Monday, September 26, 2011

Life is Short

Life is short and it can end at any time with no warning at all. This past weekend...I was reminded just how short life really is...and how there is no rhyme or reason to why some people are taken from us. A friend of mine, Tim, passed away this weekend. He's the best friend to one of my best friends as well. He is a couple of years older than me. We all used to hang out several years ago... Me, Rachel, Tyler, and Tim. We got our Christmas pics taken together back in 2009 as a group and we all would hang out on several different occasions. When we would all hang out..it was just a lot of fun. There was never a dull moment with the 4 of us together. However, over time we just kind of quit hanging out...we all went on and did our own thing. I don't think I've seen Tim in over 2 years. It's hard to believe that we will never see him again. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. He has a little boy as well that he is leaving behind. And remember all of his close friends...





RIP Tim



Thursday, September 22, 2011

God Gave Me You

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and down
sGod gave me you for the days of doub
tFor when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
 God gave me you

There’s more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
Ill be the flattered fool
and I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, 
gave me you
Gave me you





Tuesday, September 20, 2011

3 months!

Dear Gabriel Lee, 


Today, September 20, you are 3 months old. It's hard to believe that so much time has already gone by. We've been through a lot my dear boy...but you're growing everyday. In fact, you're growing up way too fast! I started this blog because I want you to have something to be able to read/look at when you are older...that way you know everything! 


At 3 months old, you've really come a long way... you've done better than the doctor's thought you would. You're definitely a tough little guy. In the 3 short months of your life so far you have... stayed in the NICU in 2 different hospitals, went on a helicopter ride, had surgery, and beat all of the odds. Before you were born, the doctors prepared us for what they said would be a "long journey." Little did they know that you were going to be a little fighter and prove everyone wrong! So far, you have no need for any type of therapy. You're already rolling over...In fact you did that a month ago! We were shocked and excited! You've started taking about 3-4 ounces now of formula each feeding. I'll let the fact that you're not sleeping more than 3 hours at a time pass for now though! :) You are about 6 1/2 pounds right now...probably closer to 7! You have a smile that can break anyone's heart. You can hold yourself up pretty well and we know it will be no time before we're chasing you around the house. 


You make us smile every single day...and you're teaching us so many things each day as well. We can't imagine life without you. You are very, very much loved. I know that all of the long, sleep-deprived nights are well worth it. In fact, I know that one day I'm going to miss these days...so I'm trying to enjoy the late nights as much as possible. You've already figured out that being held is MUCH MUCH better than laying in your bassinet or swing. So, as much as we didn't want to spoil you too much, you're daddy and I usually give in and hold you ALLLLL the time! And you've already figured out that laying in mommy and daddy's bed is better than your bassinet. You're a smart lil guy...that's for sure.


We love you so, so much and look forward to watching you grow up. I just hope you don't grow up too fast. 


Love always, 


Mommy and Daddy 






3 months old todayy :))



Monday, September 19, 2011

I'm out of ideas for a grasping title!

Well, it's Monday...and I'm glad last week is over. Here's how our week went...


Thursday we had an appointment at Cardinal Glennon. We thought it was for Gabriel's hernia surgery... turns out we were wrong. It was just a clinic appointment to check on it. Well, the doctor came in and examined Gabe and insisted that we stay overnight so he could repair his hernia the next morning. We were originally told this was an outpatient procedure. So, as you can imagine...I was not thrilled at all about another stay in the hospital. I wanted to wait and come back sometime this week...but then the doctor said that it could get worse and that it's best to repair it sooner than later. So there we were...getting admitted, once again, to Cardinal Glennon. 


On the upside of this stay...our room was much, much nicer. We had our own bathroom, a tv, and our cell phones actually worked! We could also eat in the room...which made it nice so I never had to leave Gabe alone. Mom went home that night to get some things we needed and came back the next morning. Since Gabe was a preemie we had to stay another night after his surgery for observation. Luckily, everything turned out just fine and my little guy is home now. 


We got home Saturday afternoon...and that night, Jesse and I packed up Gabe and went down to visit some family...they were having a bow shootout and cookout so we decided to go. We missed the shootout, but it was nice to see family. I've decided that I want to learn how to shoot a bow for next year :) Jesse's step-mom, cousin, and I already have plans to form a girl's team! I'm super excited! :)  I guess I'll learn how to shoot a gun too... Jesse says it something i need to learn how to do! :) haha. 


Alright, that's it. I'm going to post some pictures of Gabriel's room... Better late than never I guess! Goodnight All! 









Monday, September 12, 2011

Self-diagnosis

I'm sick. There's not too much else to tell. I've been battling a cold for the past week and it's gradually gotten worse. I felt a little bit better over the weekend...but my body is playing tricks on me I guess. I've self-diagnosed myself with Strep Throat... but I'm not a doctor. But I have 80% of the symptoms listed on WEBMD... if I don't feel better by tomorrow...it's doctor time for me! 


Anyway, Gabe is at mama and papa's for a sleepover so this Momma can get some rest. I got home from work a few hours ago, watched Faith Hill's concert on GAC, and took a couple of Benadryl. We'll be lucky if I make it through this post now... Benadryl always knocks me out. I'm hoping that all I need is some good rest and lots of water. I'm just happy Gabe hasn't caught anything yet. Jesse wasn't feeling too well either...but he feels better than me. I can't swallow, my nose is runny, and my head hurts. AHHHHH...I hate being sick!! 


Well, it's day 12 of September and I'm not doing too well at this diet. It's time to get even MORE serious. So, I vow to drink lots and lots and lots of water everyday and to try to walk/run a lot. I've got a wedding on October 1st and the Marine Corps ball coming up. And plus, I gotta lose this weight... I just know that I'll feel a lot better when I do. So, wish me luck. I'm gonna need it. :) 


Gabe had a Doctor's appointment today...He's 6 pounds 6 ounces! WHOA! BIG WHOA!! We're so proud of our little guy. He's getting too big too fast though. I don't like it one bit! 



Sunday, September 11, 2011

Remembering....

Well friends... it's been 10 years since the 9/11 attacks. This past weekend, Jesse had drill up in StL. So, since we hardly get to see him anymore since he's working all the time... I decided to pack Gabe up and we'd go with and have ourselves a nice little family trip. At first, I hadn't planned on taking Gabe with, but it ended up working out good and our little boy did fabulous in his first stay in a hotel. :) 


Gabe and I stayed in the hotel for a few hours this morning while Jesse went to work. I turned on the tv and started watching the coverage of the 9/11 memorial services. I then started thinking...wow, this is the stuff that is going to be in Gabriel's history books when he starts school. That's so crazy. I was in like 7th grade I think when the attacks happened...and I didn't quite understand it then. I remember being upset because CMT was showing live coverage of the attacks instead of playing videos. I think then I realized this was serious. Now, I realize how serious and life-changing that day really was. 


I want to take a moment to pay my respects to those who were so brave on that day...to the men and women who gave their lives that day and every day since. It's important to remember that we're still fighting...we're still at war. It's easy to forget that sometimes. 


I think we need to respect and honor all of our military men and women. It blows my mind how some people don't get it or understand that these men and women fight for our freedom everyday. 


So, on this day, I think we all need to stop, pay our respects, and take time for the small things. My family.... well we enjoyed a nice weekend together and Gabe got to meet some of his daddy's buddies that are in his unit with him in the Marine Corps. 





Jesse and his best friend Adam in Iraq



Tuesday, September 6, 2011

It Won't Be Like This for Long

To say the least, I'm sleep deprived and exhausted. But I have a 2 month old son, so that's to be expected. I won't lie, I do miss my sleep. A Lot. 


We figured out that even though Jesse is working full time...he is STILL getting more sleep than I am. Now, you tell me...does that make much sense? It seems like everytime I finally get Gabe to go back to sleep, it's time to eat again...and we're awake. He sleeps so good for everyone else, but us. 


Perhaps it's because we spoil him a little too much. But that's ok... we'll deal with it. I have to keep telling myself that It won't be like this for long...and that one day I'm going to miss these days. So, I'm taking the time to enjoy all these late nights with my baby boy. He's getting big way too fast. Though we were looking forward to him gaining weight, I must say...I was a little sad when we discovered that he is now to big for his preemie clothes. Man, we've really come a long way. 


And.... Gabe is rolling over!! How crazy is that!? He doesn't do it all the time, but he does do it. There's a video of it on my facebook...I still have to figure out how to send it from my phone to this blog. But like I said...he's getting too big too fast. 


Some other news...we're shopping for a new house. We're in need of a bigger house...so tomorrow I'm venturing out to hopefully look at a few. We're hoping and praying that the one we want will be available! So, we shall see. 


Anyway friends, that's about it for tonight. Gabe's passed out for the next few hours so I'm going to try to get some sleep too. 



Darius Rucker "It Won't Be Like This For Long" 




Trace Adkins "You're Gonna Miss This"