Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts

Thursday, January 23, 2014

The Story of Us, Part Four

If you need to catch up, here are parts one, two, and three.

 

This story, our story, has been hard to put into words. This last part is a bit rambling because I just didn't know how to out it any other way.

When I left off, Clay had just made his grand debut into the world.

Those first few months were hard. My mom stayed with us for the first week, then Clay and I were alone. Mike would come over every day after work and spend a few hours with Clay, which I admire him for. I know it wasn't easy to work all day, come spend time with Clay, then have to go home and eat dinner, etc. But guys, for 21ish hours a day, it was me and Clay.

I'm convinced that my brain blocked out moments from this time because I just don't remember much. I was exhausted to say the least. That old saying, "sleep when the baby sleeps?" Yeah, that doesn't apply when you're a single mom. Stuff still had to get done and Clay hardly slept at all anyway. From the minute Mike walked in the door til the moment he left, I didn't stop moving. I had a precious 2-3 hours to get everything done.

Eventually, it got better. I went back to work and got my sanity back. Clay was diagnosed with acid reflux and we knew how to treat it. Mike's mom started watching Clay for a few hours on the weekends to give me a break.

And now? It's not perfect, but what we have just works.

As far as holidays go, we haven't had any issues. Mike and his mom are the only ones in his family who live in a Charlotte so he's fine with us going to Tennessee for Thanksgving. As far as Christmas goes, we just kind of wing it. Clay's first Christmas we left for Tennessee on Christmas Eve. The plan this past Christmas was to leave for Tennessee Christmas Day afternoon but because of Clay's ears I ended up spending the day with Mike's family so Clay got us both on Christmas.

I keep Clay every night through the week and Mike usually keeps him on Friday or Saturday night. Mike comes over after work every day through the week and helps with dinner, bathtime, and bedtime.

Most days, Clay gets to spend time with both of his parents and sees us pleasantly interacting. I know this isn't always the case when parents aren't together and I'm so glad that we can give this to Clay. In general, we both avoid arguing like the plague and the few times we have had a disagreement it has been over text and (obviously) not in front of Clay.

I know that eventually things will change. Mike or I will get married and that will add another element to our life. I can't say that I'm prepared for that change, but I know we will find a way to make it work.

 

And that's the story of us.

Thank you so much for all of your kind comments as I've shared this story!

 

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Friday, January 17, 2014

The Friday Fives

Umm, I thought I was exhausted at the end of last week, but this week? It's 8:30 on Thursday night and this girl will be out by 9. Anyway, it's Friday (wait, didn't I just say it was Thursday...) and we don't have one thing planned this weekend except some pancake making and football watching. Ahhhhhh.

This kid. We worked on cheering on Sunday and even though the Panthers lost, he's still been cheering all week! Go Peyton!!!!
 
On Saturday we went over to watch football with some of Mike's friends and Clay got his first taste at playing Madden. He's actually not too bad...
 
We also went to Ikea and Target on Saturday with our friend Mindy. And ate there... Best day ever. I might be slightly obsessed with their meatballs.
 
Why is it so much more fun to dress Clay than myself?? Also, baby cowls will be available in my etsy shop starting in February for $15...but if you want one before then just send me an email :)
 
This is how text messages go between my mom and me. Enough said.
 
Oh, this is number 6. Oopsie... Anyway, if you haven't heard The Band Perry, go check them out now! I got this cd last spring and I'm still stuck on it!
 
 

What was your favorite post you read this week?

Who are you cheering for- Peyton or Brady (if it's Brady don't even comment...)?


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Linking up with H54F, InstaFriday, and Five on Friday!

 

Monday, January 13, 2014

365 Snail Mail

If you follow me on Instagram or stopped by the blog last Friday, you probably saw this:

The idea for this project all started with my Mammaw (that's my grandma for you non-southern friends). You see, every week since I left for college in August of 2003 (minus the two years that I spent back at home), she's mailed me a letter or card. Every week I know that I'm going to have at least one piece of happy mail in there (as a bonus she mails me coupons for products she knows I use). I'm fairly certain that she is the sole reason that the post office is still in business.

Her letters are full of the everyday: errands ran, vegetables canned, who came to Sunday dinner and what they ate. It may not seem like much, but these letters mean the world to me. Once a week, my grandmother sits down and thinks of me. She takes the time to tell me all about the happenings in Strawberry Plains and comments on how big Clay looks in the pictures I send.

I don't respond nearly enough or send as many cards as I would like so when I was writing down my wishes for 2014, I decided one would be to write more letters/cards. Then I got all sorts of crazy and thought, "what if I send a piece of snail mail everyday this year?"

So, my friends, that is exactly what I'm doing. Well, sorta. I'm sending 365 pieces, but not neccessarily one a day. Some may be thank you cards, one might be a care package, some might just be a complete run down of everything I ate that day (kidding...maybe). There will definitely be people repeated. I mean, who knows 365 different people they can send snail mail to?

Like it says up there in my IG caption, if I don't have your address, send it to me! I would love to send you a piece of snail mail! And Kelli can vouch that I'm not some crazy stalker person. I've had her address for months and haven't shown up on her front steps and she lives at the beach, guys. If I was going to show up on anybody's steps, it would be her's.

So...who wants to join me? Haha, I know it's a little crazy, but if you decide you want to join in this happiness, share on IG with the hashtag 365snailmail. Or be all crazy and break the rules and just send one a week and use #52snailmail!

And definitely don't forget to come back tomorrow for what could possibly be my favorite post of 2014 (and yours too if you love peanut butter)!

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Friday, January 10, 2014

The Friday Fives!

Phew. Does anybody else feel like the first full week back after the holidays is crazy? Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful for the return to a normal schedule, but I feel like I just ran a triathlon.

Now, on with the regularly scheduled programming:

 
My phrase of 2014. I know we're only ten days in but this has been on repeat in my head!
 
I've worn a thermal shirt from Target everyday this week. I don't hate it. $7.48 on the clearance rack. This seals the deal on me never being a fashion blogger. Clay might have a chance at it though.
 
I got all caught up on my 365 snail mail project. I have a post coming next week all about this but basically I'm sending a card/letter/package out every day this year!
 
My pumpkin is still in the entry way. I thought about taking it out but now I want to see how long it will last. The last bit of Christmas, the tree is still holding on strong. I still turn the lights on every night. I still haven't see my family for Christmas so I'm not taking it down yet. And that pink vase? Valentine's is slowly making it's appearance.
 
This guy. Nine doctor visits in three weeks. Wednesday was a checkup for his asthma and the doctor said he's doing great and we can hold off on chest x-rays and testing for cystic fibrosis for now!
 

And must reads for bloggers:

 

Tell me your most favorite thing about this week!


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Linking up with H54F, InstaFriday, and Five on Friday!

 

Thursday, January 9, 2014

The Story of Us, Part Three (Clay's Birth Story)

If you're stopping over from Kelli's, hi! Thanks so much for visiting and please don't judge me by the fact that I'm throwing a birth story at you on your first visit!

Part One

Part Two

When I left off last time, my due date had just passed. The next day (Monday) I had an appointment with my OB scheduled for mid afternoon. I left work and headed to Liz's apartment to get her before my appointment. She had the day off so she was going to go in case I was admitted or to have one last pre-baby day if I wasn't.

Dr. Paige went through the usual song and dance and decided to do an ultrasound to check on Clay. She saw that my fluid level had dropped so she told me that she was going to send me to the hospital that afternoon but they wanted to run a test to check Clay's movement first.

I started blowing up phones with text messages at this point. Mike (he was going to stay at work because chances were that I wouldn't deliver til late), Amy (my labor partner- she was stuck at work, yikes!), and my mom (who had her bags packed two weeks before my due date and practically jumped in the car while reading my message).

After seeing the results of the test, Dr. Paige decided to wait to send me until the next morning then they would start the induction process since my fluid was low.

Time to text everybody back... Mike and Amy just decided to take the next day off completely. I got ahold of my mom and told her she could wait til the next morning...she was already on her way. Haha.

Liz and I spent the day hanging out, touring the new unopened Whole Foods, and then she treated me to a last meal before baby at Firebirds, one of my favorite restaurants and where Amy works. It was the perfect, relaxing day... until Mike called me freaking out on my way home that night.

He told me he had freaked out when he saw I was using his last name for Clay a few days before, he wasn't ready to be a dad, etc, etc.

I. Went. Off.

I can't recall exactly what I said but it was something along the lines of, "I'm the one pushing a baby out of me tomorrow so you don't get to freak out. If anybody is going to freak out, it's me. Do you understand? You aren't allowed to freak out! So, you'll be there in the morning, right?"

"Yes, I'll be there."

End of story.

My mom and I spent the rest of the night packing the last few things and sterilizing pump parts and bottles. Because my crazy pregnant self decided they had to be done. Right then.

Earlier when we were eating I had noticed faint pains coming and going in my lower back. When I finally went to bed, I was still having them but not close enough or hard enough to go on to the hospital.

***

On Tuesday, August 28th, I got up, took a shower, dried my hair, and put on a little makeup (for my eyes, I look dead otherwise). Now before you think I went all primpy girl, I didn't. Who wants to be stuck in a hospital bed with people in and out and having pictures taken looking like poo?

My mom and I drove to the hospital and Amy met us there. I went up to the desk to check in...and they had lost my preregistration paperwork. Are.you.kidding.me? At this point I was having more regular contractions and was already asking for my epidural. I was no where near getting it :(

We settled in and I remember briefly working on a blanket I was making and Amy taking over at some point. They finally gave me pain medicine since I wasn't ready for the epidural and that made me pretty funny according to everyone who saw me. Mike came, Liz came (with all three Bourne movies!). We talked. We laughed. We watched that hottie Matt Damon do his thing.

My mom and Amy decided to go grab lunch and sure enough while they were gone it was decided that I could have my epidural! WOOOOOHOOOOO! But yikes! Mike would have to be in there with me for it and he has the weakest stomach ever.

Luckily Amy got back just in time to take Mike's place! During the procedure I remember my blood pressure plummeting and Amy asking the doctor when he was going to fix it (he was texting). But finally, sweet medicine. Sweet, sweet medicine.

More time was spent talking, laughing, watching.

Finally it was time! At 7pm (nurse shift change) everyone had been kicked out except for Amy and Mike and it was go time!

The nurse lessened my epidural so I could feel to push (what is up with that???) and Amy took her place next to me and Mike took his place by the window in the corner (he seriously was so afraid he would throw up that he stared out the window the whole time). Then Amy decided to lock her knees and had to sit down. Then the doctor and nurses start rushing around. A crash cart was brought in, extra nurses came in. And nobody would tell me what the heck was going on! The doctor finally had one of the nurses put an oxygen mask on me. I'm pretty sure it was to just shut me up. Later I found out Clay had spiked a high fever and his heart rate was really high.

At this point I would just like to mention that no one turned off the Bourne movie we were on while I was pushing. So yeah, I stared at Matt Damon while I was pushing Clay out.

The doctor used the suction on Clay's head so many times I lost count and was convinced he was going to have a cone head forever. Then, a whole fifteen minutes after I started pushing, Clay Lucas was born at 7:15 pm with the most perfectly round head.

The first words my son heard me speak were, "does he have red hair?" and "does he have my big butt?" Guys, I'm weird. But he had neither!

Later I found out Mike cried when Clay was born. He really is the best dada.

Mike got to hold Clay first (after the doctor had to cover up the mess from me delivering the placenta so he could get across the room), then I got to hold my sweet, sweet baby. Guys, he was wide awake. Things haven't changed much 16 months later.

The tears are flowing over here so I'll leave you there for now. I still have a couple more parts to share with you in the upcoming weeks!

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Monday, January 6, 2014

Hallelujah!

It's time for life to return to normal. The kids I nanny go back to school and Clay starts his new schedule (daycare in the morning, grandma in the afternoon). As much as I love the holidays, everything just gets so out of wack.

I assumed this weekend would be a nice relaxing, get organized weekend. Clay had other plans.

After battling a cough for a couple of days, Clay was up and down all night Friday so he spent the night in my bed. Around 7:30 I woke up sweating. Maybe because the sweet baby laying on me was running a fever of 104.2. I thought the infections were supposed to end with the ear tubes? Off we went to the pediatrician's office (which luckily has weekend hours). We came home with a diagnosis of bronchitis and an antibiotic to ward off the impending ear infection (you know, even though he has tubes now).

Sigh. Anyway, Saturday was spent watching Cars for the first time, napping, and spending time with Dada and Aunt Mindy. Oh, and Aunt Mindy brought Clay chicken noodle soup and me my favorite coffee beans from Trader Joe's :) So it wasn't a completely horrible day!

On Sunday Mike took Clay for a few hours so I got to spend time doing every mom's favorites: napping, going to Target, watching Scandal, and fixing four (!) healthy meals to freeze. As I bonus, it took me less than an hour to assemble said meals. Sigh. So wonderful.

All in all, it wasn't the expected plan for the weekend, but it turned out just okay :) Clay is doing much better, all the laundry is done, and I can go three weeks without cooking if I want to!

How was your weekend? Thumbs up or thumbs down?

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Friday, January 3, 2014

2014 Wishes

I'll be back next Friday with The Friday Fives but today I wanted to share my 2014 Wishes (remember, I decided that I like "wishes" better than "goals") and recap my 2013 Wishes.

  • Lose 15 pounds. Done! Plus some! I'm below my pre-baby weight :)
  • Run 200 miles. Eek. I ran around 100.
  • Run in three races. Done! I ran in five!
  • Run the Thunder Road Half in November. Done!
  • Read 12 books. Done- plus some!
  • Take a bubble bath every month. Done!
  • Make and keep 10 items stocked in my Etsy store. Fail. I don't even think I have anything listed right now.
  • Spend time each day with Clay without worrying about everything that needs to be done. This was hard. I'm a worrier. I did get much better about this though.
  • Finish my maternity scrapbook, fill in Clay's baby book, and start a new scrapbook. Err. Around July I filled in the baby book up to that point. The others just didn't happen. Luckily I have this blog to remind me of all of our adventures when I get around to it :)
  • Read to Clay everyday.
  • Eat clean 80% of the time at home (Clay too) including my lunch I pack to take to work.
  • Take Clay to the park at least once a month.
  • Run 200 miles.
  • Run in six races (two half marathons).
  • Get my etsy shop stocked and ready to go by the beginning of February.
  • Find a storytime/class/etc to participate in with Clay.
  • Save $15 a week specifically for Christmas and make two handmade gifts a month.
  • Send out birthday cards this year.
  • Send out 365 cards this year (more about this in another post).
  • Keep focus on my word (love) and phrase (I can't be bothered) throughout the year.
  • Make a list of all of the projects I want to complete and do one a month.
  • Make one granny square a week for my #crochetmoodblanket2014.
  • Keep up with the perpetual calendar I made to record memories.
I know this is a long list but some are easy peasy so I'm feeling pretty optimistic!

 

What are some of your wishes for 2014?

 

How did you do on your 2013 wishes?

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Thursday, January 2, 2014

2014

I've spent some time the past couple of days deciding what my "word(s)" for 2014 would be. I knew right away what the first one would be:

Back in September I had a conversation with my friend Mindy about how I was frustrated in one of my friendships because I felt the person wasn't putting as much into the friendship. Mindy suggested that maybe she was, but in her own language, that maybe we had different love languages.

I have spent time since then thinking about what she said so in 2014 my focus is going to be on love. I want to take the time to get to know the love language of those around me and then I want to use that knowledge to better love on them.

Now on to the next word. I knew the feeling I wanted the word to have. I get frustrated and worry and in general let things bother me way too much. I just couldn't quite find the word I wanted. Then I saw this on Instagram:

Aha! That was it! I wouldn't have a second word, but instead I would have a phrase.

I'm going to let things just roll off me. I'm not going to spend hours wondering what someone meant by what they said. Instead I'll save my "bothers" for only the things that really matter the most!
 
So there you have it, my word and phrase for 2014.
What's your word for 2014?

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Friday, November 8, 2013

Guess what!

I finally got my act together and I'm scheduling this post on Thursday night. I know, I know, I should get too crazy.



If you follow me on Instagram you've probably already seen all of these (but definitely go follow if you aren't, you don't want to miss your daily Clay), but here are my favorite things about this week:





This picture. Those eyes. Those little fingers. He melts my heart. Also, kid knows how to rock a beanie (even though he hates it) and he apparently only owns things that are navy and green.





We finally made it to storytime because my schedule changed and it was great! Clay was a little leery at first but by the end he was dancing away and he couldn't wait to get his hands on the books after (just like his mama)! Seriously, stop what you're doing and go get a library card!





So many loves in this picture. Scarf. Sperry's. Tea. Leaves. Haaaappy girl :)





Tonight while dada was giving Clay a bath I just laid down on my dining room floor. Just to take a minute. Also, I'm in love with this wall. It's obviously not finished yet (I spy an empty hoop) but everytime I walk in the door it makes me so happy and warm.





It's back to clean eating for this girl and I am soooo happy about this. I took a couple of weeks off to clean out my freezer and because of this yucky sickness but Amy and I are back to the meal planning.



Have a great weekend!!





Linking up with Lauren and Jeannett!

Saturday, November 2, 2013

High Five for Saturday: The Halloween Edition

I'm such a rebel this week so we're doing the weekly roundup on Saturday instead of Friday. In other words I chose a nap and episodes of Homeland instead of blogging.



Here are pictures from Clay's second Halloween:













Awwwww! It's a baby Yoda!





Linking up with Lauren and Jeannett!