Jake, Philadelphia, 32...Best guy you will ever meet

I am thrilled to be writing about my "future cousin", Jake!

Jake is a 32 year old awesome guy living in the City of Brotherly Love (aka Philadelphia). When he's not running his own web development business, he enjoys playing and watching all sports (especially the EAGLES!), cooking (his homemade stromboli is incredible), spending time with family and friends (big Italian family!) and is ALWAYS the life of the party.

When Jake hosts a social event, you can be sure everyone attends and no one goes home without having a blast.
He plays in a football sport and social league as well in his spare time.  Anytime you need a helping hand, Jake the one to call.
Jake likes to travel and has been known to see a deal for an inexpensive flight and he "goes where the wind blows" to have a new adventure.  You will never have a boring second with him!
Jake is a big animal lover (dogs are a plus)!
It should be mentioned that Jake will a make a wonderful father when the time is right.  He loves our daughter and the feeling is mutual.  He is wonderful christian role model for Elizabeth and we are all so blessed to have him in our lives.

No question, Jake will make one special and blessed woman, very happy some day.
Please shoot me an email or comment if you would like to connect with Jake!
Have a wonderful Valentines Day!

Putting the Phone Down

I've been waiting to get up to speed with blogging since pretty much daily things pop in my mind to blog about. 
A big thing to blog about is about putting down the phone.
Before Elizabeth, I used to see mothers constantly on their phone when I would pass them on a playground or zoo or children's museum.  I never understood it.

Arguably, I still don't, but part of me does.

When Elizabeth was born, like all mothers these days, you snap 100 pictures a day with your smartphone...because there is such ease to pick it up and within a second have captured a funny/sweet/crazy moment.  The selfies we have from the hospital are hilarious and during my pregnancy, it was a quick way to snap myself in a mirror to send to my friends and family who I don't see often.  Two of my best friends do not live in the same state as I do and sadly the one in Virginia I don't see NEARLY enough but thanks to this technology we iChat and Skype so she got to see the nursery and got to chat face to face. 

Well, once we came home, again, I took a ton of pictures a day and sent them on Instagram and Facebook for the world to see (well, my "friends" on those sites).  I was proud of my baby and of course didn't want to leave Sterling out of the picture either.  I am glad that I have those pictures of the two of them.

I embarked also on the crazy world of nursing (that's an entirely different post that I will address...a very real look into it) and like most new mothers know, there is this lovely thing called cluster feeding where your child nurses for hours on end.  I would be propped up with pillows in bed with the remote, water bottle, and my phone.  While she nursed I played games, texted with my girlfriends, checked Facebook, you name it. 

I remember one day, I think she was about 3 months old on her play mat and I was on my phone and it hit me. 
I needed to put the phone down.

I realized I was missing life.  I was too busy looking at what others were doing rather than focusing on my own life.

I picked her up, put her in her rock n play and put it on the front porch.  I got Sterling and helped her to the front porch as well.  We sat with the summer breeze hitting us.  I was rocking the baby with my foot and Sterling was enjoying the breeze with Van Morrison playing.  I took, ironically, a picture to remember it. Haha. 

Since then, there have been many moments that have been "missed"/"not captured".
That's ok.

I've been to many music classes/play groups where there is book reading and singing going on and I look around seeing so many moms on their phone.  Not taking pictures but checking email and Facebook.  I look at their children trying to get their parent's attention and it falls on deaf ears.

It's VERY hard to do as I truly think we have become addicted to our phone and the convenience of it all.  We can pull up a recipe in seconds; contact a relative or friend across the country via text within a half a second. 

 Since that moment 6 months ago, I need to be conscious about it because I do fall in the trap and find myself checking my phone more than I would like.

Dan and I have some unspoken rules which I love.

The phone never comes to the dinner table.  Ever.  The three of us sit for about 45 minutes every night at the dining room table.  Elizabeth recognizes if one of us is not at the table and looks all over.

Every day, the three of us go on the floor and play as a family.  Our phones are no where to be found.  Honestly, that is my favorite part of the day.  Sometimes, we are not engaging her.  She is exploring on her own and I LOVE watching her play and discover on her own.  I absolutely love it.  I watch her expressions and how she is learning how to control her body with standing, sitting, squatting, and learning.  I truly feel that learning to play alone is something that is a lost skill.  As a great friend of mine, Mike says, is that great ideas and creativity come out of boredom. 

Motherhood has taught me and continues to teach me something each and every day.  Not only about the world around me, but about myself. 

Catching up for the new year

So this year has been a series of highest of highs and lowest of lows.  With as much excitement we had bringing Elizabeth home, we suffered extreme sadness in September, specifically, September 11th, with the passing of Sterling. 
Those of you who followed me on my last blog know that Sterling was my world.  It was me and Sterling for many many years, alone in the city.  She was the first love of my life. 
Last summer we noticed she was dragging her toe of her left foot.  It really didn't slow her down, we just noticed it.  Gradually she started falling and walking with an odd gait.  As it turns out, she had a torn meniscus.  She had surgery last November.  I was on the fence about operating on a 9 year old Berner.  But she was in pain from it and I had to do something.  I prayed about it and made the best decision at the time.  She did NOT bounce back after it, in fact, it was AWFUL.  The pain medication seriously was terrible and she couldn't handle it.  Once we took her pain patch off, things started to improve.  She walked a bit after the surgery.  We did rehab-acupuncture, water therapy, massage, you name it...if it existed, we did it. 
She had good days and bad days.  We had an AWFUL winter...back to back ice and snow storms.  Getting her out and about was impossible also I was several months pregnant.  We did the best we could, that is for sure.
When I gave birth and was away for a week, she learned how to move around on her own by dragging herself, which was bittersweet...almost like she gave up on walking, it was too hard on her.
We got a Help Em Up harness and did water therapy.  Again, good days and bad days.
We had the entire summer together and I was home the entire time.
During my pregnancy I was ordered out of work in November so Sterling had a lot of one on one attention together during her last year.
After a few weeks after the baby was born, she came around to being a big sister and it was nice to see. 
When motherhood took a toll on me in the early months, I would have her to take on a walk (in her Eddies Wheels wheelchair).
In August, she started pooping in the house...without realizing it.

She was suffering from DM which is degenerative mylopothy, of which there is no cure.
No proven treatment.
No cure.

Her body started shutting down slowly.  She was developing anxiety when I would leave.  She was becoming less and less of a dog.

As I saw her body shut down, I sat on the morning of September 11th, looking at her in a diaper under the table with her bowls of food and water just laying there...tired.  I thought, what am I doing?

After reading how this disease works, I knew I couldn't allow it to creep up to the point where she no longer could breathe.

I helped her over the Rainbow Bridge that evening.  By far, the hardest thing I have ever done.  Seemingly impossible.  A part of me is now in heaven with her. 

This Christmas was tough...very tough.  I have to say though, my mom brought Sterling "home" as they had her at their house...I wasn't ready, on Christmas eve.  Since then, I have a sense of peace and have not cried. 

I just wanted to share about Sterling before I really got back to blogging since there is a big hole in our family now.

It gets better each day.  I feel that I did the right thing at the right time, but still doesn't negate that I miss her so much.

Rethinking Blogging

I have not published a blog post in ages.  Back when I was single living with Sterling, I really loved blogging.  Now that I am in a totally new phase of life, I am thinking of perhaps starting up again.  While I dance on the fine line between protecting my daughter's privacy and also posting my thoughts and life with having a documentation of this season.
I often think how there is a lack of "real" blogs out there.
Now, more so than ever I have noticed perfect Facebook walls, perfect blogs, and perfect instagrams.  I find that there needs to be some authenticity out there.  It sets up the rest of us to fail or feel that we are "less than". 
Studies show that the more people put it out there how much they love their spouse, life, etc...they crave affirmation.
Since having Elizabeth, I have noticed now more than ever the need and desire for authenticity.
Because, to be frank, nothing is more "real" than motherhood.
So I think I will start up again...not to gain readership or paint some false picture of life, but an authentic place where my daughter can read one day and get a clear picture of what life was like when she was a baby.
:)

She's HERE! Long overdue post

I am officially the proud mom of the most incredible little person ever.  Elizabeth was born on March 2, 2014 at 9:54 am after one heck of a labor and delivery.

I was induced on her due date (March 1, 2014) due to some bleeding I was having.  I made it to 3 cm and then got an epidural (needed two of them since the first went in a vein).  The epidural was not a big deal at all and really not painful at all.  We were both in distress early on the 2nd so we went in for an emergency c-section.  Dan was able to hold her first and do the skin to skin.

After almost 5 days in the hospital, we started our journey as a family of four (Sterling included of course).  

I have learned more in the past month than I have in my entire life.  Here are some of the things thus far so I don't forget them.

• Never judge another woman's birth story.  Ever.  Until you walk a centimeter in her shoes, you have n right to judge.
• Labor is intense and women than do it without pain meds need some sort of year long vacation.
• Labor is messy.  Period.
• Throw out your birth plan immediately.  For the women that are able to follow it, you are very very lucky.
• Be open to breast feeding as well as formula.  I think because I was open to both and took the pressure off of myself we nursed with ease.
• Never say never in regards to anything labor or parenting.
• You will be in awe of what your body and mind can do.
• Rest.
• Limit visitors post baby when you get home.  That first weekend was rough for us with back to back visitors when you are trying to get used to the new family dynamics.
• You bleed.  Longer than you think.
• Invest in at least 4 nursing bras if you nurse as well as a ton of bra pads.
• Laundry for yourself becomes severely neglected and replaced by tiny little sleepers and swaddle blankets.
• I swore I would never co-sleep.  I was wrong.
• Take advice with a grain of salt.  You know what's best for your child.
• If this is your first, the days of getting up and going quickly are gone for now.  It takes a lot longer than expected to do a "quick" run to Starbucks.
• Remind yourself to shower.
• Take the stool softener.  Often.
• Don't try on your pre-baby jeans after 2 weeks you give birth.  No one wins that game.
• Your friends who don't have kids don't get it and those that do, well, you not only have a new respect for them but you become much closer to them.
• You don't exist anymore to your parents...you are just the person who brings the baby to them.  (My dad though always addresses me which is nice)
• You fall in love with your partner in a whole new way.  
• Put the phone down, ditch the laptop and stare at the miracle you created.

Research...and more Research

It's been over a month since I have blogged and there is no real excuse...actually I guess there is.
So as of two weeks ago, per my doctors orders, I am now out of work.  There are many reasons why and I ignored all of the signs pointing to slow down but chose to ignore them.  Instead of being resentful, I am blessing all of the instances that have brought me to this point.
I am slowing down and learning to take care of ME. This is a first.  Ever.
If you followed my last blog, even when I was laid off, I was THE busiest unemployed person ever.  Now?  I have to not stay busy.  I got some books and some movies that help me go inward before this little girl comes along.
With all of this, I looked into my endometriosis and all of the statistics that go along with this.  The risk of conceiving at all is significantly lower, the pain, and everything else...still amazes me that we are carrying a healthy baby.
We have a big appointment next Monday with our MFM (great way to spend our anniversary, right?).  We are going to see how it is progressing.  I have read a lot about the chances of preterm labor associated with this disease.
I have chosen to Let Go and Let God.  I have to remind myself hourly of that.  It does not come easily.  Rome wasn't built in a day I have learned.
This is like Sterling's recovery...slow and steady....

November 2

Dear Harper,
I am sorry I have not written you in quite some time.  Things have been a little hectic for me these days!  Some wonderful things and a few curve balls.  About 2 weeks ago, your daddy asked me to be his wife.  I was completely shocked.  It was at our Christmas card photoshoot and I had no idea.  Needless to say, there has been a lot of excitement around that.  I know we did not go about getting married and having you in the "traditional" way, but something you will learn early in your life is that we don't do many things in the traditional way (it can drive grandmom and pop pop NUTS!). There is no right or wrong way to go about life and I hope I am able to teach you that.  Everyone is different and it would be silly for all of us to conform to one way.  How boring would that be?  During all of this excitement, we found out that your big doggy sister, Sterling, needs surgery on her right leg.  We hope that gives her a more comfortable life and gives her a bit more mobility.  We love her so much and it is because of her that I will be a better mother.  She has been one of my greatest teachers.  My wish is that you will get to meet her and spend time with her.  She is quite a special creature that God gave me.  There has never been a more loving, gentle, caring dog.
So, I know so  far you have flown to Boston (twice!), Nags Head, Washington DC, Virginia, and Florida.  You have also been to two Broadway plays (Wicked and Rock of Ages but we didn't know you were with us at Rock of Ages!).  So to add to your list of prenatal excitement is your first 5K.  That's right, your crazy mom is doing a 5K.  It's not just any 5K; it is for your Mom Mom.  Tomorrow is her birthday and the race is the following day.  We will be doing this every year to celebrate your Mom Mom...the woman you are named after.  I can tell you this with 100% certainty, she loves you SO SO much.  She wanted you as much as your daddy and me.  You are a very lucky little girl who has a guardian angel watching over you.  She has been with you from the moment your soul met your body.  She had such bravery and love.  Daddy is always available if you have any questions about her and she is always a part of everything we do as you will know.  This weekend is for her and our way of having you connect with her in this way.  Let's now hope I can make it through this race in one piece, ok?  I have had the flu and feeling much better thankfully!
We heard your heartbeat on Tuesday again and it's steady at the 160.  You were called a big girl at our appointment.  I have never been called a big girl in my life!  I can't wait to see what you look like.  I think I will talk Daddy into doing a 3D ultrasound next month to see your little face.  I am so curious of who you look like.  I'm having some wicked heartburn so I am wondering if you will  be born with a lot of thick hair like your cousin Kevin.
We love you more and more each day....

Love,
Mommy