Just a gripe

Ok, so I know there are better things to worry about. For instance:

1) The economy and all that encompasses. You know, gas prices, food prices, mortgages, etc. If I knew how to read the financial section, I would have more to say I am sure! Seriously, that old saying the price of eggs in China...well, we really do worry about that now right?

2) The election. Need I say more?

3) A husband's annoying habits. Come on ladies...you know what I am talking about! Gotta love 'em but gee whiz...put the proverbial seat down already guys!

And this gripe has nothing to do with what my husband calls my quirk - that is my aversion to medicine, doctors, the whole she-bang, which really borders on paranoia and/or hypochondria. Ok, so HE says! (well, it might be a little true!)

Anyway, my gripe today is this - nothing fits. That's it. I know trivial and a bit self obsessed but darn it, I just want to wear a pair of jeans people. And NOT the maternity kind.

Ok, off I am to go eat something. Probably in the chocolate family. Someone save me from myself!!!!

Our Family Day

Rarely do we get to have a whole afternoon out and about with the fam! We went downtown and had a great time! We ate lunch, got ice cream, went to the bookstore and even got a cup of coffee! And with all three little kids! They were fantastic! It was beautiful weather and we were all smiles all day!

Random Pictures

Benjamin is really being a great big brother! A ham too!


Ryan is getting so big so fast!

Elizabeth enjoyed playing at Central Market.

Grandma came to play with the kids! They showed off their costumes.

Painting Pumpkins

The title says it all. But lets just say that what started out different, pretty colors, ended up a mess of black/brown paint! But they had fun!

2 years ago today, Ellie had her surgery

This is a picture of Elizabeth when she was 6 weeks old. I love this picture! One week after I took this picture, she was FINALLY (that's a whole other story!) correctly diagnosed with a birth defect. And so began my whirlwind of research and becoming my child's most passionate advocate! We had consults with 2 different surgeons here and then I found Cincinnati. The mecca! I emailed Dr. Levitt with questions on a Friday afternoon. He CALLED me in less than one hour. And then, the ball was rolling to get our sweet baby girl to Cincinnati for surgery. With many prayers, we were there in 3 1/2 weeks. 2 years ago today, she had her surgery and we are so thankful we made it to Cincinnati.

This is Elizabeth and me in the hotel the night before she was admitted.

She had lots of tests the next day but Daddy flew in for the day of surgery. These are the morning of surgery right before she went to the OR.

Ellie had just come out of surgery here and she was doing super well. But Tommy and I were so relieved it was over.


After surgery, she had 10 more days in the hospital - but no eating or drinking! That was harder for me than her I think! She was always smiling and giggling!

This was the room she was in for 12 days!

Here we are right before they discharged us.

We had to stay in Cincinnati for 10 more days until our follow up appointment. So, we spent her 1st Halloween in the Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati. We were so blessed to stay there.

We finally touched down in DFW after a long stay in Cincy! And for any of you that know me, I hate flying! I was glad to be home - for lots of reasons!

Here's Elizabeth the very next week! Like nothing ever happened!

My baby girl is so much fun! There is so much more I could remember and write in here but I am holding a baby in one arm and typing this with the other! It's an art form! I guess I wanted to remember today because it was such a stressful time but everything worked out so well. That doesn't happen to everyone. We had great family and friends that supported us in many different ways. We found an excellent hospital and staff and the best doctors for her defect in the world. We a blessed to live in such a time that Ellie's defect can become a non issue. I am blessed to be her mom.

Things I've Learned in 6 weeks

So the last 6 weeks have been CRAZY!! Here are some things I have learned:

* I have forgotten how quick a newborn BOY can pee in your eye...and the wall...and your clothes...and all over everything!

* Newborns poop alot - this I had forgotten??? You wouldn't think so but alas, I am noticing it!

* Pre-teens (namely my 12 year old) would rather text you than speak to you. Not kidding. Ahh, technology...

*Just because I am a parent that automatically makes me mean, stupid, silly and a pumkin head. At least that's what my kids think - they aren't allowed to say such words in our house, but their expressions say it all!!

*My house is ALWAYS loud now!

* Just when I thought my 2 year old was NOT gonna have the terrible tantrums, she has one - in Target, and it was a doozy.

* I should stay out of Target. For a number of reasons, mainly, my husband is gonna send them a letter to kick me out. There is so much there I could buy!!!

* Naps???? What are they?

*Having a child with special medical needs is hard. We give thanks to God for Ellie's issues being minor in the grand scheme of things but I have friends whose little ones have a bit more complex situations. It it hard on the kid, hard on the parents and hard on the marriage. I am SOOOOOOO blessed to have an amazing husband and family.

*Did you know that lollipops are a mom's best friend? Hey, I am not above bribery!

* It's true what they say about the younger kids not being photographed as much as the first siblings. Poor Ryan, he will have the least number of pictures!

*Breastfeeding makes you super hungry - or at least that's MY excuse. Which then leads to ...see next thought

*I had forgotten that no clothes fit after pregnancy. I HATE that!

* It is entirely possible to be deliriously tired and deliriously happy at the same time. I am.