Bittersweet Holidays

The holday season. A time of wonder, delight, and sometimes sadness.

That's what we felt, the day before Christmas Eve. Chloe had her appointment with the Developmental Pediatrician finally. We rode with my grandmother, who insisted on riding with us since the other half couldn't go. (Cue my life flashing before my eyes a few times... she's a terrifying driver...) We ended up about 10 minutes late, but I got us checked in on time.

Long story short, after a long discussion, my baby was finally given the other diagnosis... she has Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Language Disorder, and he said that she is heavily likely to be diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 4.

I don't think I've had a blow that bad since we started trying to work out what was going on with her...

It explains it all, though... every detail can be explained with the diagnosis set she has been given. It doesn't make it any easier to swallow.

Both of us needed a mourning period, so to speak... this was the diagnosis that we were expecting, but not what we had hoped. That said, once we got a chance to talk, after he got off work... It's not like we feel any differently about our Chloe-bear, mind you... it's just a lot to take in. You have to understand, it's the realization that, depending on how she does later on, she may not go to college... she may be in special education her whole time in school, she may never have a true career, move out of the house... it will all depend on how she develops the next few years. And that's what scares us the most, we have no idea what we're getting into long-term. That takes time to understand, even as her parents. But, we came up with a tentative game plan, we're figuring out the therapies we need to get her into, and making sure she will continue what she already has. We will give her the best chance she can get, no matter what we have to sacrifice.

But, the news did make the holidays start out on a bittersweet note.

We trudged through Christmas Eve, went to see family and have dinner that evening. I watched a movie that I will begrudgingly admit was pretty funny... I suppose I have to let Mike have a win for that one... National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, I can say, albeit a bit hesitatingly, really was amusing.

Christmas Morning hit, and we all got up around 7am and began the day. Kids got their Santa gifts, and I gave Mike the cologne and cookies I had been able to afford, even though I felt bad it wasn't more. He was making me wait for my gift though.

When we got to my grandmother's, I figured out why.

He told me to open it, and initially, I had no idea he was filming me. He had wrapped a bunch of junk in a Christmas Light box. I thought I was being trolled, honestly, and I was laughing. I found one box, and thought it was a necklace. Nope, thumb tacks. Cue me chucking the box at him and snickering.

I pulled all of the stuff out, and an earring sized box fell out. I figured, ok... earrings then.

Needless to say, it was not earrings. And I cried my eyes out. After almost 6 years and two gorgeous daughters, I'm engaged to the man I saw myself marrying in high school. We're tentatively thinking of having a ceremony around April of 2017. I'll be setting up a savings account for the wedding, so that we will have a budget in concrete, but you know what this means?? That's right... expect to see wedding planning stuff on this blog now.

As we move on to the New Year, we're doubly dedicated to what our girls need and making their life better. We're planning our trip for Disney in a couple of months, during my Spring Break, and I am absolutely excited about that. Our girls deserve a nice trip, and we can go on a budget. Disney seems to get more affordable if you stay at the resort.

Anyhow, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!! The munchkins and I will be back in January of 2016!!

Happy Holidays!!!!

Hi all! Welcome back!! (This was supposed to be my one blog entry today, but a neglectful wench pissed me off... check that post out, if you are so inclined to see me raging ever so slightly)

First off, let me start off by saying Chloe is finally over that last respiratory infection. It took 6 weeks to get over it. I'm not even joking. I'm just glad it's over now and we can begin to enjoy the holiday season.

We kicked it off with a trip to the holiday parade!! The kids loved the floats! Rayne had a star sabre fight with her daddy. Chloe hid after a while to get away from the crowds, but even she was looking at the floats from her perch off into the distance.

We headed to see the Christmas Lights in Caswell County NC this last weekend. The kids loved it, I've never seen them dance together like they did.

They got to see Santa, and Chloe didn't want to leave.

All in all, it was a really, really good time, and I'm glad my little wiggle butt is coming out of her shell more. It's nice to see her blossom into a toddler, even if she is a bit behind compared to others her age.

I actually have some exciting news, that I have shared already but, you know, not on here and all. I got hired to be a freelance writer for BabyGaga! I've wanted to do that for over a year, but, you know... previous administration was not the best. I missed that site and really wanted to come back a while ago, but I didn't leave on great terms and finally, just finally, I got the inclination to go back. I was offered the position, yes it is paid but it is not like, makin' it rain kind of paid.

(Not my current financial situation)

My first article was posted up, you can check it out here.

Oh, get this, so Rayne's school told me a week ago that I had 3 weeks or more to determine if I wanted to get pictures, right? What did they tell me Friday? Oh, sorry, you only have until Monday... yes, this is the only chance you have to get pics... no, you can't order online.

Of course not, why would I want these? Not like they're
cute or anything... *sarcasm*

What. The. Fiddlesticks?!

These are my kid's first school pics, of COURSE I want them! But sadly, it's also rent week and I can't afford them until Thursday... so, 3 days late. I called the picture company up... school was lying to me. Bright side, I can order her pics any damn time I want from now until freaking August. Which I will... in January.

Speaking of her, is it bad that we've told her that Santa will be mad at her if her behavior in school does not improve?? Because... we did.

Why?

Because she's four and damn it, that threat works for now. I'll take whatever I can to get this kid to stop acting like a fool in class. She's more than capable of good behavior, and I don't care what people say, no kid should be excused from punishment for throwing toys and hitting the teacher, albeit by accident.

Where we plan to be staying at Disney!! 

Anyhow, we're actually planning our Disney trip for March, early March actually. I cannot believe that, hopefully, in less than 3 months we will be headed down to Orlando to spend 5 days in Disney, maybe taking some time to go to a beach down where we used to live while we're there! SQUEE! We have a room picked out, we're getting the Little Mermaid suite, and a resort package. We'll get free wrist bands that act as our room keys, and there's accommodations for Chloe!! That is the biggest plus! It's a trip where we won't be constantly feeling bad worrying about what people think of Chloe, where the cast members will be willing to help us out and not treat us poorly like Carowinds did.

But, yeah... It's the holidays, and we're all happy, having a good time, and ready for good ol' St. Nick to come to our house on Christmas Eve... Now Mommy and Daddy just need someone to watch the kids so we can pick up the last of the presents from the pet store (Rayne wants aquarium supplies after all) and dollar tree (Because she's going to break half the toys I get anyhow).

Happy Holidays, everyone!!!