Health Insurance

I had been disappointed in our health care and insurance system from stories I had heard in the past but now I am feeling a little worried. We know someone who's Turner Syndrome daughter was recently turned down for health insurance claiming Turner's is a preexisting condition. This is scary especially since Turner's girls need to see several specialists (cardiologist, endocrinologist, urologist to name a few) and have many tests regularly.

There is a documentary (I love documentaries) on channel 9 tonight about the uninsured in America and then following I think a short program on the new candidates proposals to the health care problems. I am taping it!!!!

She is going to be two tomorrow!

Abigail's second birthday is tomorrow! I can't believe it! That two years zipped by ;-) Chris and I reminisced last night about how early pretty much all night I had contractions and then very early in morning they got really close and we went in. It was a fun to experience that and everything was going almost too well, and then we found out the news about her heart. I found the email we originally sent out to notify our family and friends so I thought I would post it here....not to feel sad but to realize how blessed we are and what a long way she has come :-)


For those friends and family who have not heard yet... Abby is here a month early! She come out a beatiful baby girl weigning 6lbs. 5oz., and is 18 1/2 inches long. She arrived on 9/27 at 1:12 PM.> > The only down side is that she has some complications with her heart. She has several things that make her heart a bit different, the most concerning of which is a "coarctation of the aorta." (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11069) Long story really short, they have transferred her to Cardinal Glennon where they will perform heart surgery, probably sometime next week. The doctors tell us that the surgery itself is "not risky," but she will most likely be in the hospital for 2 to 3 weeks in total. They have some other things for which they are running tests, but we will know more in the coming weeks.> > Thankfully mama is doing well. The toughest thing for her is that she has only been able to hold Abby twice. I can't explain the pain of not even being able to try to comfort your child.> > If I had enough energy, I would attempt to express the gratitude I have for the love our our friends, our families, and our God. The last 45 hours have impacted me in many ways, not the least of which is a new awareness of the power of love and prayer.> > I have posted some pics. More to come later.

The Office

I am so happy, The Office is back! We watched the hour long episode last night and it was just as funny as when the show started. Plus, Chris and I can relate to the office romance (Pam and Jim, not Angela and Dwight....lol). Funniest thing last night, Ryan's revenge list.

nachomama

For the record, my favorite food is nachos. Not the fake cheese ones you get at sporting events either. I am talking homemade loaded up with cheese, beans, guac, and anything else I can find. I would eat them everyday, and I sometimes do.

Do nothing day

Sometimes you gotta have a do nothing day. Either you take it to rejuvenate or your body and soul just rebel. Unfortunately I am of the latter breed today.

I am good at getting myself a little too busy. Not just physically but mentally also. Since I am not a list person, to my husband's dismay, all of those mental bubbles floating around can get overwhelming at times. Mental bubbles of need and want to do's get hard to prioritize and you sometimes end up being good at wasting time. Mind you this is very different from "doing nothing". "Doing nothing" days are guilt free :-)

It is nice to do nothing though, take some deep breathes, just "play" with the kids, and even look at the landscape of the neighborhood with a little more appreciation. And of course, no housework or running around (even to the grocery store!).

I think I need more do nothing days or I am getting on the "Simplicity" wagon again. I am glad I posted "Simplicity" in my kitchen!!!

Big Girl

We went to our follow up endocrinologist appt yesterday and the verdict is.................she grew! She is now 32" and in the 5th percentile on the regular growth chart so we don't have to do growth hormones just yet! I am so relieved. Thank you tall Papa and thank you for all those that have been praying for our little girl.

One of those moments

I love those moments that remind you "Life is really good" and I have nothing to complain, worry, or stress about. Sometime I get mad at myself for forgetting that in general but fortunately I have a lot of those moments to remind me.

Anyway, lately Abby has this thing where she will lean on you, give you a kiss, and say "I Wuv You". It practically makes your heart melt. She was doing it to me last night but I just heard her say it to her Papa. He took the day off to take her to her Little Gym class and see her in action.

Sandpaper People

Still reading "30 Days to Live" and it is continuing to make me think...........I read last night about "Sandpaper people". In other words, we all have those people in life that rub us the wrong way and we have to work at loving. It states that God puts these people in our life for a reason, to help us become sharper and better. I got it but then here is the real lightbulb moment...we ARE "Sandpaper People" to others in life. No matter how hard we try not to there are people in life that we rub the wrong way and don't like us (sometimes even if they love us). Not that it gives me an excuse to be a jerk but reminds me of why I should be more tolerant and loving towards my "Sandpaper People".

I am glad I wrote this down. I need to remind myself of this one. ;-)

You know you are approaching your thirties when.....

You realize you must carry Rolaids, Claritin, and Ibuprofin in you purse at all times. Ugh.

Big Boy

Toby had his 3rd birthday yesterday. It seems like that 3 years zipped by. His excitement reminded me of being a kid and your Mom decorating the house, getting presents and cake and lots of love. We had a fun day. His main gift was a train ride on Saturday but we took him to the toy store yesterday to get a real baseball glove. We also made him a special meal and had a "baseball" cake. I think the kids birthdays are two of my favorite days of the year.

P.S. He also LOVES the roaring, walking dinosaur that Aunt Manda got him but that his sister is deathly afraid of.

Our daughter the monkey

A New Day

Today was Toby's first day of school (Children's Day Out). He loved it and.........he had NO ACCIDENTS! The teacher said he told her he had to potty a few times and he went, yay!!!! He ate all his lunch and he made us an art project to be displayed prominently on the fridge. He told me it was the fireworks at the Cardinal game. I did not cry but did feel the emotions rising as we left the parking lot.

After we dropped Toby off, Abby and I went to the Little Gym. She had a blast. She explored everything and was good at somersaults, running across the balance beam, and hanging from the low bar like a monkey. She really was excited and had fun. I will try to get pics next time.

It was weird having just one kid at home but it was good. Abby and I read books and she played with her baby doll without big brother dominating play time or stealing stuff from her.

It is a new day in this household!