Smiling Through the Rain

The fact that I blog less than I exercise is not a good sign.  I miss you all.  And I'm glad to be where I'm at because the problem is that my cup runneth over.  Life is crazy.  The kids are growing and becoming real people and exploring and I'm still struggling to figure out how to parent a VERY challenging 3-year-old. Dear Paisley is actually quite a joy to raise.  She is spunky and energetic and funny.  We desperately struggle to stifle our laughter as we discipline her for things that I never expected her to do or say.  She is the center of attention and loves her baby brother like there's no tomorrow.  I've never met a more opinionated and divalicious child though.  She picks every piece of clothing she wears, which toy she brings in the car, exactly what she is willing to eat, how her hair is fixed, which door she uses to get in the car, etc.  I hear you out there judging me.  I would have to until I gave birth to Whitney ...

Last month, I went to Chicago for 5 days with two of my PA classmates for a board review course. Can I just tell you how EASY it was to fly alone?!?  I made it through security in record speed, sat uninterrupted throughout the flight and even read a book (gasp!!!).   And even though I missed the little people, I thoroughly loved eating with friends and sleeping peacefully and bathroom time alone.   Aaron and I will be in Costa Rica for 8 days this summer and I worried about how I could leave them for so long but now I know I can.  It's important for me to have time away so I can remember who I am and enjoy doing non-mommy things.  Plus, I'm super excited to spend a week with poor neglected Aaron!!!

I had several people who read this who asked for more details so for those of you who have no interest in my new breasts, skip this post.  I won't blame you.   I went in at 8 am and had surgery at 9.  We were in the car driving home by 10:45.  I initially felt some tightness around my chest from the muscles being stretched, but have had no discomfort since coming home.  I took one norco for pain and I'm icing the girls every 2 hours.  I've been lying down because I'm supposed to but I feel like I could easily tolerate mild activity.   For those who are local, I used Dr. Justin Jones at Waterford plastic surgery.  He came highly recommended as the best in the state for this from a pa friend who works in the field and an anesthesiologist friend who has worked with a lot of plastic surgeons.  I had several consults but chose him because he was very thorough, and had amazing before and after pictures.   We did silicone gel implants under the...

Well, in two days I will be gaining back some of my awesome nursing curves.  I have decided to have a breast augmentation!  Now, before any of you go to judging me and acting like I'm super self-absorbed, let me explain my reasoning. I have always been super happy about my appearance and am really low maintenance.  I've never even used an eyelash curler, see a hairdresser about once every two years and buy clothes and purses that are not name brand.  Those things just aren't important to me. I've always placed a lot of importance on taking care of my body with exercise and decent eating (love Mexican food and cheesecake unfortunately).  I loved my appearance during pregnancy.  Even with 45 extra pounds and swelling in my legs that made them look like elephants, I thought I was pretty.  I loved my curves! And breastfeeding was even better.  I got to be skinny again and have awesome boobs.  What more could you ask for?   So I spent four ye...

My kids love to freak me out.  These kids never go to the pediatrician for any reason other than vaccinations.  They aren't ever sick or hurt.  It's pretty amazing.  But we just made our third ambulance trip last night. First was Paisley's trip in Vegas after having a seizure.  Next was Graham's transfer to the children's hospital from another hospital with meningitis.  Now last night.... Graham was sitting on a cute kid's chair in our living room.  He stood to scoot it behind him and tipped forward, hitting his head on our wood floor.  He stood up immediately but couldn't get a sound out and then passed out.  Aaron yells for my help and hands me an unconscious, non-breathing baby.  He is now stiff and blue and non responsive.   I tell Aaron to call 911 and thump Graham on the chest a few times.  (It's the beginning of CPR).  I haven't checked for a pulse yet but I know he isn't breathing.  So, after what seemed like ...