Changing

We have made some purposeful changes in our family lives lately.  Two specifically.

1.  We added a small furry girl.  A yorkie mix puppy we found at the Dallas SPCA.  She was named Kaitlyn, but we decided there are enough family members and dogs with matching names. Plus she didn't even respond to it, nor did I like it as a name for my dog.  So we call her Missy, short for Miss Priss.
     We will grow her hair out and put a ponytail atop her head, complete with a bow.  She is will be my frilly girly girl companion in a house with male dominance.  So far she has filled her role perfectly.  She curls up on my lap, lets Ross squeeze her, and goes with me almost everywhere I go.

2.  We have made some rather radical choices about how Christmas in the Marlowe household will be celebrated.  We officially decided Santa will not be getting credit for any gift giving here(not so radical).  We also have decided that, for this year, gifts will not be something we choose to do.  Partly for $ reasons, but mostly because we have failed to see their purpose.  We have heard arguments for giving 3 gifts because that is how many Christ was given.  I just am not buying it. 
    My main concern is that we do not celebrate Jacob's birthday by giving everyone we know presents, so why would we celebrate our Saviours birth this way?  We believe the day should be celebrating the Gift that Christ was bringing us- Salvation.  We intend to have some sort of tradition, we just are not sure exactly how that will look.  I have some ideas, but we shall see...

Ross Update:  He is growing like a weed.  Almost 3feet tall already and nearly 30lbs.  We have been getting two teeth constantly, it is not been fun.  He loves music with a beat, he dances when he first hears it.  I have figured out that he will play and entertain himself longer when we play some in the house!  I am very excited to have discovered this- here's to getting laundry done, floors cleaned, and the dishes washed.  Well music is on, Ross is occupied so I am off to get some clothes cleaned!

Hard work pays off?

It has been an eventful week.  We ripped out the half of the kitchen floor that was engineered wood(Friday evening).  Because of which, we now know that engineered wood is far inferrior to solid hard wood.  There were many water stains underneath it!  Joel spotted mold and decided we were going to replace the subfloor as well(Saturday).  UGH!  All this to say that we have been under construction- which has resulted in no schedule.  Without a kitchen meals have not been consistent...   Disasterous! 
I am tired.  Emotionally worn out, but the tile is in, tomorrow my kitchen will be back to normal and I am just a week away from vacation!  As soon as paint in on the walls I will post some pics!

Doctors Orders?

Ross is my child, there is no denying that fact.  And since he is, he tends to be similar to me- go figure!  I am not a dairy tolerant person, so I have suspected that dairy is one of Ross' nemesis'.  Therefore Ross is not given formula or cow's milk.  Instead I serve him rice milk.  Which I actually like! 
We received notice a few weeks ago that Ross' pediatrician is expecting her 3rd child and moving to Austin.  Oh well her loss ;0)  As a result we needed to choose another doctor within the practice.  We did, Dr Iannelli(Sp?).  I made an appointment to discuss Ross' diet with him because I am well aware that different doctors often can mean differing opinions. 
I explained to the doc that Ross is not given formula or cow's milk to which he suggested soy.  With the links between diets containing large amounts of soy and spiked estrogen levels I have limited Ross' soy as well.  So Doc I introduces us to Nutrogema.  A non-dairy non-soy containing rediculously expensive formula.  He needs it until he is a year, about 6 more weeks.  Joel and I shrug and say we can handle six weeks- right?!  On the way home Ross is in dire want of a drink so I mix up some of the sample from the doc.  If only I had a video of his face!  We try again at home, no go.
This provokes Joel to read the ingredient label.  It says the following:  Corn Syrup Solids (45%)!  What!!!  The second ingredient is better, Vegetable oils!  Goodness gracious, we think table food and rice milk will be good enough for this boy!  After all, before any of our diet talk, Dr. I said Ross was right on track!  Go figure.

March for Jacob

Up early was I, tired, but some how concious.  We gathered all of our things, packed Ross in the car and headed out.  I was quiet;  I didn't have much to say, it was a sobering day.  Thinking back, this time two years ago I was cuddling my little cuddle bug.  I can remember it so clearly; on the couch, laid back, Jacob curled up on my chest snoozing.  Ahhhh... Funny how time flys.  Back to Walk Day: I was timid the morning of the walk, but all anxiety was diminished when I received an email stating I had recieved yet another donation.  I am telling you all, I have some pretty generous friends!  That pumped me up!!!

The race was HUGE.  There were thousands of people participating.  Upon arrival I was informed, assuming my donations, by May 31st 2010, exceed $250 I will receive a shirt.  I am so excited, Thrilled even!  I cannot wait to get my shirt!  I will wear it proudly.  I may even wear it to church!

I made sure to be at the front of the starting line.  (In the pro photos taken, I am wearing a red baseball cap.)  As the gun went off (after millions of photos) Joel and I attempted to navigate our way through the masses who chose to run ahead only to stop!!!  I don't know what they were thinking.  This became a pattern.  It was almost as if people thought, "Oh no, a lady with a stroller is beating me, I better book it!"  But then as soon as they get infront of me, they start walking!!!  Really people, really? 

We had a flat tire, Joel asked if we should stop to pump it up, but I said we could make it.  Turns out we probably should have- oh well.  =)

Along the right side of the 5 mile path were signs in memory of babies born too soon; some who are thriving currently, and others who were only here for a short while.  Typical Joylynn, would definately want to have Jacob included, but as I pondered the idea more I decided against it.  I would rather know the people who 'meet' my Jacob.  I find this uncharisteristic for me, guess my kids are changing me. ;0)

Marking the miles as you go are signs taking you down the time line of the March for Dimes organization.  Did you know the March for Dimes organization was originally established to find a cure for Polio.  And once the goal had been achieved they chose a new cause to help solve.   And your funds are assisting their efforts. 

In total My All Star Team has raised $400.   

The Biggest Thank You's to,

Lisa, Katherine, Paige, Sandelyn, Anglea, Heidi, Cyndi, Kk, Sharyn, Sauni, Aunt Myrna, Mom and Dad, Amber, Grandpa and Grandma Cox, Donna(Mother In Law), Aunt Karen, Aunt Susan, Phil and Ang, Betsey, and Misti.

I can not thank you all enough for your support.  It is heart warming to have received such a response. 

The Marlowe's with our 'Stand In' Monkey.

March For Babies- Last Call

It is Friday night.  Joel is showering, Ross is screaming, and I am blogging.  As the dogs lay around me I am mentally preparing myself for tomorrow's journey.  5 miles of foot steps but 2 years of heart ache.  I still miss Jacob.  I don't usually wonder what he would be like, I think I know.  He is the opposite of Ross.  For every yell, scream, and wiggle that describes Ross, Jacob can be found in the silent moments.  He was the baby that slept everywhere, anywhere really.  Some may say that it was his age, still others imply it was how early he entered our world, but I say, it was Jacob.  Sweet.  Quiet.  And Calm.  He is the introvert to Ross' extrovert.  They are most certainly not two peas in a pod.  And yet I love them both so much.  My two lil guys.  My Sweet Cuddle Bug and My Bug-A-Boo.

$250 in donations has been given to March of Dimes. (I am praying that some how He provides the rest.)
I want to thank all of you in my life who made the effort and sacrifice to support me in this endevour.  For those who haven't quite gotten to it, there is still time! (www.marchforbabies.org/joyrmarlowe)

My Small Group Friends: Lisa, Paige, and Angela who still allow Joel and I to be in the group.

My Church friend Sandelynn, regardless of who she married. ;0)

My long time friend Amber, even though I dated her boyfriend.

Misti, even if she won't give me her kids!

My Big Sisters, Heidi, Cyndi, Sharyn, and Saundra, the only sisters who Really support me! ;0)

My Mother-In-Law, Donna.

My Bible School Bud, Bets.

Grandpa Cox and Grandma Doris, our grandparents.

My Favorite Aunt Myrna; of which I am her favorite niece.

My Parents, who knew Jacob as well as Joel and I did.  And who supporte us tremendously.

Without each of you I could not have raised these funds!  I am so thankful each of you chose to make the sacrifice to contribute.  I am looking forward to the event; pics will be up Saturday afternoon.

March for Babies

Recently I was notified about the Walk For Babies taking place in Dallas on April 17th. It benefits the March of Dimes, whose goal is to fund research to help women have healthy pregnancies and prevent premature births.


Friday March 19th, was the 2 year anniversary of my Jacob's birth. To put my grief in a positive action I have decided to help March of Dimes raise money by walking in the event. I am asking for your support. If I get $5 from 100 different people I will have raised $500. I hope you will choose to support me as I take steps towards positive actions in the midst of my pain.

Donations can be made online @ http://www.marchforbabies.org/joyrmarlowe

Sleep woe's

Tyring to figure all this stuff out.   By stuff I mean, Ross.  He is trying me left and right.  After more than two months of it, he still cries, yells and screams for more than an hour to go to sleep.  This happens at every nap and every night.  Unless of course I am holding him or nursing him. UGH!
I love him.  I am blessed to have him.  I am lost.  I am worn out!  I don't care what anyone says.  This 'cry it out' method is for the birds.  Just when he has figured out that crying, yelling, and screaming won't get him his way- he gets sick.  And Iam sorry but a sick kid does not sleep alone in their room, not in my house.

Can you tell it has been a not so good day.