HELP!!!

Jordyn's pacifiers have started to cause a rash around her mouth, so we need to get her off them. Last night we thought we'd try going cold turkey. It didn't go so well. Jordyn cried until she made herself sick (literally), so Erik "googled" different methods to wean one off a pacifier. We decided to try snipping the tip of the pacifier and giving her that one (supposedly they get tired of the lack of suction and give up the pacifier themselves). Jordyn could tell right away that something was wrong with the pacifier that Erik gave her and she started to scream again. Not wanting to have her get sick again (and wanting to go to bed ourselves, it was almost 10:00 by this time) we gave up and gave her a normal pacifier, and she went right to sleep. If it weren't for the rash, I'd let her keep the stupid things until she was ready to give them up (after all she only uses them to sleep with). If anyone has any experiences and/or methods they'd like to share I'd be very grateful.

1 Year Photos

Since Jordyn wont sit still long enough for me to get decent pictures of her, we decided that we'd take her to a department store studio (thinking that maybe the "professionals" there might know enough tricks to get her to sit still). Talk about a waste of time. Erik and I had to employ ever tactic we knew to try to get her to hold still long enough for the photographer to snap a few pictures. After two hours of wasted time, we were told that their "take your pictures home today" guarantee, meant you had to pay an extra $20 to take your pictures home today, we decided we'd wasted enough money, and that we'd wait the two weeks to get our pictures, which were finally picked up yesterday. Here's what we got...

*one good thing was we got a CD with the pictures on it (enhancements included) and a copyright release so we can do as we please with the pictures.

IKE: Lessons Learned

Never having been through a Hurricane before, and believing those around me, I thought that I was prepared to weather the storm that was Hurricane Ike. I quickly learned other wise. Here are a few of the many lessons learned over the past week.

I learned. . .

. . .a generator is not optional, it's a neccessity

. . .a plastic pool and a sand box can keep a child occupied for hours

. . .a hurricane is a hurricane and no matter how strong, I'm leaving for the next one

. . .there are good people in the world, sometimes it just takes a special situation to bring them out of the wood work

. . .that a hug and a kiss from a child will solve/fix anything

. . .that children are resilent, and can survive anything thrown their way, if you are standing tall, holding their hand

. . .that I have great friends around the country whose thoughts and prayers have touched my heart

. . .small acts of kindness mean a lot to those in need

. . .you can live off of canned goods for a week, and survive to tell about it

. . .cold showers, though miserable, are better than no shower at all

. . .after going a week without chores or respinsibilities, its hard to get back into the swing of things

. . .I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and was watching out for me and my family (as well as those around us) during this storm. I've learned to have more patience in waiting for His timing to come to pass. I've learned to enjoy the company of my family a little bit more, enjoy the marvels of the great out doors, and enjoy all the tasks and chores that I have as a mother.

We put Jordyn's pool and sandbox in our garage during the storm, and it was the best thing that we could have done. They kept her occupied for hours on end. Jordyn did very well through the whole ordeal. She even survived the car ride to Austin when we "escaped" for a few days with Erik's mom. We are thankful that we didn't have much damage to our property (a bit of fence blew down, but that was it), we are thankful to have family near by to help keep me company when Erik was working long hours, we are thankful that our electricity is back on, and we are especially thankful for all of the thoughts and prayers from our friends and family.

We're Back!!

Just a quick update. We are alive and okay. Our power FINALLY came on about an hour ago so we're keeping busy cleaning up the house and making things livable! We'll post about our adventures later.

Waiting, Just Waiting

As I sit here waiting for this storm to hit, I find myself feeling helpless. I've done what the authorities have asked. I've got more than my 72 hr. kit ready, all loose objects have been brought in from outside, I have cash on hand, flashlights, a wind up radio, and the car has a full tank of gas, yet I still have fear in my heart and butterflies in my stomach. I know that no matter how prepared I feel, this is something new, and I wont be prepared enough. All this preparation wont stop this storm from coming, wont stop it from doing damage. It might keep us safe, but will it be enough to help my little one through the next few hours let alone the next few days. How will I be able to tell Jordyn, with her limited communication and understanding, that I'm ready, how can I help her to understand that we will be okay, how can I calm her fears when this storm rages overhead. My nervousness is not so much for myself, but for her, and my fear is for her daddy, who, because of the nature of his job, has to be out on the streets helping others. I pretend that I'm okay so that he wont worry about us. He needs to think we're okay so that he can perform his job correctly. I need to pretend that I'm okay so that my little one wont sense my fear. I need to pretend that I'm okay so that maybe, just maybe when this storm is over head, I might believe that I am okay, and I will get through this. Physically, I'm about as prepared as I think I can get (never having been through this I'm not completely sure what I'll need), however, mentally, I'm a mess. I'm doing all I can to plead for the help of my Heavenly Father. I got a blessing last night, I've read my scriptures, and there is constantly a prayer in my heart. I am a bit calmer than I was yesterday when I heard that the storm had turned and was headed our way, but I'm still nervous, and I still have an elemnt of fear with me. I know that I will survive this, but I pray for the well being of my child and of my husband. I pray for Heavenly Father to be with them. I pray that we will get through this together.

Not Liking the Looks of This!

Stats,Facts and Other Useless Info...

Jordyn had her 12 mo. appointment this morning. It was not a fun appointment for her. She got 4 shots and had to have blood taken. The lab nurse decided that it would be easier for her (the nurse) to try to get blood from Jordyn's arm rather than just do a finger prick. So they (one nurse was holding Jordyn's arm while the other operated the needle) stuck the needle in her arm and then proceeded to fish around for a vein. In the end, they ended up doing a finger prick anyway. Needless to say, Jordyn and I were not happy about that whole ordeal. Other than that, the appointment went well. The Dr. wants me to wean Jordyn off her bottle (which she only uses for milk as it is), and he said that it's probably time for us to start familiarizing her with a potty chair (get her a chair and have her sit on it whenever anyone else in the house uses the bathroom). So, I guess we're on our way to potty training (YEAH!!!). Here's the numbers from this mornings appointment...

Weight: 23 lbs 7 oz

Height: 30.25 in

Head Circumference: 18.25 in

Now on to the useless info...

Jordyn's words: Dada, Mama, book, shoes, bye-bye, moo, baa, all done (with sign language), please (only in sign language), hot dog, and baby

Jordyn's abilities: climbs up and down the stairs, walks everywhere and is starting to run, waves bye-bye, pushes her baby in the stroller, swing and cradle, colors, helps pick up her toys, sleeps through the night (and takes two long naps a day), eats table food, drinks from a sippy cup and can use a straw

fun stuff: Jordyn loves playing with her babies, reading books, playing in her sand box, and playing in the water. Her favorite foods include hot dogs, macaroni and cheese and ramen noodles. She enjoys fruit snacks, crackers and icees