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We are so excited.

I am beyond thrilled!

Husband is too.

Firefly has absolutely no idea what's going on, but...

Firefly's going to be a big brother!

We're expecting our second little Lovely Babe the beginning of April!

I'm about 10 weeks along and don't worry, I won't start the pregnancy posts yet.  I'll just say that I was doing really great until I hit 8 weeks and the soul crushing tiredness and morning sickness all day nausea hit. 

We have our first appointment and ultrasound in about a week and a half and I can't wait to see the images and hear the heart beat to make it all seem real.  But, honestly, what I really can't wait for is getting out of this first trimester and being able to look at food before 1pm. 

This is just the first of the HUGE changes happening in our lives right now, but the one that's lead to all the rest. 

Seven Years of Luck

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful Husband!

Today we have been married for seven years.

But all of this started well before that, when we were both 15 years old. We have been lucky enough to grow into adults together, find our way in the world together and support each other through the lowest of lows and the highest of highs.

While I hope that all of the lows are behind us, I know that we have yet to reach the highest of the highs.

The last year has been full of record setting highs that have surpassed both of our imaginations:

• Our Firefly has brought us to a new level in our relationship and our lives. He has been the most amazing gift that we could have ever given to each other. He is our combined heart. 

• Husband is finally finished with medical school and completed his intern year as a psychiatry resident. I am so proud to watch him thrive in his field and find such fulfillment in what he does every day. He has become such an amazing man.

I can't even tell you how many pictures I have like this of Husband. I'm thinking of doing an entire study on the many faces he has for my camera

• Our plans for the future are getting closer and closer to being realized. We are just months from seeing our more short-term plans coming to fruition and it is an amazing feeling.

I love this picture of my boys.

So, to the man who is my strength, the one person to truly knows and understands me, I love you.

Two-by-Two Hands of Blue

(If you don't get the reference from the title, go watch Firefly and Serenity. Your inner geek will thank you.)

As some of you know, our little Firefly was sick. He had a cold, a virus. It was nothing to worry about, just a couple of days home with momma and some meds to keep his fever down. 

Earlier That Day

He went down for his afternoon nap and when he woke up was clingy and starting to feel warm again. I let him lay on my chest for a few minutes and just as I was getting up to measure out his medicine, he lifted his head off my chest, looked around, began drooling and his eyes round up in his head. I called Husband because that's what you do when daddy is a doctor. 

By the time he answered his phone Firefly had started shaking in a full body seizure. Husband started going through his emergency lists and just as he asked me if Firefly was still breathing, he stopped.  

My baby boy wasn't breathing. His lips were turning blue.

I called 911. EMTs came. 

The seizure stopped when the were coming in the front door and he finally started breathing again. They gave him oxygen and we got a ride in the ambulance. He was strapped down and was just staring at me, groggy and not really able to understand what was going on around him. (I was trying not to puke, with the adrenaline and car sickness in the back of that truck.)

The seizure lasted under 5 minutes, but it took Firefly about an hour to regain his strength and his ability to take in his surroundings. When he did, he latched onto me and wouldn't let go. Husband met us at the hospital and we went through a few tests to make sure there wasn't something really wrong with him.

What happened was that Firefly's fever spiked to quickly and he had a Febrile Seizure. Luckily, they are generally benign and may never occur again. He was predisposed to them because there is genetic component and I had had one when I was 18 months old. 

Still nothing prepares you to watch your child's lips turn blue. 

Not being able to do anything about it. 

Have to wait out the seizure.

Seeing his small frame bundled up and strapped to a stretcher, huge by comparison.

In the tiniest little green hospital gown.

He did so well, even ate the applesauce they brought for him and learned to drink out of a straw.

That small cold made its rounds in the household and Firefly and Husband were both sick and miserable together.

He was even back to his cute self when Grandma came down to stay with him while I had to back to work. (Until he got an ear infection on top of everything. sigh.) 

This was, by far, the scariest situation that I have ever been in (topping listening to his unborn heartbeat slowing drop during labor). I am proud of myself for staying calm, remembering details and handling the situation appropriately. 

Still, let's never do anything like this every again. Ok Firefly? Ok.

Squawking Like Mad

Have you seen the movie "The Birds" by Hitchcock?

Well its happening.  Birds are invading... our house anyways.

Last year we had a couple of barn swallows that built a nest above our front door and laid eggs in a matter of just a couple of days.  Needless to say we would have knocked it down had we spotted it sooner.  It was a huge mess and drove the puppies crazy!  After the babies finally flew away to cleaned it up.

But they came back.

They started building another nest this spring and not wanting to deal with that again husband would knock their accomplishment down every day.  This pissed them off terribly.  Finally they gave up.  Everything was nice and quiet.

Until Monday this week.  I came home to Husband plotting and squawking coming from the fan in the bathroom.  Those damn birds had opened the vent cover with their beaks and flown across a room and a half of tubing to the bathroom fan and started building a new nest.  Husband turned the fan on in the bathroom and all hell broke loose.  And they got trapped.

Poor Husband spent the entire evening in the attic to clear them out and removed hand fulls of nesting material.  He put up some mesh and we thought we were done.

The next day we came home to a dead bird hanging from the outside of the vent.  Its still there.  Its gross.  We don't have a ladder tall enough to reach it.

Then, I was walking to Firefly's room and happened to look at the bathroom ceiling.  The fan looked like it was going to fall.  Sure enough, there was still a bird up there, stuck, with a broken wing and leg.  So Husband got to fish that one out too.  He put it by the pond, but it will most likely die too.  I hope they all learned there lesson and the rest of the birds be warned!

The end score this week is Husband-2: Birds-0.  

Husband - Bird Killer

A Boy and A Girl - 12 Years Ago

12 years ago, a girl spotted a boy and a boy spotted a girl. She saw him when they we warming up with a jog around the track and asked who he was. He first spoke to her during circuits in the weight room. They 'played' Ike Ball together. They bonded while she puked from her earlier cross-country practice.

12 years ago, a boy gathered his courage and asked if a girl he barely knew if she would meeting him at the football game between their schools.

He was brave and asked her to be his girlfriend that night.

She made him wait.

She said yes.

They grew up together throughout high school. They matured together through college. They are suffering, surviving and thriving through med school.

They are incredibly happy.

12 years ago today, all this started and it has all been worth it.

I love you Husband

So very very much

Sprinklers

Walking around downtown yesterday was hot and in the sun. Husband and I walked past a sprinkler.

Me: Oh look a sprinkler! Lets go run through it!

Husband: {laughing at me}

Me: {in all seriousness} What? I refuse to grow up.... And I will lead our kids by example and show them to run through sprinklers too.

Husband: At least then you won't look as crazy because you'll have kids with you. {still laughing}

What can I say? I'm a free spirit. I'm in touch with my inner child. I can make my Serious Doctor Husband smile and laugh. We balance each other.

I will be the 80 year old woman who likes to play with bubbles and her food and will always want to cross the street to run through a sprinkler.

The 'Lady' in Red

This last weekend was full of hard work and I'm still trying to recover! Best-Friend and Best-Friend-in-Law are in the process of making their newly purchased house their home. Being the wonderful friends that we are, we made the drive to offer our help. Little did we know what we were getting ourselves into...

Now, I love BFIL and I know that she is a little *holds thumb and index finger barely apart and squints threw them* OCD. I spent my time doing paint touch ups and painting all of the base boards - something I will never do in my own house! I would rather just replace the damn things and start over!

The boys got to paint the closets with close OCD oversight. the boys really saw no point in painting closets, but they did it anyway!

They did get in a round of golf while us girls went shopping! It was nice, but after a seriously long debate, several stores and endless discussion as to which welcome mat BFIL needed for the front door I decided that we were done. She did find one that she liked. She placed in in front of the door and promptly stated that she thought it was to small and would have to go shopping again. (I think I'll sit that one out)

I love them both but the weekend stressed me out.

To lighten the mood and serve up some laughs I give you this video that I saw on AOTS last week. (I love that show) For all of you Lady Gaga fans...

Source

Drawing a Blank

Last night Husband and I were watching Enemy at the Gates. Which just happens to have 4 fabulous actors in it, all of which happen to be easy on the eyes. (Jude Law = nicccce!)

I was enthralled in the story, invested in the characters, nearly bitting my nails. Our conversation:

Me - "I can't believe that we own this and I've never seen it!"

Husband - "Yes you have. We saw it in the theater when it first came out."

Me - " I have no recollection of ever having seen this movie before."

Husband - " We even had a lengthy conversation about the awkward sex scene."

Me - "Really? Are you sure?"

I still don't have any memory of having ever seen the movie before last night. He does this to me occasionally. I think I must periodically blank out or repress certain random events for our relationship.

Unless... He went and saw it with his 'other girlfriend'.

Which would mean I'm still sane. Now if only I could explain the supposed conversations, that he claims we had, about plans for the weekend, that I have no memory of, on this 'imaginary other girlfriend'...

What's Glowing in the Sky?

...Oh right that would be the sun! It has been so beautiful out and we've been celebrating at home.

Well celebrating as much as Husband studying for his OB/GYN test and OSCE and me trying to finish processing pictures of the sweetest little newborn girl! (slideshow to come!)

We opened the blinds and the doors and let the sunlight pour in through our many windows. The heat was off and there was a fire in the fireplace all weekend to keep the chill out of the house. It was wonderful. Even the antisocial neighbor was outside!

I got in a couple of runs that were great considering I'm STILL trying to shake the last of this retched cold. I've almost made it to the 130 mile mark for the year. I think I will need to celebrate the 150 mark with a race!

On another note Marissa over at Married to a Medical Student gave me this:

Thanks Marissa! And I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you in the Match!

Along the same lines, I've notice a few new readers recently. I'd like to say welcome to my little corner of the blog world!

Can we Not be Neighbors Anymore?

Husband and I live in a moderately nice middle class neighborhood. It looks nice, the properties are well cared for and its safe. It was the perfect place for our starter home. If we are lucky we will get to live here through residency. But this isn't the neighborhood that I had expected when we moved in...

Maybe I was given these grand ideas of friendly neighbors and welcoming waves and smiles from TV. There are a few that will wave to you when you drive by or give you a nod when you're walking the dog. We only have one couple that I would consider 'friends' that we may have dinner with once a quarter.

Its not for lack of trying. I have offered on a number of occasions to have couples over for dinner. They're excuse - we couldn't find a sitter. Then when I offer to welcome the kids too or be available at ANY time they can find a sitter, I never get a response.

There is one woman in particular. She doesn't acknowledge anyone. When you knock on her door her husband {who is super sweet} will answer while she peaks at you from the upstairs window when you leave. {yes she has done this} The only time that she'll even talk to us is when she wants to invite me to a jewelry/decor/pampered chef party in hopes that I'll buy something and give her an extra discount.

When we moved in across the street and there were only three houses on the street I made cookies and went over to introduce ourselves. Apparently it was the wrong thing to do after reading her post on Face*book this morning:

Status: got an invite today in my mailbox...a "we're your new neighbor" gathering. come over for light hors d'oeuvres and meet us! hmmm...that's different, but ok...i guess welcome to the neighborhood! lol

Comments: from a friend-check them out from a distance first...make sure they're safe.

neighbor-no kidding! can't i just say hi when its warmer and i am out working in the yard and THEN maybe we can discuss coming over for hors d'oeuvres?

-personally i think its a bit odd and they put on the invite...bring your family.

{in response to alcohol being provided} -you know that's what i will be taking for their housewarming gift! if they don't like it, i will bring it back home! hee hee that will tell me alot about these people

What do you think? Am I out of line to think that this neighbor is being ridiculous and snooty? Would you be upset in your new neighbor invited you to THEIR house just to meet you? Would you hold a party for yourself?

Tear Streaked Cheeks

Our household is not feeling l'amour this week.

My grandpa passed away Sunday night. While it wasn't entirely unexpected at his age and in his health, it was quite sudden.

But that was just like him. When he had made his mind up to leave for a trip he was packing the car and on his way. Once he got on the road there were no side trips, no detours, no lingering longer than planned.

He didn't linger. I don't believe he felt any pain or fear. He even got to ride in a helicopter to make his final journey.

He was in a place he loved and he and Gran-ma were surrounded by people they care about.

The only problem is that that place is in Texas. The southern most part of Texas. A paradise. A Spring Break destination. But very far away from Home-Town Mid-West. My Mother and Brother flew down to be with Gran-ma. They are making the arrangements to put the trailer in storage, bring the truck home and get both Gran-ma and Grandpa home.

I am having a hard time not being there with my Gran-ma. I want her with me so that I can take care of her and hug her and tell her everything will be alright, that Grandpa wouldn't have left her if he didn't think she could make it through this.

I have settled with talking to her on the phone and all I can keep saying is that Mom will bring her home to me soon and I'll be waiting for her when she gets there.

To my only favorite Grandpa

From your only favorite Granddaughter

I Love You

Just a Pleasant Dream

Conversation between Husband and me on Monday:

Scene - Me getting ready for work sitting in a chair in front of the bathroom mirror leaning on the counter (looking all miserable)

Husband - Did you throw up last night?

Me - Umm, yea.

Husband - Ok, I wasn't sure if that was real or a dream.

Me - You even got up and gave me a glass of water.

Husband - Ha. I don't remember that. Are you feeling better?

Me - (So confused, with a dumb founded look) No.

I wonder if he's truly awake on call or treating patients in very realistic dreams...

Parties of the Season - 1

Sunday evening Husband and I attended what I would consider our first 'adult' Holiday party. It was with a group of doctors whose wives I meet with once a month. We mingled and networked. We discussed medical school and career choices. There was joking about professors and how the men couldn't believe they were still teaching.

The conversation was witty and the topics intelligent. We laughed and shared and had a wonderful time. I feel very fortunate to have met sure a wonderful and generous group of women. And a definite plus, our spouses seemed to enjoy themselves too!

I wish I would have thought about it and taken pictures of my outfit because it was super cute, but it completely slipped my mind.

Not to worry, there are several more Holiday events to come!

Top It All off with This...

Its Friday. And a very exciting week is coming to a close. This weekend will be a great way to close it with too!

Tomorrow morning I'm meeting with a wonderful group of women for a little fellowship and some 'there's hope at the end of the med school tunnel' support! Its nice to be able to talk with others who have been there, who understand, who have made it to the end.

For lunch I'm planning to meet up with the ma mère on her way headed home.

Follow all of that up with an evening surrounded by sorority sisters and Edward, Jacob and Bella. We're getting together to see New Moon!

Don't judge. I'm not ashamed. It is a little early after the release, though so wish me luck!

I hope you have a great weekend planned too!

One Exciting Week!

This is just one week full of excitement!

First you have this...

{via}

Best rivalry this decade!

That ended like this...

{via}

{via}

Go Colts!

And then you have this...

New Moon Premiere!

Just a few. I'm not going to comment on the fashion choices, but some of them... Really? I do like the guys in their formal wear and skinny ties though!

{I can't wait to see the movie! Can you?}

{P.S. Husband thinks its all ridiculous, but he's a trooper and putting up with the like. Don't let that fool you though. He read the books AND liked them before I did.}

{via}

Is your week shaping up to being this exciting too? We'll see how the rest of the week turns out! Considering the plans coming up for this weekend, though, I'm sure its going to be just as exciting!

For you

Thank You

Don't forget to thank all the soldiers and veterans today. They have stood up and defended our freedom, given us opportunities, and protected countless people around the world.

I'll just say thank you and will keep praying for you every day.

Black Beauty

I'm so thankful its finally Friday. This weekend though, not so relaxing. It promises to be drama filled with the Big Sister and the rest of the family involved. Should be interesting, I just hope I don't explode and lose the filter that leave the 'inside voices' unspoken.

Here's a little beauty for your Friday...

I can not tell you all how much I am in love with this dress. I only wish I would have a reason or the funds to own it.

{Image from Bazaar Magazine here}

The arm candy isn't to bad either.

The Come Back Award

I'm Back!

It has been quite a while my dears, but I'm making my come back.

A lot has happened during my little hiatus. I'll try to update you as much as I can a little later.

First I thought I'd share a little celebration with you all!

As some of you know, around the time my hiatus started I started a new job. Its still a contract position with the same company, but its long term and the best place for me to be in this economy. Well that was (I can't believe I haven't blogged in this long) almost 3 months ago.

I had my 3 month review last week. With an ata boy girl and an few everyone is thrilled with you comments I went on my way.

I thought I was all in the clear until yesterday when I got a calendar invite for a 'brief discussion' with the boss lady bright and early this morning. I started panicking. I walked upstairs right on time and the boss man from company headquarters is there. *really starting to panic now. The conference call starts with on of the vice Presidents... * hyperventilating And the voice on the phone is congratulating me?

The boss lady nominated me for the Superlative Service Award! Complete with a pin and a $50 check!

The lesson I learned today... Don't sell yourself short. Good things can happen to you when you least expect them.

Its nice to get out of my funk and get back to all of you! Thanks for sticking around!

This Long Length of Time...

I have missed my blog and all of you out there! I hope you missed me too. My week of vacation and another one of training has kept me away to long. But I'm back and can't wait to get through my reader and catch up with every one!

I'll post more later, but for now I have to get started on my training for this new position I just started! Wish me luck!

A Monochromatic Last Day

Today is my last day in this job that I have loved for the last year and a half. My contract is expiring and the group has not been given the financial higher-up approval to renew it, though I know they wish they could.

I am happy and very lucky that I already have a new position lined up with the same company, on the same campus, in the same building, leaving my desk in the same location. So I will be leaving...but not really.

I am sad, though, to be leaving a position that I have really fallen in love with. Even my outfit today portrays my mood. It is very monochromatic.

{Apologies for the bad quality from my phone}
Sweater - H&M
Ruffled Tank Top - Wal-mart!
Skirt - Old Navy

The only 'color' I am wearing today are my beautiful coral shoes!

Shoes - Nine West

Starting this afternoon I will be on 'vacation' until August 3rd. I am really looking forward to this time off to recuperate and prepare for my new group.

My first week back I have to travel for some worthless waste of time training.

So I'm wondering if any of you out there are in/around the Harrisburg and Lancaster Pennsylvania area? Let me know and we can meet up for dinner!