Dental Dread

Yesterday I had some dental work done.  I had to have multiple caps replaced, cavities, a deep clean, etc.  I think I have mentioned it before but I am a big wimp when it comes to the dentist!  My dental issues have plagued me since I was very, very, young.  To save me some anxiety, I opted for the sedation route.  Has anyone else done this?  This is actually my second time.  They give you a drug that allows you to function without remembering anything.  You know what you are doing but not really.  Basically I woke up in my bed and my first thought was of dread because I had to go to the dentist.  My second thought was the realization that I had already been there!!!!  I probably should mention that I had a babysitter for Kolton (and myself) all day until 8pm.  And yes, she drove me to and from the appointment.  I really hope little man doesn't inherit this from me.  And don't get me wrong sedation doesn't come without its challenges.  Apparently I was rather feisty and fought them quite a bit.  Although they said they are used to it I'm pretty embarrassed.  So now its just another reason to dread going there.

Happy Halloween-Is It Christmas Yet?

Tonight I am feeling very happy and satisfied with this years Halloween experience!  I don't know why but I feel so much PRESSURE to make these milestones special even when I know little man won't remember a thing.  I blame Facebook.  I think it was better being blissfully unaware as to what others were up to.  But now its like "Whoa!  Look at them.  Doesn't that look like fun?!?  I need to do that too!"

This morning Kolton's Romp N Roll class dressed up for the holiday and then of course the all important Trick or Treating this evening.  I wavered whether or not to take him.  Especially since we don't really know anyone in the neighborhood.  But then I thought about the fact that I never really knew the people when I Trick or Treated as a child so what's the big deal?!?  So I threw on my mask and introduced Kolton to the final joy of Halloween.  We went to 8 or 9 houses.  My little dragon was still incredibly cute and grasped the fact that the candy went from the bowl into his bucket.  But he also thought we were supposed to go in to each house.  Maybe he was confused because they all look like ours????  Mike has been home all week because all of his meetings have been cancelled due to Sandy.  It was really nice to do this little rite of passage as a family.  I know it might not have been the most exciting time but it was perfect for us!

I think you either fall in the Love It or Hate It camp when it comes to Halloween.  I'd say I'm more in the Hate It camp but overall I had fun with it this year.  Now we can plow right on through Thanksgiving to Christmas!

Getting Back To Good

Well Wow! The Sandy Storm turned out to be pretty bad.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who lost so much, including their lives.  Mike and I were talking about how these natural disasters almost seem unnatural lately.  But thankfully everything is all good here in Richmond.  We didn't even lose power.  It's just been a whole lot of rain.  But, even that has stopped now.

Despite the weather we still had Kolton's speech evaluation at Children's Hospital yesterday.  The therapist interacted with him exactly the way the lady from the county does.  So it was kind of nice and reassuring to see consistency.  Her recommendation was that he should receive therapy once a week.  She felt that he is demonstrating the appropriate behaviors towards saying his first word but he is only at a 9-12 month level.  What sucks is they called me back this morning to say that our insurance will not cover their services.  To be honest I'm not even 100% sure his current therapy is covered.  Its just that we've never seen a bill.  I hate to go digging into situations like this.  I'll imagine they'll say..."Oh, why yes, we should be billing you and we haven't been.  You owe us $1500.  Thank you for bringing this to our attention"  So now I'm not really sure what to do.  I just wish someone could tell me he'll be fine and talk when he's good and ready.

Today we went to Romp N Roll for Open Gym.  They didn't hold any of their scheduled classes but just allowed parents to bring the kids in for play time.   It was a MAD HOUSE.  Everyone was clearly suffering from cabin fever.  I knew at least 5 of the other mothers there.  So even I had fun chatting and catching up.  But I still can't help wondering why I'm just not connecting or making the type of friends I'm used to making.  I've been so incredibly lucky to meet so many wonderful people in my life.  Have I run out of luck?  What's it going to take to get back to a place where I feel 100% sure I've ended up exactly where I'm supposed to be?

Halloween- Part two

One of the nice things about the fact that Halloween is now a month long celebration and not just one night is getting multiple uses out of the costume.  That, and having multiple activities mean that if one is a bust at least the overall experience isn't completely ruined.  This weekend we went to Baltimore to celebrate the holiday in Patterson Park and watch the Lantern Parade.  Kolton was pretty cranky because he didn't get a really good nap in.  But he made the most of it and was super cute running around in his dragon costume.  Unfortunately we weren't able to get a photo of all the kids together.  And just like last year we ended up calling it quits before the parade began because the little ones just could not make it that long.  But I still absolutely love this little tradition and being able to hang out and socialize was well worth the trip!

We cut our visit a little short to make it back to Richmond ahead of this Sandy storm.  Um, so far...nothing.  Schools are already closed for tomorrow so I guess its supposed to start getting worse over night.  I went to the grocery store to stock up on essentials like water and toilet paper.  I think its crazy but EVERYONE does it and I just don't want to be the stupid, unprepared one.  But frankly this panic is a little hilarious/ridiculous.

The Bread Isle

Mike's appointments for the beginning of the week have already cancelled as well.  So, thankfully I won't have to worry about being alone through all of this.  Oh, and the best part; it gave me an excuse to buy a head lamp!

Trick & Tires

Kolton had his first Halloween event today; Trunk or Treat with the Mom's Club.  I remember going to this same event last year.  Its so hard to believe how fast the year really went.  If you can't tell he is a dragon this year.  I cannot get enough of him in this costume.  He looks like a real live muppet!  AND he tolerated it with the hood and everything; never mind the fact that it was 85 degrees!

While in the parking lot I became aware that I had a tire that was almost flat.  I actually knew about it yesterday but didn't put any more thought into it after I filled with air.  I guess it was something more than a little low.  I don't know what it is but I blow tires left and right.  Anyway, we made it to a nearby gas station for more air and then went straight to the closest garage.  Here is Kolton running amuck behind the counter.  They were all so nice and let him have free reign.  I think he had more fun there!

Size Matters

The weather here in Richmond has been absolutely B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!  And we've been enjoying it by being lazy and staying indoors.  I just don't know what to do outside besides take Sophie for a walk. Which I do for at least 1/2 hour once a day.  I could always drive to a park so little man can play.  But there is something about that that drives me crazy.  I mean the sunshine is right out side my door.  Do I really have to get in the car and go someplace else to get it?  Either way today was a windows open kind of day and I loved it!

We were able to get the garage reorganized this weekend.  That has been on my mind since we moved in.  I had to get at Kolton's boxes because I needed to dig out his 12 month pants.  I packed them away last spring thinking for sure he'd be into 18 months in the fall.  But I found myself having to constantly roll both the waist band and the bottoms.  Oh yeah, he is still in a size 3 diaper too.  Basically he has really thinned out.  His body now resembles a little boy and no longer a baby.  Thankfully he still has those deliciously round cheeks!  

I have really been struggling with size matters myself.  I'm like a size 8 in the waist but a size 4 in the butt/legs.  It's been incredibly difficult to find anything that fits but doesn't sag and make me look like a HoBo.  So I went back to an old favorite...$10 low rise stretch jeans from Forever 21.  I need to stock up.  I've been wearing them for the last 2 days and I'm still comfortable =)

Little Fighter

This is Kolton's pre-school picture.  It's a picture of the picture so I think you can see my shadow hovering over it.  Anyway, I am in love with it!  I think it captures his essence perfectly.

If you are my friend on Facebook then you know over the past couple of days I have made posts regarding pediatric cancer.  I wrote on here that I first started following Ronan Thompson's story on his mom's blog, www.Rockstarronan.com.  Ronan passed over a year ago but Maya continues to update the blog with her brutally honest feelings about losing a child to this awful disease.  She is on a mission to raise money for research and ultimately build a Neuroblastoma care facility.

She recently posted a link to another mom's blog, www.SuperTy.org.  Sadly 5 year old Ty Louis Campbell, who they called their Little Fighter, just lost his battle.  I can't explain it but I'm honestly forever changed.  Mike thinks I am too engrossed in this.  But I think that's exactly the problem.  Too many people looking the other way.

Here is the LINK to the petition for the NFL to wear gold next September to raise awareness for Pediatric Cancer like they wear pink in October for Breast Cancer.

I also signed up to volunteer for a local group here in Richmond called Connor's Heros.  I have an informational meeting next week.  Here's the thing about me; I'm still struggling to find my place in the world.  Living in Richmond still feels a little like wearing the Left shoe on the Right foot.  It's not just the town its me too.  I love staying at home with little man but I'm missing something...  But I don't have any career type aspirations that would make me want to put Kolton in daycare.  With Mike gone so much I think its important that I be with him.  I'm really not trying to make this all about me, but maybe by helping these kids and getting behind a cause I'll end up helping myself too.