I was just informed of a news story done by ABC News 2 out of Baltimore. It would appear that more babies are born with a cleft of some kind in the United States than in developing countries. It is the second most common birth defect behind congenital heart defects. I just thought I would share, because I like to share different stories I find that are relevant and that are interesting about clefts. So, Here we are.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
YAY! Pictures.
Quick picspam. I just got this today!
The end. Oh, I love this Monster.
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| This is Monster with her cousin Nesiah. My Little Brother's boy. |
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| And again with Nesiah. |
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| Cheese! |
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| My teeth. |
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| My big blues. |
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| In black and white. |
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| Climbing on stuff. |
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| With a border. |
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| Sitting pretty. |
The Monster Knows!
We went to the doctor yesterday for the second part of her flu shot. It was not fun, and Monster was not happy. Monster knows what those little tubes are that have orange tops. Those are the needles that poke her in the leg and hurt a lot. There were a couple of things that happened at this visit.
We get to the clinic at the proscribed appointment time. We check in and sit down to wait. In comes a mom with her daughter. Kaylee was immediately fascinated with this little girl's hair because it was really curly and kinky. So, this little girl and Monster are playing an Monster decides to pet this girl's hair. She didn't pull, she put her hand out and brushed the top of one of the girls pigtails. The girl decided she didn't like it at all and she pushed Monster on the floor. Monster hit her head and started screaming of course. It was sad.
The other little girl started crying because Monster was crying. I made sure to let the little girl know it was okay - they are children after all. But that mother was like "you should teach your child not to pull hair," and then she walked away. I was watching. Intently. There was no hair pulling. So, whatever. I was scolded by a mother not much older than me - no big deal. But it still made me mad because I apologized as she walked away and she didn't even say sorry to me for her bully of a daughter pushing Monster to the ground, hurting her head. :( Rude lady.
Anyway, after I calm Monster down, we are called to get her shot. I laid Monster on the exam chair thing and start to pull off one of the legs of her pants when the nurse turns around with the needle in hand. Monster literally jumped out of this chair into my arms because she didn't want it. The nurse took advantage of that, because I was holding Kaylee, and got her in the leg real quick like. But the thing is this: before - Monster didn't care what was going on she'd just lay back and let what needed to get done, get done. Now, however, she knows. I have a feeling that the White Coat Syndrome* is going to start soon.
So, long story short: flu shot. On the upside she got a new hat out of the deal! Enjoy, and have a good night! <3 Jess
*White Coat Syndrome: The fear of the doctors office because they've been there once too many. I've got it, when it comes to the dentist. I hate dentists. Le sigh.
We get to the clinic at the proscribed appointment time. We check in and sit down to wait. In comes a mom with her daughter. Kaylee was immediately fascinated with this little girl's hair because it was really curly and kinky. So, this little girl and Monster are playing an Monster decides to pet this girl's hair. She didn't pull, she put her hand out and brushed the top of one of the girls pigtails. The girl decided she didn't like it at all and she pushed Monster on the floor. Monster hit her head and started screaming of course. It was sad.
The other little girl started crying because Monster was crying. I made sure to let the little girl know it was okay - they are children after all. But that mother was like "you should teach your child not to pull hair," and then she walked away. I was watching. Intently. There was no hair pulling. So, whatever. I was scolded by a mother not much older than me - no big deal. But it still made me mad because I apologized as she walked away and she didn't even say sorry to me for her bully of a daughter pushing Monster to the ground, hurting her head. :( Rude lady.
Anyway, after I calm Monster down, we are called to get her shot. I laid Monster on the exam chair thing and start to pull off one of the legs of her pants when the nurse turns around with the needle in hand. Monster literally jumped out of this chair into my arms because she didn't want it. The nurse took advantage of that, because I was holding Kaylee, and got her in the leg real quick like. But the thing is this: before - Monster didn't care what was going on she'd just lay back and let what needed to get done, get done. Now, however, she knows. I have a feeling that the White Coat Syndrome* is going to start soon.
So, long story short: flu shot. On the upside she got a new hat out of the deal! Enjoy, and have a good night! <3 Jess
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| I'm from here. |
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| So, does it look ok? |
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Adventures in Sleep - Things Will Fix Themsleves.
Apparently.
Yesterday she sad: Well, I guess I'll sleep through the night. Why not, I mean, everyone else does right? Although it sounded more like: "bleelja;dlhf aaaahahahahhhahhhals. aljkfdldh" *falls over asleep*
So, she's sleeping at night again. I can only hope that this lasts for a while. It snowed again today. I've yet to get a picture. She's not too certain about snow yet. What I do have a picture of however is this...
...and this...
...she wouldn't let go of that Tootsie Roll for the life of her. The rapture could come at any moment and she would still be all: My. Tootsie. Roll. Yep, definitely my kid.
All's well on the home front. Daddy Monster and I are both working, things are good there. The only dark spot on the horizon: Kaylee gets the second part of her flu shot tomorrow. :( Not a happy day for her. But hopefully she'll be okay, it's only one shot this time.
So, yeah. Life is starting to work itself out. I love that. <3 Jess.
Yesterday she sad: Well, I guess I'll sleep through the night. Why not, I mean, everyone else does right? Although it sounded more like: "bleelja;dlhf aaaahahahahhhahhhals. aljkfdldh" *falls over asleep*
So, she's sleeping at night again. I can only hope that this lasts for a while. It snowed again today. I've yet to get a picture. She's not too certain about snow yet. What I do have a picture of however is this...
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| This is my Tootsie Roll. It is mine and I will call it Tootsie and you will never get it back. |
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| OH? I'm sorry. I thought the pumpkin jar was mine. |
...she wouldn't let go of that Tootsie Roll for the life of her. The rapture could come at any moment and she would still be all: My. Tootsie. Roll. Yep, definitely my kid.
All's well on the home front. Daddy Monster and I are both working, things are good there. The only dark spot on the horizon: Kaylee gets the second part of her flu shot tomorrow. :( Not a happy day for her. But hopefully she'll be okay, it's only one shot this time.
So, yeah. Life is starting to work itself out. I love that. <3 Jess.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Adventures in Sleep - Where did I go wrong?
So. Kaylee Monster has decided that sleeping at night when everyone else does is overrated. For the last two weeks or so she has slowly moved her sleep schedule from normal nighttime to sleeping all day, and playing all night. Now, I know that this is something I should expect as she gets older, but at 1 year old? Something has got to be wrong here.
I've done some reading and sometimes it says that they don't want to miss out on anything including mom and dad getting ready for bed. I've also read that they can have separation anxiety just for sleeping. So, yeah. I have no idea. All I know is that Daddy Monster and I are having a rough go of it because we both have work and we both require some sleep. Here are some of the things that I've done that haven't worked.
1. Nighttime routine: play, eat, bath time, read, diaper change, sleep. This routine has worked swimmingly for the last few months with just a hiccup or two when she was teething and during her recoveries from surgery and stuffs.
2. I've tried keeping her up for longer stretches. This just leads to more naps, and longer ones.
3. I've tried taking her outside in the daylight when it is nice and bright so she can run around and learn to like it, but she just falls asleep as soon as I pick her up, or put her in her stroller.
I am at a loss. I hope this gets resolved soon, because OMG. I need to sleep.
I've done some reading and sometimes it says that they don't want to miss out on anything including mom and dad getting ready for bed. I've also read that they can have separation anxiety just for sleeping. So, yeah. I have no idea. All I know is that Daddy Monster and I are having a rough go of it because we both have work and we both require some sleep. Here are some of the things that I've done that haven't worked.
1. Nighttime routine: play, eat, bath time, read, diaper change, sleep. This routine has worked swimmingly for the last few months with just a hiccup or two when she was teething and during her recoveries from surgery and stuffs.
2. I've tried keeping her up for longer stretches. This just leads to more naps, and longer ones.
3. I've tried taking her outside in the daylight when it is nice and bright so she can run around and learn to like it, but she just falls asleep as soon as I pick her up, or put her in her stroller.
I am at a loss. I hope this gets resolved soon, because OMG. I need to sleep.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Wewt! Pumpkins!
Kaylee and I went to the pumpkin patch today. We are going again tomorrow with daddy. Here are some pictures from the trip today, more will come tomorrow!
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| Hi Mom! |
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| I want that one and this one and that one, and that one over there.... |
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| It's bright out here! |
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| Mommy and Monster. |
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| I'll take that one. |
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| Ok fine, the smaller one. |
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Hello!!!!!
So, we are alive and well I promise. Things have been quite a bit hectic around here lately. Luckily things are looking up and hopefully things will continue to do so for us. As far as Monster is concerned everything is progressing nicely.
She's right on track in growth for a one-year old. She's in the 90th percentile for height and weight, so obviously no feeding issues there. She's growing so big and strong and just being the love of our lives right now. She's also our entertainment. She's just learned how to say a few words and one specific phrase that just makes us all smile.
First, she points and says "look." She says hi, mama, dada. She says "Hi, Ronan" when the dog comes in or when we've been away for awhile. Yeah, she's starting to talk. It is the most amazing thing ever. She knows where her ears and eyes and nose are and she is working on finding her mouth. She kisses when asked and say buh-bye when asked. She brings things and finds her ball. I love this kid so much. She's doing so well.
Last week she had her one year vaccinations, as well as her flu shot. They had to take blood to test for lead levels (since we live in a house built in the early 60s) and check hemoglobin, plus something else I can't quite recall. She's in perfect health., and has a total of 8 teeth in her mouth with more coming in. There is one that I have concern about because it is on the edge of her gum where the cleft was and I am concerned as to how that will come out, but we have a dentist appointment with her cleft dentist in a couple of weeks and hopefully she will let us what is going on.
Anyway, just wanted to check in with everyone...I know its been a while. Pics!
She's right on track in growth for a one-year old. She's in the 90th percentile for height and weight, so obviously no feeding issues there. She's growing so big and strong and just being the love of our lives right now. She's also our entertainment. She's just learned how to say a few words and one specific phrase that just makes us all smile.
First, she points and says "look." She says hi, mama, dada. She says "Hi, Ronan" when the dog comes in or when we've been away for awhile. Yeah, she's starting to talk. It is the most amazing thing ever. She knows where her ears and eyes and nose are and she is working on finding her mouth. She kisses when asked and say buh-bye when asked. She brings things and finds her ball. I love this kid so much. She's doing so well.
Last week she had her one year vaccinations, as well as her flu shot. They had to take blood to test for lead levels (since we live in a house built in the early 60s) and check hemoglobin, plus something else I can't quite recall. She's in perfect health., and has a total of 8 teeth in her mouth with more coming in. There is one that I have concern about because it is on the edge of her gum where the cleft was and I am concerned as to how that will come out, but we have a dentist appointment with her cleft dentist in a couple of weeks and hopefully she will let us what is going on.
Anyway, just wanted to check in with everyone...I know its been a while. Pics!
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| My blue zebra! And Daddy hanging with me to make sure I don't falls off! |
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| Hi guys, I'm hanging out. Just relaxin. Enjoyin the day. |
Friday, September 23, 2011
Happy First Birthday Kaylee!!!!!!!!!
WEWT! You are 1 whole year old today! At least she will be officially 365 days old at 8:42pm. How time has flown. And how big you have grown (that was not intended to rhyme, I'm just rad like that). Gosh, what a year. So, here is where we do a whole years worth of pictures...ok only 12 (but actually more :P) since there are 12 months in a year...LOL. Picspam!
Later I will post her first 12 month picture. I haven't even taken it yet, but I will post it when I do. I can't believe how fast time has gone. How much she has gone through. And how much I have realized how strong of a person I can be. There were times when I had the fleeting thought that this was something I couldn't do, but when this girl smiles at me I know I was meant to do this - to be her mommy. So very sorry for the picspam of my girl. Enjoy it! Love from us <3. JESS and Kaylee too.
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| Rockin' the pain med free birth experience. |
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| StayPuft Marshmallow man - headed into surgery. |
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| Pitocin sucked. |
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| A baby monster was born. |
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| First noms without the feeding tube. |
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| After my first bath! |
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| I smiled a big one at 2 months. |
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| Started pwning n00bs at 4 months. |
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| Lip repair done at 5 months. |
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| My half birthday cuppy cake noms. |
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| Starting to do lots of things on the floor at 7 months. |
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| 7 months old. Looking good. |
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| Starting to crawl at 8 months. |
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| My lip has smoothed waay out. Here I am at 9 months. |
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| Starting to stand on my own at 10 months. |
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| Broncos fan at 11 months. |
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| Eating Mama's pudding at 11 months. |
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| Walking here, there and everywhere at 11 months. |
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| Early first year celebration. First Birthday Cuppy Cake. Noms. |
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Birthday Party Fun.
We got rained on. Twice. LOL.
It was a great first birthday party. She played with cousins, got held by everyone. She had a cuppy cake and she loved it too. Here are pics of the cuppy cake eating. I'm tired and don't have the energy to write out a giant thing. We all had fun, and we all got food and cake/cuppy cakes and it was a good time. <3 JESS
It was a great first birthday party. She played with cousins, got held by everyone. She had a cuppy cake and she loved it too. Here are pics of the cuppy cake eating. I'm tired and don't have the energy to write out a giant thing. We all had fun, and we all got food and cake/cuppy cakes and it was a good time. <3 JESS
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| Mine. All mine. |
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| Cuppy Cakes! |
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| Noms. Sooooooo gooooood. |
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| Mommy want cuppy cake too? |
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| Gramma Molina give you cuppy cake too. |
Friday, September 16, 2011
September is Craniofacial Awareness Month!
Firstly, I will admit. I am a slacker. I've not had time to update this blog in forever. Okay, not necessarily forever, but it has been a while. I don't have a whole lot of goodness to report except a few things. Secondly, September is Craniofacial Awareness Month. So I will link to a few awesome blogs and websites that will give anyone and everyone more information about craniofacial defects and how they are being studied and stuff. Yep: Children's Craniofacial Association, Craniofacial Awareness Month
We are in the process of finding out where we will be living soon. Things are hard right now, but I am sure we will get through.
Kaylee had her post-operative checkup and is doing really well. Dr. A is very pleased with her progress and he is confident that there will be no fistulas opening up in her palate. She had her hearing screen and did wonderfully. Normal hearing as far as the audiologist can tell. So, for now things are good. Normal.
Kaylee is walking on her own for the most part. She loves to go from one end of the room to the other. She is still wobbly of course because it is a new skill, but it is a skill she is practicing all the time. Since she started walking I can definitely say that her appetite has increased by a lot. She eats all the time now. I've started crawling around on my knees to be more at her level to play with her...it is exhausting, but amazingly fun.
Anyway, that is just a quick update. I am busy getting things ready for her birthday party tomorrow. I know her true b-day is a week away still - but this was the most convenient time for everyone, friends and family who have to work, and people going out of town, tomorrow worked the best for all. It's going to be a simple bbq, complete with hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, baked beans, chips, dip, soda, ended with cake and ice cream. Since it is still going to be nice tomorrow it should be really fun.
Anyway, I don't have much in the way of new pictures...my camera has been acting funny. But if you are my friend on facebook you can see the video of her walking. I just posted it today. I have yet to figure out how to add video to this blog. I will figure that out soon. Happy September!
We are in the process of finding out where we will be living soon. Things are hard right now, but I am sure we will get through.
Kaylee had her post-operative checkup and is doing really well. Dr. A is very pleased with her progress and he is confident that there will be no fistulas opening up in her palate. She had her hearing screen and did wonderfully. Normal hearing as far as the audiologist can tell. So, for now things are good. Normal.
Kaylee is walking on her own for the most part. She loves to go from one end of the room to the other. She is still wobbly of course because it is a new skill, but it is a skill she is practicing all the time. Since she started walking I can definitely say that her appetite has increased by a lot. She eats all the time now. I've started crawling around on my knees to be more at her level to play with her...it is exhausting, but amazingly fun.
Anyway, that is just a quick update. I am busy getting things ready for her birthday party tomorrow. I know her true b-day is a week away still - but this was the most convenient time for everyone, friends and family who have to work, and people going out of town, tomorrow worked the best for all. It's going to be a simple bbq, complete with hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, baked beans, chips, dip, soda, ended with cake and ice cream. Since it is still going to be nice tomorrow it should be really fun.
Anyway, I don't have much in the way of new pictures...my camera has been acting funny. But if you are my friend on facebook you can see the video of her walking. I just posted it today. I have yet to figure out how to add video to this blog. I will figure that out soon. Happy September!
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