The Bathing Beauty

Summer time is Sadie's season! She is loving the water! I have been taking more and more trips to the community pool and in-between she is all about Nana's baby pool or this little water activity table we got for her to play with on the porch. I knew since she was in my tummy that she was going to be a water baby. Every time I would get in the pool for water aerobics or just for a swim she would kick like crazy! She has no fear (which probably isn't good). If I wasn't holding her in the pool she would try to jump in and swim herself. I can pretty much say that she doesn't ever put up much of a fuss for anything but when we pry her away from the water there is kicking and screaming like the world has never seen. I recently got Sadie in for her hearing test and of course her hearing is perfect, so now I feel like there is a million other things to eliminate. On the 14th a teacher and therapist from the regional center are coming to access her so I am waiting for that and then we will go from there. Thank you again for everyones help and concern.  In the mean time we will be making the most of this already super hot summer.

Info is Power

I just want to thank everyone for your calls and messages. Ever since I've finally started to talk about our concerns with Sadie, I've gotten so much help and so many suggestions. A friend in my ward put me in contact with a lady in Orange County that went through the same thing with her son and she gave me so much info. I guess there is a California Department of Development and they apparently have regional centers everywhere. Anyway I called the regional center for my county and they are going to send someone to my home to assess my child. If they feel she is behind in development they will help me out with additional services. This process will take a couple weeks but  it is all at no cost. So I feel like I'm doing something (while I'm waiting for the hearing test which is so far away). I don't understand why doctors don't offer up this information to you! I mean really, I feel so empowered by this little bit of info that was not easy to come by. So I am going to keep everyone updated incase you come across someone having similar issues.  Thank you everyone again for your lovely words and help.  

Having a bad night

I am in tears tonight, I am frustrated and just plain desperate! I figured I would  just to vent to my dear friends and family who are my blog readers. I haven't mentioned much the problems Sadie is having. She is 20 moths old in 4 days and she is still not walking or saying any words.  My other huge concern is that she won't respond to her name or anything unless she can see me. I've known there is something wrong for a few months. The thought that there was anything mentally wrong with her was just devastating to me. Not that I would love her any less but I would just be sad for anything she would miss out on. As I watch her more and more I've realized that mentally she is a bright little girl. She remembers routines, she mimics movements, she remembers hand motions to songs. She does pretty much what any other 20 month old can do except walk and talk. I saw my doctor last month and he was a little concerned about her not responding but not about her walking. He had her do a hyper-thyroid blood test, I guess that can cause slow development, but it came back negative. He mentioned that maybe we should do a hearing test but if one was done when she was a newborn (which it was) then that probably wasn't a problem. This left me with the usual solution everyone gives me which is just wait a couple months she will start when she wants. I can only thrive off that for so long people! I just feel like every week I let pass by is crucial development time and I'm not doing anything to help her. After a couple days of thinking I called the doctor back to ask about the hearing test. He had me call the San diego Children's Hospital and they explained a little more. They want to do a BAER -Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response test. They would have to sedate Sadie (scary) and monitor her brain activity during a series of sounds. I immediately felt like I needed to do this test no matter what so they checked their schedule and the soonest test available is the end of Aug! Are you kidding me! That is forever away. They said there is always cancellations due to kids being sick so that is what I am praying for, not so much that other peoples kids will be sick but that there will be a cancellation soon. In the meantime I am researching any other possible problems. I've even heard that a food allergy can cause slow development in walking and talking so like I said I'm desperate and just trying to get answers so we can help her as early as possible. Loss of hearing fits the best( in my mind) so far. Maybe it contributes to her equilibrium being off and thats why she won't walk without help. I truly hope and pray she is just taking her sweet time and nothing is wrong, however I feel like I need to know if there is something wrong  just in case so we can deal with it early on. I never knew I could feel so helpless as a mom. I wish scheduling happened on a desperation basis I would win a sooner date on their calendar for sure. I realize that their are so many other parents that have to deal with more difficult circumstances, people I hear about and people I know, I just want to know what our circumstance is. Goodness I'm going on and on but it does feel good to talk or write about it.

To Jessi:

My little sis is graduating! I'm so excited for you Jess. This will be such a fun time in your life. Make the most of it. You have time to take risks and follow dreams. Be brave or fake it! The appearance of confidence will get you where you want to be. This is also the time to get ahead and plan for your future before the family you will have someday makes beautiful ripples in your water that is your ever changing life. Know that sometimes you can paddle to your hearts content but sometimes the current takes you to better places. I love You. Love, Nick

Sadie's going to be a big sis!

Okay so I haven't blogged in forever and this is why.... we are expecting baby number 2 ("the duce"-for you Dana)!!!!!! We are so excited! This baby is due around Dec 30th!!! Holidays will be crazy this year but maybe it will help the end not drag on forever. Although we are so delighted it is has been hard for me to find joy in spending all my time with my head in the toilet or laying lifeless on the couch. I have tried to be creative with activities for Sadie besides watching her shows and reading books, but it is quite difficult when you can't even lift your head. Any ideas? We took out a box of oatmeal and cups and let her go to town on her craft mat while I laid there on the floor, she had a blast. Today is one of the first days I feel slightly normal plus my friend Angelina, at the salon just trimmed and styled my hair for me so I actually look normal for once (why does that always make a world of difference?). Anyways I'm feeling better and so I thought I should catch up on blogging while this lasts.

Sandiego Wild Animal Park

It was a free day at the Wild Animal Park so my friend Amy and I braved the hot hot sun and crowds with our kids. It was actually quite fun and I think we can both agree we got some needed exercise and sun.

The rhinos were feeling generous and giving free rides as well.

What is Easton so concerned about?....

Ohhh!

All Dolled Up

It was my little sisters prom yesterday. Jessi and Cassi looked so beautiful! My other sister Jacki and I had fun getting them ready (like for the past three weeks). I forgot how much was involved in prom. A girl sure does go through a lot for this. Jessi went with her friend, Jared and Cassi went with her boyfriend ,Steven (lucky boys!). I remember back when they would play dress up and now they are gorgeous young women. Were did the time go?

I just LOVE them to pieces!

Jacki made Cassi's corsage and bu tinier. This picture does not do it justice, they were so lovely!

Why must little feet grow to big for little shoes?

Soon to walk and not to crawl.

A swifter parting from my reach.

Not but a moment from a fall.

I live for these moments we'll one day beseech.

How I will miss these little shoes. -NS

I'd be lying if I said this was the first time this has happened. It is in fact the second, but instead of grabbing the vacuum right away I grabbed my camera. It's hard not to laugh when those big blue eyes are starring up at you as she continues to shake every last bit of baby powder out. I always wish I had a video camera strapped to my forehead at all times. I don't ever want to forget all this.

Mini's Cupcakes

Another fabulous idea Maria had was to go to this adorable little cupcake shop in Salt Lake called Mini's. They had sweet little cupcakes and a cute vintage setting, who could ask for more? I think Maria and I can both laugh when we think about the shear giddiness on our faces that comes with eating all those cupcakes. I love that I have a friend who can enjoy these silly things as much as me.

The Salt Lake Temple

When Sadie and I went to Utah to visit Maria and Abbey, our last day there we did what we called the grand finale. First We went to temple square. I always forget how wonderful it is to just be outside of the Temple until I get there. It was so beautiful. I love the Salt Lake temple it is my favorite. The girls enjoyed the reflection pool more then the view but it was fun to show Sadie the temple. Abbey being two couldn't stop talking about it all day.

Sadie's photo shoot

My dear friend Maria took these exquisite pictures of Sadie. I really can't thank her enough she does such an incredible job. Really, with a camera and a few jelly beans she can work wonders! Maria gave me a few lessons in photoshop and then we edited them with a vintage look. I think they came out lovely.

Sadie vs. Peep

I know this is so wrong. What kind of parent am I? But if you saw your adorably chubby baby doing this you wouldn't stop filming either. This is definitely material to show the boyfriends later! So don't forget to turn off my blog music on the side and enjoy.

Our lovely Easter

We had a lovely Easter with our families. It's so fun to see Sadie start to interact more with her cousins. Merry and Sadie were so adorable in the porch swing, I couldn't stop myself from taking a million pictures. Sadie wanted strawberries for lunch so I took her out of her cute dress and I took all these pictures of her without it. I could just kick myself! No worries, I'm going to my friend Maria's next week where she can take pictures of Sadie in it in her new little studio! Yea! My Father in Law got this great shot of a birds nest that was built right on top of a power cord hanging from there porch! It was so fun to see the new little baby birds poking there heads out for food. New life on Easter, how neat!

Ta Daaa!

For those of you who know me also know that I grew up in a loving but unaesthetic home. Unless you of coarse count a Rubbermaid entertainment center in which adorned our living room for quite some time. I never paid attention to that sort of thing growing up in a house full of girls with our dad being everything as well as the interior decorator. I do have fond memories of sitting around with Dad and my sisters trying to decide what beach picture we could put above the fireplace and maybe we should put a palm tree here or there. It never happened until I was already well out of the house. At least he showed interest in making our house as cozy as possible and it always was. So why have I become, in a word, obsessed with the idea of decorating? I don't know but I am having so much fun. I have to take it slow, I've found myself to be a little picky (Micah's translation: having expensive taste). So this collage was my latest project. It took me a while to get it just right. Most of you are probably thinking "big deal" but this is a big for me okay. In other news, but still relating to my topic of decorating my home, a Pottery Barn Outlet is going in our outlet center this month! Who ever said this little town had nothing to offer? ( Well, me, except for having our families close I can't find much excitement here), but now oh the joy!

Anniversary

10 of the many (less embarrassing)things I love about Micah

1. He is the most wonderful father to Sadie. I know it's been said before but the best thing in the world is to see your husband playing with his baby.
2. To me, he's the funniest man alive. (Don't tell him that) He can always make me laugh even when I'm trying really hard to be mad. Besides his hansome baby blue eyes it was definitely his sense of humor that attracted me. As for him I think it was the Darth Vader shirt I was wearing when we first met.
3. Micah knows he's not that great about helping around the house without being asked but I've learned to just ask he is happy to do anything I want without complaint.
4. He makes the extra effort to be involved in my families activities even when it's not really his thing and still makes the best out of it. Example: Backpacking to Half Dome or anything involving not sleeping in our cozy bed at night.
   
5. He has never said anything to purposely to hurt my feelings. He's usually good at diffusing our arguments pretty fast. He always apologizes first. I wish I was more like him in that regard.
6. He goes out everyday and works really hard so that I can stay home with Sadie.
7. Have I mentioned the eyes yet. I just melt.
8. He encourages me to continue to write. ( I haven't done much of it lately but him reminding me of that talent is what I really need to get back into it) I love that he cares about that.
9. He can carry ALL the groceries in in ONE trip. It's so awesome, though I'm a little scared for the eggs.
10. Micah always makes sure to tell me everyday how much he loves me and I really appreciate that.

Happy 3rd Anniversary Love!

Sweet Birds Sweet Babe

Okay so I love little birds. If I'm not careful they will end up everywhere in my home. For right now sweet little birds seems to be the theme in Sadie's room. I finally found some cute bird art to put above her crib. Plus she's making the sweetest little face in this picture so I thought I would show them both off.

"Little Friends- The Movie"

My sister Jacki helped me figure out how to post videos on my blog. Make sure my little i pod is turned off before you push play. It was a fun day at Disneyland with our friends. Sorry the camra was partial to Sadie. I was trying to get her to jibber jabber. Since that failed I dubbed it over with a cute song.

Little Pink Dress

I couldn't resist this dress from Crewcuts. I hope it will fit Sadie for easter. It may be too cold but I guess I can save it for summer. Oh the joy from buying little pink dresses!

Progress

This was Sadie last summer 2007. Basicly this was Sadie everytime we took her into the great outdoors. She wasn't quite keen on what Mother Nature had to offer her.For those who know Sadie she has an adverse reaction to things of the outside world. You know, trees, grass, dirt, flowers, the things other kids can't wait to run on, touch, feel, eat. Perchance she's still mad about the time I hiked up to Half Dome pregnant with her. We've had hysterics in the apple orchared and tantrums in the pumpkin patch, but we are making progress people! Once in a while we go outside in our backyard and have a pretend picknick on a blanket. She has fun with that for all of three minutes and then decides that the unbrella I'm shading her with is far more facinating. I'm trying to expose her little doses at a time. She found a lemon that fell off our lemon tree and felt it's bumpy skin without chucking it across the lawn. She will also stand in grass (as long as you hold her sweet little hand)! Yes she has come a long way. She will be hiking Half Dome before we know it!

Happy Birthday Aunt Julie

On Valentines Day Sadie and I went to the Huntington Library to celebrate my Aunt Julie's Birthday.(She turned 31 by the way). It was the most beautiful day! Sadie however was a bit under the weather with a cold and being slightly more difficult then she usually is (okay she was throwing a fit), but my Aunt Julie has a way with her. She would sing her a song and dance with her and then it would seem to Sadie all was right with the world. It seems when Aunt Julie even starts to speak it puts a smile on Sadie's face. Our usual high tea was not so usual that day with my poor grumpy Sadie taking every opportunity to throw a scone or cucumber sandwich on the floor. We decided to take shifts, one would eat and the other would try to charm Sadie's temper by any means necessary outside. I of course felt awful Aunt Julies Birthday tea was hardly a peaceful lunch but she assured me that she had the most special day being able to dance and play with Sadie on a day where she obviously needed a little cheering up. I just love my Aunt Julie. Everyday we get to spend together really is like she says a most special day.

Babes for Mitt!

We went to a Mitt Romney rally yesterday. It was pretty cool. I've never done anything like that. I am embarrassed to say that I have never even voted. I know, what kind of American am I? Last year it was my new years reseloution to be more politicaly aware so I read Bill O'Rilley's "Culture Warrior" (wich really got me started with this whole idea), I watch the fox news network almost every night with Micah and I'm trying to be more involved in this election. It's a small start I know but I'm really enjoying keeping up with it all.