It was with great pride and a lot of apprehension that I watched Eli figure out how to take his t-shirt off a little while ago. Pride that he's growing up and learning so well, and of course the apprehension at having to chase a toddler all over the house to re-dress him from now on! He's already been taking off his pants and sometimes his diapers but normally we keep him in a onesie so the shirts have taken longer to learn. None the less he figured it out quickly when he decided it was time for the shirt to come off! I watched as he pulled and pulled at one sleeve till his arm was out and sticking out the bottom of the shirt. Then watched as he thought his next movement through. First he pushed the shirt on that side up over his shoulder, then he looked at his shirt then pulled the neck hole down a little and looked through it. Then he pushed his shirt up over his head, almost all the way but wasn't far enough, I watch him lower it back down. Look through the whole again and this time start with the bottom of the shirt and slide it all up and off his head. The second arm of course came out easily, suddenly he's standing in front of me with this huge grin and throws his shirt at me. I don't know if I should laugh, cry or cheer his accomplishment. So he gets a good job buddy and he's off and playing.
Some of you may not know but when Eli was an infant he had an umbilical hernia, and a big one at that. His belly button stuck out a lot at that time. So now he has an outtie belly button, while he was taking off his shirt I was feeding Willa. After taking his shirt off he looks down at his chest..... Then back at me..... I knew where this was going I am actually surprised he hasn't tried to "feed" any of his stuffed animals yet. Suddenly he runs upstairs and grabs his pal Scout (little green dog that talks) He stands at the top of the stairs and looks at me again. Then down at his chest, then at me and then suddenly the light comes on and he quickly puts Scout to his..... Belly button! At this point I'm laughing so hard tears are rolling, I had seen him look from one of his tiny nipples to the other he had puffed his chest in and out and I guess they still didn't look enough like the ones I was giving Willa and lets be honest an outtie belly button does look a lot like a good nipple for latching a baby to! Or at least in his mind! So he stands there at the top of the stairs for a bit grinning at me as I'm laughing my head off and then slowly trying to keep Scout to his belly button he comes down the stairs till he reaches the bottom where he sits down for a bit and rocks side to side. At this point Willa spits up all over me (common thing to happen) and I got "Uh oh!" and grab the towel I had sitting next to me to clean up her face and um my boob. Eli jumps up from his spot and drops Scout going (Uh oh!) then he runs over and gets his discarded shirt on the floor and runs over to Scout. Picks him up and wipes his face, then he wraps the shirt around Scouts head. I don't know what that last part was about but regardless he was pretty proud of himself and laughing and clapping. Maybe thats his solution to keep from getting puked on? Wrap a towel around the baby's head to keep it from getting all over?
Finally tired of feeding his Dog he was playing when Casey came in from putting weather plastic on the windows outside. Casey went out the front door and left the wooden one open so Eli could look outside. Eli closed the door, shortly after he wanted it open and I could hear him twisting the knob and trying to pull the door open (yes we're there folks!). He doesn't yet turn the knob far enough to get it open so the door wasn't opening. Finally he stopped and ran to the other side of the door and was messing with the hinges, then he ran back and tried the door knob. Then back to the hinges, this went on several minutes before he finally gave up. I'm pretty impressed that he would think to try messing with the hinges. He's observant thats for sure and seems to be very technically inclined as well. Thats good though because Casey will have fun teaching him all kinds of stuff, from electrical, to building, to car repair etc. About the only thing Casey doesn't know much about is plumbing. Which makes for a great all around husband who can fix just about anything!
So what would we do without Eli? I have no idea! We would be very very bored I am sure of that!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Where do you want to be in 5yrs?
If you had asked me that 5yrs ago I might have answered that I would like to be married but at that point I wouldn't have thought it was possible. Let alone having 2 kids! You see it was 4 years ago today that I met Casey. We had e-mailed online for about a week and decided to meet in person. I know kinda fast but I felt like it was safe enough and the way he talked in e-mail made me feel pretty safe about it.
We met at a bowling ally near my apartment for a game of bowling, many of you that know me really well know that I had dated 2 other guys before meeting Casey. The first one lasted almost 3 years kinda as he joined the Navy after we met and was away most of the time. The 2nd one well I knew from the beginning I wouldn't marry him but he was a fun photography buddy. Both relationships let me know what I did and didn't want in a guy. I wanted a guy that had a closer moral (and political) view point to myself like the 1st one I dated. But I wanted someone who wasn't so afraid of relationships and didn't wall himself off which was like the 2nd one. Casey turned out to be the perfect mix of both of the guys and the area's in them that I found attractive. We met in front of the bowling ally and he gave me some flowers. That right there was pretty impressive. Even while dating 2 other guys before that I had only gotten flowers once and that was from the first one after I wrote him a scathing letter because he hadn't sent me flowers for Valentines day. Haha
After introducing ourselves we went inside to bowl and get to know either other. Casey of course was doing a really good job, I on the other hand wasn't. Towards the end of the 2nd game that I was losing badly I mentioned I was never good at it and he suddenly started to do horribly as well. Finally the last frame I knew if he got a gutter ball I would barely win and I knew he knew that. I could see it in his face he was going to throw the game just because he was so sweet. I figured he had started doing poorly on purpose and so I said "Don't you throw the game!" Catching him mid stride he stops and comes back and starts again and then bowls a strike of course.
Here is the bowling ally we met at, we had a couple more dates after this and then he went with me to meet my family the following week. The funny story we always like to share is how I lived in apartments right across the street and behind some other apartments. I told him that I lived in "Yellow" apartments.
We had agreed to have him pick me up at my apartment for dinner the night before we were to go visit my dad and family. I had told him to call me when he was leaving his house and let me know he was on his way and I would give him directions....... He finally called at the time he was supposed to be there and said he was right outside the front of my building (pictured here). I couldn't believe it, what? How'd he find me? Ok so I know its not hard when the apartments are yellow but this is a huge complex so how'd he know MY building? Well his logic was that he just looked for my yellow car that had dolphins hanging from the rear view mirror.
My thinking when he found me like that was "Is he a stalker?" to make the story even greater was when I asked where we were going (supposed to be going to dinner) and he says "Village Inn" Ok so I didn't know there was a restaurant named "Village Inn" so of course I nearly jumped out of his moving truck! Good thing I didn't because when I said "Umm so they have a restaurant IN the Inn?" He laughs and says "No it IS a restaurant". Oh whew! The weekend after that went GREAT!
So to go to my Dad's in Columbia MO I picked him up at his house and got a glimpse of where he lived...
Yes that tiny house was his home his whole life! Can you believe at one time there was 4 people living in there? His grandparents, his Mom and himself. Now it could easily be done except for the fact that his mom and grandma are pack rats! Notice the shed in the back (blue) it is almost as big as their whole house! And yes it was full of JUNK.
For Thanksgiving later that month we went to my Dad's again. While there my mom sent all of us a text message saying not to plan anything for the last week of July through the first week of Aug. I decided to be cheeky and text her back saying "But I'm getting married that weekend!" I of course was joking! We hadn't even known each other a month yet. However I will confess that after our first date when I was telling my Dad how it went I had told him I had a feeling I'd be marring this guy.
Little did I know at the time when I was just being a smarty pants that about 4mo later on March 23 2008 that Casey would propose. Since we wanted to have the motorcycle as part of the wedding and wanted to do it at the church we were going to we had to settle for Aug 2 2008 which ended up being the weekend that my Mom had said not to make plans for back in Nov! It was to funny, but turns out the reason was because my younger siblings were going to be attending acting camp and as it turns out that Saturday was just the end fun talent show they do and as it turns out my siblings ended up not being able to attend camp anyway. So it all worked out.
If you had asked me 5yrs ago where I saw myself I wouldn't have said In Olathe KS, owning my own house with my husband. I wouldn't have said the house would be in a good neighborhood with a fenced yard (something I ALWAYS Wanted) with our 2 dogs. I wouldn't have said that I would be married to someone I didn't yet know, I wouldn't have said that I would have 1 child let alone 2. I wouldn't have said that I would have my photography business (A long time dream of mine) at least somewhat up and going. I wouldn't have been able to predict how much my life was going to change in just a few short years. If you would have told me where I would be I would have probably smiled at the thought but laughed at you for thinking you were crazy. So many of my dreams that I was starting to think would never happen have happened over the last 5 years. They have been WONDERFUL and I am so happy and thankful to a marvelous God who has finally said that I was done waiting and that it was time to say Yes to some things. Don't get me wrong, it took him saying No to several other things, but looking back on it I wouldn't change that for anything. The things I was begging him for 5yrs ago that he said No to I am so glad he did. Because then I wouldn't have what I have today. A life with the most amazing husband and wonderful kids. I really feel blessed so much and often think I don't deserve it all. God has been good to our family and he continues to be so now.
A little side note at the end of this, I started typing this up yesterday (Nov 3) but couldn't finish it till now. Haha
We met at a bowling ally near my apartment for a game of bowling, many of you that know me really well know that I had dated 2 other guys before meeting Casey. The first one lasted almost 3 years kinda as he joined the Navy after we met and was away most of the time. The 2nd one well I knew from the beginning I wouldn't marry him but he was a fun photography buddy. Both relationships let me know what I did and didn't want in a guy. I wanted a guy that had a closer moral (and political) view point to myself like the 1st one I dated. But I wanted someone who wasn't so afraid of relationships and didn't wall himself off which was like the 2nd one. Casey turned out to be the perfect mix of both of the guys and the area's in them that I found attractive. We met in front of the bowling ally and he gave me some flowers. That right there was pretty impressive. Even while dating 2 other guys before that I had only gotten flowers once and that was from the first one after I wrote him a scathing letter because he hadn't sent me flowers for Valentines day. Haha
After introducing ourselves we went inside to bowl and get to know either other. Casey of course was doing a really good job, I on the other hand wasn't. Towards the end of the 2nd game that I was losing badly I mentioned I was never good at it and he suddenly started to do horribly as well. Finally the last frame I knew if he got a gutter ball I would barely win and I knew he knew that. I could see it in his face he was going to throw the game just because he was so sweet. I figured he had started doing poorly on purpose and so I said "Don't you throw the game!" Catching him mid stride he stops and comes back and starts again and then bowls a strike of course.
My thinking when he found me like that was "Is he a stalker?" to make the story even greater was when I asked where we were going (supposed to be going to dinner) and he says "Village Inn" Ok so I didn't know there was a restaurant named "Village Inn" so of course I nearly jumped out of his moving truck! Good thing I didn't because when I said "Umm so they have a restaurant IN the Inn?" He laughs and says "No it IS a restaurant". Oh whew! The weekend after that went GREAT!
So to go to my Dad's in Columbia MO I picked him up at his house and got a glimpse of where he lived...
For Thanksgiving later that month we went to my Dad's again. While there my mom sent all of us a text message saying not to plan anything for the last week of July through the first week of Aug. I decided to be cheeky and text her back saying "But I'm getting married that weekend!" I of course was joking! We hadn't even known each other a month yet. However I will confess that after our first date when I was telling my Dad how it went I had told him I had a feeling I'd be marring this guy.
Little did I know at the time when I was just being a smarty pants that about 4mo later on March 23 2008 that Casey would propose. Since we wanted to have the motorcycle as part of the wedding and wanted to do it at the church we were going to we had to settle for Aug 2 2008 which ended up being the weekend that my Mom had said not to make plans for back in Nov! It was to funny, but turns out the reason was because my younger siblings were going to be attending acting camp and as it turns out that Saturday was just the end fun talent show they do and as it turns out my siblings ended up not being able to attend camp anyway. So it all worked out.
If you had asked me 5yrs ago where I saw myself I wouldn't have said In Olathe KS, owning my own house with my husband. I wouldn't have said the house would be in a good neighborhood with a fenced yard (something I ALWAYS Wanted) with our 2 dogs. I wouldn't have said that I would be married to someone I didn't yet know, I wouldn't have said that I would have 1 child let alone 2. I wouldn't have said that I would have my photography business (A long time dream of mine) at least somewhat up and going. I wouldn't have been able to predict how much my life was going to change in just a few short years. If you would have told me where I would be I would have probably smiled at the thought but laughed at you for thinking you were crazy. So many of my dreams that I was starting to think would never happen have happened over the last 5 years. They have been WONDERFUL and I am so happy and thankful to a marvelous God who has finally said that I was done waiting and that it was time to say Yes to some things. Don't get me wrong, it took him saying No to several other things, but looking back on it I wouldn't change that for anything. The things I was begging him for 5yrs ago that he said No to I am so glad he did. Because then I wouldn't have what I have today. A life with the most amazing husband and wonderful kids. I really feel blessed so much and often think I don't deserve it all. God has been good to our family and he continues to be so now.
A little side note at the end of this, I started typing this up yesterday (Nov 3) but couldn't finish it till now. Haha
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
My Halloween project
Friday afternoon while nursing Willa while Eli was taking a nap I was watching our 1 TV channel we seem to get clearly sometimes (have I mentioned how I hate the digital age?). Anyway there was this show on and they were giving Halloween decorating tips, normally we don't decorate except for FALL stuff but this one thing caught my attention. It was a cute thing they did that would allow you to just set it on the porch and add candy, which appealed to me because we enjoy handing out candy but knew we wouldn't be home this year. So I told Casey about it and we decided to do it ourselves. I will be posting pictures and explaining how we did it later in this post.
After getting the supplies we needed for this project I started trying to think of ways to include a way to minister to the children and or parents. Early Sunday morning while I was nursing Willa (seems I do my best thinking while nursing her) I thought maybe I could print up little bible verses and roll them up into little scrolls and attach to the candy. So after feeding her I googled "bible verses for children" I found the following website. http://ministry-to-children.com/ I found their bible verses and then noticed that several included coloring pages you can print and low and behold one was a halloween coloring page. How cool was that? The verse used was "Do not be afraid, for I am with you". PERFECT, so I downloaded the coloring pages (there is a boys page and a girls page) re-sized them to 3x5 and printed them off to roll up and attach to the treats. The whole project only took a couple of hours, and I was able to complete most of it during the kids nap time. So here is my project with instructions. :)
First start out with a medium sized pumpkin and draw dots.
Next get a Bag of Suckers
Print the coloring pages.....
Cut the pictures out.
Then I cut small pieces of ribbon and had Casey get me a cordless drill with a small bit.
Then I had to fold and then roll each coloring sheet and tie with the ribbon.
I don't have a picture of the next two steps but what I did was tie the little "scrolls" to the suckers and had Casey drill holes in the pumpkin. Finally we set up our little "decorated" pumpkin.
Then I also had the idea of using this to promote my business so I put this little sign up. It also has the bible verse used in the coloring pages on it and if you look on the rail there is a box that has some of my business cards in it.
After getting the supplies we needed for this project I started trying to think of ways to include a way to minister to the children and or parents. Early Sunday morning while I was nursing Willa (seems I do my best thinking while nursing her) I thought maybe I could print up little bible verses and roll them up into little scrolls and attach to the candy. So after feeding her I googled "bible verses for children" I found the following website. http://ministry-to-children.com/ I found their bible verses and then noticed that several included coloring pages you can print and low and behold one was a halloween coloring page. How cool was that? The verse used was "Do not be afraid, for I am with you". PERFECT, so I downloaded the coloring pages (there is a boys page and a girls page) re-sized them to 3x5 and printed them off to roll up and attach to the treats. The whole project only took a couple of hours, and I was able to complete most of it during the kids nap time. So here is my project with instructions. :)
First start out with a medium sized pumpkin and draw dots.
The finished product, the thing is there are a LOT of suckers and unless you have a LOT of kids that come to your door, you might want to opt for a smaller pumpkin with a smaller bag of suckers. There were about 160 here. Overall it was super cute and didn't take that long to create. Granted if you did JUST the suckers it would take about 15min to do. :)
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Starting a routine
Before I was pregnant I had started a work out routine. I HATE working out, I get bored so I had asked for the Wii Balance board for Christmas thinking it might encourage me to work out since it would kinda be like playing a game. I love playing video games and I am competitive so I was always wanting to do better at the games on the Wii Fit then Casey which would spark over an hour of me trying to top him on certain stuff. Was a great motivator. I started losing weight pretty quick, I was also watching what I was eating and logging everything into myfitnesspal.com (LOVE that site). I have several friends on there and its a good way to encourage healthy eating and exercise habits. Initially after finding out I was pregnant I kept with the work out routine just scaled it down a little to keep my heart rate at a safe level (Dr recommended) but as the morning sickness got worse and the fatigue from being pregnant and having a toddler I gave up on working out while pregnancy. I also wasn't gaining weight so I knew I shouldn't worry about "burning calories" since I wasn't getting enough anyway.
During the pregnancy I vowed when Dr gives me the green light I was going to get back to my workout routine. Yesterday I had my 6wk post par tum check and everything looked great. Granted I forgot to make sure it was ok with the Dr but I knew it should be since everything was good. So I decided to restart my routine just start off easy like I did last time.
This morning Willa woke up at 6am and after eating she was wide awake so I decided that since Eli is asleep still this would be the perfect time to do my work out. So I put Willa in her bouncy seat and she lay ed there watching me work out. Towards the end she decided she was hungry again and started fussing, I let her fuss while I finished my cool down and then started to feed her.
I also have been lacking in my bible reading lately and have wanted to get back into that so what a more perfect time to read the bible then after a good workout to wake me up and while feeding the baby while the toddler sleeps? I thought so too so I grabbed my bible before sitting down to feed Willa. I read aloud to her and she was soon sound asleep with a happy tummy. Just as I was finishing up Eli woke up and I got him up, dressed and got him his breakfast.
After getting him his breakfast I proceeded to the kitchen to unload the dishwasher and get myself something to eat. Wow its been a productive morning so far for me and I'm not near as tired as I normally would be. I think I'll try to keep this routine going, :)
During the pregnancy I vowed when Dr gives me the green light I was going to get back to my workout routine. Yesterday I had my 6wk post par tum check and everything looked great. Granted I forgot to make sure it was ok with the Dr but I knew it should be since everything was good. So I decided to restart my routine just start off easy like I did last time.
This morning Willa woke up at 6am and after eating she was wide awake so I decided that since Eli is asleep still this would be the perfect time to do my work out. So I put Willa in her bouncy seat and she lay ed there watching me work out. Towards the end she decided she was hungry again and started fussing, I let her fuss while I finished my cool down and then started to feed her.
I also have been lacking in my bible reading lately and have wanted to get back into that so what a more perfect time to read the bible then after a good workout to wake me up and while feeding the baby while the toddler sleeps? I thought so too so I grabbed my bible before sitting down to feed Willa. I read aloud to her and she was soon sound asleep with a happy tummy. Just as I was finishing up Eli woke up and I got him up, dressed and got him his breakfast.
After getting him his breakfast I proceeded to the kitchen to unload the dishwasher and get myself something to eat. Wow its been a productive morning so far for me and I'm not near as tired as I normally would be. I think I'll try to keep this routine going, :)
Thursday, October 20, 2011
I found one!
For those of you that have been following me on Facebook you know that I've posted statuses about trying to find a Dr I feel comfortable with that takes medicaid. We have healthwave which is not full on medicaid but still state assisted. We were told to pick one of two plans, so I picked the one that had the thicker book and more Dr's listed. Might have been a mistake as I have had trouble finding Dr's accepting new patients even though the book says they do. Some can only take the OTHER plan of healthwave, coming from 6yrs experience working in a Dr's office I understand the reasons and all that but still its made it harder. Every time I think I've found one I feel comfortable with when I call they aren't accepting new patients. Its been hard for me having to change the Dr I take the kids to because I love and trust Dr Nash so much! I love College Park Dr's and I've been struggling with accepting the fact that I can't use them for the kids Dr's. My Healthwave is only effective a few more weeks so I won't be changing Dr's unless I get pregnant again (which hopefully won't be for another couple of years).
So I finally ended up just looking for a female, in her 30's-40's (I wanted someone I could relate to) and was able to find her picture on the Internet and thought she LOOKED friendly. But that was all I had to go on, one of my major struggles has been that our Dr is a Christian and prolife which is big to me. I didn't want to get a Dr that was against prolife and pushy about things. My Dr understands that I am slightly hesitant about getting certain shots for the kids and is fine about that. I didn't want to get a Dr that was super pushy with that stuff.
While I was looking in the book I noticed that the Dr that my aunt goes to is listed as a provider. Thats awesome cause I know she's a Christian and actually I used to go to her before I started working at College park. The problem was she's about an hour drive from our house. Ugh after discussing with Casey he feels its best not to use her as the kids PCP. So I booked the appointment with the lady I could only HOPE was as nice as she looked in the picture.
Yesterday I was talking to my aunt and I just casually mentioned that her Dr is a healthwave provider. She says "huh I didn't know that!" I tell her it was cool but the problem was she was so far away and Casey didn't want me driving that far with the kids alone that often. While discussing my Aunt came up with a GREAT plan, you see she also just had a new baby. In fact she was due 2wks BEFORE me and was going to have a C-section due to medical issues that require C-sections. With Willa being born early that meant that her baby is actually 5 days younger then Willa. We've had great fun being pregnant at the same time and discussing how we feel etc. Its been GREAT having the babies so close in age, while we haven't been able to hang out much yet we will! Anyway she suggested that since they are the same age why don't I schedule Willa's well checks at the same time as Patricks and we can just ride together! Genius! So I call Casey and discuss the idea with him. We decided that would be a good plan, if one of the kids gets sick and we don't want to or can't drive the hour to see her we can just take them to Children's mercy urgent care center but have my aunts Dr be their primary Dr.
Of course now the concern is is she REALLY accepting new patients on our plan? Also Patricks well check was schedule for the next day is there a way they can get Willa in at the same time? Well my aunt is good friends with the Dr and knows the staff well so she offers to call them up and talk to them. In the end they ended up working Willa in at the same time as Patrick. We would just have to be in the same room at the same time and she would just do their checks together if we were ok with that. I'm like "thats great!". So now we have found a PCP for the kids that I already know and trust and I can breath a big sigh of relief.
Once again, God provides!
So I finally ended up just looking for a female, in her 30's-40's (I wanted someone I could relate to) and was able to find her picture on the Internet and thought she LOOKED friendly. But that was all I had to go on, one of my major struggles has been that our Dr is a Christian and prolife which is big to me. I didn't want to get a Dr that was against prolife and pushy about things. My Dr understands that I am slightly hesitant about getting certain shots for the kids and is fine about that. I didn't want to get a Dr that was super pushy with that stuff.
While I was looking in the book I noticed that the Dr that my aunt goes to is listed as a provider. Thats awesome cause I know she's a Christian and actually I used to go to her before I started working at College park. The problem was she's about an hour drive from our house. Ugh after discussing with Casey he feels its best not to use her as the kids PCP. So I booked the appointment with the lady I could only HOPE was as nice as she looked in the picture.
Yesterday I was talking to my aunt and I just casually mentioned that her Dr is a healthwave provider. She says "huh I didn't know that!" I tell her it was cool but the problem was she was so far away and Casey didn't want me driving that far with the kids alone that often. While discussing my Aunt came up with a GREAT plan, you see she also just had a new baby. In fact she was due 2wks BEFORE me and was going to have a C-section due to medical issues that require C-sections. With Willa being born early that meant that her baby is actually 5 days younger then Willa. We've had great fun being pregnant at the same time and discussing how we feel etc. Its been GREAT having the babies so close in age, while we haven't been able to hang out much yet we will! Anyway she suggested that since they are the same age why don't I schedule Willa's well checks at the same time as Patricks and we can just ride together! Genius! So I call Casey and discuss the idea with him. We decided that would be a good plan, if one of the kids gets sick and we don't want to or can't drive the hour to see her we can just take them to Children's mercy urgent care center but have my aunts Dr be their primary Dr.
Of course now the concern is is she REALLY accepting new patients on our plan? Also Patricks well check was schedule for the next day is there a way they can get Willa in at the same time? Well my aunt is good friends with the Dr and knows the staff well so she offers to call them up and talk to them. In the end they ended up working Willa in at the same time as Patrick. We would just have to be in the same room at the same time and she would just do their checks together if we were ok with that. I'm like "thats great!". So now we have found a PCP for the kids that I already know and trust and I can breath a big sigh of relief.
Once again, God provides!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Further proof God provides.
When I was first pregnant with Eli we were expecting/hoping for a normal non complicated pregnancy. Most of you know that wasn't the case as towards the middle my blood pressure started climbing and I ended up spending time in the hospital before he was born. Not having insurance you can imagine the bill we have, the hospital advised us to apply for medicaid which we did but since we had to provide taxes from the previous year which was 2009 we were declined because I had worked 6mo out of the year. When I found out I was pregnant with Willa I thought I should try applying again but as I do when it comes to this sort of thing (I hate filling out paperwork) I dragged my feet. I was actually almost done with the paperwork when we ended up unexpectedly in the hospital 4wks early planning on delivery (see earlier posts if you need that story.)
Once again due to lack of insurance the patient advocate came in the next day and was talking to me about medicaid. She helped me finish the paperwork and get everything submitted shortly after Willa was born. She had told me based off Casey's monthly income she didn't think we would qualify for full medicaid but the kids might at least qualify for Healthwave. For those that don't know what that is its state assisted medical insurance but the parents have to pay for it. Its not as expensive as regular insurance and it covers more. She said that full on medicaid could possibly back pay for medical bills up to 3 months but healthwave wouldn't. However the hospital would give us a reduced rate for the bills which with Willa being in the NICU for 9 days we figured would be a HUGE bill.
So we submitted the paperwork, me fully expecting to not get full medicaid and waited. Last week I got 2 calls from medicaid asking questions to finish my application. One question was about my photography that I had to list as an "employer" but they understood there has been little to no business so far. The other was what I was hoping to have covered for me that was within the last 3 months. This question amused me because I have both kids listed on there and its clear that Willa was JUST born and she wants to know what medical bills we need help with for me. I say pregnancy/birth and she asks which one, ok lady first I'm half asleep, second their dates of birth are listed on her sheet its clear I don't expect help for Eli. Anyway, me being half asleep I say "the 2nd one" Haha like that really answers her question, I realize after a minute and say "Willa, we would LOVE help for Eli's bills but figured that was out of the question" she agrees it is. Thanks me for answering the questions and says we should hear something in the next week or so.
Earlier this week we get something in the mail from KS Healthwave, its a letter announcing they now have an Internet and auto phone service you can log into to manage your accounts. It gives instructions for logging in and such and it says to use your member ID number listed on your health cards. So we are wondering does that mean we've been approved? And if so is it for Medicaid or Healthewave? We waited a few more days and sure enough we get like 5 letters from them (one for each of us and one with the cards and one other). First one I open is the one with the cards (I could feel them) and there are 3, (Casey has insurance through his work) I get excited but them I'm like "Is it medicaid or healthwave?" Casey opens a letter explaining what changes would cause us to need to report to them (change in job, income etc). I open a letter that is saying that Eli has been approved (doesn't say if its healthwave or medicaid) and that it is effective till May when I would have to re-apply. Next I open a letter that is explaining that I have been accepted for medicaid effective June 2011 to 2 months post partum which means I can submit the card info to the hospital and get it covered! I got very excited but I knew Willa's bill was the BIG one we would need to have help with. Finally I open her letter and it says she's been approved and that its effective starting Sept 7 2011 which is the day before she was born! YAY! Praise God that means I can submit her info to the hospital and the Neonatal Dr's that kept checking on her for coverage. What a relief, I know we would have just had to make payments and all but I hate having to do that and to be honest we are pretty strapped money wise monthly anyway. I also didn't want to have a HUGE bill hanging over us for so long.
LOL
All in all we are so thankful for everything! We have a healthy growing baby girl, bills will be paid and while things will be tight for awhile we know that there should be relief at least at tax time as adding another kid to the list will give us an even bigger tax break! Haha
Once again due to lack of insurance the patient advocate came in the next day and was talking to me about medicaid. She helped me finish the paperwork and get everything submitted shortly after Willa was born. She had told me based off Casey's monthly income she didn't think we would qualify for full medicaid but the kids might at least qualify for Healthwave. For those that don't know what that is its state assisted medical insurance but the parents have to pay for it. Its not as expensive as regular insurance and it covers more. She said that full on medicaid could possibly back pay for medical bills up to 3 months but healthwave wouldn't. However the hospital would give us a reduced rate for the bills which with Willa being in the NICU for 9 days we figured would be a HUGE bill.
So we submitted the paperwork, me fully expecting to not get full medicaid and waited. Last week I got 2 calls from medicaid asking questions to finish my application. One question was about my photography that I had to list as an "employer" but they understood there has been little to no business so far. The other was what I was hoping to have covered for me that was within the last 3 months. This question amused me because I have both kids listed on there and its clear that Willa was JUST born and she wants to know what medical bills we need help with for me. I say pregnancy/birth and she asks which one, ok lady first I'm half asleep, second their dates of birth are listed on her sheet its clear I don't expect help for Eli. Anyway, me being half asleep I say "the 2nd one" Haha like that really answers her question, I realize after a minute and say "Willa, we would LOVE help for Eli's bills but figured that was out of the question" she agrees it is. Thanks me for answering the questions and says we should hear something in the next week or so.
Earlier this week we get something in the mail from KS Healthwave, its a letter announcing they now have an Internet and auto phone service you can log into to manage your accounts. It gives instructions for logging in and such and it says to use your member ID number listed on your health cards. So we are wondering does that mean we've been approved? And if so is it for Medicaid or Healthewave? We waited a few more days and sure enough we get like 5 letters from them (one for each of us and one with the cards and one other). First one I open is the one with the cards (I could feel them) and there are 3, (Casey has insurance through his work) I get excited but them I'm like "Is it medicaid or healthwave?" Casey opens a letter explaining what changes would cause us to need to report to them (change in job, income etc). I open a letter that is saying that Eli has been approved (doesn't say if its healthwave or medicaid) and that it is effective till May when I would have to re-apply. Next I open a letter that is explaining that I have been accepted for medicaid effective June 2011 to 2 months post partum which means I can submit the card info to the hospital and get it covered! I got very excited but I knew Willa's bill was the BIG one we would need to have help with. Finally I open her letter and it says she's been approved and that its effective starting Sept 7 2011 which is the day before she was born! YAY! Praise God that means I can submit her info to the hospital and the Neonatal Dr's that kept checking on her for coverage. What a relief, I know we would have just had to make payments and all but I hate having to do that and to be honest we are pretty strapped money wise monthly anyway. I also didn't want to have a HUGE bill hanging over us for so long.
LOL
All in all we are so thankful for everything! We have a healthy growing baby girl, bills will be paid and while things will be tight for awhile we know that there should be relief at least at tax time as adding another kid to the list will give us an even bigger tax break! Haha
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Always learning something new.
I've learned a few things since being a mommy of two. Wouldn't think it would be much different then being a mommy of one but it is. Here are some things I've learned in no particular order.
1. They sync their bad moods. Case and point, today. Eli is grumpy and Willa is clingy, Eli wants to hold Willa but Willa screams when he holds her, if I take her away Eli screams. There has been no winning this battle today.
2. Getting up with a baby who is wide awake at 5:30am encourages getting some stuff done. Such as laundry I've been putting off.
3. Two screaming kids at the same time that has been going on for more then 5min is a good motivator to go down stairs and work on aforementioned laundry. Side note on this, Willa was in her swing in her room and Eli was in the living room blocked off from going upstairs to torment her.
4. They almost ALWAYS are in bad moods till Daddy gets home then they are little angels. Why is that?
5. They tag team Mommy in the middle of the night. Example: Willa wakes up at 2:30am for a feeding, around 3:15 I am putting her back to bed, just as I lay down Eli starts screaming I end up staying up another 20min to take care of him.
6. They can sure be cute when they want to be!
7. You get twice as much love.
8. You give twice as much love, who would have thought your heart could expand so much?
9. Spit up is still gross even when you should be used to it.
10. You change twice as many diapers, especially if the older sibling is still in diapers.
11. Due to number 10 I now have a deeper appreciation for parents of twins. Can you imagine? I mean at Eli's age we are changing about 5 diapers a day. A newborn its at least five times that, can you imagine having 2 newborns? Or maybe more?
12. The house becomes even more of a mess cause your so busy taking care of 2 kids you don't get as much done.
13. Due to number 12 the husband pitches in a lot more in the house work! Although Casey has always been REALLY good at helping period. He is always cleaning something.
14. If you weren't a morning person before you will be now!
15. Having 2 kids makes for an entertaining blog. :)
1. They sync their bad moods. Case and point, today. Eli is grumpy and Willa is clingy, Eli wants to hold Willa but Willa screams when he holds her, if I take her away Eli screams. There has been no winning this battle today.
2. Getting up with a baby who is wide awake at 5:30am encourages getting some stuff done. Such as laundry I've been putting off.
3. Two screaming kids at the same time that has been going on for more then 5min is a good motivator to go down stairs and work on aforementioned laundry. Side note on this, Willa was in her swing in her room and Eli was in the living room blocked off from going upstairs to torment her.
4. They almost ALWAYS are in bad moods till Daddy gets home then they are little angels. Why is that?
5. They tag team Mommy in the middle of the night. Example: Willa wakes up at 2:30am for a feeding, around 3:15 I am putting her back to bed, just as I lay down Eli starts screaming I end up staying up another 20min to take care of him.
6. They can sure be cute when they want to be!
7. You get twice as much love.
8. You give twice as much love, who would have thought your heart could expand so much?
9. Spit up is still gross even when you should be used to it.
10. You change twice as many diapers, especially if the older sibling is still in diapers.
11. Due to number 10 I now have a deeper appreciation for parents of twins. Can you imagine? I mean at Eli's age we are changing about 5 diapers a day. A newborn its at least five times that, can you imagine having 2 newborns? Or maybe more?
12. The house becomes even more of a mess cause your so busy taking care of 2 kids you don't get as much done.
13. Due to number 12 the husband pitches in a lot more in the house work! Although Casey has always been REALLY good at helping period. He is always cleaning something.
14. If you weren't a morning person before you will be now!
15. Having 2 kids makes for an entertaining blog. :)
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