...Like I Need a Hole in my Head

Honestly -- we lose an hour today? I need at least five more hours in any given day, and I have to give one up today? That's an hour I could spend with my kids, working on my dissertation, or watching America's Next Top Model.

The only good thing is that it will stay dark a little later in the morning. Mac has been waking up at 6:30 instead of her usual 8 a.m., I'm guessing because it's been so light. Hopefully this will get her back to sleeping in just a bit.

Just Call Me Mother Earth

It started with breastfeeding. Then I started making my own babyfood. Now I just ordered my first stock of cloth diapers. Making my own babyfood is going well so far. I just boil/bake the food and then put it in the blender with water. I try to buy organic and make enough for 2-3 days at a time. I have a feeling cloth diapering will be a bit more difficult. I can hardly keep up on my laundry as it is. But there are a lot of compelling reasons for trying it out. 1)It's sooo much better for the environment. I hate diapers! Hate them! I can just picture them filling up the landfills. We go through so many, even with Mac being potty trained. Uck! 2) It seems more economical. I pay $15-$20 for a one-two week supply of diapers. They usually last me about 1 1/2 weeks. Even though cloth diapers are expensive to start up (I just paid $78 for 9 diapers and 4 covers ~2 day supply), you don't have to buy them very often at all. These 9 diapers could last me for months. 3) Oliver will likely be in diapers until we teach him to self-catheterize. When I spoke to the doctor last time we took him to clinic, they said that could be anywhere from 5-7 years old. So I'd rather have him in cloth, which is closer to underpants, when he is old enough to realize what is going on. I figure I might as well start now.

I've even stopped doing my nails and dying my hair. We'll see how long that lasts. I'm not holding out much hope for going that green.

Happy Birthday Mac!

Today my beautiful, my first-born, my most special girl, Mackensie, turns 3. I could not be more proud of, more pleased with, or more in love with her. She started out as a not-so-tiny little baby. She has suffered through my mommy learning curve, allowing me to make mistakes and still standing strong. She was the first that I diapered, the first that I read books to, the first on whom I tried to imitate my own mother's gentle and unconditional love. Mackensie, my love, will always have a special place in my heart because it was with her that I learned how to be a mom. Although I continue to learn more all the time, and Oliver teaches me sweet new lessons every day, it was with Mac that I took my first halting steps as a mother. I sometimes have a hard time remembering those early days now, but I will alwyas remember how sweet and special they were. And we continue to break new ground as mother and daughter every day; entering the preschool years and a time for Mackensie to really develop her personality. I hope that I can provide for her and relate to her in the ways that she needs.

I am not with her today. Tim and I are in Las Vegas for a tournament, so Mac doesn't actually know it is her birthday. We will celebrate it with her next week. But in my heart and mind all day, I am celebrating the fact that three years ago today, I welcomed the most special little girl into our lives.

Happy Birthday, baby. I love you!

All Okay, but with a Surgery

Our day at CHOP went well. Oliver is doing well on all spina bifida related issues. My mom took off the day to come with us again, so the three of us headed down to Philly after dropping Mac off at school. Our first appointment was ortho and we were pleased to hear that there was only one person ahead of us. But for some reason we still waited 2 hours for him to come in and tell us there is nothing he can do and to keep stretching Oliver's feet and legs. That is starting to get old.

Then we met with Chris from the brace shop. There really isn't anything that he can do to make the braces fit better until Oliver's feet grow. Again, frustrating. But okay.

Then we met with the physical therapist who seemed pleased with Oliver's progress. Then we met with the pediatrician, who indulged my 20 million questions about what Oliver's eating schedule should be. He also gave us a prescription for a laxative for Oliver. I thought it was funny that he felt it necessary to add that it wasn't a kind that Oliver could get addicted to. The idea of a 6-month old addicted to laxatives is a bit much. Of course, Mac does call Oliver "chubby, chubby" so I guess he could develop a complex and get addicted...

Neurosurgery went well. They still don't see a need for a shunt! But they did ask us to make sure that he gets measured monthly by either CHOP or my pediatrician.

For the first time, Oliver also had a renal ultrasound. It was so funny to be at a ultrasound that wasn't a prenatal ultrasound. This time, the baby was on the outside and he was the one getting the ultrasound. Luckily, everything looks good. But we did find out that he still has an undescended testicle. We've known this for a while, and we kind of make fun of him sometimes. Is that mean? Well, we won't make fun of him anymore because he actually has to have surgery to bring it down. Ouch! Luckily it's an outpatient procedure, but it's another round of anesthesia.

We got some good alone time with Grandma and McDonald's for lunch. I'm not happy about the surgery, but very relieved to hear that we are okay on spina bifida issues. All told, a full and successful day.

Grateful

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a person of faith. I cherish my relationship with God. As I sit here and reflect on my day, my week, my year; I am amazed by just how much of a presence God has been in even my little, day to day occurences. It just struck me. I am blessed, and I am grateful.

I know he will be with us when we take Oliver to CHOP tomorrow.

And may his grace be with you, as well.