The Zimmerman Zoo

Days 10-14 of celebration!

2009-10-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

Where does all my time go?? :)
I'm behind with posts and this one will be lacking words, but full of photos!
The Boise Buddy Walk last Saturday was spectacular; 1200 walkers! The "Loving Layton" team had 30 walkers and Layton had a blast! A couple of his friends that were in his class last year came to join us. There is a picture of the 3 of them below. The videos at the end are of the end of the festivities at Julia Davis Park. Layton, Kassidy and the other blonde boy, Alex really enjoyed busting some moves on stage! And you've got to see Layton take a bow at the end-too cute!
Thank you, to all of you reading this, who were able to come and make Layton's day extra special! And to all the readers out there near and far, thank you for taking the time to read about my awesome kid!
Until next time......Enjoy!

Day 9 of 31 days of celebration!

2009-10-09T07:04:00.000-07:00

I had intentions to write about the decision to have more children after having Layton. However, I found myself hard pressed for time today. My in-laws will be arriving this evening to join us for the Buddy Walk. I don't believe I'm alone in the "panic of in-law arrival." LOL! There are just a lot of little things that need to be done before they get here; namely wash the bedding in the spare room. :)

Anyway, I've decided to post a poem that a dear friend of mine shared with me. I have a handful of friends who have children with Autism. I also have a couple of friends whose kiddos with Down syndrome have a dual diagnosis of Autism and Down syndrome. When the two are not dually diagnosed, they are two entirely different journeys, but I feel that parents of children with any special need experience a lot of the same trials and joys.

"I Promise You This"
By Debbie Hastie

I Promise You This :
With every step you take
I will hold your hand.
And together we will make
Your life a little brighter.
your smile a little bigger.
"cause there is nothing we can't do
as long as we are together.

I Promise You This:
You'll never be alone
regardless of your age,
even if you are full grown.
I will cherish every moment.
I will cherish every day.
There is nothing we can't handle.
We will find the way.

I Promise You This:
I will be your words
when you can't speak.
I will help with your work
when you feel too weak.
When difficult times comes along
and you can't cope.
I don't want you to worry
I am always filled with hope.

I Promise You This:
I will run your bath.
I will change your clothes.
I will make your meals,
for as long as God only knows,
I will be your shadow,
we will never part.
I wish you truly knew that you
have the biggest part of my heart.

I Promise You This:
We will travel this road together.
Never knowing where it will turn.
I will hold your hand and walk with you.
and TOGETHER we will learn.

I Promise You This:
I have seen your smiles.
I have heard your cries.
Knowing deep inside,
we may never know why.
But God chose to bless us,
and calls you my son,
And with that the battle against autism
is already half won .

This really spoke to my heart today and I hope you get something from it as well!

Stick with me the next couple days as we've got lots of "extras" scheduled for our weekend, but I'm determined to keep up with this-it's very therapeutic for me ;)

Day 8 of 31 days of celebration!

2009-10-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

The big change was this:
This screaming little beauty, Kassidy joined our family.
I love this picture because Layton's face seems to say, "Oh, crap!"

She didn't always cry...but she cried
a
lot!

But she cried a lot...
and it wasn't always because her head was getting squeezed by her big brother...

She was just a little ornery :)

A question I have been asked more times than I've kept track of is this, "Weren't you scared to have more kids?"
And that, my friends, is what my head and heart will tackle tomorrow!

ooops!

2009-10-07T15:21:00.001-07:00

So...
Blogger is a tad messed up and my posts that I have set to auto post are posting on the wrong days.
And I don't know how and don't have the time to figure out how to do the switcheroo, so you'll have to play along.
All the days thus far are here, you just might have to scroll down to see them in order.
Sorry for the confusion!

Day 6 of 31 days...

2009-10-06T08:30:00.000-07:00

When we first learned of Layton's diagnosis, my husband and I were immediately concerned about issues that would effect Layton in the future; WAY in the future. We were very naive to the abilities that Layton possessed. We obsessed over the things that he may never be able to do. Would he ever be able to drive? Hold down a job ...and who would hire him? Would he ever get married? I can tell you that NOW we know the answers, for the most part, to our questions: Yes, yes and YES! Layton wants to drive so badly. He knows how to start my car and put it into gear (which is real frightening, let me tell you!). And you ought to see the kid on a 4-wheeler (ATV)-he can parallel park better than me! If there is a parked car, farm truck, tractor, anything with wheels and a motor within Layton's view, it is esscential that the keys are in your pocket! Layton will be perfectly capable of having a job. Doing what? I don't know yet, but he will work; I know that. This is kind of a funny story: There is a man who has Down syndrome that works at one of our local Albertsons. His name is Bobby and I just love him. Before Layton started school, our schedule was such that we drove past, and often shopped, at this particular store about once a week. Bobby was always there and the first time we met him he looked at Layton and said, "He's like me!" He warmed up to Layton immediately. So for a long time, Bobby always took extra good care of Layton when we were checking out. Bobby always asked me, "Can he have candy?" To which I would reply, "Yes, but just one." (it was usually only 9 or 10 in the morning!) So he would give Layton one Smartie. When he thought I wasn't looking, he would stuff about 10 more into Layton's little hand. They would smile at each other and I'd pretend I didn't see the transaction between them and we'd leave. So one morning we were there, standing in the checkout line and I spotted Bobby a few aisles over, diligently cleaning the glass doors of the one of the soda coolers. He seemed to be in a grumpy mood; really putting some extra elbow grease into his cleaning. I decided we would just let him be at the exact moment Layton noticed Bobby and took off to collect his Smarties. Bobby had just finished cleaning the cooler when Layton walked up and put his sticky hands all over the glass. Bobby simply looked at Layton and said, "No, no." Layton just looked at him. Then Bobby sprayed the finger prints, got a new paper towel off the roll and wiped them away. Yep, you guessed it.... Layton smeared the glass again. And giggled.... I was trying to hurry and put my groceries on the counter for the cashier, all the while watching over my shoulder, shouting, "Layton, come here!" Bobby quickly wiped the newest smear marks away. I rushed over, reached out to grab Layton's arm and pull him away from Bobby's hard work. Layton leaned forward and LICKED THE GLASS! I gasped... I think Bobby cursed.... and Layton laughed. Bobby yanked the glass cleaner out, wiped off the slobber and stood toe to toe with Layton. He very calmy said to Layton, "I don't like you today." And turned and stomped off. Well, I didn't blame Bobby at all. I really didn't like Layton right at that moment either! But the next week, Bobby had forgiven him. It was as if nothing ever happened. And Layton left there with a handful of Smarties. :) I love Bobby.... I'm pretty sure Layton will get married someday....he's quite the ladies' man! Maybe he won't want to get married, I don't know. But if he does want to, we won't try to stop him!
Just a cute video of me, the dorky mom saying, "You are soooo messy..." to Layton over and over because it made him giggle.

And I'm sharing this one of me and my lil' butter ball 'cause I like it:

Day 7 of 31 days of celebration!

2009-10-05T11:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I talked about some of the things my husband and I struggled with in regards to Layton's future.
While fretting over the future, we began to realize all the little (okay, maybe not so "little") things we'd have to face head on while Layton was a baby and a toddler.
We were aware that people with Down syndrome commonly have "hypotonia" (low muscle tone) but we weren't aware of just how many things having low muscle tone effected.
Rolling over....
Holding a bottle...
Sitting up without assistance...
Crawling...
Walking....
and talking....because the tongue is used to articulate words and the tongue is a muscle.
So we quickly transitioned our mind set over to the "here and now" and realized that if we wanted Layton to do all the things mentioned previously, we had to intervene....NOW!
And so it began...at about 3 months of age, Layton started weekly Occupational therapy visits, Speech therapy visits and had Physical therapy visits every other week.
And while I am so grateful for all of these things, and really feel I owe my life to a handful of therapists that helped mold Layton into the fire cracker he is today, there were days when I dreaded
one
more
therapy
appointment.
But I maintained an attitude that I would just "buck up" and press on. I felt like it was the least I could do for my child, who relied completely on me and was counting on me to do best by him.
So that's what Layton and I did for a couple of years; just the 2 of us, while my husband was working hard, providing that ever so important insurance that paid for most of the said therapies.
And while he doesn't have nearly as many therapy appointments now, he still has weekly sessions of Speech and OT, after school. Which is okay, because I'm far from impressed with the Speech therapy program that is offered in the school...I mean, super, duper far from impressed. OT is better...but I'll screech to a sudden stop right here ####
Because that in and of itself deserves it's own, seperate blog.

Okay. (deep breath in....and out)
Heh.

Here is one of my all time favorite therapy "in action" shots:
This is called a "flexion box". Layton had great "extension" (he could do a killer super man pose while on his tummy for what seemed like hours)but his flexion was not so great. Meaning, he lacked the muscles and control needed to flex in and do something as simple as roll over. So an OT came up with this idea and brought it to our house to help train Layton's little body to flex. Brilliant, huh? Yes, I agree it looks ridiculous,seeing your baby all scrunched up in an office paper box with fancy, schmancy contact paper stuck to it's sides....but it worked and he really enjoyed being stuffed into this box ;)

Randy and I thought it would be the best thing in the world for our boy to have a dog! What a therapeutic thing that would be, right?
We got a puppy so that they could grow up together....we still have Zoey and every day that I go out to scoop poop so I don't have to wash it from someone's shoes......I wonder who's bright idea the dog was?
It most certainly wasn't mine; couldn't have been.
But Zoey and Layton are great pals...so the pooper scooper, I shall remain.

It was the same OT who brought us the flexion box that suggested we have Layton seen by a pediatric opthamologist.
Layton with glasses at 14 months old:

And he started getting into everything!

Literally into....
everything.

Here we are at Crater Lake, OR the summer of 2003.
We were about to have some big changes in our lives!
The kind of change that takes your little world, turns it upside down and SHAKES you 'til it hurts.
I'm probably the only one who notices how thin my face is and well, how awful I look, but the guys look pretty cute!
Maybe this gives you an idea what the next post will be about?

Thanks again to all of you, for taking this journey with me!!

Day 5 of 31 days of celebration!

2009-10-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

"Welcome to Holland"
By Emily Perl Kingsley, 1987. All rights reserved.

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......

When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."

"Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.

It's just a different place. It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned."

And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away...because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss. But...if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland.

And they are lovely things, indeed!
Yesterday I mentioned how scrawny Layton was in the picture I posted...here he is a few months later:
Whoah!! What happened?? :)
These are the chubby-cheeked smiles that I force myself to see when I have been called "cow-poop mommy" for the 20th time in a day.
Could he be any cuter?

Day 4 of 31!

2009-10-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Layton, 8 weeks old

Take note of how scrawny he is here...because in the next pictures I'm planning to share....
well, you'll just have to wait and see ;)
Thank you for taking the time to hear about my little mister!

Day 3 of 31 days of celebration!

2009-10-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm going to step a bit off the chronological track here today.

Layton was basically non verbal the first 3-4 years of his life. He knew and utilized a fair amount of sign language,(which I attribute greatly to his verbal skills now)and made a substantial amount of noise.....LOUD noise during these years.
I knew he understood every word that was spoken to him. I could see it in the way his eyes would light up or by his facial expressions.
He tried, oh how he tried to talk to us, but it just wouldn't happen.
And this bothered me. Really, really bothered me.
There were days that my worries of him never speaking totally consumed me. I wanted so badly to hear the words "I love you, mommy" come from his mouth; as selfish as it was. And on the unselfish, flip side of that, I wanted him to be able to voice his needs in any situation. And for a long time, I didn't know if he'd ever be able to do either of those.

Then he turned 6 years old.
And it happened.
He started talking....and talking and talking. :)
So this leads me to yesterday morning.
I had a much needed hair appointment and my cousin came to watch the kids. I was getting ready to leave and Layton asked if he could get the play dough out.
I said, "yes, but first you need to do..." and I rattled off things like finish your breakfast, wash your hands, yadda yadda yadda.
Then I said, "and when you're finished with it, you need to ..." same thing....threw a bunch of bossy commands his way.
So he says......after letting out an exaggerated sigh...
"Just go, mom."
And I didn't see it, but I'm fairly certain he rolled his eyes at me too.
And I worried so much, gave myself many extra gray hairs and extra deep crows feet next to my eyes because I didn't know if this kid would talk.
Life is good, eh?
And so now....
I'll
"just go".
I had a great idea to do my own, "not even close to being a good photographer" photo session of Layton wearing a precious bathrobe that was given to him by my sister in law. I'm pretty sure he was saying, "Just go, mom," right then, but I didn't know until 8 years later.
Here's my little guy at 6 weeks old.

Day 2 of 31....

2009-10-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

So if you watched the video from yesterday (down below) and you've ever given birth, or have been present when your wife has given birth....you might have noticed that Layton was not crying in the beginning of the video. He didn't cry much at all when he was born and even though I was a first time mom, I knew in my heart something wasn't quite "right".
So to consolidate a somewhat long story, I'll be brief. Layton was born with 2 heart defects that landed him a spot in the NICU for a few days. Between all the different specialists who visited Layton, it was determined that a karyotype (test of chromosomes) should be run.
The specialists didn't say why they wanted to do this, never mentioned Down syndrome, so we left the hospital a few days later with orders to see our pediatrician in a couple more days.
We got home and grew to love our baby more with each day that passed.
At our visit with the pompous ass pediatrician (who I will refer to as "PAP") we received shocking news. "We got the karyotype back and it shows that Layton has Trisomy 21."
"What? What does that mean? I've never heard of that, " I said.
"It means your baby has Down syndrome, " the PAP said.
"Are you sure?" both my husband and I said together.
Then he blabbed all the statistics of karyotyping, the percentages of false positives, blah, blah, blah.
At this point, my husband and I were both crying.
The PAP didn't give us any time to digest the news before telling us Layton needed to be re-admitted to the hospital right then for bili-rubin therapy; he had severe jaundice. (This is one of many reasons I refer to the guy as PAP)
We were told Layton would need to be in a special isolette, where special lights would shine on his body and break down the bili-rubin in his blood. Which meant we weren't going to be able to hold him except during feedings.
So while they were setting up all the equipment in our room, I took advantage of my time with Layton and sat in the corner holding him. Holding him was the only thing I wanted right then.

As I held Layton close to me, with my lips to his little head, smelling my baby, inhaling all of his sweet smells....I had a terrible thought. I thought of some times in the past where my old friends (and I was right there with them) teased kids in my school who were intellectually challenged. They laughed in hysterics at these kids. Called them names, mimicked them....laughed and laughed and laughed.
And it was at this moment that my heart broke into a million pieces. And it was right then, right there in that corner that I made a silent vow to the baby boy in my arms that I would love him and protect him until the day I die. Forever and ever, no matter what.
And "they" will continue to laugh, continue to mimic, continue to use the word "retard" in casual conversation.
They will.
They do.

And they are ignorant.
I'm not.
I was....
But I'm not anymore.
It is because of my dear Layton that my eyes were opened to the ignorance of society. And now I feel so passionately about Down syndrome; something I was terrified of in the first few months of my child's life. But I'm not afraid anymore. I'm standing tall.
And I'm proud.
I'm standing tall with Layton at my side and I'm so proud of all he is and all he will be.
I consider myself lucky actually. Because had Layton never been given to me, I would still be ignorant like "them".
And maybe lucky isn't the right word....maybe more like blessed.

I'm blessed.
Here is Layton and I on my 23rd birthday. Layton was 12 days old :)

31 for 21! October is National Down syndrome awareness month!

2009-10-01T12:23:00.000-07:00

I've been such a slacker here on this blog lately that when I saw Michelle's blog, I just knew I had to do this.
So I am participating in Tricia's annual 31 for 21 blog challenge.

Follow me through the next 31 days of October as I celebrate Down syndrome. Follow me as I celebrate my son, Layton. I hope to tell our story in the next 31 days. A very remarkable story of a little boy who changed my life and many lives around us. A story of a little boy who happens to have Down syndrome.

Starting today with a video of Layton, only a few minutes old. January 5, 2002 :)

For those who don't know, we didn't know Layton had Down syndrome before he was born.

Check back tomorrow!

Heaven

2009-06-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

Being a stay at home mom often leaves me craving conversations filled with thought provoking topics...you know, the kind where who ever you're talking to actually answers you.

As my kids get older though, I'm realizing that they are quite thought provoking little people. Especially when we are in the confinement of a 10 ft X 4 ft area; the mini van.

After dropping Kass off at school this morning, the boys and I had one of those said conversations.
Last week, a dear friend of mine made the tough choice of having her very old, very weak dog, Rusti, put down. She called in tears as she was leaving the vet, and while on the phone, I got teary myself and the kids noticed. Kassidy asked me what was wrong and I told them that L called to say that Rusti had gone to puppy heaven.
So this morning as we were driving past the area she lives, Layton said, "I want to see Rusti. Let's go to L's house."
Me: "Layton, Rusti is gone now. Remember, she's in puppy heaven?"
Layton: "Oh, right...she's died."
Me: "Yes, she died, honey."
Layton: "Mom? I want to died and go to Layton heaven."

*gulp*

Me: "No, you won't die yet. Someday when you're old, you'll go to heaven, okay?"
Layton: "How many days and I'll died?"
Me: "Not for a very long time."
Layton: "Oh, okay."

Phew......conversation OVER....this one was making me squirm.....

After a few moments of silence Nate pipes up, "Dayton, I be a wittle sad if you go to Dayton heaven."
Layton: "Aww, Nate it be okay, I come to see you lots."
I kept silent.....not really knowing what to say and trying to swallow that big lump in my throat.
Then, Layton says, "Mom, I go see Dr. Beck right now so I not died because Nate will miss me."
(He knows we have an appt to see the ENT Dr. today and that it is "to keep him healthy")
Me: "We will go after lunch, Aunt H is coming to play with Nate and Kass and you and I will go see Dr. Beck, okay?"
Layton: "How 'bout Gramma Birdie? She gonna come play with Kassidy and Nate?"
(My grandma often comes to watch Kass & Nate when I volunteer at Layton's school.)
Me: "No, not today. She's busy."
Layton: "She gone to Gramma heaven?"
Me: "No, kiddo...she's not in Gramma heaven."

FINALLY, MY DRIVE WAY IS IN SIGHT; I NEED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR!!

As we are pulling into the garage, Layton says, "Why she not at Gramma heaven?"
The boy has me speechless, scrambling and stumbling for words.
So I pull the infamous mommy trick out of the bag and reply,
"Just because".....
Layton: "Oh, okay, mom."
Nate: "Dayton, our heads are oval."
??????
Way to save the day, Nate. I can always count on you for the switch-a-roo in discussions :)

I know that these types of conversations should come naturally ( I think??) and I shouldn't be nervous to discuss death with my kids (I suppose??)....but I just am....

So I begin this day with all sorts of thoughts. Somber and sweet thoughts.

And I guess the bottom line is this:

I be a wittle sad if Layton went to Layton heaven and Gramma Birdie went to Gramma heaven......

Geese, Mice & Donkeys

2009-05-04T11:29:00.000-07:00

After picking up Kass from school a bit ago, while driving down a road that has a few empty fields, Kass says, "Look, there's a goose! Oh, look, there's another goose! There sure are a lot of gooses out there."
I say, "Geese, Kass. If you have more than one goose, then you say 'geese'. Just like if you have more than one mouse you say 'mice'."
I look in the rearview mirror and can tell that maybe she's a bit stumped. I say, "It's kind of confusing, huh?"
She says, "No. I get it. Just like if you have more than one horse, you say 'donkeys' ".

Makes perfect sense to her.....
:)

5 HOURS!!

2009-04-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

Until my husband arrives from his home away from home in California!! For good!
The movers came this morning and packed up his little apartment and he hit the road shortly after
Please pray for a safe trip home for him!

Yahoooo!!!

HELP! The time has come....

2009-04-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

I've struggled with this issue for a long time and don't even know where to begin with it....
The time has come for us to explain to Kassidy that Layton has Down syndrome. And I don't know what exactly to say or where to begin.
I registered her for Kindergarten yesterday. She will attend the same school as Layton; he will be in the 2nd grade next year. (wow, that's crazy to actually type that I will have a Kindergartner and a 2nd grader next year....yikes!) Anyway, the scene is like something straight out of a movie...there we were standing in line to check in for registration and directly to the side of us is the music classroom. Within seconds of us getting into line, the door to the music classroom opened up and there came Layton's class, walking single file from music back to their classroom.
I will never forget the look on Layton's face when he saw Kassidy standing there! We've talked about how she will go to his school next year and he fully understands it. But I think seeing her there really sparked his excitement. He ran to her, she to him and they shared a great big bear hug; the kind that would lead strangers to think that they never fight and only adore one another at all times....yeah, right!
So after his aide talked him into to leaving us and going back to class we went on our merry way, where Kass sailed through all the screenings and such entailed with registration. When we finished, she wanted to go find Layton. I didn't want to disrupt him or his class, so I said, "Well, Kass I'm not sure if he's in Mrs. M's class (the general ed room) or Mrs. T's class (the special ed room) right now. "
So she says, "Will I go to Mrs. T's class too when I'm in Kindergarten?" Me: "No, you won't....." Kass: "Why?"

???????

So I pushed it off and told her we'd talk it about it when we got home. She never brought it up again yesterday and hasn't mentioned it today.....but I know it will come up again. And well, I just don't know where to start....I also would rather have Randy here for the discussion and he won't be home until late tomorrow night.
So any of you "been there, done that" parents....help???

DEAR LAYTON

2009-04-07T21:04:00.001-07:00

I love you so much
that is why I HAD to squirt that nasty gunk up your nose tonight to help get rid of that nasty gunk you are harboring in your sinuses. I'm sorry it made you cry and I'm sorry that you "don't like me" and that I'm a "cow poop mommy!".
I'm the most sorry that I had to sit on you to do it all...I know I've had too many sweets lately and my big ol' bum squished your squishy tummy. But here's the thing.....if you didn't weigh 86 pounds and weren't as strong as a line backer....I could just cradle you in my arms and squirt the gunk in your nose. But, kiddo, we are way past those days so....
Please accept my appologies now for future gunk squirting....we will be having this dance 3 times a day for the next 10 DAYS!!
Just remember that your "cow poop mommy" loves you and this is why I torture you. I want you to get better!

BRAD PITT

2009-04-02T22:08:00.000-07:00

You know that your husband has been gone too long when this happens!!

So.... Kass, Nate & I ran to Walmart this morning. While we were standing in the checkout line by all of the tabloids and such, Nate points to some "News Weekly" magazine or something like that. It had a huge picture of Brad Pitt on the cover. He says, very loudly,

" IS THAT OUR DADDY?"

Now, mind you, the poor kid hasn't seen his Daddy in nearly 2 weeks...but only 2 weeks...

There was a lady behind us who heard the whole thing. She says, "Wow, you're a lucky girl. Does their Daddy really look like Brad Pitt?"

Me: "ummmm.......well.....he has a goatee like Brad does in this picture, but??"

(Honey, if you're reading this, know that you are MUCH cuter than Brad Pitt. I think it's the 2 silver/grey hairs that you have by your ears. They're much sexier than Brad's perfectly highlighted hair. Hee hee...you know I love you!!)

Keep praying...

2009-03-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

Layton's buddy, C still needs some prayers. He was discharged from the hospital Saturday evening after having surgery Thursday. His mom called a little while ago and said they are headed to the ER; C isn't drinking and hasn't peed since yesterday. He's been vomitting also. Poor guy...please keep this family in your prayers!!

Prayers for our buddy...

2009-03-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

Layton's best buddy, "C" is going in for surgery today (in fact, me may be done already). He is having his tonsils and adenoids removed. He's 7, but they are keeping him overnight due to his history. C was dx'd with leukemia (ALL) a few days before his 3rd birthday. He is now in remission; praise GOD!
Here is a pic of Layton and C at the first soccer game of the season 2 weeks ago.
So if you could send a prayer his way today, we'd appreciate it!

SOCCER and The good, the bad and the beautiful...

2009-03-24T19:40:00.000-07:00

This is my little man being goalie at his Soccer game this last Saturday; he loved it! And we loved watching him!

So, the good:
I got word yesterday that all of Layton's blood work that they drew when he had his chompers pulled is
NORMAL!!
His white blood cells and neutrophils were up (yes!) and his thyroid is a-okay. I guess his tremendous growth spurt is just that, a tremendous growth spurt!

And now, the bad:
While Randy was in town last week I made him an appt to get his cholesterol checked. They called yesterday to confirm what we already knew and have known for years.....basically, I could drain some blood from him and sell it to OPEC and probably make a fortune! LOL! His total cholesterol is 296; should be less than 200 (down from 318 a couple years ago) and his LDL (the bad stuff) is 217; should be less than 100. So what am I gonna do with "Mr. Oil for Blood"? He's terribly allergic to all of the drugs on the market such as Lipitor, Zocor, etc. The genetics from his father's side of the family are not in his favor; lots of heart disease present. So any ideas you might have, throw them at me! I worry about the fella, all joking aside.

And the beautiful:

We had a beautiful day last week and we had some fun taking pictures in the backyard.

World Down Syndrome Day; 3-21

2009-03-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

Down Syndrome 50 Years On

On March 21st, 2009, World Down Syndrome Day will mark the 50th anniversary of the publication of Professor Jerome Lejeune's discovery of the extra copy of chromosome 21 which causes Down Syndrome. Now known as trisomy-21 because of the third copy of the 21st chromosome, Down Syndrome was first described by the English doctor, John Langdon Down, in 1866 but until Professor Lejeune's publication in 1959, the ultimate cause of Down Syndrome was unknown. Professor Lejeune and Dr Langdon Down are regarded as the preeminent contributors to our present understanding of Down Syndrome, not only because of their research into Down Syndrome, but also because each of them contributed much of their own time and money to advocating on behalf of persons with Down Syndrome and their families. Down Syndrome organizations around the world this year will pay tribute to the pioneering work of Professor Lejeune and celebrate the tremendous advances in the care and social welfare of people with Down Syndrome over the past fifty years. "Professor Lejeune provided inspiration to parents and professionals who met him, and drew strength and hope from his optimism and his simple and profound dedication to humanity. The Lejeune Institute in Paris continues to sponsor research in this area” said Mrs. Penny Robertson, President of Down Syndrome International. “But while there is much to be proud of in western countries in the services provided for people and families with Down syndrome, there is still an enormous amount of work to be done in many countries".

This is the guy leading our country...

2009-03-20T16:43:00.000-07:00

I could possibly land myself in jail if I said what I really think about O's comment on the Jay Leno show last night.
But this is a public blog and I won't stoop to that level.
I just saw this and my blood is boiling. And I'm heartbroken.
I actually kinda liked the dude....now I have ZERO respect for him....
See for yourself....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKlYT2bseII

Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-18T18:39:00.000-07:00

This kid enjoys every inch of his bed... ;)

Such a beautiful day!!

2009-03-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

It is just beautiful here in Meridian, Idaho today! A tad bit chilly, but not a cloud in the sky; spring is on the way! My tulip bulbs are peaking out already; yay!
The only thing I despise about this time of year is the mud. And kids. MY kids! I'm soooo done with the mud.......why they are so compelled to sit in it, dig in it, finger paint with it, make batch after batch of "soup" is beyond me. Well, kind of...I sorta remember doing the same thing with mud at their age, so I'm trying to be patient....sigh....
Things have been a little crazy around here lately. I've been busy with Scentsy and have an awesome team that is selling like crazy; bless their hearts!
Tomorrow afternoon Layton will see our family doc for his pre-op physical. The boy is having 5....yes 5!! teeth extracted Monday morning at the hospital. He desperately needs them out, his mouth is way too small for all the chompers he's got trying to come in. And he's got a couple of real stubborn ones that really like it where they are and therefore has permanent teeth growing in behind them. I think it's because he feeds those chompers sooooo darn well! :) He has been consuming loads of food lately. Since the steroids. I thought he would taper off soon, but he eats and eats and eats! He weighed 80 pounds the first of February and is now 85 pounds! That's 5 months in a little over a month....I'm a little concerned. While he is under anesthesia for his surgery, there will be blood drawn to check his yearly stuff, namely his White Blood Cell count (he's had a chronic low WBC for over a year now) and his precious little thyroid. I will not at all be surprised if his thyroid is off.....so, if you pray, send some prayers his way on Monday, please. If you don't, then send some positive thoughts his direction, please.

We saw the dentist yesterday to get Kassidy's retainer tweeked. It is so super tight now, the way it should be. She hates it. I don't blame her. But it may help to avoid future orthodontics and it wasn't cheap, so she will wear it. Come hell or high water, she will wear it. :) I'm such a mean mom!

Things with Nate are pretty uneventful. He did fall out of his bed at 3 am....that was quite an event! Poor kid. But he got to sleep the rest of the night basically attached to me and he seemed to enjoy that.

Me: Well, I bit the bullet and started a 10 day Advocare cleanse last Thursday. I have 3
more
days
left!!
It's going real well and I'm loving the energy I have.
I vow not to spill the beans on the total weight I've lost until I'm finished with it. You'll have to check back for the finale :)

Husband: I've been reserved in "announcing" this exciting news, because until it actually happens, who knows what can happen, but......
HE'S COMING HOME!!
APRIL 15TH! (or around there)
For those that don't know, my husband was relocated with work to San Jose, CA in January of 2008. He has travelled home typically every other weekend for the past year +. I've been a single mom, for the most part, for over a year and I just can't even tell you how great it will be to be a "normal" family again!!
It will definitely take some adjusting...I've become fairly self sufficient (I just had to!) and have a routine of "singleness" that has been established and I am, admittedly, nervous about the whole thing. Even when he's been home for weekends, it drives me absolutely bonkers when he puts something where it doesn't belong and then come Monday morning, I can't find it!! LOL! I will have to be back to picking up his socks left at the foot of his recliner again...not leaving the bedside light on while I read my book until midnight or later....you know, all the things I've gotten used to.
(Honey, if you're reading this, please don't take offense to the sock comment. I will gladly pick up your smelly socks every day for the rest of my life, if it means having you here with us...)
Okay! I guess that's about it!
Until next time.....

KELLSEY'S AUCTION IS UP!!

2009-03-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

You really should head on over there and check out all the fantastic items that are being auctioned.....
http://aspecialkadoption.blogspot.com/

Help get Kellsey home to her family!!

Win a cruise!!

2009-03-04T06:54:00.000-08:00

Here's the deal:

Buy a $20 raffle ticket, all proceeds are going toward's Kellsey's adoption fund.
Here's the deal
4 DAY, 3 NIGHT CARNIVAL CRUISE FOR TWO!
Where: Ensenada, Mexico OR Nassau, Bahamas
Airfare IS included!!!!
Choose your port of departure: Port Canaveral, Florida; Miami, Florida or Los Angeles, California
Cruise MUST be registered by April 30, 2009 and used within the next 12 months

So here's the one catch... winner is responsible for port fees and taxes. It will be a total of $500. BUT for what you're getting, that's really good AND you have until your cruise to come up with that money!!!

SO how can you win?
EVERY $20 donation to Kellsey's adoption earns you another chance to win!!!
Hop on over now (click on the purple button with Kellsey's picture to the right)

Help Bring Kellsey Home!!

2009-02-26T07:38:00.001-08:00

Over the past few years I've followed a very dear family's story. In the beginning, when I "met" Renee online we talked about each of us having a Kassidy with a "K"...we each have a child with Down syndrome; her sweet Kennedy will melt your heart!!
Kennedy was diagnosed with leukemia a couple years ago, about the same time our little buddy, Calvin (who also has Down syndrome) was diagnosed with it. I've followed their story through the years and the Garcias have got to be one of the most AMAZING familys I've ever "met". Did I mention that Frank, Renee's husband is in the army and was deployed for much of time Kennedy was in treatment?? So not only are these folks amazing parents who have gone through some tough, tough times, they are to thank for our country's freedom as well. Like I said, AMAZING!!

So now this brings me to what I'm asking YOU for.

Frank and Renee have started the process of adopting a sweet baby girl from the Ukraine. Her name is Kellsey, she also has Down syndrome. Her photo is to the right. You can click on that button over there and head on over to the Garcia's blog to read more details that I'm sureI left out!
Adoption is expensive and the Garcia's are setting up an online silent auction to help in raising the funds they need to get precious Kellsey home. They are looking for items to auction off and need donations of crafty items, new items, gift baskets, etc.
Can you help?
If you would like to help, please let me know or e-mail Renee through her blog.
Let's get Kellsey home to Tennessee with her family who loves her so much!!

Monday Musings

2009-02-23T15:50:00.000-08:00

I've been terrible about keeping up here lately!!
Randy has been home for the last week and he flew out this morning so now maybe I'll have more time to post; seems like I'm always busier when he's home.
I've got dinner going and the neighbors invited the 3 monkeys over to play for a little bit so here I am....
Gramma Birdie is coming over in the morning to sit with Kass and Nate while I volunteer at Layton's school. They are excited...they love their Grammas!
Layton had an issue last week at school where he was trying to "help" or "make" (you be the judge) one of his buddies go down the slide. He pulled the hood of the kid's sweatshirt until it ripped and left a pretty good red mark on the boy's neck.
Not
good!
So after chatting with the general ed. teacher, the special ed. teacher and the school nurse, it has been decided that we will be having a "team" meeting this Friday a.m. This will consist of the teachers, the principal, the school psychologist and whoever else they decide to bring in and

me.

If you didn't notice, their team out numbers me by a few. Oh, but wait, this is a "team" meeting and I'm a member of the team. (that's what all the IEPs and such say)
But why do I feel like I'm a team of my own? And why am I defensive about it? I feel the need to do all this research on behavior plans and IDEA and blah, blah, blah....but why? I know he was wrong, make no mistake about that. And I know this sort of thing can not continue to happen. If the kid treats his buddies this way, he will have none left.
I just can't help but feel like a lone soldier going into battle. If only my other half were going to be here, maybe I wouldn't feel so intimidated????
The kids are back, chaos is emerging.....
:)

Wordless Wednesday

2009-02-18T14:15:00.000-08:00

Robins...Steroids....Scentsy....Husband

2009-02-12T09:01:00.000-08:00

I was looking out my kitchen window a while ago and I couldn't believe how many Robins are fluttering about out there! There must be at least 50. I'm keeping all limbs and appendages crossed that maybe, just maybe Spring weather is nearing???? You would never know that we awoke to nearly 3 inches of snow yesterday morning. It has all pretty much melted away and now the Robins! I guess this is Idaho weather up to it's usual antics LOL! :)
Layton has
ONE
MORE
DOSE
of steroids to swallow tomorrow morning.....the end is in sight!
This morning while persuading him to drink it, he shouted at me, "NO!! Poopy, poopy, cow poop mommy! It's stinky! Poopy!"
sigh.....
the kids got spunk, yes he does!
I'm thrilled to have plans all day tomorrow, leaving Randy (who flies in tonight, by the way) to get the last dose of roids in our boy tomorrow morning. hee hee...(insert devilish grin from a mom that needs a break RIGHT HERE...) :)
So what am I doing tomorrow you might wonder?
Well, I am NOT listening to whining, changing dirty Nate diapers, dealing with roid boy who has no school tomorrow, taking and picking up Kass from pre-school, trying to figure out what to feed the monkeys for lunch, cleaning up after the said lunch, picking up mess after mess after mess.....
I am taking my neighbors to the airport at a spry 8 am and then I am headed to Nampa for an
ALL DAY (oh...that feels good just typing it!)
health fair at an assisted living home.
My cousin and I are going to have a Scentsy table set up and will hopefully sell, sell, sell some stuff!
Scentsy has been going quite well for me since becoming a consultant in September. I now have a team of 14 people ranging from right here in Idaho, to California, to Washington, to Pennsylvania!
If you haven't experienced Scentsy, you really ought to. There is no longer the need to breathe in smoke and soot from traditional candles while having your space smell lovely.
I've been thinking of dipping a cigarette into some scented wax and offering to let folks who burn candles in their home take a haul from it. Because really, that's pretty much what they're breathing (and their kids) while having a candle flame dancing in their house.
Okay, maybe that's a little drastic.....candles don't contain nicotine and all the other BS that a cigarette has.....but I still think it would be a good "visual" for candle lovers.
www.scentsy.com/zimm
Check it out.
And if you're going to light a few candles this Valentine's day to set the mood for your sweetheart, do me a favor and think about what I just mentioned above while you're lighting it.
And then,
PLEASE
get the thought of me
right out of your head
while you pursue your evening.
LOL!! (you're giggling, aren't you, Gramma?)
Have a great day!!

"Layton has spots on his face"

2009-02-11T09:44:00.000-08:00

Layton went back to school yesterday and then had Speech therapy immediately following. We got home shortly after 5, ate dinner and by 5:45, Layton was zonked out in Daddy's chair.
I put him to bed at 6....he was up and at it at 5 this morning! :)
All 3 kids were awake shortly after that, thanks to the "Layton alarm clock."
They were playing in Kass' room across the hall from where I was still laying in bed, half asleep, half awake..
Kassidy comes in and says, "Mom....Layton has spots on his face!"
Me: "What??!!" (I sit up in bed, thinking, "how in the world would he have gotten chicken pox? Steroids=lowered immune system; that must be why!"
Kassidy: "Yeah, he has spots on his face like my friend Mikey at school." And she skips out of the room.
My brain: "Phew! Spots on his face like Mikey....oh, thank God!"
Mikey is a sweet boy in Kass' preschool class that is red haired, fair skinned and has the most adorable FRECKLES scattered across his face.

Yes, FRECKLES my friends.

Layton has been kissed with a few and they provoked the panic that sent my forever worrying heart into overdrive at 5:30 am!!
:)

Update...

2009-02-05T12:02:00.000-08:00

We are home. Layton was discharged from the hospital about 4 pm yesterday.

He slept from 6:30 pm to 7:am this morning...... :)

We saw the doc this morning and his pulse ox was 98, lungs still sounding clear-yay!!

So in the meantime, he has been started on oral prednisone. He is acting like a 16 year old boy in a 7 year old body..... kicked the wall a bit ago and then threw one of the kitchen table chairs across the dining room and then threw a toy at the TV and then started sobbing........all because...get this....

Calliou didn't come on TV for another 20 minutes

ahhhh....the pleasures of steroids.....

it beats hanging out at the hospital though. And I am trying my best to have patience with him. He normally does NOT act this way. He is all out of whack, that's for sure.

We also now have an epi-pen in case we ever have, Gold help us, another "episode" like that again. Our doc said that while it is not "standard care" to use an epi-pen for croup, he thought it would be a good idea. IF we ever have to use it, we still need to call an ambulance but at least it will buy us a few minutes.

So the big question here is why did this all happen? He didn't have so much as a runny nose before going to bed Tuesday night; he was completely fine. From the time I heard him gasping for air until the time I called 911, it was literally just few minutes; it happened that fast.

While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, he was rolling all over the floor, thrashing about, trying to get air then it was like he "gave in". He went limp.

I sat face to face with him and cupped his head in my hands. "Layton, look at mommy, Look at my eyes, Layton...I'm here, I'm here, it's okay, it's gonna be alright....look at me, Layton." I just kept repeating that over and over.

His eyes rolled to the back of his head, he was white as a ghost except for bluing around his lips and eyes. His skin was clammy. He pooped in his pants and all the while he was still gasping for breath.....with that terrible "stridor" sound. If you've experienced croup with your kids, you know exactly the sound I'm referring to here.

For the first time ever....for a period of 30-45 seconds, I really thought we were going to lose him right then and there.

Then the paramedics walked through the front door. They started an epinephrine breathing treatment with O2 right away, put the pulse oximeter on his finger. It read 62....and second by second, digit by digit it climbed up to 98......phew! Had another epi treatment on the way to the hospital and another one once we got there.

We stayed over night, getting to our room at an agonizing 3 am.

But, hey....I can not complain.

I have my boy safe at home.

My ornery, steroid induced moods from you know where boy.

My boy that had all the medics and firemen wrapped around his finger.

The nurses that took care of him were pretty much wrapped too.

He does that, you know.

He has a way of grabbing your heart and holding on to it.

And I am so thankful he is here today kicking walls and throwing chairs.....

Party on the 6th floor....

2009-02-04T13:21:00.000-08:00

or not.....
I'm running on 3 hrs sleep and am chomping at the bit to get out of this place so I'll be brief.
-Layton;10 pm last night, croup attack out of nowhere
-dialed 911
-pulse ox @ 62 when medics arrived (those who don't know, it should be at least 95)
-epinephrine treatment on floor of living room
-first ever ambulance ride
-clear chest x-rays, showing only airway inflammation
-was not lasting long enough between epi treatments, so was admitted
-doing just fine
-camped on the 6th floor of Luke's
-waiting for the doc to deliver our ticket outta here.....
I could write so much more, I have so much to say about the whole experience (which scared the shit out of me, by the way) but alas, I'm pooped and don't have it in me right now.
Kelly

And the winner is.....

2009-02-02T07:33:00.000-08:00

The winner of my bloggy giveaway is....

Donna S!!!

Donna won the Scentsy System! Congratulations!

Thank you all for entering the giveaway. It was a lot of fun for me!!
Have a great day!
Kelly

Bloggy Giveaways!!

2009-01-28T19:28:00.000-08:00

I'm having so much fun over at the Bloggy Giveaways! You need to check out all the great giveaways!
I'm joining in on the fun by giving away a "Scentsy System". This includes a warmer and 3 bars of scented wax, all of your choice.

To enter, go to my website, browse around and then leave me a comment telling me what warmer and 3 bars you would choose if you win. You can gain a second entry by adding, "yes, add my e-mail address to your monthly newsletter list". You must include your e-mail address in the comment; that is how I will contact the winner. It's that easy!
The contest, open only to U.S. Residents, will end at midnight February 1st. The winner will be chosen with Random.org and announced by midnight, February 2nd via e-mail.
Have fun!!

continued...

2009-01-28T09:05:00.000-08:00

(continued from below)
I sit here thinking about all of this and I'm perplexed, really. How is that I have 3 beautiful kids, that honestly, I really didn't ask for. And my 2 friends, who have asked for a baby month after month after month....are empty handed. But not after being "teased" and allowed to fall in love with the beating heart they know is inside them...because, remember they SAW it.
??????
Guilt....
Gratitude...
A couple of feelings I am having.

I feel guilty because here I am, with my perfect little family, my giggling, ornery children and I never had to bargain with God, never had to wish that I would become pregnant that month or this month, never had to pray for it; it just happened and they stayed with me.
Buy why me?
I'm nothing special and I've done things and made choices in my life that some would think should disqualify me from ever being a mother. So why me and not them?? Why?

Conflicted feelings, indeed....

I have so much gratitude in my soul for these 3 little people that I have been chosen to love, take care of, be responsible for and help guide through this scary world. I look at their eyes, and I am complete. I hear their giggles and I am elated. They fall and scrape their knee and I am thankful that they have the ability to run and fall.....

So I guess this is quite a rambling of nonsense from my broken heart. But I just want to tell all you mommys out there.....love them. Love all of it.
the fun and
the poopy diapers
and the fighting and whining.
For you are blessed and don't even think for one second about taking it for granted .

So, God....send me a sign, send them a sign, because I know you're there; I have 3 reasons to believe it. Give them a reason. Please.
Kelly

Send me a sign...let me know you're there...

2009-01-28T08:35:00.000-08:00

Two of my closest girlfriends have become pregnant with their first babies in the past 6 months. They've both been pregnant; twice even. Friend 1 had her second miscarriage a couple weeks ago. Friend 2 is heading to the Dr today to confirm her possibly 2nd miscarriage....they both got to experience the view of their baby's heart's beating inside them, only to have it taken away. Why? Why? WHY?

I just don't understand this....I'm trying, believe me, I'm trying. I want so badly to be the wise ol' friend that knows just what to say to bring them each a little comfort. To be the strong friend that has a shoulder for their weary heads to cry on. To be the friend that can understand what they're feeling. But I'm not and I can't.

When I heard friend 2 crying on the phone a while ago....I could think of nothing to say. I swallowed hard and tried to push the enormous, aching lump in my throat away so that I could be a pillar of strength for her. Instead I found myself gushing emotion, unable to form words in my mouth. I have much empathy for both of them. But the bottom line is, I've never experienced a miscarriage.

I don't know and can't begin to understand what they are feeling. And I know that they don't expect me to or really even need me to. The thing is, it's not about me. Yes, I'm hurting but I'm sure it's nothing compared to how they hurt.

It's not about me. But....

I have so many mixed feelings right now. Randy and I are blessed, truly blessed. We have 3 perfect children and didn't have to "plan" or "try" to have them. It just happened for us. I am thankful for that.

Sure, we have some issues. Layton has Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) and Kassidy has Celiac. But I believe God had this in his plan before their beating hearts ever entered my body. I would not change them or trade them for anything; in my eyes, they are the epitomy of perfection.

So I sit here thinking

The human body

2009-01-26T11:59:00.000-08:00

While in Vegas, I toured the "Bodies" exhibit at the Luxor; way cool! Anyway, Kass has been asking a lot of questions lately about where your food goes after you eat it, etc. So at the exhibit's gift shop I picked up a great book for kids called, "The Human Body." Kass' teacher at pre-school needed to leave a few minutes early today so I took the book and read it to the class while we were waiting for parents to arrive.
I purposely saved the digestive system part of the book for last because I knew mentioning poop would be the highlight of my whole presentation; so I sort of knew what I was getting myself into....but holy moly....
To sum it up, let me just tell you that I have heard enough about "poop" to last me the rest of my life! I now know what color the majority of pre-schooler's poop is, the size, how often they go and sometimes it smells worse than other times. :) The boys in class were of course the first to divulge all their "waste" info. But I was surprised at how much the girls had to say too.

I had Nate with me and the little stinker sat behind my chair the entire time. He gets so freaked out at pre-school. I can only imagine what the first day of pre-school will be like for him next year. Kassidy will be at Kindergarten and he will be on his own.......

Big bellies

2009-01-25T17:57:00.000-08:00

I have to back track a bit here for this next funny story to make sense. Over a week ago I took the boys to get hair cuts. A good friend of mine who is due to have a baby in less than a month cut their hair. Kassidy was with us and Layton asked her to hold his hand while he was getting his hair cut; she did and it was cute and the whole salon oooed and awed over how sweet they were. (yeah....sometimes)
Well the kids were enthralled over how big my friend's belly was and Nate especially liked to touch her belly to see if the baby was kicking.
Last night in the tub Kassidy said, "Wow, Layton! You sure have a big belly. There must be a really BIG baby in your tummy!" Then Nate looked down at his belly and said, "Yeah, me too!"
:)

I hate it when I'm right!

2009-01-21T20:29:00.000-08:00

So I haven't been on here in a while.

My dad, stepmom and little brother met Randy in Las Vegas this past weekend to ring in the big 3-0. It was super fun, but very tiring. I have been reminded that I am no longer a young lass who can stay up until wee hours of the morning and press on the next day as if nothing happened. :)

And from my previous post, regarding the dentist....I was right! ( I can almost "hear" Randy rolling his eyes at me right now, because he hears that from me often) Layton saw the dentist this am and we are scheduling an outpatient procedure down at the hospital to have at least 3 teeth removed. Layton' s mouth is very narrow and simply doesn't have room for all the "big boy" teeth he is getting. We don't have a date set yet but it should be within a month or so. I'm hoping to get some yearly blood work drawn from my stubborn and strong willed boy while he is under anesthesia; makes for one less poke this year that will send him into a complete dither.
Kass was fitted for a retainer a while back and we were able to get that today. She was real excited about the idea of it at first but
she
hates
it....
Earlier this evening she was letting the drool just run from her mouth because she "couldn't swallow". I told her to suck the spit instead of trying to swallow it. Bad idea. For the rest of the evening I was hearing "sllllluuuuurp!" Drove me bonkers! But hopefully she will get the hang of it soon and her slurpiness will subside.
The kids were in the tub this evening and Layton was splashing like crazy and being goofy. I got onto him about getting so much water on the floor, walls and windows and Nate stood up, looked at me and said, "but Tayton's my best friend"........awwww, sweet, right?
I replied, "I'm glad Layton is your best friend but he needs to stop splashing so much."
Nate sat down, turned to Layton and said, "you stop splashing, cow poop, Tayton!"
Those of you who know the cow poop "thang" we deal with daily will surely get a chuckle out of that one! :)
Kelly

Monday Morning....blech!

2009-01-12T06:16:00.000-08:00

We were up early (earlier than usual) this am to be ready for a 7:30 dentist appt for Layton. They called a while ago and needed to reschedule due to the doc having a family emergency. Layton was bummed when I told him we wouldn't be going after all. He seemed to be excited to go (which is very strange, but I'll take it!) I think he is going to need a tooth pulled because he has a new one growing in behind the said tooth and I can't get it to budge. It looks like it hurts! He's probably due for a good cleaning too so I won't be surprised if they schedule an outpatient procedure at the hospital.
That
will
not
be
fun....

Kassidy wanted me to braid her hair last night so she would have "curls" for school today. I'll see if I can post a picture later!

Trying something new!

2009-01-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

I will be 30 in
6
days!!
This has stirred up a whole barrel of emotions for me. Mostly I've realized that I need to take better care of myself, etc. But I've also realized that is has literally been YEARS since I've written, truly thought something out and written. The problem? I LOVE to write! I always have....and I miss it.
Oh, and I just happen to adore my husband and children and think that folks (especially family) would enjoy keeping tabs on our day to day adventures and all they entail ;) Things get pretty crazy around here....hence the name of this blog, "The Zimmerman Zoo"

This place is honestly a ZOO!
K