dramamom's Minti Blog http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/ dramamom's Minti Blog Copyright 2008 Minti en-uk My little girl is 3 years old! dramamom I can hardly believe it.  Arianna turned 3 yesterday!  She's growing up so fast.  It's been 3 years since I taught in a classroom and a little less than that since I decided to become a stay-at-home mom indefinitely.  So many things have happened since that time.  Arianna is growing into an intelligent, out-going, happy girl.  She loves talking and ... I can hardly believe it.  Arianna turned 3 yesterday!  She's growing up so fast.  It's been 3 years since I taught in a classroom and a little less than that since I decided to become a stay-at-home mom indefinitely.  So many things have happened since that time.  Arianna is growing into an intelligent, out-going, happy girl.  She loves talking and pretending and helping.  She's so much fun to have around ... most of the time.    My little toddler is officially a preschooler and she'll be starting Sunday School is September.  Wow!

Happy Birthday, my favourite girl.

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/723325/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/723325/ Sat, 31 May 2008 09:38:42 -0700 Things like this make you grateful for what you have. dramamom The son of my mom's cousin passed away this week.  He was 20 days shy of his 33rd birthday.  He had a wife and a son who is just a few months younger than Arianna.  I didn't know him too well, but I went with my brother and parents to the funeral anyway.  Jeff was the kind of guy who ... The son of my mom's cousin passed away this week.  He was 20 days shy of his 33rd birthday.  He had a wife and a son who is just a few months younger than Arianna.  I didn't know him too well, but I went with my brother and parents to the funeral anyway.  Jeff was the kind of guy who lived his faith with a servant attitude.  He was a big kid and loved to laugh.  He loved the outdoors and I remember being teased by him when I was younger and we were camping together with our families.  He had testicular cancer, but it wasn't the cancer that claimed his life.  He had a very rare reaction to the chemo drug he was receiving.  It attacked his lungs, scarring them so badly he would never breathe on his own again.  This is what took his life.  It seems so unfair.  We will never know why, but as his brother said at the memorial service yesterday, we trust that this kind of death is not God's will, but the affect of a sinful, fallen world.  And to God be the glory.  Maybe when we look back in 10 or 15 years we will see all the good that has come from Jeff's leaving us too soon.

I can't imagine what his wife is going through, his son, who will never really remember his dad.  It makes me grateful for my husband and children.

There was a fire in downtown Bowmanville this past week.  A number of businesses and apartments were destroyed.  It makes me grateful for my house and the things we have.

Another shift at GM (local automotive plant) was cut.  1,000 people lost their jobs and the trickle-down effect will cause 100s more in job losses.  It makes me grateful for my husband's job, where there is a shortage of pharmacists.  He could probably pick where he wanted to work.

I am so richly blessed.  Thank you, Lord, for showering me with your blessings.  May I never take them for granted!

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/701604/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/701604/ Sun, 04 May 2008 11:57:10 -0700 Woah, slow down, my boy! dramamom It's been a crazy two weeks!  Nathaniel is sitting on his own for extended periods of time.  He started crawling.  He's pulling up to a stand on anything.  He's cut two teeth.  All this in two weeks!  He's crawling 3 months earlier than his sister did and she didn't start pulling up on things until she was almost 11 months ... It's been a crazy two weeks!  Nathaniel is sitting on his own for extended periods of time.  He started crawling.  He's pulling up to a stand on anything.  He's cut two teeth.  All this in two weeks!  He's crawling 3 months earlier than his sister did and she didn't start pulling up on things until she was almost 11 months old.  He's just 7 months old!  It's craziness, I tell you.    She must be some serious motivation for him.  Slow down, buddy!

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/700174/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/700174/ Fri, 02 May 2008 09:33:07 -0700 Some Answers dramamom Well we finally got to see the pediatrician for Nathaniel's rice allergy. She said that since he hasn't reacted to any other pre-mixed cereal, it isn't an allergy to dairy or some obscure additive. It's simply a very strange allergy to rice, which is supposed to be hypo-allergenic. We were told, no mixed cereals, which all have rice in ... Well we finally got to see the pediatrician for Nathaniel's rice allergy. She said that since he hasn't reacted to any other pre-mixed cereal, it isn't an allergy to dairy or some obscure additive. It's simply a very strange allergy to rice, which is supposed to be hypo-allergenic. We were told, no mixed cereals, which all have rice in them, until he is 10 months old. Then we can try a little bit and see if he still reacts. If not, then we can give him some mushy rice when he's a year old, again just a little and see if he reacts. Thankfully we are able to go back to her if he reacts to anything else or there are other concerns about allergies; we don't have to get a referral first. Other than that, he's doing wonderfully. He's sitting on his own, although he doesn't stay there very long; and he's almost crawling. I thought he would be by now, but he seems to love the soldier crawl (on his belly, dragging his legs). He's all over the place now and Arianna loves playing with him.

Anyway, there's a quick update.

Oh and I'm so excited, our tulips are blooming!! Spring is here!

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/691215/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/691215/ Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:38:26 -0700 New Photos dramamom

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/669464/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/669464/ Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:03:11 -0700 A quick update, while I can breathe... dramamom I can't believe it's been exactly a month since I wrote a blog.  That's terrible.  Things here are so crazy, though. Arianna is now almost 3 years old.  We started potty training her in November and we're not any closer than we were back then.  It's taking forever!  She has also decided that it's time for tantrums and boy is that ... I can't believe it's been exactly a month since I wrote a blog.  That's terrible.  Things here are so crazy, though.

Arianna is now almost 3 years old.  We started potty training her in November and we're not any closer than we were back then.  It's taking forever!  She has also decided that it's time for tantrums and boy is that fun.  It isn't all bad, though.  She's starting to have imaginary friends and it's so funny watching and listening to her play with them.  She has such an imagination, always pretending to be all sorts of things and, of course, Mommy has to play along.

Nathaniel is growing like a weed.  At his 6-month (Yup, he's 6 months old already!) check-up he weighed in at 16lbs and he's 27" long.  He's nursing really well, no more problems there.  Yay!  But we do have problems elsewhere.  He has an allergy to rice cereal, of all things.  His face gets all red and blotchy, with little white bumps like hives.  The worst reaction even went down his neck.  Right now we are waiting to see a pediatrician and we watch him like crazy after every meal.  This allergy didn't surface until at least a week on the rice cereal.  So far, he hasn't reacted to oatmeal cereal, which is the only other thing he's eaten at this point.  We'll have to see what the pediatrician says.  He's rolling all over the place and can get himself where he wants to go in a combination roll/pull forward motion.  It's fun to watch him; although now we have to work extra hard to keep Arianna's small toys away from him.

I'm keeping busy with these two and church activities as well as my Close To My Heart business.  Our house is buzzing!  It's great even though it can be tiring sometimes.  I do miss everyone here and I wish I had more time to spend on Minti.  I still think about all my friends here, even if I'm not on to leave you notes in your lounges.

Sending hugs to everyone!

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/669461/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/669461/ Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:54:41 -0700 He's Home! :) dramamom It was a busy, tiring week, for both of us.  The kids missed him and of course, so did I.  I spend some time at my parents' house, which was very nice and a huge help.  I'm so grateful he's home.  Next time, I'm going with him and I'm very excited about that prospect!  Better go, I've got lots to It was a busy, tiring week, for both of us.  The kids missed him and of course, so did I.  I spend some time at my parents' house, which was very nice and a huge help.  I'm so grateful he's home.  Next time, I'm going with him and I'm very excited about that prospect!  Better go, I've got lots to do.

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/643483/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/643483/ Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:27:49 -0800 He's gone. :( dramamom My dear hubby left early this morning for Guatemala.  He's on a medical mission for 9 days.  This is the same thing he did last year at this time.  As I write this he's in the air.  I already miss him.    At least my sister is coming to stay with me, although she won't be here until tomorrow.  I'd ... My dear hubby left early this morning for Guatemala.  He's on a medical mission for 9 days.  This is the same thing he did last year at this time.  As I write this he's in the air.  I already miss him.    At least my sister is coming to stay with me, although she won't be here until tomorrow.  I'd love your thoughts and prayers for his safety and the success of his trip as well as for my sanity.    It's been a rough couple weeks.

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/635663/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/635663/ Sat, 23 Feb 2008 07:05:12 -0800 Family Resemblence dramamom Everyone has said that Arianna and Nathaniel look so much like their daddy. What do you think? Everyone has said that Arianna and Nathaniel look so much like their daddy.

What do you think?

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/614507/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/614507/ Sat, 26 Jan 2008 11:36:24 -0800 6 Random Things About Me! dramamom I've been tagged by kathrynr1402 - http://www.minti.com/members/kathrynr1402/ This is fun, thanks for the tag! Here are the rules for this tag. Link to the person that tagged you. Post the rules on your blog. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. Let each ... I've been tagged by kathrynr1402

This is fun, thanks for the tag!


Here are the rules for this tag.

  1. Link to the person that tagged you.
  2. Post the rules on your blog.
  3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
  4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
  5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

6 things, hmmm...

  1. I can type one-handed as I am right now, with baby in my lap.  Sorta slow with lots of mistakes, but I'm getting better.
  2. My camp counsellor nickname: Rusty for my red hair.  When I became program director I also became Polkaroo because I'd just pop up unannounced at different activities.  In fact there are still kids who don't know my real name.
  3. I have a twin brother and a younger sister, both of whom I get along with really well, always have.
  4. I watch way too much TV, usually while I'm doing something else.
  5. I've been known to pretend I'm fishing off the step into our living room, with Arianna of course.
  6. I'm addicted to Parking Wars on Facebook!

I'm tagging: marlena, exquisite-flower, libby24, leisha, tinker79, allyp

 

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/613713/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/613713/ Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:41:42 -0800 What a whirlwind! dramamom I finally have a chance to sit down and write a quick blog entry while Nathaniel is sleeping and Arianna is having a snack. It has been a crazy month to say the least. Just after the new year, we found out that my aunt took her own life. It was shocking, but not surprising since she'd been struggling with depression ... I finally have a chance to sit down and write a quick blog entry while Nathaniel is sleeping and Arianna is having a snack.

It has been a crazy month to say the least. Just after the new year, we found out that my aunt took her own life. It was shocking, but not surprising since she'd been struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts for over a year. I wasn't particularly close to her but I have fond memories of her from when I was young. I was a flower girl in her wedding to my uncle and have spent some extended time at their house as a kid. It was a sad week.

Chris is now back at work and with that came the adjustment of being home on my own with two kids. Arianna has missed him more on some days and, of course, demands more of my attention. We also started potty training about a month before Chris went back to work, hoping that she'd be mostly trained by now. No such luck. She still only goes when we put her on after a meal and even then only about half the time. I know we'll get there eventually, but it's taking a long time.

Nathaniel is doing well, up to 14 lbs 10 oz and 26" now. He's a big boy at 4 months! He still doesn't have a regular schedule that I can count on. He is sleeping through the night, but wakes up anywhere from 7:00-8:30, so sometimes I get my shower in and well, sometimes not. He's a happy baby, very vocal and lots of fun. He's learned to roll onto his tummy, which he enjoys doing a lot. Only problem is he can't figure out how to get onto his back again and so gets upset, needing Mommy to come to his rescue.

I am getting very busy with my Close to My Heart business and I'm loving it. It's tons of fun and I'm even making some money now!

Chris is going to Guatamala the end of February for another Medical Mission. He'll be gone 8 days, so that means we're going to stay with Opa and Oma for a few days. We'll all miss him, but I'm proud of him for doing this again. I might even go with him to Nicaragua in October!

I'd go on, but I really need to get some work done. We've had our ups and downs but generally things are going well.

Here's an updated photo:

 

]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/612776/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/612776/ Thu, 24 Jan 2008 08:10:25 -0800 It's been far too long, so... dramamom ...I'm making some time for a quick update. Oh, where do I start? Nathaniel. He's doing wonderfully! At 3 months old, he's a ton of fun, smiling at anyone who will look or talk to him. We've been able to get a few little chuckles out of him, too. He was a huge hit at our Christmas gatherings, impressing everyone with ... Nathaniel. He's doing wonderfully! At 3 months old, he's a ton of fun, smiling at anyone who will look or talk to him. We've been able to get a few little chuckles out of him, too. He was a huge hit at our Christmas gatherings, impressing everyone with how alert, strong and talkative he is.
Arianna. She has enjoyed Christmas so much, exclaiming over the Christmas lights all the time. She loved all the presents, saying each time she opened one, "Aww, so nice!" She caught her very first cold last weekend. Yup, you read correctly, at 2 1/2 she's dealing with her first cold. Actually, we're almost all dealing with it. Thankfully Nathaniel doesn't seem to have caught it...yet.
Christmas Day was slightly tempered by the knowledge that my sweet little nephew, born just 6 weeks before Nathaniel, has two holes in his heart, one small and insignificant and one large and cause for concern. He may need surgery in the next year. His parents, my twin brother and sister-in-law, found out on Dec. 20, nice Christmas present. We're praying that surgery won't be necessary. He's starting to gain weight really well now that they are supplementing his nursing with formula. Regardless of all this, we did have a wonderful day together.
Chris. He went back to work yesterday after 3 months of parental leave. Thankfully, Arianna seems to be handling it pretty well and I'm doing okay with it, too.
Me. I'm still not nursing pain-free, but I've come to the resignation that I may never be pain-free. I'm just too sensitive. I'm taking adalat (a blood pressure medication) for Raynaud's Phenomenon and it has helped considerably. The pain is far from being unbearable, so I'm living with it.
So now we're just recuperating from our colds and the busyness of the season. We've had a great time celebrating our Lord Jesus' birth. It amazes me that God would give up his only Son for a world that doesn't completely love or even acknowledge Him. What amazing love!


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you, from all of us!]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/591510/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/591510/ Fri, 28 Dec 2007 13:59:24 -0800 I need some advice, badly! dramamom My good friend just told me her husband took a bag, walked out on her and their two kids and went to stay at his parents' house.  They've been having difficulties for a long while and he's taken off before, but never with a bag.  They don't have a lot of money and he earns most of it.  She's basically ... My question is this:  How can I help her?  What do I tell her?  I've told her not to assume that this is a permanent situation. 
Any suggestions would be helpful!  None of my friends have gone through this before. 
Thanks in advance.]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/551350/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/551350/ Sun, 11 Nov 2007 12:26:10 -0800 Happy, but frustrated! dramamom We finally had Nathaniel's one month check-up on Tuesday (although only a week and half late).  He is doing wonderfully!  He has gained, get this, 2 whole pounds in 3 weeks.  That's 11 more ounces than expected!  He's now 11 lbs 4 oz.  He has surpassed his cousin who is 6 weeks older.  I guess I don't really have to ... Speaking of breastfeeding, I'm still battling what we've been told is a yeast infection on my nipple.  I've been using grapefruit seed extract for almost three weeks and a nipple ointment for longer and now have done two treatments of gentian violet and ... no difference, in fact it's starting to hurt more!!   I'm afraid that we've been doing all of this for nothing, that's it not even a yeast thing or isn't any longer.  It's been a while since my last lactation appointment and I think if things don't improve by next week, I'm going to book another appointment.  Unfortunately she's only working on Thursdays, so that's a long wait.  For now we have to deal with a baby with purple lips.  Maybe I'll try gentian violet once more and then, I think that's it!  I'm not giving up on breastfeeding, but on the yeast treatments.  If anyone has any suggestions for me, I'd love them!!]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/543016/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/543016/ Fri, 02 Nov 2007 08:49:45 -0700 I should be on here more often! dramamom I just finished reading all the wonderful blogs in my watchlist.  I can't believe how much I've missed and it hasn't really been that long! I love reading your stories, my friends.  Just thought I'd share that.  And now I need to go again.  Nathaniel is ready to eat. Sending you all lots of hugs and pleasant thoughts. I love reading your stories, my friends.  Just thought I'd share that.  And now I need to go again.  Nathaniel is ready to eat.
Sending you all lots of hugs and pleasant thoughts.]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/540013/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/540013/ Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:07:07 -0700 New photos dramamom Now that both Arianna and Nathaniel are napping, I have time to post some updated photos of Nathaniel. At the hospital, Arianna showered her new baby brother with hugs and kisses: 9 days old, hanging out with Daddy: 2 weeks old: Arianna and Nathaniel, after his baptism on Oct. 7:
At the hospital, Arianna showered her new baby brother with hugs and kisses:


9 days old, hanging out with Daddy:


2 weeks old:


Arianna and Nathaniel, after his baptism on Oct. 7:


]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/531990/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/531990/ Sun, 21 Oct 2007 11:22:25 -0700 Funny story photos dramamom Here's a couple photos of Arianna being a little Mommy. Burping her baby... and nursing (she's got it a little backwards) Burping her baby...

and nursing (she's got it a little backwards)
]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/529051/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/529051/ Wed, 17 Oct 2007 09:05:52 -0700 Have to share a funny story. dramamom Arianna is adorable!  She is so observant and picks up on everything.  She's got an incredible memory, too.   For example, she notices if you don't have a watch on when you normally wear one.  She's been quite interested when I nurse Nathaniel, coming over to look and making comments about how he's drinking and if he's going to go on ... She's been quite interested when I nurse Nathaniel, coming over to look and making comments about how he's drinking and if he's going to go on the other side.  Basically the sorts of things I've been saying to her.  Well today she sat on the couch in the spot where I nurse Nathaniel and burped her new baby doll.  Then, before I knew it she lifted her shirt and proceeded to feed her baby.  It was so cute.  I had the camera right there and when I get the photos on to the computer, I'll post one.  I shouldn't have been surprised.]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/523485/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/523485/ Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:38:32 -0700 I've got a few minutes... dramamom So I thought I'd just write a quick update and maybe tell you a little about our lovely ordeal. We had booked two non-stress tests and a biophysical profile before Nathaniel was born in case he went really overdue.  In fact, we had the first NST booked for Thursday morning.  Nathaniel decided he didn't want to go through all that.  My ... We had booked two non-stress tests and a biophysical profile before Nathaniel was born in case he went really overdue.  In fact, we had the first NST booked for Thursday morning.  Nathaniel decided he didn't want to go through all that.  My labour was long and hard, not shorter than the first like everyone says.  My contractions were irregular for a long time and then got really bad, I got an epidural and am so grateful for those drugs!  Nathaniel took some time coming, but his delivery went very well.  I didn't tear until his shoulder got stuck.  Then I got to pull him out and up onto my belly!  I delivered my own baby boy, it was so neat.  He looked right at me as I put him on my belly.  He screamed and screamed, so much that doctor and nurses were commenting.
So he arrived and when big sister came to see him, she held him.  But he started crying so that was it for her.  She pushed him away. 
We were able to go home on Saturday morning, especially since they needed the room.  Nursing was already sore, despite using lansinoh ointment and checking his latch each time.  Nurses said his latch was great.  This is where the ordeal comes in.  By Wednesday morning, when the public health nurse came, I was so incredibly sore, she suggested Dr. Newman's Nipple Ointment, the last resort.  By Wednesday afternoon, I woke up from my nap with a very sore breast, now getting red.  By Thursday morning, at an appointment with a lactation consultant, I was told to go to the doctor and there found out I had mastitis.  Yup, all this before Nathaniel was even a week old.  So now I'm still taking pain meds, as well as antibiotics and acidopholus.  Thankfully things are clearing up and my nipples are not as sore.  Yay!
Arianna enjoys her little brother.  Friday morning, in the hospital, the first thing she said after a hello to Mommy was, "I hold him!"  She had lots of hugs and kisses for him and has ever since.
Now, my few minutes are up and I have to nurse again.  Thanks for all your thoughts and kind words!]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/517429/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/517429/ Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:51:08 -0700 He's Here! dramamom After 22 hours of labour, Nathaniel Christopher has finally entered our world!  He was born at 5:30pm on Thursday, Sept. 20.  8lbs. 8 oz.  21 inches long. I'll post more later, need to get up off this chair ...


I'll post more later, need to get up off this chair ... ]]> http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/509845/ http://www.minti.com/members/dramamom/blog/509845/ Sat, 22 Sep 2007 12:47:47 -0700