Category Archives: Uncategorized

Just a Little Bit Blue

Maybe it’s the stormy weather.  Maybe it’s because I’m feeling sad for my parents who just lost a dear friend and employee of almost twenty years to cancer.  Maybe it’s because I’m still feeling icky with this sort of flu I picked up while in California.  Maybe it’s because it’s almost that time of month.  But today, I’m feeling just a little bit blue.

Perhaps it’s my body’s way of telling me to slow down and smell the roses.  Well not the roses, since we live in the desert, but we do have rosemary and jasmineright outside our front door.  It’s been a busy busy summer around here.  We just got back from our third trip to Northern California since May, (and two of those trips were in August).  These are long eight to ten hours in the car with an almost one year old, an almost three year old, and our family dog.

Our last trip was to attend Aaron’s cousin’s wedding.  There was no way we could have missed it.  We always make such a big deal about family, even though we had just finished that awful drive less than two weeks earlier, we HAD to be there.

There we are at Becky’s wedding. Of course Marley and Jackson refused to look at the camera.

Sometimes I just get a little bit sad that we live so far from our family.  I come from a large, loud, and loving family who always seems to be there at the drop of a dime.  My brother, who will be leaving to Afghanistan in just a few weeks, decided to pay a visit from his post in Georgia over Labor Day weekend to see my parents since they can’t see him because they run a mom and pops donut shop and have both been working 16- hours a day.  Last Friday my mom’s house was filled with lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins along with food, wine, laughter, and recollections of fond memories.  All that was missing was my brother’s wife, there two little girls, and my sister who lives in Texas.   This will be the first Christmas my parents don’t have any of their children home.  You see, growing up it was always my parents’ house that was filled with people on Christmas morning.  It hasn’t been the same since we’ve all grown up and moved away, but we always still try to get together for the holidays.

We already have another trip (which means another long eight to ten hour drive) scheduled in October for Aaron’s sister’s baby shower.  However, feeling the way I do now, my longing and need for my family just might mean that we may be finishing up 2012 with yet another trip up there for Christmas.

Mommy’s Spidey Senses are Tingling

OK OK so I’m not that big of a Spiderman fan, Batman is way more sexy, but this is a catchier title.

I like to believe that every mom has a special spidey sense that keeps her in tune with what her children are up to.  I can tell you now that since Jackson has started crawling, my spidey senses have been on high alert.  You see, this little creature of mine gets into EVERYTHING.  I am constantly finding him splashing in the toilets if I don’t remember to keep the lid down and bathroom door shut.  It’s either that or finding him with one hand splashing away in the dog water while the other one is shoveling dog food into his mouth.  Why is that babies love dog food? He loves to try everything his sister is doing; from jumping on the trampoline to climbing up the wrong way on the slide.  If I’m not careful he’ll sneak outside if the door is slightly open and try eating anything he can get his hands on, leaves, rocks, dirt, and twigs.  I’m serious when I say this kid is fast.  A few weeks ago I fished a dime out of his mouth.  Yesterday, I threw a baby shower here and I guess I didn’t pick up all of the popped balloons because twice I fished balloon pieces out of his mouth.  I just wonder how many things he’s put in there that I didn’t get to in time.  It really scares me to think of the day that I don’t catch him in time and something really does get caught in his airway.  Yes, my husband is a paramedic, but he’s not always here.  It’s up to me and trusting my spidey senses to stay on top of things.

I hope you don’t think that we’re slobs and we’ve got stuff cluttered everywhere.  Unless we’ve just had a party or play date, our house is usually spotless.  My husband is just a little bit OCD about organization and cleanliness.  This is a good thing when I can’t see well.  This means that when I go reach for something in the pantry or spice cabinet everything is exactly where it should be.  This also means that the floors are always mopped and toilets always clean (he does all this by the way).  But no matter how clean or picked up our house may be, there will always be something for Jackson to find and stick in his mouth.  Or there will always we a baby lock that he can figure out.  Or there will always be a table or bed for him to hide under while I search all 2,085 square feet of our house on my hands and knees.  There will always be an outlet cover that he manages to pry loose.  There will always be his sister’s hair to pull handfuls of.  It’s a never ending list around here of things that Jackson loves to do to keep me on my toes.

I honestly really don’t remember it being this way with Marley.  But then again, I am looking after two kids now and there is just one of me and two of them.

So today Jackson got to wear bells.  I know a few blind moms who also use these bells to keep track of their kids.  Today Marley learned how to sing, “Jingle Jackson, Jingle Jackson, Jingle all the way.  Oh what fun, it is to crawl, and jingle everyday.”

What Would You Do With “THAT MOM” With “THOSE KIDS?”

As you may know I run the Southern Highlands Moms, Babies, and Tots group through mmetup.com.  It’s been great getting to meet so many wonderful moms who are all interested in finding friends for themselves and their kids.  However, I very recently ran into a situation that I really wasn’t sure exactly how to handle.

I have had many complaints about one of the moms from other members.  She has two very rambunctious boys who have on numerous occasions terrorized and hurt the other children, damaged members’ properties, and just recently were asked to leave a birthday party.  I really don’t blame the boys.  The are only three after all.   

If you see your kids eating cupcakes at a party before the birthday song has even been sung, wouldn’t you do something about it?  If your children were going through another mom’s purse, wouldn’t you do something about it?  If your children hit or pushed another child, wouldn’t you do something about it?  

What did those kids’ mom do?  She was too busy making videos and taking photos.  She sat on the couch on her phone or iPad.  Instead of making conversation and getting to know the other moms in the group, or disciplining her children, she videochatted on her iPad.  

I had considered letting her stay in the group only letting her access to public play dates and banning her from members homes, but another member brought up a very good question.  “What exactly does she bring to the table?  She’s never hosted a play date.  She’s never opened up her home to us.  She’s disengaged and often even has made offensive comments to other moms in the group.”  That member was right.  

I really hate being the bad guy, but unfortunately, as organizer of the group it was up to me to do something about it.  I feel like it’s my responsibility to protect my moms, their children, and their property.  So in the end I chose to remove that mom altogether.  

What would you have done if you were in my shoes?

 

The Grass is Always Greener

 

 

Have you ever scrolled down your facebook newsfeed only to be overcome with envy as you see your friends’ status updates and photos?

Have you ever secretly hated that beautiful woman in the grocery store?  You know, the one with the perfect body, hair, clothes, and perfectly little angels standing right by her side

Well folks, I’m going to tell it to you straight.

Status updates can me misleading and looks can be deceiving.

Those photos of your old friends from high school partying it up, their check ins at different airports and resorts all over the world, and status updates about whatever fabulous night they might have had, are all just the tip of the iceberg.  People only put the good stuff out.  Just like when you go to someone’s house, they’ll usually set out the nice glasses, and hang up the fancy towels.   Nobody wants to show off their chipped china.

As for that woman in the grocery store we all secretly hate, who knows what she might be hiding under her facade of good looks and self confidence.  She may be suffering from depression, in an abusive relationship, or have a drug or drinking problem.  She might be looking at you and secretly hating you for looking so normal.

I’ve recently found myself having this conversation on numerous occasions with different people.  It makes me wonder how many people out there reading my blog or status updates are secretly hating me.  My facebook timeline is littered with check ins at the pool, spa, or restaurants, cute photos and videos of my kids, and now that I’m blogging, links to my blog.  The things I write probably make me seem like I haven’t got a problem or care in the world.  It probably sounds as if I’m so confident and carefree.

My kids playing in our backyard

I am, and I’m not.  I still often struggle with my blindness and insecurities.  That fact that I can’t drive means that I miss out on a lot.  For instance, last weekend my kids missed out on a petting zoo birthday party because I couldn’t get them there.  I can’t just throw the kids in the car and take them to one of those indoor play cafes that are popping up all around town.  I can’t take them to visit their daddy at his fire station, even though he’s only 4 miles away now.  I can’t go out for an afternoon of retail therapy for just me.  I can go on and on, but what’s the point?

Our first family photo session taken last April

If I let myself get wrapped up in self pity, and dwell on the things that I can’t do, then I will never be able to enjoy the things that I CAN DO.  If I even start to feel slightly sorry for myself, I push that ugly negative thought aside and take a look around me.  I have two beautiful children and an amazing husband who provides me with everything that I could possibly want.  We live in our dream home and are almost finished with the remodel of our backyard.  The kids have a huge play room with their very own slide and trampoline along with all of their other toys.  I am fortunate that my husband landed the job of his dreams and I can stay home with the kids.  I have made a fantastic network of friends here in vegas and more friends all over the world.  If I can climb the Great Wall of China, which I did in June of 2008, then I can surely do anything.

Me on the Great Wall of China

In the house I grew up in as a child, we had a very green very beautiful front lawn.  I remember my dad having battles with the next door neighbor to keep the greenest lawn.  He gave that lawn lots of time, energy, and most importantly he gave it love.  And that’s exactly what makes my life so green.  All the expensive things in the world could never add up to the love that surrounds me everyday.

Latest VFE Article “Camping in Las Vegas? A Local’s Secret.”

Please check out my article about our recent camping trip on Vegas Family Events.

Here’s the link to the article 🙂

“Camping in Las Vegas?  A Local’s Secret.”

Here’s Jackson and I in front of the campfire.

Marley is ready for a walk in the wood.

Infertility – more like unfairtility

As I meet more and more women through my mommy groups, I also meet more and more  who suffer from infertility.  Below is a link to my dear dear old roommate Deja’s open and honest blog about her own battles with infertility.  Reading it just makes my heart ache for her.

Please feel free to read Deja’s honest story at Slate and Stylish by clicking here

It’s not just Deja.  I was actually having this very discussion about how unfair it is with Aaron last night during dinner.  There are couples out there spending tens of thousands of dollars trying to have a baby. And there are also women out there fighting to keep that little baby in their tummies for at least 34 weeks.  In the meantime crack whores are getting pregnant left and right.  Babies are being dumped in dumpsters, and 13 year olds are getting pregnant.

Why do we call it infertility?  It should be called unfairtility.

The “Touchy” Topic of Poop

I have to tell you that the dialog gets a whole lot more descriptive amongst my blind mommy friends.  I was the first one out of us to have a baby, so I never really had anyone to go to with questions about what non visual techniques other blind parents used.  Back then I wasn’t aware of a blind parent list serve or a blind parents group on Facebook.  I guess you could say I was sort of in the dark on this one.  So once my friends started having babies and the topic of changing diapers came up, it was quite refreshing finding out that I am not the only one who also gets creative.
Diaper Dialog
Q.  How do you change a diaper when you can’t see?
A.  Just like I do everything else, by using non-visual techniques.  I rely on my other senses along with the vision that I do have.  Obviously, I don’t use my sense of taste.  I can hear if the baby is peeing while I’m changing the diaper.  I can smell if there is anything odd about the pee or poop.  I am not afraid to use my sense of touch to make sure that it all got clean.
Q.  Have you ever gotten pee or poop on yourself?
A.  What parent hasn’t gotten pee or poop on themselves?  That simply just comes with the territory of being a parent.  Although, I have to admit that there have been a few times that my husband has informed me that I got poo on the wall, or light switch, or wipe warmer.
Q.  How do you know if your baby has a diaper rash?
A.  Once again it’s that lovely sense of touch that I turn to.  There’s nothing wrong with touching your baby.  It’s a proven fact that skin to skin contact stimulates cognitive and emotional development in babies.  A butt with a diaper rash feels very different from a butt without a diaper rash.  It also doesn’t hurt to use a soothing diaper rash cream even if there isn’t one.
Q.  Often, you need to pay attention to details like consistency and color, especially once you’re baby is eating solids.  How do you tell the difference?
A.  Ladies and gentlemen, I say it again.  I am not afraid to use my sense of touch.  you can usually tell the difference in texture and consistency while wiping.  There have been a few times that I have had to use a wipe to inspect the poop.  As for color, I can tell if it’s light or dark, but wouldn’t be able to describe if it were actually green or orange.  Yesterday, my husband told me that my son’s poop was blue.  Well, he did eat a few blueberries the day before
 Meet Jackson. He is probably the most mild tempered baby in the world.  The only times he cries is if he’s hungry or if his big sister beats up on him.  Now that he is crawling, he is getting into everything and putting all sorts of things into his mouth. Until recently, Jackson has never had a diaper rash.  Since Saturday we have had a new Jackson in our house.  A Jackson that cries all the time and is pooping 7 times a day and is now suffering from his first diaper rash.  Jackson is giving me lots of practice in using my non-visual techniques.  It is because of him that I am sharing with you on the “touchy” topic of poop.

Happy Birthday Pa

He is a man who would do anything for his family.

A small business owner who works 16+ hours a day 7 days a week.

 A man who survived the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia of the 1970s and came to the U.S. without a penny to his name.

A man who loves his children and grandchildren unconditionally.

 A man, who may not be one of many words, says it all with his sweet endearing smile.

A man whom I gave many grey hairs to during my teenage years.

A man who loves to watch football on Sundays and cheers for the 49’ers.

A man who helped my brother and his family drive from Northern California to Southern Georgia.

The man my kids call Tata..

The man I am proud to call my Dad.

And today is his birthday.

Happy birthday Pa, we love and miss you, and look forward to seeing you in just a few short days.

Love,

Terri, Aaron, Marley, and Jackson

To Ad Or Not To Ad

After a few months of blogging, I have decided that I will NOT place ads on my blog.  I am aware that I might be missing out on a few $$ but after going over the terms and agreements of my Google Adsense application, I don’t think it’s worth it.

I would feel like such a hypocrite if I were to allow Google and other advertisers access to my blog.  It seems like it would completely go against all values Aaron and I have worked so hard to maintain here in our home.  For instance, even though we have a TV in our house, it’s not connected to any cable.  We already  live in such a plastic city where billboards and LED signs light up the night.  There’s no poin in allowing commercials to brainwash us in our own home.

My blog is an outlet for me to share myself with my friends and family and whomever also chooses to read my musings.  I don’t feel comfortable bombarding my readers with useless images and posting all saying the same thing>  “Buy!  Buy!  Buy!”

So once again I want to thank you, my readers.  I promise that although it may not make much of a difference to you, I will not post ads on my blog.

My Oh My, How July Flew By

I can hardly believe that it is already August.  What happened to July.  It’s as if I blinked and the entire month flew by.  It seems like only yesterday we were in June, and I was still preparing for the kids’ first flights.  Well folks, I am sincerely sorry that I’ve neglected my blog.  Here’s a little recap of the last few weeks.

We spent the first 9 days of July in Georgia visiting my brother and his family.  He is currently stationed at Ft. Stuart (about 30 minutes from Savannah).  We flew into Atlanta, and visited the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park, and Stone Mountain Park.  We spent an afternoon at Jeckyll Island, a driftwood beach at the southern tip of Georgia.  We spent the 4th of July at Ft. Stuart at an outdoor concert featuring Mario and Martina McBride, followed by an incredible 30 minute long fireworks show.  We celebrated my niece Raelynn’s 5th birthday.  We walked about 50 blocks and marveled at the beauty of historic Savannah.  And did a little bit of exploring in the swamps and parks of Southern Georgia.  All and all, out of everything we did, the best was just spending time with the family and watching the kids play.

After returning from vacation, I decided it was finally time to get serious about potty training Marley.   I went with the Potty Training Bootcamp Method.  This method is supposed to be a sure fire way to potty train.  This is where you say farewell to the outside world for 4 days and forego diapers completely, except for naps and at night.   It’s messy, frustrating, and took longer than just 4 days (it was more like 2 weeks), but I am happy to say that Marley is officially potty trained!

Hmm….now let me see….what else happened in July.

Ahh yes, Aaron and I had a nice evening out with friends at the Cosmopolitan.  We rarely ever get to go out without the kids.  Without any family in town, and the cost of babysitters, the last time we’d had alone was in May when we celebrated our anniversary.  However, I learned a very important lesson that night.  Drinking coffee and wine all day, and barely eating is NOT a good combination.  I found myself on the kitchen floor after passing out while fixing Jackson a bottle in the middle of the night with Jackson on top of me.  Luckily, Aaron woke up when he heard me hit the floor.  And we’re even luckier that Jackson landed on me and not the kitchen floor.  Jackson and I were both ok, and I am now making a conscious effort about staying hydrated.

The rest of the month is a blur of mommy meet ups.  We stay at home moms find all sorts of ways to keep busy.  From ice cream socials, park play dates, brunch and coffee play dates, local fire station tour, purse parties, jewelry parties, all while chasing our little ones around.  We somehow got lucky enough to get the chance to desert the kiddos with daddy and have a deliciously delightful mom’s night out.

What I enjoyed most about July was all of the family time we made happen.  Even though we were busy, we were really proactive in spending quality time as a family.  Most days were ended with a nice 3 mile stroll.  We took the kids out for a family date night which consisted of pizza and live music at the District at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, where Marley got to shake her booty.  We spent lots of evenings out back enjoying our almost completed backyard.  And we took the family up to Mt. Charleston for Jackson’s first camping trip.  Sadly, Jackson didn’t like camping as much as we’d hoped he would.  Let’s just blame it on his 5th tooth coming in.

Farewell July.  You came and went and left me with many warm memories.