My mom sent me this little poem on Valentine's Day. This says it all:
Awesome Mom
Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. †
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
One Rough Week
Last week was hectic in the Anderson household. Tim and I have each been extremely busy at work and to top in off, we have been routinely getting up in the middle of the night with our little man! (I have now been up since around 3:30 this morning.)
We think that the sleep robber may be the oatmeal baby cereal that I began giving Dustin about a week and a half ago. It seems to bind him up and give him a belly ache at night. And so, I have switched back to the rice cereal. We are praying that this will help his little belly and prevent any more stolen Zs! Daddy and Mommy are in need of some rest.
Tim, Dustin and I visited Vanderbilt again on Friday to see a new surgeon. Her name is Dr. Jackson. While I am confident that her technical skills are fantastic, I did not find her to be a very compassionate individual. At this point, she will be doing the operation, which is currently scheduled for next week. Dr. Jackson indicated that Dustin will likely stay in the hospital 5-7 days and that Tim and I can stay there with him. The surgery will take about 3 hours.
Tim and I have discussed whether we are making the best decision for our son. I keep resonating on the UK surgeon's note, "It's hard to improve on asymptomatic". We have received advice from two other surgeons to remove the CCAM and are convinced that this is the best option for our little guy. Also, once the bad lung tissue has been removed, the remaining lung tissue will compensate. Hopefully, this will provide Dustin with the most optimal chance of having a normal childhood and just being a boy!
I have photos to post, only we have been moving furniture around in my house and we're not certain were the cord is for the camera! Our formal living room is now an area where the family can enjoy togetherness. We've moved our desks and Dustin's toys into this room. Since the area is carpeted (and our den is not), we thought it more conducive for a little boy learning to walk!
Speaking of milestones (no, he's not walking yet), Dustin waved to me last week and waved to the nurse at Vanderbilt! He is now sitting up unsupported, has 6 teeth, is making lots of baby chatter, is developing an affection for his blanky, is eating cereal, fruits, veggies and has tried chicken! It is so amazing to watch all of the new things that he does on a daily basis. He is also getting ready to be on the move--he slides across the floor and even moves backwards! The poor little guy, he wants so badly to crawl and gets a little frustrated. He is almost there!
We think that the sleep robber may be the oatmeal baby cereal that I began giving Dustin about a week and a half ago. It seems to bind him up and give him a belly ache at night. And so, I have switched back to the rice cereal. We are praying that this will help his little belly and prevent any more stolen Zs! Daddy and Mommy are in need of some rest.
Tim, Dustin and I visited Vanderbilt again on Friday to see a new surgeon. Her name is Dr. Jackson. While I am confident that her technical skills are fantastic, I did not find her to be a very compassionate individual. At this point, she will be doing the operation, which is currently scheduled for next week. Dr. Jackson indicated that Dustin will likely stay in the hospital 5-7 days and that Tim and I can stay there with him. The surgery will take about 3 hours.
Tim and I have discussed whether we are making the best decision for our son. I keep resonating on the UK surgeon's note, "It's hard to improve on asymptomatic". We have received advice from two other surgeons to remove the CCAM and are convinced that this is the best option for our little guy. Also, once the bad lung tissue has been removed, the remaining lung tissue will compensate. Hopefully, this will provide Dustin with the most optimal chance of having a normal childhood and just being a boy!
I have photos to post, only we have been moving furniture around in my house and we're not certain were the cord is for the camera! Our formal living room is now an area where the family can enjoy togetherness. We've moved our desks and Dustin's toys into this room. Since the area is carpeted (and our den is not), we thought it more conducive for a little boy learning to walk!
Speaking of milestones (no, he's not walking yet), Dustin waved to me last week and waved to the nurse at Vanderbilt! He is now sitting up unsupported, has 6 teeth, is making lots of baby chatter, is developing an affection for his blanky, is eating cereal, fruits, veggies and has tried chicken! It is so amazing to watch all of the new things that he does on a daily basis. He is also getting ready to be on the move--he slides across the floor and even moves backwards! The poor little guy, he wants so badly to crawl and gets a little frustrated. He is almost there!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Take Two -- Vanderbilt
Lately I feel like we are living life like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day.
We were finally able to schedule another appointment at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. This time, we will see a different surgeon. Round Two.
We are also trying to schedule Dustin's follow-up appointment with the Pediatric Urologist locally, prior to our trip to Tennessee. This has been challenging, since the urologist is only in a few afternoons a week and (from what I am told) is only one of two in the state. We decided to move up our follow-up appointment because the second surgeon at Vanderbilt asked if we were following up on the kidney area that was abnormal on Dustin's image in the CT (likely included in the dictated Radiology report). In any event, I had not even thought twice about the hydronephrosis, since the Urologist had said that the kidney was not being negatively impacted by the retained fluid in the ureter. However, it does make the absolute most sense to rule out a recommendation of surgical intervention for the hydronephrosis, so that Dustin is only under anesthesia once, if possible.
And so, back to Vanderbilt we go. Please pray for wisdom for the surgeon and the urologist and for peace and complete confidence for Tim and me regarding the decision toward surgery. Most importantly, pray for a successful operation and swift healing for Dustin. (We are possibly looking at the first week of March for the operation).
We were finally able to schedule another appointment at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. This time, we will see a different surgeon. Round Two.
We are also trying to schedule Dustin's follow-up appointment with the Pediatric Urologist locally, prior to our trip to Tennessee. This has been challenging, since the urologist is only in a few afternoons a week and (from what I am told) is only one of two in the state. We decided to move up our follow-up appointment because the second surgeon at Vanderbilt asked if we were following up on the kidney area that was abnormal on Dustin's image in the CT (likely included in the dictated Radiology report). In any event, I had not even thought twice about the hydronephrosis, since the Urologist had said that the kidney was not being negatively impacted by the retained fluid in the ureter. However, it does make the absolute most sense to rule out a recommendation of surgical intervention for the hydronephrosis, so that Dustin is only under anesthesia once, if possible.
And so, back to Vanderbilt we go. Please pray for wisdom for the surgeon and the urologist and for peace and complete confidence for Tim and me regarding the decision toward surgery. Most importantly, pray for a successful operation and swift healing for Dustin. (We are possibly looking at the first week of March for the operation).
Sunday, February 8, 2009
What is in a Name?
I have been reading through the genealogies in Chronicles. Interestingly, these books list the names of individuals who are responsible for various roles during the time. To be honest, it is very tempting to skip through the list of names to reach the more "meaty" portions of the text.
But, the names do have something to say to me. The roles included gatekeepers, David's warriors, musicians, government officials and many many others. The genealogy reminds me that we are to be trustworthy in the roles that God has assigned us, no matter how large or small. We cannot all be Beth Moores or Max Lucaddo's. But, who knows, I may be the mother of the next equivalent to Billy Graham.
I remember in high school theatre, the drama teacher had a Shakespearean quote on her wall that read, "Act well your part, for there all honor lies". The take-away for me from the lengthy list of names in Chronicles is that I must act well my part, for whatever position that I have comes from God. Hopefully, any success that I achieve during this lifetime will bring Him glory.
Speaking of names, and just for fun, here's a list of all the nicknames that I've found myself calling Dustin:
1. Baby Cakes (this one is the most frequent);
2. Sweetie Pie;
3. Silly Pie;
4. Monkey;
5. Stinky Butte (you know when this one is used);
6. Silly Boy;
7. Baby;
8. Sweet Pea;
9. Little Man; and
10. Crank Pot (this one does not get used much--we are blessed that our Little Man has such a wonderful disposition--most of the time).
But, the names do have something to say to me. The roles included gatekeepers, David's warriors, musicians, government officials and many many others. The genealogy reminds me that we are to be trustworthy in the roles that God has assigned us, no matter how large or small. We cannot all be Beth Moores or Max Lucaddo's. But, who knows, I may be the mother of the next equivalent to Billy Graham.
I remember in high school theatre, the drama teacher had a Shakespearean quote on her wall that read, "Act well your part, for there all honor lies". The take-away for me from the lengthy list of names in Chronicles is that I must act well my part, for whatever position that I have comes from God. Hopefully, any success that I achieve during this lifetime will bring Him glory.
Speaking of names, and just for fun, here's a list of all the nicknames that I've found myself calling Dustin:
1. Baby Cakes (this one is the most frequent);
2. Sweetie Pie;
3. Silly Pie;
4. Monkey;
5. Stinky Butte (you know when this one is used);
6. Silly Boy;
7. Baby;
8. Sweet Pea;
9. Little Man; and
10. Crank Pot (this one does not get used much--we are blessed that our Little Man has such a wonderful disposition--most of the time).
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Mommy "Do"
Have you ever had a hard time just letting go of something that really is not that significant to begin with?
I have.
On Saturday, I saw 5-6 inches of locks fall to the floor.
I have been saying that I wanted to get my hair cut. Not any old trim, mind you. One good cut. Now, it is done. Why is it so hard to part with something that looked pretty bad in the first place? Dead ends, quenching for a highlight, thin, brittle, and the list goes on. I'm calling my new do the "Mommy do". The name is fitting for its intended purpose--to make styling a little easier, while tidying up the mane and attempting to look good all at once.
Frankly, I'm thinking that the new do looks pretty chic!
Since I absolutely have a hard time posting without including a photo of my precious little one:
This is my little guy making friends with Landon Dyer. Our friends from Ohio, Stephanie, Brian and their son, Landon, visited us the weekend prior to this past one. As you can see, Dustin and Landon are making friends! (He's going to be a social one--I'm certain of it!) Thanks for the pic, Steph!
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