just be...m[E]

ugh...

Thanks to Uno (not Owen!) I'm awake. I was lying there thinking about my surgery today and getting nervous, so I decided to just get up. So, today is the day that I undergo septioplasty and balloon endoscopic sinus surgery. Ugh!  I was nervous yesterday, but not as much as I am now. I'm trying to not let my mind go there with all of the "what if" questions, but sometimes I cannot help it. Of course this is all worse in my head because of my little (or actually big) guy Owen. I'm worried about not being allowed to pick him up for a week, and him being afraid of me with the bandages, etc. I'm just so ready to be awake in the recovery room, then here at home sleeping with some good drugs. Although I'm not a fan of such drugs, I'm willing to take anything to ease the pain. I am worried about the pain as well, but I keep telling myself that I had Owen without pain medication (not by choice I remind you...don't recommend it!), so I can get through this too. The funny thing is that I've always joked that I wanted a nose job, but never imagined I'd actually need one to breathe and help these constant headaches. Cross your fingers that it works...I've got my fingers and toes crossed as I type!

OK, I'm feeling a bit better getting that off my chest. If you could, please say a little prayer for me (and us). I have to be at the hospital and noon, and am scheduled to begin at 1:00. Thanks already for all of the good luck wishes that have come my way. I'll be back as soon as I can with an update.

Thought I'd share a quick photo to lighten the mood a bit. Here we are on the 4th. Look at my cute boy!

Speaking of O...sounds like he is waking up. He has no clue how many hugs and kisses he is going to get from me today. Off to begin...

peace and love..

This time last year...

I've been reminiscing all summer about this one versus last summer. Such a totally different experience with a toddler, rather than a screaming, colicky baby. Wow...things have really changed. So, I thought I'd take a photo look back on July 4th last year. Hope you enjoy!

First photo taken on July 4th, 2008 at 10:01 pm. I have a feeling that was when I remembered it was the fourth when I saw the fireworks on TV. The next was taken on July 5th, with the morning sun coming through our bedroom window. (I call it our bedroom, but it was really Owen and I not Brian and I since he was studying for the BAR.) Hard to believe Owen was just 10 weeks old in these photos. OK, back for more pics.

This one made me laugh this morning...taken July 20th. Look at that face! I think we still see that look today. The next was taken on July 25th...Owen's 3 month birthday. His poor torticolis neck!

Speaking of O, I hear him waking up. Guess Mom's free time is over for today. Hoping to take some photos today with my boys...and I can tell that Brian is already excited for it. Wish me luck and hope for at least one good family photo!

Happy 4th of July everyone!
peace.

It's Friday!

OK, since it's summer for Owen and I most days feel the same (yes, we are spoiled). But, I'm excited because after Brian works both jobs today, he'll be off with us for an entire week! I'm so happy for him...and us, as this hasn't happened since last year when Owen was born. Although I wish we were traveling, we have projects to do (especially a big one for me...more on that later), and lots of play time together. As you can tell, I'm looking forward to being a family of three again.

Hope to be back later. We'll see how Mr. O does with an afternoon nap.

Thought I'd include of photo of Owen and Brian before his "swearing in" after passing the Federal BAR. Way to go Bri! So proud of you!

Speaking of Owen...sounds like the morning nap is over.
Off to play with my little man...

twice in one week...

Aren't you proud of me...blogging twice in the same week! Cool! Anyway, O is napping and I've already showered, etc., so I thought I'd share a few photos of the past couple days. Since my last post Owen has been a bit less crabby, which makes me so happy! It's great to see smiles and hear laughter again. Not a very exciting week here at home, but I am looking forward to lunch with Suz and Lyndsay before they leave for their big trip (Man, we're going to miss you so much!), then dinner with Mom.

OK, back to the photos...

Our new deck...and the crazy bathtub boy! Yes, that is a balloon (aka "a ball") in the tub...he is obsessed!

Breakfast on the deck on our first day off...and our proud little walker. Look at that face!

Owen will way too many goldfish in his mouth...and with his favorite friend. Look at Uno's tongue! It cracks me up! She is sooo sweet letting him climb on her. What a good dog!

Alright, that's enough random photos for one post. Have a great Thursday everyone!
peace.

On a side note...this blog needs a make-over! Look at our photo when Owen was just 6 days old!

whew...

It was one of those hard days for Owen and I. The poor boy must be teething (again) since he cried all day, and constantly tried to bite his hand... not too mention that he was soaked with drool. It breaks my heart when my happy little guy goes "missing." I finally got him to bed at 8:40 (late for him), and am now going to just chill and watch mindless TV. I need to upload photos and return a phone call to my dear friend Ronda (got your message when I finally plugged my phone in), but I'm too tired to do anything. Think I'm going to medicate ( Advil for the headache and augmentin for my "head/nose issues"), and get ready for bed.

Thought I'd share a quick photo. This was our last day of "school!" Can you tell how happy I am! Brian met me at daycare so we could surprise Owen together. Since we dropped him off together for the first time back in August, we wanted to make it special and do the same on the last day. Not sure he cared one bit, but I was happy we did it.

OK, off to medicate...
Miss and love you all.
peace.

Oh bloggity blog...I've missed you!

Yes, it's true..I miss being able to clear my head this way! As I've mentioned before, I always have things I want to say in my head, but when Owen goes to bed I basically just clean up and crash. So, my new goal for the summer is to blog at least once per week...we'll see how it goes.

Anyway, we've had a great 9 days of summer break thus far. Owen and I have played outside in his pool (gotta love the $4.00 inflatable) and picnic table (that serves as a water table), and have spent lots of time walking up and down the street in his "car." You'd think that with all of the walking I would be back in my pre-baby jeans...but it is still not the case. Although I can get them on, it's just the sitting down and breathing that may be a problem! Oh well, things could be worse, I know! We've even had some visits from Grandma on her way to work at Comair. Of course Owen LOVES it when she walks him in the car...and Brian and I LOVE the banana bread that keeps appearing! Although now that I think of it, it is probably part of my jeans problem! This week Owen also got to experience swimming in a "real pool" with Susan, Lyndsay and our dear friend Beth (or Auntie Beth as we call her). He wasn't sure at first, but then fell in love with standing on the top step and playing with Lyndsay's tea cups. Too cute! I'm not sure if I've uploaded those photos or not (shocker), but will share soon. The rest of this week we've spent inside thanks to the rain playing with Owen's favorite things...a dog ball (good thing Uno never really liked it) and a balloon (which he calls "a ball" just like every other round object. The teacher is me is excited though...good generalization going on there!). Not sure why we have a house full of toys, since the boy is obsessed with balls. Yes, it does sound bad, but hey, it's true! He is also walking up a storm too...and gaining more confidence too. It's fun to see him gain independence, but I already miss my baby! These past 13 months have gone way too fast!

OK, I feel like I just rambled on and on...but I'm enjoying being "back." I didn't even get to the termite or rhinoplasty topics yet, but I have to save something for later...right! Anyway, here are some photos of the little O. Enjoy!

The infamous "O face"...all because he wanted his favorite snack...graham crackers!

O's favorite things...Thanks to the Hartman's for letting us borrow the car!

Trying to get some one year photos...Owen was NOT having it! And, his other "comfort" item...a sock (or 2 if available). This started when it got hot, and I'd take his shoes and socks off in the car when I picked him up at "school." The first day I did it I looked back, and he was holding both socks, while smelling one of them. It was so funny, and has stuck. Now he carries around socks...clean ones...all the time. I've even caught him getting them out of his dirty laundry pile (since the basket it always full of clean clothes) and crawling away with them. Silly boy...

Off to get ready for bed and chill. I've been trying to read more (or create), and have a big stack of magazines to catch up on...so, off to it.

Miss and love you all...lots!
peace.

10 days...

Yep, in just 10 days I will be free! It has been the hardest year of school yet, and I must say I'm SO ready for it to end! We've all worked our butts off, and have been shown little appreciation (except from some wonderful friends and family). I keep reminding myself why I'm there, and as I see so many little things each day, it all comes back. Let me just say...thank goodness for the little things!

Anyway, Brian, Owen and I had a great and busy weekend together. It had been SO LONG that we've been all together, that it was nice to share the parenting responsibility, and more so the fun. Owen is changing more and more each day...and it SO WANTING to walk, but is just afraid to let go. He has been cruising along everything for months now, and is now standing up for long periods of time with any assistance. I know he will be on the go any day now, so I'm trying to soak it all in now while he is still just crawling...as I know life will be changed (again) forever. He is so funny and vocal letting us know what he wants...of course not with words yet (or sign even though we've been signing to him since he came home from the hospital), but with his facial expressions and gestures...especially when you hold a graham cracker in front of him. Too cute! I'm loving this stage...and cannot wait to spend the summer with him (in 10 days...in case I haven't mentioned that)!

Not much else going on here in KY. I've been wanting to scrap for sooo long, but still haven't done a thing. I hope that this summer I will have some time, even if just a few minutes a day. It's weird that I feel like something is missing from my life without it (but I'm sure my scrappy friends understand). My girl Ronda has been inspiring me LOTS lately, and I want to play with paint and other fun mediums (it reminds me of my art classes in college...thanks for bringing back memories for me R). I just hope I get time soon.

OK, off to have some hot tea and watch Jon and Kate Plus 8. Yes, I know it'c crazy that I'm going to waste an hour on it, but I've been a fan since the beginning and I cant stop now!

Miss and love you all. Hope to see you more often in 10 days...
peace.

hello old friend...

Wow! I feel kind of sad for the old blog...as it's been so long that I've written! I couldn't even remember my password to log in...that's a bad sign. Anyway, I finally uploaded photos from Owen's first birthday! I have lots to say on that, but wanted to share a quick photo. As most of you know he spent the weekend with Roseola (you'll notice the red face), but was able to perk up for a short time to eat a bite of icing (literally, just one bite). So, since time is limited (I bet you can guess why), enjoy Mr. Owen on his special day.

Happy First Birthday Owen!

OK, so I had share this adorable photo of Miss Emma!
Look at her tongue...it cracks me up!

Off to bathe O and then to bed. I'm exhausted! Have I mentioned that I am ready for summer break!
Miss and love you all.
peace.

in my head...

Yep, that's where I create lots of blog entries, and unfortunately they just get stuck there. I cannot believe that I was just home for one whole week, but didn't get a chance to blog even once. I spent lots of time playing with Owen, and just watching him for hours. It made me sad that I've missed so much by working, but also made me really look forward to our summer together! I hear there are only thirty-something days left of school, and I am sooo excited! Oh the joys of being a teacher...

Not much else new here. I have lots of photos to upload (I did do some over break, but the computer was acting crazy) and can't wait to share O in his bunny hat. Got some cute photos with Miss Lyndsay too...she's a cutie, (and I love hearing her say "O"), so hopefully I'll get them uploaded soon. Brian is off tomorrow night, so maybe I'll get a few minutes to do it. We'll see...

In the meantime, enjoy some photos of Owen. I can't believe that he will be ONE on April 25th. I've already began replaying the entire "event" in my head, and it seems like it was yesterday. One day I'll actually get his birth story finished...I hope!

I had to also share some of Miss Emma during their overnight stay. Isn't she the cutest!

One of Owen's favorite things is to watch himself on video. It's a lifesaver while waiting at the doctors office! And...just a close up of those eyes that melt my heart.

Ok, that's all for now. I'm becoming too impatient waiting for my photos to load. (I hope we're not loosing our computer! MUST backup photos this weekend!) More to come later...

Miss and love you all.
peace.

We're still here...

WOW! It is really the end of March already! I'm just not ready for April to come, and for Owen to turn one. It's been an amazing ride...of course with a few bumps, but I've loved every single minute (well, maybe not the colic, but you know what I mean!). Anyway, I don't have much time, but thought I'd give a quick update of our month. Hold on tight...here goes:

-Owen's ear tube surgery went well. We weren't sure he would even have it since he woke with a 100 degree fever, but since it was decided he was OK (and that the ear was probably infected and causing it...they were right) they did it. We had to stay longer since his fever spiked to 103 degrees, but they took great care of him (us) during the day. We just hope they work! Keep your fingers crossed!

-Speaking of Owen, the poor guy has 4 teeth coming through on the top! Ugh! Thank goodness for Oragel!

-We said goodbye to Brian's first (new) car...the 1999 Honda Civic. Yep, we sold it to a friend to help pay for our (OK, my) new ride...a 2008 used Subaru Tribeca. Brian even flew to Pittsburgh to get it, and after a fast weekend, he brought it home. So far so good...and it's really alot easier getting O in and out. I guess I really am a true "mom" now with a big car. Ha!

-We got a short visit with Mel, Brian and Emma, as they were in town for a funeral. Of course I wish they were here for happier times, it was great to see them all. Man, I miss them so much!

-School, work and more work, are about all Brian and I do. I miss O so much during the day. Only 4 more days until Spring Break! Yeah! I'm excited for some O and mom time...and hopefully a play date with Susan and Lyndsay!

Well, looks like my update is coming to an end since Owen is waking up from his nap. Off to feed him his favorite after school snack...O'Soy yogurt! The poor guy is still "allergic" to milk, but he doesn't seem to mind when we have his favorite snack in hand.

Hope all is well...Sorry for the lack of blogs!
Love and miss you all.
peace.