It's raining again.......

It's raining.....again.  I feel like this month has been nothing but rain.  There has been so much flooding around us but we seem to be in a "safe zone" for some reason.  A lot of  natural incidents  have been happening to us as well.  We felt our first ever earthquake on Aug. 23rd and a few weeks before that I watched a funnel start to form across the field from our house.  Thankfully it didn't touch down but I discovered that our county has an emergency call system set up.  Within seconds of seeing that funnel start to form my phone rang and I was told from a recording that there was "rotation" occuring and a tornado "may or may not be on the ground" and that we should take cover immediately.  The dog, the cat, Elaina and I spent the next 30 min in our basement until Ben got home from work.  I was a bit freaked out about that one I might add.  Then about 2 weeks ago Elaina and I  had just gotten home from church one evening and ended up being in the midst of the worse lightening storm I have ever encountered.   While trying to get into the house I actually felt my hair stand on end and then heard the ear splitting crack and saw nothing but white....hot, glaring white.  I felt a slight shock run up through my body and Elaina, who I was holding at the moment, started screaming.  I'm not sure if she felt what I felt or she was just reacting to the noise and me freaking out.  To say I was a little scared at that moment was to speak lightly on how I was feeling.  I have always loved storms but there was nothing warm and fuzzy to me about this particular one.  I felt like I was standing inside one of those plasma balls that we all have liked to play with.  When I finally got inside the house I could not calm my racing heart.  Poor Ben had to talk my down on the phone because I was almost in full panic mode. 

It is very unusal for me to panic physically over something.  I tend to become very methodical when things start to escalate.  That is until I became a parent.  I have put the "pedal to the metal" and ignored many a stop sign after Elaina's fever was pushing 105 degrees.   Fear practically paralyzed me during the time spent in the basement.  My mind flashing over the stories that came out of Joplin, MI.  The story of that little toddler riped from his mother's arms.  It's the kind of fear I've never felt.  I was almost frozen when I was trying to open the door when the lightening struck near us.   Becoming a parent has brought about a true realization of how little control we really do have.  "Our children are in the Lord's hands" is very easy to say and feel when everything is hunky-dory but they really are and it can be a hard pill to swallow sometimes.  So needless to say.......I have discovered ANOTHER area in which  I need to trust the Lord completely with!  LOL

Onto a lighter note.  Elaina is now 14 months old as of Sunday.  She can now be classified a tried and true toddler since she is finally up on her feet on a daily basis.  It took her  awhile to start to try to walk from one thing to another but now all she wants to do is walk.  She is, in no way, a pro at it yet  and spends most of the day falling on her bum or her head.  Talk about something ELSE to be fearful of!  After spending weeks trying to sit on everything from the dog to the cat to pillows to even the vacuum cleaner we finally got her a small inflatable chair.   She loves it.....even if half the time she is trying to drag it everywhere with her instead of sit on it.

She also is trying to talk  more but a lot of the words she says sound exactly the same  "dada".   Ben is dada, the dog is dada, Aunt Dana is dada.  So sometimes it is hard to know if she is just babbeling or actually trying to say something.  She is starting to say "doggie" a little bit better or sometimes she actually says something that sounds like "chaco" so I normally know when she is talking abou the dog.  We discovered recently that Chaco and Hobbes aren't the only animals she loves.  We were able to take her to the York Fair last week and she was loving on all the animals she saw.  From bunnies, to chickens, to  pigs.                                                                                                                                       

  

At the fair, she also had her first sip of soda (a sprite), her first carnival ride (the carousel), and for the first time EVER....much to mommy and daddy's surprise.......she fell asleep in her stroller! :)

 

So that is all that has been happening in this neck of the woods.  As we head into the fall I look forward to spending cozy nights by the fireplace.  Just my hunny, my little bunny, and me! :)

A year already???

Dearest Elaina,

I remember the moment I realized you were coming. I was getting ready for bed and went to use the bathroom. In those few moments I'm sure my heart skipped a beat....maybe a few actually. Was I ready for this? I thought I would go late....everyone said so.....and here we were 11 days early. As I do in most instances of extreme situations I turned off the flood of emotions of fear and excitement  and simply stated to your dad we needed to call the Dr. I put out of my mind that I wasn't yet packed for the hospital and your nursery wasn't totally done and how am I gonna do this??? You didn't arrive quite like I expected. I had spent hours researching, reading, birthing classes, and even going to a chiropractor to prepare myself physically and emotionally for a natural birth. The Lord had other plans and your mommy and daddy had NO idea what a miracle you really were until Dr. Oh told us while I was still laying on the operating table that I had a double uterus and all those exercises to try to flip you head down were for naught. That this...this was probably the reasons for so many of my problems before and throughout my pregnancy. I didn't care.....none of it matter........you were here and healthy. You came out screaming and peeing on the Dr. I couldn't wait to hold you and I remember being afraid I would drop you because I still felt medicated. I kissed that tiny, perfect face and those long fingers and toes. You were pretty quiet and have continued to be so. Those first few weeks I didn't have a single clue what I was doing. (I still don't) I did what I thought all babies liked. I tried rocking you to sleep, holding you tight and swaddling you. We quickly learned you weren't exactly a textbook baby (not sure who is) and I learned you needed alone time to fall asleep. How quickly things changed when I started to learn your cues and follow them. I went from feeling frazzled and frustrated to feeling happy and peaceful. You gave me the best birthday present in early September when you started to smile at us and that smile lifts my heart every day. I remember thinking when your first teeth were coming in how sad I was going to be to see your toothless grin disappear but you haven't lost your charm. In fact, you are even more endearing with those grins these days. When you are trying to touch something you shouldn't and I catch you at it. Your little mischievous look makes me almost not be able to correct you.

You love to study everything and everyone. It is rare that a stranger gets a smile from you. People always say you are grumpy. They don't realize that you are just checking them out. "Should I trust you or not?” you are asking. You study everything you can get your hands on. I'm always so curious what is going on in that brain of yours. Being so inquisitive makes you a bit slower to achieve something but when you understand it you truly "get it".

I've watched you go from a wobbly, dependent little bundle to an adventurous explorer crawling, standing, and now trying to take some wobbly steps.

You've taught me SO much over this past year. You've taught me that cheerios are a main food group, that a spotted towel is fascinating, that tupperware makes a good chew toy, that a plastic water bottle can keep you quiet in a car for hours, and that time isn't relevant. You've taught me a kind of love I never knew existed, patience I never knew I had and terrible fear. Reaching you a second to late after a bad fall, hovering over your crib making sure you were breathing through your coughs, driving way over the speed limit, praying so hard for you and that there would be no police to get you to the doctor because you were so lifeless and you temperature was so high. Every day brings me to my knees in gratefulness and thankfulness for his grace and mercy in your life.

And so, my dearest darling, on the anniversary of the day my life turned topsy turvy when they placed that tiny bundle in my arms. My prayer for you is that you continue to grow strong and healthy. That you always feel loved and cherished by your family. That you keep your wonder and finding joy in small things like sunshine dancing across the wall or Chaco chasing her toy. Most of all that the Lord draws you to Him and protects you for He is the author and finisher. I am your biggest fan and will always be here to catch you when you stumble, to play peek-a-boo for the 100th time, to change another stinky diaper, to soothe you when you wake, crying, at 4am because your teeth are hurting. I will always hold you and smoother you with kisses even when you don't want them. I will try to let you go, to explore, to discover. I will be there to wipe away the tears and kiss the hurts. To draw out a smile and do anything to get a giggle. I love you peanut. I wish you could know how much your dad and I love you. Here is to the next amazing year of your life!

Love, love, love and lots of kisses

Mommy

A one year old??? Not yet!

Summer Time

So I must admit I'm pretty bad at posting to this blog.  I thought I'd be much better, but alas, am not.  The months are flying by and nothing I can do seems to stop them! :)  Elaina will be a year old in 2 weeks.  I can't believe it!  Where has my little baby gone?  This morning I was changing her and thinking about the fact that she is "helping me" get her dressed.  She gets a little frustrated because she tries to put her hands through the clothing but normally she gets it trapped in the folds of the cloth.  I have to pull her hand down and realign it.  She doesn't like this and yells at me about it.  The days of her loving to lay and laugh and giggle on the changing table are over.  She wants up as quickly as possible so she can  go,go,go!!!  I have to admit......she keeps me pretty exhausted these days.  I tip my hat to those with more then one kid.  It's the most rewarding time of my life but also the most tiring. :) 
We were blessed to take 2 beach trips this year.  The first was to Bethany Beach, DE (right outside of Ocean City, Md).  Ben and I had wanted to get away just the 3 of us but haven't been able to afford it.  Some friends have a beach house and offered it to our family the first week of June.  We jumped at the chance.  Dana and Dad came down for a few days but the three of us were able to enjoy a few days alone as our little family unit.  It was Elaina's first time at the ocean.  She didn't seem to impressed with it but as the days progressed we saw she really liked the water and would make her happy noises as we helped her walk towards it. 

first moments on the sand

LOVED to walk to the water

She learned to pull herself up that week

   We came home for a week and then left again for our planned family vacation in OBX.   The week was wonderful and Elaina LOVED playing with her cousin Caleb.  She gained a lot of confidence in her crawling and pulling up that week.  That week we celebrated Ben's first father's day.  Our 7th wedding anniversary and Elaina's 11 month b-day.  It was such a wonderful time!

 

 

So that's what we've been up to!!   Elaina is growing like a weed.  At 11 months she is 22lbs, 30 1/4" long, 19" head.  I can't believe a year ago this week I was working on getting her nursery done.  I truly understand why people say "enjoy it because it's fleeting".  I have tried to enjoy every moment with our little girl.  I've enjoyed watching her grow from an infant that depended on us for everything into this little bundle of energy that is SO positive she can do everything on her own.  I praise God for his blessings he bestows on us daily even though we are in no way deserving of them.  Happy SUMMER!!!

Spring is in the air!



Sleeping in our bed after getting sick in hers

Recently Ben was called to Gastonia, NC for a work trip.  Since I'm not working right now it was a perfect chance for Elaina and me to go with him.  The trip was not exactly what we had hoped for.  On the first full day down there Ben wacked his head on  a metal box and we spent a few hours in urgent care getting him stitched up.  Day 2 went by without incident and we even got to take Elaina swimming for the first time in the hotel pool but by 3am on day 3 Elaina woke us when she started throwing up in her packnplay.  She spent the next 7 hrs or so throwing up every 30min or so.  Without going into the gross details it was NOT an easy thing to deal with in a hotel room.  Ben ended up going into work the next day around lunch time.  Elaina seemed to be doing better but wasn't much interested in food.  We were supposed to head out that evening to go spend the weekend with Kari and Jay but we stayed the extra night to see how Elaina would be in the morning.  Friday, Day 4, we headed a couple hrs NE to start our visit.  We got there a little after 12pm and while Ben and Elaina took a nap Kari and I had some sister bonding time.  We had decided to take Kari out for her birthday that night once Jay got home from work.  We headed into Raleigh and ate at Firebirds

Whats for dinner?

By the time we made it home that evening I had gotten the stomach bug.  I was violently ill through most of the night and my sweet husband took care of me.  To add injure to insult, Elaina also throw up one time that night and after messing her packnplay ended up back in bed with us.  Ben never got as sick as we did but he was exhausted on Sat and slept a large chunk of it.  I missed seeing Mr. and Mrs. Leonard who had popped in to meet Elaina.  Everyone said she was a perfect angel for them!

We finally headed back out on Sunday.  I was still feeling kinda yucky but we needed to get back on the road.  I heard from Kari on Monday that Jay had come down with what we had on Sunday night.  All I can say is...."I'm SO VERY sorry!"  :(

Needless to say Elaina was very happy to be back in her crib and so were mommy and daddy! :)  Elaina still wasn't eating right and on Tuesday vomited again and also on Wednesday.  I finally took her to the Dr's on Wed. and she just felt it was taking Elaina awhile for her stomach to adjust.  I'm happy to report that was the last time she vomited.  (Mommy's happy too because the last time cost me dry cleaning our king comforter)  On top of all this, we discovered Elaina is getting her two top teeth.  They are slowly but surely coming in.  So between not eating for stomach issues and teething, being sick, and drooling like crazy we added another fun "parent moment" to our resume!  Without going into the gory details...Elaina ended up with an impacted bowel that we had to deal with.  A lovely story I will be SURE to pass on to any future suitors! :)  I also have been under the weather due to sinus issues and sore throats etc...  I'm hoping that we are all finally on the mend and that this new week will bring health to the Pugh household!



Elaina is now 8 1/2 months old.  She was 19lbs 6oz but lost some weight due to the sickness and on Wed was 18lbs 4oz.   She is just shy of 29" long and and 18" head.  She is not crawling yet and doesn't even really get on her hands and knees.  She is starting to move around more then she had been which leads to a lot of face plants etc...  I'm happy to put her down in one place and her still be there when I get back.

We had a break the other day from all the issues and I took a moment to snap a few pics.  Enjoy!

Time for an update!!!

So I've recently been told that I needed to "update" my blog.  I mainly started this for people who aren't on facebook and don't have access to our family site.  I guess I let it slide because I didn't think very many people were reading it but apparently there are more of you then I realized! :)  Life has moved at lightning speed since Christmas.  Elaina had so many milestones all at once I couldn't keep up.  On January 28th (6months 3 days) Elaina fully rolled over from her back to her belly.  We missed it!  Ben was in the computer room and he called me up and told me that he had turned around and the next second she was over.  I got the video camera out and it took her a few minutes but we finally got a roll!!!  You would have thought we'd won the lottery from all the clapping and cheering Ben, Dana, and I did!  We had a couple days of her rolling over in the crib and screaming to be flipped back (she hadn't figured  out that she already knew had to do that).  She hated being on her tummy (she still does) and quickly decided rolling onto her tummy was old hat and was done with that!  We were slightly relieved because we were tired of her waking us to flip her back over! LOL.  January 31st rolls around (monday) and she decided to sit up by herself for a few minutes with no help from mom or dad!  She continues to improve on this and can sit for LONG periods of time but we still need pillows around in case she falls over.  That friday on Feburary 4th Elaina got her first set of bottom teeth.   

2 Teeth!!!

By this time I was ready to rope her back in.  Rolling, sitting, and teeth were just to close together and I felt like I was losing my baby! :)  That quickly took a back sit to my concern when, by Sunday, Elaina had a fairly high fever and was acting very sick.  I was thinking it was from the teething but called the Dr after getting to work on Monday (Dana was babysitting).  They got me in for a 2pm visit.  By the time I got home at about 1pm Elaina was worse.  She was very  lifeless and on fire.  She had an extremely high temp.  For the first time I understand when they say "when it's YOUR child.....you can't think straight!"  I've always been very non-emotional when dealing with someone else sick or injured.  I might feel weak or sick AFTERWARDS but during it I'm pretty calm.  Not this time!!!!  I quickly got her in the car and felt like a HORRIBLE mother for going into work and not staying home with her to see that she was getting worse.  She would cry so hard when you laid her down and seemed in SO much pain.  I prayed the whole way to the dr's that it wasn't serious and to give them wisdom and me peace.  Immediately the nurse thought it might be an earache.  I thought they wouldn't eat well when they had an earache but Elaina had been eating fine.  The nurse was right!  Elaina had a raging infection probably due to all the saliva from her teething pooled in that inner ear.  Even though I didn't want to I put her on a mild antibiotic.  Within a day or 2 she was doing better.  EXCEPT.....she was starting to cough....a LOT.....by Friday the cough was so bad she couldn't sleep very well and seemed MISERABLE.  I called the Dr and his first concern was RSV and told me to tak her to the ER.  Again......not the way I want to spend my Friday OR have my daughter be poked and prodded.  After Kari told me that sometimes yawning is not just  a sign of tiredness but could be a lack of oxygen (which is the concern with RSV) and that babies can go from bad to worse VERY quickly.  We decided to head into the ER.  They tested her for RSV and Influenza.  The dr. said that RSV was seeming to be going around and they had just put a 3 month old upstairs for oxygen earlier that day.  Not encouraging words.  The tests came back that she had influenza A.  Poor little thing.   He said she was probably at the peak and there was not a lot to do but keep her comfortable and let it ride it out.  Thankfully by Monday she was doing MUCH better and by Tues seemed back to her old, laughing self.  Elaina and I had a very long talk about dumping to much stuff on mommy.  3 major milestones, ear infection, ER visit, and the Flu was just a LITTLE too much for mommy to deal with within a 2 week period!   I think she has agreed to give things to me in much smaller doses in the future! =)

         On valentine's day Ben and I celebrated it by spending the evening at home and having Naomi babysit Elaina at her house.  I had been sick for a few days and just wasn't up for going out and probably not enjoying myself....so we relaxed at home. It was the first time the 2 of us were home and Elaina was not there.  Very weird feeling! :)  I took some 6 month pics of Elaina for Valentine's day and here is one of my favorites.

       We celebrated dad's 72nd b-day very low key this year.  He wanted to go to a little burger joint in Waynesboro called Wayne's Burger (original?)  Anyways....even Elaina got in on the action!

Elaina with Pappap!

She also officially moved into her big girl car seat!   I hate it because the seat is to big rearfacing to fit behind our seats so I had to put it in the middle (which is safer anyways) but I have to climb in and out each time I put her in or get her out.  I think I've bumped her head almost each time I've put her in....poor girl. Here she is trying it out the night we got it home.  Another first was her first time in her stroller minus the car seat.  She wasn't sure what to make of it!

 Elaina is now 7 1/2 months and thriving.  I definetly think she will be a slow crawler or not crawl at all because she HATES HATES HATES to be on her tummy.  If I leave her there she'll just cry and roll over.  She LOVES to sit up and launch herself at things which ends up being a scary thing for me because she can't catch herself with her arms and face planting is a new pastime!  As of  about 2 weeks ago Elaina was 18lbs 12oz, 27 3/4" long, and 17 3/4" head.  Honestly I think she is more like 25lbs now!! Geez she has gotten  heavy.      

As for Ben and I....Ben is still working hard at the plant and I just finished my last day of Whitetail on Wednesday.  Even though I only worked a few days a week it was nice to work with all my friends and have some adult conversation! :)  Hopefully I will be more faithfull with this blog in the coming months! Happy Spring Forward!!!! :)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Having our first Christmas with Elaina was so special.  It really is true that children really add something to the holidays.  It's like seeing things through new eyes.  Since my family already was up at thanksgiving we spent Christmas day with Ben's family.  Elaina was in a very good mood that day and I didn't have to spend a lot of time trying to get her to stop crying.  There are 21 people in the family now and it's nothing short of a circus when we all get together in Ben's parent's living room.  Being an only child, Elaina struggles with all the noise and it can be a bit overstimulating for her.  We ended the day by heading to my Dad's house for Christmas dinner and dessert. 

I can't believe Elaina is 5 months already.  She turned 5 months on Christmas day.  As of right now she weighs about 16lbs and is between 25-26" long.  Her very favorite thing right now is to play with her feet which she does with abandonment on the changing table!  Who needs toys....just let her have her feet!

2010 ended on a quiet note this year.  We had a few friends to share some pizza, play some wii, and watch a few movies.  Our dear friends Kathy and Margie finally got to meet Elaina for the first time!  I always love when people are meeting Elaina for the first time.....it really is such an amazing moment to me!  Elaina decided to only join in the activities until about 10pm.  Thankfully, even though we got a bit loud sometimes, she slept through the night with no problem. 

We hope and pray everyone has a wonderful new year!!!!