A trip to the ER

For some reason, I thought even though I have 4 kids, we would just all be very careful and never have to make a trip to the ER. There have been plenty of small injuries and some bigger ones. Joey came down with a fever at 7 weeks old and spent 4 days in the hospital. Ryley fell off the kitchen stool and needed to go to the ER to have staples in her head. This past May, Ryley fell at school and fractured her wrist. (we dodged the ER that day and went straight to the ortho) Well, yesterday we were not so lucky. Ryley was being adventurous on the jungle gym and fell and dislocated her elbow and fractured it. From what doctors say, it's not easy to dislocate your elbow. It is for Ryley Dargan. She fell the perfect way so that she could dislocate it. So, myself, Joey, Owen and TJ drove to get her at school. The kids and I were as calm as can be even though Ryleys elbow was a scary sight. It's heartbreaking to see your kids in pain and to be so scared. It was a family effort to get her to the hospital. The boys even helped by carrying her backpack. TJ just kept saying "Ryley, you OK?" Ryley somehow made it through an IV and an XRAY before we were transferred by ambulance to Hackensack. Ryley thought the ambulance was "cool".

Ryley was such a trooper. She never complained and the nurses adored her. The orhto snapped her elbow back into place. She was sedated, thank god. That's when I was most upset. The medicine helped her to calm down and helped so that she wouldn't feel the pain of having her elbow adjusted. Her eyes would open and close and she didn't know what was going. It was scary to see her look so lifeless, but I knew she was going to be fine. She made it through everything and 10 hours later, we finally made it home. On the way home, with her whole arm in a splint and sling, she said to me "Mommy, I want to learn how to surf." Dear God, what am I in for? I have a daughter who breaks her elbow and is already thinking about what she can try next. I do love her spirit!

Ryleys birthday

I don't know where the time goes. My little girl turned 7. I remember how excited I was to meet her for the first time. I didn't know if I was going to have a boy or a girl. (Joe and I loved the excitement all 4 times of keeping it a surprise.) I remember 7 years ago on September 18th when the doctor and Joe looked at me with excitement and said, "it's a girl". I remember the incrediable emotion and love I felt. It's like no other feeling in the world. This precious little girl was part of me and I made her. So amazing! I remember looking at her and telling her that I was her mommy and I loved her more than anything, and I would do my best to be the best mommy I can. I will love her, protect her and teach her everything. I have now watched her grow into this beautiful, sweet, caring, smart and compassionate little girl. I think I could go on forever when it comes to my kids. That day she was born in the hospital, I remember her being next to me in bed and I just held her and stared at her. 7 years later, I wake up with that same little girl next to me (she likes to sneak into my bed in the morning). I just kiss her and hold her as I did that day and feel so proud. Happy Birthday Ryley! Daddy and I are so proud of you and we love you so much!

A letter to mommy

Ryley got off the bus today and handed me a letter that she wrote to me in school. This is what it said:

I love you mommy
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

mommy Ryley
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Dear Mommy,
I love you so much. School is fun but I miss you and I can't wait to go come. Love Ryley.

PS I love you
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

A letter from my little girl. Amazing!

Bronx Zoo

This past weekend was busy for us. It started off Friday night with a birthday party for cousin Sarah who turned 6. Sunday was 9/11 and was emotional for us as we attended a memorial and remembered an unforgettable day. Saturday was our family day and what better way to spend family day then heading to the Bronx Zoo! There were peacocks and gorillas(which were amazing) monkeys, zebras, reptiles and so much more. We were even lucky to see the 4D Dora and Diego adventure show. The kids loved every second of it.

A day to never forget

September 11th, 2001 was a day that will never be forgotten. It's hard to believe that it has been 10 years, yet I remember every detail like it was yesterday. The dress I wore still sits in the back of my closet. The images of that day are still so clear in my head and always will be. My heart goes out to all those families who lost loved ones. Yesterday was a day to remember those lost. I also at one moment looked at Joe and our four kids and felt so lucky and blessed to have what I have in my life. I tell our kids all the time to appreciate life and appreciate your health and the loving family we have. We are lucky in so many ways and you have to remember each day to thank God for what you have. Some days can be crazy, but at the end of the day, I kiss everyone goodnight and just smile.

Back to school

I don't think anyone dreads back to school more than me. I love lazy mornings and leaving the house when I want. I love sleeping next to TJ (he usually joins me 5 am every morning. I love feeling Joey nestling up to me. I love how Ryley likes to sleep in and then come smiling down the stairs with her nightgown on and hair all crazy. I love hearing Owen say "mommy, what do you want to do today?"

Tomorrow is Ryleys first day of first grade. With this brings back early mornings, packing snacks and lunches, rushing around and trying to get out of the house. Joey starts preschool Wed and Owen starts next week. On Mon, Wed, Fri, I will have to have all 4 out of the house and somewhere by 9. That should be fun. Thank goodness TJ is not in school yet!

I am excited for Ryley tomorrow, but I am going to miss her being around every day. The boys miss her too. She is the one who organizes all the games for them. I keep trying to tell myself that we will get on a schedule again and get into the swing of things. I am sure I am will soon, but right now, I just wish I had a few more weeks at home with them.

Right now, my goal is to get Ryley home, get her homework done and have some fun afternoon adventures with her brothers!

Last week of summer vacation

School starts next week. Most moms I talk to are excited for this time of year. I am not looking forward to rushing out of the house to catch a bus or packing snacks and lunches. I am in denial so I am just still enjoying summer as if it's not ending. This week, I had 8 kids for lunch on Tuesday, 6 for dinner and a niece sleep over.

Today, our morning started with bike riding at the field along with a picnic lunch. There were older boys playing basketball at the field. Joey watched them in amazement. He hid behind a tree, grabbed the biggest stick he could find, and acted as if he was protecting his grounds and needed to shoot the enemies. The best part was, when the older boys fell to he ground and said "he got me". Joeys eyes lit up. This was the beginning of a half hour battle which made his day. It didn't take long for Owen and TJ to join in. At one point, I heard Joey say to one of the older boys, "hey, not so hard with the stick, I am just a little kid." My goodness, he is cute.

We spent our afternoon on a hike along a nature trail. We took GG, Grandpa and cousin Cailey with us. The Dargan kids were excited to show their cousin one of our spots. So after a bike ride, a hike, a pizza dinner, an hour of running races with Hobson, 4 baths, 4 brushed teeth, and 2 books, I have 4 kids, and I will hear once again, "mommy, what do you want to do today?"