Friday, March 30, 2018

Dermatology Woes

For the second time in six months, I've had to have skin removed after abnormal biopsies on moles. Ugh. Right now I'm sporting some awesome stitches covering a 2-inch incision on my back.

Last summer, I was at my parents' house, and my sister noticed a mole on my shoulder that she thought looked suspicious. I hadn't been to the dermatologist since before I was pregnant with Drew, which is shameful given my mom has had skin cancer 4 times including melanoma when I was in elementary school.

I found a dermatologist about 5 minutes from us and went in August. I was expecting that if they found something they wanted to remove, I'd have to come back, but nope, the doctor found 5 moles he wanted to take off and off they came. I got a little numbing shot in each mole, and GROSS ALERT, he scraped them off with a razor blade. The moles then got sent to the lab for testing.

I got a call a couple 2 weeks later that 1 was 'moderately abnormal' and they wanted me to come in to see a plastic surgeon to have more skin taken off. That procedure was also very fast, but given the location of the spot {it was the one my sister found on my shoulder}, I could kind of see what the surgeon was doing out of the corner of my eye, and that was probably the closest I have ever come to passing out, ha.

I went back in February for a 6-month check - it would have been a year if everything came back normal - and the doctor found 5 more moles to take off. This time one was 'abnormal' and one was 'severely abnormal'. For the abnormal one, I go back soon for a re-shave, so I'm guessing they just take more with the razor blade, gag. But for the severely abnormal one, it was the same plastic surgeon and the same procedure, just a bigger section removed. The first one was about 1 inch, and the second one is about 2 inches. The plastic surgeon told me that it was called severely abnormal based on how much of it acts like a cancerous mole and that if left alone it would likely turn into cancer. Interesting...

This one has hurt worse because of the location - it's right under my shoulder blade so picking anything up seems to stretch it - so you can imagine how that feels every time I pick up Paige. The instructions said not to lift anything for 2 weeks - not possible! It's feeling a lot better though 1-week later - my only remaining complaint is I think I might be a little allergic to the surgical tape - I itch SO MUCH! Brent is sick of hearing me complain about the itching or asking him to itch my back, ha.

There's no point to this post, except to tell y'all to get your moles checked if you don't on a regular basis! Here's to hoping the doctor doesn't find 5 moles every 6 months to take off! {grin}

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Movie Review: Love, Simon

I read Simon vs. The Homo-Sapiens Agenda in February and was excited to see Love, Simon, so I convinced Allison to go with me {not hard to do} even though she hadn't read the book.


Plot: Simon Spier is keeping a huge secret from his family, his friends, and all of his classmates: he's gay. When the secret is threatened, Simon must face everyone and come to terms with his identity.

Review: This movie gave me all the feels. It was really good but a typical YA movie - several scenes were eyeroll-worthy over-the-top or silly {like the teacher who cusses or the vice principal that talks about his sex life - yes, I know it's a movie but a bit ridiculous, ha}, but it was also really touching. I teared up when Simon came out to his parents because I really identified with the parents {which also made me feel super old} and it made me so sad thinking about my kids ever being scared to come and tell me something. I loved that part of the book and movie - how his parents reacted - yet it was also really hard on my heart. It was definitely a high school movie but I think it is good for any age and overall was really touching. It was a good way to talk about a challenging subject and still have it be light-ish and fun.

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Dell Match Play

Last Thursday, we went to the Dell Match Play golf tournament at the Austin Country Club with 3 other couples {2 of whom live in our neighborhood within .5 miles of us!}. We have friends who work at Dell, so we were able to get discounted tickets. Brent was a collegiate golfer and still plays competitively, but this tournament is not so much about watching golf as it is about eating, drinking, and socializing - my kind of golf tournament!

The Austin 360 Bridge and Lake Austin - love this view


Remember when I said I wanted to see Phil??
HI PHIL!!!
I saw him at another point and shouted 'Go Phil!' and I got a little wave!

Good friends!

Power nap before Round 2 of fun!

We decided to leave the tournament about 5:00, headed to our hotel, showered {and napped - Paige started my day at 5:00 AM}, and then headed out to dinner.

The whole gang - Aren't Brent and I so cute with our color coordination?



We ended the night playing Jenga until almost 2:00 AM in one of the other couple's room - they got upgraded into a really nice suite. My favorite part of these next few pics is my friend, Susie's, face in most of them.



When you lost, you had to take a shot in an espresso cup! Hi Susie!


Friday morning, Kristen drove to meet me for breakfast - any chance I get to see my bestie, I'm going to take it! We tried to go to one of our FAVORITE restaurants in the shopping area we stayed, but it had apparently closed. Womp, womp. So we ate breakfast in the hotel.

This egg hater had amazing French toast!

Then we headed home to see our babies, and Brent played in the practice round for a golf tournament he was in, ha! Such fun, and we can't wait to go back next year!

Monday, March 26, 2018

Photo-a-Day: Week 12

Day 78: That Time I Pulled 100+ Pounds Home From the Park

Day 79: Sleeping Beauty

Day 80: Easter Outfit Sneak Peak...DYING

Day 81: Dell Cat Nap

Day 82: Photo-Bombing Friends During Teacup Shots

Day 83: Baby Signing Time Snuggles

Day 84: Sewing Success!


Friday, March 23, 2018

15 Month Comparisons


Trent:
Weight: 22 pounds, 4 ounces - gained 13 pounds, 11 ounces
Height: 31 1/4" - grew 10 3/4"

Drew
Weight: 19 pounds, 2 ounces - gained 10 pounds, 2 ounces
Height: 29 1/2" - grew 9 1/2"

Paige:
Weight: 20 pounds - gained 10 pounds, 1 ounce
Height: 29" - grew 9"

I was really surprised at Paige's weight at her well-check because, from 12 to 13 months, she gained 1 ounce (sick visit weight check) but from 13 to 15 months she gained almost 2 pounds. She did weigh this time fully clothed, but I think Drew did too at 15 months... Either way, it looks like she and Drew are on their way to being right about the same size even though Paige looks bigger/wears a size bigger at this age. Not shocking that Trent is the biggest, given he's a boy, but he was the smallest for percentiles at 15 months. Drew and Paige were both right about 25% and Trent was 10-25%. For height, Paige was 10%, Drew 25%, and Trent 50%. 

I know I'm such a dork, but isn't that so interesting?! And let's be real, it doesn't matter too much because they are just THE CUTEST!! {grin}

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Grow Baby Grow {Paige} - 15 Months

Today Paige is 15 months old! Life sure is fun with this little girl - she is the sweetest and kindest little girl and so easy going. She is just the perfect caboose for our family.

Stats:
Height: 29 inches (10%)
Weight: 20 pounds (30%)
Head circumference: 45 cm (35%)
Clothes: 12-18 months in everything except dresses, there's she's 9-12 months
Diaper size: size 3 in disposables and 1 snap down in cloth
Shoe size: 4
Nicknames: Paigey, Paigey-Waigey, Baby Sister, Bo-Bo {a new one from Drew}...shockingly NOT Smoochie!



Paige is talking so much! She can say: hi, bye, night-night, mama, dada, snack, thank you, nose, uh-oh, no, and she signs a little: all done, more/again, outside.

Her language comprehension is outstanding. The other day she wanted some peas and corn, so we got the bags out of the freezer, and she started to pour the corn into the bowl. I told her that would make the corn spill on the floor and to put the bag down and get the corn with her hand. And that's what she did!

BUT...I think this language explosion has created a sleep regression - the last week was pretty bad - she had just had a good streak of sleeping through the night and then she's been waking up at night, fighting going down for bedtime and naps {think screaming for 30 minutes plus}, and is taking super short naps. Her voice is so hoarse, it breaks my heart. [Spoiler alert: the doctor today said it looks like she has a healing ear infection in both ears, so that makes me feel really great as a mom.]

She has some small tantrums but nothing too bad and usually bad only when she's tired. She is mostly a very relaxed and happy girl.

The only thing I'd say Paige hates is her car seat. Bribery involving pretzels or toys/toothbrushes of the big kids happens a lot to get her in the car. She still does better with her window down and if I can give her snacks.

She loves: stuffed animals, her siblings, her mama, anything that is adult - keys, my wallet, etc., being outside, shoes, WATER, eating.

She still doesn't really like to read, she wants to hold the books and turn pages herself. The only books she does like are ones where she can touch something. She also isn't interested in TV - the longer we hold off on that, the happier I am!

We nurse only in relation to sleep - when she wakes up, before nap, and before bed. And in the middle of the night if she's up, ugh. She is nowhere near as interested in nursing as Drew was, so I'll be curious how long she'll go...

Paige eats great - loves fruits and veggies! We joke that her high chair is her happy place.

She still has 10 teeth - her 1 year molars all came in around 13 months. She has another tooth {bottom left next to the middle one} poking through, so I wonder if that was causing problems with sleep last week too?

Man oh man, am I so glad I fought to get this little girl - she is truly magical. Brent was holding her the other day and said 'Your mama was right about you.' She just melts EVERYONE! WE LOVE YOU PAIGEY!

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Currently

Current Book

One for book club and one for the book challenge

Current Song

I LOVE Kacey Musgaves and she has new music!
Her album, Golden Hour, comes out on March 30, and I've already pre-ordered.

With the pre-order, I got 2 songs: Butterflies and Space Cowboy - They are both AMAZING. 
Drew even sings along to both because I play them so often, ha.


Current TV Show 

I have loved Jenna Fischer since the office, so I'm excited to give this a try.

And Brent was a big Roseanne fan back in the day, so we'll give this a try too.

Current Drink

I just finished a smoothie from a local place called Hydrate.
I like to stop there after an Orange Theory workout.

Current Shame-Inducing Pleasure

I am watching so many YouTube documentaries about the English aristocracies.
I am such a dork, but I have such a fascination with this subject!

Current Outfit

Workout clothes - a tank that says 'CARDIO AND COFFEE' and leggings! 
What's funny is I don't drink coffee, but the tank was on sale, ha.

Current Celebrity Crush

Phil Mickelson has always been my favorite golfer - not really sure why?
Maybe to annoy Brent?
But he'll be at the Dell Match Play, and I'm so excited!
Maybe I can convince him to trade that hat for a better Big 4?!?


Current Mood

Happy! Life is moving along nicely. We had a good spring break, Trent is still doing really good at his new school, everyone is healthy {I probably just jinxed us}, Brent's job is going well, 
life is good!

Current Anticipation

Another Allena is a dork moment: I am excited for Paige's well-check on Wednesday because I love getting her stats and comparing her to her siblings.

Current Wishlist

I need a new bathing suit, yuck. As it warms up, I know I have lots of pool activities coming up. I'm down 12 pounds since the fall, but I still have a long way to go. I don't think a Target suit is going to work out - I think I need to go to a real store and find one that truly fits!

Current Film

Allison and I are hoping to see this one this weekend!

And we're waiting for this one to come to the dollar cinema - 
the current times are bad so once it gets to the $ cinema, we will hit it up!

Current Picture




Monday, March 19, 2018

Photo-a-Day: Week 11

Day 71: No Package Bombs For Us, Please
{For anyone who doesn't know, there have been several deaths in ATX due to bombs left in packages on people's porches - so awful} 

Day 72: Eye Exam with Her Bestie's Mom!
{She might need vision therapy, but we're continuing to monitor right now.}

Day 73: Sisters

Day 74: Neighbors/Friends - Also, Please Don't Hold My Hand {Says Paige}

Day 75: Being Silly With My Girls {There was alcohol involved}

Day 76: Ice Cream and Snow Cones

Day 77: He's Too Cool


Friday, March 16, 2018

Five on Friday

ONE
Wet Brush

This brush is so amazing for little girl tangles. Drew gets her hair so tangled because she twirls it constantly. Plus her hair is really thin and fine and tangles enough without her twirling. The Wet brush untangles it so easily without hurting her head. We love it!


TWO
HEB Curbside

Our grocery store does delivery and curbside pickup! I haven't tried delivery, but almost weekly I do curbside pickup. I go online, fill up my cart, select my time slot, and pick up my groceries. I do pay $5 for the service and there is a 3% fee per item, so you might think it's not worth it, but I find I stay on budget better when I'm not in the store adding random things to my cart. I had to go to the store for the first time in months and with all 3 kids...reminded me that the fee is TOTALLY worth it for more than 1 reason. WE LOVE IT!

THREE
Elderberry Syrup

I made elderberry syrup this year using THIS recipe. Our doctor recommended using it when the kids are sick, but it's pretty expensive when you consider how quickly you can use a bottle when you have 3 kids. Making it was super easy AND made a huge batch. Plus I still have enough elderberry leftover {ordered from Amazon} to make it several more times.

FOUR
Pomegranate

Guys. I had never tried pomegranate before this winter. What rock have I been living under? This might be my favorite fruit EVER. AND it has amazing health benefits! Paige loves it too, and we can go through a container very quickly. Am I the only dumb person who had never eaten it before?


FIVE
Dell Match Play

Next week, Brent and I plus 5 other couples are going to the Dell Match Play at the Austin Country Club. Brent went last year, but I wasn't ready to leave Paige. I'm so excited for this year! And let's be real - not really at all about the golf but about the eating, drinking, and hanging out with my girlfriends! One friend asked Brent how long we'd stay at the tournament and Brent said (and I quote) 'When the girls get too drunk.' HA! Luckily a shuttle will be driving us and we're staying in a hotel for the night. GLORIOUS!

Look at that view from of the 360 bridge!


Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Our Little Graduate!

We have reached a day that I wasn't sure would ever come, and I just had to share...


Trent graduated from speech therapy!!!!

Going all the way back to Trent's 3-year well-check, I blogged about how he misused his tongue - a trait he inherited from yours truly. From the minute he was born, his tongue firmly stuck out of his mouth. We called him 'Snake' in the hospital even, ha.

My cute, little tongue thruster

We did speech therapy for about 9 months right after he turned 3, but he wasn't ready. The therapists told us they felt guilty taking our money because he wouldn't do anything in his sessions!

Brent and I discussed it off and on for a few years, but the focus always ended up being more on his behavior, so it fell by the wayside. But last year, I finally bit the bullet and found a home health place, and we worked with an amazing therapist, Ms. Terri, for about a year.

And a few weeks ago, Trent finished his last session! He isn't using his ton 100% right all the time, but he is doing so much better, and often, he uses it correctly without prompting. I can't believe it - I really thought we'd never get here! I'm so proud of the work he put into his sessions and his practice between sessions. It's amazing to see the results of all his hard work!!

But just in case you were worried what we'd do with all that free time...

She's Trent's twin in more than just looks...
check out that tongue action! {grin}


Monday, March 12, 2018

Photo-a-Day: Week 10

Day 64: Breakfast Time!

Day 65: Fashion Princess

Day 66: Can You Find Trent?

Day 67: Napping

Day 68: While Mom Gets a Haircut {Yes, the dryer was on!}

Day 69: Aunt-Niece Love

Day 70: Strolling at Nana's