Happy weekend friends :)
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
How to Save a Life
Being a stay-at-home mom has given me lots and lots of opportunities. I get to watch my babies grow. I get all the special, little moments. We don't have to worry about putting them in yucky, germy daycares when they are still so susceptible to those yucky germs. I get to wear yoga pants every day.
And I get to watch all the seasons of Grey's Anatomy that are re-run on Lifetime. I was a freshman in college when the series began and I've watched it religiously ever since - through the horrible brain cancer-induced hallucinations and the buses running over people (STILL NOT OVER THAT) and the post it wedding. I love Grey's Anatomy. The fact that Lifetime replays them all in order is awesome, because like I said, I love Grey's Anatomy.
Well, it was awesome. Until today, when they played THAT episode.
I knew it was coming. I knew it on Friday when they played the episode where Callie had her baby shower. I haven't seen it since it first aired and I knew it was coming and yet, like that car wreck, I still had to watch.
For those of you who don't watch Grey's, let me fill you in. First of all, let's start with the fact that this episode first aired on March 31, 2011. That's right, a mere 6 days after my babies - my teeny, tiny, pound-and-a-half, micropreemie babies - were born. This is relevant.
In this particular episode, Callie Torres is 23 and a half weeks pregnant and, as a result of an ill-timed seat belt unbuckling, is sent through the windshield of her car. She's in a coma, has massive brain injuries, heart injuries, so on and so forth... and her micropreemie baby ends up being born just shy of 24 weeks.
People had mixed reactions to the episode when it first aired. There were some major inaccuracies, they missed some obvious preemie things and mishandled some very touchy topics. Mostly, people hated the singing. I forgot to mention the singing. It was pretty ridiculous. Fellow preemie mom blogger Kayla Aimee wrote a really awesome review post on the episode after it first aired. My only reaction the first time I saw the episode? I was a hysterical emotional disaster. My poor mom and husband watched me practically flood our living room I was crying so hard (and still I refused to let them even near the remotes).
I couldn't give a good review of the episode, I could barely form a coherent sentence as I watched scenes from my very own life play out on my TV not even a week later.
And honestly? I thought it would be easier this time around. It has been almost 10 months, my life is so different now. Last time I was just getting into a routine of leaving my babies over and over again. This time when I sat down to watch it, I had just laid my big, beautiful, healthy babies down for a nap - in their own cribs, here at home. And still? I had absolutely no control over my emotions. Ten months and a lifetime later, and watching the hardest piece of my life through someone else's eyes still reduced me to a hysterical emotional disaster. Those emotions are still so raw for me. I'm afraid they always will be.
What about you? Have you seen this episode? What did YOU think about it?
And I get to watch all the seasons of Grey's Anatomy that are re-run on Lifetime. I was a freshman in college when the series began and I've watched it religiously ever since - through the horrible brain cancer-induced hallucinations and the buses running over people (STILL NOT OVER THAT) and the post it wedding. I love Grey's Anatomy. The fact that Lifetime replays them all in order is awesome, because like I said, I love Grey's Anatomy.
Well, it was awesome. Until today, when they played THAT episode.
I knew it was coming. I knew it on Friday when they played the episode where Callie had her baby shower. I haven't seen it since it first aired and I knew it was coming and yet, like that car wreck, I still had to watch.
For those of you who don't watch Grey's, let me fill you in. First of all, let's start with the fact that this episode first aired on March 31, 2011. That's right, a mere 6 days after my babies - my teeny, tiny, pound-and-a-half, micropreemie babies - were born. This is relevant.
In this particular episode, Callie Torres is 23 and a half weeks pregnant and, as a result of an ill-timed seat belt unbuckling, is sent through the windshield of her car. She's in a coma, has massive brain injuries, heart injuries, so on and so forth... and her micropreemie baby ends up being born just shy of 24 weeks.
People had mixed reactions to the episode when it first aired. There were some major inaccuracies, they missed some obvious preemie things and mishandled some very touchy topics. Mostly, people hated the singing. I forgot to mention the singing. It was pretty ridiculous. Fellow preemie mom blogger Kayla Aimee wrote a really awesome review post on the episode after it first aired. My only reaction the first time I saw the episode? I was a hysterical emotional disaster. My poor mom and husband watched me practically flood our living room I was crying so hard (and still I refused to let them even near the remotes).
I couldn't give a good review of the episode, I could barely form a coherent sentence as I watched scenes from my very own life play out on my TV not even a week later.
And honestly? I thought it would be easier this time around. It has been almost 10 months, my life is so different now. Last time I was just getting into a routine of leaving my babies over and over again. This time when I sat down to watch it, I had just laid my big, beautiful, healthy babies down for a nap - in their own cribs, here at home. And still? I had absolutely no control over my emotions. Ten months and a lifetime later, and watching the hardest piece of my life through someone else's eyes still reduced me to a hysterical emotional disaster. Those emotions are still so raw for me. I'm afraid they always will be.
What about you? Have you seen this episode? What did YOU think about it?
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
So What Wednesday!
I'm linking up with Shannon at Life After I "Dew" for my very first So What Wednesday!
This week I'm saying "So What!" if...
-My New Year's resolution was to blog more. Eleven days in and I've only got 2 posts down (um, including this one). Oops. In my defense, my mom has been visiting since right after Christmas, so we've been busy hanging out with her!
-Sometimes, when we are particularly fussy and I've tried everything (EVERYTHING) I can, I just sit with them and let them cry. And take pictures to text to my husband with captions like "We miss you daddy!" and "Don't you wish you were here?"
-We had our 6 month post-discharge appointment with the NICU clinic and I teared up a little bit when they told us we wouldn't have to go there anymore. It was such a big step and I'm more than a little sad to leave the people who have seen us since the babies were their teeny tiniest. I am still (and forever will be) so so SO indebted to them.
-I accidentally spoiled the ending of last week's Greys Anatomy for about 67% of my facebook friends. Sorry yall.
-Maybe (and I will only concede to a maybe) its time to retire the vibrating chair.
What are YOU saying "So What!" to this week?
-My New Year's resolution was to blog more. Eleven days in and I've only got 2 posts down (um, including this one). Oops. In my defense, my mom has been visiting since right after Christmas, so we've been busy hanging out with her!
-Sometimes, when we are particularly fussy and I've tried everything (EVERYTHING) I can, I just sit with them and let them cry. And take pictures to text to my husband with captions like "We miss you daddy!" and "Don't you wish you were here?"
-We had our 6 month post-discharge appointment with the NICU clinic and I teared up a little bit when they told us we wouldn't have to go there anymore. It was such a big step and I'm more than a little sad to leave the people who have seen us since the babies were their teeny tiniest. I am still (and forever will be) so so SO indebted to them.
-I accidentally spoiled the ending of last week's Greys Anatomy for about 67% of my facebook friends. Sorry yall.
-Maybe (and I will only concede to a maybe) its time to retire the vibrating chair.
What are YOU saying "So What!" to this week?
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2012!
I knew 2011 was going to be an amazing year. I was settling into my pregnancy as I rang in the New Year, I was full of hopes and plans for 2011.
I knew it was going to be the most amazing year I've ever had. I had no idea that it would also be the hardest, most trying year I've ever had.
Thank you - from the bottom of my heart, thank you - to all of you who cried and laughed and sat bedside in the hospital with me, to all of you who supported me and celebrated with me in 2011. I would not have made it through this year without you.
I don't know what 2012 has in store for my sweet family of 4. But I know it will be awesome, even in the hard times. Because I rang in the New Year by kissing these sweet faces...
And we can absolutely make it through anything :)
(Don't worry, those sweet faces were in bed at their normal time tonight. But I totally did sneak in and steal kisses at midnight!)
Happy New Year friends... I hope 2012 is everything you wish it to be!!!
Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? -2 Samuel 7:18
I knew it was going to be the most amazing year I've ever had. I had no idea that it would also be the hardest, most trying year I've ever had.
Thank you - from the bottom of my heart, thank you - to all of you who cried and laughed and sat bedside in the hospital with me, to all of you who supported me and celebrated with me in 2011. I would not have made it through this year without you.
I don't know what 2012 has in store for my sweet family of 4. But I know it will be awesome, even in the hard times. Because I rang in the New Year by kissing these sweet faces...
And we can absolutely make it through anything :)
(Don't worry, those sweet faces were in bed at their normal time tonight. But I totally did sneak in and steal kisses at midnight!)
Happy New Year friends... I hope 2012 is everything you wish it to be!!!
Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? -2 Samuel 7:18
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas!
We have been so blessed this year. So very very blessed. I feel like the luckiest mama alive that I get to spend the holidays this year with my perfect little family.
I hope that this Christmas brings you more happiness than you can your heart can hold.
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6
All photos courtesy of the wonderful, beautiful, extremely talented Amy of Amy E Photography. Thanks Amy!!!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
A Very Bloggy Christmas!
I have a confession for yall.. I LOVE Christmas. LOVE IT. SO when my very dear friend Laura over at Between the Lines announced she would be hosting a Christmas blog swap with one of her friends I signed up right away. I love Christmas. I get a thrill out of picking the perfect gift for someone.
I really like getting presents, too.
And lucky me, I was paired up with the Lil' Woman from Little Woman, Little Home, who happened to be the swap co-host! I had never "met" her before, but she turned out to be so super sweet. And even with a little fiasco, my gift arrived today - just in time to show off my goodies for the link-up!
I've got mail!
All my goodies! Sitting right on top of the box was the softest blanket I have ever felt - I told her I was a fan of cozy things and she totally hit that nail on the head. Also included was a super cute stationary/recipe card/cookie cutter set that I can't wait to use, and an ornament that looks like a slice of pie that is adorable hanging on our tree! (Ahem, the tree that we decorated two weeks ago that I still need to take pictures of. Oops.)
The card that accompanied my gifts was so sweet - don't you think she and her Big Man make the cutest couple? It's their first married Christmas! I remember my first Christmas with Chris, we were still freshly squeezed newlyweds and it was such a special time. I'm so glad I got to be a tiny part of theirs!
Thank you so very much for my gifts, Lil' Woman. I love them so much!
I'm linking up with Lil Woman here and Laura here for all the Bloggy Christmas reveals. Go check them out and see all the fun gifts that were exchanged!
I really like getting presents, too.
And lucky me, I was paired up with the Lil' Woman from Little Woman, Little Home, who happened to be the swap co-host! I had never "met" her before, but she turned out to be so super sweet. And even with a little fiasco, my gift arrived today - just in time to show off my goodies for the link-up!
Thank you so very much for my gifts, Lil' Woman. I love them so much!
I'm linking up with Lil Woman here and Laura here for all the Bloggy Christmas reveals. Go check them out and see all the fun gifts that were exchanged!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
You Can Google It
Oh, my Blog Friends. I am so sorry you have been neglected.
You see, after the babies came home we had a couple weeks of a kind of bumpy adjustment period, but then we fell into this lovely routine. My babiesare were fantastic sleepers. They always had been. Naps on schedule, sleeping through the night early - we were extremely lucky.
And then. THEN.
The four-month sleep regression happened. Ugh, the four-month sleep regression.
It's very common. You can Google it.
(Name that movie!)
(Actually, don't name that movie. I'm kind of embarrassed that I just quoted it on my mommy blog.)
Anywho, yeah. Sleep regression. It actually is very common. I'd heard horror stories about it. It stems from a pretty big brain growth spurt that happens around then - their little synapses are firing and making all kinds of new, fun connections and the poor little babies just can't turn their brains off. And yeah, technically my babies are way past four months BUT their adjusted age is right there so of course we got in on the fun too! Fortunately, their night time sleep wasn't too terribly affected, but their naps. Naps were blown OUT. OF. THE. WATER. We went days - long, cranky, screamy days - without a nap. I tried everything. I rocked. I walked. I threw them in the car and drove around. Sometimes it worked, most times it didn't. So I gave up on napping and I tried to keep them as busy as possible.
So, dear Blog Friends, I'm sorry you have been neglected. But take comfort in the fact that you were not the only ones neglected - my hairdryer, oven, and washing machine count themselves among your ranks as well.
I am happy to report that about three weeks after the naps disappeared, they managed to find their way home again. Which is why I'm able to be making this blog post now :)
You see, after the babies came home we had a couple weeks of a kind of bumpy adjustment period, but then we fell into this lovely routine. My babies
And then. THEN.
The four-month sleep regression happened. Ugh, the four-month sleep regression.
It's very common. You can Google it.
(Name that movie!)
(Actually, don't name that movie. I'm kind of embarrassed that I just quoted it on my mommy blog.)
Anywho, yeah. Sleep regression. It actually is very common. I'd heard horror stories about it. It stems from a pretty big brain growth spurt that happens around then - their little synapses are firing and making all kinds of new, fun connections and the poor little babies just can't turn their brains off. And yeah, technically my babies are way past four months BUT their adjusted age is right there so of course we got in on the fun too! Fortunately, their night time sleep wasn't too terribly affected, but their naps. Naps were blown OUT. OF. THE. WATER. We went days - long, cranky, screamy days - without a nap. I tried everything. I rocked. I walked. I threw them in the car and drove around. Sometimes it worked, most times it didn't. So I gave up on napping and I tried to keep them as busy as possible.
So, dear Blog Friends, I'm sorry you have been neglected. But take comfort in the fact that you were not the only ones neglected - my hairdryer, oven, and washing machine count themselves among your ranks as well.
I am happy to report that about three weeks after the naps disappeared, they managed to find their way home again. Which is why I'm able to be making this blog post now :)
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