Migraines

Fair warning. If you don't want to be invited to my pity party, then don't read this post. I will start out by saying that I am completely aware that MILLIONS of people have it a MILLION times harder then I do. I am trying so hard to look at all the positive things in my life, and really focus on my blessings....but it is really hard to do right now.
Besides Devry being gone over 2/3 of every month, which sucks I might add, and besides having to play single working mom with very little sleep, I have been struggling with TONS of HORRIBLE migraines. Not just once or twice a month, like they were 6 months ago, but 2-3 times a week or more! It is absolutely miserable. When I get them, I can't see, I can't think clearly, I can't stop throwing up, I can't drive, My whole left side goes numb, I feel like there is a bomb going off over and over again inside of my head, and light makes me what to stab my eyeballs out. Yes. gross I know. I can't function. My poor child is placed in front of the TV, and I BEG him to leave me alone. I lay on the couch with a cool pack on my head and neck, with a pillow over my head to try to block out all light and sound. And I hope that when I am coherent again, Payton will still be sitting there like a zombie, glued to that hypnotizing box. Oh my poor child. I hope he survives me.
So I have been trying everything I can think of. Identifying triggers, taking preventative things, taking the meds I can when I get one, avoiding anything that I even think could be a trigger, trying homeopathic remedies. It is frustrating to read about them though. Most resources will say that the best way to prevent them is to get enough sleep and eliminate stress. HA. Right. So I have ANOTHER Dr's appointment for them, and a chiropractor appointment. I am trying everything I can think of. I have been getting them at work, after work, when I'm not working. I don't even see a rhyme or reason anymore. I luckily haven't had to call in sick very often for them...mostly because I take something and go try to make it through the night. I feel extremely guilty calling in sick to work, so I really have to be in bad shape before I will let one keep me home. Luckily (like tonight) I can request call, and hope that I get to stay home, and not get called in. So here is my whine fest. Like I said, I am really trying to be positive....but it is very hard when my head feels like it is going to explode a huge portion of the time. I am VERY open to ANY suggestions anyone has!

Payton's 2nd Birthday!

Well, although my posts are coming very late, I still want to make sure I post them!

On July 27th, Payton turned 2 years old. Unfortunately I had to work that day, so we didn't do a whole lot. We waited until the following Saturday to have his birthday Party. Family and friends came over and celebrated with us. We had a gorgeous day and enjoyed lots of fun and yummy food.

The kids all played in the pool and with the sprinklers. They loved it!

We blew bubbles!

Then had some fun in the hammock.

We had a yummy barbeque, then sang Payton happy birthday. He had a Cars cake this year. I had fun making and decorating it, and Payton loved it!

Then Payton opened his presents with the help of his cousins and friends! He was so spoiled and got so many wonderful gifts!

We had a ton of fun celebrating Payton's 2nd Birthday. I am still in shock that he is 2 already! He is getting so big and independent. He is talking a ton now, and has such a funny imagination. I am amazed at all he is learning, and how quickly he picks things up. We love this little guy so much and are so grateful to have him!

July 2011 Nova Scotia Trip - Part 2

We spent the second week of our trip With my mom and Trent. It was also so much fun! We are so lucky to have so many wonderful family members to visit!

We LOVE spending time at my mom’s gorgeous ocean front house. We also love how much she spoils us with her amazing cooking, and does everything she can to make our visits perfect!

I think my mom adores Payton more then anyone I know! She spends every second she has with him, reading, playing, and teaching him. I wish she was closer. Payton absolutely LOVES “nanny” and made sure she was always with him.

We went and picked Raspberries one of the first days we were there. Payton ate as many as we picked. He had fun running up and down the rows, eating as many as he could grab.

My mom put up a swing for Payton to play in. He loved it, and always wanted someone to push him.

We walked down to the shore, and played on the rocks. The water by their house is way to strong and dangerous to swim in, but Payton made sure to get wet in all the puddles.

Of course we spent TONS of time with Jasmine. I miss this girl tons! She is the best Aunt ever, and Payton loved playing with “Jazzy.”

One of the reason’s we decided to go when we did was so I could be at my friend Nadine’s wedding. We have been friends for as long as I can remember. I think since we lived next door to each other when we were 1. It was so great to be able to be at her absolutely beautiful wedding. She was breathtaking! We loved being able to attend!

The day before we flew home, My mom planned an early birthday Party for Payton. She made a some delicious sides and a cake, and we had a cookout on the shore by my Grandparents cottage.

It was fun to spend some time on the shore I have so many memories of. We had tons of cookouts there, so it was fun to have one with Payton

Payton loved blowing out the Candles on his cake. The cutest thing is that my mom taught him to say “I’m two” and hold up two fingers, one one each hand.
We loved visiting my grandparents! They are so wonderful, and I miss them so much. We were able to stop and see them a few times. My nanny spoiled Payton rotten with toys, books and puzzles.

Everyone was so kind and gave Payton some wonderful birthday presents. He had a blast opening them, and we brought them all back to Idaho. He loves playing with all the toys he got!

We got a few pictures of family. My aunt Gail and Uncle John were visiting, and they FINALLY got to meet Payton. We enjoyed spending time with them, and hope it isn’t another 3 years before seeing them again!

The last evening we were there, my uncle took us mackerel fishing. Devry finally has a Nova scotia fishing story. He caught 4 all at the same time. Talented guy! It was amazing to see how many fish people were catching at high tide.

We had such an incredible trip! It was so great to see family, enjoy Nova Scotia, and have a break. We wish we could go more! With Devry’s new job, our trips home may get even more difficult, but we hope to continue to go at least once a year.

July 2011 Nova Scotia Trip Week 1

We had a wonderful trip to see my family. Payton did so well on the flights, and loved every minute of being spoiled rotten. The First week we stayed with my dad. We had such a fun week visiting family, going to the beach, going to the wildlife park, and just relaxing at their beautiful ocean front home.

Payton loved visiting "Grampie" and "nan." It is so confusing for him though, to know who is who. He has a Grandma and Grandpa (Devrys Parents), A Grampie and Nan (my dad and Elizabeth), Nanny and Grandpa Trent (My mom and Trent), plus Grammy and Grandad (my grandparents on my moms side), and Great Nanny ( my dads mom). It's confusing enough for me, I can understand why Payton constantly called people the wrong name.

Here are some pictures of the week we spent with my Dad and Elizabeth.

Payton was a bit shy at first, but within a few minutes was loving every minute with Grampie and Nan.

We Visited my Nanny, and my little Sister Kayleigh came too. I'm glad Payton is so social and warms up to most people so quickly. He loved both of them!

We took Payton the the wild life park. It was a lot of fun because I went there SO many times as a kid. It really hasn't changed.

We Fed the ducks.

And Saw lots of animals. Payton Loved the bears the most.


The next 2 pictures were actually Devry's idea. Growing up in Nova Scotia, the tides were never something I thought much of. The Bay of Fundy (the part of the ocean both my parents live on) has the highest tides in the world. Devry couldn't believe it when he first saw it, and wanted to take some pictures.

So here is Low tide.

And here is high tide.

We enjoyed watching the tides, and also Playing in the water. Well.. Payton enjoyed playing in the water. It was WAY too cold for us, but this tough kid will play in water at any temperature!
He loved throwing rocks with Devry. Devry was skipping rocks and Payton would try to copy him.

Walking through the freezing cold water.

The only one brave enough to get in the water was Kayleigh. Payton is lucky to have such a great Aunt!

He Gradually got deeper and deeper in the water, until he was dunking his head under.

Rocks are definitely a favorite toy!

Payton was combing the beach with Grampie and Nan. They collect beach glass and are always combing the beach.

I just love this guy. Isn't he just so hot!!

And now you get to see true excitement of being in the water....

I love this picture of Payton and Kayleigh. Payton was copying her when she plugged her nose. The part of the picture I missed was when Kayleigh dunked under...so did payton. It was too cute!

Daddy and Payton digging on the beach.

And here is a picture of me. Just to prove that I really AM there. I just prefer to be behind the camera.

We got to visit my Nanny a few times while we were home. We also got to see my aunts and uncles! Payton finally got to meet my Aunt gail and Uncle Joe. I am kicking myself for not taking a picture of him with them. I am a horrible photographer..taking pictures is always an afterthought for me.

We had so much fun visiting my dad and Elizabeth. It is always so nice to go home and spend some relaxing time with them. Payton LOVED every minute of our trip, and was so entertained with all the new things to see and do. I just wish we could go more often!