1 year!

Dear Joseph,

Yesterday we celebrated your first birthday party! I can hardly believe it's been a year since you came into our world at 6 lbs, 10oz. Over this past year you have brought more joy and laughter into our lives than we every thought possible. You are such a funny little guy with a belly laugh that will melt a heart. Before you came into our world, our house was clutter-free, no toys, and no bottles. Now I feel like my house is a mini babies r' us. My entertainment center that used to hold dvds, and picture frames now holds toys, and baby books. My nice bathtub used to be where I could relax, and now it's filled with bath toys. And my counter tops and cabinets that were organized, and clear...are now are stuffed with sippy cups, and the counters hold a bottle drying rack. Even after all these changes, I would not have it any other way. Walking in now and seeing toys, bottles, and clutter makes me smile..because it's all for you. You have changed us for the better, and we love more and laugh more because you are here.

This year was also a learning experience. I never knew how to care for someone more than myself until you came. I never loved until it hurt, until I held you for the first time. I never knew I could survive on such little sleep until you. And I never knew I could eat in record time until you.

Joseph, you have made me into a better person. I will forever be grateful that God chose me to be your mom. I can't wait to see the man you become and the person you choose to be. Your laughter is contagious and you are into everything right now. You crawl so fast, and could walk..if you'd only try...but you just wobble for a bit, then fall and crawl away. You are on such a good schedule and sleep all night!

I never knew having a baby would be so fun, and completely life changing. Not to say it hasn't been tough..but your smile makes it all worth it! I love you more than you'll ever know..but God loves you more than I ever will!!

Kisses to you sweet boy!

Until next time...

...one year ago!!

Wow!! All day long today I have laughed and thought so much about what I was doing one year ago on this very day! The day started off like any other. Joe and got up and went to church. Of course I went to the bathroom alot, and noticed something was different. But I was 39 weeks pregnant, everything at that point was different. After church we went to eat at Red Lobster with Grandma and Grandpa!! It was so good, but of course I went to the bathroom and noticed something was maybe different, but I still felt fine, so oh well!!

We all went to K-mart after lunch, b/c it was double coupons...and we couldn't miss that. We shopped for a while, and the next time I went to the bathroom...alot was different. I actually should have went home to change my clothes (if you get the picture), but we had lots to do, so we continued on. Joe and my mom both asked me if I thought my water had broke...but I was feeling great, so I knew there was no way I was actually in labor.

We finished up at K-mart, and my mom and I decided to go to Bloom...so the boys went home, and we continued on doing our errands. We shopped at Bloom for a while, the whole time discussing if it was my water had broke, or not. But I felt great, and had no pains so I knew it wasn't labor. I knew that I didn't want to go to the hospital and be sent back home...so I let them all know, if I wasn't hurting, I wasn't going to the hospital.

That night Joe and I had a relaxing night, and I slept like a baby!! It was probably one of the best nights of sleep I ever had. The next morning we got up, and Joe asked if he should stay home. I told him to go ahead, that I'd call the doctor, and get checked before I went to work. I packed my car, knowing there was no way it was time. I even text my boss and told her I'd be in later....Oh my...how crazy was I????
When I arrived at the doctor, and got checked she acted shocked that I wasn't hurting. She asked me how long that had been going on...so I told her...and she gasp!! I was told to immediately go to the hospital, and that my water had broke the day before!

Off to the hospital I went, with my purse and camera in hand! I called Joe and my mom and they both got there as fast as they could. I laugh now, b/c I know I must have looked crazy. I walk in, looking no older than 20, alone, with just a camera and purse! Two older nurses stayed with me, and they acted as if they felt sorry for me. We think they probably thought I was all alone, with no one to come and celebrate with me!!

I can say that I probably had the best labor ever. I had to get a couple of rounds of antibiotics because my water had broke almost 24 hours earlier so I was at a higher risk for infection. Around 1:00 I went to the bathroom..and WOW...felt that contraction. I had an epidural at around 2:00 and everything after that was great. We laughed, visited, and had a good time. At 4:00 I could feel pressure and sure enough I was 10 cm, and ready to push!

No words can explain the emotions that were involved in the next two hours. Every emotion possible hits you. You are terrified, excited, happy, and nervous. I started pushing around 4:30 with every contraction. It never became unbearable, probably just more annoying that anything.

At 6:29pm I welcomed the most precious, adorable, and most PERFECT son into the world. It was amazing!! I never knew my heart could live outside my body...and in that moment it did, and still does!


I cannot believe tomorrow Joseph will be one year old. And to think....one year ago today, I didn't even realize it was time for him to join us!!


Until next time...

...one sweet kidney!!

...yesterday was a GREAT day. It was a day I dreaded, didn't want to happen, and tried to avoid! But it turned out better than we thought. We took little man to the kidney doctor to get the results from the latest ultrasound. I always worry, and get myself all nerved up before these appointments. The doctor came in with a smile...which made us all feel better. She said that little mans kidney has shrunk 2 cm over the last 6 months and that is what we want it to do!!!! She also said that it was hardly detectable on the ultrasound. SOOO...with all that said, we do not have to go back to the doctor for another ultrasound until NEXT YEAR!! At that time, if everything is going right (which we have no reason to believe it wouldn't), then we will be released!!

I can hardly explain how excited, relieved, thankful, and blessed I felt at that moment. We really just assumed that we'd be going to the kidney doctor until he was about 6/7. So to hear that he will be released at 2 years old, is just amazing. The doctor said that his left kidney was growing perfectly and functioning like it's supposed to. OH MY...how I love, love, love that ONE SWEET KIDNEY!!

Until next time...

.....eye surgery and haircut!

This week has been eventful to say the least! On Thursday March 4 little man had a lacricath done to try and open up the clogged tear duct for the 2nd time! But I'm happy to say I have not had to wipe gook from his eye since the surgery! Praise the Lord! Below are pictures of our long day! In the waiting room at 6:30 am. We are not morning people around our house, but he was so good and never acted annoyed that he had not had anything to eat. And don't you love the bedhead?

In pre-op waiting, AGAIN. He had just been weighed and came in at a grand total of 24 pounds..holy hoo!

This picture was taken in recovery. He was so mad when we got back there and he was just pitiful to look at! His eye was bleeding, and he had been stuck 4 times to get an iv in. The iv was in his right had, so I had my arm over that side so he wouldn't jerk it out!

Close up of his pitiful swollen face.

However, 45 minutes later he was happy and eating. Grandma, Little man, and I went to Cracker Barrel and had breakfast. And aunt Erica came and met us. He seriously eats everything in front of his face.

In the car home, he had a full belly, blanket, and thumb, and he was ready to sleep!

After we went home and both took a nap, Joseph went and got his FIRST haircut. It was well overdue since a mullet was starting to grow. He did so good, and his haircut is adorable. He looks like such a little child now, and no longer a baby. Oh, where did the time go?

He is so sweet...now we have NO GOOKY eye, and planning a first birthday party...wa-hoo!

Until Next Time...