Happy Birthday John

My son is 9 years old today. Last night, when we were walking home from a friend's house, I told him about the day he arrived.

I was at the hospital for a non-stress test. I had these routinely for a week before my daughter was born, so I sent my husband home. It was a four hour test and he needed the sleep, since he worked nights.

The test was delayed for a couple of hours because of an insurance issue, but eventually I got in and, as usual, the test was inconclusive. Then they did the sono my MD had ordered, and I found myself back at the reception desk for check-out.

Only not so fast.

They were calling the doctor.

And he wanted me admitted. Induced. I don't like induction AT ALL.

But off I go to the fifth floor, figuring I can call my husband in a couple of hours, since being induced TAKES FOREVER.

Only not so fast.

By the time I get upstairs, I have been re-designated a c-section. To tell the truth, this sounded better than being induced. I called and had George come back to the hospital.

My doctor arrived, blood was drawn we were ready to go at 2pm.

Only not so fast.

I was, surprising everyone but me, very anemic. And needed a transfusion prior to surgery. I had been transfused before, so it was no big deal.

The doctor would be back after a couple of packed units were given. Sounded good to me.

I got blood, got preped for surgery, and got a wonderful thing- spinal anesthesia. Wow. To have a pain free delivery was an amazing thing. I was disappointed I didn't have a mirror so I could see everything, and it was a really odd sensation, but then John- all 9lbs and 9 ozs- arrived and life was good.

I went to recovery with an itchy nose and blocked IV, but a little benedryl and a putted line later, I was good as new. George went off with John and my mother in law stayed with me. She was delighted and it was wonderful. John was the first grandchild for George's parents, and they were SO excited. John was 11th on my side- the last but not least baby boy of our family to date.

When Liz came after school on discharge day, she was delighted to help dress John and get him ready for the journey home. His shirt read, "I'm a little brother".

John is 9 years old now, and it seems like only the blink of an eye.

I love you, baby.

When you love what you do...

I got a call from a friend- she offered me a job that would offer me more money, flexibility and new challenges. She is working for a new company and thinks I would be perfect.

I told her "No".

She asked me to think about it.

I said "No". Cause I don't need to think about it.

I love what I do. I like the families I serve. I want to be where I am- in the trenches, fighting this thing that is EB until it is gone.

I have to admit, though, It was nice to be considered.

Pinewood Derby 2011

So Bobbie totally had the fastest Bear car this year. It was not close.

Lucas got second place and John got third place. It was close. But Lucas won by a hair.

We all cheered for a car that looked like swiss cheese... And the one that looked like a humvee...A lot like a humvee...and the car that looked like a block of wood.

And I got SMOKED in the adult race by a car that weighs more than my Honda (I am only kind of kidding).

We had fun!

A local church let us use their facility, and we had a great turnout. I am so proud of my Bears.

Pinewood derby

When I was new to Cub Scouts in the fall of 2008, John's den leader Shelley distributed our pinewood derby kits and I actually believed the packaging when it said it included all the items necessary to build a pinewood derby car.

So I was surprised when I opened the box and found a small block of pine, four nails and four small plastic tires. It looked NOTHING like a car

I am no longer a novice.

Now, coming up on our 3rd pinewood derby, we have a glossy blue car- a beautifully blue masterpiece.

I bought John spray paint this year which made the entire painting process SO MUCH EASIER. (Last year's car had accidentally ended up purple so I was taking no chances.) Rick had cut the pine to look like a stock car at John's request, and while there was talk of adding decals and such, when push came to shove, John was not interested in applying them and I was not going to do it for him... It is supposed to be HIS project, not mine.

Last night we impounded the car- and when I say we, I mean John and Rick stood in line while I picked up our class Bs and John's popcorn prize. And chatted with the girls.

The race is Saturday. John really wants to win- he has been 2nd in the den two years running and wants a first place finish. We will see.

Wii

I decided to get more fit, eat better and work out as part of my New Year’s resolution. So at Rick’s over the weekend, I created a Mii for his Wii, and he, John and I played with Wii fit for a while. It was fun. And a bit competitive. I could not get used to ski jumping (my high score was actually Rick’s, who was my stand-in after I became a snow ball for the 50th time) and Rick had me do his hula hoop high score. See with Wii, if you do activities enough, other activities get unlocked and you get to play “new” games.

We had a good time, got our hearts pumping and I decided then and there to put our Wii back to work.

John and I decided to take advantage of a quiet afternoon and get our workout done. But first we did our body test. This is where they track your progress, tell you how well balanced you are, and your BMI/weight. You also get to set goals and stamp the calendar on the days you work out.

So how long had it been since I had done Wii Fit at home?

774 days. Well over 2 years. Not my only surprise…

And at 774 days after my last Wii workout, the icon gave me additional bad news- I had gained 9.3 pounds over that time frame. Almost 5 pounds a year. And my Wii fit age… I don’t even want to discuss it.

So I moved on to training…I rocked the hula hoop, and balancing to drop ball figures went well. I still can’t make it to the end of the river without popping my bubble…a feat my sister was able to master, and I am a little rusty on the step aerobics portion, but I managed to slalom to the bottom (still a snowball in ski jumping)

Then I did the long run- 10 minutes of jogging in place while I travelled virtually through a park over a bridge…I was breathing heavy, and had not left my living room.

After a varied workout of 30 minutes each, John and I relaxed. We agreed to give it a go again tomorrow, and I hope to get Liz to do it with us.

In addition, we have the Wii “Just Dance” which is full of songs I know and love. Let the fun (and fitness) begin…

Old Photos

I went to kindergarten in the Public School Annex. I found this while purging some old photos. I see Frankie- my protector, Wendy, who bought me the prettiest blouse for my 6th birthday, and Kathy, who, crazy as it sounds, is still my close friend. The reason decluttering takes so long is that I take a trip down memory lane with each box. But is that a bad thing?

The morning sky

This morning as I drove to drop off my children, on my way to the office, I looked up and saw the beautiful colors in the morning sky. The sun was peeking from beneath a thick rolling wave of billowing pink and silver blue clouds, and it was breathtaking. It was almost as though God was letting me know that on this difficult morning, He was right there with me. Peace and calm followed.