Mad.

I'm mad. Just plain mad. I have called the funeral home and been in there throwing a fit about Maddie's flowers. I can't seem to get a straight answer to where they went. One guy told me they must of got stolen. STOLEN really? Yeah right dude. The funeral home called James telling him they moved them for a funeral and broke her butterfly yard sign. So they NEED to put her stuff back. I am going back out there tomorrow and her stuff better be there or I will not be nice this time. I don't know who else to talk to. I think I have talked to everyone there. I know they are just "things", but they took these "things" from my daughter. Special things. A cute bow I made just for her, special flowers, and an angel statue that was given to her. They are not just "things" to me. They are the only thing I can physically give to her. They mean everything to me and for them to take them and say they were stolen is just plain ridiculous!

Don't forget to go order some yummy smelling Scentsy. Today is the last day for our blog party!!
 Click here to go to our party!! 

Update

After reading everyone comments about Jackson's soft spot I ran Jackson to the pediatrician. (She probably thinks I'm nuts by now. I am pretty sure we have been there about 15 times and he is only 2.5 months old. We did get his weight tho. He is 13.10 1/2 lb...BIG boy!!) I asked her about his soft spot and she confirmed he does have one. It is kinda small because he has a small head. She said smaller heads tend to have smaller soft spots. So now I feel much better. She looked at Jackson's head again and she didn't think it looked to flat. What I haven't shared with y'all yet is that Jackson's ears are moving. If you sit him down in front of you and look down on his head his left ear is about an inch closer to his head then his right ear. We also started to notice his left eye is starting to move a little too. This is all from torticollis and laying in his left side so much. In seeing this his pedi gave us the referral to go see the neurologist and the helmet people. She said they probably won't helmet him this early but by the time we actually get into to see the neurologist  his head will either be better or it'll be time to helmet. So right now its a waiting game. I am doing his stretching religiously at home. I think his neck is getting a little better but his head still looks the same. We are going to keep working and I already picked out some cute stickers from bling your band just incase he does end up in a band.  I think he is going to be the cutest helmet wearer ever!!! Keep praying for us!

Torticollis

This morning Jackson had a Torticollis evaluation. We went to a physical therapist to see if he has it or not. He did get diagnosed. So now our journey begins. We will be doing weekly physical therapy sessions and I will be doing the stretches at home. Hopefully within time we can get his neck back to the way it should be.

I asked the therapist if she thought Jackson needed a helmet. She said his head is actually not terribly flat. After looking further she showed us his ear is being moved forward from the Torticollis. She felt around on his head and noticed that his soft spot is almost gone. He is only (almost) 3 months old. So this is the scary part. I know babies heads keep changing and growing until the age of 1 but I dont want his head to be "stuck" this flat. She told us his head isnt that bad but seeing his soft spot almost gone that if we wanted to do a helmet we should go forward with it now.

So, now its a waiting game. I called our pediatrician. She has to refer us to a neurologist who will then refer us to plastics ( the helmet people).

In the mean time I have already started his stretches at home. The pt told us no bouncer at all. Good thing Jackson doesn't like his bouncer. We have to do tummy time and lots of it. Jackson really does not like tummy time or his stretches so we are going to have one cranky baby.

I am so happy we caught this early. If it is not corrected it can effect his facial features, his fine motor skills, gross motor skills, eye site, speech.... the list goes on and on. So I am going to do everything I can to help Jackson.

Here is Jackson's head. It is very flat. This is our starting point. It can only get better!!!

(Please pray the pt, stretching and helmet fixes Jackson's head and neck muscles)

Helmets, teeth, and missing flowers

-Thanks so much for all the great advice on helmets. Jackson has his first physical therapy appointment tomorrow so I will update then.

- I don't know if  you have been reading my twitter or not but my wisdom teeth are coming in. They started when I was very pregnant with Jackson and luckily they came up and went back down. Well, Friday afternoon they decided they would pay me another very painful visit. This time was worse. They hurt a lot! Yesterday I went to the dentist and he referred me to an oral surgeon. So, it looks like I will be getting my wisdom teeth taken out like soon. They are killing me!!! (Hello diet!)

- Yesterday I stopped by Maddie's spot on the way home from the dentist. When I got there I immediately saw that her flowers were missing. There was a fresh grave right by hers. The funeral home called James the other day to tell him they broke a butterfly of hers but I was not expecting to see her flowers gone and her vase was missing to. As soon as I saw it I burst into tears. It hurt. The only thing that I can do for my daughter was taken from me. I had cute lady bug decorations and a beautiful flower arrangement for her. I also tied a bow I made especially for her on her flowers and now its all missing. I sent James a message crying telling him everything was missing. Poor James thought something was wrong with Jackson and started to freak. I was just so upset. My heart was breaking again. I was also angry. I wanted to go into the funeral home and yell at them but I was to sad. Today now that  I have calmed down I am going to call them and be "that mom". They WILL find her stuff and it WILL be out back out ASAP! I understand they have other funerals and they need to take her stuff up but they should put it back!!! After leaving Maddie's spot I started to really miss her. I talked to her and cried all the way home. I just kept thinking I have two babies. They are almost the same age. How can this be?

Let's talk helmets!!

James and I are pretty sure Jackson is going to need a helmet. He has his first PT appointment on Wednesday. Hopefully she will tell us if he will need one or not.

I have been researching them. I know they all cosmetic and they have nothing to do with their brain function. But, seriously would you want your baby growing up with a misshaped head? No. Jackson will thank us for this one day.

From what I gather there are different types of bands, but not every city has the facilities for that type of band. We live in Houston so there has to be different companies here. I guess??

So, spill the beans. If we have to get him a helmet which one do you suggest and why? If you don't mind me asking how much was it? I read that insurance wont cover most of it because it's "cosmetic".

Thanks in advance!!

(All I know if if Jackson has to get one he will be the cutest helmet baby EVER!!)


OH...

And DON'T forget about our Scentsy Blog Party! 

Another Recipe

Quesadilla Casserole
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried minced garlic
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
16 oz tomato sauce
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (8 3/4 oz) whole kernel corn, undrained
1 can (4 1/2 oz) green chilies, undrained
6 flour tortillas (8 inch size)
2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese

1. Brown beef and onion in a large skillet on medium-high. Add tomato sauce, beans, corn and green chilies. Mix well. Stir in all of the spices except the red pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat low and simmer 5 minutes. Add red pepper to taste if desired.

2. Spread 1/2 cup of the beef mixture on bottom of 9X13 pan (sprayed with pam). Top with 3 of the tortillas, overlapping as needed. Layer with 1/2 of the remaining beef mixture and 1/2 of the cheese. Repeat with remaining tortillas, beef and cheese.
  
3. Cook at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until heated through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!!

Don't forget about our Scentsy Blog Party 

AND

Jamberry Nails

Scentsy Blog Party!!!

If you have ever used candles, then you're going to love Scentsy!  Scentsy wickless candles require no flame, do not release any chemicals into the air, and the wax is food grade petroleum - the same wax used to shine apples in the grocery store!  If you have kids or pets, these are the perfect solution for you.  Scentsy wax only warms to just above body temperature, so it will not burn or scorch skin!

Scentsy also carries a variety of other scented products, if warming wax is just not your thing, or if you like to take your scents with you!  Children love the Scentsy Buddies - stuffed animals with a zippered pouch in the back.  Put a Scent Pak in your Buddy, and your little one has an automatic air freshener!  Need a great, safe place to put teeth for the toothfairy?  Scentsy Buddies can keep that tooth safe, until the tooth fairy replaces it with a treat!

Now is your chance to order all of your favorite (or soon-to-be favorite) products from Scentsy!  Just visit https://AmberRose.scentsy.us and join the 'Another Day Stronger's Blog Party!  Over the next two weeks, for every $25 you spend on Scentsy through the ADS Party, you will receive one entry into a drawing to win a FREE Plug-in Warmer and one Scentsy Bar of your choice!  [Purchases may be made in the United States and Canada.]

Plus, if you have been thinking about becoming a Scentsy Consultant, now is the time to join!  For every reader who joins Amber Rose's Team before the party closes, there will be ANOTHER prize added, meaning MORE winners!  Amber Rose's Team has a goal to have at least one Team Member from each US state and each Canadian provice/territory by July 2013! 

__________________________________________________________________

Girls for July ONLY Scentsy has the Bring Back My Bar! These bars were requested by customers as their favorites to be brought back! I haven't personally smelled these but the Always Scentsy Bar sounds like it would smell good! Go pick out a few!

Remember when you spend $25 you enter your name into a drawling to win a free plug-in warmer and a bar! Go stock up! Christmas will be here before you know it!

 

(This is my favorite bar for the summer "Beach")

3 years

James,

Happy Anniversary honey!

If you asked me 3 years ago where we would be today I would of never imagined in a million years we would have two beautiful babies.

It has been a hard road and one of our babies flies above us, but I couldn't of made it with out you. 

You have been our rock. Thank you for being patient with me and carrying us through the hardest times I hope we will ever have to go through.

I love you to the moon and back. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.


Love,
Kellie

October

Today it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Maddie's birthday is getting closer. It will be here before I know it. That means I should have a (almost) 2 year old running around. But I don't and it hurts. Luckily (ok not lucky) I don't know what milestones she should be doing and I wont dare look it up. All I know is that I miss her so much. Jackson reminds me so much of her. They have a lot of the same features. Looking at him makes me so happy but so sad. Jackson makes me love life again but seeing him makes me miss her SO very much.

I sit and wonder how can we make her birthday special this year? Maybe we can release lady bugs again, or we can do something different. All  I know is I want Jackson to be apart of it. I want him to know all about his sister. I wish he could of met her. He would of loved her. James and I have been talking about how we are going to tell Jackson what happened to his sister granted we do have a long time until he understands.

This is all so hard. I am the happiest I have been in a long time but so very sad at the same time. I know that probably doesn't make any sense. I just miss my Maddiegirl.

I love my two babies. Look at them they look so much alike. 

Random..

This post is completely random..Just somethings I have been thinking about.

-I love Big Brother, but this season isn't doing it for me. It's kinda BLAH. I don't really even like watching After Dark. The whole coaches thing is blah. I want the regular Big Brother back.

-Every time I do watch After Dark they are always eating cookies and yummy things. Yesterday I had to go buy some cookies. ( I'm supposed to be trying to lose the baby weight here not eat cookies).

-James and I did P90X on Saturday. I actually made it through the whole thing! Sunday and today I can't move. Probably not the best idea. I haven't worked out in over a year.. No probably 2 years. EK! 

-Why is it during the summer time I'm obsessed with painting my nails. Any other time during the year I could careless but summer time I want to change the color all the time!

-I'm obsessed with chevron print...like OBSESSED! I even bought a chevron print phone case.

- I know I'm behind times but I finally started reading 50 Shades of Grey... It's kinda to much for me.

- Our wedding anniversary is Wednesday.  It's the first time I am going to leave Jackson for longer then an hour. I'm nervous. I know he will be in great hands with my mom but the anxiety I feel about it is CRAZY! I just keep telling myself I can do it!! ( I left Jackson with James for the first time last week to get my toes done!)

-I keep finding spiders in my house. It freaks me out! I want to get the bug guy to come but I'm to scared to with Jackson. Is it ok to do that with a baby?

Winners!!

It's time to pick a winner!!!

but first...

Hayley opened up a Jamberry party for us!! You can go to her page and buy Jamberry nails all day!!! Remember if you buy 3 sets you get 1 FREE!!  I also forgot to mention one set of Jamberry nails  (the 1 page you order) can provide up to 3-4 whole applications depending on nail bed size. Hayley says she can do her fingers twice and her toes twice with 1 sheet!!! That is a GREAT value!

(Wouldnt it be cool if we could really have a  Jamberry party...in like real life? I picture everyone in their pj's putting on these cool nail designs eating some yummy food.. That would be cool).

On to the winner..

WAIT!!

Guess what??? Hayley is giving away 2 FREE sets of Jamberry nails.

WOOHOO!!!!!!

Here are the winners:


Texas Mom and she said..."I have at least 1 fave for each month of the year but I would have to say I would get the Cupcake ones for my daughter to wear to her bday party next month. My mom calls her cupcake so it is fitting"

and

Janice and Jessica she said..."I'm so boring and easy, but I love, love, love the red. Oh, and I also love your blog! Jackson is so precious. I hope his neck gets better with PT.Thanks for the giveaway."



Please e-mail me at maddiesmommadethat at gmail dot com!!!
(If you would like to do a giveaway on my blog you can e-mail me too)

2 months

Jackson had his 2 month appointment yesterday. He is 12lb 3.5 oz (63%), his head is 15'' (12%), and height 23.5'' (76%) and just perfect as can be. I'm happy to say his thrush is FINALLY gone! 


The left side of Jackson's head is flat. We have been watching it for a while. I was really worried about it this time. It seems like Jackson can't turn his neck to the right. His pediatrician checked him out and I was right. He was torticollis. Basically his neck muscles are tight and he cant turn his neck to his right because its stiff. His pediatrician suggested that he is seen by a physical therapist now so we can get this corrected early. If physical therapy doesn't work he may have to wear a helmet. Poor baby. Everyday I try and put his head to the right but he fights me. It must really hurt him. Just think about it. It you have a crick in your neck and you push on it- it hurts!! So, hopefully the physical therapy will help him and we can get this fixed before we have to go to a helmet. 


Jackson is doing great. He is growing wonderfully and developing right on track. Please pray that therapy works for Jackson's neck.


(Don't forget about my giveaway. It ends tomorrow)

Recipe

I made this Monday night and it was SUPER easy and yummo!!!



(This recipe is for a freezer meal)

Goulash
1lb ground beef
1 can tomato soup
6 oz can tomato paste
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni 
2 Tbsp Italian seasoning (more to taste)
1 can (15oz) corn, drained
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1-2 cups shredded cheese (depending on your “cheesiness” preference)
 
1. Brown Ground beef with onion powder and garlic powder.  Drain.
2. Cook noodles according to package, drain
3. In a large bowl, combine soup, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, noodles and ground beef.  Stir in corn.
4. Transfer to an ungreased 8X8 freezer baking dish and top with cheese.  I buy the foil pans.  Easy peasy and you wont be missing a pan while this meal is in the freezer waiting.
5. Cover with foil.  I like to use heavy duty foil and double wrap it to prevent freezer burn.  Label and freeze.
Cooking instructions: Thaw and bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes until heated through and melted cheese.

Jamberry nails giveaway

When I was on bedrest Hayley sent me a set of Jamberry nails. Well I ended up having Jackson and never got a chance to use them. Yesterday I planned all day to put them on after James got home. I was SO excited...Here is what they look like. CUTE huh???

Wondering what Jamberry nails are??  Jamberry nails are a vinyl nail shield that is applied with heat and pressure. They last up to 3 weeks on your fingers and 6 weeks on your toes. How cool is that??

I want to try the ones for your toes!!! 


They are buy 3 get 1 free. You can order straight from Heyley's website . ( I fixed the link)
(Heyley's e mail is:  hayley at aknails.com if anybody has any questions!)



Guess what else???? 
She sent me a Gift Certificate good for one sheet of Jamberry Nail shields to giveaway to ya'll!!!

Here is how to enter:

-Go to Jamberry's page. 

-Click on "Jamberry Nail's"

-Pick out your favorite design. 

-Come back here and leave me ONE (only 1) comment telling me your favorite Jamberry Nail shield. 

I will pick the winner on Thursday July 12 at 10am (CDT) (Big Brother day)

2 months

Jackson,

    You are 2 months old! You weigh around 12 pounds. You are wearing size 2 diapers. We were using Pampers but you keep exploding poop everywhere. After we are done with this pack of diapers we are going to try Huggies. You are wearing size 3 month oneises and pj's but they are getting a little tight. I am sure we are going to have to move you up to 6 month pj's soon!

  We go to the doctor tomorrow for your first shots. Mommy is sad and I am sure I will cry with you.

You are really starting to coo. Every time mommy and daddy take out the video camera you stop. One day we are going to catch it and post it for everyone to see. You know mommies voice.
When you hear me talk you look for me and it makes me smile. You look right at whoever is holding you and smile at them. You are a happy baby if your belly is full. If you are hungry you let mommy and daddy know. You are eating 4 oz every 3ish hours. Mommy is still pumping milk for you so you are getting breast milk and formula. Eating is one of your favorite things. You are pretty much sleeping through the night. You go to bed around 9 and wake up at 5. Jackson your personality is really starting to shine. Mommy loves you SO SO much!!

Happy 2 months buddy!!!

Love,
Mommy

Another Recipe

I made this tonight and it was YUMMMY! 


Layered Enchilada Casserole
2 cup cooked, shredded chicken
1 can diced tomatoes, drained (15 oz)
1 can black beans, drained (15oz)
1 tub Santé Fe Blend Philadelphia Cooking Crème
2 cup shredded cheese. 
3 flour tortillas (I used 6 wheat)

1. Mix the chicken, tomatoes, beans, and cooking crème in a bowl. Combine well.
2. Place a 1/3 cup mixture on bottom of a pie plate or 8X8  freezer pan.  I buy the foil ones. Top with 1 flour tortilla.
3. Top tortilla with chicken mixture and cheese. Repeat layers and end with chicken mixture on top and top with last bit of cheese.
5. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees 30 minutes or until heated through

Recipes

I have been cooking a lot lately. For some reason I never cook the same thing. I am always cooking something new. I wanted to pass on some yummy recipes that I have tried recently. ( What did I ever do before Pinterest?)

Vegetable Beef Bow Tie Skillet

1 lb ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 can (14 1/2 oz) beef broth
1 1/2 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
1/2 cup water
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 tsp Chili Powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup chopped sweet yellow pepper
1 cup chopped zucchini
2 cups chopped tomatoes (I used one can of the petite diced tomatoes)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion. Stir in broth, pasta, water, and seasonings. Boil, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Add in yellow pepper, zucchini, and tomatoes. Cook until veggies are tender. Sprinkle with cheese

Recipe from Walking Barefoot Together



And for Dessert.......
Lemonade Pie

Ingredents:
Filling:
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 can (6 oz) pink lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 (12 oz) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 Gram cracker pie crust (You can make your own but I was going for easy)




 Combine sweetened condensed milk and lemonade, whisk together. Fold in whipped topping. Pour into gram cracker pie crust. Spread evenly. Freeze for a couple of hours.

When ready to serve, take from the freezer, let sit on the counter for 3-5 minutes or until you can cut pie. Serve immediately. Store any leftovers in freezer immediately.

8 weeks

Jackson,

     You turned 8 weeks old on July 4th. How cool is that? We watched a few fireworks from the backyard, but they  mostly kept you up. 

You weigh 11.4 oz ( as of last week at the dr). You are wearing size 2 diapers (after many poop explosions) and 3 month oneises. This week you started laughing in your sleep and its SO cute! I can not wait until you really laugh at mommy! You also started really looking at things You watch me when I talk to you. You try to do what I am doing with my mouth, its so cute!! You are really trying hard to talk to me but it just wont come out. 

You are growing up so fast buddy.  I love spending every minute with you. You make me so happy! 

I love you to the moon and back,

Mommy

 

I could not get a smiley picture. Every time you smiled I just missed it on the camera. 

 

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy 4th of July from Mr. Jackson!!