Praying for a healthier year...

December has truly been the hardest month of my life. Poor little Nathan just can't catch a break. From our hospital stay the first week of the month, to his bout with the flu this past week of the month, I'm learning that being a mom can be painful. It is so hard to watch my little guy be so sad and be so sick and not be able to do anything about it. Granted, this flu bug he caught isn't the end of the world, but it's just bringing all the memories of our hospital stay back to the surface of my heart. I just want the little guy to be healthy. I feel like every bug that comes around seems to find its way into my little boy. =(

I can say that I'm thankful for the blessings that have made this month bearable...

1) Friends and family constantly offering anything they could to help us during our lowest of times.

2) Nathan's first Christmas was AMAZING! He had so much fun playing with the paper and pushing boxes around. His favorite gifts of course were all under $5. Racquet balls, maracas, and a plush football.

3) The flexibility of a part time schedule and managers that are more than understanding of the extenuating circumstances that have caused me to be so MIA this month.

4) The sermon series at church. Pastor Jeff has been preaching about God being "With Us" and what that really means. Boy has it helped to just close my eyes sometime and visualize God literally being at my side and holding me and little Nathan through these tough moments.

All I want for the new year is a fresh start with a healthy Nathan. The first 11 months of 2010 weren't so bad. Let's let go of December and go back to that...

Embarking on an Adventure!

So I've decided that with my new schedule, I need to be sure to devote some of my free time to God. I've never been good at setting aside intentional time to read and study the Bible, so I figured it's time to start. I would call it a New Year's resolution, but those never work out... so I'll call it a New Amy resolution. One more way to intentionally become the better me I'm striving to be. =)

This devotional book is a study of 52 different women from the Bible. The idea is to read about one woman a week. There are five daily readings or exercises each week... allowing you two days of wiggle room to keep on track. It says it's intention is to "help you approach the story of salvation with fresh eyes." It teaches you about the woman's story and the background of her life and times.

I'm quite excited about it. If anyone out there wants to join me and hold each other accountable to keeping on track, let me know! I know it sounds like quite a commitment, but I think it could be really rewarding. =)

LOVING IT!!!

Life is so darn good right now. I honestly can say that I've never been happier. I've always wanted to be a stay at home mom and this working part time thing is the perfect transitional step. Nathan and I have been having a blast together on all my days off and we're starting to get into routines and naps that I can generally plan on.

Nathan's been learning lots of new things lately. One of them is learning to crawl...


Another is learning to pull himself up! He loves staring out the window and looking to see what's going on outside. =)


I've been learning my fair share of new things too! Well, I shouldn't say learning. More like tweaking. Our house has never been cleaner and I've started trying new recipes! Last night, I made Andrew a spicy southwestern mac n cheese! Since mac n cheese is his favorite meal, you don't have to guess that he was quite impressed. =)

I've spent so many years wishing for things and time that I didn't have. Now there's nothing to wish for! I get to spend most of my days home with Nathan, learning to be a good mommy and a better wife. And three days a week, I get to take a little break and get my grown-up time at work. It's perfect. It's really really perfect. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. ESPECIALLY during the Christmas season!

What a Week...

...and it's not over yet. Wow. It's amazing the strength God gives you during the times you'd think you'd just fall apart. But I think that strength is starting to run out. For those that I haven't talked to directly, here is the short version of a long story.

Nathan started getting sick with a cough and cold Sunday and it progressed into a fever on Monday. Ironically enough, Monday was his last day at daycare and they had to call me an hour before I usually get there to come pick him up. I took him to the doctor Tuesday morning and they did a chest xray, etc. but sent us home saying "he should come out of it soon. Come back Friday for a follow up." Well, he didn't get better. He kept getting worse. After a couple calls to the doctor and them saying I couldn't bring him in sooner as I was requesting, we ended up in the ER on Wednesday night. From there, he was admitted to the PICU (Pediatric ICU) at Akron Children's Hospital. Overnight Wednesday night, he experienced respiratory failure. THANK GOD that we followed our instinct and had him there where the doctors could use all the necessary equipment to keep the little guy's breathing going. He was diagnosed with RSV, a respiratory infection, and because he took it so hard, they're wondering if he has an underlying problem of asthma.

After that, Nathan spent the next three days in PICU, slowly being weened off the oxygen machines. Saturday afternoon, they took him completely off the oxygen. He then got moved off the PICU floor and onto a regular floor. They were hoping he'd come home today, assuming he could stay completely off the oxygen. Unfortunately, during the night Saturday night he needed a little more help, so they put him back on it. Looks like it's going to be at least one more night at the hospital. This truly brings more meaning to the saying "One day at a time." There's really no telling when this nightmare will truly be over.

People keep commenting about how calm and cool and collected I've been through all of this. And it's true. I've really held it together. The tears I've shed have been far and few between. Like I said at the beginning, it's amazing the strength that God can give you. I wouldn't be handling this so well if it weren't for Him. I've been trying to focus on the silver lining. I've been trying to take note of all the ways God held Nathan through this past week and made everything work out so perfectly amidst a horrible scenario. But honestly... I'm feeling my strength fading. Everyday, it gets harder not to just break down. I have a feeling when this is all said and done... when we get home and can have Nathan sitting on the living room floor helping us finally decorate our naked Christmas Tree... that's when I'll break down. Until then, send up prayers that God would give Andrew and I the perseverance to be strong for our precious baby boy.

To the Tree Farm!

This past weekend, Andrew and I headed to the tree farm with his family to chop down some Christmas Trees! This has become a tradition for us over the past few years and it was so exciting to have Nathan with us this year. Too bad it was so cold! Otherwise, we could have played outside even longer. But we managed to get in some awesome shots in the little bit of time we did have.

We were sure to get little man all bundled up and Daddy carried him most of the way. This was quite a task considering he's already over 23 pounds before putting on all the layers!!!


Next, it was my mission to find the perfect "Charlie Brown Tree" for Nathan to sit next to. I think we could say that this was a success! Hehe!


It was nice to have the opportunity for some seasonal family photos.




Stay tuned for pictures of this tree all dressed up in our living room!

Inspired!

Ok, so I'm totally inspired by the blog of Mrs. Sara Radak. She started blogging again... so shall I! Plus, I want to eat those delicious looking oatmeal cookies. I'm hoping that if I give her a shout out here, she'll bring me some. =)

So I haven't posted since Nathan was one month old... 6 and a half months ago! Epic fail! A lot has been happening since then. Lets see if I can sum it up. We completely remodeled our kitchen. When I say completely, I mean it! The only thing left from the previous kitchen is the hard wood floor on the dining room half. Perhaps for my next blog, I'll do a start to finish rundown of how things went. I think you will be quite impressed. Andrew and his dad did a fabulous job. =)

The kitchen project started to come to a close about a month or two ago. It was a solid 6 months of no cooking here in the Husted house. Luckily, Nathan only needed a microwave to survive. We definitely did a lot of dishes in the bathroom sink and ate more than enough meals at my in-laws house. We were lucky to have them, or I might have REALLY gone insane. Not gonna lie, it was tough though. Its emotionally draining to start a family while undergoing a major kitchen remodel, while being a full time working mom. Phew. If Andrew and I made it through that, I think we might be able to make it through anything. =)

As for Nathan... he's as handsome as ever. He's gone from being a 10lb 4 oz suprise to a 23lb happy bouncing little man. He has two teeth. He can roll over and sit up. He's starting to crawl. And last night, he pulled himself up for the first time... IN HIS CRIB! That was definitely a surprise when Andrew went to check on the noise he was making in the middle of the night. His new trick this week is clicking his tongue. It's so cute. He'll really start going with it if you make the same noise back to him. It's like having a conversation!

I think he had his first temper tantrum last week while I was in Target with him. I was buying a new strap for his pacifier and I decided I'd let him play with it while we were walking around. As he started chewing on it, I thought... "Hmm. Maybe we shouldn't hand a soggy item to the cashier. Here Nathan, suck on your pacifier while you just play with this using your hands." So we get to the check out line and it's time to hand the pacifier strap to the cashier. Well, when I take it from Nathan, he screams! I mean embarrassing scream. Like people probably wondering what I'm doing to my child in the check out lane scream. Horrible. So here I was frantically searching through my purse to find something else to put in his little hands. I hand him my keys. Silence. Silence interrupted by little gasping breaths and a tear stained face. Poor guy. I'm sure these adventures will only get more exciting as he continues to take hold of his little personality.

As for Andrew and me... we're fabulous! His job is still going well and mine is on the verge of being amazing. For more than a year, we've been struggling with the debate of me working or staying at home. Our ultimate goal and dream is for me to stay home, but that's not currently a practical reality for us. What I've been doing is working full time. Nathan's gone to daycare a few days a week mixed with going to his Grandma Janice's two days a week. I've tried to get a promotion, but it just wasn't working out the way I planned. Finally, Andrew and I figured that maybe God was trying to tell us something. Maybe the wise thing to do wasn't for me to take steps towards making more money, but towards spending more time with Nathan. In fact, more time with Nathan was our ultimate goal, so promotions aren't exactly a way to work towards that goal. So an opportunity came about and we took it! ... I'm going part time at the bank! I'll be staying at my branch, doing what I've always done, but with less responsibility. I'll work two days during the week, and saturday mornings. No more daycare for Nathan... just some time with Grandma Janice. Sounds good to me! Sounds perfect, really. Hopefully this will give me the time and stress relief I need in order to feel like a more effective mommy, wife, christian and employee. I feel like for the past 7 months, I've just been surviving. I'm ready to live. I'm excited. =)

One of my first steps towards being a more effective Amy is this blog. It's hard to keep in good touch with friends and family when life gets so busy. This is at least one form of communication that I'd like to be better at. Next step... phone calls and play dates. =)

Big Weekend!

So this is quite the weekend for our little family. Nathan is one month old today! Sunday is my first mother's day! And sunday is also when we're having little Nathan dedicated at church! Woo!

I'm very excited for Nathan's dedication. For one: Adam and Becca are having Elsa dedicated too. It's just so nice for it to be a family affair. I can hardly remember when church was a family activity and it's really nice to be able to experience that. I can't wait for Nathan and Elsa to be in sunday school classes together. So cute!

Also: I'm excited to be standing up in front of our church family and making the promise to lead and raise Nathan in the way of Christ. It's an amazing feeling to sit and stare at him and know that I get to play such a huge role in his upbringing. I always intended on raising my kids in "the church," but I'm thrilled to have found such a wonderful church family to actually make it a reality. I can see us being part of this church family for endless years to come, and I can't imagine a better place, a better group of people, to trust with my child and the teachings that he'll be hearing.

I know there are a handful of people in our families and friends that are confused and/or disappointed that we're having him dedicated, not baptized. Andrew and I were both raised in Lutheran churches and we were both baptized as babies, but I'm excited for what Nathan is going to experience. I chose to get baptized again myself about 5 years ago. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and Nathan will have that. But instead of it being when he's a baby... a memory he will never have... it will be when he's old enough to look at us himself and tell us of his love for Jesus and ask to be baptized. How cool is that?! Who knows when it will be. Maybe he'll be 5, 10, 15... but when it happens, it'll be so exciting to share that decision and that moment with him. =)

The only disappointment about this weekend is the few people that I really thought would make an effort to come, but aren't. I remember when I got married, how I'd be surprised who considered one thing more important that something else. It was a reality check to me. Sometimes the most important and exciting thing in your life just isn't a priority in someone else's. Luckily, I learned that lesson then. And although it can sometimes be a lesson I need to learn again and again, I'm going to do my best to focus on all the people that we do get to share this weekend with.

Happy one month birthday, Nathan! We love you and we can't wait to hold your hand as you grow. <3

Babies and Kitchens and Dogs, Oh my!

So I really wish I had been updating more, but I've had my hands quite literally full with little Nathan Man. It's been busy here around the Husted house. Andrew's been working his regular job 40 hours a week, followed by working on our kitchen remodel nearly every week night and the entire weekend. Needless to say, it's been loud (mix kitchen demolition with crying baby and barking dog and that's my life), and he's been so busy that I've been on Nathan duty nearly 24/7. I do my best not to complain considering that I agreed to this kitchen remodel many months ago. I guess I didn't realize how emotionally draining a newborn baby is. I'm lucky that Nathan is so good, but it doesn't mean he doesn't require constant attention. It gets quite monotonous and I'm the type of person that likes some variety. Being a stay at home mom would sound more fun if I knew I got my evenings and weekends off with another set of hands. =P We've had much help, which has been appreciated, but it's not the same as Daddy taking over. =)

Nathan's doing awesome well. He has many a fussy moment during the day, but he's sleeping really well at night. Can't complain! He's pretty consistent at giving us a 6 hour stretch followed by another 3-4 hour stretch with a feeding in between. But two nights ago he gave us a full 8 hours! I woke up in a panic because I was so surprised!

Maternity leave is coming quickly to an end. Since I went out of work 4 weeks early, I have to go back 4 weeks early. This didn't bother me when I first went out of work because I was honestly planning not to go back. I had just gotten so miserable at my job and I needed a switch. Andrew and I had it all planned for me to serve a few nights a week and just trade Nathan back and forth. Then... we got a new manager at work and all of my coworkers love their jobs again. That threw a wrench into my plans. After much consideration, it looks like Andrew and I are at least going to give it a shot with me going back to work during the days. I figure I can see how things are and go from there. If it doesn't work out like I'm hoping, I can always quit later and go back to plan A. The only catch is that now we need someone to watch Nathan during the days. We aren't really interested in doing a standard day care. We're hoping to find someone through our church, or through friends, that does in-home care. We'd only need it two to three days a week. I will have wednesdays off and Andrew's mom can watch him one or two days a week as well. So something part time would be splendid. If anyone knows anyone in the Fairlawn/West Akron area that might be interested, please let us know! We need to have this worked out by mid-June if we want this to be a possibility. Otherwise, to serving I go!

Nathan's currently napping here next to me in his bouncy seat. If he gives me a nice break like this again soon, I'll be sure to do more posting! AND... when I get some kitchen pictures, I'll post some of the demolition that's been going on. =) Can't wait till it's done! It's going to be beautiful!!!

One Week Later...

Nathan is already a week old! Crazy! It's been such an exciting week, though. So far, he's such a good baby! I'm trying not to get too excited cause I know they can change so quickly over the weeks. He naps all day, so I've been pretty well rested and he's even doing pretty darn good at sleeping during the night. The first few nights he woke up every couple of hours, but it was always cause he wanted something. Food, diaper change, etc. He'd always go right back to bed after we took care of it. The last two nights, though, he's decided he doesn't want to go to bed until 2 or 3. The only plus side of this is that once he does go to bed, he sleeps a good five hours and doesn't wake up till 7 or 8. So at least we've been getting some good chunks of sleep in there. =)

He's such an attentive baby, as some of you may have noticed through our facebook videos. He's always checking things out and he'll stare right at you and study your face. I love it. Sometimes it makes it hard to put him down. It's just been so fun getting to know him. We're having a blast. =D

Andrew's been back to work for three days now. On Monday, my mom was here and took Nathan and I to his first doctors appointment. The doctor said that he's a perfect baby. Yes! Hehe. Then we took the little guy over to visit my mom's friend Mary who lives close by to the doctors office. We had much fun showing off his baby blue eyes. Since then, it's just been me and Nathan during the day, and honestly it's going amazingly well. He's so content just hanging out whether he's sleeping or awake. I've been able to get naps, catch up online, watch tv... pretty much anything. So far, he's so easy that I almost get a little bored. I'm sure that won't last forever, so for now, I'll take it.

Happy one week, Nathan!!!! <3

Today is hard...

It's April 1st, Nathan's due date. I really wanted him to come today. Not just because I'm "ready," but because Andrew and I really enjoyed having April Fool's day as a due date. Since our little guy was a surprise, we've called it God's little joke on us. Too bad, even if i went into labor now, chances of me having him before the day is over are very slim. Everyday he doesn't come is just disappointing. You can give me all the encouraging words you want, saying "he'll be here before you know it," or "God has perfect timing," but it doesn't change the way I feel. Nine months is a long time to wait and each passing day just gets harder and harder as I become less and less able to get around and do my normal activities.

It also makes me sad cause I've been holding onto my census form. It's supposed to be the number of people living in our house as of April 1st. I was so sure that Nathan was going to come early, that I kept holding onto it so I could send it in with him on it too. But no. No luck.

I just want this all to be over. And it's really disappointing that as each day passes, it's more and more likely that I have to walk into a hospital on tuesday evening and let the medicine do it for me. Baby's are supposed to be a surprise. They're supposed to pick their birthday. Now all the magic's being snapped out of it and taken care of by a needle and some drugs. Great. How exciting...

I'm just disappointed, that's all. Of course none of this will matter once he's in my arms, but he's not in my arms right now, so I can't exactly change the way it all makes me feel.

Waiting...

So I've had a total of three weeks off work now, waiting on Nathan's arrival. You'd think I would have jumped back into the blogging world before now, but somehow the thought just didn't cross my mind. So I figure now that my pregnancy has less than 7 days to go, it's a good time to start back up.

So baby Nathan is due tomorrow and I can't tell you how ready I am for him to be here. It's going to be such an exciting adventure and I can't wait. I'm still having a hard time imagining what it's really going to be like to have him handed to me. I joke that he better be cute cause all his procrastination has earned him a kick in the pants. ;) Of course, I won't feel a bit that way once he's here, I'm sure.

I think the anxiety of waiting is so high because my doctor was predicting him to come early. Now that the due date is here, they're just predicting him to be large. Great! Lol. Words of wisdom for future pregnant women: don't let yourself create a phantom early due date. It'll only make things harder when the baby comes on time or late! And it's no fun receiving upwards of five calls a day with the question "baby yet?" No... no baby yet. Trust me, you'll know when he's here. Promise! =D

So I had a doctors appointment today and was told that I'm scheduled to be induced next tuesday night. That means they'll start prepping me tuesday evening (I'll leave out the details). Hah. It'll just be Andrew and I at that point. Then wednesday morning, they'll start giving me the drugs that actually induce the labor. Sounds fun, eh? Needless to say, I am NOT excited about it. For one, it's going to make it an extra long process and increase my anxiety as tuesday gets closer and closer. For two, it's just disappointing my body's not taking these steps on it's own. I logically know that there's nothing I can do to change how the little guy decides to enter the world, but it's still frustrating. The good part though, is that there's a deadline to all the waiting. One week from now, we should have our beautiful little man here with us. =) Can't wait for that part!

In the mean time, let's all pray that he comes on his own. Perhaps tomorrow, on his due date, so we can be out of the hospital and at home for Easter? That'd be nice. Maybe he's not going to be late after all. Maybe he's just good at doing what he's told. He was told April 1st and he's stickin to it. I hope! =D