Friday, October 7, 2011

Update of Blake

After our visit to Ohio in August our surgeon let us know we would continue our quarterly AFP blood work on Blake for another year. We were to have it done at Children's Birmingham (as usual) soon after the beginning of September. Not surprising our schedules just didn't permit. I either had all three kids. Which taking all three of them to Children's by myself isn't a option. Especially when AK says she wants to see the sick kids. Who knows where she would wonder off to while I am in the lab holding down the strongest 1 year old in the nation. I would find her in some kids room trying to play doctor. Finally, last week Olivia came in to town and I had a helper to tame the masses. BTW she was a wonderful assistant!
A day or so ago the nurse from Dr. Harmon's office called to give us our results. I had no reason to expect anything less than dropping numbers. Her last AFP in June was in the mid 70's (which is expected). Again we are still aiming towards 0-9 and for it to remain there forever. Typically it drops 20 or so points every 3 months. It had dropped to 28! Yippee! This was wonderful news. A dramatic drop in her level and a blessing. I couldn't believe it. I guess waiting those extra two weeks really paid off for her.
In other toddler news. Both girls have taken steps all on their own. Blake still is working on her balance and butt muscle strength, but has enough desire to go go go that she just might walk in a month or so. She has no issue with climbing that's for sure. I constantly have to keep a eye on her because one minute she is on the floor and the next she is on top of a chair. Quick little thing!
Palmers personality reigns true with her walking skills. She can do it but hey why walk when I can crawl or someone can carry me is her philosophy. She has the strength and the balance but just doesn't care. Just her way of life...easy come...easy go.
Both girls are chattering more and more each day. It will be no time before I will be out numbered on the who can yell loudest category.
The other day I was making a video of Miss P dancing away. She literally dances to anything with a beat and every moment is a good moment to dance in her opinion. She noticed Blake playing with a remote and bee lined it over....the rest is you tube magic. Enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWQ8ETKRgcY

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Adios Amigos

There are few people in this world who completely understand me, put up with me, and most important love me for who I am. Obviously my family creates the bulk of this group, but there are a few others out there in the world who "get" the true Kristen Bass Moran. Oh, how I love them for loving me. Two of these people I have had to say goodbye to all in one week. How bad does this stink? Well one time in high school someone put a can of slightly opened tuna under someone else back seat of their car. You can imagine how that smelled after about a week? That is how bad saying goodbye to multiple good friends all at once stinks~ like rotting tuna!

The first friend is a old high school friend of mine. Olivia was a exchange student in my high school my junior year. After a "fortunate for me" turn of events she ended up moving in with my family and spent her remaining 6 months in my house. It was wonderful! She then returned to Germany. In 1999 a friendship began and has continued to grow stronger over the years. 12 years later it is still going strong. We get to see each other on average every 3 years and through the wonderful world of FB, text, and skype speak frequently. Recently her husband was transferred to Boston to work for 2 years. Her dream has always been to live in the U.S. and mine too. She moved to Boston in June. It has been so nice to be able to pick up my cell phone and dial "Olivia" and there she was! Because of a turn of events she is moving back to Germany on THURSDAY!!! So sad :( Thankfully she chose to take one of her last weeks in the states to come and visit with me and my sister and our bunch of kids. I had her for 5 days and it was wonderful! She and I gabbed about old times, new times, changed diapers together, laughed together, and ATE A LOT! She left on friday and I will not see her for another year. I hate saying goodbye or even see you later. I will miss her!
You think that saying bye bye to a dear friend would be enough for one week, but oh no, I always feel the need to out do everyone. So I thought, "hey why don't we just say goodbye to someone else." I mean why not, right.
In 2003 Jeff introduced me to his good friend Grant Gilmer. Shortly after that Grant met a wonderful lady named Lynlee. Their relationship bloomed and were married in 2005. Shortly after our move to Birmingham in 2006 we began hanging out with the Gilmers frequently. A relationship began to bloom between Lynlee & I. Pretty much we are the only two people that can stand each other. We are two of a kind (good and bad) and with just a sigh can tell how each others day is going. Food and wine are our cures for everything! It is a beautiful thing that we have going. A couple of months ago her husband had the opportunity to transfer to a town about 1 1/2 hours away from here. And here we are in October and its time for the big move. The movers will pack up their home on Monday and I will say goodbye. Yes, we will still see each other and talk EVERY DAY but its not the same. (Stomping my feet) I don't like it one bit. Too much change....makes....me....panic....
I am aware that one day the Gilmer family will return to Birmingham but one day isn't today and that is pretty much the only way I will be satisfied with this situation. Can anyone tell I am not big on change? Guess I better gas up the "submarine" and start making my plans for my first slumber party in Gadsden, Alabama soon because it is gonna happen. I will miss you my dear friend. Hurry back soon!
In conclusion I do not recommend saying goodbye to more than one friend in a week. Doing otherwise can cause moments of anger, tears, and binge chocolate eating.