Our Daughters Have Wings

My new business...Two Angels Photography

Since starting my photo blog, I've been getting a lot of inquiries from people - friends, family, and even strangers!  They've asked me to take photos of them, and so...I've launched Two Angels Photography (www.twoangelsphotography.com).

Of course, if you know me, and you follow this blog, then you will realize the significance of the name...and here's the logo:

 

The launch of "The Written Word"

Now that I'm staying home with Nicholas, I thought I'd take the time to launch my writing business.

Over the years, many people have asked me to look at their resumes, and help them 'revamp' them or help to write them a cover letter for a job that they're applying to.

I've decided to offer these services to the public as well as my friends and family.  Please share this information with anyone that you think would have a need for assistance with writing!

Please visit my business blog and check back to find resume and letter writing tips.  http://thewrittenword.typepad.com

Thanks!

Today was my last day! Spending more time with NBK!

Wow!  I can hardly believe it!  OAI decided that since they found my replacement rather quickly (Dana, whom left in December 2006 to allow me to return to OAI will be replacing me, so we played 'job switcheroo'), and she already knows the business and would require little to no training, that I could have the next two days off as 'freebies', meaning today would be my last day but I would get paid through Thursday.

I also found out today, during my exit interview, that I will be receiving commissions for the month of June.  THIS was a SHOCK to me!  I didn't think I would be receiving my commissions from business this month.  So that's a BONUS!  We'll get back from Hawai'i on the 11th and then the following week I'll get my commissions.  Now, granted, they will be pro-rated, but I'm only missing out on 3-5 business days, so that won't affect them much.

I'm looking forward to spending more time with Nicholas!  He's doing so much lately - tomorrow is his 9mos appt so we'll find out if he's on track (which I think he is!)

Some of the things that I plan on doing now that I won't be working full-time?  Playing with Nicholas at the beach (on Crooked Lake) or in a kiddie pool in our yard (or Dan & Lisa's), reconnecting with friends that I haven't had time for (Michelle, Sara, etc.), maybe hosting a playgroup for LAPOM, and of course, packing for our trip.  We only have TEN DAYS until we leave!  YIKES!

I'll post updates tomorrow, after Nicholas' appt.

Well, it's official!

My last day of work with OAI will be June 26, 2008. 

Nick and I have been doing some talking over the last several weeks.  We've had some changes in our life that have allowed us to seriously consider me staying home with Nicholas. 

So, at least for now, I will be a full-time, SAHM.  I'm going to continue to sell Pampered Chef, so that will bring me a bit of income.  Please let me know if you're interested in hosting a show (catalog or cooking) or if you'd like more information about the Pampered Chef opportunity!

I may consider other opportunities, but they must be local (meaning within Livingston County) and they MUST be flexible and willing to work with me on my schedule.

As much as I love TBPs, I don't like the fact that I'm on the road all the time and if something serious were to happen to Nicholas, I couldn't get there at the drop of a hat.

So...we'll keep Nicholas at TBPs through the end of the month, which will give me a week in between my last day of work and our trip to Hawai'i, which hopefully will allow me significant time to pack.  There's so much to think about when you travel with a baby.  Good thing our trip was paid off months ago, huh?  Otherwise a) I wouldn't be able to stay home and b) we wouldn't be able to go!

If anyone would like to 'employ' my services as a recruiter, or a technical writer, please let me know.  A good friend told me that "the written word is the first impression" and she always compliments me on my writing abilities.  So if you need a letter written, or your resume critiqued, let me know.  I'd be happy to help.

In addition, I'm now going to be available to take pictures for people!  I've taken some photos of LAPOM members' children, and of course lots for Nicholas, and would love to continue on with my 'hobby' and make it a business.  We'll see where that leads me.

Two weeks - fourteen days - until I get to stay at home with Nicholas!  I'm so excited - can you tell???

We have a VERY sick baby!

Hmm...how do I sum up the last few days?  EXHAUSTING!

Nicholas started with a little cough on Monday.  I really didn't think he was too sick since he had the cough after Christmas and recovered very quickly with no meds.  I figured he just had another cold, however, against my better judgement I took him to TBPs on Monday. 

On Monday evening, he was coughing more.  Unfortunately, I had a full day of sales calls set up in Toledo OH, so I asked my sis if she could come down and help us by taking care of him.  She totally gave us her all and came down on Monday night.  He was up and down all night as he was coughing more.

Tuesday, Monica took good care of him while I was in Toledo all day (7am-5pm; that's IN THE CAR for that ENTIRE time.  I'm so NOT used to THAT!)  He seemed like he was getting worse, so she said she could stay the night again (since the weather was supposed to be SO bad on Wednesday morning - we had experienced a 25F temp drop in a matter of a few hours).  I called the peds office and spoke with Kathy, the peds RN.  She advised me to call back in the morning if we didn't see any improvement.

He got progressively worse overnight and didn't sleep much, unless he was in our arms.  So around 7:30am I called the office, and got an appt with a DIFFERENT Dr. G, since our normal pediatrician didn't have any openings. 

After I made the appt., he had a coughing fit.  He would cough, cough, cough, and eventually vomit from gagging on the mucus that he was coughing up.  He did this once and then, unlike normal, where he'd appear to feel better....he got worse!  He had a coughing attack so bad, that I ran downstairs to get the spacer, mask & inhaler that Dr. G. had told us to use when he had his cold in December.  Luckily, we never had to use it but had it on hand.

Only after administering the albuterol and taking him into a steamy bathroom, did he show any improvement.

We got to the office and there was a bit of a delay b/c they had an "emergency to take care of" and all I could think was, "what about us?  He couldn't breathe a few minutes ago" but he *was* in good spirits at the office, so...I *tried* to be patient!

Dr. G. diagnosed him with brochiolitis.  She advised us to give him albuterol through the spacer/mask combo every 4 hours.

Unfortunately, Murphy's Law was in effect.  My boss had planned a trip to our office and of course, it was scheduled for 01/30-01/31.  So, I had to go into the office; at the very least to speak with Bill...

So, while I was at the office, my sis was at home with him.  His first dose of albuterol was due at 1:30pm, and he seemed to be able to wait until then for the dose.  However, after Nick got home, he seemed to be getting worse.  He got his 2nd dose (at home) at quarter to four.  When I got home (shortly before 5), he was obviously laboring while breathing.  He wasn't really eating either.

We took him in the hot steamy bathroom, and that seemed to help *a bit*.  I tried to nurse him and he FINALLY nursed (thank God, b/c even AFTER pumping I was so engorged on one side that my sis and Nick were calling me 'lopsided'.)

He then proceeded to vomit about half of that up within a half hour of nursing (another one of his coughing fits turning into vomiting).  He wasn't able to catch his breath.  He seemed *better* after the coughing/vomiting, but would eventually labor again...and...didn't seem like he was able to 'last' until the next dose (with 4 hours b/t) so...I called the after-hours peds doc/RN on call.

When they called back, he was having one of his coughing fits.  They didn't like what they heard, so we went to the ER.

We were there from 8pm to 5am.  It took us FOREVER to see a doc; we had to deal with a HORRIBLY slow med student (I feel for her b/c I'm SURE her resident reamed her a new one for taking so long, b/c once they did come in, his sats were varying b/t 90 and 94 b/c of his crying/coughing fits).  Apparently, he 'wasn't sick enough' to garner any attention from the staff until his monitor kept beeping/this happened.

Ok, sorry for the little rant.  We FINALLY got a nebulizer treatment at around 11pm.  3 HOURS to wait for him to be able to breathe.  UGH!

He had 3 back to back treatments, and his sats went up, immediately to 100.  He was diagnosed with having 'reactive pulmonary/airway disease' in addition to the bronchiolitis diagnosis from earlier.  It's not 'labeled asthma' at his age b/c he could still 'outgrow it' and it's "not likely RSV since most kids with RSV don't show a significant improvement" with the nebulizer AND his fever was always "low grade".

We had to wait 4 hours at the ER to see if his sats stayed up - the main reason we had to come in was b/c he wasn't going 4 hours b/t albuterol treatments at home and was getting worse as time went on.

The nebulizer made *all* the difference for us.  His wheezing was noticeably minimized, and he wasn't/isn't coughing as much.  They sent us home with a nebulizer and we're to continue the treatments until he doesn't require them every 4 hours.

I'll try to post an update since we were instructed to f/up with the peds office and that will likely be tomorrow.  I've put a call out to them and we're awaiting word back.

Till then...

Just some random thoughts!

Just when you think you've got a routine down...then life throws you a curveball! 

This is my 3rd week back to work...we're doing much better than we were the first week, but Mommy is still getting used to having to get to bed by 10pm so she can be up at 5:15am to get ready before Nicholas wakes up!

We're working on getting his bedtime moved to an earlier time...when he was home with me (and I wasn't working) we settled into a routine where he went to bed for the night around 9pm, and would usually wake between 2-3 for his middle of the night feeding.  Well, that worked ok for when I didn't have to get up for work and he could sleep until 7:30 or 8am, but since I have to get him up for the day at 6:15am, he needs to get to bed earlier so he can get the proper amount of sleep!

I know most of my guy friends aren't going to want to see this, but getting used to having to pump at work has taken some getting used to!  I love the fact that it's still my milk that he gets, so that helps!  With my job, I'm in the car about 24 hours a week, on average.  So...now that I've been back a couple of weeks, I have learned that I need to block off time in my calendar to account for Nicholas' needs.  There are set times where I just can't see clients...

There is talk that I'm going to be going to CA for some training...it's so different now that we have Nicholas.  Before, I would have jumped at the opportunity to go back to Calabasas.  Now, I'm hoping it doesn't coincide with Nick's overseas travel (YNA has said that they'll be sending him to Vietnam again) but Murphy's law says it most likely will!  I'm trying to be proactive and contacted my corporate office to see if I can coordinate the two trips accordingly!

Another thing to get used to...now that we've got Nicholas at TBP's during the work week...all I really want to do is stay home with him on the weekends...which is going to take some getting used to as I would run all my errands on the weekends since Nick could be home with him.  I'm sure it's like everything else...an adjustment period.

January 5th marked the 2nd anniversary of my due date with the girls...as Nicholas gets older I think more and more about what they would have looked like?  Would they have been as big as him?  Would they have as much hair?  Not a day goes by that I don't think about them...and so it goes when you are a parent whom has lost a child!  Our 'new' normal!

In addition to being back at work and being Nicholas' mommy, I'm still trying to hang on with The Pampered Chef as an Independent Consultant.  I don't do many shows, mostly b/c I forget to ask people if they want to have a show...so if you know of anyone that would like to have a show in their home, or needs to place an order, have them contact me...or they can visit my Pampered Chef website (Link to my PC website)

Chloe & Gracie are doing great with Nicholas...Chloe seems pretty protective, while Gracie is still pretty curious about him.  Especially now that he's moving around while playing on the floor!  Of course, they always have to be near him!

Well, that's all for now!  Hope everyone is enjoying the snow!

Mommy's return to work, Nicholas' first days at TBP...and more!

WOW!  The old cliche really holds true!  Time really DOES fly when you're having fun!

So much has happened since the baptism!  We celebrated Nicholas' first New Year's Eve with a trip to Mike & Kim's and had dinner with Mike, Kim, Bonnie, Libby, & Mazie.  Kim was gracious enough to cook on HER birthday!  Yummy corned beef and cabbage was on the menu for the evening, along with CHERRY CHIP CAKE!  OUR Favorite!

We made it home before all the snow came; we woke up on New Year's Day to 11" of snow!  YES...we had 11"!  Luckily, Nick got a snowblower from his parents as a wedding gift!

I took Nicholas to daycare for the first time on Friday, January 4, as a trial run.  It was more for me than for him.  I knew he'd be just fine.  I was worried about how I would do.  I actually did better than I thought.  I hate leaving him but he's in good hands!  We ended up placing him at Teddy Bear's Playhouse in Brighton.  He really likes Ms. Charlene, Ms. Katie, and Ms. Randi! 

The weekend of the 5th was spent gearing up for my return to work on Monday, January 7th.  The week just FLEW by!  I barely had time to think...and of course jumped right back in at work.  I did so much work this summer that our office actually met our target numbers for the first time in 3+ years; the only bad thing is that they achieved target while I was on maternity leave, so I don't get a piece of *that* particular pie!  If we keep on track, hopefully we'll have much to enjoy when Q1 comes to a close!

What has taken some getting used to is pumping multiple times a day, and having to prepare bottles!  We're used to the convenience of me just nursing Nicholas, and not having to worry about whether or not we've got bottles on hand.  So...we're definitely running our dishwasher more than we had in the past!

Last weekend was spent resting up and visiting with Grandma D, as she left for Italy (Palermo, Sicily) yesterday and will be gone until March!  Oh my gosh!  That seems like so long, doesn't it?  Can we admit we're a tad bit envious that she's in sub-tropical weather and we're not?

Speaking of tropical weather, Nick and I have decided that we're going to take Nicholas to Maui.  We've already gotten our tickets (using frequent flier miles so it has cost us a whopping $44!) and booked our condo.  I was lucky enough to read a review on TripAdvisor, so I found a way to book a specific unit at the Kama'ole Sands (where we've stayed the last 2 times).  I'm VERY excited as the unit we reserved has recently been renovated and has a WONDERFUL kitchen (my big thing to look for).  Now we just have to book our rental car!

We realized as we continue our planning, that we'll have a TON of stuff to take: pack n' play for him to sleep in, car seat (we could use one from the rental company), booster seat, etc., etc.  We may just ship a huge box of things to our condo in advance of our travels!

Nicholas has his 4mo well baby visit tomorrow with Dr. G!  I can't believe he's 4 months old already!  WOW!  He's gotten so big that he's outgrown his bibs!  See the following pic for proof:

   

We'll find out tomorrow just how big he really is!  I'm guessing he's at least 16lbs!

New pics of Nicholas can be found in the following album: http://ourdaughtershavewings.typepad.com/photos/nbk_january_2008_to/index.html

35w1d update

Well, according to my pregnancy tracker, I've got 34 days to go.  And according to Dr. V, Baby K is estimated to be around 6lbs, "maybe 6.5lbs".  We're wondering how I'm going to make it to my due date (09/30) if the baby continues on the same track!

The doctors told us that Angelina & Gabriella were "big for their gestational age" so I guess Nick and I make big babies!

My cerclage will come out a week from tomorrow.  Some women go into labor right away, some don't.  The baby will be fine if I do; in terms of lung maturity, development, etc. so at this point, we're hoping that my body can hold out a bit longer. And that Nick will have enough patience to last til the end of next month IF my body holds out! :o)

A major decision was made...

We've chosen a childcare provider!

Nick and I have decided to place our baby with Lasting Impressions Childcare, in Brighton.  We were referred to them by the Livingston County 4C Council.  We really liked the facilitators, and got an overall 'good feel' while visiting.  The location is great too, so I'll be doing drop-offs, and Nick will do the pick-ups.

Depending on when this little one arrives, we'll probably start childcare in December.  Lots more to do before the baby arrives, but at least we've got our spot secured!

A HUGE Step for Me

Well, tomorrow marks a BIG day!  It's the first day that I'll be returning to work full-time since we lost the girls.  Most of you know that I was doing some consulting work part-time from home.

I decided in December that I would most likely return to a position that I left in 2003.  I'm returning to work with On Assignment, in their Lab Support/Engineering Division, as an Account Executive.  I'll be handling the sales of the services offered by OAI in the state of MI and in Northwest OH (read Toledo metro area).

I'm definitely excited about going back to something that I truly enjoyed, and not to mention, a great company with great people.  I'll be working from the Novi office, though I'll be on the road an average of 3 days per week.

I'm flying to Chicago tomorrow evening and will be working in my Manager's office on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  This week will be an indicator of how I'll do working full-time again.  Wish me luck!