As of today, I am beginning the weaning process (sniffle!) My heart overflows with the joy of knowing that Andrew and I have been able to share this bond for a little over a year now. But at the same time, my heart breaks because I feel like I am leaving the last tiny piece of his baby-hood behind. I have been offering him cow's milk from a sippy cup for about a week now. The first few days, he wanted nothing to do with it. But over the past three days, he has grown to LOVE it. Last night he would go get his cup and bring it to me and point at it like he was trying to tell me to fill it up. I would put a little milk in it and he would chug it down and just grin! So I guess he's ready.
Starting today, for the first time since school started, I will NOT be pumping at school...so he will get cow's milk from a sippy for lunch. For the next few days, I will continue to pump before I leave for work and let him nurse when I get home and then again before bed. Every 4-6 days, I will drop a feeding. I know I will drop the 4:00 feeding next, but I don't know what to do after that. I don't know what will be worse...not nursing when he first wakes up or not nursing right before bed. Those are his favorites.
Please pray for me that I will deal with this emotional time gracefully. Right now all I want to do is cry and give into my belief that after I stop nursing he won't need me anymore (though I am quite aware that it's foolish nonsense!) While I am ready for a little more "me" time, this bond cannot be replaced and this is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Keep me in your prayers.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Andrew's surgery
I quickly wanted to let the blogging world know that Andrew's surgery went well today. We had to get him u pat 5:00 to go to the hospital. I was worried he would be really cranky, but he was fine. He ran all over the outpatient surgery wing and flirted with the nurses. We walked him to the O.R. door at 6:45 and the doctor came out at 6:58 to tell us that everything went well. He was back in my arms by 7:15 and squalling his head off! He couldn't hold his eyes open. Poor thing looked so dizzy. He nursed and then they let us go. He slept all the way home. When we first got home, he wanted down to walk but couldn't...he looked drunk, staggering around the living room with a goofy grin on his face. About 10 minutes later, he was fine and our normal little Andrew, running all over the place and chatting 90-to-nothing. We have to put drops in his ears 3 times a day for 3 days and they told us that they burn horribly. He screams his head off when we have to do it. I hate to see him in pain like that. It makes me want to cry with him.
Thank you for all of your prayers. We aren't supposed to get him out in public until tomorrow, so we won't be at church tonight. Say a prayer that he sleeps well! You know how they can get when their schedules get out of whack!
Thank you for all of your prayers. We aren't supposed to get him out in public until tomorrow, so we won't be at church tonight. Say a prayer that he sleeps well! You know how they can get when their schedules get out of whack!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Addictions
After reading my buddies' blogs, I will also list some of my addictions. Some are healthy, some not so much. I guess it could be worse.
Reading - I am almost ALWAYS reading a book. If I go more than a few weeks without reading for pleasure, I start to feel my brain cells trickle out of my ears. When you have a 4-year-old, 1-year-old, and 120 6th-8th graders for company all day long, you have to find some sort of adult-level knowledge. Reading is that for me!
Diet Soda - I will drink almost any variety. But Diet Mt Dew, Diet Pepsi, and Diet Dr. Pepper are my faves.
Blogger - I check it numerous times a day. When you don't get to see your friends (outside of church), you have to keep up with them somehow!
Photography - I take pictures of EVERYTHING! It's a wonder I don't have a picture of the kids' first bowel movements. I rarely ever print out all of my pictures, but it's nice to have the digital version at least.
Health, Physical Fitness, & Nutrition - I know you can't tell by looking at me right now, but I am totally addicted. I get in these phases where all I think about is calories in, calories out, and what is going to make me healthiest and able to run further. Weird, I know, but maybe I will live longer because of it.
DVR - I record everything on TV and then watch it back when I am doing chores or trying to fall asleep. Some of the timers on my DVR: The Biggest Loser, CSI: Miami, The Bachelor, American Idol, America's Next Top Model (don't make fun of me!), Grey's Anatomy, and Private Practice. The rest of the timers are all of Nick's fishing shows.
Food Network - If I am not watching a show I have on DVR, I have the Food Network on. It is the background to my life. I love that channel!
Electronic Communication - e-mail, cell-phone...feel lost without them both
There are probably more I can think of, so look check back later. I will probably be adding on.
Reading - I am almost ALWAYS reading a book. If I go more than a few weeks without reading for pleasure, I start to feel my brain cells trickle out of my ears. When you have a 4-year-old, 1-year-old, and 120 6th-8th graders for company all day long, you have to find some sort of adult-level knowledge. Reading is that for me!
Diet Soda - I will drink almost any variety. But Diet Mt Dew, Diet Pepsi, and Diet Dr. Pepper are my faves.
Blogger - I check it numerous times a day. When you don't get to see your friends (outside of church), you have to keep up with them somehow!
Photography - I take pictures of EVERYTHING! It's a wonder I don't have a picture of the kids' first bowel movements. I rarely ever print out all of my pictures, but it's nice to have the digital version at least.
Health, Physical Fitness, & Nutrition - I know you can't tell by looking at me right now, but I am totally addicted. I get in these phases where all I think about is calories in, calories out, and what is going to make me healthiest and able to run further. Weird, I know, but maybe I will live longer because of it.
DVR - I record everything on TV and then watch it back when I am doing chores or trying to fall asleep. Some of the timers on my DVR: The Biggest Loser, CSI: Miami, The Bachelor, American Idol, America's Next Top Model (don't make fun of me!), Grey's Anatomy, and Private Practice. The rest of the timers are all of Nick's fishing shows.
Food Network - If I am not watching a show I have on DVR, I have the Food Network on. It is the background to my life. I love that channel!
Electronic Communication - e-mail, cell-phone...feel lost without them both
There are probably more I can think of, so look check back later. I will probably be adding on.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
John 13: 34-35
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
How is the world to know that we belong to Him if we defeat our own progress with evil words and unkind deeds? We should support each other, not tear each other down. Romans 12: 9-11 says, "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." I will admit that I, just as everyone, has failed at this at some point in my Christian walk. However, we should all work diligently to fulfill this command.
I am reminded of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. Each time I hear it, I am reminded to do the best I can at showing the love I have for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
From the tongue unbridled slip,
May the heart’s best impulse ever,
Check them ere they soil the lip.
How is the world to know that we belong to Him if we defeat our own progress with evil words and unkind deeds? We should support each other, not tear each other down. Romans 12: 9-11 says, "Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." I will admit that I, just as everyone, has failed at this at some point in my Christian walk. However, we should all work diligently to fulfill this command.
I am reminded of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs. Each time I hear it, I am reminded to do the best I can at showing the love I have for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
From the tongue unbridled slip,
May the heart’s best impulse ever,
Check them ere they soil the lip.
Love is much too pure and holy,
Friendship is too sacred far,
For a moment’s reckless folly,
Thus to desolate and mar.
Angry words are lightly spoken,
Bitterest thoughts are rashly stirred,
Brightest links of life are broken,
By a single angry word.
Love one another thus saith the Savior,
Children obey the Father’s blest command,
Love each other, love each other,
’Tis the Father’s blest command.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Upcoming WINGS Events
Just a reminder, the sleepover is Friday night at Kim's house after the jr. and sr. high devotional. Please let us know if you cannot attend. If you know you can't spend the night, come for as long as you can! Hopefully the t-shirts will be ready and we can give them out that night.
Also, Friday, May 22nd we are planning an end-of-the year party for the girls. All WINGS mentors and mentees are invited. If you read this blog, please post a comment and vote for your preference between bowling and roller skating. We will need to make reservations in the next couple of weeks.
Thanks for all you do!
Also, Friday, May 22nd we are planning an end-of-the year party for the girls. All WINGS mentors and mentees are invited. If you read this blog, please post a comment and vote for your preference between bowling and roller skating. We will need to make reservations in the next couple of weeks.
Thanks for all you do!
Happy First Birthday, Baby Boy!
I cannot believe that my little man is one today. This time a year ago, we were just able to get him out of the warmer and hold him. I had nursed him for the first time, and his tiny body was nestled deep in my arms. I was gazing at his ten tiny fingers, in amazement of God's power and love that He would bless us with such an amazing gift. Though I knew what it meant to love a child, I had no idea just what Andrew would add to our lives. People tried to explain it, but my relationship with Peyton is exactly the same but completely different from what I have with Andrew.
Baby boy, my little monkey, you have added so much to my world! You make each day a little brighter and we share such a special bond as Mother and Son. Every time you smile, laugh, cry, try something new, or just look into my eyes, I am reminded of the awesome responsibility Daddy and I have in raising you. I pray that you will grow to be a good, Godly, Christian man and that one day you are blessed with children of your own so that you will know this love. My cup runneth over. I love you and I am blessed to be your Mommy. I will always be here for you. Happy first birthday...and, God willing, many more to come!
P.S. Scroll to the bottom of my blog and you can see Andrew's birthday ticker!
Baby boy, my little monkey, you have added so much to my world! You make each day a little brighter and we share such a special bond as Mother and Son. Every time you smile, laugh, cry, try something new, or just look into my eyes, I am reminded of the awesome responsibility Daddy and I have in raising you. I pray that you will grow to be a good, Godly, Christian man and that one day you are blessed with children of your own so that you will know this love. My cup runneth over. I love you and I am blessed to be your Mommy. I will always be here for you. Happy first birthday...and, God willing, many more to come!
P.S. Scroll to the bottom of my blog and you can see Andrew's birthday ticker!
Monday, April 20, 2009
What a weekend!
We had a very busy weekend! Friday night was Prom Alternative. We had so much fun. Thanks to Laura, Crystal and Erin for creating such a beautiful night. I wish I could have helped more. It was so much fun.
Saturday was Andrew's FIRST birthday party. Can you believe it's here? He will officially be ONE tomorrow. Time has flown, but I am glad to have had the past year with him. (More sap to come tomorrow, I'm sure.)
Saturday after the party, Anna, Kim, Hailey, Blake, Ronnie and Chance came over to watch Alabama's A-Day game. After that, we took advantage of Chance and put him to work. He helped Nick put Andrew's birthday wagon together, and then we all went out for a bite to eat.
Sunday was church and the VBS meeting. I am excited to teach cradle roll this year and be assisted by my dear Anna...I need all the help I can get. I hope everyone will get involved and make it a great VBS!
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
Saturday was Andrew's FIRST birthday party. Can you believe it's here? He will officially be ONE tomorrow. Time has flown, but I am glad to have had the past year with him. (More sap to come tomorrow, I'm sure.)
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
Saturday after the party, Anna, Kim, Hailey, Blake, Ronnie and Chance came over to watch Alabama's A-Day game. After that, we took advantage of Chance and put him to work. He helped Nick put Andrew's birthday wagon together, and then we all went out for a bite to eat.
Sunday was church and the VBS meeting. I am excited to teach cradle roll this year and be assisted by my dear Anna...I need all the help I can get. I hope everyone will get involved and make it a great VBS!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
So, so, so much to do...
This week is going to be crazy! Church tonight, math team tomorrow afternoon, prom alternative Friday night AND...drumroll...Andrew's first birthday party on Saturday. I am a little bummed because I wish we could invite everyone we've ever met, kind of like we did for Peyton's 1st birthday, but it just isn't feasible. We don't have the money or space to hold that many people. We are keeping it to a minimum, with mainly immediate family involved. And while I usually have a Chick-fil-a tray, Subway tray, and all the extras for parties, I am making my own deli tray with meat, veggies, and bread...then just chips, dip, and cake (which I will be attempting to decorate myself; this should be intereting.) I feel like Andrew is being ripped off, but we just don't have the extra money right now to go hog wild. Besides, he doesn't even know what's going on. And at Peyton's party we were almost miserable. There were so many people and presents that she was on overload and so were we. So this year will just be a few people over for sandwiches and hopefully a more relaxed time. To all of my bestest buds, especially my church peeps, I know you will understand. Maybe we can all get together and go to the park one day to celebrate the lives of all of our children!!! I love you all. Wish me luck on the cake.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Spaghetti & Bunny Cake
We let Andrew have spaghetti and feed it to himself for the first time on Tuesday. Here are the results (click on the pictures, especially the last one, to get up close and personal with the spaghetti mess):
"I think I might be able to grab this stuff if I try really hard..."
"GOT IT! Now what do I do with it?"
"Hey, this stuff might be tasty."
"GASP! Where have they been hiding this stuff??????"
Most of you don't know that I have a secret hobby of decorating cakes for family members and special occasions. I learned how to do this from my Mom. I watched her stay up til the wee hours of the morning on countless nights to make cakes for me to take to school parties. On Wednesday, I made a bunny cake for Peyton to take to her Easter party on Thursday. (Thanks, Christy, for the frosting recipe. It's great.) Here's the finished product. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this technique, the cake is decorated with literally hundreds of delicious frosting stars:
"I think I might be able to grab this stuff if I try really hard..."
"GOT IT! Now what do I do with it?"
"Hey, this stuff might be tasty."
"GASP! Where have they been hiding this stuff??????"
Most of you don't know that I have a secret hobby of decorating cakes for family members and special occasions. I learned how to do this from my Mom. I watched her stay up til the wee hours of the morning on countless nights to make cakes for me to take to school parties. On Wednesday, I made a bunny cake for Peyton to take to her Easter party on Thursday. (Thanks, Christy, for the frosting recipe. It's great.) Here's the finished product. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this technique, the cake is decorated with literally hundreds of delicious frosting stars:
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
This & That
WINGS members: No, we have not completely disintegrated. :) Things have been crazy with all the L2L stuff, so I wanted to wait until after Nashville to organize anymore functions. Kim wants to have a get together soon and I am planning an end-of-school bash for all our girls. Keep on the lookout for announcements to follow!
On to other things...
I have been keeping busy lately with family and work stuff. This past weekend I took my math team to a tournament at Berry-Simmons Middle School. We had a good time. It's always good for the kids to get out there and compete with the big dogs; good preparation for high school and college. Sunday night I finally talked Nick into watching Twilight with me and he loved it. I kept going on and on about how he needs to read the books. He's not a big reader, but he confessed yesterday that he does want to read the books. Who'd have thunk it? Peyton's soccer games keep getting canceled due to rain/freezing temps/wind. She's supposed to play Thursday. We will keep our fingers crossed.
Other than that, I've just been busy with everyday stuff. I get to make my friendship bread in a couple of days. Can't wait to smell it cooking! I am baking a bunny cake tomorrow night for Peyton to take to school for their Easter party on Thursday. Will post pictures soon.
On to other things...
I have been keeping busy lately with family and work stuff. This past weekend I took my math team to a tournament at Berry-Simmons Middle School. We had a good time. It's always good for the kids to get out there and compete with the big dogs; good preparation for high school and college. Sunday night I finally talked Nick into watching Twilight with me and he loved it. I kept going on and on about how he needs to read the books. He's not a big reader, but he confessed yesterday that he does want to read the books. Who'd have thunk it? Peyton's soccer games keep getting canceled due to rain/freezing temps/wind. She's supposed to play Thursday. We will keep our fingers crossed.
Other than that, I've just been busy with everyday stuff. I get to make my friendship bread in a couple of days. Can't wait to smell it cooking! I am baking a bunny cake tomorrow night for Peyton to take to school for their Easter party on Thursday. Will post pictures soon.
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