The Night Bedtime Came Too Soon.

My girls adore each other, but usually they love each other in small increments. For every 10 minutes of harmonious playtime, there is usually at least two minutes of conflict.

But tonight my girls were angels together. They cuddled, shared snacks, and gave kisses to each other on the couch for almost an hour. Izzy shared her blanket and stroked Livi's cheek. When 8 o'clock rolled around, I did not want to put them to bed. I hope their sweetness toward each other survives the night!!

Pedicures Mama style :-)

After a long week at school, a big bubble bath in Mommy's tub was in order!

So Proud!

Izzy had an amazing first week of VPK!! She loves her teachers and is so excited to go every day. When I told her that she wouldn't go tomorrow, she was so disappointed!  When I ask her what she liked most about school,  she said it was playing and dancing with her new friend Isabella - who shares (almost) her name and similar super curly, long, blonde hair. Today, she went to school early for a magic show and had pizza and snow cones. But, best of all, Friday is casual day, and she was able to show off one of her princess shirts! What a week! We couldn't possibly be more proud of our Izzy.

Izzy resting after her exciting week

Going on a walk with her class - holding hands with her new friend

Livi Time

Because Izzy started VPK this week,  Livi has been getting lots of one on one attention from Mommy and Daddy. Today we took her to the mall while Izzy was at school. We had her hold both of our hands while we walked. She looked up at us with surprise, grinned,  and excitedly babbled something only she understands. But, as Mommy, I got the gist of it. "I am holding both Mommy and Daddy's hands!!! I love the mall!!! Look at the playground Mommy!! Let's go play!  Look at the Nemo fish.  See, Mommy? Nemo fish!" Or something along those lines.

My sweet ones still in their jammies.

Just like Mommy

It is no secret that I love school! As a matter of fact, there have been very few semesters that I haven't been in some kind of a college course since graduating in 2004.

I am so proud to say that Isabelle loves school too!!! She looks forward to going everyday and is excited when I drop her off! I'm hoping this continues, and that she becomes a lifelong lover of learning like her mommy.

Two of these pictures were taken by her school. See if you can pick her out! When I saw the pictures on her school's Facebook page Isabelle excitedly started telling me all of her new friends names.

Izzy's First Day of School

Izzy at the end of the day

Brady greeting Isabelle

Izzy had no idea what she was in for today. She had heard us talk about school and how important and different it would be, but I am certain she couldn't completely comprehend where she was going and why. When she woke up this morning, she asked "What are we going to do today Mommy?" When I said she was going to go to school (in a very excited voice) she immediately said she was going to miss mommy and could I please come with her.  I tried to redirect her, but she wasn't completely fooled.  The entire morning it was easy to see that she was VERY excited, but she was also very nervous.  She was very stubborn about getting dressed and having her hair done.... so I was preparing myself for a hard goodbye.

Paga came over this morning to see his oldest granddaughter off to school.  We all prayed together, and then we loaded up in the car.

I was very nervous as we drove to her preschool.  I did not want her to cry -- because then I would start crying and it would end up being a huge scene.  In the car she actually confided, "I'm scared Mommy." But, before she could get herself worked up, we had arrived. We parked in the parking lot and made our way up to the sidewalk.  Isabelle perked up a little bit when she saw other kids enjoying their time on the playground.  

And then, THANK YOU LORD, she spotted her best friend, Brady.  He was so excited to see Izzy walking up to his school!  He ran to the fence and started talking excitedly about showing her around the school.  When we finally entered the building, (my eyes were brimming with tears at the thought of letting my little girl go) without a thought, Izzy dropped my hand and was making a bee line out to her friend! We actually had to stop her before she walked in to get our kisses goodbye.

But - this was as it should be. There was no time for tears. This girl was ready to see new things - meet new people - and run and jump and play with her best friend. 

Today Izzy learned about the color red, the letter A, how to respect her teacher, how to use safety scissors, and how having a best friend at your side can make a new experience a lot less scary.

We've opened a new chapter - and I am one proud Mama!

  

Tomorrow is a BIG day!

Izzy starts VPK tomorrow. I'm going to try to do all my crying tonight so I can keep my cool tomorrow!

Papi's Birthday!

The girls had fun after church today celebrating Papi's birthday. Isabelle picked out a carrot cake and helped blow out the candles. Olivia was very good at singing happy birthday!! There was time to play and time to rest while reading with Mimi. What a nice way to spend the day before Izzy starts preschool tomorrow!!! Mommy is definitely way more nervous than Izzy!

Mommy - Livi day is in full swing!

Olivia adores her big sister Isabelle. But, sometimes, big sister can drive her crazy! Being the older sibling, Isabelle usually hoards the Barbies of her choice and tends to dominate all of the favorite toys. Additionally, since Izzy tends to be less compliant, she gets most of Mommy and Daddy's attention.

So, since Brian and Isabelle are having a daddy daughter day at Disney,  Olivia and Mommy are living it up together at home.

I set up her little table in the living room with lots of Color Wonder markers and paper. She has the Beast and Ariel  watching her color and keeping her company while she watches The Little Mermaid. Peanut butter and jelly and push up yogurt is on the menu for her  lunch. I love my sweet baby so much, and I love being able to make her day special. She certainly doesn't ask for much!

Izzy and My Decision to Become a Nurse

I had to read an amazing blog entry today as an assignment for nursing school.I have just started Nursing Process III, which focuses on OB and pediatrics. If you have a moment, read this beautiful blog about a mother's emotional story of her second daughters birth - a daughter who was unexpectedly born with Down syndrome.

http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/01/nella-cordelia-birth-story.html


I had to respond to this beautiful blog and say how reading the entry would help me grow and develop as a registered nurse. I have to admit, I cried real tears as I read this blog. It reminded me so much of the days and weeks we experienced after the birth of Isabelle. I could relate with this mother as her world was turned upside down.  I am going to post what I wrote for my class because Izzy is my reason for becoming a nurse and the experiences I had with her in the NICU will hopefully define the kind of nurse I become.  Here it is:

Kelly Hampton’s blog about the birth of her daughter who was diagnosed with down syndrome is not only emotional and inspiring, it is also educational.  This beautifully written blog on the birth of Nella can help nursing students, like myself, peek into the internal drama families are experiencing during the births of their long-awaited children.  As we gain experience working in the clinical setting, it is easy to become callous to the seriousness of what is going on around us. After a while, patients can become tasks instead of people – checklists instead of souls. Every single patient we come into contact with has a journey and a story that lead them to this moment in the hospital.  And, even in situations where their hospital experience is joyous (a healthy baby, a pleasant birthing experience, etc.), our presence in one of the most defining moments of their life should not be taken lightly. Now, and when I become a registered nurse, I want to remember that it is an honor to be a small part of our patients’ lives. Especially when the unexpected happens – or when a family receives devastating news. I can make a difference in the way I react and the way I interact with patients and their families. Kelly speaks very fondly of her family pediatrician that had to tell her that Nella had features that made her suspect that she had down syndrome. She remembers the exact powerful words her doctor spoke to her in that moment: “The first thing I’m going to tell you is that your daughter is beautiful and perfect…”

I speak from experience, and I can very much relate to Kelly’s writing on the birth of her second child. My first daughter brought us on a similar roller coaster ride when she was born.  I had the perfect pregnancy – healthy, healthy, healthy. The only issue at all was that my stubborn baby was breach – so I had to schedule a c-section. But, I was not too worried, this unexpected turn of events enabled me and my family to have a real action plan. I could wear makeup to the hospital!! I could plan out my visitors and have them stop by at specific times! Grandparents could schedule to be off of work! I was stoked about the c-section by the time the day arrived.

However, only minutes after an uneventful surgery, my beautiful little girl’s heart rate raced to over 300 bpm. Even in my fuzzy, drug-induced haze after surgery, I can remember the face of every nurse and doctor I came into contact with during the days we spent in the NICU.

I can still see the face of the nurse that scolded me for nursing my baby too long. I vividly recall the lactation consultant who spent hours with me discussing how to feed my underweight baby, showing me how to get her to latch on, and encouraging me when I felt defeated. I can clearly see the backs of seven or eight doctors and nurses hovered over my baby, and I remember the panic I felt as I watched my three week old baby flat-line three times. Later, I was told that she was expected to flat line – that the doctors themselves had given my baby a medication (adenosine) to stop her heart in hopes that it would restart at a slower rate. But, no one informed me. Not a single nurse spoke to me as I watched the code cart roll into the tiny ER room (just in case - I found out later). One nurse could have made a big different in my life in that moment – a scared, new mom ignorantly looking on from the back of the crowded room. There were so many doctors and nurses, some only hovering around perhaps watching, or perhaps awaiting an order– it is truly sad that no one thought to speak with the mom in the back watching her newborn struggle.

However, that moment was defining for me. Though the struggles with my first daughter’s health and the experiences I had in the hospital, I was inspired to make a career change from a teacher to a nurse.

And, after reading Kelly’s blog I am reminded of how defining these moments are for our patients. I want to grow and develop into a nurse that recognizes how to be present in these critical moments – how to help and encourage, instead of brush off and avoid. I want to be a nurse that is committed to doing her job while retaining her human capacity for empathy. I want to be the nurse that would have taken a second to recognize and connect with me at the back of the room.

Quick trip to the mall :-)

Izzy always helps her little sister on the slide. Olivia is MUCH more cautious than her sister. She likes holding our hands when she does anything unfamiliar. Izzy, on the other hand, jumps first and asks questions later. That may be why Izzy always has bruises, consistently runs into walls, and broke her arm 6 months ago! They couldn't be more different and more loved.

Story tellers :)

Proof that my girls will make any item around them walk, talk, play, and have confrontations! Love my little ones and their VERY active imaginations!! :)

Dress up

She traded in her princess crown tonight for ruby slippers! My kids love to dress up!

A few favorite pics. This picture of Livi is old - the first time she ever dressed up like a princess.

Ballerinas

My girls love to dance together! I've been spending our last few days of summer at home enjoying every second. When I need a happy thought as I am drowning in nursing school reading and care plans, I will think of these dance-a-thons and smile!

The Start of a New Era!

We attended Isabelle's open house yesterday for VPK. We were able to meet her teachers and the students in her class. Isabelle was very excited but also a little overwhelmed. I have to admit that I am very nervous about her starting preschool. I think that she will excel and blossom, but at the same time it makes me nervous knowing that others will be influencing my daughter. What if she learns "colorful" language from another student? How will she feel when she is rejected by a friend? I won't be there to protect and shelter her, and that terrifies me. She will be away from her family for 15 hours a week. And I know she will learn and change and grow exponentially during that time. And I will learn, change, grow, and begin the long long process of letting go and letting God.

Izzy showing off her uniform shirt :-)

Hollywood Studios

Today was our last trip to Disney before Izzy starts preschool. We decided to go to Hollywood Studios since Princess Sofia began making appearances there a few days ago. We told Izzy she was going to meet someone new - but she couldn't guess who (even though Livi wore her Sofia dress). It was a million degrees out - but it was worth it!  The girls loved hugging and loving on their favorite new princess.

Next, we watched Ariel's show, and Livi was absolutely entranced! She sang along with every song, and clapped exuberantly at the end. We also saw Beauty and the Beast and Disney Junior. Paga joined us and was a big help!

Sleeping Beauty

She hasn't sneaked into bed with me in a long time - and, frankly I usually don't allow it. Only because she insists on sharing one pillow, and I usually get jabs from her little fists at least twice a night. But, I allowed her to sleep with me last night, and I was rewarded with waking up with her hair in my mouth and this sweet sight in the morning.

Making meatballs!

Izzy got to get her hands dirty in the kitchen today!!! In an effort to get her to eat red meat, we let her get her hands really gooey forming meatballs. We even used goldfish (her favorite) as the bread crumbs. It was a success and my little vegetarian ate beef!!

Little Livi

My sweet baby is getting so big!  She loves to play imaginative games with her dolls... giving them all their own unique voices. She has a real fascination with Disney villains ... constantly asking for "beast" or "Ursula." She still LOVES to cuddle and gives us "monster hugs" all the time!

My little swimmer!

Our most important goal this summer was to teach Izzy to swim! Not only is she swimming now, she is picking up rings from the bottom of the pool!! I'm so proud of my sweet girl - and it is a huge relief knowing if she ever fell into the water she would be okay!!