I Felt Helpless

I felt helpless during all 3 of my pregnancies and my babies first few days. All were tough in their own ways. All had high risk issues.

I've had hospitalizations, kidney infections, gestational diabetes, oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid), a nuchal cord (umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's neck) and a breech baby!

All 3 of my babies came early with the first at 38 weeks and and the others at 36. That is not super early, but the youngest 2 both ended up in the NICU with respiratory issues.

I felt helpless each and every time. But my love for my children gave me the strength to do whatever it was I needed to do. Whether it was additional doctor visits, hospital stays, amniocentesis, insulin injections or the like I was ready to take care of myself and in turn take care of them. I felt helpless, but I didn't need to be. I also had a strong support group around me.

I am not going to have any more children, but having 3 has taught me a lot about myself and how strong I can be!

My 3 healthy beautiful children and my inspiration to never feel helpless! 

*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014

Can I Just Get My... Act Together!

Every day I set out to accomplish some type of task. Whether it be organize an area, balance the check book or do the laundry. Yet every day I end up straying from that specific task and starting a bunch of others and then nothing gets done!

So starting today, and I mean it, I am getting my act together! I will make one goal to accomplish each day and get that done before bedtime. No more procrastinating by taking on other projects! No more letting my mind wander on all the other things that need done! No more realizing how tired I am from being up half the night!

So today I set out to clean! That is until my mind wanders to somewhere I'd rather be!

*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014

We Spent Months Without Going On Dates

My husband and I have now been in Florida together for a year and 2 months. During this time we've gone on maybe 3 dates! Its tough going from always having a ton of family around and never needing to look to far for a sitter to not knowing anyone and not knowing where to start to find one!

When I first joined my husband in Florida we did interview a sitter that Marc found through a co-worker. She came to the house, met the kids, and was wonderful. But, every time we contacted her she wasn't available to sit! So we gave up. The times that we did have a sitter were when family visited, and when my son's school had a kids night out.

We now feel ready to try again. I asked for help on a mom's page I found on Facebook. These ladies have helped me with many issues since moving to Florida including things to do in the area, spider identification and yard help. I am positive that they can help us find a sitter we can trust and have already given us a few leads.

I look forward to being able to spend some date nights with Marc. We've had a tough year and it's time we get to go out and enjoy our new location!

*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014

I've Been Here All Night!

I've been here all night and practically wide awake! My now 15 month old doesn't like sleep! I don't understand it because both her parents do!! 

She's a very light sleeper (unfortunately gets that from mama) and wakes easily. Once awake it's hard to get her back to sleep. 

I know all the books and "experts" say let her cry, but I can't! She was a very difficult pregnancy and a NICU baby. She's also my last baby. So maybe I spoil her by holding her while sleeping! There's a short time in her life she'll want me to hold her and well... I'll be there all night! 

*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014

Just Don't Do It

Today's Blog Dare is Just Don't Do It. This is a tough one. At my age and place in life I do not want to have this attitude! I want to enjoy each and every opportunity that comes my way. I want to "DO" a lot. I have a lot to learn and a lot of living to do! I have so much yet to enjoy with my children. See them play, learn, grow, succeed and accomplish. I have lots of Florida left to explore since moving here. Then theres that whole pesky getting a driver's license I need to do! One more thing I definitely need to do is more date nights with my hubby!

If there's anything I Just Don't Want to Do its limit myself. There's lots of things to do and learn out there!


*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014

Almost There...

… almost to feeling better, almost to feeling well, almost over it.

2 weeks ago I shared that I was having a hysterectomy via my post A Hysterectomy Poem . A rather personal & emotional journey, but I met it with positivity and a little humor. I read as much as I could about my conditions, the procedure and recovery time. I joined a website of supporters and went over everything with my husband. It was definitely the right choice for me. We were done having children and the pain was too much to bear some days.

Being away from almost everyone you know makes occasions like this difficult. I needed my people. I needed them to be sad with me, I needed them to laugh with me. I needed hugs and to be told everything would be ok. What I did get was a lot of questioning as to why I would have this done. I got a lot of "don't fly home for Christmas so close to surgery" which was upsetting because I was looking so forward to going home. I was cleared by my doctor and thats all that mattered. My traveling went just fine, my visits were nice, and flying didn't have any affect on my recovery at all. What I could have used however, was another shoulder to cry on and some support. Just because I was done having children didn't mean I was 100% happy with the fact that I would never be able to again. It's an emotional surgery, and all surgery to me is scary!

My surgery was done laparoscopically by da Vinci Robot. I have very tiny incisions which after 2 weeks have already begun healing well. I'm still tired, but feeling pretty good. I have my post op appointment tomorrow and learn of any continuing restrictions. Its been a year long, eventful production, and I'm anxious to see how feeling better will affect my life.




I'm almost to feeling better from surgery.
I'm almost to feeling well from the conditions that caused my surgery.
I'm almost over the sadness of needing the surgery and the lack of someone to talk to about the effects it had on me.


If you are facing this challenge and need some support, please feel free to email me!



*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014

My 14 of 2014

I read this quote tonight and thought what a fantastic idea! January 1st brings with it a clean slate, a new start, and 365 days to look forward to! Why not get a blank book and track my progress of my 14 Goals For 2014 and share that here with you?!

My 14 are, in no particular order:

Quit being sad about moving from Pittsburgh and start making a wonderful life in Florida. I'll never, ever forget my roots, but my new hometown has many opportunities and things to explore!

Get my driver's license. I've had my permit a few times, but never got my license. Pittsburgh had a huge transit system and you could take the bus or trolley just about anywhere. Add in all the family I had and I could get a ride just about anywhere! Florida has buses, but nothing like Pittsburgh. I need my license and no longer have an excuse not to get it! 

Learn to use my sewing machine. I recieved a very nice machine from my husband and kids for Mother's Day almost 2 years ago. I want to learn, just didn't make the time. I will be bringing that machine out very soon!

Hang living room curtains. May not seem like a big deal, but we've lived in our Florida home over a year and still do not have curtains! Maybe I'll be daring and even make them myself! 

Convince my oldest son Elias to move to Florida. This one is more a dream than a goal. He's a college graduate and has a very nice job in Pittsburgh. I respect him wanting to stay in the Burgh, but he'll always be my baby boy and I want him near me!

Get everyone on a sleep schedule. My 4 1/2 year old son Peyton and 1 year old daughter Delaney do not have the best sleep schedule. My husband and I have tried to set one and failed. We will succeed and have 12 months to do so!!

Eat better. We've already cut out red meat and stopped keeping a lot of snacks in the house. I also recently joined a fruit and veggie co-op which gives us a huge box of produce every 2 weeks. Now we just need consistency. And donuts to go away. 

Walk more. The plan is to walk more, which will hopefully lead to running, which will hopefully lead to a 10K or 2. I'm all about baby steps though so walking another 5K is the goal I'm setting  for now. 

Read more, especially with my kids. Modern technology has a way of taking over. I want us all to learn to put the phones, iPad, and computers away and spend more time reading books together. 

Garden more. This is one of my favorite parts of living in Florida. Year round gardening! I've already learned so much and now want to apply it and make the most beautiful garden I can! 

Have a successful blog. And I'll need your help! Please participate, comment and make suggestions on what you'd like to see in 2014. I would love to hear from you!

Do more crafts. I love being crafty and have gotten away from it a little since moving. I'm on a search for reuse and creative centers near I live and will share my finds!

Make friends. I've met a few people since moving, but haven't really made good friends yet. I just need to get out more!

Have date nights with my husband. Marc and I haven't found a babysitter yet, which makes getting out a little difficult. We've always had family watch the kids before moving. We will need to figure out how to hire a sitter! 

So there are my 14!  I would love to hear what you have planned for the new year.

What are your 14 for 2014?

*This blog post is part of the Bloggy Mom's Blog Dare 2014