Survived

Obviously, I survived last week and all that I had to get done to be prepared for Emma's school and birthday parties.  Really and truly, everything went off without a hitch.  And the only real snafus weren't major ones.

After Emma's school party, I tried to make it out the door and to the car in one trip... Not very smart.  Especially since Emma was having a melt down and demanding to be carried.  After a bit of trial and error, I finally sound a way to load myself like a pack mule and head to the car.  Yes, I am twenty-two weeks pregnant, yes, Emma does weigh 30 pounds, yes, I did have my camera bag loaded down with camera, flash, lenses, etc..., and yes, I also had Emma's school bag with all of her crafts, her Christmas present from her teacher, Christmas present from her party AND the container of sausage balls.  Oh, and did I mention that I had on heels?

Anyway, out the door and across the street I head to the car.  The entire way Emma was screaming, "I hold, Mama!" Which translates to "You're dropping me!"  I made it to the car without actually dropping anything, though, Emma would beg to differ, and I began loading all of our stuff.  However, I had to start somewhere, so I started by putting the sausage balls on the top off the car.  Yes, you know where this is going.

I loaded everything and myself, sat for a minute to catch my breath and take of my shoes, then I pulled out of the parking spot.  I turned at the intersection to head home and I heard it, this loud clunk, followed by a thump and a thud.  I really didn't have a clue what it was at first.  I actually thought that someone threw something at my car or that I had hit a animal.  I slowed down and checked my mirrors to see if there was anything to see.  And, there it was... In my rear view mirror I could see my large container filled with still warm sausage balls sitting in the middle of the intersection.  My first thought was forget it!  I was not going back for them.  But, that only lasted a fraction of a second.  I really wanted those sausage balls!  I couldn't find a place to stop, so I had to make the block to get back to them.

As, I was pulling up, it happened... Some kids, who I think should have been in school, came barreling through the intersection and AIMED for my container of still warm sausage balls!  I saw it in slow motion... they were laughing, and then the driver jerked the steering wheel, eyes wide with mischief, and then the front tire hit the container, sliding a little like it was trying to scoot out of the way, then succumbing to the tire and being sucked under and crushed.  Little pieces of plastic and sausage balls scattered all over the intersection.  It was only a matter of seconds, but it seemed to happen over the span of several minutes.

I was quite upset because I wanted to eat some of those things so bad!  I had slaved over them the night before and with the exception of the one little one I ate... to be sure it was done... I hadn't had any.  I was quite bummed out, but I had to remind myself that at least it happened AFTER the party, so the kids were able to enjoy them.

As for Emma's birthday party, the only thing that 'went wrong' was that I forgot to get balloons until 15 minutes before the party started.  I sent Chuck out for those and he returned just in time with a handful of pink balloons!  Emma had a blast at her party and got lots of great presents.  She had so much fun playing with her friends and eating cake and ice cream.  We are so thankful for all the love!

Today's an absolutely fantastic day

Today's an absolutely fantastic day.  I mean, seriously, why wouldn't it be?  It's not like I have massive sinus infection that I've had for months that has gotten so bad that my face is swollen.  It's not like said swollen face was head-butted by my two year old and brought me to tears for at least ten minutes...at 5:30 this morning.  It's not like I was up all night due to said sinus infection.  Oh, and it's not like I projectile vomited grape juice all down my hall way, all over myself and the bathroom while my two year old followed along mimicking me as I vomited.  It's not like my house is a disaster and there are only a few squares of toilet paper left in it, which will require a trip to Wal-Mart sooner rather than later.  It's not like I have to cook and prep for Emma's school party on Friday and her birthday party on Saturday... which I have done nothing to prepare for, meaning said trip to Wal-Mart will be ridiculously long.  It's not like I have to actually take care of Emma, too, while dealing with all of this.

Like I said... today's an absolutely fantastic day.


Happy Thursday!

Adenoid Surgery Update

Emma had her adenoids successfully removed yesterday!  She did great through the entire process and  is doing even better now that it is over.

While we were getting checked in and the nurse was checking her weight, blood pressure, oxygen levels... etc., she was very patient.  She whimpered once or twice, but other than that, she didn't cry.  This is a huge improvement from when she had tubes!  She screamed when the nurse came in the room!

While we were talking with her doctor and anesthesiologist, she was a trooper, too.  She talked to them and answered their questions.  Her doctor actually went on and on about how well she speaks for a not-quite-two-year-old.  She gave them high-fives and fist bumps.  And, she was actually trying to jump on the bed... obviously, she had no clue what was about to happen.

I was concerned about them taking her back because she had not been given any medicine to relax her... they didn't think it was something she needed, any they were right.  Chuck and I kissed her good-bye and told her we loved her, and then handed her off to her medical team.  She protested a little, but didn't cry.  I was proud of her for being brave, but at the same time sad to realize just how much she has grown up since getting tubes in May.

We barely got to the waiting room and sat down before they called to let us know that they surgery was underway.  Then after getting off the phone with her nurse, I hardly got settled back in my seat before her doctor came out to tell us how surgery went.  She did great, he said, and told us that she should have some immediate relief.  Then he proceeded to tell us what a sweet daughter we have.  He couldn't say enough about how sweet she was with them.  I teared up... I know she's sweet, but I'm a little biased.

I got to see her a few minutes after speaking with the doctor and she was asking for my.  She did cry some when she came out from the anesthesia, but that is to be expected.  Between scratching her nose and drinking her juice, she asked to watch a 'moonie', a movie.  She was so funny.  Once I got her in my arms, she opened her eyes and looked around and said "I wanna watch a moonie."  She didn't quite understand why there wasn't a TV there.

Once or twice I thought she might get sick, but she held her own as she was waking up.  She was most unimpressed with the blood pressure cuff that kept squeezing her leg!  She told the nurse several times, "I want it off."

When we finally got back to her room and the nurse started unhooking her, she relaxed more.  I turned on her DVD player and she watched Tigger while we waited to go home.  She asked a few times to go bye-bye and to get in the car, but ultimately she was pretty patient.  Just before we left, the nurse took her iv out and put a band-aid on.  Not cool with her.  She didn't want a 'sticker'!

She watched movies all the way home, even though she had been up since 4:00 am, and waited to get home before falling asleep.  She did take a long nap once we got home, and I had to wake her up so that we could go to Granna and Pop's.  Shortly after getting there I put her to bed and she slept until 4:30.

At that point, I began to see the difference in her.  She called out to me from her bed, so I went to check on her.  She was talking to me and was wide awake.  So, we got up to play... at 4:30.  She literally RAN all over the house, bouncing from one piece of furniture to another.  She would say "Run Fast" and run circles around the couch.  She played that hard until about 10:30 and I convinced her to take a nap.

That lasted about an hour, maybe an hour and a half.  Then she was a hundred miles an hour again.  And stayed that way until 8:00 tonight!  The crazy part is that she is running a fever!  It has been 100-101 most of the day, but around 4:30 it went up to 102.5.  Even with this temp she still was running around playing.  I could tell though that she was fevery because her cheeks were bright red.  We put her in the tub to cool her down and then gave her a dose of Motrin.  Other than me catching and holding her, she never slowed down!

I am hoping that tonight isn't a long one... she has cried out a few times already, but went back to sleep on her own all but once.  If she could sleep through the night, I think she will be a totally different child tomorrow.

The idea of that scares me, though!  If she felt this much better today, with a fever, I can't imagine how amazing she is going to feel once the fever is down!  I don't know what I will do if she is this energetic all the time!  I mean, literally, she was bouncing off of the furniture, she broke one of Granna's Christmas decorations (thank goodness Granna said it wasn't an important one!), oh, and she colored on the carpet!  Seriously, SHE COLORED ON THE CARPET!!!  I could have died!

Even though it was at my parents' house, which is the best case scenario if there has to be one, I still could have died!  I felt terrible.  Oh, and after that, we were at Laila, my niece's house playing... that's where her fever spiked and we put her in the tub... she went back to to bathroom and found a bath toy.  A bath toy that squirts water.  Emma walked up and down the hallway squirting water everywhere... They have only been in their beautiful new house a few months!

So, as much as I am thankful that she feels so much better, I am also overwhelmed with just how much better she feels!  She has always been curious, but now she feels like acting on that curiosity!  Really, though, I am so thankful that she is showing such a remarkable improvement.  I just hate that she has been miserable for so long.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers during this time.  We felt all your love and support through the peace we experienced during her surgery.  Chuck and I knew she was in all-knowing, loving, capable hands... not to mention the hands of a pretty great medical team!

Adenoids

Well, after several months or runny noses and coughing, and no answers, I finally have some.  I took Emma to our ENT last week and explained to him our problems... Runny nose and cough constantly since August, not resting at night because she coughs constantly, no help from our pediatrician, etc...

After hearing me out and checking Emma out thoroughly, he suggested that we take her adenoids out.  He said that they were extremely large and what was giving her trouble.  He seems to think that we will see an almost immediate improvement from this surgery... Thank goodness!

We continued talking about the persistent cough and he concluded that she has asthma.  I was a little taken aback because I have asked our pediatrician this many, many times and she dismissed my concerns.  She told me that Emma would get better on her own and didn't need any type of medication.

Since her appointment, and being placed on Singulair and Nasonex, Emma has made huge improvements!  It is amazing the difference!  So much so that my husband actually asked if I felt she still needed surgery to remove her adenoids.  And, while I hate to put her through surgery, I still feel that it is in her best interest to go ahead with the surgery.

So, please say a prayer for Emma on Friday that her surgery goes well... and that she will finally be completely WELL for a change!

Hair bow, Mommy!

Emma decided that her baby needed a hair bow.  But, since her baby doesn't have hair, she improvised...  See?

She was so proud of herself that I couldn't get on to her for coloring on her doll.  I guess I'll chalk it up to creativity.  I think my Mama probably is having flash backs as she looks at this to some other creative little girl!  

Five Question Friday

1. What is your favorite part of a Thanksgiving meal?

I love my Grandmother's dressing.  And her pear salad... mine never tastes the same!  Those two things are my favorites, but I love every single bit of it!

2. Are you a host or a guest for Thanksgiving this year?

Both, we had our Thanksgiving early with my Grandmother and I was a guest at her house.  Then Thursday, we hosted Chuck's family at Buckhaven... our little cabin in the woods.  Both were wonderful!

3. When you think of one Thanksgiving tradition, what comes to mind?

The Thanksgiving Day parade is the first thing that comes to mind.  And though it is no longer on Thanksgiving Day... The Egg Bowl... Mississippi State University v. Ole Miss.  It just doesn't seem to have the same excitement since it was moved to the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Sad :(

4. You have two pieces of pie in front of you and you HAVE to eat one...do you choose pumpkin or pecan?

Definitely pecan.  I am just not a fan of pumpkin pie.  

5. Are you a Black Friday Shopper?

Absolutely NOT!  I've been once, and swore I would never go again.  I just don't like crowds, and I sure don't like digging for an item.  Just not my thing.  I would much rather pay more and experience less stress!

Happy Friday!

So Thankful

Today I am reminded of just how much I have to be thankful for.  Here are a few of those things...

1. I am thankful that I am saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.

2. I am thankful for my sweet husband and every thing he does to make my life wonderful.

3. I am thankful for this sweet face....

... and especially for being chosen to be her Mommy.

4. I am thankful for this precious little hand...

5. I am thankful for this tiny foot...

...especially when it kicks me!

6. I am also thankful for this sweet face...

... and especially for how healthy HE is!

Yea, yea... I know I said we weren't telling until we sent out our Christmas cards, but Chuck absolutely could NOT wait!  It was killing him and I could tell, so I let him spill the beans.  He is beyond excited!  Actually, we both are, as well as our families!  

5. And I am immensely thankful for all of the family I have... even though it means I have to divide my time and don't get to see all of them during each holiday.  I love them and miss them lots!

Happy Thanksgiving!  Many Blessings to each of you! 

Catch up and Five Question Friday

My head is really foggy.  I have developed a cold... Lucky me.  And, what's luckier?  I'm pregnant, so medications are limited.  So, I'm stuck just waiting it out.  Blah.This past week has been crazy.  Let's see... Last Sunday, Emma was fine.  Fast Forward a few hours and this is how the rest of the day played out... We were preparing for the annual Sweet Potato Pageant.  She was in a good mood until time to go on stage.  She screamed "I got you, Mama.  I got you, Mama". And clung to me.  She was trembling.  I knew it wasn't stage fright.  I also knew it was fever.  All of this happened in the seconds, literally, before I took her on stage.  Once one stage, I put her down and she screamed, stomped her feet and cried.  Needless to say, we didn't win anything.  Not that I cared or that I needed three strangers telling me whether my beautiful baby is well, beautiful. Anyway, by the time we got home, which was about 30 minutes, she was burning up with fever and lifeless. We gave her Motrin, which didn't break the fever, then Tylenol, which didn't break the fever either, and finally a cool bath.  Still, her fever wouldn't break.  She also had developed a very croupy cough by this point and had labored breathing.  Thank goodness that my sister and sister-in-law are both nurses and a nurse practitioner.  We gave Emma a breathing treatment for the cough, but she was still not good. After all of this, we decided that it was time to head to the ER.  I gathered our stuff and we rushed off.  It was dark by this time.  Emma was strapped in her car seat, with a Barney video playing.  Every time I turned around to look at her, her cheeks got redder and redder.  She literally glowed like a fire ball.  And, I could hear her breathing over the sound of the video.  It was terrible.  There was nothing I could do to help her.By the time we got checked in at the ER, her fever had come down a little, but her cough and breathing still weren't good.  We finally got called back to a room to wait some more.  We were at the hospital that my sister works at, so she knew several of the people that we would be dealing with... That calmed me a little bit. We finally had a nurse come in, and by that time Emma was feeling better.  It is amazing the difference in someone who is sick with fever and sick without fever.  All of her symptoms had improved since her fever started going down.  The doctor made his way in and checked her out thoroughly.  He ordered a white count check and x-rays.  She did good with the finger stick... didn't cry at all!  Actually, the band-aid was more of a source for a melt-down! I didn't give the x-rays much thought at first, but then it hit me... X-rays... I'm pregnant... I couldn't go back there.  Luckily, Jennifer and Jena were with me.  Jenn went with Emma and Jena stayed with me.  I was dying inside knowing that my baby was being poked and prodded without me there to comfort her.  It was miserable.  But, when they came back, Jenn said she didn't cry at all.  What a big girl!Once the doctor had time to look at her white count, which was good, and her x-rays, which weren't too bad, we were given medicine and sent home to take it easy.  Emma fell asleep on the way home and slept all night without the return of fever!  YAY!We made our way back to our house Monday afternoon to relax and re-cooperate for the rest of the week.  And, it pretty took the whole week!
Things have been better for Emma, this week, though.  Thank goodness!  She has had a fun week at school with Thanksgiving parties and activities.  I helped with the Thanksgiving party and all of the kids had a great time!  They were all so cute! 
I'm looking forward to the weekend, even though it is going to be busy.  It's the last home game for the Bulldogs and we are going to cheer them on.  Also, we will enjoy Thanksgiving with my family.  I am definitely looking forward to Grandmother and Mama's cooking!
After all of those fun things, we are going to my 18 week check up on Monday.  I can't wait!  We should be able to find out if this baby is a boy or girl!  I really think it's a biy, but we will see!  Oh, and I have a fun way to announce it to my friends and family... I am going to put it on the Christmas card!  My sister-in-law suggested the idea and I ran with it.  It took a little while to come up with the 'perfect' way to do it, but I finally got it.  I'm so excited!  I will post my Christmas card after it has time to get to everyone!
I think it will really be hard for Chuck to not tell... He can not keep a secret!  For example... ever since we started dating, he has always given me my Christmas gifts early.  He gets excited and can not keep it to himself until Christmas!  It is so funny!  I usually have to tell him "No... I'll wait until Christmas to open it!" 
But anyway... On to Five Question Friday...  Hope that you have a great weekend!
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1. What Christmas song do you
loathe?

 

 

I really can't think of one that I loathe.  I love them all!  I am so excited that Christmas music is playing on the radio.  Puts me in a great mood!

 

2. Do you and your significant other cuddle at night or
sleep on opposite sides of the bed?

 

Here lately we are on opposite sides of the bed... sound asleep before we even hit the pillow!  We used to cuddle all the time, and really try to make a point to cuddle now.

 

3. Have you ever had surgery?

 

Yep.  Lots of surgeries.  Nothing too major, but none were fun. 

 

4. When do you typically have your holiday shopping
done?

 

Never.  I am such a procrastinator and I am always shopping at the last minute, which means that sometimes stores are out of what I need, so I'm giving pictures of the item and waiting for it to come in after Christmas! 

 

I did do some of my shopping yesterday, though.  Really proud of myself for starting before Thanksgiving this year!

5. If money were not an issue (and you HAD to pick something), what would your ultimate luxury item be?

 

A beautiful house on an exotic beach with a private jet to get me there when ever I wanted! 

Happy Friday!

Conversations with Laila

Emma and I spent the weekend at my parents' house just hanging out and enjoying relaxing.  While we were there, my almost 4 year old niece, Laila, came over.  I just love talking to her!  She says the cutest things!  This is Laila and the conversations this weekend went something like this...

(I am in the bathroom changing shirts and Laila walks in.)

Laila:  Aunt Jes, where's your baby?

Me: In my tummy.

Laila:  Where?

Me:  In my tummy.

Laila: How do you get it out?

Me:  I have to go to the hospital and get it out.

Laila:  But how do you get it out?

Me:  The doctor will get the baby out.

Laila:  But, how does the doctor get it out?

Me: Uh... he just does.

Laila:  But how?

Me:  Magic?!?!

What in the world was I supposed to say?  I don't think that I want to be the one explaining it to her!  I'll let her Mama, who is a nurse practitioner, giver her all the details on that!  Sorry, Jenn, I think I opened up a can of worms!

Later, Laila,  Aunt Jee-Jee (Jena), and I were talking....

Jee-Jee:  Man...

Laila:  I'm not a man.  I'm a girl.

Jee-Jee:  Man...

Laila:  I'M NOT A MAN! I'M A GIRL!

Jee-Jee-:  How do you know?

Laila:  Because, I'm a girl.

Jee-Jee:  But how do you know?

Laila:  Because I'm a girl.  Jesus made me that way.

Jee-Jee:  Oh... Good answer!

Laila:  See my ponytail?  (She turns to show Jee-Jee her ponytail and fluffs it.)  I'm a girl!

Five Question Friday... On Saturday

Seriously, is it really Saturday... NIGHT?  Where did this week go?  Where does all the time go these days?  Anyway, sorry I'm late with FQF.  What's sad is that I didn't realize that it wasn't even Friday anymore!  Gees... I really need to slow down and pay attention.  

So, some not-so-noteworthy news for you... I am about to add some new things to my blog.  Some things that I have had in the works for months, but just haven't had the time to get them up.  Stay tuned for that!

On to important things, though... Five Question Friday! YAY!

1. If you could have any talent and turn it into an occupation, what would it be?

I would definitely be a singer/musician!  I really like to think that I can sing as it is, and well, Emma seems to like hearing me, oh and Chuck once told me that I sang pretty, so maybe there's a future!  I doubt it, but a girl can dream!

2. Would you rather have a house at the beach or a cabin in the woods?

Without a doubt I want a house at the beach!  I have wanted one for as long as I can remember.  Plus, we are putting the finishing touches on our little cabin in the woods, so I really think that I need a beach house now!  :) 

3. Is there any meaning or reasoning for the names you chose for your child/children?

Yes and No.  I had our children's names picked out before I got pregnant... Even before we got married or even started dating.  You see, I have had my children't names picked out since forever.  Emma was supposed to be Jack if she had been a boy or Annie Michael if she were a girl.  I even called her "Jack or Annie" for 16 weeks until we found out that she was a she.  Then, Chuck told me he didn't want to use the name Annie Michael.  I was pretty upset, but survived.  Obviously.  So, I made lists and lists and lists of girl names and Chuck would go through and mark out the one he didn't like.  It was through this process of elimination that we came up with Emma Cate.  Later I discovered that my Great Great Greatmother's name was Emmaline.  That was one of my choices, too, but Chuck would only agree to Emma.  I wanted to name her Emma Tate Alderman, but then I looked at her monogram and it was EAT.  I just couldn't do that to her.  Kids can be cruel enough as it is.  What if she had a chubby phase and I sent her to school with EAT on her shirt!  Wasn't happening.

4. What is your guilty pleasure? (I know we've done this one before, but I'm guessing people's "guilty pleasures" change frequently. At least, mine do!)

Right now, it is reading.  I love it.  It lets me escape reality for a little while.  Not to mention that I'm a dork and just enjoy reading.  I would so much rather read than watch the movie version of something.  

5. Do you live in a house that is deep cleaned or straightened?

Currently, I am living in a house that is one misplaced item short of a disaster.  I cannot seem to get my act together.  I have been editing pictures constantly here lately.  If I'm not taking care of or playing with Emma, I am editing.  Housework has fallen by the wayside, which drives me insane.  Hopefully, though, I am almost caught up with editing and I can get back to my regular schedule.

Happy Friday Weekend!

Minnie Mouse

My sweet Minnie Mouse on Halloween!  

She was so much fun!  After being sick all week, Emma wasn't really interested in putting on her costume.  But, once kids started to show up at our door, dressed in their costumes, she decided that it would be fun to put her's on.  

I got her dressed up and we walked from house to house around our neighborhood.  Emma would just chatter away saying Trick-or-Treat and asking questions about the kids we saw.  But, when we reached someone's door, she would get quite.  Then, as we walked away, she would start saying Trick-or-Teat, Bye, See You Later, Thank You.  It was too cute!

Not too many houses in our neighborhood participated, but that was okay.  We wound up with plenty of candy!  It was just so priceless to share those moments with her, just walking between houses.  

I LOVE my sweet little girl!

Potty Training

First, let me just say that Halloween was a lot of fun around here.  I will post pictures and blog all about it soon, but first, a more important matter...

Potty Training.

Last week, while she was sick, Emma insisted on taking her clothes off and sitting on her potty...  The one that I hid in the closet a few months ago and she has not seen since.  And, when I say insisted, I mean stomping feet, crying, tearing at her clothes, screaming, INSISTED.  So, I did what any good mother would do... I gave in.  I decided that since she felt so bad that if this one thing would make her happy, then why not.

I stripped her down and let her spend nearly all of her waking hours naked.  She wasn't drinking much, so she wasn't wetting much.  Therefore I didn't have too many accidents to worry about.  She did lots of sitting on her potty, but not actually going.  I put her diaper back on for nap time and of course she went in her sleep.

The next day, she got up that morning and again insisted on taking her clothes of and sitting on her potty.  So, again, I indulged her.  It was either that or a long day of insisting*.


*See definition above.


And, since using the potty is what we are working toward at this stage in life, I figured that indulgence was the right thing.  Especially since my Mama, Emma's Granna, told me that if she wanted to use it, I really shouldn't discourage it.

Anyway... Day 2.  We were watching television and she said uh-oh.  I came running to find that she had started to go in the floor.  I quickly helped her to her potty and she finished going in it.  I cheered and clapped and made a huge deal over it, but she wasn't impressed.  It was like she was no longer interested in the potty.

She went several days not asking about it, nor did she pay it any attention when she saw it.  I decided that I wasn't really ready to potty train her, so I wouldn't push the issue.

Well, yesterday, we were preparing to nap and she just would not go (have I mentioned that she is now in a toddler bed? Yeah, that happened the night before potty day 1).   She wanted her pants off, which she tells me when she wants to go potty.  Hearing my Mama's voice in the back of my head, I took her pants off and she sat on her potty.  She sat there, and sat there, and sat there.  Finally, she got up and ran to her room.  I looked in the potty and lo and behold she had actually gone!  I was jumping up and down with excitement!  I clapped and cheered and danced.  Emma came running back to me and smiled, but then turned and went back to her room.  I followed her and she went straight to her bed.  I cleaned her up, put a diaper on her and she went right to sleep.  She took a long nap and then we were gone for the evening, so we didn't sit on the potty anymore.

Today, she got up, and in her typical fashion, anytime she wet her diaper she cried for me to change her.  Which I did.  Then she took an early, much needed nap.  When she got up, she wanted her diaper off and wanted to sit on her potty.  It was a little late, as she had already gone in her diaper, but I let her sit a while anyway.  While we are at home, I usually let her go either bare bottomed or in training panties.  We hadn't gotten a pair of panties on yet, so she was playing bare bottomed.  She got really still and all of a sudden I smelled it... Poop!  She had pooped in the floor... Two inches from her potty.

I picked her up and sat her on it... too little too late... and cleaned up the mess.  She watched while I cleaned it up and told her that poo-poo goes in the potty, but she didn't quite get it.

I have decided that today will be good day to head on over to the book store and find a book about going to the potty.  I really think that she is close to getting it.  At least I hope she is since she is so insistent on using the potty all the time.  She tells me when she is going in her diaper and then cries to be changed.  So, I do believe that it is time to run with it and see what we can do.  Hopefully, this will be a fairly easy experience!  At the very least, it will definitely be an interesting, and probably entertaining, one!

Five Question Friday

Friday... Thank goodness.  Hoping that the weekend and next week bring about brighter days!  After surgery on Tuesday, I decided to head home on Wednesday.  It was tough sitting in the car two plus hours!  Then, when I did finally manage to get home, I found that Emma had a 102.6 degree fever.  I gave her some Motrin and tried to get her to take a nap because I needed one too.  She wouldn't give it up, so we didn't nap.  She sat in my lap and tossed and turned and fidgeted and wore me out.

Luckily, Chuck came home and cooked supper for us.  While supper was cooking, I began taking the front off of Emma's crib so that I could put a toddler rail up.  I wanted to make it a big deal and have a little party, but when I went to get her, she was asleep on the couch.  But, I had to go ahead and change it because, as much as I love her crib and wanted to keep her in it, I just couldn't.  When I'm not pregnant and haven't  just had a surgery that limits the weight I can pick up, it is a hard crib to get her in and out of.  So, now that I have a bit of a belly and I'm not supposed to lift a whole lot, it really was hard to get her in and out.  

Anyway, it was a good call, because we were up and down all night.  Her fever kept spiking causing tremors.  Plus, she kept telling me that her feet and hands hurt.  So, I laid down with her for a good part of the night.  Thursday didn't bring much relief either.  Her fever kept jumping up as soon as the medicine started to wear off and then she threw up.  We went to the doctor that afternoon.  They checked out everything and still couldn't determine what was going on.  The doctor did notice pus covering her throat and thought it was strep.  Two strep test and another type of test later, we still couldn't figure out why she had a 103 degree fever.  

Our pediatrician was about to have the nurses do a catheter so they could check her for a urinary tract infection when she ordered blood work... It was terrible too.  I had to help hold Emma down while the lab tech drew blood.  It was horrible.  When those results came back, it showed that she didn't have a bacterial infection, which was good news... No cath to check for a UTI!  Thank goodness!   

Finally, the diagnosis we got was some type of viral infection.  Something that we just have to wait out...  We are still waiting for it to completely pass.  Emma was much better today, but far from 100 percent.  It makes me sad that she is so sick.  I wish I could just take her illness and pain away.  Hopefully, tomorrow will be better!

So, on to Five Question Friday...  Which I am glad to be at home writing.  Yes, I hate we are missing the ballgame this weekend, but Emma and I NEED the break... especially after the week we have had!

1. If you could be a fly on any wall, which would you choose?

Hmmm... good one.  As much as I think I would like to be on certain walls, I think it is in my best interest to stay off the walls.  You see, I know that I would get my feelings hurt.  Whether it be because something was said or done that would hurt my feelings or because nothing was said about me... I was forgotten.  Does that sound self-important?  I don't mean to.  It's just that if I were to be on someone's wall it would be because I thought that I was or should be being discussed, for whatever reason.  Oh geez, this just keeps sounding worse.  Anyway, I'm staying off the walls.  End of discussion.  

2. Do you budget your Christmas shopping or just get it done without budgeting?

Um, what's that word... bud-get? Wait just a second while I look that word up.... Okay. So, here we go.  Unfortunately, I don't budget.  I really should, and with a second child on the way, I'm going to have to learn how.  Chuck gives me a figure that I need to keep it under and I try to.  And, usually, I do pretty good... I think.  

3. What is the craziest fad diet you have ever done?

It wasn't a true fad diet... I just can't seem to stick to any of those.  But, I have created my own crazy diets.  For instance, for a while I would eat 1 tbsp of peanut butter and 8 oz of skim milk for breakfast.  Then, I would eat 4 oz of plain tuna on a slice of wheat bread with 1/2 oz cheese and water to drink.  And for dinner, I would eat a salad and have a few cocktails.  Obviously, this was pre-children and husband.  I would also work out to the point of almost passing out and if I got too light headed at the gym to drive home, I would eat a piece of candy that I kept stashed in my gym bag for such instances.  It was craziness!  I'm so glad that phase of my life is over!

4. Is there a TV show that you have seen every episode/season of?

Sex and the City... Every season, every episode.  At least 20 times each.  It is my favorite series ever.  EVER!  I still pull out the DVDs and watch it again.  I seriously can't get enough.

5. What one song always pulls at your heart?

There are two.  First, "Let's Stay Together."  Chuck and I danced to it on one of our first dates... December 30, 2005.  It was dancing to that song that I knew I loved him, so it gets me every time.  Especially, if he isn't around!

Second, "I Saw God Today."  That song came out when I was pregnant with Emma.  Have you heard the words?  Okay, then.  Enough said.  

Happy Friday! 

An Unusual Occurrence

I had quite the unusual experience the other morning.  It was a Monday, and in typical Monday fashion things were crazy at my house.  Luckily, or unluckily, Emma slept in... which means I did too... and we were running late.  I had to find clothes for her to wear, gather the things that belong in her back-pack for school, pack her lunch, feed her breakfast and throw some clothes on myself.  Oh, and actually get her up!

So, I started with me.  Clothes.  I opened my t-shirt drawer and the one on top is from the annual Pig Smoke that Chuck and his friends host.  I didn't want to put that one on because Emma always has to touch and talk to and talk about the animal picture on my shirt.  I knew that I didn't have time for all of that so I flipped through until I found one from my year of teaching at Carthage High School.  It had a tiger on the back, but I thought/hoped she wouldn't notice it.  Of course, I was wrong.  I am convinced that she remembered that there was an animal on the back.  So, we talked about tigers as I got her ready.

Next, I finished off the mandatory things before we left for school and off we went. I got her to school just in time to catch the tail end of the drop-off line.  Whew!  Now I could head home and brush my teeth, my hair and shower.

But, again... wrong!  As I was heading home, I got caught in the wrong lane and had to turn right like instead of going straight home.  Okay, I thought, I guess I'll take the long way home.  Since I am now going the long way, I pick up my phone and call my sister-in-law, Jennifer, to try to finalize the juggling act that my family was going to have to pull to help me out with Emma that afternoon.  As I was driving, I guess I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been, and I realized that I had driven myself to Wal-Mart... which was on the way home on this path, and on my to-do list for the morning, but not in my plans to do at that time.  I mean, I didn't even brush my teeth before taking Emma to school!

Now, I am sitting in Wal-Mart parking lot, debating whether or not to go in and talking to Jennifer.  Well, we finish our conversation and I decide that if I can find some gum that I will just get it over with.  I only needed  diapers and dog food, so surely I could get in and out without being seen. Maybe!?!?

Of course, as luck would have it, I found some gum in my purse and headed in.  Dog food to the right, diapers in the back left of the store.  I got the dog food, and headed to the back.  So far, so good.  About half way to the back of the store, I hear this overly cheerful voice say, "Good Morning!"  I reply "Good Morning" in my best please-don't-talk-to-me-don't-acknowledge-my-presence-I-haven't-even-brushed-my-teeth voice.  Apparently, I need to practice that voice because the overly cheerful voice continues... "How are you this morning?"  I am trying really hard to be polite, but end the conversation so I said "Fine, thank you.  You?"  I am steadily walking as I speak, but this person, this man that works at Wal-Mart, has fallen into step with me so he can continue talking.

He tells me that he is great and that it is a great day.  He says that they are putting guns back in his store.... I didn't know they had taken guns out of Wal-Mart, and honestly, don't care.  At this point, he walks ahead of me, and I think "Thank goodness, I don't have time for this."  But, before I can finish this thought he has turned around and come back to me.  He stops in front of my buggy, which blocks my path and makes me a little uncomfortable, and peers at my t-shirt.  Then he says, "Carthage, huh?  Are they putting guns back in your store?"

I say to him that I'm not from Carthage, that I live in Meridian, which gets me a puzzled look from this man.  So, I proceed to tell him that I just taught there.  Why I felt the need to explain this to this man, BJ, his name tag states, I still have no clue.  But anyway, I do and he walks away again.  This time I don't try to think, I just keep moving along, trying to get to the diapers.  But, to no avail, because he come back.  Again.

He now has this look of peaked interest, which concerns me, and he says, "You're a teacher?" I explain that I was... but only for a year.  So he asks what I am doing now.  At this point, I am asking myself 1) why I feel the need to answer his questions because I have no clue who this person is 2) why didn't I go another way after my first encounter with him and 3) how did I wind up in here this morning when I clearly hadn't planned to come until later.

For reasons still unknown to me, I tell this man, this stranger, that I now stay home to take care of my baby.  He tells me that that is a good reason to not teach anymore and then asks me if they paid me good when I taught at Carthage.  "Not bad for a first year, " I tell him and yet again, he takes a step to walk away.

I am about to bolt when he stops and asks if I have a whole year under my belt.  I say "Yes" and he asks what I taught.  I told him junior English, to which he replies, "Good English teachers are hard to come by."  I agree with him, because I actually do agree... Not saying that I was a good one, but I tried.  Anyway, he asks if I had considered tutoring.  My thoughts were, No, I haven't.  I hadn't thought about it as an option.  Besides, I have a baby and one on the way, so I'm out on that.  But, my words to him were, "I just moved here and haven't gotten completely settled.  Maybe once I do, I will look into it.  He tells me that I could make $55,000 a year tutoring... which is more than I made teaching, and probably less stress!  So, I smile and say okay.

Finally, he introduces himself as BJ, and he is on the school board.  He says they are always looking for good employees and that if he can help me in anyway to look him up.  I introduce myself and thank him for the information and away he walks.  He gets several steps ahead of my before stopping and coming back to me.  I am ready to tell him I'm not interested and that I'm in a hurry when he says to me... "You know, the good Lord may have just put you in Wal-Mart this morning for a reason."

Chills cover my body and tears came to my eyes.

I didn't have a chance to look him up until Monday evening.  But, I checked the school websites just to make sure this guy was legit.  He is.  And, after I told all of this to Chuck, he said he knows who he is.

I haven't made any decisions whether or not to check into tutoring any further because I have had quite a bit going on the past couple of days, but a seed has been planted by this unusual occurrence.  A seed that I will pray long and hard about.

Good Morning!

Good Morning, Friends!

After a restful night last night, I am feeling much better today.  Other than a little stiffness and soreness... which I think is a result of laying flat on my back all day yesterday... I can't even tell that I had anything done.  So, after a little more rest today at my parents', Emma and I will head home and resume our normal routine.  Yay!

Happy Wednesday to everyone!  Thanks again for thinking of us and praying for us during this time!

Surgery Update

I'm out of surgery and everything went well. The baby's heart rate sounds good. So, now we are just waiting until I am released. For the most part, I'm feeling okay, just some cramping.

I'll be glad when the anesthesia completely wears off and I can feel my toes! Not to mention that I hate feeling like my bottom half is bigger than this bed! And, I am cold. You've got to love the effects of anesthesia!

Anyway, Chuck has gone to get me something to eat... Thank goodness! I am starving! So, I should be feeling better soon!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

Jessica

Surgery

Chuck and I are on our way to the hospital now for my surgery. The actual procedure shouldn't take long, but there are several surgeries scheduled ahead of me.

I will keep you posted, as best as I can, on how things are going.

Please pray for our doctor and his team, our sweet baby, and for me and Chuck.

Much love...

Jessica

www.myhappily-ever-after.blogspot.com

A Little Anxiety

I'm feeling a little anxious tonight.  We have had a super fun, but busy weekend and I am exhausted.  It is usually when I get tired that anxiety creeps in.  I have an appointment with my OB/GYN tomorrow afternoon to check on the baby one last time before surgery on Tuesday.

I have been okay until today.  Well, actually that's probably not the honest truth.  I have been anxious all weekend.  And, when I get anxious, I tend to go silent.  So, I'm sure all of the people that I was around this weekend probably thought that I was being rude... that I'm cold.  I don't mean to come across that way, but I do.  I've been told that before by several people.  It sucks.

But, anyway, I'm anxious about my surgery.  I know that compared to other situations, it isn't a big deal.  But to me, it is.  There are things that could go wrong, there is a chance that I could lose this baby.  Although the likelihood of anything bad happening is small, it is still there.  I've played out all the what ifs in my mind over and over again.  And, it didn't help to find a magazine in my mailbox with a huge spread about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep photography.

I thought that I would handle it better this time.  I thought I would be prepared.  I knew that this cerclage would happen even before I had the first one put it.  I have known that this day would come since July 2008, but it doesn't make it any easier.  It didn't allow me to prepare myself any better.

I have prayed specifically for this baby for a year now.  It was this time last year that Chuck and I were ready for another baby.  Then it took us until the end of this summer to get pregnant.  And, I have worried about this baby in a way that I never worried about Emma when I was pregnant with her.  Literally everything about this pregnancy has been different!

Please say a prayer for this sweet baby, my doctor and medical team that will be performing the surgery, as well as Chuck and me.

Thank you!

These are a Few of My Favorite Things...

 1. How Emma says, "Thank you, Mama" when I hand her something.

 2. Fresh Cranberries... I love how tart they are!

 3. Nouvelle Candles, specifically the Mahogany and Tobacco scent.

 4. Halloween Candy, especially Milky Way minis.

 5. Loved by Heidi Klum skinny maternity jeans

 7. Tunics, for me and Emma

 8. That Emma calls hiccups - pickups.

 9. Ponytails

10. Country music... Boys of Fall, If I Die Young, Hello World, just to name a few!

What are your favorite things these days?

Why, Oh Why

      

                                                      

Why, oh why, do I get the feeling that this scene will play itself out a million more times in the coming, teenage years?!?!?

Lord, please be with her as she goes through all the character building experiences that I am sure will come her way!  Amen.

Engagement Party

After much planning obsessing, the engagement party for my sister, Jena, and Colten happened.  On Saturday, we celebrated with tons of friends and family their decision to make it official.  Aren't they a precious couple!?!

It was quite an event, and I think it was the talk of Calhoun County!  Especially since the party unofficially started Friday!  We had Accidental BBQ, my husband and his friend's cooking team, cook a whole hog for us, which they started cooking late Friday night... Hence the pre-party.  They set up at my Daddy's airport, and though I wasn't there, I hear they drew quite the crowd.  My niece Laila was there early in the night, but my Mama had to leave with her so that she didn't see the pig... She LOVES pigs and they were afraid that she would be traumatized if she saw it.  

The pre-party continued Saturday with the guys cooking some ribs for everyone at lunch.  We all gathered at the airport again and ate before the wildness of finishing up last-minute details came into play.  After lunch, we headed up to Jennifer and Justin's (my sister-in-law and brother) where the party would take place and got to work.  We hung lanterns, covered tables, finished cooking and planning out the details of what bowls to use and where... you know, all the details that finish off a party.  Everything came together and I headed down the hill to my parents' to get dressed.  I made it back by six, and though the party didn't actually start until 7:00, people began arriving.  Being Southern, we are obsessed with SEC Football.  And, being Mississippi State University fans, we, and most of the guest, were not about to miss kick-off, which happened at 6:00.  So, the party started early, and we wouldn't have had it any other way.  

It was a fun evening of food, football, corn hole, beersbie (this requires a whole 'nother post!) and music.  Everyone had a great time cheering the Bulldogs on to victory, competing in backyard games and especially visiting.  

I know that Jena and Colten were touched by the outpouring of friends and family that were there to celebrate them.  They had so much fun having all of their friends together, getting to know one another before their upcoming wedding.  Thanks to everyone who came by, helped out, etc.  You are very appreciated!

Here are a few photos from the party... Enjoy!