Put Pep In Your Step

Wanting to bring awareness that today is Rare Disease Day - I'm dedicating this post to the rare disease that has become part of my family.  Months ago I shared that my dad was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis.  Learn more about MG.  He had surgery in December to remove his thymus gland which was in hopes to alleviate the symptoms of MG.  While the surgery may have not given us the immediate results we were hoping for  - it  could take up to a year before improvements are seen.  I don't know what it is like to live with MG or even be a care taker of someone with MG (or any rare disease for that matter) the only thing I do know is that I want to help.

June is MG awareness month -   In honor of those that are afflicted with this rare disease, my intention is to coordinate the inaugural "Put Pep In Your Step" MG Walk.  More details to follow.

Did you know....

Matt has this "thing."  Everyday he asks me "Did you know..."  He has been doing this for YEARS.  In the beginning, when he would announce those three words, I would look at him eagerly awaiting the new bit of trivia he would bestow on me for the day.  It was endearing that he wanted to share fun tidbits with me......until it wasn't. 

We will be in the middle of a conversation and I spot a sparkle in his eye.  I know this sparkle.  It's a did-you-know-sparkle.  And as predicted,  Matt will ask me with a smirk - DID YOU KNOW...And I want to turn around and run out the room.  I can't say why this habit of us has me bonkers but it does.  I often think "how and why the hell does he know all this useless information?"  There are days when he will inform me of something that is ACTUALLY interesting.  I appreciate those days - but they are few.  He is well aware of how annoyed I get with this daily tradition, but he is never deterred from sharing.  It has sort of become a game for us.

Example of a "did you know" conversation:
A: Hey honey, how was your day?  Busy at work
M: Yea, a little busy. How was your day?
A: Oh good.  I'm starving. I only had an apple for lunch.
(SPARKLE)
M: Did you know that the strawberries and peaches in instant oatmeal are actually just flavored dehydrated apples?
A: Now I do (insert eye roll)  
 

Second Time Around...

A month ago I was sad thinking that all Grace's "First's" were coming to an end - but as we go full steam into year two,  I've found a calm with the "second" time around.  A week after her birthday, Grace got sick - ended up with an ear infection.  It brought me back to when she had her first ear infection and how anxious and overwhelmed I felt with a sick baby.  Not to minimize her ear infection this time around, I never want to see her hurt, but this time around wasn't so overwhelming.  She enjoyed the bubble gum flavored antibiotic she got every night.  She played through the pain and I knew how to comfort her when she needed that extra bit of attention. Teething sucks, but its bearable.  A diaper rash hurts but it just means her adorable butt get more air time.  I know how to make her laugh, I know when she wants to play and when she wants to cuddle. 

Even though there are times I miss "the firsts" - I'm loving the second time around.

Randomness

It's a rare occasion that Austin gets so cold that I crave a cup of hot chocolate - but with recent polar vortex and the winter olympics invading - a hot cup of cocoa in hand is exactly what I need.  As I sip my cocoa,  I relish the fact that I have clocked out of work, school and motherhood for the day.  Since I hadn't written in a week - I  was long overdue for a post.   With every intention on writing some life lesson I learned recently I started this post - but quickly got derailed by the randomness that lives inside my brain:

I love my new bras
I'm going to start lifting weights again
I hope the girl I tutor is learning from me
When can we get new kitchen cabinets? 
I need new pants, shirts and shoes - but I don't want to shop - I hate shopping
Why does Matt ask me all these hypothetical questions?
Grace really needs to start holding her own sippy cup
I wish I could party like I used too.
What the hell is up with Bob Costas' eye? 
I'm so glad Matt Lauer is replacing Bob Costas
They're seriously closing school for another "snow" day 
holy shit I love brie cheese
holy shit I love hummus
holy shit I gotta stop eating
I wish I was taking more pictures
I love my friends
I want to hug more
Those big furry Russian hats are awesome - I want one.
Matt wants to go on a cruise - no way in hell am I going on another cruise
I wish I studied abroad
I should've been a speed skater with the size of my thighs
Yay! I get to see my cousins in March
I can't wait for that stupid "endless love" movie to come out because I HATE THE TRAILER
Oh my god, I need to stop writing...

Hope your brains are a lot more focused than mine!

Be Brave

Today's post is in honor of **National Cancer Day**

I recently have had these fears of Grace getting sick.  I don't mean a cold or ear infection (which she does have at the moment) but fears of her getting Leukemia.  No - probably not normal, but since it is my history, logic and reason don't exist.  I've been told its not genetic, I've been told not to worry about such thing, and on a daily basis I'm not plagued with these thoughts.  And even though its been over 25 year since I was diagnosed, Leukemia is a part of me - so how can it not be a part of Grace?

And that's when life slaps me on the back of the head (not very nice but necessary at times) and shines a bright light onto my life....

It was last week when I took Grace to her 1 year appointment.  An exciting opportunity to see how big our girl is getting .  A-not-very-exciting opportunity to hold your baby down while she is getting poked with numerous needles.  I took in all the good news from the doctor that Grace was healthy and growing perfectly.  It wasn't until we drove home and I heard the small whimpers from Grace in the back (still recovering from her shots) that made me want to curl up in a fetal position and cry.  It wasn't because I wanted to comfort her, but it was the words of her doctor resonating in my head.  The realization of how lucky I am to have a healthy growing baby.   I've accepted that I'll always worry about Grace - that's part of being a parent.  But, in honor of today- National Cancer Day, I'm making the conscious decision to forgo my fears and celebrate my history -

Be Brave