Saturday, April 14, 2001
I have been extremely busy doing day before Easter stuff. Dyed two dozen eggs....took us about 15 minutes....we warped through those things! I prepared as much dinner today as I possibly could. We are having friends for dinner and I don't like to be stuck in the kitchen any longer than I have to. I want to socialize and drink wine like everyone else! I am sitting here avoiding the ironing board. Marna's dress and Brody's shirt and pants have to be ironed. I HATE to iron pants. Mike will probably take pity on me and iron the pants for me if I bitch and moan enough! LOL After I get the ironing done, the Easter Bunny will arrive and I will probably hit the sack. I am tuckered out from Marna's sleepover. I am too old for this shit. They didn't go to sleep until 2:30 and woke up at 7:00. My eyelids are sinking slowing into the west.
I was looking through Marna's baby book this morning and found this. I'd forgotten I had written it.
Dear Marna,
Your first birthday! Can it be a year already since I saw the nurse check your "vitals" and proclaim, "It's a GIRL!"??
Daddy and I were thrilled! The nurse laid you on my stomach.... what a head of black hair you had! You opened your eyes and looked at me.....dark, brown eyes (and "they" say all babies are born with blue eyes). Your hair and eyes were so much darker than anyone in the family that Daddy and I used to say we wouldn't believe you were ours had we not been in the delivery room. We later found out that your coloring comes from Grandpop Russ' (my father and your middle name sake) side of the family.
You slept through the night right from the start. In fact the first couple of days, I thought there was something wrong with you, you slept so much. I didn't know how lucky I had it. At about 3 weeks, the colic set in. Boy, you could scream and scream and scream. Naps? Forget it! But luckily you still slept well at night.
You were so miserable with the colic that you weren't too happy an infant. Friends and family would turn themselves inside out trying to make you smile and laugh. Mostly, to no avail. The only person that seemed to make you happy consistently was your big brother, Brody. You have loved him from the moment you laid eyes on him.
You were so colicky we couldn't even take you to a restaurant without you screaming throughout our meal. Then around 5 1/2 months, when you began to sit up on your own and creep around on your tummy, your entire disposition changed. You turned into a smiling, laughing, big brown-eyed, wavy haired baby.
You are so much fun to be around! You are sometimes a little wreckless....you've broken 3 knick knacks at Grandmar's when her 3 grandsons have broken none! You love chasing Casper (Rooney is smart enough to hide from you!), saying your first word, "Cat, cat!". Brody's toys seem to be more fun to play with than your own and you delight in getting in his way when he tries to draw, build with Legos, etc. I think music is special to you. You dance and squeal when people sing or when you hear music from Brody's favorite TV shows, "Sesame Street" and "Barney".
I could probably write pages as to how much you have changed....a lot has happened in between your bawling infant stage and the present walking-explorer stage. But that's not my purpose in writing this.
I want you to know that Daddy and I are so happy that you are here. From the moment we discovered we were pregnant with you, through those colic months, until now....watching you begin to walk on your own...we have been thrilled to have you be a part of our family. I can't imagine the Coyne family without you.
We dream so much for you, Marna.....a world at peace, with no hunger, want or pollution. We dream of an educational system that will provide all students with an education that will prepare them for a productive life and the opportunity to obtain a college education regardless of their family income. We dream of a world without discrimination or prejudice. Mostly, we dream for you..... health, prosperity, and most importantly a life filled with love, respect and honesty.
Love......the most important part of a person's life. Love....that's what this letter is about.....how very much Daddy and I love you, no matter where you are or what you do.
Thank you so much for making us a complete family, Marna.
I will love you always and unconditionally,
Mommy
Dear Marna,
Your first birthday! Can it be a year already since I saw the nurse check your "vitals" and proclaim, "It's a GIRL!"??
Daddy and I were thrilled! The nurse laid you on my stomach.... what a head of black hair you had! You opened your eyes and looked at me.....dark, brown eyes (and "they" say all babies are born with blue eyes). Your hair and eyes were so much darker than anyone in the family that Daddy and I used to say we wouldn't believe you were ours had we not been in the delivery room. We later found out that your coloring comes from Grandpop Russ' (my father and your middle name sake) side of the family.
You slept through the night right from the start. In fact the first couple of days, I thought there was something wrong with you, you slept so much. I didn't know how lucky I had it. At about 3 weeks, the colic set in. Boy, you could scream and scream and scream. Naps? Forget it! But luckily you still slept well at night.
You were so miserable with the colic that you weren't too happy an infant. Friends and family would turn themselves inside out trying to make you smile and laugh. Mostly, to no avail. The only person that seemed to make you happy consistently was your big brother, Brody. You have loved him from the moment you laid eyes on him.
You were so colicky we couldn't even take you to a restaurant without you screaming throughout our meal. Then around 5 1/2 months, when you began to sit up on your own and creep around on your tummy, your entire disposition changed. You turned into a smiling, laughing, big brown-eyed, wavy haired baby.
You are so much fun to be around! You are sometimes a little wreckless....you've broken 3 knick knacks at Grandmar's when her 3 grandsons have broken none! You love chasing Casper (Rooney is smart enough to hide from you!), saying your first word, "Cat, cat!". Brody's toys seem to be more fun to play with than your own and you delight in getting in his way when he tries to draw, build with Legos, etc. I think music is special to you. You dance and squeal when people sing or when you hear music from Brody's favorite TV shows, "Sesame Street" and "Barney".
I could probably write pages as to how much you have changed....a lot has happened in between your bawling infant stage and the present walking-explorer stage. But that's not my purpose in writing this.
I want you to know that Daddy and I are so happy that you are here. From the moment we discovered we were pregnant with you, through those colic months, until now....watching you begin to walk on your own...we have been thrilled to have you be a part of our family. I can't imagine the Coyne family without you.
We dream so much for you, Marna.....a world at peace, with no hunger, want or pollution. We dream of an educational system that will provide all students with an education that will prepare them for a productive life and the opportunity to obtain a college education regardless of their family income. We dream of a world without discrimination or prejudice. Mostly, we dream for you..... health, prosperity, and most importantly a life filled with love, respect and honesty.
Love......the most important part of a person's life. Love....that's what this letter is about.....how very much Daddy and I love you, no matter where you are or what you do.
Thank you so much for making us a complete family, Marna.
I will love you always and unconditionally,
Mommy
It's almost midnight and I don't hear any noise coming from Marna's room. Of course, I am downstairs and she and Kaitlyn are upstairs, but it does sound quiet. Could they be asleep??
Marna is so thrilled Kaitlyn is staying overnight. It was Marna's wish for a 'birthday party". They have done some summer clothes modeling for us and have done a dance to an N'Sync song. The low point of the evening was being forced to sit there and watch a Mary Kate and Ashley video....GAG!
Oooops! Spoke too soon....I just heard Marna's belly laugh! LOL
Marna is so thrilled Kaitlyn is staying overnight. It was Marna's wish for a 'birthday party". They have done some summer clothes modeling for us and have done a dance to an N'Sync song. The low point of the evening was being forced to sit there and watch a Mary Kate and Ashley video....GAG!
Oooops! Spoke too soon....I just heard Marna's belly laugh! LOL
Friday, April 13, 2001
I didn't blog yesterday either.....this will have to be yesterdays entry! LOL
Brody was up overnight (Wed.) throwing up and had about 5 episodes of diarrhea. I got super concerned and decided this morning to take him to OUR doctor even though he had just seen another in the practice the day before. They had to squeeze us in, as it is bedlam there because one of the other doctor's in the practice is in the hospital....suffering the same bug that Brody has. The doctor has been in practice for 32 years and has never missed a day for sickness until this bug hit. The doctor had blood in his stool.....sorry I know that's TMI.....but just illustrating what we are dealing with. Thankfully Brody hasn't had that problem.
I told our doctor everything, including that I would feel better if he saw Brody. He has been Brody's doctor from the moment he was born. He doesn't have the greatest bedside manner, but he is great at diagnosis and treatment and that's why we go to the doctor. When I showed him the anti-diarrheal he said he doesn't prescribe those. He says he finds if one is treated with an anti-diarrheal it tends to keep the virus running longer because it slows down the bowels. Made perfect sense to me....so no more pills. He also said that he is a personal expert on gastro-intestinal bugs. LOL He went to medical school in Mexico.....he said he has had more than his share of awful diarrhea bugs from living and traveling through Mexico. He also said the World Health Organization, which deals mostly with diarrhea in 3rd world countries, also recommends to use no anti-diarrheal. I was convinced. So I am hoping this will finally get this nasty bug out of Brody and he can resume his normal life!!!
I spent the rest of the day trying to get the house cleaned for Marna's birthday and for Easter. I didn't succeed.....still have a lot to do tomorrow. (Friday.....remember this is Thursday's blog! LOL). I went to the Maundy Thursday Communion service alone at 7:30. After being with kids all week, it was particularly nice to sit alone in the pew and enjoy the service.
Much bigger turnout than I expected, I was surprised.
Brody was up overnight (Wed.) throwing up and had about 5 episodes of diarrhea. I got super concerned and decided this morning to take him to OUR doctor even though he had just seen another in the practice the day before. They had to squeeze us in, as it is bedlam there because one of the other doctor's in the practice is in the hospital....suffering the same bug that Brody has. The doctor has been in practice for 32 years and has never missed a day for sickness until this bug hit. The doctor had blood in his stool.....sorry I know that's TMI.....but just illustrating what we are dealing with. Thankfully Brody hasn't had that problem.
I told our doctor everything, including that I would feel better if he saw Brody. He has been Brody's doctor from the moment he was born. He doesn't have the greatest bedside manner, but he is great at diagnosis and treatment and that's why we go to the doctor. When I showed him the anti-diarrheal he said he doesn't prescribe those. He says he finds if one is treated with an anti-diarrheal it tends to keep the virus running longer because it slows down the bowels. Made perfect sense to me....so no more pills. He also said that he is a personal expert on gastro-intestinal bugs. LOL He went to medical school in Mexico.....he said he has had more than his share of awful diarrhea bugs from living and traveling through Mexico. He also said the World Health Organization, which deals mostly with diarrhea in 3rd world countries, also recommends to use no anti-diarrheal. I was convinced. So I am hoping this will finally get this nasty bug out of Brody and he can resume his normal life!!!
I spent the rest of the day trying to get the house cleaned for Marna's birthday and for Easter. I didn't succeed.....still have a lot to do tomorrow. (Friday.....remember this is Thursday's blog! LOL). I went to the Maundy Thursday Communion service alone at 7:30. After being with kids all week, it was particularly nice to sit alone in the pew and enjoy the service.
Much bigger turnout than I expected, I was surprised.
This was to be Wednesday's blog, but Blogger wouldn't cooperate.
Another boring day in the life of a boring homemaker. Brody had a relapse and I took him to the doctor. The doctor says everything feels, looks, and sounds normal....keep the meds up as needed and if it hasn't cleared up by Monday, we will have to delve deeper. I have every confidence it will be but a memory by Monday and that will be that.
Brody was home from school again today and Marna had only a half-day. I love having my kids home from school, but boy does it make me lazy!! I was gladly suckered into several board games, a few rounds of back tickling, had two books read to me, and was even persuaded to go to 7-11 for Slurpees. We discovered that 7-11 has a new cup with three different sections for 3 different flavors of Slurpee.....this is the second time this week they have had Slurpees.....we now have a Slurpee moratorium in place. You CAN have too much of a good thing! The cleaning didn't get done, but we had fun and tomorrow is another day........
Another boring day in the life of a boring homemaker. Brody had a relapse and I took him to the doctor. The doctor says everything feels, looks, and sounds normal....keep the meds up as needed and if it hasn't cleared up by Monday, we will have to delve deeper. I have every confidence it will be but a memory by Monday and that will be that.
Brody was home from school again today and Marna had only a half-day. I love having my kids home from school, but boy does it make me lazy!! I was gladly suckered into several board games, a few rounds of back tickling, had two books read to me, and was even persuaded to go to 7-11 for Slurpees. We discovered that 7-11 has a new cup with three different sections for 3 different flavors of Slurpee.....this is the second time this week they have had Slurpees.....we now have a Slurpee moratorium in place. You CAN have too much of a good thing! The cleaning didn't get done, but we had fun and tomorrow is another day........
Tuesday, April 10, 2001
Marna had to get two more teeth extracted today. Her eye teeth.....man, no wonder they call them canines....you should see the size of these babies!! Big, long honking teeth. The dentist said she is tough....didn't even flinch with the novacaine needles. Perhaps that's because she has become an old pro at this!! Her mouth looks really strange now.....she has one upper tooth where there should be 6 teeth! I know it's temporary, but still very funky looking.
Brody is bummed. He has been growing his hair out for a while....in fact it's totally in his eyes. He wanted to grow it to part it in the middle. He wore it to school today, parted in the middle, and told me kids said he looked like a girl! He now wants a hair cut. Middle school kids are ruthless!
Brody is bummed. He has been growing his hair out for a while....in fact it's totally in his eyes. He wanted to grow it to part it in the middle. He wore it to school today, parted in the middle, and told me kids said he looked like a girl! He now wants a hair cut. Middle school kids are ruthless!
Monday, April 09, 2001
Sunday, April 08, 2001
I posted this on the two sites I frequent, but figured I would blog about it just in case someone missed my posts.
I don't normally ask for this type of thing....but I would appreciate some good thoughts being sent Brody's way.
He has had diarrhea all day.....over 20 times! And has vomited around 5 times.
I gave him 2 Immodium tablets around 2 and an additional one around 5. Around 7, when that wasn't cutting it and he was still going, I called the doctor.
Of course we didn't get our doctor, but another in the practice that we have seen before. He said a gastro-intestinal thing is going around and he called up a stronger anti-diarrheal to the pharmacy.
I gave him the two and he promptly threw up. I didn't see it, but feel sure they came up and gave him two more. I hope I did the right thing...we have to get this to stop!!!
He doesn't seem to feel bad other than the stomach....but right before he went to bed he was fading, I imagine he is feeling very weak.
So, I would greatly appreciate some good thoughts and tummy healing vibes sent his way! THANKS!
I don't normally ask for this type of thing....but I would appreciate some good thoughts being sent Brody's way.
He has had diarrhea all day.....over 20 times! And has vomited around 5 times.
I gave him 2 Immodium tablets around 2 and an additional one around 5. Around 7, when that wasn't cutting it and he was still going, I called the doctor.
Of course we didn't get our doctor, but another in the practice that we have seen before. He said a gastro-intestinal thing is going around and he called up a stronger anti-diarrheal to the pharmacy.
I gave him the two and he promptly threw up. I didn't see it, but feel sure they came up and gave him two more. I hope I did the right thing...we have to get this to stop!!!
He doesn't seem to feel bad other than the stomach....but right before he went to bed he was fading, I imagine he is feeling very weak.
So, I would greatly appreciate some good thoughts and tummy healing vibes sent his way! THANKS!
Proud mommy moments this morning. Brody's Sunday School group painted flower pots and potted hyacinths in them. They were each given the names and addresses of two elderly shut-ins from our church. Brody delivered them and the ladies were just thrilled with him and the flower!! Afterwards, he said, "Man, that felt good to do that!"
On the first Sunday of Lent, the kids in our church are given cardboard collection boxes for "One Great Hour of Sharing", to collect for the needy. Marna asked Mike for her allowance this morning before church and said she would like it in change, if we had it. When I asked why, she said she wanted to put all of her allowance in her collection box.
All church stories today.....well, it is Sunday! LOL I am on the board of Deacons at our church and every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter we collect food and give it to needy families in the area. Mike and I volunteered to deliver collected food and an Easter ham to a family this morning. I knew it was going to be bad, but I had no idea......I was in shock at this run-down home. I felt good to be helping them with food, but I wish it were more.
It made me keenly aware of all I take for granted. Luckily, I have always lived a very comfortable life and have no first-hand knowledge of what true poverty is. This home was a reality smack in the face for me!! I vowed the moment we walked in the door, to make a conscious effort to NEVER take for granted what we have.....to be thankful for not being dealt a different hand of fate. I will be praying that life will suddenly be kinder to this particular family and that their wallets will soon be as full as their hearts.
On the first Sunday of Lent, the kids in our church are given cardboard collection boxes for "One Great Hour of Sharing", to collect for the needy. Marna asked Mike for her allowance this morning before church and said she would like it in change, if we had it. When I asked why, she said she wanted to put all of her allowance in her collection box.
All church stories today.....well, it is Sunday! LOL I am on the board of Deacons at our church and every Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter we collect food and give it to needy families in the area. Mike and I volunteered to deliver collected food and an Easter ham to a family this morning. I knew it was going to be bad, but I had no idea......I was in shock at this run-down home. I felt good to be helping them with food, but I wish it were more.
It made me keenly aware of all I take for granted. Luckily, I have always lived a very comfortable life and have no first-hand knowledge of what true poverty is. This home was a reality smack in the face for me!! I vowed the moment we walked in the door, to make a conscious effort to NEVER take for granted what we have.....to be thankful for not being dealt a different hand of fate. I will be praying that life will suddenly be kinder to this particular family and that their wallets will soon be as full as their hearts.