The New Me (not itching)

Well hello, I'm back. I had an unintentional blog break for a few days due to a horrible, and I mean seriously HORRIBLE, case of Poison Ivy. I'm talking debilitating, itching, burning rash that left me curled up on the couch for 2 full days. But I'm happy to say I'm over it, and I am literally a new woman! Have you ever felt so miserable that you thought "if I could just get past this, then I will never be the same."? Well, that's me...not the same. I'm just so grateful to feel somewhat normal again. SO grateful.

Stephen Grande is glad too. He basically waited on me hand and foot through the whole ordeal, took care of the baby, made the meals, when to CVS 3 times for various antihistamines and supplies. Amazingly, Stephen Small came out of this unaffected (except for being slightly neglected by his mother for a few days).

I know I'm sounding dramatic, but it was real...and very bad. Ask Grande.

On a more pleasant note, I caught up on some movie watching throughout the whole ordeal. 5 total, one of which was Twilight. And wow, weird. I can't believe that series is such a phenomenon. But I must admit, I'm kind of hooked and I most definitely will be renting New Moon when it comes out in video.

I'll be back soon.

Keeping it real.

Love,

the new and OH so grateful to not be itching me

Male Bonding and the Common Cold

I go to work every third weekend and one night every few weeks. Stephen Grande keeps our little baby while I'm gone and this has turned out to be a great time for them. They have some serious male bonding going on and I am thrilled that they like each other so much. It is almost worth working just for them to be alone together.

Stephen Grande (aka Mr. mom) even took him to church by himself a couple of weeks ago. All the other moms (and dads) were impressed that he managed to get him dressed. He did relay that he had a freak out moment when he was sitting in Sunday school and wasn't sure if he put little Stephen's outfit on right. But several of the other dads were quick to comfort him with their stories about dressing their kids in all kinds of crazy, wrong ways. I guess getting children dressed is just a mom thing (most of the time).

This past weekend the bonding was taken to a new level because our sweet little guy came down with his first cold. All there is to fight the common cold in a 4 month old is Tylenol and a bulb syringe. That's just not enough if you ask me. The poor baby was SO miserable. And that made us all miserable, and now all three of us have this nasty little virus.

Really we are fine, just blowing our noses every 5 seconds.

Sometimes when I come home from work I discover pictures taken by Stephen Grande.
Like this.... taken the day they went to church together. By the way, he had the outfit on right.

And the food below is Stephen Grande's breakfast yesterday. Love it. I think he's spent too much time around me taking pictures of our food.
The man can fry a mean egg...as you can see.

In other events around here...I didn't drink coffee this morning or yesterday. If you know me this should shock you. The reason I went without was I have this stupid cold. For some reason when I have a sickness, I don't want coffee, I prefer tea...hot breakfast tea with milk and sugar. It is good for my soul. It is even better for my soul to drink it out of one of our Woodland mugs. With the tiny hint of fall in the air, I couldn't resist.
I bring out this china every year after Labor day. Men love it because it is so masculine. As the pioneer woman would say...this is "man-pleasin" china.

And in closing, I leave you with sweet images of my little sicky...

More to come. Until then...stay healthy...wash your hands...and drink some hot tea.

Suffering

"Suffering finishes off any argument that we are in control of our circumstances."
Gary Spooner

"We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."
C.S. Lewis

I found these two quotes on my friend A. Lee's facebook profile a long time ago. Today, they just seemed to come to mind. Stephen and I have both friends and family who are suffering this morning (2 entirely separate circumstances). Our hearts are heavy for them.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18

Perspective

While we were away for the 4th, a small tragedy occurred in our household. The freezer door was unknowingly left open. Incidentally all the milk I have pumped and saved for my return to work has melted.

In other words... I will spend most of my week in the company of my Medela.

This whole ordeal is a painful reminder of the time I will spend away from my little man this coming weekend. I go back to work Saturday and Sunday, 12 hour days. 12 hours is too long to do anything, especially work and especially too long to be away from this little angel baby face.
I've spent much of today feeling sorry for myself about losing all the milk and about how much I'm going to miss Stephen for 2 days. But in order to enjoy the rest of my week (and so that others might enjoy me), I need to get over it, cheer up, and stop dwelling on my problems and sadness.

My problems are good problems to have, and I must keep things in perspective.

I'm thankful to have a sweet baby at home to miss, thankful for a husband that loves our child and works so hard so I can stay at home 95% of the time, thankful for a part time job and flexible schedule, thankful that my parents are going to be in town this weekend to help babysit. And I will be oh so thankful come Sunday night when I can be back home resting with my little one.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118:29