As is typically the case...

I'm not so good at this blogging thing. Maybe I should ask Carmen how to keep motivated since she is the grand champion. Or Amy, who takes the time to maintain 2 blogs. At any rate, here's my latest and greatest...

So it was Christmas Eve the last time we met. Since then life has been such a whirlwind I'm not so sure where to start! Christmas at my place was as festive as ever. I was worried about the logistics of everyone's holiday cheer, but, as is typically the case, God blessed us, everyone. Mom spent the night and had Christmas breakfast with us. I, being large and in charge with my due date just over a month away, pretty much just watched the girls unwrap their gifts and soaked up my family--thankful that we could all be together. Trying not to think that it could have easily been otherwise.

New Year's rolled around far too quickly. Between a intensely chaotic work situation and managing the girls' holiday break schedules, it is surprising that I did not lose my mind altogether. But, as is typically the case, all's well that ends well. The practice successfully moved across the street from Hendersonville Medical Center. I spent all day New Year's Day filing charts and getting us prepared to see patients in the new office January 2nd.

The end of the girls' holiday break rolled around as they went back to school on January 6th. Audie met the occasion with a new academic class schedule and Jenna was glad that chorus was back in session. With work keeping me busy, the contractions were generally rationalized away by reminding myself, "My due date is January 30th--still a couple of weeks away."

Umm, no. The girls went back to school for one day before I woke them up the next morning by 5am telling them that my water had broke. Since my water did not break with either of the girls, I was unsure what to expect. In no hurry to get to the hospital. I made my phone call to Labor & Delivery, took a shower, and stopped by my office on the way to Vanderbilt Medical Center to check my emails and let everyone know I'd be out for a while.

So it was 8am when I walked into the room where my first and only son would be born whenever he decided to arrive. Let me tell you--he took his time. After hours of agony and only enough medication to knock me out for about an hour and a half around early evening, out came Heath Collin Harrington, by way of natural and PAINFUL childbirth delivery.

I have a notable placenta story I will post later, for those of you into strange childbirth stories. Not gross at all, just unique.

Due to his prematurity, he was watched for signs of respiratory stress for several hours and then appointments after leaving the hospital. He was also quite jaundiced, but managed to avoid what I call the "baby tanning bed." He has been such a precious addition to our family.

Other than the new person, though, life has kept me on my toes. Mom watches Heath while I work 3 days a week, but, as is typically the case, I wind up taking him in to the office with me on the days I'm supposed to be off, if only for a hour or two or four or maybe six...

Audie submitted her requested classes for her sophomore year. Another round of honors classes headed her way. She's getting her foreign language out of the way, which I think is a great idea. It should make her junior year at least one class lighter. At Hume-Fogg your junior year could make you or break you. It was DEFINITELY a sink or swim kind of academic regimen.

Jenna is headed off to middle school in the fall. What does this mean for me? Well, I have been having lunch at school with her as much as possible because I have a sneaky suspicion that once she's in 6th grade it will no longer be cool for her mom to show up at lunch. She is also getting more and more independent, which is sad. I love that she still needs me right now. She's a great cuddler...I'll miss that.

As for me and Casey, we are still working through alot of issues, as is typically the case. My new mantra is that catchy Kelly Clarkson song, My Life Would Suck Without You. Not sure which line speaks to me more: "I know that I've got issues which are pretty messed up, too" or "Baby, being with you is so dysfunctional." At least the chorus is loud and clear: "...we belong together...forever united..." I sincerely believe that.

That's all the time I have. So until next time, I wish you all the best and all of my love. Maybe I will start posting monthly again, and not blow it off, as is typically the case.