When Life Gets to Busy...

I think every family should have one weekend with no plans. It was so nice this weekend to relax, do what we wanted when we wanted, and just spend time together. Life just gets going too fast sometimes! 

My weekend started Friday night. We had a movie night. We watched Couples Retreat. It was fun and good to laugh. 

Saturday I headed over to watch Carlie play basketball and LoVeD it! She has gotten big too fast. She scored a basket, played great defense, and got some rebounds....all that equals a pretty impressive game for a first grader! Spent the rest of the day relaxing, and then headed to church that evening. I love the Saturday night church service. After we got home, Brian and I made dinner and had another movie night....2 in one weekend! We watched Taken...very good movie, but very scary....realistic, and made you think. Brian said Stella was never going on vacation without him. Oh dear. 

Sunday, we decided to go out and about a little bit. Did some shopping at Old Navy....had to get Stella a St. Patrick's Day shirt! Had lunch at Chili's...yum, and then headed home and took a nap. 

After this weekend, I feel refreshed. It was nice to have some time at home with ones I love (not that I don't love all of you too!) 

One Day

Well, I guess today I just need my day to be sad. I am a fan on Facebook of "Cora's Story" and it has been so touching. It is filled with people whose child has or had a CHD. Some stories are very sad, yet others bring hope and reassurance and it is sometimes just nice to know that their are others out there. I can ask questions and find support all in one place. It is also reassuring to know that Stella's VSD is one of the most common heart defects, and doctors have seen it before. There is so much to be thankful for...and remembering those things are what helps more than anything. 

I guess if you haven't heard, more than likely we are heading to Riley's this spring/early summer to have Stella's heart repaired. She is such a love bug....I don't know if this surgery could possibly make her heart love anymore, but at least it will help her grow and live a long and happy life. 

I came across this poem on "Cora's Story" FB page, and thought it was touching. One that I can't read everyday unless I want to cry, but it helped today :)

Somewhere
By Stephanie Husted

Somewhere...someplace... today...
A family is waiting to hear,
Is something wrong with their baby?
The answers aren't quite clear,
This family has entered an unwanted world,
And they just don't know what to expect,
Somewhere...someplace... today...
They first heard the words: heart defect.
And how they hoped this was not true,
And thought... this cannot be,
I too... know just how this feels,
For one day...this was me.
Somewhere...someplace...today...

A man and a woman embrace,
Their baby is in surgery,
They long to see her face,
They haven't got to hold her yet,
Without...a cord or line,
They pace the room awaiting news,
And hope she'll be just fine.
Prayers fill this busy waiting room,
And mom and dad are scared,
Somewhere...someplace..today...
The tiniest hearts are repaired.
Somewhere...someplace...today...
A child's growing fast,
Smiling,laughing,thriving,
His mom thinks...can this last?
It's almost easy...to forget,
That anything is wrong,
Somewhere...someplace..today...
Her child seems so strong.
Somewhere...someplace... today...
A little boy fights...just to live,
A father holds his tiny hand,
His love...all he can give,
The doctor's are all baffled,
They fear that he might die,
Somewhere...someplace...today...
A family says goodbye.
Somewhere...someplace...each year...
More than 40,000 families will see,
What it means...when something's wrong...
They'll face a CHD.
Today...for just a moment,
Stop...remember...reflect,
Make time to tell someone you know,
"I've been changed by a heart defect".

Blogger Prompt....

A time I want to re-experience is....

What a Week!

It all started with Brian and I not feeling good the end of the last week. Then Sunday night it hit Stella. Fever and just not right. Poor thing. The fever has hung on to her all week so far. She gets some Motrin....plays for awhile, and looks okay. Then the next thing you know she is crawling up on your lap wanting to be held and rock. And then she is fast asleep. I love cuddling with her, I just wish it wasn't because she was sick! This is me feeling sorry for my little girl :(  

Newest Tricks

Brian was bound and determined to teach Stella "touchdown" for the Super Bowl....and he did it. Hopefully her new trick will bring the Irish more luck than it brought the Colts! (I have a video but for some reason my blog posting box isn't giving me the option to upload the video....hmmm)

 

She has also started giving LOTS of kisses and is even blowing kisses. I took a picture of her in this storm of puzzles and she looked up and blew me a kiss as to say, "Sorry Mama, I love you!" 

Winter Fun!

This weekend's snow created a huge drift in front of mom and dad's house. So we took advantage of it and went out and played with Carlie, Caden, Lucy, Eli and even Stella (for a very brief amount of time). Brian stayed busy digging tunnels and having snowball fights. Dad stayed busy giving sledding rides. And I stayed busy trying to take pictures. I forgot how fun it was to go out and play in the snow!

Obviously, Stella didn't enjoy the snow as much as everyone else did...

Stella was much happier watching the activities from the inside! 

Parenthood

Parenthood: full of ups, downs, surprises, smiles, love, sadness, and so much more! It is so hard to believe that Stella will be one in just over a month. We went from being a couple to being parents....and we've loved it! We have grown closer together as learned so much. Something new is always happening and our lives are constantly changing. Each day she learns a new trick, flashes a new smile, gives a new fake cough, or gives a great hug. No wonder we always anxious to see what the next day will bring! Well this week brought a mixture of emotions. Stella had been sick, so I called the doctor last minute and they fit me in...the doctor even stayed after hours to wait on me! After a short visit, he put Stella on breathing treatments....ugh. I know lots of children who have been on breathing treatments...so it's not like it is uncommon, but it was just another something to worry about. But we got our machine, hooked her up, and gave it a go. Not quite sure how she would do sitting still for about 15 minutes, but after we popped in Praise Baby and did a little cuddling, she does it like a trooper! Although, I have to say it broke her mommy and daddy's heart to see her hooked to another machine. But if it makes her feel better and gets her back to her happy, smiley self...then it is worth it! So after about a day and a half she is beginning to show signs of improvement....she actually is sleeping! She had not been sleeping well. Well, who would coughing and struggling to breath? She took a three hour nap Friday and slept all night last night...woohoo! Thank you to our family for all the encouragement, support, and prayers! Love you all! 

 

It does a heart good to cuddle once in awhile....I just wish she would want to do it all the time!!

Birthday Weekend!

I can't believe I am now officially 28 years old....how can that be? Oh well, it is even crazier to think that I have been since I was 17! Wow! He has been through quite a few birthdays with me. Then to think that before I know it I will be celebrating my baby's first birthday! 

We had a busy, busy, busy weekend. Friday we ate out with my mom and dad at Texas Roadhouse to celebrate my birthday....yum. I love their Cactus Blossoms. They are just hard to beat....and of course their rolls are just as yummy! Then on Saturday we went out to dinner with a few couples at Granite City, and then they came back to our house for a little Wii....I wish I would have had the video camera running...there were some funny moments! Then on Sunday Brian, Stella, and I went out to lunch at Bandido's.....you gotta go there for the free meal, right? Then Brian's family came up for the Colts game and to celebrate my birthday with some taco pizza and ice cream cake. So to say the least......I was not hungry one time this weekend. In fact, I feel like I should still be stuffed! Had tons of fun...thanks for a great birthday everyone!!

Just the Girls

Stella and I had a unexpected day off together. I got so much done and we had a lot of fun. I love just getting to hang out with her. It seems that we are always on the go or have things to do...but today we hung out and relaxed :) 

 

Stella's Friends

Two of Stella's friends came up to visit recently, and we had so much fun. They are all getting big way to quickly! 

 

Jencee (6 months), Stella (10 months), and Londyn (9 months)

Londyn, Stella, and Jencee getting ready for bed