Five years ago today....

...I was at home, on bedrest, pregnant with Brooke. I had battled high-blood pressure problems throughout my pregnancy (which I shall further comment on in another post), and it had started to rise a lot more at the end. So my doctor put me on bedrest, or more so-"stay home and relax and don't do anything stressful." It wasn't-"lay-in-your-bed-and-do-nothing bedrest". (You know one thing I love about this being my blog is that I can punctuate however I so choose!).

Two days earlier (March 29th) I'd had a doctor's appt and my blood pressure concerned her, so she had me do (my third) 24-hour urine test. Those are fun. You get to catch your urine in a cup for exactly 24 hours, and pour it into a jug that you keep in your fridge. Then you run the jug to the doctors office and get your blood drawn (I won't even get started on my issues with that) and they test the urine to see if there is protein in it. So urine delivered on March 30th.

On the 31st, I woke up early, around 630; because Matt was getting ready to leave for work and I couldn't get back to sleep. I'm sure I'm not the first 9-month-pregnant woman who had trouble sleeping. I don't really remember much of what I did during bedrest, except that I watched a lot of TLC and Discovery Health. Around 10 a.m. that morning, my doctors partner called (because my doc was out of the office for the morning) to tell me she thought my 24hour urine test looked fine and to just keep on resting. Whew. I would be 37 weeks on the 1st so we were doing great! Little Ethan Alexander or Brooke Elizabeth would be here soon, but not today.

I had 2 soft tacos from Taco Bell for lunch. You know those are small. Remember this later.

I got a call from my doctor at 2p.m. "I don't know what my partner was thinking. These test results are NOT okay. I think we need to have this baby soon." Me being the planner that I am knew that we really were hoping to have the baby on a Friday. It would work good for Matt's vacation time. :) At first she thought that would be okay. We hung up, and we were going to have a baby on Friday (the 2nd). I called Matt. I layed in bed some more. Twenty minutes later the phone rang again. "I don't think we can wait till Friday. I think we need to have this baby today. You need to go to the hospital." Slow feelings of panic stirred in my belly as I tried to process it. I said "well can we go when Matt gets off work or do I need to leave now?" (we are always conscientious of vacation time around here haha). She said we could go when Matt gets home. I call Matt (nervous tears and voice cracking). I call my mom. I cry to her about being scared (just about having a baby!!! and giving birth!!! I was excited the time was here, but I was nervous!!!). I pack. I hadn't packed yet, because I wasn't too worried about it all. Not like you really need much anyways.

When I called Matt, I called the phone in the hangar. He was out running an airplane. So I left a msg for him to call me. Then I called his dad. Who then called the guys at the tower and had them radio the message out to Matt in the airplane that we needed to go to the hospital today. I cannot imagine his emotions/thoughts at that moment. And I think it is kind of comical that they did that.

Matt came home and took a shower. And ate something. I was climbing the walls and he was taking his time. He does that. I think it's just the way he is, though I swear some days he intentionally slows down to drive me bonkers. It works.

We walked across the parking lot at St Joe at about 430 in the afternoon. Both of us fighting back nervous tears. The pitocin gets started at 630. And then we wait. and we wait. and I don't get to eat. and I'm hungry. Those 2 tacos were a long time ago. A really long time ago. Nothing really happened the rest of that night, I think I got to 6cm and hung out there for awhile. I didn't get any pain meds until well after midnight....so I guess I get to tell you about that tomorrow!

That evening Matt's parents came by the hospital to sit with us for a bit. My friend Angela came by too. Matt's parents brought him some fast food. I almost ate my bedsheet. After everyone left, we tried to get a little rest. It was difficult because we had two nurses in our room pretty much constantly monitoring things.

But Brooke's Birthday isn't until tomorrow.....April 1st....so I guess this story will finish up there. In the meantime, I'm going to go eat something. Because the flashbacks of hunger from this night make me want to haha--

This is a picture of us at my shower about 3 weeks before we had Brooke

Whoa-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh...Hangin Tough...!

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK IS COMING TO WICHITA!!

I am soooooo excited. I was a BIG NKOTB fan growing up. It all started the summer before 8th grade when I went to Florida to visit my cousin Kelly. I think we became New Kids obsessed that week I was there. Then after a week in Florida, Kelly came home to Iowa with me for a week. Younger cousin Danica came to spend some time with us (she lived 2 hrs away from me and is 2 years younger. I love her bunches). Kelly already had "dibs" on Donnie, and I had "dibs" on Joey. (Still do haha). So Danica ended up having to pick Jordan. or did she pick Jonathan? I can't remember. I know Joey was mine. And Danica still reminds me of the fact that we did that to her all those years ago. OH and in order to be considered as "big of a fan as us" she had to answer a bunch of trivia questions about them. Really I was nice to her when it was just the two of us!

Then the New Kids craze bonded me with some of my dearest childhood friends... Jill, Erin, and Marcy. Jill, Marcy and I did a lot together and really became friends then. Jill was my best friend (and still a very close treasured friend). She broke my heart when she moved to Houston in 9th grade. Marcy and I stayed great friends all through high school. Erin and I went to kg together and grew up together, and were NKOTB fans together; we go wayyyyy back. So anyways, it was the love of NKOTB especially that brought Jill, Marcy and I together. Being obsessed and boy crazy does that!

One year for Christmas (I'm guessing it was 9th grade maybe), I walked out of my room to see the gift Santa had left for me. There was a big Joey poster hanging on the wall by the tree. Taped to it was a little box. Inside-- NKOTB concert tickets for the concert in Kansas City. Mom said that Erin's mom was going to take us. I was soooooooooooo excited!!!! I'll never forget that moment. We also ended up going to the concert in Ames I think about a year later.

I was so excited when they got back together last year....I bought the new CD and I love it! You should check it out before you "judge" them. They were in KC in November... and I just didn't think I could work it out... it was the middle of the week....tickets were expensive....I didn't want to spend the money on them and then have there be bad weather where I couldn't get there...and I don't think Matt was thrilled that he may have to use vacation time so I could go see New Kids on the Block.

Today while I was working out at the Y...I saw the 5p.m. news flash the NKOTB website on their screen. The CC wasn't on so I had no idea what they were saying. Then when I left, I got in the truck and a local radio station was playing "Hangin Tough." "this is weird," I thought... "they never play New Kids here..." After the song was over, I heard the concert announcement. I was soooooooooo excited. First I called Matt to squeal the news. He was thrilled. (haha). Then I called a bunch of friends, most of whom laughed at me. SOMEONE is going to that concert with me damn it!!!! I told Matt that when tix go on sale, I'm going to buy at least two, and if none of my friends will go with me then he will have to. He said "I'll go with you." I quickly backpedalled and said "no no no my first choice for this concert is my girlfriends, you are the backup plan." lol...

Walking and Weaning and Teeth-oh My!

It's been a big week for Hannah!!
Yesterday I noticed that her 2nd tooth had finally popped thru! Yippee!
Last night was the last night for her to get a bottle. We'd been cutting down the number of bottles over the last two months; first taking away her noon bottle, then her 4p.m. bottle, then her morning bottle. Tonight was the first night she didn't get her 7p.m.-ish bottle. She did pretty good. (relatively speaking, considering she is crabby from teething, and both of my kids seemed to be a little off-their-rocker tonight. I think it is the impending weather). So, since I cut each bottle out "cold turkey" --we're done with bottles!! Yahoo!
Today, I noticed that Hannah was getting into a standing position in the middle of the room (without pulling up on anything), and taking a few steps. She'd done this randomly over the last month, but today it was like she was a pro. And then I noticed, she was taking a lot more steps too! She picked up a cracker, then walked at least 15 steps. She's rockin it! The last few weeks I've been thinking "geez, is she going to walk in time for our trip or not?!?!" ...but after today I'm thinking it should definately happen! I'm anxious to see how she progresses the next few days!
Tonight, she found a toy hairbrush and toddled over to Matt (who was laying on the floor) and "brushed" his hair. I laughed so hard I thought I might wet my pants. It was so funny. She was not really gentle...lol...then she'd rub his head with her hand, and giggle, and do it some more. Too cute!!

As far as Brooke goes, if I get my nostalgic hat on, I would say "this is the last Thursday that she will be a four-year-old!". She is getting so excited for her birthday. I have no idea what to get her! For her treats for school she requested brownies and chips. The chip request didn't surprise me because she loves chips; but we hardly ever have brownies around here! Maybe that's why she asked for them! Before her big Birthday next week, we have a quiet (and snowy, supposedly) weekend ahead of us. Matt is not working on Saturday and I hope we all have a great, relaxing weekend together! As previously mentioned- the girls were kind of a mess tonight-- Brooke was totally off her rocker--and I'm thinking it is the weather--(considering that several people said they were having the same problem tonight)--so I hope once the weather hits, she'll calm down a bit!

Ninety Years Old

Matt's grandpa turns 90 years old today....We had a party yesterday to celebrate the milestone! It went great (and was exhausting!).

Can you imagine 90 years of life? How much living can be packed into that gift of so many years on earth? There is a song called "Seasons of Love" from the musical "Rent"... I love that song. It talks about how you might measure the life of a woman or a man...

Some of the lyrics:

In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.

In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.

In 525,600 minutes - how do you measure a year in the life?

How about love? How about love? How about love?

Measure in love. Seasons of love.

I suppose the way one might measure their life depends on their outlook in life...but I think this song has some good ideas...and I think the value of your life is largely how much love you show others in this world.

Another thought that crossed my mind when celebrating this 90th Birthday was all the stuff that Papa Harris has probably seen and done in his life. I wonder if there's anything that he still would like to do, what's left on his proverbial "bucket list." Considering none of us ever knows how much time God is going to give us on this earth, what is on anyone's bucket list? What's on mine? I'll have to ponder that...and maybe someday I'll share it with you. But for now, I'll post some pictures from the party. And challenge you to, sometime between now and your next Birthday, do something you always wanted to do but haven't got to yet.... and cross it off your list. We won't all be lucky enough to get 90 Birthdays to try to get it accomplished in!

The cake/food table

The birthday boy in the white shirt, with his brother, two sons, and two grandsons.

some of the -Great Grand Children!

These are a few of my favorite things....

....(Is the song in your head yet? When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when i'm feeling saaaadddd...I think of a few of my favorite things...and then I don't feel sooooo badddddd)....

I thought I needed to get myself a blog post done, and since I've had a busy week of just trying to keep the girls entertained during spring break; I have decided to share a few of my favorite things with you. Just five. Because Lord knows I might need to do another post like this someday :)

1. I love church camp. Loved going to it growing up, loved working at one, love them. It is a happy place...and was always so much better than my "real life"...because popularity wasn't an issue, everyone was nice because we all had Jesus in our heart. It is a great thing. Everyone should get to go to church camp at least one time in their life. I always thought it would be AWESOME to own a church camp someday...but I doubt that I will ever get to!
2. Doritos and dip. Specifically, AE (Anderson/Erikson) Party dip. My cousin Danica and I always share in this fabulous snack when we get together and catch up on life. Danica always has to bring the dip because they don't sell it where we live.
3. Friends. Friends make my world go 'round. I love my friends. My heart aches when friendships seem to change....I take friendships so personally and to heart...which is fine and dandy when I have friends who know I'm high maintenance like that and "Show me the love"; but which causes me to drive myself crazy when they don't know that ;) But I love friends. Old ones and new ones.
4. Smutty romance novels. I love quick reads, and those red paperback Harlequin or Silhouette romances fit the bill for me. I have branced out in the last year thanks to my friend Debbi, but my old fallback when looking for something to read is grabbing the newest smutty romance novel off the shelf at wal-mart.
5. Massages. I wish I could afford one-a-week. They are so relaxing. I love feeling the knots in my muscles getting worked out of me. I like chatting with the masseuse. Or dozing off. If you ever feel like buying me a present, a massage is a good way to go!

What are a few of your favorite things?
Oh and one more.... I love weekends where Matt is not working Saturdays. That is this weekend....yipppeeee!

Have a great one--

Piss and Vinegar

Have you ever heard the phrase that someone is "full of piss and vinegar"? I think Brooke personified that today. I still probably can't adequately explain in words what (I think) that phrase means, but it ran thru my head multiple times today. Brooke was a force to be reckoned with today- and it's only TUESDAY of Spring Break!!! She hasn't napped for two days...and yes I know she is almost 5 but this kid still does take naps a few times a week--and I think that was a big part of it. Tomorrow is a new day and I have high hopes.

Speaking of things people used to say and do... today I told Brooke a story about my Grandpa Dean. (He passed away a few years ago and I miss him). The last week-since the weather has been nice; Brooke has been outside a ton. Well, we all have. Brooke more than the rest of us. And she has been IN and OUT and IN and OUT. Today I told her the story of how my cousins (the boys mostly) used to do that at my grandparents house. And one time Papa Dean got tired of it, and locked them in the backyard. As in locked the patio door so they couldn't come in. I think he left them out there for a few hours. It was funny, especially because I recall at least one occasion where we girls were camped happily inside during a lock-out. (Don't worry, it wasn't too terribly hot, and the yard was fenced in. They were quite fine and all are still alive to tell the story today--rather frequently at family gatherings). So I told Brooke this story today. I'm not sure she liked it :) I'm hoping she remembers it though, the next 300 times she comes barrelling up the deck steps for some reason or another!

Hannah loves to be outside. She is so vocal about it, I can't even have the back door open just for the sake of letting fresh air in--she throws a fit if that door is open and she is not on the OUTSIDE part of it. Today we took the lid off the sandbox and let the girls play in there. Hannah is more interested in the pea gravel and putting it in and out of cups. I need to get some sunscreen.... every day the past few days we have come in and her little cheeks have been rosy.

A few pics from today. The lighting is not so great but it was seriously just THAT BRIGHT back in the backyard today! And the picture of the budding tree- why does my cheapy pocket camera do better shots like that than my more expensive Canon? Ugh!

Zoo Day!

Brooke is on Spring Break this week, and we wanted to keep busy. The weather has started off with a bang- it was so gorgeous here today I think I spent more time outside than inside!

This morning we went to the Zoo and met up with our cousins. (that would be, Matt's cousin's wife Kacy and their kids Makenah and Landen). It was a gorgeous day. Hannah was great- I hardly heard a peep out of her the whole time even though she was in her stroller from 10a.m. to 1:30! She didn't get fussy once -- though she did start getting that glazed-over, exhausted look after lunch. She fell asleep within 3 minutes of getting in the car!

Brooke had a blast with her cousins and we saw a lot of animals. There was a baby giraffe and a lion cub that we had not seen, and the big lion was up on his rock and we heard him roaring. It was like being in the middle of the Lion King movie!

We also spent most of the evening outside-- Brooke didn't nap so she was outside from about 3-6:30 with the brief interlude for dinner! I love Spring! I do not love getting my flower beds worked over and ready. Would anyone like to come help me with that?

The rest of our week includes some time with Grandma, a playdate with Jaci, a trip to the library, and some romping fun at a playtime at the gymnastics place. And that doesn't even touch the busy weekend we have planned!

Here are a few pictures from the zoo: