Speech Therapy & Dentist Appointment's

Orion's speech eval was a breeze! Within the first 5 minutes of the appointment the therapist turned to me and asked why was he even referred! She said she understands him and that he is using 3 or more words to make sentences. She also said that he is right on target for his age. To me that was GOOD news!

Orion also had a dentist appointment that he slept all the way through! His very first appointment and he slept through it!!! It went very well. The dentist said that Orion should be getting his second set of molars in soon (bring on the crabbiness!) and that he is doing a good job at brushing his teeth. He doesn't have to go back in until he is 3. YEAH!!!

Next up hearing test and ENT appoint in 2 weeks.

Mixed Emotions

When I took Orion in for his 2-year wellness check-up it was suggested that he have a speech evaluation.

When kids go in for their check-ups at the Alaska Native Medical Center you don't just meet with the Doctor, you meet with the Nutritionist and a Developmental person (I can't remember the exact title). The developmental person basically wants to make sure that he is right where he needs to be in skills. You actually have to fill out a questionnaire about your child. Does he jump with both feet off the ground? Does he hold a cup with both hands? Does he want to turn the light switch on and off? If asked to put the toys away will he? When looking at books, does he turn the pages? ALOT of questions like this...about 5 pages about everyday life stuff. There is one question that sticks out in my mind the most. When your child speaks, do you understand what is being said most of the time? My answer "Yes, I feel he speaks very well for his age". I GUESS I WAS WRONG!!!

We saw the Developmental person first. She asked me a few questions then turned her attention to Orion. She asked him one question about his trains that he had taken with him and he went off talking about trains (he is passionate about Thomas & Friends). Then she turned to me and says that she couldn't understand him. What do you mean you can't understand him??? I was speechless and didn't know what to say. Then she said that she is putting a referral in for a speech evaluation. I was floored!

I have mixed emotions about today's appointment for a several reasons:

1. He is only 2 years old!
2. Granted, I spend all my days with him, I understand him very well.
3. I get compliments OFTEN on how well he speaks. On how advanced he is.
4. BUT, did I mention that he is ONLY 2 YEARS OLD!!!

IF, this is such a concern I would like to start working on it now instead of when he gets into school and real issues arise but I just can't get over the fact that she didn't try talking to him more or ask him different questions. She made her decision so quick!

Maybe I am just making a big deal out of nothing.

Thoughts of 2009

As I lay in bed last night trying to fall asleep, I couldn't help but reminisce about the past year.

Thoughts of Orion and how much he has grown. How he is such a little gentleman, forming sentences and wanting to go potty like the "big boys". He is so independent and proud of it. Oh my, his 2nd birthday is hastily approaching and I gotta get to planning!

Thoughts of places traveled: Kodiak, Fairbanks, Seward, Arizona & Las Vegas. Where will the roads lead us this year?

And thoughts of friends, old and new. It's amazing how fast people walk in and out of your lives. Looking back that's when you then realize how much they have influenced or touched your life. When did I realize that my best friend was no longer my best friend?

I am looking forward to 2010 and what it may bring for me and my family. What new thing will Orion do or say? Where will we travel this year? Who will venture into our lives? Answers I wish I knew but I guess that takes all the guess work and excitement out of it.

With those thoughts so fresh in my mind I can now let the stress of 2009 go, have a good cry and say 2010 will be an AWESOME year for me and my family.

With that being said...from our family to yours...

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

Our house has grown by 4 feet!

No, we didn't have twins! On Oct 16, Opus joined our family.

He traveled ALL day from Illinois to be with us. Poor thing had to make a stop in Houston and then Seattle before finally reaching Alaska. I was expecting a stressed little pup but he was very calm and immediately took to Peter, showing him with kisses!

He is 11 weeks old and weighs around 4 lbs. He is such a cuddle bug but yet won't sit still long enough to get a good picture! Potty training was a challenge at first but is much better now. He mastered the "Sit" command within 2 days and recently we started working on "Stay".

He has been accepted in to the family wonderfully. We can't even visit the family without someone asking where Opus is at or requesting that we bring him with! He is definitely one of the family...not to mention a momma's boy!!!

We are still here!

We have been sooo busy lately!

Here's a few things that has kept us, well more like me, occupied:

• Close To My Heart Gatherings
• Putting in more hours at Wild Berry to get ready for the Holiday Season
• My addiction to shows like Ghost Hunters, House, Ugly Betty and the World Series of Poker
• Winter Cleaning (my version of Spring Cleaning)
• Crafting and making gifts for the holidays
• Poker Games
• Both Orion and I being sick...blah
• AND, our little addition to the family

I will be back soon with an update!

Wordless Wednesday #16

Debbie, Allen & I ventured out the Alaska State Fair with Peyton, Paige & Orion in tow. The first stop was of course was to fill out tummy's with all that greasy yummy fair food. Curly fries, corn dogs and corn fritters. Next stop "Fair Hair".

I was a little disappointed that they didn't do anything crazy with Orion's hair. After all "Fair Hair" is supposed to be CRAZY! Both Orion and Paige sat still and did so well. Doesn't Paige just look adorable?

The kids loved the Petting Zoo. I think Orion liked the goats most of all. He kept going back to pet this black one.

After the Petting Zoo we found ourselves surround by more fair food! Nachos, elephant ears, tacos, sno cones and cotton candy.

We didn't stay to long and we didn't get to see everything or even go on rides but we accomplished the most important thing our family strives on...FOOD! LOL

Wordless Wednesday #15

Orion's Great-Grandpa came to visit all the way from Pittsburgh, PA. I am surprised how well Orion warmed up to him. It's been about a year since they had seen each other. It wasn't long and Orion was giving Grandpa Howard hugs and kisses!

I couldn't get them to look at the camera at the same time :(

I think Orion was trying to tell Grandpa a secret. Paige doesn't look to happy.

Wordless Wednesday #14

At the playground with the cousins

This is the house that Martha built

This just wasn't a house, it was a home.

A home that survived the 1964 earthquake.

A home that provides evidence that life my still be presence.

A home that belongs to Peter's Great Grandma Martha.

Even though she hasn't lived there for many years, signs of her still remain.

Wordless Wednesday #13

Seward...On the boat for the very first time!

My baby loves the beach :)

Wordless Wednesday #12

Eating Raspberries

Kodiak's Wildlife

While I was getting a tour of the island we came across these horses just hanging out in the rain.

They even have cattle here too! I never thought that I would run across cattle on an island, in Alaska, but I did!

While picking berries I came across this creature crouching ready to attack.

I barely made it out alive!

Ha Ha! Just kidding! It's my mother-in-law Debbie.

One creature I didn't get to see was the Kodiak bear. I would have loved to seen one...

from afar!

He did leave me a lovely parting gift though.

Sights of Kodiak

This last weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to Kodiak to hang out with my mother-in-law who was there on business. I had so much fun learning all about the island where Peter and his family are from.

I know that this is not the best picture ever but, oh well, what can I say, I am still learning! City of Kodiak is to the left, all along the water. If you look really close, towards the middle of the picture, you can see a bridge connecting it to another island.

I met these guys coming into town. The big guy wanted me to run away with him. I told him that I was married but he was very persistent! I thought I was gonna have to call the hubs to come down and protect me.

This was taken from Ft. Abercrombie, which is now a park, but it was a fort during WWII.
Taken from the beach where Debbie and I were beachcombing.

Bunkers are everywhere! I even saw them on a few tiny islands when flying into Kodiak. They are the remnants of WWII.

This was one of the Salmonberries that found it's way into my belly! They look like a yellow to orange-red raspberry, but only larger and bigger seeds. Tart yummy goodness!

This is the church were Peter's mom and step dad were married and were his grandparents were married.


Deb, I was not bored, not one bit! I have such an interest in family history and enjoyed all the stories and places you shared with me. Thank you so much! I hope we can do it again next year but more berries!

Wordless Wednesday #11

Playing with light sticks

Okay so i thought this was funny

Peter & I, being the AWESOME parents that we are, were trying to teach Orion to stick his tounge out. He just wasn't feeling it but we got a really great laugh out of it.

Wordless Wednesday #10

Feeding the ducks, I mean seagulls.

Today more than any other day...

I really need and want to get a few things done but am finding it very challenging! Please forgive my frustration as I am in tears just writing this. I am hoping that it will help!



Orion got up an hour earlier then usual. My usual time to work on Wild Berry stuff had to be put on the back burner for a few.

I put him in his chair, ask him if he wants a "nana".

He said "NO"!

WHAT!!!! My kid said no, he never says "NO" to Bananas!

He says "Pop Tat".

Fine, pop tart it is.

I sat back down at the computer hoping to work on WB but not yet! Orion probably wasn't 2 bites into his pop tart when he starts crying and wouldn't stop crying until I gave him a hug.

He is such a sensitive little boy!

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I can't even have a quite moment in the bathroom! Shame on my for not closing the door all the way, but I didn't think Orion would notice me being gone for just a moment BUT he did!

The bathroom door slams open and he is crying "MOMMA, MOMMA".

He spies his toothbrush and looks at me.

I tell him he can have it, but then starts crying when he notices there is not toothpaste on it!

UGH!

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My "master" todo list is forever growing. Just when I scratch 1 off, I swear 5 more are being added. Everyday I pull at 1 item to work on. Since it's just me and Orion I decided that I would start on his room which houses all my scrapbooking & crafting supplies.

REALLY BIG TASK!

I really need to clean up my tables, find a place for everything and even purge out old supplies. I want Orion to have a room not just a crib in mommy's craft room. I just don't think it's gonna happen today! I can't even walk down the hallway without Orion right at my heels. I did try though, but Orion's not cooperating so I called it quits! I am going to try again later.

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Orion normally doesn't have to have his blankie, but today he does! He's looked in every single room for it! I had to explain that his blankie is taking a bath. He understood that but now every time I turn around he is banging on the laundry room door!

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Every time I've sat at my computer today Orion is right at my side. Crying, pulling papers off my table, putting his toys all over me, the computer or the table. Don't think that I don't play with him cause I do and I am, but just when he seems content I try to slip away and get a few things done. You should see our living room right now! Books, trains, cars, puzzles and Tupperware containers are everywhere!!!

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So here it is noon and the only thing I have to show for my day is a shower for me, breakfast for Orion, 3 emails, 2 phone calls and a semi dried blankie. I hope this afternoon is better!

Maybe I should just give up and pull out yummy Bon Bons, sit on the couch and watch Soap Operas all day!

Wordless Wednesday #9

Apple Printing, Hanging out on the deck & Learning how to driving

Wordless Wednesday #8

Thomas & Friends Playdate @ Toys R Us

Wordless Wednesday #7

Beachcombing in Seward, July 3rd, 2009

They say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem...

I am addicted to this stuff...

Which is so appropriately name "Addiction".

I made it for the 4th of July weekend. I put my own little twist on it by adding Red & Blue M&M's, Red & Blue Star Sprinkles & Red, White & Blue Jimmies.

You know how I told you I was on a coconut kick...this stuff is packed full of it!

I am feeling very generous so I'll share the recipe with you!

Addiction

1 (10 oz.) box Golden Grahams cereal

1 (10 oz.) Rice or Corn Chex

4 c. coconut

3 tbsp. butter

2 c. corn syrup

2 c. sugar

3 c. Almonds (sliced or whole)

Mix Golden Grahams, Chex, coconut & almonds in a large bowl. In a large saucepan, mix butter, corn syrup, & sugar. Bring to a boil for 3 minutes.Pour over cereal mixture & stir well. Put on cookie sheets sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. When cool, break apart & eat.

{Can substitute any nut for almonds, my personal fave if cashews}

This recipe was gifted to me by my cousin Emilie. You've created a CRAZY LADY!!!

Wordless Wednesday #6

A little late, but better than never!

Mommy's little Sous Chef

Prob with pics loading :(

I have been having the darndest time getting pictures to upload to blogger for the last week. Please bare with me...there may be several post today, as long as blogger will cooperate.

How does one visit Paris & NY all in one day?

GO TO VEGAS!

Days 8, 9 & 10 of our vacation, Peter & I snuck away to Las Vegas for a few days. It was so nice to get away just the two of us! Which we have never done before.

Thanks Mom for watching Orion!!!

We ventured into the MGM, New York New York, Planet Hollywood, The Flamingo, Bellagio, Ceasers Palace and The Venetian.

We ate at The Sidewalk Cafe, Spice Market Buffet, Le Buffet, P.F. Chang's and The Cheesecake Factory. (If you like coconut, then you will love the Chocolate Coconut Cream Cheesecake. It is delish...I have been on such a coconut kick lately!)

We saw these these guys perform.

We rode the Monorail. Saw the Belliago Fountains, the Conservatory @ Belliago and the Wildlife Exhibit @ The Flamingo.

Peter enjoyed a cigar at Casa Fuente. Their humidor room is AWESOME!

I didn't get to see everything and do everything that I wanted to but we had so much fun anyways. We can always go back in another 4 years!

Here's a few more pics:

Arizona Vacation - Day 6 & 7

Day 6 was pretty laid back as fair as sight seeing. We went to the Titan Missile Museum and along the way we stopped at I got some jalapeno flavored pecans that are just yummy!

At the Titan Missile Museum, we had a private tour of the first 2 levels! I say private cause there was only myself, Peter & Orion scheduled for the tour.

The missile is encased here. It has a glass roof that you look through, looking down at the missile. The glass takes up half the roof while the other half is the actual door. It has been cemented to be half open or half closed, which ever you prefer.

Here's a view looking down the hallway to the control room. The walls are 8 feet thick and the blast doors weighed at least 3-ton!

Orion & I got to turn to key to experience a simulated missile launch!

If given the chance again I think I would do the Top-to-Bottom Tour, which includes all 8 levels!

Day 7 was even more laid back! We went swimming, Peter smoked his ribs and we visited with my cousin Emilie and her family.

Arizona Vacation - Day 5

Day 5 was spent at the Pima Air & Space Museum. I think Peter & my dad enjoyed it the most.

See how HUGE this plane is!

Later that night we had Family dinner at Pinnacle Peak. It's my favorite Steakhouse and a must on my list when I am in AZ! Then we wondered over to Golf n' Stuff for miniature golf.

And guess what...

these two got ENGAGED!