When was the last time...

you drugged your child? Because I did it Monday night. Yep. This cute little girl....

was given a bit of this little girl's ...

seizure medicine. "Oops" doesn't quite cover the thoughts that went through my mind when I realized I had given Callie some of this. I was pretty panicked and shaken up all night.

I'm a busy person, but I usually keep the important things in order -- like Sammy's medicine. Of all the stupid things. Callie was sitting in her high chair. I was feeding her dinner, while giving Sammy her medicine as she clung to Callie's chair. I gave Sammy her Topamax. She sat down. I gave Callie a bite of dinner. I filled the little syringe-thing to 5 mL and gave it to my child. I thought, "Wow. Sammy doesn't normally suck out the medicine quite like this." That's when I realized that Sammy wasn't sucking out the medicine. It was Callie! AH! She had 1 mL of the Trileptal -- an anti-seizure medication that is also used for Bi-Polar. Not one of my finest mothering moments. Callie was upset that I took the medicine away from her and started to cry. I gave Samantha the right dose and immediately called a nurse in our ward. I'm pretty sure he thought I was an idiot and considered calling Child Protective Services. Luckily he didn't call, and luckily, luckily Callie was fine. Trileptal takes a couple weeks to get in your system, and she had a pretty small amount, but still! I mean, really. Who does that?

Some of you reading this will be appalled and think "How could anyone do that?" Some of you may think it's a little comical -- only because nothing bad resulted from my stupidity. It is definitely a story that will be passed down in our family, I'm sure...and we will probably laugh about it -- but I felt so incredibly horrible. Boy did that experience make me slow down a little bit. That will never happen again.

Easter

The girls were not cooperating, so these were the best we got. Too bad because they looked so dang cute. Oh well. And, I'm really hating that I look pregnant in this family picture, but again, oh well. I'm not pregnant, I assure you all. It's the angle I swear! It's the ANGLE!!! Though wouldn't that add quite a bit of excitement in our lives that I really don't want.

Great Day in Therapy

So, Sammy had Speech this morning...and we have some great news. After their session, Carly came out with Sammy as she does each and every time. Sammy looked at me and in her sweet little high pitched voice, said, "hi." "Well, hi Sammy." Carly then proceeded to tell me that the entire time they were working, Sammy would say "hi" every time someone walked in the room. She would walk up to the mirror and say "hi." Tammy, another SLP who knows Sammy quite well, came in and then left the room. When she left, Sammy said "Bye." She didn't say "bye" again during the morning, but she continued to say "iiiii" when people would leave the room. Carly and Tammy both really felt Samantha was saying hi and bye (or iiii) with purpose. Carly was so excited, as was I. Being in that we've been at this place since August, I've made friends with the other moms and dads who bring their kids to the Achieve Center. So, when they all heard the news about Sammy's session, everyone started cheering and Sammy just smiled so big and proud! I was so excited I started jumping around with Sammy in my arms and Callie in my other arm -- in her carseat. Picture that one. Kind of crazy, but that's ok. Progress is happiness. Go Sammy!

Jenny's Bracket

Am I amazing or what?! One night Marcus casually asked me to participate in the NCAA tournament bracket with some of his friends. Sure. Why not? So, I picked my teams. And, here you go folks. I called it. Pay attention to the 99.67%. That means, for all you out of the loop, that my bracket is more accurate than 99.67% of all those guys across the country to claim to know a thing or two about college basketball. HA! I laugh in your face!
(Marcus got 79% -- way to go...but not quite 99.67%)

Pots and Pans

I'm thoroughly disgusted with Calphalon. I loved my pots and pans, but after a short 4 years they are starting to peel. I have been very careful with them, but alas, it's time to move on. So, we're going stainless steel. I don't want to spend the money on a high end brand, but we're willing to spend a what we need to get a good set. Any suggestions? I've seen Bialetti, Ever Wear, and T-Fal sets that look good, but I can't decide. Does anyone have input on stainless steel brands?

How to Celebrate a Birthday for a 30 Year Old Kid

Today is Marcus' birthday! Happy Birthday baby!:) So, for this super husband and super dad, we went all out. To celebrate a birthday for a 30 year old kid, there are certain things one must do.

1) Have a theme. It was obvious what I must do. Superman.

One of his gifts -- I was pretty excited about this one.

2) Go to the park.

3) Make his favorite dinner -- masman chicken (mmm Thai food. This happens to look disgusting, but it's really yummy.) Make extra so he can enjoy his birthday for lunch during the week.

4) Open presents. This year Marcus did pretty well. From me he got the picture (see above) of Superman and Lois Lane, The Office Season 4, Swiss Miss Pudding for lunches. From Sammy and Callie -- Whey Protein. From his mom and dad -- money and See's candy. From my mom and dad -- a new GPS.


5) Sing a Happy Birthday solo, unless you have babies who can sing as well.

6) Take a happy family picture to wrap it all up.

Happy Birthday Baby Cakes

Afternoon In The Park

Today was such a beautiful day, finally, we decided to take part of the afternoon and go to the park. (Thanks April and Bryant for letting us use your camera for the day.)

Sammy on the swing.

We have been working very hard on trying to get Sammy to hold our hand while she walks. It's one of the goals I set with her physical therapist when we moved here. It was one of my priorities. It's just too dangerous to have her walking around all over the place, and as she grows, I won't be able to carry her everywhere. I practice as much as I can. She has been getting better and better, and today Marcus was able to see how far she's come. She walked all around the park holding our hands. What a sweet little girl! (Note: These are the cute black shoes I bought at Walmart. I love them! And she really walks well in them.)

Pine Cones!!!

Sammy loved this pole. I couldn't get her away from it! What an angel.

Callie was a little unsure about this, but she stayed on for a few seconds. Enough to get a picture anyway.

Back on the swings. Callie giggled so much! She would put her head way back as she swung to and fro and just laugh and laugh. It was so funny. She could stay on those swings all day.

Though it makes me a little nervous, don't worry...she never fell out of the swing.

Just recently we realized how big Callie is getting. She is a little girl now...shorter than most her age, but still, such a little girl. She loves her headbands, shoes, and feeding herself with a fork. She is so cute, and getting cuter everyday.