Tomorrow is the big day! Emma Grace and I are heading to Greensboro early in the morning for our closing! I am so, so, so excited! The movers come on Thursday, and our parents and sweet Caroline arrive on Friday for a weekend full of getting settled, painting, and odd jobs. I'm thankful that we have parents who wouldn't be anywhere else than spending the weekend with us.
I'm planning to take "before" pictures of the house since we have a full day before our stuff arrives that I'll try to post. Then, like I did with our Georgia house, I'll gradually post pictures of the rooms once they're set up.
Did I mention I'm excited?
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Picture dump
Um, this is my daughter taking a picture with her camera (which takes real pictures, by the way). Of the toilet. After she used it. I think I'll stop there.
Oh, my. I mean, she has stolen my heart. Every bit of it.
So, almost two weeks ago, we stayed with Shaina and Gerry when we went to Raleigh for Crabfest. I had on new shoes (not yet scuffed on the bottoms!) for church and started down their carpeted stairs. On the very first step, I slipped, and went down to the platform on my knees. Side note: It is very hard to stop yourself on your knees. I had major rug burn on my right leg, and this beauty developed over the next day or so on my left knee. Some people get battle wounds from sports or physical work. Me? Just trying to walk.
Every bit of pride is about to go out the window. Seriously. Get ready. About 10 years ago, the dentist started getting on me to have my wisdom teeth taken out. I didn't want to and decided I'd just avoid it and it would go away. But teeth are funny...they don't go away like that. After having some problems, I knew it had to be done. And seriously, better to do it now while I have grandparents to watch the girls. Now, I don't know that I'm the strongest person in the world, but recovery pain doesn't really bother me. I feel like I can either deal with it or take medicine. But it will end soon enough. What most worried me was the actual act of removing the teeth. The IV, the Novocaine, the dentist ripping my teeth out. What if I didn't make it? I wish I was lying about this: I made a point to shave my legs that morning in case I ended up in the hospital. You just never know. This was all after I watched videos on YouTube of wisdom teeth removal. It's a sick disorder called "IthinkIneedtoknoweverythingthatcouldhappen." I'm thrilled to report that I never went to the hospital. It wasn't fun, but I've survived bigger things. It did do a number to my face, which I documented and sent to Jereme with something like, "I think this was the 'or worse' part of our vows." You'll see the downward spiral as the days went on.
There is nothing I love more than those chubby legs and full belly. Except maybe her gazing out the front door.
I love birthdays. Like I LOVE them. I really want the girls' birthdays to be special. I also LOVE a good party, love planning, and always want a project to work on. It's a recipe for an obsessive birthday party planner. I'm so excited to have Caroline's birthday at our NEW HOUSE in Greensboro (I also love having people to our home). I'm totally embracing the season and giving her a pumpkin party (think cute pumpkins and polka-dots and dashes of green, but nothing halloween). I started working on things at Mom and Dad's because...did I mention I always have to have a project?
Ugh. You know those times when your heart feels so full it nearly hurts? Caroline and I snuggled before bed the other night and let me tell you something. She keeps me on my toes all day. She is the sweetest thing in the world, easy-going in so many ways, but she can be a little spitfire. But then she pulls something like this and I'm like, "What tantrum?"
Wrestling in the pack & play. Caroline is pretty much dominating right now. Emma Grace starts it, Caroline finishes it. That's how it usually goes.
Emma Grace is laughing now, but tears will soon follow.
Some days you just feel fancy. My mother-in-law kept the girls one day this week and I went to a real salon. I have to specify real because I have a tendency to go months and months without a haircut and then walk into a Supercuts and get it cleaned up. Nothing wrong with Supercuts, but expensive hair maintenance is not my thing. That all changed when I set up an appointment with a girl from high school and pretty much gave her free range to do what she wanted! I didn't really want much hair chopped off (gotta be able to put it in a ponytail 95% of the time), but I didn't care what else she did. Well, she gave me a trim AND I got highlights and low lights! I seriously felt so pampered. I'm super excited to see how my roots look after 6 months of zero maintenance.
This is EG on the sofa watching morning cartoons. Can you see something under her gown? It's her baby. Yup, she thinks she is with child. I found her asleep during naptime one day with her baby up her shirt. She says it's like Shaina and Kenny (Kennedy).
EG and I on our frozen yogurt date. Second only to her Daddy, she's my favorite date. (Caroline isn't really of the dating age yet)
Snuggling with my sweetest big girl. I love her so.
Oh, my. I mean, she has stolen my heart. Every bit of it.
So, almost two weeks ago, we stayed with Shaina and Gerry when we went to Raleigh for Crabfest. I had on new shoes (not yet scuffed on the bottoms!) for church and started down their carpeted stairs. On the very first step, I slipped, and went down to the platform on my knees. Side note: It is very hard to stop yourself on your knees. I had major rug burn on my right leg, and this beauty developed over the next day or so on my left knee. Some people get battle wounds from sports or physical work. Me? Just trying to walk.
Every bit of pride is about to go out the window. Seriously. Get ready. About 10 years ago, the dentist started getting on me to have my wisdom teeth taken out. I didn't want to and decided I'd just avoid it and it would go away. But teeth are funny...they don't go away like that. After having some problems, I knew it had to be done. And seriously, better to do it now while I have grandparents to watch the girls. Now, I don't know that I'm the strongest person in the world, but recovery pain doesn't really bother me. I feel like I can either deal with it or take medicine. But it will end soon enough. What most worried me was the actual act of removing the teeth. The IV, the Novocaine, the dentist ripping my teeth out. What if I didn't make it? I wish I was lying about this: I made a point to shave my legs that morning in case I ended up in the hospital. You just never know. This was all after I watched videos on YouTube of wisdom teeth removal. It's a sick disorder called "IthinkIneedtoknoweverythingthatcouldhappen." I'm thrilled to report that I never went to the hospital. It wasn't fun, but I've survived bigger things. It did do a number to my face, which I documented and sent to Jereme with something like, "I think this was the 'or worse' part of our vows." You'll see the downward spiral as the days went on.
There is nothing I love more than those chubby legs and full belly. Except maybe her gazing out the front door.
I love birthdays. Like I LOVE them. I really want the girls' birthdays to be special. I also LOVE a good party, love planning, and always want a project to work on. It's a recipe for an obsessive birthday party planner. I'm so excited to have Caroline's birthday at our NEW HOUSE in Greensboro (I also love having people to our home). I'm totally embracing the season and giving her a pumpkin party (think cute pumpkins and polka-dots and dashes of green, but nothing halloween). I started working on things at Mom and Dad's because...did I mention I always have to have a project?
Ugh. You know those times when your heart feels so full it nearly hurts? Caroline and I snuggled before bed the other night and let me tell you something. She keeps me on my toes all day. She is the sweetest thing in the world, easy-going in so many ways, but she can be a little spitfire. But then she pulls something like this and I'm like, "What tantrum?"
Wrestling in the pack & play. Caroline is pretty much dominating right now. Emma Grace starts it, Caroline finishes it. That's how it usually goes.
Emma Grace is laughing now, but tears will soon follow.
Some days you just feel fancy. My mother-in-law kept the girls one day this week and I went to a real salon. I have to specify real because I have a tendency to go months and months without a haircut and then walk into a Supercuts and get it cleaned up. Nothing wrong with Supercuts, but expensive hair maintenance is not my thing. That all changed when I set up an appointment with a girl from high school and pretty much gave her free range to do what she wanted! I didn't really want much hair chopped off (gotta be able to put it in a ponytail 95% of the time), but I didn't care what else she did. Well, she gave me a trim AND I got highlights and low lights! I seriously felt so pampered. I'm super excited to see how my roots look after 6 months of zero maintenance.
This is EG on the sofa watching morning cartoons. Can you see something under her gown? It's her baby. Yup, she thinks she is with child. I found her asleep during naptime one day with her baby up her shirt. She says it's like Shaina and Kenny (Kennedy).
EG and I on our frozen yogurt date. Second only to her Daddy, she's my favorite date. (Caroline isn't really of the dating age yet)
Snuggling with my sweetest big girl. I love her so.
First words
I want to record Caroline's first words so I can look back one day.
When she is upset and wanting me, she will say "mmm mmm" which I think is mama. It's not often, but enough for me to think she knows I'm mama.
She also says "ba ba" for bye-bye when she waves.
And the last one, my personal favorite, is "uh-oh." She says this when she drops (or intentionally throws) something.
I love hearing her little voice and I know this begins a whole new world of chatter for our sweet girl.
When she is upset and wanting me, she will say "mmm mmm" which I think is mama. It's not often, but enough for me to think she knows I'm mama.
She also says "ba ba" for bye-bye when she waves.
And the last one, my personal favorite, is "uh-oh." She says this when she drops (or intentionally throws) something.
I love hearing her little voice and I know this begins a whole new world of chatter for our sweet girl.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Daddy's here!
Daddy surprised his girls and came home this weekend. Never mind that Emma Grace and I will be seeing him on Wednesday for the house closing (and Caroline coming on Friday with the grandparents). This Daddy just couldn't wait. And I know one little girl who couldn't be happier.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
One week
Many times, I find myself thinking how fast a week goes by. Monday is always a slow start, but before you know it, the days start picking up speed. Then comes the weekend. And we know how fast the weekend goes by.
We have one week, Lord willing, until we close on our house in Greensboro. I have no doubt that it will be the slowest week of my life. That's just how it goes. For a while it seemed too far off to give much thought, but not anymore.
I am SO excited. I just want to tell this week to move on and get out of my way. Our family is ready to live together again! I want to ask my husband about his day while he's sitting across the table from me, not across the state. I'm tired of hearing Emma Grace tell people her Daddy is in Greensboro finding a house. She must think he's the slowest house-finder on the planet, 'cause I first told her that over a month ago and she has stuck to that story. I'm ready to paint and decorate and rearrange and settle.
That's not to say the past two months haven't been great. It's been super fun. We've had lots of time with the grandparents. I've had so many extra hands helping with the girls. I've had way more Mommy Time than I ever get to have. We had a heckofa birthday party for my sweet firstborn. Multiple trips to the beach. Emma Grace visited the zoo. We've shopped. I've cooked zero meals (pretty lame). The list goes on. But this isn't how we are supposed to be living. This is not our normal.
Our normal doesn't involve boxes dispersed around the state. Our normal is me cooking dinner with a hungry dog at my feet and trying to time Jereme coming through the door and food going on the table at the same time (never happens). It's a messy house all day until the 5:00 dash when I can't stand to let Jereme see how our house has looked all day. It's Saturday morning Daddy-Daughter Dates to Waffle House. It's going to church as a family. It's "can you watch the girls while I run to Target real quick?" and coming home 3 hours later. It's adult conversations that never get finished because someone needs a snack. Or disciplining. Or they just won't quit talking. It's bedtime stories and prayers. It's disagreements and "I don't like your tone" and hurt feelings. It's a lot of smiles and laughter and full hearts. It's our normal and I'm ready to have it back.
We have one week, Lord willing, until we close on our house in Greensboro. I have no doubt that it will be the slowest week of my life. That's just how it goes. For a while it seemed too far off to give much thought, but not anymore.
I am SO excited. I just want to tell this week to move on and get out of my way. Our family is ready to live together again! I want to ask my husband about his day while he's sitting across the table from me, not across the state. I'm tired of hearing Emma Grace tell people her Daddy is in Greensboro finding a house. She must think he's the slowest house-finder on the planet, 'cause I first told her that over a month ago and she has stuck to that story. I'm ready to paint and decorate and rearrange and settle.
That's not to say the past two months haven't been great. It's been super fun. We've had lots of time with the grandparents. I've had so many extra hands helping with the girls. I've had way more Mommy Time than I ever get to have. We had a heckofa birthday party for my sweet firstborn. Multiple trips to the beach. Emma Grace visited the zoo. We've shopped. I've cooked zero meals (pretty lame). The list goes on. But this isn't how we are supposed to be living. This is not our normal.
Our normal doesn't involve boxes dispersed around the state. Our normal is me cooking dinner with a hungry dog at my feet and trying to time Jereme coming through the door and food going on the table at the same time (never happens). It's a messy house all day until the 5:00 dash when I can't stand to let Jereme see how our house has looked all day. It's Saturday morning Daddy-Daughter Dates to Waffle House. It's going to church as a family. It's "can you watch the girls while I run to Target real quick?" and coming home 3 hours later. It's adult conversations that never get finished because someone needs a snack. Or disciplining. Or they just won't quit talking. It's bedtime stories and prayers. It's disagreements and "I don't like your tone" and hurt feelings. It's a lot of smiles and laughter and full hearts. It's our normal and I'm ready to have it back.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Happy 10 month birthday, Caroline!
Caroline,
You are 10 months old today! Double digits! Time is flying by and, while I generally think of time as my enemy, I must admit that life with you keeps getting better and better.
Your personality continues to come out. From what I can tell about you at 10 months old, you are easy-going and sweet, but you are also feisty and fearless! You are curious, always on the go and exploring new things. You're not afraid of much and I rarely ever see you be cautious. Thankfully I'm around to catch you when you aren't.
Obviously, with your increased mobility and curiosity, you hear lots of "no", but you seem to think that's more of a suggestion than a command. You'll either ignore it completely, or smile. You are so dang cute. We are in trouble.
The biggest milestone from this month is your first tooth! You finally cut your bottom right tooth a week or so ago. I'm sure the bottom left is not far behind. You look so sweet!
You are loving the switch to big girl food. You like eating at your own pace and trying new things. You haven't turned up your nose to anything yet. I love good eaters! You still take four bottles in addition to your table food. We'll soon cut back to three bottles and then before I can even blink the bottles will be gone. It happens so fast!
As for mobility, you are a crawling machine. You cruise around furniture and you can walk with some of your push toys (for instance, you have a mail carrier that you walk behind). You are doing a great job and I'm in no hurry for you to walk.
You are still a great sleeper. You sleep 12 hours at night and take good naps (they fluctuated with your first tooth, but you still sleep great). You make lots of sounds. You wave and try to say bye-bye. Occasionally, you say ma-ma...usually when you're upset. Lots of other sounds, too. You clap and you are starting to sign "more" with your hands.
I know I say it all the time, but you really are a great baby. You go when it's time to go, you sleep when it's time to sleep. You are a trooper when schedules get messed up.
You love your big sister and she loves you, too. The only time you two get upset with each other is when toys are involved. Sharing is tough stuff.
Caroline, I could not love you more. We are so blessed to have had you with us for 10 whole months. Happy Birthday.
You are 10 months old today! Double digits! Time is flying by and, while I generally think of time as my enemy, I must admit that life with you keeps getting better and better.
Your personality continues to come out. From what I can tell about you at 10 months old, you are easy-going and sweet, but you are also feisty and fearless! You are curious, always on the go and exploring new things. You're not afraid of much and I rarely ever see you be cautious. Thankfully I'm around to catch you when you aren't.
Obviously, with your increased mobility and curiosity, you hear lots of "no", but you seem to think that's more of a suggestion than a command. You'll either ignore it completely, or smile. You are so dang cute. We are in trouble.
The biggest milestone from this month is your first tooth! You finally cut your bottom right tooth a week or so ago. I'm sure the bottom left is not far behind. You look so sweet!
You are loving the switch to big girl food. You like eating at your own pace and trying new things. You haven't turned up your nose to anything yet. I love good eaters! You still take four bottles in addition to your table food. We'll soon cut back to three bottles and then before I can even blink the bottles will be gone. It happens so fast!
As for mobility, you are a crawling machine. You cruise around furniture and you can walk with some of your push toys (for instance, you have a mail carrier that you walk behind). You are doing a great job and I'm in no hurry for you to walk.
I know I say it all the time, but you really are a great baby. You go when it's time to go, you sleep when it's time to sleep. You are a trooper when schedules get messed up.
You love your big sister and she loves you, too. The only time you two get upset with each other is when toys are involved. Sharing is tough stuff.
Caroline, I could not love you more. We are so blessed to have had you with us for 10 whole months. Happy Birthday.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Photo of the first tooth
I didn't think Caroline would EVER get a tooth. But her first one finally popped. The hard part was getting a picture. My feisty girl doesn't really do anything she doesn't want to do (she will make for a fun toddler). And she doesn't want to let me open her mouth and pull back her lip and take a picture. So I called in for reinforcement and got Emma Grace to tickle her. I quickly zoomed in and got the best picture I could get of that little white bud.
I know it's hard to see, but it's on the right. I'm sure the left one will be here before I know it!
Editor's Note: Lest you think she already has molars, it's a Cheerio in the back of her mouth.
I know it's hard to see, but it's on the right. I'm sure the left one will be here before I know it!
Editor's Note: Lest you think she already has molars, it's a Cheerio in the back of her mouth.
Crabfest 2012
Another year, another Crabfest! My cousin throws Crabfest every year at his house in Raleigh. It's always a good time and this year was no different. I set out the girls' clothes the night before. Yes, since having kids, I buy outfits specifically for Crabfest.
The crabs were delicious! Mark sets up a big table and sometimes you have to fight for a spot but it's worth it. He keeps batches of crabs coming off the fire for most of the night.
Emma Grace was very excited to play with her cousin Abby. After a group of big boys got out of the pool, the girls took their turn. I didn't get any pictures, but until Abby got there, Emma Grace was attached to Bryant and Malone's hip. She loves those boys, especially Bryant. Sweet cousins.
The really exciting part of the trip was that we got to see Daddy!
Me and my sweet girl. This was her first Crabfest out of the womb. Bless her, I was glad to not be pregnant this year.
Lou Ellen and her family came too! Crabfest is the type of thing where guests of guests can invite guests.
My sweet Emma Grace.
Mr. Henry and Emma Grace. Future lovebirds?
Once again, the Feltons let us stay with them. It was a great time with our extended family, but it was also nice for our little family to spend time together.
I've been marking Crabfest as the last big event before we close on our house, so this weekend was welcomed with open arms. We are so close to moving and being reunited with Daddy again!
The crabs were delicious! Mark sets up a big table and sometimes you have to fight for a spot but it's worth it. He keeps batches of crabs coming off the fire for most of the night.
Emma Grace was very excited to play with her cousin Abby. After a group of big boys got out of the pool, the girls took their turn. I didn't get any pictures, but until Abby got there, Emma Grace was attached to Bryant and Malone's hip. She loves those boys, especially Bryant. Sweet cousins.
The really exciting part of the trip was that we got to see Daddy!
Me and my sweet girl. This was her first Crabfest out of the womb. Bless her, I was glad to not be pregnant this year.
Lou Ellen and her family came too! Crabfest is the type of thing where guests of guests can invite guests.
My sweet Emma Grace.
Mr. Henry and Emma Grace. Future lovebirds?
Once again, the Feltons let us stay with them. It was a great time with our extended family, but it was also nice for our little family to spend time together.
I've been marking Crabfest as the last big event before we close on our house, so this weekend was welcomed with open arms. We are so close to moving and being reunited with Daddy again!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Wine and Design
Last week I had to go to Raleigh for a few important errands (while Nana kept the girls for me) and ended up meeting Lou Ellen and Henry at Chick-fil-a for lunch. It happened to be Chick-fil-a appreciation day so it was pretty busy, but it was so fun to see them.
I spent the rest of the day running around and then Lou Ellen and I decided to go to Wine and Design for our fourth visit. We always have a lot of fun and do a lot of laughing. Like to the point of tears. And we don't even drink.
I feel like my days of Wine and Design might be coming to an end. Seriously, after a while it starts to look odd to fill your house with tons of mediocre paintings you did yourself. Maybe I'll start gifting them. Won't that be a treat for my Christmas list!
Obviously (I hope it's obvious?) the theme that night was a beach scene. I can't wait to find a place in our new house for this beauty.
I spent the rest of the day running around and then Lou Ellen and I decided to go to Wine and Design for our fourth visit. We always have a lot of fun and do a lot of laughing. Like to the point of tears. And we don't even drink.
I feel like my days of Wine and Design might be coming to an end. Seriously, after a while it starts to look odd to fill your house with tons of mediocre paintings you did yourself. Maybe I'll start gifting them. Won't that be a treat for my Christmas list!
Obviously (I hope it's obvious?) the theme that night was a beach scene. I can't wait to find a place in our new house for this beauty.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
A day I'd rather leave out of the memory book
My hope for this little blog of ours (which is coming up on its 4th birthday!) is that it keeps record of our lives - the good and bad, the big and small. I want our children to look back and read my thoughts on being pregnant, to know when they reached all of their milestones, to see pictures of our trip to the park on a random Tuesday morning. Lord knows, if I don't type it here I'll never remember it. I'm sure this will be a story I'll want to tell them one day, so I better record the details before my Mommy Brain is completely fried.
Last week, on July 31st, the girls and I were in a car accident. I feel like crying just thinking about it. It still gets me upset.
It was just a regular afternoon in Jacksonville. Emma Grace had played much of the morning, Caroline took a nap, and it was about noon when I decided I wanted to go get a sandwich for lunch. I was planning to go to the drive-thru, so it's a miracle that I actually put on shoes AND normal clothes (I'm notorious for going to a drive-thru in PJs and no shoes). Caroline was still in her PJs, Emma Grace had clothes on but no shoes. We were just going to be gone a minute...no big deal.
I literally had to leave the neighborhood and go through one light to get to my destination. I pulled up to the light, which was red, and waited. It turned green and I proceeded straight through the intersection. The deli was just ahead. Just a few seconds after I started going, I barely saw something out of the corner of my eye, and bam! It happened so fast.
I sat there for a second and Caroline started crying. I pulled forward and drove up on the curb and jumped out to check on the girls. They were fine, but crying. People at the intersection were yelling out their windows, "Are you ok?" and "He ran the light!" and "He was texting!" It all felt like it was happening in slow motion. I grabbed my phone and called 911. Before I got through telling the lady what happened, I could already hear sirens.
A man came over and saw that my car was leaking fluid and told me to turn off my car. Before long, people were coming over to check on us. I remember looking over at the other car and wondering why he parked it where it was, and later realized that's where it landed after it stopped skidding. The next 30 minutes seem like a blur now. Going over what happened with the police, thanking people who came over to check on us, filling out paperwork for the EMS, crying, telling Emma Grace everything was going to be ok, and wishing Jereme was there. At some point, the police had me move my car out of the intersection, the other driver's car was towed away, everything was sort of wrapping up, and I called Jereme to tell him what happened and figure out what I needed to do.
In the meantime, four witnesses who all saw the other driver run the red light (and one who saw him messing with his phone) stuck around to leave statements with the police officer. The other driver's tow truck guy went to the nearby restaurant and got Emma Grace some water. All of the emergency workers (police, fire, EMS) were so nice to me and the girls and let me cry like a fool.
And the other driver? Oh, he was a piece of work. Obviously, I couldn't leave my car since my girls were inside. He never, ever came over to ask if we were ok, offer up an apology, etc. When his car was being pulled up on the tow truck, I walked over to his car to see the damage while the EMS workers were entertaining my girls. The driver, a 21-year old Marine, walked over to me and held out his hand and said, "I want you to know I feel your pain. I have two kids myself." I just looked at him, wondering how he felt my pain since his kids were probably at home, playing, and, you know, NOT CRYING FROM GETTING SLAMMED BY ANOTHER CAR. Then he said, "I don't know what happened, but I want you to know I didn't run the light." By this point, I'm sort of beyond "loving thy neighbor" and am annoyed that he is trying to convince me he did nothing wrong. It's not like I accused him of anything. I said, "I don't see how it's possible that we both had a green light. Are you saying I ran the light? Because I was stopped. It's crazy to think I was sitting at a red light and all of the sudden decide to bolt through the intersection." Before long, he told me he didn't argue with women, to which I replied that he might want to walk away then. Not one of my prouder moments, but when my kids are threatened all bets are off.
I'm so thankful for the kind people who stopped to check on us and leave statements, the Jacksonville police, fire, and EMS workers, the nice tow truck guy...you don't realize how important those people are until you need them.
Nearly $5,000 later, my car is getting fixed. My damage didn't even look that bad considering what happened. The cop who wrote up the police report estimated my damage at $3,000 and the other driver's at $10,000 (his damage was significantly worse...not sure if it's how he hit me, his speed, or just the fact that it was an SUV vs. small car). If mine turned out to be more, I'm betting his did, too. Based on what it looked like and the estimated damage, I wouldn't be surprised if they just total his car.
That same day I learned you have to get new carseats after they've been in an accident, so that evening I got the girls new car seats. It was almost time to move then to the next seat anyway, so it seemed like the perfect time to make the switch. I'm currently driving around a Buick Enclave which I really like. I admit, I twitched a little when I was handed the keys. My first car was a Buick, and old one, and I swore I'd never drive another. But I actually really like this one. It has all the bells and whistles and still has that new car smell. Funny how things work.
Most importantly, no one was hurt beyond a bumped head and bruised shoulder (both on me). It could have been SO much worse. He could have t-boned us and either hit my door head on or worse...Caroline's door. It is so scary to think about, especially because I never saw him coming. The thing I keep repeating to Emma Grace, really for both of us to hear, is that God protected us. It wasn't luck, it wasn't the way the stars aligned, it was God's hand over us. Even if we had been hurt, He would still be good.
Last week, on July 31st, the girls and I were in a car accident. I feel like crying just thinking about it. It still gets me upset.
It was just a regular afternoon in Jacksonville. Emma Grace had played much of the morning, Caroline took a nap, and it was about noon when I decided I wanted to go get a sandwich for lunch. I was planning to go to the drive-thru, so it's a miracle that I actually put on shoes AND normal clothes (I'm notorious for going to a drive-thru in PJs and no shoes). Caroline was still in her PJs, Emma Grace had clothes on but no shoes. We were just going to be gone a minute...no big deal.
I literally had to leave the neighborhood and go through one light to get to my destination. I pulled up to the light, which was red, and waited. It turned green and I proceeded straight through the intersection. The deli was just ahead. Just a few seconds after I started going, I barely saw something out of the corner of my eye, and bam! It happened so fast.
(This diagram from the police report helps show what happened. He is car 1 coming from the left and sliding across the four lanes, I'm car 2 coming from the bottom.)
I sat there for a second and Caroline started crying. I pulled forward and drove up on the curb and jumped out to check on the girls. They were fine, but crying. People at the intersection were yelling out their windows, "Are you ok?" and "He ran the light!" and "He was texting!" It all felt like it was happening in slow motion. I grabbed my phone and called 911. Before I got through telling the lady what happened, I could already hear sirens.
A man came over and saw that my car was leaking fluid and told me to turn off my car. Before long, people were coming over to check on us. I remember looking over at the other car and wondering why he parked it where it was, and later realized that's where it landed after it stopped skidding. The next 30 minutes seem like a blur now. Going over what happened with the police, thanking people who came over to check on us, filling out paperwork for the EMS, crying, telling Emma Grace everything was going to be ok, and wishing Jereme was there. At some point, the police had me move my car out of the intersection, the other driver's car was towed away, everything was sort of wrapping up, and I called Jereme to tell him what happened and figure out what I needed to do.
In the meantime, four witnesses who all saw the other driver run the red light (and one who saw him messing with his phone) stuck around to leave statements with the police officer. The other driver's tow truck guy went to the nearby restaurant and got Emma Grace some water. All of the emergency workers (police, fire, EMS) were so nice to me and the girls and let me cry like a fool.
And the other driver? Oh, he was a piece of work. Obviously, I couldn't leave my car since my girls were inside. He never, ever came over to ask if we were ok, offer up an apology, etc. When his car was being pulled up on the tow truck, I walked over to his car to see the damage while the EMS workers were entertaining my girls. The driver, a 21-year old Marine, walked over to me and held out his hand and said, "I want you to know I feel your pain. I have two kids myself." I just looked at him, wondering how he felt my pain since his kids were probably at home, playing, and, you know, NOT CRYING FROM GETTING SLAMMED BY ANOTHER CAR. Then he said, "I don't know what happened, but I want you to know I didn't run the light." By this point, I'm sort of beyond "loving thy neighbor" and am annoyed that he is trying to convince me he did nothing wrong. It's not like I accused him of anything. I said, "I don't see how it's possible that we both had a green light. Are you saying I ran the light? Because I was stopped. It's crazy to think I was sitting at a red light and all of the sudden decide to bolt through the intersection." Before long, he told me he didn't argue with women, to which I replied that he might want to walk away then. Not one of my prouder moments, but when my kids are threatened all bets are off.
I'm so thankful for the kind people who stopped to check on us and leave statements, the Jacksonville police, fire, and EMS workers, the nice tow truck guy...you don't realize how important those people are until you need them.
Nearly $5,000 later, my car is getting fixed. My damage didn't even look that bad considering what happened. The cop who wrote up the police report estimated my damage at $3,000 and the other driver's at $10,000 (his damage was significantly worse...not sure if it's how he hit me, his speed, or just the fact that it was an SUV vs. small car). If mine turned out to be more, I'm betting his did, too. Based on what it looked like and the estimated damage, I wouldn't be surprised if they just total his car.
That same day I learned you have to get new carseats after they've been in an accident, so that evening I got the girls new car seats. It was almost time to move then to the next seat anyway, so it seemed like the perfect time to make the switch. I'm currently driving around a Buick Enclave which I really like. I admit, I twitched a little when I was handed the keys. My first car was a Buick, and old one, and I swore I'd never drive another. But I actually really like this one. It has all the bells and whistles and still has that new car smell. Funny how things work.
Most importantly, no one was hurt beyond a bumped head and bruised shoulder (both on me). It could have been SO much worse. He could have t-boned us and either hit my door head on or worse...Caroline's door. It is so scary to think about, especially because I never saw him coming. The thing I keep repeating to Emma Grace, really for both of us to hear, is that God protected us. It wasn't luck, it wasn't the way the stars aligned, it was God's hand over us. Even if we had been hurt, He would still be good.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Caroline's first tooth!
I don't have a picture yet, but I just have to document that my Toothless Wonder has FINALLY cut her first tooth! I felt in there this morning and thought I could feel it. So I did the spoon test to be sure and heard a cling-cling! She does NOT like for me to get in her mouth, so I'm going to have to work hard to get a picture!
Caroline's 9 month stats and Emma Grace's 3 year stats
I finally took the girls for their (late) checkups. I didn't want to wait until we were in Greensboro, so I took them to a doctor in Jacksonville after the fun task of transferring their records from Georgia.
Overall, the girls are HEALTHY and I'm so thankful! Caroline's visit with the doctor was super short, but that's good! She's meeting all her milestones (crawling, cruising, using her pincer grasp, eating solids, waving, baby talking, clapping) and is keeping a steady growth curve. Emma Grace's visit was a little more detailed. She had a hearing test and two sight tests, her spine was checked, and she was asked lots of general questions like her name, age, etc. She did great and the doctor had no concerns. Caroline got one shot (brief crying) and Emma Grace got her finger pricked (a flinch but no tears!).
Caroline's 9 month stats:
Head: 18 1/4 inches (EG at 9 months: 18)
Height: 27 1/2 inches (EG at 9 months: 28 1/2)
Weight: 20 1/2 pounds (EG at 9 months: 20 1/2)
Emma Grace's 3 year stats:
Head: no head measurement? I guess they stop after 2?
Height: 40 inches
Weight: 34 pounds
(The average 4 year old is 40 inches tall. Jereme and I are already brainstorming ways we can capitalize on her height. I'm thinking some sort of basketball or volleyball scholarship? Or maybe she'll be a goalie like her daddy.)
Overall, the girls are HEALTHY and I'm so thankful! Caroline's visit with the doctor was super short, but that's good! She's meeting all her milestones (crawling, cruising, using her pincer grasp, eating solids, waving, baby talking, clapping) and is keeping a steady growth curve. Emma Grace's visit was a little more detailed. She had a hearing test and two sight tests, her spine was checked, and she was asked lots of general questions like her name, age, etc. She did great and the doctor had no concerns. Caroline got one shot (brief crying) and Emma Grace got her finger pricked (a flinch but no tears!).
Caroline's 9 month stats:
Head: 18 1/4 inches (EG at 9 months: 18)
Height: 27 1/2 inches (EG at 9 months: 28 1/2)
Weight: 20 1/2 pounds (EG at 9 months: 20 1/2)
Emma Grace's 3 year stats:
Head: no head measurement? I guess they stop after 2?
Height: 40 inches
Weight: 34 pounds
(The average 4 year old is 40 inches tall. Jereme and I are already brainstorming ways we can capitalize on her height. I'm thinking some sort of basketball or volleyball scholarship? Or maybe she'll be a goalie like her daddy.)
Caroline's thoughts on going to the doctor (so typical...she's way too busy to pose for Mommy).
My big girl showing off her band-aid (pretty much the highlight of her trip).
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