Late Night Confessions 9/5/2010

I have a confession to make.... last night I went in to check on TJ, he was sound asleep and looked so cute that I just had to stare at him.  I stared and fell in love all over again.  I mean he is so perfect and adorable and the complete love of my life (along with my loving husband).  I couldn't resist, so I picked him up (I know the golden rule of parenting "let sleeping dogs lie", but I couldn't help myself) and got in the glider and rocked with him.  I rocked and kissed his head and rocked and all of the sudden I was crying.
Being a mom had made me much more emotional than I have ever been in my life.  Every time there is a story on the news about a child hurt or missing, I have to turn the television off.  I can not stomach hearing about children being hurt.  At school, I am much more aware that the kids I teach are somebodies TJ and I have become a more patient teacher because of it.  On the flip side, I also find myself a little resentful that I spend more time with other peoples children than my own.  Which brings me back to last nights confession.
I have such little time to spend with TJ once school started.  We love his daycare and they are wonderful with him, but sometimes I feel like a failure when it comes to being a mom.  What kinda mom spends 10 hours with other people's children and only 2 with her own?  Being a working mom is so difficult.  So while I know I shouldn't sacrifice TJ's sleeping for my own neediness, I did it anyways.  And guess what... I would do it again.
P.S.  Yes, that is a diaper on my head.  It was full of ice, I was so hot after my cesarean section that the student nurse got me a diaper full of ice and put it on my head.  Still not sure why they just didn't give me an ice pack as I am confident they have those at the hospital, but  oh well.

Recovery & the First Two Weeks 5/22/2012

I promised a birth story, so here it goes. It really isn't that dramatic. We had a scheduled c-section for May 9th at noon and she was born at 12:15. I never felt a contraction or went into labor. I got an IV went into the operating room, got my spinal, and then she was born! This was my third surgery so there was a lot of scar tissue they had to get through, but other than that, it was pretty routine and went really well. She weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and was 20 inches long. We named her Caroline Jayne. Caroline is the only name that my husband and I could agree on. I had a Caroline in one of my classes a few years ago and fell in love with her. She has a bubbly personality that I wanted my child to have as well. I also loved her name. It is classic, yet you don't hear it every where. Jayne is my middle name and I am named after my paternal grandmother's maiden name. I am very glad that the name remains in my family. When we found out she was actually a girl and not a boy, we agreed upon the middle name. Baby C or BC as I will refer to her here at AMomsImpression has been a very "easy" baby. She doesn't really cry that much, she eats great, and last night I only had to get up to feed her once. We took her to her newborn appointment at the pediatrician's office yesterday and here are her vitals: Weight: 7 pounds 6 ounces (almost back to her birth weight) 27% Percentile Length: 20 inches 42% Percentile Head: 35 cm 30% Percentile So, for right now she is small, but perfect! Recovery is going okay. To be completely honest, the first week was not fun at all. I am now off of my meds and only taking Tylenol. The worst part is that I had an allergic reaction to the surgery dressing thingy that they put over you during surgery (of course). I have a very large, rectangular shaped area on my body that is a giant rash. I have been covering myself with hydrocortisone cream, but it is still painful and it itches like crazy! Most of you know that TJ and I suffer from extremely sensitive skin, so this doesn't come as a surprise, but it didn't happen the other two times so I wasn't prepared for this. I guess in a way it is good because it has distracted me from the scar across my abdomen. I am adjusting to life with two children. We pulled TJ out of daycare last week, and my parents were in town so they were able to spend some time with him. They left to go back to Idaho on Tuesday. My husband was able to spend all of last week at home with us. He had to go back yesterday. I survived my first day at home with two kids. Actually, I didn't just survive, I made it to BC's doctor's appointment and we went grocery shopping! I felt very accomplished, yet exhausted. Here are some random pictures from BC's first two weeks:

Wordless Wednesday - Meeting Elton John Jan. 25, 2011

As many of you know, this weekend I met and interviewed Elton John with several other Mommy Bloggers. Here is a picture after our interview.

Yup, that is me to the right of Elton in the back. Check back later this week for more posts about my amazing weekend. I am currently in bed battling a cold and laryngitis, but I will be back to tell you all about my amazing weekend.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Pumpkin Patch 2014 October 28, 2014

We went to our annual pumpkin patch last weekend and had an amazing time! Enjoy the pics!

Wordless Wednesday ~ A Very Chilly Halloween Nov. 5, 2014

Well we hit about 5 doors before the snow and freezing rain made it impossible to have fun. The kids still enjoyed hanging out together!   Happy Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday ~ First Haircut Nov. 25th 2014

Caroline has been feeling a little under the weather lately but we forged on with her scheduled haircut Saturday morning. I actually think she sat still better because she wasn't feeling that good. She did a great job getting her first haircut. Her stylist even braided it like her favorite princess Elsa for her!

Wordless Wednesday ~ My Angel Boy Jan. 20, 2015

[caption id="attachment_18873" align="aligncenter" width="431"] This Angel steals my heart![/caption]   [caption id="attachment_18875" align="aligncenter" width="488"] It took him a week but he built this with his daddy![/caption] Happy Wordless Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Swim School! Feb 17, 2015

Tomorrow I am sharing with you the wonderful place we have been taking swim lessons from. For now, here is what we have been up to the past couple of Saturday mornings! Happy Wordless Wednesday!  

Wordless Wednesday - Winter Fun Feb 25, 2015

So, I have not enjoyed this bitter cold weather, but the other day it warmed up enough for the kids to finally get outside and enjoy the snow. It was a delight to see Caroline on her first sled ride, making her first snow angel and chasing her brother around the yard.   This was one of the funniest moments. I am not sure where she learned how to do this. As soon as she got off the sled she ran and made a snow angel without anyone showing her how. She was so happy it was contagious!       Of course, we all finished up with a cup of hot cocoa! Happy Wednesday!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Swimming, Shapes, and Sickness March 3, 2015

  [caption id="attachment_19053" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Caroline had her first solo swim lessons this week. It was so strange seeing her sit all by herself. She is growing up fast![/caption]     [caption id="attachment_19052" align="aligncenter" width="488"] We learned about symmetry this week in first grade! I love these giant magnetic shapes.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_19054" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Caroline got all dressed up for the Oscars![/caption] [caption id="attachment_19055" align="aligncenter" width="488"] Unfortunately this week also was hard on all of us. Caroline has a double ear infection as well as a cold and a stomach bug she caught. Poor little girl wanted some snuggles![/caption]      

Wordless Wednesday ~ Weekend Family Trip March 17, 2015

We had an amazing family trip this past weekend to French Lick. I will share more this week but for now here are some fun pool pictures!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Last Week of Being 5 April 22, 2015

My son tells me every day that its his "last Monday of being 5!" I can't believe it but my first baby is turning 6 on Friday. Somebody tell him to stop growing up! [caption id="attachment_19102" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Last S'mores of being 5[/caption] [caption id="attachment_19109" align="aligncenter" width="431"] Last photo shoot of being 5[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_19294" align="aligncenter" width="364"] Last deep sibling conversation of being 5[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_19293" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Last swim of being 5[/caption]

Wordless Wednesday ~ The Last Days of School June 2, 2015

We made it through Kindergarten. My little guy has grown up quite a bit in one year, and he didn't lose his lunchbox or his backpack, a huge accomplishment! My good friend and I have been teaching next door to each other for the past 8 years. She has decided to step away from teaching and I couldn't be happier for her. I had to snap a pic of the last day of teaching together. Caroline and Jonah have been spending as much time as possible outside. The weather isn't cooperating this week so far but last week we painted the sidewalk and blew many bubbles!

How have you been enjoying your summer so far?

Dear Jonah March 1, 2013

Dear Jonah, I found this video of you when you first learned to walk:

You have come a long way in four years!

You are so determined.  I am constantly amazed at how you never give up.  Even when things make you so frustrated that you scream, you won't give up until you have mastered whatever problem you are trying to solve.  You follow directions exactly as they are written.  Even at your young age of almost 4 you can build amazing things with Legos. I wish I shared your determination.  It is amazing to watch you grow up!

I wrote this when you turned one:

Your arrival was scheduled.  We had an appointment for my cesarean section and we made it to that date.  Of course everything doesn’t always go according to plan and they had to take you a little early because your little heart rate plummeted about an hour before my scheduled surgery.  We were nervous, but I can’t explain the feeling that went through me when I heard your little cry for the very first time.  Daddy made sure you were okay and then brought you over to me so I could give you my first kiss. I haven’t been that happy in my entire life.

Even three years later I still feel the exact same when you give me a kiss on the check.

I love you! Mommy   For another letter please visit my friend Alison's blog!  

Wordless Wednesday - Its Pumpkin Time! Oct 22, 2013

One of my favorite things we do as a family is go to the pumpkin patch every year. We went right before the big game on Sunday and had a blast! Here are a few of my favorite photos:

What are some of your fall family traditions?