Happy Halloween!

Little looking scary!

Ballerina!

Miss Frankie. She didn't enjoy her costume!

I don't know how to switch these pictures! They are out of order! The first is Little after his belly button surgery. The second is him getting into his hospital garb. He wasn't happy when he woke up! Can you tell? But, all is well now and he seems to be feeling good. He's on very restricted activity for two weeks (only a week left!) and he hates that! He's an outside kid, not a TV kid, so it's really killing him.

Frankie was so funny when we brought Little home from the hospital! She did NOT like the hospital smell on him! She smelled and smelled him and then started digging at his clothes like Dachshunds do. It was funny. As soon as he changed his clothes and settled down on the couch, she was satisfied and curled up next to him for a nap! Too cute.

Little's Surgery

Here I am with Big and Little.

Little has to go in for surgery a week from today. None of my kids (thank you, Lord) has ever had to have surgery for anything (except Frankie, who as you all know has been one medical issue after another - the poor thing!). I guess I'm lucky, especially with two boys. Little has an umbilical hernia that didn't close on its own. The surgery is routine (a little comfort in that). I'm most worried about the anesthesia, and they found a heart murmur. Also, apparently, not too big of a deal. He's pretty psyched about it because he remembers me ordering something to eat when I had Rose and he visited me - he essentially is looking forward to room service at the hospital! LOL! That is SO Little.

The hardest part is going to be keeping him down for TWO WEEKS! No running, swimming, soccer, bikes, etc. He is the most outdoor kid I know, so that's not going to be easy. Anyone have any good ideas of fun things we can do?

Done Nursing

I have been trying to figure out how to stop nursing for a couple of months. We have been down to one feeding a day - right before bed. I really love that time with Rose. She's so sweet and clean from her bath and feeling snuggly. I know the breastfeeding that one time a day is a comfort thing for her, and I know I will not ever nurse another baby! That's why it's been so hard for me to stop completely. If it was up to her, she's be starting preschool and still nursing!

Last night, as I was giving Rose her bath, I told myself I would *try* to put her to bed without nursing her. Just try. I was sure she'd throw a fit when she noticed our routine was changed and my (spineless) plan was to nurse her then. I sat in a different chair and just held her and rocked her in place of nursing her, waiting for the screaming to start.

Rose looked at me strangely - then she said, "Nye nye!" She knew she was going night-night. I starting singing the song I sing to her at nap time and she sort of sang along, talking calmly about something in baby language. Then she fell asleep.

I was sure she's scream when I put her in her crib, having realized that she wasn't nursed!

She was silent. She slept with no problem and was cheerful this morning. So, I guess I'm free! Finally! No baby holding me down! Thank goodness!

Then, why do I feel soooooo sad? You want them to grow up but it's still bittersweet. And I keep reminding myself that this is our last baby.

Awwwww!

Thank you to Luke & Liesel and to Matilda for these cute awards. I know there are some rules that go along with them? I am to post the award, link those who gave it to me, nominate 7 other blogs, and link those blogs and leave them a message. I can't decide! Can I nominate everyone? :)

Pictures - It's been a while!

Rose and Frankie.
Mommy and Miss Rose!
Rose and Little playing in the fountain at church.
Rose with her big brother!

Goodbye, Infertility!

My mind has been racing today. I have realized that I am completely done (physically) with infertility. It has just dawned on me that there will be no more counting, needles, waiting, betas, etc. etc. etc. AF will just be AF from now on, not a sign of my personal failure (stupid, but that is how it felt sometimes). Now that we KNOW we are not having any more children - and I do know in my heart of hearts that my family is complete - I can lay that to rest.

It feels good.

It feels odd, though. Even though Rose is over a year old, and even though the trouble it took to get her here isn't ever too far from my mind, it feels so peaceful to loosen my hold on it. Natural. And I'm grateful.