The last time I ran this race (the only organized race underground in the entire country) was in 2006. I promised friend, Phillip Parks, that I would complete it with him. We were late getting there and didn't notice the 5K race had already started. It's in the Hunt-Midwest Subtropolis (storage caves) and it's very confusing down there...that's our excuse anyway. We still ran it, but our time was HORRIBLE. So...we decided to try it once more, only instead of a 5K, a 10K! We both survived. Neighbor and friend, Amy Thornburg, also completed the race...her first 10K ever!
I think I was 5th in my age group and around 25th? overall with a time of 46:14.
Well, tomorrow is her official birthday but we are celebrating today!
Katherine's first birthday is an occasion filled with emotion, promise and joy. Emotion associated with the realization that one year has gone by so quickly, promise in what lies in the years to come and joy in the knowlege that she's always going to be our little girl. It's a time when we as parents look back and see how far we've come. We've made it through another entire year of sleepless nights, changing diapers, teething, countless doctor visits and so many intense milestones seen within the first year of life. The first smile and roll over is replaced with first steps and first words. For Jason and I, all of little Kate's first's were also lasts...since she is our final baby. (*sniffle*)
A look back at this year begins with the shock of labor beginning two and half weeks early at a quarter past midnight on January 25th, a white-knuckled drive through downtown KC at breakneck speed, a rushed and drama filled non-medicated delivery and finally, an amazing swell of love and emotion in holding our daughter for the very first time...all within an hour and half from start to finish. It's amazing that only one year later, it's difficult to remember or imagine life without her in it.
~What we love about our big one-year-old girl~
~Her dimples. She got them from daddy. They are so squeezable and kissable. ~Her big brown almond shaped eyes and long lashes. She got those from mommy. They are the most feminine part of her. ~The way she claps her little hands and bounces to music. She loves music. ~Her happy squawk (as her daddy and I call it). It's the least feminine little vocal release of joy you could imagine coming from such a small girl. Not always cute in large doses. ~Her curiosity in wanting to constantly know what her older brothers are doing...despite the fact they prefer her to leave them alone. "No Kafrine!" and "No shisshy!" are words that never deter her from invading their space...probably never will. ~The special litte bond between her and Nick. Nick is often caught sharing his snack or dinner with his little sister. He likes to pat her on the head, or hug her...or even just sit on her. ~Her strength...she appears to be a delicate, yet tough, little girl with an iron will. We know this is something as parents we may battle with from time to time, but take solace in knowing this personal characteristic matched with her apparent sweet nature has the potential to take her far in life.
Kate's surgery is complete...I can't believe that all the anticipation and anxiety about it is finally over!
After her arrival at Children's Mercy at 7a.m. she was given a full initial check-up followed by a briefing with the anesthesiologist and surgeon and off she went with surgical staff. I knew she was in good hands, but as a mom, it was still hard to see her whisked away knowing that no matter how confident and trusting you can be, there are still a number of things (albeit highly unlikely) that could go wrong.
She was out of surgery a little after 12 pm and Dr. Gatti met with us to explain what all took place during the surgical proceedure and that from here on out, she should have no future problems. She had to have a little more work done than originally thought with the right ureters as well unanticipated work on her left ureter. She only had to remain in the hospital 24 hours...shorter than usual, however, our big strong tough girl rebounded and recovered so very quickly. Although I did have to hold her through the night when she started to have some pain, she was quite perky from around 11:00pm to 2:00am as you can see from the short video clip! :) It was quite difficult to keep her from pulling, tugging and chewing on her tubes and wires. She was ready to bail!
She will visit Children's Mercy again in a couple of weeks for a follow up, and in a month, her stint removed. We are so grateful for the many prayers and well wishes and especially thankful to my mom and sister for being there with us, for Jerry and Gloria for taking the boys, and Pastor Michael and Pastor Alex for joining us so early at the hospital to pray with us. We are glad this year long journey is officially over and we can move on to celebrating one full year of little Kate's life in just a week! :)
Before surgery...look at those sad eyes!
After surgery...getting all settled into her room. She was higher than a kite! Mommy had to hold her princess most of the night as she really needed the cuddles. Except at 1 in the morning, she decided she felt much better for a while. It was hard to keep her from pulling, tugging and biting on her wires and tubes.
Resolutions, resolutions...I've never really been big into resolving to change anything or improve anything with the start of a new year...not that there certainly haven't been things to change or improve in the past. However, this year is a little different as both Jason and I have a long list of some changes we'd like to see happen in our own personal lives, as well as the in the life of our family.
PATIENCE, PATIENCE, PATIENCE...this is one we both have to pray for and practice at. We both recognize the need to to take deep breaths when dealing with our children...all three are at ages that require that we demonstrate a tremendous amount of patience in our daily interactions with them.
FAITH...to continue to make our faith a more pivotal and central part of our family life by finding time to get more involved.
GET FIT...needs no explanation. Jason desires to drop some poundage...I desire to get rid of the post Holidaypudgy and train for a third marathon.
STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES...we are busy. Very busy. As a result, every little bit of time we have is filled with meeting the physical needs of our children and we sometimes forget to take joy in the moment and fulfill their emotional needs as much as we could. Our kids are growing fast...and heaven forbid we miss out on enjoying every bit of them before they grow up on us. So we wish to play more, read more, be silly together more.
Okay..I'm finally getting a chance to sit down and blog a little. This Christmas was special for many reasons.
It was Kate's First Christmas
Jason's brother-in-law, Jim and wife Tara joined us from New Hampshire
My brother Tommy was able to be with us this Christmas (he is on-call for the KC Swat every other year),
My grandfather was with us for the second year in a row
Jonathan (and even little Nicholas to a degree) finally got into the whole magic of Christmas through the birth of Christ and, of course, the visit from Santa Claus!
Time with family is never long enough and having both Jason's parents and my parents residing in the same town often makes us feel torn between one family and another..but we do the best we can.
Jim and Tara stayed at our home Tuesday night before Christmas...it was nice to have all of Jason's siblings and family join us Tuesday evening for good food, conversation, and of course, a little Guitar Hero. We spent Christmas Eve ('Christmas Steve' as Jonathan kept calling it) in Eudora, KS with Jason's extended family and then traveled to Clinton where we promptly changed the kids for bed and started in on the adult Christmas gift exchange. Christmas morning we went to Mass at Holy Rosary...I spent most of the service roaming the halls of my old school as Nick and Kate weren't so interested in being quiet in church. The kids opened their gifts after church and then preparation for a feast with all of the Miles extended family was in order. Later in the afternoon we joined the Kazmaier side for more family time and another Christmas exchange.
What a beautiful thing to be surrounded by so much family and so much tradition! Jonathan keeps asking if Santa is coming again...he wants (wait..'needs'..in his words) more presents and was quite distraught over the tree and decorations coming down today.
Nicholas is officially two today! Happy Birthday little Nickle Pickle. Although two years of age has brought out a little bit defiance in him, he still remains to be our sweet little affectionate and mellow little boy who adores his big brother, is tender towards his little sister, and loves to dance and sing.
Nicholas made his quiet and uncomplicated little entrance on December 21st, 2006. Despite his small stature, everything about him since, has been big. His emotions are big. His energy is big. His imagination is big. His heart is big. Somehow my little baby boy is now, just a little boy. The baby who once was unknown to me, hidden in my tummy and offering up only kicks and tumbles, is now the little boy who has warmed my heart and softened my soul. The baby who once needed constant comforting now comforts me with his unsolicited hugs, cuddles and kisses. He fills my whole being with joy (and sometimes a little frustration and anger too). I am still in awe of my little soulful blue-eyed boy.
There is such a mix of emotions during the hustle and bustle of each day’s routine. Yet at night when all is calm (and that happens VERY late at our house) I stare at him in his crib, I am overwhelmed with pride and awe and love for him as I am with each of my children. Nicholas continues to amaze me everyday… and even though I know something new and exciting awaits me each morning, as I stare at him in his crib, I silently say, “Don't let him grow. I like him just like that!”
We got to see all sorts of trains...big one's, little one's, gigantic one's and even got to ride on one. Then we braved the cold to get on a REAL train to see Santa!!! Nick and Kate LOVED Santa....Kate was curious and Nick smiled really big and crawled in Santa's lap. Santa was kind enough to wipe little Nicholas's runny nose. Jonathan was not afraid of Santa, just didn't want to sit in his lap...of course riding the elligator and escagator was fun too.
Before surgery...look at those sad eyes!
Mommy had to hold her princess most of the night as she really needed the cuddles.
Can we say sugar high?
