A Day in the Life - Sunday, Aug 9, 2009

My mom asked what the kids do each day so I decided to pick a typical day and chronicle all that we do. Apologize in advance for the length and if it puts you right to sleep ...

2:30 am – Gabriel wakes up yelling "Mommy, Mommy!" I go in to see what is wrong and he tells me he has had a bad dream about a snake trying to get him at Chuck E Cheese. I lay down with him for a few minutes and he goes back to sleep.

5:15 am – Giselle wakes up to nurse - this only takes about 15 minutes and we're both back to sleep by 5:30 am.

8:45 – Normally Gabriel is in our bed with us at 7:45 am snuggling and chattering away but this morning I wake up and hear him downstairs playing and Giselle's movements in her crib which is parked right next to my bed. I get up to see what each is doing - Gabriel is playing with his new toy Bakugan's that I got him the day before (has new curb appeal) and Giselle smiles at me and sucks her thumb.

9:00 – I nurse Giselle while sitting on my bed. By this time Gabriel is there with me and kisses her feet. This is distracting to her because she loves her big brother so I ask him to stop until I'm done feeding his sister.

9:15 – I ask Gabriel to get dressed and I do the same so we can go downstairs to make breakfast. Jimmy always has a hard time sleeping so he mumbles from the bed something about "there's eggs in the fridge." Gabriel says "I'm allergic to eggs." I asked him what else he is allergic to in order to have him learn of things he can and can not eat. He says "Peanut butter and also germs." I laughed and said I think everyone is allergic to germs.

9:30 – Gabriel has his toys at the breakfast table and we've told him he is not allowed to have toys at the table so I take them and put them away until later. I serve Gabriel hot toast with Smart Balance butter, bananas and Rice milk. He says the bananas are "too mushy with brown spots" so I mush them even more and give about four spoonfuls to Giselle. I put her in the purple Bumbo seat and she is grabbing things now -- she grabs Gabriel's milk and it spills. Gabriel worried Daddy will think it's him that made a mess says "We need to tell Daddy the truth." He finishes eating his toast sans the crust which he politely gives to me. I'm full from eating his other piece of toast that he didn't want so they go into the compost pile.

9:45 – I have Gabriel read two books to me (Bisquit and I like Bugs) -- this is my way to have him earn his Bakugan toys back for having them at the breakfast table. Jim wakes up and joins us in the kitchen. Gabriel informs everyone he has to go poopy and exclaims that he will wipe his own bottom. I'm thrilled because he will be five this month and think he is old enough to do a good job at wiping his own butt. :) He comes running out -- I still of course have to remind him to wash his hands afterwards. ugh...

10:00 – I put Giselle down for a nap and have Gabriel clean up his room while Jim and I work in the kitchen. Jim is making scrambles eggs and I start to clean. Gabriel is yelling upstairs trying to tell me something. I think he is going to wake the baby so I go up there to tell him to stop yelling and I end up helping him clean his room. He had made some progress but thought it would go much faster if I helped. (I secretly like cleaning up his room out of all the rooms of the house, but know it's important for him to clean up his own areas as a way of being part of the family). Gabriel is in a really good mood and does the cleaning very enthusiastically.

10:20 – We both clean the toy/play area/ "family room" together. Gabriel says to me "I'm gonna talk to God." I said "Oh yea?" he says "Yes, I want to ask him to heal my boo-boo." I look down and see blood on his leg. He must have scratched it so hard that he made himself bleed. Gabriel proceeds almost in a whisper without hesitating "God, please heal my boo-boo. In Jesus name." Then he looks at me and says "Wow! That really works!" Then continues to bounce around the house (and off the walls) as he always does. I get out the vacuum cleaner and asked if Gabriel wanted to vacuum since he loves to help out. He said "No thanks, I want to play vacuum cleaner tag." I learned that means I do all the vacuuming and he runs around the room trying not to get "tagged" by the vacuum. I, of course, make sure to find him a few times. :)

11:15 – Giselle wakes up and the only way we knew it was because Jim peeked into her crib -- she was just looking around. When she saw him she smiles. She is always happy to go down forher naps and easily wakes up happy. I change her diaper and place her in the exersaucer so I can have a potty break. Gabriel decides to ride his bike around the house since it's clean and there is room now.

11:30 – I change Giselle into clean and dry clothes (she's a slobber-goose) and make sure they are pretty since we're going to pick up Aunti Michelle at the airport.

11:35 – She's in her car seat carrier, Gabriel has his shoes on, my purse in on shoulder but we can't leave because Jim can't find his keys and cell phone. After a few minutes of looking Gabriel finally pipes up and says "Oh, I know where they are" -- he points Jim to the kitchen island where Gabriel had placed them earlier in a drawer. Mental note to ask Gabriel when you can't find something - he loves sticking things in interesting places.

11:41 – We are all buckled in and off we go -- but wait, we're stopped so Jim can pull his cell phone out of pocket so he can charge his phone.

11:55 – Giselle is cranky and it's time to nurse. Jim pulls off into a parking lot so I can nurse her.

12:05 PM – On the interstate now with happy baby and happy little boy who is still playing with his Bakugan's and etch-a-sketch. Gabriel is excited to see his Aunti Michelle and he is also excited to be riding in the "diamond lane" (HOV lane).

12:25 – Giselle drifts off to sleep and we pull up to pick up Michelle. I put her in the back seat so she can see and spend time with the kids since our trip together is a short one. Might have been a mistake because Giselle startles awake and is in full crying. Jim pulls off on the shoulder of the highway so Michelle and I can do an indian fire drill. I go to the back so I can man the binky and try to settle her down.

1:00 PM – We arrive at Atlantic Station and eat at boneheads. Gabriel pours more and more ketchup for his french fries - more than he needs.

1:50 – We walk through the blazing hot weather through the market vendors back to the car and Michelle realizes she forgot her purse in the restaurant.

2:00 – We head over to Target so Michelle can buy Gabriel his birthday gift. She won't be here on his birthday and wants to give it to him now. Oops - nope, change of plans, we need to go to Jim's clients home, Nancy Wood, so he may put water on her grass. He has recently placed sod for her, she is out of town and he doesn't want it to dry up or die.

2:12 – Giselle nods off finally while Jim waters the lawn.
2:30 – At Wal-Mart looking for the Tonka Bounce Back Racer. This is the toy Gabriel has said he wanted for months now. He is very excited. Unfortunately, they do not have it. We all don't give up hope and I begin my journey on finding a Target that may have one.2:45 – We went back to Jim's client's home so he could turn off the watering system - meanwhile I call three other Targets to see if they have it. No luck!

3:10 – Jim thought to call Toys R Us (or Toys To Go as he refers to them) to see if they have one. After the long hold and anticipation, we learn they have 10 on the floor. We head on over to check it out. On the way Michelle asks if Giselle is awake - I say she is and Michelle is surprised. She comments on how Michael (her late son) would wake up crying and how Giselle isn't making a peep.3:30 – Success!! We found it - wasn't easy locating it in the store. Glad I had called ahead of time or we may have given up, but since we knew they had some we were tenacious. Bought it and a Googly ball that lights up and are heading back to our home now. Whew! We need to go home so I can nurse Giselle and get a good nap.3:50 – We're home and three adults are trying to open the packaging, finding batteries and unscrewing parts in order to get this toy to work. Let's see how long this takes! :0)4:05 – We have a Bounce Back Racer - and it only took 15 mintues to put together.

4:15 – I go upstairs to charge my phone and to nurse Giselle.

4:30 – We take pictures and then say our good-byes to Michelle. Jim takes her to Emory Hotel while I put Giselle down for a nap, Gabriel plays downstairs and I catch up on Facebook and blogging.

5:00 – Uncle Matt arrives and I hear Shawna in the shower. We didn't have church this morning like we normally do so we will probably have it when Jim gets back. Giselle is cackling in her crib - I hope she can work herself back to sleep. She sure needs it.


5:30 – We gather in the living room and begin praying together. We talk about how it's been a hard week and then begin worshipping the Lord. Gabriel is playing on the floor in front of us with, yep, you guessed it, his Bakugan's. He interrupts by saying "Mom" -- I'm curious as to what he is going to say next because he normally says Mama or Mommy. "I really need to go to Sean's house." This is his little friend up the street. I explain Sean is starting school tomorrow and is probably getting ready for the big day. We continue singing and then Jim ministers about "seeking God diligently" and has us read Hebrews 11:6. He says if I want to bring in a big account to sustain Point of Vision that I need to bombard the heavens expecting God to provide using that scripture as a contract. Gabriel keeps telling me he is hungry so I give him a few crackers and cheese to hold him over until dinner. We look up the definition to be "diligent" and it says to crave.

6:35 PM – We are all hungry so we wrap up prayer and discussion to go to Zucca in Decatur to get a pepperoni pizza. Yummy.

6:45 – It takes us 10 minutes to get out the door due to most of us needing to go tinkle. Jim and I drive in a peaceful car -- it's been another whirlwind day and we both enjoy the calm.

7:00 – I drop off Jim and the kids at the front door so he can go in and order while I park. This makes it much easier and faster.

7:10 – Jim and I dive into our Caesar salad we are sharing while Giselle looks at us with smiles from her car seat parked on the table and Gabriel plays with the menu.

7:10 – We all devour pepperoni pizza and water. Water is one way we can save money instead of buying soft drinks.

7:30 – I nurse Giselle who was watching us eat intently and smacking her lips. I don't have a blanket so Jim holds up a napkin so I can be somewhat discreet.

7:45 – We're done and we're trying pay, but Gabriel has gone to the table next to us since the T.V. is there and it has what he calls a "Grandma" movie on...it's A Shark's Tale and he watched it at Grandma's house before.










8:00 – We meet a family in the parking deck who seem really nice -- Dave, Jenny, Noah and Emma. He is opening a restaurant in Decatur and he and Jim exchange numbers so they can play golf. Gabriel does something super sweet and gives the three year old boy his new Bakugan toy. Jim and I are so proud of him.

8:30 – We drive home and Giselle is fussy. She normally has a jar of veggies by 8:00 and in bed by 8:30. Jim stops off the side of the road so I can jump into the back seat and feed her the jar that is in my purse. She was happy to have it. Our conversation in the car revolves around loving people and how sometimes that comes with a sacrifice - and in this instance to making bedtimes.

8:45 – We change Giselle for night-night and Jim puts Gabriel to bed by telling him as Gabriel says "Awesome make up stories" and we head off to our room for some peace and quiet. Normally I read him a book and Gabriel reads me a book and Jim is the "closer" but tonight since it's late we skip baths and go right to bed.










9:00 PM – I can now type up this blog posting - next I'll take a shower, do a little work (need to post a set of wireframes for the client) and then off to dream land.

Giselle four month stats

Giselle is 13 pounds and is in the 50% for weight. Is really long and thin - 95%.

This month: started eating rice cereal and stopped sleeping at night.

Giselle and Daddy's Cirque du Soleil act

Cirque du Bebe

Giselle turns 4 months old and we buy a new car

This may be the second or third most stressful time of our married life, but all is well. We're taking a hard look at all of our finances and slashing things we don't absolutely need, renegotiating with those who are accepting and making smart decisions. One was buying a new car. My 11 year old Honda CR-V served us well, but was on it's way out. So for safety and many other reasons we purchased a 2010 Toyota Prius. We absolutely love this futuristic car that gets 51 MPG!! Gabriel calls it a spaceship.


Regardless of stress at work and home life, there are many things to celebrate and be thankful for. My friend Matt is getting married this year to sweet Katherine. My friend Michelle just told me she is getting married early of next year and our kids are absolutely beautiful, healthy, sweet and funny. Gabriel says to me at a public restroom with the automatic toilets. "How did it know I was done? It's like magic!" And yesterday morning crawling in to bed with me randomly asks, "What would happen if our feet were on backwards?" He still loves his little sister and loves his role of being a big brother. He is reading more and more and we're so proud of him.

Giselle is rolling over front to back AND back to front really well now. In fact, I think that is her favorite spot to be on her tummy. She has been sleeping on her belly now and the swaddle blanket has gone bye-bye. Loves her daddy and still wakes up smiling in the mornings.

Stronger, Smarter and ... Sweatier

If you aren't a rock or haven't been living under one, you know that we are experiencing quite a significant economic downturn. I remember downplaying it last October when everyone was talking about recession coming, but here we are staring it in the face. It's times like these that make me appreciate what our grandparents and even Jim's folks must have gone through during the depression. I get the sense that we could be standing in line to buy bread somewhere in the coming months. Regardless of how hard it is right now, I surprisingly remain optimistic that things will turn about soon as they always do and I feel quite positive. I feel stronger for having to go through it -- and would even go as far as saying I'm almost thankful that we are going through it. As they say, "what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger." Well, I'm still alive and I choose to remain strong and survive no matter what. It's forcing us to look at our life under a microscope and re-evaluate what is really necessary to live and what really matters the most. We are making smarter decisions. We didn't really need DirecTV and we found out Allstate was gouging us and have knocked off $400 our monthly bill. Next is to get the home refinanced and take advantage of offers. I'm not going to sugar-coat it that much because I'd be lying if I didn't like some of the luxuries we've grown accustomed to, but really we just need a roof over our head, clothes on our back and food on the table - everything else I now see as icing on the cake.

We've gone through hard times before. When we were first married we rubbed two pennies together to buy .99¢ spaghetti dinners. And 2001 was a hard year for everyone with 9/11, but especially for us with the passing of our 15 year-old nephew, followed by my aunt and then my daddy all within weeks of each other. 2003 is a year that will always remain infamous as that was the year of our miscarriage, our dog Nutmeg was killed tragically at the same time that Jim's hernia operation went array as we were purchasing and moving into our first home. That may have been the hardest time of our lives. But we got through it and it makes us appreciate the good things in life. Each "hard" time is different - and this one is full of uncertainty of the future, but also filled with opportunity and challenges. You just have to dig down deep and find the strength to rise and meet them. Each day has been throwing me a curve ball ... from work stress, nursing stressors, and personal financial stress. Mostly knocking each one out of the park as they come and hoping to keep that luck and momentum, but here I am sitting at my computer at 1 am with my entire family sleeping downstairs on floors and sofas because it's slightly cooler. You see, our air conditioner broke today. Another $1,500 repair no doubt. And while a small part of me wants to whine, the larger (and sweatier part) rises up within me and attacks it once again, head on, without fear, knowing our God will take care of us and we have the love of each other.

I feel stronger, smarter and sweatier.

My mom came to visit. She helped me clean out the basement of 100 boxes and had a garage sale. She and Giselle finally meet.

Giselle is Two Months Old!

I can't believe Giselle is two months old already. It's been a rollercoaster ride with the c-section, plugged milk duct, mastitis, allergic reaction to the antibiotic and now she's sick with her first cold and has given it to me, but it has gone by fast. She is wonderful and we're so thankful.

Also, I noticed today that she has a pattern (it's a pattern or routine more than a schedule), but she eats every 2-1/2 to three hours during the day then plays (awake time for about an hour or so) and then she naps, repeat. I went back to work when she was six weeks old and Jimmy has been watching her, but he doesn't notice these details and even if he did doesn't share too much of her day with me (mostly b/c he can't remember with running after the 4-year old and trying to get things done around the house).

1. eats
2. plays
3. sleeps

She's also found the ceiling fan mesmerizing and rolled over from her tummy to her back three times. Oh, and gives us the biggest smiles...and even laughed a couple of times! It's amazing watching her grow so fast. My heart has grown two sizes these past two months. Even Gabriel has taken to her like fish to water. He still calls her Gisellie or Gisellie Belly. I call her Gisellie Bean.

We enjoyed our visit from our friends Jack and Jeannine Beebe very much. We are now feeling like life can resume some normalcy and looking forward to catching up with friends and more family. Next stop....visit with my mom so she can hold her grand baby for the first time.

Overwhelmed by Love

I'm overwhelmed by the love and support that has been shown to me during my pregnancy, but also toward the little one that has joined our family. I have received cards with well wishes from people I really didn't expect to receive, gifts from so many friends, family and clients. Neighbors who have helped out when we are in need. She is truly one blessed little girl. And so are we.

And, when I returned to work I received this zebra plant from my co-workers with a note in it that quaintly said, "Welcome Home!" I have the best co-workers in the world.

Easter 2009

Giselle experienced her first Easter with a beautiful dress given to her by Alane. She even smiled for me for a few pictures. Gabriel enjoyed it with friends with an egg hunt in our front yard. Patrick found the most eggs and won the big chocolate easter bunny. They all had a good time with the highlight being one of the balloons that was accidentally let go up into the sky. Lydia said, "it went up, up all the way to God. And he is going to have a birthday party." Gabriel replied, "No, he only has birthdays at Christmas."

We Miss You Grampa!

My dad passed away July 11, 2001 and I can honestly say not a day goes by where I don't think of him or miss him. Whether I'm reminded of him by a funny country song, his signature pancakes, how genius he was with numbers or just what a down to earth, honest, hard-working, caring, self-less, lovable man he was. I don't know whether it's the hormones, but lately I've cried myself to sleep missing him thinking of how much he would absolutely love to hold, kiss and love on his grand kids.

I miss him so much these days. I look around at restaurants and see Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents with their families and wish that Jim's folks were a little younger or my mom lived closer. And since I'm wishing, I wish my dad were here to see his granddaughter. I know he would love her so much. I know he must be looking down from heaven, but it's just not the same without one of his hugs. So back to reality -- He will forever live on in my memory. He may have thought his prized pancakes with his secret bacon grease recipe were special, but it was his hugs and his infectious personality that should have been award-winning. He always knew how to make everyone smile and feel a little better. I love you Dad!

Here we are together when I was alittle older than Gabriel's age.

What's up with the new Pett family?

Giselle smiles occasionally, still has hiccups once a day and is starting to sleep about 5 hours straight at night. She really enjoys her bath and tummy time, and is generally a good baby with her only crying and fussiness with having gas. We pull her legs up to her chest in order to relieve some of the umm...pressure. It looks a little like churning butter so Jim started calling it churning for baby butter. It's kind of stuck so now when she farts or poops we all yell out "Baby Butter!"

Gabriel is Mr. Chatterbox these days. I allow him to call Grandma to talk her ear off which is a win, win, win. Frees up some time for us, he loves talking to her and she loves listening. He definitely hasn't been lost among all the newborn hub-bub. He had a special "mommy and me" day at the Georgia Aquarium. He's played at his friends Sean and Patrick's homes, had a park day with his friend Lydia as well as park days with each of us, Aunt Shawna, me and daddy. Meanwhile, we've had a blast reading and dancing. Take a look at his (and Giselle's) latest dance moves (see video).




As for me, I'm getting over mastitis and a clogged duct in my breast. It was very painful and I had flu-like symptoms -- a fever of 104, chills and body aches. I feel like I've lost a week being laid up in bed for four days. The antibiotics are finally working and am trying to rest up in order to prepare going back to work next Tuesday.

Jim has been busy working around the house and final tax prep. Busy, busy, busy.

Giselle at Three Weeks

We are enjoying our family time and getting to know Giselle. She is a sweet baby, sleeps 20 hours a day albeit in 2-3 hour increments, and has the hiccups at least once a day. She won't let me put her down for more than one minute or she fusses. She stops immediately once I pick her back up. I don't know how she knows whether or not I'm holding her, but she does - there is no fooling her! She is gassy like most babies, but swaddling seems to help as well as putting her in her swing by the dishwasher while it's running - puts her right out.

Gabriel is enjoying her and is getting more used to her crying. He talks to her and says "I'm your big brother silly, not a monster." I guess that's because she usually has this look on her face like "who are you?"

Giselle at One Week

It's been a really hard first week. I've cried tears of pure joy, tears from pain and tears from shear exhaustion. I'm glad to be getting my body back, losing 20 pounds in one week. I've still got a long way to go. Every day gets a little easier as we get back into the swing of things. It's all coming back to us slowly. Nursing has been a challenge, but we're figuring that out too.

Here is Giselle at day seven. She had her first doctor appointment and has gained back all her birth weight giving us a big thumbs up from her doc.


Here is my first picture with both my kids. So weird to say "kids" (of course Gabriel is making his goofy face). We are enjoying our new Team Pett. Meanwhile, we've been making strawberry pies since they are in season and on sale at Publix.

March 3, 2009 -- Welcome Giselle Helena Pett

We are ecstatic to report the arrival of our little love bug Giselle Helena Pett. She came via C-section on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 4:01 pm. Weighing 7 lbs, 15 oz and 20.5 inches long. Her Apgar scores were 9 and 9 and is a very healthy and sweet baby. We are all totally in love with her, including her big brother Gabriel who calls her "Gisellie."

Gabriel's inquisitiveness

I can't sleep - again - but this time due to being so happy and excited I'm going to get to see my little girl soon. I can't wait to kiss her and hold her in my arms.

Gabriel cracks us up all the time and is such a happy boy. He's fascinated with the planets, learning body parts and what they do and oddly enough cooking. He asks the most interesting, and sometimes boggling, smart questions. As of late he's randomly asked:

• How do you hear God speak to you?
• Can you see energy?
• Does the earth rotate around the sun clockwise?
• Are there really aliens out there?

He says to me tonight that gravity holds us to the ground. Then there was a question tonight, which is escaping me partly because I'm sleep deprived, but I remember thinking "I'll have to Google that one." I didn't want to tell him the wrong thing -- he really retains this stuff.

Our Snow Day - March 1, 2009

It rarely snows in Atlanta, but usually one day a year, sometime in February or March, we'll get sleet. Today we got nearly four inches of beautiful snow. Too bad we were all sick with colds and didn't get to enjoy it to it's fullest. I adored it from the bedroom window.