Liam is One Year Old

One year and two days if your counting. ;) Thrusday I was in full sappiness mode!  Each time I glanced at the clock I knew exactly what was going on at that time last year, I was full of joyful tears all day!  I simply couldn't wait to scoop up my baby and kiss him!

It's hard to believe I've been Liam's mom for a year now, well really more like almost two years (personally I believe life begins at conception so I've been a mom since Oct '10). I digress, I've been a mom now for a little while, it's hard to remember life before him.  We wanted a child, we tried for a him, we prayed for the blessing of a child.  And when we did get pregnant we weren't certain my permanency would make it so I spent each day loving on this little baby inside of me just praying I would have a "outside baby".  Being a mom is a challenge, it makes you grow in new ways and if your priorities weren't in line to begin with they will be rapidly!  It wasn't a difficult change for me, I was so ready but I had a lot to learn!  Luckily Liam had never been a newborn before so he didn't know I was still figuring a few things out! ;) I've learned to love in new ways and I certainly love more than I ever thought possible, each day my love grows.  I often think I can't love him anymore then the smallest thing will happen and my love grows wider and taller and fuller, it's taught me so much about the love of our creator.

It's funny how proud of him I get over funny things like standing.  I giggle a little to myself over this pride, I find myself cheering him on, out loud, Good Job Buddy!  Yay Liam!!!!  And he loves it, he'll stand and sit a thousand times if I cheer him on, it's hobby both of us enjoy.  I recently taught him to put smaller items inside of larger ones (cups), the other night he decided to put away his bath toys, he'd pick up one and put it in the basket we store them in.  One by one he put away about half of the toys.  I was so amazed!  Here is this little person that one year ago couldn't hold up his own head and now he's putting his bath toys away! WOW! My how time flies!

I cherish these moments, I try desperately to live in them, store them up in my soul to keep forever.  Motherhood is such a incredible blessing, my soul has new purpose and more love than it can possible hold.  I love each phase but I'm so excited for the next one.  I feel so blessed!

Much Love,
-Jen

On Reality Checks

from google images

God hands me little reality checks, and I need them.  Lately I've gotten a series of them, gently reminding me that things could be much worse and to be thankful for what I have.  I don't know about you but I never get one little reality check at a time, it seems when it rains it pours.

Sometimes I feel like I'm standing still just observing my life and so many around me are going through something so difficult and I'm helpless.  I stand there with a heavy heart, empty hands that are clinched in prayer yet I feel so helpless.  Parents are struggling with their children's illnesses (cancer) while trying to manager their own (cancer).  Marriages are failing apart, two of my co-workers are in the middle of nasty divorces as is a close friend.  I could go on and on, my heart breaks for friends/co-workers etc.

I don't consider where I am in my life perfect but I have so much to be thankful for....and it's time to be mindfully thankful each day.

Today I am thankful for my son's health and my God's grace.

2 Corinthians 12:9
“My grace is sufficient for you."

Much Love,
Jen

Dr Update 11.28.11

Bullet-Point Update :)

• Coffee in hand off to get blood work done, the earlier I arrive the longer I wait....boo
• Lost another 3.5 lbs without meaning too....panic
• Dr T (hematologist extraordinaire) comes in;
• platelet numbers are lower again but still acceptable
• stay off steroids
• check yourself for lumps and bumps monthly (ITP is associated with lymphoma)
• come back in two months (WHOA!)
• not concerned about weight loss
• asks if I want more children....yes Dr T I do (apparently he has four, whoa!)

I can hardly believe I get to go two whole months without blood work and visits to the oncology offices!  I'm not happy I lost more weight, I'm concerned about getting too low, I'm determined to fit in some lifting in the coming weeks to tone up and maintain my weight.  I'm now a full 7lbs below my pre-pregnancy weight. 

Lastly I'm so impressed with the care I receive from the the staff in the oncology office I visit.  The receptionist knows me by name, she is always pleasant, the woman who sets up my next appointment is also always super friendly...it makes my visits so much more pleasant.  Then there is Dr T, he's amazing.  I've seen doctors in the past who seemed to hardly know my name let alone be able to reference multiple appointments of data off the top of their heads.  He knows all my stats, he knows that I have Liam and that Liam is my first child.  He asks about my holidays, about Liam and how I'm feeling (beyond the physical), he doesn't do this to make small talk but because he seems to genuinely care....this makes all the difference in the world.  I feel cared for, genuinely cared for, safe in the care of Dr T.  It's so nice to have a doctor I trust and who makes me feel like a person and not a paycheck.  However I really look forward to the day when I don't have to see him so often, I pray that day is sooner rather than later.

Thank you to those of you praying for me and my little family, clearly it's working (I've always believed in the power of prayer). 

Much Love
-Jen