Christmas Crafts

 Last night the girls were pretty antsy so I got out some craft projects that were just waiting for an evening like last night!We made foam Christmas picture frames for the girls to send to their grandparents and great grandparents this year.We had alot of fun!

Snow,Bargain Finds,and Inspections

   The girls were thrilled to get up to snow again,I don't think they realize they will soon tire of the cold and snow lol Anyhow we rushed around and showered and cleaned the house all by 9.The girls enjoyed a breakfast of bananas,blueberry donuts and hot apple cider, while I had a homemade amaretto latte.
   We are still waiting for inspections to be done,so after the house was once again abnormally spotless the girls and I bundled up and decided to face the crowds at a local thrift store.It is open Wednesday thru Saturday and when it opens on Wed morning it is a crazy madhouse!We arrived at 9:40 am and were second in line waiting outside the doors!Everyone thought I was crazy for having two little ones out in the snow,but we had a blast! lol Other people were in a mad rush just to get in the door,even pushing me and the girls out of their way haha me?I was in a mad rush just to get a shopping cart!We found a few fun Christmas decorations and big bags of cinnamon pine cones were only .50.All in all we only spent $9.50 and had lots of fun :)
   Lilly refused to wear her hood,but instead charmed everyone by wrapping herself up in her "bankie" and covering her ears lol I was a little worried that the noise of the crowd was going to put her over the edge but she did well regulating herself with her blanket. 

   Daisy was upset to have to stand in the cold and snow just to go to the thrift store lol she even told all the people she wanted to go back home and go back to bed with hot choc and finish watching Scooby Doo! lol Everyone thought they were little charmers lol

   We came home to a lunch of hot ham and cheese sandwiches and potato soup.I scurried around and put everything away and put my girls to bed for quiet time.As I type,still no inspections,however they are supposed to be completed before 5 pm.I'll be glad to have it behind me so once again I can pull out all my sewing stuff and enjoy spending time creating again.Living in such a small 2 bedroom apartment in the big city is not exactly ideal but for now it works.I long for the day I have a yard of our own where we can play outside and plant lovely flowers and decorate to my hearts content,however at this time this is where God would have us,so daily I tell myself to be happy and content in where He has placed us.

   Every day I can hardly believe how big the girls are getting!Lilly talks constantly and asks "who's crying"probably a hundred times a day lol. The weighted blanket seems to be helping her calm herself down both at nap time and bedtime.The past three nights she has actually SLEPT!WITHOUT MEDICATION AT THAT!It has been so nice to crawl into bed by ten and get to sleep!I also gave Lilly her nighttime bottle back and I think it had helped her allot with sleeping.Daisy is becoming a big helper to me,she puts away laundry and helps Lilly with little things.Still we have to watch Daisy closely because (for undiagnosed medical reasons)she eats all kinds of inedible objects such as yarn, play dough, clay, crayons, thread, paper,patterns,etc.I had truly hoped by 3 1/2 yrs old she would have out grown it but it only seems to be getting worse.One of my worst passions is her licking or sucking on shopping carts!So,generally I use the socially unacceptable method of letting her take her pacifier out in public places.Some days I cringe,others I hardly care anymore,if it helps cut back on germs and sickness (and screaming) then she can have it!
   Tonight is dance once again.Our big dance performance is in just over a week,All costumes are completed except the last three I'm making a ribbon/corsage piece for.I am planning on completing these tonight during Daisy's class.It sure makes me proud to watch my little girl learning all the dance moves and enjoying it so much.Right now she is in jazz,but hopefully will be starting ballet at age 5.

   Well,gonna sign off for today,Love to all.

Shopping Deals

   I sit here pondering life once again as I tap away at the keys of my computer,snacking on Gluten free Ginger Snaps with ever present cup of steaming apple cider in my hand.Outside the snow lazily falls and it feels more like December than November.Honestly,I am longing for Christmas!December is the best month of the year in my opinion.Yes,warm weather is nice,but the cold and snow make me feel so cozy as I watch out the window.We don't leave the house much so we can enjoy the winter wonderland from out living room window :)
   I was up a good portion of the night trying to get rid of a persisting migraine,Lilly is sick again too so we are now just taking it easy for today.
My house is spotless awaiting the arrival of our landlords to do a routine inspection for cleanliness.I understand why they do them but it does get tiring for a mum with two small children,trying to follow their every move to pick up behind them as they go.
   This morning I bundled the girls up and forced myself to get out to the thrift store (headache and all lol).And my,am I ever so glad I did! I found all kinds of little things to use to decorate the house for Christmas with.
   I got these beautiful Christmas carolling figurines

   I got this really cute winter basket arrangement

   I had to get the cute teddy on a reindeer for the girls

   I found a cute picture in a blue frame for the kitchen,which I already bought a can of spray paint and painted the frame red.lol notice how it changes the entire picture!Now it matches with my kitchen :)

   I got a couple ornaments and a snowman candle holder....                                                                             

   The BEST find of all I found these both for $3!!!

   AND...All of it only cost $6.50! all together!

Epilepsy,Seizures,and Migraines

   Another day has arrived!I have so much on to do on my never ending list of tasks needing to be completed.I still have dishes from last nights dinner to wash,laundry to do,cleaning that has patiently waited for the past few days,etc
   I have been struggling alot the past week or so with migraines and my epilepsy,so I have been having to take my meds more often than usual.I really hate how they are making me irritable and feel like a walking zombie and yet still trying to complete normal everyday mum tasks.The girls have been pretty patient about it all but I know its getting hard for them as well.I am hoping to find a natural remedy to help with my seizures,if I can control  them I can limit the migraines since they are all connected
   Lilly is not sleeping at all anymore,I have never met a child who can go for days without sleep like Lilly does,I just don't understand,so we have really been working on "if you cant sleep that is OK but you still need to stay in bed,without kicking the wall" lol I don't know how much of it her 22 month old mind is getting,but hey that's the point right?Here is a pic I snapped of her in her bed where she was "supposed" to be in timeout...

  
  

Daisy's New Dress

   My sewing machine has been hard at work all day on various projects!I am so pleased to have the sleeves for the dance performance nearly complete,all seven sets are sewed and ironed just waiting to be fitted with elastic and completed.The three corsage pieces for another class are nearly ready to be assembled and then I am finally free to sew and create to my hearts content without worrying about time lines!
   Daisy's winter wardrobe got a new addition today,in between my sleeves I managed to sew her a soft pink flannel butterfly jumper.She is really thrilled with the fact that I even added her a pocket,trimmed with white eyelet lace :)

   I have also been busy sewing little snack bags for the girls.These can be made in any fabric,however once again I chose flannel.Not for any reason except I had panda bear fabric and both the girls dearly love pandas!They are simple,one layer flannel pouches that Velcro shut the entire length of the top.No,they aren't dog treats! lol they are the ever-in-demand Scooby snacks!Along with ghost marshmallows and fruit snacks!

  

Halloween Pics

   Today Daisy went to the doctor and had her meds readjusted,I'm so hoping they can pinpoint what is going on with her.She has been struggling with migraines and vomiting for quite some time now,however 2 weeks ago she was put on a medicine to help control pain and it completely eliminated her vomiting,but seems to be making her aggressive and violent,especially towards Lilly.Both girls are on meds to sleep at night,but for some reason it doesn't seem to be helping Lilly as she has spent the past two nights kicking the wall or banging her head on the wall ALL night long!I am very thankful she has been really a good girl about her insomnia but its extremely hard for me to get any sleep when she is kicking the other side of the wall within inches of my head lol.
   On a brighter note,Halloween went well,if you consider Daddy having to work,Lilly refusing to wear her costume and both girls being terrified of other trick or treaters.Not to mention Lilly falling down multiple concrete steps bruising her head badly YET AGAIN!One house we went to had the window open on the screen door and a nasty looking green witch hanging out,and I'm telling you both girls totally flipped!Daisy walked away muttering "That darn witch scared me" lol we laughed for about a whole block over that one!Both girls really didn't want pictures takes,so we kind of just had to do the best we could.Daisy went as "Cinderella in Rapunzel's dress" as she put it,she couldn't be Rapunzel because she doesn't have long hair!You gotta love it she has quite the imagination!Lilly was kinda pouting in the corner so I snapped a quick picture she just wanted to wear a dress and her red shoes lol

   Well,not too much else going on here at this moment,I have been running low on energy from lack of sleep the past few days and now my house is suffering so there is alot to be done!I'm hoping to run to Dollar Tree later to see if they have fall decals for the windows,also need to run to the store because the girls each got $5 in their Halloween cards from Nick's Mum so I promised the girls we would see if we could find them each a new movie to add to their collection.We no longer buy toys in our household,the girls only get toys as gifts from family,everything from me is now homemade.I find they are much more appreciative that way!So when they have a little money we either save it or get movies to watch together.
   I still have the sleeves to do for the big dance performance in a few weeks,so yesterday I sat down for an hour and played around with my fabric and elastic and created 4 different dance sleeves and then me and the girls went to the studio and let them pick which version they liked.I will get pics posted as the get done :) but for now I'm going to sign off!

  

Thrift Store Finds!

    Yesterday I took a little time to run to a local thrift store,hoping to find a few pieces of fabric to make the girls some winter dresses,as Daisy has informed me she will no longer be wearing pants because "princesses don't wear pants."As I looked at her earnest little 3 year old face I sarcastically thought to myself "when you act like a princess you can wear anything you like!"However,good little mommy that I am I went to the thrift store looking for something to turn into cute dresses for her.I found the cutest light blue wale corduroy for .50 and a black and red/orange plaid flannel for .25.Of course I couldn't just stop there so I kept looking and found a few awesome deals! I was even able to find Christmas cookie cutters at .50 for a whole bagful!Then I was beyond excited to find this awesome green tea set for only $2.

After digging through all kings of odds and ends I found another really pretty beige teapot to add to my collection of little teapots for $1.50 and I even managed to find an old fashioned knitted tea cozy for .50!I was really excited,me and mum have looked at tea cozys online for quite sometime now :)I think I'm going to give it to her so we can enjoy it together :)

   All day though I have been kicking myself for not picking up the 8 balls  of  wool yarn,even though they were an almost hideous shade of orange for .25 ea they would have been perfect for the dryer balls I have been wanting to make!Maybe they will be there next time still.



Winter is Here!!!!!!!!!!

   FIRST SNOW OF THE WINTER IS HERE!!!
   Wow,it is so hard to believe how fast time flies!I can't believe in only 8 weeks I will be a married woman!I'm so excited to begin our new life together!
   Seems like this time of the year goes by the quickest for our family,first Halloween rolls around then Thanksgiving and Christmas sneak up on us all too fast!This year we are looking forward to taking the girls out for the first time to go trick-or-treating they are very excited!Daisy is thrilled with the cute Tinkerbell costume her daddy bought for her on our last trip to Toys R Us.Lilly is going to be a fairy princess.Since it will probably be cold we are planning on taking them to the mall this year.
   I have been keeping busy with a variety of projects the past week, however the most pressing one is the most daunting!I am working on making costume additions for a local dance studio for their big performance coming up.It will also be Daisy's second time  performing.I'm so proud to see my dear daughter on stage,it really means alot to me esp when just 3 years ago doctors told us she may never walk or know who we are or even live.Sitting there watching my darling little girl struggle for life after heart surgery I never thought she would do as well as she has, I am so proud to be called her mother.

   It hardly seems possible my baby (Lilly) will be turning 2 in just a couple months,she is really blossoming into a sweet little girl.She struggles greatly with her Sensory disorder and processing daily life but if one needs a hug she is definitely the place to go!She is such a little lover!
   I have started my first Molly Monkey doll,I have her whole body put together and partially stuffed,however she kind of got put on the back burner when the girls came down with the stomach flu 2 days ago.
   Well, I shall sign off for now,I have so much to accomplish the next couple days,and I'm hoping to get it all done so I can start with making Christmas Fruitcakes next week!Christmas is definitely my favorite time of year!

Sensory Integration Disorder (SID)

   All is peaceful and quiet at the moment,Nick is working and the girls are quietly resting.Once again I sit,steaming mug of cider in hand tapping away at the keys of my computer,announcing to the world what has been happening in our world.

   Late last night while I couldn't sleep I worked on Lillian's weighted therapy blanket and actually managed to finish it before I went to bed! It turned out really,really cute I am super happy with it and so is she!Last night was our first night in a very long time she only got up once or twice. Thanks in part to her new blanket and a dose of Benadryl prescribed by her Doctor!She is pretty sick today and has been pretty fussy but I think the weight from the blanket is helping to calm her.

   I have also been working on making hot/cold bags that are filled with corn,beans,rice,etc.These are not only to relieve aches and pains but to also be used as weighted lap pads for the girls to help with their sensory processing disorders.So far I have gotten 3 finished and somehow Daisy has ended up with two :)She really likes the feeling of the weight it is very calming for her.We also bought her a water filled "chewy" and it also seems to be helping with her need to put everything into her mouth.We have had alot of struggles as a family with two special kids but they are so worth the challenge.

   Last night my dear hubby (to-be) printed me up a pattern for the Molly Monkey Doll and I immediately went and picked up a few things I needed to make them.I am so excited to get started on this project!It looks like so much fun and I know the girls will absolutely adore these little creatures!

   Alot on my to-do list- new shirts for myself and a few new dresses for the girls.And I have been looking forward to making laundry soap next week along with a set of wool dryer balls.

   I'm still working hard to figure out all this blogging stuff,so far it has been really fun but I still have alot left to do here.

Introduction of my Family

  I'm curled up with a cozy afghan enjoying steaming mug of hot cider as the fire crackles and burns filling the room with a wonderful warmth.
     I have alot of thoughts swirling thru my mind today.I have been reading and studying Reactive Attachment Disorders yet again as now I'm finally convinced this is the clinical explanation of dds behavior problems which seem to be getting worse with every passing day.
  All I ever wanted and hoped for in life was to be married to a wonderful man and to be a mother.On July 8,07 my dreams of being a mum came true when Daisy was born 13 weeks prematurely weighing in at a whopping 2lb 12oz at just 14" long.After many heartfelt prayers and tears and 9 long torturous weeks and heart surgery Daisy was finally sent home from the hospital and I began my journey as a single mother.After only 3 weeks of being at home and in and out of our local doctors office and hospital Daisy was once again sent to Denver,CO where we spent another 4 weeks fighting our way thru hundreds of tests and another surgery.Once again Daisy was released from the hospital and sent home,this time she was on oxygen and an apnea monitor.
     In May of 08 I got pregnant again,it was a long pregnancy full of problems,I had to have a cervical cerclage put in at 13 weeks to keep her from being born prematurely like Daisy due to me having an Incompetent Cervix.In Oct 08 I was life flighted to Denver in preterm labor and we thought our baby was going to be born at 23 weeks however they managed to keep her in until 37 weeks! Lillian was born on Sat 1-31-09.she was released and sent home at 22 hours old.Even from the beginning I knew there was something very wrong with my new baby girl,she barely ate and was throwing up bright yellow bile,the next day we  rushed her to our local clinic and had her checked over by our doc who could find nothing wrong.By that evening I knew my baby was going to die unless something changed dramatically.I rushed her to the Emergency Room where them immediately began a battery of tests on our new baby girl.The doctor came in and informed me that they had called the flight team in to air lift her to Children's Hospital.However with the winds and cold January weather we had to wait for a ground team..We didn't know if she was even going to live. 
   For the past 20 months I have fought to be a good mum and spent a great deal of time in tears feeling like a failure.Knowing that something is not right with either one of your children and yet nobody understanding or being able to pinpoint it is very frustrating.I knew I was doing the best I could.
  Being a single mum of two special needs kids is not easy but it is very rewarding!