Tagged - 8 Things

Ok, so I know I've been on a blogging hiatus but here's a quick one for ya. (I will post a Christmas post after we get back from visiting my folks.) My dearest friend tagged me on her blog a while back but I'm just now getting around to it. Hope you enjoy getting to know me a little better. Here it goes:

8 TV shows I am currently watching:

• Gilmore Girls (thanks to my niece, Taylor. She let me borrow all of the seasons.)
• Prison Break
• CSI
• Criminal Minds
• Psych
• Law & Order
• The Mentalist
• Numbers

8 Favorite Restaurants:

• Boudreaux's
• Los Cucos
• Goodson's
• Pappadeaux's
• The Slogar Bar & Grill (Crested Butte, CO)
• Maggiano's
• ok so I couln't think of two more....:(

8 Things that happened to me yesterday:

• We had our very first Christmas alone as a family. Just the three of us.
• I drew a horse head that actually looks good, for the first time. (Thanks to a gift I got from My Love.)
• I watched Cole open every present with awe and excitement, even if they weren't for him.
• I got pegged in the head with a lego (thanks to Cole).
• I stayed in my pajamas until 4pm (by then we all wanted to get out of the house and go for a short walk.)
• I watched The Ultimate Gift. It was very good and I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to see something wholesome.
• ok, I'm struggling here.....you'll have to do with just six.

8 Things I look forward to:

• Watching Cole grow up.
• Getting to ride horses more.
• Visiting my folks next week.
• Going to a horse show with my Dad and Cole.
• Going on a weekend get-away with My Love.
• Seeing beautiful places in the US/world.
• My "sista's" wedding (you know who you are. I can't wait!)
• Seeing what God has in store for our lives.

8 Things I wish for:

• That the people I know and love will know the Love of Christ. I'd really like to see them in eternity worshiping our Heavenly Father right next to me.
• When I think about it, what more can I wish for.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and have a happy New Year!

HELLP

HELLP Syndrome is what the Doctor said I had during the last few weeks of pregnancy with Cole (which is why I was sent straight to the hospital and a reason for all of the health issues that I endured during and after the birth).

A website stated that "HELLP syndrome is a rare but serious illness in pregnancy. This illness can start quickly, most often in the last 3 months of pregnancy (the third trimester). It can also start soon after you have your baby. HELLP stands for Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzyme levels and a Low Platelet count. These are problems that can occur in women with this syndrome. Women with HELLP syndrome may have bleeding problems, liver problems and blood pressure problems that can hurt both the mother and the baby."

The purpose of us telling you about HELLP is so that we can ask for your help. Please pray for us as we seek the wisest next step. The Doctor says that there is over a 70% chance that this may occur for me in a second pregnancy.

May God's Will be done in this.

12 month heart break...um...doctor's visit

Cole had his 12 month doctor's visit on Friday. Oh it was horrible.....for me......and him. He got FIVE shots, a finger prick (to test his blood) and other torturous procedures. My little boy was so good but was in so much pain and terror. My heart shattered as I felt every muscle in his body tense up and watched his face full of fear scream out to me. Ok, so maybe I'm being just a tad bit dramatic but I seriously will not get over the look my son held in his eyes "Mama why are you letting these people hurt me?" for a LONG time; if ever.

The short of it is:

He is a healthy young boy and is physically and developmentally progressing as he should. PRAISE GOD! He is 31 1/4 inches tall (95%), weighs 23 lbs. 4 oz. (50%) and his brain/head is growing at an average rate (50%, I can't remember the measurement).

The nurse said that the 12 month visit and the 4 year visit are the worst because there's so much to do at these times. I think I'll let Daddy take him when he's 4. :)

I didn't take any pictures of him on Friday because quite frankly I just wanted to forget it ever happened but here's a cute abstract picture I thought you may enjoy.

Bed Head

I know this is completely random but I just had to share. My son is a master hair artist. He can create the best bed head I've ever seen. These pictures are taken a couple of days ago after he woke up from a nap.

You can't really tell how much volume he has in the first picture, but the second one shows it much better.

These pictures were taken yesterday morning. You can tell he really doesn't want me to be taking his picture. I just couldn't help it though. He had the best bed head. What a work of art. I mean that must have taken him all night. Just check it out.

I don't know why I like it when he gets bed head. I think he looks so cute though. Anyhow, this picture was taken after we reworked his work of art into a more presentable do. Isn't he so handsome. I just love this little boy.

A Reason to be Spoiled

This past week was full of family fun and unplanned excitement. Grammy got to stop by for a visit on her way to a convention. It was so nice. We had dinner together in the middle of the week; which never happens because we live so far away from each other. What a treat.

Grammy and Cole played for a while before his bedtime. She showed him how to play basketball with his feet and how to "cheat" the game by pushing the button inside the hoop to make the game play different songs and cheer sounds. Cole giggled and cracked up the entire time. He loved it. He now presses the button when he wants to change the game song all on his own.

The following day, I had my first chiropractic appointment. My back has been hurting me since June. It wakes me up in the middle of the night it hurts so bad. So I finally gave in and made an appointment to see what is wrong. In short, everything will be fine after they work on me (torture me) a while and give me some physical therapy.

Aunt Nell, Taylor and Tricia watched Cole for me while I was at the doctor's office. We met at the mall. When I got back from my appointment, I had discovered that "Prince Cole" had been spoiled rotten. Aunt Nell bought him a new outfit, a toy and took him to see Santa. He was so cute. I was so glad that they all had such a fun time together. Thank you Aunt Nell, Tricia, and Taylor for treating Cole like royalty. It was great having dinner together and hanging out after the appointment too. I had so much fun with you gals and I know Cole did too.

We were lucky enough to have Taylor spend a few nights with us. It was so nice having her around. She is always a great help when she stays with us and the giggles are endless. We bought a small Christmas tree (Cole's Christmas tree) and set it up in the living room on top of a table. (I am just not ready to wear myself out trying to keep Cole away from the big tree yet.) He is so fascinated by the lights and ornaments. He loves looking at his tree every night.

Afterwards, Cole wrestled with his new toy puppy, Stockin. He was really showing off in front of Taylor. Thank you for staying a few days with us Tay-Tay. Can't wait for Christmas break. :)

One Year

I can't believe that one year ago I laid eyes on the most precious little baby boy I'd ever seen. Time goes by way too fast and seems to only speed up. I could sit here and ramble on and on about how much Cole has changed my life for the better but I'm sure they are only words a mother would love. So I'll leave you with this.

Cole, you have overflowed my heart and life with joy. I am so very thankful God gave you to us. I love you more than you could ever know.