Jordyn and I had an amazing trip to Minnesota. Getting to spend the entire week together as a family was just what we needed. We went to a baseball game, hung out by the pool, went out for frozen yogurt and had a lot of group hugs. With our friends Eric and Eimy, we managed to hit up 4 notable Food Network spots. Yum! We also explored the Mall of America, went for walks and drank lots of Starbucks. Life is pretty good when we're all together.
It was pretty clear that Jordyn enjoyed herself to the fullest on our trip too. She got to hang out with "Auntie Eimy" and "Uncle Eric" who share her same love of Yo Gabba Gabba, dancing, strawberries and Cheeze Its. Jordyn got to meet Dora and Boots at the Mall of America and was pretty much loved on and spoiled the entire time we were there. But she deserved it.
Jordyn is a full on talking, dancing, singing and climbing toddler. She has so much personality packed into her adorable, little, pig tail wearing self. She was perfect on all 3 plane rides, and I mean PERFECT. What other parent can say that about their toddler? She took long naps both ways and then watched episodes of Sesame Street and Yo Gabba Gabba on the iPad with her headphones and ate Goldfish crackers. The only stressful part of the trip was her small "blowout" that she had while landing in Pheonix that almost caused me to be late for our second flight... But other than that it was a breeze.
Of course now we're back to reality. Back to being a mostly single mom, relying on coffee, friends and Skype to get me through the day. My attitude is much better though. Much more of an "I can do this" attitude. I'm strong, I love my family and I'm ready to power through and make the best of this time apart from my hubby.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Traveling...
The month of July has been a busy one for us... Jordyn and I have flown out to see Scott twice in Minneapolis, and he's come home once. It's been amazing to be together so much, and Jordyn and I have loved getting to see Minneapolis and catch up with our friends Eimy and Eric that live in the area.
Jordyn is and amazing traveler for a toddler. So far she has pretty much gone with the flow and slept on most flights. She was even great when one of our flights was canceled and we had to spend 8 hours waiting in the airport for the next one, and also when I booked us on a 5 am flight because it was cheaper. The only hard part of traveling with her is all the stuff that we have to bring along... carseat, pack-n-play, stroller, diaper bag, and suitcase. It's a lot for one momma to handle, but we manage.
Here is a picture of Jordyn killing time before our first trip out to Minneapolis. Thank goodness we decided to purchase an iPad, and I was smart enough to download episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba and Sesame Street.
For our second trip out, I got even smarter and packed her an entire bag full of snacks and toys. This is her strutting her stuff with her new rolling backpack.
So, all in all, we're doing great and enjoying time as a family.
Jordyn is and amazing traveler for a toddler. So far she has pretty much gone with the flow and slept on most flights. She was even great when one of our flights was canceled and we had to spend 8 hours waiting in the airport for the next one, and also when I booked us on a 5 am flight because it was cheaper. The only hard part of traveling with her is all the stuff that we have to bring along... carseat, pack-n-play, stroller, diaper bag, and suitcase. It's a lot for one momma to handle, but we manage.
Here is a picture of Jordyn killing time before our first trip out to Minneapolis. Thank goodness we decided to purchase an iPad, and I was smart enough to download episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba and Sesame Street.
For our second trip out, I got even smarter and packed her an entire bag full of snacks and toys. This is her strutting her stuff with her new rolling backpack.
So, all in all, we're doing great and enjoying time as a family.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Graphic complaints from a mom
Why does everything have to be so complicated?
I envy the women who have had natural births, who came out of everything with the same body they went in with. These are the same women of course who breeze through pregnancy without a single complication, looking and feeling great. When they don't want to get pregnant, they simply don't, and the minute they want to, they do.
Needless to say I am not one of those women, so I am going to give myself the next couple of minutes to complain and then be done with it.
Shortly after I found out I was pregnant with Jordyn I was told that I was having a miscarriage and that I should just go home and wait for things to pass. At the time, we hadn't even been trying to get pregnant but the moment we found out that we were, we were in love with this little baby. After weeks of waiting, we finally found out that everything was going to be okay. Two months later we were told that Jordyn would be born with a kidney disease and that she would most likely require a kidney transplant sometime during her childhood. We worried for months about her kidneys, only to find out that they are perfectly normal after she was born. Then came PUPPS. PUPPS is a rash that itches like hell, it consists of tiny red bumps that are raised and spread. Mine spread all over and robbed me of many nights of rest.
Finally it was time to labor and actually deliver this baby... But wait... My body wasn't even about to go into labor on it's own. We decided to induce a week and a half after my due date. By this point I had gained almost 50 pounds and was continuing to work, my ankles were the size of tree tree trunks my PUPPS covered about 3/4 of my body. I was very ready to not be pregnant anymore. My labor was long, about 36 hours long with a little over 3 hours of pushing. It ended for me in an emergency C section.
Recovery was hard, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I had clotting issues. No one tells you about the "massage" that you get after you have a baby. It's not a massage, and the doctors shouldn't have the right to call it that. The purpose for this "massage" (which is really more of a mashing) is to help things start to contract back down to size. I received this mashing about every 15 minutes for a few hours straight. I honestly don't even remember how long it went on for because shortly after I started crying they pumped me full of morphine. I then developed some kind of infection and needed to stay in the hospital for the remainder of the week.
After all of this I decided that having another baby would be a terrible idea and I was fine just having 1 baby for the rest of my life. I then chose to get an IUD. Which brings me to my latest complications...
As we celebrated Jordyn's first birthday, I looked at her and how amazing she is and decided that we would be crazy to only have one baby. Scott and I talked and decided that we should remove the IUD and let nature take it's course. Easier said than done. Those fools at the hospital had placed the damn thing so far off base that it would require surgery to remove it. I actually had to be put completely under and intibated in order to get it out. There was talk that it could attach itself to my bladder (that's really how far off base they had placed it), or that it may make getting pregnant in the future more complicated. Luckily it looks like they got it out without any complications besides chipping my tooth.
So after all of this I am left not only with stretch marks and loose skin, but also a C section scar, 2 scars from having the IUD removed and a chipped tooth! Remind me why I want to do this again... Oh yeah, it's because of the beautiful baby that I get out of it in the end.
Okay... I feel much better now. Thanks for reading.
I envy the women who have had natural births, who came out of everything with the same body they went in with. These are the same women of course who breeze through pregnancy without a single complication, looking and feeling great. When they don't want to get pregnant, they simply don't, and the minute they want to, they do.
Needless to say I am not one of those women, so I am going to give myself the next couple of minutes to complain and then be done with it.
Shortly after I found out I was pregnant with Jordyn I was told that I was having a miscarriage and that I should just go home and wait for things to pass. At the time, we hadn't even been trying to get pregnant but the moment we found out that we were, we were in love with this little baby. After weeks of waiting, we finally found out that everything was going to be okay. Two months later we were told that Jordyn would be born with a kidney disease and that she would most likely require a kidney transplant sometime during her childhood. We worried for months about her kidneys, only to find out that they are perfectly normal after she was born. Then came PUPPS. PUPPS is a rash that itches like hell, it consists of tiny red bumps that are raised and spread. Mine spread all over and robbed me of many nights of rest.
Finally it was time to labor and actually deliver this baby... But wait... My body wasn't even about to go into labor on it's own. We decided to induce a week and a half after my due date. By this point I had gained almost 50 pounds and was continuing to work, my ankles were the size of tree tree trunks my PUPPS covered about 3/4 of my body. I was very ready to not be pregnant anymore. My labor was long, about 36 hours long with a little over 3 hours of pushing. It ended for me in an emergency C section.
Recovery was hard, I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I had clotting issues. No one tells you about the "massage" that you get after you have a baby. It's not a massage, and the doctors shouldn't have the right to call it that. The purpose for this "massage" (which is really more of a mashing) is to help things start to contract back down to size. I received this mashing about every 15 minutes for a few hours straight. I honestly don't even remember how long it went on for because shortly after I started crying they pumped me full of morphine. I then developed some kind of infection and needed to stay in the hospital for the remainder of the week.
After all of this I decided that having another baby would be a terrible idea and I was fine just having 1 baby for the rest of my life. I then chose to get an IUD. Which brings me to my latest complications...
As we celebrated Jordyn's first birthday, I looked at her and how amazing she is and decided that we would be crazy to only have one baby. Scott and I talked and decided that we should remove the IUD and let nature take it's course. Easier said than done. Those fools at the hospital had placed the damn thing so far off base that it would require surgery to remove it. I actually had to be put completely under and intibated in order to get it out. There was talk that it could attach itself to my bladder (that's really how far off base they had placed it), or that it may make getting pregnant in the future more complicated. Luckily it looks like they got it out without any complications besides chipping my tooth.
So after all of this I am left not only with stretch marks and loose skin, but also a C section scar, 2 scars from having the IUD removed and a chipped tooth! Remind me why I want to do this again... Oh yeah, it's because of the beautiful baby that I get out of it in the end.
Okay... I feel much better now. Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Family weekend
It was so great to have Scott home this past weekend.
He got back on Friday and was able to get Jordyn up from her morning nap. She was so excited to see him and her entire face just lit up. She clung to him just about the entire weekend and cried every time he stepped out the front door without her. Needless to say, she loves her daddy and they have an amazing bond.
Saturday, Scott and I got our date night and spent some time talking about the future of our family... :) it was amazing to be able to spend some quality time together. I treasure these moments so much more these days. Abcense totally makes the heart grow fonder.
Mnday was family day and we got to go to the Woodland Park Zoo. I am now a proud member of the zoo, so please feel free to invite me along for any zoo trips you might go on. I plan to know that place like the back of my hand by the end of the summer. Jordyn did pretty well at the zoo, despite her being tired. Her favorite animals were the monkeys, but the noisy birds came in as a close second.
Here is Jordyn bonding with a baby monkey. As soon as she walked up to the glass they had an instant connection and the monkey came right over to say hi.
Visiting the Komodo Dragons
Visiting the giraffes
But, as all good things must come to an end, Scott unfortunately had to leave earlier today. We will get to see him again in 3 weeks and have already been counting down the days. Again, big thanks to everyone who has opened their arms and given us support during this time. While nothing will keep me from missing my husband, the support of my family and friends sure helps.
He got back on Friday and was able to get Jordyn up from her morning nap. She was so excited to see him and her entire face just lit up. She clung to him just about the entire weekend and cried every time he stepped out the front door without her. Needless to say, she loves her daddy and they have an amazing bond.
Saturday, Scott and I got our date night and spent some time talking about the future of our family... :) it was amazing to be able to spend some quality time together. I treasure these moments so much more these days. Abcense totally makes the heart grow fonder.
Mnday was family day and we got to go to the Woodland Park Zoo. I am now a proud member of the zoo, so please feel free to invite me along for any zoo trips you might go on. I plan to know that place like the back of my hand by the end of the summer. Jordyn did pretty well at the zoo, despite her being tired. Her favorite animals were the monkeys, but the noisy birds came in as a close second.
Here is Jordyn bonding with a baby monkey. As soon as she walked up to the glass they had an instant connection and the monkey came right over to say hi.
Visiting the Komodo Dragons
Visiting the giraffes
But, as all good things must come to an end, Scott unfortunately had to leave earlier today. We will get to see him again in 3 weeks and have already been counting down the days. Again, big thanks to everyone who has opened their arms and given us support during this time. While nothing will keep me from missing my husband, the support of my family and friends sure helps.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Missing Daddy
How the hell do single moms do it?
I feel so lonely at night that I can never sleep. Every sound has me on edge and most nights I end up pulling Jordyn into bed with me. I'm a wimp, and I miss my husband. I'm always up late now, running on little to no sleep, because I just can't seem to relax enough to fall asleep at night.
I've been so thankful to all of my friends and family who have stepped up to the plate to invite me over for dinner, offer to babysit, or even just stopped by and paid me a visit. I'm not very good about asking for help, or even taking it when it's been offered (dont want to burdon anyone) but I've really needed it lately. Thank you. I miss my adult interaction, and it can get very lonely sometimes staying home all day with the babies and the having it just be Jordyn and I at night. I can't wait for Scott to get home, he truly is my other half and I just function better when he's around.
I want to be an amazing mom, I want to be supermom. I want to be able to prepare fresh organic foods for all of our meals, make crafts, have a clean house and still have time to teach my daughter everything that she needs to know. It is such a struggle some days. Somedays I wake up, the house is a mess, I'm a mess and I really just don't want to function for the day. I know it sounds selfish, but this mom stuff can be tough sometimes.
Today was one of those days. Jordyn fussed or cried most of the day and night. I felt like I was trying to entertain and keep her happy the whole day. When I wasn't entertaining, I was making lunch or dinner, I was cleaning up from the weekend, or putting away groceries, all the while wishing I could take a nap. It's really tough without Scott here sometimes... I really need that break at the end of the day. Thank goodness He comes home on Friday... There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
To Jordyn,
Being your mom is the best thing I have ever done in my life. I feel so amazingly blessed to have you, but not every day is easy. We both miss Daddy, but of course we will get through this. Someday you will probably not even remember him being gone, and that's a good thing. We both love you so very much. I promise to be the best mommy I know how, even when I'm completely tired and sad.
To Scott,
I am so thankful for you and the sacrifices you are willing to make for our family. I love you so much and feel so blessed to have you as my husband. You are my best friend. Please come home to us safetly and soon.
I love my family.
This is us getting out and feeding the ducks... So nice to get out of the house with my sweet girl.
I feel so lonely at night that I can never sleep. Every sound has me on edge and most nights I end up pulling Jordyn into bed with me. I'm a wimp, and I miss my husband. I'm always up late now, running on little to no sleep, because I just can't seem to relax enough to fall asleep at night.
I've been so thankful to all of my friends and family who have stepped up to the plate to invite me over for dinner, offer to babysit, or even just stopped by and paid me a visit. I'm not very good about asking for help, or even taking it when it's been offered (dont want to burdon anyone) but I've really needed it lately. Thank you. I miss my adult interaction, and it can get very lonely sometimes staying home all day with the babies and the having it just be Jordyn and I at night. I can't wait for Scott to get home, he truly is my other half and I just function better when he's around.
I want to be an amazing mom, I want to be supermom. I want to be able to prepare fresh organic foods for all of our meals, make crafts, have a clean house and still have time to teach my daughter everything that she needs to know. It is such a struggle some days. Somedays I wake up, the house is a mess, I'm a mess and I really just don't want to function for the day. I know it sounds selfish, but this mom stuff can be tough sometimes.
Today was one of those days. Jordyn fussed or cried most of the day and night. I felt like I was trying to entertain and keep her happy the whole day. When I wasn't entertaining, I was making lunch or dinner, I was cleaning up from the weekend, or putting away groceries, all the while wishing I could take a nap. It's really tough without Scott here sometimes... I really need that break at the end of the day. Thank goodness He comes home on Friday... There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
To Jordyn,
Being your mom is the best thing I have ever done in my life. I feel so amazingly blessed to have you, but not every day is easy. We both miss Daddy, but of course we will get through this. Someday you will probably not even remember him being gone, and that's a good thing. We both love you so very much. I promise to be the best mommy I know how, even when I'm completely tired and sad.
To Scott,
I am so thankful for you and the sacrifices you are willing to make for our family. I love you so much and feel so blessed to have you as my husband. You are my best friend. Please come home to us safetly and soon.
I love my family.
This is us getting out and feeding the ducks... So nice to get out of the house with my sweet girl.
16 months!
Jordyn is such a toddler these days. She is running, jumping, kicking and climbing onto everything. She has taught herself how to climb in and out of Ethan's exersaucer, and tries to do so every time i turn my back.
Jordyn also has a strong opinion these days. She is the biggest food critic, and not shy about speaking up if she isn't a fan of what's on the menu. She will often toss the entire meal right onto the floor (we're currently working on this. She also likes to dress herself. The other morning I found her sifting through the pile of clothes that I had just pulled out of the dryer and noticed that she was sporting a few pairs of my underwear around her neck, along with my tank top and a couple of my headbands. Thank goodness they were clean clothes!
Hawaii was amazing. One of the best trips ever, it was so hard to get on that plane to go home. The trip was full of sunshine, lava flows and beach time. Jordyn only minorly lost it on the plane rides, and the complimentary Mai Tais helped with that. She got to feel sand on her feet for the first time, which she hated, and play in the ocean for the first time, which she also wasn't a fan of. She did absolutely love the pool though and all of the attention she received from her uncles, Jack and Ty. Scott and I managed to steal away for a bit just the two of and took a boat ride to the Napali coast. It was absolutely beautiful, despite my motion sickness.
Unfortunately shortly after returning home I had to go in for surgery. I was very thankful that Scott was able to take off some extra time from work so he could be there when I woke up from my anesthesia. The surgery was a success and after two weeks of recovery, I am back to normal.
Scott comes home at the end of this week, and I can hardly wait. We Skype as often as possible, but there is nothing like the real thing. Jordyn and I can't wait to wrap out arms around him.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Much needed update...
So, it has been forever since I've taken the time to write on here... Not sure if anyone reads this anymore, but I plan on being better about posting, because it's so much fun for me to look back on.
So much has happened over the past couple of months, so here goes...
Jordyn has turned 1... She's amazing, but we already knew that. She is walking, running, climbing, starting to talk and bubbling with personality. Her current words are kitty (which was her first), strawberry, doggie, sock, hi, and bye. I have absolutely loved staying home with her and feel so blessed to be able to do so.
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't just look at Jordyn and laugh. She is hilarious! So girly, so much attitude, I have no idea where she gets it from :). One minute she'll be holding one of her babies, patting its back, and then she'll be using it to hit me with. I already know we're in for it. Time-out is now sitting in the high chair facing the wall... It's fun for everyone.
Last month Scott's job moved him to Nevada... It sucks terribly. He'll be there for the next 6-9 months or so and be able to come home once a month. Unfortunately we had very little options open for us with the economy, so he had to go where the work is. I'm sure it is 100 times harder for him to be in the middle of nowhere, but it isn't easy at hone either. I am with Jordyn 100% of the time. I don't care how much you love anyone loves their kids, but there is no arguing that 100% of the time is A LOT of time. Just once in a while I would like to be able to go to the bathroom without crying and fingers poking out under the door. Or run an errand without having to lug the stroller out of the trunk.
Everything seems harder without Scott, but it's only temporary and we'll get through it. I'm currently counting down the days until he gets home. I can't wait to give him a giant hug and kiss and them make him changethe next poopy diaper. We have three weeks until we get to see him next, but it will be amazing when we do.
There hasn't been to many updates on my dad lately. We're still praying for the best and looking forward to our trip to Hawaii as a family. He is still on the clinical trial and it seems to be working. The side effects aren't fun at all for him, but he is such a strong guy. We should be hearing more after his next scans. I ask that anyone who reads this takes the time to keep him in your prayers as well. I have loved being able to see him more... Staying home has definitely helped with that.
Life is so different staying home, I love it, but I sometimes miss the adult interaction. The only adults I see during the day are usually other stay at home moms, or "SAHMs" as they call themselves. SAHMs really have there own little underground club. I've noticed so much of daytime television is geared towards us ladies, and if you make it to the mall on a rainy day during the week you'll see about a million strollers, especially around the toy area. I can't stand some of the other moms, but I try my best to play nice. There are just so many competitive moms out there... Standing in the toy are in the mall I get questions like "how old is she? What words is she saying?... Oh, my son is starting to use sentances"... Or similar things. So annoying! Or the other one upper moms who try to talk about how they make all their own baby food, or would never take their baby to a daycare, or only use organic products. Yes, my daughter eats a lot of organic food, but she will also enjoy pizza and Red Robin, and no, her socks are not organic cotton... They are cheap and we will probably end up losing one of them by the end of the day. It's just so silly. These babies didn't come with manuals, and there is no true right way of doing things. Of course all stay at home momma's aren't like this, but the ones that are give us all a bad rap and are so annoying.
Since staying at home I've been trying to be all domestic, I've actually started knitting and crocheting. I'm not great yet, but getting better. I hope to be able to make cute little things for Jordy and some of her little friends. I've also been cooking a lot more (too because Scott is gone so I have to). It's fun to be able to learn new things and I hope I will continue to get better at them.
Well, there is the Davis update, we'll toss some pictures up soon too. Hopefully some cute ones in Hawaii! Take care and have a great week.
Babies are life changing, but in an amazing way. Being a mom is the single most rewarding, exhausting, fulfilling and frustrating experience I have ever had.
So much has happened over the past couple of months, so here goes...
Jordyn has turned 1... She's amazing, but we already knew that. She is walking, running, climbing, starting to talk and bubbling with personality. Her current words are kitty (which was her first), strawberry, doggie, sock, hi, and bye. I have absolutely loved staying home with her and feel so blessed to be able to do so.
There isn't a day that goes by that I don't just look at Jordyn and laugh. She is hilarious! So girly, so much attitude, I have no idea where she gets it from :). One minute she'll be holding one of her babies, patting its back, and then she'll be using it to hit me with. I already know we're in for it. Time-out is now sitting in the high chair facing the wall... It's fun for everyone.
Last month Scott's job moved him to Nevada... It sucks terribly. He'll be there for the next 6-9 months or so and be able to come home once a month. Unfortunately we had very little options open for us with the economy, so he had to go where the work is. I'm sure it is 100 times harder for him to be in the middle of nowhere, but it isn't easy at hone either. I am with Jordyn 100% of the time. I don't care how much you love anyone loves their kids, but there is no arguing that 100% of the time is A LOT of time. Just once in a while I would like to be able to go to the bathroom without crying and fingers poking out under the door. Or run an errand without having to lug the stroller out of the trunk.
Everything seems harder without Scott, but it's only temporary and we'll get through it. I'm currently counting down the days until he gets home. I can't wait to give him a giant hug and kiss and them make him changethe next poopy diaper. We have three weeks until we get to see him next, but it will be amazing when we do.
There hasn't been to many updates on my dad lately. We're still praying for the best and looking forward to our trip to Hawaii as a family. He is still on the clinical trial and it seems to be working. The side effects aren't fun at all for him, but he is such a strong guy. We should be hearing more after his next scans. I ask that anyone who reads this takes the time to keep him in your prayers as well. I have loved being able to see him more... Staying home has definitely helped with that.
Life is so different staying home, I love it, but I sometimes miss the adult interaction. The only adults I see during the day are usually other stay at home moms, or "SAHMs" as they call themselves. SAHMs really have there own little underground club. I've noticed so much of daytime television is geared towards us ladies, and if you make it to the mall on a rainy day during the week you'll see about a million strollers, especially around the toy area. I can't stand some of the other moms, but I try my best to play nice. There are just so many competitive moms out there... Standing in the toy are in the mall I get questions like "how old is she? What words is she saying?... Oh, my son is starting to use sentances"... Or similar things. So annoying! Or the other one upper moms who try to talk about how they make all their own baby food, or would never take their baby to a daycare, or only use organic products. Yes, my daughter eats a lot of organic food, but she will also enjoy pizza and Red Robin, and no, her socks are not organic cotton... They are cheap and we will probably end up losing one of them by the end of the day. It's just so silly. These babies didn't come with manuals, and there is no true right way of doing things. Of course all stay at home momma's aren't like this, but the ones that are give us all a bad rap and are so annoying.
Since staying at home I've been trying to be all domestic, I've actually started knitting and crocheting. I'm not great yet, but getting better. I hope to be able to make cute little things for Jordy and some of her little friends. I've also been cooking a lot more (too because Scott is gone so I have to). It's fun to be able to learn new things and I hope I will continue to get better at them.
Well, there is the Davis update, we'll toss some pictures up soon too. Hopefully some cute ones in Hawaii! Take care and have a great week.
Babies are life changing, but in an amazing way. Being a mom is the single most rewarding, exhausting, fulfilling and frustrating experience I have ever had.
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