He's here, the Phantom of the Opera...

I'm a happy girl. Tuesday, March 23, Nathan and I went to see Phantom! This was my fourth time to see it and Nathan's second. We had great seats - the eighth row! It's always a great show, but when you're close to the stage, it makes it so much better!

About a week before the show, I realized that I didn't really have anything appropriate to wear. I'm still old-fashioned enough to believe that evening events at the theater require dressing up a little, and my closet contains a mixture of teacher apparel and overly casual Mommy clothes. No dresses, really. So, I was on a mission: find a dress that is nice enough for the evening, but also practical enough to be worn on other occasions.

Shopping is difficult for me. Have you ever taken two toddlers and a baby to a clothing store by yourself? Basically, it's close to impossible. God forbid I have to try anything on, because there is no way I'd be able to keep all three of them corralled in the dressing room. Nicholas would probably run out while I was changing, and I'd be forced to chase him around the store half-dressed or something. Anyway, this problem forced me to wait until the last minute to go shopping.

Tuesday morning, I dropped the kids off at the Alexanders' and sped into Austin. I hit the first store and started grabbing every dress I could find that I thought would work. The third dress I tried on was perfect. The price was a little high, so I found an employee and told her, "I have to have this dress, but it needs to be a lot cheaper. Can you make it cheaper?" She thought it was funny, but she figured out a way to give me a discount. Just to be sure, I asked her to hold it for me, and ran through a few more stores to make sure I didn't see anything else I liked better. No luck, so I headed back. I ended up getting a $95 dress for $65. Still pricey, but totally worth it. I found some not-so-expensive shoes, and hopped back in the car.

Talk about timing. I left the Alexanders' around noon, and I got back around 3:00. I am the shopping master. (Applause) Thank you, thank you. Sharon (my mother in-law) just looked at me in shock and said, "How did you do that so fast?!"

Anyway, Nathan and I got all dressed up and left the house at about 6:30. I was so excited! We got to Bass Concert Hall a little early and spent a few minutes wandering around. When we were finally seated, we just looked at each other in shock because we were so close to the stage! I knew our seats were pretty good, but when you actually sit down, it's just amazing.

The show was outstanding! Of all the times I've seen it, this was the absolute best. The musical talent was beyond incredible. We had such a great time!

I'm so sad that the US tour is closing, because that means that this was definitely my last time to see the show. I keep hoping something will change, because I really would love to see it again (and again...and again...). Thank goodness they made the movie (finally), and it is really good, because I'll just have to settle for watching that instead.

Just take a moment...

I was just sitting in a chair, rocking my daughter, and I started thinking about all the things that have happened so far in 2010. The vast majority of the things that came to my mind were not pleasant to remember. We have had a number of negative events in our household over the past couple of months that have really been discouraging. Then I started thinking about my friends and family members who have also been dealing with things that are difficult.

I haven't posted anything for a few days, and I hate to put something up that's depressing, but there have been close friends and loved ones grieving during this past week, and that's what's on my mind. 

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."  

Romans 12:15

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." 
Matthew 11:28

I don't know what the future holds. Sometimes I think I might like to know, but then I realize that wouldn't really make life any easier. The only thing that we can really do is pray, and trust that God knows where all this is going, and He is in control. 

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" 

Jeremiah 29:11

Praise God - He IS in control!

I ask all of you to take a moment today to pray for those who are hurting, for those who are sick, and for those who are troubled. Even if you don't know the person specifically or know about their specific struggles, God knows, and He is listening. I also ask you to remember me personally, and my family, as we ask for two unspoken requests to be lifted in prayer.

I love you all.

Things that go bump in the night

Our poor little Nicholas. After several episodes worthy of a horror movie and a little research on my part, we have learned that Nicky is suffering from night terrors. My mother in-law gave us some things to try, because she remembered that Joseph (the second Alexander child) had the same problem when he was little. She told us to get him out of bed, take him to a room where the light is on, and try to wake him up completely. We did this a few times over the course of the next few months, and it seemed to be a somewhat effective solution...until last night, that is.

I was checking my e-mail, and I heard Nicholas start shuffling around in his bed and whimpering. I thought he was going to go back to sleep until he suddenly let out a bloodcurdling scream. I jumped up and ran into his room to find him shaking and crying hysterically. When I tried to pick him up, he cowered in the corner of his bed and was swinging his arms at me like he wanted to hit me. Finally, I just grabbed him, went into the closet, and turned on the light. His eyes were open, he was looking at me, and he was talking (kind of), but he didn't seem to be awake. I couldn't calm him down. After a couple of minutes with no positive results, I went into our bedroom, turned the light on, and called for Nathan. I figured Daddy might have some success where I didn't. Nicholas seemed to be even more frantic when Nathan picked him up and started talking to him. He started hitting Nathan and yelling about "a man" he had seen. He wasn't really speaking English and he was flailing his arms, so Nathan finally just put him down. We watched in stunned silence as Nicky made four laps around the living room, just running silently in a circle. Then, he headed for his room, stood by his bed and held up his arms. Nathan put him back in bed, covered him up, and he went back to sleep with no problem. I didn't hear another peep out of him all night.

I've never seen a possessed person, other than one portrayed in a movie, but I would imagine that watching someone that was possessed would come very close to what I saw last night. It takes a lot to freak me out. I love scary movies; I watch lots of them, and they don't usually affect me. I was truly freaked out when I saw my son's behavior last night. He was wide-eyed and speaking in tongues - the stuff nightmares are made of. I was waiting for his head to start spinning or something.

A few things I've learned about night terrors:

• They usually affect children between the ages of 3 and 12.
• They typically occur in the first third of the night (two to three hours after bedtime)
• The child does not remember anything about the event.
• The child becomes agitated or violent if awakened.
• As the brain develops and sleep patterns mature, most every child outgrows them.

The more we read, the more we knew that all of these things applied to Nicky. What to do? Well, according to all the information we saw (reputable medical websites only), we shouldn't do anything! The best thing to do when a child is having a night terror episode is just to leave him alone (but make sure he doesn't hurt himself). Supposedly, intervention just prolongs it all, and it can be more traumatic to the child. It's nice to know that we've been doing the wrong thing this whole time. It's also nice to know that when my kid is going through this, my job is to sit in the other room and helplessly listen to him screaming his head off as though he is being murdered. Fun, fun, fun.

I hope this phase passes quickly, because it's pretty disturbing. I almost wanted to get it on video last night so other people could see how freaky it was. Scary stuff.

Zoe's one year check-up. Warning: Uninteresting medical facts to follow.

Instead of including this information in the birthday post, I decided to separate it out, in case some people don't want to be bored by Zoe's doctor visit. Those of you that want to, read on!

I took Zoe for her one year check-up this afternoon, and I was eager to discuss her supposed milk allergy with the doctor. I like our pediatrician...sometimes...on his good days...when he's not rushing to get out of the room and won't listen to anything I say or answer my questions. I think he's a good man and a great doctor, I just think he might have a problem with his pants randomly catching fire or something, because he sometimes seems to be in a tearing hurry. Anyway, I went to the appointment with a good attitude, determined to get some answers and find out how my little girl is doing.

Basic statistics: Zoe weighs 20 lbs. and is in the 35th percentile for weight, and she is 27" long and in the 10th percentile for height. I was not overly pleased with these numbers, so I made a point to ask the doctor if I should be concerned. His response (in a very flat tone, after looking me up and down): "She probably just got your genes for height." Wow. Okay, I'm going to assume he had some bad coffee this morning or something and let that one go. He doesn't think we need to be concerned about her size, so I'm trying not to be. Her brothers are in the 80th and 90th percentiles, so it's a little hard to get used to having such a tiny person around.

Developmentally, she's doing well. She's still not pulling up to stand, cruise, or walk, but that will come. According to Dr. I'mInAHurry, gross motor development is the least important. She CAN stand...she just doesn't want to. Stubborn. Can't imagine where she gets that from. As far as mental development goes, she's super intelligent. She knows how to say eight words (at least), she makes animal sounds that she can visually match to the animal, she can sort shapes, etc. I'm not trying to brag...seriously. I'm convincing myself that she's really smart and that it doesn't matter that she's not standing up or walking yet.

As for the milk allergy, the doctor STILL did not really give me any useful help. I'm not really surprised, just disappointed. He said that they could do a blood test to determine whether or not she had an allergy, but didn't seem like he really wanted to do it. He said, based on the information I gave him about the one time she'd had formula and the one time she'd had milk, that he was pretty sure she had a severe milk allergy without doing the test. The likelihood that she would have an allergy to another food (i.e. nuts, eggs, soy...) was very low, in his opinion. He did not suggest taking her to an allergist, and he didn't offer much else to me in the way of information about handling the allergy myself or about Zoe's nutrition. He suggested almond or rice milk, but didn't mention soy milk. I asked several questions, but he never answered me or he danced around the answer until I was confused.

The total time spent with the doctor: 12 minutes. This cost us over $70.

Also, he managed to upset Zoe to a degree that I've never seen before. The child was hysterical even before the nurse came to give her the three shots she needed. Then it was decided that they needed to do blood work on Zoe, because she'd never had a CBC before. After ten more minutes of waiting, we learned that she's not anemic. Oh, goody. Zoe got so upset in the exam room that she made herself throw up...twice. My poor baby. She's doing lots better this evening.

So, based on previous visits with this particular doctor, and adding in this wonderful experience, we will be switching Zoe to another pediatrician. I will be staying with the same practice (there are four other doctors to choose from), because I really like the staff and love the fact that they are open almost all the time, including weekends. I'm just upset that it had to come to this. I don't like it when I'm trying to get information and someone treats me like I'm a moron that only came to see them in an effort to waste their time. I'm trying to take care of my kids, and I don't have a medical degree of my own, so I have to trust others to help me.

Getting off my soapbox now. :)

Zoe's First Birthday

In all actuality, Zoe's birthday was yesterday, but we were still recuperating from the party on Sunday, so I'm a little late posting this. You guys will get over it, I promise. :)

Birthday parties in the Alexander family are, traditionally, a little chaotic. There are just so many of us, and we're still growing! I'm still trying to get used to being crammed into a house with so many people. Growing up, our birthday and holiday gatherings were relatively small, with less than ten people. I only have three cousins...total...both sides of my family combined. Nathan's family is a lot bigger. It's not just the fact that he has five brothers and sisters, it's also aunts and uncles and cousins...oh, my! Anyway, I took the large family into consideration when trying to plan Zoe's party, and decided to have it at my parents' house. Frankly, they just have more space. Past party attempts at our house were just a little too crazy.

My first tiered cake turned out to be a success, and I was so proud of myself for finishing the job and not throwing it into my parents' swimming pool, which I was tempted to do several times.

 

I know it's not perfect, but I think it was decent, considering my complete lack of experience with cake assembly and decoration. The cake itself (my dairy-free, egg-free recipe) was also extremely good, so that was a big bonus! The icing wasn't bad, but I think I'm going to look around for some different ideas for my next cake, because I think I can find something better. I did like the consistency, but it really kind of tasted like shortening, which I don't think is all that yummy.

We ended up with 22 people (including us, of course), and I think we all had a great time. My dad grilled some hamburgers, and they were super good! After lunch, we sang to Zoe and I let the boys blow out her birthday candle. Boy, was she excited when I gave her a piece of cake! She loved it, and wanted seconds!

 

  

Despite my assuring everyone that Zoe really didn't need anything, she got some really great gifts, and I appreciate everyone putting so much effort and time into finding those things for her! I know one thing: come summertime, she's going to be sporting some really cute outfits!

 

 She's a happy girl!

Thanks to everyone who wished Zoe a happy first birthday, and double thanks to all the friends and family who came to see her! She's a blessed little girl to have so many people that love her.