This Just In

Welllllll............. actually I got the call around 5:45 tonight.  And when I answered and it was the neurosurgeon himself, on a personal cell phone, I already knew the answer.  Tucker's Sagittal Suture is completely closed.  The only way to fix this malformation is surgery, which the doctor thought would be a total Cranial Vault Reconstruction.  We have so many questions, which simply could not be answered tonight, but many questions were also answered with that call.  Our next step is an appointment with the pediatric Cranial Facial Surgeon, Dr. Miller.  The neurosurgery office will make this appointment for us, send our scans and information over, and talk to him personally before our appointment.  I assume we will meet with him in the next 14 days, but I am honestly pulling that out of thin air.  (I have no clue.)  We will get the call regarding when that appointment is by the end of business Friday.

Tonight, Dave and I are giving THANKS.  We are praising God that:
* The doctors continue to believe this is a "stand alone" case, and not associated with an underlying syndrome.
* That our prayer was answered that the scans were clear and the diagnoses was definitive.
* That the other two "sutures" (think: joints) in Tucker's skull are open.  (His soft spots are not.)  This is great news, as the growing brain has somewhere to go and is not pushing on a rock hard skull.  This greatly (greatly, greatly) lowers the risk of inter-cranial pressure, seizure, hearing loss, etc.
* We give THANKS that our pediatrician caught this at our "well baby" appointment.  It is quite rare, but she was on top of it.  The doctor today said between 3-6 months is optimal time for surgery as the baby is old enough to handle anesthesia, has a lowered risk of blood loss, and yet the skull bones are still malleable. We are so glad we caught this in this window, and we will likely have surgery pretty close to that six month mark.
* And I say again, that we have Children's Hospital literally down the street, who actually does this procedure... regularly.  The pediatric neurosurgeon/pediatric cranial facial surgeon combo is apparently fairly rare.
* We are so thankful for health insurance.
* That we are surrounded by our incredible family, friends, church and small group.  We can't say enough how glad we are that we don't walk this road alone!
* For Dr. Treves.  He is our neurosurgeon and he has been nothing but confident, calm and otherwise wonderful.  I thanked him tonight for calling me after-hours, personally, and he said that he is a dad and he knows what it's like to wait on information about your kids.  Dave and I both feel a real peace that he is the right guy for Tucker.  
* For the power of prayer.  It is a humbling experience, but we feel your prayers.  We have peace and joy.  (We might be in denial and shock still, but we'll cross that bridge later :)
* That Tucker appears to be otherwise very healthy.  It is hard to be too upset about this when we know that there are Mom's and Dad's out there who got much worse news than us today.  At this time, we believe Tucker's condition is 100% correctable with a prognosis of being a healthy, "normal" kid.  We know that many Mom's and Dad's would give anything to have one surgery, even one major surgery, "correct" their child.

In addition to your continued prayers, I do have one request.  We would like to meet another family who has an infant who has been treated for Craniosynostosis at Omaha's Children's Hospital with this surgical team.  It would be really helpful to talk with another Mom and Dad, to learn more about the procedure, recovery, what type of help we should line up, what to expect post-op, etc.  I know that the doctors can help us with this... a lot... but I think another family who has recently gone through it would be a big help, too.  If you know of someone, would you send them our way?  My email is: stef@roweware.com.

Finally, here are a few adorable pictures from the last few days around our house:

This is Dekker reading a book to Tucker, who is in the bouncy seat.

Enjoying this gorgeous weather!

 On the journey,
Stef

(Crane -- ee--oh--sin--oh---stow--sis)

A few weeks ago I had never, and I mean honestly never, heard the term Craniosynostosis.  After putting off making the appointment, I finally got around to making Tucker's 4 month well baby check.  (Note to self: GO TO those appointments-- vaccines or no vaccines.)  We were so nonchalant about it that we scheduled it over lunch and took Dekker.  At the end of the appointment, with both boys tired and hungry and climbing the walls, our pediatrician told us that she thinks Tucker looks wonderful, developmentally appropriate, BUT that he has an unusual skull formation.  She started using big words like Craniosynostosis, Dr. Puccoini, Children's Hospital Craniofacial Clinic, and used the term Pediatric Neurosurgery.  Kid you not I wanted to do the ugly cry, kick her, and run out.  She suggested we get some X-Rays.  Dave and I went to the car in total shock.  Soon, we started using the coping skills we are accustomed to-- which for Dave means joking (calling our doctor "Panic Pants") and for me means awful anxiety and immediately jumping right to the worse case scenario.  Let me tell you that when things get tense in our marriage, times get interesting.  That appointment was on Friday, and we went for X-Rays the following Monday morning.

Wednesday morning I was driving to the Children's Museum (finallllllllllllly got there and it was awesome) when the doctor called me on her personal cell phone.  She asked me to pull the car over so we could talk.  My heart sank.  She told me that the preliminary report came back that Tucker likely did have Craniosynostosis and that she would like us to see a specialist (aka Neurosurgeon) as soon as they could get us in.  I called Dave, then my mom.  Oddly enough, I handled that news with a strange peace, but it very much upset Dave.  Since then, God has continued to give one of us strength when the other is frail, thank goodness.  And, if you know us, I am typically the one on the frail end!  Several times I have felt the crushing weight of fear and anxiety.  I continue to ask for prayers that I would not be ruled (not now, not ever) by anxiety and fear, and that the Holy Spirit would instead fill me with joy everlasting and a peace that transcends my understanding.

By Thursday we had an appointment for today (Monday).  I tried not to make a script in my head that they saw the XRays and "rushed" us in because it was "very, very bad."  I tried not to spend the weekend soaking up every smile with the Devil in my ear telling me to "enjoy it while you can."  I am telling you what, this may be about Tucker's skull, but God is doing a work on my anxiety in the process.  We spent considerable time on the internet researching the condition, talked to a few medical professional friends, called in an army of prayer warriors, went to the Home Show and zoo because life just goes on, sent Dekker to spend Sunday night with Aunt Becky, and went to the ritzy building this morning.  We both woke up in a pool of sweat this morning with the covers on the ground from literally tossing and turning.

I will tell you that our appointment today was favorable.  But to understand why I will tell you a little about Craniosynostosis.  Craniosynostosis is the premature closing of an infants "soft spots".  What we have learned is that babies have more than just soft spots, but they have actual soft "sutures" that run the length and width of the head.  This helps the baby's head to be flexible enough to fit through the birth canal, among other things.  This is why a baby can have a "cone shaped" head.  The head needs to be flexible and malleable, and gradually over the first 18months-2years of life all those soft spots and sutures close up and the head is the shape it will be.  Sometimes babies get flat spots because of the way they position their head, etc.  Then, they wear a helmet.  As the flexible skull continues to grow, the helmet helps make sure it grows into the correct shape.  Craniosynostosis is different.  With this condition, the head is misshapen because the brain is pushing on the skull, but there isn't enough room for proper growth.  It occurs sporadically in about 1 in every 2,000 births.

Here is a picture of the top of an infants skull.  You can see each of the "soft sutures" and the two "soft spots" that you have probably heard about.  In Tucker's case, the large soft spot is too small, and we assume that his Sagittal Suture is closing prematurely, or is already totally closed.  Tucker has a prominent forehead and an elongated head.  His head looks more like a football instead of a basketball.

The very scary part of this diagnosis, and what has kept me on my knees this week, is that this condition can present itself, in about 20% of the cases, as a symptom of a much bigger syndrome.  We have been praying that Tucker's case would be "non-syndrome".  Some very scary, life altering and life threatening syndromes can present in this way.  To increase my already high anxiety is that Tucker was born with a sacral dimple on his lower spine.  I was concerned that the combination of the skull and spine was not looking good for "non-syndrome", even though the dimple had checked out on ultrasound as totally normal. 

Our doctor today stated that he feels Tucker does not have an underlying syndrome.  This was a welcomed relief!!  He also said that his other sutures were, from what he could tell on the XRays, open.  That, too, is great news!!  He ordered a CT Scan to get a better picture of the Sagittal Suture and to rule out any other possible problems that could cause a malformation of the skull.  Assuming everything else looks totally normal (please Lord), we will have three possible outcomes: suture is totally closed-- surgery required; suture is totally open and he just has a misshapen head-- helmet required; suture is partially closed-- we will talk with the Craniofacial Team and go from there.  The surgery ranges from endoscopic surgery to a complete Cranial Vault Reconstruction.  Both types of surgery have pros and cons and both are preformed by a neurosurgeon and a plastic surgeon at the same time.  It helps me to remember that this is actually a bone problem, not a brain problem and that a neurosurgeon is involved because of the very close proximity to the brain.  We have learned that we are fortunate to have at least three surgeons (that we know of) here in Omaha and connected with Children's Hospital for this procedure should we need it. At the end of our appointment today I asked the surgeon if he had a hunch, off the record, and he said that he suspects Tucker has a closing of the Sagittal Suture, he's just not sure if it's completely closed or partially closed.

Because we were in the Hilton of Neurosurgery (is there any other type?), they happened to have a CT machine down one floor.  So we could get it done immediately and we should get results in the next three days or earlier.  I feel some relief that if he does have something life threatening going on, like inter-cranial pressure, fluid on the brain, etc that the doctors will be notified immediately and we can get Tucker the help he needs.  David is reminding me that there are no signs of this in Tucker, and that this is my anxiety getting the best of me!  Anyway, it will be good to "rule it out."  Logistically, it was great, too.  

Dave and Tucker just before the Scan.  You can see a bit of the misshape of his head
in this picture, particularly toward the forehead.

May I never see one of my children in this state ever again.

 Did I mention how nice the office was?  Dave said that he felt like his wallet was lighter just walking in (there's that humor as coping again).  He even took this picture, which even I found very funny.  This is the desk calendar at the appointment desk and it is sponsored by a collection agency.  Yowzers.

We are asking for an army of prayer warriors and here are our prayer requests, at this moment, off the top of my head:

* We pray for no surprises from the CT Scan, specifically that there is no pressure or fluid on the brain and that no "red flags" are raised for one of the 108 known syndromes associated with this malformation.

* I say again, please pray that this is a stand alone case, associated with no underlying syndrome.

* We pray that the results from the CT scan will be definitive and we will know our next step.  We pray things won't be "up in the air" for long.  We pray for a short wait for those results.

* We pray for strength to receive bad news if that is God's will.

* We pray for wisdom for the doctors and surgeons who are reviewing our case.

* We pray for peace and joy and against anxiety and fear.

* Please pray that Dave and I would turn toward one another and lean into God during our moments of stress and that we would surrender ALL to Him who is incredibly capable and loves us and Tucker more than we can imagine.

* Please pray for Dekker, that this would go on without a major disruption to his life and that he would see Dave and I live out the faith we profess.

* We give THANKS for our friends and family (you!) who are praying along side us.  We feel your prayers, appreciate your texts and calls, and have wondered several times how people ever think they can do life alone?  Humbly, we ask that you do not stop.  We got great news today, but the prospect of surgery is scary. (But God is bigger, thank you Lord!)

* We give THANKS that God gave us Tucker.  We give THANKS for our pediatrician, for the staff at Midwest Neurosurgery, for access to incredible medical services and technology, for access to Children's Hospital, for health insurance and for our work.  

That is all for today, but I will post updates as we get them.  Dekker is still partying it up with his cousins in Lincoln and Tucker is just waking up.  I am totally emotionally exhausted.  I am reminded that God will never give us extra energy to worry.  When I ask God for just a little more energy so that I can sit around and worry I know that he says no every. single. time.  When I ask God to increase my faith and trust Him more I know that he says yes every. single. time.  I could go on and on, and I hope I will soon, but I want to say thank you again to those of you who have been praying for us, sending encouraging texts, notes and voice-mail.  It is humbling, but incredible, to feel your prayers.  I will never say "I'll pray for you" in a casual manner again after this experience.  Prayer is SO powerful.

This isn't a journey that we signed up for, but we walk it with hope.  Thank you for walking with us.

On the journey,

Stefanie

A Colorado High

It was about eight years ago that the doctors called in hospice and told my Grandpa (Papa) to get his affairs in order.  It was a scary, sad time-- the usual laughter and joking of their house in Colorado became tearful, somber, and reflective.  The family came and said good-bye.  We cried and grieved.  Then... he rallied.  In fact, he recovered.  He sent out "I got well" cards.   He started going back out to the ranch, even rode in a few rodeos.  It. Is. Incredible.  Then, he restored a truck.  (Don't tell his fancy doctors that he holds his oxygen to the side while he welds!)  My Papa is so full of determination and courage, laughter and joy that I named my second born after him.  There is something about being so sternly reminded that his days are numbered that makes me pause to enjoy time with my Papa that much more. And I want my kids to know him and my Mimi and their amazing spirit.  So, this last weekend my mom and I took the boys for a wonderful long weekend.

The trip out there took 10 hours on Friday.  On Saturday, after nap time, I moved Dekker's car seat and Papa drove us out to the ranch.  Papa asked Dekker if he had a cowboy hat, and Dekker replied, "No, I have a cowboy hood."  That boy is precious.  

When we got there we drove straight into the field of cows.  There were several calves and they were eating from their moms.  Dekker figured out how to roll his window down, and spent lots of time inviting the cows to his window.  "Here cow, come here cow" (in his best "talking to Tucker" voice).  It was so fun to be so near something he had only read about in a book!  

My Papa is a National Champion horse-cutter.  This is a rodeo event.  He started when he RETIRED from ranching, and often beat men half his age.  When his COPD progressed, he rigged up a holster to his saddle to hold his oxygen and cut while wearing oxygen.  His Pulmonary Doctor has a picture of him doing just that in his office.  Can you tell I'm proud of him?  He is amazing.  His cutting horse, Mikey, is still at the ranch.  Papa taught Dekker how to feed him "horse candy" right out of his hand.  Dekker was memorized!  "A horse, Mom.  Look! A horse!  Oh Wow, Mom!"

Then we got back in the truck and found Papa's two other horses.  Papa told Dekker how to hold hay and feed them out of his hand, too.  They eventually warmed up to us, and Dekker loved feeding them.  Again, it was awesome to see the light in Dekker's mind "click"-- I felt like his eyes were saying... "oookkkaayyy, so this is a horse."

Then, as if the day couldn't get any better, Papa parked the truck and announced that we were going on a tractor ride.  Dekker could barely contain himself.  Here is the tractor:

See that door hanging open?  See that ladder?  That is where I "rode" for the tractor ride... praying to God that the huge tire wouldn't run me over and that my scarf wouldn't accidentally get stuck in something where I would traumatically be squashed while my son watched!  (My anxiety never takes a vacation.)  Papa started up the tractor and Dekker was initially a little scared from the noise, but he settled right in and got very comfy.  Papa even let him drive.  My heart overflows!

 

Nothing like taking a potty training toddler out to the ranch.  Sometimes "nature calls" even out in the nature.  Thank goodness the house out there has a wonderfully working potty! 

The rest of the weekend was just a wonderful.  We relaxed, watched TV, jumped on the trampoline.  I got to spend some time visiting with my Grandma, Mimi.  She is just as incredible as my Papa, and I have learned so much from her-- she knows not a stranger, there is always room for one more at her dinner table, she is caring and generous. My mom got up with Tucker (at 5:30AM thanks to Mountain Time) and I slept in.  We ate yummy food, saw some of my cousins and uncle on my dad's side, and I even had a few hours to read.  I finally  picked up "The Help".  Here are a few more pics before I run upstairs and make sure both boys are breathing.  They have been quiet too long!

I'm sure this was a pic I sent to Dave.  He is getting so big, so cute, so fun!

This is how they go to church when they have company and I love it!

Getting to be such a good sleeper!

"Mom, see me!  Look, Mom!"

Reading night time books with my amazing Grandma, Mimi.

Finally, here is one last picture of sweet Tucker James and Papa James.  I can't wait to visit this summer-- to visit the ranch again and even ride horses-- and for Mimi and Papa to get to see the kids again.  They will have changed so much!

On the Journey,

Mae

30%

I went to see my counselor for our final visit yesterday after work.  God bless her, I saw her four times.  Did you know that is the AVERAGE season of care?  Meaning, most people see a counselor 4-6 times before taking a break for, like, a long time (or forever).  Don't worry if you want to go more, or if your counselor suggests you go more, but one reason a lot of people don't start counseling is because they are afraid they will never finish. Nah, that is not the case.  They are too busy and your insurance is too picky.  Speaking of insurance, I have a huge deductible, but the $90 some I paid each session out of my HSA was well worth it.  That hospital bill can wait.

I want to share a little about what happens in counseling because I think that is a reason a lot of people don't go. It is not the "bare your soul" that a lot of people think.  In fact, most of the time it is quite specific to the issue to go in with.  For example, we talked a lot about my struggle to accept the changes to my life that having another (crying) baby demand.  We talked about bitterness and forgiveness and God and love and perspective and grief (dog-gone-it I wanted to breastfeed so bad).  And I might literally have paid her just to sit and cry and say "I hate it" without being judged for an hour.  My eyes burn just typing that.  I mean, I love my kids deep down in my being.  My heart beats outside of my body when I see them.  They are the best.  But I can say that and also say that it has been hard, too hard for me to try and function at home and be a good wife and teach and take care of Dekker... without professional help.

I want you to know that going to counseling does not mean you have a poor support system.  My husband is incredible.  My parents, in-laws, small group, co-workers, girlfriends (oh, my girlfriends I love you), even neighbors are wonderful people who I could not do life without.  Going to counseling was a gift to them-- it said "I know you can't meet all my needs.  I know you are not neutral.  I know you are not professionals who can, or even want, to listen to all this and try to help me sort it out.  Thank you for the support you have given me."  Going to counseling does not cheapen my supportive relationships at all.  Quite the opposite, in my opinion. Going to counseling said to my husband (and kids), "I don't want to be crazy, crying, frustrated, bitter, grieving, and a total unjoy to live with all the time.  I love you more than that.  You deserve more than that."

Finally, counseling works.  I don't know what it is, but it does.  I have been to professional counseling three times in my life.  Once just out of highschool, once right after I got married, and now, after the birth of my second kid.  And for the record-- I should have gone after Dekker, but I was too embarrassed-- which today I tearfully find ridiculous.  Also for the record, after looking at that list, I think maybe life transitions are just hard for me.  There is a voice in the back of my head that very clearly says "Buck Up.  Women everywhere have been going through this for decades.  All babies cry.  All babies fuss.  All mom's have some depression and "baby blues."  No one has a postpartum experience exactly like they dreamed.  At least they make formula.  Do you think all the other moms went and spent $400 to talk to a counselor?  No, they were at the grocery store and play dates and investing in the lives of their family.  They are too busy trying to find the positive to sit and cry.  Life is hard, Sister, so get over it already."  But do you know what I did with that voice the second time around?  I told her to Screw Off and I took care of myself.

So, most people don't share about counseling on the world wide web.  And I respect that.  But I also think that sometimes we have to bring things out of the darkness and say "so long" to secrets and guilt and shame.  The nursing doctor told me to see a counselor and I shrugged her off.  Then my OB suggested it.  I told her "I am a counselor you know."  She said "I am a doctor, you know, and sometimes I still need to see a doctor."  That did it for me.  I can not, simply can not, toot my horn about the benefits of counseling, about erasing the stigma associated with counseling, about how the people in counseling are not "crazy" because they are at least "together" enough to make an appointment and get themselves there... without taking my own advice.  I believe in the profession.  I believe it works.  I know that as a provider, and this season of life I was reminded of that as a patient.  Praise. The. Lord.

So I see Dena Crosby at Great Oaks Counseling.  If you need a referral I hope you will call her.  Counselors do not do medicine (you need to see some type of doctor for that), but she does one heck of a job as a "talk therapist."  Tell her if you want to talk about God and Jesus and the Bible.  I hope you will, because she gets it and will remind you of truths you might have forgotten.  But she will not minimize your issue and say "Just pray harder."  Yesterday I went for my final appointment.  I feel good enough that I almost forgot!  I was sitting at work thinking that I still had an hour to finish some grading when all of the sudden it dawned on me that I had to run out.  Please note that this is a major change from our first appointment, where I watched the clock all day and wondered if I could make it until 4:00 to talk to someone, and if I might run into someone I know or a former client (gasp), or if I might just give up on the idea before then.  (I did not. None of the above.)  

Yesterday I was pretty put together, if you ask me.  Sure, I was still in maternity dress pants, but they are cute Gap black slacks that I paid way too much for, and they are baggy.  Does that count?  And I wore a necklace.  It kinda matched, but still-- hellooooooo, I had jewelry on.  And matching socks!  And heels!  And I had got out of the house without a break-down before work AND got there early!  I _basically_ didn't cry, but who cares if I do.  And as we are wrapping things up and even just chit-chatting a little, she says to me, "Stefanie, I think you are at about 30%.  You are recovered physically, emotionally, spiritually... about 30%."  The look on my face must have gave me away.  She asked, "Do you think that's too low?"  I thought about that for a moment.  I thought about my fear and my pride, and what a humbling season of life this has been.  I thought about my sweet boys and how much I adore them-- all three of them.  I thought about my marriage.  My selfishness.  The tears that still well up about, oh, 300 times a day.  About my girlfriends who I only hope one day to be able to repay for their generosity.  My parents, my in-laws, the encouraging texts from family I get.  I thought about the sadness I still feel sometimes, but not all the time.  I thought about how overwhelmed I feel, but that I have a new feeling of I can do this.

Then I answered.

No.  I think 30% sounds great.  If I feel this good at 30%, I can't wait to experience the next 70.

We hugged.  She said my file is "open... come back anytime."  She even said that sometime down the road I might want to see clients again, and that their office supports lots of part time gigs.  She encouraged me to go "all in" to motherhood, marriage, work, and life.  It was the great ending to our meaningful time together.

Here's to the next 70%!


"The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out."  Proverbs 30:1


"My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19

"But those who wait upon God get fresh strength." Isaiah 40:31


"Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; BUT those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40: 28-31

Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

On the journey,
Stefanie

5 x 5 Update #5

Welcome to the end of the road, Friends.  Yesterday we finished five weeks of doing five small organizational tasks a week.  It felt great, and I am so thrilled with the small but wonderful progress I have made around the house.  It DOES add up.  Not to mention the wonderful new space in the basement, where my hard working husband can work away without being reminded of a long honey-do list.  Have I mentioned that we love it? I am thrilled for several of you, too, who are cleaning out closets, refrigerators, bedrooms, under beds, under stair cases.  We are recycling our goods, clearing our space, and simplyfing our life.  The challenge is over, but maybe this will become a sort of "lifestyle."  I hope it does for me.

Well, I kinda fell off the daily bandwagon, but did get small things accomplished and it did feel wonderful.  Probably the biggest task I accomplished was a second cleaning of that bleepity bleep mail basket.  Are you wondering why I am always talking about my mail basket?  Me, too!  I have NO CLUE how it gets so out of hand so quickly.  It was to the point that I couldn't even put mail in it!  I _try_ to throw away my junk mail when I get the mail, I promise.  I _try_ to sort out my magazines right away into their home.  But never-the-less it piles up terribly.  Sooo.... this week I went through it-- meaning I filed what needed filed, shredded what needed shredded, paid most of what needs paid.  Sorted the medical bills, sorted the HSA stuff, sorted the coupons.  So it is much improved!  It feels great.  The other task I accomplished was setting up a meeting with a Financial "guy".  Finally. It only took me three years.

So, I just want you to know that I am enlisting myself for a final push into Week 6 (and maybe Week 7 depending on how productive this week ends up being-- I have a lot of work to do this week so I'm not too optimistic).  You do not have to join me. But I have a few lingering things that I need to write down and cross off.  Things like:
* Organize the craft "sack"
* Clean out behind the short couch
* Meet with the financial guy.  This goal is not "finished" until I have someplace to transfer money to for long-term savings, and until we regularly do it.
* Set up Nike Plus so I can start jogging my bum off, literally.
* Organize Dekker's toys into four bins-- week one, week two, week three, week four.  I plan to rotate bins weekly to keep the clutter down and the excitement of "new" toys up.
* Fill in picture frames in Tuckers room (this would literally take me 3 seconds if I would just do it)
* Take coats, etc to Open Door Mission

I think that accomplishing these things early in February will start my year off wonderfully.  Then, I can focus more on the day to day tasks of life and family and money management and jogging (being optimistic, okay!), and mix in some 2012 goals here and there-- goals I have yet to write out (and may or may not include an overhaul of the living room decor including paint and furniture placement and wall hangings)!  Hopefully getting these smaller tasks out of the way will motivate and encourage me, and make life just easier to maneuver.  Or maybe I will make them each a goal, so I can say I accomplished them all by March 1.  Not. A. Bad. Idea.

On the journey,
Stefanie

5 x 5 Update #4

Great news, friends.  We have completed Week Four of the 5 x 5 Challenge.  I know several of you are still hanging in there with me, and I have heard from even more people this week that you are organizing, simplifying, and de-cluttering even though you are not formally in "the Challenge."  That is great!  My goal is simple: Start 2012 by crossing some biggies off my list, make my living space less cluttered, give to those in need, and set up other parts of my life in a way that is more maximizing of both time and energy.

This last week Dave traveled to Des Moines for work Monday-Saturday.  Please know that this trip caused me a lot of anxiety.  I know lots of women who have husbands who travel regularly and let me just ask-- how do you do it???  I was the most nervous about the middle of the night, especially when I had to work the next day.  I was secondly worried about getting out the door and to work on time.  So my sweet friends came along side me and helped me out in incredible ways.  I only hope I can repay them in _some_ way someday.  Cari stayed with me Monday night and through the pre-work morning Monday night.  Aanna and Spencer stayed late after small group on Tuesday night and helped me get the boys to bed.  God was so gracious in that Tuckers best night was Tuesday night, the only night I was alone.  Wednesday and Thursday night Beth stayed with me, and helped me get to work Thursday morning.  Tucker was in rare form Wednesday night-- Beth and I literally got about 4 hours of fragmented sleep.  I'm still not sure what happened, but I will tell you that I had to apologize to Beth the next day and that my attitude and behavior in the middle of the night included a shower at 12:30.  Oh. My. Goodness.  Friday afternoon I went to my parents and got home in time for bedtime Saturday night.  But, in the background of all this I decided to pull off a "5x5 Surprise" to my husband.

Dave's birthday was almost totally neglected this year.  We had a 10 day old and ended up at Bergan Urgent Care.  Thankfully, my mom gave him a card because I didn't.  He had no presents under the tree at Christmas because I was just totally overwhelmed, sore, depressed, whatev-- you name it-- and I was struggling just to keep up with the family Christmas celebrations we went to, and to get a few gifts under the tree for Dekker on Christmas morning.  Did I tell you that we took Dekker to the toy store with us and bought his gifts right in front of him???  Hahahaha. Anyway, I wanted to do something extra special for him.  So I decided to give him the gift of "more time and less stress" and I finished the office in the basement.  It has been done, and we have occupied it, for some time now. But there were a few finishing touches that I knew were driving Dave nuts.  Like the trim wasn't all done, and the floor needed to be laid in the closet, and the new windows, doors, door frames and trim needed painted, and a bi-fold door over the water main needed to be hung.  And... we needed to pass the final inspection.... before the permit expired in July.

So Monday night, Cari and I, Beth and Derek cleaned out the office.  We kept Dave's desk all together and didn't unplug one thing.  I knew that he often remotely got into his computer, and I knew unplugging it would throw up all kinds of red flags, so Derek wisely advised me to just pull it away from the wall and drape it.  It was perfect.  We cleared the rest out.

This is kinda what it looked like "before."  A lot of the trim was
done, but not all of it. 

This is us "clearing the room."  It wasn't too big of a job.

I took a before pic of Dave's desk so I could put it back exactly as it was.

Tuesday the carpenter, Brian with Icon Home Improvements, came by and did the last carpentry work and then coated everything with primer.  I hosted small group, then spent some time in the evening researching a new desk chair for Dave.

Wednesday: Brian was back for a coat of paint.  I called the inspectors office.  This was so totally out of my league I am still surprised that I did it.  Thankfully, I found our permits on the fridge and scheduled the final inspection.  I just knew it would be easier when the room was cleared.  I had no idea what was going to happen, or when, but I knew it was worth a try.  That night Beth and I assembled Dave's new desk chair.  When I cleaned the room out, I was appalled by the state of his desk chair.  He sits in that thing for 8-10 hours a day, and it was so broken down.  He has never complained about his chair, but I knew it had to be awful.  I thought the new chair would be icing on the (birthday and Christmas) cake, so to speak.

Here is the "Tall Chair".  He is trying it out all week before deciding for
sure and says he likes it so far.

Thursday: Brian comes back for the final coat of paint.  The room is still a pretty big mess. The inspector calls me.  I agree to meet him at my house around lunch.  Are you kidding me?  I have no clue what is about to happen but he seems nice.  I warn him that the room is still a mess and sweetly tell him that if he can't do his job I "totally understand, Sir."  I make awkward jokes.  I try to act like I know something about what is going on.  Then he signs this little thingy and says "we're finished here."  I was so excited I threw up my arm for him to High Five me.  And he did!  He was pretty friendly and we talked about our extra huge garage for a moment and he left.  Suz came over after nap so I could paint, and later that night Beth and I finished painting the office walls.  Because nice Brian had over-sprayed the trim, windows, etc to his hearts desire and it was everywhere.  This was my only major shock to the project-- I did not expect to have to repaint so much.

With this much over-spray I can only guess he thought I was re-painting anyway.

These are new windows Dave and Steve installed.  They are terrific!

The space for the bi-fold door

Preserving the desk...

... and cords...

Heck Yes!!

Friday: Brian is back to hang the doors and "touch up."  He leaves and my friend JoLynn is holding the baby and playing with Dekker while I move everything back in.  It looks... great.

Dave's desk, complete with new chair.  And a foot rest I will promptly be returning.

Great looking bi-fold door hiding the water main.  Panted and hung.

These are pics Dave took with his camera.  I hope to get them framed to
hang in the space real soon.

Saturday: Dave came home late.  I was So Nervous.  I had really worked myself up that he was going to feel like I went behind his back, or that I had taken away from him a chance to complete his "hobby", blah blah.  He was just totally thrilled.  He said he was "floored" and "shocked" and I almost cried.  Then we laid in bed and talked about how I had done this crazy, sneaky thing until 1AM, which is not so smart when your baby gets up at 2 and 6.  Oh well.  It was a great ending to a great 5x5 Week!

On the journey,
Mae

PS I also finalized that Health Savings Account and Flex Savings Account for Daycare!!

5 x 5 Update #3

Lets put week 3 in the books, what do you say ladies and gentlemen?!?  How did you do?  How are you feeling and how is your space looking?  Big props to my friend Natalie, who is blogging her progress along with us here.  As always, I love hearing from you all and hope you are sticking with it, too.

I am thrilled at the progress I made this week, BUT I have a confession-- I did most of my challenge this week on Saturday.  I had a weird week and just couldn't get to much.  (Can I mention that I went back to the therapist?  She is wonderful.  I think one more session and I'll call it good for awhile.  So glad I went!  If you have ever considered seeing a counselor, I hope you will call someone.  I have referrals.  Let's get rid of #stigma and just take care of ourselves!) Plus, the projects I had slated for this week were more "all at once" projects that I thought were harder to break up into smaller ones.  I wasn't too keen on having the coat closet torn apart for three days, if you get my drift.

But, I do want to work on this, because often I don't clean and organize because it feels like "too big a project." I could have easily done the top of the coat closet one day, the organizer inside the door one day, and the coats one day-- but I kept putting it off until I had time to do it all.  And that, I think, has the potential to NEVER get done if I don't change my mindset.

To begin, please know that I FINALLY mailed that package on Wednesday.  Praise the Lord, I hope she hasn't already had that baby and it is off my kitchen counter.

Moving on... Dekker and I started out getting wonderful haircuts Saturday morning (he looks so BIG), went through Starbucks, then to the grocery store.  As I was unloading the groceries that freezer was KILLING me, so I just bit the bullet.  I took everything out, tossed what needed tossed, moved the breast milk to the deep freeze, and reorganized.  I found so much food I didn't know I had and I'm looking forward to working it into our menu over the next months and cleaning it out (and saving some $$) even more.  Then, I decided this was the time to clean the fridge.  Not a deep clean-- just a throw out all the expired stuff in the door and toss the moldy food-- clean.  I wiped the shelves down with a little Clorox Anywhere.  I felt amazed by the extra space that was freed up by getting rid of the expired condiments-- some seriously expired in 2005, and a lot expired in 2010.  I found some pickles from Dekker's FIRST birthday party.  So toss that out, move some stuff in it's place, and yahoo-- it looks and feels so much better.  The baby was happy and the toddler was occupied so I went ahead and cleaned out the pantry, too.  Organized, tossed, condensed-- and again I found food I forgot I had.

If you care enough to scrutinize what we have in the pantry...
just don't judge me.

THEN, just as Dave was about to kill me, I announced that it was time to clean the hall closet.  Our coats are forever thrown over our couch because hanging anything up in that closet is like a search and retrieve mission.  I could barely close the door, barely find a hanger-- and when I did I had to shove everything over and hope I found the rod.  I held up each coat and asked Dave, "Would you like to keep this coat you never wear-- or donate it to a man or woman who can't afford one, would otherwise be cold, and will wear it everyday?"  We each kept one dressy coat, one "snow" coat, and donated the other NINE in there.  One of my goals over the next two weeks will be to take a load to the Open Door Mission (remember the sock drawer?).  We also went through the hats and gloves and found several to donate, and condensed all the dog's stuff into one box in the top of the closet.  It looks and feels so much better, too.

This week I am hoping to get the HSA paperwork from the bank in the mail, so I can finalize that and the Flex Spending Account at work.  My other main goal this week is to sort the mail basket-- and actually file, shred, and pay up as I come across things.  These goals will easily fill my 5x5 time this week-- and it is going to be an extra busy week for me for reasons I will disclose next Sunday-- so stay tuned.

I'm already thinking ahead to week 5, and I really want to get our long-term savings organized and re-set up.  I need to call my "guy" this week and set something up so I can get that done.  Week Five is also week 12 (ish) of my sweet baby's life, which means the return of exercise-- so I hope to get my Nike+, iPod, and treadmill set up.  But that is getting ahead of myself.

Speaking of the sweet baby, here is an adorable picture...

Hello Friends!  I have been SPOILING my Mom
and Dad and sleeping very well the last two nights!!

On the journey,
Stef