Walking

Well, Michael did it today! He took his first steps! There were only 2 of them, but they were amazing. I picked him up and showered him with kisses after he wowed us. I love that kid.

Remembering Maddie

I didn't read "mommy blogs" until I was about 7 months pregnant. I actually didn't read any blogs until then. After my son was born, I started this blog, and also joined Twitter. One of the first people I followed had a "twibbon" on her picture that had 3 purple hearts w/ FOM in them. I didn't know what that stood for, so I googled it. I eventually came across Friends of Maddie and Heather Spohr's page. I cried and cried. My husband had to take away my laptop because all I just sat there and cried. I couldn't imagine loosing my child. Heather and Mike have done the best they could in this situation, which is unimaginable to begin with. After Maddie passed, they started the F.O.M. non-profit organization to help other families that are dealing with the NICU.
Because of the Spohr's tragedy, I am now a volunteer and donate monthly to March of Dimes. I also have supported the F.O.M. by donating. I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without Heather's blog and her friends supporting the life and loss of Maddie. She is constantly on my mind, I am waiting the arrival of t-shirts for me and my son so we can proudly share Maddie's story.
I am just a person who was touched by the infectious smile of Madeline Spohr. There are many others that will continue to love, remember, and honor you, Maddie.

Nine Months Old with smelly feet

Today, I picked up Michael up from day care and we went shopping, piddling around killing time. I bought a few things (make up and a toy for the munchkin) and wasted an hour. By the time we got home, it was an hour later. Michael was a little squirmy and whiny. I took his shoes off, and put him in the highchair so he could eat his afternoon snack. I sat down in front of him and that is when it hit me. Holy crap, his feet smelled awful. He has his dad's feet. I had to wipe them off with a wipe because I thought I was going to puke. How can a nine month old have feet that smell that bad? I do believe Dr. Scholl's foot powder will need to be invested in. Do they make it in for babies?

Another year down, a bajillion more to go

March 6 was my 3rd wedding anniversary. Happy anniversary husband! I am pretty lucky to have a guy that puts up with me like he does. Sometimes, believe it or not, I can be a bit of a handful! I am always thankful that he is there for me, even when I can be unreasonable. I know, not me. But for real, yes me. Thanks babe!

Michael is almost walking. It is really scary to watch him grow so fast. A friend of mine is having her son right now, and I cannot wait to meet him. The problem is my ovaries are probably going to start aching for another baby. I keep seeing all the precious little ones, and my first thought is I WANT ONE. You have to realize, Michael is a huge monster. He outgrew the baby stage at like, 4 months. I am going to have to have another one to get that baby ache cured. Which won't be happening any time soon. So, I will just have to settle for friends' babies.

I'm a college student?!?!

That's right ladies and gentlemen... I am officially a college student again. I am taking 1 class right now, and will add a "maymester" class in April for 3 more credits. I am 10 classes from my BS in Computer Science and I want to finish it by next spring, latest summer. I definitely want to finish before I get out of the Navy, which is 2012, so I have a little bit of time.
Also, starting tomorrow, I will be on a new work schedule. I will be working "swing shift" which is an 8 day cycle: work 2 12 hour day shifts, off 48 hrs, work 2 12 mid shifts, off 72 hours. So within 8 days, I will be going from days to nights back to days. It will be interesting and hard. There will be days where the only time I will get to see my son is when I get home and he's already asleep, or when I stop by daycare to see him before I go to work. I know this is going to be hard for Mike as well as Michael. Luckily, Mike is an awesome father and I know he's going to be able to handle the challenge.
Back to being a college student. I feel like I should be buying a few sets of pjs and sweatshirts. What, noone else wore pajamas to class in college? I know I'm not the only one! In fact, my youngest sister is a junior right now, and I know for a fact she bums it once or twice a week. I will be glad to be able to fit into that family tradition.

Being a single mom

This past week, Mike was gone for a week for work. So, I got my first taste of being a single parent. Although it wasn't too bad, I am so grateful for Mike and all he does. Michael and I did have a lot of fun going on adventures around the island. I tried to make sure we didn't spend too much time at home with nothing to do. One day we went to my niece's house and let the kids play together. Zoe kept trying to "hold the baby", even though she has a 3 month old brother. Michael was the new baby. They did very well together.
I am going to be starting a new work schedule this week. I will be working a swing shift, which means work 2 shifts, off 48 hrs, work 2 shifts (mids), off 72 hours. My sleep schedule is going to suck. But, there is more time off. Which is a plus. Mike used to have this schedule when I got off the ship. During that time, I kept Zoe a lot so I wouldn't be by myself!
Michael is getting too smart for his own good. He is crawling up stairs now, we just cannot keep him still! I have a feeling that he will be walking by 9 months. We have a wonderful son though, such a ham! He loves being the center of attention! (He does get that honestly, though!)

All by myself

Mike left today for a week long business trip. That means I'm a single mom for 7 days. Not only do I already miss my husband, I miss him as a father too! This is the first time either of us have been away from the baby for more than a work day. I know that this is hard on him, I can't imagine the first time I have to leave the baby for a day or longer.

I don't want to say that it's going to be harder on me, but I am a little jealous b/c he gets to have Chick-Fil-A AND Krispy Kreme. Hawaii just doesn't have that here. I do get the baby all to myself, luckily he is sleeping through the night again. I am going to be quite lonely though. No one to snuggle with, no one to help me calm Michael, no one for me to yell at. :)

I miss him already, and I just dropped him off at the airport. Please, let this week fly by. I need my partner back.

Well, hello 2010! And goodbye January!

My my, aren't you looking lovely today. 2010. I remember your older cousin, 2000. When she came along, man, life was a lot different! In 2000, I was a junior in high school. I had my life figured out, what I was going to do, who I was going to be. Lets just say, that's not what happened! 2010, you are a new era in my life. I am a completely different person than I was in 2000. And, much happier! Maybe though, you can slow down just a little bit... January is almost over, and I am still in shock that it's not 2006. I mean, it seems like that was just the other day. So... please slow down some. Thanks.

For the rest of you, sorry I'm a horrible writer. I have been super busy w/ school (work) that I just turned my laptop on for the first time in weeks. It's been feeling so neglected, that I had to whip her out and show her some attention. I hope 2010 has been good to you all, it has been for me! Mike got a new job offer yesterday (better company/benefits/etc) so we're pretty stoked. Now, it's time for me to go catch up on my blogs. Kind of like my mom's soaps, but better!