As 2011 comes to a close I find myself reflecting on how this year has been like no other.  From the pregnancy, delivery, sickness, NICU, homecoming, smiles, giggles, crawling and saying “momma and dada”, I feel so lucky to have experienced it all. 

Some of the December highlights include:

Crawling

Walking the perimeter of the crib/playpen

Saying momma and dada

Eating 4 meals a day instead of 3

Having the patience to have mommy and daddy read a children’s book cover to cover in one sitting

Playing with Dixie’s tail (our cat)

Sleeping through the night- finally!

Jonah and I are constantly overwhelmed by the sheer joy that Graham brings to our life.  Who would have thought a tiny baby could develop such personality at only 7 months of age?  Last year at Christmas time I was anticipating the arrival of our third family member and wondering what Christmas 2011 would include.  I never would have predicted a love this strong for the little guy!

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!  Many good wishes for 2012!

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for this year, specifically my healthy son, great friends, and my wonderful family.  I am thankful for my new future sister-in-law.  Good job, Evan!  I am thankful that the NICU days are behind us and Graham is in wonderful health.  I am thankful for my job where I get to do meaningful work every day and get paid for it.  I am thankful that I come home to a warm house where my son gives me endless smiles and giggles.

In a world where Wall Street has made record profits while the average American is living paycheck to paycheck and where scandals are buried for years at the expense of protecting our children, I am thankful.  In my little world, I still have faith in humanity and see goodness and selflessness every day.  From our family to yours, have a blessed and safe Thanksgiving.

 Starved Rock

 Starved Rock

 Graham's first Halloween

 Big boy standing in his play pen!

 All smiles!

 

 

Congrats to Evan and Jackie on their engagement!



Catching up with great friends!

A New Generation

What do you get when you mix ten great grand kids, cookies, hot dogs, juice boxes and a perfectly sunny day?  Answer: chaos and memories!

My parents hosted a family gathering this past Saturday in Illinois.  A great time was had by all.  We sorely missed Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Tingley.  We know how much these family gatherings have meant to them over the years.  My dad prayed a heartfelt prayer, just as Grandpa Tingley would have, right before dinner. 

I was able to snap a few pictures!  Being a mom means less camera time and more time changing diapers and kissing cheeks!  

Parenting 101

I will say this about parenting: I don’t know what I am doing.  If you think it looks like I know what I am doing that’s because I am faking it.  This child is a beautiful mystery to me in so many ways. 

For those of you who know me well, you know I am a “list” person.  Here is a list of what Graham has taught me about parenting and love in the three short months we have had together.

1. You never get to drink your coffee while it’s hot.

2. Cooking a healthy meal means driving to subway for a low fat foot long.

3. It’s perfectly normal to go through four diapers with just one (yes just one) diaper change.

4. And another thing about diapers…sometimes it really is a two person job!

5. Never get too attached to an outfit- it will inevitably get spit up on.

6. You know you are having a good day when you get a chance to take a shower.

7. It’s amazing how many chores you can get done with just one free hand.

8. Some days going to work feels like a vacation

9. You immediately feel ten years younger when you get a chance to go out with your friends!

10. Sleep is a privilege, not a right.

11. You are guaranteed a certain amount of “worry”, everyday, for the rest of your life.

12. You have never known truer, unconditional love.

13. You will do anything and everything to make your baby smile because it's the most beautiful thing in the whole world.

14. You desperately want your baby to stay a BABY because you know their life will never be this simple again.

15. You start to realize how amazing the world really is because you see it through a baby’s eyes! Imagine what every new color, sound, and taste is like to a baby?!

16. You know when you look in your baby’s eyes how smart they really are.

17. Grandparents are angels sent from Heaven.

18. You swore you wouldn’t be one of “those parents” that does baby talk but here you are….

19. With every new thing your baby learns you have mixed feelings.  On one hand it is so amazing to watch them learn, but they really do grow so fast.

20. All of the books you read about parenting are useless; it’s all trial, error, and observation. 

I found this quote today:

 “When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”- Sophia Loren

I am so thankful to Graham for teaching me so many valuable lessons about love.

It started with the jeans.....

Since the birth of my son I have been lazy.  Not lazy in the sense that I haven't been taking care of him, doing 3 loads of laundry a day, cleaning the house with a baby in one arm and the vacuum in the other, and going back to work.  Rather, lazy in the sense that I haven't taken very good care of myself.  While on maternity leave I spent most days in my sweats with no make up.  Putting on real clothes just wasn't a priority and I was/am perfectly OK with that.

Last night, however, was my first night out with the girls since his delivery! I came home from work and promptly started looking through my closet (after I smooched Graham of course!)  Hmm..what to wear?  Then I saw them in the back of my closet.  My favorite black skinny jeans that hadn't seen the light of day in a year!  They looked so dusty and lonely in my closet.  Could I fit in them I asked myself?  No.  Will I try and risk rejection?  Absolutely.  As soon as I got them over my hips I allowed myself a small glimmer of hope.  I inhaled deeply as I went for the button out of both anticipation and an attempt to shrink my waistline.  OMG they fit!  Oh thank you elliptical machine!

The jeans affected my entire mood.  Suddenly I was in the car listening to my favorite station loud with the windows down on the way to meet my friends for dinner.  I promptly ordered a mojito!  Life was good.  I was free.  Thank you skinny jeans!

As much fun as I had during my 3 mommy free hours, the most beautiful part of the night was coming home to my boys.  Having a baby is such an amazing responsibility that it tends to take over your identity.  It was nice to just be "Danielle" for a few hours. 

The delivery, homecoming and everything in between!

Welcome to the world Graham Tingley Ralston!  He was born on May 5th, 2011 at 11:07 AM weighing 7 lbs 9 oz and 21 inches long!  I will share the short version of the labor- 30 + hours and 3 hours of pushing.  It sounds like a long time (and it was believe me) but I was only miserable for about 7 hours during the whole process.  The moment he came out was perfect.  He let out a big cry and instantly melted in my arms.  PURE BLISS!

About 12 hours after his birth we started to notice that something wasn't quite right.  He wouldn't eat and he kept throwing up green stuff (for a lack of a better description).  On his second day of life he was admitted to the Sparrow Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU in hospital language).  He stayed their for a week before being diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease (a genetic disease that affected the last part of his colon).  We were not satisfied with the surgeon at Sparrow so we had him transported to the NICU at University of Michigan.  After a slight delay, he finally had surgery to repair his colon on May 19th, 2011.  His surgery was successful.  He has only experienced a few Hirschprungs related health issues since his surgery. To some extent he will always struggle with this, but we are confident that he will live a normal, healthy life.

Now onto something more fun....Graham is just so stinking cute!  He loves to smile, blow milk bubbles and splash in the tub!  He is now 8 weeks old and is making all sorts of fun noises! He loves spending time with his grandparents and Uncle Evan!

Jonah and I are gradually adjusting to parenthood.  Graham has finally started to sleep more at night which means we are finally getting more sleep too!  I feel like I was pregnant for so long and now it is surreal to be a mom (in a happy way).

Thank you to everyone who sent cards and prayed for Graham while he was awaiting surgery!

Here is the link to the youtube video we created to share with family and friends after Graham's surgery:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqu3t-a9HuQ

Enjoy the pictures!

Due Date

Today is the official due date!  Where is baby you ask?  I am asking myself the same question.  I'd like to credit myself for his prolonged stay.  I've provided him with such a comfortable environment! 

Jonah and I are anxious for his arrival, but we are also enjoying the simplicity of the little time we have left in this world just the two of us.  We have been married for almost 6 years and it is overwhelming to think that it will never be just the two of us again. We have gone on a few dates the last couple of weeks and we continue to take on projects in our old house to keep ourselves busy. 

Many people have been asking for updates.  I've been having contractions for about a week now, but they just don't seem to be productive.  I consistently walk and sit on the exercise ball which helps relieve some of the pressure.  My hospital bag has been packed for weeks!  I am thinking of unpacking it and maybe it will reverse the "spell" that my type A personality seems to have over me. 

Let's hope the next blog I write will be an update about the delivery and how little baby Graham is settling into his new world.  Thanks, everyone, for the thoughts and prayers! 

My Pregnancy Top Ten List

The top ten reasons I love being pregnant:

1.  People are significantly nicer to me.  I am not sure if it's because they think I am vulnerable or hormonal, but everyone asks how I am doing, if I need to sit down, how I am feeling, etc. 

2. Food never tasted so good!  Case in point: I've never been one to eat pineapple, but for the past 7 months pineapple has tasted amazing! 

3. Everyone is excited to touch your stomach.  I thought this would bother me (and it does when it is people I don't know).  But for those I do know and love, I don't mind the belly rubbing.  It's as if they are trying to awaken the genie in the bottle!

4. Among all of the new stuff I had to buy/ borrow for the baby, I've actually become more of a minimalist.  My priorities have become clearer since I got pregnant.  Nothing is more important that a healthy marriage, family, and a healthy pregnancy/ baby.  Everything else takes a back seat. 

5. I've started to feel more confident in my decisions and opinions.  One thing I have learned is that everyone has a different opinion when it comes to babies- what products to use, whether or not to feed on demand or follow a schedule, to circumcise or not to circumcise, the list goes on!  I've received so much unsolicited advice from people who mean well.  Throughout this process I've realized that when it comes to these decisions what matters most is that Jonah and I are on the same page with the best of intentions.

6. I appreciate the fact that this is the one time in my life where I get to be lazy, I mean really lazy!  I don't have any other kids to take care of right now.  When I come home from work I simply go straight to the couch.  Jonah generally cooks dinner.  When I can muster up the energy, I work out, walk or do a chore.  If not, I simply move from the couch to the bed. 

7. I get to rock the stretchy clothes all the time!  Let's face it, nothing is more comfortable than stretchy clothes- sweat pants, leggings, pants with elastic bands, etc. 

8. I've started to say "no" to things.  This has been difficult especially when it comes to traveling.  I hate missing out on family events and seeing family less often, but the long road trips are cumbersome when you have to empty your bladder every 20 minutes.

9. Everyone wants to buy me (well not me actually, the baby) clothes!  Our little man will be the best dressed baby ever! (OK I am a little bias!) 

10. Among all of the sickness and sadness in the world, something about expecting a little, innocent, happy baby makes life seem simpler (even though everyone tells me it will only get more complicated!) 

Lions, Tigers, and Baby Showers...OH MY!

The past few weeks have been so much fun!  I experienced two wonderful baby showers (pictures below).  The first shower was thrown by my close friends at work on 2/16/2011.  We had a pot luck lunch and played a few games.  I was so overwhelmed with the turn out!  The second shower was in Columbia, TN and hosted by my mother in law on 2/19/2011.  Her house was decorated beautifully and, again, I was overwhelmed by the kindness of her friends! 

A few other fun updates:
1. We replaced our 2007 KIA Rio with a 2010 Pontiac Vibe (hatchback).  We decided that the baby needed a safer and much cooler ride.  We are loving the Sirius radio and Onstar.
2. We are 31 weeks pregnant and the Doctor confirmed on Wednesday that the baby's head is down and ready to go. 
3. We started our natural birth class and met some really fun couples.
4. I have officially gained 30.4 lbs!

Enjoy the pictures!

From Patty's house.....

 Shower at work

 (Baby's room with all of his new clothes and toys!)

Three months to go!

Well well well, we are now 3 months away from the delivery.  Where has the time gone?  Words can’t express how excited we are to meet our little man.  Looking back on the past 6 months of the pregnancy I feel so grateful for so many things.  Although I have no basis for comparison, I feel like I have had a very healthy pregnancy.  Jonah has been so wonderful.  He let’s me eat the bigger portions of all the meals we make, he picks up the house, and most importantly, he tells me I look cute when I don’t. 

The fact that I am going to have to birth this baby has really hit home lately.  I don’t know what I am doing.  With the help of my doctor, I am going to write a birth plan.  But really, how many things in life go according to plan?  I am sure I will feel a little less anxiety after I attend my birth classes in February and March.

Here are just a few updates on the baby front:

1. He is moving all the time!  He is constantly kicking, hiccupping, or rolling around.  He does most of this at night when I want to go to sleep.
2. The due date is May 1^st.  The doctor bumped up the date a few days based on the measurements from the ultrasound.  Although I will not be mad if he decides to make an early appearance as long as he is ready. 
3. We are 99% sure that his name will be Graham.  The middle name is still TBD. 

Here are just a few observations from a first time preggo:

1. Everything on my body is puffy!  My arms, feet, face, etc.  I think I am retaining water, or this could be because I am eating everything in sight.
2. I am extremely clumsy these days.  I suppose it’s because I am not use to the extra large version of myself yet.  I drop things all the time.  Oh, and it’s hard to pick things up when you have to bend to your side around your stomach to reach to the floor. 
3. I am hot ALL THE TIME.  In the dead of winter I am wearing mostly short sleeves to work because I sweat all day.  Please do not confuse this sweat with the so called “pregnant glow”, because they are two totally different things. 
4. Zantac 75 is my new best friend, especially at night.

Until next time….

Nesting

Jonah and I planned to take an eleven day vacation this week to the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Zion National Park, and Salt Lake City. This was supposed to be our last big trip just the two of us before the baby.  BUT.......we had to cancel due to a variety of reasons including bad weather out west, Braxton Hicks contractions and sciatic nerve pain, a sick cat, and funky car noises.  We made it as far as St. Louis, MO where we spent a wonderful, laughter filled night with our dear friends Jess and Zac.  As we drove home to East Lansing we thought about all of the possibilities of the week ahead.  As my grandma said we were due for a "staycation" instead of a vacation.

The first project we wanted to take on was the baby's room.  After all, when we would have a whole week to work on a project at home again?  Jonah was a huge help!  I am really pleased with how it turned out. Now, I just need to bring the little guy home!

We decided, though, that we did deserve at least one night away before parenthood.  We booked what we called a "sweet suite" at a hotel in Grand Rapids, MI, where we spent two fun filled days.  Jonah deserved a trip to the local brewery for all of his hard work.  We ate at an awesome tapas restaurant where we enjoyed tres leches for dessert (yum yum I am hungry again just thinking about it!) The following day we spent a few hours at Meijer Gardens where I was able to take some fun pictures.

The rest of the week was spent sleeping in, cooking, cleaning, watching movies that have been on my "list" for years now, and trying to fit in some pregnancy work outs.  Being home is not so bad.  I think I will have to plan another "staycation" someday.