Confessions of a Momaholic

1) I'm not as good at blogging as I used to be. My creative juices no longer flow for topics and what to post. I'll try and work on that.

2) I am really really glad I traded in work life for stay at home mom life. I love it!

3) I have time to do things I really enjoy. I spend time with my boys (2 little and one big). I get to workout every day. I can be more involved with Andrew's class. I actually enjoy cooking dinner.

4) I started a new Bible Study at church this week. It's on the women of the Bible. I'm looking forward to each week.

5) Zachary had his yearly developmental evaluation this week. He excelled in gross and fine motor skills. He's slightly delayed in speech. He had at least 8 words (probably more, but the ones that come to mind) and usually responds to requests. He has started what they call "jargon or jibber jabber". I knew that his speech wasn't what I thought it should be, but I'm comparing him to a brother who started talking early and hasn't stopped since. It's recommended we increase his developmental therapy to every week instead of every other week. The therapists did not feel that he needed speech therapy, which I guess is good. My prayer is that his speech is completely caught up by July.

6) Zachary goes for his annual eye evaluation next Friday. It's been one year since his last exam. I'm praying his exam is normal and we won't need any corrective measures.

7) Andrew finally saw a pediatric gastroenterologist a couple of weeks ago. For a year (a little over) now we've been battling tummy issues. Andrew went from eating a limited list of foods (mainly dairy, some fruit and breads) to eating nothing at all. He could go days without consuming anything but milk or maybe one cracker. Add in a few weeks of vomiting and we became really concerned. We met with his pediatrician and he sent us to have an x-ray of his tummy done. Result - extremely constipated. Makes sense. Dairy will do that, ya know? We started him on Miralax to help relieve the blockage. It was explained to us that with the "back log" the vomiting wasn't all too unusual. Anything he consumes sits in his tummy waiting to be processed, but it can't because it's got no where to go. It has to go somewhere and that somewhere was back up and out. Thankfully we go rid of the vomiting pretty quickly. Dr. Steele wanted us to see the gastroenterologist to make sure there weren't any issues with the tummy. All I wanted was a child who would eat. The "GE" prescribed a med that causes hunger. It's an antihistamine, but one of the side effects is increased appetite. FRIENDS, if you don't want to eat yourself out of house and home DO NOT take this med. Since we started Andrew on it he has eaten and eaten and eaten. I almost cried the day he asked me to take him to Noodles & Co (he normally balks at Noodles & Co) and ate 2 bowls of spaghetti. Honest to the Lord above I almost broke down in tears. I called Robbie just so someone could share in my joy! There were many times we thought Andrew was wasting away and would need severe medical intervention. He looked like a 4 year old anorexic. We're still working on adding in vegetables, but thank God he is eating again. Hopefully now that he's eating he'll start to grow.

5) I'm running my first marathon in November.

6) We submitted Andrew's application for Kindergarten. We are praying fervently that he will be given a spot.

7) I'm blessed beyond all means. It's amazing how God's love is endless. What a mess we'd all be in if it weren't for his love.

I'm sure I have more to add to the confession list, but this gets me started.

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Prayer requests

So I saw the preview for the next Duggar episode. They've been on my heart for weeks now since the early arrival of their 19th child. Would you join me in praying for Josie and her family? I'm sure you've read about her early arrival. As a mother of a preemie I know the fears that come with this territory. What I don't know about is a house full of children (17 at home with the youngest only a year old). Pray for Josie's health, her doctors and nurses, her mom and dad and siblings at home.

Pray for Haiti, the people of Haiti and the relief aid and teams.

Pray for the families who are trying to adopt locally or globally.

Haiti

I must admit, I turn the channel every time the news starts reporting on Haiti. It's not because I don't care. I do. I really do. So much so I'd rob our savings to help the people of Haiti. My heart cannot stand the pictures. I cannot look at those precious babies who don't have formula or water. I cannot watch the looters run amok over the city stealing from anyone and everyone and that includes those orphans who already have nothing. My heart bursts watching the elderly people who are lying in the streets on anything that looks remotely clean so aid workers can try to help them.

It's pictures like this one that tear at my heart strings. If only I could find this baby and bring him/her home.



We're bombarded with pleas to help the people of Haiti. I encourage each of you to do something. The Perry family has and will continue to do so as we feel led. We are a nation of great and plenty. We have more than some of these people could ever fathom. We are a wonderful nation! Even in our economic turmoil we are still rich compared to many. Below are links to relief donation sites. I list these because I know they are legit. If you choose to donate through another relief fund, please be sure where you are donating isn't a scam. Sad as it sounds, there are people out there making a dollar off this travesty.

Red Cross

Haiti Earthquake

Lastly, if you are unable to donate, please pray for the people of Haiti, the relief workers, the military and for those missing. Praying costs you nothing and has far more value than any dollar you can donate.

Kindergarten

I never thought the day would arrive so soon. We are in the process of applying to what we hope will be where Andrew will attend school. Can you believe it? Andrew's preschool is starting to do their Kindergarten readiness program, the application for school can be submitted next week and then we sit and wait. We are hoping to go the private route, but if that fails we will apply to our area school. I'm not opposed to public school, but Wake county to me just can't seem to get it together. Too many cooks in the kitchen if you know what I mean.

We drill Andrew on his name, how to spell it, his address, phone #, counting, grouping, rhyming (so far this has proven to be a bit tough) and all the other items they practice at school. I honestly don't remember reading or counting money in Kindergarten. I guess the times have changed over the past 26 years.

What he also doesn't know is he's due for some shots. If getting these shots is anywhere near what I experienced when I sprung the H1N1 shot on him, I REFUSE TO GO! Absolute, 100% refusal. I'd rather be beat with a cat of nine tails. Heck, you can beat me with a cat of however many tails, but I ain't going! I'm sure many of you mothers out there have experienced what I went through. I'm sorry. My heart hurts for you. I'm here for you. I'm honestly thinking of ways to put him into a sleep, haul him in and let them get it over with. It might be Robbie's time to do the doctor visit. A complete stranger can take him, but it won't be me who gets suckered into it. Not this time. I'm sharing the wealth.

My baby is growing up. Kinda makes me sad. Well, here's to change. Viva la change!

Rounding the Corner

Dear Friends,
I have almost made it a full week in my new job. I've had my moments. Lord knows I've had my moments! I can definitely tell the first hour or so we are home from school is the toughest. I guess being SO good for 3 hours at school is taxing and requires some type of release. I call it easy street, but to a 4 year old it must be hard work.

Usually by 2ish things have simmered down, I'm no longer the "worst mother in the world" (that's a direct quote and *I'm mean to boot!) and all is right in the Perry world. Zachary crashes for his nap, I turn off the TV and Andrew and I do our thing. We've colored, built lego houses, put puzzles together and yesterday (even after being honored with the WMIW title) we made smores. My child is very thorough if anything in his work. The marshmellow had to be precisely in the middle. We didn't have Hershey bars, but we did have Hershey kisses (same thing, right?). The Hershey kiss was strategically placed on top of the marshmellow to allow for optimal melting. We slapped those puppies in the toaster oven and watched as our Hershey kiss melted and our marshmellow browned a tad. Top it off with another piece of (low fat) graham cracker and you have yourself a right good snack. We could only eat one. They are way too rich to pop several.

Dinner this week has been a bit off. We celebrated my aunt and uncle's birthdays on Monday (spur of the moment dinner plan) at Chili's, Tuesday I went to work out and had dinner with Heather at Peak City Grille, yesterday I did cook. Tonight Robbie has to do things at church, which means it's a free for all and tomorrow we leave for a mighty cold weekend at the beach, so I don't have to cook dinner.

It's been a good week. I know without a doubt I made the right choice to leave work and stay home.

* Comment made after I declare Doritos ARE NOT a substitute for lunch. They are not a complete lunch and can only be used to compliment a sandwich.

Day 1 - Stay-at-home-Mommydom

I'm not new to staying at home. I did a stint back in 2005 and ended it in 2007 when I went back to work. Today is the first day of my new job. So far so good. Andrew actually slept until 7:30 (as opposed to 5:45ish or earlier). He didn't fight getting dressed or brushing his teeth. Zachary was up a little earlier than usual, but that's ok because we had to eat breakfast and hit the road for preschool. Both boys were fed, teeth brushed, dressed and ready to go by 8:15am. Folks, I have found my new calling. I can cattle herd 2 children and be ready early! Who knew?

We arrived at school early and Andrew immediately started the "my tummy hurts" saga. That's code for I don't want to go to school today. Keep in mind he's been on a break for 3 weeks now AND getting from Point A to Point B takes at least 25-30 min depending on traffic. We weren't going back to Point A. At least not until 12:00pm. Upon our arrival to his classroom door we meet up with some of his friends and miraculously his tummy doesn't hurt anymore. Imagine that. Mrs. Cooper and Mrs. Davis are ecstatic to see the kids. Each child gets a hug and kiss from both teachers. Heck, I even got a hug from Mrs. Cooper. Told you this day was off to a good start.

After drop off, Zachary and I hit up Target for a few items. 9:00am is a little early for sweets, but I really need him to sit in the cart and not move. So, I bribe him with the free cookies Target hands out. He doesn't budge the whole time. We finish up our trip and head over to Nonnie's house for a quick cat nap. Nap didn't happen. I guess the cookie was a bad idea. Nonnie's computer is in the hall outside of the boy's room where at this moment I am updating the blog. Zachary managed to climb on the bed and is working the CD player over. DJ OFZ in the house. I can't wait to post the picture I got of him monkeying around with the CD player. He managed to turn the FM station on and Beyonce was on. I think he likes Put a Ring on it. At least his fanny was moving back and forth to the beat.

We'll head out in 45 min or so to get the older one and make our way toward Point B. Hopefully both will eat lunch. I know OFZ will be ready for a nap. Maybe even the older one will take one too?.? If not, we'll have plenty of time to play Go Fish, practice our writing, maybe a quick game of Connect 4. The sky is the limit. Andrew is going to help me cook dinner. We have a whole week planned of fine dining at the Perry household. Those of you that know me well, know that in and of itself is a miracle. I don't cook, but I do now. It's a trade off. I stay home, I cook.

So far I'm lovin' this Viva la change.

Challenge of 2010

I decided to challenge myself this year. I shall be doing so on November 14, 2010 when I complete my first ever marathon. I don't have any expectations other than to finish. I'll be sure to let you all know how the training goes.

Date Night

Andrew and I went on a date the day after Christmas. Andrew treated me to a movie, popcorn, pretzel, Skittles and one large Diet Coke. He ate the pretzel, some popcorn and the Skittles. I ate popcorn only. We saw Alvin and the Chipmunk: Squeakquel. Super cute and an even cuter date. I really enjoy our date nights.

We had a fabulous Christmas. Santa came and went. We celebrated Jesus' birthday with a cake, candles and song. Andrew didn't go to bed until 4:00am on Christmas eve or should I say Christmas morning. Zachary slept late.

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