Hands down, the hardest thing

In two days our tough little 2-year-old has his 4th surgery. While all of the surgeries have been difficult, this one in particular has been the one I've been most looking forward to, and dreading at the same time. This surgery called a Pollicization is where they will cut his little thumb on his right hand that doesn't work and create a thumb using his index finger.

It sounds exciting, I think about all the opportunities he will have opened up for him, all the little things in life that will be made so much easier once he has a thumb. But a part of me also mourns the loss of this tiny little thumb that has been a part of his hand for so long.

It's silly really, because it has never really worked and has been nothing but a bother to him, getting caught in his sleeves. But it's still a piece of my baby's body. A piece that grew inside my body, a piece that I've held a thousand times, kissed a thousand times, looked at a thousand times. Isn't it silly to be so attached to something that is so ineffective? But, I can't help it. It's a part of...him. So, I am holding it for the last few times, memorizing it and saying goodbye to it.

I am trying to think of it more as saying hello to a new thumb, a more effective thumb. Something that will help him write, and open door knobs and lift glasses and a thousand other things that we all take for granted.

It's not easy, I am not looking forward to trying to explain things to him. To watching his confused and terrified face as they carry him away. But I am praying that the Lord gives him courage and peace and that when he wakes up, his whole life will be different.

Thank you Jesus for this hand you've given my baby, and for the new hand you're going to give him.

Flower hair clip project

So I've been an etsy-a-holic ever since I found out that this baby was a girl. I keep seeing the absolute CUTEST hair things that I want to buy. But they're all fairly expensive. And upon further examination, I decided that I could make them myself.

So, I went to youtube and studied different methods of making cute flower hairthings. There were several different methods and I sort of combined them all.

First off, I went to Michael's and bought some gerber daisies, and tigerlillies in bright colors and beautiful bouquets. Then I bought some multi-color gems (20 mm in diameter). And, ofcourse, some glue sticks so I could use my trusty gluegun. Then I went to my local beauty supply store where I bought alligator clips small and tight enough.

Step 1: I carefully cut the stems off of the flower I was going to use. All the way to the very end.

Step 2: I removed the middle (carefully). I actually ended up ripping a few before things worked out well.

Step 3: Re-glued the stem and parts of the flower together

Step 4: Replaced the middle stem part with a colorful jewel.

Step 5: Added tooth floss to the clips to create a nice soft place to glue

Step 6: Glued the flower stem to the clip.

And presto! Beautiful flower hairpieces!

Spendown:
Plastic Flowers at Michael's : $12
Multi-colored jewels: $4
Hair clips: $4
Total cost: $20
Total amount of hairclips made: 15

Basing things on a Previa experience

So I was called by my doctor today and diagnosed with Placenta Previa. That scared me a little. Fortunately I have a rock-awesome midwife as a friend and even though she can't be here to deliver my baby, she is always a wealth of information on all things baby. I cannot tell you how much that keeps the worrying at bay.

So this whole previa thing has made a ton of sense, as I have been experiencing symptoms, but never understanding why. But the stinky thing is it really limits my housework and regular mom stuff I do each day. On one hand I could look at that as great, but let's be honest here.. if I don't do it, I'm just going to be looking at 4 months of sitting in filth- not appealing. However, if I DO the work and push myself, it could be harmful to the baby- catch 22 in my opinion.

So here I sit, 18 weeks pregnant, diagnosed with something a little scary, a little confusing, and a little inconvenient. It's days like this I wish my mother was here.

Birthdays, Babies and Weddings... oh my.

See what happens when I neglect my blog for 2 weeks? EVERYTHING!!

First off, we celebrated Noah's 1st birthday on Sunday May 16th. It was a beautiful day and we took the time to also have Dr. Schaefer dedicate our sweet boy to the Lord. All of our family and friends were there to share in his special day with us. It was glorious and we had so much fun watching him dive into his cake!

Two days later we went in for our first sonogram of our new baby, and found out that we're having a baby girl! We were so excited to see all her bones and body parts forming well, and to watch her stretch and kick. It was amazing, and we are so thrilled to have her complete our family.

Then a few days later it was off to Paradise, where we spent 3 days preparing Tim's dear friend Danny for his big wedding. Tim got to be Best Man, and Elijah got to be a ringbearer. Eli walked down so well, and in front of so many people. He looked like a mini James Bond in his tux, and I will forever kick myself for not taking better pictures. But I was baby wrangling all weekend, so fitting in a photo session was difficult. Fortunately, we bought the tux, so I can always take pictures later. Note to anyone in need of a child's tuxedo- go on ebay. We bought ours for $35 with free shipping. The rental place costs at least $70, and we got to keep ours. I'm thinking we already have Eli's Halloween costume this year :)

This Is Alabama! We Speak English!

Before I go any further, please take the next 30 seconds to watch this campaign ad for who could be the next Governor of Alabama:

Yes, let's examine why exactly we give the driver's test in 12 languages. Because though this is Alabama, it is also America. And it's okay if not everyone speaks English. Sadly, because I have spent a good segment of time in Alabama, I am not at all surprised at this kind of "forward" thinking. I mean, come on guys, it'll save money.

Mr. James, if you are so concerned about saving money you might want to consider all of the money the state would be paying towards legal fees that would oppose this blatant act of prejudiced.

This is America! We have Rights!

Won't YOU be my neighbor?

Dear Annoying Neighbors:

I realize that you grew up in the ghetto parts of L.A. but there are certain things that, as neighbors, it's common sense NOT to do here in NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

#1- When you have 4 children, it is customary to occasionally take them out to parks, and events so they are not always outside screaming at the top of their lungs at all hours of the day and night.

#2- I like the Beastie boys as well, but when it is so loud that it is actually shaking the foundations of my house (next door to yours) perhaps you should be considerate and possibly turn the stereo down, or at least the base.

#3- When you and your wife are having a marital conflict, it might be a good idea to not leave all the doors and windows open so that our entire neighborhood can be privy to the happenings (or non-happenings) in your marriage.

#4- Screaming at your children all day is not a really great method of parenting.

#5- Watching a movie at 1am is fine. Watching a movie at 1am that is so loud when I am sleeping in my bed I can actually pick out which movie it is, is NOT fine.

#6- When you are so stinking loud, inconsiderate and annoying it does NOT make me want to run out and be your friend. So please do not stalk me as I go in and out of my garage, backyard, and house. It's creepy and weird.

God first, facebook second

I've really been challenged over the last several weeks about my devotions. I have to be honest and admit that I am NOT that great at doing them, and am rarely consistant in them.

Lately, our pastor has been challenging us to go after our God times before we do anything else. His biggest challenge? Doing devotions BEFORE he checks facebook.

That made me think: how willing am I to go on facebook, check my email, read other people's blogs, pretty much ANYTHING before I'm willing to hear from the Lord? It really puts things into perspective. I see just where my God has been put in my list of priorities.

So I've really been struggling with, and working on, opening my bible before I turn on my computer. What a challenge that is, especially since as a stay at home mom, it is my only connection to the outside world, and people who speak English and not baby babble.

It's equally been as challenging to find time in between dirty diapers, dirty dishes, feeding faces, and keeping children's fingers out of electrical sockets, to spend time with God. But I have been working on it, and I have to say it has really given me fresh eyes on my day and a bit of extra motivation in my day as I ponder the words God speaks to me during my work.

So here I am posting this blog as a public accountability to put the Lord first, instead of facebook.

Wedding woes

So our whole family is going to be in Tim's Best friend's wedding in 2 weeks. We're singing in it, Eli's the ringbearer, Tim's the best man and it's in Paradise- a total mess.

Just preparing financially and making sure all the bowties fit and that we have a place to stay all in between Noah's birthday and Elijah's surgery. It's just nuts. On top of which, the bride and groom are super stressed.

Of course taking part in weddings, always reminds me of mine. I'm trying to remember just how stressed I was when I was this close to my wedding. And all I remember is no longer caring. People would come to me with questions about black candles or white candles, tool or no tool, buttoned or not buttoned and my response would always be, "I don't care."

I think it was just because I just wanted to be married, and I knew that my wedding wasn't going to go perfectly. That's the thing about weddings, no matter how much you plan them, something inevidably goes wrong... you have to just count on that happening. But the point is that after all the hooplah there's a marriage that starts. So I'm just gonna have to hold my breath and my tongue.

(This is me at my wedding rehearsal- totally exhausted, and totally done.)

America: The Story of Us

So I am NOT a huge history channel watcher. In fact, I only ever watch it when my husband is around. I swear that man makes me a better human. But there's this new show on called America: The story of Us that has me TOTALLY hooked.

It's a movie-like look at American History from beginning to end. It's pretty cool, and I am learning so many new things about us as a nation. Like did you know that Pocahontas didn't actually marry a man named John Smith? Contrary to popular belief his name was Ralph Smith and he was a tobacco farmer- something Disney neglected to put in their story.

I can just feel my brain getting bigger by the minute. If you've missed it, go to History.com, they have full episodes available to watch!