It's coming up on the anniversary of Julie's passing. Julie was a woman I met through my work at TWC. She found out she had recurrent breast cancer not long after I started working at the agency. I can vividly remember everyone sitting in the office waiting as she got the news. She put on such a brave face and of course tried to make a joke about losing her hair. While the time I knew her was brief, she made an impact on my life.
She loved life and had this beautiful smile. She knew how to have fun. This was a woman who had experienced immense heartache in her life, but you would never know it by looking at her. There was a depth of wisdom in her eyes and a kindness that just made you want to share your sorrows. She was always willing to lend a hand. The love for her family was easily viewable as she spoke of them.
It's been almost a year since she left her place on earth, but she is not forgotten.
Julie, you are missed.
For more info on breast cancer and what you can do to help fight it, visit the Susan G. Komen website: http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
New things
This was a big week for me.
I got new glasses last week (love them!).
I got a sander as I'd like to refinish our kitchen table this summer. (Jason says I'm way ambitious)
I got a new cell phone. (it's a camera phone, and has way too many gadets)
I got a Cricut, die-cut scrapbooking machine. (On sale, and a splurge tax return item)
Big week for new toys!
I got new glasses last week (love them!).
I got a sander as I'd like to refinish our kitchen table this summer. (Jason says I'm way ambitious)
I got a new cell phone. (it's a camera phone, and has way too many gadets)
I got a Cricut, die-cut scrapbooking machine. (On sale, and a splurge tax return item)
Big week for new toys!
Four years
Four years since the US went into Iraq. I was pregnant with Ariana. It seems so long ago. I'm not going to debate the should've, could've, would'ves at the moment. But I sit in wonder at the thought that my children have only been present in a world where we are at war. What does this mean for them? What does the future hold for my children, and all those children living in Iraq? How do I explain what is occuring? The 4yo mind isn't really enough to understand the complexity of politics, terrorism, and all the lives lost over the last four years. It's just something I think about, and think about often.
Monday, March 12, 2007
The end is near...
The end of formula and reflux medication that is. Phoenix saw the pedi GI doc this morning for a recheck and he's doing superbly! We'll give it another two months and then if he's doing well yet, we can wean him off the meds. WOOHOO!! We'll have a baby who is off formula and meds around his first birthday hopefully!!
Warm weather
It's over 50 degrees today!!! Spring is on it's way. Of course by Thursday it's supposed to be back in the 30's, but I'll take what I can get. Gotta love March in Wisconsin.
Goodnight Moon & other tales
I came across this poem the other week and it defines how I feel about reading to my children in a simple way. We end each day with stories and read during the day. The imagination of a child is a beautiful thing and reading books helps their imagination.
The Reading Mother
I had a Mother who read me things
That wholesome life to a child's heart brings
Stories that stir with an upward touch.
Oh that every Mother were such!
You may have tangible wealth untold.
You may have caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be.
I had a mother who read to me.
~ Strickland Gillilan
The Reading Mother
I had a Mother who read me things
That wholesome life to a child's heart brings
Stories that stir with an upward touch.
Oh that every Mother were such!
You may have tangible wealth untold.
You may have caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be.
I had a mother who read to me.
~ Strickland Gillilan
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Tiny Baby
I was able to visit a woman this past Saturday who gave birth on Thursday to a beautiful 2lb 2oz baby girl. Mom has been in the hospital on bedrest for preeclampsia for about 3 weeks, I believe. It was wonderful to be able to support her in person and she was crying tears of appreciation when K and I arrived, she was just so thankful. Mom and dad are so proud of their little one and rightly so. She is beautiful. We were lucky enough to see her and she's got the cutest little nose. K's daughter was born roughly the same gestation and spent time in the same NICU, so for her this was a normal baby. For me, while Ariana was small at 4lbs, it took some time to wrap my mind around that this baby is half the size she was.
We sat and chatted with mom and dad for a while and mom wanted us to meet some of her nurses. Or rather, her nurses meet us. ;-) It was great to see how our support has made such a large difference in this family's life. Over and over they thanked us. She kept saying she'd find a way to repay us, but we told her to pay it forward. We were happy to be there for her, as there was no one like that for us when we went through our experience.
As we left, K and I agreed that this was what it's all about. Raising awareness and finding the cause & a cure for preeclampsia is important, but supporting families who are in crisis is where it's at. Honestly it reminded me a great deal of the work I did as a sexual assault advocate. To support the person when others cannot understand. I find a great deal of similarities between the two and it has helped me with the work I have done and am doing.
So, please send good thoughts to baby. She's doing great, but can use all the good thoughts possible.
We sat and chatted with mom and dad for a while and mom wanted us to meet some of her nurses. Or rather, her nurses meet us. ;-) It was great to see how our support has made such a large difference in this family's life. Over and over they thanked us. She kept saying she'd find a way to repay us, but we told her to pay it forward. We were happy to be there for her, as there was no one like that for us when we went through our experience.
As we left, K and I agreed that this was what it's all about. Raising awareness and finding the cause & a cure for preeclampsia is important, but supporting families who are in crisis is where it's at. Honestly it reminded me a great deal of the work I did as a sexual assault advocate. To support the person when others cannot understand. I find a great deal of similarities between the two and it has helped me with the work I have done and am doing.
So, please send good thoughts to baby. She's doing great, but can use all the good thoughts possible.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Love him
Walking up behind you, my warm breath falling on the back of your neck as I wrap my arms around your waist. My lips gently press on the back of your neck as I take your hands into mine. Leaning in close to your ear, whispering gently, "I'll be all right"
It's private. ;-)
It's private. ;-)
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Good music, good times
Tuesday evening I was childfree and having a great time. The Goo Goo Dolls were playing in Madison and I enjoyed the show with my aunt, her friend, and my cousin. We had a wonderful time!!
The opening band, Augustana, was very good and we purchased their CD. http://www.augustanamusic.com/ is their website. Young, but cute and they play good music. ;)
We met this hilarious couple at the bar beforehand and then they found us at the concert. We were laughing hysterically.
It was a fun night and I enjoyed my little escape.
The opening band, Augustana, was very good and we purchased their CD. http://www.augustanamusic.com/ is their website. Young, but cute and they play good music. ;)
We met this hilarious couple at the bar beforehand and then they found us at the concert. We were laughing hysterically.
It was a fun night and I enjoyed my little escape.
Monday, February 26, 2007
F*ing Snow!
Jason suggested today that we possibly move our Disney vacation next year up to Feb. Sure, why not I'm just as sick of this weather.
We were lucky in that we only received about 9-10 inches over the weekend, with another 1-2 coming today. Further south an hour or two and they had up to 23 or so inches. Yikes! And they are forecasting for another snow storm come Thurs & Fri.
We took some photos but I need to get them loaded onto the computer. I'll share once I get them up.
We were lucky in that we only received about 9-10 inches over the weekend, with another 1-2 coming today. Further south an hour or two and they had up to 23 or so inches. Yikes! And they are forecasting for another snow storm come Thurs & Fri.
We took some photos but I need to get them loaded onto the computer. I'll share once I get them up.
Reverse Hope
Hope one year ago. Every month would be filled with hope. Hope that our dreams would come true and we would be lucky enough to have another child. Month after month of hoping only to be dashed when my friend would appear. Disappointment would reign for a week or so and within weeks the hope would blossom again. After one year of hoping and disappointment, our wishes were granted and hope reigned that month.
Hope now. As I felt feelings of relief this week I came up with the idea of reverse hope. Now we hope for that lovely visitor each month, even if there is no possibility of being pregnant that month ;).
What a difference a year makes. What a difference in hopes each month.
Hope now. As I felt feelings of relief this week I came up with the idea of reverse hope. Now we hope for that lovely visitor each month, even if there is no possibility of being pregnant that month ;).
What a difference a year makes. What a difference in hopes each month.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Why can't you just get over it?
I was once asked this question in response to my talking about preeclampsia.
"Why can't you just get over it? "
To be honest, I was shocked at the question and really taken aback. Why should my passion for preeclampsia awareness be any different from someone who supports their favorite charity that hits close to their home? Just because I'm not pregnant anymore? After I thought about it, I was very upset and disappointed that I was asked this question.
Getting over preeclampsia would be a lovely idea. Really, it would. But this condition has affected our lives in a major way. Ariana was born 5 weeks early and spent two weeks in the hospital. Leaving the hospital without your baby is a horrible feeling and one I hope I never feel again. Phoenix's pregnancy was affected as well, but thankfully we made it to term with him. Both my babies were smaller at birth, and that may be caused by placental issues to do the hypertension. My daughter faces a risk of developing preeclampsia when and if she chooses to have children of her own. I now face other health concerns from having had preeclampsia. Due to my own health, and the future health of Ariana, I will not get over it.
The thing is is that we were amazingly lucky. We have two children who were able to come home. Countless other parents do not have their children here with them, they are angels now. There are too many babies lost to just simply get over it. Moms are lost too. Shelly and Anne were moms who loved their babies and unfortunately left them too soon due to preeclampsia. Because of the lost babies & moms, I will not get over it.
Preeclampsia is a condition that affects up to 8% of all pregnancies. That may not seem like alot, but I bet if you ask around you will most likely know someone who was affected with something in the spectrum of preeclampsia. PE is the leading known cause of prematurity. It is unknown what causes PE, and the only cure is delivery.
The organization that I am involved with is doing something to raise awareness, fund research, and better educate health care personnel. Preeclampsia is starting to be in the news more, and exciting research is being done on development of a test for PE. Fighting preeclampsia is a priority in my life, and I will do whatever I can to increase awareness and assist in this battle.
So, no. I cannot just get over it. Not until preeclampsia doesn't exist anymore. When there is a time that my daughter doesn't have to have a chance to experience this condition. I refuse to get over it.
"Why can't you just get over it? "
To be honest, I was shocked at the question and really taken aback. Why should my passion for preeclampsia awareness be any different from someone who supports their favorite charity that hits close to their home? Just because I'm not pregnant anymore? After I thought about it, I was very upset and disappointed that I was asked this question.
Getting over preeclampsia would be a lovely idea. Really, it would. But this condition has affected our lives in a major way. Ariana was born 5 weeks early and spent two weeks in the hospital. Leaving the hospital without your baby is a horrible feeling and one I hope I never feel again. Phoenix's pregnancy was affected as well, but thankfully we made it to term with him. Both my babies were smaller at birth, and that may be caused by placental issues to do the hypertension. My daughter faces a risk of developing preeclampsia when and if she chooses to have children of her own. I now face other health concerns from having had preeclampsia. Due to my own health, and the future health of Ariana, I will not get over it.
The thing is is that we were amazingly lucky. We have two children who were able to come home. Countless other parents do not have their children here with them, they are angels now. There are too many babies lost to just simply get over it. Moms are lost too. Shelly and Anne were moms who loved their babies and unfortunately left them too soon due to preeclampsia. Because of the lost babies & moms, I will not get over it.
Preeclampsia is a condition that affects up to 8% of all pregnancies. That may not seem like alot, but I bet if you ask around you will most likely know someone who was affected with something in the spectrum of preeclampsia. PE is the leading known cause of prematurity. It is unknown what causes PE, and the only cure is delivery.
The organization that I am involved with is doing something to raise awareness, fund research, and better educate health care personnel. Preeclampsia is starting to be in the news more, and exciting research is being done on development of a test for PE. Fighting preeclampsia is a priority in my life, and I will do whatever I can to increase awareness and assist in this battle.
So, no. I cannot just get over it. Not until preeclampsia doesn't exist anymore. When there is a time that my daughter doesn't have to have a chance to experience this condition. I refuse to get over it.
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