Happy 1/2 Birthday, Leo!

As some of you may know, I'm kind of a strange ranger about 1/2 birthdays. Maybe it's because in my classroom, we usually only celebrate 1/2 birthdays. Maybe it's because I like to make more work for myself, or maybe it's because I love to do fun things for my boys.

December 28th is Leo's 1/2 birthday, and for the past 2 years I made him a cake with "1/2" on it. This year, unfortunately, I was in the hospital getting my second blood patch, and didn't get to make him a cake. I had a really hard time with it too. Maybe it was the emotions, or the headaches, or feeling guilty. Whatever it was, I cried a lot and felt bad.

I don't have any pictures of Leo with his 1/2 cake (there was no cake). I don't have any pictures of Leo at his 1/2 party (there was no party). But I can say,

Happy 1/2 Birthday, Leo! I've loved being your mommy for the last 2 1/2 years! I love you!

Happy 1/2 Birthday to you!
Happy 1/2 Birthday to you!
Happy 1/2 Birthday Dear Leo,
Happy 1/2 Birthday to you!

Love,
Mommy

Can I Play in the Snow?

What?!? Are you kidding me?!? Aren't you the same little boy who wouldn't walk in the snow last week because it went "crunch, crunch?"

Sure, Leo. Daddy, would love to take you out in the snow! Gotta love 22 inches!

Merry Christmas!

Well, as you can see from the previous post, our Christmas didn't go as planned. But then again, nobody in NWI had theirs the way they were planning either. We got 22 inches of snow between December 23rd-26th. Justin, Leo, Eli & I were home bound for the duration of the storm.

So Christmas morning, Leo, Justin, Eli & I had our own Christmas. We got up early, had a picnic in the living room, watched "The Grinch", and then opened presents. Well, I guess I should clarify a little more.

Because of all the pokes I got in my back, I was leaking spinal fluid. Not a very fun feeling. Imagine the worst headache you've ever had in your life, and multiply it by about a million. So the only thing I could do was "drink caffeine, band my belly, and lay flat."

So Justin and Leo sat around and opened presents. Eli & I were on the couch watching. Leo wasn't into opening his presents. He remembered playing with one of the presents that I'd wrapped, and was interested long enough to open that one. Silly boy!

Justin did all the opening. :) The boys gave me a robe that I'd asked for so that I could have a new one to take to the hospital. (Oops...)

Leo got a bunch of new toys, Eli (poor baby) didn't have one present under the tree. However, I did have a bunch of clothes for him in my closet. Justin got some clothes and the series of "The Office." (Which we've watched in order now, due to the fact I was on my back for about 5 days.)

Because of all the snow we didn't have Christmas Eve Services at church, so we are going to wear our outfits on Sunday, and take our picture then. I had a really cute pregnant outfit to wear...Oops!

Although Christmas wasn't quite what I planned, it was filled with wonderful memories and a lot of learning experiences. I am so grateful to Justin for everything that he did for us while I was unable to get off the couch. He was a champ!

Welcome to the World, Eli!

Things didn't go according to my plan. I was supposed to have 2 weeks and 2 days left before baby #2 came into the world. I was going to get the week before Christmas done at school, clean my house, have Christmas with our families, get my toes done, make meals, and so much more. I had 2 weeks and 2 days left.

I guess nobody mentioned that to Eli. He decided to change things up a bit for his very anal mommy. On Monday, December 21st, I woke up at 2 o'clock AM with a funny feeling. I knew something was going to happen. I woke Justin up and told him that I thought my water broke, called my doctor and my mom, and we were on the road to Sanford by 3 AM. After what seemed like forever (ok, really it was about 2 hours) they decided that we were going to do a c-section before 7 AM.

I got in the room, and got ready for my one poke and numb legs. Seven pokes and a different anesthesiologist later, I was still moving my feet and feeling everything. The last thing I remember is being told to take 5 deep breaths. I woke up crying a few hours later because I was so mad that they were putting me to sleep. Little did I realize that we were already done, and I'd already missed it. :( In case anyone ever questioned it, Justin is the sweetest husband ever. He knew I would be sad to miss Eli's first cry, so he got our camera ready and recorded it for me. I love that man!

My Eli was born at 6:46 AM.

Since I knew that we were having a boy (I'm a good secret keeper! I've known since August!), I didn't know how big he was or how long he was or what he looked like. Jus introduced me to my dear sweet Eli. (He didn't have a middle name for about 6 hours.) He had lots of dark hair like his brother, but didn't really look too much like Leo. Crazy how that happens!

In my plans I had 2 weeks and 2 days left. I missed the last week of school, I didn't get to have my "normal" Christmas, but you know what, my Eli was well worth the change in plans.

Eli William

6 lbs. 3 oz.

19 inches

December 21, 2009

6:46 AM

4 Pointer!

No, not a 4 point buck...

a 4 point bucket!

Leo put this together all on his own today, and was having fun making 4 points at a time. This boy loves basketball!

Owie Feet

Yesterday morning I woke up to Justin coming home from basketball a little early. I didn't know what was wrong until he showed me his ankle. Ouch! It didn't look pretty at all! He stepped on another player's foot and turned it over. He was moving slow and limping. I asked if I should call my mom and get my dad's crutches. He didn't laugh. :(

He's been icing it and keeping it up. Leo told me that he had a owie foot too. So we had to put an ice pack on his foot too.

He loves his daddy!

Snow Day!

We had our first snow storm of December yesterday and today. We got out of school early yesterday! :) (I love early outs...we rush home to take a cuddly nap together.) Last night I got the call that school would be two hours late. That is also so wonderful when they call it the night before = extra sleep in the morning, and no early phone call! Then this morning after Justin (what a dear, sweet soul) had blown out the driveway and sidewalks, he answered the phone call saying that we would have no school today.





I have so much to do at school to get things ready for our Christmas party and for my long term sub, but I don't have much of a voice, so it might be good that we get to hang out today. As excited as I am about the snow...I LOVE a white Christmas!...there is someone in my house who is less than impressed with the fluffy white stuff.

I'm not sure if it's the cold or why he dislikes it so much, but he WILL NOT walk in it. He stops at the door of any place we are and says, "I hold you, Momma. I hold you." I am sure hoping we get over this or that there is no snow come March when I have to take the kids to daycare.

Hey wait a minute...if he is claiming a phobia of it now, do you think he'll continue this when he's older so he doesn't have to help scoop? I might just have a genius on my hands!