Horoscope

I am not to big on reading my horoscope, but today I read it and this is what it had to say:

"You shouldn't be in a hurry today, no matter what kind of deadline you're on. There's something about running around like a chicken with its head cut off that flips a panic switch in your brain, diverting energy from your gray matter and confusing you more than helping you. You need to be concentrating today on the small details and on what you can affect. Stop worrying about what you can't control. That will free up a lot of your energy and keep you happier."

This is so true, more often than not I feel like a chicken with my head cut off!

Standing

Restless Legs Syndrome

A few years ago I was diagnosed with Restless Legs Syndrome. Tonight my restless leg is so bad it is preventing me from being able to go to bed so I thought I would blog. For those who don't know what Restless Legs Syndrome is I will fill you in. RLS is a neurological condition that is characterized by the irresistible urge to move the legs. The leg pain of restless leg syndrome typically eases with motion of the legs and becomes more noticeable at rest. Restless leg syndrome also features worsening of symptoms during the early evening or later at night. The characteristic nighttime worsening of symptoms in persons with restless legs syndrome frequency leads to insomnia. To read more about RLS click here.

Almost 12

I took Raegan to see the dietitian today and her weight is up to 11lbs 15oz. She is gained 12oz in the last 2 weeks. I am very excited. The doctor said that we would like to see her weight slow down just a little since she is not very long. So with this news today Raegan wont be needing to go back on a feeding tube. I guess the only other news to report is that Raegan has some sort of food allergy, but we are not sure what it is. Once I stopped giving Raegan breast milk and just formula the vomiting slowed down at least by half. I don't think she has a dairy allergy, but right now there is no way to find out what she is allergic to. They said we will find out what it is once she starts eating solids and that is a few months away.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Pictures part 2

Between me and the dogs she wasn't napping any more and
I was able to take a few good pictures!!

Pictures

Oh so sweet!!!

Still holding her toys while she takes a nap

Sleeping while I put the Laundry away

I put the Jump-up down as far as it would go and she could touch the ground!!!

Not tall enough!!!

Raegan's Learning

One of my favorite parts of being a stay-at-home mom is seeing my daughter grow and learn before my very eyes.

Before she was born, I wasn't sure how challenging it would be to have an infant with hydrocephalus. Doctors said to expect a severely mentally challenged child, and so I tried to prepare myself as much as I could. I found an advanced copy of Bright From the Start, by Dr. Jill Stamm, at a book store nd I read it twice, bookmarking all the tips I could find to help me nurture my child's developing mind.

Faithfully, God heard our cries and prayers, and Raegan was born pretty healthy. She still has hydrocephalus, but it doesn't seem to be affecting her in any way! Even though she may not be delayed at this point, I believe it is important to stimulate her brain and take advantage of teachable moments throughout her young life.

Here are some great examples of some of the things we do during the day:

• Label objects and actions throughout the day. I talk to Raegan and introduce her to the things around her. I point out the different things around us, the light and the table, her toys. You can tell she is taking it all in.
  
• We change and rotate toys occasionally to keep her attention.
• Play "crossing the midline" game. I use a rattle for this activity. I Shake the toy up and down and from side to side to engage Raegans eye contact. This will help connect and strengthen the two hemispheres of the brain. According to Bright From the Start, "the better the connection between its [the brain] sides, the more smoothly the whole brain is able to work and therefore the better the learning of certain skills."
• Read Read Read! We read to Raegan even if she seems uninterested. Reading provides auditory stimulation and increases the number of words she hears. I know it's a great habit to get into so Raegan will be familiar with reading and more prepared for school later on.
• Music and simple songs/rhymes. I never really thought this had much of an impact on babies, except entertainment. I was completely wrong! Raegan has a CD that she use's to take naps and at night when she goes to bed. She also likes signing and dancing to the different rhyming songs.
  

February is...

Monthly Observances:

• Library Lover Month
• National Black History Month
• National Cherry Pie Month
• National Mend A Broken Heart Month
• National Time Management Month
• Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month

Weekly Observances:

• Dump Your Significant Jerk Week 7th-13th
• Jell-O Week 8th-14th
• Celebration of Love Week 10th-16th
• Random Acts of Kindness Week 11th-17th
• Great Back Yard Bird Count week 13th-16th
• International Friendship Week 17th-23rd
• National Pancake week 22nd-28th

Daily Observances:

• G.I. Joe Day 1st
• Groundhog Day 2nd
• Weatherman's Day 5th
• Wave All Your Fingers at Your Neighbor's Day 7th
• Read in the Bathtub Day 9th
• White Shirt Day 11th
• Blame Someone Else Day 13th
• Friday the 13th 13th
• Ferris Wheel Day 14th
• National Have A Heart Day 14th
• Valentines Day 14th
• National Gum Drop Day 15th
• Chocolate Mint Day 19th
• Clam Chowder Day 21st
• Single Tasking Day 21st
• International Pancake Day 24th
• Mardi Gras 24th
• National Chili Day 26th
• International Sword Swallowers Day 28th
• National Tooth Fairy Day 28th

And those are just a few... Who knows about these things? I randomly came across them and couldn't help but post a few of them. Maybe I will do this every month just for fun! For the full list you can go to www.brownielocks.com.

Swimming

Raegan went swimming for the first time today. We went to the Kids Club in Salmon Creek. She had so much fun. She lasted an hour in the pool. I was impressed that she lasted that long.

Melissa, Bentley, Michelle, Landon, Me, & Raegan

Hi Daddy!

Me, Raegan, Bentley, & Melissa

Raegan enjoyed looking up...