A Mother's Day Video Greeting

I’m doing something different for Mother’s Day this year. You see, I discovered Inwiter, a company that lets you create and send video greeting cards and invitations.

When I got pregnant, my stepmom was in Afghanistan working. Fate worked her magic and she found herself in Atlanta a couple weeks before I had Cristian. We’ve been lucky to spend the past month with her. She got to meet her first grandson and create special memories her and I will both share. He won’t remember, but he’ll have pictures. Unfortunately, she had to go back before mother’s day. So I had an idea.

Why not create a special Mother’s Day video greeting card. I know she checks her email and Facebook. It’s much easier to communicate with her online than send her a card via snail mail. So I used some of the pictures from the past month to create an extra special Mother’s Day card.

Just by uploading special pictures, adding my own text with a loving message, some music—I created a unique and one of a kind video greeting card for my mom.

A Smile: OB-GYN Associates

Back when I first started this blog, I would either "smile" or "rant" about a variety of things. I'm going to go back to those roots for this post, which is about a month past due.

When I found out I was pregnant with my ever so cute #SmilingBaby, I just signed the lease to my house in Marietta, GA. I immediately began researching OBGYNs in Marietta. I came across OB-GYN Associates. Now, I didn't just look at their website and pick them. Nope. I researched all the physicians first and then made the call. All of the doctors came with glowing reviews. I did appreciate the fact that they had a very nicely done website. I liked that they had all the patient forms online so I didn't spend time in the office to do it.

I had to see all the doctor's in the practice and the midwives so I would be comfortable with all of them. All the doctor's are awesome. They are super nice and friendly. Being a first timer, they did a good job at putting me at ease.

Dr. Terry Kelley ended up delivering Cristian via c-section. He was great. My recovery time was super fast. I was up and walking a few hours after recovery. I was up and moving fairly normally after a week. Really, I wasn't in that much pain at all. He did a fabulous job. I almost can't even see the incision.  I was very pleased.

Dr. Windom came and checked on me while I was recovering in the hospital. He also did the circumcision. He was one of my favs when I rotated through during my pregnancy. He's very well known in the medical community and just overall, super friendly and a good doctor.

Dr. Tackitt released me from the hospital. He was also the doctor I saw the appointment when I found out I was having a boy. That was a good day. Again, nothing but good things to say.

I only saw Dr. Kimberly Huffman once, but really liked her. She was very nice. I was concerned about excessive swelling in my ankles and she was good about going over ways to reduce swelling and warning signs.

I saw Dr. Chappell twice. She was the first doctor I saw there. She did a good job of setting expectations for my pregnancy, going over my history and possible complications. I thought she was funny and and very to the point. She put me at ease.

All of the doctors are fabulous. But I have to say a few things about the nurses too. You get to know them going every month and then weekly. All of them are great. I've gone back twice with Cristian for follow up appointments. It was nice to let them see the baby that they helped monitor.

So...most definitely a smile at OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, GA. As long as I'm in the Atlanta area, I'll go there.

Video Greeting Cards for the Little Brother’s Big 2-6

Today is my little brother’s birthday. He’s really not that little at 26. But in my heart, he’ll always be my kid brother. Early this morning, I posted a birthday message on Facebook. I would normally send him a card in the mail. But honestly, I doubt he read those cards, much less kept them. It was a waste of my money and resources. Being environmentally aware, I did something different this year.

I sent Alex a video greeting card with Inwiter. I saved myself some money and did my small part to save the environment y spending a few minutes to create a greeting card online.

I wish I had some sappy video of us together; but since I didn’t, I used pictures. I logged in to Inwiter using my Google account and created Alex’s birthday video greeting card in a matter of minutes. I uploaded my pictures, added text, added a song, and emailed him the card. To embarrass him even more, I posted it on Facebook.  It took less than five minutes, plus it was free!

We like to do something special to celebrate each other’s birthdays. Video greeting cards are different and unique because you really do get to personalize them. No one will get the same card, or God forbid, you won’t accidently give the same card as previous years. That has happened to me. Without realizing it, one year I gave Alex the same birthday card as two years before. I doubt he realized it, but I remember because the card seemed familiar.

So this year, it was special. This is a big year for my bro. He has some big changes ahead. It seemed fitting that I do something different and extra special right before all his major life changes take place.

Mommy Changes

My little brother, Vlad asked me if becoming a mom has changed me. Of course it's changed me. Obviously, my life revolves around this new little person. I've always been pretty responsible and all that adult stuff. But having Cristian has made me dare I say calmer and more relaxed. Small stuff hasn't bothered me as much. Cristian crying and being peed and pooped on doesn't phase me. Oddly enough, I embrace it. I look at my new little one in awe at the fact that I am a mom.

Life is different. Life is good. A week after my life changed forever, I have to say that life is pretty good despite the lack of sleep. I'm recovering from the csection. I'm still in a little pain, but nothing I can't handle, even without the prescriptions. My neighbors came over today and said that I don't even look like I had a baby, which was sweet. I'm not where I was pre-pregnancy, but I'm not as big either. I am looking forward to getting the green light to start exercising again. It's getting nice outside and walks with the baby sound perfect.

The beagles have reacted pretty well to the baby. They were aggressive with each other today, but I think that has more to do with the fact that there was extra food because of Easter dinner than anything else. They are attentive to the baby and sniff and wag their tails when they sit next to him.

The Day Before

When I started this blog years ago, things were so different. Fresh out of a divorce, living on the Illinois side of the metro St. Louis area, I was fighting with my ex to get full custody of the beagles. Back then I thought I was never going to have children.  My life a year ago was different. I was living in St. Louis city, beagles in tow, having a blast going to networking events, just starting to work on my doctorate. I was actually dating a really nice guy, a doctor. But it didn't work out because he didn't share my views on fostering children and with the intention of adoption (since I thought I couldn't have them). That was a deal breaker for me. Now, in Atlanta, I'm going to have a child of my own tomorrow.

The writer in me has to laugh. I'm not the writer in this story though. God is. This past year, I've learned that I may have the drive to succeed and make things happen. But it is God who is the true author. At least that's the case for me. He is for us all if we stop and listen.

Cuddles with Lyn Snuggles

I've done a lot of reflecting my last few days alone with the beagles. We took some extra time to cuddle because after tomorrow, Thursday (when I come home from the hospital for the beagles), life will most definitely be different. I think the dogs know change is in the air. I'm so thankful for every experience thus far and looking forward to the new experiences ahead.

By the way, I think it is rather fitting that #SmilingBaby is born during Holy week since I consider this little one to be my little miracle. I hope it's a good omen that Cristian will grow in faith. I hope he'll grow up to be a strong leader who leads by showing Christ's love through his actions and willingness to serve.

For updates on my little guy, check out Smiling Marketress Mama. This blog will continue to be used for other purposes.