sittin on G, waiting on O

The germs seem to have vacated the premises. Can I get an Hallelujah? After two weeks of strep throat, a snotty nosed toddler, and husband who didn’t quite know how to handle it all—I’m ready to scream “We’re healed!!!”

We conducted an informal “trial” run of summer yesterday. There was lots of playing outside, some errand running, a birthday party, and some cleaning.

Oh, and we took family pictures on Saturday afternoon.

A friend knows a photographer who graciously drove down and hosted a picture party. Lots of us teacher-folk signed up for times and made the trek into the country for some farm-fun pictures. We took gobs of just Reese and then some of the three of us, too. And, because we were early for our slot {shock}, we got to sneak a peek at our favorite twins getting their photos snapped.

The pictures won’t be ready for viewing until the first week in June. So you can just let your excitement build.

On the horizon:

· Last week of school, yippee! I didn’t know if I was going to make it—especially considering the last few weeks. BUT, the day has a arrived and I.AM.READY.

· Baby Charlie’s arrival {scheduled for Friday} Sweet Ashley is about to pop and so am I—with excitement. I can’t wait to love on Charlie all summer. She and Rich are going to be fabulous parents. Charlie and Reese are required to be best friends.

· Packing for our husband/wife night away!!! Dinner reservations have been made, tentative plans have been set, and we are excited to R-E-L-A-X. As Reese screamed through dinner last night, Lofton looked at me and said, “Won’t it be nice to eat in peace on Sunday?” Yes it will, hubs. And although I’ll miss the little tot, one night apart won’t kill us.

dusting off

One of my favorite things about summer is the time I have to read. I do love a good book. I could spend hours neglecting housework, television, and sometimes my toddler.

A sweet child in my room gave me a gift certificate many moons ago, and so to kick start my summer reading drive I went to Books A Million over the weekend.

What did I snag?

First up, is this book:

I’m not one for following parenting books to the letter, but I do like to read parenting books as a resource. I totally believe in following my instincts—such as they are. However, as comfortable as I am taking care of a child {feeding, bathing, loving}, this whole discipline thing kind of throws me for a loop. I solicited some opinions from other parents/friends and this book came highly recommended.

Next was this:

The author is from Jackson, Mississippi, and I love a southern gal! I’ve read rave reviews and I’m excited to start reading—but first I’ve got to finish book number three…

This:

Oh Laura, I’m smitten. Not to get overly political {although I can if you’d like}, but I love Laura and George. Presidency aside {for neutrality sake}, I admire their deep faith, their devotion to family, and their commitment to each other.

This book is a CAN’T PUT DOWN. The first half covers Laura’s life growing up, her courtship with GW, and their political beginnings. The second half covers their life from 9/11 onward.

The book divulges so many interesting tidbits about their lives during that frightening time and moving forward. I’ve been moved to tears more than once and I’m not even a “book” crier.

Lofton has actually asked me when my “affair” with Laura is going to be over. I think he’s jealous.

love of my life

The love of my life has been absent from the blog lately, mainly because he’s always busy and, well, Reese is such a cutie.

We are going on an overnight excursion next week-- just the two of us—for the first time ever. We’ve been away from Reese before but always for some reason; a wedding, a night with friends, never just cause.

Reese is going to spend some QT time with my parents while Lofton and I slip away for a night at the Grand in Fairhope. A little shopping, sunning by the pool, and eating—just the two of us. Lofton requested the trip a few months ago. He said “it would be good for our marriage.” This led me to quip “Are you trying to tell me we need counseling?” He wasn’t really being that serious, but I got the hint.

It’s a delicate balance, I’ve found, being a wife and a mother. I’m not always the best at doing both simultaneously. And when you throw in the demands of work—I’m spent. There just isn’t enough of me to go around.

Lofton and I have always been the couple who do everything together. Grocery shop, cook, clean—we even watch television together at night. That hasn’t changed. But our us time has definitely been diminishing as Reese time occupies its slot. I’m ever so aware that our us time will only continue to shrink as Reese’s demands grow, as our schedules fill-up, and as more children {one day far-far-far down the road} enter the mix.

I think I’ve finally realized I can’t do everything. And when I try to do everything I end up not doing anything well. When I look at the news, read other people’s blogs, and listen to friends' stories, I can’t help but be reminded of what is truly important in life: my husband and my child.

My goal for the summer is to do better. To find a better balance while I have time to breathe—before school strikes up again in August.

And I’ve attached a picture—an oldie—for y’all.

This is the hubs and I way back in 2004. The story of our courtship is tangled and twisted, but this night was one the best of my life. We look so happy, so young, and so in love. And we still are—except maybe not the young part. It stays on our refrigerator to remind us daily of how lucky we are to have one another.

sleep tight

Meet Abe.

I’m not sure you’ve been formally introduced. He’s our new pet turtle. The only kind of extra pet we can handle right now—stuffed and self-sufficient.

Nonna bought Abe for us at the suggestion of a friend. At night he moonlights as a sleep aide. My summertime goal is to get Reese on a better nighttime routine:: one that doesn’t involve rocking him until he falls asleep and then creeping over to his bed and gently dropping him inside.

Lofton and I have met on common ground. We will rock Reese for a little while—we’re not abandoning our snuggle time entirely—but after rocking for a few minutes he goes into his bed AWAKE.

Abe has offered to help us by shining lights through his hard turtle exterior onto the ceiling. Now, in the cover of darkness, Reese’s room is transformed into a planetarium. Blue and green stars blanket the ceiling.

It’s super cool. Reese LoVes it. And I kind of want my own Abe.

And for a flashback moment-- little man taking a siesta seventeen months ago. My how time flies!

strep, staph and stolen cars

I woke up Saturday morning to something quite unexpected. As I stumbled into the kitchen to get my adorable husband some juice, I glanced out our window and noticed that my car was gone.

As in MISSING, not there, absent from its usual home.

Of course, I freaked. There was yelling--lots of it--and some foul language mixed in, too. All the while, lazy husband continued to lie on the couch and laugh.

Surprise! He had gotten up early, taken my car to the detail place, and then WALKED home. At like five. In the dark.

It was a super start to what turned into not so super of a weekend.

Yesterday all three of us went to the doctor. Lofton in the am, Reese at lunch, and then myself in the afternoon.

Lofton and I both have strep throat. Yep, that’s right, I’m still sick. And now I’ve infected the hubs. Lofton just needed a little shot though. He’s only mildly infected.

My white blood cell count is abnormally high which evidently indicates the possibility of a secondary infection. I’m now on some super strength antibiotics which have zapped me of all energy. I was also given some “magic mouthwash.” I had never heard of it before and I hope to never need it again. What a combination; Mylanta, Benadryl, and lidocaine all mixed into a drink. It’s delish and coming to a bar near you soon!

Reese has a yucky cold. His poor nose is so raw that I almost cry just looking at it. We were certain he was going to have strep also, but so far our luck has held out with that.

Unfortunately, when we went to the ENT today for our post surgery check-up we got more bad news. It appears little man has staph {or a staph like infection} in his nose. He is now on antibiotics, plus an antibiotic nose ointment. We go back for a check-up again next Wednesday.

So that was our mother’s day {plus today}. Lots of sore throats, stuffy noses, and whining. The boys did get me two sweet cards, a new book, and a picture frame with an imprint of sweet boys’ chubby hand. And the car—it’s been rightfully returned to its home in the driveway; free of dog hair, trash, and pollen. I'm going to try my hardest to keep it that way!

Even sick I’m reminded of how blessed I am to be this little man’s mama. God chose me to take care of this child specifically; to love and nurture him, laugh at him, and encourage him. How great the responsibility parenthood is. Reese squealed with joy every time I opened his musical card yesterday. He is a constant reminder to Lofton and I that we need to take in each little moment-- in sickness and health.

mama love

The longer I'm a mama the more grateful I am for the amazing woman who gave birth to me.

My mama is beautiful and smart, sassy and funny. She should win a trophy for putting up with my dad. She is my best friend in the world, and equally adored by my sixteen year old brother. That says a lot-- cause well, he's sixteen.

My son thinks she hung the moon and I'm not so sure she couldn't. I wish she lived closer so we could sit on the porch, have a drink, and watch Reese swing in the afternoons.

I love you, Mama. And I hope that one day my kids {plural--if I ever have another one} adore me as much as we adore you.

i don't make this stuff up

Just when things started to get healthy around here--- the stink really hit the fan.

A brief synopsis of the past few days:

Saturday-- I woke up with a sore throat. Thought I could attribute it to my sinuses and went about my usual doings. By Saturday night, I had a fever and could not swallow without flinching and gripping my hands into fists.

Sunday-- I "woke" up {cause I never really "went" to sleep} feeling as bad as I've ever felt. Like, I was having serious flashbacks to when I was sick/ in labor with Reese. It was that bad. My parents kept Reese {yep, they were here} and the hubs took me to Auburn Urgent Care. Yay for college flashbacks! Boo for strep throat. I've never had strep throat before so I was actually a little surprised by my diagnosis. In addition, the doctor told me that my white blood count was three times the normal limit {i.e., I was really sick.} I then had to have a shot. And it hurt.

Lovely, strep is contagious and we have a toddler 10 days post-surgery. He gets packed up and sent to LaGrange.

Monday-- Still not feeling any better and still not sleeping. Start taking my oral antibiotic. Two doses in, I experience terrible, rolling-in-an-ant-hill, itching. My face is also swollen. I pretty much look like the girl who turned blue in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Tuesday-- Lofton takes me to my regular doctor who tests me for mono. I cry while while they wait for the results. Seriously? Mono. Lofton tells me I have to move out to the shed. I cry more. Doctor comes back-- no mono. Instead I'm diagnosed as being allergic to Augmentin. How have I not discovered this before? The doctor switches my antibiotic and gives me a steroid shot.

And today? I went back to work. Still tired {couldn't sleep last night cause of my roid rage}, but not contagious. We teachers classify that as able to work or I can function better than a sub.

Dear Summer,

Please come soon.

Love,

E