Baby Watch Update...

For many weeks now, I have been going to the doctor for my weekly appointments. For the most part, they are pretty routine. I meet Frank and Tyler there, the nurse (Terry) calls us into the room, she weighs me (I try and hide the number), she takes my blood pressure (I try and relax), I pee into the cup (we try and quiet Tyler's laughter), and she shows me to the examination room.

Like clockwork, after a few minutes, Terry comes back to the examination room and tells me to lay on my left side because, like clockwork, my pressure is elevated. As someone who is very pregnant, this is not comfortable for many reasons. First, I am huge. Second, I am tall and the examination table is not very long. Third, it means having my back to Frank and Tyler. After a few minutes of this position, my pressure is back to a normal level and I am ready to see my midwife, Tina.

This week was not the usual clockwork like the previous few. Tina put the kibosh on work (UGH), hooked me the the non stress test machine, and then sent me to the triage unit at the hospital for tests, and threatened to induce me if any of the signs pointed to Preeclampsia. Of course, while all this is going on, Tyler is watching and listening. So what do I do? Freak out, because that will help calm his nerves.

A few things did go accordingly, though. We found someone to take Tyler, for the night if necessary (really, what were we thinking not having a real plan other than to wait for my parents to get to town tomorrow!), and Tina told us that her sister, Carolyn, was the midwife on duty at the hospital.

Shortly after leaving Tina's office, we made our way home, packed a bag for Tyler, waited for Elaine to pick him up along with her two and her nephew (Saint Mommy is her title for the day) and threw my bags into the car. I called my boss, Linda, and informed her that there was no fighting Tina anymore, I was done at work, and we made our way to Mercy Hospital.

The irony of the situation was that from day one after I found out I was pregnant, I told Tina I did not want to be induced. However, after hearing her say that it may be necessary and taking into consideration how uncomfortable I felt, I did not argue with her despite the fact that the previous 39 weeks I refused to consider another induction a possibility.

However, after all this craziness, we ended up leaving the triage unit after only a few hours of blood work, monitoring, more peeing in a cup (really, isn't there an easier way? I am not a contortionist!), and talking with the midwife, Carolyn. Tests are normal, baby is healthy, and we continue to wait. At least until the next appointment on Friday!

Block Party, 2010!

We recently decided that this summer was flying by without too many road trips. Our summers are usually spent traveling from one place to the next each weekend. Our lack of traveling is not without good reason, of course. Some days, the thought of just driving to work is just too much!

This weekend the Fagan's Block Party was scheduled to take place. The plan was for Frank to drive Tyler to Long Island for the Block Party on Saturday, stay the night, and come back to me, or for Frank to drive Tyler to Long Island for Sunday and then come back. Tyler was going to stay the week with his cousins. In between all these decisions, Tyler also had a pool party to attend. What to do, what to do? Well.... it ended up being very easy to decide when it started pouring out around lunch time on Saturday and the pool party was cancelled. What did we all decide? (Notice I said we!) We decided to hop in the car and surprise everyone on Long Island!!!!

After grabbing some lunch and heading south, we had to stop for the first bathroom break. Ironically enough, it was not at the request of the pregnant lady! Frank pulled off the road in a business area (aka no McDonalds's/fast food/gas stations visible) and found an empty parking lot.

By the time we arrived to the Block Party, the rain had stopped on Long Island as well. Tyler made no waste of time joining his cousin and their friends on the amazing slide that was there. Of course there were a few adults that gave it a whirl too, but their pictures shall remain hidden ;)!

Everyone had a fantastic time and they were all definitely surprised that we all showed up and so early in the weekend. Frank and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful Sunday the next day and we stayed the day, swam, watched baseball, ate dinner, and then hit the road... the kids also took advantage of grandma's wallet and the ice cream man:

After dinner, Frank and I hit the road... without my first born! I know that he has a great time with his cousins, but the thought of coming home each night and not being greeted by him, well, that's hard! However, Frank and I have a long list of "to-do's" to complete, including finishing the nursery. Until next weekend, Tyler!

End of an Era

Today was Tyler's last day at Katie and Ellie's.


In January, 2005, I dropped him off there for the first time and he has spent the better part of each week, month, and year there until today.

I still can recall the day that I went and interviewed them. I was pregnant and very worried about finding a home that I would feel comfortable leaving my son with. I knew they were the ones after visiting for a short period of time just by hearing them talk, watching them with the kids, and seeing all that they had to offer in such a small space. I knew that Tyler would be well taken care of, have lots of fun, and possibly learn something while he was there.

Of course, this ease that I found while I was pregnant was replaced with anxiety as my return to work became imminent. In the week before I returned to work, I visited to drop off Tyler's paperwork. I cried the whole way home. After all, was I making the right decision?

Needless to say, we were right on all accounts. Tyler went in each morning with a smile, left each day with a smile, and played his little heart out. I truly feel like Katie and Ellie loved having Tyler around, even when we were having one of "those mornings" and he was in one of "those moods". They took care of him, no questions asked!


I had no idea what gift to give someone who has done so much for your child. I really wanted to show them how much we appreciated the last five plus years. After some thought, I came up with a stepping stone and Tyler helped decorate:
The inside of the card read "Thank you for having a hand in making our son who he is today." I also gave them a gift card to spend on themselves. Tyler's request that morning was to take a picture with Katie and Ellie. I, of course, was happy to oblige and very surprised to learn that they, as well, had packed their cameras!

The only good part of Tyler's leaving Katie and Ellie's? It open a spot for his brother to start in the fall! Until then, much thanks to them!