Tidbits from T

It's a rather chilly Sunday morning here. I personally don't know because Gib got up with Matthew and took the dog out, but he said it was cold and our heat kicked on. They are both napping again. I'm alone because the girls had a sleepover last night, so I thought I would catch y'all up on some Tidbits.

~~~We didn't go to church this morning because the girls aren't here. At this point, we go to church for them. Right or wrong, that's the way it is. Matthew still doesn't go to the church nursery (imagine that!), so we sit in the lobby area. There is a television but it's very hard to concentrate on the message. We opted to stay home today. I'm thinking we will probably put Matthew in the nursery this summer, maybe around his first birthday.

~~~I took the girls to see the Atlanta Passion Play yesterday at the Atlanta Civic Center. Gib and I went years ago, but this is the final season and was the last chance to take the girls. Poor Emma Grace had one of her bad headaches, and I had no medicine for her. She was a trooper, though.

Speaking of her, I have to share something cute. If you live in Atlanta, you're familiar with "Spaghetti Junction". This is where two major highways meet, but there are probably 4-6 bridges that intertwine. As we passed under spaghetti junction yesterday, Emma Grace asked me, "Don't they call these spaghetti straps?" Funny girl!

I had not been to the Civic Center since I graduated from high school, back in the day. It was an adventure for sure. I've lived in Atlanta all my life, but I'm not a fan of downtown, nor do I know my way around very well. We made it there with no problem, but leaving was a different story. In my navigations, I ended up taking us smack in front of Piedmont Park. On a typical day, this would be fine. But there is this *sort of big deal*, yearly event called The Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park. Yep. Enough said. *Sigh*

~~~Since the girls were at a sleepover last night, Gib and I had a date night at home. We ordered spicy Chinese food and watched a movie. I fell asleep during the movie but am gonna catch the parts I missed today before we return it. We don't have dates very often, so it's nice when we do. :)

~~~Matthew turned 9 months old yesterday. I can't believe it! He had his check up Friday. I'll include details about that in his 9 month post in the next day or so. But I was very disappointed in my pediatrician. Maybe he was having an "off" day, but I felt rushed and like a bother to him. And, of course, I left with something else to worry about...nothing major, but something. *Sigh* More to come on the little man...who is really not so little!

He is doing great from his surgery. His incisions have almost completely healed. We have his post-op appointment Tuesday, right after and right next door to his physical therapy location. That was a blessing, not to have to make the drive all the way to CHOA-Scottish Rite.

~~~I've been following a blog that a friend passed to me of a 23-week preemie baby boy. His name is Pierce. If you feel led, would you pray for him? You can click here to go to his blog. He has already defied any medical explanation as to why his heart is still beating. He needs serious prayers and major intervention from God's mighty healing hand, both of which he has already received. But, he faces a very long road ahead. And so do his parents.

~~~Gib is still super busy but seems to be managing his stress level pretty well. At least outwardly, that is. There are only 25 school days left for his work and LOTS of testing to be done in that time frame. One of the biggest and most difficult tests to organize and administer comes at the end of the year (he's the testing coordinator at his school of 3,000+ students). It was a nightmare for him last year...I didn't think he was going to survive it. But I'm hoping this year will be better for him. As for his own schooling at UGA, there are just a couple of weeks left for that. But again, A LOT of work needs to be done in a short time frame. I know he will get it done, and we will do our best to leave him alone. Then it's SUMMER...YAY! (He will still have classes, but they will be online which is always nice!)

~~~I'm not sure if I ever shared this on my blog, but Jessica DID make the basketball cheerleading squad for next year! I'm so proud of her! There were lots of girls who tried out and only about 10 made it. She knew she wouldn't make the football competition squad because she can't do a back handspring. But we were all shocked that she made basketball, including her. She is so excited and can't wait. I'm excited that it's basketball where the games are played inside in a controlled environment!

She dumped her old boyfriend and got a new one in the same day. Uggh. But she didn't tell me about the new one until this week. That girl has never been interested in boys, and honestly, she doesn't seem very interested now. She could be fooling me good, but I don't think so. I think this is middle school, and I need to get used to it. But it's H.A.R.D.

She doesn't talk to me much. This is nothing new as she has always been very quiet like her daddy. I feel terrible asking her 20,000 questions, and I know she gets sick of it. But, I don't know any other way to let her know I care about what's going on in her life and that she can talk to me about anything. Advice anyone?

~~~I got a call from the Chaplain at the hospital where Emma Grace, Grady and Matthew were born. This is the hospital where I'm part of the bereavement committee and would love to be a perinatal loss coordinator one day. She had been in touch with two ladies who have started an organization to support mothers/families who have experienced infant loss. I'm going to contact them tomorrow. As much as I want to do something specific in honor of Grady, this may be a great way to start reaching out to others in a personal way. I will let you know if anything comes of it.

~~~A sweet friend of mine got me a subscription to E-mealz after reading on my blog that I was in a dinner rut. I don't follow the meals exactly each week, but it has definitely given me more options and sparked new dinner ideas. Thanks, Erin!

~~~I posted this on facebook, but my friend, Suzanne (the nurse practitioner who was by my side for Emma Grace, Grady and Matthew), is going on a mission trip to Haiti in June. She has asked for the following items: cloth diapers (you might have used them as burp cloths), plastic pants to go over the cloth diapers, children's underwear, matchbox cars and/or small My Little Pony or doll figurines. The cars and dolls/figurines are to give to the children after she examines them. She thought of them because they are small, and she can fill a backpack with them. If you live locally and have any of the above items that you might be willing to donate, please email me or leave me a comment with a way to get in touch with you. Thanks!

That's all for now. I always hit publish and think of more stuff that I could have included. Look for Matthew's 9 month post soon. I'm going to try to get his picture taken today.

Love,
Tonya