4.07.2011

Olivia's Birthday Party

Our very dear friends Ryan and Erica had their daughter's 2nd birthday tonight at Pizza Inn. I was worried that Stratton would be a handful, but surprisingly he was so well behaved (I guess he just saves the fits for home and church?). We had a great time!

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[Pizza face]

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[Erica, Olivia and big brother Carson]

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[all the kiddos]

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[Erica and Stratton]

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[Livy giving Stratton a hug!]

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[Stratton and Jarrod going through the goody bag, and notice Olivia sneaking some COKE!]

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["Cool!"- That's what he says when he puts on sunglasses]

6 months later

When I went to see my OB/GYN about a month ago, I told her about everything that had been going on in the last year and she feels strongly that I should have the lipoma in my colon removed before we try to have another baby. In her opinion my past of preterm labor puts me at high risk for that to happen again (I will have to get a weekly shot of progesterone which could lower my risk by up to 50%) without any other factors, but add into that my past of gestational diabetes, and a lipoma that could cause another intussusception at any time. . . and it just all seems like a lot of risks. Not necessarily for me, but if I was pregnant and had another intussusception like I had last year the baby could be in a lot of danger. I lost 15 lbs, couldn’t keep food down and was overall really sick and my body was in a lot of stress. If that was to happen when I was pregnant I was probably have to be hospitalized and the stress could lead to preterm labor.

So, I decided to go back the the surgeon and see what he had to say about it and we decided to do another scan to just check and see what the lipoma was doing now, 6 months later. I had a PT E scan done last Wednesday and I got the results back yesterday. Turns out it’s still there and has gotten a little bigger. I haven’t met with the Dr. yet, I have an appointment next Thursday, so I am curious how much “a little bigger” is.  I have some time to figure out what we want to do. If I end up having surgery it won’t be till in the the fall. We have already planned a trip in May to D.C to see the Grahams, and then I get super busy at work till the end of September.

It’s so hard to think about putting myself and my family through a serious surgery and lengthy recovery to correct something that isn’t even an problem right now. . .just a possible risk in the future.  I can’t say I’m not worried about all the potential risks involved with another pregnancy, I’m terrified that I might put my unborn child in danger. . . However, I have probably had the lipoma for years and years and it never bothered me before and the Dr. says it may never bother me again. It’s not thought to have been a factor in my problems with my first pregnancy. From what my OB/GYN can tell they are totally unrelated issues.  Right now we are a little overwhelmed. I am so thankful for our many, many blessings! The Lord has been so good to us.  Jarrod and I are both happy and healthy and  we are so blessed with Stratton and how strong and healthy he is and even though we feel like he deserves a sibling to grow up with, maybe it’s not worth the risk right now? Its so hard to know what the right thing is to do.  Please keep Jarrod and myself in your prayers, as we deal with the realization that what we envisioned for our family’s future may not be God’s plan for us.  We have a lot to think about and some big decisions to make in the next couple of months, please pray for God to give us the wisdom we need to make the right decisions.

4.04.2011

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3.31.2011

Makes me laugh every time!

I know you’ve all seen this over the last couple of days, but it never gets old! Every time I see it, it makes me laugh! And Stratton thinks it’s Hilarious, too! Maybe that’s because he actually knows what they are saying!! Ha-ha!

So funny!

Have a great Thursday!

3.28.2011

:: Easy on Monday :: E-MEALZ

Thought I’d try something new!! On Monday’s I will [try] to share with you something that makes my life EASIER!! I know we all need some help here!! Especially on Mondays!

 

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E-MEALZ Easy Meals for Busy and Frugal Families

I don’t think I have ever shared this on my blog, but I love this program! I subscribed about 2 years ago, and I don’t use it as much as I used to, but that is because I have to deal with such a picky eater in the house (no, not Stratton. I’m talking about Jarrod!) and don’t find myself as organized as I used to be! haha! But I do download the menu every week and I love getting to use the recipes when I can! If you are tired of eating the same stuff over and over every week and love new, EASY recipes. Then try it out! It’s only $15 for 3 months and if you don’t like it you can cancel your subscription. It’s easy to download, and the recipes are not only super easy they are also usually pretty good. I think it’s worth your while to check it out and will hopefully make mealtimes a little easier!!

3.23.2011

Spring Break!

Even though I am not off for spring break, I am having a great week so far! Stratton’s daycare is closed this week so Stratton is splitting the week between Hickory Ridge and Searcy!! So while he’s off having fun with the Grands, Jarrod and I have big plans for the week!

These are my goals for the week:

1. Go to work well rested and arrive not just on time but EARLY
2. Run errands and shop after work, not at lunch like a crazy person!
3. Watch my favorite TV programs on the night they come on, at the time they come on!
4. Eat whatever we want with no regard to our child's temperamental palette
5. Go to bed early!!!! Like 8pm!
6. Enjoy a house free of toy clutter, sippy cups, shoes and toys scattered about
7. Get a pedicure!

So far so good! I have been about 10-15 minutes early to work, I got a pedicure on Monday and ran some errands after work! And Monday night I was all ready for bed by 9pm and watched Castle snuggled up in my bed, so I  could immediately turn over and go to sleep when it went off!! Ahhh the luxury! Another good thing about spring break is there is NO traffic in the mornings! Love it!!

3.12.2011

Finally. . .(knock on wood) feeling better

I think we are finally over the stomach bug, or whatever it was! Stratton hasn't been sick since Tuesday! He is definitely getting his appetite back! The boy is about to eat us out of house and home!! He is constantly eating!! But I guess he needs to gain back the almost 3 lbs he lost in the past week somehow!  He has also started throwing some little (ok, not so little) tantrums. I was hoping it was just because he was sick and didn't feel good, but I am afraid the "Terrible Two's" may be here!

Here are some things Stratton has been up to this week. . .

So, do you think it's ingrained in the male DNA somewhere that they need to take reading material in the bathroom with them??

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Right now he loves anything "Mouse" including, his stuffed Mickey, Mickey Mouse pj's and of course Mickey Mouse clubhouse. Which we now have on the dvr so we can watch it any time of the day or night!! I would say that tractors (John Deere dvds) and Mouse are pretty much his only tv requests these days. And since we have been cooped up in the house for a week we have had our fill of them and then some!! Between James Coffey's John Deere theme song and the Hot Dog song/dance, I am convinced repeated exposure to these songs could be used as torture methods in the military!!

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He was amused by his shadow and he sunlight coming through the window. It was funny watching him try to grab it!

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Loving on Taki, she is such a good sport!

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