SacMomsClub.com

Let me start off by saying that we had a GREAT time up north. The boys had so much fun with their Grandma & Gido, and Auntie and Uncle were a big hit as well. It was getting there and back that was so not fun. At all.

We woke up bright and early on a Saturday morn to catch our 7am flight. Big Man and I were up at 4am, the boys were up a bit later and we were out the door by 5am. We had used web check-in, so we dropped our bags, scooted through security and pre-boarded with ease. Things were looking great! Then they had to de-ice the plane.

We sat on the tarmac for over an hour, waiting for the de-icing truck. This must not happen too often at SMF. We took off at the time we were supposed to be landing, so we resigned ourselves to the fact that we were going to miss our connection.

But lo! The connection was delayed! So we sprinted (with Lee and the stroller, and Bee screaming like a maniac) to the connecting gate only to find out that we missed the cutoff by thismuch. Literally, less than 5 minutes. Bummer. Over to customer service we go to find out what flight we'll be on next.

The next flight leaves 3 hours later. We're on standby. Bee is hysterical, we try to comfort him. The crowds, the noise, the lights - it was sensory overload. We calm the situation with french fries and head over to see if we're on the flight. There are only 2 seats available - we need three. Bummer.

The next flight leaves 4 hours later. We're on standby. So we wait. We walk - alot. We eat - alot (the kids got all the french fries and gummy bears they could eat - yes, we are bad parents). The flight is delayed 30 mins. Then another 30 minutes. Then they announce there's a mechanical problem with the plane. I told y'all I'm afraid to fly as it is, right? Then they announce they're getting another plane. Big Man asks every hour if we're getting on this flight. Lucky for us, a family of four has cancelled and we're on the flight. Woohoo! We board the flight almost 5 hours after it was supposed to leave; Bee finally crashes (he'd been up for about 16 hours by that time).

We land. Bee and Lee are so over this flying thing. They scream through baggage claim. They scream through customs. The airline lost one of our bags. They scream through customer service. They scream through installing the car seats. Grandma & Gido left us the truck, along with a goodie bag of cheese sticks, raisins, crackers and juice. The boys calm down. Big Man and I drive the snowy road in silence.

An hour later, we arrive at Grandma & Gido's. Everyone was kind enough to wait up for us - it's now 12:30am. We were supposed to have arrived 12 hours prior. But it doesn't matter now - the boys are happy to see everyone, and everyone is happy to see them.

Like I said, the visit was wonderful. It was a visit that was long overdue, and we enjoyed spending time with people we love so much. We had so much good food, we all got amazing gifts, and the boys had fun playing in the snow. Big Man did not enjoy shoveling the snow.     :)

The return trip went well - our three hour layover turned into 30 minutes, as our flight was delayed (quelle surprise) and we had to go through customs, security, and change terminals. Just enough time to eat - you guessed it - french fries and take the boys to the bathroom.

We all slept the sleep of angels as we made our way back to Sacramento. As much fun as we had on our trip, all of us were relieved to have made it home.

Lessons learned: book longer layovers, and never fly a certain airline ever again.

Hope you all had nice holidays, and Happy New Year! All the best to all of you in 2008.

I'm likely the most unfeminine, non-girly girl you'll ever meet. I prefer sweats and flipflops to designer jeans and heels. I was a tomboy growing up; I wore jeans with reinforced knees instead of dresses. I played soccer for years; cried at my one and only ballet lesson.

But I have to admit it: I love "Dancing with the Stars".

I was hooked from the moment season one started. C'mon - has-been celebrities attempting to  ballroom dance? It's fun to cringe as the bad celebs attempt a Paso Doble; I rewind over and over again the few standout celebrities who put together a perfect Tango or Viennese Waltz. Monday and Tuesday nights are reserved for DWTS alone - the following mornings are filled with phone calls between me and my mom, critiquing the performances and deciding who should have gone home.

And I totally feel that Sabrina from the Cheetah Girls was robbed.

Yes, I am that ridiculous.

And so, with more than a little bit of embarassment, I'm here to tell you now that I am going to the "Dancing with the Stars" tour at Arco this Thursday. Yes, I spent a crazy amount of money for tickets, I will get all dressed up, and my mom and I (it's her Christmas present) will have a grand ole time, watching "celebrities" and their partners dance. And I can't wait!

Anyone else going?    :)

So, it's been one year since Bee was diagnosed through Alta. One whole year. Fifty two weeks. Three hundred and sixty four and a quarter days. And we are still waiting for services.

It's so frustrating.

We have been able to get so many other services going for Bee. He's had private occupational therapy (OT) for over nine months. Private speech therapy for over six months. Private play therapy for over five months. The school district has put him in some good programs as well (additional OT, preschool communication class, adapted PE). And yet Alta is lagging way behind. Way, way behind.

What do we do?

How long is too long to wait? How can a regional center go on and on about how Early Intervention is the key, and not have enough providers for services? We're not the only ones waiting. There are many, many kids like Bee -- some with more challenging issues than his, waiting for the help they are entitled to. The diagnosis made him eligible for services through the regional center. It's unconscionable that these wait lists are acceptable to Alta. Status quo, for them. It's not their kid.

Bee is doing so well, but some of his behaviors are getting more difficult to handle. The Big Man and I are scared. Scared of what things will be like if we are still waiting a year from now.

We try to remain positive, but it's hard as the days/weeks/months go by. We don't even know if there's an end in sight.

We know that Bee will be okay, but it's hard not to play the "What If" game in your head over and over and over and over again.

On a more positive note, Bee had his MRI this morning and all was well. They had to sedate him, as he's too young to stay still for 45 minutes... watching him pass out in our arms was a little unnerving, but the Anesthesiologist and the other medical assitants were very supportive. He woke up quickly afterwards, and asked for cheese.   :)

So, I thought I'd just brain dump, instead of crafting my normal cohesive, thought-provoking post.

(HAH!)

--- I'm stressed out about having to find a new babysitter for the boys. It took me 6 months to find our last babysitter, and now she's moving out of the state.... I'm sad that our family is losing her.

--- Lee is sick again (see my post under Children's Health). Why does he get sick all the time? Bee never got sick when he was younger, so I have no frame of reference. I feel like a new mom all over again.

--- The house is officially sold as of today. It was so weird walking in there, expecting the past, and finding nothing but memories. Oh, it was sad. I couldn't even say goodbye to the neighbors. My mom and I broke down and cried, cried, cried. My sister shed no tears, but refused to give back her key. We all grieve in different ways.

--- Speaking of sisters, my sister's birthday party is next week, and there has been little planning/preparation done. Better get on that.

--- Bee is doing better on the meds. I see more understanding from him - more awareness. It is so exciting. I'll write a separate post on that.

--- A little more than two weeks from now, we fly up to the in-laws for Christmas. I'm really looking forward to seeing them, but terrified of flying. I am not a "good flyer". At least I'll have the boys to distract me.

--- There's nothing better than a rainy day. I look forward to curling up on the couch with the boys this afternoon, while eating popcorn and watching "Blue's Clues".