Is it the Poopy Diaries Now? Reflections...

YAY!!!

Nadine's going potty most of the time at our house (public and grandparents' houses are another matter) and made stinky in the potty today for the first time, too. We are deliriously happy with how quickly things are getting better for Nadine lately.

I may have to drive to Jackson before her appointment in April and slap those docs. Every time I think about the problem being fiber-related and how many times I wanted to try it I want to strangle them. Yep, the same docs who saved her life are on my crap list at the moment. I'm pretty glad it's "just" going to be Bishop's partner Nowicke instead of Bishop herself. Well, yes and no. I know Bishop can take me ripping her a new one; I did that when Nadine was a baby...she is very understanding with momma bears. Nowicke's just so...nice. Every time I think about the situation I feel like this: . Given that I want to rip them a new one on the same visit I tell them she's no longer on reflux meds, I probably should be more confused.

My gut says the greatly reduced reflux and the regularity occurring together aren't a coincidence...and the only reliable thing we've had to go on in Nadine's short life is my gut. I don't know why I didn't stick her on fiber before now, I really don't. I always swore I wouldn't not listen to my gut again, but I guess even with great docs you trust sometimes the gut has to rule.

Her docs should be glad the price of gas is so high. Maybe by April I'll forgive them. I can't afford a $60 tank of gas just to slap them.

Goodness knows Dr. Russ isn't waiting on my forgiveness. She still turns and goes the other way when I see her in Wally World. I guess she's not fatally stupid after all...and she'll probably be turning the other way when Nadine graduates high school. I try, but I truly do hate that woman. Not only for saying reflux doesn't exist and that Nadine's problems were only in my head, but mostly because the docs in Jackson asked her to start Zantac a WEEK before we had an appointment in Jackson. The first dose of meds made her so calm and relaxed so fast that I hate her because my baby suffered an extra week because she couldn't cooperate with a specialist she asked to see Nadine. *sigh* I really am working on it. It's gone from murderous fury to just outright hatred...I guess that's a start.

I look back at everything we've been through with Nadine, and I don't know how I could have handled it if she weren't my first baby. If Claudia had come first and had been healthy, I would have been too paralyzed by fear to do what I had to do with Nadine. Ignorance is bliss in those sorts of situations...

When I look back I am reminded to love her for her willfullness. The strength of will that drives me crazy at times is the only thing that kept her going early on. Without it I wouldn't have my little diva princess. That doesn't mean that we're not trying to teach her to handle her emotions properly; it's just that having a hothead temper and a strong will is a difficult thing for a child her age to manage. I was full-on demon until I was 6 for the same reason. It's just so hard to control it. She's me made over. My mom got her wish. I'm raising myself.

Boy am I ever in for it.

No, We're Not Dead

It's been over 2 weeks since I've added to the blog, mostly because of a massive anatomy/physiology test that left me pretty much brain dead and partially because having 2 parents in school is a really difficult juggling act. Dean's taking 2 classes online and working toward an associate's degree in Business, and I'm taking 5 classes, 3 of which are online. If I disappear for a while, you can pretty much assume that I got caught up in the quicksand that is academic life. My girls get first dibs on my free time, and lately the computer isn't where I want to be when I'm not doing schoolwork.

We are STILL noonie free, which is an absolutely insane thing to say. I hope everyone's ready for the supersecret good news we've been holding back...(NO I'M NOT PREGNANT!) Nadine has been off of all reflux medicine for 3 weeks now with the exception of a Tums or two. Her constipation issues are pretty much over thanks to not prescription laxatives but 2 fiber pills a day. I want to strangle those docs...I asked about fiber on several occasions and was told she was getting plenty. Well, if anything, we know her digestive system's never been normal. I tried some anyhow, and now she's a regular girl (pardon the pun).

The Noonie is Dead; Long Live the Pets!

The noonie has died. I am so happy, but Claudia's a little overly over dramatic. She found one the other day, but it quickly met it's demise at the hands of the Scissor Demon. Nadine doesn't even ask for it when she finds one. She just says, "Mommy, please don't cut it up. Just throw it away. It was a good noonie."

In other news, one of the pups has wormed his way into the house. His name is Bear, and I posted a pic of him. He's about 8 weeks old and 17.4 pounds! The girls are so in love with him. Nadine, little miss OCD clean freak, lets him lick her and climb all over her. She has *never* let a dog do that.

In other news I started school again on the 7th and even qualified for a half-tuition nontraditional (read old) student scholarship. I only have to be there for my A&P lecture and lab. The rest of my classes are online, so I get to be with the girls more. Whether that means I'll do well is another story, but my girls are happy.

Oh, and the big announcement: Nadine actually wants to use the potty now. No more forcing, no more anything other than asking. She just uses it. All it took was telling her she wouldn't be able to go to school if she couldn't potty like the other big kids, and she's on board. Now if we can keep her bowels going, we'll be in heaven...or at least I will be. Goodness knows one fewer bottom to diaper is a happy, happy thought right now.