The Encounter With Peanuts

So, as many of you know, Alissa is allergic to peanuts. So, the heading of this post is not a welcome one. Yesterday, I was on worship team and we had a brief practice before church. I let someone hold her while we were warming up for 15 minutes. So when we were done, I found Alissa and she said her throat was spicy. Someone had taken her to get a drink of water. She then started coughing and acted like she was going to get sick. I rushed her to the bathroom, thinking she had immediately acquired the stomach flu. Sue Delmege (Masch)came around the corner just as I was rushing to the bathroom. She stayed with Alissa while I was doing worship. In the middle of worship I received a "thumbs up". So I thought everything was okay. But, throughout the service I noticed she had disappeared with Alissa for awhile. At the end of worship, I sat down and noticed Masch shaking her head no. I grabbed our coats and we went to the bathroom again. During worship, someone came up and said I'm sorry I gave her candy. Well being the nurse that Masch is, it immediately crept into her mind on what type of candy. Alissa at this point had thrown up 3 times. Her eyes were not red and her face itchy. Her voice was raspy as well. We found out..the type of candy......snickers. We knew then what was happening. Allergic reaction. WE ran next door to the church clinic. Benedryl was given but I didn't have her epi pen on us. Masch ran to the house..but the house was locked. She threw snowballs and bagged on the door until Chris came to open it. In a half daze from sleep, he found the epi pen. When Masch came back to the clinic, I administered the first epi pen. Unaware that was supposed to hold it on her leg for 10 seconds, most of the liquid went all over her leg. So, Ali Reeves (a dear friend and physicians assistant) gave her the 2nd one. Immediate relief. Well, after off to emergency for a visit. They needed to monitor her heart for 2 hours. She is on steriods and benedryl for 5 days. I'm thankful that she's okay and the right people were there at the right time.

Fun Times

I had the pleasure of being a 2nd shooter at a wedding in August along side Jim Delmege. Super fun. It was a beautiful wedding and the reception at the Italian American Community Center. A georgeous couple definately helps! Here's a few of my shots to share.

Pictures Are Worth A Thousand Words

Sickness

This winter has taken a toll on our house this year sickness wise. We just cannot seem to shake the junk that is going around. Alissa has had colds off and on since November. I have had a few colds myself. I generally do not even get sick. That's the weird part. Last week I had the pleasure of laryngitis. This is the first time that I have completely lost my voice. From beginning to end, it was about 5 days or so.

When we were driving home from school last week, Alissa had 20 questions to ask me- or so it felt. It was nonsense questions that really were of no importance to me..but they were to her. Everytime I would answer, she could barely hear due to my laryngitis. She would get upset and say DON'T WHISPER! Well I couldn't turn my head to look at her, because I had to drive. I was so frustrated by the millionth question. Mommy? me...WHAT Alissa. I love you she said. My heart melted and I immediately because unfrustrated. I love that girl. She makes my heart smile.

Well my laryngitis did get better. But, Chris aquired a sore throat. His didn't get better. Sunday he went to urgent care. Bronchitis was the diagnosis. At this point he had a sore throat for over a week and barely able to swallow. Alissa had a nasty cough wasn't able to shake it. I decided to take her Sunday evening to urgent care. The diagnosis...strep, bronchitis, and an ear infection. This is the first time my baby has had anythign other than a cold. So...Chris and Alissa are both on antibiotics and we are conviced that Chris had strep. The Dr's at urgent care evidently didn't feel the need to culture his throat after that being the reason for his visit. Yeish. But....everyone is slowly starting to feel better.

I cannot wait until Spring so we can all get outside and enjoy some fresh air. It's needed to clear the house and our lungs of all the sickness.

Time is Passing Too Quickly

Oh boy!! Time just keeps flying by! Here we are at the end of 2010 and I have no idea where this year went. Alissa is super big. She's 3 and is miss personality. she loves to laugh and has just started the pretending phase. It's so funny to see her care for her baby dolls and when she does...she says things that Chris and I do to her! Her favorite books right now are Ratattoulle and If you Give a Mouse a Muffin. Her favorite TV show is Little Bear. She loves him!! She will watch it all day every day if she could. Her new facination is dresses. She will put them on and twirl around. She just loves to wear them. She is starting to listen MUCH better than she has been. Still not potty trained, but I'm going to let it go until summer and try again then. Maybe she'll have a renewed interest in it. To update previous posts ...she is completly binky free. That's been since the summer or so. she's also in a big girl twin bed and does great!! The last part of being a little girl is overcoming this potty hurdle. But timing is everything I guess. I jsut can't believe my little girl is growing up. It's going by so fast. Here's an updated picture from us. Wishing you all a great 2011!!!

School

Alissa has started day care which we call "school". She's in the pre-school room and doing quite well. It's been three days and quite an adjustment. Here's some photos of her first few days. Picking a day care was a chore. We visited four. The one we chose...each day she's there- my heart is filled with confirmation we chose the right one. The staff is amazing there!!!

The Case of What are You Doing?'s

Last week, I was using my cook book. The whole morning Alissa had been asking her famous question- " Mom, What are you doing?" So I had already been bombarded with that question by the time this situation had arrived. Alissa had gotten a hold of my cookbook and ripped out a page. Alissa- "Mom, What are you doing?" Me- " I am using tape on the holes. I am doing this because you ripped it out and now it won't stay in the book. I am putting the tape here so it closes the holes and keeps it in the book. And please don't ask what I am doing because I just gave you an extremely thorough explanation." Alissa- "Mom, what are you doing?" *sigh*......

Long Overdue

Man, I have seriously been slacking on the posts. It's terrible. A lot has been going on- or at least it feels that way. Alissa is so big. I can't believe how big she is. Here's the latest scoop:

-We're potty training. Gummy Bears have served as a well deserved reward. We have to be careful because EVERYTHING seems to have peanuts in it. She is severly allergic to them. And she LOVES the gummy bears. We have had pull ups for quite some time because she has figured out how to take off her diapers. We did buy "big girl Dora's" (toddler underwear) awhile back. She did show interest but then it faded. Well yesterday...she undressed, put underwear on (the right way), and put her shorts on. I was so impressed!! No accidents from 5pm until bed. That's about 4 hours!!

-Alissa loves blue. Her favorite color is hands down- blue. Her favorite shirt is the blue bike one. It's a shirt that I will take a picture of to show her when she gets older. I really should frame the shirt. She will wear it every day if she has the option.

-Alissa can count to 14. She does get tripped up when she gets to 7-9 ish. But 10 she gets right back on track.

-Alissa loves outdoors. She will spend every waking minute outdoors if she can. She is a water bug too. Any pool she can find...she is in it.

-Alissa also had her 1st hair cut. Not too much, but a trim to even it out. I did save the hair =)

Chris and I are here too. We're looking into getting Chris a 2nd job and putting Alissa into day care. We both need a change of pace for now and I think it would be good for Alissa to make some new friends.

Mother's Day

I am really blessed as a wife and mother. This year, from a mother stand point, I am totally enjoying Alissa. She is walking, talking, and her personality is in full bloom. She says full sentences for the most part. Her first full sentence was" Mama, ho-dee caw caw me." Interpretation...Mama- I want to hold the bird. She is completely fascinated with birds. She loves the outdoors and is my little cuddle bunny. She loves her mama. She is a daddy's girl though. While she loves the mama comfort side..she enjoys the daddy time as well.

From a wife stand point I have been blessed this year. I received lillies at work and then suprised the following day with a hair appointment, escorted by my hubby. He showed up at work and told me we needed to leave RIGHT NOW. He had everything all set up for me. Work already knew as well! I'm honored that he thought to pamper me this year. I do have an amazing husband!! He knew me well enough to know that if he didn't drag me there I wouldn't have made the appointment myself.

Life is going good...just seems like it's going way too fast.

Here's the most recent picture...Alissa and me on on Easter Sunday.

So Frustrated

Lately I have been a ball of frustrations. First is with Alissa. Potty training is going down right horrible. I guess I'm used to dogs and with a treat...it's easy rewarding. Alissa has shown interest in the potty and would have great waves of success. Lately...it's wishy washy. There are times where she'll do great and then others where she screams to sit on the potty and yells.."NO POBBY NO POBBY". *sigh* I know it takes time but I feel like no progress is being made. Another one of her newest "tricks" is de-robing. When you put her down for a nap or for bed...she will take her pants off, take off her pull up and go to sleep. Most of the time, she'll pee on one side of the bed and sleep on the other. It's getting so tiresome. As much as I try I can't get her to sleep with at least her pull up on. Last night I went in her room twice and put it on. The second time to find a bed full of pee and a sleeping daughter. So...stripping the bed and washing her sheets has happened 2 times a day for the last few weeks. The dr's office game me a good idea that we will try. We are going to try putting on a footed sleeper, but cutting off the feet. We will put the zipper in the back and hopefully she won't be able to undress. I don't mind her sleeping in just her pull up..but she won't keep that on.

The second frustration is with work and where I'm at. I so want to be a photographer. I have had 2 opportunities to buy a decent camera. So...I began praying about it. I didn't get the answer I wanted to hear. The Lord is telling me to be patient. I am where He wants me at the moment and everything will fall into place in His timing. He has given me to versus to mind lately...Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. and Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. It's comforting to know God is in control...but as an impatient human...I want the end product now!! LOL. So, I will keep plugging along and trust that His timing is perfect. He knows the desires of my heart.

I know I have been bad at posting lately, but I will put up some updated posts and pictures soon!! For now..here's one of Alissa about a month or so ago. We were playing with our best friend Joel and wearing his hard hat!

I love it!!!

There's a new site that I have fallen in love with (Thanks Ali!). It's Hip2Save. Check this out. GREAT stuff! I know I haven't posted much lately..and I will update shortly. PROMISE!! But, in the meantime...you HAVE to check this site out. Great free deals!!

Dreaming Only Gets You So Far

I have finally gotten serious about doing this. I have dreamed and loved for so long...but I figured enough is enough. Dreaming only gets you so far. So...here I go!! Check it out. I'm starting to adventure. Anyone interested in getting shots done for free, let me know. If you like the pictures and want to order...that's the cost! If you don't care for it...then no obligation! Click the link below to see some samples of what I have done so far. Much more to come!!! Deborah Ann Photography

Feelings of Failure

I'm struggling with feelings of failure...yet in my heart I know I did the right thing. Alissa has been without a binky for a week now. The week started out as any typical person would expect- extra night time cuddling, and some night time crying. The first night was typical...a 1/2 hour of crying. But she made it and slept through the night. Day 2 her nap...only about 15 or so minutes and then for bed the 2nd night...silence. Not a peep. But, from there- things got progresivly worse. I would have to pretend to fall asleep in her rocking chair to get her to settle down and relax. Then she would wake up in the night crying and wouldn't go back to sleep. One time this last week she wouldn't stop screaming at 2:30am so I brought her in our bed to sleep. Habits were beginning to form that had NEVER been there before..and needless to say they weren't good habits. The list kept getting bigger and she became more troublesome and unhappy. I had been struggling with the idea of giving her back her binky but I didn't know if it would be good to do so.

Last night, after talking with my mother in law, I decided to give it back to her. She slept so soundly and peacefully. My decision was weighed on this...Alissa has had super smooth transitions into doing everything. When it was time to go from the bottle to a cup..that was no big deal to her. That transition happened in one afternoon and she never looked back. When I weaned her from nursing (at 18 months), that happened in one weekend and she was completely okay with it. She totally forgot about it. The only major transition I had a "problem" with was having her go to sleep on her own. That took 2 nights of crying. But, by night 3...all was quiet and has been ever since. Taking the binky away just didn't seem right...nor did it feel right in my gut. She doesn't carry it around with her all day. it's just strictly for nap and bed time.

For the last week, Alissa has been crying when she wakes up. Her moods during the day are terrible. This morning...she was a totally different child. She woke up talkign to herself (as ususal) and all smiles. This is the girl I know.

I feel like I failed at a task..but I just don't think she's ready. My gut says this is okay.

My husband brought up some valid points... She's almost potty trained (we're in pull ups full time), she knows 80% of her ABC's and is starting to recognize them on paper, she knows how to count to 2, knows what 2 really means and how many they are, and knows that 7,8,9 go together in counting order. He said don't feel bad if this is taking her a bit longer because no two kids are the same.

I do understand and I agree...just hard struggling with the inner feelings...

Bye-Bye Binky

*sigh* Tonight I decided that it was time. Alissa had quite a rough day as it was. She went to bed early, around 7:30, because she was just too over tired. She kept asking for it and each time I would tell her the binky has gone bye-bye. I rocked her for a bit as usual. Then kissed her goodnight. OH BOY. commence screaming. *sigh*. Alas after a 1/2 hour...quiet. It's been quiet for about an hour now and I'm praying she'll sleep through the night. Bye-Bye Binky....

Through the Years

It's amazing how much we've changed over the years. I'm so blessed. Here's a snapshot of my family over the last 6 years. Wishing you all a VERY blessed holiday season...and Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband on the 27th!

Birthday Girl

My darling, Alissa- you are now two. I do not know where time has gone. I appreciate you more and more each day. You test my patience, as most children do, but my love for you still continues to grow. For your 2nd birthday, we did a lot of the same stuff as the year you were born. This wasn’t planned, but it was a nice coincidence it worked out. You opened your birthday presents at the same time you were born. A few weeks before you were born, I made a huge turkey dinner. We did the same this year. As the turkey was cooking…I remembered that we had done this before. You are a special girl and the love of my life. Every day you talk more and want to explore. You are a super big helper. You always pick up your toys after you are done and I don’t even have to ask. You help me unload the dishwasher and with each piece of silverware you pick up, “Here Mommy”. You also are super inquisitive about cooking. You love to watch me cook and when you wanna see what’s going on…”see” you say. I’m blessed beyond measure to have a beautiful girl like you. I’m looking forward to seeing you grow and spending each day with you as you get bigger. I love you with all my heart…and NEVER forget that.

Sing Along

So Alissa now knows how to get on my vanity chair and turn on the radio. Well it's always set to KLove, and she turned it on. If We Are The Body by Casting Crowns was on. She's watching herself in the mirror and this is what she's singing...

"OHHHHHHHHHHH Bobby.... OH OH OH OHHHHHHHHHHHH Bobby.......OHHHHHHHHH"

(the real interpretation:
But if we are the Body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way)

I say- " YOu singing to Jesus"
Alissa- "Yup. OH Bobby....OH OH OHHHHHHHHHHHH Bobby..."

ha ha! I love this girl to pieces.

Moments I Cherish

I was talking about Alissa today to the bank teller. Everything about her made me smile. We were talking about words and what she means but how it comes out sounding so very different from the actual words. I thought I’d share because I want to remember these moments forever. But, incase I forget there here on paper =)

Snowman- Noman
Socks- Skas
Color-Dawckoo
Cracker- Cawckoo (it’s often that Daddy has to call me so I can de-code over the phone during the day. Many words sound a like in her dictionary)
Donut- Dadoo-Oh
Scared- Scaid
Potty- Bobby
Santa- Ho Ho
Poopies- Stinky or Stinkies
Please- Peas (or she signs)
More- Mow (or she signs)
Alissa- I See ( that’s what she calls herself)
Medicine- Maymace

There are so much more, but these brighten my heart. Her little ways are so precious and I love her to death!

Holidays!

The Holiday season is here. Last night our tree went up and it looks great. Wish we had a new one because this one is a slight bit tired. Nevertheless, it looks good. We watched my favorite Christmas movie last night, Elf. I can't have enough of that movie. I don't know how many times I've watched it, but still love it.

Alissa's 2nd birthday is in 3 weeks. I have to start putting together the party. Cake is ordered and the date is finalized, but that's about it. She's getting so big. She loves Elmo and football. She is running everywhere and is little miss independent. However, she is a WONDERFUL helper! She helps me unload the dishwasher and she always picks up after herself without being asked. She does make a mess but somehow everything seems to find a place when she's done playing

Here are some recent pictures to keep you all up to date! Much more coming during the holiday season!

Fall is Here

Fall is here and it's come so fast. Life has kept us busy. Alissa is growing like a weed. She will be 2 in December and we're already planning her 2nd birthday party. This year we are keeping it relatively simple with just family. Last year was fun...but a lot around holiday season. I'm looking forward to the holidays again this year.

Not too much is new with us. Alissa did have one more episode of her elbow being dislocated again. I'm super paranoid now considering most things I've read say they don't outgrow this until around 4. What a long way to go!

I just wanted to update you all to let you know all is well and I'll post some pictures soon!!