Top 5

This blog here has been a way to document our life over the past 5.5 years.  With time, it is so interesting (to me) to look at the stats for the blog to see which posts are most popular.  The type of posts that were once most viewed a few years ago do not even enter the top 10 now.  I guess the theme of the blog has changed, become more serious in some ways and interestingly, those are the posts that are in the top five.  Here they are, just in case you may not have read one and want to.

The top five are:

1. When Someone has a Loved One Hospitalized - Part I.  People search these words on the internet and end up on my post of suggestions  This post is by far the most viewed post I have ever written.  I think this post might need to be readdressed because clearly, people need suggestions for what to do for friends in this situation.  Would love to publish this post more formally.
2. She's Here.  This post was what I wrote to let my readers know that Luca had arrived, but that things were scary serious.  Reading this post makes me sad and brings back the desperation I felt when I was writing that post.
3. That Day.  I wrote down all of the details from when Luca became sick when she was a wee little baby.  I have trouble reading this post but I think it is popular because it is so surreal to imagine.  Honestly when I think back to those details, it feels like I am talking about someone else's life.  So glad I have this post to remember those details.
4. Change is Here.  This post announces my return to law school after my 2.5 year leave of absence.  It is a post that represents hope and promise and makes me smile.
5. The Financial Consequences of Organ Transplants.  I just wrote this one recently, so I am surprised that it is in the top five.  I received a ton of feedback about this post outside of the blog and I think it is popular because it clarifies how people end up in huge financial struggle despite having good health insurance.  I would love to get this post published somewhere if anyone out there is that interested in it.  

Apologies for a little blog self-promoting.  Just a reminder that I joined a network called Top Mommy Blogs.  The ratings reset on a monthly basis and they have just reset.  If you like my blog or a particular post, do you mind just clicking the link at the bottom of any of my posts periodically (or even everyday, but I don't want to be greedy!)?  Thanks my dear readers!

Now, onto back to regular posts.

An awkward request and other things

It is not a secret that the medical costs have hit us pretty hard.  Awhile ago I started doing some things to help bring in a tiny bit of money here or there.  I sold some law books.  I sold some other items in our house that were just "things."  Since I already blog and have been for years, I figured I could do some things here that might bring in a few dollars (note that nothing I have done here will allow me to roll in the cash, we are literally just talking a few dollars).  I know posts about money can be awkward but I just want to be open about some things you may see on the blog now.  The things I have added I hope do not interfere with your experience reading here.  I primarily use my blog as kind of a journal to document what is going on in our lives.  That has not and will not change, despite these couple things.

1.  From time to time, I have mentioned something specific we use for Luca, or for our family, and now I will probably include a link to amazon for that product.  If you end up purchasing it, through the link I provide, I get a very small (very very small) percentage for referring the product.  Note that the things we use or recommend are not for any company in particular - if I recommend something it is because we actually use the product and like it.  I want my readers to trust what I am writing.

2.  Related to this, I have an "I Recommend" section to the right of my posts with products that I have mentioned or have a current obsession with.  Same things applies as to #1.

3.  I am now a member of Top Mommy Blogs in order to gain more readers.  This is my awkward request - if you like a post or you read my blog regularly, could you possibly click on the Top Mommy Blogs badge to the right of my posts to vote?  The votes just allow my blog to move up in ranking.

There you have it - thanks for reading and now back to regular posts about life with Luca!

Welcome

Hi there!

I know I am getting some new readers so I thought I would take a moment to show you around.  First, welcome!  You should know that I try my hardest to post often, but with our lives being kind of insane right now, I go missing sometimes.  But I always come back!

Let me tell you a little bit about me, and this blog!  I am Katie (although I go by several different names).  I am wife to Ian.  Mama to Luca.  This blog started (in 2007) as a way to document the planning of our wedding after Ian proposed, but has evolved into a place where I document funny stories, some sad stories, - basically all of the adventures of our life together. 

We had an amazing wedding in Washington, DC, a spectacular honeymoon in Greece, and then moved to Baltimore just a few weeks later for me to enter law school.  Our first year of marriage was full of joy and adventures, especially with my nose burried in the books for most of that time.

We were shocked to learn we were going to expand our family.  Just a few months later, we learned that our lives would be filled with pink, and that Ian would be surrounded by his three girls (me, Tessa, and baby girl).  I was blessed with a smooth, happy pregnancy.  I went way past my due date (and yes my dates were accurate, and yes the waiting game was freaking awful).  Then, finally, baby girl debuted 2 weeks, 3 days past her due date.  Giving birth was one of the most wonderful and wild things I have ever done.  I still wonder how she ever fit in my belly, or fit coming out of me!  (You can read her birth story: Part I here and Part II here.) 

The night before we were discharged from the hospital, Luca got sick.  I spoke about that day here.  She was diagnosed with a rare metabolic disorder called Urea Cycle Disorder (specifically, CPS-I).  Once she was released from the NICU over one month later, I talk about the transformation.  Until December 14th, our life was busy keeping Luca healthy!

Then, Luca had a liver transplant (thanks to my hubs, Ian!) on December 14th, 2010, to act as a cure for the metabolic disorder.  Luca's story even made it into the paper.  We have been in and out of the hospital since then.  All the while, I am still pumping (even though it is a big pain in the butt)!

Browse around in the archives to read more.  Some months that had some big events were June 2008, July 2008, August 2008, January 2010, March 2010, August 2010, December 2010, January 2011.  Feel free to post comments or questions or you can even email me at frommagerkstoidos@gmail.com.  If you want to continue reading our journey, please follow the blog (or follow me on twitter).  Thanks so much for stopping by:)

Happy reading,
Katie

Some other posts that I either like, or think are helpful:
A picture I've been waiting to capture
Should
Some things don't change
When someone has a loved one hospitalized: Part I
When someone has a loved one hospitalized: Part II
Feeding Tubes
Feeding tube questions answered
The ugly side
Here
A typical day in the hospital
My first mother's day
Picture post

Blogger Spotlight: Matt Logelin

I am sure this post is pointless because I am pretty sure just about everyone already reads Matt's blog.  But I received his recent book as a gift for mother's day.  My friend knew I had been reading Matt's blog for a couple years now and happened to see the book and grabbed it for me.  His story is a sad one but I have so enjoyed reading his blog for awhile now, and almost always brings a smile to my face to see pictures of his sweet Maddy.

And even thought I have been reading his blog for awhile - some of the stories in the book were very new to me so it was still a great read.  It made me cry, smile and laugh all at once.  And with his love for using curse words, I loved it even more.  Enjoy.

I've been found

It was bound to happen at some point.  I do not really know how I feel about it.

Recently, I've been looking at the statistics for my blog.  Specifically, I have been noticing a trend for how people are getting to my blog.  A few different variations of "Luca urea cycle blog" and "Luca liver transplant blog" are continuing to show up as search phrases.

My close friends and family members know about this blog.  I am normally fairly careful not to bash anyone on my blog.  Call me weird or whatever, but I feel badly doing that most of the time and feel like we have enough in our lives to have bad karma added to it.  I am a big believer in what comes around, goes around.

I had not, however, shared my blog on my facebook page.  I had not opened it up to my high school people, despite how amazingly supportive they have been through this entire journey with Luca.

But is it time to?  I really would like to expand the audience for this blog.  I want to make this blog into something more than it is now. And if people are finding my personal blog on their own (thanks to Luca's name being so unique I think), does it really matter whether I try to keep it from facebook?

I am interested, how open are you with others about your blog?  Who have to shared it with? 

Blogger Spotlight: JJ Scholl

I recently saw that one of my facebook friends had a name change.  I clicked on her name and sure enough she got hitched...in October.  Holy crap I am so behind!  Then I saw that she has a blog.  And not just a little blog like mine - she has an amazing blog.  Jenny and I went to college together and studied abroad in Spain.  While there, you could tell there was just something so cool, unique, mature about her.  And her fashion style is something I envy.  I immediately became engrossed in her blog and if I'm being honest, wanted to live vicariously through her.  Hope you enjoy reading through her eating, fashion and travel adventures as much as I did.

Blogger Spotlight: In this wonderful life

Awhile ago, I posted in honor of sweet baby Cohen.  At that time, I had only recently become a reader of Megan's blog.  Since I posted, I have been reading her blog religiously.  I have sat in awe at the grace she possesses in handling the loss of her baby boy.  I am inspired by how much she still has compassion for others.  She is one of those people, that through her reading, you can just tell what a genuinely good person she is.  And you end up wanting such good things for her and her hubs.  And some good things did just come their way.  Read it.  Hope you enjoy her blog as much as I do. 

Blogger Spotlight: Morningstar Project

I have not been following through with my weekly blogger spotlight - can I play the Luca card here?  Excuses, excuses. I know.

Today, I am sharing the lovely Lindsey's blog.  A backstory.  I know Lindsey in real life.  Let me take you back to my senior year of college.  I had kind of given up on guys and was content just having fun, doing my own thing, not worrying or thinking about meeting anyone.  Then I met Ian on St. Patrick's day, a Thursday night.

The next day, I left for senior retreat.  I still was feeling content without any guy in my life, but felt excitement about having met Ian.  In my small group was Lindsey - someone I had not met yet.  As most retreats go, you end up sharing lots of personal details of your life.  During one of the breaks, we got to talking.  We talked about what we had done for St. Patrick's day.  I mentioned that I had met a cute boy, Ian.  I told her a little about him - he was from England, and that he lived in Federal Hill.

She immediately mentioned that one of her boyfriend's friends is named Ian, and that he is from England, and lives in Federal Hill.  Weird, we thought!  Could we be talking about the same person?

We got back from retreat and Ian and my relationship took off.  We soon found out that, Ian, was in fact the same person we had talked about on retreat.  Incredibly small world!

Lindsey is incredibly kind, bright, and full of life.  She is new to the blogging world.  There is something so real about her writing and so uplifting, I so enjoy reading what she has to say. 

Happy reading :)

Blogger Spotlight: Transplanted Thoughts

I decided that I'm going to pick some of my favorite blogs and feature one per week.  These are blogs or posts that have touched me, are especially humorous, or need attention and support.

Today, I'm touched by Amy from Transplanted Thoughts.  I had planned on featuring her this week.  And as I read this morning's post, I knew she would need the extra love from readers today. Amy's son was affected by Urea Cycle Disorder - in fact, 4 of her sons have been.  After losing one son when he was 5 days old, she lost her Captain Snuggles last week. Her post today is about the day he passed away and went to heaven.  Get a tissue ready, you won't make it through with a dry eye.

Follow Me

If you are a regular or even an occasional reader, would you be so kind as to become a follower?  You can click that button over on the right to do so.  Thanks!

Hang with me!

Three appointment days in a row (all is okay - all prescheduled appointments) means I've been swamped and baby's sleep schedule is all kinds of messed up. 

Post coming soon (didn't I say this last week?  ugh).  In the meantime, I desperately need to update the look of this blog.  What I did yesterday was out of desperation and I don't like the design - but I needed to change it and so here it is.  Hoping I can get around to doing something better sometime soon.

Post coming soon

Trying to type one-handed is SLOW!

Any questions?

I've decided to answer some questions on here that have been asked over and over again.  Maybe my readers (the two of you) have more for me to answer!  Please let me know.  They can be about anything and everything including L's defect.

On the list so far...

Did you know anything was wrong during your pregnancy?
Would any testing have picked up the defect in utero?
What about breastmilk?
What will happen to L's diet after the transplant?
What is her diet made up of right now?
Will L be able to breastfeed after the transplant?

As you can see - there have been a lot of questions.  Let me know if you have any that relate to this, or anything at all.  The floor is open!

Twitter

I broke down and finally created a twitter account.  Maybe this way I won't get more phone calls/texts/emails asking if this baby has popped yet.

Feel free to follow me! 

Twitter name?

I'm thinking of signing up for Twitter to be able to connect with other moms and Baltimore peeps, and bloggers! 

I'm stuck on a name that may work.  Any ideas?

Until Baby Comes

Until she comes...I'm opening up my email to you to ask any questions you want to.  It can be about the pregnancy, the baby, our life, anything.  I'll do my best to answer as honestly as possible. 

Frommagerkstoidos@gmail.com

*I realize this could totally backfire and nobody could have any questions for me.  But oh well - I figure I will try to pass the time as best I can so please ask me anything!

COHEN

Today, I am silent on the blog for this little boy and his family.

Check it Out

Katie from La Petite Chic writes on an adorable blog called Style Lush.  Today she posted about creative ways to announce your pregnancy, and even featured a picture of Ian and I wearing our Mommy/Daddy 2010 shirts.  Check it out!

Pregnancy Blogs

In case you're pregnant and looking for other fellow pregnant ladies, here are some people I've found through the grapevine who are blogging all about their pregnancies (and a couple of these ladies even dealt with infertility issues and are now soon-to-be moms):

http://www.mommyland.net/
http://babymakingmachine.blogspot.com/
http://babyreu.blogspot.com/
http://nannerpancakes.blogspot.com/
http://biggerbythebelly.blogspot.com/
http://buildingourstory.blogspot.com/
http://bandia12ttc.blogspot.com/
http://icanhazbaby.blogspot.com/
http://jkgriffinfamily.blogspot.com/
http://tslajeunesse.blogspot.com/
http://angieshaler.blogspot.com/
http://stickyfeathers.typepad.com/sticky_feathers/
http://stateiamin.com/

Are there any other blogs of fellow pregnant ladies you'd like to add?  Did I miss your blog?  I'm always excited to read about others' stories.