A Fully Full Day

We did so much today, and I'm so tired, I canNOT wait to lay my head down.

On the way to the park, we stopped at Costco and had some hot dogs and soda. I tried to fool Brilla and gave her lemonade. But she caught me and I ended up giving her soda after all. I can try :) Next, it was pure relaxation in the sun for about 2 hours. Brilla played to her heart's content. Half of her fun is running around with all the other girls her age. She's a social butterfly. Wonder where she gets that from? ::mischievous grin:: We ate so unhealthy today. My snack at the park for us was M&M cookies and Cheetos. You can guarantee it was popular though. After a long stretch in that sun, we headed for some shade at a local consignment shoppe, while Mama got her fun in. I bought a couple things for my body in its "transition phase". I will keep the size undisclosed to protect the innocent party.

About the "transition phase". I dislike how my body looks about the 5th or 6th week postpartum, as I'm sure every new mom does. Reality kicks in. My body is NOT the same as it was at all. The stretch marks are stretchier, the hips are wider, the rear end more cellulitier. If that's even a word. Sometimes I close my eyes between taking my clothes off and trying the new ones on. It's just easier that way. I had someone be very nice and tell me I looked great the other day, "for just having had a baby". Ha. Anyway, I've decided it's not the best time to shop for clothing. I simply end up dissatisfied, frustrated, frumpy and hot all at once.

We had to stop at another park because I had to feed Katie. That girl takes a lot of maintenance ;) So I figured, why not nurse her at a park where B can play again?

I didn't feel like making dinner for just two people (one being a picky toddler who takes forever to eat), so I asked Brilla where she wanted to go. She chose Panera Bread. Wonderful, as we needed a little health for the day. On the way home, I picked up a couple movies at BlockBuster.

After a super long day, I am happily exhausted. After I nurse Katie, it's off to LaLa Land immediately. Did I say how tired I am? Even as I type this last sentence my eyes are drooping...

The Bad and The Good

The bad news is that I have the staff infection, Merca, on my leg. The good news is that it is healing right on schedule with all the antibiotics I've been taking. A few posts ago, I mentioned my leg was in lots of pain, the OB nurse attributing it to a very low immune system. That was the wrong diagnosis. At the time, the cut on my knee wasn't very big, so I didn't mention it. Fact was, it was infected with Merca, and that is why my lymph node swelled up, inflammation spreading throughout my leg. Thank Jesus I went with my intuition that this thing wasn't getting better and headed to the doctor. They did the typical numbing of my knee (ouch!!), drastically squeezing the pus out (it was deep in there) as only a hospital can do, taking a culture, and bandaging it up. And got a nice tetanus shot to boot :) If I would've known it would be so involved, I'd have left my children in another's care.

Now my day involves watching the clock a lot...for nursing Katie, taking medication 4x a day, taking acidophilus, prenatal vitamin (have to watching timing, iron would cancel out med's effectiveness) and Vit C. Whew. Feel like I'm popping pills in my mouth all the time. But I feel great. And that's what's important. It was awful to have my leg hurt so bad I couldn't get around.

We're having girl time this weekend! Daddy is in Malibu (Canada) for a retreat, so we have some fun stuff planned! Painting toes, going to the playground, walking at the beach, and garage saling. This Saturday will be busy. My husband's chiropractor is having a "Patient Appreciation Day" and offering free exams, x-rays and adjustment to family members ($200 value). I got a slot! Before that, though, Lakeland Hills development is having their annual community garage sale. We'll be looking for toys for our backyard and maybe snag a few other things ;) After that, I go to care for my husband's grandmother. She recently fell and can hardly get around because of her soreness/pain. Thankfully, she has other help during the weekend and week.

Can you believe it's May already? Since having Katie, the days have flown. She is 5 weeks and smiling and cooing constantly. Such a fun stage. She's also on a regular schedule. Sleeping so well, too. She usually wakes up once in the night...2/3 or 4ish then sleeps until 7. Good eater - I used to worry she wasn't nursing long enough, but I've come to realize both my girls only take about 15 minutes total when they're newborns. Funny, her little toys are taking over the house...swing, bouncher, tummy time thing, other toy where she lays on her back. We're calling it "Katie's Castle".

Brilla is becoming quite the helper and little mother. Putting Katie' socks back on, adjusting her straps on her bouncer, bringing me diapers and such, covering her with her soft blankie, and picking her up without me knowing it (yeah, that one was pretty scary!). We've noticed when Daddy gets home, she wants just as much attention as Katie gets. But that's just plain 'ole desire for affirmation. It's been a challenge to not let Brilla get bored while I'm caring for Katie. I have this list of things to do with her/for her so I don't run out of ideas. Thankfully, the weather has been warmer lately, so she can run around outside.

Oh, I got to hang out with my neighbor the other day. She watched Brilla while I went to my dentist appointment. Afterward, I brought a salad, she made chicken and rice, and we had lunch while talking about everything under the sun. She's getting her driver's license, which will be nice for her and the boys to get out. It was just fun to talk to another mom, not kids all day!

Belated Happy Mother's Day

My Mother's Day post is late but here it is anyhow.

It's Monday morning and I've been browsing my blog list. I am amazed at how so many women have the presence of mind to blog on (or before) Mother's Day. Wow. After reading, I have been awesomely blessed. I have cried and laughed this morning as I've gone on others' journeys.

Many of the blogs I follow belong to other moms who have angel children. I know our children aren't actually angels, but they are in heaven. Anway, this is why I've cried and laughed. I've been reminded of the gift of motherhood and what it means to be a mom. It's not about the flowers, chocolates, or surprise gifts but about the love for your children, the hugs and kisses, the sweet coos and dirty hands. It's thanking Jesus for the privilege of raising these little ones for His glory.

I feel so honored this Mother's Day-after.

I have 2 beautiful daughters, Brilla Felicity and Katie Claire, with me here on earth. They are terribly precious. I wouldn't trade the childhood stage they're in right now for anything. These years will be past before I know it, so I bask in each day. As for my Amelia, she's beautiful. I am sure of it. She is the most blessed daughter of all, for she's in heaven. I think back on the day I found out she had gone to heaven and tears flows down my face. My heart was so broken then, the pain so acute. But now, through my tears, I am rejoicing that she's praising her Maker. She is not sad, and I cannot be sad for long. It will be all too soon before I get to join her on that Shore.

For Mother's Day, my mother was out-of-town visiting my brothers, so my dad joined us and my husband's family for a beautiful sunny day at my in-laws' home. It was not restful - with kids running to and fro it never really is - but it was worth it. The men contrived the meal with us ladies only helping to set the table. We had rotisserie chicken, Swiss steak, new potatoes, buttered carrots, green salad, and bread. It was delicious!! Dessert was very sweet with cream cheese brownies, fruit tart, coconut cream pie, pumpkin bars and Reese's PB cookies. I ate a little more than I should have :) My husband and daughters gave me the sweetest card and a dozen pink roses. I am so grateful for Michael, Brilla and Katie Claire. My beautiful family that God has given me. My dad gave me a gift from he and mom - a gorgeous tea cup with a tea strainer and little tea bag rest. If you know me well, you know I love tea parties, etc. My tea collection is growing!

It is funny though, how we forget the value of being a mom amidst the hustle and bustle of life. Oh, Lord, please help me to never forget how rich I am in love. Surrounded every day by it. And God bless the mothers who are in pain this day, those who yearn to yet be mothers, those whose children are full grown and have flown the nest, those without children who mentor younger women. God knows your heart and may you be strengthened by your Heavenly Father.

A Lesson to be Learned

I am sitting with my leg propped up wishing I was up and at 'em.

The past few days I discovered that my upper inside thigh was very sensitive to the touch, but there was no bruising or swelling at all. I've never had this happen before. Then, just yesterday, I discovered a lump on my upper thigh, where it connects to my abdomen. So I called the doctor, and they got me an appointment right away! Good thing it was Monday morning, not Friday afternoon.

The nurse practitioner saw me and knew what it was almost right away. She said it was a swollen lymph node and inflamed nerves. Whew. Though I'm glad it was not cancer-related, she did let me know that it is still serious. This is the perfect scenario to have some neurological problems, seeing that I just had a baby, am nursing, I'm getting little sleep, and just recovered from a bad cold. Babies are like little parasites! They suck it all out of you. She said I've probably been doing more than I should, sooner than I should. I need to control my activity (like not go to the Spring Fair and walk around for 4 hours, 2 weeks after I have baby!). Basically only do what's necessary. And I need to boost my immune system by taking, in addition to my prenatal vitamin, 2000 mg of Vitamin C daily.

Well, I'm learning my lesson about taking it easy after having a baby. Especially when you have more than one child. I think I've also exhausted Brilla, because after I climbed out of my bath, it was completely silent. She is napping like a newborn in our bed room. Poor girl. I'll bet I'm not the only one not getting woken up by Katie in the middle of the night :(

Oh, and to boot, I have this random infection just below my knee. It started with an ingrown hair, which I promptly removed. But then the spot got infected and has gotten red and puffy. So I just took a bath in Epsom salt and am about to put a little Neosporin on top. My left leg is basically shot. It hurts to walk around. Please leg, heal soon!!