I don't even know how to start this post or what to write exactly. It has been a long week and a horrible morning. My mother saw the breast specialist yesterday and will be having surgery Friday to remove this lump. I pray to god that it is benign.

This morning we saw a new Dr that our pediatrician referred Alison to because of her anxiety and tics. After filling out the 30 page(no joke) questionnaire and talking to him for almost 2 hours, he feels that our pediatrician was right about Alison. He said he is 99% sure that we are dealing with Tourettes. I can honestly say I was not shocked, this has been in the back of my mind as an option for months. But my heart sank hearing it anyways. We are trying her on a few non-prescription things first to see if that can help her some. He wants her school to set up a 504 plan(Or something like that) to make sure she gets what she needs in school. I am sad and terrified all at once.

I naively thought that Alison didn't notice these tics until last week. I told her I had a tickle in my eye and she looked at me and said,"I get those in my face and I need to do this(mimics a tic). But I tell myself-don't do it, you look stupid. But I can't help it and do it. I didn't tell you because I thought-wow there is something really wrong with me."

Is it Monday yet??

Oy vey. These girls are exhausting when together. They have been bickering non stop since 7 am today. I blame part of it on cabin fever. But it is just too cold to go out and they are both fighting off a cold. Today is my brother's birthday. I am hoping that I can distract the kids for a bit by having them make him a card. Think it will work? Probably not. Heather is a crayon Nazi and hogs them all.

I leave you with a few recent pictures. Obviously not from today since they aren't fighting.

Thanks for the calls and emails. My mother is doing good. She has an appt next week to see a specialist. Cross your fingers that it is nothing.

As for me, I am fine. Bob thinks the stitches are repulsive and Heather cried for the first day every single time she saw my face. But she has gotten over it. Somewhat. I see the Dr Wednesday to get the sutures out and I assume the biopsy results will be in then. I am confident it is nothing.

I went into Alison's class today for Beach Day. Beach Day. On the coldest day of the year. It was -16 with the wind chill this morning. So cold that the News said not to stay outside for more than a few minutes at a time. Alison wanted to wear shorts and a tank top and wasn't pleased when I made her settle for a skort, t shirt and sweater. She was mad that I wouldn't crawl through the attic to find her flip flops 5 minutes before the bus was coming this morning. Did I mention it was -16 out?

Her teacher nominated me to do crafts. Again. We made paper plate fish with tissue paper scales and paper kites. The kids had fun. I had a head ache after. If I agree to be room parent next year, will someone come over here and slap sense into me? Please?

(Alison is in the brown shirt)

The kids were excited when they woke up today and saw snow on the ground. A whole half an inch. What an odd New England winter. I have a feeling we will pay for our spring like December. I bet we end up with a ton of snow and a late spring. Ick.

Heather's therapist today said she thinks Heather needs to go back into speech therapy. I told her I think Heather is doing awesome. She said she doesnt disagree with that, but that she still needs the extra help with sounds and learning how to move her mouth. I dont know yet what(if anything) I will do about it. She is due for a re-eval at Children's next month but I wan't planning on going. We'll see.

I leave you with the world's cutest video clip. Heather is playing her polly pocket guitar, which makes it even cuter.

I have discovered morning perfection. Insomnia has actually been a good thing lately. I wake up a few hours before everyone else and enjoy the stillness and calm in the house. It has been wonderful. I shower with no children screaming for me, I sit and enjoy a warm drink without someone asking me where their socks are(meaning hubby), I even have a chance to catch the morning news or read a book. Amazing. Who knew that the morning could be relaxing and perhaps even enjoyable? I am sure this won't last, but while it is here I am embracing it and loving it.

I wanted to share some pictures from the past week.

Heather doing some of her oral motor exercises. As you can see she dislikes it very
much. ;)







Using her "chewy" with some sour powder.


Once again you can see how clearly she dislikes this.

last but not least, some foam which she uses as part of her "sensory diet"

Alison decided she would "help" Heather out


Well, I am off to cook dinner and head to the gym.If I can get my music back from Heather that is..

I would say it has been a long week. But since it is only Tuesday, I won't.

Heather has thrown a fit(understatement) every day leaving therapy. This started last week and has not gotten better. Let me just say that you know it is bad when the parents in the waiting room and the therapists look shocked at her tantrums. I have tried everything to calm her down to go. Nothing works. Her therapist told me today that she thinks it is "just the terrible 2's." She pointed out that since Heather is a year(or more in her words) behind, that we just aren't expecting terrible 2 tantrums. She said what makes them worse is that she is bigger and louder. Great. Not only did she not have any helpful tips, she pointed out that Heather is delayed. In case I forgot. Thanks for the help! I hate when people try to explain to me about Heather's issues. Like I don't know? I live with the child, spend 15 hours a day with her and accompany her to all of her appointments. Of course I know this. No need to constantly point it out.

As you can see(or read I guess) I have had a long day. I have been depressed waiting on Alison's evaluation in 2 weeks. Her pediatrician wants her seen for her anxiety and she is being evaluated for ADHD. Which I was in utter and total denial over until last week. My mother pointed out to me that Alison never sits still. Never. She moves constantly and can not pay attention to anything. Which is what me and her bicker over daily. My mother suggested I look at the ADHD symptoms. I did on the pediatrician's site. It said to have your child evaluated if they have 6 or more of the listed symptoms. Alison has 24. Out of 30. *sigh* So I am curious and nervous to hear what the professionals say about what is going on with her.

I took Miss Heather to the Dr. She has Fifth's Disease . She also has an ear infection. Her right ear was very infected. Explains the moodiness this past week. She started on an antibiotic and hopefully will feel better quickly. Good news is she isn't contagious and the Dr said she is fine to go to therapy next week. I was worried she would miss her 3 appts next week. We are on limited time with the insurance.

Our weather here is gloomy. Rainy and cold. Such torture after having so many un-natural warm days in December. We are supposed to get snow tomorrow. Hopefully if we do it will at least be enough for the kids to enjoy and play in.

That's about it for now. I am off to play with the kids and then we have some shopping to do. :)

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. :) We had my parents and brother join us for cake. Bob ordered a chocolate birthday cake from a local bakery. It was full of sugar and delicious. I had a nice quiet day for the most part. Alison got to school late. She had a bit of a High School Musical hang over. The show was 3 hours long, so we got home very late. They did every HSM song and Corbin Bleu, Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens each did 3 songs from their albums. They also had Jordan Pruitt open, so that added another few songs! But it was a huge hit and she loved every minute. I am glad we went(I just wish I remembered to take tylenol first..lol.)







Heather woke from her nap today with bright red cheeks and feeling quite lousy. :( I was worried it was scarlet fever, but now it looks more like Fifths Disease. Which my kids have never had before. I am going to bring her to the Dr in the morning, just to be safe.

We all have colds. It is the crazy weather, I swear. It went from 70 one day down to 20 the next. Not funny at all.

I am taking Alison to see High School Musical the Concert tonight. Saying she is excited, doesn't even cover it. She woke me up multiple times last night to tell me she couldn't wait.

I took myself shopping last night. I bought myself a new pair of sneakers. I havent had new shoes in(sad to admit) almost 3 years. I also bought myself a new winter coat last week. I love it. I would wear it all the time if I could. Should I tell you that I have had my old coat since Alison was a newborn? Pathetic, huh? Can you tell I don't shop for myself very often?

I jumped online to look for a buttercream frosting recipe and ended up on blogger. How did that happen? Guess I better get back to googling for a recipe. I am making myself a chocolate cake for my b-day tomorrow. With lots of sugar. Mmm.

Bummer of a day at Heather's OT. She has been making such great progress all around since starting her therapy 3 times a week. But now she is back to having trouble eating. She chokes on everything,gags and just can't tell what is in her mouth or how much. Her OT has been working with her on it and told me today that she wants us to back step to baby size pieces of soft food and I am supposed to sit with her and only give her 1 bite at a time. I am also supposed to work with her at home with her oral therapy 3 times a day now instead of once. I feel like we are regressing back a year. I know she is making progress over all, but this has been such a long road and somedays I feel like everytime we take steps forward, we take one back. My heart just feels like it breaks over and over for her.

Our Weather for today....

Natick, MA (01760) Save this Location	Weather for your life See Weather Related to... Aches & Pains Air Quality & Pollution Allergies & Pollen Boat & Beach Cold & Flu Fitness & Exercise Flights & Business Travel Golf Weather Health Home Improvement Interstate Driving Forecast Lawn & Garden Outdoor Recreation Pets Schoolday Weather Ski Conditions Skin Protection Sporting Events Vacation & Travel Guide Wedding Planner
Partly Cloudy 68°F Feels Like 68°F Updated Jan 6 03:25 p.m. ET

Need I remind you that it is January and I am in Massachusetts? What is up with this weather(although I am loving it!)

I am borrowing this from Jen's blog-

10 things-
what are 5 good things from the last few weeks?
1. It is in the 40's outside, totally weird for a New England January day!
2. We have no appointments today
3. I lost 2 pounds(hey don't knock it-even if it is only 2 pounds)
4. Heather spent the morning playing with me and amusing me with her songs
5. My blood glucose level has not exceeded 135 in over a month(woo hoo!)

What are 5 bad things from the last few weeks?
1. Lance became an angel. Heartbreaking.
2. Our co pays went up as of January 1st-very sad
3. Hmmm.. we got a letter saying the kids secondary insurance is ending in a month-also very sad and scary!
4.
5. I guess that is a good sign that I can not think of these last 2 bad things, huh? ;)


Now for some recent pictures...

The girls sporting their Texas shirts from their Aunt




Heather riding on the swing. She hated swings and wouldn't sit for even 5 seconds-but therapy is helping and now she swings for a couple of minutes.


That's Queen Minnie to you

We are expecting a storm and I am afraid of what I will wake up to. Weather.com is calling for up to 8 inches. I have my fingers crossed that school stays open, does that make me a bad mom wanting her to go?

Tonight I took Alison out to dinner. Just me and her. It was nice. She was thrilled. She kept saying "it would be so nice if just me and you lived together. No daddys and no babies." I told her she would miss Heather. She didnt look very convinced..lol. She is such a fun kid to be around. She is funny and mature. We went to TGIFridays. Not great food, but I let Alison pick anywhere and that was where she said. Man can that girl eat! She ate a grilled cheese, a bowl of carrots, and then had a fruit cup for dessert. Yikes. I ordered a sandwhich and ate a little less than half. I couldnt tell how much I could handle with my blodd sugars. I forgot to test before I left home and was nervous. The Dr gave me a new blood meter that is tiny and told me keep it in my purse for going out. I cant get the thing to work no matter how many times I try!

I took Alison with me to Target after we ate. She went for the computer game section and would not put down some barbie game.She kept saying"I cant even believe this, I love it. Just love it!" I told her she will have to save her money and she was not happy.

Heather will be back to the Dr again tomorrow. Something is bothering her. She has been miserable. She is tilting her head totally to the side and I cant tell if it is her torticollis in her neck bugging her or her ear. I tried asking and she had no clue what I meant.

Well, I have so much to do and dont feel like doing anything. I would love to crawl in bed and be lazy all night.