Sunday, March 29, 2009

Day #88 - Picture #88

Playing Around

Ever since Garrett got home tonight, we've been acting silly and playing around....typical stuff...since my picture of Edward/Twilight didn't come out as well as I had hoped, I opted for this one....funny thing is, when I took the picture of the movie Garrett said "Mom, are you watching that movie AGAIN?? Well, actually I was...for the third time, but I cut it off and went and played with him....and took a bunch of "don't take my picture" pictures!

Twilight (Amy you might appreciate this :) )

okay...so I admit it. I am curious....every scrapping site I've been on has tons and tons of women reading the books, addicted to Edward, avatars and such related to the movie and what not....so since I'm home alone today, guess what I just got through doing?? Yep, you guessed it....I watched the movie on pay per view....and I have to admit, I kinda liked it.....and maybe I too might just have a thing for "Edward" ....hubba! hubba!, and he can most definitely nibble on my neck anytime (I didn't just say that did I?) LOL....sad thing is, pay per view is for 24 hours, and I just re-watched it.....he's just so darn cute!! Anyway, I wanted this to be my picture for the day, but this is the best that I could get, so I opted for one of Garrett instead....**guess I need to go rent/and read the books now huh?

Tracking Santa


Journaling Reads:
We did sit down and track Santa several times tonight, and Shawn even sat down with you and showed you a video online as to how they actually did the tracking. Garrett, you may be doubting this year, but the video that Shawn was showing you had
you completely glued to the screen, and all of your attention was focused on tracking Santa, especially once he hit the United States.
Christmas Eve 2008

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Day #87 - Picture #87

First Canoe Ride

Richie took Garrett fishing today in the canoe...he takes him fishing fairly often, but today was the first time that he's ever been in a canoe...and apparently he absolutely loved it, because as they were driving home, Garrett called me to tell me all about it...and of course, Richie is really good about taking pictures for me!! So of course Garrett wanted me to see the pictures of him in the canoe, his "big fish" that he caught, and the snapping turtle that his dad found....pictures turned out awesome, and I immediately borrowed Richies camera and uploaded them to my computer....needless to say, Garrett is definitely enjoying some father/son/outdoor time this weekend....so kudos to Richie!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Home Alone

Well since Garrett is with his dad this weekend, and Shawn is yet again on another business trip...I don't have any excuses not to scrap....so here you go...my first of many for the weekend....or at least I'm hoping.

Snowflakes

Children are like Snowflakes... Each one is unique; Each one special; Each one a gift from Heaven.

Day #86 - Picture #86

Easter Break/Spring Break & Intercession Begin

So today Garrett gets out of school for three weeks…this is sort of his Easter Break/Spring Break & Intercession all combined into one….the reason for intercession, is because he goes to year round school, and every so many weeks, they get three off….

So this picture today is for two reasons, one being it’s the last day of school, and two for what the school sign says….SNOW MAKE UP day….WHAT??? what the heck….we’re going on vacation the week after Easter, and we’ll still be in Pennsylvania on the 17th…..now why would I drive back three days early for him to go to school for half a day?? I’m not! Period!! Guess Garrett won’t be getting perfect attendance this nine weeks either…..oh well.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Day #85 - Picture #85

The Trip Begins..

So since I've been running out of ideas to take pictures of, I figured I'd let Shawn take pictures of his trip from Hope Mills to Raleigh....from Raleigh to Chicago, and from Chicago to El Paso, Texas today....he said he would just randomly send me pictures from his cell phone...how cool is that?

So picture #1 for today, taken at the airport in Raleigh...showing me his flight.

#2 - Boarding the Plane
#3 On the Plane

Day #84 - Picture #84

Packing to Leave...yet again!

Yet another business trip for Shawn...this time it's to El Paso, Texas....can't say that I like it, but I suppose he's gotta do, what he's gotta do right?? Oh well, he leaves tomorrow morning for a little over two weeks, and will get home just in time to take our family vacation to Williamsport, Pa.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

{ BLUR }


Journaling:
On some days life really is a blur, and this picture is a constant reminder of that! I can’t believe that in just a few short months, you’re going to be eight years old!
Where has the time gone? As much as I love who you are and who you are becoming, please try and slow down just a little bit… for me! I love you Little Man!!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Day #83 - Picture #83

Meeting with the Assistant Principal

This morning we had to meet with the Asst Principal due to Garrett’s disruptive behavior in class yesterday. I suppose it could have been worse, but it actually went pretty well. There was indeed punishment though, as this was Garrett’s second offense and second time having been sent to the office this year. The punishment was either one day of school suspension (we’d take him home with us after the meeting), or 2 hours of community service/yard work on school grounds. We opted for the community service, as what kid doesn’t want to go home instead of school? I mean really, what kind of punishment would that be?? So as it stands now, sometime between now and the end of April (Garrett gets out of school this Friday for three weeks intercession) we have to take him to the school to serve his time….**to serve his time, never dreamed as a mother I’d ever so those words….SIGH!

Day #82 - Picture #82

In Serious Trouble **see 365 Blog for why.

So tonight was not a good night for Garrett. After being spanked, and his punishment being given, he wasn't really left with a whole lot of things to do....no tv, and nothing whatsoever electronic for a month....After some time, I didn't hear anything coming from his room (usually I hear a game, or him making sound effects/noises while playing his games, or the tv), but I didn't hear anything, so I went to check on him....and this is where I found him...sitting on the couch reading one of his AR books...when I saw this, I knew that he really knew this time that he was in deep trouble and this was a serious issue.....he did come to me a little later an asked if him and I could do something "fun" together, so we play Cadoo until bathtime...

Monday, March 23, 2009

Completely Frustrated

So, I go home for lunch today and my phone rings….it’s Garrett’s teacher calling me, and she’s trying to get Garrett on the phone to tell me what he’s doing….he’s really hesitant to talk as he knows when she calls me, he’s in trouble. Well, apparently some little boy peed in a bag in the classroom today, and Garrett was picking on him. Well keep in mind I’m in total shock about the boy peeing, but since he’s not my child the situation can’t be discussed with me….and trust me, I have a ton of questions on how something like that could have ever happened….but anyways, all of the kids were picking at the boy, but Garrett was the only one that wouldn’t stop when he was asked to do so, so she called me….I talked to him, made him apologize to the child and threatened him! He assured me that he would stop….so I told his teacher the jist of our conversation and assured her that he would stop. I swear it wasn’t two minutes later, and my phone was ringing again. Garrett had chosen not to listen to either I or his teacher, and was still teasing the child. I threatened a bunch of stuff this time (the Wii, the Nintendo DS, his computer) and he swore to me that he would stop…so once again he handed the phone back to his teacher. She kinda hinted that she wanted me to come pick him up, but we’re short on people at work (vacation time), Shawn was working, and his Dad works about an hour away….I just politely said we can’t come get him….she told me that if he continued, she would just send him to the office. ….Okay….I hang up the phone, eat lunch…head back to work, and called his Dad….while I’m talking to his Dad on the phone, the school is calling my cell phone and left me a voice mail). It’s not his teacher this time, it’s the Asst Principal telling me that Garrett had been in her office and that since it is his second time in the office this year, a hearing would be needed and that I had to be at the school in the morning for this at 8:00. Okay so I call her back, and we talk for a few minutes…I push the subject about the boy peeing in a bag…she too said she couldn’t discuss it but that she could guarantee that it was being handled….she said that Garrett got sent to the office for not listening. He actually had stopped picking at the boy after the second phone call, but had taken it upon himself to get a bit of an attitude and not listen to the teacher at all, and not do anything that he was asked to do (i.e. his work and such), so his teacher felt like she had no other choice but to send him to the office…..well after 15 minutes in the office, and scheduling the hearing for in the morning, she sent Garrett back to class…..so by the time I called the Asst Principal, he had gone back to his room, but as we were talking, he was sent back to the office…..apparently when he got back to class a couple of the children in his class started picking at him about having being sent to the office….so Garrett (as if he’s not in enough trouble already), picked up a book and flung it across the room….so like I said, while I’m talking to the Asst Principal, he walks back into her office….so I talk to him briefly, and then told Mrs. Chapman that I’d see her in the morning…..well I know this behavior isn’t acceptable at all…I know that, but I also know that all the disciplining that happens, takes place at my house, and that there are never really any consequences for his behavior at Richie’s house. I also made so many threats today on the phone that were harsh, and now I have to follow through on them…I just don’t know what to do….I am at my wits end, and my ex is no help, all he says is that he was just like that when he was a child and that his parent’s tried to beat it out of him, which of course didn’t work….I won’t say that I haven’t spanked Garrett before, but I typically don’t and I try to use other alternatives, but today, I said I’d spank him too on the phone….I just sooooo wanted him to be good….now I have to spank him, and take all of his fun things away, as he has to know that I mean business and this continued behavior cannot go on (and yes, this is not our first dealings with his behavior at school and his temper and such)….My ex doesn’t feel like Garrett needs any help dealing with his anger & behavior, and that he’s just gonna have to learn how to deal with it….I just don’t want to go home and spank my kid….I just want answers, and to understand why he is doing this…..I am just so frustrated because I feel completely helpless in this situation, and now I have to punish my son….and all I can think about is what my parents used to say to me when they would spank me…..that it hurt them more than it hurt me…..well then I was like yeah right, but now, as a parent I completely understand where they were coming from….what to do, what to do….

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Day #81 - Picture #81

Nerf N-Strike for the Wii

Okay, so Garrett bought this game with his birthday money, and has been playing it off and on since then...he really likes it alot, especially the fact that he gets to choose the guns that he wants to use. Unfortunately with this game, most of the "cool" guns still need to be unlocked in order for him to use them...which brings me to the reason for this being the picture of the day. Jackie and Daniel are here....both of them have thier laptops hooked up to the internet (thanks to my wireless router accomplishment from a few days ago) and Garrett is playing his game... all of the sudden the words "cheat codes" come out of his mouth and Jackie was more than willing to look them up for him....now Garrett is in complete "hog heaven" as he has "unlocked" every single weapon available on that game! Thanks Jackie!

Day #80 - Picture #80

Burger King Cheeseburger...Extra Ketchup & Extra Pickles

Not sure what it is with Garrett and Burger King lately, but every time I ask him what he wants, this is my answer - Burger King Cheeseburger with extra pickles...and more ketchup! Well, today we were out running errands and it happened to be lunch time, so of course I asked the famous question, and his answer? You guessed it, Burger King!! Well, I figured this picture would be perfect! Lots of extra pickles, and lots of extra ketchup, which indeed did wind up all over his lap...but hey, clothes wash right? Anyways, getting him to eat is an ordeal in itself, and luckily he'll eat a BK Cheeseburger....and eat the whole thing...

Day #79 - Picture #79

Wireless Router/Internet

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Day #78 - Picture # 78

Root Beer Dum Dum Suckers

Every day that Garrett goes to daycare, he stops at this huge bowl (looks like a black cauldron) of candy on the way out and gets him a piece.....not just any piece mind you, no, that just wouldn't do! This little guy has to have a Dum Dum sucker, in root beer flavor....he will dig, and dig through the suckers until he can find the flavor he wants too!! Some days, it's more than a minute or two, and I have to rush him along....luckily today he found a root beer flavored one in no time flat!

Day #77 - Picture #77

No Solicitors Please!



Okay, so Richie and I aren't married anymore, but I am at his house at least 5 out of the 7 days a week, every week. We share custody of Garrett and have an arrangement amongst ourselves, that if it isn't our day, we still make it a point to let the other parent see Garrett on that day....

With that being said, that brings me to the reason for today's picture. This is the note on Richie's front door! The solicitors in the neighborhood are in full force constantly and this sign was put up to keep them away....we've always picked at him about it (even while we were married), but nevertheless, he has kept it there....I personally didn't think it worked because they still rang the door bell..and just claimed (even though it's front and center) that they didn't see it!! Well I guess it does work after all....as I was leaving Richie's house today, there were some ladies walking past the house, who apparently must've come to the door and saw the sign, and left....but let me tell you, as soon as they saw me come out of the door and walk to the car, they were immediately heading back towards me...I just smiled, said no thank you, and that I didn't live there....I then got in my car, got my camera, and went back to the front door and took this picture, with Richie having no idea whatsoever as to what was happening outside in his front yard.....I will say this though, that at least for the day, his sign actually DID work!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Day #76 - Picture #76

St. Patrick's Day

Here's my little man, all decked out in his "green"...getting ready to head out to school.....How lucky am I to have been given the opportunity to be his mother as well as Jackie's? I am truly the lucky one!

Day #75 - Picture #75

Pepsi Products on Sale

Okay I admit it, we go through a ton of soda at my house...really we do. Whenever I find it on sale, I tend to buy it in bulk. This week Food Lion is selling them at 3/$9.00 and get one 12pk for free....can't beat that. I'll probably run over there tomorrow at lunch time, and get 4 more as the sale ends tomorrow...not to mention, next week that same 12pk will probably be back up to $4.69 each , and how crazy is that?? I refuse to buy it at that cost when I know I can get the deal that I got today eventually....now to go pour a nice cold glass of diet pepsi and get comfy.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Day #74 - Picture #74

Garrett Revisiting His Toddlerhood


When Richie brought Garrett home tonight, he also brought with him some of Garrett’s toys from when he was much younger. When we originally separated, I didn’t have much space, so lots of Garrett’s toys got left at his dad’s house. Now Richie and Garrett are finally getting around to cleaning Garrett’s room and he’s bringing me things that he knows I either bought, or wanted to keep…..this Geo Trax train set is one of those particular toys….no sooner had Garrett got in the door this evening, he was in the living room setting it up….he’d forgotten about the train, and was completely thrilled to be able to play with it again….nothing like revisiting your toddler-hood on occasion.

**please overlook the gallon of water on the shelf - we do our ironing in the living room and I forgot to put the water away….my bad! LOL

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Got Game?

Well, I've been scrappin' a little today as well....still iffy about this one, but liking it enough to post it! Thanks for looking!

Journaling reads: Got game? Well you kids do!! That's the main reason we held your birthday party at Fun Fun Fun this year - so you could feed your "addiction"! Happy Birthday Garrett!! Pictured in the photos with you are: Lamaar, Damerius, & Ronald!

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Together

So I did a quick layout today before Jackie came over and we headed out to celebrate her 21st birthday! It's another Christmas layout...have to do them one at a time so I don't get tired of doing them....

Journaling reads: This year we were lucky enough to have both Jackie and Tyler with us for Christmas Eve, as well as Christmas Morning!

Day #73 - Picture #73

My Baby Girl is 21 Today


Even though I know it's a fact, it's still really hard for me to comprehend that Jackie is actually 21 today! WOW! Where on Earth does the time go?? Luckily for me, she's home on Spring Break and we were able to celebrate together at Tripp's (where she works) for a late afternoon lunch! And of course, with it being her "21st" Birthday and all, she of course had to have her first "legal" alcoholic beverage. Her drink of choice was called the Lava Flow....funny thing is, we each drank several sips of it, liked it at the beginning, then neither one of us liked it at all....I don't think that between the two of us we even drank half the drink....within a half hour, we were both feeling kinda sick, and both with headaches.....we are soooo not drinkers. Lesson learned for me, but hey, at least I was there to share in this once in a "Life Time" event....her first drink at 21, not to mention the yummy Strawberry Cheesecake!

Day #72 - Picture #72

Bradford Pear Trees


Even though Richie and I are no longer married, and I no longer live in "our" house, there are still things there I either had a hand in either doing/planting or providing. The Bradford Pear Trees in the front yard are an example of something I contributed while we were together. When I got there today, I noticed that they were actually beginning to bloom. Several much larger trees in the neighborhood are already blooming, but ours are just beginning too! I thought I'd take a picture of this for today, especially since it's raining and only 40 degrees out, and two days ago it was in the 80's. Weird how weather can be so unpredictable sometimes...I am glad Richie chose to keep the house ....as I will get to see my trees grow, and Garrett will always have his "home" there.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Day #71 - Picture #71

Dishwasher FULL of Dirty Dishes



So I'm sick for five days, and every dish in my house is dirty! Explain that??? I wasn't eating or drinking, but sure enough, it literally seemed like it! Shawn has been busy with work this week, pretty much from opening until closing everyday, so he hasn't really been able to help me with the housework like he typically does, and I just couldn't...I could barely walk without vomitting or being dizzy much less be expected to wash dishes!! LOL! So anyways, I came home from work today, and loaded the dishwasher....tried to put a dent in the mess! I'll have it clean by the weekend! Maybe..

Day #70 - Picture #70

Accelerated Reading Books



Okay, so some how or another, Garrett has gotten behind on his AR points this 9 weeks, and all of the books in our house that qualify, have already had tests taken on them....so here it was Wednesday, and it's Richie's night, and no books for Garrett to read that qualify for AR testing, so I drag my sick ass up, and head to the library with the "list" and pick out some AR books for Garrett to read, and to take his tests on! I'm really glad I did this, as he took 4 of the books that I checked out for him to his Dads, he read them and took 3 tests Thursday morning....

*the nine weeks is over today (Thursday), and Garrett reached his AR goal for the nine weeks! Woo Hoo! Talk about getting them in at the last minute!! He even said he had a few points over! Now I can breathe a sigh of relief and get ready to start the 4th and final 9 weeks (he's in year round school).

Day #69 - Picture #69

**No Picture for Today**

I was to sick to crawl out of bed today, much less to take a picture.....will probably take an extra this weekend to make up for it! LOL


**Edit with Picture! LOL
American Idol



So I was sick, sick, sick today, and didn't take a picture, but Shawn and I did watch American Idol this evening. Even though it was after 10 when we started watching it (love that DVR), it is something that we look forward too watching every week. I never really watched this show until I met him, and became quickly addicted, even going so far as to voting over 200+ times tonight for Kris Allen. Anyways, this is our show (as well as Survivor), and neither one of us will watch it until the other person can sit down and watch it with them....it's our thing! And tonight Jackie was over and watched it with us! Plus tonight was the first night that all thirteen of the contestants were going to perform....and we three at home became our own judges, with our own comments and such....wonder who'll go home tomorrow??

Day #68 - Picture #68

Bathtime Fun



Bathtime typically consists of bubbles/and or shaving creme at my house, lots and lots of bubbles and/or lots and lots of shaving creme! And Garrett always does something different with them each night....I sit here at my computer watching him the whole time, usually laughing my tail off as he either sings, or dances, or does whatever it is he chooses to do that particular evening. Tonight, he informed me that he was cleaning the tub for me!! How cool is that?

Can't Believe I Got Sick This Time....

...but I did!! And terribly, terribly sick too I might add!! I started not feeling so well on Sunday evening, and by Monday the vomiting and fever started, as well as the other stuff (won't elaberate on the details LOL)...well, here is is Thursday, and I managed to go to work today....or at least attempted to this morning....I went in at 8:00 (no make up and wearing my glasses (real cute I tell ya)), but only lasted an hour...I came home went to bed for awhile, ate an apple and managed to go back in at 11:15 and make it the rest of the day! Woo Hoo! I am feeling sooo much better, but I still have this nasty lingering headache....but now that I'm able to drink something, I'm handling it with lots and lots of caffiene, as I know that the "lack of" caffiene is probably the reason for the headache in the first place.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Day #67 - Picture #67

Arnette Park

Today Garrett and I went to Arnette Park with our friends Gary, Gnell, and their kids. Unfortunately, Shawn had to work today. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the temperature when we were there was right at 78 degrees. Perfect in every way! We had a picnic, and then let the kids play on the playgrounds for a bit, then we went and walked the river trails....the water was really, really high, so we kept the boys away from it, but there were several tiny water falls, and other areas that we let them explore, and play in. You could definitely tell that Spring was upon us as there were several trees in the park beginning to bloom. Everyone had a blast, and made plans to do it all over again really soon.

Day #66 - Picture #66

Spring Time Weather


With the temperature up to around 80 degrees today, and us used to the typical 40s and 50s, I thought it would be a great idea to get Garrett outside. It was pretty easy to be honest with you....all I had to do was mention "chalk" and he was all over it....by the time he was finished, our entire back patio was covered with chalk drawings...so many that I had to take pictures in sections as there was just so much....my favorite part was where he wrote "Spring Is Here"...God I hope so, as today really is a beautiful day!

Sunday Recap

Garrett and I went with Gary & Gnell and the kids today to Arnette Park for a picnic, and to walk the River Trail....We couldn't believe how crowded it was there, and how everyone else had the same idea that we did....but then again it's been in the 40's and 50's now for weeks, and to actually have a weekend with 78+ degrees is absolutely wonderful. I tried getting some pictures, but the batteries kept dying on me...and no spares with me this time. Go figure.






Then I took him to Toys R Us to get another Pokemon download. This time it was a Pokemon called Regigigas...one I've never heard of, but Garrett was all about getting him. Gary & Gnell had taken a kite to the park to fly, but for some reason they couldn't get it up in the air. I remembered that Garrett had one in his closet when we got home and I took him outside to try and fly it...it just wasn't windy enough to do so...plenty of wind, just not constant enough, so he opted to ride his bike instead. I'm really glad he wanted to be outside today, as the weather really is gorgeous, and he didn't need to spend the day in front of the computer, or the Wii anyways...




I did manage to finish this layout today though! I'm pretty pleased with it as well. It's called, Make a Wish (again and again). Read the journaling for explaination on my title. :)

Journaling reads: You started off with pancakes & bacon for breakfast and making your first wish. Then off to your party, where you made another wish, and then later tonight with the family you made yet another wish….you really made a lot of wishes today and I hope that each and every one of them come true for you! Happy Birthday Garrett!!

Saturday, March 7, 2009

So I Did This Today....

yep, you guessed it, I actually sat down and scrapped a page....Not sure that I'm totally liking it, but I don't "dislike" it enough to tear it apart and redo it, which I'm quite famous for doing....Any woo, since we had "sickness" in our house for over two weeks here (we all got it), I figured I'd document the day it all began.

Sick



Journaling Reads:
Today you came home early from your Dad’s house to work on your Thurgood Marshall Project that was due in two days, but little did I know that when you started to “not feel good” this afternoon while working on your project, that we’d have a week full of sickness in the house…and today was only the beginning.
Sunday Feb 15, 2009

Friday, March 6, 2009

Day #65 - Picture #65

My Bathroom Counter



Can we say clutter? I know, I know, there is a place for everything, but for me, I live with the "why put it away", if I'm just gonna turn around and re-use it theory. It works for us....I see so many bathrooms where everything is so nice and neat, and put away, but that just wouldn't work for me....It would take me ten minutes or more easily in the mornings to drag everything I need out, to use it and then put it away again. I'd rather spend my time doing something else...So for me, this works...I like it, and have adjusted to this (plus living in the apartment, storage space is very limited)...now that Shawn has moved in, he just added his stuff right up there with mine....we merge well together! Now my desk at work, well that's different. I might live in clutter, but I can't work in it...

Day #64 - Picture #64

Times....They are a Changin'



Okay, since Garrett got a Wii for his birthday almost two weeks ago, his computer has seen like literally no use at all. He went from walking straight in the door and going to his computer, to now, going straight to the Wii. And even though we knew he could play his Gamecube games on the Wii, I had yet to figure out where to put the controller until today....so once I figured that out, then out came the Gamecube games. I think I made the right decision by going with the Wii, instead of the other systems out there now. And I will have to admit, that I've played my share of baseball and bowling already. And the fact that we're playing "together" makes me happy, as well as Garrett happy, and quality family time is always a plus in my book....Here's my little goofball lounging in his beanbag and finishing off my twizzlers...just enjoying life and his new Wii.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Day #63 - Picture #63

Richie's Cat



A couple of months ago, Jackie convinced Richie to go to the pound and adopt a cat. I personally think that they hit the jackpot with this one! This guy is the most lovable and friendliest cat I think I have ever met....even though he's an indoor cat, he seems to like being outdoors just as much....today when I went to see Garrett after work the cat was outside... after several attempts at taking his picture, this is the best that I could get. He just wouldn't sit still. Every time I squatted to try and take his picture, he'd either start rubbing up against my leg, or try to climb in my lap...I could just eat him up...sad thing is, I don't even know what they named him, as we're always calling him "kitty"...when I left Richie's, the cat was still outside and followed me to my car. I actually had to call Richie (was in the street at this point), and tell him to let his cat inside because he looked like he was trying to follow me....I really miss living in my "own house" and being able to have pets, but for the time being, my apartment is home....and no pets are allowed....but luckily, I can get my animal "fix" when I visit Richie's.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Garrett Had his Physical Today....

and I figured I share some pictures of him being "happy" and "goofy", and just being his "typical self" before it turned ugly....please read the remainder of the blog post for details.




So today we had a doctors appointment. Garrett’s eight year well check to be exact….things began quite smoothly….Shawn picked him up from school, I picked Garrett up from home, and headed off to the Doctors Office. Still things are going great….we check in right at 3:00. They weigh Garrett in at 47.0 pounds today. And he’s now 51” tall (so he’ll get to ride all of those things that he couldn’t ride last year). Plus his hearing and vision are perfect, so no more worrying about possible hearing damage due to his surgeries when he was a baby.

I took several pictures of Garrett just sitting on the examining table waiting on Dr. Sy….I had too, he was just too cute, and just being his typical “happy” self. He was acting silly, listening to the iPod, eating fruit snacks, and “posing” for me….we were happy!! Unfortunately we were told that Garrett had to have a shot today….and that was like the worst thing that I could possibly tell him – ever….not just today, but any day! He shares in my fear of needles….and when I say it’s an ordeal, I literally mean it’s an ordeal….

But after the examination, and the nurse came in with the immunization, I had Garrett prepared….or so I thought. I WAS SO WRONG!! I didn’t realize that they were gonna prick his finger too, and get a blood sample and then doing that first! ….OMG it was torture watching that. I had no idea that they were going to do that, and so Garrett wasn’t prepared. He literally screamed and cried….and I had to hold him still…..and of course he doesn’t bleed easily, so she’s squeezing and squeezing his finger trying to get enough blood for her sample, and he’s crying and struggling….and then it gets worse…

After that, you think he wants the shot?? Not only no, but HELL NO!! And while she’s telling me to pull his pants down, he’s struggling with all of his might (and I am in awe of his strength at that moment) to keep them up….he’s holding them up, and we’re both trying to get them down. I finally manage to get them down, and him back on the table, but at this point he’s screaming, crying, and literally panicking. He’s kicking, trying to get away , and begging me not to let them do it…..lots of “please Mom, NO!” I had tears practically rolling down my face as I struggled with him…..The nurse finally decided that the two of us needed help and called another Doctor in to help hold him down while she gave him his shot….my heart was literally breaking on the inside, but what’s a mom to do?

Luckily it was over quickly, and we were able to go home….usually when he gets a physical with shots, we typically go to Dairy Queen for ice cream afterwards…..I asked if he still wanted to go, or did he want to go home….his sad little response was, “I do want ice cream, but I just want to go home Mom”…so we went home.

Within twenty minutes or so, all the pain had been forgotten and I was in the middle of getting my tail kicked in bowling on the Wii….his mind was focused elsewhere! Thank goodness…this is just another one of those “physical” days that we’ll remember for a long time to come, but the only one that we’ll have to experience this year….

Day #62 - Picture # 62

Physical Day - Before the Shot!! He really WAS happy....



So today we had a doctors appointment. Garrett’s eight year well check to be exact….things began quite smoothly….Shawn picked him up from school, I picked Garrett up from home, and headed off to the Doctors Office. Still things are going great….we check in right at 3:00. They weigh Garrett in at 47.0 pounds today. And he’s now 51” tall (so he’ll get to ride all of those things that he couldn’t ride last year). Plus his hearing and vision are perfect, so no more worrying about possible hearing damage due to his surgeries when he was a baby.

I took several pictures of Garrett just sitting on the examining table waiting on Dr. Sy….I had too, he was just too cute, and just being his typical “happy” self. He was acting silly, listening to the iPod, eating fruit snacks, and “posing” for me….we were happy!! Unfortunately we were told that Garrett had to have a shot today….and that was like the worst thing that I could possibly tell him – ever….not just today, but any day! He shares in my fear of needles….and when I say it’s an ordeal, I literally mean it’s an ordeal….

But after the examination, and the nurse came in with the immunization, I had Garrett prepared….or so I thought. I WAS SO WRONG!! I didn’t realize that they were gonna prick his finger too, and get a blood sample and then doing that first! ….OMG it was torture watching that. I had no idea that they were going to do that, and so Garrett wasn’t prepared. He literally screamed and cried….and I had to hold him still…..and of course he doesn’t bleed easily, so she’s squeezing and squeezing his finger trying to get enough blood for her sample, and he’s crying and struggling….and then it gets worse…

After that, you think he wants the shot?? Not only no, but HELL NO!! And while she’s telling me to pull his pants down, he’s struggling with all of his might (and I am in awe of his strength at that moment) to keep them up….he’s holding them up, and we’re both trying to get them down. I finally manage to get them down, and him back on the table, but at this point he’s screaming, crying, and literally panicking. He’s kicking, trying to get away , and begging me not to let them do it…..lots of “please Mom, NO!” I had tears practically rolling down my face as I struggled with him…..The nurse finally decided that the two of us needed help and called another Doctor in to help hold him down while she gave him his shot….my heart was literally breaking on the inside, but what’s a mom to do?

Luckily it was over quickly, and we were able to go home….usually when he gets a physical with shots, we typically go to Dairy Queen for ice cream afterwards…..I asked if he still wanted to go, or did he want to go home….his sad little response was, “I do want ice cream, but I just want to go home Mom”…so we went home.

Within twenty minutes or so, all the pain had been forgotten and I was in the middle of getting my tail kicked in bowling on the Wii….his mind was focused elsewhere! Thank goodness…this is just another one of those “physical” days that we’ll remember for a long time to come, but the only one that we’ll have to experience this year….

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Day #61 - Picture #61

My Dad's Plant



I was just looking at this plant today here at work and thinking to myself how much it has grown just in the almost two years that I’ve had it. When my Dad passed away in April of 2007, and I went to Florida, I took a couple of his plants that weren’t completely dead and brought them back to North Carolina with me. This is one of those plants. I had a co-worker take it home for me and replant it and such, and since then it has thrived and grown wonderfully. I really like having it here at work with me, as then a day doesn’t go by without me thinking of my parents. I really do miss them!!

Does anyone have any idea what kind of plant this is?? I have no clue….. Every once in awhile the plant will sprout a ball-type thing a little smaller than a golf ball, but I’ve only seen it happen once, and that’s been awhile….