Wii 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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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....

Two Years of Joshy Sweetness

Two years ago today, I was so tired and so huge that Jason had me spend the morning on the couch while he and Julia tidied up the house. My ankles were non-existent, my wedding ring sat in my jewelry box as a fake one 3 sizes bigger squeezed my swollen finger.

After lying around all morning, we decided to make a Babies 'R Us run. Our crib had just been recalled and we were having a hard time finding one we liked. While there, I was checking out a rocker and a lady looked at me and said..."Girl you look ready. My daughter thinks she ready, but she doesn't look ready like you look ready." I laughed and told her I was sooo ready, but had to wait until Friday July 4 to be induced....

After the store, we stopped by Jason's parents to go for a swim. It was sweltering hot and a dip in the pool was just what this momma needed. Julia and Jason hopped right in, but I got caught up in talking to Barb, my MIL about the baby coming and their plans to remodel their kitchen...

Before I could get in the pool, a HUGE storm hit. Rain, wind, thunder, lightening, hail - this storm had it all. So we just had fun inside chatting as we waited for the storm to pass...

When the skies cleared, we got our things ready to go. I had just said good-bye to Jim my FIL, when I turned toward the door and felt a pop...followed by the gush of water like peeing your pants w.out peeing your pants.

It was 4pm. Everyone was in the foyer at that point and for a second I remember thinking "I'll just tell them later" - but not being about to hide my freaked-outedness, I walked to the door and said, "Um, I think my water just broke." My MIL quickly escorted my out of the house (who can blame her?!?) and asked, "Are you sure it wasn't from the pool?" - I didn't go in the pool. "Are you sure you didn't...um...wet yourself?" - At 28 yrs old, I knew the difference :) - Joshua Robert was on his way!

We called the dr office to let them know. Dr. Mary Ellen Leary was on call...All my OakCreek OBGYN girls know this lady is not known for her bedside manner. She delivered Julia so I knew first hand the chill she brings in the room. If we have a 3rd baby, I'm asking for Dr. Little and Dr. Patels home phones! jk.

She told me to go straight to the hospital. I said "OK" and headed straight for home! I had to have my bag and labor music...Contractions were light and far apart so I was confident we had a little time.

So we went from Springboro to Lebanon (where Jo and Matt picked Julia up at our house) and then on to the hospital. The storm had knocked trees over on St Rt 48 so we were going at 35 mph when contractions started getting stronger. It felt like a sit com for a while as I thought about the possibility of having him in the car...Thankfully, once we got into Centerville, Jason hit the gas and it was smooth sailing.

We got checked in to the hospital around 5:30pm. I was 4-5 cm, 80% effaced and convinced that it was going to be a loooong night. Around 6:30pm I was "allowed" to walk around (note to self with/if next baby: I will walk around when I feel like walking around), my contractions were coming closer and closer. I kept imagining each one like I was climbing up a hill and then running down a hill. It hurt, but with breathing and moving, it was bearable.

Our nurses switched at 7pm and I totally remember being under control thanking her as she said good-bye. The new nurse wanted to check me around 7:20pm so I got back in the bed and was about 8cm...That's when the HOLY $*#*% contractions started. I could not get up. I could not catch my breath. I could not think. One after another after another. I asked for an epidural. The schmuck anesthesiologist kept telling me to sit up..."you have to sit up...come on, it's time to sit up", but I just couldn't. I remember thinking, "I wished he got paid by the epi, cuz I am not getting one from him!" As soon as I had a 10 sec break from contractions, I sat up and at that moment I HAD.TO.PUSH! As I told the nurse, 5 nurses rushed in the room. One of them kicked the schmuck out (thank God) and the others got ready for this baby to be born.

I was 10cm and w.out any drugs, so let me tell you, I was ready to go...except the Dr. wasn't there yet...and the nurses told me I couldn't push (note to self with/if 3rd baby: tell the nurses to get their gloves on cuz I.AM.PUSHING!). I did some sort of feather breathing for 20 minutes of pure hellish pain when Dr. Leary flew in. I pushed once or twice and Joshua was born at 8:08pm weighing 8lbs 5oz and 21" long. He came out crying as they laid him on my chest. It was amazing and perfect...Jason was there holding my hand. My mom was somewhere behind me bc that was my rule :). It will forever be one of the most glorious moments of my life.


He truly is the sweetest boy to ever walk the earth...Being his and Julia's mommy is the most treasured title I could ever have...

So...Happy 2nd Birthday, Sweet Joshua Boy! I love you!

Redemption for My Last Post

I'm pretty sure Julia and Joshua got the point of last Friday morning's madness blog...They shaped up (or maybe I did) and we had a delightful afternoon reading books, making chocolate hearts and snuggling on the couch...I pray/hope/beg for that to be a sign of my life to come!

Maybe God sensed my distress, too, and gave our little family a wonderful weekend :) Saturday was a super-fun snow day. Jason, Julia and the next door neighbors shoveled, played and went sledding in the afternoon while Joshua and I spent some non-cry-cry pants time together.

Yesterday after church, Julia and I hit the streets of Lebanon...Oh how I love my little city - and I love that Julia loves it, too! We went through some antique and consignment shops before stopping in at the Golden Lamb for dessert. Something about that place turns my busy-little-go-getting-non-stop princess into the perfect little young lady. She sits down, puts her napkin on her lap, and uses manners w/out being reminded. She had the whole place charmed and I was so proud :)
We had a toasted pecan ball and the explored the 3 floors of hotel rooms that she loves so much. Then hit the library for some new books....

We got home and everyone suited up for more fun in the snow. Joshua LOVED the sled riding! It was a great way to end/begin the week! (((Smiles)))

How Much Does a CT Scan Cost?

Well, I'm sure I will find out in the next week or so - but regardless, I learned today how much it is worth!

I was in the kitchen as Julia and Joshua were playing with the "tent" Jason built them around the couch when I heard the smack of Joshua's head hitting the coffee table - like a rock hitting the pavement! I rushed over and picked him. He reached for Jason then his eyes fluttered and closed. Panicking, Jason held him and I tapped his cheek saying "Joshy, wake up, wake up." He finally came around after the longest 20 or so seconds of my life.

So we all went up stairs and threw our clothes on to take him to the ER. I ran Julia over to our amazing neighbors who took her w/out question. When I got back, Jason said Joshua had done the whole eye-fluttering/closed thing again. While I'm not normally a jittery mother, all I could think about was Natasha Richardson and those boxers on Cinderella Man.....we flew to the hospital fast....

We went to Cincinnati Children's Liberty Campus and were taken back immediately once I explained what had happened. Let me tell you, this place has it TOGETHER! Super-friendly nurses got our information and took vitals quickly. The Dr. did was a perfect balance of concern and relaxed. Once she looked at Joshua and had us tell the story, she ordered a CT Scan to be on the safe side. A Child Life rep. came in with toys and information about how a CT Scan works with little ones - knowing what was going to happen before hand was so helpful cuz it was kind of crazy.

Joshua was not a fan of the CT Scan. They strapped him in a papoose as I held his arms and chin, Jason held his legs, and Ms. Tiffani the Child Life Rep. held a DVD player with Barney playing over Joshua's head. It took about 5 (felt like 50) minutes to get a good picture as they moved the bed back and forth (with all of us moving with it) through the big doughnut, but we did it and thank God, the scan came back normal.

We had to stay for 4 hrs so they could observe him. Nanna and Poppa came bringing tic-tacs, books and company for us as we waited for the ok to go home.

Anyway, we are home now and so happy Joshua is ok.

Peace of mind doesn't have a price - my lesson of the day...