Whirlwind of a month...

Antibiotics, doctor's office, urgent care, sleepless nights, fever, teething...all of these words have been essential to the Dunn Family's vocabulary this past month.

It all started with a small cough and a runny nose and Eli's 9 month check-up.  Great! We thought...he has a doctor's appointment scheduled anyway, we can kill 2 birds with one stone and get this cold checked out as well as get his 9 month stats.  WRONG!  We should have known better right there.  What started as the "common cold" by the end of that week turned into an upper respiratory infection and double ear infections.  Then what started as daddy not feeling well turned into the flu... and THEN what turned out as mommy's throat hurting turned into strep throat and tonsilitis. 

I think this was one of the hardest weeks to survive that I can remember in a LONG time. It's hard caring for a hurting child when your husband and yourself are exhausted and feeling miserable too.  Although it was tough...we made it!  10 days of antibiotics for everyone and poof we were all better...

...NOT!  After that round, Eli still wasn't himself.  I know all mothers think their children are the best, but honestly Eli rarely cries. If he does, something is wrong.  He is a happy child 99% of the time.  So, with fevers and a grumpy child, we head to urgent care #1 we go because of course he got worse on a Friday night when nothing else was open...at 7:00 at night.  After an hour or so we finally get home with round #2 of antibiotic(stronger this time) for our little man because his ear infections were still not cleared up and he had another virus...

...but wait, that's not it!  On day 9 of the antibiotic, we notice Eli's cheeks were extremely red.  He has eczema on them so occasionally it flares up so we put our usual cream on it and then waited.  But soon the redness turned into bumps, and the bumps turned into welps, and the welps began to spread...oh boy...

...so it's Sunday (today) and here we go heading to Nite Lite Pediatrics Urgent care because it's the ONLY place open and by the time we could get there, Eli was covered from head to toe in crazy red bumps.  I mean everywhere, even on the palms of his hands and the soles of his feet.  He was so pityful looking...but he was a trooper.  The doctor had never seen a reaction that bad he said, SO it was determined that because Eli has been on antibiotics for such a long period of time, that his body could not handle the penicillin built up and was having a reaction.  So after a steriod dose and instructs of benadryl, motrin and tylenol...yet again we head home.  We drove away and as I looked at Kevin I thought, "Do we ever get a break?"  "What are we doing wrong?"  "I hate seeing our child hurting!"

Then I come home and I read a blog in which a couple I know is expecting their bundle of joy and only halfway through the pregnancy, they find out their child will have spinal bifida (Spelling?).  Puts things into perspective REAL quick.  I love my son as much as the next mommy and it physically makes me sick in my stomach when he is hurting.  I wish it was me, I want to take away the pain and I want him to just smile again...but that makes colds and rashes easy to deal with.  So in the grand scheme of things, I'm going to choose to be positive and say "Thank you GOD for only giving me this to deal with instead of so much more.  I am truly blessed."

BUT...what now?

     I am writing this post because I never want to forget how I feel at this moment in time.  On Monday, my daily life will be changing into something different than I've known for a while now.  I will be starting training for yet another new school (this will be my 4th) in yet another new location and this time for a new position!  I probably could teacher the new teacher training seminar at this point.  I've always said that middle school was the one place I would never go, but it's like they say, "never say never" because that's exactly where I'm going.  I'll be teaching a 6th, 7th, and 8th grade music appreciation class, as well as directing a 7th and 8th grade chorus.  Although I know the attitudes and puberty changes will be trying at times, I am very excited about the musical possibilities that aren't always there in elementary school.  BUT, Where does this leave Eli?

                                                                         
     Well, on Monday, Eli will be starting daycare.  I honestly think that this will be good for him.  I LOVE my son more than anything, but he is very dependent on me and very attached to me and although I know that some separation anxiety is normal, he's got it pretty bad.  BUT, look at our situation : Kevin and I live in Florida, alone, and so all Eli knows is his mom & dad because we don't do date nights and get babysitters unless the grandparents are in town.  Eli will be in a super small class (he'll be 1 of 4 kids) in a Christian setting and 2 of the other babies are around his age.  He loves playing with the kids that I nanny so I think it will be good for him to babble, scoot, and drool with the other little ones as well.  The daycare is only about 5 minutes from our house and the people we have spoken with and met are very friendly.  BUT, what about mommy?

                                                                     
     As excited as I am about being a teacher again, my heart is breaking.  Since we moved here I have been out of the working world and for the past almost 9 months I have been a mama to the most wonderful child God could have ever chosen to give us.  I have seen every milestone, wiped every tear, heard every giggle and learned what every sound that he makes means.  I am so thankful for the past 9 months and realize that most moms would give anything to have that time instead of 6-12 weeks, but that doesn't make this any easier for me right now.  Will Eli think I abandoned him on Monday when he wants to nap and he's crying for me and I'm not there?  Will he sleep a wink or cry until he makes himself sick?  I know all moms who've had to leave their baby have experienced this so I know I will make it and children bounce back quicker than we give them credit for and Eli will adapt a lot quicker than I will, but come Monday, the changes will be a reality.  As long as Eli knows that mommy is doing this to make his life and future better, than I can sleep ok.  BUT, you best believe one thing...come Monday night, Eli will be squeezed a little tighter, held a little longer and maybe even kept up a little later so that he KNOWS that his mommy and daddy love him to the moon and back.  Mommy & daddy may even be fighting over Eli time once he's picked up.  BUT, we thank GOD everytime we look at our son because we know how precious this little life is and what a gift children really are. We love you Eli!

I love our little family and can't wait to watch it grow!

                                                     

ch,ch,ch changes...

As first time parents, everything that Eli does is new and exciting, but this lately it's so many different things!  I'm not sure when it happened (overnight really) but our precious little boy is just checking off so many milestones lately.  Everyday is something new.  Here is what has been happening:

• He's been able to roll over for a long time now, but now it's rolling everywhere. There is no laying on his back anymore.  If you lay him down on a blanket, he will roll from one side of the room to the other.  The changing table is quite the adventure now. :)
• He can sit up on his own now, without any help.
• If he is rolling over, he is all about laying on his stomach.  While there, he tries to get moving with his feet kicking like crazy, but so far he has only accomplished some scooting.  But he is one determined little boy.
• He LOVES to be in his walker on our hardwood floors and can go anywhere, I mean ANYWHERE, he wants to.  He can go backwards, forwards, turn circles, back up and reach anything he wants.  He can go in and out of any room and if he could open doors, we'd REALLY be in trouble because I think he would live on our patio.  We are already having to baby proof our house because his little hands try to reach picture frames, outlets, kitchen cabinets, muffin's dog food...you get the point and we've only just begun!
• He can give you "high fives."  He then proceeds to scream with excitement because he is so proud of himself.
• His latest achievement is waving.  He hasn't quite mastered this yet, but he practices all of the time.  As he's falling asleep his little wrist is twisting and his hand is opening and closing.  Before now, it has had a little pageant twist going on, but he finally mastered it today and waved to his daddy from across the room.
• AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST....we have heard those precious words... MaMa & DaDa... He did say MaMa first, BUT he has been all about saying DaDa these past 2 days, which makes Kevin very happy.  Laying in his crib this morning, Kevin & I woke up to the sound of DaDa coming from Eli.  Music to our ears...

...our baby boy is only half a year old and has accomplished so much...I can't imagine what he will be doing when he's a year.  He is such a joy and I cannot imagine our lives without him.  He laughs and squeals and is such a happy baby that he makes it easy being his mommy and daddy. 

Mother's Day

My first mother's day...words cannot even express how full of love my heart has been today.  Some people may think it is silly.  I mean we are mother's everyday so why do we need a specific day dedicated to us?  It's not the gifts that we got (a beautiful diamond necklace to remember my first mother's day) or the "down-time" our husbands gave us.  It's the fact that before now, it was always a time to make sure we told our own mother's "thank you" for all that they do for us. And now, this time, we are being told thank you and beginning a beautiful journey of raising a child.  One that we do not deserve, but that we are trusted with.  It is the most precious, rewarding and difficult thing we will ever do.  The job will never end but continue on for as long as we are allowed on Earth, because my mother is still there for me and I'm almost 30!

I do have to say one more thought that fills my heart though.  I read a status a moment ago of a dear friend and it said she was, "praying for all of the people longing to be a mother because it was a difficult place to be."  That really got me thinking and she is exactly right.  I've been at the place where you decide to try and have a baby, but you are so anxious and want it so badly that you just worry for some reason you can't have a child. Then I've been "there"...so close to being a mother, but losing a precious baby.  All I wanted so badly was to be a "mom."  To have those big, innocent eyes looking up at me, waiting for me to say something, and then giving me the sweetest smile in return.  But it wasn't in God's plan for that to happen at THAT time.  Fortunately, God blessed me and allowed me to be a mother in HIS time though and it was worth the wait and everything Kevin & I went through to get here.  So today, I am more thankful than I have ever been to be a mommy to my precious son, Eli.  And I do wonder about my angel in heaven (whether it was a boy or girl...what they would look like)...But I, too, am praying for anyone longing for this experience and hoping that your prayers are answered.  Just remember, it is in God's time and in HIS hands.  We don't always know why things happen, but we must have faith that there is a reason for everything. 

Babies, Babies Everywhere...

So before anyone freaks out...it's not me with a baby (besides Eli...who is quickly turning into a little boy).  However, I have SO many friends & people I know who are expecting little bundles of joy in the near future and I am absolutely loving it.  I think any woman who has or wants a child gets so happy and excited for people they know who are going to get to experience the joys of being a mommy.  Kevin says that I get so excited it's like I'm the one having the baby, but I am just truly overjoyed for them. 

I have always loved kids, worked with them and wanted to have them for as long as I can remember.  My biggest fear for a while was what if I couldn't have kids, what would I do then?  Then Kevin & I got pregnant, but we lost our first baby.  When that happens, it definitely puts things into perspective and you see just how PRECIOUS being pregnant, carrying a child, and holding that tiny baby in your arms is.  Then when you get that child that God wanted you to have, everything you went through is worth it and although you might have unanswered questions, you're ok with it.

SO, with all that said...I get excited because when a friend is pregnant you get to hear the details, and when you hear them you remember every step of your pregnancy that you forget so quickly when your baby gets here.  The first time you felt them kick, what you craved or what made you sick, when you heard their heartbeat or saw the ultrasound for the first time and the dr's had to explain what the alien looking parts were.  Those things fill your heart up with love the first time you experience it with each child, and then again when you look back on them as well.  THAT'S why I get excited for everyone and what they are going through.  Not only that but it is an emotional rollercoaster the first time so having a friend that has been there, done that, is the best thing that a friend can provide you with.  Google and pregnancy books scare you to death, so find someone who will you tell you like it is and ask away(in pregnancy there really are NO dumb questions).  Whatever you've done in life, there is nothing like it (whether it's a smooth or bumpy pregnancy).  ENJOY IT, WRITE THINGS DOWN, & TAKE PICTURES!  You will love having them later...trust me. 

What in the world?!?!

So I just noticed that I haven't updated my blog since December 2011.  What in the world could have me so busy that I can't just sit down and type away for an hour about life?  OH YEAH...that's right...my precious baby boy.  Eli Wayne Dunn...my pride and joy... the center of my world (other than my husband)... is seriously growing like a weed.  When you are pregnant with your first child everyone says, "Enjoy every moment...because they grow up so fast..." Here is living proof...

I mean seriously, when did he get to where he can sit propped up by himself?

And when did he stop needing to sit in in the carseat in the stroller with the extra head support to make sure that his neck is straight up?  This picture was taken this past Sunday.  We decided to go to Hollywood Studios for the first time and he LOVED it.  He smiled at every person that passed by.  He layed back and chilled for the ride all afternoon long.

These 2 boys are the light of my life.  They make every day brighter and put a smile on my face no matter what.  So what is the point of this blog?  I look across the couch tonight and I see my sweet husband (the best daddy there could ever be...besides mine) relaxing with our son asleep in his arms and I say, "Enjoy every minute of every day...even the bad ones....because it is true, it is NOT a cliche...children grow up WAY too fast and before you know it they are sitting in high chairs eating solid food, rolling from one side of the room to the other, scooting on their stomachs, and belly laughing at jokes like they understand what you are saying."  As each stage goes by my heart saddens for my "baby" boy, but leaps with excitement for the next part of our adventure as parents.  Raising a child is a true GIFT from God...