Poops Magee

So, Ian and I are home sick from school and work today. Actually, Ian's the sick one, I'm just along for the ride.

Day care has a rule that if a child has 2 diarrhea diapers, their parents are called and they have to go home. On Friday, around 4, we got that call for Ian. I went and picked him up, no big deal. It was the end of the day, so I was already done.

He'd been having issues on and off for the last week, so I thought maybe it was all the fruit he'd been eating. Over the weekend, we cut out the fruit and things started to look better. However, by 9:45 this morning, Ian had met the 2 poopy max. So, with some rearranging of schedules, I went to pick him up. I called the pediatrician, and after a phone interview, decided it wasn't necessary for Ian to come in to see her. She said it sounded like a GI virus, and the best thing we could do is keep him hydrated. She stated that if things change and he started running a fever or had blood in his diapers, we should come see her, but for now, stock him up on bananas and yogurt. She also said this could take 7-10 days to run its course.

So, here it is, 2 o'clock and we've already had 5 major blow outs. I've washed sheets, the changing pad cover and shorts. And, I'm on my last pack of baby wipes. I've finally just decided to leave him in his diaper and worry about it all later. He's finally asleep, I've completely screwed up his schedule.

The thing is, he is completely fine otherwise. No fever, no significant crabbiness/crankiness, no loss of appetite or thirst, and runs and plays as if nothing is bothering him. The problem is, day care won't let him back until he's had 12 hours of non-diarrhea diapers. At the rate we're going, I don't think that will happen. So, Jim gets to stay home with him tomorrow, if it comes down to that.

People say it could be teeth. He is getting 2 bottom teeth right now, I just saw them peeking through yesterday, but he's never had this problem with teething before. Usually, we don't even realize he's getting teeth until he smiles and there they are.

Regardless of the cause, I hope he stops soon! There's only so much crap this momma can take!

My Mother's Day Present

So, for like the last 9 years, I've really wanted to get a tattoo. But, I've been scared. I've always wanted it on the top of my foot, and I had been told that that was one of the worst places to get it, because there wasn't a lot of tissue between the skin and the bones and tendons. However, I've never changed my mind about the design and the location.

For Mother's Day, Jim finally decided he'd listen to me complain about wanting a tattoo and not doing anything about it, so he took me to a place in Naples. I told them what I wanted, where I wanted it, and that I needed it done ASAP so I wouldn't chicken out. They got me in tonight.

The design is amazing. I drew out my basic sketch, and the artist, Mark, made it a work of art. He tweaked it a little bit, and I love it. The whole process took about an hour, but the actually tattooing was only about 30 minutes. Believe it or not, but I would not say the tattooing hurt. Some areas were uncomfortable, but overall, not bad at all. If I knew it would be that easy, I would have gotten it done 9 years ago!



A little background on my design. I wanted something that in 60 years, would still matter and be meaningful to me.

• The cross-now this one is obvious...this symbolizes Christ and his ultimate sacrifice for me on the cross, forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
• The ichthys-the symbol for early Christians; what is neat about this Greek word is that each of the letters that make up the word, stand for something else...so if you look at the letters, it comes out to "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior." Also, in early Christianity, during the time that Christians were persecuted, when two strangers met on the road, one would draw the top part of the symbol. If the other stranger completed the picture, they knew they were in good company. If the stranger did not complete the drawing, he was considered a foe.

So there you go. I love it, and that's all that matters!

Ian in the Tub

Don't worry, everything's covered!

15 months

Ian hit 15 months on April 6th. We finally got to the doctor on the 16th, so here's our 15 month stats.

Height: 32.6 inches (Just shy of the 95%ile)
Weight: 24 pounds (Just shy of the 50%ile)

Again, he's long and skinny. I was going through his dresser a few weeks ago, cleaning out the clothes that he can't wear. I found several pairs of shorts from 6-9 months that he can still fit into. He's long in the legs, but small in the waist. So, he's wearing 6-18 month shorts and 12-18 month shirts. It really just depends on the brand.

Other things Ian is doing:

• Running with a flight phase. He is getting both feet off the ground.
• Walking around on tip-toe, despite Momma telling him no!
• He is following simple commands, like, "Please close the door" or "Give Jubie a hug."
• FINALLY has words! He will consistently say Momma, Daddy and inconsistenly say Ubie (Jubie), Ake-ear (Shakespeare), Uce (juice), Out, Ank ou (Thank you), ball and ballon.
• Is getting two more teeth, his upper side teeth. He is now up to 6 teeth, total; 4 on the top, 2 on the bottom

He's a funny kid, and so laid back. Momma loves you, Ian!

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday. Church was uplifting, Easter Egg hunt was successful and Easter Dinner was amazing.

I love our church. I have never left there on Sunday and not felt uplifted and ready to face the upcoming week. That's exactly what you need in a church...a place that tempers law vs. gospel and prepares you to enter the mission field and do God's work. The choir sang, and Ian was well behaved during the sermon...something that doesn't always happen. We've also started taking him up for Children's message. I know he doesn't understand, but it's good practice for him to go up and sit quietly. And, the older members in the congregation find it cute.

After church service, there was an Easter Egg hunt. I wasn't sure how Ian was going to do, since he had difficulty at my work's egg hunt, but he did very well. He was carrying his Easter Basket and knew to put the eggs in. He had a blast running around picking up the eggs.

We also found out on Easter Sunday that our loan has been approved by the synod and we now have the money we need to start building our church. The plan is that next year, we will have our Easter service in our new church.

Christ is Risen, He has Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Strawberry Picking

2 weeks ago, Ian, Jim and I went to a little "u-pick" farm to pick strawberries. We had a lot of fun, and got a lot of produce! Ian was a little unsure at first, but quickly decided that picking strawberries was fun, but STOMPING on strawberries was even better! We ended up bringing home 6 pounds of strawberries, which I then cut up and froze, but not before making 2 loaves of strawberry bread and 2 weeks worth of strawberry pancakes for Ian. Enjoy the pictures!

Happy Birthday, Baby!

I have a wonderful husband. Today, he turned 29. It's crazy, when we met, we were both 18. I have had the amazing privilege of spending 11 birthdays with him. He has definitely grown up from the 18 year old he once was. I appreciate him as a man, as a husband and as a father. I know he doesn't always like his job, but he works so we can have fun. He is an amazing father, and it warms my heart to see him and Ian playing together. So, happy birthday, baby. I love you!