Stomach Bug

Need I say more? Mitch woke up yesterday with it, and he actually stayed home all day. This meant he did not go to church. I know. It's amazing. I got it last night and didn't get much sleep at all. We've decided that Jacey had it first and that's why she's been fussy. She never showed signs of stomach sickness, so that's why we thought it was teething. Luckily it's only a 24 hour-ish thing.

I'm now feeling better at least.

9 Months

Jacey has now reached the 9 month mark. She weighs in at a whopping 15 lbs, 13 oz and is 26 3/4 inches tall. The doctor wasn't concerned about her weight - she just said she's going to look like a model when she's older and that Mitch is in trouble. We now must venture into the world of table food. I have a feeling it's going to be a hard transition. Especially with a grumpy, teething baby. But I know we'll make it through like always.

Here is a story that was in our bulletin Sunday, and I thought it was amazing. I almost teared up. Almost. :) Enjoy!

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The baby further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, "You will simply call her, 'Mom.'"

Busy

I knew these next few weeks were going to be crazy, and I was right. We've finally had a half a day to relax and just enjoy being together. Yesterday Mitch headed out to the canyon to go camping with some of our teen guys and other men in the congregation. They apparently played hard and have marks to prove it. Mitch came home exhausted but said they had a great time. I then asked him to turn over my garden so we could plant some tomatoes and peppers. Obviously I have a fantastic husband, because he did just that. And without complaining. (In case you're wondering, I'm updating for him since he hasn't done it for himself. ;)

Yesterday I had a good workout at physical therapy and also walked around Walmart for a while. My knee is definitely getting stronger, but I have a ways to go still. At least I can walk around and get things done.

Jacey has run a mild fever for the past few days. It hasn't gone above 99.8, and since she has no other symptoms, I'm pretty sure she's cutting teeth. She seems to chew on things and rub her gums with her tongue a lot (which is very cute). I'm kind of surprised it's taken a while, but I knew that's fairly normal. She did play hard today and was less fussy tonight. Hopefully we'll wake up with a new tooth tomorrow.

I hope that all of the moms out there have a great Mother's Day tomorrow! I want to wish my mom a happy, relaxing, and non-stressful day. I love you!

Dada!

Jacey has become quite a little talker this week. She's been saying "Dada" for a couple of weeks, but now she'll look at Mitch, wave, and clearly say "Dada!" It's so precious. Unfortunately, I only get "Mama" when shes really mad. Sunday we sat her down on the floor, and apparently she didn't want to be there. She yelled "mama!" and started screaming. Still precious though. Her next word will be "dog." Right now it sounds like"da."

It was good that we had a quiet weekend last week. This week has been pretty insane, with PT, pre-admitting for my surgery Monday, a newsletter to put out, senior banquet to plan, sermon to prepare, and all of the other normal activities we both have to do. Luckily I'm getting back to normal. I actually did all the laundry, dusted, and vacuumed yesterday. I don't think I've vacuumed the house in 2 months (not that I really missed doing it.) It's just nice not to have to ask Mitch to do housework on the weekends.

I decided this week to start a scrapbook for Jacey's first year. My pictures came in yesterday, and I can't wait to start. It's been a while since I even wanted to scrapbook, since my last one ended up being a behemoth. At my baby shower in Nashville, I received a huge box full of paper, stickers, ribbons, and quotes all about babies. So I have all the supplies I need (maybe). Hopefully this one won't take 2 1/2 years to finish.

Walking and Crawling

We are now in motion around our house. Jacey can army-crawl anywhere she wants to go and is loving every minute. I made a deal with her when I got hurt. I told her that she could crawl when I could walk. Well, Thursday my PT said that I could walk around the house without crutches. Whoo-hoo!! Needless to say I'm quite sore and tired, but mobile nonetheless! You can see Jacey in action here and here.

Mitch and I hadn't had a free evening together in at least 2 weeks, so yesterday we headed to Amarillo to spend some birthday money. I found a new outfit at the mall and got Mitch's birthday gift as well. Afterwards we tried out a new Japanese restaurant for dinner. Who knew we liked Oriental food so much? Our last stop was Walmart, where we seem to have to visit at least once a week. (And I still forget to get something I needed every time!) I secretly love driving the scooters around Walmart. Jacey enjoys the ride as well. After we walked/scooted around the store 3 times, we decided we had what we came for and went home. Where Jacey and I promptly crashed.

Today is filled with absolutely nothing. Hope everyone can have such a good Saturday!

The lame can walk again...

Well, sort of. I can now put pressure on my knee, and so Wednesday I started to try getting around with just one crutch. Mitch thinks it's the funniest thing he's ever seen, but it works! It's nice to be able to move around the house with Jacey and not have to go through the ordeal of strapping her in the Bjorn. My knee was admittedly sore yesterday, but my physical therapist said that was normal, and as long as I took it easy I wouldn't reinjure anything. Physical therapy is going well. I'm making very slow progress. Very slow. Apparently that is ok, and I will be back to normal eventually.

Jacey woke up Wednesday morning with a slight fever and an upset stomach. I was hoping she was getting her new tooth in, but so far nothing. And since she is feeling better now, I'm guessing it still has a while. Poor thing. She is just about to crawl, and she will imitate you when you say "Da Da." It's very cute. Unfortunately she only says "m" syllables when she's really mad. I'm not sure how to take that...

Mitch and I have a semi-empty weekend, so we're going to enjoy actually seeing each other and just hanging out. Hope everyone has a good weekend as well!

The light at the end...

I had a doctor's visit on Tuesday and I actually heard the words "that looks really good!" Finally! Apparently everything is on track and healing just fine. I got my stitches out (that was not as fun as I'd hoped), got the ok to bend my knee as much as I want, and am now going to physical therapy. Monday I can start putting pressure on my knee as well, and hopefully soon after I can make it around on one crutch. So I am definitely seeing the light at the end of this very long tunnel.

We are also now alone. Mitch's mom headed on home yesterday, and I have to say a big thank-you to her and my mom. We couldn't have managed without either of them. And now I have to stop being lazy and actually do stuff. :) It'll be great though.

Mitch and Jacey are doing well too. He's had a crazy time at work since mid-December, and I really don't expect it to get much better anytime soon. The good thing is that he is still having a blast working with these teens, and I am too. In less than 2 months we'll be headed to Six Flags and Houston to kick off the summer excitements. Jacey has really blossomed in the last few weeks. She is trying so hard to crawl, but hasn't figured out how to get up on her knees yet. It won't be long though. She's eating chicken now, along with Cheerios and just about anything else I will give her. It's truly amazing how much a little person can put down!

Hope everyone else out there is doing well. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Keep 'em coming!