Posts tagged ‘Family’
The look of parenthood
Being a parent is exhausting work. Seriously.
So wgat is the most glorious thing for a parent? A child who sleeps! I havent been shy about the fact that Nolan is a vampire in training, often keeping us up all night. However, once we arrived in Japan a funny thing happened… He slept! At night! It was glorious!
So I pushed it further. I put him in his crib. And he slept. And so did we. I didnt realize how much better i sleep without him in bed with us.
So I pushed it even further. We put him in his room. And he slept. But i didnt. I kept waking up to check the baby monitor, then to go into his room to make sure the monitor was working. Then I would lay there waiting for him to cry. Im hoping tonight goes better.
I never thought that transitioning him to his room would be so hard on ME. But its ridiculous. First there are the SIDS fears, then the bonding remorse, and then…gasp…he’s not such a tiny baby anymore. Im not ready for him to grow up. And this feels like such a big milestone.
Next thing I know he will be 5 and starting school, 16 and driving, 18 and off to college, or older and getting married….Im not ready!!! Time needs to slow down.
In the meantime, with the baby sleeping before us, we are enjoying a little adult time (aka time for Tiffany tk freak out).
What was the hardest milestone for you?
Dogs and babies…
I get asked about how I plan to manage having a big dog and a baby, this question is almost as common as the circumcision question and the breastfeeding question. People have even gone as far as to inform me that I “must get rid of the dog, for the protection of the baby.” I guess there is some rule about having dogs and babies that I didnt read. Just so you know, according to the general population, you can only have one or the other. Sigh….this was news to me. (Insert huge eye rolls).
Mama and Giada
Granted, baby NoNo is not yet here. And I cannot tell you how exactly it will work out, but I can tell you that we will make it work. There are a few things that we have already implemented just to start the “idea” in Giada’s head.
- We practice telling her “Gentle, be gentle”.
- We have a doll that I sit with and rock and invite her to come over and we talk about Baby NoNo
- She will always be supervised around any child. I love her, but she is an animal.
- She gets fed outside, and her toys stay outside or in her bed.
- We are working very hard on the term “GO lay down”
My big nose baby
She is such a patient and loving dog. And she is so dang eager to please that she is super easy to train. I am so excited to see her with her new baby brother, and to be able to give my son such a wonderful dog as a playmate.
For those with both children and dogs…do you have any suggestions?
Nolan wear courtesy of Aunt EvilOne part 2
Sooo adorable!! She is in the
Process of making an entire wardrobe of onesies for Mr. NoNo. This one has got to be my favorite so far!!
Remembering…
Today is the day we send balloons up in the sky for my Father in Law.
I was able to go and visit him at his cemetary when I was in Cali last year. It was a wonderful experience and I felt closer to him having been able to touch his head stone. Today he will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I am forever thankful to him for giving me a wonderful husband! I wish that he were around to be able to sit and talk with, there is so much I would like to know. But for now, I will tell you to say “Hi” to my Grandpa and to kiss my babies.
We love you!
Great dinner, fabulous conversation and family
Last night we headed to Seattle to go to Buenos Aires Grill with our family from Utah. I have to say that this retaurant is on my “must go back” list! It was fabulous! The food is Argentine style and the flavors just melt in your mouth. I tried the Del la Casa salad for my appetizer. I loved the dressing! Delicious!
Then for my main course I had the Ravioles ai Funghi de Ricotta. Good lord that was good. The porcini cream sauce felt like heaven in my mouth. My sister ordered the Medio Pollo al Limon, and being the picky kiddo that she is she didnt like it, so she ate some of my ravioles and I ate her chicken. It was nice to be able to share the meals and try everything!
They are known for having excellent steaks, but since the pregnancy keeps me from being able to really enjoy meat I didnt go for any of the beef. I wish that my hubby had been able to go with us, but I know he is enjoying getting acquinted with his new ship.
It was so nice to get to see family, but really difficult to say good bye! Hopefully they will be able to make it back out for my graduation!
What are your favorite restaurants?
What made you do it?
“What made you decide on Nursing?”, this was a question that has been posed to me repeatedly over the last few years and although I have always wanted to be a Nurse, there was one major push in my life that made me actually decide to do it.
I can recall a conversation with my Grandpa, telling him what I was considering. I told him that I didnt think I could do it. I knew it was going to be hard, and I was sure it was going to be harder than I could manage. My Grandpa was a man of few words, when he spoke it was time to listen. So when he told me that I could do it, that I should do it, I listened. He funded my first quarter of prereqs. He listened as I worried about school and just told me to keep going. When he got sick with Mesothelioma, I was crushed. I was in the hospital sleeping next to him for many nights.
I would show up after everyone had left, stay in the uncomfortable “chair-bed” and I would hold his hand. If he needed something, I was there. I saw how the nurses treated him, saw how much they did for him. Saw the dignity that they restored him and I knew I had to be one of them. Even in his death he gave me inspiration to continue on with my goal.
Every time I have considered quitting, I have thought about him. It has made me keep going. I would never want to do anything to let him down. Never. And so, when it got harder I thought back to those times. I closed my eyes and remembered his voice. He gave me the strength to keep going.
He is what made this all possible. Without him I wouldnt be where Im at. Without him I never would have been able to realize my dream and make it happen.
So what made you do it?
Tap, Tap, Tap goes the baby in my belly
Dear baby,
I can feel the little tapping that you are doing. It startles me everytime. I figure that by the time I am used to the feeling you will be about ready to make your appearance. Ive found that you dont like it when I sit indian style or when I am leaning over, because that is when you start tapping like crazy. So when I really want to feel you move, I sit that way to annoy you. Sorry kiddo!
Your Grandma Mary and Papa Roger sent me the first gifts for your baby shower. I cant believe you have belongings of your own already. Papa Roger sent you your carseat and stroller, as I sit and stare at the equipment I cant help but imagine your perfect tiny body sitting in there.
You have a wonderful family that cant wait to meet you. Everyone is excited to meet you! Your Daddy and I are already madly in love with you, and so very proud of all the huge growth you are doing. Keep up the good work little one!
Love,
Mommy
Happy Birthday to my sister
Today my baby sister turns 19! I can barely believe it. I remember 19 years ago coming to the hospital to visit her for the first time, and I knew then that my life would be changed forever.
It has been so interesting watching her grow and change. And I have to say that I love the relationship that we have right now.
TO my Little Bratty Sister,
Happy Birthday! I love you and I am so glad that your survived all those little attempts I made to send you back! I couldnt imagine my life without you in it. THank you for being my first kiddo, and letting me screw you up (it saves my kids!) I cant wait to see all the big changes you are going to make this year!
Happy 19th! I hope it is the best year yet and that all your wishes come true!
Love,
Your Big Evil Sister
Me as the gypsy holding my baby sister
Me holding my brand new baby sister just days after she was brought home!
Happy New Year!
2009 was really fine, so lets do it again in 2010!
This new year was totally different, we spent it at home with my Dad, his new friend, and her family. It was interesting to see how much life has changed over the past year. My family dynamic is different now, my parent will be living in different states. My sister has gone from a teenage pain in the ass to an adult. And the honeymoon phaise of my marriage seems to be here to stay!
2010 holds so much for my little family. The big move to NewHome is coming up in just a few months. That fact is in our face today as we start our packing. The packers should be coming in the next couple of months, but with school starting back up we really needed to get a start on it.
Hope everyone had a safe and happy new year !
2009 a year in review
01. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Went on a cruise. It was so amazing!
02. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I dont think that I made a New Years resolution this year, and next years I fully intend to achieve!
03. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I can think of, my cousin adopted a baby though!
04. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, My uncle Dan. Miss him. And my Meyah, my baby.
05. What countries did you visit?
United states and Mexico.
06. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A Nursing Degree.
07. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
February 14th, I married the best man in the world.
08. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I didnt give up with school, I have worked really really hard to keep it going.
09. What was your biggest failure?
Losing Meyah, I have so many things that I think of as regrets with her. I wish that there was more that I could have done.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had a nice ovarian cyst and that led to the discovery of my little fibroid friend.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Iphone
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My Husband. Even when things have been rough he has managed to be on his best. He is amazing.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Pendleton. Just cant believe someone would do those things.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Plane tickets to all of our travel-cations.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My Husband coming home from the sandbox.
16. Compared to this time last year, you are:
Happier, more secure, and way more educated.
17. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Nothing, I think I accomplished everything I set my mind to. Although I wish I had been able to spend more time with my Meyah.
189. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Crying, and missing people.
19. How will you be spending/did you spend Christmas?
With my husbands family!
20. How will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
With my family!
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
I fell more in love. I fall more in love with him every day.
22. How many one-night stands?
None! Im married!
23. What was your favorite TV program?
Two and a Half Men is always my favorite.
24 Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No, still hating on the same person. And feeling sorry for him.
25 What did you want and get?
To go on a cruise!
26. Want and not get?
More time with my hubby
27. What was your favorite film of this year?
I just dont know, I loved so many movies this year!
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
For my birthday my husband came home from Iraq, and we spent the weekend exploring the big city. Then we headed to the beach to stay in a beach house for a couple days! I turned 25, and feel the best I ever have!
39. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If my husband had been able to stay home.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Old navy and white scrubs!
32. What kept you sane?
My friends and family, blogging, and going to the gym.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I love hearing about Angelina Jolie.
34. What was your favorite video game of the year?
Wii Sports!
35. Who has made the most cameos in your dreams this year?
Nursing school.
36. Who did you miss?
For the majority of it I missed my hubby. Still miss Big boy.
37. Who was the best person that you met?
My Mother-in-law.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
Your past always has a way of sneaking up on you, and it is just better to face it with patience as possible.
Other traditions
Some things make me homesick, one thing in particular at this time of year. That thing is a smell, and a sound…combined they make up the holiday for me.
Cinnamon rolls and the noise of the mall. My family has a tradition of going to the mall every year on christmas eve and we sit and watch the crazy last minute shoppers.
This year is different. This year is the hustle and bustle of the in-laws household. Cousins comng over, family talking, and kids laughing. Lots of kids laughing! That has to be one of my favorite smells in the world.
And even with all the wonderful sounds and fabulous smells, I miss my family. I miss my puppies, and I totally miss the smells of my holiday traditions. Next year we will have to learn to integrate…..but we will be at NewHome, so I guess I will be tasked with ways of bringing both of our traditions into the house.
What are your holiday traditions?
Harley and her Boyfriend
I am always amazed at the bond that dogs have with each other. These two have been attached since the day I brought Harley home. Its almost as if they are soul mates, and it is heartbreaking when you have to separate them. Harley whimpers and Dylan, well he screams like he is being tortured. Its so sad.
If ever one is getting into trouble, the other is never far behind. They snuggle together, and share their dinners. Its so sweet!
Dog love is adorable.
Normal pediatrics versus ADD/ADHD
During peds clinical we touched on the health issues in kiddos, I was a little disapointed that we did not get a chance to cover the mental issues as well. I feel that this would have been an important concept to atleast touch on because of the alarming rates of diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.
In defense of my educator we did cover Autism briefly but stayed away from the ADD/ADHD/ODD disorders.
I was recently asked if I thought one of my nephews was Autistic, or if he has ADD. I was a little shocked that anyone would even think to diagnose a two year old with ADD, so I took some time to think about it. On the Autism front, I am pretty confident that my nephew isnt autistic, he is a very active child and is excitable but doesnt carry any of the characteristics of an “Autistic” personality. He is still preverbale at age two, but he makes attempts to speak and does talk in his own language, that being said he does interact with everyone. He doesnt have any of the rocking or repetative motions that are also characteristic of autism.
Now I realize that it is still posible, and with the spectrum of Autism being so vast that he might actually have a form of Autism. I guess that I am just one of those types of people who doesnt like to even think of jumping to a diagnosis, he is still so young and is meeting his developmental milestones appropriately so there doesnt seem to be any impending rush to get a diagnosis.
It just seems that everyone wants an answer for an unruly and active child, people cant just blame the terrible twos or horrible threes anymore.
With all that being said, he is a beautiful and entertaining little man. His laughter is so infectious and we had a blast chasing him around the house and playing “peek-a-boo”.
Twas the day before thanksgiving and all through the house…..
It was quiet and peacful! We head to my inlaws house tonight and will spend the holidays with them.
This is my first holiday with my inlaws and I am so excited!!
Today I am thankful for the love I feel around me. I am thankful for so many people who have helped to shape me into the person that I am today.
Thank you to all my family and friends!
Death
Why is it that each time someone you love passes away it drags up all your heart ache?
Yesterday my Uncle Danny passed away. He fought for his life but the cancer ate him up. Sadly my mothers siblings are dying in birth order. First my Aunt Carol (oldest), now Uncle Dan (second born). My mother is next on the birth order. This tears me up inside. Makes me worry that there is a pattern here. Both my Aunt and Uncle were 46 when they died, and within two years of each other. My Mom is 45.
And if having a family menber pass away isnt hard enough, I find myself thinking about all the things that have been lost. Family, friends, babies, Meyah and even Ebi my childhood dog.
As I started crying for the loss of my Uncle and for the hardship that his daughters are goong through now those tears turned into the sorrowful tears of all things lost. It seems that grieving is a never ending process.
And now, today I have to put on a brave face and a cheery smile to do my School Nurse Clinical at the local elementary school. Its not easy. I dont know how the day will go.
Sending peace and love to all the families who have lost someone. And sending love to all the angels in heaven.
Angelversary
You may remember last year when I posted about my Grandpa (here). It has now been two years since my Grandpa passed away. Today was his Angelversary.
We mark this day every year by sending him notes on a balloon. This year my Grandma was the one who let the balloon go.
We miss you so much Grandpa.
Sending you love, and thinking of you everyday.
Some things on my mind
There has been an unsettling amount of negativity surrounding my little family over the past few weeks. Sadly the cliche phraise of “Cant we all just get along” comes to mind.
The Hubby and I are both firm believers in Family coming first. And so it is very hard to admit that we do not get to see or hear from Big Boy as much as we would like.
I guess as a new parent (Step-parent is not a term I want to use, I am just one of three parents that Big Boy has) I had hoped to be able to establish a relationship with the kiddo. I hoped that everyone could act adult and realize what is truly best for him. One day everyone involved will realize how blessed he is to have so many people that love and care for him. Until then, we send our love and try to hide our sadness at missing out on these important steps that he is making.
On a complete separate note, I picked up Meyah’s remains this week. It is sad that The Hubby didnt get a chance to love on her during her last day, but I know he was there in spirit. I really thought that picking up her ashes would upset me, and I was really surprised and a little shocked at how easy it was to go into the Vets office and actually do the task of picking up her little box. The most unsettling part of the process was getting her home and opening the packaging box to find what looks like a little candy tin holding her remains. It is so small. I suppose that 3lbs doesnt equal very much in the way of ashes.
I have considered many ways to remember her. Ive thought for more time than I should admit about what I should do with her remains to allow her to rest in peace. I dont know if I will ever be able to just leave her somewhere.
There are big changes on the horizon. Big exciting changes. I will leave you with that as a cliffhanger. I dont know when I will be able to give you more details, but as soon as I know things for sure, I will post! (And No we are not expecting any additions to our family!!)
The Family Blog
Here you can find our family blog. It is password protected, and for safety reasons I will only be allowing people whom I know (IRL or who have a blog that I frequent) to have access to this area of my life.
Please feel free to email me if you would like access. I need to know who you are, what your blog is and just a quick “Hi”.
Email: studentrntiffany@gmail.com
Thanks,
Tiffany
The reason for my decision
Ive been asked a couple of times what the reason behind my decision to move location is. And it really is a long story. Basically I had been planning on moving for quite a while. I was trying out the different blogging websites. I tried Typepad.com and really hated it. Then one of my favorite bloggers moved to wordpress.com and I needed an account to view her private blog. So I created one and started playing around with the different blogging functions.
I feel like wordpress gives be a little more control of my blog. While I am still planning on having my public “Nursing school journey” blog, I wanted the ability to lock certain posts. This would give me the freedom to truly post everything I was thinking without worrying about it getting into the wrong hands.
Another big reason that I wanted to move is that Blogger has been painfully inconsistent. I have had many of my “draft” posts dissapear and have actually had all of my old posts dissapear for a period of 24 hours before the IT help desk could retrieve them.
WordPress is FREE!! They have some options that you can pay to expand your page, but otherwise it is a free blogsite. And….I can still post from my iPhone!
The other less significant but more annoying reason is that I was contacted by an attorney about the use of a pictures of a certain minor child. I was informed that I was a pervert for posting his pictures and called a loser. I was accused of harrassing someone, and thus I have chosen to have the ability to post more freely and to monitor some of my posts.
On top of moving to wordpress, I have also decided to separate my posts about family. Seeing as I wont be a Student Nurse forever, I decided to start a family blog. Many of the posts will be duplicates, however I will avoid posting public pictures of my family, including Our son.
The new blog isnt finished yet….I will continue blogging here until I have all of my old posts published over there. Then I will announce the new blog.
Thank you to everyone for their support on this. I am looking forward to moving!!
Bittersweet…..
My baby sister signed up for college classes.
I guess she’s not a baby anymore.
Wow…..
Happy Daddy’s Day to the worlds best Dad.
Dear Dad,
Thank you for always being the shoulder I can cry on, the hug I can run to, and my never ending cheer leader! I love you more than words can say!!
As far back as I can remember you have been there encouraging me to be better, follow my dreams, and to achieve my goals.
Even when Ive screwed up (and I know I have!) you made sure that I knew how much you loved me.
Not a day goes by that I dont talk to you. Thank you for being not only my Dad but my friend.
I love you,
Your Oldest
——————————-
Also A happy Fathers Day to my Wonderful Husband, All the Uncles(You too Tio Todd!), Grandfathers(Both on the groud and in Heaven), and to my Father-in-law (Who I know is looking down at his son with pride).
We love you all!
——————————-
And a final Happy Fathers Day to all the soon to be Dads, Dads of furbabies, and oneday Dads!
Happy Fathers Day everyone!
Making memories
*warning this post may have inside jokes that you wont understand unless you were there!*
A very close friend of my family came all the way out from Mass. to visit (not VA!! Hehe). We all went out and had a wonderful dinner at The Space Needle.
We sat and laughed and talked about one legged nuns walking goats. It was so nice to get to see Geez and L. I cant believe how long its been!!
I will most more pictures, including ones ig Geez being “mugged” by my sister and I!
A brain break
Taking advantage of the nice weather, the family and I took the scooters for a joy ride. I missed riding so much!!
Bring on the nice weather! Cuz Im gonna be a scooter commuter!
– Post From My iPhone
