The Big "K"

Just over five years ago, my sweet Julia burst onto the scene of our lives. She was born screaming - and pretty much hasn't stop making her presence known since. She is all girl - sweet and sassy, strong-willed and sensitive, cautious and fearless, glitter and glitz. She loves nature walks and Barbie dolls, having her hair "done" and watching silly movies with her dad. She sucks her thumb when she's tired, nervous, bored and/or watching TV.

She lives to play with her best friend Lexie. She prefers "high" heels to flip flops and a dress is not a dress unless it "spins." She hasn't left the house without wearing pink in some form since I can remember.

Her hugs and kisses are the sweetest because she just doesn't hand them out to everyone and she is a perfect snuggler...She is one of those girls with beautiful curly ringlet hair who wishes it was straight. Her eyes are ocean blue and sparkle each time she gets her way. They storm when she doesn't. Her temper has yet to be tamed, but I am hopeful still.

Her love for her brother is as deep as her capacity to aggravate him. He adores her anyway.

She is everything and more to me...and is starting Kindergarten today...

Where these past 5 years went, I will never know...I just hope the next 5 are as wonderful and exciting....

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!

Vanilla Sweetness

So I'm trying desperately to make the house look like I've done something productive since Jason last saw it this morning...

The kids and I spent the entire afternoon playing outside while breakfast, lunch and snack dishes were piled up in the sink and the dishwasher was full of clean dishes I hadn't emptied. On the other side of the kitchen sits our waste basket filled to the brim. I have squished down 10 times or more in hopes it can fit one more juice box. Julia's PJ's are in the middle of the great room floor next to 3 towels used to dry 3 kids off from the sprinkler escapade earlier...There is more, but you get the point, right?

As I was scurrying around the house tossing everything here and there to give the fake impression that I am the stellar house wife I should be, Joshua started having a melt down. He saw a box of Vanilla Wafers and HAD.TO.HAVE.IT. I was in a hurry and tossed him one, which he tossed on the floor and reached for the box. Annoyed at his disregard for my "kindness" but more intent on him being quiet and let me clean, I handed him the box as he was standing on the chair next to me at the kitchen sink.

He pulled a cookie out. "Mau-mee," he said with the sweetest little boy smile. His squishy hand was outstretched holding the cookie out for me to take as a gift...I took it and then he went on his merry little way...like he just wanted to do something nice for me :)

Oh, how I love him!

How (not) to Pick a Pre-School

December of 2006, Jason and I happily/nervously/prayerfully signed papers to build a house in Lebanon, Ohio. It seemed like all the cards fell into place...We were 5 minutes from my parents and 10 minutes from Ridgeville Christian - the private Christian school I attended kindergarten through 12th grade. While I can't say I always LOVED the school, but looking back, I know those wonderful people helped shape me into the person I am (and I like myself :) so we decided that would be a great place for Julia and any more babies we would have.

May of 2007, the school announced is was closing. After 40+ years, they close 5 months after we signed our life away to build this house...nice...leaving a HUGE gap in the 16 yr plan I had for my child(ren).

So when the time came, we went with our very distant 2nd choice. Putting our smiley faces on over-drive, we were certain Julia would hit the floors of mini-acedemia running - and then I met her teacher...She was pleasant, I suppose, but when I saw her, there were no warm fuzzies...I kept telling Jason "She's just not a pre-school teacher" - and he had no idea what I meant until 4 months into the school year, she quit to be an office manager at a dental office. Here's to mommy-intuition! Julia's new teacher was amazing. She hugged the children and just seemed happy to be there...She was a pre-school teacher...but retired after the year was over...

So we started a new year this past fall. Another nice, but no warm fuzzy teacher. She didn't say "hi" to Julia when she came in. She didn't say "good-bye" let alone hug Julia as she left. The few times she acknowledged me were to inform me Julia wasn't using scissors right or Julia hid under the table when she couldn't be line leader. Now I don't expect a parade every time my child enters a room, but I like/expect manners and want to leave them with a smiling teacher who appears happy that she's there.

The day of the Christmas program, her teacher came up to me and said that she didn't know what to do with Julia who was sitting against the wall quietly while 3 boys stood in the hall hitting each other and 2 other girls were crying for Lord only knows what reason....and the teacher is outing Julia. Later the teacher told me she thought Julia was upset because she wanted a solo and the teacher didn't think Julia could do it. I should have ran out the door with Julia in tow at the moment...My degree is not education. It is not in child psychology, but I know you don't put limits on a 4 yr old like that, right? Even if the song was totally botched, I for one, love children singing for that very reason! They are cute and precocious.

After another similar incident, we decided we were done. I know it's just pre-school, but I just couldn't have my child told she couldn't do something, when we tell her the world is hers. If that's their philosophy, we fold. We are out.

We are starting a new school on Monday. Her teacher, coincidentally, went to Ridgeville. Julia met her on Friday. I am happy to report Miss Angela was smiling, welcoming and just a complete 180 from we had experienced at the other school. I gave her a little back ground of our reason for moving and my heart jumped when her mouth dropped as I recounted the teacher's dismissal of Julia's potential. Vindication!

I know this is another ramble of a blog, but I just thought I get the story out there and say...Moms, go with your intuition!

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)))

SAHM 911

So I stayed at home today...for the first time without Jason since October...and I'm freaking out a little...let me tell you why...

October to February, I work full time for a national tax prep. franchisor as a Media Buyer. I put marketing plans together for 22 markets based on our target demo, then negotiate contracts with TV and Radio stations getting the most umph! for our dollars. Once the spots start to air, I track the ROI repsonse making sure the stations perform at an acceptable level based on phone calls generated by each station. I know you wanted to know all that!

So the end of February is quickly approaching and by 9am today, I realized the harsh reality that I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO BE A STAY AT HOME MOM!

Joshua is teething and is uber-sensitive to every move I make. I told him I had to go potty and he threw himself into hysterics banging his head on the floor. The only times he actually was not clinging to my feet were when I was holding him (which I love, but can't do it all day) or when Clifford was on (and I'm not the "let the TV baby-sit my baby all day" type tempting as it may be).

Julia just runs the house with the occasional walk-by assault on her brother's head while I'm trying to get some house work done and keep up on work issues that need my attention.

So these past few hours have me in a virtual panic thinking of the next 7 months. This will be my life everyday. Even writing it makes my chest tighten.

Please know that I LOVE MY CHILDREN with my whole heart and most of me cannot wait to be the mom I want to be - the kind that stays home teaching them new things, taking them new (free) places and taking care of them as I know time goes all too fast.

Ok. I'm breathing easier now...

So here is my ramble of a blog post...

How Much Do 2 CT Scans Cost?

So Friday, I get a call from Jason saying that he got hit playing basketball...His office is close to the Kettering Y and a couple of times a week, he and some buddies play...good times...

Except for Friday, a new guy joined in and during the last game, he went up for the ball coming down with his elbow on Jason's head....hard....

Now I'll admit that when Jason called me I was fairly certain he was just concerned over a goose-egg, but he was certain he needed to go to the ER and be checked.

When I got there, I knew he was right. The dude was talking so bizarre! His speech was slurring. His word choice was awkward. His humor was off. He had a concussion.

So for the 2nd time in 2 weeks, one of my guys got a CT Scan. Thankfully, his inner-brain was there and not injured beyond repair.