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The Tree Farm

Nov 23, 2012 In Baby, Daily Ramblings, The Hubs

Truth be told, I haven’t really felt Christmas’y for a few years, but I knew there was an annoying little Christmas elf hidden in me somewhere. Now that our little family has grown, I feel this incredible desire to make the most of every holiday – even the ones I have never celebrated, like St. Paddy’s Day and Valentine’s Day. You better believe I’ll be making heart and shamrock-shaped pancakes next year. Fact.

Growing up, I thought that all Christmas trees came from big chain stores, but this year I decided that we were going to a farm to pick out and cut our own tree. Sadly, we only left with pictures because those suckers are expensive! Turns out that cheap wins when it comes to a tree that’s just going to die in a month anyway. Hello, Lowe’s! Thank you for a glorious 6ft tree that doesn’t break the bank. You win!

The point is I’m going to make the most of holidays from now on. I remember holidays from my childhood, especially Christmas, with such love and happiness, that I want to make memories for Westley as well. Let’s just hope they’re good memories and not the “my family is crazy” variety. I think we’re off to a good start.

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Awkward and Awesome Moments

Jun 22, 2012 In Awkward and Awesome, Daily Ramblings, Pregnancy, The Hubs

Awkward:

  • Having two people in one day look at my belly and say, “That baby’s not making it to August.” Gee, thanks for your input, DOCTOR!
  • Crying at the girly doctor’s office because I’m just tired and ill. That just wasn’t right at all.
  • Any type of bending over whatsoever.
  • Washing dishes. That’s tricky when the sink is farther away than usual, thanks to my gloriously round belly.
  • Accidentally letting it slip at dinner with the in-laws that I sleep in the nude these days. I’ll take Alex Trebek for $500 please.
  • Seeing the book above and almost buying it…because I really do need to know how NOT to kill my baby.

Awesome:

  • Random strangers saying “Congratulations!” or “You’re absolutely glowing!” while passing by. It’s like I’m a freakin’ parade in public places. People look and stare, and the nice ones shout compliments. I like it.
  • Wearing my pre-pregnancy jeans. So awesome.
  • Being so lazy I’m ashamed of myself, but allowing it because my life is about to change forever.
  • The Lost finale. I mean, really.
  • Drew proclaiming his admiration for the Biebs. I can’t even.
  • Eating a whole cake because I lost some weight. I gained it back, justsoyaknow.
  • Fresh cherries. And pineapple. (Still haven’t figured the mangos out.)
  • Going on summer evening walks with my little family.
  • The unconditional love and support I get from Drew about natural childbirth. He believes in me 100% and will do whatever it takes to help me accomplish my goal. Love that man.

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So we’re boring.

Jun 21, 2012 In Daily Ramblings, The Hubs

As we sat down to dinner last Friday night (on the couch, because that’s where classy people have meals), Drew turned to me and said, “We’re so boring. But I hate going out.” I agreed, and mentioned that we have way more fun at home, catching up on our DVR’ed episodes of Jimmy Fallon and The Big C. This is our life, people. Plain. Simple. Boring. And we like it.

To be completely honest, one tiny reason I’m excited about having a baby is the fact that we actually have a legit excuse for staying home when invited out. Although, that doesn’t matter these days because we are never invited out. I’m guessing saying “we’re tired” over and over again has won us a ticket straight out of fun invites forever. And you know what? Totally cool with it. There’s no place better than my couch with my love. And soon? There’ll be a baby on that couch too. Awesome.

Just had to add this screenshot from when I was uploading the photo above (from a Friday night, of course). I labeled the photo “boring” and WordPress just drove home that concept, y’all.

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I was THAT woman.

Jun 15, 2012 In Daily Ramblings, Pregnancy, The Hubs

There I was. In a restaurant. Almost 8 months pregnant with 3 kids in tow.

It started out great. We ordered cheese dip and guacamole. Drew indulged in a margarita (jealous). The toddler was enjoying the cheese dip. All was well.

And then the communication issues set in. The little one obviously wanted something on the table. She wanted SOMETHING, but I just couldn’t figure out what it was. She was headed for a full-blown meltdown, and I was right there with her.

That’s when I turned into THAT woman. I barked out orders to the waitress, grabbed the tiny one, and frantically headed outside. I was not about to let those other nice, quiet patrons be disturbed one minute longer. Not on my watch.

When the tiny quesadilla was ready, we went back in and, like magic, all was well again. She sat there quietly, enjoying her cheesy dinner. It was a miracle, I tell ya.

When we got up to leave, I looked like one hot mess. There was cheese dip all over my black dress from tiny hands. My hair was wild. I was still recovering from my own meltdown. I’m pretty sure Drew was in shock from my reaction as well. I thought that surely I could not handle a toddler. What madness that would be!

And then this happened the next morning during cartoon time:

And I was reminded that I could totally handle it. As long as Drew is with me and we work together, and cherish these small precious moments, we could do it. We CAN do it.

 

 

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Another Drew Update

Jun 2, 2012 In Daily Ramblings, Pregnancy, The Hubs

To understand this post better, you can read this and then this.

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First, I want to thank you all for your support during Drew’s surgeries and during our quest to figure out exactly what to do. We love you!

After a $2000 genetic analysis, we’ve learned that Drew does in fact have the classical and most common form of genetic mutation that causes homocystinuria. This is good news and bad news.

The good news: this form of the disease typically responds well to vitamin therapy, without any major diet changes.

The bad news: Drew’s protein levels are way up, even with vitamins, meaning they aren’t really doing what they need to do for him.

So what’s the next step? Well, now we need to go see a doctor that specializes in metabolic disorders like homocystinuria. From there, we will hopefully figure out the right vitamin dosages and diet needs for Drew.When Drew can maintain normal protein levels, that should eliminate or greatly reduce his likelihood of having more eye problems and any blood clots associated with this disease.

As for little baby Westley, we are still confident that he will be perfectly healthy, although Drew insists that he is not allowed to date tall skinny girls (a common sign of homocystinuria) because Westley (and all of our children) will always be a carrier of the mutation, which means that he can pass this disease on to his little ones. We will know at birth if Westley has homocystinuria, so that’s at least a huge plus. But we’re going to have to educate our son, which y’all know I have NO problem with, as the know-it-all gene is definitely expressed in me (a little genetics humor – forgive me for that).

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A Weekend Away

May 10, 2012 In Daily Ramblings, Pregnancy, The Hubs, Travel

We were the lucky recipients of a fantastic apartment in New Orleans last weekend. While we didn’t go to Jazz Fest (because *someone* thinks its a bad idea for a pregnant lady), we did enjoy the amazing food NOLA had to offer…and Drew enjoyed the drinks.

There were many trips to Magazine Street (my absolute favorite), a couple of parking tickets, and a random peacock involved. Also included: a rousing game of Clue and a lovely brunch with Joy the Baker.

In all honesty, after spending a mere 3 hours in the heat at the zoo and complaining of aching feet and swollen legs, I’m pretty sure Jazz Fest would have been a terrible idea. Glad the Hubs is looking out for me.

In other news, there are only 100 days until Westley arrives! This may very well have been our last little getaway until we become a family of 3.

 

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Sweet Moments

Mar 22, 2012 In Daily Ramblings, Pregnancy, The Hubs

Seeing our handsome little boy wave at us during the ultrasound.(I can’t believe I’m breaking my own rule of showing people the inside of my uterus, but he’s so cute!)

Feeling his little hiccups and ninja moves all day and night.

Saying his name over and over, because I just can’t get enough of that sweet sound…Westley…Westley….

The look on Drew’s face when he felt Westley move, eyes wide with shock and awe. It was beautiful.

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This Man

Mar 13, 2012 In Daily Ramblings, Pregnancy, The Hubs

Can I just take a moment to talk about this man? The one in the picture making me breakfast? Thanks.

This man is going to be the most amazing father. I see the love in his eyes when he looks at my ever-expanding belly. I feel the worry in his movements when he takes the place between me and cars on the road during our walks. I feel his excitement for the future and our child and it is wonderful.

This man isn’t perfect. He has flaws, just like the rest of us. But most importantly, he is kindhearted (underneath that sometimes rough exterior) and he cares about the world that we live in.

He is the most beautiful, loving man I’ve ever known.

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My Favorite

Mar 9, 2012 In Daily Ramblings, The Hubs

I say, “You’re my favorite.”

He says, “I love you, too.”

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Update on Drew

Mar 4, 2012 In Daily Ramblings, Pregnancy, The Hubs

Joe Cain Day, Mardi Gras 2012

Remember when I posted about Drew’s disease and the big lifestyle changes we were making because of it? I’m here to give you an update. Since that post, we’ve learned quite a bit about homocystinuria. We went to see a geneticist who told us that there are many different forms of it, but that the most common form, which he thinks Drew has, responds well to vitamin therapy. That means that going completely vegan wouldn’t really be necessary.

While we love being quazi-vegetarians (I know there’s a real word for it but I always forget it), being vegan is difficult, to say the least. We’ve done well in some areas: switched to almond milk, coconut milk creamer and soy yogurt. But those fake cheeses? Not so much. Absolutely disgusting. We also like to eat meat every now and then – usually once or twice a week. I’m pretty sure we would stay on this same path if he does need only vitamin therapy, because there are so many other reasons to not trust dairy made in the US. I’ve even switched to European cheeses to escape from the awful growth hormones in American dairy, but that has absolutely nothing to do with Drew’s condition.

The next step is a genetic analysis to determine exactly which type of homocytinuria Drew has – that’s being done right now. From there, we will see a metabolic specialist that can help us with vitamin and diet therapy (which hopefully means another great trip to New Orleans!).

Drew’s eye is doing well for now. He will need another surgery in the coming months, but we’ll take it one step at a time.

As for the baby, we aren’t doing any kind of prenatal testing to determine if he/she has it. The geneticist and my girly doctor (I’m sorry, but I can’t say or type that other word) are both pretty confident that I’m not a carrier, since nobody on either side of my family has any symptoms of homocystinuria. The only way for our kid to have this is if I’m a carrier. Otherwise, they will all be carriers and need to be educated. Homocystinuria is also one of the 20+ diseases/problems they test for at birth, so I’m certain that we will catch it in time if Baby Davis isn’t so lucky.

So there you have it! I’m really beginning to enjoy baking vegan goodies, whether it is necessary or not. It just feels good for some reason.

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