Today my little love bug is a year, a week and a day. My how the time has flown!
Lura had an excellent birthday party, I was so pleased with how everything went. The day was a whirlwind for sure. As soon as church let out, we ran out the door, picked up her cake and grabbed lunch. I sat in the back and fed her and as soon as we got home I put her down for a nap. While her Papaw sat at the house with her, the rest of our families headed to the foyer to tear down and reset Miles Foyer for her party. We set up the food tables, present table, guest tables, and play area. My mom and sister made the food tables look SO beautiful! Momma made her yummy cappuccino punch. It was delish!
Lura's guests arrived however she was still napping :) When she awoke, I walked home to help get her party dress on. She was SO adorable; my little Narnian Queen! Lura hit the jackpot on presents! Books, dolls, toys, clothes. She wanted to play with each thing she opened. We then put her in her high chair and sang "Happy Birthday." We did light her candle so Clay and I had to hold each of her hands away from the flame then "help" her blow it out. While she was eating her iced cookie, whomever wanted to sat next to her and had their picture taken with the Birthday Girl. I need to give another huge THANK YOU to Johanna for having her amazing camera skills and documenting the party for me!
This past Thursday Luralie had her 1 year appt. She was 31 inches (95%... no surprise there!) and 22.3 lbs (75%). After seeing her walking around like a pro and asking about her eating and sleeping habits, our Dr. exclaimed that she was perfect and made her job easy! Lura got 4 shots (Flu, MMR, Hep A, Chickenpox) as well as a PPD test. She cried while she was being held down but as soon as I picked her up she stopped. I was super surprised with how well she behaved the rest of the day after getting 5 pokes and missing her morning nap!
I am looking forward to the holidays! We will be doing LOTS of traveling (Kingsland (my moms Thanksgiving supper), Gause (to see Clays gma), Houston (to see my gma and pappa), San Antonio (taking Lura to the zoo)) then while Clay is on his mission trip Lura and I will go to Kyle to spend some time with Nic, Jo, and Hayden. The Christmas holidays will be much more laid back. The only place we might travel to will be Fredericksburg.
Fun times ahead for sure!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
Luralie's Birthday
The following contains my remembrances of my daughters entrance to the world. Names and dates have not been changed. If you do not wish to read any laborious details (actually no labor was involved) stop reading now.
I remember is as if it were yesterday. We were getting ready for our umpteenth doctors appointment. She was a week past her due date and I felt I would go crazy if the Dr. told me there was still no progress. We headed our the door with our hospital bags in tow... just in case.
We arrived, I was checked... still nothing. Dr. D wanted me to have a Biophysical Profile . If she passed he would let us go one more week before we decided to induce. Well... long story short she didn't pass. Five hours later I found myself back at my Dr.s office. He was calling the hospital to see if the anesthesiologist would allow me to have a C-Section (since Dr. D had told me to eat lunch before my BPP). Dr. D got the green light and told me to meet him at the hospital. I asked if there wasn't anything else we could do... induce or something... I really did not want to have a CS. However, Dr. D said he believed this was the safest way for me to deliver.
So, we made our necessary phone calls to friends and family and headed over to the hospital. Walking into the hospital was very surreal and not at all the image I had formulated in my mind over the previous 40 weeks. We got into our room, changed clothes, got hooked up, and eventually I got rolled away into the OR.
OR = worst experience of my life. I had been so worried about labor pains and the possibility of getting an epidural. Getting the spinal block was nothing. THIS IS GONNA GET GRAPHIC. It was after the incision... the moving of muscle that you can't really feel but you can sense. The searching for baby who had never dropped... I felt like I had half dozen elephants jumping on on my abdomen and rib cage. It was awful. I threw up a few times... I remember just wanting them to get her out. Dr. D at one point thought he was about to deliver her and told Clay he could stand to watch... however she was pulled back in and he had to search some more.
Finally I was told she was out. I had to trust them on this because I did not hear a cry. My Dr. handed her to the nurses who were standing by. I saw her being handed off then put on a table where they began cleaning her up... but still no crying. I called for Clay asking if she was OK. Even my Dr. asked why the baby wasn't crying. Finally, she screamed... and a tear rolled down my cheek. One of the nurses handed her to Clay then snapped our first family photo.
Come to find out Lura had the cord wrapped around her body which prohibited her from dropping and also caused the decelerated heart rates that occured during the BPP.
The best story from the night was when I was being rolled out of recovery and into our room. Everyone had to leave the room (including baby) to make way for my bed. Hospital rules say babies in the hallway must be laying in their bed. The nurse wanted her swaddled first and was about to take Lura. Clay said he would swaddle her. "Well have you swaddled a 'real' baby" the nurse asked. "No" responded Clay. "I didn't have a 'real' baby until now!" He then proceeded to swaddle Lura. The nurse praised him on his excellent job. I was so proud. He is an AMAZING father. Clay also had to change her first dirty diaper (since I was still numb from the waist down).
Lura was born on Thursday and on Sunday we got to take our little blessing home. This pas year has been one amazing ride. Looking forward to the next!
I remember is as if it were yesterday. We were getting ready for our umpteenth doctors appointment. She was a week past her due date and I felt I would go crazy if the Dr. told me there was still no progress. We headed our the door with our hospital bags in tow... just in case.
We arrived, I was checked... still nothing. Dr. D wanted me to have a Biophysical Profile . If she passed he would let us go one more week before we decided to induce. Well... long story short she didn't pass. Five hours later I found myself back at my Dr.s office. He was calling the hospital to see if the anesthesiologist would allow me to have a C-Section (since Dr. D had told me to eat lunch before my BPP). Dr. D got the green light and told me to meet him at the hospital. I asked if there wasn't anything else we could do... induce or something... I really did not want to have a CS. However, Dr. D said he believed this was the safest way for me to deliver.
So, we made our necessary phone calls to friends and family and headed over to the hospital. Walking into the hospital was very surreal and not at all the image I had formulated in my mind over the previous 40 weeks. We got into our room, changed clothes, got hooked up, and eventually I got rolled away into the OR.
OR = worst experience of my life. I had been so worried about labor pains and the possibility of getting an epidural. Getting the spinal block was nothing. THIS IS GONNA GET GRAPHIC. It was after the incision... the moving of muscle that you can't really feel but you can sense. The searching for baby who had never dropped... I felt like I had half dozen elephants jumping on on my abdomen and rib cage. It was awful. I threw up a few times... I remember just wanting them to get her out. Dr. D at one point thought he was about to deliver her and told Clay he could stand to watch... however she was pulled back in and he had to search some more.
Finally I was told she was out. I had to trust them on this because I did not hear a cry. My Dr. handed her to the nurses who were standing by. I saw her being handed off then put on a table where they began cleaning her up... but still no crying. I called for Clay asking if she was OK. Even my Dr. asked why the baby wasn't crying. Finally, she screamed... and a tear rolled down my cheek. One of the nurses handed her to Clay then snapped our first family photo.
Come to find out Lura had the cord wrapped around her body which prohibited her from dropping and also caused the decelerated heart rates that occured during the BPP.
The best story from the night was when I was being rolled out of recovery and into our room. Everyone had to leave the room (including baby) to make way for my bed. Hospital rules say babies in the hallway must be laying in their bed. The nurse wanted her swaddled first and was about to take Lura. Clay said he would swaddle her. "Well have you swaddled a 'real' baby" the nurse asked. "No" responded Clay. "I didn't have a 'real' baby until now!" He then proceeded to swaddle Lura. The nurse praised him on his excellent job. I was so proud. He is an AMAZING father. Clay also had to change her first dirty diaper (since I was still numb from the waist down).
Lura was born on Thursday and on Sunday we got to take our little blessing home. This pas year has been one amazing ride. Looking forward to the next!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
I Love Fall
I love fall... it is one of my most favorite times of year :) It could be because I was born in the fall... or because fall leads to Christmas... or that the weather goes from unbearably hot to comfortably warm. I am not sure... but I do know that I love the colors of fall. If I lived in Stars Hallow I would get to see these colors for real however I will just have to settle for the colors of decorations. I love pumpkin pie and candy corn! For about three or four years straight I had a candy corn decorated pumpkin pie as my birthday cake! Total Awesomeness!
However I have a new love for fall... it is the season of my first child's birth. I cannot believe that she will be ONE! It seems like only yesterday we were preparing for her arrival. She is so big. She amazes me everyday. Here lately she has really been mocking everything we say. After sipping some juice I will say "Mmmm" and she will reply "Mmmm". She can sing the EIEI part of "Old McDonald" however she forgets to say the O part. She can say "Quack Quack" and "Pup PuP". She will throw something on the floor and say "Uh oh". She can say "Hey" like the Fonzie did in Happy Days. Luralie probably walks a mile everyday. I call her my Roaming Gnome. All day long she will just walk throughout the house. She will start in the living room and play with her toys, go into the dining room and play on the piano, go into the kitchen and play with her refrigerator magnets or drag some pots or jugs out of the cabinets, go into her room and bring our her bucket of wipes, then end up back in the living room to parooze her toys again. She loves to go outside and visit the Pup Pups. Jubilee and Chance are very good with her. The only worry I have about them is their tails whacking her in the face with how excited they get.
I am in love with that little girl of mine. She is full of smiles and I love making her laugh.
However I have a new love for fall... it is the season of my first child's birth. I cannot believe that she will be ONE! It seems like only yesterday we were preparing for her arrival. She is so big. She amazes me everyday. Here lately she has really been mocking everything we say. After sipping some juice I will say "Mmmm" and she will reply "Mmmm". She can sing the EIEI part of "Old McDonald" however she forgets to say the O part. She can say "Quack Quack" and "Pup PuP". She will throw something on the floor and say "Uh oh". She can say "Hey" like the Fonzie did in Happy Days. Luralie probably walks a mile everyday. I call her my Roaming Gnome. All day long she will just walk throughout the house. She will start in the living room and play with her toys, go into the dining room and play on the piano, go into the kitchen and play with her refrigerator magnets or drag some pots or jugs out of the cabinets, go into her room and bring our her bucket of wipes, then end up back in the living room to parooze her toys again. She loves to go outside and visit the Pup Pups. Jubilee and Chance are very good with her. The only worry I have about them is their tails whacking her in the face with how excited they get.
I am in love with that little girl of mine. She is full of smiles and I love making her laugh.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
During Nap Time :)
Well today has been good so far.... I am so glad it is my day off. I have missed my little girl!
Last night we worked concessions from 9:30-11:30. Showered and went to bed. Miss Luralie decided to wake up at 3am. It took me an hour to get her back to bed. Thankfully she slept in until 9:00.
Luralie and I got up, had breakfast then we played. At about 11:00 she seemed fussy so I tried to put her down. No luck. When I went in to check on her, the little pumpkin was sitting up! She learned how to go from her tummy to sitting. She smiled at me and didnt seem tired at all. Then I remembered that her Nanaw had been taking her for a walk in the morning before her nap. Didn't want to mess up the routine. I got her up, put her in her stroller and headed out for a walk. We saw Papaw and Dadda and lots of other friends. I took this picture.
Last night we worked concessions from 9:30-11:30. Showered and went to bed. Miss Luralie decided to wake up at 3am. It took me an hour to get her back to bed. Thankfully she slept in until 9:00.
Luralie and I got up, had breakfast then we played. At about 11:00 she seemed fussy so I tried to put her down. No luck. When I went in to check on her, the little pumpkin was sitting up! She learned how to go from her tummy to sitting. She smiled at me and didnt seem tired at all. Then I remembered that her Nanaw had been taking her for a walk in the morning before her nap. Didn't want to mess up the routine. I got her up, put her in her stroller and headed out for a walk. We saw Papaw and Dadda and lots of other friends. I took this picture.
You know campers are on camp when Papaw Bruce is wearing his beanie! He told me he was going to order some more and I asked if there were children's sizes. He bought the smallest they had, but Nanaw Katie still had to take it in some.
As soon as we got back home, little pumpkin pie was rubbing her little eyes. SUCCESS! I put her down for a nap, now I am sitting on the couch, watching Ya-Ya Sisterhood, uploading some pics from the last few weeks, and eating some fruit salad.
I wonder what the rest of the day will hold!
Oh PS. Little Pumpkin Juice can now scoot across the floor!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Prayers for Luralie
Hum hum hum... I just reread all of my blogs since September 2008... to say the least I really have not blogged much.
Well, I'm just sitting here... trying to find myself.... haha just kidding. For some reason that song has been stuck in my head this evening. Clay is hanging out with his little brother (tomorrow is his big wedding day) and I am home with Miss Lura-Lura... hold up, she just woke up screaming... need to give her some Tylenol...
I'm back... poor little dear. She has had a rough last couple of days... cutting teeth is no bueno. I love my little girl. I hate it that she is hurting. I wish I could make it so she would never have to feel pain of any kind. But how silly would that be. The book of James says that it is pain and trials that makes us mature and complete, not lacking anything. I don't want to raise, I mean rear (sorry Mr. Leifeste) an incomplete person...
Thank you Jesus for this precious gift you have given Clay and I. I pray that we are godly parents; that we instruct her in the ways of righteousness. I pray that Luralie grows up to be a Christ follower. Passionate and on fire for you. I pray that she has a heart to serve others. I pray that she learns about you by watching us. And right now dear Lord, please help her sleep. Amen.
Well, I'm just sitting here... trying to find myself.... haha just kidding. For some reason that song has been stuck in my head this evening. Clay is hanging out with his little brother (tomorrow is his big wedding day) and I am home with Miss Lura-Lura... hold up, she just woke up screaming... need to give her some Tylenol...
I'm back... poor little dear. She has had a rough last couple of days... cutting teeth is no bueno. I love my little girl. I hate it that she is hurting. I wish I could make it so she would never have to feel pain of any kind. But how silly would that be. The book of James says that it is pain and trials that makes us mature and complete, not lacking anything. I don't want to raise, I mean rear (sorry Mr. Leifeste) an incomplete person...
Thank you Jesus for this precious gift you have given Clay and I. I pray that we are godly parents; that we instruct her in the ways of righteousness. I pray that Luralie grows up to be a Christ follower. Passionate and on fire for you. I pray that she has a heart to serve others. I pray that she learns about you by watching us. And right now dear Lord, please help her sleep. Amen.
Monday, April 5, 2010
A pondering mother....
As I bathed my daughter tonight I fondly remembered her first bath nearly 5 months ago... we had been home from the hospital for nearly a week and I had yet to give her a bath. Truth be told I was afraid to. Sure Clay and I had taken the newborn care class... I had soap, towels, baby wash clothes, and a heater... but I didn't feel quite ready to bathe little Luralie.
Well, it was my mother's last day with me and she said "Jackie I'm gonna give your baby a bath" and I was like "Be my guest". So we headed over to the kitchen sink, made a little pad for Luralie, gathered all necessary items mentioned above as well as cotton balls, a clean diaper, and a change of clothes and my mom began as I watched. She filled a bowl full of water, dipped her elbow to test it, then said "First you start with the diaper area" and I was like "NO!, "The lady in the class said to start with the face and do the diaper last." And as I spoke these words I gently moved my mom aside and took over. I took two cotton balls, dipped them in the warm water, cleaned each of her eyes and the rest of her little face. I then took her shirt off, washed it with her wash cloth and a little dab of soap. I patted her dry and put a towel over her to keep her warm. I took her socks off and washed her legs and feet, patted dry and replaced with new socks. I then did her diaper area and replaced with a dry diaper. I cleaned her umbilical cord with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol then I washed her hair and put a hat on her head. Lastly I put her in a clean gown and we were all done...
I think it was then that I really became Luralie's mom. I can't quite explain it but from then on I just sort of knew what to do.
Well, it was my mother's last day with me and she said "Jackie I'm gonna give your baby a bath" and I was like "Be my guest". So we headed over to the kitchen sink, made a little pad for Luralie, gathered all necessary items mentioned above as well as cotton balls, a clean diaper, and a change of clothes and my mom began as I watched. She filled a bowl full of water, dipped her elbow to test it, then said "First you start with the diaper area" and I was like "NO!, "The lady in the class said to start with the face and do the diaper last." And as I spoke these words I gently moved my mom aside and took over. I took two cotton balls, dipped them in the warm water, cleaned each of her eyes and the rest of her little face. I then took her shirt off, washed it with her wash cloth and a little dab of soap. I patted her dry and put a towel over her to keep her warm. I took her socks off and washed her legs and feet, patted dry and replaced with new socks. I then did her diaper area and replaced with a dry diaper. I cleaned her umbilical cord with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol then I washed her hair and put a hat on her head. Lastly I put her in a clean gown and we were all done...
I think it was then that I really became Luralie's mom. I can't quite explain it but from then on I just sort of knew what to do.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Neuroblastoma
The daughter of formers staff members here at HLC was diagnosed with neuroblastoma this past week. Kodi is almost 5. This is the same cancer that my brother Jason had. Since he was an adult when he was diagnosed his prognosis was never very good. My prayers for this family and this beautiful little baby is that they will fight strong and lean on Christ for support. I am so thankful that the disease was caught early and that there is medicine available.
As I thought about the Tutt family, I could not help but hold my little girl a little longer and a little tighter before laying her down in her crib. I thank the lord for her health and pray that the lord would grant me the same strength as Kodi's parents were I ever faced with a similar situation.
As I thought about the Tutt family, I could not help but hold my little girl a little longer and a little tighter before laying her down in her crib. I thank the lord for her health and pray that the lord would grant me the same strength as Kodi's parents were I ever faced with a similar situation.
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