Prayer request from a friend....

I almost forgot to include this prayer request from my friend TE...please keep the Harris family in your prayers....

Hello All,
For those of you who don't know or haven't heard yet, my Dad (R Harris) is in CCU and he and I need prayers right now. I'll try to be short. Mom & Dad took a cruise last week during spring break. They left on Saturday 3-17, and Dad became ill, probably from sea sickness on Monday evening 3-19. They were at dinner and he started feeling ill, so he told Mom that he was going back to the room. Mom got up a few minutes later to find him in the lobby of the restaurant sitting there where he had gotten sick. She took him to the infermery on the ship and they briefly checked him out and said that he may have a collapsed lung, but for him to just get some rest that he would feel fatigued and gave him some sea sick pills. He carried on and began having shortness of breath, didn't feel like eating or drinking and had pain in his chest under his rib cage around his back. He went back to the infermery a couple more times and they said that he had probably pulled a muscle when he got sick, so they gave him a muscle relaxer. He carried on like this for Tuesday and Wednesday even going on their excurisions! He was in a lot of pain and being stubborn, didn't think it was that serious, well they got home on Thursday afternoon and made a doctor's appt. for Friday morning. He went to the appt. this past Friday and they sent him immediately to the hospital. What ended up happening was that when he got sick, he tore a hole in his esophagus which in turn leaked fluid into his lungs and made them collapse. He had surgery on Friday to remove a portion of his esophagus and has an infection in and around his lungs that they are treating with 3-4 high antibotics. The main thing now it to treat the infection and then we will deal with the other. He has a chest tube, 2 tubes to drain the fluid from his lungs, a spit tube, a stomach tube for feeding, since he can't eat or drink anything. He was sedated still after the surgery on Friday and all of Saturday, but they did take the ventilator off him yesterday moring and he woke up and was alert and able to talk a little bit. He can't move his mouth very much and he sounds hoarse when he talks. They did sit him up in the bed for awhile yesterday too. He's a very strong man and is doing better, but each day is a new step. I don't think Dad knows the severity of everything and we really don't want him to know at least not yet. He doesn't need any set backs. Eventually they may try to repair his esophagus, if it can be repaired. If it can be repaired, they will have to check his colon, small intestine and stomach to see if there is a match and if it is good, if so, then they will take a part of his small intestine or stomach to repair it. Like I said earlier, we want to fight the infection first.
PLEASE I know about the power of prayer, so I know I have that with each of you. It's going to be a long road, but I know with prayer and strength he will get through this. I'll try to keep everyone updated.

THANKS EVERYONE!!!!

Happy Birthday to me...

Greetings everyone!

What a great weekend...my parents were in town for a few days, along with my sis. Whether or not they were in specifically for my birthday or not, I don't know but I like to lie to myself and think that it was the ONLY reason they wanted to come in...ha ha! We had a short but wonderful visit. Mr. B actually behaved himself this time (we had a rough go of things in Jan when I took him to their house).

Sunday was my birthday and when I told Mr. B that my birthday was that day his only concern was if I was going to have cake or not. He thought I deserved a pretty orange and red one. Well, I finally got cake on Monday!!! NR in my office baked me a yummy red velvet cake! It was a wonderful few days around here...making turning old not so bad after all. My sis and I got to spend a great Sunday shopping for maternity clothes and enjoying each other's company. We laugh because since she moved three hours away, we see her all the time!!!!

SW, another friend of mine in the office thought it appropriate to bless me with a stuffed chicken, and a cute little outfit with a chicken on it (read my original posting about Mr. B's comment at the Ultrasound). I showed it to Mr. B and told him it was his baby. He plainly responded, "No that's not my baby, but I wish she would hurry up and get out of your belly so I could play with her." There's a lot of love now...so check back in a year or so and laugh out loud at the posts where they will be fighting like cats and dogs!!! Oh well, it is great while it lasts.

I went to see the Dr. today, or as my girlfriend JBL and I call him now, Lo Mac...long story...I have gained 2 more lbs, bringing the grand total up to 16. Not so bad for 24 weeks pg! I feel OK, except everything I eat makes me feel icky and it is so darn hot outside I just don't know how I am going to make it until July. Lo Mac checked the heartbeat and checked for a second heartbeat...so not funny because I think I might die if he found twins in there after all this time. But stranger things have happened right? However, I am pretty confident I don't have a thing to worry about!

So.....off for now! Thanks to all who blessed me with birthday wishes. I am so lucky to be celebrating another year with such great anticipation of things to come! Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful spring weather and getting all their winter clothes packed away. Check back soon....

Brysonisms....

Here are a few funnies that Mr. B has been sharing with us:

Smushrooms - not mushrooms, it stands for marshmallows
Chopsticks - not the kind you use for asian fare, it stands for Chapstick!

OH! And you might like to know that we have had two successful diaper-free nights!! WOO HOO! Way to go Mr. B!

Hope those gave you a chuckle! Have a great day.

Under the weather and diaper free living...

Well thank goodness MB is home! He's still working like crazy but at least he's local!!! Tonight he is working a concert but Mr. B got to have some major Daddy time today! That is a plus. My little guy has a mean cough and runny nose, so he went to the Dr. on Thursday. Everything seemed OK, but he ended up with a really high fever that night. Thank goodness it broke and hasn't been up since and he seems to be feeling much better. I however continue to feel icky. It is almost like my weeks are so very busy that I just crash on Saturday. I am exhausted and everything hurts. Usually, my Sundays are better, so I assume just needed rest is the cure.

We are testing out going diaper free tonight. Mr. B has been awesome with his pottying. He's so independent...telling us not to come in, he can do it himself. So, he's done really well. He's had his share of accidents, but seems to have gotten the hang of it. He almost never has wet diaper when he wakes up in the morning, so.....we used the last diaper last night and are giving diaper-free living a try, OK, at least until July when we go into diaper overload. We shall see how things go...

Looking forward to a visit with my parents coming up next weekend. They'll be here for my birthday. My sis is going to be able to come in overnight too. I can't wait!!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Playing hookey!

Mr. B has decided to play hookey today...In reality, he's playing hockey on his Buzz Lightyear Air Hockey game, but he's calling it hookey. We've been lazy for the last two weeks so today we've been picking up around the house a little, doing the dishes and laundry and so forth, getting ready for MB/Dad to come home tomorrow.

Lordy I can't wait!!! I have been in pain on and off for the last two weeks, BG is in my ribcage and it hurts so badly. I think I am carrying very differently than with Mr. B. My hip is starting to pop whenever I am walking around and it just doesn't feel good. So having him home will help out greatly. Poor Mr. B must think his mommy is a sloth. Yesterday, I laid on the couch all day snoozing off and on while Mr. B played with his toys and watched TV. Unfortunately, sometimes you just need those days. Not only have I been hurting, but work has been CRAZY! My favorite time of year though at work, because my days fly by!

We did manage to get away from the house yesterday for a while. Mr. B and I went to get dog food and I promised him if he was a good boy at the store he could get a milkshake at our favorite milkshake-getting place. While we were there, I watched two carhops collide! It was kind of funny. I had just recently had a discussion with a my friend JV who works right next to the place that it is a great passtime that he and his coworkers have on rainy days to watch the roller skating carhops bite the dust...our own OR version of roller derby!!! HA HA. So I immediately texted him that I was privileged enough to see this on a bright sunny day. Just a disclaimer -- no one was hurt!!!!

Anyway, as we were leaving the milkshake-getting place, Mr. B says "Momma did you get Daddy a milkshake?" Meanwhile, Daddy is in VA working, and has been crazy busy the last month or so preparing for three consecutive shows. I think I almost felt a tear coming on. The other morning when Mr. B got in bed with me, he reached over and patted the comforter and said "Is my Daddy in there? I want him to play with me." So sweet, but just breaks your heart too. But again, Daddy will be home tomorrow! YEA! This is really the only time of year that his schedule is so crazy, and Mr. B is used to his normal 24 hour schedule, so excess tends to get to him.

Well, off to play with Mr. B...making up for lost time yesterday!!! Enjoy the beautiful weekend.

Spring is in the air!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!! I love spring in OR!!! I can't wait for the leaves to start budding and the grass to green up. It is a great time of year. Mr. B and I spent the evening at the playground...the black playground as he calls it...because there is a huge wooden structure that he plays on and the wood is kind of a grey color. There is a purple playground too, its near our house. We like that one as well.

Mr. B is timid though. We have been to various play areas in restaurants that have the tubes that kids play in and he just won't go without getting upset. One day MB had to get another kid to guide Mr. B out because he was stuck, and crying. He is so nervous and cautiously steps over the playset, which is huge btw. It makes me wonder if the BG is going to open the gates with a no fear attitude. I have heard that about a lot of second kids. Can't wait to see their differences.

We went to our old neighbors house in Kville last night. They have two kids older than Mr. B and he always loved playing with them...so it was a real treat. There were about six kids there in total and they had a ball. Suddenly Mr. B comes running into the room where all the adults were, with blue goggles on his head and a play screwdriver in his hand and yells, "Mommy!! We're DANCING!" Well let me tell you, my kid can cut a rug. His favorite thing to do is shake his booty. He bends all the way over and puts his hands on the ground and shakes his booty in the air. Now I must say that I didn't teach this particular dance to him, although we've learned many together, but I do encourage him to do it often. It is so funny!!! So glad he got my dancing skills and not his Dad's (sorry MB)!

Spring weather brings lots of fun for us as I imagine we won't be inside much these next few months. I was hoping that we'd be able to enroll Mr. B in a sports activity, but no luck at his current age. Oh well. We'll find more to do!

BG seems to be doing ok, she's moving a lot especially at night...I am not feeling so hot today though, but I think I just ate too much. MB is out of town again for the week.

Got to run get the pizza put away that is on Mr. B's tray. Mattie B is giving it the evil eye...she's sneaky when it comes to people food. Will post again soon.

Some pics of Mr. B

Mom and Mr. B
















Yeah, we do have snow sometimes!

























Pirate Mr. B!

BG seems to enjoy food as much as I do. Everytime I swallow the first bite of a meal, she kicks me right in the gut. It is still pretty faint, but nice to know that she's there. I have only gained 13 lbs with this one. Technically the next 19 wks should bring about a pound a week. I am praying that doesn't happen because Lord knows, I don't need it! But I have been very proud of myself this time, with 60 pounds packed on with Mr. B, even if I gained 1 lb a week between now and her delivery, I am still at half the weight gain. Doc says I only need to put on around 27 lbs. I am trying to stick to that.

Went to a wedding tonight of a friend whose mom used to work with me. She passed away unexpectedly around two years ago and it was a very emotional wedding for me. The minute I laid eyes on Michael--he wasn't even down the aisle yet-- the gates opened and I boo hoo'd like a baby. Maybe it was the hormones, or maybe it was just the emotion of how proud I am of this guy. He's a great "kid" (only 10 yrs. younger than me) and is so gracious and kind. I am so happy for him, he really relied on his mom for everything because they basically only had eachother for most of his life. So to see him so responsible and such an adult just made me beam.

I have decided that this is a blessing that I am not having any more babies after this one, because I think I am just too tired to do this again. I know why women say to have babies when you are young. Now, I am not claiming to be old by any means...but I have never felt so worn down in my life. I did feel a bit of accomplishment today when I straightened the house a bit, but realized that I could only complete this because I didn't have to work today. Boy am i beat. Can't wait for MB to get home...he's been gone for three days, will be home for two and then off again for another four days. I hate times like these.

So goodnight all! Gonna try to get a solid 8 hours of sleep tonight.

XOXO

Getting started...

Hi everyone! Most of you should already have heard that we are having a GIRL!! We are due sometime around July 15th and are thrilled that this will complete our little family. Although our four legged girl, Mattie, seems none-too-thrilled with the announcement. I have been saying all along that she seems to be a bit depressed these days. I think the puppy intuition is great, and she has been aware of what was happening. She protected Mr. B when he came into her life, as I am sure he will do with Baby Girl (BG).

Anyway, so on Monday I went to my third dr's appointment. Things are looking good. The baby is about 12 oz, heartrate was 138. The Ultrasound tech showed us the chambers of the heart, legs and arms, brain...all the important stuff. Mr. B went with us and was a little confused. He couldn't really understand what was going on. So he sat in Daddy's lap and played with his cars.

The best comment of the day, which you can see in the U/S video because the screen starts jumping a little bit, was when Mr. B decided to put his two cents in. He said "Mommy, is that chicken?" I busted out laughing, along with the rest of the adults in the room.

Mr. B is awesome and he is really getting excited. He keeps asking me when his baby is going to get here so he can play. He's decided he needs to "knock taters" with her/BG every now and then. This is Daddy and his special game, basically like playing one potato two potato, only a little harder than the childhood game. I allow him to "knock taters" with her one time, then he's done. We have to teach him the art of being gentle!

I have wanted to post a blog for a long time...I am a writer at heart and don't get to do much of it anymore. One of my friends who is pregnant started one and I have enjoyed keeping up with her. So I thought I should start one too. This can at least keep the family up to date with our appointments and little details that we might forget to share otherwise. So keep checking back. I hope you enjoy it!