My best friend, Lacie's grandma passed away this week. She was 91 years old. She had gone downhill this summer, and after they ran a ton of tests, they really couldn't find anything wrong with her. I think her body was just giving out on her. She wasn't eating anymore, and they had to insert a feeding tube to keep her healthy. I think they all knew what was coming when she stopped talking and hardly recognized the family when they would see her. But no matter how much you prepare yourself for losing someone so close to you, it still hurts. I've been reading all the wonderful, thoughtful comments people have been leaving for Lacie on her Facebook, and I read one today that really stuck with me. They said, "we could all be so lucky to have lived such a full life as Ruthie." She really did...it's amazing to think she's been on this earth for 91 years. I thought the same when my Aunt Yolande died.
My heart goes out to her family...her only child Lomie, her son-in-law Floyd and her two granddaughters. I know Lacie would've liked her to be there for her wedding in October, but now Ruthie can watch from above, with a front row seat better than anyone else in the church. My prayers and thoughts are with her family and friends today and tomorrow for the funeral.
It makes me sad that I can't be there. These are the days that I really hate that I live so far away. If I weren't pregnant and maybe if my parents were home, I might try the trip alone but I just think it will be too hard to get there by tomorrow. I am sad though, and I wish I could be there for my friend.
Here's a beautiful tribute video Lacie and her sister put together for their grandmother. We'll never forget you, Ruthie!!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Blackberry Baby Blues
When I became a mother, I felt empowered. I felt I had joined this club that I had never been a part of, and people came out of the woodwork to offer me advice and comfort and compassion. And I felt I had a magical power bestowed upon me, some sort of mystical commanding way to somehow make everything fall into place, and everything was ok.
And then the pain medication wore off from the hospital...
No, seriously...being a mom has been one of the most rewarding and unbelievable experiences I have yet to have, and I have only just begun. And the job becomes even more intensified as times goes on. You know, the old thought in the workplace is usually that the more time that goes by and the more experience you gain, the easier it gets. But parenting is sooo not like that! It seems the older they get, the more you NEED to know and the harder it is to keep it all together. It's overwelming at times.
I felt that way, at least...until the clouds parted and replaced my old cell phone with a shiny, red Blackberry Curve. I will add that I used to think those people with those "big and bulky phones" had no use for those things, and that they probably were slower than molasses. Well, I'm here to tell you I've been reformed, and now I'm a believer!!
I brought my Blackberry home, and I immediately started putting names and phone numbers in. It was sooo easy to operate this gadget, and usually I am a woman who HAS to read directions, but for this one, I really didn't need to! This phone even has tutorials built in! Before I even read one manual, I entered email addresses, took photos, surfed the web, text messaged friends and started entering appointments into my calendar.
Some of you may be saying, "well my regular phone does all that," and so did mine, but what separates a regular cell phone from a smart phone is the full keyboard! I was able to text message so much quicker with a full keyboard rather than having to hit the number seven FOUR times to get one single "S"!
I am spoiled, I know.
Another thing that separates a regular cell phone from a smart phone is the speed of the internet. I can take a picture of our daughter and email it to her grandmother in the next state with the click of a button. And I receive emails instantly as well. My husband and I love the quick internet access for road trips because we're always fighting about who sang what song in what year. God, I love technology!
I decided on a Blackberry rather than any of the other smart phones out there again because of the full keyboard. I didn't like the fact that the only way to dial or text was to touch a screen (I already hate touch screen computers - ever try putting your debit card pin number with your finger?! Aack!) I imagine a touch screen wouldn't be so bad every so often, but I like to make contact with a real button sometimes too! It's kinda similar to wanting to talk to a living, breathing person when you call customer service. Plus, the Blackberry Curve is so slim and sleek, it really doesn't seem much bigger than a regular cell phone.
The greatest feature it has as a mom is the calendar. I have tried to be organized with calendars, big and small, pocket-sized, wall-sized...I've tried them all, but the thing about calendars is you have to fill them in! But now, any time I make an appointment, I just whip out my handy dandy cell phone, enter in the appointment, and voila! It even sends me a reminder before the appointment happens. It's soooo convenient!!
So, if you've been thinking about embarking on the new horizon of a smart phone, I am here to tell you it is TOTALLY worth it!
It's something every mom in the "mom's club" should have!
And then the pain medication wore off from the hospital...
No, seriously...being a mom has been one of the most rewarding and unbelievable experiences I have yet to have, and I have only just begun. And the job becomes even more intensified as times goes on. You know, the old thought in the workplace is usually that the more time that goes by and the more experience you gain, the easier it gets. But parenting is sooo not like that! It seems the older they get, the more you NEED to know and the harder it is to keep it all together. It's overwelming at times.
I felt that way, at least...until the clouds parted and replaced my old cell phone with a shiny, red Blackberry Curve. I will add that I used to think those people with those "big and bulky phones" had no use for those things, and that they probably were slower than molasses. Well, I'm here to tell you I've been reformed, and now I'm a believer!!
I brought my Blackberry home, and I immediately started putting names and phone numbers in. It was sooo easy to operate this gadget, and usually I am a woman who HAS to read directions, but for this one, I really didn't need to! This phone even has tutorials built in! Before I even read one manual, I entered email addresses, took photos, surfed the web, text messaged friends and started entering appointments into my calendar.
Some of you may be saying, "well my regular phone does all that," and so did mine, but what separates a regular cell phone from a smart phone is the full keyboard! I was able to text message so much quicker with a full keyboard rather than having to hit the number seven FOUR times to get one single "S"!
I am spoiled, I know.
Another thing that separates a regular cell phone from a smart phone is the speed of the internet. I can take a picture of our daughter and email it to her grandmother in the next state with the click of a button. And I receive emails instantly as well. My husband and I love the quick internet access for road trips because we're always fighting about who sang what song in what year. God, I love technology!
I decided on a Blackberry rather than any of the other smart phones out there again because of the full keyboard. I didn't like the fact that the only way to dial or text was to touch a screen (I already hate touch screen computers - ever try putting your debit card pin number with your finger?! Aack!) I imagine a touch screen wouldn't be so bad every so often, but I like to make contact with a real button sometimes too! It's kinda similar to wanting to talk to a living, breathing person when you call customer service. Plus, the Blackberry Curve is so slim and sleek, it really doesn't seem much bigger than a regular cell phone.
The greatest feature it has as a mom is the calendar. I have tried to be organized with calendars, big and small, pocket-sized, wall-sized...I've tried them all, but the thing about calendars is you have to fill them in! But now, any time I make an appointment, I just whip out my handy dandy cell phone, enter in the appointment, and voila! It even sends me a reminder before the appointment happens. It's soooo convenient!!
So, if you've been thinking about embarking on the new horizon of a smart phone, I am here to tell you it is TOTALLY worth it!
It's something every mom in the "mom's club" should have!
I Gotta Lotta Love for the Booger Sucker
Being a mother, I have come across many new and interesting inventions to make raising babies easier, but I must say, I have died and gone to heaven on this new one.
It's the Graco NasalClear Aspirator, or as my husband and I call it, the "boogie sucker."
One of the joys of daycare is the neverending, snotty colds our angel comes home with, so she has pretty much been sick all winter long. Our first bulb aspirator from the hospital unfortunately became a chew toy for our Min Pin Zoe (and just thinking about the "prize" on the inside still gives me the willies!) But since that aspirator, we've never been able to find a good replacement, until now!
We found this gem at Wal-Mart for about twenty bucks. It's battery-operated, and it claims to play music to distract your child while you suck her brains out with a push of a button. I am thinking to myself that "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" cannot possibly distract my child from me going for her nostrils with a suctioning device, but it really does work! The very first time we used it on her, I got a really good suction on her nose. Her eyes squinched closed and she kinda caught her breath a little. I really thought maybe I had sucked up a kidney or something. But then she looked at me and giggled. She gave me a look as if, "how did you just do that?"
Since then, it's the only aspirator we use when she's got a runny nose. It makes her feel so much better, and it sure does beat that smelly bulb aspirator (have you ever smelled the inside of one of those?? No matter how many times you clean it, it reeks! So gross!)
Now, I will say that you have to read the instructions before you operate it (husbands!!) The first few times we used it, it seemed like it just wasn't working all that great because we didn't see any mucus. Once we read the directions, we realized sometimes if the mucus is thick, you have to use a little water in between uses to flush the tip out. Since then, it works like a charm, and all her snot flush right into the clear collection cup for all to see (vile, I know, but don't lie, you KNOW you want to try it now!)
So, I award yet another inventive gadget to making raising babies even easier, and I give the Graco "Booger Sucker" five stars!
It's the Graco NasalClear Aspirator, or as my husband and I call it, the "boogie sucker."
One of the joys of daycare is the neverending, snotty colds our angel comes home with, so she has pretty much been sick all winter long. Our first bulb aspirator from the hospital unfortunately became a chew toy for our Min Pin Zoe (and just thinking about the "prize" on the inside still gives me the willies!) But since that aspirator, we've never been able to find a good replacement, until now!
We found this gem at Wal-Mart for about twenty bucks. It's battery-operated, and it claims to play music to distract your child while you suck her brains out with a push of a button. I am thinking to myself that "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" cannot possibly distract my child from me going for her nostrils with a suctioning device, but it really does work! The very first time we used it on her, I got a really good suction on her nose. Her eyes squinched closed and she kinda caught her breath a little. I really thought maybe I had sucked up a kidney or something. But then she looked at me and giggled. She gave me a look as if, "how did you just do that?"
Since then, it's the only aspirator we use when she's got a runny nose. It makes her feel so much better, and it sure does beat that smelly bulb aspirator (have you ever smelled the inside of one of those?? No matter how many times you clean it, it reeks! So gross!)
Now, I will say that you have to read the instructions before you operate it (husbands!!) The first few times we used it, it seemed like it just wasn't working all that great because we didn't see any mucus. Once we read the directions, we realized sometimes if the mucus is thick, you have to use a little water in between uses to flush the tip out. Since then, it works like a charm, and all her snot flush right into the clear collection cup for all to see (vile, I know, but don't lie, you KNOW you want to try it now!)
So, I award yet another inventive gadget to making raising babies even easier, and I give the Graco "Booger Sucker" five stars!
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