tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45913168184050899012024-03-19T08:59:57.367-04:00Family BurkeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-36339224041929511112011-07-13T14:03:00.003-04:002011-07-13T14:32:12.522-04:00OopsApril to July? Seriously? <div><br /></div><div>As Eli would say, "Whoops! Soddy!" (translation: "whoops! sorry! I spilled something... again!")</div><div><br /></div><div>I knew this two-kid thing wouldn't be any kind of breeze, but I really underestimated the exhaustion. Things are only just starting to get easier, and I think the last few months have been a nail in my done-having-kids coffin. </div><div><br /></div><div>In a quick wrap, in answer to Colic Round Two, I dove head-first into a dairy elimination diet when everything else I'd tried failed. About 10 days in, he started to change demeanor. Then I made a little mistake with some pumped milk from the freezer from before the diet and BAM, set back another 10 days. After that, things improved drastically and at a little past four months, I was able to ease back on the diet without adding extra screaming. The diet was brutal, but it was worth having more moments of peace. He's doing much better now and although he still refuses to be put down most of the time, he can sit and is already scooting himself around. </div><div><br /></div><div>About a month ago Eli started some occupational therapy for a sensory processing dysfunction. It's been interesting to watch how the different methods of therapy make a difference in the way he responds to his environment. We are trying to learn the best way to give him what he needs without losing our minds. He is wild, but he is so sweet and I just know he's going to break through his issues one of these days. Now I just have to hope Lincoln doesn't follow in his monkey brother's crazy footsteps... </div><div><br /></div><div>I added Lincoln's last four month shots to the slideshow at the top left. Four at once! Whoops! Soddy! </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PG-6ceAJOY/Th3hZfj8wKI/AAAAAAAAH0U/a0PxeQ3XH6A/s1600/7-10%2B%25286%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PG-6ceAJOY/Th3hZfj8wKI/AAAAAAAAH0U/a0PxeQ3XH6A/s320/7-10%2B%25286%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628902937368248482" style="cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sk8WUP53jAU/Th3hZ6jH2hI/AAAAAAAAH0c/Ix8Fcm-cU9Q/s1600/6-22%2B%25283%2529.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sk8WUP53jAU/Th3hZ6jH2hI/AAAAAAAAH0c/Ix8Fcm-cU9Q/s320/6-22%2B%25283%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628902944612538898" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-8436511639315154192011-04-05T18:18:00.003-04:002011-04-05T18:26:12.264-04:00two months and two yearsMy little guys hit a couple milestones recently. <div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lincoln is 2 months old! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-unGnr3Owm-g/TZuWn1D54wI/AAAAAAAAHq8/Gd7kJ9F_xPo/s1600/Lincoln%2B2%2Bmonths.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-unGnr3Owm-g/TZuWn1D54wI/AAAAAAAAHq8/Gd7kJ9F_xPo/s320/Lincoln%2B2%2Bmonths.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592228973313123074" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eli is 2 years old!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jpzx91RZ4CU/TZuWoYBeqVI/AAAAAAAAHrE/Mr9qDZzTNHk/s1600/059.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jpzx91RZ4CU/TZuWoYBeqVI/AAAAAAAAHrE/Mr9qDZzTNHk/s320/059.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592228982698191186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In other news, we just returned from a crazy trip to Georgia. I say "crazy" because I think I was insane to attempt a 12-hour drive alone with these two very loud little boys. We had a good time though and we sure loved the sun! </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyP_6KTVgGM/TZuWoxVjtAI/AAAAAAAAHrM/d9auhHua_H8/s1600/196761_10150144526666898_656101897_7259830_7699917_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NyP_6KTVgGM/TZuWoxVjtAI/AAAAAAAAHrM/d9auhHua_H8/s320/196761_10150144526666898_656101897_7259830_7699917_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592228989493294082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-86999394855789569422011-03-23T12:00:00.001-04:002011-03-24T16:05:05.927-04:00back again like a bitter friendWhy haven't I posted even a one-month picture? Well, because I never have two hands free--and rarely even one. <div><br /></div><div>To bring my nightmare to life, Lincoln is following his brother's footsteps and I'm experiencing Colic Round Two. </div><div><br /></div><div>I feared this, but I really thought the odds were in my favor and surely this wouldn't happen to me again. How wrong I was! He started a little sooner than Eli did, and at first it was more mild. However, it has gotten progressively worse day by day, week by week, and here we are at 7 weeks and he is downright miserable--and so am I. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm struggling a lot with this. I'm sleep-deprived. Eli is tantrum city. Josh is working horrible hours. And I just can't believe this has been handed to me again. I'm tired and discouraged. I feel angry and hurt. And then of course comes the guilt--he is a healthy boy and this WILL pass. I know that. There are people who have lost their babies who would shake their head at my being depressed over a screaming baby. But everything is relative, and screaming is relatively awful.</div><div><br /></div><div>Did you know the sound of screaming babies is piped into the cells of terrorists to torture them during interrogations? What else do they use? Oh! Sleep deprivation! Sounds kind of like my life...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvxfOxSTQKk/TYug4v7iB1I/AAAAAAAAHqU/KuoY6257OnU/s1600/3-6%2B%252810%2529.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tvxfOxSTQKk/TYug4v7iB1I/AAAAAAAAHqU/KuoY6257OnU/s320/3-6%2B%252810%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587736659482511186" style="cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 320px; " /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-24831896668004485162011-02-18T09:38:00.003-05:002011-02-18T10:08:26.999-05:00finally...Final eviction notice received February 3, 2011: Lincoln Beckett Burke, weighing in at a hefty 9lb6oz, 22 inches long, with one giant head!<div><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OWWlOaQbHSU/TV6GTU_OU9I/AAAAAAAAHpQ/sdDBGGEX5xI/s1600/Lincoln%2B2-3-11%2B%25284%2529.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OWWlOaQbHSU/TV6GTU_OU9I/AAAAAAAAHpQ/sdDBGGEX5xI/s320/Lincoln%2B2-3-11%2B%25284%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575041055340778450" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>After weeks of hoping for some progress and having none, I finally gave in to a c-section at 41 weeks. It turned out to be the best thing--some time in the days before, the little stinker had flipped around and was feet down! So if I had ended up having any progress, I still would have ended up disappointed about being wheeled into the OR anyway. So having it scheduled ended up being a whole lot easier than the alternative. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoikLjpB9aRM67K1PMJ3k_P-IB2Q_8COQ5iQP6iYy2AMW4ay9JVIiVNjj8ADC2gaqTqhOSqH6nM16d1h9pM6miSplTeFOCH9XVd3R8wd4OttmSyBlyoi8YzrYULwD5cOL37Tbj_91Y4QM/s1600/2-4+%25284%2529.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoikLjpB9aRM67K1PMJ3k_P-IB2Q_8COQ5iQP6iYy2AMW4ay9JVIiVNjj8ADC2gaqTqhOSqH6nM16d1h9pM6miSplTeFOCH9XVd3R8wd4OttmSyBlyoi8YzrYULwD5cOL37Tbj_91Y4QM/s320/2-4+%25284%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575046315700384082" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I've been so thankful to have some great help from my mother and sister for the first week. Josh has been home all this week. And in spite of having met most of them only once, we have been lovingly provided with meals from the local MOPS group and our new church. I'm loving this town! </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZnrrHiaRKM/TV6LF4lcaCI/AAAAAAAAHpg/OERP0KFwSkI/s1600/2-11%2B%25286%2529.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZnrrHiaRKM/TV6LF4lcaCI/AAAAAAAAHpg/OERP0KFwSkI/s320/2-11%2B%25286%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575046321936295970" style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-23522666329566105322011-01-27T09:00:00.000-05:002011-01-27T09:01:04.845-05:00...and counting40 weeks and still waiting! <div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-30393864603007872011-01-19T20:54:00.002-05:002011-01-19T21:03:03.307-05:00the waiting game39 weeks and I'm totally surprised! I really didn't expect to make it all the way! My 39-week appointment is tomorrow and I'm pretty anxious to find out if I've had any progress since last week. I'm feeling pretty ready, so... let's go little guy!<div><br /></div><div>I'm also ready for spring... but these snowboys are pretty cute.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TTeXwx0JcZI/AAAAAAAAHoA/9RNH6S3yMHE/s1600/048.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TTeXwx0JcZI/AAAAAAAAHoA/9RNH6S3yMHE/s320/048.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564082728901112210" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 259px; " /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-79610263514088075522010-12-31T09:44:00.002-05:002010-12-31T09:56:20.698-05:00settling in... and outWhat a month it's been! We finally got ourselves moved out... and in. We've settled ourselves into our new home in NE Ohio and are adjusting to a little more snow and a lot more space. It's been a great change so far to have so much more space for the kids' things and not having our living space entirely overtaken by toys. <div><br /></div><div>We've hit a few churches so far but nothing has felt right yet. I was hoping we might love the first one we visited so we could get connected right away, but that hasn't happened. Hopefully we'll find something soon. I'm planning to go to the MOPS group this coming Tuesday and hoping to make a few connections before I'm out for awhile with baby duties. </div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of baby, at my appointment this week, my doctor said he's pretty sure he's gone head-down! My response? "Nuh-UH!" I can't even believe it. He said he'll do an ultrasound in two weeks so we'll find out for sure whether we'll try for a vbac or not pretty soon. I'm getting huge, uncomfortable, and incapable. But we're almost there!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TR3tKmHrZFI/AAAAAAAAHn0/V1JKmOA6FNA/s1600/12-24%2B%25289%2529.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TR3tKmHrZFI/AAAAAAAAHn0/V1JKmOA6FNA/s320/12-24%2B%25289%2529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556858281532286034" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 259px; " /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-51596938101469363392010-12-04T20:35:00.002-05:002010-12-04T20:44:35.452-05:0032 weeksHow has this pregnancy flown all the way to 32w (and a few days) already? It seems like I was dying to get this far last time while it slowed to a crawl the closer and closer it came. And then, of course, I had Eli at 34 weeks so I don't even know what pregnancy is like past such a time. <div><br /></div><div>This time things are going so much better. At my last OB appointment, my blood pressure was a fabulous 117/80 and I noted to the doctor that at that same appointment last time, I waddled in with giant purple feet and so began my two weeks of daily NSTs and ultimately failed BPPs and the emergent emergence of my little guy. </div><div><br /></div><div>This baby is sideways, just like Eli was, so I am headed for a repeat section. I can feel his head poking out my side now in exactly the same spot Eli did. A week ago I couldn't tell his position and now it is perfectly clear when I run my hand up and down my side! </div><div><br /></div><div>In other news, we are moving in one week! Finally, we are embarking on this great adventure of a whole new beginning--new home, new town, new church, new friends, and new baby. I'm a little nervous but mostly excited. It's been a long time coming and we are definitely ready. My prayer now is that we can get moved, unpacked, and adjusted by Christmas so that when January hits we are prepared for anything with this baby.</div><div><br /></div><div>I suppose "prepared" would mean picking a name. Perhaps we'll get to that... </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-5203411124357688092010-11-14T12:20:00.005-05:002010-11-14T12:40:53.416-05:00and so it goesWhere did fall go? <div><br /></div><div>The leaves fell, Halloween came and went, and suddenly it was winter. </div><div><br /></div><div>And now it's spring. I'd really like a little fall before the dead of winter begins! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's my ferocious shark-boy on Halloween. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TOAefL-HeJI/AAAAAAAAHnU/axOH2Xeackw/s1600/013.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TOAefL-HeJI/AAAAAAAAHnU/axOH2Xeackw/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539461062803814546" style="cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Stick around awhile, Fall!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TOAfBtq3aHI/AAAAAAAAHnc/JcoG9yDyInA/s1600/019.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TOAfBtq3aHI/AAAAAAAAHnc/JcoG9yDyInA/s320/019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539461655965427826" style="cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Still on the Great House Search. Eli is so big! Baby is kicking the heck out of my insides, but so far all is well. I'm so thankful for a <i>much </i>easier pregnancy this time around. Now to keep him in there at least until January--that is the next goal. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-5298965872013788792010-10-07T19:57:00.004-04:002010-10-07T20:11:38.245-04:00Is there a doctor in the house?<div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Last weekend our family saw both stitches and sickies.</div><div><br /></div><div>After Noah's soccer game on Saturday we took the boys to the park, where Josh somehow managed to bash Eli's head into some playground equipment and make a gaping, bleeding hole. Since Noah lives in Podunkville, we had to drive a half hour back to our beloved city to get to Children's Urgent Care, where Eli got three awesome little stitches in his previously perfect little head. He didn't like being held down, but he did much better than I thought. I, on the other hand, cowered in the corner with tears in my eyes, just in my baby's line of vision, while Josh held him down on the table. I'm pretty sure I was more scarred than he will be.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TK5gL7vKlAI/AAAAAAAAHlg/H1l71HvSC1w/s1600/headwound1.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TK5gL7vKlAI/AAAAAAAAHlg/H1l71HvSC1w/s320/headwound1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525459550960522242" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TK5gMMcy-FI/AAAAAAAAHlo/SlQjNN0KUDA/s1600/headwound2.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TK5gMMcy-FI/AAAAAAAAHlo/SlQjNN0KUDA/s320/headwound2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525459555446880338" style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Little did we know he had been sick the night before (the mess somehow was missed by his visiting grandfather, who got him out of bed in the morning) and was slowly but surely infecting the entire family. First Josh had his turn, then mine, and also not spared were Noah and his mother, Josh's dad (who was visiting), and probably most of the toddler class at church and the Urgent Care staff. Thanks, little dude. We all survived and I'm hoping this gets us off the hook for the rest of the sickies season (and this pregnancy!). </div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-90863091987052710532010-10-01T14:18:00.002-04:002010-10-01T14:26:08.625-04:00Fall is FabulousI'm pretty darn excited that it's October. Aside from the pollen count, this is probably my favorite month of the year. Things are changing, it's cooling off, the windows are opening, different clothes are being pulled out of the closet. It's fun to be outside. The holidays are approaching. Yes!<div><br /></div><div>Today I'm sitting on the couch with my laptop while Eli naps and I have all the windows open. The breeze coming in is gloriously crisp and even gives me a slight chill--I love it! Outside my window I can see a tree with a few yellowing leaves among the green ones. The sun is shining. </div><div><br /></div><div>And it's time to start planning fall activities. Hay rides, apple picking, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, carving pumpkins, Halloween, playing in leaves... and lots of pictures! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-23902183840353763372010-09-29T12:14:00.004-04:002010-09-29T12:20:23.100-04:00ruff ruff<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I just told Eli he was eating a hot dog and he started barking. <div><br /></div><div>At his 18-month appointment last week, his doctor was concerned about his speech. He called in some referrals so we'll be having a hearing and speech eval coming up soon. Well, I'm pretty sure my little barking boy can hear me. Who needs English? </div><div><br /></div><div>On another note, I think it might actually be Fall now! Yes!!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TKNnJ2lkaDI/AAAAAAAAHk4/K6W0-tOV5pM/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522370987055933490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-16729575972742980502010-09-22T15:01:00.002-04:002010-09-22T15:09:13.663-04:00monkey child<div style="text-align: left;">It's no secret Eli is part monkey. He's been scaling furniture since he could walk and scaling walls since then. For months he's been flipping the ottoman over and over across the room so he could reach things up high. He's figured out just about every child lock in the house. And now...</div><div><br /></div><div>Now he's climbed out of the crib. Argh! I put him in his bed for a nap and about ten minutes later I heard pounding on his door. I knew it was too loud to be the cat, so I went to check. Sure enough, there he was grinning at me from the bunk bed ladder, lamp on the floor. </div><div><br /></div><div>Great! I've already been fretting about his non-readiness for the big-boy bed in a few months when BB2 makes his appearance, but now I have to worry about it sooner than expected. I don't think he's ready to be out of the crib and I'm not sure what to do. Fence him in with a baby crib cage? Just let him try the bed? I'm worried about the bunk bed ladder and neck-breaking activities. </div><div><br /></div><div>Where did my baby go?!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs303.ash2/58307_431404267311_500057311_5718727_4480723_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 432px; height: 648px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-8178729365979463162010-09-03T17:46:00.002-04:002010-09-03T18:06:37.035-04:00half baked<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I had my 20-week scan this week (although we're a few days short) so Baby 2 is officially just about half baked! <div><br /></div><div>He is still a boy and as of yet remains nameless. Poor kid doesn't even have a nickname! </div><div><br /></div><div>Everything looked fine on the scan except I have a low-lying placenta. This was not pleasant news to me because I have been hoping and praying and hoping and praying for a VBAC. The odds are already stacked against me as I am high risk for preterm labor what with the issues I have and had previously--bicornuate uterus, preeclampsia, placental abruption, premature birth, and breech presentation. My awesome doctor is willing to do it if all the factors line up just right--but it seems like every time I go in they have another strike against my VBAC dreams. In order to get this baby out the way nature intended, I have to make it to term, go into labor naturally, have no PIH or placenta problems, have a head-down baby, and now I need my placenta to move the heck up and away from the exit. Oh please, oh please! Pray with me, y'all, I really, <i>really </i>want this and I'm starting to get a little discouraged. </div><div><br /></div><div>But Nameless is doing great and measuring right on target. That is really the most important thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>I feel bad to follow my complaints with this, but a friend of mine had her baby the same day as my ultrasound and her little boy was born with a couple different defects. He's already had one surgery and has more to come--and I so feel for my friend as she is going through so many emotions I couldn't even begin to understand. Little Mason is already such a fighter--just like his mom. Please keep Mason and his family in your prayers. You can follow his story here: <a href="http://preciousmason.blogspot.com/">Precious Mason</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>And just because it's been awhile, here's Number One:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs428.snc4/47114_425215952311_500057311_5580811_5715975_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 518px; height: 720px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-28571759271879017322010-08-18T16:49:00.004-04:002010-08-18T17:00:13.519-04:00BB2 is a boy!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>For some reason, pregnancy has made me blog-lazy. I'm always thinking about things I'd like to write about and then they slip away into the fog of my pregnancy brain, never to be heard from again.<div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TGxJLKPaS7I/AAAAAAAAHkI/9FlyzNHwx4M/s320/PICS_34.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506856900443655090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div>Anyway, we found out on Monday that BB2 is quite clearly another boy! I will admit to having slight jealousy when I see little girls with bows and pretty dresses, but beyond that, I'm pretty excited to have two little boys so close in age who will hopefully be built-in best friends. And other than accommodating different seasons in clothes, hopefully we won't have to buy too much. </div><div><br /></div><div>So... Double Stroller, here I come!</div><div><br /></div><div>Still up in the air on names. Any suggestions? Aim, fire!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-62909479582156080082010-07-26T08:29:00.002-04:002010-07-26T09:03:50.691-04:00We're still living with boxes. I'm getting tempted to unpack some things--namely Eli's toys. I only left out just a few and since he's staring at the TV even when it isn't on, I think maybe it's time to get out some different toys. Keep praying for the sale of this house. We really felt like maybe we'd get lucky and get out fast, but so far we've only had one showing and no interest. <div><br /></div><div>Josh has been commuting for a few weeks now. Aside from the drive he seems to be enjoying the new job. We're all happier if he is happy, so this is good news. </div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking of good news, we're working on a little sibling to arrive, say, 2/2/11. This was clearly an oops, but we're happy. I have an appointment next week (14w) so I'll try to do better at keeping you posted. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-72934896141115043142010-07-05T20:57:00.001-04:002010-07-05T21:00:06.497-04:00finally, an update<p>Been awhile. I know. I’ve been meaning to update, but things have been hectic around here. </p> <p>Good news: Josh got a job! It was a great offer with a relocation bonus—yeah, relocation. We’re moving… eventually. </p> <p>For now it’s house-selling time. Yuck! Not my favorite activity. We’ve been packing and cleaning and fixing things while we wait for a call for a showing. It’s been a week—nothing yet. We’ve been looking at houses to rent in the new town (about 2 hours north of here) but so far nothing feels right. So we’re waiting and trying to figure out what to do in between. Josh starts his new job on the 12th, so we’re running out of time for figuring and heading for seat-of-our-pants living.</p> <p>While I’m sad about moving away and leaving friends and starting over and finding a new church, new play groups, new friends, I’m looking forward to starting over fresh, too. There’s something exciting about that and I love that we’ll be living in a smaller town now that I’ve been in the city for the last ten years. I’ve always wanted to raise my family in a place where my kids can walk to school, the library, the park, the Five-and-Ten… okay, I guess it’s a dream world where the Five-and-Ten still exists and children can eat unwrapped penny candy from open bins. But it’s a little more like the way I grew up than life is here in the city, and I’m looking forward to that. </p> <p>So for now, we’re living among boxes and trying to keep the house clean. We’re praying God will sell this place faster than we can imagine. He has blessed us so much so far, so we won’t be surprised when He comes through again. </p> <p><font color="#008000"></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-55603010355048013692010-06-02T15:18:00.002-04:002010-06-02T15:38:14.833-04:00husband for hireOk, not really. Although I might hire him out for the right price. <div><br /></div><div>The hubs got the lay-off last week. Welcome to my personal world, Crappy Economy! It didn't seem nearly as bad when it was other people losing their jobs. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since Josh is a full-time worker and I'm a full-time mom, this throws a kink in our lifestyle. His severance is only four weeks--heavens! It takes longer than four weeks to find a job! But I guess I'm grateful that it's not three, or two, or one. </div><div><br /></div><div>Having him at home all the time has been nice. It makes our days more interesting and less monotonous. Eli seems a little undone by the change in routine, but hopefully he won't have to deal with it long enough to adjust. We are praying for the right job to surface quickly and hope we can find a way to sell our tiny place. Moving a short distance is an acceptable possibility. Leaving our church and our friends would be sad, but starving to death would be sadder. </div><div><br /></div><div>If anyone has any networking for manufacturing/operations management positions inside Ohio, I'd love to hear it! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-36477697467957895992010-06-01T19:42:00.006-04:002010-06-09T14:15:52.256-04:00nothing is impossible<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>As you know, we were traveling last week. Eli and I flew to Georgia to see my nephew Daniel graduate from high school. Alas, it rained, and we didn't see the actual event, but we got cap-and-gown pictures, so that's good enough for me. Eli wasn't excited about the ceremony anyway.</div><div><br /></div><div>My nephew, who was a screamy baby (much like my precious one) and a lippy teen, has grown into a fine man of God. He and his friends have a worship band and instead of having the typical bring-me-money graduation party, he and his friends chose to have a worship service for a party. They played and sang and we sang along as we dipped chips in dips and forks in cake. </div><div><br /></div><div>My sister and her sons are an inspiration to me. With a husband similar to mine, she managed to raise two boys into godly men who are serious about their faith. They are smart, happy, kind, and funny. I know there were times when she felt like her sons would only learn from the example of their father, but praise God for being the example they needed to see. I hope I will have the same faith to trust God to take care of my precious son in spite of the example his father might be for him at home sometimes. I hope he grows up to be as good a kid as his cousins.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TAWbdy2hcnI/AAAAAAAAHhU/U4fXBaLZCPo/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/TAWbdy2hcnI/AAAAAAAAHhU/U4fXBaLZCPo/s320/IMG_0490.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477955457935045234" /></a><i><br /></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-57496437789354637042010-05-22T22:12:00.003-04:002010-05-22T22:24:26.116-04:00seatbelts fastened<div style="text-align: left;">I'm ecstatic to report that our flight was a dozen times better than I ever expected it would be! My little monkey <i>slept the whole flight!</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Some friends suggested I take the carseat on the chance that there was an empty seat and they'd let me use it. I hoped and prayed and lo and behold, Eli got his own comfy window seat! He was wide-eyed during take-off, looked out the window for a couple minutes, and then quietly nodded off. He slept until just before we landed. The flight attendants were amazingly helpful and even brought Eli his pair of wings! </div><div><br /></div><div>Now on to hoping and praying the flight home is as easy as the first was. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/S_iQ0tlbtbI/AAAAAAAAHg8/hCWS29aVSJo/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474284582333035954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-59605781922730553652010-05-19T04:07:00.002-04:002010-05-19T04:19:35.902-04:00restless, thus rest-lessI take Benadryl to sleep. Every night. <div><br /></div><div>Eli and I are flying alone this morning, and last night with hope in my heart, I set my alarm for 4am and put my head on my pillow without swallowing my little pink friends. Hope shmope! No sleep. I tossed and I turned. I listened to Josh snore. The cars out my window. The crickets. And by 3:20am, the birds. At 3:22am I finally got up and gave in to my sleepless body. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ironically, I tested out a dosage of baby Benadryl on Eli to see if it might help me out with his wild side on the flight. Nope. Didn't do a thing. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, we're off. Airport, here we come. Fellow passengers, here we come. Feel free to petition the airline to give Eli a free seat to spare all of us the screaming grief. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-44449689858286701432010-05-15T23:12:00.004-04:002010-05-15T23:29:57.496-04:00a sunshiny daySomeone thinks I'm sunny! Thank you <a href="http://www.thebreathingpost.com/">Sarah at The Breathing Post!</a><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV41cE-tXfTJOH-kH-mCIdB4VjllNHKkXnZoQaONREiBfUlCCkj5xFHR6xHZnEphm-gsevsCmVfb_wf5E5W_yIZIDfBYBloZisiWm0Le3VMMstJuEBJfSvKJQLeoqN3l1hcpVQAngq7r4/s320/sunshineaward.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV41cE-tXfTJOH-kH-mCIdB4VjllNHKkXnZoQaONREiBfUlCCkj5xFHR6xHZnEphm-gsevsCmVfb_wf5E5W_yIZIDfBYBloZisiWm0Le3VMMstJuEBJfSvKJQLeoqN3l1hcpVQAngq7r4/s320/sunshineaward.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Here are the rules, but honestly, 10 seems like a million. I'd rather be picky and choosy. Ciao, rule number 2! </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">1. Put the logo on your blog or within your post.<br />2. Pass the award onto 10 bloggers.<br />3. Let the nominees know they have received the award by commenting on their blog.<br />4. Share the love and link the person who gave you the award</span></i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(68, 68, 68); line-height: 24px; font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:15px;"><br /></span></div><div>Pam at <a href="http://countrycitymouse-pam.blogspot.com/">Country Mouse City Mouse</a></div><div>and </div><div>Michelle at <a href="http://keepingupwiththecollinsfamily.blogspot.com/">Keeping Up with the Collins Family</a></div><div><br /></div><div>In other sunshiny news, Josh and Eli and I spent the afternoon at the Arts Festival today. We walked and talked and definitely <i>did not </i>eat some junky fair food. Okay, we did. But we were careful. We admired some art and laughed at others. Then we took a tour of the "Old County Jail." Pretty neat, other than the anatomically correct pictures that are still drawn on some of the cell walls... </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-61631907860249133302010-05-02T15:42:00.004-04:002010-05-02T16:28:19.833-04:00hah!<div>My little guy has had his own schedule since the day he was born. He decided he was ready to meet the world 6 weeks early. And in spite of his preemie status, he sat up early. Crawled early. Walked early. But he has always been a little behind with fine motor skills. A little slow to learn to use his hands, he took his time learning to bat at things, play with toys, eat with his fingers, and so on. </div><div><br /></div><div>At 13 months, he's finally doing two things we've been begging him to do for months upon months: wave and clap! </div><div><br /></div><div>Now he waves at everyone and says "Hah!" (this is his version of "hi")--and quite proudly, might I add. He claps for himself and laughs--Josh said he was pretty proud of himself this morning for being so good during a diaper change... now that would be something I could get used to.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">wave in motion</span></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/S93Wsjxt9GI/AAAAAAAAHgU/8RABfxAAIV8/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/S93Wsjxt9GI/AAAAAAAAHgU/8RABfxAAIV8/s320/004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466761583704011874" /></a>Now if he would only use the sign language I've been pounding into his head since he was 2 months old...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-80062996815633331052010-04-22T11:54:00.006-04:002010-04-22T13:24:21.038-04:00who, me?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/S9CCdhGoQfI/AAAAAAAAHgM/VdHCF9gj4kI/s1600/Happy_101%5B1%5D.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_a6u5KJacZXQ/S9CCdhGoQfI/AAAAAAAAHgM/VdHCF9gj4kI/s200/Happy_101%5B1%5D.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463009791614403058" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been blogging fairly regularly for 10 years and here's my first blog award. More like "thanks for being nice" but I'll take it. Thanks, <a href="http://peppermintpattyg.blogspot.com/">Patty.</a> And the rules follow: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1. Copy and paste the award on your blog.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2. List who gave you the award and use a link to her blog.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">3. List 10 things that make you happy.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">4. Pass the award on to other bloggers and visit their blog to let them know.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><u>Ten Things That Make Me Happy</u></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>1.</b> Knowing every day that Jesus is my best friend. I can't screw that up! He just won't leave, no matter what I do. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>2.</b> Watching Eli learn new things every day. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>3.</b> An evening to myself to just hang out and recoup. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>4.</b> Taking (and looking at) pictures--mine or anyone else's. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>5.</b> A good night's sleep. I don't get many of these. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>6.</b> This is going to sound cheeseball, but my online friends. You might not understand, but I have some really close relationships with women I have never even met. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>7. </b>Finding a great deal at the thrift store on something I would <i>never </i>pay full price for.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>8. </b>Shopping for baby and kid things. I don't buy much, but I love looking and searching for deals.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>9. </b>A sunny, quiet, fightless weekend at home with Josh and Eli.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>10.</b> Visiting family. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><b><i><u>I'm passing this on to...</u></i></b></div><div><b>Bobbi </b>at <a href="http://bobbicamacho.blogspot.com/">Casa Camacho</a> for all her crafty ideas</div><div><b>Mama </b>at <a href="http://justanothermotherhoodblog.blogspot.com/">Just Another Motherhood Blog</a> for her colic survival skills</div><div><b>Kim </b>at <a href="http://kimmiekblog.blogspot.com/">Cotterized</a> for enduring endless restructurings without falling off the map</div><div><b>Shannon </b>at <a href="http://shananagins2468.blogspot.com/">Faith Hope & Love</a> for wooing my language-lovin' heart with her alphabet posts. Gosh, I love letters.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4591316818405089901.post-40673566637152188462010-04-12T08:42:00.004-04:002010-04-12T08:48:05.750-04:00North Columbus PlaygroundsSince the inception of my mom job, starting with stepmothering a couple years ago, I've found myself wishing I could find a list of <i>good </i>playgrounds in the area so we'd always have somewhere new to visit. I'm always on a quest to find the perfect playground. But as far as I've found, the only way is to really go searching or to ask for recommendations, because searching "playgrounds" in google doesn't come up with anything, and gosh-darn if some great little playgrounds aren't the ones perfectly hidden away in a sweet little corner I'd never find from just driving around.<div><br /></div><div>So I decided to start a map for myself to keep track of playgrounds nearby. If you're a local (We're near Columbus, Ohio. No, I'm not giving you my street address! Don't worry!), then maybe you'll find this useful too, and I would love for you to add more playgrounds. Let's help each other have fun with our kids. </div><div><br /></div><div>Without further adieu, here it is. </div><div><center><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117737565920426816927.00048408baf55ef3ad483&ll=40.147914,-82.97699&spn=0.183701,0.291824&z=11&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117737565920426816927.00048408baf55ef3ad483&ll=40.147914,-82.97699&spn=0.183701,0.291824&z=11&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Parks & Playgrounds</a> in a larger map</small></center></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2