October Fun

Caitlyn says that she doesn't enjoy fall or winter and that summer is her favorite season. However, everytime fall rolls around, I find her having so much fun with all of the things that we do.

Every year, my best friend and her children, and some of her extended family, and Caitlyn and I head to the Morton Arboretum. It is so pretty there in the fall. And they have so many things for kids to do there. It's a fantastic place. After that, we all trek over to Sonny Acres Farm so that we can enjoy some carnival rides and really greasy food. Sometimes we will also get our pumpkins there, but not usually as they are so much more expensive there than they are at, say, Dominick's.

This year we went earlier in the year than we normally do. We did this mainly because when we go later in the year, when we can really enjoy the Arboretum and the colors of all of the leaves changing, it is much (much) colder outside. This year, it was a beautiful day. Which meant the kids could really run around and enjoy themselves. Rather than trekking though the rain and the wind and the freezing cold.

Here are some fabulous pics of the day:

The maze


All the kids navigating the maze


Some of the "gyms" they have in the Children's Garden (which is a fantastic place!)






Climbing the rocks


This little activity of jumping on the rocks in the pond didn't last too long as I knew if any kid was going to fall in, it would be mine.


In front of the 1000 pound pumpkin


Cate and Kely being silly


The swings


Pony Rides


And finally, Auntie Gina acting like a complete ass to get the kids to laugh.

Bad Blogger Alert

Yes, that would be me. It would appear that nothing interesting has happened in our lives since I haven't posted anything in 3 weeks. But quite the opposite is true actually.

Football season here is in full swing. Which means late dinners, late bed times, lots of football practices and games, and a missing husband. Which makes me a single mom for a few months. I must say, that I can't even begin to imagine being a single mom. I only have to deal with it for a few months a year and in that time, I about lose my mind....and grow somewhere in the area of 86 new grey hairs. Multiply that by the number of years and Matt has been a coach and we have had Caitlyn and I am looking at a rapidly developing white head. But none the less, Matt is doing well in his conference and if he manages to win this game on Friday, then he is looking at taking second place in his conference. Which is fabulous for him as he has had 2 really rough seasons.

My new job is wonderful. And completely time consuming. I have worked harder at this job in the 2 months I have been there than I have ever worked at any other job I've had. Which I guess means that I care about it and really want to put the time in. But it is exhausting as well. And the parents...well let's just say that they may be the reason that I become an alcoholic. They are quite needy, and demanding. They love their children, but at times I feel as though they feel they are "owed" something. Or I am just being rotten and crabby. Either way, the job was becoming consuming enough that it has prompted Matt and I to hire a cleaning lady. Which has put me in a better mood most days. There really is nothing better than coming home and your house is spotless. NOTHING. AT. ALL.

Caitlyn is doing amazing in first grade. I absolutely love her teacher. We had back to school night last week. The teacher is quite demanding, as is the first grade curriculum. That in an of itself seems so weird to me. But first grade is certainly not what it was when I was there. Granted that was many moons ago, but still, they are requiring so much more of kids these days that I am amazed that any of them fall within the bulk of the bell curve anymore.

A few weeks ago, Caitlyn had to stay after school to complete Dibels testing. Basically a reading test to see where they are and how they are progressing throughout the year. I was a little pissed that it was going to be after school, for a couple of reasons. First, how is it possible that this isn't something that can be done during school hours. Second, you expect these kids to perform well on a test after a full day of school. Last, it was over 80 degrees out the day they were doing it; how many kids want to hang out at school on a day like that when they could be out playing?? But I kept my mouth shut since none of the other parents seemed bothered by it. And again, I know to pick and choose my battles when it comes to school.

I received Caitlyn's scores today in her progress report (yes they send out mid term reports in first grade). I have to say, I couldn't have been more proud of my little lady. Here are her scores:

Letter Naming Fluency
Goal: 37 letters/minute
Score: 55 letters/minute
Benchmark: Established

Phonemic Segmentation Fluency
Goal: 35 phonemes/minute
Score: 38 phonemes/minute
Benchmark: Low Risk

Nonsense Word Fluency
Goal: 24 sounds/minute
Score: 37 sounds/minute
Benchmark: Low Risk

So overall, she has exceeded the standard benchmark. In the area of phonemic segmentation, she has already established the benchmark for January. I couldn't believe it when I was reading this. I mean, I know the kid can read, and I know that she is making incredible progress with reading ever single day. It is obvious as we are out in the community and she is reading words that are not sight words. But I never expected her to have already exceeded the benchmarks. And exceed them in 2 areas by so much.

It really makes me wonder at times how she has managed to escape the typical outcome of a 25 weeker. And as I have said before, the doctors have always questioned that gestation and put her about a week earlier. If that is in fact the case, it is even more wondrous to me that she is doing as well as she is. I have no explanation for it whatsoever. She is the kid that completely skews the research in the area of developmental outcomes of preemies. She is the reason that putting gestational limits on resuscitation seem so wrong to me. And again, it makes me think of the things those doctors told me in those very grim and dark first few weeks. And months for that matter.

Off my soapbox now.....off to look into gifted programs for my genius :P (yeah right!)

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Caitlyn's Pictures

Caitlyn has been begging me to use my camera to take pictures outside. I have been hesitant for the obvious reason: I am worried about her dropping it and throwing away several hundred of my hard earned dollars. But today I finally caved in. And to be honest, she took some really great pics!! And it is interesting to see things from her perspective for once.

I find it very interesting what she wanted to take pictures of though. Before we left the house, she kept telling me that she wanted to get pictures of animals. Well, in Chicago there aren't many animals running here and there. Unless you count squirrels, pigeons, and the ocassional stray dog/cat. However, once we were out there and walking, she found so many other neat things to take pictures of.

Here are a few of them:












This is my favorite of all 49 that she took. I love the way the colors are in it!




Do all kids feel it necessary to take pictures of their feet once they have a camera in their hands???



Now she wants to go out at night and take some too. Since it is supposed to be pretty warm this week, maybe we will do just that.

First Grader

That's right.....first grade, FIRST!!!

I am in shock that this is true, but Caitlyn is so very proud of herself and so excited to be in first grade. All she kept taking about yesterday was how she finally had her own desk (as opposed to tables) and she gets to go to music class every Tuesday. This morning, she was all excited about what the class would be doing on Wednesdays :P

Here she is in the morning before we left


Here she is standing out front of the house


And here she is waking with the backpack that is about as big as she is


Despite her eagerness about first grade, when I woke her up at 6:30 this morning, she promptly asked if she had school today. When I told her yes, she flopped herself back on her bed with a "hmph." Just like mom, not a morning person at all.

Let's just hope that this teacher is nothing like last year's teacher.

My Little Dare Devil

Every year, my brother's work rents out Great America for a private party. The employees are allowed to bring friends and family (for a fee of course). But the crowds are much smaller than a typical day, resulting in wait times in lines that are considerably shorter. We have been going to this for a few years now and have such a good time when we go.

Last year, Caitlyn went on her first roller coaster ride there. She went on the Whizzer (about 1000 times) and loved it.


After going on that, she was quite upset that she wasn't tall enough to go on any of the other roller coasters they had. I reassured her that when we came again the following year, she would certainly be tall enough for a couple more.

So this year.....my little lady decided that the first ride she would go on would be the Whizzer again. However, she made it very clear that after riding that, she wanted to go and see what other coasters she would be tall enough for. (Memory of an elephant I tell ya!)

The first ride we attempted to get her on was the Viper.

I figured it would be pretty impressive if she followed through with going on this ride.

After measuring her on the post, waiting in a short line, there she was sitting next to me in the car and rearing to go!!!
Upon it's completion she made it very clear that she wanted to ride the Viper again before we left!




Later in the evening, we were heading towards the American Eagle.

Not the most comfortable roller coaster on the planet. But certainly a novelty if you go to Great America. I don't think I've ever been there and not gone on it (provided it is running).

The height requirements were the same as those of the Viper, so we were off in line.
After the initial drop, which really is shocking, Caitlyn was having a ball and "wheeing" along.



After going on those 2, it seemed she really didn't want much to do with the other "kiddie" rides or age appropriate rides. She was awfully upset though that she wasn't able to go on some of the other coasters. I reassured her that she would be able to go on a couple more next year, just like she was able to this year. So I am certain that come summer next year, she will hold me to it. Let's hope for a few more inches of growth this year so that I haven't stuck my foot in my mouth ;)

Things I will never forget...Part 2

I was browsing posts today that I have never published for one reason or another. Mostly because they weren't finished. I came across this one (typed out June 15, 2006)and I am stunned that I didn't publish it. Stunned mostly because I love nothing more than talking about my girlie and how amazing she is. But more stunned because rereading it now...wow, I still feel every single one of those emotions that I felt as I was going through the experience. Yes, with time you don't think of them nearly as often. But it amazes me how raw you can feel when you revisit it even 6 years later.
It seems that this was to be a follow up of this post
I know when I was typing it out that I wanted it to be about the first 3 1/2 months of her life, the time she spent in the NICU. I remember now thinking how long it was going to end up being. Maybe that was why I stopped. Or maybe it's because I was crying....just as I am now sitting here reading it again.


I didn't get to see you at all on the day you were born. Unfortunately I was too sick. So I was on a lot of medication. There are a few things I remember about that day, but most of my memories are from the day after you were born.

In the recovery room....


The nurse asking for my finger prints to put on your birth certificate. She also showed me your foot prints and I couldn't believe how very tiny they were. And she made the comment "Look Mom these are your daughter's footprints!"

The 2 young girls who were giving me the mesh underwear to put on and they called them a Victoria's Secret special LOL

My mom lifting my hair above my head like she had done for so many years when I lived with her every night when she came home from work.

In the post partum room....

My face itching so badly from the morphine.

Being thirstier than I have ever been before in my life.

Having an orange popsicle and being upset that it wasn't red.

Kim coming to visit me and helping me drink water even though I wasn't supposed to...and then her holding the bucket cause I thought I was going to throw up from drinking the water I wasn't supposed to.

Having conversations and saying things to Matt that made absolutely no sense at all.

Hearing women in the rooms around me celebrating giving birth.

Being moved to the post partum wing in the middle of the night and the woman who transferred us to that room handing me books and videos on how to care for my baby when we got you home. (She wasn't informed of the situation)

Waking up the next morning with gas pains and thinking that it was you moving inside of me and that they figured out a way to keep me pregnant. Then realizing that the last 48 hours were in fact very true and now very real.

Hearing the babies from the nursery being wheeled down the hall to their moms rooms to be fed and waking Matt up telling him that I needed him and telling him that I have never been so sad in my life.

Not wanting to go down to the NICU to see you.

Hating myself for not wanting to go down to see you.

Asking Matt constantly if I was going to be shocked when I finally did agree to go down to see you.

Reading and rereading the rules and guidelines about what hours I was not allowed in the NICU and what I could and couldn't wear in there.

The physician's assistant that came in and basically demanded that I get out of bed to prove I could walk so that I could go down to see you.

That same PA who helped me clean myself up and listened to my complaints about the night nurses from the previous shift and how they wouldn't help me clean myself or get me anything to do it myself.

Thinking that when the time came to come to the NICU to see you after we left the hospital that I would never be able to find my way thru the maze of hallways. (by the time you were discharged I probably could have found my way there blindfolded)

The signs showing us how to scrub above the sinks and the brochures on the rack next to the sink.

The smell of aquaphor being heated by radiant warmers.

How incredibly tiny you were, yet you were perfectly formed.

The bruises that covered your back from your rushed delivery.

The incredible number of tubes that were sticking out of every possible place in your tiny body.

Mary (the nurse who did your intake) telling me that she would open the cellophane so that I could touch you.

Telling Mary that I didn't want to disturb you. When in actuality I didn't want to touch you because I was so very afraid to become attached to a child that could quite possibly die.

The number of people that came to visit both of us in the hospital and every single one of them were taken to the NICU to see you. Daddy was terrified, but so damn proud of you.

The only person who gave me a balloon congratulating me on having a daughter was Auntie Gina. Everyone else brought flowers....and loads of them.

The doctor from Nigeria that told me I should be thankful that you were born in the United Stated cause in her country you would not have survived, as she removed the staples from my incision.

Leaving the hospital in a wheelchair without what I came in with.

Getting home and finding all of the clothes and things that I had gotten for you so far put away so as not to upset me.

Driving to the hospital for 106 days, some days more than once to visit you.

Getting to the parking garage and not being able to find a spot fast enough so that I could get to you quicker.

The smell of the stairwell between the garage and the hospital. When I go now to visit someone there, the smell still knocks me on my ass and puts me back to that time.

Cowgirl Caitlyn

All of the sudden, Caitlyn is all about being a cowgirl. I don't think she plans on getting out of this phase anytime soon. And who am I to complain really, cause man is she damn cute in the get up. I think my favorite part is the cowboy hat with the tiara attached to it!

Wow!!

This was shown to us today at our inservice at school. Pretty amazing and mind boggling at the same time.

Gingivitis and a broken toe

That's what's happening in the world of the Walshes these days. Odd combination, I know. Caitlyn had the gingivitis and I broke my toe yesterday morning.

When we were on vacation, Caitlyn started to get her 6 year molars. At least I thought that was when it started. I decided that she needed to be seen by the dentist on Wednesday night when I was brushing her teeth and there was way more blood than I thought there should be. And it wasn't just her gums by the new molars bleeding, it was all around her mouth. When the dentist looked at her, she was so glad that I brought her in when I did. It would appear that I had every reason in the world to be concerned with what her mouth looked like.

Apparently, the molars, or the gums around her molars, started to hurt her about a month ago. Because of that, Caitlyn must not have been brushing very well. This caused a raging case of gingivitis in her mouth. My poor baby must have been aching for so long :( She ended up having a deep cleaning that day and returning this past Tuesday for a second one. We weren't sure if she was going to need a third, however, luckily, we nipped it in the bud at the right time. Mind you, Caitlyn had her last cleaning May 10th. In that short amount of time, things went completely crazy in her mouth. But we are back on track now and don't have to go back until her next scheduled cleaning in December. Or sooner if things get nuts again.

Now the broken toe....this is the second time this stupid toe of mine has broken. The first time was when I had shingles back in December of 2004. Fun times, fond memories :) I woke up for work yesterday and was a bit groggy. I have been aiding sleep with some benadryl because I have not needed to fall asleep at a decent hour in many weeks. SO I kind of stumbled as I got out of bed. Well, I guess I didn't kind of stumble, I really stumbled. Smacking my toe right on the leg of the suitcase that was sitting next to my bed that hasn't made it's way down to the basement. I thought I had just stubbed it and got in the shower. When I got out and was getting dressed I realized that it was still hurting. I looked down to find a swollen and starting to bruise toe. Fun!

This week is new teacher orientation at work and things are going well. It seems that in this district things are going to be in full swing right away. Which I think is a good thing. There is a lot to learn and figure out on my part. However, the girl who is there to help me has been truly wonderful and will be a fabulous asset to me all year. Fingers crossed I won't need to be counting down the days to Christmas break from the get go ;)

Some pics of the trip

On the Disney Magical Express between the airport and the hotel.


On her way to breakfast with the princesses


A princess and her prince


Her very favorite princess of all time


Just being cute


A family shot


The birds from Nemo


Inside of Bruce's mouth


The duck that she loved to feed at Epcot


With the mouse himself


Running to give Minnie a hug


Getting ready to weather the storm (literally)


Seeing the castle for the first time


Spinning on the tea cup ride


The infamous Dumbo ride


Playing at Ariel's Grotto


With Ariel


Riding the carousel with Mary Poppins


My favorite picture of the castle


Dancing in the High School Musical Pep Rally

The Happiest Place on Earth!

And that it certainly was!! Disney was awesome with Caitlyn. She is absolutely the perfect age for it. She truly believes that all of the princesses are real, though she knows that the characters are just people in costumes.

Tuesday morning we woke bright and early and all packed and ready to go. Of course, because we were at the airport with plenty of time (one of the pitfalls of being married to Matt), our flight was delayed. It was delayed because of a mechanical problem. So I guess I am grateful for the delay, otherwise we would have been flying in a broken plane. I can see several issues with that. Then when we arrived in Orlando, we had to sit on the runway because there was a terrible storm. The rain wasn't the cause for our sitting, but the lightening was. Apparently, they don't send the little cars out to pull the planes in when there is lightening. Learn something new every day. Needless to say, anything I had planned for our afternoon there was shot to hell.

Instead of going anywhere when we were finally able to check into the hotel, we decided to just peruse the hotel grounds. Which were absolutely fab! About 5 minutes into our walk, Caitlyn said she was really tired and started complaining that she missed home? Yes folks, she missed home. Naturally this threw up a red flag for me as she has been anticipating this trip for quite some time. So I decided to feel her armpit to see if she had a fever. And of course she did. Cause Caitlyn suffers from what we kindly refer to as "state line disease." The minute the child crosses the Illinois state line, she gets sick. So I ran to the gift shop and bought some Motrin. I didn't have a thermometer there, so I had to guestimate her temp. I would say it was around 100 or 101. Motrin given and sleep began. I was hopeful that she would be much better the next morning since that wass when we were scheduled to have breakfast with the princesses.

The following morning, she still had the fever. But we went to the breakfast anyway. Normally, I would keep her in bed. However, you have to schedule the silly thing at least 3 months in advance. So we wouldn't have been able to get another reservation for the time we were there. After getting there, she perked up some and had a good time chatting it up with the ladies.

After that, we continued to tour Epcot. We went on the space shuttle ride (the name escapes me right now) and it scared the piss out of my child. It was way too loud and too real looking and I think she really thought that damn shuttle was going to crash since that was what was being simulated. After that, she enjoyed all of the rest of the rides that we went on. Around dinner, we decided to head back to the hotel to enjoy the pool some. But in true Florida fashion, and Walsh luck, it poured down rain once we got back. Which wasn't too horrible since the damn fever was back. So it was Motrin and sleep for the girl again.

The following morning, it was raining something terrible. But my girl the trooper was willing to throw on a poncho and head to the Magic Kingdom. Since all she really wanted to see the entire trip were the princesses and the castle, she wasn't going to miss the opportunity. And she was amazing!! Despite the rain and thunder and uncomfortable poncho, this child went on every single ride she could and waited in every single line to meet every character she could. It finally stopped raining mid to late afternoon, so we could disrobe the ponchos. The most exciting thing that happened while we were there was when she got to ride on the carousel on a horse next to Mary Poppins. As we were walking on, I pointed her out to Cate and she came right up to her and asked if Caitlyn would like to ride with her. It was so great for Caitlyn. And they sat on their horses and chatted the entire ride.

We ended up being there 12 hours and surprisingly enough, she never needed a stroller there! I couldn't believe how much she walked and ran and never once complained about the weather or the walking. To try and ward off the fever, I gave her some Motrin before bed. It worked....a little. She still had a slight fever the next morning, but nothing too terrible.

On Friday, we finally had sun. And lots of it! It was hot and humid. And I must say, I think I preferred the rain as it cooled things down some and kept some of the crowds away from the parks. We headed to MGM studios so that we could see just a few things there. I knew there wouldn't be much there for her to enjoy, but the few things that were there, I knew she would absolutely love. She got to dance in the High School Musical Pep Rally, which made her day. She got to dance with the Playhouse Disney characters. And she got to eat lunch at Toy Story's Pizza Planet. For a 6 year old, these are rather exciting!! However, as we were eating lunch, she told me that her teeth were hurting her. Then the whole fever and crumminess became very clear to me. My poor girlie decided to get her 6 year molars this very week.

Not only were her gums killing her, but she had a very loose tooth in the front. The second of the 2 front teeth. So she couldn't bite into things, nor could she chew on anything in the back. So I was glad that I was giving her the Motrin as it was helping with the fever as well as the pain.

We weren't able to do much Saturday, except for touring the hotel grounds that we never got to earlier in the week, because the bus was taking up to the airport around noon. Caitlyn slept the entire plane ride home. And all she kept talking about in the cab from the airport was how happy she was to be home and how she couldn't wait to sleep in her own bed. I guess there really is no place like home even for a 6 year old!

So all in all a fantastic trip. And I came home to the best present my mom could ever give me. She paid her neighbor who is a cleaning lady to come and clean my house. I think the damn thing is cleaner than when we bought it. It was so wonderful to come home and have nothing to do but unpack and lounge around! My mom rocks!!!

Pictures to follow after I get them from the camera ;)

Ignorance is Bliss

The other day Caitlyn was playing on the computer. She was on a website that I had never visited with her before. So while she was on it, I was sitting at the dining room table watching her from behind. Just to make sure that there wasn't anything crazy on it. It was a Nickelodeon website, so I was fairly certain that it was okay, but I am that parent that thinks way too many kids are on the internet unsupervised.

So the site that she was on, she was creating a character for. She had to choose the color of her eyes and hair, etc. Then came the part to choose her skin color. And I watched her kind of go through the choices, not sure which one to pick. Finally she looked at me and said...

"Mom, what color is my skin?"

I replied that it was a pinkish, peach, white color.

She chose the color accordingly. And went about playing the game.

I was truly stunned by this. Not because she didn't know what color her own skin was. But by the fact that she obviously doesn't see any significant difference in her skin color to many of the other skin colors they had as options. I know that prejudice is a learned behavior. Kids generally learn it from their parents. And I had thought that by 6 years old, Caitlyn would have realized that her skin is white and not brown or yellow or whatever other color. I feel great knowing that to her, her skin seems no different that the spanish child she goes to school with or the asain child she plays with.

I can only hope that she maintains this ignorance for many years to come. But unfortunately, I know that isn't possible.

We are off for the lake again today. We come home on Sunday and then head out for Disney on Tuesday. I will have to do a few posts when I return of nothing but pictures. (Not type at all, equivalent to not speaking???? Truly that will be a feat for me;))

Fisherman

My dad loves to fish. He would do this before anything else in the world. He has loved fishing for as long as I can remember. When I was little, I would go with him on ocassion, though it became "gross" to me once I hit 11 years old it would seem.

Caitlyn has been asking to go fishing with Grampa or Uncle Bobby. It didn't matter which one took her, as long as she was fishing.

Today, Cate went fishing with her Grampa and had an amazing time. And I am fairly certain that my father had an equally amazing experience. I know that it is certainly something that Caitlyn will remember forever :)

...an added bonus....she even caught fish :) When she came home, she quickly told me about ALL the fish that were caught and how giant they were. Not only did Grampa teach her some fishing basics, he also taught her the most important lesson: telling some fishermen tales :P

Vacation One

We have returned from vacation number one. I say vacation number one because it seems that the entire month of July is going to be spent travelling somewhere. Both as a family and separately.

We spent 5 glorious days at the cottage in Waupaca. This is the place that Matt's family has been going to since he was an infant. They have been going there since his mother was 6 years old. So they have some history there. And Matt has always wanted his daughter to love it there as much as he does. And I think his wish has come true.

My little lady, who is usually very timid when it comes to physical activities, those that require gross motor coordination, got her little ass on a tube and went tubing. I was stunned. Flabbergasted. Floored. Couldn't believe my eyes that this child was actually doing this.


And she did it a few times so I know it wasn't a fluke. I know the pictures are hard to see, but I certainly don't have the energy to zoom in on them and save them. Lazy=Nancy.

Getting ready to go


Caitlyn is on the right with her Uncle Bernard and Danny is on the left. (If she were to go by herself in that tube I probably would have had a coronary.



There was also plenty of time to just play and have fun. She is bound and determined to get this hula hooping thing no matter what!


After all the tubing and hula hooping, she was just wiped out and ready to go home.




And I think this has to be my favorite picture from the trip. Could these kids and Grandma Rita look any happier???? I don't think so!


Next week I am off to Country Thunder with the girls (woot!!) and Matt is off to the lake again for the annual Daddy/Daughter vacation. Mostly because it helps soothe the girl during my absence, but it is a fabulous thing for them to do together. And something that I know Caitlyn will grow up remembering forever.

2 weeks after that, it's back up to the lake for all 3 of us. 2 days after we get home, it's off to Disney. So it seems that for the month of July I will be doing nothing but packing, unpacking, doing laundry, and packing again. Only to unpack and wash it all again.