It's not often that you get to hear a story as powerful as this one. I've cried every time I've watched it. There is good in this world - and it starts with our kids.
February 26, 2013
February 21, 2013
To Have or Not To Have...
Another child that is. Don't misinterpret this right off the get go. This is in no way an announcement. I don't think a week goes by that we aren't asked when the next one will be on its way. My response is always the same - NEVER. I mean. I JUST had a baby! These people are nuts! But as we are quickly approaching Lily's first birthday, I'm realizing we actually didn't just have a baby. So yes. Mike and I have talked about another baby. And the conversation is always the same. Maybe when Lily is potty trained. Or in kindergarten. Or driving. Or never.
Mike will tell you he's 100% sure he doesn't want another baby. I'm only about 70% sure I don't want another so if you do the math that means we're both still undecided. The reality? I'm scared to death to have another baby. Women who've experienced preeclampsia in their first pregnancy are 20% more likely to experience it in their second. And depending on the severity of the case, the figures can rise to 80%. Prevention methods? None. Other than knowing what to look for this time. The cure? Delivery. And I'm not about to jump into that again.
So what's keeping Mike from getting snipped? For one, in the state of Michigan, a married man needs his wife's consent. Don't you love that we know this? But mostly it's my fear of that "only child syndrome" stereotype. Mike keeps reminding me that it's all about the parenting and while we may know people that fit that spoiled and self-centered stigma, we also know plenty of people that don't. And then he'll start reciting off some statistics. Did you know it costs $235,000 to raise a child to the age of 17? Did you know that 1 in 5 children are raised in a single-child family? You think you don't have your shit together now? Let's just throw in another baby.
Last night as I was feeding Lily dinner in her high chair, she scrunched up her face and bore down to mess her pants. I set the spoon down and yelled to Mike that it was his turn for a dirty diaper. He wagered weekend morning duty if I changed her. He knows my weakness. So while I waited for Lily to finish her business, I noticed there was liquid dripping from her chair. As I looked closer, I realized it was brown liquid running out of her pant leg all over my carpet. And I freaked. As Mike carried Lily fully strapped in her high chair to the tub, he was shouting at me - I've lost my appetite for the rest of my life! Seriously? You want another kid? Are you kidding me? You want to experience this again? And I couldn't stop laughing. I mean. What would I have to write about if Lily didn't let us experience these crazy things?
When I look at some of our friends and other people we know that have kids Lily's age (if not younger), it makes me cringe to know that most of them are either already pregnant again or already actively trying. And that reaction tells me that we aren't ready to have another baby. But then the thought of Lily not having a brother or sister to hang out with sometimes breaks my heart. And that reaction tells me we aren't ready to permanently call it quits. So for now, I can honestly tell you I have no idea if we'll have another baby.
Mike will tell you he's 100% sure he doesn't want another baby. I'm only about 70% sure I don't want another so if you do the math that means we're both still undecided. The reality? I'm scared to death to have another baby. Women who've experienced preeclampsia in their first pregnancy are 20% more likely to experience it in their second. And depending on the severity of the case, the figures can rise to 80%. Prevention methods? None. Other than knowing what to look for this time. The cure? Delivery. And I'm not about to jump into that again.
So what's keeping Mike from getting snipped? For one, in the state of Michigan, a married man needs his wife's consent. Don't you love that we know this? But mostly it's my fear of that "only child syndrome" stereotype. Mike keeps reminding me that it's all about the parenting and while we may know people that fit that spoiled and self-centered stigma, we also know plenty of people that don't. And then he'll start reciting off some statistics. Did you know it costs $235,000 to raise a child to the age of 17? Did you know that 1 in 5 children are raised in a single-child family? You think you don't have your shit together now? Let's just throw in another baby.
Last night as I was feeding Lily dinner in her high chair, she scrunched up her face and bore down to mess her pants. I set the spoon down and yelled to Mike that it was his turn for a dirty diaper. He wagered weekend morning duty if I changed her. He knows my weakness. So while I waited for Lily to finish her business, I noticed there was liquid dripping from her chair. As I looked closer, I realized it was brown liquid running out of her pant leg all over my carpet. And I freaked. As Mike carried Lily fully strapped in her high chair to the tub, he was shouting at me - I've lost my appetite for the rest of my life! Seriously? You want another kid? Are you kidding me? You want to experience this again? And I couldn't stop laughing. I mean. What would I have to write about if Lily didn't let us experience these crazy things?
When I look at some of our friends and other people we know that have kids Lily's age (if not younger), it makes me cringe to know that most of them are either already pregnant again or already actively trying. And that reaction tells me that we aren't ready to have another baby. But then the thought of Lily not having a brother or sister to hang out with sometimes breaks my heart. And that reaction tells me we aren't ready to permanently call it quits. So for now, I can honestly tell you I have no idea if we'll have another baby.
February 18, 2013
Date Night!
Mike and I spent Valentine's weekend living it up downtown. We had tickets to the sold out Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, and Thompson Square concert on Saturday with 12 other friends. We did dinner and drinks in style at The Woods before hand and then hit up good old Z's Bar for post concert drinks and our grease fix. We spent the night at the Amway Grand while Grandma and Grandpa got to babysit! Then on Sunday we met up with them at the boat show where we browsed the boats for the Cutting family and drooled over the ones we wanted. It was a great weekend!
February 14, 2013
Mother What?
I'm not sure if any of you watch "The Neighbors" on ABC on Wednesday nights but it's a new show sandwiched between two of our favorites - "The Middle" and "Modern Family". When it first aired, Mike and I weren't too sure about it but we were also too lazy to find a different show on a different channel for a half hour. The show is about a family (The Weavers) who move to a gated community in the suburbs of New Jersey. It turns out, all of their neighbors are aliens disguised as humans on a mission from their home planet. They aren't sure what their mission is yet so they make friends with the Weavers and experience a number of new human experiences each episode.
Last night's episode, Mother Clubbers, had Mike and I laughing the entire half hour. You can get the episode recap here but I recommend you take the time to actually watch the whole episode. Seeing and hearing the actors definitely made the show. Enjoy!
Last night's episode, Mother Clubbers, had Mike and I laughing the entire half hour. You can get the episode recap here but I recommend you take the time to actually watch the whole episode. Seeing and hearing the actors definitely made the show. Enjoy!
February 11, 2013
Play Date
Saturday we spent the evening with our good friends the Stuevers who have moved back to Rockford - and we couldn't be more excited! Lily and Cru (and Diesel and Axle) played all night long while Mommies and Daddies enjoyed dinner and adult beverages. We are looking forward to many more play dates.
Not So Super
I realize I'm a bit behind in posting the Hoy Fam activities so these events are a little dated. Not this past Friday but the Friday before that (Friday of Super Bowl Weekend), I woke up with a fever and my throat was on fire. I decided to stay home from work and try and sleep it off. Mike took Lily to daycare and I was able to sleep until 11:30. When I finally got out of bed, I noticed my throat was coated in nasty white spots - I was certain I had strep. I called the doctor and scheduled an appointment for later in the afternoon. Not five minutes after I got off the phone with them, daycare called to tell me Lily had a fever of 102 and I was going to have to pick her up. So I called the doctor back and told them I was bringing her in with me...two for one deal. I was diagnosed with strep (pretty sure it's been at least five years since I've had that!) and Lily was diagnosed with a double ear infection. The doctor assured me that babies under two don't typically contract strep since their glands/tonsils aren't fully developed until then. And fortunately for Mike - unfortunately for me - he was scheduled to work two 12s Saturday and Sunday. So Lily and I pumped ourselves full of antibiotics and hunkered down on the couch all weekend by ourselves. I can honestly say I've never had a worse weekend. Thankfully by Super Bowl Sunday we were both feeling a little bit better.
February 5, 2013
What's on the menu?
Last week Lily started on the "big kid" menu at daycare. Appletree makes all of their meals fresh in house. They serve a morning snack, breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. Right now Lily just participates in two "meals" usually one of the snacks and one of the meals. So far she's loved goulash, quesadillas, english muffins, fruit, and waffles. She's also refused mac and cheese. She's not my child.
