First Movie

finally played with the video camera and made a mini movie of some of the big steps Kristy has taken recently. I recommend you pause the music player before starting the video. Enjoy.

Kristy is reading!

Kristy has been getting better with sight words (the, on, at, is) and is learning so much. Tonight she picked her book to read before bed and asked if she could read to me instead. I said ok. She began looking and reading the book, Hop on Pop by Dr Suess. She sounded out all of the words only requiring assistance with "we" and "house". She got through the first 11 pages in about 15 minutes, and I finally had to cut her off being it was so late. With out a doubt she will be breezing through sooner than later.

Oh, quiet one.

Had Katy's 18 month check up. She is 33 1/2 inches tall and weighs 24.5 lbs. She is growing up so fast. She isn't speaking much, she makes a lot of noises when she feels like it but only says "Go" "Mom" (when she really wants my attention) and "Dad" (when she wants Brian's attention). She will ocassionally say something that we can't believe was said because she won't repeat herself. I believe it is mostly just a because she is a stubborn child but the Dr. has recommended we get her into a program to help her with communication. We are starting the process and should know more in the next month of where everything stands. Updates to come.

Fun FUN FUN

We had a get together at our house last weekend. Kristy got to play with Zoe and Jack, whom she hasn't seen in a few months or more. After our get together we recovered and made a tent that the girls had fun playing in.

First Fundraiser

Fundraising...yeah! I always figured once I had Kristy that I better buy at least a little something from fundraisers when asked because Kristy would eventually have to peddle as well. As times have changed since I was a kid she can't go door to door to sell so I will try to reach all distances. If you have kids in school and are already buying more than your share I understand and no worries, please don't worry about buying. I just figure I would rather give the option to everyone than not. I will continue to post these things as they come up to allow you all to be at least a little involved with her school experience.

If you are interested or know anyone who is feel free to take a look and place an order. It is a fundraiser for the booster club. They are responsible for covering field trips and assemblies. Check it out at

http://www.sigfund.com

You can just click add to cart and when you view the cart it will ask for the students info.
Y'all know her name, I think, Kristy Mace. Her school is Branch Elementary and it is located in Edwards, CA.

Also please let me know what order has been placed so that I can make sure she is entered into the appropriate drawings. Kristy will be eligible for drawings for every 5 items she sells not to mention the toys that the kids get for each milestone. Thanks for taking a look and hope everyone is doing well. The fundraiser will run through Sept. 22nd.

10 years

Tonight was my ten year high school reunion! We did not attend, just came up too fast and didn't have the energy to try and squeeze another long weekend in to our crazy hectic schedules. I am just a little reminiscent over the way it seems so long ago, yet I can still remember much very clearly. I can't say there are regrets for anything that has led me to where we are 10 years later. Even more crazy it has been 10 years since Brian and I started dating! Almost to the day. and next month will be from when he proposed. I am so grateful for my family and friends. I am working hard at trying to find a real balance in life. Even being a little off center I still am thrilled with my life. I am married to my best friend and have 2 beautiful little girls who never let me forget how much they need me and love me. I wonder if my Mom knows how much i appreciate her and everything she has and still does for us. I have also found so many great friends over the past ten years and continued friendships from before that. Unfortunately with distance and crazy schedules I don't keep up nearly as much as i would like with most of these friends, but I know I could call tomorrow and it would be as though it was only a day since we spoke. Very crazy. 10 years!

Labor Day

We went to Sea World on Labor Day. We rode atlantis. Kristy enjoyed getting wet but white knuckled my arm the entire ride. We saw the standard shows and went through the arctic experience. Brian and Kristy did the motion ride, helicopter simulation. I couldn't bring myself to try it. I'm glad I didn't, Brian said he was almost sick from it. Kristy loved it though. Enjoy the pics. I had fun with the camera and Kaaty's continued willingness to allow me to take her picture.

Labor Day Weekend

We took Dad down to Perris on Sunday to visit with Irene (flew out from Indiana to see her Dad, Tony). Irene is my oldest step-sister. It was great to met her and see her dad Tony and his wife Theresa. They made a feast of a dinner to share with us and we all just relaxed and enjoyed each others company. Of course I took pictures, Tony and Theresa have such a home with a beautiful yard, so i had to take full advantage.
Katy had a nectarine. I asked "what are you eating" this was her response...

Tony and Irene

Overload of Katy, Kristy was a little unwilling to have her photo taken. Katy on the other hand was in rare form of posing left and right.

Kristy would try to sit next to Katy on the little wall and Katy would get up and move down the wall. Little snot!

PCOS- As researched by LaDonna

I have been hearing more and more lately about friends and family that are being diagnosed with PCOS. I was diagnosed in 2002 when we were having difficulty with pregnancy. I tried to talk to every one I could about it, but people don't really listen, I mean what is the chance that you have the same problem that I do when our symptoms don't match? Well, LaDonna is the most recent friend who was diagnosed and has done her research. I stole her last blog entry for all of you to read. Even if you don't think you have it, read about it anyway and think if you know anyone else who may have it...lol. It's better to be informed than ignorant! Thanks for the info LaDonna.

LaDonna said-
"This is part one of several that I'll be posting about PCOS. It's been a learning process for John and I as well, and we're still learning more all the time. The more that I talk to people, the more I realize that most people don't even know what it is, or what it does to your body, and I think more people should be aware of it, and what better place to put it out there than my own blog? Besides I would hope most of you would want to know what it is too, since that's what I have.
I have some of the symptoms, but not all of the symptoms. They actually consider mine on a scale of mild, moderate and severe to be moderate.

What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (say "pah-lee-SIS-tik OH-vuh-ree SIN-drohm") is a problem in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS may also cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it is not treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (or PCOS) is common, affecting as many as 1 in 15 women. Often the symptoms begin in the teen years. Treatment can help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems.
PCOS is the leading cause of infertility in women. New studies estimate that 5-10% of women at reproductive age have PCOS.

What are hormones, and what happens in PCOS?
Hormones are chemical messengers that trigger many different processes, including growth and energy production. Often, the job of one hormone is to signal the release of another hormone.
For reasons that are not well understood, in PCOS the hormones get out of balance. One hormone change triggers another, which changes another. This makes a vicious circle of out-of-balance hormones. For example:
The sex hormones get out of balance. Normally, the ovaries make a tiny amount of male sex hormones (androgens). In PCOS, they start making slightly more androgens. This may cause you to stop ovulating, get acne, and grow extra facial and body hair.
PCOS develops when the ovaries overproduce androgens (e.g., testosterone). Androgen overproduction often results from overproduction of LH (luteinizing hormone), which is produced by the pituitary gland.
Research also suggests that when insulin levels in the blood are high enough, the ovary can be stimulated to produce more testosterone. That is, the combination of having ovaries that are responsive to insulin and high insulin levels in the blood, can result in the overproduction of testosterone.
The body may have a problem using insulin, called insulin resistance. When the body doesn't use insulin well, blood sugar levels go up. Over time, this increases your chance of getting diabetes.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms tend to be mild at first. You may have only a few symptoms or a lot of them. Rarely do two women have the exact same symptoms.
The most common symptoms are:
Acne.
Weight gain and trouble losing weight.
Extra hair on the face and body. Often women get thicker and darker facial hair and more hair on the chest, belly, and back.
Thinning hair on the scalp.
Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods. Others have very heavy bleeding.
High Triglycerides.
Fertility problems. Many women with PCOS have trouble getting pregnant (infertility).
Anxiety (from dealing with the issues of PCOS. ie: infertility, weight gain, medications with side effects, etc.)
Depression.
Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful, but lead to hormone imbalances.

In addition, women with PCOS appear to be at increased risk of developing the following health problems during their lives:

Insulin resistance
Diabetes
Lipid abnormalities
Obstructive sleep apnea
Cardiovascular disease
Endometrial carcinoma (cancer)

Because there is such variability in the clinical presentation of PCOS, there is not universal agreement among health professionals on how to best define the syndrome. What is clear, however, is that women with the disorder do not ovulate in a predictable manner and that women with PCOS also produce excessive quantities of androgens (particularly testosterone).
Polycystic ovaries are not present in all women diagnosed with PCOS. Also, many women with regular menstrual periods and normal testosterone levels have cystic ovaries."
Posted by iluvmyairman at 22:26