Bragging rights

Ok, damnit. I carried these kids for ten months and nurture and guide them to the best of my ability for 5 years until they finally go to grade school. I think this entitles me to every ounce of bragging rights that I can wring out of each outstanding piece of paper that they bring home.

Last night, Isaiah, who is in first grade, brought home a great progress report that says he was 'working at or above grade level' for all subjects assessed. That made me happy; happy enough to reward him with $4, for which he was super stoked and proud about.

As if that wasn't enough, he comes home from school today with three separate tests in spelling, reading and comprehension, all of which he got 100% on! I'm so proud of this boy. So here it is...I'm exercising my right to brag. In yo' face....hahahaha. just kidding. :)

Shawn and I are pretty lax with the boys, particularly Isaiah, in many, many ways...but he knows that there are two things that we have zero tolerance for: 1) neglecting his schoolwork and 2) lying. We haven't had much trouble with #1. I just hope his excitement for learning continues throughout the many, many years of schooling he will have. #2, on the other hand, that's a whole different story..

Not sure what's going on, but......

...it's quite OK with me!

I freakin love being pregnant, but the only thing I HATE is the weight gain. With each baby, I have gained AT LEAST 45 pounds. I think I was around 170 lbs when I delivered Isaiah, which is insane since my pre-pregnancy weight with him was 105. This is what I can attribute my beautiful stretch marks (ahem...war wounds) to. With each pregnancy, I gained a little bit less than the last, but even with Liam, I'm pretty sure I gained about 45 lbs.

This is why I say I'm not sure what's going on...because I am now 7 months along with little Wyatt and I have only gained 6 pounds?!?! One of the perks of having Kaiser is that all my info is so accessible. I got curious about my weight gain today and I was able to easily go online and review the details of my first prenatal appt back in May, where I was 148 lbs. At my prenatal appt last Thursday, I was 154 lbs. That's only 6 freakin pounds...I could have sworn I gained all that just during one week of gorging at the 24-hour cruise ship buffet.

I'm really not sure what's going on, especially since, I swear, I'm eating cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner...on top of whatever my meal is. lol But what is important is that my belly and the baby are growing appropriately, and they are. Wyatt is kicking up a storm, all wonderfully active in his happy place...so I am happy, too.

I probably shouldn't speak to soon since I still have 2-3 months left of pregnancy bliss (read: weight gain). We'll talk again in a few months!! But for now...6 pounds is ok with me. :) Still waiting for my belly button to pop out, though!

Blessed

Over the last few weeks, there's been lots of thinking going on in this head of mine and I can't help but feel so grateful that my family is as blessed as we are.

I feel blessed to have a dedicated and hard-working husband and father to our boys. I feel very blessed that he has put us in a position where I am able to be a stay-at-home mom to our boys, especially during this time of transition where each and every one of them needs me in one way or another at every moment of the day.

I feel blessed that we have finally made a home for us here in Tracy, where the boys find comfort and are enjoying their childhood. They are excited about school and are excelling in their studies and extra-curricular activities. And, most importantly, they love being and doing things together. I love that.

I feel blessed for the great friends and neighbors that our family has made within the last year and a half, whom have been an incredible support system to us in more ways than one. They love us and are always willing to help us out in any way that they can, and within a moment's notice. They welcome my family into their homes and are always there for me, whether I need an ear to vent to, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to share my joys with. I love them for helping me keep my head up.

I feel blessed for our families that are a never-ending stream of love and support. I feel blessed for my stepmom, who calls me every few days to remind me of me, which is someone who I tend to neglect. Of course, she asks how the boys are shortly into the conversation, but she always reminds me that I need to take care of myself before anyone else because if I am not well, no one in the family can be either. She offers to come and stay with for a weekend just to help. Nothing specific, just to be of help in any way that she can. I love her for her thoughtfulness.

I truly believe that we have my Mom and her angels watching over us and guiding us. I just need to remember to slow down and appreciate all of the blessings in our life, no matter how small or simple. Because those are the things that truly matter when there is nothing else. Like my little Mikey told me the other morning, "Mommy, you just need to SLOW down." And that's just what we are going to do.

welcome to the club

Here we are...somewhere on I-5, starting our vacation cruise to Mexico and I can't keep my head clear. I can't stop thinking about it...about my sweet little Liam diagnosed with autism just last Tuesday...just 5 days ago...5 of the slowest, most emotionally and physically grueling days in the history of my life.

This morning, this link was shared to me on Facebook: http://adiaryofamom.wordpress.com/2009/05/01/welcome-to-the-club/

How? How can someone I have never met or spoken to before completely understand every single thought that has been running through my mind every single second of the last 5 days? I feel like I just read a transcript of the thoughts that have been replaying in my head. So, I believe her. If she says I'm going to be OK, I freakin believe her. Thank you, woman I don't know. Thank you for reassuring me that it will all be OK.

I'm going to keep my babies close this week and just enjoy every moment we share as a family..away from the doctors, the psychiatrists, the psychologists. We are going to just take a breath and enjoy.

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