Dreams can come True!

Hello Friends!

It's a Pinterest kind of day!

Here are some of my favorite quotes right now.

Enjoy!

P.S. Guess who just emailed her old professors to get back into the Master's program at SIU?

Yep, that's right! This Girl! :)

Have a good one!

 

Sticks and Stones

"Sticks and Stones may break my bones,

but words will never hurt me."

How many times have you heard this saying in your life? I know that I've heard it  A LOT! But then when you stop to think about... you realize that it's really not that true at all. Yes, sticks and stones may break your bones...but words, well let's be honest here... they hurt. Especially the very, very hurtful words that are said. And once hurtful words are said, you can't take them back. No matter how badly you may want to...you just can't. And we can say "forgive and forget" but is it really that easy? I know for me, it's not. I'll forgive...yes, that the simple part. But forgetting!? I know that this is the hardest thing for me to do. No matter what, those things are always engraved into your brain and heart and will never be forgotten. And actions... bad or good, they are also in there as well. Let's face it people, forgetting isn't easy at all. And sure, as time passes, the sting of the pain will eventually fade but it will Always, Always be there. And even if you apologize and sincerely mean it, it's still there. The past is the past... but like I said, it will forever be engraved into your brain.

Yesterday, I posted on 3 truths that I know to be true. Here's a few more...

4. Jesse and I did NOT get married just because I was pregnant. And if you just started following my blog, I'm sure you've put 2 and 2 together and figured out that yes, I was pregnant at our wedding. Anywho, like I said, this was not the reason why we got married. Sure, it did speed up the process and changed a few things. But we were planning on getting married anyway...Because we LOVED each other and wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. So no, we did NOT get married just because I was pregnant. We got married because we loved each other and we wanted to bring our son into the world with 2 parents...into a family that loved him and supported him no matter what. So please, don't EVER, EVER question my marriage or suggest anything otherwise.

5. Did we have the perfect beginning or the perfect first year? Heck NO! We've literally been through hell and back. We've had to face more trials in our first year as a family than most face in the first 5 years. We endured a very, very tough pregnancy, 2 weeks of bedrest, another 2 weeks in the hospital, and then another 2 1/2 months in the hospital with our son. We watched our son struggle for his life those first few days and weeks. We got a call at 8:30 in the morning saying they were life-flighting our son to StL because they couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. We cried tears of worry, hope, and joy... a lot. We questioned ourselves as parents and wondered if it was something we had done to cause this...when our Dr. kept assuring us that we did not cause it. But then, who wouldn't question themselves? We've faced more car troubles in this first year than most people see their entire lives. We've seen our share of financial troubles and family problems. But still, through hell and back, we held on tight to each other and held on tight to the rope that was dragging us...knowing that God had a plan and a reason for all of this to happen to us. So again, don't ever question my marriage!!

6. I respect the people that respect me. There's not too much to explain here. I respect those that give me a little respect in return. I don't beat around the bush and I don't pretend that things aren't ok when they are or that things are ok when they are not. Like everyone else on this earth, I'm a person too and I do have feelings and a heart. And when I'm hurt or upset, I take that to heart. I take things seriously. I surround myself with good people that I love and care about and that I know love and care about me. So, moral of this point... respect given = respect in return.

7. I have a great family and great friends. I was raised with a family that taught me love, respect, and kindness. I know they will always be by my side no matter what and love me unconditionally. I have a best friend that I can talk to about anything. We love the same things and hate the same things. And I know that even if she doesn't agree with something I say/do... she will still respect my decision and support me. As she knows I will do for her. I have a good set of friends that I'd kill for because I consider them family. I know they will Always, Always be there for me no matter what.

Anywho, that's about it for tonight friends. Just had to get that all out there. I hope you all have a great weekend! We're going to see a movie tomorrow night with a couple of friends and then hopefully hanging with some friends on Sunday. Truth be told, the Superbowl is probably the only football game I watch each year. Football is my favorite sport...it's so intense and intriguing to watch. There's never a dull moment! haha. Plus, I always like to tune in to see the commercials and the half-time show!

Have a good one friends!

Truth.

Hello Friends! 

SO sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Truth is, I've been very tired every night. I know, lame excuse, but it's the truth. By the time my little man goes to sleep...this momma is pooped! haha. But, have no fear...I'm back! Gabe went to sleep at 9:00 tonight! Can you believe it!? He was so tired! 

Anyway, there are several things that I know to be true... and I would like to share them with you all. :) 

1. I am a Fabulous wife. If you ever doubted it, please, just ask MY husband. Granted, I am fairly new to this marriage thing... however, I think I've caught on just fine. So, please, don't EVER judge me as a wife and say that you hope my husband can stand to be with me for another year. As far as we're concerned, we will be together for the rest of our lives. "Til Death do us Part" isn't something we take lightly! :) 
2. I AM and ALWAYS WILL BE a GREAT mother! If you need proof, please feel free to call Gabriel's pediatrician that told me this himself. We didn't have the "typical" pregnancy and yes, it was a very tough road...but I do one heck of a great job raising my son. And no, there will NEVER be a day that he has to doubt that his Mommy and Daddy Love him. Please, don't judge me on my parenting...I know I am a GREAT mother! 
3. Just because I didn't finish my Master's degree does not mean that I don't know what I'm talking about and that I'm not smart enough to go back and finish! I know my stuff...and I dedicated many years of my life to school and to helping children with autism and various other disabilities. I spent a lot of time in class...researching, reading, and listening to learn all that I know. And this is one thing that I know to be true...You do what you have to do for you children... to keep them safe and to get the help they need. You go to extraordinary measures to give your children everything and more. 

"There are some words that once spoken will split the world in two. There would be the life before you breathed them and then the altered life after they'd been said. They take a long time to find, words like that. They make you hesitate. Choose with care. Hold on to to them unspoken for as long as you can just so your world will stay intact."                  

-- Andrea Levy, Small Island 

Anywho...tonight I finally got around to uploading the 140 photos on my camera that I haven't uploaded since Christmas. So, here's what we've been up to since then...

Our first Christmas as a family of 3!

"Oh gosh, time to eat this rice!" 

1/12/2012

"I'm not sure I like this" 

"Here Mom, let me have the spoon" 

"I think I'll just throw the spoon...that way I don't have to eat it" 

"Finally, I'm done!" :)

Gabe loves his jumper! 

And he LOVES eating his hands

Ok, I"ll turn around now! 

Fell asleep watching Baby Einstein! 

Our week in a nutshell!

I can't believe I haven't posted that much this week. This past week has been quite crazy... here's what the Schiff family has been up to! 

• Sunday, the 22nd, was our 1 year anniversary!! 
• My in-laws (Jesse's dad and step-mom) gave us a car to use! :) 
• We had a delicious steak dinner for our anniversary! 
• Gabe started sitting up a lot more on his own... 
• He also has been going to sleep in his crib on his own and not crying...what a big boy! :)
• Jesse had mine classes this past week... 
• He FINALLY started full time... 
• Which means a $10.00 raise...HECK YES!
• We finally heard back from our insurance company about our Jeep...on Thursday!
• Only after I made several phone calls and spoke to several supervisors did this happen... 
• I guess they were tired of hearing me complain...hah! 
• Gabe had a Doctor's appointment... 
• He is a whole 13 pounds! 
• And healthy... 
• And more advanced than most preemies his age! 
• Oh & just in case anyone had any doubts... his doctor told me that I am a GREAT Mom... 
• Not that I ever doubted it... 
• Just nice of him to compliment me... seeing that Gabe is way ahead of where he should be... 
• So, yes, I AM a Fabulous, Great Mother! 
• I got to spend time with my mom and niece, Emeri! 
• She always makes me smile...:) 
• Jesse and I watched the movie "Real Steel"
• It was a lot better than I anticipated.. 
• I highly recommend it! 
• We also watched the movie "50/50" 
• Wow!! It was awesome!! 
• I definitely recommend that one! 
• Our laundry room shelf decided to collapse this week! 
• That was GREAT! 
• It's finally almost back to normal! 
• Gabe loves his doorway jumper thing... (not sure on the correct term) 
• He literally jumped for about 45 minutes today! 
• SO, SO cute! 
• Gabe is also talking up a storm... 
• He laughs a lot too... 
• Actually, it's more like a scream/laugh... 
• It's hilarious! 
• Rylee really needs a bath... 
• Mommy is just really tired! haha. 
• However, Gabe still LOVES bath time.. 
• He sat up the whole time in his bath tonight... 
• And then preceded to splash himself and Mommy in the face.. 
• I also swear he said "Mommy" the other night... 
• But then, it could have been my imagination! haha. 
• He's also finally getting over his little cold... 
• I'm so happy... 
• Thank God for humidifiers! 
• It helped... A LOT! 
• However, Mommy and Daddy are now sick.. 
• Gotta love that cute, little boy coughing in your face! 
• Oh well, we're finally starting to feel better.
• We watched "Erin Brockovich" tonight... 
• Man, What a great movie...it never gets old! 
• Did I mention that I love Julia Roberts... 
• Oh & George Clooney and Will Smith, too!
• Looking forward to next weekend... 
• Hopefully catching up on some much needed time spent with our good friends! 
• And possible a date night...courtesy of our movie gift certificates... 
• We both really want to see "Into the Grey" 
• Because Liam Neeson is pretty much amazing.. 
• Ok, maybe I do like him a bit more than George Clooney... 
• I started a new diet plan today... 
• I made Jesse help me come up with a plan last night... 
• I WILL lose 30 pounds by April 
• And another 10-20 by my best friend's wedding in June... 
• Today was day one of no sweet tea, soda, or just sugar in general.. 
• I've had a headache all day... 
• I know it's bound to get better... 
• And that's pretty much our week in a nutshell.. 

Night ALL! :) 

Mommy's sleeping boy!

All Smiles! :) 

Week of change!!

So, Jesse and I celebrated our first anniversary today! Can you believe it? 365 days!! That's like 50 years in Hollywood time! :) Anyway, I made us a steak dinner... complete with mashed potatoes, bread, and salad! YUMMY!!! Steak is Jesse's favorite... so he was happy! 

This week is a week of change for us. Jesse starts full time at the mines!! WOOOO!!! He is also on days for the week because of having to go to new hire classes! So, Gabe and Mommy get to have Daddy home at night. I'm so excited! Gabe was so excited that he passed out in his swing. He played with daddy for a bit, took a bath, and then passed out!! Love that little man!

This week also means that we FINALLY hear back from our insurance company about the jeep! Whew, that will be a relief! Oh & we got a car. Jesse's dad and step-mom are letting us borrow one of their extras until we figure things out. We're very thankful...because we wondering what we were going to do since our rental is due back and Jesse has classes! Thankfully, he now has a car to get back and forth! Gotta make that money!! haha. 


This week also means that since Jesse is getting hired on full time...we will get to start working on paying some things off and save, save, save that $$$$!! We still would like to take a night trip to StL for some R&R and to celebrate our anniversary. We're hopefully going to go sometime in mid-February... that way we can celebrate Valentine's Day too! Our 2nd Valentine's as a married couple... it's the simple things in life that you gotta enjoy! 


Oh & of course, my little man... well guess what he did tonight!? He was sitting on daddy...just playing... when all of the sudden he reached up and grabbed Daddy's shirt and pulled himself up to stand. Such a big boy!! He also gave daddy a bunch of hugs & kisses...but of course, he saved some for mommy too! :) Our little boy is growing up... watch out ladies! He's going to be a heartbreaker! :) 

Anyway, friends, it's bedtime for this momma. Gabe FINALLY went to sleep. Poor little boy hasn't been feeling well and had a coughing spell for about 20 minutes. But I gave him some medicine, we turned his humidifier on, gave him a warm bottle, and rocked him to sleep. He's sleeping like... well, like a baby of course! 


I'm going to leave you with another poem I found... those first few months in the hospital seem so far away now, but I never take for granted that my son is a miracle from God. I am so amazed at how well he is doing... but then, I never had a doubt that he would be anything but amazing! :) I see those big brown eyes look up at me every morning when I go to get him out of his crib and I thank God for our precious little boy...he is the best little boy we could have ever hoped for! xoxo. 

Good night all...Have a great week! 


A Gift from God 
At first glance
you were so small
I hardly saw a baby at all,
with tubes and wires
a frightening sight
but you were in for a
big fight.
Not even two pounds
just skin and bones,
your body so small
with problems so big,
but you fought hard
and continued to grow.

So many fears
So many tears.

You are home now
and growing big
I love you dear,
more than words can say.

A miracle baby
A gift from God.
You showed the world
You showed us all.

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy 1 Year Anniversary to my Husband!! 

We've made it through our crazy first year!! 

Cheers to many, many more!

<3 Ami Lee

Happy 7 months, Gabriel Lee!

Happy 7 Months, Gabriel Lee!! <3

Hey friends!! Well, today Gabriel is 7 months old! Can you believe it? Time is flyyinggg by!! Before I get to what he's been up to lately... I wanted to tell you all a little story about my little man. Yesterday, Mom and I took Gabe to his follow-up appointment at Cardinal Glennon. We went to the Physical Therapy dept. first for them to check him out... and the lady said that Gabe was doing very well. She has no worries about him at all...and she also said that we should expect him to be crawling within the next month. She said not to be surprised if he starts crawling before sitting up all on his own! :) He's not behind at all... which makes me very, very happy! 

Next, we went to the nursery for them to check him out there. He has a cold and the doctor thought that he was wheezing a bit. So, to be on the safe side, they sent us down to have an x-ray...just to make sure he didn't swallow anything. Luckily, all was clear...and they said it was because of his cold. Then, we were off to get some blood taken for our next appointment.  I was a little worried that he would get upset and start crying while taking his blood. INSTEAD, my little man thought it would be better to just laugh while the lady did it. Such a tough little guy! :)) 

Anyway, here's what Gabe's been up to.. Happy 7 months! 

• He is taking about 6 ounces each feeding...however, we're taking it to about 8 now. 
• Sleeping most of the night. Lately, he's been getting up at 3:30-4:00ish to eat. 
• We've started eating cereal... so this should help keep him from getting up in the middle of the night. :) 
• Starting to sit up a little bit better on his own. 
• Sleeping like a big boy in his crib. 
• Rolling allllll the time. 
• He is scooting across the floor. 
• Talks to mommy all the time too... 
• Still teething... 
• Loves putting his slobbery hands in my face! :) 
• Still absolutely LOVES bathtime! 
• Enjoys watching t.v. 
• Can never seem to keep his socks on! He's a one-sock little man! 
• Definitely knows who mommy and daddy are...and Mama and Papa!
• Papa Ray is teaching him how to stick his tongue out! :) haha 
• Still pretty much hates his carseat! 
• However, he will fall asleep in the car. 
• Like to watch Rylee run and play! 
• Demands to be held most of the time. 
• Wearing 3-6 month and a few 6 month clothes... 0-3 are now too small! 
• He's a whole 12 pounds 11 ounces now!! WHOA!! 
• Loves to chew on his hands... 
• Like to give kisses...slobbery ones in fact. 
• and of course, getting cuter everyday! :) 

And that is what my favorite little guy has been up to lately. I can't believe he is already 7 months. He's getting so big! 

Now, here's a prayer that I found on another blog. I like to think that this is what Gabriel was saying during his stay in the NICU! I still can't believe that we spent 2 months in the hospital and how well Gabe has done and surpassed so many expectations. He's such a strong little man! 

here's my little many yesterday! He's my little boxer! haha. 

Happy 7 months Gabriel Lee!! 

Mommy & Daddy Love you!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Dear God,

 as you look down upon me,

I know that you might have to squint.

I'm located here in the NICU,

It's the nursery that I rent.

There are many alarms and sirens,

Connected to condos and flats.

The nurses tape my booties on,

And dress me in funny hats.

We have a lot in common,

All of us were in a hurry.

For many different reasons,

Our storks came a little early.

Some of us don't know why,

We bursted out from our bubbles.

We entered into this world,

Never meaning to cause any troubles.

Mommy and Daddy are worried sick,

About the odds that I must beat.

Please God, help them to realize,

That seeing me grow is a treat.

Breath by breath, I'll learn to breathe.

Ounce by ounce I'll tip the scale.

I'm like a boat in the ocean,

That knows not sink- only sail.

For I am a living miracle,

Mommy and Daddy must simply believe,

That you have angels watching over me;

From the time we arrive, till the time we leave.

Author Unknown