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babyhood / FAITH / family / MOTHERHOOD
I haven’t taken the time to write about it here, but it has been a bit of a rocky ride since Elizabeth was born. A cloud of "abnormal test results" has been hanging over us since the first day we brought her home from the hospital. We got the call from our pediatrician to tell us that her hospital PKU tests were abnormal and that we had to come in the next day for another test.
More heel pricks. More screaming baby. More waiting.
Then the second test also came back abnormal and we were thrown into a whirlwind of possible problems, and complicated predictions for the future. One of the hardest things with a newborn is fear of the unknown and we were definitely a little spooked.
Our next step in the process of finding answers was to seek out the help of a geneticist at John’s Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. They gave us probably the best, most caring, attentive medical care I’ve ever received. And within one day had done more blood work, answered all of our questions and passed on the blessed news that all the previous tests were false positives. Elizabeth was going to be just fine.
Of course, it’s easy to be thankful when you’re on the happy side of a potential problem. But that day, sitting in the pediatric hospital with our presumed "abnormal" baby, I was thankful. I looked around me at the children–some sick, some handicapped, some hooked up to IV juices, some tiny newborns like Elizabeth–and I was overcome with thankfulness. Even though we potentially had some problems ahead, there was still much to be thankful for. I was thankful for my two children at home–healthy and happy–and I was thankful for little Elizabeth. I don’t think I take enough moments to be grateful for those blessings.
And I also looked around me at those parents sitting beside me in the pediatric clinic–still smiling, still managing to be upbeat and joyful with their children–and I realized I was in the presence of some real-life heroes. And I’ll bet they manage to find a little thankfulness in life as well.
A much needed little lesson.
I haven’t taken the time to write about it here, but it has been a bit of a rocky ride since Elizabeth was born. A cloud of “abnormal test results” has been hanging over us since the first day we brought her home from the hospital. We got the call from our pediatrician to tell us that her hospital PKU tests were abnormal and that we had to come in the next day for another test.
More heel pricks. More screaming baby. More waiting.
Then the second test also came back abnormal and we were thrown into a whirlwind of possible problems, and complicated predictions for the future. One of the hardest things with a newborn is fear of the unknown and we were definitely a little spooked.
Our next step in the process of finding answers was to seek out the help of a geneticist at John’s Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. It was the same hospital wherein one of my cousins learnt How to Become a Certified Nurse Assistant. They gave us probably the best, most caring, attentive medical care I’ve ever received. And within one day had done more blood work, answered all of our questions and passed on the blessed news that all the previous tests were false positives. Elizabeth was going to be just fine.
Of course, it’s easy to be thankful when you’re on the happy side of a potential problem. But that day, sitting in the pediatric hospital with our presumed “abnormal” baby, I was thankful. I looked around me at the children–some sick, some handicapped, some hooked up to IV juices, some tiny newborns like Elizabeth–and I was overcome with thankfulness. Even though we potentially had some problems ahead, there was still much to be thankful for. I was thankful for my two children at home–healthy and happy–and I was thankful for little Elizabeth. I don’t think I take enough moments to be grateful for those blessings.
And I also looked around me at those parents sitting beside me in the pediatric clinic–still smiling, still managing to be upbeat and joyful with their children–and I realized I was in the presence of some real-life heroes. And I’ll bet they manage to find a little thankfulness in life as well.
A much needed little lesson.
children and nature
it’s all fun and games until someone falls in up to her chin:
a few more here
it’s all fun and games until someone falls in up to her chin:
a few more here
babyhood / home / MOTHERHOOD
I realized yesterday, that since the birth of Elizabeth, I spend my days constantly thinking about five steps ahead of myself. I have to take full advantage of her naps and think way ahead into my day in order to get anything accomplished–like a shower, a load of laundry, making a salad for dinner, or writing a thank you note or two.
I’m doing my best to keep my dryer quiet this time of year and take full-advantage of the clothesline. With all the "green" publicity this Earth Day, I’ve realized how much little changes make a difference.
I’ve dumped my plastic grocery bags in exchange for these and I’m trying to get as many loads of laundry on the line as I can. But even this takes lots of coordination–during naps, getting Emma and Mary dressed because no doubt they’ll want to accompany me, having the load washed and ready to go out. (And usually the clothes don’t make it off the line until close to dark!)
I’m just over the two week mark with breastfeeding Elizabeth and I have to confess that it’s really hard. The lactation specialist–my new best friend, a busty woman with a Scottish accent–tells me Elizabeth’s going through a growth spurt which explains her need for what feels like contast nursing. (I’ve never been so up-to-date on world news or Oprah in my lifetime–with all the time I’m spending in the comfy chair by the TV.) I know things will eventually even out, but man it’s consuming right now. Especially when I have two little ones running around my feet longing for a little attention, too.
Emma had the horsey pair above set up in the bathroom window the other day and I thought, "Lucky you, Mrs. Mare. No worries about proper latch-on, cradle holds, milk supply or plugged ducts. You just walk along, grazing here and there as your foal suckles away. Piece of cake."
But, as my mom always says, "this too shall pass." I’m counting on that.
And if you have the chance, I just posted one of my favorite recipes for Walnut Raspberry Salad Dressing over on the farmers’ market website. Check it out…
I realized yesterday, that since the birth of Elizabeth, I spend my days constantly thinking about five steps ahead of myself. I have to take full advantage of her naps and think way ahead into my day in order to get anything accomplished–like a shower, a load of laundry, making a salad for dinner, or writing a thank you note or two.
I’m doing my best to keep my dryer quiet this time of year and take full-advantage of the clothesline. With all the "green" publicity this Earth Day, I’ve realized how much little changes make a difference.
I’ve dumped my plastic grocery bags in exchange for these and I’m trying to get as many loads of laundry on the line as I can. But even this takes lots of coordination–during naps, getting Emma and Mary dressed because no doubt they’ll want to accompany me, having the load washed and ready to go out. (And usually the clothes don’t make it off the line until close to dark!)
I’m just over the two week mark with breastfeeding Elizabeth and I have to confess that it’s really hard. The lactation specialist–my new best friend, a busty woman with a Scottish accent–tells me Elizabeth’s going through a growth spurt which explains her need for what feels like contast nursing. (I’ve never been so up-to-date on world news or Oprah in my lifetime–with all the time I’m spending in the comfy chair by the TV.) I know things will eventually even out, but man it’s consuming right now. Especially when I have two little ones running around my feet longing for a little attention, too.
Emma had the horsey pair above set up in the bathroom window the other day and I thought, "Lucky you, Mrs. Mare. No worries about proper latch-on, cradle holds, milk supply or plugged ducts. You just walk along, grazing here and there as your foal suckles away. Piece of cake."
But, as my mom always says, "this too shall pass." I’m counting on that.
And if you have the chance, I just posted one of my favorite recipes for Walnut Raspberry Salad Dressing over on the farmers’ market website. Check it out…
