A Dream to Wake Me Up

I had the craziest, most vivid dream last night that I want to record because it gave me a new perspective on my waking life. I dreamed that I was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. I had been having headaches, so the doctor did a scan of my brain. In my dream, we were looking at the scans together, and he was pointing to various parts of my brain saying, "If the tumor were here or here or here, we could operate, but this area right here (where mine was located), we don't even touch." I was told I would die at anytime, probably later that day. I remember laying in a coffin eating a piece of chocolate cake (Jenni Farrow's Coca-Cola cake that she brought to our July 4th cookout this year...haha) - my "last meal" I guess - just waiting to die, but I didn't. So then I was told, "Well, it will probably be tomorrow." My emotions were somewhere between grief and acceptance. I wasn't really afraid to die, I had accepted that as my fate, but I was so filled with grief that Micah would never remember me and that we wouldn't get to have more children. I remember thinking, "This just isn't part of my plan" (and I love to plan ;-). When I woke up, I was so thankful this had only been a dream that I immediately said a prayer thanking God for my health. Then I went to check on my baby.

Today, I've had a new appreciation for the things that I commonly take for granted: my health, my family, even just sitting in the floor playing with Micah. I realize that although it was just a dream (thankfully), things like this DO happen and none of us are promised another day.

Vacation, Family Planning and More!

We just got back from our first long vacation with Micah. We went to my parent's house at Emerald Isle for the week. We did not choose the best beach week - the wind was blowing hard and the waves were rough - but Micah did great. He slept very well - something he usually doesn't do on trips - and he loved the beach for about an hour at a time. As any parent knows, vacations are not the same once children come along. I love watching Micah experience the things I love - especially the ocean - but I do miss sitting on the beach for several hours with a book in hand.

This vacation gave Jamie and I some perspective in making a few major decisions about our family. Lately we've been discussing how many kids we want (2 or 3) and how far apart we want them to be (2 years or 3 years). We had pretty much agreed on 2 kids 3 years apart, but this trip might have changed that. We are a very go, go, go couple - we love to travel and do things all the time - and although we love the baby stage, we are very excited about all the things we can do with Micah when he's 2, 3, etc. Then it occurred to us that around the time he gets REALLY fun (we're thinking 3), we'll be starting over with a newborn.

So we're considering having #2 soon so that we basically get through the baby stage quicker and then have two kids who are ready for the same activities around the same time. I know if we do this I'll be a crazy woman for awhile (I'm kinda crazy with just one), but I really love the idea of Micah and his sibling being close enough in age to be best friends. So we'll see...

***

A quick update on what's new with Micah at 10.5 months:

• finally crawls with stomach off the floor, standing and cruising along furniture
  
• eats about half baby food, half table food
• babbles constantly (da-da, ba-ba, na-na, hey)
  
• LOVES books (I couldn't be more proud!), will stop playing to sit and listen to a story
• more controlled movements (goes gently from standing to sitting, can place objects with control as opposed to always slinging/throwing them)
• understands a lot of what I say
• loves opening/closing cabinets
• loves drinking from a straw
  
• is a most awesome napper/night time sleeper
• goes to Kindermusik playgroup on Tuesdays and will start Mother's Morning Out on Mondays this fall
  

For Micah's 1st birthday on September 5, we've decided to have a family barbecue. We are looking forward to doing a party with friends when he's older, but we ultimately decided to keep things simple and intimate this year (if you call 7 grandparents, 3 aunts and 2 uncles simple or intimate ;-). I can't believe he's almost 1! We love him so much and are so thankful that God chose him to be our baby!

July 4th Celebrations!

July 4, 2010

We spent Micah's first July 4th at the river with Grandpa Steve (who kept referring to himself as 'Grammy'...not sure about that ;-) Saturday we had a cookout with the Farrows, Littlefields and Bells. Several of us have celebrated July 4th together in the past, and it was way different this year with little ones running around. We had a good time watching four babies under age 2 play together.

Micah and Dad

Sunday we went to the annual Kilby Island Pig Pickin'. Jamie and I both agreed that it has been better in past years. Micah sure looked cute, though! I hope we'll get to celebrate at the beach next year.

Gettin' down in your pjs!! This picture makes me laugh :-)

Micah, you are such a delight right now at 10 months old! You have mostly overcome your separation anxiety and enjoyed spending one-on-one time with Grandpa. He enjoyed taking you out for golf cart rides to give Mom a little break. You're also pulling up on everything and even cruised along the sofa today. Mimi said you did that at her house last week, but mommies are supposed to see milestones first, so I say you did it first today ;-) You babble constantly and clearly understand a lot more than you can communicate. When you wake up in the morning, I tell you to "put passy night night," and you throw it in the crib. We're still working on 'No' - I think you get it, but you like to test me!

Micah's 1st boat ride. You were sleepy, so this was not a pleasant experience! The second trip was much better!

We've done a few activities lately that are still a little advanced for you (splash park), but I get excited about all that we can do together next summer! I'm already planning your first birthday party (can it be???)! We are doing a Tigger theme because you really seem to like him. I think Mom and Dad are giving you your first Bible. I'm sure the grandparents will provide all the toys ;-)