Precious Moments....

I am always looking for "moments" in my life. Especially during the Christmas Season and with the blessing of my two children, I feel that life is going to hand me these beautiful moments that leave me and my husband teary eyed and feeling blessed. This year God had a sense of humor.

1) We went to the "Bethlehem Walk" at a church. Another "free" thing and of course something I love. So as a family we went, and walked with Greyson and Ragon on a "search" to find the Messiah. I was so excited to get to Jesus. I just knew that Ragon would say something sweet, like say "Baby Desus" (this is what she calls Jesus)....what did I get? DONKEY and then what I believe to be the "hee haw" sound a donkey makes.....no sweet moments that night.

2) We go to church on Christmas Eve. The children are going to do an impromptu of the Christmas Story. So as the lady sits to read and the children get up to act, I hear a weird sound. I shrug it off and continue to listen. The children then move closer to our row....and again, I hear a sound. Feeling like a fifth grader for thinking that I heard someone fart, I snickered a little and shut it down fearing a scowling look from the elders. And then again, and this time it was unmistakable....that kid farted and it was loud....right in the middle of the pageant. This time my brother in law and I absolutely lost it. I had tears rolling down my face....no friends, there would not be a special moment at church either....just me, laughing at a six year old who farted....I will grow up one day.

3) I had been looking forward to Ragon getting a special "Barbie" ride on car. It is battery operated, and I just knew she would love it. Nope...scared to death....I had to settle for her pushing the button and running along side of it. I know...she is weird.

4) My final moment, my son's baby dedication. It was supposed to be today. Notice I said "supposed" ...that would be because at about 5:30 last night. Ragon got super cuddly, and stopped her running and playing and wanted me to "Hold You" and it wasn't for five seconds, it was for twenty minutes. I knew this was going bad, we got home, within minutes, she barfed all over David. We divided, I don't know that we conquered. But she was fine this morning, problem? Greyson decided he needed to eat every two hours....I felt like someone had kicked me in the head....but so far, we haven't spread the stomach flu....we are praying it sticks to one member of the fam!

So here's to hoping you all made some precious memories and had precious moments with your family. I did....but those were the funniest!

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Update on the Essure: In case you were wondering. Not a dadgum thing. Still doesn't hurt, never did, only slight bleeding after procedure. Never even took another alieve after I left the office. This procedure rocked!

Just like Dora says, "I DID IT, I DID IT!!!"

I told you if you voted then I would do as the vote. So check out the pic! I cut it off girls, and I am one happy momma. It is a brush and go doo. I love it. I love my hairdresser Molly, she is at Marily Ihloff on Memorial. We call this cut, "the molly". If you want to go, tell her I sent you. She is fab!

On another note, Greyson had his two month check up today. Sweet boy, he is 11 lbs. 15 oz. Chunk a Monk! He is in the 76% in heighth. And he is 65% in weight. But he is healthy and that is what matters. Gotta get going. Having the in laws over for Christmas eve, and going to see my fam tomorrow....and somewhere in between Sanka Claws is coming to town....yes, we call him "sanka claws".......

Merry Christmas.

The Francy's

ESSURE???.....YES!!! I am sure!!!

Okay so my procedure is done. So many of you have asked me about this or to give a follow up. So I decided to do a play by play to let you know all that is involved in the process.

1.  Start a Z-pack the night after dinner.

2.  Have a snack and take three advil and a valium 45 minutes before bed.

3.  Wake up eat breakfast at 8:30 and take valium, three advil and one lortab.

4.  At 10:30 am eat snack, take one valium, three advil and one lortab.

5.  Arrive at Dr's Office, they take blood pressure, give one shot of toradol (lowers heart rate and is muscle relaxer).  And pay $25 co-pay!

6.  Go into room, get Pregnancy Test to confirm no pregnancy.

7.  Enter sterile room, remove bottoms, doctor inserts speculum, puts a local anesthetic (sp?) on cervix.

8. Wait 15 minutes

9.  Doctor comes back in, inserts "camera" and inserts a coil into each tube that contains fibers that cause scar tissue to grow around the tube and cause the tube to be permenantly blocked.

10.  Leave....Take three advil with lunch, dinner and before bed.

This procedure was not only not painful, there was no uncomfortableness whatsoever. The toradol made my mouth dry and the anesthetic on my cervix made me shaky. It lasted probably 20 minutes. The actual procedure probably lasted 10 minutes. 

I have read a ton on Essure after my doctor recommended. Of course, as with anything you hear a lot of negatives, as people who are mad are generally the ones to post. But I will say this. I think it is very important to have a good physician preform the procedure. My physician, Dr. John R. Thompson, 494-9558 is one of the best OB's in town in my opinion. He educated me on the process, gave me the exact dosages of medicine so that I would not feel discomfort and was able to answer all my questions I had about the procedure. They have only been doing ESSURE in the US for about 5 Years, but it is the only FDA approved female sterilization procedure. It has been preformed in Europe for over 30 years. It is safe and the most effective method of female sterilization on the market, more than tubal ligation. So - if you are considering this, I would recommend Dr. Thompson. I will say this, I have recommended him to numerous friends, and I have never regretted it. EVERYONE of them loved him and his knowledge as a clinician. 

It has been about four hours after the procedure, and I don't feel a thing. And the last lortab I had was literally six hours ago. Again - I would highly recommend this. In addition, in case you were going to let your hubby take the hit on this one, Dr. Thompson informed us that they are beginning to find a link between vasectomy's and prostate cancer. 

Just Checking In...

Started the drug regimen last night. Just wanted you to know....I like Valium. I sure wish I didn't, but it makes me happy. Procedure at 12:30, should take about 13 minutes. Will update you on what happens. So far, Greyson doesn't mind the bottle. Got that fancy shmancy breast feeding bottle that acts like a breast and has a let down. You all probably don't care about any of this, but this morning...well I feel SPECIAL...gotta go take some more Valium :)

Frady Cat....

I am such a frady cat. I really don't know why. I am going to have my tubes "tied" on Monday. I am not concerned this is the wrong decision. We have two beautiful children. I do not KNOW that we are done having children, but what I DO know is that I am done birthing them. I am always open to adoption. So I am having the ESSURE process done. I am doing it Monday around 11:30 a.m. I just don't like taking the drugs, and then all the pumping and dumping I have to do, I don't know, it just kind of freaks me out. But I can do this. For some reason, all the drugs just freak me out. And I want to make sure they are out of my system before I nurse Greyson again. I don't want my little man on Valium.....Pray for me starting Sunday night, that is when I start drugging myself for the procedure, and pumping and dumping. If you are interested I will post more later on what it is. Just know I won't be knocked out and it is outpatient. It takes a whole 13 minutes for my doctor preform, and to top it off....it costs $25. Hope you all have a good weekend.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord....

I am not going to call this weird, just funny how God works. I hope that I don't make a fool of myself, but neat things happened this last week. As you know, we have been trying to sell our house. Somewhere around September 12th, 2008 we put our house on the market. My sister and her rockin' team worked their hiney's off for a whole 45 days before my little man decided to make a surprise entrance! We quickly pulled it off the market and decided to put it on the market January 1. When Laura listed the house, I put a link to her website on Craigslist. I don't know why I did this. Not that I felt Laura didn't do a good job. I just felt compelled to do EVERYTHING I could to help her sell the house. We did, this house was immaculate for 45 days straight, you could eat off my floors! ANYWHO- after one stinky offer (it was so bad we didn't even counteroffer, but to say, "we are glad you liked our house") Anyway - the craigslist expired and I somehow re-posted the listing. (Neat thing #1) All of the sudden, people started e-mailing me about the house (no one had EVER responded before). Anyway - long story short, yesterday we showed the house to a young couple who loved it. Why is this weird?





#2 (already did #1) My house is not in "showing condition" right now, but they decided to come on a day I am home alone with Grey, so I had already made significant progress cleaning out my house.


#3 I JUST (on Saturday) had the floors in our house re-sealed (I hadn't done this in the 2 years we lived here)


#4 They wanted to see the house at 6:30 pm, Ragon goes to bed at 7:00....oddly enough, my mother in law had asked if she could spend the night that night, so I didn't have to worry about her.


#5 I hadn't finished Grey's nursery, so it looked a little WT, I had been cleaning it all morning, and I had been waiting for drapes for his room for TWO WEEKS, they came in two hours before the couple arrived.


#6 TWO more couples are coming by to see the house.


#7 We had this hanger in our shower for towels that David had been trying to fix for ages, you guessed it, he somehow was able to get the screw fixed YESTERDAY.


#8 I had prayed so hard for our house to sell, but it didn't. I couldn't figure out what God was doing. You tell me....the interest rates when we put the house on the market are 6.5%, they are now at 5%, and if we sell it FSBO we will stand to make more (Although we plan on a significant TIP for our realtor's for the ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS job they did.) I told Laura I was embarrassed with how hard they worked to sell the house and it didn't sell....


Anyway it occurred to me, with the more money that we might make, and with the drop in interest.....we might just buy the bigger house.....with room for....a pool table...you thought I was going to say more kids, didn't you? Anyway - I really feel like God is all over this....I don't believe in jinxing things, so if it doesn't work out, I still know God had a plan...but how crazy was that day? Just kept making me think in my head, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

Vote 2008

Okay - so maybe you are a little bitter about the way the election turned out. Maybe you wanted Obama to win - I don't know...frankly I don't care. I have more pressing issues.....My hair. If you know me, I am a real "hair freak". I have had long hair, short hair, brown hair, red hair, blond hair, lesbian hair, hippy hair, curly hair, straight hair, blond hair with red (this one was BAD), and I am in need for a change. I guess that I wanted to grow my hair out to look younger. I do feel like that has backfired and now I look like I have a mushroom stuck on my head, along with a 45 minute ritual of washing, blow drying and flat ironing my hair. You guessed it peeps - I DON'T WASH MY HAIR EVERY DAY....sometimes I don't even do it every other day. Save your gasps for someone who cares!!! I love a good dirty hair day...the hair is straighter! Anyway - so today you get a say. I want to cut it...at least I think I do, but I feel that I have too many hormones running throughout my body to decide. I asked my husband, his response, "I won't divorce you if you cut it". I am not sure what that means except permission to do what I want. So you vote. I am leaving it blond...for now. But do I leave it long and keep growing it or do I cut it? I am going to attach a pole. But here are the pictures....you decide. By the way, I will do as the votes say....so there will be a follow up blog with pictures to confirm I followed your vote....

How much would you give???

I am a pretty passionate person if you know me. I feel EVERYTHING very strongly. I have an opinion on EVERYTHING. One thing I feel strongly about is helping those in need. I know, another post during Christmas telling you to help out in a recession. Well, this won't cost you anything!

My sister Molly's adoption agency Deaconess is an amazing MINISTRY. Yes, this is a not for profit ministry to birth parents. I have personally met with one of the directors and their heart for parents who place their children for adoption is amazing. They follow up with these birth parents, they help educate them, house them, counsel them, etc. Anyway - whatever your opinions on adoption are, imagine this. You find out you are pregnant, and you have decided to place your baby in a home because at this time you are not able to care for your child. After doing that you spend nine months, watching your body grow, distort, stretch in order to carry a child for someone else to raise. All the while knowing the pain you will feel when the time comes for you to hand your child over for the last time. Laura and I felt the need last year to donate some maternity clothes. We did this because we both remember the frustration of trying to look "good" while pregnant, along with the frustration of the rising cost of maternity clothes! GAG! Can you imagine, being in that situation and having to buy maternity clothes, because you sure as heck can't wear your normal clothes? If you have maternity clothes that you will no longer wear, please call me and I will personally come pick them up and donate them to Deaconess. If you plan on getting pregnant again, at least look through the clothes that you probably would not wear again and give me a call! (e-mail me beckifrancy@aol.com)

In addition, and I hope this helps her donate more, there is actually ONE maternity consignment store in the Tulsa Area. It is called All Things Maternity - it is on 1525 S. Main St. in Broken Arrow, OK. Her phone number is 251-1333. If you go there, tell her I sent you. She promised me some clothes at the end of the season for Deaconess. So I hope by giving out her info, she will do it! By the way, I bought a TON of clothes there, she carries some great labels for a good price!

So the question How much would you give? Attached is a picture of Ragon. In the picture, she has given the most precious thing she has...Bunny. She gave it to her brother. You have to know how much she loves him to give him Bunny, this is huge people. So remember, the women who place their children - they are our sisters in Christ.....please don't judge their situation, because we are not called to do that. What we are called to do is minister to them and take care of them, and by doing so, showing them the love of Christ.

One last thing in this special season. Mandy and Mommy G - thank you so much. I know the words don't do justice the gift you have given my family. This Christmas might bring a little sting of not having Sadie, Cooper and Owen with you, but please know, our family is forever grateful for your sacrifice....for it made our family whole. I hope you know how much we love you two....

My Son......

A promise is a promise....

Okay - so I promised a couple of weeks ago I would try to put fun things to do in Tulsa that are free, I didn't do it last Friday, but here goes for this weekend:

1. Bethleham Walk - Date : December 4 - 7, 2008. Location : Christview Christian Church - 2525 S. GarnettWeb : http://www.christveiwchristian.com December 4th & 5th - 6:30 to 8:30 P.M. December 6th & 7th - 5:30 to 8:30 P.M. Please call the Reservation Hotline at 918-407-9195 . This is the live nativity scene, with real animals and real people. We used to go to this when we were little, and I loved it!

2. Festival of Lights Christmas Parade, December 5th, 7 pm, downtown Sand Springs.

3. Skiatook Christmas Parade and Santa Shop - December 6th, I can't find out when this one starts but looks fun!

4. Winterfest Christmas Parade - December 6th, 6 pm, Downtown Sapulpa (Taft Street - Dewey Avenue).

5. Civitans Annual Christmas Parade - December 6th, 10 am. Main Street Broken Arrow - if you want to go to this, I think David might be taking Ragon. You can e-mail me and possibly sit in David's Law Office (right on Main) and watch the parade while sipping hot cocoa and staying warm!

That should keep you busy this weekend. Remember the best website for events in Tulsa. http://www.visittulsa.com/events.asp?id=11

Another thing I promised to do, and that was pray. Just wanted you to know that those of you who have asked me to pray, I have continually prayed for you since I promised. That is not to say that I have NEVER fallen asleep while talking to God, but I get the prayers in at least four times a night! Please keep me up to date on your requests!

Red Rover.....Red Rover........

Okay - a blog game. Never have played one, but I am up for the task. Kim Bevins challenged me to list my five favorite things, so here it goes:

1. Mornings: When Greyson gets up to nurse, David goes and gets Ragon and her "miwk" (milk) and we all lie in our bed and watch Toons.
2. Summers by the Pool: I love it in the summers when my sissy's and I just hang out at the pool, it is fun to watch the kids play, but more fun when we put them down for naps and then line up the monitors and catch some rays!
3. Blogging: Duh...you had to know I would say this. I have met wonderful new friends and actually become friends with my sister's friends, and then I have gotten (not a word but I like it) back in touch with old friends, like Jen and Val.
4. Consignment Shopping: I don't know what is wrong with me. I started learning to save money really well by my sister Laura, and then some Type A part of me took it psycho, where I can't buy anything new...unless it is WAY marked down. I do e-bay, craigslist, I even found a maternity consignment store, that ROCKED! I get so excited to purchase clothes cheap! I even bought a Christmas present for Ragon - USED!
5. Cooking: I love to cook. I don't really do anything fancy, however Laura says it is. If I give her a recipe with more than five ingredients then she calls it gourmet!

So there it is. Now I must challenge five people to do their fav five! So here it goes:

1. Molly - my only sister who is seriously committed to blogging (however, with Lukes arrival, I think Laura is going to make a come back).
2. Jen - My old friend a suite mate from OBU. Don't believe anything she says about me, especially if I end up being naked in the story.....
3. Dee - My sweet sister in law, who started a blog about my cutie patootie niece and hasn't updated in two weeks...shamey shamey!
4. Karissa - My oldest and dearest friend. Who also started a blog. You will notice her...she is ALWAYS at the bottom of the list. I am leaning on her to update!
5. Terra - Actually my little sister Molly's friend, but who I now consider my friend too. Except for the fact that she had a baby AFTER me and is a skinny penny....

While I am at it, get to know me....

WHO'S WHO?

What is your husband's name? David

How long have you been married? 5 1/2 years.

How long did you date? Well in total we dated about two years, but one of those we were engaged!

How old is he? 33, what? Say it...I know - I robbed the cradle...but only by 18 months!

Who is taller? He is by a bunch!

Who can sing best? I wouldn't know...he refuses to sing....in church, if he starts to sing and I stop to hear him...he stops...he whistles real well though!

Who is smarter? Hands down he is. Must be all that fancy Holland Hall edumacation (yes I meant to spell it wrong).

Who does the laundry? I think David believes that his hands would fall off if he actually attempted to FOLD the laundry. But he will take seven pieces, throw it in the washer and dryer and then leave it in a laundry basket for me....do I sound bitter?

Who pays the bills? Big Daddy does....

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? When you are looking at the bed I am on the right. I don't know how it got that way, we just crawled into bed when we got married, and that is where I landed.

Who mows the lawn? David's Brother Mike....

Who cooks the meals? Mamacita! He does some, and he does all the grilling. But for the most part, big mama does the cooking.

Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Probably me, but it is because I am wrong more often. So David has a rough time admitting when he is wrong.

Who kissed who first? He did, at the Grey Snail...real romantic, huh?

Who wears the pants? Ummmm...probably David. We are more like partners, but when it comes down to a tie, usually he makes the call. But he doesn't really ever make me feel like he is "the boss". He is definitely the financial provider, the calm one. I am more the dreamer....

If you haven't already participated, give it a whirl!

Yeah......Kind of....

Ragon has been in love with Elmo lately. Especially Elmo's Potty Time. We watch it all the time...she also has a potty. (See Picture) The potty shows up all over my house. I am not sure why, but she likes to carry it around, store toys in it, cleans it...but she doesn't seem to want to go potty in it.....UNTIL tonight. Tonight, I was in the bathroom getting ready and I simply said "Ragon, can you pee pee in your potty?"...she hopped right on, sat down, put her little knees together and concentrated real hard. And then it happened.....PEEPEE!!!!! Only one minor problem and I am not quite sure how this happened....the peepee went forward and not down. So the peepee didn't quite go in the potty, more like on the floor in a puddle in front of her. I was trying to hard not to laugh and attempted to cheer (I should have cheered right? I mean she didn't mean for it to come out that way!). Anyway - she was very excited, and we gave her a little toy (neat idea: keep all the toys from drive through happy meals etc. in a box, use them as rewards for potty training - I never stop being cheap people!)

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Next, I have a bone to pick with some of you. Yes - I am on maternity leave, I have no life, my blog is my outreach to you who still have lives....I run into people and they comment how funny they thought something was or how sweet something was...but you know what? NO COMMENT. I am sick of it! So you are busted....I put a counter on my blog...just so I know you were there! So Clint Patterson - leave a comment! Christy Bergman - I know you are reading this! Kim Wilson - what you didn't think I would say your name did you? What about you Dad - you keep cheating and sending me e-mails. Last but not least - DAVID (my hubby) and faithful blog reader has NOT ONCE left a comment....Well - I won't tolerate it...leave a comment. You don't have to have a blog account, just leave an anonymous comment and sign your name. So there you have it. Do I have to give away a prize to get you people to say something?

One Month Old....

On Thanksgiving, how fitting, my little man was one month old. Funny, really he should have been one week old. At his appointment this week he weighed 9 lbs. 11 oz. I told you my breastmilk was good stuff this time! Anywho, my awesome nurse from Saint Francis took family pictures last week too. As you can see they are posted all over my site (someone tell me how to fix the picture so it is in the middle). Her blog is on the left and her website is also under my "favorites". She is an amazing nurse, and photographer. Check her stuff out! So here is a picture of Grey Man....he is so very sweet. He is an all around good baby. You can take him anywhere...but you can't nurse him anywhere, he sounds like a little pig stuck under a blanket...it is really quite funny. We also got our Christmas stuff up today....so exciting..will post those pictures later. Wanted this to mostly be about Greyson and how thankful we are for his arrival into our family.

Greyson - you are all I ever hoped you would be. Your the sweetest little boy. You are so calm and relaxed. You are so sweet when sissy wants to hold you...even though it is by your head....you just sit there and enjoy the love. You are so flexible. You just hang out with the family, and rarely make a peep. You have the most beautiful blue eyes. You are a good eater and just look around when you decide to take five minutes and wake up. You are rather gassy, but I figure it comes with the "boy" territory. Son - always know your Mommy loves you.

Shocker....I'm Thankful....

I know, big stinking deal, I am thankful for some things. I am thankful for a lot....but am I thankful for the right things? For this to make more sense, click here (read Redeemed).

Would I be thankful if bad things had happened to me? My life has been easy. Sure I struggled with infertility - but come on...it was only three years, and I have two kids now. Big whoop. I read a blog today about being thank FOR everything, not just IN everything. I thought to myself, that was easy....My life has been relatively easy. But can I just be honest for a second? Do I really want to know? I don't....not because I don't want God's will. I do. I look back on the tough times my life...rough marriage times, David's burns, our infertility....but that is kind of it. They were rough at the time....but as I sit here tonight, I really don't have anything that was so bad, that I have to work at thanking God for it....so why am I writing this? Because I am scared.....I don't want to be tested. I don't want God to "check and see" if I will be faithful, thankful, loyal, praise him, etc. And that makes me ashamed....I don't want to be tested, not because I don't think I will be faithful, but because I don't want to feel the pain of growth. I am weak....

I also recognize that Satan doesn't attack the weak...he attacks the strong....How sad for me to have snuggled into a safe place of being luke warm...where I won't and cannot grow. I recognize I have let the fear take over and am not trusting God, but I am being honest at the feelings I was having tonight as I read the blog. Yes I am thankful, but could I sit here and say to God I would be thankful if he had taken my son at his birth, instead of letting me take him home?.....I hope so...but I just don't know that I could get to thankful....

Ragon's Big Girl Room

This is Ragon's Big Girl Room. I love it. I made the drapes, ordered the bedspread from WalMart of all places (for a whopping $51.00). I made the letters from stuff at Hobby Lobby (total $14.89) The bed, dresser and table by rocker are from my Grandmother JoJo's house. I had them painted black and distressed (Free). The end tables I bought from a garage sale for $25 total!!!!

On a different note, if you are wondering why the weird spelling on Ragon's name, here is the scoop. Ragon is Ragon Joslin Francy. Ragon is from David's family. It is David's grandfather's, Dick Lane, grandmother's maiden name. They say everyone loved Grandma Ragon. Dick passed away a year before Ragon was born, but he was a good man, with a very gentle spirit. He played the trumpet at our wedding and it was beautiful.

Joslin is her middle name. This is my mother's maiden name. My maternal grandfather, Josh Joslin, was my "Paco". He passed away when I was a kiddo. He was a giant Santa Clause looking man with a kindness that reminds me of my husband! My Paco was a wonderful man, whom I loved dearly. I love hearing my mom tell stories of him, she still calls him Daddy....

Cool Cool Cool Tricks......

Well if you are cool, and I know you are, you watch Yo Gabba Gabba....and on Yo Gabba, they have a portion of the show called "Cool Tricks". Ragon loves this part. If you can see on both video's the girl is named Rebecca, she does Tai Kwan Doe...apparently so does Ragon. Watch the second video, not such good Tai Kwan Doe, but she does get the bow in. What is so funny is that she knows when it is coming, watch the TV in the background, she bows when the girl does....This might not be as funny to you....And no...we don't live in PJ's...

Here is the one with the timely bow...

On an entirely separate note, we went to the Jenks Holiday Parade this weekend. Apparently the Parade was for Ragon....to her, a huge group of people came down Main street in Jenks to waive at her....oh to be an only child...she was on her way to realizing the world didn't rotate around her...and then we took her to the parade...

Free Crap.....

Isn't that a nice title? Well, I am always looking for free crap. Ever since I quit my full time job to stay at home, and then added another addition, I look for free and/or cheap crap. I don't really mean crap, so I will stop saying that...but free stuff to do with my kids, with myself, etc. So here is a list of stuff to do this weekend if you are in town, and all of it is no to low cost. I am going to try to start doing this on Fridays and would love some e-mails that have ideas of other "free" things going on in town. So here goes:

1. Until January 1 (I think - but double check) Bass Pro Shop has a "Christmas" exhibit. And by exhibit I mean an entire area devoted to kids. Not only can you look at the fish, ride the glass elevator up to the "shooting range". They have an area where you can draw pictures for Santa and his elves, make a wish list, sit on Santa's lap and have a picture made and a couple of tables of trains that are low and move around. It is free (I don't know if the pic is free) WARNING: there is also tons of stuff to buy strategically placed for your children to have a melt down about. Have the talk before hand....

2. Saturday: 10 AM Jenks has it's annual Holiday Parade. Free - yet again. You can go the the Kiwana's Pancake Breakfast $4 each.

3. The Mall - always my last resort, because I can spot those booger kids a mile away, but it is free, just bring hand sanitizer....

Another idea: This one costs, but well worth it - Pump It Up and Bounce U have open play times. You can go and only pay for one kiddo $6-7 each kid. Babies that don't walk are free. Pump It Up says you have to be two, but you don't, Ragon went, they leave it to the parent's discretion. We went on Thursday, and it was sooooo stinking worth the $7.
This is the link to Bounce U with times and costs:
http://www.bounceu.com/cities/tulsa.ok/open-bounce.htm
This is the link to Pump It Up with times and costs:
http://www.pumpitupparty.com/ok/broken-arrow/tulsa-ok/calendar-p8q120.htm

One last thing, if you are looking for an events calender for Tulsa, this is the best one that I have found that is online. The Spot with the TW is good, but this online one is pretty nice, and when you click on the "+" sign, it gives you TONS of info.
http://www.visittulsa.com/events.asp?id=11

Please send me your ideas on things to do this winter with the kids that are "cost effective". I am about to go bonkers in my house and need some good play ideas. It is just me and a 21 month old, I can only color and watch Yo Gabba so many times before I lose my mind! If you e-mail me ideas for this weekend or post them in the comments, I will edit and update so everyone can get the info! Beckifrancy@aol.com

History 101

I realized yesterday as I sat down and read through the history of my blog that I left out one very important thing in my blog. Some history. (grab a drink and sit back - it will take a while). I have no idea why I had the need to post it, but here goes...

On May 17th, 2003 David and I got married. I graduated law school May 11, 2003 and we were married not even a week later. We were married at our church by our pastor and my high school youth minister. I took the bar in July, passed and was sworn in on September 29th, 2003. It was on that date I stopped taking birth control, and we decided to start trying to have a baby.

For six months we tried to no avail. I had googled just about everything trying to diagnose myself. We quickly went to my OB, Dr. John Thompson. He agreed that I should be pregnant by now, prescribed Clomid and ordered a laprascopic surgery to determine if something was causing a problem. I had told him, I was 29 and didn't want to "keep trying" I wanted to be proactive. So he picked up the ball and ran. Not three weeks later I had surgery. When they rolled me in, I knew the "procedure" should last about 45 minutes. When I woke up in recovery a significantly longer period of time had passed. I knew the news couldn't be good. Dr. T came in and broke the news gently to David and I. Both my tubes were blocked by what appeared to be scar tissue. I had quite a bit of endometriosis....but the tube blockage was what was causing the main problem. He then referred us to Dr. Judith Blackwell.

Within two weeks we met with Dr. Blackwell (I said I wasn't playing around). We were told in vitro was the only way we could conceive. I struggled with doing fertility treatment because there are so many children to adopt. But to be honest, my insurance from work was going to cover a significant portion of the treatment, so we decided to give it a shot. During the first round, I did not create enough eggs to "harvest". More tests were ordered and we were "canceled" from the cycle. It was during that time we got bad news times two. First - my FSH levels were low, google it if interested, but lessens the likelihood of one getting pregnant. Second - we met Dr. Prough....the partner of Dr. Blackwell. He told us, with no warning and with great confidence, that I would never conceive a biological child and to look into donor eggs. He was so brash, that we actually left laughing, thinking, did that guy really smash our dreams with such ease? He actually suggested donor eggs, which I didn't want to do. I didn't care about having a biological child, but frankly, if I was going to have a child that was biologically someone else's child, I sure as heck wasn't hip to carrying it. I never had a need to be pregnant...just a need to have a child....(not opposed to donor eggs, to make it clear!)

Dr. Blackwell called and said Dr. Prough was incorrect and in her opinion we could conceive if we still wanted to do a in vitro cycle. I had come so far, I decided to do an entire cycle. Cycle 2 - same song - second verse. Still very few eggs. I had six eggs, five were able to be harvested and four were able to fertilize and four grew. I put three in...and waited. Three weeks later, a positive pregnancy test...but low levels. They were very honest, it appeared I was going to miscarry because the levels were low. The next day I started spotting, and it never stopped. My sweet friends Dionne and Carole came to my house to sit with me as I went through this. Once I had fully miscarried - we went to Senior Tequilas and had some much needed margaritas....This was in August of 2005.

After that I was done. I didn't even want to think about having children. I poured myself into my work, neglected my marriage, we bought a boat, I think another car...and David and I lived parallel lives. We decided to take a cruise with our friends the Ducatos. We went on a one week cruise, secretly I hoped to get pregnant - who was I kidding...but I "started" on the cruise. That was April 2006.

Also in April we were contacted by a family who had a young daughter, Rachael, who was pregnant. They were looking for a family. We communicated every week and decided to fly to Texas to meet them in July 2006. I fell in love with Rachael and her family. We sent pictures back and forth. We even convinced them to have an open adoption so that the family could follow up on the baby girl and maybe meet her one day if they chose. They finally decided that an open adoption wasn't so bad. I had saved the ultrasound to my desktop at work. I booked the hotel, flight and car....we were going to get a baby! But we didn't tell anyone, to this day, I am not sure why....

In May of 2006 we (my sisters and I) were asked to speak at a mother's day breakfast. That is really what I needed. To talk about my mom, with my sisters, who were all mom's at a mother's day breakfast....HELLO - all I wanted to do was be a mom!!!!! I digress.....so I wrote my speech on how much I admired my mother. But ended with how my mom had continued to remind me that through my infertility that I would have a family. That is right girls - I stood up in front of all the women in our church, balled my eyes out and told them that I couldn't get pregnant. Our pastor saw it and asked me to speak in church the next day. I thought - what the heck....so I did. And I balled again. But I was painfully honest about my inability to have a family.

Not even a month later......I was pregnant....

You guessed it.....tears. To be honest - they were tears of sorrow. I had a baby, it was in Texas, to be born in September. I couldn't do both...I was devastated. I thought we figured out God's plan, it was Rachael's baby. I was so confused and hurt. The only person in my family I would admit my misery to was my baby sister, Molly. I knew she would understand and not judge me for being sad that I was pregnant. She understood, didn't judge me and helped me through my feelings and helped me to get back around to happy. I killed me to tell Rachael and her mom that we got pregnant....she cried, I cried again....but eventually she found another family, had her beautiful baby girl, (she sent me pictures) and they had an open adoption....

Ragon was born Feburary 20th, 2007....My doctor asked me if I wanted birth control...I thought he was crazy, I told him after all the fertility money I spent, was he on crack? He said "if" I was to get pregnant again, it would be in the first year. Ragon's first year flew by and no baby...On her first birthday....I was sick as a dog....and guess what? Greyson Michael Francy....Picture is David after Greyson's birth. Look closely. Scrubs has both their feet print from their births...

So that is my scoop....that is how my family became a family. I am very open to fertility questions, and anything you might want to know. I love to pray for those trying to have a family, and I am open to telling you all the nitty gritty about fertility treatments. But please hear this....Dr. Thompson, Dr. Blackwell and Dr. Prough are excellent physicians. I do not blame them that "they" could not get me pregnant....If I had gotten pregnant, I would not give them the credit either...You see I believe God had a plan for my family. And the best or worst doctors in the world can't and won't change that plan. If you call me wanting a better physician or a different referral, you will get complete honesty from me. If you want a physician to fix your problem, you are looking to the wrong healer.....

Enough about me....

I used to think it was funny to say, "Enough talking about me, let's talk about you...what do YOU think about me?"....Cute, huh? Well these past few nights have been rough...my man apparently believes that growth spurts should be a night only issue...so we have been waking for full feedings every two hours at night...sometimes during the day...but mostly at night he is trying to increase the flow...nice huh?

So I decided after weeks of reading through my fellow blogger's blogs....what can I do for you? Well, I can pray. So there it is. I am up 3-4 times a night and trust me, there isn't a lot to watch in the early a.m. I will admit, I will watch Scrubs, Murphy Brown, Family Matters, but could I be doing something better with my time? Sure - I could pray. Why don't I do some growing of my own while I am up breastfeeding my little dude.

So please, post a comment and let me know how I can pray for you over the next few weeks. I know some might be personal, so feel free to e-mail me instead at beckifrancy@aol.com I don't have to know you. And I assure you I will keep your request confidential if you wish. I am a lawyer, I can keep secrets like no one's business! More importantly - I commit to praying specifically for your need until Jan. 1, 2009. And then I will check in with you. If you are not a believer, I will still pray for you, all you have to do is ask....

Silence....it says so much....

My sister Molly and I often get tickled at eachother. Molly decided to build her family through adoption, so she enjoys often snickering at her sisters as we struggle with the fun things about pregnancy. It isn't mean or nasty and usually puts me in a good mood and helps me laugh at myself. So this story is for Molly...

SOOOO..this morning I get up feeling extra thin. I mean I put on a lot less weight with Greyson than I did with Ragon. I went to the doctor yesterday and weighed in at less than I did after Ragon was over two months old...so I am skinny right? I go in my closet and get out my "Fat Girl" jeans....surely these will fit....So I pull on my awesome granny panties with the double pads to cover my c-section incision and well you know where the other one goes....and I pull them up...The go all the way up, I smile at my husband slyly....yes babe...I am sexy...I am thinking to myself! The problem, they in NO WAY are going to button or zip around my saggy belly....My husband being sweet, says, "honey, why don't you put on my jeans"...Now generally I might be offended, but come on, I just had a baby...so I thought...Good Idea...I jump in the shower and ask him to grab my "Fat Girl" jeans and measure them to his and get some that are bigger....as I shower I notice something....complete silence....not a word coming from him, and he was gone a while....finally he pokes his head in the shower and says, "Are you sure you want to wear jeans today?" I about fell down laughing....I interpret this to mean there aren't any jeans that are bigger than my fat girl jeans....I laughed because I wondered how long he stood there thinking of what to say as to not bring a stream of tears....but I have a sense of humor...however, I did picture my sister Molly laying on the ground laughing so hard she almost wet her pants!

I go in the closet determined that even after giving birth I could wear his jeans....I was right...they fit, I don't know which part he was measuring, but I am wearing them...and guess what girls, I look HOT! Okay - maybe not hot, but they aren't maternity!

Two Weeks Old....

I can't believe that Greyson is two weeks old today. Ironically, today is the day that he was "supposed" to be born. But he had other plans. Anyway - here are some hospital pics that I couldn't ever get to show online. Also there is a pic of our current status of regression. Ragon is sitting in his carseat in front of the tv with her bunny and Greyson's bunny. It was pretty funny, I was doing my hair and she got real quite. It you have a toddler, you are concerned the most when they aren't making noise. I came around the corner and this is what I saw.....Also - I found a way to help Grey sleep. I take off my tank top at the end of the day and put it on his sleep positioner.....he thinks I am holding him all the time....and he sleeps like a dream! Enjoy the pics....some new, some old! Also included is a picture of Ragon that I think is gorgeous....it is of the day we came to the hospital...we literally brought her in pj's and threw a bow in her hair. Here is a pic of her in a stroller, my mother-in-law's sweatshirt and no bow....and she still looks pretty!

Woohoo...and stuff....

I love this picture, my mom took it in the hospital. I promise - more pics later!

Quick update. Greyson had his two week check up today (okay - so he isn't quite two weeks). But two prayers were answered:

1. With Ragon I had such a hard time breast feeding her, and she didn't ever really gain weight until we supplemented her. Not the same with Mr. Man. He was born weighing 7 lbs. 2 oz, and went home 6 lbs. 9 oz. On week one, he weighed in at 6 lbs 13 oz. Today.....7 lbs 7 oz....WOOOOHOOOO....

2. If you are familiar with Max - my sister Laura's son, he has a rare condition called Diabetes Insipidus. Anyway - it is carried by the Mama's in our family and passed on mostly to our son's. So we had Greyson tested. They do a blood test and test the boy's sodium levels. We did one test in the hospital and it came out good, so we tested again today. And his sodium levels are perfect. In addition to the weight gains and good appetite, it does not appear that Greyson has DI. We will continue to keep watch on it, but for now, we are in the clear. Yeah!!!

Ragon is getting used to Greyson and I think has begun to realize that he is not leaving. So she has accepted it....more like embraced it. She now wakes up and asks for Bubba and wants to hold him and point to all his body parts. We haven't shown her the MAIN difference between the two of them yet. We were thinking by the time she was about 16....is that too late?

__________________________________________________________________

Just to make you laugh....I was breastfeeding Greyson at my parents house today. It was just us girls....and the kiddos. My nephew Owen, who is not familiar with the whole breastfeeding thing, came over and stood by me. He looked at me very intently for a few minutes....and then sweetly asked..."Is he chewing?"

Breaking All The Rules....

Okay - I am sure you are shocked that this Type A Momma has rules. Yep...we are all about schedules, teaching ourselves to sleep, etc. BUT....for the first few weeks of their tiny lives...we break all the rules. For Example, Greyson went through his first growth spurt the last two nights (you remember the 7-10 day one)....he wanted to eat every two hours, that is from the start of the feedings...not two hours in between. I was half tempted to have my husband take a picture of me this morning, I was so tickled at how bad I looked. I looked like I had been out all night partying...and was just coming home. I woke up this morning, to my husband with a little panicked look on his face, "Where is Greyson?", I simply pulled back the sheets and revealed his little man hooked to a breast.....yeah...I did that. I am not the kind of mom that sleeps with her kids (not that I am opposed to this, it just doesn't work for me). But as of 5:00 a.m. this morning, I would have shaved my head to get just two hours of straight sleep.

Other updates....The Baby Blues, seem to be drifting away....so that is good news. Bad news - we only had our house on the market for 45 days and it didn't sell. Which is a total stinker, but we are not done! We are going to try again in the spring. Long story short, three days after we listed the house, the owner of the land parallel to our house petitioned to have the area rezoned to commercial and multi family and then the interest rates shot up two percent. So that was awesome in helping us sell. Hopefully the economy will be a little more stable in the spring and we can finally build our house in Trinity Creek.

Kim - I am a freak, my mom and I drove over yesterday so I could show her where we were planning to build. All of the sudden I became a stalker and stopped looking at houses and wondered if I would see you out with Ty or picking Ella up from school. If you see a semi-fat blond woman hop out of a car, hobbling and start chasing you....it's just me!

Here are the pics. Aunt Molly has been disappointed in our posting of pics. I am feeling a lot better and have batteries in my camera....so I will hopefully do a lot more pic posting!

Gods Hand....

I know I did a kind of depressing post yesterday, but I SOOO appreciate you women/amazing friends/family and your comments. So I wanted to do a more upbeat post. Because I feel a little more upbeat.

During my fast delivery and scary c-section...some amazing things happen to remind me that my God is every constant, faithful and with me....here they are...

1) When I went into labor at my house, I literally RAN out the door with David. I didn't have a thing packed. I had meant to go by Mardels after finding out I was going to have a c-section. So I could buy a clinging cross. I thought I had more time. To make this short - my sister in law had one. So I had my mom call her, but by the time she got a hold of her she was already on her way to the hospital. SO - I told her not to say anything. I knew she would feel the need to turn around and go get it. She showed up a short time later...she looked at me and whispered..."have we prayed yet?" She knew I was scared, I replied no...not yet....so slipped something into my hand....it was her clinging cross. How in the world did she know? I had never mentioned it to her...but God moved her that morning. And she did as he directed her heart....

2) My girlfriend - Karissa (AKA Dorita) Is a NICU nurse at St. Francis. She has been there for both Laura's and my children's birth. I so wanted her there. I called her on the way to the hospital, she was doing everything she could to make it. I knew she would make it in time to catch Greyson. I kept pleading with her, "Karissa, be honest, if something is wrong - just tell me". Anyway - they took me to the OR, I was all by myself (and my cross) they delayed the procedure because another woman began to deliver before me...I sat their alone...rubbing my cross - with complete strangers...I kept praying...Come on God...Keep me calm, I need you..I need to see you...The spinal block took FOUR tries...but I kept my cool...they laid me down, on my way down, I saw them...the eyes of my life long friend poking over the surgical scrubs....God was reminding me....he was still there....

Just a reminder to look for the things that GOD does do in our lives, even when we are so scared, take a deep breath and look for him...and then listen...above is a picture of the clinging cross....and the poem attached...

When my mind is fuzzy

And my eyes are dim with tears,

I need to feel Your presence, Lord,

And know that You are near.

When my heart is racing

And my thoughts have such a sting,

I tightly grasp this little cross

And prayerfully I cling.

It's not a magic piece -

This cross Your father planned,

But when I cling to it

I feel Your nail-scarred hand.

Keeping it Real....

A friend on mine has a blog...she mentioned she was keeping it real...in that spirit so will I. I always pride myself on being honest with things, because as Christians we should be honest with our struggles, that is how others grow...and heck, it just makes everyone realize they and YOU are normal. So...here we go...last night it came back. What you ask? The Baby Blues. If you aren't familiar with this....it is like the mini me version of Post Partum Depression. I don't get it horribly bad, but I get it. I got it with Ragon, and was hoping to avoid it with Greyson. But whatever I was hoping, here it is. If you have had it - pray for me. If you have not, just know it could happen to you. The reason this is important? Because it can freak you out. I sat here this morning and wait for it....I was crying because I was crying. Yep - I felt bad for feeling bad. Today I have felt: 1) like a crappy mom because i can't pick up my 20 month old or get down and play with her well. 2) Like a crappy wife - my husband does everything and I mean everything and there isn't anything I can do for him. 3)nauseated: I feel sick to my stomach during this time so I am forcing down food to keep up my breast milk 4) ridiculous - why am I crying, my children are healthy and alive, i have a wonderful husband, etc. So there it is folks - the down and dirty on me.

All this to say, pray for me and my family. I hate this part of the process. But I am praying and relying on God to take this from me.

Finally, and a random thought. If you want to think I am weird go ahead, I am used to it. My sister adopted her three children. I learned on her blog that some (adoptive) moms decide to nurse their children. To do this, many use this awesome contraption and other mother's breast milk to get their milk to come in. This round my breast milk is some good stuff. I am talking half and half people. With Ragon it was skim milk. Anyway - all that to say - if you know someone who is adopting and planning on trying to breastfeed, these women have to track down the breast milk. Let me know. Leave a comment, your e-mail, phone or something. But I would love to pump and save up for some mom....Breastfeeding your children is so fun and bonding, and not everyone CAN do it....so if you CAN and you want to.....let me know! And no it isn't for sale, it is a gift....and no I don't need to know them. I learned from a good friend Kim, you don't have to know someone to have an amazing impact on their life.....

Another one!

Sorry, I am getting these pictures slowly from my moms phone! Oh my, he's a pumpkin for sure!

Aunt Molly-Greyson's first cyber-stalker

Here he is!

Greyson Michael Francy is here and doing great!

Becki is sipping on Gatorade and sounds like she's one proud momma of two!

Isn't he adorable!?!? Sorry for all of the posts, but I had to share this first glimpse that I have had of him!

Aunt Molly

He's here!

This is auntie again!

Greyson Michael Francy was born just a few minutes ago! He's perfect and they say he looks just like his big sissy did!

He is 7 lbs 2 ounces and 19 inches long! That's great for being so early! Everyone is doing great and I will post pictures as soon as someone sends me some!

Thanks for the prayers!

Oh baby!

Well, this is Aunt Molly posting for Becki! You know us, we are obsessed with blogs and we feel it totally necessary to keep everyone up to date!

Becki woke up this morning after a great nights sleep with some more bleeding. It was heavier than in the past so they called Dr. T and made arrangements for Ragon. As they were getting ready she had some contractions and she's pretty sure her water broke! They scooped up Ragon and headed to the hospital to see what was going on. When they got there her contractions were about 3 minutes apart. They have admitted her and Greyson is stable, but they won't "check" her because they don't want to stimulate anything any further. Dr. T wants to take Greyson today!

Please pray that all goes smoothly. Becki sounded very calm and wasn't nervous yet. She said she knew she would be when they rolled her back to the OR.

Thanks for everything! She wanted me to post a picture, but I couldn't get to it...so this one will have to do! These are of my kids feeling Greyson and begging him to come out! Even Sadie is ready to see him! And, yes...I will send/post more pictures when he's here!

Wild Thing.....

This picture is a perfect reflection of how I feel. Like a Wild Thing. Ultrasound revealed today that the placenta is still attached over the cervix. Looks like I will be having a c-section. Worse things could happen by far. I am a little scared....okay I am a lot scared. I am asking for prayer for my fears....I will know a date next tuesday!

And just so you know. I did not make her hair do this. It was in a pony tail and she pulled it out and then rubbed her head on the bed...this is what happened. What was funnier is that she was so confused as to why David and I were laughing so hard we were crying.....

Cheesy Smile....

I stole this picture from my sister. I have been trying to capture it for weeks. This is Ragon's cheesy smile....She will do just about anything for Aunt "Mowwy"...we had a celebration of sweet Sadie's arrival this weekend. Too fun! Not much to update, ultrasound tomorrow.

On a side note, if you have to do steriods during your pregnancy....prepare to look like a sausage.

Updates....

It is so hard to call everyone and give them an update on our progress. Well yesterday (Thursday) I started my 36th week. Whew.....this boy is rough one to carry. Lets just say he is a mover. I went to the doctor Tuesday. No dialation, no effacement, etc. It was good news kind of because I would like my placenta to move, so I don't have to have a c-section. But kind of bad news, as I remember with Ragon....I NEVER made progress, including the 36 hours of labor with her...not until the end. I even went 24 hours without an epidural. I was at Saint Francis. [On a side note: if you want a natural delivery - by natural I mean incredibly painful without drugs - this is the place to go. The nurses are excited to help you, they are sweet. To this day I can remember my favorite nurse, Quincey. I sooo hope she is there to help deliver my son] I digress.

Anyway - our last ultrasound is on Tuesday, the 21st. Hopefully - this one will show no previa at all. I went from a partial previa, to a marginal previa. So hopefully when I go in, there will not be a previa and I will be clear to give birth.....well you know. So pray - I have continued to bleed on the weekends (Don't know what that is about) - so hopefully that is a sign the placenta is moving.

Thanks for all the prayers and calls. Will update you soon!

Also - went with my husband to see Fireproof.....LOVED it...I cried. Don't know if this is a reflection of how good the movie is or how hormonal I am. But I do know people who are not pregnant and they loved it as well. Take time to watch it.....if you are married, you go through tough times...all of us do. This is a picker upper. So click on the link and watch it. Special thanks to Tara Schultheis (sp?) I didn't know of the movie until I saw on her blog. Now my entire family has seen it.....For those of you who budget, Cinemark only charges $5 ea. for the first matinee of the day. Usually tickets are $8.50 ea. - so with the price of sitters, etc. Try to hit the matinee!

For Moms Only.....(Or Girls Only)

Well the other day as I was cleaning my house and Ragon was sleeping. It occurred to me. I am having a son. A Boy. This is going to be different. And I mean real different. This kid is coming to town with a Penis. (Sorry - we use the anatomically correct terms in my family) It is what it is. A little panic hit me. I don't know what to do with these. Grew up with all sisters, never lived with a boy until I was married. Men are different, boys are different. Ragon is a tough cookie, but she is still a girly girl. She doesn't like her hands dirty, HATES flies (spiders, bugs, etc). And I am going to have a boy.....a stinky, snake loving, frog picking up, gun slinger, booger pickin' sweet precious boy.....and I have no idea what to do! I am so excited, but don't want to raise a girly boy either. I want him to be stinky, snake loving, frog picking up, gun slinging, booger pickin' boy! I don't want him dressing up as a girl and pushing around Ragon's stroller. So why write the post? I need advice on boys......got any? Please post some boy advice. And for the love of Pete, someone tell me that parts of this come naturally....

Also - attached is the final portrait of our family of three. We had it done a while ago, but I love it. If you have never heard of this girl, her name is Jennifer Edwards. Her photographs are stunning, and she is really a reasonable price. Her website is on the left side of my blog page. But here it is just in case. http://www.jenniferedwardsphotography.com/

Shoe....Off....Shoe....Off

That is what I heard the other day when I put Ragon's shoes on and then let her hop off the bed. She repeated it and then started to cry. Which she does not do a ton! Anyway - so she sat in my lap and said it yet again.....So I took her shoes off...her little toes were red. Yep - you guessed it. Her shoes were WAY too small. One would think by now, I would have a good grasp on this motherhood thing, but wow...sometimes the small things just sneak by you. She was wearing a size 4....had her measured...she is in a 6.....OOPS!!! She loves her new shoes (I bet!) and is running all over the place now....Go ahead...turn me into DHS...want some other funny ones I missed as a parent?

1. Did you know nipples come in sizes? I sure as heck didn't, until my sweet sister looked at me one day and was like "Hey...she looks like she is working hard to get the formula....what size nipple is that?" I resisted my instinct to make something up, like say 14....and give her a serious look, like I knew what I was talking about.....I then learned that nipples have sizes.....hmmmm...was that on the box somewhere?

2. Did you know those little Gerber bites actually contain real fruit? So after I was giving my six month old strawberry treats....i quickly realized that Strawberries are for AFTER you turn one....again...why make them for 6-12 months???? Come on people!

3. Did you know that if you give your kid a bottle that is too hot they might sweat? Did you also know that sweating is a sign of a congenital heart defect in infants? I know this because after I paid for an echocardiagram....as ordered by our doctor, I asked him...Do you think that the bottles I make are too hot? There was silence on the other end of the phone.....

4. Did you know your kids mimic your moves? I was concerned early on about Ragon because she didn't use her arms. So I called my sister in law, a teacher, and had her come by and observe Ragon and see if she thought it was weird that she played with everything with her feet. She quickly pointed out that David and I were playing with stuff with our feet....so of course, so was Ragon.....we started using our hands....so did she! My favorite, was that we would walk into her room to turn on music and we would push play on the CD player with our toes.....when we started letting her turn the music off and on....I am sure you know what she did!

Attached are pictures from the fair. Needless to say this kid is like her mama. Enjoys the food, but finds everything else, in her words "Yucky!". ON the way to the fair David was quizzing her on the animals we would see. All of the sudden, he says, "and Giraffes"...I looked at him like he just offered her some pot.....Honey - they don't have Giraffes at the fair.....attached you will see.....the Giraffe....

Perspective.....

Lately I have learned a lot about perspective.....I recently was sitting on my computer at home reading my sister's blog. As I read it, I came across a comment from a girl named Kim....Kim had commented innocently on my sister's blog regarding adoption. But had briefly mentioned that she had recently lost a child. I was intrigued so I decided to read her blog. About four hours later, my perspective on my life was forever changed. I am attaching a link to her blog. (http://bevinsfamily.blogspot.com) I know most of my girlfriends and friends from church read this blog and this woman's faith is unbelievable. To make it quick, she has lost two children - Carter and Lucy. Both of these children died shortly after birth. She is refreshingly honest about her struggles, her sadness and anger at the situation. She is also honest about her unconditional love for God and his ability to pull us through the storms that come in our lives.

This week, I was hospitalized for bleeding, Molly's daughter Sadie has been hospitalized for the past few days for a fever that is still undiagnosed, Laura had a brief scare with hearing her baby's heart beat (don't worry - they got it)...but as I sat there, I refused to be sad or frustrated with God. When my back is killing me and I think indigestion is about to eat a hole in my stomach, I refuse to gripe. After all - I am still pregnant. Please take some time, read this blog from Kim - she (and Lucy and Carter) taught me to be thankful for what I have in life. It is SOOOOO easy to take things for granted. If your child wines and it irritates you - remember that you DO HAVE A CHILD. If your pregnancy is making you miserable - remember that YOU WERE ABLE TO CONCEIVE. If your newborn is keeping you up, remember, someone else would love to be wakened by the cry of their child....This woman really moved me and her story changed me.

To Kim - I hope this is okay - but I couldn't leave it unsaid. I wanted to share your gift with some of my friends. And I figured it was on your blog, so I hope again you understand the extent that your children have forever effected my perspective....I struggled with whether or not to post this, as I didn't want to offend you, but then when I logged on your blog today, I saw this poem...and realized....you would want me to continue to mention Lucy and Carter...

Go ahead and mention my child,

The one that died, you know.

Don't worry about hurting me further.

The depth of my pain doesn't show.

Don't worry about making me cry.

I'm already crying inside.

Help me to heal by releasing

The tears that I try to hide.

I'm hurt when you just keep silent,

Pretending she didn't exist.

I'd rather you mention my child,

Knowing that she has been missed.

You asked me how I was doing.

I say "pretty good" or "fine".

But healing is something ongoing

I feel it will take a lifetime.

~ Elizabeth Dent

Please....take some time out of your schedule and read about Lucy and Carter...it may seem sad, but I assure you....you will walk away a better woman. I know I have.