The Mercy That Covers Me

7 months pregnant with our first baby.  There was no finding out what you were having via ultrasound prior to birth.   We would have to wait until his birth.  We had two names picked out - Jennifer Ann or Timothy James.  I was due on December 20, 1978.  During the first week of December Ray and I decided on Christopher James if it was a boy.  Never gave the name "Chris Schmidt" being born around Christmas one thought! Just days old in this picture!  Looking back I think labor started around 7:30 AM on December 28, 1978.  I remember waking up at 7:30 with a backache, 8:00 backache, 8:30 backache, etc.  Throughout the day the backache became more frequent.  I had a clinic appointment that day and mentioned to the other women waiting to be seen that I was having this backache every 10 minutes.  One of the women assured me I was in labor.   It was 3:30 PM and this was the first thought that I might be in labor! I remember...

Coeur sporting her Dad's Jaguar hat on Christmas Eve.  Christmas this year was different.   Part of the family lives in Kentucky, part lives in New York,  part lives in Maryland and part lives in Ocala.   We made the best of it, though. Last weekend we celebrated Christmas in Kentucky.   That was so nice.  We were able to bring home presents for the ones who couldn't make it to Kentucky. Yesterday, Christmas Eve, we went to Ocala to celebrate Christmas.  Many but not all of us gathered together to eat, watch football and open presents.  We brought home presents for those who couldn't make it to Ocala. This morning, Rebecca, Luke and Kati came to our house and opened presents.  After opening presents Jeff and Kati went to her grandmother's house to celebrate and open presents.  Luke and Rebecca stayed for Christmas Breakfast.  They left to go to Luke's family Christmas gathering. Next weekend we will celebrate Christmas o...

A day of reflection as I celebrate 31 years of being Michael's mother. Michael was due on December 20, 1980.  On December 19, Ray and I went to the church Christmas dinner.  It was very cold that night and we didn't have heat at our house.  Our dear friends, Garry and Nancy Haralambou invited us to stay at their house.  So we stayed in their oldest daughter's bedroom - warm and snug. At 3:30 AM, I woke up with regular contractions.  I let Ray sleep and woke Nancy up.  She and I stayed up timing contractions.  Around 10:00 that morning we headed to Birthpointe where my midwife Bobbie Johnson met us.  My brother and his girlfriend took Christopher to the park and entertained him that morning.  I remember many things from that labor but one thing that I won't forget is being stuck at 7 cm for a while.  At one point I asked Bobbie to give me 10 minutes without contractions or else I wanted to go home.  It's rather funny now to think...

Today was bittersweet as Ray and I drove home.  One hour out and Ray & I were saying how much we missed them already (sigh).  It's been two weeks since I've held, kissed, hug or hung out with Oliver.  Two weeks!  In all of his life, this is the longest I've been without him.  My heart hurts.  I want to hold him. Gigi, Coeur, Lennon and Papa!   They woke up to say, "See you soon"!

Chris and his girls! Behind the scenes with Santa. Big girl, Lennon! Lennon quite pleased with her gift from Tia and LP. Coeur reading the label :-) A quick trip to Kentucky to take The Girls to see Santa and deliver our gifts.  We got here on Friday afternoon and are leaving in the morning.  A short, but exceptionally sweet, visit.  Let the pics tell the story. Coeur opening up her gift from Tia and LP. Coeur got overalls from Gigi and Papa. Lennon got overalls too! Something to hold their iTouch :-) Coeur is getting so big! Flying Coeur! Lennon on the left showing Coeur something. Papa and The Girls! Santa and The Girls! The boys and The Girls! The Girls and The Girls! Abstract Tree.

 The Girls had a visit with the Pediatrician yesterday.  Coeur d'Lane weighs 12#4 and is 23" long.  Lennon is catching up at 11#11 and 22 1/2" long. They will be seeing Santa next weekend :-D Oliver and Santa

I left a piece of my heart in New York this afternoon when I left to go home.   It was bittersweet.   New York was mostly awesome.   The people are friendly with one exception - when they are behind the wheel of a car, taxi or truck.   They drive with haste and God forbid you get in someone’s way.   It’s as if there is no tomorrow.   They seem to only live for the moment.   On the highway of life they are traveling about 90 m.p.h.   But out of their cars, the people I had contact with were extremely friendly.  I believe the reputation of the angry New Yorker comes from those who only experience a drive through the city.  The people in the bagel shops, hardware stores and restaurants are exceptionally friendly.   Another thing about New York - there are more mom and pop shops there than any other place I have ever been.  Rare to see a chain fast food restaurant or even a chain gas station.  It's actually pretty ...

Today was a whirlwind day of tourism!  I drove past Central Park, Broadway Radio City Music Hall, The site of the World Trade buildings, The Freedom Towers, went to 30 Rock and went to the top of the building's observatory and rode the Staten Island Ferry.  Here are some pics of today's adventure.  Tomorrow will be bittersweet. Self explanatory :) Cartier building.  I liked how it was wrapped. 30 Rock - all 70 stories! On Top of the Rock getting a beso from Ollie.  Empire State Bldg in background How cute! Give my regards to Broadway! Cool buildings. Freedom Tower #1  Lady Liberty Mike and Oliver on the Ferry Cool view from the Ferry. View from Top of the Rock Observation Deck Nice shot of the Statute of Liberty Oliver and Gigi Colleen, Oliver and Mike on the Ferry. Gigi, Oliver and Mike