Swizz's Daily Diatribe

Meet the Navy!

2012-01-28T19:32:00.001-06:00

You know those days when you just ache for your child?

When they've wanted something, saved for it, and it just didn't work out?

Today was one of those days.

So we decided to go to Freebirds for dinner.

(mmmm...if you've never been to a Freebirds and had a monster, you're missing out!)

We went to the Freebirds on Northgate...for all of you non-Aggies Northgate is right across the street from Texas A&M University and about a mile from the airport.

At the next table were a couple of men in navy jumpsuits eating their burritos.

After much deliberation at our table about who would ask them if they flew Navy planes, The Rev asked for JMonster (okay, okay...for ME!).

One of the gentlemen said they did fly planes for the Navy,

and then asked if we were about through with our dinner.

"Um, sure?"

"Would you like to see an airplane?"

"Um, SURE!!!!"

So we met him at the airport and he gave us a "tour" of his plane.

Not much of a "tour" since it was a two seater and a prop engine!

He let JMonster sit in the cockpit and pretend to fly.

He let JMonster try on his helmet.

He gave JMonster a patch from his flight suit!

(Oh how I wish we had brought our camera! Neither of our phones got a good pic of JMonster in the plane, dagnabit!)

A great big thank you

to a special Navy flight instructor

for making our day!

JMonster loses his first tooth!

2012-01-27T16:27:00.001-06:00

I'm thinking maybe I should switch the name of this blog to

JMonster's Not So Daily Updates.

It's gotten away from being about me.

(Isn't it ALL about me!?!)

And it definitely isn't daily.

Oh well.

(sigh)

Today is exciting, though!

JMonster LOST HIS FIRST TOOTH!

Before tooth extraction!

And we got it on video for you:

AFTER tooth extraction. Not sure why his eyes are closed!


I love this face! Blood and all. :o)

Skylanders!

2012-01-23T23:09:00.002-06:00

JMonster has a new addiction to add to his list of obsessions...

SKYLANDERS!

It's a video game on the Wii...something about saving the world, maybe?

Or maybe not?

He finished his kindergarten math book today, and as a reward we told him we'd get him Sonic Boom (he's one of the Skylander characters).

Sonic Boom!

After 4 stops we ended up with 3 Skylander characters, none of which were Sonic Boom.

Come to find out Skylanders are THE item right now.

You can't find them anywhere!

So if you see a Sonic Boom, please send it to our little monkey.

He finished TWENTY pages in his math book just today.

He was M-O-T-I-V-A-T-E-D!

Self Discipline

2012-01-11T17:40:00.002-06:00

At first I was going to title this DISCIPLINE.

But then I thought better of it...too many people searching for articles on disciplining children would end up here!

Yesterday I was hanging out with one of my neighbors.

And you can't prove I was avoiding packing up the Christmas stuff!

We were talking and she mentioned the word "discipline".

And it hit me.

And made me think.

I have not been self disciplined.

I can't say that across the board, but in most areas.

So I am willing to work at it.

And become more disciplined.

Now I just need to figure out which areas to begin with!

(I've been better about reading my Bible every day. I've been better about what we eat and where it comes from. I have not been so great about what time I go to bed. Or get up. Or exercise. Or keeping my house in order. Or keeping my LIFE in order. Or blogging. Or teaching JMonster the way he deserves to be taught. Or playing with JMonster the way he deserves to be played with.)

I have a lot to think about!

JMonster's First Piano Recital

2012-01-05T20:10:00.001-06:00

JMonster started taking piano lessons in September.

On December 17th he had his first recital.

Boy, was he NERVOUS!

He did a fabulous job...see for yourself:

Let JMonster know how he did in the comments! I'll let him read them!

And the wait is over.

2011-12-20T19:40:00.002-06:00

Negative beta.

I got the call this afternoon.

The girl called me "sweetie" when she asked for me.

They only use the term sweetie when they have bad news.

And it was bad.

And I cried.

And felt confused.

And cried some more.

And wondered why?

And wondered why not?

And cried just a little more.

But my tears are all gone, and I'm going to be okay.

I really will!

Because I still believe God has plans for expanding our family.

I still don't know how.

Or when.

But I believe.

(ALL RIGHT FOLKS, IF YOU'RE HERE...YOU MIGHT AS WELL CATCH UP ON THE WHOLE STORY! GO HERE AND START FROM THE BEGINNING!)

Still waiting...Kind of

2011-12-19T18:31:00.001-06:00

I had the big stick this morning.

Yep, they drew blood.

And then I peed on a stick.

Shouldn't have done it.

Big Fat Negative.

:o(

I cried for about 30 minutes in my closet.

Then I dried my tears and came out.

Cuz, it Doesn't mean all is lost.

I still trust a big God!

And I still could be pregnant.

Read Jeremiah 29:11.

GO HERE FOR OVER.

Blood Test Monday!

2011-12-18T20:55:00.002-06:00

So tomorrow is the big day!

Monday, December 19th, 2011...

The big blood draw.

Beta HCG.

And then a wait.

A LONG wait.

(okay, okay...it probably won't really be long. it'll just feel like infinity plus 1!)

Keep those prayers coming!

So far it appears that there may be at least one bun in the oven!

GO HERE FOR WAITING!

Oh Cramps!

2011-12-14T20:18:00.001-06:00

Today is one of those days in infertility you try and forget.

I've had cramps.

Not just minor ones, but "oh my! that doesn't feel good!" cramps.

So I drank a glass of wine (or 2!) to help relax the ol' uterus.

And am praying.

And asking for your prayers!

We really, really want this last round of ivf to work.

SO stick, babies, stick!

Your family really wants to meet you!

GO HERE FOR BLOOD TEST!

Obsessing...

2011-12-11T22:38:00.001-06:00

It's only been 3 days.

3 very long days.

And I am obsessing!

Searching the internet for early signs of pregnancy.

(Trying to see if I have any of them.)

Every twinge.

Every ache.

Every...

It is going to be a very, very long 2 week wait.

Except...I am PREGNANT WITH HOPE!

GO HERE FOR OH CRAMPS!

Meet the Twins!

2011-12-09T17:44:00.001-06:00

MEET THE TWINS!

Okay, so technically they are embryos.

And technically I'm not pregnant, yet.

But I figured out a way to show you who they transferred into me yesterday!

Keep praying!

I'll keep resting...

GO HERE FOR OBSESSING!

And the two week wait begins!

2011-12-08T21:38:00.001-06:00

Today two beautiful embryos were transferred into "my belly", as JMonster says.

December 19th they will do a blood draw to test my beta HCG levels.

A day or two later we will know whether they "stuck"!

We are praying!

We are hopeful!

Won't you please pray for us, too?

(I have a wonderful picture of the embryos...however I have no scanner here in Dallas. Will post it when I can!)

GO HERE FOR THE NEXT PART

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-26T21:00:00.001-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving!


Gobble! Gobble!

This year Thanksgiving was at our house.

I made:

a sourdough bread turkey

a cheese tray of assorted cranberry flavored cheeses

roasted whole organic chicken stuffed with wild rice dressing

organic mashed potatoes

organic mashed sweet potatoes

organic mixed greens with dried cranberries and organic carrots

fair trade chocolate chip meringue cookies

Pumpkin cheesecake with oreo crust

Our family brought:

turkey

baked brie in phyllo dough for the cheese tray

fruit salad

green bean and onion vinaigrette salad

yeast rolls

key lime freezer pie

Did you notice the organic and fair trade scattered throughout?

There's a post in there!

Hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving filled with family, friends, good food, and especially faith.

Blessings!

Swizz

Veggie bags...

2011-11-07T22:43:00.002-06:00

So, as you know I'm not one to review things.

However...

I purchased some bags that are similar to these:

Except I bought them at the Dollar Tree!

Do they work?

Um, I put a whole bunch of veggies in about 4 or 5 bags.

Forgot one cucumber so I left it on top of the bags.

All of the veggies look FRESH a week later.

The cuc?

A moldy mess!

I'm a believer!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2011-10-31T21:04:00.001-05:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

From JMonster...the penguin!

2011-10-29T23:29:00.003-05:00

Have you found pinterest? I did...I wish I didn't. :o) But I'm gonna pin my logo! Feel free to pin it, too!

Okay...it won't recognize it. Darn.

Any suggestions?

One last try...the final leg of our infertility journey

2011-10-28T22:38:00.000-05:00

If you are new to our journey, go to that little tab at the top of the page marked My Infertility Journey. Go on now, catch up! We'll wait!

I'm not at home right now so I cannot post any pics.

Sorry!

And I'm working on a pc laptop that seems to jump all over the page.

frustrating

But that is not the big news.

The big news is that we are attempting our final FET cycle...that's frozen embryo transfer for all of you newbies.

Right now we are experiencing our mock month.

It's kind of like a practice month, but with lots of tests.

Did I mention that there are lots of tests?

Oh, and hormones.

LOTS of hormones.

The actual transfer should take place sometime in late November or early December.

I'll definitely keep y'all informed!

Will you pray for us?

I am nervous that it won't work.

I'm also nervous that it will.

Or that it will and we'll end up with twins!

What we want is God's will.

That is sufficient.

GO HERE FOR THE NEXT PART

We've moved!

2011-10-25T22:26:00.000-05:00

If you've been wondering where I've been...

Why I haven't been posting...

What life is like for me...

We moved!

(And I'm still homeschooling! And am still a wife. And a mom. And...)

We're now leasing a home about 20 minutes from where we were.

It's not huge.

It's not small!

It is a perfect place for our family in this phase of our lives.

Maybe I'll post a pic or two when the boxes are cleaned out!

As I sit here at the computer, though, I look around and see a kitchen full of healthy foods.

I can hear The Rev watching a documentary in the living room.

I can picture Skipper sleeping on his pillow by the couch.
JMonster is asleep upstairs in his adorable penguin room.

(You DO remember he is obsessed with penguins, right!?!)

All is right with the world...

Meet Skipper!

2011-10-25T00:03:00.000-05:00

I mentioned in my last post that JMonster is not allergic to dogs, right?

That meant, in his mind, we were getting a dog.

And he knew exactly which one!

When the doctor said he wasn't allergic, he leaned over and whispered in my ear,

"Mommy, can we stop at the horse barn on the way home and get the cocker spaniel?"

We didn't.

But not long after...we did!

And after much debate about names, we have SKIPPER!

Named after one of the penguins in Penguins of Madagascar.

Because JMonster is obsessed with penguins, remember?

Here is Skipper!

He is 2 years old and a rescue dog.

We've had him neutered and a cherry eye removed.

He is a sweetie and a fabulous addition to our family!

Welcome Skipper!

JMonster's Food Allergy Update

2011-10-24T15:56:00.003-05:00

After the big cookie fiasco we made an appointment with a local allergist.

We have wanted to take JMonster to an allergist for a couple of years, but it was going to cost thousands of dollars so we put it off.

With our new insurance it only cost $15.

whew!

The results?

JMonster is SEVERELY allergic to peanuts now.

(He had been at the moderate level.)

He is now moderate to severe for walnuts and pecans.

(He had been slightly allergic.)

The good news?

He is NOT allergic to dogs!

(although cats are about the same as peanuts...go figure!)


Just take the picture Mommy! And no, I don't need a haircut!

Food Allergy Lethargy: A not so gentle reminder

2011-09-11T22:35:00.001-05:00

Today was a bad day.

It was also a good day.

It had the possibility of being a tragic day.

After church this morning, JMonster asked if he could have a cookie.

"I don't know, buddy. I'm not sure what's in them."

So we asked.

And I gave.

One plain Oreo. One mint fudge covered Oreo.

We then left and went to Chuy's for lunch.

mmmm...Chuy's

While we were there JMonster started complaining about a tummy ache.

REALLY complaining.

So I took him to the bathroom.

(It didn't help.)

We got back to the table just as our food was served.

He moaned.

He groaned.

He said he felt horrible.

So...what do you do?

I asked the waitress to bring us boxes and we packed up our food and went home.

When we got home he got restless.

Very restless.

He wouldn't eat.

He started crying...HARD.

My sister came home and tried to listen to his breathing.

Sounded clear.

The Doc came home and felt his belly.

Felt all right.

Went to give him some tummy meds and he started sneezing.

SO I gave him some Benadryl.

In the meantime his face turned red.

His cheeks got swollen.

He started sneezing uncontrollably.

He was wheezing, and crying, and snotting, and swelling.

(My poor baby!)

We sat and snuggled for a bit.

He started to itch.

HIVES!

ALL OVER!

After about 30 minutes it all calmed down a bit.

(I didn't!)

His rash stayed around, but his nose and face got much better.

It took awhile to dawn on me...the cookies.

SO I looked up the mint Oreos.

Manufactured in a plant that also processes peanuts and tree nuts.

And he is now asleep in my bed.

There because I'm fearful he will start to react again, because they can you know.

So this is your reminder:

Don't let them eat ANYTHING

you don't know

for a fact

is safe.

I was lucky today.

Next time I might not be.

Thank. You. God.

Off to Atlanta!

2011-08-31T06:52:00.000-05:00

Once again, life got in the way of posting.

The Doc lost his Dad suddenly.

We've all been sick.

Lots. of. Tears.

But today.

Today we fly to ATLANTA!

To see old friends.

To try and sell our house.

Did you think we sold it? Guess again! Y'all need to be praying harder for us! :O)

Have fun in my absence!

Fierce RACCOON Trapper?

2011-08-26T20:39:00.000-05:00

I have a friend who is a fierce Beaver trapper.

Don't believe me?

Go read about it for yourself!

I, on the other hand, am a fierce raccoon trapper.

I didn't set out that way.

In fact, I set out to be a fierce armadillo trapper.

Darn those armadillos!

They dig up flower beds.

They root in the yard.

They dig under fences.

They are a menace!

So, The Doc borrowed a trap from a friend.

We baited it.

Something ate the bait through the bars.

We baited it again.

This is what we found when we looked the next day:

He was so cute!

And so tired.

We just had to let him go!

We covered the trap, propped the door open and waited for him to run out. I only turned my head for ONE second and drat I missed the winning shot. It would have been good, too.

Run, Racoon, Run!

Go find your Momma!

Now back to becoming a fierce armadillo trapper!

You wish you were here!

2011-08-23T11:38:00.000-05:00

Don't be jealous! It's tough living in paradise...

And the Pediatrician Says...

2011-08-20T22:50:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my turn at the doc.

(by the way, that shot in my shoulder is uber achey today!)

Today was JMonster's.

Except, he had to go because he's sick...poor little guy!

He's been junky and not acting like himself.

Napped.

Skipped meals.

Cried over little things.

Skipped a POOL PARTY!

Thank goodness our pediatrician's office is open on Saturday!

Ear infection and sinus infection.

"I'm sick, aren't I Momma?"

"Yes, Buddy, you are sick."

"See? I told y'all I'm sick!"

as he runs off to go play with his cousins.

Kids are so resilient!

Why can't I be?

Swizz's Daily Diatribe

Meet the Navy!

JMonster loses his first tooth!

Skylanders!

Self Discipline

JMonster's First Piano Recital

And the wait is over.

Still waiting...Kind of

Blood Test Monday!

Oh Cramps!

Obsessing...

Meet the Twins!

And the two week wait begins!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Veggie bags...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Pinterest

One last try...the final leg of our infertility journey

We've moved!

Meet Skipper!

JMonster's Food Allergy Update

Food Allergy Lethargy: A not so gentle reminder

Off to Atlanta!

Fierce RACCOON Trapper?

You wish you were here!

And the Pediatrician Says...