for my friends and fam south of the Mason Dixon line...

I walked out on my porch about 15 minutes ago and took these pictures....and the weather man said "a chance of a few flurries". He was a little off!The snow is blowing sideways. I don't know if you can tell!

Helmit report...see for yourself

Before....(the first scan to fit the helmit) Present...(our January scan)

As much as I HATE having our little girl wear a helmit...we are beginning to see the signs of improvment. It makes all the ignorant, silly comments worth it! Like, "HEY!!! YOU dressed your kid up for the football game.." or "Why you puttin' that helmit on your kid?? You afraid he'll bump his head..?" (nevermind the butterflies bozo!) hahahaha

There is a magic number we are going for...80%! Yep!, betcha didn't know that all you out there with perfect noggins score an 80%. 100% is round like a basketball. 80% means that the head is narrower from side to side than from front to back...make sense? At the beginning of this endeavor, Sophie was at 90.7% ...more round and pointy...Now she is 88.7%. I know, a small improvment, but an improvement none the less!

This is her 90.7% scan..

This is her 88.7% scan.. not as obvious as previous pics..but there ya have it.
Finally, she was being sweet on this scan, so I thought I'd include this one...It is a computer image of her smiling! Don't forget..she had a sock on her head when they did this scan, so the ears look a little bizarre..not her normal ear shape!!!!

Grizzly Redeemed!

OK....So, Hubby...aka Grizzly has been getting a bad rap on this blog lately...UNTIL NOW!!! He wins husband of the week! (a whole year would take a little more than this to earn) Here's our story:

Two nights ago our dearest little noodle decided that she was uncomfortable and was NOT going to bed. She cried and cried...if she was in the crib, that is. If she was on top of mommy she was content for the most part. I'm not sure if it was teething, tummy ache from new foods, or just being 6 months old, but she was fit to be tied. This was especially difficult for me because, as many of you know, I have a back injury stemming from her birth that just won't seem to heal, so up and down, up and down sends mommy over the edge!!!

Well, half way through the night I looked over to hubby and realized why he wasn't getting up...EARPLUGS..again. I don't know how I feel about this method of parenting. Block it out so you don't hear em' crying. I was so disgusted that I couldn't even form words to express it. When he did finally get up to go to work, he kissed me gently on the forehead and headed out. I thought, "Buddy, you better keep your distance or one of my fangs might just bite your head off!!!!" I, of course, played asleep as to not get in an arguement.

Well, what I didn't realize is that hubby's earplugs weren't exactly sound proof! You see, when he came home from work he came in the door yelling, "get dressed, get dressed...now!! Hurry up!!! YOU have an appt." I was quickly adjusting the side ways ponytail and wiping the baby food off my cheek.... "You don't have time!! Just go down and pull in by the All-State office." You'll figure it out!!"

Hubby had arranged for an hour long massage at the local hair salon in our little town. AHHHH an hour to myself! What bliss! I didn't even care that I hadn't shaved my legs in weeks and I was wearing holy socks! To top it off, the girl went to high school with my hubby, so I got to hear stories about my hubby's times in high school! When I came home he said, "How was your massage?? You had such a rough night, I knew you needed to get away." He attempted to help me most of the night after that with our daily chores, like dishes and bath time. Just that little bit of help, YES!!!! I am sane!

Sophie's visit with Grandpa Dan and Great Uncle Tom

For those of you who have not met this side of my family...this is my Uncle Tom. He is currently living with my dad in Clarksburg. He splits his time being cared for by my dad and his brother, Bob. Mostly, he lives in the Pittsburgh area with my other uncle. Apparently he was "insisting" to see the baby girl! He and dad drove up from Salem and met us at the mall so Tommy could visit with Sophie and see the Pirates! He loves the Pirates. The funny thing is that I asked my Dad if he'd like to hold Sophie and Tommy said, "Me hold, please." I never thought he'd be interested, but he definitely was! I had to pry her away so her Grandpa could hold her. This is Sophie's Grandpa Dan, AKA my dad. I really like this picture! By the way, I took the helmit off just to show the progress, or lack of progress, to my dad. I am happy to see her without her helmit!

Hybernating Hubby

I'm now convinced that my husband may very well be part grizzly bear. Since before Christmas, dear hubby has been sick...I mean REAL sick. Diagnosed with mono, he was told it would take a while to get over it. Well, I didn't think "a while" would mean 2 solid months. They said it would make him worn out and tired. That's not the word for it. I am convinced that he has gone into deep hybernation... I put the tree up. I took it down. I packed all christmas decorations. I've done all laundry, dishes and baby related maintenance. I've taken the kiddo to all her medical appointments. I've cooked all meals and I've swept and scrubbed all floors...Meanwhile, the Grizzly, as he now will be named, has been asleep! Grizzly goes to bed when he gets home from work, AT 4:00pm. He rarely stirs.

Grizzly has been out of town working for a week, and was due to come home yesterday, but the flight was delayed. He arrived at home at 12:00pm today, one hour before I got home with the tyke from another doctor appointment, AND....it is now 4:00pm, and can you guess where he is???? Yes my friends.....ASLEEP. I have not seen my Grizzly in a week...and I still have not laid eyes on him! I only know he is home because the government vehicle is parked outside and a giant pile of dirty clothes thrown askew on the bathroom floor. He's hybernating in the bedroom. We're working on 4 solid hours of sleep since he's been home. I know he took a advil pm to help him rest on his first plane, which was a 5 hour flight. He did have some layovers, but when I called him, he was "resting" in the airport waiting for his next flight. I am now totally convinced....a hybernating grizzly it is....GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

So, when does spring arrive????? I could really use my Grizzly bear to help with our little bear cub before she goes to college!!!

...and the "EYES" have it!!!

Well folks....this is it! According to Sophie's pediatrician, her eyes are the color they are going to stay.....The problem is....well....WHAT COLOR IS IT????? It borders in between slate blue and slate gray. I just know it's not brown!!!! hahahaha The light eyes prevail!! Speaking of eyes! Sophie definitely has eyes for her Aunt Tish. This is one of my favorites from our visit! Both girls are so pretty and sweet!

Throwing up....ARGHHHHHH!!!!

So yesterday we got the OK from the Doc to get Sophie off meds and off the sling! She has not thrown up in a couple months ...she is tolerating mommy eating dairy and has started on "solid" foods. So, last night we skipped the previcid (which we've done before...shhhh) and we didn't strap into our wedge sling, but laid on our back to sleep. She had a happy night's sleep! (she has slept on her back before as well..we nap on our backs and have forgotten the wedge when traveling and she handled it like a pro.

I forgot to mention one other doctor thing...yesterday was Sophie's 6 month vaccinations...she was a grumpy butt all day after that. She has never really reacted to shots before. Yesterday she slept all day, grumped and moaned a little and seemed a bit lethargic...still a good little girl with giggles here and there too!

Well, today when I changed her morning diaper, I noticed a raised bump where her injection sight is. She also seemed like a very uncomfortable nurser. Wouldn't eat her cereal this morning either and WHAMO.....has now thrown up twice.......Darn it Darn it Darn it!!!!! One final change...her BM's were very very thick and mucousy.

So, the question is this: Have you mommies out there, or Docs for that matter, ever had kiddos throw up as a reaction to vaccines at six months??? I need to determine if the throw up was a result of her change in routine (not really a complete change since she has done all this before in small spurts) or as a result of yucky vaccine shots...(can you tell what mommy hopes????)

Any opinions, advice, would be greatly appreciated.....Now I'm off to give my kiddo a dose of previcid to ease the acidy belly! ho hum...:(

1/2 birthday girl!!

Just a quick note!! Sophie was 6 months old yesterday. Wow, how time flies!!

yes, she does smile!..and other funny things

I decided to post a picture of my daughter that involves smiling! She does actually smile now, but just not when mommy has the camera. Here's a rare one! By the way, her ear loves to pop out of hats.....it doesn't actually stick out that much! (well, maybe a little!)cousin torture session. Sarah received a doll with a santa hat...and you see what happened next!Daddy's new baby back pack. He's also sporting his, "I've had mono for a month" facial expression. Lovely, Huh???
"Don't you THINK you be takin' MY bottle WOMAN!!!!" Ironically, as most of you know...the child WILL NOT drink from a bottle despite our efforts...she simply wants to possess it, but not actually drink from it...and as you can see, cereal is not much more appealing to her...Gotta love that expression of joy.

Ponderings....

I'm not sure what I have to say today...but I guess I'm saying it anyways. Here are random thoughts...

First off, Mr. Clean Magic Rub Erasers.....a love/hate relationship. You see, I lived in sweet oblivion about my bath tub...a white tub that disguises soap scum rather well. As long as I didn't see it, it didn't exist.....Well, until I met Mr. Clean's little friend, the magic eraser. I went scrubbing along in the tub only to find the invisible yuck that hides on the sides of your tub, the likes of which have never seen before. Those of you who have discovered the "magic" of the eraser know of which I speak. My relationship began roughly a year ago with this little nemesis. You see, now I have a daughter, and VERY LIMITED time to take a bath....BUT, I now cannot put myself in that tub unless I magic erase the crud out of it. What was once a relaxing leisurely bath has become a frantic scrub fest with a brief soak after. What a bummer......a clean bummer I remind you, but a bummer none the less.

Grooming.....a lost art. Again, another sacrifice made in the honor of my daughter. I looked in the mirror today and thought....geez, what has happened to you? My hair, 6 weeks overdue on a cut and color....legs, unshaven, no make-up, what???dry my hair???? when did I do that last? Eyebrows, teeth bleaching, manicures, pedicures, etc.. etc... etc... all a lost art at this point! Oh, but I fondly look back and remember the days. This all came to a head this week when darling hubby, who has been a sweetie as of late, said these words when looking at a picture that recently surfaced from our wedding week's festivities: "WOW Honey, you were a hottie!" Key word being "were". I asked the dreaded question, "Have I changed that much in a year???" He smiled sheepishly and didn't answer. Nuff said!~!!

Space....what happened to my space? Wanted!!!!! A new house!! Hubby and I have definitely grown out of our teeny tiny little house. I have found myself bringing this up on a "several times a day" basis. Now, that being said, we have NO options for moving/building at this point. I am staying home from work for the remainder of the year to take care of the little noodle. She still goes to the doc regularly, so...it's what we must do. Sacrifice space for the care of the little one. Now, that sounds good on paper, but as I look around our humble little home, I'm reminded of why caged animals snap!!!! I trip over things in every room. Not a surface goes uncovered...and rubbermaid containers have become furniture. We have a visual inventory of our lives because there is, count it, ONE normal sized closet in this house. Everything you lucky people hide in the secret spots in the back of your linen closet or coat closet or clothing closets....I'm looking at right now!!! And now that I mention it, maybe I should go straighten something up! Toodles for now!