I got this.

January 13, 2012 By Kelle

No offense to male readers or my husband, but I am about to generalize all men based on my observations of one. Ready? Here goes.

Men can’t handle sickness like women can.

There. My unfair statement of the year. As I write this, I holler to Brett in the kitchen, “Do you care if I write about how you suck at handling sickness?”

Long Pause.

Him: “Sure.” Because Brutha knows what’s true.

Needless to say, our house is a hot mess of stomach flu germs right now. I’ll spare you the gnarly details, but the middle of the night last night was a disaster–Nella waking up to nurse at the same time Lainey lunged to puke, Brett moaning with body aches and then–kid you not–Brandyn flinging open a door with a towel to his face and the flu evidence all over the floor. All at the same time.

I hate when my kids are sick, but I’ll tell you what–there’s something about the vulnerability of kids not feeling well that demands the most beautiful moments of motherhood. I take it as an opportunity for a brilliant performance, as tired as I may be. Because there is no other option. They need me, simple as that. I am the only one who can fix it. And so I’m on–aware, awake and ready to deliver the kind of care that will sear memories of precious maternal moments for my girls.

So, there we were last night at two in the morning, Nella nursing on one side while Lainey moaned in my other arm, and a pile of sheets that needed to be washed at my feet. I smiled and whispered that it was going to be okay, that it would be over soon, that I was right here and I wasn’t going anywhere. Brett looked at me helplessly, ignoring his own body aches for a moment as if he could help.

I smiled. “Go, Babe. I got this.”

Patting myself on the back? Hell yeah, I am. So much it was actually the first thing I said to Brett this morning. I annoyingly fished for a compliment. “Dude, how good can I do the sick kid thing?”

“This is true,” he confessed. “You got it down, Babe.”

And I guess, for all the times in this parenthood thing we don’t feel like we really know what we’re doing, there are these glorious moments like last night when you just feel like you were born to do this. Like your love for your kids gives you some sort of special powers, and you know you feel it–the super human strength of a mother’s love. For the record, when those moments come, it’s totally okay to brag about them.

So I did.

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A precious moment today during physical therapy…Nella was just too tired to finish her session, so she fell asleep in Jonah’s arms instead.

All that commotion last night, and Sister didn’t get a good night’s sleep.

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Friday Photo Dump:

Friday Phone Dump photos are taken on the Instagram iPhone app (free) and dropped into a 12×12 collage using a photo editing software (Photoshop Elements works). I am “etst” on Instagram if you want to follow the feed.

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On to some matters of business.

First, my friend Nici–the one I traveled across the country to meet last year–well, she has a lovely blog that many of you read. Long story short, she lost her URL due to an expired credit card stored in GoDaddy’s registry. She tried to buy it back and instead, they auctioned it off to someone who is trying to sell it for nearly $5000 which she, of course, is not paying. So, Word, dig this chick has a new URL.

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Next…

$154,000, Dude. Seriously. Heart swells. This is amazing stuff, and I know it’s not over. Thank you. Keep it rolling, and I’ll be back next week with more sentiments on 2 for 2.

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I so enjoyed reading your comments of your chosen words for the year and found myself shaking my head to so many of them. Yes, breathe; yes, laugh; yes, adventure!

The Bloom galley copy giveaway winners are:

Comment #1411, Emily: my word for this year is present. i want to focus on being more present with my girls when i’m with them.
thrilled to read your book!!

Comment #1992, andrijoy: My goal is continued gratitude. When one gives thanks each day, happiness follows and others feel renewed by your peace. I am currently grateful for my son, Wes. He is not here yet, but he has already taught my husband and I so much about love, humility, gratitude and grace. We are one of the lucky few who have also won those designer genes just like Nella. I am lucky beyond words to be given such a wonderful gift. I look forward to reading your book.
XOXO

Comment #28, Cynthia: Oh my goodness! I would just looove a galley copy! How fun that your book will be here for all to see so soon?
My word for this year? Generosity.
A general reminder to do even more in all my relationships 🙂

Congratulations! Please e-mail your mailing address to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net with the subject line “GALLEY WINNER,” and your signed book will soon be in the mail!

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Our new sponsor joining this month happens to have a valuable tool I could use right now–organization, peace of mind, schedule streamlining. Introducing, Hatchedit.com, a mobile whiteboard for families to keep track of their personal lives through calendars, blog/news feeds, group chatting, address books, etc.–ALL IN ONE PLACE. Hatchedit.com membership is free, and schedules can be managed from any computer as well as both Android and iPhone apps. Become the CEO of your family, and simplify your life by letting Hatchedit.com do the scheduling and reminders for you.

Check them out, sign up!

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Last but not least. I finally finished Nella’s Second Year Book. I get a lot of questions about these books. I make them for each of my girls’ birthdays, and the creation is a long and gradual process. While it looks like tons of work, I make these spreads throughout the entire year. I wake up before everyone else a couple Saturday mornings a month, get my coffee and head to the office where I’ll work on these books for an hour or so. I do it because I love it, and the product happens to make my girls very happy too. I order my books through Shutterfly (100 page, hard bound book–they’ve lasted great), and I create all of my own 12 x 12 spreads in my old Microsoft Digital Image Suite standby.

Click here to see the book.

I’m hoping for a puke free night. That would be nice. But if not…
…I got this.