November Means Thanks

People have been posting on the net, daily, what they are thankful for. I'd like to say I am thankful for each minute of my day... but I have to complain sometimes! :)

In any case, here is my list of the "30 things" I am thankful for. 
(I got this idea from my friend Summer).

I am thankful for:
1) my beautiful house and home
2) a loving, wonderful, and handsome husband
3) my biggest blessings: Ava, Easton, and Elle
4) being crazy enough to care for two spoiled little dogs
5) being able to run, and run, and run some more
6) a warm king-sized bed, even though I sleep in it less than I would like
7) a rewarding career
8) a mother who inspires me to be a better person
9) a father who inspires me to do my best and aim high
10) a mother-in-law who loves my children and treats them better than could ever be imagined
11) a father-in-law who treats me like his daughter and dotes on his grandkids
12) unsweetened tea, seriously, I love it
13) a close family of  3 cousins, 2 grandparents, 2 aunts, and 2 uncles
14) coffee
15) blue jean days at work
16) health
17) the fact I was trained to do research (helps with my anxiety... haha)
18) Easton's service coordinator, Connie
19) occupational therapists, physical therapists, nutritionists, and the like
20) makeup, particularly eye liner and red lipstick
21) bubble baths
22) dry red wine
23) having faith
24) President Obama
25) my friends, who range from young to old, have all types of political affiliations, and religions
26) being able to write a report (speech)
27) Brooks....where would my life be without you?
28) insurance
29) internet, a phone, and a TV
30) being able to make my children's baby foods and being able to breast feed

I am thankful for so many more things. November needs 10,000 days!

OT=D/C

Sensory integration is defined as the neurological process that organizes sensation from one's own body and the environment, thus making it possible to use the body effectively within the environment.





We all have sensory differences.  For example, the thought of touching a sponge makes me want to pass out - the texture is abominable.   I even refuse to eat "sponge" cake.  Some people hate being touched, avoid bright lights or loud sounds, feel pain differently, thrive from movement, only eat certain textures... while others do the exact opposite. In my opinion, sensory differences are what make the world more colorful, interesting, and fun. 

Easton was diagnosed with a sensory integration disorder of regulation at 3 months of age. He didn't look at faces, he didn't startle to sound, he was terrified of everything, he was never happy, he seemed to be in pain.  (I think people call that a "colicky baby.")   I was floored. Occupational therapy was recommended for Easton. We also found out he could not see well and it all made sense. A month later, his vision matured and the sensory differences disappeared.  We continued with OT and doing our homework everyday.  He started pulling things together.  He still required a good deal of Mommy time (the person who understands him most) to help him cope, calm, and regulate. But those days are getting easier.  He is still swaddled to sleep, nurses to calm, and sits a good deal of time in his chair away from others when frustrated.  He is a happy baby and was discharged from OT today.  (Thank you Angie!)

Now, he is laid back and cool... so much that the little booger is slightly behind in his gross motor skills.  But, we get to move forward.  Physical therapy here we come.  I never thought I would be so proud of my six month old's accomplishments.  He is amazing!

(By the way, Elle sits unsupported for hours and Ava can do a 24-piece puzzle independently. Can't forget to mention my girlies! Mommy loves you two, too!)

Das ist gut!

Disclaimer: Ich habe die Deutsche, erste geschreiben, dann übersetzt sie unten/I wrote the German first then translated it below.
"Das ist gut"... Vielleicht die erste Satze ich habe auf Deutsch gerlernt.



Ich habe nicht, in eine lange zeit, Deutsch gesprochen oder geschreiben... also, vielleicht mit meinem Vater, eine kollegin, oder mit meine kinder, aber mit keine andere.  Ich denke auf Deutsch fast jeden tag and traeume auf Deutsch ein bisschen. Ich lese Deutsch manchmal: mit die Kinder, im der Zeitung, oder Facebook posts von Deutschland. So, was ist mein Problem mit Blogging auf  Deutsch?

Zuerst, habe ich nur eine paar freunden dass wird diese Blogs gelesen und diese kann nicht Deutsch. Dann, habe ich SO VIELE ZEIT (haha) fuer Blogging mit 3 kinder, 2 hunden, und ein Mann. Letzte, habe ich angst fuer die fehler mit Grammatik und Rechtscreibung.

Eine kollegin beim arbeit fragt mich heute, "Ava spricht Deutsch , oder? Und, wird die zwillinge Deutsch lernen?" Ich habe gesagt, "Na ja, sie (Ava) ist nicht so interessiert  und es ist schwer fuer mich, weil wir haben niemand mit zum ueben, weisst du?" Die sagt "Nein, du musst deine Kinder Deutsch zum lernen, die sind wie Schwaemme und schnell wird  alles abholen.

So wir lernen Deutsch zusammen... Ich bin die Lehrerin, die Kinder sind meine Schueler.

Die Bumgarners vielleicht sind nicht Genies aber wir sind genial und "das ist gut!"

Then the English~

 "That's good"... Is maybe the first sentence I learned in German.
I haven't spoken or written German in a long time... well maybe with my Dad, a gal at work, or with my children, but with no others. I think in German almost everyday and dream in German a little bit.  I sometimes read German with the children, in the newspaper, or in FB posts from Germany.  So what is my deal with Blogging in German.

First, I have only a couple of friends that will read this blog and they can't understand German.  Then, I HAVE SO MUCH TIME (haha) to blog with 3 children, 2 dogs, and a husband.  Lastly, I am scared of my mistakes with grammar and spelling.

A gal at work asked me today "Does Ava speak German? and Will the twins learn it?" I said "Uh, well, she (Ava) isn't interested and it is hard on me because I have no one to practice with, ya know?" She said "No! You have to teach your children German; they are like sponges and will quickly pick it all up."





Thus we are learning German together. I am the teacher and the kids are my pupils.

The Bumgarners maybe are not geniuses but we are awesome and "that's good!