to leave the North Pole.  The first to see Santa and the first to get cookies and chocolate milk.

Phoenix was soo excited about all the trains.  He loved being on a real one and enjoyed seeing all the light up decor on the ride to the North Pole.  He sang along to Christmas songs and danced in his seat.

He saw Santa.  He watched intensely as Santa made his way down the aisle towards us.  As Santa was passing us by, Phoenix shouted out to him his Christmas list.  My heart filled with joy seeing the magic in my sons eyes.  He was excited about Santa.  The first time in almost 2 1/2 years.  That moment right there made the whole night totally worth it.

He took his picture with Santa and Mrs. Clause, ate cookies and drank chocolate milk.  He even got a present from Santa.

It was a late night, but one that was totally worth it!!!!  Phoenix doesn't get much attention these days with Luna being soo needy, so it was nice to have a night to focus solely on him!!!!

He woke up this morning with his glo light in hand, talking about the night!

Needless to say, our holiday season is off to a Magical start!!!!

Getting ready to depart for the North Pole.

He's excited about seeing the elf!

First Santa sighting!!!!!

Trying to get Santa's attention by shouting out his Christmas list!

Look-no Tears!!!! We even got a SMILE!!!!!

Cookies and......

Chocolate Milk!!!!!

Dancing the night away!!!

Presents from Santa! A snow man for P and ornaments for Mama and Dada!

Look at the MAGIC between these two!!!!!

My 2 Turkeys

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

We had a fabulous day.  We spent the morning just hanging out together.  I had a late start to my morning, thanks to Dada who let me stay in bed until 8:00!!!!

He entertained Phoenix and even brought be coffee in bed while Luna and I caught up on some much needed rest.

I got up to get the dip made for Thanksgiving.  Thanks to Luna and her uncooperative nature, I was serving store bought desserts this year.  Sorry guys.

While I made the dip, Jason took the little ones on a car ride so they could nap before a long day ahead!

We made it to my sister's around 11.  We played, ate entirely too much food and just hung out.  It was a very nice, relaxing day.

We headed home around 7:00.  Phoenix fell asleep as soon as we got in the car-Literally.  Luna, on the other hand, cried the entire way home.

Jason took P straight upstairs to bed while I tended to Luna.  Wouldn't ya know it-Luna's belly doesn't like Thanksgiving food.  She threw up ALL over me.  I mean all over me.  So much, that I screamed for Jason to come down, not even caring if I woke Phoenix up.  It was that bad.

After getting both of us cleaned up, Luna finally fell asleep around 8:00.  She slept all night and didn't wake up until Brother woke her at 8 the next morning.  Brother even slept in-he got up at 7:00.

Jason was working, so that meant no shopping for this Mama, so them sleeping in was such a nice treat for me!

Luna had a marvelous First Thanksgiving.  Phoenix also enjoyed his day, as did Dada and myself.  We have soo much to be thankful for all year long.  God has been soo good to our family and continues to Bless us each and every day.  We truly are one lucky family.

It Ain't Her Fault

Luna has always hated bath time.  ALWAYS.  However, I learned something tonight during that joyous time!  It ain't her fault.

Until tonight, I've always run the water, filled the tub and put her in.  Tonight, I did something different.  I asked Jason what he thought of the waters temperature.

He informed me the water was cold.  So, I warmed it up.  Wouldn't you know-it made ALL the difference in the world.

I guess subconsciously I was afraid of burning her.  To avoid that, I was obviously making her baths miserable for her.  Poor, sweet girl was freezing her teezo off :(.

Since warming the water, she LOVED it!!!! She even played after she was all clean.  She really seemed to enjoy it!!!

I hate that I've been freezing her into hating bath time,  but glad we figured out the problem.  I will now make her a nice, warm bath!

In other news, Luna napped ALL day in her big girl bed on Saturday, November 23, 2013 for the first time!  She slept great in there :).  Looks like someones about to get the boot!!!!

Yes, I know-she's sleeping on her stomach.  Didn't we all???? Besides, at this point, I'll take it any way I can get it.  Sorry.

Update on Reflux:  She did great for all of 2 days.  She has since been throwing up after getting the medicine.  I decided to give her a break from it.  After all, all that throwing up can't be good for her little esophagus :(.  She is still projectile vomiting randomly though.  Not sure if thats a step up or not.  I guess I should call the doctor back, huh??? Any input on whether or not the throwing up is an okay thing is greatly appreciated.  Also, should I keep her on the rx even though she can't seem to keep it down???  HELP!!!!!!!!!!!  One positive-she is sleeping much better again.  Sometimes, on her tummy, sometimes in her car seat.  Always in the elevated position though.  

We Did It!!!!

We actually did it!!!

We went on a date.

Just the 2 of us.

First time in almost 2 1/2 years.

We then decided to include Phoenix.

He was excited to go.

My mom arrived.

He changed his mind.

Jason and I left.

Just the 2 of us.

We went to Yankee.

Quick and close.

Both kids awake when we left.

Both awake when we got home.

They had fun.

So did we.

Just the 2 of us.

No talk of Langscapes.

Just time spent catching up.

It was waaaaay over due.

Unfortunately, no pictures of our night.

So here are some of our favorite people.

Something's Got to Give

Luna was doing great! She was a happy baby that loved life.  She ate like a champ and was sleeping like a champ.

She definitely had reflux, but it didn't seem to bother her.  She spit up a lot.  We even had random bouts of projectile vomit here and there.  It was nasty.  Again though, she wasn't bothered by it-so neither were we.

Until about 2 weeks ago.  It was definitely a gradual thing, but eventually she became possessed by reflux.  It was awful.  At first, she just started crying more than usual.  It then turned into a painful cry.  She eventually got to the point where she wouldn't let us put her down, and even then-she was usually crying.  More like screaming.  She would only sleep in the upright position and would wake screaming at even the slightest attempt to put her down.

I was about to go crazy.  Literally.  Thank God Jason saw my need for help because I likely would be at Bryce (no offense to Bryce patients) right now had he not.  He made every effort to help me, including coming home earlier (at like 2) to give me some relief.  He totally stepped up to the plate, as he always does.  He sat in the chair for hours at end, at all hours of the night so I could rest, even though he was the one who had to get up at 4:30 for work.

He was my lifesaver.

Tuesday, I finally had enough.  It was obvious that this wasn't normal.  Her screams were now filled with pain and her eyes were watery and puffy from lack of sleep.  She could barely keep them open.  My heart was breaking for my sweet girl.

I called the doctor and made her an appointment for that afternoon.  She was running a low grade fever, but everything checked out great.  Everything but her reflux.  We were given 2 medicines to help.  One to repair her esophagus from all the reflux and the other to help control it.

I wasn't sure how medicine was going to work.  We've tried 3 times with tylenol and one oral vaccination and the result was always the same-projectile vomit.

I was desperate enough to try though, even if it meant being vomited on.

Thank God the medicine went down.  We are now on day 2.  One medicine we give her 4 times a day and the other is twice a day.  We've only had one episode of vomit!

Even better-I have my sweet girl back!!!! She is back to being a happy, eating, sleeping child once again.  She sits in the mamaroo, in her rock and play and her bumbo rather contently now!  She is still sleeping on the boppy, but its the highest incline I can get that is safe.  Her mattress incline isn't enough.

I'm sorry sweet girl for making you go soo long in pain.  Mama's fault.  However, I am glad you are finally comfortable again!

She has also gained almost a whole pound since her appointment on the 12th.  She weighed in at 13.4 on Tuesday, November 19th.

The only way she'd sleep at first. Turned into a 90 degree sit towards the end.

Medicine time! Obviously not a fan :)

Not happy with Dada :(

Good to have our sweet girl back :)

I Bit My Tongue...

and I shouldn't have.

There aren't many times in life when I don't speak my feelings, especially concerning my kids.  However, this time I did.  And boy do I regret it.  I guess I was just trying to show my son that sometimes you just have to walk away and be the bigger person.

Here's what happened.

We were checking in at the zoo.  In the members room.  I had tickets for the train and carousel already, but decided to buy more for next time.  As I'm paying for my tickets, this lady walked in.  She had a double stroller with 2 kids in pumpkin seats.  Older than Luna.  Another little boy and either her mom or mother-in-law (I'm assuming) were with her.  Phoenix LOVES kids, even more so now that he has a little sister.  He immediately walked up to the stroller.  Mind you-he wasn't touching anything or anyone.

The woman quickly yells, and I mean really yells, "NOOOO.  YOU DON'T TOUCH BABIES."  I quickly grabbed him, knowing he did nothing wrong.  I told him not to even look at them and we proceeded on our way.  The words came flowing through my mind but I quickly walked out, simply turning and giving her a look of total disgust.

First off-you don't want anyone near your kids, keep your ass at home.  Second, cover them.  Luna had a blanket draped over her seat, covering her. Not that I would care if a little boy came up to see her.  Third, he is a little boy-have some control over yourself.  To raise your voice and yell in such a hateful way to a 2 year old simply because he walked over to look at your babies tells me you have more going on in your life than I care to discuss with you.  

If you could've heard the hatred and anger in this woman's voice.  I swear, I can't get it out of my head. Who dares yell at a child in that tone, much less a child thats not even yours.  I truly felt sorry for her 3 kids, cause lord knows if she yells at a stranger like that there's no telling how she handles them.

I guess maybe thats why I walked away.  Obviously her issues run far deeper than my son walking up and looking at her children.  Whatever the reason for my walking, in my heart I do regret not standing up for my son.  I do want him to know that when appropriate, you have to take a stand.  However, he also needs to know that sometimes, some people just aren't worth your time.  In this situation, it was definitely the latter.

I kept looking for her throughout the zoo because I truly did want to say something about her tone to my child.  Lets just say God is a very smart man, because he kept us far apart :).  Further than I wanted, but definitely safer that way.  I was ready to punch this lady right in the face-no joke.

Other than that, our trip was fabulous.  The weather was perfect and Suki and YaYa came and met us too!!!! Always makes for fun times!!!  Luna slept most of the time, but did wake to eat and look around for just a bit!

The first of 2 train rides for the day :)

Why she missed seeing all the animals :)

Cut it or Shut it

I was soo tired of hearing Phoenix needs a haircut.  Especially from Jason.  Apparently this is an issue that the mother has NO say in at all.  Months ago, I decided to give in.  Seriously wasn't worth listening to how bad his hair looks on a daily basis.

There was just ONE problem.

Jason wanted to be there.  Maybe this wasn't going to happen afterall!  He is barely home in time for bed and is still working weekends, so good luck with that one!  But I was done hearing it.  You want it cut, you want to be there-i suggest you figure something out then.  Cut it or Shut it became my new motto.

Boy did it backfire on me! Jason called me yesterday to tell me he and Phoenix both had hair appointments at 5:45 that night.  Secretively, my heart sank.  I was totally not ready for this.  5:40 rolled around and so did Jason.  We rushed to get ready and out the door.  So much for looking cute for pictures :(.

The before...

The prep work...

The during....

The after:

Phoenix did such a great job! I was soo very proud of him.  He did everything he was asked and never cried or tried to escape!  Sissy was a trooper as well!

Tina at Hair Bella did a fabulous job with him.  Thankfully, she too likes long hair on little boys, so she didn't cut much at all!  The two people that have seen him today (that would notice) both said you can't even tell.  Well, not to this Mama-but I'm glad it appears that way at least!!!!!!

And of course Brother had to bring his camera to capture the moment as well :)