Monday, October 31, 2005
Halloween
What's the big deal with Churches and "Halloween?" Daniel goes to a 2 day a week pre-school at our Church. He loves it, it's good for him, and he's making friends (he even has a little girlfriend, so I'm told). But today they never made mention of Halloween. There was no Halloween party to go to at the school. That makes me kind of sad. I know there are parents who don't "allow" their children to "celebrate" Halloween. We aren't those parents. In fact, Daniel is going to do his first Trick or Treating with his Daddy tonight. He's Tigger (I'll post pictures later tonight), and he's the absolute cutest little guy around. But back to the original topic : why do Churches make such a big deal? Why are Halloween carnivals called "Fall Festivals?" Why not just say : "Celebrate Halloween in a safe environment, and maybe learn a little bit about Jesus in the process?" OK, so that's a little long...but why are we so shy about the word "Halloween?" Seriously. I know it used to be a pagan ritualistic holiday....but now what is it? A night to dress up in a costume and get candy. There's nothing pagan about that, is there? Oh well maybe there is....but come on, it's just a day. At least it's a "real" holiday....not like Valentine's Day....;)
Friday, October 28, 2005
Well, I certainly never encountered this with Daniel...
Zoe is having trouble gaining weight....or so it seems to her DR. Seems she should be gaining an ounce a day....she has not gained anything since Tuesday. We had to go to the DR today (long story, if you want to read it check out Zoe's blog sometime tomorrow....what? I only have a little time to update today!) and they weighed her. Go figure....I think she's filling out some, and she hasn't gained. Never had that problem with Daniel...he gained like a pound a day! So, we have to go back next week for a weight check. Not sure where we go from there, apparently she needs to weigh close to 7 pounds in order to "pass" or something. Gee, maybe I should start drinking bulk up shakes...
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Mommy Test Number One
How do you handle a sick baby? Undivided attention, right? Well, then, how do you handle TWO sick babies?? That's a good one....today Daniel is running a 101.5 fever, Zoe has his cold (green yucky stuff coming out of her nose when I suction it), and Mommy is tired. But so what? It makes me deliriously happy to care for my children. Am I insane? Maybe...but I can't help it! I admit it, though, I feel a little helpless because I want to protect my children and here I "let" my 2 week old newborn get a cold on top of her fragile immune system and recovering lungs. AND to top it off I "let" Daniel get a fever, I "let" him get a cold, and I "let" him give it to Zoe. Why are we so hard on ourselves? Is it a lack of consecutive hours of sleep? If so, why do I wake feeling like 2 hours of total sleep is enough? Is it the pain we feel because we do too much just two weeks after major surgery? Maybe. Or maybe it's just the natural reaction to being a parent. Maybe as parents we ache when our children ache, because of our connection to them....maybe this is a great commentary on our Heavenly Father. If we ache this much when our earthly children are sick, how much more does He ache when we hurt? I can't even fathom it.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
I'm a MOM again...
You can read the entire story here : http://forzoe.blogspot.com
This has been a stressful week. It has taught me to fully rely on GOD. It has taught me the importance of "letting GO and letting GOD," it has taught me how awesome my Church is. This week has shown me the way to count my Blessings. This week has taught me a very important lesson : when you pray for God to fill you with the Peace that transcends all understanding, He does.
We brought Zoe home today. Daniel couldn't be happier to finally have his "baby" home, as well as his Mommy and Daddy. He has been so excited that he has not taken a nap! Needless to say, he'll be going to bed super early tonight!
Praise God from whom all Blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye Heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
This has been a stressful week. It has taught me to fully rely on GOD. It has taught me the importance of "letting GO and letting GOD," it has taught me how awesome my Church is. This week has shown me the way to count my Blessings. This week has taught me a very important lesson : when you pray for God to fill you with the Peace that transcends all understanding, He does.
We brought Zoe home today. Daniel couldn't be happier to finally have his "baby" home, as well as his Mommy and Daddy. He has been so excited that he has not taken a nap! Needless to say, he'll be going to bed super early tonight!
Praise God from whom all Blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye Heavenly host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Tearfully asking for prayers....
We had our amnio this morning. They were not able to extract any fluid, because : 1) my fluid level was low, 2) the baby was kicking the needle, 3) my uterus was contracting and restricting the needle so she couldn't pull out any fluid.
They stopped the procedure, cleaned me up, and put me on the monitor for a little over half an hour. They had done an extensive sonogram, getting measurements of the baby and making sure she's fully developed, which she is. Unfortunately, the only way they can tell lung maturity before birth is by testing the amniotic fluid. Since they couldn't get any, they couldn't test it, and therefore don't know if her lungs are mature or not.
Where the prayers come in : the Perinatologist (high risk pregnancy specialist) consulted with our OB/GYN after the tests this morning. They came to the conclusion that it's best for me and for Zoe if she comes tomorrow, as planned. We need prayers that her lungs are mature. We need prayers that she will be strong. We need prayers that she won't have to spend an inordinate amount of time in the nursery after she's born. My stomach is in knots as I write this, but I can only trust in God and the knowledge He has given to these Doctors. I can only trust that they are doing what they honestly believe is best. That's all I can do, and all I can hope for is a healthy and normal outcome tomorrow morning.
The amnio and the invasion of the needle set off a little rambunctious streak in Zoe and I've been having mild cramping and contractions since we were done at Noon, but it's not alarming. I'm just a little scared about tomorrow. That's a lie. I'm a LOT scared about tomorrow. But I know the Lord is my Shepherd and HE will bring us through this time and we will emerge with our beautiful, healthy, normal, mature-lunged baby girl.
We go to the hospital at 5:15 tomorrow morning, the surgery is scheduled to begin at 7. Thank you so much for reading. Thank you so much for your prayers. Expect pictures as soon as we can get them online!
They stopped the procedure, cleaned me up, and put me on the monitor for a little over half an hour. They had done an extensive sonogram, getting measurements of the baby and making sure she's fully developed, which she is. Unfortunately, the only way they can tell lung maturity before birth is by testing the amniotic fluid. Since they couldn't get any, they couldn't test it, and therefore don't know if her lungs are mature or not.
Where the prayers come in : the Perinatologist (high risk pregnancy specialist) consulted with our OB/GYN after the tests this morning. They came to the conclusion that it's best for me and for Zoe if she comes tomorrow, as planned. We need prayers that her lungs are mature. We need prayers that she will be strong. We need prayers that she won't have to spend an inordinate amount of time in the nursery after she's born. My stomach is in knots as I write this, but I can only trust in God and the knowledge He has given to these Doctors. I can only trust that they are doing what they honestly believe is best. That's all I can do, and all I can hope for is a healthy and normal outcome tomorrow morning.
The amnio and the invasion of the needle set off a little rambunctious streak in Zoe and I've been having mild cramping and contractions since we were done at Noon, but it's not alarming. I'm just a little scared about tomorrow. That's a lie. I'm a LOT scared about tomorrow. But I know the Lord is my Shepherd and HE will bring us through this time and we will emerge with our beautiful, healthy, normal, mature-lunged baby girl.
We go to the hospital at 5:15 tomorrow morning, the surgery is scheduled to begin at 7. Thank you so much for reading. Thank you so much for your prayers. Expect pictures as soon as we can get them online!
Tearfully asking for prayers....
We had our amnio this morning. They were not able to extract any fluid, because : 1) my fluid level was low, 2) the baby was kicking the needle, 3) my uterus was contracting and restricting the needle so she couldn't pull out any fluid.
They stopped the procedure, cleaned me up, and put me on the monitor for a little over half an hour. They had done an extensive sonogram, getting measurements of the baby and making sure she's fully developed, which she is. Unfortunately, the only way they can tell lung maturity before birth is by testing the amniotic fluid. Since they couldn't get any, they couldn't test it, and therefore don't know if her lungs are mature or not.
Where the prayers come in : the Perinatologist (high risk pregnancy specialist) consulted with our OB/GYN after the tests this morning. They came to the conclusion that it's best for me and for Zoe if she comes tomorrow, as planned. We need prayers that her lungs are mature. We need prayers that she will be strong. We need prayers that she won't have to spend an inordinate amount of time in the nursery after she's born. My stomach is in knots as I write this, but I can only trust in God and the knowledge He has given to these Doctors. I can only trust that they are doing what they honestly believe is best. That's all I can do, and all I can hope for is a healthy and normal outcome tomorrow morning.
The amnio and the invasion of the needle set off a little rambunctious streak in Zoe and I've been having mild cramping and contractions since we were done at Noon, but it's not alarming. I'm just a little scared about tomorrow. That's a lie. I'm a LOT scared about tomorrow. But I know the Lord is my Shepherd and HE will bring us through this time and we will emerge with our beautiful, healthy, normal, mature-lunged baby girl.
We go to the hospital at 5:15 tomorrow morning, the surgery is scheduled to begin at 7. Thank you so much for reading. Thank you so much for your prayers. Expect pictures as soon as we can get them online!
They stopped the procedure, cleaned me up, and put me on the monitor for a little over half an hour. They had done an extensive sonogram, getting measurements of the baby and making sure she's fully developed, which she is. Unfortunately, the only way they can tell lung maturity before birth is by testing the amniotic fluid. Since they couldn't get any, they couldn't test it, and therefore don't know if her lungs are mature or not.
Where the prayers come in : the Perinatologist (high risk pregnancy specialist) consulted with our OB/GYN after the tests this morning. They came to the conclusion that it's best for me and for Zoe if she comes tomorrow, as planned. We need prayers that her lungs are mature. We need prayers that she will be strong. We need prayers that she won't have to spend an inordinate amount of time in the nursery after she's born. My stomach is in knots as I write this, but I can only trust in God and the knowledge He has given to these Doctors. I can only trust that they are doing what they honestly believe is best. That's all I can do, and all I can hope for is a healthy and normal outcome tomorrow morning.
The amnio and the invasion of the needle set off a little rambunctious streak in Zoe and I've been having mild cramping and contractions since we were done at Noon, but it's not alarming. I'm just a little scared about tomorrow. That's a lie. I'm a LOT scared about tomorrow. But I know the Lord is my Shepherd and HE will bring us through this time and we will emerge with our beautiful, healthy, normal, mature-lunged baby girl.
We go to the hospital at 5:15 tomorrow morning, the surgery is scheduled to begin at 7. Thank you so much for reading. Thank you so much for your prayers. Expect pictures as soon as we can get them online!
Saturday, October 8, 2005
The pitter patter of little feet....
Is quickly subsiding at our home....Thank God. Soon, the only little feet doing any pittering or pattering will be Daniel's and Zoe's!
You never really understand what a quiet house sounds like until you've got one of your very own....no extra sounds we didn't order, no loud thumps or rolls, no squeaking. Honestly? The squeaking is the worst. Looks like the first eviction notice we served has been taken to heart. Again, Thank God.
Now, for the second of those eviction notices.....the one that will be executed on Tuesday....today is Saturday. And as hard as it is to believe, we're almost ready for her arrival.....we are having a pre-birth celebratory dinner (so I don't miss it this time -- I got smart, you see) tomorrow night with our families. So, tomorrow I'm hoping that Daniel will be feeling better and we'll be able to enjoy our last full day together as a little 3 member family. I'd like to do something fun, like go to the Zoo. Daniel LOVES the Zoo. Then Monday we'll have our amnio and afterwards I'll be assembling a bassinet, assembling and freezing casseroles, and enjoying my baby boy......for the last time on his own.
It's hard to explain why this is so bittersweet. I just feel like a chapter in our lives is ending prematurely. No, that's not entirely accurate either....it's like two chapters overlapping in awkward spots. Like the editor was confused because the two chapters were so similar. It's hard to see God's Divine Plan when you're in the middle of it, but I keep thinking "the safest place to be is in the middle of God's Plan." Scariest, too? You bet. I am having some difficulty accepting that my baby boy isn't going to be the baby anymore. And sometimes I feel bad for being excited to have a baby girl, which is silly....and I think about these two children and how close they will be all their lives. They will NEVER know life without one another. Daniel is too young to remember the last 19 months, and Zoe will ALWAYS know her big brother is right there for her. And that makes me happy. That is what gets me through these last few hours. That is what makes this an exciting time.
You never really understand what a quiet house sounds like until you've got one of your very own....no extra sounds we didn't order, no loud thumps or rolls, no squeaking. Honestly? The squeaking is the worst. Looks like the first eviction notice we served has been taken to heart. Again, Thank God.
Now, for the second of those eviction notices.....the one that will be executed on Tuesday....today is Saturday. And as hard as it is to believe, we're almost ready for her arrival.....we are having a pre-birth celebratory dinner (so I don't miss it this time -- I got smart, you see) tomorrow night with our families. So, tomorrow I'm hoping that Daniel will be feeling better and we'll be able to enjoy our last full day together as a little 3 member family. I'd like to do something fun, like go to the Zoo. Daniel LOVES the Zoo. Then Monday we'll have our amnio and afterwards I'll be assembling a bassinet, assembling and freezing casseroles, and enjoying my baby boy......for the last time on his own.
It's hard to explain why this is so bittersweet. I just feel like a chapter in our lives is ending prematurely. No, that's not entirely accurate either....it's like two chapters overlapping in awkward spots. Like the editor was confused because the two chapters were so similar. It's hard to see God's Divine Plan when you're in the middle of it, but I keep thinking "the safest place to be is in the middle of God's Plan." Scariest, too? You bet. I am having some difficulty accepting that my baby boy isn't going to be the baby anymore. And sometimes I feel bad for being excited to have a baby girl, which is silly....and I think about these two children and how close they will be all their lives. They will NEVER know life without one another. Daniel is too young to remember the last 19 months, and Zoe will ALWAYS know her big brother is right there for her. And that makes me happy. That is what gets me through these last few hours. That is what makes this an exciting time.
Friday, October 7, 2005
Panic....
Oh the wonder of it all....my son has a cold. YUCK. And it's obvious he got it from one of his parents. Or maybe he picked it up at School, who knows? All I know is, he's as miserable when he's sick as an adult is....but the sad thing is, he can't communicate without crying/whining/etc because he's still (largely) non-verbal. Well, that's far from true, he's VERY verbal....we just don't understand him! ;)
Why am I panicking??? Because I only have today, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday before Zoe gets here......and I have about 2 months worth of things to get done before she gets here!! I was planning on making a bunch of casseroles and freezing them (or at least buying Stouffer's) so we can eat when we get home (and whoever is here at night while I'm in the hospital can eat too), I was planning on finishing unpacking our house. HA! Yeah, that's gonna happen.....I have lots more cleaning to do! I have laundry to do (surprisingly, enough....but it's not her laundry at any rate...that's been done for weeks), I have toilets to scrub, and I need to get my oil changed and clean out my car. I did already install her car seat, but right now it's holding 10 lbs of Daniel's toys and clothing....
SO, hyperventillating is OK for a pregnant lady to do, right? ;)
Why am I panicking??? Because I only have today, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday before Zoe gets here......and I have about 2 months worth of things to get done before she gets here!! I was planning on making a bunch of casseroles and freezing them (or at least buying Stouffer's) so we can eat when we get home (and whoever is here at night while I'm in the hospital can eat too), I was planning on finishing unpacking our house. HA! Yeah, that's gonna happen.....I have lots more cleaning to do! I have laundry to do (surprisingly, enough....but it's not her laundry at any rate...that's been done for weeks), I have toilets to scrub, and I need to get my oil changed and clean out my car. I did already install her car seat, but right now it's holding 10 lbs of Daniel's toys and clothing....
SO, hyperventillating is OK for a pregnant lady to do, right? ;)
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
God DOES have a sense of humor...doubt me? Just look :
look at the ginormous bulk of the body, but the ridiculously SHORT legs...
Tuesday, October 4, 2005
Taco Tuesday
If you've never experienced the joy of Rosa's Cafe Taco Tuesday, then you are seriously missing out. You get 3 tacos (soft or crispy, beef or chicken) and rice and beans.....for, get this, $2.99!! What a deal! And it's not like the food is gross, either, because it's not. It's really good! So, the past three weeks Daniel and I have been enjoying Taco Tuesdays at 11 for lunch. The funny thing is from the time we get there until the time we leave, they serve over 100 people. Isn't that insane? We were there today for an early lunch right at 11:11 and we were order #51! When we left, 30 minutes later they were on order #179!! I couldn't believe it. They must have taco making down to a science. Daniel loves to go in there, because it's so festively decorated. He is fascinated by the clay faces all around, as well as the ceiling fans.
Ah, to have the wonder of a child again...
Ah, to have the wonder of a child again...
Sunday, October 2, 2005
Saturday, October 1, 2005
Our House is a very very very fine house
Thought I'd share some of what I LOOOOOOVE about our new house :
1. the floors....they're so shiny!
2. my granite countertops in the kitchen...tres chic
3. my bathtub in my master bath...I've taken a bath every night since we moved in....about to go right now for another one :)
4. the space....it's so open!
5. my backyard : it's beautiful!
6. my front porch : it has pretty columns and room for a porch swing (if we had one)
7. so much natural light I don't turn lights on until the sun goes down
8. the layout/floor plan is fabulous
9. my laundry room is right outside my master bedroom
10. it's ours. and we own it
I'll put some pictures up later :)
1. the floors....they're so shiny!
2. my granite countertops in the kitchen...tres chic
3. my bathtub in my master bath...I've taken a bath every night since we moved in....about to go right now for another one :)
4. the space....it's so open!
5. my backyard : it's beautiful!
6. my front porch : it has pretty columns and room for a porch swing (if we had one)
7. so much natural light I don't turn lights on until the sun goes down
8. the layout/floor plan is fabulous
9. my laundry room is right outside my master bedroom
10. it's ours. and we own it
I'll put some pictures up later :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
