Christmas 2010

Here are some pictures from Christmas.  Belli had a great time!

And here is her room all set up with her big girl bed.

Belliisms 7

Time for the 7th installment of Belliisms...

While hanging out with my dad Belli asked him what was on his wrist.  He said, "A watch."  She looked at it for about thirty seconds and then said, "I watched.  What it do?"

Belli yelling from the bathroom:  "Umm...HELLO!?!  Someone went poooootty!  It was ME.  ISABELLE!"

My mom was watching the video of Belli reading Llama Llama Misses Mama.  Belli walked up, looked at the video and said, "I like her.  She's cute."

While Belli was walking around the living room I brought her lunch in and put it down on her table and told her to sit down and go eat.  She started yelling, "Mommy, mommy help!"  I asked her what she needed help with and she said, "I need help sitting!  I just CANT stop walking!"

The other day my dad asked her where she was ticklish.  Belli thought about it for a second and then said, "Hmm...probably from that door over to the bed."

Five Question Friday

Be sure to visit Mama M to join in the fun!

1.  What Christmas song do you loathe?
The question should really be which Christmas song do I not loathe?  Ok, ok I'll quit being a grouch now.  I don't really like any Christmas song sung by a well known singer or group.  Like I would rather hear a choir sing Christmas songs or just orchestra music.

2.  Do you and your significant other cuddle at night or sleep on opposite sides of the bed?
I don't have a significant other =-(  Hopefully one day I will have a cuddle buddy though!

3.  Have you ever had surgery?
Yep.  I birthed Belli straight out of my stomach.

4.  When do you typically have your holiday shopping done?
Normally around the 23rd.  If I don't have it by then oh well!  No way you can make me get out on Christmas Eve.

5.  If money wasn't an issue what would your ultimate luxury item be?
Tickets to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

Llama Llama Misses Mama

*Update*
Mama M suggested I submit this to her holiday gift guide blog hop.  This weeks theme is children's books so the goes well with it.  Feel free to join it!



Have any of you heard of the Llama Llama books?  If not I HIGHLY recommend them.  We only have one and I only just realized yesterday that it was a whole series but I will definitely be getting the rest of them for Belli for Christmas.  The one we have is Llama Llama Misses Mama.  We read it every day before nap time and every night before bed.  Well last night Belli told me she wanted to read it instead.  And she did.  Word for word, every single last bit.  Except obviously she didn't actually read it she just memorized it.  I didn't get a video last night but I had her do it again today.  She didn't do it as well but it's still pretty impressive for a three year old if you ask me.  Here is the video!

MRI Results and Five Question Friday

Belli and I met with her neurosurgeon earlier this morning to discuss the results of her MRI.  It's been so long since we have seen him that he hasn't seen Belli walking yet.  Which by the way she is REALLY good at now.  So when he opened the door I told Belli to walk over there and she went straight to him and gave him a huge hug.  It was so precious! 

Anyway...on to the results!  According to her doctor her MRI from yesterday looks basically the same as the last one we got done pre-operation.  So, the good news is that she hasn't gotten any worse.  The bad news is that aside from maybe keeping her spine from getting worse both surgeries didn't really do a lot of good.  The other good news is that he was really impressed with her walking and that as long as her spine doesn't get any worse and she isn't showing any signs of neurological impairments then we will continue to put off the next surgery. 

He said that he would like to wait at least two more years so her bones will be bigger and stronger so the fusion will take the next go round.  Now, he didn't say we COULD wait two years.  Just that he was hoping to be able to wait two years. 

What I do know is that as long as Belli continues to show no signs of problems it will be AT LEAST six months before her next surgery because he doesn't want to see her back until then.  He said since I've been doing this for so long I know what to look for and know when to call if something is wrong.

So all in all I'm happy about the report.  Of course  I always hope for that miracle that her spine will just randomly straighten on it's own but realistically both her doctor and I are just happy when things don't get worse.

On to Five Question Friday with Mama M... 

1.  If you could have any talent and turn it into an occupation what would it be?
Absolutely singing!  I love to sing!  Unfortunately I am really horrible at it.  I only sing in the car when no one is around.  It's really bad.  Seriously.

2.  Would you rather have a house at the beach or a cabin in the woods?
Definitely a house at the beach.  The woods kinda freak me out.  Plus I reeeeaaallllly hate bugs.

3.  Is there a meaning or reasoning behind your children's name?
Isabelle is Italian for Elizabeth and two of her great-grandmothers are named Elizabeth.  And my middle name is Elizabeth.

4.  What is your guilty pleasure?
Pizza and whole milk.

5.  Do you live in a house that is deep cleaned or straightened?
Straightened.  Deep cleaning is for the birds.

MRI Update

Belli's doctor was in emergency surgery today after her MRI was finished so we weren't able to get the report.  We will go back Friday to talk to him.

However, I did talk to his nurse practitioner when I was scheduling the appointment for Friday and she did say that when the radiologist reads the pictures from the MRI if they are bad then the radiologist pages the nurse immediately and she hadn't been paged yet.  After the last MRI that we had when we found out she would need the fusion the nurse was in the recovery room before we even got up there so I know they page them quick.

So...I will take that as a good sign and just hope for the best.  We will find out Friday for sure either way though.

MRI Check-Up Tomorrow

Since I started this blog after the MRI where we found out Belli would need a spinal fusion most of you don't know that four two years up until that point Belli had MRI's every six months to check for pressure on her spinal cord. 

Well since the surgeries she has only had x-rays and CT scans to check the bone alignment and bone growth.  But, now it's time to check for pressure on her spine again.  There is no reason to think that there is but it's still one of those routine things we have to do.

But it still makes me feel sick.  Knowing that it is very possible that they could tell me tomorrow that she will need another surgery again.  And soon.

So please be praying and/or sending positive thoughts our way tomorrow.  We will certainly need them!

The Sneaky Chef Part 2

I've tried two more recipes since my last post about The Sneaky Chef.

I didn't want to give a whole lot of details in my last post because the recipes aren't mine and I think everyone should just go buy the book instead.  But, I was browsing the website earlier and found that she has some of the recipes online for free so I am going to post a link to the ones that I have done.

Here is the recipe for the Orange Puree that I used for the grilled cheese and the Power Pizza.  I didn't end up using the White Puree because my blender wouldn't blend it as much as it needed to be.  I only put one can of beans like you are supposed to but because my blender is so big and the amount of beans was so little the kept getting underneath the blades and therefore not blending.  So I only used the orange puree.  And I also used spaghetti sauce instead of just tomato sauce.  Shh!  Don't tell!  Anyway, I tried a piece too and it was really good!  Belli a whole piece too!

The book also has some recipes to make different concentrated juices to mix with applesauce or use in some of the recipes.  I tried a strawberry sorbet today and Belli at it up!

And the best part (other than all the vitamins and stuff) is that it has really helped her issues with lack of pooping.  Which makes her happy.  Which makes me happy.

Hooray for The Sneaky Chef!

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1.03.01

5 Question Friday

Time for Five Question Friday!  Make sure to visit Mama M's blog to join in!

1.  What is your favorite Halloween candy?
I'm not a huge candy eater but if I had to pick a favorite it would probably be Twix. 
2.  Do you fold your socks?
Nope.  I don't see any reason to go through the trouble of folding my socks when I am just going to unfold them to put them on.  It's not like a shirt or something that can get wrinkles if you don't fold it.  Pure silliness to me.

3.  What is something that you wish you had been warned about?
I wish I had been warned about how much I would enjoy watching Disney movies with Belli.  I'm pretty sure I like them more than she does.  Except it's really no fun to watch them with her because she won't let me sing.

4.  What is the most significant difference between you and your significant other?
Hopefully one day I will be able to answer that question!

5.  What are three words you would use to describe yourself?
Open-minded, caring, irritable.  Yeah those three words probably don't go well together but I really am open-minded and caring...until you irritate me.

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1.03.01

Belliisms 6

Sorry I've been such a blog slacker lately.  I thought I would make it up to you with a good post of Belliisms.

But first I want to let those of you in the Birmingham area know that The Bell Center is selling poinsettias again this year so let me know if you want one.  They are $17 and come in pink, red, or white!

Now for the Belliisms...

After repeatedly telling Belli that she needed to clean up her stuff in the living room I told her that I was going to the bathroom and by the time I got back if she didn't have her toys cleaned up she was going to time out.  So I leave and go to the bathroom and I can hear her in the living room saying, "Come on Elmo and Abby, you better get in her before mom comes back."

Belli:  Mommy!  That hurts!
Me:  What hurts?
Belli:  When I sit on my hand like this!!!!!
Me:  Well quit sitting on your hand.
Belli:  Oh!  Ok!

Before the weather turned cooler Belli wanted to do sidewalk chalk and I told her that we would do it once it turned cooler.  A few weeks later (after having not talked about it since then) on the first cool day we had had since the Spring we walk outside and Belli says, "Oh, it's so cooooold out here.  That means....we can do chalk!"

My mom:  Belli, you are about to push your momma over the edge.
Belli:  What edge?

The Sneaky Chef

Have any of you tried any of the recipes from The Sneaky Chef?

I bought the recipe book a week or so ago and finally got around to trying some of the recipes.  I did the Guerrilla Grilled Cheese yesterday.  You use the orange puree (carrots and sweet potatoes) and just spread some of it on the inside of the bread.  And you use extra virgin olive oil and less butter.  Belli had NO IDEA there were carrots and sweet potatoes on her sandwich.  I actually think she liked it better because the olive oil made it a little crunchier.

Right now I'm trying the tortilla chips.  All you do it get corn tortillas brush olive oil on both sides, cut them into triangles, spread them on a cookie sheet and then bake them.  I just took them out of the oven.  They look pretty good.  You can also put a little cheese on them too.  FYI- If you try this recipe I wouldn't cook them for the full ten minutes before turning them over.  Mine almost burned.


Has anyone else tried any of these recipes?  How did you kids likes them?  Honestly, some of them look pretty gross so I might have to pass on a few.



**This just in.  I just taste tested the chips and Oh. My. Gosh.  They are REALLY good!  If I hadn't almost burned them they would be better.  But still, very good!**

Conversations With Stupid People-Part Two

Conversation One
Me:  Thank you for calling ______ ______ Apartments this is Amanda how can I help you?

Caller A (a woman):  Yes, how much are your two bed two bath apartments?

Me:  The ones we have available now range from $699 to $830 just depending on the floor plan.

Caller A:  Ok, well my husband and I have both gotten jobs in the area.  How far are your apartments from City A and City B.

Me:  Oh, actually those aren't really that close.  Probably around 45 minutes just depending on the traffic.

(Caller A precedes to ask a lot of really stupid questions and I answer them)

Caller A:  Hang on just a second so I can get pen to write down directions so I can Mapquest it.

Me: (thinking that if you are going to Mapquest something all you need is the address which you already have but whatever) Ok, sure.

Caller A:  (lots of noise, kids screaming, rustling on paper for about two minutes)

Me:  Still waiting...

Caller B (a man this time):  Hello?

Me:  Yes...

Caller B:  Who is this?

Me:  Amanda.

Caller B:  What apartments are these?

Me: ________  _________ Apartments.

Caller B:  Oh.  How much do your two bedroom two bath apartments cost?

Me:  ...Right now they range from $699-$830 just depending on the floorplan.

Caller B then precedes to ask me the same exact questions as Caller A did five minutes ok.  Idiots. 

Conversation 2
This isn't actually a conversation, just something I saw posted on our neighborhood's online message board.

"Does anyone know where the _______ _________ Art Show is going to be?  I keep seeing signs on the roads with arrows pointing where to go if you are driving but if you want to walk to it where is it located?"

Seriously?  I mean I'm pretty sure that those arrows that show you how to get there if you are driving you can still use to get there if you walk.

5 Question Friday

Friday is here...again.  See, unlike most people I get totally bummed when Friday is here because I work on the weekends.  So to me Friday is like everyone else's Sunday.  But oh well!  I'm just glad I have the job!

So, since it's Friday that means it's time for Mama M's Five Question Friday.  Here are this weeks questions.

1.  If you could speak with a different accent what would it be?
I actually really like accents from Hispanic countries.  I can't stand Australian accents.  I'm not sure why.

2.  Can you fall asleep anywhere? (Floor, couch, deck, etc)
I guess a lot depends on how tired I am.  I'm thinking that the floor is definitely out but I haven't actually tried it in a while.  I can fall asleep on the couch but I won't stay asleep.  I get really hot on the couch.

3.  Do you use public restrooms?  If so, do you sit on the toilet?
Yes and yes.  It's the squatters that pee on the toilet so if they didn't do that the toilet seats wouldn't have pee on them.  I mean I don't know about you but I don't see how the people who sit can possible get pee on the seat.

4.  If you were stuck in an elevator for 24 hours what celebrity would you most want to be stuck with?
Probably Matt Lauer, Tom Brokaw, or Brian Williams.  I think being news reporters is one of the coolest jobs ever.  They get to go to a lot of different places and meet a lot of different people.  I would love to hear some of their stories.

5.  Where did you and your significant other go on your first date?
I don't currently have a significant other thank you very much!

Five Question Friday

*Don't forget to visit this link to get a peek at Belli's 3 year old pictures!*

It has been a loooooooong day.  Belli woke up last night at about 12:30 and puked all over her bed.  Then she woke up at about 5:45 and informed me that she was ready to come get in my bed and then proceeded to talk to me for the next 45 minutes while I tried to go back to sleep.  We then drove two hours in the car to meet her grandparents from Mobile so she could spend the weekend down there.  I'm tired.  And as soon as I do Mama M's Five Question Friday I am getting in my bed, turning on Bones, and relaxing!  And missing Belli too of course!

1.  What do you do when you have time to yourself?
See the sentence above.

2.  When you look out of your kitchen window what do you see?
Why Bagel sunbathing of course!

This picture was actually taken a couple of summer ago though.  Bagel is 14 years old now and doesn't quite have the agility she used to have to get up on that table.  Now she just sunbathes in the grass.

3.  Who/What would you want to be reincarnated as?
A penguin...what I would give to be cold all the time.

4.  What is your biggest pet peeve about other people's kids?
People who let their kids do whatever they want in the name of "being fun" or "letting them be a kid."  Whooptie Do Dah Day.  I'm fun and I let Belli be a kid but I sure as heck don't let her do whatever she want.

5.  Regular or diet soda?
I normally prefer regular drinks but the only diet drink I won't drink is Diet Coke.  Gross!!!

 

Belliisms 5

Oh the things she comes up with...

Upon getting in trouble the other day Belli started singing, "Mommy, mommy, mommy.  You don't treat me no good no more," to the tune of Lover, Lover by Jerrod Niemann.

One of the churches where I live is ridiculously large.  In high school we called it Six Flags Over Jesus.  Mainly because it was huge but also because it actually does have flags out front.  Except I think there are only five.  Anyway...when we drove by it the other day Belli yelled, "Look!  There's Cinderella's castle!"  Here is a pictures:

I accidentally kicked something across the floor the other day that I didn't see and Belli said, "No, no mommy.  Now I know you didn't mean to do that but you don't need to do it again."

On the first day of school she told her teacher that she liked her haircut.  Suck up.

One day I told Belli that my toes were cold.  She asked me if I needed some socks.  I was thinking she was going to offer to get me some socks but when I told her I needed some she said, "Well go get some." 

I took her to the potty the other day.  I sat her down and she told me that she needed her ABC cook.  I told her ok and she said, "That means I need to go poopoo."

Thanks for the info honey.

Belli's Masterpiece

Yes that IS a wall that she colored all over.  Thanks for asking.  Can you guys see the letters she has written towards the bottom?  And that one HUGE "A" in the top right corner.  The wall with never be the same.

5 Question Friday

It's already time for Mama M's Five Question Friday again.  You know what that means?  Only one more day until I have to go to work =-(  Boo!!!  I'm glad I have a job but man I have to go outside a lot and man it's hot.  Anyway...here are this weeks questions.

Oh yeah...and don't forget to check out Belli dancing to Boom Boom Pow if you haven't seen it.

1.  Have you ever been to another country?
Nope but I have been to 14 states.

2.  Where is the strangest place you have ever been?
Chinatown.  Without a doubt that is the strangest most terrifying place I have ever been.

3.  What is your favorite season?
Definitely the fall.  I love the colors and knowing it's about to be cold finally!

4.  What one song will always cheer you up?
Ok don't laugh.  Mmmbop by Hanson.  I may have had a minor major obsession with them when I was in oh 5th-7th grade.
 


5.  What Disney character do you resemble most?
I guess that would be Belle since she has brown hair.  Or maybe Wendy from Peter Pan?  I don't know.

Boom Boom Pow-Belli Style

Belli's First Day of Preschool!

Today was Belli's first day of preschool!  In case you guys haven't figured it out yet Belli is a very social person and jumps at the chance to meet and talk to new people so needless to say she was very excited about starting her new school.  I was a little worried because this would be the first time I wouldn't be bringing her in to school.  Instead we had to go through the carpool line.  When we got there one of the ladies started getting Belli out of the car and she looked at me and sad, "Aren't you going to bring me inside?"  It was so pitiful!  I almost cried when she said that.  I told her that I wasn't going to be able to bring her in and that she would be fine.  So she got out of the car and I drove off.  I was so afraid that she had started crying once I drove off.

I needn't have worried though because a couple hours later Belli's PT that was at the school let me know that she was doing great, participating, and already the class favorite.  And she told her teacher that she liked her haircut!  What a suck up!

When I came to pick her up she went on and on and on about what all she did at school.  She was so excited and seemed to have had a great time.  You could just hear it in her voice.  But then I asked her if she wanted to go back next week and she told me no.  I'm pretty sure she was just a little confused though.  I'm glad she had such a great time.

And here are some pictures from before school with her backpack on.

Belli's Third Birthday

Belli's 3rd birthday was a blast!  She had her party on Saturday and all of her family (with the exception of her dad and uncle who are on a deployment right now) from Mobile came up.  I got off of work at five and we had dinner shortly after that.  Then it was time for presents!  Unfortunately Belli doesn't exactly like to open presents.  I'm not sure why but she will straight up tell you she doesn't want to open them.  She did the same thing at Christmas.  After the first few she was a little more keen on the idea but she doesn't get that excited like I have seen other kids be.  Oh well, she still had fun.  Here are some pictures from the day!

Five Question Friday

It's Five Question Friday time!  I really like this weeks questions for some reason.  Probably because my answers will have more to offer than a simple one word answer.  Anywho...make sure to check out Mama Ms blog to join in the fun!

1.  Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid?  If so, do you still have it.
Yes and yes!  I sucked my thumb when I was little and I had this little puppet type bear thing.  I called him Buddy and on the top it had this soft spot that I would rub on my upper lip.  Here is a picture of me with it when I was little.

I don't know what I was so mad about in this picture but I can assure you it was NOT my fault.  And does Belli look like me or what?

Anyway...And here is a picture of Buddy now.

I still love him dearly.  I normally keep him under lock and key so Belli won't hurt him.  Yeah, I'm just that crazy.

2.  Do you dream in color?
Yes.  As a matter of fact I don't think I have ever had a dream that was not in color.

3.  How tall are you?  Do you wish you were shorter or taller?
I'm 5'2.  And yes, I wish I was taller.  I would love to have maybe just two more inches.  I think 5'4 is a good height.  I would especially love it if I could gain two inches but no extra weight.  That would be awesome.

4.  If you could have anyone's voice as the guide on your GPS who would it be?
It would be Dennis Haysbert, the guy who played David Palmer on 24 and does the All State commercials now.  His voice is so soothing and calm.  I know that if I ever got lost and heard his voice guiding me it would make me feel so much better!

5.  Do you return you cart to the corral or just leave it where ever in the parking lot?
I always bring it to the corral or bring it all the way back inside.  This is a major pet peeve of mine because I used to work at the grocery store.  It is really irritating and time consuming for the baggers to have to search all over the place for carts.  If they are working at a place where they get tips taking the time to have to get carts takes away opportunities to get tips from taking groceries out.  Just a little FYI for you guys!

The only time it is ok to leave the cart where ever is when you have a child in the car and the corral is too far away to leave the child in the car.

Wordless Wednesday

Five Question Friday

Yes, I do know it's Sunday.  Don't worry!  I've been a tad bit busy that past couple of days so I am just now getting around to 5QF.  Make sure and visit Mama M to join in on the fun!

1.  What were your school colors?
Orange and Black.  Go Bucs!  Remember the show Two-A-Days?  Well that's where I went to school.

2.  What is the best compliment you ever received?
People tell me all the time how polite Belli is and how impressed they are with her manners.  Makes me feel good as a momma!

3.  Do you buy cheap or expensive toilet paper?
Well, my mom does the toilet paper buying and she gets either Angel Soft or (I think) Quilted Northern.  I prefer Angel Soft myself though.  I hate cheap toilet paper.  The toilet paper at the library at my school has the worst toilet paper.  And that is really unfortunate because for some reason going to the library makes me have to go to the bathroom every single time!

4.  Have you ever had a surprise party thrown for you or have you thrown one for some one else.
I don't think I have ever had a surprise party thrown for myself.  And I don't think I've thrown one for anybody else.  I can't remember so I guess not.

5.  What is one material possession that you can't live without?
My laptop.  I would be miserable without it.

4. 

Belli Singing her ABCs Forwards and Backwards While Playing the Guitar

Old McDonald

Belli's dad and uncle (who is also her godfather) are going on a deployment in the next week or so.  Well her uncle was in town yesterday for the last time and since he lives four hours from us I offered to meet him and his girlfriend half way between so Belli could spend a few hours with him.

We ate lunch and when we were finished we decided to try and find a park to go play at since we couldn't just sit at the restaurant for three hours.  Well we were in an area that none of us were familiar with so I found some parks on my GPS.  Well the two parks that we tried were more or less in the ghetto so we opted to go to McDonald's instead and let Belli play there.

Well when I asked Belli if she wanted to leave the park and go to McDonald's instead at first she said no.  Then she started asking if she could talk to the cow.  I had no idea what she was talking about so I told her that if there was a cow there she could talk to him but that I didn't think they had one.  Then she started whining about not wanting to go to the farm.  Again I had no idea what she was talking about and I put her in the car and told her we weren't going to a farm that we were going to McDonald's. 

Then she asked me if they were going to sing the song while we were there.  I asked her what song and she said, "Old McDonald."

Duh!  She thought we were going to Old McDonald's farm.  Silly girl!

Five Question Friday

Yay!  I have time to do Five Question Friday this week!  Make sure to check out Mama M's blog to join in!

1.  Do you collect anything?
I collect all of Belli's medical related stuff.  I have most of her braces and pieces of casts that she has had.  I have medical bracelets from the times she has had surgeries.  I only wish I had thought to ask her doctor to save me one of the screws from her halo. 

2.  Name three celebrities that you find good looking.
Ok, these are just my most recent good looking guys that I have found.  I've been watching Bones and 24 on Netflix so these were just on my mind.

David Boreanaz

Kiefer Sutherland

D.B. Woodside

3.  Do you have any scars?  If so what is the story behind them.

My biggest one is my c-section scar.  The rest of them are pretty small but I have one on my foot from when I fell out of the car when I was three.  I have one on my arm from when I was in gymnastics and my spotter scratched me while I was doing an aeriel.  I have one other one on my knee from climbing the fence into my neighbors yard.

4.  What is a food that you like to eat that others might think are weird?

I don't have any.  I am a really picky eater so the foods that I eat are pretty normal.

 

5.  Have you ever seen a tornado in real life?

I have never actually seen one but I have been in a very small one.  Like F0.  So small and quick that no on even knew it was coming.

 

 

Belliisms 4

At the hair salon where there was a long bench with a pad on it:
Belli:  Mommy, this is a bed!
Me:  No, that's a bench.
Belli:  Oh, did Cinderella cry on it?  (In reference to the scene where Cinderellas stepmother and stepsisters rips her dress before the ball and she runs outside and lays her head down on a bench and cries)

Me:  Isabelle we need to get dressed
Belli:  No.  I want to be nakey nake aaaaallllllllll day long!

Me (after Belli's time in time out was up):  Why are you sitting in time out?
Belli:  Because I spit out my meena wheats (aka cream of wheat).
Me:  No.  I'm pretty sure it's because you knocked your milk down on the floor.
Belli:  No, I didn't.  It just fell down on the floor all by itself.

Belli:  I don't neeeeeeed to go poo poo.
Me:  I'm pretty sure you do.
Belli:  Well, I'm pretty sure I don't.

The Tee Tee Song

I posted this on my Facebook a couple of weeks ago and had not planned on putting in my blog.  But I have had a few people who either don't have Facebook or who I am not friends with ask for me to put it on my blog so here it is. 

*Belli has not actually tee teed in any of the places mentioned. I swear*
 

My Little Flower Girl

Belli's Uncle Adam got married this weekend and Belli got to be the flower girl.  She was the most precious flower girl I have ever seen!  Here are a few pictures and the video of her being walked down the aisle.

Here's the video

Before the wedding

 

Doing the Chicken Dance with Paw Paw

 Dancing with Uncle Adam

Wordless Wednesday

Another Lesson on Judging Others

I recently wrote a post about an exercise I did in one of my special education classes recently.  Feel free to go read it if you haven't already but the gist of it is that we read a passage about a seemingly barbaric uncivilized tribe of people when in actuality the passage was really about Americans it was just written in a way that made the things that we do sound barbaric.

I wanted to share with you another story along the same lines of not judging people based on their outward appearance or on things that you deem not normal.  I heard this story in the same class and it is a true story.

A few years ago when my teacher was doing this same lesson on perspective and not judging others a girl in his class told him about something that happened to her one night at work.  She worked in the children's clothing department in a department store at the mall.  She saw a man with real long ratty hair, a scruffy unkempt beard, and dressed in really ratty looking clothes.  She said she kept thinking to herself that this guy was going to steal something and thinking that it was weird for a man that looks like that to be shopping in the children's section.  She made an immediate judgment based on what he looked like.

Finally, the man walked over to the register with a few outfits.  The girl rang him up and he handed her one of those super special no limit platinum credit cards.  She of course immediately thought that the card must be stolen.  Until she looked at the name on the card.

It was Willie Nelson.

He was in town for a concert and was staying at the hotel that connects to the department store and he had stopped by the store to buy some clothes for his grandchildren. 

The Moment We Have All Been Waiting For

It's been a long three years but it has finally happened.  The moment we have all been waiting for.  I present to you...Belli WALKING!

Can Your 3 Year Old Count to 120?

Cuz mine can =-)  And I finally have video proof.  Well, actually this video only goes to 112 but I swear she can make it to 120.  And she normally doesn't make as many mistakes as she did this time.

Perspectives

For those of you who don't know I am currently in school working on my Master's Degree in Special Education.  One of the classes I have this summer is a special education intro class that all students in the education program have to take regardless of whether they are going into special education or not.  So, the majority of the class are not special education majors but rather early or secondary education.  A lot of what this class is about is making sure those teachers who are not in special education understand children with special needs a little bit better.  Our teacher has done a great job at explaining the importance of focusing on what the student can do instead of what they can't and showing us how not to judge without getting more information.

There was an exercise he used in class that I thought was really good to use not for just special education but for life.  It's an exercise that teaches not to judge based on just what someone tells you or make assumptions based on that.  So what I want you to do is read the following paragraph and when you are done think about where you think these people live and think of five or so adjectives that you think describe these people.

Body Ritual of the Nacirema

"The magical beliefs and practices of this tribe have been described in great detail; yet there is concern over several slightly masochistic tendencies.  Nacirema tribal customs include: scarping and lacerating the face or legs with a sharp instrument, piercing the skin with sharp instruments and then taking great care to keep the holes from closed again, ceremonial painting of the body, and insertion and ritualistic movement of a bundle of hog hairs in the mouth several times a day.  The people of this tribe seek out the assistance of medicine men many times during the course of a year to treat physical ailments, release them from the power of devils that have lodged in their heads, and gouge holes in their teeth (this is done in order to prevent oral decay and offend ones friends).  The Nacirema gather in large numbers to watch clans within the tribe enact small battles often with many physical injuries and to observe individual tribal members fight to unconsciousness." 

So?  Where do you think these people live?  How would you describe them?  Barbaric?  Uncivilized?  Inhumane?  Those are some of the words used to describe them when we did this exercise in class.

Would you believe that this passage is about us?  Americans?  Well....it is.  The magical beliefs and practices mentioned is talking about religion.  Scarping and lacerating the face and legs with sharp instruments is referring to shaving.  Piercing the skin and keeping the hole open is talking about our ear (or any other place on our body) that we pierce.  Ceremonial painting of the body refers to tattoos.  Insertion of a bundle of hog hairs in the mouth?  The first toothbrushes were made out of hog hair.  Seeking out the assistance of medicine men several times a year is the same thing as going to the doctor when we are sick or get checkups.  Gouging holes in the teeth refers to root canals.  Watching clans enact small battles with physical injuries is talking about football and fighting to unconsciousness is talking about ultimate fighting.

So, did you learn your lesson?

Five Question Friday

It's 830 in the morning and I am already doing Mama M's Five Question Friday.  This may be an all time personal record.  Here are my answers for this weeks questions!

1.  Do you know how to play a musical instrument?
No.  Not even a little bit.  I have no musical talent at all whatsoever.

2.  What is your pet peeve while driving?
Oh let me just tell you...I have many.  I have a full post including a list here.  But my biggest one is people who don't use the entrance ramp to the interstate to speed up.  Instead they just go their normal speed and then get to the interstate and speed up there.  Idiots!

3.  Would you rather have a housekeeper or unlimitied spa service?
Housekeeper!  I've never been to the spa so if I have lived without it this long I still can.  Plus one of my goals in life is to marry someone who gives good massages so then I will have unlimited massage service.

4.  Is there a song that you hear that will take you back in the moment?
No, but whenever I hear Boom Boom Pow by Balck Eyed Peas I think of Kate.

5.  What song best represents your life now?

FYI 2

Just wanted to let everyone know that Belli's appointment went well today.  Nothing has changed since the last checkup.  So we are still looking at another fusion some time in the next couple of years but for now she is good.  I will of course continue to pray for her spine to straighten and not require this surgery but for now I'm just happy it doesn't have to be now. 

FYI

This is going to be quick because it's almost bed time.  Just wanted to let everyone know that Belli has an appointment with her neurosurgeon tomorrow.  It's just a routine checkup but as those who have been following my blog know that our routine checkups generally produce more bad news.  As a matter of fact out of the many visits we have had with the neurosurgeon all of them have turned out bad with the exception of one.  And that one wasn't even good news.  Just no news really.

I am really dreading this appointment because the odds are against us.  Prayers would be appreciated both for a good appointment and that I don't puke while I am waiting in the room for the doctor to come in like I frequently feel like doing.  Thanks!

5 Question Friday

Look at me doing Mama M's Five Question Friday early in the morning!  Mad props to me!  Here are my answers to this weeks questions.

1.  What is your favorite thing about summer time?
Ha!  Hahahahah!!!  See this post and this post. 

2.  What is your ideal retirement location (if money didn't matter)?
Probably a place on the beach in the northeast.  That way I would be on the beach but not have to worry about hurricanes.

3.  Do you live in the same town you grew up in?
I live in the same house I grew up in!

4.  What nervous habit did you have as a child that you kicked to the curb before becoming and adult?
I sucked my thumb until I was in 7th grade.  Don't tell anyone though!

5.  What is the most embarrassing thing that happened to you while on the job?
I don't think I have ever been embarrassed at work.  There have been a couple of times at my current job (leasing agent) when either residents or prospective residents have gotten mad about something and took it out on me.  That's always awkward but I wouldn't say it is embarrassing. 

Make sure and go check out Mama M's blog to join in the fun!

My Good Day the Other Day

A few days ago I tweeted about what a great day I had and that I would blog about it later.  Then I forgot.  So, I'm going to do it now!

Last week I was looking on my church website for information about getting Belli signed up for Sunday school in the fall.  I fell upon the information for their preschool program and on the application it asks if your child has an IEP or if they have any other physical problems that you are concerned about.  I figured if they had those questions on the applications then they might be willing to take Belli.  So I called the principal of the school (the school goes from preschool to 8th grade) and she was more than willing to meet with me to talk about Belli.

So I went Monday morning and it went GREAT!  The principal said she did not see any reason why Belli would not be able to attend their preschool.  I told her all of Belli's needs and without me even asking she told me all of the accommodations they can make for her, like having and area on the playground for her and other kids to play on that does not involve climbing on the equipment and setting up a different activity during gym time for her and other kids if they are doing something that is not safe for Belli.  She said the class sizes are small so she will be closely supervised and everywhere they will be going are all on the same floor within a close range so Belli would not have to walk too far.  All she wanted was a letter from her neurosurgeon briefly describing her condition and some of the accommodations she might need.

The only bad part is that there is a wait list so she might not be able to go until she is four.  But at least it's something!

Then to top of my good day when I got home from the meeting we went to Publix and Belli went in panties and didn't have an accident.  She also walked around in her walker while we were there and she did great!  And boy did she think she was cute stuff.  One of the employees gave her a balloon to tie to her walker and some random lady stopped her and gave her a sucker.

So that was my great day that I had!     

Conversation I Just Had With Belli

Belli:  Where's daddy?

Me:  He's on a boat.

B:  Where's Gigi?

M:  In Mobile.

B:  Where's PawPaw?

M:  In Mobile.

B:  Where's Uncle Justin?

M:  He's on a boat with daddy.

B:  Where's MawMaw?

M:  In Mobile.

B:  Where's Uncle Smitty?

M:  In Mobile.

B:  Where's Uncle Adam?

M:  In Mobile.

B:  Where's Aunt Katie?

M:  In Mobile.

B:  Where's Ms. Brittany?

M:  In Mobile.

B:  Where's Bert and Ernie?

M:  ......Sesame Street?

Talk about random!

Five Question Friday

Time for Mama M's 5 Question Friday.  I'm going to do my answers again this week instead of Belli's like normal.  I don't have the mental capacity to make up her answers right now!

1.  What do you think makes a good friend or friendship?
The other person is willing to both listen and give advice but is also able to take advice when given.  And they need to actually call a sister back!

2.  What is the last thing you bought and later regretted?
Probably my car.  I love it but I think I should have waited a little longer and I may have been able to find something with a higher MPG rating.

3.  Have you ever had a prank played on you?
Not that I can remember but I did play this really great prank on my big sister from my sorority.  It involved making it look like someone had just run into her car and having her run out of the sorority house to come see and then me and a few other girls hiding behind the cars with tons of water ballons.  It was awesome. 

4.  What is your favorite theme park?
I don't like theme parks.  I'm terrified of height so I can't ride the rides.  I can't wait to take Belli to Disney World one day though.  I've never been!

5.  Have you ever seen someone else give birth?
I've never even seen myself give birth.  So no.

Belliisms 3

Here are some of Belli's recent funnies.

On the way to The Bell Center for her summer class I turned up the radio to drown Belli out because her constant chatter was slowly pushing me over the edge.  After a few seconds I hear her yelling, "MOMMY!  WOULD YOU MIND TURNING THAT DOWN.  YOU CAN'T HEAR ME TALK WHEN ITS TURNED UP LIKE THAT."  Exactly dear.  Exactly.

The other day my mom and I were going somewhere and my dad was staying home with Belli.  I explained to her that we were leaving and that Granddad was going to stay home with her and she said, "Can Granddad go to?  I wanna stay home allllll by myself."  I asked her who would feed her and put her too bed and she said, "Oh...I'll do it alllllll by myself."  Right.  If she could do all that my life would be much easier!

Sometimes when she's going potty she will cup her hand over her ear like she's listening for something then she'll say, "I hear tee tee coming!"

At random times through out the day she'll say, "OH, I have an idea," and then quickly scoots away.  I have never figured out what the ideas are yet.

Hope you enjoyed!  It's not as many as usual but that's all I could think of.  Happy Wednesday!

I Bet YOUR Kid Can't Do This

This is typical thing with Larsen's kids but it's still totally weird.  I mean seriously.  It looks like she should be facing toward the bottom of the picture but no.  Her arm is just twisted around backwards.  She actually sleeps like this a lot.