Friday, July 18, 2008 - Update

I can sit up really well with my boppy.
I'm told it would be easier to sit up if I didn't cross my legs, but. . .

I'm a lady, you know.

This morning I woke up with every intention of going for a brisk, morning walk with Olivia. Well, okay, it was more like a 50/50 chance of doing it, but the rain kept me from it. One of these days, I will do it. . .maybe.

Thursday, July 17, 2008 - Update

This is my new smile.
My mom calls it the "I forgot to put my dentures in" smile.

I don't know what that means. . .

Isn't she just adorable? She is such a joy and a blessing to me. It's like she is everything that is pure and sweet and wonderful and miraculous in this world.

I got my blood test results back today and everything is perfect. . .seems it's all in my head. I'm sure the fatigue has to do with depression/stress. When I was younger, I got stomach aches. Then, I got headaches. Now, I guess my body just says, "Forget this. . I want to go to sleep." Excedrin helps in the mornings. I need to somehow work a morning shower into my day as that has always helped me wake up. I'm trying to be more active as well. Any fatigue remedies out there?

Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - Update

My mood has been heavy lately. I think many reasons factor into that. I think of Logan a lot. The other night I had my second dream about him, although it wasn't quite as lovely as the last. I won't go into all of the specifics, but I was at some sort of hotel suite with other people. I remember asking everyone where Logan was and was told that they put him to bed in the bedroom. I walked in to find a lot of babies sleeping and I didn't know which one was Logan. I couldn't recognize him. Then, a teenage boy walked up to me and called me mom. I assumed that because Olivia was a baby in the dream, that Logan was too. I miss him. I've realized that I will always miss him. There will always be an empty place in our family that can never be filled. The pain doesn't hurt as much as it did in those first few weeks, but instead of decreasing over time, I believe it sort of plateaus.

The recent news of Heather's diagnosis of cancer has a lot of us shook up. It just doesn't seem fair. Why is there so much suffering? Why are we given so much to handle? Ryan's aunt Peggy is still fighting a hard fight with cancer. I know she's getting tired and the treatments are difficult. What advice and encouragement can I give to those people? I'm often at a loss for words. Many of us aren't strong enough to endure such hardship. I am reminded of a verse that has always meant a lot to me.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

I believe that God does give people more than they can handle, but he doesn't give you any more than HE can handle. Our life on earth can be tough. Even if we lived to be 100 years old, our life on earth is just a tiny speck compared to our eternal life in heaven. That's what we have to look forward to. That is what will make our trials on earth worthwhile. My heart goes out to everyone enduring difficult times.

Pray for Heather

We're all praying for you, Heather!

Here is Heather marching for babies on the Olivia and Logan team in April.

I was going to write today about Olivia and all of the things that I did today. . .then I heard that Heather was diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma Cancer. I don't know a whole lot about cancer, but I know that Stage 4 is not news that anyone wants to hear. My heart is breaking. I ask that you all surround Heather and her family with your love and support.

http://www.thesnydernews.blogspot.com/

Monday, July 14, 2008 - Update

Silly girl!

Do you ever have those really good trips to the mailbox? I received so many long-awaited items in the mail today. Of course, there were bills in there as well, but we won't think about those. We got Olivia's Baby Signing Time DVDs (one for now and one for her birthday.) We got our new insurance cards that we've been waiting on. We got Ryan's first paycheck that will come in handy after a month of not getting paid. I got my Redbook magazine. . .it was like Christmas!

I have to say that I have enjoyed watching Olivia develop a sense of humor. Sometimes she just cracks me up. Today I was singing to her a song that I often sing. .

The ants go marching one by one. . .hoorah. . .hoorah. .

The ants go marching two by two. . hoorah. . .hoorah. .

Instead of singing hoorah. . hoorah, I would substitute it with words like ooga booga, pickle-weasel, boingy boom, etc. and she just laughed and laughed. What a silly girl, indeed.

Thank You For HELPing us.

The other night when I couldn't sleep, I devised something to help all of you help us. A major source of stress for us is when we take Olivia out in public and everyone proceeds to try to touch her. Even though it is summer, there are all kinds of illnesses going around. . .including pneumonia which would be detrimental to Olivia's health. Because we can't decipher what illness would be okay for her to have and what illness would not, we need to protect her. Our doctor recommends this up until the age of two. Once Olivia starts crawling, we won't be able to protect her as much, but until then. . .it is just the way we are and the way our life is right now.

So, I ask. . .please do not come up and touch her. We don't know if you've been sick or if you're going to call us that night and say you've suddenly fallen ill. It's just too stressful for us. This is in the forefront of our minds every day and it's exhausting to constantly protect her and try to live a normal life. I know it's harder for other people to remember, so I made up something to HELP you HELP us (hey, I have to do something productive as I'm lying awake in bed.)

Before you touch Olivia, think about these four things that spell HELP:

Are you Healthy?

Have you been Exposed to an illness within the last few days? Maybe you are well, but your entire family is sick.

Have you Lathered your hands with soap and water? I'm talking about immediately before touching her.

Have you Purelled your hands? Again, immediately before.

Please ask yourself these simple questions before attempting to touch Olivia. We truly appreciate all of your help. It would eliminate a lot of stress for us. Thank you. . .and they'll be a quiz on this tomorrow. . heehee.

Sunday, July 13, 2008 - Update

I hope you all had a great weekend.

I was able to spend time with all of my grandparents.

We had family pictures and I smiled really big.

And, tomorrow is my Aunt Shelley's birthday. Happy Birthday!

My family has a lot of summer birthdays.

Here I am with my mom and dad. I love when we all spend time together.

From Shea's post, I thought I would post a little update on Olivia's eyes. She goes back into the eye doctor on the 22nd and we continue to patch her for 4 hours each day. She is still crossing her eyes, but we're seeing some improvement. The BIG news is. . .we think that, after 10 1/2 months, her tear ducts may have opened! For many babies, they do open on their own, but all of her doctors have said that hers most likely would not. We have had to wipe her eyes at least 5-10 times every day to keep them from matting shut. We have not, however, had to clean them for the last three days and they've been amazingly clear. We are not quite ready to call it a victory yet, but if they did indeed open on their own. . .she would not need surgery to open them. That would be an amazing blessing and one we will continue praying for!!

More Adorable Pictures

Look at how tall I am!

I love to play with daddy.

I love to snuggle up with mommy.

I'm getting kind of tired mom. . .can't.smile.any.longer. . .

Friday, July 11, 2008 - Update

Aren't I cute in my sailor outfit? I borrowed it from Izzy.I wore it today because it's my Grandpa Sailing's birthday.
Look at me trying to sit up like a big girl!

Olivia has just been super cute this week. I haven't been able to put the camera down. We actually took a trip to the mall today (and I didn't even buy anything.) I wanted to get out of the house, but it's been either too hot, too muggy, too windy or too rainy. Sometimes I never know how she's going to do. She knows how to scream really loud and I never know when she's going to practice it.

I also went in hopes that the exercise would help wake me up a bit. My fatigue just keeps getting worse and worse. I even went to the doctor about it yesterday. There's tired and then there's beyond tired which is what I've been feeling. Even when I get 8 hours of sleep, I still don't feel rested when I get up. He did some blood work to make sure there is no underlying problem. I'm sure it will come back fine. . .it always does. . .just like all my prenatal tests came back spectacular. I've actually been researching delayed sleep phase syndrome and boy, does it describe me perfectly. Like I've always known, my body doesn't follow any sort of normal cycle, schedule or rhythm at all. I'm tired all day and then when the sun goes down, I wake up. I'm hoping to get a handle on it soon as I just want to feel energized. . .even if it's just once a week. I tell ya, I'm getting closer to becoming a coffee drinker.

I found out yesterday that my grandpa is in the hospital. They are not quite sure what's wrong with him and if his symptoms are due to his Alzheimer's medication. My grandpa is one of the greatest men I've ever met. Please say a prayer for him and that he gets to go home soon.

**Evening Update**

My grandpa is now home and doing better.

Thursday, July 10, 2008 - Update

Mommy's new favorite picture
Sometimes my mom pretends that she's the mommy monster. . . .

She was extra funny today.

And guess what? My Grandma Glunt. . .oops, she wants to be called Grandma Mary, came over to see me today. I can't wait to show you how beautiful my dress is for my baptism. My grandma made it for me.

I was able to try it on. I felt like a princess.

And guess what else?

Tomorrow is my grandpa's birthday! Happy Birthday Grandpa Sailing!

Prayer Request

Please take a moment to visit Heather's blog and be sure to keep her in your prayers. Heather is my in-laws' in-law and has been a faithful reader of my blog. She has provided us with lots of prayer and support and now she is needing some herself. Her doctor believes that she has developed melanoma cancer that has spread to at least one lymph node. She faces the possibility of surgery and chemotherapy while trying to care for a 2 1/2 year old and a 6 month old.

Heather just turned 30 this year and it's hard to believe that cancer is something people our age have to deal with. Sometimes I just don't understand all of the hardships in this world. I have heard of numerous people that are dealing with cancer in their family. I know that during my darkest times. . .comments, cards and support meant the world to me. My heart and prayers are with you all.

From the end of the earth
will I cry unto thee,
when my heart is overwhelmed:
lead me to the rock
that is higher than I.
Psalm 61

I LOVE. . .

My Prunes!

I really only bought them to counter the effect of the bananas. Little did I know. . .she would love them! She was quite pleased to have them this afternoon after I tried to feed her beef and gravy.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - Update

I really don't want this patch on today.
Olivia and Uncle Joel

Today is just one of those lazy days when it's nice to stay in your pajamas. After Olivia's morning bottle, she was still a little cranky so we climbed into bed. . .and slept for 2.5 hours! She has decided that taking a nap in mom and dad's bed is pretty nice. I'm sure the rain and thunder outside had something to do with it as well. And, she's napping again right now. Don't you just love lazy days like these?

Monday, July 7, 2008 - Update

Just a quick story with dad before church. . .

Olivia had her 10 month checkup this afternoon. Her hemoglobin was normal, so we finally get to discontinue the Poly-Vi-Sol. She weighed 14 lbs 9 oz and was 24 3/4 in long. (Last time she was 25 1/4 in. long. . hmmm.) Her head circumference was 41.5 cm. She remains in the 25-50% on the preemie chart. I was so happy to tell him that she was finally rolling over. We're still working with her on arm position and on learning to sit unassisted.

I've been trying to figure out what to get Olivia for her 1st birthday. Remember that she'll be 12 months old, but her adjusted age is only 8 months. So, I thought I would ask all of you for ideas. Do you know of a certain toy that your 8-12+ month old absolutely LOVED? I already have a few ideas, but I would love to hear from all of you.

Now, I'll get back to stuffing my face with puppy chow. I had an overwhelming craving for it last night and decided to make some. I've recently found that I get headaches from too much chocolate, so not only did I get a stomach ache from it. . .my head hurt as well. Yet, I continue to eat it because it's so good.

Olivia's Baptism

Please join us for the baptism of

Olivia Paige

Sunday, July 20, 2008

11 am

Maize United Methodist Church

208 E Central

Maize, KS 67101

Saturday, July 5, 2008 - Update

The three of us headed over to my parents' house for an early birthday celebration for Aunt Shelley. Izzy gets more adorable every time I see her. . .and she's so funny. The two of them are going to be quite the pair.

As you can see, Olivia is fascinated with her tongue. She also loves the word "Zoboomafoo." You will get a smile from her about 90% of the time. Olivia has been a bit cranky today (I admit I have too) and she really doesn't want me to type anymore.

I love to play with my tongue. . .it's squishy.

Olivia and Grandpa Sailing

Olivia and Aunt Shelley

Happy 4th of July!

Every year for the 4th, we get together with Joel, Laura, Julia and Rebekah. This year we aren't doing fireworks, but we still had to get together. . .otherwise it just wouldn't be the 4th of July. And, for the first time ever in the same picture:

The three Glunt Girls (from Goddard)


How sweet!

Can you believe I was that small?

Olivia and Rebekah

You are adorable!

It's exhausting to have such beautiful daughters!

Happy 4th of July!

Thursday, July 3, 2008 - Update

Olivia has had a busy couple of days that included visits from Nurse Holli, Shea and lunch with Grandma Mary at Olive Garden. What a popular girl!

I'm looking forward to spending a three day weekend as a family. I haven't seen much of my husband the last few days because he's been working at the fireworks stand after work until 10 pm. I don't think we'll be doing our normal fourth of July festivities, however, because I don't think Olivia would be too fond of the noise. (I wouldn't be too fond of her inhaling all of the smoke.)

Olivia and Shea

Shea also caught these adorable pictures of Olivia at church a few weeks ago. Thanks Shea!

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 - Update

Don't forget to visit our church's fireworks tent!

Maize Middle School parking lot

Maize, KS

Olivia has continued rolling over and seems to be getting the hang of it although she doesn't do it all of the time. Let's see. . .what else. . she still loves listening to music. Her favorite vegetables are carrots and her favorite fruit is pears! Lately, she has decided that she only needs a 10 minute power nap in the afternoon which makes it a little difficult for mommy to get things done. I've been giving her more tummy time than she probably prefers, but I know she needs it. It breaks my heart sometimes as I see her work so hard to do things that other babies do naturally. I am reminded of the feelings I had when I was trying so hard to become pregnant while it happened so naturally for others. I truly believe, however, that God needed her to be born so early. I just don't know why.

Ryan's new job is going fantastic. Everybody he works with seems super nice and I think they are learning what a hard working, talented husband I have. (He is a software engineer by the way.) I'm so proud of him.