Dylan has recently been telling me that I am not pretty. Its horrible to hear this from a child, since we all know, kids do not lie. So (after giving him a talk), I have been trying to do myself up a little more during the day so he doesn't grow up thinking his mom is an ugly slob. So today I was getting dressed while he was in the bathtub and he says this:
Dylan: Mommy you are ugly.
Me: Dylan that hurts my feelings, and is not very nice.
Dylan: Well, you are ugly, but you aren't really ugly
Me: What does that mean Dylan?
Dylan: Just your skin is ugly (as he stares at my prego belly)
Me: Oh this skin? These are called stretch marks. As the baby gets bigger they get bigger, and I have to agree with you, they are ugly aren't they?
Dylan: Yes. But your whole body skin is ugly too. Sorry mommy.
Nice huh? Love the self esteem building!
A few weeks ago while at Grandmas he yells to Grandma, "You have to come over and see my new knobs!" (referring to the new hardware on our kitchen cabinets).
And just now, on the way home we drove past a police car on the side of the road:
Dylan:Oh look at the policeman mommy
Me: Looks like there was an accident
Dylan: No mommy, somebody is just getting in trouble for stealing things
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
What are you thankful for?
Today was Sydney's 6th month checkup with her neurologist in Atlanta. It has been exactly 6 months since her last seizure, and she is doing great. Her motor development is where it should be, and her language, though a tad behind, is improving every day (even the speech therapist wasn't concerned when she saw her last month). Sydney is thriving and there is nothing more I could ask for! So why did I leave the center sobbing this afternoon?
Answer: The Emory Childrens Center that I take Sydney to is right outside the Children's Hospital in Emory. I park in the same place that I did when Syd was in the hospital 10 months ago. I go through the same elevator and and walk through those same double doors every time I take her to her Neurology appt. It is a constant reminder of the fear, and heartbreak that I, Cameron and Syd faced just a short time ago. It is always very sobering to make this trip, but it is a great reminder of how blessed we are that Sydney is doing better, and that there IS a medicine that will work long term if this epilepsy does in fact last throughout her life. So, I left the office after a great visit, and as we walked out the door Dylan started jumping up and down yelling, "Helicopter, helicopter, mommy!". I looked up and leaving the roof of the hospital of course was a helicopter with the words, Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta written on it. I instantly began to cry. Call it hormonal pregnancy emotions, but I couldn't help but think of the sick or injured child that was being transported, and/or the parents who were living their worst nightmare having to witness the pain of their child. I couldn't help but see 8 month old Sydney strapped to a gurney in that ambulance, and remember the feelings that I had had driving with her and just watching, praying that the seizures would stop and there wouldn't be any brain damage. At that same moment, I began crying even harder, sobbing (a little uncontrollably) because I was so grateful that we weren't there, in that moment, or situation anymore. We have answers, and our baby girl is thriving! And at that moment I couldn't hold the tears in, I was so overwhelmed with emotions of happiness!
To make things worse for a hormonal crying pregnant woman, I get in the car after calming down and riding yet again that same elevator (this time with two sick kids in wheelchairs) and as I leave the parking lot, the song "Thankful" by Josh Groban comes on (yes it is on his Christmas album, and yes I am already listening to it :) Here are a taste of the lyrics:
Somedays, we forget to look around us,
Somedays, we can't see the joy that surrounds us,
so caught up inside ourselves...
there's so much to be Thankful for,
It's an AMAZING song and of course moved me once again, bringing me to tears. It was at this point that Dylan said, "Mommy, when are you going to stop crying?" Poor kid, his mom is crazy!
It was a good day. I love being reminded of how blessed I am, and how happy I am. I tend to forget that...often.
Here is just a cute video of Sydney playing with her blocks. If you listen close you hear her say, "here you go" a few times. It is her first official sentence!
Answer: The Emory Childrens Center that I take Sydney to is right outside the Children's Hospital in Emory. I park in the same place that I did when Syd was in the hospital 10 months ago. I go through the same elevator and and walk through those same double doors every time I take her to her Neurology appt. It is a constant reminder of the fear, and heartbreak that I, Cameron and Syd faced just a short time ago. It is always very sobering to make this trip, but it is a great reminder of how blessed we are that Sydney is doing better, and that there IS a medicine that will work long term if this epilepsy does in fact last throughout her life. So, I left the office after a great visit, and as we walked out the door Dylan started jumping up and down yelling, "Helicopter, helicopter, mommy!". I looked up and leaving the roof of the hospital of course was a helicopter with the words, Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta written on it. I instantly began to cry. Call it hormonal pregnancy emotions, but I couldn't help but think of the sick or injured child that was being transported, and/or the parents who were living their worst nightmare having to witness the pain of their child. I couldn't help but see 8 month old Sydney strapped to a gurney in that ambulance, and remember the feelings that I had had driving with her and just watching, praying that the seizures would stop and there wouldn't be any brain damage. At that same moment, I began crying even harder, sobbing (a little uncontrollably) because I was so grateful that we weren't there, in that moment, or situation anymore. We have answers, and our baby girl is thriving! And at that moment I couldn't hold the tears in, I was so overwhelmed with emotions of happiness!
To make things worse for a hormonal crying pregnant woman, I get in the car after calming down and riding yet again that same elevator (this time with two sick kids in wheelchairs) and as I leave the parking lot, the song "Thankful" by Josh Groban comes on (yes it is on his Christmas album, and yes I am already listening to it :) Here are a taste of the lyrics:
Somedays, we forget to look around us,
Somedays, we can't see the joy that surrounds us,
so caught up inside ourselves...
there's so much to be Thankful for,
It's an AMAZING song and of course moved me once again, bringing me to tears. It was at this point that Dylan said, "Mommy, when are you going to stop crying?" Poor kid, his mom is crazy!
It was a good day. I love being reminded of how blessed I am, and how happy I am. I tend to forget that...often.
Here is just a cute video of Sydney playing with her blocks. If you listen close you hear her say, "here you go" a few times. It is her first official sentence!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Grammer and Lindsay visit!
My sister Lindsay and my Mom were finally able to make it out to Georgia after 3 long years. My mom hasn't gone on a vacation in 5 years do to her disability, but she worked up the courage and decided she could come to GA! It was so great having them both here. We had a blast playing games, staying up late, shopping, cracking up over Dylan and Sydneys personalities and comments, celebrating halloween, etc. It was fantastic! It was so much fun to see them loving and enjoying my kids. Likewise, it was great to see my kids loving all over them!
We went shopping for toys and bought the kids some things from Grandpa and Grammer, Dylan picked out the coolest tool set, he loves it! The next day he wanted a tool box from the store and when I told him we could put it on his Christmas list, he threw it on the floor and yelled, "I don't like Santa!" Spoiled much? I quickly told him, "Shhh, Santa can hear you", and he didn't say anything else about it. :)
We watched a movie together, and mom enjoyed Syd's late night company. (She refused to sleep knowing there were people in the house that she could play with.) SUCH A MOUNT!
We took fun pics, none of which the kids would even give a slight smile for. Pretty girls!
Can't you tell how much the kids are enjoying this? I love moms face in this, priceless! By the way, you can see a bit of my prego belly here.
We went shopping for toys and bought the kids some things from Grandpa and Grammer, Dylan picked out the coolest tool set, he loves it! The next day he wanted a tool box from the store and when I told him we could put it on his Christmas list, he threw it on the floor and yelled, "I don't like Santa!" Spoiled much? I quickly told him, "Shhh, Santa can hear you", and he didn't say anything else about it. :)
We watched a movie together, and mom enjoyed Syd's late night company. (She refused to sleep knowing there were people in the house that she could play with.) SUCH A MOUNT!
We took fun pics, none of which the kids would even give a slight smile for. Pretty girls!
Can't you tell how much the kids are enjoying this? I love moms face in this, priceless! By the way, you can see a bit of my prego belly here.Trick-or-Treat
Happy Halloween!
Since we are going to have a Disney Christmas in Orlando this year, we dressed the kids up in hammy down Disney costumes and decided to do a Disney Halloween as well. Auntie Lindsay and Grammer came to celebrate with us. It was so much fun!
We carved Pumpkins...
We carved Pumpkins...
We had good ghoulish grub...
We played with Aunt Georgia and Uncle Gene who flew in from Cali, and watched our cousins in their homemade Horror film "The Secret Service Ninjas"...
We trick-or-treated by hayride...
We wore winter jackets due to the rain and frigid air...
We terrified out children...
And we were there to catch them as they conked out...
It was a successful Halloween, one that poor little Dylan will be too tired to remember. Can't wait to do it all again next year!Thursday, October 29, 2009
Fall Festival
Last night was our church Halloween fall festival. This is my favorite event of the year, as the chili cook-off is delicious, the pumpkin desserts are fun to make, the kids get to trunk-or-treat, and the adults get to have a reason to dress up and be silly . This year I wanted to be a strong contender for the best dessert so I decided to cook up a pumpkin cheesecake. I didn't win, but I received tons of compliments from the youth which totally made it worth it! At the end of the night I even got up and sang the monster mash with some friends, I have gotten to be so brave...when did that happen?
Grandma is so lucky...she gets two babies at the same time!? :) Next to Syd is her cousin Casey. Aren't they so adorable?
Dylan loves Sum Sum! 
I didn't have a costume but Dylan insisted that I wear a princess dress, or at least wear something from his dress up box. I decided to crimp my hair and put on his witch hat...which sadly ended up getting left on the stairs at home (oops!). I aim to please!
Does this look like a child who will be scared of clowns later in life? Do you wonder why I look at this picture and cringe? That clown is freaky! Nice Holly!
A picture of what is to come in two days! WOOT! Dylan went to all of the trunks and and soon as he was done, took off and went again, and again, and again. Little cheater! I couldn't keep up! He came up to me after the last few cars were closing thier trunks and said, "Ok mommy, its time to go, look at all my treats". He knew what he was after, Seinfeld was right, all these kids are ever thinking is, "get candy, get candy, get candy...". It was hilarious! After searching for the bottom of my springform pan in the trash (men who can't tell a plate from a metal pan, urgh!), we went home with a large bucket of goodies andtwo happy, tired children.
Here are our friends Tabitha, Daniel, and Benjamin enjoying the costumes. Take note Dylan and Syd, they are both sitting still...and not crying! I have such wiggle worms for kids...always so much energy, where did they get it from?
Grandma is so lucky...she gets two babies at the same time!? :) Next to Syd is her cousin Casey. Aren't they so adorable?
Dylan loves Sum Sum! 
I didn't have a costume but Dylan insisted that I wear a princess dress, or at least wear something from his dress up box. I decided to crimp my hair and put on his witch hat...which sadly ended up getting left on the stairs at home (oops!). I aim to please!
Does this look like a child who will be scared of clowns later in life? Do you wonder why I look at this picture and cringe? That clown is freaky! Nice Holly!
A picture of what is to come in two days! WOOT! Dylan went to all of the trunks and and soon as he was done, took off and went again, and again, and again. Little cheater! I couldn't keep up! He came up to me after the last few cars were closing thier trunks and said, "Ok mommy, its time to go, look at all my treats". He knew what he was after, Seinfeld was right, all these kids are ever thinking is, "get candy, get candy, get candy...". It was hilarious! After searching for the bottom of my springform pan in the trash (men who can't tell a plate from a metal pan, urgh!), we went home with a large bucket of goodies andtwo happy, tired children.
Here are our friends Tabitha, Daniel, and Benjamin enjoying the costumes. Take note Dylan and Syd, they are both sitting still...and not crying! I have such wiggle worms for kids...always so much energy, where did they get it from? Monday, October 26, 2009
Lazy Sunday
My favorite Sundays consist of snuggles and treats (and usually a nap). This week Dylan had a bit of early morning quiet time. Check out his drawing of an airplane...I was very impressed! Too bad I couldn't frame it. 
This was Dylan's treat project for the day...he made the cupcakes and together (with me directing his hands) we decorated. Yummy!
Sydney is in love with Dylan's favorite monkeys. He even gave her one of her own that she can walk around with and sleep with. He is so sweet sometimes! Coco, you found gift that keeps on giving! :) She was up in the middle of the night last night and the ONLY thing that would calm her down was this monkey. The second I gave it to her she grabbed it and just starting hugging it and talking. This lasted for over 45 minutes! Thank you! thank you! Halloween festivities
It was Halloween early this last week. We had an event at the Disney store, and one at the local library, both of which had the kids dress up in costume. As a stay at home mom I am always looking for something different to do during my day, so when I find little events and festivals I am ALL on it. This week though, I think that had I known the outcome of both events, I would have opted out. It was a struggle to say the least!
The Disney store event was a disaster! I know Cameron that you hate that word, but it really was horrible. We drove all the way to the mall only to get there and be stuffed into the back of the store. Not only did they not move any displays aside, but they also did not have any kind of microphone or PA system set up, (so you couldn't hear what the employees were saying). So imagine 40 dressed up kids, parents, strollers crammed into the back of the store, you can't hear anything but kids crying because they can't see or hear and because people are touching them and knocking off their "mickey ears", and the kids are being asked to play hot potato while the parents sing an obscure Disney song out loud (Jimminy criket). "Now make sure everybody touches it just once" they said. Are you kidding me? It was LAME! Luckily we started walking out when the next game began which was a Micky Mouse hunt. Since we were in the front of the store we found 5 right off the bat, Dylan loved that game, because he was finding more than everyone else. He still didn't win since the winner had two kids and combined thier mickeys...what a crock. They won a power ranger DVD and sadly it was for two girls...really? After this event they did a parade around the mall which would have been a lot of fun, but Dylan decided he had to use the bathroom (the second time in 30 minutes), so we missed out on that. Oh well. Disney truly dropped the ball on this halloween event, but then again so did I for expecting anything but craziness!
We did white tights and a black nose at the mall...what do you think compared to the library?
Sydney went all black this time and I decided to not paint thier noses, better?
Here is Syd with her friend Daniel the fish. He won for best costume in thier age group! I love the leggings!
During the parade part of the party Sydney decided to throw a fit. I love when that happens in public...it's not embarrassing at all! Prize for cutest tantrum? Anyone?
The kids sat and listened during story time, but when it came to announce costume winners Dylan began to cry. He kept changing seats and saying, "Mommy, she can't see me". It was so sad. After all of the prizes were handed out he came running over saying, "she didn't see me, she didn't give me a prize for my costume". I would have given anything to just get that bag full of junk at that moment, but we had to sit and have a talk about not always winning and getting what you want. In the end he was handed a treat bag for coming which I thought would resolve things, but when we got home he said, "I don't want you to ever take me there again!" He was so upset, and it was heartbreaking. Poor kid. How do you teach against sore losing? Maybe by not calling it a crock when the other kids combined thier Mickey's and won? Shoot! :) I hate being competitive! I am still irked about last year when Dylan didn't win for his Dr. Seuss costume...how does Dr. Seuss (and the cutest Dr. Seuss I might add) not win at the library? Really? Like there was anything more creative and appropriate for the location. A kid in a store bought Indian costume won and Dylan got 3rd place...now that was a crock! :)
The Disney store event was a disaster! I know Cameron that you hate that word, but it really was horrible. We drove all the way to the mall only to get there and be stuffed into the back of the store. Not only did they not move any displays aside, but they also did not have any kind of microphone or PA system set up, (so you couldn't hear what the employees were saying). So imagine 40 dressed up kids, parents, strollers crammed into the back of the store, you can't hear anything but kids crying because they can't see or hear and because people are touching them and knocking off their "mickey ears", and the kids are being asked to play hot potato while the parents sing an obscure Disney song out loud (Jimminy criket). "Now make sure everybody touches it just once" they said. Are you kidding me? It was LAME! Luckily we started walking out when the next game began which was a Micky Mouse hunt. Since we were in the front of the store we found 5 right off the bat, Dylan loved that game, because he was finding more than everyone else. He still didn't win since the winner had two kids and combined thier mickeys...what a crock. They won a power ranger DVD and sadly it was for two girls...really? After this event they did a parade around the mall which would have been a lot of fun, but Dylan decided he had to use the bathroom (the second time in 30 minutes), so we missed out on that. Oh well. Disney truly dropped the ball on this halloween event, but then again so did I for expecting anything but craziness!We did white tights and a black nose at the mall...what do you think compared to the library?
Sydney went all black this time and I decided to not paint thier noses, better?
Here is Syd with her friend Daniel the fish. He won for best costume in thier age group! I love the leggings!
During the parade part of the party Sydney decided to throw a fit. I love when that happens in public...it's not embarrassing at all! Prize for cutest tantrum? Anyone?
The kids sat and listened during story time, but when it came to announce costume winners Dylan began to cry. He kept changing seats and saying, "Mommy, she can't see me". It was so sad. After all of the prizes were handed out he came running over saying, "she didn't see me, she didn't give me a prize for my costume". I would have given anything to just get that bag full of junk at that moment, but we had to sit and have a talk about not always winning and getting what you want. In the end he was handed a treat bag for coming which I thought would resolve things, but when we got home he said, "I don't want you to ever take me there again!" He was so upset, and it was heartbreaking. Poor kid. How do you teach against sore losing? Maybe by not calling it a crock when the other kids combined thier Mickey's and won? Shoot! :) I hate being competitive! I am still irked about last year when Dylan didn't win for his Dr. Seuss costume...how does Dr. Seuss (and the cutest Dr. Seuss I might add) not win at the library? Really? Like there was anything more creative and appropriate for the location. A kid in a store bought Indian costume won and Dylan got 3rd place...now that was a crock! :)
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