The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts... and today I am praying this promise more than ever. For myself, and for the grieving family and friends of Peggy Pittman.
Miss Peggy was one of Ryleigh's caregivers at our first daycare. Sweet, patient, kind, quiet, and so wonderful with all of the children. When I made the decision to go back to work, it was hard, but my anxiety was calmed when I knew I was leaving Ryleigh with Peggy. She took to Ryleigh and vice versa. She was with our little bug every day for the first year of her life and we are so blessed by this. The trust that was formed will forever be something I'm so grateful for. The love I have for this woman is so very special and I will never forget her and how she was a true sign of Gods love for everyone around her. Her life was cut short because she was trying to help someone else, and that speaks so loudly to the person she was.
My heart just breaks for her family. She leaves behind an adoring husband, two beautiful daughters, and an adorable grandson. I pray that in this difficult time, they have the comfort of knowing that she is in a place where there is no pain, no suffering. A place where she can wait for them, and a place that I am sure she is happy to be. As hard as that is to hear when all we want to do is have the person here with us selfishly, I feel that it should also be a comfort. I hope in time it will be.
As chance would have it... I ran into her at the grocery store a couple of days ago. She gave me a big hug, and the first thing she asked me about was Ryleigh. She had a huge smile on her face as I was giving her some updates, and we both agreed that we should get together soon. I was able to meet her daughter Amanda, she was very sweet, and had a kind smile just like her mother. I wished them well and went on my way...I never would have thought that would be the last time I'd see her.
When something so unexpected happens a fresh perspective is unveiled. Life is short. The unimaginable can happen, and I don't want to take anything for granted. Hug your loved ones tight, and tell them you love them. Forgive and let go. Move forward and be grateful for each sunrise and sunset. Count every single blessing, and never let yourself get comfortable.
Peggy was a true angel here on earth, and I pray that she is with her creator and smiling because of it.
Twenty months is a roller coaster. Ryleigh is up and down by the minute and we're just along for the ride. She's adorable even when she's pouting during a time out. She's stubborn, persistent, and knows what she wants when she wants it, and wants it now. I don't think we'll ever be able to accommodate her demands fast enough, but I'm glad she keeps us on our toes.
She's growing tall, and her vocabulary is insane. We just stare at her in amazement at all of the things she's saying and how she's beginning to put all of the words together in order to tell us what she wants, or what she's doing, wants to do, or did. Some of our favorites are:
"I did it mamadaddy" (She often puts us together as if we're one word)
"Milk, please, have it" (She really emphasizes the "have it" and uses this with just about everything else she says, it's pretty funny)
"Daddy/Mama are you?" (She asks this as she is looking right at us and when we respond she belly laughs, it's the cutest!)
She is a little sponge and repeating EVERYTHING. So we have to be very intentional about what we're saying, careful about some of the things we say, and listen more intently when she's trying to say something new. Jason seems to speak Ryleigh better than I do:)
She's busy. Very busy. Always running, always dancing, and always wants to go outside and "fwing" She is transitioning to the older toddler room at daycare and we're thrilled because it has seemed to really help with her biting episodes. Yes, our child was "the biter" in the classroom. The teachers expressed their concern that she was getting bored too easily and needed new/more stimulation so with the transition in full effect we're hoping that she takes to the new teachers and kids and we can put the biting behind us.
Things she used to love have become less than desirable. She used to love bath time, not right now. She used to love certain foods, and now she throws a fit if what I put down in front of her is not what she is asking for. (Sorry, Ry, I'm not feeding you ice cream for breakfast!) So sometimes we just have to try, try again until she'll eat something we deem worthy. So one night it was oatmeal with raisins for the main course, followed by a brat with ketchup for dessert. Yum.
Some new things we've done recently are a visit to the John Ball Zoo, dingy rides in South Haven, bike rides, and watercolor painting (which inevitably led to face painting thanks to Daddy)
We're excited to see what else the summer will bring!
This mother's day was a great one. We spent time with our moms. We were able to tell them how much we love and appreciate them...how special they are to us, how special they are to Ryleigh, and how we are who we are today because of them.
Jason helped Ryleigh pick out the perfect gift for me. A brand new bike with a helmet to match. I am so excited! It's perfect and I know we'll have so much fun as a family this summer because of this gift. Thank you my loves, from the bottom of my heart.
I also had the weekend to reflect on my role as a mom. I've learned so much about myself in the past year and I believe Ryleigh has made all the difference. When I become impatient I think of her and what she thinks when she watches my reaction to things. Even when I fail, I know she still loves me. I try to respond to things differently...thinking before I speak, breathing before I explode. Everything in her best interest is priority, period. I'm more emotional, but in a different way. I cry more when I'm happy these days. When she does something new like count to 10, or the first time I heard her say "I love you mama." My heart is so happy when I see her with all of her grandparents and how they all light up when they are around her and vice versa. Watching her and Jason makes me melt over and over again. She's a daddy's girl through and through. I'm so proud of this little girl that God has blessed us with and so excited for everything to come...the good, the better, the bad, and even the ugly.
Being a mom is spectacular, and hard...beautiful and incredibly worth it.
I learned from the best. Thank you Mom, for always being there through it all. For still being here, and for being my very best friend. I love you.
On December 28, 2012 I made the decision to start running. It was probably around 20 degrees, but I got off the couch and got out there. I didn't like it, but I did it...and then I did it again, and again. I never paid attention to my time. My first goal was to run as far as I could without stopping to walk. (Little victories people...little victories.) My runs got longer and I stopped breathing as hard. Go me!
Fast forward to May 11, 2013, the day of the Fifth Third Riverbank Run...my very first 5K race. I was so excited, so nervous, so anxious and at the end of it so very very proud of myself. I ran the whole thing without stopping to walk. Big victory people, very big victory. Jason, my amazing and encouraging husband, never left my side. He was rooting for me the entire way (even when I told him to shush the few times I did b/c I just needed to focus on my pace, sorry babe!)
We sprinted the last 100 feet or so and crossed the finish line hand in hand. I was so happy, and so glad to have experienced this with him.
I have the itch. I want to do another one this summer so I'm on the hunt ....and next year it's 10K time. I know I can do it, I know I can.
