BEWARE.....

The Langs foresee a full "MOON"!!!!!

 

 

We are thrilled to announce that Luna Diane will be joining our family in September.  She looked wonderful and to no surprise-is already measuring BIG ;).  Doctor also said she's going to be a strong one, seeing that her kicks can already be felt from the outside.  She is a very active little girl and was not wanting to cooperate today at her "showing."  We literally tried for like 45 minutes before finally getting a good look.  It was also very sweet of the tech not to reveal her to us and stick the sticker on so we could later find out.  We totally don't care that she placed it upside down.  Kinda appropriate for our child :).  

Phoenix has said since day one that there is a guurl in my belly.  Glad to know these two have already bonded :).  Can't wait to watch them pray, laugh and love together.  

I don't even know what to title this one :)

CHAOS.  Thats the best way to put it.  Phoenix and I started work on Monday.  I always include him, because he gets to come to work with me-therefore, he is working as well :).  I work 3 hours Monday, 4 on Wednesday and 4 on Thursday.  Sounds simple enough, right???

SO ONE WOULD THINK.......

Monday was a complete and total disaster.  When I say complete, I don't even think that quite accomplishes the picture I'm trying to paint here.  Lets just say more than once during the 3 short (ha) hours I was at work, I ended up in tears like over half the babies in there.  It was awful.  I got there early so Phoenix could play before I up and left him.  I was nervous since this was the first time I've ever attempted anything like this.  He went straight in and began playing.  I knew he would.  I was doing a ballet class from 9-10, then a karate class from 10-11.  I was totally relieved.  As the minutes passed, more kids began piling in.  Kids were screaming everywhere, including mine.  It was mad chaos.  Phoenix fed off the other kids and screamed non-stop for 3 straight hours.  On top of that, there were things that I wasn't too fond of-things that will get worked out in time, but things that didn't make me want to leave my child there.  

I left 15 minutes after my shift ended.  Not because it was time for me to go, but because I was holding a sleeping child in my arms.  Now don't get me wrong, I was headed straight for the door as soon as they would let me, but I wanted to make sure someone was coming in to replace me.  Oh well.  I came home and crashed as well.  Immediately I started dreading what Wednesday was going to be like.  Needless to say, Monday night I ended up with a migraine, that 4 days later still isn't gone.

Wednesday rolled around.  We walked into the place and Phoenix was fine.  However, as we approached the child center, he immediately started signing/saying all finished, go bye bye.  He wanted NOTHING to do with that place.  I didn't blame him.  I was able to get my shift worked out where I was in the toddler room with him the entire 4 hours.  This seem to make it a lot easier on both of us.  He wasn't stuck to my hip the whole time either.  He played, even with kids crying.  I think just having me around made him feel more comfortable.  This might work out after all.

Thursday came.  Phoenix fell asleep in the car on the way there.  Broke my heart to have to wake him for something like this.  Again, I was able to get it worked out where I was in the infant room the entire time.  They graciously allowed Phoenix in there with me.  He did great with all the babies.  He was gentle and even fed one of the babies her bottle.  I was soo proud of him and the big brother he is already becoming :).  We had no real tears today either.  I actually left there thinking this might work.

Jason is ready for me to throw the towel in.  He doesn't think its fair to either Phoenix or myself.  However, I'm not quite ready to give up.  I really think once Phoenix acclimates to the situation he'll be fine.  Its a totally new concept for him and I know it'll take some time.  Plus, I think once all the life time hype dies down a bit it won't be so chaotic in there.  I just try to avoid the conversation any time Jason brings up me quitting at this point.  I know being a member and a member only would be soo much easier, but it doesn't eliminate the fact that Phoenix is still crying whenever I leave him.  Thats still going to happen whether I work there or not.  If only I could get all the other babies to be happy, then I wouldn't have to worry about my own.

We'll see what Monday brings.  I am hoping to take Phoenix up there at some point today to just "play."  We haven't done that yet and I think once he sees its not all bad, he'll accommodate a lot better.  Fingers crossed.

Please pray for us in the upcoming weeks.  This is truly something I would love to work out.  Even if it only lasts until September when this other baby comes along.  Speaking of-we find out Monday what we're having and we can't wait!!!! Don't worry-I'll definitely fill all of you guys in :).  Pray also for a wonderful check up for all, please.

Christ is Risen!

 

  

  

  

  

Celebrating the Big 21...

In months that is :).  For some reason, up until yesterday, I thought Phoenix was turning 22 months.  Leave it to me to try and pass the time a lot faster when I pray daily for it to slow.  Anyways, I am super excited he's only 21 months instead of 22!!!! Doesn't sound like a big difference, but in his Mama's eyes-its like going from 1 to 21 in just a year.

We had a very eventful day.  Phoenix started the celebration early by waking up at 5:15.  He hasn't done this in forever.  We then went to story time at whole foods at 10:00, which is only about 3 miles from the house.  Yes, he fell asleep in the car.  I knew it was going to be a long day, so instead of being a sympathetic Mama-I forced him to stay awake by taking him to eat neh neh with Tata, Joe, Bit, and yes- Tea.  We headed home around 12:00 or so.  Of course he fell asleep on the way home.  I wanted to take him to the 3:00 Church service, but he slept until 3:30.  So instead we celebrated the Grand Opening of Steel City Pops at the Summit with friends.  Came home, took a "green" bath and then got ready for Good Friday Service at 7:00.

Had a wonderful Good Friday Service as a family.  We did leave a little early though, because Phoenix kept telling us, "Bye, Bye, Nin-Nee."  Obviously the poor kid was still exhausted.  He definitely fell asleep on the way home.

His 21st was a great way to get the weekend started.  What a special, blessed weekend Easter always is.  Christ has Risen!

Some of the things I never want to forget:

• the way he says, "I ok, Mama." whenever he falls.
• the way he says, "I scared, Mama." whenever something scares him.
• I told him I love you the other day and he responded with, "I know."  Melted my heart.
• how much he loves making colored water in the tub. (using bath colors, not by peeing :))
• how excited he is for his baby to come.  he still thinks its a girl :)
• the endless kisses my tummy now receives.
• listening to him count to 10.
• the fact that he recognizes almost EVERY letter in the alphabet.
• how he still can't say the letter L.
• his obsession with Blue's Clues.  yes-the handy dandy notebook from the Easter Bunny was a hit!
• how much he loves drinking agua.
• how strong willed he has become.  
• the look he gives us when he flat out tells us "NO."
• the fact he can tell us he has a wah-wah and where it is.
• his independence and how he can happily play alone forever.
• how when he knows i'm mad at him and i tell him to go play in another room, he doesn't second guess it.  he goes.
• how much he still loves vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, doing laundry and putting away the dishes.
• the fact that he knows exactly where each dish goes and correctly puts them away.
• how he plays in his bed in the morning or after naps forever (up to an hour and a half).  totally content.
• how much he loves MoMo (Emmet O'Neal story time).
• the constant talking of Ana, Abbie, LuLu, Suki, and YaYa.  He loves those girls so stinkin' much.
• how he talks on the phone.  
• the way he sings, "good morning to you" song with me every morning and after every nap.
• the soul he puts into his singing.
• the way he says bye to everything when we leave.
• how he says see ya later alligator.
• when he drops his bb out of his crib every morning, just to hear me say, "What had happened?"

Okay, seriously the list could go on and on forever.  I'll stop there to spare you guys some of the details.  I just want to read this in a year and remember my sweet & not so sweet buttah.  So thanks for baring with me :).

Hippity, Hop Easter's on its Way

Normally, when its time to make a visit to the Easter Bunny, Santa, etc., we go out to Bass Pro Shop.  We've never had to wait an insane amount of time in line and they always have other holiday activities going on for Phoenix.  Besides, it gives Jason a great excuse to go shopping and bond with his son over "manly" things :).

Well, for some reason when I went to check the schedule this year for the Easter Bunny, the time seemed awful short.  He was only there last weekend from 1-4 and this week from 6-8.  Well, we tried going last weekend, but Phoenix just wasn't feeling all that great, so we decided we'd go one night this week.

Jason received a call from a Church that he does.  They were desperately wanting him to lay pine straw before Good Friday.  We are talking 1,300 bales.  Of course you can't turn down a job like that.  Well, that made Tuesday and Wednesday out (since he'd be working later and wouldn't be able to cut out early), Thursday was out also (I have a meeting for my new job!), and well, Friday is Good Friday and we have church.  I told Jason I'd just take him this year alone.  Yeah right!!!!

We decided to go to the Galleria.  Their Easter Bunny is available all day (from 10-8), so we knew we'd be able to find a time.  We ended up going last night and meeting Jason there.  We grabbed a bite to eat and then headed for what I assumed was going to be a way longer line than Bass Pro Shop ever presented us with.  Ha-who was I kidding.  There was no one there, not even the Easter Bunny.  Not to mention, my camera wasn't allowed-not even my phone.  Seriously.  Bass Pro Shop lets you take as many as you want with your own camera and they give you the one they too for FREE.

We lingered the area for a few minutes.  Suddenly the tears started.  What in the world???? I turn to see the Easter Bunny getting of the elevator coming towards Phoenix.  Great!  He was petrified.  Wouldn't even go near him.

Of course, being the Mama that I am, I made Jason put him on his lap for a picture.  He was about to have a total breakdown.  It really was sad :(.  I really thought he might hurt this bunny while trying to escape.

Again, we are still the only ones around.  I sat Phoenix in my lap a good ways away and explained to him that he is our friend.  Anytime I mentioned going near him, he'd start bawling again :(.  We were finally able to convince him to go up by himself and give him a "high five."  Successfully too!!!!  This made him realize the Easter Bunny might not be soo bad after all.

Well, after some time, we decided it was enough.  I went to get our picture.  Ha-the smallest package is 20.00 and only includes 3 pictures.  Oh, and they must all be the same photo.  I can't choose different pictures or I'd have to pay an additional 20.00.  No wonder there was no line for that bunny.  It was a total joke.

After finally getting him comfortable with the Easter Bunny and moving on, he suddenly starts screaming again.  I then realized that the Bunny was following us-or so he thought.  It terrified him.  Needless to say, no reintroduction happened.  We split as quick as possible :).

But in the end, we ended up with the best picture to date and thats all that really matters!!!!

Gosh I love this kid!!!!!

I Guess All Good Things Must Come to an End

As I'm sure I've either blogged about or Facebooked, we have had our fair share of "illnesses" lately.

Well, almost 2 weeks later and Phoenix is still not "right."  He hasn't eaten a full meal, he is constantly tired (napping 4hrs and sleeping longer at night), constantly violently coughing, drippage from his nose like a leaky faucet, and Lord help us with the sneezes-snot hangs all the way to the ground.  Lets not forget the off and on fever for the past 2 weeks as well.

About a week or so ago, I asked Phoenix if he had a wah-wah.  He repeated wah-wah and pointed straight to his right ear.  For the next week, he would randomly say, "wah-wah" while pointing to his ear.  ALWAYS his right ear, even if using his left hand.  His ear had started draining the day after we made the after-hours trip.  However, we started the drops immediately (which in the past, since tubes, has always done the trick).  After five days of drops, the leaking had stopped.  However, there was now very large clumps that were forming in his ear instead of draining out.  We cleaned and watched that ear very carefully.

After going back and forth on whether the doctor would be able to do anything for him, I decided I've got to take him in.  At least for myself.  What if the pneumonia had formed like the after-hours doctor thought? What if his ear really was bothering him? What if that cough gets to the point he can't breathe?  I called and made him appointment yesterday.  Took him in at 2:00.

I had a doctor's appointment myself at 10:30, so Jason was home with him.  He didn't eat.  Took a great nap though.  I ended up having to wake him for the doctor.  Before Jason headed back to work, we made a very thorough list of his symptoms and our concerns.  We get there and I explain to her whats been going on with him.  She listens to his chest.  He is definitely wheezing.  We already have an inhaler for him, so no big deal.  We use it when we feel necessary.  She then took a look in his ears.

His left one first.  It was very, very red and irritated.  She couldn't even see the tube.  I told her the after-hours doctor saw it just a week or so ago and said it looked great.  She said it could've turned sideways or something.  GREAT.  Then she checked out the right ear.  She said it was draining.  Really???? Thanks, I didn't seem to notice.  Okay-I reexplained the drops to her.  She told me after 72 hours, if they haven't help they switch to an oral antibiotic.  Its been more than 72 hours, so we made the switch.  I was VERY hesitant because he has had some serious reactions to the orals for his ears in the past.  From hives, to yeast infections (that led to 2 trips to the dermatologist), to upset stomachs, to not helping heal his ears at all.  We tried a new one-one we've never tried before.  That'll  teach me to ever doubt my son again :)

Hopefully the over the next 10 days of being on this medicine, we will see improvements in Phoenix.  The poor kid is definitely a trooper but I just hate that he is constantly fighting something.  It always seems to fall back to the ears too.  We had a nice long stretch of healthiness after the tubes, but I guess all good things must come to an end.

I'll leave you with a few pictures of my handsome little dude from Palm Sunday.  He looked stunning if I do say so myself.  Such a gentleman!

Job of a Life Time

Jason and I joined Life Time Fitness back in December when they first started taking members.  There is just soo much about the place that attracted us to it.  Jason loved the slides the best.  I loved the child center the best.  Not only do they have outdoor and indoor pools, they have a salon, spa, all natural cafe, tennis courts and workout areas along with specialized classes.  Jason and I were thrilled to have a place to go as a family to work out, eat, and swim.  Phoenix and I were looking forward to endless hours in the pool.  Okay, fine-actually just Phoenix, but I guess I'll suck it up for the sake of my son's enjoyment :).

The child center is broken into different ages.  They not only entertain your child while you work out, they teach them as well.  They offer Spanish classes, art classes, kids work out classes, have Mac computers they can use (20 min. time limit), and soo much more.  It was a dream come true for me!  The first place where I felt I would be okay leaving my child.  Where I felt he would be gaining something while being there, thus eliminating the guilt of me leaving him.  I was thrilled.

Well, I received an e-mail from them with a list of their current openings.  Leave it to me, to jump at the idea (idea only) of actually working there :).  It sounded good.  A little too good actually.  I sent a few emails asking if they had any part time gigs in the child center.  I started the process unbeknownst to Jason.  Here is where I'm at now:

I have recently accepted a job working in the child center.  I am beyond thrilled.  My son can come to work with me.  I only have to work 10-15 hours a week.  I get free membership, along with my kids.  Jason's membership will only cost me $49.00/mth.  I am going from paying 159.00/mth to 49.00/mth, you've got to be kidding me.  I also receive 25% off of all services (salon, spa, parties, lessons, cafe, etc.).  They also offer insurance-health, dental and vision.  And I only have to work 10-15 hours a week.  Seriously??? Could it get any better????  Oh, and I get paid on top of all that!!!!

I was not looking for a job prior to this.  I do not know if it will last.  I do have a house, a husband, a 21 month old and another child on the way, as well as a company that I am also in charge of.  I do know though that I am truly excited about this opportunity.  I am really looking forward to this experience.  If it doesn't work out, at least I know.  Its just too good to pass up.  Especially because the area where I'm working is the whole reason I joined the place to begin with.

I can also say they have been wonderful about working with me in order to make this work.  They are aware this isn't a "necessity," as much as it is a "want."  They are open to my ideas and everyone is super friendly.  They have gladly accepted my work requests and never once made me feel as though this isn't going to work out for all of us.  They are a wonderful company and that makes me soo much more excited to start working there.

If you haven't heard of Life Time Fitness, you definitely need to check them out.  They have clubs all over the country.  They do a month to month membership because they strive on results.  Positive results keeps people coming back, not a year long commitment.  They truly want to improve all aspects of your life.  And they are "family" oriented.  They focus on everyone.  Let me know if you'd like more information about the Club or if you're interested in seeing it.

I can't wait.  They are opening April 13 (I believe) and I can't wait to take full advantage.  As an employee but also as a family.