Never for granted

We had a second ultrasound today...they couldn't get a good view of baby's heart during the first one and to be safe we asked for a second one. Now that we have been introduced to the scary reality that not all infants are born in perfect condition, we wanted to be fully sure that baby #2 had a healthy heart.

Praise the Lord, everything is normal. We really didn't suspect anything different, but it feels good to just know for sure. It feels like when we were first pregnant with Tyler we had the dreamy idea that childbearing would be a perfect experience. Our kid would be cute, sleep well, be healthy, go to college, etc etc. You know that bad things happen, but assume it's to "other people". When we found out Tyler needed surgery it really brought us into a scary place of reality - the knowledge that just because you've already had one hard thing happen doesn't mean you're immune. I feel like we're prepared in such a different way for this child. We have learned how to care for, parent, and love a kid. We've also learned to realize that (yup, gonna say it) shit happens and you move forward. I know that this next baby will have their own gifts and challenges and we'll have to readjust everything we think we know, but it's nice to feel a little more prepared.

Does this all make sense? Maybe not...just processing.

And our kid is CUTE! We could see it's little face and at one point it yawned...oh my heart. Saw the kicks and punches... it's so fun to see the movements that are attached to what I feel on the inside. And how cool is it that I can tell you already that this one has Tyler's nose and mouth...which tells me that it's going to be so. darn. cute. Technology is amazing. The thrill of seeing my baby is fresh and wonderful.

Never Again

...never again will I mock someone for not knowing how to use a computer fully. I promise. We had our laptop die about a month ago and after MUCH deliberation and discussion, we decided to make a larger financial commitment to technology and buy a mac. We are sick of our laptops (yes, there have been two) die on us, or the battery fry or the cord light on fire (true story) or the screen just stop working...etc. So. We bought an iMac. And I have no. idea. how to use it.

It took me five minutes and the usage of google to figure out how to copy and paste something. And I know how to use computers!! Minimizing a screen is stressful to me now because it takes forever for me to find it again. I think I have figured out how to use the mouse now, though I somehow enlarged an entire website to like 200%. That was fun! Downloads are nerve wracking because who KNOWS where things are being downloaded to...

So anyway. Exciting, but interesting.

And total side note...why have I not heard of the Civil Wars until now?? I can't handle how much I love them. They just...ah. I can't explain it. Go listen to "My Father's Father". And then listen to it again.

Ready...set...

Yeah I don't think we've ever had a month like this! Two weeks ago, Mitch and I came down with the flu...basically within 10 minutes of each other. Thankfully it was just after Tyler went to bed so we were able to battle the worst of it without a curious energetic toddler to mind while praying for death. The next day was almost as bad as the active flu part as we couldn't move...but Tyler sure could. Pretty thankful for an awesome kid who was willing to just let us lay on the floor next to him while he played. Mitch is going to school right now for his first year apprenticeship and had to miss one day of school, but it wasn't a huge deal.

So. Recovery. I was fine. Three days after the flu hit, Mitch woke up with a sore throat. By that evening he was completely unable to eat or speak and after a much dreaded visit to the walk-in, it was determined that he had strep. Spent the weekend on the couch revisiting his prayers for death, and again confusing an almost two year old why his daddy couldn't talk to him. "Hi dad! Daddy! Hello! Daddy?" 10 pounds lost from combination of flu and strep. Day two of school missed.

I should mention that you fail the course if you miss more than 4.

Later that week, Tyler got the flu. Sad days insued with caring for a sick toddler.

The following week we receieved a very sad phone call. My grandpa passed away. Within two days of the phone call we packed ourselves up and headed on the 8 hour drive to be with family and to say goodbye to Grandpa. It was a bittersweet trip full of family and visiting, tears and memories. Tyler got to meet and play with cousins from far away, and we were able to reconnect with family we haven't seen in years. The night before the funeral, 4 or 5 members of our extended family got the flu, including my grandma. By God's grace, everyone was standing (mostly) and able to attend the funeral and graveside. It was a wonderful service.
The service ended and Tyler's meltdown began. Barely with enough time to say goodbye to everyone we packed up our screaming tired worn out toddler and drove 8 hours back home.

Day three of school missed.

And now we recover. Got back monday night around 1am, headed to work Tuesday morning, babysitting today, praise team practice tomorrow, and leading on sunday. Oh mercy, I'm tired.