Its time to accept the fact that K. is not a baby. She is MY baby, but she is definitely not a baby! She is talking in sentences, is potty trained, and has her very own opinion (who would have guessed that would happen!). I'm thinking about starting her in a preschool to get some social interaction, but I think she might be too young (turned 2 in August). She is counting to twenty (much more if I am helping), can sing the ABC song, and can point out words/letters in print. We have been learning about the stages of writing in my reading acquisition class and K. is what the book considers an emergent writer - she no longer just scribbles all over the page, she imitate the motion of writing. She is "writing" from left to right, top to bottom, and is using a straight, loopy line. According to my textbook (which I know not to listen to!) emergent writers appear around age 4. Obviously this is a guideline, but still, she is almost 2 years early!
We went to the doctor this morning for a follow up to the pneumonia. She is 37 inches tall (95 percentile) and 28 lbs (about 40 percentile). Good news: we no longer have to do the nebulizer on a regular basis, only if she starts wheezing! She is still on a daily asthma/allergy preventative, and we have to keep the nebulizer around in case she gets an attack.
School is halfway done this semester, and I'm ready for it. I'm staying up till 2 in the morning just to finish homework/studying EVERY NIGHT. As much as I miss the extra money, I'm so glad I decided not to work this semester.
Halloween is almost here! K. is dressing up as an "itsy bitsy spider witch". She found a witch's hat with spider web designs and a spider hanging off the tip when we were searching for a costume. She LOVES the spiders, and everything else to do with Halloween! I decided to sew her an original spider witch costume so I'll post pics (as soon as I get it done!). We even have a huge spider web (fake) over the bushes in front of my living room, as well as a giant spider living in it. We carved a pumpkin (jack o'lantern?) over the weekend. K. loves pumpkins almost as much as she does the spiders (MY pumpkin!) so I figured she would have a blast but every time she tried to scoop out the seeds she would start gagging and run away! I guess she didn't like the smell!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Update
My interview for student teaching went great! The department head was impressed by my resume, and had a ton of good things to say about the application I put together.
I also found out that I can student teach in the city I am living in. I didn't think I would get to because H. works for the district, and I've also worked for the district. Turns out that I just have to go to a school where I haven't worked.
So yay! I'm excited!
Oh and I also found out that next semester I will only have school 2 days a week (meaning only 200 miles a week, opposed to the 500 I'm driving this semester), and one day a week at the elementary school where I am student teaching. That's gonna save a TON of money on gas... looks like Disney World may be a possibility next summer!
I also found out that I can student teach in the city I am living in. I didn't think I would get to because H. works for the district, and I've also worked for the district. Turns out that I just have to go to a school where I haven't worked.
So yay! I'm excited!
Oh and I also found out that next semester I will only have school 2 days a week (meaning only 200 miles a week, opposed to the 500 I'm driving this semester), and one day a week at the elementary school where I am student teaching. That's gonna save a TON of money on gas... looks like Disney World may be a possibility next summer!
Send a few good lucks?
I have a meeting with the head of the student teacher placement today. I'm incredibly nervous (although the secretary said it wasn't a big deal) because this is the woman who will decide (after a 30 minute meeting) whether or not I am capable of continuing in education.
I had to put together a HUGE (40 something page, but some were copies) document of my work, a resume, and why I want to be a teacher. She has reviewed the document last week, and today I am meeting with her to decide 1) whether or not I can student teacher, and 2) if so, where I will be going.
This may not be as big of a deal as I'm making it seem, but still, today's meeting will determine what I'm doing for at least the next year (1 semester of observations in the school/one semester of student teaching). So maybe if you could send some luck this way (luck that I get into the school I requested, the one that is close to home) I'd really appreciate it!
I had to put together a HUGE (40 something page, but some were copies) document of my work, a resume, and why I want to be a teacher. She has reviewed the document last week, and today I am meeting with her to decide 1) whether or not I can student teacher, and 2) if so, where I will be going.
This may not be as big of a deal as I'm making it seem, but still, today's meeting will determine what I'm doing for at least the next year (1 semester of observations in the school/one semester of student teaching). So maybe if you could send some luck this way (luck that I get into the school I requested, the one that is close to home) I'd really appreciate it!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Ups and Downs
Ups and Downs of parenting a toddler
Up: Crawling/Walking/Running Down: Trying to escape every 3.5 seconds of the day
Up: Sleeping in a big girl bed Down: Realizing she is no longer stuck in her crib
Up: Learning to color/draw Down: Crayon/Marker lines on the table
Up: Being potty trained! Down: icky public restrooms
Up: Talking Down: Talking (especially NO!!)
Up: Increasing independence Down: DO IT BY SELF!! (but only when running late to an appointment)
Even with all of the "downs", I wouldn't ask for anything different!
Up: Crawling/Walking/Running Down: Trying to escape every 3.5 seconds of the day
Up: Sleeping in a big girl bed Down: Realizing she is no longer stuck in her crib
Up: Learning to color/draw Down: Crayon/Marker lines on the table
Up: Being potty trained! Down: icky public restrooms
Up: Talking Down: Talking (especially NO!!)
Up: Increasing independence Down: DO IT BY SELF!! (but only when running late to an appointment)
Even with all of the "downs", I wouldn't ask for anything different!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Will it ever go away?
K. has been doing GREAT since she was released from the hospital. Well, had been doing great - She ended up having to go back to the doctor today because her symptoms came back. She coughed all night long, keeping us all awake. When I dropped her off at my MIL's house today she immediately got on the floor to play with her Lego's (relax, they are the HUGE baby safe ones!), but by the time H. came to see her at lunch she was breathing heavy and very listless.
She went into the doctor at 1:00 and was given THREE more medications to take (adding to the two we are doing right now!!). She has to go back Thursday for a follow up, to see if the meds. are working. Did I mention FIVE medicines during the day? FIVE?! I know some people do much more, but it is a new routine that I'm having to get used to. Two of the five are breathing treatments given through a nebulizer, so that takes time to sit and finish. Oh, and it has to be EVERY 6 hours, including through the night. I almost feel like night time feedings are back!
Don't get me wrong: I'm not complaining about doing this to make her feel better. I will gladly do anything within my power to help her and make her well again. I'm just a little overwhelmed right now. I was terrified she would have to go back into the hospital, but luckily we are trying to treat it at home for now. The doctor is thinking asthma (aggravated by the end of the pneumonia), but says he can't diagnose asthma until she has shown symptoms for at least 6 months.
Oh, and you know you love your kid when you break down crying in front of half of your math concepts class. H. called and told me that K. was not doing well right before I went to class. Since my university is about an hour away from our house, we both decided I should just stay there, finish the class, and then come home. He agreed to call me if she had to go back to the hospital. I reluctantly went into class, and told my teacher that if I got the phone call, I would have to leave. She was very understanding, but at the same time she made me feel guilty. She asked what I was doing there, and told me to go home. A few people asked about what was going on, but I was already starting to tear up by then.
I do feel a little stupid, especially since it was not as big of a deal as I thought (Kim thinks: OMG, she is going to be hospitalized, OMG she can't breathe, OMG why am I so selfish, I came to school instead of staying with my baby, OMG OMG what happens if she doesn't get better) Maybe I did overreact but she is my baby, my only baby, and I was worried.
She still has a pretty deep cough, but she is breathing much easier.
She went into the doctor at 1:00 and was given THREE more medications to take (adding to the two we are doing right now!!). She has to go back Thursday for a follow up, to see if the meds. are working. Did I mention FIVE medicines during the day? FIVE?! I know some people do much more, but it is a new routine that I'm having to get used to. Two of the five are breathing treatments given through a nebulizer, so that takes time to sit and finish. Oh, and it has to be EVERY 6 hours, including through the night. I almost feel like night time feedings are back!
Don't get me wrong: I'm not complaining about doing this to make her feel better. I will gladly do anything within my power to help her and make her well again. I'm just a little overwhelmed right now. I was terrified she would have to go back into the hospital, but luckily we are trying to treat it at home for now. The doctor is thinking asthma (aggravated by the end of the pneumonia), but says he can't diagnose asthma until she has shown symptoms for at least 6 months.
Oh, and you know you love your kid when you break down crying in front of half of your math concepts class. H. called and told me that K. was not doing well right before I went to class. Since my university is about an hour away from our house, we both decided I should just stay there, finish the class, and then come home. He agreed to call me if she had to go back to the hospital. I reluctantly went into class, and told my teacher that if I got the phone call, I would have to leave. She was very understanding, but at the same time she made me feel guilty. She asked what I was doing there, and told me to go home. A few people asked about what was going on, but I was already starting to tear up by then.
I do feel a little stupid, especially since it was not as big of a deal as I thought (Kim thinks: OMG, she is going to be hospitalized, OMG she can't breathe, OMG why am I so selfish, I came to school instead of staying with my baby, OMG OMG what happens if she doesn't get better) Maybe I did overreact but she is my baby, my only baby, and I was worried.
She still has a pretty deep cough, but she is breathing much easier.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
I will remember
This is a few days late because we were at the hospital, but I want to share my story.
I was in tenth grade, barely old enough to understand the impact on our country, on our world. I was early to my first class and was sitting around, probably gossiping with friends. A boy walked in and turned on the TV, which was a normal morning routine for our geography class.
We started class with the news coverage. Our teacher became so upset he couldn't conduct class. He had a brother working in the World Trade Center. All I can remember from those first moments was what he silently wrote on the board. It was the first time I had seen the name Osama Bin Laden. It has since become a name I will never forget. My classmates and I spent the day watching news coverage. Although we were still young, we knew the major personal impact this would have on our lives.
I grew up near Ft. Hood, Texas. My childhood house was literally 2 blocks away from post. That was the day the post closed, and traffic to post was backed up all the way through town. Friday's football game was accompanied by soldiers carrying firearms. Very close friends and family members were sent overseas. My high school graduation had soldiers posted outside of the building, as well as at every entrance/exit. We had a direct satellite connection to Iraq so the soldiers who had children graduating could see their child walk across the stage. They were able to talk to their kids after the ceremony. General Chiarelli even made a speech to the graduating class. He had a son who graduated with me.
I have a friend who's dad and brother both went overseas in the Army. Her brother flew home the same day as her dad flew out. I know a few people who have lost spouses, friends, and children.
I tend to think of this as a day K. will learn about in history class. She will be able to read, learn, and hear the stories related, but it will never have the same impact as it did to our class, to me.
I was in tenth grade, barely old enough to understand the impact on our country, on our world. I was early to my first class and was sitting around, probably gossiping with friends. A boy walked in and turned on the TV, which was a normal morning routine for our geography class.
We started class with the news coverage. Our teacher became so upset he couldn't conduct class. He had a brother working in the World Trade Center. All I can remember from those first moments was what he silently wrote on the board. It was the first time I had seen the name Osama Bin Laden. It has since become a name I will never forget. My classmates and I spent the day watching news coverage. Although we were still young, we knew the major personal impact this would have on our lives.
I grew up near Ft. Hood, Texas. My childhood house was literally 2 blocks away from post. That was the day the post closed, and traffic to post was backed up all the way through town. Friday's football game was accompanied by soldiers carrying firearms. Very close friends and family members were sent overseas. My high school graduation had soldiers posted outside of the building, as well as at every entrance/exit. We had a direct satellite connection to Iraq so the soldiers who had children graduating could see their child walk across the stage. They were able to talk to their kids after the ceremony. General Chiarelli even made a speech to the graduating class. He had a son who graduated with me.
I have a friend who's dad and brother both went overseas in the Army. Her brother flew home the same day as her dad flew out. I know a few people who have lost spouses, friends, and children.
I tend to think of this as a day K. will learn about in history class. She will be able to read, learn, and hear the stories related, but it will never have the same impact as it did to our class, to me.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Update
K. is doing MUCH, much better. We are home now, but she is on strict treatment with antibiotics, steroids, and breathing treatments.
Last night was extremely long. She had to sleep under an oxygen tent (a clear plastic box, basically) in order to keep her stats up. Every time she woke up she was terrified, so we pulled her out and comforted her. Her oxygen stats would drop at least 5-10% every time she was out of the box. She had a continuous oxygen monitor on her toe, and was hooked to the machine all night. Every time it dropped below 90 the VERY LOUD alarm would sound.
Her doctor came in this morning while K. was up and playing. He listened to her lungs, and cleared her to go home. I am still concerned that she will not breathe as well as she could tonight, but I am extremely glad to be home. My poor baby is now weary of anyone who is in scrubs, and has bruises at any point she has a visible vein. The nurses ended up putting 3 different IV's in (blown vein, IV falling out, etc.) and poked her many, many more times. She still did great, all things considered. I am very proud of how brave she was.
Last night was extremely long. She had to sleep under an oxygen tent (a clear plastic box, basically) in order to keep her stats up. Every time she woke up she was terrified, so we pulled her out and comforted her. Her oxygen stats would drop at least 5-10% every time she was out of the box. She had a continuous oxygen monitor on her toe, and was hooked to the machine all night. Every time it dropped below 90 the VERY LOUD alarm would sound.
Her doctor came in this morning while K. was up and playing. He listened to her lungs, and cleared her to go home. I am still concerned that she will not breathe as well as she could tonight, but I am extremely glad to be home. My poor baby is now weary of anyone who is in scrubs, and has bruises at any point she has a visible vein. The nurses ended up putting 3 different IV's in (blown vein, IV falling out, etc.) and poked her many, many more times. She still did great, all things considered. I am very proud of how brave she was.
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