Random Picture Post

Emeric's new orthodics

Emeric's drool catching bandana. Works much better than a bib b/c he can't pull it off!
Jake decided to bring the camera to the grocery store where I played piano last Saturday.

Kaydence's Birthday Party

I wanted to share some prayer requests of some families that need prayer right now. Since it's nearly Christmas I imagine it must be very, very hard to be going through what these families are going though.

First is Riley, a little girl with severe Epilepsy. I met her mom a few years ago in a Child Neurology forum and she's in the hospital right now having a very hard time. Please keep them in your prayers: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/roo

Next, Ian and Evan Dustan. Ian is a little boy who has multiple issues and is suspected of possibly having Mitochondrial Disease. Recently his older brother Evan was diagnosed with cancer and their family is really going through a difficult time. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/iandustan

Then, for Kelly, Jenelle's mom. Jenelly has Epilepsy and mental retardation and recently her mom was also diagnosed with cancer.

http://jenellesjourney.blogspot.com/

Out of the mouths of brats... Or is it babes?

Kylie told me this morning that from where she was standing it looked like I had a baby in my tummy because it was "getting a little bigger".

Isn't she charming?

She's right about one thing and it isn't the baby in my tummy. The baby makers have been swimming in the dead sea for a while now.

Kaydence's Birthday

Today was Kaydence's 4th birthday! We had a party and she got a lot of stuff she really liked. Lots of Polly Pockets which are always fun while they last(which is approximately 1 day around here! ) She had a Princess themed party with a princess cake. Jake heard her in her bed singing Happy Birthday to herself. LOL She seems like she might be getting sick. I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

I'm too lazy to upload pictures right now so maybe tomorrow. :)

Never say never...

Did you know that there were two planets visible recently and that supposedly we'll not see that again for another 50 years?

Well, I missed it. And so I guess my husband decided to provide me with a sight as equally amazing:

*I must add that Jake does help out a lot around the house but that usually consists of doing the dishes or sometimes laundry. I have NEVER seen him mop the floors or clean the bathrooms. He even intentionally put on work clothes for the occasion because he figured he would get dirty. LOL

He didn't want me to take pictures because I told him I was going to feature him on my blog and he said, "I don't want the whole world to see me!" I assured him that the whole world in fact does not read my blog. :)

If I may...

I decided that since this is my blog I'd take a moment to talk about something that is really important to me! :) Carseats! :)

Most people these days know that it's unsafe not to use a carseat and most people do use them. Of course I still see people(almost daily) who don't. But, what a lot of people don't know are how to properly install a seat, when their kids should be turned forward facing, etc.

Everyone is told that when their child turns a year old they can turn them forward facing. Sure they can but it isn't safe. A child should stay rear facing as long as possible, to the weight limits of the seat. For most carseats this is 33-35 lbs. You can find out by looking at the sticker on your seat. Everytime I mention this to someone they say, "But they're legs are bent and they look so uncomfortable." I can tell you that kids are pretty resilient and Kaydence was rear facing until she was 3.5 and granted yes she's short but she never complained. And really I make my kids suck up a lot of other things they don't enjoy and this would be one of them. :) I also hear parents say they're afraid their kids would break their legs if they were in a crash. Maybe so but isn't that much better than breaking your neck?

Take the time to look at this site: There are a few videos and a great article showing why it's safer to keep your kids rear facing: http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx

*Another thing someone reminded me of tonight that I think most people don't realize is that your kid shouldn't wear a big bulky coat in their carseat. The straps may SEEM tight but if you were to take the coat off and put them back in you'd see the straps are actually very loose and the coat makes it seem safe but in a crash that coat won't be a barrier for anything and the seat will be loose making it unsafe.

*Make sure the straps are tight enough that you cannot pinch the strap together in your fingers. Make sure the chest clip is level with their armpits.

*The straps forward facing should be at or above the child's shoulders.

*The straps rear facing should be below a child's shoulders.

*The seat should be buckled in tightly enough so that if you wiggle it near the base at the back of the seat it does not move more than 1".

*If you have an infant carrier always put the handle down. This way if you get hit in a crash the seat will fly back towards the seat. If the handle it up it creates a barrier and jars the infant.

*In most states the law for switching a child from a 5 pt. harness to a booster seat is 4 years old AND 40 lbs. Not one or the other. Also, if you're looking to buy a carseat make sure you buy one that harnesses to 65 lbs. They're making a lot more of them these days and it's so much safer!

*If you do have a booster you should always use a high back booster. A booster without a back is not safe and does not position the seat belt correctly for a small child.

I don't write any of this to make anyone feel guilty! This is just something I'm really passionate about and I wouldn't know any of this unless someone else had told me too! While we all know that we're good drivers we cannot say the same about everyone else on the road. I know as a mom I would never, ever forgive myself if something happened to one of my kids and I could've possibly prevented it.

Alright, off my soapbox now. :)

Thanks a lot

Kylie: "Mom, you have something on your face right there?(pointing to under my nose)

Me: (Thanks for pointing that out) "Yeah, that's called a zit."

Kylie: "Oh, well, I saw this thing on tv where you buy something and put it on that in the morning and then it will go away. You should buy it."

Me: (saying nothing but oh so grateful for 5 year olds and the things they so tactfully point out)