Archive for » November, 2010 «

30
Nov 2010

More gratitude

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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

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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

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

Thank you. Sincerely.

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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.

IMG_20101127_221153.jpg
Category: family, spawn  Tags: , , ,  4 Comments
26
Nov 2010

We made it.

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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!

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25
Nov 2010

Enough

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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!

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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
23
Nov 2010

Small Business Saturday – supporting local businesses

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SBSLogo.jpgThanks to American Express for sponsoring my writing today about small businesses. American Express is presenting Small Business Saturday, a way to honor the local merchants who are the backbone of the economy, this Saturday, November 27. They’re offering statement credits to people who shop at small businesses, advertising for small-business owners, and donations to Girls Inc. for “Likes” of the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook. Join the celebration by clicking the “Like” button and then visiting the Facebook page to learn more about the program and read the terms and conditions that apply.

One thing I love about San Diego is the variety of small businesses we have here. You can find almost anything you’re looking for. It’s great to have so many choices available. When I want to avoid the big bookstores, I can go to Warwick’s in La Jolla. For fantastic, locally brewed coffee, I would definitely hit up Caffé Calabria (I just wish they were open a little longer in the afternoons!). If you look hard enough, you’ll find a local alternative for so many things.

Dining Details

Like personal chef services. I know that may sound strange coming from me, as much as I go on and on about hubby and I cooking things at home. But when I heard about Dining Details and got to know some of the services they offer, I was amazed. First off, Chef Julie Frans is a fellow mom and is quite active on Twitter. She has a fairly new baby girl who’s cute as a button. And she knows her stuff. In just the past couple of weeks, she offered cooking classes geared toward Thanksgiving – and it sounded like both the novice and experienced home cook could learn something.

But what I love most about what Julie does is her passion for fresh, healthy ingredients. Last spring I got a chance to see her in action as she demo’d several dishes for a group of local mom bloggers. She gave us great tips and advice about preparing amazingly healthy and tasty food for our families. It was fun and I learned several new things, including how to make a homemade alternative to store-bought creamers.

Chickpeas

The other thing that’s great about Julie’s biz is her enthusiasm for getting healthy lunches in the hands of school children. And that’s where Dining Details’ sister company, Chickpeas, comes into play. Chickpeas offers organic and all-natural lunches to kids in schools. Some schools have Chickpeas actually handle their lunch service — how awesome is that? I would absolutely love to have such well-prepared food in the hands of my kids when they’re in school.

It’s local businesses like this that I love to seek out and try. What’s your favorite local San Diego small business? Please feel free to share in the comments – even if you have more than one! I’m always looking for a great local place to give my business to. (PS – Julie doesn’t even know I’m featuring her biz – she has not asked me to do so and has not asked to be included in this post. I just really love what she does and hope others hear about her and do, too.)

Small Business Saturday

I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Category: other writing  Tags: , , ,  Comments off
22
Nov 2010

Today you’re three

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me and my son

Dear Son,

Today you are three years old. It’s hard for me to believe it has already been three whole years since you joined us. You have brought so much joy and light into our lives. You’re funny. You’ll do just about anything for a laugh. You’re charming. That grin where you wrinkle your nose and squint your eyes is so very cute (but I’m on to you). You’re silly. You love to stand on your head and look at things, or use the wrong end of the binoculars to view your world. You’re sweet. There’s nothing better than hugs and kisses from you.

You are my little buddy. We’re together day after day, just the two of us until daddy gets home from work. You’re my constant companion. You keep me company. You want me to play cars all the time. You stand in my chair and run cars on my head while I type away at the computer. You give the best nose rubs and hugs. I hope you always have a special place in your heart for mommy.

You love to help. I hope you’ll love helping with your little brother. I don’t quite think you understand yet what it means. And I hope that it only brings you joy when we arrive home with him just days after your birthday. You and your brother will be exactly 3 years, 1 day apart. But I hope that you’ll always be good buddies.

I love you so much, little buddy. That will never change, even as we move into a new dynamic with our family. Happy 3rd birthday, little man. I cherish these years with you. I hope you do, too.

Always,

Mama

Category: family, parenting, spawn  Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,  4 Comments
21
Nov 2010

Restless

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me & the boyToday I’m just plain restless. There are things I could be doing, but I don’t have the mental capacity to concentrate for long periods. I’m trying, but just not succeeding. I’ve caught up on my Google reader feeds. I’ve read everything I care to on Twitter and Facebook. I’ve cleaned most of the kitchen and about as much of the living room as I can stand. It’s still cluttered and crowded. It definitely needs more “it’s time to get rid of this junk I’m not using” and less moving things around just to make it look a little better.

But I’m sick of it. All of it.

I even have some things to read on my Kindle. And I’ve been perusing our baby registry. But none of it is keeping my attention for long.

I’m impatient. Just biding my time. Do you know how boring that is? I’m going stir crazy. It doesn’t matter if I get out and go to the store. Or go through the mail and pay bills. None of it. It’s all busy work.

I knew this would be a long weekend but GEEZ. Enough already. Either go into labor or something. Please.

As much as I’ve wanted to see Harry Potter, I don’t know if I could sit through it, even. First, I have to pee every 10 minutes so I’d probably miss a lot of good parts of the movie. And since I didn’t already go and see it, I doubt I will tomorrow considering it’s my son’s third birthday tomorrow.

By the way, this time three years ago? I got induced mid-morning. I was still in labor at this point and wouldn’t have the kid until almost six o’clock tomorrow night. That’s right. It was a very long labor. In spite of that, I’d still rather go into labor about right now. EVEN IF it means both boys have exactly the same birthday. I’m that desperate.

Hold me?

Category: babbling, spawn  Tags: ,  4 Comments
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