Unexpected news!

I have been mostly offline this week as I've been dealing with and adjusting to new medications for headaches. I may go more into that later, only because it relates to my love affair with my camera. But for now, I will only share briefly because I just found out the best news!

You all know how much I love Coke! I struggle with it daily. I give it up often and fall off the wagon equally as often. I simply love it! This morning, even though I was told to give up caffeine, I got a Coke. It tasted awful! I couldn't even finish it. I figured it was an effect of one of the medications I'm taking, hopefully one of the short-term ones, but research proved otherwise.

Having a free moment, out of curiosity and having nothing to do with the Coke issue, I Googled Topomax. This is the most exciting medication I've been given as it promises to rid me of the migraines I enjoy 4-5 times each month. I was told to expect a few side affects in the beginning such as loss of concentration/memory difficulties, numbness and fatigue. He even told me I may lose weight. Friends have told me I could lose 10 pounds immediately. Heck yeah! What I didn't expect was this:

Taste change
Some people on TOPAMAX may have taste changes where food or drink tastes differently. This has been reported with carbonated beverages, for example. (Topomax website)

I am celebrating right now because along with the 10 pound I am hoping to lose due to the medication itself, there is no telling how much I'll lose now that I can't stand the flavor of Coke. My jeans are already feeling skinny today! I may be looking really good by the time we leave for the cruise we just booked yesterday. Oh, I didn't tell you about that? Yeah, 3 days after school gets out, we're headed back to the Bahamas with Missy and Ryan. And 5 days before that, I'll be heading out to find a new swimsuit!

Bittersweet

Today is the day! Sam turns three today and I am over the top excited! More so this year than the first two years.

I am also in prayer this morning for Stellan. Click the link on the right to go to MckMama's website for updates and to follow her on Twitter. Her tweets are also posted on her blog.

Stellan will go into surgery this morning at 8:30 for an ablation. Very risky. Very scary. They have had a very bad night trying to hold out for the surgery this morning.

Coolest Mom Ever?

I am quickly losing control over Sam’s birthday this year.  And I am enjoying every minute of it!

Tuesday is Sam’s 3rd birthday.  We’re having his party that day rather than waiting for the weekend.  Let me preface this post by saying that his 1st and 2nd birthday parties were pretty low-key.  Friends and family in the backyard, a conservative amount of gifts, no real hoopla to speak of.  But this year…well, Sam is just so much stinkin’ fun right now that I can’t help myself!

I’ve collected so many little clearance priced goodies over the past few weeks that it really makes no difference in the savings department.  Not to mention that I chose a theme this year that is commercially available…so, no handmade decorations from me!  And we’re actually having a very small destination party.  We have booked his party at the brand-new Monkey Joe’s.  A few of his closest friends will join us for pizza, ice cream, cupcakes and lots and lots of bouncing!

So, the theme this year is “Little Einsteins” because that is Sam’s most favorite show right now.  And Scott and I LOVE the show as well.  Here is a look at some of the goodies for the party including the invitation that I created in Photoshop and e-mailed to everyone. 

Today, while working on a book for Sam, I literally stumbled upon the coolest thing ever!  Scott and I, with help from all the grandparents, were planning on buying Sam a huge inflatable bouncer.  He LOVES bouncing in those things and we figured it would keep him busy all summer and burn lots of calories!  Well, today, by sheer luck, I found and ordered this:

Words cannot describe how hard it is to contain my excitement!  I cannot wait to see Sam’s face when he walks into the backyard and sees it!  I’m going to videotape the reaction for my parents since they won’t be here to see it.

Another thing I’m really excited about is the book I made for him.  He is starting to read so I kept the pages free from distractions and supportive of learning directionality and one-to-one correspondence.  Each text page is the left-hand page.  I really think he’s going to love it!  Take a look from cover to cover and notice Sam sitting in Rocket with the kids!

  

I’ll be busy until after the party on Tuesday, but I’ll be sure to post pictures!  I can’t believe my little boy is turning 3!!!

Simon Says...

A few days ago, Jennifer sent out a short post with a link for a video. I kept it marked unread in my reader until this morning because I just had not found time to click over and watch. I made time this morning quite simply because I keep seeing Susan Boyle's name everywhere this week. I started feeling like I was missing out on something...and indeed I was!

If you have not watched this week's internet phenom, please do so. You will be moved.

Also, watch Simon closely around 4:02. How cute is he? Especially at this brief moment!

Click on the picture below to enjoy something truly special.

Get Out Your Secret Decoder Rings For This Post!

     

Stay strong today. 

Be ready with a plan.

Create your Facebook account. 

Remember that WE love you.

And if you need reinforcements…call Sam!