For Conner (mostly)

My screen name on just about everything is Cucsmom.

Pronounced kooksmom

My chocolate lab is named Cucui. Cucui means boogeyman in Spanish. I love Cucui. I love Cucui more than (most) of the kids.

Therefore, my screen name is Cucsmom

It's a great big beautiful wonderful incredible...

You have to LOVE the internet. About 20 years ago Mad Magazine put square records in the magazines. There was one song that stuck with me all these years. I sing it often. It has eight different endings to the song. I found someone who had blogged them all. Check it out! Click on the title to take you to the website.

barium enema x-ray

Although I have yet to have the joy of having one, I was lucky enough to witness Siobhan having one. She has had problems with constipation for well over 2 years. She has been on one adult dose of miralax per day every day and still she has problems.

The Pediatric GI doctor recommended a barium enema x-ray to see what was going. Of course, I checked online right away to see what we were in for. What the heck?

I didn't tell her until that morning what was actually going to happen. Didn't want her to dwell on it too long (and believe me, she would have). The x-ray tech we had was very friendly, helpful and great with Siobhan. She explained everything to her so she would understand. The doctor came in and inserted a tube into her bum. From there we were able to watch on the screen her colon fill with barium. She was GREAT! They filled her up with more, more, and more. They got another bag (probably twice the size of an IV bag) and continued. Once that one was almost all the way in, she was in tears. She was moving side, front, side, back, side, etc. They were in the other room looking at something and Siobhan had so many tears coming out of her eyes. Poor baby. I called the tech in and said, she is in pain now. They moved the bag to the floor where the barium should have come out of her body and back into the bag. That didn't happen. They untaped her bum and removed the tube and I carried her to the restroom. Once she emptied most of it, another x-ray.

She did so well. I was so glad Daddy waited in the lobby. It was breaking my heart and I know it would have killed him. I told her "You did SO well." She said "No, I cried". Oh my gosh, I tried telling her how that didn't matter because she did what needed to be done. Anyone would have cried.

We took her out for a really big breakfast because she hadn't been able to eat and she was fine after that. Daddy had to take her for a follow up x-ray the next day. She was okay since it was a regular one! The tech told us to come while she was working and she would take care of Siobhan.

We haven't heard from the doctor yet. I don't know how we will proceed from here. I will let you know when we find out!

Random facts about me

I do not like my hair dirty, so I wash it daily
I do not like putting away dishes but I don't mind washing them
I prefer to only cook on Sundays
I am the youngest of four, my other siblings are all male
I love dogs AND cats
I hate country music and rap
I get car sick unless I drive
I first dyed my hair in 8th grade, it was my mom's idea
I would like to start skating again
I still like to drive with the windows down and the music loud (without the kids of course!)
Eric I agreed it was mandatory that our house had a fireplace and no swimming pool
I don't remember too much about growing up. I don't really have a good memory at all

This will probably go on all month. Geez, I will never run out of things to write about

Piece of sh*t

Picked my car up, fixed finally. yeah. Fixed. Finally that dang Check engine light was out. Oh, until this morning. WTH? Taking it in tomorrow. Hoping it is free to fix it. Seriously rethinking public transportation. Or a scooter like Krystal? Or hers? ha ha better yet!

This weekend, LA Galaxy game. Oh yeah. Looking forward to it! We have some stuff to do around the house/yard too. Not so looking forward to that, but you have to do what you have to do. Right?

Time Change

I love when the time changes and it seems so much later than it really is. The long days are great too. Lots of outside time but darkness. ahhh. I feel like I get so much more done because it is still HOURS till bedtime although it feels like it already.

I wonder how I would do if it were dark all the time or light all the time. Who could forget those days on Northern Exposure. I would go nuts for sure.

Watching V

It just started and I just want to say it better not be set in California. There is no way people here would make a big deal of some shaking. Not to mention the dumbass lady who tried to hold her books in her bookshelf. Shez

No shame in public transportation

And I think I might need to start taking it. My car is in the shop again! We are looking at about $1150 this time. Nice. Damn imports. Let's see, work is 3.8 miles away. I could take the bus or give gas to carpool. hmmm, nice thought. I DO have a bike but ick, I would be nasty by the time I got to work plus in the dark coming home. Californian's are not known for being nice to bike riders.

What does a bus pass costs these days?

side note

If your also doing blog once a day during November. Leave me your link and I will make a special link page!

Day one of NaBloPoMo 2009

There is no theme for this year, or rather the theme is no theme. I decided to have one for those days when my brain just isn't working. This is year three for me. I shall not be defeated. My theme is medicine/health. I will use various body parts/medical info/etc to get me through if needed.

Today we are going to pick up Krystal's scooter. She is very excited although she doesn't have a license and can't ride it anyway. You need a M1 (motorcycle) license to ride one. She still has to get that and take a safety course (scheduled for next week).

Loving the extra hour of sleep although I didn't get to sleep until late as our neighbor's had a kicking party well past 1am.

what is going on

Things are settling in for the school year here at the Jasso household. Diego is enjoying Kinder much more then when he began. He used to ask every night "Do I have school tomorrow?" because he didn't want to go and now he asked because he is looking forward to it.

Siobhan likes her school too and has made a lot of friends. She says she even has a best friend.

Krystal is in her third year at Fullerton college. She has just started working at Sandella's. Click here for the facebook page. It is yummy! Different.

Eric and I went to meet friends for dinner last night at Haveli's.Yummy Indian food. Good company AND good food, what more could you ask for?

Picked up Krystal from work Friday night. Saturday morning I wanted to go get Eric some OJ and my car would start. Well, actually it would start, it just wouldn't stay running unless I kept my foot on the gas. Tomorrow I am going to have it towed and hopefully it will be something not too expensive (yeah right!). Hope for me too?!

Check out Siobhan's blog

Chivies World

Remember she is only 7!

No more milk please

Did you know there is no test to determine lactose intolerance? Siobhan often complains about her tummy hurting directly after eating cereal most mornings. The other night at Dairy Queen, she was about half way through her earthquake brownie (or something like that) and she was practically crying her belly hurt.

Ah-ha, she must be lactose intolerant. Surely I am a genius as I consider myself practically a doctor anyway. Per her doctor there is no test. You remove dairy for one to two weeks and slowly introduce products (cheese, yogurt, ice cream) and work your way up to milk.

Great. A test would have been easier. My girl LOVES her milk, cheese, mac and cheese, yogurt, all dairy! I am hoping that it will help with her constipation and maybe we can cut down on the (expensive and daily) Miralax.

So, I believe we will start tomorrow. I have to go buy some new milk for her. That stuff is pricey too! Alas, if her belly doesn't hurt it shall all be worth it!

A long weekend

Waiting at the Shack Shack for a tasty snack


Beach photos

Krystal at Bob's Big Boy. He can date her anytime!

A good time had by all

Yesterday the family decided to head out to LA. We went to Philippes for some very yummy french dip. Eric was excited because he got a 9 cent cup of coffee. You have to admit, you can't beat nine cents for a cup of coffee.

Then we headed over to Olvera Street where we did some shopping for the house, a dress for Siobhan and a few toys. It was so hot but at least most of the place is shade. We didn't eat there since we ate at Philippes so I kinda miss the people watching but the sandwiches were too good to pass up!

After that we headed over to the Fashion District. That was my first time there. I used to think it was stalls not shops. There were so many, we only went a few blocks. Mostly men's suits and shoes. We found one children's store were Siobhan found a beautiful black dress. I hope we find somewhere for her to wear it too. On our way back to the car we passed a shoe store ($5.99) and Siobhan and Diego got a pair of shoes. If they don't last, well who cares they were only $5.99!

We made it home about 20 minutes after the UCLA football game started. Kids fell asleep on the way home as I knew they would. It was really a great day. We had a lot of fun!

menus

Okay, so you are supposed to post this at the beginning of the week but since I am not so good about eating what we planned, it is Tuesday.

Saturday we went to El Toro Market and got 2.5 pounds of carnitas. Yummy. Sunday we had pasta. Monday leftover carnitas (still a little bit left). Tonight leftover pasta. Tomorrow Chuck E. Cheese for a birthday party. Thursday BLT's. Friday, not sure. As I said! Actually having left-overs is something new for us. We are going to do it though because not only is it a money saver, food doesn't go to waste. Well, not that anything goes to waste here but it isn't used up on Krystal's lunches. She can eat a sandwich like all the other kids.

Sayings

You know that old saying "Careful what you wish for?", it is so true. You think you want something, you get it and you think, eh, what was the fuss about?

Let's say you really want some cake. You watch what you eat for a whole week so you can have cake. You take a bite of the cake, and think "This is it? I waited for this". Weird isn't it.

Last night Krystal took the kids to a baseball game and Eric was gone so I had the house to myself. Oh yeah. I thought I would work late (but when I was so tired I couldn't type by 5:30 it was time to go home). Picked up something really good (but bad) to eat since it was just me. Watched a bit of MONK (which is always good and this one was with Sarah Silverman, classic). And after about an hour, the novelty wore off. Okay I was in my pj's (could have done that anyway), I had complete control of the tv, (and didn't have to turn it up to hear) I had the ac on (didn't have to turn it up high since I was the only one here) and, well...it wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

Now, that doesn't mean I didn't start yelling once we got home. Actually I don't think we were even in the door yet, but those few hours, looking back were nice.

Bee Hive

I gotta throw away some pics and video's because I need room. Here is a picture of a bee hive we had in our backyard. Eric called someone to come out and they said to just wait and the bees would probably move on.

The next day we went out and the bee's were gone. There was nothing remaining. It was so weird. I am glad we had the photo because otherwise we would have thought we imagined it.

Mission

I am on a mission to find things to do. No reason, just can't spend as much time in front of my computer (unless I move it or get a new chair), we seemed to have misplaced our DS, and frankly TV is not quite my thing (although I recorded all of the MONK shows).

Yesterday Krystal and I pulled out all of the furniture and she swept while I foot swiffered behind, in front and around it. Krystal was sneezing all day (I would like to say I felt sorry for her but I didn't because she is supposed to move the furniture every time she sweeps). I washed the rugs too.

Today? Not sure. What will the day bring. I am doing a sort of Tackle it Tuesday each day but sometimes very, very small (i.e. I cleaned out the freezer door). I am sure whatever it is, I will let you know.

I am alive

Okay, so I have let my blog down. I haven't been here. You know it and I know it. The thing is, well I do so much in less than 140 characters who can think after that?

But alas I attempt to try again.

Yesterday Diego started Kindergarten and Siobhan started 2nd grade at a new school. Our Catholic school informed us over the summer that they would not reopen. Not enough enrollment. There were a lot of tears (and not just from Siobhan) because we really loved that school. The Principal, office staff, teachers and all the families were great. It was like a big family. K-8 and only 170 some students.

So they are attending the public school right outside of our neighborhood. It wasn't our first choice, but... The bonus is Carol (Eric's mom) is about 6 or 7 houses away from the school (she is half a mile from our house) and she can take Diego (he starts at 10:32) and pick them both us. I prefer that over daycare.

They also wear uniforms. I don't like that. At least the one's at the Catholic school are cute and different. These are just khaki or blue. Boring. But they CAN wear jeans and any closed toes shoes. It was so difficult to find shoes with no other color than black or white.

So, we will try it and see. I shall join the PTA at this school as well. I know it won't be the same, nothing could be, but we will get through it.

I am off to drop off Siobhan. Bonus that Diego can sleep in since he doesn't have to be there for TWO more hours.

Check back as I will do my best to blog.