First day..

This is the best shot of Jesse I got with my camera...

We had done a mini Mother's Day Out this summer, so Jesse wasn't as traumatized starting her real MDO program this past week. Her first reaction to being there was shock that I had hurled her over the door to the teacher. I don't know if she was crying because I left as fast as I could. I only teared up a little in the car and I think Jesse had a great time.

One thing I know for sure is that my husband loves his family. He  juggles a demanding and time consuming job, to put us before anything else. I am very lucky to have someone that loves my daughter as much as I do. She got her 95th percentile in height from him and I think some of his type A personality.

He never questions the money I spend for her necessities and wants, or questions our decision to allow me to stay at home with her. He wants the best for her but expects her to be at her best.

I am grateful to have a husband that wants the best for me and always encourages to go out with friends, get my nails done, buy clothes, and next week go on my first vacation with my 2 best friends. I am thrilled beyond words and thank you.

The only thing he does question is how I do her hair. I like it wild and a little messy but he likes it a little more polished. So.....I let his artistic side come to the surface today before her school.

The Help..

I was rocking Jesse in the rocking chair a few weeks ago while in the hospital when Jean came in.  They do such a wonderful job of keeping the hospital absolutely spotless, so while Ron was down eating breakfast Jean helped straighten up the room and sanitize everything that any nurse or we would touch.
I like to have conversations with people that may not always feel important or inquired about. It's something my parents made us do as kids and something I will teach Jesse to do. I want her to know that she has the ability to make those that may appear invisible to others feel special.
I started asking Jean how she was doing and commenting on how great of a job her department does. Jean is mid 50's, black, and has a heavy country accent. She was kind of guarded and gave me short answers in the beginning. I noticed that she cleaned with a clear mission and she was quick and thorough.
I told her I wish I could borrow her to come to my house and clean. I immediately thought of the movie "The Help" I had just seen and cringed as she gave me a look. I fumbled over my words in trying to explain that I meant so she could teach me how to clean as she does. I tried to recover and asked for her advice on how to clean quickly as I tend to not complete a job and start another task. She paused...and started to engage more in the conversation relaying how to attack a cleaning task.
Jean continued cleaning and then asked me her first question.
"What do you do for a livin"?
I told her that I stayed at home with Jesse
"Girl you stay at home all day and you don't even clean yo house??? Oh girl that's a real shame"
I found myself feeling like a child trying to explain to her that I know how to clean. I don't think she believed me though.
She kept cleaning and I sensed she was wondering what the hell I do all day. I can only imagine what was going through her head.
She finished mopping and asked me to stay seated to let the floor dry. Jesse still had the oxygen, the o2 monitor and the IV in.....when I felt something on my lap.
Jean was just shutting the door when she looked up just in time for me to hold Jesse in the air and watch pee run down her leg. She was finally thirsty that morning and drank 3 juice boxes....and had her IV in. You forgot to change the diapers when they are in the hospital because they don't have much fluid intake.
The look on Jean's face said it all...
She don't know how to clean or take care of a baby...
I tried not to make eye contact as brought her mop over but I did hear under her breath..
"Lord Jesus help this baby"...
I didn't say anything else.

That same day I broke my phone....had to get a new one and locked my keys in my car resulting in a call to a locksmith. I hope nobody told Jean.

Get this off of me...

This weekend we had a wonderful visit with Ron's sister and family...the Reeves. They have two spectacular children whom I have grown very fond of. Michelle had her 35th :) birthday on Saturday and we went to Medieval Times. I have not been in probably 15 years and it was about the same as I remember.

They tell you to show up about an hour and a half before it begins to keep everyone in a holding cell with nothing to do but buy things or drink. Would you like to see what a $25 drink looks like.

Ya...that's the one...on the left. It was basically a watered down slushie with a splash of tequila. But I like slushies...so I kept drinking.

Jesse was in stimulation overload with all the people and things to see. Her main objective while we were waiting to go into the stadium was to get her crown off. She is pretty good now with leaving bows and baretts to keep her bangs swept back but this crown was a huge thorn in the side of her head.

"Are you kidding me"

"what is this"...

"this is ridiculous"...

"Peas dada?"...

A resolve to be miserable..

Forgetting about my troubles.

We got into the show and my plan was to take a lot of pics of the Reeves family and us enjoying the show. I guess I was having flashbacks of my previous life without a child and I was quickly snapped back into reality when she used my legs as a trampoline most of the show. She really liked seeing the horses and yelled out very intensely..."NEIGH"!!! Her horsey sound is usually high pitched and and a little broken like a real horse sound..but this time it was a straight up "NEIGH". Very similar to "HEY"!! "Look at me"!!!!!!

Michele getting her birthday wish!! HAHA

I was very intrigued though by seeing a lot of groups of older women at the show. They didn't have children with them which was quite unusual to me. I don't think the Medieval Time's menu is zagat rated.....In fact....I'm thinking their food cost per person is probably $3.00. So I'm guessing they go for the entertainment? And by entertainment...I mean the men in tight pants riding the horses who look like they are one layoff away from auditioning at La Bare. A woman sitting across the aisle from us was in her mid 40's and dressed like a wench or maybe she meant to be a princess because she had a tall dunce hat with the fabric tail coming out of the top. We were all cheering on the blue knight and she filmed him every time he competed in a game. When he would come close to our cheering section she would lift her glass to him and wink. Somehow every time all the knights competed in a game.....they would all win...which would mean they would all get carnations to pass throw out the the swooning women. She would try with her whole being to get him to throw one of those flowers to her. A few times I saw him look her way and then look away quickly....it made me wonder if she is a regular in his section.

A great time was had by all.....and we spent the rest of the weekend at home.

Sarah just entered 9th grade and she is an absolute little grown up. She is extremely mature and responsible. She is kind of a mother hen to her little brother, has a gorgeous smile and is a lot of fun to be around. She is growing up to be a BEAUTIFUL young woman and I see many wonderful things headed her way.

Garrett is a boy through and through. He LOVES to hunt and fish and shoot his gun. He is very sweet and loves his mama! He is wonderful with Jesse and this morning he read the same book to her over and over. He is a lot of fun and he makes his uncle Ronald so proud!