Bama Bound

We're on our way!

We got out the door (almost) on time this morning.  We picked up Grandma Barb and headed east.  For anyone who didn't hear, Ainsley got to come with us!  She will be flying back to Iowa with grandma Barb next week.  This way Ben and Ainsley aren't separated as long and Mom and Ainsley aren't separated as long.  We borrowed a DVD player so the kids were able to watch movies, they colored and ate tons of snacks.  Ainsley didn't nap at all before we stopped for an early dinner.  Which ended up in a total meltdown for both of them.  As soon as we got back in the car they both promptly fell asleep.  We made it to Kentucky just a few miles from the Tennesee border.  We have about 3 and a half hours of travel time left for tomorrow so hoping to do a little sight seeing in Nashville and then get settled in when we get to Birmingham.

Thanks for all the prayers and messages!  I'll be sure to continue to answer them as I can!

Birmingham or Bust

It's been four months since I blogged last!  Crazy!  Well, there are probably a million things I could share but I want to get right into some good news.

Ben was accepted into the contraint-induced therapy program at Children's of Alabama.  So we are going to Birmingham!

This is a nationally, and even internationally renowned program for kids with CP or pediatric stroke.  We are scheduled to go in January of 2015 - that's the soonest available.  It is a three week, intensive therapy program.  Ben will go to therapy four or five days a week for three or four hours.  I'm going to go down with him and stay two weeks and Jeremy will come down for the last week while I go home and then bring Ben home when he's done.

So we'll have to buy three round trip plane tickets, find a place to stay for three weeks and buy food, rent a car (maybe - I don't even know), entertain ourselves when we aren't at therapy, and probably twenty-seven other things I'm not even thinking of right now.  Luckily we have awhile to plan...and save...

So what's contraint-induced therapy you ask?  Well, they constrain the "good" hand/arm and force the patient to use the affected hand/arm.  In this program they do that with casting.  They will put a cast on his right arm and hand so he has to use his left arm and hand.  Sounds like torture you say?  Yep, I think so too.  However, it works.  It's proven to improve functionality of the affected hand.  Ben has very limited movement and use of his left hand.  He'll never use it like you and I do but we can only improve from where he's at.  Here's a couple clips I sent in as part of his application:

Let me tell you...he is NOT going to like this.  I anticipate this will be an emotional test as much as a physical one.  I'm kind of nervous about it but these people know what they are doing so I'm going to trust them.  And take wine.  For me...not for Ben. 

Christmas and My New Job

We had a wonderful Christmas!  I hope you all did too!  

Ben and Ainsley were spoiled by everyone and got so many cute gifts, toys and clothes.  Their "big" gifts from Santa were their "iPads" which are really Kindle Fires.  They just call them iPads because Mommy and Daddy have iPads.  They love to watch PBS kids on them.  Let me know what other apps your toddlers love.

They also got a Mega Block castle and an art easel with paper, chalkboard and whiteboard.  Santa left them a message on it but he must have been getting pretty tired from his busy night...

Jeremy and I weren't supposed to exchange gift because we pretty much get what we want anyway but I found this gem in my stocking...

It's the Naked 3 pallette and I'm in LOVE!

He also made me this thoughtful gift with the medal and my race bib from the Des Moines Half Marathon last October...

I absolutely love it and I'm going to display it at work in my cubicle...speaking of work...

I LOVE my new job.  Quick description: I review prior authorization requests for Iowa Medicaid.  So if a drug is not on Iowa Medicaid's formulary and a prescriber wants their patient to have it the have to send us a request for prior authorization.  I review the request as well as our criteria for the drug and the patient's history (ie what else have they tried to treat this condition) and determine if the therapy is appropriate.  While it was sometimes frustrating dealing with PAs in the retail pharmacy it's interesting to see it from this side.  Obviously it's also important to ensure we are appropriately managing the funds allocated to pay for prescriptions while also giving patients appropriate treatment.  It's a fine line and not always as black and white as I thought it would be. 

So here's me listening to my music while I work.  I love being able to listen to my music and it keeps me focused otherwise I start listening to other people's conversations...which are usually one-sided since they're on the phone.  

I happened to take this picture to share with Jeremy how much I was enjoying myself some One Direction. Ha!

I hope everyone is having a great week and have a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Half Marathon

I ran my first half marathon!  This was a bucket list type thing for me and I decided I wasn't getting any younger so I signed up...last MARCH.  I knew I had to sign up early so that I would train for it.  Running is NOT something that comes easy to me.  I actually hate it.  Or at least I did.  I would literally cry when it was time to do the dreaded mile run in school.  I'm just not a natural born runner.  It's hard for me.

So anyway, I decided to do this and when I decide to do something it usually gets done.  I'm pretty stubborn.

I started with the Couch to 5k running program.  I had done that the previous year and I feel like it's a great way to ease into running.  I quickly abandoned it this time though because I was overwhelmed by the fact that I had to eventually run thirteen MILES and it was hard, starting out at least, to run thirteen MINUTES.  So I just kind of ran and did what I could and gradually increased the running and decreased the walking.  I honestly didn't stick to a rigid training schedule.  I only ran a max of three days a week.  This last couple months I usually only ran twice a week - one long run and a shorter run.  I do however like Hal Higdon's training plans and when I do the next one I'll try to follow his training schedule a little closer.

The most I ran before the race was 10 miles.  It was a good run too but the last couple miles were hard so I was pretty nervous coming up around 8 miles on race day.  I hadn't walked...at all...at that point though and so I decided that if I had made it that far I could make it the rest of the way.  Running is, for me at least, more of a mental game than a physical one.  It's about THINKING you can do something.

I started to wear out around mile eleven.  It was uphill back into downtown and it took me awhile to settle down my breathing.  Then about mile twelve we saw a runner passed out cold on the side of the road.  Emergency services hadn't even got there yet, it had just happened.  It was so scary.  You could tell she passed out while running and she fell and hit her head on the pavement.  I'm so praying she is alright.

That last mile was H.A.R.D.  I was out of energy and just trying to power through.  I had to focus everything I had on running and continuing forward momentum.  Jeremy was giving me so much encouragement and telling me I was doing a great job every couple minutes.  At one point I told him to stop because I couldn't reply since I was so out of energy and conserving every drop and was feeling bad that he was encouraging me but I couldn't say anything back.  I'd regret that later...

I seriously wish they had every 10th marked on the last mile.  I NEEDED to know where I was at and unfortunately I forgot to start my Garmin at the start line and didn't remember until about six tenths of a mile into the race.  This was probably due to the fact that I was having trouble with my music and spent the first half mile running and trying to figure out why my music wouldn't play.  Likely the result of a new phone AND headphones the week of the race.  But eventually all my "gear" was working and my panic attack ended - ha!

So I ran out of music about mile 12.  I decided not to bother restarting and just focus on the crowd and my surroundings.  Let's talk for a second about the signs people had.  People are so creative!

Run like you stole something!

Run now.  Poop later.  Never trust a fart.

Smile if you're not wearing underwear.

This parade sucks!  Where's the candy?  

Where are you all going?

The person who finishes this race is not
the same person who started it.  

I don't know you but I'm proud of you.  

(This one seriously made me tear up)

I loved all the signs.  I loved all the people with cow bells - love me some cow bell!  I loved all the kids (and adults) who gave me high fives.  Seriously, high fives are the best.  I loved seeing my friends as we were going into Waterworks park and they were coming out.  I loved talking with strangers around us as we ran.  I loved that there was freaking Red Bull...while we were running.  I loved all the music and bands along the way.  I loved running along side my husband and spending two and a half hours of time together, just the two of us.  I loved how he kept telling me he was having so much fun.  I loved that I *didn't* throw up...it was touch and go for awhile before I started.  I loved that there were so many older runners around us.  I'm slow so we were definitely with the older crowd but one lady was celebrating her 53rd birthday...running a freaking half MARATHON!  I want to be her.  

So basically, I loved this race and I think I'll do it again.  I can't believe I'm saying that.  Six weeks ago I said, out loud, that after this race I was never running again in my life.  Then my long runs clicked.  And eight miles felt good!  And now I'm a runner I guess.  A runner that runs like a herd of turtles through peanut butter...but a runner nonetheless.  

As we crossed the finish line (at a 6:22 pace - what?!) the lady who finished right behind us had to tell Jeremy thank you for encouraging me.  She knew he was talking to me and helping me through the last mile but it really helped her keep going too.  And then I felt like a tool.  Seriously, that Jeremy's a keeper.  I don't deserve him but I'll hang on tooth and nail and hope he doesn't find that out.

My goal was truly to finish but I was sort of hoping for a 2:30 finish time.  I finished in 2:38:49.  I was dissapointed for about 3 seconds until I remember I just ran THIRTEEN POINT FREAKING ONE miles and I NEVER walked.  Now I have something to work towards!

A huge congratulations to my BFF Kelly and her husband Steve who PR'd and finished in 1:58:57.  Also to my friend Matt who ran the FULL marathon and beat his goal time be a freaking half HOUR!  Who does that?!  Props to Audrey, Greg (who was one of those crazy pacers - how the heck to they hold those signs the whole time?!), and Dena who are all amazing, inspirational runners.  And congratulations to EVERYONE who finished!

22 Months

Ben and Ainsley are 22 months old!

They are both turning into such "toddlers" now.  They aren't really babies anymore, though they'll always be my babies.  They can say what they want and get around to where they want to go.  Everyone says it, and I've said it a million times, but time really does fly.  Especially when you take a second to reflect and think how far you've come.  I had a wonderful "kairos" moment in the kitchen the other day when I was holding Ainsley on my hip and was just really overcome with what an amazing gift she and her brother are.  There really were times when we didn't know if we'd get to be parents and looking into a child's face that is half you and half your spouse is truly one of God's greatest gifts.

Enough sappy talk!  On with the pictures!

Snuggling on the couch watching Sesame Street.  Whoever would have guessed this would be the best way to spend my birthday morning?!

Fell asleep and his glasses fell off on the way to therapy. 

A new trick!  

Playing in our playhouse from Uncle Larry and Aunt Vickie!

First time eating Lemon Tree frozen yogurt.

After a haircut

Rocking away at Cracker Barrel

Going down the slide at the Iowa State Fair

Swimming & Jumping

Ben and Ainsley are enjoying the pool this summer.  We have a little inflatable pool at home and we've been to Grandma Betty's pool a couple times.  They are both doing really well and loving the water.

20 Months

Ben and Ainsley are 20 months old!  I think it might be getting to the point where it's weird that we're still counting in months...but I'm going to keep doing it until they are two years old and then I'll back off on the blog posts a little.

Ben - You are such a lover!  You are so incredibly sweet and will always give kisses and hugs when we ask for them.  You are such a flirt with everyone and like to play shy and cover your eyes when strangers talk to you.  You are really into peek-a-boo right now and will cover your eyes and wait for us to say "Where's Ben?" and then throw your hand off and we'll say "Peek-a-boo!" It's adorable and you just love the attention.

You are scooting all over and can really get wherever you want...even over the threshold to get out onto the deck.  We need to get the deck sanded and sealed so you'll quit getting splinters all over - you've had them in your hand, feet, leg and even your behind! They don't seem to slow you down any though.

You are starting to take steps if we help support you and keep you held up.  You don't quite have standing and balancing down yet but moving your feet in a stepping motion is a HUGE step for you.  We are so thankful Miss Kim has been helping you work on that every week at PT and you usually walk on the treadmill there.

Another BIG development lately is giving "fives" with your left hand.  It is so awesome that you know what we mean when we tell you to use your left hand now and you can do it!

You are loving reading books still and you like to bring us a book and then get as close to us as physically possible to read it.  You'll even stick your little nose down really close and you usually get pretty excited and "read" along. 

You are growing so fast and we love you more and more everyday.  Mom and Dad are continuously impressed by your perseverance and you are such an inspiration!

Ainsley - You are quite the sassy sweetheart lately!  You have really come into your own personality and are very clear about what you want and don't want.  Your probably say "No!" 200 times a day.  So that's the sassy part but you are still such a Momma's girl and love to be held all the time and be loved on.

You are very into babies right now.  You have a couple Cabbage Patch babies you always want at home and you have dolls you like at daycare too.  You always ask for your babies and want to carry them around.  You have a pink blankie you love too and a puppy you sleep with and in the mornings you have to have a baby, the blankie and the puppy in order to leave your crib.

You still love reading books and you always have to sit right on Mom or Dad's lap.  Right now your favorite is Busy Timmy - a Little Golden book that was Mom's when she was little.  You always ask for "Timmy" and it's pretty darn cute!

You are quite the little parrot and mimic almost all words and actions now.  It always amazes me the things you learn that we did NOT teach you.  You always like to grab my hair spray bottle and pretend like your spraying your hair just like I do - you even make a sound like the spray bottle does.

You are definitely more reserved with strangers than your brother and you act like you are not impressed when people talk to you.  You always get compliments on your curls when we go places.   You're new thing to say is "Here." You will bring us something and say, "Here, Mommy" or Here, Daddy" or "Here, Bubby."  You call Ben "Bubby" which sounds like "Bobby" and is VERY cute.  You've also recently (and suddenly) started says Mommy and Daddy versus Momma and Dadda which makes you seem way more grown up!

We went swimming at Grandma Betty's pool the other day and you loved it!  You had a blast jumping in from the side while holding Mom or Dad's hands and kept saying "Again! Again!"  You and Ben are doing swim lessons along with all the other kiddos from daycare in a couple weeks which I think you'll love.

We love you so much and love seeing you grown into such an amazing little girl!  

The Zoo

While Mom and Dad were in Vegas Ben and Ainsley went to the Zoo with Grandma.  Here's the evidence:

Just lounging...after I worked my shoes and socks off...

Prairie Dogs!

Safari hats - yay!

Using his killer pitching arm to feed the goldfish.

Hanging out behind the stroller eating leftover lunch - this is totally my daughter.

And beautiful Miss Violet after taking a little snooze!  I'm trying to get her mom to 

start a blog but seriously people, she is THE cutest and has the greatest voice you've ever 

heard come from a baby's mouth.  I die.  

High Five - With Lefty!

This video says it all.

So proud of this guy! 

P.S. - We're not supposed to say "lefty" we're supposed to say "left hand" so ignore the title.
Also, please ignore my early morning scariness of no make up and glasses and crazy hair. 

"Daisy"

Guess who said "Daisy" for the first time tonight???

THIS GUY!

We were getting ready to go to bed and he was sitting on Dad's lap and watching Daisy and wanting to get down to play with her and he said it!  Plain as day!

And then I coaxed him into saying it THREE more times! 

He says it more clearly than his sister!

Praise God for this beautiful miracle who we worry about every day but does everything in his own time!

YAY!

Swings & Chairs

We went to the park and Ben and Ainsley got to swing for the first time.  They LOVED it!

 

 

 

There are some pretty good baby giggles in the videos <3

 

We came home and sat on the deck for a little bit.  I got these baby sized chairs at Wal-Mart and they loved them.