First, SCHOOL IS OUT FOR THE SUMMER! I survived my second semester of college, my first semester going as a full-time student! I didn't make any A's this semester, I made all B's. But managing a 3.0 GPA with rambunctious baby C, I am still pretty darn proud of myself!!
I have made the extremely hard decision to transfer from the four-year university that I am attending to a two-year technical college. My last day on campus a week and a half ago was bittersweet. I love the campus life atmosphere, which is something I am going to be missing out on being my new college doesn't even have dorms! STC bought the Dental Hygiene program (finally decided on my major) from ASU to bring in more students and obviously it's working! Becoming a dental hygienist is my short-term goal. I will make another post in a bit about my long term goal! :)
I am now a working mama! And guess what? I'm so lucky I can bring my kiddo to work with me! My second cousin just had a sweet baby girl. Let's call her A. A was born 6 weeks early. She's still an itty bitty thing even though she's a month old! In a week or so, her mama has to go back to work and I have been hired as A's official Nanny. I underwent training for infant CPR, infant Heimlich Maneuver, side-feeding, and other special premie care! C is slowly getting used to me having all of my attention on her during her changings and feedings, and I think the adjustment will continue to go smoothly.
Here's the bad news! I have had the hives for over two months now. After the first month, I visited the doctor because it became a growing concern. It's controlled with Hydroxizine and Allegra, BUT if I miss one dose, I'm all itchy, bumpy, red, and streaky again! Thus, the doctor ordered blood work to be done. Well, it came back today. And it showed a thyroid abnormality. (Prayers for this mama, please!) They didn't say if I am producing too much or too little of the thyroid hormones, but if I could guess, it's too little. I looked up the symptoms today and the hives are listed as a rare symptom and I've been experiencing a few of the more common symptoms, also, like: weight gain, fatigue, arthritis (in my knees - since I was 11, seriously 😕 - and thumb - recently, since I've had C), heavy menstural periods, and difficulty in concentrating and remembering things. The fatigue is bad, y'all. Honestly, I thought it was just from having an energetic toddler. I guess most people feel rested after 10 hours of sleep, regardless of having a toddler. Being exhausted a few hours later is not normal! I knew something has been up recently, I just didn't know what. Do you know what else I didn't know? Pregnancy can screw up your thyroid!!! I sure know now!!!
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
C is 16 Months Old! And I'm *this* much closer to finishing my second semester in college
A whole entire 16 months ago, I held him for the first time. I mean, really HELD him. Not in my tummy, in my arms. He was so tiny and so squishy and I was not tiny, but I sure was squishy. We have both come SO far. I often find myself wondering how in the hell we made it, but we sure did and we are going strong! He has taught me the true meaning of happiness and patience and he helped me discover the person God wanted me to be, and so so much more! I have learned so much and so has my sweet boy. He waves hello to everyone he sees, and also waves bye-bye. He blows kisses and smiles the sweetest little smiles: a shy smile and an overly-excited smile. There's no in-between folks! He talks all the time now, even though it's mostly a language that only he can understand. However, he can say a few words: hi, hey, bye, that, and HOT! Since he has been born, he's transitioned from breastmilk to formula, formula to solids, and now solids to only table foods! He's got eight little pearly whites and I'm almost positive he's currently working on more. A little strawberry-blonde curl has recently formed over his left ear and it's SO perfect. Yes, he's FINALLY getting hair! He is SO smart and SO curious and I love it. You can always see the wheels turning in his little head! He's got an attitude larger than a dinosaur and a personality of gold. Not to mention the fact that he flirts with every lady he sees! He runs faster than it looks like his little legs can go, and he runs EVERYWHERE. What is walking again? And he grabs anything and everything that is in reach. He has recently learned to hit, is *that kid* that throws himself on the floor when he doesn't get what he wants, and thinks it's hilarious to bite toes and splash half of the bath water out of the tub. But you know what? I love every little inch of him and I wouldn't trade him for the world! Happy 16 Months big boy!!! Mama loves you forever and always! ❤️
Sidenote: I'm am completely done with my Psychology class for this semester. One down, three more to go! I only have three more small assignments for English, and then two tests on Thursday - one for Quantitative Skills & Reasoning and one for Political History of America. Then, I have two finals next week, and then a two and a half week break before my first ever summer semester begins! I'm feeling so many mixed emotions about that: good and bad! I could definitely use some prayers!!! 😘
Sidenote: I'm am completely done with my Psychology class for this semester. One down, three more to go! I only have three more small assignments for English, and then two tests on Thursday - one for Quantitative Skills & Reasoning and one for Political History of America. Then, I have two finals next week, and then a two and a half week break before my first ever summer semester begins! I'm feeling so many mixed emotions about that: good and bad! I could definitely use some prayers!!! 😘
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker and TWO MORE WEEKS OF SPRING SEMESTER!!!
For the past week, continuing into this week and the next, I will be working my ass off. By this Friday, I have a reading response (no shorter than one page double-spaced) due on Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, two substantial responses to two of my classmates reading responses, an essay (5-6 pages) on the symbolism in The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, and three psychology chapters to complete (she gives us like 5 a week so this is usual).
So of course now is the perfect time to start reading a book for my recreational entertainment!
That's right. I started a book of my own personal choosing for the first time in forever. *Queue Frozen's "For the First Time in Forever"*
This evening I began to read 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker, a lovely Christian Author and Speaker. (Sidenote: You should really check out her Facebook page here because she's actually really cool and is not that in-your-face-about-the-Bible annoying Christian.) I have been trying to straighten out my relationship with the Lord. As I strengthen the tie between myself and the Lord, I feel myself grow stronger. Let me tell you, I have never (and I mean NEVER) ventured into the Christian section of the bookstore. Because honestly are the books really interesting at all? I can tell you right now, yes, Yes, YES!
Jen Hatmaker's book originally popped out to me because I recognized her name. Four die-hard Catholics on my Facebook page "like" Jen's page, which is actually why I recognized her name. Well, I picked up the book to see what it all was about: "Jesus, may there be less of me and my junk and more of You and Your kingdom" all through the number seven (Hatmaker 5). For thirty days in sets of seven, Jen (and sometimes her husband and children) eliminate excess in certain areas of their lives. One area was focused on spending, and my boyfriend and I were just talking about creating a strict budget to follow. Thus, I made my purchase! So far, I've only read through the first two months.
Month One: Food, where Jen chose to eat nothing but chicken, spinach, whole wheat bread, eggs, sweet potatoes, apples, and avocados, only drinking water and only allowing seasoning with olive oil and salt and pepper - let me tell you, she got creative! Every time Jen would get sick of eating the things she chose to eat for the 30 day period, she would pray and would remind herself that she still has so much more to be thankful for.
In chapter two, Month Two: Clothes, Jen chose seven articles of clothing. Here, underwear, a bra, and socks did not count. Because she had speaking events that month Jen was careful with her clothing selection. She chose two short sleeve t-shirts, one long sleeve t-shirt, a pair of jeans, a pair of sweatpants, and two pairs of shoes (one for daily wear and one for events, so technically she had more than seven, but due to circumstances, the flexibility had to budge slightly). Jen said she actually enjoyed this month because she isn't one to get fancy anyway.
At 2:30 AM, I am simply too exhausted to read another page in this fabulous book, but I cannot wait to continue reading tomorrow.
So of course now is the perfect time to start reading a book for my recreational entertainment!
That's right. I started a book of my own personal choosing for the first time in forever. *Queue Frozen's "For the First Time in Forever"*
This evening I began to read 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker, a lovely Christian Author and Speaker. (Sidenote: You should really check out her Facebook page here because she's actually really cool and is not that in-your-face-about-the-Bible annoying Christian.) I have been trying to straighten out my relationship with the Lord. As I strengthen the tie between myself and the Lord, I feel myself grow stronger. Let me tell you, I have never (and I mean NEVER) ventured into the Christian section of the bookstore. Because honestly are the books really interesting at all? I can tell you right now, yes, Yes, YES!
Jen Hatmaker's book originally popped out to me because I recognized her name. Four die-hard Catholics on my Facebook page "like" Jen's page, which is actually why I recognized her name. Well, I picked up the book to see what it all was about: "Jesus, may there be less of me and my junk and more of You and Your kingdom" all through the number seven (Hatmaker 5). For thirty days in sets of seven, Jen (and sometimes her husband and children) eliminate excess in certain areas of their lives. One area was focused on spending, and my boyfriend and I were just talking about creating a strict budget to follow. Thus, I made my purchase! So far, I've only read through the first two months.
Month One: Food, where Jen chose to eat nothing but chicken, spinach, whole wheat bread, eggs, sweet potatoes, apples, and avocados, only drinking water and only allowing seasoning with olive oil and salt and pepper - let me tell you, she got creative! Every time Jen would get sick of eating the things she chose to eat for the 30 day period, she would pray and would remind herself that she still has so much more to be thankful for.
In chapter two, Month Two: Clothes, Jen chose seven articles of clothing. Here, underwear, a bra, and socks did not count. Because she had speaking events that month Jen was careful with her clothing selection. She chose two short sleeve t-shirts, one long sleeve t-shirt, a pair of jeans, a pair of sweatpants, and two pairs of shoes (one for daily wear and one for events, so technically she had more than seven, but due to circumstances, the flexibility had to budge slightly). Jen said she actually enjoyed this month because she isn't one to get fancy anyway.
At 2:30 AM, I am simply too exhausted to read another page in this fabulous book, but I cannot wait to continue reading tomorrow.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
A Short Overview of the Past Almost-Year! :)
I'm going to go ahead and cover a large amount of material in this blog entry.
1) I am now receiving child support from C's father. Getting drunk on Spring Break is more important to him than seeing his son's 2nd Easter. He never sees him. He is always busy when I need him to watch C for a few hours. He never asks to see C. Long story, short - E and I still aren't on very great terms.
2) I am in a relationship with someone who is in LOVE with C. He is absolutely wonderful to us both. I will go ahead and call him CM because his first name starts with the same letter as C's ;)
3) I started running an eBay business with mine and C's old items because we've got so much junk hanging around. It's actually done extremely well and I made $300+ in the first 30 days of selling. :)
4) C turned the big O-N-E at the very tail-end of 2014. December 27th, to be exact. We had his birthday party two weeks late, though, due to so many family attendance conflicts. His Godparents got married on January 1st of this year, so all through December we had Bridal Showers and Rehearsals and Rehearsals Dinners, etc. Then, half of my family went on a cruise the week after the wedding. We finally were able to have it mid-Janurary. We still have his birthday banner up and I don't have the heart to take it down. We had a very small, simple get together with family and close friends. We got a cake and smash cake from Walmart. C cried when we put his hand in the smash cake. We also bought pizza from Little Caesars, and thus C was introduced to his favorite food. :)
5) C was finally Baptized into the Catholic Church on March 21, 2015. C's dad did attend and did take part in the ceremony, although he looked kinda sloppy. He was there. That's what matter. C's Godparents are the sweetest things! His godfather is my cousin and his godmother is his wife. They just married as mentioned before, but have been together for seven years. They started a savings account for him. After the ceremony, we went to a local park to grill out and celebrate. C's dad didn't attend this part. We had hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, pasta salad, a pull apart cupcake cake in the shape of a cross made by the delicious Bakery up the street, chips, and soft drinks. C had fun eating, opening some lovely gifts, and chasing the ducks :)
6) YES! C can walk now. He began at 9 months, 5 days!
7) C is now almost 16 months. How has almost an entire year passed since I updated this blog? I need to get with the program!! C is such an intelligent little ham and he is just such a joy to have around! Most of the time, that is! ;) He can utter a few words, like: hot, hey, hi, mama, da (that), s'at? (what's that?), and oo-at (and he points...that means "look at that"). He wears 12-18, 18, and even some 24 months clothes. He is now in a 5.5-6 size shoe and sure knows how to use his feet to run all over the place! He is a curious little fellow and is into EVERYTHING. He likes real remote controls and plastic cups more than any toy I have ever purchased for him. He gives adorable open mouthed kisses and has eight pearly whites! We are completely off the bottle and have been since the day he hit a year old. We have pretty much been weaned from baby food to table foods since then, as well. He still LOVES his paci, and I am going to begin weaning him from it in two more months. Once he gets used to having the paci only during night-night time, we will begin potty training. Hopefully. Maybe not. ;)
8) I have two more weeks of my second semester of college and then in June I begin my first Summer course. This particular course will last 3 & 1/2 weeks and then I will begin another 3 & 1/2 week course a week after the first one finishes. A week after my summer courses are complete, I will be entering my fourth semester of college this Fall as a full time student with the smallest full-time course load allowed. Currently, I am still undecided, but I am considering being a teacher in elementary school. I still have another semester to figure out exactly what I want to Major in though.
9) Baby Fever is real and anyone who says any different is a liar. Multiple people on my Facebook friends list are expecting. One of my close friends is currently trying for #2 with her husband (they were just married yesterday!!) and she has been taking pregnancy tests every weekend for the past six weeks. Another friend of mine is getting married ASAP when her fiancé comes back from his deployment with the Navy and they have decided to start trying right after the wedding. I just keep telling myself patience is a virtue. I need a degree before I need baby #2! Four more years to go!!
10) Recently, I have really felt like I have found myself again. When I was with E, I was looking for love in all of the wrong places and it led me to a really dark spot in my life. I honestly think that God graced me with my beautiful child because He knew that is what I needed to become the person He wants me to be. Connor and I try to make it to church as much as possible. (CM would go with us, but he goes with a little old lady to her church every Sunday and that just makes me smile). I have started reading "Small Steps for Catholic Moms" by Danielle Bean and it just sets a wonderful mood for each day. CM and I have decided we want to take things slowly. I told him I wanted to wait to have sex until we marry, if we do. (A secret from me to you? I hope we do.) I explained I really needed to prove to myself that I am worth the wait and that I have self control. He was all for it and loved that I wanted to wait.
So there's an update on our lives. I definitely plan on keeping this updated more often! But now that it's 2 AM, I think it's time for me to call it a night!
1) I am now receiving child support from C's father. Getting drunk on Spring Break is more important to him than seeing his son's 2nd Easter. He never sees him. He is always busy when I need him to watch C for a few hours. He never asks to see C. Long story, short - E and I still aren't on very great terms.
2) I am in a relationship with someone who is in LOVE with C. He is absolutely wonderful to us both. I will go ahead and call him CM because his first name starts with the same letter as C's ;)
3) I started running an eBay business with mine and C's old items because we've got so much junk hanging around. It's actually done extremely well and I made $300+ in the first 30 days of selling. :)
4) C turned the big O-N-E at the very tail-end of 2014. December 27th, to be exact. We had his birthday party two weeks late, though, due to so many family attendance conflicts. His Godparents got married on January 1st of this year, so all through December we had Bridal Showers and Rehearsals and Rehearsals Dinners, etc. Then, half of my family went on a cruise the week after the wedding. We finally were able to have it mid-Janurary. We still have his birthday banner up and I don't have the heart to take it down. We had a very small, simple get together with family and close friends. We got a cake and smash cake from Walmart. C cried when we put his hand in the smash cake. We also bought pizza from Little Caesars, and thus C was introduced to his favorite food. :)
5) C was finally Baptized into the Catholic Church on March 21, 2015. C's dad did attend and did take part in the ceremony, although he looked kinda sloppy. He was there. That's what matter. C's Godparents are the sweetest things! His godfather is my cousin and his godmother is his wife. They just married as mentioned before, but have been together for seven years. They started a savings account for him. After the ceremony, we went to a local park to grill out and celebrate. C's dad didn't attend this part. We had hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, pasta salad, a pull apart cupcake cake in the shape of a cross made by the delicious Bakery up the street, chips, and soft drinks. C had fun eating, opening some lovely gifts, and chasing the ducks :)
6) YES! C can walk now. He began at 9 months, 5 days!
7) C is now almost 16 months. How has almost an entire year passed since I updated this blog? I need to get with the program!! C is such an intelligent little ham and he is just such a joy to have around! Most of the time, that is! ;) He can utter a few words, like: hot, hey, hi, mama, da (that), s'at? (what's that?), and oo-at (and he points...that means "look at that"). He wears 12-18, 18, and even some 24 months clothes. He is now in a 5.5-6 size shoe and sure knows how to use his feet to run all over the place! He is a curious little fellow and is into EVERYTHING. He likes real remote controls and plastic cups more than any toy I have ever purchased for him. He gives adorable open mouthed kisses and has eight pearly whites! We are completely off the bottle and have been since the day he hit a year old. We have pretty much been weaned from baby food to table foods since then, as well. He still LOVES his paci, and I am going to begin weaning him from it in two more months. Once he gets used to having the paci only during night-night time, we will begin potty training. Hopefully. Maybe not. ;)
8) I have two more weeks of my second semester of college and then in June I begin my first Summer course. This particular course will last 3 & 1/2 weeks and then I will begin another 3 & 1/2 week course a week after the first one finishes. A week after my summer courses are complete, I will be entering my fourth semester of college this Fall as a full time student with the smallest full-time course load allowed. Currently, I am still undecided, but I am considering being a teacher in elementary school. I still have another semester to figure out exactly what I want to Major in though.
9) Baby Fever is real and anyone who says any different is a liar. Multiple people on my Facebook friends list are expecting. One of my close friends is currently trying for #2 with her husband (they were just married yesterday!!) and she has been taking pregnancy tests every weekend for the past six weeks. Another friend of mine is getting married ASAP when her fiancé comes back from his deployment with the Navy and they have decided to start trying right after the wedding. I just keep telling myself patience is a virtue. I need a degree before I need baby #2! Four more years to go!!
10) Recently, I have really felt like I have found myself again. When I was with E, I was looking for love in all of the wrong places and it led me to a really dark spot in my life. I honestly think that God graced me with my beautiful child because He knew that is what I needed to become the person He wants me to be. Connor and I try to make it to church as much as possible. (CM would go with us, but he goes with a little old lady to her church every Sunday and that just makes me smile). I have started reading "Small Steps for Catholic Moms" by Danielle Bean and it just sets a wonderful mood for each day. CM and I have decided we want to take things slowly. I told him I wanted to wait to have sex until we marry, if we do. (A secret from me to you? I hope we do.) I explained I really needed to prove to myself that I am worth the wait and that I have self control. He was all for it and loved that I wanted to wait.
So there's an update on our lives. I definitely plan on keeping this updated more often! But now that it's 2 AM, I think it's time for me to call it a night!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)