Happy New Year!
Thank You 2008 & Welcome to 2009! I'm looking forward to the new year and new resolutions. I've resigned myself to #1 - be more thankful and appreciative for my family & life (mostly my hard-working husband) & #2 - complete a triathlon. Be happy. Be healthy.
On another joyous note, we celebrated Olivia's 4th birthday on Sunday. Actually, the entire weekend was a celebration. I've always loved birthdays, but having kids, I can't help but love, LOVE my children's' birthdays! It's the day they came into this world and came to Chay and me. What possibly could be more precious?
Olivia had a gymnastics birthday party at the Y with her preschool classmates & Y swim friends. She picked out her own Cinderella cupcake decoration and party favors. The smile on her face seeing her friends show up to jump & play that afternoon, priceless. She was such a good hostess too! Every new face walking through the door, she ran over to greet with nametag in hand and party blower. Me barely following with hand puppet kit. (Which by the way, WalMart has these great craft activities for kids, tweens, adults, etc...) Anyhow, the gymnastics portion was a hit and the pull-apart cupcake "cake" was no mess! Perfect combination. :) I can't believe how fast 4 years has gone by. It's amazing to see Olivia coming into her own. So proud.
This year during Olivia's birthday, I find myself thinking back to that week of unexpectedness when she was born. Having thought I had a funny kink in my neck from sleep, I went into urgent care. When the nurse took my blood pressure (3 times) then asked what my BP usually is:
"90/60."
"Because you're reading 174/128".
Needless to say, that night Dec 21st I checked into the hospital. Little did I know of the long journey ahead.
(I was 27 weeks pregnant and naively didn't really think I was going to deliver my baby. I couldn't, it was too early. Way too early! I also had not read any chapters in my pregnancy books past Week 27. I didn't want to freak out about the end weeks and labor. I was pacing myself. Ha! Note to moms-to-be, READ AHEAD!)
I was diagnosed with preeclampsia and told I would be on bedrest. I imagined this to be bedrest in my bed, at home for the next 3 months. The oncall OB all but laughed and said she hoped I'd make it 2 weeks. Seriously?!
I spent one long week sleepless, fluid-retained and uncomfortable. I barely made it one week. My preeclampsia escalated and I had to deliver. I started with natural delivery but due to further complications, I had to have a c-section. Under lots of meds and unsure of everything going on, Olivia was born at 28 weeks and 5 days. She was 2 lbs and 2.7 oz, 15 inches. Ten little fingers and ten little toes. Registering an apgar of 0 but thank goodness for modern day medicine, Olivia spent 74 days in the NICU. She came home on March 9th, one week shy of her original due date March 17th.
Looking back over those very early days...it has been a journey. I'm thankful every day for my Olivia.
Happy New Year to all and wishful thinking to the journeys that lay ahead for each of us!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Our Christmas
The joys on my girls faces when they awoke to presents under the tree. Madeleine could not contain her excitement! "Santa came! Mommy, Santa came!"
Olivia was still snoozing until she heard Madeleine's shrieks. Amazingly, Olivia jumped out of bed to join the commotion. It was honestly a blissful morning of opening presents and then hours of quiet play while each daughter picked their favorite. Olivia's fave, her new digital camera. Vtech makes this kid-proof camera that she cannot put down. Madeleine's ... Olivia's camera. I had thought about getting them each one but figured, they should share and that Madeleine wouldn't be so into it. Nope. By far the best present.
Next, Round 2 Christmas at grandparents Vue.
Later, Olivia's 4th Birthday!!!
Olivia was still snoozing until she heard Madeleine's shrieks. Amazingly, Olivia jumped out of bed to join the commotion. It was honestly a blissful morning of opening presents and then hours of quiet play while each daughter picked their favorite. Olivia's fave, her new digital camera. Vtech makes this kid-proof camera that she cannot put down. Madeleine's ... Olivia's camera. I had thought about getting them each one but figured, they should share and that Madeleine wouldn't be so into it. Nope. By far the best present.
Next, Round 2 Christmas at grandparents Vue.
Later, Olivia's 4th Birthday!!!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Peace & Goodwill
I want to be done with Christmas shopping. I love to shop but really, how much more can I get my almost 4 and 2 1/2 year old daughters? Why do I feel like what I already have is not enough?
Chay's definition is one or two per child. Which don't tell him but is true. When did Christmas become an overabundance of gift after gift? Some gifts great, some practical and others just crappy.
At this age, any child is happy with any gift. Big or small, the unwrapping of a box to see what's inside is a gift. What kind of example am I setting in overindulging? They already have everything they need or want. They ask and they usually receive. I am fortunate that I am able to splurge & satisfy their and mine every whim. They way they see it, what separates this holiday from any other day?
This is where the significance of religion comes in. However, we don't attend church and don't have a centered religious view. Honestly, I don't know where to begin as I'm not clear on where I stand. Bottomline, I would like for my girls to know the story of advent and not think of Christmas as gifts, gifts, gifts.
With that said, I love the holidays for the spirit of giving, the extra cheer, the snow and the glow is creates in most people. This is what I would like captured. If only I and everyone else could keep this spirit, what peace it could bring. :)
Chay's definition is one or two per child. Which don't tell him but is true. When did Christmas become an overabundance of gift after gift? Some gifts great, some practical and others just crappy.
At this age, any child is happy with any gift. Big or small, the unwrapping of a box to see what's inside is a gift. What kind of example am I setting in overindulging? They already have everything they need or want. They ask and they usually receive. I am fortunate that I am able to splurge & satisfy their and mine every whim. They way they see it, what separates this holiday from any other day?
This is where the significance of religion comes in. However, we don't attend church and don't have a centered religious view. Honestly, I don't know where to begin as I'm not clear on where I stand. Bottomline, I would like for my girls to know the story of advent and not think of Christmas as gifts, gifts, gifts.
With that said, I love the holidays for the spirit of giving, the extra cheer, the snow and the glow is creates in most people. This is what I would like captured. If only I and everyone else could keep this spirit, what peace it could bring. :)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Sledding
Considering we've had 12+ inches of snow in the last week, we've been spending a lot of time outdoors. Every night this week, we've greeted Daddy at the door with snow boots, snow pants and mittens ready for snow! It's been a great way to expel energy before dinner and bath time!
This morning Olivia's preschool friend came over to go sledding. Thank goodness we have a little starter hill in our backyard. Makes for easy in & out. I hate being outside far away from comforts of home, just as someone has a meltdown or has to use the bathroom. The starter hill is perfect for us. Except poor Madeleine got a face wash her first trip down. She wasn't as willing the 2nd or 3rd time down. She most enjoyed it when she sat in the big sled sandwiched between Olivia & Ivy.
Olivia was a trooper. She climbed up & down the hill herself and even sledded all by herself without my help. She had the most fun and stayed the warmest!
I'm exhausted from climbing up & down and dragging around the sleds! What a workout!
This morning Olivia's preschool friend came over to go sledding. Thank goodness we have a little starter hill in our backyard. Makes for easy in & out. I hate being outside far away from comforts of home, just as someone has a meltdown or has to use the bathroom. The starter hill is perfect for us. Except poor Madeleine got a face wash her first trip down. She wasn't as willing the 2nd or 3rd time down. She most enjoyed it when she sat in the big sled sandwiched between Olivia & Ivy.
Olivia was a trooper. She climbed up & down the hill herself and even sledded all by herself without my help. She had the most fun and stayed the warmest!
I'm exhausted from climbing up & down and dragging around the sleds! What a workout!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Cookie-licious
Could there be a more perfect timing for Pinkalicious? Sugar, sugar and more sugar! The last 24 hours has been gingerbread cookie decorating, sugar cube house making and sugar cookie decorating. You think we could do more sugar-related activities?
The art center had its annual holiday brunch yesterday. They had great workshops: wreath making, ornament making and ginger bread cookie decorating. We only had time and patience to make gingerbread cookies. Olivia & Madeleine ate more candy & frosting than actually ended up on their masterpieces.
This morning, Olivia's preschool did its family holiday workshop. We made sugar cube houses. Something different I hadn't heard of before but ingenious. No baking and quick assembly with all the same goodies. Olivia also couldn't stop licking the icing.
To top of my 24 sugar rush, I promised the girls we could make and decorate sugar cookies today. 36 cookies later, I found myself wondering how I was going to get my girls to stop eating cookies, sprinkles and icing?
Fortunately, "you don't want to be cookie-licious tomorrow, do you?" worked like a charm!
The art center had its annual holiday brunch yesterday. They had great workshops: wreath making, ornament making and ginger bread cookie decorating. We only had time and patience to make gingerbread cookies. Olivia & Madeleine ate more candy & frosting than actually ended up on their masterpieces.
This morning, Olivia's preschool did its family holiday workshop. We made sugar cube houses. Something different I hadn't heard of before but ingenious. No baking and quick assembly with all the same goodies. Olivia also couldn't stop licking the icing.
To top of my 24 sugar rush, I promised the girls we could make and decorate sugar cookies today. 36 cookies later, I found myself wondering how I was going to get my girls to stop eating cookies, sprinkles and icing?
Fortunately, "you don't want to be cookie-licious tomorrow, do you?" worked like a charm!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
November Blurr
I can't believe it's already December! Where did November go? I barely blogged...
Thanksgiving was wonderful. I got to see all my sisters and most brothers and nephews and nieces. There really is nothing like going home. The comfort of food, family and just "aaah" of being home. Can't say much else!
I did catch a cold from the weekend. With 20 people in one house, there's bound to be a germ lurking somewhere! This is first time I've been sick at the same time as my girls. That hasn't happened before (knock on wood!). Usually it's just my girls but this time I was not so lucky. I had forgotten how crappy it feels to wipe my own nose!
Lets see...what else can I blog about? November the girls and I made a trip to Madison. We saw my college dorm-mate and her daughter Naomi. Precious. Our daughters are one week apart! (Madeleine & Naomi) The weather was so nice that day we were able to play outside at a park without coats! It was unseasonably warm. We had lunch at Ella's Deli and rode the carousel. It was a great outing. My girls slept the entire way home.
I had another parent volunteer day at Olivia's preschool. She has really come out of her shell. She's very independent player and understood that I wasn't completely there for her. I actually wanted to be more with her but she shooed me away. :( It was amazing to see her gain that independence and walk away from me. She was all smiles that day.
Ohh, how could I forget?! Madeleine is completely potty-trained! :) YEAH! Except for nights but I'm content with a night pull-up. Proud Mommy month!
In the mist of planning Olivia's 4th birthday party, doing all the xmas shopping, hosting monthly playgroup and ... just loving the holiday spirit, I'll trying blogging once a week. That will be my goal this month. Someone hold me to it!
Thanksgiving was wonderful. I got to see all my sisters and most brothers and nephews and nieces. There really is nothing like going home. The comfort of food, family and just "aaah" of being home. Can't say much else!
I did catch a cold from the weekend. With 20 people in one house, there's bound to be a germ lurking somewhere! This is first time I've been sick at the same time as my girls. That hasn't happened before (knock on wood!). Usually it's just my girls but this time I was not so lucky. I had forgotten how crappy it feels to wipe my own nose!
Lets see...what else can I blog about? November the girls and I made a trip to Madison. We saw my college dorm-mate and her daughter Naomi. Precious. Our daughters are one week apart! (Madeleine & Naomi) The weather was so nice that day we were able to play outside at a park without coats! It was unseasonably warm. We had lunch at Ella's Deli and rode the carousel. It was a great outing. My girls slept the entire way home.
I had another parent volunteer day at Olivia's preschool. She has really come out of her shell. She's very independent player and understood that I wasn't completely there for her. I actually wanted to be more with her but she shooed me away. :( It was amazing to see her gain that independence and walk away from me. She was all smiles that day.
Ohh, how could I forget?! Madeleine is completely potty-trained! :) YEAH! Except for nights but I'm content with a night pull-up. Proud Mommy month!
In the mist of planning Olivia's 4th birthday party, doing all the xmas shopping, hosting monthly playgroup and ... just loving the holiday spirit, I'll trying blogging once a week. That will be my goal this month. Someone hold me to it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
