say a little prayer.

hi all-

Just wanted to drop a note regarding Annie. She had her 2 year well-baby checkup yesterday, and the Dr. decided to run a heap of lab work (much of it we did last year along with some new tests). I was really happy to see her initiate the lab work- as you get to a point in the hair loss thing where you don't know where to fight and where to resign yourself (and child) to a hairless fate. Anyway, her dr. just wanted to make sure we weren't missing anything- so she is checking thyroid function, celiac disease (this is an "allergy" to gluten), Zinc levels (which effect hair and skin health), sed rate (which would indicate if there were active "inflammation" in the body), a cbc and metabolic profile- which are basic blood counts and chemistry profiles. Of course, this was heartbreaking to go through- but they were able (as far as I know) to get the samples they needed- but Annie was terrified, yet amazingly sat fairly still in my lab the entire time they were getting the blood.

Needless to say, we all needed alcohol after that appointment. We settled for Sushi and Annie had a great time and Josh and I were able to unwind a bit.

I'll update if I know anything today. These things come with all kinds of emotions. On the one hand, you want them to find something that will answer your questions, but on the other hand you want everything to be ok. sigh.

* All of annie's labwork came back normal. The zinc sample has to be retaken because it clotted, which happens quite a bit with labwork. I told them we needed a few days before we did that again, so I'll update soon! The good news about the zinc, is that is a fairly "fixable" abnormality should be results be low, so of all the lab work that was done, the zinc was the least scary, so to speak.

35 years old.

That feels like a lot of years.

As I wobbled around the mall today with my new pedicure, I felt every year lived. There is a reason they describe pregnant women 35 and older as "advanced maternal age". It's because they are too old to be doing this!

Anyway, I don't have anything huge and reflective to say on the occasion of my 35th. It's been a long year with Annie's hair loss and a new job and a sick (but welcomed) pregnancy. I will be ready for February to bring our sweet Amelia, for exercise and general well being, for friends back in our home, and newborn cuddles all around. Until then, we'll hunker down and endure the cold, grey January days that await us. There is much to be thankful for on this eve of the New Year, and I rejoice in that, however advanced and maternal I may be:)

I am most grateful for Annie this night and the fact that she is healthy and sleeping for now!

And I am also thankful that I enjoyed a delicious pub meal for lunch, and my pancreas didn't fire me. Take that, gestational diabetes.

checking in.

Hope you guys had a Merry Christmas out there. I am jealous of all the white snow that many of you had!

Ours was low key this year. Annie succumbed to another virus on Christmas Eve, followed by nights of not sleeping, and a diagnosis of "an ear full of fluid" today. ugh. This month of sickness has wiped me out physically and emotionally, as I waddle around, stirring up Braxton Hicks contractions and eating sugar free strawberry jello. jealous?

So, December ended up being a bit overwhelming with little nourishment for my heart. I missed every Sunday of Advent, and the Christmas Eve Service, which I was really looking forward to. I know this is part of the package- parenting and raising the little ones- but sometimes you feel like your little one is getting picked on way too much. But then she's on her way to a three hour nap (like right now) and you think you might actually be able to have a coherent thought again. The sun may shine again. You might actually be able to unwind with a glass of wine again one day, and enjoy a big ass brownie.

Thankfully, Josh took Annie to the Dr. today. It would have been my 4th time in a month (and she goes next week for her 2 year check-up, so at least we have next week covered should something else come our way)- but I just didn't have the emotional stamina to walk into that office again. I felt like we needed new questions, anyway, and Josh is good and covering the bases in that regard. Our biggest one, of course, is when do we call it quits with these ear infections. She said 4-6, and then we get an ENT consult. I hope she doesn't get anymore, but I will not hesitate one iota to have tubes placed. We need a sleeping Annie before Amelia arrives.

With all that said, we are blessed, and even in our fatigue, I know this. A little beaten down, but not defeated.

And now we look ahead to a new Year- a big year for our family! Hope the nesting kicks in soon....

hey yall

it's christmas, yes?

I work tonight and it's cooollllddd here. I just can't seem to get into the Christmas jive yet.

maybe tomorrow. when I have awoken from my work coma.

and we dress annie in a sweet red dress and sing carols at church.

and the fire roars. and we put Annie's presents together.

today. it's all work. clean house, finish stockings, deliver a few gifts. laundry.

and nap, of course.

here's to Christmas Eve! get here soon!!!!