My decision to only have 2 kids

Growing up, I wanted 4 kids at least. When I got married I still wanted a large family. Being an only child with your only 1st cousin being 20 years younger was tough. I always wished I had siblings. After I had my daughter 6 years ago, my ideas of having lots of kids changed!

You may be asking yourself; What was so bad about your daughter that made you change your mind? The answer is not a thing! I decided then that maybe I really only wanted 1 child, and I was fine with that. I could devote every minute to making sure she knew how much I loved her. I could devote all of my time being the best Mom I could be. There are reasons for these feelings.

You see, when my daughter was born, she almost died. When you are a new Mom that had an uneventful pregnancy, aside from a subchorionic bleed when I was 3 months pregnant, you never imagine that you child will be born with a major defect. My daughter was born and didn't come out crying as I always imagine. Even though this was 6 years ago, it seems like yesterday. I constantly relive that day. She was blue, really really blue. I remember laying on the operating table watching them try making her "wake up". I remember saying over and over "is she ok", or "why isn't she crying". I remember they all kept saying "just focus on you, she will be ok". They kept standing in front of my face so I couldn't see. A few minutes later (which felt like an eternity), she cried, they wrapped her up and let me kiss her. Dave was able to hold her while they finished my surgery. We went to recovery and my parents were able to come back and see us. They held her, and I held her. It was amazing. 20 minutes later everything changed.

My Mom looked at me and said "she looks blue". I said (on a lot of pain meds), "she is fine". But Mom kept saying it over and over until the nurse stepped in. She put her stethoscope on the baby, and ran to the phone. When I say ran, she RAN. I have no clue who she called or what she said, I was so scared. She hung up, grabbed the baby from my Mom and listened again. Before I knew it, the baby was taken to the NICU.

The Neonatologist came by shortly after to talk to Dave and I. He said the babies heart rate was approaching 300 beats per minute. When the nurse called them, she said she stopped counting at 270 because she couldn't keep up with it. He told us they had her wrapped in ice, and on an IV. Shortly after her arrival there, they managed to get it under control, but if we waited much longer, she would have died. For her first year, we had cardiologist appointments, Digoxin twice a day, and we had to constantly listen to her heart rate. At 1 year old, she was cleared of her SVT.

It took me 4 years to be ready to have another child. We started feeling like there really was something missing. Bella was about 4 and a half when we began trying for number 2. We had no idea it would be so difficult to get pregnant the second time. It was over a year of doctor appointments, 2 pregnancy losses, and we were just about to give up when we found out we were pregnant.

Again other than some nausea, an uneventful pregnancy. He was also born via c-section, but 3 weeks early because I went into labor. he came out screaming and crying and I was elated. I watched them clean him up, check him over and I watched him stop breathing. How can this be happening again? Luckily the Neonatologist was already there because they wanted to observe him in case he also had SVT. He didn't. His lungs were not developed. Well, at first they said he had fluid in his lungs and would need to be on CPAP for a few days, then he developed a pneumothorax on his left side. The doctors tried to use a long needle and aspirate it, but it didn't work either time, it kept coming back bigger and bigger. They did a chest tube, and ventilator. He did well, and they turned off the suction. Then he started failing again. They added a second chest tube under the first and decided to let him heal and not rush. It took 1 week for the vent and tubes to come out and another week of teaching him to eat, and gain weight. When he was 15 days old we came home, the day before my due date.

It is now officially safe to say that there will be no more babies to be had by me! Emotionally I could never go through having another sick baby. After 2 babies almost die, then come out strong, we are way to blessed to chance it again. I have my girl and my boy and I am more than satisfied with that!

Dealing with Chaos...

 

When I was pregnant with my son, I never imagined the chaos that would begin in my house (life). Those of you who have known me pre-babies, you know how I love a clean, and organized house. Even as a Mom of one child, my house was always clean and tidy. Today is a totally different story..

I can barely remember to take clothes out of the wash, I can barely remember when the last time I really cleaned at all. I try, I really do, but as soon as 3:00 in the afternoon hits, the house is wrecked again. Books, boots, jackets, backpacks (both my daughters and my husbands), dishes, garbage to be brought out etc etc.. everyday.

Now, I'm not saying that a house shouldn't be lived in or enjoyed, but I'm also not saying that Mom should be the only one to clean up the mess. How do people do it? How are some houses so perfect all the time?!

I created a cleaning chart. Each day has a specific chore, with everyday having the basics. (beds made, kitchen cleaned, living room picked up). I think this will help make it not so overwhelming. I want to spend more time with my kids in the evening and not scrubbing the stove because my husband tried to make dinner and now there is sauce on my walls..

Another thing I never thought would happen to me- I am perfectly content staying in pajamas, yoga pants, or an ugly nightgown all day, every day. I will change to clean sweat pants to pick up my daughter at school, and get dressed up to go to work, but I want comfort always.

I learned to go out without makeup on (still always wear mascara and eyeliner), I have my messy, and my nails are not perfectly polished everyday anymore. It has become so common for me to look like this that when I put makeup on or do my hair, my daughter asks me where I'm going, or my husband does a double take and wonders what I'm up to..

I need to start remembering to take care of myself. I need to start “looking pretty” again. I need this house clean!

This starts now..ok well in an hour at my hair appointment!

What do you need to re-focus on?

What you see isn't always what you get..

Totally Random Thoughts for the Morning-

When you meet people, you often think you know all about them based on how they present themselves (looks, attitude etc). As humans we tend to flock to people that are like minded. Mom’s tend to hang out with other Mom’s, married couples like to be friends with other married couples etc. This has me thinking about myself. I have a handful of great friends, a few best friends and a couple of ladies that I consider my sisters. I wonder what people think about me when they first meet me? I’m sure I can come across as a bit stand offish at first, I may look like a snob, I sometimes look like a soccer mom, my appearance changes based on where I am and what I am doing.

Here are some random facts about me that you may not know:

1. I have 10 tattoos
2. I used to work at a hospital in the ICU, and one of my jobs was to bathe people that passed away before their families came to see them one last time.
3. I have only been in 2 long term relationships.
4. I have been friends with some of my friends since we were 6/7 years old.
5. I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder when I was 25. When I have anxiety, I sometimes pull my hair out.
6. I am terrified of bees, and when I hear one or see one I run indoors.
7. I love going on scary rides at amusement parks, but I sometimes will cry (or even start to faint), when waiting in line. I even rode Kingda Ka, which is the tallest, fastest roller coaster in North America. (0-128mph in 3,5 seconds).
8. I have seen the Dave Matthews band around 28-30 times.
9. I camped out on the streets of Albany for N*Sync tickets when I was in college. (not my proudest moment).
10. If you ever watched Mad TV, I can do a perfect Miss. Swan impression, especially after a drink or 2.
11. I can memorize any song or movie after hearing or seeing it once (sometimes twice)
12. I hate touching raw poultry or pork, and I used to have to wear gloves when I cooked it.
13. I love going to the beach, but will not swim in the water.
14. I can remember everything from any point in my life. (this is a good and bad thing)!
15. I like to buy “as seen on TV stuff” and when I was a kid I used to watch infomercials on a regular basis.

What do you think you are putting out there when you meet someone? What are some things about you that nobody would ever guess?

Just ponder that on this cold Monday!

Love the One You're With

Did you ever think about how lucky you really are?

For many years, I took advantage of what I have all around me.  I have amazing friends, a wonderful, supportive family, amazingly beautiful children, and a husband who is my best friend.

This post is all about my husband.

Dave and I met in 2004. Like many new relationships, we were pretty much attached at the hip right from the beginning. I was 22, he was 29. I was living at home with my parents, he had his own place in the same neighborhood. At first, we went out here and there, but we talked on the phone everyday, and at night if I didn’t see him we would stay up and talk for hours on the phone. (A few times we talked over 6 hours)! Pretty shortly after we were dating, Dave asked me to live with him. Of course I said yes, I mean I was basically living there already! Less than a year later we got engaged, married the following year, and the rest is history.

We had our daughter very shortly after we got married. We didn’t have the “newlywed” phase that I always here about, we didn’t get to go on our 1 year anniversary honeymoon because I was 8 months pregnant, but you know what? I wouldn’t change anything.

For a while I was jealous of my friends that traveled, bought houses, went out anytime they felt like it, basically resentful just because they were acting like early 20 something’s and I was a wife and a Mom.  I became pretty depressed, and I hid it from everyone, including my husband. I learned that there comes a point where you just can’t keep depression or anxiety from your spouse. At some point, they are either going to figure it out, or they are going to think you are just nuts. I’m pretty sure Dave thought both! Once I learned how to cope, I realized that my life was pretty darn good.  I wasn’t jealous anymore, I was happy and content with my own life.

By no means am I saying my marriage is perfect or ideal! Trust me, we have had lots of up’s and loads of down’s, but our love has always stayed strong. Dave understands me, he knows I have my moments, (he has them too), and even through those moments, he still loves me. Sometimes I think about everything we have been through in the last 2 years, and I wonder how on earth he could still love me, but he does. 

What I don’t think he knows, is how much I really appreciate him. The man works 6 days a week, comes home and takes care of 2 kids so I can work, relax or even go to bed. He supports every single crazy idea I have. He stands up for me when others don’t. He lets me cry, and gives me space when I don’t want to talk about why I’m crying. He lets me vent. He even sometimes picks up his own mess! All joking aside, he is a pretty awesome guy, and he isn’t bad to look at either (especially with his manly beard)!

So-

Dave if you are reading this (which you better be reading my blogs!), thank you for loving me. Thank you for supporting my goals. Thank you not giving up on us, when I was ready to. Thank you for giving me 2 stellar kids. Thank you for making me your wife. I love you sugar lips!

Reflections of 2013

As this year comes to a close, I find myself thinking about the past 12 months.

This year, by far as brought me many highs and many lows. The best parts are what make me sit and smile. I have a beautiful, healthy,happy baby boy, an amazing, smart, beautiful, and strong willed daughter. I have a husband who supports my decision to devote the majority of my life to my kids rather than work full time outside of the home, and who loves me no matter what my flaws, or what life has thrown our way,  and I have parents that have supported my crazy self for 31 years no matter what. These things make my heart happy.

For those of you who really know me, you know that this has also been one of the hardest years for me as well. Without going into details, I will say that this year has opened my eyes and made me a stronger person.

I am so thankful for old friendships, and for the new ones as well. It is such an amazing feeling that at 31 years old, I am finding new friends that I know will be around forever.

2014 will no doubt be a great year, I have goals in mind and I will reach each one of them. I will become an even better person, I will get back into shape, I will strive to be an even better mom and wife, I will not complain about my life (because what I have is really amazing), I will focus on me a little bit more, I will not let things bother me or take things so personally, and I will remember that things could be a lot worse and be thankful that I have a roof over my head, and an amazing family.

I can't wait to watch my son grow, (but not too fast)! I can't wait to continue to watch my daughter gain her independance and turn into a young lady (even though she would prefer to play in the dirt)! I can't wait to grow and stregthen my relationship with my husband, because after 2 kids, countless sleepless nights, work, and everything else that has been tossed our way, it is important to have time just the 2 of us (even if it's only once in a while when I can manage to stay up past 8)!

If you are reading this than I am thankful for you as well.

Have a wonderful Christmas and an even better New Year!

When will it stop?

It has been a very long time since I logged in and blogged.

I feel like the events in Connecticut this past Friday, have made me think a lot about life and I wanted to put what I am feeling “on paper”.

So much is going through my mind so much is hurting my heart. I realize that this is not the first time someone went into a school and started shooting.  I don’t know if this is affecting me more than the others because the children that were killed are so close in age to my own daughter, or because I’m older than I was when the others took place. Either way, it affected me.

To look at the faces of those innocent babies, kills me inside. To read stories about them makes me think of my own daughter. How would I deal with such tragedy?  How would I ever be able to breathe knowing that something like that happened to my baby. I can’t even begin to think about how scared those children and teachers were. And I can’t imagine what their last thoughts were.  I can’t imagine being a parent of a child at that school, or a parent of a one of the teacher’s that waited outside for someone that never came.

As much as I don’t want to watch the news about this anymore, I can’t seem to turn it off. This is how I am. I become glued to the news, I want answers, I want information. I did the same thing on September 11, 2001. And every year since, I watch shows about that day and can’t fathom it. I remember watching the news that day in 2001, and wondering how this could happen. I remember leaving St. Rose that morning and not turning the TV off for days. How can there be so much tragedy in the world? Why are all of these people that are innocent dying? It’s just not fair.

I will not let my daughter watch the news about the Connecticut shooting. Not because I want her to be sheltered from everything bad, but because I want to maintain her innocence. I don’t want her to worry about things the way I do. I want her to be excited to go to school everyday, even though I’m terrified (and have been long before last Friday).  I want her to continue to be a happy child, who only gets scared when I hide in the dark bedroom and jump out at her yelling “boo”. And as much as I get frustrated, or annoyed, I can’t imagine not having her here. I can’t imagine my life without being her Mom.

No child should be afraid to leave their home, especially to go to school.  I can say with 100% certainty that I feel like my daughter’s school is a safe place for her. I know the teachers would do the same thing that those amazing teachers did to protect their classes.

All I can do is pray that she will always be safe, and pray for those angels that are no longer here with their parents.

Psalm 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 23:4- Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall  fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me

I truly believe that God has a plan for everyone. We may not understand what that plan is, and sometimes we not even think that plan is fair. But it is His plan, and we have to accept whatever He plans for us. I will continue to believe that God will not give me what I cannot handle. Please pray for an end to this violence. Please remember the victims and not the murderer. Please pray for their families. I can only hope that someday, we will not have to see stories like this on the news anymore.

I made it to the Emerald City!

WOW! It’s amazing how fast time goes when you are busy! I had no idea that it has been over a month since I last blogged.

A lot has been happening for me. As far as my Beachbody business goes, I became an Emerald Coach this past week, which is so exciting for me. I have lost 18lbs and 11 total inches and am down 2 jean sizes! I absolutely love this company and what it is doing for my life both personally and financially.

My husband Dave also created an awesome website for my business. Check it out! www.teamjessfitness.com

I will most likely be using that site to blog rather than this site. It’s just easier to have only one and that way I won’t forget to write.

I can hope that more of my friends and family will start drinking Shakeology. If you don’t already know, it’s not just a weight loss shake! It is a total nutrition shake. So even if you don’t need to lose weight you can still drink it and get the great benefits. You just wouldn’t replace a meal with it.

I have had close to 11 people in the past month say they were interested in purchasing Shakeology, but when it came down to it, financially it was hard for them. 

I always get the question “How do you afford to drink Shakeology and be a Coach, PLUS have a separate order of shakes coming per month to use as samples”??  Well that’s an easy answer for me.  I am a stay at home mom. We have only 1 income coming into the house, and Shakeology is not cheap by an means, so to order 2 a month isn’t easy. However- my family no longer eats fast food (except on Saturday nights when we get a pizza because Dave works late), we no longer go to Dunkin Donuts everyday for a coffee (because the Shakeology gives us enough energy without needing caffeine),  and we consider the price of the Shakeology into our monthly grocery money. So when you break it down as a customer Shakeology costs $4 a day or $28 a week, as a coach $3 a day, $21 a week.  It is much cheaper than fast food or coffee runs.

I tell people that it is a financial investment for your body. And in my opinion I would rather be spending money on something that is going to keep me around for a long time than on something that is cutting my life short.

I swear by this stuff and I can only hope that ALL of my friends and family will swear by it too.

It has changed my life.