Jessica Kelso

We’ve been experiencing some website issues, which seems to be the case when I actually go to blog! Things are almost fixed, with the exception of some pictures that Kevin is still working on. . . but hopefully it’ll be all better soon and I won’t be forced into making a blogger account or something crazy like that

This week brings some new changes for all of us. Thrasher starts daycare tomorrow, Kevin got his first injection today, and I will soon be on mama maternity leave. We found a wonderful daycare for T that is right down the road from us that he will be in for the next 4 months. Our agency agreed to cover the costs to help us out with the new addition that will soon grace our family. I have some feelings of guilt that I’m a stay at home mom and sending her boy to daycare, but this last trimester hasn’t been pleasant and I’m welcoming the much needed break with open arms. Although we’ve had him since he was 5 months old, I’ve yet to experience the newborn/breastfeeding/very little sleep phase. As much as I love spending my days with him, I think he gets bored with me. He loves people and other kids so I know he’s going to love the company that being at daycare will bring. We’ve been on a pretty set schedule for a long time though, so I hope he can adjust well. Breakfast and lunch -  not in a highchair but at a table! Naps – not in a crib! I don’t even want to think about it. . . but he’s definitely growing up and I can’t wait to see how he does. I’ve spent the last 10 months with him though, so I’m REALLY going to miss the little guy. Especially now, he’s started getting such a fun personality!

Kevin finally got an MRI so we could see what’s going on with his back. Turns out he has a severely herniated disc and may need surgery. His chiropractor referred him to a pain specialist who wanted to start out with a spinal injection first. That was done today, so we will know more in a couple of days. If that doesn’t work, he’ll be getting another one a month from now and if that still doesn’t work, we are most likely looking at surgery sometime before the end of the year. But we are believing that this will work and surgery won’t be needed. . . so please be praying for the same! Even though the medical bills keep pouring in, I couldn’t be anymore thankful for the good health we DO have. The past couple of weeks, I’ve really had to get a new perspective on things. Dwell on the bad that can’t be changed or only focus on the amazing things we’ve got going on in our family. I prayed and dreamed for this time, and now that it’s here it may not be everything I had imagined but I’m growing a healthy little girl and that’s all that really matters. We have a foster baby that we knew nothing about 1 year ago. We have no idea what his life was like before us and the fact that he’s been perfectly healthy since we’ve had him is a miracle in itself.

So part of me wonders if this next month is going to drag along since the house will be so quiet and I’ll have much more time in a day or if it’ll fly by with doing the last minute stuff I still need to do. I’m sure I’ll be blogging more, so you’ll most likely hear all about it!

I’ve decided to use my free time (the boy is napping) to blog instead of nap myself, which I might regret later but oh well. My baby shower was this past weekend and although I have no pictures from it yet, I did just take some of two homemade outfits Nola received. I don’t think I’m girly enough to squeal. . . but if I was I totally would have when I saw these.

Christy knitted her this adorable purple sweater and sewed the most precious little skirt I’ve ever seen. . .  and of course made a rosette to match. I CANNOT wait to see her in this. The cuteness is a little overwhelming. There is something so special to me about homemade gifts, and this outfit is no exception. I really hope she’s able to wear it this “winter”, which probably won’t be until January so I’m sure she will.

My friend Meghan sewed her this dress with the cutest fabric and matching hair clips. It really makes me wish I would get serious about making this girl more stuff. I’ve made some burp cloths and flowers for headbands but that’s about it. If only I could add more time to the day and a little more energy, I think I’d be set. Along with these gifts, we got some amazing things and I’m so thankful for that. This week I’ve managed to get all of her clothes hung up and organized by size, and everything taken out of boxes and put in it’s place. Things we didn’t get at the shower but needed have been ordered, and it’s starting to really feel like we might be ready for her. I know she needs to bake a little longer though and I’m okay with that! As soon as I get some baby shower pictures, they will be posted. It was a great day spent with family and friends! 7 weeks to go and we will meet our little Nola Penelope!!

I don’t know if there are really even words to describe my gratefulness for the family I was born into. Maybe it’s because I have a family of my own now that I’m starting to see how crazy lucky I am. I had absolutely no choice in the matter when it came to the parents I was given, and I’m sure a million times growing up I wished I was given another set. Like all parents, they have their flaws and have had just as many struggles as anybody else. . . but they are amazing and kind and loving and patient and everything I hope to be for my kids someday. Seeing how my dad interacts with Thrasher and loves him to death is something I will forever hold in my heart. This has been a tough week. I’ve had a lot of those through this pregnancy it seems, and I feel like I’ve gotten through them – just barely . . . from the help of my family.

Today my dad came over and played with Thrasher all morning, made us potato soup for dinner, brought some groceries, cleaned up our kitchen, changed two stinky diapers and put him down for a nap. Kevin’s dad was outside mowing our grass since Kevin is still having problems with his back – all while I was napping away this nasty sickness. I hate accepting help and hate asking for help even more. . . but help has been exactly what I’ve needed to get through all of this and I can’t thank them enough.

Yesterday Thrasher went and spent the day with another foster family that we know. It was the first time he had really been anywhere – especially a stranger’s – for the whole day but he seemed to do really good. The kid just loves people and I think he really enjoys getting out and seeing and experiencing new things. I can’t help but feel slightly guilty for how much the little guy has been stuck inside with me lately. The whole first trimester it took everything out of me to just get up on a daily basis and do the basics that needed to be done for him. I feel like during the second trimester I slightly made up for it and we did quite a bit but now it’s back to “mama is on the couch again and here I am playing with the same toys”. I justify it by saying that no matter what we do he’s in a loving and safe environment so that’s all that matters, but I hate that. I hate that he hasn’t gotten 100% of me the past 7 months. He’s such a happy kid though, so I know we must be doing something right.

I miss him though. Being sick I’ve had to stay back but I miss the open mouth kisses and random hugs, they are what make my day.

The flu? I can handle. 32 weeks pregnant with the flu and a toddler? I can even do that. All of that with a whole lot of nausea? I CAN’T DO THIS. It seems like right when I start seeing the light and make my way up for a breath, something comes along and shoves me back down to start again. And honestly, I’m tired of swimming. I just noticed how I’ve been very neglectful when it comes to writing, but the up and down emotions that pregnancy has brought on has been a lot and I haven’t wanted to be “that” girl. Today, I’m stuck in bed but not able to sleep. . .  so here I am. That girl.

32 weeks and Nola is kicking my butt! Not literally…although sometimes it feels like it. She is just a super active little thing. My baby shower is this weekend and I couldn’t be anymore excited about celebrating this girl with all of my family and friends. It’s definitely something I’ve been looking forward to. I think after the shower I will be able to start planning and preparing more since I haven’t done a single thing. I do not feel ready yet for her arrival in the slightest, so her plan better be to stay in there for another 7-8 weeks!

Oops, had to get out of bed to answer the door. Brighthouse? Installing a phone line? Kevin must have forgot and I’m not exactly prepared. Thankfully he works right down the road and is on his way home. Go ahead Mr Brighthouse guy, wait in my home while I’m hiding from you in my bedroom. I apologize you had to witness my crazy hair, no makeup, and belly hanging out from under my shirt. We have decided to get a home phone line. Brighthouse offered it for an extra $3 a month for the next year, so we couldn’t exactly say no. I’ve only ever had a cell phone, so this will be weird.

Small changes, big changes. . . trying to prepare myself but not sure I know how.