This is Fern this morning.
Last night, we finished dinner and I let her have some fruit popsicle. She devoured it, and was mad when I took her to the bathroom to wash her hands and I took the popsicle stick away. Then she was mad that she couldn't play with the water anymore. Then she was mad that I proceeded to change her poopie diaper. And then she was REALLY mad that I plopped her on the floor in front of all her toys while I wiped down her high chair, the table and the floor. She started to scream, and was only exhaling. Tray was typing an email, and I let him know, "Fern is really upset right now."
I kept wiping as we were heading up for bed soon, and I didn't want the slime permanently attaching itself to the layer of dirt already on the floor. I looked over at her again because I still hadn't heard her let out her scream. Then I realized she still hadn't taken a breath in. I quickly scooped her up and realized she wasn't breathing. She turned blue and still hadn't gasped in. Her body went limp in my arms, her arms and legs were like dead weights and she just felt so heavy.
I was screaming at her. I was pounding her back, I didn't know if she had somehow choked on something or the popsicle was making her go into distress or WHAT. I told Tray to call 911, and could only picture myself in the back of an ambulance with my dead baby on a stretcher.
Finally the color started returning, but she wasn't crying and didn't seem very phased. I wanted her to nurse so badly, and she nursed fine and seemed fine. We went upstairs so I could make sure she would crawl around and pull herself up and listen to stories at bedtime. Again, in the 30 minutes I monitored her, her breathing and color and temperature seemed fine. I remembered that I had heard of some babies and toddlers who make themselves pass out, and Tray comforted me that she was fine and that she just lost her breath for a bit.
What a scary experience. Especially after hearing this article on NPR yesterday. I am so grateful for her little life and hope I never have to hold her like that again.

Nice morning at the park

Sage and bridge,
originally uploaded by marniduffy.

This morning, we went for a quick visit to Penn Treaty Park on the Delaware River for a little walkabout. Sage liked chasing squirrels and looking at the water. I was entertained by the mob of jet skiers. Ha!

A Couple Exciting Things

Tray's mom is home from her month in Brazil. Fern spent some good cuddle time:
I am excited about these things:
1.) 3 of my cycling caps have sold in the last week at the bike shop (yes, that's my hubby on the main page).
2.) At playgroup today, I saw one of the dresses I designed and made being sported by a sweet little girl.
3.) My business cards and garment tags are on the way.
4.) My website is being revamped.
5.) I got (purchased it, because I LOST the contest at Threadbanger.com) a new sewing machine yesterday!
Wow.

CHEEEEESE

sage watering,
originally uploaded by marniduffy.

Here is Sage helping Daddy water our plants on a beautiful October day.

living room jungle gym

We got these from Ikea and installed them for Sage to burn off some energy. Also, got her this bike, which she is thankfully pretty into. She doesn't "get" pedaling yet, but we wanted her to be able to get around. She just uses her own feet to move the bike, and can lift them up when she gets going to learn balance. She is finally willing to wear a helmet too! This girl has got so much energy, I am hoping these things help channel some of it.

Check out Fern in the middle of her "Old Man" laugh.

Mystery Jack-O-Lantern

This guy showed up on our stoop the other night! We have no idea who put it there, isn't that great?

I know everyone and their half brother have this photo, but here's our version!

This was a fun weekend. Sunday I went to Bella Vista Beer Distributors' Open House at their new location. Jesse told me about it, and it was pretty much a blast. The only problem was that Tray was at work, I had both kids, and I had to drive home,...in time for naps! Too bad I couldn't stay all day. Church was so much fun, and I am volunteering in the nursery with the children's team every couple weeks. I am also trying to get together a little newsletter to debrief the parents in our church about the goings ons of our children's ministry. I am excited, and I feel super excited for where things are going. The physical space has opened up some creativity and initiative, and it's all good.
Yesterday while the girls napped, I ordered up some moo minicards. I am super excited about it! I also ordered up some garment tags with my logo and website on them! This is pretty exciting for me! We'll see where things go.

Take it Out

knit,
originally uploaded by marniduffy.

This morning, I had about an hour to myself to work on my crafty projects. I didn't really make any forward progress. I ended up spending the majority of my time correcting mistakes I made.
I am learning that life takes work. I am grateful that I am able to take my mistakes out and redo. Reknit. Restitch. I am grateful that God does that with me too.

I feel like I was on a blog roll, and then on my birthday, insanity ensued before 7:30 AM, and my husband texted me, "I don't want this in your blog." It got me thinking about things.
I ran 8 1/2 miles this week, without stopping to walk. That is a first for me, until then I had only gone 5 miles. The last three miles, it was raining. It actually helped distract me and made me feel superhuman, and helped me draw on the times when I have done awesome wilderness trips. In particular, I remember canoeing and portaging a whole day in pouring rain. It made running seem like cake.
Then, I watched 'The Business of Being Born' and remembered that I gave birth twice, naturally, once at home. And I remembered that running 8 1/2 miles is pretty much laughable compared to that. So I am considering doing a half marathon. Takers?