How wonderful to have a fairly relaxed Christmas together. Adam definitely had a great time! He loved any gifts he received and spent the day enjoying them. It was so wonderful to see his happy, interested face when he saw Santa had come to our house. He was happy to see an unwrapped present waiting for him and wanted to open more to see what else was there. He truly wore himself out. He played and walked, played and walked throughout the whole day. He held on without a second nap until it was time for bed. He did wake in the middle of the night stuffed up, could not breathe, teeth bothering him however. He took a nice soothing bath and went straight back to bed. Such a sweetie.
I enjoyed making the turkey for the first time in my life. I learned a great amount and know how I would do some things differently in the future. I tried to keep the cooking process as simple as possible not to complicate it further, but also I just wanted the turkey to be done well so no one got sick. There were conflicting instructions as to how long to cook the turkey and I chose to use a lower temperature for a longer time. I think it worked out well. No one seemed to have complained. Next year we are bringing sharper knives though.
I was so tired from not getting much sleep, Adam's contagious excitement and from the stress of cooking that I was completely befuddled after eating dinner. I did not even feel like I needed dessert, I had my fair share of Hershey's kisses all day long. I am glad the 2 kinds of stuffing, spiral noodle salad and brussel sprouts got done in time. The only thing I would have liked otherwise is if everyone was healthy so they could attend Christmas happily.
Grateful for presents and blessed with baby number two, who is moving around so much today. Will be interesting to see their personality as they are likely to be very different from Adam. He is so easy going, cooperative, smart, interested and laid back. Who knows. Maybe I will get a great sleeper that loves sleeping in, playing with Adam. Here's hoping. Bed time
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Wrapping Presents
I got to watch Dexter while wrapping presents again tonight. I am 80% done wrapping and one gift if unaccounted for in that I have no idea where I hid it. I had also forgotten about a stash I had made and tried to quickly wrap some of those up before the boys came back home. I got no paper cuts and did not puncture any newly wrapped gifts yet.
Adam did not have a second nap today so I am hoping for an early bed time without a wake up in the middle of the night routine. Last night was no sleep so I am looking forward to a full 8 hours tonight. However, I am not holding my breath.
Prenatal visit went well today. Got to hear the baby's heartbeat again today. Another baby that likes to sit right on my bladder. I can call tomorrow and set up my ultrasound. Yay. I cannot wait to find out what we are having. I know it is still not for sure until they are born, but I want to know anyway. Why not? I do not want to wait. Love to know. I do not have a clear gut feeling about one way or the other. At my first ultrasound the baby rang a girl to me, but today the doctor said the slow and steady heartbeat sounds like a boy. I would love another boy, but a girl would be a whole other adventure also.
Did not get caught in the snow today and have no plans to drive far in it tomorrow. All my appointments today were on dry roads and I am very grateful for that. Now back to Dexter, wrapping, Hershey's kisses (the only chocolate I can tolerate right now that I just, unfortunately, discovered tonight) and my Tom and Jerry mix drink. Sweet.
Adam did not have a second nap today so I am hoping for an early bed time without a wake up in the middle of the night routine. Last night was no sleep so I am looking forward to a full 8 hours tonight. However, I am not holding my breath.
Prenatal visit went well today. Got to hear the baby's heartbeat again today. Another baby that likes to sit right on my bladder. I can call tomorrow and set up my ultrasound. Yay. I cannot wait to find out what we are having. I know it is still not for sure until they are born, but I want to know anyway. Why not? I do not want to wait. Love to know. I do not have a clear gut feeling about one way or the other. At my first ultrasound the baby rang a girl to me, but today the doctor said the slow and steady heartbeat sounds like a boy. I would love another boy, but a girl would be a whole other adventure also.
Did not get caught in the snow today and have no plans to drive far in it tomorrow. All my appointments today were on dry roads and I am very grateful for that. Now back to Dexter, wrapping, Hershey's kisses (the only chocolate I can tolerate right now that I just, unfortunately, discovered tonight) and my Tom and Jerry mix drink. Sweet.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Me Too... Psychology Today Quote
Snap, Crackle, Pop: When Sounds Enrage
Misophonia information and resources
For people with a condition that is referred to as misophonia, certain sounds can be torture. Misophonia, also called Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome, or 4S, is a form of decreased sound tolerance, and for those who have this condition, the sounds of other people chewing, slurping, breathing, blowing their nose, or cracking their knuckles can send them into extreme anger or anxiety.
I should know. I’ve lived with this condition since I was a teenager. For years, I wondered what was wrong with me – why it was that I just couldn’t deal with certain sounds without feeling like I either wanted to punch the person or run out of the room. I never discussed this with my doctor, and my family just thought I was being moody. It wasn’t until last year, when I saw a segment on the Today Show, that I realized what I was experiencing actually had a name.
Misophonics have certain sound triggers, usually focused around eating, breathing, or other bodily noises. My triggers tend to be anything that sounds like cracking, such as chewing nuts, knuckle cracking, and snapping gum. Many people with 4S feel like they’re going crazy and often lead lives of isolation, not by choice, but in order to preserve their sanity.
Here are some ways you can help someone who has misophonia:
** Know their triggers. Have a conversation with your loved one or co-worker about what their triggers are and use your best efforts to avoid those triggers.
** Lend a sympathetic ear. This is not a fun condition, and the intense emotions it produces often leave people frustrated, emotional, and worn out.
** Mind your manners. In general, it’s just disgusting to have to listen to people blow their noses, clear their nasal passages, crack their knuckles or chomp their gum. If you have to attend to these bodily functions, please do so in a bathroom or another private area. Not only will misophonics feel a little relief, but the general public will thank you.
** Reassure them that word about this condition is getting out. While there aren’t many, there are a few websites you can refer people to:
www.misophonia-provider.com. This is Dr. Marsha Johnson’s website, which is 3000 people and growing.
www.misophonia.info
The New York Times article referenced above can be found athttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/06/health/06annoy.html.
The Today Show segment I reference above, along with a 20/20 special on misophonia, can be found on You Tube.
As more people learn about this condition and come forward with their stories, hopefully the conversation about misophonia will continue to grow.
_____________________________
I should know. I’ve lived with this condition since I was a teenager. For years, I wondered what was wrong with me – why it was that I just couldn’t deal with certain sounds without feeling like I either wanted to punch the person or run out of the room. I never discussed this with my doctor, and my family just thought I was being moody. It wasn’t until last year, when I saw a segment on the Today Show, that I realized what I was experiencing actually had a name.
Misophonics have certain sound triggers, usually focused around eating, breathing, or other bodily noises. My triggers tend to be anything that sounds like cracking, such as chewing nuts, knuckle cracking, and snapping gum. Many people with 4S feel like they’re going crazy and often lead lives of isolation, not by choice, but in order to preserve their sanity.
According to a New York Times article on the topic, some experts think that there may be a genetic component. Other neuroscientists think that the condition is a physiological abnormality that resides in a certain part of the brain. According to the article, the condition almost always begins in late childhood or early adolescence and tends to worsen over time.
Presently, there is no cure for misophonia. When people can’t avoid their trigger sounds, they often try earplugs or other sound-reducing devices to quiet the noise. Avoidance is another technique that is used, but who wants to miss out on fun trips and outings because sound is an issue? It is important to note that a misophonic’s reaction is not voluntary. As soon as a trigger sound is encountered, the body is flooded with intense emotion.Here are some ways you can help someone who has misophonia:
** Know their triggers. Have a conversation with your loved one or co-worker about what their triggers are and use your best efforts to avoid those triggers.
** Lend a sympathetic ear. This is not a fun condition, and the intense emotions it produces often leave people frustrated, emotional, and worn out.
** Mind your manners. In general, it’s just disgusting to have to listen to people blow their noses, clear their nasal passages, crack their knuckles or chomp their gum. If you have to attend to these bodily functions, please do so in a bathroom or another private area. Not only will misophonics feel a little relief, but the general public will thank you.
** Reassure them that word about this condition is getting out. While there aren’t many, there are a few websites you can refer people to:
www.misophonia-provider.com. This is Dr. Marsha Johnson’s website, which is 3000 people and growing.
www.misophonia.info
The New York Times article referenced above can be found athttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/06/health/06annoy.html.
The Today Show segment I reference above, along with a 20/20 special on misophonia, can be found on You Tube.
As more people learn about this condition and come forward with their stories, hopefully the conversation about misophonia will continue to grow.
_____________________________
The Power To Choose Quoted
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/one-more-bite/201212/the-power-choose
The Power to Choose
Parents do have power when it comes to treatment decisions.
I write today as a parent first and a psychologist second. Words are not coming to me like they usually do. The senseless tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary has shaken us all to the core. As I write this post, the tears continue to flow. I sometimes wonder if the tears will ever stop.
But instead of resisting the tears, I embrace them. They represent the connectedness of humanity. Those children were our children, those teachers our teachers, their loss is our loss…except that most have us have been spared the sight of their empty seats at the kitchen table, their teddy bears collecting dust, the memories of their eyes lighting up at school pick-up each day, and the bedtime cuddles that every parent wants to hold onto forever. On December 14, 2012, the parents of those Sandy Hook first graders had no choice.
What does this have to do with family-based treatment? Everything.
As a psychologist, I choose to practice this method—a method that can be excruciatingly difficult, challenging, and exhausting. Why? Because it saves the lives of children. I have seen it first-hand.
We also know that there are treatments that can prevent this dire end, but only if those treatments are implemented.
Thankfully parents do have power in treatment decisions. If you have a child who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder—or who you suspect has an eating disorder—trust your instincts. Talk to other parents, read. You are the expert in your own family and, in this case, you have the opportunity to save your child’s life. If only the Sandy Hook parents could say the same.
But instead of resisting the tears, I embrace them. They represent the connectedness of humanity. Those children were our children, those teachers our teachers, their loss is our loss…except that most have us have been spared the sight of their empty seats at the kitchen table, their teddy bears collecting dust, the memories of their eyes lighting up at school pick-up each day, and the bedtime cuddles that every parent wants to hold onto forever. On December 14, 2012, the parents of those Sandy Hook first graders had no choice.
What does this have to do with family-based treatment? Everything.
As a psychologist, I choose to practice this method—a method that can be excruciatingly difficult, challenging, and exhausting. Why? Because it saves the lives of children. I have seen it first-hand.
One of the stark realities of parenthood is that we are often powerless to prevent bad things from happening to our children. We want to shield our kids from so many things and are often unable to do so. Usually the stakes are not life and death. It was at Sandy Hook, and it is in eating disorders treatment.
We know that more people die of eating disorders than any otherpsychiatric illness.We also know that there are treatments that can prevent this dire end, but only if those treatments are implemented.
Thankfully parents do have power in treatment decisions. If you have a child who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder—or who you suspect has an eating disorder—trust your instincts. Talk to other parents, read. You are the expert in your own family and, in this case, you have the opportunity to save your child’s life. If only the Sandy Hook parents could say the same.
Monday, December 17, 2012
TV Miss
Dexter, where have you been? How have I missed that you are almost at the end of the current season??? I cannot believe I am so behind. I have no time for TV these days. How am I supposed to catch up with the season?
Mad Men, where have you been all my life? When is your new season going to start? I do not want to miss you like I missed Dexter. To live in a time where everything was so different. I cannot imagine, but I do like their wardrobe. Maybe not their undergarments, but the rest of it. I cannot tolerate heals all day long, but flats are always in style.
Loving the sleep training. I need to start waking him up and then wearing him out to get him to sleep earlier at night. It means I need to go to bed too. However, the training means less sleep for him and me in the meantime getting crib trained again. Hope it is just one week of lack of sleep to success than ongoing. Christmas is no exception. Getting up when usual than unusual. Once a rhythm is started, I do not want to stop it. Ball is rolling.
Flu shot today for Adam. What a champ! Eyes teared, but did not cry, laughs when doing raspberries on his belly and then out the door without any crying. Good boy. Nap time too. Definitely well timed and a tough boy to boot. Best case scenario as we got a different nurse to administer the shot as well. The 2 bumps on his leg from last month's shots are still present. I will never let another rookie nurse touch him again if I can prevent it ahead of time. I am tired of him suffering at the hands of amateurs. Bed time!
Mad Men, where have you been all my life? When is your new season going to start? I do not want to miss you like I missed Dexter. To live in a time where everything was so different. I cannot imagine, but I do like their wardrobe. Maybe not their undergarments, but the rest of it. I cannot tolerate heals all day long, but flats are always in style.
Loving the sleep training. I need to start waking him up and then wearing him out to get him to sleep earlier at night. It means I need to go to bed too. However, the training means less sleep for him and me in the meantime getting crib trained again. Hope it is just one week of lack of sleep to success than ongoing. Christmas is no exception. Getting up when usual than unusual. Once a rhythm is started, I do not want to stop it. Ball is rolling.
Flu shot today for Adam. What a champ! Eyes teared, but did not cry, laughs when doing raspberries on his belly and then out the door without any crying. Good boy. Nap time too. Definitely well timed and a tough boy to boot. Best case scenario as we got a different nurse to administer the shot as well. The 2 bumps on his leg from last month's shots are still present. I will never let another rookie nurse touch him again if I can prevent it ahead of time. I am tired of him suffering at the hands of amateurs. Bed time!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Scattered Thoughts
Watching White Christmas always puts me in a good mood. I love their dancing, dresses and singing. So fun. That is the way life should be.
Adam fell off the bed today. So sad! He did not cushion his fall at all. Head first. Big purple goose egg. Horrible noise, poor guy in pain and have to watch for seizures and concussion. Poor little man. He was sleeping and kept flipping over and over. He usually wakes and puts his feet down, but this is the first time he went head first. He stumbles and trips while walking all over the place, but today he made a circuit of the house without stopping or needing a break. He's squatting and picking up objects and standing back up. So exciting. Leaps and bounds.
So sad also the shootings that took place in Connecticut. Shooting women and children is unnecessary. Why can these people not just kill themselves and spare the world their wrath and presence? Guns are not the problem. It's the people that possess them. When will this world acknowledge that all of this violence and horror can be minimized or eliminated when the parents start doing their jobs. Taking our children and teaching them wrong and right. Proper gun use and improper use. Locking up the weapons properly so they do not have access to them, etc. Treating and properly diagnosing mental illness is another step along the way. Parents need to agree to diagnosis, treatment and help from others. Parents do not know everything and should look to the experts for help in teaching their children.
Parents do not take the time anymore to treat their children as some day adults and that they will be running and influencing the world in a short period of time. The brats, bullies and horrible people of the world really can blame many factors as to their behavior. Genetics, parental guidance (or lack there-of), societal influence, nutrition, experience as a child, trauma, school and teachers interacting to make the person grow up into the adult they will be at age 18, when they are a legal adult. Nature vs nurture is not isolated and these gunman are getting the short end of the stick until they do that to others. Usually there are warning signs and they are ignored or not followed up with by the parents first, then others. Aspergers is usually an introverted disease with outbursts of some sorts. Unusual and ridiculous all the same. I feel for everyone one of those effected by this tragedy. The shooter should not be glorified by the media like they have been too. Let people grieve and the shooter buried without fan fare. Horrible.
Will our house sell, will the money man grant us money to build or just buy? I'm so excited by the thought I feel relieved. So excited.
Adam fell off the bed today. So sad! He did not cushion his fall at all. Head first. Big purple goose egg. Horrible noise, poor guy in pain and have to watch for seizures and concussion. Poor little man. He was sleeping and kept flipping over and over. He usually wakes and puts his feet down, but this is the first time he went head first. He stumbles and trips while walking all over the place, but today he made a circuit of the house without stopping or needing a break. He's squatting and picking up objects and standing back up. So exciting. Leaps and bounds.
So sad also the shootings that took place in Connecticut. Shooting women and children is unnecessary. Why can these people not just kill themselves and spare the world their wrath and presence? Guns are not the problem. It's the people that possess them. When will this world acknowledge that all of this violence and horror can be minimized or eliminated when the parents start doing their jobs. Taking our children and teaching them wrong and right. Proper gun use and improper use. Locking up the weapons properly so they do not have access to them, etc. Treating and properly diagnosing mental illness is another step along the way. Parents need to agree to diagnosis, treatment and help from others. Parents do not know everything and should look to the experts for help in teaching their children.
Parents do not take the time anymore to treat their children as some day adults and that they will be running and influencing the world in a short period of time. The brats, bullies and horrible people of the world really can blame many factors as to their behavior. Genetics, parental guidance (or lack there-of), societal influence, nutrition, experience as a child, trauma, school and teachers interacting to make the person grow up into the adult they will be at age 18, when they are a legal adult. Nature vs nurture is not isolated and these gunman are getting the short end of the stick until they do that to others. Usually there are warning signs and they are ignored or not followed up with by the parents first, then others. Aspergers is usually an introverted disease with outbursts of some sorts. Unusual and ridiculous all the same. I feel for everyone one of those effected by this tragedy. The shooter should not be glorified by the media like they have been too. Let people grieve and the shooter buried without fan fare. Horrible.
Will our house sell, will the money man grant us money to build or just buy? I'm so excited by the thought I feel relieved. So excited.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Nothing Worse Than A Sick Baby
Yesterday Adam said owie and he opened and closed his hand, palm up, indicating that he wanted a bottle handed to him. He stacked 9 blocks on top of each other and is getting more confident and better at walking everyday. He's a pretty proficient climber, but happily he has not taken to kitchen chairs yet. He is so fun.
Today, he woke with a 100.1 degree temperature. His cheeks were flush and pink. He was pink around both eyes, tired acting all day, but still playing. He did not drink nor eat as much as usual. He also did not take a second nap. He's sleeping now, but I do not know if it will be for the night. He has been sleeping well so I hope this does not throw a monkey wrench in that progress.
I have been feeling the baby move more and more. I can no longer lay on my stomach comfortably. I am on a good target for weight gain and am pleased with my conservative, but good caloric intake. I bought a mini trampoline to try to get my lymph system jump started in order to avoid swelling later in pregnancy. I really hope it works. That and drinking drinks with lemon or orange oil in them. The oil gives flavor without needing to drink all the sugar of a juice drink.
I hope to go play in the snow if the temperature warms enough to take Adam out for more than 10 minutes. His new snowsuit was a great use today. Love it. He was a champ when we went to get our flu shots today. I did not even really feel it. I do not know if they just use a really small needle or if she just had good technique. Whatever it was, I appreciated it. A good experience.
Today, he woke with a 100.1 degree temperature. His cheeks were flush and pink. He was pink around both eyes, tired acting all day, but still playing. He did not drink nor eat as much as usual. He also did not take a second nap. He's sleeping now, but I do not know if it will be for the night. He has been sleeping well so I hope this does not throw a monkey wrench in that progress.
I have been feeling the baby move more and more. I can no longer lay on my stomach comfortably. I am on a good target for weight gain and am pleased with my conservative, but good caloric intake. I bought a mini trampoline to try to get my lymph system jump started in order to avoid swelling later in pregnancy. I really hope it works. That and drinking drinks with lemon or orange oil in them. The oil gives flavor without needing to drink all the sugar of a juice drink.
 |
| Christmas 2012 |
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Talk Talk Talker
Yesterday he said Count, for The Count on Sesame Street, pretty, I always say pretty flowers and without ever having seen one in real life, nor said the word before, he blurted out bike when passing the display in Kmart. How fun. He was really off his schedule because of travel yesterday and I do not like traveling because of it now. That will be the last travel we do for a long time I hope.
His one year pictures finally came in :)
His one year pictures finally came in :)
Very excited for Christmas! I need to start wrapping now that 99% of my Christmas cards are sent. This weekend we have a birthday party, I have an appointment and I'm going to start getting the house ready to list to sell. I am ready to move on. I hope it works out that we sell and that we have a place to go when the time comes to move. I am overly excited about it so I need to temper my spirits in the meantime. I am going to invite some fellow realtors over and ask their opinion on what to price it. Too excited. I already have a house in mind as to where I want to go. If it works out, it will be a miracle and I'm due for another miracle.
Speaking of miracles... I'm pregnant. I am not online official. So good to be done with the first trimester. Week 14 is great. Cold and windy with blowing ice snow, but great.
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