Less then month until I'm back into full time nursing school for my 2nd semester. As much as I have tried to savor the bliss of summer, it is going by much too quickly. But then again, I do want to hurry up and get this thing called nursing school behind me and start my new career as a labor and delivery RN. Yes, I'm certain that's where I want to be. The first round of clinicals is OB so that's one exciting thing about going back to school.
Cameron starts kindergarten Sept 3rd and its very much hard to believe. Here it goes, the school years that won't end for a very long time. As it gets closer, I wonder if I have prepared Cameron enough for school. He can count to 100, knows how to spell his name (we are still working on writing it) and of course knows his colors, shapes, all the basics for say. Its not fair how fast time goes, from diapers to potty training and now off to school. I guess maybe every mother second guesses herself sometimes. Hoping she has not messed up this parent thing. But I can't help but sit here watching him play with stranger children, making new friends, laughing and sweating from running and playing at the tree house, and running to me crying when he fell and bumped his head that I must be doing something right. I know for sure I have taught him love, trust, sharing, forgivness, and nourished his imagination. I guess the rest will come with time and maybe someday I will think I did an awesome job.
This next month, I want to spend as much "summer time" with the boys as possible . I have tried to attempt not to overbook my self with photography, but I'm sure a squeezed in a few sessions I probably shouldnt have. From here on out, free time will consist of lakes, sprinklers, popsicles, and sunblock.
Monday, July 29, 2013
School too soon
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Colt is here!
July 19th I worked a 12 hour shift, picked up the boys, went home and took a shower. At about 9pm, I looked at my phone to set my alarm to wake up in the AM, and my phone was hot. Thats because it had been blowing up (on silent) for over an hour. After reading the message from Liz " Sarah we are at hospital, 6cm" my heart sank to the floor. First of all, it had been almost an hour since that text had been sent. In my head I said to myself there is no way she had not delivered yet. So I called Jarad to see. He told me that she was still 6cm and she was about to get an epidural and she really wanted me there. And I really wanted to be there! One problem: Tony was out of town and baby sitter had plans. But thankfully I have some pretty awesome friends Sophia and Eric who took the boys at a minutes notice. I dropped the boys off about 9:30, Cameron was awake, but Dominic was zonked out.
I got to the hospital at about 9:45. When I walked in, Dr. M was checking Liz and she was 9.5 CM. She had JUST got her epidural, but from what I could tell, she was still much painful. I ran up to her and hugged her and told her not be scared, Colton has chosen this date himself and she and him were ready to do this. She was 3 weeks away from her due date.
Colton entered this world at 10:10 pm, with a big cry. He pinked right up and was able to stay on Liz's chest skin to skin for over an hour.
I'm so excited to watch Colt grow as I have Lauren. The Shannons are truly a wonderful family.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Our day with baby Evan
Not having a newborn around for 2.5 years, I totally forgot how often newbies need to eat. I swear the adorable little chunker was complaining for his bottle at least every two hours. And a chucker he is indeed! I love it! After having two scrawny babies, i needed some squishy thighs in my life.
But I have to say, having 3 little ones is busy busy busy! Its a reality check into why we need to wait another year (or two or three) before we have more babes. My life right now is very much filled with the love I have for my two boys and my sweet nephew Evan, who is so much growing a little personality himself.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
6 years
Today, we have been married 6 years!
To keep it short and simple....
My favorite thing about my husband- his determination to succeed and his awesome daddy skills! Also he is the hottest hunka-hunka there is!
His favorite thing about me in his own words - " Your determination for when you get something in your head."
Lol, ok ill take that. Love you baby.
Day 4 in Alabama, and flying home
Right now, I'm some 30,000 miles up above the clouds. I have now realized that flying makes me an anxious individual! I don't like it at all! Now the recent plane crash in California yesterday doesny help the fact at all. But I only have about am hour left of the flight the its home sweet home to my boys and pups.
I'm so glad, and thankful I was able to fly down here and see Maureen.As of yesterday she is talking! We held small conversations yesterday, and she was smiling and giggles a little bit. She is now 100% off the vent. I'm so grateful she is getting better. I can't wait to come down here again with the boys and stay at the lake.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Day 3 in Alabama
Yesterday Maureen was wide awake when we arrived. She had been off her sedation medication (propofol) for almost 24 hours and doing good. Everyone, her doctor, nurses, and now our family are very optimistic. Her nurse said they are expecting her to move out of ICU within two weeks, as long as there are not set backs of course. We stayed about 2 hours because she needed a nap. We will be going back today soon.
This is also 4 days that I have not seen my babies. The longest that I have gone without seeing Dominic. From report from Tony, they are doing good and enjoyed their 4th of July. I can't wait to squeeze them tomorrow!

Friday, July 5, 2013
Day 2 in Alabma
Shift change is from 6-8 both morning and night, so we left about 6:05 and headed back to Tina's. We had dinner, I had to take more benedryl, then fell asleep. Today we are going back to UAB and very excited to hear how her night with no sedation went.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Day 1 in Alabama
We decided to drive to Ann arbor, then park there and catch a charter bus to the airport. That way we didn't have to have someone take us so early, and didn't have to pay for parking at the airport. We left my house a little late and caught the bus just in the nic of time at 6:30am.
Our plane was scheduled to leave at 840 so we had about an hour and 40 minutes once we got to the airport for all the checking and security. My favorite face lotion, face wash, and tooth paste all got confiscated during a bag check. I didn't pack anything but a carry-on, and totally forgot about the 3.4oz liquid rule. So we had to make a stop at Walmart last night so I could re-buy my stuff again, this time travel size.
My Aunt Tina picked us up and took right to UAB. When we got up to the 9th floor where ICU is, we were greeted by my grandma and my great aunt Loretta. We went to see my Aunt Maureen right away. When we walked in, she was having a physical therapy session with the care team. We gowned upband put gloves on and went to her bedside. She looked at us, but with no expression. She tried to say hi but nothing came out due to her trach. She was still on sedation medication with a PCA for pain control.
We stayed at the hospital for about 5 hours. After lunch, we took a stroll around UAB, and they were hosting a blood drive. I have never given blood. Not because I didn't want too, I just never had a convenient time I could do so. So that's what I did. It just seemed right.
It was not as bad as I thought it was going to be, and the staff was very nice. The nurse asked me if I was visiting from Europe, because he said I sounded English. I thought that was super funny because when your in the south, it feels like everyone around you talks with a heavy accent, when in return they think you do!
After giving blood, I collected a bag of cookies and a red cross t-shirt and was on my way. We went back up to the 9th floor again, where we met my aunt Tina. Maureen was still very sleepy and hard to wake so we decided to leave for the day. We stoped at Walmart, where I rebought some stuff and "The Dome" book by Stephen King.
When we got to my Aunt Tina's, we were greeted by her adorable dogs and little black cat. Right away I started to get itchy and breaking out in a rash on my stomach and becoming super itchy everywhere, especially on my neck and face. Now I have never been diagnosed with pet allergies, and I have no problems with my dogs, but I'm pretty sure it was pet related. Its either the long haired dog, or the cat. Anyways we had to take a trip to dollar general so I could buy some benedryl, which made me very sleepy.
We ate dinner, then way he'd Argo. Which I was so tired from the benedryl that I made it maybe a quarter through the movie before I fell asleep.
My Aunt Tina has been wonderful accommodating us. Comfy beds and great food. Today I woke up itching and took benedryl again and by 10am I was very tired again. I slept for another 2 hours. Now we are just waiting to head back to UAB to see how Maureen is doing. Hopefully I can blog again tonigjt or tomorrow morning for an update. Missing my little boys on this rainy 4th of July.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Its time to lose...
First of all, I'm at the heaviest I have ever been. Even full term pregnant I was never this heavy. To be honest, I can't believe I let myself gain all this weight. For most of my life, I have been a very active, healthy eating individual. After the birth of my first son (which I weighed 160 lbs with full term) I lost a TON of weight. I was working really hard, eating healthy, taking 3 mile walks with him in his stroller daily. I got down to 129lbs by fall 2008. I had lost so much weight, that I became flat chested, no joke. Hence a breast augmentation in Sept 2008. That has to be the thinnest I have ever been as an adult. Well I was 20, I guess you can call it hardly an adult but whatever. I felt great about myself and my body.
- I'm at a HUGE risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. I lost my mom to hypertensive heart disease. She had type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Her high BP even caused her to have mini strokes, or TIA's in her early 50's. She passed away at age of 56. Her mother passed away when she was in her 50's as well. If I don't change my health now.....I may possible be at midlife at the age of 25. That scares the living f*** out of me. I want a long life. I want to have as much time with my children and grandchildren, and even great grandchildren as possible.
- Having extra weight is exhausting. I use to be so active, now I can barely climb a flight of stairs without having an asthma attack, and I dont even have asthma. I want to keep up with my boys, play soccor with them, climb on playground equipment with them.
- I want to wear cute clothes again! Im not saying there isnt cute clothes for plus size, but I want to feel good in cute clothes. Maybe even wear heels again. Since gaining weight, heels are SO uncomfortable.
- I want to look good for my husband. Of course he tells me all the time Im perfect the way I am, but if I don't feel it, I cant believe it. I know he loves me no matter my pant size, but still. He is a health/workout nut. Standing next to him I look like a jellybean.
I'm shooting for 150-160. At those weights, I felt like I was not starving, but felt like good and healthy. Its nice to have a donut once in a while.
We have been discussing baby # 3. If I'm to get pregnant anytime soon, my goal would be to not gain any weight at all. Being obese, this is perfectly safe and healthy. Here is a study on obesity and weight gain during pregnancy. But we will see. None the less, its time to start eating healthy and move more!!!