I didn't disappear... Some updates and upcoming events

As most of you know, we've been having crazy internet issues. Our family is in the process of switching providers, and I'm trying to convince my husband that we really need to do the "double" or triple pack from this new provider. He doesn't think that a TV is necessary, and that we're saving money by not having it-- (I've been surviving without it for about 4 months now to save money, I feel like I'm going through withdrawal. Thank God it was the summer and no good great shows were on.. LOL!)

Speaking of which- when does Grey's come back on?? Ack. I cannot bare to think what I'd do without my Grey's. In the meantime, last week I read the entire Twilight saga.. all four books, from cover to cover, and saw the movie. I am officially heart broken for Jacob, and now that I've finished Breaking Dawn, I understand completely. I cannot wait to see the next movie, and read whatever else Stephenie Meyers has up her sleeves.

I'm sorry that the last several posts have been more press-release style posts... with Back to School in full swing, trying to get on a good schedule again has been more than difficult. Alex is doing phenomenally well in school so far- both in academics and in behavior. He's excited to see what this new year is going to do for him.

I have been elected into the School Advisory Committee. I am excited about my new "position" but unsure of what is exactly expected of me. Last year (and this year) I was a part of the PTO, but never really felt a "part" of it.. I'm happy to be joining another committee as a proactive parent, and am eager to meet on the 17th with the rest of the committee.

I used to joke that nothing happens for me unless it all happens in the same week- now I know that that is the case! I am preparing for Izea Fest, trying to get everything in order, including my Flip repaired, (but that's a WHOLE other post!), and in the process was invited to a wedding in Brazil. One of my dear friends is getting married the same weekend. Shortly after that, I was cordially invited to a premier baby event in New York City, also on that weekend.

There's good news and bad news to that last paragraph... The good news is that I'll be attending Izea Fest- thanks to my great friends at Look What Mom.. and Dad.. Found- a representative, and very dear friend, Cyndy will be attending The Baby Show in NYC, and hopefully, I can figure out how to mail a gift to my darling friend in Brazil. The bad news is that the Flip people say it could take up to 4-6 weeks for me to receive the device back again, so I may not have it in time for the conference. I'm going to try not to think about that for now, and maybe I'll find another video recording device to review for the event. *sigh* So that's what's been going on in 4BabyAndMom-land.

I hope all is well with you, my readers, and look forward to the next several weeks! I can't wait to share what I've learned from the conference with you all, get back to blogging about more than press releases.. There will be several giveaways posted this week, as long as the internet is cooperative- but after the message I received today, I have a feeling that things will be changing around here, and that the whirl wind I belonged to this morning has just dropped me in a new place, with amazing possibilities. Like a baby eagle who's just about to spread her wings, I have a whole world to explore now, and I'm super excited to share it with you all!!

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Updates at 4BabyAndMom!

Just wanted to touch base with my readers to let you all know what's been going on in the home of 4BabyAndMom!

Alex has two more days left of school! He is very excited to become a first grader, and have a real school experience.

Abbie is potty training, and has gone pee pee on the potty three days in a row, as long as she's butt nekkid. If she's wearing a pair of undies, she occasionally pees in them, but in the diaper is a definite. I figure we'll work on that more this summer.

Bri's back to working on Fridays!! WOOOO! Hopefully, this will mean we can catch up on some things again. (X your fingers!!)

I am pulling together last minute details for the last day of school- (what do I get his teacher?!), swim lessons that start on the 9th for the both of them-(I'll be at the pool from 9:40-11:30am!), tons of testing for Alex over the summer (allergies, gifted, etc), why the pool is deflated and 6 inches lower- (Weather? Cat? Hole?) and the reunification with NewBaby's birth father!

It's not official yet, but she's going to be leaving us very soon. As difficult as it is to say good-bye, I can honestly say the season has come for her to begin her life with her birth father.

I am excited for our summer to begin, and for this interesting, emotional, disasterous, inspiring, weird, exhausting chapter of our lives to close.

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Busy Week at 4BabyAndMom!

What a week!
Tonight has literally been the first time in about 8 days that I've truly been able to just have a moment to myself. This week we had some legal stuff hit the fan with NewBaby, and her biological parents and the "system". Unfortunately, I cannot get into what exactly went on, but know that she (and the whole situation) still needs tons of prayers, good thoughts, and all the well wishes you can spare.

This week my parents announced to the entire extended family that after 42 years of marriage, they've filed for divorce. My immediate family has known since January, and it's been quite the nut to swallow. We- Brian and I- are doing ok with it, but since it was announced my phone hasn't stopped ringing with relatives asking what the heck happened. My answer is the same for everyone, I have no idea. I have friends that went through their parents separating or divorcing, and they said after being married for so long, that one day they just didn't "know" that person anymore. Although it's hard for us now, I know it's going to get harder- especially for my kids. They absolutely worship the ground Grandma and Grandpa walk on, and when one is around they constantly ask where the other one is. Thankfully, I believe that they are young enough that even though it will affect them, that I don't believe it will cause extreme damage. I do believe that anything is possible and that God has the ability to heal all things that are broken, but you have to want to fix it. At this time, I do not believe either of my parents wish to fix it, and that saddens me.

This week I purchased my direct domain! I once owned 4BabyAndMom.com and ran a very small business making handmade items for both women and children. I am excited to re-open the direct domain very soon, with a new and exciting layout and look for 4BabyAndMom! It's a work in progress, and I am super excited to complete it and relaunch the site!

As you read in my last post, we also had guests stop by unexpectedly that added to the hustle and bustle this week. They will be leaving tomorrow and although we had a great visit, I am happy to have our home back to ourselves.

Today Alex scored his first goal at soccer! I am so proud of him, and will be posting the story and some pictures from practice and his first game tomorrow. He plays in an Upward league and earned the grey star this week and last week he earned the gold star. He's so excited to be a part of the team, and the goal today was really the cherry on top!

This week "someone" got a hold of scissors and gave Abbie a mullet-inspired hair cut, but thankfully her hair grows like a weed, and it's growing in quickly. I thought she had the chicken pox earlier this week, but it turns out she was attacked by some No-See-Um's. She enjoyed cheering for her brother in his big game today, and kicking around the soccer ball on the sidelines.

There are some great reviews and giveaways coming up this week, and one still currently running for the ladies to splurge on something for themselves at Sweet Boutique. Be sure to check it out, and tell your friends!

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What's Happening in March?

Alright, alright- I've gotten a few emails from readers asking what was going on for March. 4BabyAndMom just had a great bloggy party in February, something has to be going on in March!

Right now in our family, we are finishing up last minute details for Alex's party tomorrow. He has soccer in the AM, and then his party in the afternoon- (which nobody from his class has rsvp'd for yet, and I'm ticked!)- and after that, I plan on finishing a book that I'm almost done with.

I'm waiting to receive a few products from companies that I'll get to review and dish out the deals and maybe a giveaway or two, to you- my readers! In the meantime, I have to make a "Leprechaun Catcher" for Alex's theme project this month.. I have no idea where to begin! the next few days will have some links to great giveaways and reviews I've found and participated in, and think you might like, plus a little bit of the chaos at home. If you have any suggestions on how to make a Leprechaun Catcher, let me know!!

Anyway, the second week of March through the end of March are going to be full of fun 4 Baby And Mom, so be sure to keep reading- (and sign up for our new email feed!!) so you don't miss any of it!

If you know of a product that you'd like to see reviewed here at 4BabyAndMom, please feel free to email me at 4BabyAndMom [at] gmail [dot] com!

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The Unnamed Post

Ugh, my old computer really did one in on me, my folders are all screwy! If you participated in one of the giveaways, please check out that "did you win?" link in the top right hand corner of my blog and if you won, reply there and then shoot me an email if you haven't received one from me. I think I got you all now, and everything is caught up on.. if I didn't please email me at 4babyandmom [at] gmail [dot] com.

Anywho- I have a laptop now.. We decided on a PC until we can get the Mac I oogled over. so far so good! The only thing that I am trying to get used to on this computer vs. my desktop, is the paint program (which is how I post the winners). If you notice the colors might be a little off on the last few, vs. the earlier winners, I apologize.. LOL!

Bri's home from work today because they had no work, so please do me a favor and say a little prayer that his company does no more layoffs. If they do, he's on the next batch of layoffs. The only other people that would be left are the ones with the same last name as the Company, or ones directly related through blood or marriage. He only worked two days this week, this is not good. Hopefully we can catch up on some things that need to be done around the house while Alex is in school today.

The kids and I are *finally* starting to feel better, our company from NY and TN have headed home, Alex has school pictures today, and Abbie has her Build-A-Bear Birthday party tomorrow. I'm psyched! (Yes, I just used psyched.)

Alex has been doing so great with school lately, I could just burst! Since being transferred to his new school, he was doing well, and then he started testing and pushing their limits again just a few weeks ago. I talked with the behavioral specialist, and told her how I *know* that his behavior correlates with his sleep and when he sleeps well, he has better days, and when he doesn't go to bed on time or has an interrupted sleep, the next day is atrocious. She and my normal pediatrician suggested we try giving him melatonin at night before bed to see if that had any effect on his behaviors. Since he's started the melatonin on school nights, his behavior at school, and at home has done a complete 180, and he's excelling so much further than I ever thought was possible!

It turns out that my son is not Autistic, does not have some form of social dysfunction, and he does *not* have a learning disability- like the other school implied- or Asperger's Syndrome, as they "strongly suggested". In fact, it's the exact opposite. I've always thought that Alex was a smart cookie, but never did I expect what ended up happening next. He was evaluated by an independent psychologist, and his abbreviated I.Q. score came back as 133. The psychologist said that if the full test was administered, he'd likely be deemed "very gifted". He's been tested by his current teacher (who he LOVES!!) and we found out that he reads over a 6th grade level! (He's in Kindergarten, by the way.) One day I was researching learning disabilities, and the next I am sitting shocked and confused on how one could misdiagnose without a degree in medicine, and not recognize excellence. Why did the other school have to put our family through the personal hell they did?! I am furious, and praying for the right words to write to the Board of Education and to the Superintendent.

So, that's pretty much the updates around here. I am so excited as to what the future holds for Alex, for my family, for my Little Miss, and for my new computer. It's a good day!

Oh wait, I'm sure you all want a giveaway and review today, huh? Well, you're going to have to stay tuned, because our SEE KAI RUN review will be posted later this afternoon. You're not going to want to miss it! :o)

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