10 on Monday

1.  Mimi will be 3 years old, a month from today.  WOW!!  I cannot believe this.  As I was driving on campus this morning, it all of a sudden popped in my head:  my baby girl is growing up so fast.  Time does fly by so fast. We won't be having a birthday party for her this year, since we are going to Disney for her birthday, but "Imaginary Friends Bakery" will be making a Princess and the Frog cake for her.  Thanks Cindy and we can't wait.

2.  In three weeks, Kai, Keon, Mimi, Grammie, and I will be hitting I-95S to Disney.  As each and every day goes by, I am in need of this trip more than anything.  I am so ready to PIG-out on food at Epcot.  We will be staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort for 4 nights.  The room is a pirate theme, so I know the boys will enjoy it.  The goal is to see Tiana and Rapunzel when we go to Magic Kingdom.  Hopefully, it happens this time around.

3.  In three days, I will be going out of town for a few days, for a mini-vacation.  Hopefully this mini-vacation includes a trip to Busch Gardens, as long as the weather cooperates.  Fingers crossed.  I've been looking forward to this trip for some time, so hopefully it will be fun or I will make the best of it.  

4.  The semester will be over in less than three weeks.  Wow!!  So much to finish up, but I am ready for the semester to be OVER.  I will be teaching Organic Chemistry in the fall, CHM-211.  I am looking forward to it, but at the same time, I am super nervous.  But, I will get through it.

5.  "I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut.  My weakness is, I care too much.  And my scars remind me, that the past is real.  I tear my heart open, just to feel."  (Scars-Papa Roach).  I have always loved this song, but lately I think its been on REPEAT for the longest.  But whatever gets me through the day.

6.  I "hate" FB.

7.  I honestly can't think of anything else to say about me and what's going on with me and my kiddos, that I don't mind sharing.  Urgh....  Let me figure out three more things.

8.  Today has already been a long day, but it's now 12:15p, so less than 4 hours until my night class.  And then Jelly Beans at 7p, with "friends" to go skating.  I am a whole new person when I am skating.  I don't think about anything.  Well, I do think about the fact that I don't want to fall or run into the little person that just cut me off.

9.  My new favorite alcoholic beverage is Pineapple Upside Down Cake.  Hoping to have a few in the next few days, but it just depends on my mood.

10.  And finally to 10.  I need to paint my finger and toe nails, but not sure if I will do that today or tomorrow.  Oh well.  If I get to it, then I will do it.  

~ Life as it is ~

April has barely started and it seems like nothing is going right for me.  Between personal issues and school, I am officially burnt-out, exhausted, and stressed.  But "this too shall pass" and everything will eventually go back to normal, it always does.  I guess I will briefly go over what's going on in my everyday life, progress with Mimi, and the lovely "attitude" Kai has developed over the past few months.  

I guess it will be best to start off with the kiddos:

Mimi

Took Mimi to UNC Healthcare Friday, April 8, 2011, to see her Geneticist.  It actually went pretty good.  Her Geneticist is very impressed with Mimi's progress.  She was actually surprised at how much Mimi has progressed with walking, communicating, socializing with unfamiliar individuals, etc.  Of course in her eyes, Mimi will most likely never be "normal", but that's perfectly fine too.  It's just another adjustment to my daily life.  Then, she thought it was nice to mention the fact that Mimi's head is the size of a three month old.  Which is true, but I guess something's I prefer "not" to hear.  But since she last saw her about 18 months ago, her head circumference has grown, so that's a plus.  Her head (brain) size will never be the normal size, but at least it's growing.  She went on into details about some other stuff, but honestly, I think it went in one ear and out the other, because it was a little confusing.

Yesterday (Monday, April 11, 2011), went to Mimi's last transition meeting from IEP to Pre-K and she will be going to the CDC.  I am happy about that.  I did not want her going to Howe and the other school was way off of Military Cutoff and personally, that's just out of my way.  So starting in August, Mimi will be going to school for the first time.  I am so happy for my "Mimi Monster".  They provide transportation to our home, so that will help out a lot.  

There are a lot of goals they have set for Mimi, but figured we'd go ahead and work on them before she starts school in August.  Mimi has trouble walking steadily.  She tends to walk/run at the same time.  So, that's one main issue to work on.  Also, when she goes down a slide, she tends to fall back.  So, I'm in the process of either finding a slide or "cheap" playground with a slide attached to it, to have at my mom's, since I am trying to convince her to keep them some throughout the summer, so I can focus on my research.  Fingers crossed.  She still can't seem to feed herself very good.  Well, she can, but it's more as if she picks over her food with her fingers, versus using a fork/spoon.  Another goal is for me to let her pick out what she wants to drink, instead of just giving it to her.  This will possibly help with her communication.  As of right now when she wants something to drink, she falls out in front of the fridge, until I either giver her something to drink or make her sign thirsty.

Her signing is going ok.  We haven't really worked on it much, but will hopefully get back into very soon.  Especially with my semester being almost over.  But she's doing very good with the ones she know.  So all is well with little Miss Mimi.

Kai

Where to start with the oldest child.  He has become a pain in the neck lately.  His attitude has gotten worse and I don't know why.  He seems to do good at school, so hopefully when he starts school in August too, (not sure where) things will get better.  He'll be in school everyday, instead of just twice a day for a few hours.  

Kai did have an appointment in Raleigh, NC a few weeks ago to have his thyroid levels checked and they were a little off, so his dosage was increased from 44MCG to 50MCG.  His levels will be rechecked locally in 4 weeks.  Hopefully, the increase will calm him down.  

Kai tries to help a lot, but I think his definition of "helping" is not the definition I have.  Instead of helping, he tends to get in the way.  His new thing is, "I'm mad at you mommy", "I don't love you mommy", "I want to go to my daddy's", or "You just don't understand."  There's a lot more sayings, but honestly I don't remember them all.  

He's recently learned how to skate, which he seems to love.  I got him his own pair a few weeks ago, but he wants roller blades.  I told him if he learns how to skate in the regular skates, then in September for his birthday, we will upgrade.  So we will see how that goes.

Me

Life has been rough, but I have dealt with it the best I can.  Yay!!  I've never been good at making decisions or making the right choices.  I really suck at this, so I guess it's something I need to work on.  I say that now, but will it ever happen?  IDK.  Being that I've been dealing with a lot of personal problems, I've kept to myself lately and will probably be doing it for sometime.  It's just how I deal at times and it's one of those times.  But as each passing day goes by, I get better, but I seem to block more and more people out of my life.  But that's how my life goes and I'm ok with that, for the moment.

When times get tough, I find an escape route.  So, I think I'm getting a new piercing tonight.  :)

10 on Saturday

Yes, I am aware that it is 12:30 at night, but when you can't sleep because of your over-driven mind and are in a shitty mood, you get up and catch up on more important things.  Well, that's what I am assuming.

1.  Took Kai to see his Pediatric Endocronologist this past Wednesday and his levels were borderline, so they have increased his dosage from 44MCG to 50MCG.  Hopefully this will help a little bit with his out of control(ness).
2.  Mimi goes and see her Geneticist on Friday, this will be an interesting trip, since she hardly goes to the doctor.  So, it's time to catch up and see what the next step is.  Hopefully, no needles involved.
3.  I'm in the process of studying for my 3rd Industrial and Polymers test.  Fearing that I may have to wing it, because my brain can't stay on track.  But I am devoting myself to quite some hours tomorrow once I wake up, to studying, so hopefully it helps.
4.  I'm realizing my heart is too big for some people to handle now-a-days and I have no idea how that happened.  But, whatever.
5.  In a month and seven days, I will be heading down to Orlando, for our Disney vacation to celebrate Mimi's 3rd birthday.  Oh how the time flies...............
6.  Luckily, I am making progress with my graduate research.  Hopefully I get a lot done this week with it too.
7.  My iTouch is my saving grace when my brain is scattered and my heart can't handle the "stress".  Just hit PLAY and SHUFFLE, and let it do its thing.  I eventually drift off into a new world.  Yeah....Which usually lasts for "not that long", but I will take it.
8.  I got Kai some roller skates last week and now he won't stop asking me when I will take him skating.  Hopefully once I get through this exam next Wednesday, we will hit the skating rink.  Oh how I love skating!!
9.  Sometimes you just need to BREATHE.............
10.  I am still  trying to finish reading "Bringing Adam Home".  Hopefully I will complete it one of these days.

<3

10 on Saturday

So, I am stealing this "idea" from a WM friend, who stole it from another blog.  :)  I am busy with school, bringing up two kiddos, and "attempting" to have some type of social life, because oh how I need one.  Hopefully, if it plans out right, I will post 10 interesting facts (couldn't think of a better word) about what's going on in my life on SATURDAY.  I'm thinking I may have to program this to my calendar, to "remind" me, because I am sure eventually I will forget.  Oops!!

• Lately Kai has become a nightmare.  He's saying comments he should NOT be saying to me when he gets upset and showing gestures with his hands, that he did NOT learn from any of the signing videos we've been watching.  I know a lot of his bad behavior has to do with me hardly being home and once I'm there, he's wanting all of my attention, but something's got to give.  He's been very winey (?) lately and throwing major tantrums and totally ignoring what I say.  So this has been a nightmare lately, that just has not ended.  Plump :(
• Mimi has been needy lately.  Waking up every few hours, just to get in bed (or the couch) beside me.  It's ok some night, but every night, not so much.  I love our cuddle time, but I prefer it be at a different hour and not 3 in the morning, when I have to be up at 6ish or so.  
• As I type, I am in Greensboro.  I will be seeing Prince in concert this evening. I am STOKED.  I haven't seen him since 2004.  I think it's time for me to enjoy myself and party like it's 1999.  We will be in the VIP section (yes, I charged this to one of my many credit cards), section A, row 1.  I am hoping we are pretty dang on close.  
• School is becoming a hand full.  This usually happens when it gets close to the end of the semester.  But I know I will get through it, I always do.  Currently, I am working on my presentation on Cymbalta, that's due this coming up Monday.  
• I have so much to look forward to in the next couple of weeks, that it's so hard to stay focused.  But I must get a grip to reality and be patient and WAIT.
• Apparently, there's a big chance I will be teaching one of the Organic Chemistry labs this summer, to help prepare myself for round 2 of Advanced Organic Chemistry.  I am super nervous, but come April, I will be watching several videos to prepare myself, so I am not looking like a fool in a class full of undergraduates.  
• Kai will be getting his thyroid levels check next Wednesday, this occurs very 4 months for his hypothyroidism.  Mimi will be going to see her Geneticist on April 8; which I am glad for, since we haven't seen her since 2009.
• I need to find a way to STOP using my credit cards.  I was good at one point, but then I gave in.  Whomp!
• Currently, my favorite song is "Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri.
• And my dang on "J" key on my laptop keeps getting stuck.  wth?!!!

Thanks for reading.  Hopefully, when I get a "free" moment, I will post a video of Mimi signing yes and apple. She was a little fussy, she wanted my iTouch, so the videos are a little here and there with her lovely behavior.  :)

  

A Month Later...............WOW!!

Oh my goodness.  Where did the time GO????  It's been a "month" since I've posted.  I know I've been swamped with life and school, but did not realize I hadn't posted a single blog since February.  Oops.  So, here's a breakdown on what's been going on in "everyone's" life..............

Mimi

Lately, Miss Mimi has been fairly cranky.  She has NOT wanted to sleep through the night and when she wakes up in the middle of the night, she thinks it's ok to stay up for an hour or so, either crying, babbling, or climbing all over myself or her brother.  In my opinion, it seems like she's getting taller by the day.  Before you know it, she's going to be caught up with her brother.  Today, she had a mini-evaluation for her transition at the age 3, to start school, etc.  It went pretty well.  She interacted fairly well with one of the OT interns and we were given three options for her to attend school.  Right now, I am leaning more towards the CDC, so hopefully, they will allow her to go there.  I'm not super stoked with the fact that she will most likely be placed in a "special needs" class, versus a class that's 50:50, but I guess it's something I have to live with.  I understand she's "special needs" but feel she would do better around other children who aren't considered "special needs", but it's all good.  :)

I haven't had the chance to work on signs with her like I've wanted to, mainly because I've been too busy trying not to burn myself out at school, but apparently my dad and Kai have been helping her.  She's been working on thirsty; instead of sliding her finger down her throat, she rubs at her whole face.  I'm working on if she wants something to drink or she's thirsty, she has to show me.  She can fuss and cry all she wants, but she will not get it until she signs it, which she's been doing very well.  She's also signing apple; which instead of bending your finger into your cheek and rotating, she's pinching at it and turning it.  Which is good.  I know what it is and she's making progress.  Another one is yes; she does that one very well.  Of course her brother taught her how to sign no, but I'm trying to divert her from that one.  All and all, she's doing good and she knows quite a handful of signs, and we are so PROUD of her.  

Kai

Lately, he's been a hand to handle.  He's not been listening or he's been doing the total opposite of what I ask.  It's actually about to drive me off the wall at times.  I know a lot of it has to do with the fact that I am at school all day, but this child just is not listening.  I know he doesn't see me most of the day, but jumping on mommy like I am a bouncy adventure or what not, has to give.  My poor body can only take so much.  

He's doing really good with his signing too.  It helps a lot, since he uses them with Mimi.  To be honest, I think he knows more than I do.  :(  But that's ok.  He learns a lot and seems to NOT forget anything.  

Just the other day, he started citing the Pledge of Allegiance.  I didn't even know he knew what that was.  He learns so much at school and tells me so little.

He has his More at 4 evaluation on Wednesday, so we will see how that goes.  Hopefully good, because I really want him in school.  I think it will do him so good.  If he doesn't qualify, I will be finding something for him.  I know he wants to go to school more than two days a week.  Being stuck at home all day can be tiresome for a 4 year old, this I understand.

Mommy

I have so much on my plate at the moment, but I am making it work.  Yeah for me!!!  If it has to be done, it will be done.  In the next couple of weeks, months, and even days.  I have so much to look forward to and trust and believe, I am super STOKED!!!  Let me get through the next couple of weeks, and I think I will be even more excited.  Right now, I am happier than I have been in a very long time and hoping the happiness does not go away, but no one can predict the future, right?!!

Well, this is just a little update on what's going on in my world.............

Signing shirts I had made by "Coming up Baby"

Malakai   & Mimi

Love them!!!

Progress with Mimi

It's been some time since I've gotten on here, but Mimi is still working on her signs.  It's such a great experience, especially since she is remembering a lot of them lately.  Today, I was talking to Kai actually, asking him a few signs (food items) and was very impressed at how he knew ALL of the ones I asked him.  I think he's going to be a great help with Mimi.  Sad to say we are still working on the same DVD sets, mainly because I've been swamped with school and busy trying to keep the house in one piece.  I've been working on learning the alphabet, which some letters to me is a challenge, but I'm getting through it.  For some reason, my left hand doesn't do well with signing.  My fingers don't want to act right.  Weird!!!

Another challenge I'm trying to work on with Mimi is for her to "let go" of sucking her thumb.  It's not like I can bribe Mimi.  She is NOT phased by bribery.  She wants it and right now, there's no way of taking it away.  Any suggestions would be great appreciative.

Sorry I don't have more to report, but hopefully after this coming week of exams, I will.

Mimi growing up so fast (February 20, 2011)

Here she's signing "SIGNING", "POTTY" (something she refuses to do, but signs it all the time), and "Thank You" of course.

Everyday Signs with Mimi

This week I have started a new set of words with Mimi.  She of course does NOT completely know the words mentioned previously  all the way, but I will continue to work with her on those as well.  So, now we are going to focus on "everyday" signs, which include foods, things you do, see, and experience each day.  We most likely will be working on this for a few weeks, since I personally have a lot going on at school and won't be able to dedicate as much time with her on these words as I would like.  Also, I'm in the process of learning the complete alphabet in American Sign Language, etc.

To start off, here are a few words in which we have started on recently:  apple, cookie, cracker, want, cheese, and many more.............................

Since I have been so busy studying for an exam and have been on campus most of the week, it was interesting to come home and Kai goes, "Look mommy, this is cookie?"  Of course I had NO clue what it was, since I haven't been watching the show, but he was so RIGHT.  I am so proud of him, wanting to learn also.  It seems to into it, it's just AMAZING how much Kai picks up and actually remembers.

"Signing Time" has a small version of what they offer on the DVDs as an APP on the iTouch, so wouldn't you know, I downloaded it.  :)  Mimi happened to be there when I downloaded the mini-version, that was free, and well, didn't offer much, but about a 10 second clip.  She heard the music and went crazy!!  Then got mad when I took it back, so I can download the actually APP.  Now, I have "Signing Time" on my iTouch, which I believe has 6 full-length songs.  She's going to ENJOY it.  I'm sure Kai will too.

This week, we will continue to work with Mimi on the NEWest words, and hopefully, she will be still long enough to record her doing some of the signs.  Until next time, thanks for taking the time to read "Signing with Mimi."