Out With the Aught's and In with the Teens!

This New Year's Eve day, reading about the rising of Charlotte's uptown crown* I am sitting and thinking of reflections and resolutions and what 2010 could bring. Here's my list:

1. Health - Healthier cooking in the form of less processed foods, more fresh. Growing more in our garden for use in our kitchen. 2009 was a wonderful start, producing watermelons, peppers, carrots and more. I am going to focus on less meat centered dishes and more produce in each meal. Also, no junk food and less eating out.


2. Wealth - Less spending, more frugal. We are already on the right track, with careful thermostat monitoring we've taken the coldest winter in years in stride, reducing our gas bill from $300 last year to $103! Also, sitting back and reflecting these last few weeks during the time to buy gifts and donate items made me realize that a few good quality items are much better than a bunch of cheap throw aways. Better for our pockets and better for the environment. Credit card debt has been a big stress in our marriage and we are hoping to clear that out soon. Can't wait to learn how to sew and use my sewing machine to make things vs. buy things. Ashton's already got a great idea using a bathroom rug to make a car mat and Kate wants a nap rug. And, of course, guess who will be crayons this Halloween (Angelique and Gavin are invited to join the crayon bunch if they would like to.) Wish me luck!


3. Family - Less yelling and more loving. I hope to continue to teach the children that good manners and good listening are what Mommy and Daddy are really asking them for. Dad wants more cleaning as we go and I would like to see the kids fight less and play more. And we both want the kids to enjoy each other instead of competing with each other. I can't wait to see my first born grow in a leap and boud to start kindergarten. While my heart will be both heavy and joyful on that day, I am looking forward to more one on one time with Kate while he's there.

The Aughts brought Paul and I together and Paul down South, a mortgage, a cat, a baby boy, marriage, an A.A. & B.A. degree, two career changes, a baby girl and so much more (all of which I am so thankful for). But as I now turn my focus forward, I am hoping for a less tumultuous decade where I am able to slow down and enjoy my husband and children, this house we've worked to build and fill with love, the simple pleasures in life and each and every precious day to the fullest. Happy 2010!

* FYI - Charlotte raises something for the New Year's Eve countdown, doesn't lower it. (From Charlotte Observer Mon. Dec. 28, 2009 article) "In many cities, whether it's the Times Square ball in New York City, or the giant lighted beach ball at Carolina Beach near Wilmington, some object will be dropped to lead the countdown to 2010. Not in uptown Charlotte. Here, the Queen's lighted crown will be hoisted 25 feet just before midnight Thursday to part the curtain on the new year. "We like the symbolism of hope's rising," said Moira Quinn, spokeswoman for Charlotte Center City Partners, the organization producing the festivities. "It's the rising of a new year, and shutting the door on a year that was tough on a lot of people."

Taekwondo Ashton

About a month ago Ashton started TaeKwonDo and is doing well with it. He has moments of frustration and anger, but overall he's adjusting and doing pretty good. He is expected to go a minimum of two times a week but can go up to five. The classes are 45 minutes long and a mix of girls/boys with ages 3-6. The instructors are great, very positive and help him handle his discouragement well.
He first got to choose his uniform, he had the option of black, red or blue and chose blue. He is a "Super White Belt" and already has earned 2 stripes! (Blue stripe and a green stripe.) After he earns 8 stripes (each color representing one skill each - (Focus, teamwork, control, balance, memory, discipline, fitness & coordination) he will then test to earn a "Super Yellow Belt" then Super Gold, Super Orange, all the way up to Super Red. To get to his first "Super Belt" he'll be expected to demonstrate various blocking techniques, a form, self defense, stomp kick and basic punches and kicks on the shield. He's been given a reference book with all the info about the program in it.
Our hope is this program helps him learn to listen and follow directions. We also are happy to see him do some physical activity that he enjoys.

Thankful

Two days ago I heard some tragic news that made me stop and be thankful for my own situation. Someone I know had a niece who gave birth this week to a baby that died due to strangulation by it's own umbilical cord during delivery.

This was horrible to hear, particularly since Kate, when born, had her umbilical cord wrapped and knotted around her own neck. I remember the doctor saying he had never seen anything like it and him likening it to a sailor's knot of some sort.

You see, it all started with impatience...mine. Being as big as a house and chasing around a toddler in the dog days of summer was just about more than I could handle, never mind that Kate was taking her sweet time arriving. After her due date came and went, I think it was around the 1 week mark after it I started pleading with my OB to induce labor and get her out of me.

He agreed and we scheduled an induction for Sept. 15, 1.5 weeks after her due date. We checked into the hospital the night before and I was given Ambien (sleeping pill) by the nurses so I would be rested and ready for labor inducing in the morning.

Around 4:15am I remember being roused from sleep by what I thought was labor. I woke Paul up and told him the baby was coming and to call the nurse. Two nurses came in and told me it wasn't time yet and to go back to sleep. I tried to, but the contractions were too strong.

I then made Paul get the nurses back in to check me about 15 minutes later. I remember the nurse was grumbling to herself that she was busy and I wasn't ready, but agreed to check my cervix. It was then that she lifted the sheet and yelled to me "Whatever you do, don't push yet! I've got to get the doctor!" She then hurried out of the room.

Frantic and dazed from the sleeping pill, I looked to Paul trying to figure out what was going on. He then checked under the sheet and screamed out "I see the baby's head! Where is the doctor?" I then looked to the door of our room just in time to see the doctor stumbling in putting his shoes/booties on. He hurriedly sat down on a stool and pulled up to my "area" just in time to coach me to push, the baby was in fact, as I had told them, "coming". (Why doesn't anyone EVER listen to the mother in situations like these???)

After the normal birthing process occurred, Katherine Elizabeth (Kate) arrived into this world and we received the standard "It's a girl!" (which we knew) and I waited for her to be placed on my chest so I could meet her. I guess I got caught up into hearing the nurses talk about her amazing strawberry blond hair, (me thinking she must be blond like her daddy but it was tinted with blood or some fluid) but, as the minutes ticked by, I became worried. As soon as I began to speak up, she was given to me and we were told of how lucky we all were. She did have her own umbilical cord wrapped around her neck and it had become tied, so had she waited until we had scheduled her for delivery, she may not have made it. The doctor also went on about the oddness of the type of knot it resembled and how unique that was. But, honestly, I guess I thought death in childbirth was a thing of long ago historical novels and surely it wouldn't have happened in the new high-tech hospital we were in, so I just shrugged him off thinking she was never in any REAL danger.

Now, two and a half years later, as I heard the awful story of my friend's niece's loss, I was reminded of how lucky we are to and how thankful I am that Kate is with us today, happy and healthy!

First Born - ADR

First Born Share: Here are my responses to a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about my first born! Let's see how much I remember!

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? no, it was a wonderful surprise



2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? no, but we are now



3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Disbelief, nervous, excited



4. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 22



5. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Morning sickness climbing Crowder's Mountain



6. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Paul, then my mom



7. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Absolutely



8. DUE DATE? December 17 I think...



9. 9. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Yes, all the time for the 1st 5 months



10. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Milkshakes



11. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Morning sickness and maternity clothes



12. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? boy



13. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?no



14. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 40



15. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?Yes, three



16. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? I knew



17. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS? Preclampsia and weight gain



18. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Presbyterian Uptown in the brand new birthing center (it was only 2 months old!)



19. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 24



20. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Paul



21. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Paul and my mom



22. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?Natural



23. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? yes, an epidural and I regret it



24. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 9 lbs 4 oz



25. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? December 2



26. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Ashton Daniel

Seemed Like a Good Idea!

Tried to teach the little ones to ski over the holidays. Two- and four- year olds with waxed boards strapped to the bottom of their feet pointing down a steep snow-covered slope. Yeah...seemed like a good idea at the time. The good news is noone broke ANYTHING! :) (That's Paul's ski next to Kate's ski!)

Check out Grandma Darlene's photos of the excursion: http://ronanddar.shutterfly.com/58

Here are my photos:http://the704reids.shutterfly.com/2991

Climb the Mountain!

Yesterday Ashton, Paul, Kate & I actually climbed a mountain! Kate and Ashton, all by themselves, summited Crowder's Mountain.



That would be 0.9miles of strenuous climbing and stairs to the top and 2.0 miles
of strenuous climbing down the back trail.


I am soooooooooo proud of them! Both children were insistent they make it to the top all by themselves and, at times, running up and down. It was a beautiful fall day, not only in weather but in the marvel I held at their changes and growth. Once upon a time they were a small cluster of cells and now they can climb a mountian. WOW!


You see, Crowder's is where I first began to suspect I was going to be a mother and I hiked it while pregnant with both children, so it holds a very special place in our family folk lore.

YES WE CAN! AND WE DID!

The air smells fresher, the sun shines brighter and my shoulders don't sag as much from the weight of the world I carry....OBAMA IS THE PRESIDENT ELECT!
Having myself been the recipent of racisim that altered the course of my life, I am proud of the direction this great nation is heading!
Also, what an amazing concession speech by John McCain. Ashton and Kate, you have much to look forward and look to in your lifetimes!

Most Important Election of My Adult Lifetime

Today I headed to the library to return a few books, grab some DVDs for the kids and pick out an audio book for my long Sunday car rides and was caught completely off guard by the lack of parking spaces at the normally deserted library. When I finally pulled into the grass in what I deemed a "parking spot" I stepped out into the blistery cold and extremely windy day to assess what was going on. I had to walk pass a line stretching down the side of the building, full of people of all different ages, genders and races. Some of the line were elderly, huddled together over walkers and in wheelchairs; some mothers with small babies wrapped in blankets; all it turns out waiting to cast their early voting ballots for the upcoming elections.

I cannot say what an impression this made on me. All of these people, waiting what turned out to be a two hour wait in very cold temperatures, simply to exercise their basic American right to vote and to make a difference. I knew this election would encourage voter turnout, but I had not expected the scene I saw today. What an amazing time this is and I am proud to be of age in this election. Regardless of the outcome, I see myself sharing stories with my children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren of how I waited my turn to cast my vote in this election of historic importance.

I also heard something on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" election discussion today that was so poetic and filled with such hope I don't think I'll forget it ever. It seemed to ring true with what I want for my own children, simply the opportunity to be who they want to be and do what they want to do, with no limitations but the sky. (I must admit I was jealous and wish I had thought of it, but glad someone had. )

"Rosa (Parks) sat, so Martin (Luther King, Jr.) could walk. Martin walked,
so Obama could run. Obama is running so our children can fly."

School Daze

Wow, what a 1st day back to school! The kids did not want to make it out the door this morning. Correction...Ashton did not want to go to school but Kate wanted to go without pants on. They rivaled cats and dogs when Kate decided to wear Ashton's Lightning McQueen underpants (backwards no less) without his consent. But eventually we got to St. Mike's with pants on and Ashton in tow. The following happened:

• Kate wanted to go back to her old classroom and did NOT want to take off her backpack. She did mention she approves that all the chairs in her new classroom are purple, which is the best color in the world apparently.


• Ashton wanted to hide behind me in the hallway outside his class and was more clingy then he ever was as a toddler going to daycare. He also decided today he did not like his favorite shoes in the whole wide world and wanted a pair I gave to Goodwill weeks ago. :(


• I eventually just had to hand the kids over to the nearest adult and run out of the building *yes run*. I was surprisingly sad to see them go. Really sad, but I got over it quickly by slowly and quietly walking around Kohl's department store and trying on everything I could find only to purchase one VERY cute turquoise top. What a perfectly good waste of a morning!

Wednesdays Ashton has OT 8:30-9:30am then I drop them both off back at school. I am very much looking forward to organizing our lives and spending more quality time with the kids in the afternoons now, while I think Ashton & Kate will have some desperately needed time apart. (Click on the photo to read what Ashton's schedule is like this week. OMG, he has a schedule! Where have my little babies gone and who are these school children?)

You Go Girl (To the Potty That Is)!

Today Katherine Elizabeth: went pee-pee on the potty for the 1st time EVER! 1 year, 10 months old! You go (to the potty) girl!

While at grandma's she saw Ashton go, said "I go pee-pee too", ran to the potty, had me help with her diaper and take off her dress, sat down "neked" in nothing but her brand new New Balance shoes and socks and just did it. I wanted to scream WOOHOO, but thought she'd be startled into stopping mid-pee and then we'd have a mess. That pause was the hardest thing I've had to do in a long time.

I see the proverbial light at the end of the long and expensive diaper tunnel I've been in since 2004. Come on potty-trained children!!!!

I Pretend With You?

In honor of a wonderful moment this afternoon, I am starting a blog on behalf of Ashton & Kate, wishing to keep family & friends apart of our world.

Ashton named the blog with a simple conversation he started, beginning very carefully, "Here Mommy, here's some candy.", quickly searching my face for a response. I must have looked very confused when I saw his empty hand, as he then repeated his words adding in a voice that could only emerge from a 3-year-old - a special mixing of both an invitation to share in his magic as well as cautious self discovery --"I pretend with you?".

For those of you who know our family, we struggle day-to-day with Ashton and his extreme eccentricities, often wondering if he is "normal", having previously been diagnosed with SID. Hearing him say such an ordinary thing in such an ordinary way was really extraordinary, so much in fact a tear came to my eye.

Out of all the things I wish for my children, happiness and a true sense of self with confidence are really my greatest hope. Through this simple interaction today it seems Ashton is on his own path to that destination, blazing a trail for Katherine to navigate her own way by. I am proud of them and find these simple times both trying and rewarding, each day as much a surprise in its ups as well as it's downs.

I invite you to join us on our journey through Kate's terrible and terrific two's as her personality takes shape, Ashton's newly found "big boy world" and struggle for independence, my own search for self and where my life is heading and to watch Paul as he tries to both help everyone and stay clear of us - all at the same time.

Feel free to comment or email me and enjoy checking up on us from time to time. I make no vow of how often I will update this, but promise to blog as much as I can. Thank you for reading!