World Prematurity Day

I didn't even know this day existed until I became the mom to a preemie princess.

It is no secret that my daughter is a preemie. It is not something that I keep a secret. My scar from her c-section is a battle wound from her incredible journey into this world. Her time in utero was cut short by 7 weeks as she graced the world with her presence 7 weeks early.

When she was born, she weighed 2 pounds 13 ounces and barely fit in our arms.

Thank God she was luckier than a lot of premature babies and was fully developed - lungs and all.

But she did have her own battles to fight... It was not just a walk in the park, I promise. It was hard on her little body; it was hard on her momma and her daddy; and it was hard on her grandparents and it was hard on her entire family, all of the extended aunts and uncles and "big cousins" included.

Being extremely underweight, she needed to pack on the pounds before she could come home. She lived in the NICU at our local hospital for 5 weeks, with every pound and milestone we rejoiced. During her first weeks, her biggest troubles came with eating; she could only digest breast milk and her poor tummy had quite the battle with Colitis. One of the hardest things, as her mother, was to accept that withholding feedings was the correct "prescription" for her during those moments. How could I agree that not feeding this tiny little girl was the right thing to do?! Yes, I knew she was getting her nutrients through her IVs, but just the thought of her having to skip that meal was a little tough for me to digest. {pun intended}

But if we fast forward...

Now, to see her, as she turns 17 months old TODAY, it's hard to even think about her as a preemie in that fancy "condo." Yes, she is petite and I have a feeling she always will be. {She may not look Asian, but she has got short Asian lady genes!} Some say she is still catching up and maybe that's true.

Lainey has crossed that 20 pound mark and is as smart as can be. She has experienced no real "preemie things" as she is growing up and is, developmentally, a perfect toddler.

Now, I understand our story is not like others and some premature babies have a much harder time than we did. Some stories don't have a happy ending like ours. It's incredibly hard to even type that sentence. Our story isn't ending, it is just beginning.

I wrote this post to help in raising awareness for a very serious topic - for a critical problem in our lives. I am not looking for donations to any of the several non-profs that are working for advancements in medical science to give these babies the best possible odds. It's been my experience that statistics tend to mean more when there is a real-life emotion attached to it. So please know, this post could not be more heartfelt.

Everyday we say our prayers and count our blessings. God walked us through this journey and gave us the strength He knew we needed. He chose us to be Lainey's parents for reasons only He knows. But I thank him everyday for my preemie princess.

xoxo,

Linda

Becky or Beckett...

Regardless of what she calls this dog, she loves him. She loves the real-life version and she loves this version just as much.

It has happened. We have our first major attachment to something that isn't my hip.

The story of adopting another Beckett

As soon as Lainey and I walked into Target last week, she kept saying "Book... book. Book..." So I told her that if she sat still in the buggy, we could certainly get a new book. I mean... let's be real. If you are going to get your child a prize, at least get a book instead of another toy. At least that is my take on it...

So we made our way through the store. Wound up in the books section and picked out a book. It's a pretty awesome Pantone color book designed for children.  She picked it all on her own... she is her mother's child.

Onward to the cash registers, right?

Of course, in order to get the cash registers, we had to pass the toy section. {Well played, Target... well played.}

Lainey looks up and yells "BECKETTTT!" It was all down hill from there. She had spotted him. A stuffed little guy that looked just like her little buddy from home - my pug, Beckett.

Well she began to carry on and reach for this little stuffed dog. And so, accepting the cuteness that is my child and her excitement for this Beckett, I caved. I handed him to her and she squealed in delight and hugged him and wouldn't let him go.  She even rode home holding him.

Now, Beckett goes where Lainey goes. Car rides, Nana's house, dinner, bed time, everywhere.

They are best friends.

xoxo,
Linda

Party Time!

That's right, you heard me.... it's time for a party!

No, it's not a political party.  

Although, Lainey did get her vote on yesterday! 

It is time for.... *drum roll please*

A TWENTY POUND PARTY!!!!

Can you see the number on that scale?! Because I can.

 And it says two-zero point zero!!!!!

It has taken nearly a year and a half to get to this milestone.  

While this may not be an official weigh-in but it is totally good enough for me!

xoxo,

Linda

Trick or Treat

It's been a crazy couple of weeks in {the nuthouse}  Hence my MIA hiatus last week.  Work is busy, life is busy, and I am just trying to enjoy the moments as they come!  October has come to end, thank goodness! We have survived a roadtrip to the OBX for one wedding, our first weekend sans bebe, and now have officially survived Halloween! 

Hope everyone enjoyed their trick or treating! I'd call our first trick or treating adventure a huge success! We had a wonderful time going trick or treating with Lainey's big cousins. {Who needs to have more kids when you have such great cousins to love on and spoil?!} 

Our house visits went kind of like this...

Boys race to door to ring the doorbell.

*ding dong*

Dylan: Trick or treat!!
Tyler: Can I have some more?

*nice person gives out candy*

Boys start to run away

Lainey: eeeeeeez

*nice person smiles and asks if she can have some candy*

Me: Lainey, says thank you!

Lainey: Welcome... bye byeeee *waves*

-- on to the next one --

I will say this, though, being a working mom on Halloween may be one of the most stressful things I have done lately! Of course, our boots were too small so this mom had to dart out of the office, hit the mall to get replacements (thank goodness for being intuitive enough to call ahead and have them put on hold) then it was the race to pick up Lainey, grab dinner for her and my 2 buddies, get dinner served and then get 2 out of 3 children dressed! phew - I am tired just reliving that 2 hour span in my head! 

Then it was off to Granny Minetree's house to go trick or treating with Dylan and Tyler! We hit a few houses with them then we surprised Nana and Grandpap with a visit and headed home.

Here are a couple of shots from the night's
{motocross} adventures!

xoxo,
Linda

The {perfect} blend

Dear Boots,
It's been a while since I have had the time to sit down and actually write you a note. Sure, I post here on the regular about us, but seldom do I write to you.

You, my love, are definitely a halfsy. You are an incredible and unique blend of your father and I... so much so that at one glance, I see your father; at another glance, I see myself. 

You giggle at even slightest bit of something funny but maintain a laid back attitude. 

You love shoes, handbags in your elbow and pretty bracelets.  But you aren't afraid to climb that monster truck.

As of today, you are bald like your Daddy.  You have the same nose as me. (You can thank your great-grandma for that one.) You are stubborn like the both of us.

This tit for tat could keep going...but you get the point.

I can not begin to tell you how much happiness you bring into my life - just like your dad does. My life would not be compete without the two of you, that I am sure.

As you get older, you may lose sight of which parent gave you which traits in your life.  Some things will remain glaringly one or the other. Like how I will never escape the fact that I look just like your NeeNee. But I like to think that as a child, God hand-selected your personality traits. And he makes sure that you get the best pieces of both parents and that is what helps you become the best person you can be. You mold into your own person and you begin to develop traits that someday will be passed down to your own children.

So... regardless of where life takes you, always remember, that you carry pieces of your father and I with you...always.

Love you forever, 
Momma

Peek-a-Boo

I had a post idea in my mind for this week, I swear...

But this is too cute not to share.

xoxo,
Linda

Landon's Birth Story

Just a few days after my sister in law gave birth to my handsome nephew, I asked her to take some time to write down his birth story. Knowing she was not usually the "sentimental type," I wanted to make sure she took time to write it all down while it was fresh in her mind. Landon had quite the adventure and I am pleased to have her share her story here at {the nuthouse}. 

Landon was due to make his arrival on September 1, 2012. 
However, that date came and went.

On September 7, 2012, I was told by my Doctor that if Landon did not arrive on his own, we would need to schedule an induction for September 16, 2012. WHAT?!? Are you kidding me? 15 days past due?

Ugh! So the wait continued…

On September 16th I was supposed to call the Labor and Delivery Department of the hospital at 8:00 am to schedule my induction. Landon decided he was not going to wait until 8:00 am. At 5:00 am I began to have contractions.

I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions earlier in the pregnancy but these contractions were VERY different, very constant, and very uncomfortable to say the least. I knew it was time! Gilbert and I headed to the hospital - Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Ft. Hood Texas. It was pouring rain outside. Not a common occurrence in Central Texas.

Upon arrival, I was admitted and all the routine tests and monitoring began. I was indeed in active labor. There was just one problem…

The hospital had no rooms available for me.

WHAT?!? Are you kidding me - again?

I was already 15 days past due, now in active labor and now I am being told that there is no room for me?!

The hospital staff had no choice but to scramble, make a few phone calls and figure out where they could send me. After a few minutes, a nurse returned to tell me that I was going to be transported an hour away to St. David’s Hospital in Austin Texas via ambulance.

Gilbert was to follow us in his car.

Back out into the pouring rain we went. With the rain, came the numerous accidents on the highway and the insanely backed up traffic. My one hour ambulance ride turned into two hours. The longest and most uncomfortable two hour trip EVER.

By now, my contractions were about two minutes apart. The whole time I could see Gilbert out of the rear window of the ambulance. I just kept praying that Landon would not arrive in the back of an ambulance with Gilbert following in the car.

We finally arrive at the hospital and despite my extreme discomfort, I was incredibly impressed with the “luxury style” birthing suite I was taken to. Within minutes, a Doctor was in the room and we were discussing my options. Earlier in my pregnancy I fractured my pelvis (another long story in and of itself). That being said, there had always been questions and concerns about the whole delivery. After the Doctor’s examination, it was determined that I was already eight centimeters dilated and fully effaced. However, Landon was in a terrible position. The Doctor said that he had very broad shoulders and that there was a strong possibility that he could break his clavicle and our worsen my pelvic fracture if I were to proceed with vaginal delivery so we decided on a caesarian section.

From there, things progressed quickly and within an hour Landon Kyle Paiz was born.



September 16, 2012 at 2:18pm. 8 pounds 11 ounces, 21 inches long. Perfectly happy, healthy, and beautiful. 



xoxo,
Melissa