Sunday, May 23, 2010

Weekend Projects






While Jeramy went fishing this weekend, Sage and I did some shopping. First we got her a pop up Dora tent for 99cents that is really cool. And she has a Dora bed that fits in there perfectly. She loves hanging out in there with Lami and Toby and Mom too. It is in our living room (well actually Sage's living room since there is a tent and 2 slides). Our other project was to carpet the Den...or the Man room which we call it because of all of Jeramy's Sheds and Elk skulls in there. It is right off the kitchen and seems to be where everyone hands out. It had tile and I hated it because if Sage fell she could really smack her head or chip a tooth, plus it was a pain to keep clean and we had 2 piece rugs that were also a pain. I am LOVING the carpet in here, and would love to do something different in the kitchen to get rid of the tile in there. Finally, my new obsession is hairbows for Sage. Her hair is so long, so this weekend my Mom bought her a TON of new bows from Gymboree that are really cute. So I hung ribbon from the wall to clip them on so I can see them easily when I am getting her dressed to see which ones match, and then took a toilet paper tube for the cute rubber bands. I have a feeling as she gets older this entire wall will eventually be filled with hairbows. I am so happy I had a little girl!!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Remembering the NICU










So I was watching a documentary on the Duggars and their 19th child that was in the NICU for 3 months. As I was watching it, your Dad came in and saw tears streaming down my face. He asked me what was wrong, and I told him I was just reliving our experiences with you.
When you were born, I saw you for a split second, was told you were a girl and ok, and then watched you be whisked away from me, and your dad too. I was taken to a recovery room where I was told that I could only see you after I could feel my feet (which took about 5 hours). I have never tried so hard at something as I did at trying to move my feet. Your dad kept bringing video of you and the first thing I noticed was that your arms were flailing around, so I worried about that and demanded to know what it was caused by. We later learned that one of my medications gave you that reaction, but it was going to go away. We figured out if we swaddled you tightly it got better and within a few days it went away completely.
When I was finally able to be wheeled into the NICU to see you, I was still in my bed so they rolled me in there, and they put you on my chest. This was the first time I got to feel you, and it is a moment I will never forget. You immediatly started breast feeding. Most parents that have a regular delivery have that immediate connection with the baby that I missed out on. Sometimes I wonder if that is why you are so close to your Daddy since you got that connection with him, he held you first, bathed you first, changed you first, fed you first, he did everything first while I was on the recovery floor. I am thankful he was there and that you were fine, but I do feel like I missed out on that portion of pregnancy...it felt like I did all these things to keep you safe for 9 months and then you were ripped away from me. A few months after you were born I had to have a hystarectamy because my uterus was fused onto my c-section scar and my left ovary was fused onto my pelvic bone causing me alot of pain, so we aren't able to have another child. This was ok, because that was the plan, to have you and spoil you rotten, and there is no way that I would go through what I went through with you again because I would never put you in the position where I was sick and not able to care for you. Both you and I had a 15% chance of death and that is something I would never risk now, you growing up without a Mom. You are our miracle and all we could ever dream of in life is in your eyes. You are my heart now, walking outside of my body. One of my rules was that No One other than Jeramy was allowed to see you in the NICU before me. Hopefully that was upheld. Your dad was so funny, everytime he had to run up the breast milk, he would literally sprint to get the vile up to you. The nurses said it was amazing how much colostrum I was able to produce since it was liquid gold and would help you out alot, so Daddy sprinted to make sure you got every last drop. After I got discharged it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do to leave you in the hospital. I do not know what I would have done if my parents hadn't gotten a condo near the hospital for the last couple of weeks. Without them, I can't even think how hard it would have been since we were more than an hour away from home. Since I went on unsuspected hospital bedrest I hadn't been home in over a month. When I got discharged from the hospital at 2 o'clock in the morning, I had 3 suitcases and a Christmas tree and gifts to unload since that hospital was my home for almost 2 months. Ma and Pa supported me and you so much and there is no real way to ever repay them for what they did for us. Ma even made me eat Seaweed soup which is a Korean tradition after giving birth. They love us both so much and would do anything for us. But just the fact that I had to leave you there and not take you home with me, ripped my heart out. I would pump and take you your milk every couple of hours. We were very lucky with you because you did not need any oxygen or feeding tubes or anything. They just had you hooked up to an IV to administer anything they needed to administer. It is SO hard as a parent not to watch the monitors that watch your oxygen level, heartrate, and BP because every little beep or hicup or if your number was below where it was suppose to be we would freak out. It was hard to learn not to watch those monitors, and after a while, for our own sanity we tried to tune them out. Every parent was allowed to do rounds with the doctors on each patient, but we chose not to, because we would have freaked out over something we didn't really know what the medical reason was...we figured that if there was something important enough to tell us the doctor would, there was no sense worrying ourselves over nothing. We really lucked out...the only thing that happened was that your belly was distended at one point so they called me to the hospital. I have never been more scared in my life I cried so hard and felt so guilty for not being there when it happened...I almost fainted...when we got to the hospital they told me that it was just gas. Once I new you were ok, I broke down in a screaming cry because I was so scared for you. While we were lucky, there were several parents that we got to know and some that we didn't that weren't as lucky. While Mom was on bedrest I made really good friends with a girl named Ashley and her soon to be daughter Colbie and also Lydia and her soon to be daughter Hailey. Statistically, something bad would happen to one of the 3 of us, and it did. Colbie passed away shortly after her birth. Ashley was devistated and so were we, we had become so close while we stayed in the hospital and went through everything together, that it broke my heart as well. Hailey was born one day after you. While she did ok, she was in the NICU for over a month, where as you were there for less than 10 days because nothing was wrong. Your circumstance could have been alot worse, but it wasn't and we thank the Lord everyday for that. Like all premies in order to leave you had to pass a few tests. 1. You had to consistently gain and hold weight 2. You had to hold your temperature 3. your O2 stats couldn't drop, and you had to pass your carseat test showing that you were able to successfully manage the trip home. You passed all with flying colors, and that is why you were in the NICU for a few days to make sure you could pass these tests. You were one of the smallest premies they ever sent home (3pounds 12 oz) but there was nothing wrong with you and they couldn't justify keeping you. The reason I was crying while watching that show was because I was remembering all of the monitors, all the questions, uncertainty, the fear, and the joy when you were given a clean bill of health. It was quite an emotional process, but since you were our first baby, it was the only experience we have ever known. Even if you were a 10 pound newborn I would probably still be a neurotic mother, at least now I can play the premie card when I am acting overly protective! When we first brought you home only a select group of people were allowed into the house. There was hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE, and they had to have a lesson on how to hold you because you were so small and if your neck dropped you might have a hard time breathing...to us it was second nature to hold you, but to most people it was scarey because you were so small. Pa didn't hold you for a while because you were too small. You didn't weigh 9 pounds until you were almost 4 months old. Most babies are born around 9 pounds. Even now as a 2 year old, you just barely weigh 20 pounds. Other people who came by to see you only got to look through the window of the screen door and were not allowed in. The entire house was steralized and everything you ate or drank was organic or of the highest quality. After you couldn't breast feed anymore (around 3 months) because of Mommy's blood pressure you drank the liquid (not the inexpensive powder) Similac formula (until you were a year old), which would cost us $8 a day! So just for 1 month it would cost us $240 just on formula or $2,160 for the 9 months you were on that formula. You wore Premie diapers that were $20 for 2 days worth for about 2 months (about $600 for 2 months worth), and then you were in newborn diapers until you were almost 5 months old, the newborn diapers didn't come in bulk sizes because most babies only wear them for about a week, so these were very expensive too and didn't last long since there weren't that many in the package. But you were worth every penny! Auntie Ashley was actually the first person to watch you without one of us there because Mom had to run to the Doctor's office and that was no place for you. If Mom or Dad were sick, we had to wear a mask and we were quarintined in the spare bedroom so we didn't expose you to any germs. Daddy was so obsessed with you choking on your spit up (which you often did) that we had about 50 bulbs around the house, 3 in your carseat, 10 by the bed and in the rocking chair or couch, 5 in the car, 5 in the diaperbag, and a couple in our pockets just to be safe. You did not leave the house (except for Dr visits, where they would immediately take you back to a room to keep you away from kids) for 2 months after you came home because of all the germs you could get exposed to. It was flu season and this year a new flu called Swine Flu had already killed a few people, so it was a nationwide crisis to get vaccinated. Anyone who would be around you alot (Mom and Dad and Ma and Pa also got additional vaccinations just to be around you such as the flu shot, swine flu (H1N1) shot, and whopping cough shot) just to be safe. In fact you didn't get your first cold/fever until you were 2 years old. Your first trip was to Cabelas with your Daddy. I look at you now playing with your Dad, and I see him in your NICU cubby feeding you and changing your little diaper through all of your wires, totally unphased by any of it. And now you are kicking the ball around the back yard and gardening and riding on his shoulders at a parade. You have come so far, and so have we! Everyday I look into your eyes and remember the journey we went through together. It may be totally different than most journey's that term baby's families go through...but it is our journey and we made it!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Lacey Spring Fun Fair 2010









It is Hard Being an Only Child....

We got to enjoy the beautiful sunshine and go to Mom's Alma Mater, St. Martin's for the Lacey Spring Fun Fair. This year, while we were waiting in line for the train we got to watch the parade. While we were waiting in line next to the fish pond, there were 2 boys your age that you went right up to and gave a big hug to, then you watched one boy lift his shirt up and you did the same thing, until Daddy said..Ah Sage...no no...then looked at me and said "we are in trouble, she is already hugging boys." You sat on Daddy's shoulders the whole time and were so good. You liked the bands and cheerleaders and Mom said.."no way is Sage doing that...she will probably be the smallest one that they throw up in the air...you are going to play sports (fingers crossed)" It is usually REALLY hot, but this year wasn't as bad as the year's past. Mom must have a target on her back because I got asked 2 times from different people.."You look like a Mom who has everything...do you have..." We also bought you this really cute hat (that is the one thing Mom forgot, even though you usually pull them right off) and you actually wore it the whole time, and when you got home wanted to wear it and look in the mirror at yourself (your favorite thing to do). What a great way to spend the weekend.

The last picture just cracks me up of you. You look so tuckered out being so spoiled...and the only princess. I am so happy I had a little girl, because I get to dress you up in tutu's and tiaras, and cute hairbows and hats...but then also can dress you in cute pink camo and fishing gear like we did when we went to Friday Harbor. Frilly and Rugged, you can't do those with boys...

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Daddy's Little Helper







Since the weather was so great today, we went and got the rest of the stuff for the garden. This year we are doing lettuce, corn, peas, peppers, jalepenos, potatoes, zuchini, pumpkins and strawberrys. Sage LOVES this time with her Daddy, watering the garden. This year she helped plant too. To top off the beautiful day we got the bikes out and ready and went for an evening ride!

Monday, May 10, 2010

Friday Harbor, San Juan Island & Mother's Day








Sage's First Boat Ride on Uncle Andy's Boat
Watching T-Ball and Hanging with Alexandria


Playing on the Beach






Halibut



Not sure about taking a picture next
to a fish that is as big as she is...


I guess it is ok as long as Dad is there
and I keep my eye on it


2 Bald Eagles eating the remaining Halibut
on the beach in front of the house

Waiting for Dad to come back from fishing



Talking to Ma and Pa on the phone

Driving onto the Ferry

We went up to Friday Harbor to visit our family. Sage and I got to hang out with her cousin's Floyd and Alexandria and Auntie Carol, while the boys went out halibut fishing. We had a couple successful days and ended up with 4 halibut. Sage had such a good time with her cousins. She kept calling Floyd "BABY" and would say NO NO BABY, but then at the end of the trip learned how to share better. I was amazed at how many new words she learned this weekend...she is growing up before our eyes. She loved cuddling and hanging out with Alexandria too when she wasn't at school, and she cheered for her at her T-Ball game. Sage also got to go out on Uncle Andy's boat. We were very happy to see that she instantly had her sea legs and LOVED the boat. We lucked out with very beautiful weather and sunsets and got some really good pictures.
I woke up to a nice bouquet of tulips on Mother's Day and then got to go shopping at the Seattle Outlet Mall on the way home.
We had an amazing family vacation, but now back to reality and unpacking, I am thinking about leaving the bag packed for our next trip!






















Tuesday, April 27, 2010

10 Things I Want to Remember, Things I Want You to Remember

I wanted to do a post for you Sage of ten things I want to always remember, and the things I want you to remember as you grow up (which has been so fast lately). I am sure this will be the first of many posts like this:

The Things I Remember:
1. When your Daddy said "we have a daughter" and the look on his face after I asked who you looked like and he said "Me" with such a look of pride on his face, at that moment you were your Daddy's girl!
2. What an amazingly good baby you were, you slept through the night, never fussed, and even at 3 pounds 11 ounces didn't get your first cold until you were 2 and a half. Except you were an extremely picky eater, and like your mom liked fast food. I would secretly blend in vegitables into your pancakes just so you could eat them, and you never noticed because you loved your "Pan Pan's"
3. How whenever I was in the bathroom you would lay by the door and stick your fingers underneath and say "Are you ok Mommy"
4. How every morning, you would be in my face and say "Hi Mama" and I would say "Hi Sissy Bug"
5. How you remembered every movement of the movie Madagascar and would copy it.
6. How you would say Baggoooon everytime you saw a balloon.
7. How you would talk on the phone and say Hi to whoever you were talking to and then walk around with the phone making hand gestures whenever you would talk. You would somehow dial people without me knowing, I would walk around the corner and you had dialed Daddy and Ma..I still don't know how you did it...but you loved talking on the phone to Auntie A and Uncle Nick especially.
8. How everytime I would pull out of the driveway in the opposite direction of Pa and Ma's you would moan and cry and say...ahhhh Pa.
9. When I had the stomach flu you would come in and rub my back and say..okay Mama
10. When you were in time out you would babble and argue your case with your hands to why you should not be put in time out (Just like your Mommy). You have the makings of a good lawyer I think.
11. Your Pee Wee Herman laugh whenever you got so excited. Everyone would always chuckle at your laugh, it was so sweet.
12. When you would inhale the dandilion instead of blowing it out to make a wish.
13. How I would always ask if you wanted Milk or Juice and I think you thought it was one word because you would say I want "Milkajuice."
14. How Ma made you special water out of beans and you would always call it Bean Wa.
15. When ever anyone would toot, you'd say.."Pa go Boom" or whoever did it, "Sage go Boom" and you would cover your nose and laugh.
16. How you LOVED looking at yourself in the mirror or reflection, and would Belly laugh so hard when we would do the airplane with you.
17. How because you were the only neice, grandbaby, baby of friends you were so spoiled by everyone! All of Daddy's friends, your Uncles always say how sorry they feel for the boys you try and bring home someday, because they will not get past all of your Uncles!

Things I Want You to Remember:
1. Always take pride in who you are and where you came from and above all else in life, cherish your family and never lose sight of how important family is.
2. Never do things because you expect things in return, do them because it makes you feel good to help others. When you look for the reward of doing something, you lose sight of why you are doing them.
3. Never fight with your fists, always with your mouth and your brain. But never feel like you can't stand up for yourself, your family or anyone else who needs help. However, talk and act like a lady. Never use foul language or point out the flaws in others, honor their diversity.
4. It is absolutely not an option for you to NOT go to College. You can study whatever you choose but you WILL go to college, even if I have to drag you to class myself. And always proof read! And have someone else proof read. Ask questions because there is no such thing as a dumb question only if you chose not to ask it.
5. Like your mother, you will NOT get your ears pierced until you are 21 and get your first pair of diamond earrings from me or your Grandma. My Grandma gave me my first diamond earrings and they are the only ones I wear. You may think this is unfair and silly but I still value this fact and the holes in my ears to prove it. Also, I wish I would have listened to my mother and not died my hair...I had beautiful hair before I died it, now I wish i would have listened to my mother.
6. If you are debating which sport to play, my vote is Volleyball and Basketball, and if you are considering playing an instrument, I would be ok with the violin and piano.
7. Think for yourself and never let anyone ever tell you what you think is wrong. If you don't know the answer, ask or look it up. Argue your point with facts, be precise even if it is to me or a teacher etc. But be prepared also to be told you are wrong, and handle it with grace. And always respect that someone will have the opposite opinion as you, and sometimes, that doesn't make them wrong.
8. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS respect, listen, and value your elders. Learn from them. Value their opinions, beliefs etc, just as you would want them to value yours.
9. Never sit by while other people are doing the work, offer to help. Be polite and always be the bigger person. You may lose some battles but handle them with grace and learn a lesson from it.
10. You are going to get your heartbroken (or at least you think it is) and that it is the end of the world, but be strong in who you are, never settle, and the right person will be there when you least expect it, but I am not going to lie, there are going to be plenty of tears and bumps in the road, it is how you pick yourself up from them that matters. Never let anyone else define you, you define yourself...know what makes you happy first and foremost.
11. I know at times it will seem like we are being unfair, or that we don't know what we are talking about (I think every kid thinks that about their parents until they become one) but always remember that our only concern is for your health and happiness and as your parents our job is to take care of you and love you for the rest of our lives. I call you my "Golden Egg" because I can't have anymore kids, so if I am too fragile with you that is why. I will admit right now that we are helicopter parents, always hovering above you, but it is because you are our one shot, and we want all the best for you. Even if that means you disagree with us or get mad at us, we can get you therapy later...lol.
12. Trust is something that you earn! Once someone loses trust in you, they will always think the worst is going to happen. Make sure you live your life to be a truthful, honest, and honorable person. Love is a choice you have to make, you chose to love someone, and chose to do things to show that person that you love them. Love is a choice and not an emotion. Choose Love.
13. Be grateful and gracious to any gift you ever receive. Even if you already have one, it wasn't what you wanted, or you hate it, you always show appreciation in the fact that someone thought of you. There are people that don't have basic necessities, so do your part, no matter what in showing that you appreciate the gesture...hey you can always take it back later.
14. Don't be shocked when you go to date or go to dances etc. if your Daddy and Uncles are a little over protective of you, it is only because they love you!
15. Live everyday to the fullest, never limit yourself. If you don't succeed that is ok, because you can always try again...learn from your mistakes and fix them, don't look to others to tell you how to be happy, you need to decide that for yourself.
16. Don't just go through the motions of life and what is expected of you, carve out your own path, be your own person and always strive to be the best at everything you do.
17. Do not lie, unless it is necissary to protect someone else...however instead of lying, manipulate your words so they are not lies, but rather alternate truths for the better good. But never lie to us. If you feel like you can't come to us for anything please go to your grandparents, or Aunt Andrea or someone for help...and never be ashamed to ask for help.

I will do these posts often as I want you to have these in your book so we can look back on them one day.

Love,
Mama

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Long Beach 2010











A couple of weekends ago we stayed in one of Mom and Dad's 3 bedroom condos. Katy and Mike and Gracie and Cole joined us and we had so much fun. The first day was pretty windy, but considering it was POURING down rain here, we got pretty lucky because it didn't rain on us too much. I walked about 300 yards from the rest of the group and noticed them all heading in. When I walked to the cars I said "I only have 9" and the rest of the group only had 1 or maybe 2, so I did pretty good that day. The next day, Mike got 4 limits in about 45 minutes. Dad, Jeramy and I drove up the beach and after we heard how well Mike did, we went out in front of the hotel. It took us a little it longer, and I was the last one to get my limit. We generally like digging near Ocean Shores, and don't ever really dig Long Beach. There is another tide with a big big minus (-1.8) so while Jeramy and his friends are shed hunting, I might go clamming. Jeramy bought me a cute pink gun, so I bought him a blue one. Sunday was beautiful and we actually dug in our t-shirts. The new Long Beach condos are beautiful (except for the part where Sage peed on the carpet.. lol ) and we had an ocean view, so thank you mom and dad!

Sage had a great time with Gracie and Cole, and always asks "where is Cole". I bought some high heeled rubber boots so Cole made me a purse pancake to go with them it was very cute! Can't wait to go again and to see everyone in July, We should make this an annual clamming trip!!