23"
Smiling, cooing and kicking
happy and easy going
doesn't mind tummy time
has the smelliest gas ever
soothes easily
squeals like a girl
Monday, January 31, 2011
andrew - two months
11.9oz
23"
Smiling, cooing and kicking
happy and easy going
doesn't mind tummy time
has the smelliest gas ever
soothes easily
squeals like a girl
23"
Smiling, cooing and kicking
happy and easy going
doesn't mind tummy time
has the smelliest gas ever
soothes easily
squeals like a girl
day 22
A favorite You Tube video.
I don't get on You Tube much, but I came across this video the other day and instantly it became my favorite video.
The new Mormon Messages are pretty awesome too!
I don't get on You Tube much, but I came across this video the other day and instantly it became my favorite video.
The new Mormon Messages are pretty awesome too!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
day 21
nicknames I have, and why I have them
I'm really an Amanda, but I've never BEEN an Amanda, well except for a brief time in 5th grade when I thought I was too mature for Mandy. I think I was Mandy ever since I was born, and sometime in Jr. High I decided to change it to Mandie. Funny that I would marry a guy with the last name very close to my first name. Change the "an" to "ur" and there you have it.
But other than Mandie I really don't have any firm nicknames. Okay, well my mom calls me "Mander" sometimes, and Missy calls me "Mandie-butt" but only after I call her "Missy-head." But that's about it.
I'm really an Amanda, but I've never BEEN an Amanda, well except for a brief time in 5th grade when I thought I was too mature for Mandy. I think I was Mandy ever since I was born, and sometime in Jr. High I decided to change it to Mandie. Funny that I would marry a guy with the last name very close to my first name. Change the "an" to "ur" and there you have it.
But other than Mandie I really don't have any firm nicknames. Okay, well my mom calls me "Mander" sometimes, and Missy calls me "Mandie-butt" but only after I call her "Missy-head." But that's about it.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
day 20
A favorite recipe
My sister Missy found this recipe a few years ago and I stole it. Every one I share them with thinks its the best snickerdoodle they've ever had. Try them and you'll agree.
Mrs. Siggs Snickerdoodles
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2.Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, the eggs and the vanilla. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.
3.Mix the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls of dough in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
4.Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until set but not too hard. Remove immediately from baking sheets.
My sister Missy found this recipe a few years ago and I stole it. Every one I share them with thinks its the best snickerdoodle they've ever had. Try them and you'll agree.
Mrs. Siggs Snickerdoodles
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2.Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, the eggs and the vanilla. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.
3.Mix the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls of dough in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
4.Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until set but not too hard. Remove immediately from baking sheets.
Friday, January 28, 2011
day 19
A hobby of mine
This hobby is kind of an on again off again hobby that I've been doing for a long time. When the weather's right, and when I have the time and motivation, I love to take old pices of furniture and give them a new life. (My sister Melinda loves doing this too) The first piece of furniture I refinished I worked on with my dad when I was a teenager, so I remember him every time I'm working on a piece.
Here's one I recently did. I found at Salvation Army for $20. I think its supposed to be some kind of magazine rack. Or a fancy horse trough. It's a toss up.
$6 worth of paint and now it looks like this.
This hobby is kind of an on again off again hobby that I've been doing for a long time. When the weather's right, and when I have the time and motivation, I love to take old pices of furniture and give them a new life. (My sister Melinda loves doing this too) The first piece of furniture I refinished I worked on with my dad when I was a teenager, so I remember him every time I'm working on a piece.
Here's one I recently did. I found at Salvation Army for $20. I think its supposed to be some kind of magazine rack. Or a fancy horse trough. It's a toss up.
$6 worth of paint and now it looks like this.
I put it in our front entry to put shoes, backpacks and such on.
(Pardon the crappy phone pictures.)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
day 18
Put your iPod on shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up
Carnival of the Animals: Aquarium (Saint-Saens)
Apologize (One Republic)
Drifting (Harry Connick Jr.)
At Last (Etta James)
Good Vibrations (Beach Boys)
la Traviata: Brindisi (verdi)
I Need Thee Every Hour (Kenneth Cope)
September (Earth, Wind and Fire)
Sugar (Flo Rida)
What A Wonderful World (Stacy Kent)
Carnival of the Animals: Aquarium (Saint-Saens)
Apologize (One Republic)
Drifting (Harry Connick Jr.)
At Last (Etta James)
Good Vibrations (Beach Boys)
la Traviata: Brindisi (verdi)
I Need Thee Every Hour (Kenneth Cope)
September (Earth, Wind and Fire)
Sugar (Flo Rida)
What A Wonderful World (Stacy Kent)
day 17
A habit you wish you didn't have
Tardiness. I can't say that I am ALWAYS late, but it happens enough that I seem to have developed a reputation for it. But don't tease me about it because it's a sensitive subject, and depending on the day, I will either break down and cry or bite your head off.
:)
Tardiness. I can't say that I am ALWAYS late, but it happens enough that I seem to have developed a reputation for it. But don't tease me about it because it's a sensitive subject, and depending on the day, I will either break down and cry or bite your head off.
:)
day 16
Day 16 — A photo of my family
This is a HORRIBLE picture, but it was the last one we've had taken as a family. August 2010.
day 15
Day 15 — Next 3 on “Bucket List”
Well, we just found out last week that I have an antibody in my blood (anti-c) that affects the fetus and so if we were to get pregnant again, and the antibody levels got high enough, it would cause fetal anemia which is potentially fatal. There is no magic cure for this, and the only thing they can do to help the baby survive is blood transfusions. Do you KNOW how they give a baby blood tranfusions in the womb???
So that baby #4 that we were considering for our bucket list may not be a possibility any more.
Other things we'd like to do is make a few improvements on our house, since we think we might want to stay here for a few more years. I'd like to upgrade a lot of things with my photography business also. And pay off debt, car, and house is another big one.
Wow. That all sounds so....dull.
Well, we just found out last week that I have an antibody in my blood (anti-c) that affects the fetus and so if we were to get pregnant again, and the antibody levels got high enough, it would cause fetal anemia which is potentially fatal. There is no magic cure for this, and the only thing they can do to help the baby survive is blood transfusions. Do you KNOW how they give a baby blood tranfusions in the womb???
So that baby #4 that we were considering for our bucket list may not be a possibility any more.
Other things we'd like to do is make a few improvements on our house, since we think we might want to stay here for a few more years. I'd like to upgrade a lot of things with my photography business also. And pay off debt, car, and house is another big one.
Wow. That all sounds so....dull.
day 14
Day 14 — Your dream house...
Oh boy. My dream house would be a one-story ranch with a large wooded lot so I could do photo shoots on it. Maybe something like this:
Here's the listing
Oh boy. My dream house would be a one-story ranch with a large wooded lot so I could do photo shoots on it. Maybe something like this:
Here's the listing
Monday, January 24, 2011
oh fine! day 13
Day 13 — What did you do today??
Um, what did I do on Saturday? We hung around the house that morning and then went to see some of my activity day girls in Annie Jr. at the high school, then that evening I cooked a full dinner, which I hardly do on Saturdays, and then put the kids to bed. And then a little later Carter woke up with an ear infection and my night ended up lasting a lot longer than I expected.
Um, what did I do on Saturday? We hung around the house that morning and then went to see some of my activity day girls in Annie Jr. at the high school, then that evening I cooked a full dinner, which I hardly do on Saturdays, and then put the kids to bed. And then a little later Carter woke up with an ear infection and my night ended up lasting a lot longer than I expected.
Friday, January 21, 2011
day 12
A favorite quote.
"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."
Can anyone guess where that's from?
"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."
Can anyone guess where that's from?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Day 11
A favorite book.
Okay, so I used to be a HUGE book reader, and then college happened, work, and babies and somewhere along the way I lost my drive to read. Its more like, if I sit down with a book, I loose all touch with reality and could read for hours. That's not quite possible when you have kids. I mean, it is, but I wouldn't want CPS to come knocking on my door because of neglect. So I just stay away from the deep reads for now. But one book that I read a year ago that I LOVE is How To Win Friends and Influence People. If you haven't read it yet, you really should. It will change every relationship and every human interaction you have.
I think its time for me to read it again, actually. :)
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
day 8 and 9
ugh! I can't keep up.
Day 8: A favorite song
Well that's just plain impossible. So I think I will narrow it down like CJ did, but this is in no way a definitive list!
Country Song: A Broken Wing by Martina McBride
Classical Song: I really love Durufle's Requiem, specifically Sanctus. That's what I imagine will be playing when I ascend into heaven. :)
Choral/vocal song: "L'heure exquise" by Reynaldo Hahn
60's song: A TIE between Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay, by Otis Redding and "More today than Yesterday" by Spiral Starecase
70's song: "Danny's Song" by Kenny Loggins
80's song: "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" By Michael Jackson, well maybe anything by Michael Jackson
90's song: "More than Words" by Extreme
Today: I have too many!
Day 9: A Favorite MovieI really don't like to watch movies over and over again, so its hard for me to have a favorite. But one of the few that I could see over and over again is "Singing in the Rain."
Day 8: A favorite song
Well that's just plain impossible. So I think I will narrow it down like CJ did, but this is in no way a definitive list!
Country Song: A Broken Wing by Martina McBride
Classical Song: I really love Durufle's Requiem, specifically Sanctus. That's what I imagine will be playing when I ascend into heaven. :)
Choral/vocal song: "L'heure exquise" by Reynaldo Hahn
60's song: A TIE between Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay, by Otis Redding and "More today than Yesterday" by Spiral Starecase
70's song: "Danny's Song" by Kenny Loggins
80's song: "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" By Michael Jackson, well maybe anything by Michael Jackson
90's song: "More than Words" by Extreme
Today: I have too many!
Day 9: A Favorite MovieI really don't like to watch movies over and over again, so its hard for me to have a favorite. But one of the few that I could see over and over again is "Singing in the Rain."
Sunday, January 16, 2011
day 6 and 7
Something I bought recently and something I want to buy.
My first $1000 purchase with my own hard-earned money.
Something I WANT to buy, once we get a couple more thousand. :)
We've been dying for a sectional for a long time and this one is just my style.
My first $1000 purchase with my own hard-earned money.
Something I WANT to buy, once we get a couple more thousand. :)
We've been dying for a sectional for a long time and this one is just my style.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
day 5
Top ten pet peeves.
1. People that don't look at me when I'm talking to them. I may not be perfect at this, but at least I try.
2. People who take their kids to the store waaay past bedtime.
3. When I grab my camera to get a shot of something awesome at home and there's no memory card in it.
4. When the first person in a left turn lane is really slow to turn so only a few cars can get through the light.
5. Reality TV stars that over use the word "absolutely." Especially on the bachelor. Yeah, I watch it. Don't hate.
6. Mothers who always turn conversations into a bragfest about their perfect children.
7. On the flipside, people who talk trash about their spouse. Not attractive, people.
8. How come a box of crayons can be .20 cents or a binder can be .75 cents during school supply days, but when you want to buy one in the middle of October you have to pay 4x's as much. Yeah, I know its silly, but it drives me crazy.
9. When I can't think of a word. Like, its on the tip of my tongue but it takes forever to make it to my brain. This happens a LOT to me.
10. Food smackers and fork scrapers.
Oops! I have two more. I didn't know I was so easily peeved!
11. Smokers.
12. Highly educated, high profile people that talk like backwoods hicks. Bill Clinton, for example?
Okay, I'm done!
1. People that don't look at me when I'm talking to them. I may not be perfect at this, but at least I try.
2. People who take their kids to the store waaay past bedtime.
3. When I grab my camera to get a shot of something awesome at home and there's no memory card in it.
4. When the first person in a left turn lane is really slow to turn so only a few cars can get through the light.
5. Reality TV stars that over use the word "absolutely." Especially on the bachelor. Yeah, I watch it. Don't hate.
6. Mothers who always turn conversations into a bragfest about their perfect children.
7. On the flipside, people who talk trash about their spouse. Not attractive, people.
8. How come a box of crayons can be .20 cents or a binder can be .75 cents during school supply days, but when you want to buy one in the middle of October you have to pay 4x's as much. Yeah, I know its silly, but it drives me crazy.
9. When I can't think of a word. Like, its on the tip of my tongue but it takes forever to make it to my brain. This happens a LOT to me.
10. Food smackers and fork scrapers.
Oops! I have two more. I didn't know I was so easily peeved!
11. Smokers.
12. Highly educated, high profile people that talk like backwoods hicks. Bill Clinton, for example?
Okay, I'm done!
day 4
Something I crave....
I developed a horrible craving for Dr. Pepper this last pregnancy and although I still crave it, I'm trying to talk my myself out of it. That's one addiction I don't want to have to deal with.
I also crave frozen slushy orange juice. That's my favorite night time treat.
I developed a horrible craving for Dr. Pepper this last pregnancy and although I still crave it, I'm trying to talk my myself out of it. That's one addiction I don't want to have to deal with.
I also crave frozen slushy orange juice. That's my favorite night time treat.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
day 3
A favorite photo.
Every time I see this photo I smile. This is me and my two younger sisters with our matching clothes and our matching chins.
Every time I see this photo I smile. This is me and my two younger sisters with our matching clothes and our matching chins.
Monday, January 10, 2011
day 2
A picture of you last year and now and how you have changed since then
Its funny, I don't have that many pictures of me out there, but when I was looking back at the images last year, I actually found a picture that I took of myself exactly one year ago today.
I haven't really changed a whole lot. My hair is a little longer, and almost always pulled back lately. Makeup is an afterthought somedays, like today. I'm almost exactly the same size, even after going through a miscarriage and full term pregnancy in one year.
I took this picture at 11pm tonight and this is just about how I look every night lately. :)
Its funny, I don't have that many pictures of me out there, but when I was looking back at the images last year, I actually found a picture that I took of myself exactly one year ago today.
I haven't really changed a whole lot. My hair is a little longer, and almost always pulled back lately. Makeup is an afterthought somedays, like today. I'm almost exactly the same size, even after going through a miscarriage and full term pregnancy in one year.
I took this picture at 11pm tonight and this is just about how I look every night lately. :)
Day 1
Five things about me no one really knows.
1. I LOVE thrift store shopping. If I had the time, I would probably be a huge garage-sale freak. Heck, I've even been known to junk something from the side of the road that was in someone elses trash. Blame it on my mom.
2. I've always thought it would be cool to be a lounge singer. Give me a pianist and upright bassist and I could sing the standards all night long. I'm an old soul when it comes to music.
3. I have an overactive sense of smell. Most smells, if too strong almost always give me a headache. However, I also have this great ability of being able to turn off my nose when I need to. I can somehow plug my nasal passage and just breathe through my mouth. Makes diaper changing tolerable.
4. I have about half of Shell Silverstein "Where The Sidewalk Ends" poems memorized. If you haven't listened to the recordings of him performing his poems, you should really check it out. You (and your kids) will never be the same. :)
5. I suck at math. I waited until to my last semester of college to take Algebra, and I barely passed. In fact, I'm pretty sure the professor took pity on me and passed me. I consider myself a relatively intelligent person, but when it comes to algebra, I'm completely brainless.
1. I LOVE thrift store shopping. If I had the time, I would probably be a huge garage-sale freak. Heck, I've even been known to junk something from the side of the road that was in someone elses trash. Blame it on my mom.
2. I've always thought it would be cool to be a lounge singer. Give me a pianist and upright bassist and I could sing the standards all night long. I'm an old soul when it comes to music.
3. I have an overactive sense of smell. Most smells, if too strong almost always give me a headache. However, I also have this great ability of being able to turn off my nose when I need to. I can somehow plug my nasal passage and just breathe through my mouth. Makes diaper changing tolerable.
4. I have about half of Shell Silverstein "Where The Sidewalk Ends" poems memorized. If you haven't listened to the recordings of him performing his poems, you should really check it out. You (and your kids) will never be the same. :)
5. I suck at math. I waited until to my last semester of college to take Algebra, and I barely passed. In fact, I'm pretty sure the professor took pity on me and passed me. I consider myself a relatively intelligent person, but when it comes to algebra, I'm completely brainless.
30 days, 30 posts
I'm going to attempt this challenge, just because I've had so much fun reading everyone elses, but I can't guarantee I am going to be able to stay on top of it. We'll see. :)
Day 01 — 5 things about you that no one really knows
Day 02— A picture of you last year and now and how you have changed since then
Day 03 — A favorite photo
Day 04 — Something I crave
Day 05 — Top 10 pet peeves
Day 06 — Something I bought recently
Day 07 — Something I want to buy
Day 08 — A favorite song
Day 09 — A favorite movie
Day 10 — A favorite food
Day 11 — A favorite book
Day 12 — A favorite quote
Day 13 — What did you do today??
Day 14 — Your dream house...
Day 15 — Next 3 on “Bucket List”
Day 16 — A photo of my family
Day 17 — A habit you wish you didn't have
Day 18 — Put your iPod on shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up
Day 19 — A hobby of mine
Day 20 — A favorite recipe
Day 21 — Nicknames I have, and why I have them...
Day 22 — A favorite Youtube video
Day 23 — A travel story
Day 24 — Something that makes you feel better...
Day 25 — A funny (true) story
Day 26 — A child I love
Day 27 — A place I love
Day 28 — A person I love
Day 29 — Testimony
Day 30 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 01 — 5 things about you that no one really knows
Day 02— A picture of you last year and now and how you have changed since then
Day 03 — A favorite photo
Day 04 — Something I crave
Day 05 — Top 10 pet peeves
Day 06 — Something I bought recently
Day 07 — Something I want to buy
Day 08 — A favorite song
Day 09 — A favorite movie
Day 10 — A favorite food
Day 11 — A favorite book
Day 12 — A favorite quote
Day 13 — What did you do today??
Day 14 — Your dream house...
Day 15 — Next 3 on “Bucket List”
Day 16 — A photo of my family
Day 17 — A habit you wish you didn't have
Day 18 — Put your iPod on shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up
Day 19 — A hobby of mine
Day 20 — A favorite recipe
Day 21 — Nicknames I have, and why I have them...
Day 22 — A favorite Youtube video
Day 23 — A travel story
Day 24 — Something that makes you feel better...
Day 25 — A funny (true) story
Day 26 — A child I love
Day 27 — A place I love
Day 28 — A person I love
Day 29 — Testimony
Day 30 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Friday, January 07, 2011
dear blog,
He's sleeping, but I still don't have time to blog.
You understand, don't you?
You understand, don't you?
Hey, at least I finally took off the Halloween header!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
how he came to be
November 24th - My birthday. I was feeling pretty cruddy all day and thought I might have a stomach virus. Needness to say, it was not the best birthday I'd ever had.
November 25th- Thanksgiving. I'm feeling much better and get to enjoy the Thanksgiving feast and festivities. And knowing it might be my best chance, I decide to do shop black friday, starting at midnight. I stayed up until 2:30 that night.
November 26th - The stomach thing is back, and I'm beginning to think might have overdone it a little. :) Feeling especially pregnant and ready to be done with it all, I posted this message at 6:36pm on Facebook. "Dear baby, I now give you permission to come out. Any time you're ready. Like, now, maybe."
November 27th - I am feeling a little better, but still not up to par. I got up with the kids around 8am and let Brian sleep in. After he got up and got ready for the day I decided to lay down, around 10am. While laying down I felt one really strong contraction but didn't think much of it. Abby came and layed down next to me and asked me if I would get something for her she couldn't reach. So I got up and as I did, woooosh. My water broke. I walked into the bathroom and just stood there, completely gobsmacked. My water broke early with both of the other kids, but I didn't think it would happen a third time! So I got my bearings back and walked into the kitchen where Brian was eating breakfast with Carter, and I said, "you wanna have a baby today?" He looked down at my completely soaked jeans and said, "NO. WAY." And we both just stood there in shock.
When I gave the baby permission to come out the night before, I really didn't mean it. I didn't have any laundry done, my hospital bag wasn't packed, I still had five family photoshoots left to edit, we were planning on putting up Christmas decorations that day.... the list went on and on. Based on my doctor's appointment a few days before, I really thought there was no way I was having the baby early. But lo and behold, he was on his way, almost three weeks early.
So before we left for the hospital I took a shower, we did a load of laundry and packed my bag. We dropped the kids off at Brian's parents house and got to the hospital at noon.
My new OB (I switched doctors after I miscarried) was out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday, so she did not get to deliver my baby. :( But with a c-section, its pretty impersonal to begin with, so I was okay with it. They got me into the OR pretty quickly and Andrew was born at 1:28pm. He came out squawking and beet red, but the minute they put him next to me and I stroked his cheek, he calmed right down. And that's the way he's been ever since. He'll get worked up over being hungry or having a dirty diaper, but the minute I put my face next to his and stroke his cheek he's puddy in my hands. Or maybe its the other way around. :)
And that's the story of how Andrew was born.
Here's one of his three-week pictures.
November 25th- Thanksgiving. I'm feeling much better and get to enjoy the Thanksgiving feast and festivities. And knowing it might be my best chance, I decide to do shop black friday, starting at midnight. I stayed up until 2:30 that night.
November 26th - The stomach thing is back, and I'm beginning to think might have overdone it a little. :) Feeling especially pregnant and ready to be done with it all, I posted this message at 6:36pm on Facebook. "Dear baby, I now give you permission to come out. Any time you're ready. Like, now, maybe."
November 27th - I am feeling a little better, but still not up to par. I got up with the kids around 8am and let Brian sleep in. After he got up and got ready for the day I decided to lay down, around 10am. While laying down I felt one really strong contraction but didn't think much of it. Abby came and layed down next to me and asked me if I would get something for her she couldn't reach. So I got up and as I did, woooosh. My water broke. I walked into the bathroom and just stood there, completely gobsmacked. My water broke early with both of the other kids, but I didn't think it would happen a third time! So I got my bearings back and walked into the kitchen where Brian was eating breakfast with Carter, and I said, "you wanna have a baby today?" He looked down at my completely soaked jeans and said, "NO. WAY." And we both just stood there in shock.
When I gave the baby permission to come out the night before, I really didn't mean it. I didn't have any laundry done, my hospital bag wasn't packed, I still had five family photoshoots left to edit, we were planning on putting up Christmas decorations that day.... the list went on and on. Based on my doctor's appointment a few days before, I really thought there was no way I was having the baby early. But lo and behold, he was on his way, almost three weeks early.
So before we left for the hospital I took a shower, we did a load of laundry and packed my bag. We dropped the kids off at Brian's parents house and got to the hospital at noon.
My new OB (I switched doctors after I miscarried) was out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday, so she did not get to deliver my baby. :( But with a c-section, its pretty impersonal to begin with, so I was okay with it. They got me into the OR pretty quickly and Andrew was born at 1:28pm. He came out squawking and beet red, but the minute they put him next to me and I stroked his cheek, he calmed right down. And that's the way he's been ever since. He'll get worked up over being hungry or having a dirty diaper, but the minute I put my face next to his and stroke his cheek he's puddy in my hands. Or maybe its the other way around. :)
And that's the story of how Andrew was born.
Here's one of his three-week pictures.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
meet andrew christopher mcmurdie
born November 27th 2010, 1:28pm
7 pounds 5 ounces
19 inches long
the rest of the story to come...
7 pounds 5 ounces
19 inches long
the rest of the story to come...
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
the moment
Today I went through some of my old blog entries from a few years ago. I must say it's now a little difficult to read my blog entries from before Abby's (and Carter's) official HL diagnosis, because I seemed so happy and niave. It's bitter-sweet to enjoy the pictures and memories and growth of my babies, but the "now" me is saying, oh, just wait and see. Your life is going to be turned upside down. And then I read this post and every emotion came flooding back to me. I will never forget that day.
And in a few weeks, we might possibly have to go through that again. We know the odds are pretty good that he could have Pendred Syndrome. We are going to be okay and at peace with whatever the outcome is going to be. But it doesn't matter how much we've prepared ourselves for the red "referred" slip to come back after his HL newborn screen. If it happens, those emotions are going to come flooding back again: the worry, doubt, sadness, and acceptance that our child is going to struggle with this for the rest of his life.
And in a way, I feel like some of the joy of having a baby has been stripped away from me. Everyone expects a healthy, beautiful newborn because they have no reason to think otherwise. But for us, we can't just enjoy the moment, because we know it's possible that our child won't be "normal."
This kid's going to be okay if he has hearing loss. He is being born into a family and a community that understands it and knows what to do. The resources at our disposal are phenominal and we will give him the best care possible. And we will love him no less and maybe even more because of his special needs. But as every parent that has a child with a disability knows, it still doesn't change that moment when you first know . No matter your past experience, it is still terrifying.
Friday, November 19, 2010
will you make it to your c-section date
or come early like the rest?
will you have Carter's soulful eyes
or Abby's sunshine smile?
will we know what your name is
or will we have to draw straws?
will you be good natured
or have the soul of an old grouchy man?
will you have a full head of hair
or a smattering of blonde?
will you have perfect hearing
or will genetics play its ace again?
we're anxious to meet you, little one.
or come early like the rest?
will you have Carter's soulful eyes
or Abby's sunshine smile?
will we know what your name is
or will we have to draw straws?
will you be good natured
or have the soul of an old grouchy man?
will you have a full head of hair
or a smattering of blonde?
will you have perfect hearing
or will genetics play its ace again?
we're anxious to meet you, little one.
Monday, October 25, 2010
update for posterity
We're all doing good around here. Abby is growing like a weed, doing excellent in school and talking up a storm. Her teachers consider her "gifted" and hope that once we get her caught up with language and communication she'll be able to not only be mainstreamed, but be in a gifted and talented program. However, she's only been implanted for a year, and although we don't want to lower our expectations, it is likely that she will not be mainstreamed in Kindergarten. She would instead continue with the regional day school program in a mainstream elementary school that pulls out for the services she will need. But first grade... she'll be mainstreamed. I have full confidence.
Abby has been having bad dreams lately and therefore is fighting me like crazy to go to bed. Putting her to bed used to be one of my most favorite times of the day, but now its my own little nightmare. I know this won't last forever, but when you're in the thick of it, its pretty frustrating.
On the flip side however, me and Abby are tight. She is such a sweet, compassionate little girl and HATES upsetting me or making anyone unhappy. She is cuddly and loving, which is totally opposite of how she was when she was a toddler. She has lots of friends and has her teachers in the palm of her hand. She has matured so much and we are able to have full conversations, which is something that I have longed for for so long.
Raising Abby and Carter has not been the easiest thing in the world. Because of their hearing loss, communication wise I felt like I had two 2-year-olds for three years. Do you know how frustrating that is? To not be able to communicate with your children they way you want to? Anyway, we are coming out of that tunnel and it's so nice!
Carter is also growing up and doing so well in school. He's talking more and more and even creating long 8 and 9 word sentences. The other day he was playing with one of the teacher's assistants in the play kitchen in his classroom and he told her "I'm going to pour it all over your pants." And he also has quite a sense of humor. That same teacher was pretending to iron with Carter and she told him to "get all the wrinkles out" so he put the iron up to her face and started ironing out her wrinkles.
He is totally potty trained now (YAY) and so we will be diaper free for less than two months before we start the diaper routine all over again.
Carter is growing out of his constant grouchiness, but he still has his moments. And he is still a pretty sensitive kid. Carter and Abby are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. They love to play together, and I hate to say it, but I think they love to fight too. It's maddening, but when you have kids that close together, I think its inevitable.
So that's Abby and Carter in a really small nutshell.
Sunday, October 03, 2010
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