Fun @ KidPlex

My mom & I took Caitlin up to KidPlex in Grand Junction on Monday. I felt guilty because it is way too cold for Caitlin to play outside most days so she's been cooped up indoors. I was browsing around on the net for tumbling classes and came across the website for KidPlex. This place is huge! In addition to the indoor playground, the have gymnastics, a climbing wall and all kinds of stuff. For $2, Caitlin and I had a blast climbing all over the structure--thru tubes, down slides, throwing balls in the ball pit and bouncing on gigantic balls. Granted, I was very sore afterwards, but playing with my daughter and hearing her giggle was priceless.

Cute Caitlin Pictures

Posted for those family members who have been begging (aka threatening) me for more pictures of Cait...

Lifestyle Changes Part 2

The second major change hasn't officially happened yet, but it seems that the planets and whatnot will be aligned in my favor this month, not to mention that I have several people praying, thinking good thoughts & crossing body parts for me.

As most know, I have been working at a minimum security correctional center library near here (can't name due to DOC regulations) for a little over a year. While I have loved my job there, more than I ever anticipated, I have not been able to grow in that position due to a domineering co-worker. So, to remedy the situation, I have applied for, and have been selected for an interview, a transfer position to another minimum security prison in Canon City, CO--about 3 hours east of Montrose. My interview has been set for Decemeber 5th and I am busy polishing up on my interviewing skills to make sure that I'm at the top of my game. It seems that I have much in my favor in getting this job--previous library experience, DOC experience and the fact that the Regional Librarian (my direct boss) seems to like me. In getting this job, I will be the sole person in charge of library services and programs for a population of approximately 500 male offenders. Right now, I am only working part-time in the general library and feel that I am not able to do all of the things that I yearn to do. With moving on, I will be able to spread my wings. Two of my dear friends have been training me in library necessities so that I will be ready to "hold my own" when the time comes.

So, if I get this position (I should know within a week of the interview), it will mean another move, in the dead of winter. Thankfully, I have the support and assistance of my family & friends to help with the move. I will greatly miss my family here and the Montrose area as Canon City isn't nearly so pretty and is even more in the desert. Not being able to drop in on my parents and having them available for babysitting emergencies will be so hard. Somehow though, I know we will make it work. I am really excited at the prospect of getting this job as are my many collegues within the Department of Corrections, most of which have become my dearest friends. Finally, I will be able to socialize with them without mountains standing in between them & me.

As of now, assuming that I get the position, we will be moving sometime in January. I have been scoping out housing in Pueblo West, a fast-growing town about 13 miles from Canon City, and there seems to be much for sale/rent for the same or less than what we are paying here. Gas prices are also lower, which will make my daily commute less of a strain on the checkbook.
I know that Ben is excited at the prospect of moving east as we will be that much closer to Colorado Springs (30 minutes) & Denver (2 hours) which offer endless shopping and culture activities.

So...pray, think good thoughts, cross body parts or whatever you "thing" is for me, okay? I will keep you all posted on any developments.

Lifestyle Changes

As I sit here reading our blog, I've noticed that most of our posts have been about Caitlin or things that we've done as a family. I've neglected to update my dear friends & family on some monumental changes in my life. So, sit back, it's going to be a long story.

1. Okay, most of you know that I've been battling with hypoglycemia for about 10 years ever since almost passing out while hiking with my mom one day back in college. I have been trying to take care of it myself by eating more protein. The only problem is that I'm a major carb-aholic. I can't help it, I love my breads and pastas! Anyway, so...I was only having marginal success in controlling my blood sugar highs & lows. There would be days that I would be fine and days when I felt horrible and was grabbing protein at every turn. I was starting to get tired of the rollercoaster ride, not to mention weight gain so, I went to my general practioner.

He counsled me and then, determined, somehow, that I had depression (I told him that I wasn't sleeping well, big mistake) and he sent me to the hospital for a battery of tests--even though I told him I wasn't depressed and that low blood sugar can affect mood and make one sleepy. I know nothing though, I'm not a doctor, right? The tests, of course, don't find anything abnormal-thank goodness-but that doesn't help me. I try to tell my doctor that I think it's my hypoglycemia but he won't listen. "You don't have hypoglycemia", he says. I counter with, "Oh yes I do, I was formally diagnosed following a fast before I had my daughter!" He still didn't believe me, jerk! So, I walked out of his office $115 poorer and with no solution for my problem.

The big turn of events happened in late October. I was at work and started to feel like udder crud. I grabbed some sugar and then some protein but it didn't help. I ran across to the medical building (remember, I work in a correctional center) and had them poke me and get my blood glucose level. Sure enough, it was dangerously low--34! So, the nurse was feeding me sugar and telling me to go home. I did and slept all day. But first, I called Dr. "You don't have hypoglycemia" to set up another appointment. I planned to tell him off, armed with a signed copy of my blood glucose results and a bunch of stuff I found on WebMD about my condition. I was MAD! Make no mistake, the nurses in the office knew how upset I was. By the time I finally got to see the doctor, I was practically livid. I threw the paperwork at him and told my story. He said, "Well Laura, you obviously have something because this isn't normal". Gee, you think? He said that this stuff (endocrinology) was out of his hands so he referred me to a specialist an hour away.

I set up an appointment and was so hopeful, that finally, someone would believe me and help me deal with my condition. I sat through finger stabs every hour for 8 hours, a 24+ hour fast and two walks around downtown Grand Junction before I saw the doctor. He asked me a ton of questions--all with his eyes closed, don't ask--and finally diagnosed me with reactive hypoglycemia. Ta-da! Finally! I had something r-e-a-l! Take that Dr. "You don't have hypoglycemia"! Anyway, upon the diagnosis, I was given 2 Rx (neither of which I've filled-one was a mild anti-anxiety med and the other was a heart med my mom wouldn't let me take after consulting an internal med specialist) and told to schedule an appointment with their nutritionist.

I went home, called and booked an appointment with her for the following week. We met, she disected my diet and we came up with a high protein, low carb plan for me to follow. Not as strict as Atkins as I can eat 30-45 carbs a meal, but it's hard for me, someone who could easily eat a loaf of bread in one sitting. I'm struggling with it, but I'll get it all figured out. The best part, if I follow the diet and exercise (my biggest challenge), I'll see some pounds shed off! :)

Needless to say, I've dropped my general practioner. I need someone who will believe me. Now, I have the task of finding another who will take my horribly cheap insurance.

Okay, this is a long post, so I'm going to post it and then do another post for the other thing that's happened...

What do you get?

I've been having a hard time this year, in deciding what to get Caitlin for Christmas. She's too young for "toddler" toys but too big for a Power Wheel and all of the "in" electronic toys. After much thought, I think I've found the perfect solution. A Disney Princess themed room. It is all about Cinderella & Snow White at our house. We watch both movies over & over again, Caitlin was Snow White for Halloween and can spot her favorite princesses from yards away.
Anyway, here is part of what she is going to get--look at this. Lillian Vernon also has Disney Princess bookshelves and other "accessories". Her bedroom will be fit for any princess soon.

Speaking of bedrooms--I think we are about to undergo a renovation of sorts in Caitlin's room. This morning, when Caitlin woke up, she handed all of her stuffed animals, blankets and pillows to me. With my hands full, I asked her how she was going to get out of her crib. She looked at me and said, "Like this...". Then, in three quick motions, she had both legs over the side of her crib with her butt resting on the "bar". Then she said, "1...2...3..." and jumped to the ground. I'm sure the look on my face was priceless. I didn't know whether to be proud or upset. Honestly, I'm not sure that Caitlin realizes that climbing out is an option, but I don't think it will be long before she'll come in at 2 o'clock in the morning and tug on my arm. Before we know it, we will be converting her crib into a toddler bed. I'll leave the construction to Ben!

Little Riding Hood

Caitlin has an obsession with all things princess (especially Snow White & Cinderella). Here she is modeling a "shrug"--a gift from her aunt Ef. She thinks she looks like Snow White but I think she's a spitting image of Little Red (albeit white in the this case) Riding Hood. You be the judge.

A Fairy Tale Halloween

A whirly-twirly princess


About to blow out the candle--oh no!

As you can plainly see, Caitlin was Snow White (or Snow Mocha as Daddy calls her) for Halloween. Grandma lovingly made the costume. At first, we were afraid that Caitlin wouldn't wear the costume because she had been avoiding it like it had cooties for awhile. However, when we told her that she need to, "put on her princess dress so that we can get some candy", she got so excited and loved wearing the dress. She was all business as we went from door-to-door down our street--saying "Trick or Treat" and then reaching into the bowls and "taking her fair share" of the candy. She was polite though, always saying thank you. She even got to play with our next door neighbor's bunny. All in all, I think Caitlin scored about 50 pieces of candy which are being rationed and will hopefully last until Thanksgiving! We're just making her brush her teeth after every piece.