Cant Keep Up

I mainly jot down little notes in the notebook instead of typing on here.  It's just so much to keep up with!

The girls went to the lake and went tubing for the first time! They had a blast.  They love the boat and Kymber loves the water.  She already doggy paddles and will for sure be swimming next summer.  I think if we could swim year round she would be already.  She has no fear.  Cailey is getting better but is still scared of water.... but she does go down the big slide at the pool, which is huge for her!  She's enjoying summer but she's anxious for school too ..... she advanced SO MUCH in kindergarten, I'm excited to see her grow this year too.

Kymber has been using the potty for months now, but she is pretty much potty trained!!! She will hold it when in the car, tell me she has to go and hold it until we get into the store.  She uses it all day long at home without any help and just goes on her on.  She still has to wear a night time diaper.

Today she counted to 7 with me (said the number after I said it) then she counted on from 7 up to 10 all by herself!!

She has started saying 4 words in a sentence.

  

From last year........

A year has passed with my beautiful daughter and after colic can no longer be the answer to this wild and crazy adventure, I have had a few minutes to myself to be able to research.  Nothing fits better than Dr. Sears “High Needs Baby” http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/t050400.asp .  Out of the 12 signs of a high needs baby…. Kymber fits…. TWELVE of them.  While I look at parents whose babies sit in strollers,that take naps, that let another person hold them, that ride in cars without screaming, …. I wouldn’t change it for the world.  My high needs baby has such a personality that lightens up everyone’s day when that “normal” baby sleeps it away or gets thrown into that “average” category!
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In response to Dr. Sears 12 signs of a High Needs Baby… Here are the 12 Positives to having a High Needs Baby

All of this fits her and my life now COMPLETELY!


1. High Needs Babies teach us to let go. Forget showering, forget me time, forget date nights, forget a clean house, forget movies, forget a clean home, forget warm meals, forget it all…. You finally learn to Let things go!


2. High Needs Babies let us practice selflessly serving another being.  What is self?! You are the playground, the burp cloth, the baby carrier, the high chair, the swing, the mattress, the tummy mat, the walker…. Anything that other parents buy to pacify their babies…. YOU ARE THAT ITEM.. (don't stop rocking, walking or bouncing whatever you do!!)

3.High Needs Babies teach us creativity. How exactly will we get the dishes and laundry done with one hand? How will we solve nap time today? Will the baby sleep on you? On the floor? How will you manage to get that sleeping baby from your body to the floor? What will today bring and how can we make this work? What the heck is wrong and how do I fix it? Thought tying your shoes was hard with a baby bump? Thought that bump got in the way when trying to reach down in that deep wash machine to switch laundry? Thought it was hard to make the bed with that bump in front of you?  How about that bump moving, wiggling, squirming, screaming, and spitting up all over you while you try to do these tasks!

4. High Needs Babies teach us that parenting isn’t something that can be taught. Everyone will have their opinions on how you should parent, they will give advice, they will make comments, and even blame you for the reason your baby is like this.  I just remind myself that if they think that parenting is something that is the same for every child, then they could probably never handle what you go through every day with a high needs baby.

5. High Needs Babies teach us to be flexible.  Think you can plan a playdate for every Friday?  With a high needs baby that Friday play group might seem great up until 5 minutes before its time to leave and your whole day changes!   Your plans are not set, you have an open, flexible schedule for whatever you and your high needs baby can handle that day.

6. High Needs Babies give us extra hours in the day. The first year of life with a high needs baby feels like it is so long because we've been awake nearly the WHOLE time so it’s equivalent to 2 years.

7. High Needs Babies teach us persistence.  We never ever give up even when we've given up.  We have no choice. Even when you are ready to throw in the towel and say “I CAN’T DO THIS ANY LONGER!!!!” you just cry with the baby and realize the baby is still there demanding you no matter what you are feeling.

8. High Needs Babies teach us about sharing.  No, not learning to share materialistic items.  That would be so much easier.  What once used to be your space, your time, your shower, your meal time, your body is now …. Our space, our time, our shower, our meal time, our body.  I would say our bed…. But I haven’t met my bed in a long time.  I have been sleeping with Kymber in the recliner for 2 years, "sleeping" I mean, occasionally passing out for a bit in the recliner in between pacing the floor all night.


9. High Needs Babies teach us to include them in our world and acknowledge their individuality. They will not just sit quietly in a carrier. Or sleep quietly in another room. Or play quietly on the floor. And by including them in our world and constantly holding them in our arms we form an amazing bond as only those who have suffered through hardship can.  These high needs babies have such a personality that stands out and the things they do you can really tell that they have been completely involved in others lives.  They aren’t  just left to sit in the swing or playpen or left on the floor to entertain themselves.

10. High Needs Babies make us strong. Physically, emotionally, mentally.  While other moms are complaining because they can’t lose the weight… yours is long gone because your personal workout machine has made you lose that weight and gain muscle.  Constantly in your arms, pacing the floor, bouncing them higher and higher, swinging them more than any baby swing could ever endure…. Your body is back to what it used to be!

11. High Needs Babies Teach us that things can wait.  Thought you HAD to go to the store today? Thought you HAD to have dinner at 5:00pm? Thought you HAD to shower daily? Thought you HAD to have sleep?  All those things can wait because there is someone else that needs you more than you need those things.  Maybe the store will be tomorrow or even next week.  Maybe the baby will eat at 5pm but you won’t eat until midnight.  Maybe you will get lucky enough to have one real shower a week, the other days you may get to rinse off.  Someday, with enough waiting…. Those things will all come back.

12.  High Needs Babies teach us to pray.  Didn’t think you knew how to pray? Didn’t think you knew how to talk to God?  Nobody else is there while you are pacing the floors at night and God is the only one that would willingly take your call at 3am when all you want to do is cry and say “How do I do this?!”  But …. when that prayer is over, you see that the next morning you have the strength to make it through another day and that God is there to listen to you every time without judgement. What’s even more important… your baby hears you speaking to God, something “average” babies are not included in because prayers are usually said in private, after the kids are in bed, or never at all.

Quick little update!

Quick update while the girls are in the tub!!

Cailey was Soaring Student this month! 1 student from each class a month is chosen, so not every student gets this!  She was nominated this month for the month of the word- Perseverance.... it definitely fits her so well!  She is doing great in school, spelling many words, reading, and just overall doing great.

Kymber is still seeing the chiropractor, but less often.  She is doing so well, just has her moments!  She is still very very strong willed, but getting so better!  She is talking so much now and putting words together.  She can say the whole alphabet by copying after you say a letter. 

We are going to be out of diapers soon!! She is so interested in the potty again, thank goodness! She was interested at her first birthday then decided against it but now she loves it.  Overnight she isn't staying dry though so that part I'm not sure how long it'll be.  Cailey was closer to 3 years old for no night time accidents, so we'll see how it goes!

I'll post a link to Kymber's last chiropractor visit and here is a picture of Cailey after her assembly to receive her dogtag for Soaring Student!

Kymbers Adjustments

Chiropractor Care for Colic, Sensory Processing and many other symptoms

I know I haven't wrote on here in a long time, but I wrote up a testimonial for Kymbers doctor at Vance Chiropractic and I wanted to share on here, and hope that maybe someone who is experiencing the same problems will find this one day and get help. 

Before going to Dr. Josh Vance, Kymber was constantly crying.  At only 2 weeks old I knew something wasn’t right.  She would cry constantly and had to be carried and walked around day and night. She wouldn't stay in a swing, a bouncer, or an exercauser.  Everyone would speak about the importance of tummy time but she would scream non stop and vomit.  Basically the only place she could be comforted is swinging or rocking in my arms.  She had projectile vomiting until 7 months old all day long, after every feeding.  We changed her clothes and my clothes about 5-6 times a day because of it all.  Burp clothes were blankets.  It resulted in many trips to the pediatrician and ER but always the same answer:  take medicine for reflux and she will outgrow it.  She would act as though she was constipated but would never have solid stools.   From birth until seeing Dr. Josh Vance at 2 years old she was up every 2-3 hours at night.  She would sometimes wake up screaming and it could take up to an hour to get her to go to sleep.  And by “sleep” I mean her propped on top of me sitting in the recliner.  For 2 years we were up for the day at 4:30am.   We slept this way for 2 years but  up and down all night, not real sleep.  Doctors determined sleep apnea and removed her tonsils and adenoids but it never provided any relief.   Throughout the day she would have crying fits for up to 45 minutes long off and on all day.  It would sound like cries of pain or frustration, not a tantrum.  The pediatricians would not listen to me; they told me she was your typical 2 year old.  Car rides from birth until about 1 year old was constant screaming from the time we got in the car until she got out.  Around a year old it was just off and on screaming.  Naps were another nightmare.  From birth she would nap for about 20 minutes then wake up screaming.  She would take a few 20 minute naps as a baby but after about 9 months old, it was one 20 minute nap a day, sometimes two 20 min naps if I was lucky.  She was constantly on top of me and I couldn’t get any break and I couldn’t find any help in the pediatrician’s offices. Every time we went to the pediatrician Kymber would cling to me, not let them weigh her, listen to her heart or anything without crying. I couldn’t find help.

I heard Doctor Vance’s advertisement and I called.  I took Kymber in and while she was bashful acting she let the nurse weigh her, listen to her heart and sat on the table for her.  Dr. Josh Vance came in and talked to us and Kymber let him exam her and adjust her on the first visit.  They were so wonderful and gentle and understanding.  I felt like I finally had someone on our side and willing to work with us.  On the ride home Kymber sat and looked out the window, something that had NEVER happened before.  She took a nap that day for 2 hours.  We continued to see Dr. Josh regularly and the improvements are night and day.  I can’t even explain how much he has helped us.  She will now ask to see him and when we go she enjoys it. 

Kymber is now sleeping through the night, and if she wakes it is only to get a drink and goes right back to sleep in bed.  She goes to bed at 8pm and is up at 7:30am.   She will ride in the car without screaming.  She sits in her seat and plays with her toy or talks or sings.  She is napping atleast 1 hour a day.  She plays and now I can say she is your typical 2 year old little girl because of Dr. Josh Vance helping her.

Making HUGE improvements

Not in the sleeping area..... unfortunately! But days are going awesome!!! Tantrums are lessening and she is letting me do more and more!  She will play with her toys while I do my work and isn't screaming for me to hold her the entire time.  For the last 2 years I have had to wait until she was asleep to go take a shower, if I didn't want to hear non stop screaming.  If I said "I'm going to go take my shower" she'd start screaming, crying and just down right upset.  She'd cry pretty much the entire time I was in the shower.  If she calmed down, the second I came out of the bathroom she would run to me screaming and I'd have to calm her down.

Tonight..... I said "I'm going to go take a shower".  She hesitated, so I told her it would be ok, I'm going to shower, then I'll be right back and I'll cuddle you.  She said "ok" then went to daddy!  I took my shower, heard NO crying.  I came out.... she was sitting in daddies lap talking to him.  I sat down and she stayed in his lap talking!  This was a FIRST EVER!!!! WOW!! Something people take for granted .... it was a miracle in our house tonight!

Today at the store I asked her if she liked a shirt I picked out, it was purple.  She said "no, blue one!" and starting flipping through clothes in the rack.  She is talking so much lately, I can't even think of everything to write about it! 

We went and took her 2 year old portraits.  The lady would tell her how to pose and she would actually pose the way she asked her to.... then she'd make up her own poses, clap for herself, and start dancing.  It was cute to watch.  I dont have the pictures back yet, but here is a watermark proof of one of them.

Cailey is going through a stage right now.  It's understandable with everything she has put up with with Kymber, she's seeing her mom every other weekend again (that's a stress I can see it in her) and just kindergarten changes.  She's starting to yell at Kymber alot (kymber does torment but I want the yelling to stop too), and just getting selfish at times.  She starts up her cheerleading again on Tuesday... she hasn't had cheerleading since before Christmas so hopefully that gets her back in the swing of things and gives her something to focus her attention on.  She's still the same girly girl, putting on makeup and dresses almost everyday after school :)  She has lost 2 teeth now .... her bottom 2!  She's also been asking for months and months to get her hair cut.... we have been telling her no but finally told her she could cut it however she wanted.  She got it short and she looks cute!

Creating my own solutions for SPD

"Children with sensory integration disorder may have a hard time tolerating the tactile pressure of a seat belt, the auditory onslaught of a rumbling engine, the olfactory offense of car exhaust, the vestibular challenge of stops and starts and bumpy motion."  http://www.netplaces.com/sensory-integration-disorder/sensory-integration-in-the-community/in-the-car.htm

Kymber screams a lot of the time in the car.  I haven't figured out everything about her SPD needs but her therapist mentioned that she is needing pressure in the car to handle the motion.  She LOVES motion, but it has to be HARD and FAST.  The car is not.

I took just a back pack that was in the garage and stuffed it with some blankets.  I then took the one strap and hung it over the back of the seat that she sits behind.  She can now take her legs and press against this "squishy" bag for pressure.  It hasn't helped completely, she's still screaming at many times (but Im still looking for all the different ideas ... still not sure what to do for her to tolerate the seatbelt??? thats a BIG one).  but she does use this!

Bye 2011, Hello 2012!

The girls had a great Christmas.  Last year we were having a lot of financial struggles so we really didn't do that much.  This year I was able to shop clearance all year long and really give them a good Christmas and not spend a fortune! Cailey's favorite this year were her Holiday Barbie, Cupcake Maker, and Easy Bake Oven but she also loved her and Kymbers Sing a long Cd Player which is one of Kymbers favorites.  Kymber got a set of veggies that you "cut" with a toy knife and they come apart, that was a favorite, and her play kitchen.  Her and Kymber play house, restaraunt and LOVE it.  It's really cute.

Kymber and Cailey Sing A Long Player

We had our annual Christmas gathering at Grandma and Grandpa Thompsons.  The girls had a great time and Kymber warmed up towards the end, and actually let Gen hold her! First time ever letting someone hold her without crying!  (I'll have to download that pic!)

Kymber has had 3 meetings with her regular therapist and 1 meeting with her occupational therapist.  Things have already improved some and she is making such progress. They are teaching techniques and tips on what to do throughout the day to help her get the senses that she is seeking, and when she doesn't get those senses fulfilled she would normally be having tantrums,fits, frustration, anxiety etc.  She is not sleeping through the night at all, but last night was the first night that she woke up and just came and got me, without screaming!

Kymber is talking SO much.  She copies so many words, putting two words together (sometimes they are more of the beginning sound of the word, she can't complete the full word) but it is really progressing!  She is also working on saying letters and loves it when Cailey and I sing the alphabet and she tries to sing a long with us.She is learning animals and the sounds they make.  She has said more and please for quite awhile now, but in the past few weeks she has started using the sign language for them as well.  She LOVES itsy bitsy spider and does the hand movements and asks to sing it over and over and over.  Books is also her favorite right now.  Read the same books over and over, and every morning we go through about 10-12 books. so much right now that she is doing more and more and little improvements with the sensory issue make a HUGE difference.

Cailey has now mastered all of her letters and all of the sounds.  She is spelling more words and able to read a few words.  She loves writing and asking how to spell, I think by the end of the year she will have made a big progress.  It's already night and day progress!  She had her last day of Cheerleading and received her medal for it. She can't wait to start back in February but is wanting to maybe do tumbling instead, but also is asking about soccer and Tball.  Not sure what we are going to do.

Showstopper Dance

Cailey had her birthday party.  We did a Barbie theme and she had 3 of her friends from school over.  They had a lot of fun playing a game "pass the wand" and putting on makeup!  She LOVES having parties, she had a great time :)

I know I forget so much that goes on that I wish I remembered to write down.  :(  Hopefully I will eventually get better at doing this more often!

Been awhile....

So it has been way too long since I have updated!  So much has gone on but I'll try to put a little so it's not too long... plus I am swamped and can't be on the computer that long either!

Kymber was evaluated by First Steps last month and she has what is called Sensory Processing Disorder.  She does not have a delay that would qualify her for free services, but they feel she could greatly benefit from Occupational Therapy, so we will have that 1x a week for a copay.  YAY! Hopefully this is some relief for us all!

Kymbers starting to really talk more and more.  She started out only talking for me and Cailey, she is talking more around daddy and Grandma.  Within the past few days she is starting to say more 2 words together as well.  She's using the potty more and more, so Im pretty sure she'll be in panties all day soon!! (I think!) 

Cailey had her first parade this weekend for her cheerleading group.  She has her 6th Birthday party with her friends on Saturday.  She is having a barbie party.  They will each be making a Tiara, playing a "pass the wand" game, and putting on makeup. 

We had their first Christmas for this year at Grandma Pats and Grandpa Rons before they left for Florida.  Kymber ripped open all her presents.  Now she tries to open the ones that we have under the tree... she's gotten two ripped =/ 

I'll leave it at that, just because I really need to get off here, everyones doing well and staying BUSY! :)  I dont have new pictures up on the computer yet, so heres a couple from November.

Did I hear that right!?

I haven't had a chance to type up anything in awhile! Getting alot of hat orders and only get a chance to do hats and the computer at night after Kymber goes to bed.... but she's with Grandma right now so I'm trying to cram in as much as I can into a few hours!

Monday morning Cailey came out of her bedroom and said how she wishes she could have a day off today.  I told her that I wished I could too.  She looked at me with a very confused look and said ...."A day off from what?????"    FROM YOU! Ok, I didn't say that ( I was about to have a 7 hour break from her and she would most definately kindly remind me I was about to have a break from her), but I did tell her Id just like a break!

I left the bathroom after getting Kymbers teeth brushed and she always stays in there with Cailey and brushes them more herself.  Cailey came and got me and said I had to come see this.  I walk in and Kymber was cleaning the toilet with her toothbrush =/


Can't think of much to write about right now, my brain is going everywhere trying to decide what I can get done.... so off to do all that!

Halloween

Kymbers scabs are starting to fall off from when she had her tonsils removed.  I read that the pain can flare during this time.  Her attitude and behavior is SOOOOO demanding and hard right now.  It's already hard, and then pain and discomfort on top of it, she is TERRIBLE.  Hopefully better in a few days.  I can't take much more!  Poor thing doesn't know what's going on so I know its hard on her too.  We aren't having to do pain medicine as often as before so it is slowly getting better.

Saturday we went to the pumpkin patch again, but a different one with Jerime's boss and his wife and daughter.  The girls had a lot of fun playing and seeing the animals.... but I didnt get any pictures except the one Jerime took of us before we left :(

Kymber went as Dorothy again tonight...  Originally for Halloween Cailey was going to be a Butterfly... she wore it to the event on Friday.  Then over the weekend she wanted to be something else, so she dressed up as a witch to match Grandma Pat in her outfit. :) I had bought a shirt to wear, it was too small so I took it back and was just going to wear a dress and boots, and Cailey's cowboy hat.  Well, the dress was too tight and the hat didn't fit.  So I didn't dress up at all.  I got Jerime an Angry Birds shirt this year and forgot to get a picture of all of us together.  Kymber was super cranky all day and up til we were actually out getting candy.... of course that made her better!  The first couple houses she didn't know what was going on, but then she started running up to the doors with Cailey... it was so cute to watch... and it reminded me of the first time with Cailey going trick or treating. 

Tonsils and Misery

WOW! I have not had a chance to write on here in awhile.  Alot going on.  Kymber had her tonsils taken out Monday morning (October 28, 2011).  I woke her up that morning at 530am and headed to the hospital.  She was quiet the whole car ride which is so unusual for her and she couldn't even have a drink.  She normally wakes up first thing and has a drink.  We checked in and she walked the halls and waited to have her pre-op "relaxation" meds.  After they gave that to her, they took us back to the holding area to meet the dr.  She was sooooo loopy.  She was throwing her head back, laughing and just making the craziest faces.  They wheeled her away at about 720am and at 809am they called me to meet the dr.  He said everything went great.  They then took me back to her and she was awake and hysterical.  I had planned on reading or relaxing most of the hospital stay .... I figured after a major surgery she would be so exhausted and drugged up she would sleep.  WRONG.  In the next 24 hours she slept 4 hours. We are on day 5 and hopefully tonight it will be more sleep.  Right now, cross my fingers, she is in her bed and might stay there.  We were taken to her room for an overnight stay.  She was dying of thirst, screaming for a drink.  They finally brought her drinks, and she took down 2 apple juice containers within minutes.  She ate her jello and was doing great.  She played the rest of the day like nothing ever happened. Then that night.  WOW.  She was up ALL night.  She slept an hour, was up a few, slept an hour, up an hour.  Total of maybe 4 hours of sleep max.  The next day was terrible.  She refused to drink or eat and we couldn't leave the hospital until she would.  She finally took enough sips to leave at 3:30pm.  That night she didn't do any better and the next day was MISERABLE.  She was in so much pain and frustration that nothing calmed her.  I was not expecting this type of reaction from tonsil surgery.  I mean.... if she was a few months older it is an outpatient procedure.  We are still consistently taking the pain meds.  Instead of a dose of 4 every 4 hours we are now doing 3 every 3 hours and it seems to be better for her.  It brings back so many memories of how she was when she was colic.... identical excpet now she is old enough to throw and kick and toss.... very hard.  Also, 30 lbs is alot harder to constantly carry around than 9lbs.  Hopefully in the next couple of days she will start getting back to her self, which isnt always cake but a lot better than this.  On that note, things with Kymber still are very difficult.  I am the only person that can soothe her, no one can hold her, her dad can barely take care of her.... if I am in the room she will kick and scream to get to me.  She has horrible intense tantrums, super easily frustrated, cannot self soothe... I could go on.  First Steps is going to be evaluating her to see where she is developmentally (in all areas) but most specifically to see where she is in her social/emotional development.  If she is delayed enough they will start services.  Not sure what all it means yet, but I'll find out more next week.  I actually disabled my Facebook because people can be so ignorant in their opinions and advice on Kymber's behaviors.  Dr. Sears definition of a High Needs Baby/Toddler fit her to a T and people don't seem to grasp the concept that she is not the typical 2 year old... which means the typical solutions to problems do not work with her.  Just as when she was a baby and people say how babies love car rides, swings, etc..... she screamed entire car rides and never used a swing.  She is different and some people cannot understand that.

Tonight we went to a Halloween event.  Cailey dressed in her butterfly costume and Kymber in her Dorothy.  It wasn't a lot to do, and wasn't that neat to us.... but Cailey said she had a lot of fun.

Cheerleading and Potty Training

Well .... I can't remember what all I typed last time now.  We are scheduled to remove Kymbers tonsils and adenoids on Oct 24th.  Im nervous but really excited this means sleep for everyone and that she will feel better and rested.  She is doing so good developmentally.  She is now stacking up to 8-9 blocks!  She is slowly combining 3 words but it is not real clear yet.  She jumps up and down better.... before she didn't really come off the ground, now she is starting to actually come off the ground instead of just pushing up and down.  She is actually telling me she has to use the potty in time now.... instead of telling me AFTER she's gone.  let's hope it keeps up!!  She is loving playing dress up and hair/make up already.  She can even walk in high heels.... she even ran through the house in them.  Cailey is really enjoying Kymber now that she is playing those things.

Cailey is doing Showstoppers Cheerleading.  She had her first package and really enjoyed it.  She was even more flexible than the cheer teacher! LOL  She was not shy at all and tried her hardest at the cheer moves.  I think she'll do really good in it. I'll get pictures of her in her uniform soon :)  Seems like it's been awhile since Cailey has said something that just made me laugh out loud....so I'm sure there's some on the way! :)

crazy week!

Things have been CRAZY.  Last Monday Kymber had her sleep study.  She did well with having the wires hooked up to her and staying overnight at the hospital.  They called right away Tuesday with the results and said she was just over the average limit for sleep apnea, so not a big concern, but if she wasn't sleeping good at night then she could benefit from removing her tonsils and adenoids.  She had 14 obstructions that night but no sleep terror.  She wakes with almost every obstruction, and they averaged 8seconds to 10 seconds without breathing.  We go tomorrow to the ENT for follow up on the study and to discuss removing her tonsils.

Then.... Tuesday the worse experience to this point in my life.  We were at Walgreens and Kymber felt really hot when we were leaving.  She wasn't acting different and didn't have symptoms of being sick so I passed it off.  When we were driving out of the school from getting Cailey, Cailey told me Kymbers eyes were watery and she looked really sad.  I looked back and her eyes were rolled behind her head, her mouth was wide open drooling, and she was slightly twitching.  Seizure didn't come to my mind because I have only heard of them, and I thought full convulsing body was a seizure.  People came to help, called the ambulance and I was so scared, I thought I was loosing her.  She finally came to, spit up a bunch of saliva, then laid there on the blanket in the school drive, and fell asleep.  The ambulance took us to the hospital and she slowly came back to normal.   It was a febrile seizure.  Since her fever went from normal to 103 in about 30 minutes, it caused a seizure.  Scariest day of my life.  I cannot even explain the fear I had when I saw her in the way. 

Kymbers speech is REALLY growing!  she was saying "big girl" over and over then she said "dada, big girl!!!" haha.  She has said so many new words I have forgotten them!  Pop, big girl, spongebob (bobbob), poop, in here.... really copying what we say now too. 

Cailey is doing great in school.  At the beginning of the year she tested recognizing 6/54 and last week she tested 32/54!!!

A jumble of updates on Kymber

Kymber is finally starting to put herself to sleep.  Tonight she laid in my lap and fell asleep... I know that's not completely by herself, but its alot better than rocking her the whole time and patting her to get her to settle down!  She is developing so fast it is crazy.  She's beeing working on putting on clothes, socks, shoes.... she hasn't gotten it yet but she keeps trying hard!  She is able to zip (when its started) and unzip ... which means I can't keep her jacket on her =/   She pretend plays alot too, which she's been doing quite awhile now.  She pretends to cook, she pretends to eat with her kitchen set, plays barbies, shops, all those "make believe games".    She got her cash register out and then went to my purse and got my wallet out haha.  It's so cute to watch.   She is also showing a lot of empathy lately.  Cailey fell and got hurt and was sitting holding her foot.  Kymber went over, kissed her on her head and patted her.  Then she sat down and held Cailey's foot and looked at it.  So sweet, they love each other so much.  She is finally starting to use "mine" correctly.  It used to be when you told her "That's mine, dont touch."  She'd say "mine??".  Now she is actually doing the same thing, referring to her things.  I went to take her sippy cup and she said "no no, mine".  We were at the doctors office and I was explaining things she does (About her nightime crying, etc).  Kymber pointed to herself and said "Me?".  haha.  I think she is starting to show interest in colors, she has said blue and green and is trying to say yellow.  She will sometimes get "blue" correct when you ask her.  She also enjoys to copy your writing.  She gets out her notebook and starts to write then hands the pen and paper to you to write.  You write her name or something down and she takes it back and scribbles over the part where we wrote.  Also starting a thing when she laughs, she will laugh and tilt her head back and put her hand up over her mouth when she's laughing.   She has her morning routine down and likes to brush her own teeth and her own hair (I help after she has done it herself, although she hates to have help and tries to insist on doing everything herself! -- which is where frustration and temper tantrums are getting BAD at times!) She loves to smell candles and lotions and all that.  After she has smelled it she will put it up to your nose to have you smell it too.  She used to just listen when she was on the phone with Grandma, now she is starting to talk back and laugh while on the phone.  She has to walk around the house while talking and uses arm gestures.  When it's time to say bye, she doesn't say it, she holds the phone out, looks at it, and waves goodbye.  She is starting to jump up and down and thinks it is funny.  Loves to hold your hands while jumping or just having you jump while she is jumping.   She also likes running laps around things.... around the table, around the tree in the yard, around the car in the driveway.  We were looking at the photo album and she saw a picture of Cailey and got excited and started waving hi to her in the picture.  I am sure there is so much more to write down and I just dont think of it, becuase it seems like I will never forget this stuff, but I know I will so I want to keep a little journal of what I can :)

Sleep Apnea

The last time we were at the Ear, Nose and Throat specialist he had me watch for signs of sleep apnea for Kymber.  Went back to see him today and he is confident that is the issue she is having.  She breathes raspy all night long, chokes/coughs throughout the night, sleeps better in the recliner, heavy heavy wetting at night time, night terrors are getting bad, wakes up confused and crying ALL the time even naps, morning and night time, has only slept completely through the night a few times since birth... still up a couple times a night, very irritable through out the day. 

SO.... he said that tonsil sizes are measured on a scale of 0-4 and hers are around a size 3, so even if it weren't sleep apnea, he wants to remove them.  But to know what her oxygen levels and to monitor her sleep, we go for a sleep study.  Our consultation with the sleep lab is on Monday and then we will schedule the study and then surgery.  Let's hope sleep and better moods are in our future! :)

She did so good at the doctors, we were stuck in there for an hour in a tiny room with so many tempting things to touch and get into lol.

I also have no more cd player in the van.  Kymber likes to sit in the van and play, and pretend to drive.  I take the keys out and let her while I sit in the driveway or garage and work on something.  Well in between checks she stuffed quarters into the cd player :( 

Cailey's teacher wrote and she said that Cailey is already showing some progress which is GREAT but Cailey told me that she doesn't like school because it is so hard.  I dont know what to do to keep her encouraged. I've told her it will get easier and easier, but I want her to enjoy going, not dread it.  They have tutoring beginning next month for her.... I will take her Tuesdays and Thursdays at 730am for tutoring.  I have to think of something to make it more exciting for her. 

Kymber and Cailey's update

Kymber is staying consistent with about one to two words a day that are new.  She tried saying necklace today, it did not come out real clear but could tell she was trying.  We went to storytime and she loves it... she is starting to really get into the "shake your sillies out" and "heads, shoulders, knees and toes".  Today we were at the store and she is getting really bad about wanting to shop and not keep up with me.  She was looking at ornaments and I was ready... so I started walking and said "Bye Kymber".... she looked at me and said "bye mom".  That worked great! lol

I already posted this on facebook, but wanted it in my "journal" :)  The other day, we were doing bath time and Cailey tells me that Kymber screams really loud when she is scared.  I told her she does too.  She replied "hey, you better not post that on Craigslist!!!"  Then yesterday she came in and asked me how to spell DS.  (her nintendo DS).  So, I told her D-S.  She replied "Oh, DS is how you spell DS?"  Yes Cailey :)

Cailey is starting tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays before school for her letter recognition and writing.  It is free of charge because her teacher put in the request to help her.... so excited to see her catch up and progress :) 

Bits and pieces .... updates :)

Today was  a huge day!  I had from 11am to 3:45pm ALONE.  This has not happened since before Kymber was born.... 19 months of NEVER being ALONE!  WOW!

While Kymber was shopping with mom and Grandma today in Branson, she picked up this little dog stuff toy and was hugging it.  Mom told her she wasnt getting it, it was a $20-$30 tiny stuff toy.  A lady came up and talked to Kymber and was sitting with her and the toy dog, she bought the dog for her.  A complete stranger.... how nice!!!

Yesterday on the way home, we were in the car and Kymber was looking at a picture of  a baby and going "awwwww".  Then she went "awwwwww cuttteee" :)

She is also saying purple and blue.

Today Cailey's class had a dress up day.  They could dress fancy or wear a costume.  Cailey wore a fancy dress and we curled her hair and put glitter on her.  On the way to school she told me she couldn't wait for all the kids to see her.  She said "they are going to LOVE my style!"  LOL

Monday I had a meeting with Cailey's teacher.  She has always been delayed and had been in speech therapy.  She graduated speech therapy but she still REALLY struggles with learning her numbers and letters and does not recognize them or able to write them.  The teacher is having a volunteer retired teacher work with her extra at class, and we are working on it each day after school and we will re-evaluate in a month.  She is thinking she is dyslexic as well as language delay.  Thank goodness Cailey is such a hard worker and never gives up!

Making Dinner

Tonight while making dinner Cailey told me how it looked like there was blood in the hamburger.  I told her it was, and she thought I was joking, that it was really ketchup.  I told her it was really blood but that's why we cook it, it takes all the blood out of it.  She replied, "so kind of like a vampire!".  Ya Cailey, cooking is just like a vampire ;)

Kymber is trying to talk more and more, but she has trouble ending the word so just the beginning comes out.  She is starting to say please, more like pee though lol.   She isn't sleeping good at all lately, up a couple times a night... worse night 3-4 times.  She's drooling and stuffing her fingers in the back of her mouth, working on her two year old molars.

Gettin Fancy for Walmart

So, today at a garage sale, I got Cailey two "fancy dresses".  She wants to wear them everywhere.  I told her they were probably too dressy for school.  So she wanted to wear them outside to play.  I told her they were better for dress up, in the house, or if we go somewhere real nice.  Her reply...." so like for when we go to WalMart?"

2a

Just another little update

I haven't been keeping up with this like I wanted to but here's a little update while Kymber is playing... I usually dont get on the computer until after she's in bed!


Yesterday she said tickle.... she was tickling my feet and said it once, I couldn't get her to say it again though.  At Walmart she kept pointing to the balloons and saying baboons baboons.   She is working on thank you but it was coming out more like "dank doo".  She is really starting to get super active, running all the time, playing on the slides and loves being outside.  Yesterday I went to go inside from the garage and the door was locked, we never lock that door so I assumed Cailey did it.  Well today, Kymber locked and shut the bathroom door.  Great....Hope she doesn't lock herself in!

Cailey is doing great in school.  She enjoys going and is learning a lot already.  She can write her full name without any help now.  Tonight she is going to a dance practice with the Nixa High School Glitter Girls.  Tomorrow night she will be performing at half time at the Homecoming game.

Jerime is waiting to go to court, Cailey and Britney's mother is going to be back around, after disappearing for 9 months... who knows what stress that is going to bring, but hopefully she doesn't do anything and she treats the girls better than she used to.  She admitted she doesn't want the girls living with her she just wants to see them on occasion and doesn't even want summer vacations with them or anything.  I can't even imagine. And I dread any tormoil she causes with the girls, she's hurt them and everyone enough already. What mother could be like that?  I do not get some people in this world.  Some days I'd give anything to not have to deal with all these issues.