BK3's birthday party was this past Saturday. As it felt much more like a wedding, and not a simple birthday party, I was left puzzled as to why we put so much emphasis into this one event...when he truly remembered none of it. Thank goodness I remembered the camera. Oh well, at least the pictures came out cute, and we all sure had a great time. My mother's day was great, at first. My husband woke me up and cooked breakfast for us. We met my family for church downtown, and then shared a lunch with them. Here is where it began to go downhill... BK3 had none of the lunch. He was fussy, didn't want to sit still, didn't want to eat, nothing. Only wanted to be outside looking at the dog that was visiting the area. Brannan and I took turns taking him outside, as something just wasn't right. He never cries. He never fusses for no reason. There's nothing food can't fix when it comes to this baby. I knew something was up. I enjoyed my salad, and then a few hours later, BAM. Doubled over with stomach pain. Nausea. Not ok. I finished out the day in his mom's spare bedroom lying down, as he and baby B visited with the Honeycutts. I felt terrible. And even more so because I couldn't visit with important people on Mother's day. I got home luckily without tossing my cookies, and less than an hour later - there it was. Full on vomiting every 20 to 30 minutes. I had no clue what was going on. Thankfully, Brannan finished up the baby duties, got the toys in the house from the party, fed BK3, bathed him, and even called my OB on call just to see if I could take anything for the vomiting. I was really afraid of harming our new little one that I'm carrying! I told Brannan he better sleep on the couch, made sure his baby monitor was on, and then I tried to sleep. Wasn't working because of course, the trips to the bathroom kind of interrupted that. Then 2 a.m., I hear BK3 heaving in his baby bed. Nightmare. I wake Brannan up and we see that BK3 is covered. His bed, his bumper pads, sheets soaked, clothes soaked. Vomit everywhere. Just about that time I started with the "other end" of the virus. Yeah....it gets better. We get the baby cleaned up, calmed down, not back to sleep just yet, and there it is again. Every 20 minutes. Just puke. Awful. Me praying I don't mess my pants, and Daddy Brannan yelling "HELP" from the living room every time BK3 starts gagging. Seriously. I didn't know what could be worse? About the 3rd time BK3 blew chunks, Daddy B decides it's a good time to tell me "I'm not feeling so good either". Great. Awesome. Let's all just jump on this bandwagon together. No sleep. For any of us. BK3 didn't stop vomiting til 9 a.m. I had finished the vomiting, but kept the other end going for another 12 hours. Daddy B just felt nauseous, but none of us slept. I had a pile of towels in the back room - towels, sheets, bumper pads, clothes, just soaked in vomit. Nasty. And I knew I had to clean that.
Once the smoke cleared and Daddy B got his 6 hours of sleep that he needed, he looks at me and says "man, that was rough". It quickly reminded me of the my laboring process. 9 hours of 29 mL Pitocin, no epidural, lamaze breathing, contractions that were peaking OFF the charts with only 30 second breaks (they lasted for 90 seconds). After that 9 hours, I gave in and said "OK. Bring out the needle...this is going nowhere", but not in a calm voice. Once I got that needle.....and calmed down. And smiled. Daddy B looks at me and says "Man...glad you got that epidural. That was stressful." Gee babe was it? Yep, I agree. I do. It must have been so stressful :) With a smile.
I was so thankful though. Despite the 48 hours of no sleep Sunday and Monday, I was SO thankful that Daddy B sat there on the couch with a sick BK3 and only yelled "HELP". I wasn't sleeping anyways.....duh. I could've been the one on that couch. Pretty sure I'd have been crying at that point.
Needless to say, I hated throwing up when I was a kid. I used to tell everyone around me "I love you", because I thought I would die. I hated it that much. It scared the living daylights out of me. I still hate it. But what I hate even more is to see my little munchkin have it too. I said it today "I'll birth 5 more children before I have to go through all three of us and the stomach virus within 24 hours ever again." It was THAT bad, and I'm trying not to be dramatic. I kept reminding myself that "It's just a stomach virus", people are really sick out there, and here I am complaining about a stomach virus. It was more the process, and my test as a mama. Not the actual feelings of the sickness.
No. I'm not "Mom" enough to breastfeed my babies til they're standing up to my breast at 4 years of age for a photo-op with TIME magazine. But I am "Mom" enough to survive the stomach bug. With the whole family. In 24 hours. Can I get a hell yeah?
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Everyday Hope.
A friend gave me the link to an iphone app called "Jesus Calling". It's a daily devotional, worth reading I think.
Here was today's:
Do not long for the absence of problems in your life. That is an unrealistic goal, since in this world you will have trouble. You have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven. Rejoice in that inheritance, which no one can take away from you, but do not seek your heaven on earth. Begin each day anticipating problems, asking Me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter. The best equipping is My Living Presence, My hand that never lets go of yours. Discuss everything with Me. Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle. Remember that I am on your side, and I have overcome the world.
And a verse that accompanied it:
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
-Philippians 4:13 (My favorite scripture)
I read that a woman jumped today from the I-10 Mississippi River bridge. Of course, stings my heart, since I'm all too familiar with the feelings associated with someone taking their own life. This devotional today hits it so close. I will find myself negotiating through a situation in my head....should I do this? oh what about that?....should I pray about it? WHY AM I EVEN ASKING MYSELF THIS?????? OF COURSE PRAY DAMNIT!
We live in such a fast paced world. One that demands us to be on top of our game at every second, once we open our eyes. I'm reminded today that our first and only option every morning should be to pray. Give me strength - for I'm not able, without You. I'm as stubborn as they come, but the moment I release the greats, the not-so-greats, and the bads to Him, my day is full of sunshine.
I'm thankful for my friendly reminder, from my fast-paced iPhone app. And thankful for the friend who sent me towards it. Reminded today to cherish those I love. And to never hesitate to share the amazing power of His love to everyone I know.
Loved.
Here was today's:
Do not long for the absence of problems in your life. That is an unrealistic goal, since in this world you will have trouble. You have an eternity of problem-free living reserved for you in heaven. Rejoice in that inheritance, which no one can take away from you, but do not seek your heaven on earth. Begin each day anticipating problems, asking Me to equip you for whatever difficulties you will encounter. The best equipping is My Living Presence, My hand that never lets go of yours. Discuss everything with Me. Take a lighthearted view of trouble, seeing it as a challenge that you and I together can handle. Remember that I am on your side, and I have overcome the world.
And a verse that accompanied it:
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
-Philippians 4:13 (My favorite scripture)
I read that a woman jumped today from the I-10 Mississippi River bridge. Of course, stings my heart, since I'm all too familiar with the feelings associated with someone taking their own life. This devotional today hits it so close. I will find myself negotiating through a situation in my head....should I do this? oh what about that?....should I pray about it? WHY AM I EVEN ASKING MYSELF THIS?????? OF COURSE PRAY DAMNIT!
We live in such a fast paced world. One that demands us to be on top of our game at every second, once we open our eyes. I'm reminded today that our first and only option every morning should be to pray. Give me strength - for I'm not able, without You. I'm as stubborn as they come, but the moment I release the greats, the not-so-greats, and the bads to Him, my day is full of sunshine.
I'm thankful for my friendly reminder, from my fast-paced iPhone app. And thankful for the friend who sent me towards it. Reminded today to cherish those I love. And to never hesitate to share the amazing power of His love to everyone I know.
Loved.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The chore chart.
When I found out I was having a boy (December 2010), I bought the book "Wild Things; the art of nurturing boys". I figured I had a lot to learn about the male species. And low and behold, after the first chapter, the book had already described my husband to a T. From start to finish the book was pretty informative. The whole time reading, I kept telling myself to Buckle Up. I'm very to the point, concentrated, focused, take the steps necessary to accomplish goals, type person. I don't see the point in adventure, except if it's to some deserted romantic island with no kids. Each chapter of this book was teaching me to sit back, relax, and enjoy the adventurous spirit that my son (and my husband now) will hold. I had finished reading the book a few weeks after BK3 was born, and now, at 11 1/2 months, li'l B is completely taking on the profile that the book has prepared me for. He explores. He gazes. He is determined to grab, feel, examine, and attempt to destroy just about everything he touches. I have entered a whole new realm of mommy-hood, which includes chasing after this 22 pound munchkin, and he's starting to get much faster than I am. My 95-year old cuban grandfather calls BK3 the "Hurricane". Fitting. Every time I bring the baby over there, Brannan turns their small very neat house into a demolition derby. He even tried to climb up the inside of the fireplace. YEP. He can't even walk yet. My papi just watches....and then when it's just about to get dangerous, he'll yell Kelrie! (His slang for Carrie).
And now to my loving husband. He cares for me. He provides. He is probably the nicest person I know. He loves me. And he is good to me. But if there's one thing he has no capability of understanding, it's my need/request to stay on top of housework. Since we're both working parents, we both have to tackle this tough job. One problem: I need a neat house to survive. He does not. And since I now take on various hats: business owner, mom, fetus-maker, house contractor, homemaker, etc, I am having a VERY tough time sweeping/vacuuming the house daily, making sure the Doberman smell is gone, wiping countertops, finishing laundry, cooking for dinner (even though I work from 3 to 9:30 every night, and teach Zumba 3 mornings of the week), etc etc ETC! Brannan's always saying "Babe, I'll do whatever housework you need, just ask". Well, I thought that was Nagging? Right guys? Babe do this, babe do that....babe, laundry. Babe trash. Ya know. I was trying to be nice...by just expecting it to get done right ladies? hell yeah. Not. So - instead of using the tad bit of my brainpower that was left to tell Daddy B what housework needed to get done, I just went to wal mart, bought a dry erase magnet board for the fridge, and created a chore chart. Ok. Go ahead now. Laugh. I know...I KNOW.
I figured, he can just look at the chore chart, and SEE what needs to get done. I'll put a check mark or my initials by whatever the chore is for that day. He'll know he doesn't have to do it.... Well lemme tell ya how this went down. We have a few chores: Vacuum/Sweep, Dishwasher Unload (not load, because that's just expected when you use a dish), Trash (all of it), Countertops/tables, Mop, and Laundry. Ya know - the usual. Except we have 145 pounds of dog living in our house, that's a rough 1100 sq ft. They live inside. And you could stuff a small teddy bear with the dog hair, should you not get rid of it daily - either by vacuuming or sweeping. Everything started off great. I explained it to him (while he smiled that smile that said "this is gonna be fun"), and I figured hey! Let's do this. A few days went by great....and then I wake up one morning to get the day going....I look at the fridge. He's put his initials BKW on the chart for Dishwasher, Trash and Laundry. I notice....there's no dishes that have been cleaned. Just a few in their dirty. The kitchen trash was out, but not the rest of the house. And there was a load of his car washing towels onto wash, with full hampers of dirty clothes elsewhere. I ask him about it. To which I learn that he put his initials down because he loaded a dish or two in the dishwasher. He also put a load of clothes onto wash. And he took one trash can out. Well....then we had to make the chore chart more specific. Ya know - THE WHOLE JOB HAD TO GET DONE. That was just a teaser for me, on his part I guess.
A few days later, I wake up to see more initials on stuff....BK on a trash. BK on Dishwasher. maybe another BK somewhere else but at this point I was just getting ticked off. I'm pregnant people. I'm tired. No time for this. So I start to be understanding and think "Ya know, he took one trash out. Thanks". But the dishwasher? Come on. He put 3 dishes in the dishwasher. No unloading job here. So when I talked to him later, I'm like DUDE we need to get this straight. You can't just put your initials on something because you INTENDED to do it. Or you put 2 DISHES in the dishwasher. We went over this....
His response:
Well babe. That's why I only put 1/2 my initials....because I only did 1/2 the job. ya know BK? Not BKW.
I laughed. I remembered the book. Relax Carrie. This is a sign telling you to LET IT GO. It's housework. I thank God every day for giving me a match that 100% completes the the qualities which I lack. He keeps me laughing with moments like this. When I try so hard to be ON TOP OF THINGS. And he reminds me to slow it on down and enjoy life. It's laundry. No matter how many times you take care of it, it'll pile back up. Sit back every now and then, and let it be.
The chore chart is blank. Still on the fridge, but it catches things like "what to buy from the grocery" and "BK3's party planning list". I learned that when I want something done, just ask damnit.
Now all of you mamas reading this, shaking your head with a smile, or wiping the tears away from laughing so hard at me. Thanks. I know. I'm learning. Remember that last blog? Positive thoughts and prayers accepted :)
I'll get to the next-door-neighbor's chicken and BK3 takes a tumble in his walker subjects next blog. I'm pretty sure my toddler is missing inside of one of my cabinets right now...
And now to my loving husband. He cares for me. He provides. He is probably the nicest person I know. He loves me. And he is good to me. But if there's one thing he has no capability of understanding, it's my need/request to stay on top of housework. Since we're both working parents, we both have to tackle this tough job. One problem: I need a neat house to survive. He does not. And since I now take on various hats: business owner, mom, fetus-maker, house contractor, homemaker, etc, I am having a VERY tough time sweeping/vacuuming the house daily, making sure the Doberman smell is gone, wiping countertops, finishing laundry, cooking for dinner (even though I work from 3 to 9:30 every night, and teach Zumba 3 mornings of the week), etc etc ETC! Brannan's always saying "Babe, I'll do whatever housework you need, just ask". Well, I thought that was Nagging? Right guys? Babe do this, babe do that....babe, laundry. Babe trash. Ya know. I was trying to be nice...by just expecting it to get done right ladies? hell yeah. Not. So - instead of using the tad bit of my brainpower that was left to tell Daddy B what housework needed to get done, I just went to wal mart, bought a dry erase magnet board for the fridge, and created a chore chart. Ok. Go ahead now. Laugh. I know...I KNOW.
I figured, he can just look at the chore chart, and SEE what needs to get done. I'll put a check mark or my initials by whatever the chore is for that day. He'll know he doesn't have to do it.... Well lemme tell ya how this went down. We have a few chores: Vacuum/Sweep, Dishwasher Unload (not load, because that's just expected when you use a dish), Trash (all of it), Countertops/tables, Mop, and Laundry. Ya know - the usual. Except we have 145 pounds of dog living in our house, that's a rough 1100 sq ft. They live inside. And you could stuff a small teddy bear with the dog hair, should you not get rid of it daily - either by vacuuming or sweeping. Everything started off great. I explained it to him (while he smiled that smile that said "this is gonna be fun"), and I figured hey! Let's do this. A few days went by great....and then I wake up one morning to get the day going....I look at the fridge. He's put his initials BKW on the chart for Dishwasher, Trash and Laundry. I notice....there's no dishes that have been cleaned. Just a few in their dirty. The kitchen trash was out, but not the rest of the house. And there was a load of his car washing towels onto wash, with full hampers of dirty clothes elsewhere. I ask him about it. To which I learn that he put his initials down because he loaded a dish or two in the dishwasher. He also put a load of clothes onto wash. And he took one trash can out. Well....then we had to make the chore chart more specific. Ya know - THE WHOLE JOB HAD TO GET DONE. That was just a teaser for me, on his part I guess.
A few days later, I wake up to see more initials on stuff....BK on a trash. BK on Dishwasher. maybe another BK somewhere else but at this point I was just getting ticked off. I'm pregnant people. I'm tired. No time for this. So I start to be understanding and think "Ya know, he took one trash out. Thanks". But the dishwasher? Come on. He put 3 dishes in the dishwasher. No unloading job here. So when I talked to him later, I'm like DUDE we need to get this straight. You can't just put your initials on something because you INTENDED to do it. Or you put 2 DISHES in the dishwasher. We went over this....
His response:
Well babe. That's why I only put 1/2 my initials....because I only did 1/2 the job. ya know BK? Not BKW.
I laughed. I remembered the book. Relax Carrie. This is a sign telling you to LET IT GO. It's housework. I thank God every day for giving me a match that 100% completes the the qualities which I lack. He keeps me laughing with moments like this. When I try so hard to be ON TOP OF THINGS. And he reminds me to slow it on down and enjoy life. It's laundry. No matter how many times you take care of it, it'll pile back up. Sit back every now and then, and let it be.
The chore chart is blank. Still on the fridge, but it catches things like "what to buy from the grocery" and "BK3's party planning list". I learned that when I want something done, just ask damnit.
Now all of you mamas reading this, shaking your head with a smile, or wiping the tears away from laughing so hard at me. Thanks. I know. I'm learning. Remember that last blog? Positive thoughts and prayers accepted :)
I'll get to the next-door-neighbor's chicken and BK3 takes a tumble in his walker subjects next blog. I'm pretty sure my toddler is missing inside of one of my cabinets right now...
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