Field Day, Pirates, and Full Moon

      The two weeks following the wedding were busy as usual.  That first week, Hubs and I were just plain wore out.  We are not as young as we used to be.  Staying up until after 1 for three nights in a row...and having to wake JJ up for school on Monday morning = exhausting.  We went to karate on Monday April 30.  This class and one more before his test on May 14th.  We are excited about karate.  We finally got to visit with JJ's friend at Subway.  We had been missing each other the last few Mondays.  We went to bed fairly early for us.  I think Hubs and I were in bed by 9:30pm.
     Tuesday, I napped on and off most of the day.  I was worried I would end up not sleeping because of how much I had slept.  We all went to bed early again. 
     Wednesday through Thursday, Hubs and I talked about a variety of things.  Behavior, grieving, adoption.  We talked about real estate, schooling, and jobs.  So much going on in our lives. 
     Friday, nasty weather was headed our way.  We were hoping it would pass quickly and we could see the moonrise because it was supposed to be the Super Moon.  No.  It was too nasty.  Then, when the rain stopped, it was too cloudy to even see the moon.  We were up late.  We went to bed after midnight, and when we turned the lights out, I could see the moon shining.  So I got back up and went out to look at the huge moon.  It was super bright, but it didn't look any bigger.  I was bummed yet again that I had missed the rise.
     Saturday, we had decided to take JJ to a Pirate Festival in the next town over.  We ate a big breakfast and then headed over.  Our (mine and Hubs) idea of a festival and what we actually went to...were not the same thing, LOL.  What we THOUGHT we were going to was something that had a ton of vendors, booths, games, and whatnot, all pirate themed.  What we went to was the Information center that had a band playing, a bounce house, a Liberty Tax booth, and a Marine Patrol Boat.  They had a balloon animal/face painting station.  And there was a group from Raleigh that did a "pirate" performance.  Overall, **I** was disappointed, but JJ had fun.  It got us out of the house for the day.  We arrived about 10:45 or so and left about 1:45pm.  We left there and went in search of something to eat for lunch.  We found a Michaelangelo's Pizza.  It was super yummy.  They had pizza slices bigger than JJ's head.  Hubs got a picture...I will have to post that later.     We got home, cooled off...I really can't tell you what filled those hours before dinner and movie time.  I probably played DrawSomething on the kindle fire.  (Have I mentioned how much I like that game??)  I really can't even tell you what we ate for dinner.  What I CAN tell you is that we watched Eclipse.  When it finished, JJ asked "When do we get the next movie so we can see Bella and Edward get married???"  He's such a Twilight junkie.  It makes me smile!  Saturday evening was full moon, and I was able to grab a picture.

     Sunday I know we were bums inside because it rained all day long. 
     Monday and Tuesday were a blur.  I only know that Monday was karate, and JJ's last class before he takes his yellow belt test!!!
     Wednesday was field day.  Such a fun day!!!  Hubs was able to go this year, and I think he may have been more excited than JJ about field day.  I only took pictures the first half of the day.  After lunch, it was drizzly, and they were doing water activities, so I left my camera in the car.

He is NOT the world's best hula-hooper.  He IS the world's cutest tryer :)

Concentrating really hard to get the beanbag all the way to Daddy

Rest time was their SECOND activity. 

Sharks and Minnows.  JJ was a minnow.

Parachute...I'm not exactly sure what he's doing here...but he was having fun.  That's all that matters, right?

FREEZE!  Doing the freeze dance during the dance station.  They also performed the Chicken Dance and the ChaCha slide.  :)

     After this, we broke for lunch.  Hubs and I headed to Subway.  While there, it started raining.  The sun came back out, we left,...and walked right into the rain.  We hadn't realized it was still raining, and I exclaim "Wow, the devil must be beatin' his wife today!"  Hubs looks at me over his shoulder and grins.  The sayings we grew up with, LOL...We get back to the school, and the kids are at their first station already.  We walk around with them, help them with their relays, and have a lot of fun.  At the final station, where the kids were blowing bubbles, the kids thought it would be A.W.E.S.O.M.E. to give Jonathan's Daddy a bubble bath.  They proceeded to use their bubble wands full of suds to rub up and down his arms and legs and cover him in bubbles.  Hubs would randomly proclaim "OH.  Thanks for my bubble bath."  Which would lead the kids into a chorus of giggles.  He's such a kid :wink:  and overall, he was a hit with the class!  We checked JJ out and headed home.  We get inside, and JJ says "I'm so tired.  Can I just put on my jammies and then do my homework?  I don't even want to go outside to play today!!!"  And that's exactly what he did.  He got his jammies on, I got my jammies on, and we sat on the couch and got him homework done.  We were all wore out!  The sun, exercise, sun, bubbles, sun...it was just tiring. 
     Thursday we got JJ off to school, and then Hubs and I ran some errands.  We dropped his car off at the mechanic; his ABS light had turned on, and then his check engine light came back on.  We had just had that fixed, so they were going to check that for us and check the brake system.  We had a few things to pick up before the weekend.  We also wanted to check on the bikes.  (JJ busted his tire right after Spring Break, so he has been without a bike.)  Off we head to walmart.  We found the size bike we needed, so we went ahead and picked it up.  It's an early birthday present because we didn't want him to wait over a month for a new bike when he had only been practicing without his training wheels for two weeks.  We got home, put it in the garage to surprise JJ, and waited around for the phone call for Hubs car.  I went to pick JJ up, and when I got home, Hubs had called to check on his car, and it was "next"...next???  BOOO.  We dropped his car off at 10:45,and it was after 3 at this point.  Our bad for waiting so long.  We do homework, JJ gets his hour of game time, and Hubs phone rings.  Turns out that "something" (we are assuming squirrel because we have a lot around here) chewed through his wiring and led his car to believe the ABS was out...which in turn led to the check engine light coming on.  They replaced the wiring, we had a good laugh, and it was time to let JJ know about the bike.  Hubs asked JJ if he wanted to go ride bikes together, and JJ got all sad and said "My bike is tore up, remember?  I busted out my tire by going too fast."  (it was so stinkin' cute!)  Hubs asked "Are you sure?  Let's look in the garage."  He opens the door, JJ pushes his way through, and there sits his awesome new bike.  He comes tearing back into the house hollering. "YAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY" and starts running in circles.  So.Funny.  He and Hubs ride their bikes for a while.  JJ exclaims that he will never play video games again because he will always want to ride his bike outside!!!!

While they were riding, I talked to Mommy to verify our plans for the weekend.  Hubs and I had decided to spend the last "job-free" weekend with Momma and Grandmutter.  Plus we were going to take JJ roller skating for the first time....

Bloody Noses, Clemson, and A Wedding

     Friday morning, April 27, we woke up super early.  We had packed the car the night before except for the hygiene stuff (toothbrushes, deodorant, etc), my camera, the computer...so we didn't have to rush around.  Hubs and I got showers and got dressed, and we waited as long as possible to wake JJ.  We had already decided that we were going to let him ride in his pj's to Richlands, and then we would let him get changed.  We all piled in the car, JJ turned on his DS, and we were off by 7:10am.  We hit a little bit of traffic on the way because of people going to work, but otherwise, had a fairly uneventful trip.  We made it to the Hardees (Grandpoppy's Hardees) in Richlands by about 7:45am.  We were meeting there to pick up Lydia, get JJ dressed, and have a quick breakfast.  We hoped to be back on the road by 8:30am.
     We ordered breakfast and wouldn't you know, they told us to have a seat, they would bring our food to us.  We get our drinks and find a table for the four of us to sit.  We waited for what felt like forever, then they called out from the front counter our order.  Hubs went to pick it up, and we chuckled at them "bringing it out to us."  We eat, the kids played the staring game...the blinking game...the quiet game...we finish and get loaded in the car about 8:45am.  Hubs and I had made sure that everyone had gone to the potty, so we were hopeful to make it to the SC welcome center before we made our first stop.
     JJ and Lydia both had their DS's, so they were set.  They were sharing games, showing shortcuts and secrets, even playing against each other.  Hubs and I talked, listened to the radio, and talked some more.  We made it to the welcome center with no other stops.  Everyone got out, made a trip to the bathroom, and stretched their legs.  Lydia had accidentally thrown her drink away at Hardees instead of getting a refill, so we got her a drink at the snack area.  And we piled back into the car.  Truthfully, the trip was uneventful.  We had planned to pick up lunch and eat lunch with Hubs' parents.  We had talked with them the night before to let them know, and when I called to give an update, I let them know our estimated arrival time "We should get there about 1:00pm, so we can pick lunch up with ya'll if you want."  "ok, that sounds good!"  We drive through Myrtle Beach and on down to Charleston.  I call to let them know we are there, and if they want us to bring them lunch...they had already eaten...so, off we go to find something for the kids to bring back to the church.  We finally find a Chick-Fil-A, go through the drive-thru, then turn back around to get to the church (where they are decorating for the Tailgate themed Rehearsal dinner, Clemson vs. Ohio State).  :)
     We set the kids up to the side so they can eat, and Hubs and I eat quickly.  I ask what I can do to help.  There were a few last minute decorating things...and getting napkins and plates out.  I got what I could set up while Momma Aleman got the pictures placed where she wanted.  Before we know it, it's time to head back over the Cooper River Bridge to the hotel.  We still had to check in.  We finally get checked in (after only a MINOR fiasco where they COULDN'T FIND MY RESERVATION!!!)  But after a few minutes and some searching, they found it.  It was reserved under another name, with a note that I would be the one checking in.  (I guess it made sense to the person who took my reservation two weeks earlier.)  We get our stuff in, get the kids changed (Lydia wanted to dress up, and JJ needed to get his Clemson orange on!)  Then Hub and I got in our Clemson colors, and it was time to go.  His younger brother's family were staying down the way from our room, so we all left at the same time:  Their 3, our 4, and Hubs parents.  We get downstairs and start loading in the car.  JJ and Hubs go off to one side; Lydia and I go to the other side.  I make sure Lydia is in, I open my door, and I hear something hit the ground, and JJ start crying.
     I run over to the driver's side of the car to find JJ on his knees holding his nose, and the passenger door of Hubs parent's van open.  I couldn't understand how the door was opened and hit him because they would have SEEN him.  I get JJ up, Hubs picks up the DS that had gone flying, and I tell JJ to move his hands.  Blood.All.Over.  So I holler "Does someone have a Kleenex?  His nose is bleeding!"  Momma Aleman hands me a Kleenex and keeps saying "I'm sorry.  I'm so sorry!"  I get JJ's face wiped up, and we get him in the car.  He's in the backseat whimpering, his nose is all red, and still bleeding.  I keep looking back to see if his nose looked crooked.  I end up handing him a napkin, and he says in a pitiful voice "Can I still play my DS?"  So I open my window and let Hubs brother know that JJ is fine, he still wants to play his DS.  On the way back to the church, I ask, "What happened?  Did Nana open the door and accidently hit you?"  He said "No!  I tripped over the hump and went to catch myself and hit my face on the door because it was still open.  It was an accident!!"  (The concrete hump thing at the front of the parking space.  When he stepped off of the sidewalk, somehow his foot landed between the sidewalk and the hump, and he tripped.)
     We get to the church.  I take JJ to the bathroom and get a wet paper towel to wash his face off.  I was trying to get all the dried blood from around his nose.  Thankfully none fell on his clothes!!!  I check his nose again, and it's not crooked, but he has a bruise forming on one side.  Poor kid.  Hubs takes JJ and Lydia off to the sanctuary for the rehearsal.  I stay in the activities building because I am not needed at the rehearsal, so Momma Aleman wanted me to get a few of the things ready that didn't need to sit out for very long.
     Hubs parents arrive, I tell them how JJ hit his nose, and get a list from Momma Aleman.  It had notes on the last few things that needed to be put out.  Off they go to the rehearsal, and I am alone in the big room, ready to put my decorating skills to use.  I look at the list, get what I need, and start arranging.  I set up a snack table, I decorated a table where the pizza would be, and basically just made sure that everything looked fun :)  I had some free time before the rehearsal finished, so I was able to take camera and get pictures of lots of stuff :)

Cornhole prizes.  Notice that we have a Clemson Team and an Ohio State team.  The Nutcracker is one of Momma Aleman's to add to the decorations.  (Many of the decorations came from Momma Aleman's Tiger Den or from their own tailgating supplies.  They are very proud Tiger fans!)

Groom's cake.  Groom is a Clemson graduate and was part of the Tiger Band. 

Cornhole, anyone?

Cornhole winners.  A good-lookin' bunch of Aleman males.

     The rehearsal dinner was a success.  We ate pizza and wings and had plenty of snacks.  We had a cornhole game, and the prizes were awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd on each team.  JJ and Hubs were both 2nd place, one for each side.  We  got back to the hotel super late, got the kids ready for bed, and it was after 1 when Hubs and I finally got in the bed.
     Saturday, we got up, got ready, and went to the Huddle house for breakfast.  We went as a large group: us, Hubs younger brother's family, and his parents.  It was hectic.  We finally all ate and headed back to the room to hang out a bit.  I had already showered and dressed, so I needed to get Lydia in the shower.  She finished, I dried her hair, and we packed a bag.  We were heading to the church early because she was getting her hair and makeup done.  I had to bring both of our dresses, makeup, and comfy clothes to change into afterwards for the reception.
     The wedding was beautiful.  I cried.  I had a front row seat along with the three flower girls and their Mommies. 

Hubs escorting his Momma.  He cleans up well, doncha' think?

Handsome Aleman males :)   This is the first time I've seen JJ since Lydia and I got to church.  I think my tears started here...

Beautiful Lydia walking down the aisle...she was a jr. bridesmaid.

Beautiful bride and her Daddy.

     After the Bride walked down the aisle, I put my camera down so that I could watch the wedding and cry.  (I had remembered to pack Kleenex in my purse!)  Afterwards, we hung around for group photos.  We ended up back at the hotel before the reception because the boys forgot their change of clothes.  It worked out because we were all able to use the bathroom.  Then we got the kids changed and left their wedding clothes in the hotel room, and Hubs and I packed our change of clothes back in the bag.  Off we head to the reception at Folly Beach.
     The beach house was beautiful.  The decorations were elegant.  The food was awesome!  We sat on the deck and enjoyed eating.  The kids wanted to head down the beach, so Auntie K and I took the three kids down to the beach.

The cousins :)  Lydia-10, JJ-6 1/2, LilyAnn-3 1/2

Bride and her Boys :)

Hubs, Momma Aleman, Groom(Uncle C), Younger Brother (Uncle P)
     I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked.  We didn't stay til the end of the reception.  We had to leave early because I don't give rewards for attitude.  Once back at the hotel room, things were fine.  The kids snuggled up together, and Lydia read to JJ from the book we had given her.
     The next day (Sunday), we headed back out to the beach house for a brunch.  Again, the food was awesome.  We were able to visit a while.  We even had a complete family picture made.

Our growing family!!!  Thanks to Auntie M's Momma for this picture!!!

     We visited a bit longer;  I had a wonderful time getting to know Auntie M's Momma.  We said our good-byes and headed up the street to visit Uncle Jack and Aunt Doris.  We only visited a few minutes.  Uncle Jack was tired.  He looked tired.  But we were thankful for the visit because it had been a while since Hubs had been able to see them.
     We loaded up in the car and drove for a bit before stopping to order some lunch to go.  We ate in the car.  The kids did awesome.  We stopped for gas and bathrooms.  We got the kids a snack.  We drove the rest of the way in.  Now, we didn't leave Folly Beach until almost 4.  We didn't drop Lydia off in Richlands until 8:45pm, and we didn't get home until 9:15pm. 
     It was a rush to get everything in, get JJ some dinner, and then ready for bed.  He didn't fuss at all.  He went right to bed and was asleep in a few minutes.
     It was a super busy weekend.  Stress in some parts, but mostly a fun time.  Hubs and I never got an alone minute with his parents, so I was kinda bummed about that....but only because we had brought the memory box and wanted to share that...along with the baby's name.  I had told Hubs that I had wanted to share the sex and name in the coming weeks on the blog...

Emotional Breakdown

     What a busy time we have had.  As you know, or maybe not, I've been dealing with emotions that I thought were under control.  I didn't realize the emotions weren't under control until we received the news during Spring Break, and then I just started having a hard time "dealing."  I started feeling major anxiety about the coming weekend (Hubs oldest brother got married in Charleston on the 28th).  We would be seeing a TON of family all at once, and I was having a hard time processing all of that.  I was getting touchy.  I felt like Hubs and I were fighting over s.t.u.p.i.d. things.  I just wanted to spend a day curled in bed, so I could mope, cry...whatever...get it out of my system before I saw everyone.
     Hubs had a meeting on Monday the 23rd during karate time, so JJ and I went to Subway and Karate alone.  (I couldn't spend the day being a bum because I had to be dressed and showered to take JJ.)  Karate was at a different school, so we got there, and only a handful of kids were there.  We were a bit early, and Monday was a COLD evening....mid 30's overnight.  It was already getting cold, and smart Mom that I am, I didn't bring a jacket for myself.  The people who take the weekly payments weren't there, so I went on in with JJ and decided to just stay in until the people arrived.  Karate starts at 6pm.  The Marine helper came in about 10 til and started the class.  I haven't been able to watch class since the first month because parents aren't supposed to stay and watch.  The kids were cute doing all of their warm ups, especially the push ups.  I couldn't stop giggling.  Then they were reviewing.  They have been learning about Stranger Danger and what to do is a stranger tries to snatch them.  They kick the person as hard as they can in the knees, yank their arms in a circular motion, and yell STRANGER.  So, the Marine helper goes around to each child and has them practice the move to show that they DO know what must be done (without really kicking him, of course.)...and while I am standing there watching these kids, my eyes start to feel with tears, and I feel like I am about to break down watching them do Stranger Danger....Really?  I go back to the hallway, and thankfully someone has come in with the cash box, and they get a paper started for signing in, and a line forms.  I get in line, sign JJ in, pay, and go outside (where the breeze is pretty cold) and stand a few minutes.  It's about 6:20 by this point, and karate ends at 6:45.  I decided to go on to the car and text Momma.  I end up calling her, and we talk a few minutes...I tell her that I just needed to talk a few minutes because watching the kids and my hormones were not mixing well that night.  Monday finishes with no more excitement.  I tell Hubs about my hormones, and we talk about JJ's appointment the next day with his allergist.
     Tuesday the 24th was a day I was partially dreading.  Three weeks prior, JJ had been to the allergist, saw Mr. Main Guy and was told not to have any milk, cheese, or school lunches.  We had been following that for 3 weeks.  I wasn't comfortable giving him the calcium supplement instead of his multivitamin, but we decided we would do that for the three weeks, and then go back to the multivitamin.  We also bought JJ soy milk so that he could have cereal in the mornings (multi grain cheerios or shredded wheat)...I don't keep sugary cereals.  I packed his lunch.  We had increased his inhaler for those few days.  There was definitely a noticeable difference in the congestion.  JJ and I go to the appointment; Hubs had another interview in Greenville.  We were called back pretty quickly.  His appointment was at 8:15, and we were the first people there.  They do height and weight, but nothing is said.  The nurse asks me if anything has changed in the three weeks, and I tell her that we had followed a strict no milk/cheese diet.  She asks why, and I tell her that Mr. Main Guy had told us to.  She was all "oh."  We go back to the dr.  We see Mr. Nice Guy, the dr that we usually deal with.  He listens to JJ's chest/lungs and tells him that he sounds awesome.  He checks his ears, and JJ has some fluid behind one of his eardrums, but it was not infected.  Mr. Nice Guy goes over how to spray the flonase and the Ocean spray because doing those wrong can cause fluid build up.  We also have to make sure that JJ does the yawning motion several times a day.  Nothing was mentioned about his weight or his diet.  I guess Mr. Main Guy neglected to let everyone else know his orders.  We go back in six months, end of October.  From there, I took JJ to McDonald's to get a quick breakfast, and then I took him on to school.
     I had already decided that since Hubs would be out of town for most of the day, I would go get my hair cut, colored, and eyebrows done.  After dropping JJ off, I headed to walmart.  I first went to the pharmacy to put in refills for his emergency inhaler, and then I went to the hair salon.  There was no one in there, so they took me right back.  The girl who took care of me had such an awesome personality.  We talked about everything...I do mean everything.  Hubs getting out of the military, looking for a job...being pregnant...losing the baby...anxiety over the coming weekend...We used several kleenexes while talking.  But I felt better just getting it out to someone who wasn't involved (if that makes any sense)...She did an all over color in my natural brown to cover the grey, then she put in neutral caramel highlights that would look more natural as my hair grew out.  She yanked out my eyebrows; thankfully I had warned her about how red my face would get.  She trimmed the ends of my hair and added some layers.  I am still trying to grow my hair out, but it needed some sort of shape.  When all was said and done, I had spent about four hours in the hair salon!  I was hooked up with all sorts of free samples and sent on my merry way.  I headed to the pharmacy to pick up the inhaler, then I headed home.  I decided to put on some makeup since my hair was all cute, then it was time to head to pick up JJ.

Got home with JJ and started on his homework.  I heard Hubs pull in the driveway, and I told JJ that Daddy was home.  We both rushed outside to welcome him back in :)  Hubs was like "what's going on?"  JJ was all "We missed you so much, Daddy!!"  :)  Love that kid!

(insert a GRRRR here.  I had typed a WHOLE STUPID LONG ENTRY and it didn't save.)  So, I am going to attempt to re-write, but I am super upset.  It was emotionally draining the first time around :sigh:  I am only going to write up to Thursday, and then I will write about the wedding in another entry.  :sigh:  Yes.  Hormones are not making me very happy right now. 
 
     Wednesday, I ended up having an emotional breakdown.  It didn't start out as such, but when Hubs and I finally talked, everything just came out.  I was angry that the news had been shared, I was angry with my reaction to the news.  I had thought I was doing much better, but then I felt like I was back at square one.  I hate crying because it doesn't make me feel any better, and if it did, I would take a week, hole up and do nothing but cry to get it over with...but I feel worse after crying.  My head hurts, my eyes are swollen and scratchy.  Just a mess.  I was feeling anxious about seeing our family during the weekend.
     Thursday, I had a dr appointment.  We took JJ to school and then headed to the dr.  My OB is awesome, and we talked about my blood pressure that was elevated.  I told her about my emotional breakdown the day before, my anxiety about seeing the family, the news that had been shared.  I cried.  She gave me a kleenex and told me that my responses were completely normal.  She told me that unfortunately my journey would not be straight up hill and full of only highs...that I would hit some bumps and there would be lows as well.  She told me that she had seen me 2 weeks after our loss and that she was amazed at the strength I had shown and that at only 9 weeks post partum, I was doing amazing.  She knew that I would put one foot in front of the other this weekend and do what needed to be done to move forward.

**I am going to post now.  I am so disgusted that my entry was lost in cyber space.  The only part that saved was before the GRRR...I had been writing for about 2 hours to get everything caught up, and my details for Wednesday and Thursday were MUCH longer....but again, it was emotionally draining to write the first time, talking about my hurt, my confusion...the anger, and the pain...:sigh:  I just couldn't do it again, but I hope with what I wrote, you are able to understand.  I still hurt.  I still cry.  I'm human.