Dentist

I am almost at the point of hating dentists. I've had to have SO much dental work done lately. After not going to the dentist for over 2 years and assuming that Ral sucked all of the calcium from my bones and teeth when I was pregnant, my teeth were in bad shape. I'm almost on a first name basis with the girls at the dentist office. They'll probably be invited to Raleigh's next birthday party.

The problem is that b/c of my thyroid, I can't have the regular injection that they normally give. The injection I receive apparently lasts not as long so I usually end up screaming and getting another injection at least once. I was holding on to the chair so tight this morning I needed a muscle relaxer almost!  I also got my teeth cleaned! Now, I only have 3 more teeth that need fillings. Then, I guess I have 2 that need crowns....plus the bridge work I'll need to have done on the tooth that got pulled.

I hope everyone understands when you don't receive the greatest Christmas present this year!!

Cute! 

If I bite harder, will it break? 

Mmmmm...good! 

Batman! 

Sleep!

I've been up since about 3:30. My tooth, or lack thereof, is still hurting and my back was hurting. I tossed and turned for a while, then finally got up. Raleigh, on the other hand, has slept through the night so far! I've made a pot of coffee and have been enjoying the silence in my house that I so rarely get. I've started a gallon of tea and in a few minutes will go organize my recipes, which I didnt do yesterday!

I'm trying to get so many little odds and ends done before school starts. You know, little things...like organizing recipes, that need to be done, but you never seem to have time for. I've done a really good job of cleaning things out and donating to Goodwill. Mike has taken 6 bags for me so far!

Raleigh is teething. It is the teething from hell.
Poor guy. He keeps his fingers in his mouth all the time, rubs his ears, and is SO cranky and clingy. If past teeth serve as any indication, this could be a long next few weeks for all of us!

Sunday morning he was still sleeping as we were up and getting ready for church. I was going into the bathroom to fix my hair when I heard Raleigh's doorknob. It startled me for a second and I had to think whether Mike was in the room or not.
No, Mike was on the couch.
I attempt to open the door and had to wait until my son got his arm away from the door handle. It was Raleigh! He had woken up without crying, which is rare, and put his hand through the crib and was trying to open the door!! When I came in he preceded to turn the light on and off...also a new event!I guess we may have to move his crib soon!

He is learning new things all of the time. Yesterday I asked him where his basketball was and where his dragon was. He was able to get both items. He is so smart!!!!!!

Recovery

It's amazing how you need a recovery from vacation. I went to Raleigh on the 11th to evaluate textbooks for the state. I had a really good time the first few days. They put us up at the Sheraton and I had bunches of fun reading books, shopping, watching, TV, etc. Then I got a toothache. The toothache from hell. By Thurs. night I was calling Mike screaming and crying. My doc here had called me in an anitbiotic and some pain pills, but they were having no effect. I found a dentist in Durham on Friday morning and ended up having the tooth pulled. That was NO FUN at all, but the pain was far less than what I was feeling the 3 days prior. Mike and the baby met me in Raleigh and we went to my mom's for a few days. We had to stay in a hotel b/c the house my cousin SO graciously lets us use had AC problems. Being in a small hotel room with Raleigh was not too much fun, but we made it work. Raleigh had a great birthday party on Sunday, then we came home on Monday. The last few days we have been slowly unpacking and cleaning. I sent Mike to Boone today with 5 bags for Goodwill! I'm excited to have some of this "stuff" out of the house.  We finally got another goodwill agency to pick up the desk and dresser we've had on our front porch for 2 months. Before school starts I want to finish cleaning the baby's room, the office, and the hall closet. I'm sure I'll have plenty more to donate. Then, I will begin to tackle the "outbuilding" where I have boxes and boxes of stuff. I need to organize my files as well.

Raleigh is sleeping in the living room, which is nice. He was so tired and cranky! He has developed the bad habit of waking up in the middle of the night, then we put him in the bed with us and he sleeps alot later. The sleeping late part is nice, but we've got to break the habit. He screamed his guts out for 40 min. straight last night before Mike put him in the bed. I'm going to try to do the same tonight. I feel so sorry for him! He sleeps so good with us, but we can't do that all of the time! This poor child hates his crib. Maybe he'll do better in a big boy bed!

Raleigh started walking more in Wilmington. He will go in between things and take a few steps. He will also venture off without anything in front of him before he falls. He is so darn cute!!! If I ask him where my nose is, he points right to it. We are now working on where his nose is. He is talking and babbling a lot more. Everything is a "ball" which thrills his daddy. He especially calls a light a "ball".

What a cute kid I'm blessed with. He is becoming such a sweetie, giving hugs and kisses all of the time. I think this is a fun age!

Raleigh

I am going to Raleigh today to evaluate textbooks for the week. In a way, I'm really looking forward to the time alone. Going to bed early, sleeping through the night, doing whatever I want after 5pm, etc. BUT I already miss my baby! Raleigh, Mike, and Lois left early this morning to go to Twinsburg because Lois is receiving an award. I know that they will have a great time! Mike will meet me in Raleigh on Friday probably, then its off to Wilmington for a few days. We will have birthday party round 2 there next Sunday. I'm sure it will be as great as last night's party! I'll update next week when I return and have pictures from the next birthday pary!

Cake!!!

My favorite picture

Happy Birthday Raleigh!!!

Wow. Its hard to believe he is one today! He woke up at 4a.m. We played in bed for a while. We were playing peek a boo. He is trying to do it with his hands, but he covers up his ears instead of his eyes and says Boo. How cute is that!

At this time last year I was laying in a hospital bed enjoying my epidural. I didn't have the greatest pregnancy with the Gestational Diabetes, injections 4x a day, and nausea for 4 months....but it could have been much worse. Everything that was "wrong" was fixable. I had gone to the hospital the night before and had my water broken in the morning. Pitocin was starated and I dialated to a 3 pretty quick. I stayed there the rest of the day!! I think that around this time I was beginning to worry that I wouldn't progress. I was right! Dr. Shirley came and talked to us that evening about a possible C-section if I didnt progress. I got into a good labor pattern and took a nap. When I woke up, they were 5 min. apart again, so I knew it wasnt going to happen. I started crying b/c I was so tired of laying in the bed, being numb from my waist down, feeling leaking, etc. I told Mike to have them call the doctor. He came in and we got going. I started feeling pain pretty quickly after I had gotten sick and poor Mike had to help me. The jerk anesthesiologist gave me medicine that made me crazy. From that point on is a blur. I drifted in and out...in severe pain, feeling the entire surgery. I didn't know who I was or what I was doing but had some vague memory of being there to have a baby. I kept asking...."Did I have a baby? Is he a boy? Is he pretty? Is he ok? Does he have hair?" Then I would go back out, come to, and repeat the same questions. I have NEVER experienced pain like that before. AFter I got back to my room and an hours worth of morphine later, I was feeling better. After I left the hospital I was SO swollen and developed a huge pocket of fluid under my incision. I could barely walk. We spent about a week and a half draining my incision everyday. I thought I would never be the same.

I'm not.

But not in the ways that I thought.

Was it worth it?

A million times over.

My baby is the most precious ever and I would endure all of that and more for him anytime, anywhere.

Happy birthday my precious son!

Bloodwork

I had a bunch of bloodwork done about 2 weeks ago. I went back this morning to get the results and was kind of dreading it. Everything was GREAT!!!! Cholesterol was good...the good cholesterol was at 35 which is great for me b/c it has normally been low, around 28. I had my thryroid checked again. It continues to decrease, but I don't need any medication changes yet. My kidneys are fine, which is good b/c I had some problems when I was pregnant. I'm so excited about the results! I'm going to transfer my membership to CURVES in Mtn. City today so that I can start going more regularly. I haven't been in 3 weeks!

Last night, Raleigh was SO cute! He was making his little noises like he usually does and I looked at him and started singing "Hey, Hoooooooooo, Hey, Hooooooo" while waving my hands. He looked at me and just cracked up!! Then he puts his hands in the air and says "go". It was just precious.

I'm busy making Zucchini bread this morning. The zucchini in my garden is taking over, so Im making a few batches of bread to freeze. My blackberries are just starting to come in. Lois said if they fully ripen while Im gone, she'll freeze them so that we can make jam when I get back. My tomatoes aren't looking too good:-( Im going to go out when it cools off tonight and see if I can stake them better and give them some more miracle grow! I have lots to get done today with leaving on Sunday and having a party tomorrow. I'm off to start wrapping presents!

Ducks!

Pictures!

Almost one year!

Yesterday I kept thinking about a year ago. It was on a Wednesday that I went to the hospital. I had my hair cut that morning, then went to the grocery store. After I came home I told Mike that I really needed to go work on my room, so I went out to school. The whole time I was there, I was in pain. By back was hurting really bad. The last hour I just sat in a chair and sorted books. When I left I told Mike to meet me at his parents so that I could get in the big tub. The tub didnt help so we tried the breathing stuff and massage. Later on I went to the hospital after talking to the doc. who told me that I could be in early labor. She said if I was, they would keep me. If I wasn't, they would give me some pain meds for my back pain. I really didnt think I was in labor...but I was!!

On Tuesday Mike and I went to the lake by ourselves. We had SUCH a good time! The weather was perfect and the water temp. was great for swimming. There was hardly anyone on the lake, which was nice too. I can't wait to go out again!

Yesterday I went into Boone to get the birthday stuff finalized. I THINK I have everything bought, but I fully expect to be going to Food Lion a few more times before Saturday. I ordered Ral's cake. Its BLUE's Clues for the big cake and his small cake will have his name and confetti. I got them both chocolate. A friend told me that chocolate will show up a lot better in the pictures!

Last night we went to some friends house for dinner. We had great steak and potatoes. Dessert was Moose Tracks! They have a boy who is 3 and a girl who is 11 days younger than Ral. Its so nice to be able to go somewhere that is babyproofed and has toys! Raleigh was SUCH a good boy. He just played and played and played with lots of trucks.

I thought Raleigh was going to walk this morning! I was sitting on the floor and he was beside the chair. I told him to walk to mama. He took his hand off of the chair, so he was just standing for a few seconds. He looked at me, took one step, then went down to crawl. OH well. It will happen soon enough! He is my little power crawler!

Shrek 2

We finally got around to seeing Shrek 2 today. It was cute, but not as good as the first Shrek! Nonetheless, it was good to get out of the house for awhile. Lois called this morning and said she wanted the baby for a while so we went to Johnson City. We were going to get together with some friends in Boone, but we were lazy this morning and called too late. Oh well. They had the chance to hook up with some other friends, which was good. After the movie we went to Poor Richards, one of our favorite restaurants, then to Target and Books a Million. Tomorrow Mike and I are going to try to make it to the lake by ourselves. I can't wait! I really love the lake. I didnt get there much last year because of my pregnancy.

Raleigh has been a good boy today. He is real good about playing by himself right now. We have 3 bins of toys in the living room. By the end of the day, it seems that he has gone through all of the baskets and scattered all of the toys. He really likes throwing his toys over the gate and into the kitchen as well. Raleigh LOVES Odie! I could barely hold onto him tonight when we came home b/c he was so excited about seeing the dog. I only wish the dog showed the same excitement towards him!

A day at the lake!

Raleigh had his first day at the lake! It will be his last day for a while. He is still too little. He was a VERY good boy...but it was just too hard trying to keep him settled. We got to ride back in the rain and everyone got soaked...except Ral. I had him wrapped up in a blanket drinking his bottle. He was so cute!
Yesterday we went to the Hickory Mall and had Ral's pictures done at the Picture People. As soon as we figure out our new scanner, we will post the pictures. They are SO good! He squirmed so much I didn't think that they would turn out, but they did.
Last night we went downtown to watch the fireworks with Mike's parents. I guess that is becoming a tradition. Raleigh really liked them and gave a big 'ole smile at the end when all of them were going off. He wasnt scared a bit! Then we kept with tradition and went to McDonalds for sundaes. Raleigh had his first strawberry sundae. He LOVED it!! He really likes cold things. His daddy was having to fight him off tonight while he was eating popsicles. He gets excited when he sees the package now!

Another rainy day!

Im SO tired of the rain. We need to mow really bad. Mike stayed in Mtn. City yesterday to get yard work done. He was able to get none of it accomplished b/c it rained all day. I need to go out and weed my garden and finish staking my tomatoes. I would LOVE to be able to go out on the Lake in the boat this year. But, its raining. Again. We are supposed to go out on the boat tomorrow after church with a couple from our SS class. I REALLY hope that it clears up by then!
I had a great time in Asheville yesterday. That city just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I really miss it sometimes. I miss the variety. I miss all of the stores!! Raleigh was SUCH a good boy the entire day! I went shopping with my friend Tracy for a few hours, then went to the birthday party. It was great!!! Emma (4) Hank (2) Skyla (2) Raleigh and Ivy (1) had a great time! It was neat to see Raleigh play with all of Hank's trucks and cars! I was worried he might be clingy or upset b/c of his fear of strangers that he has developed lately but he did great !They had steak Kabobs, mashed potatoes, fruit, and deviled eggs. Susan made a SpongeBob cake. Everything was wonderful! The other one year old there is already walking. Maybe Raleigh will start soon? In a way, I want him to, but in a way, I don't. I know that things get more difficult once he starts walking. I also think it will make him seem more "grown up" and I dont know if Im ready for that! I can't believe that he turns one in a week. There were so many times, especially early on, when I felt like I would never feel the same or sleep again. Now, Im busy making lists preparing for his party next Sat.!

Does the croup help you sleep?

Raleigh has the croup. All of the things I described yesterday led the doc to the diagnosis. Then, when he was describing some things about croup, I knew without a doubt that's what he has. He is now on a steroid for 3 days. Doc said that this will help clear it up faster. He recommended cold air if he woke up coughing and having trouble breathing so I told Mike to put his window up some last night and maybe that would help him. Mike put the window AND the shade up. He went to bed about 10:45 and didn't wake up until almost 7:30!!!!! This NEVER happens! If he sleeps 7 hours then we feel like we've really accomplished something. I'm wondering if it was the cool air that helped. MIke thinks it was the extra light.

Mike got back in town yesterday and we picked him up after we went to see the doctor. He got Raleigh a REALLY cute outfit from Gymboree..with matching socks included! He also got him an Elmo chair. Raleigh has no clue about how to sit on it, but thinks its really cool to play with right now. Mike got me some white linen candles from Bath and Body Works and a white linen electric air freshener. I was so happy with all of the gifts!

I am going to Asheville today for Hank's birthday party. He is 2 years old! Susan and I saw each other last weekend in JC, will see each other today, then she is coming up for Ral's party next week. Im so happy to see her! Im also going to get to see my good friend Tracy who I havent seen in FOREVER!! I want to do a little shopping in Avl. I need to go to Barnies to get coffee and need to look for a small grill for the party next Friday. It should be a good day!

A day at home finally!

After church on Sunday and 3 days of VBS, I'm glad to have a day at home! We were supposed to go to VBS today but Raleigh is sick. We are going to see THE doctor of all doctors, Dr. St. Clair, this afternoon. I tool Ral to the doc last week and he was diagnosed with an ear infection and put on antibiotics. Last night he started coughing. He woke up at 4am coughing pretty hard and breathing hard and fast. He has had a pretty good day despite the cough and has played much of the day, which is nice. I even got a quick nap on the couch! Mike has been in Atlanta all week and comes home tonight. I can't wait! I've really missed him. Ral and I are going to Asheville tomorrow to my best friend's house. It is her son's second birthday! Hopefully my sweet baby will feel well enough to travel!