Already Completed Bucket List Items

My bus buddy is retiring soon so we've been talking about bucket lists. I decided I should write one but as I was looking at other lists, I realized I've done a lot already so I want to take a moment to recognize all I've accomplished. I looked at two lists: bucketlistjourney and daringtolivefully and marked down which ones I could check-off:

1. Go to Vegas – June 2002 (21^st birthday), August 2010 (honeymoon)
2. Golfing on active volcano – July 2008 (Mt. Etna, Italy) (original item was climbing active volcano)
3. Become a parent – July 2012, May 2014, October 2015
4. Get married – August 2010
5. Ride a Gondola in Venice – July 2008
6. Plant a tree – April 1996 (Belarus)
7. Create your family tree
8. Live in a foreign country – April/May 1996 (Belarus)
9. Create your own website/web blog – I have 4 blogs
10. Give a speech in public – church, work
11. Visit Hawaii – March 2006 with Matt
12. Learn to play golf
13. Learn to play a musical instrument - trumpet and drums (I sucked but I played them)
14. Fall in love – Matt
15. Visit Moscow – April 1996
16. See the Coliseum in Rome – July 2008
17. Visit London – July 2008
18. Learn the Heimleich Manuever
19. Ride on the back of a motorcycle
20. Learn a card trick
21. Finish 1000 piece puzzle
22. Zip Line – Malibu
23. Police Ride Along
24. Body Piercing – ears and belly button
25. Snowboard – 2005
26. Make a snowman
27. Stand under a waterfall – Malibu
28. Swim in the ocean
29. Attend a same-sex wedding
30. Be a bridesmaid
31. Have a meaningful conversation with a stranger
32. Meet someone famous
33. Reconnect with an old friend
34. Tell Dad I Love him
35. Decorate a blank t-shirt – for Malibu camp
36. Make a handmade gift – cross stitch
37. Make an origami animal
38. Paint something at a ceramic store
39. Sew something you can wear (I made an apron in Belarus)
40. Attend a wedding in a different country (Italy)
41. Go to a dinner theater (Vegas)
42. Go to a drive-in move (Mission:Impossible in Wenatchee with Matt)
43. Have my picture in the newspaper (sports, Belarus trip)
44. Host a game night
45. Make a house of cards – as a kid many times
46. Master a video game – Lego Star Wars
47. Learn a line dance
48. Ride on a ferris wheel
49. See a 3-D movie (Avatar with Matt in Alabama)
50. See a ballet (in Russia and Belarus)
51. Cirque du Soleil Show (Vegas)
52. See a Foreign Film (Amelie)
53. See a Vegas Show
54. See my favorite band/artist play live (Garth Brooks, Alabama, George Straight)
55. Sit front row at basketball game (Battle in Seattle – Zags)
56. See an opera (Phantom of the Opera)
57. Get a foot massage
58. Get a makeup lesson
59. Get a spa pedicure
60. Get acupuncture
61. Get fitted for a bra
62. Get a professional body massage
63. Get my nails schlacked
64. Go on a clothes shopping spree
65. Have a facial
66. Have a professional photo shoot
67. Wear fake eyelashes (high school dance team) 
68. Order room service
69. Sell something on the internet (Amazon)
70. Attend a pig roast
71. Bake a cake for someone special
72. Catch, cook and eat a fish
73. Cook a dish from a different culture
74. Eat alone at a restaurant
75. Eat at a food truck
76. Eat a Southern BBQ in the South
77. Fillet a fish
78. Have a dinner party
79. Have a progressive dinning experience
80. Shuck oysters
81. Do a wheelie on a bike
82. Haggle at an open market (Belarus)
83. Have a collection
84. Have a white Christmas
85. Ask my spouse 20 questions
86. Be an organ donor on my license
87. Be present at a birth (3 of them)
88. Build [part of] a house with Habitat for Humanity
89. Do a charity walk (Komen, Buddy Walk)
90. Do a Random Acts of Kindness
91. Donate books
92. Donate toys
93. Donate clothes
94. Get a college degree
95. Learn to play a song on an instrument
96. Meditate
97. Read a classic novel
98. Serve food at a soup kitchen
99. Volunteer
100. Complete a Ropes Course
101. Do a handstand
102. Fly a kite
103. Golf 18 holes
104. Kayak
105. Play badminton
106. Play Racquetball
107. Rollerblade
108. Snorkel (Florida)
109. Tap Dance
110. Ride in a limo (College)
111. Ride in a scary roller coasters (all roller coasters are scary)
112. Ride on a subway
113. Ride on a train
114. Attend a Luau
115. Attend a small town festival (Fathoms of Fun, Apple Blossom)
116. Celebrate a holiday in another country (Independence Day in Belarus)
117. Fly first class (Alabama)
118. Go to an aquarium
119. See a spectacular fountain (Trevi Fountain in Italy)
120. Sleep in an overnight train (Belarus to Russia)
121. Sleep in a Bed and Breakfast (Italy)
122. Travel Internationally
123. Visit a tour attraction in my town
124. Visit my state capitol
125. Wear a fresh lei
126. Walk the Hollywood Walk of Frame
127. Explore the Everglades
128. Learn the Hula
129. Walk the Las Vegas Strip
130. Multnomah Falls
131. Pike Place Market
132. Thomas Jefferson Memorial
133. White House
134. Watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace
135. Make a wish in the Trevi Fountain
136. Pose with the Leaning Tower of Pisa
     
     

Now to write my bucket list....

Cleared FOREVER!

Yesterday, we received great news! Russell is cleared from his cardiologist FOREVER! His heart surgery was officially a success and there is no residual leakage. I just about cried.

Russell also started Preschool. At first, he was scared and now it seems he is doing well with it.

All good news here!

A Year Later

Well, it's been over a year, a lot has changed and then, again, not much has changed.

Changed:

- I have another new job. Now I'm working on solely Public Service Programs at WSBA. I love it. My new manager is fantastic to work for and I'm finally working on projects that I feel will result in low and moderate income people help they need. In this case, it is legal help. I just finished a project that was my idea - a list of resources for veterans for legal, medical, and other assistance. I've passed it around to the organizations on the flyer and others and have received really positive feedback.

- Kids are older and even cuter than before - I didn't know that was possible! Travis loves preschool and has friends that are girls that he gets hugs from on a regular basis. It's so sweet. Russell gets to start Preschool right after his 3rd birthday in May. He is so ready. Whenever Matt drops Travis off at school, Russell sits down at a station and wants to play. He gets upset when he can't stay. Walter is adorable. He doesn't talk much but he makes lots of cute noises. He is on "Team Dad" by far but loves to come to bed with me. At 9 pm, he scoots off Matt and heads to the stairs for bedtime. If you want him to stay in one place, put on Wallykazam. It's a great kids show.


Not Changed:

- Medical appointments, medical appointments and more medical appointments.

• Russell had another eye surgery to correct being a little cross-eyed sometimes.
• Walter started at the same neurodevelopmental clinic as Russell. Walter has a few minor oddities - just enough that we want to keep an eye on him. He doesn't respond often when we call him and he won't look Matt in the eyes if they are close. Walter looks at me but sometimes not the people who work with Russell. Walter also sees an occupational therapist. Matt, the therapist, and doctors keep mentioning autism but none of them seem like they really think it could be autism - he just displays some characteristics. It's too early to test him for sure.
• Russell also had a sleep study. The night went better than expected. The results aren't that great but their now horrible - we could have had to put him back on oxygen at night. That would've been a nightmare. He has severe sleep apnea and is going to an ENT to see about getting his tonsils and/or adenoids out. Seems pretty common with kids with Down syndrome.
• Russell has other appointments coming up but I can't remember them all.

- My depression is still sticking around. Nothing like it was last year at this time or even 9 months ago when I was in an out-patient treatment program. I'm seeing someone weekly that helps with exposure therapy for my fears and providing DBT skills for when I get anxious or depressed.


In other news:

I have a new nephew, Gavin. He lives in Denver. I got to meet him a few weeks ago. That was nice. He's a cutie! Wish they lived closer.

I'm going to have another "niece." Our friends, Kit and Sally, are finally having a baby in July. Once they go back to work, Matt will be watching the baby along with our kids! He'll be a busy guy and I'm getting a new car because of it.

I've been at the WSBA for 9 years! I remember thinking I wasn't going to last 2 because I was so bored. Now, as I mentioned before, I'm liking it a lot more. I could use a few more projects but at least it is more fun and less stressful - always good.

I hope to get back into blogging again. A lot of ideas and thoughts in my little head..... :)

A Random Happy Post

Let's write a happy post for once. I'm not overwhelmed, not crying, just happy. This post started pretty boring so now I'm just writing random stuff.

Work has been overwhelming and I got to a good place today so I was able to relax a little as I waited for others to get back to me. I even cleaned and organized my desk! It looks awesome. It could be the caffeine or the sugar I had today. :)

I have a lot of plans to clean and get organized this weekend - we'll see how that goes. Travis gets to hang out with Uncle Kit and watch a Star Wars movie and play, they are both excited.

On the 26th, I'm going to a gathering for parents with Down Syndrome kids aged 0-3. It should only be a few minutes from my house since it's also in Shoreline. I'm trying to get together with the hostess for this month's gathering separately. It will be nice to be with other parents that have kids the same age as mine.

My house can get a little chaotic and it's fun. Three boys three and under!

I don't really have resolutions for the year (I know it's March and I'm just now mentioning it), but I have goals. One goal is to make people at work feel good and those I work with most appreciated. I give everyone birthday cards now and it's amazing the response I've gotten. People who I barely know now address me by name for the first time since I've worked there (8 years). I'm still working on their names. :) I try to deliver the cards before they arrive and put them on their desk. They say it's a nice way to start their day. Travis puts the envelope seals on them for me. I also give "badges" to my closer co-workers. Badges are the HR systems way of letting people express appreciation in different categories to each other. It's fun for me too. I get excited for Monday mornings when I deliver the birthday cards for the week and every-other-Tuesday when I make badges for my co-workers.

My supervisor is really empowering me (a work buzz word) to take ownership (another buzz word) of projects. It's a different position then I'm used to. I got a project on March 1 that is due April 8 and will be sent out to all the new Bar admittees. I have to gather information from different departments on a tight deadline, arrange for designing (thank God I don't have to design it) and printing. I'm two days ahead of schedule. I have a lot of other big projects that I'm in charge of and it's a great feeling to be trusted like this.

Enough ramblings for now...

The Kids

Travis is still very loving to his brothers and everyone else. He doesn't always like me to go to work and often requires hugs and kisses before I leave in the morning. He cries if he doesn't get them. Travis is a big helper with changing diapers and getting bottles. Sometimes, Travis is insistent that HE changes the diapers. I supervise and he does a pretty good job. Travis is so smart (and not just because I'm biased). He is certainly from a family of lawyers who find the loopholes in everything.

We started Russell at a student-run physical therapy clinic. It was a lot of fun to watch the students work with Russell. (I don't get to be at many of Russell's appointments). They were very excited about what he can do. Russell likes to throw and he has a great arm. We are trying to teach what is ok to throw (soft objects if someone is expecting it) and not ok to throw (hard objects at Walter's face). The last few days, Russell seems to be getting a lot more loving towards Walter. Russell will pat Walter's back and kiss him. Russell is learning to tickle and follow more directions.


Walter James is 4 months and so cute. He makes a ton of cute noises and loves his Mama. :) He is getting up on hands and knees and sort of moves forward but not quite crawling.

Medical Stuff

I'm currently feeling overwhelmed....again. Russell, Walter and I all have doctor's appointments consults, follow-ups, surgeries and it goes on.

Russell had eye surgery and ear tubes replaced last week. Tomorrow is his eye doctor follow-up. That was an easy appointment to schedule - they did it for us. For his ear tube follow-up, I had to call Children's Hospital (who is not always easy to get a hold of), wait for a return call, then call Russell's regular ENT and wait for a return call, just to call Children's again.

Don't get me wrong, everyone I've talked to at all the clinics have been great, it's just trying to reach them can be difficult. I've waited on hold for 5 minutes and gave up because I couldn't get anyone. If you are 3rd in line, just hang up. Call around 3:30 - that is when I've had the best luck.

I digress....

Russell is still bottle fed because he can't swallow much. He is finally starting to take some soft/liquid food but not much. We had two tests for that and I think we have to go back. The good news is, all his food is paid for by insurance! We get a lot of similac formula, pedisure, and now "Thick It" to thicken his formula each month.

Next up is neurology for both Russell and Walter. Yup, Walter is getting checked-out too. Since he was born, Walter's body has been very "tense." When he was in the hospital and until he was about a month or so, if you laid him on his back, his hands would shake. While he doesn't shake anymore, and the tenseness is getting better, I want a medical professional to tell me that he will be fine or what we need to do to help him. We think it is withdrawal from one of my medications I was on during the pregnancy. Russell's appointment is the routine check-up to make sure he is developing the way he should be.

Then I have issues with acid reflex, I'll spare you the details, just know it's not pretty or healthy. I almost had surgery but turns out I'm not a good candidate. The surgeon ordered a couple of tests. Two tests took all morning and a little into the afternoon on the same day. The third test was scheduled for 4 hours. I followed all the instructions for the test and made it through 2 hours before my body rejected the eggs they gave me. Unfortunately, there were sensors in the eggs so I had to return for another test. Thankfully, the second time worked. All of the tests results are "abnormal." Well, what does that mean and what can doctors do for me? I'm hoping my GI tomorrow, or the surgeon in a couple of weeks, will have some ideas for me. 

If you know Matt and his health issues, it is a surprise that he is the only one without appointments (Travis had a couple too a while ago but that's pretty much solved).

I'll wrap up this depressing post with some great news - Russell is doing wonderful! All the professionals are very excited about his progress. He is walking now! Russell doesn't have a lot of words but he is very communicative. You know when he is happy or upset - no guessing needed. :) Also great news - Travis is mostly potty trained!

The Past and Present

In two days I go back to work. I'm in for a rude awakening on Monday morning when I wake up and have to go to work. No more going upstairs everyday at 5 or 6 a.m. to feed Walter James and fall asleep in the chair until he wants more food or Travis joins us.I still have the weekends.

I guess I should catch you all up on the last 8 months! The highlights are:
- I had gallbladder surgery when I was 14 weeks pregnant
- Russell didn't like glasses so we switched to eye patches which didn't work either, now we're on to eye drops - they are working.
- We celebrated Russell's first birthday. When Travis turned one, Becky told me that she felt like it was an accomplishment when her kids made it to one. With Travis, it didn't feel that way, but with Russell, I felt like it was a great accomplishment! We went through so much with him, especially in the first few months.
- We celebrated one year since heart surgery. Matt didn't tell me that Russell was still high risk for the first year after surgery. It was a good thing he didn't tell me - there probably would have been many sleepless nights for me.
- We celebrated Travis' 3rd birthday! He is so funny and smart. He knows his ABC song (although sometimes he skips letters because they are "bad"), can count to 10, knows his colors and most importantly, he LOVES his brothers and the rest of his family. Travis repeatedly says he is going to take care of "everyone" but he isn't going to be a doctor. When I'm sad, Matt has taught him to give me hugs and kisses to make me feel better. It certainly helps even if it doesn't cure me. :)
-Matt and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary and 10th anniversary of being together. I look back at our time together and I'm so thankful for Matt. He is the reason I finally got help for my depression and other issues. He supports me when I miss meds or am just having a bad day. He makes me laugh and he is a great father to our boys. I have to admit I was hesitant about having him stay home with kids and watching tv, but Travis is so smart and the Wonderland therapists who work with Russell tell Matt to keep doing what he is doing. He reads to the boys and works with Russell as the therapists request.
-I got a promotion at work! I was a legal education coordinator for 8 years and now (well, when I go back) I will work with our Pro Bono, New Lawyer and Mentorship team. I'm very excited for many reasons.

I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot but it's 1:15 a.m. and it's been 8 months.