Cuddling with my Kids

Cuddling with my kids. Is there anything better? I bought the DVD "Coraline" today and Courtland convinced me that it would not be too scary and that we should watch it together. What's a girl to do when a handsome boy wants to cuddle and watch a movie? Anyway, Ada and Luke joined us briefly and life was perfect. I love it when my baby girl rests her head on my shoulder and smiles. She is just so cute. I thought things could not get better when Ada turned to me and said "sleep with Buddy." Seeing my kids cuddle together and be the best of friends is almost enough to make my heart burst. I am truly truly blessed. Another special day.

Houston, we have a heartbeat!

I have absolutely no problem thinking of what made my yesterday special. It was the day I heard the most beautiful sound in the world--the sound of our unborn baby's heartbeat. I rented a doppler from an on-line site and came home from our trip to Notre Dame to find this magical piece of equipment waiting for me. The moment of truth had arrived.

Let me just back up a bit to explain why this was such a momentous moment for me. Of course, hearing that heartbeat is amazing for every mommy to be. However, this mommy to be has experenced a miscarriage so it means even more. My first pregnancy was a blighted ovum. This means that while a baby did start to develop in the very early stages, it stopped growing at some point. However, the sac that would support the baby continued to grow. As a result, I had pregnancy symptoms, positive pregnancy tests, but there was never that all important heartbeat. I did not learn this until I was nearly twelve weeks pregnant. I was living in ignorance; so excited to be pregnant, thinking I was nearing that all important first trimester mark where your chance of miscarriage is greatly reduced. Needless to say, I was disappointed when I learned the truth. However, I was not devastated. Honestly, I had always worried that I would not be able to get pregnant or would have a hard time. I truly felt good to know that my body was capable.

This brings me back to the present. After that experience I do not take any pregnancy for granted. A positive pregnancy test, symptoms, and no sign of miscarriage is not enough reassurance for me. That heartbeat lets me know that there is in fact a little person growing in there. That heartbeat makes it real. I now feel the peace and excitement that I wish for every woman carrying the most precious cargo. God is good and this is truly a special day.

The Title of My New Blog

Welcome to my new blog. I will admit that, until fairly recently, I wasn't exactly sure what a blog was. However, I began reading a couple and decided that it is something I would like to try. Why not, right? I can't imagine who's going to read it, but it seems like a nice way to keep track of life.

So, I found a site that could have me up and running in a matter of minutes. That is where I hit my first snag. They wanted a title. Hmmm. What am I to call this on-line diary? I had to step away from the computer and put some thought into it--this was already harder than I thought it was going to be.

After some quiet reflection (which of course means in those few brief moments between getting after Ada for throwing her Power Bar when I didn't present it in the exact manner she was expecting and telling Courtland for the millionth time that he is three and not allowed to play outside by himself) it came to me. Courtland asks almost daily if we are going to have a special day. To a three year old (at least my three year old) this means doing something he finds spectacularly fun, unique, and exciting. This includes, but is certainly not limited to, a trip to Disney World, taking a six hour drive to go to my mom's (who he calls Pooh) house, staying in a hotel, or going to the water playground near our house.

I must admit that as much fun as I like to think I am, I simply am not the Entertainment Director Courtland would like me to be. As a result I have come up with an answer to his almost daily question of "are we going to have another special day?". I simply tell him, "every day is a special day with you." And there you have it, folks. The inspiration for the title of my blog. Every day that I know my kids and get to spend time with them is a special day. Every day I am married to my amazingly supportive and always well intentioned husband is a special day. Every day we are healthy and together is a special day. We are truly blessed on this very special day.

Here's hoping you are enjoying your special day.