Friday, November 9, 2007

Halloween 2007


031052579_18, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Here's our little pirate this year.

Check out our pictures from today here:

Halloween/Fall 2007 Pictures

Tommy's new playground & Big Clyde

Here Tommy's is playing in the cupboard(hamper in the Hall).  He just discovered he fits in this cupboard and had a great time playing in it.

The other night Tommy asked by pointing to my big Teddy bear (the same size as him) and saying "Clyde", if Clyde could sleep with him.  I asked him if that's what he meant and I got his yes answer: "Awww" with some dancing/bouncing to it. 

--

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Wed Before Halloween


IMG_5040edit, originally uploaded by conradzone.

We went to the Pumpkin Patch, and had a blast! We're so going back next year. They had bounce houses and he loved all of it!!!

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Tommy's Walking Better - Quick Update

Tommy's doing much better now, he seems to be walking just fine and not having any trouble, and running all over the place. 

Monday, October 29, 2007

Re: Just got home from our first ER Trip

His leg's already doing better today, he's walking on it some but still falling so I try to stay close.  Here's a more detailed re-cap of what happened last night, if you want to read ;-)

Here's a more detailed re-cap of what happened:

We were in the bounce house at our church trunk or treat and tommy was having a blast going down the slide (with mommy's help because he couldn't climb the stairs by himself).  So I get him to the top, and climb up behind him myself and wait for the other kids to exit the slide, then I give him a little push down the slide, and he seems to be loving it, but at the bottom he takes a weird twist and I figured just scared himself with it, and starts crying a little.  so I slide down the slide after him to get him, and he gives me a hug and quits crying.  We exit the slide so the next kid can go, and I stand him up and he collapses.  Then he points to the entrance and wants to go again.  I grab my shoes and our bag and we go over to one of my friend where we try to stand up again....same thing happens.  So then I'm trying to think what to do next I get my phone, and call the chiropractor just to get a 2nd opinion before I rush him off for x-rays I'd rather he not have unless it's broken.  My friends telling me you have to take him to the ER.  We strap him in to the car seat and I try to call Rob at work, and the other chiropractor we know who use to be in the same office as my chiropractor.  And try to call rob again, then I try to call his business partner because the store number isn't working, and the other manager's cel phone.  So after getting a hold of no one we go to the ER.  My chiro calls back on the way and says since he's not putting any weight on it that we should go ahead and get the x-rays.  So does the other chiro (she called while I was on the phone with my chiro.)  So I feel a little better about getting the xrays and going to the ER.  We go to the one in Richardson because I don't like my previous experience with Plano's ER's I've had in the past.  So we get to the ER sign in and Mike Rob's business partner calls me back, I tell him the store number isn't working for me, and I can't get a hold of Rob, that I'm at the ER with Tommy and he can't walk (ok so I could have been a little clearer).  Rob calls back right as we get called to the admitting nurse, so I hand the phone to my friend and take tommy to get vitals check for admitting.  He's 26# 10 oz and they do the finger check thing (o2 stats I think)  The want to do a rectal temp, but I put my foot down very stubbornly on that one and they concede and do an under arm temp (I knew by his touch he wasn't running a fever)  And fever isn't a big deal for a sprained leg unless it's starting to get infected, in which case if he was hot I would have let them but it wasn't necessary.  So then we go to the paperwork desk and I sign all the papers, and show insurance card.  Course tommy says he has to go potty in the middle of signing the papers, so I take him to the potty and go back and finish signing the papers.   Shortly after all that Rob pulls up, and we're called back to a "room" more of a drapped bed with 2 other beds on either side.  Since Rob is there my friend just waits in the lobby for her hubby to come get her and go home.  While were waiting I call my parents to come up, and they come up and help us play pass the baby.  He also plays with grandpa's ball cap.  We play pass the baby and snack on cherries and apples (dried that I had with me) (yes I went against doctors orders and allowed him to have food and drink) and wait for the doctor.  The doctor comes (very nice lady) and checks out Tommy, we can't tell what part of the leg is hurt, so they do x-rays of the whole leg.  The whole time we're waiting tommy keeps telling us "Bye bye" "all done" (he's ready to go home).  Oh and while the doc is checking him out he plays with her stethoscope and and tries to listen to his pee pee.  When the x-ray lady comes Rob goes back with tommy, I can't go in the x-ray room because I'm pregnant. (understandable).  Rob said he didn't like the x-rays and they did 3 of them.  We wait for another ~hour while the xrays transfer from the xray room to the doctors station (slow connection all electronic), and then she comes to tell us nothing is broken, and we should just carry him a lot and do tylonal and motrin if he needs it.  He is already putting more wait on it and she's happy with everything, so we leave, without waiting for the discharge instructions etc.  We end up leaving about 7:30 after getting there at 5 which wasn't bad for an ER visit.   We get home and Tommy eats 6 hot dogs (Did I mention he hadn't had dinner yet), and then he goes to bed. 

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Just got home from our first ER Trip

After a fall on the slide in the bounce house at our church Trunk or Treat he wasn't putting any weight on his right leg.  After 3 xrays and a not bad 2 1/2 hr wait nothing is broken.  He's very unsteady on it, but he's doing better, hopefully it will be better in the morning. 

--
Lydia Conrad
Mommy to Tommy 19 months 3/8/06 + new baby due 4/2008
Lydia@conradzone.com
214-226-3206 cel
http://conradzone.blogspot.com

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Tommy's First Hair Cut


IMG_4976, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Tommy had his first Hair cut today. Check out more pictures here:

More Pictures Click Here

He did great, was a little fussy about having his hands covered up, but overall did GREAT! Enjoy!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Combing his hair


IMG_4755edit, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Tommy gave me a little scare today

He got a hold of some cashews again today, and started reacting immediately, puffy around the mouth.  So I rushed him up to the chiropractor, and she found some folic acid would help him out.  He laid on her pad for about 30 min and he was doing much better.  The puffiness around his face was doing much better.  So we went home for our nap.  Disaster avoided thank goodness.   Scared mommy half to death because of how bad he reacted last time (ears swelled up and everything).  We now have an EPI Pin just in case, but hopefully we won't have to use it EVER!  

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Interesting quiz....So anyone know who this guy is?

Duncan Hunter
Score: 29
Agree
Iraq
Immigration
Taxes
Stem-Cell Research
Abortion
Line-Item Veto
Energy
Disagree
Health Care
Social Security
Marriage
Death Penalty

-- Take the Quiz! --

Monday, September 24, 2007

13 weeks Pregnant/Pregnancy Update

I felt the baby move Saturday (Ok I tried really hard and was able to feel the baby) but it's not something I feel on a daily basis. All is going really well, I feel my belly/uterus getting bigger, so I'm confident that the pregnancy is going well. I took my b/p at work on Thursday, and it was well within normal 119/69. I'm not finding out what this baby is, and not planning any ultrasounds unless something is out of the normal. I really don't want them to find something they are concerned about, only to have me worry about it the whole pregnancy (negatively affecting myself my blood pressure and the baby), and then have it be nothing. I've been checking and most midwifes don't recommend any routine US unless there is a problem. The safety of US has never been proven, and I'd rather not take any needless risk.

I've been having great dreams about the birth of this baby too, and had so much peace about it. In my dreams it's just me, Rob and Tommy who welcome the baby into the world in our peaceful home (Yes I'm planning a home birth with this baby). Rob is a great support for me during the labor and birth, and hugs me and gives me the comfort and presence I need, just being with me as I labor. And then after the birth we get time (a day or two) together as a family to bond and really share that special moments with just each other before we open our home to visitors, even extended family.

Tommy's 18 month Appt

Tommy had his 18 month appointment with the Dr on Friday, and it went well.  He only gained about 2 oz, but he grew about 3 inches, as is evidence by him being able to reach almost anything in site that he really wants.  The main other thing we discussed was his food allergies, and the reaction he had to cashews.  (Last sunday he blew up like a balloon).  I asked her if we should get him an Epi Pin just in case he has a bad reaction again and needs something to help him, she said that it wasn't a bad idea.  The Epi Pin is for use only if he's having trouble breathing.  She said if you are afraid to wack them in the leg with the epi pin and hurt them, then you probably don't need to use it. You only need to use it in a case where you need to call 911 anyway.  So we have one in his diaper bag, and one in my purse.  I have another 2 to pick up at the pharmacy, and I haven't decided where we'll keep those.  I'm thinking one in the backup diaper bag, and one with daddy, maybe in daddy's truck.  

Another pic of the Breaker


IMG_4715, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Bad Breaker that Caused Electrical Problems


IMG_4716, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Friday/Saturday's Happenings:
We've got an electrical problem, several sets of lights are dimming/dim when we turn them on or severely flicker when we turn on something else in the same circuit. It just got worse than it was, and my dryer (GAS) won't even start if it's plugged into the kitchen, but if I plug it into the living room (long extension cord) it works fine!

Has anyone ever seen this before and have an idea what we are looking at?

We need someone bad, my refrigerator is now plugged into the living room via extension cord because it's on the same circuit as my laundry room and now that's not working at all. And the master bath and pool yard aren't working at all either!


Today's update:
Well finally got someone out this evening, the Son-In-Law of a Lady at my church. Turns out was a bad breaker, and a small electrical fire (in the electrical box) cause by a croded(sp?) line. He rigged everything where it would work tonight, and will be out Wed Morning to replace the whole box. YEH!! We've got power in our laundry room and kitchen, and master bath again! I took pictures of the bad breaker, but I don't really have time to download them to my computer tonight.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Tommy in a Wrap on my Back


IMG_4704, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Have I ever mentioned how I love wraps! They are great and versatile for carrying baby in all different positions. To check out how to carry baby in wrap check out www.wearyourbaby.org It's a great web site.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Daddy and Tommy Watching the Game


IMG_4702, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Here's daddy and Tommy watching the game! You can see his ears are kinda red from his allergic reaction. We kept an eye on him instead of putting him in his bed because of the allergic reaction.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Benedryl vs Homeopathic Medicine

Tommy had an allergic reaction to cashews that his mom screwed up and gave him. And boy did she feel bad when his ears swelled up to twice there normal size! Yes it looked like red Rouldof Dumbo ears! I should have taken a picture.

That totally freaked me out he's never had a reaction that bad before. The homeopathic I tried first didn't work. So I sent a message to my chiro and resorted to benedryl while I waited for a call back.

When she called back he was sleeping peacefully and seemed better. She recommended a different homeopathic. I debated not getting it because we were watching the cowboy game. But decided I should get it before the store closed in an hour.

When I returned tommy was awake again and itching bad again. Only 1.5 hrs after the first dose of benedryl, and too soon for another dose. So I gave him the homeopathic and it calmed it right down IMMEDIATELY!! It worked much better than the benedryl had.

He was able to go right back to sleep and in the AM showed no signs that his ears were twice there size the night before!!


Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Peanut Butter and My Mom


IMG_4608, originally uploaded by conradzone.

I finally figured out why my mom is so careful to barely put any penut butter on the sandwiches she made us growing up. I gave tommy one of my sandwiches today, and he pulled it apart and ate it from the inside out, and had penut butter all over his hands and face, and almost in his LONG curly hair too.

Wow Mom boy were you smart! Darn I just said last week I'd never say that.

What did your mom do that you have discovered was SO SMART!

Mother of a "Special" Child

When I was young, I'd often say,
I'd like to be a mom someday
While playing with my baby doll,
I thought that job's not hard at all

I'd have a baby, maybe two,
a girl in pink...a boy in blue
Well I grew up and sure enough,
I'm now a mom and gosh it's tough

The baby that was sent to me,
was born with disabilities
At first I'm frightened through and through,
there's much to learn to care for you

This wasn't in my plans at all,
when I was young and played with dolls
Your mind and body were so weak,
you might not ever walk or speak

So much special care required,
I'm often scared and often tired
As months and years go slowly by,
I smile a lot but sometimes cry

To watch you grow and not complain,
though you endure your share of pain
Oh, how I'd hold you and I'd pray,
that you'd be healed and whole someday

But I knew that was not to be,
not physically or mentally
And so I taught you best I could,
your progress wasn't very good

But then one day I realized,
as I gazed into your loving eyes
That I had learned so much from you,
determination...courage too

A love so unconditional,
it floods my soul and always will
I'm proud to say I gave you birth,
for you're an angel here on earth.

God Choose a mother for a "Special" child

Most women becaome mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure and a couple by habit.

This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?

Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

"Forrest, Marjotie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."

Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But she has patience?" asked the angel.

"I don't want her to have to much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."

"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".

And what about her Patron saint? asked the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."