Reunited!

I'm happy. My baby finally came home! Alexander looks different and even sounds different. He went away calling me Mummy, the British version of Mommy and has come back calling me Mommy. I can't believe that my parents kept him for less than two weeks and they've changed my name. It sounds foreign to me when he says Mommy - I can't get used to it. For the last 2+ years, I've been Mummy, in fact, my entire motherhood has been spent as Mummy. I reprimanded Mimi and Papa but I don't think it has sunk in.

I'm amazed, daily at the things that Alexander knows and says. He's speaking, most of the time, in complete sentences. Sure, he has his moments...he did tell me that he breaked something yesterday. The toy was, in fact, broken...or breaked. Those of you who don't have kids or who have brand new babies, enjoy each stage of babyhood because that thing that you hear every parent say, "They grow up so quickly" is completely true!

As far as how I'm feeling, since I haven't updated you in a few days, I'm doing fairly well. I've been able to talk on the phone a bit and have had some good conversations with visitors. I'm pleased that my voice sounds like my own, although it does get worn out after a lengthy discussion so I'm learning to quiet down when I feel it straining. It's probably a good lesson for this loud talker! My pain is lessening and I would categorize it now as more of a stiffness. My incision is still quite swollen but Peter reassures me that it looks better and better each day. I'm confident that, in time, it will be unnoticeable. Unfortunately, I am beginning to feel the effects of the loss of my thyroid, commonly known as hypothyroidism. The worst part, thus far, is the tiredness. I feel as if I am a young child...I get so tired throughout the day and if I miss my napping or sleeping opportunity, I get overtired. I've had trouble sleeping, despite the fact that I'm exhausted. It's frustrating!

Luckily, I am still being treated like a queen. My parents are here for the weekend and my dad plans to stay next week. Meals are still being delivered and friends are still checking on me. I can't say enough how much I appreciate all of the help that we have received and that I know is still coming. It's very difficult for me to ask for and accept the help (although the delicious meals have made it a bit easier) so I'm sure I'm learning some sort of lesson in humility.

Last, but certainly not least, I wanted to thank my friends from New Life Thrift Store for picking me up and taking me out for Mexican the other night. If any of you need any gently used stuff, stop by the store at 4802 Charlotte Pike. Or, if you have more gently used stuff than you can handle, drop it by the store - your donations are tax deductible and the money raised goes to a great cause! The guys at the store can load your car up with ease, see the photo below!