SIX YEARS OLD TODAY

O is six years old today.  I am so blessed to know her and love her.

On this day six years ago around 5:30 am I was doing yoga when my water broke.  I called the doctor and woke my husband.  For those of you who know my husband, you also know he is not a morning person, so it took some convincing for me to get him out of bed.  

It was a beautiful spring day.  The sun was shining and it was the peak day of the cherry blossoms.  On our way to the hospital, we drove past the waterfront.  Contractions were pretty far apart at first.  Once one would end the mental exhaustion of knowing one would start again was enough to take me over the edge.  I had been telling my husband that I was going to have a "drug free" birth and under no circumstances would I need drugs.  I remember saying, "Even if I tell you I need them, don't give them to me."  He promised and promised and promised.  

I made him do everything to reassure me he would keep that promise except sign his name in blood.   By noon I was miserable.  I hadn't eaten and I was so hungry.  The pain was excruciating, but I was still holding out.  My husband remembered from our birthing class that singing to your wife is sometimes helpful when she is laboring as it takes her mind off of the pain.  He not only starts singing, he starts singing "Little Bunny Foo Foo" to make me laugh. Also, he does not know the words to many songs.   At that point I turned into Freddy Kruger.  I grabbed my husband by the collar and asked what he was doing.  He kept singing.  I tightened my grip on his collar and told him to get me some &%$^*#@ drugs.  He breathlessly tells me, "no, I promised, remember".  Another contraction comes.  My hands release his neck and I hold my belly.  Again, I tell him but this time nicely, "Please, please, please, go get the doctor.  I need some drugs."  He says, "Oh no, you can't talk me into this.  I promised you.  Are you sure you want an epidural?"  To which I reply, "I have never been so %^$#@&* sure of anything in my entire life."  He's a good man.  He got me the epideral.
O
After the epideral was administered, we spent the better part of the day waiting for O. She arrived at 4:40 pm the same day.  We cried and laughed.  Doug then went to get her Godmother, Stacey, who had been in the waiting room.  She took pictures.  O cried as she was given her first bath.  Stacey told her she'd cry to if she had to wear plastic jewelry like the one around O's foot, but Stacey promised her that soon as she could, she would get her something 14 karat.  It was a truly awesome day!

Happy 6th Birthday O!  

When O woke up this morning, we played the game we always play on her birthday.  "Let me see your feet...yes, those are six year old feet.  Let me see your fingers...yes, those are six year old fingers.  Let me see your ears...yes, those are six year old ears.  Let me see your teeth...yes those are six year old teeth.  Wow!  You have grown!"  

As your mommy, being with you on this journey is a heartfelt joy.  I am so honored.  You're love is a miracle.

May the year of "six years old" be a year of laughter that fills your soul.  
May you be happy.
May you be peaceful.
May you be truly free.
May you always remember you are loved deeply forever and ever.
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl

Sweet daughters and epidurals rock!  Kindergarten sucks!

Kindergarten SUCKS!: Heroic Fight Against MS

Kindergarten SUCKS!: Heroic Fight Against MS: O's Godmother and my best friend, Stacey ,  is living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS ) .      Unfortunately, every hour of every day someone ...

Heroic Fight Against MS

O's Godmother and my best friend, Stacey, is living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).    

Unfortunately, every hour of every day someone is being diagnosed with MS.  

Five years ago, Stacey was all alone in a hospital when the doctors gave her the devastating news.  Soon after, her fiancé and now husband, Chris and there after, her mother, were with her at her bedside.  Later that morning, my husband and I, along with other friends and family, visited her.  We all promised Stacey that she would never have to fight this disease alone.  

At the time, Stacey's fear of shots (and I am not talking tequilla) was off the charts.  She had to be held down just to give a vial of blood.  Every other night, because of this disease, she is subjected to a very large vial of medicine which she injects into her body.  This medicine comes with adverse affects and muscle pain.  However, without it, episodes will happen more frequently.  Nobody dies from MS, they die from the episodes caused from the disease.

Luckily, Stacey has done tremendously well and has shown few symptoms since her diagnosis.  And since her diagnosis she has been blessed with two beautiful children.  Her courage and strength continues to amaze me.  Her loving husband, a health policy expert, has become active in the national MS Society leadership team.   As two people who have walked directly into the face of adversity and addressed the challenges they face head on, they are my heroes. 

There are however, many who have been less fortunate.  Every year, my husband, O and I walk with Stacey and her family to show our love and support for her and the many others with MS and/or with family members suffering from MS.  Doing so ensures that others will learn what it means to live with this unpredictable disease and to fund critical screenings, treatments and ultimately find a cure. 

Please visit my personal page and consider supporting us as we walk this year alongside Stacey’s family and friends. Make them your heroes as well. 

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will use funds from Walk MS 2012 to not only support research for tomorrow, but also to provide important programs and services which address the challenges of people living with MS today. 

Kindergarten SUCKS.  Stacey's fight against MS shows me what matters.

Kindergarten SUCKS!: Sneaking Out

Kindergarten SUCKS!: Sneaking Out: Today O and her friend Shelly asked if I would take them to the park.  Because it was raining, I told them that today wasn't a great day for...

Sneaking Out

Today O and her friend Shelly asked if I would take them to the park.  Because it was raining, I told them that today wasn't a great day for the park.

While Shelly played Barbies, O continued to beg for a park visit.  I continued to say, "Not today."  However the more I said no, the more she became determined for me to say yes.  The more I didn't say yes, the more she wined to Shelly that they couldn't go.  O was relentless.  She came to me one last time requesting I take them to the park.  I finally said, "No love.  As much as I'd love to take you, it's raining outside.  Moreover, you asking me is taking up your special time with your friend.  I would suggest that you go play Barbies with Shelly and enjoy this play date before it's over."

She walked away.  In a sad tone, I heard her say to Shelly, "My mom says we can't go to the park."  Shelly replied, "I'm so sorry.  What do you want to do?"  To which O said, "I know, let's go anyway without her."

WHAT?  I thought sneaking out was what teenagers did.

After a little coaxing, Shelly agreed as long as O would show her the way.  Then Shelly asked how far it was to the park and O took her to her bathroom window where O explained that it was "only three houses away".

I was in my bedroom putting away clothes while the girls tip toed by my room.  They both saw me, stopped and then said with a giggle, "Oh, hi!" all the while continuing to tip toe right down the stairs and out the door laughing with every step they took.

I of course, stopped them before they reached the front steps, however, I was shocked to learn that O had apparently told Shelly that her mom, meaning me, would, no doubt, follow them to the park.  O was right.

At the young age of five, NOT FIFTEEN, my child tried to sneak out with her girlfriend.  KINDERGARTEN SUCKS!

Kindergarten SUCKS!: CRUSTY PINK EYE!

Kindergarten SUCKS!: CRUSTY PINK EYE!: I woke up Sunday morning with crusted over eye lids sealed shut.  After a visit to urgent care, I was told it was definitely pink eye.  Afte...

CRUSTY PINK EYE!

I woke up Sunday morning with crusted over eye lids sealed shut.  After a visit to urgent care, I was told it was definitely pink eye.  After some investigating, I came to find crusty pink eye has been going around O's school.  Kindergarten SUCKS!