... we will miss you so much!
We are so bummed that you will no longer be down the street, but we are so excited about your family's new adventure in your new home. We'll come visit often, promise.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
oh miss molly ...
... we will miss you so much!
We are so bummed that you will no longer be down the street, but we are so excited about your family's new adventure in your new home. We'll come visit often, promise.
Friday, June 24, 2011
so i hate to brag but ...
I am now, officially, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner.
It's been such a long road! With so much school!
And I am so relieved to be finished!
Now all I have to do is finish my doctorate.
Just kidding, honey.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
today, i am thankful
Today, I am thankful for a sink full of dirty dishes.
Because they remind me that we had such a good time last night - hanging out with the girls, drinking margaritas, and eating delicious dinner.
Today, I am thankful for the muddy paw prints that Daisy left on my wood floors.
Because they remind me that it is raining outside for the first time in so long. The dust has turned to mud, and the grass already looks greener.
Today, I am thankful for all the toys and baby things that clutter the living room.
Because they remind me of the new little life that is in this house, and the way he plays with his lion, his hippo, and his little baby dumbbells.
Today, I am thankful that I have not yet had a shower or put on real clothes.
Because this reminds me that we did not have to get up and go to therapy this morning - we got to hang out in our pajamas and play and read and sing and blog.
Luke's therapists have determined that we've done about all we can do for him as far as stretching soft tissue, muscle, skin, ligaments, tendons. We made some pretty significant progress over the last three weeks, but the progress has plateaued, so all therapy is on hold until our next appointment with the orthopod. I will confess that I've had so much anxiety and worry and fear and anger over this issue lately. I saw a really cool kid's bike in Parenting magazine and it sent me into a spiral of negativity. Will Luke ever have a bike like that? What if his left leg can't reach the ground?
I've felt angry at the doctors for not knowing more, at the therapists for not doing more, and at myself for choosing to believe the lies in my head while ignoring the Truth and the vision I've been given.
I've felt jealousy towards parents of "normal" kids, who don't have to go to therapy three days a week or specialists appointments an hour from home or wonder how their kid will bear weight to both legs or keep up with his friends.
But today, I am thankful that Luke's tibia is crooked.
Because it reminds me to lean only on my God, my Healer, my Strength, for peace and comfort.
Because they remind me that we had such a good time last night - hanging out with the girls, drinking margaritas, and eating delicious dinner.
Today, I am thankful for the muddy paw prints that Daisy left on my wood floors.
Because they remind me that it is raining outside for the first time in so long. The dust has turned to mud, and the grass already looks greener.
Today, I am thankful for all the toys and baby things that clutter the living room.
Because they remind me of the new little life that is in this house, and the way he plays with his lion, his hippo, and his little baby dumbbells.
Today, I am thankful that I have not yet had a shower or put on real clothes.
Because this reminds me that we did not have to get up and go to therapy this morning - we got to hang out in our pajamas and play and read and sing and blog.
Luke's therapists have determined that we've done about all we can do for him as far as stretching soft tissue, muscle, skin, ligaments, tendons. We made some pretty significant progress over the last three weeks, but the progress has plateaued, so all therapy is on hold until our next appointment with the orthopod. I will confess that I've had so much anxiety and worry and fear and anger over this issue lately. I saw a really cool kid's bike in Parenting magazine and it sent me into a spiral of negativity. Will Luke ever have a bike like that? What if his left leg can't reach the ground?
I've felt angry at the doctors for not knowing more, at the therapists for not doing more, and at myself for choosing to believe the lies in my head while ignoring the Truth and the vision I've been given.
I've felt jealousy towards parents of "normal" kids, who don't have to go to therapy three days a week or specialists appointments an hour from home or wonder how their kid will bear weight to both legs or keep up with his friends.
But today, I am thankful that Luke's tibia is crooked.
Because it reminds me to lean only on my God, my Healer, my Strength, for peace and comfort.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
happy father's day
Today we celebrated daddy...
For all your hard work, love, devotion, and kisses. Thank you.
For the way you handle trouble, blow outs, and broken sprinkler systems. Thank you.
For the way you make me laugh and the way you make me chocolate milk. Thank you.
For late night talks and early morning runs. Thank you.
For your pursuit of God and healing and restoration and holiness. Thank you.
For all your hard work, love, devotion, and kisses. Thank you.
For the way you handle trouble, blow outs, and broken sprinkler systems. Thank you.
For the way you make me laugh and the way you make me chocolate milk. Thank you.
For late night talks and early morning runs. Thank you.
For your pursuit of God and healing and restoration and holiness. Thank you.
Friday, June 17, 2011
four months
My sweet little man, yesterday you turned four months old.
What a great time we've had together!
Over the last few weeks, we've filled your days with therapy, swimming in the backyard, playing on your play mat, playing with your friends in your bouncy seat, going for runs in the stroller, hanging out with our neighbors at the park, visiting friends and family.
You are about 12 pounds and you're just now starting to wear your 3-6 months clothes.
You sleep in your own crib (as of about three weeks ago!)
You've never turned down milk.
You are starting to drool and mama is wondering if teeth are on their way.
You grab toys and put them straight in your mouth.
You smile all the time, and with your whole face. You coo and make noises constantly.
You rolled from your back to your tummy for the first time two days ago, and made us so proud!
You sleep from about 8:30 at night until 5:00 in the morning.
I'll nurse you for just a few minutes and you'll go back to sleep until about 7.
Then we get up and start our day together.
You still don't sleep so well during the day, though mama tries to force one good long nap, even if I have to lay down with you.
You are much happier when you are rested.
You absolutely loathe your car seat, and you're still not a big fan of tummy time.
And you don't like to wear your splint. At all.
You love bathtime and mornings.
You are so busy!
You are predictable and thrive on routine.
You must be swaddled in order to sleep, and mama swaddles tight.
You are the love of our lives and we just can't get enough.
You make us so happy, and we are so thankful that you are our little man.
What a great time we've had together!
Over the last few weeks, we've filled your days with therapy, swimming in the backyard, playing on your play mat, playing with your friends in your bouncy seat, going for runs in the stroller, hanging out with our neighbors at the park, visiting friends and family.
You are about 12 pounds and you're just now starting to wear your 3-6 months clothes.
You sleep in your own crib (as of about three weeks ago!)
You've never turned down milk.
You are starting to drool and mama is wondering if teeth are on their way.
You grab toys and put them straight in your mouth.
You smile all the time, and with your whole face. You coo and make noises constantly.
You rolled from your back to your tummy for the first time two days ago, and made us so proud!
You sleep from about 8:30 at night until 5:00 in the morning.
I'll nurse you for just a few minutes and you'll go back to sleep until about 7.
Then we get up and start our day together.
You still don't sleep so well during the day, though mama tries to force one good long nap, even if I have to lay down with you.
You are much happier when you are rested.
You absolutely loathe your car seat, and you're still not a big fan of tummy time.
And you don't like to wear your splint. At all.
You love bathtime and mornings.
You are so busy!
You are predictable and thrive on routine.
You must be swaddled in order to sleep, and mama swaddles tight.
You are the love of our lives and we just can't get enough.
You make us so happy, and we are so thankful that you are our little man.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
luke meets ethan
Luke's newest little cousin, Ethan Scott Riley, came into this world just a few weeks ago. And although Adam and I went to see him in the hospital, Luke had not yet met him.
So Granny and I loaded up the car and took little man to League City for a visit. It was quite an eventful day that included a major tire blowout and several trips to NTB in the 104 degree Texas heat. But the boys were troopers and we even got to go out to lunch after all the drama settled down.
This little guy is so precious, and I have a feeling these two are going to make some mischief together someday.
Congratulations, Patty & Scott. He is absolutely adorable.
So Granny and I loaded up the car and took little man to League City for a visit. It was quite an eventful day that included a major tire blowout and several trips to NTB in the 104 degree Texas heat. But the boys were troopers and we even got to go out to lunch after all the drama settled down.
This little guy is so precious, and I have a feeling these two are going to make some mischief together someday.
Congratulations, Patty & Scott. He is absolutely adorable.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
luke's first crush
Why, hello Miss Molly.
I think that you are beautiful.
I think that you are beautiful.
I could just stare at your pretty little face all day.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
little man update
This past weekend, Luke had a few firsts.
His first 5k, thanks to Honey, who pushed him in the stroller.
His first concert, thanks to John Sherrill who released his new CD on Sunday evening.
And his first rainstorm, thanks to God, who gave this dry earth a bit of drought relief! It rained and stormed so loud here on Sunday night that despite a white noise machine, Luke was woken up by the thunder! He went right back to sleep, and I was so thankful for the rain that I didn't mind one bit.
In other news, we have started intensive therapy for Luke's leg and foot this week. We are going to go every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to OT/PT for stretching and manipulation. This wears him out! He is such a trooper, sweet little man. He only fusses when he's stretched really hard, and he thoroughly enjoys the moist heat and massage that come before and after the stretching.
We take his play mat so that he has something familiar. He talks to his little animals and flirts with his therapists for almost an hour while they work with his little leg. On Friday, he will be remeasured to determine if intensive therapy is working or not, and we will go from there.
He has been wearing a hard splint for about 8 weeks now, and there's a possibility that he will have to move to serial casting (plaster cast that is changed weekly) for more dramatic results.
We see the orthopedic specialist in three weeks and we will get another x-ray! This will be the first x-ray since his birth, and I am so anxious to see what it reveals.
His first 5k, thanks to Honey, who pushed him in the stroller.
His first concert, thanks to John Sherrill who released his new CD on Sunday evening.
And his first rainstorm, thanks to God, who gave this dry earth a bit of drought relief! It rained and stormed so loud here on Sunday night that despite a white noise machine, Luke was woken up by the thunder! He went right back to sleep, and I was so thankful for the rain that I didn't mind one bit.
In other news, we have started intensive therapy for Luke's leg and foot this week. We are going to go every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to OT/PT for stretching and manipulation. This wears him out! He is such a trooper, sweet little man. He only fusses when he's stretched really hard, and he thoroughly enjoys the moist heat and massage that come before and after the stretching.
We take his play mat so that he has something familiar. He talks to his little animals and flirts with his therapists for almost an hour while they work with his little leg. On Friday, he will be remeasured to determine if intensive therapy is working or not, and we will go from there.
He has been wearing a hard splint for about 8 weeks now, and there's a possibility that he will have to move to serial casting (plaster cast that is changed weekly) for more dramatic results.
We see the orthopedic specialist in three weeks and we will get another x-ray! This will be the first x-ray since his birth, and I am so anxious to see what it reveals.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
impact a hero 5k
This past Saturday, my family and many of our friends joined together as Team Blake and ran the Impact a Hero 5k in honor and memory of my brother.
We had over thirty participants and raised $1900 (with some money still coming in!) for this great organization. Impact a Hero actually helped my brother just weeks before his death. I am grateful for the impact they had on my hero and hope that our contribution helps others.
THANK YOU so much to everyone who came to walk, run, push strollers, bought t-shirts, and give money. See you again next year!
We had over thirty participants and raised $1900 (with some money still coming in!) for this great organization. Impact a Hero actually helped my brother just weeks before his death. I am grateful for the impact they had on my hero and hope that our contribution helps others.
THANK YOU so much to everyone who came to walk, run, push strollers, bought t-shirts, and give money. See you again next year!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
barefoot contessa in our kitchen
My husband has a new girlfriend.
And I really don't mind.
Her name is Ina Garten and she's an amazing cook.
Since becoming a stay-at-home mom, I've been watching the cooking channel quite a bit.
Dorky, I know. But it gives me great ideas and provides nice background noise for slow days of feeding and napping and play-matting my three month old.
Barefoot Contessa is my favorite.
One day, Adam came home and Ina Garten was cooking in our living room.
I'm pretty sure it was love at first sight.
Now she is Adam's favorite, too.
So on Thursday, we were trying to decide what to do with our evening (Adam had Friday off, so it felt like an early weekend kick-off) and about that time, Ina popped up in our living room again.
I had an idea.
We would watch her show and no matter what she cooked, we would go to the store, get the ingredients, and make it for ourselves.
Adam agreed.
Lucky for us, it was steak night.
So we took ourselves - and our little man - to Kroger for a quick shopping trip.
We bought things like parsley. And roquefort cheese. And heavy cream.
Varieties of mushrooms I'd never thought twice about before.
And brownie mix, although that was not part of her show.
We came home and tore our kitchen to pieces and had an absolute blast.
On our menu: steaks, prepared on the stove and in the oven with a raquefort cheese sauce. Sauteed mushrooms. Zucchini pancakes. Fresh bread. Red wine.
It was a wonderful evening. And the best dinner we've had in a very long time.
And I really don't mind.
Her name is Ina Garten and she's an amazing cook.
Since becoming a stay-at-home mom, I've been watching the cooking channel quite a bit.
Dorky, I know. But it gives me great ideas and provides nice background noise for slow days of feeding and napping and play-matting my three month old.
Barefoot Contessa is my favorite.
One day, Adam came home and Ina Garten was cooking in our living room.
I'm pretty sure it was love at first sight.
Now she is Adam's favorite, too.
So on Thursday, we were trying to decide what to do with our evening (Adam had Friday off, so it felt like an early weekend kick-off) and about that time, Ina popped up in our living room again.
I had an idea.
We would watch her show and no matter what she cooked, we would go to the store, get the ingredients, and make it for ourselves.
Adam agreed.
Lucky for us, it was steak night.
So we took ourselves - and our little man - to Kroger for a quick shopping trip.
We bought things like parsley. And roquefort cheese. And heavy cream.
Varieties of mushrooms I'd never thought twice about before.
And brownie mix, although that was not part of her show.
We came home and tore our kitchen to pieces and had an absolute blast.
On our menu: steaks, prepared on the stove and in the oven with a raquefort cheese sauce. Sauteed mushrooms. Zucchini pancakes. Fresh bread. Red wine.
It was a wonderful evening. And the best dinner we've had in a very long time.
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