The dog food/water bowls
Tampons
The toilet brush
The humidifier
The dog's tail (or feet or ears or hair)
Daddy's glasses
Anya's ponytail
Sharpie's
The dishwasher
The one electrical outlet I forgot to plug
Toilets
Stairs
Wire hangers
Door locks
The washer or dryer (inside or out)
Remote controls
The volume knob on the stereo
Dog Bones
Mommy's textbooks
Dirty underwear
Toilet paper
Oh hell. Fine. Have it.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Dear Sonja,
Happy Birthday, my beautiful, sweet, kind, loving baby girl. Your birthday was over a week ago, but today is the anniversary of what I like to think of as your second birth date.
On November 9th, You were born into my arms, the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. I have never witnessed such wonder as I did that day. And I never could have imagined what was about to happen.
Oh, my sweet baby, you were so sick and we didn't know it. When the doctors told us, I still couldn't believe it. How could such a perfect child be so stricken? But they were right. And I had to let go of you, give you to them, so they could save you.
We were so scared, confused, sad, angry, hopeless at times. But when we looked at you, you gave us strength. YOU were strong...how could we not be? Your courage gave us hope. Your family and friends picked us up and carried us, cradled us, loved us so that we could be stronger for you.
For days we sat with you, by your crib, held you when we could. We talked and sang to you for hours upon hours, through the days and into the nights. We laid our hands upon you so you could feel us. You were surrounded by family, friends, strangers and caregivers who sent you great amounts of love and strength for the days and weeks you were about to endure. You didn't know it then, and you might not know it now, but you are the most loved child on this earth.
On this day, one year ago, the nurses put you in my arms one last time before they took you from me for the last time. I whispered to you, "be strong," while I was crumbling inside and out. I kissed you. Then I sent you with the doctors so you could be saved.
For 6 hours we waited for you to return to us. We knew you would. There was no other option. We put your tiny little heart into the hands of the most amazing doctor in the world - at least he is to us. Your heart, the size of a robin's egg, and even more delicate was now in the hands of a man we had never met before you were born. I remember staring at those hands, surely too large for a procedure like this. We were trusting this man with your life...our lives. And he saved you. He saved us. He gave you a new life.
On this day, one year ago, a doctor we had never met gave us a second chance. And you've never looked back.
My sweet Sonja, you are the love of my life. You've left an imprint on this world that will never be erased. Your joy fills every room you visit. Your smile brings sunshine to a dark day. And your heart, your tiny little heart that was once broken, is filled with abundant love and happiness.
There is this verse in one of my favorite songs that will always remind me of my love for you:
Love and happiness to you always, my beautiful baby.
On November 9th, You were born into my arms, the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. I have never witnessed such wonder as I did that day. And I never could have imagined what was about to happen.
Oh, my sweet baby, you were so sick and we didn't know it. When the doctors told us, I still couldn't believe it. How could such a perfect child be so stricken? But they were right. And I had to let go of you, give you to them, so they could save you.
We were so scared, confused, sad, angry, hopeless at times. But when we looked at you, you gave us strength. YOU were strong...how could we not be? Your courage gave us hope. Your family and friends picked us up and carried us, cradled us, loved us so that we could be stronger for you.
For days we sat with you, by your crib, held you when we could. We talked and sang to you for hours upon hours, through the days and into the nights. We laid our hands upon you so you could feel us. You were surrounded by family, friends, strangers and caregivers who sent you great amounts of love and strength for the days and weeks you were about to endure. You didn't know it then, and you might not know it now, but you are the most loved child on this earth.
On this day, one year ago, the nurses put you in my arms one last time before they took you from me for the last time. I whispered to you, "be strong," while I was crumbling inside and out. I kissed you. Then I sent you with the doctors so you could be saved.
For 6 hours we waited for you to return to us. We knew you would. There was no other option. We put your tiny little heart into the hands of the most amazing doctor in the world - at least he is to us. Your heart, the size of a robin's egg, and even more delicate was now in the hands of a man we had never met before you were born. I remember staring at those hands, surely too large for a procedure like this. We were trusting this man with your life...our lives. And he saved you. He saved us. He gave you a new life.
On this day, one year ago, a doctor we had never met gave us a second chance. And you've never looked back.
My sweet Sonja, you are the love of my life. You've left an imprint on this world that will never be erased. Your joy fills every room you visit. Your smile brings sunshine to a dark day. And your heart, your tiny little heart that was once broken, is filled with abundant love and happiness.
There is this verse in one of my favorite songs that will always remind me of my love for you:
You will always have a lucky star
That shines because of what you are
Even in the deepest dark
Because your aim is true
And if i could only have one wish
Darling, then it would be this
Love and happiness for you
Love and happiness to you always, my beautiful baby.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Dear Universe:
when did I become so lame? I mean really, I used to be fun! Energetic! Enthused! Adventurous! This weekend you gave me a chance to spend 24 uninterrupted hours with my husband, away from the kids, and all I wanted to do was sleep...and then get back to the kids! What cruel irony.
Is there a way to get my "old self" back, within the framework of my current life? Will my wild-n-crazy fun side ever come back for a visit? Lately, my version of what's "fun" is planning a 1st birthday party; going to the pumpkin patch in Denver; staying up until 10p to be able to watch Grey's and Private Practice. Friday and Saturday nights are reduced to seeing how quickly we can get to bed to catch up on rest from the week. Didn't it used to be the other way around???
Speaking of my "old self", can you do anything about the wrinkles forming around my eyes, forehead, mouth? Can you help a little with the jiggleinthemiddle that's formed after the babes? A little lift here and there wouldn't hurt - "the girls" have really taken a hit from the breastfeeding & pumping! Hey, remember when I had great boobs?
Oh, Universe, your cruel ways. Are you trying to teach me a lesson? Yes, it's all worth it. Yes, I love my family. Yes, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat to have my babies. Yes, I'd sacrifice even more to have a healthy and happy family, as I do today. And yes, I'm even starting to miss the sleepless nights holding and rocking my precious bundles back to sleep. But seriously, I'm missing all the other stuff too - like when I wasn't so lame.
Respectfully yours (I'm afraid),
Amy
Is there a way to get my "old self" back, within the framework of my current life? Will my wild-n-crazy fun side ever come back for a visit? Lately, my version of what's "fun" is planning a 1st birthday party; going to the pumpkin patch in Denver; staying up until 10p to be able to watch Grey's and Private Practice. Friday and Saturday nights are reduced to seeing how quickly we can get to bed to catch up on rest from the week. Didn't it used to be the other way around???
Speaking of my "old self", can you do anything about the wrinkles forming around my eyes, forehead, mouth? Can you help a little with the jiggleinthemiddle that's formed after the babes? A little lift here and there wouldn't hurt - "the girls" have really taken a hit from the breastfeeding & pumping! Hey, remember when I had great boobs?
Oh, Universe, your cruel ways. Are you trying to teach me a lesson? Yes, it's all worth it. Yes, I love my family. Yes, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat to have my babies. Yes, I'd sacrifice even more to have a healthy and happy family, as I do today. And yes, I'm even starting to miss the sleepless nights holding and rocking my precious bundles back to sleep. But seriously, I'm missing all the other stuff too - like when I wasn't so lame.
Respectfully yours (I'm afraid),
Amy
Monday, September 14, 2009
If I had more time...
I'd (in no particular order):
1. Blog more - this is not the first on my list of priorities, but I know many of you would like more frequent updates on the girls/us. I can't believe my last post was in June! Ugh.
2. Read more - my list of "books to read" is growing and sadly I haven't been able to check any off.
3. Clean & organize - how do 4 people make such a mess? I'll have the house clean and within 30 minutes it will look like tornado alley! And with the girls growing like weeds, I'm constantly circulating the clothes!
4. Cook more. I miss cooking fun, gourmet meals. I love trying new recipes and haven't had time to experiment.
5. Play outside more - The leaves are changing. The air is crisp. I need to get out on a hike in the aspens. I love this time of year when you look up through a canopy of yellow and see smidgeons of blue sky and the sparkling light.
6. Learn to sew.
7. Make more progress on my Master's degree (though that would defeat the whole "if-I-had-more-time" thing). I'm slowly plugging away. One class at a time.
8. Write more letters to friends & relatives I haven't caught up with.
9. Make more phonecalls - see #8.
10. Learn a new crafty hobby.
11. Learn how an engine works.
12. Do a 2-week long road trip throughout Colorado. I've lived here for close to 10 years and still have so much exploring to do!
13. Go on lots more vacations. I guess that takes more $ in addition to time, but as long as I'm dreaming I'll add it to the list!
14. Read to my kids more.
15. Spend more time with my kids - in general.
16. Spend more time with my husband - in general.
17. Pay more attention to making myself up in the morning.
18. Play more Sudoku and Mahjong.
19. Practice more yoga.
20. Take more photos and make photo albums.
1. Blog more - this is not the first on my list of priorities, but I know many of you would like more frequent updates on the girls/us. I can't believe my last post was in June! Ugh.
2. Read more - my list of "books to read" is growing and sadly I haven't been able to check any off.
3. Clean & organize - how do 4 people make such a mess? I'll have the house clean and within 30 minutes it will look like tornado alley! And with the girls growing like weeds, I'm constantly circulating the clothes!
4. Cook more. I miss cooking fun, gourmet meals. I love trying new recipes and haven't had time to experiment.
5. Play outside more - The leaves are changing. The air is crisp. I need to get out on a hike in the aspens. I love this time of year when you look up through a canopy of yellow and see smidgeons of blue sky and the sparkling light.
6. Learn to sew.
7. Make more progress on my Master's degree (though that would defeat the whole "if-I-had-more-time" thing). I'm slowly plugging away. One class at a time.
8. Write more letters to friends & relatives I haven't caught up with.
9. Make more phonecalls - see #8.
10. Learn a new crafty hobby.
11. Learn how an engine works.
12. Do a 2-week long road trip throughout Colorado. I've lived here for close to 10 years and still have so much exploring to do!
13. Go on lots more vacations. I guess that takes more $ in addition to time, but as long as I'm dreaming I'll add it to the list!
14. Read to my kids more.
15. Spend more time with my kids - in general.
16. Spend more time with my husband - in general.
17. Pay more attention to making myself up in the morning.
18. Play more Sudoku and Mahjong.
19. Practice more yoga.
20. Take more photos and make photo albums.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tube-less!
For the first time since she was one day old, Sonja is tube-, wire-, and medication-free!!! On Friday, we had our last scheduled procedure at The Children's Hospital - Sonja's G-tube removal! It wasn't much of a "procedure" at all...more of a 10-minute clinic appointment to do something I could've done at home. Nonetheless, we made it a big deal. After all, this is a HUGE milestone.Maybe more exciting than the procedure itself was the fact that Sonja weighed-in at over 14 lbs! My little chunky-monkey is growing faster than we could have imagined! The baby fat is everywhere!!! Her chubby little thighs are practically the size of my forearms. She has what Brian likes to call "Cafeteria-lady arms". And her cheeks look like they are constantly stuffed with marshmallows!
Oh, and my dear little Anya, who is in the throws of 3-year-old-hood. She can have me laughing and then crying in a matter of minutes...literally. The girl is capable of commanding an army while at the same time wrapping her father around her pinky finger. Her negotiation skills are extraordinary. Without a doubt she'll make a fine lawyer one day. Either that or she'll be a finalist on American Idol soon - we had a dance party in the living room the other night. She's got some impressive moves.
The summertime brings joys in and of itself. We have baby birds in the birdhouse that Anya is infatuated with. We make sure to FILL the birdfeeder (even though not totally empty) each night per chance that the baby birdies will go hungry overnight. Anya picks me flowers every day. Moving, even though they're dandelions. Sonja can now sit upright in her stroller so we've enjoyed several walks around town, the farmers' market, the park, etc. And the weather's even been kind enough to allow us some dinners and lunches out on the patio. I haven't found enough time to get out into my garden much this summer. So I've hired someone to come do some cleanup for me, which will make the view even lovelier, I'm sure (at least that's how I've justified it to Brian!).
Picture of the sunset in our backyard.
We're in big-time training mode for the Courage Classic benefitting The Children's Hospital. Our team to this point has raised almost $6,000 towards our $10,000 goal! Yay team! We've really been moved by the outpouring of support by folks. We are blessed to have such close family and friends. Here's a picture of some of us on a training ride at the top of Vail Pass in our new jerseys!
So, that's about it. Loving the kids. Loving the summer. Loving life in general.
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