I know, I know. It's been a long time since I have updated. Sorry. Things have been quite hectic around the Stephens' household over the past few months.
I'll begin by saying I hope everyone stuffed themselves for Thanksgiving, received everything they wanted for Christmas and rang in the New Year on a good note!
I know the last time I updated Zach had been sick a lot. Well, that continued....through Christmas. We had our first real asthma attack (not fun) and found that he is allergic (highly sensitive)to a few foods. He also still isn't really talking, which puts him a little behind for his age. So, long story short; we had tubes put in his ears on 1.08.08 and I took a FMLA leave of absence from my job starting 12.27.07. Since those two things happened we now have a different child. He is starting to talk and for the first time since OCTOBER, he has gone more than 10 days without an ear infection. We are weaning him off of his steroids and introducing some of the foods that we had to avoid only a few months ago. We (his MANY doctor's and I) think that his little system was just so weak that any and every little thing made him sick and being in a daycare was the worst thing for him. We still have to be careful around food and watch him closely if he gets a cold, but it's no longer PANIC PANIC PANIC on a daily basis. This is good, so good Im thinking about staying at home on a permanent basis.
Lacey is doing well. She will be 4 tomorrow. I can't believe it. It seems like I just blinked my eyes and she went from being Zach's age to 4 whole years old! She loves me being at home, but I am searching for a church pre-school of some sort. The girl is busy...and very social. She needs an outlet. She is still very much a Daddys girl!! She also loves her little dogs. The boy, Drake, is still small. She carries him around like he is her baby. I think he thinks he a baby too because he never runs from her, he always comes to her. He also loves snuggling up with her when she lays him down in the midst of all of her baby dolls at nap time. It is just the cutest thing. Boxers and children are made for one another and it is so sweet to watch.
Andy and I are doing really well. I am a little bummed about what is going on with my job. I am first and foremost a mother and a wife, but following closely is an independent woman who enjoys working. I have a great job. The pay is outstanding and the people are great. I know it like the back of my hand. But when I see the difference I make in my sons health by staying at home, none of it matters. Staying at home is a little bit of a challenge for me. I like to stay busy and I like to get things done. You can only mop the floors so many times, ya'll. I have created little projects to do around the house and I make sure that we get out of the house (even if its just to go to the post office) at least once a day. A month into it and it seems to be working. Im very grateful I have this option, and while my mind isnt made up yet (I have 12 weeks) Im leaning towards staying at home. I think I may even start back to school. Im only 25. Still plenty of time to get my education, right? Ive got the time and scholarships, why not? Anyways, I always wanted to make sure I received some sort of higher education degree for the kids. Statistics show that if you went to college, you children are more likely to also.Andy is very happy with his decision to change jobs. Right now he is working out of town a lot, but the pay and the hours are good and thats what we need. Since I am not working, we are able to take little trips to visit him. He also brought me home a present a couple of weeks ago. He gave us a sweet little puppy, a boxer to be exact. She was a runt and no one wanted her. Andy has always loved Boxers and he has been on the lookout for one for a while now. A week later he brought another one home. This time it was a boy. Andy has decided he would like to maybe breed them one day. Im ALL for it. I love dogs. Boxers are one of my favorite breeds too. So right now Im here with two kids and two puppies. Add to that, one little boy who I am starting to potty train and two puppies that I am trying to house train. So I am VERY busy. ALL the time. It bugs me when people ask me what it is I do all day. And no, I don't watch Oprah thank you very much. :)
Hopefully that catches everyone up. If you think about it when you say your prayers, pray for us. We have been searching for an answer on what to do with my job. Given the state of the economy it is, quite frankly, very stupid to GIVE up a good job. We also hope that Zachs tubes STAY in his ears and he continues to get better!
I'll begin by saying I hope everyone stuffed themselves for Thanksgiving, received everything they wanted for Christmas and rang in the New Year on a good note!
I know the last time I updated Zach had been sick a lot. Well, that continued....through Christmas. We had our first real asthma attack (not fun) and found that he is allergic (highly sensitive)to a few foods. He also still isn't really talking, which puts him a little behind for his age. So, long story short; we had tubes put in his ears on 1.08.08 and I took a FMLA leave of absence from my job starting 12.27.07. Since those two things happened we now have a different child. He is starting to talk and for the first time since OCTOBER, he has gone more than 10 days without an ear infection. We are weaning him off of his steroids and introducing some of the foods that we had to avoid only a few months ago. We (his MANY doctor's and I) think that his little system was just so weak that any and every little thing made him sick and being in a daycare was the worst thing for him. We still have to be careful around food and watch him closely if he gets a cold, but it's no longer PANIC PANIC PANIC on a daily basis. This is good, so good Im thinking about staying at home on a permanent basis.
Lacey is doing well. She will be 4 tomorrow. I can't believe it. It seems like I just blinked my eyes and she went from being Zach's age to 4 whole years old! She loves me being at home, but I am searching for a church pre-school of some sort. The girl is busy...and very social. She needs an outlet. She is still very much a Daddys girl!! She also loves her little dogs. The boy, Drake, is still small. She carries him around like he is her baby. I think he thinks he a baby too because he never runs from her, he always comes to her. He also loves snuggling up with her when she lays him down in the midst of all of her baby dolls at nap time. It is just the cutest thing. Boxers and children are made for one another and it is so sweet to watch.
Andy and I are doing really well. I am a little bummed about what is going on with my job. I am first and foremost a mother and a wife, but following closely is an independent woman who enjoys working. I have a great job. The pay is outstanding and the people are great. I know it like the back of my hand. But when I see the difference I make in my sons health by staying at home, none of it matters. Staying at home is a little bit of a challenge for me. I like to stay busy and I like to get things done. You can only mop the floors so many times, ya'll. I have created little projects to do around the house and I make sure that we get out of the house (even if its just to go to the post office) at least once a day. A month into it and it seems to be working. Im very grateful I have this option, and while my mind isnt made up yet (I have 12 weeks) Im leaning towards staying at home. I think I may even start back to school. Im only 25. Still plenty of time to get my education, right? Ive got the time and scholarships, why not? Anyways, I always wanted to make sure I received some sort of higher education degree for the kids. Statistics show that if you went to college, you children are more likely to also.Andy is very happy with his decision to change jobs. Right now he is working out of town a lot, but the pay and the hours are good and thats what we need. Since I am not working, we are able to take little trips to visit him. He also brought me home a present a couple of weeks ago. He gave us a sweet little puppy, a boxer to be exact. She was a runt and no one wanted her. Andy has always loved Boxers and he has been on the lookout for one for a while now. A week later he brought another one home. This time it was a boy. Andy has decided he would like to maybe breed them one day. Im ALL for it. I love dogs. Boxers are one of my favorite breeds too. So right now Im here with two kids and two puppies. Add to that, one little boy who I am starting to potty train and two puppies that I am trying to house train. So I am VERY busy. ALL the time. It bugs me when people ask me what it is I do all day. And no, I don't watch Oprah thank you very much. :)
Hopefully that catches everyone up. If you think about it when you say your prayers, pray for us. We have been searching for an answer on what to do with my job. Given the state of the economy it is, quite frankly, very stupid to GIVE up a good job. We also hope that Zachs tubes STAY in his ears and he continues to get better!
