Heartbroken

The blog community is a crazy thing. Back in the day (2 blogs ago and before I had even had Damian) I signed up for a Blogger Christmas Gift Swap. The idea was to help network and meet new people. I was paired with Julia Haney. She lived across the country from me in LA, and I'm not sure what she thought about being paired with a southern girl like me. But before we knew it, we had exchanged numbers and were texting almost daily.

Fast forward 3+ years and now we both have two kids. While we don't talk as much as we used to thanks to the craziness of our lives, she is still a dear friend to me and one I'm so thankful to have met. She's always been there when I needed her and encouraged me beyond no end when I've been worried about Damian.

So now it's time for me to return the favor. I'm sure you've seen me post about her on Facebook and on Instagram, but I need you guys. I need you to pray and pray and pray for her sweet little girl, Bailey.

Bailey is the cutest little 17 month old you could ever find. She's got the sweetest cheeks and the most beautiful blue eyes. However, this precious girl was just diagnosed with High Risk Stage 4 Neuroblastoma Cancer. I know a little bit about worrying for your child's life, seeing them in pain and hooked up to machines, and wanting so desperately to wake up from this nightmare you've suddenly found yourself in. It's a hard thing they're up against. She is blessed to have such a strong and loving family, but she still needs our prayers and a miracle.

So if you could tonight, say a little prayer for Bailey and her family. Pray for healing, positive responses to the chemo and other medicines, and for the skill of the doctors and nurses. If you're interested, you can follow along with her battle on her Facebook page. And if you can, you can also donate at their GoFundMe page.

Thank you friends! I know it will mean the world to her!

First Day of School

Today was Damian's first day of Pre-School!
We went to an open house yesterday so he could meet his teacher and plenty of my old teachers as he's attending my old Catholic elementary school. It's crazy to think I have a child old enough to be there. I guess time flies and all that jazz.

Anyway, let's get to some token "First Day of School Pictures."

So Excited!!

His beloved monster bookbag with even more beloved matching water bottle.

Mama hen with her confused chicks.

No really guys... What are y'all doing?

Happy First Day of School to everyone else starting the school year today! 

Why Am I Doing This?

...or  "A Post About Running"

If you are a stranger to these parts (first off, welcome.welcome.) let me start by saying, sleep is not happening in this house. If Clare is having a miracle stretch of sleep for longer than 2 hours, then Damian is waking up. If Damian is sleeping like the good boy he used to be, then Clare is all like HELLNO will I sleep.

It's a mess. I suggest you buy stock in Starbucks.

What does this have to do about running??

Well I may have signed up for my 4th marathon. In December. (That's in 4 months for those of you not counting down to Christmas. What? Only me?)

If you've ever been active before, and by active I mean "Do you chew your food??" you know how important sleep is.

Part of me is very excited to tackle the marathon yet again. Every time I've run a marathon, I've been injured or sick. I would love to get out there healthy and well-trained and see what I can do.

However, part of me is very worry this won't happen because I haven't been running as much as I would like and that's mostly because I can't seem to find the time or energy. I'm hoping as it gets cooler I will be able to take the kids with me more (never thought I'd say that.) Now that's I've actually signed up though I'm feeling more motivated. Sooo shall we say the runner in me is back?? Let's hope! (Otherwise it's going to be a long 26.2 miles...)

If anyone else is interested... You should sign up for the Kiawah marathon and come run with me! There's also a half marathon too.

What a Weekend

Hi friends. Can we just take a minute and talk about this weekend? What a mess.

Nate and I were so happy to have a weekend of "nothing going on" so that we could do all those things we haven't done in awhile (like finish hanging this light.) We are so silly.

As I'm sure most of you know if you follow the Instagram, we took Damian to the ER on Saturday. I had been painting the dining room when I realized it was all too quiet in the house. Nate texted me that Damian had decided to take a nap on the sofa. My mama sensors went off a bit at that, butttttt who doesn't love peace and quiet and the miracle of both children napping at the same time???? 

However, not only does my child not ever nap. He never turns off his beloved Curious George in order to take a nap, so the second he woke up we took his temperature--103.4. 

UGHGHHHHHHGGHHHHHHH

We asked him over and over "Does anything hurt??" and every time he responded that nothing did. 

UGHGHHGHHHHHHHH

For Damian, a sudden fever with no other symptoms means we need to rush him to the hospital.** So we did. He was pretty pitiful, but after some Motrin, IV fluids, (a lollipop,) and blood work he seemed to be doing much better. It was a long couple of hours waiting for answers.

At first I was all over it-- "Clare you can't touch anything!!!" But after an hour of being in a little room and having brought her two different shoes (both the left feet--oh the irony,) I decided I was fighting a losing battle. She's probably horribly diseased now too, but at least she had a milestone moment and said "bag" while trying on her new bookbag. Apparently she's 13.

Four hours later we all cheered that the labs said his liver looked fine but showed positive for RSV. Probably not the norm, but nothing ever is with Damian. It's hard to explain what goes on inside me as Damian's mom, it's a complicated mess of emotions. Let's just say no one has been so relieved for a virus.

As we go to leave Damian goes "WHAT'S THAT?!" 

Oh buddy... It's the GIANT picture of a sea turtle that's been on the wall behind you the entire time we've been here... Clearly little man wasn't feeling 100%.

Then we tried to leave, but we were flooded because downtown Charleston does that. 

So we hung out a little more until we could float drive our car out. 

Sunday consisted of a lot of Curious George watching and apple juice drinking and nothing else. He still had a bit of a fever but still no other symptoms. I kinda feel like this weekend was a waste, but at the end of the day, we're really happy that it's just a virus. That is until the rest of us get it... 

**Thank you to all who prayed for Damian! We know for most a fever doesn't seem like much, but for Damian repeated infections of the liver would speed up its deterioration and cause him to need a transplant much sooner. I try to not ever focus on the bad things, but when these little moments happen sometimes it can feel overwhelming. I know we are incredibly blessed by how well our Miracle Boy is doing.

9 months...

Dear Clare,

I don't know how much longer I'm going to be able to do these letters if you continue to crawl straight at me every time I go to take your picture. I have 100 pictures of your forehead and only about 2 that were sort of acceptable representations of you. You are a mess, and that is why we love you so much! All this to say--your personality is really starting to come out! I know in a few short months you'll be officially a toddler, and as sad as I am to see my baby growing up, I'm so excited to get to hear you talk and watch you do new things. Every day is an adventure. You're always on the move, into everything, and keeping us very, very, very busy. However, you are still so sweet and love to cuddle. I'm not sure which of the three of us you have more wrapped around your little finger. 

This month...

You've discovered your ability to climb stairs and you LOVE them! I cannot carry you up the stairs without you trying to jump ship and crawl up them yourself. You will also walk up them if we hold your hands. I respect your attempt, but it's hilarious seeing your little legs climb stairs. 

Speaking of climbing, I think we have our "climber." You will climb anything and everything you can. And even if it's still too tall for you, you will at least give it a shot. I bought bumper pad things for the fireplace, and your favorite activity is to peal them off and then climb up and thrown them down. Clearly they don't work very well. Time to invest in so many more gates.

You say MaMa now!!!!! Music to my ears. You also say Day-Day for Damian too, which is also pretty cute. Most mornings I will get you up from your nap, ask if you want to go downstairs to see Damian, and you happily cheer Day-Day the whole walk down the stairs. 

The two of you have really started having fun together. Damian loves to fuss at you when you're "being bad," and you love to destroy anything he's working on. Neither of you understand sharing, and Damian hoards all the toys you want. BUT when none of that is going on, you two seem to really love each other. I will occasionally catch Damian giving you kisses and you will attempt to hug Damian despite his new hatred of "kid hugs."

You still love giving kisses and hugs. When Daddy comes home, you hop in his arms and give him lots and lots of love. 

Your hair is still the topic du jour. It's crazy, in the best way possible. It's also really long and getting pretty curly. But unless I put it up, it just goes in any and every direction. You're a baby, so it's precious. When you're older, I will buy you hair products.

We had started solids awhile back, but you're really getting into trying new foods. I usually give you a little bit of what we are having each night unless it's spicy. However, your favorites are carrots and corn. You've started saying the Ka sound for corn and typically bounce excitedly until I give you some. And you've been known to get carrots out of the fridge if I leave it open too long. Also, this probably goes without saying, but Cheerios are our new treat for Mass, going out to eat, keeping you awake in the car so you don't nap, etc etc. And along the lines of eating, I guess you are going to be a baby who never took a bottle because it seems we've jumped straight over that and on to straw sippy cups. Oh well...

You still nurse a few times during the day and a few times at night. Night time sleep still stinks, but you've started giving me two solid naps during the day and that's lovely. 

I'm not convinced it wasn't a fluke since it's only happened once, but you took your first step. We have yet to be able to get you to replicate it. You will stand without holding on to anything for as long as you don't need to go anywhere. The second you realize you need something you sit down and crawl. Hopefully since you seem to have good balance now and can walk holding just one of our hands, you will be toddling around here soon. 

Well that is all for now sweet girl. I love you so very much!

Mama

7QT - The 7 Steps of Home Improvement

In this house, DIY home improvement always goes a little something like this...

1. 

The Dream-- We find something on Houzz or Pinterest and are like YES WE CouLD TOTallLYYY dO THAT!!!!!

Contemporary Bathroom by Denver Architects & Building Designers Ashley Campbell Interior Design

2. 

Then we look at our hall bath and realize... okkkk maybe that's a bit ambitious considering we have approximately a 5ft x 5ft to work with. Anndddd 8 foot ceilings. Sighhhhh We then scale back the dream and think...

3. 

We could start by replacing the light fixture.
Yea. Let's do that!

4. 

We go light hunting and end up at World Market where we find this beauty. 

It has some minor damage (see upper right corner) and so we ask if they have another in the back. They say no but that they will give it to us for 75% off. An $18 light? Yes. Please.

5. 

We come home feeling all rich and ready to do this.

But then the kids are hungry. We are hungry. Pause this project to end the starvation we are all experiencing.

6. 

A two whole weeks go by before we attempt the light project. Most of the delay is because we bought the wrong light kit for it and getting to Lowe's twice in one weekend is harder than running an ultramarathon, blindfolded, and drunk.
ANYWAY, so now we are really ready.
Nate takes down the old light only to realize the bracket to the old light is barely big enough for the new light. And the ceiling is all broken around it. And the bracket keeps moving every time Nate tries to screw the new light in. And all the frustrations are happening. And the kids are falling apart because once again someone is hungry.

7. 

And so the the light sits and waits for another day when maybe it will get hung. Maybe next weekend. Maybe next month. And until then, we have this... and no light.

Happy Friday y'all!!

Linking up with Jen