Day 30: A great week with family

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We just returned from a great week with family. It was lots of fun watching C play with his cousin X!

While I was pretty bad about keeping up with posting every day this month, I still found so many things to be grateful for each day. I also found a few areas I need to work on - temperance being one of them! :)

With that in mind, I'm going to take a little blogging break for Advent. I know some of you have done it for Lent (I did FB last year, but not the blogs). I've decided in order to really focus on preparing for Christmas that I need a break from both. (Please pray for me - it's going to be tough. :)) I will still have comments sent to my email - so if you need to get in touch, go ahead and contact me that way! 

I will be praying especially for those of you still longing for a child. I remember so well how tough the holidays can be when you are waiting. You are always close to my heart. May God give you His peace this Advent.

Long lay the world,

in sin and error pining

'til He appeared,

and the soul felt its worth.

Days 6, 7 & 8: Blessed

How is it Friday already? Oh yes, that's life with a toddler. :)

To catch up…

Day 6 - So thankful for a kitchen sink where water flows freely!!! I was finally able to run the full dishwasher, and the same night ran round 2 - that's how many dishes were sitting around ready to be washed. I tried to keep up, but as soon as it started to pile up… well, you know. :-/ I love seeing clean counters again!

Day 7 - Nov. 7th was the 12th anniversary of the surgery to remove my colon. I cannot believe it's been 12 years. I'm so, so, so much healthier these days, thank God. During those years of living with Crohn's disease, I never, ever thought I'd be able to say that. So today - I'm so thankful for my health!!!

Day 8 - Thankful for a solid 40-45 minutes in Adoration this morning. A friend of mine who coordinates the morning hours of Adoration at our parish suggested a Moms hour - there are 3 of us so far that are rotating for one hour each Friday morning. C fell asleep on the way there and it was amazing to sit there with him on my lap, sleeping away. DH & I used to have a weekly slot before C, and there were so many prayers (and tears) in that little chapel that some day I would be a mother. In addition to being thankful, I prayed for all of you still waiting. You are always so close to my heart.

Happy Friday, friends!

Day 4: Sometimes you have to call the professionals

Ones with a snake longer than 25 feet. Our kitchen sink has been clogged since Thursday last week. After trying every known google remedy, we're calling in the professionals. Again.

Any recommendations on garbage disposals? Our 2 year old insinkerator has been a dud since installed. (This is the 3rd time - 2nd time in 4 months - that we need it unclogged.) We put down only coffee grounds and egg shells. I wasn't thinking and put down a bunch of lettuce and broccoli. I'm curious to see if that's what did it!

And I'm thankful that we have a nice emergency fund thanks to following Dave Ramsey!

Day 3: "Guck"

Day 3… I'm thankful for C waking me up this morning by coming in to share his truck "guck" with me. And it was around 8:30, thanks to DH who let me sleep in a bit extra by getting up when C actually woke up at 6:45. :) Love my little boy!!!

Day 30

I'm so thankful for YOU!!!

I never would have imagined myself blogging a few years ago, but today I am so grateful for the friendships that have resulted. A few of you I've been blessed to meet IRL... and others, well, I hope someday that we can meet as well!

Your comments and prayers have uplifted and supported me during the painful days of IF and surgeries, and have accompanied me as well during the wait for and joyful arrival of baby C.

Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one finds a treasure.

Faithful friends are beyond price, no amount can balance their worth.

Sirach 6:14-15

Day 29

Today I'm super thankful that my littlest sis, R, is a DPT. C has been seeing a PT in our area (little sis lives back home otherwise I'd pick her in a heartbeat!) for a few months for torticollis. His PT here suggested I take him to an OT/Cranial technology clinic nearby to check his head shape. So, today's diagnosis is plagiocephaly.

Curious... does anyone have any experience with this? Apparently the incidence of it has risen from 1 in 300 infants to 1 in 10 infants. (Back is best for sleeping... but apparently not for a baby's head shape!!) C is slightly outside the most opportune time for treatment, but still within a good limit.

It looks like he will be getting and wearing a DOC band.

I am SO thankful for my sister who told me a while ago that babies themselves aren't bothered by the bands (there are a few kinds). It's the parents who are. And that was my immediate first reaction - "what?!?" I really do not like the idea of strangers coming up and saying "what is wrong with his head?"

After thinking about it...

Other than this, C is so healthy. He's happy. He's growing and thriving. So what if he has to wear a band for a few months.

Then... I started looking at options.

How can I decorate it? The DOC Band website has instructions for painting, etc!

I laughed when I saw a picture of one decorated like a watermelon with the words "just fixing my melon" on it!

Spider Man? A cool Penguins or Steelers design?

The words "you should see the other guy"?

Fortunately, this treatment really works. My sis has seen great results with one of her clients.

And, of the few locations of Cranial Technologies, one is super close to me. And interestingly enough... it is right next door to the lab where I went so often to get blood drawn for IF. I never thought I'd be there with a baby!

God has a sense of humor.

Catching up... Days 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28

Oops! I am so behind on my days of thanks! Visiting family, while fun, usually leaves me exhausted with the distance (I know some of you have to fly to visit family, so I can't complain about being within driving distance), but it still always wears on me. That combined with staying up late to spend time with everyone and little sleep... well, I'm still catching up! :) C is a great traveler, but he doesn't sleep very well when he's not in his own bed. We did a lot more co-sleeping on this trip - he couldn't seem to stay asleep in the pack-n-play, plus he was going to bed a bit later than normal most nights.

Nevertheless it was a great week away!

And to catch up!

Day 22 - A MIL who takes the time to buy GF options for me. I rarely eat bread at home, but I enjoyed GF english muffins while we were visiting DH's family and of course what is Thanksgiving without stuffing? :) Thanksgiving was a wonderful day... and we even attempted a family Christmas photo! After about 100 shots - first with all of us, then just with C, I ended up deciding to use one of just C. He smiles the most for me - at least me behind a camera that is. He's used to me pointing it at him, I guess! He didn't seem to know what to do when others tried taking pictures of him!

 Happy Turkey Day! :)

Day 23 - Leftovers. I had pumpkin pie at breakfast. Yum.

Day 24 - A shower for my awesome BIL and his wife. As I mentioned last week, they've had 3 miscarriages. We are so grateful that this baby is healthy - and extremely active. He or she kicked at me.. and at C once too! LOL. :)

Day 25 - A safe trip home... DH took a nice afternoon nap and we left after dinner. Made it home in 4 hours!! That never happens on Thanksgiving weekend!

Day 26 - Laundry done. I lost count on how many loads, but it's all done! :)

Day 27 - Decorating for Christmas! I'll post some photos soon. I got out the decorations and put 2 candles in the windows. That's as far as I got today, haha. :)

Day 28 - Advent Prayer Buddies!! Can't wait!

This wasn't the one we chose, but I love his eyes in this one.

And 3 fingers in the mouth? All. the. time. :)

Whew! Caught up!

Day 20/21: New cousins

So thankful that C will soon have 2 cousins to play with!

We are especially grateful because DH's brother & SIL have had 3 miscarriages and this baby is healthy and doing well!! They are due at the beginning of January, so please pray that everything continues to go well!

My sister V & her DH are expecting in March - a baby girl!

Days 18 & 19

I'm a little late...

Day 18 - Thankful for a fun evening performing with friends at the St. Cecilia Festival (if I get the video from a friend I'll upload it). 

Such a good boy during the performances! 

Day 19: A fun week with family coming up!!!

Day 17: The Kindness of Strangers

Well - not complete strangers. These people see me at mass each day, although I don't know their names.

This morning... after C was done with his bottle (almost done - he was pretty much pushing it away), I set it beside me, where he kicked it... and it shattered on the floor. During the consecration. Sheesh. I looked at it in horror, and a woman across the aisle jumped up, told me not to move, and went and got towels and a box to clean up the mess. After mass was over, one of the gentlemen who helps set up for mass got a broom to sweep up the slivers and a mop to catch anything else left over. All I had to do was continue to take care of baby C. Aside from that incident, we were able to stay in the church for the entire mass without him exploring vocal prayer. :)

Day 16

Grateful today for an unclogged kitchen drain. We finally had to call in professional help (ugh!) but I will never put another peel down there again!!

It's amazing how much you take something for granted until you can't use it!

I'm off to run the dishwasher now...

Day 15: My Sister, S

It's my sister S's birthday today. She and I shared a room growing up which means there was ample opportunity to share secrets, make plans, unite against our parents (haha!), and of course bicker and fight. Even if we weren't getting along, I knew she had my back and I had hers. She was my maid of honor... I couldn't picture anyone else in that role. She's the funniest person I know. When I had my surgeries, she had me laughing to the point where I quite literally thought I was going to pop open my stitches! I admire her tremendously for leaving a career she didn't like, to go back to school and start something new. She's now a post-partum nurse, and is the sister that really lead me to consider adopting. She even "picked" our agency as it was AFTH that I first looked at... even before DH and really began talking about it. She LOVES baby C. She is an awesome aunt!! While on the drive down after we got "the call", she gave me tons of advice. Well, at least for the first 3 days. That's when they send their babies home at the hospital. After 3 days, she said I was on my own. :) And yup, she's the one who gave me the best advice for baby C.... aim down. :) Isn't she beautiful? I LOVE her!!!

Day 14: Lots of GF options

Yes, yes, I know. A GF cupcake is not paleo. It's not even remotely close. That didn't stop me from devouring the lemon meringue one I purchased at a local GF bakery this afternoon. I thought I could eat half for lunch and save half for dinner. Not even close. I may have licked the wrapper. Don't judge. You would have too.

The only question remaining is... can the salted caramel one last til dinner?

To be determined...

Day 13: My Godmother

Today is my aunt's --- my Godmother's -- birthday. She is such a wonderful woman. She's always been a second mom to me. A favorite Christmas tradition with her was when she made peanut butter balls. She would invite my sisters and me over to help her dip them... it took a few hours, but we'd order pizza, have snacks, and enjoy dipping those little morsels of delight and usually a hockey game, or a Christmas movie would round out the night. She's a big hockey fan, just like me, and I always loved hearing her stories of the old-time players! She's also been a great example in the faith. I pray I can be as good of an aunt to my nieces or nephews that come along as she is to me!

Day 12: Pumpkin :)

I love fall.... it gives me many options for this wonderful little guy:

Pumpkin pie.
Pumpkin roll.
Pumpkin cheesecake (LOVE this!)
Pumpkin spice latte.
Pumpkin soup.
Pumpkin cookies.
Pumpkin pancakes.
Pumpkin scones...

I love them all. :)

Day 11: The military

Happy Veteran's Day! I'm thankful today for those who are serving and who have served our country so faithfully, especially my DH and my Grandpap! God Bless America!

Day 10: My sisters

"Oh, your poor Dad!" is something I've often heard when I mention that I have 4 sisters. I mentioned in the previous post that I'm a Daddy's girl. We all are. I am so blessed my parents were open to life. I cannot imagine life without each one of my sisters in it. It's hard that we don't live in the same city and I miss them tremendously, but text messages and phone calls keep us close. They are all different, but so special to me. They were all so understanding and supportive when DH & I were dealing with infertility. They were beyond excited when C came into our family. We have SO much fun together. The inside jokes... the memories... I wouldn't trade them for the world. I love my sisters!!!

My sister V's wedding this summer

Days 8 & 9: My Mom & Dad

I couldn't figure out who to put first for days 8 and 9, so here's the combination. My parents. 

My mom is a SAHM. She was always available when I came home from school and had a bad day. She drove me to piano lessons and recitals and band and choir rehearsals and Tae Kwon Do classes. Never missed a concert. Attended as many football games as she could. She was a "band parent." She was there for my black belt test. She was there when I was sick - for doctors appointments and all 5 of my surgeries. I don't know what I'd do without her. She's the most generous and amazing woman I know.

Father-Daughter Dance

I've always been a Daddy's girl. I knew the only time I would cry at my wedding was the dance with my Dad. I was right... Growing up, I remember waiting excitedly at the window when my Dad would come home from work. My sister S and I would jump on the bay window seat in the living room or in the kitchen. (I think he preferred the kitchen... we left a few marks on the window seat. :)) When I was little, my Dad built a swing set in the backyard for my sister S and me. We have our handprints in the cement. When my 3 youngest sisters were older (M, V & R), my Dad put up a basketball hoop for them... their handprints are in it. He taught me how to drive... backwards first actually. He told me if I got stuck somewhere, I'd be able to drive backwards home! He's funny... goofy a lot of the time and he has a great sense of humor. He loves to tell jokes. He can talk to anyone and everyone. He frequently calls to check in and I love it. I'm the oldest and I'm his "#1".

The only thing better than having them as my parents is C having them for his grandparents.

I am blessed!!

Day 7: My Life

11 years ago today I had surgery to remove my colon. While I've had other surgeries since then as a result; today.... I'm grateful to be alive and healthy!

On another note... even Caleb was rather crabby this morning (unusual for him)... obviously he was as upset as me about the results last night. This is a great article, which I will quote:

 Man can create a law to make something “legal” or “illegal.” But only God makes things “right” or “wrong.” The law is external, the Spirit is internal. God is more concerned about the heart.

The Psalm today at Mass was exactly what I needed to hear this morning. And I've also been remembering #733 in The Way by St. Josemaria:

Trust always in your God. He does not lose battles.

Day 6: My Faith

"And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,

and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Matthew 16:18

I love being a Catholic.