Dragon Powers

While he was in Singapore on business, Papa (Grandpa Harline), got Matt a very cool new t-shirt. Matt wore it to preschool today and showed everyone and told them that Papa got it for him in Singapore. Apparently, Singapore is where you go to get cool t-shirts and toys. He said that he will swim there as long as the sharks won't eat him. He also wants to go there with Papa someday.

His shirt also gives him dragon powers. These powers include running really fast, being impervious to being shot by imaginary shooters, and makes him super strong. Overall, it is a big hit. Who would have thought that one t-shirt could fuel hours of entertainment and imagination.

Rolling Over

My little girl is growing up so fast. It feels like she is hitting major milestones so much earlier then Matt did. I have to keep reminding myself that because he was a preemie he had a lot of developmental delays and was behind on everything for the first year.

Mia rolled over for the first time on June 13. It was a little bittersweet because I feel like the newborn is gone and replaced by a little baby that is growing and learning so fast. Since I know she is my last it is hard for me to realize how quickly she is gaining independence.

Here is a picture I snapped of her literally seconds before she rolled over for the first time.

I took a video too, but unfortunately it was somehow deleted from my phone before I could upload it.

Preschool Mother's Tea

I love that Matt is in preschool now. It is wonderful for my own sanity but I also enjoy all the cheesy celebrations and hand made gifts and crafts that inevitably come with every holiday, whether it is big or small. I never though that I would enjoy the cliche of it all, but it surprised me that I do thoroughly love it.

Matt's preschool had a Mother's Tea in celebration of Mother's Day. The kids fixed a plate of goodies for their moms and served it to us. They sang two songs ("You are My Sunshine" and "I'm a Little Teapot") but I was disappointed that the video I took of the occasion was mysteriously deleted by my phone. And best of all they gave us handmade gifts. Here are some pictures of the event. All of the kids were so darling and so proud of themselves. I love my  little bundle of energy.

Self portrait of Matt and I.

Matt picking out the food to give to me with the help of his teacher, Ms. Kathy.

Walking the heaping plate of food over to me. He got so much food I couldn't possibly eat it all myself. Thank goodness for hungry a little boy who helped his mama out.

"I'm a little teapot," . . . Except he's not short or stout. Looking at this picture I realize how much he's grown, those shorts are just barely below his knees now. He needs to stop getting so big.

The teachers asked the children what they loved about their mothers and these were their responses. So cute.

I zoomed in on Matt's response.

I love being a mom and getting to celebrate Mother's Day makes my day, week, month, and year.

Mia's Blessing

On May 6, 2012 we blessed our baby and gave her a name, Mia Elizabeth Batzianis. It was a wonderful blessing and the Lord made many promises to her if she chooses the right direction in life. It was so good to have family come to church with us to celebrate her birth.

The baby of the day.

Our nice family picture.

This is more typical, especially for Matt.

The Great Ladybug Release

Matt has always loved bugs. We regularly go on "bug hunts" to find all kinds of interesting things. He has even learned where different kinds of bugs like to live and where he can find them. He is a pro at everything icky and routinely wants to keep bugs and snails as pets. So when Grandma announced that she wanted to release thousands of ladybugs into her rose bushes to eat the aphids, Matt was so excited to come over and help.

Here are some pictures that I took of the epic event. He loved every minute of it and did not want to stop playing with the bugs long enough to get a picture of him looking at the camera.

Grandma showing Matt a bug on her arm. Matt is trying to get it to come on his hand.

Grandma putting ladybugs in his hands so he can put them in the roses.

Fascinated by the ladybug while eating a popsicle.

Matt, with cousin Lily, putting the ladybugs in the roses.

Showing me the ladybug on his arm.

Matt had a fun time with the ladybugs and even got to bring some home to keep as pets.

Backyard Swing

One of the benefits of our new home is that we have a plethora of trees (two in front, one in back). Adam decided that what our backyard really needed was a tree swing. He and Matt went to Home Depot to get the materials they needed to make it. In less then an hour, voila, we had a swing. Matt absolutely loves it and had so much fun swinging with both of us. Too bad we can't push him as high as our little dare devil would like to go.

Matt and Daddy proud of their work.

First ride on the new swing.

Why sit when you can stand and swing?

Such joy. I love his smile.

Daddy pushing Matt during his first ride.

Eco Station

On April 26 Matt had a preschool field trip to the Eco Station in Rocklin. The Eco Station is an animal rescue facility. They have everything from turtles to birds, to lizards, etc. I knew that this trip would be a huge hit with Matt since he loves all of those things.



Adam was not working so Matt insisted that he wanted both Mama and Daddy to go with him. That meant that we also had to take Mia who was only six weeks old with us.



Adam took baby duty while I took pictures.

Fortunately, she slept through the whole thing.

Matt listening to the presentation.

Matt not very patiently waiting his turn to pet the animals.

Petting Tank, the tortoise. His teacher introduced them by saying, "Tank, meet our tank." Matt is the biggest kid in his class even though he is the youngest.

Holding a snake. He is a brave boy.

Talking to the parrots in the bird room.

Overall, Matt loved this field trip. The highlights for him were petting the tortoise, Tank, and holding the snake. He would tell anyone who would listen that Tank went pee-pee all over the floor. I think he inherited his love of icky animals from his daddy, it clearly did not come from me.

Bonding With Mia

Here are some cute pictures of us bonding with baby Mia when she was only two weeks old.

She fell asleep during tummy time and I covered her up with her cute blanket from Uncle Carl and Aunt Meg.

Daddy fell asleep playing with her too.

This is not the best expression on Matt's face, but he is such a good big brother and always wants to hold his little sister.

"Medically Interesting"

As the doctor (not my regular OB) was talking to me about my discharge from the hospital after having my baby, she noticed that I had been there for longer then most new moms. Once she looked at my chart she mentioned that a person never wants to be considered "medically interesting" to a doctor. Unfortunately, both Mia and I were considered "interesting." Here is the "interesting" story.




All of the tags they stuck me with because of Mia and the procedures I had.


If you are interested, read on for the "interesting" details into the ordeal. I promise I won't be graphic, I have just had a lot of people asking and thought I'd tell my story.

Saturday, March 10 - 35 weeks, 6 days:
I started having contractions but they were hours apart and not very severe. However, in the middle of the night I woke up to a horrible contractions that took my breath away and even hit my back with extreme pain. The baby dropped even lower than she was before. I hopefully told Adam and my mom that I thought this baby would come before the end of the next week. I always put a disclaimer on it though and warned that with my luck I would go to full term . . .

Sunday, March 11 - 36 weeks:
I felt so much relief because I actually made it to the 36 week mark without going into labor. This meant that the baby could come whenever she wanted to and would most likely not have to stay in the NICU. Matt was in the NICU and it was the worst week of my life, I would not wish that experience on my worst enemy.

Tuesday, March 13:
I had been struggling with anemia my entire pregnancy since the very first blood test. My doctor got the results from the latest round of blood work in the morning. Normal hemoglobin numbers for a pregnant woman are between 10-12, but he said he would accept an 8 for me to be able to safely deliver the baby for my health, not the baby's. He called to tell me that my latest numbers had dropped all the way to 5.2, definitely not good enough to keep me on my feet, much less be good enough to sustain me through labor and delivery, especially with all the blood loss that we knew was coming.

The doctor did not know what was causing such severe anemia but knew that I was dangerously low. Putting me on modified bed rest wasn't working and mega doses of iron supplements weren't working. He told me that he thought that the pregnancy hormones and/or baby were literally attacking my white blood cells and destroying the cells that my body was managing to produce. In any case my body wasn't absorbing iron and I was getting more and more sick.

The doctor told me that my numbers were so low it was dangerous for me and the baby. I had to go to the hospital immediately for monitoring and said that it was very likely that I would need a blood transfusion before labor. He also mentioned that he might induce me so that I could be very closely monitored by him while he was the on call doctor at the hospital. Since I hit the 36 week mark, he was willing to let me have the baby even though it was not the ideal situation.

When I heard that I might need a blood transfusion I immediately began to become agitated and panic
stricken. I have heard all of the horror stories about people getting more sick and contracting horrible illnesses from transfusions. I had to remind myself that this was 2012 and testing has increased. My doctor reassured me that it was completely safe and necessary if I wanted to survive labor because of my condition and I was already incredibly low and I had not even had the baby yet. 

After calming myself down, the next thing that went through my mind was that I was living Breaking Dawn, except for my child being a half vampire. Just like Bella, I broke a rib earlier in my pregnancy and now I needed a blood transfusion to make it through the birth. Thankfully I did not have to drink the blood for it to be effective. I sarcastically told my family that I should name my daughter Reneesme (for the record, that is truly a horrible name).

I got to the hospital and was immediately put on monitors. I was having contractions every 3-4 minutes (I was right on Saturday when I said she was coming soon) and was 3 centimeters dilated. My doctor said that it looked like he probably would not have to induce me after all because I was already in labor. He would most likely only have to break my water because the baby's head was too low to break on its own.

I had an ultrasound to check on how the baby was progressing. She was doing well, her heart beat was strong and she was moving a lot. I was relieved to know that even though I wasn't doing well, she was healthy and strong.

The doctor gave me two units of blood in the hopes that it would bolster my hemoglobin levels before I was in active labor. Matt walked in the room with Adam while I was being given the transfusion. I was glad that he was only 3 1/2 years old because seeing Mommy hooked up to a machine and getting blood pumped into me could have been very traumatic for him. I simply told him it was medicine and it was going to make me feel better and that was the end of that issue. My body reacted well to the transfusion and my levels went up 8.

I am so thankful for people who give blood, it truly does help save lives. I wish I could give back by donating myself, but my levels are still too low.


Wednesday, March 14 (Pi Day):
My doctor came in to see my in the morning and said that the transfusion seemed to have done the trick but he wanted to run a few more tests to make sure. He informed me that I would be delivering the baby that day unless my hemoglobin numbers were still too low. I was excited and relieved to know that this pregnancy was almost over and I would be able to concentrate on healing and getting healthy soon.

On a side note: The part I hate most about being anemic is that doctors always want to take my blood to check up on me. However, having more blood taken is the absolute last thing an anemic person needs if the hope is to get better.

My labor intensified and I became dilated to 8 centimeters but my water still hadn't broken because the baby's head was blocking that from happening. Around 3 pm the doctor decided to break my water and baby Mia was born at 3:33 pm. The actual labor went quickly once my water was broken, it was just everything that led up to it that was complicated and dangerous.

Mia was healthy and strong. I truly appreciated how much of a miracle my pregnancy and labor really were when I held Mia for the first time. So much was going wrong and I was high risk from the beginning. 20 years ago she never would have survived to birth. Both of my babies are such miracles and I have been truly blessed to have both of them.

Friday, March 16 - Going Home:
After four days and three nights in the hospital, we finally got to go home!

Daddy, Matt, and Mia all ready to come home.

Matt giving instructions on how to safely put a baby in the carrier.



Mia looks so tiny even with the extra padding to keep her safely in place.



All bundled up and ready to come home. Matt is carrying her first stuffed animal. What a good big brother.

That is the story of my ordeal. I personally hope I am never "interesting" again.

Welcome Baby Mia!

I have been a little preoccupied lately and am trying to play catch-up. This post is a little bit late, but definitely worth the wait...

The newest addition to our family, Mia Elizabeth Batzianis, was born on Pi Day (March 14) at 3:33 pm. Mia barely made it to the safe delivery zone of 36 weeks after several early scares and trips to the hospital. It is a miracle she made it that far and I am forever grateful for a talented, diligent doctor who took such good care of me and of her. She weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces and was 19 1/4 inches long. For being so early she was actually pretty big. Since we made it to 36 weeks she did not need to spend any time in the NICU. Prayers are answered and miracles do happen.

Mia just a few minutes old. She already has a healthy set of lungs.

It was love at first sight for Daddy and Mia. She has him wrapped around her little finger.

Meeting his sister for the first time with present in tow, Matt sure loves his sister.

Look at the big boy holding his sister.

Our first family picture. I'm not looking very good and Matt has his usual silly expression, but it is our first.

This birth was quite an ordeal and I am so glad we both came out of it as healthy as we were (more on that in the next post). Mom and Mia both recovered quickly and are doing well now. I can't say enough how much of a miracle little Mia is and I am so thankful we live in a time where we have so much technology to help make sure things are progressing well during the pregnancy and after the birth, even if there are complications and I am high risk. Both of my children are truly miracles.

Open Mouth, Insert Foot

One of the things I love most about my job is working with teenagers and being a part of their energy and enthusiasm. I especially love it when they open their mouth and unintentionally put their foot in it. That happened a few days ago in my Junior Language Arts class.

We are currently reading The Catcher in the Rye and it is notorious for causing verbal gaffes. In this particular instance we were reading the infamous chapter 13 - the pimp and prostitute chapter. I think its important to read this one in class because Holden agrees to an arrangement that is against his principles but then realizes it and corrects his mistake.

J: Holden payed $5.00 for the prostitute right?
Me: Yes, that is what Maurice told him on the elevator.
J: So, in your experience, what is five dollars today?
Me: [shocked] In my experience?
A: Wait...did he just call you a hooker?
Me: Yes, I think he just did.
J: I didn't mean it that way. I just meant what is the equivalent today?
Me: Ok, moving on...

I know that I should have been more upset about this slip up, but it was just too funny and unintintentional to get mad.

Fostering Creativity

I have always believed that it is vital to teach children reading, writing, and arithmetic. However, it is also equally important to foster their creativity and allow them to create (even if it is not done all that well) and explore the world around them.

I have been extremely worried lately because Matt absolutely HATES to color or draw. While other children his age are already drawing clear pictures, he will barely scribble a line or two on the paper and then say he is done. I was terrified that this was a sign that he was not creative or not patient or not enough of something. I had been forgetting the things that he created on an almost daily basis that did not include coloring. For example he loves LEGOS and will spend hours rearranging the LEGO men and changing their helmets, beards, hats, and accessories. Recently this has developed into wanting to actually build things. He is still too young to be able to follow instructions that come with the sets; but never fear, his imagination is here. Grandma has a big plastic container of LEGOS. I came home from work to see that he had spent at least an hour planning, implementing and creating a space station - all from the vision he saw in his own mind. Once I got there we spent at least another 30 minutes putting the finishing touches on his creation.

This is what he had created before we left Grandma's house.

Matt proudly posing with his special space station.

Once we got home, he continued to work on the space station for hours at a time over the next two days (sorry I don't have another picture, I'll have to get on that). As the station changed and morphed I realized how much creativity and ingenuity it must have taken for a child who is only three and a half to catch the vision and create something as elaborate as this.

Creativity comes in all different activities, shapes, and sizes. I don't think Matt will ever be an artist, but he may be one amazing inventor, architect, or engineer. The most amazing thing I learned from all of this is that the world is wide open for him to discover. All I have to do is let him use his imagination and give him the tools he needs to create.

Goofy Guys

"Momma, come find me!" the soft, dulcet sounds of my sweet little three year old ring throughout the house. I can tell that he is somewhere in his room, but of course part of the game is looking for him silly places. I checked the closet, the trash can, the potty, all the while calling out where I was looking. Giggles erupted as he he thought of all the silly places momma was looking.  "That's icky. I not in the potty!"

When I "finally" found the little cutie, this is what I saw...

...Not one but two goofy boys giggling away.

I love my little boy and my handsome husband.

Happy Un-birthday

Ever since Christmas my 3 1/2 year old has been obsessed with opening presents. He equally loves to give presents but hasn't had many opportunities to participate in that part of the gift giving. It hasn't helped that he has been to several birthday parties and watched other kids open their presents.

His birthday is in July, five months away, but he has determined that now is the time to begin writing his birthday wish list. I shudder to think how long this list is going to become in the next five months. The list making turned into wanting to open presents of his own. This also including wrapping his presents, another joy he discovered during Christmas. He asked his Daddy to get wrapping paper and he picked leftover Santa paper from Christmas. We celebrated Matt's un-birthday by unwrapping all the presents he picked out from his current set of toys and watched me wrap. It was still a surprise.

All of his (poorly) wrapped presents in Santa paper.

There was a bit of a problem with getting tape stuck to his finger. He was not a happy boy.

Once the tape issue was resolved, he was all smiles.

The first present he opened, a plastic spider.

The blue alien and a big grin.

Looking at Daddy for approval.

Being a goofball.

This made Matt's day and allowed us at least a few more days without being pestered about his birthday. He loved the attention and unwrapping his presents. Happy un-birthday, Matt. Thanks for reminding me that we only have one birthday but we have 364 un-birthdays. Each day is a miracle and should be celebrated.