been a while!

Ok I havent updated since January....sorry....but not a whole lot of people read this anyway so Im not going to feel too bad for long, lol. Anyway, Eva is doing fabulous. Beautiful and funny as all get out! Starting to walk....starting to get some attitude. She is the dog's best friend....mainly because off all the food that ends up on the floor. lol

Kyle is doig good. He is really excited to come home next month and play with his baby. He really misses her. Last night at church someone said Eva was starting to look more like a little girl and less like a baby and that breaks my heart! :( I just hope he doesnt think Jeez Ive missed so much, ya know?

But hey we are happy, healthy, productive. We both have great jobs....actually I have two jobs lol.......My most important job is a stay at home mom. And my nursing job which is just a few days a month....and mostly for my spending money. heh

On the job front, Kyle was offered a job in extrusion at the south plant where he first began working.....and is MUUUUCH closer to home!!! He talked about getting into the extrusion side of the business when he first started working there....he told me if he could learn that aspect of the business he could write his own ticket anywhere.....we'll see.....cuz mama sure wants to go to CO, or FL....or who knows where! Anyway, now he has been offered this opportunity and I am so happy for him. :D New boss, new job, new money lol sorry I couldnt help it! Hopefully he will be happy there, because that is all I want for him.

WEll, I must get going......I need to finish dishes before bed.....must.......be......productive!!!

9 month visit

Yesterday we went to Eva's 9 month checkup! She did very well. 23 pounds 5 ounces and 28.5 inches long. She did have to get a couple of pokes though. They tested her iron and she got a polio shot (apparently no more oral polio.....it was a live virus....eeep!) The iron test involved a toe poke. It bled for a long time so her doc put two bandaids on it and we went on with the visit. He thinks her top teeth are going to pop any minute now....but anymore bottom teeth are still a ways off. He ear has cleared up beautifully.





So this morning.......the bandaids were gone. Not in the crib either....or on the floor. It didn't smack in the face until this afternoon that HEY she probably swallowed them you dummy!! I called up her doctor with visions of a bowel obstruction/perforation swimming around in my head and that would have been ALL MY FAULT! I really have no clue if bandaids can obstruct the intestines. (This is not something typically taught in nursing school lol) Anyway, they told me as long as she is having no respiratory issues, she should pass them. WHEW!!!!! So for now, I guess that means I'm on poop watch!

Christmas goodies!!




Well I guess that aught to wrap us up! Hope you guys are doing well!!

Love,
Us

Updates Galore....

hear ye hear ye!!!

So, Kyle left for Iraq yesterday. :( They went to Miami but left tonight for somewheres in Europe......well, I know where but I don't want to blurt it out all over the internet....sorry. Feel free to hollar at me for more info.

So after literally YEARS of college, I have finally completed my BS in Nursing. I am done for a while but I plan on going back for my Masters (once Kyle gets done with his BS in Engineering.) :D This does not mean more $$$.....at least not right away. But I do need it to advance in hospital land. :D

Eva is getting big! She weighed in at 23 pounds 2 ounces the other day. She is getting over a cold and an ear infection. I feel so bad! She started getting sick right before Christmas (and I darn near got fired for missing work on Christmas Eve to stay home with her!). Thought it was just a cold so we went on our planned vacation with plenty of tylenol and motrin. She was up all night every night so we got VERY little sleep! Got back and I started counting the days and decided to take her to the docs and get her looked at.....last time she was this sick it was bronchitis. But it turns out she is taking after me with a big fat ear infection!......so now we are experiencing the joys of amoxicillin. She is doing so much better now....back to sleeping through the night again!!! Woot!!

So....for our vacation, we went to Palo Duro Canyon. VERY pretty!!! It isn't as big as grand canyon but it is still very nice....I really enjoyed learning about the history of the canyon too.

Well....I worked a 12 hour shift today and I am so tired I can barely see strait so I better get to bed. Hope all is well with you.....bookmark us for updates!!

And now for Kyle's news. So

Done........

1. Started your own blog. Check!
2. Slept under the stars. Can’t tell you how many times I have been camping!
3. Played in a band. I sang.
4. Visited Hawaii. LOVE it there!!!
5. Watched a meteor shower. Kyle was in the astronomy club at Mountainview.
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/world.
8. Climbed a mountain. Once or twice
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo. Oh yeah
11. Bungee jumped...yep....dont recommend it either
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch.
15. Adopted a child.....does hubby count??
16. Had food poisoning. Hasn’t everyone had food poisoning?
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables....yeah but its been a while...I would like to do it again though
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France.
20. Slept on an overnight train....been on the night bus to/from Mexico....that should count.
21. Had a pillow fight. good times
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill. I have had a case of the Friday flu before.
24. Built a snow fort.....snow????
25. Held a lamb.
26. Gone skinny dipping. I dont skinny dip....I chunky dunk!
27. Run a Marathon (HAAA!! Yeah right!).
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse....sun or moon?
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset....if you havent done this you are a goober!
31. Hit a home run. Once or twice.
32. Been on a cruise. Can't wait!
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors. No but would like to....I understand they are from Colgne
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a new language.....still learning Spanish.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied. Yep....the trick is just being happy with what you have.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing....we used to go all the time
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David.
41. Sung karaoke. Unfortunately yes.
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt....yes, last summer...beautiful!
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant. yep
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.....yeah....in Galveston with the hubby.
46. Been transported in an ambulance...yes I was in a bad wreck at 18.
47. Had your portrait painted.
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling.......snorkeling in Mexico.
52. Kissed in the rain....yep....love it!
53. Played in the mud. Ha.....ask Krysie....or my mom...I think she hosed us off
54. Gone to a drive-in theater....yep there is one in Ennis
55. Been in a movie. uhhh not that I know of
56. Visited the Great Wall of China.
57. Started a business. Not a successful one. LOL
58. Taken a martial arts class.
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen......we used to go to a street corner in Dallas and pass out food on Sundays after church
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies....yep.
62. Gone whale watching.....no....dolphin watching
63. Got flowers for no reason....I think maybe once or twice.
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma. I have donated blood before....I am O+....they love me. 65. Gone sky diving. Negative ghost rider….who wants to jump out of a perfectly good plane?
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp.
67. Bounced a check. Anyone who says they haven’t is lying! LOL Or maybe I am just forgetful!
68. Flown in a helicopter.
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy. Still have a few.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.
71. Eaten Caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job. Yep.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone. Nope.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle. My hubby and I would ride around everywhere!!!
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person...oh yeah it is AMAZING!!
80. Published a book.
81. Visited the Vatican.
82. Bought a brand new car. Actually, never have bought a new car.
83. Walked in Jerusalem.
84. Had your picture in the newspaper. a few times.
85. Read the entire Bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating. do fish count?
88. Had chickenpox. Yes
89. Saved someone’s life.....part of my job.
90. Sat on a jury. (no, thank god!)
91. Met someone famous. Nolan Ryan
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one. A couple.
94. Had a baby.......Miss Eva came April 2008
95. Seen the Alamo in person. I think it is required to live in Texas.
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.
97. Been involved in a law suit. Nope….thankfully. That has to be scary!
98. Owned a cell phone. Who doesn’t own one these days. 8 year olds carry them!
99. Been stung by a bee. Never a bee but I took a wasp in the face when I was like 8.

update!!!

So here is a little update on Eva.....she will be 7 months old next week.


Two weeks ago she started crawling :-O

One week ago she started pulling up (wow!!)


Kyle is bound and determined that she will be walking by the time he goes to Iraq (mid January, BTW)

For Thanksgiving we will be heading out to Caddo Lake to see all the family again. Not sure yet if we will be camping or staying with mom and dad. We'll see. :D

School is not going so hot. I am supposed to graduate in a month but that may not happen so say a prayer or two if you think of it. And thanks, btw!

Love to all of you!!!

Rocking Camille

I found this essay on a nursing journal website I belong to. It brought tears to my eyes and I thought it deserved to be shared. Just a warning though.....get your kleenex!

Candice



Stepping into my clogs and starting my shift in Labor and Delivery always brings a sense of anticipation to my heart.Nearly two decades have passed and I am still excited to assist with the birth of a baby. People often comment on how lucky I am to work in such a happy environment. This is true, but there is another side that most people, even other nurses, will not discuss.Some babies are born with issues that can not be fixed. Some babies are born so prematurely that they can not be saved.This was the case the evening I met her. She was 20 weeks gestation, born due to premature rupture of membranes. She was perfect; hands two centimeters long, each miniature fingernail in place, her skin fragile and translucent, her eyes still fused. Lungs are immature at this gestation so she would never breathe, but her heart beat.Her heart was beating 140 times a minute -- normal. She was already a surprise because most babes this small die in the birth process.With complex assignments like this one we help the primary RN as much as possible. I was to take her vital statistics and obtain mementos. We bathe and dress these little ones, take photographs, obtain hand and footprints-- a lock of hair if possible. We wrap them in warm blankets and keep them with their parents for as long as desired. Any spiritual or cultural rituals are honored and arranged for the family.These steps have been shown to help the family grieve their loss. I think it helps the staff process the death also.Her parents did not want to know anything about their little girl. They chose not to see her. At birth she was taken out of the room immediately at their request. We have rooms that provide the necessary privacy for these delicate times.Most parents want to be with their child, especially if born alive. Most parents hold their newborn. This was not the case for this little one.At first I was upset. She was still alive! Someone needs to hold her; her family!The situation was not so simple. This baby was a twin. Her brother was healthy with great possibility of living. His separate and intact bag of water had saved him.Mom and Dad were holding on to hope. The prospect of losing both babies was scary and heartbreaking so they focused their energy on the twin that still had a chance.If fear and desperation were going to separate her from her family I would do my best to fill in. Honoring her short life was the least I could do. I wrapped her in a warm blanket. I was able to rock her, talk to her. It should only take a few minutes. Five minutes… her heart rate 120’s. Rocking, rocking…I did not intend to name her. It wasn’t my place.But the name Camille just popped into my thoughts.I decided she deserved a name since she was still alive. It was just between the two of us anyway. Twenty minutes… heart rate 100. It shouldn’t be much longer Camille…. rocking, rocking…I hold her in my hands, as if I’m holding a prayerbook… rocking, rocking…Thirty minutes… heart rate 60. I’m trying to be patient…Little ones like you don’t live this long. Rocking….Forty minutes…. heart rate 50. She is exceeding any expectation I had of her. Rocking…Fifty minutes… heart rate 5. Fifty-three minutes… the heart beat became a flutter and stopped. Peace for this little person.Fifty-three minutes of rocking Camille. Sweet, strong Camille.It has been three years since Camille. I still get teary when I think about her. She taught me that there are still surprises to watch for. She confirmed for me that life is to be respected even when it isn’t perfect. I was humbled by her strength and beauty. Who knows what her sensory capabilities were? Was she comforted, possibly aware of her surroundings? Only she knows. I was given the honor to be with her. I rocked Camille. She is the reason I am a nurse.Note: This is a true account of my experience but I have changed some minor elements to prevent identification of the family involved.Thank you for understanding.