tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54604748138090284142024-02-06T22:10:59.294-08:00My Kid Really Said That...and I don't want to forget...sometimes...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-58547871982952150282013-11-18T11:05:00.002-08:002013-11-19T10:39:38.461-08:00Wrestling with the Finish Line<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
I guess that's what you call it, though that finish line really just means the start of another journey, phase, segment of life that has a finish line of it's own leading to another beginning....<br />
<br />
And the sadness crossing this particular finish line is new to me. So much of my life has been looking forward to the next phase.<br />
<br />
Did I miss Jr. High when I was in High School? Heck NO!<br />
<br />
Did I miss High School while in college? HELLZ NO! (sorry Mom)<br />
<br />
Did I miss being single being a newly wed? H to the ELL NO... again.<br />
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But here I am, having spent the last 10+ years either wanting to grow or growing our family, nursing and diapering, planning and hoping...and then starting over again times 3 - and my heart cannot fathom the reality of the end of this growing season nor can my mind and body fathom growing more.<br />
<br />
So many of my friends talk about having their last baby and just knowing they were done. Not a question in their mind not an inkling of doubt. They or their husbands took the step to make it permanent and now all are happily enjoying the "raising their children" phase by going to movies sans diaper bags and with their kids even, play dates that don't revolve around nap times and feedings, and they vacation without pack n plays. Hasten that day!<br />
<br />
I'm looking around at my family room knee deep in toys they love and I loathe while watching my 8th episode of Bubble Guppies. So much of me and us are soooo over carting around baby hoopla and are ready to take on new big kid adventures. <br />
<br />
That "raising phase" sounds dreamy to me. You, too, right?<br />
<br />
But then the "<i>more the merrier I FREAKING LOVE MY BABIES </i>Rachel" kicks in. I do. My worst day with my children is 100x's better than my best day any where else. They are funny and they are stinkers and they teach me more about God and myself than 30 years worth of sermons. Every reason not to make more of these delightful creatures seems so shallow when considering the incredible joy they each bring to our family and, I 100% believe, the world. Yeah, I know they are expensive - but they are priceless. I know I lose sleep and energy, but snuggling them and playing their goofy games is worth every second spent. They are so messy! But isn't life? <br />
<br />
So I suppose, after writing this all out (which has been very therapeutic BTW), we may be here - or I think we should be here: If God decides to ambush (and I mean shock and awe ambush) us with more, I know we'd be thrilled - scared, exhausted, broke - but thrilled. Then, if He doesn't....We are so grateful for the gifts He's given and for vacations without 250lbs of baby gear.....<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-7802839684524643382013-04-13T14:15:00.000-07:002013-05-06T10:42:41.096-07:00The Making of a Good StoryWhile on a plane home from Dallas a few weeks ago, I started re-reading <a href="http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/01/nella-cordelia-birth-story.html" target="_blank">Kelle Hampton's book "Bloom"</a> - <br />
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a gorgeous memoir of the days leading up to and the year after the birth of her second daughter, Nella, who was born with Down Syndrome. The diagnosis after Nella was born was a complete shock and Kelle holds nothing back in telling us the deep, dark pain she felt that day and even more so that first night. It's painful, yet beautiful. It's brutal and honest. It's heart wrenching and healing.<br />
<br />
There's a part in the book where she's packing up her belongings to go home and she sees the clothes she wore to the hospital. She laments how they represented all her happiness while pregnant and while blissfully ignorant of what was coming. To her, that bag of maternity clothes was her life before truth was unleashed.<br />
<br />
Today, April 13, I feel a tiny glimpse of what she was talking about. April 13, to me, represents a last day of "happy and oblivious" before my little was rocked. <br />
<br />
Two years ago today, I was 31 weeks and 4 days pregnant. After story time at our church, I stopped at a consignment shop and found a rose petal cottage playhouse to give to Julia. She had a mini-field trip to the Sugarcreek Reserve that I had volunteered to chaperone, so after loading the house into the van, Joshua and I went to the school to pick her up. While at the reserve, Julia was....being Julia. She wasn't into what the class was doing and several times I had to corral her back to the group. Thank God, it was only a 45 min ordeal. Afterwards, hoping to wear them out even more for the day, I took them to the Bellbrook park to play while I sat swollen in the sun. I was so tired, but waddled my way to the benches to sit while Julia and Joshua ran around for a bit.<br />
<br />
We hit the Ice Cream Shack for cones and a chocolate malt after playtime and then headed home.<br />
<br />
I remember putting my feet up on the loveseat amazed at how puffy they were. I knew I didn't feel good, but was well aware from my two babies before, the third trimester doesn't feel good.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mykidreallysaidthat.blogspot.com/2011/04/snuggle-in-and-meet-seth-uber-post.html" target="_blank">Long story short, my Seth was born via c-section 3 days later. My "not feeling good" turned into severe pre-eclampsia. </a><br />
<br />
It's funny how so many details of the day before being sent to the hospital are engrained into my memory and most of Seth's birth is hazy to me (thank you, Magnesium Sulfate). I truly remember more of the day before my plans for this baby changed than I do of the day he was born. <br />
<br />
Donald Miller writes in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Million-Miles-Thousand-Years-Learned/dp/B0047GNCWQ" target="_blank">"A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" </a>that great stories are about sacrifice. Great stories include a struggle.<br />
<br />
So, maybe I recall that day so well because in my mind, April 13 sets the stage for a great story...Because we all know great stories begin with the calm before the storm. The peace before the conflict. The coming struggle a character doesn't see, but will hopefully be better and stronger for it....hopefully....I know in my case, more thankful than ever.<br />
<br />
As my sweet baby Seth's 2nd birthday approaches, I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude for his life and progress. That 3 lb 8.6 oz preemie has turned into a bright, curious, chatty, busy toddler who loves his toys, books, family and friends.<br />
<br />
I look at him and hold him so proud of his story and as I have said before, so incredibly honored to be in the front row of his beautiful life.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-10813876897059082022013-03-14T11:50:00.000-07:002013-03-14T11:50:28.028-07:00Growing Julia Growing MeSometimes, when I'm putting Julia to bed I ask her how I know God is real. Sucking her thumb, she'll ask me how and I tell her it's because He put the two of us together. She smiles and snuggles in more. I silently thank Him for the millionth time for letting me have her.<br />
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She is a gift.<br />
<br />
She is a lot of things right now, some of which she won't be forever - but she will always be a gift.<br />
<br />
Raising this gift brings out a lot of critics - moreso than I've ever experienced with my boys. From clothes to discipline to activities to diet, I'm learning to dismiss the microscopes of idle observers and clueless opiners. I'm learning to celebrate her uniqueness - to guide it and not snuff it. I'm learning to investigate her quirks that I used to dismiss as her just being <strike>a pain</strike> difficult that may perhaps just be a symptom of a deeper fear/hurt/insecurity that we can work on together.<br />
<br />
Yesterday morning while getting ready for school, she told me that she sees white dots. All of the time. All over the place. That float. That make it hard for her to read. And that scared the bejeebes out of me.<br />
<br />
I got her into our beloved pediatrician in the morning and my heart melted and cringed and cried as she fumbled through a vision test. If the half-smiley glances from the nurse giving the test didn't clue me in to the fact the test wasn't going well, Julia's tiny little shakey voice as she tried so hard to give the right answers knowing she was just guessing sure did.<br />
<br />
I had never heard Julia struggle so humbly. Normally, if she doesn't "get" something it leads to frustration....and then a grumpy little fit...and then she maybe throws whatever is frustrating her into the garbage can. <br />
<br />
This was so different. It was so sad. I watched her looking into the vision screening machine while listening to her fish for the right answers. Each answer sounded like a prayer or a frail Hail Mary pleading to be right - and maybe embarrassed because she knew it wasn't. I get that it was just a vision test, but she just seemed so alone in her efforts. I couldn't help her. I couldn't cheer her on or give her hints. I know it's one of the many times in life I can't fix it for her. Funny how something so simple as this brings out the Mamma Bear in us.<br />
<br />
Days like yesterday remind me to be slow to anger and slow to react to what Julia does or any of my children do. Too many times, I am so quick to judge dumb behavior as kids being defiant or stubborn, when really they just need a hug or food or a nap or in this case - glasses.<br />
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She is a gift. A challenging gift, but maybe the challenge is more about me growing with her than just raising her.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-25726704315875642372013-01-13T16:10:00.001-08:002013-01-15T12:42:48.885-08:00Oh, To RememberIt's a perfect rainy Sunday afternoon to still be in my pajamas.<br />
<br />
Seth is napping.<br />
<br />
Jason and Josh are watching football in the basement.<br />
<br />
Julia is doodle-bopping around like only she can do.<br />
<br />
I'm on the couch having just started episode 1 of Downton Abbey to see what all the fuss is about.<br />
<br />
As I write, 200+ miles away in Beckley, WV, services are going on celebrating one of the most beautiful souls I have ever known. A dear friend from college who walked with me during some of my life's greatest uncertainties, whose love assured me of my worth when I couldn't see it, and who carried herself with grace and dignity in the midst of the unimaginable, passed away on Wednesday. She leaves behind a husband and 3 young children - and holes in the hearts of anyone and everyone she ever met.<br />
<br />
Heidi was a gift. I've spent the last few days begging my mind to remember every detail of our friendship. Truth is, I can't recall when we met, but I know I was instantly drawn to her. Her honesty and almost awkward bluntness created a safe place for me to find truth. Her quick wit and bubbly laughter were perfect entertainment while cooped up on campus with little money and no car. Later, when we both were married with children, her peaceful, practical style of keeping order in chaos - or just enjoying the chaos was fresh and inviting.<br />
<a href="http://mykidreallysaidthat.blogspot.com/2011/04/snuggle-in-and-meet-seth-uber-post.html" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://mykidreallysaidthat.blogspot.com/2011/04/snuggle-in-and-meet-seth-uber-post.html" target="_blank">When Seth was born</a>, she sent me a Facebook note letting me know she was praying for me. She had quite a bit of NICU experience before having to give one of her babies back to Jesus and she offered just to be there for me however I needed. Reading her words gave me strength and peace in such a scary circumstance. Her worst fears had come true years earlier, and here she was on the other side still trusting God - and I knew I needed to do the same. <br />
<br />
God, in His goodness, had our paths cross in real life this past summer. Her grandmother lives near me and she had come to visit with her parents and children. We set a date to catch up face to face for the first time in many years.<br />
<br />
We met up at Caribou Coffee at the Greene. I was over-the-top excited to see my friend. She had told me about her sickness and the toll it had taken on her physically - how her bright red hair was now a sandy brown and how her weight had dropped significantly - but when I saw her, I knew immediately, it was my dear friend Heidi. Beautiful inside and outside Heidi.<br />
<br />
We hugged as long lost friends hug and relished in the details of our lives that you just can't relay on-line or even by phone. She spoke of her little Ainsley who went back to Jesus so young and then how Addison's disease had affected her. She was so matter-of-fact like she always had been accepting this is what God laid out before her and she was going to use it all for good. Typical Heidi style - trusting God and serving others...<br />
<br />
We could've talked for hours...and oh, how I wish we could still.<br />
<br />
I found she had passed away on my way to work. Since our coffee date, my company had moved its offices to the Greene, and after pulling myself together from sobbing in my car, I walked by that Caribou Coffee glancing blurry-eyed at the two comfy leather chairs in front of the stone fire place where we had our now more precious than ever get together...Thankful for that one last visit and devastated there would be no more visits this side of Heaven.<br />
<br />
Her death has hit me hard. I think of this horrible loss I feel not knowing how to begin to comprehend the loss felt by her family and friends close by. I pray for comfort. I pray for the peace and strength she found in God to be poured over her husband, her children, her parents and all those mourning right now. My pastor has said several times over the years that death is life's harshest reality. How true that is for those left behind.<br />
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Godspeed, sweet Heidi Peterson Brown, and thank you for everything....I have to believe you fulfilled your God-given purpose more quickly than most and that you'll be waiting, fire red hair and all, for the rest of us....'til then....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-92145923730591555692012-12-04T11:02:00.000-08:002012-12-04T13:47:17.095-08:00Yes, Julia, There is a Jesus...I do love Santa. I promise I love Jesus more, but I won't lie and say that the magic of Santa isn't fun for me now that I have kids of my own. I love seeing little minds dreaming up ways he gets to every house in one night. I love tracking him on the NORAD website Christmas Eve. I love the smiles and giggles of my children when they pass him at the mall. I love the movies and songs and stories and snowglobes and lights... I love it all.<br />
<br />
Jason and I have been on the same page, though, that we would never lie about him. We know people who refuse to play Santa because it's "deceitful" and I know people who will lie through their teeth so their children learn the truth from their own spouse. So, our middle-of-the-road game plan was to answer honestly. Is Santa real? Why, yes he is (leaving out the part that he's your daddy and my daddy and all the daddies before them). It worked for us. Kind of a grey area, but my conscience felt clean enough.<br />
<br />
Until Julia, a few months ago, pinned me. <br />
<br />
"Mom, is Dad Santa Claus?"<br />
<br />
The question we couldn't deny... "Yes," I answered nervous to what her response would be, proud she figured it out and completely oblivious to the implications.<br />
<br />
"So what about the Easter Bunny? Is he Dad? Is he fake, too?" Yep.<br />
<br />
"The Tooth Fairy? Fake? Huh, Mom, huh?" Yep. Fake.<br />
<br />
"And then what about JESUS?" My jaw dropped. Heart stopped. Soul cringed.<br />
<br />
"Jesus. Mom, is He fake, too?"<br />
<br />
Did we just spend the past 7 years setting our baby up to question the existence of sweet Baby Jesus just so we could get a cute picture of her on the lap of a strange fat man with a beard? Damn those secular books and songs and lights that I loved so much!<br />
<br />
But it dawned on me quickly that this question was a good one - one we all need to ask at one point or another regardless of Santa, the Easter Bunny, etc. Is Jesus real?<br />
<br />
I got to anwer her who Jesus is at a point where she not only wanted/needed to know - she was demanding to know. It was a rare opportunity, to say the least, with my busy little lady.<br />
<br />
My Christian school upbringing paid off in 4 minutes or less in a mini-sermon filled with Truth I've been taught and Truth I have seen and lived. <a href="http://mykidreallysaidthat.blogspot.com/2010/11/thankful-x-3.html" target="_blank">Her dear life being one of them.</a> It was precious -not perfect - but precious just the same.<br />
<br />
Yes, Julia, there is a Jesus. He came as a baby to love you more than you can ever imagine bringing a gift Santa could never give worth more than a Tooth Fairy will ever leave and sweeter than the Easter Bunny, for sure. :)<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-81296489217131673682012-12-01T13:41:00.001-08:002012-12-03T12:13:11.770-08:00Merry Christmas from the Ennis Fam 5!<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="height: 494px; width: 425px;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-31901216945411816012012-11-16T09:24:00.000-08:002012-11-16T10:39:46.326-08:00World Prematurity Day, November 17, 2012Nineteen months ago, I'm pretty sure I related the word "preemie" mostly to Cabbage Patch Babies and I associated the March of Dimes with helping at-risk mothers get off drugs and alcohol - having no idea the roller coaster of a birth experience I was in for....and how uninformed I really was....<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mykidreallysaidthat.blogspot.com/2010/10/like-lazarus.html" target="_blank">My sweet baby Seth was a miracle from the beginning</a>. Since those two pink lines on the pregnancy test appeared, I had to force myself daily give my fears to God and believe that the life inside me was in His hands.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mykidreallysaidthat.blogspot.com/2011/04/snuggle-in-and-meet-seth-uber-post.html" target="_blank">When he was born via c-section at 32 weeks due to my diagnosis of severe pre-eclampsia</a> and weighing only 3 lbs. 8 oz., I was convinced he would never be "normal" and in my drug induced physical/mental state, I was convinced I was never going to be able to be the mom he needed me to be. My family read so many congratulations coming in from Facebook and I honestly was so confused as to why people were congratulating me. I was scared and swollen. I hurt. I couldn't lift my head to see, let alone stretch out my hand to touch, my tiny newborn baby. Who celebrates that?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2odnfixPV0EFZ0_ZyS-nswvN6Qj7kqjVm8lXnD7iJuUdXQB4eZyOVfzljzT3vuHxyVYexepLRIA_wKM8XUd7M7lYH0nHbMMK6cHOHlR3LA1XObiNZX8xjo8zzpAprMUHPFLjyTz-cUTdN/s1600/josh+seth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2odnfixPV0EFZ0_ZyS-nswvN6Qj7kqjVm8lXnD7iJuUdXQB4eZyOVfzljzT3vuHxyVYexepLRIA_wKM8XUd7M7lYH0nHbMMK6cHOHlR3LA1XObiNZX8xjo8zzpAprMUHPFLjyTz-cUTdN/s200/josh+seth.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
What I didn't know at the time that I truly believe would have relieved at least some of my fears, was the <a href="http://www.marchofdimes.com/research/prematurity_treatment.html" target="_blank">amazing work March of Dimes had been doing for years</a> to not only prevent pre-maturity, but also to develop life-saving and quality of life-enhancing protocols that touch virtually every baby born in the United States. They are so much more than working to prevent birth defects....so much more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpxW07mtGOnJQDkGTdKm2jCy2P7xY1yDBUT5hmJDUx65U1wjzP_mclhWtiwGMq5BJIQUo6gUNZAQhLsrpLFVCPLDkZlGpbCaPqvtDjo-zMlIFdDlyzM69vZpALmZzNlxQ03TO7yhzbJL1/s1600/Me+and+BB+Seth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpxW07mtGOnJQDkGTdKm2jCy2P7xY1yDBUT5hmJDUx65U1wjzP_mclhWtiwGMq5BJIQUo6gUNZAQhLsrpLFVCPLDkZlGpbCaPqvtDjo-zMlIFdDlyzM69vZpALmZzNlxQ03TO7yhzbJL1/s320/Me+and+BB+Seth.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
They have dedicated a <a href="http://shareyourstory.org/" target="_blank">website to connect parents who are going through life in the NICU</a> - a site I wish I had known about during Seth's 26 days in the NICU and a site I try to promote whenever I can. It was such a lonely time for me emotionally. I have an amazing family who was there for us the entire time. My parents even took our kids on their anniversary trip to Charleston, SC so Jason and I could be with Seth more while I was healing. Still, having no one to relate to was hard. I didn't know my fears were normal. I didn't know what questions to ask or even what to google (ha!). Since finding this site, I've made it a point to check in regularly to reach out to anyone who shares that their baby is still in the hospital. I want everyone to know that they are not alone and that amazing people they will never know are working around the clock to help their babies come home as healthy as possible.<br />
<br />
Those of you who know our Seth, know how thankful we are that at almost 19 months old, he has caught up to his actual age in all areas. It's a gift we will never take for granted. His broad smile like his daddy's and bright blue Estepp-side eyes shine joy and love in my life everyday - and most nights, too! (Please sleep soon, baby boy!)<br />
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<br />
Tomorrow is World Prematurity Day. I'm celebrating by holding my sweet Seth a little tighter, if he'll sit still long enough, and by saying a prayer for families and babies everywhere who are walking the path my family walked - that they will be blessed with good health, strength and support.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-67051364520042953262012-11-07T07:28:00.001-08:002012-11-07T07:50:18.173-08:00Maybe I Should Change........ the title of my blog to "The Julia Saga."<br />
<br />
((and I'm really hoping that and laughing prematurely if anyone thinks my title was a political **thing**))<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
My family, friends, and random acquaintances all know I'm conservative. I value limited govenment, fiscally and socially. I believe in a place where the beauty of giving is giving unforced. I put a lot of weight in hard work being rewarded and hand outs being temporary help, not a lifestyle to settle for. :)<br />
<br />
Julia.... This girl just wants to win. She digs her heals in whatever issue is at hand and could be one of the worst winners and sorest losers I have ever encountered.<br />
<br />
So, this morning, the thought of telling her the outcome of the Presidential election kind of made me shudder. We had been to see Mitt Romney when he came to our town. She held up his signs. Wore his button proudly and boo'd the name of Obama any chance she got (except when around my family knowing their die-hard Romney-ness, she loved sparking a debate). <br />
<br />
She went with me to vote and then stayed up last night as long as her tired eyes would let her...waiting to see if <strike>Romney</strike> she won.<br />
<br />
I walked into her room about 6:30am. I saw her lying in the dark, eyes wide open and sucking her thumb.<br />
<br />
"Mitt Romney lost, didn't he?" first words out of her mouth staring at the ceiling.<br />
<br />
"Yeah....but how did you know?"<br />
<br />
"I could feel it. I just knew...But the Purple and Blue Unicorns won at school yesterday, so it's ok. I still win." <br />
<br />
Talk about anti-climatic. But I'll take anti-climatic over its antonym anyday with this girl. Ha!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-45265206647338941372012-11-05T10:37:00.000-08:002012-11-05T10:47:30.706-08:00That Tomorrow Needed MeTelling Julia, "Girl, you will rock this!" came.... The very next day....<br />
<br />
The day after <a href="http://mykidreallysaidthat.blogspot.com/2012/10/i-missed-it-today.html" target="_blank">I jumped off the cliff of impatience</a>, my girl (along with all the kids in her little, but amazing school) was sent home with a letter telling the parents that Mrs. P (Julia's teacher) was resigning. Rather abruptly resigning, at that.<br />
<br />
I won't go into all the details being I don't really know all the details, but regardless of why, Mrs. P's departure devestated Julia. We told her gently and cheered that a new teacher was ready to take over on Monday and everything was going to be great! <br />
<br />
"Julia, you will rock this! This new teacher will love you!"<br />
<br />
Ah, the weight of guilt from the day before being lifted ever so slightly and ever so healing... Such is the timing of God, I believe.....<br />
<br />
Still, there were tears.... a lot of tears... a lot of "whys?"..... a lot of sniffles....<br />
<br />
But there were hugs and cuddles and this momma telling her girl that changes are great adventures and can totally be God's blessings in disguise if you let them. I met her doubts with confidence, no cheapening of her feelings nor writing off her insecurities.<br />
<br />
The next morning brought more of the same. Crying. Pouting. Vowing never to return. Etc. Etc. I even wrote her school prinicpal warning her that my darling Julia might need a little more love and time to embrace this shake to her universe....<br />
<br />
I know big picture-wise, she'll be fine. I know when I see her today, she'll tell me how her new teacher is freaking awesome (tho I tell her not to say freaking). I'm sure she won't even remember me being a complete jerk one day and diving into redemption the next.... But I will. I'll be thankful I screwed up the costume scene to be ready for the next little girl crisis that evolved.<br />
<br />
It's a good feeling...being ready as a mom...if even just once. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-6602722348107514842012-10-31T10:47:00.000-07:002012-10-31T12:01:58.123-07:00I Missed It Today....It's been a rough week with my Julia. She's been slow to do what she needs to do and I have been quick to jump on her for the tasks she has either forgotten or refused or taken her sweet time with.<br />
<br />
It's only Wednesday, but she has left the house crying/sobbing over something all three days. "Something" being a myriad of not doing what she was told topped off with me losing my patience and snapping at her. Oh and I have been mean. A kind of meaness that does not make me proud of myself no matter how deserving I think my meaness was.<br />
<br />
And this morning. Worse.<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago, all 5 of us went to Target to pick out Halloween costumes. Having not been allowed to Trick or Treat as a child, this little tradition of ours makes up for some of the fun I know I missed growing up. Choosing what fun (not scary/evil) character to dress my little babies as is so fun!<br />
<br />
After not finding any costume and desparate to walk out of Target with something, she decided to choose real clothes from the Disney Line and be CeCe from her favorite show "Shake It Up". Case closed -and closed rather cutely....<br />
<br />
Except CeCe has big red hair and I needed to get a big red wig.<br />
<br />
Last night, we found an adult-sized red wig at Kroger and Julia thought it was acceptable....You know, these decisions must have the 7 yr old girl's approval.<br />
<br />
This morning all was well. Wig was in place - kind of itchy - but we worked that out and headed to school.<br />
<br />
We stepped one foot in when panic hit. I could feel it in her hand squeezing mine tighter and tighter as her body slowly shifted to behind mine and as her other hand slid the wig right off her head.<br />
<br />
She pulled me to a stop, looked up at me with her round blue eyes now wide with a little girl embarrassment I quickly remembered from so many years ago...<br />
<br />
"Mom" she whispered with her thumb in her mouth. "I don't like my costume anymore. Take the wig. I can't do it. Please, don't let anyone see it. Please, Mom."<br />
<br />
Instead of saying, "Sweetie, you totally can rock this! You look great. You are CeCe to a tee! Your little friends are going to love it!"<br />
<br />
I slithered. I jumped off the cliff of impatience and seethed.<br />
<br />
"I paid $5.79 for this wig and you WILL wear it." - Just writing my hateful words chokes me. Not even for what they say, but how I said it. And how I know at that moment she was reaching for my confidence and I smacked back a cheap price tag.<br />
<br />
Then I walked out of the school feeling her little presence standing alone in the hallway staring at my back.<br />
<br />
It's a bad feeling messing up as a mom. But I'm not writing this to berate myself, but to remind myself of what really matters and how my sweet little Julia is little and needing me to tell her she has what it takes to "rock" whatever she sets her mind to do.<br />
<br />
Today, I missed it. But because of today, hopefully tomorrow, I won't.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-16514095412245085962012-10-05T08:24:00.000-07:002012-10-05T10:05:47.944-07:00Joshy in the MiddleI'm the oldest daughter of four and Jason is the youngest of seven. I am controlling, stubborn and have a <strike>HUGE</strike> slight tendency to be "my way or the highway." Jason is funny and easy to please. We make a great pair, us two love birds....<br />
<br />
But what we don't quite personally understand is....The plight of the middle child - and in our little family... The Plight of Joshua.<br />
<br />
This sweet boy is stuck between Princess Julia and Medical Wonder Seth. Julia and her budding gymnastics career and "I've been hospitalized in my almost 18 mths more than all my grandparent's combined" Seth.<br />
<br />
So today, I've decided to dedicate a whole post (which at the rate I'm posting is pretty much 10-20% of my posts for the year) to my darling middle child Joshua and the smart, sweet, goofy kid he is.<br />
<br />
He loves all things boy. All things farts. All things Mario. And all things family. He cries when it's not a family day. He welcomes me home each day like he hasn't seen me in years. He loves cookies and candy and will always ask for two more for Julia and Seth. He lives on popcicles and always makes sure his buddies have one or two, too. He thanks Jesus (or Je-jus) for his family and teachers everyday with a prayer that would make athiests believe. Joey Votto is his favorite athlete and he will circle the ball park and jump rows to meet Mr. Red Legs if that's what it takes. His eyes disappear when he smiles and his cheeks couldn't be more kissable. And reading this makes me tear up because I just love this boy so, so much.<br />
<br />
I could go on and on...but want to share my favorite Joshy story of the year:<br />
<br />
A new halloween costume magazine had just come in the mail. Josh grabbed it as we hopped in the car to go pick Julia up from school. He's in the back telling me wants to be a Transformer. No, a Power Ranger. No, Batman. No, DJ Lance. Then, it got quiet. I looked in the rearview mirror as he said, "Mommy, I don't want to be the lady with the nipples."<br />
<br />
"Um, what did you say, sweet boy?"<br />
<br />
"I don't want to be the lady with the nipples. Maybe you could be the lady with the nipples?"<br />
<br />
Holy Frijoles! What kind of p*rno magazine did I just send my kid to the back of the van with?<br />
<br />
I pull into the first parking lot I found demanding he bring that magazine to me.<br />
<br />
He opened the page and showed me this:<br />
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<br />
I laughed for about an hour and then some. No, Joshua, you don't have to be the lady with nipples - and I don't have to feel like I screwed up majorly as a mother today....yet.<br />
<br />
Oh how I love my middle child, Joshua. He makes me smile and so thankful God chose me to be his momma. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-44102744534909793292012-10-01T10:52:00.003-07:002012-10-02T06:56:55.657-07:00Heigh-Ho<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I'm back to work...and as every October rolls around, I go through this happy/sad/happy/sad/really sad/so freaking happy circus of emotions realizing that I have to leave my babies every morning...and then realizing I get to leave my babies and this year go to <a href="http://www.thegreene.com/">The Greene</a>. My company moved while I was off and I am tha-rilled not to have to drive to downtown Dayton everyday.If you haven't been to The Greene, look it up and you will be jealous. It's gorgeous. It's restaurants. It's shopping in my favorite stores. It's Holy Moses please let me not spend my paycheck before I get home amazing.<br />
<br />
Every time October rolls around, too, I get a little reflective. Like, I've been off for 6 months, what did I accomplish? Did I do anything meaningful? I know loving and teaching and keeping my kids alive are important things, but I did I do anything of significance? Right before I left my house today, I looked around. Yes, it was still a mess. Yes, laundry still waiting to be folded. No, I found no magic solvent to organize our mountains of toys. Yes, the basement looks like Hiroshima the day after. No, I never sat the kids around to learn the ABC Bible Verse Book I thought would make them love Jesus more. I guess, aside from the Jesus part, everything else is petty. But still, I am desparate to be purposeful during my time off, and each year feel I missed them mark, if even a little.<br />
<br />
Anywho. I've decided to make a happy list today. A list not of the Top 10 Things I'll Miss because that might make me cry. My list today is....<br />
<br />
Top 10 Things I Love About Working.<br />
<br />
Today is a day I need to think positive - not of the tiny little squishy cheeks I'm missing kissing (see, I'm teary-eyed, let's move on to the happy list now).<br />
<br />
1. My girl, Monica. She's a co-worker and friend who has my back and yet keeps it real. She tells me gently when I'm being dumb, laughs when I'm being stupid, and is always up for a cup of coffee. I love her and seeing her everyday is great.<br />
<br />
2. Um The Greene. Enough Said.<br />
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3. My boss's giggle. I just heard it and remember how cute it is.<br />
<br />
4. Listening to Elvis Duran's phone tap on my way to the office. I can't do that with babies in the car and they are so funny.<br />
<br />
5. Adult conversation. I've been so deep in PBS/Disney XD/Mario Bros. world, I have barely noticed there is an election coming up and current events outside of Curious George goes to the MET.<br />
<br />
6. My other co-workers. I can honestly say, I like them all. They are pleasent and while not all are cut out for BFF status, I know they are good people and I enjoy getting to know them better each year.<br />
<br />
7. A paycheck - heck yeah! A little padding in the budget is some way positive news. Especially after Seth's summer of surgeries and Julia's new love of gymnastics. <br />
<br />
8. I love what I do. I was made to buy media. I love the negotiations, the planning, getting results, connecting customers to our franchisees, freaking out on people when things don't go right and having them fix it with 50+ bonus spots. Whatever it is, I love it all.<br />
<br />
9. I love what I do and I love growing in what I do. Media changes and staying ahead of the curve is important. Each tax season is so different from the other and as dorky as it sounds, I love doing whatever it takes to get the job done and learning from it.<br />
<br />
10. Working makes being off even sweeter. I get sad leaving and going. I smile leaving and going. After these 6 months are over, I dive back into staying at home with a passion. My kids get more kisses and hugs and squeezes than they know what to do with once April hits. <br />
<br />
So here's my happy list. I'll probably need to read it a few times a week before I adjust, but it's a good thing - this working thing I do ;). Cheers!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-38200679253507756872012-09-08T06:44:00.001-07:002012-09-09T08:02:54.291-07:00Mother Manifesto'dIt's been one crazy week. Kid crazy. Busy. Stressfull. Tiring. Patience stripping. Just hard. Living in survival mode is taking its toll and sitting down tonight with all three gorgeous babies of mine finally asleep, it's time I write in stone/cyberspace something/anything that I can chant/pray/grasp so when I look back at these "best times of my life" I can say.... I tried... Hence, my Mother Manifesto... Drawn from my tiny perspective of the unimaginable love God has for His children in hope that I reflect even the smallest glimmer...<br />
<br />
1. The love I have for my children is spelled S.A.C.R.I.F.I.C.E. I need to come to terms to the reality that I can't have it all, but what I can have, I want it for my children.<br />
<br />
2. I want to be so consumed with raising my children that I have no time to critique how you raise yours.<br />
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3. I will parent out of confidence in God's plan for my children, not out of fear of mistakes they might make.<br />
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4. My home and heart will be safe places for them to share their dreams and worries, their victories and setbacks, their passions and hurts.<br />
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5. I will be honest with their hard questions and proactive in protecting them from truths they are not ready for.<br />
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6. I will celebrate how God made them by encouraging growth in gifts and growth in weaknesses.<br />
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7. I will not define them by their gifts nor weaknesses.<br />
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8. I will be slow to anger and give mercy freely - and teach them to do the same.<br />
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9. I will discipline to teach not to vent my frustrations or appease onlookers.<br />
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10. Love wins. No matter what we say, do, or think. My love for them is constant and unwavering.<br />
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11. I will be present in their lives everyday. Be it morning snuggles, lunch box notes, goofy dinner joking, evening walks and/or bedtime talks, my love will be shown through time spent and pure interest shown in their lives.<br />
<br />
12. I will tickle, hug, kiss, squish, etc. all.of.the.time.<br />
<br />
13. I will work hard to protect their hearts, provide for their creativity, and encourage their security in who they are.<br />
<br />
14. I will screw up, but I will show them it's inevitable and show them mistakes can be opportunities to grow.<br />
<br />
15. I will pray. Everyday. That they desire to know their Creator, that they grow from all life's experience, that learning never grows old, that they serve with thanksgiving and joy, that they love and know love like I have for them, that they see light in darkness and cling to faith in a harsh world, and that they leave this world more beautiful than when they entered...because of them, I know I will.<br />
<br />
I know it's a little reaching and that I've probably missed some things. I know I will fail, but still, having these ridiculously high expectations hopefully will lead to higher achievements. Right?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-16600647395723649022012-04-08T17:49:00.015-07:002012-04-19T15:00:10.716-07:00This Time Last Year pt.1Today, I got to see my three sweet babies wide-eyed looking at their Easter baskets. Little toys Josh said were "Awesome" and Julia claimed as "Cool" made me smile, but nothing touched me more than my sweet Seth jumping toward his little stuffed green frog tucked into his green and blue tin Easter basket.... As I remembered Easter last year...<div><br /></div><div>Seth was 8 days old, not even 4 lbs, snuggled in in an isolette with a PICC line at the NICU. My parents took the big kids to church so Jason and I could visit Seth in peace (keeping a 5 and 2 yr old quiet in a hospital room is impossible). We stopped by Target on the way to the hospital to pick up something for his first Easter, but Target was closed. So we drove to Barnes & Nobles and bought him "Tiny Bear's Bible" seemingly appropriate for our tiny bear.<br /><br />The hospital was very quiet as I learned it always is on Sundays. We walked in to the Special Care Nursery, washed our hands for the designated 30 sec., read our security code from my still attached hospital band to the check in lady, and walked into our sweet Seth's room. The room was always dark and peaceful minimizing stimulation. His preemie brain was still developing as he still should have been in the darkness of me for 7 more weeks at this point.<br /><br />He was sleeping on his tummy with his NG tube protruding out of his small nose. Oxygen, heart rate and respiration monitors flashed "All is well" numbers above him which always was a relief. He'd been given stable reports and we knew if anything odd had happened at night, we would have been called, but still, I always held my breath a little waiting to walk in and see he stats.<br /><br />I was still getting used to the fact he was born and even that he was mine. He seemed a little foreign to me. I wasn't ready for him to be here just as he wasn't ready to come out. I didn't have the time I needed or wanted to get to know his kicks, his flips, his hiccups inside me. I was scared he might need special help that I didn't know how to give. Special needs parents are heroes as are their children - I was afraid of not being hero enough to give him all he might need. I felt guilty of doing something to cause this. Did I do too much or not enough? Did I eat too much salt? How stupid could I be to think my blurry vision the day before I went to my dr. appointment was just allergies? Would going in any sooner changed anything? All of that moot, because it was what it was, but the feelings and thoughts were there, overwhelming at times and I kept them to myself convinced if I cracked even a little I'd never get "it" back together...<br /><br />Along with this fear was an over-powering love. I touched him, held him, stared at him in wonder of his precious life. <a href="http://mykidreallysaidthat.blogspot.com/2010/10/like-lazarus.html">A life I thought I lost 7 months earlier</a> and now a life that could have quickly been lost to my sickness. He was small and perfect and mine. The fact that he needed more than I could give at the time was strange, but the love I felt was matched with the peace I had knowing he was in God's hands.<br /><br />While the nurses and doctors did a wonderful job making me feel part of his care, the reality was that I was only there a few hours a day - most of it spent sitting in a rocker looking at him - holding him every chance I could - and every three hours watching someone else change him, feed him via tube and take his temp. Gradually, this changed, but just a week into his life, there were necessary, but emotionally hard measures we had to take to help get him get strong enough to come home.<br /><br />I'm pretty sure every Easter will be marked with thoughts of Seth's time at the hospital, as this experience is another reminder of God's goodness in my life. As I watch him grow, I am so overwhelmed with gratefulness for his life and excited for all God has in store for him.<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-9763030840096945172012-03-23T09:37:00.005-07:002012-03-23T12:49:24.890-07:0010 Weird and Not So Weird Things that Make Me SmileI have no idea why this random post is being written, except for the fact I was driving on the highway today and started thinking about it....<br /><br />1. Q-tips. I can barely pass my linen closet without grabbing (or contemplating grabbing) one or two to attack my kid's ears with. Josh and Seth make having kids with clean ears very difficult, so I really need and love Q-tips.<br /><br />2. Going into the restroom at work and the toilet lid is up. This does NOT mean a male whose mother forgot to teach him manners and how to read has been in there. It means I'm the first one to enter after it's been cleaned. This really makes me happy.<br /><br />3. Elvis Duran's phone taps. After a crazy morning begging Julia to get dressed, brush her hair, get into the car with her shoes on and without making Josh cry, hearing someone else hit the wall bc some crap has hit the fan makes me smile - and most of the time laugh out loud.<br /><br />4. The big ass run back of a defensive lineman scoring a touch down. Their burly bodies huffing down the sideline while tiny little receivers bounce off them like pin balls makes my day and makes me miss football season.<br /><br />5. Forgetting then remembering it's Friday and/or Pay Day!<br /><br />6. Little old men holding the hand of his little old lady.<br /><br />7. Josh running to the door as I'm leaving for one more hug and kiss<br /><br />8. Julia reading to Josh - or anything with Josh that doesn't end with either of them crying or calling each other "butt cheeks" (the new insult of the month at our house - ugh.)<br /><br />9. Seth making his "MmmmmmmMmmmmm" sounds while eating<br /><br />10. Other people's pets...because they are not my pets.<br /><br />So random, but true....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-5549161323125109052012-01-23T12:26:00.002-08:002012-03-23T13:14:52.550-07:00I have NEVER...<div>I saw a list like this on a blog today and thought it might be fun...except the whole time I felt sorry for this lady...so don't feel bad for me, unless doing so makes you want to fund a much-needed vacation to Cali!</div><div></div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER been stung by a bee</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER ridden in a Limo</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER been tail-gating</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER been scuba diving</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER smoked/seen drugs</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER been drunk (I'm too much of a control freak)</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER been to California (the only one in my family)</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER made home made soup</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER grilled on a grill</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER watched Family Guy (hopefully never will)</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER water-skiid</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER been to NYC</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER lived alone</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER eaten at Melting Pot (my sisters don't believe it, but it's true)</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER spent more than a night away from my kids (except when having a kid)</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER liked meatloaf (my aunt ruined it forever years ago)</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER had a nose ring (but kind of want one)</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER seen the Godfathers, Tombstone, Rambo, or Vision Quest</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER changed the weight on my driver's license (and NEVER will :)</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER said the eff word (after so many years of not saying it, it seems a shame to start now)</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER seen a Panda Bear (and really want to for some reason)</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER broken a bone</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER sold plasma</div><br /><br /><div>I have NEVER eaten tofu</div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><div>That's all I can think of at the moment. Just kind of fun to do :)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-54257709619107856532012-01-02T07:26:00.000-08:002012-01-04T12:57:15.923-08:00The 12 Months of '11Just a little recap of the crazy year we just had...<br /><br />Jan - We had found out Baby E #3 was a boy and could not for love or money come up with a name. I was working full-time. Julia was having fun in Kindergarten. Josh was being his sweet self and Jason was venturing into a new career.<br /><br />Feb - Jason spent a week in St. Louis while I realized the unbelievably exhausting plight of a single mom. I took the kids to the Newport Aquarium by my pregnant self while he was gone. We had so much fun! (but I will never ever do that alone again)<br /><br />March - March ended with me being done with work just in time to hang out with Julia for her spring break - and Josh, too, of course. We loved waking up with nothing to do, as I was changing gears from working mom of 2 to stay at home mom of 3 - with 11 weeks before Mr. Baby was due.<br /><br />April - Oh geez, where do I start? Those 11 weeks I thought I had before Mr. Baby would come turned out to be 3 weeks. On April 16 at 1:42pm, Mr. Seth Freeman Ennis was born weighing 3lbs 8.6oz and 16 inches long. He was tiny, yet perfect. The last half of April was spent at the Special Care Nursery loving on this little gift, watching him grow and waiting for the ok that he was ready to come home.<br /><br />May - Our daily trip(s) to visit Seth came to an end on May 12 - when he was finally discharged. I remember dressing him in his tiny blue preemie outfit, placing him in a car seat that swallowed him up in its straps, saying good-bye to the precious nurses, and heading for home with a smile no one could smack off of me. Later in the month, Jason turned 37 and Julia had a pink hawaiian party for her 6th birthday.<br /><br />June - Kids went to VBS while I claimed maternity leave for not teaching. :) Loved having a few hours a day to get things done or just cuddle quietly with Baby Seth. Josh turned 3 and had a Spiderman party and Jason and I celebrated 11 yrs of marriage by going out for dinner and shopping.<br /><br />July - My youngest sister Grace married "Uncle Phil" on July 1st. We had so much fun at the wedding - loved having all of our family together.<br /><br />Aug - Lots of lazy days enjoying summer. We did King's Island and the Zoo...Swam at Grandpa and Grandma Ennis', Story time at Church...and then Julia started 1st grade.<br /><br />Sept - After Julia started 1st grade, Joshua started pre-school. He LOVES Miss Liza and all of his friends there.<br /><br />Oct - I started back to work full-time missing the kids so much I could hardly breathe. I love what I do, who I work with and who I work for, but nothing is better than getting to be Mom all day every day. I'm counting down to the time I get to be 100% Mom again in March. On a sad note, though, I lost my cousin Steve Oct 8...He was one of my best friends growing up and I was so honored to be able to share some of our memories at his funeral service. I hope he knew how special he was...He is missed by so many....<br /><br />Nov - I turned 32 and am pretty cool with this age. I don't feel young/naive, but I don't feel old/feeble. I can work with this. Over Thanksgiving, the entire Estepp family spent a week on a beach in Florida. Such a wonderful gift to have everyone together. Jason and I took our kids for a day at Magic Kingdom...and it was just that - Magic. Julia and Joshua had a ball seeing their favorite characters and riding the rides. My cousin Krissy and her daughter Peyton joined us, too. Definitely a day we will not forget...Can't wait to go again!<br /><br />Dec - Busy. Busy. Busy. Julia sang in our churches children's choir, Joshua was still his sweet self - but not wanting to sleep in his own bed, Seth got his first ear infection and Christmas. We woke up early to see what Santa brought, had brunch at Nanna/Poppa's, snacks at Jason's parents and then dinner at my Uncle Steve's. The day is jam packed - exhausting - but wonderful. I can't imagine spending it any other way.<br /><br />Here's to 2012! After all of the highs and lows of 2011...I'm ready for a new year with new beginnings, aren't you?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-31468820649230489232011-10-04T08:00:00.000-07:002011-10-05T07:52:44.505-07:00One Year Ago<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxS7jMq6dmhS3k3m7Gj2YcBZf1gDzvxYP22Q-zqTaBZA_cgqV43QmmOH3Gy5lLXbhsVLJM59-dJpJOol1HoxzvUpKVaIkjmkNytMfaRdIHUCdLLeWvjWoUuP8PzprVu8WW6tQMDzCmnRi/s1600/S__DA50.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659326407856858194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxS7jMq6dmhS3k3m7Gj2YcBZf1gDzvxYP22Q-zqTaBZA_cgqV43QmmOH3Gy5lLXbhsVLJM59-dJpJOol1HoxzvUpKVaIkjmkNytMfaRdIHUCdLLeWvjWoUuP8PzprVu8WW6tQMDzCmnRi/s200/S__DA50.jpg" /></a> One year ago today, <a href="http://mykidreallysaidthat.blogspot.com/2010/10/like-lazarus.html">I learned sweet Seth was on his way...again...<br /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahJEKWhlv7yWVrfT-ijuxwYG9BqXDd9dneGQlh5KbQocKxmOTBqiEqvz1prsFX2DeUvNZ1ou0CuSGGnEoD5IDY5bfWA4ACWDWwfLZzVJ4a9-EdxAD_VUJhbNemUt5BB3wu5sQuEPBvrcI/s1600/S__DA50.jpg"></a>I think about that phone call from the nurse a lot, maybe too much, to be honest - but having your child "come back to life" in a sense is truly something that surpasses my wildest imaginations.</div><br /><br /><div>From finding out Seth was coming to the nurse's mistake saying he wasn't to the call 5 days later saying my HCG numbers looked great to pain in my side symptomatic of an ectopic pregnancy to having an ultrasound reveal no tubal pregnancy, but perhaps now a molar pregnancy...</div><br /><br /><div>To receiving another call that things were fine.....<a href="http://mykidreallysaidthat.blogspot.com/2011/04/snuggle-in-and-meet-seth-uber-post.html">To his rather dramatic birth</a>....</div><br /><br /><div>My darling Seth has taught me a lot about trusting God...</div><br /><br /><div>While I was pregnant with him, I posted Proverbs 3:5-6 above my computer.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."<br /></div><br /><br /><div>I must have read this a million times - constantly giving my fears to Him and NOT relying on anything I thought I understood. I learned never to be so arrogant to think I know what God's plans are, but to be thankful that even when things don't seem o.k. - Trusting God completely allows me the freedom to know it's o.k.</div><br /><br /><div>We chose Seth's name because it means "Appointed." I thought it was appropriate for a little boy meant to be here as part of our family. I remember reminding God as I prayed while being wheeled in to the OR that my little boy was appointed and begged God to let my tiny baby to be born crying....and he was :) ...I took that powerful baby cry as a gift of certainty that Seth was completely in God's hands. I relied on this gift throughout his stay at the hospital...and even today.<br /></div><br /><br /><div>So after this roller coaster of a year, I am very grateful that we are on the other side of it....The 5 of us together knowing we are more than o.k....moreso, we are having the time of our life! </div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-45121189860619111432011-08-25T18:24:00.000-07:002011-08-25T19:30:01.394-07:00Since SethSweet baby Seth turned 4 months last week...and it's so strange to think he's 4 months old already, yet his birth and stay in the hospital seems like a life time ago, too. Time is such a funny thing....
<br />
<br />He had his dr. appt. last Monday. He weighed in 11lb. 11oz. and the dr. is very happy...actually, she said "Delighted" with how he's growing. Music to this momma's ears! I kind of find myself on edge about his size. Practically everyone we meet comments on how little he is and I can't tell if that's just something everyone says about babies (bc yep, babies are small) or if it's that noticeable that he was a preemie. So after every comment, I feel compelled to spill the story of how he was early, but doing great...yadda, yadda, yadda....Totally something I need to get over. I don't think anything is malicious, at all, I'm just a bit sensitive, I guess.
<br />
<br />Having 3 kids, so far, really hasn't been too hard (ask me again when Seth goes mobile!). We have mastered the art of getting in and out of the car :) thanks to Julia being my big girl helper with buckling and unbuckling Joshua. Julia loves to play up stairs with her Barbies and Josh is content playing the leapster while I feed Seth. We got our groove on and I hope it stays this way for awhile.
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<br />My goal through all of this is to show love through patience - and to NOT NOT NOT sweat the small stuff. I know I could spend all day yelling at them for the silly things they do/say (don't get me started on words neighbor kids taught my innocent babies!!! ;) or I could lose my mind cleaning all day everyday (bc of the silly things they do), but I trying to find balance.
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<br />Parenting is a marathon, fo sho.
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-7226653552285551622011-06-14T19:18:00.001-07:002011-06-14T19:18:23.826-07:00Stationery card<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AYuWrRi5asWjj4&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AYuWrRi5asWkg/0AYuWrRi5asWkuLA/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1308104253000/0/"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>Cocoa Plaid Birth Announcement</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>To see Shutterfly's birth announcement designs, <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birth-announcements style="color: #6666cc;">click here</a>.</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-10449935871827267972011-05-19T12:51:00.000-07:002015-04-16T13:51:51.445-07:00Snuggle In and Meet Seth (uber-post)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdqXuO9NJ_uVeZZmSDK_htCzE92XvZMQeONgpUNR6HO1PNQP1MLA_f4SKaLmKbwoM-tQb5npNFVOD-NRmPt3pYt5Ra6clWQFdkiCcPHJKs_nuaPppQOM5L3YjYeX-ZdrdWzx7P5SSIW31/s1600/seth+1+month.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdqXuO9NJ_uVeZZmSDK_htCzE92XvZMQeONgpUNR6HO1PNQP1MLA_f4SKaLmKbwoM-tQb5npNFVOD-NRmPt3pYt5Ra6clWQFdkiCcPHJKs_nuaPppQOM5L3YjYeX-ZdrdWzx7P5SSIW31/s200/seth+1+month.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608585958987977378" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 150px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<div>
There have been several moments in my life where one phrase or one look or one prayer showed me instantly that my life was going to change....I remember the feeling in my heart the first time I met Jason, first sight of my two older children and a few other times here and there.<br />
<br />
Thursday, April 14, I had that same feeling after my routine dr. appt. when my doctor told me gently to go straight to the hospital and "let's not worry about making your next appt." I walked out thinking "this guy doesn't think I'm coming back!" My blood pressure was high, there was a lot of protein in my system and all signs pointed to pre-eclampsia. While I didn't know at the time that that would lead to my baby being born 48 hours later at 32 weeks, I knew my plans for this baby had just been thrown out the window.<br />
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I got to the hospital around noon. My nurse Jane's eyes bugged out when she took my blood pressure. After the results of my blood work came in, I was told I'd be spending the night...Then within hours of being admitted, I was told I wasn't going home before I delivered the baby. Needless to say, I was freaked out. I didn't have my hospital bag packed. I didn't have arrangements for the big kids (though if you know my amazing family, that didn't matter as my parents and sisters stepped in w/out question)...and most of all - This was NOT part of my birth plan!<br />
<br />
I had extensively planned in my mind how this baby was to be born. I would have no drugs. No narcissistic doctor. A perfect Baby Seth iPod playlist (which I did have happily). A "my way or the highway" attitude with nurses who tried to tell me what to do. Breastfeed right away. Walk around shortly after showing off my beautiful 8 pound or so baby boy. Then leave a day later as a family of 5.<br />
<br />
The story played out very differently.<br />
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I found myself hooked up to something medical at every extremity. Leg wraps to prevent blood clots. A blood pressure cuff that went off every 20 minutes. A huge IV port...and the dreaded catheter. Oh, and someone taking blood from the underside of my fore arm what felt like every few hours. There was no walking around. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth tips didn't matter anymore. I was bedridden.<br />
<br />
Instead of telling the nurses what I wanted or didn't want, I was at their mercy. I became so weak that I could barely speak or lift my head, so drugged that reality was hazy and so swollen I could hardly see those a few feet in front of me. With all of this, I do remember these angels of women coming in to make sure I had what I needed and who tried to keep me as comfortable as possible. They did what they needed to, quite frankly, keep me and my baby alive - and I will forever be grateful for their skill and compassion.<br />
<br />
The dr. <a href="http://mykidreallysaidthat.blogspot.com/2011/02/good-obs-vs-sobs.html">(who thankfully was NOT the same one I had with Julia and Josh, but is now allowed to deliver my pizzas ;)</a> wanted to hold off delivery until Sunday to give the steroid shots I'd been given enough time to be fully effective in preparing the baby's lungs for air, but by Saturday afternoon it was apparent that my body was not going to keep the baby healthy and this pregnancy was putting my health in serious jeopardy. His heart rate was falling as were my red blood counts while my liver enzymes were rising. At 1pm, the dr. came in and told us we'd be having our baby in 3o minutes. A nurse came in and said the anesthesiologist could be ready in 2 hours. My doctor shook her head and said, "No, we need him right now." I was numb. I'm not sure if it was the drugs, my trust in the doctor or my trust in God - maybe all three, but I couldn't freak out. I couldn't cry over the possibilities of harm to my baby being forced out of his perfect home 8 weeks early or panic in fear of a C-section. Jason and I just stared at each other with a quiet solidity knowing we had no other choice.<br />
<br />
They wheeled me to the OR and after a horrible epidural experience with Julia's delivery, I closed my eyes the whole way down the hall and prayed that the spinal would work - Thank God it did....<br />
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I don't know how many people were in the operating room. It felt like 100. I couldn't see faces - just a host of pe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsUDkWzcnkbVf8YMAU6C_3udKUYhXaGIT4YL9MPYidxR8T6cuEW9e0VMRCEly5H77wT00U34DwPMiAYzUN0WeRApMoI_oazQk7GsvDJzuPZ7pCyCMQzhzlIaWMGutM7WeLZPXXA4MMyb_/s1600/Zi6_0673.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsUDkWzcnkbVf8YMAU6C_3udKUYhXaGIT4YL9MPYidxR8T6cuEW9e0VMRCEly5H77wT00U34DwPMiAYzUN0WeRApMoI_oazQk7GsvDJzuPZ7pCyCMQzhzlIaWMGutM7WeLZPXXA4MMyb_/s200/Zi6_0673.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608589258230162274" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 127px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 169px;" /></a>ople in yellow scrubs. I do, though, distinctly remember my doctor casually talking about her husband's profession and how they have their trust (as in legal - not marital) set up. Hearing her talk so non-chalantly gave me the impression I was ok. I mean, if this was a life or death situation, would her husband's career path really be relevant?<br />
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After a few minutes and a lady practically jumping up and down on my chest (I still don't know what that was about), Baby Seth Freeman Ennis was born at 1:42pm weighing 3 pounds and 8 ounces. He was 16 inches long and came out screaming...I had prayed he'd come out crying and his sweet cry gave me peace.<br />
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The neonatologist (I think) gave me a quick look at Seth and whisked him off to be evaluated. I heard someone call out an APGAR of 7-8, which <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsec-1dw9UKDyzwMviYTfVL0nBmja1O191W1Oss7MF-cqOa6xv_qt1TIryWkPFD0x8o4J3SoAbb5k8NcsQkq-KzX-CZ9q9djvyr6Jp55rvLyieP2kN1ME4ic3JIFmdcLxBOIeCd1RPtjg/s1600/Zi6_0676.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsec-1dw9UKDyzwMviYTfVL0nBmja1O191W1Oss7MF-cqOa6xv_qt1TIryWkPFD0x8o4J3SoAbb5k8NcsQkq-KzX-CZ9q9djvyr6Jp55rvLyieP2kN1ME4ic3JIFmdcLxBOIeCd1RPtjg/s200/Zi6_0676.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608588041029479202" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 137px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 184px;" /></a>sounded good to me for a baby born 2 months early.<br />
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I didn't see Seth again until Sunday night and honestly, I don't remember much of the rest of Saturday or Sunday. My family ate Marions pizza in my room Saturday night and I have no memory of that, at all. I don't know if I slept or talked or even thought of the new sweet life in my life. I vaguely remember blacking out when Susan (a wonderful gift of a nurse who saw a picture of me Jason brought and couldn't believe I was the same person she was taking care of - yes, I was that swollen!) and Jason tried to get me out of bed and into a chair. I fell over and heard someone yelling for smelling salts....I also remember another nurse telling me my blood counts were on the cusp of needing a blood transfusion...thankfully, they must have gone up since that was the last we heard of that!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2odnfixPV0EFZ0_ZyS-nswvN6Qj7kqjVm8lXnD7iJuUdXQB4eZyOVfzljzT3vuHxyVYexepLRIA_wKM8XUd7M7lYH0nHbMMK6cHOHlR3LA1XObiNZX8xjo8zzpAprMUHPFLjyTz-cUTdN/s1600/josh+seth.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2odnfixPV0EFZ0_ZyS-nswvN6Qj7kqjVm8lXnD7iJuUdXQB4eZyOVfzljzT3vuHxyVYexepLRIA_wKM8XUd7M7lYH0nHbMMK6cHOHlR3LA1XObiNZX8xjo8zzpAprMUHPFLjyTz-cUTdN/s200/josh+seth.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608586642399475778" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 165px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 217px;" /></a><br />
Sunday night, I was wheeled from L&D to the Mother/Baby unit. We made a quick stop to the NICU to see Seth. I put my hand into is isolette and touched his tiny hand almost in disbelief of all that had happened in such a short amount of time. He looked so fragile, yet all his nurses said he was stable and really doing well considering how sick I was. He didn't need any oxygen or any life sustaining measures... just basic preemie care.<br />
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Monday, I got a shower! After not being able to shower for 5 days, let me tell you it was a shower I will never forget. I could barely walk or see, but I didn't care. It was one step in the direction of feeling human and I LOVED it...<br />
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After cleaning myself up, Jason wheeled me back to our sweet Seth and I got to hold him for the first time. It was so odd holding my very own child 2 days after he was born and not only that, holding him with all sorts of wires hooked up to him. Still, as I held him knowing he was mine, I felt a sense of victory and relief. We had already been through so much together and all signs were showing we were going to be fine.<br />
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My blood pressure continued to stay elevated and there was talk of keeping me more days than typical, but thankfully, when Wednesday came, I was discharged with a prescription for blood pressure medicine and a "take it easy" talk from the nurse.<br />
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Leaving Seth th<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDx-fzd_pOnwWnXFoYWQLlIcI_TNY6fHlN31b9Ljws3pDr9yrsuYu21t_8JDsuFlJLGd-UHgsgQnuL6FYhdKZ24UF8r3SEb8sxqMh3ZC7YTu9zdqhnQRgmvOHs229o9-C6yuGmDwGf5ZJ/s1600/104_0163.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDx-fzd_pOnwWnXFoYWQLlIcI_TNY6fHlN31b9Ljws3pDr9yrsuYu21t_8JDsuFlJLGd-UHgsgQnuL6FYhdKZ24UF8r3SEb8sxqMh3ZC7YTu9zdqhnQRgmvOHs229o9-C6yuGmDwGf5ZJ/s200/104_0163.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608588759233708562" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 133px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 178px;" /></a>at day was bitter-sweet. We knew he was in the best place for his condition, but hated the reality that he wasn't healthy enough to come home with us. He stayed in the NICU for 26 days. It seemed like everyday we went to visit, we received a great report on his progress. The nurses and doctors were incredible and we truly felt the love they had for our baby and the pride they had in their role in getting him home.<br />
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He came home Thursday, May 12. It was one of the most memorable days of my life. Finally, our family was together and ready to start our lives as a family of five.<br />
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So here's the story of Seth's birth. It definitely wasn't what I had envisioned, but I am just so thankful for this happy ending. God has blessed us with another amazing gift in the form of a precious baby boy and I can't wait to see what He has in store for the 5 of us.....</div>
<a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-75571081841020293802011-03-24T10:38:00.000-07:002011-03-24T11:35:12.469-07:00Just What I NeededI'm going to come clean about something....<br /><br />I love my children, but being pregnant is not my favorite thing in the world. I do not feel glowing. I do not feel one with the earth, etc. I am uncomfortable from day 1 through the day they are born...and then some. I see this 9mth incubation as a small price to pay for the lifetime of love and joy I know they bring to the world, but UGH! - getting them here....UGH!<br /><br /><br />I get winded doing small tasks like blow drying my hair! Let alone the everyday stuff a mom of two has to do....Getting kids dressed, making beds, picking up clothes, doing dishes....you know, just stuff...<br /><br /><br />...and let me tell you about me feet! By the end of the day, they feel horrible and seem enormous!<br /><br /><br />Last night, though, my achy swollen feet brought out a side of my Julia I don't think I've ever seen...<br /><br /><br />I was putting her to bed and pretty much just flopped down beside her telling her that my feet were huge and achy so I needed to lie down. Her little head was already on her pillow, but as soon as I said that, she popped up and told me, "Mommy, I can rub them for you. That will make the feel better."<br /><br /><br />She ripped off the covers and grabbed each foot one at a time and gave me the sweetest little foot rub ever.<br /><br /><br />When she was done, she said smiling, "I know that helps because when my legs ache, Daddy rubs them and makes them feel all better, too."<br /><br /><br />How thankful I am for a husband who is teaching our little firecracker compassion. It really makes having achy, swollen feet worth it....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587714568878177970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6opCCFbFlqlpnMWZAAU-7Z_N6h773Z0qeJaptHNkqYam5mGSgTkueyGq-0zGwG9A1yf-bh1Fr3SQVvsmEegyfbKzZCLfBVKzGzOm9U4fR3NAOxDsq83AkMAN0cFq9BV0tnlO4bUNXZdzL/s200/102_0079.JPG" /><br />So we have about 10 more weeks or so to deal with the preggo whininess ;), but evenso, I am so grateful and know it is allllll worth it.....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-41585631290816760532011-03-13T14:32:00.001-07:002011-03-14T18:06:26.697-07:00Truth about Jules and Dogs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDa2NPjl9110xQg5ub7DN4UPYLNszYnga3VIbPW24hl4Wg7c_a_XGLPINQbE27AnDfmU1VESKqkcu5lS8g4qNYjT92wiSu9l8jzSc45g3axvuwZyHNtD486rVtLg1N74uNiCE_ydwpEFj/s1600/j+and+j+shark.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDa2NPjl9110xQg5ub7DN4UPYLNszYnga3VIbPW24hl4Wg7c_a_XGLPINQbE27AnDfmU1VESKqkcu5lS8g4qNYjT92wiSu9l8jzSc45g3axvuwZyHNtD486rVtLg1N74uNiCE_ydwpEFj/s200/j+and+j+shark.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584103416639325250" border="0" /></a><br />The difference between my children can be witnessed every time the ASPCA "Arms of the Angels" commercial comes on.<br /><br />Julia: "Mom, can't we just fast forward? I don't like this...Why are they singing about angels? Dogs aren't angels. Angels aren't in cages. Angels don't smell."<br /><br />Joshua: "Puppy dog sad....Puppy dog need hug..." (Sarah MacLachlan appears petting her dog) "Puppy dog happy now. Puppy dog need love. I love puppy dog."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-87778147270412863312011-03-09T18:11:00.001-08:002011-03-10T10:42:10.991-08:00Wii are Learning to Lose....This past Christmas we got a Wii...Maybe a little behind the curve, but with younger kids I didn't think they'd have too much fun with it and I definitely didn't want to lose my husband to Mario Cart, etc.<br /><br />Anyway, it has been so much fun! While I'm not that into playing it, I love watching Jason and Julia go up against each other and up until recently Josh has been content to pretend he's playing with them.<br /><br />Last night, it all changed. God only knows how, but Josh has learned how to play the Wii golf trainer...you know, where you hit the ball onto the big targets.<br /><br />Not only did he learn how to play, he somehow beats the heck out of Julia's score...everytime...and we have learned that hell hath no fury like Julia losing to her 2 yr old brother.<br /><br />After the 3rd consecutive loss, she hurled her remote to the front door, walked over to an oblivious Joshua and gave him a 1-2 Rocky Balboa knock to the head. He cried and she was swiftly picked up by my 6.5 mth pregnant self and dragged up the stairs into her room for a very firm talking to...<br /><br />I love that she hates to lose, but teaching her losing is ok, inevitable and absolutely no excuse to go psycho on her brother is going to take some work. I told her next time she doesn't win to tell Josh "good job." She said, "No way." So I told her she could add "but I'm going to beat you next time," which made her smile a little.<br /><br />Unfortunately or fortunately, she has some time to perfect her response as she is in a Wii time-out for the next few days....as Josh continues to perfect his swing....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5460474813809028414.post-30270918120303808222011-02-14T06:56:00.000-08:002011-02-14T07:58:20.270-08:00Good OBs vs. The SOBsYes, another baby post....but I was reading a question on iVillage that got me thinking about a little situation I have with the OB practice I go to...<br /><br />The lady on iVillage loves her dr., but he is in a group of OB's and one of the other drs. is a real prick - and she wants to know if there is anything she can do about it if that dr. is on call when she goes into labor.<br /><br />That, friends, is a great question...as I am in the same boat. There are 6 OB's at my place. Two I LOVE LOVE LOVE....Two I like enough to be cool having deliver my babies...Two I wouldn't want to deliver my pizza.<br /><br />Sadly, with both my kids, the same stone cold dr was on call. Both times, she came in at the last possible second - said nothing - I knew nothing about what was going on aside from hellish pain - my sweet baby popped out - and then she left - in silence.<br /><br />If you know me, you know I don't need any coddling or ooshy-gooshy bonding with my dr. I need to know what's going on and I need to know they are there when I'm ready to get the kid out. Though now that I think about it, a smile and "congratulations" seem appropriate, too, for some one I am paying out the hoohaa (pun intended) to for their services....<br /><br />So, now that I'm approaching Mr. Baby's big day, I am wondering....What can I do to eliminate the chance of having one of the SOB's ("Stone"-cold OB's) deliver my most-likely last baby?<br /><br />I've always been scheduled to be induced...and went into labor early....so that doesn't seem to work....though I will try again...<br /><br />I could find out who's on call when I go into labor and if it's one of them, start speaking in Spanish saying I have no OB....The resident has to be better than either of the SOBs.<br /><br />I tried prayer with Joshua and God said "no"....though I am giving that another shot starting right now...<br /><br />If anyone has any ideas, send them my way....Muchas Gracias por tu informacion!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15437689273029948363noreply@blogger.com1