Giving Challenge: January's Final Round-Up

Here is the final picture of the stuff that will be going to the Ronald McDonald House next week.  Just to recap, I am budgeting $25 a month and buying as much as I can with that money by using sales and coupons.  Each month I will donate to a different charity/cause.  This months haul:

-14 boxes of cereal =$1 a box or less (I don't normally pay over $1 for cereal)
-4 cans of soup=$0.50 each
-3 boxes of pop-tarts=$1.16 each
-2 boxes of cereal bars=$0.50 each
-2 bottles of detergent=$1.99 each
-box of microwavable noodles=FREE
-3 packs of popcorn=$0.21 each

I used the packs of popcorn to fill the gap to the $25.  This actually goes a few cents over $25, but I got a few cents overage on some of the other items so it all equals out.  I'm not counting tax cause, well, I'm just not=)

With this donation I will be taking in a coffee can full of pop-tops.  We don't always drink pop, unless it's on sale.  When we do, I save the cans for our neighbor (minus the pop-tops) and he takes off all the tops of his cans and gives them to us.  It's a pretty good trade. 

I'm not sure what who will be the recipient of February's donation.  I have several places on my list.  We shall see what sales we have, what coupons we have, and that will make determine who's next. 

Remember to leave me feedback if you are participating!  Y'all have a good night!

I have an idea....

I decided at the end of 2012 that I was going to get back into my money saving and deal finding ways.  2012 was a busy year, especially the second half when M was hospitalized for 6 weeks and had spinal fusion.  I decided to make a fun charity goal and it goes a little something like this...

I have made a list of organizations and places I want to donate to.  First up on my list is the Ronald McDonald House.  I am designating $25 per organization.  I take a look at the their wish list, and use coupons, sales, and my deal finding-hound dog-spidey sense to get those items.  So I buy as much as I can for the $25 I've designated. 

I'd love to encourage anyone who wants to take this challenge with me to join in!  I've had about 2 weeks of deal finding so far and I do have some items that I won't specify in this post but I will share today's finds. 

I spent $31.50 on 17 toys that the original price was $98.  My favorite buy was the Xia-Xia village and pets.  The pets retail normally for $10.98 each, but were marked down to $3 each and the village was regularly $19.98 and it was marked down to less then $4. There's a child that will love that this Christmas! 





So although my goal is $25 per organization, that is hard to stick to every month, especially when you come across some great deals and know that they are not on this months charity choice.  Just participate at your comfort level.  If $25 is not in your budget, try $20, $15, or $10.  If you think you can go higher, by all means GO FOR IT!  You might also find that you need to switch the charity you choice for this month for a different one on your list, depending on the types of items you are able to get a good deal on.  Here is a list of my picks:

• The Ronald McDonald House
• Animal Shelter
• Crisis Pregnancy Center
• Food Bank
• Children's Hospital
• Local ministry that helps the homeless
• School supplies for Back to School time
• Shoe Boxes for Operation Christmas Child
• Angel Tree at Christmas

I am leaving some room on my list for if I come across a person that has fallen on hard times or if there is a natural disaster, I am prepared to donate supplies.  I am waiting for God to lead me to the needs of other organizations so I can help.   

Another great deal I happened upon was at Best Buy after Christmas.  They had a $20 coffee pot on sale for $4.99 and a $20 blender on sale for $7.99.  I had a $10 rewards certificate so I was able to purchase both for $2.99.  If I don't know of anyone getting married in the near future, this will make a great donation to a ministry that helps people recover from house fires.

Along with my list, I plan on making 4 Blessing Bags for the homeless, two to keep in my car and two to keep in my husband's car. 

So who is with me?  I'm not all high tech-fancy with my blog yet, so I don't have a linky thing, but will work on getting one.  In the mean time, leave your comments and link to your site if you want to participate.  If you don't have a site, no problem!  But I'd still love to hear from YOU!  What organization did you help for the month, what was your budget, and what were you able to purchase with that amount? 

So have fun and give cheerfully!  "Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Our Crazy Life

Life has been quite interesting lately.  On Oct. 8, Makayla was admitted at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital for halo traction.  She is currently up to 13 lbs and the goal is 15 lbs.  She is scheduled for spinal fusion on Nov. 12.  I hope to document this excursion a bit more extensively over the next few weeks.  Please bare with me. 

When antibiotics fail...

Photo Credit

Makayla started showing symptoms of illness on Sunday.  On Monday she got worse.  We visited the ER three times in four days.  Today she went back to the doctor to have her ears checked.  Four days of oral antibiotics and one day of an antibiotic injection didn't phase her infected ear.  She has apparently grown a resistence to these meds.  So therefore she has been admitted to the hospital for IV antibiotics.  Will this happen again when she gets her next ear infection?  Shew...I hope not.  But we definatly need to consult with the ENT to discuss the next steps.

A new opportunit​y, with some much needed accountabi​lity

I'm excited about a new opportunity. For a year or two I've been following Lisa's blog over at Warrior MAMA. Lisa has since taken on another blog Organize 365. Lisa is the mother of two children with special needs, runs a home based business, is a professional organizer, and writes these two blogs. Obviously, she has her plate full...so she has offered me the wonderful opportunity to work with her on Warrior MAMA.

All posts will be her original work.  I will be helping her sort through all the technical stuff, make it look all pretty, and schedule the post. I'm hoping this will help me to post more here.

I still want to keep this blog about motherhood, special needs, life, and faith, but I would also like to throw in a mix of home management ideas to help make life run smoothly.

-Felicia

Visit to Shriner's

We've known for quite a while that Makayla has scoliosis. After regularly visiting one orthopedist who just kept telling us we would follow it and monitor it, we had to go to another doctor. He was local, but not a peds specialist. He scared me to death. He referred us to Shriner's and we went last week.

We found out Makayla's back has gone from 80 degrees in August to 105 now.  It began to drastically increase after open heart surgery in August 2010.

The option is to put an extension rod in her back. She will have to have outpatient surgery every 6 months to extend it for the next 10 years or so, until she stops growing. The doctor also wants her to wear a halo for a month or two prior to the surgery. He would like her to be hospitalized the entire time:/

It can't be done at that Shriner's because she needs a Cardiologist and Pulminologist available, which they do not have at that facility. We would have to go to Shriner's in St. Louis or we can go to Vanderbilt since it is in our state. Still yet, that is 4 hours away. We are hoping the doctor will approve Home Health to monitor her at home instead. If not, we hope she can be transferred to the local Children's hospital until time for the procedure. Our last option, but not last resort is to move to the Nashville area (something we had already been considering before learning all of this information).

For now, we will wait to return to Shriner's next month. I will be working on getting the house market ready, "just in case." Some things on my to do list is:

•  Repaint every room except the girls room and the laundry room.
• Back splash in kitchen
• Handles on cabinets
• Finish roof (not me of course;)
• Clear out large lot behind the house (currently in progress by someone we hired)
• Paint the deck
• Paint iron screen doors
• Putting cabinets up in laundry room
• Put up door up in laundry room

I'm hoping these changes will help sell the house quickly and for a great price if we put it on the market. 

**Update-I might have the hubs convinced to stay, but we will still prepare just in case. 

Frugal Fall Decoration

I tried to post this a couple weeks ago, but my computer just was not cooperating...

Confession time here...

I have no fall decorations in the house.  None.  So I wanted something festive.  JD has been outside hoarding, stealing, borrowing acorns form the squirrels.  So the light bulb went off.  Here's what I did...

I made a trip to the dollar tree looking for a long oval or rectangular dish but found this instead...

Even better, and it was $1!

Then I went to the kitchen drawer and found this box of candles that were a gift...

Here's an up close look at the "leafy" detail...

So then I added the candles to the dish, filled it with acorns and here is the finished product...

Total Cost: $1 for the dish. 

3 in 30 November Edition, Week 1 Update

• Put handles on all the new kitchen cabinets and drawers. 

I have yet to start on this.  This week is a heavy with school work so I'm wanting to at least start this project on a less stressful week.

• Join a gym or zumba each week. (Whichever I do, I want to get at least 2.5 hours of exercise each week. Last Winter I think I suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder, so I'm hoping that exercise will help that.)

I have not joined a gym or done zumba yet.  However, I am up to 1 hour 40 minutes of exercise this week.  I need to do about an hour tomorrow.   

• Have the majority of Christmas presents bought and wrapped (Yes I am one of those who has been up late on Christmas Eve still wrapping....GUILTY=/ )

I am making headway.  Some of the girls Christmas gifts are on layaway.  I have purchased several other gifts this week. 

To sum up...I've made a little progress. But that's the point of all this...to take baby steps to accomplish a larger goal=)  Good luck everyone and keep your eye on the prize!

3 in 30 November Edition, Week 1

My 3 goals for this month are:

• Put handles on all the new kitchen cabinets and drawers (there are...yep...30 of them!)
• Join a gym or zumba each week.  (Whichever I do, I want to get at least 2.5 hours of exercise each week.  Last Winter I think I suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder, so I'm hoping that exercise will help that.)
• Have the majority of Christmas presents bought and wrapped (Yes I am one of those who has been up late on Christmas Eve still wrapping....GUILTY=/ )

Good luck everyone! 

How to Inexpensively Pack a Shoe Box for Operation Christmas Child

A common consensus about packing a shoe box for Operation Christmas Child is that it can be costly.  Although that can be true, I'm going to show you how to pack a shoebox for about $5 a box, much less then the typical $10-$15 many people spend. 

First, you need a shoebox. These can be free from shoe departments and shoe stores.  You could possibly have an extra one hiding in the back of your closet.  If you plan to pack in bulk, it might be worth your time and money to get them HERE for a nominal fee. 

It's your preference, if you are trying to pack the box as inexpensively as possible go with a cardboard box.  Plastic shoe boxes are more expensive, at about $1 a box, but are much more durable and can be reused and repurposed.  Here is a plastic box I had already.

 Running total $0.00

So far, if you use a cardboard shoebox your running total is $0.00.
I purchased several packs of these wash clothes at JCPenney.  They were marked down to $5 and I used a $10 off $10 purchase coupon.  Got 2 packs for FREE! 

 Running total is $0.00.

These combs were purchased at Walgreens.  Although these could easily be purchased with the overage we sometimes get from coupons and register rewards, I purchased these with neither.  There are 20 in a pack and they cost $2, making each comb worth $0.10.

 Running total $0.10

 Next, we have some hair ties.  As you can see they came from the dollar section at Target.  There are 12 in a pack, making each hair tie worth $0.08.  I'm putting two in each girls box.

 Running total $0.26

The next item we love to put in the shoe boxes are...well...SHOES=)  Although flip flops are perfectly fine and take up minimal space, I prefer to give tennis shoes.  I used to give flip flops and sandals, but I decided to concentrate on finding tennis shoes and my budget is $3 a pair.  Sometimes I will go a little over, but I pretty much stick to that price point.  I like the concept of tennis shoes because they won't break like flip flops do, they last longer, and they are better made for walking the distance (and these children can walk many miles a day).  The cute pair of Dora the Explorer shoes below have a price tag of $12, but they were marked 75% off at Dollar General, making them $3 a pair.  Right on budget=)

 Running total $3.26

If you are a couponer you probably remember the $0.50 Ivory Soap coupon a couple months back.  They were priced at $1 for a 3 pack at Kroger, and since the coupon doubled it made for FREE soap.  Perfect for the shoe boxes!  The toothpaste was a free sample from Wal-Mart, but again if you coupon when was the last time you actually paid for toothpaste?  The Reach toothbrush was FREE once again at Kroger because it was $1 and I had a $1 coupon.

 Running total $3.26

I hear that the children REALLY LOVE stuffed animals.  This is normally not something we pack, but decided to this year.  I bought this cute little bunny after Easter this year.  She was marked down to $0.75.  There weren't too many left, but I was able to get a few.  Cheaper then the Dollar Store.  

Running total $4.01

The next picture came from Halloween markdowns.  We've never put a bowl in a shoe box, but these were originally 2/$1 but they were half price after Halloween making them $0.25 each.  The paddle ball and kaleidoscope were left over goodies from last year's post Halloween shopping, and cost $0.05 each.  The big bat (and yes I know, this box is for a girl, but the bat glows in the dark, which is kinda cool) was $0.08 and the ring was $0.02 after post Halloween markdowns.

Running total $4.46

 This picture is of those draw string bags (not sure the actual name for them).  But we often get these for free.  We've received free ones while at the mall one day and it was advertising The Arts for the city.  My husband brought 2 of these home race weekend and again, they were FREE=)  I thought they would be perfect for the shoe boxes.  The children can carry their goodies in them.  It can make travel a bit more convenient too!

 Running total $4.46

Does your child have a massive...uhum....small collection of McDonald's toys?  Why not put one in a shoe box?  Again, FREE=)

 Running total $4.46

School supplies are wonderful items to help fill a shoe box.  Remember that many of these are going to third world countries and an education is really the only hope of escape.  These children cherish school supplies.  August/Back-to-School is the perfect time to get some great deals.  I purchased the notebook for $0.05. the pencils were $0.05 each (if you get the basic yellow ones they are actually cheaper), and the ink pens were $0.05 for two.  Again if you area a couponer, you may remember some great coupons that made for free ink pens.  The crayons were $0.20.  

 Running total $4.86

Lastly, just as a filler I bought this bag of suckers.  They were $0.98, which equals out to a little over $0.01 each, $0.013 to be exact.  Throw 10 suckers in.  Cost is 0.13.

  Running total $4.99

So there you have it....a packed shoe box for under $5!  With a little bit of preparation and thought, you can pack a great shoe box "on the cheap!"  Don't forget to incorporate these ideas anytime in your community too!  Some places/people who could use items similar to this are:

-students in need

-the homeless

-battered women's shelter

-foster homes

-local children's hospitals

Please refer to Samaritans Purse for guidelines of what are acceptable items to pack.  Thanks for reading and please leave you comments below and share any other ideas.  I'd love to hear them ALL=)

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Looks yummy huh??

Here's the recipe...

1-1/2 cups water
3 cups low-fat or fat-free milk
3/4 cup canned pumpkin(puree)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Whipped cream and ground nutmeg
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Latte:Place ground coffee in the filter of a drip coffee maker.Add water and brew the coffee.While the coffee brews, combine in a large saucepan the milk, pumpkin, brown sugar and spices.Cook and stir over medium heat until steaming.Divide coffee into five mugs. ( I thought this was too little coffee, so I divided it among two. I like my cups of java BIG!)
Pour in pumpkin mixture.
Top with whipped cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, and/or pumpkin spice

January 3 in 30 (Big Massive FAIL!!!) & other news

Yes that is right folks, I did not accomplish all my goals for January=(  I did pay off a debt (woot! woot!).  The closets have come along, but are not completely in order. (Do I get brownie points for progress made?)  And as for the 10 lbs in the month of January??  I haven't weighed myself in 2 weeks, but the weight is slow to come off=(  I've had some blood work done to determine why I'm so tired and slow to loose weight.  So far everything seems okay, but my Vit. D is low so the doctor put me on 5000 IU a day.  Hopefully that helps give me some energy, which in turn will help me loose weight *fingers crossed.*


On to other news...


Makayla took a trip to the endocrinologist for the first time this past week.  We now have a plan to keep her blood sugar stable, and hopefully all these sick episodes will subside.  That also reminds me, she was hospitalized a little over a week ago.  It appears as if she had pneumonia, but the next day she woke up, took off her oxygen, and just seemed perfectly happy!  We only had to stay one night (thank God).  This was our first overnight stay since "the incident" back in September...


One more thing that I wanted to touch on....we've had some scary episodes with Makayla.  I also read Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman (Fabulous book!  Highly Recommend!).  Plus I watched an episode of Oprah where these parents lost all three of their children in a car accident.  With all this, on top of the doctor this week asking the life expectancy of Makayla with her Chromosome condition, it got me thinking...thoughts that...I don't...want...to...think...but...they're there=( 


So I read in a magazine a suggestion to keep a one sentence journal.  Everyday just write a sentence about something from that day.  It is "time manageable" with my busy life.  So I purchased a very pretty journal yesterday at TJ Maxx and began.  But I am writing one sentence for each of my kids.  Some days they may be combined depending on what happened that day.  I don't want to miss a thing, and I don't ever want to get to the place where I forget "the little things."  As time allows me, I think I will also write a sentence for myself as encouragement on days in which I need it. 


So, now that February is about to begin, what are my goals for this month?  I will be thinking about those tonight and hopefully get my post up tomorrow, if not then by Friday.  Everyone have a fabulous week!  Until we meet again...

January Week 1 Update

I am progressing well with my goals.  Recap of goals & progress:

Lose 10 lbs this month Today's weigh-in I am down 2.4 lbs

Pay off one debt Accomplished!  We paid off a $750 debt before interest started accruing!

Organize master bedroom closets Sadly, I have yet to begin this task.  I am hoping to start today with before and after pics for your viewing pleasure;)

I can't wait to see what I have accomplished by next Friday!  If you haven't joined the challenge yet, what are you waiting for?  Join in=)

3 in 30 (January)

So here goes my first post of the new year...did you set any goals of make any "resolutions?"  I think the concept of 3 goals in 30 days and linking up every week to check accountability is a fabulous idea!  You should do the same=o)  The normal areas I like to work on every year when January 1st rolls around are health, organization, finances, and spiritual. 

The health is a non-negotiable area.  I have to change some things.  I went to doctor last week because I have gained....hating to tell you....16 lbs in less then 3 months:-o...yeah I know...eeek!  I've had such a lack of energy and it has really messed with my body lately.  So after some tests my sugar was up.  This scares me.  I hate the thought of one day being diabetic.  I was close to gestational diabetes with my last pregnancy and have dismissed any possibility of ever developing the condition.  Well now it's staring me in the face, so yes, somethings have to change. 

Having said that, here are my 3 goals for January:

Lose 10 lbs this month (that's 2.5 lbs a week).
Pay off 1 debt.
Organize the master bedroom closets.

So there you have it folks, I truly believe all three goals are very do-able.  Check in with you on Friday for an update, or maybe we shall meet sooner;)

Free Baby Sling. Just pay Shipping

Go on over to Mamapedia & snatch up a free baby sling ($39 value).  Just pay $11.95 shipping.  They have a very cute selection.

How to do it:
1. You are purchasing a voucher from mamapedia. 

2. After doing so you will receive a confirmation code, either after completing the billing info, or by e-mail. 

3. You will then go to Seven Everyday Slings and make your selection.

This would make a wonderful gift! 

WOW- WE! Has it really been a month since I added a post?

Yes it has!  How life seems to get in the way-frequently!  Some excursions that have happened since we last met:

-Ended my Education class (with an A if I might add=)
-Had an entire week free from studies.
-Began my Stats class for a 3rd time=(
-Was reimbursed partial tuition for the stats class due to medical issues with Peanut Pie.
-Short trip to the ER on Oct 30th.
-Found out Peanut Pie does NOT have early detection marker for diabetes!
-Was able to Princess for a quick 45 minute trick-or-treat excursion.
-Took the girls to Family Fun Night at our church on Oct. 31.
-Peanut Pie started PT again after a 6 month hiatus.
-Made the decision to keep her out of school until March (through the sick season).
-Princess ended her soccer and football/cheer season.
-Stared getting back into my coupon savvy groove=)

Other then the other basic day-to-day happenings, like doctor's appointments, driving the kiddos everywhere, etc., that is pretty much it!

I am hoping to post more over the next few months.  Just hang tight =0)

Pumpkin Chocolate-chip Muffins

These are exceptionally delicious, easy to make, and also freeze well for later!  Check out Crystal's Recipe Here!

Peanut Pie Update

WOW! 

What a day!! 

My mom stayed with Peanut Pie last night, so Daddy B and I could go home and get some rest.  Just before 6am the phone rings.  Unbeknown to me why I didn't have my phone beside the bed (?)  I run through the house in the dark to answer it.  She tells me we need to get to the hospital because MB's sats were dropping and they had nurses, respiratory, and doctors in working on her.  I moved as fast as I could getting JD up and dressed, myself dressed, and grabbing what we needed. 

I called the nurse on the way and she said they had her up to 100% oxygen and they thought that the tube had moved in her chest.  X-ray confirmed that and they had to reintibate.  She did okay after they got it fixed, only to have another episode while Mommy Me stepped down to the cafeteria to get some coffee.  Daddy B was here and his nerves were on end.  She had to be suctioned because some secretions were blocking her airways.

So....

Even after all that, this afternoon she was able to COME OFF THE VENT!!! YAY!!!  She is doing well.  She is on 2 liters of oxygen and her sats are 98-100%  She has gained 1 lb 10 oz since Sunday.  She is definitely on the road to recovery!  Thank you to everyone who have been praying for her!  I may know you, but God does and I pray blessings upon blessings for everyone of you!

The Last 3 Days

Wow!  I am so overwhelmed I don't even know where to begin.  Sunday morning I took Peanut Pie to the ER with low blood sugar.  It was registering at 68.  After some fluids we were able to get it up to 128.  Everything was looking good so we were discharged.  She seemed fine that evening.  She ate, drank, and played some.  I thought a major crisis had be averted.  

Until the next morning......

She seemed to have slept well that night. I woke up as usual and was getting Daddy B and JD ready for work and school.  Since Peanut Pie didn't have school Monday she normally sleeps until right before we leave.  I walked in to wake her up.  She had gotten sick all over her bed.  She looked bad.  I called Daddy B, and plugged her up to the pulse ox meter.  Her oxygen was at 92%, which is still good for her.  I grabbed some things, and out the door we went.  I thought she just had a stomach bug and would need more fluids, so I took JD to school first.  On the 25 minute car ride to the children's hospital she was a little lethargic.  But she always came back to reality when I called out her name.  Once we got to the ER she cried a little because she didn't even want me to pick her up.  Again, I just thought she was feeling bad.  

They immediately took us back to a room....

They told me to lay her on the bed...

When I went to pick her up she went limp and unresponsive...

They rushed her into another room and immediately went to work on her.  They got her on oxygen, IV, etc.  I called Daddy B very frantic for him to get to the hospital!  Once he got here MB seemed somewhat stable.  The doctors, nurses, and respiratory had all left the room.  I was sitting beside her bed when Daddy B asked, "Is that her heart rate?"  

I looked up and it was very low.  

I looked down at her chest and it wasn't moving...

I screamed, "SHE'S NOT BREATHING!!!"

Round 2 Began....

They intibated.  The first tube was too small.  It was taking so long.  Her heart rate was dropping again.  Her oxygen saturation had went from 92% at home to a low 33% with an oxygen mask on her face.  It happened so fast.  She was put on a ventilator Monday morning.

Fast forward to Wednesday...

She has 2 viruses.  Rhino-virus and Para influenza.  Her blood sugar had spiked to nearly 400 during her traumatic episode.  Her body just couldn't handle the stress.  It has leveled back out.  She went for an MRI earlier to determine if she had a seizure in the ER.  We are awaiting the results and trusting in Him.  She has been placed on anti-seizure meds "just in case."  They hope to be able to ween her off the vent after the results are back.  Her blood culture started growing a bacteria, but we are hopeful that it is just a skin contaminate from having to put a line in so fast in the ER.  

My mom stayed with Peanut Pie last night while Daddy B and I went home to try and get some rest.  I had a good nights sleep, but have found I would rather have the broken sleep at the hospital then the dreams.  

I don't like the dreams=(

But He has everything under control!

So now, we still wait....

While I'm Waiting By John Waller

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

Hospital Visit 9/26/10

This morning Peanut Pie woke up crying.  My little girl hardly ever cries, she is so happy.  She was crying & shaking uncontrollably.  We found out a couple months ago that she has hypoglycemia.  So I knew from the shaking that her blood sugar had dropped.  I attempted to get it back up to a stable level by giving her juice and cheese and crackers.  That didn't work.  She got sick.  And off to the ER we went.  On the way there she calmed down and even the shaking had subsided.  Her blood sugar registered at 68.  Blood work also showed she was dehydrated. 

I'm not sure, but I think the dehydration has to do with her not drinking from her sippy.  She will just throw it in the  floor.  Time after time of repeatedly giving her the cup, she will continue to throw it down.  I don't know what to do?  I've firmly told her "NO" and even tried setting her in the corner.  Nothing seems to work.  She threw the cup down so hard yesterday that she cracked it!  She has an appointment this week with a behavioral doctor, so I am hoping we can come to a resolution.

Back to the ER visit: she was given IV fluids and she started drinking apple juice and eating.  After having a wet diaper she was discharged.  I hate hospital visits (they happen so frequently in our house) but I do like when they only last a few hours!  Love You My Little Peanut Pie!

The Princess of the house today has sounded more like a frog!  She has been coughing and had a low grade fever.  She rested today and this evening she seemed to be feeling better.  She even lost a tooth tonight, so that made her day just grand!  I am glad my princess is feeling better too!  Love you Princess JD!