Kind of alarming...

I'll be the first to admit things have been extremely stressful lately...and we've been so busy.  We had a major wake up call over the weekend.  Saturday evening I began having pains in my stomach, which eventually I came to realize were likely cramping and contractions.  We cancelled our evening plans and laid low.  They eased through the night but started up again Sunday morning.  And I am swelling a lot.  So much so that I can no longer wear my wedding rings.  I had swelling with McKinley but not until I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes in my third trimester.  This is a full month sooner than last time.

We decided not to take any chances and went to the hospital.  My Mom, who just had a surgical procedure in Indy on Friday drove home from staying with my Godparents.  She picked McKinley up and off we went.  She was certainly in no shape to be sitting for us, but we had no other options (we tried...) and she was more than willing. 

At the hospital they immediately hooked me up to monitors and a blood pressure cuff.  It was found that my blood pressure was pretty high, not my norm.  I also had an infection that was causing my cramping and also creating the contractions.  Nothing threatening to the baby, thank God.  However, I've been told to immediately cool it.  No more riding for hours in the car on vacation, no more long trips, more rest, more water.  Time to scale back. 

I have testing to be done and will now be monitored for my blood pressure, which was still high.  We have to watch for pre-eclampsia.  Drink water, water, water.  Guess what that makes a really pregnant woman do?  Hahahaha.

Anyway, all is well but it scared us.  I will be slowing myself down considerably until further notice.  Yikes.
Lynn

Mamaw

Today we received some sad news.  Cary's beloved Mamaw has passed.  She hasn't been well for a long time but she was so strong through her battle with dementia.  Mamaw adored Cary and all of her grandchildren.  Ever since I met Cary I've heard funny stories of Cary and Mamaw's relationship and the things she did for him.  She threw him pitches in the back yard rain or shine, heat and snow.  She lovingly washed the uniforms - scrubbed stains out with a tooth brush.  She made pie after pie, and none since have lived up to hers in Cary's eyes.  She wasn't keen on the idea of Cary's permanent move to the Haute, therefore she wasn't exactly keen on me for a while.  Understandably, my Grandpa was never keen on any boy I dated (though he never met Cary...).  She eventually came around to the idea and after we were married she was immediately asking for Great Grandchildren from us.  When McKinley was born she was quite taken by him, and he was quite taken by her as well.  He was drawn to her.  I remember it brought tears to my eyes to see them together.  She was too deep in her dementia to know about the baby, but we know she will always be with us and her Great Grandsons in spirit. 

Cary, his brother and cousins are all so very, very lucky to have the gift of a Grandmother well into adulthood.  Some of his cousins are in their 50's and are Grandparents themselves!  It doesn't quell the grief, but I do hope it gives them some consolation to know they were so blessed. 

Today I'm praying for my husband and so very sorry for his loss.

I love him with all my heart and wish I could take away his pain.

 

Lynn

Virtual Trick or Treat 2011

Man I love Halloween!  This year was the best yet!  Well, except that I am way too pregnant to be planning a Halloween Party...that was a bummer, but in the end, the best and healthiest decision.

This year when we began asking McKinley what he might like to dress up as he insisted on being a train.  Well, I wasn't exactly sure how we could pull that off.  None of us liked the Thomas costume (no offense...), and the engineer...it's been done...a lot.  So, I gently suggested a conductor.  It was like a light bulb turned on simultaneously in our heads.  McKinley said, "How about the Conductor from the Polar Express???" I was thinking it as he was saying it.  It became my mission to replicate the costume.  Cary too!  We went everywhere rounding up little bits of what we needed to create the Conductor, the result?  Right on the money!  And incredibly adorable too.  I mean, who doesn't love a four year old in a dark mustache?!

As always, we carved pumpkins, watched the Great Pumpkin and toasted pumpkin seeds and made yummy cider.  All of our favorite family fall treats, love it!  We also visited the Halloween festivities at the park, the train was a trip...I could barely slide in because of the belly!  Hilarious!

We made our annual trip to Zoo Boo, McKinley chose to wear his beloved Mail Man costume again since we hadn't yet completed the Conductor.  He looked so cute and we had a blast as always.  We decorated cookies, we played games, and of course, we rode the train!  It was a great time, always a favorite of ours. 

The Sunday before Halloween the school hosted the first annual Trunk or Treat.  Because of our crazy October schedule and the pregnancy, we thought it best not to decorate our trunk and instead walk through.  I'm glad we did, but next year --- LOOK OUT! 

Cary was on vacation this week so he got to attend McKinley's school Halloween Party with me.  It was so fun having him there, especially since I'd signed us up to bring the party treat (chocolate dipped s'mores...on a stick..YUM!) and needed all the help I could get carrying anything these days.  Lordy, the belly is big.  Anyway, the party was a major success, the costume was perfection --- SO McKinley! --- and everyone had a great time.

On Halloween we made our usual rounds and walked the Boulevard.  I'm extremely exhausted from that walk, not smart on my part, but I wouldn't miss it for the world.  On our way around the neighborhood we ran into several people we know, including McKinley's buddy Isabella, her brother Ian and their parents! 

We ended the night at my Mom's house where we got to trick and be treated!  We brought along the left over Party Treats and shared them with the Sheere's and Mom.  We were all really wiped out.  Leaving for a little getaway though, so time to pack!

Happy Halloween!!!!!!!

Lynn