A Week Gone By...

Well, here we are. A week later.

1. Little brother is a breathing champion
He has mastered breathing and eating at the same time. As well as sleeping. Now, I know that this will probably change, but as for now, we get SIX hours of peaceful, uninterrupted sleep each night before he starts squawking. For a baby that isn't even supposed to be born yet... that's pretty good.

2. I am down to only TWO Tylenol a day.
And that is only for my headache. I had my two week follow up appointment on Thursday. I complained about everything unrelated to giving birth. "My back hurts, my neck hurts, my eyes hurt, my ears are ringing and I have had an excruciating headache for going on 5 days." I am VERY limited to the drugs I can take. I have severe reactions to narcotics. So consequently, I only take Motrin and Tylenol which sucks after a C-section. And this headache was BAD. It was so bad that I was certain that I had a brain tumor or a blood clot or something worse. I made Raleigh check on me every hour during the night because I was certain I was going to die. And he faithfully did, even though he was rolling his eyes at me and making fun of me the whole time. He would shake me and say "ya still with me?" So what... I am a hypochondriac. It's a legacy passed down to me from ancestors that I happen to adore. It's part of my charm. I don't try and hide it. And I have to keep reminding him that HE PICKED ME. But, I cannot describe the pain. Turns out, it was a spinal headache from the epidural. And since it seems to be going away on it's own, a blood patch isn't necessary, thank goodness. Happy to report all is well in my head. Relatively speaking.

3. The little girls are all healed up and back to their out of control selves.
They pretty much leave the baby alone, except to stop to kiss his hand every once in a while. And Peyton requests to "hold her" once a day. And we let her, after she has been decontaminated of course. But, it is so good to see them vibrantly running around, playing and making messes.

4. Our church time changed to 9:00am.
And for now, while I am on maternity leave I set a goal to be on time each week. We've been successful so far, but it is killing us. We sit down in the chairs. Dad at one end of the row, Mom at the other and we lean forward and look at each other and shake our heads in bewilderment and let out heavy breaths of victory. Like it is the greatest thing any couple has ever accomplished in the history of parenthood. It's very nice that we take up an entire row and to get nearly the entire sacrament tray all to ourselves. The big kids are invaluable. And everyone is very well behaved. It's been a blessing. And we could use a few.

5. Raleigh went back to work today.
He was pretending that he was all bummed about it, but I think that he was so glad to get back. This recovery was really hard on him because he had to work so hard. He waited on us hand and foot. He literally went from person to person asking what do you need? What can I do for you? He cleaned, made meals, gave baths, changed too many diapers to count, did laundry, put 400 miles on the car going here and there to get this and that, fulfilled every demand that I had, fixed things around the house, crossed things off the list of chores I made for him and when he finally got a chance to sit on the couch, he would massage me somewhere. I begged and pleaded with him to go golfing in JANUARY, but he wouldn't leave me. I mean I begged and I almost called Nate myself. But he wouldn't have gone. I have such guilt. What a crappy two weeks off for him. What a ridiculous way to spend 80 hours of vacation time. But, he is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I miss him!! Like my heart is aching!! And now I have to start doing stuff. I'd like to thank Dr. King for giving my children the day off from school today, so that I can get a few things accomplished on this my first day alone with these babies.

6. Thankfully, my lack of a gall bladder is helping me out with the weight loss. It's a good thing and a bad thing at the same time (if you know what I am talking about). Sure the pounds are coming off, but I can't go anywhere. Plus, it greatly contributes to my desirability. I don't know how Raleigh holds himself back from me. I am the sexiest woman alive. Again... part of my charm, right? Again... he chose me. I asked Rapp to give me a tummy tuck while he was doing all his other stuff down there. I mean, I am middle aged and after giving birth to seven children and after all the money I have shelled out to him, I think I deserve it. I was willing to have a fake belly button and everything. But he wouldn't do it. So, now I will actually have to put forth some effort at the gym and BowFlex it up with my hot husband in the basement. Dang it!!

I am so glad that it is this week and not the last two. Not that we didn't have some good times. But as my actual due date approaches, I am so thrilled that it is over and that I am feeling like the old me again. I am happy that everyone is well again and that we were all sick while our baby wasn't here. I am thankful for my unselfish husband who does so much for me. And I am beyond grateful for SEVEN smart, vibrant, hilarious, helpful, healthy, not to mention extremely good looking children.

How many blessings can one girl get?