Random

It's quiet in my house. Aaron is at work and Maddie went to bed on time. All I can hear is the sprinklers - ch ch ch ch ch ch ch tttttttttttttttttt. Hmm, not sure how to type out that sound, but there's something about it that makes me smile. Summer days - reminiscing to childhood and the carefree days. Wouldn't it be nice to have that back? I get a glimpse of it as I watch Maddie enjoy her bliss. I'm thankful for those reminders.

I was sitting in my physiology lab today and overheard a classmate lamenting over her poor grade on our first test of the semester. She was very emotional, regretted that she has taken on too much because her personal life is a mess, and I knew what she was talking about. I also, shamefully, was proud of myself because I FINALLY pulled off a passing test grade in this class. It's about time. I have been in the best mood since I got my test score back. I seriously have been doubting myself with this class, wondering if I have what it takes to get through nursing school. Silly, really, because I know I can do it - I just need to be diligent in my efforts.

Aaron called today to let me know he was pulling into the property where I work. This is a daily activity. Maddie brings her daddy swimming every day when it's nice outside. I meet them at the pool so that I can apply sunscreen. It's nice to have a pool on the job, Maddie loves the water. After they get in the pool, I stand by and watch Maddie laugh and enjoy her time with her dad. I really think that's what it is about. There's no TV, no phone, no homework taking away his attention. She lives for this time. Aaron loves it too.

I'm sitting here avoiding housework, but I was waiting until Maddie was asleep so that I could run the vacuum. It's amazing how much mess a toddler can make in a day! Tomorrow is a busy day at work, and I have to find some time to get to the school district's preschool office. We are still trying to decide where to enroll Maddie this fall, we have several options. She is so excited to go to "the little school that you can't fit in." That's what she tells me about preschool.

Learning responsibility

Tonight as I was getting home from work, Maddie was helping herself to some leftover rice in the fridge. She is very independent and usually does things fairly well. Unfortunately, the lid popped open and some rice spilled on the floor. It was maybe a tablespoon of rice, but it did make a mess. Maddie apologized immediately. "Sorry, I didn't mean to do it. It's okay, we can clean it up, but it was my fault." WOW! I then offered to help her clean it up. She asked "Where's the sweeper?" so I pulled out the dustpan and handheld broom and decided to give it to her and see what happened. She knelt down and swept up the mess, it took about 30 seconds. When she couldn't get the last piece of rice up with the broom, she picked it up with her finger and put it in the dust pan. She then took the dustpan carefully to the garbage can and emptied the contents. She of course got a big positive reaction from Aaron and I.

I was so proud watching her take responsibility like that. This sweet child of mine wants so badly to do what is right and she wants to please us. I am so blessed!

I also have learned a little more responsibility myself, I suppose. I am currently on round 3 of human physiology. My first exam of the semester was last night. I studied hard, not as much as I could have, but much more than I have in previous semesters. I tried some new techniques and reviewed things a hundred times. Tonight we got the multiple choice section of the test back (90% of the test). I scored 80% and I was so thrilled! She will return the essay portion a week from tonight, but my score will only go up from here. This gives me a healthy position for the remainder of the semester. They say third times the charm...I'm feeling pretty optimistic about that at this point!

If you can stand it

Or not, what do I care, this is my blog! :)

Another cute thing Maddie said that melted my heart! Sunday night as we were leaving my parent's house Maddie wanted me to pick her up. She gave me a big hug and said "I love you. You're the best mommy ever!" Awww. Too sweet! My mom said to make sure I went home and wrote that one down - to remind her of it 10 years from now. Sadly, I know that's true. I remember the days of absolute animosity towards my mom. Hard to imagine my sweet girl will some day possibly turn into a bitter teenager...oh, the things to look forward to! I'll just make sure to treasure these sweet memories that much more!

Last night Maddie had a really hard time settling down for the night, so I went in to her bed to sleep with her. She said just before she fell asleep "you're special." Where does she get this stuff? Maybe she knows she'll get further with us if she is extra sweet and complimentary...

Maddie's 2nd birthday

Maddie's 2nd birthday
Originally uploaded by daisybee78.

Cherished Moments

My little girl is full of personality. I love that about her, she has so much excitement and enthusiasm bundled up in her little body. I am constantly amused by the things she does and says. She is such a cute kid - not only on the outside, but she's sweet, loving, perceptive - all the things that make her that much more adorable on the inside.

With the busy schedule that we have, I try to maximize the time we have together. Some of my most cherished moments are the ones we spend in the car. I leave the radio off and let her talk. Yesterday, while we were driving to her great-grandma's house, I said "I love you" and made a kissy face in the rear view mirror. Maddie responded by acting like she was trying to get out of her carseat with all her might and said "I can't reach your kiss, mommy!"

This morning I brought her into our bed for some cuddle time with Aaron and I. Aaron was trying to get her to share with him what we bought him for Father's Day. I was sure that she would spill the beans. She is just 2, of course! Instead, Maddie was more interested in telling him what we bought for her (a little goodie bag of hair clips and jewelry) and the gift we bought for her grandpa. When he pushed for information on his gift, she said "Father's Day is tomorrow!" and wouldn't say another word about it. Very impressive.

When I took her to Granite High so that her Grandma Pam could watch her for the day, she said "Please hold my hand in the parking lot so the cars don't step on me." I obliged, of course, and said "You're such a good girl, Maddie!" and she replied "You are a good mommy!" As I look at the little person she has become, I am happy to take some credit. But, as I have said before, she has so many people in her life that love her, and I'm grateful that she's picked up some positive attributes from all of them. I can't take all the credit!

There just aren't enough hours...

I would like to think that I'd be accustomed to this by now! Summer semester started last week and it's keeping me busy. I'm taking physiology again. This is the third time. The good news? We've had 3 lectures and I feel like I know exactly what my professor is talking about. I've been much more diligent about reading in preparation for my lecture, then going home and reviewing everything again.

My days are full. I work from 9 until 6, but have arranged to have a mid-day lab on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon until 3. My lecture is Monday, Tuesday and Thursday night from 7 until 8:40. I feel horrible for making Maddie sacrifice the time she has had with me, but it's for a very short time.

I feel like we are finally close to our first goal - Aaron will graduate in December. The last three years have been very challenging! I am proud of us for making the commitment to get through it though. I look at Maddie and see a happy, flexible, well-adjusted child. She has so many people to love and cherish, and they have been so willing to help us through this.

I haven't updated this as often as I would like, but will try to steal a few minutes here and there to write more often.

I realized something this week.

As we get older and our circle of friendship and family expands, we are blessed to have more people to love and enjoy. I am thankful for that. I have also realized that as I've gotten older and more of life's experiences - opportunities, trials, gifts, and tragedies - have been presented to me, there are so many more people in my life that I worry about, pray for, and have reason to rejoice and celebrate for. That includes the unfortunate opportunity to mourn and weep with them too. While overall Lora's birth is a very happy, celebrated occassion, there were a few tense moments when Jodi's health was a huge concern for everyone today.

I became an aunt yesterday. "Baby Lora," as we've been calling her for months, was born via c-section Wednseday morning at about 7:00. 8 pounds, 2 ounces and 20 inches long. She's perfectly healthy and happy to be here. Shortly after my sister-in-law was settled in her room, she went unconscious. Fortunately, my brother-in-law went to check on her before he left to give his daughter her first bath. Jodi had a reaction to the morphine she was given and stopped breathing for a short period of time. Adam and her nurse were unable to wake her, and a code blue was called. Jodi said when she woke up there were about 15 people standing around her bed working on her. The affects of the morphine were counteracted with narcan, and she's going to be fine. It is really too bad that the happy events of the day were overshadowed by so much stress. I hope today was less eventful and that they were able to enjoy getting to know their new little girl. It is such an amazing blessing to have a child, and I'm so happy for them.

We went to the hospital last night to meet Lora. Maddie has been anxiously waiting for this baby since she heard about her. She has watched Jodi's belly grow wondering why she couldn't actually see the baby growing inside her. It's been quite amusing. It was love at first sight last night. Maddie was so gentle and sweet, lightly touching her and watching her facial expressions. She said at one point "Mom, baby Lora is smiling at me!"