Sunday, December 30, 2012

Got my life back!

Well, things didn't go as I had planned this week with Hannah and Ryan being gone. I didn't get my date night with Brad (turns out he went on call Friday evening and will be on call through Tuesday!) That means he has to be available to go to work at all times. Next time you are on an elevator, think of him and don't do anything stupid! =) I didn't get to go shopping by myself, therefore I didn't get my hair cut and didn't get to look for new under garments. I had to take Abigail with me, which is still great bc I love that girl so much. I did, however, spend the majority of my time at home doing no real work, which was quite nice!

When it came time to meet mom 2 hours south to pick up the kids, everyone was excited to see the other half of the family! First thing Ryan said when he saw Abigail's empty car seat was, "oh man! Where's Abby?!" He loves her so much as has been in her face since they got home.

I came home to a sparkling clean house as well! Brad had all day to himself at home and he used his time wisely. =)

Now things are getting back to normal. All the kids things that came back from grandma's will be in the livingroom for most of the week, the running and laughter has returned and all is well in the Palmer house!

No matter how nice it is to have a break from the kids, I love the chaos they bring and would never want my life any other way. Thank you Lord for the many blessings you have given me. All of which I do not deserve.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

lazy days

I can't believe Christmas has already come and gone! Lots of prep for half an hour of priceless smiles and excited faces. It really is worth it!

But what I love most is all the Christmas music reminding me of our Savior's birth. I get so emotional, now that I have my own kids, thinking about Mary raising Jesus. Can you imagine? I can't. That is why "Mary Did You Know" is my favorite song. Where would we be if it weren't for that perfect gift?

We celebrated with Brad's family on Saturday so our Christmas started a few days before most people. After that I was itching to let the kids open their presents from us so I could get the tree down and out. FInally Christmas Eve was here and we opened gifts because we decided to go to Columbus on Christmas day since my parents were going to be up there spending the day with my sister and her family. Of course we missed the other half of the family but we had a great time anyway. So my tree is down and sitting on the back porch. I had hoped birds would find it and give Abigail and I something to watch all winter but it is so dry and dead that most of the pine needles fell off between the livingroom and back down. Huge mess!!

Hannah and Ryan and cousin Michael went back to NC with their grandparents. Abigail is still alittle too needy to go but I can't wait until I can send her too! Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but a few days without them only makes me love them more! I am hoping to get in a date with my husband, a day of shopping for myself all by myself and lots of down time on the couch.(this is Christmas BREAK after all) Stay tuned to see if those things actually happen.

So far, it seems that lots of family and friends in the neighboring states are getting lots of beautiful snow (be safe everyone!). All we are getting is rain. I haven't decided which I would rather have but since I'm not going anywhere today...I'll take anything. Tomorrow and Friday, and Sunday when I am traveling to get the kids, I want bright sunshine! Please and Thanks. =)

For now, I'm going to keep the couch nice and warm while Abigail naps.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Happy birthday, Ryan!

I wish everyone who reads this blog was as lucky as I am to know Ryan personally. He is the most caring, helpful boy I know. He is 6 today and I just can't believe it! Let's rewind 6 years ago....
I was heavily pregnant and working 30 hours a week at the animal hospital. Not reception where I would be sitting most of the day or at least some of it. I worked in surgery where I had to stand next to the dental table or the surgery table all day, monitoring pets who were having a procedure. I miss that job! Anyway, I weighed in at 200lb! Yes, you read that right! I like to accredit that to a 9 1/2 lb baby inside me and I don't want to be told otherwise! =) Being December, I had a week of vacation that I needed to use before the end of the year or before my maternity leave started. By 38 weeks my body could handle it no longer. My feet were as big as I don't know what and my belly was even bigger! So I asked to start my leave then. At my next dr appt I begged to be induced. I was miserable and didn't want a child with the birthday 12-25-06. The 18th is bad enough! My dr was on board with that. So I went in on a Monday morning at 6am. (I think it was Monday) Mom went to work like normal bc we were thinking it would be awhile. I was in labor with Hannah for 14 hrs so we were using that as a guide. By the time they asked me a million questions, got me hooked up to the 50 pieces of equipment and flopped me in bed (I'm exaggerating here) it was at least 7am.
Everything was going smoothly and by 8 I was ready for the epidural. Of course, we had to wait for the anisthesiologist (sp?) to get done with all the ladies who were patiently waiting in front of me. I don't remember when I finally got the drugs but I do remember that it was 20 til 9 when I finally started to get some relief. Some being the key word here. I don't remember much about keeping in touch with mom while she was working but I do remember she just barely made it in before I delievered! By 9 am, just 2 short hours after being flopped in bed, I was ready to push and still feeling too much pain. My big boy was born at 9:18 am, weighing 9lb 6.5oz.
Because he was so big, they routinely checked his blood glucose. It was so low it didn't register on the glucometer. I nursed him while I was being "fixed" and then they checked it again. It was only 37. So they rushed him away to do something. I don't remember. They took a bunch of x rays and did blood work. His white blood cell count was high, indicating infection somewhere. By the next morning, Tuesday, they had decided they needed to start IV anitbiotics which require admittance to the hospital. I was devistated when I found out I was able to go home but had to leave my little boy. =( That was the hardest thing every for me. He had a big IV in his forehead and had to sleep all alone in that cold, bright, hard bed.
I rented a hodpital grade breast pump so I could pump every 2-3 hours while he was gone from me. After a week of antibiotics, he was fine and able to go home. I beat myself up for along time about wanting to be induced and how I should have just let things happen on their own. I don't know if that wold have changed anything but I'm over it now.
Six years later and we are still just as thankful for that little boy, if not more thankful for him. Recently, when asked by his sunday school teacher what he wanted to be when he grew up, he responded" a daddy. That melts my heart. If the Lord tarries, he is going to be an excellenthusband and father. He does have a pretty great role model, if i do say so myself! =)

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

life

Well, Brad is out of town for the.second week in a row. These weeks stink! I don't know what I would do without him forever! I go into semi-depression mode.
I have a hard time cooking supper any night. The kids and I could live off easy things like grilled cheese, pizza rolls and fish sticks, which I know is a totally unhealthy diet. Brad requires big, fulfilling meals. Maybe him being gone is more like my vacation?
I stay up way too late thinking I heard something. I go to bed super early when he is home.
I eat lots of junk in the evenings.
I don't spend enough time cleaning during the day.
But I think I finished Christmas shopping and got everything under the tree!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Time

I went from no posts in almost a month to 3 posts in a week! I have a lot to say, I guess.

Most of you already saw my status on facebook that talked about mine and Brad's 10 year anniversary being tomorrow. I still can't believe it! It has been a great 10 years. Of course, we have had our differences at times but I love him more every day. He is, usually, the best most selfless husband ever. 10 years ago we were only 19. When I look back, we were so young and naive. Back then we thought we had it all figured out. Sadly, we still don't have it all figured out! The difference is that we know it now and rely on God and not ourselves, most of the time. It really makes a huge difference in every area of our lives.

Another thing, Abigail has outgrown the changing table. Now this is just a normal thing that happens, right? It should be but I am so sad! I remember being pregnant with Hannah and buying that changing table at a yard sale for $5. It was nothing fancy but it survived 3 kids and 8 years in our house or building so it was good enough! I am giving it away and feel like I am giving away a pet. I want it to go to the perfect family that will take care of it and appreciate it and then pass it on when they are done. Why am I so attached to a changing table? I don't know.

Time just isn't slowing down and I don't like it!