Sandy Hook Elementary School

Friday morning started as a day that I, along with most of my co-workers, dread every year...physical inventory.  It is a day filled with weighing parts, un-reeling and re-reeling parts, bending, squatting, lifting, counting, counting, and more counting.  Our workday starts at 6am, which is about an hour and a half earlier than my typical day.  Of course, that means that my entire morning routine that I've whittled down to a fine science was completely thrown off.  To say that things were a little hectic in the Sparks' household would have been an understatement.  Despite things being a little muddled, somehow we still managed to get everyone in their proper locations, at their proper times, and (most importantly) all in one piece.

Workday commences.

At about 1 o'clock, I was taking a small break while waiting to get audited, and our babysitter sent me a text.

There was just a shooting in an elementary school in Connecticut.  Killed 27 people.  9 adults, the rest kids.  The guy walked right into the school!!    It's all over the TV.

My heart sank.  I immediately opened my web browser and checked out yahoo.  There it was.  Very little detail had actually been posted.  There were, in fact, more questions and theories than answers and solid fact.  One thing was for certain, though...a shooting had occurred, in an elementary school, and children were killed.  Innocent children.  I wanted to run to my babies right then and there and squeeze them tight.

Over the course of the weekend, more and more detail was released.  Names and faces were placed with the victims.  Tears streamed down my face as I thought to myself, “what would I do if this happened to Luke?”  These kids were slightly older than he is.  An entire life ahead of them stripped away senselessly.  I could hardly stand to watch the news, but I did.  It would have been so easy for me to turn off the TV and go about my day, but to the families of the innocent, this was their reality.  I cannot imagine.  A small piece of me reasoned that if I continued to watch, to memorize those sweet faces, that maybe I could carry at least a small burden for those families.  I know in reality, it doesn’t work that way.  

On December 14, 2012, 20 children and 6 adults were murdered.

Charlotte Bacon, 2/22/06, female (age 6)
Daniel Barden, 9/25/05, male (age 7)
Olivia Engel, 7/18/06, female (age 6)
Josephine Gay, 12/11/05, female (age 7)
Ana M. Marquez-Greene, 04/04/06, female (age 6)
Dylan Hockley, 03/08/06, male (age 6)
Madeleine F. Hsu, 07/10/06, female (age 6)
Catherine V. Hubbard, 06/08/06, female (age 6)
Chase Kowalski, 10/31/05, male (age 7)
Jesse Lewis, 06/30/06, male (age 6)
James Mattioli, 03/22/06, male (age 6)
Grace McDonnell, 11/04/05, female (age 7)
Emilie Parker, 05/12/06, female (age 6)
Jack Pinto, 05/06/06, male (age 6)
Noah Pozner, 11/20/06, male (age 6)
Caroline Previdi, 09/07/06, female (age 6)
Jessica Rekos, 05/10/06, female (age 6)
Avielle Richman, 10/17/06, female (age 6)
Benjamin Wheeler, 9/12/06, male (age 6)
Allison N. Wyatt, 07/03/06, female (age 6)

Rachel Davino, 7/17/83, female (age 29)
Dawn Hochsprung, 06/28/65, female (age 47)
Anne Marie Murphy, 07/25/60, female (age 52)
Lauren Russeau, 1982, female (age 29)
Mary Sherlach, 02/11/56, female (age 56)
Victoria Soto, 11/04/85, female (age 27)

I do not know one person that has not been affected by this horrific act in one way or another.  I pray that the families of these children and teachers feel the warmth and love that so many are sending their way.  I pray that they are able to receive some sort of justice out of all of this.  I pray for peace and calm in the midst of this storm that is surely rocking their world to the core.  I know that things will get harder before they get easier, and I pray that these families can reflect on memories of their little angels to help get them through the hardest of times.

Most importantly, I pray that some sort of good results from this heinous act.

I'll leave you with this link that a great friend emailed me this morning.  Such a beautiful tribute to those that lost their lives.  Turn up the volume on your speakers, and grab a tissue. 

10:22

As each year passes, and my age stays the same (ha!), I find that my memory declines.  When I was a little girl, I had the memory of an elephant...seriously!  My Mom would tell me, "don't forget that we need xyz at the grocery store", because she knew I would remember.  I especially have an affinity for phone numbers and birthdays.  Once I've said it aloud, it's stowed away on a shelf in my brain for safekeeping forever. :-)  Although I still have a pretty stellar ability for recalling birthdays, especially, I think with each child we have had, a bit of my brain got sucked away.

Now, if you ask me where I put something, even if it was just a second ago, I can’t remember.  I cannot count how many times that I've walked into a room and then just stood there in a dazed stupor asking myself what the heck I was just doing/going to do/looking for.  And then there are important dates/times…meetings and appointments.  Between meetings/deadlines at work, due dates for B’s business, Doc appointments for the kids, Preschool events for Luke, etc, etc…I would be seriously lost without my planner.  I can schedule an appointment and forget the time before even hanging up the phone…it is that bad.  With all of that said, three times that I’ll never, ever, ever forget:  4:42pm, 1:15pm, and 10:22am.

Six months ago today, at 10:22am, Libby was born.

I struggle to find the right words to describe how precious our little girl is to us, and how much joy and love she has added to our family.  It's just not possible.  And to think she has gotten us all wrapped around her sweet little finger in just 6 months' time.  Amazing. 

Libby weighs 12lbs 0.5oz, is 26 inches long, and has a head circumference of 16 inches.

She is thisclose to rolling over.  As a matter of fact, I think she would if she'd let go of her toes. :-)  She does roll, but it's not with any sort of consistency, yet.  She can sit by herself for short spurts before folding in half, too.  She cut her first tooth (lower left) and is working on its partner now...it's been brutal!

Eating-wise, we're getting there.  Last week, her specialist increased her fortifier to 30 cals, which basically means she gets 1 tsp of formula added to every 1 oz of breastmilk instead of 2/3 tsp.  She's taking about 21-23 oz per day, which is a steady increase from her 18-20 oz.  We are working on transitioning to formula (pumping exclusively has been hard on Momma...I'll spare you the details).  We'll talk to the Pedi next week about starting to "play" with babyfood.  Changing her eating regimen makes me a little nervous when she's doing so well, but I know that it's important for her development.  

Libby is the sweetest baby.  She just kind of goes with the flow, sits back, and takes it all in.  We have to really work for our grins and giggles sometimes, but she's always generous with her coy smiles. :-)

To say that we're blessed is a gross understatement!  

Happy 1/2 year, Libs!  We love you so much!!!

O' Christmas Tree...

For me, the Christmas Season doesn't fully begin until our Christmas Tree is situated in its own special corner of the living room and decorated in a colorful spread of sparkly glory.  When I think about Christmas, some of my favorite childhood memories stem from doing nothing more than sitting in front of the Christmas Tree...staring at all of its beautifully lit wonder, breathing in that sweet smell of pine, and envisioning all of the wonderful presents that will be placed under its branches on Christmas Day.  O', Christmas Tree! :-)

 

This weekend, we fought the flu bug hard!  Thankfully (or not, haven't decided yet) it was only a 12 hour thing for each of us, so it left more quickly than usual.  We spent the weekend decorating:

On Sunday, we attended my company's Children's Christmas Party.  It was super-sweet, and so much fun for the kids!  Levi still isn't a Santa fan, but Luke and Libby shared with him what they wanted for Christmas...Luke, a dragon, and Libby, her other front bottom tooth. :-) 

We're gearing up for a little celebration tomorrow...someone turns 1/2 year old. :-)

{I love this picture of Libby and my Gramma!}

The Great Christmas Tree Hunt!

Every year, B and I go to Miller's Tree Farm to cut down/buy a Christmas tree.  It has turned into a fun family tradition that we really look forward to.  We typically go the day after Thanksgiving, but we were a bit delayed!  Last year, it was rainy and cold so we left the boys at home all nestled and warm.  :-)  This year was the first year that we were able to take both boys with us.  They were amazed at all of the rows and rows of trees, at all of the shapes and sizes of each tree, and at how long it took for Mommy to finally choose the "best" tree, haha!  Libby has been sick, so she stayed at home with Great-Grandma where she received lots and lots of snuggles. :-)

{Look, Mom.  I can touch the top!}

 

{Finally found the perfect tree!}

{Daddy's little helpers. :-) }

Have you put up your Christmas tree, yet?  Real or fake?  I'm hoping to get ours decorated tonight, so we can post some pictures of the final product!!

Baby's First Thanksgiving

This year was Libby's first Thanksgiving.  Recently, B and I pulled out the 'ol digital picture frame and popped in some SD cards that were collecting dust.  I came across these:

{Luke and his Great Grandma Bruce}

{Levi's First Thanksgiving}

{Libby's First Thanksgiving}

It's always so fun to look back on the kids' "Firsts" and reminisce.  Seems like it was just yesterday. :-)  It's crazy to think that this time next year Libby will be walking, Luke will be enjoying Thanksgiving Festivities in Kindergarten, and Levi will be enjoying his first year of Preschool.  I'm digging my heels in, trying to slow down the ride!

Anyway, back to Thanksgiving :-)

We celebrated at my Mom and Dad's...

{Grandma and Libby talks.}

{Coziest seat in the house.}

{Libby talking to Aunt Shelbey for the first time.}

{Dinner time!}

{Turkey-stuffed Cheeks!}

{Turkey milk coma?!}

{Luke and Alex}

We celebrated at B's Mom's...

{Libby and Aunt EE}

 

{Libby and Great Aunt Valli}

{Grandma talks}

{EE and I}

No Thanksgiving's complete without truck races...

{Always shoeless}

{Levi was pooped!}

And then we hosted Thanksgiving for B's Dad, Sister, Brother-in-Law, and Nephew.  It occurred to me, out of all of the hundreds of pictures I took, I only got some of the babies together!  Some include Luke, but I'm pretty sure Levi wasn't in any, nor were the adults!  I really need to start hiring a photographer, haha. :-)  Anyway, here are a few of my favorite pictures:

{Come here, Libby!}

{Here, let me fix your bib.}

{I'm gonna get you, Lukey!}

{Sweet kiddos}

{Tormenting the babies with a lizard}

It was so nice to be able to see and visit with most of our family.  I really feel like we got to actually enjoy everyone's company this year.  It seems like most years we are rushed...I love just being able to soak the entire day in...to sit back and enjoy the smells, the smiles, and the laughter!

Which all lead me to my Thankfuls for Days 20, 21, and 22.  I am thankful for my family...all of them...Mom, Dad, Grandparents, Sisters, Brother, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Niece, and Nephews.  They all bring a special sense of joy to my life that could never be fulfilled by anyone else.  I am thankful for my friends.  I did a post on Day 1 about two Ladies who are very special to me, but I have many, many more friends that are all special to me, too. :-)  I am very lucky to have such great friends.  And lastly, I am thankful for an awesome set of "outlaws", as B would call them. :-)  B has a pretty amazing family that has always been incredibly welcoming to me from the day I first met them...not just his parents, but his Sisters, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Grandma, too.   

We hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving filled with nothing but joy and love.  :-)  Until next year...