Guess who

After looking at some pics the other day and having a total ball when people guessed wrong....I'm sharing some pics with others......Can you figure out who is who?


Me




















Jeremy















Julie (ha ha that was a trick photo)



















Taylor














Ashtyn













Ashtyn

Jealous

Oh the joys of warm weather. Everyone comes out of their hibernation and flock to anywhere thats not inside the house. There's been a lot of get-togethers in the midwest of families with kids that have limb differences and I'm so sad and jealous I can't be there. Sammy's Friends and I-Can have been valuable resources in getting people together..... just not me. There are only a few people in my area of the country and it seems we have more differences than things in common, wether its the age of our kids...or that the people who want to meet are adults who want to meet other adults, geographic location, the limb difference itself, wether we want to drive or have people come to us and the fact that there's not a whole lot to do.... especially that everyone would enjoy as a whole. We don't have any zoos or big theme parks, our fairs are pretty lame (with the exception of Hopkington State Fair. And the one day in the entire year when something entertaining actually happens near me, Old Homes Day, when we have THE BEST FIREWORKS EVER (besides Disney), which we watch right in my yard, is also the same day as my Family Reunion so its not like I can invite people over for a cookout or something since I won't be around until fireworks time. And Jeremy wouldn't likely be here either since he'll most likely be the one running the train during the fireworks. I really hate New Hampshire. I'm in the middle of no where.

So now what?

My Mom and Dave came down to snag Ashtyn for the weekend and left 20 minutes ago. I'm already bored and can't figure out what to do with myself. Taylor's still hanging out with me but she doesn't require as much work as Ashtyn does. I'm so used to my 24/7 mommy-hood, that I don't know what to do when I'm short a child or both. Last night my parents watched both of the girls so Jeremy and I could have some much needed time away..... we haven't been alone together since our fakie honeymoon back in April of 2007.... and I was completely at a loss when we had to figure out what to do. This was my second night out since Ashtyn was born and all I could think of was "what are the kids doing right now?" I whine and carry on about how I want to have a few hours away to do something..... anything..... and then it finally happens and I have no idea what to do. I'm lost without my babies. Its insane. It might have been a different story if it was warm out and daytime, then I could have ridden my Harley.... that's always enjoyable, but a night out...... I hate the bar, and I'm too poor to enjoy it, same with dinner at a restaurant. Why spend 50 bucks to eat something I could have made at home for $4? Last night was kind of an eye opener of how my priorities have changed so much since having Ashtyn. And as much as I still hate spending countless hours at home, I'd really rather do that than do whatever it was I used to do before them. I've turned into a hermit against my will. I only enjoy being out if its with my kids. Playgroups, the beach, the pool, wherever as long as I've got Ashtyn and Taylor by my side. Even when Ashtyn is being absolutely unbearable, I'd rather be with her, than not. 10 years ago, I didn't want kids....and now look at me, I have forgotten how to live and function without them. I'm offically a complete sap.

Aahhhh! The joys of nap time

Five minutes finally :) So alot of people (somehow) have missed some important things in the goings-on of our family. So I figured I'd inform and clarify. Ashtyn has now been out of diapers for 7 months now. I decided if I shared the news back in July when it all went down I would be jinxing it and she would revert back into diapers so I just never said anything. I've just kind of assumed people figured it out a while ago but I recently have had a few people asked me "when are you going to potty train her?" So now it is clarified.... no more diapers for Ashtyn :) She has also finally hit 36 inches!!! So now my little monkey can go on all the rides at the fair and Storyland!!! Also.....Ashtyn is turning 3 in April, not 4 or 5 like some seem to believe.......don't rush it. I know the terrible two stuff SUCKS but I don't want to see her off to school yet....Little Taylor has hit 13 pounds now and is about to be introduced to the world of yucky baby cereal. Her first tooth/teeth should be through any day now.....they are driving her crazy.....poor kiddo. Her hip issue.... I've been doing the ROM exercises with her since November when we first heard there could be an issue and they've helped but she's still limited. I have a physical therapist and some other specialists coming to evaluate her this week and depending on their findings, they might be doing home visits (yay!) to do some OT/PT with her and we're going to Dartmouth to get her x-rays done in a couple weeks which will pretty much clear up any questions of whether or not there is anything to worry about besides tight muscles or whatever. Jeremy has almost finished his "student" period of engineering the train. He will have his engineer license soon and driving the train all on his own. Hopefully he also gets a raise :) The only kind-of downside to that is he's one step closer to taking that position up North and making me pack all my junk again to move up there. And along with the move....sell this house and build one up there!!!! AHHHHHH! I'm torn about that idea. I'm not done fixing this house and after all the thousands of hours of excruciating labor, I don't know if I want to get rid of this house. But its beyond gorgeous up there. 80 Acres of trees, grass, deer, moose and all the other woodland critters. No more route 12 traffic along my property threatening to enter my yard or home.....the sweet sound of silence..... and the threat of Jeremy building a house....YIKES! I love him but he's no carpenter. Oh well time will tell. Still no news on the Ryan situation..... we'll all know when the answers come...... and we're all praying for the best. My 5 minutes are apparently up.......

Goodbye 2008

As 2008 comes to an end...

1) Where did you begin 2008?

At home, on my couch with Jeremy and Ashtyn.....missing the ball drop because NBC messed up the NYEve programming

2) What was your status by Valentine' Day.

married

3) Were you in school (anytime this year)?

no

4) How did you earn your money?

watching kids, cleaning, plowing, mowing, etc

5) Did you have to go to the hospital?

Yes, Twice. 4 days after Ashtyn's 2nd birthday, Ashtyn had her first ER adventure after she fell and stuck a straw in her eye!!! Luckily there was no severe damage, she just shaved part of her cornea which healed up very quickly. I found out quick how much kids don't like it when you put medicine in their eyes..... and then in September, I got to have my happy stay at Valley Regional to deliver our newest family member, Taylor.

6) Did you have any encounters with the police?

Yes, several. There was a string of thefts in town this summer as some of you may recall me cursing about. The first hit to my house they stole all the gas out of tractor, atv's and jeep, the second time they stole my f-ing car!!!! and the third time they didn't get a damn thing!!!! Jerks.

7) Where did you go on vacation?

Orleans, Vermont.....to our camp

8) What did you purchase that was over $1000?

2002 Ford Explorer for Valentine's Day and a 2008 Yamaha Grizzley 700 for my birthday

9) Did you know anybody who got married?

My baby sister Julie on FRIDAY!!!!! February 8....Why on a Friday???? Because she's a pain :) I love you Julie.

10) Did you have any new additions to your family?

2, My daughter Taylor and my cousin Bailey

11) Did you know anybody who passed away?

Unfortunatly. RIP Boomer

12) Did you move anywhere?

no

13) What concerts/shows did you go to?

none :(

14) Are you registered to vote?

yes. And for the first time, I actually voted.

15) Who did you want to win Big Brother?

I don't watch it

16) Where do you live now?

New Hampshire....still

17) Describe your birthday?

Sadly, I don't remember. Being 2 days after Ashtyn's, mine just kind of comes and goes. I know I got a new Grizzley though!!!

18) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2008?

Manage to not have a nervous breakdown. 2008 was a very bad/crazy year. It seems like bad news was around every corner. In April, my step brother was in a very bad car accident, he actually just recently ended his never-ending stay at one hospital after the other, but that was not a good time to say the least. Then in June, I went for my ultrasound to "find out the gender" of my little munchkin, just to find out she didn't have a left hand and then hear that I needed a battery of other tests to make sure she was actually OK in all other aspects. When I got home from that appointment, I recieved a 2 week notice from 2 of the 3 kids I was providing daycare for, then that night had to tell my husband "hey, I lost 2 kids today, so we have no money coming in on my end and oh, by the way, we're having a girl (ha ha I win) and she only has one hand" that was a rough week. so we eventually told the family and everyone had their initial tears but was totally fine. Once we finally found out Taylor was fine and going to be a perfectly healthy, normal little girl, the fog seemed to disipate for a while. Then, two days after Taylor was born, my sister and her husband were in a terrible crash..... one of the passengers died..... a few bumps and bruises to Julie and Ryan, Rachel, a friend of ours, got the worst of the "boo-boo's", she broke her nose and had to get a zillion stitches and whatnot to fix her poor nose.... but so now Ryan is going to court for this and that's just making stuff all sorts of crazy. That's just the icing on the cake. I won't bore you with the rest.

19) What has been your favorite moment?

When Taylor was born and Ashtyn was so proud and excited to have a baby sister.

20) What's something you learned about yourself?

I CAN NOT AND WILL NOT DELIVER WITHOUT AN EPIDURAL!!!!!!

21) What was your best month?

February..... I looked hot at Julie's wedding (and I had just found out I was pregnant)

22) What music will you remember 2008 by?

none

23) Who has been your best drinking buddy?

Ashtyn and Taylor.....we get to be sober together...yippee

24) Made new friends?

The computer

25) New or old best friend?

I have no idea what I am supposed to say to that...

26) Favorite Night out?

Ummmmm When I have one, I'll let you know.

ABC's and 123's

1. Books

Assata - Assata Shakur
Baby and Fly Pie, The - Melvin Burgess
Charlotte's Web - EB White
Diary - Chuck Palahniuk, Dangerous Angels - Francesca Lia Block, Dry - Augusten Burroughs
Exes, The - Paige Kennedy
Fried Green Tomotoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe - Fannie Flagg
Girl, Interupted - Susanna Kaysen, Go Ask Alice
High Fidelity - Nick Hornby
I
JOJO's Blog (I have no "J" book and I love your blog :) )
K
L
Million Little Pieces, a - James Fry
N
One Handed in a Two Handed World - Tommye-Karen Mayer (Not what I had expected)
P
Q
Rule of the Bone - Russell Banks
Smack - Melvin Burgess
Trailer Park - Russell Banks
Unbearable Lightnss of Being - Milan Kundera (working on reading it...son't know if its good or not yet... John Cusack just won't leave it out of his movies so I figured I'd give it a shot)
Very Best Book of Baby Names, the - Barbara Kay Turner
W
X
You Don't Know Me - David Klass
Z

2. Movies

Ace Ventura Pet Detective
Breakfast Club, the
Cars
Dogma
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Fried Green Tomatoes
Girl, Interupted
High Fidelity
Intolerable Cruelty
Joe Dirt
Kill Bill
Love Actually
Monsters, Inc
Natural Born Killers
O Brother Where Art Thou
Porky's, Poor White Trash
Q
Resident Evil
Sixteen Candles
Twenty Eight Days Later
Uptown Girls
Van Wilder (its ok)
Water World
X
Young Guns 2
Z

3. Music

Ani Difranco, Alice In Chains
Bouncing Souls
Counting Crows, CCR
Drop Kick Murphys
Eels
F
Guns and Roses
Hot Hot Heat
ICP (Great Malinko)
Jack Off Jill
KMFDM
Liz Phair
Murder City Devils, Marilyn Manson
Nine Inch Nails
Operation Ivy
Poe
Queen
Rancid, Rob Zombie
Scarling, Simon and Garfunkel
Tracy Bonham, Tool, Tegan and Sarah
U
Violent Femmes
White Zombie, White Stripes
XEO3 (at least the one song I have on my playlist)
Young, Neil
Zebra Head


Any suggestions to fill in the blanks??????