Welcome to ‘Seven Quick Takes’ which basically is seven paragraphs of non-related items. I got it from her who got it from her. I love the idea since I can basically tell y’all all the crazy things running around in my head all in one post. Here goes.
1) Ryan is doing well. I visited him today with my sister, Dottie. He is heavily sedated due to still being intubated. I am a bit bummed because I found out today they don’t allow us to hold babies who are intubated in the mouth (instead of the nose) which Ryan is, and probably will be for the next three weeks. I am so glad I was selfish and woke him up before his cath yesterday to hold him a few minutes (knowing it’s harder to hold an intubated baby, but not realizing I wouldn’t be allowed to). BUT, before you start crying for me (or playing finger violins), he did fight through his meds to listen to mommy, kick his legs (what he does when he’s engaged in the conversation), and give me three doped up half smiles. Way to go, little man!
2) Can anyone tell me why DC cops drive around with their lights on when they aren’t on a call? It’s very strange and threw me off the first month or so going to the hospital. I don’t remember this behavior from when I lived there a decade ago. I keep thinking they want me to move out of the way and then realize they’re just driving their beat. What’s up with that?
BTW, DC as in Washington, DC; lovingly referred to as simply ‘Washington’, ‘DC’, or ‘the city’ by us locals. I can’t tell you how many times someone has asked me where I’m from and when I answer ‘Washington’ they think I mean the state. And, yes, looking in from outside, I can totally understand why they would think the state. I mean, there is a state in the northwest part of our county that is called ‘Washington’ so it totally makes sense. We’re a little egocentrical around here!
3) In a conversation with said sister, Dottie, she mentioned she used to check my blog during history class (she’s a college gal). I asked, “You have your computer in class? And the internet? Is it wireless?” She answered in the affirmative to all those questions. I gasped. She mentioned most people bring laptops to class. Double gasp.
Ok, I know I’m old, but wow. When I was in college, we had these rooms called computer labs. This is where students went to work on papers and check this newfangled thing called email, if you had an email account that is. And the internet was accessed through something called dial-up. There was a phone cord that connected into the back of the computer and was plugged into the wall. Yes, we were connected…like a leash…like you couldn’t take your computer with you and get the internet from anywhere you might be sitting on campus. And dial-up… I could do a whole post about dial-up, so let’s just leave it there. (Incidentally, my mom had dial-up until about three years ago. My husband refused to get on the internet at her house. He said he would rather bang his head against a wall. She moderned-up one year for Christmas, thank goodness!)
And, laptops? Only the rich nerds brought computers to class to take notes on. The rest of us took notes with pen and paper. Paper? That is the thin white 8×11.5 sheet of material that absorbs the ink from your pen. It’s handy for taking notes and making lists…oh, and doodling. Bet you can’t doodle on your computer, so there.
4) Two people in the last week emailed me from blog land. I know neither in real life, but both are praying for Ryan. Both mentioned not being a stalker. I’ve gotten comments like this in introductory emails before. So I’m just going to throw this out… I know you guys aren’t stalkers. There are quite a few lurkers on here though. Many readers, few comments. I’m not fussin’ ya, I’m just sayin’. I think some of you think, “Ew, I don’t know her. She doesn’t know me. If I comment she might think I’m weird.” So let’s clear a few things up. I don’t know you, but I’d like to. You don’t know me, but you read my inner most thoughts. So, if you comment, I won’t think you’re weird. I’ll L.O.V.E. it. Really, love it, for real. And then I’ll probably say something like, “Hey, some girl (or guy) said XYZ on my blog today.” to my husband and he’ll think you’re cool. And then he’ll think I’m cool because someone I don’t know (or do know but is too afraid to tell me they’re here) cares enough to read my blog and actually comment. And I really like it when my husband thinks I’m cool. So comment, people.
5) On that note… I love that some of you ask questions in your comments. I get your comments via email and many times I wish I could simply respond to your question the same way. But for me to do that, you have to publish your email in your google profile. This doesn’t publish it on your profile page for the world to see, it simply means if you comment on someone’s blog, it allows your email to show up in the ‘from’ line so the recipient can respond. Otherwise, I just see ‘no-reply@blogger.com’ and can’t respond. So, everyone click on ‘customize’ then ‘dashboard’ then ‘edit profile’ . Under Privacy click ‘show my email’ and make sure under identity that your correct email is showing. Then save your changes. I’ll wait for you to do that.
Okay. Done? Now comment on this post and I’ll talk back… see how that works? It’s like playing tennis. I’ll hit the ball to you, you hit the ball to me, and then I’ll hit it back again. That’s how my mom taught me anyway.
6) And just to close the loop – Ostacy – I did make Ainsley’s birthday cake! Thanks for asking. 🙂 And, Sara, did you guys meet with the Dr. K in cath lab yesterday? Did A have a cath? I didn’t know. I would’ve love to see you. I’ve been thinking about you guys a lot lately. Bummer.
7) Ok, last one. Amazing how quickly time flies when you’re spouting off at the mouth. Dottie and I were talking today about memories (a lot of talking going on you can see). Memories as in what age you start remembering things. We were trying to figure out how early kids remember life. I don’t really know, but I do know that my earliest memory is of my mom holding me up by my torso under the spray of the shower. She was holding me up with ease and letting the water splash over my back and I loved it. I think of it often when I’m showering with my girls. Ainsley is three now and I can’t remember the last time is was easy to pick her up with my hands around her rib cage and hold her high over my head. It’s been awhile. So in my memory, I had to be between 18 and 30 months.
I know one of Natalie’s earliest memories is of us picking up our cat, Taurus, from my dad’s house after our return from a two and a half month stay in California. He was watching her for us. Natalie was 21 months old at the time. For the next two years, Natalie thought we had my dad’s cat. She didn’t remember us having a cat before California… she just remembered us picking her up. Every time we would see my dad she’d say, “We’re watching your cat for you, grandpa. She’s doing good.” or something similar on Taurus’s status. I kept trying to tell Natalie that Taurus is our cat and not grandpa’s. She didn’t believe me and he finally broke the news personally to her several months ago. I’m not sure she believed him.
So, in the interest of generating comments from all you lurkers and stalkers, what is your earliest memory and how old were you? I promise I don’t bite.
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (25)
Hey Leighann! A didn’t have a cath yesterday…we were there for our monthly follow-up with Dr. K….and must have saw him right after he did Ryan’s cath. Bummed that Ryan has to be orally intubated….I always hated it when A was…but happy that his sedation was light enough that he knew you were there. Hang in there and please let us know if there is anything we can do….besides pray b/c we will continue to do that already!
Sara
ps. Didn’t know DJ goes by Dottie…learn something new everyday!
pss. Changed my google information….I follow directions 😉
Hello, my name is Lurker .. my earliest memory is not the best. I believe I was 2 years old and I watched our next door neighbors steal items out of our apt in California. When my mother noticed the items were gone, I pointed her to the robbers. I can laugh about it now, but imagine it must have been scary when I was younger.
I like your 7 things even if I read or experienced most of them with you today. How did Sara beat me at commenting when I’m the one sitting right next to you?
You are funny….
Sara- I go by whatever- Dot, DJ, Dottie, Dorothy Jean, Deej.. you get the drift. I was just trying something new with the whole Dottie thing. ’nuff said.
Hi Leighann! I LOVE reading your blog! You always have a way of putting things into words that I never would be able to 🙂 I love this idea of Seven Quick Takes…I may have to do it on my blog as well 🙂 I’ll try to figure out how to link back to your blog.
So, anyway, my earliest memory is when I was just about 2 years old and my grandfather (Bro. Stanley in Shippensburg) was building his church. I remember my dad sitting me up on one of the saw horses that was sitting around the site. I don’t remember much exact detail, I just remember that the church was being built.
Thanks for the memories 🙂
I’ll be praying for your strength over the next 3 weeks…I know Ryan wants to be held as much as you want to be holding him! God bless your family!
You write so well Leighann! I look forward to your posts so much and love leaving you comments or sendignyou an email! Sometimes you make me laugh so hard at the end of such a long day adn other times I cry cause I feel your pain … I am glad that we share this crazy blog world and soemhow I found you on here! I can;t wait to one day actually meet you all…. when we are heading back through DC and in to Balmore ( yes I said Balmore because people there don’t say the “ti” in it).
My earliest memory is about the age of my littlest man… two years old! We lived in a row home in Batimore and I remember learning to make my bed.I can remember the bright pink colors and the hardwood floors and shag carpet area rug! Shag rug enough said!
i’m not a lurker, i’m a follower. and if i read and have a minute, i usually comment. (because deep down i’m a comment “whore” and thrive on encouragement)
i am sure that it’s tough having two little ones while you’re trying to do the hospital thing. i’m sure the juggling game is a bit harder for you.
i just wanted you to know that i’m thnking about you and praying!
Good Morning Leighann, this is Michelle, your mom’s friend, I don’t know how many Michelles you know so I figure I’d add that I’m your mom’s friend too! 🙂
First of all, I’m glad to hear that Ryan is doing well, will continue praying for him! 🙂 Second of all, I have to say that you are hi⋅lar⋅i⋅ous!! Your blogs on 7 takes made me smile.
As for my earliest memory – I was 2 years old and you know how curious we can be at times, anyway, my parents had this old blue car I don’t know the make/model so don’t ask. I think at that time, my dad was fixing the roof so he wasn’t really paying attention when he should be, so, I climbed in, not knowing the keys were already in the car, and I guess I was smart at 2, too, and pulled to reverse and next thing I know the car slowly backed out the driveway and hit the neighbor’s shed which was located across the street of us. After that is blank but I’m still here so the good Lord was watching at that time! 🙂
Have a great day!
Michelle
I’m commenting! I read every single post but have stunk at commenting but I will re-commit to commenting!
My earliest memory was a Halloween, I must’ve been 3, there were candy spread across the table. I had already eaten some and I stood on my tippy toes and grabbed another reese’s peices.
I guess even then I had a pb/chocolate obsession.
Re: CPUs and the intertube:
My earliest memory is watching my mom dance to the song “Fire” in our kitchen. I was about 3.
Mags – very funny video. Thanks!
Leighann,
My name is Kaitlin; I’m one of the CCTs (summer nurse interns) that takes care of Ryan. We did our presentation about him today and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. They especially enjoyed the picture of Ryan smiling so big from your 5 month bday entry – we included it as our last slide.
I’ve been reading your blog almost daily since you gave us the link to use for our project. I just never commented because I feel like you didn’t know me well enough to really care what my responses were.
I just wanted to say that I am so inspired by you and your family and Ryan’s story is one that I will NEVER forget. I went to see him today before I did my presentation and he looks so peaceful. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I will definitely continue to pray for your family and follow the blog even after I go back to school at the end of the month.
Kaitlin
I love the part about college and the internet. That was totally my experience. I think I may have had one class with one person who bought a laptop to take notes on! I also remember the first time my dad bought something on ebay, I couldn’t believe he was just going to put his credit card info out into the www!!
My earliest memory is from Mother’s Day Out at church. I think I was about 3. We had little boxes with cacoons and we watched them over time until they hatched into butterflies!
Hearing Natalie’s memory made me think, I heard somewhere that kids wo moved or traveled at an early age remember earlier, partially, because the location is associated with a certain age.
We are praying for Ryan and your family!! We just received Bridget’s email. Hopefully they will have Ryan stable soon!!!
Hey Leighann. I always read your blog but never comment. I have a few first memories. Two of which I was probably 3-4 years old (that is how old my parents said I was)and they are both hospital memories. I remember being prayed over by a nun and priest before surgery. The other was over Christmas and I wanted to go see Santa and my dad wouldn’t let me.
Another early memory was when my grandmother had a mouse in her house. I was probably 2-3 years old. The men were all running around trying to catch it and I was upset because I thought they were trying to kill mickey mouse.
Continued prayers for Ryan and families.
I am a stalker. And I’m not weird, I’m gifted. Just sayin’. 😉
I used to think I was like 2ish in my earliest memory, but in sharing it with my dad I discovered I was only 8 or 9 months old! Yes, I said 8 or 9, that is not a typo.
My grandmother and her husband had come to visit and when they were leaving everyone was standing around their car saying good bye. My gma’s husband put me in the car and I distincly remember crawling around on the back seat and up on a shelf in the window. I was totally aware of where I was, who I was, and who I was with. My gma and her husband lived in Colorado and this was the only time they visited during my first 2 years of life so it is not possible that I was older than 8 or 9 months! Isn’t that crazy?! I have one other memory from before age 2, where I carried the diaper bag into the house for my mom and put it on the floor by the door. And I remember the vast majority of my childhood past age two.
But sadly I’ve forgotten all the things of my own kids that I swore I would never forget and I am SOOO THANKFUL for what I wrote down!
~ Lurker Extraordinaire
Leighann, I’ve commented before so I dont know if I’m still considered a lurker or stalker or if Ive graduated to a blog friend! 😉
My earliest memory is my mom and cousins and aunt getting me ready for my 1 year photos. They were chasing me around my grandma’s house to fix my dress. I vividly remember thinking they were going to iron me IN IT.
We’ve been praying for Ryan all afternoon. So glad to hear he is more stable now. Still praying…
Hi Leighann, I’m a friend of your mom’s and Crissy through Shalom. Thank you for keeping us updated on your sweet family. You write an enjoyable read.
There is something way better than doodling on laptops – games! Actually, I’m sure you’d be relieved to hear that most of the students in my classes took notes on paper (I graduated a year ago, so maybe times have changed since! haha).
My first datable memory was standing in Aunt Pam’s house and talking on the phone. I don’t know who I was talking to, but they told me that I had a baby brother . . . I cried. I wanted a baby sister. I was just over 3. I also remember going in to visit him (either that day or the next) and being enthralled with the helicopter landing on the roof the building next to ours. I do remember them wheeling Ken’s bassinet in, but I don’t actually remember looking at him or what he looked like. I could have had memories from earlier, but, like I said, that’s the one that I have a definite date for. There is one memory that I have of trying to tell my Uncle Dennis about something and him being unable to understand me. So he called Aron over to help (since Aron used to talk for me) and he couldn’t understand me either. I can remember being SOOO frustrated. I know that was during the time my uncle lived in Hagerstown, so it could have been before or after Ken was born, as far as I know.
Whew! Sorry for the long comment! I’d just like to finish up by saying that I do read your blog regularly and keep you all in my prayers, even if I don’t always comment 🙂
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Maria
http://memory1gb.com
Hey Leighann! Your blog is such an amazing testimony and encouragement its “followers.” Ryan and the rest of your family are such a blessing to so many people. We continue to pray for you guys and are so glad he stabilized yesterday.
My first memory is a vague recollection of when my younger cousin was born. I feel like we went to visit my aunt in the hospital. I would have been around 3 I guess.
dang girl, you got skills! i’ve never made a birthday cake, but now i’m kinda inspired. if i ever get married and have children, that’s the one thing i would always want to do. it’s a simple gesture of love in my opinion, and your children are so so blessed to have a mother like you that not only loves them, but shows them all the time.
my memory is very poor so i’ll have to get back to you about my first memory. <3
ps i’m bummed you didn’t win the blog award, but so excited you made it to the finals…i hope it helped more people discover your blog and that’s more prayers and love for you and your family. <3
I discovered your blog when you were being nominated and now it’s one of my Favorites that I have to check everyday. I pray for all of you and for Ryan and know that God holds all of you close. You are doing so well with all of this and are such a great role model for those of us that have healthy kids and still struggle on how to manage it all. Keep up the great blog. Stephanie
Um, you have a Mac. If you haven’t figured out how to doodle, you don’t have enough free time. For Windows people, there are plenty of free doodle applications. Get with the times you old fogey.
OK, I admit I’m a lurker. I know your mom from church and have been following your blog since we started praying for Ryan. Just ask your mom about Katie S and she could give you an earful. She’s our adopted daughter that your mom has been working with in AWANA for 3 years. They have a great time together.
My earliest memory is someone asking my father how I cut my lip. And it was with his razor. Don’t remember doing it or the lip – just the conversation as we were standing next to our car on our way home from church.