Staples and paper clips

Tuesday was Reese's one month birthday. I know I'm a little late with this post. I'm proud to say that we've all survived the first month! Its been a bit rough at times, but I hope we're on the up swing now. Reese has added so much to my life - things I never knew I was even missing. I've always been a woman who never wanted to stay at home - I've always said that "stay at home mom's" are special people, and I'm not called to do that. When the girls were born, I had to work and go to school, as I didn't know if God had it in his plans to give me a husband. I spent so much time "making a life" for us that I missed a lot of the important things in their lives. Their first steps, first words, etc were all experienced by other people. I got my degree(s) and I was content to work full time so that I could have my "me" time. Reese allowed me to open my eyes while I was pregnant. I was forced to stay at home and I began to understand how nice it was. Now don't get me wrong - there are days that I can't wait to go back to work but for the most part, I have really enjoyed being the one to take/pick up the girls, have dinner with Cory and the girls every night that Uncle Sam allows, and to know that if and when something happens with either Cory or the girls, I am the FIRST phone call - not the last! So we've made a monumental decision (at least its monumental for me): When we move home, I will stay at home with the kids and only work PRN (as needed) at EMS. I want to do this for many reasons, but mainly because I know that the next 2 years will be extremely trying on us all as Cory is set to deploy to Afghanistan in a few months. I feel that our kids need me to be a staple in their life and not just a paper clip that barely holds us together!!! I feel confident in my decision - that it is God's plan for our family. I don't know what our future holds, but I know that God is leading me to stay home so that we can deal with it all together. I will work part time/ PRN so that I can keep up my skills and continue to do a job that I LOVED before I left. Please begin to pray (or continue to pray for those of you who are ahead of the game) - pray for Cory's safety, pray for our kids who will have to endure the uncertanty (sp) of war through a child's eyes, and for me that I will have the words to give my family to comfort them while I myself need comfort and that I will have the strength to support my husband and keep our household running smoothly.
Here's a pic of our little man. I promise to do better with pics in the future!! Happy Birthday, Hubba (and no that's not a typo)!!

On Autopilot...

I think things are finally starting to settle down in the Trotter house. Reese's bum has cleared up well after TONS of Desitin. Thank you all for your advice and believe me, its all stored in my brain for when the Desitin no longer works. He's now slowing down on his BM's and they don't seem to be nearly as painful as the were. Now, if only I could get him to sleep more than 2 hours at a time. I take ALL baby duty during the week because Cory has to be up and at PT at 0530 in the mornings and does not get home till about 6 or 7 at night. So by the time he gets home, he eats, helps me with baths and we all try and go to bed. Its safe to say that by this time every week, I'm running on autopilot. I don't really remember what goes on day to day, as I am just trying to make it to Friday - when I can finally get a little sleep b/c Cory takes baby duty on Fri and Sat nights.
Samantha's eye is better - although it migrated to her left eye on Wed, giving her another day off school. Hailey still has managed to avoid it - but I'm waiting!
My back is still very sore, I think I'm just adjusting to the pain now. I've been feeling strange all week. I don't know how to explain it - something's just not right in my body right now. I hope its just the lack of rest/sleep creeping up on me and not some sickness.
But on a happier note - Uncle Sam has graciously given us a furlow from this wretched place!!! It looks like we get to come home from March the 15-23!!! YEAH!! I'll post more as I know more - I just know I'm soooooo excited!!! Hope you all are having a good week and have a wonderful weekend!!!

Pink eye, diaper rash & back pain

I know by my title you are jealous of my life right now, huh?!?! Yeah right. I THINK we've discovered why Reese screams while he poops. Are you ready for the BIG mystery? DIAPER RASH. Its gotten bad over the days because he poops like 7-8 times a day - I'm not kidding - and we have to clean him so much. Now I'm on the hunt for a cure for Diaper rash - any suggestions? We've done the Huggies diaper rash ointment, vaseline, Nystatin cream, and now we are trying Desitin. We're also doing the "airing out" method of healing a couple of times a day along with limiting our use of wipes (trying to use a wet wash cloth or wet toilet paper). Any advice, as always, is greatly needed!!!
As if a screaming baby wasn't enough to deal with, Samantha has PINK EYE!! And its only a matter of time before Hailey gets it (and maybe the rest of us). We've been to the MD, hopefully it will clear up in the next day or two!
On top of that, I've done something to my back. I'm sure its a combination of several things (ie carrying the baby around, sleeping sitting up on the couch, using poor posture while feeding the baby, etc). All I know is that by the end of each day I can barely walk. Cory paid for me to have a Spa day on Saturday - including an hour long massage. I felt great for about 6 hours and then the pain returned! I know I need to rest, but who has time for that?
So now you're all caught up on my life. Nothing exciting, as usual - but I've grown to really enjoy my boring life! Who knew?!?! Hope you all are having a good week!!

Thursday Thirteen

I was looking at my blog today and realized that although my blog promises to talk about being an Army wife, I have not really discussed much about that part of my life. I guess I've just been caught up in family stuff - and can you blame me?!?! So today's Thursday 13 is dedicated to 13 things I love/ hate about being an Army wife. My hope is that I can make it half and half - we'll see.

1) We have GREAT medical benefits.
2) The Army has provided us with a nice house where we pay no utilities!
3) I am so proud to say that I walk amoung true American heroes everyday.
4) The Army has given Cory and I a good start financially that we wouldn't have had otherwise.
5) Though few and far between, we have made some really good friends.
6) Anything we buy on post (at the Comissary/ PX) is tax free.
7) The girls have been able to see things they otherwise would not have.
*** Now the hate list - I could go on and on with this one***
8) I have NO say about our vacations. We have to take them when the Army deems it to be suitable.
9) Because some Army wives are not educated and are seen as "idiots", I am automatically assumed to be the same way - even though I have 3 college degrees.
10) I never know if or when I'll see my husband at the end of the day. There is no 9-5 in the Army.
11) The Army has some of the dumbest rules and no reason for them. I could do an entire post on this one!! Those of you who know me know that I have a real issue with doing something just because - I need a reason and a valid one at that!!
12) The Army has taken me away from everything that I know and love !!!
13) I have to hear all the horror stories from my husband about his daily trials both here and in theater (war zone) and know that there is NOTHING i can ever do about it.

I could find tons of other things I hate about the Army. I have been very disappointed about the Army - it is NOTHING like we have imagined. I'm sorry this seems to be a gripe. Let's just say I haven't had a good week with Uncle Sam! Next week will be more positive, I promise!!

For you ladies...

I'm a BIG card person - meaning I love to give and receive cards. Up until recently, I had a bag full of cards that I would pull from and leave them around for Cory. I need to get back to this as we are trying to "get it together" again. Anyway. My mom is a BIG card person too - must be genetic. Since we've lived in Texas, I've needed more encouragement than I've ever needed in my life. I have received many cards and words of encouragement and they always seem to come at just the righ time. Why do I say all of this?!?!? Well, my mom sent me a card just before Reese was born and when I received it, I thought to myself "wow, that was nice" and put it with the rest. Since Reese has been here, I read it at least once a day (sometimes once an hour) to help me make it. So I'm going to share it with you now. You ladies are some of the strongest women I know - even if I don't "know" you, through the magic of the internet, I have been given a window into your hearts. I love reading your blogs and knowing that we all have our "crosses to carry". I hope this brings you some joy and encouragemtn when you need it the most!!

You are One of the Strongest Women I know...
Strong women are those who know the road ahead will be strewn with obstacles, but they still choose to walk it because it's the right one for them.
Strong women are those who make mistakes, who admit to them, learn from those failures, and then use that knowledge.
Strong women are easily hurt, but they still extend their hearts and hands, knowing the risk and accepting the pain when it comes.
Strong women are sometimes beat down by life, but they still stand back up and step forward again.
Strong women are afraid. They face fear and move ahead to the future, as uncertain as it can be.
Strong women are not those who succeed the first time. They're the ones who fail time and again, but still keep trying until they succeed.
Strong women face daily trials of life, sometimes with a tear, but always with their heads held high as the new day dawns.
- Brenda Hager-

C.A.A.D.D.

I received this in an email today and thought it was cute so I decided to share it with you guys!!
Recently, I was diagnosed with C. A. A. D. D. - Child Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to do the laundry. As I start toward the basement, I notice that there are cheerios all over the floor and my car keys are in the cereal bowl.

I decide to pick up the cheerios before I do the laundry. I lay my car keys down on the counter, put the cheerios in the trash can under the counter, and notice that the trash can is full. So, I decide to take out the trash.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the trash I may as well pay the bills first. I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only one check left, my extra checks are in my desk in the office/playroom, so I go to my desk where I find a sippy cup full of juice. I'm going to look for my checks, but first I decide I should put the sippy cup in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the sippy cup a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need to be watered. I set the sippy cup on the counter, and I discover baby wipes that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back in the bathroom, but first I'm going to water the flowers. I set the wipes back down, fill a container with water and suddenly I spot the TV remote, one of the kids left it on the kitchentable.

I realize that after school when they go to watch TV, I will be looking for the remote as they fight over who lost it, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers. I splash some water on the flowers, but most of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back down, get some paper towels and wipe up the spill.

Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day: the laundry isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm cup of juice sitting on the counter, the flowers aren't watered, there is still only one check in my checkbook, I can't find the remote, I can't find the wipes, and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really tired.

Don't laugh - if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!

Another weekend gone...

Its seems as though another weekend has flown by. I'm settling into being the parent of a newborn again. I'm learning little Reese's temperament, finally. He's seems to be so low key for the most part, but when he wants something - he wants it NOW. I have no idea where he gets that from :). He's still only sleeping about 2 hours at a time - sometimes 3, but I'm adjusting to that. Cory goes back to work on Wed - so it will be interesting to see how I cope with being ALL ALONE again and carrying the brunt of baby rearing yet again. I have purchased a couple of key items that I hope will make my life a little more easy - a swing and "the ultimate baby wrap" (kind of a sling thing that he fits into snuggly). I can't wait to see if it works as well as I have set myself up for!
Our weekend has been kind of boring - as always. The only thing we did was have a BBQ tonight with the normal crew. Tomm I'm back to house work and laundry, BOOOOOOO! I'm sorry I'm so scatter brained with this post - its 945pm our time and past my normal time to go to sleep. Here are a few pictures from our week!! Have a wonderful week !


See, he does have eyes!!!

Tummy time!!!

Picture from Valentine's Day!

BIG baby!

First time in bouncy seat - Thanks Uncle Brian and Aunt Annie!

First time in his new swing! He seems to love it!

Getting back on track...

So last you guys heard from me I was waiting patiently for my husband to come and get me for my Valentine's Surprise!!!! It was GREAT! After getting the baby to sleep and laying down in his bed, Cory came to get me. The girls got the priviledge to eat in their room for dinner so it was just us!! As I walked down the hall, the house was dark. The only light was a row of 14 tea light candles on the banister in the living room and the half wall in the kitchen, and a candle holder with five candles surrounded by 6 tea light candles on the table. There was a bottle of champagne chilling in the Valentine's bucket I gave Cory (it was filled with goodies). Cory had made lasagna (well, Stouffer's actually made it - but he did a great job heating it up). In the back ground, the song "Everything I Do" was playing. I cried, Cory cried - it was beautiful. At my seat were three cards waiting. One from each of the girls and a hand written note from Cory. In the letter was an explanation of the significance of the number of candles. 14- one for every month we've been married. 5- one for each of us in the family. 6- one for each of us again plus one for future Trotters.
So it was nice to have dinner with my husband - alone. I was so afraid that we had lost that ability to connect. It really warmed my heart to know that I am really appreciated. I'm glad to say that I think we are getting back on track!!! Keep those ideas coming - though. I need all the help I can get!!

Valentine's already?!

I've been sent to my room and told not to come out by my husband. I'm sure he's out there working hard to cook something special up for my Valentine's Day - so I'm gonna blog!! How did you mom's out there reconnect with your spouse after the birth of your child (or children)? Cory and I have had a hard time "connecting" with one another. I know its due to the stresses and lack of sleep that our little man has brought with him, but we've kind of become 2 walking zombies passing in the night! I need some ideas to help get that "spark" back. I know that going on dates is a good idea, but that's not really an option for us!! I don't really trust anyone here to watch Reese and the girls (namely Reese) so getting a babysitter is out! I hope tonight will put us back on track, but any advice you guys could give would be great! I know whatever he's doing will be great! I hope you all have had a great day! Can't wait to hear about all the surprises!!!

Blue mouth baby

Today was Reese's 2 week check up. He's doing SO MUCH better now that we are adjusted to the new formula. He hasn't gained weight, actually lost a few ounces - weighing in at 9 lbs 5 oz. He has grown lengthwise though, measuring 21 &3/4 inches long. He's still got a touch of thrush in his mouth, so the MD put a blue dye (forgive me for not remembering the name) all over his mouth. So for the next couple of days Reese will look like he has eaten an ink pen. You should have seen the looks I got today when I was out getting a couple of things done. Hopefully I'll get a good picture of it before it goes away - it looks really funny. He was also diagnosed with GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease). Doesn't really mean anything, just that he has reflux (very common for babies). Hopefully he will outgrow it!! So that's it. We are all doing well. Just busy getting back into the swing of reality now that Grammie's gone! Oh how we miss her! Anyway. I hope you all have a good week!!

Reese's site

For those few that looked at Reese's site, I have chosen to cancel it. I do not post anything new there that I have not posted here or MySpace. Just giving you all a heads up!!!

Its so hard to say "Goodbye"

After a wonderful 2 weeks with Grammie, we put her on a plane headed for the "true south" today. Amy (aka Mamie) flew into town on Wednesday and left today as well. It never gets any easier to say "Goodbye" to the ones you love. The girls and I both cried the whole way home. We've had a wonderful two weeks and made memories that will last a lifetime. Grammie has been such a HUGE help with the girls, the baby and the household while I have begun my recovery from my C-section. The girls have loved having her here to take them to and from school and spoil them as only grandparents can do!! Here are a few pictures from our week:

A new day has dawned...

This morning at 4am, I made the decision to end all efforts to breastfeed. Why?!?! Well, Reese wasn't getting better (as far as his tummy was concerned), and my body just wasn't producing what was needed to go all breastfed. So for the sake of my baby, and for our sanity - I chose to abandon my selfish need to breastfeed and go all formula.
Then, this evening my best friend, Amy, came into town and reminded me that maybe we were using the wrong formula. I then remembered that the girls could not take anything but Goodstart. Maybe that was our issue. So we headed off to the PX to buy a can of Goodstart and some Platex Nursers (my most favorite bottles).
So, a new day has dawned in the Trotter house. We're on a new formula with new bottles and hopefully our tummy issues will work themselves out soon!!! Thank you all for your words of encouragment and your advice - they all lifted me up when I needed them the most. When and if we have one more baby, I plan on doing things a lot differently!!
Now, if only I could find a good way to "get rid" of the milk my body has worked so hard to build up....

Cut me some slack...

So I realized this morning that today is Feb. 6. Why does this matter?!?! TOMORROW is Brian's birthday, not today. So the birthday blog I posted was not one day early, but two. Sorry, Brian. I really do know when your birthday is - chalk it up to the baby!!! We love you!!!

Happy Birthday, Bubba!

Tomm is my brother's (Brian) birthday. I wanted to post a birthday shout out tonight because I'm not sure if I'll be able to get on tomm. So I know I"m a day early - but its better than being late!!

Brian -
Happy Birthday, Bubba!!! You're getting so old - the big 29, wow! You have always been someone I've looked up to. Even though we are a thousand miles apart (literally), you are always in my heart! I hope you have a wonderful day! I love you and miss you!

Squirt

And its only day 9

So here's another chapter in our saga... I called the Pediatrician this morning only to be told that she couldn't fit him in today. I made an appointment for tomm, reluctantly. Around 1200 noon Reese became increasingly uncomfortable - he had not had a very restful morning. So I decided to go up to the MD's office and demand that he be seen. So Cory and I went. I told them that he needed to be seen either by our Ped or by the ER. Those were my only options. My Ped refused to see him because she was having to pick up the slack for her partner who had called in sick. Annoyed and frustrated, Cory and I headed over to the ER. I'll save all the boring details of our day, and give you the Reader's Digest version. After 5 HOURS of waiting in the waiting room, Reese finally managed to poop.I have NEVER been so happy about cleaning a poopy diaper. Cory and I decided to stop waiting because whatever the problem was had apparently resolved on its own. As we were leaving, we were stopped by the guy in triage and told that we would be seen soon. SO we decided to wait and talk to the MD. At 7 pm, we were taken into the back and placed on a bed in the hallway. The MD came and decided to do an xray of Reese's belly to check for any abnormalities. He also took a urine sample. To make a long story short, Reese looks good now. The MD is pretty sure he had a blockage of some sort that fortunately, Reese's body took care of. No UTI, but possible bacteria in his urine. The MD did reassure me that I was right for being concerned because of the drastic change in habits. It was not normal to go from pooping every feeding to NONE and for 4 days!!! So all's well that ends well. Cory and I returned home around 9:15 pm ( 8 hours after leaving)exhausted and starving.
So I'm off to bed. Hopefully Reese's body will regulate in the next day or so now that its all cleaned out. Thank you all for your prayers - I've definitely felt them over the last couple of days.

A little late...

I've been wrapped up in our little world here the past few days so I forgot to post that John's (my step-dad) dad passed away on Saturday. We knew it was coming, just not so soon. John and his dad have had a strained relationship over the past decade to say the least. Please pray for him as he is dealing with all of this alone for the time being since my mom is here in Texas with us and his siblings are in Indiana and Arkansas!!!

Pictures from our week!

Here are some pictures from our week. We'll be making trip number 2 to the doctors tomm. Please say a little prayer for us as it has now been 3 days!!!!! I'm off to bed to try and get some rest! Hope you all have a good week and enjoy the pictures.

What a sweet baby!

So handsome!

Hailey, Reese and Samantha - boy do they love that baby?!?!

First Doctor's visit!

First bath - not fun!!

Bless our hearts...

I called the Pediatrician today, after a night of NO POOP and discovering that Reese was developing thrush. Last night was VERY hard for me. I feel like I'm trying to do all the "right" things only to have my son miserable at 8 days old. I cried and cried with frustration. Reese has been a real trooper until today. He did not want to eat at all this morning. I don't know if it was from the discomfort of the thrush or the discomfort of the constipation - or maybe a combination of both!! So after crying through a bottle (the both of us) because he refused to nurse at all and crying him to sleep (again the both of us) - I broke down and called the MD. I felt like such a failure as I have NEVER had to call a doctor on the weekend for any of my kids. When she returned my call, I broke down. She reassured me that it was nothing I did or didn't do - some babies just do this. I appreciated the gesture, but I still feel like I've done something wrong. Anyway. The pediatrician called in some antifungal for the thrush and told me to try a suppository. So hopefully relief is in sight for us all. Please pray for little Reese that God will comfort him and for me that God will comfort my nerves!!! Thank you all who have given me words of encouragement!! I've really needed them here lately. You guys are the best!

Why is it so hard to do the right thing??

Reese is one week old today!! He's doing well. The last two days have been a bit trying on us though. I'm in the process of switching him to all breast (no formula) and it has left him a bit constipated. He went from having a dirty diaper every feeding to NONE in a 24 hour period! Its left him a bit unsettled. Not really crying - yet. But I"m sure its only a matter of time!!! Breastfeeding has hit a lull. I don't know exactly what the problem is, but Reese nursed off and on for a whole hour today and was still so hungry he took an entire 2 oz bottle (that was meant to just supplement). This is extremely frustrating for me as I feel like a failure when I've endured an hour of pain for what seems to be nothing. Its still so painful, I can only hope that soon it will get better. I will be calling the Pediatrician on Monday to see what the deal is with his bowels - hopefully its nothing that a few days won't fix! My question - if Breastfeeding is supposed to be the "right" thing to do for baby and is supposed to be SO uber healthy, why is it so hard????? That's a question for the pearly gates if you ask me!!!
As for my baby blues, I still have my moments. Cory and I have had a good talk about it all and he is helping more than he will ever know. I truly have been blessed with him. He's a "first time dad" for all intensive purposes, but he has been a real trooper!!! I feel that as soon as we get the breastfeeding under control, I'll be much better. Its just so discouraging sometimes - I'm trying to do what's best for our little man, but it doesn't seem to be working out that way.
So hopefully I'll know more of what to do on Monday. And more than that, I hope Reese has a good poop soon (sorry for the grossness here). Hope you all are having a good weekend!!!