Today was my sister Nicole's bachelorette "party." Ten of us went out to dinner (changing venues because of a ridiculous two hour wait at The Cheesecake Factory) and enjoyed ourselves for two hours. Flirted with some single Navy boys about to leave on deployment (thoroughly embarrassing Krystal, the only single girl other than my nieces who are 5 and 12). It was perfect; Nicole wanted something simple, nothing fancy, and it was exactly what she wanted.
My "little" sister is getting married soon! It's crazy. In less than three weeks she will be Mrs. E (even though she is not formally changing her last name). She will "belong" to someone else. Someone other than the original six will have a right to her time. Is this what she felt when I was about to wed four years ago? Its strange to me.
I'm not sure if I like it.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Sandy Hook Elementary
As everyone is aware, a senseless tragedy happened at what should be one of the safest places for children: their elementary school. Twenty first graders and six women educators lost their lives in a horrendous act carried out by a mentally unstable young man who not only took his own life but that of the woman who gave him life. While so many questions remained unanswered at this time, the only one that matters to me is why the children? At six and seven years of age, what did they do to deserve to have their lives cut short and in such a manner?
Nothing I write will allow them to come back. Nothing anyone says will give those parents their babies for Christmas. Whatever changes are enacted because of this massacre will not give those children a chance to live lives full of promise and hope that comes from being so young.
I hug my two boys tighter. I give them more kisses. With time, I will not shudder to think of sending Goober to preschool in a month for the first time, not knowing if this will happen at our church's small preschool. To think of those parents who thought they would pick their little ones up at school but instead had to pick them up at the morgue... I cry every time. No one - repeat, no one - should have to.
A first grader should not be gunned down in his or her school. EVER. A child should not be afraid of going to school, worried about not going home at the end of the day. School should be a safe haven, not a killing ground. A teacher should not have to use her body as a shield in an effort to protect those she was entrusted to teach. Students should not be practicing lock down drills; they should be practicing their subtraction and playing at recess.
How did we get here, America? How did we lose sight of what is important?
Religion? Gun laws? Blame them if you must, but they are not the answer either. We, as adults and parents, must take responsibility not only for our children (!) but for their lives and reclaiming their childhoods. I believe in protecting their innocence for as long as possible; our children are growing up way to fast these days, and here is another example. Why should we be explaining to our first graders why most of their friends died today? We shouldn't. We should be kissing their wounds, talking of Christmas and gingerbread houses, and telling them we love them and the monsters aren't under their beds. Not kissing away nightmares of gunmen killing their friends in the hallways and classrooms of their school.
I told my husband the other day we are homeschooling our boys. While this might change, the idea is looking better and more enticing each day. At least I can limit the harsh reality of the modern world for a little bit longer. Keep them children for another year. I shouldn't have to, but the world seems intent on rushing my children from their sweet childhood into an unknown, uncaring, and dim world. What life is that?
One of my favorite quotes I have seen floating around social media I will close with (paraphrasing):
Dear God,
How do you let these things happen in school?
A student
Dear Student,
I am not allowed in your school anymore.
Love,
God
Dear Lord, please, always, stay guarding over my children, regardless of where they are. Hold the lost little ones in your loving arms and provide some peace to their grieving families. Amen.
Nothing I write will allow them to come back. Nothing anyone says will give those parents their babies for Christmas. Whatever changes are enacted because of this massacre will not give those children a chance to live lives full of promise and hope that comes from being so young.
I hug my two boys tighter. I give them more kisses. With time, I will not shudder to think of sending Goober to preschool in a month for the first time, not knowing if this will happen at our church's small preschool. To think of those parents who thought they would pick their little ones up at school but instead had to pick them up at the morgue... I cry every time. No one - repeat, no one - should have to.
A first grader should not be gunned down in his or her school. EVER. A child should not be afraid of going to school, worried about not going home at the end of the day. School should be a safe haven, not a killing ground. A teacher should not have to use her body as a shield in an effort to protect those she was entrusted to teach. Students should not be practicing lock down drills; they should be practicing their subtraction and playing at recess.
How did we get here, America? How did we lose sight of what is important?
Religion? Gun laws? Blame them if you must, but they are not the answer either. We, as adults and parents, must take responsibility not only for our children (!) but for their lives and reclaiming their childhoods. I believe in protecting their innocence for as long as possible; our children are growing up way to fast these days, and here is another example. Why should we be explaining to our first graders why most of their friends died today? We shouldn't. We should be kissing their wounds, talking of Christmas and gingerbread houses, and telling them we love them and the monsters aren't under their beds. Not kissing away nightmares of gunmen killing their friends in the hallways and classrooms of their school.
I told my husband the other day we are homeschooling our boys. While this might change, the idea is looking better and more enticing each day. At least I can limit the harsh reality of the modern world for a little bit longer. Keep them children for another year. I shouldn't have to, but the world seems intent on rushing my children from their sweet childhood into an unknown, uncaring, and dim world. What life is that?
One of my favorite quotes I have seen floating around social media I will close with (paraphrasing):
Dear God,
How do you let these things happen in school?
A student
Dear Student,
I am not allowed in your school anymore.
Love,
God
Dear Lord, please, always, stay guarding over my children, regardless of where they are. Hold the lost little ones in your loving arms and provide some peace to their grieving families. Amen.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
The scent of autumn is in the air...
It's already the end of September! The boys and I are back in Virginia Beach for another long stay (about three weeks) while I work, attend a concert, and possibly a wedding. Elijah went home Monday after being with us in Savannah, Georgia, and then a few days here in Virginia Beach.
We went on VACATION! We spent a few days in Savannah, Georgia. We visited Forsyth Park, The Roundhouse Railroad Museum, walked Riverwalk, ate at Moon River Brewing, swam in the hotel's pool, and just enjoyed some family time. It was amazing, to have no worries but just the four of us. Both the boys came down with colds the last day/night we were there, but it didn't really put a damper on things. Goober enjoyed watching a movie in bed with us the last night we were there (Lion King per his request), and it is these little things I can't wait to enjoy more with him and his brother as they get get older.
The boys - and their daddy - enjoyed some quality time with my brother Keith. We drove up a day early to surprise my brother when he arrived in from San Diego. Goober got him good, too! Well worth it to see the smile on my brother's face when he saw his nephews!
James, our wedding photographer, took some family shots on Sunday. Should see them next Monday -- very excited!! Check him out at Eclipse Photography. He did an amazing shoot wi th Goober when he was 7 months old, and I am hoping he will do Peanut's soon (just have to save up some money!).
Speaking of Peanut ... he's 7 months old, crawling, and pulling himself up! We are going to have to lower the crib today because yesterday, when my mom went in to get him after a nap, he was standing up waiting for her. Oh!!! Where has the time gone with my baby?!
*Working, will return later*
We went on VACATION! We spent a few days in Savannah, Georgia. We visited Forsyth Park, The Roundhouse Railroad Museum, walked Riverwalk, ate at Moon River Brewing, swam in the hotel's pool, and just enjoyed some family time. It was amazing, to have no worries but just the four of us. Both the boys came down with colds the last day/night we were there, but it didn't really put a damper on things. Goober enjoyed watching a movie in bed with us the last night we were there (Lion King per his request), and it is these little things I can't wait to enjoy more with him and his brother as they get get older.
The boys - and their daddy - enjoyed some quality time with my brother Keith. We drove up a day early to surprise my brother when he arrived in from San Diego. Goober got him good, too! Well worth it to see the smile on my brother's face when he saw his nephews!
James, our wedding photographer, took some family shots on Sunday. Should see them next Monday -- very excited!! Check him out at Eclipse Photography. He did an amazing shoot wi th Goober when he was 7 months old, and I am hoping he will do Peanut's soon (just have to save up some money!).
Speaking of Peanut ... he's 7 months old, crawling, and pulling himself up! We are going to have to lower the crib today because yesterday, when my mom went in to get him after a nap, he was standing up waiting for her. Oh!!! Where has the time gone with my baby?!
*Working, will return later*
Saturday, August 18, 2012
We're going to...
... Savannah! I am so excited! This has been on my "to-do" list before we leave South Carolina. Not knowing if we are going to get picked up in October, I want to make sure to check this off my list. Since Elijah has to take leave or lose it, we're going in September before I head north to Virginia for three weeks. Super stoked!
Now that I know we are going, I am getting a list together of things to see/do/eat before we head down there to have a loose plan. Know anything to check out? Please send me a message! I am open to ideas.
Right now on our list:
Places to eat:
The Pirate House
Lady and Sons (Paula Deen's place)
Places to go:
Children's Museum
Forsyth Park
Railroad Museum
Tybee Island
Still researching other places.
So excited :)
It's going to be our first family vacation -- just the four of us -- ever.
Now that I know we are going, I am getting a list together of things to see/do/eat before we head down there to have a loose plan. Know anything to check out? Please send me a message! I am open to ideas.
Right now on our list:
Places to eat:
The Pirate House
Lady and Sons (Paula Deen's place)
Places to go:
Children's Museum
Forsyth Park
Railroad Museum
Tybee Island
Still researching other places.
So excited :)
It's going to be our first family vacation -- just the four of us -- ever.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Our current dilemma
In a nutshell, South Carolina vs. Virginia...
See, Elijah is up for new orders, and he has already received them... the Ford, which is currently in the shipyard in Virginia... back home! My parents... my sisters... our family... our friends... my career. HOWEVER, he is currently awaiting to see if he is selected for the officer program. If he is selected, then we will be staying here in South Carolina... in our house... with our friends. He will attend the Citadel, and he will go to school for three years. Afterwards, he would be commissioned as an officer in the US Navy.
So... we are waiting for October. If he doesn't get it, then we are in Virginia by January. Three short months to get the house ready to either rent or sell (yet ANOTHER decision we have to make) and move. Thankfully, we know people in Virginia ;)
So there are so many pros and cons to either, and I am so torn. For my husband's career, staying here is the best. We don't have to move. The boys know this house. We have friends, they have friends. Elijah has friends already in the program. Hopefully the house market turns around when we do need to move... and by his officer status, we can go more places... including those over seas.
Moving to Virginia... my family is there. The boys will have their grandparents and aunts and cousins and extended family that loves them. I can work part time on a more regular basis. We already know what preschool Goober would go to (my church's). My job would help pay off some of our debt quicker and my working wouldn't take the boys away from their daddy.
UGH. I hate this. There is absolutely nothing we can do but WAIT.
I hate this!!!
See, Elijah is up for new orders, and he has already received them... the Ford, which is currently in the shipyard in Virginia... back home! My parents... my sisters... our family... our friends... my career. HOWEVER, he is currently awaiting to see if he is selected for the officer program. If he is selected, then we will be staying here in South Carolina... in our house... with our friends. He will attend the Citadel, and he will go to school for three years. Afterwards, he would be commissioned as an officer in the US Navy.
So... we are waiting for October. If he doesn't get it, then we are in Virginia by January. Three short months to get the house ready to either rent or sell (yet ANOTHER decision we have to make) and move. Thankfully, we know people in Virginia ;)
So there are so many pros and cons to either, and I am so torn. For my husband's career, staying here is the best. We don't have to move. The boys know this house. We have friends, they have friends. Elijah has friends already in the program. Hopefully the house market turns around when we do need to move... and by his officer status, we can go more places... including those over seas.
Moving to Virginia... my family is there. The boys will have their grandparents and aunts and cousins and extended family that loves them. I can work part time on a more regular basis. We already know what preschool Goober would go to (my church's). My job would help pay off some of our debt quicker and my working wouldn't take the boys away from their daddy.
UGH. I hate this. There is absolutely nothing we can do but WAIT.
I hate this!!!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
August Update
So August is in full swing. Crazy that we are rapidly approaching mid - month! So much has been going on here...
We have again "sleep trained" Goober. That took a couple of days, but thankfully, so far, he is back on schedule. He slept regressed in June/July, and it was not getting better. He would have to be coaxed to sleep, would through a fit, and it wasn't fun when it was just me to do bedtime duty with him and his brother. So what did we do? Nothing fancy... one of us read his books in bed with him, then said prayers, and then did nighttime kisses. Walked out of the room. He threw a fit; at five minutes, the person who did the reading would go back in, put him back to bed, and then walk out again. At ten minutes, at fifteen minutes... we never made it to twenty. He finally went back to his bed, covered up, and went to sleep. The next day, didn't make it to the ten minute mark. Next day, didn't make it to the five minute mark. Then... he didn't get out of bed! My husband did the first couple of days; I did it and he regressed, but then, the second night, he got up, checked the door (we lock it at first, and then when we go to bed, we unlock it), went back to bed. :) It has been good going so... let's hope it continues.
We have been working on projects from Pinterest. Do you know Pinterest? If you don't, check it out! It is an online bulletin board. My husband and I have been posting all sorts of things - recipes, home projects, crafts - and we finally have been working on some them. Trying new recipes are great, and we haven't found a dud yet. Check out Pinterest!
Peanut has been on the MOVE. Rolling over and over, moving forward/backward, and he is getting up on ALL FOURS! I can't believe he is trying to already crawl! Teething is in full force, but still no teeth. He loves his jumping bouncy play gym thing (I have no idea what they are called), his daddy, his BROTHER, and of course, his mommy (just because I got the milk!).
(I'm watching "Coming Home" on Lifetime, and I am bawling when the kids see their daddy/mommy after a deployment... reminds me of my homecomings with my dad and just makes me wonder about the future homecomings of my husband and boys.)
All right... I'm going to sign off. Tomorrow I will write about the current dilemma the husband and I are in...
We have again "sleep trained" Goober. That took a couple of days, but thankfully, so far, he is back on schedule. He slept regressed in June/July, and it was not getting better. He would have to be coaxed to sleep, would through a fit, and it wasn't fun when it was just me to do bedtime duty with him and his brother. So what did we do? Nothing fancy... one of us read his books in bed with him, then said prayers, and then did nighttime kisses. Walked out of the room. He threw a fit; at five minutes, the person who did the reading would go back in, put him back to bed, and then walk out again. At ten minutes, at fifteen minutes... we never made it to twenty. He finally went back to his bed, covered up, and went to sleep. The next day, didn't make it to the ten minute mark. Next day, didn't make it to the five minute mark. Then... he didn't get out of bed! My husband did the first couple of days; I did it and he regressed, but then, the second night, he got up, checked the door (we lock it at first, and then when we go to bed, we unlock it), went back to bed. :) It has been good going so... let's hope it continues.
We have been working on projects from Pinterest. Do you know Pinterest? If you don't, check it out! It is an online bulletin board. My husband and I have been posting all sorts of things - recipes, home projects, crafts - and we finally have been working on some them. Trying new recipes are great, and we haven't found a dud yet. Check out Pinterest!
Peanut has been on the MOVE. Rolling over and over, moving forward/backward, and he is getting up on ALL FOURS! I can't believe he is trying to already crawl! Teething is in full force, but still no teeth. He loves his jumping bouncy play gym thing (I have no idea what they are called), his daddy, his BROTHER, and of course, his mommy (just because I got the milk!).
(I'm watching "Coming Home" on Lifetime, and I am bawling when the kids see their daddy/mommy after a deployment... reminds me of my homecomings with my dad and just makes me wonder about the future homecomings of my husband and boys.)
All right... I'm going to sign off. Tomorrow I will write about the current dilemma the husband and I are in...
Monday, July 23, 2012
A Vent of Sorts
This past weekend was spent in Richmond with my sister. She had the boys while I worked; I had to get creative with my parents heading out of town this weekend for my dad’s 35th high school reunion. So my parents dropped off the boys at my sister’s work (so she could attempt to finish her day) and then after work, I drove up there to spend the rest of the weekend with her and the boys at her house.
I am not sure how much work she accomplished with a refusing – to – nap – two – year – old and a five – month old, but she states they had a great day. I wish I had the pictures from her iPhone, as she got Goober “driving” a forklift, a truck, and an Army helicopter (which she said he managed to figure out how to turn on!). FYI – she’s in the Army National Guard working with a helicopter group, and she’s the one responsible for all the weapons and supplies. I worried *just* a little about my young Goober loose there, but he was in good hands!
Saturday we took them to the Children’s Museum in Richmond (Short Pump), and Goober had a blast! He really enjoyed the “sandbox” that was made from rubber chips and the train. They also had a small castle, a playground, a toddler area (which Peanut enjoyed), a reading nook, puppet stage, arts and crafts, and reading time. Definitely will have to check them out again when in town visiting.
Did some shopping, but forgot the stroller, and Goober was melting down. He had a rough night the night before, didn’t take a good nap, so it was bearing well for an extensive shopping (which is probably good on my pocketbook!).
So, we had dinner at home. Played in the water. Nicole did an amazing job taking some great photographs of Peanut for his five month shots. Even some of Goober. Fantastic. Peanut went did well for the night. Not Goober… and that started a major fight between my sister and I. I will admit, I was exhausted, at the end of my rope with Goober and his troubles going down for nighttime. I said some things I regret to him, but most especially, I spanked him, which I HATE. This happens when I am at my wit’s end, and I need to step away. I didn’t, and he got the spanking (which is on his diaper butt, but that is neither here nor there). I came downstairs to take a breather, and my sister offered to help. You would think this is what I wanted and needed. In my current state of mind, I should have allowed her that chance. But I didn’t. Instead, I told her to leave him alone. That set her off, and she ended up storming out of her house for an hour or two. During that time, I calmed down, put Goober to bed successfully, and started to clean up. When my sister came home, we tabled a discussion to the next morning.
The next morning was tense between us. I hated every moment of it. I love my sister. Of the two I have, she is the one I am the closest to. So for us to be on a tentative truce or time out was difficult. We eventually did talk, and she said some things I am still digesting. I don’t think she quite understood where I am coming from (other than she did say I was most of the time a single parent, which with the military, I mostly am, even though my husband is thankfully not at sea), but like she said, she won’t understand until she had her own children. It was her one comment towards the end of the talk that caught my attention the most – “you want to be the mother our mom wasn’t to you (or us – I can’t remember her choice of words there at the end).”
Is that really a bad thing? I don’t believe in spanking; 99% of the time we don’t, it is only at times when we have no one course that we can see or at the end of our ropes that we strike, and then we realize that it isn’t fair to him – or us – and we need to take a step back. (We are learning and trying to step back before we resort to spanking.) On the other hand, my parents did spank my three siblings and me. I never thought it fair. “Don’t hit or I will hit you!” Where is the sense in that? I realize this is trying to reason with a two year old, but don’t we need to show him there are other ways to release anger? He needs the help, and I just can’t find the way to show him right now, but I am trying. He needs that more then he needs a spanking.
Please don’t think my mother was a bad parent. She wasn’t. She will admit that she was young, and had four young children to raise pretty much on her own (my dad was a military man, so most of the time she was a single parent too). Shouldn’t I learn from her mistakes? Shouldn’t I make different choices to avoid the same traps and problems?
Parenting is the hardest job EVER. Every parent will admit to that I believe. Yes, it is a choice to be parent, and I will never, ever regret becoming a mother to my sweet boys. It is also a choice in how I – and my husband – decide to parent these boys. I want to arm them with the proper tools to be successful men, patient and kind, and loving. No one will remember me as a great pharmacist, but they will remember – and see – the men I raised and how they are with the people in their lives.
Please God, teach me the patience as we raise our sons. Please give me the understanding and the ability to transmit to my family the great appreciation I have for them and what they do for my boys and me. I love them, and I am lucky to have them…
I am not sure how much work she accomplished with a refusing – to – nap – two – year – old and a five – month old, but she states they had a great day. I wish I had the pictures from her iPhone, as she got Goober “driving” a forklift, a truck, and an Army helicopter (which she said he managed to figure out how to turn on!). FYI – she’s in the Army National Guard working with a helicopter group, and she’s the one responsible for all the weapons and supplies. I worried *just* a little about my young Goober loose there, but he was in good hands!
Saturday we took them to the Children’s Museum in Richmond (Short Pump), and Goober had a blast! He really enjoyed the “sandbox” that was made from rubber chips and the train. They also had a small castle, a playground, a toddler area (which Peanut enjoyed), a reading nook, puppet stage, arts and crafts, and reading time. Definitely will have to check them out again when in town visiting.
Did some shopping, but forgot the stroller, and Goober was melting down. He had a rough night the night before, didn’t take a good nap, so it was bearing well for an extensive shopping (which is probably good on my pocketbook!).
So, we had dinner at home. Played in the water. Nicole did an amazing job taking some great photographs of Peanut for his five month shots. Even some of Goober. Fantastic. Peanut went did well for the night. Not Goober… and that started a major fight between my sister and I. I will admit, I was exhausted, at the end of my rope with Goober and his troubles going down for nighttime. I said some things I regret to him, but most especially, I spanked him, which I HATE. This happens when I am at my wit’s end, and I need to step away. I didn’t, and he got the spanking (which is on his diaper butt, but that is neither here nor there). I came downstairs to take a breather, and my sister offered to help. You would think this is what I wanted and needed. In my current state of mind, I should have allowed her that chance. But I didn’t. Instead, I told her to leave him alone. That set her off, and she ended up storming out of her house for an hour or two. During that time, I calmed down, put Goober to bed successfully, and started to clean up. When my sister came home, we tabled a discussion to the next morning.
The next morning was tense between us. I hated every moment of it. I love my sister. Of the two I have, she is the one I am the closest to. So for us to be on a tentative truce or time out was difficult. We eventually did talk, and she said some things I am still digesting. I don’t think she quite understood where I am coming from (other than she did say I was most of the time a single parent, which with the military, I mostly am, even though my husband is thankfully not at sea), but like she said, she won’t understand until she had her own children. It was her one comment towards the end of the talk that caught my attention the most – “you want to be the mother our mom wasn’t to you (or us – I can’t remember her choice of words there at the end).”
Is that really a bad thing? I don’t believe in spanking; 99% of the time we don’t, it is only at times when we have no one course that we can see or at the end of our ropes that we strike, and then we realize that it isn’t fair to him – or us – and we need to take a step back. (We are learning and trying to step back before we resort to spanking.) On the other hand, my parents did spank my three siblings and me. I never thought it fair. “Don’t hit or I will hit you!” Where is the sense in that? I realize this is trying to reason with a two year old, but don’t we need to show him there are other ways to release anger? He needs the help, and I just can’t find the way to show him right now, but I am trying. He needs that more then he needs a spanking.
Please don’t think my mother was a bad parent. She wasn’t. She will admit that she was young, and had four young children to raise pretty much on her own (my dad was a military man, so most of the time she was a single parent too). Shouldn’t I learn from her mistakes? Shouldn’t I make different choices to avoid the same traps and problems?
Parenting is the hardest job EVER. Every parent will admit to that I believe. Yes, it is a choice to be parent, and I will never, ever regret becoming a mother to my sweet boys. It is also a choice in how I – and my husband – decide to parent these boys. I want to arm them with the proper tools to be successful men, patient and kind, and loving. No one will remember me as a great pharmacist, but they will remember – and see – the men I raised and how they are with the people in their lives.
Please God, teach me the patience as we raise our sons. Please give me the understanding and the ability to transmit to my family the great appreciation I have for them and what they do for my boys and me. I love them, and I am lucky to have them…
Friday, July 20, 2012
Our Summer Bucket List
1. Take the boys to the beach
2. Run through the sprinklers at the county park
3. Visit an amusement park
4. Go camping
5. Make s'mores
6. Pick fruit as a family
7. Go on a boat ride
8. Go on a train ride
9. Check out a local ice cream parlor
10. Go to a drive thru movie
11. Go on an all day bike ride and picnic
12. Go putt-putt
13. Go to the farmer's market
14. Go to the county/state fair
15. Story time at the library
16. Fireworks
17. Glow - in - the - dark bath
18. Make popsicles
19. Photo shoot with James
20. Cypress Gardens
21. Make our own ice cream
22. Have a party
23. Kaden swimming by himself
24. Fly a kite
25. Make our own sundae party
26. Sidewalk paint
27. Go fishing
28. Go bowling
29. Go to a movie
30. Play in the rain
31. Make our own lemonade
32. Go to the ocean
33. Catch fireflies
34. Go to the zoo
35. Take a hike
36. Visit a museum
2. Run through the sprinklers at the county park
3. Visit an amusement park
4. Go camping
5. Make s'mores
6. Pick fruit as a family
7. Go on a boat ride
8. Go on a train ride
9. Check out a local ice cream parlor
10. Go to a drive thru movie
11. Go on an all day bike ride and picnic
12. Go putt-putt
13. Go to the farmer's market
14. Go to the county/state fair
15. Story time at the library
16. Fireworks
17. Glow - in - the - dark bath
18. Make popsicles
19. Photo shoot with James
20. Cypress Gardens
21. Make our own ice cream
22. Have a party
23. Kaden swimming by himself
24. Fly a kite
25. Make our own sundae party
26. Sidewalk paint
27. Go fishing
28. Go bowling
29. Go to a movie
30. Play in the rain
31. Make our own lemonade
32. Go to the ocean
33. Catch fireflies
34. Go to the zoo
35. Take a hike
36. Visit a museum
Saturday, December 17, 2011
The holidays are upon us...
So Christmas is next week! I can't wait; it is one of my favorite holidays, and this year, my grandmother (Oma), her sister (Tante Lisa), and my Uncle Erich will be joining us in Virginia. This year, my little sister Krystal is hosting; it will be her first time in her home (since it is just down the street from my parents, it is not too far for us to travel from my parents!).
Starting with this trip, Elijah will be back and forth from South Carolina until after the New Years. We head down on the 21st, he comes back to SC on the 26th, comes back up to VA on the 30th, heads back to SC on the 2nd, just to return to VA on the 6th. We go home to SC on the 9th. Whew! That is a lot of driving for him, but we get to celebrate Christmas and New Years' with my family. Nicole is home from Iraq, and my brother Keith will be home from San Diego... so lots of quality time!
The biggest question right now for me is if I am going to leave Goober with my parents during the small stretch from Christmas to New Years' and come back to South Carolina with Elijah. I can work on getting the house ready for baby boy #2, get in an OB appointment, and spend time with the husband. I just can't decide. Thankfully, I have over a week to make such a difficult decision; it will be the first nights I will be apart from my baby. I know he will be in good hands, but it still won't be with me. I'm his mommy... I don't want to be apart from him.
Well, hopefully, in the next post I will write letters to Goober and his little brother, so that way when I finally get their baby books up and going, I can just copy...
For now,
E
Starting with this trip, Elijah will be back and forth from South Carolina until after the New Years. We head down on the 21st, he comes back to SC on the 26th, comes back up to VA on the 30th, heads back to SC on the 2nd, just to return to VA on the 6th. We go home to SC on the 9th. Whew! That is a lot of driving for him, but we get to celebrate Christmas and New Years' with my family. Nicole is home from Iraq, and my brother Keith will be home from San Diego... so lots of quality time!
The biggest question right now for me is if I am going to leave Goober with my parents during the small stretch from Christmas to New Years' and come back to South Carolina with Elijah. I can work on getting the house ready for baby boy #2, get in an OB appointment, and spend time with the husband. I just can't decide. Thankfully, I have over a week to make such a difficult decision; it will be the first nights I will be apart from my baby. I know he will be in good hands, but it still won't be with me. I'm his mommy... I don't want to be apart from him.
Well, hopefully, in the next post I will write letters to Goober and his little brother, so that way when I finally get their baby books up and going, I can just copy...
For now,
E
Friday, November 11, 2011
A temporary return
So it has been a while since I last wrote. My week trip to Virginia Beach in October to visit with my sister (home for R&R from Iraq) turned into a three week trip, with me working for two solid weeks at the hospital. While the paycheck was nice, the unexpected time away from home was not.
Goober and I finally returned November 1st. We spent Halloween with the Chaos and Depeaus, and the little one had a blast trick or treating. My giraffe was the cutest! I will have to post pictures as soon as I get them from someone; my camera was unexpectedly left at home in South Carolina.
Went to Courtney and Jim's wedding on the 5th. My wonderful parents were gracious to drive down from Virginia to babysit the little one while the husband and I attended. It was beautiful; I did get some pictures, and I will post those once I have them uploaded.
I am now six months along in this pregnancy... and we're having a little boy!
Started on the lesson plans for the first week of homeschool, I'm excited to get started. We won't start until we return yet again from Virginia Beach, but I am okay with that. I will try to make a little busy bag with our theme for the car trip home, since our first day will be technically in the car. I will TRY, really really hard, to be diligent in writing about our successes and failures with our home preschool. I am excited, and I hope my little man is going to learn a great deal from our structured time together. I really want this going before the baby is born, and have some lessons ready, so that way, we can continue even during this difficult first weeks of having a newborn at home.
Well, back to planning, preparing, cleaning, and whatever else I do while the little one naps...
Goober and I finally returned November 1st. We spent Halloween with the Chaos and Depeaus, and the little one had a blast trick or treating. My giraffe was the cutest! I will have to post pictures as soon as I get them from someone; my camera was unexpectedly left at home in South Carolina.
Went to Courtney and Jim's wedding on the 5th. My wonderful parents were gracious to drive down from Virginia to babysit the little one while the husband and I attended. It was beautiful; I did get some pictures, and I will post those once I have them uploaded.
I am now six months along in this pregnancy... and we're having a little boy!
Started on the lesson plans for the first week of homeschool, I'm excited to get started. We won't start until we return yet again from Virginia Beach, but I am okay with that. I will try to make a little busy bag with our theme for the car trip home, since our first day will be technically in the car. I will TRY, really really hard, to be diligent in writing about our successes and failures with our home preschool. I am excited, and I hope my little man is going to learn a great deal from our structured time together. I really want this going before the baby is born, and have some lessons ready, so that way, we can continue even during this difficult first weeks of having a newborn at home.
Well, back to planning, preparing, cleaning, and whatever else I do while the little one naps...
Saturday, October 1, 2011
One journey of motherhood: breast feeding
Tonight, as I nursed my little boy before he went to bed, I thought back on the incredible journey of the whole breast feeding. Amazing the changes that came from the unknowledgeable first time mother to a seasoned pro!
Before I even delivered, I promised myself I would go at least six months breastfeeding my baby. This was just as much for his benefit for mine; the health benefits I received are amazing (i.e., some protection from breast cancer). The benefits he gained were undeniable; research continues to find more immunities, long term benefits, and just general better health for those children breastfed for at least the first six months of their lives. How could I, an educated healthcare professional in the pediatric field, deny my son?
First mistake: I did not see (either my fault unknowingly or just a lapse in the hospital's system) a lactation consultant prior to discharge after having my Goober. Now, soon as the 24 hour time limit hit, I was ready to go, and this could of hindered me seeing someone. However, I still should of saw someone, especially since they have the services available. No one asked us, nor did we ask. I am willing to share the blame. So rule one for new mothers: prior to discharge, request/demand to see a lactation consultant prior to discharge!
Coming home, I thought Goober and I were lucky. He was eating (at least, it appeared to be -- my lucky husband changed the tarry diapers) and seemed content. It pained a little when he latched on, and I - along with my mother - thought this was natural. After all, my poor nipples have never been used in such a manner! Within the next two days, when we noticed that he did not have any wet diapers, and I was becoming more and more engorged (with the pain to match), my mother and I quickly came to the conclusion that he wasn't eating properly. A call to a great friend who was the most recent to have nursed gave us some tips to try, and when he finally got it, and was feeding, I never saw him so content. How long had I starved my child unknowingly? If only someone in the hospital had taken some more time to check his latch, to make sure I knew the signs to look for to insure a proper latch...
Second mistake: It should not hurt to nurse after the first couple of days, and it *shouldn't* send ripples of pain throughout your body. This is most definitely a sign of improper latch! I let this go on for WEEKS. I did not want to admit defeat, that I was doing something wrong, or I was afraid to give up. So I continued to nurse through the pain. My poor husband... he took the brunt of my pain, and what a man, he took it, too! So rule two: see someone if pain continues, and quickly!
I called the lactation consultant at the hospital I delivered at. She was prompt in her return phone call, and we scheduled a session. Let me tell you, that was the best $20 we spent EVER. Within second of Goober latching on, she had diagnosed our issues. Once she fixed it, he latched on correctly, and there was *no* pain as he nursed. None. I went home a happy woman, relieved to realize I can do this, and it is completely okay to admit I need help. I was once told breast feeding is natural, but does not come naturally.
We live in a society where it is not okay to nurse your child in public, even with the laws to say it is. Women are taught to hide their breasts, and they are sex objects. This is so wrong, and this is why the United States has the lowest breast feeding rates in the world. Thankfully, with education, women are making the choice to breast feed, and only as we allow it to be natural and not "dirty" will it become more natural. How can I learn if no one breast feeds, or hides it? My niece was breast fed. Her mother educated her daughter, did not hide her from it, and so I didn't. She would check under my cover (the first couple of times I tried to use it before I abandoned it) to make sure her "boyfriend" was eating his mother's milk. Even her baby dolls got the benefits of their mother's education -- no bottles for them! (If anyone tries to tell her that it is not natural for her to feed her baby that way, I will be in line to tell them otherwise.)
Now that I am almost twenty months -- well past my six month goal! -- into breast feeding my son, I realize I have become an advocate. A few of my friends have had children since I, and I have been some of their source of information. I have been there, I am not at all embarrassed to admit my mistakes, and I have the medical research to back me up and saying this is the best way to feed our children. Who can say no to decrease rates of childhood obesity, type II diabetes, heart disease, etc, for our children?!
As I prepare for the birth of my second child in the next couple of months, I cannot wait to share my milk with him/her. To give my child the absolute best start in life, and to have the incredible bond that develops between a mother and her child as she nurses. All the cuddle time, the looks of content, the snuggles, the kisses... even now, as we are slowly, slowly, slowly weaning Goober, I treasure every moment that he nurses. I do not rush him, and I love how he strokes my cheeks, smiles as he nurses, and the kisses I receive. I love knowing exactly what he wants too, now that he signs "nurse"/"milk" to me as he runs up with a smile on his face, knowing that most likely, he will receive. It is a constant source of comfort to him, a soft place to land, and when he is sick, the absolute only thing he wants to eat/drink. It will be a sad day for me when he is completely weaned.
Well, I will be done (for now) on this subject... it is an incredible journey I am still enjoying, and I hope to enjoy for a great while with baby two...
Tomorrow... to make sure I sit down and write it, an update on Goober at 19/20 months (much needed for his baby book, I will have to transcribe what I do write into his book, when I get the new one)...
For now, I remain ... E :)
Before I even delivered, I promised myself I would go at least six months breastfeeding my baby. This was just as much for his benefit for mine; the health benefits I received are amazing (i.e., some protection from breast cancer). The benefits he gained were undeniable; research continues to find more immunities, long term benefits, and just general better health for those children breastfed for at least the first six months of their lives. How could I, an educated healthcare professional in the pediatric field, deny my son?
First mistake: I did not see (either my fault unknowingly or just a lapse in the hospital's system) a lactation consultant prior to discharge after having my Goober. Now, soon as the 24 hour time limit hit, I was ready to go, and this could of hindered me seeing someone. However, I still should of saw someone, especially since they have the services available. No one asked us, nor did we ask. I am willing to share the blame. So rule one for new mothers: prior to discharge, request/demand to see a lactation consultant prior to discharge!
Coming home, I thought Goober and I were lucky. He was eating (at least, it appeared to be -- my lucky husband changed the tarry diapers) and seemed content. It pained a little when he latched on, and I - along with my mother - thought this was natural. After all, my poor nipples have never been used in such a manner! Within the next two days, when we noticed that he did not have any wet diapers, and I was becoming more and more engorged (with the pain to match), my mother and I quickly came to the conclusion that he wasn't eating properly. A call to a great friend who was the most recent to have nursed gave us some tips to try, and when he finally got it, and was feeding, I never saw him so content. How long had I starved my child unknowingly? If only someone in the hospital had taken some more time to check his latch, to make sure I knew the signs to look for to insure a proper latch...
Second mistake: It should not hurt to nurse after the first couple of days, and it *shouldn't* send ripples of pain throughout your body. This is most definitely a sign of improper latch! I let this go on for WEEKS. I did not want to admit defeat, that I was doing something wrong, or I was afraid to give up. So I continued to nurse through the pain. My poor husband... he took the brunt of my pain, and what a man, he took it, too! So rule two: see someone if pain continues, and quickly!
I called the lactation consultant at the hospital I delivered at. She was prompt in her return phone call, and we scheduled a session. Let me tell you, that was the best $20 we spent EVER. Within second of Goober latching on, she had diagnosed our issues. Once she fixed it, he latched on correctly, and there was *no* pain as he nursed. None. I went home a happy woman, relieved to realize I can do this, and it is completely okay to admit I need help. I was once told breast feeding is natural, but does not come naturally.
We live in a society where it is not okay to nurse your child in public, even with the laws to say it is. Women are taught to hide their breasts, and they are sex objects. This is so wrong, and this is why the United States has the lowest breast feeding rates in the world. Thankfully, with education, women are making the choice to breast feed, and only as we allow it to be natural and not "dirty" will it become more natural. How can I learn if no one breast feeds, or hides it? My niece was breast fed. Her mother educated her daughter, did not hide her from it, and so I didn't. She would check under my cover (the first couple of times I tried to use it before I abandoned it) to make sure her "boyfriend" was eating his mother's milk. Even her baby dolls got the benefits of their mother's education -- no bottles for them! (If anyone tries to tell her that it is not natural for her to feed her baby that way, I will be in line to tell them otherwise.)
Now that I am almost twenty months -- well past my six month goal! -- into breast feeding my son, I realize I have become an advocate. A few of my friends have had children since I, and I have been some of their source of information. I have been there, I am not at all embarrassed to admit my mistakes, and I have the medical research to back me up and saying this is the best way to feed our children. Who can say no to decrease rates of childhood obesity, type II diabetes, heart disease, etc, for our children?!
As I prepare for the birth of my second child in the next couple of months, I cannot wait to share my milk with him/her. To give my child the absolute best start in life, and to have the incredible bond that develops between a mother and her child as she nurses. All the cuddle time, the looks of content, the snuggles, the kisses... even now, as we are slowly, slowly, slowly weaning Goober, I treasure every moment that he nurses. I do not rush him, and I love how he strokes my cheeks, smiles as he nurses, and the kisses I receive. I love knowing exactly what he wants too, now that he signs "nurse"/"milk" to me as he runs up with a smile on his face, knowing that most likely, he will receive. It is a constant source of comfort to him, a soft place to land, and when he is sick, the absolute only thing he wants to eat/drink. It will be a sad day for me when he is completely weaned.
Well, I will be done (for now) on this subject... it is an incredible journey I am still enjoying, and I hope to enjoy for a great while with baby two...
Tomorrow... to make sure I sit down and write it, an update on Goober at 19/20 months (much needed for his baby book, I will have to transcribe what I do write into his book, when I get the new one)...
For now, I remain ... E :)
Friday, September 30, 2011
Return to blogging?
Well, the last time I wrote (okay, the ONLY post I wrote) on my blog was almost two years ago, before my Goober was born, and he is nearing 20 months of age and his sibling will make an appearance in just a few short months!
Either way, I thought I would try this again. I have been following a few blogs, and I always wanted to try it again after reading. I did LiveJournal way back when for a while, and enjoyed the outlet of writing. So maybe, just maybe, I can do this... (okay, stop laughing people).
Today was a great "family" day. The hubby actually got to spend the day with us until he went to work at 2 p.m., and I think Goober enjoyed the extra time with Daddy. His nap didn't happen on time, but he stayed in a pretty good mood, had a great lunch, and was just his usual sweet self. Went to Babies R' Us to look at tandem strollers (expensive, but probably will have to acquire one in the near future... hopefully slight used and therefore less money). Also stopped by Michaels' to buy Goober some more crayons for his whiteboard (Crayola makes the best whiteboard crayons ever, and our son just loves them... and sadly, so does Angel, our white German Shepherd) and then Barnes and Noble for the little one to play with "his" trains. For those not in the know, B&N at *most* of their stores has a wooden table with a wooden Thomas the Tank Engine train set set up for patrons' children to play with in the children's reading area. Our son has loved this since he was able to understand what trains are. Soon as we hit the door, he is off running to the children's area saying "choo choo" all the way. After the hubby and I had our cafe drinks (hot chocolate with whipped cream for me... yum), ate lunch from the back of our Rogue, and then off to the mall to walk and hang out before Elijah had to head to work.
Anyway, that was our family day. Goober and I walked around the outlets afterwards for about an hour, but he was done. Went to Chick-fil-a on the way home (shh, don't tell the hubby I cheated on dinner) then allowed Goober to run around the backyard as I took his cloth diapers off the line and was over being bitten by the nasty insects of South Carolina. I am so READY for autumn to arrive!
Ending this entry, I promise to tell stories of Goober and the like, post pictures, and have real things to reveal. Like...
1) Things I didn't think I would do (or said I wouldn't do) when I became a mother;
2) How being a mother has changed my outlook as a pediatric pharmacist;
3) The trials/tribulations/joys of being a Navy wife;
4) My journey in cloth diapering, breast feeding, and other "green" habits of parenting;
5) My current thoughts on my employment status;
6) and whatever else I can come up with. :)
Well, as its 9 p.m., my son is fast asleep, the dogs are actually calm downstairs, I think I will try to catch up on television shows and some reading...
Until the next post (which hopefully will be sooner than two years)... E
Either way, I thought I would try this again. I have been following a few blogs, and I always wanted to try it again after reading. I did LiveJournal way back when for a while, and enjoyed the outlet of writing. So maybe, just maybe, I can do this... (okay, stop laughing people).
Today was a great "family" day. The hubby actually got to spend the day with us until he went to work at 2 p.m., and I think Goober enjoyed the extra time with Daddy. His nap didn't happen on time, but he stayed in a pretty good mood, had a great lunch, and was just his usual sweet self. Went to Babies R' Us to look at tandem strollers (expensive, but probably will have to acquire one in the near future... hopefully slight used and therefore less money). Also stopped by Michaels' to buy Goober some more crayons for his whiteboard (Crayola makes the best whiteboard crayons ever, and our son just loves them... and sadly, so does Angel, our white German Shepherd) and then Barnes and Noble for the little one to play with "his" trains. For those not in the know, B&N at *most* of their stores has a wooden table with a wooden Thomas the Tank Engine train set set up for patrons' children to play with in the children's reading area. Our son has loved this since he was able to understand what trains are. Soon as we hit the door, he is off running to the children's area saying "choo choo" all the way. After the hubby and I had our cafe drinks (hot chocolate with whipped cream for me... yum), ate lunch from the back of our Rogue, and then off to the mall to walk and hang out before Elijah had to head to work.
Anyway, that was our family day. Goober and I walked around the outlets afterwards for about an hour, but he was done. Went to Chick-fil-a on the way home (shh, don't tell the hubby I cheated on dinner) then allowed Goober to run around the backyard as I took his cloth diapers off the line and was over being bitten by the nasty insects of South Carolina. I am so READY for autumn to arrive!
Ending this entry, I promise to tell stories of Goober and the like, post pictures, and have real things to reveal. Like...
1) Things I didn't think I would do (or said I wouldn't do) when I became a mother;
2) How being a mother has changed my outlook as a pediatric pharmacist;
3) The trials/tribulations/joys of being a Navy wife;
4) My journey in cloth diapering, breast feeding, and other "green" habits of parenting;
5) My current thoughts on my employment status;
6) and whatever else I can come up with. :)
Well, as its 9 p.m., my son is fast asleep, the dogs are actually calm downstairs, I think I will try to catch up on television shows and some reading...
Until the next post (which hopefully will be sooner than two years)... E
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
In the Beginning...
This is a trial, a sort of release for my thoughts, emotions, and battles with upcoming motherhood, being a pharmacist, and being a Navy wife in a new town. The targeted audience is mainly my family - which is a broad term to include those blood related, related through marriage, and the ones acquired over the years through friendship - but welcome to anyone who happens across this blog and is bothered enough to read it!
Briefly... I graduated in 2004 from Roanoke College with my Bachelor's of Science in Biochemistry and History (interesting combination, I know), and then went to Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College of Virginia School of Pharmacy (a mouthful!). I graduated with my Doctorate of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) in 2008. I completed a year of pediatric residency at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia in June 2009. I worked at CHKD and at Walgreen's until my husband relocated us to South Carolina in September 2009. I remain per diem with the hospital and work shifts when I am in Virginia, and at Walgreen's as well.
Speaking of the husband (he's in he Navy)... we married in January 2009, and are about to celebrate our first anniversary. We are also expecting our first child in February 2010. Add to this our new home, and our four year old Black Lab mix Bacardi Razz, and there is a lot to handle! I love every moment of it.
I love my family. I have two younger sisters and a younger brother. Nicole is in the Army National Guard, and is currently activated. She works with an aviation unit. Her home is in Richmond, and she is the proud "parent" of two cats (Yuengling and Mojito) and a basset hound/blue healer mix dog, Southern Comfort (SoCo for short). Krystal graduated this past May 2009 from VCU's School of Nursing, and is working at Walgreen's as a pharmacy technician until she can find a nursing job. She also previously worked at CHKD as a NICU nurse's aid prior to graduating, and is the proud "parent" of a cat (Grey Goose) and golden retriever mix (Captain Morgan). Brother Keith is in the Navy, owns his own home, and has the only girl dog in our pack... a white mix of something named Skyy Berry. Throw in Remy Martin, my parents' mutt, and that is a few dogs that will be at my parents' for Christmas!
Well, I am going to go and finish some cleaning...
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