Dax got his cast off! YAY! The nurse came in to show me the x-ray and that it had healed perfectly and told me it was okay for me to put him down so he could start learning to walk on it again. By the time the doctor made it in he'd already mastered that. The doctor looked down and said "WOW!" "I can't believe he is up and walking on it that well" I laughed and said "yeah, that must be the boy in him." Dr. Khoury, still with a shocked look, said "No, it even takes boys a while to do that."
Dax has been so much happier since it's been off even though he's still showing his temper when he doesn't get what he wants, there is definitely a difference.
This isn't Dax's x-ray, but it might as well be (b/f cast) because it's the same kind of fracture in the same place. Though, Dax's fracture was on his left leg
Speaking of temper tantrums, I'll update you on a "firsts" for the baby book. Dax got his 1st ... spanking. Yep, that's right, you read right. I spanked my child and I fully intend on spanking him when I feel the need is there.
I want to take a side note to apologize to my brother. A little back story first though:
We were sitting at the table after eating Thanksgiving dinner and I told him about Dax's tantrums when he didn't get what he wanted. About him kicking me, screaming and etc. and I asked him what should I do. Brian's reply came quick but humble, "spank him." Which followed with me quickly asking Brian "spank him? he's only 16 mos!" At the time, sure of myself thought "I can't spank him. He's too young." I asked his opinion and when he gave it to me I kind of balked at the idea.
My brother also said something else that I thought was interesting. Clint was jokingly telling Brian that when he was little. He wanted that spanking. He said that he'd take the spanking any day over being grounded. He said being grounded, timeouts... seemed so long, drawn out and tortuous. "Give me the spanking, please!" he said. My brother's reply to this was "Maybe then, spanking is the more merciful thing to do."
Brian was right, Dax was old enough to understand no, he's understood no for a very long time now. So Dax got his first spanking and guess what? It worked. He didn't like it and it was, so far, the hardest thing I've had to do. But then being a parent isn't easy is it? My mom ordered a book from Dr. James Dobson. I'm reading it and probably sure to read more in the future. Disciplining is so hard for me. To know the right time, to know the right place... etc. The media and internet will have you so overwrought with fear of disciplining you child in the wrong way will leave him scarred for life. I believe I fell prey to the media and internet fear mongering.
As for the rest of us we are doing well. We are supposed to be in Gatlinburg as I speak right now but alas another vacation canceled due to my migraines. What does Teri want for Christmas? Maxalt! I want it to fall out of the sky like rain. It costs over $200 for 10 pills. It's amazing to me that they will make habit forming narcotic painkillers very cost efficient but something non narcotic and actually does the job right, they make so expensive that you can't afford it - to make matters worse we can't find an insurance company that will cover this - they all see it as "pre-existing." I had BC/BS for YEARS and as soon as I need to switch to BC/BS individual they tell me they won't pay for anything for a year b/c it's pre-existing.. really?? I'm going to wage a one woman war against the drug companies and the insurance gangsters.... as soon as I get rid of this migraine! ;o)
Here's something pleasant because reading back over this post I noticed so far it hasn't been - spankings, migraines... pretty tragic sounding. So - Jacqueline posted a "Christmas Meme" and invited others to do the same. Not to turn down an invitation...
Okay before I go any further, for those of you who doesn't know what "meme" is, here you go. I know I can't be the only one whose never seen this word... anyone? anyone? Oh well, I'm not surprised. Click on the word meme.
meme
Are you a Black Friday Shopper?
Depends. In the past decade or so, I only shopped on that day when I had Angels to buy for. I was in charge of running the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program at our firm and we never had a problem getting the money. We did however have a problem finding shoppers. So me, along with some other special ladies from the firm would have 8-10 kids to shop for. We had a strict budget of $100 per angel. In order to get their "want" and "need" met by the deadline (Dec 4) black Friday shopping was a must!
Salvation Army
When do you put up your Tree?
Depends, on when I get the time and where I get the tree from. Fresh cut trees are more expensive but last a lot longer. Cheaper trees from Lowe's start losing their needles earlier.
Do you Travel at Christmas or Stay home?
Travel but always home on Christmas Day. Actually we are supposed to be in Gatlinburg right now. Sorry everyone for ruining plans! Please don't hate me.
What is your favorite Christmas Movie of All time?
Christmas Story and National Lampoon's Christmas vacation. They are both family tradition and both equally hilarious. We start out with the Christmas Story Marathon on TNT and somehow National Lampoon's always happens to be on after we've gotten through stuffing ourselves at the family gathering. Hearing your Paw Paw, Uncle, Parents... everyone in the room laugh so hard they can't stop is classic! I never get tired of either. It's just like how the dog show is always on Thanksgiving Day and we somehow manage to end up watching - laughing at as well.
Do you do your own Christmas Baking, what’s your favorite treat?
Are you kidding? This is like the only time of the year you see me in the kitchen just for fun! Clint and I like to make white chocolate covered pretzels. Before the season is over with we've usually gotten so lazy and into the groove of eating them that we just warm up the chocolate in a bowl, double dip and eat while sitting on the couch watching Home Alone (Clint's Favorite), Rudolph (was on last night) or Frosty the Snowman.
Fake or Real Tree?
REAL! Half the fun of decorating for Christmas - for us - is picking out the tree, backing the truck up to the front porch... using the trimmings to make wreaths and garland and let's not forget about the smell of a Fraser Fir! Gotta have it.
What day (as a mom) does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
Used to...7 day until C-mas!! But since Dax I made myself a promise to never let anything about Christmas stress me again. Even though I love decorating for Christmas, wrapping presents and etc. The minute it gets to be too much I look for ways to make it easier or just let it go altogether. I have to, I used to wear myself down so bad doing all that stuff that I'd get a nasty cold and really bad sick by the time Christmas made it. So, no more.
Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
Yes and even in the car on the way to whose house we are gathering at! Never fails. There's always someone's present I procrastinated about and/or didn't find anything for them until the last minute.
What Christmas craft do you like the best?
making my wreaths, swags and garland out of tree trimmings, any cedar tree that needs some trimming and berries from my bushes or the neighbors... ;o)
Christmas music. Yes or No, and if yes What is your favorite song?
OH YES!!! But the past couple of years I been overly hormonal, so, some I can't listen to or I'll start crying... ha ha. Especially my favorite Christmas song. Stevie Wonder's "Someday at Christmas" It's really pretty and it usually gets me every time.
When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
I don't plan ahead, I can't. I'll give myself a migraine. If only I could plan those!
When do you take the tree down?
New Year's Day. I pretty excited to begin the year with a clean decoration free house! However, I do leave the wreath on the door throughout the winter.
Do you like eggnog?
Use to, but now it's seems way too fattening. It's not good enough for me to have to spend time on a treamill for...
Hardest person to buy for?
Dad. Though he'd really rather I didn't waste the time or money. Maybe it's because we haven't found the right thing to get him yet? j/k
Easiest person to buy for?
Myself, again, only kidding.
Worst gift you ever received?
I've never received a bad gift. Even the ones I didn't like I figured out a purpose for it. Like yard sale or REGIFT... I'm interested in what people might think I'd like whether I like it or not. So if anything that is really the present in itself.
When do you start shopping for the holidays?
I'm a spontaneous person so pretty much when the planets align.
Have you ever recycled a present?
Nah, not that I can recall.
Hasn't everyone done that?
I don't think so...I know more people than not that wouldn't do that.
Favorite thing to eat during the holidays?
Macoroni and Cheese Casserole. This reminds me of my Maw Maw as soon as I even smell it. She used to make the best and left the very simple, well known and standard southern recipe behind. Sometimes I tweak it, sometimes I don't.
Lights on the tree?
That's the best part. Although my lights have been white on my trees for years, I'm missing the the colored lights more and more. Now that Dax is here, I believe I'll put another tree up with colored next year. Matter of fact, I'm waiting on outdoor colored lights to make a comeback. I know white was the style and it's classier, but I think colored should make a comeback. The only problem is people don't always coordinate their colored lights as well.
Favorite Christmas Hymn?
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Angel on the tree top or a star?
Depends on the year. Or my style at the time. Looks like it was a star last year:
What gift are you hoping to receive this year?
hmm...
