Since my last blog, so much sadness seems to have happened. It seems like every time the phone rings, I look at my newsfeed on Facebook, or check my e-mail, it is about death. If any lesson/reminder is to come from such tragedies it would be that none of us are promised tomorrow. We need to tell those we love that we love them and how much they mean to us.
I find myself wanting to be the best mother to my boys that I can be. I never want them to doubt that they are loved. I also find myself not "sweating the small stuff." We found out that Grayson will more than likely need to have surgery in a few months. Surprisingly I am at peace about this. I am not worried. I am so fortunate that I have a relatively healthy baby boy. I am grateful that we live in an area where Kings Daughters is available to us. My baby will be in great hands. Now, this is not to say that I will not be a nervous wreck come the day of the surgery but until then I am at peace and have so much to be thankful for. Thankful that God blessed me with two precious gifts!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Vacation....NOT!!!
I feel as though my summer/maternity leave is slipping away very quickly! In a little over a month, I will go back to school. It's a good thing that I love what I do because it is the only way I can leave my precious angels. I have truly enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom this summer. It's the first time since high school that I haven't worked outside of the home during the summer and I am loving every minute of it! Too bad we are not independently wealthy or I would be staying home in the fall too.
We spent last week at Ocracoke Island, NC. It is an annual vacation spot for us. It has always been a fairly relaxing and enjoyable vacation....until this year. Our vacation started out with our first day on the beach...Jackson was VERY fussy and clingy and HATED the beach. The biting flies were out in force so I couldn't put Grayson down so I sat in my beach chair, under an umbrella, down by the water (where the flies were not so bad), with two kids in my arms. By the time we left that afternoon I swore I was done with the beach! Dinner that evening did not go much better. On the walk to the restaurant, my flip flop broke so I had to go quickly to a nearby store to get a new pair (actually I got a pair of yoga mat flip flops so this really wasn't a bad thing). Then Grayson had an explosive diaper! After changing his diaper and outfit our food came...YEAH...not so much! I gave Jackson a bite of my rice and when I was about to give him a second bite, he started throwing up...UGH! At least the restaurant was outside. We quickly paid for our dinner and then walked home. That night Jackson woke up with a fever. We gave up going back to the beach the next day (I wasn't going back even if Jackson was feeling better). About mid-morning Jackson began throwing up again. At this point we knew that it was more than just something that he ate. We decided to quarantine Jackson to the bedroom because we didn't want anyone else in the house to catch it, especially Grayson. The next morning we took him to the local clinic on the island. We found out he had an ear infection...I had suspected as much since I knew he was teething. By that evening he was feeling so much better! The rest of the vacation did not get much better though. Jackson did develop a love for the beach which I was happy about (I gave in and gave it another shot...so glad I did) but mealtimes out were so stressful! I think it was because my children (especially Jackson) is so routine and not being able to take a good nap and then a late dinner did not create the best of situations for dinner time. We were never able to stay at the restaurant for the entire meal. By the last day I told Kevin that I was done with going out...we brought dinner to us at the house. That worked out much better.
I am hopeful that we do not have a repeat vacation. Perhaps next year, with our children being a year older it will be better....OR IT JUST MAY BE WORSE!!! Either way, we did get to have some family time together. If there was a silver lining to Jackson getting sick on vacation it was that Kevin was there to help me through Jackson's first time throwing up. Had we been home, Kevin would probably have been at work.
This week has been much better...being back home and back on a routine! Maybe it's me that has the problem, not Jackson, when it comes to changes in the routine! LOL.
We spent last week at Ocracoke Island, NC. It is an annual vacation spot for us. It has always been a fairly relaxing and enjoyable vacation....until this year. Our vacation started out with our first day on the beach...Jackson was VERY fussy and clingy and HATED the beach. The biting flies were out in force so I couldn't put Grayson down so I sat in my beach chair, under an umbrella, down by the water (where the flies were not so bad), with two kids in my arms. By the time we left that afternoon I swore I was done with the beach! Dinner that evening did not go much better. On the walk to the restaurant, my flip flop broke so I had to go quickly to a nearby store to get a new pair (actually I got a pair of yoga mat flip flops so this really wasn't a bad thing). Then Grayson had an explosive diaper! After changing his diaper and outfit our food came...YEAH...not so much! I gave Jackson a bite of my rice and when I was about to give him a second bite, he started throwing up...UGH! At least the restaurant was outside. We quickly paid for our dinner and then walked home. That night Jackson woke up with a fever. We gave up going back to the beach the next day (I wasn't going back even if Jackson was feeling better). About mid-morning Jackson began throwing up again. At this point we knew that it was more than just something that he ate. We decided to quarantine Jackson to the bedroom because we didn't want anyone else in the house to catch it, especially Grayson. The next morning we took him to the local clinic on the island. We found out he had an ear infection...I had suspected as much since I knew he was teething. By that evening he was feeling so much better! The rest of the vacation did not get much better though. Jackson did develop a love for the beach which I was happy about (I gave in and gave it another shot...so glad I did) but mealtimes out were so stressful! I think it was because my children (especially Jackson) is so routine and not being able to take a good nap and then a late dinner did not create the best of situations for dinner time. We were never able to stay at the restaurant for the entire meal. By the last day I told Kevin that I was done with going out...we brought dinner to us at the house. That worked out much better.
I am hopeful that we do not have a repeat vacation. Perhaps next year, with our children being a year older it will be better....OR IT JUST MAY BE WORSE!!! Either way, we did get to have some family time together. If there was a silver lining to Jackson getting sick on vacation it was that Kevin was there to help me through Jackson's first time throwing up. Had we been home, Kevin would probably have been at work.
This week has been much better...being back home and back on a routine! Maybe it's me that has the problem, not Jackson, when it comes to changes in the routine! LOL.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Being a Mom is the hardest job on Earth
Being a mom has always been a dream of mine. Ever since I was a little girl playing with dolls, I always knew that I was placed on this earth to be a mom. Going through infertility and a miscarriage was devastating because I thought that my destinity may not come true. Then miraculously God saw fit to not only bless us once but twice with two special angels. I feel so blessed that I am their mother. That being said...this "occupation" is the hardest job on Earth. Someone once told me that you aren't truly a parent until you have two...I don't know if that's true, but two makes you VERY busy! Having two, especially so close in age, is definitely keeping me on my toes. There is never a dull moment...never a moment of "down time." Today for example...wake up call came at 5:30AM...not bad since Grayson had been put down to bed at 1 AM. Maybe sleeping through the night is in our future! Anyways, as I got ready to feed him, Jackson woke up. Luckily Kevin was still home (he was getting ready to leave for the station) so he went and brought Jackson down. After a bottle, Jackson went back to sleep. I was even able to fit in a 30 minute snooze. Then it was feeding time again. I forgot to close the gate to the living room, which gave Jackson free reign of the downstairs. Jackson must have woke up the second time with the "I'm going to test Mom today" attitude because TEST he did! He always seems to act out while I'm in a situation that I can't immidiately get to him. Today was no different. He has been in a phase of going through the kitchen drawers and grabbing whatever items that are in them. He knows he's not suppose to so he only does this when my attention is being directed elsewhere (cooking or on Grayson). Today he found the drawer with the knives! Luckily the knife he pulled out had the cover on the blade. I got up to go get him and he knew he was in trouble so he turned around and started to run from me. Unfortunately his forehead and the bottom edge of the drawer met. No blood...so we brushed it off and then went into the living room and closed the gate behind us. I resumed feeding Grayson. Next thing I know, Jackson is emptying the DVD cabinets, all the while saying "NO" or "Uh Oh" and looking directly at me. I waited until I was done feeding Grayson to calm down before I went over and gave Jackson my "undivided attention."
By this time, our pediatrician's office had opened so I placed a call in requesting to be seen. On Sunday, I noticed that Grayson had some sort of growth protruding from the bottom of his belly button. I called on Monday and the nurse told me to just keep an eye on it since he didn't seem to be bothered by it. She did offer to make an appointment for me then but I choose not to. My gut told me to but since the nurse didn't seem to concerned I tried not to be. Over the last few days, the growth did not go away and did seem to get a little bigger so I called again and requested to be seen. Taking the kids to the doctor is never fun...going alone is worse but you gotta do what you gotta do. After looking at Grayson, she decided that he needed to have an ultrasound done to see if his umbilical cord had formed incorrectly and had attached to his bladder. If that was the case, then we would need to go see a urologist. If everything is ok, then we go to plastics. Either way it wasn't news I wanted to hear. I'm not sure what non-praying mommas do, but this momma immediately started praying. Even as I sit and type this entry, God has given me peace about today's test. No matter what the results are, I am still blessed to have a child that is relatively healthy, not something that I've ever taken for granted since the day that he was born. I am still a little corcerned/worried about my little man...I wish my little guy didn't have to go through this...but I know that he is in good hands!
Prayer is Powerful and God will never give you more than you can't handle...two beliefs that I'm standing firm on today!
By this time, our pediatrician's office had opened so I placed a call in requesting to be seen. On Sunday, I noticed that Grayson had some sort of growth protruding from the bottom of his belly button. I called on Monday and the nurse told me to just keep an eye on it since he didn't seem to be bothered by it. She did offer to make an appointment for me then but I choose not to. My gut told me to but since the nurse didn't seem to concerned I tried not to be. Over the last few days, the growth did not go away and did seem to get a little bigger so I called again and requested to be seen. Taking the kids to the doctor is never fun...going alone is worse but you gotta do what you gotta do. After looking at Grayson, she decided that he needed to have an ultrasound done to see if his umbilical cord had formed incorrectly and had attached to his bladder. If that was the case, then we would need to go see a urologist. If everything is ok, then we go to plastics. Either way it wasn't news I wanted to hear. I'm not sure what non-praying mommas do, but this momma immediately started praying. Even as I sit and type this entry, God has given me peace about today's test. No matter what the results are, I am still blessed to have a child that is relatively healthy, not something that I've ever taken for granted since the day that he was born. I am still a little corcerned/worried about my little man...I wish my little guy didn't have to go through this...but I know that he is in good hands!
Prayer is Powerful and God will never give you more than you can't handle...two beliefs that I'm standing firm on today!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Making Memories
It's been a CRAZY couple of weeks!
Kevin has started back at the fire station working 24 hour shifts. It's been an adjustment to our new schedule. I think the one difference that I've found with our new schedule is the lack of adult conversation/interaction that I have. I find myself starting up random conversations with anyone...lol.
Over the last few weeks, I have checked off a few items on the "Mother of Two" Accomplishment List. I have conquered the outlet mall and the grocery store with two children. The grocery store went a little better than the outlet mall but I would consider both successful outings...I still accomplished what I set out to do. My next "check-off" will be going to church by myself with two. I will attempt that this Sunday since Kevin is working 24. Please pray for me...that we are all dressed, on time, and still have positive attitudes when we get to church!
Aside from doing solo outings, we have also made a few family memories. A trip to the Norfolk Zoo, a birthday pool party, a trip to Charlottesville to see Great Grandma and Grandma, and a Fourth of July get together with family have created many memorable moments for our family. This really is what life is all about...creating memories to strengthen us as people and as a family. It really is what keeps me going...striving to make many memories for my children, whether it's something as simple as finger painting at home, going to the library, or an outing to the Zoo.
Jackson playing in his fort!
Jackson at the zoo! At the playplace in the mall!
My new school supply organizer for my classroom!
A sweet gift from my loves!
Kevin has started back at the fire station working 24 hour shifts. It's been an adjustment to our new schedule. I think the one difference that I've found with our new schedule is the lack of adult conversation/interaction that I have. I find myself starting up random conversations with anyone...lol.
Over the last few weeks, I have checked off a few items on the "Mother of Two" Accomplishment List. I have conquered the outlet mall and the grocery store with two children. The grocery store went a little better than the outlet mall but I would consider both successful outings...I still accomplished what I set out to do. My next "check-off" will be going to church by myself with two. I will attempt that this Sunday since Kevin is working 24. Please pray for me...that we are all dressed, on time, and still have positive attitudes when we get to church!
Aside from doing solo outings, we have also made a few family memories. A trip to the Norfolk Zoo, a birthday pool party, a trip to Charlottesville to see Great Grandma and Grandma, and a Fourth of July get together with family have created many memorable moments for our family. This really is what life is all about...creating memories to strengthen us as people and as a family. It really is what keeps me going...striving to make many memories for my children, whether it's something as simple as finger painting at home, going to the library, or an outing to the Zoo.
Jackson playing in his fort!
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| Not fond of fingerpainting! |
Jackson at the zoo! At the playplace in the mall!
A sweet gift from my loves!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Passed the Test...
I have found that the "teacher" in me must have some sort of plan every day. Staying at home with no plan but for Jackson to just play does not work for me. That's not to say that I don't allow him to have free play. I do, in fact, I enjoy watching him play and interact with his toys. He seems to be starting to have some fantasy play (I would love to know what goes on in his mind sometimes). Each day I have some type of outing or activity planned. It seems to make the day go smoother and nap times a little longer!
We usually go to the library on Tuesdays or Thursdays, so off we went. I can't wait until Jackson can get his own library card (he has to be 4). I love the fact that Jackson LOVES books. Our library has a nice selection of board books which are right up Jackson's alley. Also, on Thursday, we discovered the DVD selection too. He is very much into the Sesame Street characters, specifically Elmo, so choose two DVDs that he carried around with him the entire time we were at the library. He's actually more into carrying around the DVDs than watching them. Nothing really captivates his attention on the TV unless it is the Gigglebellies.
After our library outing, I had planned to run to a couple of stores, but on our way, both boys fell asleep. I decided that naptime was more important to me than shopping so I went home and put the boys to bed. Funny how life changes...who knew something would be more important than shopping to me!
On Friday, we had a playdate at the playarea in the mall. It was so hot outside that this was a perfect Friday (free) outing. Again I had planned on running a few errands but Jackson fell asleep before even leaving the mall parking lot so home we went. This was also the day that Kevin left to go on his deep sea fishing trip. I was a little apprehensive about being left alone with two kids...mostly when it came to bedtime. I was left on my own for about 36 hours (with some help from my parents, thank goodness) and I seem to have passed the test! Kevin said it gave me practice for when he goes back to the station...ugh!!! That begins this week. Lord, grant me strength.
Jackson with all of his musical animals and of course the Wubbanub!
Grayson is already one month old...where does the time go?
A Fourth of July wreath, thanks to Pinterest. Gotta love naptime!
We usually go to the library on Tuesdays or Thursdays, so off we went. I can't wait until Jackson can get his own library card (he has to be 4). I love the fact that Jackson LOVES books. Our library has a nice selection of board books which are right up Jackson's alley. Also, on Thursday, we discovered the DVD selection too. He is very much into the Sesame Street characters, specifically Elmo, so choose two DVDs that he carried around with him the entire time we were at the library. He's actually more into carrying around the DVDs than watching them. Nothing really captivates his attention on the TV unless it is the Gigglebellies.
After our library outing, I had planned to run to a couple of stores, but on our way, both boys fell asleep. I decided that naptime was more important to me than shopping so I went home and put the boys to bed. Funny how life changes...who knew something would be more important than shopping to me!
On Friday, we had a playdate at the playarea in the mall. It was so hot outside that this was a perfect Friday (free) outing. Again I had planned on running a few errands but Jackson fell asleep before even leaving the mall parking lot so home we went. This was also the day that Kevin left to go on his deep sea fishing trip. I was a little apprehensive about being left alone with two kids...mostly when it came to bedtime. I was left on my own for about 36 hours (with some help from my parents, thank goodness) and I seem to have passed the test! Kevin said it gave me practice for when he goes back to the station...ugh!!! That begins this week. Lord, grant me strength.
Jackson learning to eat with a fork...he loves the independence!
Jackson's new Gyro bowl...doesn't work exactly like the infomercial...oh well!
Grayson is already one month old...where does the time go?
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The Little Things
Kevin had the day off yesterday...so what does that mean? I got to shower and shave!!! It's all about the little things in life!
We then took the kids (it' still so weird that we have more than one) over to Coliseum Town Center so that Jackson could play in the fountain. It took him awhile to warm up to the idea of running through the water but after watching all of the other children having a good time, he joined in the fun. I always enjoy watching him interact with other children. I find myself wondering what type of child he will grow up to be...will he be the child that when others see they roll their eyes and are thankful he's not theirs or will he be the child that everyone loves. I have a feeling he will not be the "birth control" child. In comparison to other children, he seems so calm. If another child comes and takes his toy, or like yesterday, his water spout, he doesn't seem to get bothered by it...he moves to something else. Then of course I worry about him having a backbone and standing up for himself. Raising children to grow up to be productive, contributing adults in society is hard work but I'm up for the challenge (with lots of prayer).
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Taking nothing for granted
Yesterday did not go as planned. I had planned to take the boys to the library and to Blue Bird Gap Farm. A simple phone call changed everything. Just as Kevin left for work in the morning, I noticed that I had missed a call from the kids pediatrician. Her message said that it wasn't urgent but she did have some information that she needed to share with us. I immediately thought that it had something to do with Grayson's jaundice levels ( we took him in on Monday to get labs drawn because we were still concerned with his jaundice...the results came back that he was ok, but I thought that the doctor had found something else). I called and had to leave a message. I fretted all day. Finally around 2, the phone call came. The doctor informed me that Grayson had had some routine blood tests done at birth and the test for cystic fibrosis came back with elevated numbers. WHAT! At the sound of that, I immediately started freaking out...I had no idea! She then told me that she conducted another test and those results just came back and the numbers were normal...THANK GOD! She had just wanted to let me know just in case something came up later on. She said he had no symptoms (good weight gain, no diarrhea, no breathing problems). I'm glad she chose not to share this info with us until there was good news to share, I would have just worried. Needless to say, that one phone call shook me up. It could have gone much differently. It reminded me how fortunate I am to have two healthy children. I made a promise to myself that even when I am awoken at all hours of the night (and even those all nighter nights), I will be thankful that I have a healthy child who is able to wake me up...but that's not to say I am not looking forward to the days of sleeping through the night! :)
I am hopeful that today will go as planned but if it doesn't I'm sure there will be another lesson to be learned or reminded of.
I am hopeful that today will go as planned but if it doesn't I'm sure there will be another lesson to be learned or reminded of.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
getting started
I have decided to start blogging! Like I have the time right? Actually, I have wanted to do this for some time but now more than ever, due to our increasing family. I wanted to document, for myself mostly, life during this crazy chapter! I thought summer time would be a great time to begin.
This past weekend was Father's Day. We had both sets of grandfathers over to our house for dinner. I cooked chicken tacos and a pasta salad. Normally anytime we have people over, Kevin gets put in charge of grilling, but because it was Father's Day, I wanted him to have a break. The meal turned out yummy, thank goodness! Below is a picture of one of the gifts that the boys and I created for Kevin.
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