She may have a baby mullet, but those are some adorable little curly pigtails, if I do say so myself...
Dear Eva (12 Years)
1 year ago
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
On a lighter note
Does anybody recognize this big girl??
She may have a baby mullet, but those are some adorable little curly pigtails, if I do say so myself...
She may have a baby mullet, but those are some adorable little curly pigtails, if I do say so myself...
Just another Sunday afternoon...
At church on Sunday, a woman who's about to have a baby asked when we could get together to talk about being a working mom, etc. I thought about it, and told her that Sunday afternoons are probably best - they're the most predictable time of my week. Bryan's always working, and Eden and I are almost always home.
I shouldn't have said anything.
As usual, on the way home from church, Eden fell asleep in the car. As usual, I put her in her bed, snoring away. Very UN-usually, she woke up crying, wheezing and rattling really terribly, struggling to breathe, and burning hot. I immediately called Bryan and told him to come home RIGHT NOW, I was calling the doctor. I called the doc, and was told to take her to the ER immediately. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200. And take someone with you so that you can sit in the backseat with her. If anything changes, pull over and call 911.
As you can imagine, I was completely terrified, and barely holding it together at this point, clinging to Eden, who was also completely terrified and barely holding it together.
Bryan made it home in record time and we rushed to the ER. We only had to wait a few minutes before they took us back to triage, where we learned that Eden had a 103 degree fever and a very hoarse voice. We'd barely made it back to the waiting room before they called us back to a room. A blur of people came in and out, and listened to her and poked and prodded her, and somehow over her screaming and wheezing I heard "croup." (This was actually relieving to me, because while I didn't know exactly what croup was, I knew I'd heard of it, friends' kids had had it, and it was really treatable).
Next thing we know, there's a respiratory therapist in the room, holding a nebulizer tube in front of her face and she's still crying it out. After that treatment she fell asleep in my arms (which she never does anymore) and slept for 2 hours while we gave her some cool mist treatment.
She woke up happy, but still a little bit wheezy. They gave her an oral steroid, and discharged us.
Long story (sort of) short, we ended up almost going back to the ER Sunday night, but she relaxed and fell asleep so we just put her in our bed so we could keep an ear on her. None of us slept very well. We took her to the doctor's office yesterday, and they gave her a prescription for more steroids. Today I'm home with her, and she still sounds really wheezy, but definitely not as bad as Sunday afternoon.
That might have been the most frightening experience of my life so far. Knowing that she was struggling and there was nothing I could do but hold her was absolutely terrible. And not knowing what was wrong, not knowing what to do, was maybe worse. Bryan and I kept saying over and over, "Parenting is so hard!" We just wanted someone to tell us what to do, how to make her better. We wanted to make the hurt go away, right away. And that was just croup. I can't imagine dealing with something worse - and I don't want to try.
I shouldn't have said anything.
As usual, on the way home from church, Eden fell asleep in the car. As usual, I put her in her bed, snoring away. Very UN-usually, she woke up crying, wheezing and rattling really terribly, struggling to breathe, and burning hot. I immediately called Bryan and told him to come home RIGHT NOW, I was calling the doctor. I called the doc, and was told to take her to the ER immediately. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200. And take someone with you so that you can sit in the backseat with her. If anything changes, pull over and call 911.
As you can imagine, I was completely terrified, and barely holding it together at this point, clinging to Eden, who was also completely terrified and barely holding it together.
Bryan made it home in record time and we rushed to the ER. We only had to wait a few minutes before they took us back to triage, where we learned that Eden had a 103 degree fever and a very hoarse voice. We'd barely made it back to the waiting room before they called us back to a room. A blur of people came in and out, and listened to her and poked and prodded her, and somehow over her screaming and wheezing I heard "croup." (This was actually relieving to me, because while I didn't know exactly what croup was, I knew I'd heard of it, friends' kids had had it, and it was really treatable).
Next thing we know, there's a respiratory therapist in the room, holding a nebulizer tube in front of her face and she's still crying it out. After that treatment she fell asleep in my arms (which she never does anymore) and slept for 2 hours while we gave her some cool mist treatment.
She woke up happy, but still a little bit wheezy. They gave her an oral steroid, and discharged us.
Long story (sort of) short, we ended up almost going back to the ER Sunday night, but she relaxed and fell asleep so we just put her in our bed so we could keep an ear on her. None of us slept very well. We took her to the doctor's office yesterday, and they gave her a prescription for more steroids. Today I'm home with her, and she still sounds really wheezy, but definitely not as bad as Sunday afternoon.
That might have been the most frightening experience of my life so far. Knowing that she was struggling and there was nothing I could do but hold her was absolutely terrible. And not knowing what was wrong, not knowing what to do, was maybe worse. Bryan and I kept saying over and over, "Parenting is so hard!" We just wanted someone to tell us what to do, how to make her better. We wanted to make the hurt go away, right away. And that was just croup. I can't imagine dealing with something worse - and I don't want to try.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Big Development
So, in my memory-hazed state I forgot to mention that we're looking forward to mobility in our household.
She was standing (she's an expert stander now, and can even stoop down and stand back up; she practices this particular move quite often) in the living room, holding onto a wooden ball (part of a new toy we got her today at Ben Franklin) and she was trying to hand it to one of us. We, being the sly parents we are, scooted away from her just enough so that she couldn't reach us. She took one tiny little step, and then another, and then sat down.
And then many, many kisses were showered on our sweet little girl.
Eden took 2 steps today!
She was standing (she's an expert stander now, and can even stoop down and stand back up; she practices this particular move quite often) in the living room, holding onto a wooden ball (part of a new toy we got her today at Ben Franklin) and she was trying to hand it to one of us. We, being the sly parents we are, scooted away from her just enough so that she couldn't reach us. She took one tiny little step, and then another, and then sat down.
And then many, many kisses were showered on our sweet little girl.
Memory Lane
I was just looking through some old pictures of Eden for her scrapbook* when I came across this picture from last year's Independence Day party - I had forgotten all about it:
Eden looks a little bit out of it (and probably was - all three of us were at this point, she was 2 weeks old), but it made me get all teary-eyed thinking about J&C and little Soren, and how much has changed in the past couple of years. We've shared a whole lot of life together in the just-under-two-years we've known each other, and this picture just made me realize that. And now they've moved away.
It's hard to put down roots in a place where everyone is transient. People come for a season, as our pastor says, and then move on with their lives. It's refreshing to always have new faces, I suppose, but it's also so, so sad to see such great friends leave (and that is only a sampling!!). I suppose the good part of is, we now have friends all over the country! And now, thanks to these special people, if we ever drive home again, we'll have somewhere to stay near the halfway point! But it's really hard to know that this is probably the nature of our life here. There are a few people who plan to stay forever (we're starting a club, actually) but we're a pretty rare breed.
Anyway, I just wanted to share that moment of bittersweet, especially given the fact that I just posted a July 4 picture of these two.
* I'm really not a scrapbooker, but Ruthless is, and she was kind enough to make Eden an "all-you-have-to-do-is-insert-photos" book as a baby gift.
Eden looks a little bit out of it (and probably was - all three of us were at this point, she was 2 weeks old), but it made me get all teary-eyed thinking about J&C and little Soren, and how much has changed in the past couple of years. We've shared a whole lot of life together in the just-under-two-years we've known each other, and this picture just made me realize that. And now they've moved away.It's hard to put down roots in a place where everyone is transient. People come for a season, as our pastor says, and then move on with their lives. It's refreshing to always have new faces, I suppose, but it's also so, so sad to see such great friends leave (and that is only a sampling!!). I suppose the good part of is, we now have friends all over the country! And now, thanks to these special people, if we ever drive home again, we'll have somewhere to stay near the halfway point! But it's really hard to know that this is probably the nature of our life here. There are a few people who plan to stay forever (we're starting a club, actually) but we're a pretty rare breed.
Anyway, I just wanted to share that moment of bittersweet, especially given the fact that I just posted a July 4 picture of these two.
* I'm really not a scrapbooker, but Ruthless is, and she was kind enough to make Eden an "all-you-have-to-do-is-insert-photos" book as a baby gift.
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Happy 4th!
This day has been awesome - we didn't host a barbecue this year (as we did last year) but we headed out to one in Medford at the home of one of our small group members' apartment. It was a neat mix of people we knew and people we didn't know, and Eden was very patriotic, rockin' a cute little red jumper and some sweet shades:
We got to hang out with Jeremy and Carol and Soren, who are leaving next week for Indy... Here's Eden lovin' on her buddy:
We hung out there for a couple of hours before Eden got a little warm and tired (Boston finally realized it was SUMMER!) and we took her home, gave her a quick bath to cool her down, and she headed down for a quick nap before dinner. When she woke up, she had dinner and then the three of us were playing in her room, and guess what happened? She STOOD UP!! ALL BY HERSELF!!* (Sorry, we didn't get a picture of that one...) She was leaning toward me, sitting down, and then she just decided to stand, and she slowly got there. I scooted away and she just stood there grinning, holding a toy!!
We then commenced squealing with excitement (which seems to be what we do with milestones), and she smiled really big and kept on standing. Then she slooooowly crouched down to sitting, and we commenced kisses and snuggling (which is what we do all the time...). Then we spent the next half hour trying to get her to stand up again, or walk. Of course she didn't but we were excited so we didn't really care!!
She went happily off to bed, and now I'm taking some time to blog (finally!) and sipping on a fuzzy navel while my husband watches some TV - ahhh, relaxation. Later we'll watch the fireworks and hit the hay in preparation for our usual crazy Sunday!
*This was particularly funny to me because I had just this morning read Lag Liv's post about her weekend and noted that Landon had done the same thing on the 4th last year (well, technically, the 5th, but close enough)! Must be something about Independence Day, I guess!
We got to hang out with Jeremy and Carol and Soren, who are leaving next week for Indy... Here's Eden lovin' on her buddy:
We hung out there for a couple of hours before Eden got a little warm and tired (Boston finally realized it was SUMMER!) and we took her home, gave her a quick bath to cool her down, and she headed down for a quick nap before dinner. When she woke up, she had dinner and then the three of us were playing in her room, and guess what happened? She STOOD UP!! ALL BY HERSELF!!* (Sorry, we didn't get a picture of that one...) She was leaning toward me, sitting down, and then she just decided to stand, and she slowly got there. I scooted away and she just stood there grinning, holding a toy!!
We then commenced squealing with excitement (which seems to be what we do with milestones), and she smiled really big and kept on standing. Then she slooooowly crouched down to sitting, and we commenced kisses and snuggling (which is what we do all the time...). Then we spent the next half hour trying to get her to stand up again, or walk. Of course she didn't but we were excited so we didn't really care!!
She went happily off to bed, and now I'm taking some time to blog (finally!) and sipping on a fuzzy navel while my husband watches some TV - ahhh, relaxation. Later we'll watch the fireworks and hit the hay in preparation for our usual crazy Sunday!
Happy Independence Day!!!
*This was particularly funny to me because I had just this morning read Lag Liv's post about her weekend and noted that Landon had done the same thing on the 4th last year (well, technically, the 5th, but close enough)! Must be something about Independence Day, I guess!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
One Whole Year
Sweet Eden,
I can distinctly remember the very first time I kissed your tiny, pink, puffy cheek. You felt so little and so big at the same time, and I felt incredibly excited and very anxious when they handed you to me. I remember staring at your little face and trying to take it in, to memorize it as quickly as I could. I remember thinking that just a few moments before, when you were still inside me, you were familiar, and now you were completely new and unknown.
One year later I kiss that sweet cheek every day. And even better than that, I know you. I can close my eyes and see your face, hear your infectious giggle. I can feel your beautiful little marshmallow cheeks on my lips. You know me, too. One of my favorite parts of the day is coming up the stairs and hearing your palms slap the hardwood as you thunder to the gate, squealing with excitement, to meet me.
You have changed so much in a year! And though I was sure that when we reached this place I would be sad, mourning the loss of your babyhood, the truth is I'm not, really. I loved the cuddily bundle of milky sleep you were a year ago, but it just keeps getting better! How can I be sad when you're so much fun?
Your first birthday party was so much fun. You were surrounded by many, many people who love you very much, and I am assured that there were many, many more wishing they could be there, from all over the country. I made a strawberry layer cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting and I made you a mini version of the same thing. You did so great! You picked off the strawberries first, and then started to shove the cake in your mouth just like you were supposed to! You were a little freaked out by having thirty pairs of eyes watch you, I think, but you seemed to like the cake! You made a big mess on your hands and face and high chair tray, but not a drop got in your hair, on your dress, or on the floor! That's my girl!!
The list of things you can do keeps getting longer and longer, and I'm often awestruck that every one of them was learned. From holding your head up to re-arranging furniture, you figured it out one step at a time. And now you can give kisses to your stuffed animals, give high fives (thanks to Aunt Kelli), clap, point, attempt to put on shoes, brush your hair, and pick out the toy duck, among other things.
You say "No," "duck," and "da-da," and Daddy told me the other day you said "mama" but I haven't had the benefit of hearing that one yet (even though it is the one word I've been longing to hear from those sweet little lips since forever).
You aren't yet walking on your own, but we know it is coming very soon. Daddy and I take you for "walks" around the apartment every day, your little fists clenched around our fingers.
You have always transitioned effortlessly, requiring at most mere suggestion on the part of your parents. You have transitioned completely to whole cow's milk, without complaint. And last week we put away your bottles - you're all sippy cup now. The latest change was to one nap - now you sleep from 8-8:30pm to at least 7:30 (sometimes as late as 9!) am, and then you nap at 1:00 for a couple of hours. Daddy loves the new schedule but I admit I miss our morning cuddles when I don't get them!!
It seems like at one, maybe more noticably than at other stages, you're full of rapid, very visible change. You are truly leaving your babyhood behind you. Daddy and I love you just how you are, and we can't wait to see what's next!!
Love,
Mommy
I can distinctly remember the very first time I kissed your tiny, pink, puffy cheek. You felt so little and so big at the same time, and I felt incredibly excited and very anxious when they handed you to me. I remember staring at your little face and trying to take it in, to memorize it as quickly as I could. I remember thinking that just a few moments before, when you were still inside me, you were familiar, and now you were completely new and unknown.
One year later I kiss that sweet cheek every day. And even better than that, I know you. I can close my eyes and see your face, hear your infectious giggle. I can feel your beautiful little marshmallow cheeks on my lips. You know me, too. One of my favorite parts of the day is coming up the stairs and hearing your palms slap the hardwood as you thunder to the gate, squealing with excitement, to meet me.You have changed so much in a year! And though I was sure that when we reached this place I would be sad, mourning the loss of your babyhood, the truth is I'm not, really. I loved the cuddily bundle of milky sleep you were a year ago, but it just keeps getting better! How can I be sad when you're so much fun?
Your first birthday party was so much fun. You were surrounded by many, many people who love you very much, and I am assured that there were many, many more wishing they could be there, from all over the country. I made a strawberry layer cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting and I made you a mini version of the same thing. You did so great! You picked off the strawberries first, and then started to shove the cake in your mouth just like you were supposed to! You were a little freaked out by having thirty pairs of eyes watch you, I think, but you seemed to like the cake! You made a big mess on your hands and face and high chair tray, but not a drop got in your hair, on your dress, or on the floor! That's my girl!!
The list of things you can do keeps getting longer and longer, and I'm often awestruck that every one of them was learned. From holding your head up to re-arranging furniture, you figured it out one step at a time. And now you can give kisses to your stuffed animals, give high fives (thanks to Aunt Kelli), clap, point, attempt to put on shoes, brush your hair, and pick out the toy duck, among other things.You say "No," "duck," and "da-da," and Daddy told me the other day you said "mama" but I haven't had the benefit of hearing that one yet (even though it is the one word I've been longing to hear from those sweet little lips since forever).
You aren't yet walking on your own, but we know it is coming very soon. Daddy and I take you for "walks" around the apartment every day, your little fists clenched around our fingers.
You have always transitioned effortlessly, requiring at most mere suggestion on the part of your parents. You have transitioned completely to whole cow's milk, without complaint. And last week we put away your bottles - you're all sippy cup now. The latest change was to one nap - now you sleep from 8-8:30pm to at least 7:30 (sometimes as late as 9!) am, and then you nap at 1:00 for a couple of hours. Daddy loves the new schedule but I admit I miss our morning cuddles when I don't get them!!
It seems like at one, maybe more noticably than at other stages, you're full of rapid, very visible change. You are truly leaving your babyhood behind you. Daddy and I love you just how you are, and we can't wait to see what's next!!
Love,
Mommy
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Anybody else think it is weird
to drop your kid off with strangers?
Eden went to backup daycare for the first time today. It's choking me up a little and I'm not quite sure why. I went during lunch to check on her, and she was completely uninterested in me. A softspoken "teacher" was reading a book and she was actually sort of paying attention. (In between trying to grab the book, presumably so she could eat it). The teacher said they've been commenting that even though Eden is the only one who's never been in daycare, she's the only one who actually gets it... she's been an angel, apparently. She slept for them, ate well for them, and from what I could see she was playing hard too. (NEW TOYS! BABIES!)
But that doesn't change the fact that it is really really strange to have people I don't know in charge of my baby. And it's also really strange that it's not strange, it's perfectly acceptable. WEIRD.
Eden went to backup daycare for the first time today. It's choking me up a little and I'm not quite sure why. I went during lunch to check on her, and she was completely uninterested in me. A softspoken "teacher" was reading a book and she was actually sort of paying attention. (In between trying to grab the book, presumably so she could eat it). The teacher said they've been commenting that even though Eden is the only one who's never been in daycare, she's the only one who actually gets it... she's been an angel, apparently. She slept for them, ate well for them, and from what I could see she was playing hard too. (NEW TOYS! BABIES!)
But that doesn't change the fact that it is really really strange to have people I don't know in charge of my baby. And it's also really strange that it's not strange, it's perfectly acceptable. WEIRD.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Eleven Months!
Sweet Eden,
You're eleven months old, and you're really growing up. You're becoming a toddler, and I can't believe how quickly it happened!!
This month you learned to mimic, and it has been really fun teaching you things! You learned to put your little red phone rattle up to your ear and say "AHHH?" which is your way of saying "hello." Once you figured that out you extended it to all of your other toys. Other rattles, keys, stuffed animals... everything gets put put to that adorable little ear and gets a sweet little greeting.
You've also learned what some things are for. You'll try to brush your hair with your hairbrush (usually with the handle instead of the bristles, but whatever...) and just the other day you figured out how to put your sunglasses on your head like Mommy! So fun!
You've also expanded the "drop" game. You now drop things on the ground and wait for me to say "Uh-oh" and then say "uuuuuooooooh." When I had it back to you we do it all over again. If we count "uuuuoooh" as an actual word, you're up to two.
You are such a social baby. You really love other kids. You're sometimes a little bit skiddish around other adults, but when you see a kid you get this really serious "GIVE ME THAT" look and squeal like crazy.
You had your first international trip this month! We went to London via Iceland, and you had a great time. Admittedly you slept through much of the trip, but when you were awake you were a hoot! You LOVED B&P's little boy Michael, and I think he was a little afraid of you because you went at him full-bore upon your first meeting, and had him pinned on the floor in seconds. You grinned like crazy from the backpack Daddy had you in. And you ate your first banana like a big girl - straight from the peel, no cutting it up!
You got a new, big girl car seat on your eleventh month birthday. You LOVE it! It has all sorts of cubby holes for all of your "phones" and sunglasses! And you look like such a big girl in it. When we came home from running around the day we got it and installed it, we walked in and your infant seat was sitting in the entryway. I had a moment of sadness, realizing that you're getting so big and that you're never going back in that little seat. It was a pang, and then it was gone, because we've been there already and we're here now and I can't wait to see what's next. You bring such joy into our lives at every stage. I can't imagine it any other way. I love you so much, Precious.
Love,
Mommy
You're eleven months old, and you're really growing up. You're becoming a toddler, and I can't believe how quickly it happened!!
This month you learned to mimic, and it has been really fun teaching you things! You learned to put your little red phone rattle up to your ear and say "AHHH?" which is your way of saying "hello." Once you figured that out you extended it to all of your other toys. Other rattles, keys, stuffed animals... everything gets put put to that adorable little ear and gets a sweet little greeting.
You've also learned what some things are for. You'll try to brush your hair with your hairbrush (usually with the handle instead of the bristles, but whatever...) and just the other day you figured out how to put your sunglasses on your head like Mommy! So fun!
You've also expanded the "drop" game. You now drop things on the ground and wait for me to say "Uh-oh" and then say "uuuuuooooooh." When I had it back to you we do it all over again. If we count "uuuuoooh" as an actual word, you're up to two.
You are such a social baby. You really love other kids. You're sometimes a little bit skiddish around other adults, but when you see a kid you get this really serious "GIVE ME THAT" look and squeal like crazy.
You had your first international trip this month! We went to London via Iceland, and you had a great time. Admittedly you slept through much of the trip, but when you were awake you were a hoot! You LOVED B&P's little boy Michael, and I think he was a little afraid of you because you went at him full-bore upon your first meeting, and had him pinned on the floor in seconds. You grinned like crazy from the backpack Daddy had you in. And you ate your first banana like a big girl - straight from the peel, no cutting it up!
You got a new, big girl car seat on your eleventh month birthday. You LOVE it! It has all sorts of cubby holes for all of your "phones" and sunglasses! And you look like such a big girl in it. When we came home from running around the day we got it and installed it, we walked in and your infant seat was sitting in the entryway. I had a moment of sadness, realizing that you're getting so big and that you're never going back in that little seat. It was a pang, and then it was gone, because we've been there already and we're here now and I can't wait to see what's next. You bring such joy into our lives at every stage. I can't imagine it any other way. I love you so much, Precious.
Love,
Mommy
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Puree in a Pouch
(Source)When we were in England B&P had some fruit puree in awesome little pouches with a spout called Pom Potes for little M. They let Eden have some and I fell in LOVE because they're easy to take along, no spoon required, and she can actually feed herself (if you can keep her from taking it out of her mouth and squeezing it all over herself…). Anyway, apparently that brand is only available in France. Devastating, I know... But this morning during breakfast I did a little digging, and lo and behold, there are actually similar products available in the US!
The same company that makes the Pom Potes makes an American version, called GoGo Squeez.
And another company makes a version called Smashies which I can buy at Whole Foods! Yay!
I will check them out at let you know how they stack up - B&P were so gracious as to send us home with some Pom Potes, and I will certainly be heading to Whole Foods to pick up some Smashies.
Has anyone out there tried these things? M is 2 1/2 and still loves them (and asks for them by name - so cute!) so I think they're going to be useful for many, many years (I could even see putting these in school lunches).
Monday, May 11, 2009
London Trip: Unpictured
I would've posted earlier (like Saturday night when we returned) but I fell asleep face-down on the rug waiting for the computer to start up so I figured I'd better go to bed... Now I've got a little time before work but I don't have any of the pictures yet, so I will just say we're back and give you some of the little memorable moments from the trip not captured in pictoral form (but these are the things that made the vacation real):
I'll leave you with this beautiful picture of Eden that P took just before she got sprayed with water from the fountains behind her (another unpictured but hilarious moment):
- We changed diapers in the following places: Starbucks; the stroller; on the grass in a sunny spot overlooking the Thames and Tower Bridge; a few restaurant booths; on some steps outside Westminster Abbey after Evensong.
- I fell down the stairs in our rented apartment while trying to get downstairs to the bathroom. And proceeded to further embarrass myself by peeing a little in my pants. And proceeded to even further embarrass myself by blogging about it.
- I tripped and nearly fell down the stairs getting on the subway a mere 36 hours later.
- The second night the guys decided to have a gas-passing contest while watching a movie. Not sure who won that one, but I'm pretty sure the girls lost; we had to watch from the dining room. (Boys.)
- When we were just flying into Boston, Eden was sleeping very soundly in the seat next to me, but I had to pick her up for landing. She didn't even stir. I cradled her close and stared at her peaceful baby face, mouth slightly open in that beautiful triangle I fell in love with on the ultrasound before she was even born. Her sweet baby breath blew softly in my face, and I wanted to freeze the moment. Bryan came over to the seat next to me and put his arm around us and all I could think was thank you God for this little slice of perfection this side of eternity. If the entire trip had consisted of just that one moment I think it would have been a complete success.
I'll leave you with this beautiful picture of Eden that P took just before she got sprayed with water from the fountains behind her (another unpictured but hilarious moment):
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