pool relief

Joe was home for a quick weekend. He has 2 more weeks in Atlanta and then he’ll be home for good. The kids had been talking all week about swimming with Dad so we spent Saturday morning at the pool. We arrived by 10 am and it was already in the 90s. The pool is the only place to be in those kind of temps!

The kids and I leave today with my mom to drive to Texas. We will spend the week in Tahoka with Joe’s family and in Dallas with my brother and his family. Cousins Camp here we come!

(Now if I can just keep this baby inside for another couple of weeks. I won’t bore you with the details of what I’m already dilated to.  Should I be driving to Texas? That’s yet to be determined…:)

dear daddy…

Happy Father’s Day

We love and miss you!!!

preggo dreams

I’ve been having some weird dreams lately. Last night was all about baby…

I dreamed I had a c-section and the next thing I knew I was at home. I turned to Joe and said. “We didn’t even find out whether is was a boy or girl!” So we rushed around trying to get back to the hospital. Meanwhile, my dad knew what it was and tried to trick Sophia by telling her it was a boy. My mom piped in with, “Now Harvey, don’t do that to her” at which point he confessed that it was indeed a girl.

Upon hearing it was a girl, Joe and I turned to each other and tried to decide on a name. We picked something but once I got to the hospital and had the baby in my arms, I COULD NOT remember what we had named her. The dream continued to get more and more frantic but I’ll spare you the gory breastfeeding details.

So, I guess I’m feeling a little anxiety about this little one. The truth is I have yet to decided on which hospital I want to deliver, we have yet to nail down a girl’s name, and there are still things I feel like I need to get in order to be ready. I know in my head it will all fall into place. I guess my dreams aren’t so convinced…

st. louis activity

When Gram goes to the toy store, she doesn’t come back empty handed.

Here are just a few of the new additions…

Pool and Basketball Goal

Sand and Water Table

With “minimal” assembly required…thank you Uncle Johnny

And let’s not forget the “Cars” roller skates; complete with knee pads, helmet, and big boy underwear!

After Gram returned to Texas, I ventured out with the kids to the zoo

My daughter wanted nothing to do with the goats and my son couldn’t get close enough

And finally, soccer camp. After two days of rain delay, Sophia finally got to experience the magic in 95 degree weather.

She’s not sure she wants to go back tomorrow but she sure looks good.

(and yes, I know the shin guards go on the inside of the socks. i’ll work on that for tomorrow)

been thinking

Lately I’ve been thinking so much about parents who, for whatever reason, are raising children on their own.

I’ve been thinking about my grandmother whose husband, Lester, went overseas to fight when my dad was just months old. He died fighting in France leaving my grandmother to raise my dad on her own.

I’ve been thinking about Joe’s grandmother whose husband also left to fight in WWII leaving her with 2+ kids to raise on her own. Ira “Top” was gone so long that Joe’s mom, just two at the time, wasn’t sure who her daddy was when he returned.

I’ve been thinking about all the moms and dads today who repeatedly say good-bye to their spouses in order for them to serve in our country’s military. They are left alone for months on end with the challenge of rearing the children on their own.

I’ve been thinking about all the single parents who alone, day in and day out, meet the continuing needs of their children, with no relief in sight.

I’ve been thinking about these individuals and am in awe of them. I have my parents under the same roof for help and yet I am exhausted. Five weeks could seem like an eternity until I compare it to one of these. But instead, it becomes just a moment in time that I can weather through.

Today, I’m thankful…

1. that Joe has a job

2. to be back in the land of competent, courteous, customer service that will transport a 50 lb bag of dog food to my car

3. that Ira is potty trained!!!!!!!!!

4. for my parents who are adjusting to a whole new way of life with grandkids under their roof (+ a dog)

5. for my mother-in-law, Glo, who helped me survive last week

6. that Joe has a job

7. for the cardinals, bunnies, and other little creatures I get to see everyday

8. for green grass all around

9. for old friendships renewed

10. that Joe has a job and is willing to work so hard for our family

the letter of the week

This week it has been all about the letter “P” around here.

Potty training, Projects, and Perpetual rain

We got Ira home from the hospital on Sunday just in time for me to take Joe to the airport. He is having an intense, non-stop week of training in Atlanta. You might have already guessed this due to his lack of blog and facebook updates.

I got home from the airport with just enough time to turn around and take Sophia to camp. I wasn’t going to send her as it seemed like too much, but she insisted. So, we drove an hour to Desoto, MO, in the rain, where I dropped her off for two nights at Camp Ne-O-Tez. It was just a little muddy…

I had set this week aside in my mind to be the week of potty training for Ira. I had visions of him running around outside naked, learning all about his bodily functions. I woke up Monday morning to thunderstorms but I decided to push through. Monday and Tuesday were spent sitting on the edge of the tub reading Dora, trying to get my son to pee in the potty. I was so discouraged but Wednesday morning something clicked and he has been doing great the last two days. Now if I can just get him to poop. We’re on day 4 of no poop…yikes.

And let me just give major props to my mom-in-law Glo. She has been right by my side this week as we tag teamed on the potty patrol.

And finally, projects. Last week my parents located a used swing set and my son has already logged in hours of swing time. If you will push him, he will swing.

I asked Glo to make it her mission to hang the quilts she has made for each of my children. She got on it and had a little help from Sophia with some staining.

All in all, it has been a good week. My parents come home tomorrow night as well as Joe for a quick weekend. Ira is feeling much better. He left the house for the first time today to go to the toy store with Gram. I think even Jersey is satisfied with his new digs.

impeccable timing

Last December my parents celebrated 40 years of marriage. My brothers and I surprised them with a special dinner with friends and an Alaskan cruise scheduled for this summer. Neither of my parents have ever been out of the country nor on any type of cruise. Needless to say, they were ecstatic.

For 5 months they have been thinking about and planning for this trip. Thursday, June 4th, was the big day. They were packed and ready. Thursday morning they awoke to the news that I was taking Ira to the ER. Talk about putting a damper on what should have been an otherwise exciting morning. I felt terrible. For my son, who was sick, but also for them because I knew they were going to worry. And I’m pretty sure all worry is to be checked at the door on an Alaskan cruise.

Ira is doing ok. This is his third day in the hospital and it looks like we’ll be here another night. Ira has to prove he can go 24 hours without the need of oxygen and unfortunately he wasn’t able to make it through the night without it. The docs took him off O2 this morning and so far he is keeping his saturation levels up.

Since my parents are out of the country, Joe’s mom flew in to town yesterday to help out. I’m so thankful for her help. Joe leaves tomorrow for Atlanta for 5 weeks of training for Teach For America. Let me say it again. I’m so thankful for her help.

Needless to say, the Hays family is going through their fair share of transition right now. A new city, a new job, a new baby on the way, with a hospital stay thrown in for good measure. Any prayers or positive thoughts you want to send our way would be much appreciated.

keepin’ it light

Since when do I EVER fit in to an extra small anything? Especially these days?

When the item is supposed to be a dress and I make it in to a shirt, STRETCH it over my belly, and voila! I’m fashionably wearing an XS. Why do I even own something that is XS you might ask? Because I have a friend that gets stuff sent to her and she doesn’t want it and thinks that I am smaller than I am and gives it to me. That’s why.

And to Brooklyn I say, “Peace out!”

3 days and counting…

We had such a fun Memorial Day. We took the kids to Central Park and packed a picnic lunch. The weather was perfect – mid 70s. Then we hopped in a cab and landed in Times Square. I thought there was going to be live music at noon from one of the Broadway shows, and maybe there was, somewhere, but we didn’t find it. However, we did find some crazy break dancers that gave a great show. Then we headed to Toys R Us for one last (yes, another last) ride on the the indoor ferris wheel.

Our downstairs neighbors (and landlord) threw us a party on Saturday. They invited everyone on the block along with a few others. We got to spend the afternoon with people know and love. Jack and Delores have been so kind to us. They never forget a birthday and are always happy to see our children come and go on the stoop. They have shared much joy and sadness regarding Ira’s journey. In fact, Delores came up to the hospital one time and said it was the first time she had ever been north of 90th street. That is saying a lot coming from one who was born and raised in Brooklyn.

I am feeling a bit pensive today. The service at church on Sunday was so special. Many people shared what Christ’s Church for Brooklyn meant to them and the impact I (and especially Joe) have had on their lives over the last 5 years. One can never tire of hearing that they are loved and appreciated.

Joe and I will go to Sophia’s school today for her “last day” celebration, although Thursday will actually be her last day. It just worked out for the party to be today. She is very excited to be the center of attention for a bit this afternoon.

Things are going smoothly with this pregnancy. I am now nine weeks away from meeting this new little one. I feel big and am definitely slowing down. I’m starting to avoid all situations requiring me to bend down for anything. In fact, last night my kids were sleeping on mattresses on the floor (Joe had taken apart their bunk beds earlier in the day) and instead of bending down for one last snuggle, I just blew them a kiss.

I have realized, once again, I am the slowest packer around. If it were up to me, we wouldn’t be ready to move out for another month. Thank goodness I’m married to one of the most organized people on the east coast.

That’s about all I’ve got for now…