Blood pressure is good and sugar levels are good, praying that these keep up... lifting our little family up in prayer!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Week 15
And it's a BOY.... at least tentatively until they double confirm when baby is a little bigger at Week 20
Blood pressure is good and sugar levels are good, praying that these keep up... lifting our little family up in prayer!
Blood pressure is good and sugar levels are good, praying that these keep up... lifting our little family up in prayer!
Monday, December 19, 2011
The wonder of Christmas
It has been heartwarming watching our two and a half year old child just absorb the wonders of the season, he truly believes that Santa will come bearing presents if he is a good boy and we chuckle at just how hard he tries to be good (which he already is most of the time). In my son, I remember fragments of my own childhood, the magic of wishing fervently for a toy or a book, at such a young age, it certainly seems to be the reason for living!
It's been cute watching him make decisions, outweighing the costs/benefits and making the best decisions. When in the past I have to repeat my request to pick up his toys or go to sleep or do something, he does it on the first request now. Last night as we settled into bed, my normally chatty child had a toy in his hand and was busy play acting and didn't want to go to sleep yet so I sighed and talking to myself mentioned having to call Santa about Eli not listening and immediately he says he's listening, puts his toy down and shuts his eyes, two minutes later, his steady breathing signaled that he was asleep...
My child, I wish I could bottle all these memories and never forget them, you are precious to us. May the wonder of Christmas never leave you and may you always remember the reason for the season.
It's been cute watching him make decisions, outweighing the costs/benefits and making the best decisions. When in the past I have to repeat my request to pick up his toys or go to sleep or do something, he does it on the first request now. Last night as we settled into bed, my normally chatty child had a toy in his hand and was busy play acting and didn't want to go to sleep yet so I sighed and talking to myself mentioned having to call Santa about Eli not listening and immediately he says he's listening, puts his toy down and shuts his eyes, two minutes later, his steady breathing signaled that he was asleep...
My child, I wish I could bottle all these memories and never forget them, you are precious to us. May the wonder of Christmas never leave you and may you always remember the reason for the season.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
12 weeks, 6 days
This second pregnancy is a lot scarier than the first (which was a breeze). At the get go, there was the issue of the huge fibroid, diabetes that never went away (gestational turned full blown) and today, I just found out that my kidneys are not functioning as normal. A 24-hour urine test brought a result of 9,606mg per 24 hours and the normal range is 300 mg or less. The maternal fetal medicine doctor wants me to see a kidney specialist so we'll see what is going on...
Seeing the little one over the ultrasound was reassuring, he/she was active and moving, the little heartbeat made me choke up... At that moment, all I truly want is for this child to develop normally and be born healthy, motherhood has been so rewarding but at the same time, it has been the most worrying journey to date, I worry when my child coughs or has a fever, I worry if I'm teaching him enough or if he is watching too much tv or eating the right foods.... Silly, I know but I can't help it!
So now this little one nestled in my belly, Mummy will worry until you are safe in my arms, I wish I can fast forward the time to June, that way, I'll know everything is alright but I know I have to try and enjoy the pregnancy and wait it's course.
Your big brother tells everyone that his brother and sister is in his Mummy's belly (no, don't worry, it's ONE baby!) and I know he can't wait to see you, he already sings you songs, read you stories, give you kisses and include you in his conversations (he likes going around the table and announcing the color of our eyes... Brown for mummy, blue for daddy, green for eli and he asks me what color are baby's eyes????? I tell him we have to wait and see and he'll say it's because baby is still growing right mummy????)
I don't have any wants for Christmas this year, all I ask is for a healthy baby and family... That in itself is the only thing that matters to me right now as I go from one stressful OB appointment to another.
Dear Lord, please watch over our little family and help us get through this pregnancy with ease and let June be a joyful time.... Hang in there little one, grow well, keep that fighting heart beating, as with your brother, we love you even before we can hold you in our arms.
Seeing the little one over the ultrasound was reassuring, he/she was active and moving, the little heartbeat made me choke up... At that moment, all I truly want is for this child to develop normally and be born healthy, motherhood has been so rewarding but at the same time, it has been the most worrying journey to date, I worry when my child coughs or has a fever, I worry if I'm teaching him enough or if he is watching too much tv or eating the right foods.... Silly, I know but I can't help it!
So now this little one nestled in my belly, Mummy will worry until you are safe in my arms, I wish I can fast forward the time to June, that way, I'll know everything is alright but I know I have to try and enjoy the pregnancy and wait it's course.
Your big brother tells everyone that his brother and sister is in his Mummy's belly (no, don't worry, it's ONE baby!) and I know he can't wait to see you, he already sings you songs, read you stories, give you kisses and include you in his conversations (he likes going around the table and announcing the color of our eyes... Brown for mummy, blue for daddy, green for eli and he asks me what color are baby's eyes????? I tell him we have to wait and see and he'll say it's because baby is still growing right mummy????)
I don't have any wants for Christmas this year, all I ask is for a healthy baby and family... That in itself is the only thing that matters to me right now as I go from one stressful OB appointment to another.
Dear Lord, please watch over our little family and help us get through this pregnancy with ease and let June be a joyful time.... Hang in there little one, grow well, keep that fighting heart beating, as with your brother, we love you even before we can hold you in our arms.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
It's almost Christmas
With the help of our little elf, our Christmas tree is finally up. This morning when he woke up, Eli ran to the tree and said "mummy, look here, I did it all for you"...... my child, I hope you'll always be sweet to your mummy :)
Monday, November 28, 2011
After along hiatus
How quickly time has flown by, since I was here last, Eli is two and a half years old, he has such a vibrant personality. He's highly conversant, intelligent, has a great sense of humor, painfully polite and just the sunshine in our lives, he truly is our pride and joy!
I'd like to be back on here to record the little things that happen so that we can look back and remember this time... I'd also like to jot down the things the little man says that I'd like to remember for always...
Last night in bed, I wasn't sure what he was scrambling around and was starting to get impatient because it was past bedtime and it's a school day the next day and I tell him to hurry up and lay down and he goes "hold on mummy, I'm building a castle", sure enough, he barricaded himself with every pillow and lay his pillow pet dragon on the very top of the pile as the guardian of the castle.
Then there was the Sunday before at church as we said the Lord's Prayer, Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread.....
As clear as a bell, a little voice says "Jesus, I want my bread with hotdog and ketchup and some macaroni please"
It was long after the prayer ended before the people around us stopped laughing.
I love the child like innocence and will make an effort to get it jotted down here (no more excuses since I can do it straight from he iPhone)
I'd like to be back on here to record the little things that happen so that we can look back and remember this time... I'd also like to jot down the things the little man says that I'd like to remember for always...
Last night in bed, I wasn't sure what he was scrambling around and was starting to get impatient because it was past bedtime and it's a school day the next day and I tell him to hurry up and lay down and he goes "hold on mummy, I'm building a castle", sure enough, he barricaded himself with every pillow and lay his pillow pet dragon on the very top of the pile as the guardian of the castle.
Then there was the Sunday before at church as we said the Lord's Prayer, Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread.....
As clear as a bell, a little voice says "Jesus, I want my bread with hotdog and ketchup and some macaroni please"
It was long after the prayer ended before the people around us stopped laughing.
I love the child like innocence and will make an effort to get it jotted down here (no more excuses since I can do it straight from he iPhone)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Homecoming
Hi Everyone – I wanted to take a moment to share a slideshow of Jonathan’s homecoming. It still very much feels surreal that the events of the past year have come and gone… who needs to watch Army Wives when our own lives have had its own ups and downs (of epic proportions no less) unfold right before our eyes. Thank you to all our friends and family, who supported, encouraged and carried us through the past year.
Enjoy the slideshow and I must say I love it that the song being played was what Jonathan and I danced for the first time as husband and wife J
http://kristenlynphotography.zenfolio.com/p896397067/slideshow
Much love
Enjoy the slideshow and I must say I love it that the song being played was what Jonathan and I danced for the first time as husband and wife J
http://kristenlynphotography.zenfolio.com/p896397067/slideshow
Much love
Eli updates in pictures - August 2010
With BearBear
Off to church we go
My best buddy
Nite nite
My new book
Daddy's HOME!
Horsing around
All play makes a tired boy
Eli updates in pictures - July 2010
mmmmmmmm... mango!
Hiding from Mummy
Soldier like Daddy
To market, to market to buy.... a potato!
Eli update in pictures - June 2010
Farley's rusk from Aunt Amy
Favorite hangout at the apartment
Trainig in session
First Haircut
First haircut & first lollipop
Picture update - House reconstruction
July 2010
POD is finally delivered
New siding put up
Siding in progress
New window in
Stairs fixed and prepped
Stairs
Kitchen
Garage
Kitchen
Working hard
POD is finally delivered
New siding put up
Siding in progress
New window in
Stairs fixed and prepped
Stairs
Kitchen
Garage
Kitchen
Working hard
Picture updates - Flood
Apologies for the quality of pictures. With all the cameras perishing in the flood, I had only my Bl*ackberry to capture images to update my husband in Iraq with.
May 1st
Burgeoning river
Getting closer
May 3rd - Water finally receded, safe to go home
First steps into the wreckage
First sight of the living room
Garage all topsy turvy
Living room
Living room
May 5th - Demolition time
Drywall, carpets, hardwood, fixtures all ripped out
Living room cleared out
Hanging out to dry
May 1st
Burgeoning river
Getting closer
May 3rd - Water finally receded, safe to go home
First steps into the wreckage
First sight of the living room
Garage all topsy turvy
Living room
Living room
May 5th - Demolition time
Drywall, carpets, hardwood, fixtures all ripped out
Living room cleared out
Hanging out to dry
Almost there
We are so very excited as a family. In just 4 days, we will be moving back to our home!
All is not 100% completed but it's good enough. I will not miss living in an apartment and I am sure the boys shall agree as well.
All is not 100% completed but it's good enough. I will not miss living in an apartment and I am sure the boys shall agree as well.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Update
Life has been pretty overwhelming to say the least over the past few months and finally I feel like we may have some breathing space. To friends who are not on FB, I will do my best to update as concise as possible the craziness that has been our life :) Pics will have to wait because I cannot find my cable and as soon as I do, I'll get them on here.
March 15th - Eli starts daycare/school
March 20th - We celebrated Eli's 1st Birthday a couple of weeks early so that my mother could be part of it before she left home for Malaysia
April 3rd - Mom leaves and I am truly by myself with zero support with a one year old baby and a dog :( What made it worse was that since Eli had never really been exposed to other children, he was constantly sick at daycare. I took him to the doctor multiple times a week.
April 14th - Eli suddenly developed high fever and had seizures at 2am. This was the most frightening experience and after 3 seizures in a row, laying limp in my arms and eyes glazed over, I was still on the phone with 911... it took 30 minutes for the paramedics to come... I really thought that I had lost my baby... I will never forget that night.
It turned out that he had a severe ear infection and that was what caused the temperature to spike so quickly. Apparently the seizures are a baby's way to cool their bodies... not cool for Mommy :(
May 1st - Historic downpours in Nashville, interstates flooded... I was vigilant all night, watching the news channel and praying very hard we will be okay. It was a sleepless night for me since I kept imagining that if I slept, that we'll drown in our beds. Our backyard is the Harpeth River
May 2nd - As soon as day broke, I hurried outside to see the conditions of the river. My heart sank... the nature trail is flooded, the rain is still pouring. Power goes out. No more weather reports. I call my neighbor at 6am to come over to see for herself... 2 hours later, the water was in our backyard. I scurried around packing food for Eli, some clothes, dog food and at 10am, the water was at our backdoor.
Our neighbor and I fled from our homes. We had to drive through some flooded streets which in hindsight was not the smartest thing but we really did not know what to do... I prayed so hard that God will carry us through the water and bring us to safety. Our kind neighbor had a daughter who lived in the same sub-division but on a hill. They opened their home to us. Still no power, Eli was on fresh milk and I just put it in a cooler (did not have ice) and prayed it would last
Our hosts kept making rounds in the flood waters, coming back with updates... it truly was surreal... cannot imagine that happening to us
2 days being cut off from the world and no power, the water finally receded enough for us to go back to our houses.
What I saw was devastating. Our beautiful home, no more. Everything was destroyed... all that was left was a soggy, fishy, rancid shell. Eli didn't think anything different. He wanted down to play with his toys... heartbreaking
I remember vividly just holding on tighter to Eli and sitting out on the front porch. Watching the neighbors get busy trying to get their houses back in order. Kind volunteers came searching for the "young mother with her husband in Iraq" and they were the ones who helped tear out the saturated carpets, hardwood etc
Thus, was the beginning of our nightmare.
It seemed that it was one thing after another, finding a place to stay, paperwork for financing (home rebuilding), interviewing contractors, mitigation work, the list goes on... Now, remember that thousands of homes were affected so resources were very limited so the wait begun.
I will probably elaborate more as I think about it.
June 18th - My first husband's 5 year death anniversary. Some of you may already know he drowned whilst rescuing me from a rip tide. Difficult day because it felt like I had to start over every 5 years and that each time, water is my enemy
July - FINALLY sorted out financing for the home rebuilding and building commenced
August 1st - I get a phone call. My husband is out of Iraq and is waiting in Kuwait for transport back to the US!!!
August 4th - Husband finally arrives in Maine en route to Mississippi
August 9th - Eli & I stood at the tarmac of the military base eagerly awaiting that grey-blue military plane carrying precious cargo to arrive. The emotions were absolutely electric. What a happy day it was, our family was together again!
Present Day (Aug 13th) - The Hubs is adjusting well to civilian life, Eli has taken to him amazingly well, our home is coming along (move back date is Aug 28th) and I cannot wait for the weekend to just be able to spend some time with my my favorites boys!
To Be Continued :)
March 15th - Eli starts daycare/school
March 20th - We celebrated Eli's 1st Birthday a couple of weeks early so that my mother could be part of it before she left home for Malaysia
April 3rd - Mom leaves and I am truly by myself with zero support with a one year old baby and a dog :( What made it worse was that since Eli had never really been exposed to other children, he was constantly sick at daycare. I took him to the doctor multiple times a week.
April 14th - Eli suddenly developed high fever and had seizures at 2am. This was the most frightening experience and after 3 seizures in a row, laying limp in my arms and eyes glazed over, I was still on the phone with 911... it took 30 minutes for the paramedics to come... I really thought that I had lost my baby... I will never forget that night.
It turned out that he had a severe ear infection and that was what caused the temperature to spike so quickly. Apparently the seizures are a baby's way to cool their bodies... not cool for Mommy :(
May 1st - Historic downpours in Nashville, interstates flooded... I was vigilant all night, watching the news channel and praying very hard we will be okay. It was a sleepless night for me since I kept imagining that if I slept, that we'll drown in our beds. Our backyard is the Harpeth River
May 2nd - As soon as day broke, I hurried outside to see the conditions of the river. My heart sank... the nature trail is flooded, the rain is still pouring. Power goes out. No more weather reports. I call my neighbor at 6am to come over to see for herself... 2 hours later, the water was in our backyard. I scurried around packing food for Eli, some clothes, dog food and at 10am, the water was at our backdoor.
Our neighbor and I fled from our homes. We had to drive through some flooded streets which in hindsight was not the smartest thing but we really did not know what to do... I prayed so hard that God will carry us through the water and bring us to safety. Our kind neighbor had a daughter who lived in the same sub-division but on a hill. They opened their home to us. Still no power, Eli was on fresh milk and I just put it in a cooler (did not have ice) and prayed it would last
Our hosts kept making rounds in the flood waters, coming back with updates... it truly was surreal... cannot imagine that happening to us
2 days being cut off from the world and no power, the water finally receded enough for us to go back to our houses.
What I saw was devastating. Our beautiful home, no more. Everything was destroyed... all that was left was a soggy, fishy, rancid shell. Eli didn't think anything different. He wanted down to play with his toys... heartbreaking
I remember vividly just holding on tighter to Eli and sitting out on the front porch. Watching the neighbors get busy trying to get their houses back in order. Kind volunteers came searching for the "young mother with her husband in Iraq" and they were the ones who helped tear out the saturated carpets, hardwood etc
Thus, was the beginning of our nightmare.
It seemed that it was one thing after another, finding a place to stay, paperwork for financing (home rebuilding), interviewing contractors, mitigation work, the list goes on... Now, remember that thousands of homes were affected so resources were very limited so the wait begun.
I will probably elaborate more as I think about it.
June 18th - My first husband's 5 year death anniversary. Some of you may already know he drowned whilst rescuing me from a rip tide. Difficult day because it felt like I had to start over every 5 years and that each time, water is my enemy
July - FINALLY sorted out financing for the home rebuilding and building commenced
August 1st - I get a phone call. My husband is out of Iraq and is waiting in Kuwait for transport back to the US!!!
August 4th - Husband finally arrives in Maine en route to Mississippi
August 9th - Eli & I stood at the tarmac of the military base eagerly awaiting that grey-blue military plane carrying precious cargo to arrive. The emotions were absolutely electric. What a happy day it was, our family was together again!
Present Day (Aug 13th) - The Hubs is adjusting well to civilian life, Eli has taken to him amazingly well, our home is coming along (move back date is Aug 28th) and I cannot wait for the weekend to just be able to spend some time with my my favorites boys!
To Be Continued :)
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thirty Two
That's how old I will be in exactly 1 hour, 48 minutes.
How time has flown by, but with every birthday, I just thank the good Lord for allowing me to enjoy another spring, summer, autumn and winter... another year filled with moments, good as well as the bad, memories to cherish, frustrations to burn... alas such is this journey we call life.
It's definitely been a joyful, yet challenging year. Almost at the beginning of my 31st year, we welcomed our little bundle of joy... who, by the way, will be ONE in a few weeks! Every single day, I fall deeper in love with this little boy, just when you think it's an impossible feat.
One of the biggest trial this past year which will also be present for the rest of the coming year is my husband's deployment to Iraq. The separation is not as overwhelming as the fear of what might/could happen. I think that is the biggest stress I carry with me, I get antsy when I dont hear from him during the day and the anxiety only heightens as nightfall... I cannot sleep, I think the most horrible thoughts and when I finally hear from him, relief leaves me feeling like a wet rag and I try my very best not to be frustrated at him for not calling the day before. After the call, the cycle repeats itself.
Perhaps the loss of my first husband makes me paranoid but I am almost certain that other deployed families go through some measure of constant worry and stress.
I think I have physically aged so much in the past year, I have spotted my first grey hair, still carry my excess baby weight, hair falling out in clumps and just exhausted all the time... I suppose the 16 hour days, 7 days a week job does not make things better.
I am hopeful things will change, on the 15th Eli starts daycare and I have no choice but to leave at 4.30pm everyday to make it in time to pick him up from daycare before they shut their doors so we'll see how my job copes with that because right now, the expectation is that I go into work even though I am sick, I have pink eye right now and have gone to work all days.
So here's to 32, may you bring blessings to our little family, laughter and love in abundance.
How time has flown by, but with every birthday, I just thank the good Lord for allowing me to enjoy another spring, summer, autumn and winter... another year filled with moments, good as well as the bad, memories to cherish, frustrations to burn... alas such is this journey we call life.
It's definitely been a joyful, yet challenging year. Almost at the beginning of my 31st year, we welcomed our little bundle of joy... who, by the way, will be ONE in a few weeks! Every single day, I fall deeper in love with this little boy, just when you think it's an impossible feat.
One of the biggest trial this past year which will also be present for the rest of the coming year is my husband's deployment to Iraq. The separation is not as overwhelming as the fear of what might/could happen. I think that is the biggest stress I carry with me, I get antsy when I dont hear from him during the day and the anxiety only heightens as nightfall... I cannot sleep, I think the most horrible thoughts and when I finally hear from him, relief leaves me feeling like a wet rag and I try my very best not to be frustrated at him for not calling the day before. After the call, the cycle repeats itself.
Perhaps the loss of my first husband makes me paranoid but I am almost certain that other deployed families go through some measure of constant worry and stress.
I think I have physically aged so much in the past year, I have spotted my first grey hair, still carry my excess baby weight, hair falling out in clumps and just exhausted all the time... I suppose the 16 hour days, 7 days a week job does not make things better.
I am hopeful things will change, on the 15th Eli starts daycare and I have no choice but to leave at 4.30pm everyday to make it in time to pick him up from daycare before they shut their doors so we'll see how my job copes with that because right now, the expectation is that I go into work even though I am sick, I have pink eye right now and have gone to work all days.
So here's to 32, may you bring blessings to our little family, laughter and love in abundance.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Have a Blessed Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!
May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!
Christmas blessings from our family to yours!
Christmas blessings from our family to yours!
Eli is 8 1/2 months!
It’s been yet another block of time that has gone by… Jonathan came home for Thanksgiving and as with every year, we make the trip down south to Alabama to visit with NeNe and PeePaw as well as the rest of the family. This year, my cousin Elene and her husband Luca were visiting from Genoa, Italy so it was a merry crowd. They managed to attend a Predators game, shop, shop, shop and shop as well as visit with the in-laws and most importantly, meet the Prince! Unfortunately, Eli had been sick since November 7th from first, the cold and then an ear infection. I had the same symptoms simultaneously as well and it has been a long road to recovery. Nevertheless, he is well and cheeky to boot.
8 month update.
Weight – 18 lbs 5 oz
Length – 24 inches
Motor skills
He now works his keyboard/turn-wheel with such ease, it’s so cute to watch him work his wrists, he does it so deftly.
Zooms around the house in his walker
Walks around the house with someone holding him up
Rolls/pulls himself around the house to get to things he wants
Social skills
Can associate “Mummy”, “Ah Mah” (grandma), “Bama” (dog) and “Daddy” to the correct person/dog
Understands
Pong-pong (bathe)
Ka-ka (# 2)
Words he says;
Da-da (his first word)
Pa-pa
Nen-nen (milk)
Ma-ma-ma-ma (grandmother)
Ta-ta (bye bye)
At 7 months, doing the "Tom Cruise"
At 7 1/2 months at Grandpa's for Thanksgiving. This is his cousin Shelbie. It was so funny to see the little guy so curious about her, touching, patting, kissing... I think this boy loves blondes!
Look at that cheeky grin!
It's been a cold winter for us and I came home one day to find a little green dinosaur zooming around in his walker so naturally, photos had to be captured of this delightful creature...
Mr. Dino at 8 months old
Attacking the black*berry
How can you not de-stress with this face????
Mmmmmm how do you not squeeze this little face!
8 month update.
Weight – 18 lbs 5 oz
Length – 24 inches
Motor skills
He now works his keyboard/turn-wheel with such ease, it’s so cute to watch him work his wrists, he does it so deftly.
Zooms around the house in his walker
Walks around the house with someone holding him up
Rolls/pulls himself around the house to get to things he wants
Social skills
Can associate “Mummy”, “Ah Mah” (grandma), “Bama” (dog) and “Daddy” to the correct person/dog
Understands
Pong-pong (bathe)
Ka-ka (# 2)
Words he says;
Da-da (his first word)
Pa-pa
Nen-nen (milk)
Ma-ma-ma-ma (grandmother)
Ta-ta (bye bye)
At 7 months, doing the "Tom Cruise"
At 7 1/2 months at Grandpa's for Thanksgiving. This is his cousin Shelbie. It was so funny to see the little guy so curious about her, touching, patting, kissing... I think this boy loves blondes!
Look at that cheeky grin!
It's been a cold winter for us and I came home one day to find a little green dinosaur zooming around in his walker so naturally, photos had to be captured of this delightful creature...
Mr. Dino at 8 months old
Attacking the black*berry
How can you not de-stress with this face????
Mmmmmm how do you not squeeze this little face!
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