I confess. Six months ago I was out of my mind. Why did I get braces?
On my last visit, the orthodontist suggested that 4 teeth come out. So, he clipped my wires so that they are only on my front teeth and my doomed teeth were set free. Did you catch that bit about the wire being snipped?
I have sharp pointy wire ends poking me! One side broke free of the rubber band and is now sticking out farther than the other three pokey ends. This is uncomfortable to say the least.
It popped off the bracket on Friday. Saturday I was too busy to deal with it. Guess what, the office is closed until Wednesday. I've been being stabbed in the face for five days now and I'm growing unhappy with the whole poking business.
I have some dental wax to paste over it, but every time I eat the wax falls off. I think I've swallowed an entire candle by now. Ewww. I really don't like the feeling of the wax in the first place, it's kinda yucky, but at least it isn't poking me. Now, if I could just quit losing my blob of wax!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Grandma came to visit
My girls have two grandmas and one of them came to visit! They have my mom and my mom's mom. Grandma and Great Grandma. AKA The Grandmas. They're a pair, always together, just like Gracie and Libby. They do things together.
Grandma came without Great Grandma and really threw the girls for a loop. "Where's the other one Grandma?" "Where is the Gracie Grandma?" The whole idea of just one grandma was mind boggling! But we all managed just fine even though we sure missed having Great Grandma here too.
My mom flew in on Saturday just in time to go out for dinner and left on Monday morning. Quick Trip! We had a wedding reception to attend on Sunday. It was a lot of fun! My mom wrote about her trip on her blog, so I won't repeat the same story.
The girls sure enjoyed having Grandma here, even though it was a quick trip. They were very excited and sorry to see her go again so soon. She was instructed to bring Great Grandma Gracie with her next time and she said she would. We sent her on her way home with lots of hugs to tide her over until we see her again.
Grandma came without Great Grandma and really threw the girls for a loop. "Where's the other one Grandma?" "Where is the Gracie Grandma?" The whole idea of just one grandma was mind boggling! But we all managed just fine even though we sure missed having Great Grandma here too.
My mom flew in on Saturday just in time to go out for dinner and left on Monday morning. Quick Trip! We had a wedding reception to attend on Sunday. It was a lot of fun! My mom wrote about her trip on her blog, so I won't repeat the same story.
The girls sure enjoyed having Grandma here, even though it was a quick trip. They were very excited and sorry to see her go again so soon. She was instructed to bring Great Grandma Gracie with her next time and she said she would. We sent her on her way home with lots of hugs to tide her over until we see her again.
Friday, March 25, 2011
I'm Serging!
I am a total serger newbie, but I'm doing it!
I've had the machine for 2 years now, really, you'd think I would be serging like a pro or at least doing some advanced work by now. But, I've barely been able to get the thing to work. The machine has mostly just been a dust collector.
I had it working at one point and then ran over a pin. Apparently, that is a big serging no-no! I just took it to JoAnn Fabrics again and the very nice lady in the Viking store inside JoAnns tweeked it for me and got it going. She says there is something wrong with it since the tensions should all be on "N" but she figured out how to adjust each tension knob until the stitching was right. Whew!
For some reason, I still couldn't get it to work after I brought it home. When I was at JoAnns, I had red thread in the machine. I decided to change it to black and then nothing worked. After a couple of days of struggling with the black thread, I tried white. First try and it worked like a dream!
I serged the edges of a bunch of cute baby flannels and made some receiving blankets and burp cloths for my new grandson (he's due in May).
Next I tried a Tshirt reconstruction that I've had my eye on for two years at least. Using an adult size Tshirt, I made a dress for my daughter to play in. I really like it and she does too! It was quick and easy. I do think it needs a ruffle for the bottom because the lettuce edge didn't ruffle up enough. The tutorial that I read has a strip of elastic in the back to make the dress more fitted, but I'm not sure Gracie needs that. Although, Libby will.
I am ready to raid my husband's stash of neglected Tshirts and serge up a bunch of play dresses for summer. Nice cotton Tshirts will be perfect for summer!
I've had the machine for 2 years now, really, you'd think I would be serging like a pro or at least doing some advanced work by now. But, I've barely been able to get the thing to work. The machine has mostly just been a dust collector.
I had it working at one point and then ran over a pin. Apparently, that is a big serging no-no! I just took it to JoAnn Fabrics again and the very nice lady in the Viking store inside JoAnns tweeked it for me and got it going. She says there is something wrong with it since the tensions should all be on "N" but she figured out how to adjust each tension knob until the stitching was right. Whew!
For some reason, I still couldn't get it to work after I brought it home. When I was at JoAnns, I had red thread in the machine. I decided to change it to black and then nothing worked. After a couple of days of struggling with the black thread, I tried white. First try and it worked like a dream!
I serged the edges of a bunch of cute baby flannels and made some receiving blankets and burp cloths for my new grandson (he's due in May).
Next I tried a Tshirt reconstruction that I've had my eye on for two years at least. Using an adult size Tshirt, I made a dress for my daughter to play in. I really like it and she does too! It was quick and easy. I do think it needs a ruffle for the bottom because the lettuce edge didn't ruffle up enough. The tutorial that I read has a strip of elastic in the back to make the dress more fitted, but I'm not sure Gracie needs that. Although, Libby will.
I am ready to raid my husband's stash of neglected Tshirts and serge up a bunch of play dresses for summer. Nice cotton Tshirts will be perfect for summer!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Coming Soon: Orthodontic Hell!
I'm so excited! NOT!
I went to the orthodontist today for my once a month tweek. And the dentist gave me some bad news. It's always weird when the dentist discusses my treatment with me while I'm laying down in the chair. They tip me back really far and I almost wonder if I'll slide off and land on my head. This is how I have serious conversations about my braces with my dentist.
He said that my teeth are stubborn. Well, that's no surprise. I'm stubborn all over.
Hovering over me, he went on to say that my teeth are just too crowded and they cannot find the space they need. He thought they might be able to line up in my jaw, but it's not happening like he'd hoped. Therefore (yes, he said "therefore" while he wore his bubble gum smelly gloves) I need to have four teeth extracted.
There it is. The word. Extracted. Extracted means grabbed with a claw-like pair of pliers, twisted and yanked out leaving a bloody hole. Four extractions. One in each quadrant so that my teeth are balanced and I don't end up with my front teeth off to the side. Here's the good news: they can do it today or anytime I'm ready! Oh, goody. That is so delightful.
Two of these teeth just got fillings six months ago. Why am I doing this again? I should be careful what I wish for, because just the other day I was wishing I could get my braces off. Now my wish is coming true. There will be four teeth getting the braces off! Ay, yiy, yih.
This ought to really help the hillbilly in me really shine through. Can you sense my excitement? Not yet, huh? Yeah, me neither.
* Dental extraction tools from WWI in a museum somewhere. I hoisted this pic from the internet. Thank you, Google Image search and people who allow their photos to be shown publicly. Hopefully my dentist has more modern equipment.
I went to the orthodontist today for my once a month tweek. And the dentist gave me some bad news. It's always weird when the dentist discusses my treatment with me while I'm laying down in the chair. They tip me back really far and I almost wonder if I'll slide off and land on my head. This is how I have serious conversations about my braces with my dentist.
He said that my teeth are stubborn. Well, that's no surprise. I'm stubborn all over.
Hovering over me, he went on to say that my teeth are just too crowded and they cannot find the space they need. He thought they might be able to line up in my jaw, but it's not happening like he'd hoped. Therefore (yes, he said "therefore" while he wore his bubble gum smelly gloves) I need to have four teeth extracted.
There it is. The word. Extracted. Extracted means grabbed with a claw-like pair of pliers, twisted and yanked out leaving a bloody hole. Four extractions. One in each quadrant so that my teeth are balanced and I don't end up with my front teeth off to the side. Here's the good news: they can do it today or anytime I'm ready! Oh, goody. That is so delightful.
Two of these teeth just got fillings six months ago. Why am I doing this again? I should be careful what I wish for, because just the other day I was wishing I could get my braces off. Now my wish is coming true. There will be four teeth getting the braces off! Ay, yiy, yih.
This ought to really help the hillbilly in me really shine through. Can you sense my excitement? Not yet, huh? Yeah, me neither.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Pooping in Ikea
If you read my blog, you must know I have small children and well.... poop happens. I'm not afraid to discuss it. Skip to another post if you don't want to read about it, but then again, you are taking your chances going that route because there are poop droppings in the middle of totally unrelated posts. (Did you catch that, heh heh, poop droppings! I crack myself up.)
I don't remember if I wrote about it or not, but my toddler has a preference for using the Ikea potty chair and no other. She will use the real one if we are out and about, but she would rather use one of her Ikea potties. She has three of them: pink one is downstairs, green one is upstairs, and red one is in the van. Her white Baby Bjorn potty has been rejected and sent out to the garage.
Since we've been potty training, Libby has decided she will no longer poop. She doesn't like to do it in the potty chair and she doesn't like it in her panties. She'd rather not, thank you very much. Retaining is her game. She just pooped on Sunday so I didn't expect another bowel movement from her until Thursday at least!
Ok, enough back-story; on with the post!
Yesterday, we went to Ikea for lunch. First, we dropped off my mom at the airport and then we picked up my oldest daughter who is 32 weeks pregnant. The kids were hungry and the 5 yr old was ready to play hard for a bit. I asked her if she wanted to go to Ikea and she jumped up and down squealing about the ball pit. Can't argue with enthusiasm like that!
After dropping Gracie off at Ikea's child center with the swimming pool sized ball pit and other fun toys, Katie and I took the little ones (Libby and Charlie) to the cafe for lunch. We sat in the "family friendly" corner where there are beads and twirly things mounted on the wall as well as a play kitchen and workbench. All Ikea products! Libby stood facing the wall and played with the beads. She was quiet and content, moving the big beads around on their peg-board path.
Just as we were finishing our leisurely lunch and our hour of of hyper-free 5 yr old time was nearing an end, another family came to the cafe's play area. One little boy came up behind Libby and she turned herself around, gave him the hand and said,
"No. I'm pooping".
Katie and I had to stifle hysterical laughter. Libby was so serious! Katie pointed me in the direction of the nearest restroom (pregnant woman always know where they are) and I took Libby and her poopy pants out of the play area.
Another reason for me to love Ikea! It's a great place to play and poop!
I don't remember if I wrote about it or not, but my toddler has a preference for using the Ikea potty chair and no other. She will use the real one if we are out and about, but she would rather use one of her Ikea potties. She has three of them: pink one is downstairs, green one is upstairs, and red one is in the van. Her white Baby Bjorn potty has been rejected and sent out to the garage.
Since we've been potty training, Libby has decided she will no longer poop. She doesn't like to do it in the potty chair and she doesn't like it in her panties. She'd rather not, thank you very much. Retaining is her game. She just pooped on Sunday so I didn't expect another bowel movement from her until Thursday at least!
Ok, enough back-story; on with the post!
Yesterday, we went to Ikea for lunch. First, we dropped off my mom at the airport and then we picked up my oldest daughter who is 32 weeks pregnant. The kids were hungry and the 5 yr old was ready to play hard for a bit. I asked her if she wanted to go to Ikea and she jumped up and down squealing about the ball pit. Can't argue with enthusiasm like that!
After dropping Gracie off at Ikea's child center with the swimming pool sized ball pit and other fun toys, Katie and I took the little ones (Libby and Charlie) to the cafe for lunch. We sat in the "family friendly" corner where there are beads and twirly things mounted on the wall as well as a play kitchen and workbench. All Ikea products! Libby stood facing the wall and played with the beads. She was quiet and content, moving the big beads around on their peg-board path.
Just as we were finishing our leisurely lunch and our hour of of hyper-free 5 yr old time was nearing an end, another family came to the cafe's play area. One little boy came up behind Libby and she turned herself around, gave him the hand and said,
"No. I'm pooping".
Katie and I had to stifle hysterical laughter. Libby was so serious! Katie pointed me in the direction of the nearest restroom (pregnant woman always know where they are) and I took Libby and her poopy pants out of the play area.
Another reason for me to love Ikea! It's a great place to play and poop!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Naughty Leprechaun
A naughty leprechaun paid a visit to Gracie's preschool yesterday on St. Patrick's day. The little dude made a big mess in the classroom, knocking over toys and things. He moved the teacher's chair, left green pee-pee in the toilet (and didn't flush!), spilled his gold on the floor (corn pops cereal) and left a trail of green glitter everywhere. The kids did their teamwork and cleaned up the classroom.
Gracie is pretty sure she saw the leprechaun behind the clock in her classroom. He had one eye peeking and the other one shut. And, he was laughing at all the kids while they cleaned up his naughty mess!
Poor kid was freaked out all day long by this leprechaun business. All day long, she talked non-stop about the leprechaun. She barely took a breath, just talk talk talk talk... working it all out in her head I suppose.
At night, she had trouble falling asleep. I had to lay with her and as soon as I did, she was asleep in no time. She wanted to sleep in her "camping spot" next to my bed so that she would be safe. And she made sure to ask me several times if I locked all of the doors. She was afraid the leprechaun would come in our house and make a mess.
Sure enough, she whimpered and whined in her sleep all night long, like a little lost puppy. At one point, her dreams woke her up. She went downstairs with Daddy and they rocked for a while. But, she was having bad dreams all night even after she woke up. She was crying in her sleep too. It's awful when your kid is having bad dreams and you know you can't get in her dream to rescue her!
I just talk to her and tell her she is safe. The whimpering usually stops when I do that, but she starts crying again. Sure enough, this morning she was a big grouch! Miss Crabby pants has been rotten all day long. She wouldn't even snap out of her mood to go to gymnastics and she loves gymnastics! She stayed home with Dad while I took little sis to gymnastics; she wasn't gonna miss it for the world!
I don't understand why she has such frequent bad dreams, but I sure knew what set her off this time! It was that naughty leprechaun! If I catch that little green menace, I'm gonna make him clean up and say sorry. Gracie suggests we give him a time out too. So much for St Paddy's day around this house. This holiday went straight to the bottom of the list of fun holidays.
The next holiday is a rabbit who comes in our house at night while we are sleeping and leaves eggs and jelly beans? Oh no. There really isn't much of a difference is there?
Gracie is pretty sure she saw the leprechaun behind the clock in her classroom. He had one eye peeking and the other one shut. And, he was laughing at all the kids while they cleaned up his naughty mess!
Poor kid was freaked out all day long by this leprechaun business. All day long, she talked non-stop about the leprechaun. She barely took a breath, just talk talk talk talk... working it all out in her head I suppose.
At night, she had trouble falling asleep. I had to lay with her and as soon as I did, she was asleep in no time. She wanted to sleep in her "camping spot" next to my bed so that she would be safe. And she made sure to ask me several times if I locked all of the doors. She was afraid the leprechaun would come in our house and make a mess.
Sure enough, she whimpered and whined in her sleep all night long, like a little lost puppy. At one point, her dreams woke her up. She went downstairs with Daddy and they rocked for a while. But, she was having bad dreams all night even after she woke up. She was crying in her sleep too. It's awful when your kid is having bad dreams and you know you can't get in her dream to rescue her!
I just talk to her and tell her she is safe. The whimpering usually stops when I do that, but she starts crying again. Sure enough, this morning she was a big grouch! Miss Crabby pants has been rotten all day long. She wouldn't even snap out of her mood to go to gymnastics and she loves gymnastics! She stayed home with Dad while I took little sis to gymnastics; she wasn't gonna miss it for the world!
I don't understand why she has such frequent bad dreams, but I sure knew what set her off this time! It was that naughty leprechaun! If I catch that little green menace, I'm gonna make him clean up and say sorry. Gracie suggests we give him a time out too. So much for St Paddy's day around this house. This holiday went straight to the bottom of the list of fun holidays.
The next holiday is a rabbit who comes in our house at night while we are sleeping and leaves eggs and jelly beans? Oh no. There really isn't much of a difference is there?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Happy 5th Birthday!
My cute chubby little baby suddenly turned 5 years old! Not sure how that happened so darn fast. She was just a ball of baby blubber not very long ago. Now she's a dancing, prancing, singing 5 year old. Amazing how time flies when you are having fun!
She really is fun. Always has been and I think she always will be. We sure have a good time together. Gracie loves to go places and we do a lot of that!
We didn't do much to celebrate her birthday, but that is exactly what she wanted. She wanted her sisters, Charlie and a cake. That's it. So, that's just what she got. We got her some gifts, but nothing extravagant or expensive.
She did say she wanted to go to Disneyland on her birthday. If that's what the kid wants, that's easy enough! No party, no extra fuss, just a fun day with mom and little sis. Awesome! I quickly finished sewing the Jessie costumes, hand sewing all of the sequin work. We planned to go and I took the day off from babysitting Charlie so that we could go on her birthday, but....
The first rule of going to Disneyland is that Mommy must get enough sleep to function. That didn't happen so we didn't go. Everyone took a long afternoon nap the day before, which messed up the whole night, which messed up the trip to Disneyland. And then of course, everyone was too tired to even make it through the day so we all napped again! Ugh, the domino effect on the sleep schedule wreaks havoc on our entire week!
On her birthday, we all laid around the living room and played with her new toys, colored in her new coloring book, and watched her new movie. We finished off the cake and put a dent in the pie. It was a nice lazy day with everyone home. Gracie loved her lazy day birthday! She said it was the best birthday ever!
I guess we'll go to Disneyland next week. She can still get her birthday button and have a fun day.
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