Thursday, March 18, 2010

Change is hard-part 2

I prefer to end on a lighter note, so now, onto happier times! Cole is amazing! He brings so much joy & light to our lives! He is walking like a pro, trying to run (rather humorous to watch because he falls every time!), talking like crazy, brushing his teeth (actually, he mimics everything we do) & is incredibly independent (uh oh!). He is just a TON of fun! I gave him a couple of drawers in the kitchen to keep his straws and burp cloths, however I have found random items in there, like one of my dress shoes and a screwdriver. Then, I found a Matchbox car in the toaster...ha! We have already experienced our fair share of tantrums, but are learning to decipher between 'frustrated tantrum' and 'not getting my way tantrum.' By far, the best developmental book I've seen (I've probably already mentioned it) is by Dr. Brazelton and it's called Touchpoints. It is my user's manual! Cole is still a little peanut (now at 15 months and doesn't weigh 20 pounds!), but his pedi has reassured us that since he's meeting all the developmental milestones, there's nothing to worry about and he's just going to be small. We're hoping for the world's fastest soccer player...ha! Baby boy #2 is currently due around the first of June and is a wild man! He has found my ribs, diaphragm, bladder, stomach...and the acid reflux is unbearable...I think we're having another hairy baby...haha! Here are some pictures of Cole over the last month or so...he wanted to help us move boxes & was very entertaining pushing them around the living room.





Change is hard-part 1

Since I haven't posted in over 2 months (slap my hand!), I decided to break this into two separate posts to keep it from being too long. Here goes...

So, I thought it was time to change up the blog to signify the recent incredible amount of change we have experienced in our lives. Change is hard. But, just because it's hard doesn't mean that it isn't needed or welcome. As you know, we made the big change to move back to Tulsa late last year. But, what you may not know is that shortly after moving here, we had a health issue arise that changed our plans for when we got here. And, it has put the house search on hold for now. While we dearly appreciated the hospitality of my in-laws, we decided to move into an apartment (and, I must say what a very strange feeling to go from owning your own home, to living with in-laws, to living in an apartment again). But, we are thankful we have a place to live where we feel safe and a space of our own to call "home," even if it's temporary. I don't want to leave you hanging regarding the 'health issue,' but we aren't ready to share with the world all the gory details. It is an issue we have battled for almost 10 years and have simply reached the 'end of the line' for treatment via medications. While I don't really believe in coincidences (I am more the the 'everything happens for a reason no matter how bad it may suck' philosophy), it really is a coincidence that we hit this point in treatment after moving back to be closer with family & friends. Their support, love, prayers, and baby-sitting during doctor's appointments has helped tremendously. Not to say we wouldn't have had similar support in Austin, but calling up family for a favor at the last-minute is less guilt-inducing than calling friends :). We (probably more 'me' than 'we') hope to share our story soon. We have found great inspiration and encouragement to move forward through others online, through their blogs, through their stories. While this experience has been heart-breaking, stressful, frustrating, and at times unfair, we hope that we too can provide support and encouragement to others one day. To encourage others to lead health(ier) lives and to NEVER ever take your health for granted. Because, as the old adage says, 'if you don't have your health, you don't have anything.'

Thank you to my BFF for sending this to us:
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Matthew 6:33-34 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."