Gratitude

The Home Stretch

July 26, 2016

Hard to believe it’s been two weeks since my last update.  It’s bizarre, the weeks have flown by but the days have been L-O-N-G.  Our calendar, for the most part, has been clear, which is weird.  In the last five years, that’s never been the case.  So, I guess it’s nice to take a breather and not to be hustling to get out the door every day, all day.  But, it has made for some difficult days.  Like never-ending, what seem like 40 hour days.  However, this scenario is not likely to happen again, oh, for the next 15 years so I guess I won’t complain too much.

Elena has been doing really well.  She has definitely had some good days and some bad days, but in the last week, it’s becoming evident that she’s on the mend finally.  She’s happier, more interactive, less tired and can be moved around a lot easier.  We’ve been fighting some major reflux issues for whatever reason, but that’s been the worst of it lately.  That, and the nights.  We get a good night (two or less wakes) about every four terrible (awake every 30 minutes) nights.  I mean a newborn may be easier than Elena has been at this point!  It’s hard to figure out with Elena if it’s reflux, her leg, or just wanting to make sure Mom and Dad stay close.  I tend to ALWAYS think it’s the latter, but Daddy (whom Elena has wrapped tightly around his little finger!), usually disagrees with me, shocking I know!  This happened with the last surgery.  She got used to us running to her with every little peep and kept up that routine for like a year until something that I can’t remember that we did to fix it.  I’m really looking forward to being awake all night for the next infinity.  Maybe the newborn will be like Cal and win all awards, ever, for sleeping?  Please?  God, help us!

Now that we are emerging from the post-surgery survival mode, I’m beginning to feel the anxieties of the beginning of the school year arising.  It’s reallllllllllly scary sending your five year old to Kindergarten, especially with all the needs and accommodations that come with Elena.  The whole process is a lesson in lack of control, which of course, I hate.

Oh yeah, then I’m having a baby sometime in the next four weeks.  So there’s that.  I do have the car seat washed, a set of white onesies set aside, newborn diapers ordered from Amazon and three swaddle blankets on the ready which means I’m pretty much ready.  It’s hilariously opposite from the preparations of a first (or even second) time parent.  Poor third child.  I can say that because I am one.  I promise we’ll figure out a name for him/her but for now, there’s A LOT to do.

I do want to thank all of you who have been so thoughtful and kind to us the last couple weeks.  The meals, the prayers, the texts, the encouragement has all meant so much.  It has definitely made the surgery awful-ness, much more doable.  

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This is Elena. Our Light. You can see all the goodness and joy that shines from those deep blue eyes. She loves sneezes, yawns, industrial toilet flushes, automatic paper towel dispensers and The Star Spangled Banner. Music is her everything, specifically Moana, Frozen (really all Disney), Queen & Taylor Swift. Nothing makes her squeal quite like swimming, fast boat rides and her two brothers in trouble. In addition to her megawatt smile, Elena reminds us to cherish the smallest of victories, to live in the present, and to daily dwell in a posture of gratitude for every breath and every blessing.  

More About Our Story

I’m Emmalee, an ordinary gal born and raised in the Heartland. Wife to Chad, and Mom to Elena, Calvin & Turner, I spend most my days ridin’ dirty (literally so much trash) in my minivan carting kids to and fro. When I’m not being a Momager, I excel at self-care, cooking gourmet meals my kids won’t eat and deep-diving all the feelings. Most days, my attitude is gratitude, just taking life one step at a time.

Emmalee & Elena

Meet The Gals