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My little guy is 2 today

Posted on May 14, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

It is very hard to believe that my little boy, my boo-boo chicken monkey, is now two years old. The reality is that JSL is not a baby anymore. The sad part is that he is also starting to look and act like a full fledged toddler. Just a year ago I wrote a post about JSL turning 1. I spent hours sifting through photos to show the amazing changes that he had gone through in his first year. This year, the changes were not only physical. Over the last year JSL, has learned to walk, run, climb, jump, talk, sing, count to 10 (video here by JL), sing part of his ABC’s, appreciate story time, and explore the world around him.

Two years ago, I became the mother of two little boys.

JSL entered the world and made NHL a big brother. Our lives changed instantly in an amazing way. It is actually quite hard to imagine my world without my sweet little guy. JSL has kept us on our toes, worried us more than one can imagine (3 febrile seizures over the last 15 months) and made us smile and laugh frequently.

Here is a look back from a few days after his 1st birthday. (May 2008)

How could anyone ever get angry with this face? (June 2008)

New fun adventures in the sun. (July 2008)

Learned new tricks daily. (August 2008)

Ready to walk and go, go, go! (September 2008)

Refusing to keep shoes on, even in the cold – thank goodness he learned his lesson later on. (October 2008)

It was hard letting him grow up. Eventually I gave in and let JSL have his first hair cut. (November 2008)

Finally realizing the fun of Chanukah. (December 2008)

A snuggle bug that loved spending time with his cousin S and Uncle I. (January 2009)

Going to his first Sesame Street Live show. (February 2009)

Getting away for a weekend to visit cousins and did not want to swim. (March 2009)

Celebrating Passover with family. (April 2009)

____________________________________________________

Dear JSL,

You have changed so much over the last year. It has been so much fun watching you grow, play, and learn. I love seeing you interact with your big brother and show your stuff. No matter how big you get, you will always be my baby boy.

I hope that you have a magical birthday at Disney World and remember that I love you with all of my heart.

Mama

Categories:
birthday Disney jsl looking back milestone photos

Fun with Birthday Express

Posted on May 12, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Since we have had the boys, we spend months before their birthdays trying to figure out several items. In addition to who we invite, when to have the party, there is another big decision. We need to figure out what theme to use for the party each year. In the past, NHL has had: Bear in the Big Blue House (1st), Finding Nemo (2nd), Madagasgar (3rd), Curious George (4th), Dinosaurs (5th).

For JSL’s first birthday we did the Sesame Street 1st birthday partyware. We had a hard time finding places that carried it. After the fact, several of my friends suggested ordering from Birthday Express. Recently I had the opportunity to purchase some items from Birthday Express. JL and I decided to buy something for JSL’s upcoming second birthday.

When you go to the Birthday Express website you can browse by male/female party supples, party theme, or view all. JL and I wanted to see all of the options for boys, so we selected that. There were 85 options to look at. We immediately fell in love with two. We loved the exclusive Mod Monkey 2nd Birthday as well as the Sesame Street Sunny Days.

We eventually selected the Sesame Street Sunny Days theme. JSL is really attached to Cookie Monster and friends these days. He often asks to see "Street" and wants to read his "Street" books all the time. Next, we had to make the decision on what to order. Immediately, my eyes fell onto the personalized banners that was made out a heavy duty vinyl (like shades for the windows) and was 61"x18". The cost was only $14.99 and we could put a custom message on it for no additional charge.I fell in love with one that had most of the Sesame Street Characters on it. In addition to that, we purchased a centerpiece, some party blowers and hats. Since we will be at Disney for his actual birthday, these will not be used for a few more weeks when we have some family over for a little gathering (photos to follow later).

The website was extremely user friendly and easy to follow. This is not always the case with personalized item ordering. Four days after my order was placed, everything except the personalized banner arrived.

Two days later, the banner arrived on my doorstep in a hard tube that helped it to stay safe during shipping. As you will see it is very thick and comes with a label on the outside to preview what you will unroll.

When we unrolled the banner it is as wide as our couch. The quality is absolutely amazing. My little guy is going to love this on his birthday and beyond when we hang it up in his room.

Thanks to the great selection, quick shipping, and easy ordering we will definitely be ordering from Birthday Express again. In fact, in the next few weeks we will probaby ask NHL what he would like to have for his 6th birthday theme this summer.

Categories:
birthday jsl looking back photos Product review Web business

Happy Mother’s Day 2009

Posted on May 10, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

I wanted to make sure to wish everyone a very Happy Mother’s Day. I hope that you enjoy this special day with all of the mothers in your life. Growing up we would always get together with our extended family and have a special meal out to celebrate the amazing women in the family. This year, the boys and I are lucky enough to be with my mother to celebrate. Last year we had JSL’s 1st birthday party on Mother’s Day and were with many members from both sides of the family. Of course, the year before that I was miserable on Mother’s Day. All I wanted to do was stay in bed. I was VERY pregnant and wanted to sleep. My body clearly knew that I needed this rest. The next morning my little guy decided to arrive.

Thank you to all of the mother’s (my mom, grandmothers, aunts, great-aunts, cousins, sister-in-laws, friends and all in between)in my life. Without all of you, I never would have become the mommy that I am today. I love you all!

Categories:
holidays looking back

Almost two years

Posted on April 28, 2009 7:55 am by TheAngelForever

It is hard to believe that I have been a stay at home mother (SAHM) for almost two years now. Time sure does fly by when you are busy with two little boys.

I was lucky enough to stay home with NHL for his first year. After that, I went back to teaching for three years before JSL came along. JSL will be two years old in just over two weeks. He and I have been at home the entire time. Recently, I started to look for some things for us to do. Not only do I need to get out, more importantly the little guy needs to socialize with little people his own age. He certainly knows how to play with NHL, but kindergarten kids are not his true peers.

This morning, JSL and I are heading to look at a toddler program for two year olds. He would be able to start it in the fall. It is for 2, 3 or 5 days a week. I would be able to drop him off for 3 hours on those days and he would play and do other developmentally appropriate activities. They also offer the opportunity to entend the day IF you need this. Since the job market stinks, and schools locally are letting teachers go that will not likely be needed. So in a short while the two of us will head off on an adventure.

It will be hard for me to imagine leaving my little guy, but I know it will be good for him down the road.

So, we will see how this goes and if it is not for us, we have plenty of time to find something else. Then we have the entire summer to play and spend time with big brother before September is here. All I can say is they grow up WAY too quickly.

Categories:
brothers decisions jsl looking back nhl photos

I do not want to go

Posted on April 27, 2009 8:27 am by TheAngelForever

A little less than a year ago I made a decision to make a switch, a switch of medical practices that is. For years I had been unhappy with several of the doctors in my OB/GYN group (I have written about this before – especially after JSL’s birth). Still I stayed. Why? Well, when I was pregnant with NHL a new doctor came into the practice. This doctor was young, fresh, a woman and also pregnant herself. She actually sat, listened to me and did not rush from the room. In addition to her, I loved the staff at the office. I stayed out of pure laziness and knowing what I was in for at this practice.

What finally put me over the edge was what happened when I was pregnant with JSL. Numerous times the other doctors were uncaring, got nasty and turned their ear the other way which landed me in surgery. When I went to make an appointment with the doctor I loved for my follow up exam last year, I was told she would only be in the far away office. Very odd.

Lucky for me, when we were at a craft event for kids one weekend, I heard a familiar voice. I looked up and there was the doctor that I really liked. She asked if I had heard the news. After five years, she was moving to a new practice because she could not tolerate what the other three doctors were doing to the practice. I was stunned. I got the information about the new practice and waited a few weeks to call. The new practice had a policy that I had to be seen even if it was not time for my annual visit. So in the early fall I went in and chatted with my doctor in her new office. When I switched my files over I was able to read through them and had some questions for her. She agreed that there were several instances that indicated nobody listened after JSL’s birth. Signs were there on the placenta that it may not be intact. Yet, for weeks they allowed me to bleed and never once looked at the report right in my chart. It sealed the deal that I had made the right decision. Clearly the other doctors had become too busy with things to take a patient who knew something was wrong seriously.

About a month ago, I finally had my annual GYN visit scheduled at the new office. To say that I am not a fan of the nurse the takes you back would be an understatement. I truly do miss the ladies from my old office that did these things. After that I went back to the waiting room. 45 minutes later I was called to the desk. I was told that my doctor was off at a delivery, even though she was not on call. I was offered to see one of the other doctors, but I declined. That’s the beauty of not being pregnant, I can wait and see the person I want to and nobody can say boo.

Last week, I had to cancel the make up appointment on Tuesday. Thank goodness I did since JSL’s temeprature spiked to 104 Monday evening. Today I am supposed to go again. My grandmother is watching JSL, so he will not have to endure waiting with me at the office during his typical nap time. The problem, I just do not want to go. I want to call and cancel. I do not want to deal with the witchy nurse or any of the rest of this.

These are the days that men should be happy they are not a woman and do not have to think about this "fun" event.