Gall Stones and Vicodin (woo hoo!!)

I'm on vicodin right now, so I hope I make just a little bit of sense. I have gall stones. I have to have surgery and get my gall bladder removed. (I can't wait!) Seriously, the pain is excruciating. I mean worse than a broken arm and 14 hr back labor (and I would know). I'll find out soon when the surgery will be, but until then I have to tough it out. The hardest part is not being able to pick up Bubba, but Anthony has been a superstar husband/daddy and has been such a huge help! He's basically taken over. Your prayers would be mucho appreciated.

Here's a picture of my awesome kid whose going to be ONE soon. CrAzY. (Sorry, it's kind of old and totally has nothing to do with this post but I'm at Mama Ruth's house because we still don't have the internet and it's all I got.)

Dick and Jane

I found an old Dick and Jane book at Border's recently, and have becomed obsessed! I've been reading to Bubba (not that he really listens). How I wish the 1940's family lifestyle were more prominent today. I love that the Dick, Jane, and Sally spend their time running around and playing outside. Today kids spend much of their time playing video games and watching tv. I love that Mother is always in the background reading, sewing, knitting, baking, or jumping rope with the children; wearing a dress and heels, I might add. Father, the family's breadwinner, comes home to greet his family and join in on the fun. Even with the pressures of today's society, I want to create this life for my family.

I find it sad that current circumstances often require the mother to work out of the home, when she is needed there so dearly to guard and protect our precious children from the pressures and influences of the world. I feel so blessed to have a job that I can bring Bubba along. I do worry about the future. I know I won't always have a job like this, and I just want to be able to stay home with my children. Not because it's easy! There is no job more challenging, and no job with greater rewards. Motherhood is the greatest responsibility I have been entrusted with more rewards than I ever imagined. I've been a mother for almost a year now, and what a blessing Bubba has been to our life. I hope I can live up to my responsibilities because I know when I am old and gray, the one thing I will care about most is the effect I had on my family.

A Rough Day

Saturday: I paced around the terminal with Bubba waiting our departure from Florida to California, my home. I was exhausted. We should have left Wednesday, but as you know my little man got sick, very sick. I did my best to entertain him and keep him happy.

Our plane arrived. The clerk said we wouldn't board for 10 more minutes, so I ran to the bathroom baby and all. I came back and waited, I lined up to board, and talked to this nice man and his wife. Then they told me how excited they were to go see their grandkids in Tacoma, Washington.

Wait. What? Tacoma, Washington? I'm supposed to go to Sacramento, California. I looked out the window and there went my plane.

I had a bajillion pound baby in one arm, an umbrella stroller hanging off the other, and a diaperbag packed to capacity across my chest, but I still managed to run to the clerk and tell her exasperated with tears in my eyes, "I just missed my flight."

"You're going to have to wait a minute until I can help you," she responded irriatably.

I let out a deep breath and waited patiently by her desk. More people got in line, and then more people, and then more people. She continued to help them and seemed to have forgotten about the girl standing right next to her who had just missed her flight and had a bajillion pound baby in one arm, an umbrella stroller hanging off the other and a diaperbag filled to capacity hanging across her chest.

So, I got in line. I was on the phone with Uncle Dee at this point and he told me there was a flight leaving for Sacramento in 15 minutes. I had three people in front of me. There was hope. Finally, it was my turn. I repeated, "I missed my flight to Sacramento. There's one scheduled to leave in 15 minutes."

She said, "You're going to have to wait until I take these people behind you."

My mouth hung open in shock as I stood aside once again and looked at the line behind me. I looked at the clock. It was now far too late for me to catch that other plane. And may I remind you I have a bajillion pound baby in one arm, an umbrella stroller on the other, and a diaperbag filled to capacity hanging across my chest.

At last, the line disappeared, and it was just me and the clerk.

She smugly excused, "Sorry, I've had a rough day."

Oh, and here's a picture of the lovechild. What's a post without a pic?

105.4

105.4 Fever.
Chills.
Vomit.
Diarrhea.
Rectal Temps.
IVs.
More IVs.
Oxygen moniters.
Catheters.
Lung X-rays.

All because of a virus.

The hardest part of being a mom:
Watching your baby suffer and knowing there's nothing more you can do. I don't know who cried more when they took blood--me or Bubba.

Wednesday flight delayed til Saturday. I'll be home soon, and I can't wait to have our little family together again. This mama is exhausted.

Greetings From Florida

That's right. I'm in the marvelous and enchanted land of Florida right now. Breezy beaches, sweet sunsets, flip flops, palm trees, and sun screen slathered babies.

Aunt Karen called me back in December with the wild idea. She flew Bubba and I out for Samantha's birthday. You all know how I am with surprises; I can't keep my mouth shut, but I did it! Samantha actually had no idea, and it ended up being a really cool genuine surprise. Her face was priceless, and she hasn't let that baby go since.

It's hard when family is so far away. I think I might just have to convince Anthony to move down here. Who wouldn't want to live Clearwater, Florida?

Oh, and here's a picture of me and Samantha when we were babies. Now you know where Bubba got his awesome physique.

All Apologies

Breaking News-- Bubba has a new tooth which makes #3. All on the bottom. Weird. And he stands now. It is so cute. He stands, smiles, and waves his arms thinking he is the coolest thing ever. Then he falls.

All apologies for not updating my blog for 3,270,582,430 years. Unfortunately, we do not have the internet. We'll have it again after the move, which will hopefully be soon.

So, what has the Matthews Family been up to?

Anthony's team is doing well. They are playing hard and I'm thinking they'll make the playoffs.

Bubba and I found out last Friday we are anemic. Don't worry, we're taking iron supplements and I'm stuffing that boy full of fortified food. And I'm eating red meat again (gross).

Life is good. I can't wait to move. And I miss reading your blogs! All will be back to normal soon enough.

Love,

Your Friend and Fellow Blogger,

Kali

P.S. Isn't Bubba's face awesome here?

Moving (or not) and Bubba and Such.

So, I'm pretty bummed because we are postponing our move. We've decided it would be best to wait one more month, because basketball season will be over, and I will have a husband again.

I can't wait to get out of this apartment! It rained the other night, I woke up, went to get a drink, and noticed a leak in the kitchen and a leak in the dining room. I put some things down to catch the water. The next day Anthony asked why I had a strainer in the floor. A strainer.

On a more positive note, I love Bubba! So, I'm going to brag. Isn't that what we blog for anyway? To brag about our babies/husbands/dogs, and post pictures showing how cute they are?

I love Bubba because:

• He gives awesome slobbery kisses right on my face when least expected.
  
• He helps me with the dishes. It's funny how excited he gets when I open the dishwasher.
  
• He cheers the loudest at Daddy's basketball games.


• He laughs all the time (even in his sleep). Seriously, it's so cute!


• He actually likes to snuggle, and I love that!


• He claps when he thinks he's funny.


• Last but not least, he's chubby. And I like fat babies.

Love,

Your Friend and Fellow Blogger,

Kali