Motivation Monday - 09.23.2013

Monday's are not typically my favorite day of the week.  Although at my previous job... I had "work-from-home-Monday" so that helped a little.  Although I am thrilled with my new job, any Monday is a little sweeter when spent working in your pajamas while sipping coffee at your own desk.  Sigh.  Oh well. I guess I'll survive!

This Monday started off with sleeping in a little (yay!) and breakfast with my little man. That helps set me up for a good day.  I'll take his smile and an extra hug and kiss anytime.  Especially since I normally leave so early in the morning, I usually miss out on any time with him.  So today was a good day!

After sending the boys off to school, it was time to get ready for my dentist appointment. Who makes a dentist appointment for first-thing Monday morning?  This girl.  Not only that, but I showed up to my appointment 20 minutes early after rushing out the door.  Well done.  Needless to say, it was a good morning!

On to something a little more positive...  Motivation for my Monday!  Recently I've realized that not running 3 days a week really does change a person.  I'm so used to moving that this "break" I've been taking is going to quickly start taking its toll.  It is time to whip myself back into shape!  Time to get moving again!  And it is also time to NOT eat whatever sounds good.  (Please disregard that after I drafted this post, I quickly sat down and inhaled several Oreo cookies with my husband.) 

So to get myself back on track and renew my motivation, I've broken out and charged up my old friend, the BodyMedia Armband.  This thing is amazing.  After having Jackson (almost two years ago, what?!) I wore this armband religiously while tracking my calorie intake and trying to get in some exercise.  I was able to lose quite a bit of weight (and keep it off!) and I didn't "diet" at all.  Ate what I wanted, just kept track of it.  Intake vs. Outtake.  I love it.  Pair the Armband with MyFitnessPal and you have a win-win situation.     

As of dinner, here's where I was with my data:

Now I just need to enter my Oreo intake and hope for the best.  I will quickly get back into the hang of it and not eat...all...the...food.  But today was a good start.  Here's to keeping myself accountable!

Another thing I really try to work at and improve:  Motivation to Work Out. I have NEVER been into fitness or sports. I am trying to change my mindset on this as well.  Physical activity is so good for you and makes you feel amazing.  I need this for myself and for my family.  So here are a few workouts that I've found on Pinterest (of course) that I am going to try and complete this week.  I'll try to follow-up with how they went.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!  

via POPSUGAR

via Back On Pointe

Here's to a great week!  

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I'm back. Again. For real this time.

Let's try this again.  My friend Marcie has heard this probably at least once a day..."I really want to blog."  I have been back and forth about it for years and started back at it in March of 2013 and as expected, the summer was busy with lots of time spent outside (away from the computer obviously) with my family.  I do a pretty good job at documenting our lives (a little too much if you ask Todd) so now I need to take some time and put it in my blog.  I need to do this.  

These are the reasons why I really want to take some time and put effort into this little space of mine:

1. Write things down.  I want to write down these interactions with my family so I can look back at them and really be glad that I took the time.  I want to share this stuff with my children (well just the one, for now!) when they are older.  Maybe one day they'll appreciate it!

2. Have a place to put all of my photos! As I mentioned, I really do take photos all the time (daily) with my iPhone as well as my DSLR so to put those photos together with words is my ultimate goal.  Maybe if I start posting them, maybe one day that will lead to me printing them.  One can dream! 

2. Keep my out-of-town family updated.  My parents live in just outside of Nashville, Tennessee so keeping record of our everyday lives on this little blog will help them to get a glimpse into what we're up to.  Help us all to feel connected.

3. Memories.  This may be a bit repetitive of #1 but I really want to make notes of the little things so we don't forget.  Jackson is at such a fun age and does so many sweet and silly things.  I don't want to forget them!

4. Have a personal outlet.  I don't do too many things these days that are just "mine."  This seems like a perfectly good place to focus on all the things that I actually love.  

5. Why not?! I will be glad later. Just do it!

 I'm sure that I could think of at least a couple more reasons but it is Friday and I'm tired.  So these 5 reasons will just have to do for now.

So with that, here's what I've got. I'm going to try and make notes about the things that I love and things that I'd like to discuss here on my little space.  So far, just writing out this post... it feels good.  

                                       

 

Plus, I just realized this morning that I could add the Blogger App on my iPhone/iPad. That means I won't always have to be sitting at my desk to get something posted.  That's pretty exciting. 

And because I do not like to leave a blog post without at least one photo...enjoy this lovely photo from earlier this year. It makes me smile.  Happy Friday!!

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the last of the snow days

I don't know about everyone else but I'm ready for spring to finally, finally get here.  Not that our winter has been horrible, I'm just ready to be able to go outside for a walk without having to bundle up, find mittens and hats, etc.  Although we are so very ready for spring to be here, we were able to enjoy a few minutes outside to soak in the very last bit (hopefully) of winter by playing in the snow.  Jackson would stay outside in the snow all day if we'd let him. I even taught him how to taste it... which he just kept doing.  :) I am just glad we were able to enjoy our last snowfall and cold weather.  By Saturday it should be in the 50's, hooray!  Here are a few (ha) photos from our last snow adventures.

Here are the photos from when the snow started falling during the evening of March 5th.  We decided it would be fun to walk down to the mailbox and enjoy the lovely snow shower.  It was a hit!  

I know there are quite a few of these, but they seriously make me laugh. I wonder where this kid gets his over-the-top smile from?! I should really try to smile more like a normal human being.  I'll start practicing...

And next are the photos from March 6th when we actually got all bundled up and played out in the snow for a bit.  There aren't many things cuter than a tiny man in a snow suit with a cute hat and mittens! Oh and those tiny boots...

 

His first taste of snow.

I'm not sure why, but I think he liked it.

Just got hit with a snowball... and loved it.

Snow fall photos....before and after. I wish I could say that I will be sad to see the white stuff go.  But I won't!

And a final photo to leave you with.  Self timer in action.  Jackson was obviously really interested in having his photo taken with me.  Oh well, until next time!

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Jackson's Surgery - 02.12.2013

It wasn't until Jackson was already one day old that we realized he had something special.  His "special fin", like Nemo.  Jackson was born with Syndactyly.  Syndactyly is a condition wherein two or more digits are fused together. On his left hand, the pointer and middle finger had connecting skin, up to his middle knuckle. Almost like a webbing connecting the two fingers.  Once we were aware and his pediatrician was aware of this, we knew that he would have plastic surgery on his little hand early in life.  We started the scheduling process when he was between 9 - 10 months old and finally, the surgery date was set.  April 18, 2013.  The surgery would be performed at Riley Hospital for Children, just a short walk away from the office I work in at the Cancer Center.  The surgeon is the best of the best and specializes in this sort of surgery.  I know how lucky that is but that doesn't help with the nerves!  Early in February we got a call that Jackson's surgery would be moved up to February 12th.  The surgeon is leaving the university to move to another state but wanted to make sure he got this surgery done before he left.  February 12th got here so quickly, no time to panic!  

We had an idea of what to expect: surgery to separate the fingers, a skin graft taken from his upper leg or belly to fill in the space between his fingers, and a cast that would go from his fingertips to just below his shoulder.  The cast would help to keep his fingers stable and help the skin graft to do its job.  We were looking at 2-3 weeks for the cast.  The surgery was just the beginning!

The night before his surgery, we let the little man play in the bathtub just about as long as he could stand it. We knew that once the cast was on, he wouldn't be able to enjoy baths the same way for a little while.   He got to stay up a little late and watch an episode of his favorite show (Bubble Guppies) before bedtime.  Then, he was off to sleep. Poor little guy had no idea what was coming in just a matter of hours.

Cuddling with "Teddy", the bear Todd had when he was a baby.

My parents drove up from Tennessee to come and help take care of Jackson (but probably just to help take care of me... I was a bit emotional!)  They arrived after Jackson had gone to bed.  We knew that he couldn't have anything to eat after midnight so around 11:30pm, we woke him up and gave him anything and everything he wanted. :)  He wasn't really sure what to think waking up in the middle of the night and encouraged to eat, but he quickly woke up and ate a little, read some stories and shared some smiles with all of us.  It was a really sweet time for all of us to spend together.  Then it was back to bed with the hopes he would sleep in late and not ask for breakfast the minute he woke up!

Just as we had hoped, Jackson slept in and we actually had to start waking him up around 7:30 so he could have a drink of water or juice before his 8am cutoff.  He woke up in great spirits and we were out the door before 8:30am.  

Checking out the fish tank at Riley with Nonnie.

Hopefully this will be the last time we see those two fingers connected!  In a way, I'll miss his "special fin."

 After arriving at Riley at 9am, we checked in, and played around in the waiting room for a few minutes before they called us back.  It was time to say goodbye to Nonnie and Poppy for a little while and the three of us spent some quality time in the Day Surgery waiting room.

This little hospital gown was handmade and gifted to Day Surgery.  We were actually able to bring it home with us. 

We spent quite a bit of time waiting, but you'd never know this kid hadn't eaten since before midnight.  He was in a great mood all day.  He did so much better than I did.  I honestly can say it was a miracle. Truly a miracle.  If only I could have been half as happy and calm as he was!

Because many children his age tend to have separation anxiety when leaving their parents, the surgical team suggested that maybe we try a little something to help take his mind of the situation and help ease him into the idea of leaving with the nurses and be taken back into surgery without his mom or dad.  This is when the story actually gets funny.  I never imagined I would laugh so hard, right before my baby was taken back to surgery...but it was honestly hilarious.  Jackson was given a really small dose of Versed (it provides a conscious sedation) and wow... there is really only one way to describe him after that. Drunk. Baby.  You'll see.  He was having a great time.  It seemed to melt the tension away in the entire room and really helped to ease my stress as well as any that he might have been holding onto.  

Once the sedative kicked in, it was time for the nurse to take him back.  He had absolutely no problem leaving with her and we kissed him a million times before he was gone.  And then I may or may not have sobbed on Todd's shoulder for a minute.  Watching someone walk away with your baby is really tough, especially when you cannot explain to him what's happening and that he might be hurting soon but that he will be okay.  I get teary just thinking about it all again.  It honestly isn't something that I would want any parent to go through. We are lucky to have such a healthy boy and if this is our biggest hurdle to jump, we couldn't get much luckier than that.  Anyway, once I was able to collect myself, it was time to head to the waiting room for the worst part. The waiting.

In just about 2 hours, the surgery was over and we were told he was waking up in the recovery room.  The surgery had gone well, he did amazing and they were putting the cast on.  After a quick chat with the surgeon in the waiting room, it was only a few more minutes before we were called back and headed to the recovery room.

When we came in, they were putting the finishing touches on his cast and he was really just starting to wake up.  The recovery nurse helping to take care of him was really sweet.  She was showing us the incision from the skin graft on his belly and was telling us about how the same surgeon did the same surgery for her when she was Jackson's age.  She was telling us how her and Jackson had matching scars.  There is something special about the staff at Riley.  They are such nice people and obviously personally linked to such a special job.  I wouldn't want it any other way!  She knew just how worried I was and helped to put my mind at ease.  

Our little guy did amazing and woke up without any issues from the anesthesia.  He was still pretty groggy but happy to have some cheerios and water.  Such a trooper.  I cannot imagine any adult recovering from anesthesia/surgery that quickly and so well.  After scheduling our follow-up appointment and having the IV removed from his tiny foot, we were discharged and ready to head home.  It was almost 4:00pm and we had all had a very long day.

I would just like to say how thankful I was to have my husband and parents by my side for this special event.  I had no idea how much of an emotional toll it would take on me.  Again, if only I could have been as calm and laid back as Jackson. I could learn a thing or two from that guy.  He continues to recover every day.  The cast has been off for a week now (more to come on that later) and he does not seem to be bothered.  He continues to have his hand wrapped for the time being but from what the doctors have told us, he is healing really well, the skin graft took as it was supposed to and all looks great.  Such wonderful news.  The best part of the whole thing, Jackson never asked to eat prior to being taken back for surgery (at almost 11:30am). Not even once.  Even though that's the first thing he asks for when he wakes up, every single morning.  I have no idea why that day was different but honestly it was a miracle.  What a nice boy.  We love you so much.

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