Birthday Hugs from Little Ray!!
**
Showing posts with label Little Ray-Ray. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Little Ray-Ray. Show all posts
Sunday, January 8
Monday, March 21
Exploring Colorado
**
We arrived in Colorado more than 6 months ago and have easily survived what everyone is telling us was a 'very mild' winter. Spring seems to be coming our way - early, thankfully. The grass is starting to turn green and the weather is beginning to brighten and warm.
This weekend, the girls and I took an exploratory drive around Boulder County and found wonderful, happy things....,
We arrived in Colorado more than 6 months ago and have easily survived what everyone is telling us was a 'very mild' winter. Spring seems to be coming our way - early, thankfully. The grass is starting to turn green and the weather is beginning to brighten and warm.
This weekend, the girls and I took an exploratory drive around Boulder County and found wonderful, happy things....,
**
Absorbing family values...,
**
Earlier today, the girls and I set out to give boxes of girl scout cookies to the homeless folks down on Pearl Street. On the way Rachel said, "Momma, I know it seems like they don't have anything, but they do have something. They have love - they can love, give love. So they do have something."
It was a day of lots of discussion. Alex asked if people were born homeless and I was about to answer her with all the adult issues of homelessness and its plethora of causes, but I stopped mid-sentence. "Yes, sadly, some babies are born to mommies and daddies who don't have homes." "We're lucky," she said. "We have a home. When we give them the cookies, I hope it makes them happy."
**
Earlier today, the girls and I set out to give boxes of girl scout cookies to the homeless folks down on Pearl Street. On the way Rachel said, "Momma, I know it seems like they don't have anything, but they do have something. They have love - they can love, give love. So they do have something."
It was a day of lots of discussion. Alex asked if people were born homeless and I was about to answer her with all the adult issues of homelessness and its plethora of causes, but I stopped mid-sentence. "Yes, sadly, some babies are born to mommies and daddies who don't have homes." "We're lucky," she said. "We have a home. When we give them the cookies, I hope it makes them happy."
**
Sunday, March 13
Rachel looses her 1st tooth!!
**
Little Rachel has FINALLY lost her first tooth. She's been waiting, semi-patiently - for soooo long.
It was quick mommy thinking when Rachel ran in to tell us that she'd lost her tooth and then began to cry when she realized that she'd SWALLOWED it!! (I didn't know people ever actually did that!)
"Rachel, Sweetie, let me see that chocolate egg," I said. "I'll bet you just lost it in that gooey center."
"NO! It's gone, I swallowed it!!"
There was some discussion about waiting until she pooped and searching for it there, but she relented and let me 'search' the chocolate egg. I took the egg ran upstairs and grabbed one of Alex's baby teeth, which, for some unknown reason, the tooth fairy kept giving back to me.
"Found it!" I called, and came downstairs proudly holding 'Rachel's 1st lost tooth.'
Crisis averted, we pulled out the Tooth Fairy pillow and prepared her tooth for pick up. She was over the moon!!
**
Little Rachel has FINALLY lost her first tooth. She's been waiting, semi-patiently - for soooo long.
It was quick mommy thinking when Rachel ran in to tell us that she'd lost her tooth and then began to cry when she realized that she'd SWALLOWED it!! (I didn't know people ever actually did that!)
"Rachel, Sweetie, let me see that chocolate egg," I said. "I'll bet you just lost it in that gooey center."
"NO! It's gone, I swallowed it!!"
There was some discussion about waiting until she pooped and searching for it there, but she relented and let me 'search' the chocolate egg. I took the egg ran upstairs and grabbed one of Alex's baby teeth, which, for some unknown reason, the tooth fairy kept giving back to me.
"Found it!" I called, and came downstairs proudly holding 'Rachel's 1st lost tooth.'
Crisis averted, we pulled out the Tooth Fairy pillow and prepared her tooth for pick up. She was over the moon!!
**
Monday, March 7
Girl Scouts
**
Both the girls joined Girl Scouts just as soon as they started a new school. I think it's helped them both settle in and make new friends.
We're now in the midst of "Cookie Season," which is going to cost us at least $50.00 in cookies. Lord knows we can't eat all those, so we're donating them to the local homeless. I'm hoping this will help them learn just how lucky we are and how much we have.
I'm so happy to see their smiles and hear their giggles. Soooo love them, all they are, and all they're going to be.
**
Both the girls joined Girl Scouts just as soon as they started a new school. I think it's helped them both settle in and make new friends.
We're now in the midst of "Cookie Season," which is going to cost us at least $50.00 in cookies. Lord knows we can't eat all those, so we're donating them to the local homeless. I'm hoping this will help them learn just how lucky we are and how much we have.
I'm so happy to see their smiles and hear their giggles. Soooo love them, all they are, and all they're going to be.
**
Sunday, September 19
Tuesday, August 17
Progress??
Regrets and worries marked this first day of school for me
Trepidation and anxiety for Rachel
Nervous excitement for Alex
Rachel's new ear. It's supposed to be this wonderful thing - but I'm not sure it is. She was fine before. Her ear was this cute little nub. She couldn't hear out of it - but it didn't seem to bother her at all. We did what we thought was best - we got it fixed. Functionally and asthetically (in theory).
But now that the surgery is behind us - I'm not so sure. There has been more attention called to her ear after the surgery than before, and the jury is still out on her hearing. The new ear is far more noticeable than the 'missing' ear ever was. It's big, gooey looking from the ointment, and different colors. Other children stare and inquire. One little girl was actually pretty nasty about it - but Momma Bear set her straight pretty quickly.
But I won't always be with Rachel, to fend off the stares and comments. At her old school, she was pretty tough. Confident and secure, with lots of friends, Rachel was better able or better prepared to fend for her self and verbally knock down the nastiness. But in her new school, with no friends, she's unsure and alone and scared. Her confidence is lacking and it makes her so vulnerable.
I fended off the comments and stares as well as I could this morning. I saw little Lennon staring intently at Lil' Ray's new ear, and true to form, I addressed it head on. "That's her new ear," I said. "Isn't it cool. The doctors gave her a new ear from the inside out - Cool, huh?"
"What happened to her other ear?" Lennon asked, as other kids started listening and looking.
"She was born without one," I explained. "and the doctors had to make a new one - from the ear drum out. And she got her ears pierced too."
Lennon continued to stare. Not quite sure what to make of it. "I think it's cute," one of the little girls said. "Cool!" said one of the boys.
After a few more sentences, Rachel pulled me close and, with a sad little look on her face said, "Momma, I don't want you to tell every one."
"OK, babe. I'm sorry. But you DO have the coolest ear in the school!"
"I know momma, but I just don't want you to tell everyone."
*sigh*
Rachel's my kid who doesn't like being the center of attention - good or bad. She's the kid who develops a few solid friendships, with many at the periphery - but a few loyal, close friends. She's smart and generous, but seems to draw her outward confidence and security from those relationships. (Oh little Corinnie! Where are you?!? Today would have been so different had we stayed in Poway :-( )
I'm hopeful that the end of today will bring smiles and the beginnings of new friendships.
**
Trepidation and anxiety for Rachel
Nervous excitement for Alex
Rachel's new ear. It's supposed to be this wonderful thing - but I'm not sure it is. She was fine before. Her ear was this cute little nub. She couldn't hear out of it - but it didn't seem to bother her at all. We did what we thought was best - we got it fixed. Functionally and asthetically (in theory).
But now that the surgery is behind us - I'm not so sure. There has been more attention called to her ear after the surgery than before, and the jury is still out on her hearing. The new ear is far more noticeable than the 'missing' ear ever was. It's big, gooey looking from the ointment, and different colors. Other children stare and inquire. One little girl was actually pretty nasty about it - but Momma Bear set her straight pretty quickly.
But I won't always be with Rachel, to fend off the stares and comments. At her old school, she was pretty tough. Confident and secure, with lots of friends, Rachel was better able or better prepared to fend for her self and verbally knock down the nastiness. But in her new school, with no friends, she's unsure and alone and scared. Her confidence is lacking and it makes her so vulnerable.
I fended off the comments and stares as well as I could this morning. I saw little Lennon staring intently at Lil' Ray's new ear, and true to form, I addressed it head on. "That's her new ear," I said. "Isn't it cool. The doctors gave her a new ear from the inside out - Cool, huh?"
"What happened to her other ear?" Lennon asked, as other kids started listening and looking.
"She was born without one," I explained. "and the doctors had to make a new one - from the ear drum out. And she got her ears pierced too."
Lennon continued to stare. Not quite sure what to make of it. "I think it's cute," one of the little girls said. "Cool!" said one of the boys.
After a few more sentences, Rachel pulled me close and, with a sad little look on her face said, "Momma, I don't want you to tell every one."
"OK, babe. I'm sorry. But you DO have the coolest ear in the school!"
"I know momma, but I just don't want you to tell everyone."
*sigh*
Rachel's my kid who doesn't like being the center of attention - good or bad. She's the kid who develops a few solid friendships, with many at the periphery - but a few loyal, close friends. She's smart and generous, but seems to draw her outward confidence and security from those relationships. (Oh little Corinnie! Where are you?!? Today would have been so different had we stayed in Poway :-( )
I'm hopeful that the end of today will bring smiles and the beginnings of new friendships.
**
Monday, June 14
Knock - Knock...,
**
Rachel's first joke...,
"Momma?"
"Yes, hun?"
"Why did the TV cross the road?"
"I don't know. Why?"
"Because it wanted to be a flat screen!"
BWAAA HAAAA HAAAAA!!!!
**
Rachel's first joke...,
"Momma?"
"Yes, hun?"
"Why did the TV cross the road?"
"I don't know. Why?"
"Because it wanted to be a flat screen!"
BWAAA HAAAA HAAAAA!!!!
**
Monday, May 10
Mothers Day - It doesn't get any better
**
I planned a simple day with my girls. Movies and lunch with a friend and her daughter. Dave is out of town so I didn't expect anythng special, but Rachel and Alex had different plans.
7 a.m. Knock, knock softly at my door.
"Mommy," Rachel says in her sweet little voice. When she says I'm waking up, she giggles and squeals, "Close your eyes!"
"Close your eyes, Mommy," Alex echoes.
"Ok. Ok!"
"Are they closed?" in unison.
"Yes"
A moment passes, and then whispers and giggles.
"HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!"
And I opened my eyes to find the two cutest girls ever carrying in my breakfast. "It's for you!! It's BREAKFAST IN BED!!" Alex is beaming!!
"Your life long dream!!" Rachel chirps.
Bringing mommy Mother's Day Bed the girls are soooo happy. It's a priceles moment.
OH MY GOD - They ae sooo adorable and they did ths all for me. All on their own - together. I could have burst with happiness, love and pride. These are two great kids!
On the tray was a plate with one of Daddy's famous pancakes (heated in the microwave) a chunk of peanut brittle, three gummy fish a huge tumbler cup full of orange juice, handmade cards and notes, and Rachel even drew a portrait of me.
After I complied with their requests to "EAT! Mommy! EAT!" and answered over and over that, yes, I do like it, the negotations began.
"Mommy, we brought you three gummies and there are three of us. And we brought one in your favorite colors - red. Can WE have the other two?" So - we all ate the gummies together...,
"Mommy, that's a lot of peanut brittle. Can we have some of that too?!?"
Ah - Mother's Day!!
**
I planned a simple day with my girls. Movies and lunch with a friend and her daughter. Dave is out of town so I didn't expect anythng special, but Rachel and Alex had different plans.
7 a.m. Knock, knock softly at my door.
"Mommy," Rachel says in her sweet little voice. When she says I'm waking up, she giggles and squeals, "Close your eyes!"
"Close your eyes, Mommy," Alex echoes.
"Ok. Ok!"
"Are they closed?" in unison.
"Yes"
A moment passes, and then whispers and giggles.
"HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!"
And I opened my eyes to find the two cutest girls ever carrying in my breakfast. "It's for you!! It's BREAKFAST IN BED!!" Alex is beaming!!
"Your life long dream!!" Rachel chirps.
Bringing mommy Mother's Day Bed the girls are soooo happy. It's a priceles moment.
OH MY GOD - They ae sooo adorable and they did ths all for me. All on their own - together. I could have burst with happiness, love and pride. These are two great kids!
On the tray was a plate with one of Daddy's famous pancakes (heated in the microwave) a chunk of peanut brittle, three gummy fish a huge tumbler cup full of orange juice, handmade cards and notes, and Rachel even drew a portrait of me.
After I complied with their requests to "EAT! Mommy! EAT!" and answered over and over that, yes, I do like it, the negotations began.
"Mommy, we brought you three gummies and there are three of us. And we brought one in your favorite colors - red. Can WE have the other two?" So - we all ate the gummies together...,
"Mommy, that's a lot of peanut brittle. Can we have some of that too?!?"
Ah - Mother's Day!!
**
Thursday, April 1
Where Babies Come From
**
So, tonight I spent the evening explaining where babies come from. Rachel's been a bit confused.
"So we got the egg from another woman and daddy's 'cells,' (that's called sperm) and put them in a dish. They swam around for awhile, then kissed and came together and started to grow into embryoes. Then we put them in mommy's tummy and one of them grew into Alex."
"But what about me Mommy."
"Well, the egg and Daddy's cells met in Mommy's body and you grew from there. So, yes, you were both born from Mommy's tummy. Do you understand?"
"Yeah, I like the part where they kissed."
Fertility in the Hart House is an interesting discussion. Thank god she didn't ask how Daddy's cells got into Mommy's tummy. Dodged that bullet for a while!
**
So, tonight I spent the evening explaining where babies come from. Rachel's been a bit confused.
"So we got the egg from another woman and daddy's 'cells,' (that's called sperm) and put them in a dish. They swam around for awhile, then kissed and came together and started to grow into embryoes. Then we put them in mommy's tummy and one of them grew into Alex."
"But what about me Mommy."
"Well, the egg and Daddy's cells met in Mommy's body and you grew from there. So, yes, you were both born from Mommy's tummy. Do you understand?"
"Yeah, I like the part where they kissed."
Fertility in the Hart House is an interesting discussion. Thank god she didn't ask how Daddy's cells got into Mommy's tummy. Dodged that bullet for a while!
**
Sunday, December 13
A sudden scare...,
**
Off to bed with a stuffy nose and the sniffles, hours later Rachel wakes up crying with a barking cough. She began gasping for air and for one horrible moment it seemed like she couldn't breath. I grabbed her from her bed and, checking for blue lips on the way, we rush her to the bath to run the hot steam. Rachel's calm now and trying to sleep. Not sure that will come any time soon for momma!
**
Off to bed with a stuffy nose and the sniffles, hours later Rachel wakes up crying with a barking cough. She began gasping for air and for one horrible moment it seemed like she couldn't breath. I grabbed her from her bed and, checking for blue lips on the way, we rush her to the bath to run the hot steam. Rachel's calm now and trying to sleep. Not sure that will come any time soon for momma!
**
Monday, November 23
It's all about perspective
**
"Rachel, hon, your shorts are on backwards."
Hmmm. Rachel looks down. Perplexed for a moment.
She quickly spins around backward, grins over her shoulder and says, "Now they're not!"
**
"Rachel, hon, your shorts are on backwards."
Hmmm. Rachel looks down. Perplexed for a moment.
She quickly spins around backward, grins over her shoulder and says, "Now they're not!"
**
Sunday, October 11
Back in the saddle
**
With the kids back in school, their other lessons and activities are getting back into full-swing too. And now that Rachel is five, both girls are taking riding lessons. Oh - and they are loving it...,
**
With the kids back in school, their other lessons and activities are getting back into full-swing too. And now that Rachel is five, both girls are taking riding lessons. Oh - and they are loving it...,
**
Friday, October 9
Amending the record...,
**
OK - remember "For the Record" ???
Well - let me set that record straight. A little kiss, a little wipe and it disappeared. Yep, it was nothin' but dirt.
**
OK - remember "For the Record" ???
Well - let me set that record straight. A little kiss, a little wipe and it disappeared. Yep, it was nothin' but dirt.
**
Thursday, October 8
She needs a hole in her head....
**
Rachel's surgery is becoming more real. No longer some nebulous thing that's going to happen some day - off in the future. No longer far enough off that I can leave it in the box, safely on the shelf with all the worries tucked nicely inside.
We've started selecting physicians and facilities, insurance carriers and plans, looking at photos, pouring through internet resources, and making decisions on which procedures and when.
It's the process that keeps me balanced. Going through the necessary steps and staying focused on the details keeps the worries at bay.
**
Interested in learning more???
Understanding Unilateral Hearing loss:
http://www.boystownhospital.org/hearing/info/unilateral.asp
And the speech banana...,
http://edschool.csuhayward.edu/departments/ted/instruction/howe/5500/AAL-speechbanana.html
Blogs
http://www.kelleysearsurgery.blogspot.com/
http://www.milestrip.blogspot.com/
http://www.missionlittlebrother.blogspot.com/
http://belle-josh.blogspot.com/
Our doc;
http://www.americanhealthandbeauty.com/procedures/doctors.asp?doc=345
http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/14064.html?gclid=CMbwpOTy7JoCFQVxFQodW10QBQ
Rachel's surgery is becoming more real. No longer some nebulous thing that's going to happen some day - off in the future. No longer far enough off that I can leave it in the box, safely on the shelf with all the worries tucked nicely inside.
We've started selecting physicians and facilities, insurance carriers and plans, looking at photos, pouring through internet resources, and making decisions on which procedures and when.
It's the process that keeps me balanced. Going through the necessary steps and staying focused on the details keeps the worries at bay.
**
Interested in learning more???
Understanding Unilateral Hearing loss:
http://www.boystownhospital.org/hearing/info/unilateral.asp
And the speech banana...,
http://edschool.csuhayward.edu/departments/ted/instruction/howe/5500/AAL-speechbanana.html
Blogs
http://www.kelleysearsurgery.blogspot.com/
http://www.milestrip.blogspot.com/
http://www.missionlittlebrother.blogspot.com/
http://belle-josh.blogspot.com/
Our doc;
http://www.americanhealthandbeauty.com/procedures/doctors.asp?doc=345
http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/14064.html?gclid=CMbwpOTy7JoCFQVxFQodW10QBQ
Wednesday, October 7
Learning the Rules
**
For a person who isn't much of a rule follower, can someone tell me why I've become a leader of one of the most rule based organizations around?
Yep - I've become a Girl Scout leader. Not once - but twice. One for each of my girls. And, as always, I've learned it's really not about following the rules, so much as it is making the rules work for you. (Just to be clear, this isn't something I'll be teaching the Scouts. They'll figure it out during their teen years - maybe.)
Today we had 14 girls, 8 moms and 3 extra siblings here for a fabulous little initiation ceremony for the new Kindergarten troop. Alex's troop, the first grade Daisies, welcomed Rachel's Kindergarten troop into the the Girls Scouts. During the ceremony, each girl was presented with her new vest. Smiles, giggles and squeals all around. Good times.
After the Girl Scout meeting "officially" ended. We broke out the pizza. juice boxes and wine, and the Moms had just as good of time as the girls. Great group of women, raising a great group of girls.
Life if good.
**
For a person who isn't much of a rule follower, can someone tell me why I've become a leader of one of the most rule based organizations around?
Yep - I've become a Girl Scout leader. Not once - but twice. One for each of my girls. And, as always, I've learned it's really not about following the rules, so much as it is making the rules work for you. (Just to be clear, this isn't something I'll be teaching the Scouts. They'll figure it out during their teen years - maybe.)
Today we had 14 girls, 8 moms and 3 extra siblings here for a fabulous little initiation ceremony for the new Kindergarten troop. Alex's troop, the first grade Daisies, welcomed Rachel's Kindergarten troop into the the Girls Scouts. During the ceremony, each girl was presented with her new vest. Smiles, giggles and squeals all around. Good times.
After the Girl Scout meeting "officially" ended. We broke out the pizza. juice boxes and wine, and the Moms had just as good of time as the girls. Great group of women, raising a great group of girls.
Life if good.
**
Saturday, September 26
Science - It's a party!
**
At 7:00 a.m. I woke up with a messy house, the knowledge that 7 little girls would be arriving at our house at 2:00 p.m. for Rachel's science party - and absolutely no plan. No plan - just a theme.
OK - time to get moving. Dave and I gulped down some coffee, made our lists and shifted into gear. Several hours and one clean house later....,
**
At 7:00 a.m. I woke up with a messy house, the knowledge that 7 little girls would be arriving at our house at 2:00 p.m. for Rachel's science party - and absolutely no plan. No plan - just a theme.
OK - time to get moving. Dave and I gulped down some coffee, made our lists and shifted into gear. Several hours and one clean house later....,
**
Monday, September 14
Friday, August 21
Just another step
**
Today I watched her walk away. Without so much as a glance backwards, she walked away. Tentative, a little slowly at first, but off she went with dozens of other little people. Rachel left.
The second day of kindergarten is always rougher (for me) than the first. Day one is filled with excitement over new clothes, new backpacks and school supplies, new experiences, but day two they just walk away. Another step on the long road toward their own life, toward adulthood, and one more step away from needing mommy and daddy for every little thing.
Oh, I've been told that once they head off to college that I'll be ready to see them go, but I don't think so. My heart hurts a little when I think of the ways we'll grow apart from them as they grow up. It's natural. It's necessary. I know all that, and I want that for them. I just hope we can somehow keep them close while simultaneously letting them grow, and ultimately letting them go.
**
Today I watched her walk away. Without so much as a glance backwards, she walked away. Tentative, a little slowly at first, but off she went with dozens of other little people. Rachel left.
The second day of kindergarten is always rougher (for me) than the first. Day one is filled with excitement over new clothes, new backpacks and school supplies, new experiences, but day two they just walk away. Another step on the long road toward their own life, toward adulthood, and one more step away from needing mommy and daddy for every little thing.
Oh, I've been told that once they head off to college that I'll be ready to see them go, but I don't think so. My heart hurts a little when I think of the ways we'll grow apart from them as they grow up. It's natural. It's necessary. I know all that, and I want that for them. I just hope we can somehow keep them close while simultaneously letting them grow, and ultimately letting them go.
**
Thursday, August 20
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