Six months ago today I gave birth to our beautiful baby boy Archer James. 7 lbs. 8 oz., 20.5" long. With both of my pregnancies, we never found out the gender of the babies before they were born - there are so few true surprises left in life anymore, but even before he was here, I just knew he was a boy. Call it mother's intuition, call it a bad case of indigestion, call it whatever you darn well please - I just had a feeling. And I am so glad to have been able to give Jed his little boy like he wanted. He would never admit that to me (that he secretly wanted a boy), but I knew all along that he wanted a boy. So when Dr. Berger announced that "It's a boy" - I was thrilled. One of the first things out of my mouth was "Now we have one of each, so there's no pressure for what the next two have to be". I distinctly remember one of the nurses touching my shoulder and saying "Bless your heart - on the delivery table after just giving birth and already talking about TWO more!".
I'm not going to lie or sugarcoat it - having two small children has been very difficult. Alot harder than I ever expected. There are days when I just want to run to my room, slam the door, throw myself on the bed and sob like a baby (like I used to do when I was a teenager!). But then I realize that I am their mom and they need me to be the adult and to take care of them. I don't have the luxury of being selfish anymore. We wouldn't have gotten to where we are now without the help of all of our friends and family. I am learning to rely more and more on family and friends and to ask for help, but it's been a struggle for me. I don't like to ask for help. But with TWO small kids - it's a necessity - just to keep my sanity! Thank you EVERYONE for your love and support and I mean that truly, from the depths of my heart. It's been an interesting, rocky, and fulfilling 6 months. But the smiles, giggles, hugs and wet kisses, laughter, and "I love you's" far outweigh the bad and I couldn't be more blessed than I am to have a healthy daughter and son. One of each.
So here's to you Archer, on your half-year birthday. Thank you for bringing so many smiles to my face. When I have laugh lines all over my face when I'm 50, I'm coming after you kid!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
In Like A Lion...You Know The Rest
It's been awhile since I've posted. I told you I'd try my hardest, but it's been difficult with a 2 1/2 year old and a 6 month old! If you want to get technical, Nora will be 2 1/2 on May 7th and Archer will be 6 months on Friday. It will never cease to amaze me how fast time goes, especially with small children!
It's been a difficult few weeks with the passing of my brother-in-law's brother, news that many, many positions will be cut within the school district due to budget cuts, and many other things that have been grating on my mind with regards to my friends and family. We found out last Monday that almost 33% of our department will be cut, compared to the 5-10% of the other departments. We will get a little bit more information at the School Board meeting on Monday, March 22nd, but for the most part, we are waiting on the state to make their final decisions regarding their budget. It is a grim and bleak outlook - especially for our department. It's extremely tense at work, but we are all unified and standing by one another (which will make it all that much harder when 33% of us are gone!).
In other news, Archer started solid foods a few weeks ago and has been voraciously eating them with wild abandon. He is getting so big - I don't know where my baby went! He is always so smiley and happy. He is in the stage where he likes to be held right now, but I'm sure within the next few months he will take his first steps and will not look back.
Nora has mastered potty training and has even begun getting up at night to use the bathroom. She is smart as a whip, so I think she will be without pull-ups even at bedtime soon. It has been nice to get outside with the kids these last few days. I know they both enjoy getting outside and getting some fresh air. They are both my little nature babies!
It's been a difficult few weeks with the passing of my brother-in-law's brother, news that many, many positions will be cut within the school district due to budget cuts, and many other things that have been grating on my mind with regards to my friends and family. We found out last Monday that almost 33% of our department will be cut, compared to the 5-10% of the other departments. We will get a little bit more information at the School Board meeting on Monday, March 22nd, but for the most part, we are waiting on the state to make their final decisions regarding their budget. It is a grim and bleak outlook - especially for our department. It's extremely tense at work, but we are all unified and standing by one another (which will make it all that much harder when 33% of us are gone!).
In other news, Archer started solid foods a few weeks ago and has been voraciously eating them with wild abandon. He is getting so big - I don't know where my baby went! He is always so smiley and happy. He is in the stage where he likes to be held right now, but I'm sure within the next few months he will take his first steps and will not look back.
Nora has mastered potty training and has even begun getting up at night to use the bathroom. She is smart as a whip, so I think she will be without pull-ups even at bedtime soon. It has been nice to get outside with the kids these last few days. I know they both enjoy getting outside and getting some fresh air. They are both my little nature babies!
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Sad News
It is with a sad and heavy heart that I report that my brother-in-law's brother Tim has passed away. Tim was a man with great character and family values. It saddens me to see my brother-in-law Tom so distraught and devastated by the death of his big brother and idol and to know that I am helpless to help him. I have known Tim for almost 14 years and the one thing about Tim that sticks with me the most is how much he loved his family. My heart aches for their mother Judy, who has been their rock their entire lives and who has gotten them through so many difficult times. To lose a husband, and now a child? How is it possible to endure so much pain? My heart aches for her. When you see your family tonight, make sure you hug them extra tight and tell them how much they mean to you. Life is a gift and is not guaranteed to be here tomorrow.
I love each and every one of you with every fiber of my being. You are what makes me, me.
I love each and every one of you with every fiber of my being. You are what makes me, me.
Footprints In The Sand
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to him and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me”?
The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you”.
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to him and the other to the Lord.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me”?
The Lord replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you”.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Murphy's Law
Murphy's Law states, in essence, that when it rains, it pours. There have been so many bad things happening to many of my friends and family lately that I am praying for peace, health and safety for all of them and wondering if there is something in the water creating all of this disaster. I am feeling helpless and want to be able to do something, but I'm afraid the only thing I can do for them right now is just to be there. It's times like these that make you realize who your true friends are and make you grateful for your family. I pray each and every day for things to start righting themselves. So for all of you out there struggling right now, know that I am thinking and praying for each and every one of you.
Jed brought a new (to us) truck home from work last Tuesday night. We took it for a test drive and made the big purchase last Friday. It's a white 2002 Chevy Avalanche. He is in desperate need of a new vehicle, and the opportunity to purchase it presented itself at just the right time. Although I am a little worried about the school district's restructuring and $5.5 up to $10 million budget cuts. No one's job is safe. I've been lying awake at night just thinking about what will happen to us if my job is eliminated. I know that we will be alright with the help of family and friends, but it's my livelihood - my contribution to our family. I love my job and the thought of it possibly not being there for me tomorrow frightens and saddens me. Whatever happens, I know that God will see me through it.
On a happier note, Archer is feeling much better and is back to his old self. Nora is her usual charismatic self and never ceases to make us laugh. We don't need to go out to movies or plays anymore because we have our very own entertainer living in our house! Her new favorite saying is: "I can't". "I can't take a bath". "I can't put my pants on". "I can't pick up my books". "I can't put my markers away". I like to tell her in response that President Obama says that "Yes she can". She doesn't get it ;o)
A True Nora Story: Last Tuesday before we took the new truck for a test drive, Nora told me she had to go pee. I went into the bathroom with her and instead of getting her toilet seat and step-stool out, she stood in front of the toilet holding her "pirates" (read: privates). I asked her what she was doing and she said she was going to go pee. Needless to say, Jed has decided it's time to start closing the door (and possibly locking it!) when he needs to go. You know what they say: "Monkey see, monkey do".
Jed brought a new (to us) truck home from work last Tuesday night. We took it for a test drive and made the big purchase last Friday. It's a white 2002 Chevy Avalanche. He is in desperate need of a new vehicle, and the opportunity to purchase it presented itself at just the right time. Although I am a little worried about the school district's restructuring and $5.5 up to $10 million budget cuts. No one's job is safe. I've been lying awake at night just thinking about what will happen to us if my job is eliminated. I know that we will be alright with the help of family and friends, but it's my livelihood - my contribution to our family. I love my job and the thought of it possibly not being there for me tomorrow frightens and saddens me. Whatever happens, I know that God will see me through it.
On a happier note, Archer is feeling much better and is back to his old self. Nora is her usual charismatic self and never ceases to make us laugh. We don't need to go out to movies or plays anymore because we have our very own entertainer living in our house! Her new favorite saying is: "I can't". "I can't take a bath". "I can't put my pants on". "I can't pick up my books". "I can't put my markers away". I like to tell her in response that President Obama says that "Yes she can". She doesn't get it ;o)
A True Nora Story: Last Tuesday before we took the new truck for a test drive, Nora told me she had to go pee. I went into the bathroom with her and instead of getting her toilet seat and step-stool out, she stood in front of the toilet holding her "pirates" (read: privates). I asked her what she was doing and she said she was going to go pee. Needless to say, Jed has decided it's time to start closing the door (and possibly locking it!) when he needs to go. You know what they say: "Monkey see, monkey do".
Princess Leia
Cooper laying on Archer
Dinnertime
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