Monday Mornings in Methodist hospital

Many of you know that my littlest Luke was born a tad early and had to go into the neonatal ICU for nearly a week after he was born. He had some lung issues - but he is good now! 

Because Luke had trouble breathing, the medical team had to take Luke right away and I was only able to hold him for a few seconds.  I was not able to nurse or spend too much time with him.  So because of that, I had to start my nursing through pumping.  I really wanted Luke to get the best medicine of all - mommy's milk.  So, I worked hard to be able to give him this even though he had to get it through  a GI tube.  To make a long story short - nursing was a challenge and it started out a challenge.  We worked through it and I was able to nurse for around 8 months and Luke pretty much decided he was done once I got pregs with Caroline.

Because of my challenges with Luke, I got to know the lactation consultants and Methodist Women's Center REALLY well.  About a month ago, the head of the Women's Center asked if I would be part of a new peer to peer counseling program for moms with babes in the NICU to encourage nursing.  I jumped on the opportunity.  The really challenging thing... I am mainly working with moms who have babies born less than 30 weeks - so the really tiny ones.  Babes weighing 1-2 pounds at birth.

I am so honored to be asked to be the first in Texas to do this as a volunteer!  I will say - it is so emotionally challenging.  The other day the NICU doc asked me to go talk to a mom who had a 21 week old baby about nursing.  I could barely keep it together.   This mom was completely distressed, of course... and all I could say was the best thing you can do for your baby right now is give them your milk... Everything else is out of her control - poor mommy.  It was so hard.  That baby was the size of my palm and covered with tubes and masks and you name it.  Heart breaking.

But I am so happy to help encourage nursing if mom wants to do it.  There is so much to think about in the NICU and most of the time you are having to commute back and forth.  Tough.  Hopefully just being there for these mommies and encouraging them will help ease their struggles a bit.  So, I am there every Monday morning to volunteer in the NICU.  What a special opportunity.

My sweet little son.  I am so grateful for the good health of my precious son.  Thank you God for all gifts - especially ones that come from the most difficult of challenges.  With that said, Caroline - you behave and stay in mommy as long as possible!!

Nothing like spaghetti face!

13 months old and a pasta lover already!! 

A Total Mom Moment

Luke had his first little haircut today... and I know this is a boring topic to most but it was so precious to me. We went to this cute little kids hair salon and he got to choose which seat he preferred: Barbie, one from Cars, and a mini cooper. He chose the Cars chair (or really I did.)

Then his stylist put on his little smock and Luke was ready to go! While Luke was busy honking the horn and pressing a button on the car that said "I eat losers..." - Stella the stylist was going to town and mom was taking pictures. 

After a few snips here and there, Luke's little fly-aways were a bit more tamed and he had a successful first hair cut!

After the hair cut, Luke got a balloon and his first lollipop!  He was unsure what to think at first... but that did not last long.  Soon enough he was in lollipop heaven!

 Mom decided to complete the outing with lunch at Chick Fil A!  On the way to Chick Fil A (maybe a 1 mile drive) I looked back in my rearview mirror only to see a little Luke head looking straing at me through my rearview.  I thought... "Oh that cute little Luke.  I just adore him..." Then I thought, " Wait a minute!  Why can I see him looking straight at me?" Then I realized that I forgot to actually buckle him in.  Oopsie!  I got so excited about his little lollipop and Chick Fil A - I forgot about his restraints... so he had a little joy ride for a few sweet minutes.

It was a fun morning with my favorite little guy!  Although I will say that $20 for a little guy haircut seems a bit high... I paid close attention so maybe I will try to cut his hair in the future... Can't be that difficult right? :/

Home

I heard this song on the radio recently and it gave me goosebumps.  I am so easily moved by music - especially patriotic songs - and this song is really powerful to me.  Home - by Dierks Bentley

Sit back and listen to the words.  I love being an American! Who could ask for a better home than the USA.   

What to do with your hotel goodies?!?

Have a lot of these?  I do!  When Ben started traveling for work - a few years ago - I asked him to bring home his hotel tolietries because I like to donate them.   Well, I have yet to donate them and have a TON sitting in boxes!  And they keep on coming.  Ben brings home about 10 items each week!  My latest mission is to find a place to donate these tolietries.  Originally I thought about sending them to the soldiers... and I still might but Joe always seemed to have plenty of tolietries when he was abroad - those provided and those sent my family and friends... So I started to think more domestically (although my soldier idea is still an option).  I emailed both the Ronald McDonald House and the large homeless shelter here in town and I am hoping to hear soon if they can use these items.  I did find an organization called The Shoebox Ministry in Scottsdale, AZ that takes shoeboxes full of tolietry donations... but I am still looking locally first. 

Anyone else had experience with this type of donation or have suggestions?

The Cutest Frog in San Antonio!

Happy Halloween!

Enjoying the gorgeous weather...

This weekend we enjoyed a fun cultural weekend outdoors in SA town. Luke had his first Greek festival experience - loved the spanakopita and green beans recipe... not so much the dolmades. He also was not so sure of the announcer yelling "Opa" all the time. By the 10th time, tears started streaming and it was time to go... Overall, I would say his favorite Greek festival activity was pulling on dad's ears.

Sunday we ventured to "Bootanica" at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens with the Gigi and Pops Lukefahr. Luke started out a fully dressed frog but took off his head piece and feet - leaving him a green pantsuit outfit. He got too hot so we changed him into his "I love Mummy" shirt.