We are back from the beach!

We returned Friday from a week at the beach. Other than getting there and getting home (which was much easier) it was a great trip. Max does NOT like his carseat. Ok, well he doesn't like it after about the 2nd hour. Below are some of my favorite pictures from the beach...


Daddy & his girl walking on the beach











Gramma & Ella at Putt-Putt

Mama & Ella goofing off at Ocean Eddy's

Max on the receiving end of some smooching.

BURIED, for the 100th time

When's the next trip??? Not soon enough. Next up we have Hung's trip to Indy for the F1 race. I am opting out this year, and nephew Andy is stepping in. I mean now that Juan Pablo is in Nascar is there any reason to go. NO! Gram is coming to help me with the kids for the long weekend. I go to UTAH for my conference at the end of July. Who hooo. Then we have just a couple of months to wait until STJ 07! Is it November yet?

Virginia Beach Here We Come

Just another day to go and we are off to the beach. Since the girl will be starting kindergarten this fall our normal VA Beach week will not work so we traded for Memorial Day week. We leave Friday and I can't wait. After today, I am not back in the office until June 4th. I am working from home tomorrow tying up loose ends, but that's it.

Our last trip was to the beach the week we found out Max had hydrops. It was not the most relaxing week ever I must say. It did help at the time, but we are looking forward to this trip big time. Gramma will be joining us Friday through Wednesday, so that will be very nice. Its so nice to be right there on the board walk and at the beach. Hopefully there will be lots going on for the holiday weekend!

Max has finally kicked the bugs butt and is on the mend. He was pretty much down from last Wednesday afternoon until Monday. He's a trooper.

I'll be back ... in JUNE!

Anxiety, Angst, and Worry...

So I am beginning to wonder if I'll ever be the same again. Maybe just maybe getting it all out will help me let go. I feel like I will never be the same person I was prior to September 18, 2006. The day the sonogram showed problems for Max. In my mind I thought that once he was here every worry would dissolve into sweet relief. Well, that hasn't exactly happened.

Every day I fight a feeling of living on borrowed time with him. I have no rational basis for this notion or feeling in my soul, but it is there. It is unsettling. I worry. I worry. I worry. I have never in my life been medicated for anything long term, aside from the routine meds that go along with a surgical procedure, we're talking NADA. I am beginning to think I may need an anti-anxiety drug. Something to stop the cycle that starts in my head and won't stop. Its like OCD of the thought process.

Every minute with him seems precious. Every smile, every sigh seems divine. I know he is ok. I know he is meant to be. I know in my heart he will be ok. My mind is struggling to accept it. I feel guilty for even thinking some of the thoughts I think. Then I realize I am not able to change how I think and feel. He is the sweetest most laid back mellow baby I've ever had the pleasure to know. Its like he has been through the bad and he's not sweating the small stuff. He smiles, he flirts, he raises his little eyebrows and teases his mama. I love him. To the core of my soul, I love him. I worried that I would never have enough love in me to share between my first child and my second and what I know now is there is always room. Your heart grows. There is room for love and worry and angst and a capacity to stress over their future like nothing you can imagine.

New Flip-Flops

Yes, I have a problem. I found these during our visit to Urbanna to visit Gramma for mother's day. When I got home I googled the brand and now have 4 more pairs (varying designs) on their way. I LOVE flip-flops and these are quite possibly the most comfy pair I've ever owned.

I didn't realize that they are even a local Company, based out of Richmond. Tidewater Sandals.

Birthday Girl

It is official and we had the party to prove it :) Ella is FIVE! Wow, time does fly. We had quite the turnout yesterday for the party. I think everyone had a great time. Dad grilled, everyone ate lots and then had CAKE! 5 minutes after cake Ella annouced "its time for Presents!" So we opened presents and then enjoyed playing with the motherload! WOW! Lots of cool things!



The Cake was a little melty. Hey at least there was cake. When I arrived at the bakery to pick it up, first I got "Oh you wanted this by 9!" UH, yeah. That's why I wrote 9. "Just give us 5 minutes." Ten minutes later I return to see a 1/2 frosted cake. She says "This one is 1/2 chocolate and 1/2 white cake, is that what you wanted?" Actually, no, I wanted what I actually ordered which is on the little piece of paper right there in front of you but I respond "It doesn't matter I just need a CAKE!"


Flowers from me to Ella, a tradition 5 years strong!

I blinked and she's 5!

The days can be long but the years go by so quickly. It seems that I blinked and my baby girl is no longer a baby. Just 5 years ago this little one was safely tucked away in my tummy. I think at about this time I was wrapping things up at work, putting the final touches on her room, trying to relax and completely CLUELESS about what the future as a parent would bring.

She is still my single greatest accomplishment (Her brother will have to prove himself still :) She's not perfect, but she would be way more boring if she was. In 5 short years I have learned what it really means to have a selfless kind of love and devotion. Sure, she frustrates the HELL out of us at times (remind me sometime to fill you in about the "painting" in the bathroom with soap) but she is completely her own. 100% unique and such an incredible addition to our lives.

So as she enters her 5th year of life, I wanted to let her know who she is now.

She is beautiful, inside and out. She is funny. She has the best belly laugh/giggle I have ever heard and nothing delights us more than to hear it. She is incredibly smart, sometimes too smart for her own good. She is mischievous, though she might argue she's just creative. She is loving. She is innocent. She can be lazy. She can be incredibly outgoing saying to a gentleman on the street "Hello, Mister!" much to his shock. She can be very shy. She is kind. She is confounded by cruelty.

She loves apples, vietnamese noodles and especially the marinated shredded carrots, her gramma, chocolate milk, pistachios, the playground, Gramma, Mrs. Jeannie, Butterdog, all other animals, Max (though she won't always admit it), Johanna, did I mention GRAMMA, and her mom and dad!

My only goal in life is to get her to adulthood, knowing who she is and what she wants. Her dad would laugh now and say that that goal has already been accomplished. Raising a daughter is an amazing opportunity to tell someone everything you wish you knew, heard, & believed when you were younger and not so sure of yourself.

A Belly Laugh

Tonight courtesy of his sister, Max treated us to his first FULL ON belly laugh/giggle. She was just being kookie and he was watching her every move. She moved closer and he smiled huge. She moved back, he laughed. She moved closer again and he laughed so hard I thought he was going to pass out!

It was an awesome feeling. He is a very loud laugher. I have a premonition of him being quite a handful in about 6 months when he figures out mobility.

These kids ROCK! Ella is just an amazingly sweet, beautiful & sensitive girl and Max is the very definition of mellow. He hardly cries! I plan to keep them both!

Max is now 3 months old (as of yesterday) and Ella will be 5 this weekend! My goodness where does time go. I thought it accelerated after her birth, but his arrival has sent it all into warp speed. If I blink and he's 5 I will cry.

I have always enjoyed being Ella's mom, but I am really trying to slow down and savor every moment since I know I am SOOOOOOOO done. Did I mention DONE!?!? I hope my kids never think I love them any less because I am so adamant that I want no more, I couldn't love them more ... its just that mama can't handle another pregnancy.

I went for my own annual gyn check-up today and the nurse said "your chart is so heavy we're gonna have to put some of it in storage!" She was joking. I think.

Moto...

Love love love my new phone. (Props to the Hubby who even though he is the one who works in technology always seems perfectly happy to give me the new stuff and take my hand me downs).

No pesky stylus to lose or that won't stay put. No touchscreen that thinks I am touching it when I am not and doesn't realize I am touching it when I am. No short batttery life. And VERY light weight. Love it! Syncs beautifully with outlook calendar and contacts. Takes photos!

Buying Art!

I have never in my life bought an original piece of artwork but I think that might change this week. Through one of the STJ website's I frequent (yes, I am addicted this is established) I found out about this young artist, Kristen Maize, who was born and raised on STJ. She now works for the Friends of the VI National Park. I was intrigued at first but when I saw her works in sepia tones I fell hard! So this is going to be my new piece of art. Now I just have to decide whether to hang it at home or in my office.

This is the Emmaus Moravian Church in Coral Bay on the East End of St. John. According to some web research it is one of the least altered Moravian buildings in the west Indies and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Moravian missionaries first held services near here in 1756, preaching to the slaves that worked the nearby plantations. This building, which went up in 1919, is the third built by the congregation. The others fell prey to a hurricane and a fire. Next to the church is a wonderful old West Indian graveyard where you will find some very old stones. This painting is based on an old photograph.

Ok My Blog has officially become all about the kids!

And I am ok with that...

Today the girl had her first dental appointment ever. They tried to tell me that she should have been coming since she was 6 months old. WHAT! She had teeth but please ... who cares they are all baby teeth. Anyway, regardless of being a delinquent mama and showing up with her almost 4.5 years late for her first dental appointment, her teeth are fine. Great even. No cavities. White. Straight. What more can a mom ask? She gets all that from dad. My teeth were crowded and needing braces in a serious way by the time I was 9!

And the boy is modeling the latest in STJ wear ... his very own onesie from Skinny Legs in Coral Bay, St. John, USVI ... only one of my favorite places in the world! My mom's friend brought it back for him as a souvenir from their recent trip. Nice lady!

Sleeping Through the Night!

I have not posted this for fear of jinxing myself, but here goes. He is sleeping through the night. Its more than a fluke now. I would say 12 of the last 14 nights (or since about 10.5 weeks for those keeping track) he has slept from about 8-9 pm until 6-8am. I mean that's through the night. That's BETTER than the 6 hour stretch that most consider through the night. Its so much sleeping that I asked the pediatrician if it was tooooo much sleeping. She said "consider yourself lucky" so ... I hope I didn't just jinx myself.

He's 12 weeks old today! It both seems like he's been here forever and barely at all, all at the same time!

A Choice

Ultimately, who should decide a woman's fate? A woman? A woman and her doctor? The Supreme Court? Politicians?

This is my body I sit in, it should be my decisions that determine my fate. The VAST majority of late term abortions PERIOD are not the result of someone deciding "hey, I don't want to have this baby after all!" The misrepresentation of the facts and the states of minds and the ASSUMPTIONS about women facing what is probably the most brutal decision of their entire lives infuriates me. I don't have to agree with you and your choice, but I do think it is reasonable to assume that women with the guidance of their doctors should they seek it should be free to pursue a long standing medical procedure. NO one is happy when this decision is set before them.

I can't site specific statistics but I would bet money that we in 99.9% of the cases the situation is one of two - the fetus is NOT viable outside the womb & will likely die soon after birth either way from severe abnormalities OR the fetus is threatening the physical health of the mother. In either case, really, do we need to legislate the options available to her?

A judge makes a bad decision and a woman pays for it with her future fertility or even her life. Maybe I am hypersensitive to this issue having just faced a potential "late-term" abortion. I was 19 weeks pregnant when we found out that our baby was struggling. We had an ultrasound tech actually use the word "catastrophic" in reference to the potential problems. Typically, the edema and fluid on the lungs is a sign that the baby has a devastating anomaly - genetic or structural - and is NOT going to make it. We were beyond extraordinarily lucky. Some would even argue that we are a reason that these procedures should be banned because you NEVER know. Well the truth is we had every test known to man and everything with the baby looked fine. Often, parents are not so lucky and they have a test confirming this terrible disease or that one, or a sonogram confirming that their child is missing a brain, or most of their heart.

To tell someone that they MUST carry to term a baby that will undoubtedly die the moment it is born is beyond cruel. Many women choose to do just that. And I applaud them. I personally do not think I would have had the strength. I would and DID do anything possible to help my baby boy's chances. But we always had hope. Reasonable hope. I am not talking pie in the sky there may be a miracle and his brain will regenerate hope ... I am talking "we see no reason for him to have this problem - nothing genetically, nothing structurally, nothing!" hope. We had to persevere and figure it out.

How about this? Let's let the women actually faced with the decision, in consultation with their doctors, decide! I am not sure what I would have decided if I had to make a decision. Thank goodness I did not have to go there. However, I do know the important thing to me and my psychological health was that I had a choice. I could decide. Either way. I always believed in my convictions before being put to this test. Now, I even more firmly believe that no one can make that decision for anyone else. It is so personal and so difficult that is makes it impossible to be absolutist.

VT

Yesterday I went on an 8 hour round trip to pick this kid (who is now a man) up from Vtech. At first he didn't want to come home. But then classes were cancelled. Then all the kids started leaving campus and he called and asked if we could come get him. There was no hesitation. This kid could have called at 3 am and I would have been on my way. He is like the mini-me of my husband and spends more time at our house than his own when he's home on break.

It wasn't until yesterday that the true meaning of family solidified in my mind. There is nothing I would not have done for this kid. My heart sank on Monday when I heard there was 1 fatality at Tech, we were fortunate, we got through almost immediately and were able to confirm he was ok. As the day wore on I can't imagine the feeling in the guts of those who were not able to get through to their children.

I also am amazed at how many people reached out to us to check on my nephew. My friends, coworkers, my husband's coworkers, old college friends, my godmother ... amazing. For now I am just grateful he is home and he is safe.

WTF is wrong with PEOPLE?

I know its a lone gunman crazy ... but what is wrong with people. My nephew is a freshman at VT just wrapping up his first year away at college. He's loving it. He could have been shot and killed today by some nutjob. Thank GOD he is safe and sound. We were able to get through to him on his cell phone. He was in a friend's dorm when he heard about the 2nd shooting but had been in the neighboring building to Norris for an 8am class!

I can almost understand (to some extent) those who shoot an spouse or a someone they are really pissed off at. I do NOT on any level comprehend why anyone would kill 32 unsuspecting, innocent kids! Again WTF is wrong with people!

Flirting 101

Photos, Photos and MORE Photos

I have gone nuts with Flickr, uploading, labeling, arranging, rearranging photos. I am OUT of control. It is official, but I really like their interface. So Easy and So Cheap. Unlimited storage for a year for $24.95. MSN was charging me $19.95 annual and I had RUN OUT OF SPACE! With a 2nd kid what's a girl to do. So Enjoy my photos ... you know if you have like a month to kill ;)

Is it Just Me?

...or does it seem like he's trying to tell me with telepathy "mama, what has this crazy man strapped me into?"

Carefulllll

Look how careful she's being with those eggs. You would NEVER think this is the same girl who found her way into mama's makeup last night. While I was out to dinner with a girlfriend, and with daddy in charge, she managed to complete quite the art project in the master bathroom. I wish he had taken a picture. It was all cleaned up by the time I came home, but I think it was a miracle she was alive. Dad was NOT pleased. The first thing she said this morning was "Mama, I am sorrrrry about your make-up. I made a gigantic mess!"

Still I find it impossible to be too upset with her. She's just too darn sweet.

Thanksgiving in St. John

Only 219 days to go!

It is official, I have switched houses from Drake's Lookout to Hale Lani.








I think the driveway and distance from civilization may have been a problem - not so much for hubby and I but for the gramma (with motion sickness) and the kids. Again, Destination St. John could not have been more helpful. So November 15 - November 23rd we will be limin'!



This house is in an area called Maria Bluff, very close to Cruz Bay (the main town) but somewhate secluded. Check out the amazing views!

Brand Recognition

Something has gone terribly amiss! This morning on my way to drop off the kiddos I was commenting to the girl about how tasty my coffee was. Giving my hubby props, I say "Daddy makes the best coffee!" She gasps and says "BETTER THAN STARBUCKS!?"

She's 4. I should be ashamed ... but strangely, I am not. Its not like she drinks it ;)

Brazzaville Beach

I don't know why I am so excited but I am eagerly awaiting my new book from Amazon. Brazzaville Beach. I just love the title. Maybe its because I am seeing the light at the end of the new mommy tunnel (it really does happen earlier with number 2) and can fathom time to READ! I can't wait for this book to come.

I am also happy to report that my little one is just the best boy in the world. He is NOT sleeping through the night for us yet, but he is the happiest, chillest baby. Just in the last week he's kind of hit his rhythm. YAY!

Cuteness x 2

She really likes boats. When you don't have one ... you make do!

And this young man we've dubbed

"The Thinker"

Updated STJ Playlists

Two playlists in particular on my ipod that get massive play while on STJ.










My Mellow Night Tunes (great for chilling on the deck with a cool drink):

Stolen Away on 55th and 3rd - Dave Matthews Band
#34 - Dave Matthews Band
Angel - Dave Matthews Band
Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits
Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
Cool Change - Little River Band
Crazy Love - Van Morrison
Crush - Dave Matthews Band
Digging a Ditch - Dave again
Everybody Hurts - R.E.M.
Grace - Kate Havnevik
Grace is Gone - Dave again....
Gravity - John Mayer
In My Life - Dave Matthews Cover of the Beetles song
Like a Star - Corrine Bailey Rae
Oh - Dave Matthews Band
Some Devil - Dave Matthews Band
Supposed to Be - Jack Johnson
The Scientist - Coldplay
The Wings - Gustavo Santaolalla
Unplayed Piano - Damien Rice
Waste - DMB
Why Worry - Dire Straits

BEACH TUNES (great for roaming the roads of STJ):
A Pirate Looks at Forty - Jimmy Buffet
And it Stoned Me - Van Morrison
Badge - Eric Clapton
Be As You Are - Kenny C.
Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes
Boat Drinks - Jimmy Buffett
Brand New Day - Sting
Breakfast in Bed - Nicole Kea
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Buffalo Soldier - BOB
Coconut - Harry Nilson
Could you Be Loved - Bob Marley
Cruel Summer - Bananarama
Drive - Ziggy Marley
Escape (the Pina Colada Song)- Rupert Holmes
Foxy Lady - Jimi Hendrix
Get up, Stand up - Bob Marley
Grapefruit, Juicy Fruit - Jimmy Buffett
Hotel California - The Eagles
I Shot the Sheriff - Eric Clapton
Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffett
No Woman, No Cry - Bob Marley
Old Blue Chair (Ocean Mix) - Kenny C
Represent, Cuba - Orishas
Sailing - Christopher Cross
Secret of Life - James Taylor
She's on Fire - Train
Smooth - Santana w/ Dave Matthews
Soak up the Sun - Sheryl Crow
Son of A Son of A Sailor - Jimmy Buffett
Spirit in the SKy - Norman Greenbaum
Stir it Up - Bob Marley
Stuck in the Middle with You - Bob Dylan
Sunshine of your Love - Eric Clapton (I Guess Cream really)
Tempted - Squeeze The Tide is High - Blondie The Weight - The Band
These are the Days - Van Morrison
Toes - Norah Jones

The Garage is Whole Again!

Finally, after what ... a month ... they have come and fixed our garage. Well mostly. They need to replace the garage door itself - it looks fine and is closed now, but it can't open and close so well anymore. SO that will be another 3 weeks or so. Poor Hubby's been parking in the driveway but at least we have a CLOSED door vs. a huge silver tarp to keep the elements out.

Now I can feel like less of a fool.

Meanwhile the boy is doing really well with his adjustment to daycare. Mrs. J told me "he was a dream" today. Very nice to hear. He is SUPER smiley now. The girl is showing her first signs of big sis distress. I guues the onset was a little slow but she definitely has some mixed feelings about her new bro and all the attention he enjoys. Nothing major but a little bit of strong emotion. She's not quite sure that she "has room in her heart for him" :( I am sure it will all be fine. Someday.

2 Month Check-Up

We had our two month check-up and he's doing just fine. Eating for sure! He is now 15lbs, 9oz! Off the chart for weight. 95% for head circumference. HE needs a big head to hold those brains! We are so lucky that he is usually happy, starting to sleep a wee bit more/longer and loves his MAMA.

St. John Travel Update!

Yes, I am still going! Yes, I am still going over thanksgiving this year. However, I have officially gotten cold feet over the house I picked. It is beautiful but the queen of indecisiveness has struck again. SO. I was going through the houses on the website again and found a NEW one. Ok, not new, 5 years old but new to the rental market. This house is much closer to "town" and may be a more convenient choice considering we have 2 kids and a gramma traveling with us this time. Plus, it has A/C. The other house doesn't which is not typically a problem on STJ with the tradewinds and all, but I don't think I want to face island heat with 2 little ones if the house is the least bit stuffy!

The view definitely doesn't suck ;) SO I think its official, I think I've changed my mind.

A Genuine Smile!

And there you have it! A genuine smile. Just in time for me to go back to work he's starting to smile, giggle, and try to cooooooo.

Very very cute. He's a total mama's boy by the way. Daddy has lost his magic touch.

That's really less of a smile and more of a "What's Up?" look!

My Days as a Stay at Home Mom are Numbered!

Yes, I have one more day as a stay at home mom! Tomorrow both kiddos will be home with me. Since we brought the boy home we've kept the girl in her daycare routine. SO I will be DOUBLE TEAMED! But its ok. I can handle a day, I think.

Gramma is coming to visit this weekend! YAY!

My Car is Back!

One step toward erasing my recent car/house incident. My car returned looking better than ever today. Thank you Mr. Spoiler. If anyone ever needs body work he is the BEST. Meticulous. He even detailed my car. I mean it is cleaner than it was when I brought it home from the dealer. It looks brand spanking new.

In addition because he likes my husband he came and picked it up and brought it back. What other body shop do you know that does pickup and delivery? He is WAY out in BFE Manassas, so we were not going to have him do the work because hauling 2 kids to Manassas twice is not my idea of fun. He got word of the accident though our mechanic/friend, Paul. When he did he called my hubby and offered to come get it. Talk about service!

I am just glad its back! Wheeeeeeeeellllllss are a good thing!

We MISS Gramma & 1 week till Daycare

We survived our first weekend in what seems like the little guy's entire life without gram! She stayed put in her little town and took a much deserved break. Boy, did we miss her!

We were pretty busy - baby shower for our friends on Saturday and a 3rd birthday party for another on Sunday.

Last night, our sitter came and we took the baby and went to the bookstore and dinner -- whoo hoo. Last semi-date night for a while as she is leaving for Germany for a month on Saturday. We really need to find a back-up sitter!

The boy will join his sister a week from today at Mrs. J's daycare. Can't wait for that. ME - can't wait. Maybe its not PC, but I am pretty much ready to go back to work. I love him, I have enjoyed being home (mostly) for the last almost 8 weeks, but I am a working mom. I need to get out and have the routine and the adult interaction. And it helps that I know that he will be in GREAT hands!

A Favorite Shot of the Girl

This is one of my favorite pictures of my girl. From our trip ALMOST 2 years ago to STJ.

She was just barely 3!

It was taken at Vie's Snack Shack on the far east end after a daytrip in a dinghy.

Mug Shot & Grumpy Asian Man

Is it just me or does this look like a mugshot series?

People keep getting upset with me when I refer to my darling little son as a grumpy old asian man. I swear ... sometimes I get this look (2nd picture). Now, you tell me is that grumpy old asian man or what???

The Roof is Leaking...

Even the baby has had enough!

The RAIN needs to stop!


As if it wasn't enough that I ran into my own house with my own car. Should have the car back this weekend, the house ... well we are still waiting on that work to start. But now, the roof/ceiling in the living room is leaking. I think I am heading for a nervous break down...seriously!

On a better note....the baby boy is doing better, well other than this 6 week growth spurt thing that apparently makes them want to eat constantly and be held. Docile boy has become grumpy. "THEY" say it only lasts a couple of days and this is day 2 ... but I don't remember this with the girl. Most likely because my memory is dull, not because it didn't happen.

Anyway, we went to the Pediatric GI on Tuesday and he was nice and not too concerned. Wants us to keep on the special (not the SPECIAL SPECIAL) formula for at least a month. That's good new to the wallet. For now. Went to see Dr. G, the regular ped, yesterday and he was happy with how he is looking. He's GAINING weight and he's less anemic. YAY!

In the middle there I had my 6 week check-up and all was well with that as well. I head back in May for my annual check-up and the boy heads back in 2 weeks for his 2 month check. I can't believe he's 1 1/2 months old already. Seems like a blink and an eternity all at the same time. How is that?

Update on Doc Appts & Car Accident!

So update on the boy. We returned to the doctor on last Thursday to find that there is still blood in the stool even after a week on the special formula. So now, we are supposed to try another special (REALLY special - as in order from the factory costs 3xs as much special) formula called Neocate. When we saw Dr. G on Thursday he wanted us to go that day for an abdominal xray to be safe. X-Ray was fine. He seems to be doing better over the weekend and today so far. We'll see.

We are going to see a pediatric GI doc on Tuesday and back to Dr. G on Thursday for another check of things. After all we've been through I am just a little hypervigilant, which is making me a little hyperanxious. So much so that I was in tears on Friday prompting my mom to come visit! She's been here almost every weekend since he came home!

Oh and did I mention my car accident? The one where I ran into my own house? Yeah, that's right. If you are going to have an accident do it right. Make sure you have your home owners policy and your car policy in full effect first! Car is getting fixed now, I should have it back by Friday. House ... well they are dragging their feet a bit, though the contractor promised the estimate would be in State Farm's hands by today. When will work start? I don't know, but I will feel like a total moron until its fixed. Hey the garage trim needed painting anyway, this way it gets replaced! I am trying to not be too hard on myself, I know my mind was just in 1000 other places. I am just lucky I didn't have a headon at 60 miles per hour because I was in a total fog that day!

The extra hours of sunlight should help & the fact that its gonna be near 70 this week! Come on SPRING!

Another Trip to the Doctor

Enjoy a picture of my chunky monkey.

So we took the little man to the doctor yesterday afternoon. He had been restless and his belly felt tight and enlarged to me. He wasn't really crying - not like colic or anything - but he was not himself. I figured ... with all we've been through better to get it checked out, right? So we call Dr. G and he says bring him on in. ITs so good to be friend's w/ your pediatrician.

So we take him in and they check him out. Everything seems ok from the physical exam but Dr. G wanted to test his stool for blood. So .. its positive. Now, I am officially freaked. Dr. G says the typical reason for this is a milk intolerance, so we are gonna start by changing his formula. As if regular formula isn't expensive enough, this stuff costs about twice as much! SMALL price to pay if it does the trick. We have a follow-up visit in a week, so time shall tell.

Oh and he's OVER 12 lbs! Growth is definitely not a concern.

Overindulgent ...

...but its my blog and I'll post whatever I want to ;)

Aren't they CUTE?

Daddy is responsible for (and proud of) the mohawkish like hair.

This Kid Can Sleep Through ANYTHING...

You'd think he'd have noticed and awakened when his diaper was changed ... But no, not so much.

Which One is Which?

Can you tell which picture is the girl and which is the boy? Ignore the pink :)

A Mere 3 Weeks Ago

I can't believe that only 3 weeks ago I was still pregnant. Its kind of weird after 9 months of lugging a kid around on the inside to have him on the outside. To be totally honest I didn't know how I would take to a boy. I was so used to being a mama to a girl that I knew it would be different. I did not expect to be so totally in love so quickly. He is the sweetest kid. Doesn't complain much at all, unless he's hungry and in that case he gets quite angry. That kids way of crying so hard that you think they are being tortured -- you know the cry where they almost stop breathing. Thankfully, being second time parents and all, we've figured this out and we try to get the food in him before we have a total crisis :)

So I am in love. In love with his tiny nose, his one dimple that only shows when he practices his smiles which aren't real yet, in love with the way he smells, the way he moans and yawns, everything I tell you...Totally in love. Sappy yes, but all true.

I am truly blessed with the two cutest and sweetest kids on the planet! Now, if the younger would just sleep through the night. This 2, 4 and 6 am stuff is KILLING me & the daddy!

A Snow Day for ALL!

The boy had his first real (as opposed to sponge) bath last night & barely complained at all.

Yesterday was valentine's day and also turned out to be a snow day for all. Hubby is able to work from home now once a week! YAY! Plus, anytime the weather is bad he can work from home. Pretty nice flexibility! I am liking this!

Daycare was closed yesterday so the girl was home. We started the morning with Valentine's day goodies and art projects. Who knew glitter glue, stickers and construction paper could entertain a little one so long. Then she and daddy took a trip outside to play in the snow. The boy and I stayed in and stayed warm.

On Our Own!

Its our first day totally on our own. It's amazing how quickly life gets back into a rhythm. Daddy went back to work today after working from home last week. Gramma went home after spending the weekend with us.

The girl and the husband were out the door by 7 am. So its just me and the boy. Its a bit lonely, since he spends most of his time looking like this (see picture) but it is so sweet. I am really (against my normal instinct) trying to just take it slow. Enjoy the moments. With the girl I was overwhelmed and in a huge hurry to get from one phase to the next. Now looking back almost 5 years later I see how fast it all went by. She will start kindergarten in September and I swear her little life is just like a blink now looking back. So I will try to breathe, relax, and enjoy the next 6 weeks or so!

I am still a bit emotionally overwhelmed by it all. To think that just weeks ago we still had no idea how things would turn out for us. To think that just about 10 days ago he was in the NICU. Its hard to believe he is home, safe and sound and just fine. After all the drama of the pregnancy, its hard to adjust to a seemingly normal, uneventful life. I am grateful for the lack of drama .. don't get me wrong .. it is just an adjustment. My emotions range from very high and super mommy to a little blue. Not a lot blue, just weepy. I think as the reality of it all sinks in ... what is and what could have been ... I work to adjust and understand it all. I have been holding my breath for the last 5 months or so, and its gonna take a while to completely exhale.

The Girl and Her Bro!

The girl enjoying a moment with her brother. She really thinks he's very cool. I can't believe it has already been 10 days. A week and 1 day since we came home! Unreal. How can time fly and stand still at the same time?

First Doctor's Appointment

Yesterday we had the first doctor appointment for the boy and he looks great. A bit jaundiced but the tests came back in the acceptable range (which is a good thing because unacceptable range would have meant 24 hours in the hospital again)! I don't think mama could have handled that.

Gramma headed home last night after a week here. I miss her! She is such an incredible help! And she does love her grandkids. And they adore her. She'll be back Friday, thank goodness!

Another picture...

Mom getting ready to bust him out of the NICU at G'town! I thought I was just going for a visit, but they said "you wanna take him home?" Um, HELL yes I do. Fortunately, for us, he was the healthiest little one in the entire NICU. I saw babies there that I wish I had not, just an incredibly sad mix of emotions as we were so elated that Max was doing so well, yet we were surrounded by such sad circumstances. All with the knowledge that it so easily could have been us in those parents' shoes.

No weeks to go ...

The boy has arrived! I am happy and relieved to report that the boy is home as of Friday evening, February 4th! He was born on Tuesday, January 30th at 4:50 am and weighed in at 9lbs, 2.8 ozs. He's 20 1/2 inches long! Not as huge as mom thought but ahead of schedule just as I'd predicted!!

I ended up going into labor at 1 in the morning on the 30th. I had felt weird/off all day at work, but pushed through it thinking I am just REALLY pregnant. Turns out I was moving into the labor phase. Did not stop hubby and I from going out on our date night. Dinner at Outback and a short trip to the bookstore. Finally, I had to throw in the towel and asked to go home. We got home around 10ish and from then on I just felt like crap. No regular contractions, nothing you know OBVIOUS that would have made it easy for me to figure out that I was indeed in labor. So after about 2 - 3 hours of whining and tossing and turning and not sleeping, I woke up the father of my children to say "I think I might be in labor" and he says "what do you want me to do about it?" I am SURE he didn't mean that the way it sounded. Still, he resumed snoring within 20 seconds of my pronouncement. SO, I unilaterally decided to call Dr. J-C. She said you know what considering this pregnancy, let's err on the side of caution and get you checked out. And so ... she sent me to the hospital.

So I wake Hung and say we gotta go. He's like "huh?" Again, how does this not register??? Men! Anyway, a middle of the night trip to Labor & Delivery was NOT our birthing plan. We were supposed to go on Feb 5th at 6 am. We had a plan. Ella would be at daycare! But as I predicted and knew, there was no way in hell I was making it till Feb 5th! So we rouse the little one and say we have to go to the hospital because the baby might be coming. She hopped to much faster than her dad and had a sweet twinkle in her eye.

So we loaded up the car and headed off to Alexandria. They were waiting for me when we arrived and got me all hooked up. The nurses did not seem all that impressed so just as I was convincing myself I wasn't really in labor after all, a nurse comes in and says "we're gonna prep you." Apparently I had what they were calling a "regular" pattern of contractions and Dr. J-C had decided to do the deed. She arrived at the hospital around 4 am and I was in surgery by 4:15. Luckily I had called my mama at 1ish and she immediately came arriving after I had been rolled into the OR. If she had arrived 5 minutes later daddy would have missed it all as he would have to stay with Ella.

Dr. J-C delivered our nw little boy at 4:50 am and he came out screaming. First sigh of relief. I just remember Dr. J-C repeating, "he looks good, Amy. He looks good!" almost as if she didn't believe it herself after all we had been through. He looked great and all of his vitals were strong. He was taken to the NICU for observation. After an entire day of good reports and really no major concerns, the neonatologist decided to throw us for a HUGE loop and decided that he might have a malrotation of his bowel and wanted to transfer him to Georgetown U. Hospital's NICU that night for a surgical consult. We were completely shocked and stunned at the thought of him needing surgery after an entire day of being ok. Needless to say that was not a good night.

They came to get me (still recovering from major surgery mind you) so that I could be with him until he went. I was able to hold him for about 1/2 an hour before the transport team arrived to take him to the Georgetown Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at about midnight. Hung, after being up from 1 am when I awoke him, was now 24 hours later heading to Georgetown to be with Max to make any decisions regarding his care throughout the night. If he did have a bowel obstruction or malrotation, immediate surgery would be necessary. Happily, after 3 days of observation and many, many tests at Georgetown they ruled out surgery. It appears everything is working as it should. He was able to come home yesterday. As soon as I was released from Alexandria we went straight there to get him.

He's home, happy, and very, very mellow. Seems like my theory that all the excitement in the womb will make him less likely to cause trouble on the outside is panning out ... so far! The girl is thrilled with her new brother and the dog even seems to like him.