Photo Dump

Thanks for all your support and encouragement on my last post. It helps to know that I'm not alone and that others are trying to figure out how to balance everything as well.

As usual, I finally have a little time to blog but I'm exhausted. I will simply upload a few photos of what we've been doing around here.

Around Here

The two kids are napping so I am going to try and quickly blog while I can!  This pretty much sums up my life these days...  desperately trying to get something accomplished during the times when one or both are sleeping. 

I have given up on trying to do it all, and I would settle for figuring out how to get just the basics done.  I'm sure that part of my problem is organization - when I realize that I have enough time to accomplish something I can't decide what to do because there is simply so much to be done!  I know I'm not alone in this, so any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.  :)

I'm trying to also change my mindset so that I don't feel so grumpy when I feel overwhelmed by what needs to be done (cleaning, organizing, shopping, emails, phone calls, preparing plans for school and youth group, etc.)  I know that it's only going to get busier in the next few months as I start rehearsals for my show at school. 

I enjoy all the things we have going on around here, but I think part of the problem is that our schedule is pretty full.  I teach Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8:30-10:15am. (I am so blessed that Molly's godmother comes to my house and watches both kids, so that is a huge stress reliever.)  Plus I'm still leading the high school youth group at our parish - it's a part time program so we meet every other Sunday, in addition to a few other events/activities each month.  I enjoy both of these jobs but it takes a lot of time, effort and energy to get it all done. 

Thursdays mornings we attend a music class that Tommy and Molly both LOVE.  I highly recommend Music Together if you're looking for a music class for your little ones!  And on Fridays we have appointments with Tommy's speech therapist and Molly's physical therapist.  Both therapists come to our home, but again all of these things fill up our schedule.

In addition to all this I try to have a few playdates with our good friends whenever our schedules will allow.  And recently I've been attending some preschool open houses. I'm so excited for Tommy to go to school in the fall, two mornings a week. I can tell that he's ready for it and it will be good for him to have some time with other kids.  But it's really time consuming to attend all of these open houses to learn what will be the right fit.

I'm not really sure where I'm going with this post other than to say I'm feeling a bit crazy.  I know that I'm the one who controls my schedule and I can simply say NO to any of these things.  But I've never been that way.  :)  I've always been a busy person trying to get it all done.  But I'm at a very different stage in my life with two little ones.  So I'm trying to find the right balance that makes me feel less crazy. 

How does everyone else make it work??  Are the rest of you moms finding time for prayer, exercise, reading, quality time with your husband, girl time with your friends, etc? 

I'm so blessed to have my amazing husband.  He is a great father and does a lot with the kids when he is home.  We have had a few talks recently about making everything work and I don't tell him enough how grateful I am for all that he does. 

Of course Molly woke up and needed to be fed while I was typing this... so I will finish this for now.  I was intending to post a few pictures but that will have to wait until next time.

Please continue praying for sweet baby Riley who is still in the PICU and also for my dad who is having surgery next week. 

Torticollis

A few months ago at her two month visit, the pediatrician noticed that Molly preferred turning her neck/head to the right side (Torticollis) and as a result the back of her head was getting flat on the right side (Positional Plagiocephaly.)  She said that it was mild and she gave us a few positioning tips to help stretch her neck and round out her head. 

I couldn't believe that I hadn't noticed it until then, but she was right.  Apparently it's pretty common, even though I had never heard those terms before.  I have tried to implement her tips as much as possible, in addition to lots of tummy time, and it seems that Molly is making progress.  But we decided it would be a good idea to meet with a physical therapist. 

Our county has a great program for early intervention with infants and toddlers.  It's through the county school system and it's completely free!  We have used their services to get Tommy some help with speech and I was glad to meet with their physical therapist last week. 

The PT gave Molly a very thorough examination and scored her overall development based on a clinical test.  (I forget the name.)  She said that both Molly's Torticollis and Plagiocephaly are mild, but that she would benefit from some therapy. Even though her head will keep growing and changing for a long time, it seems that the window of time to help her head shape is pretty short. 

She is hopeful that we will see good results with proper positioning.  Since Molly's situation is mild the PT does not think we should consider getting a helmet.  And the good news is that none of this affects Molly's development, it's purely cosmetic.

Does anyone have experience with this?  I'd love any advice or tips you have.

2012

2012 was a great year for our family.  We are so grateful to God for blessing us with our sweet little girl.  There are still days when I honestly can't believe that it happened - I look at Molly and wonder how she got here!  I thank God every day for this most precious gift and I am so honored to be her mama. 

That being said, I realize that 2012 was a difficult year for others.  My husbands family lost his dear Uncle Johnny this year.  I know it's been hard for his family and I pray that they are comforted by God's peace. 

My brother and his wife had a rough year also - a miscarriage this summer and a very difficult time trying to buy a home.  Praise God, I'm happy to report they are moving into their new home today!  I hope that 2013 brings many blessings for them.

I know many others who are waiting on God's timing - for a spouse, a child or a job.  I pray that they are comforted during this time of waiting.  It can be hard to be faithful when it seems that God is not answering your prayers and I pray they are given strength. 

Please pray for a friend of mine from college, Megan.  Her family is going through a very difficult time right now.  Her ten-month old daughter Riley is in the hospital battling meningitis.  She is in very serious condition, right now she is in a coma, and a few days ago they were preparing to lose her.  I can't even imagine having to deal with this.  She is posting updates on her blog if you'd like to follow along. 

I pray that 2013 is full of many blessings in your lives. 

The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.