Weaning Raia

I am so sorry I haven't updated like I said I would. This past week has been just one big headache. Really...I've had a headache for a week now. These are the ones that are really bad, I can't shake them. I get headaches pretty regularly, sometimes daily, but the ones that last for days are the worst. Since we now have insurance (yay!) I was able to go to the Dr. but they cannot give me anything because I am still nursing. She said Immitrex is not compatible with nursing. Well, after talking with my boss (she is a certified lactation counselor and knows everything there is to know about nursing) we have come to the conclusion that Immitrex IS compatible with nursing. After looking in her Medication Guide for Breastfeeding Moms, by Thomas Hale, it clearly states that Immitrex is ok to take, especially since I only nurse 2 times a day (naptime and bedtime). Even still, I am trying to decrease my milk supply and wean Raia, so I can take the Immitrex. I cannot have a functional life with the headaches I have - they are just too frequent for my comfort level. I have started an herbal tea to decrease my milk supply, so hopefully in the next few days we will notice a big change, and Raia will just decide for herself that its just not worth the effort. I have wanted to wean her for a long time now anyway, I don't know why it has been so hard. She will be 2 in three weeks...it is TIME! Ugh! Prayers please, that this transition will be easy for her (and me, too).
Nathan has been in Washington D.C. all week. He has the video camera, so I have no new pictures or videos to share this week. I can honestly say, I am beginning to miss him and will be glad when he gets home on Saturday. We have been going through a rough patch, and have been going to a marriage counselor for the past couple of months. I haven't said anything before now, because I didn't want to jinx it I guess. Nathan and I didn't get together under the best circumstances, and those of you that know us know exactly what I mean. We are too far into this to turn back now, so we have got to find a way to make it work. We DO love each other, but sometimes it feels like we are on different pages. We haven't figured out the best way to communicate with each other, so we are working on that. This is another thing I'm asking for prayers on, if you don't mind.
Raia is just the most perfect angel there ever was. She is doing fabulous. She is still talking up a storm. She loves her "appa-sahn" (applesauce), and for some reason, anything that comes in little cups with a pull off lid is "appa-sahn", like pudding, or yogurt. I cannot keep this child out of the refrigerator; she is about to drive me up the wall with her incessant need to pull all of the condiments out and line them up on the floor behind me as I load the dishwasher. I NEED a refrigerator lock. It's so cute, but only about the first 10 times. This is an older video, but this is where the refrigerator obsession began:
My friend Rita has been challenged with raising $5000 by Nov. 30 to fund the latest clinical trial in research to cure SMA. We are going to be doing lots of bake sales, garage sales, and anything else we can think of to raise the money. 20 families affected by SMA were asked to participate in this to raise the money, and I think it is great! I hope that the entire $500,000 is raised. If you have any ideas for fundraisers, PLEASE let me know! If it is in your heart to make a donation, ANY DENOMINATION, please click HERE. Anything you can spare, whether it be your coffee money for the day/week, or spare change you have collected in a jar, it is much appreciated. You can also click on the above link to just read a little more about what Unite For The Cure is all about.
Our sweet dog Gibson is still doing great. It is hard to believe how sick he was when we got him just a few months ago. He was practically banging on death's door, begging to be let in, but has made a miraculous recovery. Kennel cough is nothing to mess around with. Apparently, for some vets, there is a thin line between kennel cough and distemper. I'm so glad we were able to get a second opinion...so glad. Even though Gibson has chewed many of Raia's toys; even though Gibson has ripped all the lining out from under our Tempurpedic bed; even though Gibson has pee'd rivers in our living room (thank goodness for tile floors!), and poo'd piles to rival Mount Everest in the living room (again, thank goodness for tile floors!); even though he wants to jump up on Raia, or anyone who wants to love on him, we are so thankful he pulled through whatever sickness he had. He is certainly a character, full of life, and such fun! He just got his last round of shots this past Tuesday, and he was a trooper. I can tell how anxious he feels about 5 miles before we even reach the shelter where he gets his shots. He gets very tense, and begins panting, kind of on edge. Nothing I do can calm him. I have to drag him by the leash through the front door (he is getting too big to pick up), and bless his heart, once inside he just paces back and forth, frantically. I think he thinks I will leave him there again. It's amazing to me that dogs remember, just by smell, and even location. Just amazing. He did settle down a bit when a lady brought in a beautiful blonde lab. Her name was Brooklyn, and Gibson was in love. Brooklyn's owner and I chatted a while , while we waited. She was very fond of Gibson as well. Anyway, no more shots for Gibson for another year, yay!!
While I wait for this video to finish uploading (takes FOREVER!) I can tell you about some of the things Raia has been saying, she is so funny. I have been babysitting a friend's 2 girls this summer while she teaches swim lessons. They have a beautiful golden retriever named Boudreaux. He is around 75lbs, and is not quite a year old yet. Sometimes he barks and barks and barks, so of course, we yell "Hush, Boo!" Raia has now started saying "Hoss, Boo!", every time we pull up in Kim's driveway, its too funny! She even says it to Gibson when he barks, haha!
Our cat, Shula, hides underneath the bathroom sink in the cabinets. Raia loves to try to climb in there to join "Sha". For some reason we have a box of old mail stuck under there, and the other day I came into the bathroom to see old bills, envelopes, cards, being thrown out of the cabinets. They were scattered all over the floor. Man, kids are quick! I think she had probably been under there about 30 seconds.
I know this post has been all over the map, but get used to it. I tend to be scatterbrained lately and change the subject at the drop of a hat. The video I wanted to share has finally finished uploading, so I think I'm going to call it a night. Thanks for checking in!

Glad Game:
1.) So glad Nathan will be home tomorrow.
2.) I am glad that I have such a funny, smart, sweet, cute, healthy, beautiful little girl.
3.) I am glad school will be starting next week. Kingwood is crazy when kids are out of school for the summer.
4.) I am glad I have such wonderful friends and co-workers. (I know I say this in almost every single Glad Game, but really, I am so glad I have the friends I have. I love them all.)
5.) I am glad Nathan and I are trying to get our issues worked out, and I really hope that we will come out of it a better couple.

P.S.
Something I forgot to mention earlier - Rita is doing this thing called 'Weigh to Go for SMA'. Basically, she is losing weight, and people can sponsor her per pound that she looses. Right now, I weight 143 lbs. This is the most I've ever weighed NOT pregnant. I'd like to lose around 15-20 lbs. I am not doing anything "official" as of yet with the 'Weigh to Go for SMA' group, but if you would like to sponsor me "unofficially" for now (it might be a kind of motivation to be honest) on a per lb. basis, that would be great. All money would go directly to FSMA ( Families of SMA/Rita ). Just leave me a comment, let me know what you think. If I have enough people wanting to sponsor me for the 15-20 I want to lose, I will go register with them. It is going through December, so I have until then to lose my extra weight!
Thanks again for checking in!

xoxox~