Metro New Orleans DISers - check in!!! - 09/2009

[Where'sPiglet?]

We talked to Rie

She cried the entire call but she was coherent enough to understand. Rie said that she has found an inner strength she didn't know she had. We kept saying how much we miss and love each other. She apologized for the way she had been acting before she left for school. We also told her how proud we are that she's working so hard. She made us laugh because she said she wants to start working with Tim on the farm because she works so hard at school. They have to chop wood, cook meals, and they take long hikes every day. Rie said too that she wants to take a trip with just Tim and me, so the WDW/Panana City trip will work. We're still not sure when she'll come home but it should be w/in the next month or so.

I am SO GLAD you got to talk with her! And now you have a trip to look forward too!


I went to the ENT today. All the way over at Oschner Main. Got lost coming and going but the grand tour of downtown New Orleans at rush hour was not to be missed.

I have a deviated septum (likely from injury/trauma) that is preventing drainage of one side of my face, which explains a LOT. He made it sound like he is going to try one thing and then surgery to straighten it is the next step. I go in for a CT scan on Monday, and today they took blood in the lab to see if my antibodies are high. If they are, he's going to have me go to an allergist to see if there's something that can be done for those.

So YAY! There is a REASON behind all this pain and now I know what it is! And I wasn't told to leave the state or that there was nothing I could do about it!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Rie'smom- Did you remove that Geaux Saints image from your Photobucket? It appears it's no longer in my signature!

 

[rie'smom]

I am SO GLAD you got to talk with her! And now you have a trip to look forward too!


I went to the ENT today. All the way over at Oschner Main. Got lost coming and going but the grand tour of downtown New Orleans at rush hour was not to be missed.

I have a deviated septum (likely from injury/trauma) that is preventing drainage of one side of my face, which explains a LOT. He made it sound like he is going to try one thing and then surgery to straighten it is the next step. I go in for a CT scan on Monday, and today they took blood in the lab to see if my antibodies are high. If they are, he's going to have me go to an allergist to see if there's something that can be done for those.

So YAY! There is a REASON behind all this pain and now I know what it is! And I wasn't told to leave the state or that there was nothing I could do about it!

Thanks, we're thrilled!

I learned my way around New Orleans by getting lost all the time. Instead of freaking out, I looked on it as an adventure.

Hope you feel better. Sinus pain hurts so much! My husband had surgery and did great!

Rie'smom- Did you remove that Geaux Saints image from your Photobucket? It appears it's no longer in my signature!

Sorry, I had several and accidentally deleted the one for the DIS. Here it is:

OOPS, here's a smaller version if you want that instead:

 

[lori1043]

riesmom- I am THRILLED for you that ya'll got to talk to her!!!!

Bethany- Ochsner- where i was born and even slaved there as an employee for a couple years(6 months at main campus). Glad you have a reason for your constant infections and that it is fixable

Lori

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Thanks, we're thrilled!

I learned my way around New Orleans by getting lost all the time. Instead of freaking out, I looked on it as an adventure.

Hope you feel better. Sinus pain hurts so much! My husband had surgery and did great!

Sorry, I had several and accidentally deleted the one for the DIS. Here it is:

Yeah, I don't freak out either. I've never been totally disoriented. More of an "okay I'm HERE but I need to be over THERE now WHERE is the street that goes from here to there...? Hmm and will it have a street SIGN?!?"

Surface streets haven't tripped me up too much, although they've had their moments. It's mostly I-10 and its partner in crime, Hwy 90. Specifically, getting ON and OFF I-10/90/the big giant bridge that I can SEE but cannot find a way UP onto it. Whoever designed it was drunk.

Thanks for fixing the Geaux Saints picture!

Bethany- Ochsner- where i was born and even slaved there as an employee for a couple years(6 months at main campus). Glad you have a reason for your constant infections and that it is fixable

Lori

I know this is the same one we went to see Alexis at. It looks different in daylight. I was impressed with them today. The facility is nice and clean, and all the people I dealt with today were very nice. They were running EARLY and they were efficient. Some days I feel like I'm in a parallel universe from the past few years.

 

[Terry36]

Woohoo Julie!!! I know you and your husband must feel s relieved.

Awe Bethany you got lost on Jefferson highway? How'd you get there? Huey p?

I've been playing with kodi most of the afternoon...she's such a sweet dog.

I'm seriously stomped over what to get Aly for Easter....

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Awe Bethany you got lost on Jefferson highway? How'd you get there? Huey p?

No...not on Jeff Hwy. Getting off I-10 at S Carrollton. The exit does not take you to the street it says it's taking you to. You have to turn. But it does not tell you this. It tells you to take a left to get to Xavier. I do not know Xavier is a synonym to "Carrollton". I just drove around the block and got on Palmetto to get to Carrollton so that was not a big problem.

Going back, I stayed on Claiborne to go to I-10. I don't know if I missed an exit or if there isn't one, but I did not see "bridge" as a choice and almost ended up on I-10 east, but stayed on Claiborne and took I think Tulane to something downtown to something to Calliope to the bridge. Like I said, nice tour. Funny thing is, I've made that same tour before to get to the bridge from Claiborne. Maybe that's what I'm supposed to be going. However, I HIGHLY doubt that is the best way to do it.

 

[rie'smom]

riesmom- I am THRILLED for you that ya'll got to talk to her!!!!

Bethany- Ochsner- where i was born and even slaved there as an employee for a couple years(6 months at main campus). Glad you have a reason for your constant infections and that it is fixable

Lori

Thank-you!! We're still looking at each other and saying, "We got to talk to Rie!!!"

Woohoo Julie!!! I know you and your husband must feel s relieved.

Awe Bethany you got lost on Jefferson highway? How'd you get there? Huey p?

I've been playing with kodi most of the afternoon...she's such a sweet dog.

I'm seriously stomped over what to get Aly for Easter....

We're ecstatic!

 

[FloraFauna]

Julie, I am so happy for you. I am misting up over here

Bethany, I'm glad you got some answers

Serena, does Aly have the Princess and the Frog DVD? That might be a good basket stuffer.

 

[rie'smom]

Julie, I am so happy for you. I am misting up over here

Bethany, I'm glad you got some answers

Serena, does Aly have the Princess and the Frog DVD? That might be a good basket stuffer.

Thank-you.

 

[Ms Marigny]

Hey y'all!

Well, Sienna is not gifted. She did very well in language, recognizing pictures, letters and words, but did not do very well in Math (just like Mom!). The dr does not think the math score reflects any learning disability but rather that she hasn't been exposed to math enough and that once she is exposed to it, she'll catch on quickly. She also recommended that Sienna be put in a structured group setting, like a preschool program, because of her temperament. She only wants to do things when she wants to do them, and she thinks a structured group setting would help tone this down. (But, hello, isn't that why we did this test- to get her into a preschool?!). Anyways, I feel like a failure as a parent, yada yada. For what it is worth, she did think Sienna tested very well for a child who has never been taught in a structured setting (doesn't make me feel much better though). So I'm back to freaking out about where we are going to send her to school. Sigh.

Lori and Bethany, I can't describe the sound. It's kind of a weird grunt/call.

Kind of like a real man, huh? (sorry, couldn't resist!)

Kristina- I'm sorry he is being a total butt. I agree you should leave a mesage so you don't always sound like the bad guy!

Julie- So glad you finally got to talk to Rie. It sounds like she is doing really well over there. I love the swan rocker too- beautiful!

Bethany- I'm glad you had a good experience and got some answers at "big Ochnser" (that's what I call it). Both of my baies were born there. Sorry about the getting lost part- Julie is right though, that will teach you how to get around!

 

[lori1043]

Woohoo Julie!!! I know you and your husband must feel s relieved.

Awe Bethany you got lost on Jefferson highway? How'd you get there? Huey p?

I've been playing with kodi most of the afternoon...she's such a sweet dog.

I'm seriously stomped over what to get Aly for Easter....

me too- I WANT the AP's for the family, but we cannot get them yet! I mean, i KNOW that is way too huge an Easter thing, but if we're getting them anyway, the Bunny could get some credit right? Owell. In the mean time, I am also stumped.

I was gonna give them Princess and the Frog, but I caved and handed it over last week. I was having a missing home moment and Haley is good at getting me to give in-bad momma!

Hey y'all!

Well, Sienna is not gifted. She did very well in language, recognizing pictures, letters and words, but did not do very well in Math (just like Mom!). The dr does not think the math score reflects any learning disability but rather that she hasn't been exposed to math enough and that once she is exposed to it, she'll catch on quickly. She also recommended that Sienna be put in a structured group setting, like a preschool program, because of her temperament. She only wants to do things when she wants to do them, and she thinks a structured group setting would help tone this down. (But, hello, isn't that why we did this test- to get her into a preschool?!). Anyways, I feel like a failure as a parent, yada yada. For what it is worth, she did think Sienna tested very well for a child who has never been taught in a structured setting (doesn't make me feel much better though). So I'm back to freaking out about where we are going to send her to school. Sigh.


Kind of like a real man, huh? (sorry, couldn't resist!)

Kristina- I'm sorry he is being a total butt. I agree you should leave a mesage so you don't always sound like the bad guy!

Julie- So glad you finally got to talk to Rie. It sounds like she is doing really well over there. I love the swan rocker too- beautiful!

Bethany- I'm glad you had a good experience and got some answers at "big Ochnser" (that's what I call it). Both of my baies were born there. Sorry about the getting lost part- Julie is right though, that will teach you how to get around!

Lorie- so she's not gifted and she may not be the best kid at math- it's all good, my friend, all good. You have a gorgeous healthy daughter who is NORMAL. There's nothing better than that
As far as what the social worker/child psychologist said- ok, so she gets like 5% credit from me- but you know me well enough that it just may be her personality. Haley could use some classroom interaction- but she was like that at Sienna's age and guess what? After 2 years in preschool, she is still the same. I am sorry, but your child is gonna be who she is gonna be-YES, outer stimulus can help smoothe a rough patch over, but it may be that you have a sweet stubborn southern girl who knows what she wants. She will be fine- she will be more than fine! She's brilliant and lovely and normal. I wish I could take some of your worry away. I am JUST a mom, and I am sure there are a LOAD of opinions out there- which you should hear and judge for yourself. But remember that the psychologist is just ONE opinion, one. You know your daughter better than anyone else- better than any evaluation could tell you.
You are a GREAT mom and your kids have a GREAT dad- they will be the most intelligent about animals and critters and plants- which is much more than a lot of kids know.

keep up the good work momma!

Lori

 

[Ms Marigny]

Lorie- so she's not gifted and she may not be the best kid at math- it's all good, my friend, all good. You have a gorgeous healthy daughter who is NORMAL. There's nothing better than that
As far as what the social worker/child psychologist said- ok, so she gets like 5% credit from me- but you know me well enough that it just may be her personality. Haley could use some classroom interaction- but she was like that at Sienna's age and guess what? After 2 years in preschool, she is still the same. I am sorry, but your child is gonna be who she is gonna be-YES, outer stimulus can help smoothe a rough patch over, but it may be that you have a sweet stubborn southern girl who knows what she wants. She will be fine- she will be more than fine! She's brilliant and lovely and normal. I wish I could take some of your worry away. I am JUST a mom, and I am sure there are a LOAD of opinions out there- which you should hear and judge for yourself. But remember that the psychologist is just ONE opinion, one. You know your daughter better than anyone else- better than any evaluation could tell you.
You are a GREAT mom and your kids have a GREAT dad- they will be the most intelligent about animals and critters and plants- which is much more than a lot of kids know.

keep up the good work momma!

Lori

Thanks for that- I need it! You know that if you hear any shortcomings about your child the first person you blame is yourself...I've been attacking myself all day! I can't help but think I should've done more flash cards, had more structured "school" time with her, played more Mozart rotfl, you get the idea, that she would have done better. I'm even blaming myself for passing on the bad math gene! (Todd has always done very well in math, so I can't blame him). I knew it was a longshot, but the news was disappointing nonetheless. She is who she is, and I just think it is the NOLA public school system's loss that it won't get a potentially good student with concerned, active parents- something it desperately needs! Definitely their loss!

 

[lori1043]

it IS thier loss!!! No doubt! You are what the schools there need- more involved parents!!!

I know I passed the bad at math gene to my kids. It's more of a girl thing- but there ARE exceptions as we well know! Math is the only subject I personally do not teach my kids. I add to it now and then with games and such, but they do math on an interactive CD-rom that teaches the lesson, does practice problems with them, then they do the lesson and input thier answers(sometimes they ask if they can skip doing it on paper, but when can you ever do math not on paper? They just mean to ask if they can work it out and not worry about wiriting the answers down in order on paper and if they can input thier answers as they go along. What's really cool is that if they get a problem wrong, they have to view the interactive solution before moving on. Then the program grades them and I get this nice report card style page with all thier grades. To make it even cooler they allow mom or dad to delete grades and make the child redo a lesson if they really did badly. There are also quizzes and tests and speed drills and you get a report of that also. My kids report thier grade to me daily and if it is less than a 90, we tend to stop and see what the problem is and work on that for a day ourselves.

It is not the BEST math program out there, I think Saxon math is, but it works perfectly for our family. I know my kids will not be mathematicians., but they could be scientists! who knows!

Had to elaborate on that. I need to have a day off from the laptop-today was not as productive as it could be. I am finding that i NEED to get out of this house every 3 days at least, for my sanity. I am feeling the blahs' coming on again and it seems related to me getting out or not. Not working my 1-3 days a week makes a big difference.

Lori

 

[rie'smom]

Hey y'all!

Well, Sienna is not gifted. She did very well in language, recognizing pictures, letters and words, but did not do very well in Math (just like Mom!). The dr does not think the math score reflects any learning disability but rather that she hasn't been exposed to math enough and that once she is exposed to it, she'll catch on quickly. She also recommended that Sienna be put in a structured group setting, like a preschool program, because of her temperament. She only wants to do things when she wants to do them, and she thinks a structured group setting would help tone this down. (But, hello, isn't that why we did this test- to get her into a preschool?!). Anyways, I feel like a failure as a parent, yada yada. For what it is worth, she did think Sienna tested very well for a child who has never been taught in a structured setting (doesn't make me feel much better though). So I'm back to freaking out about where we are going to send her to school. Sigh.


Kind of like a real man, huh? (sorry, couldn't resist!)

Kristina- I'm sorry he is being a total butt. I agree you should leave a mesage so you don't always sound like the bad guy!

Julie- So glad you finally got to talk to Rie. It sounds like she is doing really well over there. I love the swan rocker too- beautiful!

Bethany- I'm glad you had a good experience and got some answers at "big Ochnser" (that's what I call it). Both of my baies were born there. Sorry about the getting lost part- Julie is right though, that will teach you how to get around!

Aw, you're a great mom who adores her children. Want to know something? My score in math on the ACT was an 8! Yet, I managed to get through school, run a couple of businesses, and I'm the financial manager for the family. My brother had average scores on every IQ test he ever took. Today, he owns 5 or 6 insurance companies. Sienna will be fine in any school she attends because you're a mom who cares.

Rie does sound like she's doing well. We're so proud of her!

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Hey y'all!

Well, Sienna is not gifted. She did very well in language, recognizing pictures, letters and words, but did not do very well in Math (just like Mom!). The dr does not think the math score reflects any learning disability but rather that she hasn't been exposed to math enough and that once she is exposed to it, she'll catch on quickly. She also recommended that Sienna be put in a structured group setting, like a preschool program, because of her temperament. She only wants to do things when she wants to do them, and she thinks a structured group setting would help tone this down. (But, hello, isn't that why we did this test- to get her into a preschool?!). Anyways, I feel like a failure as a parent, yada yada. For what it is worth, she did think Sienna tested very well for a child who has never been taught in a structured setting (doesn't make me feel much better though). So I'm back to freaking out about where we are going to send her to school. Sigh.

Thanks for that- I need it! You know that if you hear any shortcomings about your child the first person you blame is yourself...I've been attacking myself all day! I can't help but think I should've done more flash cards, had more structured "school" time with her, played more Mozart rotfl, you get the idea, that she would have done better. I'm even blaming myself for passing on the bad math gene! (Todd has always done very well in math, so I can't blame him). I knew it was a longshot, but the news was disappointing nonetheless. She is who she is, and I just think it is the NOLA public school system's loss that it won't get a potentially good student with concerned, active parents- something it desperately needs! Definitely their loss!

You're not a bad mom. Lori said it better than I can. I'm sorry this is so frustrating for you and not working out so far. You already know how I feel about this so I shall refrain from getting my soap box out (tonight).



So NYC came out with their school calendar for the 2010-2011 school year. My friend told me about it because it is the stupidest school calendar I swear I have EVER seen. School begins on Wednesday, September 8. Then, they have off September 9 & 10 for Rosh Hashanah. Yes, you read that correctly. One school day on a Wednesday, then a four day weekend.


Tomorrow is the last day of school before Spring Break! Last year, on the last day of school before (this school's) Spring Break, I was at the school all day for my job interview! (Not the same DATE - it was 4/9, but the same point in the school calendar!) And yeah, I got the job!

 

[portocall]

Lorie, you did nothing wrong. Period. Sienna is a great kid, with great parents and will be successful at whatever she decides to be successful at. Normal is a great thing! The school did lose out.

Lori, great job on what you said earlier. And NO, the bunny should NOT get credit for WDW passes. If you remember the cabbage patch kid craze, you know when you couldn't find them to buy them. Well, who made us go out there and plant some magic cabbage? None other than my mother who said that if we were really good to look there for the Easter Baskets. Well, that bunny grew us some dolls and we were dissapointed in that darn bunny every year since (and yes, I did know at that point who the bunny was, didn't matter). My point is that unless you plan on doing the same or better next year and the year after, take the credit (even if it is an Easter gift). I can't wait til you get passes so that I can live vicariosly through your pictures and stories myself

 

[jwhtewolfd]

Here's how it turned out. I'm thinking of doing a background color, but I have to think about it a little more. I played around in paint a little, and I think a light yellow background will compliment it best, even though I don't particularly care for yellow.

i upped the contrast a little so you can make everything out. the dog tail didn't translate well in the photo.

 

[FloraFauna]

Jamie, wow that came out GREAT!!! Your mom is going to be so surprised

Lorie, your daughter and your son are going to be fine. You and Todd are great parents. You have exposed your kids to so much for their short lifetimes. I know they will probably know more about Louisiana (esp. New Orleans) history than most kids in their age group. I know Sienna is bright from some of the stuff she comes up with. She's a very intelligent and witty child for her age. I think Lori is right--its just one opinion.

 

[ilovejack02]

Here's how it turned out. I'm thinking of doing a background color, but I have to think about it a little more. I played around in paint a little, and I think a light yellow background will compliment it best, even though I don't particularly care for yellow.

i upped the contrast a little so you can make everything out. the dog tail didn't translate well in the photo.

Jamie, that is AWESOME!!! Good job! What else do you do lol? I am dying to see!