Unconditional

Just a quick post before the weekend is officially here...

It's still really hard to believe sometimes that I am a mom. I am somebody's mom! It's just crazy, and really scary too, knowing that this tiny little person depends on Casey and I for everything. He looks at us with so much hope in his eyes that my heart almost breaks every time. And the smiles -- oh, that unconditional love is so amazing! I've messed up so many times in my life, but he doesn't know and doesn't care. All he wants to know and be sure of is that his mom and dad love him and are there to take care of him. If parenthood doesn't teach you anything about God's love, I don't know what else can.

Here's our sweet Miles

I took this picture about a week ago. Isn't he a cutie?

Updates, sister, and -- to quote Lori -- "Churcheros"

I have finally made some much-needed updates to my blog, woohoo!

I saw two of my doctors yesterday, both good visits. I got my PICC line taken out -- it's basically a line that can stay in your arm for a long time so that meds can be administered and blood can be taken more easily. Having that removed is one more step in the right direction. It was a pretty exciting day for us. I am completely done with my antibiotics, but I still continue to take some other meds for pain, my auto-immune disorder, etc.

My sister is visiting this weekend, which is really awesome because I haven't seen her since February, and this was her first time to see Miles in person! It's pretty neat to see Miles with his Aunt Kerry...I will be sad to see her go in a few days, but I am so thankful that I have her here for a little while.

To answer a question that Lori had: "What are Cruncheros?" -- they are mini beef and cheese chimichangas made by El Monterey, and you can find them in your frozen food section at the grocery store. Casey and I also like the chicken and cheese taquitos, but I could eat those Cruncheros every single day! They are...YUM.

I hope everyone is doing well. I am tired but persevering. This recovery plus motherhood thing is tough! I wouldn't mind at all if anyone wants to put me on their daily prayer list -- I just need peace and a quick recovery. Thanks to all for your thoughts, prayers and encouragement!

I'm a hotsling mama (like Sarah!)

Here I sit, trying to learn how to use my hotsling (thanks again for the tip, Sarah!). Just another one of those things that I missed out on the first three months of my baby's life. Guess I'll skip the 'cradle carry' and move on to the 'front' and 'hip' carries. Miles is with a church friend this afternoon (so many wonderful women are helping us out so I can rest and recover more quickly), but I'm actually sitting here wearing my hotsling. From what I have read, babies seem to love hotslings, so I'm hoping Miles isn't the exception. Guess I'll find out later today!

I feel like I'm slowly gaining strength back, even though just checking emails and blogging for a bit can wear me down. I'm eating more and am now officially hooked on raspberry creamsicles (YUM) and have even started back on one of my favorites -- Cruncheros! I so look forward to being fully recovered and moving around much more quickly. But God is so good, and has answered so many prayers. I am blessed beyond measure!

It's about time, isn't it?

A lot of you may be wondering why, if I got out of the hospital in May, did it take soooooo long for me to blog again? Here's the shortest version I can give you: I went back. Alright, I'll give you a little more than that. I believe when I got out in early May, it was my first time back home since Miles' birth. I was back in the hospital a week later because of some fevers, and an appendectomy that should have taken place right about now happened instead in early May. Sigh. And, unfortunately, it could not be done laproscopically...that meant, yup, another big scar. I'm fine, I've dealt with that -- for the most part, anyway. After a ten-day stay my second time in, I was home for (I think) a weekend before I was back again. Yes, the fevers. Again. My third stay turned into a 21-day ordeal, and I was back in again the day after I got out. This time it was just a night, but a week later I went back in for (hopefully, please Lord) my final stay. Four weeks I was there, and I just arrived home two days ago. Whew!

That was honestly the shortest version I could come up with. I am happy to report that Miles is a very big three-month-old boy, between 12 and 13 pounds we estimate, and he is just starting his cooing and smiling for us, which makes so many troubles worth it. I am still very weak and will be recovering, I assume, for quite a while now. I've had my share of tears over all of this, and I've even had my moments of anger about the time I've lost and how long it will take to get back to "normal" again...but for the most part I am incredibly thankful for the prayers that have been offered on my behalf by a countless number of wonderful people I am so blessed to call my Christian family. My parents helped us through a great deal of this, and my in-laws as well, and of course I have to mention my husband Casey, who has been at my side, has slept on a hospital couch by my side night after night, encouraging me and going above and beyond what I ever thought a husband should have to do. What a guy.

I hope I can slowly start to get some more updates on here, and maybe a picture of Miles will appear soon...you never know. Thanks to all of you for checking in. Take care.