Stephen's Birthday Pictures

One

My baby turned one today. How did a year go by so fast? I know it sounds clique... but really where does the time go?

I was very nostalgic all week about where we were a year ago. I went into labor last year on the first day of school. I remember showing Kate the big yellow school buses for the first time and her excitement in knowing that one day she would get to ride on one too, standing with Kate on the cerel isle at Ukrops feeling a strong contraction wondering - was this the real thing?, pulling into my drive way and having a huge contraction knowing it was the real thing, calling my Dad to take care of Kate until David got home, being told by my doctor that nothing had changed and that he thought I was in false labor, taking a 2 hour walk all over Brandermill trying to progress my labor, going to bed at 10:42pm mad because I thought I was wrong, not being able to fall asleep because the contractions got stronger and stronger, the drive to the hospital at midnight, riding in a wheelchair to the labor & delivery floor, 1am offically being admitted to the hospital, David and I both excited that he was really on his way, knowing I was right, the relief of the epidural - finally in after 4 tries (yes, 4), being told at 4:45 we were ready to push and that he would probably make his grand entrance around 7am, but he decided to show up a little earlier... 15 minutes later he was here, arriving into this world on September 5th at 5am weighing in at 6lbs. 3oz. By the way, I really thought I was carring a larger baby, and where did all that platnium blonde hair come from? He also looked just like his sister did as a newborn... and like every baby, perfect.

Last night I was concerned that I was going to wake up this morning and feel like I missed everything. I woke up at 4:42 am and smiled remembering it was the start of his grand entrance into this world and woke up again at 5am. I never want to forget either of my children's births. I know some people want to forget, not me. It was the most amazing experience of my life.

With Stephen I have a had a sling, a Hotsling to be exact. It is by far the best baby gift I have ever been given, thanks to Dr.Jack, Katie, Carolyn, Aisha, Colleen, Nicole, and of course all the cats at Church Hill Animal Hospital. At first, I thought it was great to have my hands free and it worked wonders soothing him when nothing else would. But the best has been able to have him snuggled close to me where ever I go. I always seem to catch a smile or a glance of a mom and in her expression you can tell that she is reflecting on that precious baby time. Sometimes I even get caught in conversation about how fleeting this time is and how to drink it in because there is nothing like it and you can never get it back. You can hold other babies and enjoy their sweetness, but their is nothing like the bond of your own.

Right after Stephen was born, Josie and Gene were the first two to meet the little guy. Gene was holding him and he started to cry, Gene immediately handed him to his momma and he quieted down instantly. Josie commented, "He knows his momma." For Mother's Day Josie gave me a quote that said, "Mother, to the world you may be one person. But, to one person you are the world."

Here is one of my favorite pictures of Stephen that I took when he was in the sling... Mommy cam. As I look, I can't belive how much he has changed.

Doggie Paddle

Here are my "first" girls... My first babies who are now 6 and 7, where did the time go? Tonight was the last night the pool was open and it was the annual doggie paddle. Kate was giddy with excitement, she could not wait to go swimming with her dogs at the pool. I have never seen her so excited! We all had so much fun... We arrived with both dogs on a leash and expected our die hard retriever, Dixie, to jump right in after the ball. Belle, we thought would follow, but not participate as much. However, when it was time to get in the pool Dixie was on overload and continued to run laps around the pool... Belle followed her, so we spent the first 5 minutes running around the pool with two kids. (David and I determined this must be what it is like having 4 kids.) So, we took them over to the baby pool, so they could be enclosed. They had so much fun and Kate could get in with them. Belle retrieved more than Dixie! Maybe she is our water girl? Stephen loved watching and laughing at the dogs. Dixie would jump out of the water run by and lick him, or Belle would shake. Stephen loves dogs, balls, and the water, he was quite entertained.

By the way, we missed this event last year because I was in labor! Stephen will be one on Friday and I can't believe it! How did it all go by so fast?

Recital

Kate and Madeline have loved their ballet class. Today was the last class of the summer and family members were welcome to come and watch their little recital.

Kate taking dance class has been a very full circle moment for me. Once upon a time (not too long ago) I was an eager little girl wanting to learn everything about becoming a ballerina. The shoes and tutu, dancing on stage, and one day to dance on pointe with toe shoes. Kate is enamored with everything dance and I just revel in every minute of it. The other night before she fell asleep, she started counting in French... (the numbers 8,9, and 10), then explained to me that everything in dance is in French. We talked about 1st position, 2nd position, plie', releve', tondu'... I am amazed at all she has retained from the class. Not only does she know the terms, but I can say them outloud and she can do them. (Can you tell that I am a proud Mommy?)

The other day during snack she told me that when she grew up she wanted to be a teacher.

I said, "You want to be a teacher like Gaga and Nana?"

She said, "No, I want to be a dance teacher."

Beaming, I told her, that was exactly what I wanted to be when I was her age.

Happy 1st Birthday Dylan

We celebrated Dylan's 1st Birthday today. I can't believe he is already a year old, which then reminds me that Stephen will be a year old in a little over a month, and then Sam will be a year old too. Three boys in three months... Time goes by too fast.

By the way, Stephen has already discovered cake... The night before last I was giving Kate the cupcake she had picked out at Ukrops and Stephen was throwing a royal fit! At first, I couldn't figure out why, I soon learned and was glad that I had bought two. So, when it was birthday cake time at Dylan's party, he was ready to participate.

Xylitol

This blog is to all dog lovers. Dixie, my blonde mouth of the south, is a bit of a handful. She just can't help herself and when given the chance, she will find food. Today I came downstairs at 9 this morning to discover that she had eaten a pack of bubblegum out of my purse. Needless to say, I was annoyed at what she had done and the mess she had made. Kate was most upset because Dixie had eaten her pink gum. It didn't even occur to me that what she had done could have killed her until about a hour later. Kate's gum was sugar-free, and Xylitol, a sugar-free sweetener used in chewing gum is deadly to dogs. Luckily, Dixie is fine, however I wanted to provide this information as a warning to all dog owners.

Sweet Xylitol Fatal to Canines
One Man’s Sweetener is One Dog’s Poison
© Jill Arnel
Jun 4, 2008

For reasons unknown, a beneficial sugar substitute for humans can cause liver failure, internal bleeding, and a fatal hypoglycemic reaction in dogs.

If rapid veterinary intervention is not sought immediately even a small amount of gum—as few as a two or three sticks—that contains the sweetener Xylitol can kill a fifteen-pound dog. Major damage can occur within as few as thirty minutes to an hour of consumption. Loss of coordination, depression, seizures, and collapse can manifest in a very short time.

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener found in small quantities in many fruits and vegetables and in larger concentrations in birch, its main source. First discovered in Finland in the 19th century, scientists throughout Europe found it to be an almost ideal sugar substitute safe for diabetics because of its lack of effect to insulin levels.

In time, it became more widely used throughout the world and used in chewing gum, mints, and in a granulated form that looks similar to table sugar.

Studies have shown that chewing gum containing Xylitol—brands that include Orbit, Trident, Extra, among others—may actually aid in the prevention of dental cavities and repair minor ones. It also bears out that this substance neutralizes the bacteria that damage teeth in humans.
Not only is it a safe alternative to sugar (sucrose) for human diabetics, it causes neither hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) nor hypoglycemic reactions making. It has also has shown evidence of an ability to prevent osteoporosis by improving bone density in people.
Alhough a versatile cure and preventative for many maladies that ail humans, for dogs— for reasons unknown—it is completely another story.

Dogs, which are likely to have a sweet tooth in addition to good noses, find this substance irresistible and will ferret it out, and eat it. (Little is known about Xylitol’s effect on cats mainly because, in general, they are not as attracted to sweets as are dogs.)

Once you are aware that your dog has ingested it, contact your vet. He or she may recommend that you induce vomiting with fresh hydrogen peroxide. However, some vets may not advise this due to the possibility that the dog could aspirate the vomit and choke. Get your dog to the clinic or animal hospital immediately. The vet will likely monitor your dog’s blood sugar hourly to measure any drop. Intravenous fluids will be administered to flush out the dog’s system, and your dog will likely be kept on an IV for at least 12 to 24 hours.

Katie Kate

I love having conversations with Kate, she makes me laugh on a daily basis. I never knew she would provide that much joy and entertainment.

Saturday night we decided to go out to dinner with the kids, something we don't do very often. In hopes of having a nice uneventful dinner, we explained to Kate in the car that she needed to be really good at the restaurant. When we got to the restaurant, Stephen and I headed in and got a table. David got Kate out of the car and they had a little chat. David said, "Kate, please be a good girl tonight at dinner, your Mommy really needs a break." Kate looked right at him and said, "Well, I need a break from Mommy!"

When Kate has a "little" attitude we let her know. The other day Stephen was very fussy and Kate said, "Mommy, I do not like Stephen's toot-i-tude." It took me a moment to figure out what she had said and then I had to laugh and say, "You are right, I do not like Stephen's attitude right now either."

Kate and Stephen brush their teeth together. Even though Stephen only has 6 of the pearly whites, he really likes this activity. (He likes to do anything and everything she does.) I left the bathroom for a moment and I heard Stephen makes his "give that back to me" scream and so I told Kate to give Stephen back his toothbrush. She replied, "I took it away so I could help him brush the ones in the back." LOL ... Kate, honey, he doesn't have any teeth in the back.

Last Sunday night Josie and Claire spent the night at our house, while David was on squad and Michael was at work. The "big girls" got to spend the night with Gaga and Pa. Claire slept in Stephen's crib and in the process of falling asleep, puked. Not a big deal, clean her up and move on with bedtime. The funny part was that Claire had used Kate's pillow. The next night Kate asked me where her pillow was and more importantly, her Tigger and Pooh pillow case. I didn't want to make a big deal about what had happened, so I told her Claire had used it the night before, so it was in the wash. Kate looked at me right down her nose (in a very Hannah Montanna way) and said, Was there puke on it?" ... Again, very hard to keep it together.

Out on the Farm

A couple of weeks ago we headed out to New Kent to Dr. Jack's house. Kate got to ride Dr. Jack's horse, Burl. She had so much fun! (I am sure she will want a horse for Christmas this year.)

Ballet Class - Part Two

Kate and Madeline attended their second ballet class and I was elated that the curtains were pulled back, so we could watch! Please keep in mind that these pictures were taken without a flash and through a window pane.... so they are not the best. It was so much fun watching, lots of memories came flooding back...


















First Position ... pretty dance hands



















Second Position.... plie

















Stretch those dancer legs...


















Learning how to do the splits...






















Pretty ballerinas...



























Arabesque (aka twirling)

Cute Cousins

You're gonna miss this

You're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days

Hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times

So take a good look around

You may not know it now

But you're gonna miss this

- Trace Adkins

"You're Gonna Miss This"