My sister-in-law is probably going to have the baby tonight. She is having major bleeding so that means the placenta is probably detaching more. Please pray now if you can. If she has her now the baby doesn't have a chance. She's still only 22 weeks. I'm so sad right now.
Updated:
I just talked to my brother, he's on his way to the hospital now. He is an hour away. He said they were able to stop the contractions, but they were pulling on her circlage. So I'm not sure about where the bleeding is coming from.
I'm just praying so hard for right now. I went to find my post about her loss last year and it was a year ago this week. I can't even imagine how her heart must hurt right now. That level of pain must be indescribable.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The Blessing
I have to smile at a little thing that Max did yesterday.
We were preparing for dinner like usual and we were all getting ready to eat. He took his first bite and then suddenly dropped his fork.
"WAIT! We can't eat yet! We forgot to say our blessing!!"
So he proceeds to go stand in the middle of the floor. He goes to a Jewish preschool, so he is trying to remember the Hebrew blessing they say, but just can't quite get it out.
So, he does this instead..."I pledge allegiance to our flag..."
We were preparing for dinner like usual and we were all getting ready to eat. He took his first bite and then suddenly dropped his fork.
"WAIT! We can't eat yet! We forgot to say our blessing!!"
So he proceeds to go stand in the middle of the floor. He goes to a Jewish preschool, so he is trying to remember the Hebrew blessing they say, but just can't quite get it out.
So, he does this instead..."I pledge allegiance to our flag..."
Invisible Moms
As a mom, sometimes you feel out of touch with the outside world. It's hard not to become solely reliant on your child's needs. This short article reminds all moms that we are not just the invisible mom. It's the little things that build strong foundations.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated sum a cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going; she's going; she is gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England ... Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself.
I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:
'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' . . . 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place.
It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.
The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'you're going to love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Great Job, MOM!"
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated sum a cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going; she's going; she is gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England ... Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself.
I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:
'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' . . . 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place.
It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.
The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'you're going to love it there.'
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
Great Job, MOM!"
YIkes!
Aspen is going to be a mover I can already tell. She is constantly trying to get to things. Today I had her in her swing and noticed that she was trying to sit up in it. So I strapped her in. We have the papasan swing, so it's different than the others with just the chair. Anyways, she had herself turned completely sideways when I picked her back up a few minutes later. I then quickly sat her back in it to go to the bathroom and I forgot to strap her back in. I didn't figure she would be able to get out or anything. Well. when I can back she was laying on the FLOOR!!! She wasn't crying, just fussing a little bit. It scared me SO bad! I can't believe she got out of it!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
BUSY!!!
Things have been so crazy busy lately! I feel bad that I don't get to keep up with the blog here as much as I want to. I'm doing good to pop on the internet once a day to see what's going on out in the world!
I am super busy with school and the kiddos. Also, my brother's wife is in the hospital, so I've been trying to help out with their little boy. She is 22 weeks pregnant and has mild placenta abruptio. So she is on strict bedrest at the hospital so that hopefully she can go a few more weeks (at least, we hope she will go longer). So if you could spare some prayers for her that would be wonderful!
I am super busy with school and the kiddos. Also, my brother's wife is in the hospital, so I've been trying to help out with their little boy. She is 22 weeks pregnant and has mild placenta abruptio. So she is on strict bedrest at the hospital so that hopefully she can go a few more weeks (at least, we hope she will go longer). So if you could spare some prayers for her that would be wonderful!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
New Lovie
Aspen has this little blanket that has satin all on one side that she loves to chew on. I never realized that was usually the blanket she would fall asleep with. This morning I had put it in the laundry basket because it was starting to look yucky, so I was going to wash it. This afternoon I was trying to get her to take a nap and she was fussing a little. I gave her a fleece blanket, but she still was acting like she wasn't happy. She was laying in our bed, so I went to get something (we have our king size bed against the wall, so she couldn't have rolled off :) ) and when I came back she had rolled over to my pillow and was rubbing her face against the satin pillowcase and sucking her thumb. So I got her an empty satin pillowcase to snuggle with and she went right to sleep. She's had it all evening. It's so funny! But super CUTE!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Growin
Aspen just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Today Villie picked her up from JPlay and she said she almost didn't recognize her, lol. It hadn't been that long since she saw her, maybe a week or so? But I have to agree, Aspen is constantly changing and losing that newborn baby look. Here are some random pictures from this past week or so.
Wearing her red shiny shoes. I *heart* these shoes! I finally bought a couple shirts that matched them so she could wear them.
She's been drooling like crazy lately. I don't know if she is teething though. Max drooled a lot at this age, but didn't get a single tooth until he was almost a year old.
Playing in her exersaucer
The Fam
Hanging out in her bumbo chair
I bought her Halloween costume not too long ago. She's going to be a flower fairy. We are going to a friend's wedding on Halloween, so I thought it would be cute to dress her up.
Wearing her red shiny shoes. I *heart* these shoes! I finally bought a couple shirts that matched them so she could wear them.
She's been drooling like crazy lately. I don't know if she is teething though. Max drooled a lot at this age, but didn't get a single tooth until he was almost a year old.
Playing in her exersaucer
The Fam
Hanging out in her bumbo chair
I bought her Halloween costume not too long ago. She's going to be a flower fairy. We are going to a friend's wedding on Halloween, so I thought it would be cute to dress her up.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Sick Girl
Aspen is sick :(
Last night she was really congested and was having a lot of trouble sleeping. She kept wanting to eat, but her nose was so congested she couldn't eat and breath so she just cried. It was SO sad. Today I've been using saline drops and trying to keep her elevated. She was running a fever of 100 earlier this evening. Poor thing. I feel so badly for her. She just went to sleep finally after a couple hours a whimpering. I put some baby vicks on her chest and feet so hopefully she'll do better tonight.
I remember the first time Max got sick as a baby. That was the first time I really felt like a "mom". It's like you suddenly realize how much they need you and you would do anything to make them feel better.
Last night she was really congested and was having a lot of trouble sleeping. She kept wanting to eat, but her nose was so congested she couldn't eat and breath so she just cried. It was SO sad. Today I've been using saline drops and trying to keep her elevated. She was running a fever of 100 earlier this evening. Poor thing. I feel so badly for her. She just went to sleep finally after a couple hours a whimpering. I put some baby vicks on her chest and feet so hopefully she'll do better tonight.
I remember the first time Max got sick as a baby. That was the first time I really felt like a "mom". It's like you suddenly realize how much they need you and you would do anything to make them feel better.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The Second Time Around
I really like this blog entry on having a second baby. The girl who writes the blog is about to have her second baby and she talked about how she isn't "afraid" of having another one and is feeling very prepared. I think that was SO true for me. I was super nervous to have Max. I didn't know if I was ready, how could you know if you are ready for your first child? But with Aspen, I was so ready. I really felt no apprehension about having a newborn again. I knew that I was capable of doing it again and that was a huge comfort for me. Anyways, just thought I would share this because it really summed up a lot of the feelings I had with her,
Adding Another
Adding Another
Growing up in Preschool
I picked Max up from preschool today and he was sitting next to this cute little blonde. He smiled at me and wanted to introduce her to me.
"Mommy this is my GIRLFRIEND, Sadie"
Little Sadies says also, "He's my BOYFRIEND and I'm his girlfriend and he can come over to my house to play!"
We are home now and he is walking around the house saying, "I got a girlfriend! I got a girlfriend!"
I'm SOOOOOO not ready for this!!
"Mommy this is my GIRLFRIEND, Sadie"
Little Sadies says also, "He's my BOYFRIEND and I'm his girlfriend and he can come over to my house to play!"
We are home now and he is walking around the house saying, "I got a girlfriend! I got a girlfriend!"
I'm SOOOOOO not ready for this!!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Somebody Save Me!
It's going on Day 2 of no power at my house. Hurrican Ike remnants brought a major storm through the city and like 75% of the city is without power and the electric company is saying it could be 10-14 days until everything back up.
GROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!!!
I'm sitting in Curt's car on his laptop hiding from my three year old who has no concept of NOTHING works right now.
GROOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!!!!
I'm sitting in Curt's car on his laptop hiding from my three year old who has no concept of NOTHING works right now.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Mini Photoshoot in the A.M.
I did a little mini shoot with Aspen this morning. Max wanted to take one picture too, so I got a sweet one of the two of them together. I think they turned out cute. I love the little beanie hat she has on. There's just something about a baby in a knitted hat. I think it just makes their eyes brighter or something.
Max and Aspen
Little Dear
Talking to me, lol
Sweet Smiling Girl!
Max and Aspen
Little Dear
Talking to me, lol
Sweet Smiling Girl!
Friday, September 5, 2008
4 Month Appointment
Aspen had her four month appt today. Overall the doctor said she looked great! She was very impressed with her strength and how well she was standing up. The only issue was that she has minor labial (?) adhesion and we have to make sure to seperate that several times a day so it doesn't grow together more.
She mentioned solids, but left it up to us about when we want to start them. She said anywhere from 4-7 months is fine. We'll probably start closer to 7 months with cereal. I'm just not ready to get into the whole solids thing yet. I'm enjoying providing for her needs by breastfeeding exclusively right now.
But other than that she was perfect! She got SUPER mad during her vaccinations and screamed the whole time we were leaving, but went to sleep once we got her back out to the truck.
Stats today:
13 lbs 3 oz (50%)
23 1/4" (10%)
And some recent pictures
Aspen standing (leaned against the couch) next to Max,
Me and Aspen
Happy Girl
Going to sleep
Going, going, gone!
Oh and a couple cute videos,
Aspen talking politics ;)
She mentioned solids, but left it up to us about when we want to start them. She said anywhere from 4-7 months is fine. We'll probably start closer to 7 months with cereal. I'm just not ready to get into the whole solids thing yet. I'm enjoying providing for her needs by breastfeeding exclusively right now.
But other than that she was perfect! She got SUPER mad during her vaccinations and screamed the whole time we were leaving, but went to sleep once we got her back out to the truck.
Stats today:
13 lbs 3 oz (50%)
23 1/4" (10%)
And some recent pictures
Aspen standing (leaned against the couch) next to Max,
Me and Aspen
Happy Girl
Going to sleep
Going, going, gone!
Oh and a couple cute videos,
Aspen talking politics ;)
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