5 years ago

Around this time five years ago I was finally moved off of my “temporary residence” room at Mercy and moved to labor and delivery. I was there for a good four weeks before that happened. I also should add-if you’re having a preemie you don’t deliver in the actual L&D room-but instead get to go into the OR! Who knew birth could be so chilly. I was legit freezing during Adrian’s arrival. It was a very long and very painful labor, but a good quick delivery. 

I’ll never forget my experience with him. From being totally shocked that I was pregnant, to complications with bleeding and then my water breaking at 27 weeks...this boy kept us on our feet from the day he was made! Being stuck in the hospital for a month though, when you have three other kids was so hard for me. I was so mentally drained. Constantly worrying about the unknown of when he’d actually come and if he would be ok. 

You see when you go into early labor the NICU staff will come in and tell you everything you need to know with zero sugar coating. I was oblivious to anything about preemies because I never thought it would happen to me. When you’re told you might not get to hold them for weeks because the slightest move could cause a brain bleed...you panic. When the nurse got me back to my room I cried and cried. 

Luckily for us though-Adrian made it to 32 weeks which is a HUGE milestone in a NICU! That’s like full-term baby for them! Ok. Not quite, but it was huge. He only needed to be on what they call vapotherm: definition here- Hi-VNI reduces work of breathing (WOB) by providing high flows and high velocities of heated and humidified breathing gas through a simple nasal cannula. Patients experience acute symptom relief, and mask-free delivery improves patient comfort and simplifies nursing care. 

He was only on it for 24 hours!

Then he just needed to learn to eat and grow. He threw codes a few times. Meaning he quit breathing and kept his nurses busy by storming in every now and then. In all though, we got SO lucky. Adrian busted out after 19 days. That seems so short now, but looking back it seemed like it would never pass. Not getting to bring your baby home-I don’t even have words to describe it. It’s hard. Whether it’s a day or months in the NICU-it’s not easy and it’s lonely. 

He was SO tiny. 

This was his bed. The call them isolettes. It’s also a big day when they get moved into a big boy bed! 

So yes. After 19 days we finally brought him home!! 

I remember one time we had to run to the store after Adrian had come home and a woman legit asked me if I was toting around a babydoll because she didn’t think Adrian was real. Pretty sure I’m not a weirdo like that!  But we took this pic just to see if it was true! I can see it now. 😂

Adrain was the final piece to our crazy puzzle. He is SO busy. Keeps us guessing all the time and is really starting to come around with his shyness. He is talking a little more at daycare now, and I’m hoping the repeat of preschool will do wonders for him. He is one to always take his time and do things his own way. Tomorrow he gets to go be spoiled by Ryan’s parents and Saturday is his party! 

Still can’t believe he is five.  

His present he got before bed tonight. He was in love!! 

Until next time. 

First positive case

I came across this comment tonight while reading through everyone’s comments and opinions about our school having its first positive covid case. 

“ Y’all aren’t helping each other by arguing, just saying. We need to stay unified bc this is just what Reynolds wants. Your anger is misplaced and should be on her bc she is the one that is forcing in person education. I think every district is probably doing as much as they can given the little guidance and resources given.”

I have to say I totally agree with her. Everyone is getting so upset and mad at each other over their opinions-everyone’s forgetting that we’re pretty much being forced to go back to school in person because of Kim. I don’t care if you are for going or against it-I go because it’s my job and my kids’ mental health depends on it. Every single thing I have read tonight is just people bickering back and forth-always having to have the last word. We all need to be unified. 110%...we are in the field of work FOR THE KIDS.  Not everyone is cut out to be a homeschooling parent-let alone able to because they need to work. 

My friend Shannon said it best too: 

“ Well I think that you’re doing the best you can. I have faith you made the best choice for your family. Mine will be staying home this year because I’m scared to death and because my kids feel safest and happiest staying home but just because what I chose differs from what you chose, who am I to say either of us is wrong or right? We’re learning here and the next few months are going to do a lot of teaching. The districts I KNOW are doing the best they can with what they’ve been given and they’ll be learning, adjusting making changes too. Hang in there mama. Don’t let people tear you apart.” 

Whether you’re choosing to learn from home or at school we need to just all agree to disagree. I won’t be mad if you don’t agree with my views and I would hope you’d be the same. 

So my rant is over. I needed to get this heavy off tonight. I want to defend what I love and I love Irving. We’re a family and family sticks together. My only hope is that this is all going to end sooner rather than later. A wish I know is very far fetched at the moment, but one can always wish.

School during covid

Today has been the day we have all been anticipating for the last five months. I can’t even believe still that it’s been that long, but today finally arrived. I’m going to just tell you how the day went and what it looked like. The goal was to make it as normal as possible-circumstances considered. I have a few pictures of what we have around the school as well for our safety measures. So bare with me as tonight might be a little long. 

I’ll start by saying I woke up at 3 am and was wired. I couldn’t fall back to sleep for a while. I had a huge goal of getting up at 5 to get my workout in and that sure didn’t happen. Insert alarm number two for six! I did get up and I was fired up. I was SO ready, the kids were ready. The second we parked though I had some slight nerves. I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. I wasn’t disappointed though. 

I’m fairly certain every staff member was outside to help guide the students to where they had to go-sans parents. 

Parents weren’t allowed inside the gates. I know how hard that was for a lot of people and I tried to get pictures of some kiddos and ended up helping get them in their lines, and before I knew it I was clocking in and headed to my classroom. Kids were just getting inside when I got upstairs and they all did amazing at listening to instructions before going into their rooms. Everyone has to have their temps checked and hands washed before entering. 

The morning was spent getting school supplies put away and labeled. Talking about and showing where things were in the classroom. I’m with a new teacher this year and she is great. I was very anxious because that’s just how I roll, but it was good. 

All the students were taken around by one of the specials teachers and they went over in depth some of the new hall safety rules and also old rules. New ones are we walk on the right side of the hall.  For now we have the main level with tape to hopefully help remind students, if it works then they’ll do the whole school. 

We have signs lime this all over the school. A lot of visual reminders. 

I have recess duty this year! I don’t know if it’s temporary or will be all year, but I spent an hour outside. One of the new things we’re doing to try and keep grades separated is one grade plays on the blacktop and the other the playground. They will alternate days. Classes go in a different door too once their recess is over. I was hesitant about this because it’s totally new, but guys! It went SO smooth. These kids are seriously amazing. They have adapted so well for only being in school for a day. So many new things and they’re 110% resilient. 

The other big change is eating lunch in the classroom. I wasn’t a part of that, but I didn’t hear anything bad about it so I’m assuming it went great too!! 

This is Henry eating with his class! 

The day goes very quick for getting out at 1:30! It felt as if we’d just gotten there when it was time to leave. Pick up is also different. Certain grades going out different doors and how those with siblings meet up. Again-it went SO smooth. 

This is one of the sad signs. It still just breaks my heart that parents can’t come in and participate yet. I hope this doesn’t last the entire school year and I’m considering myself so lucky to be able to work here while my kids are here. 

There are sanitizers all over the school. 

And now for some fun photos. The kids and I had a selfie in the car. Nobody would let me take an individual pic at the school with the super cool signs. So I took what I got! 

PTO killed it with these signs!! SO cool!!! 

This is Mrs. Miller, she is new this year and Isabelle really likes her so far! I was very relieved to hear because Iz was so nervous! 

Viola has Mrs. Green. She is the first teacher I worked with when I got hired, so I’m extremely excited for Vi! She’s in great hands! 

Henry has Mrs. Kluver. She is so sweet and so excited to have him! We haven’t had any of the other first grade teachers so I’m excited for this!! 

And I was emailed this of Vi. She’s so cheesy! 

And Henry with his class. 

Ok I know this was long, but like I said today was just downright amazing. I’m amazed at how amazing our teachers and other staff are at Irving. I don’t feel like I should include myself so much because I don’t feel like I did much today, but I know being there is enough. I can’t wait for tomorrow! We’ve got this because we are Irving Strong!! 

Until next time! 

Catch up

It’s been another minute since I’ve last posted. Here’s what I can tell you! 

We’re in full getting ready to go back to school mode! We go Tuesday!! My goal tonight was to get the youngest three in bed by 730-I failed! BUT only by 15 minutes. Baths took a little bit longer. It helped tonight that the kids are still extra tired from being up super late last night. We had a bonfire and cookout! So much fun!! Tomorrow night will be the real deal. I’m getting SO nervous. Every time I think about it I panic a little inside. It’s been 5 months and our normal still won’t be normal. 

We had an all staff meeting to this past Friday to meet all the new staff that are at Irving this year! Five new teachers and three new associates. I seriously wanted to hug everybody because it was so overwhelming awesome to see everyone again! Like amazing. Even though I wasn’t there that long at all-just to say hi and catch up a little was awesome. 

This is what we looked like. It was weird. Sitting outside and with masks on, but it was good. I think what I’m most nervous for is any sign or symptom of a cold and then thinking-what happens next. 

Henry is absolutely against going back. He cries every time I try to talk to him about it. He tells me he hates school and he’s scared he’ll get in trouble. I have no clue where that’s coming from, but I’m hoping once we are there and he sees his friends he’ll be ok. Fingers double crossed! 

We have everything we need for school, and now we just need it to be Tuesday. Also-Adrian will go back to daycare full time until preschool starts in September. 

Onto less stressful things! 

This last week my mom came down one day and had me go shopping for myself. That was nice. I don’t get to do that-like ever-so it was fun going from store-to-store with nobody but me. I did find some cute things too. 

Yesterday Henry and Ryan went to Papa Lewie’s farm. Ryan mowed so Henry could ride the bigger four wheeler. Well Lewie’s farm is by the river so they ended up walking almost two miles total of it! Henry had an absolute blast! I’m glad they got to have a special day together. 

This girl and I today ran an errand. We got her new back pack. This pic is from last night, but it’s good. She loves to have time alone with me. I did take Vi with me this morning on a laundry soap run and she loved that. 

While Iz and I were getting her school bag, I got this picture text from Ryan. Adrian has told me before I left, “Mommy! I’m putting a pull up on because I’m going to take a nap!!” 

I guess he wasn’t lying because he slept for almost 4 hours! He also fell asleep for bed with zero issues. The kid has been a busy boy the last couple of days! 

Vi spent a lot of time with her bestie Evelyn this last week. They’re pretty inseparable. I love it that she has someone she can be so close with! Bonus-we are neighbors!! So now here I am. All kids in bed. Feeling good about this week ahead. I’m so, so ready!! 

Until next time! 

PS I will try to document as many pictures as I can if our first day and how different it is or will be! 

34 years

I’ve hit my 34th year of life. I swear most days I still feel as if I’m 17 at heart. I still feel that I look much younger than I really am. I do not at all physically feel 17 though! I sure wish some days! The looking young will benefit me when I’m 80! 

I had a really good weekend. Friday night was filled with kidless, pure adult fun! I ate way to much, had some delicious drinks, played a lot of pool-and just got progressively worse. I talked my game up way too much. I also played ski ball!! It’s been YEARS since I’ve done that. So many memories there! It was a blast. 

Yesterday was my actual birthday. I can proudly say the only thing I really did was walk my 5k, meet my mom to pick up the girls and vacuum-once. It was a very relaxed day. 

I feel as if I should say something wise and smart. I can’t though. I’m always learning something every day. I’m just lucky to be alive, have an amazing family and some pretty cool friends! My biggest take away from life as of late it to always be kind. We don’t know other people’s stories. Especially right now. 

I included a recent pic Henry took of himself with Adrian. He’s such a goofball. 

We are finally into our last week of summer break! I’m SO excited to get back to work!! 

Until next time! 

Hanging around

It’s been another minute since I’ve blogged. Do you ever feel like you can not keep up with anything no matter how hard you try??? That's been my story this entire week. To be 100% specific and honest-I can’t keep up with the boys. They bring a totally different energy level and level of naughty. 

My days typically consist of me walking 3-3.5 miles, cleaning house, doing laundry, feeding kids and repeat. All. Day. Long. Side note-I don’t repeat the walk-unless I have to mow. Some days I hate it...others I don’t. I usually get frustrated because I can’t tell you how many times in one day that I vacuum. When I get the whole upstairs to where I think it looks AH-mazing-the boys have destroyed it while I take a shower or water plants. I mean, I don’t ask for a whole lot! Insert sarcasm here because it’s how I’m rolling with this post and if y’all think I’m dumping complaints I’m not. Just regular good old mom life. But seriously. Boys. They’re SO tough. Maybe it’s because Henry and Adrian are so close in age, but good grief. They’re a handful some days. 

This week they have luckily been able to be outside nearly all day, everyday. They love it. Sometimes it’s impossible for me to get them to come in at night. So today, after we ran up to Altoona, I took them to the park! Well Irving, but we call it the park. We were super excited because two of our cousins where there to play with too! We love our Max and Lili. 

After this we came home, gave Bru a bath and then I let them play with the hose to cool down. I found them in the backyard making mud puddles. 😂 No biggie. Every night is bath night for them right now. I’m trying hard to look at it as making fun memories. 

No matter how stubborn, naughty, sassy, or stinky these two can get-I’d never trade them. Adrian tells me 100 times a day I’m his favorite and Henry is always giving me hugs and kisses. I love my sweet boys for forever. They’re simply the best! 

Tomorrow I get a kid free night! My birthday is Saturday so we’re going out tomorrow night to celebrate! I’m pumped!! So if anyone wants to come say hey we’ll be at Houston’s!! 

Until next time!! 

All eyes on us

I’m slightly freaking out a bit on the inside. School is now officially 2 weeks away for us. We will now be the first school in the state to open. I believe the school board will make the final decision on Monday. 

I didn’t realize there was only one other year-round school in Iowa- in Urbandale. They have since turned to online only. They were set to start on the 23rd! So now that leaves us. I feel like if we do open-all eyes will be on Irving and Indianola as a community. I, in no way want to be nervous going back-but I am. Not because of the virus but because- what if we will all be judged. I give full support to our community and school system. I know that no choice is easy for anyone on any level during all of this pandemic. What I want to see happen if we do 100% open and people see it-I want them to praise our building. Praise all of us for being prepared, taking those extra steps to make sure things are clean, to make sure kids feel safe and aren’t made fun of for wearing or not wearing as mask. I want people to see that Irving is a family. Those kids are our kids. I want to see excitement of being back and hear/see the excitement of learning again! 

Knowing that this year will be SO unlike anything any of us have ever gone through, I want everyone to see that we’re in it together because we’re so tight knit and willing to work together. I want to be as of much help as possible when I can as well. I’m willing to step up and help anywhere and everywhere. 

So anxiety and nerves aside, pending that nothing changes, I am so ready to get back to work and see my kiddos I work with and see my co-workers. I’m ready to see my kids thrive and learn more and come home full of stories about their day! 

I’m including this quote tonight because work is home. For nearly five months we’ve been out of our norm. I’m ready to get normal back. We all are. I know normal will never be what it used to be-but we can all start a new normal and I’m ok with that. 

Until next time! 💜💛