I've moved my site to: 

http://www.xanga.com/MommyAlive

See you there!!

(Don't forget to subscribe to my new site!!)

My first day back in the office today...I have officially and fully transferred over to the Development Department, and I'm very excited about some of my upcoming projects.  Physically, I'm a little tired, and as long as I'm sitting (and not on my feet), I seem to be doing ok. 

This is exciting:  Today in the intern's class, Mr. Hasz (Director of the Honor Academy) rolled out a blood drive we'll be doing to help us foot the cost of my blood, plasma and platelet transfusions.  He asked for those who would commit to giving 1 unit of blood to stand, and 160 - 200 people stood up!!  Isn't that amazing??  How do people survive in life without the body of Christ to support them during trying times??  As of right now, the blood bank will only credit us $10 per unit of blood, plasma or platelets, and will only credit us for the amount we used.  (So if I used 60 units. they will only credit us $600, even if we have over 60 units donated.)  That is actually only 1% of what will be charged by the hospital.  (The hospitals pays the blood bank $250 for one unit of blood, and we were told that they will probably charge us around $1000 per unit).  Joel is trying to negotiate with the blood bank however, so pray that he has favor in that.

I also go in for my next blood test tomorrow to see how my liver is doing...my eyes still look a bit jaundiced, but I have faith that there is still improvement!!  (Another thing you can pray for if you think about it...)

Just a heads up for those of you who have not had children yet:  Infants have this amazing instinct.  It's like a radar, so to say.  Somehow, they can sense the moment - I mean to the second - that mommy has laid down and snuggled in to her comfy bed or has just fallen asleep or has stepped into a warm sudsy bath, or shower.  As soon as that happens, they mysteriously wake up and start screaming as loud as their little lungs will let them.  I'm not kidding!  Ask any mother and they will agree!!

God's grace is more than enough for me!!  I was worried about being alone with the kids this weekend, but I have surprisingly done really well.  My pain has decreased significantly!  PRAISE GOD!!  And yesterday, I didn't need to take any Vicatin!!  (That is a miracle in itself!)  My Doctor wants me to start backing off of it and replace it with Ibuprofin, which has seemed to work...I'm definitely still uncomfortable and in pain, but it's SO MUCH better that it's bearable and I'm able to get around slowly but surely.  (I often wonder what people think as I slowly walk/waddle through Walmart!) 

Joel will be home from Philly when we get back from church!!  I can't wait!!

I start work this Monday...and I will be stepping into my new position as Development's Director of Evens and Foundations Program.  I'm so excited - this is definitely a step up in my career.  The plan is to work from home Mon, Thurs, Fri and be in the office Tues & Wed.  Shanygne will take Hannah on the office days and I'll be bringing Caleb in with me.  I know I've said this before, but TM is such a blessing for being so accomodating with my family situation!!  Where else would I be allowed to bring my infant in on the job??  And I have some unbelievable opportunities coming up with this position that make me very excited!!  More on that to come later. 

I already miss my HA Events job - the Celebration Retreat is this upcoming weekend and it's so weird not to be running the show.  But the Events Girls are AMAZING, including the new Events Manager, Sarah Reiswig (formerly Real) - and I have absolute confidence in them that it will be as incredible of an event as it ever was!  Yeah Events Girls!!

Ok, so for the most part - he follows the schedule like clockwork.  Unfortunately, last night was not one of those nights.  He woke up way too many times and we couldn't get him to go to sleep for most of them.  I probably slept a solid 4 hours. 

Today, Hannah fell asleep for her nap right way, but Caleb kept waking up every 20 minutes and just wanted to snack feed, not getting a full feeding until this evening.  This left me very frustrated and exhasted.  Poor Joel came home to me in tears. 

This whole situation has given me such a deeper love and respect for Joel.  Can I just say that he is truly the most incredible husband in the world??  He has been SO AMAZING!  When he get's home from a full days work, he won't let me lift a finger.  He's been cooking dinner, doing the dishes and entertains Hannah.  If I need to cry, he gives me his shoulder and is so compassionate and understanding.  He doesn't tell me to "suck it up" or question the validity of my frustration and tears.  I find myself counting the hours until he gets home each day...

And now he has to leave for the weekend for the Philly BattleCry.  Ahhh, how will I survive without him? 

Plus or minus a half hour here and there, here is a day in the life of Christina Lowery:

7:30am  Wake up (at the cry of Caleb).  Get Caleb.  See if Hannah's awake.  If she is, get her dressed and fed. 

8:00am - 10:00am  Feed Caleb.  Play with Caleb.  Put Caleb to bed.  Watch "Dora the Explorer," "Wonder Pets," or "Go Diego, Go" with Hannah. 

10:30am - 11:30  Caleb wakes.  Feed Caleb.  Play with Caleb.  Put him down for a nap.  Rest on the couch for a bit while Hannah plays or reads.

11:30am - 12:30pm  Shower while Hannah watches another show. 

12:30pm - 1:30pm  Get lunch for Hannah and myself, put Hannah down for a nap.

1:30pm - 3:30pm  Caleb wakes.  Feed Caleb.  Play with Caleb.  Put him down for a nap.  Then it is MY TIME - usually a much needed nap!

3:30pm - 4:30pm  Hannah wakes, play with her.

4:30pm - 6:00pm  Caleb wakes.  Feed Caleb.  Play with Caleb.  Put him down for a nap.  Joel comes home. 

6:00pm - 7:30pm  Dinner.  Hang out with Hannah and Joel.

7:30pm - 10:00pm  Caleb wakes.  Feed Caleb.  Play with Caleb.  Put him down to sleep.  Watch our tivo'd shows.  8:00pm, put Hannah to bed.

10:00pm - 10:30pm  Caleb wakes.  Feed Caleb.  Put Caleb down to sleep. 

10:30pm - 1:30am  Sleep!!

1:30am - 2:30am  Caleb wakes.  Feed Caleb.  Put Caleb down to sleep.