Prego Brain

This is one of the first post's for my third child...

I'm sure you have heard people use the term "prego brain". In case you haven't, let me explain it to you...

It is a disease of the brain while you are pregnant. This fantastic new creation growing inside of you sucks brain cells from your brain causing you to not always think clearly or do stupid things that your normal functioning brain wouldn't do. That explanation comes from my own medical brain! I actually have an extended theory of my own...the brain cells that this baby steals never fully return. So the 2nd and 3rd time around you have even less functioning brain cells than you did with the first pregnancy. So scientific I know! You will never convince me, the victim of prego brain, any differently!

So dear child #3 (who still remains nameless)...

Your presence in my life has recently caused the worst case of prego brain to date (for myself). Well maybe it's your presence combined with all of the other things in our life right now competing for my attention.
It was 3 days until moving day. Our swim plans (much needed sanity break from packing) for the morning had been spoiled by the weather. That worked out fine because Grampy called and the workers needed another gallon of paint for our family room to finish up the work in that part of the house. So shower-less Mommy and sunscreened lathered kids hop into the van to head to Lowe's to get the paint. We met Nana in Mt Vernon and she was taking it back to the workers. By the time we left her it was after 11. We still needed to stop by the grocery store. We decided to eat lunch out so when we got home the kids could just got down for their naps. So we stopped in GD Ritzy's. Actually had a nice, uneventful lunch the 3 (well sort of 4) of us. Then we had a calm, quick trip in the grocery store for 12:30 in the afternoon.

We were loaded back up in the van ready for home and naps by 1:05. As I was backing out of our very close parking spot I vaguely remember this faint horn honk and then "crrrruuuunnchhh". The van lurched a small bit.

My hormonal, overwhelmed self immediately began crying.

HK immediately sensing something was wrong asked the question.

With the tears already forming and beginning to roll I just told her, "Oh nothing...Mommy just bumped into another car."

I park again and go assess the damage apologizing all over myself.

It was a nice middle aged woman in an older car. The paint is coming off and possibly a small dent...more a paint mess up. I have pen and paper out ready to give her my info. An employee of Wal-mart, nice young girl, witnessed it and went in to find out what to do. The nice lady explained to me that she didn't really care. Her car had over 160,000 miles on it and she was getting ready to give it to her brother. She said it had other dents all over it. She also had a car full of frozen food and just wanted to leave... not wanting to wait for the police and fill out a report. Relieved she was not upset with the prego brain woman in front of her I turned around to see the big dent in the bumper of our van and began to cry all over again. I think the lady felt sorry for me or she actually didn't have insurance herself. So we parted ways and I crawled back in the van still crying.

HK then very sweetly, soothingly, and encouragingly says to me...

"Mommy it's okay. Sometimes we bump cars but it's an accident. You know when Daddy gets home he will see it and fix it. Remember don't ever give up."

I turned and looked at her serious, sweet face and wondered how she got so big and could give such good advice to her obviously distraught mother. I don't think I will ever forget that moment.

Also, as we began to pull out again, HK informed me..."Mommy there are no cars coming." I guess she decided that Mommy needs a backseat driver. Serves me right...I am a pretty bad backseat driver myself.

I pulled it together, after I talked to Nate. He was very patient and told me it was just a van. This was my first real "incident" in a vehicle. All I could see where the dollar signs for repair and insurance increase.

But my loving husband and daughter reminded me....sometimes accidents happen and it's okay.

Hopefully no more prego brain incidents to this extent over the next 12 weeks!

Journey On

Journey: passage or progress from one stage to another

Life is a journey. We move along, progressing from one thing to the next.

It feels in a way as if a journey for us has ended. We are finally experiencing the light at the end of the tunnel. Sort of...for a moment anyway.

We are really just finishing up one stage and moving on to the next....letting the light at the end of the tunnel boost us and encourage us to step foot into the next tunnel.

These five young doctors below have just spent the last 3 years journeying together. Their journeys will all take them in different directions, but the journey continues. Congratulations to all of these Deaconess Family Medicine Residents that have completed their residencies and are practicing medicine in "the real world". I know they have worked hard. They have learned so much in their time here, but still have so much to learn as they enter the next tunnel!
We were so glad to be able to celebrate this occasion tonight with Roy & Cathe, Grandpa & Grandma, Noah & Heather and Allie, and Nick & Terrah.

The group posing for a picture with Linda White, CEO of Deaconess Medical Systems.

Uncle Nick hanging with sweet Allie!

And there was cake...some of the biggest pieces of cake I have ever seen.
Nolan did not have this piece all to himself. He ate a few bites off of mine. Even together we couldn't finish it....but it was good!

Nate and Alex soaking up some last minute pointers from Dr. Arruffat, a colorectal surgeon in Evansville.

Grandma & Grandpa Gray

The Three Brothers

After Nate was posing for pictures with several people, HK jumped up the second she could so she could have her picture taken with Daddy. Nolan of course just screamed...so he is running around below the shot.

I almost forgot, but remembered at the last moment to get our picture together.

Here we are 7 years later...4 years of med school, 3 years of residency, almost 3 children later, and lots of other planned and unplanned bumps along the road.

We are in this journey together my dearest Nate! I wouldn't have it any other way with any other person! I am so very proud of you! I can't wait to enjoy the light for a moment and then duck into the next tunnel holding your hand with three little ones trailing behind.

You are going to make a fantastic small town doctor. Your Mom would be so proud of you and I think she would agree with me when I say...

Remember to ....

-Keep your heart and life full of Jesus

- Be humble, but remain confident

- Give your patients knowledge & compassion

- Treat your co-workers with respect

- Always show integrity in all situations

- Not stretch yourself too thin because your biggest fans are waiting for you at home!

I love you! Let's journey on my man!

Celebrating the Love of our Fathers!

I am so blessed to have such a fantastic father. I could not even begin to try to find the words to do him justice. He is not only a great father, but just a great man...which adds to being a great father. I am so blessed to have married a man in many ways that reminds me of my Dad, but has so many unique qualities of his own. So it is no surprise to me that he is a great father, and hopefully his children will one day feel about him the way I feel about my Dad.

Thank you to you two men for the love you have both shown me and my children!

Thank you for looking to the best example we have, our heavenly Father, to learn how to always be a better husband and father!

I love you both and am so glad I am a part of your lives!

Needless to say, Nolan is not the most cooperative picture taker at this time! So Nate was trying to tickle him to get him to smile.
As soon as he stopped tickling he went straight from screaming/laughing to screaming/crying.
So we gave up and said this will document this Father's Day for Nolan just perfectly.
Then there is Daddy's Little Girl...that is getting soooo big!
Her favorite song right now is Dance Me Daddy. She loves to sing loudly the words to this song. She will dance it alone or better yet with her Daddy.
They reciprocally have big 'ole soft spots for one another.
So much for a picture with both kids. I finally just said, "Everybody scream!" I love the result. It captured the moment so well!
Grampy with his girl...
and his boy. Grampy, at that moment, was the only one that could hold Nolan and he didn't scream. He wasn't exactly smiling, but at least he stopped screaming. Nolan always beats his hand on his chest over his heart and says "bampy" or sometimes "papa" (for grandpa) when he sees Dad or we say his name. We pulled up in front of his house today and Nolan started beating his hand on his chest and looking around for his Bampy. Nolan will grab the riding mower key from the bowl of keys and take it to Dad (or whomever might be closest) and then take him to the back door. He knows which key it is because it's a John Deere key chain. Even though he is still a pretty big Momma's Boy he still loves the men in his life an awful lot!

Unfortunately we didn't get to spend anytime this weekend with Papa because he has been sick. He knows how very much we love him and will see him soon!

Well...life has kicked in to crazy high gear this week.

Ang's wedding is in two days.

Nate's graduation is tomorrow.

Moving day is in a week. So we are living in a crazy mess.

So it may be awhile before I can get back to regularly updating the scrapbook of our life, but when I do...watch out! There will be LOTS of catch up to be played!!!!

New Double Jogger

For some time now (months...even almost 2 years) I have been researching and dreaming of the perfect double jogging stroller. Having said that, I am not sure that the "perfect" one exists. However, I think I just got as close as I will ever get! We had the sit n' stand double stroller which has been great for almost the last two years, but let me tell you how HEAVY it is to push. The maneuvering has gotten more difficult the heavier they have gotten. For walking and exercising it is very impractical, not to mention that in my current state I can hardly push the thing. I finally, after almost 2 years, got Nate on board to "investing" in a double jogger that would make us all happy! We finally agreed on the BOB Revolution Duallie. However, I hated to order online without actually seeing it and trying it out. The closest place we could find to try one out was REI in St Louis. So while we were there celebrating our anniversary we stopped by REI. It was as great in person as it was online! I pushed the stroller out of the store, childless, but so excited. I couldn't wait to put the two crazy kids in it! We can get an adaption piece that will hold an infant seat on one side and snack tray on the other side when get to that point.

The funny thing is that I never dreamed our children would be more excited about the new stroller than I was. When we rolled in Nana & Grampy's house with it late Saturday night HK was ecstatic. She was all over the thing and wanted to sleep in it.

The next morning Nolan was a bit perplexed by this orange and brown thing. Nolan loves to ride in strollers. I shouldn't have been surprised that he would've loved this one too!

(notice he just woke up, but he already has his "shooz" on...he is obsessed with "shooz")
Checkin' out his new seat...."this ain't so bad Momma. i thinks i like it! purty comfy!"
One of the features I love are the giant sun shades! You can adjust them individually...they will barely come out or they will cover all but from the knees down. I also love that the seats recline very nicely for a good, relaxing nap. It has so many safety features, is SO EASY to push, and turns on a dime. Now you might think it looks huge, but when you are behind it pushing it...it's not so bad! It fits down a normal aisle and through a normal sized doorway.

Sunday afternoon, Harvey even enjoyed himself quite thoroughly in it with HK.
Even though it was sweltering outside Sunday afternoon I took the kids on a walk (short) in it. HK was asking and well, it didn't take to much to convince me. Now it just needs to cool off a smidge so we can start regularly walking again without heat stroke!

Thank you Nate for this fantastic "investment" that we will all enjoy. I just hope the "newness" and excitement for HK wears off by fall so she won't be too disappointed if we need her to ride her bike, scooter, walk, or other form of transportation. Maybe she would like pushing the new one...it's easy enough she could!

Celebrating 7 in the City

June 21, 2003...

7 years ago today we said I do...for better or for worse.

I can't believe 7 years have passed. Even more than that, I can't believe all that we have experienced the past 7 years.

This past Saturday we celebrated our anniversary of 7 years (anniversary is actually today). Nate got us tickets to see WICKED at the FOX Theater in St. Louis. We just went up for the day since Sunday was Father's Day and my mind is hardly able to keep up with all of the things on our to-do list lately!

We left early and did a smidgen of shopping, had some lunch, spent the afternoon at the FOX, ate dinner at a quaint local Italian place on S Grand, bought our dream double jogging stroller, and headed back to So IL. It was so great to spend the day together. The show was absolutely amazing. Neither of us had been to the FOX before, and we absolutely loved it. What a fantastic place! Nate is ready to buy season tickets.....maybe someday.

There was a t-shirt I loved and wanted to get, but we both about croaked when we saw the price. So I just admired from afar!

My Dearest Nate...

Thank you so much for an amazing day! I had such a wonderful time! It was so nice to take a break from everything going on at home!

Last year I think I wrote you a top ten list of things I love about you.

This year I want to give you a list of all the things I am looking forward to sharing with you in this next year!

In no particular order...

1. I look forward to sharing the year of marriage they call "the 7 year itch" and prove that it is just a myth!

2. I look forward to celebrating your residency graduation with you. We began this road together the year we got married. I love how you made me such a part of this process with you all along the way. I know you would've done fantastic without me, but I love that you make me feel as if you couldn't have done it without me.

3. I look forward to watching you go from resident to a practicing physician in a small town...fulfilling your dream. Your mom would be so proud to see that! I know she was such a huge inspiration and a reason you have such a passion for what you do. It's not just a job for you. Your heart is filled with passion and compassion for what you do and the people you serve.

I know this year will be a tough one on us, but it has to be the most exciting one yet! I will be here for you on the good days and frustrating days! I know you are going to make an amazing doc!

4. I look forward to helping you welcome your 3rd child (2nd son) into this world in September. What a crazy thought to think we will be a family of five! You are such an amazing father/daddy. Your daughter absolutely adores you and loves you so much. Nolan does too even though I know he can't quite express it and show it the way HK does. Baby #3 (who still remains nameless) will love you in an amazingly new way than the others! I know you say we are done. Right now I tend to agree...but we will just wait and see :-).

5. I look forward to living in a house again. I know we have made this our home, but it will be so nice to have some more space, a yard, a garage!!!! Unfortunately, it comes with responsibilities we have been able to avoid these past 3 years. Yet, I think we are ready and can handle it!

6. I look forward to our next vacation together. It will be quite different with 5 of us. I know that traveling and vacations are something that we want to be such awesome memories for us and our children.

7. I look forward to finding, once again, a church home. Finding a place where we will grow in our relationship with Jesus and serve Him/others together as a family.

8. I look forward to secretly celebrating the move we will both make into our 30's.

9. I look forward to working with you through any of the unforeseen or obstacles that crop up into our life this year. I am not saying I look forward to those things happening, but rather the process of coming out stronger on the other side with you!

10. I look forward to celebrating our 8th anniversary...another year with you my dear! What a journey it has been and will continue to be!

11. I look forward to sharing with you lazy Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons, days off, date nights, family nights, shaved ice, ice cream, homemade pizza nights, Chinese take out nights, relaxing on our new deck, laughing with you and at you, watching our children in awe with you, all of the little things that are going to make this year filled with memories galore!

Happy Anniversary My Love!

I am so glad that you picked me!

HK's 4th Birthday Party

The Saturday morning before her birthday, we had HK's birthday party at Mom & Dad's house. We did lunch with both of our families all together. We ordered pizza and had salad with it. So easy and so yummy.

The night before her party, Nana & Grampy gave HK her new big girl bike with training wheels. In case you can't tell, yes it is princesses. She loves it. She has already gained lots of confidence and is doing well with it! She has a little trouble getting started, but I am sure that will be gone soon!
This is the castle cake I attempted to make. It didn't turn out exactly like I wanted it to because I am quite anal about some things....but overall I was pleased.

Reece & HK eating their pizza outside at HK's new table and chairs from Greatie.

This was the first year that I would say that HK opened presents like you always imagining a kid doing. She was ramped up and excited. It was a whirlwind between her excitement, Reece's help, and Nolan right in the middle of everything. She loved her Fancy Nancy tutu from Uncle Noah, Aunt Heather, & Allie. It's already been worn for many "dance recitals".
Allie: "What? I fot dat waz for me Momma?!?! "

Nolan was pretty excited about HK's new scooter from Uncle Nick and Aunt Terrah...as was HK. She loves riding it!

I think she got kind of shy on us when everyone was singing Happy Birthday to her.

She blew out the candles and then she wanted to help pass out cake and ice cream to all of her guests before she would sit down and eat any herself!

Papa & Allie hanging out. I think Allie just wanted us to put the cameras away and let her play!
Oldham Girls...Hallie Kate & Allie Grace

At 1:00 was our cousin Reagan's 13th birthday celebration. So we had a day full of partying! We went over to the church to help her celebrate.
HK was in awe and taking in all of the actions of these tweeny boppers. They had this dance game for the Wii hooked up on the big screen. All of those girls loved it. They would stand up there and do the dances even if they weren't the ones playing it.
By the end of the party, HK had warmed up enough to get up at the front and try to play. You just had to do the dance moves that the player on the screen did.
It cracked me up to watch how serious and intense she was. She actually did a pretty good job. She told me she wanted to have that party (meaning that dance game).

She enjoys all of her new things!.....

Especially her new dress up items!

It was a HOT day, but a fun day filled with family and more memories! Thank you everyone for celebrating with us!

18 Months

So I am only about two weeks behind on this one, but we definitely cannot let this milestone slip by!

June 3rd Nolan turned 18 months...right in the middle of HK's birthday excitement.

Nolan got some quality time with Nana & Grampy for a couple of days. After HK's birthday party, we left him with the Grands. He missed out on the Holiday World trip this year, but I think he had a better time than if he had been with us!
He got a new chair.
He got to ride his "tra-ta" and I guess sort of drive too.

Doesn't look like he missed us too much does it?
This is his favorite book. It is a John Deere touch and feel book with pictures of real tractors.
On HK's birthday when we were in Holiday World, Nana made him his own version of Holiday World.

I definitely think that he enjoyed that more than if he would've been with us!

Since HK got a big girl bike with training wheels for her birthday, Nolan inherited the tricycle. He LOVES it! This is his first long ride on it!

This picture is one to hold over your head one day, Nolan! HK got a set of Princess dress up shoes for her birthday. When she was playing with them last week she thought it would be fun to put them on you. You didn't seem to mind to comply with her wishes.

Yes oh yes oh yes have you learned the temper tantrums! I know part of it is frustrations from our lack of being able to communicate with one another very well right now. Yet the other is just expressing your displeasure at being told no and not getting your way. You even got your first spankings from Daddy this past month when you really turned on the tantrum works.
As we can all see you did not like having to try on your tuxedo for Aunt Ang's wedding. So you dropped to the floor. That is your usual mode of tantrum...your legs turn to jelly and you scream on the floor. You have definitely had your fair share of time outs for these lately!

Well buddy you have been here with us for 1 1/2 years now!

We had your 18 month well child check last week. Your head and your height are still staying in the 90's percentile wise. You weighed 27.6 lbs and were almost 34 inches tall. You lucked out and were up to date with all of your shots...so no needles this time around!

You are a pretty healthy guy. You are still sort of a picky eater, but you LOVE your milk!!! I think you might even have gotten my extreme sweet tooth!

You are the easiest child when it comes to going to sleep! You take a 3-4 hr nap everyday. You go down so easy and to sleep on your own usually without a peep. I am so thankful for that. Please help me to teach your new brother how to do it as well as you!

We can finally make a list of the things you say...it's not big, but it's growing.

Things you "can" say...puppy, ball, tractor, uh-oh, momma, daddy, bampy (grampy), nana, shoes, thank you, bless you, go, sis (sometimes), all gone, hi, bye-bye. There might be a couple more I am forgetting.

You love to brush your teeth and take a bath. When I say let's go brush your teeth you act like you are brushing with your finger and run for the bathroom. You also get really frustrated if the bathtub is filled and no one is putting you in it fast enough!

Now that the pool water has warmed up you are enjoying swimming more than at first.

You LOVE to swing! You could sit in a swing all day.
You also love to ride on the riding mower. You have meltdowns when we go to Lowes and they are all lined up out front (and we don't let you on them).

You LOVE LOVE LOVE being outside. If someone goes out the door and does not take you, you start crying.

You LOVE popsicles (or anything sweet for that matter).

You give the sweetest kisses when you want to. If someone asks for a kiss and you don't want to, you just shake your head and say "uh-uh". That is what you do instead of saying no. You say "uh-uh" with a shake of your head back and forth.

This is your last month in the home you have lived in since you were born. We will be moving before you turn 19 months old.

You are just 6 months older than HK was when we moved to Evansville. That is so hard to believe!

You are a sweet boy who is definitely starting to have is own opinions in life.

I look forward to seeing how you adapt to all of the upcoming changes in your life!

I will try to make it as smooth as possible on you big guy!

Happy 18 months & I love you!