During my freshman and sophomore years of college, I spent nearly every single weekend visiting my friends at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro. We always had a blast – hanging out all night, reminiscing, going to football games…
I used to get into football games for free with them. They were all members of this group called Aggie Livewires. The Aggie Livewires wore maroon and white t-shirts and sat right beside the band in the stands. They were the best seats. The Aggie Livewires had little cheers that went with each of the songs that the band played. My friends taught them to me so that I wouldn’t look like an outsider at the games. It was so much fun. I remember screaming out the cheers and chanting “Aggie Pride, Aggie Pride!” throughout the entire game. But, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever become an Aggie…I was only pretending, right?
Have I mentioned that I have been blessed with the most supportive husband on the planet? Thanks baby. I love you too.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Away
Well, here I sit. In a hotel room. By myself. In Phoenix, Arizona. I have never been to Phoenix before. I also have never been away from Jayla for more than 11 hours at a time. Right now? It has officially been 32 hours since I saw her. She was a little clingy when I dropped her off yesterday morning. I don't know if it's because she could sense that it would be a full 3.5 days until she saw me again or if she just gets tired of screaming "No!" and trying to hit other little children all day long (Why must the new school have such violence going on in the classroom!?!? Another post. Another day.). Her daddy fed her chicken and pork n beans last night for dinner - two sources of protein with a little fiber in the mix - but, what about her Vitamins A & D and her calcium!?!? I would've made sure she had them. She talked to her grandparents on the webcam for an hour while I was taking a nap during a 3-hour flight. Not once on that 3-hour flight did I have to tell anyone to stop kicking the seat in front of them. But, I miss her. But, I slept until I felt like getting up this morning. She talked to me on the phone last night. We had a conversation. She usually just wants to push the buttons when the phone is in her face. My husband says she misses me. I miss her too.
Sorry, Luce and Cecilia - I guess the 911 post wasn't exactly worth 2.5 weeks of non-posting.
I should have brought my camera to Phoenix. I've seen several photo opportunities. But, I made a conscious decision not to bring it. I only ever take pictures of Jayla these days and since she isn't in Phoenix, I did not think I would need my camera. I was wrong and realized this as soon as I saw my rental car. It's something I can't explain with words and will therefore, be finding the disposable camera section in Wal-mart a little later today.
Sorry, Luce and Cecilia - I guess the 911 post wasn't exactly worth 2.5 weeks of non-posting.
I should have brought my camera to Phoenix. I've seen several photo opportunities. But, I made a conscious decision not to bring it. I only ever take pictures of Jayla these days and since she isn't in Phoenix, I did not think I would need my camera. I was wrong and realized this as soon as I saw my rental car. It's something I can't explain with words and will therefore, be finding the disposable camera section in Wal-mart a little later today.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
911 Emergency?
Picture it:
Our house. Two Wednesday nights ago. I had just come downstairs to sit with hubby after putting Jayla to bed.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! These were loudest bangs at a front door that I have ever heard in my life! I was pretty sure this person had likely just put his or her fist completely through the front door or had, in fact, hired a small army just to knock on our door.
Hubby and I look at each other like, "What the &*^%?!!?". The doorbell rings. Hubby runs upstairs to look out of the window that overlooks the front porch. It's where we always go if we aren't expecting someone at the door. Meanwhile, more attempts to knock our door off its hinges. The entire house shakes. Literally, I think.
He runs back downstairs, more confused than ever - "It's the police." I am now also more confused than ever.
He goes to the door and finally opens it.
Officer: "We received a 911 call from this house."
Hubby looks at me, "Again, what the *$(^#$*!?!??!"
Me: "It was Jayla." I step up to the door to talk to the officer. "Our daughter was just playing with the phone so she probably did it. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Officer: "That's okay. I have kids of my own and they've done it too. So, are you saying that everything is alright here ma'am?" He looks suspiciously between me and hubby as if to say "this is your last chance to tell me if he has been pouncing on you all night and you did, indeed, dial 911 on an effort to save your very life."
Me: "Yes.", in the most sincere voice as possible. "Everything is just fine here."
Officer: Pulling out a little notepad, "Ma'am, can you give me your name and date of birth?"
I oblige, feeling ever so much like a criminal and hearing the "don't dial 911 unless it's a real emergency because you are diverting resources that could be used to save a person's life at that very moment" commercials run through my head. He tells us good night and gets back into his patrol car that he had left running in the middle of the street with the driver's side door flung open.
Upon closing the door and going back to sitting on the couch...
Hubby says, "We're going to get fined."
I say, "I can't believe it took them like 10 whole minutes to get here. What if you really were trying to strangle me in a tub full of water?"
Our house. Two Wednesday nights ago. I had just come downstairs to sit with hubby after putting Jayla to bed.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! These were loudest bangs at a front door that I have ever heard in my life! I was pretty sure this person had likely just put his or her fist completely through the front door or had, in fact, hired a small army just to knock on our door.
Hubby and I look at each other like, "What the &*^%?!!?". The doorbell rings. Hubby runs upstairs to look out of the window that overlooks the front porch. It's where we always go if we aren't expecting someone at the door. Meanwhile, more attempts to knock our door off its hinges. The entire house shakes. Literally, I think.
He runs back downstairs, more confused than ever - "It's the police." I am now also more confused than ever.
He goes to the door and finally opens it.
Officer: "We received a 911 call from this house."
Hubby looks at me, "Again, what the *$(^#$*!?!??!"
Me: "It was Jayla." I step up to the door to talk to the officer. "Our daughter was just playing with the phone so she probably did it. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Officer: "That's okay. I have kids of my own and they've done it too. So, are you saying that everything is alright here ma'am?" He looks suspiciously between me and hubby as if to say "this is your last chance to tell me if he has been pouncing on you all night and you did, indeed, dial 911 on an effort to save your very life."
Me: "Yes.", in the most sincere voice as possible. "Everything is just fine here."
Officer: Pulling out a little notepad, "Ma'am, can you give me your name and date of birth?"
I oblige, feeling ever so much like a criminal and hearing the "don't dial 911 unless it's a real emergency because you are diverting resources that could be used to save a person's life at that very moment" commercials run through my head. He tells us good night and gets back into his patrol car that he had left running in the middle of the street with the driver's side door flung open.
Upon closing the door and going back to sitting on the couch...
Hubby says, "We're going to get fined."
I say, "I can't believe it took them like 10 whole minutes to get here. What if you really were trying to strangle me in a tub full of water?"
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Birthday Recap in Pictures
I turned 28 on Friday. I must be getting old because (1) my husband did not get me a gift and I didn't care and (2) I was really looking forward to spending a weekend with my family in the country doing nothing. Well, I can't really say that we did nothing...
My birthday started with breakfast of oatmeal (hubby), a lean pocket (me), and eggs and a banana (Jayla). Then, I took my dad out for a walk. We walked a full mile...his longest walk since having his surgery. Dad wanted to start the walk at 10:21am because that's what time I had been born. So, as we started the walk, he told me how proud he was of me today just as he had been exactly 28 years ago at that moment. Sweet...I know. Anyway, my parents road is about 1/2 mile long so, we took one trip up and back to walk the mile. As we approached the house on the way back, Jayla and hubby met us outside:
Since it was such a beautiful day outside, we decided to hang out on the swing for a while:
As we sat on the swings, we heard someone come down the road. A guy was delivering hay for Dad's cows to eat:
So, we all watched him unload it and then watched the cows decide that they didn't want to eat it:
We soon found out that Jayla was no match for the soothing power of the swing:
We let her stay that way for the duration of her regular nap period.
Then, my mom came home and brought lunch for everyone and more importantly, a birthday cake!! (I really, really, really should have taken a picture of the cake but, I was far to busy eating it.) We all ate lunch together. Jayla managed to stick 1/2 of her rice to her shirt with peach juice so, we had to change her clothes.
After cleaning Jayla's mess up, the afternoon was spent much like the morning, outside, swinging - except my mom joined us (And really, if you can't wear a robe while swinging in your front yard, then why live in the country?!?!?):
And Jayla and I took a picture by a toilet:
Jayla also opted for a pre-dinner nap in the same fashion as her earlier one:
While Jayla napped (we moved her inside this time because it was getting dark), I decided that I wanted to get out for my birthday. So, hubby and I decided to go see a movie. We ended up going to an 8:00 showing of Norbit and then had dinner at O'Charley's afterwards. It turned out to be a very nice evening - and the first time we've done the dinner and movie combo since before Jayla was born. We arrived at my parents house that evening at 12:05am...making this year the absolute most low key birthday that I have ever had!
My birthday started with breakfast of oatmeal (hubby), a lean pocket (me), and eggs and a banana (Jayla). Then, I took my dad out for a walk. We walked a full mile...his longest walk since having his surgery. Dad wanted to start the walk at 10:21am because that's what time I had been born. So, as we started the walk, he told me how proud he was of me today just as he had been exactly 28 years ago at that moment. Sweet...I know. Anyway, my parents road is about 1/2 mile long so, we took one trip up and back to walk the mile. As we approached the house on the way back, Jayla and hubby met us outside:
Since it was such a beautiful day outside, we decided to hang out on the swing for a while:
As we sat on the swings, we heard someone come down the road. A guy was delivering hay for Dad's cows to eat:
So, we all watched him unload it and then watched the cows decide that they didn't want to eat it:
We soon found out that Jayla was no match for the soothing power of the swing:
We let her stay that way for the duration of her regular nap period.
Then, my mom came home and brought lunch for everyone and more importantly, a birthday cake!! (I really, really, really should have taken a picture of the cake but, I was far to busy eating it.) We all ate lunch together. Jayla managed to stick 1/2 of her rice to her shirt with peach juice so, we had to change her clothes.
After cleaning Jayla's mess up, the afternoon was spent much like the morning, outside, swinging - except my mom joined us (And really, if you can't wear a robe while swinging in your front yard, then why live in the country?!?!?):
And Jayla and I took a picture by a toilet:
Jayla also opted for a pre-dinner nap in the same fashion as her earlier one:
While Jayla napped (we moved her inside this time because it was getting dark), I decided that I wanted to get out for my birthday. So, hubby and I decided to go see a movie. We ended up going to an 8:00 showing of Norbit and then had dinner at O'Charley's afterwards. It turned out to be a very nice evening - and the first time we've done the dinner and movie combo since before Jayla was born. We arrived at my parents house that evening at 12:05am...making this year the absolute most low key birthday that I have ever had!
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Slight Change in Plans
Two weeks ago I was all set to leave Jayla for the weekend while I visited friends in Nashville, TN. I had weaned her and readied myself for 60 whole hours away from her. Well, I went on a trip that weekend but, it wasn't quite the one that I had planned. Several of you already know what happened. But, I am still going to put it here.
Two weeks ago, just two days before my Nashville trip, I got a call during lunch. My sister told me that my dad had been admitted to the hospital that morning. He had apparently gone to the doctor because he didn't feel well. They admitted him immediately after seeing results of his blood work. After running a few tests, the doctors determined that he had 4 blocked arteries, one of which was about 95% blocked. They scheduled him for an open heart surgery - triple bypass on that Friday.
It hit me pretty hard. I was also torn about when I should go to Mississippi to be with him. I had an interview scheduled for the next morning and I really, really, really did not want to miss it. But, I felt like there was no way that I could focus on that while I knew my dad was in the hospital in that condition. A co-worker whose father died just about 3 months ago told me to do what I thought my dad would want me to do in this situation. It may have surprised her but, I know he would have wanted me to go to the interview. So, I did. But, I had to cancel my trip to Nashville because I definitely wanted to be with him before and after his surgery.
So, we headed to Mississippi in the car on Thursday evening and got there around 2am. The goal was to be at the hospital before his surgery, which was scheduled for noon on Friday. We barely made it. We had a rought night as Jayla decided sleep was optional for the night (quite possibly because we woke her up singing in the car at 1am) and was awake periodically until about 4am. But, we got to hospital in time to spend about 40 minutes with him before they took him in for the surgery. He was so happy to see us and I was so glad that we were able to be with him.
While he was in surgery, my husband, sister, Jayla, and I headed to the mall to kill time and eat lunch while my mom stayed right outside of the operating room for hourly updates from the surgeon. She called us with each one of them. When we got back to the hospital, several other family members had joined the wait with my mom. When the surgery was completed, we were taken into a small room where we got to meet the surgeon who explained what he had done during the operation. Then we were finally able to go see my dad.
It was so weird to see him laying there in such a vulnerable state. He had no idea that we were there. He was still sedated and on a breathing machine. I could see him shivering and it reminded me of my recovery period after my c-section. He was also coughing a little bit, which the nurse contributed to him starting to try to wake himself up. The hospital staff were very optimistic about his recovery and assured us that he was doing very well so far. I left the hospital that night to go finally get some rest.
The next morning (Saturday), we headed to the hospital in time for the 10am visit in the ICU. Dad was awake during this visit. He seemed very weak. I remember him saying 3 things to me: (1) "It seems like you're always seeing your dad in bad shape." (2) "I'm sorry you had to cancel your trip for me." (3) "I heard your interview went well...good." Amazing that in all that he had been through, he was still thinking about me and not himself.
I saw him during the next 3 ICU visit sessions (30 minutes each every 4 hours or so). During the last visit that day, he was sitting in a chair eating. He had started walking again and had a great appetitite. The ICU staff assured us that he was having a great recovery and would likely be leaving the ICU very soon.
On Sunday morning, we were there to help him move into a regular room. He seemed so much stronger already. We spent the day in that room with him - helping him walk and practice expanding his lungs and urinate for the first time again and trying to encourage him to continue eating. They took his bandages off that day and his scar looked great. We had so many other family members come visit that day. Jayla got to meet her 3 first cousins whom she'd never met before. Dad was loving having all of us around.
Then on Monday, I decided that my little family and I had better head on back to Texas. I thought he would be out of the hospital in just another day or so. I wanted to come back and catch up here at home and then return to Mississippi to help out once he got home. Dad cried when we left. It broke my heart but, I assured him that we would be back.
He continued to progress nicely and was released from the hospital last Thursday. He is now at home recovering. My sister spent last weekend with him and this weekend the three of us will be there. Our flight leaves tomorrow evening at 5:00pm.
So, hopefully this explains the brief hiatus that I have taken. I know we probably aren't completely out of the woods but, it just seems like we have escaped what could have been a bad situation. I am so thankful that he decided to go to the doctor when he did and that the problems were immediately identified. I am excited about spending another weekend with my parents, especially when the alternative was staring me in the face two weeks ago. I can't think of a better way to spend my 28th birthday...
Two weeks ago, just two days before my Nashville trip, I got a call during lunch. My sister told me that my dad had been admitted to the hospital that morning. He had apparently gone to the doctor because he didn't feel well. They admitted him immediately after seeing results of his blood work. After running a few tests, the doctors determined that he had 4 blocked arteries, one of which was about 95% blocked. They scheduled him for an open heart surgery - triple bypass on that Friday.
It hit me pretty hard. I was also torn about when I should go to Mississippi to be with him. I had an interview scheduled for the next morning and I really, really, really did not want to miss it. But, I felt like there was no way that I could focus on that while I knew my dad was in the hospital in that condition. A co-worker whose father died just about 3 months ago told me to do what I thought my dad would want me to do in this situation. It may have surprised her but, I know he would have wanted me to go to the interview. So, I did. But, I had to cancel my trip to Nashville because I definitely wanted to be with him before and after his surgery.
So, we headed to Mississippi in the car on Thursday evening and got there around 2am. The goal was to be at the hospital before his surgery, which was scheduled for noon on Friday. We barely made it. We had a rought night as Jayla decided sleep was optional for the night (quite possibly because we woke her up singing in the car at 1am) and was awake periodically until about 4am. But, we got to hospital in time to spend about 40 minutes with him before they took him in for the surgery. He was so happy to see us and I was so glad that we were able to be with him.
While he was in surgery, my husband, sister, Jayla, and I headed to the mall to kill time and eat lunch while my mom stayed right outside of the operating room for hourly updates from the surgeon. She called us with each one of them. When we got back to the hospital, several other family members had joined the wait with my mom. When the surgery was completed, we were taken into a small room where we got to meet the surgeon who explained what he had done during the operation. Then we were finally able to go see my dad.
It was so weird to see him laying there in such a vulnerable state. He had no idea that we were there. He was still sedated and on a breathing machine. I could see him shivering and it reminded me of my recovery period after my c-section. He was also coughing a little bit, which the nurse contributed to him starting to try to wake himself up. The hospital staff were very optimistic about his recovery and assured us that he was doing very well so far. I left the hospital that night to go finally get some rest.
The next morning (Saturday), we headed to the hospital in time for the 10am visit in the ICU. Dad was awake during this visit. He seemed very weak. I remember him saying 3 things to me: (1) "It seems like you're always seeing your dad in bad shape." (2) "I'm sorry you had to cancel your trip for me." (3) "I heard your interview went well...good." Amazing that in all that he had been through, he was still thinking about me and not himself.
I saw him during the next 3 ICU visit sessions (30 minutes each every 4 hours or so). During the last visit that day, he was sitting in a chair eating. He had started walking again and had a great appetitite. The ICU staff assured us that he was having a great recovery and would likely be leaving the ICU very soon.
On Sunday morning, we were there to help him move into a regular room. He seemed so much stronger already. We spent the day in that room with him - helping him walk and practice expanding his lungs and urinate for the first time again and trying to encourage him to continue eating. They took his bandages off that day and his scar looked great. We had so many other family members come visit that day. Jayla got to meet her 3 first cousins whom she'd never met before. Dad was loving having all of us around.
Then on Monday, I decided that my little family and I had better head on back to Texas. I thought he would be out of the hospital in just another day or so. I wanted to come back and catch up here at home and then return to Mississippi to help out once he got home. Dad cried when we left. It broke my heart but, I assured him that we would be back.
He continued to progress nicely and was released from the hospital last Thursday. He is now at home recovering. My sister spent last weekend with him and this weekend the three of us will be there. Our flight leaves tomorrow evening at 5:00pm.
So, hopefully this explains the brief hiatus that I have taken. I know we probably aren't completely out of the woods but, it just seems like we have escaped what could have been a bad situation. I am so thankful that he decided to go to the doctor when he did and that the problems were immediately identified. I am excited about spending another weekend with my parents, especially when the alternative was staring me in the face two weeks ago. I can't think of a better way to spend my 28th birthday...
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