New packaging

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Mommy Nurse
4 hours, 29 minutes ago
in Uncategorized
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Everyday Savannah wakes up, and immediately her first request is for her cup of milk. We literally come down the stairs and both hands are going crazy with the sign for milk. I have the milk prepared, so that when we sit down on the couch it’s ready. She has been using the Nuby sippy cups, which have been great. Until….she figured out how to turn them upside down, apply pressure, and make all the liquid come out. After getting tired of finding puddles, I opted to find another sippy solution. I’ve had many friends that have loved the insulated playtex cups. Every time I had considered trying them, I couldn’t find BPA free ones. Thankfully, Walmart had what I needed–Playtex, BPA free, insulated sippy cups. Of course they say no-spill, but what sippy cup doesn’t claim that. “Claim” being the operative word there, considering I’ve invested into quite a few sippy cups that can’t keep up to that declaration.

The next morning Kyle got her up for the morning and offered her milk in her new sippy cup. She then began throwing a fit. He figured out that the previous sippy cups were see through, and she could see that it was milk. After opening the new, non-see through cup, he showed her that it was, in fact, milk. After she was given visual proof of the milk, she took to the new cup instantly.

Later in conversation about life, Kyle and I, realized just how often we do that with God. We ask for something that we really want, and when the Lord offers it to us, it usually looks differently than we expected, wanted, or are even used to. Why does it take us so long to trust that what is being offered, is in fact, what we need and ultimately want? I would hate to see what my mental fits look like to my Heavenly Father.

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Blogging hiatus

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Mommy Nurse
2 days, 11 hours ago
in Caleb and Savannah
. 5 Comments

I’m not sure why I took a blogging hiatus.  For a while I realized I needed to focus on the tangible projects in my life, instead of the internet ones.  Then I lost access to my account for a bit, and then it just seemed so long, that it was hard to know where to start.

In the past couple of months, life has been wonderfully crazy.  Caleb will making his arrival in just a few days (Friday to be exact).  I must admit that I’m in a bit of disbelief that I’m actually having another baby.  After waiting almost 5 years to meet our Savannah, this pregnancy has flown by.  It has helped that it has been completely uneventful  and without complications.  I’ve never been this pregnant before, so it’s been fun to get to this point.  I am most looking forward to the probability that my baby will actually get to stay in the room with me this time, and we will probably get to go home together.  It will be a welcomed new experience for us all.

I must admit that my biggest concern is for my first baby, Savannah.  I know that I will love Caleb just as much, and that my love for Savannah will not be diminished, but it’s hard to grasp exactly how that all works.  I’ve already admitted that I’ll need Savannah to be a part of the process as much as possible.  I know she will be well taken care of during my few days ‘away’, but it will be me that will need to stay connected with her.  It makes me a little sad to think that she will have to share so much.  We have so much fun together, playing tea party, coloring, and creating.  I know that there will be lots more of that, but I can’t deny the fact that it will be different.  The beauty of it is that it will be different, but it will be better.  She will have a playmate, a friend, and a brother for life.

Christmas was wonderful this year.  She woke up Christmas morning and within a minute threw her milk down and raced over to see the new toys.  We spent a leisurely morning unwrapping each gift and letting her enjoy it for a while, before we moved onto the next one.  She is growing so fast!  She is saying more words and communicating a lot more.  Most of her communication is either through sign language or her own “baby language” (which includes fits and all).  She understands more than we think she does.  It always surprises us when we ask her to do something new, and she actually does it.  She is a true sweetheart though.  She loves her cuddle time and requires frequent hugs throughout the day.  The other night we were driving down the road and I looked back and told her that I loved her, and she sweetly blew me a kiss.  Those are the moments that you never want to forget and that make being a mommy the best job in the world.



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a bit of encouragement

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Mommy Nurse
2 months, 3 weeks ago
in Life
. 5 Comments

This week has been exceptionally challenging.  My husband has been out of town, my grandpa was admitted into the hospital, and financially we had a wake up call that no one likes to get. I was feeling kind of down yesterday, so this morning I knew things needed to change.  I started the day asking the Lord to help change my perspective.  I was going to choose to be thankful and find the good things in life, instead of focusing on the negative. I realized that the heaviness that I was feeling was as heavy as I wanted it to be.  The word says that His burden is light, so it’s up to me to release the heaviness and let Him carry it.  If I’m feeling the weight of the world, then it’s not because God put it there.

I love it when God sends reminders of His promises. One of the disadvantages of having your kids so close, is that you can’t just use the crib you had for the first.  I picked out a crib for this baby, which by the way is a little more masculine then Savannah’s.  I found one that I liked at a specialty store, but of course it was so expensive. Then I found one at Babies R Us, that looked almost the same as the expensive one.  It’s the Jardine Claremont black crib-I liked that it will be a bed that will truly grow with him.  The pricetag was still more than I wanted to spend, so I had determined that if we couldn’t get it, then I would buy a used crib and paint it black. Today, as I was creeping through my muck and looking for the silver lining, I decided to check out craiglist.  A woman had just listed the exact crib that I was wanting, for $150 less than it sells for right now.  On top of all that, it is brand new and still in the box.  I instantly contacted the lady and found out that she had a recalled crib (that she no longer needed) and was given a voucher for a crib at Babies R’Us.  She went to the store and picked this crib out, and figured she would make a little money and help someone get a crib for a bit cheaper.  She purchased the crib, but the store didn’t have any in stock, so she hasn’t even picked it up at the store yet.  I am getting the crib that I want for almost 1/2 the cost, and I don’t have to worry about the challenges of getting a used crib.

All this to say, it’s not about the crib, but the Lord was telling me how He truly is taking care of things.  No it didn’t solve all my problems, but it was a reminder that all the solutions to my problems can be found in Him.

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Titans Win!

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Mommy Nurse
3 months, 1 week ago
in Life
. 3 Comments

Kyle and I went to the Titans/Vikings game with my dad today.  We were blessed with tickets in a skybox, and just let me say, that is the way to watch a game.  It was shady, roomy, not too loud, and there was free food!  I can’t say that the food was great, but it was plentiful and free.  I’m not a huge sports fan, but I do enjoy a good football game every once in a while.  Being at the game amidst the enthusiasm makes it much more exciting.  I especially love a good game, one that isn’t one team dominating and one that has some exciting moments (interceptions, good passes etc.) Today’s game was a good game, and the weather was wonderful.  It was great memory to make with my hubby and dad.

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Life circumstances are hard sometimes

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Mommy Nurse
3 months, 2 weeks ago
in Life and Uncategorized
. 4 Comments

Emotions are such a complex thing.  God created them as part of who we are.  We experience so much of life through emotions.   I have felt the joy of seeing my child for the first time, and inversely experienced the sorrow of losing one (actually three through miscarriages).  I have never wanted to be considered overly emotional.  It used to drive me crazy when women would use their hormones to excuse their incredibly emotional behavior.  I recognize that emotions are often the warnings of what is really going on.  So I value their place, however I don’t like to be ruled by them.

I had one of those mornings that just didn’t start out right.  It started out overly emotional at 4am.  I couldn’t sleep.  My mind was racing with worries and anxieties, some of which were warranted and others were not.  I finally succummbed to my wakefulness and got out of bed.  After perusing the computer for a bit, I knew I was up for prayer.  Life has felt a bit stressful lately.  There is not ‘one’ thing to blame it on, but it is definitely a culmination of things.  My husband would say that this year has been the hardest so far.  If I had to be honest, the “life is hard” stage probably started in 2006. It was that year that we began earnestly trying to have a baby and in the process lost two.  All the while, I was working a job that was incredibly taxing emotionally (I worked at the fertility clinic that I was being treated at), and it consumed my life. It was also that year that my husband had left his steady paycheck job to embark on starting a business, leaving me the primary breadwinner for a while.  We were also planning our move to Nashville, which involved uprooting our lives in Orlando.  Then came 2007, it was definitely a blessed year, but it didn’t come without its hardships. We moved, I became a homemaker (thus shifting all the financial stress to my husband), built a house, had a complicated pregnancy with a premature delivery, and became a mom.  Again, I must stress that this was one of the most blessed years of my life, but it didn’t come easy.  I was hopeful that the year 2008 would be settling and peaceful.

It is September already, and I feel as if I’m still fighting for that peace. I’m realizing that part of my problem is that I’ve allowed my circumstances to determine my level of peace.  I listened to a friend the other night say how easy it is to have faith when things are easy and are looking good.  Then life hit hard, and now his faith and trust are being tested.  This was such a reminder to me that God is more concerned with my character than He is with my circumstances.  It is through circumstances that He is shaping my character.

I tend to feel the pain and stress of those around me.  My heart breaks with them and I just want to make it all better. However, it’s not in my power to do so.  Because I feel powerless to help, I tend to not push in and suppress any emotions that I may be having. I recognize that this isn’t healthy or helpful.  I’m learning.  I know that the circumstances described above are not unique nor are they dramatic, but they are the circumstances of my life.

One of my favorite life verses is Romans 5:3-5

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Through it all I’m learning how dearly God loves me!

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Our first injury

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Mommy Nurse
3 months, 2 weeks ago
in Motherhood and Savannah
. 3 Comments

Savannah’s made it 14 months and 6 days without any injuries (that’s how old she is).  Today we drove out to Spring Hill for a playdate with Savannah’s friend from church, Delaney.  The girls are only a month apart, so they have a lot in common.  They get to play together at the nursery at church, so I knew they would enjoy spending time together just the two of them.  We first went to Applebee’s and enjoyed some yummy lunch. Then we headed back to their house for playtime.  The girls did great together.  There were only a few times that we had to intervene and remind the girls of the value of sharing.  Delaney has definitely mastered walking a bit better than Savannah, but it was fun to see Savannah be challenged by her peer.  It was nearing the end of our time, mostly because naptime was already past due.  Then I heard the thump and simultenously saw my little girl fall towards the table.  I knew that this wasn’t just a little fall, so I quickly scooped her up in my arms.  Then came the cry that I have yet to hear before, and as she began screaming I could see the blood in her mouth.  She had bit her tongue!  The medical part of me immediately kicked in.  I needed to see how bad it was.  Would she need stitches?  Should I throw her in the car and head to the ER? I need to stop the bleeding.  I asked my friend for a cold, wet paper towel.  Then she grabbed her sippy cup and filled it with some ice water.  By the time the ice water arrived, Savannah had calmed down.  I had seen the cut, and it appeared pretty superficial.  Although from the amount of blood that was now all over me and Savannah, you wouldn’t have known it was that small. The bleeding subsided, and the tears dried up.  We headed home, and within minutes she was asleep. The crisis was over!  I then had to call my husband and emotionally vent.  Considering everything, I think we’ve done remarkably well to have made it this long without any injuries.  For our first incident, it was pretty minor and resolved itself quickly. It was bound to happen sometime!

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double stroller dilemma

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Mommy Nurse
3 months, 2 weeks ago
in Uncategorized
. 6 Comments

So this baby isn’t even here yet, but I want to be prepared for his arrival. Because the kiddos will only be 18 months apart, then I know that a double stroller is imperative! It’s one thing to feel like you can’t get out and about, but it’s another thing if you actually can’t get out.  Anytime I buy something, I like to do really research my decision. I’m not one for spontaneous large purchases.  Let’s just say that I’ve researched just about every double stroller out there, and my conclusion is….there is no perfect double stroller.

I’ve talked to every mom I know to get their opinions.  They all like different things.  Through talking to moms I found that you need different strollers for different things.  There are tandem strollers (kids are seated one in front and one in back).  Tandem strollers are ideal for getting around in places with narrow aisles (most stores/malls).  I found that it’s typically a tandem stroller that has the capability to latch a carseat into. Then there are side-by-side strollers, which allow both children to sit next to each other, giving them each a good view of what’s going on.  Side-by-side strollers are ideal for travel, the zoo, the park etc.  There are a few side by side strollers that have the option of snapping in the carseat.  However, I found that most of them are brand specific–peg perego has a great twin aria but only uses peg perego carseats, same thing goes for combi. There are a couple of high end strollers that will accomodate different brands of carseats.  However, be prepared to pay a pretty penny.  After looking at all the reviews and talking to moms, I’ve decided that ‘used’ is best for me.

This past week I’ve struck two good deals.  I bought a Graco duo glider stroller at a garage sale for $15.  It’s a tandem stroller that will accomodate the Graco carseat that I already have.  Then on Craigslist I found a Maclaren Techno Twin for a third of the price!  It’s a lightweight, side by side stroller that will be good for the long haul.

When considering double strollers, be sure to consider weight (some of them are almost 50 pounds), maneuverability, and of course price.  Each stroller has it’s pros and cons, so I realized that it would be best for me to have options at an affordable price.  That is why I opted to go for a couple of used strollers instead of saving up for one brand new stroller. Although I would still love to have a Phil and Ted’s.  It’s a tandem stroller that gets rave reviews, but it’s a bit pricey.  You never know though, maybe I’ll find a good deal somewhere! When we were in D.C., Kyle made fun of me for looking at everybody’s strollers.  I simply replied, “You look at cars, and I look at strollers”.  He didn’t make fun of me anymore after that.

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Get the word out!

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Mommy Nurse
3 months, 2 weeks ago
in Cool Products and Giveaways
. 1 Comment

Go over to Divine Caroline and vote for Does mommy love it?  If you haven’t discovered Does mommy love it? yet, then head on over there as well.  They are currently do several giveaways,  Jack and Lily shoes, Ambajam, Listplanit.com, and a book Changing your world one diaper at a time, so be sure to sign up, and check back frequently because a little birdy told me that there are more giveaways to come.

P.S.  In order to vote, you do have to register at Divine Caroline, but it’s not a big deal.  The site itself is pretty cool, so it’s worth it.

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funny moment

Published
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Mommy Nurse
3 months, 2 weeks ago
in Savannah
. 2 Comments

Part of Savannah’s routine before bedtime is cuddle time.  It only lasts a few minutes, but it is definitely one of the sweetest moments of the day. She usually wants to lay on your chest and she’ll pat your arm ever so sweetly.  Tonight I took my time and decided to cherish the moment.  Just as I thought she was falling asleep, I hear a little giggle and she looks up at me with this big grin and her tongue sticking out between her lips.  It was as if she just discovered the sensation of her tongue between her lips, and she thought it was funny.  I laughed, which only made her laugh more.  She managed to keep laughing with her tongue out.  I then put her to bed, and she quickly laid down and settled with her bunny.  As I’m walking out of the room, all I hear is little giggles.  My heart was truly happy.

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Pushing the limit

Published
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Mommy Nurse
3 months, 2 weeks ago
in Motherhood
. 7 Comments

As Savannah turned one, her will and opinion also turned on. She has responded well to discipline, and she definitely understands no now. The hardest part about this stage is not knowing how much she understands.  I’m realizing that she understands a lot more than I think she does.  She has had one huge meltdown at home (ironically when family was visiting), and after several disciplinary techniques, she settled down.  During the past few days, she has been pushing her limits while we are out and about.  I know she is testing me to see if she gets her way in public. Little does she know (but she will) that my will is much stronger than hers.

This week Kyle’s been out of town and both of our playdates cancelled, so by lunchtime today I was ready for some real conversation.  My mom and dad agreed to meet us for lunch at Logan’s.  If you haven’t tried it already, you have to try the Kickin’ Chicken Logan’s salad–it is delicious! After a few minutes, Savannah decided that she didn’t want to sit at the table anymore.  Then the crying began.  This is the moment that you feel completely responsible for controlling your child, but you know that it may not be pretty.  I’m up for the challenge, so I take her to the bathroom.  When we get back to the table, she immediately looks to Mimi to save her.  As my mom is holding her, one of the waitresses comes up to the table, puts her arms forward as if she is going to pick up my daughter and says to Savannah, “Do you want to walk around?” Savannah is still crying and fussing, she then goes to offer her ice cream.  I’m in a bit of shock, but somehow managed to say, “No thank you she is fine.”

What?  You have got to be kidding me.  First of all, who goes to pick up a child that you don’t even know and offer to walk her around?  Secondly, who offers a child ice cream without asking the mom first? Why did she think it was her job to console my child.  At the time Savannah needed discipline, not consoling.  It was the first time that I felt the “village” trying to help me raise my child–and I did not like it at all.  I know this was just one individual exerting herself, but this lady was pushing my limit.  After another trip to the bathroom, Savannah found her patience to sit at the table and enjoy the rest of the meal. Maybe I should get a hat to wear next time, that says, ” I know my child is having an issue right now, but I’m dealing with it, and I would appreciate it if you would just leave us alone and not give her MORE attention. Thanks!”

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