Dear new baby...

I really hope you are as cute as this guy.

Hair-DOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Abbey's new do.
I'm so over little girl hair.
Abbey's hair was about 2ins below her shoulders.
It was so annoying.
I was so tired of her crying while I had to brush it or but pigtails/ponies in it.
So I took her to the real salon.
That was an experience. not to be repeated anytime soon.
immediately after the lady finished she burst into tears saying "i want it to look like my old hair!"
Her hair looks so so cute now.
The pic is doesn't show you how cute the back is and how cute it is when it's 1st done.
this pic was taken 2.5secs before she took her nap after church
Take my word, it's seriously cute.
Oh and easy.
Just what a 35week preggo person needs.
And yes I am that lazy.

Mom-Tank

Mom-tank

We took the plunge.
The day after Christmas.
We figured we could get a better deal on the end of the model year.
I love it.
So glad I don't drive the Mom-van. sorry I am. so is Joseph.
All bells and whistles included. (aka bad parenting package HA)
Now if we could just get rid of either the Pilot or the Camry.
Anyone want a car?

Home Alone

Joseph is currently in NYC for work.

I love NYC.

During the summer when Joseph and I were dating we would often just get in the car and drive to the city to *shop* and eat.
After we were married and had a little more money we would go for the weekend.
Shop, eat, see the city, find little hole in the wall pizzerias, walk Central Park etc.
I can't wait until the kids are old enough to enjoy the city.
So tonight I am feeling a smidge bitter.
So I decided to make Peanutbutter Frozen Hot Chocolate
yes, it's from Serendipity 3, only one of the most fun places to eat in NYC. *very touristy tho*

This stuff is seriously seriously delicious.

Frozen Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Adapted from Serendipity 3

6-1/2 ounces good quality milk chocolate, bittersweet chocolate and semisweet chocolate
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 cups whole milk, divided
1/2 cup chilled whipping cream
3 Tablespoons peanut butter
3 cups ice cubes
Chocolate shaving or crushed chocolate covered espresso beans for garnish

Place assorted chocolate in a medium metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water; stir until melted and smooth.

Add sugar and cocoa powder to the melted chocolate. Stir to blend. Gradually whisk in milk until a smooth mixture is achieved. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

With an electric mix, beat chilled whipping cream until peaks form.

Place remaining 1 cup milk, chocolate mixture, peanut butter and ice cubes in a blender. Make sure to add the ice to the blender last so it doesn't lock up the blades.

Divide between two large glasses and top with whipped cream. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings.

ENJOY!!

May 1, 2009

The countdown has begun!

Gift of New Life

Today my family is celebrating the Gift of New Life.

5 years ago on this day my Mother was given the gift of new life.

Starting in 1994 at the age of 37, my Mom was diagnosed with stage 3 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

After many rounds of chemo and a full stem cell transplant, she was cancer free.

This was only the beginning of the battles that she would face in the years to come.

5 years later she would begin to have heart attacks and major strokes.

After numerous Doctors were unable to help figure out what was causing them she returned to the hospital that helped her beat the beast the 1st time.

After 1 appointment it was determined that her heart muscle had been severely damaged by "the red death".

Red death is a term Doctors use when they see patients that have been given too much Adriamycin.

A chemotherapy drug that was given in doses that were too large during my Mothers treatment.

It kills cardiac muscle.

It was decided that a heart transplant was necessary for her to live, period.

But the state of her heart at the time was not compatible with life.

She would need an LVAD (left ventricular assist device).

She needed a machine to pump her heart for her.

She was hospitalized on Feb 10, 2004.

She would remain in a coma from that day until April 26, 2004.

An LVAD device was placed in her chest on March 16th.

The surgery was not as successful as the Doctors thought it would be.

Her heart never had a sinus rhythm after the original surgery.

Our family never left her side, we weren't sure she would make it.

Her cardiothoracic surgeon couldn't suture her chest back together after her surgery because the right side of her heart was ballooning trying to compensate for the left.

Everyday we prayed that he would close her up so we could talk to her.

She was at the top of the National Transplant Recipient List. 1A.

On the morning of the 20th the Dr. said "I'm going to give it one more day to heal and I will close her tomorrow".

We were not happy but obviously someone had their hand in the situation.

At 3:30pm as Joseph and I drove home to Fairfax from Richmond,

we got the call that would change our lives forever.

There was a heart.

It was a perfect match.

The surgery lasted 4hrs. Most last 6+. Her biological heart looked like swiss cheese when they took it out.

The heart instantly started beating in a perfect sinus rhythm.

A gift. The gift of new life.

I am forever grateful for the man who cared enough to donate his organs.

Because of him my children know their grandmother.

Because of him I can continue to be with my Mom in this life.

The 5 years since her heart transplant have not been easy.

She has been diagnosed with breast cancer, salivary gland cancer, 2 degenerative disks in her back, massive hernia from her transplant, broken elbow, broken toes and foot, no feeling in either foot because of the strokes and the list goes on and on.

We are no strangers to the hospital and actually feel right at home, where most people do not.

But you know what?

She doesn't complain. She gives thanks for every day she has here on earth.

She recognizes the blessings she has received and she tries to live everyday happily.

She is brave.

I am happy for the knowledge that families are forever.

Please be an organ donor. You might just save 7 lives.

Happy Heart Birthday Mom!

PS currently my mom is in the hospital with some strange pneumonia. She will be there for 3 more weeks getting IV antibiotics.

It never ends. :)

30

Today is my darling sister in-law Laurens, 30th birthday.

I lOve her. a.lot.

I remember when I was younger I thought it was standard to dislike your mother in-law and sister in-laws.

WRONG.

Somehow I managed to marry into a family with fabulOus women.

The 3 of us ladies who married in couldn't be better suited for eachother.

We had to learn to navigate this testosterone filled family together, the original J.B.G. ladies already had it down pat.

Lauren is beautiful inside and out.

She is witty, smart, thoughtful, charming and *sometimes* slightly irreverent.

Happy Birthday Lauren.

I love you.

And you probably won't even see this because you refuse to join the 21st century, HA

*stay tuned for next months sister inlaw*

Snow Day

Yesterday we received 8in. of snow. Ugh. I hate snow. I don't understand people who like snow. Snow seems like punishment to me.

I don't ski, I don't enjoy tubing, sledding or anything of the sort.

I like sun. And warmth. And flowers.

So I convinced Joseph to stay home until nap time.

Jack had never been out in the snow before.

Abbey has only been out in snow probably 2 other times.

They were so jazzed to put on their snowsuits and boots.

Trying to build a snowman in pure powder snow.

I stayed in and baked this weeks bread.