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23
Dec 2010

Last minute gifts…

By becky

If we were in San Diego right now, I would totally hint to my husband to go to Tiffany & Co. for any last minute gift ideas. I’m seriously coveting their key necklaces, like this one:

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(Although that one is really out of our price range, I do love it.)

Or maybe this one:

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(Okay, so that one’s out of the price range, too.)

And this one, which was my favorite (but I don’t see it on the site right now – it was gorgeous in person)

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(photo shamelessly swiped from La Jolla Mom – that’s my hand in the pic!)

But this one is TOTALLY in our price range:

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So why am I dreaming of Tiffany? Because I got to have breakfast there several weeks ago, but didn’t get a chance to write about it because I was busy gestating and prepping to have a baby. But it was an awesome time, we got to try on jewelry to our hearts content (I tried on a ring that’s probably more than I’ll make, like, ever, which you can see on Jen’s hand here) and see the new yellow diamonds and leather collections.

After the new year, I’ll post a couple of the pics I took and maybe even hint again to hubby, since our anniversary comes up at the end of February. That should give him plenty of time to shop, right?

Disclosure: I received an invite to Tiffany & Co. to have a small breakfast and preview some of their holiday offerings (in early Nov.). I was not asked to write anything, but I did receive a Tiffany coffee mug as a gift.

Category: giveaways and reviews  Tags: ,  2 Comments
14
Dec 2010

The one that got away — again

By becky

image

There’s this house. It’s not terribly far from my parents’ house. It has two stories, a big, gorgeous porch and lots of land with it. It is one of my favorite houses in the area (my mom’s, too). (Those of you in the area will recognize it if you’ve looked to your left as you leave Crane, just before the Hurley turnoff.)

About three (four?) years ago we noticed it was for sale. We had to call out of curiousity. Maybe it would be in our range? Not quite. It was under contact just days before Christmas.

Fast forward to this year. The house looks empty. Maybe it’s for sale again! We stop & look. There’s a real estate sign. I call. It closes the next day. Denied again!

There’s something about this house that calls to me, but I keep missing opportunities to see it. We have no idea how big the bedrooms are, whether the kitchen is functional, or even if the roof is good. It was just not meant to be. Maybe someday. Maybe never.

Have you ever had a place that haunts you? That was always just out of reach? I’m especially feeling it this year as I wait for word on a project that’s supposed to start soon. I feel like so many things are on hold. Everything, in fact, except my boys growing & growing. The little one is already 3 weeks old! Time flies too fast.

Category: babbling  4 Comments
12
Dec 2010

Unwritten

By becky

How did I manage to post for an entire month, only to drop off of my blog for almost two weeks? Okay, okay, I know how. I had a baby. Then we had doctor appointments. And we drove a couple of days to see family. But we’ve been here for a week and I still haven’t figured out what to say.

What do I say?

  • That I love this little guy and am spending a majority of my time just holding him, letting him sleep on me, or gazing at his adorable little face?
  • That I feel guilty that I can’t pick up my older son, but grateful that he has his grandpa to play with him and distract him from the fact that mommy has less time for him now?
  • That I have no idea how I will manage to work and take care of two kids and actually say more than five words to my husband, but that we will somehow get through?
  • That while I love having time off to spend with everyone, it also feels weird not to be working, especially since we’re out in the middle of nowhere and there’s not a lot to do once the weather hits?
  • That while I love it here, I miss the convenience of living in town where everything’s so close that I can be at the mall in less than 5 minutes, Target or Wally World less than 10, and the doctor’s office in less than 15?
  • That I don’t miss getting snowed in?
  • But that I do miss having our own place, a dishwasher, a washer & dryer, a real house, and lots of family nearby, things that we don’t have back in SD?

I always have so much going through my head this time of year. Thoughts of family, of moving, of staying where we are, of how quickly time goes by.

So as you can see, my mind is still super-busy even as so much stays unwritten. But I don’t want to forget everything that goes on during the first few weeks of my son’s life, so I’m hoping to do a little better. Even if it’s only a short snippet every other day. I want to drop in more often. I will try to do so.

Category: babbling  Tags:  2 Comments
30
Nov 2010

More gratitude

By becky

Gratitude

Since we’re still in November and so close to Thanksgiving, I think a little more focusing on gratitude is in order. We have had some amazing kindnesses heaped upon us in the last few days and I just have to share with you.

While we were in the hospital, my brother-in-law and his wife came to visit. They were eating Thanksgiving dinner and then were going to bring us some of their leftovers. Awesome! But they changed their mind before they got there and instead brought the ENTIRE dinner to share with us. At first, I was wondering what possessed them. That’s a lot of work and we didn’t have much space in the room to spread out an entire meal. But you know what? It was great. The food was terrific and getting to spend Thanksgiving with family – when we thought we would miss out – was such a great mood lifter. Even better, they were still there when we got to bring the baby back up to be with us. It was a special time and reduced our stress way more than we realized.

And today, a friend asked if she could meet up and drop off a gift for the baby. So I show up at the designated time and guess what? I was surprised with another couple of friends arriving as well! It was a stealth, impromptu gift drop off from a big group of my Twitter buddies. They got us gift cards to some restaurants and the grocery store. So very perfect for us right now. I am so touched by their thoughtfulness. It’s kindof late right now, but I’m going to come back later and link to all of these lovely, wonderful women. I am so grateful for such wonderful, wonderful friends. So very blessed.

Without further ado, here are the wonderful ladies who have gotten us lovely gifts for Baby Bravia. Love these women. All of them:

@jenboydsd
@picklesugarplum (she MADE us some super-cool blankets)

And these lovely ladies pitched in for the gift cards. Seriously appreciated, especially since we’re getting ready to travel for the holidays.
@Jen_eration_X
@sandiegomomma
@mamamaryshow
@birdrockfab
@bernthis
@lajollamom
@rockonmommies
@ooph
@nataliewardel
@gingeranderson
@sugarjones
@everydaymama
@coffeemommyof3
@hip_m0m  

Category: Gratitude in my Attitude  Tags: ,  Comments off
29
Nov 2010

Resolutions

By becky

Funny enough, I got a call from the hospital today asking how things went while we were there. So I told the lady how great the nurses in the NICU were. How kind and caring. How they did their best to make sure I could see my boy as often as possible. They always had a rocking chair ready to go so I could hold and nurse my boy.

It was getting my son released from the NICU that was the problem. It took about eight hours longer than it should have. Hours in my new son’s life that I’ll not get back. His first 48+ hours in which I should have been with him constantly. And I wasn’t. He needed medical care and I’m so grateful that he got it. But those extra hours of waiting were unnecessary. And yes, I’m still a little bit angry about it.

There’s more to it, and I will get around to telling the story. But right now I need to find a way to move on. It’s over. Done. I can’t change it. I need to focus on spending time with both of my sons, not getting angry about something I can’t change.

But at least I was able to tell my story to someone at the hospital. And hopefully it’ll change for the next mom whose baby graduates from the NICU during a very busy time.

Category: parenting, spawn  Tags: , , , , ,  Comments off
28
Nov 2010

Out and about

By becky

We managed to get out of the house with both of the boys. We didn’t go far – just to the mall. But it was someplace where we could walk around and let the oldest expend some energy.

The ladies at Williams-Sonoma ooohed and aaahed over the baby. And when they found out he is 5 days old, they didn’t know whether I was brave or crazy.

Funny, neither do I.

I just *have* to get out of the house. Even if I’m tired, there’s only so much you can do inside these walls. And I’m certainly not bedridden. Being forced to get out of bed the day after surgery will do that to you. I had no choice – I had to go and see my son. There was nothing – not an IV, a catheter, a sore abdomen… nothing – that was going to keep me away from him. As it was, it took at least 8 hours longer than it should have to get him back with us. And it probably would have been longer if I’d not suffered a meltdown right in the middle of the NICU.

Let’s just say it was an emotional time, I was exhausted, and I didn’t handle the multiple delays very well. It sucks when the kids who are ready to leave the NICU are kept there simply because the doctor hasn’t made it through rounds yet and the ones that are out of danger are the last ones to be seen. Let me say it again. It SUCKS. I’m still not happy with how that was handled. But the nurses and staff were so kind. And amazingly patient. And awesome.

It could have been so much worse. We were pretty fortunate. We ARE pretty fortunate. I can’t stress that enough.

It’s going to be an adjustment to having two instead of one. But so far? It’s awesome. Both of my sons are amazing. What more can I ask for?

Category: Gratitude in my Attitude, family, parenting, spawn  Tags: , , , ,  One Comment
27
Nov 2010

Thank you. Sincerely.

By becky

It’s going to take me days to go around thanking everyone. And I will. But in the meantime, while things are still a little crazy, I just wanted to say thank you. So many friends have sent emails, facebook and twitter messages, called us to check in… it has been tremendous. Thank you so much for all of the love and support. We truly needed it.

We’re home, together as a family, and adjusting to having four of us here in the house. Baby Bravia is doing great. He’s just a teensy bit jaundiced, so we’re working to improve that. And he’s still learning to nurse, so we’re working on that, too. But he’s a joy, his older brother can’t get enough of him, and we’re enamored of our two little boys.

So while we’re tired. Exhausted. Zombies. … we have so much to be grateful for. It has all been put into crystal-clear perspective for us. So again, thank you for all of the kind, warm messages. You have made this last week even more special. I truly mean that.

Baby Bravia thanks you as well.

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Category: family, spawn  Tags: , , ,  4 Comments
26
Nov 2010

We made it.

By becky

We’re all home. All safe. But so very tired. All of us are going to bed early and I hope to have an actual story to tell you soon. As soon as my pain meds kick back in & I’m not curled up in a ball in a corner somewhere.

We are so grateful to be home and together. Thanks for all of your thoughts & prayers everyone. We didn’t mean to keep everyone in the dark. It has just been an exhausting three days. Pics to come. There’s one on FB, but the rest haven’t even been downloaded yet.

Good night and pleasant dreams!

Category: Uncategorized  Comments off
25
Nov 2010

Enough

By becky

Really crazy day. Even more stressful than I thought possible. Schedule delay after schedule delay. BUT after a lot of crying and frustration – and maybe a meltdown or two – the boy is finally out of the nicu.

And we are so grateful. But this mama has had enough for today. Full stories will have to wait until we get home.

Category: Uncategorized  2 Comments
24
Nov 2010

He’s here!

By becky

Posting from my phone. Tired. The boy, code name Bravia, arrived yesterday safe & sound. We’re all good and will have more to tell you soon.

Category: Uncategorized  2 Comments
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