Saturday, June 29, 2013

Toddler Shenanigans

My kid cracks me up.  She's always making me laugh, and I love it.  Here are a few of her latest shenanigans (which I like to call M*Isms):

The other day McPhearson and my husband went for a walk at the park.  They decided to beat the heat and head back indoors.  When they entered the hospital, M wiped her brow and said, "Whoo!"  Two little old ladies were sitting nearby and started rolling with laughter.  I'm glad they got a kick out of my kiddo... my little comedian.

Tonight Big M and Little M were playing in her room.  She picked up her toy cell phone and said, "Hi, this is Courteney.  I'm calling to check on Brennan."  Guess y'all know who's at the top of my call list... NICU!  (BTW, Little Man is doing great!  He's now 3.5 pounds!) 

Toddlers will try anything to get out of bed, and I've heard a lot of it.  And I'm sure I'll hear much, much more over the next several years.
*  I need to go potty/pee/poop.  (For a while this was a true winner - I mean, blue ribbon placement, gold medal material, etc.  We didn't want to deny bathroom time when we started potty training.  But the girl is quick!  Learns fast, she does.  Now we MAKE SURE to try before bed.  And if she makes the claim after she's tucked-in, we give her a try.  She's learning not to cry wolf on this one.)
*  I want to hold you (meaning she wants us to hold her.)
*  I NEED to give you a big hug and a big kiss.  Or sneaks... her version of Eskimo kisses.
*  I NEED Lambie, Leo Lion, Mr. Mooey, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Baby Frog, Iggy Monkey, Mickey, Minnie, or any other number of stuffed animals to sleep with.
*  I NEED polka-dots snuggle snuggle.  (Blanket.)
*  I NEED you to read me a story.
*  I'm scared of monsters.  (Thanks Calliou.  You are no longer welcome in my house.  J/K  But seriously, didn't realize how bratty this character was.  Some of the books aren't bad.  Some of the cartoons aren't that bad either.  But we monitor and turn off the ones that are over the top.)
*  I want water.
*  Can I brush my teeth again?
*  The list goes on and on and on.  But the one that really tugs at my heartstrings:  MOMMY!  MOMMY I NEED YOU!

Just another day in the life.  I wonder what toddler shenanigans she'll get into tomorrow.  
 

Thursday, June 20, 2013

You've Got A Friend In Me

McPhearson received a special "Mommy Treat" today since she has been behaving so well lately.  Remember, she didn't do so well when her world was turned upside down due to my complicated pregnancy and the super early birth of my son?  Well, the acting out is decreasing... so time for a reward!

Since she's really into Toy Story right now, I found Woody, Buzz, and Jessie dolls for her.  She loves them!  Huge success!  She's much like Andy right now, not letting these characters out of her sight... or grip! 

You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
Just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and we see it through
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you the way I do
It's me and you
And as the years go by
Boys, our friendship will never die
You're gonna see
It's our destiny
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
(From Toy Story)

On a side note, M made a friend at the gas station the other day.  She and I waited in the car while Matt went in to grab something.  A man stepped out of his car, and she pointed at him and said, "That's someone's daddy."  I said, "Yes, that is someone's daddy."  Just as I happened to look at the man, he was pointing back at my daughter with a "two thumbs up... hey!..." kind of attitude.  It was so funny!

Time Out

Sorry I haven't posted much lately, but I needed to take a little time out from blog land.  It's nice to take a little time off.  Give the creative juices and diary entries a rest.  Spend a little extra time on my family... and myself.  Recharge the batteries.  Get a little R&R.  Sit back and kick my feet up.

I'm starting to feel rejuvenated.

I know my body and mind have both been under a lot of stress/pressure over the last 4 months.  Because I've stayed on my toes and have constantly been busy trying to take care of my family as best I can... I never noticed HOW tired I truly was.  It takes a lot of energy recovering from 3 months of bed rest and a C-section.  It takes a lot of energy pumping.  It takes a lot of energy keeping everyone updated.  It takes a lot of energy trying to balance time between husband, toddler and preemie.  It takes a lot of energy walking all over the hospital.  It takes a lot of energy driving back and forth... you get the idea.  Once I finally stopped, it was like a crash on the highway; everything slammed into me and piled up.  But the work crews are out getting everything cleaned up. 

Yes, I'm starting to feel rejuvenated.  Nothing a little Time Out won't fix.

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Miracles Do Happen!

"Miracles Do Happen!"

This was the first thing I said to my local OB/GYN when I saw him for my 5 week follow-up appointment, post emergency C-section/delivery of my 24 weeks/4 days preemie.  And he agreed with my sentiment, whole-heartedly.

My local doc and my high risk specialist were both amazed that my son made it into this world.  Neither one of them had ever seen a subchorionic hematoma (blood clot) as large as mine, although my high risk doc told me he had to keep me from worrying.  I was told that women who have clots a quarter of the size of mine usually ended up with a miscarriage.  I was also told that I had great strength to be able to hold on as long as I did so that my son could have a fighting chance.  (Thanks, doc!) 

Side note: My preemie's nurse thinks that my blood clot probably weighed more than my son did at delivery.

All babies are miracles.  Preemies are miracle, miracles.  And my son, apparently, is a miracle, miracle, miracle!  Seriously, not only did we make it, but he also fought of a MRSA infection in his bloodstream.  My son is one tough cookie!  He's scrappy, spirited, feisty... a true fighter. 

God has been watching over us.  I know He has something incredibly wonderful in store for my son, and I can't wait to see how it all unfolds... someday.

Things of Interest:
*  It's recommended that I don't get pregnant for at least a year, so that my scars can heal.
*  I shouldn't pick up my toddler for another week, at least.  And when I do pick her up, to lift with my legs.  Again, must protect the incision/scar.
*  The numbness around my scar on my belly may never go away.  (This feels totally weird by-the-way!)
*  While I have no swelling in my legs, I still have extra fluid that prevents me from bending down completely at my knees.  I should give this time.  (Never felt so old trying to get down on the floor with my daughter.)
*  Also, where my IV blew out my vein in my left forearm... there is a nodule and a large lump.  These should eventually resolve themselves and disappear.  So, I should also give this time.  The numbness and tingling in my 4th and 5th digits... most likely caused by the lump pushing on my nerve.
*  I can go swimming this weekend.  Hooray!  
*  Scar massage is permitted.
*  I should follow-up with my high risk specialist to discuss possible future pregnancies, as I am at a heightened risk for subchorionic hematomas/placenta detachments... and due to my mid transverse C-section.  And if I ever did become pregnant again, they would perform a C-section at 36 weeks to keep me from going in to labor so my uterus doesn't rupture... due to my mid transverse C-section.

Do you believe in miracles?  I most certainly do!  It's worth repeating: MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!

Friday, June 14, 2013

Our Toy Story, Part 2

My sweet daughter thought it would be fun to play the Toy Story characters again.  Once more, she was Woody, I played Jessie, and my husband pretended to be Buzz Lightyear.

This morning I sat down in the recliner beside my daughter who was playing on the floor in our living room.  She asked me for something, and I told her to wait just a minute so I could get settled.  She didn't like this response, so in her best Woody voice she said, "Reach for the sky!"  I nearly lost it!

A little later I taught her to "play dead" when I said the phrase "Andy's coming!"  She cracked up with laughter and thought that was just the funniest thing ever!  Then she would keep yelling "Andy's coming!" to watch us flop over and become lifeless like her favorite toy gang.  I've never seen her get so excited over pretend play.

We love our animated life with our toddler!  She definitely keeps us on our toes, and keeps life very, very interesting.

(See also, Today's Toddler Highlight)

Standard Precautions

There will be no signing-in or answering the questionnaire today.  Also, there will be no two minute scrubbings/hand washings or gowning-up.

Big M and Little M are under the weather.  Due to their symptoms, and the fact that I spent a lot of time with them yesterday - that's right, I had contact people, I can't go to the hospital to visit my Little Man as a standard precaution.  (I'm also not hanging out with my M&Ms to reduce my chances of picking up the bug.)  I understand the precaution, and I definitely don't want to risk getting my preemie sick... in case something icky is brewing in my system... but I'm disheartened all the same.  No snuggles today, from anyone in my precious family.

I wish I could go through some sort of decontamination chamber, and put on a hazmat suit or something, so I can go see my baby.  Seriously!  But I suppose I will just have to wait.  Story of my life these last few months.

The above entry was typed on Thursday.  Now for Friday:

I didn't get to see my Little Man again today... we're still giving it time and making sure I don't get him sick, especially since they are starting to fortify my breast milk in attempts to get him off of the IV fluids.  Preemies already have enough tummy troubles, and I certainly don't want to give him a stomach bug.

I did decide to venture home to see my hubby and daughter.  They are feeling much better.  Let's hope tomorrow is a great day for all. 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Today's Toddler Highlight

My 2.5 year old is really into the Toy Story movies lately.  She just can't get enough of the 1950's cowboy and modern-day space cadet duo.

Well, today Little M decided that we should be characters from the movie.  She chose to be Woody, told Daddy he was Buzz Lightyear, and asked me to play Jessie.  We gladly obliged.

She absolutely was delighted when my husband picked her up and flew her around saying, "To infinity, and beyond!" 

M would say things like "There's a snake in my boot," and "Somebody poisoned the watering hole."  Then she would talk about her boots... which so happened to be a pair of purple and green sneakers... not her actual pink boots.  "I love my boots.  I want to take my boots off.  I want to put my boots back on."

My daughter's best phrase however was yelled from the back of the car as we drove down a busy 4-laner during heavy traffic.  Cars were merging and swerving all over the place - like it was the end of the universe or something.  When one big truck swerved in front of me, M yelled, "We're not aiming for the truck!"  Spoiler Alert: This is what Buzz says to Woody as they fly over the moving van and into the minivan in the first film.  Perfect timing kiddo!  She had us rolling with laughter!

Chairs also became Bullseye, the horse... she would pretend to ride.

But our greatest moments of the day were when we would say to each other: "I love you, Woody.  I love you, Jessie.  I love you, Buzz."

What a wonderful short story to add to our collection of animated tales.  This was today's Toddler Highlight.  My girl keeps me on my toes, and she keeps me laughing.  We are so blessed.