I've been working on this post for awhile now, but just haven't had time to finish it. But as the boys were playing the "letter game" (link below) on the computer today, I got the motivation I needed to finish this post (not that it's that long! haha). Especially as I watched how much they enjoyed playing the game...and that just so happened to be what this post is about!
The boys really enjoy playing on the computer (with proper time restrictions and monitoring of course.) =) It is absolutely amazing what’s out there! Luke really enjoys the Leapfrog software, but we’ve also found some really great things online…free! I thought I would share a few of our favorite links:
Starfall is an EXCELLENT resource. It offers a lot for a wide range of ages. The boys LOVE the ABC’s link . Luke can pretty much maneuver his way around it on his own. He picks a letter and just follows the "sparkles" to the end. Will pronounces the letter sounds and tries out the words – it’s a really great teaching tool! You’ll also find under the ABC’s link another link for ABC Printouts , this is also a phenomenal resources for teaching letters and writing them. I haven’t been able to explore this entire site, but have been impressed with everything I’ve seen in it so far.
Mooneleaf Flashcards - Luke loves flashcards, and this site has a variety of flashcards…including different languages!
Fisher-Price – of course Fisher-Price always has a great variety of good little games and tools!
We also really like Zoo webcams. I’ll have to post the different webcams we visit in another post as all those links are on my desktop. =)
Well there's a lot more to blog about in the near future! More to come! =)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
A twist to football...
Tonight the boys were playing with their footballs in the living room. They would run, laugh and put the ball down on the floor and we'd all yell, "Touchdown!"
After doing this for awhile, Luke, the logical child he is, lifted his football high in the air and confidently proclaimed, "Touch-up!"
I love my funny boy!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monitoring...
As some of you may know, I had to wear a Cardiac Heart Monitor for a 30 day period. It wasn't so bad really. Only 2 wires on my chest and the monitoring devise fit right on my waistband. If I felt a symptom, I would press the huge red button and the monitor would record 30 seconds before the symptom and 30 seconds after. It made a very high pitched noise when it recorded, so recording in a public place was quite a challenge. After I had 3 recordings, I would call in to the monitoring center, press the huge red button again and put the devise up to the phone so that my readings could be transmitted to the center. After they received the readings, I'd press the huge red button again to erase them, clip the thing back on my waistband and start over. I probably sent in about 30 recordings.
So why did I have to wear this thing for 30 days? Well, the symptoms I have been experiencing for quite some time are heart palpitations (mild to take-your-breath-away-super-uncomfortable), chest pain, and a racing heartbeat...and they all came at completely random times. Though the symptoms never seemed to lead to anything serious, I thought it would be wise to at least get it checked out...just to be on the safe side. So my doctor ordered a complete echocardiogram and was given this monitor to wear for a month.
Earlier this week I went in for my results. Much to my immense relief, my condition is neither life OR health threatening. Though the symptoms can be scary, painful and very uncomfortable it seems that I'm only experiencing Premature Ventricular Contractions, in short, PVCs. It's basically an early heartbeat. Of course then your heart has to "right" itself again, so that's where the palpitation comes into play....or something like that. =) There are triggers that can set it off - certain cold medicines, stress, caffeine, and a HUGE possibility is my enlarged thyroid.
My doctor said I could treat it medicinally if I wanted to - go on a low dose of blood pressure medicine - but I ultimately decided not to. I'd rather not be on medication if I don't have to be - not to mention my blood pressure is on the low side anyway and I'd rather not do anything to mess it up. I'll endure the symptoms as long as I know they aren't health threatening.
So, I am praising God for such a good follow-up! Now I know what's going on in my heart, and knowing brings so much peace!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Farm and Home Show
Tonight we went to the Farm and Home Show. The boys LOVED it! It was so relaxing - fresh air, farm animals, tractors, GREAT BBQ, music and 4-H projects. The weather was perfect and since tomorrow is usually the big day for this event, the crowds were minimal tonight. It was such an enjoyable event to attend!
Tractor Fun!
The boys enjoyed looking at all the farm animals!
Carriage Ride- the boys had such a good time riding in the carriage!
Fun with Guka!
Tractor Fun!
The boys enjoyed looking at all the farm animals!
Carriage Ride- the boys had such a good time riding in the carriage!
Fun with Guka!
Happy Boys!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Uphill Battle
Potty Training. Ugh. Right now I feel like I’m fighting an uphill battle. I’m going to try to push through the rest of this week and see where we’re at – but a break may be necessary next week. We are having about a 50% success rate right now – but to get that is like pulling teeth. Having read some on potty training and taking many people’s wonderful advice to heart – I am trying (not always succeeding, but trying very very hard) to remain calm, cool and collected with him – even though I feel like I’m losing my mind on the inside. =) I really believe once he gets it, he’ll have it down – it’s just getting past his resistance to doing something new (which I knew we’d have to work through even before starting this.)
I’m trying to figure out which technique works best for Luke. Yesterday I tried the “sit on the potty until you go” technique. That resulted in him sitting on the potty all morning…over 2 ½ hours before he finally went…and I knew he had to go when I asked him to sit on the potty…so he held it for 2 ½ hours before he grew weary of resisting. Hmmmm…not sure this is the technique for Luke.
So, now I’m trying to have him sit on the potty for 5-10 minutes every hour or so throughout the day. We’ll see how he does with this technique today. I’m also treating him to a few M&M’s every time he goes on the potty.
Any specific techniques that worked for you? Tips or advice? I’m all ears! =)
I’m trying to figure out which technique works best for Luke. Yesterday I tried the “sit on the potty until you go” technique. That resulted in him sitting on the potty all morning…over 2 ½ hours before he finally went…and I knew he had to go when I asked him to sit on the potty…so he held it for 2 ½ hours before he grew weary of resisting. Hmmmm…not sure this is the technique for Luke.
So, now I’m trying to have him sit on the potty for 5-10 minutes every hour or so throughout the day. We’ll see how he does with this technique today. I’m also treating him to a few M&M’s every time he goes on the potty.
Any specific techniques that worked for you? Tips or advice? I’m all ears! =)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Potty Training and Big Boy Beds!
Phew! What a day! Today was a day of a few first's for the kids.
Luke started potty training in earnest today. I've tried here and there to see if he was interested. He has shown faint sparks of interest here and there that fade quicker then they start. But I thought we'd give it a go this week.
Luke is the type of person that is leery of new things - until he tries it and sees that it's really not that bad. That was my hope with potty training. He was leery of using the potty - so maybe if he would try it and realize it's not so bad - he'd be ok with it.
Big boy underwear!
It was a day mixed with struggle and excitement. There were moments where I wondered if we would ever get anywhere - and moments of pure relief that we were indeed getting somewhere!
There was screaming, "I WANT MY DIAPER!!! I don't want to go on the potty!!" and there was squeals of joy and happiness when "going" on the potty was successful.
It was exhausting, but I think that it was a pretty good day all in all. We had three successes (one was a poopy!! Sorry if that's TMI!) and two accidents. I put him in a Pull Up for his nap (which was dry when he woke up) - and a diaper for bed time. Tomorrow we keep at it! I am so proud of Luke's accomplishments today!!
checking out the potty this morning
I had bought a toy "Sarge" from Wal-Mart awhile back and promised Luke that the first time he went potty on the potty, he could have Sarge. He knew that he had to earn him though, so that helped motivate him.
I knew he had to go potty pretty early on in the morning, but he held it even though I encouraged him to sit on the potty. (Though I do have to say, I kept feeling these very very tiny tiny little wet spots on the carpet that I couldn't figure out if it was him or a leaky sippy?) But finally at about 11:30am, he went a tiny bit in the potty. We had a huge celebration! Lots of hugs, lots of praise and then he got Sarge and immediately took off to find Filmore (in the movie CARS Sarge and Filmore are buds.) That's when he had his first accident (I guess he didn't completely empty his bladder in the potty.) It was all good though, because the most important thing is that he went on his potty! Accidents are inevitable.
Before his nap, he had a HUGE fit about wanting his diaper, but finally calmed down and was willing to give the potty a chance. This lead to great success! I realized this time that he really likes his privacy (which he mispronounced a few times today...hilarious! "I want my proybacy.")
Anyway, I promise I won't go into detail about my child's potty habits as a norm, but I just had to share a little about today - at least for memory's sake!
Froggy Potty!
I was very very proud of how great Luke did today! I know this is a process, but it's a relief to have started it. I've been dreading potty training for quite sometime now. The thought of being down to one in diapers is pretty exciting!
Will checking out Luke's potty
Two other first's happened today. Will is now officially in a big boy bed!!! This picture explains why it was finally absolutely necessary to make the change.
He hasn't climbed out - or fallen out yet - but we were moments away from one of those happening, so the change was made today.
bu-bye crib!
Luke moved up to a twin size bed (another first for him) and Will got Luke's toddler bed. Since Will's new bed was Luke's old bed, he was very familiar with it. In fact, he had even napped on it once awhile back when there was some work being done in my/his room. So I was hopeful that the transition would go smoothly.
Nap time was his first experience sleeping in it as his own bed. It took him a lot longer to fall asleep but he only got up a few times and had a few crying spells. Then he read his books (something he did in his crib too) for awhile and eventually fell asleep.
He did fantastic tonight - I'm sure he got up a few times because I found a few extra books in his bed when I went to check on him after he had fallen asleep, but for the most part, he stayed in bed reading his books before he finally drifted off to sleep. Once again it took him longer than usual, but I think he's just trying to get used to a new bed - and a new location for his bed.
I am so proud of my little boy! I can't believe he's old enough to be in a toddler bed! Unbelievable! He's growing up so fast!
Luke and Will would kiss goodnight through the crib - it was so cute!
Will sleeping in his big boy bed!
Luke is in a temporary twin bed right now - we're looking to get him a car bed, but finding one is a challenge. The cool thing about his bed right now is it used to be his daddy and Uncle Randy's bed! He loves being in a bigger bed and feels like such a big boy in it. Once again, I can't believe my children are growing up SO fast!
Luke started potty training in earnest today. I've tried here and there to see if he was interested. He has shown faint sparks of interest here and there that fade quicker then they start. But I thought we'd give it a go this week.
Luke is the type of person that is leery of new things - until he tries it and sees that it's really not that bad. That was my hope with potty training. He was leery of using the potty - so maybe if he would try it and realize it's not so bad - he'd be ok with it.
Big boy underwear!
It was a day mixed with struggle and excitement. There were moments where I wondered if we would ever get anywhere - and moments of pure relief that we were indeed getting somewhere!
There was screaming, "I WANT MY DIAPER!!! I don't want to go on the potty!!" and there was squeals of joy and happiness when "going" on the potty was successful.
It was exhausting, but I think that it was a pretty good day all in all. We had three successes (one was a poopy!! Sorry if that's TMI!) and two accidents. I put him in a Pull Up for his nap (which was dry when he woke up) - and a diaper for bed time. Tomorrow we keep at it! I am so proud of Luke's accomplishments today!!
checking out the potty this morning
I had bought a toy "Sarge" from Wal-Mart awhile back and promised Luke that the first time he went potty on the potty, he could have Sarge. He knew that he had to earn him though, so that helped motivate him.
I knew he had to go potty pretty early on in the morning, but he held it even though I encouraged him to sit on the potty. (Though I do have to say, I kept feeling these very very tiny tiny little wet spots on the carpet that I couldn't figure out if it was him or a leaky sippy?) But finally at about 11:30am, he went a tiny bit in the potty. We had a huge celebration! Lots of hugs, lots of praise and then he got Sarge and immediately took off to find Filmore (in the movie CARS Sarge and Filmore are buds.) That's when he had his first accident (I guess he didn't completely empty his bladder in the potty.) It was all good though, because the most important thing is that he went on his potty! Accidents are inevitable.
Before his nap, he had a HUGE fit about wanting his diaper, but finally calmed down and was willing to give the potty a chance. This lead to great success! I realized this time that he really likes his privacy (which he mispronounced a few times today...hilarious! "I want my proybacy.")
Anyway, I promise I won't go into detail about my child's potty habits as a norm, but I just had to share a little about today - at least for memory's sake!
Froggy Potty!
I was very very proud of how great Luke did today! I know this is a process, but it's a relief to have started it. I've been dreading potty training for quite sometime now. The thought of being down to one in diapers is pretty exciting!
Will checking out Luke's potty
Two other first's happened today. Will is now officially in a big boy bed!!! This picture explains why it was finally absolutely necessary to make the change.
He hasn't climbed out - or fallen out yet - but we were moments away from one of those happening, so the change was made today.
bu-bye crib!
Luke moved up to a twin size bed (another first for him) and Will got Luke's toddler bed. Since Will's new bed was Luke's old bed, he was very familiar with it. In fact, he had even napped on it once awhile back when there was some work being done in my/his room. So I was hopeful that the transition would go smoothly.
Nap time was his first experience sleeping in it as his own bed. It took him a lot longer to fall asleep but he only got up a few times and had a few crying spells. Then he read his books (something he did in his crib too) for awhile and eventually fell asleep.
He did fantastic tonight - I'm sure he got up a few times because I found a few extra books in his bed when I went to check on him after he had fallen asleep, but for the most part, he stayed in bed reading his books before he finally drifted off to sleep. Once again it took him longer than usual, but I think he's just trying to get used to a new bed - and a new location for his bed.
I am so proud of my little boy! I can't believe he's old enough to be in a toddler bed! Unbelievable! He's growing up so fast!
Luke and Will would kiss goodnight through the crib - it was so cute!
Will sleeping in his big boy bed!
Luke is in a temporary twin bed right now - we're looking to get him a car bed, but finding one is a challenge. The cool thing about his bed right now is it used to be his daddy and Uncle Randy's bed! He loves being in a bigger bed and feels like such a big boy in it. Once again, I can't believe my children are growing up SO fast!
Friday, August 07, 2009
My Learning Experience of the Day
This week I caught some sort of flu bug that left me with a porcupine sore throat, earache, sore crampy muscles and a fever. Never a good thing when you have two little guys to keep up with! Thankfully my in-laws were a huge help and I was able to recovery relatively quickly...except for my ear. I have always been prone to ear infections and generally lose hearing for about a month in the infected ear - no joke. So when I woke up this morning, I knew I had to get to the doctor as soon as possible to hopefully nip this ear infection in the bud before I lost my hearing. Thankfully my doctor was able to get me in this morning and prescribed some strong ear drops to get the infection under control. Phew! He even prescribed me some pain meds - earaches hurt!
Hang with me here, I promise I'm going somewhere with this. =)
I was able to go pick up my prescription this afternoon. The bag had my name on it -as to be expected - and I paid my co-pay then picked up a few other items at the store. As I was paying for those items, I decided to check my prescription bag because I could only feel one bottle of meds - and I knew the doctor had prescribed me ear drops AND pain meds. So, I open the bag and see only a bottle of pills. Assuming they just gave me the pain meds and forgot the drops, I head back to the pharmacy.
I asked them to check and see if there was another bag for me as I didn't receive the ear drops I needed. The girl checked the computer, asked to see the bag I had, pulled another bag from the shelf and took off to the back of the pharmacy. Turns out they had given me someone else's prescription! The bag had my name on it - but the bottle belonged to someone else. Gulp! I doubt I would have even checked for my name on the label as I just assumed the pills were the pain meds the doctor had prescribed.
We got it all straightened out, but here is what I learned: ALWAYS check the label of your prescriptions! Even if the bag and receipt are labeled correctly, check the label too! Maybe I'm the only person who hasn't always been careful about checking the label for my name (though I check it for dosage and directions of course,) but I will always check from this day forward. I know that however this mishap happened, it wasn't intentional - it was just a mistake. We all make mistakes. But I guess that's why it's important that we are our own line of defense - just in case! I'm just so relieved it all worked out before I took pills not meant for me!
So, just thought I'd share my learning experience of the day. =) I have much more to blog about in the near future! And pictures too!
Hang with me here, I promise I'm going somewhere with this. =)
I was able to go pick up my prescription this afternoon. The bag had my name on it -as to be expected - and I paid my co-pay then picked up a few other items at the store. As I was paying for those items, I decided to check my prescription bag because I could only feel one bottle of meds - and I knew the doctor had prescribed me ear drops AND pain meds. So, I open the bag and see only a bottle of pills. Assuming they just gave me the pain meds and forgot the drops, I head back to the pharmacy.
I asked them to check and see if there was another bag for me as I didn't receive the ear drops I needed. The girl checked the computer, asked to see the bag I had, pulled another bag from the shelf and took off to the back of the pharmacy. Turns out they had given me someone else's prescription! The bag had my name on it - but the bottle belonged to someone else. Gulp! I doubt I would have even checked for my name on the label as I just assumed the pills were the pain meds the doctor had prescribed.
We got it all straightened out, but here is what I learned: ALWAYS check the label of your prescriptions! Even if the bag and receipt are labeled correctly, check the label too! Maybe I'm the only person who hasn't always been careful about checking the label for my name (though I check it for dosage and directions of course,) but I will always check from this day forward. I know that however this mishap happened, it wasn't intentional - it was just a mistake. We all make mistakes. But I guess that's why it's important that we are our own line of defense - just in case! I'm just so relieved it all worked out before I took pills not meant for me!
So, just thought I'd share my learning experience of the day. =) I have much more to blog about in the near future! And pictures too!
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