Friday, February 27, 2015
Beautiful adoption video
This adoption video brought tears to my eyes, reminding me of our first magical moments with Snuggle Bug, meeting and holding him at 2 minutes old.I wish I would've recorded those first few moments with Snuggle Bug, but we were so terrified of it all falling apart and trying so hard to be respectful of the decision that had to be re-made. So we had no extended family present the day of his birth and no video recording. We have pictures and our sweet memories.
Has it really been 10 years since the birth of our amazing son? What a blessing he has been in our lives!
Labels: adoption, adoption #1, babies, God, miracle, Snuggle Bug
Thursday, August 16, 2012
It's time for the kiddos to head back to school and they're both excited! Boo is entering Kindergarten and Snuggle Bug is starting 2nd grade.
Boo had her "meet the teacher" night last night. She was so animated and outgoing, not at all afraid. She's really ready for school. Snuggle Bug has his "meet the teacher" night tonight. He's come out of his shy shell so much these past two years that I know he'll do fine. He has two good friends that are in his new classroom this year so that will help.
I must admit, I'm rather shocked at the long school supply lists that we were given. We're not being asked just to buy supplies for our children, but for the classroom as well (napkins, forks, spoons, dry eraser markers, etc). I spent well over $100 for the two kids, just in school supplies. That doesn't factor in clothing or shoes. Oy heh! Still, with the horrible cuts our state is making to the education budget, they have to turn to the parents to help pick up the slack. It's a shame though.
I love that my kids love school. I'm hoping that doesn't change anytime soon because they have many years of school ahead of them and then it's off to college if I have my way!
On another note, I always wondered how I'd handle the adoption issue when the kids entered into school. I wondered if there'd be a adoption box on the school registration form that I would have to check (there wasn't).
When Snuggle Bug first began school, I didn't volunteer the adoption information. I shared it with close friends but that was all. Over the past two years, as we've had more conversations with him about his adoption, we've shared the fact that both of our children were adopted with more people at school and now most of the teachers and some of the families in our school know. Our school is wonderful and nurturing so it's been a positive experience thus far!
As for the specifics of their adoption, I don't share a lot of detail, other than the age at which we adopted them. I feel that it'll be up to Snuggle Bug and Boo to decide how much detail to share.
On another note, I always wondered how I'd handle the adoption issue when the kids entered into school. I wondered if there'd be a adoption box on the school registration form that I would have to check (there wasn't).
When Snuggle Bug first began school, I didn't volunteer the adoption information. I shared it with close friends but that was all. Over the past two years, as we've had more conversations with him about his adoption, we've shared the fact that both of our children were adopted with more people at school and now most of the teachers and some of the families in our school know. Our school is wonderful and nurturing so it's been a positive experience thus far!
As for the specifics of their adoption, I don't share a lot of detail, other than the age at which we adopted them. I feel that it'll be up to Snuggle Bug and Boo to decide how much detail to share.
Labels: adoption, Boo, elementary school, family, Snuggle Bug
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
A shocking phone call
I received an unexpected phone call not long ago, from Giselle's mother.I was shocked when she broke down and cried, telling me that Giselle is pregnant again and is unable to parent the baby. She asked if Oronzo and I would want to adopt this baby, that's due in one month!!
I was not at home at the time I received the call and after ending the lengthy conversation with, "I need to talk to Oronzo and I'll call you back," I drove quickly home to do just that.
It was tempting to think of adopting again, believe me, it was. Although Oronzo and I are happy with the two beautiful children we are raising right now, there's always more room in my heart for one more, especially for a biological half-sibling of Snuggle Bug's.
But after Oronzo and I talked about it, he made it very clear that all we went through to adopt the two children we now have was more than enough for him. I asked him to sleep on it and discuss it again the next morning, and he did, but his feelings didn't change. He is done building our family.
I felt a bit sad but knew that it was important to respect his feelings. I must be honest with myself and admit that I agree with him. I feel done with building our family as well for many reasons.
The kids are finally getting to the age where they're a bit more independent and we're enjoying this. There are financial considerations, since we want our children to attend college and we're saving for them. And lets face it, we're not getting any younger. We started out as "older" parents even with Snuggle Bug (we adopted him in our late-30's).
And so, I called Giselle's mother back and explained why adopting again is not right for our family. She said that she certainly understood and asked us if we knew of any other family that might be interested. As a matter of fact, we do!
I've made friends with the parents of a little boy in Snuggle Bug's class and during our budding friendship this mother has shared with me their struggles to adopt a second child.
So, to make a long story short, I've put this family in touch with Giselle and her mom. They've sent a photo scrapbook and the two families are at the "feeling each other out" stage.
I don't know if this adoption will happen or not, but if it does I think it'll be pretty neat to have some possible contact with Snuggle Bug's biological sibling living in the same city.
Time will tell.
Has anyone else been asked to adopt a second time by their child's birth parents?
Labels: adoption, family, Snuggle Bug
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Life is good!
It's been over 7 months since I last posted here but this blog is like a comforting, old friend that I'll keep coming back to from time to time,A lot has been going on since we finalized Boo's adoption. For one thing, we moved...like the day after Boo's adoption! Oronzo was offered a job in another state and we felt it was worth the move.
It was hard leaving family and dear friends to move to a small town area where we knew no one, but I was confident that we'd make friends quickly. I'm a rather social person.
The biggest appeal to the town were we live is that it's a mere 5 minute drive from the ocean! In fact, we can bike to the ocean from where we live. It's incredible!
We've settled in nicely to this community and we've already begun to make new friends. It helps that Snuggle Bug is in Kindergarten. I think all of our new friends are parents of children at the elementary school.
The move has been good for our family. It's given us a fresh start. We went through so much emotional turmoil to get Boo adopted that we really felt that a change would be refreshing. We were right. Snuggle Bug and Boo have adjusted quite well to the move, far better than we ever hoped for.
Somehow, our family feels more at peace now with this new adventure. We are enjoying exploring our new surroundings.
I know part of our peace comes is due to the release of stress of wondering each day of whether or not Boo would be taken from us. Now she is a permanent part of our family and we're so thankful.
I sent an update to Boo's bio mother after Boo's adoption. I mailed it to an address that she told me would always be a place to get mail to her, regardless of her circumstances. I never heard a word back from her. I'll try again in the future.
As of now, life is good, very good. I hope all is well with you.
Labels: adoption, Boo, family, Oronzo, Snuggle Bug
Sunday, July 18, 2010
There's a whole lot of adoption talk going on in our household.
As Boo's adoption finalization date approaches (a bit over a month away now), there's a whole lot of adoption talk going on in our household.Adoption has been part of our everyday conversation for several years now. We've made a point to speak of it frequently with Snuggle Bug, even before he was able to understand much of anything we were saying to him (we're talking newborn stage here), in large part to get ourselves well-versed and comfortable with the conversations. Now that Snuggle Bug is 5, the word pops up more and more each day, often times prompted by him.
Here are some of the things he'll say to me,
"Mama, remember when I was in my birth mother's tummy?"
"My birth mother lives in ______ (state), right Mama?"
"Remember when I was 'dopted, Mama?"
"When is Boo gonna be 'dopted?"
I'm actually enjoying these conversations about adoption because for the longest time I worried that something was wrong, that I was handling things incorrectly, since Snuggle Bug never spoke of adoption, never made any reference to it at all. It wasn't until he was about 4 1/2 that something finally clicked.
Snuggle Bug is a very visual child. He wants you to show him things, not just tell him about them.
His dawning awareness of adoption (as much as a preschooler can understand) began when a neighbor's pregnancy became quite visible.
As she and I stood outside chatting one day, Snuggle Bug piped up and asked, "What's in your tummy?"
Our neighbor explained that her baby was growing in her tummy and that her baby would be born in about a month.
Snuggle Bug turned to me and asked, "Remember when I growed in your tummy, Mama?"
The moment of truth had arrived. It felt as though all my efforts to normalize talk of adoption throughout the years had finally culminated in this first question.
I knelt down to his level and explained, "Actually, honey, you didn't grow in my tummy. You grew in your birth mother's tummy and we were there at the hospital to meet you the day you were born."
I waited to see if my response would generate more questions. Snuggle Bug looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, "Oh, right," and the moment passed.
Since that first question, over time many more have followed and Snuggle Bug has even looked at pictures of Giselle. It feels so good to know that he feels safe enough to come to me with these questions and to realize that he's slowly beginning to grasp the concept that our family has been formed through adoption.
The fact that we talk of Boo's upcoming adoption quite a bit just adds another layer of awareness for Snuggle Bug as we explain what will happen in court that day.
I've overheard Snuggle Bug and Boo excitedly talking together about her approaching adoption and it warms my heart.
I can't wait to have Snuggle Bug witness Boo's adoption finalization. Being the visual child that he is, I think having him there in the courtroom with us will give him a deeper understanding about what adoption means to our family.
Labels: adoption, adoption #1, adoption #2, Boo, family, foster-to-adopt, fostering, Snuggle Bug
Thursday, August 20, 2009
My life as a SAHM.
These past 3 days I've had the opportunity to experience what life might be like as a Stay-At-Home mom. Our nanny is on vacation, so I took some days off of work to cover.
Here's how my days as a temporary SAHM have gone thus far:
1) Get up with Snuggle Bug between 6:00 AM- 6:30 AM. Snuggle Bug is an early riser but I don't mind because I like early mornings myself.
2) Take Snuggle Bug out for a walk or to pull weeds while it's still cool outside.
3) Go back in the house at about 7:00 AM to check on Boo. She's usually getting up about that time.
4) Make breakfast for the kids and check to see if Oronzo is interested in eating or if he's more interested in sleeping until the last possible minute before heading out the door for work, since he knows I'm around to take care of the kids (usually I'm the first to leave in the mornings for work).
5) Help the kids clean up after breakfast and play with them a bit.
6) Get the kids dressed and gear packed and head out the door no later than 8:15 AM to take them in to preschool.
7) Drop the kids off, stay and chat with the preschool director and other moms for a while (very nice socialization time).
8) Meet a friend for breakfast/coffee without the kids (she drops her daughter off 30 minutes before I do). Again, the adult time alone is wonderful!
8) Go back home, clip coupons, go to the store and do shopping without having to drag 2 small children in and out of the car with me (shopping alone, what a novel concept)!
9) Go back home, straighten up the house a bit...maybe even sneak in a wee bit of a nap (that happened on one day at least) or do some sewing or baking.
10) Pick the kids up from preschool at 12:30 PM. Rush home and make lunch because they're both hungry and crabby!
11) Play with them a bit, then put them down for a nap at 2:00 PM (yes, both Snuggle Bug and Boo still nap, for an 1-2 hours and it's wonderful).
12) While the kids are napping, check some blogs, check my coupon news board, do some laundry, etc.
13) When the kids get up around 3:30 PM- 4:00 PM, feed them a light snack, and get them involved in some activity or playing together and think about what to make for dinner.
14) Start dinner and wait for Oronzo to arrive home so that we can sit down together for a meal.
I have a few of observations about my temporary SAHM status:
1) The day flies by far quicker than I imagined it would and I don't get as much accomplished as I think I will! How does that happen?
2) It's nice not to have to be in such a frantic rush all day.
3) It's nice to have some adult time alone, time that's not at a business.
4) I would struggle not to be addicted to my blogging.
5) I eat more staying at home than I do when I go in to work (not a good thing)!
6) I'd have time to run errands that I struggle to accomplish during normal business hours while I'm working.
7) Having kids that are at an age when they can be a bit independent helps.
8) Having the kids in PT preschool also really helps!
All-in-all, I've enjoyed my temporary SAHM gig. It was kind of neat to see what Oronzo's experience has been like when he used to work from home (he's working outside of the home for the time-being with a contract job). Of course, when he stays at home with the kids, he's also got work to do. Being on vacation, I did not. I know that makes things a bit tougher.
Now granted, a few days off does not a SAHM make me, but it's been fun to get a glimpse of the other side, even for a brief amount of time.
Labels: Boo, family, family time, Oronzo, Snuggle Bug
Saturday, July 11, 2009
A handful of fun pictures!
I thought I'd share some cute pics of the kids.
The other day I found some cute bug umbrellas on sale, so I picked two up for the kids. Here they are trying them out one rainy evening this week.
Here's Snuggle Bug standing proud with his umbrella. Notice the superhero cape that he's wearing? That was one of the best things I've ever made and Snuggle Bug wears it constantly still!
Snuggle Bug swimming to Oronzo. He's even gotten brave enough to jump off the side of the pool and swim back to the steps!
Boo swimming out to Oronzo. Can you believe she's already swimming short distances (about 8 feet at a time) at only 2 years old?!
The other day I found some cute bug umbrellas on sale, so I picked two up for the kids. Here they are trying them out one rainy evening this week.
Here they are, walking down the sidewalk with their matching umbrellas!
Here's little miss Boo trying to twirl her umbrella. Yes, her hair is almost down to her waist and she's only 2 year & 5 months old! Isn't it amazing!
Here's Snuggle Bug standing proud with his umbrella. Notice the superhero cape that he's wearing? That was one of the best things I've ever made and Snuggle Bug wears it constantly still!The past 2 months the kids have had private lessons at our house. Believe it our not, it's ended up being less expensive than the swim school we had Snuggle Bug going to for the past 2 years.
Up until now, both Snuggle Bug and Boo have been afraid of the water and rather reluctant to do what their swim instructor asks of them in the water.
But this weekend we had a breakthrough. Something clicked and now both kids are actually swimming independently in the pool for short distances! Hooray! We're so excited!
Here are a couple of pictures of them swimming.
Snuggle Bug swimming to Oronzo. He's even gotten brave enough to jump off the side of the pool and swim back to the steps!
Boo swimming out to Oronzo. Can you believe she's already swimming short distances (about 8 feet at a time) at only 2 years old?!I hope you enjoyed my little slideshow!
Labels: Boo, family, Snuggle Bug, swimming
Monday, July 06, 2009
This is what happens when a 4 year old is in possession of scissors.
Snuggle Bug has had kid scissors for over a year now. He usually only uses them when supervised. I've kept them in his top dresser drawer and thought nothing of it....until this past weekend when we woke up and found our couch cut up to shreds in several places!Apparently Snuggle Bug decided the couch fabric needed cutting. Oh, and he decided his mattress and his sheets needed cutting too.
I suspect this cutting frenzy was prompted by his fascination with my sewing (he likes to sit on a stool and watch me work at my cutting/sewing table).
Well, now I'm putting my hand-sewing skills to work. I'm using transparent thread to repair the couch fabric.
Well, now I'm putting my hand-sewing skills to work. I'm using transparent thread to repair the couch fabric.His sheets I threw away. His mattress I simply turned over (to hide the cut side) for now.
As for his scissors, they've met with an untimely death. Oronzo threw them in the garbage and said he won't get another set until he's about 40.
I guess I can be thankful it wasn't his hair or our leather furniture that he cut!
Labels: family, Snuggle Bug
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
When did kids bedroom furniture get so expensive?!
So, we're in the market for a new bed (and if I have my way, a new bedroom set) for Snuggle Bug. In specific, I want a twin bed with a trundle so that his little friends have a place to sleep when he starts doing sleepovers. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the idea of bunk beds yet, although I know he'd be thrilled. He's only 4 1/2 years old. I'd worry about him falling off in the midst of climbing up the ladder.
I've done research online and I must say I'm a bit shocked at the prices! Oronzo seems to think he's going to walk into a furniture store and walk out with a bed for $200. I told him that I seriously doubt he'll get anything of any quality for $200 (I don't want a metal frame for a bed)...and that's not even considering the additional cost of the mattress.
Here's a set I kind of like. Want to guess the price?
This white bed & trundle is $448 + S/H.
I've done research online and I must say I'm a bit shocked at the prices! Oronzo seems to think he's going to walk into a furniture store and walk out with a bed for $200. I told him that I seriously doubt he'll get anything of any quality for $200 (I don't want a metal frame for a bed)...and that's not even considering the additional cost of the mattress.
Here's a set I kind of like. Want to guess the price?
On sale for $400 + S/H (about $100 for that, I believe). No mattress included.
This bed & trundle is about $450 + S/H, not including mattresses.
This white bed & trundle is $448 + S/H.I like the white only because the rest of Snuggle Bug's furniture pieces (dresser, bookshelves) are white so it'd match.
If I had my way, I'd love to invest in an entire bedroom set for Snuggle Bug (and eventually for Boo too). Sure, he's only 4 1/2 and really doesn't care, but it'd nice to get something of quality that would last him into at least his pre-teen years.
This is what I'd love to get:
This set, priced at $1,450.00 (free S/H) includes:
- Bed: headboard, footboard and siderails in either twin or full size
- Dresser and Mirror: 6 drawer design and portrait style mirror
- Chest: 5 drawer design
- Nightstand: 2 drawer design
- Trundle: pull out bed
Unfortunately, Oronzo says there's no way he's spending that kind of money on a 4 1/2 year old. ((sigh))
I'm not sure what we'll end up getting. Wish me luck in trying to search out the best prices!
Labels: home, kids furniture, Snuggle Bug
Thursday, June 11, 2009
A Superhero is born!
For over a month now, I've been meaning to make Snuggle Bug a superhero cape using the tutorial that I found over at Puking Pastilles. Since I'm leaving on a week-long trip today, I was determined to get his cape done before I left!
I cut and sewed until 11 PM last night, but finally it was complete (it has his name spelled out in yellow letters across the top, above the "S" but I used Photoshop to erase that part). I tiptoed into his room and draped it at the foot of his bed so that he could discover it when he awoke in the morning.
I'm not sure when he first discovered it, but when I got up at 6 AM, I checked in on him and found him sleeping with it on!
Snuggle Bug woke up shortly thereafter and insisted on going outside to play "superhero" with his new cape. He was so excited to have it!
I got quite a few pictures of him running in it. I even shot some video.
He asked to wear it to preschool this morning and I let him. One of his little classmates said he wanted me to give HIM one. :) I told him to ask his mommy to call me.
He asked to wear it to preschool this morning and I let him. One of his little classmates said he wanted me to give HIM one. :) I told him to ask his mommy to call me.
So, today, a superhero was born! It feels mighty good to know that I made something with my own two hands that my son will treasure for a long time to come!
Thanks Puking Pastilles for sharing your tutorial. My little superhero thanks you too!
Labels: sewing, Snuggle Bug
Monday, March 09, 2009
Nightmares of Bat Child- resolved!
Image by JOSHUA HOFFINE PHOTOGRAPHY
A couple of months ago I wrote about how Snuggle Bug was suffering from nightmares about a Bat Child character from a Mercer Mayer book. Many of you offered suggestions on how to help him get through his fears. I appreciated those suggestions and tried many of them.
In the end, something unexpected worked!
We have two cats. Snuggle Bug is fond of both but he has a partiality for Moo. Moo has always been rather fond of me and sleeps next to me each night. One night it occurred to me that maybe it would help ease Snuggle Bug's fears if Moo slept in his room. I told him that Moo would protect him and keep him safe while he slept.
At first, Moo was having none of it. I'd put her on Snuggle Bug's bed next to him, he'd pet her and she'd stay a bit but then would jump down and return to our room. I kept putting her back.
Finally, Moo started staying longer and longer with Snuggle Bug. Now she's to the point where she no longer returns to our room in the evenings. She sleeps with Snuggle Bug through the night. In fact, she's often curled up in his bed waiting for him to come to sleep.
Now Snuggle Bug will sleep with the light off in his room, as long as Moo is in his room and as long as the door is left open.
After several weeks, it seems as though Snuggle Bug is no longer having nightmares and is sleeping more soundly. And so are we!
Labels: Bat Child nightmares, Snuggle Bug
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Surf's up on Waikiki beach!
Each day we walk down to Waikiki beach in the mornings to let Snuggle Bug and Boo play in the sand and ocean.
This boy and his three friends, all within the 6-7 year age range, were using their boogie boards to hone their surfing skills.
As for Boo, she was content to search the shore for rocks and shells, filling her bucket full of her treasures!
And when they put out a sign cautioning about jellyfish, she decided she wasn't going to let jellyfish stand in her way of having a good time! She stayed out in the water.
Good thing her brave daddy was out scouring the water and removing any jellyfish that he spotted before they could reach her.
One day as we were passing a beach front shop, Snuggle Bug noticed a boogie board in the shop window and asked if he could have it. Oronzo took him in and let him pick out which one he liked.
At first Snuggle Bug just held his new "surf" board. Then he asked me to pull him on it in the water, with him laying on his stomach and holding on to the board.
Today, there was a breakthrough, thanks to this "older" boy on the beach.
This boy and his three friends, all within the 6-7 year age range, were using their boogie boards to hone their surfing skills.
Snuggle Bug watched as they stood on their boards and balanced in the shallow part of the water. He noticed that they put the boogie board strap around their wrist on so he wanted his on his wrist too.
He asked me to hold his hands as he attempted to stand up on his boogie board.
In no time, the older boys were cheering Snuggle Bug on, giving him pointers like,
"Keep the front of the board up slightly out of the water," and
"Real surfers put the strap around their ankles when they surf, but it's okay for you to wear yours on your wrist for now."
Snuggle Bug spent the entire morning on the beach focused on learning how to balance standing up on his boogie board. He was excited that he was "surfing"! I was impressed that he caught on so quick, has great balance, and is overcoming his fear of water. Not bad for a new 4 year old!
Here's are some more pictures of my little surfing dude!
As for Boo, she was content to search the shore for rocks and shells, filling her bucket full of her treasures!
And when they put out a sign cautioning about jellyfish, she decided she wasn't going to let jellyfish stand in her way of having a good time! She stayed out in the water.
Good thing her brave daddy was out scouring the water and removing any jellyfish that he spotted before they could reach her.
We have one more week left on Oahu island. We're sure going to miss this beautiful place!
Labels: Boo, business travel, Hawaii, Snuggle Bug, vacation
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Fun in the sun!
We're having lots of fun in the sun here in Hawaii! The kids are loving their play time on the beach and in the water. I got to spend time with them there this morning before I went in to work at 11:00 AM. While I was working, Oronzo took the kids to a nearby zoo and then back to the beach after lunch and nap. Thankfully I only had to work 11:30 AM- 5:30 PM today so I was able to have dinner with them and run to the grocery store before it was time for bed.
Now it's time for me to head to bed. But before I go, I thought I'd share a few pictures. Aloha!
Snuggle Bug & Boo playing on the beach.
Boo getting brave about wading in the water.
Snuggle Bug & Boo in the water.
Building a sand castle with new friends made at the beach.
Sunset view on Waikiki beach.
Labels: Boo, business travel, Snuggle Bug, vacation
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Since when did it become more expensive to sew clothes than it is to buy them in a store?!
Materials for Snuggle Bug's pajamas.
I'm pretty new at the art of sewing. In fact, I've started to take a sewing class on Thursday nights. As part of my class, I purchased materials for a pajama project. I'm going to sew Snuggle Bug a pair of fleece pajamas because he loves, loves, loves the softness of fleece!
So, yesterday I set out to buy the materials, from Joann's, that my pattern instructed. Here's what it cost:
- 1 yard of blizzard fleece (for the bottoms & a bit extra for the interfacing of the shirt)- regularly priced at $9.99 per yard, on sale for $5.99 per yard.
- 1 yard of blue anti-pill fleece (for the top)- regularly priced at $8.99 per yard, on sale for $5.39 per yard.
- 1 yard of non-roll polyester elastic for the waistband- $1.59.
- 250M Guiterman blue thread (to match the bottoms)- regularly priced at $3.59, 40% sale price of $2.15.
My grand total, after state and county tax- $16.35!
$16.35 and that doesn't include my pattern (thankfully I got that for $1 on sale) or my time! For the price I spent on my materials yesterday, I could almost purchase a pair of fleece pajamas at The Children's Place. In fact, I think I got the kids each a pair of pajamas just before Christmas on sale for less than that! And The Children's Place makes quality pajamas, so I'm not talking Wal-Mart here.
So tell me, what happened to sewing to save money? Even though I purchased everything on sale, I don't think I saved any money? Is there a cheaper place to purchase fabrics than at Joann's? Is purchasing fabric online any cheaper or does the shipping kill you?
Labels: sewing, shopping, Snuggle Bug
Friday, January 09, 2009
Back in NE for a wedding.
So Boo and I are currently in Nebraka to be a part of a cousin's wedding, so sorry no FIF today. The travel to get here was rough, as I was suffering from a stomach virus and had a squirmy Boo on my lap the whole time, but we survived and made it safe and sound. Thankfully the stomach virus has passed and I'm feeling like a human being again.
It's amazing how relaxing my trips back to NE are for me. When I'm home with family, it's like I can lay down all my burdens for a while and just relax. I sleep better, I smile more, and I enjoy watching Boo interact with her aunts, uncles, and cousins. They've all fallen under her spell and love her to pieces and she's totally at ease with them. I love that!
I can't wait for her to attend the wedding and dinner/dance reception tomorrow. I bought her a pretty red dress, and made her a matching hair bow for her long dark hair. She's going to be the bell of the ball! She loves to dance, so I know she'll have a blast! I brought the camcorder to get her on video.
By the way, thanks for all of the great advice on Snuggle Bug's nightmares. I'm using many of the suggestions you've offered. I also spoke to his pediatrician and was told that the nightmares are really age appropriate. He's getting older, his imagination is growing, and nightmares are not uncommon. The pediatrician also agreed that he could be picking up on our stress with the fostering situation and even having Baby Bug back in our life, after having her return home to her parents my be confusing to him a bit. He recommended that we just give Snuggle Bug lots of extra assurance and cuddle time and told me it's okay that I let him sleep with us when he gets really scared in the middle of the night. Although he did say that if it continues on for a couple of months, then I need to put a stop to the coming in to our room to sleep.
The thing that Snuggle Bug insists on the most is sleeping with the light fully on. Our pediatrician said that doesn't hurt anything so we just leave the light all the way on and that seems to help.
Okay, time to go read a book while Boo takes a nap. Did I mention how much I love coming back to Nebraska to get away from it all! :)
Hope you all have a great weekend!
It's amazing how relaxing my trips back to NE are for me. When I'm home with family, it's like I can lay down all my burdens for a while and just relax. I sleep better, I smile more, and I enjoy watching Boo interact with her aunts, uncles, and cousins. They've all fallen under her spell and love her to pieces and she's totally at ease with them. I love that!
I can't wait for her to attend the wedding and dinner/dance reception tomorrow. I bought her a pretty red dress, and made her a matching hair bow for her long dark hair. She's going to be the bell of the ball! She loves to dance, so I know she'll have a blast! I brought the camcorder to get her on video.
By the way, thanks for all of the great advice on Snuggle Bug's nightmares. I'm using many of the suggestions you've offered. I also spoke to his pediatrician and was told that the nightmares are really age appropriate. He's getting older, his imagination is growing, and nightmares are not uncommon. The pediatrician also agreed that he could be picking up on our stress with the fostering situation and even having Baby Bug back in our life, after having her return home to her parents my be confusing to him a bit. He recommended that we just give Snuggle Bug lots of extra assurance and cuddle time and told me it's okay that I let him sleep with us when he gets really scared in the middle of the night. Although he did say that if it continues on for a couple of months, then I need to put a stop to the coming in to our room to sleep.
The thing that Snuggle Bug insists on the most is sleeping with the light fully on. Our pediatrician said that doesn't hurt anything so we just leave the light all the way on and that seems to help.
Okay, time to go read a book while Boo takes a nap. Did I mention how much I love coming back to Nebraska to get away from it all! :)
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Labels: Boo, family, Snuggle Bug, vacation
Monday, January 05, 2009
Nightmares of Bat Child- Help!
Snuggle Bug has been suffering from some pretty terrifying nightmares lately. It started about a week ago, he came racing into our room in the middle of the night terrified and crying! He scrambled into our bed and plastered himself to my side, his little heart slamming furiously against his ribcage! All I could get out of him is that he was afraid of "Bat Child." It took him a while to fall asleep, even in our bed.
Bat Child is a friendly character out of a Halloween book by Mercer Mayer. I haven't read that book to him since about Halloween. For some reason, Bat Child is now a terror to him.
For the past week he's cried when we get him into his bed for the evening. He wants me to hold him like a baby and rock him for as long as I'll allow it. He wants me to sing to him. He wants me to hold his hand. He wants me to lay next to him. He does everything in his power to stall having to be alone in his room at night time.
I know that his fears are real, that he's not just trying to avoid going to bed, because I see the terror in his eyes and his tears are real. He insists on sleeping with the light fully on and I don't dare try to turn it down (we have a dimmer switch light in his room) after he's gone to sleep because he realizes it when we wakes up in the middle of the night. His night light that he's had for quite some is no longer enough.
I've tried comforting him. I've tried chasing out Bat Child and telling him to go away and never come back. I've pulled objects out of the room that he's said scare him. I've walked through every inch of Snuggle Bug's room to show him it's safe. I've assured him that our house is safe, that Mommy and Daddy are here to protect him, that we won't leave him alone and we won't let anything happen to him. I've offered to let one of our two cats sleep in his room to help keep Bat Child away.
Nothing seems to work. This poor child stays awake like a zombie until his body betrays him and exhaustion takes over and he falls asleep. And if he wakes up in the middle of the night, he comes into our bed crying.
Please, I need some advice! Is there anything else I can do to help him? Is this "normal" for a new four year old to be going through? Our life has been pretty consistent for him. The only thing I can think of that might have triggered his nightmares is maybe he's picking up on our stress (we've been mighty stressed about Boo's case and we're loosing sleep ourselves over it).
Snuggle Bug has his 4 year well-check this week. I'm going to talk to his pediatrician about it and see what he thinks but I'd appreciate your input as well!
Thanks!
Labels: Bat Child nightmares, parenting, Snuggle Bug
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Birthday party invite that I created!
So, I couldn't resist sharing. Take a look at the birthday party invite that I created for Snuggle Bug's 4th birthday party. Obviously I modified it to remove our personal contact info.
Not too shabby, eh? I love Photoshop!
I decided to have a cooking theme for Snuggle Bug's birthday party, since he loves to cook and bake! We keep his parties rather small, because he's more comfortable in small groups, so I think we have about 6, maybe 7 kids that will probably be coming. Oh, and Baby Bug and her family are attending too (even though Baby Bug is too young to cook). We'll have Baby Bug in our house again for the first time in 4 months, hooray!
I've ordered kids aprons and chef's hats online and I'm going to have fabric paints available for the kids to personalize their aprons and hats.
After their aprons and hats are ready, I'm going to let the kids roll out pizza dough and create their own personalized pizza's.
After their aprons and hats are ready, I'm going to let the kids roll out pizza dough and create their own personalized pizza's.
Sounds fun, right? :) I hope so!
Tomorrow I'll try to find time to post pictures of one of my recent Christmas tutu orders. They turned out really cute, I think.
Labels: birthdays, Snuggle Bug
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Thank goodness for iChat!
Thank goodness for iChat! It's allowing me to "see" Snuggle Bug, Boo, and Oronzo each night before the kids go to bed. The first night we linked up, Boo sat at the computer looking amazed and she kept saying, "Hi!" to me over and over again. Snuggle Bug and I say our night time prayers together through iChat and he tells me about his day.
Oronzo's been great these past couple of days in sending me pictures and even a video of Snuggle Bug and Boo playing nicely together.
What did we do before all this neat technology came about? I'm feeling spoiled by it all! :)
So, do any of you do these things when you're apart or do you just pick up the phone and call or write letters? Does anyone write real letters anymore?
Labels: Boo, business travel, Snuggle Bug
Friday, July 04, 2008
We're hanging in there.
I thought you all might want to know that Oronzo and I are hanging in there and getting over the shock and anguish of how court went this week. We've decided it's best just to take things one day at a time and hope and pray for the best. A lot of this situation is out of our control. Thank you all so much for your supportive comments. They really are a comfort!
On another note, I'm learning how to make movies (complete with titles and music) on my Mac and I have a couple of cute ones of Snuggle Bug to share. If I could ever get Blogger's video upload feature to work I'd share them with you. These are videos of Snuggle Bug praying and singing. The only way he'd cooperate is if I didn't point the camcorder anywhere near him (he clammed up when I did) so you're not going to "see" much but you'll be able to hear his sweet voice.
On another note, I'm learning how to make movies (complete with titles and music) on my Mac and I have a couple of cute ones of Snuggle Bug to share. If I could ever get Blogger's video upload feature to work I'd share them with you. These are videos of Snuggle Bug praying and singing. The only way he'd cooperate is if I didn't point the camcorder anywhere near him (he clammed up when I did) so you're not going to "see" much but you'll be able to hear his sweet voice.
Stay tuned.
Labels: family, Snuggle Bug, videos
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Allowance for kids- Do you do it?
As of Monday, we've started giving our almost 3 1/2-year old son, Snuggle Bug, a small allowance. He's been getting a quarter per day. To earn it, he has to help pick up the toys in the living room and his bedroom each night before bed (this takes about 15 minutes).
He has very little concept of the value of money but he's already learning. To him, money means he can buy candy (every so often we let him put a quarter in the gum ball machine at the local pizza joint down the street) or small toys.
These past few nights, he's been very cooperative in his chores and eager to get his quarter after picking up toys. He then goes and puts it in his piggy bank (it's already pretty full with the loose change that Oronzo and I have been adding to it for quite some time, he's just now aware of the piggy bank).
Yesterday, when he was supposed to be napping, he decided to get into his piggy bank (it has a little plug at the bottom to shake out the change) and he crammed all of his change into his pockets. It was spilling out onto the floor and that's what alerted us to the fact that he wasn't actually napping. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw him standing there, with his pockets bulging with coins. :)
If we continue on with a regular allowance, I'm considering getting three jars, labeling them "save", "spend", and "give" and teaching him to evenly portion out his allowance into those three jars and teaching him what those terms mean. He's a bit young to teach him about a bank savings account, but he can physically see what saving money means. We can let him spend some of his money purchasing small toys at Target or other stores. We can have him donate a portion of his money in the collection basket at church.
Can you tell we're winging it here? We're not really sure what we're doing yet.
So, do you give your kids an allowance? If so, do you tie the earnings to chores inside or outside of the house or do your kids just get an allowance to teach them money management? What do you consider the pros or cons of allowances? Did you get an allowance as a child (we did not)?
Labels: allowance, parenting, Snuggle Bug
