Welcome Home, Baby Girl!

Looks like we've seen the Blair Witch!

A Little Piece of My Heart

Annie will be returning home today after almost two weeks away, so I'll try to post some pictures later today or tomorrow ... the one attached to this entry is a couple of months old ...

Needless to say, we are very excited to have her on her way home as it's been almost two weeks since we've seen her.

But on that note, our parents (as always) have so graciously and unselfishly stepped in to take care of me, Annie and anything else that has come up (such as my brief but terrifying stint into the world of insanity.) Even though everything that happened last week was horrible and incredibly scary for all involved, I'll probably never know all that our parents did to ensure that Annie was happy and that I was receiving the best possible care.

As for Anthony? There just aren't any words to describe having a husband who never leaves your side no matter what.

I've been in too many situation where I had to depend on so many people, but thank you all for your e-mails, calls, prayers, flowers, cookie bouguets, cards and yes, coloring books with the cool Color Wonder markers (thanks, Bubba, Mandi, and little Bubba.) It's entirely humbling, and I thank you.

Finally Home

ok, just a brief update ... finally got home from the hospital on Saturday afternoon ... should have been home days earlier but had reaction to some med I was given and was hallucinating, etc. was extremely scary but all seems to be ok now ... will write more later ...

Meadows and What Not

and so, dear readers, the time has come for my big fat surgery ... why, you may ask am I posting all these pictures today? Well, I'll tell you. Tomorrow, in preparation for the surgery, I shall be drinking a lovely concoction known as Go Lytely. I don't know why they call it that ... the name implies you will be skipping through a meadow instead of ... well, we'll leave that part to the imagination. For those of you who have never had the pleasure of Go Lytely, let's just say it "cleans you out." Fun, fun, fun.

Also, after the surgery, I have no idea when I'll be able to climb the stairs to get to the computer and blog. Perhaps I'll take pictures in the hospital and post them later. Now there's an idea. Who doesn't want to see catheters, hospital gowns, IV's, nurses at 3 AM, husband snoring on the bed next door ...

Pictures, continued

Sophie Colleen

In addition to our usual nightly activities (involving everyone, including the girls) Annie became obsessed with diapering her baby, Sophie Colleen (given to her by her most favorite Aunt Kelly.) Of course this diapering occurred before she threw Sophie Colleen into the whale pool ... Lovely.

Random Pictures

Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Morning

ok, no pictures today (at least not yet) as camera battery is currently re-charging ... however, do have more whale pool hoopla to report ... Annie wanted to go to "the pool" at 9 AM, so there we were in the backyard at a very strange time swimming in very cold water ... and yet again, bird poop appeared on the rim of the pool, and the blackbirds kept circling, and I mean they were CLOSE ... I'm fairly certain they are sizing up their prey ...

now we have gotten a much bigger pool as well that sits beside the whale pool ... we have all manner of elaborate flotation devices for Annie so she can float along, and I can work on my tan ... but nope, not today ... got the flotation device on her, and all she wanted to do was cling to me, ripping off my bathing suit, and seriously impeding my tanning opportunity ... oh, well, imagine that life is no longer just about me ... so sad.

Our Big Fat Pool Weekend

** HAPPY ONE DAY LATE BIRTHDAY, T!!

Whale Pool Fun

Yes, ok, bring it on ... haven't blogged for a long time ... trying to get ready for surgery on the 16th since I'll be down for the count for quite awhile and also have been taking care of our lovely child. Oh, and still working on gazillion vacation pictures.

However, have taken time to offer another batch of helpful tips for you readers.

If you find yourself swimming in an inflatable whale-shaped (complete with gigantic tail) pool with your 2-year-old follow these simple rules:

1. Ensure that water is warm ... don't take husband's "oh, yeah, it should be warm by now" advice. Also don't take child's behavior as a sign if she thinks hypothermia-inducing water is great fun and isn't cold at all.

2. Ignore killer blackbirds that circle and taunt as you swim ... ok not swim as much as try to keep tiny child from throwing herself at you for fun.

3. Do go to great and intricate lengths to weigh down whale tail as is blocking sun ... use deck chair if necessary even if tail is surprisingly strong and chair comes flying back at you. Do NOT feel slightly dumb when husband points out later that deflating tail was all that was necessary as tail is separate from pool.

4. Act not at all shocked when bird poop suddenly lands on rim of pool ... bring self's train of thought back on track when ponder why we don't get pooped on by birds all the time as they are always in the sky and poop must just be flying all over the place.

5. Think not even twice if must move tiny child over a bit because she is blocking sun ... self needs sun so can look at least presentable in soon-to-be-worn hideous hospital gown. Better yet, teach tiny child (who is slathered in sunscreen) importance of getting sun.

6. Discover whale pool is much too small this summer as tiny child is not-so-tiny anymore.

7. Learn mantra: being splashed is fun ... being splashed is fun ... being splashed is fun.

8. Buy bigger pool.

Just the Beginning

Alright, here we go with the vacation pictures ... considering we actually ended up with 300 or something, this is a pretty good start ... I would explain who everybody is, but I'm pretty sure y'all know ...

Vacation Pictures

Vacation Pictures

Vacation Pictures

The Parking Garage Ate My Car (Maybe)

(vacation pictures in the works, all 7,000 of them)

In the meantime, I thought I would share a tip with all you faithful readers: a tip on what to do if you are at a hospital for pre-admission and upon leaving discover you cannot find your car in the parking garage. (This is, OF COURSE, a hypothetical situation and certainly not one I have found myself in and certainly not one that might have occurred yesterday.)

Do not panic, despite feeling perhaps aliens have stolen your car.

Do not panic, despite feeling you may or may not be in correct garage. (There could hypothetically be more than one.)

Ignore stares of passerby, despite fact you may have passed them by at least 7 times during your quest to find your potentially stolen vehicle.

Do not call security, at least not for a bit ... it's best to roam for at least 20-28 minutes.

Make a real (or pretend) cell phone call: look important. Make laughter part of the real (or pretend) conversation: appear nonchalant and carefree to the very familiar passerby.

Ride elevator for a change of scenery.

Walk up (or down) stairs for exercise.

Try not to be mortified when current situation demands a complete turning around of self to begin quest again.

Call husband at nearby workplace to whine about heat, exhaustion, and general horror of current situation ... establish a Plan B: husband will come and drive you around in AIR-CONDITIONED car to find your lost car (unless aforementioned aliens have taken it.) ** Do NOT put Plan B into motion until last possible second.

Talk to self (as all cares about being mortified could completely be gone by this point) ... be encouraged by fresh air, life itself, and good walking shoes, etc.

See car. Do NOT overreact or shout with joy; simply fling self into car, wipe happy tears from eyes and smile smugly as you DRIVE by extremely familiar passerby when you exit House of Horrors parking garage.

Pay a smidge more attention to what garage you park in (and location in garage) the next time you find yourself in aforementioned situation.

Happy parking!

David Vs. David

Only two words about American Idols's finale: David Cooks (get it?)

See you when we get back from the beach ...

Meme

Ok, I have apparently been "tagged" by my good friend, Julie, so that means I fill out the following lists, then tag 4 other lucky souls:

4 things I was doing 10 years ago: (1998)
1. Planning my fall wedding!
2. Working as a therapist for families, children and individuals.
3. Living with my parents until I got married and having the time of my life, a time I will always treasure.
4. Not even considering having children yet!

4 things I was doing 5 years ago: (2003)
1. Going through infertility treatment.
2. Not technically working because the infertility treatments were in Mobile, Alabama, and we were living in Gulfport, Mississippi, at the time.
3. Enjoying a koi pond in our backyard until frogs started mating in it, and snakes started to live there.
4. Thanking God because Annie was conceived through IVF while we lived there ... if you've been through infertility treatments, then you know getting pregnant is indescribably amazing.

4 things I did yesterday:
1. Made a list of stuff to do for the vacation we're about to go on.
2. Taught Annie how to jump-rope. Ok, more like I jump-roped, and she just jumped but fun nonetheless.
3. Took a nap when Annie did because jump-roping is strangely tiring.
4. Watched "American Idol" with Anthony after Annie went to bed.

4 shows I love to watch:
1. American Idol
2. Lost
3. Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? (my personal answer: NO)
4. Designing Women

4 things I love to do:
1. Listen to Annie laugh.
2. Read -- yes, if it's for her, anything even if we've read it a gazillion times that day. If it's for me (HA!) pretty much anything.
3. Write - it is probably my passion.
4. iPod, baby.

Now, see, how it works is I am supposed to tag four other people, who will then link their lists back to me. So, beloved and much loved people, I will choose Kelly, Kate, Mandi and Jill.

And by the way - this is called a meme! So says google. Learn something new every day.

To Be or Not To Be

Sorry to disappoint, fair readers, but there will be no pictures today. As we are leaving for a week-long beach vacation tomorrow, I have been charging the camera batteries.

Anywho, as this is a big day for our family (ok, for me,) what with the "American Idol" finale being tonight, I feel I must share my thoughts. First, I know it may seem sad to be so excited about a TV show, but we only watch about three shows on account of our beautiful two-year-old. We DVR them, watch them after she's asleep, and then crawl into bed. So perhaps you can better understand the sheer joy of this evening's festivities.

Now, who will win? First, I wish the finale had been between David Cook and Carly Smithson but alas, twas not meant to be. Instead, we are left with the two Davids. I predict it will be an incredibly close vote and that little Archie will win. Personally, I like David Cook so much better (my iPod is filled with his songs,) but only time will tell. And only time will tell if we are still awake for the whole 17-hour show ...

The Two Davids

Ah, Annie's new bike seat, her new helmet, and the two Davids left standing in American Idol. (for me, there's only one but try to figure out which one. Hint: he's older than 12.)

Now Annie's fancy bike seat ... frightening that it looks nothing like the bucket-like device I used to ride behind my mom or dad on their bikes when I was a mere child. No, what I had was a safe-as-they-came soft plastic thing that barely came up to the small of my back. Ah, the times they are a changing ...

Blessings

very, very happy to report that my grandfather came through his triple-bypass surgery with flying colors ... even though he still has a long recovery, getting through the surgery successfully was a huge hurdle ... thank you all for your prayers!