Spina Bifida Moms My experiences as a disabled mom with spina bifida raising my healthy and active daughter Statistics Unique Visitors: Total Unique Visitors: Outgoing: Total Outgoing: 0 0 1 4245

Articles from Spina Bifida Moms

Mama Monday #86 2007-12-03 07:28:00 Theme: SurprisesFor the last two months or so, I've had the great honor of posting each week's theme over at Mama Says Om. No, I wasn't the one who came up with the new themes - I just looked at my provided list and published the new word on their site.So yesterday I went to log on to post the new theme - which was to be "Surprises" - when I received a shocking surprise myself - Mama Says Om is shutting down. Effective December 2nd.Oh! How sad! I've had so much fun writing my Mama Mondays over the last year and a half. I can't believe this very special community of strong Mamas will no longer be available to me (at least in this form) or that I'll no longer feel the thrill of learning the new writing prompt, allowing my mind to wander and my words to wrap around their themes in unique and meaningful ways.It's been a joy, Mamas. I real pleasure to work with you, to join with you, and to write with you. I've had a blast with your site and I am extremely sad to see it go.At the sa ...

Sweetie Saturday #85 - The "That Not Make Any Sense" Edition 2007-12-01 06:49:00 When Sweetie was younger and she didn't understand something we told her, she'd always say,That not make any sense.Well, Sweetie? Lately, it's you who's not making any sense.For example...I love Sweetie's book Bear Snores On. If she'd let me read it to her every night at bedtime, that would be fine with me. Trouble is - she never lets me read it to her at all. She always picks a different book.But the other night she finally agreed that I could read it. Great!After the story, I commented about how much I really liked it, with Sweetie responding,Yeah! I love that story!You do? But you never let me read it to you.Yeah. But now I've been to Hershey, so now I like it.Huh? What the heck does that have to do with anything?! That not make any sense at all!------------------------Similar reasoning was explained to me this past Monday when I turned the channel away from Bob The Builder.Hey! Don't change the channel, Mama! I love Bob The Builder!What? You hardly ever watch this?Well, I' ...

Always Somewhere - and Sometimes, Something Else 2007-11-28 20:14:00 Aaaaannnndddd..... here we go with another cold already. Great. At least it's just me this time - for now (knock on wood). Hmmmm.....gee..... a quick look at my last several posts here reminds me.... things have gotten, shall we say, very formulaic around these parts. A Sweetie Saturday here, a Mama Monday there, here a picture, there a picture, everywhere a health issue... This old New England farmhouse sure is churning out some boring stuff lately. And I do whole-heartedly apologize for that.That being said, I'm not here to make excuses. However, I suppose that's what the following is going to sound like anyway. Here goes nothing... Now that I'm writing practically everyday at 3 separate sites, I suppose I feel the need to compartmentalize a bit, just to help keep myself organized. Here I focus my writings on all things having to do with being a disabled parent with spina bifida (Ha! Isn't that exactly what this very blog was set up to achieve?! How... ironic). Here I focus on ...

Mama Monday #85 2007-11-26 07:45:00 Theme: EarthSorry. Just not feelin' up to it this week. So I thought I'd give y'all a quiz.What on earth is this?Hint - I have posted this picture before, somewhere deep in my archives. I see something very definite in this splat. What do you see?---------------------------------------So, what's your take on this week's theme? Submit your entry today. ...

Sweetie Saturday #84 2007-11-24 08:07:00 Last weekend Hubby and I celebrated his birthday a little early by going out for sushi and then to a comedy show. Sweetie slept over at Nana and Papa's house.When I called my mom the next morning to ask how their night was, I was told that everything went well. Sweetie went to bed shortly after 8pm and never made a peep until after 7am that morning.Mom went on to tell me that, after Sweetie got up, she went to sit with my dad - her Papa - and they cuddled close together in the chair.Then - something wasn't right. Sitting all warm and cozy with Papa, Sweetie soon turned to him and, making a scrunched-up face, told him,Ewww - smells like somebody needs to take a shower!---------------------------------------Last weekend was very birthday filled, as on Sunday we three headed over to my Hubby's parents' house to celebrate my mother-in-law's special day.We were the first to arrive for the festivities, and Sweetie was soon asking her Grammy if there were any games she could play. Grammy ...

Cold Turkey 2007-11-21 18:16:00 Happy Thanksgiving!Wishing all a peaceful, loving day - unfettered by rampant wild turkeys attacking your children.(No, Sweetie's not shielding her face from the oncoming fowl. She's using her "bee-noculars" (magnifying glass) so she can get an even closer look). ...

Mama Monday #84 2007-11-19 07:23:00 Theme: GivingHi Daddy -Happy Birthday! Mama says you're not getting any birthday presents today because you have to order your own present from the tool magazine. But I think that's so sad. I wanted to give you a present just from me!I hope you like this song, Daddy. I love it - just like I love you.I Just Love You, Daddy. I don't know why, I just do.I hope you have a great birthday!Love,Sweetie ...

Sweetie Saturday #83 2007-11-17 07:21:00 Well, I don't have much for you this week, but what I do have to offer, I think, is pretty funny...Hubby found some information on a local acting troupe offering singing or acting lessons to kids of all ages. So I asked Sweetie,Do you want to learn to sing, or learn to act?Sing!You do? You don't want to learn to act?What does "act" mean?It means to learn to be funny, to be on a stage and do a show.Oh! Yeah! That one! I want to do that!---------------------------I'm kind of surprised I've never mentioned this before. Sweetie has an unusual name for her own reflection - Rubber Band (It actually used to be Rub Band, but it's evolved into this current existence.)If ever she's taking a bit too long in the bathroom, I'll go check on her and often find her making faces at and talking to herself.Whattcha doin', Sweetie?Talking to Rubber Band.Oh.So last night as she and I drove home from Nana's, Sweetie was talking about her upcoming birthday party and who was coming. Nana, Papa, Gramm ...

Busy Is No Excuse 2007-11-14 20:32:00 Hey! You know what? I have a new little niece!Actually, she was born at the end of September. The picture's I've seen prove that she's adorable and, from what I hear, she's a pretty easy-going baby. But - I haven't met her yet. And she only lives about 25 minutes away.--------Hey! You know what? I have a new little 1st cousin-once-removed! (My cousin's - who happens to be a great friend of mine - new little son).He's an even more recent addition to the family and I'll get to meet him a few days after Thanksgiving.But - I've only sent my cousin a quick congratulatory email. I haven't yet called to chat with her (as I did after the birth of her daughter).---------I feel so badly about this.Yes, our lives - ALL our lives - are very busy. And we three all had colds recently. Then I had the whole eye trauma thing last week. And nearly every weekend day has been planned to a "T" since as long as I can remember (and will continue to be so until the end of the year, at least. I only ...

Mama Monday #83 2007-11-12 09:25:00 Theme: NewSometimes new is not so great.That's why I'm currently writing this blog post a day ahead of time from my parents' computer.Our own home computer is currently out of commission.In trying to upgrade to the new and improved program system (yeah - I'm so impressive with my lack of computer lingo knowledge. Go on, you can laugh at me. I'll wait...), things went all kerfluey.System down. Computer frozen. Things = ALL AROUND BAD.Luckily, we are friends with a "Mac Guy". Hubby is, right this minute (as I write this) over at his house with our laptop, trying to get things all right again.Last I talked to him, things seemed hopeful.We are, as they say, cautiously optimistic.Thus my reasoning for writing this elsewheres a full day ahead of when I need it posted. Must take precautions in case thing remain kerfluilus. (Yes, that's a word. Because I say it is, that's why).New, schmew. I'll be thrilled if we just wind up with the same ol' computer we had before.New is so over-rate ...

Sweetie Saturday #82 2007-11-10 13:05:00 Sweetie's a smart cookie, but she still gets her divisions of time messed up. For example -Last weekend I needed Sweetie to help me out and get herself dressed. Finally, she did - just at the same time my mom was arriving at our house to drop something off.Where's Sweetie?She's upstairs - supposedly getting herself dressed.In a few seconds, she was downstairs - completely dressed.Good job, Sweetie! Did you remember to put on clean underwear?Uh... no. But - that's okay. Because I already did when I took a bath last year.-------------------She's also recently told the dentist that her birthday is December 20th - which is correct.Oh! That's really close to Christmas!Yeah! Five weeks after Christmas!Uh - no. Not quite.--------------------------------------------------Last Sunday was a lazy day in our house, with Hubby and Sweetie taking a late afternoon nap together on our couch. So cute!Until... she couldn't fall asleep that night.Well, what can I do for you? Should I take your nig ...

taking the red eye.... 2007-11-07 20:37:00 Hello again, Hubby here, with apologies from Amy. Nothing in this household is so traumatic as eye trauma (Amy hates eye trauma, no matter how minor, and has thereby karmically brought it upon herself).Not content to rest at pink eye (I hate pink eye) she's gone on to full-fledged, hollywoods-night-of-the-living-dead, evil-gypsy red-eye.You can call it corneal erosion (which sounds way worse), but I won't. We don't talk of eye trauma in this house.The lights are low, and things are quiet... for now at least.Amy wishes you a good night, She's off to bed, accompanied by my dramatic reading of whatever her current bookclub selection is.... That'll get her mind off the pain. ...

Mama Monday #82 2007-11-05 09:05:00 Theme: RunningUpon driving home later than Sweetie's usual bedtime on Saturday night:Okay Sweetie, as soon as we get home, you have to get your pajamas on and go right to bed. And I have a trick to show you in your room then.A trick?! What is it?!You'll see. It's only in your room. It has to do with the time.Cut to home - downstairs.Okay, Sweetie - what time is it?Looks at clock - 9:50.9:50?! Wow, that's late. We're home late because of the party. You should have been in bed an hour ago! You're usually in bed around 8:50, not 9:50. So let's hurry up and get you upstairs.Upstairs, in her room.Now what time is it, Sweetie?Looks at her big digital clock (which I had turned back earlier that afternoon) - 8:50.Wait for it.... she's going to be amazed! Time? Running backwards?! Wow!... Buuuuutttt..... No. Not so much.Even after reminding her that her bedroom was the only room in the whole house that was in a different time.Hmmmpphhh. Hubby and I were so sure she'd be impressed with ...

Sweetie Saturday #81 2007-11-03 07:10:00 Sweetie really had fun trick-or-treating with my dad on Halloween. But I'm not sure getting all the candy was the highlight for her - I think she was more excited about being out at night.Papa Dave said she talked a lot! About the moon, and the stars (the moon's the daddy and the stars are all the brothers and sisters). Then there's Little Star who's the baby.Sweetie narrated their trip as they went along.*Wow! We're walking in the night! I love the moon! I love walking outside at night! Now I'm skip-a-doodling under the moon and stars....... (later) I want go back now because my eyes are starting to get cold.* Sweetie's narrative as I imagine it, based on what my dad told us about their adventure together-----------------------------------------Sweetie does really love the moon. She loves to watch the sky as we drive to our weekday early morning destinations.Look, Mama! I see the moon! It's right there! And there's Little Star. I love the moon and stars. I wish we could build ...

Cold Hearted Post 2007-10-31 20:26:00 Sweetie has a cold - she came down with it this past Saturday afternoon. But she's okay - she's always been able to handle sickness well, thank goodness.I have a cold too - I came down with it yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon. I think I'm also handling it well. It's just the evenings and mornings that really stink.Hubby (you guessed it) also has a cold. Or so he says - haven't seen much of him lately. But he, like me, is pretty okay with it all except for the beginning and ending of each day.But what I'm really sayin' here is that I'm done. Sweetie's sleeping, nothing's on T.V., the dishes are done, and I feel yucky. I've got to go catch some zzzzz's.In the meantime, don't forget about my other blog posts over at Disaboom and New England Mamas. I blog several times a week at the former, and once every other week at the latter. In both cases, I've posted as recently as a day or two ago.Feel free to comment on my - or anyone's - posts at either sites. NE Mamas is open for any ...