Just a thought...

Working Moms

2010-02-26T07:35:00.000-08:00

So since Dana linked me in a post I feel pressured to update my blog.

Ok, this is not one of those working moms vs. stay at home mom posts. I am a working mom. I love my job. It is more than a job... it is a work. However, I work out of necessity. It is a work that I believe if done correctly could have eternal siginifigance. So if I have to work... I want to work where I do. But of course... who wouldn't want to see this face all day everyday of course I do... but I can't.

(no... it isn't always this sweet!)

I would love to be a stay at home mom, but unfortunately that is not the hand I was dealt. It isn't because of decisions Clint or I made. It isn't anyone's business as to why I have to work. Trust me, if we were able for me to stay home, that is where I would be... but we aren't. Don't judge me for information that you don't have about the situation. (Sorry to be harsh here, but it happens and isn't fair.) Not that it is anyone's business, but Wynn wasn't a "planned child." I am so grateful for her, and wouldn't change the way that God gave her to us or when he gave her to us for anything in the world. His wisdom is far greater than mine! (And yours for that matter.) I am greatful my child! She is a blessing. I am grateful for the fact that since I have to work, I am afforded the wonderful opportunity to work at Alabama Christian Academy.

The working/stay at home battle is not one I am going to get into. I am pretty sure most people do the very best they can for their own child. If you are convicted that being a stay at home mom is best for your child... great... stay at home with them. I know some working moms give SAHM's a hard time, and that is just a bunch of junk... you are just as valuable as someone who works outside the home. The whole SAHM have a lack of ambition is a bunch of junk. If you want to do that but can't... you aren't scarring them for life... you are still doing the best you can for them. (This is the group I feel I fit into... and probably empathize most with) If you are a working mom, you are no less fit of a mother. Whether you choose to work or have to work it is fine. As long as you do what is best for YOUR family it is YOUR choice. (And you have all available information about your family... there is often stuff others don't know!) I am so tired of moms feeling like they have to justify themselves and put others down to defend their own choice. As long as you love your kid and do what you really feel is best for them... I have no issues with you.

Anyway... that being said... this last week has been really tough from a working mom standpoint. Not only am I a working mom, but I am a working mom who is also a coaches wife (sorta the same deal as a preacher, youth minister, or anyother really demanding family involvement job). During football season and baseball season... if Wynn is sick, it is up me to take care of it... Clint just can't get off. Anyway, here is how this week has gone...

Sunday afternoon we took Wynn to the playground. We are trying hard to be intentional about family time. So we walked to the park and played and played. Wynn is a huge fan of slides so we spent a long time there...

After we walked back from the playground, I went to the grocery store and Clint took Wynn inside. In the hour it took me to go buy groceries and get home Wynn developed a high fever. From Sunday around 5ish to Wednesday morning her fever stayed between 102-104... This week I think i have had about 20 hours of sleep total (Sunday night through Thursday night.) We had lots of spongebaths... motrin... doctor visits... long week. Monday I stayed home with Wynn. However, due to the fact that she has had H1N1, stomach virus, fever virus, ear infection, and other fun stuff this year... I am low on time off. (Although ACA has a very generous sick leave policy). So after a long visit to the doctor and a lot of blood work... he told me it was a virus... to treat the fever... and wait it out. So, Tuesday, I couldn't take her to her normal hangout lest she infect Juliet with whatever plague was upon her... so I called my wonderful aunt Kathy. It killed me to take my very sick child to someone else to watch. I am pretty sure I called every hour or two. I have one sick day left (I think). I had to go to work. She was very well taken care of... honestly she slept most of the day. Only to be woken for motrin or something to drink. Aunt Kathy has 2 daughters, is a retired kindergarten teacher, and grandmother to 4... she is well qualified to watch my sick child. It isn't that I didn't want to... I cried because I had to. She was still ok. Aunt Kathy has watched her everyday this week since Tuesday. We did finally figure out what was wrong with her due to the rash she broke out with last night.

She has roseola. It is a normal most kids get it at some point. It is characterized by a really high fever followed by a rash. She is fine now... just still a little fussy due to the rash. The fever is now gone. Yes Wynn has been sick a lot this year. No, she is not in daycare. (Not that I am judging those of you who put your kids in daycare... this is another instance where there is info you may not know.) She is with my great friend Hilary and her one year old Juliet during the day. I don't know why she has been sick so much... I don't know if it could have been more if she were in daycare... home with me... never went to sunday school or what. My best guess is that it is because Clint and I both teach at different schools... who knows... We eat lots of super foods (blueberry, strawberry... all that jazz)...

Anway... I don't know how to end this other than to say... I hate the judging of other regardless of situation... as long as you love your kids and make the best decisions you can for YOUR family... and don't judge things you don't know about.

Merry Christmas to all...

2009-12-20T17:39:00.000-08:00

Quick Feet

2009-10-21T19:08:00.001-07:00

Ok, so maybe we take training a little too seriously, but footwork is important in every sport. :)

Wynn's Day Job

2009-10-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

Here is my little girl at her day job. Wynn loves "Jet" and Hil very much and we are blessed to have Wynn being taken such good care of during the day. What an answer to prayer! Thanks for the video Hil! It made my day!

Singing in the rain and more

2009-09-22T10:00:00.000-07:00

ok... So this was entirely too cute to pass up!

Things around our house have been crazy, but for the most part good. My hour commute isn't too bad. (It is only bad on days when Wynn is teething). Most days Wynn sleeps on the way to work and I talk to Dana and catch up on life. On the way home, Wynn and I sing "E I E I O" make animal sounds, sing Jesus Loves Me, the Hippo song and many more favorites. I gotta tell you... Wynn's monkey sound can make me smile even on the worst day ever.

We are just about settled into our new routine. Clint has been really busy. He is coaching the Varsity and the Jr High now too. (He took over the Jr. High in order to build his program. He broke a 3 year losing streak with them, so the future looks bright!) Wynn has learned to do the touchdown signal and thinks that her dad is at all things football... sparta games, fort dale games, any game on TV. She sees football and starts asking for her daddy.

I am hoping to get some video up soon! Check back later in the week.

Coming soon to a mailbox near you

2009-08-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

at least if you bought Wynn a birthday present it is... Thought these were super cute! As usual Dana does an excellent job with photography!

The one that was really hard to write

2009-07-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

OK... so I have been missing in the blogosphere for a while now... I know... Honestly, it is for a lot of reasons. Most of them you will read about in the post to follow. Parts of the last year I am not going to go into... Parts of them I will. Read at your own risk.

In the last year I have:
had a baby (by emergency c-section)
moved (x2)
lost a job
got another job
clint lost a job
got another job
changed churches (x3)

I counted my stress points... at 200 I should have been hospitalized according to the health text book. I stopped counting at 500.

We will start with Wynn. We are both so in love with that little girl. She is amazing. It kills me to be away from her while I am at work. I live for days I don't have to take her to the babysitter. (not that we don't like the babysitter, she is great, I just want that time.) Who knew you could love someone that much... I always thought I understood that before. I didn't. In the last year she has smiled, rolled over, talked, crawled, and is almost walking.

The first move... our apt flooded... for the fourth time. Wynn was three weeks old.

This one is tough... I won't go into all the details. There are lots of reasons I won't. I lost my job. Lost is the only way I can describe it... I wasn't fired... I didn't quit. I just somehow lost it. A job I had sacrificed for for 5 years. I went to work the day before my wedding. I worked 18 hours a day 9 months pregnant 6 days a week. I went to work the day I checked into the hospital before I had Wynn. They called me... I stopped by again on the way to the hospital. They called me again a day after I had Wynn. I let my job take over my priorities. That was wrong. I was wrong. Turns out, either it didn't matter... or maybe God knew I needed a change.

I got a new job. This one was tough too... I knew I wanted to be there... I knew that they wanted me (which meant a lot after all the other had happened), but Clint was still looking. I knew God had a place for him, but it was scary for me to take a job not knowing where his would be or what would happen. I was happy about the job, but scard that it might mean a sacrifice for him. He might have even had to get out of coaching for a year. I knew he needed to coach, but we needed a job for at least one of us. I took the job... I cried. I was happy, but still worried.

Clint and PCA parted ways. It has been better for us. There are still some people there I love very much. There are other things I won't get into. I am tired of it.

Clint went and interviewed and took a job at Sparta Academy in Evergreen. He is so much happier than he has been in 2 and a half years. I praise God for that. He called me after he took the job; I didn't care. He was happy. He already is doing great things there. It is good to see his excitement back. The commute to work everyday is worth that to me.

We moved to Greenville. It is our version of meeting in the middle. Nice city... kinda clint's home turf. That is both good and bad. We live in a house. It is nice to have a yard. It is not nice that the dishwasher is broken. I like having more space. I hate moving.

We have found a new church home. That has been good. Who knew we could go to a church of Christ where Clint was more connected than I am. Funny how God works.

The last few months God has really been working on my faith. I will be honest that it has been severly shaken the last several months. It is good to be healing.

These are the highlight/lowlights... or at least the big ones. I pray for a less stressful year. I am thankful for God and his continued care (even when I didn't see it)

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

Wynn's Easter Dress

2009-03-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

Grandma graciously had this made for us. Wynn's first easter dress is absolutly beautiful. We love it, and can't wait for easter.

Duck, Patty Cake, and the Jumparoo

2009-03-26T19:28:00.000-07:00

No more car payments

2009-03-10T09:57:00.000-07:00

My last car payment was made yesterday... the title is in the mail.

Snow

2009-03-01T06:44:00.000-08:00

2 pounds to go

2009-03-01T06:20:00.000-08:00

Since baby Wynn has been getting bigger everytime I blink, I thought it was time to start researching new carseats. After many an internet and price search... I decided on the Graco Nautilus. I chose this one because it had twice the recommended safety rating, and it is convertible, so I would never have to buy another carseat. I had also found it on sale for $144, so I thought... this is the one. While talking to my sister-in-law Dana I found out carseats expire after so many years. Who knew??? Well... that is when I found out my on sale carseat was an older model, and wouldn't be "good" long enough. So, I was going to have to start my search all over again.

I went to Walmart and began checking out all the carseats to see which ones I would google later that night. I looked back at the Graco Nautilus box. This one was the newer model and cost $179. That was outside our budget even for a 3-in-1 carseat... but just for fun I checked to look at the date that particular carseat was made... and that is when I saw the tag for $149. Apparently they forgot to take off the receiving label, but since it was marked that they had to sell it to me for that price. My Walmart cashier was so impressed with my find, I think she was going to go get one herself. Anyway, that is my great find and made me feel a little better about spending that much on a carseat. Now when Wynn gains 2 more pounds, she will have a new place to ride.

A Christmas present to Clint

2008-12-23T06:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween

2008-11-01T05:26:00.000-07:00

Newborn Portraits

2008-09-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

These are from Portrait Innovations. We went today to get some newborn photos done. I really like some of them, but I do think I am just going to try and take up photography. I think I would spend more time getting what I wanted.

Getting ready for the game

2008-09-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

Tonight we played the #1 team in the state. They have won the last 3 state championships and haven't lost a regular season game in more than 4 years. They have 3 players who have already signed D1 contracts. We led twice. We lost, but played the best game I have ever seen us play. The boys did a great job (and the coaching was excellent!) Here are a few pics of Wynn getting ready to go to the game.

Wynn 5 weeks

2008-09-08T18:23:00.000-07:00

Wynn is still doing great. She is such a good baby. She really only cries when she is hungry. She has been smiling for about a week and a half now. Her smile just makes me melt.

We are still working on settling into our new apartment. I am having to slow down at work and around the house. Apparently I have been overdoing it and I irritated some of the surgery stuff. Anyway, no more dropping in at work this week. I am actually glad though. This is mine and Wynn's last week at home and I plan on soaking up every min.

Moving

2008-08-25T12:19:00.001-07:00

So... what a better day to move than in the middle of a hurricane. Apt. people only had one two room apt available and it is upstairs. Can't stay here... flooding is getting worse. Clint and I are already sick again and Wynn has started sneezing. So... what else do ya do... we are moving... in the rain (between tornado warnings)

Put on your rain boots and come on over

2008-08-24T16:07:00.000-07:00

Last night I rocked myself asleep in the recliner. I awoke around 1am with Clint gently touching my foot. I thought to myself, "aww... how sweet. He is getting me up so I will go get in our bed and get a better night's sleep." He said, "Don't go to our bed. It is all wet." I thought... "NOT AGAIN!!!"

Here is the history. I am more allergic to mold than anything else in the world. It gives me crazy bad respiratory issues. Over the last year I have had pnumonia between 2-4 times (2 times confirmed by a chest xray... the other 2 I was pregnant and couldn't have the xray. I have been to primed countless times, used my inhaler on a 3-4 times a week basis, and taken 1 trip to the ER.

It all started in the bathroom. I noticed mold above our shower on the wall and ceiling. I called maintance and they came and "fixed" it. 2 months later... the mold is back. They come, apparently there was a leak in the tub in the apartment above us. Now that mold is under control. I wondered though, why am I still getting so sick. (Clint has also been deathly ill about 6 times in the last year, including one case of pnumonia.)

Then I fold it... One day as I cleaned up my room I noticed all my clothes that were on the floor by the bed were wet. And then I took another step, and my socks were all wet, as was all of the carpet along the outside wall and behind our bed. I called the apartment people... they came cleaned the carpets, installed a drain, and resealed the foundation... and then assured me they had rectified the issue.

Fast forward... I am 8 months pregnant... I am still nervous about the carpet and check occasionally... it happened again. This time they told me it was because the sprinklers were pointed at our wall... don't worry... we will clean the carpet and there isn't a problem. (Now for them to clean anything under the bed 8 month pregnant me had to go and move the bed cause no one came to help the carpet guy. We couldn't move it all, but we did move it over.)

Finally last night as tropical depression Faye hit, my room became a swimming pool... that extended into my bathroom and closet. All of my bedroom furniture is sitting in my living room, the carpet guy is taking my carpet out in buckets, and clint and I are going to meet with the apt people tomorrow... we have had it. Anyway... hope you are all having a good weekend.

Three Weeks Old

2008-08-20T15:58:00.000-07:00

We are home, settled, and trying to get into a routine. Clint and I both fall more in love with Wynn everyday. Here are a few pictures of my beautiful baby girl.

Lainey Wynn Lowery

2008-08-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

All is well that ends well... that is the best way I can describe the roller coaster known as last week.

Monday 9:10 am, Clint and I arrive at the doctor's office. I am 40 weeks to the day and they wanted to do an ultrasound to check the babies progress and see how big she was. As soon as the doctor came in he said, man.... that is one big baby (that isn't an exact quote... this included an expletive). He said she was measuring about 9 lbs and he was worried that if she got any bigger I would not be able to deliver her. So he told us to go and check in the hospital early that afternoon and they would begin inducing labor. (I wasn't dilated at all at this point.) So Clint and I left quite excited knowing that the next day our little girl would arrive. Around 5 they gave me medicine to make me start to dilate. It also made me start to have contractions about every 2 minutes, so much so that they couldn't give me the other 2 doses of medicine that they were supposed to.

That night I began hurting pretty bad. Then they gave me something for the pain. Before it was even completely in my IV I was out. I got a good preview of what I would have been like drunk or high, and it was not pretty.

5 am the next morning they began the pit drip. Contractions still 2 min apart but now much stronger. By 7 am they broke my water. 10:30... time for my epidural... ok... at this points I comment to all those who praise the epidural... I am sure they are wonderful... if they work. 2 people came in to give it to me... turns out one of them was just "learning the ropes" the guy behind her was talking her through the whole thing. I am pretty sure she hit bone at one point. Finally the guy behind her gives it a go. He stuck me 2 times... then finally relief... that lasted an hour.

About an hour later I noticed a whole lot a feeling back in one side and felt my back was really wet. I had mom and clint look at it... my whole back, bed, everything was soaked with this yellow stuff and blood. We showed it to the nurse and told her about the feeling coming back. She had me turn on my side and then said the epidural just needed retaping. So more tape on my back and laying on my side... still in pain... this is all about noon.

Finally around 5 they realize hey... I don't think this is working right. (duh) maybe we should get another anesthesiologist in there to look at it. So, the next lady comes in, she says that it is in the wrong place and they are going to have to redo it... again... Clint is pretty mad at this point. I am pretty tired and still contracting pretty much constantly cause they keep upping my drip cause I am not dilating like they want me to. So, one more epidural. This one works about an hour and a half... then wears off faster than the first one did... by the way... my back is still leaking. (Why were me and Clint the only ones in the room really concerned about that?)

Ok... now... my little nurse (who was really sweet) kept checking me throughout the day and said around 6 I am 8cm dilated, then an hour later the doc came in (not mine cause he had to leave because his house got struck by lightening... that is a whole other story) anyway, new doctor checks me and says... you aren't close to 8... it is more like 4-5... we are going to up the drip again, and then reassess later. Anyway... around 11:30 I had pretty much stalled out at 7 cm. So time for a c-section.

Since my epidural wore off (again) they had one chance at a spinal block. If that worked then Clint could be in the room. If it didn't then they would have to put me out, and he wouldn't get to be in there. I have to say, at this point I wasn't too thrilled about another needle in my back, but I would much rather him be in there and me be awake than be asleep. Thankfully that one worked. On to the delivery room.

Dr. Phillips (who is now one of my favorite people) performed the c-section. He came in and began praying for the procedure he was about to start. When he finished he turned to Clint and said... this is the way it was supposed to be, God will take care of it.

Within 15 minutes she was out and doing well. The doctor said after he delivered her that it was a good thing they went ahead with the c-section because neither of us would have been able to survive a vaginal birth. (She was too big to come out of me) Praise God for taking care of us both.

So, after 36 hours... Lainey Wynn Lowery made her official entrance into the world. She was born at 12:27 July 30th. She weighed 8 lbs 10 oz. and was 21 inches long.

We ended up having to spend a little extra time in the hospital because Wynn became jaundiced. We were released from the hospital Sunday at 4. I have never been so happy to be home in my entire life. Tomorrow we go to the pediatrician to check on the jaundice so keep her in your prayers.

40 weeks

2008-07-27T19:27:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning we go to the doctor for an ultrasound and my 40 weeks appt. Hopefully we will find out things are progressing a bit more than they have been up to this point. Baby Wynn hasn't seemed to be in much of a hurry so far, which makes questions that stupid people ask like, "so, you haven't had that baby yet?" so much fun! I really think I am going to start saying, "No, we had her a few days ago... i know i didn't lose ANY weight, AND we left her at home." I really think some people are stupid.

Anyway, happier note, I got to see Adam, Dana, Emma, and Chloe last week. They stopped by on their way from Enterprise to Birmingham. I am pretty sure Adam is having a hard time coping with the fact that I am actually old enough to have a baby (he still doesn't think I am old enough to drive). Dana took some pregnant pics of me while they were here. (It is great having a sister in law who is such a good photographer!) The girls are getting SO big. Emma is so smart and social! She kept asking when Wynn's birthday was going to be. I told her I wished I knew. Chloe is the most petiete little speeding bullet I have ever seen. She doesn't look big enough to be walking and talking, but she doesn't let that stop her. I think she is going to be an athlete because she seemed to enjoy playing with baby Wynn's football and basketball toys.

Panther Fans

2008-06-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

Apparently I have become crafty. I decided that Wynn needed to be able to support her daddy on Friday nights, and made her this great gameday outfit. Clint loved it, and I am pretty proud of it myself. Now she can show her panther spirit!

What a beautiful face

2008-05-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

Today we went back for our redo of the 4D ultrasound. Baby Wynn is now 3 pounds. Her heartrate was 158. She was a bit more cooperative today. We got several pictures of her face. Occasionally the nurse would push on my stomach so that maybe Wynn would move whatever hand or foot was infront of her face... Oh, no... my child just got ticked off and would move another hand or foot infront of her face... Anyway... here is what we saw today!

Thanks George W

2008-05-10T16:41:00.000-07:00

Today as I was checking my online bank account, I noticed that balance was significantlly higher than I expected. I scrolled down to see... have they not cashed my rent check... or any other check I have written this month??? Then I saw it. A 1200 dollar gift from the federal government. Now... most of this money is going into a savings acct on Monday; however, I did go ahead and buy our new travel system for baby Wynn today. After much looking, we decided on the Graco MetroLite. It was easy to put together, and looks good too! Guess we will get to see how it works in just over 2 months.

Monday, we go back for another chance at seeing Wynn's face. Maybe she won't hide this time!!! Check back Monday afternoon and hopefully I will have pictures!

Now introducing....

2008-05-05T13:50:00.000-07:00

Lainey Wynn Lowery. Today we went for our 4D ultrasound. I know all of you find it hard to believe, but my child was being a bit stubborn, so we are going to go again Monday and try to get some clearer pics. (I love our ultrasound lady!) Anyway, here she is. Most of the time I had to turn away from the screen because of how she was lying, but it was fun because I got to watch Clint's reaction to everything.

Wynn's Nursery

2008-04-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

Ok... the bad part about putting together a nursery in an apartment is that you can't paint the walls! Sad. Anyway, last week Clint was gone to golf all day Tuesday, and so I had invited Brittney Blaich over to come and hang out for the afternoon. Clint had already put together the crib a few weeks ago, but the room was not cleaned out at all and the baby's dresser was still in the box. So... Brittney and I got out the power drill and got to work. I have to say I was pretty impressed with us! Anyway, we put together furniture, cleaned out the room, and got everything ready for Baby Wynn to come. We still have a ways to go (almost 3 months till her due date), but I feel a lot better knowing we have made such great progress. There is still nothing on the walls or windows (suggestions anyone???), but all the rest of it is in place.

It's a Girl!!!

2008-04-11T18:29:00.001-07:00

We found out that we are having a baby girl. Clint and I are already excited and have been buying a dress or two already! We are planning on naming her Lainey Wynn Lowery and calling her Wynn. She is moving around all of the time now. She is definatly growing (as is my stomach!) So far I have gained 7 1/2 pounds. The doctor says everything looks great. I go back in another week to check my blood sugar and make sure I am not anemic, and then in 2 more weeks we get to go for our 4D ultrasound! Clint and I are both ready to meet her! Her due date is July 28th.

Back to Blogging

2008-02-15T09:35:00.000-08:00

Ok... so I haven't blogged in.... well... at least a couple of years. So, here goes, the last two years...

About 2 years ago, Prattville Christian Academy decided to begin a football program. As the girls' basketball coach and an avid football fan, I was rather excited. I knew they would bring in lots of money to our athletic program, and I would get to again enjoy the excitement of Friday night Football in the fall. Little did I how how much my life was about to change.

Clint and I met the day he interviewed for the position of head football coach at PCA. I admit I saw him in the hall when he came in and figured out a way that I could arrange an official introduction. We became friends soon after he moved to Prattville, and began dating in September 2006. We were engaged by February 2007. On May 26, 2007 we married at Capital Heights Church of Christ in Montgomery, AL. (The same church my parents were married in.)

Thanksgiving morning 2007 I woke up early, knowing I hadn't felt "quite right" for a few days. I decided to take a pregnancy test... just in case. I woke Clint up at about 7 am to give him the news. (He had no idea what he was about to find out that morning.)

I softly shook him and asked, "Clint, are you awake?"

"No" replied sleepily.

"Clint, I need you to be awake because we are going to have a baby."

"How!?!" he exclaimed now wide awake.

I am now 16 weeks and 5 days pregnant. We are very nervous, excited, and prayerful about this new adventure.