Hello to the Big 3-0!

     Last Monday (aka St. Patrick's Day aka My Birthday) I said goodbye to my 20's and hello to the big 3-0.  I knew one day it would come and fighting it was pointless. I had seen other friends and family do it and they seemed no worse for the wear, so bring it on I say!  I really don't mind turning 30 because I'm at a wonderful place in my life: I have a fantastic husband and the cutest kid ever (though thinking that when he turns 30 I will be 60- Eek!). Those that know me know I LOVE my birthday, I always have.  Not really sure what is, I do thoroughly enjoy some cookie cake and presents are nice too, but I suppose that when I see so many people in green even though they are wearing it in honor of St. Patrick's Day and to avoid being pinched, I think that they are also celebrating me too!
     Having a little one that requires almost constant care/attention and being on one income did not lend itself to any lavish celebrations for this milestone, which was perfectly fine.  As long as I was able to spend it with the 2 special guys in my life and friends/family, than that was the ideal celebration with me.  Why cram all the fun into 1 day?  I like to extend the festivities for pretty much the entire month.  March 1st marks the beginning of what I call "St. Patrick's Day/My Birthday" season and the wearing of green kicks into overdrive.  With the blessing of Caden's arrival, I had someone else to share this joy with.  I know the boy will be able to dress himself and want to pick out his own clothes before I know it, so I will take full advantage of this luxury while I can.  I had gotten the little guy this adorable St. Patrick's Day onesie that was green and white striped and had a four leaf clover on the back that said "Mommy's Lucky Charm".  This outfit was perfect for so many reasons, so you better believe he wore this multiple times.  The window of this "season" is so short, so it went through the laundry multiple times.
     I was blessed to celebrate my birthday with Casey's family, my family, and friends.  What I did not plan on was getting sick.  My sweet boy decided to share his cold germs with me and I kept hoping it was just allergies.  With me breastfeeding the sharer of his germs, I had no idea what medicine I could and could not take.  The one allergy medicine we had at home, said if you were pregnant to ask your doctor, but if you were breastfeeding it wasn't recommended.  I was thoroughly confused and of course this all happens on a Friday afternoon when the doctor's offices are closed.  So I take Tylenol, hoping that will help and push on to the celebrations (after all this only happens once a year).  As the weekend progressed and I tried to fake being better (in hopes it would be reality), I felt worse and worse.  I was so grateful that Caden had gotten sick the week before my birthday so that way he was all better for my special day, but I never thought I would be sick.
     When I woke up that morning, I felt TERRIBLE.  Not the introduction to my 30's I was wanting.  I saw why some people want to stay 29 forever, I was wanting to jump on that bandwagon myself.  Even though the doctor's office was not where I was wanting to go, I wanted to feel better more than anything.  Thankful that my mother in-law watched Caden for me so I didn't have to worry about him at the doctor or him getting sick again. Trying to put some happiness into the day, I squeezed in a quick stop to get my nails done (where sweet friends surprised me with balloons and birthday gifts). Ran out to Katy to the doctor where I was diagnosed with a lovely sinus infection or as my doctor called it "the crud".  Went to the pharmacy to pick up my drugs, rush back to the house to meet my fellas, and then on to dinner at Taste of Texas with my fam.  The food was tasty and I was trying so hard to enjoy myself, but by the end of it I was done and felt awful still.
     Thankful that the medicine I got worked fast, so I felt a ton better the next day and Caden stayed all day with Grandma, so I could rest and not have to worry about a baby.  While not the birthday I had envisioned, there were still several bright moments to it that made me feel very loved and blessed.  Bring it on 30's!

Man this boy looks good in green!

Celebration #1 at the In-Laws

Not a great picture of me by any means.
I'm trying to look like I feel fine, but I really feel
awful.

Beautiful flowers delivered from a beautiful friend.
Casey also got me a dozen red roses, but I forgot
to take a picture, so just imagine another vase
with beautiful flowers. 

"They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." Psalm 145:7

Unclean, Unclean!

     Caden reached another first in his life this week, the first time being sick:(  Poor little guy has his first cold.   He had been coughing occasionally starting a few days ago, but it wasn't a hard cough or like he was coughing anything up, so my guess was that it might be allergies.  Sunday when we were out of town, the cough started to get a little worse, but I was still thinking (and hoping) it could still be allergies.  Given that it was the weekend, the doctor's office was closed, and not much could be done.  Monday morning when he woke up and gave this nasty cough, I called the pediatrician and got an appointment that morning.
     Casey had an evening meeting at work so he didn't have to go in that day until lunch, so he was able to go with us.  Our pediatrician's waiting area is divided into 3 areas: newborn, well-visit, and sick child.  Every other time we had been to the doctor, we waited in the newborn area.  Casey started to head that direction when we walked in, but I had to tell him we had to go to the sick child area.  It was like in Biblical times when those who were sick/unclean had to announce they were unclean.   We were those people shouting "unclean, unclean" by sitting over here.  I felt like a leper who was segregated from everyone else.  Don't get me wrong I'm thankful that they divide the waiting area like this in attempt to minimize the germs from spreading.  I just wished that my little boy wasn't sick and we could sit over there.
     Thankfully, it was only a cold!  Oh how I do not look forward to more severe illnesses than that.  Doctor said chest was clear, ears and throat were good, and since he never ran a fever that he was probably at the worst of it and should be getting better very soon.  She also told us that it was good we brought him in (yay for being good parents!) and there were several other babies with the same stuff.  Monday has definitely been the worst day of this cold.  After we got home from the doctor, little guy napped for 2 hours in my arms, was up for about an hour and half, then napped again for an hour. Little guy took 4 naps total  that day, which is a big sign for this boy that he does not feel well.  Unfortunately before each of those slumbers, was the fussiest he's ever been, which was a blast for this Momma.
      Today is a new day and Caden seems to be improving.  He's still coughing, but overall happier than yesterday.  Looks like we are going to make it through this fun!  Oh how I wish he could talk and tell me he wasn't feeling good.  I wonder how long he's not feeling well before I catch on.  Being a first-time mom, you hate to avoid the embarrassment of it being nothing, but on the flip side you don't want it to turn into something worse because you waited too long to bring them into the doctor.  Given those two choices, I will be embarrassed every single time.

Where the unclean wait

Stripped down to see the doctor

A picture to describe how we felt Monday

"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope." Psalm 130:5