Lola's Bilateral Myringotomy

I'm sure you're asking, "what is this header?" But I felt like making this subject header rather fancy. First I want to start off by saying thank you so much to all that reached out to us to ease our minds before, during, and after Lola's surgery. She did AWESOME, and I'm so glad we did it and it's over. I wanted to wait to write this post until we had taken her for her follow up and to see if the surgery had actually worked.

So we had to be there at 6:30am, and we live about 40 minutes from the hospital we were having it done at. So I tried to just scoop her up in her pajamas and put her in the car, but she woke up while in the garage like "why the heck are we in the garage?" And she was up.

Prepping her for surgery was so much easier than I thought. We were the first surgery scheduled, and she didn't need an IV, so they had their Child Life Services Department come over to her room and just let her play with tons of toys and bubbles until they were ready. It was great. They let one of us go back with her in the blue scrub space suit, and I probably should've sent Chuck, because of course I cried watching her be put to sleep, but seriously I was a nervous wreck. She didn't even cry one tear the entire time she was being wheeled to the OR, and switching beds, and laying down, and them putting the sticky monitors on her and everything. They put the mask on her, and she barely even got one single cry out before she was asleep. They walked me out, and the doctor said he would be coming to get us within 15 minutes.

Twenty five minutes goes by, and Chuck can tell I'm about to flip out. I get really really quiet when I'm seriously nervous. Like I shut down and can't talk to anybody, and don't want anyone talking to me. He has only witnessed this once, while they were prepping me for my c-section. So he could tell I was terrified. The TV screen still had said she was "in procedure" so I was starting to cry at this point, thinking "he said 15 minutes!"

 And then the doctor came out as soon as I started to cry and walked us back to recovery. Lola was definitely upset, and a  little dismantled from the anesthesia, but with a little water and about 15 minutes, she was almost completely back to normal. We left the hospital about 45 minutes later and she was completely back to normal by then!

So we had our follow up last night and the ENT said he had never seen her ears look so great. And I will tell you that we immediately noticed a difference in her. She has always been a very happy/playful girl, even suffering through all of those ear infections, and by Saturday morning she was a complete maniac. She is SO busy now, and laughs hysterically all the time. I honestly don't think she has cried a single tear since then. I still can't believe it.

So if you're on the fence about getting tubes in your babies ears, or they're struggling with infection but not to the tube part yet, I say just do it. It has been incredible already.

Ear Infections

On September 30th, just 3 days before Lola's first birthday, she came down with a cold and ultimately a double ear infection. She hadn't been sick since May. All summer we had no runny nose, no cough, no doctors appointments, and no medicine. 

Today is January 24th, and we're on our 53rd day of antibiotics since then. Yes, I'm counting. We tried a round of Amoxicillin, 4 rounds of Augmentin, and now a round of Cefdinir. Lola is so used to getting medicine, she literally gives it to herself now, and loves it. If you say "lets get your medicine" she looks excited, and will open her mouth. It may sound cute, considering the first couple rounds we gave her, you had to hold her down. But to me, it sucks giving her this much medicine.
We would go to the pediatrician, she would say she's got an ear infection, consult an ENT. We would go to the ENT, and he would say "ears look good." She might be okay for a week, or 2 weeks. Then back to the pediatrician, and ENT, and so on. But now, I'm over it. We are finally getting tubes in her ears on Friday. I didn't want it to come to this, but I can't keep putting medicine into her. I chalked all her colds and ear infections up to being in day care and winter, but enough is enough. I'm more than terrified to have her put to sleep, because I've been put to sleep so many times and I absolutely hate it. But I know, at least I hope, this means no more medicine!

The ENT doing the tubes removed my tonsils and a huge abscess in my throat when I was younger. I feel a little bit better about that. 

Long story short, and I don't do this very often, but I'm asking for positive thoughts and prayers for Friday morning, and for the rest of winter so that our sweet girl can just go about her day and play with her toys like a little toddler should. And to wish mommy luck not to have a nervous breakdown in the waiting room. Thankfully daddy (the strong one) will be with us the whole time.

Three Month Hiatus

Since I took a blogging hiatus (read: have been so busy I can't see straight) I thought I'd do one big round up of our fall, winter, and new year, so we can get back into blogging again. I've got A LOT of girlfriends pregnant with their first babies right now, and I'm way too excited for each of them. Hoping to keep this thing going as I organize a few things over here. I've got major goals for 2017 and can't wait to share the fun with you.

Lola's First Birthday. It was Pumpkins and Roses everywhere!
 We were operating under very sad circumstances, as we had just lost Chuck's dad that morning. But we had a crew of friends and family to help us! We are forever grateful to all of you for lifting us up on a day we really needed it.
Lola was fighting a cold (and a nap) that day, but still had fun putting cake into our mouths instead of her own. It truly was a beautiful day, and we know Chuck's dad was with us!

  
Halloween. Lola went as a witch to school that day, and we got to trick or treat in our home town up onto the square. She was the cutest little Dorothy ever and LOVED walking up to each house and taking more than one piece of candy each time! We had a little Halloween Brunch at our house with my girlfriends and their babies. Lola was the only girl this time and it was too cute.

Thanksgiving was a little chaotic as we have two places to eat dinner, 2 hours apart. But we watched the parade, feasted like kings, and enjoyed the company of both our families!

Christmas was wonderful with Lola this year. She's getting to the point of understanding that toys are hers. And she finally can play with all her older cousins! Our nephew had to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the hospital this year with HSP (google it, none of us even had a clue what it was) We felt so terrible for him and our brother and sister in law. But we still managed to have the family together as much as possible. Lola got her first helmet, which made daddy SO proud as he has been totally impatient in wanting to take her snowboarding. And her first sled that she had no idea what was happening.

New Years Eve we spent at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens and it was total sensory overload for Lola. She walked around in total awe. It was so cute. And then we hosted New Years Day dinner and celebrating my dads birthday at our house. Which was another red flag why we need a bigger house! 10 adults and 6 kids. Everyone always ends up in Lola's room because it's huge, and all the kids are wild throwing balls and toys everywhere. Thats what you get with two one year olds, 2 three year olds, an 8 and a 10 year old. Total chaos, yet so fun and heart warming to know they're all a part of us!

Thanks to all of you sticking around here, reading my posts. I truly appreciate it and hope to blog as much as possible, make everyone laugh, maybe inspire a few.

Grandpa Chuck

This is nearly impossible to sit down and write, but I'm going to do it. It has been a while since I've had the chance, or the courage to write a new blog post. I was so excited to share with you all the plans we had for Lola's first birthday, how much work we put into it, how adorable she looked, and some day soon I will. But right now I'd like to write a post about what really happened on Lola's first birthday. 

We received a phone call at 4am, that Chuck's dad had passed out and was taken in an ambulance. Chuck left to meet him there. But when he got there, it was too late. His father was already gone. The first thing I want to say about this, can you imagine? You can't. I can't. It's not anyone else's story. Its his. I know many people who have lost their father, but this one was his. 

I've struggled for the last two weeks now, with figuring out what my role is in this. I loved Chuck's dad too, but he wasn't my dad. He was my husbands dad. Someone my husband loved from the first day of his life. And that makes his pain, my pain. I've always sort of prided myself on being strong. But that day I knew, I'm only strong because I have a husband who is strong. We were heart broken together, and there was nothing I could do for him. 

This made me instantly feel weak.

I've always told you, and everyone I know how amazing my husband is. But I don't think there is enough words to truly get that point across. He just lost his father, and he came home to me, he rubbed my back as I cried, and he told me how much he loved me. We had 50+ people coming over that day to celebrate Lola's first birthday, we had hundreds of dollars spent on her party. I was about a minute away from calling every single one of them to cancel, and he said to me "I still want to have Lola's party. Its her day." 

THAT is how amazing my husband is. And even that is an understatement.

 

Grandpa Chuck was one of a kind. He loved riding his Harley, running the family business, and making Lola laugh. He got his nick name "Chucky-Luv" from his contagious smile and love for everyone. The most important thing for me to acknowledge about him is how much he loved Lola, and his three other grand kids. There was definitely a light in his eyes when they were together. A light I hope to never forget. To the man who made my husband a part of who he is, I could never thank you enough. You will be missed forever.

Lastly, if there is one thing I've learned from this, its to not let a single moment pass you by. Hug your loved ones. Hug them tight. Never for one second let them think there is anything but love between you. Every life is too short, no matter how old you are. Make it count. He sure did.

 Ride free.

Happy Fall

Oh look, another glorious morning.. Makes me sick! 

 

Happy First Day of Fall to all my basic bitches. Just kidding. Sort of.

Well, it's the most wonderful time of the year. At least in my opinion, and every other 30 something chick who lives somewhere with four seasons opinion. I've been obsessed with fall, and more specifically the month of October, for as long as I can remember. There is just something about cool mornings with golden light shining through your windows, leaves crunching when you walk, and the way it smells outside after a fall rain. I honestly don't really LOVE pumpkin spiced lattes, but I would hammer a gallon of apple cider no problem. Bring on all the apple picking, Ugg boot wearing, Hocus Pocus quoting, pumpkin candle burning days of fall.

Lastly, we've been in major planning mode for LOLA'S FIRST BIRTHDAY. Have I been sleeping for an entire year? Where did the time go? How is she almost a year old?  I'm a total sucker for a "theme" no matter what party I'm planning. Any of you who know me, know I don't have a party without going all out. Since our girl was born in the most fabulous month of the year (and on the 2nd, which has always been my lucky number) We are planning a Pumpkins & Roses party. Our little pumpkin Lola Rose. It just seems fitting. Though I might have to use it every single year, considering I've spent a small fortune on decorations, props, food, and favors. Every day there are roughly 16 boxes from Amazon sitting on our door step. Did you know you can buy literally anything on Amazon? Today I ordered Pellegrino, double stick tape, and a tutu. One stop shop, all from the comfort of my own cramped iphone hand. 

My husband, and our mail man, are sure to cut me off me soon.

Here's a little sneak peek at what I have in the works:

Visit my pinterest board for all the things that inspired me for her party, and stay tuned for how it all comes together.

Being an Aunt

Ten years ago today, I became an aunt. I was just barely 20 years old. I had no idea what I was in store for. We waited all night in the hospital for her. My brother came out of the delivery room crying. We had a beautiful baby girl new to our family! I knew back then how much I always wanted kids, but boy did becoming an aunt teach me how much I needed kids! I've always been so grateful for the chance to get to spoil my now, 5 nieces and 4 nephews. Being an aunt has been one of the biggest blessings of my life. And I'm thrilled Lola gets to grow up with such amazing role models, cousins, and friends. I love you all to the moon and back

Taking a trip down memory lane of me with my babies throughout the years.

 

 
And one of my favorite photos of all time. Happy 10th Birthday Mia-Bell! You were the start of all the joy and happiness in our lives. You are a smart, hilarious, caring, young girl. 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Eleven Months

Age: 11 months
 

Stats: Last I weighed her she was 25 lbs. I love my chubby happy baby! I don't know her height but I can't wait to have her measured for the first time on her height chart in her room. Shes still wearing mostly 12-18 and 18-24 month clothes, size 4 diapers, and she has 9 teeth now!

Favorite Foods: She seems to really enjoy cantaloupe. LOVES taco night (like mama!) Goes ham at Chipotle, she gets the kids cheese quesadilla, a side of black beans, corn, and guac. Really likes chugging water. And when we can't find her, she is almost always sitting at the dog food bowl and we have to pry dog food out of her mouth. Parents of year over here.
 

Words: She is quite a talker. We can sometimes figure out what shes trying to say. But her favorite word by far is Dada. Up until Thursday, we could look her dead in the eye and say "Mama" about 100 times and every single time she replies "DADA!" But the day before she turned 11 months old, I walked out of the room and she came crawling after me saying "mumma mumma mumma" Yes, I cried.
 

Favorite Activities: She recently really likes playing in her crib while you sit next to it. She pulls herself up, jumps a couple times, and then lays down with her face in the mattress giggling like shes pretending to sleep. She loves to push her push walker. Get chased by her giant stuffed teddy bear, and still really loves playing with Louie.

Favorite Things: Books for sure. She loves loves loves to turn pages in all her books. Her favorites right now are A Color of His Own, Little Blue Truck Halloween, and Pantone Colors.

Least Favorite Things: Diaper changes, putting on clothes, taking off clothes, rocking when shes overly tired, and being told she can't stand in the tub.

Signature Moves: If anyone says "yaaay" or "good job" it doesn't matter what she is doing or if she's even paying attention, she will stop what she is doing and start clapping. It is the funniest thing ever. I hope I never forget it.

Seriously, this sweet girl. I am just so overwhelmed with how much she has brought to our lives. It doesn't even seem possible for her to be almost one year old. If you need me, I'll be sobbing in between each smile and laugh for the next 30 days. Okay, probably 30 years. People always say "you'll never know how much I love you" but I hope one day she does. So much my heart feels like it will burst into a million pieces.