Relapse

Last Tuesday I had a bit of a scare with my back. I had returned from my daily walk and was sitting in a chair icing my back with my brace. I stood up and immediately felt what I can only describe as a tinging sensation shoot through my lower back. My legs felt like they were going to crumble so I quickly laid down on the couch. I was too afraid to move so I stayed there until Josh got home, three hours later.

That night I had tears of defeat. I knew something bad had happened.

It has been four months since the initial disc herniations and although I can walk I have taken some steps backward. I can no longer sit for short periods of time, walk two miles, or put my socks on properly. I am back to constantly wearing my brace and awkwardly trying to wash my face, get in and out of bed, and more of the like.

Today we went and met with the Ortho Spine Specialist at Stanford. It was both encouraging and discouraging at the same time. It was encouraging because he seemed to believe I should be able to heal on my own, and wasn't a candidate for surgery. It was discouraging because he said we should try physical therapy for three more months before reassessing how I'm doing. Three more months of this...just feels like a lifetime right now.

All of this has not been easy on Josh. I imagine, as it would be for any husband, the inability to rectify the problem is frustrating, leaving you with a sense of helplessness. So far many things have been out of our control this year and life has not played out to our exact specifications. I was sharing this with my Auntie Barbara a few weeks ago and she reminded me that life never seems to go the way you always wanted, but there is a great lesson to learn in trusting in the Lord. That is certainly not a new concept but it has taken on a new meaning as we struggle to lean on Him.

At present there are many unknowns. But each time I am overwhelmed, the Lord brings something/someone to me reminding me to Trust in the Lord. He is gracious and good. Almighty and powerful. "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." Psalm 56:3

The Measure of Stablity

On Sunday my family traveled down to Anaheim to celebrate Grandma's 88th birthday.  

So much of what is best in us is bound up in our love of family, that it remains the measure of our stability because it measures our sense of loyalty. - Haniel Long

Little Girl

Lots and lots from this weekend but this is what lingers in my mind. :) Remember Regan? They grow so fast. I was again reminded of the beauty in babies. 

Happy Monday friends. =) 

It's a Date

Something huge is coming to Target.

May 6th, it's a date.

100 Days!

Folks, it's that time again. Do you know what I'm talking about? Yesterday marked the 100th day until the  start of the Olympics! If you've been with me a while you know I love the Olympics, especially the Summer Games.

Saw these pictures and it got me all excited. (Sidenote, the photo above is driving me crazy...how could they not be centered?)

Here

Are you a fan of the Olympics too? If so, what's your favorite sport?

Strollers Galore

I've been heavily researching baby items for/with Aimee. It's no small feat. These past few days we've been looking into strollers and car seats. The options and variations are endless and so the reviews, videos, and comparisons have been filling my nights. Maybe too much so - two nights ago I had a nightmare and I remember strollers were in it. The next morning I told Josh that and he rolled his eyes and laughed at me. :/ Although he's Mr. Researcher, so I know he's onboard. 

Alas, the research was worth it. I found the best stroller/car seat**. As I was ruminating over my choice during my walk yesterday I passed four different moms with that exact same stroller. I called Aimee and turns out, she too, landed on the same exact stroller. Seems like it's meant to be to me. ;)

So, without further ado - the Uppababy Vista 

Qualifications

+ Easily maneuverable with one hand

+ Large tires

+ Provides 3/4 minimum seat adjustments

+ Decent storage 

+ Seat can be switched from front to back

+ Relatively lightweight and can fold easily 

+ Provides a carseat adapter

+ Carseat that meets all safety standards, preferably with high sides

+ Fits childbirth to toddler

+Adjustable handlebar

+ Washable fabric

+ Taller than most strollers so I can lift my nephew out of the stroller without another disc bulge. 

If you're curious, email/text me for the runner-ups. 

**I have discovered that making hyperbolic references to baby items such as "best stroller" can really stir up the mommy bears. Everyone has their own "best ______" and making such intense statements brings out the claws (aka they're all crazy!). So if you're one of those, retract the claws please and take this for what it is. :) Peace! 

Dinner Is Served

Josh loves ranch dressing. FINE, I do too. :p But we don't like ranch dressing from the supermarket. Josh's favorite ranch is actually from a well known fast food chain, Wendy's. He likes the taste and the thickness. For him, the thicker the better. I love buttermilk ranch dressing from restaurants, but who doesn't? Yum! I found a recipe for a creamy pesto ranch-like dressing and served it up last night. Turns out I had just the right amount of pesto leftover, and a box of rigatoni hanging out in the cupboard, to add a yummy pesto pasta salad. 

Happy eating!

The Most Essential Baby Items

Aimee has been working on her baby registry so yesterday on Facebook I asked moms to give me their 10 Most Essential Baby Items. Boy, did they deliver. In all, there were 63 recommendations! I categorized it all and narrowed it down to the items that were suggested more than once. Here they are in no particular order.

Aimee and I grew up holding babies and babysitting. We loved babies. But looking through all this stuff, it hit me yesterday that my sister is going to be a mom. A real mom. 21 weeks and counting...