Another moment with Mattie

Ready for a long weekend

It's not just Tuesday...right? I feel like it should be at least Thursday! This has been a tough week so far. Mattie has been having some serious trouble sleeping the past couple of nights. We get her to sleep but she wakes up every couple of hours crying. Initially we thought she wasn't feeling well but now the worry is creeping in that she's having nightmares...maybe about her accident. I truly hope not. I'm really hoping it's none of the above - that it's really because I slept in the same room with her when we stayed at my parent's this weekend and she quickly got used to the company. It's 11:35 now and so far (knock on wood) all is quiet. For both our sakes I hope she can sleep through the night. She rebounds a little better from sleep disruptions that this old lady does. Whew! Momma needs hours of sleep that come in a row, not 90 minute increments.
On a lighter note, it's that time of year again. Once our anniversary comes around it triggers the start of birthday season in the Doolin house. It reminds me that Mattie, Bobby and Gabriel all have birthdays to honor in slightly more than a thirty day span. Add to that Halloween (costume planning is a big deal around here) and more family birthdays and this is a busy time of year.  Luckily this year the kids have already told me what they want to be for Halloween, now I just have to make it happen. Wish me luck!
All is still quiet so I'm going to try to sleep while I can.
Love to all!
ACD

Kisses

Father Daughter

Parent Stuff - Episode 1

These days I might be a little overly sensitive when it comes to my kids. Wait, who am I kidding?! I've always been overly sensitive about my kids. It's just been intensified over the past couple of weeks. Anyway, there are little things that make you shed a happy tear or break your heart just a little. Not in a bad way, it's just something small that reminds you that your little ones are always in the process of growing up and needing you just a little less.  Here are a few that come to mind for me lately. If you want to share some, feel free to do so in the comments. I always like this better when there's class participation. 

• When it comes to Disney movies, The Little Mermaid is a favorite of mine and Bobby's. Maybe it's because it was released not long after we became a couple (yes, there were movies way back then!). At the time, I thought "My daughter will love this movie someday, too. We'll watch it together". Fast forward 20+ years and little Mattie now LOVES The Little Mermaid. She named her baby doll Flounder (I just let it go) and talks about it a lot. Over the past couple of days I've caught her singing the songs. This brings a tear of happiness to my eye, says the person who actually owns the soundtrack! I'm sure you understand but it's just one of those moments that is special to me. She's been asking me to sing with her and I think it's the coolest thing EVER!!

• The kids can get to Netflix on the Wii without me...and navigate to and start the movie/show of their choice. This falls into the "heart breaks a little" category. Shouldn't they need me for that type of stuff a little bit longer?
• When your babies start telling you, "No Mommy, I'll do it myself." This is a combo moment - so proud of them but heart also breaks a little. That whole "need me" thing again.
• Both Gabriel and Mattie are now recognizing their great grandparents who have passed. I love that they will know them but sad that it's only in pictures and the stories we'll tell. It was a special moment when Mattie picked up a picture of my paternal grandmother (for whom she is named) and said, "Mommy, is this Granny Mattie?" Oh how they would have loved one another. *tear
• And then Gabriel asks, "Mommy, can you hold me?" and I can forget for a little while longer that they are growing up so quickly.

Just one of those crazy things

I'm not sure how other people react when they go through something traumatic. Unfortunately, we've been through our fair share and I've learned something about myself. My pre-existing control issues kick into high gear. Why, you ask? Well, based on my amateur self-analysis, I think it's because I don't do well in situations where I know I have no control. So if I can't control a particular situation, I focus my (nervous) energy on things I can control. I tend to go into a cleaning and organizing frenzy...in a big way.  This evening I've organized the laundry room (I caught up the laundry in the process) and I also organized Gabriel's train stuff. Trust me, he has a lot to organize. Of course, I'll be getting back to the wallpaper soon enough. All in good time...

An Interview with Mattie

Coming soon: An interview with Mattie

I had a conversation with our little one earlier this week. I'm working on editing it now. There are some technical issues I have to work out - my phone and computer seem to disagree on some things.
Stay tuned!

Time for humor

Mattie: Mommy, I'm a mermaid!

Mommy: Yeah, well you're not very good at it.

True story!

Another Day of Healing

No, I'm still not ready to type it all out. Sorry. For any of you that have followed us since Gabriel was born, I'm sure you've figured out by now that this is therapy for me. I honestly don't know if anyone reads this stuff if I don't post a link and it really doesn't matter. If you read, great, if not it still does me some good to put it out there. My hope is always that I/we can help someone who deals with or has dealt with similar issues. If you're just curious about what's going on with us, I guess that's ok too. :-)
Mattie is still doing great. She's an amazing little human. We have a follow up appointment with her pediatrician tomorrow. She's been telling me that she needs to show him her "big noggin". I have to share the back story on that one. Gabriel bumped his head a week or so ago and he had bump. He kept saying he had a big noggin rather than a big bump. Well when Mattie fell, it appears she bumped her head. There was a little mark above her left eyebrow. Nothing major - no bump just a little mark. When we asked her if she bumped her head she said "Yes. I have a big noggin". So now she feels the need to tell her doc that she has a big noggin. :-)  She also said she was going to tell him that she went under the sea but Sophia and Daddy got her out. Then she asks again if she can go swimming. Unbelievable.
Though she is moving on, it's hard for us (and other members of the family) to let go of the images and the what ifs. We all know she's fine but it's hard to let go of the fact that it could have very easily gone the other way. It really makes you think...as it should.
Enough of the downer stuff. We're coming to the end of another day of healing and we are so blessed to have each other and friends and family that love us.

Thanks all!

Forgot one

Walking the halls with Daddy

She's OK - all smiles

Exhausted but smiling at wonderful EMT, Tim, during our first ambulance ride. They spent some time talking about Dora. As we passed through intersections, she could see the traffic lights out the back window and she advised him that red meant stop, green meant go and yellow meant CAUTION.

All smiles in her hospital room. When she woke up she asked Daddy if she could go swimming later. Easy there little lady!

Daddy didn't let her get far away - holding her while she ate breakfast. 

Checking out the view from her window. We had a great view of the stadium.

Enjoying some chocolate ice cream. We were afraid she might not want to leave. Especially when she discovered the...

CAR! Watch out Peds floor,  Mattie D is on the road...with her sippy in the cup holder baby!

We walked across the new pedway to the garage. I had to get this shot with KCH in the background. we spent 3 months there with G and they took great care of MRD - I love these people but I hope we never come back unless it's to visit.

Homecoming

I know this has been a bit of a traumatic experience for more than just Bobby and me. That's why I've been trying to post pictures and positive updates so everyone can see that she's really OK. It's hard seeing what our family members saw and watch us leave in an ambulance. The only visual they have is the incident itself. SO - here's something that I hope will make you all smile. Please excuse the crappy camera work. I wanted to capture the babies seeing each other for the first time since she was shipped off in the ambulance. They talked via FaceTime a couple of times on Sunday morning but this was their reunion.

Once Gabriel heard she had been discharged and was headed home, he went to the front door to sit and watch for her. Our drive home was about 45 minutes. When we turned on to our road we told Mattie to look at the front door to see if she could see her brother. She saw him and got very excited. I started filming about halfway up the driveway.

Enjoy!

(I apologize for my voice...not sure what was up there, exhaustion, emotions, trying to keep the kids upbeat...whatever, I sound like Alvin the Chipmunk...sorry)

We're home

I'm going to have to give myself a couple of days before I can type the full story. For now, I'll just let you know that we are home and starting to catch up on some rest - though it will probably take us a few days to get fully caught up. Mattie is great, Gabriel was thrilled to see her home and Bobby and I are starting to calm down...well, a little. Thanks to all who checked in, came by the hospital, brought us toothbrushes, beverages, snacks, watched after the house and our beloved boy...and gave us a whole lotta love. A special thanks to Mattie's guardian angel, Sophia. You are one special little girl. All of those things mean more than you know. Love to all!

And we're back!

It's been a while but here I am! Expect updates here soon.