venturing out

I really, truly think I might feel better.  


I even ate some bread today!  Baby steps, people.


This morning was rough-- they all have proven to be that way.  Something about the air drying out my throat during the night, not to mention the hacking cough I've developed.  Ouch.  I even sleep with the smoking penguin on but it doesn't help.


I switched from water to Gatorade at lunch, and I think it's really given me some more energy.  We even took a family trip to Target when Lofton got home.  Might I just say that neither my dad, nor my husband, were on their best behavior.  They are a wee bit silly when they get together.


The main objective of our excursion was to purchase a new planner for me.  You see, this is my most favorite time of year::  school supply time.  Oh the joy it brings me!  I couldn't fully appreciate it, seeing as I was clinging to the buggy with all my strength, but I got a whiff of what's to come.  


Next week {God willing}, I'll be back full throttle.  Then there is nothing to stop me from piling my buggy with 10 cent folders, 25 cent notebooks, and umpteen boxes of crayons. 

small victory

Just finished choking down some oatmeal.  Small victories, right?  It's the first food of substance I've had in five days.  I'm hungry-- just can't find anything that's tolerable on my throat.  

Saturdays are usually my favorite days.  I love running errands, and Saturday always means errands-- and two whole days of husband time.  Not this Saturday.  Today I have napped, re-read a few magazines, watched television {damn you food network}, and finished a book.  

It's official.  I'm bored.  But I'm not supposed to do anything that might elevate my blood pressure.  Not that I'm contemplating exercise anytime soon.  

Lofton did take me for a spin around the block.  Truthfully though, getting dressed to get in the car and then actually getting in the car, wore me out.

For all the jokes I've made in the last few weeks about Lofton's lack of compassion, he actually has been pretty fantastic.  He's johnny on the spot with anything I need and more than willing to take the lead parenting role.  It has been quite a blessing.

Tomorrow, Buck rolls into town for his turn on the "nurse Elizabeth back to health" bandwagon.  I've promised not to hold anything he lets Reese do {or eat} against him.  Just uber-grateful for the help.

day four

Day four has almost come to an end, and well, I still feel pretty lousy.  Obviously the doctor was not exaggerating when he told Lofton and I this would be very painful. 

It is excruciating.

I'm still taking my medicine like clockwork and trying to rest during the day.  Mama went back to her house this morning, so now Lofton is flying solo.  We are going to see how the weekend goes before we call in troops for next week.

I have branched out from pudding and water.  My diet now includes jello {pineapple} and pineapple popsicles.  I tried soup last night, but even lukewarm it burned.  Gatorade doesn't sit well either. 

And so, that's an update from here.  Nothing funny or clever:: just real life today. 

hanging in

I'm alive. Not feeling too swell, but alive.  

The surgery went great {or so I'm told}.  I was uber-anxious about being put to sleep so they gave me a little extra medicine to calm my nerves.

The past few days have been a blur of medicine, vanilla pudding, and sonic ice.  Those are about the only things I'm willing to choke down.  This hurts.  A LOT.  And evidently my breath smells foul.  

Sweet husband took yesterday and Tuesday off work to take care of me.  He has been quite the nurse-- fetching me ice and magazines, setting his alarm to get up in the middle of the night for my meds, and even sitting in the bathroom yesterday so I didn't fall over in the shower.

Both of our moms have also been here helping out and we are so grateful.  

Mama's are the best.

god bless america

Our fourth of July celebration was fun and festive.  Lofton's grandparents graciously hosted us at the lake.

There was a lot of gabbing, eating, and swimming.  The teenagers enjoyed zipping around the lake on the tube and the old man even got in on some action.  

He's hurting today, but for that fleeting moment he felt young again.

Little man enjoyed a relaxing pontoon boat ride.  It was his first boat ride-- ever.  

He thought it was fabulous.  And he would now like a boat.  {Hint, hint Big Daddy.}

We capped off our evening with a boom-tastic fireworks display.  Bright lights, the smell of smoke, and the sounds of people ooohing and aaahing.  Fireworks = 4th of July.

Don't let the hair confuse you.  Nothing says Americana like making your kid look like Elvis. 

Although the preparing for family fun is not always so fun, having them here is always a gut-busting good time.  We laughed til it hurt. It was a perfect distraction from what's coming my way tomorrow.

I'm thankful for our troops, thankful for our freedom, and thankful to share all of it with my sweet Little Boo.

And I'm thankful for these little toes.  I love these feet.

Tomorrow promises to be an eventful {and painful} day.  I'll apologize now for the upcoming blog drought.  Please forgive me as I take a medical leave of absence.

this life

As I type, many family members are preparing to descend upon my house.  Sweet boy is down for an early nap, and the chores are finally done {thanks hubs for vacuuming last night so i could get my nails done}!  Just a few things I want to share before the weekend rolls by---

• I haven't slept in two days.  You see, I've never had surgery before {except for my impromptu C-Section, of course}.  I'm scared.  And I am not at all ashamed to admit that I am glad my mom is on her way.  What is it about needing your mama even when you are a mama yourself?  
• Sweet boy has developed an affinity for spinning around in circles.  He finds himself to be hysterically funny.  I, however, have visions of busted noses and swollen lips.  Yesterday I found him spinning round and round in his bed.  He also enjoys stealing peoples seats when they get up to do something.  This is funny when we are with people we know, not so funny when we are in a jam-packed waiting room at the ENT.  The strangers he tricked were much too kind.
• And finally, this is a little gross but I had to share.  A nurse called to do my pre-op interview today.  She gave me my instructions and {for the second time} I've been told NOT to eat or drink anything red on Monday or post-surgery.   WHY?  Because anything red I consume may be confused with excess blood.  Well, lovely.  Certainly I'l do my part to help the doctor out.

Happy 4th, my friends. I hope your weekend is full of fun. I'm going to try and have a little myself.

chores

My control issues have come screaming to the forefront now that I know I'm going to be out of  commission in a few short days.  

I've stocked up on books and new pajamas for me {duh! cause when you feel like crap cute jammies help} and new cups, diapers, and other essentials for Reese.  Can Lofton buy diapers?  Yes.  But it makes me feel better to already have what I know we might need.

Reese and I have also been cleaning.  Company is coming tomorrow and we wanted to de-dog hair the place.

Reese is oh so helpful when I'm doing my chores.  

Here he is with my bra, underwear {clean}, and a bathing suit top on:

And here he is helping Mama do laundry:

Except he helpfully removed the clean laundry from the basket onto the floor.

And finally, here he is relaxing with the dogs while I straighten up:

What a life!