Not Me Monday! Again?!?

Seriously, how is it already Monday? The long weekends never last long enough. Anyway, if you're like me and need some serious (free) therapy hop on over to MckMama's blog and play along with Not Me Monday! It's sure to make you feel awesome about yourself, I know I always feel like a winner when I'm finished writing these fun confessions.

First, yes it was a great Thanksgiving, but no I did not completely forget to take any pictures the entire day. That would just be sad.

I certainly didn't spend my long weekend at my parents lake house and allow the Cici and Pawpaw to babysit while I got some much needed rest. I definitely would not justify this by saying that they needed quality time with him, all the while knowing that I just wanted to sleep. That would make me a poor mother, or maybe not.

Surely it wasn't me who wanted to throw a party when my naked son, while running around the lake house, started tee-teeing then managed to stop it and then scream, "Uh Oh Mama! I tee tee!" I would never do the happy dance because my child is that much closer to potty training!

Say What?!? Wednesday

I'm playing along for the first time with my friend Missy over at Two Little Monkeys for Say What?!? Wednesday. I love reading all of the hilarious things her twin girls say and I'm so excited that J.K. has gotten to the age that we can play along..or maybe I shouldn't get too excited. You'll understand why after the story.

So earlier this week the hubby was taking J.K. to school. As they were getting buckled into the truck the following conversation was had:

Hubby: J.K. do you want to go to school and play with your friends today?

J.K.: No Daddy, I sick.

As you can guess, the hubby immediately called me laughing hysterically because "my" child has already mastered the art of playing hookie. I really have no idea how he would know to relate being sick to staying home from school. He's only 2! Regardless, I know that he DEFINITELY didn't get this trait from me! I NEVER faked being sick to stay home from school. I was a perfect angel. :)

I hope you guys all have a very Happy Thanksgiving. Times are tough these days, and I believe it is more important now more than ever to be grateful for all of God's gifts, big and small.

Not Me Monday!

It's a cloudy, cold Monday here in the South. I needed inspiration for a post and then I remembered MckMama's Not Me Monday, it's always a great standby and fabulous therapy! You should join in the fun if you feel the need to pat yourself on the back for being so amazing!

1. I most certainly haven't completely compromised J.K.'s bedtime routine because of this pregnancy. If I were truly dedicated to the child's schedule I would figure out a way to get him into his crib without picking him up when his Daddy is working late. He has not slept in my bed for the last three or four nights. However, if he had I would tell myself that a messed-up sleeping pattern is better than causing problems with this pregnancy.

2. I have NOT been using my current preggers state as an excuse to eat all of the french fries that I want! I never eat french fries. I always substitute a side of fruit in my combo orders at Chick-Fil-A. I am NOT addicted to waffle fries!

3. Surely it's not me that's already wearing maternity clothes at only 10 weeks! I mean really, that would be insane. My belly is not already showing!

4. I am not wishing away the first trimester because I'm so sick of being sick!

5. I'm surely not having a hard time thinking of any Not Me's that don't involve being pregnant. Surely the old me is still in there somewhere.

6. Oh yeah here's one, there's no way on God's green earth that I found J.K. sitting next to his favorite pup, Sadie, chewing his leg because that's what she was doing. Surely it wasn't me that ran to grab the camera to capture such a priceless moment, but of course if I had he would have been into some other shenanigans by the time I made it back in the room.

Wordless Wednesday

A recap of the birthday party fun!

Prematurity Awareness Day - The Story Behind the Story

I've had this blog for a couple of years and most of you know our story. You know that we have our sweet J.K., a baby on the way and our precious angel Olivia. However, I don't know that everyone knows the story behind the story. How did it happen? How did we become a statistic? This happens to other people, not me. Well, it did happen, we are a statistic and trust me, it can happen to ANYBODY! Today is Prematurity Awareness Day and I couldn't think of a better time to share the story behind the story.

On Friday, May 26, 2006 Hubby and I headed down for a fun Memorial Day weekend on Lake Martin. We had recently learned that we would welcome a baby girl into our family and were full of joy. We spent Saturday hanging out with our friends and family, going for boat rides, floating in the water and just enjoying the weather. I'd noticed that I was having a few Braxton Hicks contractions, but didn't think much of it.

Sunday morning is it when it all started. I woke up to cramping and bleeding. I immediately knew something was wrong, but kept my cool. Hubby and my parents rushed me to the local hospital. When we arrived the staff made no fuss over the situation. Since I was trying to stay calm I simply followed their lead. This was my first pregnancy and I was clueless. The doctor ordered an ultrasound and later told me, without checking my progress, that I was fine. I'd just overdone it. "Go home and get some rest, " he said. He was the doctor. I didn't argue, I was relieved to know that everything was going to be okay.

We went back to the lake house. I was excited to inform my friends that I was okay, but I should stay in bed the rest of the day. Well, I wasn't okay. The contractions got worse, the pain grew stronger. We knew it was time to head back to Birmingham. On the way home I talked to my doctor and explained what the ER doctor said. Assuming that this doctor knew what he was talking about my doctor told me to try taking a bath to see if it got better. It didn't. We finally went to labor & delivery around midnight.

Upon arrival I was in pain, but not horrific pain. I was still thinking that this was all false labor pains. I'd get a shot and go home. That wasn't the case. When the doctor came in to check me (which the other doctor NEVER did) the look on her face spoke volumes.

"You're 10 centimeters," she said.

"What? Well, how do you fix it," I questioned.

"You don't. Lurenda, you're going to have this baby very soon."

"But, I'm only 24 weeks!" I screamed.

"Yes, and the survival rate isn't very high. I'm so sorry."

Shock. Complete numbness. I felt nothing. How did this happen? What did I do? I did everything right. But the other doctor said I just overdid it!

I was rushed from triage into a room. I was basically turned onto my head so that I could hold the baby in long enough for a steroid shot to take action and for the neonatologist to arrive. As soon as the neonatologist was in there everyone started moving about the room. I remember my sweet husband holding my hand and telling me that we would get through this together. I couldn't cry, I couldn't laugh, at this point I was just existing. I remember the doctor asking if they should resuscitate once the baby was born. How could I tell them no? Of course, I wanted them to do everything within their power to ensure that my baby was given a chance at life. I was told that she may only live for 2 hours and that she'd likely weigh less than a pound. Once again, shock, grief, anger, all rolled into one soul.

At 3:11 a.m. on Monday, May 29, 2006 Olivia Nichole was born weighing 1 lb. 8 oz. and 13 inches long. She squealed the second she was born. They let me kiss her forehead and immediately began working on her. The next few hours are a blur. I know that my husband followed the doctors and nurses as far as they would allow. I remember lying there still in shock.

A few hours later I was allowed to see her. She was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen. She was our little girl. Despite her tininess we could see that she shared many of our own features.

I don't know that I've ever shared her picture. Here she is. Our sweet angel.
Olivia managed to beat the odds and survive the first 72 hours. We were thrilled that she'd made it so far. Each day was a huge accomplishment. I specifically remember that her 4th day was her best day. I remember the nurses telling me how well she'd done and just feeling so proud of her.

However, over the weekend her tiny body began to grow weary. She'd gone through so much. She'd fought an incredible fight. After countless prayers, medications, songs and stories at her bed side and the most beautiful Christening I've ever witnessed, our sweet baby grew her wings and became an angel. We were able to hold her as she quietly passed from our arms to Jesus' arms. It was the most difficult day of my life, yet I had peace. I knew she was okay and I knew we would be okay.

We later held a beautiful celebration of life for our sweet girl and I was astounded by the support we received from our friends and family. Olivia lived a short life, but she was loved by so many during those seven days. One of my dear friends said that day that Olivia lived the perfect life. She never knew heartbreak or sadness, grief or anger. She only knew love and that is perfect.

I've never shared this on my blog, but my friend Leslie did keep a chronicle of Olivia's life through Blogger. If you would like to read it you can find it here.

I write this post to share with you the story of our daughter and to spread the news that premature birth is so real! Every year more than 500,000 babies are born too soon. Prematurity is the #1 cause of infant mortality. It is a harsh reality. While there are factors that can lead to premature birth there are many women, like myself, who do everything right and still deliver their babies too early. We need more research to find the causes of this crisis. We know the reason that I delivered early, but the condition is only diagnosed after you've delivered prematurely or shown signs. More needs to be done. If you can, I ask that you please support the March of Dimes.

Their work has touched my life in a dramatic way. It is because of their research that Olivia lived for 7 days, rather than 2 hours. It is because of many prayers and the March of Dimes that we had the tools we needed to bring a healthy and happy J.K. into this world. It is because of them that we look forward to having another healthy baby in June.

Happy Birthday J.K.!

Two years ago was the best day of our lives when we welcomed our precious baby boy into the world. The morning of Saturday, November 3, 2007 was unlike any morning we'd ever experienced. I'd prayed for 9 months for God to give us a healthy baby. All I wanted was to hear him cry. I really should be careful as to what I pray for! The child was born with a very healthy set of lungs, so healthy that it sounded like a Taradactyle was in the room! However, that was a sweet, sweet sound to my ears.

November 3, 2007 was the first day I was able to experience true peace in more than a year. This was the day whenI held my healthy baby. It was the day when I realized he would live and that we really would be a family. It was the happiest day of my life.



The first year flew by and before we knew it we were singing Happy Birthday at his first birthday party. The child LOVED his cake and received more toys than he knew what to do with. Once again, I was amazed that I was the Mommy to this wonderful little guy.



Now here we are two years later. We have a happy, active, bright, and handsome two-year old little boy. He loves to play with his friends at school, color, climb, run and get into anything and everything. He loves his Mommy and Daddy and we love him. I can't believe my baby is two and that he'll be a big brother in June!


Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!!

Avery..Party of Four!

We have some news to share...J.K. is going to be a BIG BROTHER!! We are so excited about our expected little addition. I went to the doctor today and the pregnancy was confirmed. We got a great look at our little garden pea (as hubby has named it) and were able to see a very strong heartbeat. It hasn't felt real until today. I was so relieved to see that teeny tiny baby on the ultrasound screen. So this means you guys will probably hear a lot more from me in the coming months because I'll be on bed rest starting in February and my due date is June 19th. I'm counting on my bloggy friends to keep me entertained for awhile. :)

We found out about the pregnancy after I posted about needing a change. I guess I should be careful as to what I ask for! Of course I'm joking. This was an anticipated and welcomed change. I'm sure our life will lead us down many exciting new paths along the way to a family of four.