Peanut Shell Sling
So, I tried out my new sling last night after grace ate. This is the "tummy-to-tummy" carry, and she really liked it. I'm sure I'll get better at getting her in and out and situated with a little more practice. I love having her close to me, and I love the pink pattern! (It's reversible, even! :D) look how cute her little head is poking out the top! :D I think it'll be great for going on walks with Grant, playing outside, etc.
Day 2 with 2 Kiddos
It's so absolutely wonderful to be at home, as a complete, happy family of 4! Grant LOVES Grace, and gets so excited about "Baby Grace". When he hears her over the monitor, he stops playing and says, "baby grace!!! baby grace!!!" And he wants to "hold it" all the time. :D
I'm tired, but so happy to be home. I've got to the monitor volume figured out - it needs to be high enough that I hear her when she needs me, but low enough that every single newborn squeak doesn't wake me up!
My Peanut Shell sling arrived today, and I'm so excited to try it. I think I'm really going to like it! It will be nice to go out on a walk with Grant and have Grace right there, but still have my hands free. I think I'm going to love it!
Off to play with Grant!
I'm tired, but so happy to be home. I've got to the monitor volume figured out - it needs to be high enough that I hear her when she needs me, but low enough that every single newborn squeak doesn't wake me up!
My Peanut Shell sling arrived today, and I'm so excited to try it. I think I'm really going to like it! It will be nice to go out on a walk with Grant and have Grace right there, but still have my hands free. I think I'm going to love it!
Off to play with Grant!
he jumped!
So, when Grant was released from his physical therapy several months ago, one of the few things he still wasn't quite caught up with was jumping. The PT said it's just a skill that comes with time, and there wasn't a whole lot you could do about it. So, we've just practiced jumping with him and make a big deal out of it when he does try to jump.
Well, he just jumped tonight and got both feet off the ground!! way to go, grant!
Well, he just jumped tonight and got both feet off the ground!! way to go, grant!
A neat recipe for my friends with kids...
Here's a fun activity for Easter (a friend sent this to me, and the explanations might not be totally the way I'd word things, but you'll get the picture ;-)).
To be made the evening before Easter.
You will need:
1c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
1. Preheat oven to 300
2. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt.27:65-66.
10. GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
To be made the evening before Easter.
You will need:
1c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch salt
1c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
1. Preheat oven to 300
2. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
4. Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
5. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1c. sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
7. Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matt.27:65-66.
10. GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
11. On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
50 Odd Things
So, I obviously am putting of cleaning! ;-) I got this from a friend and filled it out for my blog.
1. Do you like blue cheese? absolutely! looooove blue cheese salad dressing, but the fat content usually makes me buy something else!
2. Have you ever smoked? Nope
3. Do you own a gun? I think Matt has a rifle from my dad somewhere in the house
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? grape
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not really- only before early pregnancy appointments, before we find out if the pregnancy is healthy - thankfully, we're done with that part of our lives!
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I used to like them, but know I cannot handle them, at all! I'll maybe eat a brat, maybe...I think I'd rather eat a plain bun with relish and mustard!
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Hmm...I dunno if I have a specific Christmas fave
8. Favorite thing to drink in the morning? probably a toss-up between coffee and diet coke!
9. Can you do pushups? *a* push-up,probably! When I'm not pregnant anymore, I'd like to try this program.
10. Favorite piece of jewelry? my wedding ring set - almost 7 years later and I still love them!
11. Favorite hobby? does shopping count? ;-) How about running and cooking?
12. Do you have A.D.D.? I wonder sometimes! lol
13. What is one trait you hate about yourself? I wish I needed less sleep! ;-)
14. Middle name? Ruth
16. Name 3 drinks you like: diet coke, limeade, grapefruit juice
17. Current worry? thankfully,not really "worried" about anything at the moment...my minor concern is finding curtains I like for the nursery!
19. One of your favorite places to be? right now, after seemingly being hospitalized for so long this pregnancy, at home, with my boys! :D Besides that, Matt and I love traveling together, anywhere. :)
20. How did you bring in the New Year? I can't even remember! I'm sure we were just at home.
21. Where would you like to be? right this second? fast-forwarded in time about 9 weeks when we have Baby Girl!
23. Do you own slippers? yes
24. What shirt are you wearing? a purdue sweatshirt, but it's about to get stripped off because I'm HOT
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I've never tried!
26. Can you whistle? yep
27. Favorite color? anything bright
29. What songs do you sing in the AM? we definitely don't sing in the AM around here...we're pretty slow risers. :)
30. Favorite girl's name? if we had distinct favorites, this Baby Girl would be named by now! :P
31. Favorite boy's name? Grant, of course! ;-) I also love Lincoln, Anderson, Harrison, and Lee.
32. What's in your pocket right now? no pockets on my maternity pants!
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Grant waking up saying "good nap"
34. What vehicle do you drive? a new Durango, which I am IN LOVE with. It's soooo much easier to get Grant in and out!
35. Worst injury you ever had? hmmm, injury? probably a sprained ankle my freshman year of high school. I can remember not telling anyone (after the initial 3-4 days of rest, etc), but it hurt for weeks afterward!
36. Do you love where you live? I do!
37. How many TV's do you have in your house? 2
39. Do you have any pets? I think we still own a dog named Lizzie ;-)
41. What is your favorite book? It'd be hard to name a favorite - I do love a lot of Christian fiction.
42. Do you collect anything? nope! collecting leads to clutter! ;-)
43. Favorite Movies? The American President, Father of the Bride I & II, Made of honor,
44. Favorite Singers? I like a variety - Michael Buble, Chris Tomlin are probably up there on the list. A lot of contemporary Christian music.
45. Favorite Websites? the Food Network, any running site :D
46. Number 1 current goal? surviving the end of this pregnancy at home, and starting to run again after Baby Girl is here!
48. Favorite month? Hmm...probably mid-October through mid-November, as it feels like fall, which is my favorite season
49. Do you have a bucket list? not written down
50. Do you remember your dreams? almost always
1. Do you like blue cheese? absolutely! looooove blue cheese salad dressing, but the fat content usually makes me buy something else!
2. Have you ever smoked? Nope
3. Do you own a gun? I think Matt has a rifle from my dad somewhere in the house
4. What flavor Kool Aid was your favorite? grape
5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not really- only before early pregnancy appointments, before we find out if the pregnancy is healthy - thankfully, we're done with that part of our lives!
6. What do you think of hot dogs? I used to like them, but know I cannot handle them, at all! I'll maybe eat a brat, maybe...I think I'd rather eat a plain bun with relish and mustard!
7. Favorite Christmas movie? Hmm...I dunno if I have a specific Christmas fave
8. Favorite thing to drink in the morning? probably a toss-up between coffee and diet coke!
9. Can you do pushups? *a* push-up,probably! When I'm not pregnant anymore, I'd like to try this program.
10. Favorite piece of jewelry? my wedding ring set - almost 7 years later and I still love them!
11. Favorite hobby? does shopping count? ;-) How about running and cooking?
12. Do you have A.D.D.? I wonder sometimes! lol
13. What is one trait you hate about yourself? I wish I needed less sleep! ;-)
14. Middle name? Ruth
16. Name 3 drinks you like: diet coke, limeade, grapefruit juice
17. Current worry? thankfully,not really "worried" about anything at the moment...my minor concern is finding curtains I like for the nursery!
19. One of your favorite places to be? right now, after seemingly being hospitalized for so long this pregnancy, at home, with my boys! :D Besides that, Matt and I love traveling together, anywhere. :)
20. How did you bring in the New Year? I can't even remember! I'm sure we were just at home.
21. Where would you like to be? right this second? fast-forwarded in time about 9 weeks when we have Baby Girl!
23. Do you own slippers? yes
24. What shirt are you wearing? a purdue sweatshirt, but it's about to get stripped off because I'm HOT
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I've never tried!
26. Can you whistle? yep
27. Favorite color? anything bright
29. What songs do you sing in the AM? we definitely don't sing in the AM around here...we're pretty slow risers. :)
30. Favorite girl's name? if we had distinct favorites, this Baby Girl would be named by now! :P
31. Favorite boy's name? Grant, of course! ;-) I also love Lincoln, Anderson, Harrison, and Lee.
32. What's in your pocket right now? no pockets on my maternity pants!
33. Last thing that made you laugh? Grant waking up saying "good nap"
34. What vehicle do you drive? a new Durango, which I am IN LOVE with. It's soooo much easier to get Grant in and out!
35. Worst injury you ever had? hmmm, injury? probably a sprained ankle my freshman year of high school. I can remember not telling anyone (after the initial 3-4 days of rest, etc), but it hurt for weeks afterward!
36. Do you love where you live? I do!
37. How many TV's do you have in your house? 2
39. Do you have any pets? I think we still own a dog named Lizzie ;-)
41. What is your favorite book? It'd be hard to name a favorite - I do love a lot of Christian fiction.
42. Do you collect anything? nope! collecting leads to clutter! ;-)
43. Favorite Movies? The American President, Father of the Bride I & II, Made of honor,
44. Favorite Singers? I like a variety - Michael Buble, Chris Tomlin are probably up there on the list. A lot of contemporary Christian music.
45. Favorite Websites? the Food Network, any running site :D
46. Number 1 current goal? surviving the end of this pregnancy at home, and starting to run again after Baby Girl is here!
48. Favorite month? Hmm...probably mid-October through mid-November, as it feels like fall, which is my favorite season
49. Do you have a bucket list? not written down
50. Do you remember your dreams? almost always
Re-visiting my teaching days
Wow! I found a group called "Lake Highlands High School Alum" on Facebook, and wow, it brought back memories!!!! I saw sooo many old students! And, a lot of them have already graduated or are graduating this year from college - wow!! I still have such fond memories of that building and my classroom, and my first 3 years of teaching there will always have a special place in my heart. Yes, there was stress, and yes, the job was all-consuming (my first year of teaching Matt was SHOCKED at the amount of work that went into it!), but I truly loved it. A portion of my heart will forever be in the classroom, and I am confident that some day, when the kiddos are older, there will be a perfect part-time job for me somewhere.
I'll those too, then, please!
A couple of evenings ago I was chatting with one of my night nurses (Heather, whom I really, really like but she only works weekends :(), and we were just commenting how nice this hospital is. She said that one of her patients - in severe pre-term labor - recently pressed the call button and said she had a question for the nurse. Heather went to check on her, concerned about the baby and the pre-term labor situation.
But, nope, nothing was wrong with the patient - she just asked for the "big white fluffy towels" for the shower! (instead of the thin, small, hand-sized bath towels the hospital has!) Yeah, this hospital is nice, but it's still a hospital! I don't think they take fluffy towel requests! ;-)
But, nope, nothing was wrong with the patient - she just asked for the "big white fluffy towels" for the shower! (instead of the thin, small, hand-sized bath towels the hospital has!) Yeah, this hospital is nice, but it's still a hospital! I don't think they take fluffy towel requests! ;-)
Grant Favorites
Sitting up here on the maternity floor is making me sentimental and nostalgic remembering Grant's birth, as well as making my heart dream about when Baby Girl will make her appearance.
So, here are some of my favorite pictures from Grant's Birth Day.
Look how small he looked in the sleeper and the carseat!
Here is under the bili blanket, trying to get jaundice gone. He was a little glow-worm! :)
So, here are some of my favorite pictures from Grant's Birth Day.
Look how small he looked in the sleeper and the carseat!
Here is under the bili blanket, trying to get jaundice gone. He was a little glow-worm! :)
Friday evening, Hospital Day 8
It's 11 o'clock at night and I sit here listening to Baby Girl's heart beating away on the monitor. It's so sweet to hear, and warms my heart. I was walking around the floor tonight and stopped and looked in on the nursery, where there were 4 babies all lined up. It was so sweet to see! Two babies were all stretched out under the warmer, which I love to see because it reminds me of Grant when he was little. My heart wonders about what Baby Girl will look like - will she look like Grant? Matt? Me? I think that Grant looked a lot like my baby pictures, but now as a toddler Grant looks so much like his daddy. So, I wonder if Baby Girl will look like Matt's baby pictures? Will she have as much hair as Grant had? I hope she has Matt's lips - Grant does, and they're just beautiful. I already look forward to meeting her, to holding her, to loving her in person.
Monday Night
I have changed into my hospital gown (I sleep in the gown, but change into my real clothes during the day - it helps me feel more human, if that makes sense), have fresh blankets and have dimmed my lights, but I hesitate trying to go to sleep.
Because, I think this ICU floor senses when I try to sleep. Seriously! Late this afternoon I tried to take a nap - my vitals had been drawn, my IV was functioning, no tests were ordered - so I thought it would be a perfect chance to actually sleep.
The ICU anti-sleep monsters came out again! The janitorial staff picked that.exact.time to WAX the floor outside my room. After about 15 minutes of napping I awoke to "vrrr...vRRRRR..vrrr..."!
The largest chunk of uniterrupted sleep I've had was last night from 12-3. 3 hours! The nurse tried to joke with me that it was preparing me for a newborn, but at 3 in the morning, my sense of humor isn't that much - I need sleep!
I guess that's enough complaining for me. Off to bed!
Because, I think this ICU floor senses when I try to sleep. Seriously! Late this afternoon I tried to take a nap - my vitals had been drawn, my IV was functioning, no tests were ordered - so I thought it would be a perfect chance to actually sleep.
The ICU anti-sleep monsters came out again! The janitorial staff picked that.exact.time to WAX the floor outside my room. After about 15 minutes of napping I awoke to "vrrr...vRRRRR..vrrr..."!
The largest chunk of uniterrupted sleep I've had was last night from 12-3. 3 hours! The nurse tried to joke with me that it was preparing me for a newborn, but at 3 in the morning, my sense of humor isn't that much - I need sleep!
I guess that's enough complaining for me. Off to bed!
Pink!
My best friend stopped by the hospital today, and brought me bright pink toenail polish! 
I was telling her that had I known I was going to wind up in the hospital again, I would've at least gotten a pedicure!
So, she brought the most fabulous shade of bright pink in honor of Baby Girl Walker. Even though it had to be in the ICU, we had fun together eating lunch and painting toenails!
(the picture doesn't show quite how bright and fabulous the pink is!)
I was telling her that had I known I was going to wind up in the hospital again, I would've at least gotten a pedicure! So, she brought the most fabulous shade of bright pink in honor of Baby Girl Walker. Even though it had to be in the ICU, we had fun together eating lunch and painting toenails!
(the picture doesn't show quite how bright and fabulous the pink is!)
Pump and picc line
So, my far-away friends haven't seen the pump or picc line. so, just for y'all, here are some pictures - I wore this crazy pump around my waist for 14 weeks! I had syringes of Zofran, and anti-nausea medicine, that would fit into the pump and then the pump would "pump" medicine into me 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The syringe had a long tube that connected to my picc line (PICC = peripherally inserted central catheter). The picc line went in at my elbow, and was about 14 1/2 inches long. It went all the way through a vein in my arm, around my shoulder, and ended just about 2 inches above my heart in my chest. That's how medicine got into me for 3 months!
We had to do the picc line because oral medicine never helped the hyperemesis - IV meds were the only thing that EVER helped. And even then, at the very beginning of the pregnancy, IV meds didn't make me feel fantastic - just functional. It wasn't until about the beginning of December that I started to consistently feel better.
My home health care nurse, Lisa, came out weekly (and sometimes even bi-weekly or tri-weekly!) to change the dressing on the picc line. What an ordeal it's been so far!
The syringe had a long tube that connected to my picc line (PICC = peripherally inserted central catheter). The picc line went in at my elbow, and was about 14 1/2 inches long. It went all the way through a vein in my arm, around my shoulder, and ended just about 2 inches above my heart in my chest. That's how medicine got into me for 3 months!
We had to do the picc line because oral medicine never helped the hyperemesis - IV meds were the only thing that EVER helped. And even then, at the very beginning of the pregnancy, IV meds didn't make me feel fantastic - just functional. It wasn't until about the beginning of December that I started to consistently feel better.
My home health care nurse, Lisa, came out weekly (and sometimes even bi-weekly or tri-weekly!) to change the dressing on the picc line. What an ordeal it's been so far!
MOPS!
My devoted blog readers will remember my disastrous MOPS experience last year (where I was literally left standing in the corner with no one talking to me!) Well, I've decided to give another MOPS group a chance after hearing good things about it. I already received a really nice note from the director of tomorrow's group, so hopefully that means this group will be better!! I think Grant will love playing in their childcare program at least! :) I'll let you know how it goes!
Team Pink!
Well, even though we found that the baby is a girl awhile ago, yesterday was my "big" ultrasound at 20 weeks where people *usually* find out the gender. (ya know, non-hyperemesis, non-contracting, non-pulmonary-embolism people 
).
So, I thought it'd be fun to track back to the post when we found out Grant was going to be a boy:
http://journey2guat.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html
I was going to have the ultrasound tech take a picture of us yesterday, but I forgot the camera! bummer!
Anyway - it feels so "complete" knowing we'll have one boy and one girl. I cannot explain how much Matt and I are praying for the next 4 months to be so uneventful and smooth and lead to a healthy baby girl in late May!
). So, I thought it'd be fun to track back to the post when we found out Grant was going to be a boy:
http://journey2guat.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html
I was going to have the ultrasound tech take a picture of us yesterday, but I forgot the camera! bummer!
Anyway - it feels so "complete" knowing we'll have one boy and one girl. I cannot explain how much Matt and I are praying for the next 4 months to be so uneventful and smooth and lead to a healthy baby girl in late May!
Making Cookies!
Grant and I made cookies for the first time together yesterday. He LOVED it. After he figured out how to dump stuff into the bowl, he was SO into it! And, he was just mesmerized by the KitchenAid mixer - he kept saying "wow...wow".
And, he also figured out fast what the best part of making cookies is! Look at his little finger:
(the quality's low because it was my phone)
And, he also figured out fast what the best part of making cookies is! Look at his little finger:
(the quality's low because it was my phone)
25 Random Things About Me
So, I posted this on Facebook, but for those of you not on there, I thought I'd post it here, too. It's just 25 Random things about me, that you might or might not have wanted to know. ;)
1. I LOVE to be organized. Even though my house doesn't always reflect it, something just seems better in the world when I'm organized. I LOVE the Container Store - I could get so excited about closet systems and pantry dividers!
2. On the same note, I hate clutter. I try to remove it as much as possible, as fast as possible. Whatever the opposite of a pack-rat is, I am.
3. I de-stress by getting out of the house by myself (with or with out Grant), and shopping. I don't have to buy anything - there's just something about walking around the mall and even just browsing that makes me feel calmer, less-stressed, and more at peace. That's got to be weird, I know, but it's true. I feel much more sane after being out of the house for a couple of hours. Grant and I have this whole routine for each mall that we go to - I know what food kiosks to stop at for a snack and Diet Coke - the kiosks are about half-way through the mall so on my return lap I can get a free refill. :D
4. I love Pottery Barn. Love, love, love it. I love to dream through their catalogs. However, I have a Target budget. ;) So, I try to re-create their looks for less - and, Target usually has pretty good Pottery Barn knock-offs!
5. I enjoy trying to decorate my house. My current project is the mantel that Matt just built for me. I love the mantle, but now have to get stuff on it!
6. When I'm not pregnant, I really love Starbucks. When I am pregnant, just the thought of coffee makes my stomach ick.
7. This is the last pregnancy for us. No questions asked.
8. I love to run. I never, ever thought I'd enjoy running, but once I started, I found I really, really like it. And, I love the way it makes my legs look! ;-)
9. I think part of the reason I like to run is I like the cute exercise clothes. :)
10. I love pasta and could eat it almost every day.
11. I think Weight Watchers is the greatest "diet" program ever invented. I lost 88 pounds (shocking, I know!) of pregnancy weight while following WW online after I had Grant. (It was bout 70 pounds of pregnancy weight and 15ish more pounds that I should've lost before him! ;-)) I'm already looking forward to doing WW and running again after I have this baby - being in control of my food and exercise just made me feel so healthy.
12. On that note, the pulmonologist said that being in such great shape before this pregnancy probably really helped my lungs process this clot. So, that I'm thankful for! All the more reason to exercise.
13. I have a special shampoo that I use just after running- almost like my reward for running. It's Aveda's Rosemary Mint Shampoo, and it just smells heavenly. It's way too expensive, though, for daily use, so 3-4x/week after running is my treat. :)
14. I started going seriously gray this past year and had to start coloring my hair regularly.
15. Hair is very important to me. I can't tell you the amount of tears I've cried over my hair! Fortunately I've learned what cuts do and don't work, and that my husband is usually my best hair-cutter!
16. This past year has probably been one of the hardest of my life. Losing baby Josie at 11 weeks last spring, dealing with hyperemesis this past fall and now this lung clot...I'm so, so ready for life and health to be back to "normal", whatever that is!
17. Although I currently love being a stay-at-home-wife-and-mom, I really, really miss teaching. I miss the creativity involved in lesson planning, and I miss just being in front of the classroom, interacting with my students. I definitely hope to go back to part-time teaching when our kids are in school. My heart will miss the classroom until then, I think.
18. I will always have a special place in my heart for the city of Dallas and our time there. Although we had our difficulties, we met some of our best friends in the world and just have such wonderful memories of them and Dallas. I miss Chuy's, the best Mexican restaurant ever! Our "Dallas" friends are now pretty much spread through out the US, and I miss them!
19. I really, really like to paint. I LOVE looking at paint samples!
20. I love fall and winter. Fall is probably my favorite, but I actually enjoy the cold and snow, too! I
21. I love to cook but hate to bake.
22. I love to get my toenails done.
23. It's slightly embarrassing to admit, but I like reality TV. I also like the Unit, 24, Grey's Anatomy, and Lipstick Jungle.
24. I think Bobbi Brown make-up is the best ever!
25. My husband needs a medal of honor, or something even higher, for all he's done for me the past year. For 2 months this past fall I was on the couch either throwing up or feeling like I was going to die, and he selflessly took care of me, Grant, the house and everything else. His commitment through "in sickness and health" has been put to the test way more than a couple married 6 1/2 years should be, and I love him so much.
1. I LOVE to be organized. Even though my house doesn't always reflect it, something just seems better in the world when I'm organized. I LOVE the Container Store - I could get so excited about closet systems and pantry dividers!
2. On the same note, I hate clutter. I try to remove it as much as possible, as fast as possible. Whatever the opposite of a pack-rat is, I am.
3. I de-stress by getting out of the house by myself (with or with out Grant), and shopping. I don't have to buy anything - there's just something about walking around the mall and even just browsing that makes me feel calmer, less-stressed, and more at peace. That's got to be weird, I know, but it's true. I feel much more sane after being out of the house for a couple of hours. Grant and I have this whole routine for each mall that we go to - I know what food kiosks to stop at for a snack and Diet Coke - the kiosks are about half-way through the mall so on my return lap I can get a free refill. :D
4. I love Pottery Barn. Love, love, love it. I love to dream through their catalogs. However, I have a Target budget. ;) So, I try to re-create their looks for less - and, Target usually has pretty good Pottery Barn knock-offs!
5. I enjoy trying to decorate my house. My current project is the mantel that Matt just built for me. I love the mantle, but now have to get stuff on it!
6. When I'm not pregnant, I really love Starbucks. When I am pregnant, just the thought of coffee makes my stomach ick.
7. This is the last pregnancy for us. No questions asked.
8. I love to run. I never, ever thought I'd enjoy running, but once I started, I found I really, really like it. And, I love the way it makes my legs look! ;-)
9. I think part of the reason I like to run is I like the cute exercise clothes. :)
10. I love pasta and could eat it almost every day.
11. I think Weight Watchers is the greatest "diet" program ever invented. I lost 88 pounds (shocking, I know!) of pregnancy weight while following WW online after I had Grant. (It was bout 70 pounds of pregnancy weight and 15ish more pounds that I should've lost before him! ;-)) I'm already looking forward to doing WW and running again after I have this baby - being in control of my food and exercise just made me feel so healthy.
12. On that note, the pulmonologist said that being in such great shape before this pregnancy probably really helped my lungs process this clot. So, that I'm thankful for! All the more reason to exercise.
13. I have a special shampoo that I use just after running- almost like my reward for running. It's Aveda's Rosemary Mint Shampoo, and it just smells heavenly. It's way too expensive, though, for daily use, so 3-4x/week after running is my treat. :)
14. I started going seriously gray this past year and had to start coloring my hair regularly.
15. Hair is very important to me. I can't tell you the amount of tears I've cried over my hair! Fortunately I've learned what cuts do and don't work, and that my husband is usually my best hair-cutter!
16. This past year has probably been one of the hardest of my life. Losing baby Josie at 11 weeks last spring, dealing with hyperemesis this past fall and now this lung clot...I'm so, so ready for life and health to be back to "normal", whatever that is!
17. Although I currently love being a stay-at-home-wife-and-mom, I really, really miss teaching. I miss the creativity involved in lesson planning, and I miss just being in front of the classroom, interacting with my students. I definitely hope to go back to part-time teaching when our kids are in school. My heart will miss the classroom until then, I think.
18. I will always have a special place in my heart for the city of Dallas and our time there. Although we had our difficulties, we met some of our best friends in the world and just have such wonderful memories of them and Dallas. I miss Chuy's, the best Mexican restaurant ever! Our "Dallas" friends are now pretty much spread through out the US, and I miss them!
19. I really, really like to paint. I LOVE looking at paint samples!
20. I love fall and winter. Fall is probably my favorite, but I actually enjoy the cold and snow, too! I
21. I love to cook but hate to bake.
22. I love to get my toenails done.
23. It's slightly embarrassing to admit, but I like reality TV. I also like the Unit, 24, Grey's Anatomy, and Lipstick Jungle.
24. I think Bobbi Brown make-up is the best ever!
25. My husband needs a medal of honor, or something even higher, for all he's done for me the past year. For 2 months this past fall I was on the couch either throwing up or feeling like I was going to die, and he selflessly took care of me, Grant, the house and everything else. His commitment through "in sickness and health" has been put to the test way more than a couple married 6 1/2 years should be, and I love him so much.
Only 2 more notches!
I have only 2 more "levels" to drop down to until we can possibly turn my Zofran pump off! 
We just turned it down to 20mg/day, and Friday if I still feel okay (fingers crossed!), we'll drop it to 16mg/day. Then, once I get to 12mg/day and still feel okay, we can turn the pump off! Then, ideally, I'll still feel okay with the pump off and then we can get the PICC line out!!!
Now, I have been SO thankful for the picc line because it's given me some sense of normalcy, but I'm SOO ready to have it OUT! To be able to shower with out covering my arm, to be able to sleep with out tubes coming out of me - I'm so ready!!! So, hopefully soon!!!
We just turned it down to 20mg/day, and Friday if I still feel okay (fingers crossed!), we'll drop it to 16mg/day. Then, once I get to 12mg/day and still feel okay, we can turn the pump off! Then, ideally, I'll still feel okay with the pump off and then we can get the PICC line out!!! Now, I have been SO thankful for the picc line because it's given me some sense of normalcy, but I'm SOO ready to have it OUT! To be able to shower with out covering my arm, to be able to sleep with out tubes coming out of me - I'm so ready!!! So, hopefully soon!!!
Matt's the Best!
So, I'm nauseas again today, for the first time in awhile. 
But, Matt's just the absolute best, once again!
The only thing that sounded good to me was cornbread - so, he made it for me! From scratch! and, it's soooooo good!
What a great husband!
And, here's the recipe, if any one is interested! It's easy, and just sooo much better than the boxed mix.
Golden Corn Bread
* 1 cup yellow Corn Meal
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar
* 4 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup milk
* 1 egg
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. In large bowl, combine corn meal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
3. Add milk, egg and oil. Beat until fairly smooth, about 1 minute.
4. Bake in greased or sprayed 8-inch square baking pan 20 to 23 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
But, Matt's just the absolute best, once again!The only thing that sounded good to me was cornbread - so, he made it for me! From scratch! and, it's soooooo good!
What a great husband!
And, here's the recipe, if any one is interested! It's easy, and just sooo much better than the boxed mix.
Golden Corn Bread
* 1 cup yellow Corn Meal
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 2 to 4 tablespoons sugar
* 4 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup milk
* 1 egg
* 1/4 cup vegetable oil
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. In large bowl, combine corn meal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
3. Add milk, egg and oil. Beat until fairly smooth, about 1 minute.
4. Bake in greased or sprayed 8-inch square baking pan 20 to 23 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Christmas Quiche
Here's the quiche recipe we ate on Christmas morning. It's terrific! And, at least we're getting some sort of veggie in! :)
Spinach-Bacon Quiche
4 eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, cooked and drained
1 (9 inch) unbaked pastry shell
1. Preheat oven to 400. In a large bowl, beat eggs; whisk in milk, 1 cup cheese,
onion, bacon, salt, mustard and paprika.
2. Add spinach.
3. Pour into pie shell.
4. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
5. Bake at 400 degrees F for 40-50minutes or until a knife inserted halfway
between the center and the edge comes out clean.
Happy Thanksgiving!
After a restful trip to my parent's house, we're glad to be back home! One major thing that I'm thankful for is that I'm now in the 2nd trimester, which means I've survived 14 weeks of pregnancy! Well, I should say that WE - Matt, Grant, and my family - have survived 14 weeks of pregnancy! Hopefully only a few more weeks until this hyperemesis fades away...
Hope your Thanksgiving was full of good food and good family!
Hope your Thanksgiving was full of good food and good family!
Hamburgers! Tacos! Steak!
So, after being semi-vegetarian for almost 6 months, the baby has decided that it needs BEEF! After we left the hospital Monday night and I felt SO GOOD after all the meds I had in me, we decided to order take-out. Well, the only thing that sounded good was Texas Roadhouse! So, though I cringed when I ordered my steak, let me tell you how GOOD it was! My goodness that steak was excellent! I still feel badly for that poor cow, but what can you do when the baby wants beef?
Preposition Confusion!
Sweet Grant is gaining more words almost daily, which I just love, but he's getting his prepositions a tad confused. It's so cute, though! He says "down" for up - as in, he'll stand by me, holding his arms up, saying "down, down". :) I'll say "you mean UP" and he'll grin at me like "oh, yeah, UP!". When he awakes in the morning I'll hear "momma! off! off! momma!!" I'll go into his room and say "do you mean DOWN?" and he'll grin and say "down". :) He says "out" for "down" and "up" for "out". :) He'll get it one of these days!! We can figure it at least. :) I just love hearing him talk!!
At Home At Last!
So, after 4 days of traveling, we're back at home! We drove 2 days down to Texas, visited with my grandmother, introduced her to Grant, and drove 2 days home. My mom rode down with us, and she was shocked that Grant doesn't sleep in the car. We've been telling people this for almost 21 months now, but she said she thought he'd at least take cat naps. For the entire first 3 days of travel, he did not close his eyes ONCE! When we were just outside of Terre Haute today, he finally fell asleep for about 45 minutes. So, we have a very overly-tired toddler! We're all glad to be home, and Grant is loving seeing his toys again!!!
It's a party!
The Olympics feel like a party around the Walker household! We're staying up late, eating popcorn, drinking coke, lounging around until midnight! It's a fun 2 weeks!! But, it's wearing us out! We're t-i-r-e-d!
Michael Phelps just won the 200m IM. He is a freak of nature!! My goodness it's amazing to watch him!!
Michael Phelps just won the 200m IM. He is a freak of nature!! My goodness it's amazing to watch him!!
So Sharp!
I just LOVE the Olympics women's gymnastic team's uniforms! They're so fabulous! The shimmery red is so neat, and the sparkly star on the side - so cool!! I would have LOVED that uniform as a teenage girl! My mom said it would be a neat swimsuit, and I totally agree. I've always liked sparkly stuff, and their uniform is just the best!
5K pictures!
And, pictures of the 5K Matt and I ran together Saturday morning! It was a wonderful morning - my parents came down to stay with Grant while we ran, and then we went out to lunch afterwards.
At the start of the race:
Me finishing - I look like I was trudging along in this picture, but I was seriously running as FAST as I could!!
After the race the church held a fun fest, and Grant LOVED it.
The little man is FIXATED on ducks, so the duck pond was a huge hit with him! (My mom's camera got messed up, but the effect is kinda neat with the ducks!)
At the start of the race:
Me finishing - I look like I was trudging along in this picture, but I was seriously running as FAST as I could!!
After the race the church held a fun fest, and Grant LOVED it.
The little man is FIXATED on ducks, so the duck pond was a huge hit with him! (My mom's camera got messed up, but the effect is kinda neat with the ducks!)
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