Our Superboy, ConnerTuesday, January 27, 2009
Our Superboy and Supergirl!
Our Superboy, ConnerSaturday, November 22, 2008
Catch up post
November 19th- I am thankful for opportunities. The opportunity to be a mother, wife, friend, ect. I have been so thankful lately of the things I have been able to experience in my life. I've had the opportunity to go to college and get a degree, to travel to foreign lands, to meet different types of people. In the end, I have come to appreciate these things and what they have taught me.
November 20th- Conner's 3rd birthday. I can't think of anything I am more thankful for than to have given birth to a perfect soul (as my mother in law would say). He was too perfect to stay on this earth. He didn't have any work to do it had already been done by the time he took his first and last breath. I miss him so much and will post soon about how we celebrated his 3rd birthday.
November 21st- I am thankful for good food. I am a lover of food. I love to eat. It is enjoyable to me, probably too much. There's nothing I love better than some good country cooking. Lima beans, cornbread, pot roast, mmmmmmm! However I have come to realize that enjoying food can be done without over indulging. Which brings me to what I am thankful for today.....
November 22nd- I am thankful that I am now 5 pounds lighter than I was when I got pregnant with Kara. I am down to 120. It finally happened on the scale this morning. I know it sounds silly, but I was always a small girl. In high school, I never got over 103 pounds, which was probably too small. I am happy at the weight I am now. I still need toning, but overall I am happy. My goal weight is 118 so I am only 2 pounds away. It is awesome that I have got my weight down without feeling deprived. I still eat most things I want I have just found alternatives in things like baking with whole wheat flour. I also limit my treats. If I want chocolate I eat 3 Hershey kisses and it usually fills that void rather than eating 8 chocolate chip cookies like I use do to. I am thankful that I have the will power to get myself and keep myself at a good weight.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
My Sunshine
You are my Sunshine,
my only sunshine.
You make me happy
when skies are gray.
You'll never know dear
how much I love you
Please don't take
my sunshine away.
The other night, dear,
As I lay sleeping,
I dreamt I held you in my arms.
When I awoke, dear,
I was mistaken
And I hung my head and cried.
Repeat chorus.
( It only plays that part of the song, a condensed version, I guess. I realize this song was written for torn apart lovers, but I think this particular verse fits for my situation.)
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Behind already but that's me these days.
Secondly, I am thankful for the gift of motherhood. I always knew I wanted children. I grew up playing with dolls. I am thankful that I was able to have my children. So many people miss out on the opportunity to have babies. I feel so blessed that I was able to do so. To be able to feel their little arms and feet moving around in my belly. It was the coolest feeling EVER!! I wouldn't change that for anything. Kara brings joy to my life everyday. She's so amazing, wonderful, and awesome!! I wish that I could have enjoyed these times with Conner. Everyday is something new and it's so much fun. I always knew it would be cool but I didn't realize how great being a mother would truly be.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Her release
These last two are from her diary not too long after we lost Conner. I know it may be wrong of me to have ripped the pages out of it but I knew that she would lose the diary (Maddy is known for losing things) and would appreciate seeing the sweet letter she wrote about her brother down the line. It says: Dear Diary, I miss my brother. I wish he was here. Love, Maddy, Mom, and Dad. The picture is supposed to be him flying above her. Keep in mind she was 6 years old when she wrote and drew these two. It's just heartbreaking.
Here are some more pictures she drew. I wanted to add them because they are so cute! The first one is supposed to be me. She had me pegged scrapbooking and a purple dress! The Second one is a pic of her daddy. He is her hero. She signed the bottom: love, Maddy Madalynn the Goblin Queen. She was named after a comic book hero called the Goblin Queen, poor baby! And the last one is a chalk drawling of a ladybug she did this past year in school. It is very cute!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Longing

I can hardly believe that Conner would have been 2 1/2 years old. It is amazing to me. Sometimes it feels like it was yesterday, when I held him close. No matter how much time goes by I will always remember the special moments I had with him. I miss him so much that it literally hurts my heart, but I am thankful that I had him and would do it all over again, just for those moments.
Friday, May 9, 2008
God's greatest gift
PS Here's some pics of my family today. We went to brunch at the NCO club for Mother's Day. Afterwards Kara and I took a long nap on the couch. It doesn't get any better than that!! Maddy wrote me some sweet little poems. Here's one: The grass is green, the sky is blue, roses are violet, just as lovely as you. And another: You're as loving and kind as an angel. You're as pretty as a rose. Now isn't that sweet?
Look at her cute little barrette.
All of us together
I love this pic, but Kara was mad in it.
Maddy, Kara, and me on Mother's Day. How sweet?
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
My 27th birthday
It was my 27th birthday (April 15) and I was in labor. All we did that day was go the hospital, go
walk, go back, repeat. I was so ready to have her and tired. I had to get some really uncomfortable things done that day. I was 4 centimeters dilated and contracting every 4-6 minutes. I got my cervix checked 5 times (which is always very painful for me) and it was terrible. Nick didn't have time to get me a cake or anything. We did manage to eat dinner at Chili's, which was nice. I will admit it was my worst birthday ever, but it just wasn't meant for her to come that day. She wanted her own birthday (my cousin's is the 16th) so she waited until the 17th to make her appearance. It's already hard to remember what my life was like before she was here. I know that I wouldn't go back to that life for anything in this world. I adore being a mother full time. I get to hold her whenever I want to and that is the most amazing thing in the world. I never got that with my sweet Conner and I am enjoying every minute I get with my daughter. I feel in some way that I am honoring Conner by trying to cherish every moment with Kara. I know he's looking down on us and feels happy. She will have a guardian angel for her whole life, her big brother.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Some poems that remind me of Conner....
The most precious memory of my life. I love and miss you, Conner!
A Poem for Mommy
I thought of you and closed my eyes
and I prayed to God today.
I asked what makes a mother
and I know I heard him say.
A mother has a baby
this we know is true.
But God can you be a mother
when your baby's not with you?
Yes, you can he replied
with confidence in his voice
I give many women babies
when they leave is not their choice.
Some I send for a lifetime
and others for a day.
And some I send to feel your womb
but there's no need to stay.
I just don't understand this, God
I want my baby here.
He took a breath and cleared his throat
and then I saw a tear.
I wish I could show you
what your child is doing today.
If you could see your child smile
with other children and say
"We go to earth and learn our lessons
of love and life and fear.
My mommy loved me oh so much
I got to come straight here.
I feel so lucky to have a mom
who had so much love for me
I learned my lesson very quickly
my mommy set me free.
I miss my mommy oh so much
but I visit her each day.
When she goes to sleep
on her pillows where I lay.
I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek
And whisper in her ear,
"Mommy don't be sad today
I am your baby and I'm here."
So you see my dear sweet one
you children are OK
Your babies are here in my home
and this is where they will stay
They wait for you with me
until your lesson is through
And on the day that you come home
they'll be at the gates for you.
So now you see what makes a mother
It's a feeling in your heart
It's the love you had so much of
right from the very start.
Poem by Jennifer Wasik
YOU
If we could have a lifetime wish,
a dream that could come true,
We'd pray to God with all our hearts
for yesterday and you.
A thousand words can't bring you back,
we know because we've tried.
And neither will a million tears,
we know because we've cried.
You left behind our broken hearts
and happy memories too.
We never wanted memories
we only wanted you.
A million times we've needed you,
a million times we've cried.
If love alone could have saved you,
you would have never died.
In life we loved you deeply:
in death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place,
no one could ever fill.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
but you did not go alone.
Part of us went with you,
the day God took you home.
Author Unknown
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Honesty
Have you ever had one of those days that just starts out bad and doesn't get better? Well that is today for me and it's only 12:15pm. I am hoping that the worst of the day is over. It all started with me waking up at 4:30am from a nightmare about my husband. The dream was about him being gone on a trip (like he is now) and him calling me to tell me that the enemy had captured him. It was a terrible dream, because I could tell he was in pain and I didn't think I would ever see or hear from him again. I was begging and pleading with his kidnappers to let him go because we are having a baby soon. The only thing I can figure is that it was their way of torturing him, to let him hear me and know his life was over. After I woke up I thought I would call him to make sure he's okay, but I realized that he would already be at work so I tried to go back to sleep. When I finally fell back asleep, the dream continued. I was with my MIL, Sissy, and we got a report saying that at least 63% of his bones were broken. It was horrible. Now if I didn't ever have to worry about this happening it wouldn't be that big of a deal, but being that he's in the military, that fear is always there.
I woke up a little late this morning but it was okay. I did my morning ritual of eating breakfast and then checked my email. Nothing too exciting. I got Maddy off to school, took a shower, and began getting ready for my stress test. All was good. I went to check some messages on my Vonage phone when Nick beeped in. I was thankful to see the number because I didn't hear from him yesterday. He goes on to tell me that their plane is broken (no big surprise there)so he's done for the night but needs to get to bed soon. Turns out they aren't going to end up in Florida after all, which really stinks because he has both a box and suitcase of Maddy's that he was going to give to her mother. Since he's flying back commercially, this could pose a problem. Since they are going to Georgia, they have decided to take a rental car down to Florida to deliver her things. So that news wasn't so bad, except that I worry it will make his trip longer. He says he will still be home by the 7th, but I am not holding my breath on that one. I've learned that when he says he's going to be home not to count on it until he has a ticket in hand or is calling from the airport to be picked up. It's just a fact in my world. We talked for a few more minutes about this and that when he said he needed to go, plus it was almost time to leave for my appointment. I gave him a message to call his boss, and we said goodbye. I will admit that I was very sad to get off the phone with him. I feel like I haven't seen him much (which is true for this past month) and it makes me feel very lonely. I even felt myself tear up when we hung up. I told myself to get over it and move on, I had things to do. Which leads me to another thought, I have been so very emotional the past month. I have done so good in this pregnancy not being emotional and crying at the drop of a hat. However in the last month that has changed. I find myself tearing up over anything that I find sentimental or upsetting. I think a lot of it has to do with my fears. I have so many right now. I know I shouldn't be fearing so much but it's hard with the past I have had. This pregnancy has been very hard for me, yes it has been wonderful and full of great things, but at the same time I have had many hurdles to get over. First it was just hearing a heartbeat, next it was if there was enough fluid, are the baby's organs all functioning, is everything in the right place, the list goes on. It's funny I chose today to express all my worries being that this was the day in my last pregnancy that I gave birth to my sweet baby, Conner. I can't tell you how many emotions are running around in my head today and to top it off it got worse.....
So I was getting my things together to go to my appointment, when the phone rings. It was Nick telling me that he spoke with his boss and he will be heading to the desert from July 15th through Oct. 30th, I believe. At first I thought, "Wow that sucks!" As he spoke about how it would be a good thing, we would have more money, he could get in shape, I found my heart dropping. You see Nick has always enjoyed deployments for these reasons. Once he's over there he will tell me how much he dislikes it, but initially he's over the moon. I am always upset about it. Who wants to live alone for months at a time? That was supposed to be a perk of coming here, NO deployments. Part of the reason I was able to cope with coming here, away from all I knew, was that my husband would be by my side. I think we were told the longest TDY was 2 weeks. So for two years we have been lucky, but now not so much. This brought up so many issues for me that I have been a mess ever since. Luckily I waited until we were off the phone to let it out. I found myself thinking of so many reasons why it upset me. My first reason was because of Kara. I worry about being here with her by myself, I am new to the whole parent of a baby thing. It upsets me that he will miss so many of her firsts. I wonder if she will even know who he is when he returns. I had already been dealing with the fact that she won't see her family until she's either 9 months or over a year old. It makes me very sad that she won't really know them until she's at least 2 1/2 years old. I do plan on showing her pictures and telling her who everyone is, but it's still not the same. I know that she will still be young enough for it not to be a big problem, but it still makes me sad. I was always close to my family. I feel pain for not only my daughter, but for our family that's going to miss out on so much of her life. To know that Nick will miss almost 3 months of it right here at the beginning breaks my heart. I know that this is the life we chose to have together. I knew that he had a job that called for him to be gone a lot before I married him, but I don't think I realized how hard it can be sometimes. I think I would be handling this a lot better if I was closer to home, but I'm not, I am half way across the world. Once I thought of that, it was like a snowball. I realized that Maddy will no longer be here, my friend Samantha will be leaving a few weeks after him and it made me feel so lonely. Thinking about Maddy leaving also got me all upset. Sure she has her moments when I feel overwhelmed with her, but thinking of not having her here, is very upsetting to me. I am used to having her here when he's gone now. Life will be much more quite and lonely that's for sure. Truth is I don't have many friends here. Sure I know about a dozen people but no one that I really hang out with much. I have Tangela, my neighbor, and Britteny, who's due in July, and some other people I could hang out with. But I don't know about all that; I am sure I will sometimes. A lot of time I do want to be alone, but I am also used to Nick being home within a few weeks of being gone. The thought of living here for over 2 1/2 months without him seems unbearable to me. I know some people would just use that time to go back to the states, but I can't do that. First of all, there's my pets that would cost $150 a week to board. Second, there's a rule of not being away from your house for more than a month or you lose it. There are also a lot of other issues that would come into play. Like how often do you stay with this person or that person. Kara won't be old enough for her passport to be done yet. Having a newborn without a set schedule and way of life. It sounds like more work than anything. I know that will be every one's solution for me, but I know that it's not what I will feel comfortable with. So I just have to come to terms with it and know that I will get through it. I know God has his reasons, so I am trying my best to see the good side of things. Keep in mind I said TRYING. I realize it could be worse. A lot of military people are gone for 6 month to a year. So I am thankful it's not going to be that long, but no matter what it's always a scary thing. I won't even go into the things that freak me out about him being over there. Part of me is always a little angry with him when he shows excitement about a deployment. I realize he has to see the good in it or he would be miserable, but it's still hard. I tend to take it personal at times, I could never enjoy knowing I would be away from him that long. But to each their own.
So after the joy of this news, I head to my appointment, crying the entire drive. I did my best to straighten myself out before I saw the nurse. Although she still asked me if everything was okay. I lied and said, "Yes, I am just tired (I am famous for this line when I don't want to discuss something)." So I had to stay later at my test because baby Kara's heart wasn't accelerating like it was supposed to, which worried me a little. I also had 3 contractions while I was there. I had discussed with the nurse my worries over a pelvic pressure I have been having. She said that since the baby's head is so low that will probably keep getting worse. She also asked if I had my cervix checked yet. I told her that I haven't been checked and preferred not to be until after Nick gets back. I can imagine how freaked out I would be if I had already made it to a one or two. I would rather not know. So she agreed for me to wait. I am just hoping and praying this little one will hold out a little longer. She seems very excited to enter this world.
So being that I have been typing for over an hour now, I think I will try to take a nap. I don't want to think all these sad thoughts anymore. I feel tired and exhausted. I am going to keep telling myself, "When God closes a door, he opens a window." Thanks for listening.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Do you ever wonder... why me??
However the fun didn't end there. He asked me if I had been experiencing any fluid loss, bleeding, or contractions. I said everything was fine but that I get braxton hicks everyday. He was very concerned that I am getting them that often and asked me to describe them to him. So I did and turns out he believes they are a bit more serious than braxton hicks, therefore he wanted to check my cervix. WHAT??? HOW DO YOU DO THAT? I knew that I had it done before but I was in labor then and was already in pain so I didn't pay much attention. He replied, "I will have to put my hand in your vagina. It's really not that bad." Oh really is that all doc, just what I wanted today. He kept telling me not to worry it's not that big of a deal. It seems doctors always say this to me until they actually get there hand in there per se. I had get in frog position with my feet put up next to each other and then put my fists under my bottom before he could even begin to get close to my cervix. Yes, he tried numerous times before I got to that position. Relax he kept telling me. Yeah you have someone stick their hand up your pee pee hole and try to relax dude. You are quite flexible he tells me. "Hey, I am not looking for compliments right now doc!!!" So finally he gets to it and it was closed, thank God. Apparently because I have a down turned uterus it has moved up and over my cervix therefore making it very difficult to get to. I already knew this because every doctor tells me things like this. "Wow I've never seen someone as hard to get to as you" or "Your cervix is unusually far back" are some of my favorites. Just what I always wanted a one of a kind cervix that amazes everyone. My goodness!!
So I also talked to him about getting monitored (the doc I saw about my ear said I would be going once a week starting my 27 week mark) and he said he's not planning on putting me through that. If I have any contractions that make me feel uneasy to come straight to the labor and delivery and they would check me out. If Kara tries to make her way out too early then they will put her on steroids (and me on Progesterone) to help her be okay at birth. So I feel happy that they have a plan to help her. However during our conversation he brought up Conner's birth. He wanted to know some details like when I delivered and if he was a stillborn or not. He was like he died in utero right? No, he didn't I told him. But it says he was stillborn. Yes I know what it says but then I told him about his three heartbeats. He looked at me and shook his head, then he wasn't stillborn. I told him he wasn't but for some reason they labeled him that way. He said he had to go by what the paperwork said. I guess I got that look in my eyes and he apologized for bringing it up. I told him it was okay, but that it was a sore subject because they were wrong. I wish that I could have that subject come up and it wouldn't still get me angry but it does. All I wanted was a birth certificate saying that Conner was on this earth and he did exist. I know a piece of paper doesn't matter to the people that count but it's frustrating that to the government he didn't. Another reason it angered me is because had he been issued one, the military would have given us money to help bury him. Instead we had to get our parents to pay for it, which bothers both Nick and me to this day. We didn't want them to have to pay for that, it was right near the holidays and a hard time for money. However we will be eternally grateful for their help. That's what parents do they help their children no matter what. I wish I could have done something to help Conner. Why couldn't he have been given all the options that I am getting for Kara now? I had asked them to give Conner steroids to help his lung development but they said it wouldn't help. Oh the anger I feel.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Precious gift
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Beautiful ending to a sad day
Memories....

Monday, November 19, 2007
It's a hard week.
This week is a horrible week for me, while for others it signifies a time to be thankful, I find myself feeling empty and unsatisfied. Why you may ask? Well as previously posted my grampie passed away right before Thanksgiving in 2004, and two years ago tomorrow I gave birth to and lost my son, Conner. While I am thankful for things and people in my life, I still have the sadness that comes with their absence. I can't believe that Conner would have been two years old tomorrow. I feel myself thinking he should be walking around here getting into everything, starting the terrible twos. How do you get over the fact that you have out lived your child? That your child never got the chance to experience life? I can tell you, you don't get over it. You learn to deal with it, to go on with your life because you know that they would want you to. You try to look forward to the things going on with your other children, but your family never seems whole again. There's always an empty spot at the table, an empty stocking, a picture frame that never gets renewed. But I do thank God for the pictures. That is what I am thankful for today for pictures. That is really all I have left of my baby and a small lock of his beautiful hair. It is comforting because if I ever feel I am losing what he looked like I can pull out his picture and remember. I do remember other things because I remind myself often, with fear of forgetting. How soft his cheek felt, his little wavy sideburns, and the kicks I felt when I was pregnant.
Two years ago today I was in labor, both scared and hopeful. I knew that with him being 6 weeks early his life expectancy was even less than it would have been had he been full term, but a part of me still hoped I would hear that cry. After I gave birth to him and they took him to another room, time stopped. I kept thinking, cry baby cry. But it was silent. I think I knew what had happened but for some reason I thought I can't do this, I can't lose it. I have a husband that's going to need me. I do remember crying but it wasn't like I had imagined myself before it happened. I thought I would get hysterical, go crazy. I instead was rather calm. They handed him to me after he was already gone. I just looked at him and thought he looked like Nick. I noticed Nick was watching me wanting to hold his son so I gave him to him. I laid there and watched them together and thought it was the most beautiful scene I had ever seen. A father with his son. I don't remember much after that, well I do somethings but out of respect for my husband I will leave them out. After we had our time we allowed all of our family members to come in one by one to see him. My aunt said I look like any other proud mother wanting to show off her baby. All I could think was how sorry I was to having to share the terrible news with everyone. I was worried about all of them. I didn't want to worry about myself. Worrying about myself was too scary, it meant it had all happened to me and I wasn't ready to accept that. A while after everyone came in we decided to go down stairs to my room. I knew if I didn't leave right then, then I would never be able to. Although now looking back, I regret leaving my baby with those strangers. I don't know what they did with him. For all I know they put him in a box. I can't thing on that too long. That night passed very slow, I didn't sleep at all. I laid there and watched Nick sleep for hours. I felt so responsible for every one's sadness. I mean I was the one who had carried him for 7 1/2 months, I felt responsible for what happened. I know it was just something that happened. Something I had no control over, but a part of me will always wonder what I could have done to make it better. I know in my heart that Conner is better off in heaven. He never had to deal with the evil in this world, but it doesn't mean I don't miss him. The selfish part of me wishes he was here. I know I will never get over that feeling. Leaving the hospital without my baby was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. It didn't feel right. As sad as I feel and as horrible as it was I would do it all over again. Just to hold him and see his beautiful face was worth all the pain. Tomorrow we will be doing our regular tradition of making him a cake and sending him letters with balloons. I will try to remember to take pictures and post them. Sorry if I seem scattered right now, I just can't explain the feelings cursing through my body. Be thankful for your children they are each and everyone precious.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Last years pumpkin

Friday, August 24, 2007
Terrible Twos!
1. Two names you go by: Jodie and Jo
2. Two things you are wearing right now: My wedding ring (which I love because it's not just your ordinary wedding set, it has sapphires in it too.) And a necklace my mom gave me that has a hear with a baby in it. She gave it to me after I gave birth to my son. The box said "You grew in my heart!" I love it so much. These are two things I almost never take off.
3. Two things you want in a relationship: First and foremost I want Faithfulness and then of course Love. I believe that when you are married you need to only have intimacy with one person. You have to be able to trust that you are their one and only. You should only share the intimate part of yourself with your other half. I believe that makes you closer and makes things more special. And Love, well how can you be in a relationship their either doesn't already have or is working toward love? You need to genuinely care about someone for a relationship to work. I could go on about this but hey that's another blog.
4. Two of your favorite things to do: Well that's easy! Scrapbook, of course, it is the best stress reliever for me. Hang out with family and friends.
5. Two things you want very badly at the moment: To be pregnant with a healthy baby and to build my savings account back up.
6. Two pets you had/have: Anakin (my adorable yorkie) and Chloe (my beautiful long haired white cat).
7. Two people who will fill this out first: Well the only two people that read my blog and have a blog are Sissy(who I got this from) and Aunt Sandi. So maybe Aunt Sandi will do one too.
8. Two things you did last night: I did a few scrapbook pages and watched The Little Rascals with my family.
9. Two people that live in your house: Nick (my husband) and Maddy (my step-daughter).
10. Two people you talked to last: My husband and my neighbor, Tangela!
11. Two things you are doing tomorrow: Making brownies and going to a scrapbook thing. It will be my first one to scrapbook with other people. I am kind of excited we will see how it goes. I will let you know!!
12. Two longest car rides: From Pennsylvania to Florida. That was went we left my dad. We left on April 5th and got there on April 14th (the day before my 9th birthday). Then from Florida to Texas. We went to visit my in laws when they moved out there. We also went to Six Flags out there. The ride was about 12 hours.
13. Name 2 of your favorite holidays: Thanksgiving (for the food and gathering of people) and Christmas (for the decorations and everyone seems happier). Wasn't that almost a given?
14. Two favorite beverages: It's funny because I always say lemonade, but I hardly ever drink it. But I do love it when it is just the right blend of sweet and sour. My second would be French Vanilla hot chocolate. I love that stuff. I can't get enough of it!!
Okay so I did it. I hope it doesn't bore you too much. I don't have that interesting of a life it seems. But I enjoy it nonetheless. Happy blogging!!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
The face that makes me smile and weep at the same time.


