On my way home from work today I had a close call. I was on I-496 and it was still raining (as it had been all day). Before I knew it I was hydroplaning. Across the freeway. Back and forth. Finally into the ditch. I was going about 70. In that split second I prayed out loud, "Lord- protect me!" My car SHOULD have rolled. I'm NOT a super driver or anything, so if you would ask me what to do in that instance I would have said to hit the brakes. Somehow I didn't hit the brakes. Praise the Lord. If I would have slammed the brakes it would have been SO much worse.
But there I sat. In a ditch. Upset because I was in a ditch, after a really crazy, super short staffed day at work. Praise the Lord for roadside assistance. While I awaited the tow guy I scrolled through my Facebook on my phone.
I've been praying for a family at our church whose baby born was born with heart defects and has been fighting for his life since he was born 12 days ago. I've never met his mom or dad, my heart ached.
Elijah passed away today. I read his momma's blog and I sat in that ditch and bawled. I bawled because of their loss. I bawled because I couldn't imagine that despair- that emptiness and helplessness that they must be feeling right now. I bawled because I thought of my baby.
It could have been so much worse. I was fine. My son was fine. My husband was fine. They were safe and home. I sat and a cried realizing how selfish I had been to be bothered that I was in the ditch. Safe.
Please lift this family up in prayer!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Birthday boy and wonderful, fabulous, very fun, fancy pants day
Mr. ONE Year Old!!!!!
The night before last, I rocked my less than one year old one last time, laid you in bed and came downstairs a crying mess. This year went too soon. I am so proud of the little boy you're growing into, and the joyful and cheerful presence that you bring to everyone when you enter a room.
Everywhere we go- you make friends. You make eye contract and crane your neck around with a great big smile on your face. I love it. There's nothing that brightens people day like a baby thinking they're a fabulous. And Keegy Peegy- you have made so many people's days better!
Life is so much better now that it was a year ago. We have gotten to know each other now, and we're in in sync as a family. We all have our roles. Daddy and I have learned to work together with you- and he has his things that he does for you well, and I have things that I can do well. We have learned when to give each other breaks.
Let's get down to the nitty gritty of Mr. 12 months old as of yesterday:
You're wearing primarily size 12 month clothes, but also some 18 month shirts.
You're still in size 3 diaps.
You're a size 3 shoe, but we're gonna be having to get some size 4 shoes here soon, though!
You're still in school two days a week. You love, love, love it! I have decided that if we're able to have all our kids spend a little time in school at such a young age- we will- because you are a little social butterfly. You crawl up to anyone and everyone (ha, even those people who aren't too excited about babies!).
You get into EVERYTHING. Praise the Lord for cabinet locks and baby gates. You're FAST at crawling up the stairs. And you're 100% boy- always falling, bumping and scraping- and then getting right back up and doing the same thing again!
You walk about 4-5 steps at a time. It's just easier for you to get down on your knees and crawl. Ha!
I think you weigh about 19 pounds, and are probably around 29.5 inches if I had to guess. Your check up is this afternoon, so we'll see how close Momma is!
You say, "Dada," "Baba," "Mama," "Dogs," and "Yeah."
You tip your head to the side and do Big blue eyes- we call it your Cute Baby face. You do it when we say, "cute baby" OR if we tell you, "Keegan Michael- No, no." Haha! What manipulation!!!
You also have started raising your hands up and shrugging when we say, "I don't know." I have NO idea where you got that, but boy is it funny!!! We pushed you in the stroller around the mall and you'd look at strangers and do I Don't Know. What a goof!!!!
Yesterday on your birthday, we ran errands together, you came with me to meet with the surgeon about my gallbladder, and then we came home and you took a great nap. When Daddy came home we went to Applebees and you had your own kids meal of grilled cheese and fries- CHOCOLATE MILK- and then we all split their triple chocolate meltdown for dessert!
Your birthday party is on Saturday. We're only having family since our families are really big not everyone's able to make it, but we're still going to have over 20 people. Whew! I'll do a post about your big ol' party maybe on Sunday.
Love you, Keegy-Peegy-Pop-Pop-Pop!!!
This has been the best year of our lives. How blessed are we to have such a joyful and fun boy?!
Edit:
After Keegan's 12 Month Check Up, his stats are as follows...
Weight: 19lbs 8oz (~25th %)
Height: 30 3/4 inches long (85th %- wow!)
Head: I don't remember the measurement but it's still ~85%!
My big boy is really actually getting big!
The night before last, I rocked my less than one year old one last time, laid you in bed and came downstairs a crying mess. This year went too soon. I am so proud of the little boy you're growing into, and the joyful and cheerful presence that you bring to everyone when you enter a room.
Everywhere we go- you make friends. You make eye contract and crane your neck around with a great big smile on your face. I love it. There's nothing that brightens people day like a baby thinking they're a fabulous. And Keegy Peegy- you have made so many people's days better!
Life is so much better now that it was a year ago. We have gotten to know each other now, and we're in in sync as a family. We all have our roles. Daddy and I have learned to work together with you- and he has his things that he does for you well, and I have things that I can do well. We have learned when to give each other breaks.
Let's get down to the nitty gritty of Mr. 12 months old as of yesterday:
You're wearing primarily size 12 month clothes, but also some 18 month shirts.
You're still in size 3 diaps.
You're a size 3 shoe, but we're gonna be having to get some size 4 shoes here soon, though!
You're still in school two days a week. You love, love, love it! I have decided that if we're able to have all our kids spend a little time in school at such a young age- we will- because you are a little social butterfly. You crawl up to anyone and everyone (ha, even those people who aren't too excited about babies!).
You get into EVERYTHING. Praise the Lord for cabinet locks and baby gates. You're FAST at crawling up the stairs. And you're 100% boy- always falling, bumping and scraping- and then getting right back up and doing the same thing again!
You walk about 4-5 steps at a time. It's just easier for you to get down on your knees and crawl. Ha!
I think you weigh about 19 pounds, and are probably around 29.5 inches if I had to guess. Your check up is this afternoon, so we'll see how close Momma is!
You say, "Dada," "Baba," "Mama," "Dogs," and "Yeah."
You tip your head to the side and do Big blue eyes- we call it your Cute Baby face. You do it when we say, "cute baby" OR if we tell you, "Keegan Michael- No, no." Haha! What manipulation!!!
You also have started raising your hands up and shrugging when we say, "I don't know." I have NO idea where you got that, but boy is it funny!!! We pushed you in the stroller around the mall and you'd look at strangers and do I Don't Know. What a goof!!!!
Yesterday on your birthday, we ran errands together, you came with me to meet with the surgeon about my gallbladder, and then we came home and you took a great nap. When Daddy came home we went to Applebees and you had your own kids meal of grilled cheese and fries- CHOCOLATE MILK- and then we all split their triple chocolate meltdown for dessert!
Your birthday party is on Saturday. We're only having family since our families are really big not everyone's able to make it, but we're still going to have over 20 people. Whew! I'll do a post about your big ol' party maybe on Sunday.
Love you, Keegy-Peegy-Pop-Pop-Pop!!!
This has been the best year of our lives. How blessed are we to have such a joyful and fun boy?!
Edit:
After Keegan's 12 Month Check Up, his stats are as follows...
Weight: 19lbs 8oz (~25th %)
Height: 30 3/4 inches long (85th %- wow!)
Head: I don't remember the measurement but it's still ~85%!
My big boy is really actually getting big!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Oh belly, my belly
Well, I'm waiting for room service to deliver my grilles cheese, carrots and mandarin oranges. My first meal in over 48 hours...
I came to the hospital Wednesday night after two hours of sharp pain in my right side. After lots of tests, the CT scan finally showed early appendicitis . They were gonna rush me to surgery, but the surgeon was questioning the CT scan. I had test after test and they've poked and prodded.
They've had me on an antibiotic drop to try and reduce any inflammation of the appendix, and have been trying to find whatever else may be causing pain.
So far I'm finally starting to feel better. I'm off of morphine and my IV drip all together. I took a shower and my nurse came in smiling. "I've got GREAT news!" she told me. She knew I was getting frustrated. They are finally giving me a regular diet, and they are probably going to be discharging me in the morning... Lord willing!
I miss Keegan and Kris. So badly. But praise God for FaceTime- and thank you, Apple. I love those two so much and miss seeing their faces tremendously!
Please keep praying for a quick recovery and that I can come home tomorrow!
I came to the hospital Wednesday night after two hours of sharp pain in my right side. After lots of tests, the CT scan finally showed early appendicitis . They were gonna rush me to surgery, but the surgeon was questioning the CT scan. I had test after test and they've poked and prodded.
They've had me on an antibiotic drop to try and reduce any inflammation of the appendix, and have been trying to find whatever else may be causing pain.
So far I'm finally starting to feel better. I'm off of morphine and my IV drip all together. I took a shower and my nurse came in smiling. "I've got GREAT news!" she told me. She knew I was getting frustrated. They are finally giving me a regular diet, and they are probably going to be discharging me in the morning... Lord willing!
I miss Keegan and Kris. So badly. But praise God for FaceTime- and thank you, Apple. I love those two so much and miss seeing their faces tremendously!
Please keep praying for a quick recovery and that I can come home tomorrow!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Lovely Easter
This has been a great day.
We decided to stay close to home today. We've realized that it's pretty exhausting going places on Sundays. After the past few weeks that we've had, we just needed to lay low as a little family. It was great because we were able to go to Riv this morning and sit with some of our sweet friends.
I always leave our church astounded. Not only are we so blessed to have a bible based church, but where else can you get worship that's a mix of contemporary worship, blended with a tad of folk- add some trumpets and throw in a rapper... and somehow it all is mixed together PERFECTLY to be so cool?!
We came home and did a little photo shoot with Keegan to catch him in his cute Easter clothes... This is my favorite of him:
Yesterday we visited Kris' mom, step dad and brother in Grandville. They hid over thirty eggs in the back yard for Keegan to find. It was a perfectly gorgeous day yesterday- so it was the most perfect day to be out there in the sun on an Easter egg hunt!
To THIS so quickly:
I love Easter. Not only are the Spring colors great, and it's a fabulous excuse for a yummy dinner and a little candy, but I love what it means. I love that we can be reminded of the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross. How incredible that when Ee hung on that cross He thought of me?! He KNEW that I would be born and would be far from perfect, but He loved me anyway.
Wow. I pray that someday- early in his life- Keegan can really grasp the idea of Salvation and commit his life to follow Jesus.
We decided to stay close to home today. We've realized that it's pretty exhausting going places on Sundays. After the past few weeks that we've had, we just needed to lay low as a little family. It was great because we were able to go to Riv this morning and sit with some of our sweet friends.
I always leave our church astounded. Not only are we so blessed to have a bible based church, but where else can you get worship that's a mix of contemporary worship, blended with a tad of folk- add some trumpets and throw in a rapper... and somehow it all is mixed together PERFECTLY to be so cool?!
We came home and did a little photo shoot with Keegan to catch him in his cute Easter clothes... This is my favorite of him:
He LOVED it!!!
Grandma and Uncle Mike picked out an Easter cupcake for Keegan to enjoy... It went from this:
To THIS so quickly:
Hahaha! We took him right upstairs for a bath after this! We didn't have any baby shampoo at their house, so we tried not to use regular soap around his face... so for the rest of the day his face was dyed red! Luckily it came out that evening in his bath with his baby shampoo. What a nut.
After church today we came home and I made dinner. I kind of played with a few recipes that I found on Pinterest. We had baked garlic pecan chicken, sliced cinnamon sweet potatoes, asparagus and cucumber water:
Our Easter Lilies spell better than any I've ever had before! They're so fragrant that the whole first floor smells like it! Love it!
Wow. I pray that someday- early in his life- Keegan can really grasp the idea of Salvation and commit his life to follow Jesus.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
What I wish I would have known...
Today my sister and her husband officially announced that they are expecting their first baby- due in October, and I cannot be more excited for them. It's got me reflecting on our first few days and months with Keegan. There are a number of things that I wish I would have known before having my first baby. I know things are different for everyone, but for me, there are a couple of things that I have definitely learned from that I will change for my next baby…
1.) Enjoy the few weeks where just you and your spouse know you’re expecting. I didn’t give myself that time. I wish I would have. What a personal, exciting thing. How fun to have a secret that only you and your spouse know for just a little bit. Plus, the moment everyone knows you’ll suddenly be looked at in a different light: suddenly fragile- beyond what’s necessary sometimes, too.
2.) It’s okay to say NO. Having a baby is a perfectly good reason to not be social for a while. I thought it was silly to use it as an excuse, so right from the get go we were always dragging Keegan out and about and driving an hour one way and hopping from place to place- either that, or our house was filled with guests. Having a baby is a completely adequate excuse to not do things. I wish I would have said “no” a lot more when Keegan was very little. We would load too much on our plate because we felt obligated- but WE were the ones up all night with a super angry, over stimulated baby. My job as a mom was to protect my son- and over stimulating him was NOT protecting him.
3.) Just cancel cable before you get home from the hospital. Let’s face it. We all watched a lot more T.V. before we had babies. If you don’t have a baby yet- just trust me. You don’t have time. When the baby’s sleeping, you just want to sleep. After 4 months of paying for the big cable package- yet spending most of the night either sleeping, or watching Keegan play on the video monitor, we realized that we were paying that much money in vain. We cancelled it last summer- and we have not even missed it once! Plus, despite how little Keegan is still, I’m weird about not having trashy things on with him around… Cutting out E! and VH1 will make the world of difference when trying to limit trashy T.V.! Ha!
4.) Nursing is ten times harder than any other part of pregnancy and or delivery. Seriously. So painful, frustrating and exhausting. And it won’t always go according to plan. My production was down, so I was hardly nursing. We switched to formula much sooner than I would have liked and I quietly blame myself for why Keegan gets so sick so frequently. But, everyone’s journey is different. I think if I would have known how hard it was really going to be, I may have handled it a little better.
5.) Okay. TMI Alert: You will not poop for at least a week following delivery. HAHA! But so true. That’s one of those things that no one tells you but I haven’t met a soul after the fact that denied it happening to them. UGH. Seriously. Am I secretly writing this so that I will never have another baby again?!?!
6.) Start caring for your skin and using the anti-aging stuff BEFORE the baby arrives. We were so tired, but that exhaustion in conjunction with the lack of care I was showing my skin took its toll. Not only did I look tired, but I started looking much older- not quite like the radiant new mom I imagined... But a few months of consistent face washing, regenerating serum and SPF day cream plus anti-aging night cream (plus Keegan has slept through the night for a while now :) has started erasing the wrinkles that showed up those first few months.
Despite what sounds like some negative things- I look back on them as the sweetest times. Yes, I was exhausted. Yes, I was heartbroken the first time I left him at daycare. Yes, I get sad when I see how much he’s grown. But nothing’s better than when he crawls across the room and stands up, holding onto my shoulders and gives me a hug. Okay, except for maybe when he waves bye bye to me when I leave, or when he crawls over asking for a bite by saying, “Mama, mama” and smacking his lips open and shut, open and shut.
Thank you for the joy you bring me every single day, my baby boy! I love you forever; I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.
1.) Enjoy the few weeks where just you and your spouse know you’re expecting. I didn’t give myself that time. I wish I would have. What a personal, exciting thing. How fun to have a secret that only you and your spouse know for just a little bit. Plus, the moment everyone knows you’ll suddenly be looked at in a different light: suddenly fragile- beyond what’s necessary sometimes, too.
2.) It’s okay to say NO. Having a baby is a perfectly good reason to not be social for a while. I thought it was silly to use it as an excuse, so right from the get go we were always dragging Keegan out and about and driving an hour one way and hopping from place to place- either that, or our house was filled with guests. Having a baby is a completely adequate excuse to not do things. I wish I would have said “no” a lot more when Keegan was very little. We would load too much on our plate because we felt obligated- but WE were the ones up all night with a super angry, over stimulated baby. My job as a mom was to protect my son- and over stimulating him was NOT protecting him.
3.) Just cancel cable before you get home from the hospital. Let’s face it. We all watched a lot more T.V. before we had babies. If you don’t have a baby yet- just trust me. You don’t have time. When the baby’s sleeping, you just want to sleep. After 4 months of paying for the big cable package- yet spending most of the night either sleeping, or watching Keegan play on the video monitor, we realized that we were paying that much money in vain. We cancelled it last summer- and we have not even missed it once! Plus, despite how little Keegan is still, I’m weird about not having trashy things on with him around… Cutting out E! and VH1 will make the world of difference when trying to limit trashy T.V.! Ha!
4.) Nursing is ten times harder than any other part of pregnancy and or delivery. Seriously. So painful, frustrating and exhausting. And it won’t always go according to plan. My production was down, so I was hardly nursing. We switched to formula much sooner than I would have liked and I quietly blame myself for why Keegan gets so sick so frequently. But, everyone’s journey is different. I think if I would have known how hard it was really going to be, I may have handled it a little better.
5.) Okay. TMI Alert: You will not poop for at least a week following delivery. HAHA! But so true. That’s one of those things that no one tells you but I haven’t met a soul after the fact that denied it happening to them. UGH. Seriously. Am I secretly writing this so that I will never have another baby again?!?!
6.) Start caring for your skin and using the anti-aging stuff BEFORE the baby arrives. We were so tired, but that exhaustion in conjunction with the lack of care I was showing my skin took its toll. Not only did I look tired, but I started looking much older- not quite like the radiant new mom I imagined... But a few months of consistent face washing, regenerating serum and SPF day cream plus anti-aging night cream (plus Keegan has slept through the night for a while now :) has started erasing the wrinkles that showed up those first few months.
Despite what sounds like some negative things- I look back on them as the sweetest times. Yes, I was exhausted. Yes, I was heartbroken the first time I left him at daycare. Yes, I get sad when I see how much he’s grown. But nothing’s better than when he crawls across the room and stands up, holding onto my shoulders and gives me a hug. Okay, except for maybe when he waves bye bye to me when I leave, or when he crawls over asking for a bite by saying, “Mama, mama” and smacking his lips open and shut, open and shut.
Thank you for the joy you bring me every single day, my baby boy! I love you forever; I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Getting back to it!
Well.
Look at that. I'm horrible at blogging again! Ha!
Keegan, I'm sorry. I've been so bad at remembering your monthly posts. We've had a crazy month or so. But Lord willing we're getting back into the swing of life.
I've been praying for peace right where we are in life. I've been working my booty off to try and get this house sold for over a year, and I hate to say, I think as a result I've become so impatient waiting, waiting, waiting that I probably haven't enjoyed every day to the fullest. That being said, that's why I'm really praying for peace. This time with my baby is so precious and I can't get it back. Why stress myself silly over things completely out of my control?!
On some more optimistic notes...
#1) The upside of this stress over the past month: I'm now officially 8lbs BELOW my pre-pregnancy weight! Woot woot! Between working out and nervous energy, plus healthier eating- it's actually seemed to fall off. I have been walking about 2.5-3 miles a day, at least 5 times a week (mostly on the treadmill until it warns up a little more) and have done free weights and crunches. I'm not a super toned girl, but it feels good to get back.
#2) Keegy Peegy is now 11 months old. Whaaaaat?! When did that happen?! Ha- well, specifically it happened on March 25, but still. It's crazy. He's such a riot, too. I can't believe when I was pregnant I really wanted a girl. Now I love having a boy SO much I'm (secretly) hoping for all boys. But, I know I'd be thrilled with whoever God blesses us with!
Keegan is getting close to the 20 lb mark. He's so silly and fun. He's got SIX teeth now. 4 up top, two on the bottom. He looks like such a big kid. He's wearing size 3 diapers (on a side note: am I the only one that think the Huggies Slip On's are much harder to get on a wiggly baby?!), and size 12 Month clothes. He wears size 3 shoes.
The newest skill acquired: waving bye bye! I love it! You are so proud when you do it too.
Also, you are transitioning over to milk. I still give you a couple bottles of formula throughout the day so you can get your vitamins. What a big boy. Now when you drink your bottle or eat, you push me away so you can do it yourself. Well jeez- fine- who needs a mommys help anywhere?!?!
You love to sit in the bathtub while it's still filling up- the faucet amazes you! What fun, huh?!
You bring me such joy my little Buttsy Boy! Thank you for reminding me of what's important, and loving me so sweetly and consistently! Daddy and I love you SO!!!
Look at that. I'm horrible at blogging again! Ha!
Keegan, I'm sorry. I've been so bad at remembering your monthly posts. We've had a crazy month or so. But Lord willing we're getting back into the swing of life.
I've been praying for peace right where we are in life. I've been working my booty off to try and get this house sold for over a year, and I hate to say, I think as a result I've become so impatient waiting, waiting, waiting that I probably haven't enjoyed every day to the fullest. That being said, that's why I'm really praying for peace. This time with my baby is so precious and I can't get it back. Why stress myself silly over things completely out of my control?!
On some more optimistic notes...
#1) The upside of this stress over the past month: I'm now officially 8lbs BELOW my pre-pregnancy weight! Woot woot! Between working out and nervous energy, plus healthier eating- it's actually seemed to fall off. I have been walking about 2.5-3 miles a day, at least 5 times a week (mostly on the treadmill until it warns up a little more) and have done free weights and crunches. I'm not a super toned girl, but it feels good to get back.
#2) Keegy Peegy is now 11 months old. Whaaaaat?! When did that happen?! Ha- well, specifically it happened on March 25, but still. It's crazy. He's such a riot, too. I can't believe when I was pregnant I really wanted a girl. Now I love having a boy SO much I'm (secretly) hoping for all boys. But, I know I'd be thrilled with whoever God blesses us with!
Keegan is getting close to the 20 lb mark. He's so silly and fun. He's got SIX teeth now. 4 up top, two on the bottom. He looks like such a big kid. He's wearing size 3 diapers (on a side note: am I the only one that think the Huggies Slip On's are much harder to get on a wiggly baby?!), and size 12 Month clothes. He wears size 3 shoes.
The newest skill acquired: waving bye bye! I love it! You are so proud when you do it too.
Also, you are transitioning over to milk. I still give you a couple bottles of formula throughout the day so you can get your vitamins. What a big boy. Now when you drink your bottle or eat, you push me away so you can do it yourself. Well jeez- fine- who needs a mommys help anywhere?!?!
You love to sit in the bathtub while it's still filling up- the faucet amazes you! What fun, huh?!
You bring me such joy my little Buttsy Boy! Thank you for reminding me of what's important, and loving me so sweetly and consistently! Daddy and I love you SO!!!
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